asked the Attorney-General if he will publish an annual report of his Department's work.

No.

asked the Attorney-General if, for the most recent available period, he will give figures for the number of maintenance orders in divorce cases, stating (a) how many orders are registered in court and how many are not, and (b) the number of cases of maintenance default.

The total number of maintenance orders made in divorce cases could only be given at disproportionate cost, since the figures collected do not distinguish between maintenance and other kinds of ancillary order made. In 1982 leave was given in 15,320 cases to register divorce court maintenance orders in magistrates' courts.As regards default, it is not possible to give figures because, in the case of unregistered orders, payment must be made direct to the recipient and the court may therefore not know of a default; and in the case of orders registered in magistrates' courts the figures for default do not distinguish between such orders and those originally made in the magistrates' courts.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for the future of law centres in the light of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on legal services.

These recommendations are under consideration: an announcement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many enterprise agencies are now operating in England and Wales.

It is difficult to give a precise figure for the number of local enterprise agencies operating in England and Wales because a number of agencies are in different stages of formation. I estimate that the number is 150.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish an annual report of his Department's work.

The Department of Trade and Industry publishes annual reports on the various aspects of its work listed below. Copies of these reports are available in the library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply of the right hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Parkinson) to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, Official Report, 18 July, c 30, why the term internal security technology was used in the letter from the right hon. and learned Member for Dover (Mr. Rees) to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 19 January 1983; and if he will make a statement.

The phrase "internal security technology" was used in the reply sent by my right hon. Friend on 19 January 1983, because the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) had asked, inter alia, for information about exports of internal security technology.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the United Kingdom's trade balance with Taiwan; and what proposals he has for improving these figures.

The visible trade deficit with Taiwan in 1982 was £210 million, and for the period from January to September 1983 was £237 million. The Anglo-Taiwan trade committee, from which information about the market and its opportunities can be obtained, takes every opportunity to encourage more British companies to export to Taiwan.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Carmarthen on 8 November, Official Report, c. 112, to what factors he attributes the variations in the tonnage of 2,4,5-T imported; and if he will make a statement.

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe of 4 November, Official Report, c. 501 and 502, if he will estimate the length of time it would take to assemble the information requested by the hon. Member; and how much it would cost to assemble.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with current safeguards to protect the consumer from faulty and dangerous gas appliances imported from abroad; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.I am not aware of any particular safety problems in relation to imported gas appliances. However, if the hon. Member would let me know of any specific concerns he has, I shall arrange for them to be looked into.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to introduce legislation to implement the proposals for an independent prosecution service for England and Wales in Cmnd. 9074; and if he will make a statement.

In a future session, as soon as Parliamentary time can be found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many voters were registered to vote by post in each parliamentary constituency for the 1983 general election; and, in each case, what percentage of the total electorate they represented.

The number of postal voters on the lists of absent voters and postal proxies and the number of electors in each constituency will be published in "Election Expenses" during December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken or contemplated for the purpose of ensuring standardisation, harmonisation, or compatibility of the communications equipment to be used at the emergency centres which the Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 requires local authorities to establish and equip.

Local authorities are given guidance on emergency communications in Home Office circulars. Copies are in the Library. The Home Office also provides local authorities with certain communications facilities and grant aids other facilities which meet the specifications in the circulars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted of offences arising out of the practice of kerb crawling in each of the past five years to the latest date.

Kerb crawling does not, at present, in itself constitute a criminal offence. Although proceedings are from time to time taken under various statutes against men who have engaged in kerb-crawling, the information collected about such proceedings does not distinguish between those associated with kerb-crawling and others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to deal with the problem of kerb crawling; and if he will make a statement.

We think it right to await the outcome of the review by the Criminal Law Revision Committee and the policy advisory committee on sexual offences before reaching conclusions on the need for, and the nature of, any changes to the law in this area. The Criminal Law Revision Committee published on 9 December 1982 a working paper inviting comment on its provisional recommendations for possible changes in the law, which include the creation of certain new offences to deal with the accosting of women by men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning the problem of kerb crawling; and if he will make a statement.

Since the reply given to the hon. Member on 23 February—[Vol. 37, c. 440]—I have received 13 letters or other representations, including six from hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to publish the detailed design for the new Woolwich prison; how far Greenwich council will be consulted; what is the latest estimated cost; and when the construction is now planned to start.

It is not the Department's practice to publish plans of a new prison. But in accordance with the established procedures for consulting local planning authorities in respect of Crown developments, planning clearance for the detailed design of the Woolwich prison project will be sought from the London borough of Greenwich in the latter part of 1984. The latest estimated cost is £35 million and construction is planned to start early in 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Essex county council regarding the level of the police establishment in the county of Essex; what response he has given to the council; and if he will make a statement.

The Essex police authority applied in March 1983 for an increase of 35 police posts in the authorised establishment of the force 10 posts were approved in August 1983 for the financial year 1983–84, bringing the authorised establishment of the force to its present level of 2,653. A total of 128 additional posts have been approved since May 1979.The police authority was also informed that it is not our usual policy to approve long-term plans for additional posts but to consider only those increases for which finance is available locally and which can be implemented within the following twelve months. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider carefully, in the light of advice from Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, any further application which the police authority may make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) during what period the forms, copies of which were sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West and marked with the reference number EMA324/83, were used by immigration authorities;(2) how many of the forms which were sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West and marked with the reference number EMA324/83, he estimates were signed by visitors and by their British sponsors, respectively;(3) whether he proposes to replace the forms, copies of which were sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West and marked with the reference number EMA324/83 used by the immigration authorities, with other forms of undertaking; and whether he will include in such forms a statement of the right of the visitor under the Immigration Act and rules to apply for leave to be varied, including an extension of the length of stay;(4) whether he will forbid immigration officers to prepare their own forms of undertaking for use by visitors and by their British sponsors, respectively, so as to prevent any repetition of the matters referred to the Minister by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West in his letter of 3 October 1983.

The reference number quoted by the hon. Member refers only to the particular case about which he wrote to me. Immigration officers are instructed to make a note of any voluntary undertakings offered by passengers or their sponsors and it may sometimes be appropriate to seek written confirmation of such an undertaking. There can be no standard form for this purpose since any written record must reflect the terms in which an undertaking is offered. However, as I explained in reply to the hon. and learned Member's letter of 3 October, steps are being taken to ensure that the terms of any written undertaking are appropriate.No central information is available about the number of occasions on which written undertakings are obtained either from passengers or their sponsors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will issue a circular to ensure that visitors given limited leave to enter the United Kingdom know of their right under the Immigration Act and rules to apply for that leave to be varied, including an extension of the length of stay;(2) whether he will instruct immigration officers to inform visitors given limited leave to enter the United Kingdom of their right under the Immigration Act and rules to apply for that leave to be varied, including an extension of the length of stay;(3) whether he will ensure that any forms given to visitors to the United Kingdom who receive limited leave to enter contain a notification of their right under the Immigration Act and rules to apply for that leap e to be varied;(4) whether he will ensure that any forms given to British sponsors of visitors to the United Kingdom who receive limited leave to enter contain a notification of their right under the Immigration Act and rules to apply for that leave to be varied.

Where a passenger given leave to enter the United Kingdom may wish to seek an extension or variation of the leave or conditions imposed, immigration officers are already instructed to provide him with a printed leaflet which gives details of the procedure to be followed. Either a passenger or his sponsor can obtain further information from the immigration and nationality department. We see no need for any further arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange for the appointment or transfer of extra staff to Birmingham or Castle Donnington, so as to carry out interviews on immigration matters for persons living in the city of Leicester and in the east midlands, so as to avoid the necessity for their travelling to Felixstowe for such interviews.

No. This summer people in the east midlands area who were due to be interviewed on immigration matters were offered the opportunity of an earlier interview at Felixstowe than could be provided at Birmingham or East Midlands airport. They were not required to go to Felixstowe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dependants of Vietnamese refugees settled in the United Kingdom have applied for permanent settlement in this country in each of the last three years; and how many of these were accepted.

Complete information in the exact form and for the whole period requested is not readily available. Information on the number of applicants to join Vietnamese refugees settled in the United Kingdom is as follows:

	Applicants	Granted*
1981	5,610	1,400
1982	4,072	578
1983 (to 31 October)	2,869	1,023
* Applications granted do not necessarily relate to the applications in the same year.

It should also be pointed out that the number of applications granted is not the same as the number of Vietnamese admitted to the United Kingdom since once granted the applicants have to obtain permission to leave Vietnam and some may eventually leave for countries other than the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his policy towards the release of life sentence prisoners and the release on parole of violent offenders and drug traffickers.

I intend that 20 years will normally be the minimum period served by those who murder police and prison officers, by terrorist murderers, by sexual or sadistic murderers of children and by those who murder by firearms in the course of robbery. There will be other murders, not readily categorised, where the heinousness of the offence requires no less punishment. Some murders will justify yet longer periods in detention. In all cases risk to the public is the pre-eminent consideration in deciding release.I also intend to ensure that no one sentenced to more than five years' imprisonment for an offence of violence to the person, or of drug trafficking is released on parole unless release under supervision for a few months immediately before the end of the sentence is likely to reduce the long-term risk to the public, or in exceptional circumstances.I have had consultations with the Parole Board about the precise means of bringing about these policy changes. These consultations are not yet completed and I will make a further more detailed statement shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether she is prepared to pledge some special aid for the people inside Kampuchea; and if she will make a statement.

We have contributed £450,000 so far this year to Cambodian relief through multilateral agencies; £200,000 of this was pledged as recently as September. Like many donors we have given priority to those Cambodians taking refuge in the border areas without means of support. Given the many competing demands for limited aid funds, we do not expect to pledge any further aid for Cambodian relief for the moment, but we keep an open mind.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of Government policy on privatisation and in particular the privatisation of British Telecom, she will set up as a matter of urgency an inter-departmental ministerial group to examine and produce a statement of Government policy on competition.

The main objective of the Government's privatisation programme is to promote competition and improve efficiency. I am satisfied that this objective can be achieved without changes in the machinery of Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether any Government Department has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of householders and their families when asbestos is being removed from their homes.

Responsibility for enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for work activities carried out in the home, rests with the Health and Safety Executive or the local authority according to the circumstances of the case.

asked the Prime Minister why the agenda for the Commonwealth conference to be held in New Delhi in December is confidential.

The agenda is confidential in accordance with the traditional collective wish of Commonwealth Heads of Government.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made by the inquiry into the circumstances of the leaking to The Guardian of a state document addressed to her; and if she will make a statement.

It is my practice not to disclose information about the progress of investigations of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the London Boroughs' Association concerning the future of pensioners bus and tube passes.

We have had useful discussions with the association.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that existing arrangements for London pensioners' free travel passes are maintained.

The arrangements to replace the GLC's existing scheme when the GLC is abolished are currently under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if the proposed London Regional Transport will have a level of expenditure specified by him as being immune from legal challenge.

London Regional Transport will be subject to an external financing limit like other nationalised industries. Since it will not be a local authority body, the provisions of the Transport Act 1983 will not apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will answer parliamentary questions on planning and operational matters relating to the proposed London Regional Transport; and if he will make a statement.

Our detailed proposals will be set out in the legislation we shall shortly be bringing before Parliament. They will reflect the established conventions appropriate to a nationalised industry on what is a matter for management and what is a matter for Ministerial responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will be able to make a statement about the electrification of the Cambridge line.

We have had to ask the railways board for some further information about the scheme. When we have this, we will reach a decision as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of plans to privatise catering on British Rail.

My right hon. Friend asked the chairman of British Rail on 24 October to obtain more support services from the private sector, including train and station catering. I shall be following that request up shortly in a meeting with the chairman of Travellers Fare.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the excess capacity within British Rail Engineering Ltd. referred to in his statement of 24 October, Official Report, c. 39.

BR's corporate plan 1983–88 said that BREL had substantial overcapacity. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's objectives for the chairman ask him to take the steps necessary to deal with that situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a further announcement concerning the route of the A650 Aire valley trunk road.

As indicated in the recent roads White Paper I expect to make a statement before the end of the year about the continuation of the Airedale route beyond Bingley.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the results of his Department's recent campaign in Greater London against car tax evasion.

I have received 1,809 reports of apparent evasion of vehicle excise duty arising from checks by the Metropolitan and City of London police during the latest London campaign. The publicity that the campaigns attract will also have persuaded substantial number of evaders to relicense their vehicles voluntarily.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if the chairman of British Rail has informed him which railway lines will he closed as a result of the directives contained in his statement of 24 October.

My right hon. Friend's statement calls on the chairman to run an efficient railway providing attractive services to customers at a reduced cost to the taxpayer; and it makes clear that we do not intend him to embark on a programme of major route closures. Any individual closure proposals which the chairman may put forward will be considered on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail to discuss the statement of objectives for British Rail.

My right hon. Friend and I met the chairman on 8 November.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amplify his reference to guaranteed substitute bus services for rail, referred to in his statement of 24 October, Official Report, c. 39.

The idea of guaranteed and subsidised substitute bus services replacing some rail services has been sympathetically received on both sides of this House and by the Select Committee on Transport. I have, therefore, asked the chairman of the Railways Board for his early views on the practicability and value of such services. But I would want to see substitute bus services only where they made good sense on local transport and value for money grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with the chairman of British Rail to discuss his statement of 24 October concerning the Serpell report.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend).

asked the Secretary of State for Transport in view of the standard of observation of speed limits on British roads, if he will encourage a national campaign to persuade vehicle drivers to conform to the law.

The national speed survey which was commissioned this year should give us up to date information about traffic speeds in relation to speed limits. I shall consider what further action may be needed in the light of the results which should be available by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now make a statement about the proposed European Community directive on motor insurance and the application of similar safeguards, to damage to property as presently exist to personal injury, following his reply to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet on 16 March, Official Report, Vol. 39, c. 232.

I am glad to say that all member states accept the proposed directive in principle and negotiations on the details are being actively pursued. There was a useful discussion at a meeting of the Council of Ministers on 26 October which agreed that further work should be pressed ahead with all speed.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much land surplus to requirements British Rail currently holds.

On 1 January 1983, BR's holding of non-operational land was 21,500 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to sell the Government's remaining shareholding in Associated British Ports.

I am keeping this possibility under close review.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if any further reports are outstanding relating to the Severn bridge; when he expects to receive them; and if he will place a copy of all recent reports in the Library.

The report by Husband & Co. on its check of Flint & Neill's appraisal of the Severn bridge substructures is expected within about a month, although a summary of its findings was received last week and copies have now been placed in the Library. The report by Husband & Co. on its check of Flint & Neill's appraisal of the Wye bridge and viaducts and the report by Flint & Neill on its check of Husband & Co's appraisal of the Aust viaduct are expected early next year. Copies of Flint & Neill's appraisal report and structural feasibility study and of Mott, Hay & Anderson's check of the Severn bridge superstructure have already been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the improvement of trunk road links between Norfolk and the north of England.

The trunk road programme set out in the recent White Paper "Policy for Roads: England 1983" includes 17 schemes in construction or in preparation which will improve the A47 and A 17 routes out of East Anglia. The estimated total cost of these schemes is £113 million. Two more schemes costing a further £20 million are in preparation to improve access northwards on the A16 in Lincolnshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects next to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss the railways public service obligation grant.

My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with the chairman of British Rail to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the public service obligation grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has of a decline in fatal and serious accidents as a result of the recent seatbelt legislation.

Deaths and serious injuries to front seat occupants of cars and light vans in the first five months of compulsion were down 20 per cent on the same period last year despite a 6 per cent. increase in car and light van traffic. It is too soon to be certain of the precise part played by the legislation in reducing casualties, but the early results are encouraging.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the transport supplementary grant payable to Lincolnshire county council in the current financial year; and what was the level of grant paid in the last financial year.

In 1982–83, the Lincolnshire county council was paid transport supplementary grant of £4·909 million. In the current financial year 1983–84, it will receive £5·115 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present state of progress of the plans for widening the M63 motorway between junctions 3 and 5

We shall be discussing possible solutions with the Greater Manchester county council and Trafford borough council later this month and intend to make a public announcement early next year. We hope to start construction by 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many metropolitan authorities have introduced schemes to restrict movement of lorries.

All the metropolitan county councils have introduced measures to keep lorries off unsuitable roads in their areas. A list of all the schemes in force outside Greater London was deposited in the Library ealier this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in the light of the European Community draft directive on lorry noise, it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to reduce the noise levels of new heavy lorries to 80 decibels by 1990 as stated in the White Paper. "Lorries, People and the Environment."

The White Paper Cmnd. 8439 published in December 1981 stated the Government's target as being progressively to reduce rte perceived noise from new heavy lorries to less than half the 1981 level. This would require a reduction of at least 10 decibels from the 91 dB(A) then permitted, measured under the same test procedure.A reduction of three decibels was implemented earlier this year, and a further reduction of around two decibels will result from the implementation in 1985 of the new test procedure set out in EC directive 81/334. The latest draft directive published on 27 July 1983 (COM(83)392 final) proposes a further reduction of four decibels for heavy lorries with an engine power of more than 75 kilowatts, to take effect between 1987 and 1989, arid provides for a review to consider further measures.These latest proposals, in addition to what has been agreed already, take us a very long way towards our original target, though this will not be fully achieved before the 1990s.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for 24-hour traffic flows at the M6 interchange at Gravelly h.11, Birmingham; and how these compare with the figures for five years ago.

The annual average weekday flow between junctions 6 and 7 was 87,000 vehicles/24 hour day in 1982. The comparable 1978 figure was 70,000 vehicles. (Figures are not yet available for 1983.)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with progress being made with the construction of the southern end of the M3 motorway.

The M3 extension from Popham to Bar End, Winchester, is being constructed under two contracts which were let in April and May this year. They are due for completion by the autumn of 1985. The contractors have made a good start and I am satisfied with progress so far.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what sums are intended to be expended on road improvement in Norfolk and Suffolk in the current and next financial years.

Subject to the availability of funds, the sums intended to be spent on trunk road improvement in Norfolk and Suffolk are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has received from pensioners' organisations regarding the future of free travel for the elderly in London.

Sixteen since July, largely as a consequence of the GLC's mischievous and misleading propaganda.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet received the British Railways Board's review of inter-city rail business; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 4 November.—[Vol. 47, c. 469.]

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to discuss liberalisation of flights within the European Community with his colleagues in the European Community.

I expect to attend the Transport Council meetings in Brussels on 1 and 20 December. I will argue the case for relaxing controls over intra-Community air services and press these views informally on my opposite numbers and members of the Commission. At my request my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State is arranging to visit members of the Commission and the Ministers responsible for civil aviation in a number of member states to explain our views in more detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to introduce legislation to reform the pilotage system for England and Wales.

I am considering a range of pilotage policy options that would apply to the United Kingdom as a whole; some would entail legislation but I do not envisage introducing any in this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to take steps to reduce lateral spray from lorries when being driven in wet conditions.

We expect the British Standard on spray suppression to be completed later this year. I shall then consult manufacturers on the quickest practicable timetable for making lorries conform with the standard.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will complement his Department's "Think Bike" television advertisements with similar "Think Car" advertisements designed to improve the safety standards of motor cyclists.

The "think bike" campaign was directed to motorists against the background that in accidents at junctions involving both motor cyclists and other types of vehicle some 60 per cent. of drivers claimed not to have seen the motor cyclist. I have no evidence that the converse is true. Whilst I am aware of the aggravation and potentially dangerous situations caused by some motor cyclist's road manoeuvres, a parallel campaign is unlikely to have the desired effect.The most pressing need as far as motor cyclists are concerned is to encourage them to develop good habits by taking training at the start of their riding career. Any publicity campaign aimed at full licence holders would need to be very closely targetted.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why the inspector at the previous Archway road inquiry was not appointed to conduct the forthcoming Archway road inquiry.

The inspectors appointed to conduct trunk road inquiries are nominated by the Lord Chancellor, and the choice of inspector in individual cases is a matter for him.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the electrification programme in British Rail since proposals were first made, showing the annual investment, manpower allocation, and track mileage converted; and what investment proposals he has for 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986.

When the Government entered office in 1979, some 2,300 route miles were electrified. Since then the line from Bedford to St. Pancras and Moorgate has been electrified. We have approved electrification of the lines from Colchester to Ipswich, Harwich and Norwich; and from Tonbridge to Hastings.We have received from the Railways Board a ten-year outline programme for the electrification of main line routes, and detailed proposals to electrify the east coast main line, from Hitchin to Leeds and Newcastle, the priority scheme. We are also considering proposals to electrify services to Cambridge from Bishop's Stortford and Royston.Progress on schemes and the preparation of further proposals are both matters for the Railways Board and the hon. Member may therefore wish to seek answers to his detailed questions from the chairman of the board.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether Her Majesty's Government has an overall plan for railway electrification.

The Government support the principle of electrification where it is financially justified. but the responsibility for devising plans for electrification is for the Railways Board not the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive proposals for the electrification of the east coast line Kings Cross to Edinburgh.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive proposals for the electrification of the east coast line.

The line from Kings Cross to Hitchin is already electrified. We are waiting to receive from the Railways Board's strategy for a commercial inter-city business before reaching a decision on their detailed proposals for the electrification of the line from Hitchin to Leeds and Newcastle. These proposals included an outline appraisal of the case for electrifying the line from Newcastle to Edinburgh.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list in the Official Report the representations he has received on the Serpell report; and if he will make a statement on those representations;(2) if he will list in the

I will answer these questions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has received from the chairman of British Rail to his announcement of 24 October concerning the future funding of the railways; and whether any staffing implications are involved.

The chairman of the Railways Board has said that

"achieving the Government's objectives will promote confidence in the long term future for an improving railway by giving increasing value for money to its customers and to the taxpayer, whilst enabling BR to regain the integrity of the basic national rail network."

It is for the board to determine the levels of manpower necessary to achieve these objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what effect on the number of jobs in British Rail and in British Rail Engineering Ltd. he expects as a result of the lowering in real terms of Government financial support for the industry.

It is for the Railways Board to decide what management action will be required to achieve the grant objectives for 1986. The chairman of the board intends to indicate that action in his 1984 corporate plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when all major road works relating to the two-lane section of the M1 motorway between junctions 5 and 8 will be completed; and whether work is proceeding according to the planned schedule.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the widening of the M1 motorway between junctions 5 and 7 to be completed; and whether this contract is up to schedule.

I expect them to be completed on time by the end of this month, though some night-time closures of the northbound carriageway will be necessary between junctions 6 and 7 for about three weeks thereafter while minor work is carried out on the central reservation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish an annual report of his Department's work.

My Department already publishes each year a substantial volume of information about its activities. Some of these publications are annual reports, others in forms appropriate to the particular subjects. They include regular reports and statistical publications, such as Transport Statistics, Great Britain; annual roads White Papers or reports; reports of accident investigations and trends in transport safety; on the activities of the Coastguard; on the operation of the bus and lorry licensing system and research reports. Financial information, of course, is published in the annual public expenditure White Papers.From time to time the Department publishes information about major policy developments, recent examples being the White Paper "Public Transport in London" (Cmnd. 9004) and consultation papers on the reallocation of transport responsibilities in metropolitan counties and in London. It is also our policy wherever appropriate to publish reports commissioned by the Government—such as the report on railway finances produced by Sir David Serpell's committee. Furthermore, the transport industries for which I am responsible regularly publish information about their activities.I am not aware of any request for further information.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if Her Majesty's Government will introduce measures to abolish the Port of London Authority; and if he will make a statement.

The Port of London Authority has a number of important statutory responsibilities. Its abolition would not be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will appoint more inspectors to ensure that coaches meet the required safety standards.

All new coaches are initially certified by officers of the Department and are then tested each year to ensure they meet the required safety standards. Inspections of operators' premises, spot checks of equipment or driver records are also carried out. I authorised an increase in the number of staff engaged on this work earlier this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce proposals to ensure (a) that coach drivers records will be controlled by recording instrument, tachograph and log book, (b) a speed limit of 60 mph is applied to coaches and (c) a minimum age of 21 years for public service vehicle drivers is introduced.

(a) Tachograph records are required for coach drivers on non-regular services: there is no need for log books as well.

I will answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total mileage of the motorway system under repair in the last 12 months; and what percentage this was of the motorway network.

During the last 12 months 29 different sites on the motorway system were affected by major carriageway repairs. In each case, only part of the carriageway was under repair at any one time. Those parts, in total, were equivalent to about 82 miles of motorway route. This represents just under 6 per cent of the total motorway network in England. In addition, major works were carried out at 13 motorway bridge sites. Various minor repairs were in progress throughout the network.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the staff-student ratio in teacher training colleges in England and Wales.

Initial teacher training courses in the public sector in Englnd and Wales are provided in certain establishments of further education, many of which also provide other advanced and non-advanced courses of further education. Since the staff in these establishments who are engaged in teacher training are not identified separately in the available data, I regret that it is not possible to give the staff student ratio in teacher training.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken by the Government to ensure a high standard of physics teaching in secondary schools.

In the view of the Government, a broad and balanced science programme should form part of the eduction of all pupils of compulsory school age. In June 1982 the Department and the Welsh Office published a consultative document entitled "Science Education in Schools" (a copy of which is available in the Library) which set out for discussion a number of issues raised by that objective. In the light of the responses to that document we propose to issue in due course a statement of policy on science education.The Government are also supporting the work of the secondary science curriculum review, which is currently engaged in a three-year development programme involving the reappraisal of the teaching of science, including physics. A very substantial number of local education authorities are participating in the Review.My right hon. Friend has in addition made known his provisional comments on the draft national criteria for 16+ examinations in physics which would help to ensure that syllabuses and assessment reflect and reinforce the best of current practice.

Pupil-teacher ratios within maintained schools and overall in Hertfordshire and England
	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983
Nursery
Hertfordshire	21·6	20·3	20·2	21·4	21·9
England	20·2	19·8	19·7	19·9	20·1
Primary
Hertfordshire	22·5	22·3	22·2	21·9	22·4
England	23·1	22·7	22·6	22·5	22·3
Secondary
Hertfordshire	15·9	16·0	15·9	16·0	16·2
England	16·7	16·6	16·6	16·6	16·5
Overall
Hertfordshire	18·4	18·1	18·1	17·9	17·9
England	18·9	18·7	18·6	18·5	18·1
Percentage change on previous year of overall England pupil-teacher ratios	-2·6	-1·1	-0·5	-0·5	-2·2

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish an annual report of his Department's work.

A report on the work of the Department is presented to Parliament and published annually under section 5 of the Education Act 1944. The 1982 report was presented and published on 24 October 1983, a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time teachers lost their jobs in 1980, 1981, 1982 and the nearest available date in 1983.

The information is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost to public funds of the study conducted by the accountants Peat Marwick Mitchell into the operation of the Social Science Research Council.

Lord Rothschild's review of the Social Science Research Council, published in May last year (Cmnd. 8554), included a study conducted by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company at a total cost of £3,450 (including VAT).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the pupil-teacher ratio of secondary, primary, nursery and overall education in Hertfordshire since 1979; and what have been the increases nationally in percentage terms.

The maintained nursery, primary and secondary pupil-teacher ratios within schools in Hertfordshire and England since 1979 are set out in the following table, together with percentage changes in the overall pupil-teacher ratio for England.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a table showing the percentage of children in schools in England and Wales receiving school dinners in 1974, 1979 and at the latest available date; and if he will sub-divide the data according to whether the child paid or was receiving free meals;

The information for maintained schools in England, derived from the annual school meals census, is as follows:

	1974 per cent.	1979 per cent.	1982 per cent.
Percentage take-up of school meals	70·3	64·1	49·4
of which paid	61·3	52·2	35·5
of which free	9·0	11·9	13·9
Percentage of pupils bringing	5·5	12·6	28·6
packed lunches

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he issues any advice to education authorities on adventure holidays, hill walking and mountaineering organised by schools; and if he will make a statement.

The Department publishes safety advice in the booklet "Safety in Outdoor Pursuits", the most recent edition of which was produced in 1979. Earlier this year Her Majesty's Inspectorate published a survey of outdoor education and short stay residential experience entitled "Learning out of doors". Copies of both of these documents have been distributed to Local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give conveniently available figures for the increased grant from his Department's vote to (a) the British Antarctic survey and (b) the Scott Polar research institute.

Before 1982–83 there was no special addition to the British Antarctic survey's grant-in-aid. Since then the grants-in-aid paid to the survey from the Department's science budget through the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) are:

£ million
Year	Total grant-in-aid (net of receipts)	Amount of additional funding included in the total
1982–83	7·7	0·5
1983–84	*10·1	4·0
* Estimated.

As already announced by my right hon. Friend, the grant-in-aid for 1984–85, whose amount has not yet been decided, will include an additional £5·0 million (£1·0 million more that 1983–84).The Scott Polar research institute is largely funded by the university of Cambridge. The institute however receives an annual grant of £35,000 from the NERC. This is an increase from £3,500, which was the annual sum provided by the NERC before 1983–84.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he intends to make to the suggestion by the chairman of the University Grants Committee that some universities may have to close if available resources are reduced.

The chairman of the UGC has asked universities to comment on the possibility of the closure of institutions in the course of a wide-ranging enquiry on the development of higher education into the 1990s. Closure of institutions cannot be excluded as one of the possible options if the fall in the level of student demand or of government funding were to be substantial.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out in the Official Report the total number of grammar schools in England and Wales in each of the past ten years.

The numbers of maintained secondary grammar schools in England for the past ten years are:

	Number of schools
1974	655
1975	547
1976	459
1977	390
1978	305
1979	254
1980	218
1981	200
1982	185
1983*	175
* Provisional.

The figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider introducing legislation to require local education authorities to replace corporal punishment in schools with special tutorial units to instil and maintain discipline and provide remedial action for disruptive children.

No. School discipline is primarily a local matter, for which responsibility is shared among head teachers, governors and local education authorities. A wide range of sanctions can be applied in response to disruptive behaviour.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will require that punishment books kept in special schools distinguish between corporal punishments, other physical punishments, and other punishments; and if he will make a statement.

Paragraph 19 of circular 6/83 contains guidelines as to which punishments should and should not be recorded in the punishment book kept by a special school. An attempt to be comprehensively prescriptive over entries in the punishment book would not be practical.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the European Court of Human Rights' judgment on corporal punishment in schools, he will make it a condition of approval of special schools and special hospital schools that they prohibit the use of corporal punishment on their pupils; and if he will make a statement.

No. The method adopted by the Government to give effect in England and Wales to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Campbell and Cosans was explained in a consultative document issued in July last by the Department and the Welsh Office Education Department. The arrangements described will apply to all maintained schools and inter alia to children with special educational needs placed by local education authorities in non-maintained special schools and independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the term of reference he has given to the chief scientific adviser in his Department; and whether he proposes any changes.

I appointed Professor Sir Samuel Frederick Edwards, FRS, as my chief scientific adviser to provide me with independent scientific advice and to carry out specific duties as I shall lay down from time to time. One of his major duties will be to chair the Department of Energy's advisory council on research and development.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the qualifications and experience of the chief scientific adviser in his Department; and when he assumed his appointment.

Professor Sir Samuel Frederick Edwards, FRS, took up his appointment as my chief scientific adviser on 17 October. Sir Samuel was educated at Caius college, Cambridge, where he remained after

£ per capita
	Hospital services	Community health and family practitioners' services	Other services	Total
Clwyd	140·53	74·61	12·89	228·03
East Dyfed	148·30	76·72	15·86	222·97
Pembrokeshire	97·19		11·57
Gwent	155·03	80·55	15·46	251·04
Gwynedd	125·79	84·02	18·95	228·76
Mid Glamorgan	141·83	78·88	14·53	235·24
Powys	129·56	84·03	22·79	236·38
South Glamorgan	247·55	81·29	23·40	352·24
West Glamorgan	144·54	80·48	13·68	238·70
WALES	155·74	79·46	16·25	251·45

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the most recent figures for the distribution of health expenditure for each Welsh area expressed in per capita terms and categorised according to (a) hospital services expenditure, (b) community health and family practitioners' services expenditure and (c) total expenditure.

The figures for 1982–83 are:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the amenities and facilities provided for tourists in Wales.

I hope to see continuing improvements in the amenities and facilities available for tourists in Wales and know that the industry and the Wales tourist board, particularly in its recent document "Strategy for Growth", recognise the importance of further development.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be able to reply to the report of the Committee on Welsh Affairs in the last Parliament entitled Water in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Further to my answer to the hon. Gentleman on 13 July, it is expected that the Government's response will be made as soon as possible. [Vol. 45, c. 345.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish an annual report of his Department's work.

I publish a number of annual and periodic reports relating to my Department's activities. These include:

• Education in Wales
• Roads in Wales
• Smallholdings in Wales
• Research Wales
• Digest of Welsh Statistics
• Welsh Economic Trends
• Welsh Social Trends
• Report to Parliament on the Sea Fisheries (Shell Fish) Act 1967
• Report to Parliament on Proceedings under the Pier and Harbour Acts 1861 to 1915
• Report in Pursuance of Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964

In addition, a great deal of information on specific areas of my Department's work is published throughout the year. I have no plans to publish an annual report covering all the activities of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Monmouth district council concerning the housing capital allocations 1984–85; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

We have received a letter from the Monmouth district council about its housing allocation for 1984–85. My hon. Friend the Minister of State has replied and I am sending the hon. Member a copy direct.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the criteria under which, in July 1983. special inner urban assistance designation was granted to, elected districts.

The review which led to recommendations for further designation under the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 assessed relative deprivation on the basis mainly of the following factors: population and population change, job loss, unemployment levels and distribution and general social conditions (for example single parent households, pensioners living alone, overcrowding, households lacking exclusive use of basic amenities).

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how the assessment of the Rhymney Valley district compared with that of those districts designated for special inner urban assistance (a) in July of 1983 and (b) prior to July 1983.

Prior to the reveiw of designated status carried out earlier this year, five districts in Wales, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, Newport, Rhondda and Swansea were designated under the provision of the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978. At that time the scale and intensity of deprivation in these areas was assessed as substantially higher than that in the Rhymney Valley district. Following the review, which took account of 1981 Census information, eight districts, the five existing designated districts together with Merthyr Tydfil, Cynon Valley and Afan, were assessed as having levels of deprivation higher in varying degrees than any other Welsh districts including the Rhymney Valley district.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if the criteria used in the July 1983 designation of districts for special inner urban assistance reflected any change from criteria used in previous designations.

The criteria which applied to all designations now in use remain basically the same. Greater account was taken of job loss and health statistics as compared with previous assessments while some statistics (such as information on free shool meals and derelict land and standardised mortality rates) were no longer included.