asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what expense the Treasury Solicitor has been put in investigating the claims made in connection with the estate of Adrienne Maria Weihs; what procedures were undertaken and what investigations were made to ensure that the contents of the estate of Adrienne Maria Weihs were disposed of at proper prices; and, in view of the dispute relating to this estate, if he will introduce changes of procedure into the Bona Vacantia Department to ensure that goods are properly safeguarded and properly disposed of.

I have been asked to reply. The work of investigating claims in connection with the estate of Adrienne Maria Weihs, who died on 1 June 1975, has been carried out by officers of the Treasury Solicitor's Department in the course of their normal duties. The only unusual expenditure involved has been in respect of a visit to Ireland by an officer in connection both with this estate and another matter; this expenditure amounted to about £220 covering both cases.Late in 1975 it appeared to the Treasury Solicitor that the estate was one that might fall to be dealt with as bona vacantia, and the usual inquiries for kin were instituted. In January 1976 the Treasury Solicitor decided that the furniture and effects that remained in the deceased's flat and which formed part of this estate should be sold to a dealer to enable possession of the flat to be given up to the landlord—the local authority—for re-letting. In adopting this course, the Treasury Solicitor relied on the evidence both of a friend of Mrs. Weihs whom she had named as executor in an invalid will and of a representative of the local authority, which indicated that the furniture was not of significant value. It was also arranged that the dealer should clear the flat and do the necessary cleaning.The procedures of the bona vacantia division for safeguarding jewellery and other valuables held by the Treasury Solicitor were reviewed and changed following the theft—which came to light in 1979—by an officer of the Treasury Solicitor's Department of jewellery forming part of several estates including the estate of Mrs. Weihs. The theft was facilitated by the non-observance of the then existing procedure. The procedures relating to the disposal of other effects are now being reviewed by the Treasury Solicitor, who has directed that, in the meantime, instructions to dealers to clear tenanted property are to be given only on the authority of a senior officer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding value added tax relief for charities from individuals and organisations; and if he will make a statement.

During the past three months I and my Treasury colleagues have received a total of 11 representations from individuals and organisations regarding a general VAT relief for charities and similar bodies.The case for a general relief for charities from the VAT they bear on their non-business purchases has been carefully considered by the Government on several occasions, but not agreed for three main reasons. First, VAT relief would give a very uneven spread of benefits. The actual sums going to each body would depend on its pattern of spending rather than the level of public support it enjoyed. Second, it would be expensive. It is estimated that tens of millions of pounds of revenue would be Lost. Third, the size and administrative complexity of a relief scheme would make it a wasteful and inefficient way of helping charities.However, the Government do recognise the immensely valuable role charities play in this country and have clone much to help them in other ways. Each of the last four Budgets has contained important measures to assist charities. At the same time, the level of cash grants to charities has been steadily increased since 1979—last year direct grants from central Government Departments alone amounted to about £140 million. These measures have been a far more effective way of providing help than using all or part of the resources available to give an indiscriminate VAT relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have any plans to repay War Loan.

There are no plans to redeem 3½ per cent. War Loan.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to raise the interest rate on 3½ per cent. War Loan.

The prospectus of this stock contains no provision for an increase in the interest rate payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Treasury of repaying War Loan.

The outstanding 3½ per cent. War Loan amounts to £1,909 million. The cost of its redemption at par would be the additional cost to the Government of replacing this stock with other Government debt paying higher interest rates. The precise cost would therefore depend on what funding instruments were chosen by way of replacement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women were employed in the Civil Service at the latest available date; what were the comparable figures for those employed within the open structure; what proportion of the total they formed in each case; and what were the corresponding figures for 1971, 1961 and 1953, respectively.

Counting two part-time staff as one individual, there were 263,400 women in the Civil Service at 1 April 1983, forming 40·6 per cent. of the total. At the same date there 31 women in the open structure, forming 4·5 per cent. of the total. At 1 January 1971 there were 230,400 women, 32·8 per cent. of the total. The open structure was formed in 1972; at 1 January 1973 there were 22 women in the open structure, 2·9 per cent. of the total.Corresponding figures for the whole Civil Service are not available for 1961 and 1951 on a comparable basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the Exchequer in each of the past three years of the amount contributed by public limited companies to political organisations; and if he will divide the cost between: (a) lost corporation tax and (b) lost income tax in the form of tax credits.

Contributions to political organisations are not tax-deductible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies has now considered the representations from the accountancy bodies and the Building Societies Association on the draft regulations amending the requirements for accounts and annual returns by building societies; and when these regulations will take effect.

Yes. The Building Societies (Accounts and Annual Return) Regulations 1983 have been made by the Chief Registrar with the consent of the Treasury and have been laid before the House today.The regulations do not make any fundamental changes. They are necessary to keep up-to-date the requirements for societies to make information available to their members, to the public and to the Registry. The regulations mainly affect the annual return. They in particular provide for recent developments such as the proliferation of new forms of share and deposit accounts, which require a new form of analysis if the return is to be comprehensible, the issue of certificates of deposit by building societies following the provisions of the Finance Act 1983, the change in the special advance limit to £60,000 from the beginning of 1983 for most societies, and the comments by the Chief Registrar in his recently published report on the creation of local boards by societies.The Chief Registrar has taken account of points made by the accountancy bodies and the Building Societies Association in the informal consultations on the drafts. He is grateful for their prompt response, particularly as circumstances dictated only a short period for consultation. The regulations will apply to accounts and returns relating to accounting periods ending on or after 31 December 1983, but they include transitional provisions. Societies who wish may make more limited changes in certain parts of the return in respect of periods ending on or before 30 June 1984: this allows for the possibility that they may not have collected information during the year in a way which could readily be put into the new format. The Chief Registrar has also accepted that some of the additional information which is primarily required for his purposes could be commercially sensitive, and would therefore be more appropriate to be added to the existing confidential monitoring returns made to the Registry, rather than to the public annual return.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what report he has received from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the deaths of two women during the festivities in and around Trafalgar square last new year's eve; what progress has been made with the Commissioner's examination of the implications of that report and other aspects of the events; and if he will make a statement.

The Commissioner has provided a report on the general and specific circumstances of the deaths. I have today had a note summarising that report placed in the Library of the House.The inquest into the deaths of Mrs. Leary and Miss Smith, which concluded on 2 March, found that each was by misadventure. For a full account of the circumstances, I invite my hon. Friend to refer to the note in the Library. In brief, the two women died in a matter of minutes early on 1 January 1983 in a crush of between 20–30 people who fell on each other in a small area within a large and densely packed crowd at the southern end of Morley's hill which borders Trafalgar square. The crush was most probably precipitated by someone falling over debris on the ground. Police officers, fire officers and members of the public acted immediately to prevent other people falling and to retrieve those who had fallen, and first aid assistance was provided very quickly; in the opinion of the examining patholist, neither woman could have been resuscitated.The commissioner has conducted a thorough examination of the events, to establish that they have been fully understood and so that any necessary lessons from them will be reflected in the arrangements for the gatherings in and around Trafalgar square this new year's eve and in future. The examination has looked not only at the immediate circumstances of the two deaths but also at the general character of the gatherings in the past. As part of this examination, the commissioner established a working party including senior officers of the Metropolitan police, officials from my Department and that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Property Servics Agency and representatives of the city of Westminster council, St. John Ambulance, the London ambulance service, London Transport, British Rail, the British transport police and the London fire brigade.As a result, a number of further measures will be introduced this new year's eve, in addition to the extensive arrangements customarily made by the police and first aid and other emergency services to try to ensure crowd safety and control during the festivities in and around Trafalgar square. These measures will include the following:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many juveniles held in remand centres on 30 June 1982 had received custodial sentences; and for what offences;(2) how many juveniles held in prisons on 30 June 1982 had received custodial sentences; and for what offences.

The information available is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions against (a) lorry drivers and (b) coach drivers for speeding or careless driving have been instituted in respect of the M1 in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire during 1981 and in 1982.

No reliable information is available for specific types of vehicle or separately for motorways. Information on total findings of guilt for speed limit offences and for careless driving offences by police force area is published in Table 17 of "Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles Supplementary Tables 1982", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable magistrates to impose a shorter youth custody sentence than four months on juvenile girls.

Provision for short custodial sentences for juvenile girl offenders was withdrawn in 1969, on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Penal System; and the Criminal Justice Act 1982 confirmed that decision. My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to alter the law on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the cases and the location, and the length of time that each had been held so far in a police or court cell, of the nine males under 21 years and the three females under 21 years held in police cells on the night of 24–25 November.

I understand that, of the 12 prisoners under 21 held by the police on the night of 24–25 November, the nine males had been held by the Metropolitan Police since 22 November. All nine were taken into prison custody on 25 November. Of the three females, two were held by the Sussex police and one by the Metropolitan police, in each case for one night only. Information about their individual cases is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the memorandum on the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill that he has received from the Association of Chief Police Officers.

No. Publication is a matter for the association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library the guidance issued by each police force to its officers on the use of firearms; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will now seek to keep a central record of the numbers and percentages of each police force authorised to use firearms; and if he will make a statement;(3) at what level the decision is taken in the Metropolitan police to issue firearms to authorised officers in response to emergency situations; and what information he has as to the level at which such decisions are taken in other forces.

In most cases the detailed guidance issued by each chief officer on the use of firearms contains tactical information which it would not be sensible to place in the Library, and the task of collating and editing would involve disproportionate cost. But all chief officers have accepted the Home Office guidelines on the issue and use of firearms by the police, a copy of which was placed in the Library at the time of their issue in March. In accordance with those guidelines firearms are to be issued to authorised officers only on the authority of an officer of the rank of assistant chief constable or above —commander or above in the Metropolitan police—unless a delay in getting in touch with an officer of that rank could result in loss of life or serious injury; in those exceptional cases a chief superintendent or a superintendent may authorise issue. The Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis is providing a full report on the incident in which Mr. Stephen Waldorf was shot. The guidelines will be revised if the report shows a need for change. Arrangements are in hand for the central collation of the numbers of officers authorised to use firearms in each force but the first figures will not be available until next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when a young offender is remanded to the care of the local authority in a secure unit prior to being sentenced to youth custody, the young offender is entitled to remission on the youth custody sentence for time spent in the secure unit.

When a juvenile is committed on remand to the care of a local authority, the time prior to sentence does not, under section 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982, count towards the length of a subsequent custodial sentence. Arrangements have, however, been made for local authorities to inform courts of the length of time of any remand in care, and the circumstances of the placement, including any placement in secure accommodation, so that the courts can take this into account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a public inquiry into the disturbances at the Messenger Group works at Warrington; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the special organisational arrangements for the London fire brigade specified in section 2.19 of the White Paper, "Streamlining the Cities".

The White Paper does not specify that there should be organisational change. Rather, it raised the question whether, in view of the size of the London fire brigade, special internal organisational arrangements may be necessary under a joint board. It follows that the Government will consider this matter further in the light of responses to the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to build any other major prisons than the 14 already announced before 1990.

The Department is constantly seeking to identify possible sites for new prison projects which should be added to the prison building programme. Decisions to proceed with particular schemes in addition to those which have already been announced must await the outcome of future years' public expenditure discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to continue negotiations with the borough of Halton to acquire land for the erection of a prison there.

Prison development on the site which has been identified within the area of the Halton borough council depends on a number of factors, including the satisfactory outcome of a feasibility study now in progress, the obtaining of planning clearance and the availability of the necessary resources. If it is possible to proceed with the project we will negotiate with the borough council at the right time for the purchase of the land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the constituency of Halton about the proposed building of a prison there; and how many are in favour, and how many against.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received about 40 letters from local residents, including one from the right hon. Member about the proposed prison development. Two of these were in favour of the proposal and the remainder opposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sites for proposed prisons, other than those he has already announced, are being considered in the north-west area; and where these sites are located.

We have identified a possible site for a new prison at Upton Widnes, Cheshire. We are continuing to look for other sites in the north-west in view of the severe pressure on existing prison places in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he proposes to have with residents of the constituency of Halton before continuing negotiations for the erection of a prison there.

If it is decided, in the light of the outcome of the feasibility study now being undertaken, to proceed with the proposal, the Department will submit a formal notice of proposed development to Halton borough council, as the relevant local planning authority, in accordance with the established procedures governing Crown development. It will then be for the borough council to consider the views of local residents and other interested parties in deciding whether to grant planning clearance. We have already said that the Home Office will be prepared to take part in any public meeting which the borough council may at that stage arrange as part of its consultation process.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received against the violations of human rights in El Salvador at the latest date.

We have had few recent representations about human rights violations in El Salvador. Nevertheless we remain concerned over continuing reports of such violations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage of the total cutback in public expenditure borne by housing since May 1979.

Total public expenditure in cash terms rose from £65·7 billion in 1978–79 to £113 billion in 1982–83. Over the same period gross expenditure on housing in cash terms also rose from £4·1 billion to £4·5 billion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of funding under circular 23 of the traditional urban programme was allocated to shire counties.

Some 18 per cent. of the resources for approvals under traditional urban programme circular 23 was allocated to shire counties for the support of projects to be carried out in urban areas falling within those counties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the working of circular 9/80 from individuals and organisations; and if he will make a statement.

A number of representations about circular 9/80 have been received, mostly of a detailed nature. These were taken into account in preparing the draft circular on land for housing. I am issuing a further draft of this circular, and I do not think a statement would be appropriate at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the working of circular 22/80 from individuals and organisations; and if he will make a statement.

From time to time we receive representations about the working of circular 22/80. Such representations have been taken into account in preparing the draft circulars on particular aspects of development control which have been issued in recent months. We shall continue to monitor the effectiveness of the circular as a general framework for the development control system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider clawing back a percentage of local authority housing capital receipts for redistribution through the housing investment programme.

Yes. Local authorities housing investment programme allocations for 1984–85, announced by my right hon. Friend on 24 November in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle)— [Vol. 49, c. 247.]—already include a redistribution of broadly 60 per cent. of authorities' forecast housing capital receipts. That represents an increase of 10 per cent. over allocations for 1983–34 and earlier years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his intentions with respect to the proposed alterations to the Greater London development plan following the judgment delivered on 1 December in the High Court by Mr. Justice Hodgson.

I am studying the implications of the High Court judgment and will decide what action to take as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the mean average rent increase agreed by rent officers in each district in 1979 and each year since; and what was the mean average of increases agreed by rent officers for the area of each rent assessment committee.

Mean percentage rent changes determined by rent officers in 1979 and 1980 appear in the rent officer note RO(S)38, which is available in the Library, for London boroughs, metropolitan districts and non-metropolitan counties and for rent assessment panel areas. These figures relate to regulated unfurnished tenancies re-registered within three to four years of previous registration. For 1981 and 1982, figures for London boroughs and for counties elsewhere are in table 11.6 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1972–1982", also in the Library. Estimates for the rent assessment panel areas are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money is being redistributed in 1983–84 by way of the London rate equalisation scheme; and how much he expects to be so redistributed in the financial year following the prospective abolition of the Greater London council.

£66,791,949. The White Paper "Streamlining the Cities" stated the Government's aim to maintain the existing balance between London ratepayers, following the disappearance of the GLC precept, by extending the London rate equalisation scheme. My Department issued a consultation document about this on 26 October. It is not possible at this stage to forecast the size of the resulting pool for redistribution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost of employing the Property Services Agency for a feasibility study in Halton for the purpose of building a prison there.

The Property Services Agency has been asked by the Home Office to assess the suitability of building a new prison on a site at Upton, near Widnes. The total estimated cost of the feasibility study, including the work to be undertaken by the agency and by a firm of consultants, is £50,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the findings of the public inquiries into the applications by Avon county council to construct refuse transfer stations at Bristol and Bath.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering the inspector's reports and expects to issue his decisions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of the non-rating of agricultural hereditaments in each year since 1979.

It is estimated that about £200 million might have been added to total rateable values in England and Wales if agricultural land and buildings were rated. Applying average non-domestic rate poundages for England and Wales to this figure gives a very broad indication of the revenue which might have been raised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will ascertain how many members of rent assessment committees are landlords or agents of landlords and how many are tenants.

This information is not available, and we have no plans to collect it.An interest of any kind in residential property is not itself a disqualification in the selection of potential members for appointment to the rent assessment panels, from which rent assessment committees are drawn. Members are, however, required not to adjudicate in circumstances where their impartiality could be questioned —for example if they have any personal, professional or pecuniary interest in a case, or if any firm or business with which they are associated has such an interest.When interviewing candidates for membership the panel presidents inquire whether they are active in any organisation representing landlords or tenants, or involved in any activity which might make, or appear to make, their judgment less than wholly impartial. However, no record of serving members' current interests is maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Environment if he will state the grounds on which it was decided that the Oxo tower, and the Stamford wharf and Nelson's wharf buildings did not qualify under the selection criteria for statutory listing.

The Oxo tower was considered for listing by the Historic Buildings Council in 1980, as part of a study made to develop the principles of selection for inter-war buildings, and was recommended as not qualifying. Following a recent request to reconsider the case for listing the buildings, I received expert advice that the massing of the tower is no more than typical of its period, and the incorporation of the company name is not unique; and that neither the supporting building, Stamford wharf, nor the adjacent Nelson's wharf is of sufficient architectural or historic interest to qualify. I have therefore decided that these buildings should not be included in the statutory list.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what encouragement he is giving to the formation of tenants' associations; and if he will consider launching a publicity campaign.

The formation of tenants' associations is a matter for tenants themselves. Experience from the Department's priority estates project shows the importance of tenants organising themselves so that they can participate more effectively in the running of their estates.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the expenditure in real terms on (i)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will compare for each year since 1975–76 the total bids made by English local authorities with the level of expenditure accepted for grant and with actual outturn expenditure for each of the following expenditure heads (a) highway maintenance, (b) local transport capital and (c) total transport.

The figures have been compiled on the assumption that the question is concerned only with expenditure eligible for transport supplementary grant. The price bases on which figures are available are indicated.

The expenditure figures at average 1981–82 prices are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the proposed increase in commuter fares above the current rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend's question is the only representation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from trade unionists and others alleging reductions in standards of safety on civil aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no recent representations alleging reductions in standards of safety on civil aircraft. Measures concerning the safety of aircraft on the British register are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority and any questions relating thereto would be referred to the chairman in the first instance.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents have been attributable to unsatisfactory eyesight or spectacles involving one or more of those involved in the incident in each year since 1974–75.

Information as to the standard of vision of drivers is not included on police accident reports supplied to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what rates of pay will apply to those persons appointed by him to serve on the board of London Regional Transport.

The usual principles applying to nationalised industry board appointments will be followed, taking account of the particular responsibilities involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will introduce measures to require the early notification to local authorities of the arrival of vessels containing explosives or other dangerous cargoes within their jurisdiction;(2) if he is satisfied with the procedures adopted by port authorities in notifying those who may be responsible for dealing with damage to cargo or fire on vessels containing explosives and other hazardous substances;(3) if he will set up an inquiry into the circumstances of the incident on 6 September involving the MV Vishva Vikram laden with explosives and hazardous chemicals which required the attendance of the Essex fire brigade.

My right hon. Friend has raised two general questions arising from the incident involving this vessel. I will consider them and write to him as soon as possible.As regards this particular incident I understand that some explosives were properly loaded on to the MV Vishva Vikram at Chapman's anchorage on 6–7 September, but it was then discovered that among the other cargo, which was properly segregated and stowed, a number of drums containing various dangerous liquids had suffered storm damage earlier. These presented no immediate danger to the vessel or the port and were disposed of by specialists. The port authority and Essex fire brigade were in attendance in accordance with normal procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents have occurred to young people working on the youth training scheme in the area of Knowsley borough.

The information is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees on the youth training scheme in the Leeds area from (a) white European, (b) African/West Indian, (c) Asian and (d) other ethnic backgrounds were on (i) mode A schemes and (ii) mode B schemes on the latest available figures.

Within the area covered by the Leeds area office of the Manpower Services Commission, between April and October the breakdown of entrants to the youth training scheme by ethnic origin and by training mode is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of expenditure, at the latest available date, under article 4 of the European social fund relating to the training of women has been received by the United Kingdom; how this compares with West Germany and France; and what action he proposes to increase the United Kingdom share.

Article 4 of the social fund includes schemes for young people, migrant workers and their families, people leaving agriculture and workers in the textile and clothing industries, all of which are open to both men and women without discrimination.In 1982, West Germany's share of article 4 allocations was only 9 per cent., France's 23 per cent. and the United Kingdom's 39·5 per cent. Men and women in the United Kingdom are therefore the major beneficiaries from article 4 as a whole.A relatively small section of article 4—about 3 per cent. of the social fund's overall budget—is specifically concerned with single sex training for women aged over 25. Of this small budget, the United Kingdom receives only 5 per cent., although the Department submits to the social fund all eligible applications. West Germany's share of 57 per cent. and France's of 23 per cent. are more than counterbalanced by the United Kingdom's overall receipts from article 4 funding, and in addition in 1982 the United Kingdom was allocated £165 million for article 5 projects. We estimate that about a third of United Kingdom beneficiaries from the fund as a whole are women.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider introducing legislation to impose a levy on employers failing to comply with the quota scheme relating to employment of disabled persons.

I have no plans to introduce such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish the table for unemployed minority group workers corresponding to that in the Employment Gazette for September 1982, table 2.17.

Alternative arrangements remain under consideration, and my right hon. Friend will make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many members of ethnic minority groups have been appointed to each of the various regional offices of industrial tribunals since 1980; and which of such persons are on the employers and on the employees panel, respectively.

This information is not available. We do not keep records of the ethnic origins of members of industrial tribunals.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will deposit a copy in the Library of any ethnic monitoring check he has carried out in respect of employees of his Department.

In March 1983 the Government announced that they had decided to gain broader experience of ethnic monitoring by arranging to hold surveys of the ethnic origin of civil servants in the north west economic planning region and the county of Avon. The two surveys were conducted in November and covered non-industrial civil servants in the two regions in this, and other, Departments. It is hoped that some statistical information on the results of the surveys will be available in the spring next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the manufacture of spectacle frames and lenses, respectively, in each year since 1974–75.

There were 9,000 employees employed in the manufacture of spectacles and unmounted lenses in September 1981 according to the latest available results from the census of employment. Such employees were not separately identified in previous censuses.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies will arise as a result of the refusal of the Manpower Services Commission to provide funds for the urban wildlife group in Birmingham from January to March 1984.

The urban wildlife group is currently sponsoring two projects under the community programme in Birmingham. Forty-nine people were employed on the larger of these two projects at the end of October. The agreement with the Manpower Services Commission which covers this project is due to end on 6 January 1984. The commission, in discussion with the group, is considering what further support the project might be given. The second project, which is run by the urban wildlife group education unit and currently employs seven people is due to continue until September 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies have been notified to his Department as having occurred in the Huddersfield travel-to-work area during 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and for the last date available.

The numbers of redundancies in Huddersfield, involving 10 or more employees, reported to the Manpower Services Commission is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has yet reached a decision on the Manpower Services Commission's recommendation about future training arrangements in the hotel and catering industry; and if he will make a statement.

Earlier this year, the Manpower Services Commission undertook at my request a review of training arrangements in the hotel and catering industry. The commission considered the report of that review at its meeting on 29 July and unanimously recommended that the hotel and catering industry training board should be retained.My right hon. Friend and I have subsequently considered very carefully the commission's report and recommendations. I have also discussed the matter with representatives of both sides of the industry, and taken into account the response to further consultations the commission has undertaken at my request with major employers in scope to the board.In the light of this evidence, we have decided to accept the commission's recommendation that the board be retained with its existing scope. In doing so we have taken into account the board's commitment, reflected in its current five year plan and endorsed by both sides of the industry, to continue to work towards eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, increasing its receipts from commercial sources and reducing the costs falling to be met by employers generally. We are confident that, now uncertainty about the board's future has been removed, it will be able to concentrate its efforts on further developing its strategy in a way which encourages employers to accept responsibility for meeting their own training needs and reflects the circumstances of the industry.Copies of the review have been placed in the Library.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 8 December.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today including one with the United States Treasury Secretary, Mr. Donald Regan.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Lennoxtown.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what is her Majesty's Government's policy on holding discussions with the Turkish Cypriot authorities prior to the withdrawal of their unilateral declaration of independence; and if she will make a statement.

We continue to recognise only one Cypriot state: the Republic of Cyprus under the Government of President Kyprianou. Any contacts with the Turkish Cypriot authorities would be on the basis that they do not constitute a legitimate Government.

asked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government envisage to improve relations between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

We have made it clear that we seek a better relationship between East and West. We will do everything possible to reduce tension and to avoid misunderstandings. We are ready to pursue, in the right circumstances, a sensible dialogue with the Soviet Union. We look to the Soviet Union to abide by internationally accepted standards of behaviour.

asked the Prime Minister if she will arrange for an interdepartmental working group to examine the level of provision for kidney patients in various parts of the United Kingdom, and means of raising the average provision in the United Kingdom to the level available in comparable countries in Europe; and if she will make a statement.

No. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is currently reviewing the development of services for kidney patients with regional health authorities in England. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has carried out a review and recently announced proposals for increasing facilities in Wales. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland are considering whether similar reviews should be undertaken in those countries. My right hon. Friends' Departments already work closely together in these matters.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the latest round of talks on the future of Hong Kong.

The seventh round of the second, more detailed, phase of the Sino-British talks on Hong Kong's future was held in Peking on 7 and 8 December. The following joint statement was issued there today:

"The Chinese and British sides continue their useful and constructive talks on the Hong Kong question on 7 and 8 December in Peking. The two sides reviewed the course of the talks and the progress made so far. The eighth round of talks is scheduled to be held on 25–26 January in Peking."

asked the Prime Minister how many Sri Lankan soldiers are at present being trained under the British aid programme at Camberley and Hereford and at other military and police establishments in the United Kingdom; what type of training they are receiving at these centres; and how many of the trainees are Sri Lankan Tamils.

The numbers of persons undergoing training and the nature of the training are confidential between Governments. There are, however, a few junior Sri Lankan service personnel currently on courses in Britain. Their racial background is not our concern.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will review the Government's military assistance programme to Sri Lanka, particularly its security training programme in the United Kingdom, in view the fact as recently reported by Amnesty International and others that Sinhalese members of the security forces have been responsible for acts of violence against Tamils in. Sri Lanka.

No. Sri Lanka has in the past received a small amount of military assistance in the form of various training courses in Britain for individual officers on the same basis as officers from other Commonwealth and friendly countries.

asked the Prime Minister if she will state the expenditure per head of the population in Oxford regional health authority and Greater Glasgow health board and show the expenditure in Greater Glasgow as a percentage of that of Oxford regional health authority.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement to mark the 35th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which falls on 10 December 1983.

This Government attach the highest importance to human rights. Respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual lies at the heart of the concept of democracy. The Universal Declaration, and the International Covenants on Human Rights set high but attainable standards for the realisation of human rights. Thirty-five years after the adoption of the declaration, however, there remain many countries in which the standards laid down in the declaration are ignored. What is needed now is vigilance to defend these essential freedoms where they exist and practical efforts to extend them elsewhere. We shall continue to play a vigorous part in this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much money he will allocate to renewable energy in the financial years to 31 March 1984 and 1985.

My Department expects to spend £11 million to £12 million on research and development relating to renewable energy sources in the financial year to 31 March 1984. Expenditure in the following financial year is likely to increase slightly in real terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tonnes of oil manufactured from coal were produced in the United Kingdom in 1981 and in 1982; and what information is available for the respective amounts worldwide.

It is estimated that the production of oil in coal liquefaction plant in the United Kingdom was three-quarters of a tonne in 1981 and rather less than half a tonne in 1982. However, substantial quantities of liquids were produced as by-products in coking plant.Production figures worldwide are not known, but SASOL in South Africa was, in those years, capable of producing about 2 million tonnes per annum of petrol, diesel oil and chemicals. Experimental liquefaction plants in the United States, Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany produced, perhaps, a few tens of thousand tonnes of liquids in each of the years.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the cost to public funds of the Advisory Council for Energy Conservation between April 1982 and November 1983; and how many publications has it produced during that period.

The cost of the council for the period 1 April 1982 to 31 March 1983 to November 1983 was £62,000. The cost over the period 1 April 1983 is estimated to have been £40,000. The council submitted its fifth general report to my right hon. Friend on 10 October, and this will be published on 14 December. No other reports have been published during the period in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is now the average landed cost in pence per therm of natural gas paid by the British Gas Corporation for its gas supplies.

The corporation's report and accounts for 1982–83 show the average cost to the corporation of natural gas and feedstocks in that financial year to be 11·64p per therm.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a table comparing the average revenue per therm for gas sales to domestic consumers in France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Holland and the United Kingdom.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what restrictions exist on gas producers operating on the United Kingdom continental shelf against laying gas pipelines to the continental mainland and selling the gas into continental grid systems.

It is a condition of all United Kingdom continental shelf production licences that, except with the consent of the Secretary of State, the petroleum produced must be landed in the United Kingdom. There are no restrictions on the export of gas once landed. In addition, the construction and use of pipelines from United Kingdom continental shelf fields in continental shelf waters require the authorisation of the Secretary of State under the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish a breakdown of the British Gas Corporation's total costs, divided between natural gas and feedstock, operating costs and the gas levy.

The British Gas Corporation's total costs for 1982–83 are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the purpose of the policy of Her Majesty's Government that obliges oil companies to sell oil only to member states of the Common Market and members of the International Energy Authority; and if he will publish a table of the nations which United Kingdom oil companies are not permitted to supply with oil.

Her Majesty's Government's policy on exports of crude produced from the United Kingdom's continental shelf reflects our collaboration on energy matters with member states of the Common Market and the International Energy Agency. The guidelines preclude supplies of such oil to all countries except member states of those two organisations, Finland and certain caribbean countries to which such oil had been exported before the guidelines were announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to restrict the awarding of oil exploration and production licences only to companies that agree to conform with the restrictions on exports outlined in January 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Respect for Her Majesty's Government's export guidelines is not in itself a condition for the award of licences, but it is customary for the Government to bring to the notice of prospective licensees its expectations on crude oil disposal as on other matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, pending the decision of the Common Market Court of Justice on the case relating to the oil transaction between Sun Oil and Bulk Oil in 1981, he will take steps to remove any restrictions on the sale of oil to Israel; and if he will make a statement.