asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the monthly figures for sales of butter in the United Kingdom between October 1981 and February 1982, and between October 1982 and February 1983, respectively.

Figures on sales of butter are not available. Consumption of butter in the months in question as recorded in the national food survey is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the way the Christmas butter scheme operated.

We opposed this scheme from the outset because it was inappropriate for the United Kingdom market where, in the event, it proved disruptive. However, within its limitations it operated satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now satisfied that specially priced Christmas butter was generally available throughout the United Kingdom.

Supplies of the special sale of butter were allocated to packers and importers on the basis of their shares of the packet butter market. National distribution of the butter was achieved through their normal distribution arrangements and they generally allocated supplies to their customers on the basis of previous purchases. However, because packing and delivery of the butter took place over an extended period supplies reached some retailers later than others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from retailers concerning the operation of the Christmas butter scheme.

My predecessor received a number of representations from or on behalf of retailers. They were concerned mainly with the disturbance and uncertainty caused in the butter market by this scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will press the Commission to increase the ordinary butter subsidy either throughout the year or during the Christmas period rather than introduce special arrangements.

The Commission has already been told that we would prefer an increase in the consumer subsidy throughout the year rather than further special sales of limited duration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average reduction in the retail price of a 250 gramme pack of butter in the United Kingdom as a result of the subsidy on butter sold under the Christmas butter subsidy scheme.

The maximum price of butter sold under this scheme in the United Kingdom was fixed at 44p per 250g pack. Information on the average price at which this butter was sold is not available but in many instances retailers applied a lower price.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what rate of subsidy to consumers per 250 gramme pack of butter was agreed for the United Kingdom by the European Community under the European Community's Christmas butter subsidy scheme.

In setting the sale price of stocks of intervention butter for the "special sale" scheme in 1982–83, a reduction of 85 ECU per 100 kg was made for those countries, including the United Kingdom, which already operated the Communities' general consumer butter subsidy scheme. A similar subsidy was applied to private storage butter covered by the scheme. In the United Kingdom this represents approximately 13p per 250g. However, the scope for price reductions was offset to the extent that market prices were already below the intervention price and there were exceptional packing and handling costs involved in supplying the butter under the scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the extent of cooperation achieved with the British Tourist Authority in promoting the "Food From Britain" campaign; what steps he intends to take to further this co-operation; and if he will make a statement.

Contacts have been established between the British Tourist Authority and Food from Britain, and they will be examining ways of jointly promoting the quality and variety of British foodstuffs. I intend to give every encouragement to the two organisations to work together in this way.

asked the Attorney-General what representations he has received, and on what date, concerning the publication of the memoirs of the ex-chief constable of the West Yorkshire police; what action he took; and if he will instigate a prosecution of Mr. Gregory under the Official Secrets Acts.

The only representation which I have received concerning the memoirs of the ex-chief constable of the west Yorkshire police is one letter received on 29 June 1983 from a member of the public.The two articles published in the

asked the Attorney-General if he has any change to make in the cash limit for the administration of justice, England and Wales (Lord Chancellor's Department) Class IX, Vote 1.

Further to the annoucement made by 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 for Class IX, Vote 1, will be increased by £700,000, from £85,455,000 to £86,155,000, to allow for the cost of furnishings of the new court complex in Liverpool. The increase will be entirely offset by a corresponding reduction in the cash limit for Class XIV, Vote 3, (Other Civil Accommodation Services) from £165,907,000 to £165,207,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning amending the draft Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations to extend the definition of "refugee" used therein to include persons taking refuge in the United Kingdom in pursuance of a decision of Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

A number of bodies consulted on the draft Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations are concerned that the definition of "refugee" in the draft does not extend to those who, although not formally refugees or granted asylum, are being allowed to remain in this country exceptionally and outside the provisions of the immigration rules. By the nature of the exceptional treatment which allows them to remain here, those concerned are not easy to define in regulations and their needs vary. My right hon. Friend's present view, therefore, is that it is better not to try to make specific provision in the regulations relating to this group, while not interfering with the freedom of institutions and local education authorities to remit the fees charged to such students as they consider appropriate in the light of their individual circumstances. My right hon. Friend will issue guidance to institutions and authorities on this point once the regulations have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of juvenile offenders were given custodial sentences; and what proportion were given care orders for the most recent year for which figures are available.

The proportions of juvenile offenders given various sentences for indictable offences over the period 1971–81 are published in tables 7.6 and 7.8 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1981" — Cmnd. 8668. In 1981, nearly 1 per cent. of juvenile offenders aged 10 and under 17 sentenced for summary offences were given custodial sentences and about 0·5 per cent. care orders. Information for 1982 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 16-year-old offenders are currently under supervision by probation officers at each of the offices serving the west Yorkshire area; and if he will make a statement.

Information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Provisional figures show that about 460 16-year-old offenders were subject to supervison by the West Yorkshire probation service on 31 March 1983. I understand that the West Yorkshire probation committee are planning to introduce community service for 16-year-old offenders as soon as resources are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community service orders have been made against offenders in west Yorkshire in 1980, 1981 and 1982; how many staff are available for the supervision of those undertaking each order; and whether he is satisfied that the staffing level is adequate.

The number of persons commencing community service orders with the West Yorkshire probation service — some of whom may have been subject to more than one order—was as follows:

asked the Secretary o f State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to control glue sniffing.

Earlier this year, the Government circulated a consultative letter to statutory and voluntary bodies concerned with solvent misusers on ways of tackling solvent misuse, including the role of the criminal law. In the light of the responses to that consultation, I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any changes in the law would be desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase penalties for dropping litter.

The maximum fine for offences under the Litter Acts of 1958 and 1971 was increased from £100 to £200 by the Criminal Justice Act 1982, the relevant provisions of which came into force on 11 April this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department draws the attention of retiring chief constables to any restrictions on their publishing their memoirs; in what terms; and under what authority.

There areat present no restrictions on publication by retired police officers, other than the civil and criminal law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communication his Department received on 8 June from a solicitor acting for Mrs. Doreen Hill protesting about the proposal of the ex-chief constable of the West Yorkshire police to publish his memoirs; what action his department took; and why it took until 24 June to send a reply from the Under-Secretary of State.

The letter from the solicitors acting for Mrs. Hill raised a number of issues which required careful consideration. It was clear at an early stage that there was no effective action which the Government could take to prevent the publication of these memoirs, but Mr. Gregory was made aware that I believed that such a transaction would do serious harm to the reputation of the police service and would be widely criticized, and that I would not defend it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is available to him to prevent ex-police officers revealing contents of criminal cases which were covered by the Official Secrets Acts at the time the police officer was in charge.

The Official Secrets Acts continue to apply to former police officers after their retirement. A decision whether to bring proceedings against a possible infringement would need to be very carefully weighed against the circumstances of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by category of firearm, for each of the last five years, the number of firearms licences issued and the total number of firearms licensed in each category.

Information on the numbers of firearm and shotgun certificates held has only been collected regularly since 1979. The information for each of the years since then is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of recent revelations by the former chief constable of west Yorkshire, and the report by the police authority into the mass murders in west Yorkshire, he will now consider publishing the Byford report in full.

No. My noble Friend the then Home Secretary made it clear before Mr. Byford's report became available that it would not be published, although he thought it right that a full summary of the major points in the report should be made available and that was tone.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what educational facilities are available for long-term prisoners at Her Majesty's prison. Walton, Liverpool.

Long-term prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Liverpool are awaiting allocation to training prisons where they will serve the greater part of their sentences. Subject to overriding security considerations, they are offered opportunities during their stay in Liverpool prison to attend evening classes and to follow "in cell" study programmes. The governor is considering how the facilities for daytime education might be extended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing legislation to tighten the safety regulations pertaining to privately administered swimming pools open to the public.

I have been asked to reply.Such legislation is unnecessary. Local authorities already have powers under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to take action against the operators of private swimming pools which are operated unsafely.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of housing improvement grants approved in Scotland in 1982–83.

Complete returns from local authorities are at present available for the first three quarters of the financial year only; these total £64·6 million. The returns so far available for the fourth quarter amount to £45·1 million bringing the current total to £109·7 million, but this is not the final 1982–83 figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the effect on tourism in Scotland of the increase in the price of petrol recently announced by the oil companies.

The majority of holidays taken in Scotland involve the use of passenger cars, but the cost of petrol generally forms a small proportion, estimated at around 10 to 15 per cent. of the overall cost of the holiday. The recent increase in petrol prices is estimated to add less than 1 per cent. to that figure; the price rise is, therefore, unlikely to prove a serious disincentive to potential visitors. Recent announcements by the oil companies indicate that the increase in petrol prices will not be as severe as first anticipated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the impact of the increase in the price of petrol announced by the oil companies on rural areas of Scotland.

I recognise the importance of transport costs in rural areas and understand my hon. Friend's concern. The price increases announced recently are however the result of commercial decisions by the oil companies. Assessment of their impact in particular areas would not be straightforward.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make the orders affecting the Annan-Gretna bypass to the A75; and when he will begin discussions with affected landowners, tenants and others about underpasses and accesses.

I expect to publish revised orders later this month or early in August. The new access proposals will than be explained in detail to the affected landowners and tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the result of the inquiry affecting the Collin bypass on the A75.

I received the report of the inquiry on 5 July. It is being given urgent consideration, and I shall announce my decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the A702 between Abington and Biggar was closed to through traffic; for what reason; and when it will be reopened.

The A702 south of Biggar was closed on 15 November 1982 to allow necessary repairs to be carried out to Lamington and Woodend bridges. The opportunity was also taken to re-surface most of the road. During the closure of the road for these works, a new water main was also laid between Biggar and Coulter. The road was reopened to traffic on 30 June 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will take steps to ensure that special police assistance is available to help motorists on congested stretches of the A74, affected by lane closures, during the Glasgow fair holiday;(2) how many stretches of the A74 are currently affected by one or more lane closures; what is their total length; and how many will remain affected during the Glasgow fair holiday.

There are at present 10 stretches of the A74 in Strathclyde region and four stretches in Dumfries and Galloway region affected by lane closures due to roadworks. The total length affected is approximately 25 km. During the Glasgow fair holiday only one lane closure is expected to remain in operaton over a distance of 3 km. This will, however, leave both southbound lanes and one northbound lane available to traffic so that hold ups are not expected. I do not anticipate, therefore, that police assistance additional to that normally provided during the holiday will be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of complaints made by opticians about the lateness of the advice issued to health boards, he will examine the arrangements within his Department for advising opticians over the introduction of the new range of National Health Service spectacle frames for women.

Because of the general election, and because the professions were still making representations about the price of the new frame until 9 June, it was not possible to make the formal announcement of its introduction from 1 July earlier than 17 June. I recognise that opticians would have liked the usual detailed information about the frame well in advance, but the new frame is a very much needed improvement which it would have been undesirable to defer further.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has asked Glasgow district council for maps showing the extent of mineral workings and underground faults in the city.

Glasgow district council was asked if it could provide information on ground conditions in the context of a study of part of the city being undertaken by the Institute of Geological Services with Government funding. Maps prepared in the course of this study will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many vacancies there are for unskilled workers in Scotland;(2) how many vacancies there are for unskilled workers in the travel-to-work areas of Lanark, Carluke, Lesmahagow and Larkhall.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from outside bodies, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, in support of primary legislation, along the lines of smoke control, to deal with the problems of lead in water; and what estimate his Department has made of the cost to local authorities of lead pipe replacement.

I have received such representations from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, from a small number of individual local authorities, and from a member of Edinburgh district council. On the question of costs, it is not possible to make any comprehensive estimate in advance of the cost to local authorities of lead pipe replacement where this should prove to be necessary in preference to, for example, water treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the second report of the Stewart committee on alternatives to prosecution will be published.

The committee's second report, "Keeping Offenders Out of Court: Further Alternatives to Prosecution" was laid before the House yesterday and is published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and I are grateful to Lord Stewart and the other members of the committee for their thorough report. We shall be consulting interested bodies and will consider the recommendations in the light of the comments we receive.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further action he proposes to take under section 5 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 in respect of the expenditure planned by local authorities for 1983–84.

Having initiated selective action in respect of five local authorities, I invited the authorities to make any representations to me. All five authorities made representations and either I or the Minister responsible for home affairs and the environment met each authority to enable the authorities to amplify orally their representations. In the light of the representations and discussions I decided to take no further action against Shetland Islands council. In the cases of Lothian regional council, Glasgow district council, Kirkcaldy district council and Stirling district council, I proposed a lower rate reduction and gave the authorities until 6 July to let me know whether they proposed to make voluntary rate reductions of that amount. None of the four authorities is prepared to make a voluntary rate reduction of the level I proposed. I am today laying reports before the House under section 5 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 and asking for the approval of the House to the following rate reductions:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek to abolish standing charges for gas and electricity.

The gas and electricity industries have modified their practices on standing charges, following proposals from the Government. I will continue to monitor the position, but the abolition of standing charges would increase unit rates and the bills of large consumers of gas or electricity, including many less well-off consumers. Independent consultants have recently examined the level of gas and electricity standing charges. Copies of their reports are in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many jobs were lost in the coal mining industry in each of the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983 to date.

During 1979, the number of men on NCB colliery books increased by 930. From 1980 the number has decreased as follows:

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 July.

This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her discussions with President Reagan at Williamsburg on the future of the Falkland Islands.

The future of the Falkland Islands was not discussed.

asked the Prime Minister what account has been taken of the need to defend United Kingdom troops against Argentine rearmament with Otomat missiles and Telemine remote control torpedoes in the calculation of the cost of defending the Falklands.

The composition of our forces in the south Atlantic and their equipment are kept under regular review, with the object of providing deterrence and defence against any development in the threat which may be posed by the Argentine armed forces. The French Government and the French company concerned, have denied allegations that a sale of Otomat missiles to Argentina is being negotiated, and as my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces said on 30 March 1983, the Telemine is still under development.

asked the Prime Minister under what circumstances she would contemplate discussions with an Argentine Government on the future of the Falkland Islands.

I see no possibility of discussing the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands with Argentina. We have made it clear that we are ready to discuss the improvement of relations, but this is obstructed by Argentina's refusal to make it clear that hostilities have ceased permanently.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she can give a new date for the visit to the United Kingdom of the President of Cyprus.

We are in touch with the Cyprus Government and are trying to find a mutually convenient date for me to meet President Kyprianou as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister how many children were living in households dependent on supplementary benefit in June 1983 or at the most recent available date.

Figures for June 1983 are not yet available. In February 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, approximately 1·83 million children were living in families dependent upon supplementary benefit.

asked the Prime Minister whether she plans to retain the services of the panel of 17 advisers and the teams within the Cabinet Office responsible for coordinating policy on information technology: and if she will make a statement on further Government support for information technology.

In our observations on the report "Science in Government" by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology—Cmnd. 8591—we announced a strengthening of the Cabinet Office's resources for science and technology and the responsibilities of the chief scientific adviser, Dr. Robin Nicholson, include the co-ordination of aspects of information technology policy. In addition, the information technology advisory panel continues to advise the Government. The Department of Trade and Industry's support for new technologies alone increased from £100 million in 1978–79 to over £350 million in 1983–84.

asked the Prime Minister how many members of the Civil Service since May 1979 have undertaken exchange programmes in the private sector of industry; and what was the average period of time of such exchanges.

Secondment of civil servants to the private sector of industry are not recorded separately. The numbers of civil servants seconded to industry and commerce in the calendar years 1979–82 were:

asked the Prime Minister (1) if she will make a statement on her discussion with President Mitterrand about the proposed sale of Otomat missiles to Argentina, or third parties who might sell Otomat to Argentina;(2) if she will have discussions with the Italian Government about the role of Oto-Melara in the sale of Otomat missiles to Argentina.

All our allies and partners, including the French and Italian Governments, are already well aware of our views on arms sales to Argentina. We are following up the recent press reports about Otomat missiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the percentage increase in the value of the £ sterling compared with other European Community currencies since the end of March; and if he will assess the effect this will have on production in the engineering industry.

The £ sterling increased in value against the weighted average of European Community countries' currencies by 9·7 per cent. between the week ending 1 April 1983 and the week ending 24 June 1983. It is not possible to assess the effect this will have on production in the engineering industry in isolation from the effects of other exchange rate changes over the same period and over other periods.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the Board of Trade.

The membership of the: Board of Trade consists of the President, at present my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and the holders of the following offices: the Archbishop of Canterbury, the First Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, Her Majesty's Secretaries of State, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Speaker, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Paymaster General.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the origin and tonnage of steel imported into the United Kingdom in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to guarantee the future of the radio interference service should it be transferred to British Telecom.

British Telecom has given notice that it wishes to withdraw from operating the radio interference service. We fully recognise the need for an effective service and we are urgently considering what form it should take in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of UNCTAD VI.

The sixth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development took place in Belgrade from 6 June to 3 July. The negotiations between the carefully prepared positions of the developing and of the developed countries were slow and far from easy, but it eventually proved possible to adopt by consensus some 20 resolutions covering all the main items of the agenda, although in some instances interpretative statements were made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that Concorde 202 will remain on Filton airfield and be visible to the general public.

I understand that British Aerospace intends that the aircraft will remain at Filton, but its exact location is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the impact of the recent increase in the price of petrol of 10 pence per gallon on tourism in rural areas.

I am well aware of the tourism industry's dependence on road users, particularly in rural areas, and its general sensitivity to price increases. However, as expenditure on petrol generally represents only a small proportion of the total cost of a holiday, any effect of the price increases which eventually emerge is likely to be felt mainly on day trips, and even here the overall effect should be limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce a conclusion to current talks between his Department, the British Steel Corporation and private steel firms on the proposed phoenix II joint venture.

The Department has received no firm proposals for a phoenix II joint venture on engineering steels. It is for the companies to decide if and when to make any such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with procedures for considering English applications for financial assistance under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969; and if he will make a statement.

In the light of views about the operation of the Section 4 scheme received in the course of the tourism review, the English tourist board has proposed certain improvements in procedures. I have now approved these. From now on the English tourist board has authority to approve individual offers of assistance up to £200,000 without reference to my Department, whereas previously the upper limit was £50,000. In addition, simplified arrangements are being introduced for certain types of smaller projects, details of which are being announced by the board today. These improvements should speed the treatment of cases and should enable the English tourist board to make full use of the increase in the provision for the section 4 scheme in England to just over £8 million in 1983–84.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to Government assistance for small firms to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 18 July to 22 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ships are at present under construction by British Shipbuilders; and how many of these are for British owners.

There are 65 ships, including naval vessels, under construction at BS yards; in all 44 of these are for United Kingdom owners, including Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the development of the United Kingdom's crude trade balance in textiles and clothing during the period of the European Community's five-year bilateral textile agreements 1978 to 1982; and how this development differed as between low-cost suppliers liable to restraint and unresticted suppliers.

[pursuant to the reply, 6 July 1983, c. 102]: Apart from a small fall in 1980, the crude deficit in the United Kingdom's trade in textiles and clothing increased from £468 million in 1978 to £1,399 million in 1982. Over the same period the deficit in trade with low-cost suppliers liable to restraint increased from £458 million to £773 million, while trade with unrestricted suppliers moved from a defict of £11 million in 1978 through a surplus of £11 million in 1980 to a deficit of £626 million in 1982. Over this period the United Kingdom clothing and textiles industry's exports remained fairly constant at about £2,000 million pa.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to meet the north of England regional consortium to discuss the future of the tourist industry.

[pursuant to the reply, 6 July 1983, c. 103]: The review of tourism policy provided an opportunity for widespread consultations with interested authorities and organisations. Many presented their views, including the north of England regional consortium, the Greater Manchester council and Manchester city council. It is not my intention to hold further consultations as that stage of the review has been completed, but I shall be carefully studying the evidence received before reaching any conclusions on the future structure and emphasis of Government support to tourism. I hope to make an announcement before the summer recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioners he estimates have become ineligible for single payments as a result of being floated off supplementary benefit by the housing benefit scheme.

It is estimated that on the introduction of the housing benefits scheme, about 65,000 pensioners ceased to qualify for supplementary benefit because their total income exceeded their supplementary benefit requirements; consequently they are no longer eligible for single payments of supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the annual report of the Social Security Advisory Committee will be published.

I understand that this year the annual report of the Social Security Advisory Committee will be published in October. However, three substantial reports to my right hon. Friend from the committee on social security regulations are expected to be published in the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services for those offices covering the Leeds travel-to-work area, how many unemployed people were claiming supplementary benefit during the last month for which statistics are available; and what was the figure for the comparable month in the previous year.

The numbers of supplementary benefit cases in action in the category requested in May 1983 and the comparable period last year were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now add to his list of exemptions for persons requiring medication for the rest of their lives women who have had cancer of the breast and will be permanently treated by chemo-therapy.

I have considerable sympathy for people suffering from a condition such as breast cancer which is not included in the list of medical conditions which confer exemption from prescription charges. However, an argument could be advanced for the inclusion of a large number of conditions. In fairness, we cannot take any one in isolation and to include them all would cost the National Health Service a great deal of money. I cannot therefore agree to extend the list.Exemption from charges is not restricted to sufferers from listed medical conditions. Such groups as the elderly and those on low incomes are also exempt. Overall, some 70 per cent. of prescription items are dispensed without charge.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the future of Farnham park rehabilitation centre; and if he will consider bringing the centre under the control of a special health authority.

The East Berkshire health authority has initiated formal consultation on a proposal that the Farnham park rehabilitation centre should be closed on a phased basis, commencing with the closure of the in-patient facilities. If the community health council objects to the proposal, but East Berkshire health authority and the regional health authority wish to proceed with the closure, the matter would need to be referred to Ministers for decisions. At this stage we cannot prejudge the outcome of consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will issue a circular to all regional health authorities reminding them of their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act to inform trade union representatives whenever regional health authorities have reason to believe asbestos dust is present in any of their premises;(2) if he will issue instructions to all regional health authorities that all alterations to health authority premises where asbestos may be present be undertaken only by personnel properly qualified and equipped to deal with asbestos.

The Department referred to the need for training and suitable equipment for asbestos work in guidance issued to health authorities in 1976 and 1978, and a "Safety Information Bulletin" issued in December 1982 drew their attention again in general terms to that guidance. A further "Safety Information Bulletin", which is being prepared, will remind health authorities specifically about the requirement for training and use of suitable equipment and also about the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act requirement to advise safety representatives of hazards, including asbestos dust, in their premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that all regional health authorities draw up inventories of asbestos present in the fabric of health authority premises.

The value of surveys to identify asbestos is under discussion by the health services advisory committee set up by the Health and Safety Commission. However, there are practical difficulties in compiling comprehensive inventories with confidence, because materials which may include asbestos are often incorporated inaccessibly in buildings and reliable identification of all asbestos could not be made without destroying parts of the premises. Safety can best be assured by the constant vigilance of those working or planning work in circumstances where asbestos may be present and the investigation of any suspect materials which are encountered.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will call for a report on the recent release of asbestos into the atmosphere at St. Catherine's home, St. Mary's road, Bradford; and if he will ensure that all those exposed to asbestos dust, whether staff or those employed by private contractors, are offered examinations and X-rays.

The incident at St. Catherine's home, Bradford took place in a small boiler room from which all asbestos was believed to have been removed in 1976. It involved a small amount of residual asbestos amongst a majority of non-asbestos material. The Health and Safety Executive has already conducted an investigation into the incident and all health authority staff involved have been offered examinations and X-rays. The same facilities are being offered to the employees of the private contractor.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department has decided that attendance allowances will not be paid to parents whose mentally handicapped children attend local authority establishments for short periods of respite care; and if he will reconsider the decision.

This has been the position under all previous Administrations since attendance allowance was introduced. We are in fact seeking to change it, as I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 30 June 1983.—[Vol. 44, c. 144.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of delays in paying claimants caused by the centralisation of the paying of sickness benefit; and if he will take steps to avoid similar delays consequent upon the centralisation of disablement benefit.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1983, c. 98]: I regret there were two errors in the reply and it should read as follows:

"The sickness and disablement benefit work of 10 local offices in the Department's London South region has been outstationed in three centres for many years. The evidence available to me suggests that, overall, this has resulted in a quicker, not slower, service to the public.

Following the introduction of statutory sick pay in April 1983, the disablement benefit work of all local offices in the region is being centred at three outstations. It is too early yet to assess the effects of this but I see no reason to suppose it will entail unnecessary delays".

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide funds to establish and maintain refuges for battered women.

I have been asked to reply.Funds are provided to local authorities to finance refuges for battered women under the urban aid programme. The hon. Member may find it helpful to refer

to the comprehensive replies given to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 17 November last.—[Vol. 32, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people currently registered as unemployed have been unemployed for more than 12 months; and how many and what percentages are aged (a) under 20 years, (b) 20 to 30 years, (c) 31 to 40 years, (d) 41 to 50 years and (e) 51 to 60 years.

At 14 April, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available, there was a total of 1,143,436 unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 52 weeks. The following table gives a breakdown of this figure for the age ranges nearest to those specified and expresses them as percentages of the total.

The information is available for jobcenter areas and the following table gives the figures at 14 April, the latest available, for the area covered by the Goldthorpe and Wombwell jobcentres, which most closely corresponds to the Barnsley, East parliamentary constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment percentages in each travel-to-work area in the north-west; and how, in each case, the figure compares with that for May 1979.

The following table gives the percentage rates of unemployment for registered unemployed at May 1979 and the rates for unemployed claimants at June 1983 in the areas specified. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial training boards have now been abolished.

Sixteen industrial training boards were wound up following my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 16 November 1981—[Vol. 13, c. 30]. Copies of the revocation orders were placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places are being made available under the youth training scheme for young people in Basildon.

About 1,400 places will be needed in the first year of the scheme to cater for young people in Basildon. Almost all of these places have already been identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take immediate steps to restore the 30 per cent. cuts in staffing of the Health and Safety Executive which have occurred since 1975.

The staffing of the Health and Safety Executive is at a higher level now than it was in 1975.