asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state for those offices covering the Workington travel-to-work area the total number of family income supplement claimants for the last month for which statistics are available.

I regret that this information is not available. Family income supplement claims are dealt with by one centre at Blackpool and no information is maintained about claims from particular local areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of recipients of family income supplement at the latest available date compared with the same date in 1980.

The following table indicates the number of families receiving family income supplement at the end of April 1980 and at the end of April 1983, the latest date for which information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions were carried out in England during the last year; and how many of them took place after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The available information for England and Wales in 1981 shows a total of 162,480 abortions, of which 3,519 took place at 20 or more weeks of pregnancy. The corresponding information for 1982 will be supplied to the hon. Member when it becomes available later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement on the implications of the judgment in the case of McColl v. Strathclyde regional council for his policy relating to the fluoridation of public water supplies;(2) whether he is proposing to introduce legislation to make the artificial fluoridation of the public drinking water supply lawful.

We are currently considering the implications of the Strathclyde fluoridation judgment which, as my hon. and learned Friend will be aware, is both long and complex.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, with a view to encouraging early retirement, he will amend the earnings rule so that those men who are over 60 years of age and who have accepted the higher rate of supplementary benefits by having permanently retired, have the same earnings limit as those who are over 65 years and have retired.

Under the supplementary benefit scheme, the amount of earnings—normally £4 a week—which is disregarded and does not therefore affect a claimant's benefit entitlement is the same whether or not he is over 65. My hon. Friend may have in mind the earnings limit of £57 a week—£65 a week from November—which applies for retirement pension purposes. But a disregard at that level would not be appropriate in a means-tested scheme of last resort.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he is giving to the need for standards to be laid down for clinics offering in vitro fertilisation; and if he will introduce proposals to prevent commercial exploitation of this technique.

The Warnock inquiry into human fertilisation end embryology is examing the ethical, legal and social issues of in vitro fertilisation and is expected to report next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the latest estimate of the numbers of married or cohabiting women who would be eligible for invalid care allowance if eligibility for the allowance were extended to such women.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 4 March.—[Vol. 38, c. 244.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the latest estimated cost of extending eligibility for invalid care allowance to married and cohabiting women, specifying (a) the gross cost, (b)the net cost and (c) a breakdown of savings on dependency additions and other benefits.

The estimated costs are as follows—

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the extent of the increase in social security payments which are anticipated in Wales in the next year; and what is the underlying assumption regarding unemployment figures in Wales on which this is based.

The social security system is uniform throughout Great Britain. Estimates of expenditure are made for the country as a whole, based on national assumptions. Separate figures for Wales are thus not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for the regulations and instructions for authorised persons under the Marriages Act 1949 to be re-published with instructions included for guidance of registrars and their staff concerning the use of the Welsh language on marriage certificates.

The Registrar General issued such instructions by circular in 1971. He has in hand their republication.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish details of the plans to update the Amelia Harris 1968–69 survey of handicapped and impaired people in Great Britain; whether it will be a 100 per cent. identification survey covering all ages and all countries in Great Britain; what organisations have been consulted about the survey, who will be carrying out the survey; how much the survey will cost; and when he expects the survey to be completed.

Work on the feasibility of a new survey is still at an early stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, further to his reply of 28 June to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland, Official Report, c. 446, he will list the 15 authorities still not implementing the housing benefit scheme; and how many tenants are involved.

My earlier reply to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland reflected the position on 4 April. An up-to-date report on the implementation of housing benefit is currently being compiled. I hope to make a statement on it shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what purpose he intends to extend the time

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total number of units of Factor VIII currently imported from the United States of

We have extended the provisions of the Housing Benefits (Transitional) Amendment Regulations 1983 to allow those authorities that need it some extra time to complete the take-on of existing supplementary benefit and local authority rebate and allowance cases onto housing benefit. The provisions for existing rebate and allowances cases have been extended until 30 September 1983 and those for supplementary benefit claimants until 31 December 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the effect of the 1975 pension scheme, at constant 1983 prices, on the pension entitlements of single women with complete pension records currently earning a quarter, half, one and two times average female earnings in April 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008;(2) if he will publish in the

The following table shows the amount of flat rate and earnings related pension a contracted-in single man or woman retiring in April of each year with a full contribution record would receive under the state scheme. These figures are based on average earnings for full-time males and females in 1982–83 and the lower and upper earnings limits for 1982–83, expressed in constant April 1983 terms. It is assumed that earnings remain constant throughout a person's working life. The estimates do not, therefore, represent the actual amounts that would be paid as a result of variations in earnings.America; what this figure was in each of the last four years; and if he will take steps to reduce British dependence on a foreign product;

Detailed statistics of imports of Factor VIII are not collected centrally. However, approximately 35 million units of imported Factor VIII were used in 1981 which is the latest year for which figures are available. Over the next three years the Blood Products Laboratory will be redeveloped at a cost of £21 million. When completed the laboratory will be of a size capable of making England and Wales self-sufficient in blood products.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received opposing the proposed budget cuts for the blood products laboratory.

None. There are no budget cuts proposed for the Central Blood Laboratories Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the S Manual will be published.

I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement of Government policy towards tax relief for commuters.

No Government have ever thought it would be right to give tax relief for this type of personal expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of commercial bills purchased directly or indirectly by central Government in each year since 1979; what were the reasons for any change; and when he expects the money thus injected into the system to show up in the money supply.

Column 15 in table 1.3 of Financial Statistics sets out figures for transactions in commercial bills by the issue department of the Bank of England. The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been received about the introduction of a tax allowance for those looking after elderly relations: and if he will make a statement.

I have not received any recent representations for introduction of a new tax allowance of this sort. Successive Governments have taken the view —and I share it—that increasing the present dependent relative allowance or introducing a new tax allowance would not be the best method of assisting the elderly, or those who care for them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the fall in the effective exchange rate in the 12 months to the end of 1981; and if he will assess the effect this has had on the rate of inflation.

Between December 1980 and December 1981, the effective exchange rate fell by 9½ per cent. The exchange rate was only one of many factors affecting inflation over the period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the changes in interest payments made by industry between 1978 and the most recent year for which figures are available.

The available information is given in the following table. This shows interest payments made by industrial and commercial companies, and by the self-employed, and interest and dividends, etc., paid by public corporations. Separate figures of interest and dividend payments are not available for public corporations. As a large proportion of public corporation payments is made to the central Government and local authorities, the breakdown between payments to the public sector and to other sectors is also shown.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands on 29 June, Official Report, c. 86, what consideration he gave to the fact that many private investors have access to computers, in some cases through the agents which they employ.

Careful consideration was given to the question of extending to private investors the alternative method for calculating liability to capital gains tax. This method is intended primarily to assist in those cases where computerised records have to be maintained of large share portfolios subject to rapid turnover, as is the case with certain institutional investors. Private investors do not generally face this problem and might not welcome the necessity of making an irrevocable choice between the two methods of calculating their tax liability.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what commencement dates he intends to propose for those provisions originally introduced in the Finance Bill before the Dissolution of the last Parliament but which are not to be included in the Finance Bill shortly to be presented.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated in the debate on the Address, we are urgently reviewing those proposals in this year's first Finance Bill which were neither included in the Finance Act 1983 nor reintroduced in the new Finance Bill published last week so that we can announce as soon as possible, and in as much detail as possible, what action we intend to take on each of them. The question of commencement dates is being considered as part of that review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior civil servants there are in the Treasury as compared with the establishment figures in 1980.

At 1 July 1983, 33 people were employed in the Treasury in the grades of permanent secretary, deputy secretary and under-secretary, as compared with 31 at 1 July 1980; but it should be noted that two deputy secretaries and four under-secretaries were transferred from the Civil Service Department to the Treasury in November 1981 when the central Departments were reorganised.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made regarding the proposal in the report of the review of the Inland Revenue collection service for a pilot scheme on combined inspections of employers' pay-as-you-earn and national insurance records by the Inland Revenue and the Department of Health and Social Security.

A preliminary study of the proposal has been completed and a pilot scheme has just started. Some Department of Health and Social Security inspectors when visiting employers about national insurance matters will also make a limited review of the operation of the pay-as-you-earn scheme. Some follow-up visits by Inland Revenue officers will be necessary. The results will show whether procedures can be introduced which reduce the number of separate visits to employers by officers of both Departments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the value added tax treatment of building alteration work.

[pursuant to his reply, 4 July 1983, c. 23]: Building alteration work is zero rated for VAT purposes. The scope of this zero rating is currently the subject of litigation in the House of Lords in the case of Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Viva Gas Appliances Ltd. Pending the outcome of that litigation, there is nothing I can add to the statement made by the previous Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 19 July 1982 about the changes foreshadowed in the 1982 Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will approve a special value added tax scheme for the taxing of sales of secondhand horses and ponies on the dealer's gross profit margin; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 4 July 1983, c. 23]: Yes. A Treasury order to this effect will shortly be introduced to come into effect on 1 October. I am satisfied that the application of VAT to the full selling price of horses and ponies sold for a second or subsequent time has resulted in distortion of trade, and that a special scheme can be effectively and economically controlled by Customs and Excise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the continuation of value added tax zero-rating relief for building alteration services supplied by the construction industry.

[pursuant to his reply, 4 July 1983, c. 23]: Representations have been received recently from the joint taxation committee of the construction industry expressing its close interest in this relief.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what has been the increase in the pay of hon. Members for each of the last three years ended in mid-June; and how this compares with the annual average increase in earnings over similar periods.

The information requested is:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many local education authorities in England have not fully implemented the microcomputers in schools programme at secondary and primary level; how many have implemented it in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

All local education authorities in England, including the 10 local education authorities in Yorkshire, joined in the Department of Industry's micros in secondary schools scheme which ran until December 1982. Only four have yet to submit any applications under the micros in primary schools scheme which runs until December 1984.All the local education authorities in Yorkshire have submitted some applications for the primary schools scheme. All Local Education Authorities were asked to submit applications in batches in order to regulate production levels and we expect to receive further applications from Yorkshire in due course.The two schemes have proved extremely successful. Virtually all secondary schools in the United Kingdom received a micro under the scheme and applications for almost 50 per cent. of all primary schools have been received within the first eight months of the two year primary scheme. A further scheme for secondary schools will begin later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider increasing the limits on the assistance available under the Development of Inventions (Increase of Limits) Order 1978.

The Government are reviewing the British Technology Group as a whole and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much his Department's scientific and technological assistance Vote cash limit will be increased in 1983–84.

Subsequent to the changes announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 May 1983—[Vol. 42, c. 416]—and subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit on Class IV, vote 6 will be increased from £309,596,000 by £20,656,000 to £330,252,000.The increase is the sum of three separate changes:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will define the criteria by which an area qualifies for assisted area status.

[pursuant to his reply, 4 July 1983, c. 15]: The relevant criteria, in section 1(3) of the Industrial Development Act 1982 are

"all the circumstances actual and expected, including state of employment and unemployment, population changes, migration and the objectives of regional policies."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many working days were lost through industrial disputes in 1982 in Scotland; and how this compares with that for the rest of the United Kingdom.

The number of working days lost through industrial disputes in progress in Scotland and the United Kingdom in 1982 were 634,000 and 5,313,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase the effectiveness of tourism grants and loans in stimulating tourism development in Scotland.

I have today approved a substantial increase in the level of financial assistance to tourist projects which the Scottish Tourist Board may offer within its own discretion.The board now has authority to approve individual offers of assistance of up to £200,000. This will give STB greater flexibility in responding to a wide range of worthwhile initiatives; and will encourage developers to bring forward proposals to the board. It will give an added stimulus to the extension and improvement of Scotland's tourist infrastructure which is crucial to maintaining our competitiveness as a tourist destination.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minster what are her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 5 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 5 July.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others including one with the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will now transfer to the Welsh Office responsibility for the railway services in Wales together with the necessary resources to maintain and develop the railway network in Wales.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what is the average rate burden for each employee.

It is estimated that the average level of rates paid per employee by the non-domestic sector in Great Britain in 1982–83 was about £350. This figure is based on estimated total rate income for 1982–83 adjusted by the proportion of rateable value at 1 April 1982 attributable to the non-domestic sector and on the average number of people in employment during the first three quarters of that financial year.

asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet the other Heads of Government of the countries of the European Community; and whether any bilateral meetings are planned with these Heads of Government in the next six weeks.

The next European Council will be on 6 December in Athens. No bilateral meetings with the Heads of Government are planned in the next six weeks.

asked the Prime Minister if she will introduce legislation to establish a Scottish assembly.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will restore intermediate development status to Stockport and Tameside.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the disbursement of funds to date from the south Atlantic fund to those charities responsible for distributing money to those injured or disabled in the Falklands campaign, their families and the families of the deceased.

The south Atlantic fund was established as a holding fund and, when grants are approved, payment is achieved, in accordance with the fund's trust deed, through another charity willing to pass the money to the ultimate beneficiary. Being a charitable trust, the fund is required by law to establish dependancy and need, and the process of assessing the needs of all those who suffered as a direct result of the Falklands conflict is continuing. To date, £8,069,931 has been disbursed by the south Atlantic fund, and further substantial sums will be distributed in the next few months.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on funds disbursed by Her Majesty's Government to those injured or disabled in the Falklands campaign, their families and the families of the deceased.

Those who have been invalided from the armed forces as a result of injuries received in the Falklands conflict and the 133 widows and 203 children of the service men who died have been paid the lump sums and service pensions due to them from the Ministry of Depence and the war pensions benefits due to them from the Department of Health and Social Security.

asked the Prime Minister when the first joint report from the chairmen of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils will be laid before the House.

The report is being published today as Cmnd. 8957 and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were granted (a) terminal home leave and (b) short home leave in the latest year for which figures are available.

The only information available centrally is the total number of occassions on which terminal or short home leave was granted to prisoners in prisons and remand centres in England and Wales. There were approximately 2,400 such grants in 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average cost of a probation order in the most recent year for which figures are available;(2) what was the average cost of a community service order in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Estimates of the average annual cost of each person on a probation or a community service order in the financial year 1980–81 are published in "Probation and After-Care Statistics, England and Wales 1981"—table 12.3, p. 87. The average cost of a community service order, which, on average, lasts about eight months, is also estimated in chapter 12— paragraph 12.5, p. 85. The average cost of a probation order, on the basis of an average duration of just under 17 months, is about £670. These estimates all involve a number of assumptions and should, therefore, be treated with reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in the number of probation orders made since 1979.

The number of persons commencing probation supervision by the probation service in England and Wales increased by 31 per cent. between 1979 and 1982. This figure is based on the provisional figure for 1982 published in Home Office statistical bulletin 11/83, "Summary probation statistics England and Wales 1982".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in the number of community service orders made since 1979.

The number of persons commencing community service supervision by the probation service in England and Wales increased by 95 per cent. between 1979 and 1982. This figure is based on the provisional figure for 1982 published in Home Office statistical bulletin 11/83, "Summary probation statistics England and Wales 1982".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage change in real terms in the financing of the probation service since 1979.

By reference to the local authority current expenditure deflator used by the Department of the Environment, the increase from 1979–80 to 1982–83 is calculated as 17·2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been (a) the numerical and (b) the percentage increase in the number of probation ancillary workers since 1979.

Since 30 June 1979, the number of probation ancillary workers increased by 275, or 34·9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been (a) the numerical increase and (b) the percentage increase in the number of probation officers since 1979.

Since 30 June 1979, the number of probation officers increased by 582, or 11·25 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage growth in the number of offenders on the case load of the probation service since 1979.

Provisional figures for 1982 suggest a growth since 1979 of about 18 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the highest number of prisoners held in prison department custody so far in 1983.

The highest figure recorded in 1983 up to 24 June in weekly summary returns of prisoners held in prison department establishments in England and Wales was 44,700 on 25 March. This figure excludes prisoners held in police cells.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the prison department over the last 12 months of keeping prisoners in police custody in London and the south-east of England.

Payments to the Metropolitan police for keeping prisoners in police custody during the year ending 31 March 1983 totalled approximately £2·7 million. I regret that details of payments to other police forces for this purpose are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of (a) senior attendance centres and (b) junior attendance centres; and how many of these are available for boys, girls and for both sexes, respectively.

There are 15 senior attendance centres in England and Wales for male offenders aged 17 and under 21. There are 107 junior attendance centres; 13 for both boys and girls, 87 for boys only and seven for girls only. They take offenders aged 10 and under 17, except for five of the girls' centres which take only those aged 14 and under 17.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding a Royal Commission to investigate animal welfare.

Other than those from hon. Members, none.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the provision of postal votes for holidaymakers.

Since 1 May, we have received 27 letters from hon. Members and 45 from Members of the public. In addition, we have answered four parliamentary questions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the reintroduction of the death penalty.

From 10 to 30 June 1983, 171 letters about capital punishment were received from members of the public either directly or forwarded by hon. Members. One hundred and forty-four of these favoured the restoration of the death penalty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to prevent abuses of cheque book journalism to ensure that family or associates of criminals do not profit from this relationship or association.

In principle it is preferable, if at all possible, to rely on non-statutory controls. The Government recognise, however, the strength of public concern in this field and therefore very much hopes that the Press Council's guidelines, which were recently strengthened to refer to persons associated with criminals, will prove to be effective.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the law relating to the issue of firearms certificates is effective; and what plans he has to ensure that criminals are prevented from carrying such weapons during the course of their unlawful activities.

The Firearms Act 1968 lays down strict controls over the possession and use of firearms. My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to propose further controls. The measures which police forces take to combat armed crime are an operational matter for chief officers. We are sure that they will continue to do all that they can to ensure that offenders are detected and brought before the courts. In that, they have the Government's full support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Her Majesty's Government expect to reply to the report of the Home Affairs Select Committee on the Representation of the People Acts.

We are considering the Select Committee's report and hope to reach a conclusion shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report those countries which are represented at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.

Representatives of all the Commonwealth countries are invited to attend and to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. The following is a list of these countries whose representatives attended the ceremony in 1982:

• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Botswana
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Dominica
• Fiji
• The Gambia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• India
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mauritius
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Papua New Guinea
• Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and E. Caribbean
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to increase the number of detention centres for young offenders.

My right. hon. and learned Friend has no such plans at present. There is sufficient accommodation at the moment to accommodate those sentenced by the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to provide free television licences for all pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Government consider that it is better to continue to help retirement pensioners by benefits in cash, which they can spend as they choose, rather than by benefits in kind such as concessionary television licences. Under our system of broadcasting finance, any broad concessionary scheme for one category of licence holders would substantially put up the cost of the licence to others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the fees for becoming a British citizen, in the light of the third report from the Home Affairs Committee, Session 1982–83.

As I stated on 27 June in the reply to questions by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) my right hon. and learned Friend welcomes the recent report of the Home Affairs Committee, following its inquiry into British nationality fees, as a useful and constructive document. Its recommendations are being fully and carefully considered. —[Vol. 44, c. 22.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any decision has now been reached in discussions surrounding the provision of a Severn barrage; and if he will make a statement.

I have at present nothing further to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) on 12 May. —[Vol. 42, c. 381–2.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he will take to assist the British pig producer.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham) on 30 June.—[Vol. 44, c. 156.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce measures to reduce the level of truancy in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Local action to reduce truancy rates is important. Local authority education welfare services have a vital contribution to make, and I am looking at ways of encouraging those services to focus more sharply on the issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to require schools to publish annually their truancy figures.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to increase the level of provision of nursery education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to develop nursery education.

The Government's policies already allow for a gradual increase in provision, and the proportion of 3 and 4-year-olds receiving nursery education in 1982 was 22 per cent., the highest ever.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will obtain the results of his 1984 staffing survey; and how he will assess those results; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I expect first results from the survey to become available at the end of 1984. We shall assess them in the light of the policies set out in our recent White Paper "Teaching Quality" and in comparison with the results of a similar survey in 1977. In particular, the results will inform us about the match between teachers' training and their timetabled activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to make decisions on the proposals for the reorganisation of sixth form education in Blackburn, from the Lancashire county council.

My right hon. Friend will make a decision on these proposals as quickly as is compatible with a full and careful consideration of all the issues involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers completing their training in 1983 are not expected to get jobs in September.

About 12,000 people who will qualify as teachers this summer are expected to seek posts in maintained schools in England and Wales this autumn. On current hypotheses about the levels of wastage, the maintained schools are expected to have about 19,000 vacancies for teachers. The actual number of vacancies, and the proportion taken by the newly qualified in competition with teachers returning to the profession, will depend on local staffing policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when changes in the initial teacher training courses, as indicated in his recent White Paper, will be implemented.

My right hon. Friend has asked the advisory committee on the supply and education of teachers to advise him by the end of this month on criteria against which initial teacher training courses might be assessed. He intends to announce his response to its recommendations at an early date, and subsequently to initiate a review of all courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria he adopts when requested by a local education authority to close a primary school located in a rural area; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend considers each proposal on its individual merits, having regard to all the relevant factors involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many fewer students there will be in secondary schools in 1987 as compared with 1983.

The number of pupils in maintained secondary schools in England is projected to fall by 481,000, from 3,748,000 in January 1983 to 3,267,000 in January 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what priority he accords to further improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio.