Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 22 February 1983

Prime Minister

Engagements

Q5.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q17.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q21.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q25.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q26.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q29.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q31.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q34.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q35.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q36.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q37.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q38.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q39.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q41.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q42.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q44.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q45.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q47.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q49.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q50.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements; for Tuesday 22 February.

Q51.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q52.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q53.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q55.

asked the Prime Minister if The will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q57.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q59.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q61.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q63.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q64.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q65.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

Q67.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

Q68.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 February.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 February.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

Telephone Calls (Interception)

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answers of 27 January, Official Report, c. 495, and 7 February, Official Report, c. 245, what progress has been made in the investigation into the circumstances in which telephone calls from Mr. Bernard Ingham to 10 Downing Street were intercepted and recorded by a radio ham.

It has not proved possible to establish where, how or by whom the calls were intercepted. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is in touch with the Independent Broadcasting Authority about the implications of broadcasting these conversations.

Ellon

Q16.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

West Yorkshire

Q28.

asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to West Yorkshire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Inflation

Q32.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the current rate of inflation.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him on 8 February.Since then the inflation figure for January has been published, when the year-on year-increase in the retail prices index again fell sharply to 4·9 per cent.

North America

Q33.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans at present to visit North America.

I will be attending the economic summit at Williamsburg at the end of May. I also hope to visit Washington at that time.

Boundary Changes

Q40.

asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government intend to propose that parliamentary boundary changes for England and Scotland should be implemented and come into effect at the same time as those for Wales.

The Orders in Council giving effect to the final recommendations of the Boundary Commissions for England, Scotland and Wales, with or without modifications, will come into operation 14 days after they are made. The new boundaries will not take effect until a general election is held.

Sweden

Q43.

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

I have no immediate plans to do so.

Stockport

Q46.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

Theatre Nuclear Weapons

Q48.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the progress to date of the implementation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's twin-track policy regarding theatre nuclear weapons.

The United States proposal to eliminate the entire category of United States and Soviet longer-range land-based missiles would be the best outcome in the current INF negotiations, but the Russian attitude so far has been disappointing. The alliance remains ready to explore every possibility for equitable agreement. At the same time preparations are being made in Britain, West Germany and Italy for the first cruise and Pershing missiles to be deployed by the end of 1983.

South Yorkshire

Q54.

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

Yes. In April.

Cornwall County Council

Q56.

asked the Prime Minister why Cornwall county council will suffer a financial penalty in 1983–84 despite the fact that its expenditure is over 5 per cent. below its grant-related expenditure level.

Cornwall county council will suffer no financial penalty if it meets its expenditure target of £130.491 million in 1983–84.

Huddersfield

Q58.

asked the Prime Minister when she will next visit Huddersfield.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Management Information System

Q60.

asked the Prime Minister how many Departments have indicated, in their response to the FMI, that they will be introducing MINIS or its near equivalent.

The White Paper on efficiency and effectiveness, Cmnd. 8616, required all Departments' plans to include the ground covered by MINIS. Departments' responses to the financial management initiative are now being examined by the Treasury and the Management and Personnel Office, and particular attention is being paid to this requirement.

National Income

Q62.

asked the Prime Minister what has been the change in national income, as measured by the average estimate for gross domestic product at factor cost, since May 1979 to the latest available published date; and what, by the same measure, was the corresponding change in national income between February 1974 and May 1979.

Between the first half of 1979 and the third quarter of 1982 the average estimate of gross domestic product at factor cost fell by 4 per cent. Between the first half of 1974 and the first half of 1979 it had increased by 9½ per cent.

Northern Region

Q66.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to pay an official visit to the northern region.

I have just returned from a visit to the north-west region.

Defence (Research And Development)

asked the Prime Minister how much has been spent per head of the population on research and development in defence in each of the past five years.

The information is as follows:

Year	£
1977–78	15·80
1978–79	18·40
1979–80	23·40
1980–81	29·10
1981–82	30·00

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report the total amounts of funds allocated for research and development in defence in each of the past five years.

The net expenditure on research and development was as follows:

Year	£ million
1977–78	880
1978–79	1,028

Year	£ million
1979–80	1,305
1980–81	1,627
1981–82	1,688

Citizens Advice Bureaux

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to ensure that accurate and up-to-date information about the working of all Departments of Government dealing directly with the public is available to individual citizens through the citizens advice bureaux.

The CABs' national association provides a comprehensive information service for all bureaux, and Departments concerned keep in touch with the service at national and local level. My hon. Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs will be reviewing these arrangements in the light of a report on co-ordination between advice agencies, which he expects to receive shortly from the National Consumer Council.

European Community

asked the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy that Government Departments should describe the assembly of the European Community as such in all official documents and not as the Parliament.

The term "Assembly" appears in the treaties, but the institution has described itself since 1962 as the "European Parliament" and this term is generally in use throughout the Community. We accepted this usage on taking office. Whatever terminology is used, the nature of the institution is not in doubt. We will continue to use the term "Assembly" in legal texts or where it is necessary to distinguish that institution from Parliament in Westminster.

Nurses, Midwives And Health Visitors (Review Body)

asked the Prime Minister what progress is being made with the establishment of a review body for nurses, midwives and health visitors and for the professions allied to medicine.

The Government announced on 9 November 1982 that, provided that pay settlements for 1982–83 and 1983–84 were concluded, they proposed to establish a review body for nurses, midwives and health visitors and the professions allied to medicine. Pay agreements have now been reached and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has today sent to interested organisations a consultative document about the detailed arrangements proposed for the new review body. Copies have been placed in the Library. Comments are sought by 6 April 1983 and the review body will be set up and start work as soon as possible thereafter.

Trade

Manchester International Airport

asked the Minister for Trade how many passengers have used Manchester international he irport in each of the past five years.

According to the latest available statistics, the number of terminal passengers using Manchester international airport in each of the years 1978 to 1982 was as follows:

Year	Numbers
1978	3,408,206
1979	3,463,473
1980	4,315,521
1981	4,712,668
1982	5,155,961

The 1982 figures were supplied by Manchester international airport. The other figures were supplied by the Civil Aviation Authority. The latest CAA figure for 1982 covers only the months January to October, and was 4,520,929.

Fixed Prices

asked the Minister for Trade whether, in view of the growing practice of shopkeepers and manufacturers taking orders for goods at a stated price, and, due to delays in delivery through no fault upon the part of the purchaser, when the goods are eventually delivered, increasing the price, he will seek to amend the law to provide that a customer is entitled to receive the goods at the ordered price and not the delivery price if the latter has been increased through no fault upon the part of the purchaser.

No. I have no evidence that such a practice is growing. For goods on order the price to be paid generally depends on the terms agreed between buyer and seller. The law already provides that where a contract is made for the supply of goods at a fixed price, then the goods must be supplied at that price. Customers who wish a fixed price to apply should therefore seek this when the order is placed.

Legal Services

asked the Minister for Trade if he will arrange for information concerning the statutory provision of legal services by lawyers, other than advocacy, to consumers, to be published in a convenient and easily accessible form.

The provisions of part II of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, which comes into force on 4 July 1983 and which will apply to most services,

Imports of footwear from China, 1982
Value: £ thousand cif
	First quarter		Second quarter		Third quarter		October, November
	Thousand Pairs	Value	Thousand Pairs	Value	Thousand Pairs	Value	Thousand Pairs	Value
Footwear:
(a) with outer soles and uppers of rubber or artifical plastic material	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
(b) with outer soles of leather or composition leather; with outer soles of rubber or artificial plastic material (other than (a) above):	74	64	nil	nil	16	48	27	36
(c) with outer soles of wood or cork:	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
(d) with outer soles of other materials:
(i) slippers etc.	5	6	83	57	459	217	238	113
(ii) other	2	1	34	21	nil	nil	2	1

Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (R2) 851.01, 851.02, 851.03 and 851.04.

Note: Figures for December 1982 are not yet available at this level of detail.

including legal services—other than advocacy—have already received extensive publicity and I see no reason to single out any particular service affected by the Act for special treatment.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

asked the Minister for Trade what estimates he can make of the current value of (a) the total funding and (b) the assistance by way of accommodation, facilities and services, provided by local authorities to their local citizens advice bureaux.

The total value of grants from local authorities to bureaux in the current financial year is estimated by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux to have been around £10 million. Separate estimates for assistance in cash and in kind are not readily available.

Company Formations (North-East Lancashire)

asked the Minister for Trade what information he has as to the number of directors, whose companies have been insolvent, who have started new companies over the past five years in Accrington and north-east Lancashire.

354,783 companies were registered in England and Wales but I do not consider that the cost of identifying those which have registered offices in these places would be justified.Section 95 of the Companies Act 1981 extended the information to be given in a company's register of directors and secretaries so as to include in addition particulars of directorships held in the previous five years. This information has also to be sent to the Companies Registration Office. The objective of this provision, which will be brought into force as soon as possible, is to make it easier to find out the involvement of directors in other companies, including those which have been wound-up.

Footwear (Imports)

asked the Minister for Trade what were the imports of footwear from China, by sub-category, for each quarter of 1982.

The available information is as follows:

Exports And Imports

asked the Minister for Trade if he will state for each of the past 10 years the percentage growth in the volume of (a) world trade, (b) United Kingdom export markets, (c) United Kingdom total exports excluding oil, (d) United Kingdom total exports, (e) United Kingdom visible exports excluding oil, (f) United Kingdom total imports excluding oil, (g) United Kingdom total imports and (h) United Kingdom visible imports excluding oil.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 63.]: Information in respect of world trade was given to the hon. Member in the Official Report on 8 February 1983—[Vol. 36, c. 309–10.] Data in respect of United Kingdom total export markets could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The other information is as follows:

Percentage Change in the Volume of Visible Trade
	United Kingdom exports		United Kingdom imports
	Total less oil	Total trade	Total less oil	Total trade
1973	+14	+14	+14	+14
1974	+8	+7	+3	+1
1975	-4	-4	-6	-8½
1976	+9½	+10	+7	+6
1977	+6	+7½	+5½	+2
1978	+1	+2½	+6	+4½
1979	+1	+3½	+14	+11
1980	+2	+2	-3½	-5
1981	-3	-1	+1½	—
1982	-½	+1	+6	+5

asked the Minister for Trade what forms of Government assistance are available to support United Kingdom exports; and what the cost to public funds of each form of assistance is expected to be in the current financial year.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 64]: The Government's export promotion effort is under the guidance of the British Overseas Trade Board. The BOTB provides a wide range of services to exporters, details of which are set out in the Booklet "BOTB's Services", a copy of which is available in the Library. Total direct expenditure by the BOTB in the current financial year, net of receipts and excluding staff costs, is expected to total £22·8 million. The main components of this estimate are as follows:

	£ Million
Assistance to United Kingdom companies participating in overseas trade fairs and symposia	12·1
Assistance from the Overseas Projects Fund	4·0
Financial payments to companies under the Market Entry Guarantee Scheme	1·7
Expenditure on Outward and Inward Trade Missions	1·3
Support to companies under the Export Market Research Scheme	0·7
Other expenditure	3·0
Total	22·8

In addition to the preceding services, considerable help for British business men is provided by commercial staff in British diplomatic posts overseas; the Central Office of Information provides a variety of services to assist companies achieve publicity in overseas markets, and support can be made available in certain circumstances under the aid and trade provision to enable the United Kingdom to match aid-assisted foreign credit facilities.A wide range of credit insurance and other facilities are available from the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The insurance facilities are carried out without cost to public funds. However, a cost is involved in the separate scheme under which banks are encouraged to provide finance at fixed interest rates for certain major United Kingdom exports. The total cost of this in 1981–82 was £587 million; the cost in the current financial year depends on levels of commercial interest rates and other variable factors but is likely to be substantially less than last year.

Manufacturing Industry

asked the Minister for Trade if he will publish a table showing the surplus or deficit, respectively, in manufacturing trade between the United Kingdom and the European Community and the rest of the world, respectively, in the calendar year 1982.

[pursuant to his reply, 16 February 1983, c. 143]: There was a crude deficit with other EC countries of £5·0 billion and a crude surplus with non-EC countries of £5·2 billion.

Motor Vehicles (Imports)

asked the Minister for Trade if he will state the number and value of private and commercial vehicles imported from South Africa in 1981 and 1982.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 February 1983, c. 310]: In 1981, 44 motor vehicles with a value of £196,000 cif were imported from South Africa; in the period January to November 1982 the corresponding figures were 3,655 vehicles with a value of £10,153,000 cif. Figures for December 1982 are not yet available. (Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (R2) 781, 782, 783 and 784.1).

Scotland

National Health Service Manpower (Tayside)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the numbers employed, in whole-time equivalent terms, of National Health. Service staff in the Tayside health board and Scotland in each of the past two years; if he will provide a breakdown per group; and what has been the percentage change in each case.

The information is set out in the following table. The 1982 manpower figures for medical and dental staff are not available at present but I shall write to the hon. Member shortly with both the 1981 and 1982 figures and the percentage change for this staff group.

	Tayside Health Board			All Scotland
Staff Group†	1981	1982 ^*	Percentage Change	1981	1982 ^*	Percentage Change
Nursing	6,023·7	6,084·5	1·0	61,125·5	61,922·2	1·3
Scientific and Professions Supplementary to Medicine	400·8	413·3	3·1	4,016·0	4,155·7	3·5
Technical	412·5	415·5	0·7	4,324·6	4,322·2	½0·1
Works	63·0	64·0	1·6	851·1	856·2	0·5
Administrative and Clerical	1,205·7	1,214·2	0·7	13,628·8	13,859·5	1·7
Ancillary	2,887·2	2,849·9	½1·3	27,348·4	27,350·4	0·0
Tradesmen	287·0	288·0	0·3	2,831·6	2,864·3	1·1
Pharmacists and Opticians	50·1	52·4	4·6	465·6	472·6	1·5
Ambulancemen	—	—	—	1,645·0	1,675·0	1·8
Total‡	11,330·0	11,381·8	0·5	116,236·6	117,478·1	1·1
^*Provisional.
† Staff numbers are the whole-time equivalents at 30 September in each year.
‡Excluding medical and dental staff.

Schools (Inspectors Reports)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that Her Majesty's inspectors reports of schools are sent to the hon. Member for the appropriate constituency as soon as possible.

When the arrangements for publishing Her Majesty's Inspectors' reports on education establishments in Scotland are implemented later this year I shall arrange for copies of these reports to be sent to the appropriate hon. Member at the time of publication.

Disabled Pupils

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has issued any guidance to Scottish local authorities on the integration of disabled pupils in normal schools.

The principle of integration, related to the individual needs of handicapped children, was advocated to authorities in a circular issued in 1955. Since then ordinary schools have increasingly developed their ability to educate handicapped children with their contemporaries. Guidance given recently to education, health and social work authorities about the special educational needs provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act 1981 has stressed that the school placement of handicapped children must reflect their individual abilities, circumstances and needs. The parents of such children have the same rights as any others in the matter of choice of school.

Urban Projects Schemes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received for assistance under the local enterprise grants for urban projects scheme since it was brought into existence by Her Majesty's Government; and what is the total of finance which has been approved.

The Scottish Development Agency received a total of 284 applications for assistance under the local enterprise grants for urban projects scheme, the closing date for which was 31 December 1982. I have these applications now under active consideration and I hope to make an announcement about the successful bids within the next few weeks. One grant has already been announced, on 12 January; £181,000 is to be paid to the Briggait company towards its imaginative restoration and redevelopment of the former Glasgow fishmarket building.

Right To Buy (Private Tenants)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to permit, as of right, private tenants to purchase the houses they presently occupy.

No. The Government believe that such legislation would represent a quite unjustifiable interference with long-established private rights.

Health Boards (Appointments)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the names of the persons invited to serve on the Scottish health boards.

My right hon. Friend will announce shortly the names of those to be appointed to health boards with effect from 1 April.

Civil Defence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the far-reaching changes made in local authorities' responsibilities and the new obligations placed upon local authority employees by the proposed new draft civil defence regulations, Her Majesty's Government will seek to introduce new primary legislation relating to civil defence in Scotland rather than proceed by statutory instrument.

We have no plans to do so.

Industrial Injuries (Compensation)

(Leith) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the number of cases in which compensation for industrial injuries was sought in the courts in Scotland in 1982.

Central records of this information are not kept.

School Closures (Appeals)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to extend the right of appeal to him against school closures presently enjoyed in respect of denominational schools, to all school closures.

No. I see no grounds for considering an amendment to provisions enacted little more than a year ago.

Teachers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers were employed in Scotland in each of the past four years.

The full-time equivalent numbers of teachers employed in education authority and grant-aided nursery, primary, secondary and special schools at September 1979, 1980 and 1981 were 58,940, 57,580 and 55,940, respectively. Completely comparable information for September 1982 is not yet available, but the total number at that date is provisionally assessed at about 54,500.

Trunk Roads

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total mileage of trunk roads in Scotland.

Admissions to pre-service Teacher Training Courses at Colleges of Education in Scotland
(a) Primary Diploma Course
	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83
Aberdeen	263	251	283	191	184	171	95	61	80	87	57	48	43
Callendar Park^*	257	324	213	204	167	151	90	63	56	65	45	—	—
Craigie	214	235	196	183	139	139	96	45	50	75	55	56	56
Dundee	299	292	286	221	160	163	95	60	51	56	40	40	40
Hamilton^*	324	359	280	305	274	241	152	82	60	70	50	—	—
Jordanhill	456	436	361	357	364	371	220	130	120	127	93	123	115
Moray House	325	320	299	269	278	260	158	115	126	127	93	95	95
Craiglockhart^*	122	149	126	127	86	72	56	34	52	55	40	96	96
Notre Dame^*	476	517	428	439	367	359	221	100	90	90	65	96	96
TOTALS	2,736	2,883	2,472	2,296	2,019	1,927	1,183	690	685	752	538	458	445

(b) Primary Postgraduate Course
	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83
Aberdeen	50	85	93	105	70	117	50	23	21	25	20	18	18
Callendar Park^*	3	8	11	15	12	11	10	10	10	15	10	—	—
Craigie	6	—	—	1	16	14	10	10	10	20	15	12	12
Dundee	16	32	20	29	36	50	17	10	11	15	10	10	10
Hamilton ^*	5	5	10	12	8	15	10	10	15	20	14	—	—
Jordanhill	48	75	83	102	106	129	59	44	30	35	25	22	22
Moray House	90	124	126	125	142	173	74	30	25	30	20	18	18
Craiglockhart ^*	2	5	3	4	2	11	10	10	10	15	10	—	—
Notre Dame ^*	6	11	8	11	12	12	10	16	19	25	20	20	22
Totals	226	345	354	404	404	532	250	163	151	200	144	100	102

(c) Secondary Courses (Excluding B.Ed courses)
	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83
Aberdeen	408	561	589	437	359	353	297	156	181	201	167	134	113
Dundee	178	253	248	226	207	217	158	87	133	155	136	99	79
Dunfermline	150	163	174	184	186	27	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Hamilton^*	—	—	—	—	66	57	50	30	61	35	46	—	—
Jordanhill	883	1,111	1,314	1,185	1,021	1,201	830	546	483	550	567	461	352
Moray House	671	909	909	741	661	776	563	353	305	380	302	265	189
Craiglockhart^*	13	12	13	14	20	29	29	36	60	60	47	220	178
Notre Dame^*	116	204	166	145	168	174	174	191	258	225	228	220	178

1,982 miles, on 1 April 1982.

Students

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students he expects to be admitted to each course in each college of education in session 1983–84.

My right hon. Friend has not yet reached decisions on the numbers of students to be admitted to initial teacher training courses in session 1983–84. The numbers of students to be admitted to other courses is for each college of education to decide in the light of the resources available to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students were admitted to each course in all colleges of education from 1970–71 to 1982–83 by course and college for each year.

The information is set out in the following tables in respect of pre-service teacher training courses. Information about admissions to other courses at each college of education is not readily available.

	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83
Totals	2,419	3,213	3,413	2,932	2,688	2,834	2,101	1,399	1,481	1,606	1,493	1,179	911
(d) B.Ed courses†
Aberdeen	120	173	165	118	101	57	41	34	45	48	45	46	36
Dunfermline	—	—	—	—	—	169	152	111	101	110	81	68	54
Jordanhill	73	90	107	127	87	105	117	86	79	101	101	89	83
Moray House	98	97	112	87	84	91	60	26	45	33	37	30	26
Totals	291	360	384	332	272	422	370	257	270	292	264	233	199
^* In September 1981 Callendar Park and Hamilton colleges were dissolved, and Craiglockhart and Notre Dame colleges were merged to form St. Andrew's college.
†This table gives only the number of students entering B.Ed courses in the first year of the course. At Dundee and St. Andrew's students who are admitted to the primary diploma course may transfer to B.Ed courses at the beginning of their second year and at Craigie at the beginning of their third year.

Transport

Bus Services (Revenue Support)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the most recent information he has as to the percenage of revenue support given to the bus service by public authorities in (a) Bologna, (b) Rome, (c) Brussels, (d) Amsterdam, (e) Rotterdam, (f) Ghent, (g) Paris, (h) Helsinki, (i) Vienna, (j) Stockholm, (k) Frankfurt, (l) Oslo, (m) Gothenburg, (n) Lisbon, (o) Copenhagen, (p) Essen, (q) Marseilles, (r) London, (s) Glasgow, (t) Cardiff, (u) Belfast, (v) Dublin, (w) Edinburgh, (x) Aberdeen and (y) Dundee, respectively.

Accurate comparisons of subsidy levels are not possible, because accounting procedures vary widely. Different undertakings define subsidy differently, and the accounting treatment of costs is not consistent.

Home Department

Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in (a) the past 10 years, (b) the past 20 years and (c) since the Act came into force a person has been indicted for an offence under the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929; on how many of such occasions such a person has been convicted; and what was the range of penalties imposed for such offences.

The information requested is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", offence classification 4B, table S2.1(A) of volume 2 of the supplementary tables for 1981. The records available to us, which may not be exact, show 12 persons indicted for trial at the higher court in England and Wales for offences against the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929, up to the end of 1959, seven of whom were found guilty. One was sentenced to three years' penal servitude, one to immediate imprisonment for under six months, one placed on recognisance with a probation condition, three were fined and one otherwise dealt with. No one is recorded as having been indicted or convicted under this Act since 1959.

Immigration (Financial Qualifications)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the entitlement to be admitted to the United Kingdom as a business man was fixed on an investment of £150,000; why business men of lesser means are excluded; and if he will make a statement.

The minimum level of investment normally necessary for an applicant to come here as a business man was set at £150,000 on 1 January of this year when new immigration rules (HC 66) came into force.This minimum financial investment is one of the requirements of the immigration rules relating to business men by which we seek to ensure that a business man is admitted only where a proposed enterprise will bring clear and substantial benefit to the United Kingdom.

Minor Children (Registration)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been received since 1 April 1982 with new applications for registration with entitlement and registration of minor children.

Income from fees for citizenship is not broken down by category of applicant on receipt of the applications but when certificates are issued. By the end of November 1982 4,115 certificates had been issued in respect of applications for registration as an entitlement which had been received on or after 1 April 1982. The income from these applications was £288,050. In the same period certificates were issued relating to 542 fees of £35 received with applications made on or after 1 April 1982 for the registration of minor children. The income from these applications was £18,970. Details of the issues of certificates in December will be available shortly and I shall then write to the hon. Member.

Turkey (Refugees)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Turkish citizens seeking political asylum or refugee status since the military coup in Turkey in September 1980 have been refused entry at port of arrival and returned to Turkey;(2) how many requests for political asylum and/or refugee status he has received from Turkish citizens since September 1980;(3) how many citizens of Turkey seeking political asylum and refugee status since September 1980 has been granted such status; and how many have had requests refused.

Between 12 September 1980 and 31 December 1982 88 applications for asylum and/or refugee status were received from Turkish nationals either at ports of arrival or following entry into the United Kingdom. In the same period, 25 applications from Turkish nationals were granted and 37 were refused. Some of these decisions related to applications received before 12 September 1980 and of those received since that date a number are still under consideration.Figures for refusal of leave to enter in respect of persons claiming asylum and/or refugee status at ports of arrival are not separately available.

Television Licences

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many television licences were issued in 1951, 1964, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1982.

The available information is given in the following table.

Television licences in force at 31st March
United Kingdom	Thousands
1951	764
1964	12,885
1970	15,883
1974	17,325
1976	17,788
1977	18,056
1979	^*18,381
1982	18,554
^* Industrial action and other factors lowered this number.

Video Recorders

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make it his policy to require a licence for video recorders on the lines of the French Redevance á Magnetoscope and at about the same price.

We have no plans to introduce a separate licence for video recorders.

Identity Passes (Illegal Use)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the growing practice of confidence tricksters using police and other public servants' identity passes to gain admission into premises and tricking people, especially the aged and infirm, and robbing them of cash and valuables, he will seek to make it punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years for any person to use such a pass without the authorisation of the issuing organisation.

No. The fixed sentence for murder aside, mandatory sentences for criminal offences are objectionable in principle. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the courts have ample discretion to take account of the seriousness of offences committed against people especially vulnerable by reason of age or infirmity.

Drugs Smugglers (Deportation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will deport Mr. Mohibullah Khan, found guilty at Reading on 11 February of smuggling almost £600,000 of heroin and other drugs into the United Kingdom, on the completion of his prison sentence;(2) whether he will deport Mr. Hidayat Ullah, found guilty at Reading on 11 February of smuggling almost £600,000 of heroin and other drugs into the United Kingdom, on the completion of his prison sentence.

Both men were recommended for deportation by the court which convicted them, under powers conferred by the Immigration Act 1971. As I explained to the hon. Gentleman in my answer to him of 25 January—[Vol. 35, c. 365]—my right hon. Friend's practice is to act upon such a recommendation unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so. However, the Act provides that no deportation order may be made on such a recommendation so long as it is open to the person concerned to bring an appeal against the conviction or recommendation, or while such an appeal is pending, and in both these cases the time for bringing an appeal has not yet expired.

Police (Broadcast Fees)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether serving officers when giving interviews and so on to the British Broadcasting Corporation, radio and independent television organisations in the course of, and in connection with, their police duties, are allowed to be paid or to keep fees.

Serving police officers are normally required to pay any such fee into police funds or to a police charity.

Mr James Heather-Hayes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to take any action in response to the verdict of the inquest on the death of Mr. James Heather-Hayes in Ashford remand centre; and whether he will make a statement.

Suicides are often unpredictable and the internal inquiries into Mr. Heather-Hayes's death did not disclose any significant matters on which action was required. Nevertheless, I have noted the inquest verdict of "lack of care". Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons is currently engaged in a routine inspection of Ashford and his team will in any event need to return to the establishment for that purpose. I have asked him to pay particular attention to the establishment's observance of central instruction and guidance on arrangements for the prevention of suicides, and to cover these topics in his inspection report which will be published this year in the normal way.More widely, Her Majesty's chief inspector has proposed that during 1983 he should make a general study of the adequacy of arrangements for the prevention of suicides in prisons, including central instructions to establishments on the topic. I welcome this. The results of Her Majesty's chief inspector's study will be published.

Open Air Markets

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the threat they pose to the permanent employment of shop workers, Her Majesty's Government will take steps to seek to control the spread of open air markets.

No. Powers already exist for local authorities to exercise appropriate controls in respect of open air markets.

Prevention Of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the organisations that have made representations against the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act since May 1979 to the latest date.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on 16 February 1982.—[Vol. 18, c. 80.] Since then only one organisation, the London branch of the Celtic League, has written objecting to the prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act and the way in which it operates. In the course of his review of the operation of the Act, Lord Jellicoe received oral and written representations; a list of witnesses is given at annex C to his report (Cmnd. 8803).

Pavement Obstruction Offences

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many youths under the age of 21 years were charged in the last year in Bootle, on Merseyside and nationally, respectively, with obstructing the pavement.

The information available centrally, which is approximate, relates to offences of obstruction under the Highways Act 1980, other than those caused by vehicles. It shows two persons aged 10 and under 21 so proceeded against in 1981 in the petty sessional division

£000
	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82
	£	£	£	£	£
(a) ODA Aid Administration	2	3	3	66	61
(b) COI Services	59	46	47	62	79
(c) HMSO Allied Service	50	45	57	—	—
Totals	111	94	107	128	140

Notes:

(i) Lines (a) and (c) above are approximations: it would involve disproportionate effort to separate HMSO's total charges to ODA between those items concerned with publicity and those concerned with administrative printing and supplies.

(ii) Repayment for HMSO services was introduced from 1980–81. The costs were transferred to the Aid Administration Vote from that year.

(iii) These figures exclude ODA's staff and general costs and expenditure through the Development Education Fund.

Energy

Nuclear Power Industry (Fatalities)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many deaths there have been arising out of employment in the nuclear power industry for which compensation or state benefits have been paid in the period since nuclear power stations were first built in the United Kingdom; and if he will list the causes of death.

of South Sefton, which includes Bootle, 164 in Merseyside police force area, and 2,040 in England and Wales. Information for 1982 is not yet available.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what savings he expects from the changes in the criminal injuries compensation scheme announced on 1 February; how many people he estimates will no longer get compensation each year as a result of these changes; and how many of these are above the age of retirement.

It is not possible to make precise estimates and the full effect of the change will not in any event be felt in 1983–84. Allowing for additional expenditure on bereavement awards, it is estimated that raising the lower limit to £400 may well produce a net saving of something over £600,000 in a full year by excluding from eligibility for compensation over 3,000 cases of minor injury. The chairman of the board considers that few, if any, people above the age of retirement will be affected. This is because, however small the physical injuries may be, the psychological effects almost invariably result in awards in such cases exceeding £400.

Overseas Development

Overseas Development Administration

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Overseas Development Administration spent per annum over the past five years on public relations and publications.

Expenditure on public relations including publications by and on behalf of the Overseas Development Administration was:—

The number of deaths arising out of employment in the nuclear power industry for which compensation has been paid by the employers since 1956 when the first nuclear power station was built in the United Kingdom is given in the attached table. In none of the cases in question was exposure proved to have been the cause of death, and compensation was paid through settlements agreed between the parties.

Organisation	Total number of deaths for which compensation has been paid	Deaths which were claimed to have been caused by radiation induced diseases	Deaths from other causes
CEGB	3	Nil	1—Fall
			1—Steam burns
			1—Crane accident
BNFL	12	2—Myeloid leukemia	1—Flying object
		1—Malignant brain tumour	1—Electrocution
		1—Multiple Myelomatosis	1—Inhalation of hydoflouric-acid gas
		1—Cancer of pancreas	2—Falling object
			1—Fall
			1—Mesothelioma
UKAEA	5	2—Myeloid leukemia	1—asphyxiation by argon gas
			2—Mesothelioma

Nuclear power stations operated by the South of Scotland Electricity Board are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Information relating to state benefits are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security.

Oil Production

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with the level of North Sea oil production.

The level of North Sea oil production is a matter for the companies concerned, subject to the Government's policies for the depletion of the resources of the United Kingdom continental shelf, which were set out in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 8 June 1982 and in the Government's response of 29 July 1982 to the Select Committee on Energy's report on this subject.

Severn Estuary (Tidal Power)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report an account of how the £2·3 million cost of the report on tidal power from the Severn estuary was spent, including its allocation between the various fields of study.

The organisation of the work carried out for the Severn barrage committee is described in the report of the committee which is lodged in the Library of the House. Annexes one to four of volume I give a detailed account of the structure of the work.The main cost sub-headings were as follows:

	£000s
Data collection and analysis	623
Hydraulic modelling and sediments	543
Energy output analysis	90
Caisson studies	90
Embankment studies	33
Navigation ports and locks	33
Hydroelectric plant	133
Prototype trials	10
Environmental impact	182
Social and industrial impacts	18
General consultancy and economic analysts	585

Additional studies were also made, without direct charge, by the CEGB, the Department of the Environment, the Water Space Amenity Commission and the Welsh Office. These related particularly to the topics of power transmission and the social, environmental and industrial impacts of a barrage.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report how much of the £2·3 million spent on the report on tidal power from the Severn estuary was spent on researching the employment aspects of the Severn barrage construction.

The employment aspects of the barrage were considered partly under the social and industrial impacts heading of the committee's work and partly through general consultancy. The results are set out in sections 19 (volume I) and 15 (volume II) of the committee's report.In addition to the studies supported from the committee's funds, other contributions were made by Government Departments and the Water Space Amenity Commission.

Civil Service

Youth Training Scheme

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the projected figures for the number of young people to be placed within the Civil Service under the youth training scheme in Scotland.

It is too early to say what the numbers or the locations of places in the Civil Service under the youth training scheme will be, but I am confident that there will be useful participation in Scotland.

Northern Ireland

Housing (Net Annual Value)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many dwellings in Northern Ireland with a net annual value (i) of £225 and above and (ii) £130 to £225 are in public ownership;(2) how many dwellings in Northern Ireland have a net annual value of (i) £225 and above and (ii) £130 to £225; and what percentage this represents in each case of total dwellings.

This information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Regional Rate

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what increase would occur in the regional rate in 1983–84 if the proposals outlined in the discussion paper issued in January by the Department of Finance and Personnel were adopted.

It is calculated that if the proposals in the discussion paper were adopted there would be an increase of 2·9 per cent. in the non-domestic regional rate and of 3·4 per cent. in the domestic rate over the comparable figures for 1982–83. The respective rate poundages would be 86·54p and 74·54p. The effect would be that the overall average rate increase in Northern Ireland (regional and district) would be 4·3 per cent. I am still considering reactions to the discussion paper. The order which determines the level of regional rate will be laid before Parliament in early March.

National Finance

Bank Loans (Foreign Borrowers)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the powers of Her Majesty's Government to impose, directly or indirectly, conditions on loans made by British banks and licensed deposit-taking institutions to foreign borrowers.

	Proportion of average earnings^*
	Half £ per week	Three quarters £ per week	One £ per week	One and a half £ per week
Gross earnings in May 1978	45·50	68·25	91·00	136·50
Gross earnings in January 1983, with equivalent purchasing power after tax, NIC and child benefit
Single person	80·20	117·70	155·10	231·20
Married man without children	81·40	118·90	156·30	232·30
Married man with two children under 11	79·80	117·70	155·10	231·20
^* For full-time males.

The calculations assume that the taxpayer has no reliefs other than the appropriate personal allowances and that he or she is not contracted-out of the state—earnings-related—pension scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of income tax paid in (a) each of the last two financial years and the latest published estimate of the amount that will be paid in 1982–83 and (b) the financial years 1977–78 and 1978–79, in each case divided by the number of households in the United Kingdom.

The information is as follows:

	Net payment of income tax and surtax per household £
1977–78	877
1978–79	933
1979–80	1,020
1980–81	1,191
1981–82	1,395
1982–83^*	1,470
^* Provisional.

None other than in exceptional circumstances.

Income Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish illustrative tables to demonstrate levels of income at 31 January which have the same purchasing power (a) after tax and (b) before tax at selected levels of income for persons in selected circumstances in May 1978.

The table shows, for a single person, a married man without children and a married man with two children, levels of gross weekly earnings in January 1983 with the same puchasing power after income tax, national insurance contributions and child benefit—where appropriate—at the selected gross weekly earnings levels shown for May 1978. Changes in purchasing power are measured by reference to movements in the general index of retail prices, which increased by 66·5 per cent. between May 1978 and January 1983. Over the same period, the tax and price index—which measures the average increases in gross income needed to maintain the purchasing power of income after tax and NIC—increased by 72·4 per cent. Between May 1978 and December 1982, the latest date for which information is available, the average earnings index, whole economy, increased by 81·9 per cent.

Corporation Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss to the Revenue if corporation tax were not charged to businesses trading solely in the development areas.

I regret that this information is not available.

Informers (Payments)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts were paid by the Inland Revenue to informers during the financial years 1980–81 and 1981–82, respectively.

The amounts paid by the Inland Revenue to informers were:

	£
1980–81	nil
1981–82	400

Age Allowances

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the cost in 1983–84 of abolishing age allowances for (a) married couples and (b) single persons;(2) what would be the cost of abolishing the clawback of age allowances in 1983–84 for

(a) married couples and (b) single persons.

The information is as follows. The estimates are for a full year at 1983–84 income levels, with income tax allowances and thresholds indexed from their 1982–83 levels by reference to the statutory formula.

	£ million
	(a) Married couples	(b) Single persons
Abolition of excess of age allowance over ordinary allowance	Yield 300	Yield 190
Abolition of income limit	Cost 95	Cost 25

Child Benefit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the gain to the Exchequer in 1983–84 of taxing child benefit.

The yield would be about £1 billion in a full year at 1983–84 income levels and at the 1983–84 levels of child benefit assumed in Cmnd. 8789, and assuming that income tax allowances and thresholds are indexed from their 1982–83 levels by reference to the statutory formula. The estimate also assumes that child benefit would be treated for income tax purposes as unearned income.

Credit Unions (Member's Correspondence)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley may expect to receive a substantive reply to his letter of 22 November 1982, concerning heavy charges imposed on credit unions.

I am sorry that my inquiries into the various issues raised by the hon. Member on behalf of his constituent are not yet complete. I deeply regret the delay and intend to reply by the end of this week.

Free Ports

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards forming the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the possible establishment of free ports; and if he will make a statement.

The working group under my chairmanship which has been examining this question will be reporting its findings and recommendation very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if European Community rules and regulations permit the undertaking of any industrial activities apart from processing, mixing and bottling in free ports; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The activities permitted are wide-ranging. They are specified in:

Council directive 69/75/EEC of 4 March 1969 on the harmonisation of provisions relating to free zones; and

Council directive 71/235/EEC of 21 June 1971 on harmonisation of the provisions relating to the usual forms of handling which may be carried out in customs warehouses and in free zones.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what restrictions are placed by the European Community on the range of incentives, tax exemptions and other cash privileges which may be offered within free ports; and if he will make a statement;(2) if European Community regulations place any restrictions on the ownership of land within free ports; and, in particular, whether free ports may be established on private land;(3) if European Community regulations permit national Governments to exempt firms in free ports from any health, safety, labelling or similar legal obligations; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the complexity of European Community and other restrictions in free ports, he will initiate a free port experiment before carrying out any major policy change; and if he will consider Southend-on-Sea airport for such an experimental scheme.

I ask my hon. Friend to await the report of the working group under my chairmanship, which has been examining the desirability or otherwise of the establishment of free ports in the United Kingdom.

Companies (Rate Of Return)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the real rate of return on capital after tax in each year from 1970 to 1982 (a) for all companies, (b) for industry and commerce excluding oil and (c) for manufacturing companies only.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 February 1983, c. 348]: There are no official estimates of post-tax rates of return. The Department of Industry publishes annual estimates of pre-tax rates of return for industrial and commercial companies, including and excluding North Sea oil companies, and for the manufacturing sector in its journal British Business. The latest estimates appeared in the issue for 17 September 1982 covering the period 1960 to 1981. Figures for the years 1970 to 1981 are as follows:

PRE·TAX RATES OF RETURN AT CURRENT REPLACEMENT COST
Industrial and commercial companies and manufacturing companies based on national accounts data. Per cent.
	All Industrial and Commercial Companies		Industrial and Commercial Companies excluding North Sea		Manufacturing Companies
Year	Gross (a)	Net (b)	Gross (a)	Net (b)	Gross (a)	Net (b)
1970	8·7	8·7	8·7	8·7	7·5	7·5
1971	8·9	8·9	8·9	9·0	7·6	7·7
1972	9·1	9·0	9·1	9·3	7·9	8·1
1973	8·8	9·0	8·8	9·1	7·7	8·0
1974	6·6	5·9	6·7	6·1	5·1	4·3
1975	5·8	4·6	5·9	4·9	4·6	3·5
1976	6·1	4·8	5·9	4·9	4·9	3·9
1977	8·2	7·6	7·5	7·1	6·7	6·5
1978	8·7	8·2	8·0	7·7	6·9	6·8

	All Industrial and Commercial Companies		Industrial and Commercial Companies excluding North Sea		Manufacturing Companies
Year	Gross (a)	Net (b)	Gross (a)	Net (b)	Gross (a)	Net (b)
1979	7·7	6·9	8·3	5·3	5·1	4·3
1980	7·3	6·2	5·4	4·0	4·5	3·4
1981	7·3	6·2	4·9	3·2	3·6	2·1

Estimates for 1982 will not be available until the autumn. However, the improvement in profits during 1982—industrial and commercial company profits net of stock appreciation rose by 18 per cent. in the first three quarters of 1982 compared to a year earlier—should imply an improved real rate of return in 1982.

Scotch Whisky (Revenue)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total Government revenues from the sales of Scotch whisky in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom for the latest available year.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 February 1983, c. 349]: It is estimated that in 1982 the revenue from excise duty and VAT on spirits was about £1,675 million, of which about half was on Scotch whisky. Excise duty is paid on spirits on removal from bonded warehouse and not at the point of retail sale; and information about the revenue from sales in Scotland is therefore not available.

Attorney-General

Land Registry

asked the Attorney-General what representations he has received about the current arrears of work at the Land Registry; and if he has any proposals to reduce the delays in the conveyancing of property; and if he will make a statement.

No representations of a formal or general character have been received, but in 1982 three inquiries were made by Members of Parliament on behalf of constituents, and inquiries are received from members of the public from time to time.Generally applications for office copies and official searches are dealt with and issued on the day of receipt or the day following. Failure to deal promptly with these preliminary applications could delay specific conveyancing transactions but the Land Registry is maintaining this important service. Applications for registration are submitted to the registry after the completion of a transaction has taken place and therefore cannot delay that transaction. The time taken to deal with such applications does not as a rule affect or delay subsequent conveyancing transactions, but if a re-sale or other transaction occurs before registration is complete, the Land Registry will expedite the application on request.

asked the Attorney-General how many staff currently are employed in the Land Registry; and what was the comparable number in May 1979.

On 1 May 1979 the staff of the Land Registry totalled 5,673 including 111 casual staff. On 1 February 1983 the comparable figures were 6,530 and 741 respectively.

Yorkshire Electricity Consultative Council

asked the Attorney-General if the police inquiries into the expenses claims of members of the Yorkshire Electricity Consultative Council have yet been completed; if a report has yet been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has not yet received a report from the police. I do not propose to make a statement.

Industry

Free Ports

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what manufacturing activities are permitted in free ports under EC regulations; and if he will make a statement.

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

Wales

Integrated Transport Service

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Welsh consumer council concerning the development of an integrated transport service in Wales, and the Welsh Office's role in such a change; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend recently received a letter from the Welsh Consumer Council which puts forward the view that the consideration of transport policy in any area should be on an integrated basis, and that, subject to certain provisos, the Welsh Office should take on responsibilities for the allocation of Government financial support for the railways in Wales.We are considering the letter and I shall let the hon. Member have a copy of the reply.

Welsh Language Classes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to the number of adult classes in each county of Wales for those learning the Welsh language.

The information requested is not available centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Her Majesty's inspectors have, however, recently undertaken a survey on sources and levels of adult classes for those learning the Welsh language, and their report will be published this summer.

Dwellings (Multiple Occupation)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will introduce legislation to protect the wellbeing of persons who live in houses in multiple occupation in Wales.

A private Member's Bill dealing with houses in multiple occupation has been tabled for discussion on 25 February and the Government's views will the explained in the course of that debate.

Hospital Provision (Mid-Glamorgan)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be in a position to announce the restructured hospital provisions in the Mid-Glamorgan east district.

No proposals for restructured hospital provision in east Glamorgan have been received from the Mid-Glamorgan health authority.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the respective responsibilities of Ministers in his Department.

Ministerial responsibilities within my Department are currently allocated as follows:

Secretary of State

Economic Affairs.
Industry.
Financial and RSG Matters.
EEC Issues.
Agriculture.
Constitutional Issues.

Minister of State (Mr. John Stradling Thomas)

Education.
Transport and Highways.
Land Use Planning/Town and Country Planning.
Urban Affairs including Urban Development Grant, Urban Programme and Enterprise Zones.
Tourism.
DBRW.
Countryside Commission/National Parks.
Forestry.
General issues relating to public appointment.
Sport.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

Health and Social Work.
Local Government.
Housing.
Water.
Welsh Language.
Arts.
National Library and National Museum of Wales.
Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Malaysia

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will reconsider the United Kingdom's diplomatic relations with Malaysia, in view of the recent report by the International Mission of Lawyers which concluded that Malaysia's ESCAR regulations violate the rights of defendants to fair trials.

No.

Chemical Weapons

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom was consulted in the preparation of the recent United States proposals for a comprehensive ban on chemical weapons; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government welcome and fully support the American proposals for a convention to ban the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons. This follows the tabling last year of a British paper on verification. We were consulted in the preparation of the American paper. We wish to make real progress in the negotiations on a chemical weapons convention in the committee on disarmament. We hope that the Soviet Union will respond positively to this new opportunity to rid the world of these weapons.

Defence

Anti-Radiation Missile

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on the procurement of an advanced anti-radiation missile for the Royal Air Force.

In the next few weeks.

Falkland Islands (Accommodation)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it was with his authority that Bulldog Publicity Services Ltd. wrote to the managing director of Sibcas and Associated Companies of Bathgate, West Lothian, on 4 February referring to its close contacts with the Ministry of Defence, the Procurement Executive, engineering schools and Royal Engineers establishments as a means to help secure what were described as lucrative contracts with his Department; what contacts his Department and the services have had with Bulldog Publicity Services; and what part it played in the placing of an £8 million contract to Portakabin for accommodation on the Falkland Islands.

My right hon. Friend's authority was neither sought nor given for the writing of the letter. I am not aware of any procurement contacts between the Ministry of Defence or the services and Bulldog Publicity Services Ltd.; the company played no part in the award of any contracts to Portakabin for accommodation on the Falkland Islands.

Trident

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the way British firms are allowed to tender for Trident II contracts.

Our agreements with the United States Government allow United Kingdom firms to compete on the same terms as United States contractors for sub-contracts for the Trident II weapon system. Indications at present are that these arrangements are working well.

Fisheries Protection (Nimrod Aircraft)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force Nimrods are deployed on fisheries protection duties; what is the total annual cost; and what proportion of this cost is borne on defence Votes.

A number of Nimrod flying hours are allocated to offshore patrol operations on behalf of civil Departments; specific aircraft are not dedicated to these tasks. The cost of these flights to defence Votes is recovered in full from civil Departments. The total sum involved is published in the annex to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates". For 1982–83 the cost is estimated at about £9 million, of which about £6·3 million relates to fisheries protection work.

Employment

Employment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the percentage share of total registered unemployed in the European Community and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development attributable to the United Kingdom for each year since 1970 including his estimate for the latest period in 1982; and if he will provide comparable figures for male unemployment.

The following table gives the available information. It is based on national unemployment statistics, some of which use sources other than registrations, such as surveys or insurance data. Because of this, and because of differences in concepts and coverage of unemployment, the following percentages must be regarded as approximate.

United Kingdom as percentage of unemployment in
	EC^*		OECD†
Annual averages	Total	Male	Total	Male
1970	28	33	7	11
1971	30	36	8	12
1972	30	36	8	12
1973	23	29	6	10
1974	20	26	6	9
1975	21	26	6	9
1976	25	31	8	11
1977	25	31	9	12
1978	24	30	8	11
1979	22	28	8	11
1980	25	32	9	11
1981	29	36	11	15
1982	27	34	11	14
Sources:
^* Statistical Office of the European Communities, "Unemployment" bulletins;
† OECD "Labour Force Statistics" and "Main Economic Indicators", supplemented by labour attache reports etc.
Notes:
^* EC: Figures for the nine countries which have been members since 1973. Figures for Greece are not available for the whole period. The United Kingdom joined the EC in 1973.
† OECD: Figures for the nine EC members in (^*) plus Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. Figures for Greece and Portugal are not available for the whole period. The male figures incorporate some estimates, particularly in 1982. 1982 figures are for the first three quarters only.

Unemployment (European Community)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for the latest quarter for which information is available his estimate of the percentage share of total registered unemployed in the European Community attributable to the United Kingdom.

Information published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities—SOEC—shows that in the fourth quarter of 1982, unemployment in the United Kingdom—on the new basis, claimants—accounted for 27 per cent. of the EC total. As this proportion is based on figures which are not fully comparable, owing to differences in coverage and concepts of unemployment, it must be regarded as approximate.

Industrial Trade Disputes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment from what sources, other than from the management of the firm involved in the dispute, information concerning the termination of an industrial trade dispute is available to the regional insurance officer responsible for supervision of the case.

Information from the benefit claimant, his trade union and the employer is available to the insurance officer when deciding whether a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute has ended.

Training Courses

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of registered unemployed persons are engaged in training courses funded fully or partially by the Manpower Services Commission;(2) if he will list the training courses fully or partially funded by the Department of Employment and the Manpower Services Commission and available for the unemployed, the long-term unemployed and for retraining;(3) how many persons who completed Manpower Services Commission funded training courses in 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 subsequently registered as unemployed; and what proportion they constituted of the total of unemployed persons.

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

Education And Science

Pupils (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of secondary pupils are now educated in comprehensive schools, secondary modern schools and private schools, respectively.

In January 1982, the proportion of school pupils aged 11 years and over in England was 79·7 per cent. in comprehensive schools, 5·1 per cent. in secondary modern schools and 7·5 per cent. in independent schools. In addition, 3 per cent. of pupils aged 11 years and over were in maintained grammar schools and 4·4 per cent. were in special schools and other maintained primary, middle and secondary schools.

Technical Education (Joint Initiative)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the response to date from the local authorities to the joint initiative by his Department with the Manpower Services Commission towards the introduction of projects for more technical education; and if he will make a statement.

No formal proposals have yet been received in response to the invitation issued by the Manpower Services Commission only three weeks ago at the end of January, but over 70 authorities have expresed an interest in biding. The deadline for submitting proposals is 4 March and the Manpower Services Commission hopes to announce by the beginning of April which have been selected for support under the new technical and vocational education initiative.

Nursery Schools

16.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional nursery school places he estimates will be provided in 1983–84 compared with each of the past three years.

My right hon. Friend expects an increase in the number of places in nursery classes rather than in nursery schools.

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new nursery schools have been built since may 1979; and what are the plans for the future.

Information is not available in the form requested because the establishment of nursery schools is not subject to section 12 of the Education Act 1980. Returns made to the Department over the three years from January 1979 indicate that, while the overall number of nursery schools fell by 11, eight authorities reported a total increase of 11; during the same period the number of primary schools with attached nursery classes rose by 462. The Government's expenditure plans allow for a gradual increase in the provision made for nursery education.

Adult And Continuing Education

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current level of financial support for adult and continuing education.

For 1982–83 public expenditure on the continuing education of adults at all levels in England is estimated to be over £750 million.

Assisted Places Scheme

22.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the assisted places scheme.

After the first two years' recruitment, the assisted places scheme is now benefiting 8,616 children, two thirds of whom came from families with less than average incomes. I gave a comprehensive account of progress during the debate on the Draft Education (Assisted Places) (Amendment) Regulations 1983 on 9 February.—[Vol. 36, c. 1097–1119.]

Expenditure Statistics

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent on education and science in each year since 1978–79 in real terms at current prices.

Expenditure in cost terms at 1981–82 prices on education and science in 1978–79 was some £11·9 billion, in 1979–80 some £11·7 billion, in 1980–81 some £12·1 billion and in 1981–82 some 11·8 billion. Over the same period pupil numbers fell by some 10 per cent. Final figures for the 1982–83 outturn are not yet available.

In-Service Teacher Training

24.

asked the Secretary of Stare for Education and Science whether he will issue a further circular to local education authorities in relation to their responsibilities under the new training initiatives as they affect in-service teacher training; and if he will make a statement.

No. The new technical and vocational education initiative is intended initially to comprise a small number of pilot projects starting this September and it would not be appropriate to issue a circular on certain aspects of it to all LEAs. In-service training will be agreed by the MSC with the individual local education authorities taking part.

Overseas Students

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be able to issue guidance to local education authorities about the implications of the decision of the House of Lords on 17 December 1982 relating to ordinary residence for overseas students and its potential effect on local education authorities.

My right hon. Friend is still considering the full implications of the judgment, but hopes to be able to give advice to local education authorities shortly.

Primary School Pupils (Ability)

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he takes to ensure that every pupil transferring from primary to secondary school can read, write and count.

We shall continue to emphasise the importance of effective teaching of the skills of reading, writing and calculating within the primary curriculum as a whole.

Mathematics (Cockcroft Report)

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further progress has been made upon the implementation of the recommendations of the Cockcroft report on mathematics.

The Department will shortly be commissioning a major programme of research and development, including work on graduated tests, in accordance with the recommendations of the Cockcroft report. Bids received from local education authorities and other institutions for a place in this programme and for the Department's programme of development projects for lower-attaining pupils provide further evidence of a wide range of activity already under way in different parts of the country. A number of the projects which have been accepted for inclusion in the latter programme devote particular attention to mathematics. Mathematics is also one of the priority areas for the Government's new scheme of grants for in-service training for teachers. A grant is being made to the Royal Institution to enable it to continue its series of mathematics masterclasses for gifted young mathematicians.

Able And Gifted Children

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take account of the special needs of able and gifted children in the instruments implementing the Education Act 1981.

If an able or gifted child has or is believed to have special educational needs as defined in the Education Act 1981 it will be the duty of the local education authority to assess those needs and to ensure that special educational provision is made in accordance with the provisions of that Act and the regulations made under it, in the same way as for any other children.

Private Schools

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received asking him not to proceed with any proposal to provide further support for private schools from public funds.

Two.

Northern Region (Further Education)

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of young people stayed on at school after the age of 16 years in the northern region in the last year for which figures are available.

In January 1982 the proportions of pupils aged 16 years remaining at maintained secondary schools in the northern region were 22·2 per cent. for boys, 25·2 per cent. for girls, and 23·6 per cent. for boys and girls.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the forecast pupil to teacher ratio in schools for the present year.

In the latest public expenditure White Paper—Cmnd. 8789—the overall pupil-teacher ratio in nursery, primary and secondary schools in England is projected at 18·3 in January 1983, compared with 18·5 in the previous year.

Course Co-Ordination (Further Education)

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards the co-ordination of courses at polytechnics and other colleges through the National Advisory Body for Local Authority Further and Higher Education.

The national advisory body will be advising my right hon. Friend later this year on a rational distribution of academic provision within the resources available across the local authority higher education sector in 1984–85.

Pupil Profiles

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards the introduction of pupil profiles; and if he will make a statement.

The introduction of records of achievement for school leavers on a national scale will require further practical work on the educational issues and resource implications. Promising local initiatives include schemes in which local education authorities, teachers and examination boards are involved in a joint enterprise. These are being monitored by the Department, and my right hon. Friend is considering what further action should be taken by the Government, with the help of the Secondary Examinations Council.

Careers Guidance

34.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is being done by his Department to develop a better careers guidance service in schools.

The Government recognise that schools need to provide better and more systematic careers education for all pupils, and has drawn attention to this in a number of ways. Its importance was particularly stressed in the guidance document, "The School Curriculum" which the Department published in March 1981, and we shall continue to take every opportunity to reinforce that guidance. However, responsibility for careers education rests with individual schools and local education authorities. Teachers are encouraged to work in close collaboration with officers of the local careers service, for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has responsibilities.

Education Vouchers

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to introduce a system of education vouchers in respect either of primary or secondary schools.

42.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he has now reached a decision on whether to introduce an education voucher scheme;(2) with which local education authorities his Department has discussed possible pilot schemes for experiments with education vouchers.

48.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the extra public expenditure involved in introducing a voucher scheme in the private sector in each local authority area in England and Wales.

I refer the hon. Members to the answers I gave to similar questions earlier today.

Church Schools (Closures)

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what regulations or other provisions govern consultations between education authorities, churches, parents and teachers prior to his assent for church school closures.

Circular 2/80 advises local education authorities that my right hon. Friend expects that appropriate consultations will have taken place with parents, the teaching and other staff and governors of the school concerned, and the teacher associations, before statutory proposals are published. Thereafter section 12(3) of the Education Act 1980 provides a two-month period in which local people and the governors of any voluntary school affected by the proposals can submit objections to the local education authority.

Schools (Hmi Reports)

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will ensure that Her Majesty's Inspectors' reports of schools are sent to the hon. Member for the appropriate constituency as soon as possible.

From today, copies of formal reports by Her Majesty's inspectors will be sent to hon. Members for the appropriate constituencies on the day they are published. Copies of the 10 reports published in the last month have already been sent to the appropriate hon. Members.

Student Grants

39.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to increase the availability of student grants.

The Government have no present plans to extend the availability of mandatory awards.

Foreign Languages (Secondary Schools)

40.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the effect of declining rolls in secondary schools on the numbers of pupils studying foreign languages.

The teaching of a second foreign language could he vulnerable in a period of falling rolls, unless local education authorities and schools develop effective policies for this area of the curriculum. This will be one of the themes of the Department's forthcoming consultations on foreign languages in schools.

Further Education (Statistics)

41.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the 16 to 18 year age group have remained in schools or sixth form colleges in each of the past four years.

The proportion of pupils remaining at maintained and non-maintained schools, excluding special schools, in England for the latest four years for which information is available are as follows:

Percentage of pupils remaining at school beyond the statutory leaving age
Per cent.
January of each year Age at 31 August of preceding year	1979	1980	1981	1982
16 years	27·6	28·1	28·9	31·6
17 years	18·2	18·1	18·7	19·6
18 years	1·7	1·7	1·8	2·1

Provisional indications for the 1982–83 academic year are that the percentage of pupils remaining at school beyond the statutory leaving age increased over the previous year, though the increase was much less than between 1980–81 and 1981–82.

Free School Clothing

43.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children attending primary and secondary schools now receive free school clothing; and how this compares with the figure three years ago.

This information is not collected by the Department.

Special Educational Needs (Pupil Integration)

44.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the progress that has been made in relation to integration of those with special educational needs into ordinary schools and colleges.

Returns for January 1982 show an increase of 3,151 in the number of handicapped children registered as pupils in ordinary classes or in designated special classes or units in ordinary schools in England, over the figures for January 1981. Details were given in the answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) earlier today. The Department does not collect comparable statistics for further education. It is known, however, that in recent years colleges have increasingly been making provision for students with physical and mental handicaps.

Student Maintenance (Parental Contribution)

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the total value of parental contribution towards student maintenance for 1983–84.

In the academic year 1983–84 it is estimated that the total value of assessed parental contributions towards student maintenance will be about £180 million.

Private Education (Public Subsidy)

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the level of public subsidy of private education.

The total direct and indirect cost to public funds of school education outside the maintained sector, and excluding special education, is estimated at about £224 million for the financial year 1981–82, the latest year for which information is available.

Universities (Intake)

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conveniently available information he has as to the total intake into universities in (a) 1979 and (b) 1982.

The University Grants Committee estimates that there were 79,000 undergraduate and 27,100 postgraduate full-time new entrants to the universities of Great Britain in October 1982. The comparable figures for October 1979 were 83,500 and 27,900 respectively. Both sets of figures are taker from the autumn count of the UGC which relates to October. The definitive university statistics relate to the position at December and those for 1982–83 will not be available until the summer. The final 1979 entry figures were 83,800 undergraduates and 29,300 postgraduates.

Book Purchases (Ussr)

49.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent by local education authorities on books produced in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the last convenient period for which figures are available.

The Department does not collect this information.

Bexley Education Committee (Appeals Procedure)

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the appeals procedure operated by the Bexley education committee in respect of the exercise of parental choice under the 1980 Act.

A complaint about the appeals procedures in Bexley is currently being investigated. I shall write to the hon. Member when the investigation is completed.

Education Costs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost per child in (a) primary education and (b) secondary education in England for each of the years 1980, 1981 and 1982.

The net recurrent institutional expenditure per full-time equivalent pupil in maintained schools in England was as follows:

Financial Year	Unit Cost (Cash)
	Primary	Secondary
	£	£
1979–80	429	612
1980–81	547	771
^*1981–82	619	868
^* Estimated

	Current prices			1982–83 prices
	Ordinary maintenance grant			Ordinary maintenance grant
	London	Elsewhere	Total cost	London	Elsewhere	Total cost
	£	£	£ million	£	£	£ million
1979–80	1,485	1,245	550	2,055	1,723	761
1980–81	1,695	1,430	679	2,026	1,709	811
1981–82	1,825	1,535	—	1,958	1,647	—
1982–83	1,900	1,595	—	1,900	1,595	—

Manchester (Education Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, for each year from 1978–79 to date, all education grants paid to Manchester city council.

The only grant paid by the Department to the Manchester city council is specific grant to cover 90 per cent. of the authority's spending on mandatory awards to students. The amounts of such grant for each academic year from 1978–79 to date are:

These figures exclude various items of expenditure, including the financing costs of capital expenditure, pupil support, and meals and milk. If these items were included, the figures for 1981–82 would be of the order of £750 and £1,070 for pupils in primary and secondary schools respectively.

Student Numbers

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students there were in 1979 in universities, colleges and places of learning; what was the level of the mandatory grant; what were to the total costs of grants; and if he will give figures for the latest and most convenient stated date, allowing for the depreciation of the £ sterling in the last two cases.

In 1979–80 in Great Britain there were 4,806,000 students over the minimum school leaving age in full-time or part-time education in schools, establishments of further and higher education and universities. Of these, 455,000 were home students in full-time higher education. The corresponding figures for 1981–82 were 4,874,000 and 492,000 respectively. In general, the provision of mandatory awards are restricted to home full-time students following a course in higher education other than at postgraduate level.The full value of the maintenance grant of the mandatory award in the academic year 1979–80 for students in England and Wales (i) living away from home in London was £1,485 and (ii) living away from home other than in London was £1,245. The cost of providing mandatory grants to students by local education authorities in England and Wales in the academic year 1979–80 was £550 million of which £218 million related to tuition fees.The levels of grant and total costs measured at current and constant 1982–83 prices are as follows:

	£ million
1978–79	4·0
1979–80	4·7
1980–81	5·5
1981–82	6·8
1982–83	^*5·2
^* Provisional.

Further And Higher Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library a copy of his letter of 21 February to the chairman of the committee of the National Advisory Body for Further and Higher Education.

I have already done so.

Social Services

Walking Aids

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of hospitals issuing crutches, walking sticks and other walking aids to temporarily injured persons and failing to get these returned when these people's injuries are cured, he will take whatever action may be necessary to obtain the return of these, and the saving of the associated costs to the National Health Service.

Arrangements for the return of the aids they supply are the responsibility of the individual health authorities, but I will draw this helpful suggestion to the attention of the relevant authorities in the most appropriate way.

Unemployment (Family Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of households containing children where at least one adult member is unemployed.

The readily available information covers the parents, or lone parent, of dependent children, but not any other adult members of the household. It is estimated on the basis of the general household survey that there were on average in 1981 about 800,000 families with dependent children in which the father and/or mother was unemployed. Those counted as unemployed for this purpose were people, other than full-time students, who in the week before their participation in the survey were looking for work, or intending to look for work but prevented by temporary sickness, or waiting to take up a job already obtained.

Doctors (Vocational Training)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that entry to general practitioner vocational training schemes is open to all doctors regardless of age, nationality and background.

Entry into vocational training schemes is already open to all doctors who are fully registered medical practitioners regardless of age, nationality or background.

Nhs (Spending)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the demands on the National Health Service since 1979 have compared with the increase in spending on the National Health Service.

Growth in hospital and community health services between 1978–79 and 1982–83 is expected to be about 5·5 per cent. in real terms. During this period costs associated with demographic change are estimated to have increased by 3·4 per cent. The remainder of the growth was available to enable the wider introduction of new or improved forms of treatment.

Expenditure on the family practitioner services is determined largely by demand and therefore allows for changes attributable to alterations in the population structure or to technical advances. Such expenditure has grown by an estimated 4·75 per cent. between 1978–79 and 1982–83.

Spinal Injuries (Electronic Research)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider making available to the Oxford regional health authority sufficient additional finance to enable electronic research in recovery from spinal injuries to be developed in the new centre being built at Stoke Mandeville.

Recent research in this field has revealed exciting possibilities and any new proposals will be carefully considered by the Department or the Medical Research Council as appropriate.

State Pensions (Payments)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the loss of income to state pensioners who accept payment by credit transfer arising from the payment on the last banking day of each four-week period, he will consider paying the pension earlier in the monthly cycle or some other remedy.

No. Payment by credit transfer is no more than an option now available to pensioners. Those who choose this option as to method of payment do so in the knowledge that crediting will occur on the last banking day in each four or 13-week period.Pensioners who wish to receive their pensions earlier in each payment period can of course have them paid by weekly order book. Whichever method has been chosen, the pensioner will receive an identical amount of pension over a given period of time.

Pregnancy (Alcohol)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the recent study published in "Archives of Disease in Childhood" on the detrimental effect of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy on the foetus, if he will set up a departmental inquiry to further research on a greater scale on this matter.

The Department is in touch with the relevant professional bodies which, at its request, are reviewing the risks associated with drinking during pregnancy, in the light of all the available information. When we receive their conclusions we will consider what further action is necessary.

Stillbirth And Neonatal Death

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider financial support to the proposed research project on factors predisposing to stillbirth and neonatal death, which is contemplated by the international centre for child health at Bristol.

There is much competition for the Department's research funds, and after considering the priorities for research to be commissioned during 1983, we were unable to allocate funds to allow the project for a national perinatal pathology survey from Professor Neville Butler of the department of child health at the University of Bristol to proceed this year. I understand that Professor Butler is now considering a revised research application to the Medical Research Council.

Hostel Accommodation (Bed Space Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost per bed space per week of hostel accommodation provided by his Department at Gordon road, Peckham, London, SE15.

For the year ending 31 March 1982 the estimated cost per bed space per week at Camberwell resettlement unit was £115.

Infant Formulae

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the draft voluntary code of practice for the marketing of infant formulae in the United Kingdom was drawn up by the Food Manufacturers' Association in consultation with his Department instead of being prepared by his Department in consultation with the commercial interests concerned.

It is common for voluntary codes of practice to be drawn up by the relevant trade association and it would contradict the spirit of voluntary self-regulation by the industry if the Government were to draw up the code of practice on which it was to be based.

Drugs (Disclosure Of Information)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that, in coming to decisions about whether information about drugs is commercially confidential and consequently not to be disclosed publicly, his Department takes fully into account considerations of public welfare.

Yes. I refer the hon. Member to the comment I made in the debate initiated by the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 27 January.—[Vol. 35, c. 1121.] Appropriate prescribing information on drugs is made available to doctors through data sheets published by the pharmaceutical companies concerned.

National Insurance Contributions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the net cost of a change in the structure of national insurance contribution for (a) employers and (b) employees so that (i) the contributions began at £1,800 and £3,600 for single persons and married couples, respectively, (ii) contributions were limited to 9 per cent. of the amount in excess of these figures up to a maximum of £1,260, (iii) those not contracted out would pay in addition a sum of 2·15 per cent. of total earnings as at present and (iv) the reduced rate allowances were abolished.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 25 January.—[Vol. 35, c. 399.]

Children (Benefits)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OfficialReport the types of benefit, including unemployment benefit, paid in respect of children which would be reduced if child benefit were to be increased together with his estimate of the saving which might be expected in 1983–84 if the child benefit were to be increased to £15.

Section 17(1) of the Child Benefits Act 1975 allows the Secretary of State to reduce the rates of child dependency addition paid with certain benefits to such an extent as he considers appropriate having regard to an increase in the rate of child benefit. The benefits in question are retirement pension, widows benefit, unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, industrial disablement benefit, maternity allowance, invalid care allowance and non-contributory invalidity pension. If all of these child dependency additions were abolished, the saving in 1983–84 would be some £200 million.An increase in child benefit would not reduce the rates of supplementary benefit but would be taken into account as a resource for those receiving benefit. The overall saving if child benefit was increased to £15 would be some £750 million in 1983–84.There would also be savings on housing benefit, though I regret the cost of estimating these would be disproportionate. Family income supplement would be affected only if the "prescribed amounts" were subsequently changed to reflect the child benefit increase.The gross cost of raising child benefit to £15 would be approximately £6 billion.

Attendance Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage of persons, in each English region, claiming attendance allowance who are examined by their own medical practitioner are successful in their application; and what is the comparable figure for persons examined by doctors employed by his Department;(2) what percentage of persons in Wales claiming attendance allowance who are examined by their own medical practitioner are successful in their applications; and what is the comparable figure for persons examined by doctors employed by his Department;(3) what percentage of persons in Scotland claiming attendance allowance who are examined by their own medical practitioner are successful in their applications; and what is the comparable figure for persons examined by doctors employed by his Department.

I regret that the information required could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

Medical And Dental Consultants (Suspensions)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consultants in medical and dental practice have been suspended from duty in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982; and what are the stated grounds for these suspensions.

The information requested about suspensions from duty by employing health authorities could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Trade Disputes (Workers Payments)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what safeguards exist to ensure that workers involved in a trade or industrial dispute receive, when the dispute is settled, payments they are entitled to from his Department.

The only benefit normally payable in this situation is supplementary benefit, and the onus has to be on the individual to claim any such benefit to which he may be entitled. The right to do so and the fact that the benefit is recoverable are clearly explained in leaflet SB2, which is issued to all persons who claim supplementary benefit, successfully or not, while involved in a dispute. Trade unions are, of course, generally aware of these procedures and they usually advise their members accordingly.

Vaccine Damage

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the vaccine damage payments unit of his Department abandoned its practice of assessing tribunal awards in terms of which vaccine it thought responsible; what steps he is taking to categorise incidence of vaccine damage and the acceptance and rejection of claims; and if he will make a statement.

There has been no change in the categories under which information is kept about vaccine damage payment claims. Distinction is made between awards and disallowances by the Secretary of State and by each vaccine damage tribunal and between the vaccines or combinations of vaccines thought responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many vaccine damage payments have been awarded for damage from a vaccine that included the pertussis element for each year for which figures are available; and if he will express the number in each case as a percentage of the numbers receiving vaccination against pertussis.

the information is as follows:

Year of vaccination	Number of vaccine damage payments in respect of vaccinations with a pertussis element	Number of vaccine damage payments in (2) as a percentage of completed primary courses of vaccination with a pertussis element^*
(1)	(2)	(3)
1948	2	—
1949	2	—
1950	5	—
1951	6	—
1952	4	—
1953	9	—
1954	5	—
1955	12	—
1956	10	—
1957	10	—
1958	8	0·001
1959	16	0·003
1960	28	0·004
1961	28	0·004
1962	28	0·004
1963	37	0·005
1964	30	0·004
1965	31	0·004
1966	35	0·004

Year of vaccination	Number of vaccine damage payments in respect of vaccinations with a pertussis element	Number of vaccine damage payments in (2) as a percentage of completed primary courses of vaccination with a pertussis element ^*
(1)	(2)	(3)
1967	22	0·003
1968	37	0·005
1969	24	0·005
1970	32	0·005
1971	25	0·003
1972	27	0·004
1973	31	0·005
1974	17	0·003
1975	3	0·001
1976	8	0·003
1977	7	0·003
1978	5	0·002
1979	5	0·002
1980	2	0·001
1981	1	0·000
^* Information on completed courses of vaccination will a pertussis element was not collected before 1958.

Pertussis

asked Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaths there have been from pertussis in children aged under one year in each year since 1950; and if he will express the figure as a percentage of the number of children born in the year.

The information requested is as follows. As the number of deaths in any year is small compared with the number of live births, rates have been calculated per million live births rather than as percentages.

Whooping cough: deaths of children aged under 1 year and rates per million live births, 1950 to 1981
England and Wales
Year	Deaths under 1 year	Deaths per million live births
1950	277	397·4
1951	273	402·9
1952	111	164·8
1953	167	244·0
1954	95	141·0
1955	60	89·8
1956	63	90·0
1957	68	94·0
1958	18	24·3
1959	16	21·4
1960	26	33·1
1961	19	23·4
1962	18	21·5
1963	29	34·0
1964	32	36·5
1965	15	17·4
1966	22	25·9
1967	24	28·8
1968	15	18·3
1969	4	5·0
1970	13	16·6
1971	22	28·1
1972	2	2·8
1973	2	3·0
1974	12	18·8
1975	11	18·2
1976	1	1·7
1977	5	8·8
1978	10	16·8

Year	Deaths under 1 year	Deaths per million live births
1979	3	4·7
1980	6	9·1
1981	2	3·2

Mental Hospitals, Surrey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action he is taking with regard to the reports from the national development team for the mentally handicapped on mental hospitals in Surrey;(2) what consideration he has given to the statement by the chairman of the north-west Surrey health authority on 16 February about the action now called for from his Department with regard to the report on Botleys Park hospital and Murray house; and if he will make a statement.

The development team for the mentally handicapped reviewed mental handicap facilities in Surrey in 1982 and made a full report to the health and local authorities concerned which are responsible for taking action on the team's recommendations.With regard to conditions at Botleys Park hospital, Chertsey, and its associated hostel Murray House, the north-west Surrey health authority is responsibly following up the development team's recommendations with a programme of action. I understand the right hon. Member has now had an opportunity to visit Botleys Park and to discuss the detailed plans the health authority has for improving services for the mentally handicapped.As far as the general strategy for mental handicap services in Surrey is concerned, the Department has had discussions with Dr. Simon, the director of the development team and with the south-west Thames regional health authority, which is responsible for resource allocation within the region. I should be happy to meet representatives of the north-west Surrey health authority to discuss what further action may need to be taken in the light of the development team's report.

Environment

Mining Development

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish the Green Book on mining development in the United Kingdom.

Before the rewriting of the Green Book can be completed, two main things need to be done. Firstly, parliamentary approval needs to be sought for the compensation regulations which are required before the main provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Minerals) Act 1981 can be brought into effect. Secondly, a number of amendments relating to minerals need to be made to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977. Further consultation papers on these two matters will be issued shortly. In parallel with this, I intend that there should be consultation on the planning chapter of the Green Book which is the only one yet to be seen in draft form. Depending on the outcome of these consultations, and of course subject to the availability of Parliamentary time, I hope that all these matters can be brought to a successful conclusion within the current Parliamentary Session, with a view to publication of the Green Book as soon as possible thereafter.

Housing (Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many housing repair grants were paid in England and Wales in 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively;(2) how many housing improvement grants were paid in England and Wales in 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively.

The available information for England is as follows:

Grants paid to private owners and tenants
	1980	1981	1982 Jan. to Sept.^*
Improvement	65,809	49,145	39,132
Intermediate and special	8,143	14,743	14,942
Repairs	513	5,053	15,953
All	74,465	68,941	70,027
^* Provisional.

Figures are not yet available for the final quarter of 1982. For information on grants paid in Wales, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Prefabricated Houses

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to gather the information on prefabricated, reinforced concrete houses referred to in the statement made by the Minister for Housing and Construction on 8 February, Official Report, c. 893.

I have arranged for a letter to be sent today to all local authorities in England listing the types of prefabricated reinforced concrete houses known by my Department to have been built between the wars and in the 1940s and in the 1950s, and asking for information on the number and ownership of those houses, and other houses of similar construction, in each local authority area. The letter also outlines the programme of technical work to be carried out by the Building Research Establishment. The letter has been sent for information to the Building Societies Association, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Royal Institute of British Architects. The Secretary of State for Wales, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are taking similar action. Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library.

Wildlife And Countryside Act

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the dates on which he intends to implement the remaining provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act; and if he will explain why their introduction has been delayed beyond original projections.

My right hon. Friend has made commencement orders to bring the outstanding provisions of the Act into effect on 28 February. The extensive consultations in connection with these provisions took longer than originally envisaged.

Roadford Reservoir

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to announce the future of the proposed Roadford reservoir in Devon.

My right hon. Friend will reach a decision as soon as possible.

"How To Use Less Rates"

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the number of women breadwinners, he will alter the wording used in his Department's pamphlet "How to Use Less Rates" from "if there are any people in your household other than your wife" to "if there are any people in your household other than your spouse".

Responsibility for rate rebates and therefore the preparation of associated advisory leaflets passes to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security next April as part of the housing benefit scheme. The Housing Benefit Regulations 1982 use the word "partner" to refer to one of a couple, and new leaflets, also in neutral terms, will shortly be distributed by his Department.

Improvement Grants

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will raise the rateable value limits for improvement grants from their present levels of £225 outside London and £400 within London.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Hicks) on 26 January.—[Vol. 35, c. 888.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the coverage of improvement grants to include energy conservation measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation.

Grants for the first-time provision of loft insulation are already available under the homes insulation scheme. In other circumstances, additional loft insulation may be eligible for an improvement grant at the discretion of the local authority as part of an overall improvement scheme. Cavity wall insulation would not generally be eligible for grant. There are at present no plans to change these arrangements.

Hyndburn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why it was decided to cut £1 million from the amount requested by Hyndburn council for its housing investment programme.

Local authority housing investment programme bids in the north-west region for 1983–84 were almost twice the regional allocation. Hyndburn's allocation of £3·165 million was based on the Department's assessment of their needs relative to other authorities in the north-west. The HIP allocation can be supplemented by the prescribed proportion of capital receipts. Moreover, additional resources will be available to the Council for any spending on renovation grants above £1·595 million which exceeds the original allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the figures for the generalised needs index assessment for Hyndburn.

The information was placed in the Library in the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction to my hon. Friend for Reading, North (Mr. Durant) on 25 January.—[Vol. 35, c. 406.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of (a) private houses and (b) council houses lack basic amenities in Hyndburn; and how this compares with the local and national average.

The information requested is not available at district level in the form asked. Following is information available from the 1981 census:

Households in permanent dwellings lacking basic amenities: by tenure: April 1981
Percentages
Area—Tenure^*	Households lacking.
	inside WC	fixed bath or shower	either amenity
Hyndburn
Local Authority	0·8	0·5	0·8
Private	9·2	6·3	9·7
Lancashire
Local Authority	1·1	04	1·3
Private	4·9	2·9	5·2
England
Local Authority	1·5	0·4	1·7
Private	3·0	2·2	3·6
^* Local authority figures for Lancashire and England include new town tenants. Housing association tenants not included.

Hull (Marina Project)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to include the Hull marina project among the major schemes under the urban development grant scheme to which he referred in his statement to the House on 15 February, Official Report, c. 162.

The application for urban development grant for the Hull marina project is still being examined by my Department. My right hon. Friend will announce his decision on it as soon as possible.

Hillingdon

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to make a designation order under the Caravan Sites Act in respect of the London borough of Hillingdon.

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

Nuclear Waste

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities are presently available for dumping nuclear waste other than at sea and within the United Kingdom; and what plans the Government have to handle nuclear waste other than by dumping at sea.

Present and future arrangements for the management and disposal of radioactive wastes in the United Kingdom are set out in the White Paper "Radioactive Waste Management", Cmnd. 8607, laid before the House in July 1982.

Right-To-Buy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will extend the right to buy to local authority tenants living in dwellings that are held other than under part V of the Housing Act.

Following consultations with the local authority associations on the possible use of my right hon. Friend's order-making power under section 2(5) of the Housing Act 1980 I have today sent the associations a draft order that would extend the right to buy to all secure tenants of non-part V homes with the exception of those occupying dwellings held on trust, and certain tenants occupying dwellings under lettings which began before 3 October 1980 and which were connected with their or their predecessor's employment. I have placed a copy of the draft order and accompanying letter to the local authority associations in the Library.

Leicester (Council House Sales)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the action he has taken to ensure the expeditious sale of council houses to sitting tenants in the western part of the city of Leicester.

Since April 1981 Leicester city council has been providing the Department with monthly figures of progress with the right to buy. On 21 July 1982, the council was given formal warning that the Secretary of State was contemplating use of his powers of intervention under section 23 of the Housing Act 1980 to enable its tenants to exercise the right to buy effectively and expeditiously. That warning remains in being. I met representatives of the council on 19 August 1982 to discuss the council's progress in detail. Since then officials have been in correspondence with the council on its general progress, its progress with the sale of flats, the arrangements under which purchasers will continue to take supplies from district heating systems or be disconnected from such supplies if they wish, and the council's practices in dealing with right-to-buy claim forms which contain mistakes or omissions of information.

Departmental Expenditure (Minis System)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the total expenditure of his Department is covered by the MINIS system.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 February 1983]: The annual MINIS review by Ministers and senior officials covers the administration of all costs and expenditure directly incurred by my Department.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

European Community (Food Stocks)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what stocks are held in the European Community of cereals, butter, skimmed milk powder, sugar, oil seeds and rice; and what were the comparable figures one year before.

Stocks in public intervention and assisted private storage of the products in question on the latest date for which information is available and on a corresponding date in the previous year were as follows:

	Current Stocks
	Date	'000 tonnes	Previous Year '000 tonnes
Wheat	4 February 1983	6,297	2,716
Barley	4 February 1983	1,584	623
Durum	4 February 1983	692	320
Rye	4 February 1983	277	313
Butter	10 February 1983	336	121
Skimmed milk powder	10 February 1983	603	274
Oilseeds	31 December 1982	37	19

There are not at present, and were not 12 months ago, any intervention stocks of rice or sugar. All Community sugar is eligible for storage aid under a self-financing scheme designed to promote orderly marketing.

Rice

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of rice were produced in the European Community in 1973 and 1981, respectively; and what quantities were imported in the same years.

The information requested is as follows:

	1973 (EC-9)	1981 (EC-10)
Production (paddy rice—tonnes)	1,122,050	1,001,184
Imports (husked equivalent—tonnes)	^*365,045	587,075
^* Marketing year September 1973-August 1974.

Source: European Community Commission.

Intervention Stocks

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the difference in cost to the common agricultural policy between the sale of one tonne of cereals out of United Kingdom intervention to a United Kingdom pig producer at world market prices and the sale of one tonne of cereals out of United Kingdom intervention into the world market.

The cost to Community funds in each case would be approximately the same amount per tonne. However, if the subsidised grain were used by United Kingdom pig producers in place of unsubsidised grain which they would otherwise have used, there would be no reduction in total Community exports. Community funds would then bear the double cost of subsidies both on grain exported and on grain consumed by domestic users.

Agriculture (Annual Review)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the 1983 annual review of agriculture.

A White Paper setting out the conclusions of the 1983 annual review of agriculture is presented to Parliament today. The volume of net agricultural production rose by 10 per cent. in 1982, principally because of the cereals harvest which set a new record. Estimates of self-sufficiency show that over the past two years we produced 62 per cent. of our total food needs, or 76 per cent. in the case of indigenous-type food.While agricultural incomes substantially recovered, they have not recovered in real terms to the levels prior to the decline in farm incomes that started in 1977. Between the mid-1970s and 1980 there was a drop of more than 50 per cent. in farming income in real terms. But the improvement in the last two years has brought about a substantial recovery on this position. The level of bank borrowing increased again, but this was connected with a 17 per cent. increase in the volume of new fixed investment.The improvement in the proportion of the domestic market enjoyed by British products and the improvement in our volume of exports has made a very real contribution to our improved balance of payments. The improvement in productivity have undoubtedly benefited the consumer and, as the latest figures for food price increases show, food prices have increased over the last 12 months by a lower amount than at any time in the last 15 years.The White Paper shows that Government policies and the industry's excellent productivity record have contributed to continued recovery. This is good news for all who work in British agriculture, for those employed in associated industries and, indeed, for the economy as a whole.

Northern Ireland Potato Market

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are to be taken to support the Northern Ireland potato market in the current season.

The Government have decided to introduce a stockfeed scheme on the Northern Ireland market under the United Kingdom potato guarantee arrangements with the objective of removing surplus potatoes and thus securing a better return to growers.We estimate that the scheme will cost up to £1·5 million. This sum is being charged against the 1983–84 Contingency Reserve. Subject to parliamentary approval, provision will be met from the 1983–84 Main Estimate for class III, Vote 2. For the future, the Government's commitment to support the Northern Ireland potato market will depend upon a closer alignment being achieved between production and market requirements.

Farm Wages And Incomes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing movements in agricultural wages and farming income in real terms since 1975.

The information is as follows:

Year	Index of average weekly earnings of farm workers^ in real terms†*	Index of farming income in real terms†
	1975=100
1975	100	100
1976	101	111
1977	94	94
1978	98	85
1979	101	68
1980	102	52
1981	102	58
1982 (forecast)	104	77
^* Regular whole-time hired male workers, 20 years of age and above. United Kingdom.
† Current values deflated by the general index of retail prices (RPI) for all items.

Fishing Vessels (Temporary Financial Assistance) Scheme

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the European Commission has replied to the Government's notification of the proposal to introduce the Fishing Vessels (Temporary Financial Assistance) Scheme 1982 (S.I., 1982, No. 1686).

We have been informed by the European Commission that it has decided to initiate the procedure provided for in article 93(2) of the treaty of Rome in respect of this scheme. The scheme is now closed to new applications. Most claims have already been settled and we hope to complete payments in the near future.

Nuclear Waste (Dumping At Sea)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what international agreements or conventions are in effect to deal with the dumping of nuclear waste at sea.

The dumping of radioactive wastes in the Atlantic is subject to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Dumping Convention) and to the multilateral consultation and surveillance mechanism for sea dumping of radioactive waste established by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and administered by the Nuclear Energy Agency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why Her Majesty's Government voted against a halt to the dumping of nuclear waste at sea, during the recent meeting of the London dumping convention.

We did so because the relevant resolution involved action that was against the policy of Her Majesty's Government and against the spirit of the convention. In particular, it called on member states to act in advance of receiving authoritative scientific advice: to do so would be contrary to the provisions of article XV(2) of the convention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of nuclear waste dumped at sea by the United Kingdom, and the locations for each year since 1978.

The information is as follows:

Year	Gross weight in tonnes^*	Radioactivity in curies
		alpha	beta/gamma
1978	2,080	814	69,307
1979	2,014	1,381	81,080
1980	2,693	1,791	106,079
1981	2,517	2,032	104,709
1982	2,697	1,264	107,512
^* including packaging.

These wastes have all been dumped at one internationally approved site in the North Atlantic which is within 10 nautical miles north and south of 46°N and bounded by 17°30′W and 16°W.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's policy regarding the dumping of nuclear waste at sea.

The Government have continued the policy adopted by previous Administrations that the dumping at sea of low-level radioactive waste is an acceptable disposal option, provided that such operations are in accord with the internationally agreed rules and, on the basis of expert scientific advice, do not endanger human health or pose a significant risk to the marine environment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the policy of Her Majesty's Government at the recent meeting of the London dumping convention.

It was the policy of Her Majesty's Government that the United Kingdom delegation to the seventh meeting of the London dumping convention should contribute constructively to the work of the convention and should seek to ensure that decisions were in accordance with the terms and spirit of the convention.

Butter Trans-Shipments (Ipswich)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the trans-shipment of butter via Ipswich docks on the vessel Britta I to Rotterdam, and related matters; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1983, c. 146]: Claims for export refunds or other payments from Community funds, arising out of the transaction referred to are subject to the normal procedure for examining such claims under Community rules. I have no reason to doubt that the procedure provides adequate protection against the misuse of Community funds.

House Of Commons

Parliamentary Papers (Deliveries)

asked the Lord President of the Council why there is no direct delivery of parliamentary papers to the Vote Office in the Norman Shaw building.

The present arrangements, whereby parliamentary papers are delivered to the central stores of the Vote Office in the main building, are designed to achieve maximum financial and administrative control. Papers are sent from the House to Norman Shaw twice daily.

Volume 37: debated on Tuesday 22 February 1983

Written Answers To Questions

Prime Minister

Engagements

Telephone Calls (Interception)

Ellon

West Yorkshire

Inflation

North America

Boundary Changes

Sweden

Stockport

Theatre Nuclear Weapons

South Yorkshire

Cornwall County Council

Huddersfield

Management Information System

National Income

Northern Region

Defence (Research And Development)

Citizens Advice Bureaux

European Community

Nurses, Midwives And Health Visitors (Review Body)

Trade

Manchester International Airport

Fixed Prices

Legal Services

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Company Formations (North-East Lancashire)

Footwear (Imports)

Exports And Imports

Manufacturing Industry

Motor Vehicles (Imports)

Scotland

National Health Service Manpower (Tayside)

Schools (Inspectors Reports)

Disabled Pupils

Urban Projects Schemes

Right To Buy (Private Tenants)

Health Boards (Appointments)

Civil Defence

Industrial Injuries (Compensation)

School Closures (Appeals)

Teachers

Trunk Roads

Students

Transport

Bus Services (Revenue Support)

Home Department

Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929

Immigration (Financial Qualifications)

Minor Children (Registration)

Turkey (Refugees)

Television Licences

Video Recorders

Identity Passes (Illegal Use)

Drugs Smugglers (Deportation)

Police (Broadcast Fees)

Mr James Heather-Hayes

Open Air Markets

Prevention Of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act

Pavement Obstruction Offences

Energy

Nuclear Power Industry (Fatalities)

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

Overseas Development

Overseas Development Administration

Oil Production

Severn Estuary (Tidal Power)

Civil Service

Youth Training Scheme

Northern Ireland

Housing (Net Annual Value)

Regional Rate

National Finance

Bank Loans (Foreign Borrowers)

Income Tax

Corporation Tax

Informers (Payments)