asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report the text of his letter of 12 March to the right hon. Member for Brent, East, following his answer on 24 February, Official Report, column 639, about gas and electricity charges.

Following is the text of the letter referred to:

"In my written answer of 24 February, I undertook to write to you about disconnection procedures in EEC countries and the United States of America.

This is generally found to be more of a problem with electricity than gas and the further detailed information that follows relates to electricity.

A questionnaire was sent to EEC countries about their disconnection practices. The following paragraphs set out the questions asked and a summary of the replies received—

(a) do you have the legal right to disconnect consumers for non-payment of bills?

• All utilities have this right. In Eire it can be operated without a warrant. Both France and Germany mention that they must give the debtor notice of disconnection.

(b) is this right restricted in 'hardship' cases?

• Holland did not reply to this quesion. In Eire and Belgium there are no legal restrictions to this right. In Germany the right is restricted if disconnection would result in disproportionate hardship and the consumer offers to pay by instalments. France say the right must be exercised with moderation and discretion and 'even if the right is not disputed, the way we apply it often is'

(c) do you have a voluntary 'code of practice'?

• All countries say they have. In France all cases are checked with the local Social Services Department to make sure that there is no social hardship. Germany takes into consideration the age, health and family circumstances of the consumer. In Eire, they do not disconnect in the case of pensioners; or if there is anyone ill, or if there has been a recent bereavement in the household. Additionally disconnection is not carried out if there is no adult person over 16 in the house at the time.

(d) does any other organisation pay the bills of these consumers?

• All countries mention payment by social service organisations and some by voluntary associations. Eire mentions the free electricity scheme for all old age pensioners paid for by the Department of Social Welfare.
• All countries say that an offer to pay-off the debt by instalments would avoid disconnection.

(e) is any action taken to limit future electricity consumption?

• In Germany they will install a slot meter or insist on payment in advance. Holland say that they apply a strict disconnection policy when the consumer is in arrears by more than 3–4 months. Eire say they have a 'lights only' policy up to 1 kW so that no-one need be without some electricity for reasons of poverty.

With regard to the situation in the USA, the following points may be of interest:

(i) it is customary for the State Public Utility Commission who regulate supplies of electricity, gas and water and are also responsible for public transport and telephone services to make rules about disconnection procedures;

(ii) procedures vary widely from State to State but in some colder Northern and Central States the utilities are not allowed to disconnect during the winter months unless a representative of the utility has called in person on a defaulting customer;

(iii) if the utility representative has any doubts about a customer's ability to pay, the case is normally referred to the local social services agency before proceeding to disconnection;

(iv) some utilities will install load limiting devices to provide a very limited supply as an alternative to disconnection. When the pre-set limit is exceeded the supply is automatically cut off until the device is re-set.

The general picture which emerges for the USA closely parallels practice in the United Kingdom with an electricity supply industry which is careful to avoid disconnections in cases of genuine hardship. However US disconnections are unofficially estimated to be between 3 to 4 million a year out of over 84 million domestic consumers (ie 3·5 to 4·5 per cent.). This demonstrates a vigorous policy of disconnecting those who fail to pay their bills. In the United Kingdom electricity disconnections in recent years have rarely been much above 0·5 per cent. of domestic consumers.

Overall these comparisons suggest that the electricity supply industry in the United Kingdom uses its powers to disconnect supply at the very least with the same degree of care and responsibility as electrical utilities in Europe and the USA."

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any plans to review the role and activities of the Atomic Energy Authority.

The role of the Atomic Energy Authority, which is a Vote-funded body with a high degree of statutory independence, is founded on the Atomic Energy Authority Act 1954. There have, however, been many changes in the authority's programmes in recent years, and in the nuclear industry during the 30 years since its inception. I have therefore recently set in hand within my Department a wide-ranging overall review of the authority's role and activities, including whether its present relationship with the Department remains appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to discontinue bus licensing in urban or non-urban areas.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Waller) on 14 February at column 115 we are having a thorough study made of this and related questions and hope to be able to make a full announcement in the early summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Exeter on 15 March, Official Report, column 221, from which organisations he received representations during the consultation on the working party report on medical standards for heavy goods and public vehicle drivers; what were the views of these organisations on the proposals made with regard to insulin-dependent diabetic heavy goods vehicle drivers; which of these organisations were in favour of the proposals and which were against; and whether he expects to make any changes to the Heavy Goods Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1977 or any other regulations.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he is satisfied with the relationship between Her Majesty's Coastguard and its auxiliaries in the south-west of the United Kingdom; and if the assistance of the police has been required to prevent access of auxiliary personnel to the St. Ives station;(2) what is the future of the St. Ives coastguard lookout station;(3) if Her Majesty's Coastguard auxiliaries have the authority to call out lifeboat crews without the agreement of Her Majesty's Coastguard regional headquarters; and what are the procedures to be followed when a vessel is seen to be in distress and requiring a lifeboat.

I shall answer these questions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to allow organisations other than the Post Office to renew vehicle tax discs.

We are constantly looking at ways of improving the vehicle relicensing system to ensure that motorists are offered as efficient and convenient a service as possible at minimum cost to public funds. To test the demand for facilities in addition to those provided by the Post Office I have recently approved a proposal by the Automobile Association for a trial scheme which will allow motorists to carry out straightforward licence renewals for cars and motor cycles at AA Centres in the south-west. The scheme will start in mid May and will run until the end of March 1985.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor will accept responsibility for appointing the special commissioners of income tax.

The Finance Bill which is shortly to be published will contain provisions transferring to the Lord Chancellor administrative responsibility for the special commissioners of income tax as well as responsibility for making the necessary appointments and rules of procedure.Before the Dissolution of Parliament last year it had been intended to bring forward legislation concerning reforms of the special commissioners. One of the proposals was that the Lord Chancellor should have responsibility for appointments. Subsequent consultation has revealed a desire for the special commissioners to be seen as completely independent of the Inland Revenue. Accordingly, with the Prime Minister's approval and subject to that of Parliament, the Lord Chancellor has agreed to assume general responsibility for the special commissioners in association with the Lord Advocate where appropriate.

asked the Attorney-General what was the average age in 1983 of male and female justices of the peace; and if he will give a breakdown of their numbers by sex.

In 1983 there were 14,945 male and 10,833 female justices of the peace in England and Wales. Their average age cannot be ascertained except at undue cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will report what progress is being made in developing the system of annual performance reviews in his Department.

The merged Department now has a single management system, the activities and resource management system. This enables me to set departmental priorities and then examine these against divisions' current use of manpower and finance, and to make changes accordingly. Regular reviews are made of work in hand within the Department's divisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for the pulp, paper and board industry.

In February the British Paper and Board Industry Federation said that 1984 is expected to be a reasonably good year for papermakers during which progress made in 1983 can be consolidated and further advanced. I have no reason to differ.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of imports and exports of finished manufactures in the fourth quarter of 1983.

In the fourth quarter of 1983 exports of finished manufactures were valued at £6·4 billion and imports at £7 billion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has had any representations about the effect on the textile industry of the proposal in the Budget not to allow stock relief for increases in prices after March 1984.

I have as yet received no such representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current situation in relation to the negotiations on the access of clothing and textile products to the United Kingdom from the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement.

Negotiations about the renewal of the present agreement are currently taking place in Peking between the Community and the Chinese Government. The discussions are expected to last until the end of the week.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current level of investment by foreign companies in the United Kingdom.

Provisional figures for 1983 indicate that overseas direct investment into the United Kingdom, excluding oil, amounted to £3·1 billion, more than double the 1982 estimate. The number of inward investment projects rose from 133 in 1982 to 210 in 1983. I welcome this increase for the many benefits it will bring to our economy and for the confidence which foreign companies have in Britain's economic prospects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade position with Japan; and if he will make a statement.

Our trade statistics show a visible trade deficit with Japan in 1983 of £2,557 million. This is partially offset by a surplus on invisibles of the order of £700 million. The Japanese government has introduced some measures to encourage imports of manufactured goods and their industry is continuing to restrain exports to the United Kingdom in a number of areas. We and our EC partners will continue to press Japan to tackle its structural resistance to imports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that sufficient action is being taken to prevent a growth of protectionism between the European Economic Community and the United States of America.

Her Majesty's Government have taken every opportunity, within the European Community and bilaterally, to emphasise to the United States Government the dangers of protectionism and the need to resist protectionist pressures. The Government are also continuing to work within the Community to avoid actions which would strengthen those pressures. I do not underestimate the threat which protectionism poses to our economic well-being; but I am encouraged by the extent to which our objectives, and our awareness of the threat, are shared by other Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the working of the Trades Description Act 1968.

In general I believe the Act is working satisfactorily; but we are examining its requirements on false or misleading indications of price in our wider review of the present law in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with competition policy with regard to purchasing by smaller trades compared with the discounts obtained by multiples and the larger retail outlets.

Yes. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its 1981 report concluded that the practice of discounting had not in general operated against the public interest. Since then the Director General of Fair Trading has kept the issue under review. I have seen no evidence that any change of circumstances has invalidated the commission's central conclusion; and I am satisfied that the competition legislation offers an effective means of dealing with any specific abuses of market power which may arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to introduce legislation on insolvency based on the White Paper.

Subject to other pressures on the parliamentary timetable, the Government's intention is to introduce legislation to give effect to the White Paper proposals in the next Session of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions on industrial output and productivity he has had with the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met Trades Union Congress leaders; and what subjects were discussed.

I met members of the Trades Union Congress economic committee together with the general secretary and others on 12 March 1984. The subjects discussed included industrial restructuring, Government support for research and development, the A320 and V2500 programmes, regional policy and EC industrial policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on trade with Latin America.

Despite current economic difficulties I am convinced that there is considerable potential for exporting to Latin America, and I have asked that research should be undertaken into specified areas of opportunity for British exporters. Such selective marketing should, I hope, improve the United Kingdom's trading position in Latin America.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on co-operation between the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community on the elimination of technical barriers to trade.

The Government welcome continuing the dialogue between the European Community and EFTA countries aimed at facilitating the free movement of goods, and will play their full part in the joint Community-EFTA ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on 9 April. There is collaboration between Community and EFTA countries in a number of fora including the European standards institutions CEN and CENELEC, aimed at reducing barriers to trade, through the harmonisation of standards and certification procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in passenger cars.

Details of overseas trade in passenger motor cars are published under SITC(R2) group 781 in tables III (imports) and V (exports) of the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the figure for output in manufacturing industry in the most recent quarter for which figures are available.

In the fourth quarter of 1983 the index of production for the manufacturing industries was 96— 1980 = 100. In the three months to January 1984 manufacturing output was 1·5 per cent. higher than in the previous three months and about 5 per cent. above its first quarter 1981 level. The United Kingdom's economic growth in 1983 was among the fastest in the European Community and we expect to maintain that position this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about his decision to control the export of leg irons, shackles and gangchains.

My right hon. Friend has received various suggestions on the criteria to be adopted in licensing the export of these goods. The Government's policy on this will be announced today in reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lyell).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria he proposes to adopt in considering applications for export licences for leg irons, shackles and gang chains.

Licences will not be issued for the export to any destination of leg irons, shackles and gang chains for the restraint of prisoners. Applications for export licences for other purposes—for example, for theatrical performances or museum display—will be considered on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking within the Council of Ministers of the European Community to reduce the non-tariff obstacles to intra-Community trade.

Her Majesty's Government have played a leading role in getting Council time devoted specifically to the removal of non-tariff barriers. We have argued vigorously, and with some success, to reduce these barriers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his Department's forecast for investment in industry in the coming year.

The latest investment intentions survey carried out by my Department indicates that in 1984 investment in manufacturing industry (revised definition^*), including leased assets, is likely to be around £5·66 billion at 1980 prices—about 9 per cent. higher than in 1983.

^*Divisions 2–4 Standard Industrial Classification Revised 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any work will be available to United Kingdom companies in the production of the A320 other than the involvement in the construction of the air frame.

The Government hope to see United Kingdom equipment companies obtaining a better share of the work in the A320 than in previous Airbus programmes. There is agreement among the partner Governments that they should work for a more balanced representation of equipment suppliers on the programme, while maintaining the competitiveness of the aircraft. Moreover, the A320 will be offered with the V2500 engine in which Rolls-Royce will have a 30 per cent work share.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress made on the A320 project since his recent parliamentary statement.

At a meeting in Bonn on 12 March 1984, my hon. Friend the Minister of State and his German, French and Spanish colleagues with Airbus responsibilities jointly endorsed, in the name of the four Airbus partner Governments, the launching of the A320 programme by Airbus Industrie.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the balance of trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, respectively, during 1983.

This information can be derived from tables II (imports) and V (exports) under SITC(R2) sections 5 to 8 (manufactured goods) in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the stock exchange towards effective self-regulation.

Major changes have already been implemented or decided upon by the. Stock Exchange following its removal from the ambit of the restrictive trade practices legislation; for example, the introduction of lay members on to the council, the establishment of international dealerships, the elimination of minimum commissions on bargains in overseas securities, and firm plans for eliminating minimum commissions altogether. I attach great importance, as does the Stock Exchange, to maintaining effective self-regulation as these changes go forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has of a general improvement and an increase in investment in the motor industry in the Rugby-Coventry area.

I am pleased to say that there is now evidence of an upturn in the fortunes of the automotive industry in the Rugby-Coventry area. Most noticeable examples are the recent announcement of a £20 million investment at Talbot's Ryton plant, and the continuing encouraging reports from Jaguar.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to protect the interests of exporters throughout the United Kingdom who are facing delays in payment from Nigeria.

We have made representations about the position of creditors not insured with ECGD, and the Nigerian authorities are in discussion with ECGD about refinancing the insured element of their short-term trade debts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of manufacturing trade.

The most recent figures for February showed a surplus, on a balance of payments basis, of £259 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will withdraw the scented erasers safety order.

No. The Scented Erasers (Safety) Order 1984 will remain in force until 30 January 1985. As many interested organisations as possible will be consulted before decisions are taken on the need for regulations to cover this type of product on a permanent basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on company profits and liquidity in 1983.

Industrial and commercial companies' gross trading profits, net of stock appreciation, are estimated to have risen by 23 per cent. between the years 1982 and 1983. This applies whether North sea activities are included or excluded. It probably means that the net real rate of return on capital employed—pre-tax and pre-interest—has increased, including North sea, from 8 per cent. in 1982 to about 10 per cent. in 1983. the highest since the mid-1960s and, excluding North sea, from 4·5 per cent. to about 6 per cent., the highest since 1978.The liquidity of the large companies in the Department's quarterly survey increased appreciably during 1983 although there was some reduction in the fourth quarter after the sharp rise in the third. It is estimated that this still left it higher than at any other time since the end of 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to assist industry in Suffolk.

Industry in Suffolk will benefit from the Government's continuing progress towards the development of an economic climate which encourages improvements in efficiency and competitiveness. It can in addition take advantage of the wide range of schemes run by the Department of Trade and Industry on a national basis to promote innovation and efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the reasons given by the Post Office for current shortfalls in achieving quality of service targets including, in particular, postal delays, in Greater London and Essex.

The Post Office experienced a number of problems recently, including industrial action, which affected quality of service particularly in London. Bad weather in January and February caused transport delays for several days. The Post Office Board is very concerned about the current shortfalls in achieving quality of service targets and is currently conducting a national drive to improve standards of service with particular attention to the London area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will bring up to date for 1983 the figures given in his written reply dated 1 July 1983, Official Report, column 177, concerning imports and exports from and to the European Economic Community of manufactures less precious stones; and if he will also include figures for 1970 and 1983, excluding gold and silver as well as precious stones.

The information is in the tables. Gold is not included in manufactures—sections 5 to 8 of the standard international trade classification.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many physically handicapped and disabled people, in what positions, are employed by his Department; and what proportion of the total number of employees this represents.

The Department of Trade and Industry employs 168 registered disabled persons in the following grades:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the weight given to gold and silver, respectively, in the trade figures for manufactures in the 1975-based and 1980-based volume and value indices.

Gold is not a component of manufactured goods. The weights given to gold within miscellaneous goods and within total trade are as follows, together with the weights carried by silver within manufactured goods.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the time taken to reach decisions on applications for grant aid under the Government's support for innovation scheme announced last summer; and if he will make a statement.

The support for innovation programme was launched in May 1982 bringing together assistance formerly separately available under the product and process development scheme, through the research requirements boards and under other arrangements.The average time taken between the receipt by the Department of a formal application for assistance and issuing an offer is about four months. The period varies according to the size and complexity of the case, the ability of the applicant to provide the information the Department needs for its appraisal and the pressure on the relevant staff resources.Project support is offered selectively according to the merits of the case. Before offering assistance the Department needs to be satisfied that the case meets a number of criteria, in paticular that the project is innovative with good prospects of subsequent exploitation and that it would not go ahead in the form proposed without assistance. Procedures for handling cases are kept under review and from time to time changes have been introduced where they will secure improvements in processing while maintaining adequate safeguards on expenditure.If my hon. Friend is concerned about a particular case perhaps he would care to write to me about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made during the French presidency on liberalising trade within the European Community.

The presidency has held several meetings of the Council of Ministers at which measures to liberalise further intra-Community trade have been discussed.A number of member states have agreed to bring forward to 1 January 1985 their implementation of the frontier facilitation directive which provides for better opening hours at customs posts and faster clearance of goods lorries. The Council also agreed to extend the benefits of the temporary use regulation to commercial samples. Most outstanding points have now been resolved on the proposal to strengthen the Community's external trade policy, agreement on which will permit parallel progress in the internal market, notably on 15 directives setting common technical standards for a range of industrial products. Useful progress has been made on proposals to reduce further formalities at frontiers and to liberalise insurance services.The presidency intends to hold further meetings of the Council on these matters before the end of June.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps are being taken to protect the interests of exporters throughout the United Kingdom who are facing delays in payment from Zambia;(2) what steps are being taken to protect the interests of exporters throughout the United Kingdom who are facing delays in payment from Sierra Leone;(3) what steps are being taken to protect the interests of exporters throughout the United Kingdom who are facing delays in payment from Tanzania.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on prospects for trade with China.

Trade between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China was worth £391 million in 1983, compared to £296 million in 1982. United Kingdom exports increased from £103 million in 1982 to £160 million in 1983. China's economic plans envisage

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of local authority dwellings available for letting to new tenants for the years 1976–77 to 1982–83, inclusive by region, as (a) relets, net of lettings to existing tenants and (b) other.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the import and export of manufactured goods to and from Chile, Argentina and Brazil in 1983, broken down by product.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government financial assistance has been given to companies involved in trade with Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the percentage of aggregate Exchequer grant made by (a) specific grants, (b) supplementary grants, (c) domestic rate relief grant and (d) block grant needs and resources element at (i) budget and (ii) outturn in each year since 1978–79.

The available information which is based on local authority budget and outturn returns as reported to my Department is as attached.

The information is not available in the form requested. However, from information provided by local authorities in their annual HIP returns on their new tenants, given in my reply to the hon. Member on 14 March at column 164, and on numbers of dwellings coming into management, estimates can be derived of the new tenants accommodated as a result of existing tenancies ending. Attached are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the London-wide sports promotion will be achieved if the Greater London council is abolished.

I would expect London boroughs to continue to co-operate fully with each other in developing London-wide sports promotions. I am fully aware of the need for ensuring adequate provision for sport in London and we are currently studying the many views given to us following consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the European Economic Community's aid to conservation and the rural environment in the United Kingdom since 1973.

I regret that this information is not available as there is no record of the extent to which the United Kingdom benefits in these particular respects from Community programmes involving aid to rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the expenditure target and population changes for Chelmsford borough council from 1983–84 to 1984–85.

The change in Chelmsford borough council's expenditure guidance between 1983–84 and 1984–85, after adjusting for the change in the level of national insurance surcharge payable between the two years, is +11 per cent. The change in the population estimates used in rate support grant settlements between those two years is +1·2 per cent. The provisional population figures used for 1983–84 and the 1984–85 settlements are respectively the mid-1981 and mid-1982 estimates certified by the Registrar General for rate support grant purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to seek a ban on the televising of boxing; and if he will make a statement.

The televising of sport is entirely a matter for the broadcasting authorities. I have no locus to ban those authorities from televising boxing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the answers on 22 March,Official Report, column 533, whether it is the case that the concern which the Minister for Sport expressed to a representative of the French embassy about possible events in Paris in connection with the France v. England rugby union football international match on Saturday 3 March did not include any apprehension that supporters of England would cause disorder.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the numbers of persons employed by the Humberside county council in each quarter of the years 1980 to 1983.

The information requested is as attached.

asked the Secretary of State for the environment if he will now make a further statement on improving access for disabled people to the built environment.

My right hon. Friend is preparing an amendment to the building regulations to provide means of access and facilities for disabled people in buildings open to the public.We plan to announce details as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any appeals in respect of planning applications relating to 11 Church Hill road, Birmingham 20 and 5 Maxwell avenue, Birmingham 20.

Yes. My right hon. Friend has received one appeal under section 36, and four appeals under section 88, of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, involving the use of these premises for religious purposes and the carrying out of certain building operations. These appeals will be transferred to a planning inspector for decision, as soon as practicable, following a public local inquiry into the issues they raise and taking into account any representations the hon. Member may wish to make to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will expedite the coming into operation of section 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Minerals) Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.

The purpose of section 1 of the 1981 Act is to bring all development involving the removal of material from mineral wastes tips under planning control. However, when that Bill was before Parliament, assurances were given that section 1 would not be brought into force until a new class of permitted development relating to mineral deposits had been added to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977. Proposals for the new class were included in a consultation document issued in April 1983 and consideration of the comments received is well advanced. The new class will be included in a package of amendments to the 1977 order which we aim to introduce later this year. Section 1 will be brought into force shortly thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the applications for derelict land reclamation grants in 1984–85 under the Derelict Land Act 1982, giving details of the nature of the development, the location and size of the site and the costs of development and reclamation;(2) what is the allocation for the financial year 1984–85 for derelict land reclamation; of this how much will be spent on category A schemes; and what is the budgeted private sector investment.

The receipt and approval of applications for grant in 1984–85 is a continuing process, but details of the provision by broad categories were given in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle) on 28 February 1984, at columns 148–49.The overall provision is £74 million, of which £24 million is being made available for new and ongoing category A schemes, about £39 million for other local authority schemes (category B) and £5 million for the non-local authority sector. In addition there is £6 million for reclamation on Merseyside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation extending the amount of grant available to the private sector under the Derelict Land Act 1982 from 80 to 100 per cent.

I am anxious to achieve the greatest possible value for money in the execution of schemes approved under this part of the derelict land programme. I consider that this can best be achieved by retaining the private sector's 20 per cent. interest in funding the net loss incurred on reclaimation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the private bodies applying for grants in 1984–85 under the Derelict Land Act 1982, providing details of the nature of the development, the location and size of the site, and the cost of development and reclamation.

The information is not available in the detail requested. Applications for grants by the private and nationalised industry sectors can be made at any time before or during the year and are considered on their merits. The total grant provision for the year is £5 million compared with £1·75 million for 1983–84.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will estimate the total acreage of land which will be brought into constructive use by means of all derelict land reclamation grants in 1984–85;(2) how many acres have been brought into productive use as a result of derelict land grants in each of the last five years, including through category A schemes.

Total figures for 1983–84 are not yet available. It is not possible to forecast in advance the total acreage for 1984–85 but on the basis of recent experience I expect the outturn for each of these two years to be of the order of 2,500 acres for industrial, commercial, housing and other development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list in the Official Report those derelict land schemes approved in 1982–83 and 1983–84 that have resulted in development by the private sector, including details of location, size of site, reclamation and development costs and nature of the project;(2) if he will list the amount of derelict land grant which has been spent on category A reclamation schemes since their inception in 1982, specifying how much was granted in each region.

I refer my hon. Friend to the list attached to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Beaumont-Dark) on 20 December at columns 186–90.Schemes are at various stages from preparation to completion. Total grant-earning reclamation costs for the 121 so far approved under category A, including schemes for 1984–85, are expected to be in the region of £60 million leading to private development investment of some £350 million. The regional distribution is:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will provide details of the allocations of public expenditure on derelict land reclamation in 1984–85 region by region;(2) if he will set out in tabular form the amount spent on the derelict land grant programme in each of the last five years, specifying how much was granted in each region.

The details are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria Her Majesty's Government apply in awarding grants for new land reclamation projects.

First priority is given to joint local authority — private sector (category A) schemes under which reclamation is followed by immediate disposal for development by the private sector. Priority is also given to schemes that contribute to urban renewal and recycling land for new productive uses. Special provision is also made for the reclamation of former steelworks and for schemes under "Operation Groundwork" in the north-west designed to revive land in the urban-rural interface.A separate priority is the issue of grants direct to the private sector so as to encourage the reclamation of sites for new development, particularly for schemes in line with local authorities' own initiatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those derelict land schemes approved in 1982–83 and 1983–84, excluding category A schemes, and detailing the location, reclamation and development costs, the size of site and nature of the development in each case.

Over 700 new category B schemes were approved in 1982–83, with total approved costs of over £55 million involving more than 4,000 acres of reclaimed land. The breakdown of intended end use, by percentage, is:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for derelict land grants have been made and how many accepted in each of the last five years.

The information is not available for the full period. For the last four years to 1982–83 the number of new schemes approved is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people who (a) enjoy diplomatic immunity and (b) are the spouses or dependent children aged over 17 years of people enjoying such immunity, are, where relevant, insured to drive motor cars.

There are 4,933 persons in the United Kingdom enjoying diplomatic immunity plus an estimated 14,000 spouses or dependent members of family. We have no means of knowing how many of these are insured to drive motor vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences under the Endangered Species Act for the import of cetacea have been issued in each of the past five years; for what animals; for what reasons; and for what destinations.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1984, c. 605]: The information requested is given in the following table:Cementation International or any of its British associate companies has ever breached the United Nations arms embargo on South Africa.

We are not aware of any breaches of the embargo by the companies referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose a legal definition of a Falkland Islander.

There is no legal definition of a Falkland Islander. The nearest equivalent is the definition of a "permanent resident" contained in the Falkland Islands Immigration Ordinance 1965, as amended. This definition comprises—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bilateral agreements have been made between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Chile during the last 12 months; and what areas where covered by these agreements; and if he will make a statement.

No bilateral agreements have been made between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Chile during the last 12 months.