Written Answers To Questions
Tuesday 13 March 1984
Environment
Property Services Agency
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the top management of the Property Services Agency.
The appointment of Mr. Montague Alfred as chief executive of the Property Services Agency ended yesterday.Mr. Alfred appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on 27 and 29 February 1984 on matters including the Wardale Touche Ross inquiry into recent cases of fraud and corruption in the agency. When I learnt of the line he had taken in answer to questions, I reluctantly concluded that his answers were inconsistent with the Government's policy on the Wardale Touche Ross report, as set out in a statement I issued on 5 October 1983. It did not seem to me that Mr. Alfred could in these circumstances remain in the Government's service, and his three-year service contract, due to run to the end of this year, has been terminated by mutual agreement. I very much regret this, and would like to thank Mr. Alfred for his services as chief executive since he joined the agency in 1982. Until a successor is appointed, the permanent secretary of my Department, Sir George Moseley, will act as the accounting officer of the agency and the Crown suppliers.The proposals which Mr. Alfred had put forward for restructuring the agency have already been the subject of wide consultation; many hon. Members have expressed interest in them. It had become evident that the proposals raised questions about whether the existing objectives of the agency should be modified and that questions must be answered before decisions are taken on management and structure. For this reason Ministers are not yet ready to take decisions on restructuring. It is clear, in any event, that the original timetable envisaged for implementing the restructuring proposals is now impracticable. I have therefore instructed the agency to suspend those aspects of contingency planning geared to that timetable.I am very well aware that the prospect of restructuring has been causing much uncertainty among staff. The Government will make a further statement on the future of the agency as soon as possible.
Calke Abbey
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about Calke Abbey.
[pursuant to the reply, 23 January 1984, c. 406]: The chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Lord Charteris, has reported to me the results of the meetings he has held with a variety of bodies with a major interest in the preservation of Calke. Taking into account the levels of grant which could be expected for eligible items (notably repairs grant from the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England) and also promised contributions from the Harpur-Crewe trustees, the National Trust and the National Heritage Memorial Fund amounting to some £3 million, Lord Charteris's group has identified the need for a further sum of about £3·5 million to meet the National Trust's financial requirement to establish an assured future for the preservation of the house, the park, the contents and effective display to the public. The trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund have taken the view that they cannot increase their contribution unless further resources are made available to them.My Department has given further consideration to the area of land adjoining Calke Abbey which would qualify for acceptance as being of heritage quality in lieu of tax. In the light of further evidence on archaeological and scientific importance, as well as its historic link with the house, we are now willing to accept a slightly larger area of adjoining land than had been previously agreed. This revised area conforms with recommendations made by the Nature Conservancy Council and the Historic Buildings Council, following a detailed appraisal. The revenue which the additional land produces will make a small reduction in the financing requirements of the National Trust. The expenditure required from my Vote and that of my noble Friend the Minister for the Arts, for the acceptance of Calke Abbey, its contents and the revised area of adjoining land is estimated to be of the order of £2 million.I am pleased to be able to announce a further payment of £1·3 million to the National Heritage Memorial Fund in this financial year in addition to the existing provision. Moreover, in 1984–85 a further £5 million will be made available for payment to the fund in addition to the £3 million which my noble Friend and I have already agreed. An additional £2 million will be allocated for the acceptance of property in lieu. These increases will be funded within the public expenditure totals published last month in Cmnd. 9153. ("The Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 to 1986–87"). I understand that the availability of these additional sums to the fund will enable the trustees to make an increased contribution towards the cost of preserving and maintaining Calke Abbey, thus meeting the National Trust's requirements to secure it for public enjoyment in perpetuity. In addition, the enhanced financing for the National Heritage Memorial Fund I have referred to above provides for the fund a greater amount than that required purely to finance the preservation of Calke, reflecting the Government's assessment of the varied, valuable and important work which the NHMF does more generally.Against this background, the Government are now willing to agree to the acceptance of Calke Abbey and the associated property in lieu of tax, and to allocate it to the National Trust. I am most grateful to Lord Charteris for all his efforts to secure agreement from a wider partnership to a package which enables Calke Abbey to be preserved, at a lower cost to public resources than had originally been proposed.
National Finance
Public Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise and extend table 1.14, public expenditure in cost terms by programme, in volume 1 of Cmnd. 9143, "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 to 1986–87", using the gross domestic product deflator assumptions given in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", and taking account of Budget changes as they affect the public expenditure planning totals for 1984–85 onwards.
The following table shows cost terms figures resulting from adjusting the cash outturn for past
| Public expenditure in cost terms by programme,* £ million, base year 1982–83 | |||||||||
| 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | 1985–86 | 1986–87 | |
| Defence | 12,183 | 12,835 | 13,092 | 13,442 | 14,408 | 14,897 | 15,411 | 15,670 | 15,580 |
| Overseas aid and other overseas services | |||||||||
| Overseas aid | 1,181 | 1,110 | 1,059 | 1,043 | 984 | 1,008 | 1,018 | 1,010 | 1,000 |
| Net payments to EC institutions | 1,220 | 1,167 | 259 | 163 | 580 | 474 | 339 | 480 | 500 |
| Other overseas services | 596 | 611 | 581 | 590 | 600 | 693 | 708 | 710 | 700 |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 1,320 | 1,400 | 1,576 | 1,473 | 1,861 | 1,978 | 1,853 | 1,670 | 1,610 |
| Trade, industry, energy and employment | 6,486 | 5,574 | 6,033 | 7,220 | 5,791 | 5,763 | 5,076 | 4,080 | 3,050 |
| Arts and libraries | 553 | 562 | 560 | 558 | 616 | 592 | 542 | 540 | 540 |
| Transport | 4,342 | 4,559 | 4,687 | 4,561 | 4,395 | 4,322 | 3,956 | 4,070 | 3,910 |
| Housing | 5,803 | 6,286 | 5,228 | 3,336 | 2,640 | 2,617 | 2,259 | 2,260 | 2,240 |
| Other environmental services | 3,611 | 3,672 | 3,598 | 3,314 | 3,554 | 3,590 | 3,123 | 3,070 | 3,000 |
| Law, order and protective services | 3,306 | 3,585 | 3,703 | 3,979 | 4,174 | 4,437 | 4,435 | 4,450 | 4,420 |
| Education and science | 12,602 | 12,438 | 12,769 | 12,627 | 12,682 | 12,660 | 11,811 | 11,670 | 11,480 |
| Health and personal social services | 12,067 | 12,377 | 13,313 | 13,568 | 13,817 | 13,922 | 13,954 | 14,100 | 14,240 |
| Social security | 26,713 | 27,006 | 27,453 | 30,463 | 32,445 | 33,482 | 33,668 | 34,300 | 34,740 |
| Other public services | 1,570 | 1,608 | 1,658 | 1,640 | 1,631 | 1,580 | 1,618 | 1,620 | 1,590 |
| Common services | 1,386 | 1,403 | 1,286 | 1,550 | 1,560 | 901 | 1,000 | 1,030 | 1,070 |
| Scotland | 6,034 | 6,324 | 6,279 | 6,217 | 6,242 | 6,414 | 6,211 | 6,060 | 5,970 |
| Wales | 2,419 | 2,460 | 2,475 | 2,366 | 2,386 | 2,452 | 2,339 | 2,330 | 2,320 |
| Northern Ireland | 3,464 | 3,402 | 3,397 | 3,429 | 3,500 | 3,601 | 3,648 | 3,660 | 3,650 |
| Local authority current expenditure not allocated to programmes (England) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 597 | 350 | 170 |
| Adjustments: | |||||||||
| Special sales of assets | — | -1,389 | -417 | 84 | -488 | -1,137 | -1,719 | -1,740 | -1,670 |
| Reserve | — | — | — | — | — | 95 | 2,488 | 3,250 | 3,960 |
| General allowance for shortfall | — | — | — | — | — | -284 | — | — | — |
| Planning Total† | 106,857 | 106,989 | 108,588 | 111,624 | 113,377 | 114,055 | 114,335 | 114,640 | 114,080 |
| Planning Total—rounded | 106,900 | 107,000 | 108,600 | 111,600 | 113,400 | 114,100 | 114,300 | 114,600 | 114,100 |
| Planning Total—allowing for the abolition of the National Insurance Surcharge | — | — | — | — | — | — | 114,200 | 114,300 | 113,700 |
| * Cash figures as in table 1.3 of Cmnd. 9143, The Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 to 1986–87, adjusted for general inflation as measured by the GDP deflator at market prices. | |||||||||
| † Totals do not always add because of rounding. | |||||||||
Cash Limits
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide details of the cash limits set for 1984–85.
years and the cash provision for future years to a base of average 1982–83 prices, using the deflator for gross domestic product at market prices. For 1983–84 onwards the year-on-year increase in the GDP deflator is as given in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", namely 5½ per cent. in 1983–84, 4¾ per cent. in 1984–85, 4¼ per cent. in 1985–86 and 4 per cent. in 1986–87. For past years, the GDP deflators are as used to calculate table 1.14 of Cmnd. 9143.
The programme detail shown in the table is based on the cash figures given in table 1.3 of Cmnd. 9143. The line at the bottom of the table shows the planning totals for 1984–85 onwards reduced to allow for the abolition of the national insurance surcharge.
The cash limits on voted expenditure are listed in table 1 of the Chief Secretary's memorandum on the Supply Estimates 1984–85 (Cmnd. 9161). The cash limits on local authority capital spending and other non-voted expenditure are given in the following table.
Non Voted Cash Limits 1984–85
| |||
Cash block
| Department
| Description of expenditure
| Cash limit £ million
|
| BOE1 | Bank of England | Bank of England administration costs in respect of note issue, exchange equalisation account and debt management | 81·0 |
| DOE/LA1 | Department of the Environment | Capital expenditure in England by local authorities on roads and transport, housing, schools, further education and teacher training, personal social services and other environmental services | 2,452·6 |
| DOE/NT1 | Department of the Environment | Capital expenditure in England by new towns on housing, roads, commercial and industrial investment and certain water services | 46·2 |
| DOE/HC1 | Department of the Environment | Capital expenditure in England on housing financed through the Housing Corporation | 617·0 |
| DOE/UA1 | Department of the Environment | External financing requirements of Urban Development Corporations, capital expenditure on the urban programme and derelict land reclamation | 376·3 |
| HO/LA1 | Home Office | Capital expenditure by local authorities on police, courts and probation | 118·8 |
| NIDI | Northern Ireland Departments | Services analogous to Great Britain services covered by cash limits | 2,051·4 |
| SO/LA1 | Scottish Office | Capital expenditure in Scotland by local authorities on roads and transport, water and sewerage, general services, urban programme, police and social work, schools, further education and teacher training | 391·1 |
| SO/LA2 | Scottish Office | Capital expenditure in Scotland on housing by local authorities, new towns, the Scottish Special Housing Association and on schemes financed by the Housing Corporation, and industrial and commercial investment by new towns | 466·8 |
| WO/LA1 | Welsh Office | Capital expenditure in Wales by local authorities, new towns and the Housing Corporation on roads and transport, housing, schools, further education and teacher training, personal social services, and other environmental services and by the Land Authority for Wales | 280·0 |
| Total | 6,881·2 | ||
Home Department
Football Hooliganism
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase the measures available to the police and the penalties at the disposal of the courts to deal with football hooliganism.
I greatly deplore recent outbreaks of football hooliganism, but consider that the powers already available to the police and the courts are adequate for dealing with offenders who can be apprehended and are convicted. The power which the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill will confer to search for offensive weapons will increase the ability of the police to take preventive action.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the attendance centres since they were set up in dealing with football hooligans.
Although the available evidence suggests that young offenders whose offences have arisen from football hooliganism constitute a small proportion of those sent to attendance centres, the Government consider the attendance centre order to be an important contribution to the range of measures available to the courts when dealing with football hooligans. The orders must be served on Saturdays and therefore deprive the offender of the opportunity to attend weekend matches.
Computers (Personal Data)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the computer systems containing personal information held by his Department or for which his Department is responsible; and if he will give, in each case (a) the purpose or purposes for which the data are held, (b) the source or sources from which data are obtained, (c) a description of any person or organisations to whom personal data have been disclosed. including the number of such disclosures at the last convenient period of time, (d) the Departments that have or intend to have terminal access to the computer system and (e) a list of the indices held on the computer system and the number of entries in each index.
The information requested is not readily available, and I will reply as soon as possible.
Community Radio
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the develolment of community radio stations; and if he will make a statement.
We shall consider further the possible development of community radio after the VHF hand II broadcasting planning conference to be held in Geneva at the end of this year.
Police Custody (Deaths)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report the figures relating to deaths in police custody during 1983.
Information on deaths in police custody is published annually in a Home Office statistical bulletin and in the reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. It is hoped to publish in early May the statistical bulletin giving information for 1983.
Juveniles (Offences)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of juveniles cautioned or convicted for indictable offences in each of the past five years had committed offences of (a) violence, (b) sex, (c) robbery, (d) theft and (e) burglary; and if he will give the same information for young adults and the actual numbers involved in each category.
The number of persons found guilty of or cautioned for indictable offences by age and offence group is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 5.17 of the volume for 1982, Cmnd. 9048). The percentages requested are given in the following table. Corresponding information for 1983 is not yet available.
| Persons found guilty at all courts or cautioned for indictable offences by age and certain offence groups | ||||
| England and Wales | Percentages | |||
| Age and type of offence | Percentage of total persons | |||
| 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | |
| Persons aged 10 and under 17 | ||||
| Violence against the person | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Sexual offences | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Burglary | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
| Robbery | *— | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Theft and handling stolen goods | 67 | 65 | 65 | 66 |
| Total indictable offences | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Persons aged 17 and under 21 | ||||
| Violence against the person | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| Sexual Offences | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Burglary | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
| Robbery | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Theft and handling stolen goods | 53 | 51 | 50 | 50 |
| Total indictable offences | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| * Less than one half per cent. | ||||
Remanded Prisoners
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on remand are currently held in police cells; and what is the weekly cost compared with the cost of keeping a prisoner in a prison.
On the night of 8/9 March, there were 177 prisoners held in police and court cells.The average weekly cost of keeping a person in a prison department establishment during 1982–83, the latest period for which information is available, was £218. The average cost of keeping a person in police cells could only be determined at disproportionate expense. However, the daily charge made by the Metropolitan Police is currently about £150.
Naturalisation (Processing Costs)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of processing an application for naturalisation in 1983; and how this compares with figures for each of the past five years.
I have written to any hon. Friend.
Fine Defaulters
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many females are serving a term of imprisonment for non-payment of a fine for (a) the most recent date available and (b) the same date for each of the last five years;(2) how many females were serving a period of imprisonment for non-payment of a fine imposed under section 1(2) of the Street Offences Act 1959, as amended by section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 for
(a) the most recent date available and (b) the same date for each of the last five years.
[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1984, c. 285]: Central records, which are approximate, show about 40 females serving a term of imprisonment for nonpayment of a fine on 30 June 1983, one of whom was fined for an offence relating to prostitution. A similar number of females was recorded as serving a term of imprisonment for non-payment of a fine on 30 June 1982, none of whom was fined for an offence relating to prostitution. Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Prisons
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants of the rank of executive officer and above are employed in connection with prisons, and by rank, how many of them have experience of service within prisons at prison officer level or above.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 March 1984, c. 655]: There are 820 civil servants of the rank of executive officer (or the equivalent departmental grades) employed at prison department headquarters and regional offices in connection with penal establishments. Of these 248 have previously served in penal establishments in the grade of prison officer or above.
Energy
Domestic Fuel Supplies
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has had regarding the encouragement of the electricity and gas boards to arrange joint meter readings.
I have received a number of representations on this subject. I expect the industries as part of their management responsibilities to keep all possibilities of rationalisation under review in the light of developing technology.
Standing Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will have further discussions with the industries concerned regarding the problem of standing charges faced by pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
Gas and electricity tariffs, including standing charges, are a matter for the industries concerned. At the Government's suggestion, British Gas and most area electricity boards agreed to limit standing charges to no more than 50 per cent. of a consumer's total bill. Many of the beneficiaries of this measure are pensioners.Abolition of standing charges even for pensioner households alone would cost the two industries together some £300 million a year in lost revenue. This would have to be recovered from other consumers including the less well-off. This would not be an effective means of directing help to those most in need.However, since the Conservative Government came to power the basic supplementary benefit rates have more than kept pace with increases in the retail price index, and in addition the Government are spending some £380 million this financial year on extra heating for those receiving supplementary benefit who need additional warmth. Some 2·5 million people, of whom 1·5 million are pensioners, are benefiting from these supplementary benefit heating additions.
District Heating Schemes
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline, for each European Economic Community member state, what existing regulations apply or are pending for obligatory heat metering of consumers connected to district heating schemes; and if he has any proposals to implement in the United Kingdom the proposals of the European Economic Community Commission on this subject.
Germany and France have mandatory requirements for individual heat metering of consumers. The matter is under consideration in the Netherlands. I am not aware of any Commission proposals on this subject, but understand that the Commission is conducting a study on heat meters.
Energy Efficiency Equipment Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what data he has available concerning the turnover of the energy efficiency equipment industry over the last 12 quarters for which figures are available.
I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 31 January 1984 to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) at column 161.
Tidal Electricity Generating Scheme (China)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report such details as he has of the tidal electricity generating scheme at Jangxia in China.
According to information supplied by the Senior Engineer of the Department of Hydraulics in Peking, construction at the tidal site at Jiangxia began in 1972. It is intended to be an experimental site and part of a programme of studies of larger schemes. The first turbine generator was commissioned in 1980 and the second a few months ago. A total of six is intended, each consisting of a bulb type turbine 2·5 metres in diameter with a generator rated at 500 kw. All equipment is made in China. The barrage is designed for two way operation generating on both the ebb and flood tides. The closure is some 700 metres across and the machinery is built in situ upon an existing rock foundation.
House Of Commons
Written Questions
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many questions for written answer were tabled in the House in the period June 1983 to February 1984.
The information is not available in the form requested.The numbers of questions which appeared on the Order Paper for priority written and written answer from the beginning of this Session to 29 February 1984 are as follows:
| Questions | |
| Priority written | 9,813 |
| Written | 9,118 |
Members' Widows
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the pension paid to a widow of a former Member whose late husband has served 15 years, 18 years and 20 years assuming that her husband, at date of death, was (a) under 65, and (b) over 65 years of age.
Parliamentary pensions are calculated by reference to relevant terminal salary, length of service and, in certain circumstances, the Member's age. A widow's pension is one half the deceased Member's pension or notional pension.The following table shows the widow's pension, rounded to the nearest pound, payable in respect of a Member who died in service on 12 March 1984 aged
(a) not more than 58 years 4 months and (b) 65 years and over; having served 15 years, 18 years and 20 years.
£ per annum
| |||
Service
| |||
Age
| 15 years
| 18 years
| 20 years
|
| Not more than 58 years 4 months | *2,756 | *3,138 | *3,392 |
| 65 years and over | 1,908 | 2,290 | 2,544 |
* These calculations allow for the maximum permitted pensionable service enhancement to widows as provided for under section 2 of the Parliamentary Pensions Act 1978 where a serving Member dies before attaining age 65. | |||
Children's pension may be payable, in addition, at the same rate as the widow's pension where there are two or more eligible children; one-half that rate for one child.
During the first three months of widowhood following death in service the pension(s) would be augmented to the level of a Member's salary, £16,106 per annum.
In addition, the widow would receive a death gratuity equal to the Member's salary, £16,106.
Members' Pensions
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the average Commons pension payment now being paid to former Members of the House.
The average of the total parliamentary pensions paid to former Members is £4,863 (rounded to the nearest pound).
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the average Commons pension now being paid to widows of former Members of the House.
The average of the parliamentary pensions payable to widows/widowers of former Members is £2,472 (rounded to the nearest pound).
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the number of former Members of the House who are not eligible for a Commons pension.
The information is not available since records of former Members, whose service ended before 16 October 1964, were not kept.A total of 93 former Members, who served some time after 16 October 1964, left with no entitlement to benefit other than a refund of their own contributions.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the Commons pension now paid to a Member who has retired after 15 years, 18 years, 20 years and 25 years membership; and on what basis the sums are assessed for pension purposes.
A Member aged 65 years or over leaving the House of Commons on 12 March 1984 after 15 years service would receive a pension of £3,817 per annum; after 18 years £4,580 per annum; after 20 years, £5,089 per annum, and after 25 years, £6,361 per annum. The pensions quoted are based on relevant terminal salary, that is, the gross salary of a Member in the year ended 12 March 1984; and are rounded to the nearest pound.
The Arts
Museums And Galleries (Admission Charges)
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether any national museums and galleries other than the national maritime museum have indicated that they desire to charge for admission to their permanent collections during the coming financial year.
My noble Friend the Minister for the Arts has received no such indications from the other national museums and galleries in England for which he is responsible.
Local Government Reform
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether he will place in the Library copies of all submissions from local authorities and from public arts bodies and organisations that he has received on the effect of his proposals on the funding of the Arts following the abolition of the metropolitan counties and the Greater London council.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 March 1984 c. 665): No. It would not be proper for me to do so. I refer the hon. Member tp the reply I gave on 21 February at column 509 last to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks).
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether he will place in the Library a list of all submissions from local authorities and from public arts bodies and organisations that he has received on the effect of his proposals on the funding of the arts following the abolition of the metropolitan counties and the Greater London council in Cmnd. 9063.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 March 1984, c. 665]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21 February, at column 509, to the hon. Member for Newham North-West (Mr. Banks).
Export Licences
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether, with a view to providing public institutions, as prospective buyers, with requisite information as to the amount they would have to raise, the Minister for the Arts will ask the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art to include the amount of value added tax on dealers' commissions payable by the buyers, as distinct from the sellers, in the total sum to be raised by public institutions in the United Kingdom when purchasing a work of art or museum object for which an export licence has been temporarily withheld.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 March 1984, c. 665]: No. The price specified by the committee represents the fair market price of the object in question and should not include possible additional elements which the committee may not be in a position to establish. These include the VAT position, which will vary according to the circumstances of acquiring institutions, dealers' commissions, and insurance and interest charges that may be incurred.
Review Committee On The Export Of Works Of Art
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what has been the average length of time taken by the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art between receiving an application and announcing a decision in each of the past 10 years.
Averages for each of the past 10 years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. During this period the interval between the receipt of an export licence application by the committee and the announcement of the Minister's decision has been, with a few exceptions, between four and six weeks. However, in certain circumstances, such as when an exceptionally large number of referrals occur around the same time, the delay may be longer. In addition, time must be allowed between the submission of an application to the Department of Trade and Industry and its referral to the committee; this can take up to four weeks, depending on the consultations that may be needed before the expert adviser decides whether or not to oppose export.
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what has been the cost of running the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art in each of the past 10 years.
Members of the review committee and the chairman are unpaid, but receive reimbursement for travel and subsistence. The time of the departmental officials and expert advisers involved cannot be readily costed; such costs are borne within the budget of their individual Departments and institutions.Records of committee expenditure prior to April 1981 have not been retained. Expenditure for committee hearings over the last three financial years was as follows:
| £ | |
| 1981–82 | 1,017 |
| 1982–83 | 2,255 |
| 1983–84 | 8,402 |
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if the Minister for the Arts will consider raising the £8,000 threshold applicable to the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art; and if he will make a statement.
The review committee considered raising the £8,000 limit beyond which individual licences must be obtained to export works of art, antiques and so on, in 1983, in the context of an overall review of monetary limits. The present limit was established in 1977 and its purpose is to establish a relatively simple and easily administered method of ensuring that items likely to be of outstanding national importance should not be exported without special scrutiny, and at the same time to allow the bulk of low-valued items to be exported without unnecessary restricions. The committee concluded that at present £8,000 is an appropriate figure for this purpose. The question is kept under regular review.
asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, if the Minister for the Arts will consider reviewing the criteria which guide the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art.
The criteria established by the Waverley committee in 1952 have been used by the reviewing committee since its inception and have stood the test of time. It is, of course, always open to the committee to recommend changes where it thinks them desirable, on this as on other aspects of export control procedure. The committee in its turn has an advisory council, representing heritage interests in the public and private sectors, which can tender advice as necessary.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Bees
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many queen bees (a) of the Brother Adam type, and (b) of other types have been imported into Great Britain (i) from Israel and (ii) from elsewhere, by country, in the past 12 months; what health checks are carried out on the import of such bees; and if he will make a statement.
Imports of queen bees into the United Kingdom in 1983 were as follows:
| number | |
| Israel | 1,434 |
| New Zealand | 836 |
| United States of America | 3,358 |
| Total | 5,628 |
Separate records are not kept as to the types of queen bees imported.
The Importation of Bees Order 1980, which applies to Great Britain, prohibits the importation of bees except under licence. Imports are restricted to queen bees—with the necessary attendant workers—from countries with a high bee health status, subject to licences which are issued to individual importers for a particular consignment or consignments, from a specified country. In particular, licences are not issued for imports from countries where the varroa mite has been found. A health certificate is required for each consignment of bees and it is a condition of the licence that the attendant worker bees are sent immediately to a Government laboratory for microscopic examination for disease. The importer is required to keep a record of disposal of imported queen bees.
Similar arrangements apply under the Importation of Bees Order (Northern Ireland) 1980 in respect of imports of bees into Northern Ireland.
Producer Prices
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage increase in the producer prices overall and by category, as shown in table 2 of the annual review White Paper, Cmnd. 9137, since (i) 1967–69 and (ii) 1970 to 1972 compared to the percentage increase in the retail price index and in retail food prices.
I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Prime Minister
Denationalisation
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will publish Her Majesty's Government's plans for denationalisation during the course of this Parliament.
We remain committed to the extensive privatisation programme set out in our last manifesto. Increased target figures for special sales of assets in future years were announced in the 1984 public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9143). The aim of the programme is to increase competition and improve efficiency, to the benefit of customers, employees, taxpayers and the economy as a whole.
Latin America
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister when she next proposes to make an official visit to Latin America.
I have no plans at present to visit Latin America.
Nato (35Th Anniversary)
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will seek to organise a service of thanksgiving, to be attended by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member leaders, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
The 35th anniversary of NATO will be marked by a meeting of alliance Foreign Ministers in Washington in May. If there were to be a service of thanksgiving for attendance by NATO leaders, it would therefore fall to our American hosts to organise. We are considering arrangements for marking the 35th anniversary in the United Kingdom.
Trades Union Congress
Q53.
asked the Prime Minister when last she met the leaders of the Trades Union Congress.
I last met the president and general secretary of the TUC on 23 February 1984.
Engagements
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q 11.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q48.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q49.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q50.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q51.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q52.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q54.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q55.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q56.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q57.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q58.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q59.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q60.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q61.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q62.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q63.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q64.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q65.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q66.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q67.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q68.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q69.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q70.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q71.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q72.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q73.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q74.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q75.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q76.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q77.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
Q78.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
Q79.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 13 March.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 13 March.
This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.
United Kingdom
asked the Prime Minister (1) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the future membership of the United Kingdom of Wales;(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the future membership of the United Kingdom of Scotland;(3) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the future membership of the United Kingdom of Northern Ireland.
The Government are in no doubt that the United Kingdom will remain as presently constituted for the foreseeable future and frame their policies accordingly.
Middle East (Ministerial Visit)
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list each of the official engagements she attended during her visit to Oman and Abu Dhabi in April 1981.
The information is as follows:Abu Dhabi
21 April
Attendance at Queen's birthday party British embassy.
22 April
- Discussions with Shaikh Zaid and other leaders
- Call on Shaikh Khalifa
- Press Conference at Hilton hotel
- Attendance at lunch hosted by the Abu Dhabi Government
Oman
23 April
- Reception for Diplomatic Corps in Muscat
- Visit to British embassy in Muscat
- Discussions with Sultan of Oman in Salalah
- Visit to British council English language teaching institute opening of English speaking primary school
- Interviews with press
- Attendance at official dinner hosted by Sultan of Oman
24 April
- Airborne tour of Dhofar mountains and visit to military units
- Audience with Sultan of Oman, followed by lunch
- Visit to Arzat farm
- Press conference at Guest palace
Environment
Bridge Street Subway (Cleanliness)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will take steps to monitor the condition and cleanliness in the Bridge street subway each morning; and if he will make it his practice to raise with the council each occasion when the standard of cleanliness is inadequate.
No. This is not the responsibility of my Department. But I am following up with Westminster city council the points made by my hon. Friend in his letter of 2 March.
Cycling
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will encourage consistency of application of cycling facilities in London's parks.
My Department has responsibilities for the royal parks in London. There are cycle tracks in Hyde park, Kensington gardens and Richmond park. Cycles may also use the roads in and around St. James's park, Hyde park, Regent's park, Richmond park and Greenwich park. Other parks in London are the responsibility of the local authorities.
Control Of Pollution Act 1974
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to implement the main provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.
It remains the Government's intention to lay orders before the end of this calendar year to bring into effect the key offence provisions—section 31 and 32 of the Act. This is in line with the Government's commitment to achieve implementation of the main provisions of part II of the Act by 1986.Accordingly, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, I propose to lay before the House after Easter the orders and regulations required to ensure that the necessary framework for transitional provisions new applications and public involvement is in place before the offence provisions become operative.
Local Government Reform
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the event of the abolition of the Tyne and Wear metropolitan council, what proportion of the council's annual gross expenditure will be transferred to non-directly elected bodies.
Based on 1982–83 outturn expenditure data, 49 per cent. of Tyne and Wear metropolitan council's gross revenue expenditure on the rate fund and trading accounts would be controlled by joint boards under the Government's proposals for reorganisation of local government.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those organisation which have made representations to him concerning "Streamlining the Cities", as it affects Tyne and Wear county council, indicating which were (a) in favour and (b) against the proposals.
I have placed in the Library a list of major national organisations which have responded to the White Paper. We have not yet completed our analysis of the responses received.
Boxing (Regulations)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now consult the medical profession and the British Boxing Board of Control with a view to amending the regulations permitting blows to the head in boxing, in view of concern about damage sustained by boxers.
I shall answer this question shortly.
Water (Industrial Consumers)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to increase the share of water authority costs to be paid by industrial consumers.
We have no plans to do so.
Northumbrian Water Authority
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the Northumbrian water authority; and what steps he has taken to secure an increase in the level of productivity and to secure other cost savings.
I am encouraged by the progress which the Northumbrian water authority has made towards achieving greater efficiency and I expect this to continue.The consultants who reviewed the Northumbrian budgets for 1981–82 and 1982–83 reported favourably on its efficiency. The performance aims agreed with the authority for 1983–84 resulted in a 4 per cent. reduction in real operating costs compared with 1979–80. As I announced in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones) on 17 January, at column 199, we have now agreed a new performance aim with the chairman which will reduce real operating costs by a further 5 per cent. The authority's manpower has decreased by 20 per cent. since March 1979.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what financial targets he has set for the Northumbrian water authority; on what basis he requires it to account for the depreciation of assets; and how these compare with the targets and requirements set for other English water authorities;(2) if he will publish a table showing the Northumbrian water authority's forecast for the demand for water at the public inquiry over the Kielder water project and the actual demand from domestic and industrial users over the past five years;(3) what financial assistance has been given to the Northumbrian water authority by the Government in each of the past 10 years;
(4) what has been the domestic rate charged by the Northumbrian water authority; and by what percentage it has increased in each of the past 10 years and for 1984–85.
I shall answer these questions shortly.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what limit he has set on the Northumbrian water authority's capital programme for the forthcoming year; and whether it includes provision for the Langbaurgh sea outfall.
An external financing limit of £26 million for 1984–85 has been set for Northumbrian water authority. This is expected to support capital investment worth £35 million, on DOE services. I understand that the Langbaurgh sea outfall will form part of this capital programme.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the level of water charges in the area, he will take steps to reduce the financial target and increase the external financing limit of the Northumbrian water authority.
No.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the increase in Northumbrian water authority's expenditure in real and percentage terms, excluding debt charges, in each of the past five years.
The following table shows the percentages increases in Northumbrian water authority's revenue expenditure, excluding interest, for the years 1978–79 to 1982–83:
| Financial year | Per cent. increase | Per cent. increase (deflated by RPI) |
| 1978–79 | 36·3 | 26·3 |
| 1979–80 | 20·3 | 9·3 |
| 1980–81 | 23·7 | 1·6 |
| 1981–82 | 12·5 | 0·4 |
| 1982–83 | 6·5 | (-2·6) |
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications for loan sanctions have been made by the Northumbrian water authority in each of the past 10 years; and which of these the Government has approved.
The system of capital approvals has altered over the last ten years. But the loans actually issued to the Northumbrian water authority (excluding short-term bridging loans) were as follows:
| Year | Number of Loans | Total Amounts (£ millions) |
| 1974–75 | 6 | 35·7 |
| 1975–76 | 10 | 41·0 |
| 1976–77 | 8 | 38·3 |
| 1977–78 | 5 | 38·2 |
| 1978–79 | 5 | 33·9 |
| 1979–80 | 9 | 41·3 |
| 1980–81 | 19 | 58·0 |
| 1981–82 | 15 | 63·1 |
| 1982–83 | 15 | 81·5 |
| 1983–84* | 4 | 30·0 |
| * To 9 March 1984. | ||
Water Rates
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the increase in domestic water rates in real and percentage terms for each water authority in England in each of the past five years and for 1984–85.
I shall answer this question shortly.
Water Authorities (Costs)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the costs of each English water authority, excluding Northumbria, arise from servicing debts.
In 1982–83, interest payments expressed as a percentage of revenue income were as follows:
| Water authority | Percentage |
| North West | 28·2 |
| Severn-Trent | 25·6 |
| Yorkshire | 23·6 |
| Anglian | 34·8 |
| Thames | 11·0 |
| Southern | 23·0 |
| Wessex | 25·6 |
| South West | 20·1 |
Source: Water Authority Annual Accounts and Reports 1982–83.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the costs of the Northumbrian water authority arise from servicing debts.
In the financial year 1982–83, interest payments represented 47·7 per cent. of the revenue income.
Transport
Traffic Black Spots
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used to determine whether pelican crossings and traffic lights may be installed by local authorities at traffic black spots; and if he will make a statement.
The Department's advice is given in the departmental advice note TA/10/80 "Design Considerations for Pelican and Zebra Crossings" and circular roads 5/73 "Criteria for Traffic Signals at Junctions". Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.
Employment
Labour Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the level of unemployment for each region by year from 1954 to the present day.
The following table gives the annual average numbers unemployed in the areas specified.
Thousands
| |||||||||||
South East
| East Anglia
| South West
| West Midlands
| East Midlands
| Yorkshire and Humberside
| North West
| North
| Wales
| Scotland
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Annual Average | |||||||||||
Registered unemployed*
| |||||||||||
| 1954 | 68·3 | 7·1 | 16·7 | 12·3 | 6·4 | 19·1 | 44·2 | 28·3 | 22·9 | 59·5 | 33·0 |
| 1955 | 50·9 | 5·6 | 13·5 | 10·2 | 5·8 | 14·8 | 40·8 | 22·3 | 17·3 | 51·1 | 32·3 |
| 1956 | 58·7 | 6·4 | 14·9 | 23·0 | 6·9 | 15·7 | 40·0 | 19·7 | 19·5 | 52·2 | 30·1 |
| 1957 | 74·8 | 9·1 | 21·2 | 27·0 | 10·8 | 19·6 | 47·3 | 21·6 | 24·8 | 56·3 | 34·7 |
| 1958 | 97·7 | 11·6 | 26·8 | 33·8 | 19·7 | 38·5 | 80·8 | 31·1 | 36·3 | 81·1 | 43·5 |
| 1959 | 94·4 | 10·2 | 26·1 | 31·5 | 18·6 | 38·2 | 82·1 | 43·1 | 36·3 | 94·9 | 36·9 |
| 1960 | 73·2 | 8·0 | 20·6 | 21·4 | 13·1 | 24·5 | 57·8 | 37·2 | 26·0 | 78·7 | 32·4 |
| 1961 | 75·0 | 7·4 | 17·8 | 31·4 | 13·0 | 21·0 | 49·3 | 32·4 | 24·9 | 68·4 | 36·1 |
| 1962 | 98·3 | 9·8 | 22·5 | 40·5 | 17·9 | 34·3 | 76·8 | 49·3 | 30·7 | 83·1 | 36·7 |
| 1963 | 109·9 | 11·0 | 25·3 | 38·3 | 20·4 | 37·2 | 86·5 | 60·5 | 33·2 | 98·2 | 37·4 |
| 1964 | 76·6 | 8·5 | 20·4 | 20·3 | 13·2 | 25·8 | 61·1 | 43·5 | 24·6 | 78·1 | 32·2 |
| 1965 | 68·1 | 7·8 | 20·6 | 16·3 | 12·3 | 22·2 | 47·3 | 33·5 | 25·6 | 63·4 | 30·0 |
| 1966 | 75·6 | 8·6 | 23·6 | 19·3 | 14·6 | 23·4 | 43·8 | 33·7 | 28·4 | 59·9 | 30·1 |
| 1967 | 127·7 | 12·3 | 33·1 | 42·8 | 23·5 | 39·4 | 68·9 | 51·4 | 39·3 | 80·6 | 37·7 |
| 1968 | 128·4 | 12·1 | 33·1 | 45·6 | 26·2 | 51·0 | 71·2 | 60·2 | 38·8 | 80·4 | 36·4 |
| 1969 | 122·0 | 12·3 | 35·3 | 40·3 | 27·2 | 51·9 | 70·9 | 61·9 | 38·8 | 78·7 | 36·9 |
| 1970 | 125·9 | 13·7 | 37·4 | 44·6 | 31·6 | 57·0 | 77·9 | 61·2 | 37·2 | 90·4 | 35·4 |
| 1971 | 152·8 | 19·7 | 45·1 | 66·5 | 40·4 | 75·1 | 110·0 | 73·8 | 44·5 | 123·8 | 40·4 |
| 1972 | 161·9 | 18·5 | 46·8 | 80·4 | 42·6 | 82·0 | 135·7 | 81·9 | 49·1 | 136·0 | 40·6 |
| 1973 | 113·2 | 12·4 | 34·0 | 49·3 | 29·3 | 55·5 | 100·6 | 60·7 | 35·5 | 97·1 | 31·1 |
| 1974 | 117·8 | 13·2 | 40·7 | 49·6 | 32·7 | 53·9 | 97·6 | 60·5 | 38·6 | 86·5 | 29·9 |
| 1975 | 208·3 | 23·9 | 74·2 | 93·9 | 54·6 | 81·8 | 149·1 | 79·0 | 58·8 | 112·5 | 42·0 |
Unemployed claimant†
| |||||||||||
| 1975 | 197·1 | 23·0 | 72·4 | 88·9 | 53·2 | 78·8 | 144·7 | 77·6 | 57·3 | 109·3 | 39·2 |
| 1976 | 300·2 | 32·6 | 99·8 | 126·6 | 71·0 | 109·6 | 188·4 | 98·0 | 75·4 | 148·3 | 51·8 |
| 1977 | 321·4 | 36·1 | 107·7 | 127·3 | 75·9 | 114·9 | 199·1 | 109·0 | 81·3 | 172·1 | 57·9 |
| 1978 | 296·0 | 34·9 | 102·4 | 122·5 | 75·9 | 119·2 | 197·7 | 116·3 | 84·8 | 172·0 | 62·3 |
| 1979 | 257·7 | 30·8 | 90·5 | 120·2 | 70·9 | 114·6 | 187·0 | 113·7 | 80·5 | 168·3 | 61·8 |
| 1980 | 328·1 | 39·2 | 106·9 | 170·1 | 98·7 | 154·6 | 242·1 | 140·8 | 102·7 | 207·9 | 74·5 |
| 1981 | 547·6 | 61·4 | 155·6 | 290·6 | 155·3 | 237·2 | 354·9 | 192·0 | 145·9 | 282·8 | 98·0 |
| 1982 | 664·6 | 72·2 | 179·0 | 337·9 | 176·6 | 273·2 | 407·8 | 214·6 | 164·8 | 318·0 | 108·3 |
| 1983‡ | 721·4 | 77·5 | 188·6 | 354·7 | 188·0 | 288·7 | 437·1 | 225·7 | 170·4 | 335·6 | 117·1 |
* Figures for 1954 to 1962 include the temporarily stopped. | |||||||||||
† The basis of the unemployment count changed in October 1982 with the introduction of voluntary registration. To enable comparisons over time to be made, estimated back series on the claimant basis were made available; to January 1971 for national totals and to April 1974 for regional totals. | |||||||||||
‡ The comparison between 1982 and 1983 is affected by the provisions announced in the 1983 Budget which meant that some men aged 60 and over no longer had to sign on in order to receive supplementary benefit or national insurance credits. Between March and August 1983 an estimated 162,000 men in the United Kingdom were affected. The estimated effect by region was—38,000 South East; 5,000 East Anglia; 15,000 South West; 19,000 West Midlands; 15,000 East Midlands; 17,000 Yorkshire and Humberside; 18,000 North West; 13,000 North; 9,000 Wales; 11,000 Scotland and 2,000 in Northern Ireland. | |||||||||||
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of unemployed people in the United Kingdom.
On 9 February the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,186,386.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of (a) unemployed males and (b) unemployed females under the age of 21 years, have now been unemployed for (a) more than six months and (b) more than 12 months in the Houghton and Washington travel-to-work area; and if he will make a statement.
The following table gives the information for unemployed claimants aged under 20 years (under 21 not available) for 12 January, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available. The figures relate to the area covered by the Houghton-le-Spring and Washington jobcentres.
| Percentage of total unemployed claimants aged under 20 years | ||
| Duration in weeks | Male | Female |
| Over 26 and up to 52 weeks | 24·9 | 18·9 |
| Over 52 weeks | 21·9 | 25·3 |
European Social Fund
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether there have been any recent changes in the way European social fund money is paid to voluntary organisations which have successfully applied for funding.
There have been no changes recently in the way European social fund money is paid to voluntary organisations in particular. However, following a major review of the fund last year, changes will come into effect this year in the way payments are made in general. For most of the fund 50 per cent. of the assistance approved will be payable on the date when the operations are scheduled to begin (or when assistance is approved, if later). The other 50 per cent. will be paid after the scheme has finished.For allocations made in 1983 and earlier 30 per cent. was due for payment when the scheme began, a further 30 per cent. when the scheme was half-completed and the remainder when the scheme was completed. This method of payment will remain in force only for the 5 per cent. of the fund reserved for innovatory projects.Payments will continue to be made through the Department of Employment.
Ethnic Monitoring
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library the results of the pilot ethnic monitoring schemes his Department has carried out.
I think it preferable that these results be 'published in the Official Report.The tests were run for four weeks during February and March 1982 at 14 selected UBOs.Two methods were used.The first involved UBO staff asking claimants whose appearance or speech suggested they might belong to a minority group, to identify their ethnic origin from a card which listed ethnic minority groups. The second method involved a visual assessment of ethnic origin by benefit staff.For the card method, there was a refusal rate of 33·7 per cent. As a result the seven UBOs applying this method identified 22 per cent. fewer ethnic minority unemployed than the corresponding jobcentres. For the visual assessment method, there was a refusal rate of 1·2 per cent. In this case, the seven UBOs involved identified 5·5 per cent. fewer members of ethnic minority unemployed than the corresponding jobcentres.
Unemployment Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployment benefit cheques for amounts under £0·05 his Department has sent out in each of the last six months, in respect of which he has records; and if he will make a statement.
This information is not held centrally and could be extracted clerically only at disproportionate cost.
Youth Training Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the results of inquiries undertaken by the Manpower Services Commission into the health and safety provisions of the youth training scheme.
[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1984, c. 390]: The Manpower Services Commission keeps all aspects of the youth training scheme, including its health and safety provisions, under review. It has commissioned a study on accidents to trainees on the youth opportunities programme and I will make available any conclusions drawn from the study.
Youth Unemployment
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report (a) the number and (b) the percentage of unemployed youth in the special development areas at the latest date and the comparative figures for June 1979.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1984, c. 359]: The following table gives the numbers of registered unemployed aged under 18 years in July 1979 and the number of unemployed claimants in January 1984 for travel-to-work areas or jobcentre areas which comprise special development areas. The figures are not seasonally adjusted; in particular the figures for July 1979 are seasonally high due to new school leavers registering as unemployed and the January 1984 figures for Scotland will include Christmas school leavers. As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 6 March 1984, at column 539, to the related questions on Merseyside and Liverpool, percentage rates of unemployed by age are not available below national level owing to the absence of employment estimates by age. Information for October 1982 on both the registration and claimant bases included in my previous reply could be provided for special development areas only at disproportionate cost.
Unemployed aged under 18 in travel-to-work areas and jobcentre areas in special development areas
| ||
Registered unemployed July 1979
| Unemployed claimants January 1984
| |
South West
| ||
| Redruth | 310 | 203 |
| Falmouth | 132 | 130 |
North West
| ||
| Birkenhead | 3,714 | 1,766 |
| Liverpool | 10,375 | 5,307 |
| Widnes | 1,316 | 842 |
| Skelmersdale* | 468 | 335 |
North
| ||
| Consett | 702 | 509 |
| North Tyne | 4,012 | 2,361 |
| Peterlee | 1,071 | 358 |
| South Tyne | 4,262 | 2,112 |
| Teesside | 4,740 | 2,733 |
| Wearside | 3,287 | 1,777 |
| Hartlepool | 1,153 | 568 |
Wales
| ||
| Bargoed | 526 | 383 |
| Ebbw Vale | 716 | 381 |
| Holyhead | 327 | 227 |
| Port Talbot | 1,286 | 766 |
| Shotton | 1,166 | 507 |
| Wrexham | 889 | 530 |
| Ferndale* | †— | 139 |
| Tonypandy* | 788 | 185 |
| Treorchy* | †— | 101 |
Scotland
| ||
| Ayr | 728 | 748 |
| Dumbraton | 503 | 580 |
| Glasgow | 9,940 | 9,087 |
| Greenock | 1,199 | 880 |
| Irvine | 1,322 | 941 |
| Lanark | 530 | 275 |
| North Lanarkshire | 3,816 | 3,592 |
| Paisley | 1,433 | 1,379 |
| Arbroath | 269 | 213 |
| Cummock | 306 | 330 |
| Dundee | 1,308 | 1,419 |
| Kilmarnock | 529 | 535 |
| Glenrothes* | 315 | 280 |
| Livingston* | 430 | 486 |
| Sanguhar* | †l | 58 |
Notes:
* Jobcentre areas not forming complete travel-to-work areas.
‡ The figures of registered unemployment for young people exclude those registering at careers offices outside the area.
Temporary Employment Schemes
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest estimate of the number of men, women and young people by standard definition on temporary employment schemes by name in Erdington, Birmingham.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 March 1984, c. 674]: The information is not available in the form requested. The latest figures available, which are as follows, show the numbers of people supported on the Government's special employment and training measures.
- Community Industry (1): 147 (66 male, 81 female)
- Community Programme (2): 3,741 (78 per cent. male, 22 per cent. female) (28 per cent. occupied by young people aged 18 to 20).
- Enterprise Allowance Scheme: 715 (88 per cent. male, 12 per cent. female).
- Job Release Scheme: 53 (48 male, five female).
- Young Workers Scheme: 624.
- Youth Training Scheme (3): 8,493 (57 per cent. male, 43 per cent. female).
Redundancies (Merseyside)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of firms in the county of Merseyside which have laid off more than 50 workers, giving the actual numbers made redundant in each case during each of the last four calendar years.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 March 1984,c. 674]: The information requested is as follows.
| Confirmed redundancies in the county of Mersey side occurring in groups of 50 or more: listing by size of redundancy | |
| Number made redundant on each occasion | Number of occasions* |
| 1980 (part) | |
| 50 | 8 |
| 51 | 2 |
| 52 | 1 |
| 53 | 1 |
| 54 | 2 |
| 55 | 1 |
| 57 | 1 |
| 58 | 2 |
| 59 | 1 |
| 60 | 3 |
| 61 | 1 |
| 62 | 1 |
| 64 | 1 |
| 66 | 1 |
| 67 | 1 |
| 68 | 3 |
| 70 | 3 |
| 73 | 1 |
| 75 | 2 |
| 79 | 1 |
| 80 | 3 |
| 81 | 1 |
| 82 | 1 |
| 84 | 2 |
| 85 | 2 |
| 86 | 1 |
| 87 | 1 |
| 88 | 1 |
| 89 | 2 |
| 90 | 3 |
| 94 | 1 |
| 95 | 2 |
| 96 | 1 |
| 99 | 1 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 103 | 1 |
| 114 | 1 |
| 116 | 1 |
| 121 | 1 |
| 128 | 2 |
| 130 | 3 |
| 132 | 1 |
| 139 | 1 |
| 140 | 1 |
| 144 | 1 |
Number made redundant on each occasion
| Number of occasions*
|
| 150 | 1 |
| 180 | 1 |
| 200 | 1 |
| 204 | 1 |
| 205 | 1 |
| 208 | 1 |
| 220 | 1 |
| 224 | 1 |
| 230 | 1 |
| 250 | 1 |
| 270 | 1 |
| 300 | 1 |
| 315 | 1 |
| 352 | 1 |
| 370 | 1 |
| 400 | 1 |
| 404 | 1 |
| 410 | 1 |
| 545 | 1 |
| Total 50 and over | 92 |
| Total number made redundant: 11,339 | |
| 1981 (part) | |
| 50 | 2 |
| 51 | 2 |
| 52 | 3 |
| 53 | 1 |
| 54 | 4 |
| 55 | 2 |
| 56 | 2 |
| 57 | 3 |
| 58 | 1 |
| 59 | 1 |
| 60 | 2 |
| 64 | 1 |
| 65 | 1 |
| 66 | 3 |
| 67 | 2 |
| 70 | 1 |
| 76 | 1 |
| 78 | 1 |
| 80 | 3 |
| 82 | 2 |
| 83 | 2 |
| 87 | 1 |
| 90 | 2 |
| 91 | 1 |
| 94 | 1 |
| 95 | 4 |
| 96 | 2 |
| 97 | 2 |
| 100 | 3 |
| 103 | 1 |
| 105 | 1 |
| 107 | 1 |
| 110 | 2 |
| 117 | 1 |
| 119 | 1 |
| 122 | 1 |
| 123 | 1 |
| 124 | 1 |
| 125 | 1 |
| 128 | 1 |
| 131 | 1 |
| 132 | 1 |
| 133 | 1 |
| 135 | 1 |
| 138 | 1 |
| 140 | 1 |
| 146 | 1 |
| 150 | 1 |
| 154 | 1 |
| 159 | 1 |
| 160 | 1 |
Number made redundant on each occasion
| Number of occasions*
|
| 169 | 1 |
| 170 | 1 |
| 176 | 1 |
| 181 | 1 |
| 186 | 1 |
| 200 | 1 |
| 219 | 1 |
| 222 | 2 |
| 248 | 1 |
| 260 | 1 |
| 299 | 1 |
| 300 | 1 |
| 301 | 1 |
| 371 | 1 |
| 409 | 1 |
| 457 | 1 |
| 510 | 1 |
| 600 | 1 |
| 650 | 1 |
| 1,306 | 1 |
| 1,544 | 1 |
| Total 50 and over | 101 |
| Total number made redundant: 16,001 | |
| 1982 | |
| 50 | 2 |
| 52 | 3 |
| 54 | 1 |
| 55 | 1 |
| 57 | 3 |
| 58 | 1 |
| 60 | 3 |
| 62 | 1 |
| 64 | 1 |
| 67 | 1 |
| 70 | 1 |
| 71 | 1 |
| 72 | 1 |
| 77 | 2 |
| 78 | 2 |
| 79 | 1 |
| 84 | 1 |
| 85 | 1 |
| 87 | 3 |
| 92 | 1 |
| 95 | 3 |
| 96 | 2 |
| 97 | 1 |
| 98 | 1 |
| 99 | 2 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 102 | 1 |
| 106 | 1 |
| 109 | 1 |
| 131 | 1 |
| 138 | 1 |
| 144 | 1 |
| 145 | 1 |
| 150 | 4 |
| 190 | 1 |
| 191 | 1 |
| 200 | 1 |
| 260 | 1 |
| 269 | 1 |
| 271 | 1 |
| 300 | 1 |
| 312 | 1 |
| 313 | 1 |
| 317 | 1 |
| 340 | 1 |
| 398 | 1 |
| 640 | 1 |
| 646 | 1 |
| 820 | 1 |
Number made redundant on each occasion
| Number of occasions*
|
| 942 | 1 |
| 943 | 1 |
| Total 50 and over | 69 |
| Total number made redundant: 11,888 | |
| 1983† | |
| 50 | 5 |
| 51 | 1 |
| 54 | 1 |
| 55 | 1 |
| 56 | 1 |
| 58 | 2 |
| 59 | 1 |
| 60 | 3 |
| 70 | 1 |
| 72 | 2 |
| 75 | 1 |
| 76 | 3 |
| 77 | 1 |
| 80 | 2 |
| 83 | 1 |
| 84 | 1 |
| 85 | 1 |
| 87 | 1 |
| 88 | 1 |
| 90 | 2 |
| 95 | 2 |
| 99 | 1 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 120 | 1 |
| 125 | 1 |
| 140 | 1 |
| 144 | 1 |
| 153 | 1 |
| 160 | 2 |
| 162 | 1 |
| 168 | 1 |
| 175 | 1 |
| 180 | 1 |
| 200 | 1 |
| 201 | 1 |
| 208 | 1 |
| 209 | 1 |
| 233 | 1 |
| 262 | 1 |
| 310 | 1 |
| 325 | 1 |
| 350 | 1 |
| 410 | 1 |
| 500 | 1 |
| 550 | 1 |
| 930 | 1 |
| 1,330 | 1 |
| Total 50 and over | 61 |
| Total number made redundant: 10,276 | |
Note:
* Firms which have made redundancies on more than one occasion during the period are included more than once.
‡ Includes provisional figures for December 1983.
Attorney-General
Magistrates
asked the Attorney-General how many magistrates there are for the city of Newcastle upon, Tyne.
192.
Wales V Glc (Judgment)
asked the Attorney-General why free copies of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the recent case of Wales v. Greater London council were given to certain newspapers but not to the Construction Law Digest.
Where the court has prepared a written judgment, free copies are normally given to counsel, the law reporters and the representatives of the press present in court. I assume that no representative of the Construction Law Digest was present.
Mrs V Gillick (Legal Aid)
asked the Attorney-General what is the cost to date to public funds of the legal aid provided to Mrs. V. Gillick to bring her various actions against the provision of contraception for girls aged under 16 years; and what will be the likely cost of her appeal.
Costs in legally aided cases are paid as taxed in court. No bill has in fact yet been submitted. It is not the practice to disclose the sums involved in individual cases.
Trade And Industry
Regional Aid
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the relationship between the European Economic Community regional fund and the Government's regional aid scheme.
Grants payable in pursuit of the Government's regional selective assistance scheme under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 attract support from the European regional development fund under article 2.3(a) of Council regulation (EEC) No. 724/75 of 18 March 1975, as amended. As provided for in article 4.2(a) of the regulation, the ERDF aid is retained by the Government as a partial repayment of their own aid. In addition, areas in which the Government's regional aids are available may also benefit from ERDF support in respect of infrastructure projects undertaken by central and local government and other public authorities, such grants being passed on to the bodies concerned. Expected ERDF contributions are taken into account by the Government in determining the appropriate overall levels of the public expenditure programme concerned.The regional development grant scheme does not at present attract ERDF support, but the changes proposed to it by the Government, and now being considered by the House, will have the effect of enabling it to do so.
Trade Figures
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the deterioration in the trade figures in January is due to the increase of 10 per cent. in the real exchange rate against the European Economic Community currencies between the first and fourth quarters of 1983.
Many factors influence the outcome of trade in any month and it is not possible to quantify their individual effects.
Ec (Textile Industry)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the Official Report schemes under consideration by his Department for inclusion under the European regional development fund non-quota textile measures; and what progress is being made for the timetable for these schemes.
The Department is considering the entire range of schemes permitted under article 4 of Council regulation (EEC) No. 219/84. Because of the procedures laid down for the preparation and approval of programmes under this and the other non-quota regulations, it is unlikely that formal approval by the Commission can be given much before the end of the year.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect funding under the European regional development fund non-quota textile measures will have on funding from Her Majesty's Government for the schemes submitted and areas involved.
The schemes which will be introduced under articles 4.2 to 4.7 of Council regulation (EEC) No. 219/84 will be entirely new, will be funded jointly by the Government and the Community, and will be confined to the areas defined in the regulation. It is expected that schemes under article 4(1) will be largely the responsibility of local authorities.
Textiles And Clothing (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imports of textiles and clothing in each of the last five years and the percentage increase or decrease from each year to the next; and if he will give a breakdown to show the individual countries concerned.
The information that is readily available can be derived from the answer given to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Deakins) on 7 February 1984, at columns 522–23.
Sphygmomanometers (Testing)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to require all blood pressure measuring equipment to be tested by trading standards officers when new and at regular intervals thereafter.
New equipment is tested before use for compliance with British Standards 2743: 1956 or 2744: 1956 according to type. In 1977 the Department of Health and Social Security recommended, in "Health Equipment Information No. 69" that such equipment used in the Health Service should be tested regularly.
Weighing And Measuring Equipment (Metrological Control)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to review the metrological control of weighing or measuring equipment for use for trade and to consider the need for new provisions which would be more attuned to modern technology and trading conditions.
I am setting up a committee comprised of representatives from trade, industry, local authorities, consumers and the Department, under an independent chairman, to review these issues and to make recommendations. The terms of reference of the committee will be:
Loan Guarantee Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what instructions have been given to the loan guarantee scheme unit which is responsible for vetting applications approved and put forward by the participating institutions, in respect of applicants who have previously been placed into liquidation whilst owing amounts to the Inland Revenue or the Customs and Excise; and if similar instructions are given with regard to situations in which the amounts not recovered in a previous liquidation relate to non-preferential creditors only.
[pursuant to the reply, 12 March 1984, c. 11]: In most cases the loan guarantee unit receives very little background information on individual scheme applicants. However, in carrying out their assessment the banks will clearly want to take full account of the previous experience of those who will be running the business. If applicants have been involved in a previous business failure, where either preferential or unsecured creditors were unable to recover the amounts owed to them, the banks will need to consider carefully the particular circumstances and take a view on how far this should influence their decision on whether to support the LGS application. Previous business failures do not automatically exclude potential applicants from the scheme unless the failure involved other lending under the LGS that resulted in a claim under the guarantee arrangements.
Scotland
Tomography Scanners
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department collects on the provision of computer-aided tomography scanners within the National Health Service in each health board area.
Information on the provision of computer-aided tomography scanners is not collected routinely.
Crofters Commission
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the salaries and expenses of the chairman and members of the Crofters Commission for the last three years for which figures are available.
The information is as follows:
| 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Salary of Chairman | 13,677 | 14,623 | 16,665 |
| Salary of Members* | 31,092 | 33,271 | 37,905 |
| Expenses of Chairman and members | 27,865 | 29,219 | 20,413 |
| * Five members were paid at the rates of £4,441·7, £4,753 and £5,415 in each of the years respectively. A sixth member who has additional territorial responsibility and also acts as vice-chairman was paid at twice those rates. | |||
Red Deer Commission
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the salaries and expenses of the chairman and members of the Red Deer Commission for the last three years for which figures are available.
Only the chairman is salaried. His salary and the aggregate expenses of the chairman and members are as follows:
| 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Salary | 7,175 | 7,678 | 8,750 |
| Expenses | 6,298 | 8,340 | 8,849 |
Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider paying an enhanced hill livestock compensatory allowance to mountain farmers.
No mountain areas have been designated in the UK under EC regulations, but the Government pay compensatory allowances to hill farmers on eligible livestock in the UK less-favoured areas and has announced the intention of doing so in new marginal land areas, as well as introducing some enhancement of hill livestock compensatory allowances in the Highlands and Islands Development Board area.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that enhanced hill livestock compensatory allowances are not limited to the Highlands and Islands Development Board area.
After very careful consideration, my right hon. Friend has decided that the enhanced rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances will be paid on eligible beef cows and hill sheep within the HIDB area only as the general level of natural handicaps in this area are on average greater than those affecting any other significant part of the less-favoured areas in the UK.
European Assembly (Constituencies)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland on its review of European Assembly constituencies.
On 7 March I received the Commission's report on its review of European Assembly constituencies. As required by the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949 and the European Assembly Elections Act 1978, I shall lay the report as soon as may be, together with the draft of an Order in Council for giving effect, whether with or without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the report.
Education And Science
Computer Studies
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report those universities and colleges which provide modular post-graduate courses in computer studies designed to provide advanced academic training in systems and programming skills and meet the specific skill needs of employers.
A substantial number of postgraduate courses in information technology subjects are already structured in short modules which can be mounted to meet the specific skill needs of employers. Details of these are not held centrally.
16 To 19-Year-Olds
asked the Secretary of State for Educationa and Science what is his estimate of the total amount spent in 1983–84 and 1984–85 on education for 16 to 19-year-olds showing separately capital and current expenditure in (a) secondary schools, (b) further education colleges and(c) other establishments; and if he will show the number of full-time equivalent students in each case.
The information requested is not yet available. Information about numbers of pupils and students aged 16 to 19 in the financial year 1983–84 will become available later this year. Information about local authorities' expenditure in 1983–84 on schools and colleges of further education will become available at the end of 1984.
School Leavers
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of school leavers who have been classified as (a) illiterate and (b) innumerate in the Houghton and Washington constituency since 1979.
| Maintained schools (including nursery and special): England | ||||
| 1983 | 1982 | |||
| Numbers | As percentage of pupils in attendance | Numbers | As percentage of pupils in attendance | |
| Pupils in attendance | 6,770,975 | — | 6,939,140 | — |
| Pupils taking school meals: | ||||
| Total | 3,481,837 | 51·4 | 3,428,380 | 49·4 |
| On payment | 2,406,955 | 35·5 | 2,464,250 | 35·5 |
| Free | 1,074,882 | 15·9 | 964,130 | 13·9 |
| Pupils bringing own food | 1,909,718 | 28·2 | 1,961,060 | 28·3 |
| Primary | Secondary | |||
| 1983 | 1982 | 1983 | 1982 | |
| Pupils taking school meals | 54·2 | 51·8 | 47·8 | 46·1 |
| Pupils bringing own food | 34·4 | 34·2 | 22·5 | 22·8 |
The information requested is not collected centrally.
Muslim Schools
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the locations and names of the 11 Muslim schools in England.
The 11 schools are:
- Avicenna College, Cheltenham
- Darul Uloom al Arabiya al Islamiya, Bury
- Institute of Islamic Education, Dewsbury
- Islamia Girls' High School, Sheffield
- Islamic Primary School, London NW6
- Jamahiriya School, London SW3
- Muslim Girls' High School, Dewsbury
- Muslim Girls' High School, Leicester
- Muslim Girls' Secondary School, Huddersfield
- School of Islamics, London E7
- Zaka-riya Girls' School, Batley.
Assisted Places Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has that the assisted places scheme will play a significant part in the raising of educational standards.
The primary aim of the scheme, in which it has been highly successful, is to widen opportunities for bright pupils from less well-off families. However, my right hon. Friend would expect this increased competition to have a beneficial effect on standards.
School Meals
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the results of the October 1983 census of school meals; and how they compare with those for 1982.
The information is as follows:
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Falkland Islands
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on road building and improvement in the Falkland Islands.
The first priority has been to carry out repair work to the roads in and around Stanley, including the road to the existing airport, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence. We do not believe an elaborate road network through the islands can be justified because the traffic volume would be low but the maintenance costs would be a very heavy financial burden on the Falkland Islands Government. We intend to continue work on the partially constructed road from Stanley to Darwin and to improve tracks in selected areas elsewhere as necessary.
Pipeline Debts
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government that part of any future aid to Tanzania will be earmarked to liquidate pipeline debts where the repayment depends upon the receipt by the debtor country of further foreign currency;(2) if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government that part of any future aid to Zambia will be earmarked to liquidate pipeline debts;(3) if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government that part of any future aid to Sierra Leone will be 'earmarked to liquidate pipeline debts;(4) if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government that part of any future aid to Nigeria will be earmarked to liquidate pipeline debts.
The situation of developing countries regarding the servicing of foreign debts is one of the factors taken into account in determining the level and form of United Kingdom bilateral aid. So long as the country concerned is not discriminating against United Kingdom creditors and is taking steps to improve its economic and financial situation, we would consider what we could do to assist by way of bilateral aid for the purchase of United Kingdom goods. We would usually aim to help in support of an adjustment programme, agreed by the recipient authorities with the IMF and World Bank; which may incorporate objectives relating to the servicing of foreign debts. It is not our policy to allocate United Kingdom bilateral aid for the direct purpose of liquidating outstanding foreign commercial debts.
Barbados
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet appointed an officer to the high commissioner's staff in Barbados to be responsible for the aid relationship with those countries for which the high commissioner is responsible as advised by the development divisions.
We are considering the staffing implications of whether responsibility for a greater element of aid administration should lie with the high commissioner in Barbados.
Cyprus
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Government of Greece about their proposed violation of the provisions of the treaty of guarantee for Cyprus by the movement of a battalion of Greek troops to Cyprus.
We have not been informed of any decision to move a battalion of Greek troops to Cyprus. We believe that all parties should refrain from any action which would exacerbate the situation or make a solution to the Cyprus problem more difficult to find.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the restrictions placed on the stationing of troops by the guarantor powers by the treaty of guarantee for Cyprus.
The treaty of guarantee contains no specific restrictions or other provision regarding the stationing of troops by the guarantor powers.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has been officially informed by the Governments concerned of the joint decision by Greece and the Greek Cypriot Government to increase both the military presence and armaments in southern Cyprus as a contribution to a change in the present systems of government on the island; and if he will make a statement.
We are not aware of any such decision. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier concerning the British Government's attitude to developments which might exacerbate the situation in Cyprus.
British Companies (Funds)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek release of money owed to British companies which are being blocked by the central bank in Zambia.
Exchange controls are a matter for the Zambian Government. We have frequently pointed out to them the difficulties that the controls are causing British companies and urged that the problem be resolved as speedily as possible. In accordance with the assurances given by President Kaunda during his state visit last year and with Zambia's standby arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, the Zambian Government have initiated phased repayment on a chronological basis over a number of years.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek release of money owed to British companies which are being blocked by the central bank in Tanzania.
We have made regular representations to the Tanzanian authorities on behalf of a number of British companies and individuals; I myself emphasised concern when I visited Tanzania last summer.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek release of money owed to British companies which are being blocked by the central bank in Sierra Leone.
Delays in remittances are common to all companies of whatever national origin trading with Sierra Leone because of that country's acute shortage of foreign exchange. The Sierra Leone Government are well aware of our general concern at this problem. I emphasised this concern once again when I was in Sierra Leone earlier this month. But we have made specific representations to the Sierra Leone Government only where blocked remittances have resulted in the breach of an international agreement.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek release of money owed to British companies which are being blocked by the central bank in Nigeria.
We have made representations about the position of creditors not insured wih ECGD. My right hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) raised this point when the Nigerian Finance Minister and the governor of the Nigerian central bank visited London last month. The Nigerians took careful note of our representations and said that they will take our views into account.
Irish Republic (Ministerial Discussions)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the particular aspects of (a) education, (b) the environment, (c) the European Community and (d) security which have been discussed recently at ministerial level between the Government of the United Kingdom and the fish Republic.
Aspects of the subjects mentioned discussed at recent ministerial meetings with the Republic of Ireland have included:
Human Rights
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he considers human rights issues when discussing and formulating Government policy.
The protection and promotion of human rights plays an important role in the discussion and formulation of foreign policy and in our relations with other countries.
Angola
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his reasons for refusing to release the names of the British technicians captured by UNITA in Angola.
Our concern at all times is to protect the individuals involved and their families. For this reason, it is not our practice to issue lists of names. But we have no objection to confirming names if we are certain the families are fully aware of the circumstances.
Central America
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what opinions the United Kingdom representatives in Costa Rica and Honduras are conveying to the Governments of these countries regarding the recent attacks on Nicaraguan seaports.
We have made clear our wish to see an end to all violence in central America by whomsoever committed. No specific instruction was transmitted on this occasion to any of our representatives in the region.
Social Services
Occupational Asthma
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for occupational asthma have been awarded since March 1982.
Between March 1982 and December 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 278 successful claims for disablement benefit for occupational asthma.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to publicise the classification of occupational asthma as a prescribed industrial disease; and if he will make a statement.
We have drawn the occupational asthma scheme to the attention of employers' associations, trade unions and other relevant organisations. We are preparing a poster for display in the work place, in clinics and surgeries and by self-help and advisory organisations.
Benefit Claimants (Statistics)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is (a) the number of claimants reliant on a national insurance benefit or supplementary allowance as their main source of income who are not registered as unemployed or over pension age and (b) the number of people in receipt of a national insurance benefit or supplementary pension who are over pension age;(2) if he will estimate the number of persons who were dependent for their principal support on welfare benefits, pensions, and so on of all types in 1979–80, 1982–83 and 1983–84.
I shall let my hon. Friend have replies as soon as possible.
Industrial Disease And Injury Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the total number of industrial disease and industrial injury cases reported in the west midlands in 1983, together with the amount of compensation paid for the same period.
There were 11,192 claims for injury and disablement benefit in respect of industrial accidents and prescribed industrial diseases in the west midlands in 1983. I regret that no regional breakdown of expenditure on these benefits is available.
Pensions
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will identify the circumstances in which an individual's entitlement to a national pension is notified to the Inland Revenue;(2) how many notifications of entitlement to national insurance pension have been supplied to the Inland Revenue in the last year;(3) how many national insurance pensioners are now within the scope of the arrangement for annual uprating information being provided to the Inland Revenue.
Notification of entitlement to state widows' or retirement pension is supplied to the Inland Revenue for all new awards of pension except (i) in respect of the wives of men already in receipt of non-contributory retirement pension for the over 80s or (ii) where the amount of pension is 50p a week or less.There were some 503,000 notifications of entitlement for new pensioners made to the Inland Revenue in 1983. For those pensioners for whom the Inland Revenue request continuing notification of the amount of pension in payment an annual notification of the revised amounts of pension is sent following each pensions' uprating. Some four million were sent in 1983.
Prescription Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additions have been made in recent years to the list of illnesses where sufferers are exempt from the need to pay prescription charges on necessary medicines.
The list of conditions has not changed since its introduction in 1968.
Housing Benefit (Birmingham)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington, Official Report, column 285, on 24 November 1983, whether the city of Birmingham fulfilled its assurance that it would complete its reassessment of housing benefit by 31 December 1983.
The city of Birmingham did not find it necessary to request a further extension of the transitional arrangements.
East Hertfordshire District Health Authority
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of building the new East Hertfordshire district health authority's headquarters, indicating separately the price of remodelling the orchard which it overlooks.
The cost of building the new East Hertfordshire district health authority's headquarters is estimated as £650,000. The health authority is required to vacate its existing accommodation due to the withdrawal of temporary planning consent for use of the premises as offices and the dangerous condition of the building. Funding for the new development will come mainly from the sale of the site of the existing premises with the remainder from the proceeds of previous sales of property owned by the district.I understand that the orchard will not be affected by this development. The health authority has separate plans to build a nursing home for the elderly mentally ill on another part of the site.
Pensioners' Index
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the pensioners' index and its part in the uprating of pensions; if he has received any representations on the composition of such an index from Age Concern; and if he will make a statement.
In the last six months I have received 20 representations from right hon. and hon. Members and members of the public concerning the retail price index, which is used as the basis for uprating pensions. In December 1982 Age Concern published a paper which discussed the case for an alternative price index for pensioner households. I have considered that index but have decided that it does not provide any improvement on the retail price index, which remains the best available measure on which to base pension increases.
Electro-Convulsive Therapy
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the number of persons whose death was attributed directly or indirectly to electro-convulsive therapy for each of the last 10 years.
Between 1 January 1974 and 30 September 1983 there was one death (in 1977), registered in England and Wales, assigned to electro-convulsive therapy. The extent to which electro-convulsive therapy indirectly relates to subsequent death is not known.
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the benefits which are not payable on the sole ground that capital owned by a claimant exceeds a specified sum; what is the effect on eligibility of a claimant attaining retirement age; and if he will estimate the cost of removing this bar to receipt of benefit.
Supplementary benefit is the only social security benefit which is not payable to a claimant who possesses capital above a prescribed level. The current prescribed level, which applies to all claimants regardless of age, is £3,000. Sufficient, reliable data are not available to enable a precise calculation to be made of the cost of abolishing the rule but it is estimated that it would be considerably in excess of £100 million a year.
Retirement Pension
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the value of the retirement pension if it had been uprated in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983 in line with the increase in prices or average earnings to November each year, whichever was the higher on the assumption that each year's forecast precisely matched the outturn.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John) on 7 February 1984, at columns 585–86.
Correspondence
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the reasons for the delay in sending a reply to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton's letter to the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Glenarthur, of 7 November, which was acknowledged in Lord Glenarthur's name on 25 November, but which the hon. Member was told on the telephone on 1 March has been passed to the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) and which remains unanswered;(2) when the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton may expect a considered reply to his letter to the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Glenarthur, dated 7 November 1983, regarding social security provision in Rutland, which received an interim acknowledgement from his Nottingham regional office on 25 November, but which remains unanswered despite a telephone call by the hon. Member to the Private Office of the Under-Secretary of State recently.
I wrote to my hon. Friend on 12 March.
Single Parent Families
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of households in the area covered by the Burnley constituency are single-parent families; and what are the comparative national and Lancashire county council figures.
The results from a 10 per cent. sample of census forms for Burnley county district (which has the same boundaries as the Burnley constituency), published in the 1981 census county report for Lancashire part 2, table 48—show that in April 1981, 6·0 per cent. of households comprised a lone-parent family with at least one dependent child.The comparable figures for Lancashire county and Great Britain as a whole are 4·8 per cent. and 4·7 per cent. respectively.The figures use the census definition of "family": they do not therefore include unmarried mothers who are living with their own parents. Nor do they include the small number of lone parents in households which comprise two or more families.
Abortions
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to shorten delays in the National Health Service which lead to waiting lists for termination of pregnancy.
We are considering carefully the findings and recommendations of the research report on late abortions which was recently published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. We are considering how the delays observed in this study might be reduced.
Retired Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out tables in the Official Report showing which 10, or nearest convenient number, of local authority areas or health districts have the largest percentage of people of retirement age.
The percentage of people of retirement age in each local authority district of Great Britain was recently published in table 3 of "Census 1981, Key Statistics for Local Authorities" (HMSO), a copy of which is in the Library. The 10 local authority areas with the largest percentages in the 1981 census were as follows:
| Local authority area | Percentage of population of retirement age* and over |
| Rother | 35 |
| Worthing | 35 |
| Eastbourne | 34 |
| Christchurch | 32 |
| Arun | 32 |
| Hove | 31 |
| East Devon | 31 |
| Tendring | 30 |
| West Somerset | 30 |
| Bournemouth | 30 |
| * Age 60 for women and 65 for men. | |
Medicines (Parallel Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, as a matter of urgency, in view of the risks to patients' safety, he will make a statement on the responses he has received to consultative document MLX 150 on parallel imports of pharmaceutical preparations; and whether he intends to take any new steps to ensure that the dispensing of medicines in the National Health Service conforms to the requirements of the Medicines Act 1968.
We have received extensive comments on the consultation document MLX 150. This was issued immediately after my statement of 8 December, at columns 477–79, in which I explained that we were not aware of injury to patients from parallel imports so far, but proposed to guard against the possibility. The comments, which are being studied urgently, demonstrate sharp differences of opinion between those who seek tighter controls on imported medicines and those who question the need for more onerous restrictions. We shall be making an announcement about the outcome of the consultation as soon as possible.The pharmacists' existing professional responsibility for the dispensing of medicines is quite adequate as a protection for the public provided that it is complied with in practice. We will ensure that any evidence of a failure to discharge that responsibility satisfactorily is referred to the relevant professional body for investigation.
Drug Addicts (Treatment)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will discuss with British Medical Association the provision of refresher courses for general practitioners in the care and treatment of drug addicts.
As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 5 March, at column 454, we shall shortly be writing to the appropriate medical professional bodies to ask what action they are taking on the training recommendations in the report on treatment and rehabilitation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
Civil Service
Dispersal Programme
asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many Civil Service personnel have been transferred to Scotland each year since July 1979; and how this compares with the dispersal programme.
The information is given in the following table. The numbers are of posts transferred to Scotland by Departments under the dispersal programme announced on 26 July 1979. The programme involves the transfer of a total of 2,050 posts to Scotland. Details of posts which may have been transferred by Departments for management reasons are not held centrally.
| No. of posts transferred | |
| 1979 | Nil |
| 1980 | Nil |
| 1981 | 434 |
| 1982 | 167 |
| 1983 | 190 |
Wales
Derelict Land
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the expenditure on derelict land clearance in Wales in 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85.
Expenditure by the Welsh Development Agency on derelict land reclamation amounted to £10·5 million in 1981–82 and £10·1 million in 1982–83. A similar level of expenditure is expected in the current year. The Supply Estimates published today include a table showing the envisaged breakdown of Welsh Development Agency expenditure in 1984–85. The allocation for land reclamation is shown there as £6·5 million. This provision reflects changing priorities at a time of improvement in the economy and greater demand for purpose-built premises and investment funds. A further £2 million is being held—in the provision for land and buildings—in case of requirement for site preparation expenditure in connection with inward investment projects. There will be an opportunity to review the use of this sum later in the year when account can also be taken of the need for any possible enhanced expenditure on derelict land clearance that might arise from colliery closures or for other reasons. In addition, resources for urban development grant have been substantially increased and a number of the schemes assisted involve clearance of dereliction. In particular, resources amounting to £2 million have been transferred from the WDA's land reclamation provision to that made for urban development grant to enable Government funding of the south Cardiff project to be made in one package. If that scheme is approved, up to £2 million may be spent on land clearance in Cardiff in 1984–85. Depending on the outcome of the Cardiff urban development grant application and the actual allocation of the £2 million held in reserve, total Welsh Office expenditure on land reclamation in 1984–85 could be broadly the same as this year's outturn.
Local Authority Dwellings (Tenants)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authority dwellings were let to new tenants in the years 1976–77 to 1982–83, inclusive (a) through the waiting list, normal allocation and (b) other.
The information requested is given for the years 1978–79 to 1982–83. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.
| Number of local authority dwellings let to new tenants | ||
| Type of allocation | ||
| Year | Through the waiting list (normal allocation) | Other methods |
| 1978–79 | 12,300 | 2,700 |
| 1979–80 | 11,800 | 2,700 |
| 1980–81 | 10,900 | 3,000 |
| 1981–82 | 11,000 | 2,400 |
| 1982–83 | 11,600 | 3,700 |
Language (Education Research)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the per capita spending on the Welsh language in education research.
This information is not held in the Department.
Language Teaching
asked the Secretary of Stale for Wales how much is spent on the teaching of Welsh as a subject in primary and secondary schools in Wales.
This information is not available centrally.
Welsh Development Agency
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the capital expenditure allocated to the Welsh Development Agency for each of the past five years and for the year 1984–85 for land reclamation schemes.
The sums allocated to the Welsh Development Agency for derelict land reclamation in each of the past five years was as follows:
| £ million | |
| 1979–80 | 8·8 |
| 1980–81 | 7·4 |
| 1981–82 | 9·2 |
| 1982–83 | 10·4 |
| 1983–84 | 10·9 |
Welsh Water Authority
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the costs of the Welsh water authority arise from servicing debts.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the 9th annual report of the Welsh water authority, which was laid before the House on 26 October 1983—a copy of which is in the Library. Part 12 contains the authority's 1982–83 annual accounts which gives full details of income and expenditure. Interest charged in the profit and loss account was £48,776,000 and represented approximately 30 per cent. of the total charged to that account.
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what financial targets he has set for the Welsh water authority; and on what basis he requires it to account for the depreciation of assets.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 12 December 1983, at column 371. Copies of the relevant orders will be found in the Library.
Local Authority Finance
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the forward planning figures for local authority current and net capital expenditure, by service, for 1985–86 and 1986–87 and also the assumptions for housing and other capital receipts for the same years.
The information requested on current and net capital expenditure is as follows. The level of capital receipts accruing in each year is difficult to predict to any great degree of accuracy. However, the working assumptions for 1985–86 and 1986–87 are that housing receipts will amount to £77 million and £73 million, respectively, with other capital receipts remaining broadly at £11 million in each year. These assumptions are provisional and inevitably subject to revision in the light of later information.
Local authority expenditure in Wales: 1985–86 and 1986–87
| ||
1985–86
| 1986–87
| |
£ million
| £ million
| |
Current Expenditure
| ||
| Agriculture, fisheries, food | 1 | 1 |
| Trade, industry, energy and employment | 4 | 4 |
| Roads and transport | 103 | 107 |
| Housing | 12 | 12 |
| Other environmental services | 197 | 203 |
| Education and science | 648 | 665 |
| Arts and libraries | 17 | 18 |
| Health and personal social services | 123 | 127 |
| Nationalised industries external finance | 7 | 7 |
| Local authority current expenditure within the Secretary of State's responsibility | 1,113 | 1,143 |
| Housing benefit | 135 | 141 |
| Home Office Services | 179 | 184 |
| Other services | 49 | 50 |
| Total local authority current expenditure in Wales | 1,476 | 1,518 |
Capital Expenditure
| ||
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | — | — |
| Trade, industry, energy and employment | 1 | 1 |
| Roads and transport | 59 | 61 |
| Housing | 62 | 66 |
| Other environmental services | 61 | 63 |
| Education and science* | 33 | 34 |
| Arts and libraries | 1 | 1 |
| Health and personal social services | 6 | 7 |
| Local authority capital expenditure within the Secretary of State's responsibility | 223 | 233 |
| Home Office Services | 7 | 7 |
| Other services | 1 | 2 |
| Total local authority capital expenditure in Wales | 231 | 241 |
| Total local authority expenditure in Wales | 1,707 | 1,759 |
* The figure published in table 2.16.2 of Cmnd. 9143-IIfor education capital provision for 1984–85 should have been shown as £30 million and the total provision for local authority capital expenditure in 1984–85 as £243 million. | ||
Voluntary Organisations (Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will detail the grants given by his Department to each voluntary organisation during 1982–83; which of these had their grants reduced in 1983–84; and by how much.
[pursuant to his reply, 6 March 1984, c. 555]: The grants made to voluntary bodies in 1982–83 are as follows:
| Organisation | Grant paid 1982–83 |
| £ | |
| Adult Literacy and Basic Stalls Unit | 35,773 |
| Age Concern Wales | 29,000 |
| ASH (Wales) | 1,600 |
| Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes | 5,000 |
| Boys Brigade in Wales | 1,660 |
Organisation
| Grant paid 1982–83
|
£
| |
| Boys Clubs of Wales | 25,763 |
| British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering | 13,500 |
| British Red Cross Society | 7,300 |
| Capital Grants to Voluntary Youth Service Village Halls and Community Centres | 313,619 |
| Christ College, Brecon | 21,444 |
| Church in Wales Provincial Youth Council | 9,167 |
| Clwyd Voluntary Services Council | 47,743 |
| Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 74,705 |
| Coleg Harlech | 444,828 |
| Community Service Volunteers | 7,000 |
| Council for Education in World Citizenship | 1,500 |
| Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services | 40,201 |
| Dioscesan Education Authorities | 954,115 |
| Dyfed Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 101,383 |
| Dyfed Rural Council | 55,636 |
| Employment Fellowship | 4,000 |
| Family Planning Association | 5,940 |
| Girl Guides | 19,904 |
| Girls Venture Corps | 2,107 |
| Glamorgan Community Service Council | 16,196 |
| Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 106,097 |
| Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organisations under Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme | 230,000 |
| Gwent Community Service Council | 28,467 |
| Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 66,684 |
| Gwynedd Rural Council | 60,922 |
| Gwynedd Social Care Project | 5,852 |
| Howell's School, Denbigh | 37,884 |
| Howell's School, Llandaff | 62,718 |
| International Youth Year | 1,602 |
| Llandovery College | 9,218 |
| Lowther College | 15,245 |
| MENCAP in Wales | 31,000 |
| MIND (Wales) | 36,000 |
| Monmouth School (for boys) | 52,034 |
| Monmouth School (for girls) | 27,371 |
| Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (Welsh playgroups movement) | 278,000 |
| National Centre for Children's Literature | 10,486 |
| National Federation of Women's Institutes | 5,200 |
| National Gipsy Council | 950 |
| Penrhos College, Colwyn Bay | 21,973 |
| £ for £ scheme for mentally handicapped children | 1,000 |
| Powys Rural Council | 56,748 |
| Presbyterian Church in Wales (YS) | 2,399 |
| Pre-School Play Groups Association | 82,000 |
| Regional News Papers (Papurau Bro) | 15,750 |
| Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales | 170,000 |
| Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents | 72,000 |
| Rydal School, Colwyn Bay | 38,207 |
| St. John's Ambulance Brigade | 8,306 |
| Services for Alcoholics | 40,008 |
| South Glamorgan Intervol | 7,005 |
| Swansea Accommodation for Single Homeless | 2,270 |
| Trinity College, Carmarthen | 1,447,000 |
| TS Indefatigable, Anglesey | 9,382 |
| Urdd Gobaith Cymm (Welsh League of Youth) | 145,230 |
| Wales Council for the Blind | 7,191 |
| Wales Council for the Disabled | 41,000 |
| Wales Council for Voluntary Action | 110,000 |
| Welsh Association of Youth Clubs | 39,966 |
| Welsh Books Council | 315,000 |
| Welsh Chess Union | 2,831 |
| Welsh Films Board | 34,100 |
| Welsh Housing Aid | 11,900 |
| Welsh Housing Associations Council | 2,500 |
| Welsh National Council of YMCAs | 17,855 |
| Welsh Scout Council | 9,776 |
| Welsh Womens Aid | 26,600 |
| West Glamorgan Community Service Council | 2,000 |
| Workers Educational Associations | 239,000 |
| Young Farmers Clubs | 9,936 |
| Yr Academi Gymreig (The Welsh Academy) | 7,500 |
The following organisations are receiving or are expected to receive a reduced level of grant in 1983–84:
Organisation
| Grant reduction
|
£
| |
| Boys Clubs of Wales | 411 |
| Capital Grants to Voluntary Youth Service Village Halls and Community Centres | 5,619 |
| Clwyd Voluntary Services Council | 2,734 |
| Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 9,365 |
| Girl Guides | 121 |
| Girls Venture Corps | 320 |
| Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 16,457 |
| Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organisations under Opportunities for Volunteering Schemes | 123,000 |
| Gwent Community Service Council | 723 |
| Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Ltd. | 4,084 |
| Lowther College | 15,245 |
| Services for Alcoholics | 22,608 |
| Urdd Gobaith Cymru | 8,734 |
Defence
Civil Power (Military Support)
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances troops may be used in support of the civil power; and if he will make a statement.
Responsibility for the maintenance of law and order lies with the police. The civil power may however request the assistance of Her Majesty's Forces when police resources are not considered adequate in the circumstances.
Youth Training Scheme
21.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many young people are now enrolled in the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, respectively, under the auspices of the youth training scheme.
On 29 February, there were 75 trainees in the Royal Navy, 366 in the Army and 100 in the Royal Air Force, giving a total of 541 enrolled in the aimed services youth training scheme. A further 39 young people have been accepted into the scheme and will be starting their courses shortly.
Trident Programme
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimated cost of the Trident prograrnme as a percentage of the overall defence procurement budget.
The Trident programme will cost about 6 per cent. of the defence equipment budget over the period during which it will be introduced into service.
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he last had discussions with his counterpart in the United States of America about the Trident D5 missile system.
I have frequent meetings with the United States Secretary of Defence, during which a wide range of issues of mutual interest are discussed. Our most recent meeting was on 28 February this year.
28.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is yet able to give an up-to-date estimate of the cost of the Trident nuclear weapon.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to his hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark).
33.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, H.C.287, on the Trident project.
The Public Accounts Committee will be questioning the Chief of Defence Procurement on the report later this month. It would not be appropriate to comment in advance of the hearings.
Animals (Experiments)
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many experiments on animals have been carried out without anaesthesia at Porton Down during the past five years.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on Thursday 8 March 1984. [Official Report c. 711].All animals used in wounding studies are deeply anaesthetised when wounded. Of the experiments connected with the chemical and biological defence programme, many involve minimal, if any, discomfort. Although the majority of experiments are carried out without anaesthetic, analgesics may be used to relieve pain. If an animal is found to be suffering severe pain which is likely to endure, it is at once painlessly killed.
31.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many species of animals have been used in experiments on wound studies; and how many experiments have been conducted under anaesthetics.
Six species have been used since 1977. The majority have ben pigs and sheep. Some rats, rabbits, rhesus monkeys and baboons have also been used. In every experiment, the animals were deeply anaesthetised when wounded.
34.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence which species and sub-species of animals have been used during the last five years at Porton Down to study the effects of radiation; and how many animals were used during this period.
None.
Hong Kong
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the size of the garrison in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on its duties.
The total strength of the garrison in Hong Kong is some 8,900. Its role is to assist the Hong Kong Government in maintaining the integrity and security of the territory.
Cruise Missiles
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any revision in the plans for deployment of cruise missiles in the United Kingdom in the light of recently published United States air-land battle plans.
No.
27.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has given his agreement in principle to the use of ground-launched cruise missiles as part of the United States of America air-land battle plan.
No, and no such agreement has been sought.
Type 22 Frigates
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence why no decision has yet been announced about which of three shipyards should receive the two orders for type 22 frigates promised before Christmas 1983.
35.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he now intends to announce the result of the tendering process for new type 22 frigates.
Revised tenders were submitted by the shipbuilders in January and are being considered.
Tavr (Expansion)
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the prospects of expanding the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve further in the future.
We expect to be able to make a further announcement fairly soon about our plans for expanding the Territorial Army to a strength of 86,000 by the end of the decade.
Service Personnel (Injury Compensation)
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the compensation arrangements for service men who are injured as a result of negligence during training.
I am not yet in a portion to add to what my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces said on 10 November 1983.—[Official Report, c. 216.]
Army Training (Arctic Regions)
36.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Army training in the Arctic regions.
British Army training in Arctic regions is carried out in Norway in the winter and is of great value. This winter approximately 1,800 army personnel drawn principally from the United Kingdom contingent to Ace Mobile Force (Land) have been training in Norway, along with approximately 3,750 Royal Marine Commandos and their support units who form part of the United Kingdom/ Netherlands amphibious force.
Ship-To-Ship Missiles
37.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence at what exchange rate he intends to evaluate bids at January 1984 prices recently called for in connection with ship-to-ship guided weapons.
We have used a variety of possible future exchange rate assumptions in evaluating the overseas expenditure aspects of the various tenders for the Royal Navy's future surface-to-surface guided weapon. The sensitivity of the evaluations to changes in these assumptions is one of the factors to be taken into account in arriving at a decision.
Northern Ireland
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the level of commitment of the British Army in Northern Ireland.
The Regular Army in the Province number around 9,500; the UDR around 7,000.
International Military Services
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if International Military Services receives commissions from manufacturers and exporters of arms; and if he will publish in the Official Report the profit which has been credited to his Department in each of the last five years;(2) when the premises previously occupied by International Military Services at 35 Great Smith street became available for sale with vacant possession; what is his estimate of the cost to his Department for each month whilst vacant; why these offices are now surplus to requirements; and if he will make a statement.
International Military Services Limited is a private limited liability company, incorporated under the Companies Acts, and wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence. In contracting for defence exports it adheres to Government policies and to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence which have been made available to Parliament.IMS usually acts in the role of prime contractor in sales to overseas Governments and its profits, as for any commercial company are represented by the difference between the sale value and costs of the goods and services which it provides. Reference to "commission" is therefore inappropriate.The company's published profit before tax in the years 1979 to 1982 was:
| £ million | |
| 1979 | 6·5 |
| 1980 | 8·7 |
| 1981 | 8·7 |
| 1982 | 13·5 |
Official Report. [22 March 1982, c. 277, and 20 December 1983, c. 127.]
The company completed its staff relocation, on schedule, by the end of 1983 and is now enjoying the benefit of the consequent reduction in overheads. The landlord has been advised that IMS is prepared to terminate its lease, thus permitting the property to be sold, as an alternative to re-letting. As stated in my earlier response, it would not be appropriate to disclose IMS' financial commitments under the head lease.
Ulster Defence Regiment
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have left the service as a result of their wounds; and how many have left for psychological reasons.
Records are not kept in a form to allow this information to be assembled.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been killed and wounded while carrying out their duties each year since the inception of the regiment.
The information is as follows:
| Total Killed | Injured | |
| 1971 | 5 | 9 |
| 1972 | 26 | 21 |
| 1973 | 8 | 20 |
| 1974 | 7 | 30 |
| 1975 | 6 | 17 |
| 1976 | 15 | 20 |
| 1977 | 14 | 11 |
| 1978 | 7 | 6 |
| 1979 | 10 | 13 |
| 1980 | 9 | 27 |
| 1981 | 13 | 19 |
| 1982 | 7 | 20 |
| 1983 | 10 | 15 |
| 1984 to 8th March | 4 | 1 |
| 141 | 229 |
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish a document indicating the vetting procedures used to screen potential recruits for the Ulster Defence Regiment.
No.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applicants there have been for the Ulster Defence Regiment per year since 1970; how many completed basic training; and what is the annual turnover of trained men from the Ulster Defence Regiment.
Records from 1981 only are available:
| Applications | Completed Training | Discharges | |
| 1981 | 3,006 | 1,121 | 1,332 |
| 1982 | 2,926 | 1,225 | 1,375 |
| 1983 | 2,283 | 1,225 | 1,319 |
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a breakdown of the known religious affiliations of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment (a) of the total force, (b) of part-time and full-time members and (c) of all ranks from colonel down to private soldiers, indicating in each case whether full-time or part-time members.
The information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member. For the UDR as a whole, between 2 and 3 per cent. have declared their religion as Roman Catholic.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Catholics, (b) Protestants and (c) others have completed Ulster Defence Regiment training since its inception.
This information cannot be produced without disproportionate cost.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of serving and former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment for each year since 1970 who have been charged with scheduled offences committed whilst members of the Ulster Defence Regiment; to which barracks they were attached; whether the members were Roman Catholic or Protestant; and what was the rank of the member.
My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the will make a statement on the role of the Ulster Defence Regiment in maintaining security in Northern Ireland; and whether any changes in its role are envisaged by Ministers.
The Ulster Defence Regiment continues to play a very full part in helping the Royal Ulster Constabulary counter terrorist crime in Northern Ireland. No changes in this valuable role are envisaged.
Widows' Pensions
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many widows in each category of defence pension entitlement have forfeited their pensions in the last year by reason of remarriage; and if he will use the same basis of calculation as that used in his reply to the hon. Member for Gosport on 17 November 1982, Official Report, column 185.
Over the last 12 months, 174 widows remarried and had their Service pensions withdrawn. My noble Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to my hon. Friend with the number of widows in each category as soon as possible.
Senior Officers (Press Interviews)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many interviews have been given to journalists by senior officers in the armed forces and in his Department in each of the last six months; and what is the current policy of Her Majesty's Government towards permitting such interviews to take place.
The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The policy for such interviews is laid down in Service Queen's Regulations (Queen's Regulations Royal Navy, Chapter 24; Queen's Regulations Army, Chapter 12, and Queen's Regulations Royal Air Force, Chapter 36), copies of which are in the Library.
Ejection Seat Competition
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with United Kingdom manufacturers about the openness of the United States navy aircrews common ejection seat competition; and what representations he has made to the United States Government about British interest in this competition.
In the light of the Congressional directive in 1983 to suspend funding for the F-18 and Hawk ejection seat programmes until such time as the US Navy produced a plan to fit only US manufactured seats, my Department has been in regular contact with Martin Baker Aircraft Company.As a result of joint representations to the US Government, Congress has now rescinded the 1983 directive. There will be a new competition for ejection seats for a number of USN aircraft programmes, which will be open to all bidders, foreign and domestic. The MOD will continue to monitor the position to ensure that Martin Baker is allowed to compete on equal terms.
Residential Properties
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of the 268 residential properties owned by his Department inside or within the immediate vicinity of the royal ordnance factories.
The valuations on the 268 residential properties have not yet been made by the Property Services Agency.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the 268 residential properties in or near the royal ordnance factories and owned by his Department will be transferred to the trading fund on the appointed day.
This has not yet been decided.
Royal Ordnance Factories
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what properties, rights and liabilities, related at present to the royal ordnance factories, are not included in the 1982–83 royal ordnance factories accounts.
The royal ordnance factory accounts (1982–83) are a financial reflection of the purposes to which the trading fund is put that is:
Oman
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what British Army units visited Oman during the last 12 months; how many soldiers were involved; and what were the reasons for these visits.
British Army units comprising some 200 soldiers have visited Oman during the last 12 months for exercises.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army and Royal Air Force officers have been seconded during the past 12 months to serve with Oman's armed forces; and what is their role.
At present there are some 80 British Army and Royal Air Force loan service officers helping with the training and development of the Sultan of Oman's armed forces. About half of these officers arrived in the past year to replace those whose tours had been completed.
Sea Wolf
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will replace Sea Cat with Sea Wolf, in view of the fact that a conversion kit is now available.
At present I have no plans so to do.
Merchant Ships (Defence Systems)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for stockpiling defence systems for fitting on merchant ships in time of war; and if he will make a statement.
I refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement on 28 October 1983 at column 211–12. Members of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee are continuing their study of the Working Party's recommendations.
Greenham Common
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning progress towards implementing his plans to remove certain ladies from land owned by his Department at Greenham common, Berkshire.
Arrangements are being made to require camps which have been placed on Ministry of Defence land outside the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham common to be vacated.
Low Flying
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to pilots on NATO exercises regarding low flying over built-up areas in Scotland.
Normal regulations for military low flying apply. Built-up areas should not be overflown directly at low level, but it is not always possible to avoid the smallest of these.
United States Ships And Submarines
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the details which are available of specific visits by ships and submarines of the United States of America's navy to ports in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979.
[pursuant to his answer, 9 March 1984, c.728]: The following information can be made available.:
| Number of ship visits recorded | |||||
| Port | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 |
| Campbeltown | — | — | 2 | 1 | — |
| Dundee | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| Glasgow | — | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Greenock | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Hull | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
| Leith | 3 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Liverpool | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| Lock Striven | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| London | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — |
| Newcastle | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Portsmouth | 10 | 17 | 12 | 30 | 16 |
| Rosyth | 11 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Scapa | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Southampton | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Unidentified Flying Objects
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many alleged landings by unidentified flying objects have been made in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively; and how many have been investigated by his Department's personnel;
(2) how many unexplained sightings there have been in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively; and which of these had been traced by radar and with what result.
[pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1984, c. 728]: For the years in question, the Ministry of Defence received the following numbers of reports of sightings of flying objects which the observer could not identify: 350, 600, 250, and 390. Reports of alleged landings are not separately identified. The Department was satisfied that none of these reports was of any defence significance and, in such cases, does not maintain records of the extent of its investigations.
Northern Ireland
Co-Ownership Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many homes bought under the co-ownership scheme in Northern Ireland have been repossessed in each of the last four years;(2) how many people in Northern Ireland have bought their homes under the co-ownership scheme in each of the last four years.
The information is as follows:
| Homes Purchased | Homes Repossessed | |
| 1980 | 286 | Nil |
| 1981 | 557 | Nil |
| 1982 | 964 | Nil |
| 1983 | 1,283 | 20 |
| Total | 3,090 | 20 |
Newry
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new houses the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has proposed to build in the Newry town area in the 1984–85 financial year.
| Pupils per teachers by education and library board area | ||||||||||||||||||
| Type of school | Belfast | Western | North-Eastern | South-Eastern | Southern | Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||
| 1974 | 1978 | 1983 | 1974 | 1978 | 1983 | 1974 | 1978 | 1983 | 1974 | 1978 | 1983 | 1974 | 1978 | 1983 | 1974 | 1978 | 1983 | |
| Primary | ||||||||||||||||||
| Controlled | 26·1 | 21·7 | 21·5 | 26·2 | 23·8 | 22·5 | 27·9 | 25·0 | 23·4 | 29·4 | 25·1 | 23·3 | 26·9 | 24·8 | 23·5 | 27·5 | 24·2 | 23·0 |
| Voluntary maintained | 27·0 | 21·4 | 21·1 | 27·7 | 24·7 | 24·4 | 27·6 | 24·0 | 24·0 | 27·3 | 24·8 | 23·9 | 27·3 | 25·0 | 24·2 | 27·4 | 23·9 | 23·6 |
| Voluntary | 27·4 | 21·3 | 20·2 | 26·9 | 16·5 | 23·5 | 26·0 | 13·0 | 10·0 | 29·1 | 24·3 | 14·3 | 29·2 | 28·3 | — | 27·9 | 21·7 | 17·8 |
| Total | 26·6 | 21·5 | 21·3 | 27·2 | 24·4 | 23·8 | 27·8 | 24·6 | 23·6 | 28·9 | 25·0 | 23·4 | 27·2 | 24·9 | 23·9 | 27·5 | 24·1 | 23·3 |
| Secondary Intermedite | ||||||||||||||||||
| Controlled | 17·1 | 14·6 | 14·0 | 19·4 | 17·0 | 15·0 | 19·5 | 16·4 | 15·3 | 18·4 | 15·9 | 15·5 | 19·5 | 16·5 | 15·4 | 18·6 | 15·9 | 15·1 |
| Voluntary | 13·5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13·5 | — | — |
| Voluntary maintained | 17·0 | 14·7 | 14·2 | 17·5 | 16·0 | 15·3 | 17·2 | 15·0 | 15·3 | 18·1 | 15·8 | 15·2 | 17·8 | 16·3 | 15·6 | 17·5 | 15·6 | 15·1 |
| Total | 16·8 | 14·7 | 14·1 | 18·1 | 16·3 | 15·2 | 18·7 | 16·0 | 15·3 | 18·3 | 15·9 | 15·4 | 18·5 | 16·4 | 15·5 | 18·0 | 15·8 | 15·1 |
| Grammar | ||||||||||||||||||
| Controlled | ||||||||||||||||||
| —Preparatory department | — | — | — | 23·4 | 17·3 | 17·3 | 35·1 | 22·4 | 19·8 | 29·1 | 30·8 | 25·4 | 34·2 | 22·8 | 17·0 | 30·1 | 25·1 | 22·0 |
| —Secondary department | 16·9 | 15·6 | 16·0 | 18·1 | 16·6 | 15·5 | 17·4 | 16·5 | 16·0 | 17·4 | 17·1 | 16·9 | 14·7 | 15·9 | 15·2 | 16·8 | 16·3 | 15·9 |
| Voluntary | ||||||||||||||||||
| —Preparatory department | 26·9 | 29·5 | 23·3 | 21·8 | 46·5 | 17·2 | 26·0 | 28·6 | 25·6 | 31·2 | 26·2 | 28·2 | 10·2 | 11·3 | 26·0 | 26·7 | 28·5 | 24·4 |
| —Secondary department | 16·4 | 16·1 | 15·2 | 17·2 | 17·8 | 16·5 | 17·8 | 17·1 | 16·0 | 17·3 | 17·3 | 16·3 | 17·5 | 16·3 | 16·0 | 17·1 | 16·8 | 15·9 |
This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that the Housing Executive has no proposals to start new work on dwellings in the Newry town area during the 1984–85 financial year.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new houses the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has built, or is in the process of building, in the Newry town area in the financial year 1983–84.
This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that the Housing Executive has recently completed 23 dwellings in High street/Well lane, and 41 dwellings in phase 2, Dominic street, are planned to go on site later this month.
Lough Neagh
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the present arrangements to control the level of Lough Neagh at 50·.6 feet; and if he will make a statement.
I am satisfied that the control of Lough levels is consistent with the legislation.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the pupil-teacher ratio in (a) primary schools, (b) intermediate schools, (c) grammar schools and (d) technical schools in (i) the voluntary sector, (ii) the maintained sector and (iii) the controlled sector in Northern Ireland and in each education and library board area; and what it was in each category five and 10 years ago.
The available information is as follows:
Type of school
| Belfast
| Western
| North-Eastern
| South-Eastern
| Southern
| Northern Ireland
| ||||||||||||
1974
| 1978
| 1983
| 1974
| 1978
| 1983
| 1974
| 1978
| 1983
| 1974
| 1978
| 1983
| 1974
| 7978
| 1983
| 1974
| 7978
| 1983
| |
| Total | 17·7 | 17·1 | 16·0 | 17·6 | 17·6 | 16·3 | 18·2 | 17·3 | 16·2 | 18·6 | 18·2 | 17·3 | 16·7 | 16·3 | 15·9 | 17·7 | 17·3 | 16·3 |
| Total (Secondary) | 17·2 | 15·6 | 14·9 | 17·9 | 16·7 | 15·6 | 18·5 | 16·4 | 15·6 | 18·4 | 16·6 | 16·0 | 17·9 | 16·4 | 15·6 | 17·9 | 16·2. | 15·5 |
Notes: (1) Comparable statistics for 1974 are not available as Education and Library Boards took over responsibility for the local administration of education services from October 1973.
(2) The 1974 and 1978 figures are calculated on the basis of full-time pupils and teachers only; the 1983 figures take account of part-time pupils and teachers and are therefore not directly comparable.
There are no technical schools, and comparable information is not available in relation to further education colleges.
Prisons (Explosives)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when instructions were given to remove the explosives sniffers from Magilligan prison; why they were returned; and if he will make a statement;(2) during what periods since 1 January 1983 dogs trained to detect explosives were actually used in Her Majesty's prison, Magilligan;(3) during what periods since 1 January 1983 equipment designed to detect explosives was actually in Her Majesty's prison, Maze;(4) during what periods since 1 January 1983 dogs trained to detect explosives were actually used in Her Majesty's prison, Maze;(5) during what periods since 1 January 1983 equipment designed to detect explosives was actually used in Her Majesty's prison, Magilligan;
I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
Royal Ulster Constabulary (Hours)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what cash limits were set for Royal Ulster Constabulary overtime in each of the last three years or financial years and the current year; and if they were exceeded; and by how many hours;(2) what were the total hours worked by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in each of the last three years or financial years for which figures are available; what was the average per officer; and by how many hours the figure per officer exceeded the standard number of hours per year.
I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
Bees
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many queen bees (a) of the Brother Adam type, and (b) other types have been imported into Northern Ireland (i) from Israel, and (ii) from elsewhere, by country in the past 12 months; what health checks are carried out on the importation of such bees; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what controls are placed on the subsequent movement into Great Britain of bees from outside the United Kingdom imported into Northern Ireland.
I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Roads (Belfast, North)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for repairing and resurfacing the roads and footpaths in Belfast, North.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1984, c. 74]: The proposals for 1984–85 have not yet been finalised.
National Finance
Crown Estate
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the staff of the Crown Estate in England and Wales and the number of offices held.
The staff of the Crown Estate employed at the two headquarter offices are as follows:
| Number of staff | |
| Deputy Secretary | 1 |
| Assistant Secretary | 2 |
| Principal | 4 |
| SEO | 6 |
| HEO | 15 |
| EO | 19 |
| CO | 17 |
| CA | 6 |
| Typists/Secretaries/Messengers | 20 |
| Technical grades | 9 |
| Professional grades | 14 |
| Legal grades | 7 |
| 120 |
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the total acreage of farmland administered by the Commissioners of the Crown Estate in the United Kingdom, the number of farmers retained under lease and the average holding of tenants.
The area of farmland amounts to 223,025 acres; there are 761 farms; and the average size of a holding is 300 acres.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration was received by the Crown Estate from the British Gas Corporation for the right to use the exhausted rough gas field for gas storage; and how the sum was calculated.
The agreed figure is commercially confidential. It was however recommended to the Crown Estate Commissioners by the Inland Revenue valuation office and was based on normal valuation principles, the Crown's monopoly interest being excluded.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information as to the reserves held by the Crown Estate in (a) sand and gravel from seaward locations, (b) tin in offshore Cornish mines, (c) chent and slate in Welsh quarries, (d) stone in quarries in England and Wales and (e) brick clay in England and of the production of each mineral in any recent conveniently available year.
Information as to the level of reserves could not be obtained without disproportionate time and effort. Details of production are as follows:
Inland Revenue Computer
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is on-line access to the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you- earn employers from any location outside the accounts offices.
Only one external location has the capability of on-line access to the Inland Revenue accounts offices indices. The facility is not generally used for this purpose but is available to some Inland Revenue head office staff with management or computer systems responsibilities for the accounts offices.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether on-line access to the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employees is available to any person other than the Inland Revenue staff.
On-line access to Inland Revenue accounts office indices is not available to any person other than the Inland Revenue staff.The accounts offices do not maintain indices of pay-as- you-earn employees.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many computer terminals have on-line access to the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers; and how many and what ranks of staff are authorised to operate these terminals.
There are 140 computer terminals in each of the two accounts offices, which have a capability of online access to their own indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D, and of pay-as-you-earn employers. The terminals are used by staff of all grades, as their duties require. I am unable to put a figure to the number of staff regularly using the terminals, but all users have signed the Official Secrets Act.Additionally, there is one terminal at head office with a capability of on line access to the indices of both accounts offices which is available to staff at clerical office level and above. Use of the terminal is under the authority of staff with management and computer systems responsibilities for those offices.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers and pay-as-you-earn employers are listed in the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers.
The accounts offices at Cumbernauld and Shipley have approximately 600,000 and 500,000 entries respectively in their indices of pay-as-you-earn employers' names and addresses. For schedule D, each accounts office holds indices for approximately 2·1 million taxpayers.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the typical response time for an inquiry made of the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers from an on-line terminal.
A typical response time for an inquiry made of the Inland Revenue accounts office indices is between two and three seconds.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers became operational.
The schedule D and pay-as-you-earn indices held by the accounts offices have become operational within the last two months.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Inland Revenue staff of local collection offices are authorised to make inquiries of the accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and pay-as-you-earn employers.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many inquiries have been made of the Inland Revenue accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers since these systems became operational.
Separate statistics are not maintained on the number of inquiries made of the Inland Revenue accounts offices indices.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Inland Revenue staff of local collection offices are authorised to make inquiries of the accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers.
On-line access via computer terminals to the accounts offices indices is not available to the Inland Revenue staff of local collection offices.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the personal data held on Inland Revenue computers in respect of a taxpayer assessed under schedule D for whom there is an entry in the accounts office indices of names and addresses of taxpayers assessed under schedule D and of pay-as-you-earn employers.
The personal data held on the accounts offices computer records for taxpayers assessed under schedule D are as follows:
- Name and title of taxpayer.
- Address to which communications sent, including
- Agent's name if appropriate.
- Capacity in which taxpayer assessed.
- Taxpayer's reference number.
- The amounts charged and credited.
- Name and style of employer.
- Address to which communications sent, including
- Agent's name if appropriate.
- Employer's reference numbers.
- A trade classification.
- Scheme type.
- Number of return forms to be issued.
- The amounts due and credited.
Trustee Savings Banks
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is planning to introduce legislation for the Trustee Savings banks.
Yes. I hope to introduce legislation on the basis of plans put forward by the Trustee Savings banks central board when the legislation is ready and parliamentary time is available.
Nationalised Industries
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what limits were placed on the external financing of nationalised industries for the financial year 1979–80; and what the limits are for the financial year 1984–85.
Details of the original external finance limits set for nationalised industries in 1979–80 are to be found in table 13B of that year's Financial Statement and Budget Report. The overall total, excluding deduction for shortfall, was £2,328 million. 1984–85 external finance limits are given in Cmnd. 9143, table 3.5, and total £1,881 million. I must, however, warn the hon. Member that the lists of industries included in the two tables are not identical.
Civil Servants (Weighting Allowance)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of weighting allowance paid to civil servants in London.
Following are the rates:
| £ | |
| Inner zone (0–5 miles) | 1,250 |
| Intermediate zone (5–10 miles) | 700 |
| Outer zone (10–18 miles) | 500 |
Hmso (Printing Expenditure)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by Her Majesty's Stationery Office on printing in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, in each of the last three years.
The information is as follows:
| England | Scotland | Wales | |
| £ million | £ million | £ million | |
| 1980–81 | 88·713 | 3·328 | 1·054 |
| 1981–82 | 83·382 | 3·068 | 1·293 |
| 1982–83 | 88·848 | 3·708 | 1·590 |
Personal Taxation
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report tables showing (a) the proportion in percentage terms, (b) the amount in current prices and (c) the amount in constant 1983–84 prices, of personal income taken by taxation and rates for the year 1984–85 taking account of any changes announced in his Budget statement and any previously announced changes, and for each of the years 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84 for each level of average earnings, each category of taxpayer, and each category of taxation and rates, in the manner of the answer of 30 March 1983, Official Report, columns 178–184.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Civil Service (Tuc Day Of Action)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants took part in the recent Trades Union Congress day of action on Tuesday 28 February.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated value added tax yield to the Exchequer if the existing value added tax zero-rating relief for building alteration work was abolished and replaced by tax at the standard rate.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1984, c. 59]: About £450 million in a full year.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning the scope and continuation of the existing value added tax zero-rating relief for building alterations.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1984, c. 59]: Most pre-Budget representations on VAT have pressed for the removal of the tax from repair and maintenance work. More recently some trade associations have written about the continuation of the existing zero-rating for building alteration work.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long after the answer on 16 January, Official Report, column 13, the Customs and Excise issued a press release explaining the problem of moneys wrongly collected under regulations 58 and 59 of the Value Added Tax (General) Regulations and offering traders refunds; how much money was wrongly raised; how many traders were entitled to claim a refund; and if all refunds have been completed.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1984, c. 59]: Customs and Excise issued a press notice on 24 February, some six weeks after the answer on 16 January. It is estimated that up to £3 million may have been collected by Customs and Excise, or in Scotland by sheriff officers, under regulations 58 and 59. There are no reliable statistics on the number of traders who are entitled to claim a refund. Very few claims have been received so far, but any that are received will be processed promptly.
First-Year Allowances
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice of the Inland Revenue as to the period in which first year allowances may be claimed where the qualifying expenditure was incurred on or prior to the end of an accounting period, but, by reason of credit terms, payment does not have to be made until the subsequent accounting period.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1984, c.58]: for capital allowance purposes, expenditure on plant and machinery is normally treated as incurred on the date when the purchaser is legally required to make payment. In the case of a credit agreement, the chargeable period for which first year allowances are due will normally be determined by the date when payment has to be made under the terms of that agreement.
Investment Income Surcharge
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide estimates for that part of the estimated income tax due for 1982–83 and 1983–84 which relates to investment income surcharge; and what proportion is collected from taxpayers over retirement age.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1984, c. 59]: Latest provisional estimates of the investment income surcharge due in respect of income in 1982–83 and 1983–84 are £300 million and £290 million, respectively. Just over half of this is due from taxpayers over 65.