asked the Attorney-General whether, without disclosing information about identifiable persons, he will publish in the Official Report as much detailed information as may be readily available for the longest stated period of time giving the amounts of payments in fees, expenses and all other types of moneys made to right hon. and hon. Members for any legal work they may have performed for the Government directly of indirectly or for any of its agencies.

No. I have already made it clear that, where persons are asked to perform legal work for the Government in their professional capacity, no regard is had to whether or not they are Members of this House. No information of the kind requested is therefore readily available and such information could not be procured without disproportionate cost.

asked the Attorney-General if he will seek to amend the law so that lawyers who are right hon. and hon. Members are precluded from obtaining briefs and payments for legal work connected with the Government on the basis of an office of profit in the same way and on the same basis as right hon. and hon. Members are barred from receiving payments or expenses from an office of profit.

No. There is no analogy between the receipt of fees for legal work carried out and the former rules relating to the holding of offices of profit under the Crown.

asked the Prime Minister if the Secretary of State for Trade was aware of the information supplied by the hon. Member for West Lothian to her Office at her request relating to flights by Argentine aircraft on 25 March 1982 from Stansted and on 29 March 1982 from Heathrow, before his reply to Lord Hatch of Lusby on 29 March 1983, Official Report, House of Lords, c. 1455–58.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave him on 31 March. No additional information has resulted from the inquiries he suggested.

asked the Prime Minister what plans her Majesty's Government now have for a referendum among the Falkland islanders on their future and on land reform.

It is too early to go into detail about how the islanders will be consulted about their political future. As to land reform, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best) on 28 March.—[Vol. 40, c. 48.]

asked the Prime Minister whether the references by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on Brazilian television's Globo's programme on the Falkland Islands, concerning Argentine colonisation of the islands, represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

My right hon. Friend was stating the facts. It is self-evident that Argentina sought to subject the Falkland islanders to a Government they did not want.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to announce whether Her Majesty's Government intend to sign the new convention of the Council of Europe under which prisoners sentenced in one members state's jurisdiction may opt to serve their sentences in their homeland.

No. but we hope to announce our decision soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the next review as to the possible release of Mr. Ian Ball, at present held at Broadmoor hospital, is due to take place.

It is open to the responsible medical officer to recommend Mr. Ball's discharge at any time. If he is still detained in hospital on 30 September 1983, when the main provisions of the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982 come into effect, Mr. Ball will then be able to apply to a mental health review tribunal for discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations he is now making to comply with the European conference of posts and telecommunications administrations, Stockholm, recommendation on European frequencies which is expected to be ratified later in 1983

Discussions are taking place with users who would be most affected by the adoption in the United Kingdom of the draft CEPT recommendation on 27 MHz citizens band radio in order to consider how the recommendations might be applied in the United Kingdom after it acceptance by CEPT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the implications for citizens band radio operators of the provisions of the Telecommunications Bill.

The provisions amending the Wireless Telegraphy Acts contained in the Telecommunications Bill are designed to increase the powers available under existing law to control the use and availability of unauthorised wireless telegraphy apparatus, including illegal CB radio. They do not impose any new restrictions on legal operators of CB or any other radio apparatus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what indications he has of the present level and trend of misuse of channel 9 citizens band; and what has been the trend in prosecutions for such misuse.

We are aware that the CB code of practice recommendation that channel 9 should be used only for emergencies and assistance is being ignored by a number of operators. We are not convinced, however, that this should be made an offence.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will propose amending the law on the adoption of private streets in order to give greater protection to owners who object to compulsory adoption.

No. Section 228 of the Highways Act 1980 already provides adequate protection.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many companies were relocated in 1982.

The Department's record of transfers covers only those manufacturing units with more than 11 employees which move into another employment office area. Companies are under no obligation to notify the Department when they relocate, and there is, therefore, a delay before full statistics can be compiled. Information so far available records 75 transfers in 1982, but we would expect the final statistics to be higher.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what Government grants are available to industry for assistance in funding research and development.

Under support for innovation the Department of Industry normally offers grants, currently up to 33⅓ per cent. of eligible costs of approved R & D projects, to companies including research associations in or closely associated with the United Kingdom manufacturing sector.These are complemented by special arrangements to promote the development and application of important new technologies—microelectronics, robotics and so on, which include awareness activities, demonstrations, training and consultancy advice. Details of this, and other support, are given in the "Guide to Industrial Support" published on 25 March 1983 as a supplement to

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied that all registrable interests of directors of British Shipbuilders have been entered on the register of interests maintained by him since the corning into force of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977; and if he will make a statement.

Section 20 of the Industry Act 1980 removed the requirement to maintain and publish the register of interests of the members of the board of British Shipbuilders. I am satisfied that all registrable interests which were notified by members to the Secretary of State have been registered and published in the corporation's accounts up to the year 1979–80. Although the requirement to maintain a register of members' interests has been removed, all members of the British Shipbuilders board are still required to notify the Secretary of State of their financial interests and of any changes in them.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to introduce legislation regarding the display and rental of obscene and pornographic video cassettes, in view of statements made in recent court cases in Northern Ireland that the present obscenity laws are inadequate in dealing with this particular problem.

The decision in the case in question is now the subject of an appeal, and I will consider the matter in the light of the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much money Northern Ireland has received from the European regional development fund in each financial year from 1 January 1975; how much of these receipts each year represent a cash addition to the Northern Ireland economy; and how much of these receipts was used to offset Government expenditure on Northern Ireland;(2) how much money Northern Ireland has been allocated from the European social fund in each financial year since 1 January 1973; how much of these receipts was paid to the private sector and how much to the public sector; how much each year represents a cash addition to the Northern Ireland economy; and how much was used to offset Government expenditure on Northern Ireland;(3) how much money Northern Ireland has received up to 31 December 1982 from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund guidance section; how much of these receipts was paid to the private sector and how much to the public sector; how much of these receipts represents a cash addition to the Northern Ireland economy; and how much each year was used to offset Government expenditure on Northern Ireland.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the arrangements for discussing matters relating to directives on equal opportunities for women within the Council of Ministers.

The President of the Council of Ministers is responsible for arranging discussion on any specific topic within the Council of Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the size of the European Community social fund.

We have received no representations about the size of the European social fund, though my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has received a number.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards settling the problems of the European Community budget.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the 75 per cent. opposition shown by the tenants in a referendum, he will review his decision to transfer the ownership and administration of Newham council's out-estates to other authorities.

The Government's view is that it is generally preferable for municipal housing to be owned and managed by the council in whose area it lies. This decision was taken after careful consideration of representations made by the councils concerned and the expressed views of the tenants, and I see no need to review it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many rooms and offices were occupied and unoccupied, respectively, at 20 Albert Embankment on 3 March; why offices were unoccupied; and what are the estimated costs of keeping some empty.

Only part, of the building is leased by the Crown. Some of that space has in turn been sublet to other tenants. On 3 March, of the space held for Government Departments, 33 rooms and offices were occupied and 66 empty as part of the planned reduction in space occupied by the Department of the Environment. the vacant space is to be occupied shortly by other Government Departments. Its annual estimated cost is £220,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will name the three British engineering firms which have been invited to tender for the proposed airport development in the Falkland Islands; on what criteria they were invited; and whether the cost of surveying is met from public funds.

Tenders have been invited from three consortia: Taylor Woodrow—George Wimpey; Tarmac—Costain; Laing—Mowlem—Amey Roadstone Construction. They were selected as United Kingdom civil engineering contractors with the experience, capacity and management strength necessary for an overseas project of this size and nature. Survey costs have been, and will be, met from public funds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs and Excise officials in the European Community dealt with trade between member countries in 1972; and what is the latest available figure.

No valid comparison is possible because the basic information is unavailable. The functions and responsibilities of member states' indirect tax administrations differ markedly, and such manpower figures as are available do not distinguish between intra-Community and third country trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the saving from abolishing all income tax allowances and reliefs in 1983–84 apart from the single and married allowances;(2) whether he will publish in the

I regret that it is not possible to estimate the combined yield of withdrawing all reliefs and allowances; in particular, the effect of withdrawing relief for pension schemes cannot be estimated in conjunction with the effect of other changes. However, the yield from abolishing three main reliefs—those for mortgage interest, retirement annuities and life assurance premiums—combined with abolishing the minor personal allowances and the excess of the age allowances over their ordinary equivalents is of the order of £4¼ billion in a full year at 1983–84 income levels. (The only remaining personal allowances would be the single and wife's earned income allowance of £1,785 and the married man's allowance of £2,795.)The hon. Member's second question envisages that the age allowances would be retained. The yield in this case would be lower, approximately £3⅓ billion; this would finance

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the revenue raised by capital transfer tax in the last financial year was paid by farmers.

The latest available information relates to the tax due at death for 1979, when tax incurred by those owning farm land or with an interest in a farming business or a farming partnership was about £60 million out of £425 million incurred by all taxpayers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 18 March, c. 281, if he will express proposed central Government expenditure in 1983–84 as an amount per taxpayer (a) counting married couples as two taxpayers and (b) excluding non tax-paying wives.

I assume that in referring to taxpayers my hon. Friend means people who pay income tax. It is estimated that, in 1983–84, revenue from income tax will be £31·4 billion, which is equivalent to about 25 per cent. of central Government expenditure, as shown in table 5.2 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report.For each person paying income tax, central Government expenditure would be equivalent to

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many microcomputers and word processors are now in use in Departments; and what are the estimated total savings in manpower and money resulting from their introduction.

Figures are not held centrally for the number of microcomputers and word processors in use in each Department. However, some 925 microcomputers and some 1,250 word processors have been purchased for Government use in the past four years. Figures are not available to show the total savings in manpower and money resulting from the introduction of these machines.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many large and medium-sized computers are now in use in Departments for administrative and scientific purposes; and what are the estimated total savings in manpower and money resulting from their introduction.

The latest available figures show that there were 557 large and medium-sized computers installed or on order in Departments at the start of 1982. Details are in the May 1982 edition of the "List of Computers in Central Government", published by Her Majesty's Treasury, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. Figures are not available centrally to show the total savings in manpower and money resulting from the introduction of these computers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the airports in the United Kingdom where Customs and Excise officers provide a regular service; and what number of hours is covered each day in the provision of the service.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 April 1983, c. 333]: Airports in the United Kingdom at which regular Customs and Excise attendance is provided are listed in the United Kingdom aeronautical information publication "Air Pilot". A copy of this publication is held in the Library of the House and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant extract.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Belize.

Belize became independent on 21 September 1981, since when a British garrison has remained there to assist against external aggression. Guatemala has continued to maintain against Belize a territorial claim which has no international support.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the countries represented in the Arab League delegation have recognised Israel; and whether Israel has recognised the Arab countries in question.

That is for them to say, but lasting peace in the middle east will be possible only when all the parties concerned are prepared to accept each other's legitimate rights. We take every opportunity, including the recent visit of the Arab League delegation, to urge them to move in this direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits have been made to Israel by himself or by other Ministers in his Department since he assumed his present office; and what visits are planned to that country in the next six months.

No such visits have taken place and none is planned at present. There have been many exchanges at official level.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he discussed the question of human rights with General Matthei of Chile during his visit to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he had discussions with General Matthei of Chile during his recent visit to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he held with General Matthei, a member of the Chilean junta, when he visited Great Britain.

My right hon. Friend did not meet General Matthei during his recent visit to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British ambassador to Nicaragua last visited Nicaragua.

Her Majesty's ambassador at San Jose, who is also accredited to Nicaragua, last visited the country from 20 to 24 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the state of relations between the United Kingdom and Nicaragua.

No. Our views are clearly set out in Cmnd. 8819

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had on 17 March with the Spanish Foreign Secretary concerning the sovereignty of Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

The Spanish Foreign Minister and I held discussions covering a wide range of international issues during his visit to London on 16–17 March. In discussing Gibraltar, I explained to Sr. Moran that there were no obstacles on our side to the early implementation of the 1980 Lisbon agreement which envisages the lifting of restrictions on Gibraltar and the start of negotiations "aimed at overcoming all the differences" between Britain and Spain on Gibraltar. No dates were fixed for implementation of the agreement, but we agreed to remain closely in touch.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects he expects to discuss at his next meeting with representatives of the Government of the United States of America.

I shall have an opportunity to meet members of the American Administration on a number of occasions in the next few months. The topics to be discussed will naturally depend on the forum and the circumstances at the time, but will certainly include East-West relations, arms control, the middle east and the world economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Dr. Walid Khalidi, a member of the Arab League delegation, was regarded as a representative of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

Dr. Walid Khalidi took part in the Arab League delegation as a representative of the Palestinian people. He holds no office in the PLO or any of its bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with Dr. Walid Khalidi.

Dr. Walid Khalidi played a full part in the programme for this visit by the Arab League delegation, including the plenary session of talks with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and myself.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement oncerning the progress of the inter-communal talks in Cyprus.

Since Nov ember 1981 the representatives of the two communities have been holding regular meetings in Nicosia to discuss in detail the United Nations Secretary-General's evaluation. Some real, though limited, progress has been made. We hope that the parties will make full use of this opportunity, which is the best that has existed for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on consultations with the United States of America about the political implications of the situation in the south Atlantic.

During my fairly frequent meetings with representatives of the United States Government, the situation in the south Atlantic is naturally discussed from time to time. But it is not the custom to make the details of such exchanges public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek an early meeting with his counterpart in the new Australian Government.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans for an early meeting, with Mr. Hayden, but, as he said in his message of congratulation to him on his appointment, he looks forward to working with him and hopes that they will have a chance of meeting soon. He further expressed a hope that they can keep in the closest touch over the many problems in which our countries have a common interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was received from the recent Arab delegation as to whether Syria and the Palestine Liberation Organisation propose to withdraw from Lebanon.

The withdrawal of Syrian and Palestine Liberation Organisation forces from Lebanon was not discussed with the Arab League delegation during its visit to London, although there was general agreement that all foreign forces should be withdrawn as soon as possible. The Syrian Government and spokesmen for the Palestine Liberation Organisation have stated publicly that they are ready to withdraw their forces when Israeli forces leave. We fully support American efforts to secure the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings he sought from the recent deputation from the League of Arab states, headed by His Majesty King Hussein, that the Arab countries were ready to negotiate directly with Israel and to recognise its right to exist as a sovereign state behind secure and defensible borders; and what response he received.

We reaffirmed our view that if a comprehensive peace settlement is to be achieved, all the parties concerned will have to respect the principles set out in the Venice declaration, including Israel's right to existence and to security. As I have already made clear in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Sir J. Biggs-Davison), the Arab side's presentation was based on the conclusions of the Fez summit.

Smith asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he received any reassurance from the Arab League delegation which recently visited London that the Arab states it represented will severally or collectively recognise the state of Israel and enter into direct peace negotiations with her.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Cunliffe).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed with the Governments of the United States of America and the European Community the effect on international relations of the world economic recession.

My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary discussed the economic and social situation in the European Community and the international economic environment at the European Council on 21 and 22 March. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited the United States from 27 February to 5 March and discussed the world economic situation and its effect on international relations with United States leaders on several occasions during his visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards achieving peace in the middle east.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. Watkins).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request from West Germany for assistance in making representations for the Nazi SS officer, Walter Rauff, to be extradited from Chile for his war crimes; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request for assistance in making representations for Walter Rauff to be extradited from Chile for his crimes as an SS officer during the second world war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request from the Federal Republic of Germany to assist in making representations for Walter Rauff to be extradited from Chile in order to face trial for crimes against humanity.

We have received no such requests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress at current disarmament negotiations.

Progress in the negotiations remains disappointing. The Russians have abruptly and publicly rejected Western proposals for the negotiation of an interim agreement on intermediate range nuclear forces. In the other negotiations the Russians have failed to respond to the West's radical proposals for major cuts in a wide range of weapons and forces. But we shall not be deterred from continuing to seek real, balanced and verifiable reductions at the negotiating table.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet the Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe to discuss human rights questions.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other European Community Ministers regarding sales of arms to Argentina; and if he will make a statement.

We have repeatedly made plain to our Community partners our views on arms sales to Argentina. They have assured us these will be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the constitutional progress of dependent territories of the United Kingdom.

Our general policy is to encourage the constitutional development of dependent territories towards independence where this is a feasible option; but we do not force independence on those who do not want it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British citizens have been seized by rebel troops operating in Angola.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his discussions with King Hussein of Jordan, the King indicated his willingness to play a more prominent and direct part in future negotiations for a solution of middle east problems; and if he will make a statement.

As the statement of the Jordanian Council of Ministers on 10 April makes absolutely clear, King Hussein has been playing an active, prominent and direct role in the current efforts to make progress towards peace. He has our full support, despite the setback which has occured. The details of our discussions during the King's recent visit to London and my own visit to Amman on 12 April must of course remain confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the resources available to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation information service; and if he will make a statement.

In general, yes. The NATO information programme budget was increased by over 23 per cent. in 1983. This increase will help to expand the work of the NATO information service, a development which we strongly support.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet the Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe to discuss the release of funds held in Zimbabwe by citizens of the United Kingdom.

Exchange controls are a matter for the Zimbabwean Government. We have frequently pointed out to them the difficulties that the controls are causing, particularly for elderly emigrants and people on low fixed incomes. The Zimbabwe Government have assured us that they will relax the controls as soon as financial circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has that lethal weapons from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries have become available to Iran or Iraq.

Iran and Iraq receive arms supplies from a number of countries. The supply of arms is a matter for individual Governments. We are neutral in the war between Iran and Iraq and have not supplied lethal equipment to either side.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the recent death of Anthony Blunt, the sole British citizen known to be involved in the Burgess, Maclean and Philby spy scandal, he will now agree to the publication of all the papers and documents connected with these Soviet and former British citizens.

No. The policy set out in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 21 March is not changed by the death of Mr. Blunt.—[Vol. 39, c. 347.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British interests in the Horn of Africa.

The Horn of Africa is of strategic importance to us and our Western collegues because of its proximity to the Gulf and to the other countries of east Africa. We also have considerable commercial interests in the area.Our objectives in the Horn were defined in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 22 December.—[Vol. 34, c. 603.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will place in the Library the account he has received from the European Movement of how his grant to it of £30,000 in 1981–82 was spent.

Yes. I am also placing in the Library details of all the meetings which took place in 1981–82 under the European Movement's speakers, service central programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate China's gross foreign exchange earnings from Hong Kong over the past five years for which records are available, and the percentage of those figures represented by visible exports.

China's visible exports to Hong Kong over the last five years were as follows:

£ sterling million
	Total
1978	1,173·1
1979	1,425·4
1980	1,896·1
1981	2,601·8
1982	3,084·4

No accurate and complete figures are available to Her Majesty's Government for China's gross foreign exchange earnings from Hong Kong. However, visible earnings are estimated to represent between 60 and 80 per cent. of China's gross foreign exchange earnings from Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what trading benefits Hong Kong gains from its status as a dependent territory of the United Kingdom.

As a British dependent territory, Hong Kong is represented on the British delegation to the general agreement on tariffs and trade. By virtue of this, it also participats in the multi-fibre arrangement. Where the United Kingdom is a member of international commodity agreements, these can be extended to include Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong for the past five years for which figures are available; and what is the net revenue to the United Kingdom Government that arises as a result of Hong Kong's status as a dependent territory.

The following table shows the balance of visible trade between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong for the period 1978–82:

£ million
	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982
Exports to Hong Kong (FOB)	361·7	439·4	559·2	614·0	732·5
Imports from Hong Kong (CIF)	527·8	689·2	849·8	896·6	872·5
Balance	-166·1	-249·8	-290·6	-282·6	-140·0

No authoritative figures for invisibles are available, but it is clear that in this sector the United Kingdom has a surplus. The United Kingdom does not impose taxes on Hong Kong, and thus receives no direct revenue from there. There are some relatively small budgetary transactions with the territory—for example, concerning defence. These have in the past led to a net cost to the United Kingdom, but Hong Kong has assumed a greater proportion of costs in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest Vietnamese action in Kampuchea in the light of the fact that Her Majesty's Government officially recognise the coalition Government of Prince Sihanouk; if he will raise the matter at the United Nations at the earliest opportunity; if he will propose the raising of a United Nations force to defend the integrity and independence of Kampuchea against Vietnamese invaders; and if he will hold urgent discussions with ASEAN and his European Economic Community counterparts.

I remain most concerned at the recent attacks by Vietnamese forces on the Thai-Cambodian border which have caused hundreds of civilian casualties, displaced thousands of refugees and involved a number of incursions into Thai territory. The meeting in Bangkok last month of Community and ASEAN Foreign Ministers deplored these attacks. I believe it is right to leave the initiative for any further steps at the United Nations or elsewhere to the states most directly concerned.An increasing majority of United Nations members already endorses the principles of a political settlement set out by the international conference on Kampuchea—Cambodia—held under United Nations auspices in 1981, including as a first step the withdrawal of all foreign forces. We regard the coalition of resistance forces led by Prince Sihanouk as a significant step towards such a political settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will raise the question at the United Nations of the repression of human rights in Turkey.

The Government have repeatedly made clear at the United Nations that we deplore human rights violations wherever they occur. We have no plans to raise the specific question of human rights in Turkey at the United Nations. But we continue to make the Turkish authorities aware of our concern over alleged human rights violations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will tabulate, giving dates and places, the visits made by himself or by other Ministers in his Department to any member countries of the League of Arab States since he assumed his present office; and whether he will also tabulate official visits made to the United Kingdom by Foreign Ministers of Arab countries where he or his departmental colleagues have officially received the Minister in question.

The information is as follows:

Official Visits to Arab League States by FCO Ministers from April 1982 to April 1983
14–15 June 1982	Mr. Pym	Saudi Arabia
12–16 September 1982	Mr. Hurd	UAE
16–17 September 1982	Mr. Hurd	Jordan
9–11 October 1982	Mr. Pym	Syria
9–11 November 1982	Mr. Pym	Jordan
16–19 November 1982	Mr. Hurd	Oman
24 March 1983	Mr. Pym	Bahrain
25–27 March 1983	Mr. Hurd	Kuwait
27–28 March 1983	Mr. Hurd	Iraq
29–30 March 1983	Mr. Hurd	Lebanon
8–10 April 1983	Mr. Pym	Saudia Arabia
10–12 April 1983	Mr. Pym	UAE
13 April 1983	Mr. Pym	Jordan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will invite or be prepared to receive a group of Ministers and officials from the state of Israel seeking to explain their attitude to the Arab League plan devised at Fez and to the future constitutional status of the areas now under Israeli occupation, but occupied by Jordan and Egypt between 1948 and 1967, following the recent deputation from King Hussein and others for a similar purpose.

We maintain a constant dialogue with Israel on these and other subjects. Israeli Ministers have made clear their rejection of the proposals for a middle east peace settlement put forward by the Arab summit at Fez, and of President Reagan's peace initiative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether references by Sir Rex Hunt to Members of Parliament visiting the Falkland Islands, in the radio programme, "International Assignment," broadcast on 2 April, were made with his authority; and whether references by Sir Rex Hunt to a surfeit of visitors represents the views of Her Majesty's Government.

The Civil Commissioner does not require authority to talk to representatives of the media. Visitors to the islands are welcome, but it is desirable that they should as far as possible be phased so as not to divert the Civil Commissioner and his staff from other high priority tasks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards representatives of the Argentine press accompanying bereaved relatives to the Falkland Islands.

At this stage I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 31 March.—[Vol. 40, c. 209].

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it was with his authority that Sir Rex Hunt, on 5 April 1982, assented to the press question asking if Britain was in the Falkland Islands for good.

The Civil Commissioner does not require authority for press interviews.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Latin American states during 1983.

I refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave on 9 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Hicks).—[Vol. 36, c. 392.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States of America on developing a British base at Ascension Island.

There have been no disussions with the American authorities about developing a British base on Ascension Island, although we have continuing discussions with the Americans about administrative arrangements for the use of the airfield and related facilities there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with the Organisation of African States and individual African states on the issue of British military development of Ascension Island.

No such discussions have taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the facilities provided by United Kingdom consulates abroad when United Kingdom citizens have died in suspicious circumstances.

Our consuls abroad provide whatever practical help and advice they can to relatives and friends of the deceased—for example, by putting them in touch with the police and local authorities. They will also provide a list of local lawyers, names of suitable interpreters, and give advice about local burial, cremation, or repatriation of the remains. It is, however, for the local police to investigate any suspicious circumstances concerning the death.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the recent negotiations in Moscow between British and Soviet delegations regarding the Soviet trade delegation rates.

In negotiations between British and Soviet delegations held recently in London and Moscow, arrangements were worked out on the question of the rating of the building of the trade delegation of the USSR in London at 33 Highgate West Hill. The arrangements provide a mutually satisfactory settlement of this question for the period from 1969 to the present and also for the current rating year. They are without prejudice to legal positions. They provide for a Soviet contribution which corresponds to 60 per cent. of the rates. This has been paid by the Soviet embassy to the British Government. The British Government have made it up to 100 per cent. and transmitted the whole sum to the Camden council. In addition, there are certain flats to which the usual arrangements as regards rating relief will apply on the basis that they are occupied by persons personally enjoying diplomatic privileges. These arrangements as a whole apply to the arrears and also to the rating year from 1 April 1983 to 31 March 1984. As regards matters concerning the rating of the aforementioned building in subsequent years, these will be further discussed with a view to reaching a settlement during the current rating year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the average annual gross earnings among unskilled workers and forest craftsmen employed by the Forestry Commission in 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82; and whether there is any variation in different parts of the United Kingdom.

The average annual gross earnings for the years in question were as follows:

	Financial year ended 31 March
	1980	1981	1982
	£	£	£
Unskilled forest workers	3,590	4,245	4,635
Forest craftsmen	4,020	4,715	5,140

There were some regional variations in earnings arising from a number of factors, such as the amount of piecework that could be offered and climatic differences. The range of these variations in 1981–82 was from plus 13 per cent. to minus 7 per cent. of the average.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost of providing an education (a) in a state-maintained day school, (b) in a state-maintained boarding school, (c) in day special school, (d) in a boarding special school and (e) through home tuition (i) in the case of a handicapped child, such as a child with spina bifida and (ii) in the case of a non-handicapped child.

The information available does not permit a complete answer, but the "Education Statistics: Estimates 1981–82" published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, a copy of which is in the Library, include the following estimates of local authorities' expenditure per pupil in England and Wales in 1981–82—at November 1980 prices:

	Unit costs (net) excluding board £	Boarding unit costs(gross) £
Primary schools	579	n.a.
Secondary schools	823	1,508
Special schools	2,514	2,874

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the majority opinion in the views expressed to Ministers or to his Department generally by members of the public regarding suitable Government responses to the recent judgment by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg regarding corporal punishment for pupils whose parents do not approve of such forms of discipline; and what weight he will attach to expressed public opinion in deciding on the implications of the judgment for Government policy.

The majority view expressed in letters to the Department from some 60 individuals about the European Court judgment has been in favour of retaining the use of corporal punishment in schools. Public opinion, however, expressed is always a factor in Government policy-making.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average number of letters received by his Department each month from members of the public seeking (a) greater and (b) less emphasis in education policies on discipline and order in schools; and to what extent he takes the relative numbers of representations into account in formulating his policies.

The Department receives about six letters each month from the public on this subject, of which perhaps five ask for greater emphasis on discipline, while the remainder are mainly neutral, including requests for information. Public opinion is plainly important: it is expressed in a variety of ways, of which this is one.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers local education authorities employed in January 1983; and what is his estimate of the pupil to teacher ratio.

In January 1983 local education authorities in England employed the full-time equivalent of 414,600 teachers for service in nursery, primary and secondary schools. On the basis of projected pupil numbers I estimate that the overall ratio of pupils to teachers was 18·1:1.

asked the Minister for Trade if he is yet in a position to announce the outcome of his study of comments he has received on the draft regulations under the Consumer Credit Act; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Mr. Nelson) on 28 February.—[Vol. 38, c. 3.]

asked the Minister for Trade how much grant will be payable to citizens advice bureaux for the current financial year; how the sum compares with the previous year; and what were the reasons for any reduction.

Grant-in-aid to NACAB for 1983–84 is £6·04 million. This compares with the following amounts for previous years:

	£ million
1979–80	1·85
1980–81	4·02
1981–82	4·91
1982–83	5·75

As I made clear in my statement on 12 April, there has been no reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether the Scottish Development Department plans to carry out a review of cycling policy in Scotland;(2) if the Scottish Development Department will commission a study of the scope for converting disused railway lines in Scotland into cycleways and footpaths;(3) if the Scottish Development Department will publish technical advice to Scottish local authorities on ways of helping cyclists in built-up areas;(4) if he will ensure that a Scottish town or city is considered for an experiment in the provision of demonstration large-scale continuous urban cycle routes or networks.

My Department is already engaged in a review of cycling policy for Scotland. This will consider, among other things, the need for general technical advice to local authorities and the scope for dedicated cycle routes whether by experiment or by conversion of other facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers his Department has to give special grants to local authorities to develop experimental cycle routes.

There are no specific powers available to the Secretary of State for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the functions of the Scottish Development Department's cycling officer; whether local authorities have been informed of his existence; and how much time he has given to cycling matters over the last six months.

The cycling officer's main functions are to ensure that the interests of cyclists are considered when trunk roads are designed or improved and to liaise with local highway authorities on cycling matters generally. His appointment, which is on a part-time basis, is known to highway authorities. The time spent on cycling duties varies with demand.

asked the Secretary of State, for Scotland at the latest and most convenient stated date, how many prisoners in Scottish prisons were on remand awaiting trial; how many had been on remand for periods (a) up to three months, (b) of three months to six months, (c) of six months to one year, (d) of one year to one and a half years and (e) above one and a half years; and for how long in each case.

On 29 March 1983 a total of 616 persons were held in Scottish penal establishments on remand awaiting trial. No breakdown by length of time on remand is available, but in Scotland no person may be detained in custody before the commencement of his trial

Health Board	Board complement (includes Chairmen)	Number of women	Percentage	Vacancies still to be filled on 1 April 1983
Argyll and Clyde	21	5	23·8
Ayrshire and Arran	21	7	33·3
Borders	15	3	20·0	1
Dumfries and Galloway	19	5	26·3
Fife	21	5	23·8
Forth Valley	19	4	21·0	2
Grampian	21	6	28·6	1
Greater Glasgow	23	6	26·1
Highland	19	7	36·8	1
Lanarkshire	23	7	30·4	1
Lothian	23	5	21·8	1
Orkney	15	1	6·7	1
Shetland	15	4	26·7	2
Tayside	21	4	19·0	2
Western Isles	15	2	13·3	1
Total	291	71	24·4	13

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the mortality rate for women in Scotland by social class for cancer of the cervix, pneumonia, bronchitis and ischaemic heart disease.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 March 1983, c. 233]: The specific information requested is not for more than 110 days in indictment cases or 40 days in summary cases. The courts have power, exceptionally, to extend these time limits, but this power is rarely exercised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will adopt a policy of placing on public file the submissions of bodies who comment on his Department's consultative documents.

This is already the practice of my Department, unless the body has stated that it does not wish its views to be made public in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will adopt a policy of making available the text of any background papers presented to Ministers in his Department when new policy is being determined.

It is already the normal practice of my Department to publish background papers about major policy reviews. I believe this is a helpful way of informing discussion of important questions and I do not at present intend to change the practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of health board members in Scotland are women; and if he will provide a breakdown per health board.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 March 1983, c. 233]: The number of women in health hoard membership on 1 April 1983 will be as follows:available. Standardised mortality ratios are shown in tables 6b, 6c, 7a and 7b of "Occupational Mortality 1969–1973" published by the Registrar General for Scotland, a copy of which is in the Library. It is intended to publish a further study covering the period 1979–1983 in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has collected on the number of women admitted to hospital in Scotland because of alcoholism in the past 20 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 March 1983, c. 233]: Since 1965 my Department has received statistics about the number of women admitted to hospitals in Scotland with a diagnosis of alcoholism or alcoholic psychosis in each of the following years:

Year	Number of admissions
1965	443
1970	621
1975	1,180
1978	1,312
1979	1,278
1980	1,378

National Health Service Staff—Scotland 1981
Staff group	Total staff*	Percentage male	Percentage female	Average weekly earnings—male	Average weekly earnings—female
Medical and dental†	5,971·0	73·8	26·2	‡	‡
General medical and general dental practitioners	║4,67·4	81·7	18·3	‡	‡
Nursing	61,125·5	8·4	91·6	123·91	91·15
Scientific and professions supplementary to medicine	4,016·0	19·8	80·2	165·90	102·36
Technical and works	5,175·7	50·9	49·1	161·97	89·78
Administrative and clerical	13,628·8	17·8	82·2	152·31	76·10
Ancillary	27,348·4	25·1	74·9	99·39	57·62
Tradesmen	2,831·6	99·8	0·2	133·12	‡
Pharmacists and opticians	465·6	39·1	60·9	186·96	146·36
Ambulancemen	1,645·0	96·2	3·8	‡	‡
Notes
* Whole-time equivalents at 30 September 1981.
† Excluding general practitioners and general dental practitioners.
‡ Average weekly earnings not available without extensive search and calculation.
║ Overall numbers of general medical practitioners and general dental practitioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has on the differential rates of admission to Scottish hospitals for clinical depression amongst men and women in the age range 15 to 45 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 March 1983, c. 233]: In 1980, the latest date for which this information is available, the rate of admissions to Scottish mental hospitals and psychiatric units with a diagnosis of depression, per 100,000 of the population, was as follows:

Age group 15–24		Age group 25–44
Male	Female	Male	Female
25	54	62	142

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has on the differential admission rates to hospitals in Scotland for women and men in the age range 15 to 45 years for self-poisoning.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the percentage composition by sex of National Health Service staff in Scotland by group; and what are the current average earnings in each group.

[pursuant to his answer, 31 March 1983, c. 233]: There follows a table which includes information from the latest earnings surveys carried out in December 1981 and January 1982.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 March 1983, c. 233]: Reliable data are not available; but such information as we have suggests that in 1980 the number of women treated for self-poisoning in Scottish hospitals may have been about 65 per cent. greater than the number of men in this age range.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many community psychiatric nurses are available for service within the county of Derbyshire.

At 30 September 1981, the latest date for which information is available, Derbyshire area health authority employed 19 whole-time equivalent community psychiatric nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the degree of availability of his Department's benefits for the mentally handicapped.

Yes. The mentally handicapped can qualify for a range of benefits under the normal rules. In addition, from November this year mentally handicapped people who are discharged from long-stay hospital care into the community will benefit from our proposed extension of entitlement to the long-term rate of supplementary benefit to people who have received a long-term incapacity benefit for a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has had any discussions with representatives of the Government of the United States of America on the new sobering-up pill; and whether this will be available under the National Health Service.

I have had no discussions on this matter with the authorities of the United States of America and in the absence of much more information it is impossible to answer the remainder of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the charges for the provision of medical certificates as to the cause of the death of a person in hospital; and whether he has any proposals for their increase.

There is no charge and none is proposed.