asked the Attorney-General what decision was reached by the Lord Chancellor concerning the written complaint which he received on 27 April 1982 questioning the suitability of Mr. Phillip Sealey to sit on the magistrates' bench in the London borough of Brent; and if he will make a statement.

This complaint was investigated in 1982 at the request of the Lord Chancellor by the local advisory committee, and as a result the magistrate concerned was reminded of the obligation resting on all members of the bench to avoid statements in public which could be understood in such a way as to give rise, in the mind of anyone hearing or reading them, to a loss of confidence in the magistrate as such or in the magistracy generally by reason of their intemporate or unbalanced approach to their subject matter.The local advisory committee did not recommend the removal of the justice and my noble Friend accepted its advice. There are, however, other proceedings pending and sub judice which might affect the matter. In the meantime the magistrate has agreed not to sit and no further comment would be appropriate.

asked the Attorney-General what is the average time that elapses between the opening of an inquest into a disputed killing in Northern Ireland and the original incident.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 21 July 1983—[Vol. 46, c. 177.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department studies the effect of exchange rate changes on production of particular classes of product in the United Kingdom in determining industrial policy.

The movement in exchange rates is one among a number of factors being monitored by the Department. In general it has been found difficult to differentiate the effects of such movements from those of other factors at work.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry whether Her Majesty's Government have made a decision about Mercury's role in international telecommunication services.

In my statement of 7 February on the Littlechild report, I said that the Government accepted that the current restrictions on Mercury's supply of international services should be eased. Since then I have held further discussions with both Mercury arid British Telecom. The Government recognises that British Telecom provides a good range and quality of international services, but sees equally a place for Mercury to provide international services. The Government have, therefore, decided that Mercury should have freedom to provide the full range of international services and to negotiate arrangements for these services directly with overseas operators.British Telecom's status as the primary United Kingdom international operator responsible for maintaining services to all countries will remain unchanged.BT and Mercury will be discussing the implementation of this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his meeting on 21 July to discuss the future of the A320.

[pursuant to his reply, 22 July 1983, c. 274.]: My hon. Friend, the Minister of State, met his opposite numbers from France, Germany and Spain in Paris on 21 July, as part of a regular cycle of such meetings, to discuss various Airbus matters including the proposed A320. The Ministers recognised the importance of the oportunity offered today by the considerable market which is developing for a 150-seat aircraft. They welcomed the marketing exercise which Airbus Industrie is conducting to assess reaction to the A320 powered by the CFM56–4 engine. They also noted with satisfaction that other possibilities might open up for the engining of this aircraft. The Ministers expect to receive in the near future the elements necessary for a decision on the launch of the A320 project. They agreed to meet on this subject before the end of the year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to provide British Members of the European Parliament with better access to the House, in line with the facilities available to Members of the European Parliament in other European Community countries.

Access to the House for British Members of the European Parliament was the subject of a Services Committee report in March 1980 (second report, H.C. (1979–80)461). The report made limited proposals for access, the implementation of which was to be only on a trial basis and subject in any case to a decision of the House. No such decision was taken. Since then, the increased pressure on House facilities by both Members and staff of the House has given rise to concern, and in the last Parliament an investigation was begun into the erosion of Members' rights by several Sub-Committees of the Services Committee. No doubt the recently appointed Sub-Committees may wish to consider resuming these inquiries and I will draw the hon. Member's concern for improved access for MEPs to their attention in that context.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many minutes during session 1982–83 were spent on the Floor of the House on Scottish business.

The time was 24 hours and 48 minutes. This does not include daily Adjournment debates, statements, private notice questions, applications for emergency debates under Standing Order No. 9/10 and Scottish elements of Consolidated Fund and holiday Adjournment debates, as it is frequently impossible to put such business firmly into the category of Scottish business.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will set out the different payments made to hon. Members since the increase in 1965; and what the equivalent figure would be in 1983 in each case.

The information requested is set out as follows:

asked the Prime Minister if she will examine and make an estimate of the administrative savings that could be achieved by an amalgamation of the functions, staffs and premises of the regional offices of the Department of Health and Social Security with the housing and social services departments of local authorities, together with the disposal value of those premises which would then be superfluous.

Although I can see the attraction of what my hon. Friend suggests, it would almost certainly involve heavy medium term costs. Given the many calls on public expenditure, I do not think a study of the sort he proposes could be justified.

asked the Prime Minister if she will co-ordinate studies by the Inland Revenue, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Department of the Environment and other relevant official bodies of the practicability of introducing a tax credit or basic income guarantee scheme on a revenue neutral basis.

I take it that my hon. Friend is referring to the suggestions raised in the material published with the third special report of the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee. All questions which involve possible changes in the structure of the tax and social security systems, including tax credit schemes, are considered on a co-ordinated basis by the Treasury, Inland Revenue and DHSS, and other departments are consulted as necessary. Consideration of the material published by the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee will be handled in the same way.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether any additional arrangements, governing the use of American bases and nuclear weapons systems, were discussed or agreed at the reaffirmation in 1981 of existing arrangements between the Prime Minister and President Reagan;(2) what form the reaffirmation of the arrangements governing the use of American bases and nuclear weapons systems, between the Prime Minister and President Reagan in 1981, took; when and where it took place; whether both herself and President Reagan were personally involved in the reaffirmation; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the arrangements as reaffirmed;(3) if she will place in the Library a copy of the document which outlines the circumstances in which American cruise missiles sited in the United Kingdom may be used.

There is nothing I can add to the reply given on 12 May 1983 to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Colchester, North (Sir A. Buck)—[Vol. 42, c. 435]—and which I repeated in the House on 30 June 1983.—[Vol. 44, c. 697.]

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report a list of all the top public appointments for which she has been directly or indirectly responsible since May 1979.

I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the averge length of detention at the earliest convenient date for (a) all people detained under Immigration Act powers, (b) people detained as illegal entrants, (c) people recommended for deporting and subsequently deported and (d) people arrested as missing deportees and subsequently deported.(2) what is the average daily population of Immigration Act detainees under the different categories.

I regret that not all the information requested is available or could be obtained without disproportionate cost.In 1982 the average daily population in prison department establishments in England and Wales of people detained under the Immigration Act 1971 was about 110. Most of those so detained are illegal entrants or people subject to deportation procedures.The three principal immigration service detention units are at Harmondsworth, Queen's building Heathrow and Gatwick. In 1982 the average period for which detainees were held at Harmondsworth was less than two days and in the first six months of 1983 the average daily population of people held overnight in the three units was about 30. Those detained in the Units are in nearly all cases passengers seeking leave to enter, or refused leave to enter and awaiting removal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of people received into Immigration Act detention during 1982 (a) in all places of detention and (b) in Her Majesty's remand centre, Ashford.

During 1982 there were about 11,600 receptions into immigration service detention units in Great Britain of people detained under the Immigration Act 1971. During the same year the number of receptions into prison department establishments in England and Wales of people detained under the 1971 Act was about 960, of which about 700 were receptions into Ashford remand centre. Because some people may be transferred between one unit or esablishment and another there may be some double counting in these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the number of people in the Delyn parliamentary constituency who can receive transmissions from the British Broadcasting Company Wales, Harlech Television Wales and S4C, respectively; and in which parts of the constituency they are located.

Because of screening by hills, certain areas of Deeside cannot receive UHF television services from transmitters in Wales, principally the main north-east Wales transmitter at Moel-y-Parc, and instead have to rely for television service on the Winter Hill transmitter in Lancashire, which carries BBC1 (north-west), BBC2, Granada and the fourth channel (instead of BBC Wales, BBC2, Harlech and S4C). The only readily available information regarding the numbers involved comes from a 1970 survey, which showed that around 12,000 people in the Holywell and Flint areas were in this situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to the Metropolitan police of exercising responsibility for lost and found property; and whether any arrangements are being undertaken for the review of this activity.

The net cost to the Metropolitan police of headquarters staff and transport devoted wholly to dealing with lost and found property is approximately £47,000 per annum after deduction of receipts from the sale of unclaimed property. Police officers in districts are also involved in this work as part of their normal duties but the cost of this cannot be separately identified. The commissioner is now reviewing this activity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of training and equipping police motor cyclists in the Metropolitan police; and how many officers are assigned to such duties.

The cost of the standard training course and the equipment for a police motor cyclist in the Metropolitan police is approximately £1,760, excluding the cost of the motor cycle The force has 527 motor cycles which cost a total of £1,241,714. Some 1,000 officers in the Metropolitan police have been trained in, and may be called upon to perform, motor cycle duties; but in a normal working day only about 200 are regularly assigned to such duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motor vehicle maintenance depots and garages there are for the Metropolitan police; what is the total cost on an annual basis; and whether any arrangements are being considered for contracting out or competitive tender.

The Metropolitan police have 14 vehicle maintenance depots and garages. It is not possible to give the total cost because most of the buildings used are shared with other police departments. A study is being conducted of the comparative costs and advantages of external and internal vehicle maintenance work, with a view to a possible increase in contracting out and competitive tendering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average inclusive cost of a Metropolitan police officer.

The total net cost of the Metropolitan police for the financial year 1982–83, divided by the average strength (all ranks) over the year, produces an annual inclusive cost of £23,517 per officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated current inclusive cost of a summary prosecution in a magistrates' court (a) in England and Wales and (b) in the Metropolitan police area.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if BBC Radio Devon will be permitted to use the 103·9 megahertz frequency at Huntshaw Cross.

Yes. International frequency clearance has now been obtained, subject to the standard proviso that a change may be necessary following the 1984 VHF Band II international conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently held in Armley prison, Leeds; and how this figure compares with the certified normal accommodation.

On 15 July 1983 the population of Her Majesty's prison, Leeds was 1,214 as against a certified normal accommodation of 621.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for the most recent 12-month period, in the Metropolitan police district, how many persons have been detained in police stations without charge for over 96 hours, 48 hours, over 24 hours, and less than six hours.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but the available information from a special survey conducted by the Metropolitan Police is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress is being made in the negotiations between the BBC and his Department about the allocation of space for local radio on VHF band 2; and when he expects these negotiations to be concluded;(2) what proposals to improve the effectiveness of local radio he intends to submit to the February 1984 International Telecommunications Union;(3) if he will withdraw his Department's proposed plan regarding allocation of frequencies on VHF band 2 in view of the fact that both the British Broadcasting Corporation and independent local radio have said that it is unacceptable.

We have fully consulted both the BBC and the IBA in the preparation of the United Kingdom's plan for the VHF band 2 planning conference to be held in Geneva at the end of 1984, and will continue to do so. The plan makes additional spectrum available for both BBC and independent local radio. As I said in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 21 July, it is impossible to give each broadcasting authority all that it seeks without severe penalties to the other. Both authorities regard the existing plan as falling short of their ideals; but the IBA have accepted it as a fair and workable compromise. [Vol. 46, c. 189–90.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many sponsorships for the training of probation officers are available for September 1983;(2) how many applications for sponsorship for the training of probation officers his Department has received from persons who have been offered a place on a certificate of qualification in social work course within that course's quota of sponsored places;

A recruit to the probation service as an established probation officer must hold a certificate of qualification in social work. To ensure there are sufficient eligible applicants the Home Office sponsors students for courses at selected universities and polytechnics. The number of sponsorships is determined by the needs of the service and each course is allocated a quota of sponsored places. The number of sponsorships available for the academic year 1983–84 is 288.An applicant for sponsorship must first have been selected by an appropriate educational institution for a place on a relevant course and recommended for sponsorship within its quota. By 1 July 289 applications had been received, with the following results:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations have been invited to comment on the proposals for updating the legislation on animal welfare.

The recently published White Paper "Scientific Procedures on Living Animals", (Cmnd. 8883) which sets out the Government's proposals for updating the existing legislation, concludes with a general invitation to interested organisations or individuals to comment on the proposals. A number have already done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the cost of each police operation referred to in appendix 10 of the report of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis for the year 1982.

[pursuanttohisreply, 11July 1983,c. 216]: Appendix 10 to the Commissioner's report lists public order events in 1982 which required the employment of more than 1,000 officers. The events included demonstrations, marches, state visits, ceremonial, festive and sporting occasions. Following is the text of the appendix, together with the Commissioner's estimate of the cost, to the nearest £1,000, of each operation:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, for universities in Great Britain, how many first-year students discontinued their studies at the end of the first year due to examination failure; and what percentage of that year's students they represented in each of the last five years.

The information is no available in the form requested, but an analysis conducted on the basis of 1979 figures suggested that about 4 per cent. of university students left their courses in that year without qualifying because of examination failure. About half of those who left were in their first year of study.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the rate contribution by precept to the Inner London education authority made by each inner London borough.

The Inner London education authority precept for 1983–84 is 77·0p. This amounts to the following sums for the City of London and the inner London boroughs:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the information given in the answer of 13 July, Official Report, c. 367, that 59 out of the 104 solvent abuse deaths in 1981 and 1982 were of persons under 17 years, he will introduce a programme to eliminate solvent sniffing in schools.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has consulted a wide range of interests, including representatives of teachers and local authorities, about further action which the Government might take and hopes to make a statement later this year. A number of local education authorities have already distributed guidance to schools on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's inspector's report on the Liverpool Institute high school for boys;(2) what steps he intends to take following the recent report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on the Liverpool Institute high school for boys;(3) if, in the light of the recent report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on the Liverpool Institute high school for boys, he considers that any general changes are needed in relation to secondary education in the city; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend's response and the action he has initiated are set out in the two letters which were sent to the authority on 13 June, the texts of which are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether local education authorities have made representations to him as to the likely effect of cost savings recently announced on the total number of teachers.

My right hon. Friends will be discussing local authority expenditure in 1984–85 with representatives of the local authority associations today at the consultative council for local government finance. The Government have not yet made decisions about their plans for 1984–85.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to the future of nautical education; and whether he will take steps to ensure that facilities for nautical education are maintained in the north-east of England.

The national advisory body for local authority higher education is currently reviewing the provision of nautical education and training in England in the light of the decline in the size of the United Kingdom merchant fleet and the consequent fall in the shipping industry's requirements for trained personnel. I await the NAB's advice and cannot predict the outcome although I know that the desirable regional spread of provision is amongst its considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any information as to the number of local education authorities which provide formal vocational courses on industry and employment in the fifth year curriculum at secondary level.

The Department does not collect information in this form.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue a circular to local authorities suggesting the appointment of people with business experience to school governing bodies.

Circular 4/81, which continues in force, asks local education authorities to pay particular attention, when appointing governors, to the valuable contribution which persons drawn from industry and commerce can make to the work of school governing bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each planning authority in Wales the percentage of planning applications they have determined within the statutory period in each of the past five years.

This information has only been collected centrally since April 1980 and is not complete. The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of each local authority in Wales that has ORLIT houses in its stock, together with the respective number of those houses.

The local authorities in Wales which have ORLIT houses in their stock are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he anticipates that construction will commence for the proposed Welshpool relief roads.Mr. John Stradling Thomas: As stated in "Roads in Wales 1983" construction of the Welshpool relief roads is expected to start before the end of 1988.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the money allocated to the steel areas has so far been spent at Port Talbot; over what period of time it was envisaged that £20 million would be spent in the whole area; and what is the reason for the shortfall and delay.

In February 1980 I announced that additional special funds would be made available over the financial years 1980–81 and 1981–82 to help the steel areas of South Wales. Since 1 April 1980 the Welsh Development Agency has spent £32 million in the special programme for the Port Talbot area. There has been no short-fall or delay in expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the existing factories at Baglan industrial park have so far been let; how many industrialists have so far visited the site with a view to renting; and when further factories are to be built.

None of the new factories at Baglan industrial park have so far been let. The Welsh Development Agency does not have a record of visits by industrialists to the site. The timing of further factory construction will depend in a large measure upon the rate at which the first phase of factories is allocated.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what measures Her Majesty's Government have taken since May 1979 to reduce aircraft and helicopter noise over west London; what further steps he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.

Since May 1979 the Government have maintained all the noise abatement measures then in force despite the difficult economic climate in which the civil aviation industry has had to operate. These measures are intended to minimise the disturbance caused by aircraft and helicopter noise over West London and other areas similarly affected. The Government will continue to encourage the development and adoption of additional measures as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of steep hill warning signs on roads for which he is responsible now express gradients in percentage terms, as compared with the form previously used; and whether he has made any assessment of the extent to which motorists correctly interpret their significance.

I regret that this information is not available. We do not have a record of the total number of warning signs. Steep hill warning signs expressing gradients in percentage terms were first prescribed in 1975. Any erected since then must be of the new design, but there is no requirement for signs erected earlier to be replaced until this becomes necessary in the course of normal maintenance. No special assessment has yet been made of the extent to which drivers correctly interpret the significance of the signs.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has made of long-term strategic road requirements in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire to accommodate heavy traffic travelling on north-south routes; what conclusions he has reached; what part he envisages being played by the relevant county road authorities in reaching solutions; and whether he will make a statement.

The national road system embodies motorways, trunk roads and some principal roads which together form a primary route network capable of accommodating most vehicles and heavy traffic in particular. My Department is the highway authority for most motorways and all trunk roads, principal roads being the responsibility of the relevant county councils. We have made no special study of heavy traffic travelling north-south in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire, but improvements to all the trunk roads in these Counties are programmed.The western and southern sections of the M25 when completed, should give relief to local roads at present carrying heavy lorries in Surrey. We are currently consulting local authorities on a review of the primary route network, but responsibility for assessing the need for improvements on local roads, together with the implementation of local lorry control schemes rests firmly with the local highway authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report the safety regulations which govern the transport of civil radioactive material, together with relevant international standards and regulations.

The relevant regulations and standards are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport where are the two road signs reading "Welcome to South Hams" referred to in the answer of 15 July, Official Report, c. 465.

The signs are now in the motorway maintenance depot at Exeter.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Hams on 15 July concerning the road signs on the A38 reading "Welcome to South Hams", when the signs were first erected; why a notice was issued under section 143 of the Highways Act 1980 for their removal; and how much his Department is to pay to Devon county council for removing the signs.

I am not certain when the signs were provided as they were erected by the South Hams district council. The notice was issued by the Department because the erection of these signs had not been authorised and their installation was contrary to the Department's policy in respect of such signs. The cost of removal was less than £5 as this was carried out with other routine maintenance operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now take steps to have the road signs reading "Welcome to South Hams" restored to their original position on the A38.

No. As stated in answer to one of the other questions on this subject tabled by my hon. Friend for answer today, their provision is contrary to the Department's policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make arrangements for the removal of signs reading "Toilets" on the A38 at Yealampton, in view of the fact that the lavatories concerned were removed in 1981.

I am not aware of any such signs on the A38 trunk road in this vicinity referring to non-existent facilities.The hon. Gentleman may be referring to signs situated on the A379 principal road for which Devon county council is the responsible highway authority. It is for the county council to take action to secure their removal.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to have removed the signs on the A38 reading "Welcome to Plymouth".

No. These signs are considered to be justified as they advise motorists that they are approaching the city.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the policy of his Department towards the erection of signs on trunk roads welcoming drivers to a particular area.

Our policy is to allow signs welcoming drivers to a particular area to be erected on trunk and other roads where the information is considered to be of use to motorists. We allow the names of district councils to be shown as additional information on signs giving the names of towns, villages or other well known localities, but not by themselves because many do not have any recognisable geographical meaning to the majority of motorists.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents have been recorded in each of the last three years on the A38 dual carriageway linking Exeter with Plymouth; how many motor vehicles were involved in each; how many passengers and drivers were injured; and if there were any fatal accidents.

The following is the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals there are for extending the crash barriers on the A38 dual carriageway linking Exeter with Plymouth and over what timescale.

As a result of a comprehensive review, I have recently agreed to the provision of two further lengths of safety fencing in the central reserve, one at Linhay Hill, the other at Chudleigh. Each length will be about five-eighths of a mile. I anticipate that the erection of this fencing, along with other associated safety works, will be completed by the end of November.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many trade licence plates have been issued; and if he will state the numbers by areas or regions.

The following are the figures for 1982:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities in the United Kingdom undertake private hire work in addition to their public transport duties; if he will publish a list of such authorities; and if he has any plans to seek to restrict such activities.

Thirty-five of the 37 district council operators in England recorded some private hire mileage in 1982, but the total amounted to under 3 per cent. of their overall mileage. The undertakings concerned were:

Barrow, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Burnley.

Chester, Chesterfield, Cleveland, Colchester, Derby.

Eastbourne, East Staffs, Fylde, Great Yarmouth, Grimsby, Halton, Hartlepool, Hyndburn.

Ipswich, Kingston-upon-Hull, Lancaster, Leicester, Lincoln, Maidstone, Northampton, Nottingham.

Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Rossendale, Southampton, Southend, Thamesdown, Warrington.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if any requirements are imposed upon local authorities who provide public transport to keep separate accounts for any private hire activity they may undertake; and if he will make a statement.

There is no requirement that local authority transport undertakings should keep separate accounts for private hire activity, although the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy recommends that bus operators should show the income received from contract and private hire work separately in their accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why that part of the M25 between the M1 and the M4 was not given capacity for expansion to dual four lanes to cope with any increase in traffic flows beyond his Department's current forecasts.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why, given his Department's forecasts of traffic flows on the western section of the M25 and the probability of additional generated traffic, the motorway between the M4 and Chertsey was not given dual four lanes from the outset.

Dual four-lanes are being provided from the outset on the M25 between junctions 15 (M4) and 14 (Poyle interchange) and between junctions 14 and 13 (Staines interchange). When the sections from junction 13 to junction 11 (Chertsey interchange) were built in the 1970s, and the timing of a future need for fourth lanes was less certain, the motorway was constructed with dual three-lanes and an extra wide central reserve to facilitate the provision of fourth lanes later.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he foresees the need to increase the capacity of the Dartford tunnel within the next 15 years.

Not at present. We are providing 100 per cent. grants for the improvement of the Dartford tunnel southern approach roads to motorway standards and for the enlargement of the toll plaza. On current forecasts this will enable the tunnel to cope with the traffic which is expected to use it. But I shall keep the position under review, particularly when the eastern section of the M25 is fully open to traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the chairman of the Port of London Authority its policy towards seeking employment opportunities for registered dock workers outside the area of its jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the Port of London Authority that it has no such policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the reports of the feasibility studies into the conversion of the Woodhead tunnel and the Woodside-Selsdon line for road use; and if he will make a statement.

The reports will be published soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has allocated the design work for the trunk road schemes which were added to the active programme in May.

The design work on the 15 larger trunk road schemes which were added to the programme has now been offered to consulting engineers in the private sector, while work on two schemes has been offered to county councils on an agency basis. Details are attached. The construction cost of these schemes is estimated at £265 million out of the total of £330 million for all the new schemes. During the recess I hope to announce the allocation of the 25 smaller schemes which were also added to the programme.SCHEME AND DESIGN AGENCY

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 10 local authorities that have sold the least council houses to tenants, expressed as a percentage of their total council housing stock.

I refer my hon. Friend to the English local authorities' figures of council dwelling sales from April 1979 to March 1983 and of council dwelling stock at 1 April 1982, given in the table placed in the Library on Friday 22 July 1983 following the reply by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Porter). [Vol. 46, c. 252.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each housing authority in England the number of fit houses demolished in each of the past five years.

I have placed in the Library a table showing the available information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many right-to-buy applications from disabled secure tenants have been refused by local authorities; and how many have subsequently been granted following review by his Department.

The Department does not collect information on the characteristics of tenants who apply to buy their homes or on the grounds on which landlords deny applications. There is no procedure in the legislation through which the Department may review a landlord's decision to deny the right to buy to a disabled secure tenant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many right-to-buy applications in respect of conventional bungalows have been refused by local authorities; and how many have subsequently been granted following application to his Department.

The Department does not collect information on the grounds on which landlords deny right to buy applications but in any case the right to buy may not be denied on the ground that a dwelling is a conventional bungalow. Where it has come to the Department's knowledge that a landlord is denying the right to buy on grounds which are unlawful the matter has been vigorously pursued so as to enable tenants to exercise the rights conferred on them by Parliament. In some cases where a landlord has applied to my right hon. Friend for a determination to exclude the right to buy and where the application has been refused the dwelling will have been a conventional bungalow. I regret that the number of such cases involving bungalows could be ascertained at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what, using the last year for which figures are available, has been the average length of time between the receipt by his Department of validly documented applications for payment of grants under the provisions for state aid for historic churches and the payment of those grants.

Grants are normally paid within two months of receipt of an architect's certificate that a stage of work, for which historic buildings grant has been offered, has been satisfactorily carried out. Final payments take longer because the Department's commissioned architect has to inspect the completed work. Statistics of the time taken to make payments are not kept on an annual basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those organisations representing people who use the uplands for leisure and recreation who have been asked to the discussions arranged by the Countryside Commission on the future of the uplands; and what percentage of those involved in the discussions they represent.

Invitations to the Countryside Commission's regional meetings were issued on an individual basis to local people with experience in voluntary bodies, public authorities, commercial interests, and the farming and landowning community. Consultation with representative organisations has taken the form of direct discussions and invitations to make written submissions. The organisations approached include the regional councils for sport and recreation, the council for National Parks, and Countryside Link, whose member bodies include the Ramblers' Association and other groups representative of recreational interests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the regulations governing the creation of noise through amplifiers and other equipment at open air events provide sufficient protection for local residents; and if he will consider strengthening the regulations.

Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 local authorities already have powers to act against existing or expected noise nuisances. In addition, they can adopt provisions under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 which require the licensing of open air musical entertainments. We doubt the need for further legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's policy towards resolution 797 (1983) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the destination of dioxin from Seveso; and what is the Government's policy towards the proposal that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe should draw up a legal instrument governing the control and the final storage of toxic substances and dangerous waste in the member states and any transfrontier shipment.

This resolution is currently under consideration by the Committee of Ministers. The Government's general view is that hazardous wastes and substances must be properly managed at all times. The United Kingdom has already called for action by the European Community and supports the view of the Council of Environment Ministers that there is an urgent need for a binding Community instrument to control the transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste. A similar measure is being prepared by OECD, and action under the United Nations environment programme is planned. Other aspects of the control of toxic substances are also being considered in these fora.The Government consider that these initiatives represent a satisfactory programme of action at the international level.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant in aid has been paid to the Development Commission for each of the last three years.

In the last three years the amount of grant-in-aid paid to the development fund, from which the work of the Development Commission is financed, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate in the Official Report the area of office space in square feet; now occupied, vacant, and for which planning permission has been given but which has not been completed, in the city of London, city of Westminster, the area of inner London being the area of the former county, and the rest of Greater London, respectively together with respective totals.

This information is not readily available, and could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has assessed the threat to the coastline presented by Japanese seaweed, particularly on the Dorset coast; whether his Department is taking any steps to alleviate this; and if any research is being undertaken by his Department into this problem.

My Department has been sponsoring research into the growth, spread, threat and clearance of Japanese seaweed (Sargassum muticum) since 1975 and is consequently able to offer advice to any local or harbour authority which needs it. I am fully aware of this year's exceptional growth of the weed, particuluarly on the Dorset coast where, earlier this month, my Department's expert adviser attended a meeting of local, harbour and military authorities to discuss the best means of tackling the problem there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if there has been a change in public purchasing policy by his Department in respect of buying of goods displaying the appropriate British standard mark; and when such change was made.

There has been no change of policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the number of women over 60 years and men over 65 years of age in each local authority housing area in England and Wales together with the number of sheltered housing units in the same areas; and if he will estimate the numbers of such persons and the amount of such housing which will be required in each year up to 1990.

Estimated numbers of people over retirement age in each local authority district in England at mid-1981 are in a table which I am placing in the Library.The local authorities' estimates of the number of sheltered dwellings in their areas at 1 April 1982 are in their 1982 housing investment programme returns which are available in the Library.OPCS Population projections: area 1979–91, reference PP3 No. 4, contain projections for 1986 and 1991 for the required age-groups for counties and metropolitan districts. This publication is also available in the Library.For estimates for Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.It is for local authorities themselves to determine their own priorities for investment, including that in sheltered housing, within the total resources available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made towards the appointment of the chairmen and members of the regional water authorities; and when the announcement of these appointments will be made.

My right hon. Friend will make appointments as soon as possible to the membership of regional water authorities with effect from 1 October 1983. Local authorities have been asked to submit their nominations for membership by 1 September. My right hon. Friend will also announce as soon as possible the names of the chairmen who will be in office from 1 October of those water authorities whose present chairmen's terms expire on 30 September.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the significance of "acid rain' in the United Kingdom; what steps he is taking in pursuance of this assessment; and if he will make a statement.

The most recent evidence shows that the acidity of rainfall in the United Kingdom is broadly consistent with that in other European countries. There are certain indications that it may have contributed to increased levels of acidity in some inland waters. The Government are currently financing a programme of research into the causes and effects of acid precipitation, and the question of further action to limit it will be kept under review in the light of this research and of relevant technological developments.Acid precipitation is a wider problem for European countries and for that reason the United Kingdom participates fully in joint consideration of it under the UN/ ECE convention on long-range transboundary air pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions or correspondence took place between the Minister responsible for sport and members of the Marylebone Cricket Club or its officials before 13 July concerning the proposed tour of South Africa.

In the light of my hon. Friend's proposal that the MCC should send a touring side to South Africa, I gave the advice required to meet Her Majesty's Government's clear obligations under the 1977 Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions or correspondence have taken place between the Minister responsible for sport and the officials of the home rugby unions to discuss the visit to Western Province, South Africa of certain players.

I have acted, as my hon. Friend would expect, to meet the Government's obligations under the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport, making it plain to those concerned that that would discourage their participation in this event. As in all such cases, final decisions about participation rest with the governing bodies and individuals themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to reduce the housing allocation in 1983–84 of the Peterborough Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

In response to representations by my hon. Friend we propose to reduce the corporation's 1983–84 housing allocation by £250,000. This sum will be transferred to the Department of Health and Social Security so that it can be devoted to health care facilities in the Peterborough health district, which serves the new town. The consequential amendments to the cash limits within which this expenditure falls will be announced in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether subscriptions to the Association of London Authorities by local authorities count when determining penalty under the provisions for determining rate support grant.

If these subscriptions are valid payments by local authorities under section 143 of the Local Government Act 1972, they form part of an authority's total expenditure, which is compared with its expenditure target in calculating liability to grant holdback.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any contact with the Association of London Authorities; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received a request from this association that it should be included in the Department's arrangements for consulting local authorities. He is considering this request.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reject any significant change in the agreed structure plan for Northumberland county.

Should any significant changes or alterations to the Northumberland structure plan be thought necessary or proposed by Northumberland county council then I will consider them on their merits. No such proposals have been submitted to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the new booklet explaining the Mobile Homes Act 1983 will be available.

We have today published a revised booklet in the Department's housing booklet series called `Mobile Homes—a guide for residents and site owners' (Housing Booklet No. 16). The booklet is published jointly by the Department of the Environment, the Scottish Development Department and the Welsh Office. It replaces the existing mobile homes booklet published in May 1982. The revised booklet explains residents' and site owners' obligations under the new Act and sets out the important new rights which the Act grants to residents. I have placed a copy in the Library. The booklet is being widely distributed and copies are available free from the three Departments, council offices and housing aid centres.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in implementing plans for combined heat and power schemes.

We are currently assessing the Atkins report on combined heat and power. We hope to respond to this and the Select Committee's report shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current cost of the provision of free coal to miners.

The value of the coal supplied is £150 million. The Government also make payments of £15 million in respect of continuing concessions to redundant miners and areas where pits have closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove, Official Report, 4 July, c. 21, what changes have taken place in the international comparison of energy costs to industry since January 1982.

There has been no change in the general position since the answer given on 4 July by my right hon. Friend. The current picture is similar to that presented in the report by the NEDC task force published in November 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what forecasts he has received from the National Coal Board about the size of its work force in each of the next two years.

The chairman of the National Coal Board has said that the aim for the present must be a coal industry offering secure jobs through high efficiency and competitiveness, and that he expects the industry's manpower to contract in 1983–84. The precise level of employment in future years will derive from consultations and decisions at local level, but in 1982–83 the industry's manpower was at least 25,000 higher than was envisaged under the Plan for Coal.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how much Government money has been (a) allocated and (b) spent in each of the last five years in real terms on encouraging energy saving and conservation in (i) industry, (ii) domestic dwellings, (iii) commercial premises and (iv) public buildings; and what in each of the five years is the estimated energy saving achieved;(2) if he will break down the total of £103 million mentioned in his answer of 4 July,

Not all the information requested is available. It could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. The following table gives details of anticipated Government expenditure in energy conservation measures for 1983–84 and expenditure incurred on these measures in the four preceding years.Estimates of the amount of energy saving cannot quantify the effects on energy consumption of changes in economic activity and industrial structure, on the one hand, and a combination of pricing and other energy efficiency measures on the other. However energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 4·3 per cent. between 1979 and 1980, by 1·3 per cent. between 1980 and 1981 and by 2·5 per cent. between 1981 and 1982. Total energy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made any studies of the role which private investment could play in coalmining development in the United Kingdom.