Written Answers To Questions
Tuesday 8 February 1983
Prime Minister
British Nuclear Tests
asked the Prime Minister if she will list, for each of the nuclear tests and each experiment producing radioactive contamination carried out by the British Government between 1952 and 1963 (a) the date and location of the test or experiment, (b) the precise explosive yield, (c) the respective number of British and Australian military personnel involved, (d) the height above sea-level, (e) the authorised limit of radiation exposure for military personnel, (f) the recorded levels of maximum exposure actually experienced by personnel present and (g) what medical follow-up procedures were followed to monitor the long-term health of military personnel.
The dates and locations of the 21 British atmospheric nuclear tests are as follows:
- 3 October 1952 Monte Bello, Western Australia
- 15 October 1953 Emu Field, South Australia
- 27 October 1953 Emu Field, South Australia
- 16 May 1956 Monte Bello, Western Australia
- 19 May 1956 Monte Bello, Western Australia
- 27 September 1956 Maralinga, South Australia
- 4 October 1956 Maralinga, South Australia
- 11 October 1956 Maralinga, South Australia
- 22 October 1956 Maralinga, South Australia
- 15 May 1957 Malden Islands, South Pacific
- 31 May 1957 Malden Islands, South Pacific
- 19 June 1957 Malden Islands, South Pacific
- 14 September 1957 Maralinga, South Australia
- 22 September 1957 Maralinga, South Australia
- 9 October 1957 Maralinga, South Australia
- 8 November 1957 Christmas Islands, South Pacific
- 28 April 1958 Christmas Islands, South Pacific
- 22 August 1958 Christmas Islands, South Pacific
- 2 September 1958 Christmas Islands, South Pacific
- 11 September 1958 Christmas Islands, South Pacific
- 23 September 1958 Christmas Islands, South Pacific
390]—the records indicate that no one involved in the British nuclear tests in 1957 suffered exposure in excess
of the internationally recognised limits at the time. The recommendations published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection recognised that specially planned exposures above their normal limits were permissible. In the light of these recommendations the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority set a range of exposure limits for different parts of the test programme ranging from 3 rems as the normal working level up to a higher limit of 25 rems for special operations vital to the success of the tests. This level was only exceeded in the case of two service personnel, who received an exposure of 30 rems in 1958.
No special measures to monitor the long-term health of military personnel were taken because the radiation exposure records indicated that they had not been exposed to any significant health hazard.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list, for each of the ships HMS Zeebrugge, HMS Narvik, HMS Tracker, HMS Campania, and each of their accompanying small landing craft, involved in the British atomic test at the Monte Bello islands in 1952 (a) the closest distance approached to the site of the explosion by the vessel and Royal Navy personnel, (b) the degree, nature and level of radioactive contamination undergone immediately after the explosion, (c) all measures taken to decontaminate these ships and their degree of success, (d) the radiation level of contamination and contaminated samples on board and (e) the number of personnel on each ship.
At the time of the 1952 Monte Bello test, HMS Narvik and HMS Tracker were five miles south-east of the explosion; HMS Campania and HMS Zeebrugge were 12 miles south-east of the explosion; and all small craft were 12 or more miles south-east of the explosion. None of the ships was contaminated directly by the explosion. After the explosion, as radioactively contaminated water was dispersed from the lagoon in which the explosion took place into the area occupied by the ships, the ships' bottoms and the salt water systems became very lightly contaminated at a level which represented no significant hazard to the ships' companies. Some of the smaller craft entered the lagoon to collect samples and they too were lightly contaminated. All the ships and the small craft were decontaminated successfully ensuring that there was no residual hazard. The contamination levels were so low as to be insignificant. The recorded numbers of naval personnel aboard Zeebrugge, Narvik, Tracker and Campania are approximately 150, 430, 160 and 700 respectively.
asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government accept the assertion by the Australian Government on 15 May 1980 that a number of aboriginals had been contaminated in May 1957 by entering radioactive areas where nuclear tests were being carried out by the British Government; and if she will make a statement.
Yes. An Army officer saw an aboriginal family, a man a woman, a boy and a baby girl in the vicinity of a health physics control unit on 14 May 1957 and concluded that they might have walked through a contaminated area. The family described their movements and this established that they had walked across and had camped overnight in a contaminated area but had not entered a "bomb crater" as has been claimed in press reports. The family were monitored for radioactive contamination and only the boy gave positive results of a very minor degree of contamination over his buttocks and on the right side of his head. Although the contamination level was below that for which decontamination was mandatory, the boy was offered a shower. He accepted reluctantly but found the experience so enjoyable that the whole family joined in. It was estimated that the maximum radiation dose that the members of the family could have experienced was 7 millirem, a level which could not produce any identifiable health risk.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list each nuclear test and experiment involving radioactive contamination carried out by the United Kingdom between 1952 and 1963, which involved the use, or subsequent production in particle form of (a) beryllium, (b) cobalt and (c) natural uranium.
The reply given by my hon. Friend the Minster for State for Defence Procurement to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill (Mr. Alton) yesterday makes it clear that cobalt was used in nuclear tests at Maralinga in 1957. Beryllium and natural uranium are commonly used in nuclear test devices. Security considerations do not permit the general disclosure of the materials used in specific devices.My reply to one of the hon. Member's other questions today states that a number of experiments with radioactive materials but not producing nuclear yields were conducted by the United Kingdom. In some of these, beryllium an/or natural uranium was used with a resultant minor contamination of the local environment; I am advised that the subsequent clean-up operations ensured that there was no residual hazard.
Engagements
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her public engagements for 8 February.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister if she will state her official engagements for 8 February.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q48.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q49.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q50.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q51.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q52.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
Q53.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q54.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 February.
Q55.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her public engagements for 8 February.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 February.
This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including one with Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today, including one with the Prime Minister of Nepal. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.
Fraserburgh
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to the town of Fraserburgh in the Aberdeenshire, East constituency.
I have at present no plans to do so.
North-West England
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister when she next intends to visit the north-west region of England.
In the near future.
Ministerial Information System
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list the Departments of State which currently use MINIS or an equivalent system.
These matters are under review, and Departments' responses to the financial management initiative will provide the information. A full report of their responses will be made in July.
Inflation
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the current rate of inflation.
The 5·4 per cent. increase in December was the smallest 12-monthly increase in the retail prices index for nearly 13 years. Although the fall which has occurred in the exchange rate may lead to small temporary increases in the RPI over the coming months it will have no lasting effect on inflation provided sound financial policies are pursued.
Nuclear Missiles (Summit Conference)
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make representations to President Reagan of the United States of America and Mr. Andropov of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics calling for a summit conference to lessen the threat to nuclear war and to end the arms race.
We welcomed and supported President Reagan's offer of a summit conference to conclude a treaty on the abolition of an entire class of nuclear missiles. It is disappointing that Mr. Andropov has rejected this offer and still refuses to countenance a balanced agreement.
Buy British Campaign (Public Relations Contracts)
Q56.
asked the Prime Minister whether her recent appeal to people to buy British and her assurance that Government Department will, where all other matters are equal, buy British, applies to the placing of contracts for public relations.
Public relations services for the Government are provided by the official information service. It has been the practice of sucsessive Administrations not to contract public relations consultancies except occasionally for highly specialised purposes. Government contracts for publicity services are placed with suppliers according to the normal criteria of effectiveness and economy.
Mr Michael Whitney Straight (Interview)
asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Leadbitter) on 1 February, Official Report, c. 57, if she has now obtained a copy of the transcript of Mr. Straight's interview; if it reveals any new information about national security; and if she will publish the transcript in the Official Report or place it in the Library.
I have not yet received a transcript of this interview; when I do I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Leadbitter), reports so far available to me suggest that the interview contained no new information which has implications for British national security.
"The Peace Game"
asked the Prime Minister if she will withdraw the film "The Peace Game" made for the Ministry of Defence.
No. It is a public information film to explain policies which have been approved by Parliament. It is designed to inform people and stimulate debate.
asked the Prime Minister what was the total cost to public funds of the film "The Peace Game".
"The Peace Game" cost a total of £80,850 in production charges. The Central Office of Information also raised the standard management charge, which in this case amounted to some £16,250, which is an assessment of the cost of staff time involved and of the technical facilities provided.
Poverty
asked the Prime Minister what proposals she has to improve the conditions of families living in poverty.
The Government's main priority for improving the standard of living of all members of society is to establish the conditions for sustained economic growth. We have helped low-income working families by real increases in family income supplement and—for those not in full-time work—we have maintained and in some cases improved the real value of supplementary benefit. The Government also seek to assist families suffering social deprivations by ensuring the provision of relevant public services, and by assisting the invaluable help provided by relations, friends and voluntary organisations for those in need of care.
Industry
Airships
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what evaluations have taken place as to the potential world market for airships; and if he will make a statement.
There are numerous possible applications, civil and military, for airships but until these have been tested by a modern airship it is not possible to predict the size of the potential world market.
Sub-Postmasters (Pensions)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will tabulate in the Official Report the amounts of money paid into the fund to augment the incomes of sub-postmasters following the altered arrangements for the payment of Northern Ireland pensions together with details of the amounts paid out of this fund to date; and what are Her Majesty's Government's intentions concerning the use of this fund.
Provision will be made for a separately identified item to be included in the Department of Industry Estimates and Votes for 1983–84. The amount disbursed will be shown in the Appropriation Accounts. There have been no payments to date.The fund is intended to provide support of the Government's commitment to maintain an adequate sub-post office network.
Racal
asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to issue a cellular radio licence to Racal; and how he intends to monitor the progress made to ensure that all the undertakings given by that group in its amended application are kept.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry expects to be in a position to issue a licence to the Racal Millicom consortium to run a national cellular radiotelephone service within the next few weeks. I intend that the Office of Telecommunications proposed under the Telecommunications Bill currently before the House will monitor the licence.
Wales
R Travers Morgan And Partners
asked the Secretary of State for Wales, based on the current estimates of construction costs, if he will estimate the fee payments his Department will make to R. Travers Morgan and Partners for the design, supervision and other services in relation to the A55 schemes west of Glan Conwy, and including the proposed Conwy tunnel.
The current estimate of fee payments for design and supervision and other related services in respect of the six schemes in question is £9·7 million, excluding reimbursable costs of site staff, testing, land plans, other expenses and VAT.
asked the Secretary of State for Wales, on the basis of the tender totals of the accepted tenders for the two Colcon A55 contracts, what is the estimated fee payment that his Department will make to R. Travers Morgan and Partners for the design and supervision work on these two schemes.
The current estimate of entitlement to fee payments for the design and supervision of the whole of the work between Llanddulas and Glan Conwy is £5 million excluding reimbursable costs of site staff, testing, land plans, other expenses and VAT.
Cervical Cytology (Recall)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales which family practitioner committees in Wales operate an effective recall system of women for cervical smears and what method is used; which committees do not operate such a recall service; and whether he has any information as to why they do not.
Local recall arrangements for cervical smears are an operational matter for individual health authorities. Details are not held centrally by the Welsh Office.
Improvement Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many improvement grants were paid to private owners and to tenants in Wales in each of the last five years;(2) how many dwellings were improved in Wales in each of the last five years.
The numbers of improvement grants paid by local authorities are shown in the following table:
| Owner-occupiers | Others | |
| 1978 | 5,410 | 521 |
| 1979 | 5,680 | 439 |
| 1980 | 6,728 | 614 |
| 1981 | 6,560 | 540 |
| 1982* | 8,626 | 565 |
* Provisional.
The "others" category includes landlords and tenants in the private sector and a very small number of tenants in the public sector.
There are also renovations to dwellings funded by the Housing Corporation: the numbers involved are:
Numbers
| |
| 1978 | 237 |
| 1979 | 218 |
| 1980 | 252 |
| 1981 | 672 |
*1982 | 686 |
* First nine months. | |
Finally, there are the improvements carried out by local authorities to local authority dwellings. Records of the numbers of dwellings so improved are not maintained centrally, but the estimated expenditure on such
1978–79
| 1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1983–84
| |
| Current Expenditure | ||||||
| General Subsidies: | ||||||
| Central government subsidies to local authority housing | 49 | 59 | 66 | 38 | 18 | 11 |
| Rate fund contributions to local authority housing | 6 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 4 |
| Subsidies to new towns | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Housing association revenue deficit grants | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total general subsidies | 58 | 72 | 80 | 52 | 29 | 16 |
| Administration: | ||||||
| Central government | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Local authorities | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Total current expenditure | 61 | 77 | 86 | 57 | 36 | 22 |
| Capital expenditure | ||||||
| Local authority gross expenditure: | ||||||
| Land | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| New dwellings | 48 | 57 | 59 | 41 | 45 | |
| Acquisitions | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Improvement investment | 15 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 26 | |
| Other | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Improvement Grants | 11 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 48 | |
| Gross lending to private persons for house purchase and improvements | 26 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | |
| Loans and grants to the housing associations | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Total local authority gross expenditure | 106 | 125 | 113 | 94 | 131 | 162 |
| New towns gross investment | ||||||
| Land | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | |
| New dwellings | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| Improvements | — | — | — | — | ||
| Total new towns gross investment | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Sales and repayments | ||||||
| Land and dwellings local authorities | -8 | -10 | -14 | -94 | -160 | |
| New towns | — | -1 | -2 | -5 | -8 | |
| Associated lending—gross | 6 | 4 | 6 | 53 | 89 | |
| Repayments | -2 | -2 | -2 | -3 | -5 | |
| Repayment of loans to private persons for house purchase improvements | -16 | -13 | -14 | -15 | -18 | |
| Repayment of loans to housing associations | -3 | — | — | — | -1 | |
| Total sales and repayments | -23 | -22 | -26 | -64 | -103 | -90 |
| Housing corporation schemes | ||||||
| Net loans and grants to housing associations | 22 | 24 | 29 | 32 | 37 | 41 |
| Savings bonus and loans scheme for first time purchasers (net) and other lending (net) | — | — | — | — | — |
improvement work is:
£ million
| |
| 1977–78 | 10·6 |
| 1978–79 | 13·8 |
| 1979–80 | 18·3 |
| 1980–81 | 21·4 |
*1981–82 | 20·2 |
* Provisional. | |
Housing Expenditure Forecasts
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in a form similar to table 2.7 of Cmnd. 8789-II details of housing expenditure forecasts in Wales for 1983–84; and how this compares with the previous five years.
The information is as follows:
| 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | |
| Total capital expenditure | 107 | 131 | 120 | 64 | 69 | 121 |
| Total programme | 168 | 208 | 206 | 121 | 105 | 143 |
House Building
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many dwellings were started, under construction, and completed in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector in Wales in the last five years.
The information requested is as follows for the first 11 months of 1982. Information for previous years is published in "Local Housing Statistics", copies of which are in the Library.
| First eleven months of 1982 | ||
| Public Sector | Private Sector | |
| Dwellings started | 2,517 | 4,997 |
| Dwellings under construction at end of period | 3,188 | 11,024 |
| Dwellings completed | 2,232 | 4,311 |
House Purchase (Local Authority Loans)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authority loans were made to private persons in Wales for house purchase in each of the last five years.
The information is as follows:
| Numbers | |
| 1978 | 4,252 |
| 1979 | 3,958 |
| 1980 | 1,523 |
| 1981 | 7,928 |
| 1982 | 8,906 |
Employment Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the percentage levels of employment in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector for 1970, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 in Wales.
Employment figures related to Wales are not available on a detailed basis which distinguishes private and public sectors.
Average Earnings (Statistics)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the averge earnings figures for those employed in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector in 1970, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 in Wales.
Earnings figures related to Wales are not distinguished on a public-private sector basis.
Water Research Centre (Budget)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the contribution of the Welsh water authority for 1982–83 to the budget of the Water Research Centre.
The estimated contribution is £722,000.
Overseas Development
Cambodia
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid, during recent months, has been supplied to Son Sann, former premier of Cambodia; whether any such aid has been sent in goods or in money; and if he is satisfied that measures have been taken to prevent the misuse of this aid, such as took place in the Thai border refugee camps, where much of the aid was seized by the Khmer Rouge and sold on the black market to buy arms.
None. We have agreed in principle to provide some medical supplies and such items as mosquito nets and hammocks through our embassy in Bangkok to several refugee camps under the control of Son Sann and his non-Communist associates; but the details of the arrangements have still to be settled and approved by me. They will be designed to prevent any misuse of the aid.So far this financial year we have given £.100,000 to the International Committee for the Red Cross and £300,000 to the world food programme for the relief of Cambodian refugees generally along the Thailand-Cambodia border. In response to the latest appeal by the United Nations Secretary-General, we also intend, subject to the approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, to give a further £100,000 to the Red Cross, to be passed on through British voluntary agencies if possible.
Scotland
Hip Replacement Operations
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest figures for the replacement of hips in Scottish hospitals; how they compare with previous figures; and if he will make a statement.
In 1979, the latest year for which figures are available, the number of operations for the replacement of hips was 2,971. The figures for 1977 and 1978, the only other years for which strictly comparable statistics are available, were 2,539 and 2,663 respectively. As can be seen there was a steady increase in the number of operations over this period.
Rents
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council house tenants receive financial aid towards rents; and of these, how many receive 100 per cent. assistance in (a) Scotland and (b) Glasgow; what is the annual cost of this; and if he will give comparable figures for each year since 1979.
The information requested is given in the following tables:
| Glasgow | Scotland | |
| Local authority tenants receiving rent rebates on 30 September | ||
| 1979 | 35,819 | 201,476 |
| 1980 | 35,916 | 210,826 |
| 1981 | 45,814 | 250,726 |
| Local Authority Tenants Receiving 100 per cent. Rent Rebates on 30 September | ||
| 1979 | 5,013 | 36,035 |
| 1980 | 3,690 | 30,215 |
| 1981 | 4,154 | 27,590 |
| Total Cost of Rent Rebates £ million Financial Year | ||
| 1979–80 | 6·3 | 32·4 |
| 1980–81 | 7·3 | 39·3 |
| 1981–82 | 12·0 | 58·6 |
Note: Information for 1982 is not yet available.
Other tenants have received assistance towards housing costs through supplementary benefit; any question as to that should be directed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing average rents, including private sector rents in each of the main Scottish regions.
Information on the overall average level of rent including both public and private sectors is not available by region within Scotland. The information set out in the table gives average rents by region of local authority and new town tenants as at 30 September 1982:
| Region | Average weekly rent |
| £ | |
| Scotland | 9·36 |
| Borders | 10·83 |
| Central | 8·75 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 9·93 |
| Fife | 10·47 |
| Grampian | 8·15 |
| Highland | 9·71 |
| Lothian | 10·30 |
| Strathclyde | 8·93 |
| Tayside | 8·36 |
| Orkney | 9·33 |
| Shetland | 10·43 |
| Western Isles | 12·12 |
Rates
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table indicating the average domestic rates charged by each of the Scottish local authorities.
The information is not readily available in the form requested by the hon. Member. But the table gives the average annual domestic rate payments for each local authority area for 1982–83, combining regional and district rates and excluding domestic water rate.
| Authority | £ |
| Borders Region | |
| Berwickshire | 194·95 |
Authority
| £
|
| Ettrick and Lauderdale | 189·79 |
| Roxburgh | 205·31 |
| Tweedale | 196·28 |
Central Region
| |
| Clackmannan | 244·01 |
| Falkirk | 260·66 |
| Stirling | 321 ·06 |
Dumfries and Galloway Region
| |
| Anandale and Eskdale | 217·19 |
| Nithsdale | 232·52 |
| Stewartry | 235·83 |
| Wigtown | 201·35 |
Fife Region
| |
| Dunfermline | 252·34 |
| Kirkcaldy | 257·49 |
| North East Fife | 268·54 |
Grampian Region
| |
| Aberdeen City | 258·81 |
| Banff and Buchan | 178·85 |
| Gordon | 197·81 |
| Kincardine and Deeside | 200·59 |
| Moray | 182·17 |
Highland
| |
| Badenoch and Strathspey | 223·70 |
| Caithness | 166·45 |
| Inverness | 264·28 |
| Lochaber | 225·13 |
| Nairn | 260·44 |
| Ross and Cromarty | 197·59 |
| Skye and Lochalsh | 139·91 |
| Sutherland | 148·29 |
Lothian Region
| |
| East Lothian | 353·72 |
| Edinburgh City | 330·30 |
| Midlothian | 329·03 |
| West Lothian | 299·48 |
Strathclyde Region
| |
| Argyll and Bute | 268·70 |
| Bearsden and Milngavie | 496·43 |
| Clydebank | 290·72 |
| Clydesdale | 290·31 |
| Cumbernauld and Kilsyth | 315·90 |
| Cumnock and Doon Valley | 249·16 |
| Cunninghame | 321·41 |
| Dumbarton | 358·76 |
| East Kilbride | 310·18 |
| Eastwood | 435·89 |
| Glasgow City | 301·03 |
| Hamilton | 354·01 |
| Inverclyde | 321·84 |
| Kilmarnock and Loudoun | 297·42 |
| Kyle and Carrick | 367·99 |
| Monklands | 306·67 |
| Motherwell | 301·88 |
| Renfrew | 331·66 |
| Strathkelvin | 352·32 |
Tayside Region
| |
| Angus | 209·20 |
| Dundee City | 279·17 |
| Perth and Kinross | 222·13 |
| Orkney | 79·64 |
| Shetland | 116·13 |
| Western Isles | 130·14 |
Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a breakdown for Scotland of the public expenditure figures in table 2.15 in the same format as is provided for England in tables 2.3 to 2.14 in the White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1983–84 to 1985–86"—Cmnd. 8789.
My Department is issuing today a commentary on the Scotland public expenditure programme which gives the information requested. I have arranged for a copy to be sent to all hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies and I shall be pleased to let any other hon. Member have a copy on request. Copies are also being placed in the Library.
Scotch Whisky Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the number of persons employed in the Scotch whisky industry at the latest available date and in May 1979, respectively.
Information in the form requested is not available, but a provisional estimate of the number employed in the spirit distilling and compounding industry in Scotland is 21,000 in September 1981 and 23,400 on average during 1979. These estimates are based on information from the census of employment in September 1981 and on the annual censuses of production of 1979 and 1981.
Sugar
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the average weekly personal consumption of sugar in Scotland in the latest years; and how this compares with (a) 10 years ago and (b) five years ago.
I have been asked to reply.On the basis of the national food survey, the average per capita consumption of sugar in households in Scotland was estimated to be 10·58 oz per week in 1981, the latest calendar year for which estimates are available. The corresponding estimates for 1972 and 1977 are 13·82 and 12·34 oz per week. It should be noted that these figures exclude sugar used in catering and the sugar content of processed foods.
Education And Science
Scottish Arts Council
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total of public funds provided to the Scottish Arts Council in the latest year for which figures are available.
A total of £9,675,800 was made available to the Scottish Arts Council in 1981–82 from public funds provided to the Arts Council of Great Britain.
Roman Catholic Voluntary Schools
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of children at primary and secondary schools, respectively, are attending Roman Catholic voluntary schools at the latest available date.
In January 1982, the latest date for which information is available, the proportions of pupils attending Roman Catholic voluntary schools in England were 9·3 per cent. for maintained primary schools and 9·0 per cent. for maintained secondary schools.
De La Salle College
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what courses are available at De La Salle college; and what percentage of national training facilities in these courses the places represent.
I am informed that in 1981 De La Salle college offered the following courses:
- Diploma of Higher Education which may lead to Bachelor of Education (Ordinary or Honours).
- Bachelor of Arts (Ordinary).
- Specialist Teachers Certificate in Design and Technology.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
| (1) | (2) | (3) | |
| 1981 Intake to DeLa Salle | 1981*Total Intake (Public sector and universities) | (1) as percentage of (2) | |
| Primary PGCE | — | 1,825 | — |
| Bachelor of Education (BEd) | 34 | 4,256 | 0·8 |
| Secondary PGCE | |||
| Art | 1 | 598 | 0·2 |
| Drama | 2 | 173 | 1·2 |
| History | 9 | 818 | 11 |
| Music | 1 | 525 | 0·2 |
| Religious Education | 7 | 359 | 1·9 |
| English | 13 | 1,141 | 1·1 |
| Languages | 2 | 1,150 | 0·2 |
| Geography | 3 | 540 | 0·6 |
| Mathematics | 5 | 919 | 0·5 |
| Biology | 5 | 645 | 0·8 |
| Physics | 3 | 422 | 0·7 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 506 | 0·6 |
| Other science | 1 | 225 | 0·4 |
| Craft Design and Technology | 18 | 249 | 7·2 |
| Physical Education | 3 | 276 | 1·1 |
| Total Secondary PGCE (all subjects) | 76 | 9,685 | 0·8 |
| Secondary BEd | |||
| Art | 1 | 47 | 2·1 |
| Drama | 1 | 23 | 4·3 |
| History | 3 | 89 | 3·4 |
| Music | 1 | 59 | 1·7 |
| Religious Education | 4 | 74 | 5·4 |
| English | 4 | 160 | 2·5 |
| Languages | 3 | 93 | 3·2 |
| Geography | 2 | 93 | 2·2 |
(1)
| (2)
| (3)
| |
1981 Intake to DeLa Salle
| 1981 * Total Intake (Public sector and universities
| (1) as percentage of (2)
| |
| Mathematics | 4 | 260 | 1·5 |
| Biology | 2 | 74 | 2·7 |
| Physics | 2 | 49 | 4·1 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 41 | 7·3 |
| Other sciences | 1 | 65 | 1·5 |
| Craft Design and Technology | 5 | 192 | 2·6 |
| Physical Education | 8 | 545 | 1·5 |
| Total Secondary BEd (all subjects) | 44 | 2,499 | 1·8 |
* Excludes 211 Secondary BEd places at university departments of education for which a subject breakdown is not available. If the UDE places are included in the Total Secondary BEd Intake the percentage in column (3) becomes 1·6. | |||
The total intake to initial teacher training in England and Wales in 1981 was 18,476 of which 0·8 per cent. was to De La Salle College.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what courses are available at De La Salle college for in-service training; and what proportion of the college's output this represents.
For the academic year 1982–83 the college offered the following long courses of in-service training for teachers.
- In-service BEd (University of Manchester)
- Diploma in Religious Studies (University of Manchester)
- Diploma in Drama in Education (Royal Society of Arts)
- Certificate in Design and Technology Education
- Diploma in Mathematical Education (Mathematical Association)
Trade
Fire Extinguisher Exports
asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the restraint of trade which is preventing the sale of United Kingdom-made fire extinguishers in France.
I am aware of difficulties encountered by United Kingdom exporters in complying with the stringent French safety regulations for fire extinguishers. Although my Department has received no recent requests for assistance, it is ready to give all possible help to United Kingdom exporters encountering such difficulties, should they request it.
Balance Of Trade (Oil)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade, of the oil balance of trade for the 12 months to November 1982, of plus £4,283 million, to what extent this has been enhanced by the fall in the £ sterling against the United States dollar.
On the assumption that other factors remained unchanged, it is estimated that the oil surplus would have been lower by some £250 million if the sterling-dollar exchange rate had not fallen.
Estate Agents Act 1979
asked the Minister for Trade how many estate agents have been deregistered to date as a result of infringement of the Estate Agents Act 1979.
To date two estate agents have been banned from carrying out any estate agency work. A third agent has had a prohibition order made against him, but the 28-day period for appeal has yet to expire.
asked the Minister for Trade which sections of the Estate Agents Act 1979 have been implemented; and what plans he has to implement the remainder.
To date, sections 1 to 15, 18, 20, 21, 23 to 34 and 36 of, and schedules 1 and 2 to, the Act have been brought into operation. I am considering the question of further implementation of the Act in the light of experience of the working of those provisions which are in force. It is important also that estate agents, enforcement authorities and others should become used to the provisions already in force before any new requirements are introduced.
Origin Marking (Prosecutions)
asked the Minister for Trade how many prosecutions have been brought before the courts for offences against the Trade Descriptions (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) Order 1981 since it came into force on 1 January 1982.
One, brought by the Greater Manchester County Council in respect of shirts. The defendant pleaded guilty and was fined £600 with costs of £45. A prosecution by another local authority is being pursued in respect of jeans.
Corporate Management Planning Ltd
asked the Minister for Trade when he now plans to publish the outcome of the section 165 inquiry into Corporate Management Planning Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.
The report has not yet been received. When it has, consideration will be given to its publication.
Liquidators
asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he will introduce legislation to curtail the activities of undesirable individuals who, without suitable professional qualifications, are currently acting in many cases as liquidators; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will seek to enact recommendations made in the report by Sir Kenneth Cork's insolvency law review committee for restrictions as to who can act as liquidator; and if he will make a statement.
I am actively considering the Cork committee's important recommendations concerning the qualifications required for appointment as a liquidator and the provision by a voluntary liquidator of an insurance bond as security against fraud, dishonesty or professional negligence, in the light of the comments received since publication of the report. Further consultation is needed before a decision can be reached on the most effective means to improve the existing law.
Coal Imports
asked the Minister for Trade what volume of coal was imported in 1982 from each of the following countries: the Federal Republic of Germany, Australia, Poland, the United States of America, South Africa and other countries.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Textile And Clothing Imports (Turkey)
asked the Minister for Trade, in view of Turkey's continuing refusal to co-operate in the European Community's regime for textiles and clothing, if he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of an estimated 4·5 million T-shirts entering the United Kingdom from Turkey in 1982 against a notified level of 1·2 million pieces.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Textiles (Imports)
asked the Minister for Trade if he will give the figures for cotton and allied textile imports, broken down by country of origin, so far available for 1982.
| United Kingdom top*10 expoert markets Import volume | ||||||||||
| Percentage change on previous year | ||||||||||
| 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | |
| United States of America | 4·7 | -1·5 | -11·9 | 21·7 | 10·8 | 10·2 | 0·2 | -7·1 | 2·5 | ‡-3·0 |
| Federal Republic of Germany | 5·4 | -3·6 | 0·6 | 14·4 | 3·7 | 7·7 | 8·9 | 2·2 | ·3·7 | ‡1-5 |
| Netherlands | 12·2 | 4·0 | -4·8 | 11·0 | 2·7 | 6·1 | 5·8 | -1·6 | -7·1 | †0·9 |
| France | 13·7 | 4·3 | -7·1 | 20·8 | 0·8 | 5·2 | 11·6 | 6·3 | -3·4 | †6·0 |
| Ireland | 20·2 | -2·0 | -13·4 | 15·2 | 12·8 | 14·5 | 14·4 | -4·5 | 2·4 | †2·3 |
| Belgium/Luxembourg | 15·9 | 2·0 | -3·8 | 13·0 | 3·5 | 3·4 | 5·8 | 1·6 | -3·8 | ‡0·8 |
| Italy | 12·0 | 5·5 | -11·3 | 17·6 | -2·8 | 8·7 | 13·4 | 2·0 | -9·4 | †9·l |
| Sweden | 10·4 | 14·1 | 3·1 | 4·0 | -1·9 | -6·7 | 14·7 | 0·9 | -8·2 | n/a |
| Saudi Arabia | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Nigeria | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Notes: | ||||||||||
| * As in 1982. | ||||||||||
| † January to June 1982 on same period 1981. | ||||||||||
| ‡ January to September 1982 on same period 1981. | ||||||||||
Source: International Financial Statistics.
World Trade (Statistics)
asked the Minister for Trade what has been the percentage change in the volume of world trade in each of the last 10 years.
[pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1983, c. 133]: The information is as follows:
[pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1983, c. 132]: The following information can be provided within acceptable cost limits:
| Imports of Cotton Yarn and Woven Fabrics January—November 1982 | |
| £ million cif | |
| Value | |
| TOTAL | 364·4 |
| Of which consigned from: | |
| Federal Republic of Germany | 38·4 |
| Italy | 28·3 |
| Hong Kong | 26·5 |
| Irish Republic | 26·4 |
| France | 23·2 |
| Pakistan | 21·3 |
| Switzerland | 20·9 |
| Portugal | 20·6 |
| Netherlands | 19·9 |
| Belgium—Luxembourg | 18·0 |
Source:
United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (R2) Sub-group 651.3 and Group 652.
Notes:
(a) In general, the statistics of overseas trade do not separately identify other textiles manufactured by processes similar to that for cotton.
(b) Corresponding information by country of origin could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Exports (Statistics)
asked the Minister for Trade what has been the percentage change in the volume of each of the 10 leading markets for British exports in each of the last 10 years.
[pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1983, c. 133]: The information is as follows:
| Volume of World Trade | |
| Change on previous year percentage | |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1975 | -5 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1977 | 4½ |
| 1978 | 4½ |
| 1979 | 7½ |
Change on previous year percentage
| |
| 1980 | 1½ |
| 1981 | *
|
| 1982 | † |
*no change. | |
| †not available. | |
Home Department
Transfer Of Sentenced Persons Convention (Ratification)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the anticipated timetable for ratification of the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons;(2) whether, in view of a statement to the National Council for the Welfare of Prisoners Abroad on 30 June 1982 by his Department that it had no objection to the terms of the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons, Her Majesty's Government will sign the convention when it becomes open for signature on 21 March.
As stated by my noble Friend in answer to a question in another place on 28 January—[Vol. 438, c. 508]—the text of the convention has been agreed at official level. We hope to decide shortly whether the United Kingdom should sign the convention. We cannot yet say when legislation could be introduced to enable the convention to be ratified.
Crime Detection (Video Recording)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the increasing use of video recording in the detection of crime, he will review his Department's guidelines issued in 1977 to ensure that a reasonable balance is maintained between the value of the technology and the rights of the individual.
This is one of the matters I am considering as part of my review of the current guidelines on the police use of equipment in surveillance operations, which I announced in February last year.
Suicides
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions verdicts of suicide were returned by coroners in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and how often mental disturbance was cited as a cause.
The number of verdicts of suicide returned at inquests in England and Wales in each of the years 1971 to 1981 is contained in table 5 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin, issue 23/82, "Coroners' statistics: England and Wales 1981", copies of which are in the Library of the House. The additional information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Hypnosis
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to give details of the guidelines for the police on the use of hypnosis in interrogation and other information gathering procedures.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement regarding the guidelines to police on the use of hypnosis in gathering evidence in serious crime following his reply to the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 22 November 1982, Official Report, c. 327, and arrange that the guidelines be available to hon. Members in the Library.
Consultations on the guidelines will be undertaken shortly. When I am in a position to announce my conclusions I will make a further statement.
Official Secrets Acts
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Official Secrets Acts to prevent former Ministers of the Crown from publishing information about matters which came to their knowledge by virtue of their holding an office within any previous Government.
No. I am satisfied that the existing provisions of the Official Secrets Acts, coupled with the general guidelines regarding disclosure of such information by former Ministers which are set out in the "Report of the Committee of Privy Counsellors on Ministerial Memoirs" (Cmnd. 6386), are adequate.
Psychotherapists
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many medically qualified visiting psychotherapists are in the prison service; and at what total cost.
Eighty-eight medically qualified visiting psychotherapists provide 221 sessions per week. The current fee is £47 for a two and a half hour session.
Metropolitan Police
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following his statement that he was willing to answer questions about police operations, he will now make it the policy to answer questions referring to the day-to-day operations of the Metropolitan police.
The reply that I gave to the hon. Gentleman's question on 18 November 1982—[Vol. 32, c. 291–92]—referred to matters within my departmental responsibility. It has been the practice of successive Home Secretaries, after consulting the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, to report to the House appropriately on operational matters of major public interest affecting the Metropolitan police; but questions relating to the day-to-day operations of the force are for the Commissioner.
Citizens Band Radio
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of interference attributable to the illegal use of citizens band radio transmitters were received in west Yorkshire for the most recent convenient period available and for a comparable period prior to November 1981.
One thousand, four hundred and thirteen for the period 1 January to 31 October 1982 and 1,064 for the comparable period in 1981.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make the use of foul language by citizens band radio users a criminal offence.
The citizens band radio licence, condition 8, already prohibits transmissions which are grossly offensive or of an indecent of obscene character. It is an offence under section 1(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to use a radio transmitter in contravention of licence conditions.
Animal Welfare
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish his Green Paper on animal experiments and other animal welfare issues.
The Government's proposals for improving and modernising the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 will be published as soon as possible now that work on the draft Council of Europe convention is almost complete. My right hon. Friend has no plans to amend the law on other aspects of animal welfare for which he is responsible.
Television Licences (Hotels)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reach a conclusion on the question of licensing each guest room in a hotel in which a television set is installed.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Raison), then Minister of State, gave to a question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton) on 18 November 1982.—[Vol. 32, c. 241.]
Machine Readable Passports
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 26 January, Official Report, c. 460, concerning machine readable passports, who will have access to the information held on the local microcomputer to which the prototype computer terminal at Heathrow will be linked.
Only the immigration officer operating the terminal.
| £ per person | |||
| October 1978 Maximum allowance | October 1978 Maximum allowance adjusted for effect of increase in RPI | Current maximum allowance | |
| Zone A | |||
| Persons aged 16 and over | 125 | 202 | 225 |
| Persons under 16 | 75 | 121 | 100 |
Police National Computer System
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what methods of access control and audit trails exist for the police national computer system; and whether he will give details.
The police national computer system has electronic, physical and procedural safeguards against unauthorised access. Audit trails take the form of retaining—for approximately six months—all alterations to records; the state of records at pre-determined intervals; and all the messages passing over the police national computer communications network.
Speeding Offences (Statistics)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of motorists convicted of exceeding the 30 mph speed limit in the latest available 12-month period; and how many were convicted for exceeding 30 mph but not 35 mph, 35 mph but not 40 mph, 40 mph but not 45 mph, 45 mph but not 50 mph, 50 mph but not 55 mph, 55 mph, but not 60 mph and 60 mph, respectively.
Numbers of findings of guilt for various types of speed limit offences are published annually in "Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales"—table 4, page 14 of the supplementary tables for 1981. In 1981 there were 235,000 findings of guilt for exceeding a 30 mph speed limit. Information on the speed being travelled at the time of the offence is not collected centrally.
Repatriation Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the maximum limit for baggage allowance under the Government's repatriation scheme was introduced; what level applied at the time of inception of that limit; what would be the level today if the allowance had risen in line with the rate of inflation; and if he will give the difference between the inflation-linked figure and the actual current allowance for (a) zone A and (b) zone B.
The present system of baggage allowances under the repatriation scheme operated under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 was introduced by International Social Service of Great Britain in October 1978. The following table shows, in the first column, the actual maximum allowance at that time; in the second column, those allowances adjusted in accordance with the increase in the retail prices index between October 1978 and January 1983; and, in the third column, the current maximum allowance.
October 1978 Maximum allowance
| £ per person October 1978 Maximum allowance adjusted for effect of increase in RPI
| Current maximum allowance
| |
Zone B
| |||
| Persons aged 16 and over | 150 | 243 | 250 |
| Persons under 16 | 100 | 162 | 125 |
Aliens (Birth Statistics)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children born to alien parents temporarily resident in the United Kingdom became British subjects by birth during each of the past five years.
The information requested is not available.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the likely number of children who will be born to alien parents temporarily resident in the United Kingdom during 1983 who, as a result of the passage of the British Nationality Act, will not now achieve British nationality by birth but who will instead take their parents' nationality.
In 1979, between 59,000 and 64,000 children were born in the United Kingdom to parents neither of whom was born in the British Isles. If in the future only five to 10 per cent. of such children are born to parents neither of whom is settled here or is a British citizen at the time of the birth 3,000 to 6,500 children could be born in the United Kingdom each year who will not be British citizens at birth. The extent to which such children take their parents' nationalities will depend on the citizenship law of the countries involved.
Voluntary Service Units
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many voluntary service units are operating in the Glasgow area.
I have been asked to reply.My Department does not have a comprehensive list of the numerous voluntary organisations operating in the Glasgow area; these include the Glasgow council for voluntary service, which is a forum for local voluntary organisations with a membership extending to some 200 different groups, and the Glasgow volunteer centre, which recruits volunteers and places them with a number of statutory and voluntary agencies.
Energy
North Sea (Supply Vessels)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list by country the number of foreign-registered supply vessels operating in the United Kingdom oil and gas sector of the North sea.
This information is not normally recorded by either the Department of Energy or the Department of Trade. However, a special exercise has been undertaken to provide the information requested.
The exact number of vessels changes frequently as charter periods end and others start. There is also a seasonal effect as more vessels are employed during the summer months on offshore construction work.
The following figures represent our estimate of the vessels on contract to oil and gas companies operating on the United Kingdom continental shelf in early February 1983. They include conventional supply boats, multiple purpose vessels functioning principally as supply boats and anchor handling supply vessels.
Vessels by Flag
| |
Vessels
| |
| Britain | 57 |
| Norway | 33 |
| Holland | 13 |
| Germany | 5 |
| Panama | 4 |
| United States of America | 1 |
| Singapore | 1 |
| Bermuda | 1 |
Mineworkers (Pension Scheme)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total expenditure incurred in 1981–82 on grants towards the mineworkers pension scheme.
In 1981–82 a total of £54·28 million was paid to the National Coal Board in reimbusement of its deficiency contributions to the mineworkers pension scheme.
Pit Closures
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will name the collieries which have been closed since he published a list of closed collieries in July 1982.
The National Coal Board informs me that a further four collieries have closed. These are:
- Victoria
- West Cannock 5
- Kinneil
- Parkhill
National Finance
Travel Costs
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the extent to which countries in the European Community and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development make some allowance to taxpayers in respect of travelling from their home to or from work.
Amongst the member states of the European Community and the major countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development the following make some allowance to taxpayers in respect of the cost of travelling between their home and their place of employment:
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Federal Republic of Germany
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Norway
- Sweden
- Switzerland (for Federal income tax and the income tax of most cantons)
Civil Servants (Salary Payments)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the reasons for the decision to pay £100 to each civil servant who has his salary paid by credit transfer rather than by cash, including those who are at present being paid by cheque; whether this will lead to a saving to the Exchequer; and whether he will make the arrangements available to all Government employees.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 28 October 1982—[Vol. 29 c. 530— 531.]There are no plans at present to extend the scope of this scheme.
Beer Duty
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the brewing industry concerning further increases in duty on beer in the forthcoming Budget: and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. and learned Friend has received representations from the Brewers' Society about the effect of duty increases on the brewing industry. These and other representations on the subject will be carefully considered.
| 1970 | 1974 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | |
| Total employed | 24,753 | 25,060 | 25,322 | 25,194 | 24,161 | 23,508 |
| Public sector | 6,489 | 6,915 | 7,444 | 7,392 | 7,192 | 7,036 |
| percentage | 26·2 | 27·6 | 29·4 | 29·3 | 29·8 | 29·9 |
| Private sector | 18,264 | 18,145 | 17,878 | 17,802 | 16,969 | 16,472 |
| percentage | 73·8 | 72·4 | 70·6 | 70·7 | 70·2 | 70·1 |
Economic Trends articles: "Employment in the Public and Private Sectors" published November 1979 and November 1980.
1979–82 Data from Economic Trends article to be published February 1983.
Registry Of Friendly Societies
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that sufficient expertise is available to the Registry of Friendly Societies to perform its tasks.
Wines And Spirits (Duty)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Scotch Whisky Association concerning further increases in duty in the forthcoming Budget; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. and learned Friend has received representations from the Scotch Whisky Association about the effect of duty increases on the whisky industry. These and other representations on the subject will be carefully considered.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the wine and spirits industry against further increases in duty in the forthcoming Budget.
My right hon. and learned Friend has received representations about the effect of duty increases on wines and spirits from the Scotch Whisky Association, the Wine and Spirit Association, the Gin Rectifiers and Distillers Association, the Vodka Trade Association and from other correspondents.
Public Companies (Creditors)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list any public companies in the United Kingdom whose creditors have been given a Government guarantee that the company's debts will be paid.
I shall let my right hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Objects In Lieu Of Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will zero rate for value added tax purposes the sale and acceptance, in lieu of capital taxes, of art objects.
My right hon. and learned Friend will bear this representation in mind in preparing his Budget.
Employment Statistics
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the percentage levels of employment in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector for 1970, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 in the United Kingdom.
The information requested is as follows:
I have reviewed this with the Chief Registrar. Our long-term aim is to have a smaller but technically more proficient registry, concentrating on its primary functions.
Initially the registry requires a modest increase in senior staff so that it has the expertise, particularly in accountancy, necessary to protect the interests of investors in building societies and the other mutual financial institutions for which it is responsible. I have agreed to short-term increases in the registry's manpower ceilings from 121 to 125 at 31 March 1983 and 129 at 31 March 1984.
At the same time there will be management studies of the registry's functions and activities, including its information systems and computer needs. The studies will cover financial management, on the lines of Government's general initiative for larger departments. They will seek improvements in efficiency and so future savings in staff, which will he reflected in the registry's manpower levels in 1984–85.
The costs associated with the additional manpower and the management studies will also be reflected in the registry's estimate for 1983–84.
Nairobi Convention
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Her Majesty's Government intend to accede to the 1977 international convention on mutual administrative assistance for the prevention, investigation and repression of customs offences, the Nairobi convention, especially in view of the growing worldwide problems of drug smuggling and drug abuse.
Yes. The United Kingdom intends shortly to accede to the Nairobi convention and its annex X, which specifically provides for mutual assistance between customs administrations in combating drug smuggling. Other European Community members have announced a similar intention. Copies of the convention have been placed in the Library.
Her Majesty's Stationery Office (Cash Limit)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any change to announce in the cash limit on the Vote which compensates Her Majesty's Stationery Office for the provision of reports of parliamentary debates at less than full cost and for price concessions to public libraries.
Her Majesty's Stationery Office supplies official publications to public libraries at a discount of 50 per cent. The volume of these sales has been greater than was provided for in the Estimate for 1982–83. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 22, of which this provision forms a part, will be increased by £393,000 from £6,403,000 to £6,796,000. The increase will be charged to the Contingency Reserve and will not therefore add to the planning total of public expenditure.
North Sea Oil And Gas
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentge of total tax receipts derived from the taxation of North sea oil and gas in each of the last 10 years.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1983, c. 281]: The percentage of total tax receipts attributable to North Sea Oil and gas production is as follows:
| Less than | |
| 1976–77 and earlier | ½ |
| 1977–78 | ½ |
| 1978–79 | 1 |
| 1979–80 | 3 |
| 1980–81 | 4½ |
| 1981–82 | 6 |
| 1982–83 (forecast) | 7 |
Tobacco Industry
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade unions in the tobacco industry against further increases in duty in the forthcoming Budget.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1983, c. 281]: None.
Defence
Daws Hill (Usaf Base)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received opposing, on environmental grounds, the proposed wartime headquarters at Daws Hill United States air force base, High Wycombe.
None.
Nuclear Weapons (Publicity Campaign)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on whether to hold an advertising campaign on his policy towards nuclear weapons; and whether he has obtained any estimates of cost.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Crosby (Mrs. Williams) on 7 February.—[Vol. 36, c. 257.]
Chartered Vessels
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has chartered for any purpose any ships since 1 March 1982 other than those listed in his answer of 26 January, Official Report, c. 479–80; and if he will list the names, dates and countries of ownership.
The information is as follows.
| Name | Date chartered | Country of registration | |
| Tankers | |||
| MV Vinga Polaris | 23 April 1982 | 7 January 1983 | Sweden |
| MV Esso Fawley | 15 April 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Corona | 15 April 1982 | 8 June 1982 | Sweden |
| MV Orion Man | 9 April 1982 | 9 September 1982 | United Kingdom |
| MV Hans Maersk† | 11 May 1982 | Denmark | |
| MV Cortina | 1 June 1982 | Sweden | |
| MV Esso Milford Haven | 16 June 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Natalie | 12 June 1982 | West Germany | |
| MV British Vine | 1 July 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Northgate | 8 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
Name
| Date chartered
| Country of registration
| |
| MV Ben Macdhui | 9 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Humbergate | 11 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Stellaman | 12 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Astraman | 12 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Chemical Explorer | 8 October 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Mariann | 7 January 1983 | Sweden | |
| MV Hulda Maersk‡ | 26 January 1983 | Denmark | |
| MV Ice Lark‡ | 5 February 1983 | United Kingdom | |
Roll-on Roll-off Vessels for RFA Service
| |||
| MV Grey Master≑ | 14 January 1983 | Norway | |
| MV Lakespao Ontario¶ | 14 January 1983 | Bermuda | |
Cargo Vessels● | |||
| MV Cedarbank | 27 May 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Betty 'S' | June 1982 | West Germany | |
| MV John V | 28 June 1982 | Netherlands | |
| MV Quintus | 9 July 1982 | Denmark | |
| MV Birling | 8 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Quickthorn | 8 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Silloth Stag | 8 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Martin Dyke | 8 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Gorsethorn | 11 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Pass of Dirriemore | 12 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Hyde Park | 13 September 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Vinland Saga | 29 December 1982 | Denmark | |
| MV Viking Venture | January 1983 | United Kingdom | |
Miscellaneous Charters▀ | |||
| MV Derranore | 13 May 1982 | 12 July 1982 | United Kingdom |
| FV Caroline Jane | 4 April 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| FV Medway Harvest | 4 April 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| Tug Poolzee | 24 June 1982 | Netherlands | |
| FV Winkleigh | 9 July 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Ailsa Princess | 16 November 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Falkirk | November 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| CS Monarch | 11 November 1982 | United Kingdom | |
| MV Humphrey Morris** | United Kingdom | ||
* Includes vessels on time charter for varying periods, but not those on single voyage charter, details of which could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. | |||
| † Subsequently re-chartered in connection with the Falklands and included in answer on 26 January. | |||
| ‡ In connection with the Falklands; chartered since the compilation of the list published on 26 January. | |||
| ≑ Renamed RFA Sir Caradoc and transferred to United Kingdom flag. | |||
| ¶ Renamed RFA Sir Lamorak and transferred to United Kingdom flag. | |||
| ● In most cases these vessels were chartered for one or two voyages only. In addition, United Kingdom registered barges were chartered on 48 occasions throughout the period. | |||
| ▀ Mostly chartered for trials or salvage tasks. In addition, the charter agreements for MV Seaforth Clansman, in RN service, and FVs Suffolk Harvester and Suffolk Monarch, in RNR service, were renewed. | |||
** Advance contract, vessel not yet on charter. | |||
Public Relations
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on public relations activities other than those carried out centrally during the financial year 1981–82.
Approximately £568,000, excluding staff costs, which cannot be divided between central and single-service tasks.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Hong Kong
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the mechanism for investigating complaints and grievances about public administration in Hong Kong.
Yes.
European Convention (Repatriation)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Governments have announced their intention of signing the European convention to permit the repatriation of persons imprisoned in participating countries.
I am not aware that any countries have made a public announcement of their intention to sign the convention.
Falkland Islands (Compensation)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to ensure that no funds given to the Falkland Islands for repairs or compensation arising out of recent hostilities are paid to absentee landlords who are Argentines.
Yes. But it is not always possible in the event of corporate ownership to be certain of the identity of all beneficiaries.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Cats And Horses
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to introduce a system of licensing for domestic cats and horses.
No.
Radioactive Waste Dumping
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to obtain the reports of the investigations carried out by Professor W. Jackson Davis, a marine biologist at the University of California, on the subject of radioactive waste dumping at sea.
Copies of the paper prepared by Professor W. Jackson Davis and submitted by the Governments of Kiribati and Nauru have been circulated to contracting parties to the London dumping convention by the secretariat. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.
Ultra Heat Treated Milk Imports
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking on ultra heat treated milk imports.
The European Court of Justice has today issued its judgment in the case dealing with United Kingdom imports of ultra heat treated milk. The court finds our present arrangements for licensing imports of ultra heat treated milk and for applying certain requirements to the sale of such milk, to be contrary to Community law. On the other hand, the court judgment states that the United Kingdom would be entitled to lay down the objective conditions that it considers ought to be observed as regards the quality of milk before treatment and as regards the method of treating and packing UHT milk of whatever origin offered for sale on its territory.The Government will be studying the judgment in detail and will take as soon as possible the steps necessary to comply with it. Our aim will be to provide for the import of UHT milk from other member states subject to its satisfying the same health and hygiene requirements on which, in the interests of public health, we insist for the production and processing of our own milk. The necessary legislation will be set in hand urgently as soon as the details of the judgment have been studied and consultations held with the Commission and with other member states.
Meanwhile, in order to deal with the immediate situation created by the judgment and to retain full safeguards for public health, the Government are taking temporary precautions against the imprt of unsafe milk by amending the open general import licence so as to prohibit imports while the necessary studies and consultations take place.
Departmental Cash Limit
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to change the cash limit for expenditure in Class III, Vote 3 (Other Agricultural and Food Services); and if he will make a statement.
The current year cash limit for Class III Vote 3 (Other Agricultural and Food Services) is to be reduced by £0·4 million to £91,282,000. This is to offset an increase in the level of monthly instalments paid to the Potato Marketing Board, and accounted for in Class III Vote 2 (Agricultural Support and Flood Protection), towards the cost of administering the potato price guarantee arrangements. The reduced cash limit results from savings in the provision for the horticultural protected crops adaptation aid.
Social Services
Family Finances Survey
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to publish more detailed analyses of the family finances survey of low income families than that provided in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys report "Family Finances".
I have today placed in the Library copies of "The Living Standards of the Unemployed: Findings from the Family Finances Survey" prepared by the social policy research unit at York university.Analytical work directed at the incidence of low income, the characteristics of non-claimants to benefits, and factors resulting in people moving out of low income is currently being undertaken within the Department.Work directed at the living standards of unemployed people, economies of scale-enlarged families, domestic fuel expenditure, labour market participation of lone parents, and the poverty trap has been commissioned, or requested, from outside resources.Completion dates for all this work are uncertain, but when it is received I shall consider whether its results can be made available.
Drugs (Exports)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he exercises any supervision over the export of drugs by United Kingdom companies to developing countries;(2) whether steps are taken to inform other countries when drug product licences in the United Kingdom are withdrawn;(3) if information about the granting and rejection of drug product licences in the United Kingdom is made available on request to health departments of developing countries.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether steps are taken by Her Majesty's Government to prevent drugs banned or not approved for use in the United Kingdom being manufactured in the United Kingdom for export to the Third world.
The issue or revocation of a product licence in the United Kingdom for a medicinal product is published in the London Gazette and is therefore freely available. When a product licence is revoked on grounds of safety this information is transmitted to the World Health Organisation and member states of the European Community and could be made available, on request, to other countries.Certain biological products, such as vaccines, may be exported only if those products are licensed in the United Kingdom. This provision does not apply to other products, but the licensing authority will issue at the request of another regulatory authority in another country a certificate relating to the legal status of a medicinal product in the United Kingdom. It would not, however, be reasonable to prohibit the export of a product to another country where differing social climatic or economic conditions may alter considerably the assessment of whether the risks associated with the product were outweighed by its benefits. It must be the responsibility of the importing country to determine what control it wishes to apply and to what extent it wishes to draw on the information that we can make available.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to developing countries seeking to ban the import of drugs not considered essential.
Her Majesty's Government have recently expressed concern to the Government of Bangladesh about the effects on that Government's new industrial policy of the implementation of the Drugs Ordinance 1982.
Royal Dental Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present position on the discussions regarding the future of the Royal dental hospital.
London university has informed the Department that the major part of the Royal dental hospital school of dental surgery is to merge with Guy's dental school on the London Bridge site and that plans for rebuilding the clinical departments of the school and the associated dental hospital at Tooting should not now be pursued. We are now considering the detailed implications of this decision for the National Health Service in consultation with health authorities in south west and south east Thames regions, the university and the dental schools concerned.
Mortality Rates (Children)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there has been any recent change in the relative mortality rates of children between the age of one month and one year of unskilled manual workers compared with professional families of social classes 3 to 1.
| Post-neonatal mortality rates | ||||||
| Social Class* | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 |
| I—Professional occupations | 3·0 | 2·6 | 2·9 | 3·0 | 3·3 | 3·2 |
| II—Intermediate occupations | 3·3 | 2·8 | 3·0 | 3·1 | 2·8 | 3·1 |
| IIIN—Non-manual skilled occupations | 3·5 | 3·1 | 3·2 | 3·2 | 2·6 | 3·4 |
| IIIM—Manual skilled occupations | 4·4 | 4·0 | 3·7 | 4·2 | 3·9 | 3·5 |
| IV—Partly skilled occupations | 5·7 | 5·1 | 5·0 | 4·3 | 5·2 | 4·8 |
| V—Unskilled occupations | 8·7 | 8·4 | 8·0 | 7·1 | 8·1 | 6·2 |
| Others† | 7·5 | 8·8 | 8·7 | 8·9 | 9·0 | 8·1 |
| Total | 4·6 | 4·1 | 4·0 | 4·1 | 4·1 | 3·9 |
| * 1975–78 data were classified according to the 1970 classification of occupations and are not directly comparable with 1979 and 1980 data which were classified to the 1980 classification of occupations. | ||||||
| † Others: includes residual groups, not assigned to social classes I to V. | ||||||
Retirement Pensioners (Television Licences)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received and from what organisations calling for free television licences for retirement pensioners; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.
The question of free or concessionary licences for pensioners is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The most recent representation for free TV licences for retirement pensioners of which I am aware was among several proposals included in a petition presented at 10 Downing Street in July 1982 on behalf of the pensioners group of the Royal Arsenal co-operative society. In the official reply to that petition it was made clear that the proposal had been ruled out by the Home Secretary since the resulting loss in licence revenue would have to be made good either by putting up the licence fee for everyone else by 50 per cent. or in other ways likely to diminish the present independence of the BBC. Higher priority has been given by the Government to protecting fully the value of retirement pensions against inflation.
Nhs (Overseas Visitors)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take if a health authority refuses to impose charges under the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1982 or an individual doctor refuses to make a charge.
The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (No. 2) Regulations require health authorities, not doctors, to make charges in accordance with the regulations. I do not expect any health authority to refuse to carry out a statutory duty.
Nhs (Review Team)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) on 3 February, Official Report, c. 181, whether he will allow access to his new National Health Service review team by representatives of community health councils and trade unions.
Rates for post-neonatal mortality—deaths at ages one month to under one year per 1,000 live births-by social class for legitimate births only, England and Wales, 1975 to 1980, are as follows:
It is for Mr. Griffiths and his team to determine their own method of working. Given its tight timetable, and the fact that the emphasis is on management action and not lengthy deliberation, the inquiry team will not be able to undertake a full round of formal consultation or receive formal evidence. However, I am sure offers or representations of practical help to the inquiry team would be received with interest. Community health councils and trade unions are free to approach the inquiry on this basis.
Child Care
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young people aged 16 to 18 years left care in England and Wales in 1980 and 1981.
[pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1983, c. 28]: The information is not available in the form requested. The numbers aged 16 to 19 years who left care in England and Wales during the years ending 31 March 1980 and 31 March 1981 are as follows:
| Numbers | |
| 1980 | 15,304 |
| 1981 | 15,592 |
Northern Ireland
Housing Benefits (Departmental Manpower)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the likely effect on employment by Government Departments as a result of the introduction of a unified system of housing benefits into Northern Ireland;(2) what will be the effect on employment in
(a) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and (b) the Department of Health and Social Services as a result of the introduction of a system of unified housing benefits in Northern Ireland;
(3) what is the estimated effect on the benefits received by those at present in receipt of help with their rent and/or rates from the introduction into Northern Ireland of a unified housing benefits scheme similar to that which exists in England and Wales; how many people are likely
to have (a) a reduction and (b) an increase in their benefits; and what is the estimated average increase and the estimated average decrease expected from the introduction of this scheme into Northern Ireland;
(4) what are the estimated savings or extra expenditure as a result of the introduction of a unified system of housing benefits into Northern Ireland.
I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
Employment
Part-Time Work
5.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the expansion of part-time work.
We would welcome any expansion of part-time work which would increase job opportunities and promote greater efficiency and competitiveness.
European Community (Voluntary Part-Time Work)
13.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment which member countries of the European Community have to date not supported the European Community draft directive on voluntary part-time work.
The Commission has recently issued a revised proposal. As member states have not yet had an opportunity to state their views on this, it would not be appropriate, or indeed possible at this stage, to specify their attitudes towards it. However, in discussions about the earlier proposal member states have been almost equally divided between those who supported it and those who opposed or had reservations about it.
57.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the European Community draft directive on voluntary part-time work.
A number of organisations representative of employers and employees were consulted by this Department when the draft Directive was issued. The TUC and Equal Opportunities Commission welcomed the proposal. Employers' organisations have opposed it, however, on the grounds that it would interfere with arrangements freely negotiated between employers and employees, restrict employers' flexibility, increase their costs, and reduce opportunities for part-time work.
Long-Term Unemployment
15.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the numbers who have been out of work for over a year and over two years, respectively.
At October 1982, the latest date for which the information is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 52 and up to 104 weeks was 595,000. The corresponding figure for those unemployed for over 104 weeks was 434,000.
Unemployment
16.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment why unemployment is still increasing.
Because at current wage rates the demand for labour remains lower than the supply of labour.
Employment Statistics
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest number and percentage of those who are unemployed (a) overall and (b) expressed on a regional basis.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715 and the unemployment rate was 13·8 per cent. The comparable regional figures were published in the unemployment press notice issued by my Department on 3 February; a copy is in the House of Commons Library.
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are presently registered as unemployed.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715.
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of registered unemployed at the latest available date; and how many of these are classed as long-term.
At January 1983, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715.At October 1982, the latest date for which an analysis by duration of unemployment is available, out of a total of 3,049,000 unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom, 1,029,000 had been unemployed for over 52 weeks.
27.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment, as calculated on the new and old basis; and if he will make a statement.
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number who are now unemployed in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants—new basis—in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715. Figures on the old basis of registrations are no longer compiled.January saw the sharp rise in unemployment that is usual at this time of year, together with an underlying increase like that being experienced widely throughout the world. The Government continue to put the problem of unemployment at the top of their priorities, but to increase the number of jobs requires us to increase our share of the market for goods and services at home and abroad. Our success against inflation is helping, but there is no escape from the reality of the need to beat our competitors.
45.
asked the Secretary of Sate for Employment what has been the increase in unemployment in percentage terms between December 1981 and December 1982 in the United Kingdom and France, respectively.
Unadjusted figures on national definitions show that between December 1981 and December 1982 unemployment increased by 12 per cent. in the United Kingdom and 6 per cent. in France.
48.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the total of unemployed persons.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures of male and female unemployment for the United Kingdom, England and Scotland, respectively.
The following table gives the numbers of male and female unemployed claimants in the areas specified at 13 January.
| Percentage changes | ||||
| Travel to work area | Number registered as unemployed May 1979 | Number of unemployed claimants January 1983 | Registered unemployed May 1979 to October 1982 | Unemployed claimants October 1982 to January 1983 |
| Accrington | 1,181 | 4,798 | +310·5 | + 7·4 |
| Blackburn | 4,077 | 9,711 | + 158·7 | + 1·9 |
| Burnley | 2,046 | 6,409 | +221·2 | + 5·7 |
| Nelson | 1,082 | 4,287 | +265·3 | + 13·8 |
| Rossendale | 892 | 2,845 | +301·8 | - 0·1 |
Job Applicants
18.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will investigate via local Manpower Services Commission offices, the number of job applicants who (a) turn up for interview and (b) reject jobs actually offered and present an analysis of his findings to the House.
I am prepared to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion further, but I would need to have particular regard to the cost of any survey and its likely usefulness.
West Midlands
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures of numbers unemployed in the west midlands region; and whether he will make a statement.
At 13 January 1983 there were 367,300 unemployed claimants in the west midlands region.The best way of helping all those who are unemployed in the west midlands, as in the rest of the country, is to get the economy right. Falling inflation and reduced interest rates are positive steps in that direction.
Manpower Services Commission (Advertising Campaign)
21.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the purpose of the advertising campaign of Saatchi and Saatchi on behalf of
| Male | Female | |
| United Kingdom | 2,354,396 | 870,319 |
| England | 1,889,192 | 685,902 |
| Scotland | 247,913 | 104,844 |
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of unemployment in May 1979 in Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Rossendale; what is the current level of unemployment; and what has been the percentage increase in each area.
The following table gives for the travel-to-work areas the numbers registered as unemployed—the old basis of the count—at May 1979 and the numbers of unemployed claimants—the new basis of the count—at January 1983. It also gives the percentage increases between May 1979 and October 1982 in the numbers registered as unemployed and the percentage changes between October 1982 and January 1983 in the numbers of unemployed claimants. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.the Manpower Services Commission relating to the youth training scheme and the community enterprise programme schemes.
The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that youngsters and the long-term unemployed benefit to the full from the youth training scheme and the community programme.
Northern Region
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number and percentage of unemployed in the northern region and the United Kingdom, respectively.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the north region was 235,435, and the unemployment rate was 18·1 per cent. The corresponding figures for the United Kingdom were 3,224,715 and 13·8 per cent. respectively.
59.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment by how much, in percentage terms, unemployment has increased since May 1979 in the northern region.
Between May 1979 and January 1983 the number of unemployed claimants, seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers, increased by 103 per cent. in the north region.
Elderly Males
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of British men aged 60 to 65 years are in full-time employment.
Estimates from the 1981 European Communities labour force survey show that in Great Britain in the second quarter of 1981 about 55 per cent. of men aged 60–64 inclusive were in full-time employment.
Computer And Photographic Manufacturing Industries
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies in the computer and photographic manufacturing industries have been notified to his Department in the past six months.
There are no comprehensive statistics on redundancies. The provisional* numbers of redundancies, in groups of 10 or more employees, reported to the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur between 1 July and 31 December 1982, in the electronic computer manufacturing industry (Minimum List Heading 366 of the 1968 Standard Industrial Classification), and the photographic and document copying equipment industry (MLH 351), were 228 and 525, respectively.
* These totals include provisional figures for November and December.
"Democracy In Trades Unions"
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to meet the Trades Union Council to discuss the Green Paper "Democracy in Trades Unions".
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks earlier today.
Electrical Industry (Apprenticeships)
28.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the chairman of the joint industrial board for the electrical industry about possible reforms in apprenticeships in the electrical industry.
The Manpower Services Commission has reached agreement in principle with the joint industrial board for the electrical contracting industry on arrangements for a new training scheme for the industry to take effect in September 1983. These arrangements are a welcome example of training which gets substantially away from time-serving and age restrictions and replaces them by training standards and modules.
North-West England
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were out of work in Stockport and in the north-west of England in May 1979 and for the most recent date.
The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed—the old basis of the unemployment count—for the areas specified at May 1979 and the numbers of unemployed claimants—the new basis of the count—at January 1933. It also gives the numbers unemployed on both the old and new bases at October 1982. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.
| Stockport jobcentre area | North West Region | |
| Registered unemployed | ||
| May 1979 | 4,488 | 191,066 |
| October 1982 | 12,943 | 465,560 |
| Unemployed claimants | ||
| October 1982 | 12,119 | 425,573 |
| January 1983 | 12,427 | 447,039 |
Redundancies
31.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have notified redundancies to his Department in the past three months.
It is estimated that redundancies involving more than 10 employees were notified to the Manpower Services Commission, and confirmed as due to occur, in about 2,000 establishments in the last three months of 1982. The number of companies involved is not available, except at disproportionate cost.
Enterprise Allowance Scheme
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will extend the enterprise allowance to the whole of the United Kingdom.
58.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the enterprise allowance scheme will be extended to the whole of Great Britain, or whether it will be extended to the Merseyside region.
I refer my hon. Friend and the right hon. Member to my reply of 26 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton)—[Vol 35 c. 448.]
43.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the cost of the enterprise allowance scheme operating in the areas of the United Kingdom chosen for the pilot scheme.
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 1 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter)—[Vol 36 c.69.]
Yorkshire And Humberside
33.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many and what percentage of unemployed have been out of work for over a year in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.
At October 1982, the latest date for which an analysis by duration of unemployment is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the Yorkshire and Humberside region who had been unemployed for over 52 weeks was 96,345. This represented 33·6 per cent. of all registered unemployed in the region at that date.
37.
asked the Secretary of Stare for Employment how many people are now unemployed in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and in the county of South Yorkshire.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and in the South Yorkshire metropolitan county were 302,930 and 96,380, respectively.
Job Placings
34.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were placed in jobs by the employment service over the past year; and if he will make a statement.
During the year ending 7 January 1983, 1,544,664 people were placed in jobs by the employment service. This represents about a quarter of all engagements in the economy.
Training Initiative
35.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about progress towards implementation of the new training initiative.
We are working urgently with all concerned to achieve the three objectives of the new training initiative. An encouraging number of employers are showing interest in offering places under the youth training scheme, which gets fully under way in September. The new arrangements for training in the electrical contracting industry, to which I referred in my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Sir D. Price), are an example of progress being made towards securing training to standards. The first open tech project will be launched shortly and a document is being prepared on training for adults.
Industrial And Employment Legislation (Trainees)
36.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider extending the present industrial and employment legislation to cover those people employed on Government training programmes.
Employees on Government training programmes are already covered by health and safety and employment legislation. The Government are considering the important and complex implications of a recent judgment by the employment appeal tribunal—Daley v Allied Suppliers—for trainees who do not work under a contract of employment.
Small Firms
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to legislate to remove employees working in small firms from the provisions of employment protection legislation.
No. The Government are of course concerned about the impact of the legislation on employment prospects, particularly in small firms, and keeps its workings under constant review.
Trade Unions (Election Processes)
39.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has so far received on periodic re-election for governing bodies and offices in the trade union movement as part of his consultation process.
So far I have received 17 representations on trade union elections following the publication of the green paper "Democracy in Trade Unions." The period set aside for consultations lasts until 8 April.
Fraserburgh And Peterhead
40.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to introduce the dock labour scheme at the fishing ports of Fraserburgh and Peterhead in the Aberdeenshire, East constituency; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce the dock labour scheme at the fishing ports of Peterhead or Fraserburgh.
Wages Councils
41.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of wages councils.
My right hon. Friend and I have serious misgivings about the perpetuation of minimum wage fixing machinery. However, the Wages Councils Act 1979 is the way we comply with international labour convention 26, which we cannot denounce before 1985. We will consider all the options available then. Meanwhile, all those involved in wages councils negotiations should avoid unrealistic wage settlements which can only harm jobs.
Industrial Disputes (Lost Days)
42.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many days were lost in industrial disputes in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.
It is provisionally estimated that 7·9 million working days were lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the United Kingdom in the 12 months from January to December 1982.
Asbestos Fibre
44.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he anticipates he will be laying orders to control the exposure of workers to asbestos fibre; and if he will make a statement.
There are already a number of controls on the exposure of workers to asbestos fibres. The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission has informed us that the commission intends to make proposals for further regulations on asbestos as soon as possible.
Liverpool
46.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest available figure for unemployment in the travel-to-work areas covering Liverpool.
At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 90,822.
Average Earnings
47.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the underlying rate of increase in average earnings; and if he will make a statement.
The underlying increase in average weekly earnings during the three months to November 1982 was about 0·5 per cent. a month. This compares with a monthly average of 0·75 to one per cent. during 1981 and primarily reflects the reduction in the average level of pay settlements between these periods.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the average earnings figures for those employed in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector in 1970, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 in the United Kingdom.
The available information on average weekly earnings of full-time adult employees in the public and private sectors relates to Great Britain and appears in the following publications, copies of which are available in the Library:
| Publication | Period |
| Employment Gazette, December 1977 (pages 1335 to 1340) | 1970 to 1977 |
| Table 1 in Part A of annual report on the New Earnings Survey | 1978 to 1982 |
Secret Ballots
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning making secret ballots before major strikes a mandatory requirement since the publication of his Green Paper "Democracy in Trade Unions"; and if he will make a statement.
So far we have received only a small number of representations on this issue since the Green Paper was published on 11 January, but the closing date for comments is not until 8 April. We shall of course consider all the comments we receive on the Green Paper very carefully before any final decisions are taken.
52.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the general secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers to discuss secret ballots.
My right hon. Friend is always willing to meet trade union leaders to discuss matters of public concern such as the use of secret ballots in trade unions. It was encouraging to see from the Financial Times on 1 February that the general secretary of the AUEW believes that trade union movement should respond to the Green Paper and not ignore it as the general council of the TUC wishes to do. We hope very much that the TUC will decide to take part in the consultations on the Green Paper.
Youth Training Scheme
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the new youth training scheme.
I refer my hon. Friend to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said about the progress of the new youth training scheme during the debate on 2 February 1983.—last Wednesday—[Official Report, Vol. 36, c. 316–18.]
Technical And Vocational Education Initiative
51.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what recent consultations he has had with the steering group of the new technical and vocational education initiative.
My right hon. Friend and other interested colleagues are represented on the national steering group by assessors. The chairman of the Manpower Services Commission has recently reported the criteria for selection of schemes and guidelines for local authorities wishing to participate in the initiative, which have been drawn up by the national steering group and are being distributed to local authorities.
Trade Union Reform
53.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received following his recent announcement of further proposals for trade union reform.
So far I have received 78 representations on the green paper "Democracy in Trade Unions" which discusses the need for further trade union reform. The period set aside for consultations lasts until 8 April.
Youth Opportunities Programme
54.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made towards last year's target on the youth opportunities programme.
The Government's commitment to offer a place on the youth opportunities programme to all 1982 school leavers by Christmas 1982 has been substantially met. A total of 325,000 1982 school leavers had entered the programme by Christmas, leaving fewer than 8,000 without the offer of a place.
East Ham
55.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out the change in the numbers of unemployed in the area of East Ham from May 1979 until the latest available date.
Between May 1979 and October 1982, the number of people registered as unemployed (the old basis of the unemployment count) increased by 3,774 in the East Ham jobcentre area. Between October 1982 and January 1983, the number of unemployed claimants (the new basis of the count) in the area increased by 321. The figures on which the increases are based include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.
Industrial Disputes (Arbitration)
56.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to discuss the use of arbitration in industrial disputes; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend has no plans for such a meeting.
Job-Splitting Scheme
60.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many inquiries about the Government's job-splitting scheme have been received; and how many applications to participate have been made.
About 3,700 inquiries have been received at the Department's headquarters alone since the scheme opened on 3 January. In addition, numerous inquiries have been made at regional offices since the scheme was first announced. So far, 70 applications have been made.
Employment Statistics (Ethnic Monitoring)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he proposes to introduce ethnic monitoring into the unemployment statistics; and if he will make a statement.
Consideration is being given to new arrangements for assessing the ethnic origin of unemployed people, and my right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as possible.
Accrington
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment in Accrington; what it was in May 1979; what has been the percentage increase over this period; and if he will make a statement.
I shall reply to the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.
North-East Lancashire
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many families in Accrington and north-east Lancashire have (a) both principal wage earners out of work, (b) one principal wage earner out of work and (c) one principal wage earner and other members of the family out of work.
I regret that the information is not available.
Brewing Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of persons employed in the brewing industry at the latest available date and in May 1979, respectively.
At September 1982, the latest date for which the information is available, the provisional number of employees in employment in the United Kingdom in the brewing and malting industry (minimum list heading 231 of the 1968 standard industrial classification) was 55,100. The corresponding number at May 1979 was 66,800.
Factories (Night Shifts)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he sought advice from the Health and Safety Commission on the safety, health and welfare consequences of changing the existing legislation governing night shifts in factories; when he expects to receive such advice; and whether he has taken any steps to expedite the receipt of such advice.
Following the publication in 1979 of the Equal Opportunities Commission's report, "Health and Safety legislation: Should we distinguish between men and women?", the Health and Safety Commission was asked to advise on the safety, health and welfare consequences of changing the legislation governing night shifts in factories. The commission is aware that my right hon. Friend is anxious to receive their advice as soon as possible.
Wine And Spirits
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the wine and spirits industry at the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the figures in May 1979.
At September 1982, the latest date for which the information is available, the provisional number of employees in employment in the United Kingdom in the wine and spirits industry (minimum list heading 239 of the 1968 standard industrial classification) was 30,600. The corresponding number at May 1979 was 34,300.
Temporary Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs in the Keighley travel-to-work area are currently supported by the temporary short-time working compensation scheme.
The number of potentially redundant jobs for which reimbursement for support was claimed under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme in December 1982 in the Keighley travel-to-work area was 340.
Employment (Keighley)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many young persons aged 16 to 18 years are currently unemployed in the Keighley travel-to-work area;(2) how many people in the Keighley travel-to-work area have been unemployed for
(a) up to six months, (b) six months to 12 months, (c) 12 to 18 months, (d) 18 months to two years and (e) over two years.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Redundancy Notifications
asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many redundancy notifications were given during December and January 1983 to the most recent practicable date in the Keighley travel-to-work area;(2) how many redundancies in
(a) the textile industry, (b) machine tool engineering, (c) general engineering, (d) service trades and (e) steel fabrication work have been made in the Keighley travel-to-work area since May 1979.
There are no comprehensive statistics of redundancies. The provisional number of redundancies in the Keighley travel-to-work area, involving 10 or more employees, notified to the manpower services commission as due to occur during December 1982 was 94. Figures for January 1983 are not yet available. The number of redundancies, involving 10 or more employees, reported as due to occur in the Keighley travel-to-work area, in the industries specified between May 1979 and December 1982* is as follows:
| Redundancies | |
| Textiles (Order XIII) | 1,019 |
| Machine Tool engineering (MLH 332) | 381 |
| Mechanical Engineering (Order VII) | 634 |
| Service Industries (Transport Distributive Trades, Financial Services, Professional and Scientific Services, Public Administration, and Miscellaneous Services, (Orders XXII-XXVII) | 14 |
| Steel Manufacture (MLH 311) | nil |
| * This includes provisional figures for December 1982. | |
Environment
Housing (Right To Buy)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to give further publicity to the right to buy for local authority and new town tenants.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 8 December.—[Vol. 33, c. 554.]
South Africa (Sport)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will study recent developments in the organisation of sport in the Republic of South Africa, with particular regard to the Gleneagles agreement.
I already pay close attention to any changes in the way that sport is organised in South Africa.
Clean Air Grants
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what central Government expenditure on clean air grants has taken place, in constant prices, in each year since 1972–73.
Clean air grants paid to local authorities in England are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1972–73 | 2,597,815 |
| 1973–74 | 2,412,749 |
| 1974–75 | 1,828,642 |
| 1975–76 | 2,283,622 |
| 1976–77 | 2,042,499 |
| 1977–78 | 1,928,384 |
| 1978–79 | 1,429,318 |
| 1979–80 | 1,375,317 |
| 1980–81 | 1,945,706 |
| 1981–82 | 1,399,229 |
| *1982–83 | 1,300,000 |
| * Estimated. | |
Local Authority Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the estimated outturn level of each local authority's contribution to the local authority borrowing requirement in 1981–82, showing also the total for all authorities in England.
The estimated local authority borrowing requirement in England in 1981–82 is minus £470 million. I have today placed in the Library the available information for individual authorities.
Airey Houses
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if local authorities have the right to refuse to repurchase Airey-type houses from owner-occupiers who purchased their homes under the right-to-buy legislation.
No powers currently exist to compel local authorities to repurchase Airey houses from owner-occupiers. Under the terms of the scheme announced on 7 September 1982, however, authorities will be reimbursed fully by the Exchequer for the costs of any ex-gratia payments made when they repurchase.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what compensation his Department will pay to local authorities which repurchase Airey-type houses under the provisions of recent legislation;(2) what compensation his Department will pay to local authorities which incur expenditure effecting repairs on Airey-type houses that they have repurchased under the provision of recent legislation.
Local authorities which repurchase Airey houses from owner-occupiers under the terms of the scheme announced on 7 September 1982 will be able to claim full reimbursement from the Exchequer of any ex gratia payments made to the owner. The actual purchase price will be at current market value. The need for expenditure on repairs to Airey houses will be taken into account in determining housing investment programme allocations. In addition, 100 per cent. of the notional loan charges on repairs—which is 75 per cent. of admissible costs—will be reckonable expenditure and will count in the calculation of authorities' subsidy entitlement.
British Waterways Board
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will add to the reply of 10 November, Official Report, c. 534–35, in order to clarify the degree to which the efficiency of the British Waterways Board has been the subject of investigation by outside auditors.
There has been no investigation by outside auditors at the Government's request into the board's affairs, nor has there been any disagreement between auditors. The study completed by Inbucon management consultants in April was commissioned, with the board's agreement and co-operation, to consider a wide range of issues. The Government and the board are at one on the importance of ensuring the maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the conduct of the board's affairs.
Islington News Co-Operative
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what application has been made to his Department for approval of a grant which Islington borough council has resolved to make to the Islington News Co-operative, a project for distributing a free newspaper in Islington; and whether information has been supplied in the application about the formal links between the co-operative and the local government committee of Islington Labour parties.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1983, c. 287]: My Department has approved a sum of £1,000 under section 3 of the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 for the setting up, but not the running, costs of a publishing co-operative. The information supplied stated that the cooperative would create nine full-time jobs within the borough. There was no information about links with other organisations; if the hon. Member has such information, he should write to me.
National Park Authorities
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has plans to monitor the financing and efficiency of national park authorities.
[pursuant to his reply, 17 December 1982, c. 297]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have proposed a joint review, with the Countryside Commission, of the level of resources available to national park authorities and the efficiency and economy with which they are carrying out their responsibilities. Detailed terms of reference for this study will be drawn up in consultation with the relevant local authority associations.
Transport
Seat Belts
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the actual or estimated total expenditure under stated headings, on advertising seat belts, including the recent media campaign on their compulsory use.
Expenditure on seat belt advertising in the various media categories, including research costs, for the five years 1978–79 to 1982–83—was the 1982–83 element being an estimate—as follows:
| £ | |
| TV | 3,834,950 |
| Poster | 695,650 |
| Press | 592,100 |
| 118,900 | |
| Radio | 25,950 |
| Research | 180,450 |
| Total | 5,448,000 |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to the answer of 7 December 1982, Official Report, c. 459–460, he will seek to obtain a copy of the guidelines on medical exemptions from compulsory seat belt wearing issued by the Medical Commission on accident prevention and place it in the Library for the use of hon. Members.
I have arranged for a copy of the guidelines prepared and issued by the Medical Commission on accident prevention to be placed in the Library today.
M1 (Lighting)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further extension of lighting is planned for the stretch of the M1 motorway between the Newport Pagnell and Watford Gap service areas.
Lighting will be installed from junction 14—Newport Pagnell—to just north of the Newport Pagnell service area during the next financial year and will be extended to junction 16 as funds permit.
Tyre Tread (Depths)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will delay his proposed changes on tyre tread depths in construction and use regulations until the report of the transport committee on road safety is available to him.
No. I have consulted widely on these proposals. Although I am still considering the responses, there is clearly general agreement that the proposals will in themselves improve road safety, in particular by outlawing tyres which are badly worn at the shoulder. Delay would therefore not be justified, but I shall be ready to consider the case for further change in the light of the report of the transport committee when that is available.
Serpell Inquiry
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information was given to the Serpell inquiry by his Department concerning increased road congestion.
The Department's evidence suggested that road congestion was a relevant factor when considering public transport subsidies; that the effectiveness of subsidies in reducing congestion was likely to be greater in London than elsewhere; and that outside London the rail strikes in 1982 resulted in a little more congestion in city centres and in London in significantly increased congestion.
Railways Inspector (Report)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the latest report from his railways inspector on track, signalling, maintenance and general safety standards.
The chief inspecting officer of railways in his report on the safety record of the railways in Great Britain during the year 1981, dated 6 September 1982, clearly stated that the railways' policy of putting safety before operational and commercial considerations had prevented any serious erosion of the high safety standards and that he found no evidence that safety had been prejudiced by the railways' current financial difficulties.I am assured by the chief inspecting officer that there are no indications of a deterioration of safety standards since he issued his report. In particular, accidents from signalling defects remain extremely few and the total number of accidents caused by technical failures, including maintenance, continue to fall. Lastly, it is encouraging to see an overall improvement in the safety of railway staff, with a dramatic fall in the number of persons injured.
Railways (Track And Signalling Maintenance)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any representations from the chairman of the British Railways Board on present and future provision for track and signalling maintenance or replacement within the special replacement allowance or external financing limit set for British Rail.
I have received estimates of the board's financial requirements in its current rail plan and the PSO grant claim for 1983.
Traffic Lights (Parking Restrictions)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make arrangements for zigzag lines, similar to those indicating that parking is prohibited immediately before pedestrian crossings, to be painted ahead of traffic lights, in order to reduce road accidents.
As local authorities already have powers to prohibit parking at any location, where it is justified on traffic management or road safety grounds, by making a traffic regulation order, it does not seem necessary for zig zag lines to be added. The existing bans are indicated by the yellow line road markings and associated signs.
Severn Bridge
asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Severn bridge to be in full operational order in both directions.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend on 4 February to the right hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth).—[Vol. 36, c. 213.] The early morning lane closures cause minimal delay.
Railways (Electrification)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement about the Bedford-St. Pancras electrification and give an estimate of the total cost sustained to British Rail to date through the inoperation of the system.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1983, c. 290]: Compared with its original estimates, the board estimates a £1·3 million shortfall on its profit and loss account in 1982 for this service, more than half being due to the non-introduction of electric trains.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give an analysis of the £153·5 million, at mid-1981 prices, spent on the electrification of the Bedford-St. Pancras railway and the rate of interest payable on the funds granted by the national loans fund to British Rail for the project.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1983, c. 290]: The most recent estimate made by the Railways Board of the total cost of modernising and electrifying the London to Bedford railway is £153·7 million at mid-1982 prices. This sum comprises £68·1 million for items already in use, and £85·6 million in respect of investment which is standing idle. A full analysis is as follows:
| £ million | |
| Resignalling and track works | 24·1 |
| Track rationalisation and route improvements | 32·8 |
| Maintenance depots | 11·1 |
| Electrification fixed works | 30·5 |
| Rolling stock | 47·0 |
| Traffic expenses | approx 2·0 |
| Kings Cross Midland Station | approx 6·0 |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what he expects to be the annual saving on the operation of the electrified Bedford-St. Pancras rail service assuming a one-man operation compared with the use of the present diesel multiple units.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1983, c. 290]: The saving depends on the level of specific rewards which are eventually paid to the staff involved.
Education And Science
Initial Teacher Training
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will tabulate the entry targets and actual intake of students for primary and secondary initial teacher training for each voluntary college, maintained establishment and polytechnic, shown separately for 1981 and estimated 1982, and the percentage of places filled that the intake represents.
With the permission of the Secretary of State for Wales, I shall give information relating to provision in both England and Wales. Figures for the entry targets for each institution in 1981 and 1982 are given in the attached tables. Actual intakes in 1981 are also given, with primary and secondary numbers shown separately: it should be noted that in that year most institutions tried to compensate for a shortfall in admissions to the bachelor of education courses by over-recruiting students for the postgraduate certificate of education. For the 1982 intake, only figures relating to the PUCE are at present available.The table also shows 1981 total intakes at each institution as a percentage of 1981 targets.Total intakes to the public sector and to university departments of education in 1981 amounted to 18,476, or 55 per cent. of the total number of students on courses of initial teacher training in England and Wales, in the academic year 1981–82.
Institution
| 1981
| 1982
| |||||||||||
Targets
| Intake
| Targets
| Intake
| ||||||||||
PGCE
| B Ed
| PGCE
| B Ed
| Total intake as percentage of Target
| PGCE
| B Ed
| PGCE
| B Ed
| |||||
Primary
| Secondary
| Primary
| Secondary
| Primary
| Secondary
| Primary
| Secondary
| ||||||
| England | |||||||||||||
| LEA maintained Polytechnics | |||||||||||||
| 1. Birmingham | 152 | 145 | 48 | 155 | 50 | 11 | 88·9 | 119 | 145 | 15 | 56 | ||
| 2. Brighton | 155 | 190 | 33 | 169 | 70 | 89 | 104·6 | 120 | 190 | 18 | 56 | ||
| 3. Bristol | 135 | 115 | 62 | 76 | 40 | 43 | 88·4 | 98 | 115 | 40 | 50 | ||
| 4. Huddersfield | — | 50 | — | — | 19 | 15 | 68·0 | — | 50 | — | — | ||
| 5. Kingston | 65 | 70 | 40 | 76 | 43 | — | 117·8 | 54 | 70 | 10 | 53 | ||
| 6. Leeds | 100 | 180 | 35 | 114 | 40 | 70 | 92·5 | 76 | 180 | 16 | 51 | ||
| 7. Leicester | 70 | 100 | — | 98 | 44 | 16 | 92·9 | 58 | 100 | — | 34 | ||
| 8. Liverpool | 60 | 110 | — | 65 | — | 84 | 87·6 | 44 | 110 | — | 20 | ||
| 9. Manchester | 250 | 110 | 24 | 220 | 46 | 15 | 84·7 | 191 | 110 | 16 | 151 | ||
| 10. Middlesex | 75 | 140 | — | 95 | 43 | 60 | 92·1 | 50 | 140 | Not available | |||
| 11. Newcastle | 75 | 155 | 15 | 66 | 40 | 30 | 65·7 | 71 | 155 | 18 | 44 | ||
| 12. North Staffordshire | 100 | 65 | 25 | 75 | 19 | 27 | 88·5 | 73 | 65 | 21 | 56 | ||
| 13. Oxford | 50 | 80 | 63 | — | 49 | — | 86·2 | 36 | 80 | 33 | — | ||
| 14. North London | — | 99 | — | — | 58 | 39 | 98·0 | — | 99 | — | — | ||
| 15. North East London | 62 | 30 | — | 63 | 10 | — | 79·3 | 54 | 30 | — | 58 | ||
| 16. Portsmouth | 40 | 60 | — | 55 | 47 | — | 102·0 | 40 | 60 | 25 | 15 | ||
| 17. Sheffield | 110 | 200 | 39 | 104 | 60 | 93 | 95·5 | 85 | 200 | 19 | 64 | ||
| 18. South Bank | — | 62 | — | — | 61 | 41 | 164·5 | — | 62 | — | — | ||
| 19. Sunderland | 15 | 115 | — | 25 | 41 | 30 | 73·8 | — | 115 | — | — | ||
| 20. Teesside | — | 95 | — | — | 20 | 13 | 34·7 | — | 95 | — | — | ||
| 21. Thames | — | 105 | — | — | 50 | 23 | 69·5 | — | 105 | — | — | ||
| 22. Trent | 135 | 190 | 40 | 112 | 106 | 20 | 85·5 | 104 | 190 | 28 | 82 | ||
| 23. Wolverhampton | 35 | 150 | — | 78 | 59 | 18 | 83·8 | 35 | 150 | — | 28 | ||
| Total Polytechnics | 1,684 | 2,616 | 424 | 1,646 | 1,015 | 737 | 88·9 | 1,308 | 2,616 | 259 | 818 | ||
Other Colleges
| |||||||||||||
| 24. Avery Hill | 100 | 129 | 13 | 103 | 83 | 48 | 107·9 | 80 | 129 | 12 | 70 | ||
| 25. Bath CHE | 50 | 165 | 16 | 34 | 71 | 81 | 94·0 | 44 | 165 | — | 46 | ||
| 26. Bedford CHE | — | 145 | — | — | 35 | 105 | 96·6 | — | 145 | — | — | ||
| 27. Bradford | 30 | 50 | 53 | — | 60 | — | 141·3 | 24 | 50 | 23 | — | ||
| 28. Bretton Hall CHE | 85 | 55 | 23 | 96 | 26 | 16 | 115·0 | 66 | 55 | 15 | 58 | ||
| 29. Bulmershe CHE | 90 | 135 | 43 | 84 | 90 | 45 | 116·4 | 67 | 135 | 20 | 51 | ||
| 30. Charlotte Mason | — | 70 | — | — | 55 | — | 78·6 | — | 70 | — | — | ||
| 31. Chelmer IHE | — | 105 | — | — | 60 | — | 57·1 | — | 105 | — | — | ||
| 32. Crewe and Alsager CHE | 120 | 165 | 30 | 118 | 46 | 111 | 107·0 | 93 | 165 | 21 | 73 | ||
| 33. Dorset IHE | 35 | 110 | — | 45 | 35 | 12 | 63·4 | 30 | 110 | 28 | 10 | ||
| 34. Edge Hill CHE | 90 | 160 | 30 | 124 | 130 | 38 | 128·8 | 72 | 160 | 12 | 63 | ||
| 35. Hertfordshire CHE | 50 | 150 | 28 | 27 | 84 | 8 | 73·5 | 42 | 150 | 22 | 20 | ||
| 36. Hull CHE | 60 | 125 | 24 | 41 | 40 | 11 | 62·7 | 55 | 125 | 17 | 39 | ||
| 37. Ilkley | — | 85 | — | — | 26 | 38 | 75·3 | — | 85 | — | — | ||
| 38. Liverpool CHE | 75 | 80 | 44 | 85 | 67 | 24 | 141·9 | 63 | 80 | 23 | 43 | ||
| 39. Manchester CHE | 85 | 140 | 32 | 113 | 27 | 21 | 85·8 | 70 | 140 | 19 | 67 | ||
| 40. Matlock CHE | 30 | 100 | 11 | 24 | 42 | 20 | 74·6 | 30 | 100 | 11 | 21 | ||
| 41. Nene | — | 120 | — | — | 68 | 27 | 79·2 | — | 120 | — | — | ||
| 42. New College | — | 120 | — | — | 37 | 27 | 53·3 | — | 120 | — | — | ||
| 43. North Cheshire | 40 | 70 | 8 | 36 | — | 18 | 56·4 | 35 | 70 | — | 34 | ||
| 44. North Riding CHE | — | 85 | — | — | 98 | — | 115·3 | — | 85 | — | — | ||
| 45. Rolle | 30 | 70 | 37 | 14 | 62 | 14 | 127·0 | 24 | 70 | — | 32 | ||
| 46. West Midlands CHE | 80 | 95 | 30 | 62 | 43 | 29 | 93·7 | 69 | 95 | 10 | 59 | ||
| 47. Worcester CHE | 90 | 150 | — | 106 | 58 | 87 | 104·6 | 70 | 150 | — | 87 | ||
| Total other colleges | 1,140 | 2,679 | 422 | 1,112 | 1,343 | 780 | 95·8 | 934 | 2,679 | 233 | 773 | ||
| Total LEA maintained | 2,824 | 5,295 | 846 | 2,758 | 2,358 | 1,517 | 92·1 | 2,242 | 5,295 | 492 | 1,591 | ||
Voluntary Colleges
| |||||||||||||
| 48. Bishop Grosseteste | — | 120 | — | — | 56 | — | 46·7 | — | 120 | — | — | ||
| 49. Chester | 50 | 120 | — | 55 | 79 | 40 | 102·4 | 40 | 120 | — | 41 | ||
| 50. Christ Church | 90 | 85 | 12 | 106 | 79 | — | 112·6 | 67 | 95 | 12 | 65 | ||
| 51. De La Salle | 40 | 115 | — | 76 | 34 | 44 | 99·4 | 40 | 115 | — | 40 | ||
| 52. Derby Lonsdale | — | 105 | — | — | 26 | 13 | 37·1 | — | 105 | — | — | ||
| 53. Goldsmiths | 300 | 145 | 74 | 271 | 67 | 6 | 93·9 | 220 | 145 | 52 | 145 | ||
| 54. Homerton | 100 | 125 | 26 | 92 | 78 | 47 | 108·0 | 85 | 125 | 13 | 73 | ||
| 55. King Alfreds | 60 | 160 | — | 67 | 109 | 50 | 102·7 | 45 | 160 | — | 48 | ||
| 56. La Sainte Union | 40 | 120 | 51 | — | 67 | 5 | 76·9 | 30 | 120 | — | 34 | ||
| 57. Liverpool IHE | 140 | 200 | 32 | 128 | 77 | 70 | 90·3 | 107 | 200 | 18 | 91 | ||
| 58. Newman | 45 | 135 | — | 51 | 26 | 35 | 62·2 | 33 | 135 | — | 37 | ||
| 59. Ripon and York St. John | 90 | 155 | 42 | 92 | 89 | 47 | 110·2 | 66 | 155 | 11 | 63 | ||
| 60. Roehampton IHE | 210 | 225 | 132 | 137 | 197 | 34 | 114·9 | 151 | 225 | 84 | 102 | ||
| 61. St. Mark and St. John | 60 | 90 | 17 | 53 | 28 | 40 | 92·0 | 55 | 90 | 13 | 44 | ||
| 62. St. Martins | 165 | 85 | 28 | 141 | 60 | 18 | 98·8 | 134 | 85 | 16 | 121 | ||
| 63. St. Marys Fenham | 40 | 60 | — | 38 | 24 | — | 62·0 | 36 | 60 | — | 37 | ||
| 64. St. Marys T'ham | 90 | 135 | — | 105 | — | 90 | 86·7 | 68 | 135 | — | 78 | ||
| 65. St. Pual and St. Mary | 65 | 125 | 13 | 69 | 81 | 46 | 110·0 | 54 | 125 | — | 59 | ||
| 66. Trinity and All Saints | 45 | 120 | — | 47 | 25 | 44 | 70·3 | 33 | 120 | — | 35 | ||
| 67. West London IHE | 145 | 170 | 58 | 87 | 24 | 45 | 68·0 | 107 | 170 | 67 | 72 | ||
| 68. West Sussex IHE | 55 | 140 | 33 | 26 | 72 | 44 | 89·7 | 46 | 140 | 19 | 31 | ||
| 69. Westhill | — | 100 | — | — | 30 | 34 | 64·0 | — | 100 | — | — | ||
| 70. Westminster | 50 | 90 | 11 | 51 | — | 81 | 102·1 | 47 | 90 | 13 | 38 | ||
Total Voluntary Colleges
| 1,870 | 2,935 | 529 | 1,692 | 1,328 | 833 | 91·2 | 1,464 | 2,935 | 318 | 1,254 | ||
Total England
| 4,694 | 8,230 | 1,375 | 4,450 | 3,686 | 2,350 | 91·8 | 3,706 | 8,230 | 810 | 2,845 | ||
Wales
| |||||||||||||
| LEA Maintained | |||||||||||||
| 71. Bangor Normal | 30 | 75 | 21 | 13 | 33 | 29 | 91·4 | 20 | 75 | 24 | 11 | ||
| 72. Gwent CHE | 10 | 105 | — | 28 | 28 | 50 | 92·2 | — | 105 | — | — | ||
| 73. NE Wales IHE | — | 95 | — | 34 | 23 | 70·5 | — | 95 | — | — | |||
| 74. S. Glamorgan IHE | 75 | 105 | 34 | 10 | 150 | 7 | 130·6 | 80 | 105 | 24 | 30 | ||
| 75. W. Glamorgan IHE | — | 70 | — | 44 | 50 | 35 | 121·4 | — | 70 | — | — | ||
| Total LEA Maintained | 115 | 450 | 55 | 95 | 295 | 144 | — | 100 | 450 | 48 | 41 | ||
| Voluntary College | |||||||||||||
| 76. Trinity College | 20 | 115 | 3 | 29 | 35 | 5 | 53·3 | 20 | 115 | 6 | 21 | ||
| Total Wales | 135 | 565 | 58 | 124 | 330 | 149 | 94·4 | 120 | 565 | 54 | 62 | ||
| Total England and Wales | 4,829 | 8,795 | 1,433 | 4,574 | 4,016 | 2,499 | 91·9 | 3,826 | 8,795 | 864 | 2,907 | ||
| Total university departments of education | 5,285 | — | 392 | 5,111 | 240 | 211 | 4,515 | — | 323 | 4,401 | |||
| Grand Total | 10,114 | 8,795 | 1,825 | 9,685 | 4,256 | 2,710 | 8,341 | 8,795 | 1,187 | 7,308 | |||
Notes: PGCE=Postgraduate Certificate of Education. BEd=Bachelor of Education. | |||||||||||||