asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to review the question of standing charges levied on customers by the gas and electricity boards with a view to (a) reducing them, (b) abolishing them for certain categories of user or (c) allowing a basic consumption of units at a reduced rate or free of charge.

The level of gas and electricity standing charges has been reviewed by independent consultants. Copies of the reports are in the Library of the House. The industries will be taking account of these reports in any tariff revisions.Following proposals from the Government, the industries have already taken action to limit standing charges in smaller bills and a large number of consumers are benefiting from this.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions during the last year firearms have been carried by members of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority constabulary; and what procedures govern the issue of firearms within the force.

For security reasons it is not prudent to give details of either the frequency with which firearms have been issued to AEA constables or of the specific duties undertaken by armed constables. Not all constables are armed. Constables carry firearms only when they are engaged on duties relating to the protection of special nuclear materials in store at or in transit between United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority or BNFL establishments. As indicated during the debates in Parliament in 1976 prior to the passing of the Atomic Energy Authority (Special Constables) Act, armed constables are deployed on the AEA sites at Dounreay, Harwell and Winfrith and the BNFL site at Sellafield.Weapons are issued only when specific duties require, and their use is controlled under the AEA Constabulary Chief Constable's Standing Orders—Firearms, which have been agreed with the Secretary of State for Energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total amount of coal stocks at the nearest available date.

Provisional figures—published in Energy Trends, June 1983—show total stocks of coal in Great Britain of 55·3 million tonnes at the end of May 1983. These consist of stocks at power stations, those held by other consumers, and those held by the National Coal Board. Energy Trends is available in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the cost to date to public funds of commissioning the Armitage and Norton consultancy study into barriers preventing industrial investment in energy conservation measures.

The consultancy fee for the Armitage Norton study was £110,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total cost of Government assistance to the Severn barrage study and over what period; when the report is due to be submitted; and whether it is planned to publish it.

Details of the study on the Severn barrage to be carried out by the Severn tidal power group were given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) on 12 May.—[Vol. 42, c. 381–82.] The study will be jointly funded by the Government and the STPG; subject to agreement on the terms and conditions of contract, the Goverment will contribute up to a total of £250,000 over the two-year period of the study. A decision on publication will be taken nearer the completion of the study.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made with the multi-departmental review of personnel work in the Civil Service, referred to in the White Paper "Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Civil Service", Cmnd. 8616; and whether he will make a statement.

The review has been completed and is being published today. Copies are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses as are the reports of the departmental teams who took part in the review. The Government welcome the report which points the way towards better and more cost-effective personnel work in Government Departments, particularly by clarifying responsibilities for the management of staff and increasing delegation to line managers.We are also placing in the Libraries of both Houses a summary of the conclusions of a separate internal review of Civil Service management development in the 1980s. These reports, as well as other related work in the personnel field, raise a number of important issues for follow-up action. In order to use available resources to the best effect, the Government have decided to concentrate on the following personnel priorities in the coming years.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 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 whether she will make a statement on her meeting with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar.

At my talks with Sir Joshua Hassan on 30 June we discussed the economic effects of the closure of the Royal Naval dockyard in Gibraltar and its possible replacement by a commercial ship repair operation. Discussions between the two Governments are continuing.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects next to meet the chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to visit Market Harborough.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination of policies of Her Majesty's Government in respect of measures to increase employment.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister what are the numbers and percentages of disabled people employed in each Government Department; if she will break down the figures by category of occupation and if she is satisfied with these figures.

I refer the right hon. Member to the figures for 1 June 1982 which were supplied in the reply I gave on 14 February 1983.—[Vol. 37, c. 4.] This is the most recent information available. I am most concerned that every effort is made to employ disabled people in the Civil Service. Departments are well aware of their obligations. In every Department there is a departmental disabled persons liaison officer who has full responsibility for the recruitment and career development of all disabled people in the Department.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in the setting up of a survey of British service men who attended nuclear tests in Australia and the south Pacific between 1952 and 1958; whether the survey has been entrusted to any particular organisation; by whom it is financed; if it will cover the 12,000 British service men and the 1,500 civilians present at the tests referred to in the answer of Thursday 8 February, Official Report, c. 291–2; and how many people who did not witness the tests but who performed support roles outside the test area will be included in the survey.

Since the survey was announced early this year the Ministry of Defence has made good progress in defining the populations which need to be covered and in identifying the relevant individuals within these populations. Present indications are that the total number of service men and civilians to be included in the survey will be higher than previously estimated and could be around 20,000. These will include support personnel who worked in areas away from the test areas and others who were, at the time, not considered to be at any risk from radiation exposure.A contract, to be funded by the Ministry of Defence, will be placed shortly for the detailed conduct of the survey by an independent organisation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the establishment of a free port in Solihull, serving the west midlands, particularly in view of the standard of factory accommodation at the Rover site.

I hope that an announcement will be made before the summer recess inviting applications for experimental free port status and setting out the criteria by which these will be judged. All bids received will be fully and carefully considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of administering estate duty in each of the last five years.

The cost of collecting estate duty alone is not available. As for the estimated cost of collecting capital transfer tax and estate duty together, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 6 July 1983.—[Vol. 45, c. 92.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the overall change in the revenue to the Exchequer from that previously forecast resulting from the exclusion from the Finance Bill of 50 clauses appearing in the Finance Bill of last Session.

Those clauses in last Session's Finance Bill, which are neither in Finance Act 1983, nor in the summer Finance Bill, nor in the proposed autumn oil taxation Bill, would have had a net direct revenue cost of £4 million in 1983–84. There is thus a net yield to the Revenue of this amount, by comparison with that previously forecast. Further statements about these provisions will be made soon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when an announcement will be made regarding the criteria on which submissions for free port status may be based.

I hope before the summer recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the statement on 7 July by the right hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley), Official Report, c. 398, when he expects to bring forward proposals to levy tax on miners' concessionary coal.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to the statement by the right hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) on 6 July, Official Report, c. 361–2, he will ensure that the draft legislation on the taxation of international businesses is published as a White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many of the new £1 coins have been minted; how many and what percentage have been supplied to banks; and how many he estimates are now in circulation;(2) what orders or requisitions have been placed with or by the Royal Mint for the further supply of £1 coins; and what requisitions or orders for these coins have been placed by the clearing banks;(3) how many £1 notes were in circulation when the £1 coin first appeared; how many £1 notes are now in circulation; and how many £1 notes he estimates will be in circulation 12 months from the date when the £1 coin appeared;(4) how many complaints he has received concerning the design of the new £1 coin;(5) with whom he held consultations before approving the design of the new £1 coin.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to put the present arrangements for differing payment of excise duties on a statutory basis.

The Commissioners of Customs and Excise are laying before the House today regulations made under the powers conferred by section 6 of the Finance Act 1983. These regulations operate from 15 September 1983, and put on a statutory basis the existing extra-statutory arrangements for deferring payment of excise duties on wines and spirits which have operated since 15 February 1983.The regulations also continue the existing statutory arrangements for deferment of duties on beer, made-wine, cider and matches imported from European Community countries and repeal the present regulations which were made under the European Communities Act 1972 and which have been in operation since 15 October 1982.To remove anomalies, the new regulations also extend, with effect from 15 September 1983, deferred duty payment facilites to imports of beer, cider, made-wine and matches from non-Community countries; and provide duty deferment for mechanical lighters, both imported and of United Kingdom manufacture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Community Finance Council in Brussels on 11 July.

I represented the United Kingdom at this Council, which was the first under Greek Presidency.The economic situation in the Community was reviewed by Ministers, and I joined the Commission and other Ministers in emphasising the importance of firm control over budgetary deficits to avoid prejudicing our gains on inflation. There was also a general discussion of the prospects for the international monetary system.Ministers also discussed the Community position on the OECD export credit consensus negotiations. It was agreed that the Community would seek a further extension of the existing arrangements pending agreement on a Community position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 5 July, Official Report, c. 55, when he expects to announce his proposals for legislation similar to that contained in clause 29 of the Finance Bill of last Session; and what is the commencement date which will be operative for these proposals.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 July 1983, c. 254]: As I said in the answer given on 5 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) —[Vol. 45, c. 551—we are considering all the proposals, including the original clause 29, that were withdrawn from this year's first Finance Bill and have not yet been reintroduced. When our consideration is complete, we shall be announcing our decisions in as much detail as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to establish a capital fund into which the proceeds of the sale of Government assets will be placed in order to ensure that capital assets will not be used to defray current expenditure.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 1983, c. 302]: Proceeds from the sale of Government assets forming part of the privatisation programme are credited to special sales of assets and displayed separately in the public expenditure White Paper. Proceeds from the sales are used in accordance with the Government's overall economic strategy, and I do not think it necessary or appropriate to set up a separate capital fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the present procedure governing public complaints about police conduct.

Proposals for improving the police complaints system were included in the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill in the last Parliament. We are looking again at the arguments on this and the other matters dealt with before bringing forward a new Bill in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage increase has occurred in the number of serious crimes and offences in which firearms are involved made known to the Metropolitan police in the most recent year for which figures are available compared with 10 years previously.

Between 1971 and 1981, the latest year for which comprehensive figures are available, the increase in the number of notifiable offences recorded by the Metropolitan police in which firearms, including air weapons, were reported to have been used was about 240 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in the following groups of crimes since 1965: (a) murder, manslaughter and offences under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, (b) other offences against the person and (c) offences other than against the person.

Information on notifiable offences recorded by the police is published annually by type of offence in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 2.4 et seq of the most recent volume, Cmnd. 8668, for 1981—and in "Home Office Statistical Bulletins". Table 5 of issue 3/83 includes 1982 figures. The published figures indicate an increase in recorded offences between 1965 and 1982 of about 115 per cent for offences of homicide and wounding or other act endangering life, about 185 per cent. for other offences of violence against the person and sexual offences, and about 145 per cent. for other notifiable offences, including robbery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about statutory requirements in Switzerland and in other European countries relating to provision for approved nuclear air raid shelters in new construction.

Some European countries, including Switzerland, have statutory requirements. I will write to my hon. Friend with details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many qualified full-time library staff are employed in the Home Defence College library.

None. The library is looked after by a part-time member of staff who has no formal qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received for a reduction in the level of fees for acquisition of citizenship by naturalisation or registration.

In the three months from April to June this year my right hon. and learned Friend and 1 have received 14 letters from Members and former Members of this House and from members of the public about citizenship fees. In addition, 12 letters have been received from organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement the recommendations in the third report from the Home Affairs Committee to ensure that those entitled to British citizenship are charged no fee, those with discretionary entitlement are charged £80, and that the fee be waived for all on supplementary benefit or family income supplement.

All the recommendations in the report are being carefully considered. Thorough examination and consultation will be required and this will take time. Any proposals to change fees will be put before Parliament for approval.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many concessionary television licences were issued in each of the last three years.

Some 17,312 special old persons' home television licences were in force in March 1981; 16,391 in 1982; and 17,536 in 1983. The approximate numbers of pensioners covered by them were 450,000, 480,000 and 520,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to lay regulations introducing a concessionary television licence for disabled people in residential homes or sheltered housing; and if he will make a statement.

We hope to make a further statement before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now consider the phasing out of payment of television licences for senior citizens; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 5 July—[Vol. 45, c. 66.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that present punishments available to the courts for crimes of violence represent a true deterrent.

For all serious offences of violence the penalty of life imprisonment is available to the courts. I am generally satisfied that the penalties available for acts of violence are sufficient, though the deterrent effect of penalties and sentencing is not readily measured and they are by no means the only relevant factors in preventing violent crime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the establishment of the Merseyside police force.

The authorised establishment of the Merseyside police is 4,607.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider extending eligibility for parole to short-term prisoners.

We are still considering the possible use of the power in section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will dismiss Mr. James Horsfall, the governor of Oxford prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will dismiss Mr. James Horsfall, the governor of Oxford prison.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce measures to eliminate the sale of grossly offensive video tapes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to introduce legislation to deal with violent and obscene video cassettes.

I fully accept the need for legislation to control the sale and hire of objectionable video cassettes. I am very pleased that my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Mr. Bright), who gained first place in the Ballot, intends to bring forward a Bill on this subject, and I will be glad to make available to him all the advice and assistance he requires.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received opposing the new civil defence regulations.

About 500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring the new civil defence regulations into force.

The draft civil defence regulations laid on 12 July are expressed as coming into operation 28 days after they are made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring forward legislation to amend the law on police powers.

In the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to prevent a continuation of the serious disorders in prisons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many major incidents there have been in prisons in England so far in 1983; and if he will make a statement.

There is no formal classification of "major incidents", but my right hon. and learned Friend regards as major and serious incidents the disturbances which took place at Her Majesty's prison Albany on 20 to 25 May and at Her Majesty's prison Wormwood Scrubs on 16 June. The security implications of these are being analysed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the standards of protective clothing for police forces and fire brigades are satisfactory.

Responsibility for the provision of protective clothing for the police and fire services in England and Wales rests with police and fire authorities. Advice on police protective clothing is issued as needed by the Home office and by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Fire authorities have available to them recommendations by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. We are satisfied that proper arrangements exist for keeping the standards of protective clothing under review to take account of changes in technology and in the hazards encountered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which buildings or installations in the Cardiff city council administrative area his Department has responsibility.

My Department is responsible for Her Majesty's prison and remand centre, Knox road, Cardiff, and for the associated prison quarters. It also occupies premises in Newport road, the Hayes and Bute docks, which are the primary responsibility of the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now publish the report of the Chief Inspector of Constabulary into the conduct of the Yorkshire Ripper inquiries.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7 July to a question from the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Torney).—[Vol 45, c. 142.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider measures to prevent senior policemen who have recently retired from writing in the media about cases which were the subject of police inquiries in their force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to seek changes in the terms of employment of senior police officers concerning confidentiality of information obtained by them in the course of their work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to regulate the publication of memoirs by chief officers of police.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave today to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will apply the lessons learnt from the short sharp shock detention centres to other penal institutions where practicable.

The tougher regimes pilot project is being closely overseen. We shall need to consider its lessons in the light of the results of the evaluation programme, which is well advanced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the light of the chief constable of Thames valley's report on "Operation Major", a copy of which has been sent to him, if he will issue new guidelines to police forces about holding press conferences about the arrest of individuals before those individuals have been tried.

On 29 December 1982, in the light of the recommendations of Mr. Byford's review of the Yorkshire Ripper case, the Department issued to chief officers of police circulars of guidance of general application about, inter alia the Contempt of Court Act 1981. My noble Friend Lord Whitelaw, then Home Secretary, announced this to the House on 18 January 1983 and copies of both circulars were placed in the Library of the House.The guidance on the 1981 Act took full account of the need for careful handling by the police of their statements to the media following arrests and before the completion of all proceedings in the courts. We see no need for any further guidance in the light of the chief constable's recent report to his police authority about "Operation Major".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his responsibilities in respect of charities.

My right hon. and learned Friend is generally responsible for legislation concerning charities. Under the Charities Act 1960 he appoints the Charity Commissioners and presents their annual report to Parliament. He also has power under that Act to prescribe by regulations anything which may under that Act need to be prescribed and to give effect by an order made by statutory instrument to schemes for the administration of charities made in certain circumstances by the Charity Commissioners. The Home Secretary has no other responsibility for the affairs of individual charities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with neighbourhood watch schemes and liaison between police and public; and if he will make a statement.

Several police forces have set up neighbourhood watch schemes and the Metropolitan police are in the process of doing so. Other forces are considering introducing such schemes. Encouraging progress has already been made in establishing, up and down the country, consultation groups aimed at improving liaison between police and public, and this work is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted prisoners, and those in custody awaiting trial, are currently being held in police stations in Bedfordshire having been sent there from London due to lack of such accommodation in the capital; how long he expects this situation to continue; and if he will make a statement.

No prisoners are currently being held in police cells in Bedfordshire on behalf of the prison service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received concerning the possibility of extending postal votes for elections to people on holiday; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1 May, we have received 33 letters from hon. Members and 52 from members of the public. In addition, we have answered seven parliamentary questions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has assessed the administrative difficulties that would arise in extending the postal vote to electors absent on holiday or for other non-business reasons.

I am examining the administrative and other issues involved in enabling holidaymakers and others unavoidably away from home on polling day to vote.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the parliamentary election system.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into Sunday trading.

My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what will be the approximate amount of savings at the bottom level of the probation service per annum if the proposed cuts in trainee pay are implemented;(2) what will be the average weekly take-home pay after reductions for a trainee probation officer starting at the bottom level if the proposed cuts in the probation service pay scale are implemented;(3) what will be the yearly reduction in the pay for a trainee probation officer starting at the bottom level if the proposed cuts in the probation service pay scale are implemented;(4) what is the average yearly wage for a trainee probation officer.

Introduction of a revised salary scale for probation students sponsored by the Home Office for courses starting this year is expected to yield an annual saving of about £300,000.Average take-home pay at the lowest point on the revised scale will be £217·42 a month for a student whose course is based at a college outside the London pay area, and £266 for a student based in inner London; or, if the student is a married man, £233·92 and £282·50, respectively. In addition, the student may be eligible for reimbursement of travelling expenses incurred during the course, including those between home or lodgings and the college, and for other allowances depending upon the individual circumstances.A student under age 26, without any relevant experience, who starts this year on the minimum of the scale on a course lasting two academic years will receive £963 less in salary during the first year and about £1,900 less over the whole period of training than would have been payable under the scale previously in force. Both figures are gross, before deduction of the student's superannuation contributions, earnings-related national insurance, and income tax.The average annual salary for a student whose training commenced before 1 April 1983 is £5,152 if the course is based at a college outside the London pay area, and £6,160 if the course is based in inner London. The corresponding figures for those commencing training in the 1983–84 academic year are £4,746 and £5,754, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to phase out the LD 50 test.

There are certain purposes for which this test is likely to remain essential for the foreseeable future. The available information suggests, however, that substantial progress is being made in this country to reduce the number of animals required in such tests or to replace them where practicable by limit tests. We very much welcome that progress.The Department is currently preparing a code of practice which will reinforce these efforts and give additional guidance about ways in which animals used in acute toxicity tests may be spared pain and distress. My right hon. and learned Friend believes that these steps represent the best way forward.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will decline to issue any new licences under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 for experiments on animals involving pain and death where an alternative non-animal method exists; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will revoke all existing licences under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 for experiments on animals involving pain and death where an alternative non-animal method exists; and if he will make a statement.

Whilst having no power under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 to impose a blanket restriction of this kind my right hon. and learned Friend does, in considering applications for the various kinds of authority which may be given under the Act, have proper regard to the possibility that a known and suitable alternative may exist. Moreover, licensees under the 1876 Act are regularly reminded of the desirability of developing and using non-sentient alternatives to animals whenever practicable. I understand that where a proven alternative exists, researchers are usually quick to adopt it on humanitarian, scientific and economic grounds. When legislation to implement the proposals in the recent White Paper is introduced, applicants for project licences will be required for the first time to certify that no satisfactory alternatives exist before their licence can be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the figures for the authorised establishment of the Wiltshire constabulary for the years 1973 to 1983; what was the actual strength of the force in post in each year; and if he will express both as a proportion of the population of the county.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is (a) the present population and certified accommodation of each of the dispersal prisons and (b) the proportion of category "A" prisoners in each of the dispersal prisons.

We will reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to alter the regimes operated within the dispersal prisons.

From time to time minor changes are made in the regimes operated within individual dispersal prisons. There are no plans at present to introduce major changes throughout the system.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils took school meals in each education authority in Wales in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982; how many had free meals in each instance; and what information he has as to what criterion each authority adopts for eligibility for free meals.

The information requested is shown in the following table. Information on criteria for eligibility for free meals is not included in the returns which local education authorities are required to make, but I understand that in addition to the provision made for pupils eligible under the Education Act 1980, six of the eight local education authorities in Wales give consideration to special cases or categories.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many National Health Service hospitals there are in Wales; how many are fully in use; how many are partially in use; and how many are under construction.

One hundred and seventy-three, all fully in use except for one eight-bed ward temporarily closed for repairs. Six major hospital schemes are under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many beds, wards and operating theatres there are within the National Health Service in Wales; and how many are not being used.

On 31 December 1982, there were 23,336 beds in NHS hospitals. Of these, 22,755 beds were allocated, leaving 581 beds out of use for various reasons. During 1982 the average daily available beds numbered 22,441, showing a further 314 beds temporarily out of use —for periods of not longer than a month.Information on wards and operating theatres is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his reason for the decision to demolish staff quarters at Rhydlafar hospital; what advantages will be gained from the rebuilding; and what are the costs involved;(2) if he has estimated the cost of upgrading the present operating theatre at Rhydlafar hospital; what are the advantages of the proposed reciting; whether adequate back-up facilities will be close by; what will happen to the school building where the operating theatre is to be sited; and what provision will be made for education of the school-aged hospital population;(3) why it is proposed to decrease the number of children's beds at the Prince of Wales hospital, Rhydlafar, from 38 to 22; and how many children are at present on the waiting list;(4) if, in the event of the present heating system breaking down and the contingency plan of dispersing staff and patients to other hospitals being activated, he will

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was lost in each year since 1979 in the National Health Service in Wales through pilfering; and what percentage of total expenditure these figures represent.

Losses due specifically to pilferage are not separately identifiable centrally. Such losses are included in the following categories of loss recorded in the annual accounts sumitted to the Department by NHS authorities and published in statement 8 of the summarised accounts.undertake that the envisaged upgrading of the Prince of Wales hospital Rhydlafar, will be carried out and the unit reopened there;(5) for what reason Rhydlafar hospital will have fewer beds after upgrading than before; and what is the present waiting list;(6) if he is satisfied that facilities at Rhydlafar hospital are being fully used; and how many wards are at present closed.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the safety standards of all automatic open level crossings on classified roads in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Yes; the safety record of such crossings in Wales is excellent, but if the hon. Gentleman is concerned about a particular crossing I would be happy to examine the position if he will let me have the details.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement about report No. 20 from the Top Salaries Review Body.

Yes. The Government have now considered report No. 20 from the Top Salaries Review Body — Cmnd. 8881 — on parliamentary pay and allowances. Their conclusions are as follows: