asked the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor will increase the number of official referees; and if he will consider raising their status to that of High Court judge.

The Lord Chancellor intends to recommend the appointment of a fourth circuit judge to deal full-time with official referees' business. He has no plans to raise the status of these judges to that of High Court judges. Such a step could not be taken without primary legislation.

asked the Attorney-General if he will prosecute Stype Investments Ltd. for criminal conspiracy to defraud the Inland Revenue.

Senior Treasury counsel has advised that there is no evidence to justify a prosecution for any conspiracy to defraud the Inland Revenue in connection with the transfer to Jersey of some assets of the late Sir Charles Clore. The Director of Public Prosecutions and I have considered the papers and agree with this advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement about the programme of recruitment by the universities of additional young researchers and lecturers and about additional provision for information technology, to which he referred in his statement on 18 November, Official Report, c. 41.

Yes. This answer covers two separate but related initiatives—information technology on the one hand and "new blood" on the other. In accordance with the Government's policy of enhancing the strength of United Kingdom industry and commerce in information technology and of encouraging the wider application and acceptance of the new technology, I am making additional provision, beginning in 1983–84, for expansion of the training of qualified manpower, and of research, in fields relating to information technology.Additional places will be made available in universities and polytechnics at all levels—postgraduate and post-experience, first degree and higher diploma and certificate courses—in disciplines related to information technology. In 1983–84 I am making provision for the support of some 600 more postgraduate and post-experience university students, mainly on one year advanced courses, including conversion courses, but also for three-year research training; and 400 more in the polytechnics, again mainly on one year courses including conversion. The awards, which will cover both maintenance and fees in the normal way, will be administered by the Science and Engineering Research Council.On first degree, higher diploma and higher certificate courses there will be an additional 1,100 places in 1983–84. Extra grant will be given to the University Grants Committee for some 70 extra posts in the universities in 1983–84 and to the SERC for about 45 Research Fellowships. The location of the university posts will be decided by the UGC in consultation with the SERC. Provision is also included for the necessary teaching staff in the polytechnics and other maintained colleges.As I announced in my statement of 8 November, an additional £2 million is being made available in non-advanced further education in 1983–84 to strengthen the training of technicians and related staff in information technology.It is my intention, subject to the annual review of public expenditure, that these programmes should increase in the following two years to secure, in 1985–86, some 2,000 extra postgraduate and post-experience students with a similar expansion at lower levels, some 400 additional staff in universities and polytechnics, and a trebling of research fellowships.On research, I accept the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils that within the science Vote high priority should be given to information technology, and that the Science and Engineering Research Council should devote an additional £5 million in 1983–84 to research in this field, partly by redeployment within the science Vote and partly by additional provision. I have therefore augmented its 1983–84 allocation accordingly; and, subject to the annual review of public expenditure, intend to provide further funds for this purpose in the two following years on the lines indicated by the board.More details of the programmes will be announced soon by the UGC and SERC. In the local authority sector, the allocation of the advanced further education pool for 1983–84, details of which I shall announce shortly, will reflect the advice of the national advisory body to which I am indebted for its swift help on the distribution of the additional provision and the associated resources in their sector.The need to maintain a flow of new blood into the universities, particularly in the field of scientific research, has been represented to me by both the University Grants Committee and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. I am glad to announce that I have been able to make available to the UGC about £4 million extra recurrent grant for the 1983–84 academic year which will enable the universities to recruit some 230 additional lecturers, apart from those described above for information technology. It is expected that 200 will be recruited in the natural sciences and technology and about 30 in the arts. The extra grant will include a contribution for research costs and overheads.The posts will be normal university appointments. But, since I am particularly concerned about maintaining the vitality of research in universities, the research councils and the UGC will in consultation decide the location of the science and technology lectureships. Although the additional lecturers will have teaching duties, their primary role in the early years will be to contribute to research. The UGC will announce further details soon.

asked the Minister for Trade what steps are taken to establish the creditworthiness of imports of British goods into the Cameroon Republic and the Republic of Angola for the purposes of Export Credits Guarantee Department cover; and how much of this work is carried out by embassy staff and how much by commercial credit agencies, respectively.

In both countries the Export Credits Guarantee Department seeks information on the creditworthiness of importers from credit agencies and banks and in some cases, usually of particular urgency, through the British diplomatic posts in the territories. In the case of the Cameroon Republic about 190 inquiries a year are made, of which some 10 are deal with by the embassy in Yaounde or the consulate in Douala. In the Republic of Angola only about 20 inquiries a year are made, reflecting the more centralised nature of the Angolan economy. Of these, half are made to the Embassy in Luanda.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what are the reasons for delay in securing Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for British exports to the Cameroon Republic;(2) what are the reasons for delays in securing Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for exports to the Republic of Angola.

Where such delay occurs it is usually due to the need for the Export Credits Guarantee Department to seek information from the overseas country, either because the buyer is unknown to the department or because existing information is not sufficiently up to date. The time taken to obtain such information varies but the response time for many inquiries in the Cameroon Republic is six weeks or more. A factor which sometimes contributes to delay is confusion over the buyer's correct name and/or address, particularly between buyers of similar names. Care by exporters in giving precise details in their initial applications to ECGD can help avoid this particular difficulty.Similar factors apply in relation to cover for exports to the Republic of Angola, where, although inquiries are fewer, some can also take six weeks for reply.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what are the principal items of trade with the Republic of Angola and the volume and nature of trade between the United Kingdom and the Republic;(2) what are the principal items of trade with the Cameroon Republic and the volume and value of trade between the United Kingdom and the Republic.

The latest available information is as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the level of British exports to each country in the "franc zone" in Africa for each of the past 10 years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade if he will give details of the current voluntary restraint agreements with Japan concerning the import of cars, light commercial vehicles, pottery, cutlery, colour and portable monochrome television sets, and music centres; and if he has plans for further such agreements.

Details of existing or future voluntary restraints applied by Japanese industries to their exports are matters for discussion between them and their British counterparts. My Department keeps a careful watch on the effectiveness of such discussions.

asked the Minister for Trade what is the level of import duty on electronic components required for home produced products; what is the corresponding rate if they are imported in fully assembled form; and what are the reasons for the difference.

The Customs duties on representative examples of electronic components and finished products are as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the current level of trade with the Republic of Malawi.

Details of United Kingdom trade with the Republic of Malawi are as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade what was the percentage share of (a) the domestic market for manufactures and (b) total imports of manufactures accounted for by British products for each member State of the European Community in 1972, 1973, 1980 and 1981.

Information on domestic markets is not readily available; United Kingdom shares of imports of manufactures by EC countries are given in table E3 of the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Minister for Trade what proportion of their (i) total exports and (ii) their imports each of the Commonwealth nations, who are also signatories of the Lomé convention, sent to, or received from, the United Kingdom and other member States of the European Community in 1973, 1977 and 1981.

Complete information could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The data for most of the countries are contained in the IMF publication "Direction of Trade Statistics", copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will list those functions or parts of his Department which he has transferred, or is in the process of transferring, to the private sector.

A number of companies and organisations are being invited to put forward their suggestions for taking over certain of the functions of the Companies Registration Office, either by themselves or by other parties, but no decisions on this have yet been reached.In addition, as announced in another place on 14 December, it is proposed that the new small ships register will be administered by the private sector.

asked the Minister for Trade if his Department's inquiries into the expenses claims by members of the Yorkshire electricity consultative council are yet completed; and if he will make a statement.

The Department's inquiries have been completed. As to further action I have nothing at present to add to my replies today and on 9 December—[c. 570–71]—to the hon. Member's other questions about this investigation.

asked the Minister for Trade if the Director of Public Prosecutions has yet replied to his submissions on 26 November regarding certain matters related to his Department's investigations into the expenses claims of members of the Yorkshire electricity consultative council.

I understand that the director has asked the police to make inquiries.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will seek to establish a relatively cheap and convenient way for inventors and others registering designs in the United Kingdom.

The Registered Designs Act 1949 already provides a cheap and convenient way by which new designs which appeal to the eye may be protected. An application giving a representation of the design needs to be made at the Patent Office and the official fee of £37 paid. The initial period of protection of five years may be extended to 15 years on payment of further fees. Inventions may be protected under the Patents Act 1977. The procedure is harmonised with the European patent system and leads to the grant of patents after search and examination. A registration system providing automatic grant of patents would not be in the best interests of industry and inventors as it would result in a large number of invalid patents and consequent legal uncertainty.

asked the Minister for Trade what action he is taking with relation to the costs of safety requirements on transferring ships to the United Kingdom register.

I am very concerned about representations on the costs of such transfers. I have received representations from the General Council of British Shipping and individual owners about the costs of transferring ships to the United Kingdom register. They claim that the costs of complying with United Kingdom safety requirements upon transfer of ships from other flags—that is, upon buying secondhand ships—are often higher than the corresponding costs incurred by their competitors in other countries. In view of the difficult competitive situation in shipping, and as part of my continuing efforts to take appropriate measures to halt the decline of the Merchant Navy, I am keen to avoid imposing any costs that are not demonstrably necessary. I am therefore setting up a working group to examine the whole area, and have invited the general council and the maritime trade unions to take part in this working group with the Department. The working group will concentrate on the way in which the statutory safety requirements are applied to ships being transferred to the United Kingdom register, with a view to minimising the burden of these requirements where possible.

asked the Minister for Trade what action he is taking with relation to the costs of meeting the crew accommodation standards on transferring ships to the United Kingdom register.

I am concerned about representations I have received from the General Council of British Shipping and individual owners about the costs of transferring ships to the United Kingdom register. I understand that one of the major factors in this may be the cost of improving crew accommodation to meet current standards. In view of the difficult competitive situation in shipping, and as part of my continuing efforts to take appropriate measures to halt the decline of the Merchant Navy, I am keen to avoid imposing any costs that are not demonstrably necessary. I am therefore setting up a working group to examine whether there are ways in which the burden of the requirements for certain standards of crew accommodation may be minimised, and have invited the maritime unions and the GCBS to participate with the Department in this.

asked the Minister for Trade what arrangements there are in his Department to ensure that the Government's policy towards small firms is furthered through the procurement policy of his Department so that small businesses receive a proportion of all purchasing contracts issued by his Department; and what proportion he expects this will be in 1982–83.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 December 1982, c. 155]: Suppliers to my Department are selected on merit, regardless of company size. Our current procurement policies do not discriminate against small firms, and we expect to apply the new measures designed to simplify the procedures for small firms seeking Government contracts which have recently been agreed. My Department is in fact only a small direct purchaser. We do not keep records of the size of firms to which contracts are awarded, and it is not possible therefore to estimate the proportion of contracts likely to be awarded to small firms in 1982–83.

asked the Minister for Trade pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Carlton on 7 December, Official Report, c. 473–482, if he will list the full-time occupation and relevant experience of each of the persons holding part-time appointment to non-departmental public bodies associated with his Department.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 December 1982, c. 154]: The information requested could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister for Trade what were the voluntary agreed or indicative limits or other limits on imports from Turkey in 1981 and in 1982 of the following textiles and clothing products (a) cotton yarn, (b) cotton fabric, (c) knitted shirts, (d) trousers, (e) woven shirts, (f) towels and towelling and (g) bed linen.

[pursuant to the reply, 13 December 1982, c. 42]: In 1981, there were no formal restraints on imports of any of the mentioned products from Turkey. However, cotton yarn was subject to a notified level of 2,940 tonnes for the United Kingdom, below which the Community undertook not to seek safeguard action; cotton fabric was subject to a notified level of 172 tonnes; and knitted shirts were subject to a notified level of 1,265,000 pieces.In 1982, imports of cotton yarn from Turkey are subject to a voluntary restraint level of 3,600 tonnes; cotton fabric is subject to a quota of 2,000 tonnes; and imports of knitted shirts were suspended on 4 August at a level just under 3·9 million pieces. A small supplementary allowance of 30,000 pieces was given in this category to cover the period from 15 October to the end of the year.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will publish a table showing the volume of imports of steel from the rest of the Common Market in the current year to date, and the comparable volumes in the same period of the previous two years.

[pursuant to the reply, 29 November 1982, c. 63]: The available information is given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will consider an allocation of research funds for wave energy for Queen's university, Belfast.

Following the advice of ACORD my Department has made a substantial cut in the level of support for wave energy research and has further decided that the most effective way to use the remaining limited funds is to concentrate effort on two of the present research centres. The wave energy device developed by Queen's university, Belfast, like the majority of devices in the previous programme, will not be given further support by my Department. However an allocation of research funds to Queen's university, Belfast may be appropriate for work relevant to those devices which have been selected for support.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those functions or parts of his Department which he has transferred, or is in the process of transferring, to the private sector.

Over the past three or four years my Department has contracted out its press cuttings service and some design and specialist marketing services. The Department's main cleaning effort has always been provided through the private sector and a large part of its substantial programme of non-nuclear R and D is carried out by private contractors. In addition my Department uses consultants as and when appropriate.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 16 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 December.

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, including one with the executive director of UNICEF. This evening I shall be attending a dinner given by the president of the Law Society.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Prime Minister of Canada.

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

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Swanscombe, Kent.

I have at present no plans to do SO.

asked the Prime Minister if she will stop the sale of nuclear technology to Chile.

No. Any proposals for the sale of nuclear items to Chile are given very careful consideration. All aspects are taken into account, including the United Kingdom's international obligations and commitments under the non-proliferation treaty and the nuclear suppliers group.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to the British Indian Ocean territory.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has plans to pay an official visit to Foulanchor.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what is for 1981 and to the latest available date the total amount spent by Government Departments on measures specifically related to the International Year of Disabled People and the financial provision made for implementing the recommendations of the rehabilitation international charter for the '80s; and if she will make a statement.

It is not practicable to calculate the total amount provided for measures for disabled people, whether specifically related to the International Year of Disabled People or not, since many services are provided for them in common with other groups and many items, such as staff costs, cannot be separately identified. No special financial provision has been made for implementing the recommendations of Charter for the '80s. They will be taken into account in general developments affecting disabled people. As to the wide range of activities undertaken by Government Departments and Government-supported public and voluntary bodies during IYDP, I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the report "IYDP and After—the UK Response" published in July.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) Official Report, 9 December, c. 579, how many new jobs have been created by Jaguar in the Black Country.

None of Jaguar's plants is in the Black Country. However, the rise of over 60 per cent. in Jaguar's production over the last two years will have increased demand for components and some companies in the Black Country will undoubtedly have benefited.

asked the Prime Minister why her office stated on 11 December that the report of arrangements to allow the transfer of the United States European command from Stuttgart to the United Kingdom in time of war was fundamentally incorrect.

Government spokesmen were referring to the central theme of the report as set out in its first sentence which stated "The Reagan Administration, apparently convinced that NATO forces will not be able to hold West Germany in a European war, has ordered the Pentagon to move its European command headquarters from Stuttgart to Britain for four years". This is fundamentally incorrect, for the reasons set out in the answer I gave to the hon. Member yesterday.—[Vol. 34, c. 151–52.]

asked the Prime Minister whether she discussed with President Reagan or the United States Secretary of Defence the construction in the United Kingdom of an alternative headquarters for the United States European command in the event of a move from Stuttgart.

No, but this matter was discussed at ministerial level with the United States Government.

asked the Prime Minister when a member of Her Majesty's Government last paid an official visit to the Republic of Angola; and if she will make a statement.

The last official visit by a member of Her Majesty's Government to the republic of Angola was that of my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce), then the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in June 1981.

asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have made any representation to the United States of America about the lack of advance consultation about the content of President Reagan's speech to Brazil on 1 December calling for negotiations between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

No. We would not expect to be consulted, especially since President Reagan's speech dealt primarily with international economic issues.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply of 13 December, what progress has been made in the pursuit through diplomatic channels of the matter of President Reagan's speech of 1 December, calling for negotiations between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falklands.

Our views have been made clear to the American authorities.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 13 December, whether the distance from the "General Belgrano" to the nearest British surface vessel at the time the cruiser was torpedoed was known to (a) the commander of the task force and (b) Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister what was the bearing from the "General Belgrano" of the group of British warships referred to in her answer of 13 December.

The bearing will have varied during the day according to the movements of both groups of ships, but the vessels of the task force were, broadly speaking, to the north-east.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 13 December, Official Report, c. 11, (1) what was the mean course steered by the "General Belgrano" and her escorts during the time that their presence was known to the task force that indicated the convergence of that group with the group of British warships referred to in that answer;(2) what was the mean course being steered by the group of British warships which would have resulted in their converging with the "General Belgrano" and her escorts.

The "General Belgrano" and her escorts had made many changes of course during 2 May. It is not possible to give meaningful mean courses for them or for the British warships. The precise courses being steered at any particular moment were incidental to the indications we possessed of the threat to the Task Force.

asked the Prime Minister what proportion of United Kingdom manufactured components for Exocet missiles was required by the terms of the memorandum of understanding under which the weapon was bought for the Royal Navy.

The terms of the memorandum of understanding are a confidential matter between the United Kingdom Government and the French Government.

asked the Prime Minister when a Rayner scrutiny of the Charity Commission will take place.

I understand that the Home Secretary has no immediate plans for such a scrutiny.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for shoplifting have occurred in the last month for which figures are available.

Information on convictions is readily available only by calendar year. The latest information for England and Wales relates to 1981; in that year about 76,000 persons were found guilty of offences of shoplifting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many committees for liaison between police and community, as recommended by the Scarman report, have been set up in the Metropolitan Police area.

Consultative groups, reflecting the guidelines which I issued in June, are now operating in six London boroughs. Agreement in principle to set up similar groups has already been reached in 13 other boroughs and districts in the Metropolitan Police district and discussions are continuing in other areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently being held in police and court cells because there is no room in prison.

On the night of 15 December, 161 prisoners were held in police custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has of the use of catapults in the commission of criminal offences; and if he will take steps to require the licensing of these weapons.

Information collected centrally does not separately identify those offences in which catapults were reported to have been used. We are not persuaded that a licensing system is justified or would be effective.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the guide to fire precautions in residential care premises characterised as necessary by the then Minister of State in replying to an Adjournment debate on 28 January 1980, Official Report, c. 1092–98.

The draft guide has been sent for printing and is expected to be published early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of those instructions to the Metropolitan Police which do not contain guidance on operational and other matters which it would not be in the public interest to make generally available.

Yes. The Commissioner has reconsidered this matter at the request of my right hon. Friend. The Commissioner has decided that it would be right to make available a copy of the instruction book revised to omit material which it would be operationally damaging and not in the public interest to include. A copy will be placed in the Library when the revision has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incidence of glue sniffing in the Metropolitan Police area.

Solvents of various kinds are abused in circumstances which often do not result in the particular occasion coming to the notice of police or other agencies. Reliable information about the incidence of such abuse is therefore not at present available. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has invited proposals for studies of the prevalence of this activity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the current level of police recruitment; and if he will make a statement.

On 31 October, the strength of the police service in England and Wales was 120,493, an increase of 9,000 since May 1979.Forces remain at or very close to their authorised establishment and this continues to be a cause for satisfaction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he takes to monitor the views of members of the ethnic minority communities on the facilities available for voluntary resettlement.

There are no formal arrangements for monitoring the views of the ethnic minority communities about voluntary repatriation; but we have many opportunities to hear their views about any matters which may concern them through our regular contacts with members of those communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the franchise of Irish citizens resident in the United Kingdom.

The Government welcome the decision of the Select Committee on Home Affairs to look at this as part of its inquiry into the Representation of the People Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why citizens of the Republic of Ireland are eligible for appointment as British police officers.

It has not been found necessary to prevent such appointments. Inquiries are made about applicants for the police service to establish their suitability and all recruits make a declaration, in a form prescribed by Parliament, on appointment as constables.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been excluded from entering a public house under the Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons) Act 1980 in each of the two years ended 31 July 1981 and 1982; and what percentage of the exclusion orders were for over (a) three months and (b) one year.

The records available to us, which may be incomplete, show 10 orders made in England and Wales in the year ending 31 July 1981 and 43 in the five months from 1 August to 31 December 1981. Information for 1982 is not yet available. Information on the length of the orders is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of community policing in rural areas and village communities.

We believe that policing which is adapted to local circumstances and takes account of the wishes of the local community may increase the flow of information to the police about criminal activity, facilitate co-operation between the police and other agencies and improve the relationship between the police and the community. We shall continue to encourage the pursuit of those objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers to discuss methods of community policing.

I meet representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers regularly and we discuss a wide range of matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the levels of assistance available to victims of violent crime.

In 1981–82 the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board made over 22,000 final awards and nearly 4,000 interim awards to victims of criminal injury at a total cost of nearly £22 million. We are providing grant aid to the National Association of Victims Support Schemes to assist in the development of voluntary schemes throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were committed in the West Midlands by children of school age during the last 12 months.

Information on the age of offenders is known only for those offenders apprehended. Information by police force area for offenders aged 10 and under 14 and aged 14 and under 17 found guilty of or cautioned for indictable offences is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—tables S3.2(B), S3.2(C), S3.4(B), S3.4(C) and S3.8(A) in supplementary tables 1981, volume 3. In 1981 11,346 offenders aged 10 to 16 were found guilty or cautioned for indictable offences in the West Midlands police force area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistical projection he has made of the number of serious crimes committed in 1982.

Information on notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in the first three quarters of 1982 was published in Home Office statistical bulletin, issue No. 27/82 on 15 December 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has that persons are remanded in custody in Her Majesty's prisons because no no other suitable accommodation is available for them.

We have no evidence that there is any general problem of people being remanded in custody simply for want of other accommodation. The number of places available in approved hostels for people remanded on bail will continue to be increased where need is shown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, since the Royal Assent was given to the British Nationality Act 1981, there has been any alteration in the citizenship or immigration status or expectations of the inhabitants of Hong Kong whether by administrative action, ministerial assurances or otherwise.

There has been no alteration in the citizenship or immigration status of the inhabitants of Hong Kong since Royal Assent was given to the British Nationality Act 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent the payment by news media to such persons as those known, or reasonably expected to be witnesses in criminal proceedings already begun, for information connected with those proceedings or those engaged in crime or notorious misbehaviour.

The Press Council issued a declaration of principle in 1966 that such payments should not be made and I understand that it is currently reviewing the situation in the light of the arrest and trial of Peter Sutcliffe. Legislation would present considerable problems of definition and enforcement, and our present view is that it is preferable to rely on voluntary observance of the Press Council guidelines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have come to the courts in respect of breaches in Sunday trading laws in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

The information available, which may be incomplete, is given for 1979–81 in the following table. Information for 1982 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been received from chief constables about the Government's proposals contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill.

During the preparation of these proposals the Government undertook extensive consultations with, among others, the Association of Chief Police Officers; but no representations have been received from chief officers about the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any proposals to extend the present arrangements concerning concessionary television licences held in warden-controlled accommodation.

We have no plans to extend the range of sheltered housing schemes which qualify for the old persons' home television licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to the possibility of allowing concessionary television licences for severely disabled people living in part III accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

The feasibility of a concession to physically and mentally handicapped persons living in local authority residential accommodation is still under review; we hope to be able to announce our decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 to include damage to motor vehicles.

I am at present reviewing all aspects of the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 and related issues, such as the availability of insurance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis with regard to incidents which took place on the streets of Notting Hill, London, on the evening of Monday 6 December, involving black youths and police officers; and if he will make a statement.

We understand from the Commissioner that at about 7.30 pm on 6 December two police officers patrolling in Tavistock Crescent saw four men, two of whom had an iron bar and a claw hammer. The officers initially called for support before further approaching the men, who began to run towards All Saints Road when they became aware that more officers were arriving. The two officers sought to stop the men, and both were assaulted, sustaining facial bruising. The four men escaped into All Saints Road. A large number of people came on to the streets in the area, but did not seek in any way to interfere with the police, including reinforcements who arrived there. Two men were arrested in Colville Square. The area of All Saints Road was quiet by 7.45 pm. A third man was arrested on 7 December, and the three men who had been arrested have been charged with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. They were remanded in custody until 14 December, when they were further so remanded until 21 December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, how many applicants there have been from Poland for entry into the United Kingdom for politial asylum, as refugees, for entry permanently and on a temporary basis; how many have been granted and refused in each category; how long it has taken to reach such decisions; when all outstanding applications are likely to have been processed; and what have been the reasons for the delays to date.

Since martial law was imposed in Poland 75 applications have been received from Warsaw from Poles wishing to seek asylum in this country. These are under consideration.The remaining information sought by the hon. Member is not available in the form required. From 1 January to 30 November 1982, 7,780 visas were issued to Poles wishing to visit the United Kingdom. On 30 November nearly 1,400 applications had either still to be referred to the Home Office or were awaiting decision.It is necessary for us to satisfy ourselves that Poles applying for such visas are genuine visitors who intend to return at the end of the visit as required by the immigration rules, and following the imposition of martial law an interview requirement was introduced which caused delay. However, the waiting period for the issue of visas in Warsaw has now been considerably reduced. Many applicants receive their visas in two or three weeks. Those whom it is still necessary to interview wait for five or six weeks. The situation is improving steadily and the matter is being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in investigating the possibilities of building prisons in ways that would make it easy to convert them into other forms of penal establishments or into other uses should they no longer be required as closed prisons.

No specific investigations are in progress. Prisons now under construction or being designed are capable of conversion to some other prison purposes. It is doubtful whether new prisons could readily be converted to other uses outside the prison service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the improvement in police pay and conditions of employment since May 1979; and how this compares both with the increases in the cost of living index and in the level of male earnings.

Since 1 May 1979, when the Edmund-Davies pay recommendations were implemented in full, the basic pay of police officers below the rank of assistant chief constable has been increased on 1 September each year in line with increases in the average earnings index during the previous 12 months. This has produced an increase of 72 per cent., which compares favourably with both the increase in the RPI and the average earnings of men over the age of 21 in full-time employment over the same period. Pension contributions payable by police officers were increased from 1 September 1982 from 7 per cent. to 11 per cent. for men and from 5 per cent. to 8 per cent. for women. Apart from increases in the allowances paid to officers in London, the only improvement in conditions of service has been an increase from 18 days to 20 days in the annual leave entitlement of constables with less than 10 years' service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those functions or parts of his Department which he has transferred, or is in the process of transferring, to the private sector.

My Department contracts out to the private sector work of the following kinds:

Building and maintenance, architectural and building design, property sales, transport services, vehicle fleet maintenance, telecommunications, domestic and catering services, domestic security, contract cleaning, research and development and management and computer consultancies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for 1981, and to the latest available date, the total expenditure by his Department on measures specifically related to the International Year of Disabled People; what financial provision has been made for further measures to assist disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what privileges and facilities are not available to prisoners at Parkhurst prison due to the delay in the refurbishment project.

A range of privileges and facilities appropriate to dispersal prisons is available at Parkhurst, and no facilities or privileges have been withdrawn from the inmates as a result of the refurbishment programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the refurbishment project at Parkhurst prison will be completed.

Proposals for the refurbishment of A and D wings, which are empty, are now being considered in detail in the hope that it will be possible for work to start in 1984. Work on B wing would follow, after decanting into refurbished accommodation. It is not yet possible to give completion dates.