asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the present size of the Atomic Energy Authority constabulary.

The current strength of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority constabulary is 618 compared with the complement of 653.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his latest plans concerning the development of the Vale of Belvoir coalfields, Leicestershire.

The NCB has received outline planning permission from Leicestershire county council for the Asfordby mine and the Government are now considering the board's application for investment approval. A decision will be taken as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the Government have any plans to introduce legislation to change the current position relating to the provision of school transport.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if in choosing the new Chief Inspector of Schools he will take account of whether the children of candidates attend schools in the private or public sector.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the new Chief Inspector of Schools is to be appointed.

The present senior chief inspector is not due to leave the Department until September and her successor will be announced when the recruitment procedures have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the total Government funding for the 12 institutions of the British Post-Graduate Medical Federation in each year since 1979 at 1979 prices.

I understand that the total income of these institutions from Government funds, including research grants and contracts, fees and training grants met from public funds, and payments by health authorities was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he is satisfied that local education authorities fund schools sufficiently for them to provide essential teaching materials;(2) whether he is satisfied with the level of the provision of books in schools.

The level of provision of books in some schools by some authorities is a cause for concern. Therefore, the last two RSG settlements envisaged some improvement in the level of provision for new books and equipment if other costs, especially pay, were contained. However, it is for local educaion authorities to determine how the total resources available to them should be deployed, in the light of local circumstances and in view of other demands on their resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs in manufacturing industry have been lost on the new town of Newton Aycliffe since May 1979.

The only information available to the Department concerns the advance notification of redundancies involving 10 or more dismissals. This information indicates that 2,963 proposed redundancies were notified in manufacturing industry between May 1979 and April 1983 in the Newton Aycliffe employment office area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the appointment of the new chairman of the British Steel Corporation.

The appointment of Mr. Robert Haslam as part-time chairman of the British Steel Corporation for three years from 1 September was announced on 16 June. Copies of the press release have been placed in the Library of the House and I have nothing to add to what it says.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the deficit in trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and other members of the European Community in the first quarter of 1983; and by how much this is greater or less than the equivalent deficit in the first quarter of 1982.

In the first quarter of this year the deficit on our trade in manufactures with the rest of the European Community was £1·7 billion, £0·8 billion greater than in the first quarter of 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the surplus or deficit in trade in manufactures with the European Community and the rest of the world, respectively, in the most recent annual period for which figures are available.

In the year ending March 1983 there was a deficit of £5·1 billion on trade in manufactures with the rest of the European Community and a surplus of £6·1 billion with the rest of the world.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the trade in manufactured goods to be in substantial surplus.

It is not the practice to provide such forecasts which would be subject to too many uncertainties.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute an inquiry under the Companies Acts into the operation of the Falkland Islands Company during the occupation of the islands by the Argentines.

I am not satisfied that I have the power to investigate under the Companies Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the level of regional assistance available to industrial areas in the United Kingdom.

Yes; but, as I have already informed the House, the Government are undertaking a review of regional economic policy to identify ways in which assistance might be more effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures have been taken for the secure storage of industrial knowledge in the event of war.

The secure storage of industrial knowledge is a matter for the companies possessing it. I am, however, looking into the matter further in the light of the practices of other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will encourage British industry to make better use of British talent for production design and design engineering.

We are doing so already. This Government have been actively encouraging British industry to recognise the importance of all aspects of design in ensuring the market success of products. In particular, we encourage, through our "Design for Profit" campaign, the use of the funded consultancy scheme which draws on British design consultancy expertise. and we are supporting longer term action to educate existing and future generations of managers in the effective use of British design resources. I intend to continue this policy vigorously and am undertaking a thoroughgoing review of policy on design.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate discussions with the new chairman of the British Steel Corporation concerning future developments at the Llanwern steelworks.

The British Steel Corporation's capital investment programme is discussed each year with the Government in the context of BSC's corporate plan. It is for the corporation, not the Government, to initiate proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are Her Majesty's Government's principal objectives at the UNCTAD VI conference; and if she will make a statement.

Our principal objective is to work towards agreement on policies leading to a progressive return to sound and sustainable growth. On points of detail, we would like the conference to support the reduction of trade barriers in all countries as world economic recovery progresses; to encourage signatories to follow the United Kingdom's example and ratify the common fund for commodities; and to pursue the United Kingdom's positive initiative on foreign private investment. As an indication of the importance we attach to UNCTAD VI, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade is currently in Belgrade for the closing stages of the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for the increased use of coal in industry.

It is for companies to decide which fuel they wish to use, but financial assistance continues to be available to those considering conversion to coal firing. The closing date for applications for grant under the coal firing scheme is 31 December 1983, although the scheme could close earlier if the £50 million total grant is fully committed before that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the value of British exports for the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

In the 12 months ended May 1983, exports amounted to £57 billion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make proposals to stimulate and develop industrial capacity in Wolverhampton.

The recently established team for innovation in the west midlands regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry aims to encourage firms in the west midlands to make the fullest possible use of various national schemes of assistance for industry, especially the support for innovation measures under which grants are available for the development and introduction of new technology, new processes and new products.In addition, the package of initiatives announced in the last Parliament, including the reopening of the small engineering firms investment scheme, will be of particular benefit to the west midlands. However, the best prospects for industry in the west midlands and for the country generally lie in the continuing efforts of companies to increase their productivity and competitiveness, which the Government's overall economic polices are designed to encourage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future structure of tourism in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he hopes to announce details of his review of tourism policy; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to have assumed responsibility for tourism policy. I am studying the issues arising from the review of the way tourism is handled in this country, initiated last year by the then Under-Secretary of State for Trade, and I shall make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress with the west midlands industrial initiatives.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked me to retain my special responsibility for the promotion of the Department of Trace and Industry's schemes of assistance for industry in the region. I shall continue to work closely with the local business community and the local authorities which have announced the formation of an industrial development association to promote the region overseas which will receive financial support from my Department. I shall continue to supervise the work of our west midlands team for innovation in promoting awareness and implementation of the assistance available to industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now give to the Levenmouth area of Fife the status of a special development area.

No. I am satisfied that the current assisted area status for Kirkcaldy travel-to-work area, including Levenmouth area, is appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Spanish Government have yet introduced the reduced tariff quota for motor vehicles as announced in March.

An announcement in the Spanish Gazette of 24 June confirmed that these quotas are to be opened on 1 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the operation of the multi-fibre arrangement, and its effects on the hosiery and knitwear trade in particular.

All the bilateral agreements between the Community and the supplying countries negotiated under the multi-fibre arrangement have been in place since the beginning of this year and are operating smoothly. It is my intention to ensure that they are implemented fully and I believe they offer the whole industry, including the hosiery and knitwear sectors, a real measure of certainty about the extent of low-cost imports which will help it plan its strategy for the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the overall reduction in British manufacturing output since May 1979.

In the three months ended April, the index of industrial production for manufacturing was some 16 per cent. below the level in the first half of 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government have allocated to support for new technology in the current financial year; and how this compares with 1979

My Department's support for new technologies is provided largely through its programme for scientific and technological assistance. The 1983–84 provision for that programme is £330 million; the comparative 1978–79 expenditure was £106 million. In addition, provision totalling about £25 million has been made for 1983–84 for measures under the Industrial Development Act 1982 specifically concerning the further development and application of new technologies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the current financial position of British Leyland.

the BL board's aim is to approach break-even at the trading level this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will restore development area status to those parts of Northumberland suffering high unemployment from which it has been withdrawn.

No. I am satisfied that the current assisted area gradings for the Northumberland travel-to-work areas are appropriate, but I will continue to keep a close watch on the situation there.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy for preventing the infringement of copyright resulting from home audio taping; and if he will make a statement.

The question of home audio taping is one of the issues to be settled in my Department's current review of copyright law. Since this matter is still receiving our attention, I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he takes steps to monitor the extent to which former directors of companies that have gone into liquidation set up new companies.

So that this information shall be publicly available the Companies Acts require the Registrar of Companies to be informed of the liquidation of companies and of the appointment of directors. Under new powers taken in the Companies Act 1981 the registrar will also have to be notified of certain directorships formerly held by a company's present directors.The Registrar of Companies has no responsibility to monitor changes in a company's board of directors.Sir Kenneth Cork's report on insolvency law and practice, which I am studying, put forward certain recommendations to strengthen the law dealing with delinquent directors, particlarly those involved in a series of insolvencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he proposes to provide to Rockwell Graphics, Preston in relation to their techonological future in the field of rotary press productivity.

Details of any application for financial assistance under the support for innovation schemes for supporting industrial R and D and promoting the adoption of new technologies are, for understandable reasons, confidential. The amount of assistance, whether it be for product development or, new manufacturing methods, depends on the details of each proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many requests for emergency industrial assistance have been received since 9 June.

Since 9 June, my Department has received eight inquiries about assistance from companies already in the hands of the receiver or whose circumstances are likely, in their view, to result in receivership or liquidation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration is being given to regional industrial policies.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Arnold).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to conclude the review of regional policy.

When officials have completed the further work we commissioned, following completion of the first stage of the review that they are undertaking, the Government will then wish to consider carefully whether any further changes should be made. We shall make a statement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to accelerate the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the market place through the setting up of science parks.

As our manifesto made clear, improving the transfer of technology from research into industry is an objective to which the Government attach great importance. I hope to introduce a number of measures to accelerate this process. We intend shortly to make a statement on the initiative to bring higher education and industry closer together which my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Industry said he was considering in the debate on Budget resolutions on 21 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his proposals to implement the recommendations of the Insolvency Law Review Committee.

I am giving urgent consideration to the programme of legislation which would be needed to reform insolvency law. It is, however, a lengthy task to evaluate all the recommendations in the committee's report and I cannot say when it will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many factory closures have been announced since 9 June.

The only information available to the Department concerning factory closures in the period since 9 June relates to details of impending major closures reported in the press. These suggest that 20 factories could be affected involving 8,650 jobs, of which 1,700 are part-time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimated share of the British market for computer hardware and software is supplied by British suppliers; what is the estimated value of the total British market in both; and if he will make a statement.

For 1982 sales of computer equipment, mainly hardware, manufactured in the United Kingdom, are estimated at £1,250 million. This figure includes an unknown element for software since many computers are sold as systems which include supporting software. The United Kingdom sales of computing services—that is, sales of software, processing and professional services provided on a commercial basis—are estimated from voluntary returns at £1,200 million for 1982. Exports of hardware from the United Kingdom in 1982 are estimated at £1,200 million and imports into the United Kingdom at £1,750 million; but these figures include a large entrepot trade which is not separately identified and precise market share is therefore difficult to estimate. Similar figures for export and import of software are not available.

asked the Secretary for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation abolishing assisted area status in regional policy under the Industry Act.

No. The Government are firmly committed to pursuing an effective regional policy. After the first report by an interdepartmental group of officials on the effectiveness of existing regional policy last year, Ministers commissioned further work by officials. A statement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to improve the industrial position of the east midlands; and what increase in activity he expects thereby.

We believe that the Government's general economic policies, which are designed to help create a favourable economic climate, will encourage increased activity by industries in the east midlands and elsewhere in the country. Sustained industrial recovery, however, is also dependent on firms' own efforts to improve their cost competitiveness and increase productivity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress towards the adoption of the recommendations contained in the 1982 report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission upon the subject of car parts.

Her Majesty's Government followed the recommendations contained in the 1982 Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on car parts, and has implemented them by means of the Restriction on Agreements (Manufacturers and Importers of Motor Cars) Order, laid before Parliament on 16 August 1982. The order prohibits the inclusion by manufacturers and importers in agreements with their franchised dealers of exclusive buying provisions for replacement car parts and the implementation of such provisions in existing agreements. It also requires the termination before 1 August 1983 of exclusive provisions in existing agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which European Community tariffs on manufactures will exceed 15 per cent. in 1987.

Duties on manufactures in 1987 under the European Community's common customs Tariff (CCT) will exceed 15 per cent. only in the following cases:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of four-digit tariff headings in chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals) in which the bulk of the trade will be subject to a tariff in excess of 10 per cent. in 1987 as a result of the Tokyo Round if all goes to plan.

This information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that the European Commission draft Council regulation on the strengthening of the common commercial policy with regard in particular to protection against unfair commercial practices by competitors outside the European Community is brought immediately into effect.

The Commission's proposal for a Council regulation strengthening the common commercial policy is still under discussion in the Council, and was most recently considered at the Internal Market Council in Luxembourg on 21 June. The Government favour strengthening the common commercial policy in ways consistent with the Community's international obligations and our commitment to the open market system.However, the Government are opposed to the decision-taking procedure proposed by the Commission. Decisions on action in defence of the Community's trade rights, hitherto a matter for the Council, would pass to the Commission, subject only to limited appeal to the Council by member states. The Government take the view that decisions under the regulation should be taken by the Council, acting by qualified majority. It would therefore be inappropriate for the Government to press for the proposed regulation to be brought into effect immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will report on the current position of proposed European Community directives for liberalising procedures on air tariffs and access to regional airports.

On 7 June, the Council of Transport Ministers adopted a directive to liberalise the regulation of inter-regional scheduled air services subject to waiting reserves by Italy and the Republic of Ireland on two technical points. Italy has recently withdrawn its reservation and I hope that Ireland will do so shortly.Now that agreement has been reached on this directive, the Council working group will be able to devote more time to the draft directive on air fares.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving personal injury have occurred on the A11 within a distance of one mile or thereabouts on either side of the A11 junction in Elveden village, Suffolk, indicating in each the fatalities, if any, involved.

Since the beginning of 1977 there have been 60 personal injury accidents within a distance of 1·6 miles either side of the junction. Two involved two fatalities each, and three one each. A 50 mph speed limit through the village has been introduced recently and the junction has been improved. The case for an Elveden bypass is also being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in discovering the extent of cracking and other damage caused by alkali-silica reaction in the two A38 flyovers immediately east of Marsh Mills roundabout in Plymouth; what is the nature and cost of any remedial action or repairs already known to be necessary; when the consultants hired by his Department, Mott Hay and Anderson, will make their initial report to the Department; whether a subsequent report is expected; if reports from the consultants will be made public; what is the extent of cracking or other damage caused by alkali-silica reaction on other bridges in Devon and Cornwall; and how long it is forecast that lane restrictions will apply on the two A38 flyovers at Marsh Mills.

The consultants' investigations into the damage caused to the flyovers east of Marsh Mills are proceeding satisfactorily. Their interim report has been delayed by the need to establish the path of the cracks within the concrete by ultrasonic and other non-destructive methods of testing. These are time-consuming and interpretation of the results complex, but the report is now expected within the next month or so. A further report will be provided next year. Copies of both reports will be made available to the public at cost on application to the Department.No assessment can be made of the extent of the damage to the flyovers or the cost of repairing this until the consultants' report has been received and there has been opportunity to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance the Countryside Commission for Scotland is providing in amenity improvements of the Forth and Clyde canal: and if these stretches of waterway alongside Possil marsh will be considered for more assistance by the Commission.

The provision of grant-aid under the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 is a matter for decision by the Countryside Commission for Scotland without reference to me. I am therefore asking the chairman of the commission to write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a percentage and numerical breakdown of the number of males out of work in the following categories: (a) up to one year and (b) two years or over in Dundee and in Scotland using figures at the latest available date.

The following table shows the number and percentage of unemployed male claimants in the categories requested in Dundee and Scotland at 14 April 1983, the latest date for which information is available in this detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the percentage unemployment at unemployment offices in Scotland at (a) May 1979 and (b) the latest available date.

The percentage rate of unemployed claimants in Scotland on 10 May 1979 and 12 May 1983 was 6·8 per cent. and 14·6 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of those unemployed in the Dundee travel-to-work area by age group as at the latest available date.

The following table shows by age group the number of unemployed claimants in the Dundee travel-to-work area at 14 April 1983, the latest date for which information is available in this detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been registered unemployed for more than (a) 52 weeks and (b) two years in each of the regions in Scotland for each quarter since January 1982.

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

asked the Prime Minister if she will contact former Prime Ministers for the period 1970 to 1979 with a view to declassifying short of the 30-year norm documents created by the Central Policy Review Staff as allowed under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958 which permits early release provided the Lord Chancellor's approval is granted.

No. The policy of successive Governments has been that the advice of the Central Policy Review Staff, like other official advice to Ministers, is normally treated as confidential and there are no grounds for exempting CPRS documents from the 30-year rule.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the future role of the National Economic Development Council.

The National Economic Development Council will continue to be a forum where the Government, the CBI, the TUC and certain others can meet on a regular basis to discuss economic and industrial issues of mutual interest.

asked the Prime Minister if she will transfer the functions of the Management and Personnel Office to Her Majesty's Treasury; and if she will make a statement.

No. The Management and Personnel Office has now become part of the Cabinet Office, and I have asked the Minister of State, Privy Council Office, to assist me in my capacity as Minister for the Civil Service by taking on day-to-day responsibility for its functions.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the future of Chevening House.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has accepted nomination as the resident of Chevening House under the terms of the Chevening Estate Act 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in the review of the rules governing the playing of bingo in licensed bingo and social clubs.

The first in a series of discussions has taken place between officials of the Home Office and Gaming Board and representatives of the bingo associations to consider the details of how the proposed new joint game with a maximum prize of £50,000 might be played and controlled. Work on the proposals is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will compensate owners of properties adjacent to the proposed extension to Leeds prison to the extent to which they can demonstrate a reduction in the value to their properties as a result of such proposals.

No. There is no evidence that the permanent value of residential properties will be adversely affected by the very limited extension proposed at the rear of the existing prison. Those properties which would have been affected have already been bought by the Home Office and will be demolished.

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he is able to make a statement relating to the outcome of the consultations referred to in the answer of 11 April, Official Report, c. 343, bearing upon the future administration of the local museums purchase grant schemes.

Not yet. The consultations have attracted a large number of responses which are continuing to arrive after the original deadline of 31 May. The replies so far range widely over the future arrangements for these grant schemes, and my noble Friend the Minister for the Arts will be studying them carefully before making a statement.

asked the Minister for the Arts whether a decision has been made to take steps to effect the assignment to the Museums and Galleries Commission of departmental responsibilities in connection with the administration of acceptances of heritage objects in satisfaction of capital transfer tax; and whether he will make a statement.

No. This matter is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to assist elderly holders of low interest war loan stock to redeem their investment at a reasonable rate of return.

The prospectus of this stock contains no provision for a partial redemption, which would allow a particular group of holders to receive special treatment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to allow private investors to use the alternative method of calculating liability to capital gains tax extended to institutional investors in the Finance Act 1983; and if he will make a statement.

These provisions are designed to assist a specific type of taxpayer-large institutional investors relying on computers. I do not believe that the option for this alternative method would be welcomed by private investors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the rate of exchange against the United States dollar compares with that in October 1976; what has been the change in the real exchange rate since that date against the US dollar; and what are the corresponding figures for the effective exchange rate excluding the US dollar.

The average exchange rate for the pound sterling against the United States dollar in October 1976 was $1·6392. On 24 June 1983, the exchange rate was $1·5476.Calculations of "real" exchange rates involve applying measures of relative prices to nominal exchange rates. The resulting calculations can vary significantly according to which measures of inflation are used. The correct choice would vary according to the purpose to which the figure was going to be put.Calculations of sterling's effective exchange rate index against major currencies excluding the United States dollar are not readily available. However, sterling's effective exchange rate index against the currencies currently in the European monetary system would have been 81.8 in October 1976, and was 101·2 on 27 June 1983.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the annual changes in the tax and prices index since its introduction.

The tax and price index for May 1983 was 172·7 based on January 1978=100, an increase of 3.2 per cent. over the 12 months since May 1982. For the index for earlier months, I refer the hon. Member to table 19·1 in the Monthly Digest of Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of income forgone by the Treasury in each of the past four years for which figures are available as a consequence of income tax relief on mortgage interest.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates the laying before the House in the form of a statutory instrument of the Treasury order exempting from value added tax objects which are accepted in satisfaction of other tax debts or sold by private treaty to certain public bodies.

The Value Added Tax (Works of Art, Etc.) Order 1983 — S.I. 1983/809 — which came into operation on 31 May, was laid before the House on 15 June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the 77 possible topics produced by the Inland Revenue for possible inclusion in the ancillary Finance Bill and referred to at paragraph 101 of the First Report from the Select Committee on Procedure (Finance) 1982–83.

In his oral evidence to the Procedure (Finance) Committee on 25 January, my right hon. and learned Friend the former Chancellor gave a number of examples simply to illustrate the sort of topics he thought might find a place in an ancillary Finance Bill. It would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of the confidential advice given to him by the Inland Revenue on that occasion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what index of competitiveness is currently prepared by the Treasury; what this shows about the current competitiveness of British manufacturing industry; and how that compares with the position in May 1979.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff were on the payroll of the Welsh Office in June 1983; and how these compared with the figures for May 1979.

On 1 June 1983, there were 2,149 full-time staff employed by the Welsh Office, 396 less than the 30 June 1979 figure of 2,545. Part-time staff number 105 and 100 respectively. The 30 June 1979 is the nearest date to 31 May 1979 for which full details are now available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the estimated expenditure on renewing water pipelines will be met by the transfer of block grant from the Welsh Office.

Welsh water authority expenditure is met from Welsh Office funds only in cases where grants under the Industrial Development Act 1982 or the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act 1944 to 1971 are applicable. My right hon. Friend reviews the authority's external financing limit annually in the light of the authority's needs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will place in the Library a note on the outcome of the 1983–84 common agricultural policy fixing negotiations.

Yes. I have today placed in the Library of the House a note summarising the decisions reached at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 17 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to introduce legislation requiring transitional companies to consult his Department and the relevant trades unions before making any decisions on factory closures or redundancies.

No. Under sections 99 and 100 of the Employment Protection Act 1975, companies are already required to notify my Department and to consult with recognised trade unions in advance about all proposed group redundancies, including those involving factory closures. This legislation applies equally to national and to multinational companies operating in this country. There are also international guidelines, notably the Employment and Industrial Relations Guidelines, which form part of the OECD's Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. These recommend that, in considering changes in their operations which would have major effects on the livelihood of their employees, enterprises should provide reasonable notice to employee representatives and to Governments, and should co-operate with both to mitigate as far as possible any adverse effects. The United Kingdom have commended these guidelines to companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of employment in (a) Grimsby and (b) Newcastle; and how this compares with the figures for 1970.

The most recent figures are for June 1978 and the earliest information on a similar basis is for June 1971. At June 1978, there were 71,500 people employed in Grimsby and 173,400 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The corresponding figures for June 1971 were 67,800 and 177,600. Because of a small boundary change, the June 1978 figure for Newcastle excludes about 2,500 employees previously counted in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to prohibit the practice of employers deducting till discrepancies from employees' wages; and if he will make a statement.

The Truck Acts 1831 to 1940 provide such protections to manual workers, and to shop assistants in respect of fines imposed by employers. We are currently reviewing the working of the Truck Acts and related legislation in the light of responses made to our consultative document on updating the law relating to the payment of wages. We note and share the concern that is felt over cases where arbitrary deductions make inroads into pay packets and will give due weight to this in preparing proposals which will be put to the House in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many community programme places were being supported in the Workington travel-to-work area and the county of Cumbria during the last month for which statistics are available; and how many of those places were part-time and full-time places, respectively.

At the end of May there were 692 filled community programme places — including community enterprise programme places—in Cumbria, of which 350 were in the Workington travel-to-work area. A total of 328 of the places in Cumbria were full-time, and 364 part-time. Of the places in the Workington area, 140 were full-time and 210 part-time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many mode A and mode B places have so far been identified for the introduction of the new youth training scheme.

By the middle of May about 285,000 potential mode A places and about 130,000 potential mode B places had been identified. These figures represent more than 95 per cent. of the overall target for mode A places and more than 80 per cent. of that for mode B.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied that the safety regulations applying to the storage of chemicals and inflammable goods on urban industrial sites offer sufficient protection from damage by noxious fumes if fire occurs.

We are naturally very concerned about this problem, but usually noxious fumes produced by fire or released as a result of fire do not give rise to a serious risk to persons, except those at or very close to the fire, as the fumes are carried upwards by strong thermal currents produced by the heat of the fires itself.The Health and Safety Executive is carrying out a review of its regulations and guidance, and I expect fresh proposals from the Health and Safety Commission towards the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to receive the annual report of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

I have received the ACAS report for 1982, which will be laid before each House of Parliament today. The report is to be published tomorrow, and copies will then be available from the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take further action to publicise the special employment measures.

My Department has produced a leaflet, PL 723, "Jobs, Training and Early Retirement", which outlines the Government's schemes of this kind to help the unemployed. I hope that unemployed people and all concerned about helping them will read this leaflet, which can be obtained from jobcentres and unemployment benefit offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has plans to improve the information available concerning the labour force.

I have decided to improve the statistics of the labour force so as to provide a more comprehensive, accurate and up to date picture.I am therefore arranging for the Labour Force Survey, hitherto conducted every two years, to be replaced by a more frequent survey. This will provide annual data in as much detail as in the present biennial survey, together with indications of trends in the course of the year for broad groups within the labour force. The new survey will provide, in particular, an improved indication of trends in self-employment, a check on trends in the number of employees—between triennial censuses of employment — a more up to date guide to trends in the overall labour force and activity rates, and more frequent survey-type information on the unemployed to supplement that from the monthly count. Plans are being made for the new survey to be introduced from the beginning of 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the provisions of legislation relating to environmental protection.

Legislation relating to environmental protection is kept regularly under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the amount to be paid by Lionise Limited for the re-establishment of football and social facilities at Kirkby town football club has yet been settled.

On 15 April 1983, the Department made a formal offer to Knowsley metropolitan borough council of urban development grant in support of proposed capital expenditure of up to £99,000 by the council in a joint scheme with Lionise Ltd. costing £324,000 in all to re-establish Kirkby town football and social club. We await the council's response to this offer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the proposed management board for the Building Research Establishment; when it will be appointed; when it will commence work; and what is the reason for the 12 months delay in progress on this matter.

I wish to inform myself fully about the Building Research Establishment. When I have done so, I will announce my decision, which I will reach as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the progress, morale and performance of the British Board of Agrément since 21 July 1982.

During the financial year 1982–83 the British Board of Agrément issued 90 new certificates and renewed 50, about the same number as in the previous year, but the value of contracts received by the board increased by some 50 per cent. over the previous financial year. The Property Services Agency is continuing its policy of giving precedence in specifications to independently certificated construction products, including those with agrément certificates. Other major public sector purchasers have been asked to support this initiative. The Housing and Building Control Bill now before Parliament includes provisions to enable the Secretary of State to designate bodies such as the British Board of Agrément to approve documents providing pracitical guidance on compliance with the Building Regulations. The board has already begun to consider the steps to be taken to prepare an application for designation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consideration he gave to the question of future public access when he declined to approve the purchase of 10 square miles of moorland on the eastern side of the Peak district national park by the Peak planning board from the Severn-Trent water authority; and if he will make a statement.(2) why he refused to approve the purchase of 10 square miles of moorland on the eastern edge of the Peak district national park by the Peak planning board from the Severn-Trent water authority.

Improvement in public access was one of the factors considered in assessing the merits of the proposed purchase. However, the proposed sale price of the land was significantly below market value and, in the Government's view, the shortfall in revenue to the Severn-Trent water authority could not be justified. A further consideration was the wish of local tenant farmers to purchase those areas of the moors which they are farming.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of the number and average amount of rate rebates granted in 1981–82 in England and Wales in total and by rating district.

I have today placed in the Library the information requested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the £17·5 million allocation given to the city of Leicester for its inner city programme.

Urban programme allocations to Leicester over the last four years were as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all grants and allowances made by his Department, the value of each to the recipient, and the cost of each to the Exchequer.

The current rates of benefit and those payable from 21 November 1983 are set out in the following table. Estimates of the cost to the Exchequer, taking account of the new rates, will be presented to Parliament shortly. I shall write to my hon. Friend at that stage.