asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the reason for the delay in considering the case of Mr. Jonathan Bloch of 87 Windus road, London, N16, with regard to his application for permanent residency; which organisations and individuals have made representations on his case; whether there is anything unusual about his case which has led to the delay in considering it; why, after his Department requested an interview with Mr. Bloch on 25 March 1982, this appointment was not kept; whether any foreign Government have been consulted; and whether the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been consulted.

I regret the delay in dealing with this application which has required careful consideration. I hope to reach a decision shortly and will then write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost of the police operation to control traffic and crowds in Albert bridge road, London, SW11, on the evening of 29 October.

The estimated cost of this operation was £2,639.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the reason for the presence of police officers in Albert bridge road, London, SW11, on the evening 29 October; and how often their presence has been required there during 1983 for the same purpose.

Police officers were present in and near Albert bridge road on this occasion in order to maintain public order and control traffic in connection with a gathering of custom cars which has for some years taken place in the area on the last Saturday of each month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants are employed in each of the divisions of his Department listed in the Civil Service yearbook.

The information relating to the divisions as organised at 1 October 1983 is as follows:

	Numbers
Legal Adviser's Branch	26
Criminal, Probation and After-Care Departments, and Research and Planning Unit
C1 Division	18
C2 Division	21
C3 Division	42
C4 Division	14
C6 Division	39
Probation and After-Care Inspectorate	26
Research and Planning Unit	46½
Fire Department
G1 Division	28
G2 Division	17
G3 Division	21
Her Majesty Fire Service Inspectorate	48½
Police Department
F1 Division	29
F2 Division	18
F3 Division	15
F4 Division	22
F5 Division	25
F6 Division	31
F7 Division	9
Scientific Research and Development Branch	160
Forensic Science Service	598
Headquarters United Kingdom Warning and	40½
Monitoring Organisation
Police National Computer Unit	348
Directorate of Telecommunications	1,188
Her Majesty Inspectorate of Constabulary	15
Broadcasting Department
T1 Division	13
T2 Division	14
Community Programmes and Equal Opportunities Department
I Division	22
Voluntary Services Unit	16
Immigration and Nationality Department
B1 Division	231
B2 Division	140½
B3 Division	222
B4 Division	245½
B General Division	456
Immigration Service	1,652
Radio Regulatory Department Transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry
Prison Department
Directorate of Regimes and Services
P1 Division	28
Chief Education Officers Branch	13
Physical Education Branch	9
Prison Psychological Services	16
Prison Service Chaplaincy	6
Directorate of Operational Policy
P2 Division	98½
P3 Division	59½
P4 Division	23
P5 Division	37
Directorate of Personnel and Finance
P6 Division	28
P7 Division	123
P8 Division	108
P9 Division	15
Chief Architects Branch and Directorate of Works	245
Directorate of Industries and Farms	160
Supply and Transport Branch	539
Directorate of Prison Medical Services	19

	Numbers
Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales	15½
Establishment Department
Establishment Division 1	427
Establishment Division 2	183½
Establishment Division 3	349
Establishment Division 4	79
Establishment Division 5—Pay Group	83
Establishment Division 5—ADP Group	279
Home Office Unit at Civil Service Selection Board	2
Public Relations Branch	33
Finance and Manpower Department
Finance Division 1	31
Finance Division 2	14
M Division	60
Accounts Branch	99
Internal Audit	26
General Department
E1 Division	7

All Police Forces in England
Establishment and Strength on 30 September
	1974		1975		1976		1977		1978
	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength
Avon and Somerset	2,868	2,553	2,868	2,690	2,851	2,780	2,851	2,775	2,852	2,755
Bedfordshire	890	783	926	821	926	842	941	856	947	863
Cambridgeshire	1,023	963	1,024	1,001	1,090	1,040	1,090	1,012	1,090	1,030
Cheshire	1,770	1,588	1,770	1,688	1,805	1,749	1,805	1,726	1,805	1,725
Cleveland	1,411	1,275	1,411	1,334	1,411	1,340	1,411	1,310	1,411	1,292
Cumbria	1,074	1,001	1,079	1,030	1,079	1,021	1,082	1,000	1,082	1,008
Derbyshire	1,559	1,412	1,559	1,532	1,709	1,572	1,709	1,506	1,709	1,494
Devon and Cornwall	2,573	2,554	2,673	2,642	2,673	2,579	2,673	2,541	2,673	2,623
Dorset	1,088	1,028	1,108	1,060	1,108	1,076	1,108	1,084	1,164	1,095
Durham	1,371	1,258	1,373	1,341	1,373	1,323	1,349	1,285	1,349	1,277
Essex	2,436	2,144	2,436	2,275	2,511	2,360	2,511	2,333	2,525	2,361
Gloucestershire	1,007	931	1,101	994	1,100	1,058	1,100	1,047	1,116	1,029
Greater Manchester	6,600	5,518	6,600	5,709	6,735	6,113	6,735	6,310	6,735	6,262
Hampshire	2,844	2,597	2,845	2,768	2,935	2,779	2,935	2,794	2,954	2,827
Hertfordshire	1,472	1,292	1,472	1,354	1,472	1,417	1,483	1,457	1,533	1,447
Humberside	1,910	1,673	1,939	1,718	1,939	1,737	1,939	1,778	1,939	1,777
Kent	2,454	2,189	2,465	2,392	2,615	2,455	2,615	2,608	2,820	2,669
Lancashire	2,880	2,794	3,080	2,976	3,080	3,022	3,080	3,037	3,118	3,073
Leicestershire	1,603	1,528	1,705	1,588	1,705	1,652	1,705	1,635	1,706	1,652
Lincolnshire	1,174	1,105	1,182	1,141	1,182	1,152	1,182	1,141	1,182	1,125
Merseyside	4,317	3,811	4,342	3,937	4,342	4,120	4,451	4,260	4,451	4,222
Norfolk	1,218	1,131	1,264	1,174	1,264	1,188	1,264	1,185	1,264	1,210
Northamptonshire	844	782	914	862	950	898	950	895	950	876
Northumbria	3,322	3,081	3,322	3,205	3,322	3,195	3,322	3,195	3,322	3,176
North Yorkshire	1,277	1,192	1,328	1,284	1,328	1,301	1,328	1,277	1,328	1,281
Nottinghamshire	2,056	1,971	2,089	2,073	2,145	2,098	2,144	2,060	2,144	2,063
South Yorkshire	2,752	2,315	2,752	2,374	2,752	2,583	2,752	2,521	2,752	2,466
Staffordshire	2,064	1,901	2,066	1,988	2,066	2,030	2,066	1,976	2,066	1,920
Suffolk	1,077	969	1,085	1,003	1,086	1,029	1,086	1,010	1,087	1,012
Surrey	1,438	1,268	1,442	1,326	1,503	1,437	1,503	1,464	1,598	1,430
Sussex	2,618	2,461	2,785	2,751	2,785	2,738	2,785	2,661	2,802	2,661
Thames Valley	2,960	2,716	2,960	2,843	2,960	2,870	2,995	2,738	2,997	2,621
Warwickshire	876	759	876	817	876	840	876	856	876	838
West Mercia	1,650	1,458	1,650	1,568	1,670	1,586	1,671	1,646	1,834	1,663
West Midlands	6,471	5,223	6,471	5,435	6,509	5,674	6,509	5,778	6,509	5,822
West Yorkshire	5,097	4,365	5,104	4,468	5,104	4,677	5,104	4,648	5,104	4,551
Wiltshire	979	864	994	922	994	959	995	940	1,022	961
City of London	1,028	784	1,028	792	1,022	851	1,022	834	1,022	808
Metropolitan	25,353	20,633	26,628	21,110	26,628	22,065	26,628	22,126	26,589	21,675

	1979		1980		1981		1982		1983
	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength	Authorised Establishment	Strength
Avon and Somerset	2,853	2,837	2,980	2,950	3,020	2,968	3,020	2,988	3,020	2,985
Bedfordshire	947	901	960	953	975	972	980	976	1,000	991
Cambridgeshire	1,090	1,086	1,140	1,086	1,140	1,108	1,140	1,125	1,140	1,142
Cheshire	1,805	1,786	1,845	1,803	1,845	1,844	1,845	1,834	1,845	1,841
Cleveland	1,411	1,376	1,419	1,437	1,471	1,462	1,474	1,471	1,474	1,454
Cumbria	1,088	1,071	1,113	1,092	1,128	1,101	1,128	1,106	1,128	1,120
Derbyshire	1,712	1,664	1,712	1,824	1,767	1,787	1,767	1,759	1,767	1,770
Devon and Cornwall	2,673	2,647	2,734	2,677	2,734	2,698	2,734	2,711	2,734	2,731
Dorset	1,164	1,151	1,164	1,167	1,176	1,167	1,176	1,167	1,183	1,173
Durham	1,349	1,305	1,349	1,337	1,349	1,330	1,355	1,330	1,357	1,309
Essex	2,525	2,507	2,603	2,596	2,633	2,592	2,643	2,611	2,653	2,623
Gloucestershire	1,116	1,093	1,116	1,110	1,131	1,118	1,140	1,124	1,164	1,136
Greater Manchester	6,766	6,531	6,766	6,818	6,941	6,896	6,943	6,992	6,943	6,968
Hampshire	2,954	2,961	3,034	3,050	3,084	3,037	3,084	3,062	3,084	3,070
Hertfordshire	1,533	1,469	1,533	1,507	1,568	1,560	1,568	1,555	1,568	1,570

	Numbers
E2 Division	24
E3 Division	15
E4 Division	34
E5 Division	46½
Cruelty to Animals Inspectorate	23½
Statistical Department
S1 Division	52
S2 Division	52
S3 Division	30½

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, for each police authority in England, including the Metropolitan police, he will list the current establishment; how it compares with the numbers in each force; and if he will give comparable figures for each of the preceding nine years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Government will extend the provisions for rebates for television licences to permit refunds for parts of the year for which a fee has been paid but the television disposed of.

We are considering whether pro rata refunds of television licence fees may be granted to people who will be deprived of all television services as a result of the withdrawal of the old 405-line television service; but we have no plans to extend further the range of circumstances in which refunds may be given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalties have been imposed by the courts over the most recent convenient period for offences against the welfare provisions of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968.

Records available to us, which may be incomplete, show six persons proceeded against in magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1982 for offences against sections 1, 2 or 6 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968. All were found guilty and fined amounts averaging £64 and ranging from £10 to £150. The information collected centrally does not identify separately prosecutions under each of the sections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce what steps he plans to take after consideration of comments on the Government consultation paper on trespass on residential premises; and if he will now make a statement.

I shall be announcing my conclusions very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of prison adjudications heard by members of prison boards of visitors in each of the prisons in England and Wales during each of the last three years.

The publication of numbers of adjudications has been discontinued because it was found that many establishments reported the number of offences dealt with rather than the number of adjudications which took place.The percentage of offences dealt with by boards of visitors is published in "Prison statistics, England and Wales" 1982 (Cmnd 9027); table 9(a) gives figures by type of establishment for 1976–82 and tables 9.3 to 9.7 give figures for each establishment in 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been in 1983 of people accused of the negligent burning of straw or stubble.

Prosecutions for the negligent burning of straw or stubble may be brought under various enactments, but such prosecutions are probably mainly brought for offences against byelaws made under section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972. The records of court proceedings available to us do not separately identify such prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the general secretary of the National Union of Farm Workers to discuss its. views as to the burning of straw and stubble.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received no request for such a meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the prison population at Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs, Brixton, Pentonville and Holloway prisons on 21 October.

Only unchecked summary population figures are available for dates other than at the end of a month; such figures for 21 October 1983 are:

	Figures
Wandsworth	1,344
Wormwood Scrubs	1,055

	Figures
Brixton	762
Pentonville	1,098
Holloway	346

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many escapes there have been in each of the last three years from (a) closed prisons, (b) low security prisons and (c) outside working parties of prisoners.

I refer the hon. Member to tables 8, 10 and 11 of the report of the work of the prison department 1982, published as Cmnd. 9057.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the actual or approximate number of persons held on remand for (a) from 20 to 40 days, (b) from 40 to 110 days and (c) for more than 110 days, respectively, prior to indictable trial in England and Wales in the course of 1982.

The information requested is not available. The records held centrally on those held in prison department establishments in England and Wales identify only the time between the first remand and the date of the finding of the court; moreover this may include some time spent on bail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private security firms are employed by his Department or bodies associated with his Department; how many personnel are employed, at which locations, on what responsibilities and duties, and at what annual cost; what have been the comparable figures for each of the last three years; and what estimates he has made as to the likely figures for 1984.

It is Government policy to contract out services such as security guarding on non-sensitive sites when this is cost-effective and makes good management sense. My Department has contracts with four private security firms to escort and detain, under the authority of the immigration service, persons held under the Immigration Act 1971, whenever this is not considered an appropriate use of police manpower; to safeguard cash in transit from banks to Home Office establishments in various parts of the country; and to safeguard some buildings. The number of personnel employed by these contractors varies according to the demand for their services.In addition, four other firms provide some security services at residential training establishments as part of their general responsibilities for catering and other services at those establishments.The annual cost of the services provided by private security firms in each of the four years requested — excluding the cost of security services at residential training establishments referred to above, since these are not readily identifiable—is:

	£
1981–82	1,145,000
1982–83	1,197,000
1983–84*	1,248,000
1984–85*	1,300,000
*Estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to require persons or organisations unlawfully occupying private property on local authority land to make good the cost of any damage caused to such property or land from which they are subsequently evicted; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.No such legislation is necessary. Under the civil law an action for damages can be brought in these circumstances, and where a criminal offence has been committed, for example the offence of criminal damage, the criminal courts have power to order a convicted defendant to pay compensation for damage resulting from the offence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why royal ordnance factories are being prevented from recruiting permanent staff; whether it is his policy to take on casual employees; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Defence's manpower policy is for the royal ordnance factories to recruit additional staff on a casual basis at this stage of the preparation for Companies Act status. A decision on when to resume permanent recruitment will be taken in the light of progress towards the change of status. Staff recruited on a casual basis will then be able to apply for permanent posts when these become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent visits officials of his Department have made to royal ordnance factories for discussions with trade union representatives; what were the reasons for such visits; and if he will make a statement.

Visits by officials to royal ordnance factories are made on a regular basis as a part of the normal business of the Department. I believe, however, that the hon. Member is referring to visits to several ROFs made recently by the deputy under-secretary of state responsible for civilian management in the MOD. These were familiarisation visits undertaken at the invitation of the managing director ROFs, but they included an opportunity for senior management to discuss directly with representatives of the work force the personnel aspects of the proposed change of status of the ROFs which are currently the subject of consultation with the trades unions at departmental level.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 12 July, Official Report, c. 167–68, what will be the effect on terms and conditions of service of royal ordnance factory employees of his proposed privatisation scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The consultative document on the personnel aspects of the ROF change of status issued in October 1982 stated the Government's intention that

"the transfer shall not result in a worsening of the terms and conditions taken as a whole which existing ROF employees enjoy at that time".

The move to Companies Act status will necessarily lead to some modification of terms which are specific to Crown employment, but any such changes will be the subject of full consultation with the trades unions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the effect on pensions of royal ordnance factory employees following privatisation; what will be the situation regarding carry-over pension rights in a possible new company; and if he will make a statement.

The consultative document issued in October 1982 stated that staff who are transferred from the Civil Service cannot remain in the principal Civil Service pension scheme. The successor organisation will need to set up its own pension scheme for transferred staff, and it is the intention that its provision should, as far as possible, provide benefits comparable to those of the PCSPS. This would include provision for index linking. Staff will have the choice of transferring their accrued benefits under the PCSPS for their service in the Civil Service to the new pension scheme or, if they have five or more years' service, their benefits can be preserved, uprated in line with future increases in Civil Service pensions and paid to them when they reach the age of 60. A separate consultative document is being prepared as the basis of full consultation with the trades unions on pension matters before final decisions are taken on the precise nature and provisions of the new scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to place an order for the new design of diesel-powered patrol submarine known as the type SSK2400.

I am pleased to announce that the order for the first of the type 2400 class of patrol submarines is being placed today. The order goes to Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. at Barrow, who have been the design contractors for this submarine.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make an early announcement regarding the purchase of surface-launched Sea Eagle for the Royal Navy.

It will be some little while yet before we are able to announce any decision on the procurement of a new surface to surface guided weapon for the Royal Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many private security firms are employed by his Department or bodies associated with his Department; how many personnel are employed, at which locations, on what responsibilities and duties, and at what annual cost; what have been the comparable figures for each of the last three years; and what estimates he has made as to the likely figures for 1984.

It is Government policy to contract out services such as security guarding on non sensitive sites when this is cost effective and makes good management sense.The Ministry of Defence has five contracts with private firms for the provision of custody services. In addition, commercial firms are employed in 18 instances to provide secure secure cash conveyance services for pay purposes. For reasons of security and commercial confidentiality I am unable to give the full details of location and cost, but the total expenditure in 1981–82 was £194,104, and in 1982–83, £197,523. The estimate for 1983–84 is £240,000. The figure for 1980–81 is not obtainable in the time available nor is it possible to give an estimate for 1984–85, but we anticipate that the figure will be broadly in line with those given above. About 25 per cent. of the cost is in respect of custodial services. The Department calculates that for the custody services the number of jobs involved would be some 24 full-time and two part-time jobs. It is not possible in the time available to put a number on those employed for cash conveyance services.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has set up the review of the medical standards for seafarers promised in the reply to the debate on 6 July, Official Report, c. 384, on the prayer to annul the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations 1983.

The dean of the faculty of occupational medicine of the Royal College of Physicians, Dr. Peter Taylor, has agreed to set up a small faculty working party to review the operation of the medical and visual standards for serving seafarers and to recommend any amendments. The working party will compromise Dr. P. A. B. Raffle OBE, chairman Dr. C. C. Molloy and Dr. J. Graham Taylor with the dean as an ex-officio member. The group will start work in January and hopes to report by June 1984. Arrangements for giving evidence will be announced later.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what decision he has taken on the application by BP Shipping for an exemption, in respect of its tanker fleet, from the requirement in the crew accommodation regulations to provide separate messing and recreation facilities for officers and ratings.

In accordance with the relevant ILO conventions I consulted the seafarers' trade unions before deciding on this application, I held a meeting with them and the company in order to hear their views and the grounds for objections that were voiced by the officers' unions.Having listened carefully to all the arguments put forward, I reached the conclusion that the grant of an exemption would not lead to an overall decline in living conditions, and I have therefore granted the exemption. I regard it as a matter for the company, in consultation with the unions, to decide whether and how to introduce the changes which this exemption would permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to appoint an inspector under section 31 of the Harbours Act 1964 to inquire into objections to charges proposed to be levied by the Port of London Authority; whom he intends to appoint as inspector; when the inquiry will take place; and if he will make a statement.

On present plans the inquiry will begin on 16 January 1984. The inspector will be Mr. F. R. King LLB MICE.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the planned access roads to and from Perivale following completion of the A40 road works in the area; and if he will make a statement.

The decision to close a number of local road connections with the A40 as part of the Perivale Lane underpass scheme was taken for safety reasons after the public inquiry held five years ago. We have no plans for reviewing these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to exclude motorway traffic from central London after completion of the M25 road system.

[pursuant to the reply, 1 November 1983, c. 323]: It is an object of the M25 to provide an alternative route for traffic which otherwise has to traverse central London. Much of the traffic using the motorway and trunk road system in and around greater London starts or finishes journeys in the London area.Many of such journeys will be facilitated by the M25 and we shall encourage its use to the maximum in such cases.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when next he intends to meet the procurator fiscal for Glasgow to discuss prosecution policy.

I meet the procurator fiscal from time to time to discuss a variety of matters arising out of his responsibilities.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many cases procurators fiscal have dealt with under the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981.

The Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 came into operation on 1 September 1982. Since that date 21 persons have been brought before the sheriff by procurators fiscal by virtue of the provisions of section 17 of the Act.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what advice is given to procurators fiscal on exclusion orders under the Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons) Act 1980.

When the Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons) Act 1980 came into operation on 30 June 1980, procurators fiscal were instructed to move the court to make an exclusion order in appropriate cases. As a result of recent representation made by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, procurators fiscal have been reminded of the need to bring this provision to the attention of the court.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what authority the capital taxes office indicated that horse owners and breeders will not be permitted 50 per cent. agricultural relief on capital transfer tax and also, in certain circumstances, not be permitted 50 per cent. business relief; and if he will instruct the office to reverse this decision.

Under the provisions of the capital transfer tax, agricultural relief is given for agricultural property occupied for agricultural purposes. Business relief is given if the business is carried on for gain. Whether any particular property qualifies under these provisions is a matter of the proper interpretation of the law in relation to the facts of the particular case. If the taxpayer does not accept the view of the Inland Revenue he may appeal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether in the light of the effect in the United Kingdom bloodstock industry of the present value added tax position, he will take early action to bring the United Kingdom practice into line with that of France and Ireland;(2) what progress is being made in harmonising value added tax on bloodstock within the European Community.

The VAT treatment of bloodstock in the European Community is governed by the provisions of the sixth directive on the harmonisation of VAT. The position in the United Kingdom conforms to the provisions of the directive and the system in France has recently been brought into line. There is a temporary derogation from the directive which permits Ireland to continue to exempt bloodstock, but it does not permit the introduction of new exemptions. The EC Commission has prepared a report on the temporary derogations but has not yet made proposals for ending any of them. The concern felt by the United Kingdom bloodstock industry will be borne in mind in any discussions on the temporary derogations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in his discussions with the bloodstock industry, he has proposed a herd basis of assessment to bloodstock breeders for stock relief, rather than a stock in trade basis; 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 if he will list the proceeds from each disposal of previously state-owned assets, other than those of the National Enterprise Board and British Technology Group, since 1979.

The information requested for 1979–80 and 1980–81 is published on page 97 of volume 2 of the 1982 public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 8494) and for 1981–82 on page 120 of volume 2 of the 1983 public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 8789).For 1982–83 I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Carrick Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 27 July.—[Vol. 46, c. 453.]In 1983–84 the proceeds from major disposals to date have been as follows:

Item	£ million (cash)
Sale of shares in British Petroleum	540
Sale of Britoil shares (2nd instalment)	293

Full details of 1983–84 special sales of assets will be reported in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the levels of stamp duty; and if he will make a statement.

The level of stamp duty is kept under continuous review and will no doubt be one of the matters considered by my right hon. Friend when he frames next year's Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to introduce financial incentives such as tax allowances for energy conservation measures; and if he will make a statement.

The tax system already provides incentives by way of the capital allowance system. For example, capital expenditure on new energy systems for business purposes normally qualifies for the first year allowances applicable to plant and machinery. The cost of adding insulation against loss of heat to an existing industrial building also qualifies for a special first year allowance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will abolish capital transfer tax.

I have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total yield of capital transfer tax in each of the last five fiscal years.

Following is the information:

	£ million
1978–79	323
1979–80	401
1980–81	425
1981–82	480
1982–83	499

These figures are published annually in "Inland Revenue Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available Departments responsible to him have asked companies to complete forms and questionnaires to provide statistical or other information; and what was the purpose of each individual request.

Over the 12-month period to October 1983:The Board of Inland Revenue issued questionnaires to a very small sample of companies on four occasions asking them to provide estimates of their profits in the previous quarter. This is a regular survey which provides essential input to the national income estimates.Her Majesty's Customs and Excise issued a simple form to a small sample of exporters for their agents on three occasions asking them to provide data on the value and currency of their exports. This is a regular survey which is used in the analysis of the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will repay 3·5 per cent. war loan to those of pensionable age.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the draft proposals for the taxation of income from letting self-catering holiday accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 October 1983. c. 262]: The Inland Revenue will be publishing draft clauses as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received seeking the introduction of mortgage tax relief for tenant farmers who purchase retirement homes which, while working, they cannot occupy because of the obligation to reside in the farmhouse; and whether he has any plans to bring forward legislative proposals.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 November 1983, c. 310]: Following a number of representations, notably from tenant farmers, a clause was introduced in the original 1983 Finance Bill—clause 20—which would have given relief on the lines my hon. Friend is suggesting.This was one of the clauses which was withdrawn when the progress of that Bill had to be accelerated. But my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 25 July how we proposed to deal with those lost measures—[Vol. 46, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about recent allegations concerning radioactive material emanating from the British Nuclear Fuels plant at Sellafield and its possible connection with public health in west Cumbria.

Recent media reports, including a Yorkshire Television programme last night, have discussed the levels of radioactivity in the neighbourhood of the BNFL works at Sellafield and in particular have drawn attention to an apparently high incidence of cancer among children and young people. The reports have linked this with the discharges of radioactive substances from the Sellafield works.I appreciate the natural concern aroused by these reports. They have not indicated levels of radioactivity out of line with those recorded in previous monitoring and the radiological significance of the levels quoted has been exaggerated. It is none the less right that we should take seriously any evidence of an abnormally high rate of cancer even though such evidence is difficult to assess.The National Radiological Protection Board is working closely with Oxford university on studies into the incidence of leukaemia clusters and other cancers. This may well contribute to our evaluation of the situation at Seascale. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has invited the distinguished medical scientist Sir Douglas Black, who is a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, to consider the evidence concerning the alleged cluster in the neighbourhood of Sellafield and its causation, to determine the need for any further research and to make recommendations.The discharges at Sellafield are subject to regular monitoring and stringent control. Authorisation issued by my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 impose definite limits on the amount of radioactivity in discharges and control the most significant individual substances. It has for some time been an aim of the authorising Departments to reduce the discharges of the most significant substances. At their instigation, BNFL is constructing SIXEP, a site ion exchange effluent treatment plant. This plant, which is likely to cost over £80 million, is planned to come into operation in 1984 and will bring about a reduction of caesium discharged to the sea to one tenth of the maximum released in recent years. Meanwhile, caesium discharges have already been halved as a result of interim measures. The new authorisation issued when the plant is ready will oblige the company to limit discharges of caesium and certain other substances to levels as low as reasonably achievable within the limits set.It has also been our aim to secure big reductions in discharges of plutonium and other alpha emitters. Over the past 10 years BNFL has achieved a reduction of 80 per cent. in these discharges. Last year authorising Departments informed BNFL and it accepted that recent levels of discharge of these substances which accumulate in sea bed sediments should be further reduced as soon as practicable. The Departments have put forward a draft authorisation which would have the effect of reducing the actual level of such discharges to about 200 curies a year. That is about one quarter of the amount released last year and one thirtieth of the total at present authorised. The aim is to have the necessary plant in operation in 1985.My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I will continue to ensure that all necessary action is taken to keep discharges within the recognised safety limits. In addition, we will be considering in the light of technological developments whether yet further reductions should be sought. In this we will take full account of authoritative independent advice from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate how many jobs will be lost through the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan councils.

As the White Paper "Streamlining the Cities" (Cmnd. 9063) makes clear, I expect the proposed reorganisation of local government in Greater London and the metropolitan counties to lead to a substantial reduction in staff numbers. I cannot estimate the extent of the savings at present because it will depend on the nature of the arrangements which are made for each service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated cost of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan councils;(2) what is the estimated cost of the abolition of the Merseyside metropolitan council.

I have made no such estimates; but I am confident that there will be substantial savings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with leaders of the metropolitan councils.

The meeting was useful, but did not lead me to change my view that the metropolitan county councils should be abolished.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will include proposals within the forthcoming legislation on local government finance to exempt buildings used for horses from liability to rates.

No. Racing stables, livery stables, riding schools and racecourses have never been exempt from rates, as they do not constitute an agricultural use of land or buildings. I understand that the question of the rating of buildings used for the breeding of horses for other than agricultural purposes is currently being tested through the courts. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the operation of section 9 of the Housing Act 1957;(2) if he is satisfied that there are adequate legislative safeguards for poorer tenants whose landlords refuse to undertake repairs or provide services to which the tenant is contractually entitled;(3) if he will introduce amending legislation that will give private tenants the right to buy when there is clear evidence of neglect by the owner of the dwelling concerned.

There is a range of legal remedies for tenants whose landlords fail to carry out repairs or provide services. Tenants may take action themselves and local authorities may, in certain circumstances, take action on their behalf. The Government are broadly content with the operation of section 9 of the Housing Act 1957 but are considering whether any amendment is necessary in the context of a general review of improvement policy. We do not intend to introduce a right to buy for private tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of rate support grant paid to the London borough of Brent in the current year; and how this compares in real terms with each preceding year back to 1979.

The figures are as follows:

	£ million
1978–79	68·982
1979–80	65·724
1980–81	62·078
1981–82	51·777
1982–83	60·134
1983–84	51·760

The rate support grant arrangements changed in 1981–82, and the figures for earlier years are not comparable with those for 1981–82 onwards. The figures for 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81 include needs element —the borough did not qualify for resources element— and payments under the London rate equalisation scheme, and are revalued to 1981–82 settlement prices. The 1978–79 and 1979–80 figures are final; those for 1980–81 onwards cover payments made to date. The figures for 1981–82 onwards include block grant, after holdback, and are in cash terms. The 1981–82 figure includes grant paid in respect of the GLC, ILEA and Metropolitan Police. The 1982–83 figure includes grant paid in respect of the Metropolitan Police; grant was paid direct to the GLC and ILEA in that year. If Brent had spent at the level of its expenditure target in 1982–83 and in 1983–84 it would have received £65·481 million and £60·449 million grant respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the details of his discussions with industry, the technical and economic choices being considered, the likely time scales and costs involved, and other factors that will contribute to decisions on the practical introduction of lead-free petrol.

Yes. We intend to publish an account of the discussions before Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of houses in multiple occupation in England towards which local authorities have a duty under S.I., 1981, No. 576 to require their owners to provide adequate means of escape in case of fire; how many notices requiring such works to be undertaken were served by local authorities in 1982 under section 147 of the Housing Act 1980; how many special grants towards the cost of such works were provided by local authorities during (a) 1982 and (b) the first six months of 1983; what was the total amount of special grant paid by local authorities during (a) 1982 and (b) the first six months of 1983; and whether he has plans to increase the statutory protection of tenants of houses in multiple occupation against the risk of fatality or injury as a result of fires.

The Department does not collect information on the numbers of houses in multiple occupation specified by the order SI 1981/1576; nor on the number of notices served by local authorities which require the provision of means of escape from fire. The number of special grants for means of escape provided by authorities in England was 1,140 in 1982; and 500 in the first six months of 1983 (provisional). The respective amounts paid were £1,640,000; and £820,000 (provisional).The Department is currently carrying out consultation about a possible extension of SI 1981/1576. Local authorities already have discretionary powers to require the necessary means of escape from fire in all HMOs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will use his powers under schedule 24 to the Housing Act 1980 to ensure that owners of unsafe houses in multiple occupation are required by local authorities to provide effective means of escape in case of fire.

The Department has already used its powers under schedule 24 to make an order—SI 1981/1576. This inposes a duty on local authorities in respect of the largest houses in multiple occupation to exercise their powers to require the provision of any necessary means of escape from fire. The Department is currently carrying out consultation on a possible extension of the order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council properties have been sold in the London borough of Wandsworth in each of the last four years.

The number of dwelling sales reported by the council are as follows:

Year	Sales of dwellings
1979–80	524
1980–81	667
1981–82	1,424
1982–83	1,258

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is available through the British High Commission in Kampala to British citizens attempting to pursue claims under Ugandan law for compensation for expropriated assets.

If it appears that claimants are encountering particular problems, the high commission will be ready to consider making representations to the Uganda Government on their behalf.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of talks about the future of Hong Kong.

A second, more detailed phase of the Sino-British talks on Hong Kong's future began in July and is continuing through diplomatic channels in Peking. The fifth session of this phase was held on 19 and 20 October. Both sides agreed it was useful and constructive. The next session is on 14 and 15 November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Minister of State's recent visit to Hong Kong.

My hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce), visited Hong Kong from 24 to 28 September. He held talks with the governor and senior officials, met members of the executive and legislative councils and undertook an extensive programme of visits during which he met a broad section of the community and brought himself up-to-date with developments in the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have applied for visas for entry into the United Kingdom from Hong Kong since September 1982 to the latest available date; and what was the comparable figures for the previous year.

10,422 applications for visas for entry into the United Kingdom from Hong Kong were made during the period from 1 October 1982 to 30 September 1983. The comparable figures for the previous 12 months was 11,184.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications have been made for entry certificates into the United Kingdom from Hong Kong citizens since September 1982 to the latest available date; and what were the comparable figures for the previous year.

Statistics for entry certificate applications made by British dependent territories citizens deriving this status from Hong Kong are not available.A total of 13,762 entry certificate applications were received in Hong Kong during the period from 1 October 1982 to 30 September 1983. The comparable figure for the previous 12 months was 16,372.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all those sovereign states whose incorporation into other states have been recognised by Her Majesty's Government as de facto but not de jure.

The Government have recognised that the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been incorporated de facto into the Soviet Union, but they have not recognised this de jure. No other examples of the situation to which my hon. Friend refers have occurred at least since the second world war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to initiate further exchange visits between Heads of State or Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and of those countries which seriously abuse human rights.

It is not our normal policy to preclude such visits because of abuses of human rights in the country concerned. In general, we believe that dialogue rather than isolation is the best way of influencing other countries' performance on human rights as in other issues of concern to us. High-level visits can provide good opportunities for bringing our influence to bear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest situation concerning the siting of a consular office by the Chinese Government in the United Kingdom.

Negotiations for a consular agreement between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China have proceeded slowly but are now nearly complete. In accordance with the Chinese Government's preference, the draft agreement currently under discussion provides for the Chinese consulate-general in the United Kingdom to be established at Manchester.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with how many countries the United Kingdom has agreements similar to the United Kingdom — Union of Soviet Socialist Republics cultural agreement; what consultation procedures are entered into prior to the signing of such agreements; and what is the cost of maintaining these agreements.

There are no countries with which the United Kingdom has agreements similar to the United Kingdom—Union of Soviet Socialist Republics cultural agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he received the rural Dwyfor local plan as proposed by the Dwyfor district council; and if he will now either approve that plan or indicate the points of dispute that are holding back such approval.

Copies of the rural Dwyfor local plan were received on 6 July 1982. Following receipt in August 1983 of the Dwyfor district council's notice of their disposition to adopt the plan as modified by them, the council was directed on 5 September 1983, under regulation 32(3) of the Town and Country Planning (Structure and Local Plans) Regulations 1982, not to adopt the plan until it was notified whether or not my right hon. Friend wished to approve it himself. A decision will be made when the further consideration being given by the Government to certain kinds of policies contained in some structure and local plans, has been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will either change the rate support grant formula in Wales for 1984–85 to include elements to reflect the cost of bilingualism or otherwise ensure that grant support towards the cost of bilingualism is given over and above the grants generated by the current formula.

No. I do not intend to change the rate support grant formula in Wales. Specific grants, estimated at £600,000 in the current year, already provide substantial support in the local authority sector for bilingual education.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he still regards the Gwynedd structure plan, published some years ago, as the basis for planning decisions within the county.

Yes, but in accordance with section 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, as amended, local planning authorities also have to have regard to other material considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average price received on the sale of a council dwelling at the latest available date.

During the first half of 1983 the average selling price was £8,065.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average price of constructing a new local authority dwelling at the latest available date.

During the period January to August 1983, the reported average cost of construction of a typical two-storey, five bed-space council house was £25,300.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has received a report from the review group on mental illness services in Dyfed.

I received the third report of the review group at the beginning of September. The report provides a short up-dating assessment of the progress made by the statutory authorities in developing services for mentally ill people in Dyfed in the period since the preparation of the group's previous report. My reply to the chairman indicates that I welcome the group's view that the momentum of progress is being sustained and that the authorities have responded positively to the group's advice and recommendations. The review group's next report will be a more detailed analysis of the extent of improvements in all aspects of mental illness services. I have emphasised that in receiving this next appraisal Ministers will be anxious to see how far the authorities' work in restructuring the service has succeeded in securing improvements in the quality of life of people receiving care in hospital and in the community.As with the review group's previous reports, I am placing a copy of the chairman's letter and my reply in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether a British citizen having the right of abode in the United Kingdom who is under the age of 18 years and who is living abroad with his or her parents is regarded as being ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the purposes of being entitled to a mandatory award by a local education authority for a degree course at a British university.

Not normally. To be eligible for a mandatory award students must normally have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the three years immediately preceding their course. An exception is made, however, where a student is unable to meet the ordinary residence requirement only because he, his spouse or parent is, or has been, temporarily employed abroad during the relevant period.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect the provisions of the Education (Grants and Awards) Bill have on the position of a British citizen having the right of abode in the United Kingdom who is living abroad to entitlement to a mandatory award from a local education authority for a degree course at a British university.

None. The Education (Fees and Awards) Act 1983, and the regulations made under it, are concerned only with fees and certain discretionary awards, and not with mandatory awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the extent to which university libraries are able to secure revenue funds from private sources.

This is a matter for individual institutions, but I understand that some university libraries are finding it possible to raise private income.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what prospects he sees for public libraries to secure funds from private sources.

I have been asked to reply.The initiative for seeking new moneys to support the public library service rests with local library authorities. My noble Friend the Minister for the Arts welcomes cooperation between individual authorities and commercial or charitable organisations which might be of mutual benefit in promoting or supporting the public library service. There have been notable examples of success in this.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to strengthen the rights of parents who wish to make complaints about the education of their children at school.

There is no fetter on the rights of parents and others to make complaints. Where these fall to my right hon. Friend to consider, he already has powers to intervene under sections 68 and 99 of the Education Act 1944 if he is satisfied that relevant statutory powers or duties have been exercised unreasonably or that a breach of a relevant statutory duty has occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Government assistance is being provided to Voluntary Service Overseas in 1983–84; and if he will make a statement.

			Annual Cost*
Location	Personnel employed	Responsibilities and Duties	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
			£	£	£	£
10–18 Victoria Street London, SW1	1	Safeguarding building	5,382	5,382	5,382	5,382
Laboratory of the Government Chemist	1	Safeguarding building	14,000	15,000	16,000	18,000
Companies House London, EC1	8	Safeguarding building	57,476	62,449	68,201	80,087
Waterloo Bridge House, London, SE1†	2	Safeguarding building	—	—	—	12,080
National Physical Laboratory	21	Safeguarding building	—	—	—	209,000
Warren Spring Laboratory	2	Transport of Cash	625	673	718	760
Companies House, Cardiff	8	Safeguarding building	69,966	60,611	N/A	74,500
Business Staistics Office, Newport	10	Safeguarding building	56,200	56,200	69,700	83,500
Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Office, Leeds	3	Safeguarding building	—	—	18,042	18,500
* All costs include VAT, which is recoverable from 1983–84.
† Responsibility for Waterloo Bridge House was assumed in June 1983.

It is proposed to contract out security services at other of the Department's buildings. An estimate of the total

In 1983–84 it is estimated that direct grant support from ODA to Voluntary Service Overseas will be £4,036,000. In addition the Voluntary Service Overseas programmes in Thailand, Malaysia and China are assisted by ODA-funded administrative support from the British Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government propose to give assistance to relieve victims of the earthquake in eastern Turkey.

Her Majesty's Government, together with the British Red Cross Society, chartered an aircraft and transported 41 tonnes of winterised tents and ground sheets to the Turkish Red Crescent Society on Tuesday 1 November.I am keeping the situation under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many private security firms are employed by his Department or bodies associated with his Department; how many personnel are employed, at which locations, on what responsibilities and duties, and at what annual cost; what have been the comparable figures for each of the last three years; and what estimates he has made as to the likely figures for 1984.

It is Government policy to contract out security guarding on non-sensitive sites when this is cost effective and makes good management sense. My Department currently employs seven private security firms, the details of which are as follows:cost for 1984–85 is, therefore, not yet available. No information is available about bodies associated with the Department.