Written Answers To Questions
Thursday 22 December 1983
House Of Commons
Members' Cloakroom
asked the Lord Privy Seal why a tag has been printed on a coathanger in the Members' Cloakroom, bearing the name of the person elected to serve for the constituency of Belfast, West (Mr. Adams), when this person has not taken the oath; and if he will make a statement.
It is the practice following a general election to prepare name cards in the Members' Cloakroom for every Member elected to the House.
Wales
Departmental Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what grants he has made in the current year to voluntary bodies, charities and pressure groups.
The information is as follows:
| Organisation | Grant approved or grant provision 1983–84 |
| £ | |
| Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit | 38,160 |
| Age Concern Wales | 32,250 |
| Antur Waunfawr | 10,000 |
| ASH (Wales) | 1,700 |
| Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes | 5,300 |
| Barnardo's | 111,564 |
| Boys Brigade in Wales | 2,570 |
| Boys Clubs of Wales | 25,352 |
| British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering | 43,075 |
| British Red Cross Society | 7,600 |
| Capital Grants to Voluntary Youth Service Village Halls and Community Centres | 334,000 |
| Cardiff Universities Social Services | 117,871 |
| Christ College, Brecon | *23,330 |
| Church in Wales Provincial Youth Council | 9,607 |
| Clwyd Voluntary Service Council | 43,466 |
| Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 65,340 |
| Coleg Harlech | 471,800 |
| Community Service Volunteers | 7,300 |
| Council for Education in World Citizenship | 1,575 |
| Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Service | 62,492 |
| Diocesan Education Authorities | *724,302 |
| DRIVE | 72,500 |
| Dyfed Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 126,420 |
| Dyfed Rural Council | 56,092 |
| Employment Fellowship | 4,800 |
| Extra Mural Departments: Aberystwyth | 158,412 |
| Bangor | 137,509 |
| Cardiff | 189,442 |
| Swansea | 167,884 |
| Family Planning Association | 5,940 |
| Girl Guides | 19,783 |
| Girls Venture Corps | 1,787 |
| Glamorgan Community Service Council | 16,287 |
| Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 89,640 |
| Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organisations under Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme | 90,000 |
Organisanon
| Grant approved or grant provision 1983–84
|
| £ | |
| Gwent Community Service Council | 27,046 |
| Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 62,600 |
| Gwynedd Rural Council | 66,522 |
| Gwynedd Social Care Project | 24,000 |
| Howell's School, Denbigh | *44,620 |
| Howell's School, Llandaff | *68,410 |
| INSTEPICETYCW | 1,750 |
| International Youth Year | 8,614 |
| Llandovery College | * 12,097 |
| MENCAP in Wales | 57,974 |
| MENCAP (Pengwern Hall) | 20,000 |
| MIND (Wales) | 37,500 |
| Monmouth School (for boys) | *21,201 |
| Monmouth School (for girls) | *9,869 |
| Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (Welsh playgroups movement) | 292,000 |
| Nantgwrtheyrn Trust | 15,000 |
| National Centre for Children's Literature | 13,000 |
| National Children's Home | 27,700 |
| National Cyrenians | 1,000 |
| National Federation of Women's Institutes | 5,500 |
| National Gipsy Council | 1,000 |
| National Scientific Association | 2,000 |
| Parent Teachers Association of Wales | 250 |
| Penrhos College, Colwyn Bay | *24,430 |
| £ for £ scheme for mentally handicapped children | 1,000 |
| Powys Community Support Scheme | 16,830 |
| Powys Rural Council | 56,184 |
| Presbyterian Church in Wales (YS) | 2,994 |
| Pre-School Play Groups Association | 98,599 |
| Prince of Wales' Committee | 10,000 |
| Regional News Papers (Papurau Bro) | 18,000 |
| Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales | 180,200 |
| Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents | *80,000 |
| Rydal School, Colwyn Bay | *33,401 |
| St. John's Ambulance Brigade | 8,566 |
| Services for Alcoholics | 17,400 |
| South Glamorgan Intervol | 13,000 |
| Trinity College, Carmarthen | 1,524,000 |
| TS Indefatigable, Anglesey | '9,909 |
| Ty Nyth Hostel | 5,000 |
| Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Welsh League of Youth) | 136,496 |
| Wales Council for the Blind | 8,672 |
| Wales Council for the Deaf | 3,500 |
| Wales Council for the Disabled | 43,500 |
| Wales Council for Voluntary Action | 120,000 |
| Welsh Association of Youth Clubs | 41,085 |
| Welsh Books Council | 344,500 |
| Welsh Chess Union | 4.250 |
| Welsh Films Board | 80,000 |
| Welsh Housing Aid | 12.000 |
| Welsh Housing Association Council | 3.000 |
| Welsh National Council of YMCAs | 22,396 |
| Welsh Scout Council | 10.734 |
| Welsh Womens Aid | 32.660 |
| West Glamorgan Community Service Council | 25,000 |
| Workers Educational Association | 255,531 |
| Young Farmers Clubs | 18,472 |
| Youth Hostel Association | 1,650 |
| Yr Academi Gymreig (The Welsh Academy) | 21,600 |
* Grant paid to date. | |
Bodelwyddan Resources Centre For Disabled People
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what communication he has received from the Wales Council for the Disabled regarding the Bodelwyddan resources centre for disabled people; and what reply he has sent.
A letter has been received from the Wales Council for the Disabled, acting as the secretariat for the Bodelwyddan resources centre, seeking support and advice in respect of the proposed development of a resource centre for disabled people. The reply sent on my behalf notes the strength of local support for the project which could provide a good opportunity for local voluntary organisations to complement the work of the statutory agencies in the area. The letter emphasised that, as such a centre would provide a local or sub-regional service, we would expect it to be funded from local sources.
Bone Marrow Transplants
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now set up the necessary machinery to ascertain statistical information on (a) the number of children in Wales who each year require bone marrow transplant treatment and (b) the hospitals to which such children go to receive such treatment.
The Welsh Office is currently reviewing the need for bone marrow transplant facilities in Wales and what statistics might be appropriate and of value.
Agricultural Incomes
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of agricultural incomes in Wales, for the latest available year, arise from public sector grants and subsidies.
The information is not presently available in the form requested.
Severn Bridge (Tolls)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what revenue his Department obtains from the tolls collected on the Severn bridge; and what expenditure his Department incurred last year on the bridge and on the M4 approach road to the bridge.
None. My right hon. Friend is responsible only for the M4 west of the Newhouse interchange.
Motorways
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of kilometres of motorway in Wales (a) in use, (b) under construction and (c) planned but not yet under construction as at 1 December 1982 and 1983.
The information is given in the following table:
| Admissions by legal status: CLWYD DHA 1982. | ||||||||
| Legal Status | Mental Illness | Mental Handicap | ||||||
| North Wales Denbighign | Gwynfa | Maelor General | Broughton | Code Du Hall | ||||
| Informal admissions: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | .. | .. | .. | — | — | 208 | — | — |
| Other reasons | 2,353 | 48 | 53 | — | — | — | 5 | — |
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Length of motorway
| 1 December 1982
| 1 December 1983
|
Kilometres
| Kilometres
| |
| In use | 120 | 120 |
| Under construction | Nil | Nil |
| Planned but not yet under construction | 10 | 10 |
Rates
asked the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales receive more than half their income raised by rates from industrial and commercial rates, calculated before account is taken of domestic rate rebates; and what proportion this represents of all local authorities in Wales.
I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
Industrial Development Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the payments of grants under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to industrial developments in each of the counties of Wales in 1982–83.
The value of grant payments made under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in each of the counties of Wales in the financial year 1982–83 was as follows:
| £ million | |
| Gwent | 6·6 |
| Gwynedd | 0·2 |
| Dyfed | 0·3 |
| Clwyd | 2·5 |
| Powys | 0·3 |
| Mid Glamorgan | 1·1 |
| South Glamorgan | 1·3 |
| West Glamorgan | 1·2 |
| Total—Wales | 13·5 |
Mental Health (Hospital Admissions)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the number of admissions to mental illness and mental handicap hospitals in Wales by legal status and by reasons for referral, specifying where users are detained and under which section of the Mental Health Act they are so detained.Mr. Wyn Roberts [
pursuant to his reply, 20 December 1983]: The information is contained in the following tables:
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
North Wales Denbighign
| Gwynfa
| Maelor General
| Broughton
| Coed Du Hall
| ||||
| 26 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | 180 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 136 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other powers (b) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: EAST DYFED DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
West Wales
| St. Davids Carmarthen
| West Wales
| Allt-y-Mynydd
| |||||
| Informal admissions: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | .. | .. | — | — | — | 241 | 10 | — |
| Other reasons | 337 | 802 | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | — |
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | 12 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | 20 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | 20 | 81 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other powers (b) | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: GWENT DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
Pen-y-fal
| St. Cadoc's
| County
| Llanfrechfa Grange
| |||||
| Informal admissions: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | .. | .. | — | — | — | 4 | 86 | — |
| Other reasons | 931 | 1,240 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | 14 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | 20 | 40 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 71 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other powers (b) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: GWYNEDD DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
Bryn-y-Newadd
| Llwyn View
| Garth Anyharad
| ||||||
| Informal admissions: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | — | — | — | — | — | 150 | — | — |
| Other reasons | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | 35 |
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
| 29 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
Bryn-y-Newadd
| Llwyn View
| Garth Anyharad
| ||||||
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other powers (b) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: PEMBROKESHIRE DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
South Pem-brokeshire
| ||||||||
| Informal admissions: | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| For social reasons | — | — | — | — | — | 125 | — | — |
| Other reasons | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | — | — |
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (60 without Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other powers (b) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
7.1 Admissions by legal status: POWYS DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
Mid Wales
| Bronllys
| Brynwfryd
| Llys Maldlwyn
| |||||
| Informal admission: | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| For social reasons | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Other reasons | 316 | — | — | — | — | 30 | 1 | 4 |
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (60 without Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other powers (b) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: SOUTH GLAMORGAN DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
University Hospital of Wales
| Royal Hamadryad
| Whitchurch
| Sully
| Lansdowne
| Ely
| |||
| Informal admissions: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 135 | ||
| Other reasons | 226 | 107 | 1,021 | 463 | 15 | 8 | ||
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | 4 | — | 8 | 5 | — | 1 | ||
| 26 | — | — | 7 | 8 | — | 2 | ||
| 29 | — | — | 49 | 5 | — | — | ||
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | 7 | 3 | — | — | ||
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | ||
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
University Hospital of Wales
| Royal Hamadryad
| Whitchurch
| Sully
| Lansdowne
| Ely
| |||
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 136 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | ||
| Other powers (b) | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | — | — | ||
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: MID GLAMORGAN DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
Glanrhydl Penyfai
| Parc
| East Glamorgan
| Tyntyla
| Cefn Hiryced
| Henscl
| Ystrad Mynach
| ||
| Informal admisson: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | .. | .. | .. | .. | — | 60 | 354 | |
| Other reasons | 815 | 475 | 300 | 32 | 23 | 69 | 12 | |
| Detained under Section (a); | ||||||||
| 25 | 17 | 22 | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | |
| 26 | 8 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 29 | 64 | 64 | 5 | — | — | 3 | — | |
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
| 71 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 136 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Other powers (b) | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | |
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Admissions by legal status: WEST GLAMORGAN DHA 1982.
| ||||||||
Legal Status
| Mental Illness
| Mental Handicap
| ||||||
Cefn Coed
| Neath
| Tonna
| Gorseinon
| Llwyneryr
| Drymma Hall
| |||
| Informal admissions: | ||||||||
| For social reasons | .. | .. | .. | 11 | — | — | ||
| Other reasons | 1,237 | 155 | 106 | 57 | 147 | 11 | ||
| Detained under Section (a): | ||||||||
| 25 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 26 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 29 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 60 (without Sec. 65 restriction) | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 60 (with Sec. 65 restriction) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 136 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Other powers (b) | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | ||
(a) Section headings refer to the Mental Health Act, 1959. | ||||||||
(b) Other Sections of the Mental Health Act, 1959 and other Acts. | ||||||||
Education And Science
Students (Educational Costs)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost to the Government of educating a non-scientific postgraduate research student.
Net institutional expenditure in 1981–82 per advanced non-scientific student is estimated asPolytechnics—England (financial year) £2,604. Universities—GB (academic year) £3,350It is not possible to identify the average cost of postgraduate research students separately.In addition the average DES award (excluding the fees element) for eligible postgraduate students was £2,340.
Mandatory Awards
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in what circumstances he intends that the rule in paragraph 5(3) of schedule 3 to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1983 should be applied; and what guidance he has given to local education authorities on this point.
Paragraph 5(3) of schedule 3 may be applied wherever an authority is satisfied that a student's parents have, or will have, suffered a 15 per cent. or more reduction in their income between the previous and current financial years. The Department's notes for guidance give general advice to local education authorities on this paragraph, but it is for individual local authorities to consider its application to individual cases on the basis of their particular facts.
School Places
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take against education authorities which refuse to implement his proposals for reductions in school places by 1985.
My right hon. Friend will continue to impress upon local authorities the educational and financial incentives for taking surplus school places out of use. These are set out in circular 2/81 and from their responses to the circular it would appear that in their planning local education authorities are well on the way towards taking over one million surplus places out of use by March 1987.
Medical Schools
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest figure for medical school intake in Great Britain.
It is provisionally estimated that 3,962 undergraduate new entrants were admitted to courses of pre-clinical medicine in 1983–84 in universities in Great Britain. The corresponding figure for pre-clinical dentistry courses was 945.
Universities
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has given any advice to Her Majesty's Privy Council about the presence or otherwise of clauses regarding tenure in academic appointments in the charters of university institutions.
My right hon. Friend has advised Her Majesty's Privy Council that, in his view, where a university or university institution is petitioning for a new or supplementary charter, or is seeking amendments to clauses in existing charter documents concerned with academic staff appointments or dismissal, there should be provision that enables the institution to dismiss members of the academic staff for reasons of redundancy, subject only to the terms of individual employment contracts.
Spina Bifida
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many hospitals and research centres are participating in the Medical Research Council's trials into the use of multivitamin treatment to reduce the rate of spina bifida babies born to high risk mothers;(2) if he will publish in the
Official Report the names of hospitals and research centres that are participating in the Medical Research Council's trials into the use of multivitamin treatment to reduce the rate of spina bifida babies born to high risk mothers.
I understand that, to date, approximately 25 centres (of which 20 are in the United Kingdom) have expressed interest in participating in the Medical Research Council's trial. New centres continue to express interest and the council expects that the final total will be higher than this. As active recruitment has started only in the last few months, the council is not at present in a position to publish a comprehensive list of participating centres.
Teachers
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what are his target levels for the numbers of teachers of (a) mathematics, (b) computer studies, (c) physics, (d) chemistry, (e) biology, (f) French, (g) German, (h) Spanish, (i) Italian, (j) Russian, (k) classics, (l) music, (m)craft, (n) visual fine art. (o) design technology and (p) drama in secondary schools for the year 1990; and what levels of teacher training colleges' intake he considers necessary to achieve these targets;(2) what are his target levels for the number of teachers of
(a) mathematics, (b) computer studies, (c) general science, (d) music, (e) foreign languages, f arts and crafts, (g) drama and (h) remedial subjects in primary schools for the year 1990; and what levels of teacher training college intake he considers necessary to achieve these targets;
(3) what are his target levels for the numbers of (a) primary and (b) secondary teachers for the year 1990; and what level of teacher training college intake he considers necessary to achieve these targets;
(4) what are his target levels for the numbers of teachers for the years 1995 and 2000; and what level of teacher training college intake he considers necessary to achieve these targets.
The Government have not set targets either in total or by subject for the numbers of teachers to be employed by local education authorities in the years 1990, 1995 and 2000. Experience suggests that uncertainties relating to demography, to changes in education policy, and to the levels of public expenditure are so great as to render such targets unreliable for planning purposes.Target intakes to initial teacher training in England and Wales in 1983, 1984 and 1985 were set out in the White Paper "Teaching Quality" published earlier this year. The Government have invited the advisory committee on the supply and education of teachers to review the balance between the demand for, and supply of, new teachers and to advise on intakes to initial teacher training in 1986 and subsequent years; this review is likely to include some consideration of the balance of demand for new teachers in different subjects of the school curriculum as well as total numbers. The committee is expected to complete its advice around the end of 1984.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the percentage of time spent by teachers actually teaching.
It is estimated that primary school teachers are engaged in the teaching of classes for about 90 per cent. of the school timetable on average, and secondary school teachers for about 80 per cent.
School Buildings (Age)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what percentages of primary schools were built before 1900, 1915, 1939, 1944, 1960 and 1974, respectively;(2) what percentages of secondary schools were built before 1900, 1915, 1939, 1944, 1960 and 1974, respectively.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what percentage of primary schools in England were built before (a) 1918 and (b) 1875;
(2) what percentage of secondary schools in England were built before (a) 1918 and (b) 1875.
Information is not available in the form requested. However, a sample survey of schools in England and Wales undertaken in 1975 gave the following indications of the age of school buildings:
| Percentage of schools with oldest teaching space built | Primary Per cent. | Secondary Per cent |
| Before 1903 | 36±2 | 12±3 |
| 1903 to 1918 | 8±1 | 8±2 |
| 1919 to 1945 | 10±1 | 18±3 |
| 1946 or later | 46±2 | 61±4 |
Pupil-Teacher Ratios
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how pupil-teacher ratios in the current year compare with 1978–79.
Pupil-teacher ratios for England in January 1979 and January 1983 are as follows:
| January 1979 | January 1983 | |
| Pupil/teacher ratio in maintained primary schools | 23·1 | 22·3 |
| Pupil/teacher ratio in maintained secondary schools | 16·7 | 16·5 |
| Overall pupil/teacher ratio | 18·9 | 18·1 |
Prime Minister
Engagements
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 December.
This morning I shall preside at a meeting of the Cabinet and in addition to my duties in the House I shall be having meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.
Polygraph Tests
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister whether she assumed a 100 per cent. level of accuracy for polygraph tests when she stated in reply to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 1 December that no loyal civil servant had anything to fear from a polygraph test; and on what research findings she based her assumption.
No. I have not attempted to prejudge the outcome of the pilot scheme which is designed to test the feasibility of polygraph examinations in security screening in this country. As I said in my statement on 12 May 1983, the Government accept the commission's recommendation that a supposedly adverse polygraph indication should in no case be treated by itself as a ground for withholding security clearance without independent confirmation from some other source.
Lebanon
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will visit the British troops in Lebanon.
I have no plans to do so at present.
Hungary
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister when she proposes to visit Hungary.
My hon. Friend will recall that I said in my speech at the Guildhall on 14 November that I had accepted an invitation to visit Hungary early next year. I hope to arrange firm dates in the near future.
Counter-Intelligence Operations (Publication)
asked the Prime Minister why she has refused to allow publication of an official history of British counter-intelligence operations in the second world war, commissioned by Her Majesty's Government from Professor Michael Howard.
The work which Professor Howard was commissioned to write is one of a series of volumes of an official history of British intelligence in the second world war. Two volumes have already been published; a third is expected to be published next year. Other volumes (including that commissioned from Professor Howard) are in preparation; decisions on dates of publication will depend partly on completion of the work of preparation and partly upon the need to avoid the risk of damage to current intelligence and security work.
Sellafield
asked the Prime Minister if she will appoint a Minister to take overall responsibility for the energy, agriculture, employment, the Department of Health and Social Services, Home Office, environment and transport implications of the leaks at Sellafield.
No. Unitary Taxation
Unitary Taxation
asked the Prime Minister if she raised the issue of unitary taxation during her recent meeting with United States Treasury Secretary Donald Regan; and if she will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I both raised the issue of unitary taxation at our meeting with United States Treasury Secretary Regan in London on 8 December. At my meeting with Secretary Regan I repeated my view that unitary taxation is not a fair basis for the taxation of multinational companies, that the proper method of calculating profits is on an arm's length basis and that we were looking to the US Administration for a speedy and acceptable resolution of the problem. We discussed the progress of the working group established to investigate this issue. I was glad to note Secretary Regan's assurance that at its public hearing on 6 December there was a willingness by states and companies to resolve differences and an understanding that this issue was causing difficulties for the United States Government with its trading partners.
Comptroller And Auditor General
asked the Prime Minister if she will list the accountancy qualifications held by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
None.
Pit Closures
asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 15 December, Official Report, c. 1169, how many more pits have to close before the closure programme is back on schedule; and how many pits are included in the schedule.
There is no closure programme. Decisions on closures are made by the board at local level in consultation with the unions. The reference in the answer on 15 December was to the fact that the overall rate of closure of uneconomic and exhausted capacity since 1974 has been below that envisaged in "Plan for Coal".
Council Of Europe
asked the Prime Minister what change has been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.
I have appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg) a full member in place of Mr. Tom Urwin.
European Community (Budget)
asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will undertake to withhold payment into the European Economic Community Budget if the United Kingdom is not reimbursed the sum originally agreed by the European Economic Community Heads of Government by the end of the financial year.
I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) on 15 December.—[Vol. 50, c. 1168–69.]
Employment
Community Programmes
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much money his Department has allocated towards community programmes in Wales in the current year: what was the corresponding figure for the last year; and whether any scheme under the programmes will have to be abandoned because of lack of financial resources from his Department.
The financial allocation for the community programme in Great Britain in the current year is £387·8 million, including the additional £10 million announced on 16 November, which is to be made available, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate (separate figures for Wales are not available). Expenditure on the community programme and its predecessor the community enterprise programme in 1982–83 was £160·4 million. As my right hon. Friend announced on 16 November—[Vol. 48, c. 481–2]—the Manpower Services Commission will have to control carefully the filling of places in what remains of this financial year in order to remain within the revised cash limit. This means that approval of new projects has been suspended for the time being. Projects already approved may have their start delayed or may be restricted in size. The position will be reviewed early next year.
Herrington Pit (Closure)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make special provision available from his Department to those made redundant following the closure of the Herrington pit in the borough of Sunderland, in view of the fact that unemployment in the borough is running at over 20 per cent.
I understand that no final decision has yet been taken at national level about the future of the Herrington pit. In the event of any redundancies taking place, the Manpower Services Commission will do all it can to help those affected find new jobs and all its advisory, placement and retraining services will be at their disposal.
Youth Training Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now take steps to collect information regarding those industries or work places where trainees on the youth training scheme are receiving more than the allowance of £25; and if he will make a statement.
No. I have no plans to do so.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer of 16 December, when information on the number of reported refusals and premature terminations under the youth training scheme will be available; and if he will make a statement.
Information for the four months up to 31 December 1983 will be available in February 1984.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the degree of co-operation received from employers, voluntary organisations and unions in the organisation of the youth training scheme.
Over 430,000 youth training scheme places have now been approved. This is the clearest possible indication of the tremendous co-operation being given by all those involved, and in particular employers, in getting the scheme off the ground.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide the most recent figures of the number of youth training schemes approved to date by county area.
I shall write to my hon. Friend.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees on the youth training scheme in the Coventry area were from (a) African, and West Indian, (b) Asian, (c) White European and (d) other ethnic backgrounds according to the latest available figures; and whether he is satisfied that each ethnic group is adequatedly represented.
Within the area covered by the Coventry area office of the Manpower Services Commission, between April and October 1983 the breakdown of entrants to the youth training scheme by ethnic origin is as follows:
| White/European | 3,488 |
| African/West Indian | 79 |
| Asian | 153 |
| Others | 93 |
Manpower Services Commission (Documents)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make arrangements for documents prepared by area manpower boards of the Manpower Services Commission to be made available on a regular basis to hon. Members whose constituencies are in the respective areas; and if he will make a statement.
No.
Labour Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of people unemployed in the United Kingdom.
On 10 November, there were 3,084,416 unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered unemployed in the Northern region have been out of work for over 52 weeks.
On 13 October, there were 90,639 claimats in the Northern region who had been unemployed for more than 52 weeks.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of unemployed adults in the Coventry travel-to-work area has been out of work for 12 months or longer.
On 13 October, 35·8 per cent. of unemployed claimants aged 18 or over in the Coventry travel-to-work area had been unemployed for over 52 weeks.
Minimum Wage
asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he will not introduce a national minimum wage.
A national minimum wage would raise employers' costs and threaten jobs, including the jobs of those it was designed to help.
Invalidity Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide the total number of claimants receiving invalidity benefit who, upon being pronounced fit for full-time or part-time work by a regional medical officer of the Department of Health and Social Security, were found work by his Department, stating (a) the number who found full-time work and (b) the number who found part-time work, per region of his Department.
I regret that figures of the kind requested are not available.
Job Release Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the numbers of people that have left work under the job release scheme for each year since its introduction.
The information requested is set out in the following table.
Year (ending March)
| Numbers entering scheme
|
| January 1977 to end of March 1977 | 9,979 |
| 1977–78 | 14,529 |
| 1978–79 | 25,643 |
| 1979–80 | 68,164 |
| 1980–81 | 24,239 |
| 1981–82 | 38,672 |
| 1982–83 | 46,134 |
| April 1983 to 2 November 1983 | 23,928 |
Coventry Jobcentre
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the figures of staff employed in the Coventry jobcentre in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and at the latest available date.
The numbers of permanent staff employed were as follows.
| Numbers | |
| 1 June 1979 | 74½ |
| 1 April 1980 | 67½ |
| 1 April 1981 | 64 |
| 1 April 1982 | 65 |
| 1 December 1983 | 53½ |
Health Services Industry Advisory Working Party
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the Health Services industry advisory working party will report on its investigation into violence against Health Service employees.
The first meeting of the working party will be held early next year. It is not possible to determine how long it will take to report before its work has started.
Home Department
Cigarettes (Young Persons)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been made in the past five years for offences relating to the sale of cigarettes to young persons under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs) on 7 November.—[Vol. 48, c. 33.]
Convicted Terrorists
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to ensure that no convicted terrorists will be included in any arrangements for the repatriation of prisoners under the terms of the convention on the transfer of sentenced persons, signed by Her Majesty's Government in 1983.
I refer the hon. Member to the statement made on this issue by my noble Friend Lord Elton— [Official Report, House of Lords, Vol. 446, c. 751–758] —on behalf of the Government on the occasion of the Second Reading debate of the Repatriation of Prisoners Bill in another place on 21 December.
Body Orifices (Concealed Weapons)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in each of the last four years persons held in custody by the Metropolitan police have been discovered to have hidden in body orifices, razor blades or similar articles which could be used to cause physical injury to themselves or to others.
The information requested is not collected centrally, but we know that there have been such cases, that of Mr. David Martin being the most recent.
Metropolitan Police
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money is allocated to the Metropolitan police special branch; and what proportion this is of the Metropolitan police budget.
The cost of the Metropolitan police special branch in 1983–84 is estimated at £12·9 million. This represents about 1·6 per cent. of the gross estimated revenue expenditure of the force.
Cable Television
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning proposals that the content of programmes on cable television should not include anything which offends against good taste or decency, or is likely to encourage or incite crime, or to lead to disorder, or to be offensive to public feeling.
Following the publication in October 1982 of the report of the inquiry into cable expansion and broadcasting policy chaired by Lord Hunt of Tanworth (Cmnd. 8679) and, in April, of the White Paper, "The Development of Cable Systems and Services" (Cmnd. 8866), the Department received a large number of representations from members of the public and others to the effect that cable programmes should be required to observe the same standards as the broadcast services in areas such as good taste and decency, with no exception for any individual channels. The Government indicated in paragraph 136 of the White Paper that they accepted those arguments and clause 9(1)(a) of the Cable and Broadcasting Bill provides accordingly.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet completed his consideration of the applications for licences for the provision of additional services over existing cable systems.
I am now prepared to grant licences to a number of cable operators to enable them to provide new programme services over their existing systems. I understand that the first such services should commence in January, but the starting date in particular areas depends on the plans of the operators concerned and the availability of the programme services they wish to use. The intentions of cable operators are not in all cases yet definite but I expect to grant licences, which will be subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the White Paper on the Development of Cable Systems and Services (Crnnd.8866), to the following:
- British Telecom (Irvine, Milton Keynes and Washington)
- Cablevision (Southall) Ltd.
- Cablevision (Wellingborough) Ltd.
- Greenwich Cablevision Ltd.
- Philips Cable Television Ltd. (Northampton and Tredegar)
- Radio Rentals Ltd. (8 areas)
- Rediffusion Consumer Electronics Ltd. (53 areas)
- Telefusion Ltd. (areas yet to be specified)
- Teleline Ltd. (Princess Risborough and Wendover)
- Visionhire Cable Ltd. (areas yet to be specified)
- West Wales Aerials (Llandeilo)
Prostitution
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of convictions in the United Kingdom during each of the last three years for soliciting for prostitution.
The available information for England and Wales is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (volume 1 of the Supplementary Tables for 1982—offence classification 166 in table S t. 1(A)).
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1)what has been the number of convictions at magistrates' courts in the Greater London Council area during each of the last three years for offences concerning prostitution; and if he will list the offences;(2) what has been the number of people convicted of living on the immoral earnings of prostitution for each of the last three years at magistrates' courts covering the Greater London council area; and how many people have been sent to prison following conviction.
I shall reply as soon as possible
Children And Young Persons Act 1969
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many proceedings were brought in juvenile courts in respect of children under 10-years-old under section l(2)(a) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 for ill-treatment and neglect in the latest year for which figures are available.
Records available to us which are thought to be incomplete show 1,975 orders made under section l(2)(a) in respect of children under the age of 10 in 1982, the latest year for which figures are available.
Children (Evidence In Court)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, in the light of the damage which may be caused to children who are called to give evidence in open court in cases which receive great publicity, he will consider introducing legislation to regulate the practice; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether, in the case of trials for sexual offences, he will introduce measures to ensure that evidence from minors is taken informally and in camera on all occasions.
The giving of evidence by children or young people in any case involving an offence against decency or morality is already regulated by section 37 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, which provides that the court may be cleared while this takes place. Although this section does not give power to exclude the press, section 39 of the same Act (amended by section 57 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963) provides that the court may direct that no newspaper or broadcast report should include any particulars calculated to lead to the identification of any child or young persons in the proceedings. Courts are aware of the need to do everything possible to mitigate the ordeal for a child witness—particularly in cases concerning sexual offences, and we have no present plans for further legislation.
Civil Defence
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans in the event of nuclear attack about the number of (a) police, (b) fire brigade, (c) ambulancemen, (d) doctors and (e) nurses who will be available in (i) Southwark and (ii) greater London.
The dispositions of local emergency services for civil defence purposes is a matter for local authorities and the other agencies concerned.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the number of nuclear attacks that might be made; and if he assumes that there will be no further nuclear attacks after 48 hours;(2) what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the level of casualties from
(a) fire storm and (b) radiation in (i) greater London and (ii) Southwark in the event of a nuclear attack;
(3) what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the number of blast casualties in (a) greater London and (b) Southwark in the event of a nuclear attack;
(4) what assumptions he has made for the purpose of civil defence plans about the possibility of an underwater burst in the Thames or adjacent coastal waters in a nuclear attack and the possibility of water surges;
(5) what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the number and frequency of nuclear hits and the number of targets in the greater London area;
(6) what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the likely scale and nature of a hostile attack.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mr. Parry) on 20 December.— [Vol. 51, c. 132.]
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the yield of ground burst or air burst attacks.
We assume that ground burst weapons might have a yield of 150 to 500 kilotons. Should the enemy choose to use such a strategy, air burst weapons might be up to 5 megatons.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assumptions he makes for the purpose of civil defence plans about the likely warning time of a hostile attack (a) nuclear and (b) conventional.
Our assumptions about warning time are set out in Home Office circular No. ES 1/1981. A copy is in the Library.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to ensure that employees of local authorities who are conscientious objectors are able to object to participation in nuclear war planning and civil defence exercises carried on under the civil defence regulations without prejudice to their employment.
The involvement of individual local authority employees in civil defence activities is a matter for the local authority as employer.
Deportation
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been served with notice to deport in each of the last five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| Notices of intention to deport | |
| Numbers | |
| 1978 | 1,015 |
| 1979 | 1,106 |
| 1980 | 1,256 |
| 1981 | 1,486 |
| 1982 | 1,610 |
Terrorists
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide for convicted terrorists to be treated as traitors and liable for the imposition of the death penalty.
No. I remind my hon. Friend of the decision taken by the House earlier this Session when it considered the question of imposing the death penalty for murder resulting from acts of terrorism.
Crime Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence is available to him regarding the proportion of criminal acts committed by persons (a) in employment and (b) unemployed.
The information collected centrally relates only to persons prosecuted for criminal offences, and does not include their employment status.
Provisional Sinn Fein
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he is giving to the proscribing of Provisional Sinn Fein in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
Section 1 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 which provides for proscription extends only to Great Britain. There are separate powers in Northern Ireland. The Government are considering this matter but have not yet reached conclusions on it.
Police Cadets
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cadets are currently serving in the west midlands force; and what are the proposed number of places in 1984 and 1985.
There were 72 police cadets in the west midlands police at the end of November 1983. Under section 17(1) of the Police Act 1964, police authorities are responsible for approving the number of police cadets appointed in each force in England and Wales, and information about recruitment plans is not available centrally.
Ranby Prison
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the talks between his Department and the Prison Officers Association at Ranby prison on 19 December.
The regional director inspected the areas of the prison which have given rise to the dispute, and discussed the matter with local management and staff. Arrangements have been made for discussions with the local Branch of the Prison Officers Association about a number of outstanding issues.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the breakout by two prisoners from Ranby prison on Friday 16 December was not due to (a) a reduction in surveillance of the perimeter fence, (b) reductions in manning by staff or (c) any reduction in overtime.
We are satisfied that this escape was not due to any of the factors described by the hon. Member.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the number of guard posts on the perimeter fence at Ranby prison is the same or less than it was a year previously.
The number of perimeter patrols at HM prison Ranby is the same now as it was in December 1982.
Immigration
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in each of the five years, up to and including 1982, how many people seeking entry into the United Kingdom were given temporary admission; what categories they fell into under the immigration rules; and how many of those originally granted temporary admission were granted leave to remain permanently after consideration of their cases.
I will reply as soon as possible.
Iraq And Iran Citizens
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received in the last 12 months for exceptional leave to enter or remain from citizens of Iraq and Iran, who are unable or unwilling to return due to the civil disorder in those countries; how many of these applications have been turned down; and how many, having expressed a fear of returning, have been deported or removed to Iraq or Iran, or any other country.
I regret that information in the form requested is not available.
In the 12 months to 30 June 1983, 215 Iraqi nationals, and 1,909 Iranian nationals applied for asylum in the United Kingdom; and 141 Iraqis and 705 Iranians were refused asylum. Some of those refused asylum will have been allowed to remain exceptionally.
In the same period 132 Iraqis and 245 Iranians were refused leave to enter and removed and three Iraqis and 17 Iranians were deported. Information about whether any of those removed or deported had applied for asylum could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Police (Pension Entitlement)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of serving police officers who have military service not counted towards their pension entitlement in part or whole.
I will reply as soon as possible.
Independent Television Companies (Levy Relief)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the levy relief granted to the independent television companies in respect of the increased costs of Welsh language broadcasting attributable to the requirements of part II of the Broadcasting Act 1981.
Section 39(3) of the Broadcasting Act 1981 enables me, in deciding whether to vary the rates of the additional payments (the ITV levy) under section 32 of the Act, to have regard to the increased payments to be made by the programme contractors to the IBA in respect of the cost of the fourth channel in Wales. After consultation with the IBA, and with the approval of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I have concluded that the profits of each television programme contractor which are not subject to levy should remain for 1983–84 at the level of £650,000 or 2·8 per cent. of advertising receipts, whichever is the greater.
Greenham Common
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give further assistance to the Thames Valley police authority to meet the cost of policing at RAF Greenham common.
The Government already contribute about 65 per cent. of the costs of policing in the Thames Valley area through police grant and rate support grant. Nevertheless, in recognition of the exceptional additional costs which have been borne by the Thames Valley police authority and which it could not have foreseen, I ELM making available a further £1·5 million.
Environment
Greater London Council
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department is spending on publicising its plans to abolish the Greater London council; and if he will make a statement.
My Department has no special budget for publicising the proposal to abolish the GLC. In view of the complexity and importance of the Government's local government policies, however, I have increased the capacity within my Department's local government command, (within the Department's overall manpower resources) to ensure that the general public are properly and factually informed about the reasons for, and nature of, the Government's policies affecting local government, including the abolition of the GLC. Four officials have been transferred to this work from other duties.By contrast, I understand the GLC has spent over £¾ million of ratepayers' money so far this financial year on political propaganda against the Government's policy. I understand, too, that proposals are now before the council for a further £1 million to be spent on the publicity campaign by the end of the current financial year.
Public Sector Pensions
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will now introduce legislation to extend public sector pension schemes to part-time employees.
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposed regulations which would allow part-time employees in local government to join the appropriate superannuation scheme.My right hon. Friend has been considering these proposals for some time. There is a number of aspects to be taken into account, including of course the cost implications, but he hopes to be able to announce his decision before too long.
Local Authority Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report tables showing the outturn expenditure in cash, capital, current, and total, for each metropolitan district, metropolitan county, shire county in England, and each London borough and the Greater London council, Inner London education authority, and the Metropolitan police, respectively, for each of the years from and including 1978–79 to date, with the latest estimates where necessary, on a basis of consistent definitions; and if he will give details of those definitions.
I will write to the hon. Member.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report details of local authority current expenditure deflates used by his Department for each of the years 1978–79 to date.
The Department uses two indices for revaluing local authority current expenditure:
1978–79=100
| ||
Year
| Index of local authorities' pay and price changes—England
| GDP deflator—United Kingdom
|
| 1978–79 | 100·0 | 100·0 |
| 1979–80 | 115·4 | 116·8 |
| 1980–81 | 141·1 | 138·7 |
| 1981–82 | 158·3 | 152·4 |
| 1982–83 | *169·7 | 162·5 |
* Provisional· | ||
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria he proposes to use when judging whether the expenditure of particular local authorities is excessive having regard to general economic conditions, as provided for in clause 2(2)(b) of the Rates Bill.
We have not yet decided on the criteria to be used. The Bill provides that authorities spending below their grant related expenditure or below £10 million will not be selected. For those spending above GRE, the degree of overspending will be relevant; other factors may also be taken into consideration.
London (Planning Commission)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many voting members will be on the proposed planning commission for London; and how they will be appointed.
The detailed composition of the proposed London planning commission will be considered in the light of representations received in response to the White Paper "Streamlining the Cities" (Cmnd. 9063) and the subsequent consultation paper on the re-allocation of planning functions in the GLC and MCC areas.
Nuclear Waste (Billingham)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from individuals and groups in Cleveland concerning the proposed site for disposal of nuclear waste at Billingham, Cleveland; and if any of these supports the scheme.
Up to 20 December my Department had received 80 letters about the site at Billingham identified for further investigation by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive (NIREX). No representations have been received supporting the use of the site for this purpose.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from commercial and industrial companies in the proximity of the proposed site for disposal of nuclear waste at Billingham, Cleveland; and if he will make a statement.
One such representation has been received in my Department.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the surface radiation dose rate registered at the Cowpen Bewley tip in Billingham when last visited by the Radiochemical Inspectorate; when this visit took place; and in all the waste monitored on that visit what gigabecquerel level of thulium 170 was recorded.
The visit took place on 23 November. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible about the other points raised in his question.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the acreage of the ICI anhydrite mine in Billingham, Cleveland, the area designated for nuclear waste disposal, the depth of this location, and the known position of the water table at present.
The ICI anhydrite mine at Billingham extends over approximately 1,000 acres and its depth varies between 140 and 280m below ground. I understand that, if a waste repository is eventually developed there by NIREX, about 10 per cent. of the area would be needed to provide for disposals well into the next century. The position of the water table is one of the factors that would have to be confirmed as part of any site investigation undertaken by the executive.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) which radioactive substances, stating their chemical names and half-lives, in the intermediate level waste category, the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has assessed as suitable for disposal at Billingham in Cleveland;(2) which radioactive substances, stating their chemical names and half-lives, in the high level waste category, the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has assessed are suitable for disposal at Billingham in Cleveland;(3) which radioactive substances, stating their chemical names and half-lives, in the low-level waste category, the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has assessed are suitable for disposal at Billingham in Cleveland.
NIREX has no responsibilities for high-level wastes, and no wastes of that kind will be disposed of anywhere for at least 50 years. My Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would specify under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 the characteristics of the wastes that would be acceptable in a deep disposal facility like the anhydrite mine at Billingham. This cannot be done in detail until the geology and other characteristics of a potential site have been thoroughly examined; but the wastes could include metal cladding from spent nuclear fuel elements, long-lived material from research activities and solidified sludges and ion-exchange resins.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has made any assessment of the number of full-time employees who would be required at the proposed nuclear waste disposal site at Billingham; when it envisages the site becoming operational; and for how long it assesses that the site would be used for such disposal.
I understand the executive has estimated that about 300 people might be employed in the construction phase of a deep repository, and up to 100 in the operating phase. Subject to the relevant statutory requirements the executive aim to have such a repository in operation by the end of the decade, to accommodate wastes arising into the next century.
Sellafield
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what actions have been taken to protect the public who might visit the local beach from the effects of the radioactive leak at Sellafield.
Members of the public have been advised to avoid unnecessary use of the beaches (or swimming in the sea) and handling material washed up by the sea on the 10-mile stretch of coast between St. Bees and Eskmeals. BNFL is carrying out daily monitoring and contaminated items are collected and removed as soon as they are found. The Department of Health and Social Security is keeping under review the necessity for giving advice on health aspects.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the findings of his Department's inquiry into the leak at Sellafield.
Yes, as soon as possible after it is received by Ministers, provided there is no risk of prejudicing any legal proceedings.
Property Services Agency
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what sum of money he would expect to be the average payment to a non-mobile member of the staff of the Property Services Agency declared redundant as a result of the proposed restructuring of the agency.
It is our firm intention to deal with any reduction in the number of non-mobile staff as far as possible by natural wastage of redeployment to other posts within the agency or with other Government Departments. Should this prove impossible in any particular case the amount of any individual redundancy payment will depend on existing salary, age and length of service.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many members of the staff of the Property Services Agency now serving in district works offices would be expected to move post and home under the proposed restructuring of the agency.
The proposed changes at district works office level are mainly limited to changes in reporting lines or change in office status but there may be a small number of mobile staff, perhaps 10-15, who would be required to move both post and home under the proposals.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Property Services Agency will be allowed to retain staff above the present manpower targets if the proposed restructuring of the agency takes place; arid whether the first priority of the staff will be for client departments or implementation of the restructuring.
No. The staffing of the agency, within whatever structure it operates, has to be contained within its overall manpower ceiling. The process of transition to any new structure would inevitably impose additional burdens on the agency. The aim would nevertheless be to maintain the service to its clients through that period.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consequential increases in cost will fall on other Departments if the Property Services Agency is restructured because of a decrease in the Property Services Agency's share of common services.
The proposals are designed to reduce the overall cost of providing the Government's accommodation.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consequential changes in the organisation of the Property Services Agency supplies division he would expect as a result of a restructuring of the agency; and if he will estimate the cost of such consequential changes.
PSA supplies is organised in the way it judges best to meet the needs of its clients. Apart from some possible accommodation changes, there are no direct consequential changes arising from the proposed restructuring.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what alternative proposals for improving the efficiency of the Property Services Agency were considered to those put to the Property Services Agency trade union side on 31 October; and whether such alternatives were costed.
During the course of discussions leading up to the present proposals, a number of possible ways of improving the efficiency of the Property Services Agency have been considered. In terms of structural change, consideration was given to the possibility of merging the existing regional and area offices, without separating civil and defence work, and also to a structure based on the present regions and district offices. The first of these options had significant operating drawbacks, failed to meet fundamental objectives and had no cost advantage over the present proposals. The second was considered in 1980 and found to raise problems of effective management and to be very costly in terms of staff relocations.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the cost of printing one year's supply of headed notepaper for offices which will be opened, or relocated, under the proposed restructuring of the Property Services Agency, the cost of changing nameplates outside such offices, and the cost of providing new, or relocated, technical libraries.
The cost of printing supplies of headed notepaper for any new offices would essentially be no different from that of doing so for existing offices. Existing stocks of notepaper and other stationery would be used up, after overstamping or other amendment before new orders were placed. No detailed study of nameplate requirements has been made, but it is estimated that the cost of provision and installation would be of the order of £150 in each case.The future location and content of technical libraries is still under consideration.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government have assessed the effects on the local economy in towns where, as part of the proposed restructuring of the Property Services Agency, an existing Property Services Agency office would close.
We have made no direct assessment of the effect on the local economy in towns where the number of staff employed by the agency would either increase or decrease. The proposals are primarily directed at improving the effectiveness of the agency's service to its clients and proposals involving office closures have been kept to the minimum consistent with that overall objective. The restructuring proposals would not, in themselves, affect the amount of construction or other work commissioned by the agency within any particular locality.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposals for restructuring the Property Services Agency that have recently been put forward for consultation are designed solely to meet the agency's target manpower figures for 1 April 1988.
No.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whom he has consulted about the proposals to restructure the Property Services Agency; whether he has consulted departmental trade union sides about these proposals; and whether he is satisfied that their implementation will have no adverse effect on work being done for other Government Departments.
There have been and continue to be detailed consultations with Government Departments and other clients of the agency as well as with the Departmental trade union side. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that, apart from some inevitable dislocation arising from the transition, the proposals would have no adverse effect on the work done for the agency's clients; indeed, the whole essence of the proposals is to improve the service to clients.
Local Government (Records) Act 1962
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the Local Government (Records) Act 1962, so as to ensure that, following the abolition of the metropolitan county councils, archive powers are granted only to district councils agreeing to co-operate in maintaining and developing archive services on a county-wide basis.
My right hon. Friend is at present consulting on the proposal in the White Paper "Streamlining the Cities" (Cmnd. 9063) to extend to all metropolitan district councils the powers to acquire and accept the gift and deposit of records. He will consider any representations made to him on this subject.
Radioactivity (Maryport)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what approaches his Department has had from Allerdale district council regarding radioactivity at Maryport harbour; what action he has taken as a result; and what is the current position.
My Department has agreed to a request from Allerdale district council to fund, through Cumbria county council, a radiological assessment commissioned from the National Radiological Protection Board relating to the possible use of dredged harbour silt for a land reclamation scheme. This assessment has not yet been received. In addition, during his recent visit to west Cumbria my right hon. Friend was handed a note on this subject by the chief executive of the council, to which a reply will be sent shortly.
London Borough Of Haringey
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, of each of the last four years' total expenditure made by the London borough of Haringey, what percentage has been paid to Her Majesty's Government in penalties.
The London borough of Haringey attracted no grant penalties in 1980–81. It has incurred holdback of block grant in the following proportions of its total expenditure in the years shown:
| Year | Per cent. |
| 1981–82 | 0·8 |
| 1982–83 | 2·7 |
| 1983–84 | 6·1 |
Industrial And Warehouse Units (Salisbury)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to come to a decision on proposed industrial and warehouse units at Southampton road, Salisbury, in view of the receipt of the inspector's report on 17 June.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering the inspectors' report on the five separate but inter—related proposals for development at Southampton road, Salisbury. He expects to issue his decisions very shortly.
Rates
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities in England receive
| Authority | April 1982 Staff Group NJC | September 1982 Senior Stuff JNC | 30 September 1983 Chief Officers | ||||
| Numbers in Grades | Numbers | Numbers | |||||
| 10 (top) | 11 | 12 | 13 | Above 13 | |||
| Anglian | n.a. | 52 | 24 | 5 | — | 85 | 5 |
| Northumbrian | n.a. | 28 | 14 | 12 | — | 17 | 3 |
| North West | n.a. | 54 | 42 | 1 | — | 51 | 4 |
| Severn Trent | n.a. | 138 | 62 | 35 | 7 | 51 | 5 |
| Southern | n.a. | 47 | 19 | 20 | — | 20 | 4 |
| South West | n. a. | 19 | 6 | 17 | — | 7 | 3 |
| Thames | n.a. | 89 | 73 | 41 | 49 | 17 | 4 |
| Welsh | n.a. | 59 | 21 | 6 | — | 45 | 5 |
| Wessex | n.a. | 28 | 23 | 4 | — | 16 | 3 |
| Yorkshire | n.a. | 46 | 26 | 13 | — | 42 | 4 |
| Totals | 704 | 560 | 310 | 154 | 56 | 351 | 40 |
Notes:
(a) The figures for staff and senior staff shown above overstate current numbers, due to reorganisation within the authorities and the downward trend in manpower.
(b) Figures for the staff group may be compared with the total of 28,680 NJC staff employed in the industry in April 1982.
(c) The number of JNC senior staff is now below 300 but a complete analysis of the present numbers is not immediately available.
more than half their income raised by rates from industrial and commercial rates, calculated before account is taken of domestic rate rebates; and what proportion this represents of all local authorities in England.
I will write to the hon. Member.
Animal Deaths (Calow And Duckmanton)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will provide special assistance to allow an investigation into the mysterious and unexplained deaths of cats and dogs in the Calow and Duckmanton areas of Derbyshire.
The investigations of these deaths is a matter for the local authority and I have no reason to believe that it does not have already all the help it needs. Assistance is already being given by the scientific and veterinary services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my Department is maintaining a close interest.
Water Industry
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grades of official of water authorities receive salaries of over £15,000 per annum; and how many persons are in each grade (a) in total: and (b) in each water authority.
[pursuant to his reply, 9 November 1983, c. 151–152]: The following grades of officials in water authorities are entitled to salaries over £15,000 per annum:
Trade And Industry
Manufacturing Industry (Job Support)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce measures to prevent a further decline in the proportion of the work force employed in manufacturing industry.
My prime concern is with the absolute level of employment in the economy, which is now rising. The proportion of the work force employed in manufacturing industry is on a long-standing downward trend in all the major OECD countries. This is to be expected as living standards improve and is not in itself a cause for concern. The economic recovery is now well established and, as our policies demonstrate, I believe manufacturing industry must continue to play an important role.
Counterfeiting
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy against counterfeiting of British manufactures.
My right hon. Friend is determined to take effective and resolute action to tackle the problem of counterfeiting. If my hon. Friend has any particular examples of it I would be pleased to investigate them.Earlier this year my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Trade announced the setting up of a special unit to review anti-counterfeiting policy in the light of widespread concern among manufacturers and to monitor developments and problems relating to industrial counterfeiting.This has now been done. The conclusion is that British manufacturers are, on the whole, affected more by the sale of counterfeits in markets overseas, in competition with genuine goods exported from the United Kingdom, than by their sale in the United Kingdom itself. The main exception is video piracy, which has been a major problem in the United Kingdom and was the subject of legislation earlier this year.Armed with these findings the Government will raise with Governments of other countries concerned the need for effective action against counterfeiting. In view of the absence of diplomatic relations, counterfeiting in Taiwan — which has been a major source of such goods in recent years — raises special problems, but the authorities in Taiwan have been made fully aware of our views and I am pleased to say that they have taken a number of measures, including the introduction of heavier penalties for trade mark offences. In recent months there have been fewer complaints of copying and counterfeiting reported to my Department. We intend to continue close monitoring of the position in Taiwan.The United Kingdom will also continue to press strongly, through the European Community, for an international agreement on combating counterfeiting as part of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.As to the sale of counterfeit goods in the United Kingdom, the survey has revealed a need to increase manufacturers' awareness of the wide range of remedies already available. I have therefore decided to issue a pamphlet giving guidance on how to deal with counterfeiting problems. This is available from the DTI in London and through its regional offices and small firms centres.In future, now that the review work by the special unit is over, anti-counterfeiting work will be carried out by the appropriate branches of the Department such as the overseas trade divisions, consumer affairs division and the Patent Office. Guidance on whom to contact for advice in any anti-counterfeiting case is included in the pamphlet to which I have referred. I am placing a copy of this pamphlet in the Library.
Photonics
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government assistance has been made available to the photonics and photonic instrumentation industry; and if he will make a statement.
My Department has received no request for financial assistance for research and development in photoemission spectroscopy. Any request for support for the development of instrumentation would be considered against the usual criteria of the support for innovation (SFI) scheme.
Copyright
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent representations he has received about industrial design protection and unauthorised home taping; from whom and what response he has made;(2) pursuant to the answer of 14 December, what steps he is taking in connection with the reform of copyright law to resolve the difficulties remaining over industrial design protection and unauthorised home taping.
In recent months I have discussed the question of unauthorised home taping with representatives from the British Copyright Council and from The Tape Manufacturers Group, and assured them that their respective viewpoints will be taken fully into account. I have had no similar recent discussions on industrial designs, but have been awaiting the report of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Cabinet Office on "Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation". The report, which was published on 20 December as a consultative document, contains important proposals on the protection of industrial designs on which the Government seeks views widely. Any necessary legislative proposals will follow as quickly as possible. Proposals on all other areas of copyright will also be brought forward as soon as possible.
Special Steels (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the European Economic Community measures against the United States Government's action on special steel imports.
The EC Council of Ministers agreed on 29 November that if there was no satisfactory conclusion to negotiations with the United States by 15 January 1984 over the measures which they had taken on special steels, the Community should take retaliatory action in the GATT. Since then, despite further contacts between the Commission and the United States, there has been no acceptable improvement in the US offer. The Community is therefore continuing its preparations for retaliation against an agreed list of US products.
Trading Standards Service
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the number of weights and measures authorities in England and Wales (a) in 1973, (b) at present, and (c) under the circumstances that would apply under the proposals to abolish the metropolitan county councils.
The information is as follows:
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many chief officers of trading standards service there are in the metropolitan county council areas; and how many there will be in those same areas under the proposals to abolish the metropolitan county councils.
There are at present six chief officers responsible for trading standards services in the Metropolitan county councils; one for each. It is not possible to say how many there will be after the metropolitan county councils are abolished as that depends upon what arrangements the district councils in each area make for the discharge of these functions.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state for the latest available date the number of trading standards service staff employed in each metropolitan county council area, the number of metropolitan districts in each area, and the average number of such staff per metropolitan district in each metropolitan county area.
My Department does not have this information.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the additional cost of providing the existing level of trading standards service in the areas of the six metropolitan county councils under the recent proposals for abolishing those authorities.
I believe that the existing level of trading standards service can be provided by the district councils in the six metropolitan areas at no additional cost.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies his Department has conducted since 1979 on the relative efficiency of providing trading standards and consumer protection services in the various types of local authority in England and Wales; and if he will publish the main conclusions of such studies.
My Department has conducted no such studies.
asked the Secretary for Trade and Industry if he will give the cost per head of population of the trading standards service for each of the last two available years for each of the groups of local authorities, namely, the metropolitan county councils, the shire counties and the London boroughs.
My Department does not have the information on which to base such comparisons.
Bl (Corporate Plan)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place a copy of the BL corporate plan in the Library.
A review of BL performance in 1983 and the BL 1984 corporate plan will be placed in the Library when the Government's decisions on it are announced.
Nitrosamines
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will use his powers under the Consumer Safety Act to prescribe a maximum content in terms of parts per million for nitrosamines in babies' teats and dummies.
I understand that nitrosamines are found in finished rubber and some are carcinogenic. My Department and the Department of Health and Social Security are in touch with the maufacturers of babies' teats and dummies to establish what might be the lowest practicable level of nitrosamines in these goods that would be released in use. When this has been done I shall consider the case for prescribing a limit.
Company Records
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many additional staff have been employed, and if any additional premises have had to be provided, to operate the postal service for microfiche records of companies from the offices in Cardiff and Edinburgh.
None.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he arrived at the difference between the charge for company records on microfiche in the London on-demand service and the Cardiff and Edinburgh postal sales service for company microfiche records.
Unlike the statutory charge governing the provision of copies of documents for inspection in the search rooms, the charge made for supply of microfiche copies of company records by post reflects the full cost of that service.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that a difference in charges between an on-demand service and a postal service for company records on microfiche is permitted under European Economic Community directive 68-151, article 3, paragraph 3.
Yes.
Companies House
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Companies House, London, is retained for any function other than the provision of an on-demand service for company information.
Companies registered in England and Wales may deliver documents at the London search room maintained by the Registrar of Companies: The upper floors are used by the Department for a variety of purposes.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company searches were carried out at Companies House, London, during 1982.
1,582,000.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost attributable to maintaining Companies House, London, and its services during 1982; and how many staff were employed at Companies House, London, at the end of 1982.
The total costs attributable to maintaining the London search room in 1982 were £3,360,000. 195½staff were employed in that office on 31 December 1982.
Companies Registration Offices
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the profit of the companies registration offices in Great Britain resulting from the excess of receipts from fees over costs.
The excess was £4,693,000 in 1982.
Regional Industrial Policy
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why his Department's document intituled "Regional Industrial Policy" specifically invites comments to be sent in, but omits to say by what date this should be done if they are to influence his policy decisions
The White Paper on regional industrial development explicitly invites the submission by 31 May 1984 of views on specific issues: these will be taken into account before decisions are made on those issues. The document entitled "Regional Industrial Policy — some economic issues" deals with some of the relevant economic issues which underlie the policy considerations and invites comments in a more general sense.
Regional Development Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the regional development grants paid in respect of development in Wales during 1981–82 and 1982–83 was paid to the county of Gwynedd.
About per cent. and ½ per cent. respectively.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the total payments of regional development grants to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively, for each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| ·000 | |||
| England | Scotland | Wales | |
| Financial year | |||
| 1978–79 | 238,133 | 107,344 | 71,502 |
| 1979–80 | 210,014 | 70,168 | 50,663 |
£
| |||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| |
| 1980–81 | 273,784 | 113,265 | 103,475 |
| 1981–82 | 351,858 | 142,739 | 122,171 |
| 1982–83 | 280,724 | 287,309 | 121,527 |
Industrial assistance in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
London Cityrama Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to secure the filing by London Cityrama Limited at Companies House of annual accounts for each year for which they are overdue.
Following a recent public complaint, the registrar has reminded the company of its obligation to deliver accounts for the periods ending 5 October 1981 and 5 October 1982.
Limebourne Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure the filing by Limebourne Limited at Companies House of annual accounts for each year for which they are overdue.
As a result of action taken by the registrar following public complaints, Limebourne Ltd. delivered all outstanding documents on 15 December.
London Brick
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the importance of competition in the non-Fletton brick industry, he will refer the bid by Hanson Trust for London Brick to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission;
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will refer the bid by Hanson Trust for London Brick to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
I am awaiting the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, after which my decision will be announced as soon as practicable.
China
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current state of trade with China; and what assessment he makes of the future prospects
Imports from the People's Republic of China to the United Kingdom for the first 10 months of this year totalled £194 million. United Kingdom exports to China for the same period were worth £140 million, a significant increase on the total of £74 million for the same period last year. Good prospects exist for a steady increase in our exports to China in the coming years.
Land Mobile Services
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional radio spectrum can be made available for land mobile services.
10 additional VHF radio channels are to be made available to the land mobile radio service immediately throughout the United Kingdom. In the London area there will be a total of 20 additional channels available.Applications are being invited from new and existing operators to use the channels for common base stations and message handling services. In London a minimum of 10 channels will be assigned singly, either for new services or for additions to existing services. A maximum of 2 new 5-channel trunked services will be licensed in any area.
Twinlock Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what public funds have been received by Twinlock Ltd. over the past five years; what were the terms of its disposal, to whom it was sold; and what amount of the public funds received are recoverable.
| £ milline | ||||||
| (a) Textiles | (b) Clothing | |||||
| United Kingdom Exports f.o.b. | United Kingdom Imports c.i.f. | Exports over Imports Percentage | United Kingdom Exports f.o.b. | United Kingdom Imports c.i.f. | Exports over Imports Percentage | |
| 1971 | 129 | 123 | 104 | 36 | 40 | 89 |
| 1972 | 155 | 149 | 104 | 43 | 49 | 88 |
| 1973 | 217 | 222 | 98 | 59 | 79 | 75 |
| 1974 | 262 | 307 | 86 | 74 | 89 | 83 |
| 1975 | 279 | 321 | 87 | 95 | 116 | 82 |
| 1976 | 422 | 455 | 93 | 161 | 155 | 104 |
| 1977 | 530 | 606 | 87 | 243 | 202 | 120 |
| 1978 | 583 | 833 | 70 | 303 | 259 | 117 |
| 1979 | 700 | 934 | 75 | 367 | 322 | 114 |
| 1980 | 716 | 852 | 84 | 419 | 313 | 134 |
| 1981 | 594 | 1,033 | 58 | 391 | 368 | 106 |
| 1982 | 586 | 1,178 | 50 | 393 | 418 | 94 |
| 1983* | 468 | 1,028 | 46 | 300 | 360 | 83 |
| * January to September. | ||||||
Source: Data corresponding to (a) SITC/R2 Division 65, Groups 266 and 267, Sub-group 268·7 (part) and Item 847.11: (b) SITC/R2 Division 84 less Group 848 and Item 847·11. in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics; and corresponding headings under SITC/R1.
Note: The European Community is defined throughout in terms of current membership.
Brussels Nomenclature
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of the four-digit headings in chapters 73–82 of the Brussels nomenclature which fall wholly or partly within division 69 of the standard industrial trade
| Value of specified United Kingdom Imports | ||||
| £ million cif | ||||
| 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | January-October 1983 | |
| (i) Tungsten and molybdenum, excluding bars (other than bars not further prepared than sintered), rods, angles, shapes, sections, wire, filaments, plates, sheet, strip and foil: | ||||
| (a) Tungsten, wrought, and articles of tungsten (not elsewhere specified) (8101–8000) | 0·8 | 0·6 | 0·8 | 0·6 |
| (b) Molybdenum, wrought, and articles of molybdenum (not elsewhere specified) (8102–8000) | 0·5 | 0·4 | 0·3 | 0·8 |
| (ii) Knife blades not for machines or mechanical appliances(8209–6000) | 0·3 | 0·3 | 0·2 | 0·2 |
| (iii) (a) Stainless steel spoons and forks (8214–1010) | 5·1 | 5·9 | 4·6 | 4·2 |
| (b) Stainless steel fish-eaters, butter-knives, ladles and similar kitchen or tableware (8214–1040) | 1·0 | 1·3 | 1·1 | 1·1 |
The National Enterprise Board invested £1 million in Twinlock shares and made a loan of £0·5 million. Ten per cent. of the shares were sold to Scottish American Investment Company plc in June 1982 and the remainder to Acco Corporation in September 1983. A total of £3·9 million was received by the National Enterprise Board from these share sales, as well as repayment of the loan.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for (a) textiles and (b) clothing, the value of imports from and exports to other EC countries each year since 1970 and in the current year to date, together with the export-import ratio.
The information is as follows:classification and in which one or more items will be subject to a tariff of 10 per cent. or more on 1 January 1987, together with the value of imports of such items each year since the start of the Tokyo round and the current year to date.
The information is as follows:
Sources:
Her Majesty's Custom and Excise Tariff, Chapters 73–82; and the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC/I22. Items 696.06. 696.08, 699.91 and 699.92.
Coal-Firing Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the future of the coal-firing scheme.
The coal-firing scheme has now been extended for a further year and an additional allocation of £25 million has been made. All applications received by 31 December 1984 will be considered, provided that the financial allocation does not become exhausted. Exchange risk cover will also continue to be available on ECSC loans for conversion to coal from gas or oil. The Commission of the European Communities is being informed of these changes.
Export Credits Guarantee Department
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy in replying to parliamentary questions which ask for details of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's involvement (a) in particular export transactions and (b) on individual markets.
Such details are not normally revealed for reasons of commercial confidentiality and political sensitivity. The only exceptions are some cases where the parties to a particular export contract have already published details of the arrangements.
Film Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will designate the film-making industry as a qualifying activity for regional development grants.
Film-making is not at present a qualifying activity for regional development grants, which are currently concentrated on manufacturing industry. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently published a White Paper, "Regional Industrial Development"(Cmnd. 9111), which made proposals for a new structure for these grants, and suggested that they should extend to parts of the service sector. The Government welcome views by 31 May 1984 about which sectors should qualify for regional development grants under the new arrangements, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend's view regarding film-making is taken into account.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action has been taken on the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply of films for exhibition in cinemas.
When the report was published on 11 May, my predecessor announced that the Government would be giving careful consideration to this important report with a view to announcing measures to be taken. The Government have considered the report, and I am now in a position to announce the action which we have decided should be taken to implement the commission's findings.The commission found that a number of monopoly situations existed in favour of both exhibitors and distributors. It found that the system of alignment and barring (which restrict distribution and showing of films) were against the public interest. The only effective remedy to the adverse effects of the system of alignment that the commission could identify would require the divestment by EMI and Rank Leisure Ltd. of substantial numbers of cinemas. It concluded that this was impracticable and not to be recommended. It recommended that the present system of barring should be ended, and that instead provisions for exclusive showing of films should be negotiated on a case by case basis.The commission also found that delays in releasing popular films were against the public interest. It recommended that arrangements be made to ensure that a popular film would not be exhibited for more than four weeks in any cinema unless the film had been made available to competing cinemas.In addition, the commission recommended that the film industry's trade dispute committee and appeals tribunal should be merged, and it made a number of recommendations regarding the terms of reference. procedures and membership of the new body.Finally the commission recommended that the undertakings relating to trial runs for films of limited appeal, which EMI and Rank gave following the commission's 1966 report. should be allowed to lapse.The Government accept the commission's report, and I am asking the Director General of Fair Trading to take a number of steps with a view to implementing it. I propose that as an initial step the Director General should arrange for an experimental regime based on the recommendations on barring and on a four-week limit to delays in the release of popular films to be applied in selected locations for a period of six months, to enable him to assess their effects. He will then be able to report to me on the results of the trial scheme and make recommendations for measures to be implemented through Great Britain.I am asking the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss with appropriate bodies the implementation of the commission's recommendations regarding changes to the membership and procedure of the trades disputes committee and appeals tribunal. I am also asking him to arrange for EMI and Rank to be released from undertakings on trial runs for films of limited appeal given following the earlier report, and to look particularly carefully at any future merger proposals within the provisions of the Fair Trading Act concerning film distributors and exhibitors, since the commission expressed concern at the possibility of further concentration in the Industry.
Jute (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the imports of jute yarn from India and Bangladesh in each of the last 10 years, indicating how these figures compare with the imports for each of the months of this year for which figures are available; how they correspond with United Kingdom and European Economic Community quotas; and if he will make a statement.
There are no quotas on imports of jute yarn from India or Bangladesh. Imports of yarn of jute and other textile bast fibres have been as follows:
| (Thousand tonnes) | ||
| Country of Consignment:— | ||
| India | Bangladesh | |
| 1973 | 0·6 | 0 |
| 1974 | 0·2 | — |
| 1975 | 0·1 | — |
| 1976 | 0·5 | 0·8 |
| 1977 | 0·3 | 1·1 |
| 1978 | 0·2 | 0·2 |
| 1979 | 0·2 | 0 |
| 1980 | 0 | 0·4 |
| 1981 | 0·1 | 1·4 |
| 1982 | 0·7 | 3·7 |
| January-October 1983 | 3·6 | 4·8 |
| 1983:— | ||
| January | 0 | 0·3 |
| February | 0·4 | 0·4 |
| March | 0·1 | 0 |
| April | 0·7 | 0·8 |
| May | 0·8 | 0·8 |
| June | 0·2 | 0·3 |
| July | 0·4 | 0·9 |
| August | 0·4 | 0·7 |
| September | 0·4 | 0·1 |
| October | 0·3 | 0·5 |
Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC(R1) Item 651.92 and SITC (R2) Item 651.98.
Notes:
(a) —indicates nil trade; 0 indicates trade less than 50 tonnes.
(b) owing to rounding, the sum of the individual months of 1983 may differ slightly from the figures for the first ten months in total.
Overseas Development
Grenada
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much overseas aid is going for medical treatment in Grenada; and whether any assistance is being given for the reconstruction of the hospital destroyed during the United States invasion.
No requests have so far been received from the Grenada Administration for assistance in these fields.
Caribbean
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what sectors the Government consider that multilateral bodies should direct their aid in each of the Commonwealth Caribbean countries.
In their aid operations multilateral agencies generally follow criteria similar to those of bilateral donors such as ODA. It follows that we would expect multilateral agencies to be active in the Caribbean in economic and social infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and to provide support to private sector efforts in tourism and light industry.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish the results of the review undertaken by the Overseas Development Administration of the manpower and training assistance to the Caribbean Commonwealth together with the resulting action that he has taken.
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investments the Caribbean Development Bank has approved in each of the Commonwealth Caribbean countries over the last three years; and how much of that approved investment has been disbursed.
This information is published by the Caribbean Development Bank and is contained in appendix Ito the bank's annual reports for the years 1980, 1981, 1982. I have arranged for copies of these reports to be placed in the Library of the House.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the interagency resident mission in Antigua last met; and how successful it has been in attracting and co-ordinating assistance to the East Caribbean region.
The inter-agency resident mission was established in July 1982. It has a small permanent staff based in Antigua. Its progress and achievements will be reviewed at the sixth meeting of the Caribbean group for co-operation in economic development to be held in Washington, 13–17 February 1984.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the conclusions of the last meeting of the Caribbean group for economic co-operation and development; when the group last met; and who represented the United Kingdom.
The fifth meeting of the Caribbean group for co-operation in economic development (CGCED) was held in Washington in June 1982. The United Kingdom delegation was led by the then Minister for Overseas Development, Sir Neil Marten. No formal conclusions were reached, but the balance of payments problem facing the countries of the region emerged as a major concern.
National Finance
Wage Levels
14.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy on wage levels.
It is for employers and employees, not the Government, except in so far as they are an employer, to determine pay levels. Pay increases that are not justified by genuine productivity gains will tend to reduce employment.
16.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence there is of misuse of tax relief for mortgage interest to finance loans to buy other goods.
There is no evidence that mortgage interest relief is being given on any significant scale for loans which do not meet the statutory conditions for relief.
Inflation
18.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the rare of inflation.
Over the 12 months to November 1983, the retail price index increased by 4·8 per cent. Inflation this year will be the lowest since 1968.
31.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he calculated his estimate of 4·5 per cent. inflation by the end of 1984.
It is not the practice to publish a breakdown of the factors underlying the Government's forecasts. But we are seeing, for example, low rates of increase in unit labour costs as productivity levels continue to improve and pay settlements become more realistic.
Labour Statistics
19.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic evidence he has to support his statement. Official Report, 17 November, c. 995, that unemployment is now levelling off.
November's fall in adult seasonally adjusted unemployment was the third fall in the last four months. In addition, the number of people in jobs rose in the second quarter for the first time since the recession began, vacancies are on an upward trend, short-time working is at its lowest level for four years, and overtime is increasing.
Cable Operators
20.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide for full write-offs in the first year for all cable-laying companies and cable operators in respect of all new expenditure incurred, in his annual budgetary measures in 1984.
I have this matter under active consideration.
Service Sector (Investment)
21.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to encourage investment in the service sector; and if he will make a statement.
The aim of the Government's economic policy is to create the right sort of financial environment for profitable investment in all sectors, including the services sector.
Economic Growth
22.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will discuss with the Trades Union Congress the methods by which he hopes to achieve economic growth.
I have no immediate plans to do so.
23.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give his latest estimate for growth in 1984.
The forecast presented with my autumn statement predicted growth of around 3 per cent. in the average measure of gross national product.
Bank Of England
24.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the governor of the Bank of England; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer meets the governor regularly to discuss matters of mutual concern.
Exports
25.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the basis for his autumn statement forecast of 4 per cent. growth in United Kingdom exports in 1984 compared with 1983.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to paragraph 1.16 of the autumn statement, which points to the recovery in the world economy and recent improvements in competitiveness.
Close Companies
26.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to increase the amount of £1,000 referred to in the Finance Act 1972, schedule 16, paragraph 1(3), as the excess of relevant income over distribution, to a close company which is capable of being apportioned among the participators in that company.
I have at present no plans to do so. However, the 1984 Finance Bill will include a provision to increase the limit below which close company income apportioned to an individual is not assessed to income tax.
European Community
27.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total net annual cost of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community, including the cost to the consumer of agricultural commodities above world market prices.
The average annual direct budgetary cost of the United Kingdom's membership of the Community over the last three financial years was some £330 million. Estimates of the costs to consumers of the common agricultural policy are necessarily subject to large uncertainties, but at current support levels the costs are substantial.
28.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce tax relief on subscriptions to private health insurance schemes.
I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.
Tourism (Development Aid)
29.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums per annum since 1980 have been made available to tourism developments through assistance from the European Investment Bank; and how these were divided between regional tourist boards.
I have been advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry that the following table gives this information by regional tourist board area:
Approved applications for exchange risk cover on EIB and EIBINCI loans to tourism projects in England
| ||||||||||
EIB loans through Department of Trade and Industry Agency
| EIB loans through Commercial Agencies
| EIBINCI loans through Commercial Agencies
| Total loans
| |||||||
Year
| Regional tourist board area
| Number of loans
| Amount £
| Regional tourist board area
| Number of loans
| Amount £
| Regional tourist board area
| Number of loans
| Amount £
| Amount £
|
| 1980 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1981 | Yorkshire & Humberside | 1 | 100,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| North West | 1 | 716,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.682,000 | |
| West Country | 1 | 1,600,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Northumbria | 1 | 266,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982 | Yorkshire & Humberside | 1 | *2,000,000 | North West | 1 | 46,000 | — | — | — | 2,046,000 |
| 1983 | — | — | — | Yorkshire & Northumbria | 1 | 150,000 | Humberside | 1 | 50,000 | |
| Yorkshire & Humberside | 1 | 120,000 | North West | 1 | 250.000 | |||||
| East Midlands | 1 | 16,000 | 1,186,000 | |||||||
| Heart of England | 1 | 75,000 | ||||||||
| South East England | 1 | 150,000 | ||||||||
| West Country | 2 | 375,000 | ||||||||
| Total | 4,682,000 | 316,000 | 916,000 | 5,914,000 | ||||||
* Repaid early in August 1982. | ||||||||||
Freeports
30.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the increase in jobs likely to result from the creation of freeports.
The Government believe that freeports can provide a stimulus to economic activity. Until we have experience of them in operation it is impossible to estimate the effect on jobs.
Appointments
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the total number of appointments of all kinds it fell within his power to make, and whether or not such appointments actually fell to be made in the year in question.
The total number of public appointments which could have been made for the years specified is as follows:
| Number | |
| 1979 | 54 |
| 1980 | 40 |
| 1981 | 40 |
| 1982 | 47 |
| 1983 | 47 |
Car Allowance
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the gain to the Exchequer from (i) allowing the cost of purchasing, operating and maintaining a passenger car to be treated as a business expense only where the vehicle is wholly and necessarily used in the business and (ii) imputing to the user of the vehicle in all other cases the whole cost less a mileage allowance based on the Civil Service scale where the vehicle is necessarily used in the business;(2) what would be the saving to the Exchequer if the cost of running a passenger car was not allowed as an expense for tax purposes other than in a hire car or similar business.
I regret that information is not available on which to base a satisfactory estimate of the likely Exchequer effects of the changes proposed.
Service Industries
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list service industries in which he expects employment to expand in the future; and if he will make a statement.
It would be unrealistic to try to predict the employment prospects of particular industries. Employment in the services sector has grown to 14.6 million over the last 10 years, and is continuing to contribute to an improvement in the overall employment position.
Pensioners (Taxation)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners are now paying income tax; what is the revenue raised from pensioners; and what percentage of the total income tax revenue this represents.
Provisional estimates for 1983–84 suggest that there are 2–4 million single people over 65, or married couples where one or both are over 65, who will pay income tax. Their total income tax liability will be about £2·9 billion which is some 9 per cent. of the tax due in respect of income in 1983–84.
Departmental Grants
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what grants he has made in the current year to voluntary bodies, charities and pressure groups.
None.
Taxation Statistics
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross domestic product taxation represented in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively; and what is the estimate for 1984.
Figures for the proportion of total taxation, including national insurance contributions and local authority rates, in gross domestic product at market prices are shown below for the calendar year 1979 to 1983. The figure for 1983 is a provisional estimate. No estimate for 1984 can be given in advance of the 1984 Budget.
| Taxes as percentage of GDP | |
| 1979 | 34·9 |
| 1980 | 36·7 |
| 1981 | 38·7 |
| 1982 | 39·8 |
| 1983 | 39·0 |
Public Sector Employment Statistics
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is (a) the total figure for United Kingdom public sector employment, (b) the figure for each principal Government Department and (c) the estimate for (a) and (b) for 1984;(2) what percentage of the total employed labour force was represented by the public sector in mid-1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.
The latest available figures for public sector employment are as follows:Estimates for 1984 are not available.
| Mid-year | Public Sector employment(000) | Percentage of total employed labour force† |
| 1979 | 7,417 | 29·3 |
| 1980 | 7,356 | 29·2 |
| 1981 | 7,154 | 29·6 |
| 1982 | 6,992 | 29·4 |
| 1983* | 6,895 | 29·3 |
| * Provisional. | ||
| †Source: Department of Employment Gazette, November 1983, Supplementary series. | ||
Departments (grouped by Ministerial responsibilities)
| Total Staff (full-time equivalents)*
|
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
| 11,844
|
| Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce | 615 |
Cabinet Office
| 504 |
| Management and Personnel Office (including Parliamentary Counsel) | 1,196 |
Chancellor of the Exchequer
| |
| Treasury | 2,382 |
| Customs and Excise | 25,251 |
| Inland Revenue | 71,450 |
| National Savings, Department for | 7,968 |
| Civil Service Catering Organisation | 1,348 |
| Government Actuary | 61 |
| Information, Central Office of | 966 |
| National Investment and Loans Office | 53 |
| Registry of Friendly Societies | 116 |
| Royal Mint | 1,011 |
| Her Majesty's Stationery Office | 3,904 |
Defence
| |
| Defence, Ministry of | 186,153 |
| Royal Ordnance Factories | 18,417 |
Education and Science
| |
| Education and Science, Department of | 2,367 |
| Victoria and Albert Museum | 629 |
| Science Museum | 483 |
Employment
| |
| Employment, Department of | 30,953 |
| Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service | 653 |
| Health and Safety Commission/Executive | 3,592 |
| Manpower Services Commission | 23,509 |
Energy, Department of | 1,091 |
Environment
| |
| DOE (excluding PSA) | 7,756 |
| PSA (excluding Supplies Division) | 25,934 |
| PSA (Supplies Division) | 1,953 |
| Ordnance Survey | 2,830 |
Foreign and Commonwealth
| |
| FCO | 9,249 |
| Overseas Development Administration | 1,761 |
Home
| |
| Home Office | 35,199 |
Lord Chancellor
| |
| Lord Chancellor's Department (including Public Trustee Office) | 10,151 |
| Land Registry | 6,572 |
| Public Record Office | 398 |
Northern Ireland Office
| 189 |
Paymaster General's Office
| 853 |
Scotland
| |
| Scottish Office | 10,194 |
| Scottish Courts Administration | 874 |
| General Register Office, Scotland | 275 |
| Registers of Scotland | 678 |
| Scottish Record Office | 126 |
Social Services
| |
| Health and Social Security, Department of | 90,142 |
| Office of Population Censuses and Surveys | 2,100 |
Trade and Industry
| |
| Trade and Industry, Department of | 12,956 |
| Export Credits Guarantee Department | 1,806 |
| Office of Fair Trading | 313 |
Departments (grouped by Ministerial responsibilities)
| Total Staff (full-time equivalents)*
|
| Transport, Department of | 14,179 |
| Wales Welsh Office | 2,177 |
Other Civil Departments
| |
| Charity Commission | 332 |
| Crown Estate Office | 107 |
| Crown Office (Scotland) and Procurator Fiscal Service | 943 |
| Director of Public Prosecutions | 223 |
| Law Officers' Department | 20 |
| Lord Advocate's Department | 21 |
| Office of Arts and Libraries | 44 |
| Privy Council Office | 31 |
| Treasury Solicitor | 447 |
| TOTAL ALL DEPARTMENTS | 636,349 |
*Part-time working more than 10 hours—counted as half units. | |
Civil Servants
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants in the United Kingdom earn salaries in excess of £15,000 per annum.
As at 1 April 1983 there were 17,900 civil servants whose basic salaries (i.e. excluding London weighting) were in excess of £15,000 per annum. These figures exclude the Northern Civil Service and the Northern Ireland court service.
Cable Television (Capital Allowances)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow 100 per cent. capital allowances on the laying of cable television cables.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) earlier today.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the savings in 1983–84 Government expenditure, for which he called in his statement of 7 July, involving a 1 per cent. cut in respect of the pay and central Government administration element and 2 per cent. on the remainder, are on course to being achieved; which Departments have now reported fully on their proposed adjustments; and if he will list Departments which have been wholly or partially exempted from the 1 per cent. or 2 per cent. reductions.
The savings I announced on 7 July are on course to being achieved, and outturn against the revised cash limits is being monitored in the usual way. In some programmes the reductions were allocated in such a way that some cash limits took less than their share (or were not reduced at all) and some correspondingly more. The Exchequer and Audit Department was not asked to make a reduction in view of its forthcoming change in status.
Corporation Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has received to the effect that provision should be made for the establishment of a market in corporation tax losses; and if he will make a statement.
I have received a copy of a paper issued for public discussion by the Institute of Directors proposing the introduction of a market in corporation tax losses. I am not at present satisfied that the proposal has advantages which would justify the very high Exchequer cost involved, but I have asked the institute to let me have its proposals for replacing the corporation tax yield which would be lost.
Argentina (British Firms)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to maintain pressure to withdraw Argentine offical observers or supervisors put in to oversee British firms in Argentina during the Falklands conflict.
We have consistently pressed for the reciprocal removal of economic and commercial restrictions remaining between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The message from the Prime Minister to the new Argentine President was intended to pave the way towards more normal relations. We hope that the new Argentine Government will be prepared to respond positively.
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in a full year of abolishing value added tax on all legal fees.
I regret that the information is not available to make a reasonable estimate. The tax charged in 1982–83 by persons registered for VAT as supplying legal services was about £300 million but the amount charged to clients who are themselves registered for VAT is deductible by those clients when calculating their own VAT liability.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in a full year of abolishing value added tax on house agents' fees.
It is estimated that the loss of revenue from the zero-rating of house agents fees would be of the order of £100–£125 million year.
Exports
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further evidence he has received to support his estimate in the autumn statement of a 4 per cent. growth in exports of goods and services in 1984.
Further evidence that reinforces the healthy outlook for exports includes:
First, in the three months August to October exports of goads were 3½ per cent. higher than in the previous three months. Second, the latest CBI monthly survey, which showed a further improvement in export order books. Third, the latest non-government forecasts as reported in t Financial Times on 5 December.
Deep Discount Securities
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the draft legislation on the tax treatment of deep discount securities issued by companies.
With my approval the Inland Revenue is today publishing draft legislation on the tax treatment of such securities. The broad principle is that the discount will be treated as income accruing over the life of the stock on a compound yield basis. But although the issuing company will only pay the discount on redemption it will be able to set against its annual profits that part of the discount which accrues each year. The holder of the stock, on the other hand, will be taxed on the discount only when he disposes of the stock or when it is redeemed. The Government believe that this will help to revive the corporate bond market by extending the range of borrowing instruments available to companies.The Government recognise that section 66 of the Bankruptcy Act 1914 has been interpreted as exposing potential purchasers of deep discounted and zero coupon bonds to the risk of disproportionate losses in the event of the company in which they had invested going bankrupt. Our present proposal is to legislate in the 1984–85 Session to deal with this problem along the lines recommended in chapter 31 of the Cork report.
Civil Service Catering
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the review of major issues considered by the scrutiny of Civil Service catering has been completed; and if he will make a statement.
Following the report of the scrutiny team which examined Civil Service catering, the Government said on 1 February last that they intended to review the major issues raised by the report in relation to the future role of the Civil Service Catering Organisation (CISCO), the scope for using more outside contractors and the subsidy arrangements. This review has now been carried out.The Government's conclusion is that the responsibility for the provision of catering for the Civil Service is primarily that for Departments, which must themselves meet the costs involved. CISCO will retain central control to enable consistency of standards to be achieved across the whole range of Civil Service catering facilities. In carrying out their responsibilities Departments will normally rely on CISCO to provide advice and guidance on all aspects of catering.Catering services will be open to competition. CISCO will provide such services where Departments wish to use them, but Departments will also be able to use contractors from outside the Civil Service, as indeed happens in a few cases at present. It is the intention that contractors and CISCO should compete for departmental catering work on an equal footing.Many Civil Service restaurants are currently run by departmental committees. As opportunity arises, Departments will be able to move to a more professional style of management, involving the use of CISCO or of outside contractors, as they may choose.CISCO will continue to charge Departments for services rendered in respect of advice and, where appropriate, for the actual provision of catering services. Plant and equipment required in the provision of catering services will normally be provided by the Department, whether for the use of CISCO or of a private contractor, as will accommodation, light and heat and cleaning.In the interests of encouraging efficiency and accountability, it is proposed that CISCO should be established as a trading fund under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973. The trading fund will be set an appropriate financial target reflecting its own costs and income, plus other suitable non-financial indicators of performance.The scrutiny report criticised the present subsidy arrangements as over-complicated. A new and simpler basis is proposed. An annual global sum will be determined based on the current level of subsidy. CISCO will prepare a framework tariff calculated on the basis of the global sum which is available and that tariff will be related to specifications of quality and quantity. The organisation providing the catering (whether CISCO, a departmental committee or a private contractor) will, where necessary, be paid by the Department for providing such a tariff on the basis of fixed price quotations settled in advance each financial year. Departments will have discretion, subject to normal Treasury financial controls, to vary the standard of service or tariff so determined. Where an enhanced service is provided it will be necessary for the Department to meet any additional costs involved.In the statement of 1 February the Government said that up to £1 million in total would be made available to carry out and evaluate an overall programme of pilot projects looking at alternative ways of providing catering within the Civil Service. This programme is under way, and the results of the projects will be evaluated when each has run its course.The statement of 1 February said that the Government accepted that more money needed to be spent on improving the provision of meals to their employees. In view of the criticisms in the scrutiny report of substandard facilities in some areas of Government catering, the Government therefore propose to provide a further sum of £1·65 million per annum over the five years beginning in 1984–85 in support of a special programme for the enhancement of catering facilities in Departments. Taken with increased departmental flexibility, the Government believe that this will improve accessibility and lead to greater usage by civil servants of the facilities provided.
Freeholds (Stamp Duty)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the stamp duty payable on the conveyance of a freehold subject to an agreement for a lease for a term exceeding 35 years.
The Board of Inland Revenue is advised that such a conveyance or transfer of a freehold or leasehold interest might not be properly stamped unless it is stamped on the basis that the consideration includes any sum payable under the agreement. The board is seeking further advice from leading counsel. Where the conveyance or transfer of a freehold or leasehold reversion has been submitted for an adjudication stamp under section 12 of the Stamp Act 1891 the board will not in the meantime assess the duty with which it is advised the instrument is chargeable, unless requested to do so.
House Sales
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing stamp duty on house sales in a full year; and if he will provide the corresponding figures for exempting charges made for conveyancing from value added tax.
I shall let the hon. Member have a repy as soon as possible.
Mortgage Interest
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the cost of mortgage interest tax relief in each year since 1963–64 at constant prices.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 December 1983]: The information is given in the following table below. The figures for years up to 1968–69 include the cost of relief for qualifying interest paid on the bank loans, which cannot be distinguished from mortgage loans in information available centrally.
| Estimated cost of mortgage interest relief | |
| £ million | |
| at 1963–64 prices* | |
| 1963–64 | 90 |
| 1964–65 | 106 |
| 1965–66 | 124 |
| 1966–67 | 137 |
| 1967–68 | 156 |
| 1968–69 | 160 |
| 1969–70 | 183 |
| 1970–71 | 207 |
| 1971–72 | 206 |
| 1972–73 | 227 |
| 1973–74 | 287 |
| 1974–75 | 331 |
| 1975–76 | 343 |
| 1976–77 | 362 |
| 1977–78 | 303 |
| 1978–79 | 298 |
| 1979–80 | 337 |
| 1980–81 | 391 |
| 1981–82 | 363 |
| 1982–83 | †360 |
| 1983–84 | ‡438 |
| * This column has been expressed in 1963–64 prices using the retail prices index. | |
| † Provisional. | |
| ‡ Excludes the estimated public expenditure element of mortgage interest relief at source voted on Class XIII Vote 7. | |
Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers, in each of the last five years, having been reclassified by the Inland Revenue as being employed rather than self-employed persons, have been assessed to a schedule E income tax liability in respect of any or all of the six years of assessment preceding that in which the reclassification was made.
[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1983]: I regret that the information requested is not available. It is not, however, the Inland Revenue's normal practice in such cases to seek to reassess previous years' liabilities under schedule E unless there is evidence that tax has been evaded in those years.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the trade union and other groups representative of blue and white collar labour who have reached agreement with Inland Revenue on the job categories on types of work assessable to (a) schedule D income tax and (b) schedule E income tax;(2) if he will give details of agreements reached by the Inland Revenue and labour representative groups on the job categories assessable to income tax on
(a) schedule D and (b) schedule E.
[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1983]: In carrying out its statutory function to administer the law, the Inland Revenue has reviewed the employment status of several groups of full-time and part-time workers. As part of these reviews, discussions have been held with:
- The Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians
- The National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees The National Union of Teachers
- The Association of University Teachers
- The Musicians Union
- The National Union of Journalists
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra revenue accrued to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, in each of the last five years, as a consequence of reclassifying taxpayers from a schedule D to a schedule E income tax liability.
[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1983]: I regret that the full information requested is not available. It is estimated, however, that the reviews of the tax treatment of the groups referred to in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend on 13 July — [c. 384–85.] will yield extra revenue in the region of £5m in 1983–84. The great bulk of this relates to income not previously declared to the Revenue.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that industrial managers are liable to taxation on their allowances when working away from their homes on the same basis as civil servants and hon. Members.
[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1983]: The same basic rules of income tax law are applicable to all taxpayers assessable under schedule E.
Britannia Building Society
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the £1·14 million under the special advances section of the Britannia building society in 1981 related to property already in the ownership of Berger-Gross.
Mr. Ian Stewart : This information is not available from the public record. As a general principle I do not think it is in the public interest for Ministers to disclose information which is not required to be placed on public record, such as that which is normally confidential as between a Building Society and its borrowers. Although with the consent of the two parties, it may occasionally be
appropriate to do so—as one of my predecessors did in answer to the hon. Member on 12 April—[Vol. 40, c. 370.]—I regard such circumstances as exceptional.
Social Services Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish for each year from 1979 to date the number of supplementary benefit claimants, together with the number of staff in local offices employed on supplementary benefit work;(2) if he will publish for each year from 1979 to date the number of staff, other than in local offices, employed on supplementary benefit work and the location of such staff;(3) if he will itemise the changes in work loads and responsibilities that have occurred in supplementary benefit work between 1979 and the present time; and what is his assessment of the effect of these changes on staff members in
(a) local offices and (b) other offices.
The supplementary benefit live load at May in each of the following years was:
| Table 1 | |||||
| Effective Date of Complement | Complementing Year | Complement | Changes | ||
| + | - | ||||
| 17 April 1979 | 1978–79 | 33,075 | |||
| Seasonal workers-procedural change. | 4 | ||||
| Reductions in visiting. | 140 | ||||
| Reduction in management posts. | 53 | ||||
| October 1978 flexible manning review. | 895 | ||||
| 1979–80 estimated workload increases. | 269 | ||||
| April 1979 flexible manning review. | 309 | ||||
| London Emergency Offices. | 8 | ||||
| Reduction in additional complement. | 800 | ||||
| +281 | -2,197 | ||||
| -1,916 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 18 April 1980 | 1979–80 | 31,159 | |||
| 1979–80 reductions for which work saving measures were to be found during the year. | 439 | ||||
| -439 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 15 April 1980 | 1979–80 | 30,720 | |||
| Claimants' fares. | 20 | ||||
| "Breaking the Mould" posts. | 526 | ||||
| October 1979 flexible manning review. | 458 | ||||
| 1980–81 estimated workload increases. | 2,114 | ||||
| +2,660 | -458 | ||||
| +2,202 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 16 April 1980 | 1980–81 | 32,922 | |||
| 14 April 1981 | 1980–81 | 32,922 | |||
| Introduction of new postal methods. | 10 | ||||
| Extension of fuel assistance scheme. | 54 | ||||
| Introduction of the taxation of Unemployment Benefit. | 58 | ||||
| Introduction of combined payments of Supplementary and Contributory Benefits. | 243 | ||||
| "Breaking the Mould" posts. | 76 | ||||
| 1981–82 reductions for which work saving measures were to be found during the year. | 695 | ||||
| Posts allocated to Legal Aid work. | 43 | ||||
| 1981–82 estimated workload increases. | 2,795 | ||||
| +2,917 | -1,057 | ||||
| +1,860 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 15 April 1981 | 1981–82 | 34,782 | |||
| 13 April 1982 | 1981–82 | 34,782 | |||
| 1982–83 estimated workload increases. | 1,319 | ||||
| Posts not matched by work cuts in 1981–82. | 516 | ||||
| Staff Inspection posts. | 80 | ||||
| Quarterly statistical enquiries. | 2 | ||||
| Taxation of Unemployment Benefit. | 6 | ||||
Numbers
| |
| 1979 | 2,998,179 |
| 1980 | 3,010,343 |
| 1981 | 3,467,076 |
| 1982 | 4,152,127 |
| 1983 | 4,474,489 |
Table 1 shows local office supplementary benefit complements since 17 April 1979. The work involved in dealing with claims is not a function of the number of claimants or claims but of their type and duration, and of efficiency in dealing with them. Table 1 also provides an account of how policy changes and efficiency measures have partly offset other factors leading to an increase (shown as work load changes) in local office supplementary benefit business. The bulk of supplementary benefit work falls on such offices; and while it is not possible to provide the same detail for other parts of the Department, Tables 2a and 2b show a comparable record of efficiency similarly creditable to the Department's managers and the resourcefulness of its staff.
Effective Date of Complement
| Complementing Year
| Complement
| Changes
| ||
+
| -
| ||||
17 April 1979
| 1978–79
| 33,075
| |||
| Extension of quarterly signing. | 16 | ||||
| Extension of long term scale rates. | 70 | ||||
| "Breaking of Mould" posts. | 660 | ||||
| Review of the Management Formula. | 99 | ||||
| Changes in Liable relative procedures. | 400 | ||||
| Reduction in visiting the unemployed. | 240 | ||||
| Changes in paying the unemployed. | 600 | ||||
| +2,009 | -1,999 | ||||
| +10 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 14 April 1982 | 1982–83 | 34,792 | |||
| April 1982 flexible manning review. | 1,265 | ||||
| Work cuts to help finance the 1982 Civil Service pay settlement | 320 | ||||
| Introduction of housing benefit (partial start). | 622 | ||||
| Introduction of postal claim form. | 1,103 | ||||
| Increase in the capital cut-off. | 105 | ||||
| Service to the public. | 103 | ||||
| +1,473 | -2,045 | ||||
| -572 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 12 April 1983 | 1983–84 | 34,220 | |||
| 1984–83 estimated workload increase. | 2,586 | ||||
| Expected extra take up of benefit. | 510 | ||||
| Child Benefit-procedural change. | 14 | ||||
| Introduction of equal treatment. | 183 | ||||
| Devolution of work from regional to local offices. | 115 | ||||
| Introduction of housing benefit. | 1,823 | ||||
| Introduction of job splitting scheme. | 61 | ||||
| Introduction of youth training scheme. | 85 | ||||
| Introduction of Community Programme. | 101 | ||||
| NHS claims-procedural change. | 28 | ||||
| "Breaking the Mould" posts. | 240 | ||||
| +3,408 | -2,338 | ||||
| +1,070 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 13 April 1983 | 1983–84 | 35,290 | |||
| July 1983 flexible manning review. | 818 | ||||
| 1983 Budget procedural changes. | 426 | ||||
| Absence Factor posts. | 492 | ||||
| +1,736 | |||||
| +1,736 | ----Net effect | ||||
| 3 August 1983 | 1983–84 | 37,026 | |||
Notes.
The complements exclude security guards, cleaners and legal aid assessment staff.
"Breaking the Mould" refers to an initiative under which 1,000 posts were added, partly in 1978 and partly in 1980, for work in such areas as 'unemployment review'. These posts have been gradually withdrawn in later years.
| TABLE 2A | ||||||
| Posts allocated to supplementary benefits work in regional offices | ||||||
Region (1979)
| 1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1983–84
| Region (1983)
|
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 32 | 31 | 32 | 54 | 30 | North Eastern |
| Northern | 23 | 21 | 25 | |||
| Merseyside | 38 | 39 | 39 | 42 | 54 | North Western |
| North West (Manchester) | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | ||
| West Midlands | 28 | 28 | 28 | 51 | 48 | Midlands |
| East Midlands and East Anglia | 26 | 28 | 28 | |||
| London North | 32 | 34 | 35 |
57
56
|
54
54
|
London North
London South
|
| London West | 34 | 32 | 32 | |||
| London South | 45 | 45 | 45 | |||
| South Western | 38 | 38 | 37 | 29 | 18 | Wales and South Western |
| Wales | 26 | 28 | 28 | |||
| Scotland | 47 | 48 | 48 | 57 | 55 | Scotland |
Table 2b
| |
Posts Allocated to Supplementary Benefits Work in Headquarters
| |
Year
| |
| 1979–80 | 588 |
| 1980–81 | 574 |
Year
| |
| 1981–82 | 541 |
| 1982–83 | 500 |
| 1983–84 | 480 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table estimating the number of pensioners likely to be dependent on supplementary benefit and/or housing benefit when the state earnings-related pension matures in 1998 compared with the present time, using the same prices, earnings, and benefit uprating assumptions as in the Government Actuary's first quinquennial review, but assuming that rents and rates increase on average by (a) 0 per cent., (b) 5 per cent. and (c) 10 per cent. faster than the retail price index.
Projections are not available in the form requested and could be derived only at disproportionate cost. Any such estimates are very sensitive to the assumptions used, the policy for uprating benefits and the relative difference between movements in prices and earnings. As a broad indication, however, using assumptions similar to those used by the Government Actuary in appendix H of his report on the long-term financial estimates for the national insurance fund (HC 451: 1982), and using the latest available data, which do not reflect the changes consequent to the introduction of the housing benefit scheme, the number of supplementary pensioners could fall to about one million by the end of the century and even lower as the pensions scheme approaches full maturity in the early decades of the next century.
Home Helps
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that local authorities should not impose charges for home helps at supplementary benefit levels of income.
Local authorities have power to make reasonable charges for their home help services at their discretion. We would prefer local authorities not to charge those at supplementary benefit levels of income or below for home help services.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is the policy of his Department that the costs at supplementary benefit levels of income of privately employed home helps should be refunded whereas those provided by local authorities should not.
Yes. In assessing a person's weekly requirements for supplementary benefit purposes, charges made for essential domestic assistance are taken into account, other than for assistance provided by a local authority or by a close relative who incurs only minimal expenses.
Social Surveys
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what his Department has spent on social surveys in each of the last three years.
The cost of surveys has been as follows:
| Year | £ |
| 1981–82 | 290,000 |
| 1982–83 | 160,000 |
| 1983–84 | 80,000 |
In addition some social survey work has been undertaken in the course of research projects funded by the Department. The cost is not separately identified.
Community Health Care
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken by his Department to attract recently retired men and women into involvement with and participation in the administration, remedial and social work of community health care; and if any further action is contemplated.
Recently retired men and women already play an indispensable role in many forms of voluntary activity. Much of this is assisted under the Department's programmes, including the recently extended opportunities for volunteering scheme whose grants can make it possible for prematurely retired people (among other unemployed people) to take part in local voluntary projects in the health and social services field. So far as community health care in particular is concerned, the encouragement of greater participation in local voluntary work is primarily a matter for district health authorities.
Supplementary Benefit (Children)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the supplementary benefit scale rates for children aged five to 10 years.
No. To simplify the supplementary benefit scale rates, the number of rates for children was reduced from five to three in 1980. One rate for children under 11 replaced the previous two rates for children under five and children aged five to 10. The real value of the rate for children under five was increased. To increase the rate for children aged five to 10 would mean returning to two rates for children under 11, which would be an unnecessary complication. Since November 1978 the real value of the scale rate for children aged five to 10 has increased by 5 per cent.
Rent And Rate Rebates (Waltham Forest)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest available figure for the numbers of people in the London borough of Waltham Forest receiving rent and rate rebates; and if such information will continue to be obtainable from his Department.
Information provided by the London borough of Waltham Forest indicates that the number of householders in receipt of housing benefit at 18 July 1983 was as follows:
| Rent rebates | Rent allowances | Rate rebates | |
| Certified claimants | 6,862 | 3,192 | 12,234 |
| Standard claimants | 5,693 | 3,819 | 17,604 |
| 12,555 | 7,011 | 29,838 |
Note:
Certified beneficiaries are those also in receipt of supplementary benefit.
Local authorities should themselves be able to continue to provide information of this nature.
National Health Service (Links With United States)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what links the National Health Service has with pre-medical schools in the United States; what value these links are to the National Health Service; and what is the cost of them to the National Health Service.
I am not aware of any links of this kind.
Health Centre (Leyton)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to establish a health centre in Leyton.
The provision of a health centre in Leyton is a matter for the Waltham Forest health authority to consider.
National Health Service (Security)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many security personnel are employed in the National Health Service; and how many have been employed in each of the last five years.
At 30 September 1982 there were 220 whole time equivalent security officers and patrolmen/women employed in the NHS. The corresponding figure for 1981 was 210. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has about assaults on National Health Service workers on National Health Service premises and on their way to and from work.
There is no information available centrally.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether security staff will be affected by manpower cuts in the National Health Service.
All directly employed staff in the NHS are included in the manpower targets exercise for March 1984. It is for health authorities themselves to determine how these are allocated among staff groups, in the light of local circumstances and priorities.
Unemployment Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the total cost of unemployment benefits in 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1982–83, and the estimated cost to date.
The cost of unemployment benefit and of supplementary benefit paid to unemployed people was:
| £ million | |
| 1979–80 | 1,420 |
| 1980–81 | 2,470 |
| 1981–82 | 4,010 |
| 1982–83 | 5,050† |
| 1983–84* | 6,020† |
| * Estimate | |
| † Includes housing benefit from November 1982 for recipients of supplementary benefit. | |
Solvent Abuse
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the present law is adequate for the purpose of bringing care proceedings in cases of chronic solvent abuse; and if he has considered taking new powers to protect children found to be under the influence of solvents.
Cases of persistent solvent misuse can be drawn to the attention of Social Services Departments as an indication of the need for care proceedings under the Children and Young Persons Act. This would be appropriate if the young person's proper development was being avoidably prevented or neglected, or his health was being avoidably impaired or neglected.We are satisfied therefore that sufficient grounds already exist to enable care proceedings to be brought in cases of chronic solvent misuse, and we do not contemplate taking new powers.
International Population Conference
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the names and positions of the officials who will represent Her Majesty's Government at the meeting in January of the preparatory committee for the international population conference.
The representation will be as follows:
J. H. Thompson:—United Kingdom representative on the Population Commission of the United Nations; Chief Statistician, Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. Dr. S. M. Macrae: — Population Adviser, Overseas Development Administration. B. M. Kelly:—Health and Population Division, Overseas Development Administration. P. J. Hilton:—Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations, New York.
National Health Service (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Liverpool community health councils concerning cuts in public expenditure on the National Health Service; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
I have received no representations recently from the Liverpool community health councils concerning public expenditure in the National Health Service.
Clothing Allowances
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make arrangements for those who are engaged, part-time, as labourers on Manpower Service Commission courses, to be eligible in the same way as those employed as labourers on such courses, full-time, to be able to secure lump sum payments from his Department to pay for working clothes and boots.
The Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations provide for such payments to be made only when the claimant is starting full-time work, including full-time work on the Manpower Services Commission's community programme, but not training courses. I accept that there are arguments for amending these regulations to cover part-time work as well as full-time work, but any decision to do so must depend on the availability of resources and other priorities for improvement to the supplementary benefit scheme.
National Health Service (Clinical Psychologists)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many clinical psychologists are employed within the National Health Service; and if he will list their numbers, district by district or region by region in the Official Report.
Following are the figures at 30 September 1982, the latest date for which figures in this detail are available:
| England | Numbers |
| Region | |
| Northern | 74 |
| Yorkshire | 86 |
| Trent | 85 |
| East Anglian | 56 |
| North West Thames | 118 |
| North East Thames | 130 |
| South East Thames | 133 |
| South West Thames | 106 |
| Wessex | 54 |
| Oxford | 44 |
| South Western | 87 |
| West Midlands | 125 |
| Mersey | 58 |
| North Western | 141 |
| Boards of Governors for Special Health Authorities and Special Hospitals | 22 |
| 1,319 | |
| Scotland | 151 |
| Wales | 75 |
| Great Britain Total | 1,545 |
| Value of child support* for each child in standard rate tax-paying families expressed at November 19831† prices | |||||||||
| Date‡ | Children under age 11 | Children aged 11–15 | Children aged 16 and over | ||||||
| First child | Second child | Third║ | First child | Second child | Third║ | First child | Second child | Third║ | |
| April 1953 | 6·20 | 8·30 | 8·30 | 6·20 | 8·30 | 8·30 | 6·20 | 8·30 | 8·30 |
| April 1954 | 6·17 | 8·25 | 8·25 | 6·17 | 8·25 | 8·25 | 6·17 | 8·25 | 8·25 |
| April 1955 | 6·60 | 8·78 | 8·78 | 6·60 | 8·78 | 8·78 | 6·60 | 8·78 | 8·78 |
| April 1956 | 6·15 | 8·10 | 8·10 | 6·15 | 8·10 | 8·10 | 6·15 | 8·10 | 8·10 |
| April 1957 | 6·>05 | 7·96 | 8·55 | 7·52 | 9·51 | 9·95 | 9·07 | 10·99 | 11·50 |
| April 1958 | 5·77 | 7·59 | 8·16 | 7·17 | 9·07 | 9·49 | 8·65 | 10·48 | 10·97 |
| April 1959 | 5·28 | 7·18 | 7·67 | 6·54 | 8·51 | 9·01 | 7·88 | 9·78 | 10·34 |
| April 1960 | 5·24 | 7·13 | 7·68 | 6·50 | 8·45 | 8·94 | 7·82 | 9·71 | 10·27 |
| April 1961 | 5·10 | 6·94 | 7·48 | 6·33 | 8·23 | 8·71 | 7·62 | 9·45 | 10·00 |
| April 1962 | 4·83 | 6·56 | 7·08 | 5·98 | 7·79 | 8·24 | 7·21 | 8·94 | 9·46 |
| April 1963 | 5·42 | 7·13 | 7·63 | 6·56 | 8·39 | 8·77 | 7·76 | 9·52 | 9·96 |
| April 1964 | 5·32 | 6·98 | 7·48 | 6·43 | 8·22 | 8·59 | 7·60 | 9·33 | 9·77 |
| April 1965 | 5·33 | 6·97 | 7·32 | 6·50 | 8·08 | 8·49 | 7·67 | 9·25 | 9·66 |
| April 1966 | 5·14 | 6·73 | 7·07 | 6·27 | 7·80 | 8·20 | 7·41 | 8·93 | 9·33 |
| April 1967 | 4·99 | 6·53 | 6·86 | 6·09 | 7·57 | 7·96 | 7·19 | 8·67 | 9·06 |
| April 1968 | 4·78 | 5·99 | 6·36 | 5·83 | 7·04 | 7·36 | 6·88 | 8·04 | 8·41 |
| April 1969 | 4·53 | 5·92 | 6·27 | 5·53 | 6·92 | 7·27 | 6·54 | 7·92 | 8·22 |
| April 1970 | 4·29 | 5·61 | 5·94 | 5·23 | 6·55 | 6·88 | 6·18 | 7·50 | 7·78 |
| April 1971 | 5·00 | 6·33 | 6·64 | 5·77 | 7·15 | 7·45 | 6·59 | 7·93 | 8·23 |
| April 1972 | 4·70 | 5·96 | 6·24 | 5·43 | 6·73 | 7·01 | 6·20 | 7·46 | 7·74 |
| April 1973 | 4·27 | 5·34 | 5·60 | 5·05 | 6·09 | 6·35 | 5·68 | 6·72 | 6·93 |
| April 1974 | 4·90 | 5·80 | 6·03 | 5·64 | 6·48 | 6·73 | 6·25 | 7·09 | 7·35 |
| April 1975 | 4·29 | 5·93 | 5·93 | 4·90 | 6·54 | 6·54 | 5·43 | 7·10 | 7·10 |
| April 1976 | 4·50 | 5·90 | 5·90 | 5·01 | 6·41 | 6·41 | 5·48 | 6·86 | 6·86 |
| April 1977 | 4·32 | 4·95 | 4·95 | 4·76 | 5·39 | 5·39 | 5·14 | 5·75 | 5·75 |
| April 1978 | 5·15 | 5·15 | 5·15 | 5·55 | 5·55 | 5·55 | 5·89 | 5·89 | 5·89 |
| April 1979‡ | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 | 6·38 |
| November 1980 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 | 5·92 |
Note: The whole-time equivalent of the total shown above is 1,395·1.
Family Holiday Association
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the Family Holiday Association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 27 February 1984 to 2 March 1984.
Road Accidents (Costs)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the total annual cost to the country of road accidents; and how much of this is a cost to the National Health Service.
I have been asked to reply.It is estimated that the overall cost of road accidents in 1982 (including an allowance for pain, grief and suffering) was some £2,375 million and that medical and ambulance costs accounted for between 3 and 3½ per cent. of this figure.
Child Allowances
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a table showing the combined value of child tax allowance after clawback and family allowances or child benefit for each year since 1953 expressed at November 1983 prices, for the first, second, third and each subsequent child aged under 11 years, 11 to 16 years and over 16 years in standard rate taxpaying families.
[pursuant to his reply, 1 December 1983, c. 615]: The information requested is as follows:
Date‡
| Children under age 11
| Children aged 11–15
| Children aged 16 and over
| ||||||
First child
| Second child
| Third║
| First child
| Second child
| Third║
| First child
| Second child
| Third║
| |
| November 1981 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 | 5·85 |
| November 1982 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 | 6·13 |
| November 1983 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 | 6·50 |
* The combined value of child tax allowances after clawback and family allowance/child benefit. | |||||||||
| † Based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices at November 1983, the latest date available. | |||||||||
| ‡ Child tax allowance ceased after the 1978–79 tax year and uprating dates are shown from 1979 onwards. | |||||||||
║ and subsequent children. | |||||||||
Housing Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average weekly amount of housing benefit supplement payments to claimants since April 1983.
[pursuant to his reply, 5 December 1983, c. 58.]: An average for the period since April 1983 is not available. In August 1983 the average weekly amount of housing benefit supplement in payment was £2·83.
Children's Health Services
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of his Department's budget was spent on children's health services each year from 1972 to the latest convenient date; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 December 1983, c. 228.]: Expenditure on children's health services is not identified separately. The Department makes estimates of hospital and community health services and family practitioner services expenditure by broad age groups. The estimated percentage of total expenditure on
| Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—Northern Regional Health Authority | |||||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | ||||
| District Health Authority | All cases | Cases on list for more than one month | All cases | Cases on list for more than one year | Total cases |
| Hartlepool | 26 | 7 | 1,744 | 342 | 1,770 |
| North Tees | 3 | — | 1,693 | 397 | 1,696 |
| South Tees | 227 | 181 | 9,959 | 3,683 | 10,186 |
| East Cumbria | 22 | 17 | 3,024 | 753 | 3,046 |
| South Cumbria | 18 | 2 | 1,154 | 135 | 1,172 |
| West Cumbria | 23 | 5 | 1,731 | 227 | 1,754 |
| Darlington | 81 | 34 | 2,954 | 361 | 3,035 |
| Durham | 10 | — | 1,260 | 227 | 1,270 |
| North West Durham | 30 | 24 | 793 | 291 | 823 |
| South West Durham | — | — | 744 | 162 | 744 |
| Northumberland | 218 | 192 | 1,632 | 260 | 1,850 |
| Gateshead | 104 | 66 | 1,223 | 245 | 1,327 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 1,938 | 1,639 | 9,566 | 2,686 | 11,504 |
| North Tyneside | 9 | 2 | 1,298 | 162 | 1,307 |
| South Tyneside | — | — | 828 | 70 | 828 |
| Sunderland | 142 | 109 | 5,112 | 635 | 5,254 |
| TOTAL | 2,851 | 2,278 | 44,715 | 10,656 | 47,566 |
these services spent on children up to the age of 15 for each of the years 1978–79 to 1981–82 is given below; during this period the number of children has fallen slightly. Comparable information for earlier years is not readily available.
Estimated percentage of HCHS and FPS expenditure on children aged up to 15 years
| |
England
| per cent.
|
| 1978–79 | 15 |
| 1979–80 | 14 |
| 1980–81 | 14 |
| 1981–82 | 14 |
Hospital Waiting Lists
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of urgent and non-urgent patients on hospital waiting lists in each health district; how many urgent cases have been on each list for more than a month; and how many non-urgent cases on each list for more than a year.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 December 1983, c. 233.] The latest available information is as follows:
| Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—Yorkshire regional health authority | |||||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | ||||
| District Health Authority | All cases | Cases on list for more than one month | All cases | Cases on list for more than one year | Total cases |
| Hull | 55 | 39 | 7,019 | 2,234 | 7,074 |
| East Yorkshire | — | — | 1,594 | 468 | 1,594 |
| Grimsby | 19 | 12 | 2,474 | 850 | 2,493 |
| Scunthorpe | 44 | 28 | 5,135 | 946 | 5,179 |
| Northallerton | — | — | 687 | 9 | 687 |
| York | 2 | — | 3,249 | 653 | 3,251 |
| Scarborough | 87 | 66 | 1,989 | 292 | 2,076 |
| Harrogate | 20 | 13 | 1,334 | 228 | 1,354 |
| Bradford | 188 | 119 | 5,715 | 684 | 5,903 |
| Airedale | 196 | 161 | 1,606 | 422 | 1,802 |
| Calderdale | 6 | 2 | 1,209 | 112 | 1,215 |
| Huddersfield | 6 | 5 | 2,914 | 619 | 2,920 |
| Dewsbury | 12 | 2 | 1,134 | 93 | 1,146 |
| Leeds Western | 477 | 267 | 4,229 | 1,181 | 4,706 |
| Leeds Eastern | 855 | 715 | 5,129 | 1,717 | 5,984 |
| Wakefield | 121 | 63 | 3,420 | 614 | 3,541 |
| Pontefract | 66 | 28 | 2,245 | 670 | 2,311 |
| Total | 2,154 | 1,520 | 51,082 | 11,792 | 53,236 |
| Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—Trent Regional Health Authority | |||||
| District Health Authority | Urgent | Non-urgent | |||
| All cases | Cases on list for more than one month | All cases | Cases on list for more than one year | Total cases | |
| North Derbyshire | 421 | 355 | 3,160 | 1,217 | 3,581 |
| South Derbyshire | 150 | 53 | 6,439 | 2,433 | 6,589 |
| Leicestershire | 452 | 235 | 6,514 | 1,476 | 6,966 |
| North Lincolnshire | 274 | 177 | 3,542 | 1,145 | 3,816 |
| South Lincolnshire | 159 | 136 | 4,103 | 1,965 | 4,262 |
| Bassetlaw | 39 | 22 | 877 | 269 | 916 |
| Central Nottinghamshire | 92 | 34 | 7,418 | 3,339 | 7,510 |
| Nottingham | 652 | 508 | 10,633 | 4,227 | 11,285 |
| Barnsley | 102 | 38 | 3,602 | 1,076 | 3,704 |
| Doncaster | 535 | 447 | 5,264 | 1,962 | 5,799 |
| Rotherham | 168 | 136 | 4,008 | 1,392 | 4,176 |
| Sheffield | 1,555 | 1,012 | 12,661 | 5,125 | 14,216 |
| Total | 4,599 | 3,153 | 68,221 | 25,626 | 72,820 |
| Number of Persons on In-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—East Anglian Regional Health Authority | |||||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | ||||
| District Health Authority | All cases | Cases on list for more than one month | All cases | Cases on list for more than one year | Total cases |
| Cambridge | 632 | 394 | 6,364 | 2,365 | 6,996 |
| Peterborough | 128 | 48 | 3,716 | 712 | 3,844 |
| West Suffolk | 53 | 38 | 2,070 | 415 | 2,123 |
| East Suffolk | 65 | 31 | 3,050 | 436 | 3,115 |
| Norwich | 1,673 | 1,127 | 9,172 | 3,534 | 10,845 |
| Great Yarmouth | 418 | 366 | 3,652 | 409 | 4,070 |
| West Norfolk and Wisbech | 65 | 33 | 1,500 | 172 | 1,565 |
| Huntingdon | 6 | — | 407 | 7 | 413 |
| TOTAL | 3,040 | 2,037 | 29,931 | 8,050 | 32,971 |
| Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—North West Thames Regional Health Authority | |||||
| Urgent | Non-urgent | ||||
| District Health Authority | All cases | Cases on list for more than one month | All cases | Cases on list for more than one year | Total cases |
| North Bedfordshire | 91 | 32 | 2,423 | 602 | 2,514 |
| South Bedfordshire | 53 | 15 | 2,276 | 864 | 2,329 |
| North Hertfordshire | 26 | 11 | 3,105 | 1,061 | 3,131 |
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| East Hertfordshire | 35 | 34 | 1,767 | 62 | 1,802 |
| North West Hertfordshire | 8 | — | 2,955 | 381 | 2,963 |
| South West Hertfordshire | 400 | 219 | 1,808 | 758 | 2,208 |
| Barnet | 233 | 96 | 3,525 | 651 | 3,758 |
| Harrow | 3 | 3 | 1,506 | 4 | 1,509 |
| Hillingdon | 646 | 438 | 5,509 | 2,341 | 6,155 |
| Hounslow and Spelthorne | 174 | 17 | 3,068 | 729 | 3,242 |
| Ealing | 170 | 123 | 1,236 | 359 | 1,406 |
| Brent | 207 | 138 | 1,786 | 304 | 1,993 |
| Paddington | 121 | 92 | 2,493 | 429 | 2,614 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 576 | 493 | 2,523 | 929 | 3,099 |
| Victoria | 9 | 3 | 2,820 | 47 | 2,829 |
| Total | 2,752 | 1,714 | 38,800 | 9,521 | 41,552 |
Number of Persons on In-patient Waiting Lists on 31 March 1983 Region—North East Thames Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Basildon and Thurrock | 485 | 387 | 6,045 | 2,943 | 6,530 |
| Mid Essex | 190 | 37 | 3,074 | 624 | 3,264 |
| North East Essex | 203 | 47 | 2,996 | 574 | 3,199 |
| West Essex | 2 | — | 3,095 | 410 | 3,097 |
| Southend | 595 | 302 | 2,669 | 738 | 3,264 |
| Barking, Havering and Brentwood | 158 | 120 | 4,505 | 941 | 4,663 |
| Hampstead | 30 | 22 | 1,686 | 398 | 1,716 |
| Bloomsbury | 238 | 70 | 10,874 | 1,300 | 11,112 |
| Islington | 225 | 118 | 926 | 114 | 1,151 |
| City and Hackney | 1,058 | 776 | 3,799 | 747 | 4,857 |
| Newham | 181 | 140 | 1,819 | 251 | 2,000 |
| Tower Hamlets | 1,391 | 1,191 | 4,437 | 1,951 | 5,828 |
| Enfield | 29 | 7 | 2,789 | 821 | 2,818 |
| Haringey | 119 | 49 | 1,337 | 234 | 1,456 |
| Redbridge | 38 | 19 | 1,671 | 149 | 1,709 |
| Waltham Forest | 96 | 28 | 3,621 | 973 | 3,717 |
| Total | 5,038 | 3,313 | 55,343 | 13,168 | 60,381 |
Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—South East Thames regional health authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Brighton | 158 | 2 | 3,643 | — | 3,801 |
| Eastbourne | 64 | 32 | 2,461 | 537 | 2,525 |
| Hastings | 105 | 55 | 2,582 | 589 | 2,687 |
| South East Kent | 57 | 22 | 4,167 | 967 | 4,224 |
| Canterbury and Thanes | 379 | 166 | 3,937 | 1,098 | 4,316 |
| Dartford and Gravesham | 19 | 7 | 3,217 | 488 | 3,236 |
| Maidstone | 109 | 64 | 1,918 | 634 | 2,027 |
| Medway | 526 | 464 | 3,013 | 980 | 3,539 |
| Tunbridge Wells | 454 | 286 | 6,086 | 2,857 | 6,540 |
| Bexley | 6 | 5 | 1,199 | 108 | 1,205 |
| Greenwich | 4 | 3 | 2,729 | 169 | 2,733 |
| Bromley | 292 | 8 | 1,859 | 288 | 2,151 |
| West Lambeth | 958 | 856 | 4,168 | 1,340 | 5,126 |
| Camberwell | 108 | 65 | 3,088 | 671 | 3,196 |
| Lewisham and North Southwark | 774 | 278 | 4,374 | 803 | 5,148 |
| TOTAL | 4,013 | 2,313 | 48,441 | 11,529 | 52,454 |
Number of persons on in-patient waiting list on 31 March 1983 Region—South-West Thames Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| North West Surrey | 275 | 250 | 2,220 | 394 | 2,495 |
| West Surrey and North East Hants | 1,040 | 940 | 2,831 | 664 | 3,871 |
| South West Surrey | 132 | 39 | 3,233 | 940 | 3,365 |
| Mid Surrey | 474 | 329 | 1,856 | 489 | 2,330 |
| East Surrey | 22 | 22 | 1,467 | 63 | 1,489 |
| Chichester | 219 | 203 | 2,450 | 1,240 | 2,669 |
| Mid Downs | 93 | 47 | 2,585 | 413 | 2,678 |
| Worthing | 299 | 192 | 3,629 | 1,167 | 3,928 |
| Croydon | 130 | 40 | 2,884 | 568 | 3,014 |
| Kingston and Esher | 194 | 125 | 2,869 | 1,075 | 3,063 |
| Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton | 202 | 111 | 2,206 | 894 | 2,408 |
| Wandsworth | 312 | 57 | 3,169 | 434 | 3,481 |
| Merton and Sutton | 811 | 368 | 2,689 | 232 | 3500 |
| TOTAL | 4,203 | 2,723 | 34,088 | 8,537 | 38,291 |
Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—Wessex Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| East Dorset | 1,259 | 971 | 4,264 | 956 | 5,523 |
| West Dorset | 172 | 123 | 2,130 | 362 | 2,302 |
| Portsmouth | 293 | 119 | 6,588 | 2,250 | 6,881 |
| South West Hampshire and Southampton | 1,606 | 1,261 | 7,723 | 2,424 | 9,329 |
| Winchester | 85 | 43 | 2,287 | 475 | 2,372 |
| Basingstoke | 103 | 78 | 3,408 | 1,045 | 3,511 |
| Salisbury | 115 | 40 | 4,881 | 1,891 | 4,996 |
| Swindon | 178 | 81 | 2,799 | 405 | 2,977 |
| West Wiltshire and Bath | 1,319 | 1,148 | 6,178 | 2,512 | 7,497 |
| Isle of Wight | 10 | — | 1,291 | 122 | 1,301 |
| Total | 5,140 | 3,864 | 41,549 | 12,442 | 46,689 |
Numbers of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—Oxford Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| East Berkshire | 573 | 463 | 7,765 | 2,844 | 8,338 |
| West Berkshire | 154 | 34 | 3,343 | 216 | 3,497 |
| Aylesbury | 442 | 271 | 5,344 | 2,486 | 5,786 |
| Wycombe | 18 | — | 1,140 | 36 | 1,158 |
| Milton Keynes | 2 | — | 1 | — | 3 |
| Kettering | 26 | 19 | 2,785 | 1,180 | 2,811 |
| Northampton | 547 | 196 | 6,844 | 3,553 | 7,391 |
| Oxfordshire | 246 | 85 | 7,674 | 1,359 | 7,920 |
| TOTAL | 2,008 | 1,068 | 34,896 | 11,674 | 36,904 |
Numbers of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—South Western Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Bristol and Weston | 542 | 336 | 6,232 | 1,039 | 6,774 |
| Frenchay | 84 | 25 | 5,901 | 3,999 | 5,985 |
| Southmead | 354 | 151 | 2,705 | 705 | 3,059 |
| Cornwall and Isles of Scilly | 275 | 214 | 5,035 | 1,883 | 5,310 |
| Exeter | 140 | 34 | 4,529 | 1,038 | 4,669 |
| North Devon | 8 | — | 1,635 | 84 | 1,643 |
| Plymouth | 545 | 401 | 5,321 | 1,980 | 5,866 |
| Torbay | 28 | 10 | 2,702 | 885 | 2,730 |
| Cheltenham | 20 | 6 | 1,811 | 300 | 1,831 |
| Gloucester | 403 | 209 | 4,615 | 1,735 | 5,018 |
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Somerset | 629 | 415 | 4,347 | 1,501 | 4,976 |
| TOTAL | 3,028 | 1,801 | 44,833 | 15,149 | 47,861 |
Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—West Midlands Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Bromsgrove and Redditch | 22 | 12 | 1,678 | 347 | 1,700 |
| Herefordshire | 59 | 21 | 2,511 | 918 | 2,570 |
| Kidderminster and District | 3 | — | 1,085 | 121 | 1,088 |
| Worcester and District | 8 | 2 | 2,392 | 350 | 2,400 |
| Shropshire | 219 | 103 | 7,977 | 2,064 | 8,196 |
| Mid Staffordshire | 15 | — | 2,423 | 1,004 | 2,438 |
| North Staffordshire | 433 | 334 | 9,216 | 3,524 | 9,649 |
| South East Staffordshire | 40 | 31 | 2,306 | 563 | 2,346 |
| Rugby | 17 | 17 | 801 | 306 | 818 |
| North Warwickshire | 46 | 11 | 1,727 | 687 | 1,773 |
| South Warwickshire | 165 | 79 | 3,129 | 908 | 3,294 |
| Central Birmingham | 650 | 425 | 7,117 | 1,708 | 7,767 |
| East Birmingham | 664 | 383 | 3,255 | 2,025 | 3,919 |
| North Birmingham | 107 | 75 | 2,513 | 738 | 2,620 |
| South Birmingham | 306 | 237 | 6,704 | 3,088 | 7,010 |
| West Birmingham | 236 | 186 | 3,706 | 1,014 | 3,942 |
| Coventry | 560 | 428 | 8,279 | 3,843 | 8,839 |
| Dudley | 205 | 109 | 4,940 | 2,607 | 5,145 |
| Sandwell | 21 | 8 | 1,667 | 229 | 1,688 |
| Solihull | 11 | — | 2,279 | 762 | 2,290 |
| Walsall | 5 | 1 | 3,039 | 1,410 | 3,044 |
| Wolverhampton | 133 | 51 | 3,429 | 768 | 3,562 |
| Total | 3,925 | 2,513 | 82,173 | 28,984 | 86,098 |
Number of Persons on In-patient Waiting Lists on 31 March 1983 Region—Mersey Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Chester | 104 | 45 | 2,572 | 417 | 2,676 |
| Crewe | 603 | 521 | 4,599 | 2,217 | 5,202 |
| Halton | — | — | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Macclesfield | 291 | 235 | 1,929 | 1,305 | 2,220 |
| Warrington | 102 | 94 | 2,834 | 1,501 | 2,936 |
| Liverpool | 495 | 318 | 7,813 | 1,792 | 8,308 |
| St. Helens and Knowsley | — | — | 3,142 | 972 | 3,142 |
| North Sefton | 33 | 17 | 1,344 | 277 | 1,377 |
| South Sefton | 84 | 50 | 6,642 | 2,354 | 6,726 |
| Wirral | 420 | 232 | 3,171 | 481 | 3,591 |
| TOTAL | 2,132 | 1,512 | 34,055 | 11,317 | 36,187 |
Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Region—North Western Regional Health Authority
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Lancaster | 158 | 84 | 1,634 | 452 | 1,792 |
| Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde | 363 | 189 | 3,487 | 935 | 3,850 |
| Preston | 242 | 172 | 4,535 | 2,194 | 4,777 |
| Blackburn, Hyndbum and Ribble Valley | 24 | — | 2,816 | 1,118 | 2,840 |
| Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale | 202 | 134 | 3,219 | 1,155 | 3,421 |
| West Lancashire | 5 | — | 2,156 | 542 | 2,161 |
| Chorley and South Ribble | — | — | 741 | 156 | 741 |
| Bolton | 48 | 10 | 3,096 | 1,007 | 3,144 |
| Bury | — | — | 1,004 | 133 | 1,004 |
| North Manchester | 171 | 108 | 4,019 | 693 | 4,190 |
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| Central Manchester | 398 | 189 | 4,270 | 943 | 4,668 |
| South Manchester | 947 | 544 | 6,947 | 1,783 | 7,894 |
| Oldham | 413 | 296 | 4,512 | 2,137 | 4,925 |
| Rochdale | 10 | 7 | 2,346 | 802 | 2,356 |
| Salford | 162 | 45 | 4,365 | 1,166 | 4,527 |
| Stockport | 228 | 142 | 3,888 | 1,404 | 4,116 |
| Tameside and Glossop | 101 | 53 | 2,381 | 1,094 | 2,482 |
| Trafford | 13 | 2 | 1,401 | 75 | 1,414 |
| Wigan | 137 | 47 | 4,414 | 1,558 | 4,551 |
| Total | 3,622 | 2,022 | 61,231 | 19,347 | 64,853 |
Number of persons on in-patient waiting lists on 31 March 1983 Special Health Authorities and Boards of Governors
| |||||
Urgent
| Non-urgent
| ||||
District Health Authority
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one month
| All cases
| Cases on list for more than one year
| Total cases
|
| The Hospitals for Sick Children | 48 | 16 | 1,480 | 143 | 1,528 |
| The National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases | 30 | — | 487 | — | 517 |
| Moorfields Eye Hospital | 3 | 1 | 1,278 | 3 | 1,281 |
| The Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital | — | — | 136 | — | 136 |
| The National Heart and Chest Hospitals | 136 | 18 | 1,027 | 2 | 1,163 |
| The Royal Marsden Hospital | 17 | — | 284 | — | 301 |
| Hammersmith Hospital | 374 | 226 | 2,072 | 385 | 2,446 |
| Queen Charlotte's Hospital for Women | 10 | — | 370 | — | 380 |
| Eastman Dental Hospital | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 618 | 261 | 7,134 | 533 | 7,752 |
| Total England (all regions) | 49,123 | 32,092 | 676,492 | 198,325 | 725,615 |
Child Support (Child Dependency Addition)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was (i) the child dependency addition and (ii) the total child support, including child benefit payable in respect of each child, to a person (a) on a short-term and (b) on a long-term national insurance benefit in November of each year from 1979 to 1983; and what were the equivalent values at November 1983 prices.
[pursuant to his reply, 16 December 1983, c. 627]: The information requested is as follows:
| Child dependency addition and total child support 1979–83 for (a) short-term benefit and (b) long-term benefit | |||||
| (i) | (ii) | ||||
| Child dependency addition | Total child support including child benefit | ||||
| Actual Amount | Equivalent value* | Actual Amount | Equivalent value* | ||
| November | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 1979 | (a) | 1·70 | 2·45 | 5·70 | 8·20 |
| (b) | 7·10 | 10·21 | 11·10 | 15·97 | |
| 1980 | (a) | 1·25 | 1·56 | 6·00 | 7·48 |
| (b) | 7·50 | 9·36 | 12·25 | 15·28 | |
| 1981 | (a) | 0·80 | 0·89 | 6·05 | 6·74 |
| (b) | 7·70 | 8·58 | 12·95 | 14·43 | |
| 1982 | (a) | 0·30 | 0·31 | 6·15 | 6·45 |
| (b) | 7·95 | 8·34 | 13·80 | 14·47 | |
| 1983 | (a) | 0·15 | 0·15 | 6·65 | 6·65 |
| (b) | 7·60 | 7·60 | 14·10 | 14·10 | |
| * at November 1983 prices. | |||||
Family Incomes
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the analysis in "Low Income Families 1981", if he will publish figures showing how many of the families at each income level, with supplementary benefit recipients shown separately, were mortgagors.
[pursuant to his reply, 16 November 1983, c. 487]: The information requested is shown in the following table. The assumptions on which these estimates are based are contained in a set of tables entitled "Low Income Families—1981" deposited in the Library of the House.
| Income level | Numbers of families who were mortgagees (1981 average) |
| In receipt of supplementary benefit | 140,000 |
| Not in receipt of supplementary benefit, but income: below supplementary benefit level | 130,000 |
| above supplementary benefit level, but less than 10 per cent. above | *[50,000] |
| above supplementary benefit level, but less than 20 per cent. above | *130,000 |
| above supplementary benefit level, but less than 40 per cent. above | *370,000 |
Notes:
1. Figures rounded to nearest 10,000.
2. All figures are subject to statistical error.
3. The figure in square brackets is subject to very considerable proportionate statistical error.
4. Figures marked * are cumulative.
Energy
Energy Efficiency Campaign
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how he is monitoring the progress of his present campaign to promote energy efficiency; and what criteria he will use to judge its success.
The energy efficiency office will be judged by the progress it makes in promoting energy efficiency towards a 20 per cent. saving by the 1990s.
Coal-Firing Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from the chairman of the National Coal Board regarding the extension of the coal-firing scheme.
The chairman of the National Coal Board has urged that this scheme should continue beyond the end of the year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has today announced that the scheme will be extended for a further year, and that an additional sum of £25 million will be made available for the purpose.
Bnfl Installations (Security)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much was spent by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority police on security at (a) Sellafield and (b) all British Nuclear Fuels Limited installations and establishments in each of the last five years.
It would not be in the public interest to give expenditure on the constabulary at particular sites. The approximate global expenditure in each of the last five years was
| £ million | |
| 1979–80 | 4·4 |
| 1980–81 | 6·2 |
| 1981–82 | 6·9 |
| 1982–83 | 7·7 |
| 1983–84 | *8·5 |
| * Estimated. | |
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what actions have been taken to protect personnel working at or visiting Sellafield, in view of the recent leak of radioactive material.
I am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that, following the incident in November at the Sellafield site which resulted in the contamination of the beach near the site, radiation levels on the site returned to normal, and that no workers or others on the site have received significant radiation doses. Normal procedure for the radiological protection of workers and members of the public continue to be applied as required under the nuclear site licence.
Argentine Atomic Energy Commission
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what technical assistance has been given by the United Kingdom in the last 10 years to the Argentine Atomic Energy Commission.
There have been no programmes of technical assistance, in the normal meaning of that term, provided to the Argentine Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA). In the period 1974 to 1981 the CNEA purchased a number of minor services from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority relating to non-sensitive technology.
International Atomic Energy Agency
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that the International Atomic Energy Agency has sufficient access to all its member countries to enable it to ensure that assistance provided by it or under its assistance is not used to further any military purpose.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is required by its statute to
Under the member state's safeguards agreement with the IAEA the agency's inspectors are provided with sufficient access to enable them to detect whether the assistance given by the agency is being misused."ensure so far as it is able, that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose".
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the nuclear facilities in each country; and how many countries now possess uranium enrichment plants.
Provision for the inspection of nuclear facilities is provided in the safeguard agreements which member states make with the IAEA. The methods and frequency of inspections vary according to the type of facility. The details are confidential to the IAEA and the state concerned.In addition to the uranium enrichment plants in the five nuclear weapon states, the Netherlands has a commercial plant and a number of other countries have pilot facilities in operation or under development.
Trade And Industry
Davidson Industries Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will appoint an inspector under the Companies Act to look into the affairs of Davidson Industries Ltd. of Hungerford, now in liquidation.
I assume my hon. Friend is referring to Davidson Macgregor and Company Limited which has used the trading style Davidson Industries. This company is not in liquidation but a creditor's petition for its compulsory winding up is to be heard on 23 January 1984. If a winding up order is made, the Official Receiver has a statutory duty to investigate. If it is not, ray Department will consider appointing Inspectors.
Brussels Nomenclature
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of the four-digit headings falling within chapters 84 and 85 of the Brussels nomenclature which fall wholly or partly within chapter 71 of the standard industrial trade classification and in which one or more items in that division will be subject to a tariff of 10 per cent. or more on 1 January 1987, together with the value of imports of such items each year since the start of the Kennedy rounds and in the current year to date.
The available information is as follows:
| Value of Specified UK Imports | ||
| (£ million cif) | ||
| Outboard Marine Internal Combustion Piston Engines | ||
| (a) of a cylinder capacity of 325cc or less | (b) not exceeding 10 brake horse power | |
| 1974 | Not applicable | 1·1 |
| 1975 | 1·0 | † |
| 1976 | 1·5 | † |
| 1977 | 2·4 | † |
| 1978 | 3·0 | † |
| 1979 | 2·4 | † |
| 1980 | 2·1 | † |
| 1981 | 2·5 | † |
| 1982 | 2·8 | † |
| 1983* | 2·4 | † |
| * January-October | ||
| † Not applicable | ||
| Source: HM Customs and Excise Tariff, Chapters 84 and 85; and the Overseas Trade Statistics and Annual Statements of Overseas Trade of the United Kingdom, SITC(R2) Item 713·31 and SITC(R1) Sub-group 711·5. | ||
| Notes: | ||
| (a) figures for 1974 include only newly constructed engines; those for subsequent years include other engines also. | ||
| (b) in 1968–73, outboard engines were not separately distinguished in the statistics of overseas trade. | ||
Transport
Motorways Signposting (Southern Hampshire)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to improve the advance signposting of Gosport on motorways in southern Hampshire.
I have no plans to do so but if my hon. Friend would like to write to me I shall consider any improvements he suggests.
Hydrographic Services
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if the Government will secure the deployment of the necessary hydrographic services to ensure the safe movement of large laden oil tankers into British ports; and if he will make a statement.
The rolling programme for carrying out hydrographic surveys to meet civil requirements, which is established in consultation with navigational interests including the General Council of British Shipping and the British Ports Association, has particular regard for the movement of deep draught tankers around our coast. In 1983 important surveys were carried out along the west coast of Scotland and in the approaches to the Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands, having regard for the oil tanker traffic in these areas. Further surveys are planned for 1984 including the area of Lyme Bay where tanker lightening operations take place.Substantial ship resources have been made available for the civil programme and in 1983 these resources have included ships from the RN survey flotilla, a chartered civilian manned ship with an RN survey party on board, and commercial survey companies working under the supervision of the hydrographer of the navy. It is expected that similar resources will be deployed in 1984.Hydrographic surveys within statutory port limits are generally the responsibility of the port and harbour authorities concerned.
Motorways
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of kilometres of motorway in England (a) is use, (b) under construction and (c) planned but not yet under construction as at 1 December 1982 and 1983.
The information requested is as follows:
| Kilometres | ||
| 1 December 1982 | 1 December 1983 | |
| (a) In use | 2,235 | 2,312 |
| (b) Under construction | 102 | 112 |
| (c) Planned | 261 | 243 |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway have been opened in the United Kingdom in the last five years; and what information he has as to the comparable figure for France.
For the United Kingdom the figure is 213 miles. We do not keep records of other countries' motorway construction activity.
British Airways
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to ensure that prospective investors have the right to bid for routes and services operated by British Airways plc when the public flotation of that company's shares commences.
Any British airline, or anyone wishing to establish one, can already apply to the Civil Aviation Authority for a licence to serve routes in competition with or in place of an existing operator. But they would have to satisfy the authority as to their fitness, finances, and safety of operation and that they complied with other statutory requirements; and, if they wished to replace the incumbent, that they could provide a better service.
Panama (Freight Tax)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussion he has had with other nations of the European Economic Community about the discriminatory freight tax imposed on European Community vessels landing cargoes in Panama; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what instructions are given by his Department to British vessels landing cargo in Panama about the accumulating freight tax liabilities; and what assessment he has made about its detrimental effect on Brirish ships landing in Panama;
(3) what negotiations the Government have had with the Panamanian Government about the freight tax imposed upon British vessels landing cargoes in Panama; and if he will make a statement.
The Panamanian authorities have for some years maintained a discriminatory levy on the freight revenue of shipping companies from certain non-Panamanian countries, including the United Kingdom, when loading and discharging cargoes in Panamanian ports. This levy is not imposed on Panamanian shipping. For some time, while diplomatic representations continued, the Panamanian Government kept a moratorium in force, and British shipping companies were not compelled to pay the levy, although their liabilities were accumulating. However, repeated diplomatic reresentations over a period of years have failed to relieve this discrimination, and it is now apparent that it is causing unacceptable damage to British shipping. Recently, one British shipping line has withdrawn from its Panamanian trade, and another has had to take vessels off the British register and re-register them under the Panamanian flag in order to avoid the levy.Naturally Her Majesty's Government cannot instruct British shipping companies as to their payment of financial imposts of foreign jurisdictions under which they trade. But Parliament has provided in section 14 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1974 broad powers against foreign shipping for use when foreign Governments adopt measures damaging the shipping interests of the United Kingdom. I am hopeful, however, that even at this late stage a solution will be found by diplomatic means. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has recently emphasised to the Panamanian Government the importance Her Majesty's Government attach to a speedy resolution to this problem.The problem has been discussed in the OECD maritime transport committee among the member nations affected.
Port Authorities
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to provide compensation to port authorities in circumstances where their income is unexpectedly reduced by a decision of the Government, for reasons of national security, or otherwise, to prevent vessels of a particular nationality arriving at port.
No. It has been the policy of the Government not to compensate for losses incurred as a result of restrictions on trade in the national interest.
Civil Aviation
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the terms of reference given by him to the Civil Aviation Authority concerning a review of civil aviation policy; and if he will make a statement.
As I explained to the House on 12 December I asked the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority for advice on the implications of the prospective privatisation of British Airways for competition and the sound development of the British airline industry. The authority has in response initiated its review, on 19 December by inviting representatives of the civil air transport industry and air transport users for their views generally and on a number of specific questions. I am placing a copy of the authority's letter in the Library.
Cleethorpes Driving Test Centre
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present waiting time for a driving test at the Cleethorpes driving centre.
14 weeks.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many candidates have had driving tests cancelled on more than one occasion by the Cleethorpes driving test centre;(2) how many driving tests have been cancelled by the test centre within
(a) 24 hours and (b) four hours at the Cleethorpes driving test centre during the past three months.
During the past three months, 12 candidates at the Cleethorpes centre had driving tests cancelled more than once, with at least six days' notice on the second occasion in each case. Twenty-six driving tests were cancelled within 24 hours because of examiners' sickness. Twenty-eight other tests were cancelled within four hours for this reason, together with a further 36 tests because bad weather conditions had made it impossible to conduct a test safely.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the level of staffing at the Cleethorpes driving test centre.
Yes. Temporary difficulties have arisen because of staff sickness, but action is being taken to cope with these. If my hon. Friend wishes to write to me about particular instances I should be glad to look into them.
Dim-Dip Lighting
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided to proceed with regulations to require dim-dip lighting devices to be fitted to new cars.
Yes. My right hon. Friend has today laid regulations that will require dim-dip devices, or lamps with similar effect on motor vehicles manufactured from 1 October 1986. This follows the circulation of draft proposals a year ago, which received widespread support from road user organisations, safety and lighting experts.The regulations will not affect the lighting controls on the driver's dashboard, or his responsibility for using dipped headlamps where he needs to illuminate the road ahead, or signal his presence in fog. But they will make it impossible to drive with sidelights alone—the latter will operate by themselves only when the ignition is switched off. They also give the option of using bright and conspicuous lamps, without the risk of dazzlng other road users, in conditions such as well-lit streets at night, dull weather or twilight. As more and more vehicles become equipped in this way, the general level of conspicuity of moving vehicles will improve and it will become easier to pick out hazards in lit streets.The regulations will not apply to motor cycles. However, in view of representations that they should be included in the requirements, while at the same time bearing in mind their special need to be as visible as possible, I have asked the Transport and Road Research Laboratory to consider preparing a suitable technical specification as a part of its research programme on motor cycle safety.
Accident Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many children under the age of 15 years were (a) killed and (b) suffered serious injury in road accidents at the nearest available date in 1983;(2) how many pedestrians were
(a) killed and (b) suffered serious injury in accidents at the nearest available date in 1983;
(3) how many persons (a) were killed, (b) suffered serious injury and (c) suffered slight injury in road accidents in Great Britain at the nearest available date in 1983.
(4) how many (a) pedal cyclists, (b) moped users, (c) motor scooter users and (d) motor cyclists were killed in road accidents at the nearest available date in 1983.
| Casualties in road accidents—Great Britain January to June 1983* | |
| Number | |
| Children under 15 killed | 256 |
| Children under 15 seriously injured | 4,788 |
| All pedestrians killed | 870 |
| All pedestrians seriously injured | 8,029 |
| All persons killed | 2,437 |
| All persons seriously injured | 32,358 |
| All persons slightly injured | 108,042 |
| Pedal cyclists killed | 146 |
| Moped users killed | 33 |
| Motor scooter users killed | 8 |
| Motor cyclists killed (including combinations) | 377 |
| * Provisional. | |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons were (a) killed and (b) suffered serious injury in bus and coach accidents at the nearest available date in 1983.
It is provisionally estimated that 118 people were killed and 1,055 seriously injured in Great Britain in January to June 1983 in accidents where at least one of the vehicles involved was a bus or a coach. Of these 15 and 405 respectively were occupants.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of accidents on motorways took place whilst road maintenance was being carried out in 1981, 1982 and to the nearest available date in 1983.
Motorway injury accidents where police accident reports record "road works present" are as follows:
| Percentage | |
| 1981 | |
| January to June | 9 |
| July to December | 13 |
| Year | 11 |
| 1982 | |
| January to June | 9 |
| July to December | 12 |
| Year | 11 |
| 1983 | |
| January to June | 9 |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many 15 to 19-year-olds were killed in road accidents in 1982 and to the nearest available date in 1983; and what percentage of deaths from all causes the respective figures represent for this age group.
The best analysis along the lines requested is provided in table 11 of "Road Accidents Great Britain 1982" available in the Library. Due to differential seasonal time lags between the sources of data, a comparison for a part year would be misleading.
Concessionary Fares (West Midlands)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport which west midland district councils have given him an assurance that they will maintain concessionary fares at their present real levels if responsibility for the scheme is passed to them.
My right hon. Friend has neither sought nor received any such assurances. Metropolitan county and district councils both have discretionary power to pay for travel concessions. The abolition of the metropolitan county councils will not change the principle that the terms of concessionary fares schemes must be a matter for local authorities to decide.
Berkswell Level Crossing
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask the Chief Inspector of Railways to inspect the safety of the level crossing at Berkswell near Coventry; and if he will make a statement.
I know of no reason to doubt the safety of the level crossing at Berkswell. If my hon. Friend would write to me about any specific point I will see that it is investigated.
Tyre Tread Depths
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the level of expenditure on publicising the new construction and use regulations on tyre tread depths; and if he will make a statement.
Yes. The tyre industry itself has publicised the effect of these regulations, particularly on private motorists. In addition the Department has issued a poster aimed at lorry and bus operators and has supplied publicity material in the form of feature articles and radio fillers.
Black Country Route
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position with regard to the building of the Black Country route.
I refer the hon. Member to my reply yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre).
London Taxis
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that in future taxis in London are suitable for carrying disabled people including those in wheelchairs.
My Department has bought and is testing early prototypes of a new London taxi to ensure its suitability to carry wheelchair bound and other disabled people.Any amendment to the conditions of fitness with which all London taxis must comply is a matter for the appropriate assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police as licensing authority. My Department will be discussing with him the possibility of amending the conditions of fitness to require any future design of taxi to be capable of accommodating a passenger seated in a wheelchair. We shall also be consulting representatives of the cab trade early in the new year.
North Sea (Supply Vessels)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange to meet the Norwegian shipping Minister to discuss the conclusion of the recent meeting between British and Norwegian shipowners about their respective use and share of supply boats in the British sector of the North Sea.
Before arranging such a meeting I would wish to hold the discussions I have already arranged with the General Council of British Shipping for January.
Northern Ireland
Red Hall
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid by the Eastern health and social services board for (a) the refurbishing of Red Hall and (b) the landscaping and improvements to the grounds at Red Hall.
(a) £166,682. (b) £14,700.
Deaths (Protestants)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of those killed as a result of terrorist action in Northern Ireland since 1969 have been classed as Protestants.
Police records are not kept in such a way as to enable this information to be provided.
Security Forces
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of (a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary, (b) the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, (c) the Ulster Defence Regiment and (d) the Regular Army have been lulled in Northern Ireland since 1969.
As at 21 December 1983 the numbers of security force personnel killed in Northern Ireland since 1 January 1969 was as follows:
| Number | |
| Royal Ulster Constabulary | 124 |
| Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve | 67 |
| Ulster Defence Regiment | 136 |
| Regular Army | 371 |
Royal Ulster Constabulary (Interrogations)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary about the nature of inducements offered during interrogation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary of suspects; and if he will make a statement.
There are no grounds whatsoever for calling for such a report from the Chief Constable.
Miss Karen Linden
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the aids and appliances centre at the Musgrave Park hospital expects to receive the requisite material for the special wheelchair for Miss Karen Linden, of Drumaness in the constituency of the right hon. Member for Down, South.
The specially modelled wheelchair was received on 9 December 1983 and, following minor modifications, was dispatched to Miss Linden on 15 December.
Armagh Prison
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next plans to visit Armagh prison.
My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to visit Her Majesty's prison Armagh. However, in the course of my duties as the Minister responsible for prison matters under the Secretary of State, I last visited the prison on 3 August, and shall make future visits from time to time.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on conditions in Armagh prison.
All the women prisoners in Armagh prison are housed in single cells, while the male orderlies share dormitory accommodation. All the sentenced prisoners are working normally, and there is a full programme of educational and recreational activities.
Hairdressing (Apprentices)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer of 22 November, Official Report, c. 112, he will list the employers who received the six largest grants for hairdresser apprentice training in 1982–83.
Details of amounts received by grant applicants cannot be disclosed without the consent of the individual firms concerned.
Remanded Persons (Trials)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce measures to ensure that those remanded in custody in Northern Ireland are brought more speedily to trial.
There are no plans to change the existing arrangements under which those remanded in custody are brought to trial. All possible steps are taken at each stage of the criminal justice system to ensure the minimum delay between arrest and trial for those charged with offences in Northern Ireland. The Director of Public Prosecutions, the courts and the police continue to work towards this end.
School Curriculum
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which subjects are to be part of the core curriculum in secondary intermediate schools; and what percentage of pupils in each board area take the subjects in the controlled and maintained sectors, respectively.
There is no prescribed core curriculum although religious education is compulsory. In practice, during their first three years, all pupils in secondary intermediate schools follow a wide curriculum which includes English, mathematics, science, geography, history, religious education, physical education and a range of creative and aesthetic subjects; the majority also study a language other than English. In fourth and fifth forms there tends to be a considerable measure of curricular differentiation. Percentages of pupils studying particular subjects are not available in the forms requested.
Liquid Petroleum Gas (Safety Regulations)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the adequacy of current safety regulations affecting storage tanks for liquid petroleum gas; whether there are any planning restrictions on their location; and whether he will restrict their location to non-residential areas.
The Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 provides a framework to ensure adequate safety controls; the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has established procedures for the consideration of planning applications to install such tanks, including consultation with the Health and Safety Inspectorate.Individual sites are considered on their merits; important factors include the character of the surrounding area, population density and the quantity of gas to be stored.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Straw
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has had discussions with the National Farmers Union on the introduction of a levy upon cereal growers through the home-grown cereals levy to help pay a proportion of research costs into alternative on-farm uses for straw.
I am aware that the National Farmers' Union is considering the financing of research into straw disposal by means of a levy on cereal growers, but I have not received any representations from it about this.
Agricultural Holdings Bill
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has sent to the representations he has received from the Church Commissioners in respect of the Agricultural Holdings Bill [Lords]; and if he will make a statement.
The Church Commissioners met my noble Friend the Minister of State on 16 November to discuss the provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Bill, in particular the new rent formula contained in Clause 1.Since this meeting clause 1 of the Bill has been debated in Committee in the House of Lords. In the light of the views expressed during this debate, the Minister of State undertook to see whether it would be possible to incorporate in the rent formula the sense of some of the proposals that had been made without destroying the work that had been done to make it possible for the Government to bring the Bill before Parliament in the first place. We are now considering this issue in consultation with interested parties.
Monetary Compensatory Amounts
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the net effect of removing monetary compensatory amounts on European Economic Community output of agricultural products.
Aligning representative rates of exchange with market or central rates so as to remove monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs) would tend to increase production in member states which currently have negative MCAs and reduce it in those with positive MCAs. It is not possible to make reliable estimates of these effects since the results depend on the assumptions employed. Future effects would depend on exchange rate developments.
Sellafield
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions have been taken to protect fishing vessels and personnel in the area of the leak of radiation at Sellafield.
Following the recent incident my Department has carried out a special monitoring programme. The levels of radio-activity found on fishing vessels and gear did not differ significantly from those recorded before the incident and the dose to local fishermen from this route and from direct gamma radiation from the beach remains a very small percentage of the internationally recognised limit. However, in view of the localised hot-spot contamination associated with shoreline debris, the public have been advised to avoid unnecessary use of the local beaches and not to handle material washed up by the sea.
Hops (Exports)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action to promote the export of British hops; and if he will make a statement.
The Hops Marketing Board Ltd., the appropriate Government agencies and Food From Britain, have co-operated in seeking export opportunities for British hops. The world market for hops is, however, at present heavily oversupplied.
Land Settlement Association
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will announce the future arrangements for management of his Land Settlement Association estates following the termination of his agency agreement with the Land Settlement Association Ltd. on 31 December.
From 1 January 1984 the estate properties remaining in the Ministers ownership will revert to the Departments care. A short term agency agreement is to be made with the LSA's former property department manager who will employ some of his former staff to carry out remaining routine adminstrative tasks until the properties are finally sold.
European Community
Council Of Ministers
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
The usual written forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present six meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for January.The Agriculture Council is next expected to meet on 9–10 January. It is expected to consider the initial reading of the Commission's price proposals for 1984 if tabled, beef import arrangements and classification of beef carcases for intervention, New Zealand butter quotas, a review of the sheepmeat regime and extensions for less favoured areas. It may also consider agricultural structures which include aids for investment in agricultural holdings, measures for forestry and the protection of the environment and the post-Athens control of agricultural expenditure in the current year.The Consumer Affairs Council may meet on 17 January. Its agenda has not yet been decided.The Steel Council is due to meet on 17 January to discuss production quotas under article 58, social measures, short term measures and state aids and restructuring of the steel industry. There may be a further Steel Council at the end of January.The Foreign Affairs Council is due to meet on 23–24 January when it is expected to continue its consideration of the negotiations for a change in Greenland's status in the Community; discuss the Commission's consultations with the United States Administration about quotas and duties imposed on European Community special steel imports into the United States; and prepare the Community's position for the next ministerial negotiating conference with Portugal. Ministers may also discuss the
draft common commercial policy regulation; review progress in the negotiations on a successor to the Lomé convention and review the work of the
ad hoc working group monitoring the Community's response to the Greek memorandum. Since this will be the first Foreign Affairs Council under the French Presidency, Ministers are also likely to consider the next steps in the negotiations on the future of the Community.
The Fisheries Council is next expected to meet on 31 January to discuss 1984 total allowable catches—TACs —and quotas.
Parliamentary Questions
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which aspects of European Community affairs he answers parliamentary questions.
My right hon. and learned Friend answers questions on those matters which are under discussion in the Foreign Affairs Council and, where appropriate, on other matters which relate to his overall responsibility for the United Kingdom's policy on European Community affairs.
Overseas Development
El Salvador And Nicaragua
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government consulted the United States of America on the position to adopt at the Inter American Development Bank on loans to El Salvador and Nicaragua.
No.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Hong Kong
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the population of the New Territories of Hong Kong; and what proportion that is of the total population of Hong Kong.
The estimated population of the administrative area of the New Territories at the end of March 1983 was 1,601,500. This represented 30·4 per cent. of the total population of Hong Kong.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total electorate of Hong Kong for the purposes of urban council elections; and how many electors actually voted at the most recent election.
A total of 708,119 registered electors in. Hong Kong are resident in the urban area and are therefore eligible to vote in urban council elections; 127,206–22·4 per cent. — voted in the most recent election in March 1983.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in each of the years 1980, 1981 and 1982, how many jury trials occurred ni Hong Kong; what proportion of criminal trials in Hong Kong took place without a jury; and in how many cases the colony's Attorney-General refused consent to jury trial.
Jury trials in Hong Kong take place only in the High Court. The figures for such trials were 176 in 1980, 215 in 1981 and 319 in 1982. Approximately 99·97 per cent. of all criminal trials in each year, including those in magistrates courts, were held without a jury. Apart from certain serious offences which must be tried by jury, the choice of venue for each case lies with the Attorney-General. There were no known challenges to his decisions in the period under review.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, during each of the years 1980, 1981 and 1982, how many appeals from the Hong Kong Court of Appeal were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; whether there are any proposals by the Government for the final determination of Hong Kong litigation within the colony; and if he will make a statement.
The number of appeals from Hong Kong heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council were six in 1980, three in 1981 and seven in 1982. There are at present no proposals for the determination of Hong Kong litigation within Hong Kong. The general question of the future arrangements for Hong Kong after 1 July 1997 is at present under discussion with the Government of the People's Republic of China.
Grenada
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for the Secretary General of the Commonwealth to oversee the forthcoming general election in Grenada; and if Her Majesty's Government will offer assistance to ensure that all political parties in Grenada are able to take part in these elections.
Commonwealth countries have said that they are ready to give sympathetic consideration to requests for assistance from the interim administration on Grenada. Arrangements for elections may be one area in which the Commonwealth could help. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 1 December—[Vol. 49, c. 998]—that Britain could help in this way if we were asked. We have as yet received no such request, and it is not for us to press the Commonwealth Secretary General.The chairman of the advisory council has said that there will be no ban on any party in the elections on Grenada.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British aeroplanes have used the airport in Grenada since the United States invasion; and what information he has as to when the airport will be open for civilian traffic.
No aircraft registered in the United Kingdom has used the existing—Pearls—airport since 25 October. One British-registered aircraft, a C130 transport of the Royal Air Force, used the runway of the airport under construction at Point Salines to transport mainly British and United Nations representatives between Barbados and Grenada. Pearls airport is open for civilian traffic. The Grenadian interim Administration have announced that the Point Salines airport will be completed, but I have as yet no clear indication when it might open.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has been informed about the date when United States military personnel will leave Grenada.
The United States has announced that the last United States combat troops left Grenada on 12 December. Remaining United States military personnel number about 300, of whom 150 are military policemen forming an integral part of the Caribbean peacekeeping force, and the remainder medical and other support personnel.
Sex Equality
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ratify the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
The convention was hastily drafted, and is of very broad scope. Departments are having to consider it in great detail in the light of our existing legislation. This process takes time. We hope to be able to announce a decision on ratification before long.
Scotland
Downs Syndrome And Spina Bifida (Treatment)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the light of the report by Dr. Campbell Murdoch on the experiences of mothers of Down's syndrome children and of children with spina bifida, a copy of which has been sent to him by the right hon. Member for Clydesdale, he will issue new guidance to National Health Service hospitals, general practitioners and area health boards to improve their practices in this field.
I have received a copy of this report from the right hon. Lady and have read it with interest. It highlights the importance of professional attitudes and understanding towards children's handicapping conditions at a time of stress for parents. These are primarily matters of professional good practice and clinical judgment on which it would not be appropriate for me to issue specific guidance. I am, however, arranging to have the report drawn to the attention of relevant representative medical and nursing groups.
Departmental Forms
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official forms are issued by his Department; and how this compares with 1979.
The total number of forms issued to the public and businesses is not recorded.The Scottish Office currently has 2,860 different types of forms which are for use by the public or businesses; corresponding figures for 1979 are not available. Since the publication of "Administrative Forms in Government" Cmnd. 8504 in February 1982, 388 forms have been reviewed and 47 abolished, 133 having been reviewed and eight abolished in the first year. The review of forms used by Government is continuing.
Public Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for public expenditure programme 15 an analysis of changes between Cmnd. 8789 and the autumn statement, in the
| Changes to programme 15 (Scotland) | |||||
| 1984–85 Changes | £ million> | ||||
| Sub-Programme | Cmnd. 8789 | 1983 Budget | Classification | Planned | Secretary of State's statement of 12 December |
| Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | 176 | — | — | +10 | 186 |
| Industry, Energy, Trade and Employment | 166 | -0 | +3 | -0 | 169 |
| NON BLOCK | 342 | -0 | +3 | +10 | 355 |
| Tourism | 8 | -0 | +3 | +0 | 11 |
| Transport | 552 | -0 | -59 | -10 | 483 |
| Housing | 650 | -1 | — | +6 | 654 |
| Other Environmental Services | 647 | -2 | -88 | -17 | 541 |
| Law, Order and Protective Services | 485 | -1 | +0 | +5 | 489 |
| Education | 1,491 | -4 | +84 | +44 | 1,615 |
| Arts and Libraries | 54 | -0 | —0 | +5 | 59 |
| Health and Social Work | 2,166 | -5 | — | +5 | 2,166 |
| Other Public Services | 100 | -0 | +0 | +2 | 102 |
| Common Services | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Local Authority Unallocated | 80 | — | — | -5 | 75 |
| BLOCK | 6,235 | -14 | -59 | +35 | 6,195 |
| Support to Nationalised Industries | — | — | +348 | -39 | 309 |
| TOTAL Scotland Programme | 6,577 | -14 | +292 | +6 | 6,859 |
Notes: Individual figures may not sum to totals because of roundings.
Figures published in Cmnd. 8789 were rounded to nearest £10 million.
Primary Schools (Dundee)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the persons and organisations who have written to him or his Department protesting about the proposals for the future use of Dryburgh, St. Margaret's and Blackshade primary schools in Dundee.
My right hon. Friend has received representations from eight members of the public regarding Tayside regional council's proposals to close these schools. It would not be appropriate for him to intervene unless and until it emerges that a particular proposal falls into the limited category of those which cannot be implemented without his consent.
Elderly Persons (Supportive Services)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what recommendations his Department has issued to regional councils in providing supportive community services for the elderly with particular reference to elderly people receiving non-hospital accommodation;(2) if he draws to the attention of regional councils the comparatively lower cost of providing a home help or meals on wheels than the cost of a bed in a geriatric ward when reminding them of supportive services for the elderly.
same format as on page 69 of the Committee on Scottish Affairs' minutes of evidence of 9 May 1983 (HC 354 of Session 1982–83).
My announcement about public expenditure in Scotland on 12 December 1983— [Vol. 50, c. 326–29.]—gave fuller and more detailed figures than the autumn statement. The following is the information requested in relation to those later figures.
These are matters for local authorities to determine within the available resources. The Government set out their views in the White Paper "Growing Older" (Cmnd. 8173) published in March 1981.
Geriatric Care
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of geriatric beds required in both Tayside health board and Scotland using criteria from the report by the Scottish health authorities on priorities for the 'eighties; and what was the average number of staffed beds in the latest available year.
The information is as follows:
| Geriatric in-patient beds | ||
| Tayside | Scotland | |
| Estimated population aged 75+ | 25,040 | 272,461 |
| Number of beds recommended in Scottish health authorities Priorities for the Eighties (40/1,000 population) | 1,002 | 10,898 |
| Average staffed beds | 893 | 10,670 |
Notes:
1. Population figures used are the estimates for 30 June 1981, incorporating the results of the 1981 census.
2. Average staffed beds are for the year to 31 March 1982 and include joint user and contractual beds.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the waiting lists for geriatric and psychogeriatric treatment in the following categories for each of the past three years in Scotland (a) assessment, (b) long-stay geriatric treatment and (c) psychogeriatric treatment.
| Health Board | Assessment | Long-stay geriatric treatment | Psychogeriatric treatment | ||||||
| 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | |
| Argyll and Clyde | 139 | 82 | 51 | 89 | 103 | 83 | — | — | — |
| Ayshire and Arran | — | — | — | — | — | — | 173 | 169 | 185 |
| Borders | 13 | 25 | 20 | 63 | 54 | 43 | 10 | — | 5 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 15 | 27 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fife | 200 | 194 | 139 | — | — | — | 154 | 154 | 158 |
| Forth Valley | 232 | 85 | 77 | 24 | 21 | 29 | — | — | — |
| Grampian | 236 | 233 | 203 | 1 | — | — | 171 | 165 | 175 |
| Greater Glasgow | 65 | 46 | 24 | 112 | 78 | 45 | 196 | 165 | 188 |
| Highland | 9 | 12 | 6 | 38 | 26 | 27 | — | — | — |
| Lanarkshire | 384 | 332 | 441 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lothian | 246 | 218 | 369 | 19 | 21 | 27 | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| Orkney | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shetland | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tayside | 39 | 54 | 80 | 87 | 85 | 66 | 68 | 56 | 71 |
| Western Isles | — | 18 | — | 35 | 9 | 28 | — | — | — |
Motorways
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of kilometres of motorway in Scotland (a) in use, (b) under construction and (c) planned but not yet under construction as at 1 December 1982 and 1983.
There were 236 kilometres of motorway in use in Scotland at 1 December 1982 and 1983: none were under construction at these dates; and about 60 kilometres are presently being planned with a view to inclusion in the trunk road programme in future years.
Social Services
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he collects or has received on the numbers on the waiting list in Scotland for the following services (a) meals on wheels and (b) home helps.
This information is not held centrally.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most recent estimate of the comparative costs of providing (a) a home help, (b) a place in an old people's home and (c) a bed in a geriatric ward per week in each of the past three years.
| Tayside | Scotland | |||||||||
| 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | |
| Number receiving meals-on-wheels | 1,101 | 1,060 | 1,237 | 1,142 | 1,006 | 14,641 | 13,203 | 14,894 | 14,595 | 14,408 |
| Retired Population | ||||||||||
| Men 65+ | 23,151 | 23,120 | 23,130 | 24,354 | 24,166 | 269,962 | 271,600 | 273,425 | 278,890 | 277,610 |
| Women 60+ | 50,137 | 49,534 | 49,829 | 51,202 | 51,739 | 582,411 | 579,457 | 586,801 | 587,583 | 598,978 |
| Total | 73,288 | 72,654 | 72,959 | 75,556 | 75,905 | 852,373 | 851,057 | 860,226 | 866,473 | 876,588 |
| Number of persons receiving meals per 1,000 of retired population (men 65+; women 60+) | 15·0 | 14·6 | 16·9 | 15·1 | 13·3 | 17·2 | 15·5 | 17·3 | 16·8 | 16·4 |
The number of elderly men and women on the waiting list for admission to beds in these categories at 31 March in each of the years shown was as follows:
The information requested is as follows:
| Average Cost per Week | |||
| 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| (a) Home help per client | 10·3 | 11·4 | 12·4 |
| (b) Local authority old people's home per place | 87 | 112 | 124 |
| (c) Geriatric bed | 149 | 192 | 210 |
Meals-On-Wheels
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures for each of the past five years showing the number of persons in both Tayside and Scotland of retirement age receiving meals on wheels expressed as a rate per 1,000 of retired population.
The information is set out in the table following:
Radioactivity (Palnackie Harbour)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what approaches his Department has now had from the district council regarding levels of radioactivity at Palnackie harbour; what action has been taken; and what is the current position.
The Scottish Development Department was approached in July of this year by Stewartry district council for guidance on the radiological implications of the radioactivity detectable in the marine sediments in this area with particular reference to the possible renovation of Palnackie harbour. The council has been assured that the radioactivity associated with the sediment presents no danger to the public and some additional monitoring has been arranged in consultation with local authority officials to confirm this. I have arranged that officials will be kept informed about the renovation plans and they will give advice on any proposals that may be formulated.
Highlands And Islands Development Board
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average annual cost of each job created by the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
I understand from the board that the estimated average cost of each job created or retained are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1971–82 | *3,967 |
| 1980–82 | *4,790 |
| 1982 | *4,188 |
| * at 1982 prices. | |
European College, Bruges
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scots students are studying at the European College at Bruges; and how many bursaries are offered by his Department.
Each session the Scottish Education Department offers one postgraduate award to a Scottish student attending the College of Europe at Bruges. No information is readily available as to the number of Scottish students presently at Bruges, apart from the one award holder currently attending this establishment.
Core Curriculum
Mr. McQuarrie asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will include the nuclear issue in his definition of core curriculum; and if he will make a statement.
No. It is for education authorities and individual schools to decide whether and how particular topics are dealt with in the school curriculum.
Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue recommendations to local education authorities advising schools on how to deaI with publications or notices which head teachers receive from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament without the prior approval of the particular local authority; and if he will make a statement.
It is for education authorities themselves to advise schools on how to deal with material not only from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament but also from other bodies formed to promote particular policies.
Local Authorities (Education Budget)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that Scottish local authorities are exercising adequate control of their education budget.
I regret that in total the budget estimates of what local authorities plan to spend on education still exceed the provision assumed in the rate support grant settlement.
Rates
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities in Scotland receive more than half their income raised by rates from industrial and commercial rates, calculated before account is taken of domestic rate rebates; and what proportion this represents of all local authorities in Scotland.
About 5 per cent. of Scottish local authorities receive more than half their income from rates paid by industrial and commercial ratepayers. They are:
Orkney islands council Shetland islands council Falkirk district council
Rosehearty School
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will refuse any application by the Grampian regional council to close the secondary department of the Rosehearty school.
Under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 the consent of my right hon. Friend to school closures is now required only in limited circumstances. Any proposal to close a secondary school where the receiving school is 10 or more miles distant from that to be closed cannot he implemented without the Secretary of State's consent. Should such a proposal emerge in relation to Rosehearty school it will be considered carefully by my right hon. Friend.
Local Authority Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each local authority in Scotland its 1982–83 expenditure guideline, the final outturn for 1982–83, the 1983–84 guideline, the 1983–84 budgeted figure and the 1984–85 guideline.
[pursuant to his reply, of 19 December 1983]: The information is set out in the table below.
| 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | |||
| Guideline | Final/Near Final Outturn | Guideline | Original Budget | Guideline | |
| £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |
| Regional Councils | |||||
| Borders | 42,000 | 42,000 | 44,520 | 44,520 | 47,254 |
| Central | 102,750 | 106,820 | 108,610 | 117,666 | 118,615 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | 57,000 | 55,388 | 60,420 | 60,420 | 63,225 |
| Fife | 127,500 | 135,801 | 135,150 | 145,403 | 147,700 |
| Grampian | 181,500 | 180,087 | 191,310 | 196,537 | 204,059 |
| Highland | 85,000 | 94,098 | 92,370 | 102,016 | 100,184 |
| Lothian | 295,000 | 325,489 | 305,450 | 345,289 | 325,174 |
| Strathclyde | 1,051,750 | 1,103,412 | 1,077,420 | 1,160,199 | 1,147,522 |
| Tayside | 156,000 | 160,849 | 165,060 | 176,249 | 173,696 |
| Islands Councils | |||||
| Orkney | 10,920 | 13,214 | 11,580 | 11,984 | 12,364 |
| Shetland | 13,000 | 20,450 | 15,860 | 23,064 | 21,102 |
| Western Isles | 18,380 | 21,218 | 19,210 | 22,559 | 22,394 |
| All Regions | 2,098,500 | 2,203,944 | 2,180,310 | 2,348,299 | 2,327,429 |
| All Islands | 42,300 | 54,882 | 46,650 | 57,607 | 55,860 |
| District Councils | |||||
| Borders | |||||
| Berwickshire | 700 | 729 | 700 | 833 | 818 |
| Ettrick & Lauderdale | 1,200 | 1,287 | 1,200 | 1,574 | 1,685 |
| Roxburgh | 1,460 | 1,566 | 1,460 | 1.749 | 1,831 |
| Tweedale | 580 | 506 | 580 | 598 | 650 |
| Central | |||||
| Clackmannan | 2,680 | 2,628 | 2,680 | 3,038 | 2,990 |
| Falkirk | 8,690 | 8,280 | 8,690 | 9,408 | 9,050 |
| Stirling | 4,580 | 5,786 | 4,580 | 5,929 | 5,277 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | |||||
| Annandale & Eskdale | 1,260 | 1,283 | 1,260 | 1,398 | 1,499 |
| Nithsdale | 2,070 | 2,067 | 2,070 | 2,296 | 2,425 |
| Stewartry | 820 | 816 | 820 | 948 | 1,005 |
| Wigtown | 930 | 897 | 930 | 1,141 | 1,216 |
| Fife | |||||
| Dunfermline | 5,780 | 6,203 | 5,780 | 7,511 | 7,834 |
| Kirkcaldy | 8,360 | 8,578 | 8,360 | 10,782 | 9,883 |
| North East Fife | 3,670 | 3,891 | 3,670 | 4,127 | 3,987 |
| Grampian | |||||
| Aberdeen | 11,690 | 11,643 | 11,690 | 15.520 | 14,759 |
| Bannf & Buchan | 3,480 | 3,171 | 3,470 | 3,785 | 3,962 |
| Gordon | 2,880 | 2,362 | 2.880 | 2.878 | 3,023 |
| Kincardine & Deeside | 1,370 | 1,313 | 1,370 | 1,550 | 1.655 |
| Moray | 4,060 | 3,718 | 4,060 | 4,481 | 4,757 |
| Highland | |||||
| Badenoch & Strathspey | 370 | 409 | 370 | 469 | 471 |
| Caithness | 1,140 | 958 | 1,140 | 1,158 | 1,212 |
| Inverness | 2,620 | 2,880 | 2,620 | 3,163 | 3,020 |
| Lochaber | 820 | 850 | 820 | 934 | 952 |
| Nairn | 430 | 374 | 430 | 461 | 492 |
| Ross & Cromarty | 1,730 | 1,587 | 1,730 | 1,810 | 1,945 |
| Skye & Lochalsh | 340 | 410 | 340 | 435 | 463 |
| Sutherland | 570 | 601 | 570 | 731 | 773 |
| Lothian | |||||
| East Lothian | 4,730 | 4,734 | 4,730 | 5,465 | 5,278 |
| Edinburgh | 28,700 | 29,787 | 28,700 | 33,414 | 31,111 |
| Midlothian | 4,860 | 4,550 | 4,860 | 5,568 | 5,436 |
| West Lothian | 6,040 | 6,925 | 6,040 | 7,604 | 8,141 |
| Strathclyde | |||||
| Argyll & Bute | 5,120 | 6,148 | 5,120 | 6,581 | 6,020 |
| Bearsden & Milngavie | 2,190 | 2,189 | 2,190 | 2,462 | 2,387 |
| Clydebank | 3,580 | 3,915 | 3,580 | 4,354 | 4,080 |
| Clydesdale | 3,020 | 3,245 | 3,020 | 3,749 | 3,566 |
| Cumbernauld & Kilsyth | 3,290 | 3,543 | 3,290 | 3,986 | 3,894 |
| Cumnock & Doon Valley | 2,140 | 2,406 | 2,140 | 2,776 | 2,685 |
1982–83
| 1983–84
| 1984–85
| |||
Guideline
| Final/Near Final Outturn
| Guideline
| Original Budget
| Guideline
| |
£000
| £000
| £000
| £000
| £000
| |
| Cunninghame | 8,410 | 8,559 | 8,410 | 9,260 | 9,158 |
| Dumbarton | 4,830 | 4,947 | 4,830 | 5,765 | 5,359 |
| East Kilbride | 4,870 | 5,328 | 4,870 | 6,130 | 5,732 |
| Eastwood | 2,830 | 2,940 | 2,830 | 3,185 | 3,081 |
| Glasgow | 69,210 | 76,368 | 66,340 | 90.564 | 77,002 |
| Hamilton | 5,710 | 6,393 | 5,710 | 6,746 | 6,559 |
| Inverclyde | 6,120 | 6,065 | 6,100 | 6,291 | 6,158 |
| Kilmarnock & Loudoun | 4,610 | 4,708 | 4,610 | 5,645 | 5,327 |
| Kyle & Carrick | 7,390 | 7,748 | 7,390 | 8,772 | 8,294 |
| Monklands | 5,960 | 5,927 | 5,950 | 7,229 | 7,068 |
| Motherwell | 8,510 | 7,773 | 8,510 | 9,288 | 9,080 |
| Renfrew | 14,650 | 15,758 | 14,580 | 17,748 | 16,615 |
| Strathkelvin | 5,050 | 5,578 | 5,050 | 6,180 | 5,881 |
| Tayside | |||||
| Angus | 4,680 | 4,734 | 4,680 | 5,429 | 5,613 |
| Dundee | 11,410 | 11,120 | 11,340 | 12,772 | 12,017 |
| Perth & Kinross | 5,450 | 5,335 | 5,450 | 6,416 | 6,737 |
| All Districts | 307,640 | 321,506 | 304,590 | 372,086 | 349,913 |
| All Scotland | 2,448,440 | 2,580,332 | 2,531,550 | 2,777,992 | 2,733,202 |
Notes:
1. All figures are on the basis of expenditure relevant for rate support grant purposes excluding loan charges (ie. current expenditure plus capital from revenue, less interest receipts).
2. Guidelines for 1983–84 and 1984–85 and budgets for 1983–84 exclude expenditure on the urban programme.
3. Budget estimates for 1983–84 are those originally submitted by authorities after adjustments to (1) the figures for island authorities to reflect changes in the joint board expenditure on Police and Fire, (2) the figure for Edinburgh district council in respect of slaughterhouse loan charges and (3) the figure for Glasgow district council in respect of a reclassification of £8 million, mainly to loan charges.
4. Guidelines for 1984–85 are those listed in Scottish Office finance division circular No. 13/1983.
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for each local authority service included in relevant expenditure for rate support grant purposes, the outturn
| million, cash | ||||
| 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | ||
| Provisional outturn | RSG settlement provision | Budget estimate | RSG settlement provision | |
| Education | 1,253·6 | 1,214·9 | 1,327·7 | 1,264·7 |
| Libraries | 43·2 | 39·8 | 47·2 | 42·7 |
| Social Work | 275·7 | 283·5 | 299·0 | 305·7 |
| Police | 224·6 | 247·3 | 242·3 | 258·6 |
| Fire | 59·5 | 64·8 | 65·3 | 65·9 |
| Other protective services | 6·2 | 7·1 | 6·4 | 7·5 |
| Roads | 163·8 | 171·6 | 169·6 | 172·4 |
| Transport | 65·5 | 52·8 | 73·2 | 58·4 |
| Concessionary fares | 40·6 | 24·6 | 42·8 | 31·1 |
| Water, sewerage and other environmental services | 213·2 | 219·2 | 231·3 | 231·7 |
| Planning | 21·8 | 17·6 | 27·5 | 20·7 |
| Leisure and recreation | 116·8 | 83·6 | 124·1 | 88·0 |
| Miscellaneous | 108·0 | 113·0 | 122·0 | 114·2 |
| 2,592·5 | 2,539·8 | 2,782·0 | 2,661·6 | |
| Unallocated provision | — | 120·0 | — | 75·0 |
| Totals | 2,592·5 | 2,659·8 | 2,778·4 | 2,736·6 |
Notes
1. All figures are on the basis of RSG relevant current expenditure. To be consistent with the format adopted in the Government's expenditure plans, central administration expenditure is included in the expenditure on each service.
2. Although final/near final outturn totals for 1982–83 are available on an individual authority basis, information on expenditure on services rests on provisional outturn data.
3. Budget estimates for 1983–84 are those originally submitted by authorities, after minor adjustments for incorrect classifications of expenditure.
4. For 1984–85, the definition of relevant expenditure has been changed to include, within miscellaneous services, the costs of administering housing benefits for claimants in receipt of supplementary benefit.
expenditure figure for 1982–83, the rate support grant settlement figure for 1983–84, the local authorities budgeted figure for 1983–84 and the rate support grant settlement figure for 1984–85.
[pursuant to his reply, 19 December 19831: The information is set out in the table:
Defence
Cyprus
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate length of the perimeter of Dekhelia sovereign base contiguous with (a) southern Greek Cyprus and (b) northern Turkish Cyprus.
The outer perimeter of the eastern sovereign base area — Dhekhelia — is approximately 89 km long. Some 43 km is contiguous with the southern part of Cyprus — including the UN buffer zone — and some 46 km is contiguous with the northern part. In addition, there are three small enclaves within the sovereign base area. These are the Greek Cypriot villages of Xylotymbou and Ormidhia, whose approximate perimeter lengths are 5 and 8 km respectively, and the Greek Cypriot power station, whose approximate perimeter length is 3 km.
Widows (Pensions)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is now prepared to give further consideration to the provision of pensions for widows of former serving officers who married after retirement from the services.
In common with other public service pension schemes, the armed forces pension scheme provides pensions for widows who married their husbands after their retirement from the armed forces, but only where service was given on or after 6 April 1978. There are no plans to widen the entitlement.
Kenya
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel are stationed in Kenya; how many of them are directly employed within each of the following: the Kenya air force, the general service unit, the Army and the police special branch; what agreements govern the deployment of United Kingdom forces in that country; and whether the United Kingdom troops are working in conjunction with the United States troops based in Kenya.
There are eight British military personnel permanently stationed in Kenya at the British high commission in Nairobi and on the British Army training and liaison staff. There are, in addition, 10 service personnel on loan to provide assistance to the Kenyan armed forces. The details remain confidential between our two Governments, but none is involved with the general service unit or the police special branch. British forces exercise in Kenya under arrangements contained in an exchange of letters signed on 14 July 1967 (Cmnd. 3581). There are no formal links between British troops and any US troops in Kenya, though there is informal consultation about our respective military assistance efforts.
Little Rissington Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the designation, current use, the current number of patients and staff and the total number of patients in the Little Rissington hospital; what is the nationality of the staff and patients; whether it is British or United States controlled; what its purpose is in wartime; and what cost, if any, it is to the British Exchequer.
Royal Air Force Little Rissington has been made available to the United States air force as a contingency wartime hospital. There are no patients in peacetime, and only a small care-and-maintenance staff drawn from the United States air force. In wartime, RAF Little Rissington would receive casualties from NATO forces, regardless of nationality. This facility has been established with the full agreement of the British Government. There is no cost to the Exchequer.
Mv Lucerna
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of hiring the 40,000 tonne Lucerna from Cunard to take fuel to the Falklands.
MV Lucerna is not used to take fuel to the Falklands, but rather to hold fuel at Ascension Island. It is not the practice to disclose the cost of individual contracts for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the National Union of Seamen about the use of foreign ratings on board the Lucerna.
The general secretary of the National Union of Seamen sent a telemessage on 9 September 1983 expressing concern about the employment of non-United Kingdom crews generally, and seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the problem. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces met union representatives on 30 September and explained that British crews are used where suitable arrangements can be made.
Falkland Islands
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his policy for all ships to be used in Falklands work to be manned by British nationals.
Yes, where practicable.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer on Friday 9 December, Official Report, c. 270, when he expects to sign the contract of sale for the purchase price of the land on which the new Falklands airport is being built.
It is hoped that the contract for sale will be available for signature by a representative of the Falkland Islands Government on behalf of the Crown in the next few weeks.
Shuttle Launch 1986
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what payments have been made to the United States Government for participation in a shuttle launch in 1986.
Pending the Government's decision announced on 20 December — [Vol. 51, c. 1271—that Skynet 4A and 4B should be launched by shuttle, in 1985 and 1986 respectively, provisional payments totalling some £4·35 million were made to avoid prejudicing the launch dates in the event of shuttle being selected. Additional payments were made for integration and in-orbit support.
Fishing Vessels (Licences)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how long it is expected that the ban on the issue of fishing licences to vessels of Eastern block countries wishing to trade in the Dartmouth estuary will last; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will list the occasions in each of the last five years when reasons of national security have led to a decision not to issue licences to Eastern block fishing vessels to trade in the Dartmouth estuary.
I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 14 December—[Vol. 50, c. 459]—by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Flak Jackets (Replacement)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will replace, as a matter of urgency, the 1940s vintage flak jackets which have been issued to the United Kingdom forces in the Lebanon with up-to-date body armour.
The British contingent in the international peacekeeping force in the Lebanon has hitherto been equipped with later versions of the nylon fragmentation vest which has been progressively improved since its introduction in the 1950s. This has the advantage, in the Lebanese summer months, of being less close fitting than the new body armour. None the less, issues of the latest body armour are now being sent to our soldiers in the Lebanon. This protective clothing is, of course, not essential while on patrol in the unit's armoured cars.
Combat Aircraft Project
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate (a) the non-recurring research and development costs of the proposed combat aircraft project to be shared between the United Kingdom and other European nations and (b) the costs if the United Kingdom carried out the work on its own.
As I explained in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Atkins) on 19 December, no decisions have yet been taken on the method of meeting the recently announced outline European staff target for a future European fighter aircraft. It would be premature to speculate on matters of cost at such an early stage.
Cruise Missiles
asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he became aware of the fact that the Pentagon was considering the north of Scotland as a possible site for the siting of cruise missiles or launchers.
Any consideration of the north of Scotland as a possible site for cruise missiles or launchers has no official standing with either the US Government or Her Majesty's Government.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations have taken place between his Department and any agencies of the Pentagon about the possible siting of cruise missiles or launchers in the north of Scotland.
None.
Mv Astronomer
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what negotiations he is undertaking with the owners of the MV Astronomer for an extension of the charter I or work in the Falklands.
None.
Atlantic Causeway
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of converting the Atlantic Causeway into a ship capable of carrying helicopters.
The Atlantic Causeway was taken up from trade and converted to transport aircraft and stores during the Falklands emergency. She has since been restored and returned to her owners. The total cost of conversion and restoration was about £2 million.
Iran (Support Vessels)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of any potential sale of support vessels by Yarrow Shipbuilders to the Iranian Government; and if he will make a statement.
A contract for four support ships was placed with Yarrow Shipbuilders by the previous Iranian Government, but was terminated at the time of the revolution in Iran. Negotiations on the future of this contract are continuing with the present Iranian Government.
Departmental Staff
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in the propellants, explosives and rocket motor establishment; and what is the breakdown of personnel between military and civilian.
About 1,100 personnel are employed at the propellants, explosives and rocket motor establishment. It is not our practice to give the breakdown between service and civilian personnel.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in the Admiralty surface weapons establishment; and what is the breakdown of personnel between military and civilian.
About 1,250 personnel are employed at the Admiralty surface weapons establishment. It is not our practice to give the breakdown between service and civilian personnel.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in the Admiralty marine technology establishment (Holton Heath); and what is the breakdown of personnel between military and civilian.
About 220 personnel are employed at the Admiralty marine technology establishment at Holton Heath. It is not our practice to give the breakdown between service and civilian personnel.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in the Admiralty marine technology establishment (Haslar); and what is the breakdown of personnel between military and civilian.
About 360 personnel are employed at the Admiralty marine technology establishment at Haslar. It is not our practice to give the breakdown between service and civilian personnel.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in the aeroplane and armament experimental establishment; and what is the breakdown of personnel between military and civilian.
About 1,550 personnel are employed at the aeroplane and armament experimental establishment. It is not our practice to give the breakdown between service and civilian personnel.
Contract Cleaning Companies
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether contract cleaning companies retained by his Department will be required to reduce the wages and holidays of their employees in order to comply with his Department's request for a reduction in their contract costs; and whether, if they fail to make the cuts requested by his Department, their contracts will be terminated.
The Ministry of Defence has made no request to companies with which it has cleaning contracts to reduce their contract costs.However, cleaning contractors have been asked to submit proposals for amending their current contract to include firm fixed prices and, in keeping with the decision of the House to rescind the fair wages resolution, to delete any remaining obligations relating to minimum pay and holidays.The proposals when received are being used as a basis for renegotiation of the conditions of contracts. All renegotiations so far have been concluded on mutually acceptable terms.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the contractual arrangements between his Department and contract cleaning companies make provision for his Department to cancel contracts if the contractor declines to reduce the contract price without any corresponding reduction in the tasks that have to be performed undder his contract.
The Ministry of Defence has made no request to companies with which it has cleaning contracts to reduce their contract costs.The contractual arrangements between the MOD and its cleaning contractors make provision for the termination of contracts, for any reason, at three months notice.
Ship-To-Ship Guided Weapons
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are being employed in the decision-making process for the choice of ship-to-ship guided weapons between the United Kingdom Sea Eagle and the United States Harpoon.
In order to take a decision between the several contenders for the Royal Navy's future surface-to-surface guided weapon, a wide variety of factors are being taken into account, including price, performance, time scale, the results of an investment appraisal, and general economic, industrial and employment implications, including overseas sales potential and offset proposals where relevant.
Royal Ordnance Factories
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report those organisations and individuals who submitted replies to the consultative document, "The Future of the Royal Ordnance Factories, (Defence Open Government Document 82/26)."
Replies were received from the following:
The Ministry of Defence Council of Civil Service Unions.
The Ministry of Defence Joint Industrial Whitley Council (trade union side).