asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans are in train for the establishment of power generation by nuclear fusion; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is supporting a national programme of research into fusion carried out at the Atomic Energy Authority, and the United Kingdom is hosting a joint European Torus experiment, both as parts of the Euratom fusion programme. However, because of the scientific and engineering complexities involved, it will be a long time before we know whether or not reliable economic power generation from fusion is feasible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline the method by which local authorities will be able to decide and influence National Coal Board requests for opencast mining operations in their areas; whether those applications already in the pipeline will be referred back to local authorities; when he intends to introduce legislation to effect these proposed planning changes; and if he will make a statement.

Full details of the new administrative arrangements for determining National Coal Board applications for opencast coal sites are given in guidance circulars just issued by the Department of the Environment (circular 3/84), the Welsh Office (circular 13/84) and the Scottish Office (circular 4/84). Copies are available in the Library of the House.Outstanding application for authorisation have been transferred as they stand to the Department of the Environment for determination. The new arrangement will apply and, while the National Coal Board will not be required to resubmit its authorisation applications in these cases, it will need to apply to the relevant local authorities for planning permission before the authorisation applications can be considered further.Full transfer of National Coal Board sites to the normal planning system will call for amendment of the Opencast Coal Act 1958 in order to end the requirement for site authorisation. Thereafter only planning permission will be required. Consultations will take place shortly on the Government's legislative proposals, and legislation will be introduced as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much nuclear waste has been imported for reprocessing since 1979; and what was the country of origin of each year's imports.

Nuclear waste has not been imported into the United Kingdom. Spent irradiated nuclear fuel is imported prior to reprocessing at British Nuclear Fuel's plant at Sellafield. The following table shows receipts of spent fuel for the calendar years 1979–83;

	tones
	uranium
1979	207
1980	217
1981	247
1982	322
1983	321

These figures cover both Magnox and oxide fuel shipments from Japan, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands. The quantities received from each country are commercial in confidence.BNFL's contracts for reprocessing signed since 1976 include options providing for the return to customers of radioactive wastes arising from reprocessing.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what level of financial assistance the United Kingdom received from the EEC towards its energy programme in the last five years; and how it was allocated to different programmes.

From April 1979 to December 1983, energy projects and measures in the United Kingdom have benefitted from funding by the EEC of around £570 million. Support has covered, inter alia, development of gas and electricity infrastructure, energy research, development and demonstration, and projects which promote new technology in exploration, production transport and storage of oil and gas.

asked the Attorney-General what guidelines the Lord Chancellor issues concerning the exclusion of jurors from a jury panel.

The composition of jury panels is governed by statute. The Juries Act 1974 contains the current provisions relating to eligibility for, and disqualification and exemption from, jury service. The Lord Chancellor has no power to issue guidelines for the exclusion of jurors.

asked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied that jury-summoning officers have sufficient power to ensure that the persons summoned for jury service are not disqualified from serving.

A person summoned for jury service must declare that he or she is qualified to serve; it is an offence to make a false declaration. It is open to the parties to inspect the jury panel and, if they have reason to believe that a disqualified person has been included, to inform the jury summoning officer or exercise their right of challenge (in the case of a defendant) or, in the case of the prosecution to

`stand by for the Crown'.

asked the Attorney-General what were the numbers of civil servants employed in the Public Record Office in April 1979; and why it is proposed in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 and 1986–87," Cmnd. 9143, to increase the number of civil servants in this department.

The number of civil servants employed in the Public Record Office in April 1979 was 426. The expenditure plans for 1984–85 and 1986–87 allow for an increase from the present number of 401 to a total of 425 on 1 April 1988. Public records are increasing at the rate of 1¼ miles of shelf space a year, and need maintenance and service, as well as production for intending readers. The increase referred to in the question is designed to maintain services at their existing level as more records accumulate, and to prevent further deterioration of the documents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide the fullest available information for each of the past 10 years of the outcome of appeals from applicants applying for settlement who had previously been refused entry clearance.

Information relating to appeals against refusal of entry clearance for settlement covering the years 1979–83 has been provided by the independent appellate authorities and is given in the following tables. I regret that it is not possible to provide the information requested for the years 1974–78. I understand that, prior to mid 1978, statistics kept by the appellate authorities were not in a form which would enable appeals against refusal of entry clearance for settlement to be differentiated from appeals against refusal of entry clearance for other purposes.

Appeals to adjudicators
Year	Allowed	Dismissed	Withdrawn	No jurisdication
1979	1,124	3,492	1,087	1
1980	1,476	4,700	1,619	2
1981	1,596	5,615	1,729	0
1982	1,397	4,820	1,626	3
1983	1,317	3,870	1,483	1

Appeals by individuals to the immigration appeals tribunal against an adjudicator's decision
Year	Allowed	Dismissed	Withdrawn	No jurisdication
1979	37	79	8	24
1980	50	57	25	13
1981	25	91	137	21
1982	33	57	21	22
1983	79	75	23	94

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of people who would have the right to stay in the United Kingdom if the immigration rules permitted residence to those with entry clearance on the basis of their marriage who subsequently divorce or separate from their spouse.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to people who divorce or separate from their spouse after they have obtained an entry clearance but before they arrive in the United Kingdom. It is not possible to make any estimate of the number of such people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations the Metropolitan police are carrying out of persons whose names they acquired from the material they obtained and copied from Mr. Duncan Campbell.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the investigations carried out in this case relate exclusively to possible offences under the Official Secrets Act in connection with certain documents which were found in Mr. Campbell's possession. A report on the case has been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and it was announced on 1 March that he has decided that no further action should be taken in the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces have started or intend to start neighbourhood watch schemes.

Police forces in England and Wales that have started neighbourhood watch schemes under that or other names, or are intending to start schemes, are as follows:

Schemes started
Metropolitan	Norfolk
Avon and Somerset	Northamptonshire
Bedfordshire	Northumbria
Cheshire	North Wales
Dorset	Nottinghamshire
Durham	South Wales
Essex	South Yorkshire
Hertfordshire	Staffordshire
Leicestershire	Sussex
Merseyside

Schemes planned
Cambridgeshire	Hampshire
Derbyshire	Kent
Dyfed Powys	Surrey
Gloucestershire	Thames Valley
Gwent	West Mercia

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Metropolitan police districts have started or intend to start neighbourhood watch schemes; and how the areas are selected.

I understand that all except two of the 24 Metropolitan police districts have started schemes, of which there are now 69 in operation and a further 223 planned. Districts A and C (parts of the city of Westminster) do not have schemes at present but there are proposals to start schemes in A District. The police select mainly high crime areas in which to start schemes but are willing to respond to requests for schemes from community groups in any area. They regard participation by about 40 per cent. of households in any given area as the minimum proportion needed for a viable scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have special drug squads; and how many police officers are involved in these drug squads.

In 1983, 41 of the 43 police forces had special drug squads. Police officers serving in the squads totalled 489.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists were prosecuted for driving with defective tyres in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; and how many prosecutions made for driving with defective tyres resulted in convictions in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.

Information on findings of guilt at magistrates' courts for offences relating to defective tyres is published annually in table 4 of "Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, supplmentary tables" a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Information on proceedings for offences of a vehicle or part of a vehicle being in defective condition, which includes offences relating to defective tyres, is given in the same publication (in table 1 for magistrates' courts and in table 7 for proceedings at the Crown court for sentencing after summary conviction).Separate figures for prosecutions for offences of defective tyres in 1982 are given in the table following. Provision of similar figures for 1980 and 1981 would involve disproportionate cost. Figures for 1983 are not yet available.

Proceedings for offences of defective tyres by type of court, 1982
	Number of offences
	Magistrates' courts	The Crown Court* (for sentencing after summary conviction)
Tyres defective	96,706	210
Pneumatic tyres of different types of structure fitted to the same axle	21,026	5
TOTAL	98,732	215
* Sentence may be given in the Crown court in a different year from the year of conviction in the magistrates' court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the workings of the police initial recruitment test to ascertain whether police forces, from area to area, are satisfied that it is a sufficiently flexible test to identify suitable candidates in each area.

The test, which is only one element of the police recruit selection procedures, is not designed to identity suitable candidates but to screen out those who lack the basic education to cope with initial police training and, then, the duties of a police officer. I am satisfied that the existing test is suitable for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Suffolk police on the checks made on Wednesday 15 February by police of vehicles of persons attending the Sizewell B inquiry at Snape; and whether any particular checks are being made of vehicles bearing anti-nuclear stickers.

I understand from the chief constable of Suffolk constabulary that, in view of the extent of the interest in the Sizewell B inquiry at Snape, a small number of officers has been kept there by arrangement with the inspector. The police maintain security at the complex and check persons and vehicles entering or parking there, as occurred on 15 February. No particular attention is paid to vehicles bearing markings or stickers of any type.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of fraud were received by the Metropolitan police as a result of advertisements appearing in The Sun and the northern press for craftsmen to serve in the middle east and inviting them to send cheques for advance payments of £250 each for air tickets.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 233 complaints have been made to him about this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, under the new proposals recently announced, magistrates will be able to impose longer sentences and higher fines on those who are convicted of high value shop thefts; whether the penalties relating to offences involving violent and pornographic video nasties will similarly be increased; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed order announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey) on 20 February will increase from £1,000 to £2,000 the maximum fine available to magistrates for theft. The Crown court may impose a fine of any amount for theft. The order is intended to increase maximum financial penalties to take account of inflation and will not alter maximum terms of imprisonment.The order will also double, to £20,000, the exceptionally high maximum summary fines for offences concerning the licensing of sex shops and sex cinemas under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 and the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 1982. We intend to bring forward an amendment to the Video Recordings Bill on Report to increase similarly the exceptional maximum summary fine proposed for offences relating to unclassified video recordings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total manpower of police forces in 1973 compared with 1983.

The information for England and Wales is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of crimes committed in 1973 compared with 1983 broken down into main categories.

Annual statistics of notifiable offences recorded by the police, analysed by offence group, are published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 2.1 of the volume for 1982 (Cmnd. 9048) covers the years 1972 to 1982).Corresponding figures for 1983 will be published in a Home Office statistical bulletin later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women arrested in incidents at the United States air force base at Greenham common are awaiting trial, or appearance in magistrates' courts, in all courts.

I understand that on 2 March the numbers were 41 at the magistrates' court at Newbury and 20 at Reading Crown court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many women arrested in incidents at the United States air force base at Greenham common are currently in prison from all courts;(2) if he will list the prisons where women arrested in incidents at the United States air force base at Greenham common are being detained; how many are in each prison; and what are the lengths of each sentence.

The information requested is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward regulations to make British nationality fees payable only when an application is examined by a case worker.

My right hon. and learned Friend will be bringing forward proposals on fees shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make available the further consultation papers to which reference is made in paragraph 5 of the Government reply to the Home Affairs Committee's report on the Representation of the People Acts (Cmnd. 9140).

I have placed in the Library of the House copies of further consultation papers dealing respectively with the electoral registration timetable, the free delivery of candidates' election communications and the regulation of the election campaign.

asked the Prime Minister why the public sector tenants exchange does not include exchanges between Scotland and England.

Discussions are at present taking place between representatives of Scottish local authorities, the Scottish Office and the Department of the Environment about extending the tenants exchange scheme to Scotland as soon as practicable, and the Secretary of State for Scotland will make an early announcement about this.

asked the Prime Minister how many student nurses joined the National Health Service throughout the United Kingdom in each of the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; and how many are currently undergoing training.

The number of nurse learners entering training in the United Kingdom during the years ending 31 March is given in the following table.

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983*
Students	28,205	26,058	25,166	26,062	24,501
Pupils	15,824	15,186	14,350	14,430	13,266
Total	44,029	41,244	39,516	40,492	37,767
* Provisional figures.

The figures include a small proportion of nurse learners who are training in HM Forces and the private sector.Provisional figures for 30 September 1983 show that there were about 92,000 nurse learners at various stages of training in the Health Service in the United Kingdom.

asked the Prime Minister how many Departments of State and Government agencies are concerned with the defence and development of the Falkland Islands and their dependencies; and if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between them.

I am satisfied with the arrangements, which were established immediately after the cessation of hostilities, to ensure full exchange of information on, and co-ordination of, the work of the various Government Departments and agencies concerned with the defence and development of the Falkland Islands and the Falkland Islands Dependencies. Those most directly involved are the Minister of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Overseas Development Administration, the Crown Agents, the Property Services Agency and the Treasury.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is still her policy to allow the Falkland Islanders a referendum on their future.

We remain determined to take full account of the wishes of the Falkland Islanders. We are kept aware of these through the islanders' elected representatives. We believe that this is the best procedure.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 15 February, Official Report, c. 193, to the hon. Member for Greenwich concerning the letter dated 7 September 1983 sent to her by Beryl Hibbs, the clerk to Meeting for Sufferings of the Society of Friends, and in view of the fact that the Inland Revenue has replied to say that it is not competent to answer her question about whether individuals should have a right to withhold tax on grounds of conscience, if she will reply personally to the clerk.

The letter sent by the Inland Revenue to the clerk to the Meeting for Sufferings of the Society of Friends on 23 December contained a response to the point raised by the hon. Member. Its subsequent letter of 15 February repeated that explanation. In these circumstances I see no need for a further reply.

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from trade unionists at Cartsburn dockyard, Greenock, about the future of Scott Lithgow; what response she has sent; and if she will make a statement.

I have received several letters from and arranged for replies to be sent to trade union members and members of the Scott Lithgow work force. I have also received a delegation from the Scottish TUC. I have nothing to add to the many statments on this matter which have been made in the House by myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry.

asked the Prime Minister whether their attitude towards privatisation or pricing policy is any factor in the length of time being taken by Her Majesty's Government in considering the proposal for salary increases submitted in respect of the board of the Electricity Council.

No. I do not accept the premise on which the right hon. Gentleman's question is based.

asked the Prime Minister from whom she first learnt of Cementation's interest in the Oman university project.

I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore) on 29 February 1984, at column 218.

asked the Prime Minister if she will reaffirm the Venice declaration on the middle east at the forthcoming European Economic Community summit.

I hope we shall have an opportunity at the European Council to consider middle east problems, including the Arab-Israeli dispute. The Ten's policy has consistently been to seek a negotiating settlement on the basis of the balanced principles which we have set out on earlier occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what local efforts have been made in Liverpool and Merseyside to support Government programmes run by his Department.

Department of Trade and Industry programmes in Liverpool and Merseyside were, until October 1983, supported by its North-West regional office in Manchester, a small firms centre in Liverpool, and Departmental representation in the work of the Merseyside task force. The Department has now expanded its sub-office on Merseyside to give a more general promotion of its programmes, including export services, and to appraise applications for support under the Industry Act. The Liverpool small firms centre has also been strengthened.In its work, the regional office co-operates closely with other Government Departments and agencies represented on Merseyside. When appropriate the Merseyside office also works with local authorities, the private sector and other bodies on local initiatives to improve business confidence, to develop the small firms sector and to improve the awareness of new technology and associated schemes of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek an early meeting with the chairman of the Post Office to discuss the efficiency of the postal service in ensuring that letter mail is promptly delivered in all the countries of Great Britain.

My right hon. Friend regularly meets the chairman of the Post Office to discuss a range of matters including performance against delivery targets.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will advise the Post Office (a) that letters to the Minister for Health and Social Work in the Scottish Office should be delivered to him at the relevant Ministry in Whitehall, (b) that Dover House is the headquarters of the Scottish Office in Whitehall and (c) that urgent letters addressed to the hon. Member who is Minister for Health and Social Work at Dover House, London, should be delivered and not be marked, "Return to Sender: Not Known".

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what benefits Yorkshire and Humberside will receive from the £89 million of aid afforded from the second series of measures under the non-quota section of the European regional development fund; which projects and areas are likely to benefit; what aid the region has received so far from previous non-quota measures, specifying the industries concerned; and if he will make a statement.

The recently-approved second series of regulations to implement aid schemes under the non-quota section of the European regional development fund are enabling only; member states eligible for benefit must prepare and submit special programmes for the approval of the Commission and the fund management committee. Programmes for the United Kingdom are in the course of preparation but it is not expected that they will be approved before the end of the year. Until the programmes are approved, it is not possible to say what benefits will be accorded to particular regions or projects.Yorkshire and Humberside is not eligible for assistance under the first series of non-quota measures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any annual returns or accounts have been filed by Blessingwell Ltd. since incorporation in 1975.

Yes. Blessingwell Ltd. Has delivered annual returns made up to 31 December 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981 respectively and to 17 July 1980. Accounts for the periods ending 30 September 1976 and 1977 and 31 March 1979, 1980 and 1981 respectively have also been delivered. The company has been reminded of the need to send in the outstanding documents.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of Government support for the steel industry in the west midlands.

As at 29 February 1984 the total amount of financial assistance offered under the private sector steel scheme and the steel castings industry reconstruction agreement to the private sector steel industry in the west midlands region was £7·4 million. The British Steel Corporation has four works in the west midlands which share in the financial support given by the Government to the corporation as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which steelworks in the west midlands are linked with phoenix 2; and which of these are to be closed.

The companies concerned with a possible phoenix 2 project have presented the Government with outline proposals. These are commercially confidential. Any plant closures would in any case be matters for the companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to promote the demand for home-produced steel.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his statement on the aircraft industry, what percentage of work on the A320 Airbus will be centred on British Aerospace at Hatfield; and if he will make a statement.

The distribution of work on the A320 within British Aerospace is a matter for the company to determine.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those companies which in each of the past four years have had recognition withdrawn as a banking business for the purposes of the Taxation Acts.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the status of the two Government appointees to the board of directors of BP, in terms of their voting rights, decision-making powers, and other powers; what remuneration they receive; what is the length of their terms of office; what are the criteria used for the selection of these appointees; and what are their names.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the Inland Revenue requires answers from employers to its standard letter concerning gratuities received where the employer is not the troncmaster.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1984, c. 273]: If a tronc is in operation and the employer is not the troncmaster, inquiries concerning tips would normally be made to the troncmaster. However, if the troncmaster has failed to operate PAYE, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have power to direct the employer to operate PAYE on tips paid to the troncmaster through the employer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if, where the actual tips received and declared by an individual are different from the standard amount which the Inland Revenue considers it may be expected to have received, it is the policy of the Inland Revenue to assess the actual amount received and not the amount the Inland Revenue considers to be the standard;(2) what is the policy of the Inland Revenue on altering employee codings in respect of gratuities where information on the level of gratuities is not forthcoming and the employer is not the troncmaster.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1984, c. 273]: The amount of tips declared by the individual is accepted unless the Inland Revenue has reason to believe the figure is inadequate. In the absence of satisfactory information on the levels of tips, the Inland Revenue estimates the amount to the best of its judgment. An employee can appeal against a PAYE code or assessment if he considers that any estimate of tips included is excessive. A code will be adjusted if a better estimate can be agreed. If an appeal is made, an assessment will be adjusted to show the actual amount when that information is provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the reason for, and the scope of, the investigation of the tips received by employees in hairdressing salons which is being conducted by the Inland Revenue.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1984, c. 274]: Tips received by employees in the course of their employment are taxable as emoluments. Employees receiving tips must show the full amount received in their income tax returns, whether or not they are received through a tronc scheme. It is the duty of the Inland Revenue to satisfy itself as to the accuracy and completeness of tax returns and to take steps to recover any tax that should have been deducted by employers or tronc masters. Investigations are generally conducted by local tax offices or by local PAYE auditors although where an employer has a large number of different establishments the matter may be handled centrally by a special office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish what the Inland Revenue considers to be the likely amount of tips that various grades of hairdressing employees will recieve according to the status of the salon in which they work and what is the basis on which the Inland Revenue have arrived at those numbers.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1984, c. 274]: No central guidance on this matter has been issued to inspectors of taxes who exercise their judgment in the light of individual circumstances. It is open to an employee who disagrees with the amount determined by an inspector to appeal and, where agreement cannot be reached, the matter may be heard by the commissioners, who are an independent tribunal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt cars purchased under the motability scheme from car tax.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1984, c. 366]: My right hon. Friend will bear this suggestion in mind, but I cannot anticipate his Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, on 27 February, what was the total number of in-depth investigations of accounts of companies, partnerships and trusts in the year ended 31 October 1983, including those which resulted in increased tax being payable.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1984, c. 363]: The total number of investigations in-depth, including those which resulted in increased tax being payable, in the respective categories of taxpayer referred to was:

Investigation
i. Companies in year ended 31 October 1983	5,326 accounts
ii. Partnerships in year ended 31 October 1982	9,801 accounts
iii. Trusts in year ended 31 October 1982	849 cases

The figures for partnerships and trusts in the year ended 31 October 1983 are not yet available. The latest figures are given above and are consistent with those given in the reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, on 27 February 1984, at columns 48–9.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many proposals for the change of status of first, primary, middle and secondary schools he has received from local education authorities in each of the past four years; how many of these he approved; and how many he rejected.

Sections 12 and 13 of the Education Act 1980 do not refer to changes of status, but require the publication of proposals for significant changes of character by local education authorities under section 12, for county schools, and by governors under section 13, for voluntary schools. What constitutes a significant change of character is explained in the annex to circular 2/80, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The number of proposals for significant changes of character approved and rejected by my right hon. Friend and his predecessor since these sections came into force, together with the number of schools involved, is shown in the tables below.

Proposals to make significant change in character of schools
A. County schools
	Year	Approved by Secretary of State	Rejected by Secretary of State
i. First School
	1980	none	none
	1981	8(10)	none
	1982	8(17)	3(5)
	1983	8(63)	—
	1984 Jan.	1(23)	none
	Total	25(113)	3(5)
ii. Primary schools (excluding first schools)
	1980	1(1)	none
	1981	18(21)	1(1)
	1982	18(50)	2(2)
	1983	18(25)	2(2)
	1984 Jan.	1(1)	1(1)
	Total	56(98)	6(6)
iii. Middle schools
	1980	none	none
	1981	2(2)	none
	1982	2(2)	none
	1983	2(22)	none
	1984 Jan.	1(20)	none
	Total	7(46)	none
iv. Secondary schools
	1980	none	none
	1981	5(8)	2(5)
	1982	6(11)	5(18)
	1983	10(73)	9(19)
	1984 Jan.	1(10)	none
	Total	22(102)	16(42)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the role of further education colleges in their development of drop-in workshops and open learning in the implementation of the new adult training strategy.

Drop-in workshops are a feature of some open learning developments being pursued in different areas of the country, with the aim of making further education and training accessible to those unable to attend college on a conventional basis. Flexible arrangements such as these may have a valuable role to play in the implementation of the Government's proposals for an adult training strategy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much Government finance has been made available to support research at the department of electronics at Chelsea college, London, on fast electronic switching devices; and whether any additional finance will be made available by Her Majesty's Government in the next academic year.

Since 1973 the total amount awarded by the Science and Engineering Research Council to the department of electronics at Chelsea college through research grants for specific projects is about £350,000 (the sum of the actual cash amounts year by year). At least 25 per cent. of this sum has been for research in the fast electronic switching area. Over and above that provision, a proportion of the block grant allocated to Chelsea college through the University Grants Committee is spent on this area of research; but the amount cannot be identified.I cannot prejudge decisions about awards of new research grants in the coming academic year. Such decisions are for the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the Agricultural and Food Research Council proposes to close the Letcombe laboratory and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to the hon. Member on 23 January at cols. 410–411.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what other information he

	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
Number of applicants	8,564	8,606	7,689	8,276	8,893
Number of places allocated	838	928	881	922	804

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects a decision to be made on the future of the department of pharmacy at Heriot-Watt university.

I understand that the University Grants Committee will be considering the recommended closure of the department of pharmacy at Heriot-Watt university at its meeting on 22 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider establishing an inquiry with appropriate representation from such bodies as the University Grants Committee and the National Advisory Board for Further and Higher Education into the provision of pharmacy teaching in both the university and the public sector in the United Kingdom; whether he will instruct the University Grants Committee not to proceed with the review which it is currently undertaking into the provision of pharmacy in the university sector only; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend does not intend to intervene in the University Grants Committee's review of pharmacy provision in the universities. An inquiry into the scale, nature and location of provision for advanced work in pharmacy in local authority higher education in England has been conducted by the pharmacy working group of the national advisory body. The group's terms of reference required it to have regard to provision in the universities has as to how many graduates of the pharmacy department at Heriot-Watt university went on to find employment in each of the last five years.

I understand from Heriot-Watt university that the numbers of their pharmacy graduates who were subsequently successful in finding employment were as follows:

	Numbers graduating	Numbers employed
1979	41	41
1980	40	40
1981	37	37
1982	40	39
1983	40	40

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the number of applications for student places to study at Heriot-Watt university; and what is the number of places allocated, in line with the University Grants Committee's advice, for each of the last five years, giving separate figures for each year.

I understand from Heriot-Watt university that the total number of applications for first-degree courses at the institution in the last five years and the number of places allocated were as follows:and in non-advanced further education. The UGC's panel on studies allied to medicine received the papers of that group and met representatives of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be able to publish the results of the 1983 school meals census.

The results should be available this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will receive a further delegation from the Forest of Dean action committee to discuss his conclusion regarding the future status of the Royal Forest of Dean grammar school; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend considered these proposals most carefully on their individual merits taking account of all relevant matters including his policies, the educational and expenditure factors involved, and the arguments put by objectors. The proposals were published in December 1982; since then those opposing what is proposed have expressed their views through the submission of objections in accordance with the statutory process, have put their views to my predecessor in a meeting in March 1983, and have submitted various letters and submissions. My right hon. Friend sees no purpose, therefore in a further meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to improve education opportunities for adults who are unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

It is the responsibility of the local education authorities, together with other providers, to decide how the educational needs of unemployed adults in their areas can most effectively be met. Many commendable local initiatives have already been taken. My right hon. Friend believes nonetheless that further progress could be helped by a centrally funded development programme involving the evaluation of innovative forms of provision, the identification and dissemination of good practice, and the mobilisation of all the relevant interests including voluntary agencies who are anxious to help.My right hon. Friend has accordingly decided to initiate such a programme in collaboration with local authorities and others and has set aside funds of about £0·5 million in 1984–85, rising to £1 million in each of the years 1985–86 and 1986–87 for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils gained O-level or A-level passes in foreign languages other than German, French and Russian in each year since 1970; and how these were divided between different languages.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1984, c. 269]: The number of passes gained by all candidates at GCE summer examinations in the foreign languages requested are given in the tables following:

GCE Summer Examinations*†
		O-level passes‡
	Greek║	Italian	Spanish	Other modern languages
1970	1,341	2,408	6,411	2,661
1971	1,520	2,291	6,533	2,767
1972	1,466	2,441	7,212	2,954
1973	1,589	2,319	7,343	2,964
1974	1,400	2,216	7,295	2,770
1975	3,131	2,729	7,516	3,536
1976	1,989	2,319	7,585	4,237
1977	1,349	1,916	7,437	5,264
1978	1,349	1,963	7,864	4,171
1979	1,370	1,997	7,982	5,185
1980	1,313	2,043	8,338	5,091
1981	1,291	2,009	8,462	4,273
1982	1,311	1,919	8,197	4,368

		A-level passes
	Greek║	Italian	Spanish	Other modern languages
1970	796	720	1,997	612
1971	704	707	2,019	613
1972	712	712	1,936	616
1973	624	693	1,901	694
1974	564	640	1,881	968
1975	547	619	2,014	922
1976	535	715	1,936	1,020
1977	519	568	1,940	979
1978	495	604	1,967	919
1979	539	594	2,037	752
1980	487	621	2,048	895
1981	483	510	2,176	822
1982	527	593	2,262	900

asked the Lord Privy Seal in what ways service as a Minister affects an individual hon. Member's parliamentary pension entitlement.

If a Minister elects to become a voluntary participant under section 2 of the Parliamentary and other Pensions Act 1972, as amended, he may be entitled to a pension under section 9 of that Act calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any reference of the issue of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands to the International Court of Justice would require the prior agreement of both parties.

A reference to the International Court of Justice by one party would not require the prior agreement of the other; but the court would not be able to act on the reference unless it was established that both parties were willing to consent to the exercise of the court's jurisdiction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many offences involving (a) members of the armed forces and (b) contract construction workers have been investigated by the Falkland Islands police force over any convenient period over the last six months.

The Military Police, not the Falkland Islands police, are responsible for investigating offences involving members of the armed forces. Investigations by the Falkland Islands police have led to the conviction of three contractors' employees during the last six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Chief Superintendent Bill Richards of the Falkland Islands police concerning the level of crime on the islands by members of the armed forces and contract construction workers.

I have been advised by the Falkland Islands Government that questions relating to policing the Islands are under consideration by the chief police officer and the Government secretariat.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government now expect to reach a conclusion about establishing a 200-mile fishing zone around the Falkland Islands; and what consultations the Government are having with other countries and other interested bodies about the proposal.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 January, at column 93.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the departmental staff association which Government communications headquarters staff are now permitted to join existed before the ban on trade union membership; and if its rules exclude any form of industrial action.

The staff association did not exist before the introduction of the measures which I announced on the 25 January. Its constitution will be for the staff to propose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the United Kingdom's claim to the island, he will make a statement on the recent Chilean occupation of King George island.

The Chileans have maintained a station on King George island since 1969. The Antarctic treaty permits free access for contracting parties to any part of Antarctica. Chilean activities on this island do not prejudice British sovereignty, by virtue of paragraph 2 of article IV of the treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he took to satisfy himself that his action in withholding the right to belong to a trade union from employees at Government communications headquarters was not in breach of international law; and if he will make a statement.

We carefully considered the legal implications of the measures which I announced in the House on 25 January, and are satisfied that they are consistent with international law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the unions during the course of the recent negotiations about membership of trade unions at Government communications headquarters ever refused to offer any assurance, legally binding or otherwise, requested by the Government.

We listened carefully to all the unions had to say. But an unbridgeable gap remained between the proposals made by the trade unions and the objectives which the Government believe must be met in the interests of national security.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect on British interests in the middle east of United States policy towards Israel.

A major factor affecting British interests in the middle east is the unresolved Arab-Israel conflict. The United States has close relations with a number of the states involved, including Israel, and clearly has a leading role to play in the resolution of that conflict.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect on British interests of United States policy in the middle east.

We have important commercial and political interests in the middle east and these are seriously affected by the unresolved regional disputes and continuing tension. We therefore support all constructive moves towards the restoration of peace and stability. United States policy in the middle east has the same objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the substance of his discussion relating to the middle east when he last met Mr. Gromyko.

My right hon. and learned Friend's last substantive discussion of the middle east with Mr. Gromyko took place in Stockholm on 19 January. The main subject was Lebanon and the possibility of replacing the multinational force in Beirut by a United Nations force. Details of the discussion must remain confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take steps to ensure that similar rules on political activity and statements apply to European Economic Community officials in the United Kingdom as apply to employees of local government and civil servants.

No. It is for the Commission to determine the rules relating to political activity and statements by its officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the employees of the European Economic Community in Scotland; and what information he has as to their duties.

There are four employees of the European Community in Scotland, all at the Edinburgh office of the Commission. Their names and duties are as follows:

Stanley Budd — Head of the office. Represents the Commission in Scotland, with responsibility for disseminating information about Community decisions and policies and promoting understanding of the Community.

Vanessa Henderson—Librarian/documentatist.

Diane Hart—Secretary/telephonist.

Jeanette Deans—Secretary/press cutting service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are employed by the European Economic Community in the United Kingdom.

The Commission of the European Community employs a total of 38 people in the United Kingdom, of whom 27 are employed at its London office, four each at its Edinburgh and Belfast offices, and three at its Cardiff office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek an official apology from the European Commission for the criticisms publicly levelled against himself by Mr. Stanley Budd, one of the Commission's employees in Scotland, in his official capacity.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current scale of use of private mobile radios by the bus industry; and what are the likely effects on United Kingdom bus operational control and crew safety of the frequency alteration resulting from the world administrative radio conference of 1979 to which the United Kingdom was a signatory.

The Bus and Coach Council estimates that some 16,000 buses owned by 50 undertakings are fitted with private mobile radios and that 14,000 of them will be affected by the frequency alterations. New equipment is required and must be phased in before 1995. The Bus and Coach Council is endeavouring to agree a standard radio specification for the bus industry in anticipation of the

£ million cash
	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85
Fuel duty rebate	1·513	1·340	2·296	1·486	2·762	2·869	2·908	3·141	*3·141
New bus grant	0·383	0·398	1·163	1·166	3·032	1·550	0·767	0·326	Nil
Transport Supplementary Grant	9·992	10·700	12·037	18·780	20·022	25·537	30·546	30·688	26·628
TOTALS	11·888	12·438	15·496	21·432	25·816	29·956	34·221	34·155	29·769
* Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road bridges have been inspected since the advent of heavier lorries; and how many have been found to be defective.

Of the several thousand trunk road and motorway bridges in England inspected since 1 May 1983 as part of the routine inspection programme, none has been reported to have been damaged as a result of the introduction of the heavier lorries permitted from that date. No such damage would have been expected as the axle spacing on the new vehicles has been restricted in such a way as to make their loading on bridges no greater than that of other heavy lorries, except for a marginal increase of about 3 per cent. on a small minority of short span bridges.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters he wrote to and received from hon. Members in January.

In January of this year Transport Ministers received a total of 591 letters from hon. Members and wrote to 602.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what central Government funding has been made available to the Merseyside passenger transport authority in each of the years from 1976 to date.

Central Government funding in support of transport is made available to the Merseyside passenger transport executive in the form of fuel duty rebate and new bus grant. New bus grant is being phased out and will end on 31 March 1984.In addition, the Merseyside county council receives transport supplementary grant (TSG) in support of transport expenditure on capital schemes, road maintenance, bus and rail revenue support and other items. TSG supplements the county council's revenue from rates and rates support grant.All the relevent figures are set out in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the programme for improvements to the section of the Al between Wetherby and Dishforth.

Improvement to this section of the Al to dual three-lane carriageway is listed in our 1983 roads White Paper in the main programme for 1987 onwards. But the nature and timing of this scheme will be affected by the outcome of the public inquiry into the Kirkhamgate to Dishforth proposals. I am awaiting the inspector's report on this and hope to announce a decision by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in the light of recent industrial action by French lorry drivers, he will press in the Council of Transport Ministers for an immediate reduction in administrative formalities on frontiers between member states of the European Community.

Yes. I pressed hard for the frontier facilitation directive which was adopted at the December 1983 meeting of the Council of Transport Ministers. I will be pressing for further advances at future meetings of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what requests have been received from British Atlantic Airways to operate commercial flights to the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

British Atlantic Airways applied to the Civil Aviation Authority on 21 June 1982 to operate scheduled services between Gatwick and Port Stanley. At the airline's request the authority has suspended consideration of the application.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, if the metropolitan county councils were abolished in line with Cmnd. 9063, what arrangements would be made for

Imports of coal, coke and briquettes through Scottish ports, last 6 months of 1983 (provisional)
Thousand tonnes
Scottish port	Netherlands	France	Belgium/Lux.	West Germany	East Germany	Poland	USSR	USA	Australia	Total all countries
Ayr	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Greenock	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	180	370	549
Glasgow	—	—	—	—	—	4	2	22	—	28
Stornoway	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Kirkwall	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	1
Lerwick	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	*
Inverness	—	—	—	3	—	12	—	—	—	15
Fraserburgh	—	—	1	—	—	5	—	—	—	5
Peterhead	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	—	7
Aberdeen	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Montrose	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	1
Dundee	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	2
Kirkaldy	2	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	3
Grangemouth	11	1	5	2	7	2	—	—	—	27
Leith	3	—	1	4	—	1	—	—	—	9
All Scotland	18	1	6	9	10	32	2	202	370	650