asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he makes of the comparative effectiveness of hunting as a means of killing foxes; and what information he has as to how many foxes were killed by hunting, shooting, poisoning and trapping, respectively, in the last year for which figures are available.

My right hon. Friend has no recent information on the number of foxes killed by different methods and he is not in a position to comment on the effectiveness of hunting as a means of fox control.

(Leith) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether John Smart and Company Ltd., builders, have received grants or other financial assistance from central Government as a result of joint activities in Leith with the Scottish Development Agency.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has been taking to ensure that adequate repair and restoration work is carried out on the Leaderfoot viaduct; and if he will make a statement.

The maintenance of the Leaderfoot viaduct is the responsibility of the British Railways Board as owner. I will consider what help I might give towards the restoration of the viaduct if my assistance is sought by the British Railways Board or a future owner.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many university graduates are currently registered as unemployed in Scotland.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received a report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on Cornton Vale institution.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons has submitted to me a report on his inspection of Cornton Vale institution. I have today placed a copy of the report in the Library together with my response to what he has said. I am sending a copy of the report and my response to the hon. Member in whose constituency the institution is situated, to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, to the Chairman of the Scottish All-Party Penal Affairs Group and other interested bodies. Copies may also be purchased from my Department.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will set out the principal achievements of Her Majesty's Government within his Department's responsibilities since May 1979.

We have made substantial progress in improving the efficiency and controlling the costs of the Civil Service.The main achievements are

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made with the multi-Department review of the control of running costs referred to in the White Paper, "Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Civil Service", Cmnd. 8616.

The review has been completed and a report made to the Prime Minister by Mr. J. S. Cassels, CB, second permanent secretary, Management and Personnel Office. The report's recommendations, which are accepted by the Government, are designed to clarify responsibilities for the management and control of departmental running costs, with a particular emphasis on delegation to line managers and the development of cost centres. It has been circulated to all departments and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 26 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 April.

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.

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to merge the Departments of Trade and Industry.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the information so far given to Her Majesty's Government by the United States Administration about the progress of the separate disarmament negotiations currently taking place in Geneva for reductions of strategic nuclear weapons and regarding intermediate nuclear forces and on the extent to which the United States Government consult their allies, including the United Kingdom, on its negotiating position.

Consultations between us and the United States Administration over both sets of bilateral nuclear arms control negotiations in Geneva are very close. In the INF negotiations, Ambassador Nitze's position is agreed in advance by the alliance as a whole. On strategic arms control, we make full use of the regular NATO consultative meetings about the START talks, and of our bilateral discussions with the United States Administration

asked the Prime Minister what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to alter the system of domestic rating.

Reform of the rating system is a high priority. We shall announce our proposals shortly.

asked the Prime Minister if she will propose a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government to discuss the Gleneagles Commonwealth declaration on apartheid in sport of 1977.

No. As I stated in the House on 8 and 17 March, we support the 1977 Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the statement attributed to him in The Grocer magazine, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South in which he equated the health hazards of cigarette smoking with sugar in tea is an accurate report.

My remarks, reported in The Grocer magazine, were concerned with the freedom of people to choose for themselves whether or not to smoke, just as they choose whether or not to take sugar in their tea. I made no comment about the relative health hazards of cigarette smoking and sugar in tea.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what negotiations have taken place about local authority block grant penalties which authorities may incur if their participation in the technical and vocational education initiative leads to additional current expenditure in 1983–84 and succeeding years.

Local education authorities have been advised that any expenditure defrayed by the Manpower Services Commission under this scheme will not count against authorities' expenditure targets or their prescribed capital expenditure limit.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were unemployed in the Walthamstow, Leyton area in May 1979 in each of the following categories: up to six months, between six months and one year, between one year and two years, between two years and three years and over three years; and what are the latest comparable figures.

The following table gives the number of registered unemployed at April 1979 and the number of unemployed claimants at January 1983 in the area covered by the Walthamstow and Leytonstone jobcentre areas for the durations specified. Duration analyses are made only quarterly.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were unemployed in the Walthamstow, Leyton area in May 1979; what was the percentage rate; and what are the latest comparable figures.

At May 1979, in the area covered by the Walthamstow and Leytonstone jobcentre areas, there were 4,164 persons registered as unemployed; and at March 1983 there were 10,919 unemployed claimants in the same area. Percentage rates of unemployment are not calculated for areas within Greater London.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from oil companies urging a change in the role and functions of the British National Oil Corporation; and what has been his response.

Oil companies from time to time make representations to me about the role and function of the BNOC in relation to the details of their participation agreements, to which I am a party. Certain companies have expressed views about the general role of BNOC in response to questions put by the Select Committee on Energy. I shall await the Committee's conclusions with much interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Communities Council of Energy Ministers on 21 April.

I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting. The Council reviewed progress on Community coal policy and agreed that the Commission should bring forward specific proposals covering the use of solid fuels; research and demonstration projects; social measures; and security of supply, linked to support for economic production. These will be considered at the next Council of Energy Ministers, expected in June. I expressed the United Kingdom's strong interest in early and precise proposals, covering financial aspects, both to assist the development of a coherent Community strategy in this area, and also against the background of the United Kingdom's wider European Community budgetary concern.Recommendations encouraging the use of coal in industry and public buildings were agreed in principle.The Council discussed recent changes in the oil market and the implications for energy strategy, concluding that policies designed to promote diversification and the more efficient use of energy should be reaffirmed. The Commission will present a review of current policies for discussion at the next Energy Council.Approval was given to a recommendation concerning the need for gas tariffs to be based on economic principles. I stressed the importance we attach to fairness and clarity in tariffs across the Community, and welcomed an impending review by the Commission of energy pricing practices in member states, and its promise of an early report to the Council.Proposals by the Commission concerning support for investment in certain types of energy use were remitted for further study in view of doubts about their value by most member states, including the United Kingdom. Agreement was reached that the Commission should consider priority areas for the regulations for energy demonstration projects. They are to indicate the funds which they believe necessary to cover individual categories of these projects and report to the Foreign Affairs Council in May.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will publish his next report on oil and gas development in the United Kingdom.

I have today arranged for the publication of my annual report on the development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom, the Brown Book, and have placed copies in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.The report is a detailed account of developments in 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what level of (a) manned and (b) unmanned steel-making capacity now exists in the plants covered by the Phoenix 2 discussions; and what the distribution is, in percentage terms, between the public and private sectors.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens and British passport holders from other Commonwealth countries were refused entry to the United Kingdom in the month ended on 13 March.

British citizens are not subject to immigration control and cannot be refused entry to the United Kingdom. Statistics of those refused leave to enter are compiled only for calendar months and figures for other periods could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on the annual number of passengers refused admission is published each year in "Control of immigration statistics" (latest issue, Cmnd. 8533, for 1981, table 1). The number of United Kingdom passport holders refused leave to enter during February 1983 was three.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he received from (a) hon. Members and (b) others urging that Mr. and Mrs. Starosta, from Czechoslovakia, be allowed to remain in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

One hundred and two hon. Members and some 3,700 others wrote to the Home Office about Mr. and Mrs. Starosta.Mr. and Mrs. Starosta's appeal to the independent appellate authority against the decision that they did not qualify for asylum in the United Kingdom was dismissed by the immigration appeals tribunal on 9 March. In accordance with an undertaking given in May 1982, the case was then reviewed. Although I was still not persuaded that the family qualified for asylum, I did not think it right, in all the circumstances of this particular case, to enforce their departure. I therefore directed that they be allowed to remain here on an exceptional basis for an initial period of 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for applications for political asylum and refugee status received by his office from Turkish citizens since September 1980; how many such requests were granted; and how many were refused.

Figures are not kept in such a way as to enable us to calculate the number of applications received from 1 September 1980, a year in which a total of 28 applications were received from Turkish citizens. Thirty-eight applications were received in each of the years 1981 and 1982 and in the first three months of 1983 a further three applications were received. Of this total number of 107 applications received since 1 January 1980, 27 persons have been granted refugee status or asylum, 22 applications have been withdrawn, and 47 have been refused. Nineteen applications are still outstanding. Refusal of an application for asylum does not necessarily mean that the applicant has been required to leave the United Kingdom as he may qualify to remain here under the other provisions of the immigration rules.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations that were sent the consultative document "Trespass on Residential Premises".

Organisations to which copies of the consultation paper have been sent, either initially or on request, include:

• Advisory Service for Squatters
• Association of Charity Officers
• Association of Chief Police Officers
• Association of Circuit Judges
• Association of County Councils
• Association of District Councils
• Association of Metropolitan Authorities
• British Property Association
• Bus and Coach Council
• C.H.A.R. (Campaign for Homeless Single People)
• Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals
• Country Landowners Association
• Criminal Bar Association
• General Synod Board of Education
• Haldane Society
• Housing Action Centre
• Housing Advice Switchboard
• Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers
• Independent Schools Joint Council
• Justice
• Justices' Clerks' Society
• Law Commission
• Law Society
• Legal Action Group
• Legal Monitoring Service for Charities
• London Boroughs Association
• Magistrates' Association
• National Anglers' Council
• National Association of Local Councils
• National Council of Civil Liberties
• National Council of Women of Great Britain
• National Farmers Union
• National Federation of Building Trades Employers—Construction Security Advisory Service
• National Union of Students
• Police Federation
• Prosecuting Solicitors' Society
• Ramblers' Association
• Scout Association
• Senate of the Inns of Court and Bar
• S.H.A.C. (The London Housing Aid Centre
• Self-help Housing Resources Group
• Shelter
• Society of Conservative Lawyers
• Society of Labour Lawyers
• Society of Public Teachers of Law
• Society of Surveying Technicians
• Superintendents' Association

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the period for consultation on the document "Trespass on Residential Premises".

No. We are anxious that our review of the law in this area should not be unnecessarily prolonged and we think that adequate time has been allowed for consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the practice of the Metropolitan police to attend court when a complainant is being charged arising out of the circumstances in which he made the complaint.

When criminal proceedings are brought by the police, they are represented by the appropriate officers or members of the solicitor's department. Where the defendant has made a formal complaint it is not the normal practice in the Metropolitan police for the investigating officer to attend court. This is, however, a matter for the judgment of the investigating officer in the particular circumstances of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been in prison one or more times a year during the past five years.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 April, c. 464]: The only information which can be made available without disproportionate cost relates to 1981. In that year the 93,000 receptions into prison department establishments in England and Wales of sentenced prisoners and non-criminal prisoners related to about 88,000 individual persons.

asked the Minister for Trade, in the light of his responsibility for the distributive trades, what latest studies he has made of the use of microtechnology in shops; and if he will make a statement.

The use of computers in shopping is likely to grow rapidly in importance in the near future—opening up potentially revolutionary new shopping methods available by various users of microtechnology. These will benefit customers—not least old-age pensioners, the disabled, and the house-bound. I have begun informal discussions about developments in this area. I expect shortly to see representatives both from the distributive trades and those with customer interests in mind. I shall be working closely with my hon. Friends the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and the Minister for Information Technology.

asked the Minister for Trade to what extent he is aware of the level of implementation of the European Community directive that limited companies should be re-classified as public limited companies; and whether he will estimate the costs to companies in getting their notepaper, offices and addresses and so on altered and becoming registered in this manner.

Only those limited companies which wished to be able to offer their shares to the public were required, by section 8 of the Companies Act 1980, to reregister as public limited companies. So far, 2,614 companies have re-registered accordingly; no estimates are available of the costs to the companies concerned, but the Act allowed companies which applied for re-registration within the prescribed period, namely by 21 March 1982, a transitional period of 12 months during which old stationery could be used and a transitional period of three years for the change of the name of the company on the outside of its premises. The Act did not affect private companies, which number over 800,000.

asked the Minister for Trade, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth of 18 January, Official Report, c. 86, whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the recommendations of the Director General of Fair Trading on the subject of the Consumer Credit Advertisement and Quotations Regulations.

No, but I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister for Trade how many prosecutions of street traders of ice cream, soft drinks and hot dogs have been brought in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Prosecutions are for the police and the trading standards departments of local authorities. My Department does not maintain these statistics.

asked the Minister for Trade what representations he has received from trade unions regarding the responsibility for the payment of appeal fees under the proposed Merchant Shipping (Medical Examinations) Regulations 1983; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects the recommendation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, contained in its report, "Discounts to Retailers", that the Office of Fair Trading should publish guidelines covering trading relationships between buyers and sellers to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

The commission referred in its report to suggestions from some witnesses that the director general should issue guidelines for relations between buyers and sellers: and made clear that the desirability and propriety of taking such action were matters for the director general. The director general has considered carefully whether to issue such guidelines; but he has come to the view that guidelines regarding discounts would not be consistent with the obligation under the Competition Act to treat each case on its merits, or with the conclusion of the MMC report that the general effect of non cost-related discounts had not been against the public interest.

asked the Minister for Trade what steps he has taken to establish procedures, as recommended by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, to investigate cases where the operation of large discounts to certain retailers may be regarded as against the public interest; and if he will make a statement.

As the commission stated in its report, powers to investigate such cases already exist under the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the Competition Act 1980. The Director General of Fair Trading makes a careful examination of each case of suspected abuse of which he becomes aware, on its merits.

asked the Minister for Trade what steps are being taken to expand and improve the performance of the Export Credit Guarantee Department's investment insurance scheme.

I am seeking to encourage even wider use of the scheme by making it more flexible in application. These improvements include variable premium rates in favour of less risky markets, higher profits coverage and, where justified, specific coverage for the energy sector.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will make a statement on the investigation being carried out by the European Commission into the dumping of steel coils.

Investigations into the dumping of certain steel coils originating in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Canada have been completed and the findings published in Official Journal No. L82 of 29 March 1983. Commission decision 702/83/ECSC imposed provisional anti-dumping duties for products originating in all four countries. The duty does not apply to two Canadian manufacturers—Dofasco Inc. and Sidbec-Dosco Ltd.—since the Commission has accepted price undertakings from these companies. The provisional duties are to apply for a period of four months, unless definitive measures are adopted before that period expires. Parties concerned have one month in which to make known their views to the Commission.A copy of this decision, which has direct effect, has been placed in the Library of each House.

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects to publish new rules for licensed dealers in securities; and if he will make a statement.

I have today laid new rules and regulations before Parliament. They will come into force on 1 June and will I believe make it more difficult for any dishonest dealer in securities to cheat or mislead his clients. The previous rules and regulations were made many years ago. Their replacement is an important step forward in bringing the regulatory framework up to date. However, although improving investor protection against non-commercial risks, they do not obviate the necessity of investors themselves weighing up carefully the nature and degree of risk involved in an investment before parting with their money.Their main features are that licensed dealers will be required:

asked the Minister for Trade what steps he takes to ensure that safety measures on imported goods comply with British standards institution standards.

[pursuant to the reply 25 April, c. 231]: I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the safety of consumer goods. Many safety regulations under the consumer safety legislation require that goods supplied or possessed for supply should comply with British standards whether imported or manufactured here. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. I am currently reviewing the effectiveness of the legislation, including its application to imported products and the use which it makes of British standards. I hope to announce proposals before long.

asked the Minister for Trade pursuant to his answer on 28 March, Official Report, c. 18, what further changes the Government are seeking in regard to the proposed European Community regulation on exclusive distribution agreements.

[pursuant to the reply, 25 April, c. 231]: The Government's main concern is to seek extension of the block exemption so that a manufacturer may appoint as his sole distributor a manufacturer of similar products when both are large companies. Failing this we would wish to see a new provision introduced under which such agreements would be published individually in the Official Journal and then deemed to be exempt, if there were no objections within 90 days.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the bid by Pleasurama Ltd. for Trident Television Ltd. with a view to referring it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

[pursuant to the reply, 25 April, c. 232]: My right hon. and noble Friend will announce his decision as soon as practicable.

(Leith) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the type and quantity of illegal drugs seized by customs and excise officers in the port of Leith during 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively; and how many prosecutions arose as a result of this activity.

The following table shows the number of seizures, type and quantities of controlled drugs seized by Customs and Excise officers in the port of Leith during 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (i) the increase in national income and (ii) the increase in sterling M3 in the period May 1979 to date, the corresponding figures from the second quarter of 1974 to May 1979, the ratio between national income and the money supply in each case and the reasons for any difference between these ratios.

The increases in national income can be found in "Economic Trends" and the "Monthly Digest of Statistics". Figures on £M3 and velocity are given in "Financial Statistics". It is necessary to make a rough adjustment for the enlargement of the monetary sector which raises the stock of £M3 by about 8·5 per cent. in 1981 Q4.The behaviour of velocity has been discussed in evidence to the Treasury and Civil Service Committee and in successive editions of the MTFS.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, following the Rayner report of the scrutiny of Civil Service catering how many further experimental sandwich-based facilities will be set up; and in which locations.

Two further experimental sandwich-based facilities are at present planned. One is at the DHSS office at Bedford, where there are 190 non-industrial civil servants, to be operated by a contractor; the second is at the DHSS office in Paisley, where there are 350 non-industrial civil servants, to be operated by CISCO.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he calculated the 50 per cent. increase from 10p to 15p in the sandwich price at the experimental sandwich facility set up by the Rayner scrutiny team at the Inland Revenue office in Wimbledon.

The pilot project in the Inland revenue office at Wimbledon was set up last November as part of an overall programme to test and evaluate different strategies for civil service catering. The selling price of the "subsidised" sandwich was initially set at 10p, but in my judgment it was appropriate to increase it to 15p at the end of March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the principal achievements of Her Majesty's Government within his Department's responsibilities since May 1979.

This Government have pursued consistent and responsible monetary and fiscal policies designed to reduce inflation and to promote recovery. Inflation has fallen from a peak of about 22 per cent. in 1980 to below 5 per cent. now, the lowest level since 1968, and bank base rates are down to 10 per cent. from their peak of 17 per cent. We are on course to reduce the ratio of public expenditure to GDP and have improved control of public spending by the introduction of a cash planning system. The public sector borrowing requirement has been reduced as a proportion of GDP from an average of 7 per cent. in the five years before this Government took office to 3·25 per cent. last financial year. Our fiscal deficit is now among the lowest in the industrial world. We have substantially reduced official external debt.The Government have in successive Budgets introduced measures designed to restore incentives, and to increase the scope for enterprise and initiative. The rates of income tax and the burden of capital taxes have been reduced and substantial progress has been made towards the abolition of the national insurance surcharge. We have also removed a wide range of controls—for example, pay, price, exchange, dividend and hire purchase controls —allowing market forces to operate more efficiently.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom's subscription to the Bank for International Settlements.

The Bank for International Settlements does not receive annual subscriptions, but the Bank of England holds 10 per cent. of the issued shares.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the percentage increase in prices between (i) April 1974 and April 1979 and (ii) May 1979 and the latest date available.

The increase in the retail prices index between April 1974 and April 1979 was 101·9 per cent. the corresponding increase for the period between May 1979 and March 1983 was 51·9 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequeer if he will break down the figures given in the table of purposes for which the Contingencies Fund has been used, given in his answer of 12 April, Official Report, c. 376–77, to show the specific items in respect of which the expenditure was incurred in each category; and how much was spent on each.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of receipts from the sale of capital assets by (a) central Government, (b) local authorities and (c) nationalised industries in each year since 1978–79.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April, 1983, c. 209]: Details of receipts from sales of capital assets

I shall let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by each Department of State and in respect of any bodies for which Ministers are directly responsible (a) the number of industrial employees engaged on trade union activities (i) full-time and (ii) more than 50 per cent. but less than 100 per cent., and (b) the cost (i) in salaries, wages and direct benefit, and (ii) in salaries, direct benefits and overheads; and if he will express the cost as a percentage of each Department's total salaries and wages.

I regret that this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the current trend in interest rates.

The three-month interbank rate now stands at about 10·25 per cent. This is approximately 1·5 per cent. lower than its recent peak in January and 3·5 per cent. lower than its level this time last year. Interest rates have to adjust to play their part in maintaining sound monetary conditions. Falls in interest rates are to be welcomed provided that they are consistent with this objective.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the proportion of the gross national product made up by (a) central Government capital expenditure and (b) local government capital expenditure in each year from 1973–74 to 1982–83; and what is the planned figure for 1983.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1983, c. 208]: The available information is given in the following table. It is not possible to extend these series back before 1976–77 without incurring disproportionate costs.attributed to the special sales of assets programme are published annually in the public expenditure White Paper. The following table does not include receipts attributed to special sales of assets but shows receipts from sales of land and buildings by central Government and local authorities, excluding loan repayments, and those receipts from the sale of capital assets by nationalised industries which are reported centrally and included in the public expenditure White Paper as part of the industries' internal resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he is making for £1 coins to be minted bearing a Scottish national emblem.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1983, c. 209]: It is planned to issue a Scottish variant of the £1 coin in 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent from central funds on bypass construction in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982.

The amounts spent on the construction of specific bypasses and diversions on trunk roads were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to bring forward an order bringing into effect section 52 of the Transport Act 1982.

Various matters relating to section 52 and schedule 4 of the Transport Act 1982 have to be set out in regulations. I hope to be consulting on these shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state how many non-traditional houses exist which were built between 1945 and 1955, and 1955 and 1960, excluding temporary prefabricated houses; and if he will list the systems, giving details of the numbers built in each instance.

Approximately 305,000 non-traditional houses were completed between 1945 and 1955 by local authorities, new towns, housing associations and Government Departments in England and Wales and a further 25,000 were under construction on 31 December 1955. The names of the systems and the numbers completed in each instance are listed in the annual Command Paper, "Housing Return for England and Wales", for that period, copies of which are in the Library. Information as to the number of houses is not available after 31 December 1955. Nor is it known what numbers may have been built by private housebuilders for sale. Information on the present numbers and ownership of these dwellings is being sought from all local authorities in England as I indicated in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant) on 22 February 1983.—[Vol. 37, c. 430].

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of urban aid grant has been paid to local authorities for the purpose of funding law centres in each of the past five years; and what was the total number of law centres concerned in each year.

Urban programme support for law centres in England during the past five years is as follows. Grant is paid to local authorities at the rate of 75 per cent. of these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of urban aid grant has been paid to local authorities for the purpose of funding citizens advice bureaux in each of the past five years; and what was the total number of bureaux concerned in each year.

Urban programme assistance for projects relating to citizens advice bureaux in the partnerships and programme authorities in the past three years is as follows. Information for previous years is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what contacts have taken place between European Community Governments about the disposal of toxic waste from the Seveso explosion

I believe that various multilateral and bilateral discussions have taken place between representatives of member Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the inquiries referred to in the answer of 15 April, Official Report, c. 464, included investigations as to whether toxic waste from the Seveso explosion had already been brought into the United Kingdom.

Inquiries then and since have included this point, and there is no evidence that this waste has been brought into the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether his Department's inner cities directorate has any offices outside London; in which localities they are; what are their costs of operation; how many staff are employed at each centre; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the cost of operation of his Department's inner cities directorate; how many staff are employed in this section; and if he will make a statement on its operation;(3) what are the role and functions of his Department's inner cities directorate; and if he will make a statement.

Details of the responsibilities, organisation, numbers employed and costs of the directorate are to be found in Management Information System for Ministers (MINIS/3) which is in the Library. It covers staff employed on inner cities matters in regional offices as well as in headquarters.There have been no major organisational changes in this part of the Department since the publication of that document, but more up-to-date material will be provided in MINIS 4 which my right hon. Friend expects to publish soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the reply given to the hon. Member for Melton by the Under-Secretary of State on 10 November 1982, Official Report, c. 201, regarding authorised work on home improvements; and whether he will give similar information regarding repairs grants.

On 25 November—[Vol. 32, c. 559–61]—my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that the gross provision for housing investment by local authorities in 1983–84 would be £2,488 million, some 15 per cent. above the expected level of expenditure for 1982–83. In addition they would be able to carry over into 1983–84 unlimited amounts of capital receipts. On the same day each local authority was notified of a figure for expenditure on home improvement grants in 1983–84. This is known as the "indicative figure." Local authorities were advised that additional allocations would be available to any authority whose expenditure on home improvement grants in 1983–84 exceeded its indicative figure and whose total housing capital expenditure exceeded its housing investment programme allocation.On 6 December —[Vol. 33, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date his predecessor's answer to the hon. Member for Melton of 3 March 1982 regarding the size and cost of his Department, Official Report, c. 159.

On 1 April 1983, following a transfer of district audit staff to the Audit Commission on that date, the total number of non-industrial staff in post in the Department of the Environment including the Property Services Agency was 36,444. This is a reduction of 27·2 per cent. since the general election.The net cost to public funds of running the Department during the financial year 1982–83 is estimated to have been £468·9 million made up as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any progress has been made since 22 July 1982 regarding the proposed European Community Commission directive on architectural qualifications.

No. The directive remains under discussion within the Community. At the appropriate time we will consult the profession.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has had to date to his Department's consultation letter under the heading "Proposed Amendment to the Building Regulations: Access and Facilities in Buildings for the Benefit of Disabled People"; and if he will make a statement.

We have received replies from 138 of the 500 organisations we consulted. My right hon. Friend is considering these carefully and hopes to be able to make a statement at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet a deputation of hon. Members representing Merseyside constituencies to discuss the implications of the proposed loss of 930 jobs at Kraft Foods, Merseyside.

I am writing to the hon. Member about a possible meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the implications of the right-to-buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980 for the administration of existing arrangements for communal television and radio relay systems.

I am not aware of any requirement by local authorities generally for such guidance. However, if my hon. Friend would care to write to me, I am ready to consider this question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision in respect of the inspector's report on the public inquiry into Alexandra palace and park.

We have only recently received the inspector's report and a number of complex issues are involved, but we will deal with it as quickly as we can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reduction in the rate support grant as a percentage of total rate fund expenditure by local government has taken place since 1979–80.

Following are the figures of aggregate Exchequer grant expressed as a percentage of relevant expenditure in England, as defined at the time of the RSG settlement:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report of the consultants monitoring enterprise zones will be published.

The year two report is being published today by Roger Tym and Partners. Copies have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking in relation to the rates liability of meeting halls used by the Exclusive Brethren.

The Court of Appeal recently upheld a lands tribunal decision that two meeting halls in the borough of Broxtowe used by the Exclusive Brethren were not exempt from rates since they did not fulfil the criteria, laid down in section 39 of the General Rate Act 1967, that they should be places of public religious worship. The Brethren was refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords in its judicial capacity, and its petition to be heard there was rejected.I understand that the Brethren now intends to erect notice boards outside its meeting halls which will make it clear that the halls are for public religious worship and will provide a telephone number where details of the meetings can be obtained. I believe that an appropriate form of words has been agreed in discussion with the valuation office. The chief valuer's office has now advised its local offices that meeting halls displaying such a notice should be given exemption from rates under section 39. This advice is, of course, subject to any challenge in the courts by a rating authority, but it does seem that a satisfactory solution has been found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the urban programme expenditure for each of the regions in 1982 showing the amounts granted to each programme area or designated districts, the total expenditure for each of the regions and the percentage of the United Kingdom total which each region's figure represents.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1983, c. 274]: Information on urban programme resources relates to financial years. The resources allocated in 1982–83 to each partnership, programme authority and other designated districts, and the totals allocated to each DOE administrative region, are shown in the following table. The figures include the latest available estimate of the take-up of additional capital resources, following the invitation to bid for such resources issued to local authorities in October 1982. Outturn figures for actual expenditure in 1982–83 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the principal achievements of Her Majesty's Government within his Department's responsibilities since May 1979.

This Government set out to restore confidence in Britain as a country determined to play a full part with its partners and allies in shaping world events. This objective has been fully achieved. Britian's international reputation stands high. Our relations with a wide range of countries in the Commonwealth, the Community, NATO and elsewhere are in excellent repair.We have played a major part in maintaining the strength and cohesion of the Western alliance, while working tirelessly for balanced and verifiable reductions of both conventional and nuclear armaments. In particular, we have played an active part in the formulation of radical proposals in the separate Geneva talks on strategic and intermediate range nuclear forces.In the European Community, we have restored our influence by convincing our partners of our commitment, while sustaining our own national interests. We have negotiated budget refunds of over £2 billion, concluded a common fisheries policy on terms good for Britain and strengthened and extended political co-operation.We have played an active and responsible role in the maintenance of international stability. We have given full support to realistic efforts to resolve the Arab/Israel dispute. The Venice declaration of 1980 was an influential statement of European views; we played an important part, and have continued to do so. British forces are contributing to regional stability through our contingents in the multinational forces in Sinai and Lebanon. We have worked constructively for solutions to other conflicts, including in Namibia, Afghanistan, and Cyprus.We have worked to strengthen the Commonwealth. Our substantial aid programme has provided reliable help where it is most needed, both to Commonwealth and other developing countries, and we have played an active part in efforts to strengthen the international financial system.We have helped six dependent territories to reach independence. In particular, we brought 15 years of illegality and bloody civil war to an end through the creation of an independent Zimbabwe.We have maintained our commitments to our other dependent territories. Following Argentina's unprovoked invasion of the Falkland islands, British administration was quickly restored through a highly successful political and military operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Bank of England officials are attached to British missions overseas; in which countries; and whether there has been any change-since May 1979.

There are six Bank of England officials attached to British missions overseas — three at the United Kingdom delegation to the International Monetary Fund in Washington, one at the British embassy in Tokyo, one at the office of the United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Community in Brussels and one at the Riyadh office of the British embassy in Jedda. The only change since May 1979 is that a Bank of England official at the embassy in Kuwait has been replaced by the one in Saudi Arabia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he supports the United States of America view that Soviet SS20 missiles in the far east should be considered in the context of the current intermediate nuclear forces negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The NATO countries believe that limits on intermediate range nuclear missiles should apply globally. The SS20 missiles are mobile and could be transplanted across the Soviet Union in a short time; in addition they can target western Europe from Asian sites well to the east of the Urals; nor do the NATO countries wish to transfer the threat posed to them by SS20s to their friends in the far east.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received following the arrest in Nevada, United States of America, on 20 April of Ronald Taylor, a British citizen; and if he will make a statement.

No representations have been received. I understand that Mr. Taylor was charged with trespass and released on bail the same day. I further understand that he is to appear in court in Nevada on 4 May.