Written Answers To Questions
Tuesday 19 June 1984
Wales
Paternity Leave
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees in his Department in each year since 1979, have been allowed paternity leave under the rules set out in paragraphs 685–688 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code; and what was the average number of days allowed.
There is no provision for paternity leave as such in the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, although there is provision for the granting of special leave with or without pay to an officer to deal with short-term domestic problems. Information as to the number of cases in which special leave may have been granted to male officers to deal with domestic problems arising from the birth of a child is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
Hotel Development (Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total sum of money so far formally allocated, by way of urban development grant, to hotel development.
Since the introduction of the urban development grant scheme, I have approved a total of £4·6 million in urban development grants towards hotel development in Wales.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The following amounts were expended by the Welsh Office on official hospitality in each of the past five years:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 6,472 |
| 1980–81 | 8,839 |
| 1981–82 | 11,819 |
| 1982–83 | 15,367 |
| 1983–84 | 17,717 |
Trade And Industry
Bankruptcies
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bankruptcies were recorded in the United Kingdom in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and the first quarter of 1984.
The figures are as follows:
| Bankruptcies (including deeds of arrangements) | |
| Numbers | |
| Years: | |
| 1979 | 3,643 |
| 1980 | 4,229 |
| 1981 | 5,402 |
| 1982 | 5,991 |
| 1983 | 7,417 |
| 1st quarter | |
| 1983 | 1,869 |
| 1984 | 2,366 |
British Business, with a more detailed article quarterly. The latest quarterly article was on 4 May.
Misleading Advertising
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is currently holding up agreement on the draft directive on misleading advertising.
Some points remain outstanding on article 5 of the directive, which prescribes the circumstances in which action may be taken against misleading advertisements by a court or an administrative authority. I hope that these will be resolved shortly.
Centre For Applied Microbiology
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) by what means he intends to monitor the use to which the recent grant of £500,000 made by his Department to the Centre for Applied Microbiology is put; and if he will make a statement;(2) for what purpose and upon what conditions a grant of £500,000 has been made by his Department to the Centre for Applied Microbiology; and if he will make a statement.
The grant to which my hon. Friend refers is towards the cost of establishing a national collection of animal cell cultures. Such cell cultures are increasingly used in biotechnology and the collection will be an important part of the infrastructure for biotechnology, which it is the Government's policy to support. Payment of the grant is subject to conditions negotiated with the Public Health Laboratory Service. In monitoring the use of the money officials of my Department will be concerned to ensure that the collection is widely used by industry and the academic world and that as much as possible of its cost is recovered from charges.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
My Department has spent the following amounts on official hospitality in the past five years:
| £k | |
| 1979–80 | 89 |
| 1980–81 | 82 |
£k
| |
| 1981–82 | 113 |
| 1982–83 | 153 |
| 1983–84 | 113 |
Leicester (Grants And Assistance)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure on regional grants and assistance to enterprises situated within (a) the city of Leicester, and (b) Leicester, East constituency in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively.
I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Regional Development Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of money paid out to companies in regional development grants and selective finance assistance in (a) the Kirkcaldy employment office area and (b) the Dunfermline employment office area in each year since 1979.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 june 1984, c. 580]: Information about regional development grant payments of £25,000 or less could not be provided without a disproportionate use of resources. The available information is given in the following tables:
| A. Amount of regional development grant (individual payments of over £25,000 paid in the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy employment office area for the calendar years 1979 to 1983. | ||
| Calendar Year | Dunfermline employment office area | Kirkcaldy employment office area |
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| 1979 | 243 | 824 |
| 1980 | 394 | 897 |
| 1981 | 568 | 968 |
| 1982 | 3,509 | 525 |
| 1983 | 437 | 356 |
| B. Total amount of offers made under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy employment office areas for the calendar years 1979 to 1983. | ||
| Calendar Year | Dunfermline employment office area | Kirkcaldy employment office area |
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| 1979 | 98 | 7 |
| 1980 | 2,244 | 123 |
| 1981 | 340 | 315 |
| 1982 | 187 | 270 |
| 1983 | 302 | 2,715 |
| C. Total amount of offers made under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy employment office areas for the calendar years 1979 to 1983. | ||
| Calendar Year | Dunfermline employment office area | Kirkcaldy employment office area |
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| 1979 | 0·1 | 6 |
| 1980 | nil | 27 |
| 1981 | nil | nil |
| 1982 | nil | nil |
| 1983 | 147 | nil |
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have received regional development grants in the Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline employment office areas in each year from 1979 to date.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 June 1984, c. 580]: Information about regional development grant payments of £25,000 or less could not be provided without a disproportionate use of resources. The available information is given in the following table:
| Number of companies that have received individual payments of regional development grant of over £25,000 in the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy employment office areas (calendar years 1979 to 1983) | ||
| Calendar Year | Dunfermline employment office area | Kirkcaldy employment office area |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1980 | 6 | 4 |
| 1981 | 7 | 5 |
| 1982 | 10 | 7 |
| 1983 | 8 | 5 |
Energy
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 22,199 |
| 1980–81 | 25,221 |
| 1981–82 | 30,081 |
| 1982–83 | 28,145 |
| 1983–84 | 42,862 |
Enterprise Oil
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is able to make any further announcements concerning the privatisation of Enterprise Oil.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 June 1984, c. 471.]: I have agreed the terms for the offer for sale of my shareholding in Enterprise Oil. The offer will be made by tender. The sale of 212,000,000 shares has been underwritten at a minimum tender price of 185p. Payment for the shares will be in two instalments, a first instalment of £1 per share payable on application, with the balance payable by 12 September. There will be provision for applications for up to 2,500 shares to be made at the striking price.The prospectus and application form will be available in the Library from today and to the public on Friday 22 June. The application list will open on Wednesday 27 June and may close at any time there-after. The striking price and basis of allocation will be announced in due course.
Transport
British Rail
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask the chairman of British Rail to ensure that letters to British Rail from Members of Parliament about constituency matters receive a speedy reply.
I am sure the chairman shares my concern that letters from hon. Members should be dealt with promptly and helpfully. I suggest, therefore, that if the hon. Member has experienced difficulties, he should write to the chairman about them, with a copy to me.
Light Dues
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report the amount of light due collected and expenditure incurred by each of the general lighthouse authorities for each year in the period 1979 to 1983; and if he will make a statement.
The information requested is given in the following table:
| General Lighthouse Authorities: Income and Expenditure 1979–1983 | ||
| £,000s | ||
| Income* | Expenditure | |
| Year ending 31 March 1979 | ||
| Trinity House | 24,945 | 12,996 |
| NLB | 3,721 | 5,866 |
| CIL | 1,906 | 5,675 |
| TOTAL | 30,572 | 24,537 |
| Year ending 31 March 1980 | ||
| Trinity House | 25,900 | 16,630 |
| NLB | 4,530 | 7,178 |
| CIL | 1,100 | 6,700 |
| TOTAL | 31,530 | 30,508 |
| Year ending 31 March 1981 | ||
| Trinity House | 30,178 | 21,818 |
| NLB | 6,125 | 9,079 |
| CIL | 900 | 7,856 |
| TOTAL | 37,203 | 38,753 |
| Year ending 31 March 1982 | ||
| Trinity House | 36,012 | 22,518 |
| NLB | 8,808 | 11,548 |
| CEL | 1,374 | 10,106 |
| TOTAL | 46,194 | 44,172 |
| Year ending 31 March 1983 | ||
| Trinity House | 36,324 | 26,899 |
| NLB | 9,593 | 11,485 |
| CIL | 1,295 | 8,883 |
| TOTAL | 47,212 | 47,267 |
| * Income from light dues paid by vessels calling at ports in England and Wales for Trinity House, at ports in Scotland for the Northern Lighthouse Board, and at ports in Ireland (including Northern Ireland) for the Commissioners of Irish Lights. | ||
Mot Tests
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that garages which charge cut-price fees for carrying out MOT tests on motor vehicles are testing such vehicles in a proper manner; and if he will make a statement.
There is no evidence that MOT testing at reduced fees has had any appreciable effect on standards. We shall continue to keep a close watch on the situation.My officials regularly check the standards of all garages authorised to conduct MOT tests, and those charging less than the prescribed fee render themselves liable to more frequent checking than might otherwise be the case. Authorisation may be withdrawn if examiners or testers are not maintaining the required standards.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to take any steps to require all garages carrying out MOT testing of vehicles to charge the full fee therefor; and if he will make a statement.
I have no plans to amend the present legislation, which does not prevent garages from charging less than the prescribed maximum fee.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years
The amounts spent by my Department on the full range of official hospitality are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 28,645 |
| 1980–81 | 51,393 |
| 1981–82 | 56,429 |
| 1982–83 | 55,508 |
| 1983–84 | *74,044 |
| * Includes expenditure incurred in connection with responsibilities transferred to the Department from the Department of Trade and Industry in June 1983. | |
Control Of Harbour Development (Revocation) Order 1984
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received opposed to the Control of Harbour Development (Revocation) Order 1984; and if he will make a statement.
None beyond the representations referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 26 April, at column 589.
Planning Applications (Rest And Refreshment Facilities)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many planning applications by the private sector were (a) received and (b) approved by his Department for rest and refreshment facilities for road users on non-motorway trunk routes for each of the last three years.
I regret that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
East London River Crossing
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his most recent estimate of the number of vehicles likely to use the east London river crossing each day (a) in normal conditions and (b) when the Dartford tunnel is congested.
The most recent forecasts, which are based on data which do not include separate assessments of the likely effect of congestion in the Dartford tunnel, are 35,000–40,000 vehicles daily in the year of opening. Assessments based on current new traffic surveys will be available later this year.
Dartford Tunnel
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Dartford tunnel joint committee about the need for a third tunnel at Dartford to avoid congestion on the M25 motorway; and what reply he has given.
None, although the Dartford tunnel joint committee has been in touch with the Department more generally about traffic forecasts for the tunnel. Our monitoring of traffic growth on the M25 so far shows no sign of an increase in tunnel capacity being necessary for the foreseeable future.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of vehicles using the Dartford tunnel each day when the M25 is completed; and what reduction he anticipates if the east London river crossing is built.
Up to about 80,000 vehicles daily are expected to be using the Dartford tunnel on completion of the M25 in late 1986. That figure is certain to rise in subsequent years but it is not expected to exceed the tunnel's improved capacity of up to 100,000 vehicles per day on completion of the enlarged toll plaza in 1985.The purpose of the east London river crossing is to provide a better connection between the north circular and the A2 trunk roads as part of a coherent network for longer distance traffic within London. When built, however, we estimate that the crossing may attract up to 15 per cent. of the traffic which would otherwise use the Dartford tunnel.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Scallops (Irish Sea)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Government's recent consideration of technical conservation measures for scallops in the Irish sea.
The United Kingdom Fisheries Departments together with the Isle of Man Board of Agriculture and Fisheries reviewed in March the conservation measures in force in the scallop fisheries in the Irish sea, taking into account the results of previous studies by departmental scientists and a more recent study carried out by Liverpool university on behalf of the Isle of Man board. These indicated a marked decline in catch per unit effort between 1965 and 1984 and a higher proportion of immature scallops being landed than is desirable in the interests of the long-term yield and the conservation of the stocks. Following this review, proposals for the wider application of a higher minumum landing size than that laid down in the relevant European Community regulation and for the application over a wider area than hitherto of a close season for scallop fishing were circulated to the main organisations concerned in the catching and processing industries. In the light of the comments received from the industry, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and I now propose to make orders under the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 as amended which would have the following effect:
Official Hospitality
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 21,000 |
| 1980–81 | 24,500 |
| 1981–82 | 21,000 |
| 1982–83 | 27,500 |
| 1983–84 | 33,000 |
Monkeys
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many monkeys were found to be dead on arrival at British sea and airports in each year from 1979 to 1983 and in 1984 to date.
I regret that this information is not available.
Prime Minister
Engagements
Q4.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q48.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q49.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q50.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q51.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q52.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q53.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q55.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q56.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q57.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q58.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q59.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q60.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q61.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q62.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q64.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q65.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q66.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q67.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q68.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q69.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q70.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q71.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q72.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q73.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q74.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q75.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q76.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q77.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q78.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q79.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q80.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q81.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q82.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q83.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q86.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q86.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
Q87.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
Q88.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 June.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 June.
This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I am holding a dinner at No. 10 to mark the centenary of the NSPCC.
Islamic Fundamentalism
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister what discussions she has had with other Heads of Government about the threats to peace constituted by Islamic fundamentalism.
I frequently discuss the situation in the middle east and possible causes of instability with other Heads of Government, including Heads of Government throughout the Islamic world.
Aberchirper
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Aberchirper.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Freedom Of Information
Q54.
asked the Prime Ministe if she has any plans to introduce legislation for freedom of information.
No. We already have a clear policy to make more Government information available and the machinery to do so does not require legislation.
Religious Education
Q63.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government for religious education in schools.
Religious education will always have a vital part to play in the education of all our young people. The Government will continue to stress the importance we attach to a proper provision of religious education in our schools.
Ec Prime Ministers (Meeting)
Q84. Mr.
asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the preparations made for the next meeting of Common Market Prime Ministers; and if she will make a statement.
It is our view that there must be adequate preparation if the negotiations are to be successfully concluded at Fontainebleau. The French Presidency agrees with this. I have had recent talks covering EC issues, with President Mitterrand and also with Chancellor Kohl, Prime Minister Craxi and President Thorn.
Civil Servants (Benefits)
asked the Prime Minister if she will cause an inquiry to be made into the number of civil servants in receipt of family income supplement or equivalent benefit and report the findings to Parliament.
Personal information of this kind is confidential to employees and is not available to employers.
Barking Hospital (Dispute)
asked the Prime Minister which Government Departments have had any communication at ministerial or Civil Service level with Crothalls, Pritchards or the district health authority about the industrial dispute at Barking hospital.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health has discussed the dispute with the chairman of Redbridge health authority and had an informal conversation with managers of Crothalls, whom he met on a social occasion. My right hon. and learned Friend has therefore kept himself informed on the facts of the dispute but not sought to influence the handling of it by the contractors in any way. Officials of the Department of Health and Social Security receive regular reports on the situation from district management.
Ministers (Support Staff)
asked the Prime Minister (1) what were the numbers of (a) special and personal advisers to Government Ministers and (b) the secretarial support staff for special and personal advisers to Government Ministers in 1978, 1979 and 1984;(2) how many Prime Ministerial advisers and support staff there were, broken down by category, in the years 1978, 1979 and 1984.
[pursuant to her reply, 15 June 1984, c. 581]: The publicly available figures for the period before 4 May 1979 were:
| Number | |
| 1978 | 25 |
| 1979 | 22 |
| Number | |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1984 | 18 |
[pursuant to her reply, 15 June 1984, c. 581]: The publicly available figures for the period before 4 May 1979 were:
| Prime Ministerial Advisers | Support Staff | |
| 1978 | 6 | Information not available |
| 1979 | 5 | Information not available |
The other figures are as follows:
Prime Ministerial Advisers
| Support Staff†
| |
| 1979 | *3 | 1 |
| 1984 | *8 | 3 |
* Figure excludes political advisers not paid from public funds and Lord Rayner and Sir Robin Ibbs, who have held the appointment of adviser on efficiency. Following the abolition of the CPRS in 1983, the policy unit in the Prime Minister's Office was strengthened. | ||
| † Figures relate to secretarial support. | ||
Environment
Capital Expenditure (Construction Industry)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to discuss with both sides of the construction industry the possibility of a moratorium on capital spending in 1984–85; and what representations on that subject he has already received from the industry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction to the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 13 June at columns 912–914.The Group of Eight has written to me expressing its concern about any possibility of a moratorium. I have replied assuring it that I am very well aware of its concern and that I will certainly have its interests closely in mind if we have to contemplate taking action to avoid a breach of cash limits.
Pesticides
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are to incorporate the principles agreed in the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Council recommendation concerning information exchange related to export of banned or severely restricted chemicals into any forthcoming legislation on the use of pesticides in Great Britain.
The Departments concerned are currently considering the implications of this recommendation for future legislation on pesticides. I cannot anticipate the outcome at this stage.
Isle Of Dogs (Housing)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing units are to be built on the Isle of Dogs.
About 2,400 dwellings are planned.
Heron Wharf (Docklands)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why eight acres of Heron wharf have been sold to Tarmac Ltd. for the equivalent of £120,000 per acre; what are the arrangements between this company and the London Docklands Development Corporation regarding sharing the equity; what other companies were invited to bid for the land; and what other offers were received.
A number of inquiries were received about this site, resulting in two worked up proposals. The corporation took the view that the scheme proposed by Brookglade Properties Limited (which subsequently merged to become Tarmac Brookglade Properties Limited), was commercially the most robust and offered the only opportunity of early development.The basic premium paid was £150,000 per acre for this 8·1 acre site. In addition, LDDC retained a share in the equity of the development under the terms of which it will receive "overage" (payable where rental values exceed a notional base value) which the corporation estimates will substantially increase the total receipts for the site. In accordance with the formal DOE requirements, LDDC obtained a certificate from professional valuers stating that in their opinion the terms proposed represented fair open market value at that time.
Amusement Arcades
asked the Secretary of State for the environment what representations he has received about his draft development control note about amusement arcades; and what proposals he now intends to introduce on this matter.
We have received a large number of responses to our consultation letter on a draft development control policy note on service uses in shopping areas (including amusement centres). We are considering in the light of these responses what amendments to the draft note are desirable.
Local Authority Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, using their 1984–85 budgets, he will rank in descending order all English local authorities on the basis of percentage above or below their grant-related expenditure assessments for 1984–85, showing in each case percentage above or below their expenditure target for 1984–85;(2) if, using their 1984–85 budgets, he will rank in descending order all English local authorities on the basis of percentage above or below their expenditure targets for 1984–85, showing in each case percentage above or below their grant-related expenditure assessments for 1984–85.
I have placed the information in the Library. The list does not include the city of Liverpool, for which a budget return has not been received.
Berry Head Seabird Colony
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will take steps to declare Berry Head seabird colony an area of special protection under section 3 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
I hope within the next few weeks to be in a position to reach a decision on these proposals for an area of special protection for birds at Berry Head.
Gipsy Encampments (Greater London)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to improve the present provision for gipsy encampments in the Greater London council area.
The provision of gipsy sites in London is primarily the responsibility of the London borough councils. So far 24 sites with a total of 415 pitches have been provided in Greater London. My Department is in discussion with the London Boroughs Association about measures to improve the supply of accommodation. My Department also contributes to site provision through a 100 per cent. Exchequer capital grant scheme.
Construction Products (Draft Directive)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what attitude he is currently taking in the European Community Council of Ministers to the proposed draft directive Council of Ministers (78) 449 on construction products; what response he has had in any recent discussions with the United Kingdom construction and allied industries; and how many organisations have indicated that they see no useful purpose in continuing to discuss a draft directive which is five and a half years old, and not yet finalised.
The Government's view on the proposed European Community framework directive (78) 449 remains as set out in the answer given to my hon. Friend on Wednesday 1 December 1982 at column 210. Representatives of the United Kingdom construction industry, with whom the directive was last discussed in November 1981, agreed with the Government's formal reserve on the commission proposal that implementing directives should be adopted by a procedure involving qualified majority voting.
Architectural Qualifications
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the latest position regarding the draft European Community directive on the harmonisation of architectural qualifications; when the first draft was published; when it was last discussed by the Council of Ministers or by the Committee of Permanent Representatives; and whether it is proposed to take any further action on this matter;(2) what attitude he is currently taking in the European Community Council of Ministers to the proposed directive on architectural qualifications; and whether he will propose that the directive be postponed indefinitely to prevent any further time being taken up in discussions and consultations.
No progress has been made since my hon. Friend received the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Mr. King), the then Secretary of State, on 26 April 1983 at column 297. The first draft of the directive was published in 1967. The general subject of rights of establishment, of which the architects' directive forms a part, was referred to in the President's conclusions to the European Council on 21–22 March 1983. This followed Foreign Affairs Council discussion of the subject in February 1983. The last discussion by Ministers of the architects' directive was in 1980, and the last discussion by Permanent Representatives took place in September 1982. The directive remains under consideration within the Community.The Government support the general principle of mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the Community providing that there are adequate safeguards for professional standards within the United Kingdom.
We would hope therefore that progress can be made with respect to architectural qualifications and will be taking appropriate steps to keep the profession up to date with any developments.
Voluntary Bodies (Funding)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the London boroughs with a view to satisfying himself that their proposals for funding voluntary bodies will ensure that those major organisations concerned with serving disabled people, the elderly, the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics will not lose financially in consequence of the proposed abolition of the Greater London council; and if he will make a statement.
We intend to make provision for a statutory basis for collective funding of voluntary bodies by all London boroughs, which should ensure that worthwhile voluntary sector activities can continue to receive funding on a wider basis than from the boroughs individually. Discussions will be held shortly with the boroughs on this and other aspects of voluntary sector funding in the light of abolition of the GLC.
Hotel Development
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total sum of money so far formally allocated, by way of urban development grant, to hotel development.
Two hotel projects in England have received final approval for urban development grant. Public expenditure on these projects is, under the terms of the approvals, limited to £2·324 million. Associated private sector expenditure is estimated at £8·231 million. An offer of grant towards a further project including a hotel is outstanding; no allocation for this project has yet been made. One further offer of grant for a hotel project has been declined.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The amounts spent by my Department on the full range of official hospitality are as follows:—
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 82,982 |
| 1980–81 | 88,001 |
| 1981–82 | 94,410 |
| 1982–83 | 108,771 |
| 1983–84 | 98,524 |
Rent Arrears
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the increase in council tenants' rent arrears over the last three years; and whether he will make a statement.
Figures collected by my Department show that between 31 March 1980 and 31 March 1983, gross rent arrears due to local authorities in England and Wales rose from £74 million to £176 million. These totals represented 3·8 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the local authority rent roll for the two years respectively.The Audit Commission's recent report "Bringing Council Tenants' Arrears under control" estimates that at September 1983, arrears had risen to about £240 million.This report, and my Department's report "Preventing Rent Arrears" published last autumn both contain a range of advice on the action which landlord authorities can take to prevent and reduce rent arrears. Copies of both reports have been sent to all landlord authorities in England and Wales. They are available in the Library.
Empty Houses
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to take any action against local authorities which habitually keep local authority houses empty longer than is required for the execution of repairs or by the gaps between tenancies.
Although the Department's report "Reducing the Number of Empty Dwellings" published in 1980 suggests a variety of ways in which local authorities can minimise the periods during which their houses remain empty, and the existing subsidy system operates against local authorities which keep more houses empty than is necessary for management reasons, my right hon. Friend is concerned that numbers remain high.He has therefore initiated an exercise, based on an analysis of last year's housing investment programme submissions to examine the problems of the 30 local authorities with the worst records of long-term empty dwellings, and to suggest solutions.
Homeless Households
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will study the code of practice introduced by the London borough of Islington concerning the standards and management of bed-and-breakfast establishments, hostels, hotels and similar non-permanent accommodation being used by local authorities to house homeless households; if he will give guidance to other local authorities in this respect; and if he will consider proposing a statutory code to be used by local authorities when referring homeless households to such establishments.
[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1984]: I shall certainly be interested to see the code of practice to which the hon. Member refers. It is for individual local authorities to take whatever action they consider appropriate to ensure proper standards in such accommodation against the background of their powers under the Housing Acts.My right hon. Friend has no plans to issue general guidance or to alter the statutory framework on this.
Education And Science
Teachers (Pay)
7.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the gross percentage rise in teachers' salaries since May 1979.
Teachers' pay settlements since May 1979 have resulted in a cumulative percentage increase of 61·6 per cent.
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about current negotiations over teachers' pay.
27.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the present teachers' pay dispute.
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' pay dispute.
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now take any steps to encourage a settlement in the current teachers' pay dispute.
44.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current teachers' pay dispute.
I refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Bromsgrove (Mr. Miller) and for Eastleigh (Sir David Price).
28.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider proposals to introduce a permanent structure for the independent assessment of teachers' pay, similar to the Review Body for Nursing and Midwifery Staff and Professions Allied to Medicine.
I have seen no such proposals, nor do I have any of my own.
31.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the talks aimed at the restructuring of teachers' pay and conditions of service.
Discussions are continuing in the Burnham joint working party on the possible reform of the teachers' pay structure and associated conditions and contracts of service. A residential meeting was held in Plymouth on 3 to 5 June and it is proposed to hold a further meeting early in July. I remain interested in the ideas under discussion and see potential in them for raising the quality of teaching and so educational standards in the schools. But before the Government could back any proposed reform, they will need to be satisfied that rigorous arrangements for the teachers' assessment of performance would be introduced and applied across the whole school system.
35.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect the current teachers' dispute is having on children's examination prospects.
I understand that the teachers' unions have undertaken to ensure that public examinations classes and the examinations themselves are excluded from the current industrial action. It is impossible at this stage to judge the extent to which candidates may have been adversely affected by indirect effects of the action such as the air of uncertainty generated by the dispute.
16-Plus Examination
8.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many people have written to him to give support to a new 16-plus examination system; and how many have opposed it.
Since the publication of the Government's document "Examinations at 16-plus—A Statement of Policy", in November 1982, 44 individuals or bodies have written to my right hon. Friend in favour of a single system of examinations at 16-plus, 12 have written in opposition to that proposal and six have favoured other reforms.
Nursery Education
16.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children he expects to be attending nursery schools, full-time or part-time, in each of the next three years.
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new nursery schools he expects to be built and opened in each of the next three years.
45.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many extra full-time and part-time places he expects to be provided for nursery education in each of the next three years.
I have stated on a number of occasions that I regard the provision of places in nursery education, whether in nursery schools or classes, as a matter for local authorities to decide in the light of all the calls on their resources.
Open University
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has estimated the effect of proposals to reduce Government funding of the Open University in terms of the number of students following Open University courses in remote rural areas.
The university is reviewing its activities across a wide range of options, including the level of student numbers. Until the review is concluded it is not possible to estimate what the effect of reduced funding will be.
34.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next plans to visit the Open University.
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to meet the vice chancellor of the Open University.
46.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when next he expects to meet the vice chancellor of the Open University to discuss the running of the university.
My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet the vice chancellor or to visit the university in the near future.
41.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will have discussions with the vice chancellor of the Open University about providing courses for the unemployed.
Officials of the Department have had discussions with Open University staff on this question.
54.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had regarding cuts in the funding of the Open University.
My right hon. Friend and I have received over 400 representations from right hon. and hon. Members.
Medical Research Council
18.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the 1984–85 budget for the Medical Research Council's brain metabolism units at Edinburgh has yet been finalised; and if he will make a statement.
I understand that the Medical Research Council has not yet settled the budget of its brain metabolism unit for 1984–85. The unit's interim budget includes an allowance of £87,000 for running costs other than staff and administration costs during the first six months of 1984–85; its requirements for the full year are currently being reviewed by the council in consultation with the unit's director.
Schools (Parental Influance)
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reaction he has received so far to the Green Paper, "Parental Influence at School".
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received as a result of the publication of the Green Paper, "Parental Influence at School".
So far only a few letters from individuals. The closing date for written comments is 1 October to give time for full and detailed consideration.
47.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, following publication of his Green Paper, "Parental Influence at School", he plans an early meeting with local education authorities to discuss admission arrangements for schools; and if he will make a statement.
I have told the local authority associations that I will meet them to discuss the proposals in the Green Paper when they are ready to do so.
Elsted Village School
21.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received a submission from the West Sussex county council proposing the closure of Elsted village school.
The West Sussex education authority published on 14 June proposals under section 12 of the Education Act 1980 to cease to maintain Elsted district school. A copy of the published proposals has been submitted to my right hon. Friend as required by that Act.
Association Of Metropolitan Authorities
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what subjects will be discussed at his next meeting with representatives of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.
I have no meeting currently arranged with the association, but both the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and its colleagues in the Association of County Councils know that I am always very ready to meet them to discuss topics of concern. For example, I have written to both associations to say that I would be happy to discuss with them the recent HMI report on the effects of local authority expenditure policies.
Higher Education
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students he now expects to be attending universities, polytechnics and colleges of higher education, respectively, in each of the next 15 years.
The Department's projections of demand for higher education into the 1990s are currently being revised and will be published in the next few weeks.
"Training For Jobs"
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further representations he has received on the White Paper, "Training for Jobs".
Since replying on 3 April to a similar question from the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. Hughes) I have received letters from a number of local education authorities and other education bodies criticising the decision to transfer resources to the MSC. The Association of County Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities have reaffirmed their reluctance to co-operate in the implementation of this policy.
Schools (Pupil Numbers)
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to define the maximum number of pupils in a school building based on the classroom capacity of the school building and a maximum number of pupils per class.
No. The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981, which apply in England and Wales, lay down the minimum total area of teaching accommodation to be provided in a maintained school by reference to the normal number of pupils in the school.
Schools (Bradford)
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many Bradford schools are due to be visited by Her Majesty's inspectors in the next year.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate does not have detailed plans identifying institutions for inspection up to 12 months in advance. Each year, over the country as a whole, about 250 schools are formally inspected and HMI pays shorter visits to about a fifth of all maintained primary schools and some three quarters of all maintained secondary schools.
Unemployed Persons (Further Education)
33.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes he is contemplating to enable more unemployed people to undertake academic courses of full-time or part-time study at colleges of further education.
The so-called 21-hours rule already allows unemployed people seeking work to study part-time, while retaining their entitlement to supplementary benefit. The arrangement is subject to certain requirements which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services proposes to simplify and clarify by amendment of the supplementary benefit regulations. The Department proposes to issue appropriate guidance to local education authorities and colleges partly with a view to improving awareness of the arrangements and of the educational opportunities which they offer, and has invited comments on a draft administrative memorandum.
Pupil Costs
36.
ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent per pupil in schools in England in the most recent year for which figures are available.
The average net institutional recurrent expenditure per pupil in England in 1982–83, the latest year for which actual figures are available, was as follows:
| at outturn prices | |
| £ | |
| Nursery schools | 1,140 |
| Primary schools | 680 |
| Secondary schools | 945 |
Engineers
37.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what systematic inquiry he has made into the future demand for engineers and in particular for electronic engineers; and what steps he has taken to increase the supply.
I am aware of a number of published reports concerned with demand for engineers and information technology specialists. In addition, the Government have recently established a committee, chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which is to report later this year on manpower demand in the field of information technology.I have made known both to the UGC and to the national advisory body for local authority higher education (NAB) my wish to see increasing emphasis on provision in science and technology subjects. Following this, graduate output in these is set to rise steadily between now and 1987–88. In particular, my statement to the House on 16 December 1982, at cols. 187–189, gave details of the Government's proposals to increase the number of students in IT subjects in higher education, including eletronic engineering. This initiative began to be implemented during the current academic year, and as a result there are some 1,100 more undergraduate and HND students and 1,200 more postgraduate students in these subjects than had previously been planned. By 1985–86, as a result of this initiative, there are expected to be some 5,000 more such students in total than under previous plans.
Educational Maintenance Allowances
39.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the level of educational maintenance allowances.
Representatives of the Yorkshire and Humberside education authorities raised this and other matters with me at a meeting on 9 April.
Pickup Scheme
40.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will extend the range and scope of the PICKUP scheme.
The PICKUP—Professional, Industrial and Commercial Updating—programme promotes the provision by universities, polytechnics and further education colleges of post-experience vocational education and training in all fields of employment. It is not intended to extend the scope of the programme thus defined. However, as announced in reply to a question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 12 June, at cols 421–22, it is proposed, subject to Parliamentary approval, to introduce education support grants towards the initial costs of courses of this kind and it is expected that this should lead to a significant enhancement of the scale of activity.
Student Unions (Payments)
42.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to limit payments by university student unions to bodies or organisations which relate to the welfare of students; and if he will make a statement.
Such a limitation already applies, in that, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General indicated in giving guidance to universities and other institutions, payments from student union funds which are held on trust must be within the objects of that trust. The objects of most student unions are limited to the furtherance of the welfare of the students as such and, as a result, furtherance of the educational purposes of the institution to which they belong. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider taking appropriate action where allegations are brought to his attention that this guidance is being disregarded.
Secondary Schools (Liverpool)
43.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on how many occasions he has met representatives of Liverpool education authority to discuss the proposals for secondary school reorganisation in Liverpool.
Twice.
School Curriculum (Technical Element)
48.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to assist all schools to introduce a technical element into their curriculum.
We have made it clear that we believe that there should be a practical element in the curriculum for all pupils and that the technical and vocational aspect should have its proper place. It is, however, for the schools themselves to put that principle into effect; we hope that the lessons to be learnt from the technical and vocational education initiative will be widely disseminated as a contribution to that process.
New Technology
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to introduce a comprehensive programme of educational provision geared to the skill needs of new technology.
Under the microelectronic education programme the Government have provided a strong lead in developing in schoolchildren the skills needed for the new technology.In non-advanced further education I announced last week a programme for the introduction of information technology across a range of vocational subjects, and I refer the hon. Member to my statement of 12 June, at columns 421–22.In higher education the Government's initiative to increase the number of places in IT subjects has begun to be implemented from this academic year, and by 1985–86 there are expected to be some 5,000 more such places than under previous plans. Also, in universities, there is an exploratory programme for the development of computer work stations for the average undergraduate user.
Workers Educational Association
51.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received on the level of funding for the Workers Educational Association for the next year.
About 240 letters have been received.
Students (Curriculum)
52.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will provide incentives within the student grant system for those subjects most in demand within the economy which are fundamental towards the creation of wealth.
My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so. He has separate statutory powers under section 20 of the Education Act 1980 to provide industrial scholarships, under which, in conjunction with the industry, which bears part of the cost, we have mounted the national engineering scholarships scheme.
Itinerants' Children
53.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in England cater exclusively for itinerants' children.
None, although special provision is made for traveller children in some local education authority areas, either by means of reception classes within maintained schools, or through the provision of special teaching units located on sites but attached to maintained schools.
Burnham Committee
55.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many members of the Burnham committee there are; and how many of these are Government representatives.
In addition to the independent chairman, the Burnham primary and secondary committee has 59 members, 32 on the teachers' panel and 27 on the management panel. In accordance with section 1 of the Remuneration of Teachers Act 1965, two of the latter represent the holder of my office.
University Students
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish figures showing the marginal tax rates, income tax, national insurance contribution and parental contribution, of families with children at university.
Information about the tax and national insurance payments made by parents of award holders is not collected by this Department. In 1982–83 parental contributions relating to children domiciled in England and Wales at universities in the United Kingdom amounted to £60·6 million.
School Meals
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the total cost of free school meals for (a) pupils and (b) teachers and supervisors.
In 1982–83, the latest year for which figures are available, the cost of providing free school meals to pupils is now estimated to have been £155 million and to teachers and supervisors £43 million.
Student Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report the value of student grants in real terms since 1980, using 100 as a base in 1980.
The information requested is as follows:
| Academic Year | Ordinary maintenance grant* | Percentage value in real terms† |
| £ | (September 1980=100) | |
| 1980–81 | 1,430 | 100·00 |
| 1981–82 | 1,535 | 96·30 |
| 1982–83 | 1,595 | 93·30 |
| 1983–84 | 1,660 | 92·40 |
| * For undergraduate students living in halls or lodgings, other than London. | ||
| † Percentage change in grant divided by percentage change in the retail price index (RPI). | ||
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 19,180 |
| 1980–81 | 14,928 |
| 1981–82 | 10,241 |
| 1982–83 | 16,384 |
| 1983–84 | 12,636 |
Employment
Ec (Employment Schemes)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the European Economic Community employment schemes in which Scottish local authorities may participate.
The European Community supports employment and training schemes in the United Kingdom through grants made by the European social fund to schemes which are supported by United Kingdom public authorities. Scotland is a priority area under the social fund and a wide range of schemes receive support. In 1983, more than £10 million was allocated from the fund to schemes supported by public authorities in Scotland. an estimated £39 million was also allocated to Scotland as part of the support given by the fund to Manpower Services Commission youth training schemes.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information is available only by financial years. Expenditure by this Department in the past five financial years was:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 5,343 |
| 1980–81 | 6,012 |
| 1981–82 | 12,955 |
| 1982–83 | 4,916 |
| 1983–84 | 4,743 |
Coal Industry (Unemployment Benefits)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in the British coalfields have been denied their unemployment benefits following redundancy notices from the National Coal Board which were served before the miners' strike began, giving separate figures for each region; whether the adjudicating authorities have now concluded all their examinations; with what results; and if he will make a statement.
Information about the number of people throughout the British coalfields who are not receiving unemployment benefit following redundancy notices from the National Coal Board which were served before the miners' strike began is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Some claims have yet to be decided by the independent adjudicating authorities.
Footwear Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies there have been in the United Kingdom footwear industry in each month for the past three years.
The figures for Great Britain are given in the following table. Comparable figures for Northern Ireland are not available.
| Redundancies confirmed as due to occur* in footwear industry: 1981 to 1984 | ||||
| 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | †l984 | |
| January | 238 | 136 | 585 | 464 |
| February | 424 | 835 | 138 | 366 |
| March | 269 | 28 | 97 | ‡715 |
| April | 199 | 109 | 124 | ‡540 |
| May | 422 | 581 | 123 | |
| June | 252 | 216 | 66 | |
| July | 624 | 258 | 111 | |
| August | 345 | 914 | 23 | |
| September | 367 | 429 | 97 | |
| October | 600 | 520 | 83 | |
| November | 368 | 419 | 46 | |
| December | 593 | 228 | 60 | |
Notes:
* Redundancies involving fewer than 10 employees are excluded.
† Owing to a change of classification, separate redundancies statistics for the footwear industry are not available from January 1984. Figures are given for leather, footwear and clothing combined.
‡ Provisional.
Labour Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the Houghton and Washington constituency and the borough of Sunderland have never had a job, by age group and sex.
The following table gives the available information for unemployed claimants on 10 May. The figures relate to the numbers of unemployed school leavers, that is, young people who had not entered employment since terminating full-time education.
Jobcentre areas
| Corresponds closely to
| Unemployed school-leavers aged:
| |||||
Under 18 years
| 18 years
| 19 years and over
| |||||
Male
| Female
| Male
| Female
| Male
| Female
| ||
| Houghton-le-Spring Washington | Houghton and Washington constituency | 172 | 127 | 134 | 91 | 191 | 122 |
| Houghton-le-Spring Sunderland Washington | Borough of Sunderland | 662 | 444 | 483 | 314 | 874 | 448 |
Youth Training Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people, by age and sex, have left a youth training scheme in the Houghton and Washington constituency and in the borough of Sunderland; and how many of them did not obtain permanent employment.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, of the total recorded entrants to the youth training scheme, how many, approximately, have changed schemes and therefore been double counted; and what is the estimate of the number of individuals who have joined the scheme in its first 12 months since April 1983, eliminating those double-counted.
I shall reply to the hon. Members as soon as possible.
Departmental Staff (Supplementary Benefit)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees in his Department are in receipt of supplementary benefit; and, of these, how many work (a) less than 35 hours a week and (b) 35 hours a week or more.
[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1984, c. 27): Personal information of this kind is confidential to employees and is not available to employers. People working 30 hours a week or more are not normally entitled to supplementary benefit.
Overseas Development
Falkland Islands
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he now expects to be able to estimate the cost of building the new hospital in the Falkland Islands.
We expect to receive later this month the report of the hospital architect who recently visited the Falklands. This will contain his recommendations together with outline costings, on future medical facilities for the islands.
Namibia
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the individual Namibians referred to in the reply to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) of 13 June, Official Report, column 490, to whom assistance has been provided by his Department since 1976; for what purposes other than training such assistance was given; what criteria and whose recommendations are used by his Department to decide which Namibians receive such assistance and if he will make a statement.
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Departmental Publications
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies of (a) the "Lessons of Experience" and (b) "The Evaluation of Aid Projects and Programmes" have been published by his Department; and what is the total cost in each case.
A total of 2,036 copies of the former publication were bought by ODA from HMSO at a cost of £1,085 and 3,000 copies of the latter at a cost of £10,727.
Home Department
Civil Defence
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training for civil defence his Department is undertaking; how many staff are engaged on it; and what is the annual cost.
Civil defence training by the Home Office is undertaken centrally at the civil defence college; by the scientific research and development branch (SRDB) for scientific advisers; and the United Kingdom warning and monitoring organisation for warning and monitoring volunteers.The college employs a directing and tutorial staff of 19. The total cost of the college in 1984–85 is expected to be about £1,268,000.The SRDB training group consists of three full-time officials and two part-time consultants; training expenses are about £14,000 a year and staff costs approximately £47,000. Staff costs involved in the training of local authority scientific advisers are about a further £38,000.About 15 staff of the United Kingdom warning and monitoring organisation are engaged fully or largely on training and exercising at an annual cost of £184,000.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the county authorities having civil defence emergency headquarters to the approved Home Office standards; and if he will make a statement.
This information is not yet available. The civil defence questionnaire issued on 31 May asks county councils and the Greater London council to provide this and other information about civil defence services.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the efficiency of communications between district, county and regional civil defence headquarters; and when he will determine the frequency waveband for teleprinters.
The emergency communications network is being extensively refurbished. A working party of our own and local government officials is considering the further improvement of emergency communications for local authorities within existing resource constraints.Any proposals for radio communications, including the use of teleprinter terminals adapted for radio transmission, which required additional frequencies would have to be very carefully examined.
Suicides
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there were in penal establishments in 1983.
| Narcotic drug addicts notified to the Home Office and the number of addicts recorded as receiving notifiable drugs in Treatment of their addiction at 31 December | |||
| North Western RHA | Number of persons | ||
| Police force area | New addicts notified during year | Former addicts notified during year | Addicts recorded at 31 December |
| Lancashire | |||
| 1974 | 32 | 15 | 38 |
| 1982 | 94 | 25 | 163 |
| Percentage change | +194 | +67 | +329 |
| Greater Manchester and Lancashire (North Western Regional Health Authority) | |||
| 1974 | 52 | 22 | 69 |
| 1982 | 182 | 47 | 269 |
| Percentage change | +250 | +114 | +290 |
Drug Offences
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions took place in Lancashire in (a) 1983 and (b) 1984 to the latest date for which figures are available against persons alleged to have committed drug offences; and in how many cases such prosecution proved successful.
The latest available information relates to 1982 when 345 persons were proceeded against in the Lancashire police force area for offences under drugs legislation or for other offences involving controlled drugs, 324 of whom were found guilty. Corresponding statistics for 1983 will be available later in the summer.
Sunday Trading
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to indicate when he expects to receive the report of the committee of inquiry into Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement.
The committee of inquiry hopes to present its report later this summer. My right hon. and learned Friend will not be in a position to make a statement until he has received and considered it.
Central records, which are still provisional, show 21 suicides in prison department establishments in England and Wales in 1983.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there were in remand centres in each of the last three years.
The records held centrally show no suicides in remand centres in England and Wales in 1981 and 1982 or, provisionally, in 1983.
Drug Addicts
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage increase there has been in the number of registered drug addicts in the North-West and Burnley health authority areas, respectively, since 1974.
The available information about the number of notified drug addicts relates to police force areas and is given in the table. These statistics are not yet available for 1983.
Red Grouse
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government keep any check on the red grouse population.
No.
Paternity Leave
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees in his Department in each year since 1979 have been allowed paternity leave under the rules set out in paragraphs 685–688 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code; and what was the average number of days allowed.
The code paragraphs quoted deal with the granting of special leave for domestic distress. There is no provision in the code for paternity leave as such.In certain circumstances, special leave for domestic distress may be granted to male staff under code paragraph 686
(a) or (c) when serious complications have occurred in connection with a wife's confinement.
Central records of special leave in the Home Office do not identify the reasons for it. These are available only on personal files, and details could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.
Television Licence Duty (Evasion)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions there have been for television licence duty evasion in each period of six months from January 1980; how many of those involved were individuals; and how many were corporate bodies.
The numbers of convictions for television licence evasion were as follows:
| January–June | July–December | |
| 1980 | 29,298 | 32,119 |
| 1981 | 34,011 | 33,288 |
| 1982 | 40,092 | 40,887 |
| 1983 | 46,595 | 47,214 |
Television Licence Fee
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, before announcing his proposals for the future television licence fee, he will review the working of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 with regard to the payment of television licence fees by local authorities on behalf of individuals.
It is not for my right hon. and learned Friend to review the use by local authorities of a discretionary power.
Bbc (Sporting Events)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his approval was sought under section 12 of the British Broadcasting Corporation licence and agreement for the receipt of any money by the British Broadcasting Corporation in connection with the broadcasting of such sporting events as the Derby, Football League matches and cricket matches.
No such proposals, to which my right hon. and learned Friend's approval would be required, have been made by the BBC.
British Citizenship
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current estimated waiting time for persons seeking British naturalisation; and what was the comparable waiting time for June 1979.
The current average waiting time for persons seeking British citizenship by naturalisation is about 20 months. In 1979 it was about 25 months.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have applied for naturalisation at the latest date; how many are still awaiting a decision; and what were the figures for June 1979;(2) how many persons have applied for registration as British citizens at the latest date; how many are awaiting a decision; and what are the comparable figures for June 1979.
Separate figures for the number of applicants for naturalisation and the number of applications for registration awaiting decision are not available. It is estimated that there are some 50,000 applications for naturalisation or registration awaiting completion. The figure for the end of June 1979 was about 36,000. Between July 1979 and the end of May 1984, 315,000 applications for citizenship have been made, of which 49,000 were for naturalisation.
Television Licensing
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the new arrangements he proposes for hotel television licensing will be applicable to hotels using the master slave system under which there is only one television receiving unit, which passes programmes to individual bedroom television sets.
Yes.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for each of the following categories of multiple television user, what is (a) the difference in their licensing arrangements as opposed to domestic television licenceholders and (b) the changes he proposes to make: airline and sea terminals, armed forces establishments, clubs and societies, colleges and universities. holiday camps, hospitals (National Health Service), hospitals (private), hotels, industrial buildings, nursing homes (local authority), nursing homes (private), old persons' homes (local authority), old persons' homes (private), prisons and corrective institutions, religious organisations, schools, and television retail shops; and what criteria he uses to determine the allocation of different treatment for different users.
In private dwellings a single television licence permits the licence holder and any member of his family who lives with him as part of his household to install and use television sets in the rooms which the family occupies at the licensed address. Persons who do not form part of the licence holder's household and who install a television set at the licensed address need to be separately licensed.In the kinds of non-domestic premises referred to the general rule is that a single licence authorises the proprietor to install sets in common and public rooms, but if he installs sets in parts of the premises which are occupied as private accommodation each part is separately licensable. The only significant exceptions to this rule hitherto are hotels and holiday camps where similar liabilities have existed, but where a single licence has been wrongly regarded as covering sets installed by the proprietor in both public rooms and in accommodation provided for the private use of guests. Our proposals to charge some hotels enhanced fees according to the number of private guests' rooms with television, which I set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 3 May, at column 208, will therefore bring hotels more closely into line with the general licensing policy which will continue to apply to both domestic and non-domestic premises.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 12,218 |
| 1980–81 | 17,170 |
| 1981–82 | 15,121 |
| 1982–83 | 21,755 |
| 1983–84 | 20,406 |
United States Service Men (Drink Offences)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many United States service men have been arrested on drunk and disorderly charges in the United Kingdom since 1979; and how many were brought to court;(2) how many United States service men have been arrested for drink-driving charges in the United Kingdom from 1979 to the present; how many of them were brought to court; and how many were convicted.
Information on the nationality of persons arrested or brought to court for these offences is not collected centrally. The available information for England and Wales is published in "Offences of Drunkenness, England and Wales, 1982", Home Office Statistical Bulletin 16/83 and in "Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles, England and Wales, 1982", Home Office Statistical Bulletin 21/83 and supplementary tables.
Metropolitan Police (Firearms)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in each year since 1978–79 guns have been issued in each district of the Metropolitan police.
I am arranging for this information to be collated and shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions on which guns have been issued to members of each district of the Metropolitan police in each year since 1978–79, the officers to whom arms were issued have encountered armed criminals.
The information requested is not available.
Firearms (Illegal Trafficking)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legislation or practical measures have been taken since 1978–79 to reduce the illegal traffic in arms and their use by criminals (a) in the Metropolitan police area and (b) in the rest of England and Wales.
The Firearms Act 1982 clarified the law in relation to imitation firearms which could readily be converted into lethal weapons. There have been no other legislative measures connected with the control of firearms. The police have concentrated on the effective enforcement of the existing controls, which are extensive, in the Firearms Act 1968. I have announced the intention to increase to life imprisonment the maximum penalty for carrying firearms in the furtherance of crime.
Firearms Offences
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offences involving armed criminals have been committed in each district of the Metropolitan police in each year since 1978–79; and what has been the percentage increase over the total period;(2) how many people have been charged with offences relating to the possession or use of firearms in each district of the Metropolitan police in each year since 1978–79; and what has been the percentage total increase over the full period.
I shall reply as soon as possible.
Coal Industry Dispute
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the chief constables concerned as to how many arrests made since 14 March in connection with the miners' dispute were by (a) officers from the police force area concerned, and (b) officers from outside the police force area concerned; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of the charges in each case for (a) and (b).
The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained and collated only at disproportionate cost.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Warwickshire (a) on the occupations of those arrested in connection with the miners' dispute, up to and including 14 June in the same format as the reply, Official Report, 12 June, column 402 and (b) of the numbers arrested against whom no subsequent charge was made from 6 June to the latest available date.
The information currently available from the chief constable about the occupations of people arrested in his area in connection with the miners' dispute relates to the period between 14 March and 12 June inclusive. That information is that of 87 people arrested during the period, 84 were miners and three were unemployed. As to information about the numbers of people who were arrested and not charged, I refer the hon. Member to another reply I gave him today and to my reply of 7 June, at columns 215–16.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the chief constables concerned, and then publish in the Official Report, the number of arrests made in connection with the miners' dispute where no charge has subsequently been brought (a) by police force area and (b) nationally by occupation for the period 14 March to 14 June, inclusive.
Information available centrally relates to the numbers of arrests not followed by a charge, by force area, in England and Wales in the period 14 March to 12 June inclusive. Information about the occupations of the people arrested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Following is the information available.
| Police force area | Number of people arrested and not charged |
| Derbyshire | 17 |
| Durham | 7 |
Police force area
| Number of people arrested and not charged
|
| Essex | 48 |
| Greater Manchester | 3 |
| Humberside | 3 |
| Kent | 1 |
| Lancashire | 13 |
| Leicestershire | 6 |
| Merseyside | 2 |
| Metropolitan | 19 |
| North Wales | 1 |
| Nottinghamshire | 121 |
| South Yorkshire | 5 |
| Staffordshire | 63 |
| Warwickshire | 17 |
| West Yorkshire | 4 |
| Total | 330 |
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the occupations of those arrested in connection with the miners' dispute from 6 June to 14 June, inclusive, in the same format as his answer, Official Report, 12 June, column 402.
The information which is currently available centrally for England and Wales relates to the period from 6 June to 12 June inclusive, and is as follows:
| Occupation of person arrested | Number of arrests |
| Miner | 135 |
| Manual worker | 6 |
| Non-manual worker | 1 |
| Unemployed | 1 |
| Not known | 116 |
| Total | 259 |
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Warwickshire for the periods (a) 14 March to 5 June, and (b) 6 June to the latest available date, to show what were the total number of officers on duty in connection with the the miners' dispute on dates when an arrest or arrests were made (a) from the Warwickshire police force, and (b) from other forces, by police force area; and how many officers have made one, two, three or more arrests (i) from Warwickshire and (ii) from other forces.
The chief constable has reported to me that it could prejudice effective policing in his area to publish information about the number of officers deployed there whilst operations related to the dispute are continuing. He tells me that the information requested about the numbers of arrests made by individual officers is not available.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Warwickshire as to how many arrests made in connection with miners' dispute from 6 June to the latest available date were by (a) officers from the Warwickshire police area and (b) officers from other forces; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of the charges in each case for (a) and (b).
The chief constable of Warwickshire tells me that of the nine arrests made in Warwickshire between 6 June and 14 June inclusive in relation to events arising from the dispute, five were made by officers from his force and four by officers from other forces. The following table provide information about the charges subsequently brought:
| Arrests by Warwickshire officers | |
| Charge brought | Number |
| Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1936 (conduct conducive to a breach of the peace) | 1 |
| Criminal damage | 1 |
| Assault | 1 |
| Not proceeded with | 2 |
| Total | 5 |
| Arrests by other officers | |
| Obstruction of the highway | 4 |
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Afghanistan
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance, including assistance with arms, has been given to the irregular forces operating in Afghanistan since 1979.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 29 November 1983 to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend), at column 756–7.
Hong Kong
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Executive Council in Hong Kong has now reached a decision on the Law Reform Commission's recommendations with regard to consensual sexual conduct in private between adult males.
No. The recommendations are still under consideration.
Paternity Leave
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees in his Department, in each year since 1979, have been allowed paternity leave under the rules set out in paragraphs 685–688 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code; and what was the average number of days allowed.
The code paragraphs quoted deal with the granting of special leave for domestic distress. There is no provision in the code for paternity leave as such. In certain circumstances, special leave for domestic distress may be granted to male staff under code paragraph 686(A) or (C) when serious complications have occurred in connection with a wife's confinement. No central record of special leave granted for such cases of domestic distress is kept and details could only be identified at disproportionate cost.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The figures for the last five years in current prices are
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 2,064,694 |
| 1980–81 | 1,972,898 |
| 1981–82 | 2,117,475 |
| 1982–83 | 2,204,290 |
| 1983–84 | 2,414,355 |
Namibia
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the other Namibian leaders received in the past and referred to in the reply of 13 June, Official Report, column 489.
Mr. Dirk Mudge, chairman of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, called on my hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Mr. Oslow) the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in May 1982. Chief Riruako, president of the DTA, was received by officials in October 1982. Mr. Herman Toivo Ya Toivo of the South West Africa's People's Organisation, called on me on 21 May of this year.
Western European Union Foreign Ministers (Meeting)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his involvement in the meeting of Western European Union Foreign Ministers in Paris on 12 June; and what conclusions were reached.
My right hon. and learned Friend attended the ministerial meeting of the Council of the WEU in Paris on 12 June. The Ministers agreed that a paper entitled "Reactivation of WEU" prepared by a working group of the WEU Council should be released for publication. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.The WEU is the only European organisation empowered by treaty to discuss defence and security matters. The organisation was set up under the provisions of the modified Brussels treaty of 1954. The treaty is important to the United Kingdom. It contains a binding mutual defence commitment, stronger than that of the North Atlantic Treaty, and it provides the legal basis on which we keep ground and air forces on the mainland of Europe.We have welcomed the initiative of the French Government in seeking ways of making better use of the institutions of the WEU. The meeting gave a useful start to that process. It was decided to ask a working group of the WEU's Permanent Council to prepare more detailed proposals for Ministers to look at at a meeting in Rome in the autumn.My right hon. and learned Friend told his colleagues in Paris that we see merit in deeper consultation on defence and security issues in the Council without encroaching on NATO; and we recognise the important role the Assembly can play in maintaining public support for our defence policies. My right hon. and noble Friend, the Baroness Young, is to address the Assembly in Paris today on these questions. My right hon. and learned Friend said that on the question of armaments co-operation, on which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, as chairman o the Eurogroup, has taken important initiatives, we should not dissipate our efforts, but should attach priority to the Eurogroup, and to the independent Eurpean programme group, to which all WEU members belong.It was agreed by all Ministers at this meeting that our aim should be to strengthen the Atlantic Alliance and the European contribution to it, and that those members of that Alliance who do not belong to WEU should be kept fully informed. The modified Brussels treaty provides for close co-operation between the WEU and NATO.
Defence
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 1,690,101 |
| 1980–81 | 1,618,978 |
| 1981–82 | 1,821,386 |
| 1982–83 | 1,986,918 |
| 1983–84 | 2,298,507 |
Monkeys (Experiments)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many monkeys died during 1983 and in 1984 to date in his Department's research establishments.
I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 22 March to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) in which I explained that the disclosure of detailed information, such as statistics on the usage of particular species, could in certain cases be detrimental to national security. I am, therefore, unable to supply the information requested. I can, however, say that no monkeys were used in wounding studies during the period in question. Within the MOD R & D organisation monkeys are used in experiments related to chemical defence.
Northern Ireland
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many households in Northern Ireland are losing benefits because of (a) the increased tapers for those above the needs allowance, (b) the increases in non-dependant deductions, (c) the higher minimum rebate allowance limit, (d) the higher threshold for high rent schemes, or any combination of these elements and (e) what are the savings for each of these categories; and how many households have lost all entitlement to housing benefit in (i) November 1983, (ii) April 1984 and (iii) November 1984 as a result of the various changes in housing benefits by household type, pensioner, earner and others.
I understand from the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that, based on current benefit levels and the numbers receiving benefit at the end of March 1984, it is estimated that the proposed November 1984 changes will affect public and private sector tenants getting housing benefit as follows:
| Estimated numbers | Estimated savings 1984–85 | |
| £ million | ||
| (a) Increased tapers | 19,900 | 0·42 |
| (b) Increased non-dependant deductions* | 22,200 | 0·84 |
| (c) Higher minimum payments | 4,100 | 0·02 |
| (d) Higher threshold for high rent schemes | nil | nil |
| * Excluding those for 16–17 year olds as the numbers involved are not known. | ||
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the savings to public expenditure in Northern Ireland in 1984–85 and 1985–86 of the changes in deductions from (i) housing benefit and (ii) supplementary benefit; and what part of these savings will be attributable to (a) the presence of a 16 to 17-year-old, (b) the presence of an 18 to 20-year-old and (c) the presence of someone aged between 21 years and pension age.
| Estimated numbers | |||||
| Weekly loss | Public sector | Private sector | Total | ||
| £ | Pensioner | Non-pensioner | Pensioner | Non-pensioner | |
| 0·01–0·50 | 2,000 | 2,500 | 600 | 300 | 5,400 |
| 0·51–1·00 | 1,600 | 2,100 | 300 | 100 | 4,100 |
| 1·01–1·50 | 1,200 | 2,100 | 200 | 100 | 3,600 |
| 1·51–2·00 | 1,600 | 3,200 | 200 | 100 | 5,100 |
| 2·01 or more | 700 | 4,800 | 100 | 200 | 5,800 |
| Totals | 7,100 | 14,700 | 1,400 | 800 | 24,000 |
| Derived from a 25 per cent, sample. | |||||
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is (a) the total cost, (b) the cost of administration and (c) the number of recipients of (i) supplementary benefit, (ii) housing benefit, rent rebate,
Information is not available in the form requested. However, in general terms increased expenditure on housing assistance arising from changes in some non-dependant deductions from April 1984 will be more than offset by savings resulting from proposed increases in deductions and other changes due to take effect from November 1984. Based on a sample of cases the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has estimated that, as a result of proposed changes from November 1984 in the non-dependant deductions for 18 to 20-year-olds and persons aged 21 to 59/64 years, there will be savings of £0·84 million and £2·3 million in 1984–85 and 1985–86 respectively in housing benefit payable to tenants. Corresponding figures are not available in respect of 16 to 17-year-olds.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the breakdown of losses to claimants in Northern Ireland which will arise from the November 1984 changes in housing benefits for the total number of households suffering financial loss and a breakdown of these by (i) tenure groups, public sector, private sector and owner occupiers, (ii) household type, pensioners, families with children and others, (iii) income brackets or by distance from the needs allowance and (iv) the amount of benefit which will be lost each week per household, showing the number of households losing up to 75p per week, between 75p and £1 per week, between £1 and £1·50 per week, between £1·50 and £2 per week, and more than £2 per week.
Information is available only, and in a modified form, for tenants receiving standard housing benefit. I understand from the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that, at current benefit levels and based on the numbers getting benefit at the end of March 1984, the breakdown of losses to such claimants arising from the proposed changes in November 1984 has been estimated as follows:rent allowance and rate rebates and (iii) family income supplement, for the last five years for which records have been kept; and what are the estimates for 1984–85 and 1985–86 in Northern Ireland.
The information available recorded in the following tables.
Supplementary Benefit
| |||||||
1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1983–84
| * 1984–85
| * 1985–86
| |
| a. Total benefit cost (£ thousands) | 93,096 | 124,535 | 179,067 | 244,227 | 279,513 | 280,923 | 294,969 |
| b. Cost of administration (£ thousands) | 14,814 | 17,191 | 21,463 | 26,234 | 27,942 | 29,758 | 31,692 |
| c. Number of recipients (thousands) | 115 | 129 | 150 | 165 | 175 | 193 | 198 |
* Estimated. | |||||||
Family Income Supplement
| |||||||
1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1983–84
| * 1984–85
| * 1985–86
| |
| a. Total benefit cost (£ thousands) | 3,596 | 5,118 | 7,042 | 9,423 | 10,407 | 14,500 | 18,300 |
| b. Cost of administration (£ thousands) | 327 | 381 | 472 | 439 | 467 | 497 | 529 |
| c. Number of recipients (thousands) | 8·0 | 8·5 | 11·0 | 13·0 | 14·0 | 18·5 | 18·5 |
* Estimated. | |||||||
Housing Benefits
| ||||||||
1979–80
| 1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1 April 1983 to 20 November 1983
| 21 November 1983 to 31 March 1983*
| * 1984–85
| * 1985–86
| |
Rent Rebates
| ||||||||
| (a) Benefit cost (£'000s) | 3,314 | 5,233 | 10,414 | 14,758 | 10,129 | 21,313 | Not available | |
| (b) Number of recipients (thousands) | 21 | 22·8 | 28·5 | 40·9 | 41·2 | 116·2 | 117·9 | 120·3 |
Rent Allowances
| ||||||||
| (a) Benefit cost (£'000s) | 241 | 334 | 532 | 765 | 602 | 1,997 | Not available | |
| (b) Number of recipients (thousands) | 1·6 | 2·0 | 2·4 | 2·7 | 2·8 | 18·4 | 18·5 | 18·7 |
Rate Rebates
| ||||||||
| (a) Benefit cost (£'000s) | 1,728 | 2,248 | 3,759 | 4,910 | 11,745 | Not available | ||
| (b) Number of recipients (thousands) | 34·8 | 39·1 | 60·4 | 65·5 | 67·1 | 183·0 | 185·4 | 188·0 |
| Cost of administration† (£'000s) | ||||||||
| (a) Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) | — | — | — | — | — | 1,200 | 1,900 | 2,000 |
| (b) Department of the Environment | — | — | — | — | — | 507 | 367 | 385 |
| (c) Department of Health and Social Services | — | — | — | — | — | 100 | 100 | 100 |
* Estimated. | ||||||||
† Administrative costs for 1983–84 onwards are estimated, the figure for 1983–84 includes provision for certain non-recurring start-up costs associated with the introduction of the reformed change. Administrative costs of the "old" schemes were included in the overall running costs of the organisations concerned and were not separately recorded. | ||||||||
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate how many pensioners in Northern Ireland will lose (a) up to £1, (b) £1 to £2, (c) £2 to £3, (d) £3 to £4, (e)£4 to £5, (f)£5 to £6 and (g) over £6 from their housing benefit as a consequence of the proposed changes to housing benefits in November 1984; and how many wage earners will lose similar amounts as a consequence of the proposed changes.
Information is available only in relation to tenants of pensionable age receiving standard housing benefit. The effects, based on current benefit levels and the number of standard tenant beneficiaries at the end of March 1984, have been estimated as follows:
| Estimated weekly reduction | |
| Numbers | |
| £0·01–£1·00 | 4,500 |
| £1·01–£2·00 | 3,200 |
| £2·01–£3·00 | 800 |
| £3·01 and over | 100 |
| Total | 8,600 |
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total expenditure on housing benefits in Northern Ireland showing the division between (a) rate rebates, (b) rent rebates and (c) rent allowances, for 1982–83; and what are the estimates for 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86.
The following is the information:
| Rate rebates | Rent rebates | Rent allowances | Total | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| 1982–83 (actual) | 4,910 | 14,758 | 765 | 20,433 |
| 1983–84 (estimated) | 11,745 | 31,442 | 2,599 | 45,786 |
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of housing benefit cases on which a review has been requested; how many of these have been referred to a review board; in how many a final decision has been reached; and in how many cases the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has exercised its discretion to authorise a housing benefit payment within 14 days while not being able to make a proper formal determination.
Since the reform of the housing benefit scheme on 21 November 1983, 162 requests for review by officials have been received by the Department of the Environment. Corresponding figures are not recorded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman of the Executive that a total of nine cases have been referred to review boards for further review and that final decisions have been reached in seven of these.The number of interim payments of rent allowance made pending a formal determination is not available but I have been informed that roughly 95 per cent. of all claims for rent allowance are processed within 14 days by the Housing Executive.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland were receiving rent allowance, rent rebates, rate rebates and full payment of rent by supplementary benefits, before the introduction of the housing benefit scheme.
Precise figures are not available but the estimated numbers of people in Northern Ireland receiving assistance with their rent and rates prior to the reform of the housing benefit scheme on 21 November' 1983 were as follows:
| Numbers | |
| Rent allowances | 2,800 |
| Rent rebates | 41,200 |
| Rate rebates | 67,000 |
| Supplementary benefit | 116,000 |
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) families in work and (b) all other categories, excluding pensioner households have suffered a reduction in housing benefit in Northern Ireland as a consequence of the scheme; and what impact the further changes proposed for November 1984 will have on these totals.
Precise information is not available about the number of non-pensioner householders who gained or lost as a result of the reform of housing benefits in Northern Ireland. However, it has been estimated that approximately 18,000 claimants with children gained and that just under 10,000 with incomes above the needs allowance lost as a consequence of changes in the taper percentages and a special increase in the child's needs allowance.It is not possible to be precise about the impact of the proposed changes in November 1984 on those figures but, in general terms, beneficiaries whose incomes are above the needs allowance, who have non-dependants or whose standard benefit is below the proposed new minima will receive less assistance with their housing costs.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pensioners in Northern Ireland ale in receipt of housing benefit by each category (a) certificate, (b) standard, (c) housing benefit supplement and (d) transitional addition payments; how many pensioners by each category of housing benefit have gained or lost as a consequence of the scheme; and by how much for each category.
Precise information is not readily available but the estimated numbers of pensioners receiving benefit are as follows:
Paternity Leave
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees in his Department in each year since 1979, have been allowed paternity leave under the rules set out in paragraphs 685–688 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code; and what was the average number of days allowed.
There is no formal provision in the Northern Ireland Civil Service for the granting of paternity leave. If, at a time of confinement, there is a need for the father to have leave to deal with some unanticipated, but related, occurrence Departments can, at their discretion, grant special leave under the existing special leave arrangements. Statistical information on requests received in such circumstances is not available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.Of the Home Civil Servants within the Northern Ireland Office, one officer was allowed five days' special leave in such circumstances under code paragraph 686
(c) during the period in question.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The figures for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 78,887 |
| 1980–81 | 68,996 |
| 1981–82 | 64,863 |
| 1982–83 | 87,656 |
| 1983–84 | 131,294 |
House Of Commons
Staffing Inspector
asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, when the staffing inspector's proposals concerning the grading of staff and officers in the six Departments of the House will be discussed with the appropriate head of Department; when the inspector expects to submit his report to the House of Commons Commission; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.The House of Commons Commission has recently asked the staff inspector to submit to it in December the structure reports on all grades up to higher executive officer. Similar reports on grades above HEO are to be laid before it by Easter next year. It is the Commission's hope that the whole review process will be completed by June 1985. The staff inspector's guidelines provide for the reports to be submitted for observations to heads of Departments (and other parties concerned) before implementation.
asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what are the professional qualifications which enable the staffing inspector and his two assistants to compile the grading review of the staff and officers in the six Departments of the House on which they are currently engaged; what experience they have in this field; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1984]: The staff inspector appointed by the Commission to carry out a grading review of the staff of the House has had 20 years experience in the practice of staff inspection, job evaluation and allied techniques at all levels, and in a variety of disciplines, in the public service. For four years he had close contact with similar work in the private sector. He was responsible for the training of staff inspectors throughout the Civil Service and of the central job evaluation team. He is a graduate in law and a Fellow of the British Institute of Management.The assistant to the staff inspector was previously in the Civil Service, where he was a staff inspector for five years.The second assistant has had many years experience of research activities in the private sector, Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet Office Secretariat, royal commissions and Ministers' private offices.
Social Services
Estate Rate Heating Additions (Glasgow)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which estates in Glasgow are designated for estate rate heating additions; and which other estates are under consideration.
Certificates of designation for estate rate heating additions have been issued in respect of the following addresses served by DHSS local offices in Glasgow.
Local Dhss Office With Addresses Covered
Anniesland
Bridgeton
Cumbernauld
Dalmarnock
Maryhill
Partick
Queens Park
Rutherglen
South Side
A further 30 lists of addresses are now being considered for designation as follows:
Number of lists under consideration
| |
Local DHSS Office
| Number
|
| Partick | 10 |
| Maiyhill | 4 |
| Rutherglen | 3 |
| Craigton | 2 |
| Lauriston | 2 |
| Parkhead | 2 |
| Southside | 2 |
| Springburn | 2 |
| Anniesland | 1 |
| City | 1 |
| Provan | 1 |
Information on the number and names of estates included on these 30 lists under consideration is not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost since the lists and certificates of designation relate to heating systems rather than to individual estates.
Alcoholic Drinks (Health Warnings)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about putting health warnings on the labels of alcoholic drinks; and if he will make a statement.
Some hon. Members have sent me a copy of an identical letter conveying a resolution passed by a temperance body. The warnings proposed are not appropriate as it is the misuse, not the use, of alcohol which causes harm. A copy of "That's the limit—a guide to sensible drinking" recently published by the Health Education Council has been placed in the Library. The council is giving further consideration to the most effective ways of conveying information about alcohol and encouraging the avoidance of alcohol misuse.
Voluntary Unemployment Deductions
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the answers of 14 May, Official Report, column 72, and 17 May, Official Report, column 249, about repayment of money wrongly deducted from supplementary benefit, why the figure of 335 payments made following a check of current files is higher than for other offices in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
I regret that the information given in my replies of 14 May, at column 72, and 17 May, at columns 247–49, was incorrect. In fact, only two payments in respect of money wrongly deducted from supplementary benefits on grounds of voluntary unemployment deductions were made to claimants as a result of the check of current files; none was made to former claimants following either the advertising campaign in March or the earlier publicity.
Home Place Convalescent Home
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what costs have been incurred in Home Place convalescent home, Holt, Norfolk, following its closure.
So far as I am aware, no unusual costs have been incurred at this hospital since its closure and arrangements are well in hand for is sale. However, we do not collect centrally detailed information on minor local expenditure of this kind. My hon. Friend may care to contact the Norwich health authority.
Mentally Handicapped Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) Kirklees are in receipt of long term nonresidential treatment for permanent mental handicap; and now many people in both areas are receiving short-term residential treatment for mental illness;(2) how many people in
(a) West Yorkshire and (b) Kirklees are currently receiving long-term residential treatment for permanent mental handicap.
Information is not collected centrally in precisely the form requested. The available information is given in the table.
Metropolitan county of west Yorkshire
| Metropolitan district of Kirklees
| |
| Persons* in residential accommodation for the mentally handicapped supported by local authorities on 31 March 1983 | 615 | 106 |
| Places available at adult training centres for the mentally handicapped on 31 March 1983 | 2,052 | 315 |
| Mental handicap hospitals and units within local authority area: | ||
| Resident patients† on 31 December 1982 | ‡1,249 | ‡63 |
| Out-patient attendances║ in 1982 | ‡368 | ‡86 |
| Day patients attending main hospital | ‡2,561 | Nil |
| Attendances at day hospitals | Nil | Nil |
| Persons* in residential accommodation for the mentally ill supported by local authorities at 31 March 1983 | 173 | 18 |
| Resident† patients in mental illness hospitals and units within local authority area on 31 December 1982 | ‡3,031 | ‡1,082 |
* Includes persons accommodated outside the area and persons lodging in private households. | ||
† Figures are not collected separately on short and long-term patients. | ||
‡ Provisional figures. | ||
║ Attendances at outpatient clinics conducted anywhere by the psychiatric medical staff of the mental handicap hospitals and units. Patients who attend more than once are counted separately for each attendance. | ||
North-West Regional Health Authority (Bad Debts)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the amount of money health authorities in the North-West regional health authority area have written off as bad debts arising from non-payment of bills due by private patients in each of the last three years.
We do not collect this sort of information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairmen of the health authorities concerned for the information he requires.
Rest Homes
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many private rest homes for the elderly have been registered with each local authority in England and Wales in each of the past three years for which information is available.
The numbers of privately run residential homes for the elderly and younger physically handicapped in each county in England were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike on 2 March, at columns 386–390, and the number in each metropolitan district and London borough were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Gregory) on 15 June, at columns 586–94.Information for Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Regional Health Authorities
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the current estimated cost of running each regional health authority headquarters for (a) 1983–84 and (b) 1984–85;(2) what was the outturn cost of running each regional health authority headquarters for 1982–83.
The annual accounts submitted to the Department by regional health authorities for 1982–83 show their total current expenditure on headquarters administration as follows:
| Regional Health Authority | £ million |
| Northern | 3·8 |
| Yorkshire | 4·4 |
| Trent | 5·3 |
| East Anglian | 3·1 |
| North West Thames | 5·1 |
| North East Thames | 5·8 |
| South East Thames | 7·6 |
| South West Thames | 5·1 |
| Wessex | 4·5 |
| Oxford | 3·1 |
| South Western | 4·3 |
| West Midlands | 9·1 |
| Mersey | 3·2 |
| North Western | 6·2 |
Hospital Waiting Lists
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons were on hospital waiting lists in England in March 1984 and September 1983, respectively.
Hospital inpatient waiting list figures for 31 March 1984 are not yet available. For the September 1983 figures I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) and for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 11 April, at columns 290–300.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will collate and publish hospital waiting lists four times a year.
Inpatient waiting lists relating to district health authorities on 31 March and 30 September are collected twice a year and summaries are placed in the Library of the House. Less detailed information on waiting lists at individual hospitals on 31 Decemer is collected annually and national and regional summaries are published. The health services information steering group has recommended in its first report that a revised district summary of patients waiting admission should be submitted regularly to the Department. Health authorities have been asked to plan on the basis that the first report should be implemented by April 1987 and it is our intention to collect the recommended summary on a quarterly basis from 1987.
Paternity Leave
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many employees in his Department in each year since 1979, have been allowed paternity leave under the rules set out in paragraphs 685–688 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code; and what was the average number of days allowed.
The code paragraphs quoted deal with the granting of special leave for domestic distress. There is no provision in the code for paternity leave as such.In certain circumstances, special leave for domestic distress may be granted to male staff under code paragraph 686
(a) or (c) when serious complications have occurred in connection with a wife's confinement.
Records kept of special leave for domestic distress do not readily identify the nature of the distress, and details of any such cases could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.
Nhs Administrators
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out the current figure for the number of administrators employed in the National Health Service compared with the figures for each of the last 10 years.
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 3 November 1983 to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley), at column 462, which gives the number of staff in the NHS, by staff group, at 30 September each year from 1973 to 1982. Provisional figures for 1983 have been placed in the Library.
Health Programmes (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the sums of (a) £9 million announced in October 1983 for inner city community health care and for specialist programmes for heart and kidney patients and (b) £16 million announced in January 1984 for returning patients to the community were drawn from money allocated to health programmes in the 1983–84 estimates and public expeniture plans; and in which sub-heads and expenditure plans for 1984–85 they are to be found.
We announced in October 1983 that we would be spending £9 million on improving primary health care in inner cities. This sum was additional to previous spending plans and quite apart from the priority we are giving to services for heart and kidney patients. We have steadily been increasing joint finance funds for health authorities each year in recent years and we are reserving centrally £16 million out of these funds to support pilot projects in new ways of promoting community care. Both sums are to be spent over four years and the 1984–85 expenditure is included in the Government's expenditure plans (CMND. 9143: Programme 11). The inner cities primary health care expenditure is at present provided for in Class XI, Vote 1, sub-head A1 and Vote 2, A1. The "Care in the Commmunity" pilot projects are financed from Class XI, Vote 1, sub-heads A1 and A2.
Nurses (Training)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the measures his Department has taken to provide training for nurses to enable them to meet the new requirements, both in hospitals and in community care, of his policy of returning patients to the community.
Since July 1983 the statutory responsibility for nurse education has rested with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and, in England, with the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.To meet the changing emphasis from hospital to community orientated care, in 1977 a statement of educational policy was issued which required tutors responsible for basic education and training to take account in their training programmes of the trend towards the increasing provision of care in the community. The syllabus for the training of district nurses was therefore reviewed in 1981 to take account of these requirements.In the fields of mental illness and mental handicap new training syllabi were issued in 1982. Following the report of the committee on mental handicap nursing and care, Ministers invited the General Nursing Council and the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work to set up a joint working group to look at ways of co-operating in qualifying and in-service training for a community-based model of care. The group's report is now being considered by the English Mational Board and the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.In addition, a number of post-basic courses are now available under the auspices of the English National Board. These include courses on rehabilitation and community care for both general and psychiatric nurses.In-service and on going post basic training is the responsibility of individual health authorities, but we have made extra money available for this year and the past two years to inner city health authorities for the training of additional health visitors and district nurses.
Nurses (Duties)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of general hospitals in which it is normal for a ward to have one qualified nurse on duty alone (a) at night and (b) during the day time.
We do not collect centrally the detailed local information which would be required to make any estimate of this kind.
Manpower Audits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) by whom manpower audits in health authority areas will be carried out;(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that manpower audits carried out in different health authority areas are conducted on a consistent basis.
If the right hon. Member has in mind the recommendation of the Committee of Public Accounts—16th report 1983–84 Session—that some form of independent staff inspection should be introduced into the NHS, I must ask him to await the Government response to that report.
Manpower Targets
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take in cases where manpower targets are not achieved by health authorities.
I am not at the moment aware of any health authorities which are failing to achieve their manpower targets. The regional health authorities appear to be achieving figures below those set as their manpower targets for the totality of staff, without any adverse effects on patient services. As I told the House on 8 March, at columns 1039–40, we will, of course, not penalise them for that and we will use the target figures for 31 March 1984 as the basis for next year.
Patients (Readmittance)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if a patient returned to the community after hospital treatment, who subsequently needs readmittance for the same complaint or a complication following treatment, figures on the second occasion in the hospital waiting lists published by his Department.
Statistics collected centrally on inpatient waiting lists do not distinguish between first admission and subsequent re-admission for the same complaint or a complication following treatment. However, a patient needing a planned re-admission is usually given a booked appointment rather than returning to a waiting list.
Community Programmes
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what resources he is making available to finance community programmes for the old, mentally ill and mentally handicapped.
Additional resources of £6 million over three years are being made available for demonstration development districts for elderly people. with psychiatric disorders, and £9 million also over three years to help health authorities get mentally handicapped children out of large mental handicap hospitals. Some £99·5 million joint finance has been made available in 1984–85 to develop community-based services, principally for the elderly, the mentally ill and the mentally handicaped. Health authorities may provide further finance from within their main allocations.
Prescriptions (Charges)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply of 9 April, Official Report, column 128, if he will seek information from pharmacists and their organisations on cases in which prescription items are not supplied by the pharmacist, at the patient's request, due to his or her inability to meet the charges.
The arrangements for prescription charge exemption ensure that no one need be deprived of necessary medication on financial grounds. Anyone who is unable to meet the charges without difficulty is presumably therefore spending his or her income on other goods and services and I fail to see how pharmacists can inquire into the personal budgeting of patients.
Mentally Ill And Mentally Handicapped Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a breakdown by region of the total numbers of people employed in centres providing day-care facilities for the mentally ill.
I regret this information is not available centrally.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of day-care facilities for the mentally handicapped.
The available information is given in the tables. In addition, some mentally handicapped day patients use facilities at main mental handicap hospitals.
| Day hospitals for the mentally handicapped in England, 1982 | ||
| (Provisional figures) | ||
| Regional Health Authority | Number of day hospitals | Number of places |
| Northern | 1 | 20 |
| Yorkshire | — | — |
| Trent | 8 | 439 |
| East Anglian | — | — |
| North West Thames | 2 | 81 |
| North East Thames | 3 | 104 |
| South East Thames | 3 | 41 |
| South West Thames | 3 | 81 |
| Wessex | 4 | 136 |
| Oxford | 2 | 63 |
| South Western | 1 | 15 |
| West Midlands | 1 | * |
| Mersey | — | — |
| North Western | 8 | 133 |
| Totals | 36 | 1,113 |
| *Figure not available. | ||
| Local Authority Adult Training Centres for the mentally handicapped in England at 31 March 1983 | ||
| Social Work* Region | Number of premises | Number of places |
| Northern | 42 | 3,565 |
| Yorks/Humberside | 53 | 4,982 |
| North Western | 75 | 7,027 |
| West Midlands | 60 | 5,689 |
| East Midlands | 37 | 4,898 |
| London North | 60 | 5,779 |
| Inner London | 22 | 1,835 |
| Outer London | 40 | 3,902 |
| Southern | 60 | 5,713 |
| South Western | 35 | 3,168 |
| Totals | 484 | 46,558 |
| *DHSS Social Work Service Regions are not coterminous with Regional Health Authorities. | ||
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of patients attending day-care centres offering facilities for the care of the mentally handicapped in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;
(2) if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of patients receiving short-term non-residential care for mental illness in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;
(3) if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of patients receiving short-term residential care for mental illness in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;
(4) if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of patients receiving long-term non-residential care for permanent mental handicap in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;
(5) if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of patients receiving long-term residential care for permanent mental handicap in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;
I shall let my hon. Friend have replies as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give a breakdown by region of the total costs of sheltered accommodation schemes catering for the mentally ill in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;(2) if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of patients living in sheltered accommodation catering for the mentally ill in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.
Information about the total costs of, and the numbers of patients living in, sheltered accommodation catering for mentally ill people is not centrally available. A profile of the costs and funding of housing schemes for mentally ill people can be found in the Department of the Environment's report "Housing for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people", a copy of which is in the Library.Information about people living in residential accommodation—as distinct from sheltered housing accommodation—can be found in a series of reports produced by this Department entitled "Homes and Hostels for the Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped" (A/F82/11), also in the Library.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to increase the funding for the provision of sheltered accommodation schemes catering for the mentally handicapped.
Most funding centrally available for sheltered housing derives from capital expenditure allocations made by the Department of the Environment either to local authorities or, for housing association schemes, to the Housing Corporation. Individual authorities determine for themselves how their allocation is spent, but they have been asked to concentrate their resources on those in special need, including mentally handicapped people.In addition, our own Department recently announced an improvement in the joint finance arrangements, which allows health authorities to give help to local housing authorities, housing associations and other bodies, where meeting the care needs of mentally handicapped and other vulnerable people in the most appropriate way involves the provision of ordinary or sheltered housing.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a breakdown by region of the costs of running the day-care facilities catering for the mentally handicapped in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.
The only information about expenditure on day-care facilities for mentally handicapped people which is identified separately in local authority returns received by the Department relates to adult training centres. This information is not summarised on a regional basis. Gross current local authority expenditure on adult training centres in England over the 10 years to 1982–83 was as follows:
| £ million | |
| 1973–74 | 16 |
| 1974–75 | 21 |
| 1975–76 | 28 |
| 1976–77 | 34 |
| 1977–78 | 39 |
| 1978–79 | 45 |
| 1979–80 | 53 |
| 1980–81 | 64 |
| 1981–82 | 74 |
| 1982–83 | 84 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a breakdown by region and occupation of the total number of employees involved in the provision of long-term residential treatment for the mentally handicapped.
I shall write to my hon. Friend with this information as soon as possible.
Departmental Office (Glasgow)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider the establishment of an office of his Department in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow.
There are no plans to establish a DHSS office in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
Expenditure by the Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years was as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 12,900 |
| 1980–81 | 14,300 |
| 1981–82 | 13,000 |
| 1982–83 | 20,700 |
| 1983–84 | 18,000 |
These figures do not include the cost of working lunches for members of committees and for conferences.
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of and the number of claimants receiving (a) standard housing benefit (rent rebate and allowances) and (b) certificated housing benefit (supplementary benefit housing rent addition payments), in Great Britain and in London in each year from 1978–79 to 1983–84.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Competitive Tendering
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make arrangements to place in the Library copies of the reports which he has received from regional health authorities on plans for competitive tendering to which the Minister of State referred on 12 June, Official Report, column 442.
No. We are at the moment discussing these reports with regional health authorities.
Monkeys (Experiments)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many monkeys have died each year from 1979 to 1983 and in 1984 to date in health service experimental centres of all kinds.
We do not collect this sort of detailed information centrally. The hon. Member may find it helpful to refer to related data given in the report "Statistics of experiments on living animals", which is presented annually to Parliament by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Heroin Addiction (London)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional reserves have been made available to health authorities in Greater London to help cope with the recent increase in heroin addiction.
Nearly £819,000 over a period of three years has been made available to health authorities within—or partly within—Greater London under the Government's central funding initiative for services for drug misusers.In the circular announced in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Sir B. Braine) on 6 June, at column
200, health authorities have been asked as a matter of the highest priority to take early and urgent action within their resources to improve services for drug misusers and to report by 22 December on their plans tackling drug misuse.
Provision For Retirement (Inquiry)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assumptions about future pension costs his inquiry into provision for retirement is using; and if he will make a statement.
I have today published, as a background paper for my inquiry, projections by the Government Actuary's Department about future pension costs, and by my economic advisers about pensioners' future incomes. The Government Actuary's projections bring up to date those contained in his quinquennial review report two years ago. I commissioned this work as essential background to my inquiry's examination of the whole range of retirement provision which I launched last November and which we are continuing with public sessions of the inquiry over the next weeks. I have placed copies of the paper in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Vote Office.
Camberwell Resettlement Unit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many bed spaces have been approved under the programme for the replacement of the Camberwell resettlement unit in each of the years 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84 (a) for low and medium care schemes, (b) for high care schemes and (c) for direct access, schemes.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 June 1984, c. 30–31]: I regret that an incorrect figure was given in the reply due to a typing error.The number of bed spaces in low medium care schemes approved by the DHSS under the programme for the replacement of Camberwell resettlement unit in 1983–84 was 60, not six.
Scotland
Torness Nuclear Power Station
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Torness nuclear power station is now expected to be commissioned.
I understand from the South of Scotland Electricity Board that the station is expected to be commissioned on programme with the first unit coming into operation in 1987 and the second unit in 1988.
Chiropody
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the waiting period for chiropody in Dundee and Scotland, respectively, and if he is satisfied with the availability of chiropodists under the National Health Service.
Information on waiting times for chiropody is not held centrally and it is for each health board to decide on the level of service to be provided locally. Chiropodists in the NHS in Scotland cater well for the priority groups—the elderly, children, the handicapped, and expectant mothers.We are, however, taking steps to improve the provision of chiropody services by increasing the intake of students into established courses.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further progress has been made on the improvement of chiropody services in Tayside and the possibility of establishing a new school of chiropody in the region.
The number of chiropodists employed within the National Health Service in Tayside has shown a small increase in recent years. Their numbers compare favourably with other areas of Scotland and the provision in Tayside is above the national average.The establishment of a new school of chiropody in Tayside is now unlikely: the Edinburgh school will probably increase its student intake by 30 per cent. in 1985 and the Glasgow school is also expected to increase its intake in due course.
Home Helps
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households per home help there are (a) in the Tayside health board area and (b) in Scotland.
Available statistics on home helps services relate to individual clients and not to households and are collected for each regional and islands council area. The number of clients per home help (whole-time equivalent) in Tayside region at 31 March 1983 was 7·78 compared with 7·26 for Scotland.
Geriatric And Psychogeriatric Patients
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the availability of hospital beds for geriatric and psychogeriatric patients in Scotland; and if he will increase the provision for such patients to avoid the use of acute beds.
The report "Scottish Health Authorities' Priorities for the Eighties" recognised that increases in geriatric and psychogeriatric beds were desirable and should receive high priority. More recently, the attention of health boards has been drawn to the report of the capital steering group, which recommends that the largest single element of the NHS capital programme should be reserved for investment in the SH WE priority services and offers estimates of the scale of provision which may be appropriate in each area by 1991.The considerable use of acute beds by elderly people largely reflects their need for hospital services and the time they require to recover from treatment. Unnecessary occupation of such beds by elderly patients has not been shown to be generally a major problem, though it may be of particular significance in some units.
Output And Productivity
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the increase in manufacturing output and productivity in Scotland for 1983.
Between 1982 and 1983, manufacturing output in Scotland fell by 3·3 per cent. Productivity—as measured by output per person employed—increased by 2·9 per cent. over the same period.
Hotel Development
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total sum of money so far formally allocated, by way of urban development grant, to hotel development.
Under the equivalent Scottish scheme, the local enterprise grants for urban projects, we have authorised the Scottish Development Agency to contribute £443,000 to projects wholly or partly concerned with hotel developments. This expenditure will in each case take the form of a loan. The sum of £200,000 is now the subject of formal acceptance.
Official Hospitality
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
The information is as follows:
| £ | |
| 1979–80 | 15,283 |
| 1980–81 | 19,427 |
| 1981–82 | 20,762 |
| 1982–83 | 31,588 |
| 1983–84 | 26,287 |
Electricity Demand
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the projected annual growth in electricity demand in Scotland for the years 1984 to 1989 inclusive; and if he will make a statement.
The preparation of demand forecasts is a matter for the Scottish electricity boards. I understand that their latest forecasts envisage an average annual growth in demand of about 1¼ per cent. over the period in question.
Blackburn Orlit Houses (West Edinburgh)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will urge the Building Research Establishment to complete its report on the Blackburn Orlit houses in west Edinburgh by the end of July and to make public its findings by then.
The Building Research Establishment is aware of the need to complete its report as speedily as possible. There has been difficulty in surveying a sufficient number of these houses, because of the lack of empty properties. Samples are now being taken in occupied houses which requires exceptional care to ensure minimum disturbance to the occupiers. Every effort will be made to complete the survey and to make the record publicly available by the end of July.
Coal Industry Dispute
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for reports from the chief constables concerned as to how many arrests made since 14 March in connection with the miners' dispute were by (a) officers from the police force area concerned, and (b) officers from outside the police force area concerned; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of the charges in each case for (a) and (b).
In the period from 14 March 1984 to 17 June 1984, both dates inclusive, the total numbers of arrests made in connection with the miners' dispute (a) by officers from the police force area concerned was 727; and (b) by officers from outside the police force area concerned was nil.The majority of those arrested were charged by the police with breach of the peace and/or contravention of section 41 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 in connection with assaults on, or obstruction of, or hindrance of the police. Six persons were charged, respectively, with vandalism; assault; trespass; possession of an offensive weapon; contravention of section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 in connection with the throwing of a petrol bomb. Ten persons were charged with the same road traffic offence.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the occupations of those arrested in Scotland in connection with the miners' dispute up to and including 14 June in the same format as the reply of the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd), Official Report, 12 June, column 402.
The following table gives the information available on the occupations of people arrested in connection with the miners' dispute in the period between 14 March and 14 June 1984 inclusive. Some 95 per cent. of those arrested were miners.
| Occupation of person arrested | Number of arrests |
| Miner | 684 |
| Bus Driver | 2 |
| Student | 1 |
| School Teacher | 1 |
| Labourer | 12 |
| YOP | 1 |
| Electrician | 4 |
| Engineer | 2 |
| Mining Engineer | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Unemployed | 8 |
| Total | 743 |
Advice Services (Funding)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of funding made available during 1983–84 by the Manpower Services Commission, the urban aid unit, the Carnegie UK trusts and the unemployed voluntary action fund to projects which, in whole or in part, were offering an advice service direct to the general public in Scotland.
Detailed information on individual schemes funded by the Manpower Services Commission is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, in 1983–84, under the community programme and voluntary projects programme the MSC approved 43 schemes in Scotland in which advisory services to groups with special needs formed the primary activity of the scheme. The total approved MSC contribution to these schemes was approximately £996,000.Many of the community-based projects assisted under the urban programme, which aim to provide a range of services include some provision for information on counselling. In 1983–84 expenditure of £157,147 capital and £1,054,156 current was approved specifically for projects which will provide either information or advice or both.The unemployed voluntary action fund, which is administered by the Carnegie UK trust on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland, approved grants for £130,811 in 1983–84 for 12 projects all of which included some elements of an advisory service.
National Finance
Foreign Debt
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of Her Majesty's Government's debt overseas on the last available date and in 1979.
Total official external debt now stands at around $11½ billion, compared with $22 billion in May 1979.
Taxpayers And Inspectors (Transcripts Of Meetings)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines the Board of Inland Revenue gives to Her Majesty's inspectors of taxes regarding the use of tape recorders by taxpayers for the purposes of making accurate transcripts of meetings held between taxpayers and inspectors.
The Board of Inland Revenue has issued instructions to Her Majesty's Inspectors of Taxes that the use of tape recorders by taxpayers to record meetings between taxpayers and inspectors may be agreed provided the taxpayer undertakes to provide at his own expense a full and typed transcript of the proceedings to the Inland Revenue.
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to oppose proposals to phase out zero-rating for value added tax purposes, such as those contained in the sixth directive on value added tax; and if he will make a statement.
The Government consider that the VAT zero-ratings at present in force in the United Kingdom are in accordance with the derogations allowed under the Community's VAT Directives. Amendment of the directives to phase out derogations of the United Kingdom and of other member states would require a formal proposal from the Commission, which would become operative only by the unanimous agreement of all member states.
Official Hospitality
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Subsistence Rates
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the present 12 hour and 24 hour subsistence rates payable to Ministers and civil servants with the rank of assistant secretary and above; and what were the rates 12 months ago.
The rate for 12 hours is £4·70 and for 24 hours £56·30 in inner London and £48·10 elsewhere. The corresponding rates 12 months ago were £4·60, £51·85 and £45·90 respectively.
Inflation
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give figures for the rate of inflation for each of the last 10 years in the United Kingdom, France and West Germany.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Teachers (Travel Expenses)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of exempting travel expenses incurred by teachers outwith normal hours of duty from tax; and if he will make a statement.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Fruit Picking, Scotland
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the decision of the Inland Revenue that all casual workers engaged on the seasonal fruit picking in Scotland must have records maintained by their employer; and what action he proposes to take on these representations.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Departmental Staff (Supplementary Benefit)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in his Department are in receipt of supplementary benefit; and, of these, how many work (a) less than 35 hours a week and (b) 35 hours a week or more.
[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1984, c. 37]: Personal information of this kind is confidential to employees and is not available to employers. I understand people working 30 hours a week or more are not normally entitled to supplementary benefit.
Corrigendum
Official Report, 18th June 1984, Written Answers, col. 12, under "Heavy Lorries", delete Mr. Ridley's answer as printed and insert the following:
"No such estimates have been made. As the report of the independent Armitage inquiry acknowledged, the most authoritative research to date has shown that the levels of vibration generated by traffic, including heavy lorries, are too low in themselves directly to cause damage to buildings. Research also suggests that the effects of heavy lorry traffic on buried services are marginal. However, because of continuing concern about this subject, I have decided to commission new research to establish whether there is any correlation between damage to buildings and the level of traffic-induced vibration. Further research into the effects of traffic on buried services is also planned."