asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what consideration he is giving to the proposal by the National Coal Board to establish a coal-based gas plant in Belfast linked to existing gas supply systems as an alternative to the importation by pipeline of natural gas from Kinsale, Ireland; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will estimate the capital cost of establishing a coal-based gas plant in Belfast utilising existing gas supplies as compared with importing natural gas by pipeline from Kinsale, Ireland;(3) if he will estimate the savings on conversion costs by establishing a coal-based gas plant in Belfast utilising existing gas supplies as compared with importing natural gas by pipeline from Kinsale, Ireland.

A paper recently circulated by the National Coal Board claimed that a coal gasification plant to provide a supply of gas for Belfast only would be viable. I am having that claim urgently assessed by independent experts. Until I receive a report from those experts I am not in a position to comment either on the likely capital cost of the gasification or on whether it would be possible by this means to avoid any of the costs which would be involved in converting appliances to use natural gas.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he or representatives of his Department have had any discussions with members of the European assembly's fact-finding delegation to Northern Ireland; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Neither I nor any representative of my Department have met Mr. Neils Haagerup , MEP, since

	Increase in parliamentary salary		Increase in average earnings
	Including TSRB staging	Excluding TSRB staging
	per cent.	per cent.	per cent.
June 1979 to June 1980	24·3	9·6	21·7
June 1980 to June 1981	18·7	6·0	12·0
June 1981 to June 1982	4·0	4·0	9·9
June 1982 to March 1983	*—	*—	6·4
The figures shown in the first column are the actual increases received by Members of Parliament, including the staged payments; the figures in the second column show the percentage increase given for that year (ie, on top of the staged payment).
* No increase has yet been settled for 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to help the unemployed in the Fishguard area of Dyfed; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's economic policies are designed to reduce inflation, encourage investment and thereby provide secure, long-term jobs for the future. Areas such as Fishguard will benefit generally from the success of these policies and from the work of organisations such as the Welsh Development Agency. The agency's latest building programme, which I announced on 20 April, includes the construction of a number of small factory units at Fishguard.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current unemployment figures, and the unemployment rate for Delyn, on the basis of the Delyn boundary.

It is estimated that on 9 June 1983 the number of unemployed in the Delyn constituency area was 5,120. Unemployment rates are not available below travel to work area level. The rate for the travel to work area of which the constituency area forms a part was 17·2 per cent.

asked the the Lord Privy Seal, pursuant to the answer of 5 July concerning increasing the pay of hon. Members, if he will re-tabulate the information provided (a) to include and (b) to exclude implementation of the Top Salaries Review Body's recommendations; and if he will give the equivalent information for the year June 1982 to June 1983.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the items for which the issuing of export licences was withheld on the recommendations of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art during the year ended 30 June, specifying in each case the valuation and

Description	Valuation	Outcome
		£
A pair of 16th century silver gilt tazze made in Paris in 1583	100,000	Exported
A manuscript: Jacobean Court Entertainment	968	Purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum
A painting "Mythological Scene" by Dosso Dossi	1,800,000	Exported
An album of 32 photographs taken at the County Prison, Stafford 1869–71	1,672·50	Purchased by Staffordshire County Museum
A painting: "The Coronation of the Virgin" by Johann Rottenhammer	50,000	Purchased by the National Gallery
A book of drawings by Claude Lorrain	11,373	Retained: Owner retaining possession in this country
A Romano-British bronze beaker with coloured enamels, 3rd century AD	11,000	Purchased by Hampshire County Museums Service
Confirmation of Magna Carta by Edward I, dated 1297	1,250,000	Exported
A painting: "St. Luke Painting the Virgin" by Guercino	310,000	Licence withheld for four months, ie, to 18 July 1983
A silver centrepiece by Elkington & Co.	12,075	To be acquired by the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
A painting: "Letchworth Station" by Spencer Frederick Gore	28,800	Licence withheld for three months, ie, to 12 August 1983
A Greek cornelian scarab	—	Licence withheld for three months, ie, to 12 August 1983
A painting: "Contradiction—Oberon and Titanla" by Richard Dadd	573,312·50	Licence withheld for six months, ie, until 12 November 1983
A drawing: "Portrait of a Girl" by Sir Peter Lely	47,000	Licence withheld for two months, ie, until 21 August 1983

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will specify the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half year ended 30 June of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national, scientific, historic or artistic interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of capital transfer tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed in the matter of allocation by testators and executors; and whether he will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of capital transfer tax.

The information requested is as follows:

(i) Allocations made since 1 January 1983
Item	To whom allocated
1. *A painting by Eric Kennington "The Kensingtons at Laventie"	Imperial War Museum
2. *A collection of items connected with William Wordsworth	Dove Cottage, Grasmere
3. The Wellington Papers	Southampton University
4. *Four paintings by Dominic Serres "Landing Cannon and Stores" "The Fleet Entering the Harbour"	National Maritime Museum

Details are as follows. The valuation has been omitted in one case because of the owner's wish that this should remain confidential.

Item	To whom allocated
"The Captured Spanish Fleet"
"The Piazza, Havana"
5. Verzelini glass goblet	Victoria and Albert
	Museum
6. *The Godman collection of Islamic Pottery	The British Museum
7. Albrecht Dürer drawing of the Virgin and Child	The British Museum
8. *Two paintings by Antonio Joli	Temple Newsam House
Extensive View of Rome from the River Tiber
Architectural ruins with Roman Bath and Figures
9. * Papers related to George Constantinesco	Science Museum
10. A drawing by Rembrandt "Moses and the Burning Bush"	City Art Gallery, Manchester
* The executors expressed a wish about the final allocation of these items.

(ii) Items awaiting allocation as at 30 June 1983
Item	Date of acceptance
1. *"The Betrayal of Christ" by Van Dyck	19 February 1982
2. A collection of Chinese ceramics	17 March 1983
* Provisionally allocated to Bristol city council in situ at Corsham court.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to include building society current and deposit accounts in the assessment of sterling M3.

Although deposits with building societies are not included in sterling M3, they are included in PSL2 and in transactions balances — M2. In assessing monetary conditions, account is taken of movements in a range of monetary aggregates and also of other evidence including structural changes in financial markets, savings behaviour, the exchange rate and the level and structure of interest rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the linked long-term benefits to which he referred in the Official Report, 29 June, c. 588; and which benefits are not included.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise the matter of the United States Supreme Court decision in the matter of the Container Corporation of America at the European Community Finance Ministers' Council on 11 July 1983.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1983, c. 175]: I am grateful for my hon. Friend's suggestion. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor does indeed intend to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the capital stock of the nationalised industries and publicly owned corporations; and what is the estimated rate of return on this figure for the financial year 1982–83.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1983, c. 175.]: This information is available only on a calendar year basis. The latest year for which figures are available is 1981. At the end of that year the net capital stock of the public corporations, including the nationalised industries, was £140,000 million. The pre-tax real rate of return, including subsidies, was 0·1 per cent. The information underlying this calculation is published in "National Income and Expenditure"—HMSO 1982—and the basis of the calculation is outlined in the Treasury evidence to the Treasury and Civil Service Committee published in "Financing of the Nationalised Industries"—HC 348 III, appendix 12.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of foreign investment in the United Kingdom in the last 12 months.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1983, c. 175]: The net total of foreign investment in the United Kingdom in the 12 months to the end of March 1983 was £3·1 billion. Further details were published in the press notice "The United Kingdom balance of payments in the first quarter of 1983" on 7 June and will also be available in the June issue of Economic Trends. Both publications are available from the House Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the likely level of economic growth in the next 12 months and next five years; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1983, c. 174]: GDP was forecast at Budget time to grow by 2·5 per cent. between the first half of 1983 and the first half of 1984. The projections illustrating the medium term financial strategy were based on the assumption that real output would continue to grow by an avarage 2·5 per cent. per annum up to 1985–86.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give the figures for the most recent convenient period for the decline in the number of farms in the United Kingdom and for the decline in the number of farms of less than 100 acres.

Between 1978 and 1982 the net reduction in the number of holdings in the United Kingdom was 2,999 (1.1 per cent) after making due allowance for minor holdings not included in the annual agricultural censuses. During this period the number of farms with less than 40 hectares (99 acres) fell by 1,749 (1.1 per cent).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people and adults, male and female, are registered as unemployed and seeking work in the travel-to-work areas of Malton and Easingwold, north Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

At 14 April, the latest date for which an analysis by age is available, the number of unemployed claimants aged under 18 years in the area covered by the Malton and Thirsk jobcentres, which includes Easingwold, was 76–42 males and 34 females. The corresponding figure for those aged 18 years and over was 1,037–679 males and 358 females.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the unemployment figures for the travel-to-work areas in the Houghton and Washington constituency categorised by sex, age and the duration of unemployment for the latest date for which data are available; and if he will make a statement.

The following table gives the figures at 14 April, the latest available for the area covered by the Houghton-le-Spring and Washington jobcentres, which most closely corresponds to the Houghton and Washington parliamentary constituency.

Males
Duration of unemployment in weeks	Age
	16	17	18	19	20–24	25–29	30–34	35–39	40–44	45–49	50–54	55–59	60–64	65 and over	Total
One or less	66	5	9	6	29	16	22	10	6	5	5	12	4	—	195
Over 1 and up to 2	2	5	5	3	27	17	22	15	5	4	8	7	4	—	124
Over 2 and up to 4	8	12	11	9	38	29	32	15	5	9	7	9	5	—	189
Over 4 and up to 6	2	9	7	9	20	30	14	18	11	5	7	8	2	—	142
Over 6 and up to 8	4	7	5	4	27	30	16	14	8	6	5	4	6	—	136
Over 8 and up to 13	6	16	27	10	62	61	54	29	13	11	16	21	19	—	345
Over 13 and up to 26	8	29	55	36	128	100	83	62	40	39	34	69	37	—	720
Over 26 and up to 39	9	34	65	36	121	75	55	56	50	41	23	75	39	—	679
Over 39 and up to 52	—	11	42	23	105	66	57	34	28	23	13	53	41	—	496
Over 52 and up to 65	—	6	27	22	70	53	39	31	16	11	16	43	39	—	373
Over 65 and up to 78	—	2	11	18	71	58	33	30	21	11	14	29	55	—	353
Over 78 and up to 104	—	1	31	42	95	62	42	39	34	21	28	55	94	1	545
Over 104 and up to 156	—	—	3	12	148	145	88	51	45	37	42	53	87	2	713
Over 156 and up to 208	—	—	—	2	49	53	42	38	26	36	26	32	66	—	370
Over 208 and up to 260	—	—	—	—	7	10	8	6	5	10	5	8	19	—	78
Over 260	—	—	—	—	1	4	—	1	1	2	16	30	41	—	96
Total Males	105	137	298	232	998	809	607	449	314	271	265	508	558	3	5,554

Females
Duration of unemployment in weeks	Age
		16	17	18	19	20–24	25–29	30–34	35–39	40–44	45–49	50–54	55–59	65 and over	Total
One or less	—	48	12	6	3	14	11	3	2	8	2	3	1	—	113
Over 1 and up to 2	—	2	5	5	4	12	15	2	2	1	1	1	2	—	52
Over 2 and up to 4	—	9	13	8	4	23	13	9	6	2	2	—	2	—	91
Over 4 and up to 6	—	3	4	11	7	20	13	14	6	5	5	—	1	—	89
Over 6 and up to 8	—	5	8	8	5	14	10	9	5	2	2	5	1	—	74
Over 8 and up to 13	—	2	16	19	15	58	46	18	7	8	3	1	4	—	197
Over 13 and up to 26	—	7	21	61	34	116	75	32	17	20	16	13	7	—	419
Over 26 and up to 39	—	8	33	41	30	83	61	29	22	17	8	6	10	—	348
Over 39 and up to 52	—	—	7	26	25	60	46	24	17	13	8	17	9	—	252
Over 52 and up to 65	—	—	6	16	16	28	31	8	4	6	5	6	3	—	129
Over 65 and up to 78	—	—	1	9	24	27	17	6	7	7	2	11	10	—	121
Over 78 and up to 104	—	—	5	3	20	26	8	9	6	4	7	6	7	—	101
Over 104 and up to 156	—	—	—	3	10	50	10	6	3	8	9	22	15	—	136
Over 156 and up to 208	—	—	—	—	—	23	5	7	2	3	5	4	6	—	55
Over 208 and up to 260	—	—	—	—	—	4	2	—	1	1	1	4	4	—	17
Over 260	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	1	—	1	—	10	11	—	26
Total Females	—	84	131	216	197	558	366	177	107	106	76	109	93	—	2,220

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the travel-to-work areas covered by the Houghton and Washington constituency have been unemployed for more than (a) 26 weeks, (b) 52 weeks and (c) 104 weeks; and what percentage these comprise of the total work force.

The following table gives the information at 14 April, the latest available for the Wearside travel-to-work area which comprises the jobcentre areas of Houghton-le-Spring, Seaham, Southwick, Sunderland and Washington. It is only for this complete travel-to-work area, which is much larger than the constituency, that the rates requested are calculated.

Duration of unemployment	Number	As a percentage of total employees
Over 26 and up to 52 weeks	5,795	4·2
Over 52 and up to 104 weeks	5,733	4·1

	Registered unemployed						Unemployed claimants
	July 1970		July 1975		April 1980		April 1983
Unemployment by age	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Under 18 years	41	22	153	106	119	130	242	215
18–19 years	47	19	126	111	169	193	530	413

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the unemployment levels in the travel-to-work areas in the Houghton and Washington constituency by sex and age for the years 1970, 1975, 1980 and the latest date available.

The following table gives the figures for the area covered by Houghton-le-Spring and Washington jobcentres, which most closely corresponds to the Houghton and Washington parliamentary constituency. Information is given for unemployed claimants at April 1983, the latest available, and for registered unemployed at April 1980, July 1975 and July 1970; an analysis by age was not made for April in the earlier years.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number and percentage of people unemployed in the northern region and the United Kingdom, respectively.

At 9 June, the number of unemployed claimants in the northern region was 218,570 and the unemployment rate was 16·8 per cent. The corresponding figures for the United Kingdom were 2,983,921 and 12·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young persons aged 16 to 18 years were unemployed in the Leeds travel-to-work area during the last month for which statistics are available; and what were the figures for the comparable month in the previous year.

At April 1983, the latest date for which an age analysis is available, the number of unemployed claimants aged 18 years and under in the Leeds travel-to-work area was 5,326. The corresponding number for registered unemployed at April 1982 was 4,081.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the Leeds travel-to-work area have been unemployed for (a) less than six months, (b) six months to 12 months, (c) 12 months to 18 months, (d) 18 months to two years and (e) over two years during the last month for which statistics are available.

The following are the figures for the Leeds travel-to-work area at 14 April, the latest date for which an analysis by duration of unemployment is available.

Duration of unemployment in weeks	Number
Up to 26 weeks	17,256
Over 26 and up to 52 weeks	9,425
Over 52 and up to 78 weeks	5,523
Over 78 and up to 104 weeks	3,067
Over 104 weeks	7,248

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to lay the draft order on equal pay for work of equal value.

The draft order was s laid on 6 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action the Health and Safety Commission has taken, since the recent army depot fire at Donnington, Shropshire, to ensure there is no public health and safety risk from asbestos dust.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1983, c. 160]: I have, of course, already discussed this matter with my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Hawksley) and told him of the concern of the Health and Safety Commission. Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive are currently involved in actions to minimise the risk of exposure of work people and members of the public to material containing asbestos released as a consequence of the fire.These actions are continuing and close liaison is being maintained by the Health and Safety Executive with all parties concerned including the Wrekin district council.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the duties of the Health and Safety Commission to co-ordinate action at fires, such as the recent fire at an army depot at Donnington, Shropshire.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1983, c. 160]: Where the Health and Safety Executive has responsibility for premises, liaison procedures are agreed by its area offices with the appropriate civil authorities, including the emergency services, so that assistance may be given to them by HSE at the time of an incident and in any subsequent investigation.I have already discussed the specific action taken at Donnington, Shropshire, with my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Hawksley) and assured him that the usual procedures were followed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Steventon Stagg inquiry into allegations of corruption in the Metropolitan police is still proceeding; and what progress there is to report as to any findings to date.

This inquiry is still proceeding. Regular reports have been made to the Director of Public Prosecutions, and we understand that a further detailed report to the director is being prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider taking action regarding unions whose members will not comply with instructions to take part in civil defence exercises.

The draft civil defence regulations which will be laid on 12 July require county and district councils to take part in certain civil defence training exercises. It will be for each council to decide how to meet this requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the preliminary estimates for 1983–84 for civil defence expenditure from each local authority responsible for civil defence provision in England and Wales; and if he will give the comparative revised figures in each case for 1982–83.

The following table gives 1983–84 preliminary estimates for each local authority responsible for civil defence expenditure in England and Wales at 1983–84 cash prices. The 1982–83 revised estimates as a forecast of outturn were given for each local authority in reply to a question by my hon. Friend on 27 April.—[Vol. 41, c. 326–28.]

Civil Defence Grant Estimates 1983–84
	Preliminary estimates for 1983–84 at cash prices
	£
NON-METROPOLITAN COUNTIES—
England
Avon	105,785
Bedfordshire	132,054
Berkshire	150,246
Buckinghamshire	145,011
Cambridgeshire	180,369
Cheshire	218,490
Cleveland	74,706
Cornwall	112,098
Cumbria	142,500
Derbyshire	131,713
Devon	211,409
Dorset	118,852
Durham	169,997
East Sussex	168,142
Essex	361,957
Gloucestershire	208,066
Hampshire	234,767
Hereford and Worcester	122,921
Hertfordshire	158,595
Humberside	181,304
Isle of Wight	54,963
Kent	428,980
Lancashire	237,454
Leicestershire	264,247
Lincolnshire	155,029
Norfolk	235,498
Northamptonshire	114,233
Northumberland	180,232
North Yorkshire	263,348
Nottinghamshire	237,813
Oxfordshire	139,116
Shropshire	62,625
Somerset	168,443
Staffordshire	241,033
Suffolk	126,133
Surrey	247,315
Warwickshire	126,136
West Sussex	93,563
Wiltshire	259,734
METROPOLITAN COUNTIES
Greater Manchester	33,251
Merseyside	300,302
South Yorkshire	151,003
Tyne and Wear	117,921

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average yearly wage for a traineee policeman.

The basic annual pay of a police constable in his first year of service is £6,189 for officers under the age of 22 and £7,389 for officers aged 22 or over.

asked the Prime Minister what is the latest estimate of the annual cost of (a) unemployment benefits, (b) supplementary benefits, (c) rent and rate rebates and other housing support for the unemployed, (d) extra social security benefits to which unemployed persons are entitled such as free school meals, (e) administrative costs of welfare benefits for the unemployed, (f) all job creation and youth training schemes and (g) lost taxes through the unemployed.

The estimated cost in 1983–84 is as follows:

(a) £1,675 million.

(b) £5,255 million. A broad estimate of supplementary benefit paid to unemployed persons only including an adjustment for rent and rates previously paid with supplementary benefit is £4,100 million.

(c) The cost of housing benefits to unemployed persons cannot be separately identified.

(d) The cost of other benefits payable to unemployed persons, not necessarily as a consequence of being unemployed, cannot be separately identified.

(e) The administrative cost of paying unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit to unemployed persons is about £500 million. The cost of paying other benefits cannot be identified separately.

(f)

asked the Prime Minister if she will estimate the number of people who have access to material covered by the provisions of the Official Secret Acts; and of these, how many have signed a formal declaration of secrecy.

The provisions of the Official Secrets Acts exist for the protection of all "official" information, whether classified or unclassified, written or otherwise. It is impossible to estimate the number of persons with access to such a wide range of material, but the following groups can be expected to have access:

Crown servants (including Ministers, civil servants, members of the armed forces and police force);

Members of other public bodies to whom the Government have entrusted official information;

Persons employed by or serving under the control of any of the preceding groups to whom access is authorised.

The Acts' provisions will apply whether or not a formal declaration is signed. Nevertheless, many of those listed above, including Ministers, all members of the non-industrial Civil Service and the armed forces, are required to sign a form of declaration certifying that they are aware of the provisions of the Acts and of the serious consequences which may follow any breach of them.

asked the Prime Minister why there is a disparity of 15 per cent: between the standard rateable value of houses in the borough of Guildford, Surrey and Rushmoor, Hampshire, respectively; what is the effect of this disparity on the allocation of rate support grant; and if she will take steps to make the rateable values comparable.

Standard rateable values measure the rateable value of comparable house types in different locations. They are not used in the allocation of block grant, which is distributed on the basis of the actual rateable value of properties in each local authority.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list the titles of all reports prepared by the Central Policy Review Staff which have been published.

Following is the information:

Title	Year published
Energy Conservation	1974
A joint Framework for Social Policies	1975
The Future of the British Car Industry	1975
Population and the Social Services	1976
The Future of the United Kingdom Power Plant Manufacturing Industry	1976
Review of Overseas Representation	1977
Relations between Central Government and Local Authorities	1977
Services for Young Children with Working Mothers	1978
Vandalism	1978
Housing and Social Policies	1978
Education, Training and Industrial Performance	1980
People and their Families	1980
Cashless Pay	1981

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will provide the local health authority with sufficient funds to enable them to provide a health centre at Creswell, Derbyshire, for the inhabitants who live within the jurisdiction of Creswell parish council.

It is for the Trent regional health authority to allocate resources to the North Derbyshire health authority. North Derbyshire health authority must decide on the priority to be given to a health centre at Creswell compared with other claims on its allocated budget. It is this Government's policy that these decisions are better taken by local health authorities near to the patients than by Ministers and officials in Whitehall.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the savings which would be achieved if short-term supplementary benefit was uprated by less than the inflation rate for each percentage point below the rate of inflation that the increase in the rate of benefit is abated;(2) if he will estimate the savings which would be achieved if unemployment benefit was uprated by less than the inflation rate for each percentage point below the rate that the increase in the rate of benefit is abated.

A reduction of one percentage point in the rate of short-term supplementary benefit would save about £40 million in a full year. A similar change in the rate of unemployment benefit would save £13 million if supplementary benefit rates were left unchanged and £17 million if both benefits were changed simultaneously.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the provisions that exist to provide United Kingdom citizens without birth certificates with the full range of benefits to which they would be eligible were they to hold a birth certificate; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. A birth certificate is the most readily available evidence of age, but, if a certificate cannot be produced, appropriate alternative evidence is acceptable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the unemployed are receiving (a) unemployment benefit only, (b) unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit, (c) supplementary benefit and (d) no benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any proposals to extend the invalid care allowance to married and cohabitating women.

No. The extension of the allowance is one of a number of competing priorities which can be considered only if additional resources become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects to lay the regulations extending the coverage of the occupational deafness scheme.

The preparation of the regulations is well advanced and I expect them to be laid shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the effects on public health of the fallout after the recent fire in the army warehouse at Donnington, Shropshire.

We are still discussing this incident with the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Defence. I can, however, confirm that particles of material containing asbestos were found in the area and were removed by the Wrekin district council, which appears to have acted promptly and responsibly throughout. After many years, exposure to massive concentrations of asbestos fibres some industrial workers have developed asbestosis while lower levels of exposure have occasionally caused mesothelioma. However, I am advised that the risk to anyone in the area exposed to a fall of debris as a result of this fire is so very small as to be almost negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what contacts his Department has with the National Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education; what is the committee's status in this respect; and if he will make a statement.

The Department is represented at every meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education, which was set up in 1979, following an initiative by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services in 1973 and a recommendation by the working party on nutrition education which reported in 1977. The NACNE was set up jointly by the British Nutrition Foundation and the Health Education Council with Government encouragement to strengthen the work of both these bodies and to act as a point of reference for the provision of simple and accurate information on nutrition. The NACNE membership includes DHSS and MAFF officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects the review he is conducting into fire protection methods in the three services to be completed; and if a copy of this, with its recommendations, will be placed in the Library;(2) to what extent sprinklers for use against fire are installed in the principal stores containing highly inflammable uniforms and other equipment of all three services; and whether there is any other major store in a similar situation to the 10 acre stole at Donnington, Shropshire, in being without any sprinkler protection;(3) if his review into fire prevention methods of the three services will include an analysis of those stores still retaining asbestos roofs of contents of a type which is hazardous to health when ignited;(4) if he will list those major equipment stores of all three services that are both without sprinkler protection and with asbestos roofing of a type which is hazardous to health when ignited.

I shall answer shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will consider insuring Crown property in the care of his Department, particularly in the case of high-value items vulnerable to destruction in warehouse fires.

It is Government policy that Crown property is generally not insured against damage or destruction since the risks are widely spread and the cost of insuring the whole range of physical assets of Government Departments would exceed the likely benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his latest estimate of the total cost of equipment and the buildings in the army warehouse at Donnington in Shropshire lost in the recent fire.

The currently estimated replacement cost of stores and equipment lost in the fire at COD Donnington is of the order of £150 million, and that of the building and plant of the order of £15 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects work to commence on the Maidstone to Ashford section of the M20 motorway;(2) when he expects the Maidstone to Ashford section of the M20 motorway to be completed.

Subject to completion of the outstanding statutory procedures we could start work in 1986. The contract would last about two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy in seeking alternative sources for airport expansion other than Stansted.

The main features of the Government's airports policy were set out in the statement of the then Secretary of State for Trade on 13 May 1981. —[Vol. 4, c. 273–75.] Suggested alternatives to the BAA's planning application for development of Stansted airport have been considered in detail at the public inquiry which has just ended. These included proposals for a fifth terminal at Heathrow, for which a planning application has been submitted by Uttlesford district council; a new airport at Maplin, Severnside or Yardley Chase; and more extensive use of regional airports. The Government will reach their final conclusions in the light of the inspector's report and recommendations, which are not expected before early 1984.

asked the Secretary of Stale for Transport if he will take steps to reduce the traffic congestion on those inner city routes, particularly in London, which are within his responsibility.

Responsibility for inner city roads rests with local highway authorities. In London the GLC has not dealt adequately with congestion. We shall be bringing forward proposals in the autumn for the abolition of the GLC. These will include the reallocation of its highway and traffic management responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided on regulations to require new cycles to comply with British standard 6102 and regulations defining electrically-assisted pedal cycles.

Yes. My right hon. Friend has today laid regulations in draft requiring new bicycles to meet the safety standards in BS6102. This is an important step forward for cycle safety and will ensure that new cycles have more reflectors and are fitted with brakes which work reasonably well in wet weather. The standard also lays down strength requirements which experience has shown are especially important for children's cycles.My right hon. Friend has also today laid regulations defining electrically-assisted pedal cycles. These specify the maximum power of the electric motor and the speed —15 mph—at which it must cut out. Such machines will fall within the provisions of section 24 of the 1981 Transport Act, so gaining exemption from the legislation that applies to motor cycles. Both sets of regulations are subject to the affirmative procedure.I have received complaints that some advertisements offering bicycles for sale may mislead consumers. I understand it is not always clear that some bicycles have to be assembled by the purchaser. The new regulations cannot resolve this matter, but if I receive evidence that there is an advertising standards problem, I will certainly ask my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to consider what can be done about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the increase in the real exchange rate against the deutschmark since the fourth quarter of 1976; and if he will assess the effect of this on trade in manufactures with West Germany.

No definite estimate can be made of the increase in the real exchange rate. Calculations of real exchange rates involve applying measures of relative prices to nominal exchange rates. The resulting calculations can vary considerably according to which measure of inflation is used, and the correct choice would vary according to the purpose to which the figure was going to be put.It is not possible to assess the impact on trade of a change in the real exchange rate against one currency without taking into account other real exchange rate changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess what effect the rise in exchange rate, since the end of March, will have on the production of textiles in the United Kingdom.

It is not possible to make such an assessment without consideration of the macroeconomic conditions that would otherwise have existed, and without taking into account the exchange rate changes that took place prior to March, the extent to which firms anticipated the appreciation in the exchange rate since March, and their expectations regarding the future level of the exchange rate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the consultations within the European Community on the reform of copyright law have been completed; and if he will make a statement.

There have as yet been no consultations on the reform of copyright within the Community. It was expected that the Commission would publish a memorandum on harmonisation of copyright last year, and that intergovernmental discussions based on that document would follow. The memorandum has, however, not appeared and I am not able to say when it will be likely to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess what effect the breakdown of the agreement at Vauxhall Motors, Luton, on the production of Cavalier cars in the United Kingdom will have on the level of imports of motor vehicles.

No official estimates are available of the impact on total vehicle imports of the breakdown between locally produced and imported Cavalier cars in Vauxhall's agreement to expand production at its Luton plant. In 1982 around half the total number of Cavaliers sold in the British market were also produced here. The decision by Vauxhall to expand production at its Luton plant, which remains its firm intention, should lead to a substantial reduction in the proportion of Cavalier sales met from imports. It is not possible, however, to estimate the impact on total vehicle imports into the United Kingdom which depends upon the manufacturing and marketing performance of other manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the operation of the Partnership Act 1890; and if he will make a statement.

The Partnership Act 1890 has survived for approaching a century without attracting any serious volume of criticism, although there are occasional complaints, such as the one to which my hon. Friend has just called my attention. I shall reply to his letter of 4 July as soon as possible and arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to introduce a novice amateur radio licence.

We have no plans at present to introduce such a licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority in England the amount spent in the most recent year for which figures are available which depend on section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for their authority.

I regret that this information is not available centrally. I am arranging for it to be collected for 1982–83.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the effect of high rates on businesses, he will take action against all local authorities spending in excess of their expenditure targets.

The minority of authorities which do not meet their expenditure targets know that their block grant entitlement will be reduced. The first supplementary report for 1983–84 implementing our proposals to withhold grant from authorities exceeding their targets was laid before the House on 4 July. Some authorities, including those which do not qualify for block grant, have chosen to spend regardless of the effect on their businesses and domestic ratepayers. The Government will, therefore, shortly be publishing a White Paper setting out their proposals for curbing excessive rate increases by high spending local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress towards abolishing lead in petrol.

Preliminary discussions have been held with representatives of the United Kingdom oil and motor industries, who see no insurmountable obstacle to the introduction of unleaded petrol. At their meeting on 16 June, European Community Environment Ministers asked the European Commission to draw up proposals for further reducing the lead content of petrol. I made clear that we were looking for as early as possible a start on complete elimination of petrol-lead throughout the Community. Ministers from several other countries supported Britain's position. Detailed follow-up discussions on the economic, technical and environmental implications of introducing unleaded petrol will be taking place over the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to permit the Parliamentary Commissioner to investigate complaints against the Commission for the New Towns.

In the light of recommendations made by the Commission for Local Administration, my right hon. Friend is considering which of the functions of the Commission for the New Towns might appropriately be brought within its jurisdiction. However, we have not entirely ruled out the possibility of bringing certain functions within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner, especially if any recommendations to that effect were to emerge in the near future from the Select Committee's current inquiries into non-departmental public bodies. We accept that in either case legislation would be worth while only if the Commission for the New Towns had a significant lifespan remaining at the time a decision was taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made in respect of a national policy for the use of inland waterways for commercial transport, as provided for in section 13 of the Transport Act 1978.

Within our general policy that there should be fair competition between alternative modes of transport, we will consider proposals for the improvement of inland waterways for commercial transport purposes, and paticularly proposals involving joint ventures with the private sector on the British Waterways Board's network. The viability of any proposal would need to be justified by investment appraisal or cost—benefit study, on the lines of those adopted for the Sheffield and south Yorkshire navigation improvement scheme, which was opened on 1 June, and on the first approval of grant under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on 27 June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's attitude towards the proposal to send a touring cricket side to South Africa.

The MCC is a private club and its members will make up their own minds on the issue. Her Majesty's Government have repeatedly expressed their commitment to the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport, which was reaffirmed by the Prime Minister and her fellow Commonwealth Heads of Government at their most recent meeting in Melbourne in 1981. A tour by an MCC side, while not representative, would be in breach of the principles of that statement. It would be inconsistent with the multinational and multiracial competition and cooperation on which the game of cricket thrives, as evidenced by the highly successful World Cup staged here recently and in 1979 and 1975. The Government therefore hope that the decision of MCC members will be to reject the proposed tour, recognising the wider and practical implications of their decision for the future of international multiracial cricket and sport in the Commonwealth and throughout the world.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report on housing for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people.

My Department is publishing today a report entitled "Housing for Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped People". It gives for the first time a profile of the amount and type of housing accommodation currently provided by local authorities, housing associations and voluntary organisations thoughout the country. On the basis of case studies of selected schemes the report also reviews how the different types of accommodation, such as group homes, hostels and cluster units, are organised managed and used.Schemes providing accommodation for over 5,000 people were identified, some two thirds in housing department properties 28 per cent. in housing association properties and 6 per cent. in properties owned by voluntary organisations. The detailed case studies set out the experience of the providers on such issues as location and neighbourhood, acquisition of properties, type of accommodation and living arrangements, organisation and management, tenancy arrangements costs, and selection, preparation and support of residents.The study suggests that though considerable progress has been made in providing community based housing for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people, there is still need for more. Fortunately many more schemes are in the pipeline.I hope that all those considering initiatives to house mentally ill and mentally handicapped people will read this report and find it of practical value. Copies of the report have been place in the Library and are being distributed widely to local authorities, housing associations and voluntary bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of his Department's official leaflets or official forms are printed in (a) Welsh and (b) other languages.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 July 1983, c. 165]: My Department's leaflets are occasionally translated into Welsh and distributed by the Welsh Office. Examples include advice on applying for home improvement grants, loft insulation grants and rate relief for disabled persons.No leaflets are currently available in foreign languages, though we are considering whether to publish some housing leaflet in languages used by the main ehtnic minority groups in the United Kingdom.My Department's forms are under regular review to improve, simplify and reduce their number wherever possible. Experience and demand has led to the production of a few forms in Welsh.For use abroad, the Property Services Agency has approximately 70 forms in various foreign languages.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Law Commission report on financial settlement on divorce.

We recognise the need to review this field and are currently considering the report of the Scottish Law Commission on aliment and financial provision—Scottish Law Commission No. 67—with a view to legislation in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the amounts spent by each local authority in Scotland in the most recent year for which figures are available which depend on section 83 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 for their authority.

I regret that this information is not yet available centrally. I will consult the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about its collection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the housing authorities in Scotland which, since 1979, have failed in one or more years to

	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
	£ million	£ million	£ million
Amount by which aggregate of Scottish housing authorities' budgeted rate fund contributions exceeded the aggregate of the limits on such contributions specified by the Government for the purposes of the housing expenditure limits system	54·917	34·420	12·362
Aggregate amount by which authorities which budgeted for a rate fund contribution in excess of their limit did so	63·759	41·716	13·482

The information is as follows:

Budget RFC's as percentage of RFC limit (where authority budgeted for a RFC in excess of its limit)
Authority	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
Aberdeen	312	164	117
Angus	—	—	*
Argyll and Bute	110	—	159
Bearsden and Milngavie	123	—	—
Caithness	—	—	118
Clackmannan	252	—	103
Clydebank	101	222	109
Cumnock and Doon Valley	202	138	128
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth	—	117	—
Cunninghame	137	218	—
Dumbarton	227	176	103
Dundee	250	163	114
Dunfermline	—	—	136
East Lothian	—	—	145
Edinburgh	—	—	161
Falkirk	228	144	113
Glasgow	412	173	—
Gordon	—	—	104
Hamilton	406	131	110
Inverclyde	170	230	125
Inverness	177	148	104
Kilmarnock and Loudoun	123	232	112
Kyle and Carrick	151	149	109
Lochaber	214	251	—
Midlothian	153	113	125
Monklands	379	—	119
Motherwell	260	191	125
Nairn	133	115	—
Orkney	213	—	—
Renfrew	187	185	121
Shetland	—	147	—
Skye and Lochalsh	—	122	—
Strathkelvin	136	137	131
Stirling	396	121	130
Sutherland	—	—	129
Western Isles	335	203	—
West Lothian	—	106	109
* Angus district council was given a RFC limit of zero but budgeted for an RFC of £0·360 million.