Written Answers To Questions
Thursday 14 June 1984
Transport
Aire Valley Road Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the status of the yellow route for the Aire valley trunk road scheme (a) as originally recommended and (b) as now modified; and if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which he modified the yellow route recommended by the inspector at the public inquiry into the Aire valley trunk road scheme in 1980;(2) if his public display of possible routes for the Aire valley trunk road scheme makes clear that the yellow route has been amended from that recommended by the inspector at the public inquiry in 1980; if the amendments are clearly marked; if any other possible routes have been amended since the inquiry; and if he will make a statement.
The yellow route is one of three alternative options which were on display at a recent exhibition of possible routes for the Bingley to Shipley section of the Aire valley trunk road. It was described at the exhibition as being the route recommended by the inspector following the 1980 public inquiry. In fact it rejoined the existing trunk road in the vicinity of Cottingley Bar, but some 400m to the east of the point recommended by the inspector. This change was suggested partly in order to avoid property demolition, but also because it seemed to offer a better traffic solution. I consider this to be entirely consistent with the decision of the Secretaries of State in 1982 to accept the inspector's recommendation not to proceed with the original route but to consider fresh proposals to take the route to Cottingley Bar. None the less, I apologise that this improvement to the inspector's proposals was not made clear at the exhibition.The alternative routes exhibited were the result of joint consultations between the Department, West Yorkshire county council and Bradford city council. I can confirm that all routes, including that recommended by Mr. Chance and any that come forward as a result of the exhibition, will be carefully considered before a preferred route announcement is made. The whole purpose of exhibitions of this kind is to promote discussion and allow people to put forward their views. I hope they will do so by 30 June.
Roads (Weight Restrictions)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the need for amending the legislation concerning the signing requirements for weight restrictions on roads; and if he will make a statement.
The only representation I have received was from the British Railways Board, asking for the definition of "large" vehicles on railway level crossing signs to correspond with the current 38 tonnes maximum gross weight limit. The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981 will be amended shortly to meet this request.
Wales
Medium Secure Psychiatric Facilities
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to develop medium secure psychiatric facilities; and if he will make a statement
The Welsh Office has today issued for public consultation a paper that reassess the demand for such facilities in Wales and ways in which that demand might best be met by development over the next decade. The paper concludes that, in addition to the existing provision, three or four further units should be established, each of 15 to 20 beds, at a total capital cost of some £2 million and involving annual revenue expenditure in excess of £1 million. These would provide cover for the whole of Wales and would mean establishing one unit in west Wales, two in south-east Wales and possibly (depending on whether there are to be three or four units in total) one in north Wales in addition to the existing provision of the north Wales hospital, Denbigh. They would almost certainly be newly constructed, but built within the grounds of existing hospitals whose services they would share. No specific sites have yet been suggested. Following decisions by my right hon. Friend on these general proposals, an option appraisal will be conducted by the Welsh Office to determine the most appropriate sites. The proposals emerging from that will be the subject of further detailed consultation. Detailed operational guidelines and designs will also be decided at that stage. Comments have been requested on the first stage in the consultation process by Friday 5 Octcber 1984.My right hon. Friend has also approved plans to refurbish and expand Garth Angharad hospital at a cost of some £1·3 million. The hospital caters principally for young, mildly mentally handicapped adults with behavioural problems and, in many cases, a propensity to offend. The expansion will increase its capacity from 19 beds to 30, enabling it to treat some female patients for the first time. These proposals have already been the subject of public consultation by the Gwynedd health authority and work will begin as soon as possible once remaining design details have been decided.
Physiotherapy (Schools)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales in how many local education authority areas there is a physiotherapy service available in schools, including special schools, to answer the needs of handicapped pupils.
This information is not held centrally.
Language Teachers
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers in Wales are qualified to teach French, German and Welsh, respectively.
This information is not available centrally.
Welsh Speakers (Glamorgan And Gwent)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the Welsh-speaking population of the three counties of Glamorgan and Gwent, respectively.
The information is given in the following table on the basis of the 1981 census:
| Usually resident population aged three and over speaking Welsh | |
| County | Number |
| Gwent | 10,500 |
| Mid Glamorgan | 42,691 |
| South Glamorgan | 20,684 |
| West Glamorgan | 57,408 |
Schools(Welsh-Speaking Staff)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh-speaking staff are employed by local education authorities in Wales in the under-five sector, the primary sector and the secondary sector, respectively.
The information is not available centrally.
Rime Minister
Engagements
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 14 June.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if she list her official duties on 14 June.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q48.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q49.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q50.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q51.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q52.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q53.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q54.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q55.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q56.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q57.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q58.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q59.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q60.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q61.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q62.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q64.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q65.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q66.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q67.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q68.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q69.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q70.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q71.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q72.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q73.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q74.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q75.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q76.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q77.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q78.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
Q79.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
Q80.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 June.
'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.
Tuc (Meeting)
Q63.
asked the Prime Minister when next she intends to meet the leaders of the Trades Union Congress.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Mr Ortiz Mena
asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to meet Ortiz Mena, president of the Intra American Development Bank, during his visit to the United Kingdom.
The programme for the visit by the president of the Inter-American Development Bank to London includes discussions with the appropriate members of the Government. I do not have any plans to meet him myself.
Cyprus
asked the Prime Minister how many Ministers of the Crown have visited Cyprus and met Ministers of the Government of Cyprus since May 1979; and when such visits took place.
The following Ministers have visited Cyprus and met Ministers of the Government of Cyprus in the period to which the hon. Member refers:—
| Date | Name and position held at time of visit |
| April 1980 | The Rt. Hon. Sir Ian Gilmour, Lord Privy Seal. |
| December 1982 | Sir Hugh Rossi, Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security. |
| September 1983 | Mrs. Peggy Fenner, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. |
| September 1983 | Mr. Richard Luce, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. |
| October 1983 | The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Young, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. |
| November 1983 | The Rt. Hon. Paul Channon, Minister for Trade. |
asked the Prime Minister what advice is given by Government Departments to inquiries from would-be investors in, or traders with, the northern part of Cyprus.
Potential investors and traders enjoy the same access to departmental advice in respect of northern Cyprus as for other overseas markets. The advice given depends on the nature of the inquiry and takes into account the complicated political circumstances existing in Cyprus.
Security Services (Directive)
asked the Prime Minister if she w ill extend the directive given to the director general of the Security Services, published at paragraph 238 of Cmnd. 2152, by setting out the steps which the director general shall take to satisfy Ministers that he is complying therewith; if she will publish such an extension; and if she will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is responsible for the directive, and I do not consider that it is necessary to extend it for this purpose.
Heavy Vehicles (Construction)
asked the Prime Minister whether, following the decision to close the British Leyland heavy truck plant at Bathgate, she is satisfied that there remains a national capacity to build the heavy vehicles which would be needed by the armed forces in time of war; and where such vehicles are to be built in the future.
A national capacity to build the heavy vehicles which would be needed by the armed forces in time of war will remain after the closure of the British Leyland plant at Bathgate. There is a variety of locations throughout the country at which vehicles for military purposes can be built.
European Community Budget
asked the Prime Minister if she will raise with the Council of Prime Ministers of the EEC the recent decision of the Commission to propose a budget for 1985 in excess of the existing own resources of the Community; and if she will make a statement.
This issue will be discussed by the Budget Council in July. We have already made clear that in our view the preliminary draft budget for 1985 should be revised by the Commission to comply with the requirements under the Treaty that the ceiling of available resources must be respected. The Budget Council should take steps as necessary to ensure that the budget stays within the 1 per cent. ceiling.
Home Department
European Trade Mark Office (British Employees)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will designate the European Trade Mark Office in Munich as an institution where United Kingdom employees can retain British nationality for their children born in Munich.
I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the European Patent Office. An application from that office for designation under section 2(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981 is being considered. I shall let my hon. Friend know when a decision has been reached.
Public Disorder (Wandsworth)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning incidents of public disorder which occurred in Franciscan road, Tooting, Wandsworth, London, on Monday 4 June; what was the number and ethnic breakdown of the persons involved; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the commissioner's report.
The commissioner tells me that, on the information provided, he is unable to identify any incidents of public disorder in Franciscan road, Tooting on, or around 4 June.
Investigative Journalists
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will have discussions with chief constables about the relationship of police forces with investigative journalists.
My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.
Overtime
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of overtime have been worked by employees in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the total cost of this overtime work in each of those years.
The information is as follows:
| Overtime: Hours Worked | |||
| 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | |
| Prison Department | 13,235,000 | 14,883,000 | 15,849,000 |
| Rest of the Home Office | 319,000 | 304,000 | 300,000 |
| Totals | 13,554,000 | 15,187,000 | 16,149,000 |
| Estimated Costs | |||
| 1981–82 £ | 1982–83 £ | 1983–84 £ | |
| Prison Department | 58,234,000 | 69,355,000 | 77,502,000 |
| Rest of the Home Office | 1,630,000 | 1,645,000 | 1,701,000 |
| Totals | 59,864,000 | 71,000,000 | 79,203,000 |
Young Persons (Custody)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of sentenced young people held in (a) Lincoln prison, and (b) Shrewsbury prison during the week beginning 4 June.
Central records, which are approximate, show for 30 April 1984, the latest date for which information is readily available, one sentenced person aged under 17 in Lincoln prison and none in Shrewsbury prison.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young persons sentenced to periods of youth custody were eligible for and received parole during the first six months of the scheme's operation.
Information in precisely the form requested is not immediately available. However, in the period from 24 May 1983 (when the new young offender scheme came into operation) to 31 December 1983, 279 young offenders were eligible for parole of whom 153 (54·8 per cent.) were recommended for parole.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of sentenced young people serving their sentences in youth custody centres during the week beginning 4 June.
Central records, which are approximate, show for 30 April 1984, the latest date for which information is readily available, about 570 sentenced persons aged under 17 in youth custody centres in England and Wales.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of sentenced persons between the ages of 17 and 21 years being held in (a) adult prisons and (b) adult remand prisons during the week beginning 4 June.
I shall reply as soon as possible.
Shotguns
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the number of shotguns legally held.
It is not possible to estimate the total number because a shotgun certificate does not limit the number of shotguns which may be held. However, the number of shotgun certificates on issue on 31 December 1983, the latest date for which figures are available was 783,378.
Demonstrations
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what methods are used by the Metropolitan Police to assess the number of people involved in demonstrations.
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that estimates of the numbers of people taking part in marches are based on information provided by teams of police officers, who are positioned at the start and end of the route of a march, and who use adding machines to record their count of people as they pass.
Estimates of the size of static demonstrations are made by experienced officers, familiar with the capacity of particular sites, including football grounds and public places such as Trafalgar square.
Mr P W Botha (Visit)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many South African security personnel accompanied Mr. P. W. Botha on his visit to the United Kingdom on 1 and 2 June; what was the nature of their duties; and if they were armed.
During his visit to this country on 2 June Mr. Botha was accompanied by one South African security officer; his role was to liaise with the Metropolitan police about security arrangements for the visit; he was not armed.
Fine Defaulters
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of persons convicted of soliciting or loitering under the Street Offences Act 1959 and subsequently committeed to prison for default of payment of the fines in respect of the following courts (a) Nottingham, (b) Old street, (c) Sheffield and (d) Birmingham for the years 1982, 1983 and so far as available for 1984.
I shall reply as soon as possible.
Cnd Demonstration (London)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions were issued to Metropolitan police officers on Saturday 9 June regarding free movement of pedestrians in central London during the demonstration by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; and whether any instructions were given about the treatment by the police of persons wearing Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament badges.
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that officers who were deployed to police the demonstration were instructed that pedestrians should, as far as possible, be enabled to have free passage along the highway. No instructions were given to officers about the treatment of people wearing Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament badges.
Mark Thatcher (Bodyguards)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of providing bodyguards and so on to Mark Thatcher in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.
I am not prepared to disclose details of protection arrangements made in individual cases where this could reveal the scale or nature of any protection being provided.
Immigration
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority the passports of some black and Asian visitors, refused permission to land in the United Kingdom but admitted on a temporary basis and released, are retained at ports of entry.
[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1984, c. 584]: A passenger is required to produce his passport or other document establishing his identity to the immigration officer when he is examined on his arrival. If the passenger is refused leave to enter the normal practice is for the immigration officer to retain his passport in order to facilitate arrangements for his removal. If, however, the passenger requests the return of his passport immigration officers (who have no authority to retain it) are instructed to comply with his request subject only to their being satisfied that he is the rightful holder of it. The same procedures apply to all passengers irrespective of their race or colour.
Trade And Industry
Scientific, Technological, Trade And Economic Co-Operation
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the results of the 12th session of the inter-governmental commission on scientific, technological, trade and economic co-operation in Moscow.
I led the United Kingdom delegation to this session of the joint commission which took place in Moscow from 21–23 May. Also among the United Kingdom delegation were senior representatives of Babcock International, Barclays Bank, Courtaulds, Davy and John Brown. The Soviet delegation was led by Mr. N. S. Patolichev, Minister of Foreign Trade. During my visit to Moscow I had separate meetings with two Deputy Prime Ministers and a number of Soviet Ministers.The joint commission was, I believe, a very useful and worthwhile event. At the formal sessions of the Commission we had a series of open and frank discussions on the current state of and future prospects for trade, economic, industrial, scientific and technological cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. We also had a useful exchange of views on the obstacles impeding the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries and ways of eliminating them. Both the joint commission and my meetings with Soviet Ministers took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.Although United Kingdom exports to the USSR grew by 26 per cent. in 1983 to £448 million, with increased sales of textile fibres, chemicals, power generating and general industrial machinery, this increase only marked a return to the level of exports achieved in 1980 and the volume of bilateral trade remains low compared with that between the Soviet Union and other Western countries. The joint commission agreed that the full potential for cooperation between the United Kingdom and the USSR has not yet been realised and that there are good opportunities for increased trade and industrial co-operation in a number of sectors. The prospects were felt to be particularly promising in the fields of energy, agriculture, food processing and packaging, chemicals and synthetic fibres, scientific instruments, biotechnology and synthetic fuels. Although we were told that it was too early to discuss details of the next Soviet five-year plan (1986–90), the business men in the delegation were able to describe a number of new developments which we hope will be reflected in the plan. One important message which came across clearly was that priority will be attached to modernising existing plants and increasing their capacity, as against building new ones.On the science and technology side, the joint commission agreed that the 10-year co-operation programme, which expires in 1985, should be extended for another five years. It was also agreed that the programme itself should be reviewed and updated to take account of recent developments.One welcome result from the joint commission was the undertaking we received from the Soviet side that two-way direct dialling international telephone links will be restored for resident business men by the end of 1984 and that shopping facilities for them will also be improved.The next meeting of the joint commission will take place in 1985 in the United Kingdom.
Investment Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the publication of the "Statistics on Direct Inward and Outward Investment by Companies" has been delayed this year.
There has been no delay. The summary results of the annual inquiry were published in British Business in May, as usual, and the "Business Monitor MA4—Overseas Transactions 1982", is expected to be published in July, the same month as last year.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will update the survey of direct inward and outward investment by companies, published on 13 May 1983, to show for an additional year (i) inward and outward investment in manufacturing from and to the European Economic Community, (ii) total inward and outward investment from and to the European Economic Community and (iii) similar information as in (i) and (ii) for the world as a whole.
Most of the information requested was published in the British Business article announcing the results of the 1982 annual inquiry into overseas transactions (see British Business 18 May 1984, pages 36–41). However the article does not include inward and outward investment in manufacturing from and to the EC, for which the figures are as follows. Full details of the results of the 1982 inquiry will be given in "Business Monitor MA4" overseas transactions, which is being prepared for publication.
| United Kingdom net outward direct investment in manufacturing in the EC | £122 million |
| EC net inward direct investment in United Kingdom in manufacturing | £—50 million |
Cyprus
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the value of goods purchased by the United Kingdom from northern Cyprus during each of the last five years; and if he will list the goods purchased.
Figures for trade with particular regions of Cyprus are not available.
Caravans
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the restrictions placed on the export of British caravans to France by the regulations of type approval imposed by the French Government.
In the absence of relevant Community standards, all member States are at liberty to regulate type approval for caravans, provided this does not constitute an arbitrary discrimination or disguised restriction on trade between them. I have received no evidence that French requirements are having this effect; but if such evidence is available to the hon. Member I shall, of course, certainly be ready to consider it.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many caravans manufactured in Great Britain were exported to France in each of the last five years; and how many caravans manufactured in France were imported.
The available information is as follows:
| (Numbers in thousands) | |||||
| 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | *1983 | |
| United Kingdom exports to France | 5·1 | 4·5 | 4·1 | 4·0 | 3·6 |
| United Kingdom imports from France | 2·4 | 3·7 | 3·6 | 3·9 | 3·1 |
| * Provisional. | |||||
Source: Data corresponding to SITC/R2 Item 786.11 in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics (trailers and semi-trailers of the caravan type for housing or camping).
Notes:
(a) Figures exclude motorised caravans.
(b) Export figures are on a country of destination basis and do not distinguish between United Kingdom manufactured items and re-exports.
(c) Imports figures are on a country of origin basis and may include caravans initially manufactured in third countries which last underwent substantial processing in France as well as those wholly manufactured there.
British Aerospace
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will undertake to make a statement to the House as to the terms and conditions proposed by interested purchasers of the Government's shareholding in British Aerospace before the sale of these shares.
The conditions that any proposal must meet were set out in my statement of 16 May. I shall inform the House of developments in the most timely manner practicable.
Alvey Programme
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give United Kingdom registered companies priority in participation and funding in the Alvey programme over foreign registered companies; and if he will make a statement.
All participants in Alvey are required to meet the same general conditions. They must have research expertise in the UK; they must be ready to collaborate and accept the rules on intellectual property rights; and the results of the project must be exploited in the UK. Priority will be given to those applications judged to bring most benefit to the UK.
Small Engineering Firms Investment Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if there is to be a further period of grants under the small engineering firms investment scheme, or under some new scheme.
There are no plans to re-open the small engineering firms investment schemes (SEFIS 1 and 2) which are judged to have met the objectives for which they were devised. My right hon. Friend on 19 March announced an investment support scheme to assist small and medium sized firms in the clothing, footwear, knitting and textile industries. These proposals were notified to the European Commission in April.
Scotland
Lead Pipes (Replacement)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will examine the possibilities for a changeover in the present arrangements of grant support towards lead pipe replacement work to a system similar to that previously undertaken for smoke control legislation.
My right hon. Friend believes that progress will best be made by a combination of water supply treatment measures and the availability of improvement grants. While he has considered the case for ad hoc legislation on the lines of the Clean Air Acts, he does not believe that the area procedures on which these Acts relied for controlling smoke emissions are appropriate to problems arising from lead in water.
Toxic Emissions (Bonnybridge)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further action he will now take to deal with complaints about toxic emissions in the Bonnybridge area.
All complaints about toxic emissions are investigated by HM Industrial Pollution Inspectorate and where appropriate remedial action is taken. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member of 6 June, if fresh evidence about the alleged toxic emissions in the Bonnybridge area were forthcoming I would be willing to consider what further steps should be taken.
Hospital Closures
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the hospitals in Scotland which closed in (a) 1980, (b) 1981, (c) 1982 and (d) 1983 giving the total number of beds lost with each closure.
The information requested is as follows. In most instances the facilities which the hospitals provided have been replaced elsewhere:
| Beds | |
| 1980 | |
| Lanarkshire Health Board | |
| Shotts Hospital | 40 |
Beds
| |
Tayside Health Board
| |
| Charleton Maternity Home, Montrose | 19 |
| Sidlaw Hospital, Auchterhouse | 44 |
1981
| |
Greater Glasgow Health Board
| |
| Carnbooth Children's Home, Glasgow | 30 |
| Homoeopathic Hospital for Children, Glasgow | 30 |
Tayside Health Board
| |
| Burghmuir Hospital, Perth | 41 |
1982
| |
Ayrshire and Arran Health Board
| |
| Kilmarnock Infirmary | 150 |
| Torrance House, Kilmarnock | 44 |
Tayside Health Board
| |
| Strathmore Hospital, Blairgowrie | 28 |
1983
| |
Borders Health Board
| |
| Peebles County Hospital | 21 |
| Peebles War Memorial Hospital | 26 |
Greater Glasgow Health Board
| |
| Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Glasgow | 83 |
Shetland Health Board
| |
Brevik Hospital, Lerwick
| 43 |
Note: The bed figures shown are the approved bed complements at the time of closure.
United Kingdom
| June each year
| ||||
1964
| 1969
| 1974
| 1979
| 1983
| |
(a) Employees in employment Number (000s)
| 22,816 | 22,624 | 22,789 | 23,158 | 21,081 |
| As a percentage of the working population | 90·2 | 89·2 | 88·8 | 87·0 | 78·9 |
(b) Self-employed persons Number (000s)
| 1,710 | 1,853 | 1,996 | 1,903 | 2,318 |
| As a percentage of the working population | 6·8 | 7·3 | 7·8 | 7·2 | 8·7 |
(c) Her Majesty's Forces Number (000s)
| 424 | 380 | 345 | 314 | 322 |
| As a percentage of the working population | 1·7 | 1·5 | 1·3 | 1·2 | 1·2 |
(d) Total (a), (b) and (c) ie employed labour force Number (000s)
| 24,950 | 24,857 | 25,130 | 25,375 | 23,721 |
| As a percentage of the working population | 98·6 | 98·0 | 97·9 | 95·4 | 88·8 |
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the registered unemployment who have been receiving social security benefit have been jobless for (a) more than one year,(b) more than two years,(c)more than three years,(d)more than four years,(e)more than five years,(f) more than six years,(g)more than seven years,(h)more than nine years and (j)more than 10 years
The following is the available information for unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom on 5 April 1984,the latest date for which an analysis by duration of unemployment is available. The analysis does not distinguish the numbers for separate duration periods over five years.
| Duration in weeks | Number |
| Over 52 and up to 104 weeks | 562,383 |
| Over 104 and up to 156 weeks | 300,007 |
| Over 156 and up to 208 weeks | 190,662 |
| Over 208 and up to 260 weeks | 80,814 |
| Over 260 weeks | 84,278 |
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate allegations that certain consultants at the Edinburgh royal infirmary have admitted more private patients for treatment than are authorised under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978.
No. This is in the first instance a matter for Lothian Health Board who are investigating the question.
Employment
Labour Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the number of persons in (a) employment, (b) self-employment and (c) Her Majesty's forces in June 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979 and 1983; what was the total of (a), (b) and (c) in each of those years; and if he will express each figure as a percentage of the United Kingdom's working population in each category.
The following is the information:
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of (a) men and (b) women at present registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth; and what was the number unemployed in June 1979.
The following table gives the figures for unemployed claimants in May 1984 and the figures for registered unemployed in June 1979 in the area covered by the Balham, Clapham junction and Tooting jobcentres, which corresponds closely to the London borough of Wandsworth. It also gives the figures on both bases for October 1982.The comparisons are affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982 and by the 1983 Budget provisions 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.
Male
| Female
| |
Registered unemployed
| ||
| June 1979 | 3,874 | 1,379 |
| October 1982 | 10,809 | 4,409 |
Unemployed claimants
| ||
| October 1982 | 10,449 | 3,821 |
| May 1984 | 11,429 | 4,515 |
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many (a) men and (b) women were placed in employment in the London borough of Wandsworth during the last month for which statistics are available.
Jobcentres in the London borough of Wandsworth placed 623 people in the five-week period ending 4 May 1984, the latest for which statistics are available. Separate figures for men and women are not compiled monthly.There is likely to have been a substantial number of people who found jobs in the area other than through the jobcentres. Nationally, it is estimated that about a quarter of all engagements are made through jobcentres.
Travel-To-Work Areas
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the most up-to-date definitions used by his Department of the travel-to-work areas of Great Britain together with their populations.
As the hon. Member may know, the travel-to-work area map is currently being reviewed. A list giving full details of the existing travel-to-work area map would be lengthy and for this reason I shall write to the hon. Member with the information.
Average Earnings
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were average earnings at the latest date available in each of the standard regions of young people aged (a) 16 years, (b) 17 years, (c) 18 years, (d) 19 years and (e) 20 years, or by whatever age breakdown is available.
The most recent available information is as follows:
| Average gross weekly earnings of full-time employees, whose pay was not affected by absence | ||||
| April 1983 | ||||
| Males | Females | |||
| Under 18 years £ | 18 to 20 years £ | Under 18 years £ | 18 to 20 years £ | |
| South-East | 64·0 | 98·7 | 59·5 | 86·2 |
| East Anglia | NA | 90·8 | NA | NA |
| South West | 59·1 | 89·0 | 55·2 | 72·9 |
| West Midlands | 57·4 | 95·2 | 54·6 | 74·5 |
| East Midlands | 62·8 | 95·8 | 54·3 | 71·9 |
| Yorks and Humberside | NA | 96·3 | 55·1 | 73·1 |
| North West | 60·0 | 92·3 | 53·5 | 73·9 |
| North | 56·0 | 94·1 | 49·8 | 74·7 |
| Wales | NA | NA | NA | 74·7 |
| Scotland | 57·4 | 90·8 | 55·0 | 74·5 |
| NA Not available. | ||||
Source: New Earning Survey.
Nurses
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many qualified nurses have applied for work pemits to continue to work in the United Kingdom as staff nurses after completing their training in Great Britain in 1982 and 1983; and how many were given permission to do so.
The information required is not readily available and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost since statistics maintained by my Department refer only to the numbers of approvals and do not distinguish between staff nurses, other nurses and other occupations in the health diagnostic and treatment occupational field.
Youth Training Scheme (Accident Statistics)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give figures for (a) fatal, (b) major and (c) minor accidents on the youth opportunities programme and the youth training scheme for the period from 1 October 1983 to 31 December 1983 and 1 January to 31 March; and how the major injuries are defined.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Environment
Local Authority Services
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received alleging abuse by local authorities of powers conferred on them by section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972.
My right hon. Friend has received numerous representations, nearly all critical of alleged abuses.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle) on 27 February, Official Report, column 38, what further action the Government now propose to take with regard to section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972.
We have not yet reached a conclusion on this issue.
Local Government Reform
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the list of 43 district councils outside the Greater London council area where the Greater London council owns dwellings or estates; and if he will indicate (a) the method and (b) the time scale of the proposed transfer of ownership of these properties from the Greater London council to the district councils in question.
The responses made by the GLC Conservative group to the White Paper "Streamlining the Cities" lists on page 52 the 43 district councils, as follows.
| Arun | Dover |
| Brighton | East Devon |
| Canterbury | East Lindsey |
| Chichester | Eastleigh |
| Christchurch | Fenland |
| Gosport | Shrewsbury and Atcham |
| Great Yarmouth | South Norfolk |
| Hastings | Southampton |
| Havant | Suffolk Coastal |
| Kerrier | Swale |
| Lewes | Taunton Deane |
| Maldon | Tendring |
| Medina | Tewkesbury |
| Mid Suffolk | Thanet |
| New Forest | Waveney |
| Newbury | Wealdon |
| North Dorset | West Norfolk |
| North Norfolk | West Somerset |
| Plymouth | West Wiltshire |
| Purbeck | Woodspring |
| Sedgemoor | Worthing |
| Shepway |
Decisions have not yet been taken about arrangements for the transfer of ownership to the councils.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available the note on revised arrangements for planning in Greater London and the metropolitan counties referred to in his answer of 4 May, Official Report, columns 264–66, to the hon. Member for Bury, North.
Yes. I am today placing in the Library of the House a paper which gives details of the decisions I have made on arrangements for development plans following the abolition of the Greater London council and metropolitan county councils. These provide for a system of unitary development plans in place of structure and local plans to be prepared by London borough and metropolitan district councils. I have made these changes in response to criticism that the proposals which I published for consultation were unnecessarily complex. I have produced simplified arrangements which nevertheless ensure effective strategic planning for London and the metropolitan areas, together with detailed local planning. The arrangements include provision for me to call in the general policies of any plan for my own approval should this be necessary. The paper is available to the public from my Department.
Home Loan Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the home loan scheme, indicating, in particular, the number of first-time buyers who have taken advantage of this scheme; and whether he has any plans to raise the price limit further.
The home loan scheme offers first-time buyers a loan of £600, interest-free and repayment-free for up to five years, and a cash bonus of up to £110. The main requirements of the scheme are that the first-time buyer has registered with a participating savings institution and then saved for at least two years, and is buying a house costing less than the price limit for his area. Separate price limits are set for each of the English regions, Scotland and Wales (and for the separate home loan scheme in Northern Ireland). The limits are set at levels which should allow about two-thirds of first-time buyers in each region to meet this requirement of the scheme. They are reviewed regularly and increased when necessary to meet this criterion. It is estimated that about 17,000 people have received benefits under the scheme to date.
Assured Tenancies
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many bodies have been approved under sections 56 to 58 of the Housing Act 1980; how many assured tenancies have been let and occupied in each of the years 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; and what is the total of assured tenancies let and occupied to date.
150 bodies are now approved to let on assured tenancies under section 56 of the Housing Act 1980. Information concerning the number of assured tenancy lettings is not available in the form requested, but returns from approved bodies last year indicated that by April 1983 44 newly built homes had been let on assured tenancies. Preliminary results from another inquiry addressed to 133 approved bodies in April this year indicate that the number of lettings has now risen to 210. 270 more homes are reported to be under construction for letting on assured tenancies.
Local Authority Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to draw conclusions as to the level of likely capital spending by local authorities in England in 1984–85 flowing from the form CER 84–85 sent to all local authorities.
This depends on when my Department receives sufficient returns from authorities to produce meaningful aggregate results.On 4 June, the due return date, the Department had received 50 per cent. of returns.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those items of expenditure for which disregards have been requested under section 8(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 in respect of each of the years 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85; and for each of those years for which he has now decided to grant no further disregards if he will state against each item for which a disregard has not been granted his reasons for not granting such a disregard.
I shall write to the hon. Member.
Asbestos
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for the leaflet issued by his Department entitled, "Asbestos in Housing", to carry a warning about asbestos on its front cover.
I shall consider this and other suggestions for amendments to the leaflet "Asbestos in Housing" before it is reprinted.
Betterment Levy
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of transactions subject to betterment levy under the Land Commission Act 1967 currently under consideration by his Department; and in how many such cases (a) the assessment is determined but still unpaid, (b) the assessment is in dispute but still under negotiation, (c) the assessment is the subject of proceedings before the Lands Tribunal or other legal body and (d) a legal decision has been made, but the tax not yet paid.
As at 31 March 1984 the number of betterment levy cases still outstanding was 220. Of these:
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of betterment levy and interest thereon received in his Department in 1983–84; how many full-time staff were involved in assessment and collection; and what was the overall administrative cost.
The amount of betterment levy collected during the period 31 March 1983 to 31 March 1984 was £311,901·80. The amount of interest collected in the same period was £246,936·41.Two full-time staff are involved: the overall administrative costs of collection in 1983–84, including senior and legal staff costs, are estimated to be about £36,000.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to discontinue the collection of betterment levy under part III of the Land Commission Act 1967 and disband the relevant administrative unit within his Department.
I cannot predict when collection can be discontinued. Following a recent review of the outstanding cases, efforts to pursue recovery will be reduced in all those which seem unlikely to produce a cost effective return.
Direct Labour Departments
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, on the basis of his Department's voluntary inquiry on construction activity, he will give details of local authority starts and completions of dwellings built by direct labour departments since 1 October 1982.
About 80 per cent. of local authorities in England have replied to the Department's voluntary inquiry on construction activity, but only a small proportion of these build dwellings by direct labour. In the period 1 October 1982 to 31 December 1983, local authorities reported as follows:
| Table 1 | ||
| Local Authority | Starts | Completions |
| Barnsley | 1 | 2 |
| Brent | 95 | 223 |
| Darlington | 240 | 289 |
| Derby | 31 | 139 |
| Gateshead | 77 | 0 |
| Greater London | 0 | 30 |
| Kettering | 0 | 18 |
| Kingston upon Hull | 377 | 6 |
| Lincoln | 122 | 48 |
| Mansfield | 84 | 181 |
| Sandwell | 291 | 152 |
| Stoke on Trent | 74 | 179 |
| Tower Hamlets | 3 | 23 |
| Woodspring | 4 | 4 |
Because returns were not completed for every quarter during the period, incomplete information only was provided by other local authorities as follows:
Table 2
| ||
Local Authority
| Starts
| Completions
|
| Barrow-in-Furness | 70 | 52 |
| Blackburn | 0 | 30 |
| Camden | 0 | 39 |
| Crewe and Nantwich | 10 | 5 |
| Derwentside | 91 | 84 |
| Doncaster | 65 | 0 |
| Durham | 56 | 29 |
| Greenwich | 9 | 170 |
| Harlow | 33 | 46 |
| Lambeth | 237 | 183 |
| Manchester | 130 | 199 |
| North Tyneside | 8 | 0 |
| Reading | 16 | 26 |
| Sedgefield | 4 | 6 |
| Sheffield | 191 | 184 |
| South Tyneside | 69 | 6 |
| Sunderland | 1 | 27 |
| Tameside | 29 | 4 |
| Wakefield | 193 | 192 |
| Wandsworth | 0 | 272 |
| Wigan | 30 | 40 |
Building Control Fees (Exemption)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations on the operation of the Building (Prescribed Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1983, in relation to the exemption from building control fees of work for the benefit of disabled persons; and if he is satisfied with the way in which this exemption is operating.
The new fees regulations came into operation on 19 December 1983. The Department has received no representations of general principle, and very few routine inquiries, on the working of the new regulation to exempt from fees works carried out to dwellings and public buildings for the benefit of disabled people. I see no reason to be dissatisfied with the operation thus far of the new exemption.
Building Regulations
asked the Secretary of Stale for the Environment which organisations were circulated in February 1983 with the consultation letter enclosing the proposed amendment to the Building Regulations: Access Facilities in Buildings for the Benefit of the Disabled; which organisations responded to the consultations; and what were the views expressed by the disability organisations.
The Department's consultation letter of 7 February 1983 was sent to more than 300 organisations which are always consulted on any proposals for new building regulations. An additional 39 disability organisations were consulted at that time. I have sent to the right hon. Member lists of those organisations consulted.I am also sending the right hon. Gentleman a list of the 30 organisations representing disabled people which responded. They all supported the principle of extending building regulations to require the provision of access and facilities for disabled people throughout buildings. Most argued that the proposed building regulations should apply to conversions and extensions as well as to new buildings, and some considered that the provision of wheelchair spaces in auditoria and sports stadia was too low. They generally welcomed our suggestion that there should be no exempt categories of building. Some disability groups criticised the draft regulations because they did not require the provision of escape facilities in the event of fire.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations were circulated with (a) the letter dated 1 March 1983 inviting comments on the proposed new building regulations and (b) the revised draft of the new building regulation circulated on 29 February; and which organisations replied to each of the consultations.
There was no consultation letter of 1 March 1983 inviting comments on proposed new building regulations. The Department did, however, issue such a consultation on 30 March 1983. Both this and the revised draft regulations consultation of 29 February 1984 were distributed to more than 300 organisations which are always consulted on proposals for new building regulations. I am sending to the right hon. Member lists of these organisations.115 organisations responded to the 1983 consultation and 79 to the 1984 revision. Again, I am sending lists to the right hon. Member.
Bearley Transmitter (Inquiry)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the terms of reference of the public inquiry into the proposed transmitter at Bearley.
The public inquiry closed on 23 March this year. The purpose of the inquiry was to consider all matters relating to the proposed development and the objections to it. The inspector will report to me in due course.
National Land Policy
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his duties in the course of exercising his functions in planning and environmental matters to secure consistency and continuity in the framing and execution of a national land policy.
There is no specific duty laid on my right hon. Friend to secure consistency and continuity in the framing and execution of a national land policy. However, my right hon. Friend has numerous functions related to town and country planning and land use policy and these are set out in the relevant legislation.
Local Authorities (Loan Default)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards he is able to apply to seek to ensure that a local authority does not default on a loan and, if it does default, that creditors and employees are adequately protected.
Authorities are required by law to ensure that current expenditure is balanced by revenue and to follow strict rules of financial good practice. On that basis, they have access to the Public Works Loan Board, not least in its role of lender of last resort. All loan debt —both principal and interest—is a statutory charge on all revenues of the authority, which include rents, charges and Exchequer grants as well as rates. Other contractual creditors who are owed money by a local authority (including employees under their contracts of employment) are entitled to take action in the courts to recover it.
Basildon Development Corporation
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing units have been allocated by the Basildon development corporation in connection with the opening of the Gordon's Gin factory in Laindon.
The allocation of tenancies is a matter for the day-to-day management of Basildon Development Corporation, within general guidelines laid down by my Department. However, I understand that the corporation has let 15 dwellings to workers at the Gordon's Gin factory.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing units have been allocated by Basildon Development Corporation to key industrial and other workers in each of the years since 1979; and how many jobs have been created in Basildon in each of those years as a result.
The allocation of tenancies is a matter for the day-to-day management of Basildon Development Corporation within general guidelines laid down by my Department. However, I understand that the number of dwellings let to key workers since 1979 is as follows:
| Numbers | |
| 1979–80 | 513 |
| 1980–81 | 391 |
| 1981–82 | 298 |
| 1982–83 | 224 |
| 1983–84 | 186 |
| Numbers | |
| 1979–80 | 321 |
| 1980–81 | 455 |
| 1981–82 | 418 |
| 1982–83 | 672 |
| 1983–84 | 571 |
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to make any changes in the cash limit for the rate support grant vote.
Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVIII, Vote 1 will be reduced by £475,000,000 from £9,323,000,000 to £8,848,000,000. This reduction reflects the proposed abatement of block grant for 1984–85 in accordance with the proposals in the "Rate Support Grant Repoli (England) 1984–85" (approved by the House on 23 January 1984) in the light of budgeted expenditure figures received from local authorities. It also takes account of a recovery of £44,000,000 block grant in respect of 1983–84 under the "Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) (No. 2) 1983–84" (approved by the House on 20 March 1984) and a proposed recalculation of grant entitlements for 1981–82 and 1982–83 in the light of the latest information about outturn expenditure in each of those years. The proposed altered grant entitlements for 1984–85, 1981–82 and 1982–83 are subject to the approval of the requisite supplementary rate support grant reports, which I hope to lay before the House before the summer adjournment.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Mr Sam Nujoma
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he agreed to a meeting with Mr. Sam Nujoma, of Namibia, earlier in the year.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 13 June at column 61.
| Books expenditure unit costs (£) | ||||||||||
| L.E.A- | Primary | Secondary | ||||||||
| England | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 |
| Metropolitan districts | ||||||||||
| West Midlands | ||||||||||
| 330 Birmingham | 3·0 | 3·0 | 3·4 | 3·2 | 4·6 | 6·4 | 6·3 | 6·7 | 6·2 | 8·6 |
| 331 Coventry | 4·5 | 4·0 | 5·1 | 4·7 | 7·0 | 7·1 | 7·4 | 7·6 | 7·3 | 9·8 |
| 332 Dudley | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 333 Sandwell | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 334 Solihull | 3·0 | 2·8 | 2·9 | 2·9 | 4·0 | 5·7 | 5·5 | 5·6 | 5·7 | 8·2 |
| 335 Walsall | 1·6 | 4·3 | 6·4 | 7·5 | n/a | 3·0 | 5·2 | 10·0 | 10·7 | n/a |
| 336 Wolverhampton | 3·7 | 4·0 | 5·0 | 6·1 | 6·8 | 6·8 | 7·2 | 8·8 | 10·1 | 11·1 |
| Merseyside | ||||||||||
| 340 Knowsley | 4·4 | 4·9 | 5·1 | 6·8 | 4·5 | 6·4 | 6·4 | 6·5 | 7·5 | 6·7 |
| 341 Liverpool | 4·8 | 3·5 | 4·4 | 3·9 | 7·9 | 12·0 | 6·5 | 6·8 | 5·9 | 11·1 |
| 342 St. Helens | 3·8 | 3·6 | 3·5 | 4·0 | 4·3 | 6·0 | 6·0 | 6·4 | 5·1! | 6·9 |
| 343 Sefton | align="right"2·8 | 3·5 | 4·0 | 5·1 | 5·9 | 5·0 | 6·8 | 7·1 | 8·5 | 9·4 |
| 344 Wirral | 2·8 | 3·5 | 4·5 | 5·3 | 6·4 | 5·9 | 7·2 | 6·1 | 7·0 | 9·5 |
| Greater Manchester | ||||||||||
| 350 Bolton | 3·8 | 4·9 | 5·1 | 5·7 | 7·9 | 5·4 | 5·8 | 6·6 | 7·4 | 9·3 |
| 351 Bury | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 352 Manchester | 3·2 | 4·5 | 5·0 | 5·1 | 5·4 | 5·9 | 8·5 | 8·6 | 8·2> | 11·5 |
| 353 Oldham | 0·9 | n/a | n/a | 2·1 | 2·6 | 0·7 | n/a | n/a | 0·4 | 0·4 |
| 354 Rochdale | n/a | n/a | 4·5 | 5·6 | 4·7 | n/a | n/a | 5·7 | 7·1 | 7·1 |
| 355 Salford | 3·7 | 4·2 | 4·4 | 5·3 | 6·9 | 5·3 | 6·2 | 5·9 | 7·3 | 8·4 |
| 356 Stockport | 2·4 | 5·0 | 5·5 | 6·3 | 7·4 | 6·4 | 7·5 | 9·0 | 10·0 | 11·3 |
| 357 Tameside | 6·1 | 6·0 | 7·0 | 7·7 | 9·0 | 8·1 | 8·1 | 8·9 | 10·0 | 11·4 |
| 358 Trafford | n/a | n/a | n/a | 3·9 | 4·4 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1·0 | 1·1 |
| 359 Wigan | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4·2 | 4·1 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 7·0 | 8·9 |
| South Yorkshire | ||||||||||
| 370 Barnsley | 4·6 | 4·7 | 6·6 | 7·4 | 7·9 | 6·1 | 7·4 | 7·1 | 6·8 | 8·2 |
| 371 Doncaster | 5·6 | 4·1 | 4·4 | 5·0 | 5·8 | 6·7 | 7·4 | 6·6 | 8·2 | 9·7 |
| 372 Rotherham | 4·3 | 3·0 | 5·2 | 6·2 | 4·3 | 4·9 | 4·2 | 5·2 | 6·8 | 6·3 |
| 373 Sheffield | 6·3 | 7·1 | 8·5 | 10·4 | 11·8 | 4·5 | 4·9 | 5·5 | 6·1 | 6·4 |
| West Yorkshire | ||||||||||
| 380 Bradford | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0·4 | 0·6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0·6 | 1·0 |
| 381 Calderdale | 4·2 | 4·0 | 5·0 | 5·1 | 6·2 | 5·4 | 5·9 | 6·5 | 7·7 | 8·5 |
| 382 Kirklees | 2·6 | 2·8 | 5·7 | 7·3 | 8·5 | 5·0 | 5·8 | 11·6 | 14·4 | 14·8 |
| 383 Leeds | 3·2 | 3·4 | 3·6 | 0·7 | 0·9 | 4·3 | 4·8 | 4·7 | 6·4 | 0·8 |
| 384 Wakefield | 4·6 | 4·9 | 6·0 | 7·5 | 8·5 | 6·1 | 6·3 | 7·1 | 7·4 | 4·7 |
Education And Science
Non-Advanced Further Education
asked the Secretary of State for Eucation and Science if he will institute a national review body on non-advanced further education.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Books (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Eucation and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the average per capita expenditure on books spent by each metropolitan district local education authority for the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.
The average expenditure per pupil on books by each metropolitan district for the last five years is as follows. Separate figures are shown for primary and secondary pupils. Certain authorities did not separate in their returns expenditure on books from that on equipment and therefore it is not possible to provide the requested information for those authorities.
L.E.A.
| Primary
| Secondary
| ||||||||
| ENGLAND | 1978–79
| 1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1978–79
| 1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
|
Metropolitan districts
| ||||||||||
Tyne and Wear
| ||||||||||
| 390 Gateshead | 3·2 | 4·4 | 4·8 | 4·6 | 5·6 | 4·6 | 6·4 | 6·9 | 6·5 | 8·0 |
| 391 Newcastle upon Tyne | 6·0 | 5·5 | 5·1 | 5·4 | 7·8 | 8·9 | 9·4 | 8·5 | 9·3 | 10·6 |
| 392 North Tyneside | 4·1 | 4·5 | 5·6 | 7·7 | 8·3 | 6·0 | 6·7 | 13·6 | 10·8 | 11·8 |
| 393 South Tyneside | 4·6 | 5·7 | 7·0 | 6·6 | 8·4 | 7·8 | 10·1 | 9·9 | 10·2 | 10·9 |
| 394 Sunderland | 3·1 | 3·5 | 3·7 | 4·1 | 3·7 | 4·4 | 5·3 | 8·0 | 7·1 | 5·8 |
Note:
n/a indicates that expenditure on books was not available for that LEA for that year.
Assisted Places Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the total cost of the assisted places scheme for 1983–84 and the projected cost for 1984–85; and what this represents as spending per pupil so assisted in cost terms and real terms using 1983–84 as the base year.
The actual cost of the scheme in England for the financial year 1983–84 was £14,995,483 and the estimated cost for 1984–85 is £22·5 million. The implied average cost per assisted pupil in cash terms is £1,292 in 1983·84 and £1,390 in 1984–85. For 1984–85, the equivalent unit cost in cost terms—that is, the cash figure adjusted for general inflation as measured by the GDP deflator, as given in table 5 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1984–85 — is £1,327 against the 1983–84 base. A real terms comparison is not available.
Education Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what practical responses he intends to make in the light of problems raised by Her Majesty's Inspectors' recent report on education expenditure.
I have invited the local authority associations to discuss the report with me when they are ready to do so.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the financial constraint in schools and colleges highlighted by Her Majesty's Inspectors' recent report on education expenditure, he intends easing the spending limits presently imposed on local education authorities.
No. The report concludes —paragraph 10—that the levels of appropriate resources in schools and colleges were slightly improved in autumn 1983 from those of the previous year, particularly with regard to the provision of teachers and books. It also notes that good management helps to enhance the level and appropriateness of resources and of what can be achieved with them — paragraph 14 — and that the quality of teaching is of great importance—paragraph 8.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the criticisms of the provision for non-advanced further education made in Her Majesty's Inspectors' recent report on education expenditure, he intends making any significant alteration in the level of resources dedicated to this area before the proposed implementation of the programme outlined in the Government White Paper, "Training For Jobs".
No. The report concludes —paragraph 68 — that the FHE system is in general reasonably well resourced.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the level of spending per pupil in secondary education by local education authorities in England for each year since 1980–81; and what is the estimate for 1984–85 in cost terms and real terms using 1980–81 as the base year.
The information is as follows for the period 1980–81 to 1982–83, the latest year for which actual figures are available:
| Cost per pupil in secondary education (England) | |
| Financial year | £ |
| 1980–81 | 770 |
| 1981–82 | 870 |
| 1982–83 | 945 |
Defence
Service Men's Pay (Attachment Of Earnings)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state in respect of divorced wives of service personnel currently receiving maintenance through attachment of earnings how many of the original applications for maintenance to be paid through attachment of earnings were for amounts which exceeded the limit of 25 per cent. attachment of earnings on service man's pay contained under the Attachment of Earnings Act, section 24 (2)(b) and under the Army Act Q4112 subsection A.
My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.
Trident Missiles
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now announce the number of Trident D5 missiles to be purchased from the United States together with the proposed number of warheads.
No. Decisions have yet to be taken. However, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on the number of missiles and warheads carried by our strategic nuclear deterrent force. The Government's policy for the replacement of the Polaris force is set out in Open Government Documents 80/23 and 82/1.
Surplus Equipment And Uniforms
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the procedures for dealing with equipment and uniforms surplus to his Department's requirements; and if he will make a statement.
I am satisfied that the procedures followed by the Ministry of Defence in dealing with equipment and uniforms surplus to the requirements of the Department are reasonable and effective.Surplus weapons and other warlike stores may be sold to friendly foreign Governments; otherwise they are demilitarised or reduced to scrap or are completely destroyed. Most non-warlike items of surplus equipment and surplus stores are offered for sale to the public, subject to certain restrictions in respect of risks to health and safety. Depending on their nature, surpluses are sold by public auction or by competitive tender.All surplus combat clothing is destroyed. Other items of surplus uniform may be sold after the removal of insignia. The wearing of Service uniform by unauthorised people can in certain circumstances be an offence under
| Cases of theft from ordnance depots in United Kingdom | ||||
| Number of Cases | Value £ | Equipment | Date | |
| 1979–80 | ||||
| Bicester | 5 | 132 | Various | Various |
| Donnington | 11 | 191 | Various | Various |
| 1 | 244 | Calculator | October 1979 | |
| 1 | 121 | Tool kit | July 1979 | |
| Chilwell | 1 | 29 | — | — |
| Ashchurch | 3 | 110 | Various | Various |
| Hilton | 11 | 280 | Theft in transmit | Various |
| 33 | 1,107 | |||
| 1980–81 | ||||
| Bicester | 2 | 52 | Various | Various |
| 1 | 158 | Gloves | January 1981 | |
| Donnington | 6 | 311 | Various | Various |
| 1 | 334 | Two shot guns | November 1980 | |
| 1 | 122 | Spray paint gun | December 1980 | |
| Chilwell | 1 | 138 | Locks | Not known |
| Hilton | 5 | 167 | Theft in transit | Various |
| 17 | 1,282 | |||
| 1981–82 | ||||
| Bicester | 1 | 30 | — | — |
| 1 | 150 | Brooches (theft in transit) | July 1981 | |
| 1 | 900 | Sweaters | September 1981 | |
| Donnington | 1 | 29 | Battery | October 1981 |
| 1 | 112 | Wrench | August 1981 | |
| 1 | 55,715 | Scrap precious metal | August 1981 | |
| Hilton | 1 | 26 | — | Not known |
| QAD(S&C) Didcot | 1 | 2,407 | Textile samples | January 1982 |
| RD Catterick | 1 | 125 | Ten jerricans Avgas | September 1981 |
| 1 | 36 | Two parkas | January 1982 | |
| 10 | 62,105 | |||
the Uniforms Act of 1894, but the Ministry's sales of surplus service clothing have not, as far as is known, led to complaints.
Enfield Lock (Arms Theft)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning his Department's inquiry into the theft of arms from Enfield lock.
Ministry of Defence police inquiries are in progress into the circumstances in which 495 Bren gun bodies were included in a sale of spares in 1979. There is at this stage no suggestion of any illegal act.
Ordnance Depots (Thefts)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of theft there have been from ordnance depots, indicating for each case the date of the theft, the depot or factory involved, the equipment or arms stolen and its value over the past five years to the most current date.
The information requested is not held in the precise form specified and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the losses through theft from ordnance depots in the United Kingdom are as follows, but it must be borne in mind that the inventory to which these thefts relate is valued at over £2 billion, with an annual turnover of some £1·85 million.
Number of Cases
| Value £
| Equipment
| Date
| |
| 1982–83 | ||||
| Bicester | 15 | 463 | Various | Various |
| 1 | 638 | Clothing | February 1982 | |
| 1 | 417 | Clothing GS (theft in transmit) | August 1982 | |
| 1 | 166 | Gloves (theft in transmit) | March 1983 | |
| 1 | 111 | Smocks (theft in transmit) | March 1983 | |
| Donnington | 14 | 477 | Various | Various |
| 1 | 123 | Camera body | September 1982 | |
| Hilton | 3 | 124 | Various (theft in transit) | Various |
| RD Catterick | 1 | 56 | Seven cans diesel oil | August 1982 |
| 38 | 2,575 | |||
| 1983–84 | ||||
| Bicester | 19 | 349 | Various | Various |
| 1 | 1,509 | White sweaters | August 1983 | |
| Donnington | 4 | 276 | Various | Various |
| Longtown | 1 | 195 | Tool crimping | August 1983 |
| 1 | 119 | Instructional fuze | September 1983 | |
| Ludgershall | 1 | 41 | — | Not known |
| 27 | 2,489 | |||
| Total | 125 | 70,558 |
Note: Losses Valued at £ or less have been lumped together.
Trident
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate of the total nugatory costs payable to American suppliers to be incurred by his Department as a result of Her Majesty's Government's decision to purchase the Trident D5 system instead of the Trident C4.
There has been no change to the estimate of £18 million at 1982–83 prices and exchange rates reported in paragraph 11 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the Trident programme of 23 February this year.
National Finance
West Midlands
6.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the level of economic activity and employment in the west midlands to reach that of May 1979.
The west midlands should benefit from the sustained economic growth now under way.
World Banking Crisis (Talks)
18.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with other Finance Ministers regarding the world banking crisis and international debt; and if he will make a statement.
I discussed international debt matters with other Finance Ministers at the recent economic summit, and refer the hon. Gentleman to the economic declaration which was issued.
Taxation
19.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will evaluate the feasibility of further cuts in direct taxation by extending the scope of value added tax.
The Government's policy is to secure further reductions in the burden of taxation as resources permit. How this is to be achieved will need to be considered in the approach to the next Budget.
Economy
20.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Treasury has made of the impact of an increase in international demand on the British economy.
The effect on the economy of an increase in international demand would depend on the cause and composition of the increase and quantitative estimates would in any event be subject to very large margins of error.
Social Security Tax
21.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to introduce a single social security tax.
I have no present plans to do so.
Inflation
22.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of inflation for the last 12 months.
Over the 12 months to April 1984 the retail price index increased by 5·2 per cent.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the increases in United States interest rates, he thinks it necessary to change his forecasts for the future pattern of inflation trends in the United Kingdom.
No.
Employment
23.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial and fiscal policies he is adopting to assist the growth of employment.
The Government's medium term financial strategy provides the framework for declining inflation and interest rates over the medium term. This offers the best possible basis for a continuing recovery in output and employment.Moreover, employment stands to benefit from the company tax reforms introduced in this year's Budget; with the abolition of the national insurance surcharge and the phasing out of first year capital allowances, two important sources of bias in the tax system in favour of capital against jobs are being removed.
Government Borrowing
24.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether sufficient funds are available for Government borrowing at current prices of index-linked Government stock.
Index-linked stocks continue to play a significant role in Government funding.
Oil And Gas Revenues
25.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of the declining value of the pound sterling on revenues from oil and gas production in the United Kingdom sector of the continental shelf.
Since oil is priced in dollars, a depreciation of sterling against the dollar will in the short term result in a higher sterling oil price and higher North sea revenues. I also refer the hon. Member to the Financial Secretary's reply of 9 February 1984, at column 735, which gives the revenue effects of a change in the dollar oil price.
Company Profitability
26.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the current profitability of United Kingdom companies.
27.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the profitability of United Kingdom companies has improved over the past year.
The Department of Trade and Industry estimates that the net real rate of return to non-North sea industrial and commercial companies rose from an average of 4·6 per cent. in 1982 to 6·2 per cent. in 1983.
Stamp Duty
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any proposals for increasing the staff of the Stamp Office to deal with the greater volume of adjudication and litigation.
No. There is, however, a temporary increase in work following the use of schemes designed to avoid stamp duty on the sale of real property and the position is being kept under review.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes in practice have been necessary in the administration of stamp duty as a result of the judgment in the case of Furniss v. Dawson.
The application of the Furniss v. Dawson case to stamp duty is being carefully considered in the same way as its application to other taxes.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the latest available annual figures for stamp duty from property in each of the standard regions in England and Wales.
The estimated breakdown for 1983–84 is:
| £ million | |
| North | 10 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 20 |
| East Midlands | 20 |
| East Anglia | 15 |
| South East (excluding London) | 190 |
| Greater London | 125 |
| South West | 60 |
| West Midlands | 30 |
| North West | 30 |
| Wales | 15 |
Corporation Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the additional revenue to be raised from the taxation of controlled foreign corporations as proposed in the Finance (No. 2) Bill (a) at the corporation tax rates in existence before the Budget and (b) at the new corporation tax rates proposed in the Budget for each of the financial years ending in 1985 to 1989;(2) how much additional revenue he estimates will be raised from the provisions relating to controlled foreign corporations in the Finance (No. 2) Bill in each of the next five financial years based on the new rates of corporation tax; and how much these estimates differ from his original estimates based on a 52 per cent. rate of corporation tax.
The eventual yield of £100 million, quoted in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1984–85, is based upon the 35 per cent. rate of corporation tax. Had the complete set of proposals relating to corporation tax not been introduced, the estimate of the eventual yield would have been £150 million. It is not possible to give figures for individual years because of the difficulty of assessing the effect of the corporation tax proposals in the transitional years.
Management Consultancy And Accounting Firms
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the contracts, with the subject, of assignment, awarded to management consultancy and accounting firms by his Department in 1983.
The following management consultancy and accounting firms were awarded contracts by Her Majesty's Treasury in 1983:
Name and Assignment
- ICL. Information Processing Architecture
- ICL. Package 'X'—Conversion for Micros
- Learmonth & Burchett Management Services Ltd. (LBMS). Third Normal Form Analysis
- LBMS Ltd. Microcomputer Based Software
- PA Management Consultants Ltd. Identification of Computer Applications
- Performance Systems Inc. Transaction Processing
- Phoenix Systems Ltd. Microcomputer Based Software
- PPL-MMS Ltd. New Management Accounting and Information System
Overtime
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many hours of overtime have been worked by employees in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the total cost of this overtime work in each of those years.
Records of the number of hours of overtime worked by employees in my Department are readily available only for the financial year 1983–84, when they totalled 160,624. I regret that information on the number of hours worked in the other two years cannot be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.The total costs of overtime in each of the last three years are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1981–82 | 622,501 |
| 1982–83 | 749,909 |
| 1983–84 | 855,866 |
Industrial Costs (Interest Rates)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether with a view to continuing the reduction in industrial costs, he will continue to give high priority towards encouraging lower interest rates.
Yes.
European Community (Income And Expenditure)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent available figure on the total amount paid by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community since 1 January 1973 and the total amount received in grants and subsidies.
The United Kingdom's total contribution to the EEC including receipts and refunds is set out in the following table.
| 1 January 1973 to 31 March 1984 | |
| £ million | |
| Gross contribution | 15,411 |
| Receipts other than refunds | 7,978 |
| Refunds | 2,617 |
| Net total | 4,816 |
Land (Development Value)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he makes of the released development value of land in each of the last five years; what proportion of that value is or has been chargeable to tax; and what evidence there is of the effect of development land tax in promoting or inhibiting land release and development.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Falkland Islands
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the latest payments from the Contingencies Fund for health services in the Falklands.
None have been made from the Contingencies Fund for health services in the Falklands.
Coal Industry Dispute
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect of the miners' dispute on the public sector borrowing requirement.
There will not necessarily be any effect on the PSBR for 1984–85 as a whole.
Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the estimated total public sector borrowing requirement in 1984–85 he expects to be borrowed in the first half of that year.
Almost the whole.
European Community (Budget Rebate)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet received from the EEC the outstanding rebates of £42 million for 1982 and about £400 million for 1983; and if he will make a statement.
No. The 1983 refund regulations remain blocked by the Council. We have taken up the question of the outstanding 1982 refunds with the Commission and the Presidency. It remains our aim to resolve this problem in the current negotiations.
Business Expansion Scheme
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to enable farmers to have the right to benefit under the business expansion scheme; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 June 1984, c. 466]: Proposals are currently before Parliament, in clause 37 of the Finance (No. 2) Bill, to add farming to the list of trades excluded from the business expansion scheme. The relevant definition of farming is that in section 526 of the Taxes Act. Whether or not the activities of a particular company are covered by this definition will depend on all the facts, and on relevant case law. I have no plans to make other changes to the scheme in relation to farming.
Social Services
Hospital Waiting Lists
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will initiate a study into the computerisation of hospital waiting lists.
It is for each district to decide for itself on the usefulness of the computerisation of its waiting lists. The Department is, however, considering with the West Midlands regional health authority a pilot project to evaluate the effectiveness in reducing waiting times of supplying general practitioners with information about waiting lists in their districts, derived from computerised systems.
Residential Care
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number and location, split by regional and district health authority, of nursing home places for the elderly for each year since 1978.
The following table, derived from the SBH 212 return of institutions registered with English district health authorities under the Nursing Homes Act 1975, gives the number of places for the elderly in such institutions, by regional and district health authority, as at 31 December 1982. Similar information was not collected centrally before the introduction of the SBH 212 return in 1982, and figures for 1983 are not yet available.
| Number of places for the elderly in nursing homes registered under the Nursing Homes Act 1975 as at 31 December 1982 | |
| Regional Health Authority and District Health Authority | No. of places |
| 1. Northern | 244 |
| Darlington | 154 |
| Durham | 34 |
| East Cumbria | — |
| Gateshead | 15 |
| Hartlepool | — |
| Newcastle | — |
| North Tees | — |
| North Tyneside | — |
| Northumberland | — |
| North West Durham | — |
| Sunderland | — |
| South Cumbria | — |
| South Tees | 41 |
| South Tyneside | — |
| South West Durham | — |
| West Cumbria | — |
| 2. Yorkshire | 797 |
| Airedale | 121 |
| Bradford | 123 |
| Calderdale | 69 |
| Dewsbury | 12 |
| East Yorkshire | 24 |
| Grimsby | 6 |
| Harrogate | — |
| Huddersfield | 15 |
| Hull | 52 |
| Leeds Eastern | 101 |
| Leeds Western | 80 |
| Northallerton | 58 |
| Pontefract | — |
| Scarborough | 48 |
| Scunthorpe | 27 |
| Wakefield | — |
| York | 61 |
| 3. Trent | 1,133 |
| Barasley | — |
| Bassetlaw | — |
| Central Nottinghamshire | 38 |
| Doncaster | 12 |
| Leicestershire | 420 |
| North Derbyshire | 96 |
| North Lincolnshire | 312 |
Regional Health Authority and District Health Authority
| No. of places
|
| Nottingham | — |
| Rotherham | — |
| Sheffield | 94 |
| South Derbyshire | 85 |
| South Lincolnshire | 76 |
| 4. East Anglian | 522 |
| Cambridge | 6 |
| East Suffolk | 81 |
| Great Yarmouth | 32 |
| Huntingdon | 25 |
| Norwich | 203 |
| Peterborough | 11 |
| West Norfolk and Wisbech | 59 |
| West Suffolk | 105 |
| 5. North West Thames | 789 |
| Barnet | 109 |
| Brent | 13 |
| Ealing | 122 |
| East Hertfordshire | — |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 117 |
| Harrow | 13 |
| Hillingdon | — |
| Hounslow and Spelthorne | 130 |
| North Bedfordshire | 59 |
| North Hertfordshire | 20 |
| North West Hertfordshire | 16 |
| Paddington and North Kensington | 10 |
| South Bedfordshire | — |
| South West Hertfordshire | 42 |
| Victoria | 138 |
| 6. North East Thames | 716 |
| Barking, Havering and Brentwood | 31 |
| Basildon and Thurrock | — |
| Bloomsbury | 49 |
| City and Hackney | 77 |
| Enfield | 122 |
| Hampstead | 26 |
| Haringey | 160 |
| Islington | — |
| Mid-Essex | 53 |
| Newham | — |
| North East Essex | 61 |
| Redbridge | 32 |
| Southend | 105 |
| Tower Hamlets | — |
| West Essex | — |
| 7. South East Thames | 3,158 |
| Bexley | 57 |
| Brighton | 452 |
| Bromley | 208 |
| Camberwell | — |
| Canterbury and Thanet | 377 |
| Dartford and Gravesham | 18 |
| Eastbourne | 558 |
| Greenwich | 40 |
| Hastings | 700 |
| Lewisham and North Southwark | 39 |
| Maidstone | 85 |
| Medway | 65 |
| South East Kent | 241 |
| Tunbridge Wells | 318 |
| West Lambeth | — |
| 8. South West Thames | 2,989 |
| Chichester | 464 |
| Croydon | 415 |
| East Surrey | 192 |
| Kingston and Richmond | 91 |
| Merton and Sutton | 197 |
| Mid Downs | 344 |
| Mid Surrey | 20 |
| North West Surrey | 58 |
Regional Health Authority and District Health Authority
| No. of places
|
| Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton | 105 |
| South West Surrey | 265 |
| Wandsworth | — |
| West Surrey and North East Hants | 69 |
| Worthing | 769 |
| 9. Wessex | 2,053 |
| Basingstoke and North Hampshire | 14 |
| Bath | 269 |
| East Dorset | 853 |
| Isle of Wight | 21 |
| Portsmouth and South East Hants | 340 |
| Salisbury | 96 |
| Southampton and South West Hants | 236 |
| Swindon | 92 |
| West Dorset | 92 |
| Winchester | 40 |
| 10. Oxford | 883 |
| Aylesbury Vale | 34 |
| East Berkshire | 225 |
| Kettering | — |
| Milton Keynes | — |
| Northampton | 249 |
| Oxfordshire | 141 |
| West Berkshire | 94 |
| Wycombe | 140 |
| 11. South Western | 1,711 |
| Bristol and Western | 349 |
| Cheltenham and District | 168 |
| Cornwall and Isles of Scilly | 128 |
| Exeter | 32 |
| Frenchay | 98 |
| Gloucester | 92 |
| North Devon | 110 |
| Plymouth | 290 |
| Somerset | — |
| Southmead | 156 |
| Torbay | 288 |
| 12. West Midlands | 1,281 |
| Bromsgrove and Redditch | 43 |
| Central Birmingham | 11 |
| Coventry | 4 |
| Dudley | — |
| East Birmingham | 75 |
| Herefordshire | 20 |
| Kidderminster and District | 73 |
| Mid-Staffordshire | 122 |
| North Birmingham | 134 |
| North Staffordshire | 48 |
| North Warwickshire | — |
| Rugby | 18 |
| Sandwell | 30 |
| Shropshire | 40 |
| Solihull | 16 |
| South Birmingham | 39 |
| South East Staffordshire | 31 |
| South Warwickshire | 139 |
| Walsall | — |
| West Birmingham | 34 |
| Wolverhampton | 89 |
| Worcester and District | 315 |
| 13. Mersey | 905 |
| Chester | 32 |
| Crewe | 29 |
| Halton | — |
| Liverpool | 135 |
| Macclesfield | 146 |
| North Sefton | 64 |
| South Sefton | 124 |
| St. Helens and Knowsley | 8 |
| Warrington | — |
| Wirral | 367 |
Regional Health Authority and District Health Authority
| No. of places
|
| 14. North Western | 1,016 |
| Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley | 93 |
| Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde | — |
| Bolton | 42 |
| Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale | — |
| Bury | 86 |
| Central Manchester | — |
| Chorley and South Ribble | — |
| Lancaster | 78 |
| North Manchester | 32 |
| Oldham | — |
| Preston | 89 |
| Rochdale | 77 |
| Salford | 30 |
| South Manchester | 59 |
| Stockport | 288 |
| Tameside and Glossop | — |
| Trafford | 142 |
| West Lancashire | — |
| Wigan | — |
| England (total) | 18,197 |
Nhs (General Managers)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many general managers will be appointed to the National Health Service.
General managers will be appointed for the 14 regional health authorities, the 192 district health authorities and for all the units of management within each district. Until authorities come forward with proposals we cannot give the exact number of people who will be identified as general managers at unit level as we do not have complete information centrally about hospital and unit level organisation within each district.On present estimates however the total number throughout the service will be in the region of 1,100.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether PA management consultants have been retained to recruit general managers to the National Health Service; and if he will consider the appointment of other consultants in addition.
We have no plans to retain PA or any management consultants to recruit general managers in the Health Service. Individual authorities may involve external consultants if they wish.
Disabled Persons (Housing)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of house adaptations carried out to meet the needs of disabled people consist of the construction of ramps, the widening of doorways or passages or the provision for the first time of a bathroom, a shower-room or a lavatory.
I regret this information is not available centrally.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been undertaken to discover the frequency with which particular types of house adaptations are carried out to meet the needs of disabled people.
I am not aware of any studies of the frequency with which particular types of house adaptations are carried out.
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any social security benefits have fallen in real terms since 1979; and if he will list each such benefit.
Most social security benefits have increased in real terms since 1979. The following, however, have fallen in real terms between November 1978 and November 1983: Christmas bonus, the age addition to retirement pension, death grant, maternity grant and the supplementary benefit additional requirements for blindness and additions for a claimant or dependant over age 80. In addition, the decision to offset increases in child benefit against child dependency additions has resulted in a fall in the real value of those additions paid with retirement pension, widows' benefits, unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, invalidity pension, maternity allowance, industrial death benefit, invalid care allowance, non-contributory invalidity pension, and war pension unemployability allowance, as well as in the value of the child's special allowance, guardian's allowance and the war pension death benefit child allowances. Finally, certain benefits which are not taxable were uprated in 1980 by 5 percentage points less than the increase that would otherwise have been due. These are sickness benefit, invalidity pension, maternity allowance, and unemployability supplement as well as the adult dependency increase paid with sickness benefit, invalidity pension and maternity allowance.
Supplementary Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to amend the supplementary benefit regulations relating to a fuel element to take account of differing regional climatic conditions.
We have no present plans to do so, although following representations we are studying the significance of climate as a factor influencing expenditure on fuel in different parts of Britain.
Solihull Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now grant district general hospital status to Solihull hospital.
The West Midlands regional health authority decided about three years ago that a district general hospital should be developed at Solihull. It envisaged that it would have a total of about 500 beds. It is now discussing its draft capital programme with district authorities and expects in the next few months to make final decisions on the extent to which it will be able to accommodate major schemes proposed for the various districts, according to relative priority.
Rutland Memorial Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will call for an immediate report from the Leicestershire health authority on the reasons for the temporary closure of the maternity unit at the Rutland memorial hospital in Oakham; and whether he will seek to ensure that it reopens very shortly and is adequately staffed to remain open on a permanent basis.
Leicestershire health authority is responsible for day-to-day management decisions in its district and is allowed to decide on temporary closure of units without reference to Ministers. I am advised that the authority has had difficulty in recruiting midwives for this unit and, when a crisis arose as a result of sickness and maternity leave, it decided to close for a short period as it could not provide full nursing cover. I understand that it is now preparing to re-open the unit and I see no reason for me to intervene.
Mr F C Mowbray
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give the reasons for the delay in replying to a letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Holland with Boston on 20 February about the problems of Mr. F. C. Mowbray, which was not answered until 4 June.
I am sorry that my hon. Friend did not receive a reply from my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State sooner but we have received over 1,500 letters on this one subject and some delays have inevitably occurred.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Ec (Spanish Entry)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to evaluate the full effect on Great Britain's horticulture of Spain's entry into the Common Market.
The steps being taken to evaluate the effects on British horticulture of Spain's entry to the European Community include inquiries in Spain by officials of my Department and discussions with the National Farmers Union and other interested parties. The full effects cannot be evaluated precisely as they will depend on the terms of entry negotiated between the Community and Spain as well as on the response of growers in both countries. My Department will continue to keep closely in touch with developments.
Dog Licence Fee
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to alter the level of the dog licence fee of 37½p when the ½p coin is demonetised.
The level of the dog licence fee and relatted matters are being considered by the Government in the light of the December 1982 report of the Committee of Public Accounts.
Departmental Staff (Overtime)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hours of overtime have been worked by employees in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the total cost of this overtime work in each of those years.
The total cost of overtime for my Department in each of the last three years is as follows:
| £'000 | |
| April 1981-March 1982 | 1,686 |
| April 1982-March 1983 | 1,761 |
| April 1983-March 1984 | 1,601 |
Ec (Export Rebates)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the amount of the receipts from the European Economic Community which were in respect of export rebates for the export of subsidised food to third countries.
The United Kingdom received some £320 million from the Community in 1983 in respect of restitutions for foodstuffs exported to third countries.
Dairy Farmers
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to how the financial provision made by Her Majesty's Government to farmers who wish to give up milk production compares with provision made or proposed in each of the other European Economic Community states; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to the reply, 12 June 1984, c. 435]: I understand two member states, the Federal Republic of Germany and France, have so far said that they intend to provide assistance for producers who wish to give up milk production. The needs and circumstances in the different member states vary considerably and it is not meaningful to draw comparisons solely of the financial provision to be made for this aspect alone.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give increased help to the Milk Marketing Board research and development department to exploit and export new products.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1984, c. 436]: The United Kingdom milk industry is already eligible for aid for market research from European Community milk co-responsibility funds. This can benefit the marketing of new products and my Department encourages the industry to take advantage of these arrangements.
Energy
Wytch Farm
asked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhynmey on 11 June concerning the sale of the British Gas Corporation's Wytch farm interests, if he will estimate (a) the liabilities for tax, what form these will take and when they will arise; and (b) the level of royalties and approved costs in connection with the sale.
The tax position of individual taxpayers, whether personal or corporate, is under statute a confidential matter between the taxpayer and the Inland Revenue. It is not for me to intervene in the settlement of tax liabilities arising from the sale of PL 089 between British Gas and the Inland Revenue.On royalties, PL 089 incorporates the model clauses set out in schedule 3 to the Petroleum and Submarine Pipelines Act 1975; model clause 9 describes the way in which the royalty payments shall be calculated. The royalties relating to British Gas's period of ownership are still a matter of negotiation but similar considerations of confidentiality apply to them.On approved costs, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 8 June about internal and external costs.
Northern Ireland
Local Government Boundaries (Report)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the report of the commissioner on local government boundaries in Northern Ireland and a bound set of all the maps relative thereto have been delivered to the Library at the European Assembly.
In conducting his review of local government boundaries in Northern Ireland the local government boundaries commissioner is empowered under the terms of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 to regulate his own procedures. I understand that within these procedures the commissioner considered it appropriate to send a copy of his report and final recommendations to the European Parliament.
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many supplementary benefit claimants in Northern Ireland are currently in board and lodging accommodation, including hostels, common lodging houses, private lodgings and hostels, excluding residential care homes and nursing homes; what are the comparative figures for November 1983; and what were and are the respective average supplementary benefit payments to such claimants.
The latest available information showing numbers of supplementary benefit claimants in board and lodging accommodation was obtained at the supplementary benefit annual statistical inquiry on 8 December 1982 and is as follows:
| Number | Average payment £ | |
| Claimant in common lodging house | 106 | 26·05 |
| Other boarder | 518 | 32·84 |
| Total | 624 |
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current overall cost of implementing housing benefits in Northern Ireland; how much of this takes the form of housing benefit payments for each separate category (a) standard, (b) certificate, (c) housing benefit supplement and (d) transitional addition payments; what is the cost to the Department of Health and Social Services, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department of the Environment in administering the scheme; what is the Government's expenditure on supplementary benefits alone; and how many posts have been reduced in the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as a result of the introduction of the scheme.
It is estimated that in the current financial year the overall cost of housing benefits in Northern Ireland will be £94,175,000 made up as follows:
| Housing benefits | |||
| Standard cases | Certificated cases | Total £000s | |
| Tenants | 22,002 | 63,109 | 85,111 |
| Owner-occupiers | * | * | 6,250 |
| 91,361 | |||
| * Information not available. | |||
| Total £000s | |
| Housing benefit supplement | 447 |
| Administration: | |
| Department of Health and Social Services | 100 |
| Department of the Environment (NI) | 367 |
| Northern Ireland Housing Executive | 1,900 |
| Grand total | 94,175 |
| £000s | |
| Supplementary Benefit | 280,923 |
| Administration | 29,758 |
| Total | 310,681 |
Housing Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 18 to 20-year-olds in Northern Ireland have lost the £3·10 non-dependant rent addition as a result of the recent changes in housing benefits; how many are in households where the householder is himself or herself (a) on supplementary benefit and (b) on housing benefit; how many of these householders will be (i) parents of the non-householder and (ii) others; and what are the estimated gross and net savings from this change in 1984–85 and 1985–86.
The rent addition was withdrawn with effect from 2 April 1984 from 15,500 18 to 20-yearolds getting supplementary benefit. It is not known how many of these non-dependants live in households where the householder is getting housing benefit, but it has been estimated that approximately 6,200 housing benefit claimants benefited from the effect of this change. It has also been estimated that more than half of these are receiving supplementary benefit. No information is available on the relationship between non-dependants and householders in these cases. It is estimated that the gross and net savings resulting from this change will be £2·5 million and £1·5 million respectively in 1984–85. Similar gross and net savings are expected in 1985–86.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Government are considering changing the method for calculating student entitlement to housing benefit in Northern Ireland.
There are no plans at the moment to change the way in which the housing benefit entitlement of students in advanced education is calculated.
Job Markets
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria control the running of job markets in Northern Ireland.
The criteria which control the running of job markets in Northern Ireland are based upon a clearly defined management plan. Strategic aims are to
Overtime
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hours of overtime have been worked by employees in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the total cost of this overtime work in each of those years.
Hours of overtime worked during the last three years in the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments are recorded only for the Department of Education for Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland prison service, and are as follows:
| Hours of overtime worked | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 |
| Department of Education for Northern Ireland | 11,653 | 11,898 | 6,838 |
| Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland | 110,699 | 41,875 | 75,302 |
| Northern Ireland Prison Service | 1,975,075 | 2,201,209 | 2,302,276 |
| Overtime costs | 1981–82 £ | 1982–83 £ | 1983–84 £ |
| Home Civil Service | 41,737 | 35,905 | 45,770 |
| Overtime costs | 1981–82 £ | 1982–83 £ | 1983–84 £ |
| Northern Ireland Civil Service | 8,404,741 | 8,707,422 | 8,368,261 |
| Northern Ireland Prison Service | 7,610,993 | 9,322,303 | 9,322,303 |
Scheduled Offences
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the figures for 1983 and 1984 to the nearest convenient date of the number of persons proceeded against for scheduled offences in Northern Ireland; how many persons pleaded guilty to the principal offence; and how many persons in such contested cases were found not guilty of the principal offence
646 persons were proceeded against for scheduled offences in 1983. Of these, 466 pleaded guilty to the principal offence and 61 were found not guilty in contested cases. The comparable figures for 1984 up to 30 April are 160, 142 and 10 respectively.
Dairy Farmers
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he hopes to be in a position to inform dairy farmers when their appeals against their present quotas may be accepted; and if he will make a statement.
I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the average price per litre of milk received by dairy farmers in each of the last eight years in Northern Ireland;(2) what has been the total value of milk produced by Northern Ireland dairy fanners in each of the last eight years;
(3) what has been the average yield per dairy cow in Northern Ireland for each of the last eight years.
The information requested is given in tables numbered 113, 107 and 18 respectively in the booklet "United Kingdom Dairy Facts and Figures 1983" published by the Federation of United Kingdom Milk Marketing Boards, copies of which are available in the Library.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he hopes to inform dairy farmers, who may wish to accept the proposed outgoers scheme, when their applications will be accepted; and if he will make a statement.
Final details of the proposed outgoers scheme are still under consideration. However it is hoped that an announcement can be made soon giving details and inviting applications.
Milk Production
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the increase of milk produced in Northern Ireland in 1984 over that produced in 1983 in each month from January to May.
According to the Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland, the information is as follows:
| Month | 1984 litres (000's) | 1983 Litres (000's) | Per cent. change 1984 over 1983 |
| January | 104,292 | 101,300 | +2·95 |
| February | 108,597 | 100,882 | +7·65 |
| March | 130,467 | 126,077 | +3·48 |
| April | 138,975 | 135,203 | +2·79 |
| May | 163,005 | 163,541 | -0·33 |