asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current delay in processing applications in respect of consumer credit licences; and if he will take steps to reduce it.

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 imposes on the Director General of Fair Trading the duty of administering the licensing system. He has informed me that it now takes approximately 14 weeks to process a normal application. He has taken steps which he expects to reduce the delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific steps he proposes to take either directly or through the Export Credits Guarantee Department to increase trade with Latin American countries.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 June 1983, c. 15]: Ministers of my Department have paid numerous visits to the region and I expect this to continue. A chief executive has recently been appointed to the BOTB's Latin American trade advisory group with the aim of stimulating greater interest in the market by British companies. The usual BOTB services are available to exporters in the region. Although a number of countries have debt servicing problems, ECGD is maintaining its facilities wherever it can justify doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if there are any plans for visits to Argentina by Ministers in his Department to discuss trade between the United Kingdom and Argentina.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 June 1983, c. 16]: No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has set objectives for the United Kingdom atomic energy authority.

Further to the answer given by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) on 18 March 1983—[Vol. 39, c. 296–7] —I have set objectives for the chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Sir Peter Hirsch, in the following terms:

In view of the importance of the Authority's work to the civil nuclear programme and the large sums of public money spent by the Authority, I have set out in this letter the objectives which the Government wishes you to pursue as Chairman of the UKAEA.

The Authority's principal objective is to carry out research and development on the application of nuclear energy for civil purposes in the UK; the Authority will also undertake other functions agreed with the Government consistent with the Atomic Energy Authority Act 1954 and other relevant legislation.

You should put forward proposals, for my consideration, in the Authority's annual medium-term Plans, for carrying out the main programmes, including specific objectives and tasks, resources required, timescales and priorities. The annual Plans should also provide a review of the Authority's performance in the recent past and suggest the lines of its corporate development in the period ahead.

One important feature of these Plans will be a revised Fast Reactor Development Programme, following my statement in the House on 29 November 1982.

An additional task of the Authority, that I would wish you to encourage, based on the expertise it has gained, is to carry out both nuclear and non-nuclear R&D at customers' expense and at a profit to the Authority. This work should be carried out in accordance with the terms discussed between the Authority and the Department.

You should ensure that the Authority has arrangements to achieve high standards of safety at all times.

The Government wishes you to ensure that the Authority attaches great importance to control of costs, increasing efficiency and the economical use of manpower in the Authority. For example I expect the Authority to report to me on its programme of action in response to the report prepared by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company, and subject to my comments, to implement that programme.

It should be your objective to seek, in a manner consistent with the other objectives set out in this letter, the maximum contribution to the cost of the Authority's nuclear R&D programme from the Generating Boards, BNFL, NNC and others.

The Authority will continue to ensure that the cash limited sums and other conditions imposed by Parliamentary votes are not exceeded.

You should, on behalf of the Authority, continue to provide advice and information to the Secretary of State on matters connected with nuclear energy in the UK and abroad, on the Authority's work, and on any other areas within the Authority's area of expertise.

You should ensure that the Authority maintains close contacts with bodies and firms having responsibilities concerned with nuclear energy, both at home and overseas.

You should continue to take all reasonable steps to foster the exploitation by UK industry of technology developed by the Authority.

In determining how the Authority's programme is to be pursued, you should seek to use private sector resources where this is the most efficient and economical course.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an announcement about future work on the geothermal project in Cornwall.

I intend to allocate nearly £11 million over the next three years from my Department's non-nuclear R and D budget to further research by the Camborne school of mines on the extraction of heat from rock deep underground. The work will be carried out on the existing site at Rosemanowes quarry near Falmouth. I also intend to allocate about £1·5 million to related background studies by the Institute of Geological Sciences.Results from the major experiments carried out over the past three years at a depth of about 2,000 metres have been encouraging but further research is required to prove the practicability of the technique. The next phase of research will involve drilling a deeper hole to make a connection from below with the large reservoir of fractured hot rock already created around the existing pair of holes.Heat extraction by circulating water from the surface through fractures created in hot dry rock underground, if it can be accomplished economically, would give access to a major new energy source spread widely across the country.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others including one with the High Commissioner of Belize and one with the Mexican Foreign Minister. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I am giving a dinner for Lord Richardson, the retiring Governor of the Bank of England.

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the recommendation of hereditary honours.

As I informed the House on 26 November 1979, I do not exclude the possibility of recommending the creation of hereditary peerages in cases of very great distinction and service to the country.

asked the Prime Minister if she will propose the setting up of a Royal Commission on electoral reform.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to ensure that any increase in the European Community's own resources will not require new primary legislation.

We remain to be convinced that any increase is needed. Any amendment to the own resources decision would require ratification by the national Parliaments of all the member states.

asked the Prime Minister whether she intends to introduce legislation to discourage food processors from employing non-European Community labour.

No; existing legislation is adequate.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the arrangements for the accommodation, social activities and welfare of armed forces personnel serving in the Falklands.

The conditions under which armed forces personnel are serving in the Falkland Islands are continuously being improved. Two coastels (floating hotels) are now in position in the Falkland Islands. As well as enhancing the accommodation available, these provide personnel with the use of four squash courts and a gymnasium. A third coastel is planned which will provide another squash court and gymnasium. Other facilities for the longer term are being studied.There is an extensive and popular TV video cassette service, and NAAFI services have been fully established. Educational facilities are available, as are some indoor entertainment facilities, and personnel also have a free postal service to the United Kingdom. Work is in hand to see whether it is possible to improve the local radio service. Some well know entertainers have visited the islands, and the public have been typically generous in their gifts.The standard tour length has also been reduced so that, with a very few exceptions, personnel posted to the Falkland Islands serve only five months including time spent in transit.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will maintain the value of child benefit.

Child benefit will be increased to £6·50 from November. This increase, to its highest ever real value, is evidence of our commitment to the family. A decision about next year's uprating will be taken at the appropriate time.

asked the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the Heads of Government meetings held in Stuttgart.

There are no minutes of European Council meetings as such, but copies of the Presidency conclusions were placed in the Library on 21 June. On the occasion of the signature of the solemn declaration a list of "declarations for the minutes" was drawn up setting out member states' qualifications regarding certain paragraphs in the text. A copy of this list was also placed in the Library on 21 June.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will pay an official visit to Castle Vale, Erdington.

I have at present no plans to do so.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will now appoint a Minister for London.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the termination of the work of the Central Policy Review Staff.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 27 June.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will appoint an additional Under-Secretary at the Department of Transport in view of its increased responsibilities.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she intends to legislate in this Parliament to transfer responsibility for promoting tourism in Scotland furth of the United Kingdom from the British tourist authority to the Scottish tourist board; and if she will make a statement.

Legislation will be needed to implement our Scottish manifesto commitment, and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, Scotland and Wales are considering the changes that will be necessary. These would extend the powers of the Scottish tourist board to include promotional activity outside the United Kingdom, but would supplement, not replace, the promotion of Scotland undertaken by the British tourist authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to amend the rating of caravans legislation in Scotland before the 1985 rating revaluation; and what consultation he has had with the Scottish valuation advisory council and the convention of Scottish local authorities about existing arrangements.

My right hon. Friend intends to introduce legislation in the current session to reduce the rates burden on caravan sites with static leisure caravans in time for the revaluation in 1985. The Scottish valuation advisory council has advised on the assessment for rates of these caravan sites and my right hon. Friend is considering their advice with a view to deciding the form of the proposed legislation. He intends to consult the convention of Scottish local authorities on the detailed legislative proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress in his discussions with the Greater Glasgow health board over the development based at Ruchill hospital of the proposed psychiatric day unit to serve the north west of Glasgow.

The day unit is only part of a major redevelopment scheme at Ruchill hospital. Greater Glasgow health board are currently considering the details of the scheme and are conducting an appraisal of the options, in the light of a full survey of the site. The board is expected to submit revised proposals for central funding of the scheme to my Department within the next few months. These have to be considered against the background of discussions which my officials are holding with the board about the overall distribution of hospital services in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has made of the remedial work required to Reema and Bison system building blocks in Scotland; and what discussions he has had with Glasgow and other Scottish local authorities over the costs involved.

The assessment of remedial work required for local authority housing is the responsibility of the authorities concerned, and the Department has had no recent discussions with any authority over costs involved in particular cases involving Reema and Bison systems. My right hon. Friend would expect local authorities to take all such factors into account in preparing their housing programmes, on which annual allocations are based.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the geographical disparities in hospital admission rates in the first year of life brought to light in statistics produced by the Greater Glasgow health board area, he will ask the health boards in Scotland to inquire into the reasons for such disparities.

No. It is normally for health boards to determine what action, if any, may be required in the light of information available about the rates of hospital admissions for any particular category of patient. I understand that the Greater Glasgow health board is currently studying the implications of the statistical paper to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State- for Scotland whether, in view of the impact of high prices being paid by foreign klondykers upon the fish processing industry in Banff and Buchan and the consequent reduction in employment, he will take special measures to alleviate the situation.

Recent landings of herring from the North Sea are part of the United Kingdom's initial allocation from the EC quota and the management arrangements for the fishery agreed by all sectors of the industry are designed to ensure that there is maximum human consumption of the catch. The prices paid are a reflection of market demand and the quality of the fish, and there is no evidence that prices paid by klondykers are forcing prices up.My right hon. Friend does not see this as a situation calling for special measures to aid the fish processing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received a report from the review group on mental illness services in Dyfed; and if he will make a statement.

The second report of the review group was received last month. A copy of the report and my reply has been placed in the Library.The report sets out the review group's assessment of the progress made by the responsible statutory authorities in response to the Health Advisory Service report on St. David's hospital, Carmarthen which was published in July last year. The report includes a detailed checklist of the action taken in respect of each of the recommendations of the HAS team.The report indicates that the group has been impressed by the progress made in addressing the problems revealed by the HAS team and by the readiness of the authorities to respond to its advice. The group reports that there is evidence of improved standards of care and patient living conditions, of a more collaborative approach to interdisciplinary and interauthority relations and a greater sense of purpose.However, the report points to continuing problems in the priority areas of standards of care, physical improvements, strategic planning and relationships between authorities and calls for determined action by all three authorities to overcome these. In particular the group emphasises the importance of determined leadership by the responsible authorities to ensure that the momentum achieved so far is maintained to secure continuing improvements in the quality of care for mentally ill people in Dyfed.My reply to the chairman indicates that I endorse fully the group's conclusions. Clearly much has been achieved, but the remaining problems must be tackled with sustained determination. I look forward to a further report this summer on progress in the priority areas identified by the group. I shall continue to keep the House informed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will review the provisions of existing legislation relating to pornography;(2) if he will make a statement of Government policy on introducing further controls upon pornography.

I will keep under close review the operation of existing legislation relating to pornographic and obscene material in general. I accept the need for more effective control of the sale and rental of video cassettes of a pornographic or violent nature, and I will make a further statement about this in due course.

asked the Secretary o F State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of Government policy on reviewing legislation relating to animal welfare.

The Government intend to implement the proposals set out in the White Paper "Scientific Procedures on Living Animals" when parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the time spent in prison on remand by persons awaiting trial for minor offences.

We are continuing to encourage magistrates' courts to adopt measures, such as those suggested by the Home Office working group on magistrates' courts, which can contribute to reducing the time taken for cases to come to trial. In many courts, steps have already been taken to this end. We shall discuss with the Magistrates' Association, the Justices' Clerks' Society and other bodies concerned, in the light of their response to the report of the working group, ways in which the efficiency of the magistrates' courts can be further improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to strengthen law and order by increasing the penalties available to the courts for criminal offences.

The Government intend to ensure that the courts continue to have adequate powers to deal with offenders. Extensive powers are already available to them, and for the serious offences of violence which are of most concern the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of an attendance centre order in 1980–81, 1981–82 and 1982–83.

Comparison of the total number of orders made for attendance at junior and senior centres in 1980 with the total expenditure for the financial year 1980–81, gives an average cost per order at that time of about £42. The average cost in 1981, calculated on the same basis, was about £53. Statistics of the number of orders made in 1982 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to repeal or amend the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876; and if he will make a statement.

The White Paper "Scientific Procedures on Living Animals" (Cmnd. 8883) published on 12 May, contains proposals for replacing the 1876 Act which it is the Government's intention to implement as soon as parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce new legislation on the issue of animal experimentation as outlined in the Government White Paper on animal welfare.

When parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he is making to the requests to him for a public inquiry into the death of Mr. Colin Roach; and whether he will make a statement.

Now that the jury has delivered its verdict on the death of Mr. Colin Roach, I have looked again at the requests for a public inquiry made to my predecessor before the inquest. I am not persuaded that such an inquiry is desirable or necessary.Members of the inquest jury have, however, sent me a letter in which they have said that they are satisfied that they reached a fair verdict, but have made certain criticisms of the police handling of the case and in particular of their treatment of other members of the Roach family. I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has arranged for these criticisms to be investigated as a complaint against the police under Section 49 of the Police Act 1964.More generally, what is needed now, in the best interests of good relations between the police and the community in Hackney, is for those concerned to sit down together and consider calmly and responsibly how the problems of the area can be tackled. I very much hope that it will soon be possible to establish in Hackney police-community consultative arrangements consistent with the guidelines issued by my predecessor.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to curb trade union power.

A strong and effective trade union movement, properly securing the interests of its members, has a valuable part to play in our society. The Government's steps to curb abuses in respect of the closed shop, picketing, indiscriminate secondary action and industrial action outside the context of a trade dispute all help towards a responsible approach. The forthcoming Bill on democracy in trade unions will provide that trade union executives must be elected by secret ballot of their members; that trade unions will have immunity to call industrial action only if they have consulted their members in a secret ballot; and that trade unions must also consult their members by secret ballot if they wish to retain a political fund and continue to engage in political activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of work permits granted to non-European Community nationals for temporary agricultural work in (a) East Anglia and (b) the United Kingdom.

The information required for East Anglia is not available except at disproportionate cost. The latest available statistics for the United Kingdom show that 57 permits were issued in 1982 for temporary agricultural work, most in respect of overseas students coming here for practical experience under reciprocal arrangements administered by the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs. The Home Office administers a scheme under which a limited number of seasonal workers from overseas are allowed to work at agricultural camps. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary will write to the hon. Member about this.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployed men and women in Cambridgeshire who are prepared to do temporary agricultural work.

The information is not available; the unemployment statistics do not separately distinguish this category of unemployed person.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Liverpool and Merseyside, respectively.

Unemployment will begin to come down as British industry becomes more competitive and world trading conditions improve. The Government cannot guarantee a recovery or the creation of new jobs, but they can help to establish the right environment in which firms can prosper by producing goods and services that will sell. Greater efficiency and enterprise will lead to the new jobs we all want to see in Liverpool and Merseyside and elsewhere. We have already made a good deal of progress; inflation is at its lowest level since 1968, production has risen and productivity has reached new record levels. Meanwhile, we are helping those hardest hit through our considerable range of special employment and training measures.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has assessed the effect of the proposed closure of the United Biscuits plant on the unemployment situation on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Monday 27 June. — [Vol. 44, c. 19]. I understand that the proposed closure is not due to be finalised until 1986. Any closure of this size, even spread over a number of years, must be a blow to employment prospects in Merseyside. The precise effect that it will have on the unemployment situation in Merseyside cannot be estimated accurately three years in advance of its completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is proposing to make any modifications to the young workers scheme following the start of the youth training scheme.

It has already been announced that the young workers scheme will continue to be available to assist employers taking on young people aged 16 or 17 who are not covered by the youth training scheme. Young people leaving the youth training scheme will also be eligible for support under the young workers scheme if they are under 18, earn less than the specified earnings limits and are in their first year of employment. Time spent in the youth training scheme as a trainee will be disregarded for the purposes of this calculation; for those participating in the YTS as employees, however, the time must count towards the first year of employment.I have decided to increase the earnings limits of the young workers scheme with effect from 1 August 1983. Claims covering periods of employment including 1 August will be paid at the rate of £15 per week in respect of each eligible employee whose gross earnings are not more than £42 a week, and £7·50 per week in respect of each eligible employee whose gross earnings are more than £42 but not more than £47 a week. For claims which cover periods ending on or before 31 July, the current earnings limits of less than £40 and less than £45 respectively will continue to apply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will tabulate in the Official Report for each calendar year from 1959 the contributions made by the United Kingdom to the own resources of the European Communities from each of the three principal sources of tariffs, levies and proportion of value added tax assessment, respectively, together with the sums received in normal payments in respect of agricultural, regional, and social funds, respectively, other payments, and the additional repayment in respect of the May 1980 mandate, together with respective annual totals showing net and gross receipts and payments, with and without, additional repayments.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now institute a survey of educational standards in city schools, particularly with regard to size in relation to the nature of the catchment areas served.

No. The Department's circular 2181 contains advice on school sizes which applies to all areas. That advice drew upon the judgments of HM Inspectorate based on all forms of inspection including their national surveys of primary and secondary education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the average time it takes for applicants for improvement grants to reach the top of their local authority's waiting list, and to receive their grants.

The Department has collected no regular statistics on the time it takes local authorities to process improvement grants. However, it is now looking into the take-up of grants and how long applications take to process.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of Government policy on encouraging cheaper and easier home ownership.

In the last four years, nearly 1 million more people became home owners, including over ½ million former public sector tenants. The proposals in the Housing and Building Control Bill are aimed at widening home ownership still further by extending the right to buy to secure tenants of leasehold properties; and increasing the maximum discount available from 50 to 60 per cent., while providing tenants with a right to buy on shared ownership terms. In addition, other initiatives under the Government's low-cost home ownership programme have generated just under 32,000 sales since 1979–80. Further progress will result from the introduction in January this year of the do-it-yourself-shared-ownership scheme under which over 400 sales have already been approved by the Housing Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to abolish the current system of rates.

No. The Government have concluded, after comprehensive consultations following the publication of the Green Paper "Alternatives to Domestic Rates"—Cmnd. 8449—and in the light of the second report from the Environment Committee for the session 1981–82—HC 217-I—that rates should remain for the foreseeable future the main source of revenue for local government. As I announced to the House in the debate on the address on 23 June [Vol. 44, c. 253–6], it is our intention to publish a White Paper on our rating limitation and rate reform proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has appointed a chairman of the British Waterways Board.

I have invited the present chairman, Sir Frank Price, to continue as chairman to the end of the year and he has agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek a revision of the Gleneagles agreement.

The Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport — the "Gleneagles Agreement" —agreed in 1977 and confirmed at the most recent discussion by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1981, reflects the clear view of Commonwealth countries that sporting relations with South Africa should be discouraged. This agreement will remain the basis of Her Majesty's Government's policy, in accordance with our Commonwealth obligations, unless and until there is a clear consensus for change within the Commonwealth. As yet, I can perceive no signs of such a consensus although there are some countries who would apparently prefer a more restrictive policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many jobs have been saved on Merseyside by the direct intervention of the task force to the latest available date;(2) if he is satisfied with the working of the Merseyside task force; and if he will make a statement;

[pursuant to his reply, 27 June 1983, c. 39]: The task force has worked with local authorities, nationalised industries, private companies and other local bodies on a wide range of projects. The main purposes are to bring derelict or vacant land into use, to improve housing conditions, to upgrade the environment and to provide additional opportunities for training. One objective is to help to make Merseyside more attractive to investors. When I visit Merseyside on 8 July, I hope to make an assessment of progress so far and of the scale of the task ahead. It is not possible to quantify the number of jobs saved or provided through the task force's efforts, or to separate out the impacts of its activities from other measures, e.g. the Merseyside Development corporation, special development area status and the urban programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress towards the upgrading of the A1 to motorway standard at Hatfield.

The decision to proceed with the scheme was announced on 10 November last year, following a Public Inquiry in 1981. Advance works have started, including the movement of statutory undertakers' plant and the demolition of vacant properties. Construction should start early in 1984 and will take approximately three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans for further privatisation of British Rail services; which services he intends to privatise; and if he will make a statement.

We are encouraging the railways board to consider ways of introducing private capital into the railway business, for example, into the non-stop service between Victoria and Gatwick airport to be introduced next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ease the traffic delays on the A40 between Hanger Lane and the Greenford roundabout; and if he will make a statement.

Two lanes are being kept open for traffic in both directions during the morning and evening peak periods. It is necessary to restrict traffic to one lane from time to time to enable certain work to be carried out but such work is done only during off-peak periods. Nighttime working is not permitted because of the disturbance this would cause to people living nearby.The timing of the traffic signals on A40 Western avenue at the junctions with Medway parade and Perivale lane have been adjusted recently to improve the traffic flows on A40.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the proposed sites for service areas on the M25 and M20 motorways.

I hope to make an announcement shortly about our policy on the provision of motorway service areas on the M25. Now that the Maidstone to Ashford section has been reinstated in the active programme, we have set in hand consideration of requirements for service areas on the M20 with a view to services being available by the time that section is open to traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with all aspects of safety at the M11/M25 interchange at Theydon Garnon.

[pursuant to her reply, 27 June 1983, c. 37]: I am generally satisfied, but in view of recent accidents involving lorries on the left-hand bend in the slip road from the M25 to the M11 northbound, "slow" markings have been added to the 30mph adivisory speed limit. Further warning signs will be erected shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will evaluate the effect the proposed closure of the United Biscuits plant in Liverpool will have on the edible oil industry on Merseyside, taking into account the announcement of the proposed closure of the Central oil refinery in Liverpool and the Peerless plant in Bootle.

I understand that the proposed closure of the United Biscuits factory at Edge Hill represents a reallocation of production to other factories and that its usage of edible oils is very small compared with total production in the Merseyside area. It should not, therefore, have a significant impact on the edible oil industry locally or nationally, nor is there any direct connection between it and the recently announced proposal to close the Liverpool central oil refinery. No proposal has been made to close the Peerless oil refinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of persons arrested in Northern Ireland during the election for personation; and how many have been charged.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 June 1983, c. 44]: During the recent general election, the Royal Ulster Constabulary arrested 149 people for personation, of whom 108 were subsequently charged and 41 were released after the police had decided to take no further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the effect on the National Health Service of parallel imports of certain drugs; and if he will make a statement.

We are concerned to ensure that drugs imported into this country should be of the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as drugs manufactured here. We are urgently considering whether additional measures may be necessary to ensure this.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of families being supported by state benefits in the area covered by the Newcastle upon Tyne, North constituency.

The only information available relates to supplementary benefit and unemployment benefit. The number of claims in action in the supplementary benefit office situated in the hon. Member's constituency at February 1983—the latest available date—was 15,200. In addition 2,500 people were receiving unemployment benefit only—without supplementary benefit—from the Newcastle upon Tyne (City) unemployment benefit office.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest estimates for the cost of providing optional pensionable retirement for men at the age of 60 and 62 years, respectively.

The latest available estimates based on 1981–82 benefit levels, indicate that the net cost to central Government funds would be £2·5 billion and £1·2 billion per annum respectively. Estimates based on 1983–84 benefit levels are in the course of preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his proposals for increases in pensions and other social security benefits to take effect in November 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the level of retirement pension for single and for married pensioners after the next uprating.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the amount of the increases in pensions and other benefits in 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the level of retirement pensions expected at the November uprating.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, in the House on Thursday 23 June 1983—[Vol. 44, c. 162–73.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he remains satisfied that the method of uprating the retirement pension will keep it in line with inflation and trends in average earnings.

I am satisfied that we will maintain our pledge to protect retirement pension against inflation. In doing so, we will have regard to the actual movement of prices from May to May each year and not to a forecast which in past years has proved both unreliable and a cause of undue worry and uncertainty to pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total income through charging overseas visitors for National Health Service treatment since the new scheme was introduced in 1982.

This will not be known until health authority accounts for 1982–83 are received in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are awaiting a visitor from his Department's Kirkby office; and what is the average length of time they have to wait.

As at 7 June 1983, 1,669 cases were held by the Kirkby office awaiting a visit. This represents an average delay of approximately 32 working days before the visit can be made. Priority is still given to claimants not in receipt of supplementary benefit, to whom a visit can normally be made within a few days of the claim.

asked the Secretary of Stare for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that regional health authorities distribute their funds to district health authorities on a fairer and more equal basis.

Resource allocations to district health authorities are determined by regional health authorities, who follow the principles set out by the Resource Allocation Working Party. In setting district allocations, they take account, among other things, of existing health provision and local requirements, of the need to rationalise services in the better provided districts; and to provide facilities to improve services in the districts which are relatively deprived. Regional health authorities' execution of policies and performance are regularly discussed by Ministers with their representatives and considered in depth at the annual reviews which were instituted last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish Her Majesty's Government's response to the report of the Committee of Public Accounts on drug company profits.

The Government intend to publish their response to the Public Accounts Committee report as soon as reasonably possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were on supplementary benefit in May 1983; and how many had been on supplementary benefit for more than six months, 12 months and 24 months.

Information is not available for May 1983. At December 1982, there were 4·3 million people in receipt of supplementary benefit, of whom 3·3 million had been in receipt for not less than six months, 2·8 million for not less than 12 months and 2·1 million for not less than 24 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest number of children living in households dependent upon supplmentary benefit; and how this compares with 1979.

At February 1983, the latest date for which figures are available there were 1·83 million dependent children in families dependent upon supplementary benefit. The corresponding number in November 1979 was 0·96 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of households in Lambeth are in receipt of supplementary benefits.

The information requested is not collected on a regular basis. Taking the April 1981 census as providing a broad indication of the current total number of householders in Lambeth, the proportion receiving supplementary benefit in February 1983 was about 25 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families in Glasgow are in receipt of supplementary benefit.

Information is not available in the form requested. The number of supplementary benefit cases in action in local offices in Glasgow — excluding Cumbernauld—at February 1983 was 118,917.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families are in receipt of supplementary benefit at the latest available date; and what was the figure in May 1979.

At December 1982, there were 4,254,000 people in receipt of supplementary benefit of whom 921,000 had dependent children. Corresponding figures are not available for May 1979. At November 1978, there were 2,932,000 people in receipt of supplementary benefit of whom 535,000 had dependent children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from retirement pensioners organisations calling for an increase in the Christmas bonus.

During 1983 we have received representations from the National Pensioners' Convention, the British Association of Retired Persons, and the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners' Association, calling for an increase in the Christmas bonus.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will bring in a scheme for voluntary earlier retirement for all at 60 years of age in accordance with the principles introduced in the mining industry.

No. The mineworkers' pension arrangements have been negotiated on a voluntary basis with particular reference to the situation in that industry and it would not necessarily be right to apply the same principles throughout the country on a universal basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce plans to allow for voluntary retirement for men at 60 years on a state pension.

All men aged 60 and over and not in full-time work are now eligible to claim supplementary benefit at the long-term pension rate. The job release scheme also provides scope for voluntary retirement before normal pension age and from October it will offer scope for partial retirement. Payment of full state retirement pension from age 60 would involve a huge extra cost which must be ruled out for the foreseeable future. The Government are still considering the alternative proposals for more flexible pension age arrangements which were put forward in the Social Services Committee's report on "The Age of Retirement."

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many service men wounded in the Falklands fighting are still receiving treatment through the National Health Service.

Information centrally available indicates that nobody now serving in Her Majesty's Forces who was injured in the operation to recover the Falkland Islands is currently receiving treatment in National Health Service hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Department of Health and Social Security staff are employed to assess acceptable levels of profit in the pharmaceutical industry.

The assessment of the rate of profitability allowed on sales to the National Health Service is a matter for the judgment of Ministers based on all available evidence and advice. The equivalent of 12 full time staff are employed in operating the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme and carrying out related duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the present controls on profit levels in the pharmaceutical industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to control the present level of pharmaceutical industry profits.

The rate of profitability allowed to the industry as a whole as well as to individual companies is being examined as part of the review of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for the future of the community health councils.

It is important to allow the new community health councils, many of which were established only in September last year, a period of stability in which to settle down with their matching district health authorities before considering any changes in their functions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the cost to the National Health Service of the average prescription in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage increase in cost this represents in each year using 1973 as base year.

The information in respect of prescriptons dispensed by chemists and appliance contractors in the family practitioner services is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what proportion of general practitioners in London use deputising services.

Family practitioner committees authorise general medical practitioners to use deputising services, but details of the number of practitioners to whom consent has been given are not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received as to the level of increase in pensions.

Frequent representations are made about the level of increase in pensions and some 295 have been received this year from individuals and organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the future of the death grant.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many regional health authority chairmen have expressed support for the plans to privatise hospital services, as expressed in a recent draft health circular.

A draft health circular on contracting out support services was sent for consultation to regional health authorities in February. The responses show general acceptance of the principles involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he plans to publish a health circular following the draft circular on the privatisation of hospital services.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes) earlier today.