Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 3 July 1984

Wales

Beef Industry

Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any new proposals to protect the position of the beef industry in Wales through the beef premium scheme in the light of the cull cow market situation in the Principality.

No.

Acid Rain

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on measures which his Department is taking to combat the effects of acid rain in Wales.

The Government's first priority is to establish causes before effective control measures can be determined. To this end my Department participates in acid rain research and I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 12 June 1984, at column 406.

Inward Investment

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for inward investment in Wales during the next few years.

Wales has achieved considerable success in attracting inward investment and over 100 companies from North America, around 70 from continental Europe and nine from Japan are, or shortly will be, operating in the Principality. Competition for internationally mobile projects is intense and to meet that challenge WINvest—Wales Investment Location— was set up last year to co-ordinate our efforts to secure further investment. In its first 15 months of operation this unit has achieved significant successes by helping to secure new projects including Comdial, Parrot, Sharp, Align-Rite and Acrian as well as further investment by companies already established in Wales, among them Aeroquip, Control Data and 3M. Whilst in the United States on a WlNvest mission last September I was much encouraged by the interest shown in Wales as location for new investment. The recovery of the United States economy and the improved economic outlook in Britain and elsewhere in Western Europe offer prospects of more inward investment which we will pursue vigorously. Other areas of the world also have potential. The Japanese presence in Wales is already significant and I shall be visiting Japan in September to seek to build on the success we have already achieved.

Land Registration

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what provision is being made, as part of the development of land registration in Wales, for his certificate of land registration to be available in either a Welsh language or bilingual form.

I have been asked to reply. There are approximately 295,000 separate registered properties in Wales. The translation of this information in every case could at present be accomplished only at the cost of an unacceptable delay in the compulsory registration of title.

Home Department

Public Houses

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation requiring local licensing magistrates to ensure that public houses contain a public bar and requiring breweries to consult customers before embarking on any changes to existing bar facilities.

We have no plans to do so.

Strip Searches

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether women prisoners who are (a) up to six months pregnant and (b) six to nine months pregnant are required to undergo strip searches; and what facilities are available to monitor the emotional effects of a strip search on the prisoner.

No prisoner is exempt from being searched when that is necessary. We do not have any arrangements for specific monitoring of the matters referred to, but under standing orders governors ensure that pregnant women are treated in all respects as the medical officer requires.

Assaults (Newham)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the action taken by the police following the attack on Mr. Sathyritham of 24 Keppell road, E6, outside the Tropicana wine bar in the Newham, North-East constituency on 24 April;(2) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the action taken by the police following the attack on Mr. Perera, of 5 Burgess court, E6 on 5 May outside the Tropicana wine bar in the Newham, North-East constituency;(3) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the action taken by the police following the attack on Mr. K. Ganga Dhoran, of 503 Barking road, outside the Tropicana wine bar in the Newham, North-East constituency on 5 May.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed me that inquiries into the serious assaults on Mr. Madnavan Sathyritham of 24 Keppell road, E6 on 24 April and on Mr. Perera and Mr. Dhoran on 5 May are being vigorously pursued, and that they have been kept in touch with developments. To try to prevent a recurrence, additional uniformed officers have been deployed in the area at appropriate times. The licensee of the Tropicana wine bar has also been seen by the police and advised about his responsibilities under section 172 of the Licensing Act 1964 not to permit

"any violent, quarrelsome or riotous conduct to take place in the licensed premises".

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the police have also taken steps to explain their response to representatives of the local community.

Police Officers (Criminal Offences)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail for each of the past 10 years (a) the number of police officers in England and Wales charged with criminal offences arising from their duty, (b) the number of police officers subsequently convicted and (c) the nature of the offence in respect of which the officers were charged, with appropriate numbers of charges and convictions.

The information requested is not available in the form required. Statistics showing the number of

Number of officers convicted of criminal offences
Offence Group		Arising from complaint from members of the public	Arising from other circumstances
Indictable
a) Violence against the person	1983	13	4
	1982	10	10
	1981	11	2
	1980	10	6
	1979	10	4
b) Sexual offences	1983	1	4
	1982	—	1
	1981	—	3
	1980	—	1
	1979	2	—
c) Burglary	1983	—	1
	1982	—	—
	1981	—	3
	1980	1	2
	1979	—	3
d) Robbery	1983	—	—
	1982	—	—
	1981	—	1
	1980	—	1
	1979	—	1
e) Theft and handling stolen goods	1983	1	27
	1982	3	20
	1981	5	26
	1980	3	31
	1979	3	39
f) Fraud and forgery	1983	1	5
	1982	1	10
	1981	1	7
	1980	3	13
	1979	2	3
g) Criminal damage	1983	1	2
	1982	—	—
	1981	—	2
	1980	2	2
	1979	—	4
h) Perjury	1983	1	2
	1982	—	3
	1981	2	1
	1980	—	5
	1979	—	—
i) Corruption	1983	3	3
	1982	—	2
	1981	2	3

officers convicted of criminal offences are published annually in the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (in respect of provincial forces) and the report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Copies of these reports may be found in the Library of the House. The Commissioner's report for 1983 has already been published and the 1983 report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector is due for publication on 11 July.

The statistics that are collected show the number of officers convicted of a criminal offence but not the number charged. Nor, except in the case of traffic offences do they distinguish between offences which occurred on and off duty. Figures are broken down to show the offence group under which the officer was convicted. This additional information is readily available only for the past five years and is shown in the following table.

Offence Group		Arising from complaint from members of the public	Arising from other circumstances
	1980	3	4
	1979	4	1
j) Other indictable offences	1983	1	7
	1982	—	9
	1981	4	7
	1980	4	—
	1979	l	4
Non Indictable
k) Assault	1983	3
1	1982	1	1
	1981	1	—
	1980	4	—
	1979	2	—
1) Other offences (not traffic)	1983	4	17
	1982	1	19
	1981	1	19
	1980	1	22
	1979	4	40
m) Traffic offences	1983	10	905
	1982	15	905
	1981	21	931
	1980	27	831
	1979	45	736
Totals	1983	37	980
	1982	31	980
	1981	48	1,005
	1980	55	924
	1979	73	835

Subversion (Definition)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will revert to the definition of subversion as given in the Denning report 1962 (Cmnd. 2152); and whether he will make a statement.

The Government see no reason to depart from the description of subversive activities which was first formulaed by Lord Harris of Greenwich in another place on 26 February 1975

"those which threaten the safety or well-being of the State, and which are intended to undermine or overthrow Parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means".—[Official Report, House of Lords, 26 February 1975; Vol. 357, c. 947.]

Coal Industry Dispute

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been arrested for

TABLE A—Metropolitan Police: Basic salaries^ in payment, by rank, at 31 March; 1980 to 1984*
Rank	1980				1981	1982		1983		1984
	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £
Constable	4,587	6,972	5,544	8,436	6,267	9,540	6,951	10,560	7,509	11,421
Sergeant	6,687	7,596	8,091	9,195	9,150	10,401	10,131	11,511	10,956	12,453
Inspector	7,596	8,946	9,195	10,830	10,401	12,252	11,511	13,551	12,453	14,664
Chief Inspector	8,559	9,849	10,362	11,928	11,721	13,494	12,966	14,922	14,031	16,149
Superintendent	11,625	12,657	14,082	15,333	15,933	17,349	17,610	19,173	18,903	20,760
Chief Superintendent	12,759	13,866	15,456	16,800	17,487	19,008	19,326	21,003	20,925	22,551
Commander	14,943	—	17,877	—	20,085	—	22,191	—	24,000	—
Deputy Assistant Commissioner	18,093	—	20,379	—	22,338	—	24,675	—	26,691	—

activities in connection with the current coal industry dispute; and what proportion of them has no record of previous convictions other than for minor motoring offences.

In the period from 14 March to 28 June inclusive 3,758 arrests had been made in connection with the dispute. Information about the previous convictions, if any, of those involved is not available.

Metropolitan Police (Earnings)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is (a) the basic salary, (b) average earnings, (c) the value of fringe benefits, and (d) average overtime for each rank in the Metropolitan Police Force in each year since 1979.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1984, c. 4–5]: The available information is as follows:

Rank	1980				1981	1982		1983		1984
	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £	Min. £	Max. £
Assistant Commissioner	22,491	—	25,326	—	27,351	—	30,204	—	32,676	—
Deputy Commissioner	24,693	—	27,804	—	30,021	—	33,150	—	35,865	—
Commissioner	28,500	—	31,000	—	33,170	—	37,750	—	42,750	—
^* Includes London weighting except in the case of the Commissioner.
Rates in payment on 31 March were: 1980—£501 per annum; 1981—£588 per annum; 1982—£657 per annum; 1983—£762 per annum; 1984 —£801 per annum.

TABLE B
Metropolitan Police: average earnings^ by rank (excluding recruits under training); 1979–80 to 1983–84*
Rank	1979–80 £	1980–81 £	1981–82 £	1982–83 £	1983–84 £
Constable	7,911	9,097	10,597	11,406	12,425
Sergeant	9,929	11,336	13,265	14,356	15,701
Inspector	10,629	12,750	14,799	16,104	17,564
Chief Inspector	11,604	13,918	15,928	17,347	19,047
Superintendent	11,886	15,410	17,696	19,655	21,248
Chief Superintendent	12,767	16,485	18,946	21,036	22,837
Commander	13,950	18,053	20,671	22,914	24,836
Deputy Assistant Commissioner	16,685	20,757	22,798	25,396	27,258
Assistant Commissioner	21,906	25,333	28,240	30,506	33,427
Deputy Commissioner	23,944	27,535	29,615	33,103	35,988
Commissioner	27,341	31,220	33,404	35,116	40,409
^* Includes (where applicable) overtime, London weighting and all allowances except rent allowance and the associated compensatory grant shown in table E.

TABLE C Metropolitan Police: fringe benefits
1.	A Metropolitan police officer, in common with officers of other police forces governed by the provisions of The Police Regulations 1979 (S.I. 1979 No. 1470), is reimbursed any charges he incurs under section 77, 78 or 79 of the National Health Service Act 1977 (which relate to charges for certain drugs, medicines and appliances and for dental treatment).
2.	A Metropolitan police officer is entitled to free travel at all times on London Transport trains and red buses.
3.	Uniformed police officers receive tokens towards the cost of cleaning their uniforms. The average value of these to each uniformed officer was £6·21 in 1979–80; £7·33 in 1980–81; £8·72 in 1981–82; £9·41 in 1982–83; and £9·99 in 1983–84.

Table D—Metropolitan Police: average overtime earnings by rank^; 1979–80 to 1983–84*
Rank	1979–80 £	1980–81 £	1981–82 £	1982–83 £	1983–84 £
Constable	1,368	1,223	1,693	1,577	1,781
Sergeant	2,121	1,915	2,478	2,404	2,805
Inspector	2,324	1,860	2,265	2,204	2,548
Chief Inspector	2,540	2,004	2,153	2,132	2,510
^* Officers of the rank of Superintendent and above are not eligible for overtime payments.

Table E—Metropolitan Police: average rent allowance and compensatory grant^, by rank (excluding recruits under training); 1979–80 to 1983–84*
Rank	1979–80		1980–81		1981–82		1982–83		1983–84
	£	Percentage	£	Percentage	£	Percentage	£	Percentage	£	Percentage
Constable	1,481	(64)	1,500	(64)	1,833	(65)	1,908	(67)	2,210	(70)
Sergeant	1,699	(88)	1,765	(88)	2,182	(89)	2,311	(90)	2,658	(91)
Inspector	1,737	(95)	1,935	(95)	2,383	(95)	2,593	(96)	3,007	(96)
Chief Inspector	1,918	(96)	2,050	(97)	2,474	(96)	2,805	(96)	3,235	(96)
Superintendent	2,021	(95)	2,255	(96)	2,846	(97)	3,221	(97)	3,772	(94)
Chief Superintendent	2,112	(91)	2,396	(91)	3,052	(92)	3,455	(95)	4,027	(97)
Commander	2,353	(97)	2,679	(99)	3,436	(98)	3,976	(96)	4,694	(90)
Deputy Assistant Commissioner	2,518	(92)	2,723	(97)	3,623	(89)	4,043	(88)	5,022	(87)
Assistant Commissioner	3,315	(100)	3,408	(100)	4,261	(100)	4,965	(100)	6,038	(100)
Deputy Commissioner	4,301	(100)	4,710	(100)	6,217	(100)	6,394	(100)	—	—
Commissioner	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
^* Figures in parenthesis denote the percentage of officers in each rank in receipt of payment. Officers not in receipt of rent allowance etc. are usually housed in Metropolitan Police accommodation.

Attorney-General

Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd

asked the Attorney-General if the Director of Public Prosecutions has been asked to consider the documents relating to Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd. which were sent to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe.

No.

National Finance

Commercial Fraud (Investigation)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the arrangements by which cases of serious commercial fraud are investigated.

The Government have reviewed the arrangemens for investigation and prosecution of fraud cases. This work has been complementary to that of the committee under the chairmanship of Lord Roskill, announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 8 November 1983 at column 83, which is considering the conduct of criminal proceedings in England and Wales arising from fraud.The Government have concluded that the present arrangements by which fraud investigation groups comprising representatives of the police, the DTI and the Director of Public Prosecutions, are constituted on an

ad hoc basis for particular cases, should be put on a permanent basis. This new fraud investigation group will be set up in the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It will be headed by a controller, who will report to the Director and, through him, to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General. The group will be staffed by prosecuting lawyers, specialist accountants and the necessary support staff. Some of the new staff will be seconded from the DTI. The group will be able to request the DTI to carry out investigations under the Companies Acts, although final decisions on such investigations would still be for the Secretary of State. The group will also work in close co-operation with the police.

The new arrangements will be established on 1 January 1985 and be brought into full operation as soon as possible thereafter. Detailed ground rules for the referral of cases to the new group are under discussion. A further announcement will be made in due course about the implications for the Department's expenditure provisions.

Productivity

81.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in productivity for the latest available 12 months.

The latest figures for the whole economy show an increase in output per head of almost 3 per cent. between the fourth quarters of 1982 and 1983. For the manufacturing sector, latest monthly figures show that in the three months to April 1984 output per head was 6 per cent. up on a year earlier and output per hour 5 per cent. up.

Charities

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the likely annual cost to the Inland Revenue of annually compiling a list of Scottish charities giving the name, address, brief details of scope and size of assets, and distinguishing between grant giving and grant making charities, and making that list available to one or two charitable organisations prepared to publish it and receive all enquiries.

Since there is no formal system of registration of charities in Scotland the number of Scottish charities in existence is not known. It is not therefore possible to estimate the cost of compiling a list of such charities. Information given to the Inland Revenue by charities in Scotland is confidential and could not be made available to outside bodies.

Private Health Insurance Schemes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider proposals to introduce a system of tax rebates for those wishing to opt into private health insurance schemes.

I have no plans to do so.

Pay-As-You-Earn Codes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that the recent mistakes in pay-as-you-earn codes and assessments will not happen again.

This year the Inland Revenue have introduced an improved system of checking work while it is in progress. The work to be checked includes PAYE codes and assessments and the new systems will allow supervisors to take corrective action where they find mistakes are being made.

Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the change of revenue to the Exchequer if he were to vary his Budget proposal by imposing value added tax at 15 per cent. on all hot and cold food sold at outlets with seating facilities whilst zero rating outlets without seating facilities.

The yield to the Exchequer would be substantially less than the £200 million in a full year estimated for my right hon. Friend's Budget proposal.

Electrically-Powered Two-Wheeled Vehicles

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he now intends to tax electrically-powered two-wheeled vehicles in the same way as those powered by internal combustion engines.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1984, c. 547–8]: No.

Transport

Motorway Speed Limit

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has reached a conclusion about the motorway speed limit.

My right hon. Friend has carefully considered the many arguments for and against an increase in the national motorway speed limit. He has concluded that the limit should remain at 70 mph.

Shrewsbury Bypass

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce a date for the public inquiry into the Shrewsbury bypass proposals.

The objection period ended on 28 June. We shall now approach the Lord Chancellor to seek the appointment of an inspector and set the date for the public inquiry.It will be a few weeks before we can make an announcement.

Written Off Motor Vehicles (Log Books)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce regulations to provide that, when a motor vehicle is written off for insurance purposes, that information must immediately be recorded on the vehicle's registration or log book.

No. An experimental scheme some years ago for recording "total loss" insurance payments on the vehicle log book did not prove successful.My Department now has a voluntary agreement with insurers under which the police can inspect any written-off vehicles subsequently put back on the road. We are also exploring with the vehicle repair trade ways of preventing severely damaged vehicles from being repaired to inadequate standards.

A1 (Upgrading)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to upgrade the whole of the Al in England to motorway standard; and if he will make a statement.

Outside London the non-motorway sections of the Al are, in general, capable of handling the volume of traffic expected in the foreseeable future. Improvement of the Al to full motorway standard throughout would not be justified. A major improvement (to motorway standard) is in hand near Hatfield. Other planned improvements are set out in the White Paper "Policy for Roads in England: 1983" (Cmnd 9059). Further increases in capacity will be considered in the light of forecast traffic growth.

A1 (Crash Barriers)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instal crash barriers along the full length of the Al in England; and if he will make a statement.

Safety fencing is added to all-purpose dual carriageway trunk roads at specifec locations where the accident records show that a particular safety problem exists, and where improved safety can be achieved economically by installing the fencing. The record of cross-over accidents for the full length of A1 in England is similar to that of all other dual carriageways and there is no economic justification for making such provision along its entire length.

Stansted Airport

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any indication as to when the inspector will submit his report on Stansted airport; and if he will set out the procedure he will follow wheat the report is received.

My hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I expect to receive the inspector's report this summer. The decisions on the proposals considered at the Stansted/Heathrow terminal 5 public inquiries will be taken by the Government in accordance with normal planning procedures.

Stoke-Derby Link Road

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress on the Stoke-Derby link road, particularly the section within Derbyshire, South constituency.

Two lengths of the Stoke-Derby link road lie mainly in the Derbyshire, South constituency. On the length bypassing Foston, Hatton and Hilton we expect to receive traffic information from our constultants in September, and draft order preparation will begin shortly afterwards for publication early in 1985. The second length, known as the Derby southern bypass, starts from the A516 trunk road near Hilton and runs eastwards to join the M1 at the proposed junction with the A42 Castle Donington north section of the Birmingham-Nottingham route. The layout of the eastern end of the bypass will be influenced by the plans adopted for the A42, for which a public inquiry was held in April-May this year. The inspector's report of the inquiry is expected shortly and decisions concerning order preparations for both schemes will be taken early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish figures showing how many landholders in the Derbyshire, South constituency (a) are affected by the proposed Stoke-Derby link road, (b) are currently negotiating terms with his Department and (c) have concluded negotiations.

Because the statutory procedures are not yet complete, it is not possible to determine how many land owners will eventually be affected. Five advance purchases for the Stoke-Derby link have been agreed for land in the Derbyshire, South constituency, of which four have been completed.

Prime Minister

Engagements

Q3.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q4.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q5.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q16.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q17.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q21.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q25.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q26.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q28.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q29.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q31.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q32.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q33.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q34.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q35.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q36.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q37.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q38.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q39.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q40.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q41.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q42.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q43.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q44.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q45.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q46.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q47.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q48.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q49.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q50.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q51.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q53.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q54.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q55.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q56.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q57.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q58.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q59.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q60.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q61.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q62.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q63.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q64.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q65.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q66.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q67.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q68.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q69.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q70.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q71.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q72.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q73.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q74.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q75.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q76.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q77.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q78.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q80.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q81.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q82.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q83.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q84.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q85.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q86.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Q87.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

Numbers of full-time and part-time directly employed staff in NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland at 30 September †‡
	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	^1983*
England
Full-time ║	566,400	571,900	584,700	611,000	617,400	617,200
Part-time ║	328,400	339,700	352,200	353,000	354,400	352,800
Total	896,600	913,500	938,800	965,800	973,700	971,900
Wales
Full-time	38,100	38,300	39,300	40,600	41,500	41,500
Part-time	21,500	22,500	23,300	23,600	24,200	23,900

Q88.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 3 July.

Q89.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 July.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 3 July.

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.

Charities Value-Added Tax Reform Group

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister if she will meet representatives of the Charities Value-added Tax Reform Group in the Grand Committee Room on 3 July.

I regret that previous engagements will prevent me from doing so.

Dhss And Local Authorities (Social Work)

Q52.

asked the Prime Minister if she will set up a study of the possibility of amalgamating the local Department of Health and Social Security offices handling case work with the social work and housing departments of the local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Such an amalgamation would almost certainly involve heavy medium-term costs, and I am not convinced that it would lead to more efficient and effective delivery of the services concerned. I do not, therefore, think such a study would be justified. The maintenance of effective liaison with social services and housing departments is a major objective of DHSS local offices.

King's Lynn

Q79.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit King's Lynn in the near future.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Nhs (Staff Levels)

asked the Prime Minister if she will provide figures for each year since 1978 for the number of people employed by the National Health Service, broken down by full-time and part-time employees, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The information requested is given in the table:

	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	^1983*
Total	59,500	60,700	62,600	64,200	65,700	65,400
Scotland
Full-time	85,900	87,800	89,500	92,600	93,300	93,700
Part-time	48,800	49,200	49,700	51,100	52,300	52,300
Total	134,700	137,000	139,300	143,700	145,600	146,000
Northern Ireland¶
Full-time	33,700	34,600	35,700	37,000	37,800	38,100
Part-time	24,600	26,200	26,900	28,500	29,200	29,200
Total	58,300	60,800	62,600	65,400	67,000	67,300
^* Provisional.
† Figures individually rounded to nearest 100. Accordingly, the sum of the component figures may not agree with totals.
‡ Excludes agency staff, hospital practitioners, part-time medical officers (clinical assistants), general medical practitioners participating in Hospital Staff funds, staff of special hospitals and occasional sessional staff in the Community Health Services. Includes locums.
║ Excludes locums as full-time/part-time split for this group is not available for England.
¶ Includes personal social services staff as these cannot be separately identified.

asked the Prime Minister if she will provide figures for each year since 1978 for the number of men and women employed in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom in each main occupational group.

NHS directly employed staff in United Kingdom: Numbers of Men and Women by staff group at 30 September^†*
Staff Group	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983 (Provisional)
Medical/Dental
Men‡	40,600	41,200	41,700	41,800	42,200
Women‡	13,900	14,400	15,000	15,600	16,100
Total	56,500	57,700	58,700	59,300	60,300
Nursing/Midwifery (Excluding Agency)
Men	44,300	45,200	48,800	50,300	50,700
Women	478,100	498,200	518,900	525,300	525,500
Total	522,500	543,500	567,600	575,600	576,200
Professional/Technical (Excluding works)
Men	25,600	25,500	25,400	26,100	26,200
Women	68,100	69,800	72,200	74,600	75,900
Total	93,700	95,300	97,600	100,600	102,100
Works/Maintenance
Men	32,200	33,100	34,000	34,000	33,600
Women	200	200	300	300	300
Total	32,400	33,400	34,200	34,200	33,900
Administrative/Clerical (Excluding Ambulance Officers)
Men	25,600	25,600	26,100	25,700	25,500
Women	122,600	126,700	130,500	131,700	133,500
Total	148,200	152,300	156,600	157,400	158,900
Ambulance Staff (Including Officers)
Men	19,000	19,500	20,000	20,100	20,200
Women	1,700	2,000	2,100	2,200	2,300
Total	20,800	21,500	22,100	22,300	22,500
Ancillary and Other║
Men	71,100	71,300	72,300	72,000	70,800
Women	226,900	228,300	230,200	230,600	225,900
Total	298,000	299,700	302,400	302,500	296,800
All Groups
Men‡	258,400	261,600	268,100	269,900	269,200
Women‡	911,600	939,600	969,100	980,200	979,400
Total	1,172,000	1,203,300	1,239,200	1,252,000	1,250,600

Notes

^* Figures individually rounded to nearest 100. Accordingly, the sum of the component figures may not agree with totals.

† Excludes agency staff, hospital practitioners part-time medical officers (clinical assistants), general medical practitioners participating in Hospital

The information requested is not available in this form for 1978. Figures for 1979–83 are given in the table.

Staff Funds, staff of special hospitals and occasional sessional staff in the Community Health Services. Includes locums. The Northern Ireland components includes personal social services staff which cannot be separately identified.

‡Excludes locums for England and Scotland where information by sex is not available.

║Includes some social service and unclassified staff in Northern Ireland.

Cabinet Committees

asked the Prime Minister if she will now give further details of the numbers, titles and composition of Cabinet Committees and Sub-committees.

I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge Brownhills on 4 July 1983 at column 7–8.

House Of Commons

Departmental Efficiency

asked the Lord Privy Seal, what steps have been taken by his Department since May 1979 to improve its efficiency; what has been the result; what further steps are currently being taken to improve efficiency; what the results are expected to be; and what output criteria have been developed by his Department to help measure its efficiency.

I have no departmental responsibilities as Lord Privy Seal.

Defence

Raf Chilwell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many American personnel are to be stationed at RAF Chilwell.

There are no plans to station American personnel at RAF Chilwell. Initially, the tasks will be carried out by visiting US personnel from other units. It is not yet possible to say what additional civilian posts might be needed in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what use will be made of 12 miles of underground tunnels at RAF Chilwell by the United States Air Force.

There is only one underground tunnel at Chilwell. It is 100 yd long and is under the British Army part of the complex. It will not be used by the United States Air Force.

National Union Of Seamen (Correspondence)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the letter of 1 May from Mr. Jim Slater, General Secretary of the National Union of Seamen, the response of 22 May from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces and the further response of 30 May from Mr. Slater.

My noble Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, will write to the hon. Member.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees in his Department are currently taking part in job-share schemes.

Twenty four employees in my Department are currently participating in job sharing.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many vacancies in his Department have been filled through the job release scheme in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Records for the job release scheme are not held centrally in my Department. I am having the information collected and will have this placed on the Official Report in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees in his Department are currently allowed day release facilities or other assistance to encourage them to continue their education.

Approximately 8,000 non-industrial and industrial civilian employees in the Ministry of Defence are currently granted day release or other assistance to continue their education.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to his Department of assistance given to employees to encourage them to continue their education in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The amounts expended on fees and books to enable non-industrial civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence to continue their education during each of the last three financial years are approximately as follows:

	£
1981–82	300,000
1982–83	425,000
1983–84	540,000

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any of those working in his Department are young people on the youth training scheme.

There are approximately 160 trainees in the Ministry of Defence establistments in the United Kingdom in the civilian YTS and a further 400 places will be available for this years school leavers. In addition, there are 500–600 in the "special" YTS operating in Germany for the dependants of service men and civilians serving with the British Forces there.

Heavy Vehicles

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he makes of the need for heavy vehicles by the armed forces in the event of a conventional war in which invasion was threatened.

Any vehicles required by HM forces in addition to the stocks they hold will be met from a scheme operated in conjunction with the Department of Transport for hiring and requisitioning vehicles.For security reasons I am unable to disclose the quantities and types of vehicles involved.

Education And Science

School Transport

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received advocating lowering the minimum distance for mandatory school transport in rural areas.

Section 55(1) of the Education Act 1944 places LEAs under a duty to provide free school transport where they consider it necessary. It does not specify a minimum qualifying distance but many LEAs adopt the walking distance specified in section 39 of the Act relating to the enforcement of school attendance. My right hon. Friend regularly receives representations about school transport including requests that he introduce amending legislation. The Government have no plans at present to do this.

Student Unions

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider introducing legislation to provide for postal ballots for the election of officers of student unions; and if he will make a statement.

The conduct of student unions is regulated by the constitution of each union as a constituent part of its parent institution. My right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be appropriate to legislate in the way suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many officers of student unions enjoy a sabbatical during their term of office, and at what cost to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement.

Comprehensive information about the numbers of sabbatical posts is not available, but a survey undertaken by the Univertisty of Edinburgh Students' Association indicated that in 1979–80 there was an average of 4·2 such posts in university student unions. The cost to public funds is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the amount of public moneys paid to student unions of universities and colleges; and if he will make a statement.

The information is not available. However in 1981, when the basis for funding student unions' was being changed, it was stated in evidence to the Education Science and Arts Committee (minutes of evidence, 28 January 1981) that the total annual cost was then estimated to be around £22 million.

Religious Instruction

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure the full observance of the Education Act 1944 provisions relating to religious instruction as a daily act of worship in schools; and if he will make a statement.

We have made it clear that we have no plans to propose changes in the provisions of the Education Act 1944 on religious instruction and collective worship, and that we look to local education authorities and schools to ensure that the statutory requirements are met. We shall continue to emphasise the importance we place on religious education. We hope that parents will take an active interest in the way in which religious education is provided, and that they will not hesitate to take up any anxieties they may have with the school and, if necessary, with the local education authority.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many employees in his Department are currently taking part in job-share schemes.

No one at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many vacancies in his Department have been filled through the job release scheme in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The information requested is as follows: —

Period	No. of vacancies filled
1 April 1981 to 31 March 1982	35
1 April 1982 to 31 March 1983	15
1 April 1983 to 31 March 1984	11

In addition, two vacancies have been filled through the job release scheme from 1 April 1984 to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many employees in his Department are currently allowed day release facilities or other assistance to encourage them to continue their education.

Sixty seven employees are currently allowed day release facilities for the purpose of continuing their education. A further 44 receive other forms of assistance with their further education or other external training studies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total cost to his Department of assistance given to employees to encourage them to continue their education in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The information requested is as follows:

Financial year	£s
1981–82	11,487
1982–83	9,457
1983–84	12,068

The figures reflect the payments made in respect of tuition and examination fees, books and materials.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether any of those working in his Department are young people on the youth training scheme.

At present, the Department has no young people on the youth training scheme.

Medical Research Council

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the Medical Research Council's cuts in running cost allocations to research units and the cessation of grants for larger items of capital equipment in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Three such written representations have been received in the Department. I understand that the Medical Research Council has found it necessary to impose selective reductions on those parts of all its units' 1984–85 budgets which are for consumable items; and to restrict allocations for capital equipment. These measures apply to the council's units in England and Wales as well as in Scotland.

Local Authority Expenditure (Books And Equipment)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to counter the effects of cuts in local authority expenditure on the provision of books and equipment, as described in Her Majesty's Inspectorate's report 1983.

In 1982–83 expenditure per pupil on books was slightly greater in real terms than in 1980–81. The recent report by HMI on the effects of local authority expenditure policies on education provision in England records some further improvement in the provision of books and equipment within schools and colleges in autumn 1983 compared with the previous year. I shall continue to emphasise the importance of this area of expenditure.

Books Expenditure Unit Costs (£ cash)^*
	Primary			Secondary
	Cambridgeshire £	†East Anglia £	Rest of England £	Cambridgeshire £	†East Anglia £	Rest of England £
1978–79	4·4	3·7	4·3	7·5	6·3	7·2
1979–80	5·4	4·2	4·7	9·0	7·6	7·8
1980–81	5·7	4·3	5·4	10·2	8·2	8·1
1981–82	6·4	5·3	5·9	11·6	9·3	8·6
1982–83	6·3	5·7	7·3	9·8	9·3	9·9

	Primary			Secondary (at 1982–83 prices‡)
	Cambridgeshire £	†East Anglia £	Rest of England £	Cambridgeshire £	†East Anglia £	Rest of England £
1978–79	6·6	5·6	6·5	11·3	9·5	10·8
1979–80	7·1	5·6	6·2	11·9	10·0	10·3
1980–81	6·8	5·1	6·4	12·1	9·8	9·6
1981–82	6·7	5·6	6·2	12·2	9·8	9·0
1982–83	6·3	5·7	7·3	9·8	9·3	9·9
^* These figures are based on annual expenditure returns made by local authorities to DOE.
† East Anglia is assumed for this purpose to consist of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
‡ Repriced using Publishers' Association school book index.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing the expenditure on educational publications and equipment by each county in England after the 2 per cent. per capita increase in provision announced in the Government's 1984–85 expenditure plans.

The Government's plans for local authority recurrent expenditure in the current financial year allowed for the majority of authorities in aggregate

Educational Publications

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the representations he has received with regard to local education authority expenditure on educational publications; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the Member for City of London and Westminster (Mr. Brooke) met representatives of the University, College and Professional Publishers Council on 8 February. My hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) is today meeting representatives of the Educational Publishers Lunch Group. I have received letters from the Publishers Association and other interested groups. The provision of books and equipment is a subject which is part of many discussions which I have had with those with responsibilities for education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the levels of per capita expenditure on books (a) in Cambridgeshire, (b) in East Anglia and (c) in the rest of England in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

The average expenditure per pupil on books in (a) Cambridgeshire, (b) in East Anglia and (c) in the rest of England in each of the last five years is as follows. Separate figures are shown for primary and secondary pupils both in cash and at 1982–83 prices.to improve their level of provision per pupil in schools for new books and equipment compared to 1981–82 levels, provided that pay and other costs are contained. No percentage figure was attributed to this improvement as it is for local authorities to determine how the total resources available to them should be deployed, in the light of Government policies, local circumstances and the various pressures on their resources. Actual expenditure on these items will not be known until late 1985.

Oecd And Eec Countries

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of young people for each of the single year-ages 15 to 22 were at the latest available, comparable date, in education divided, where possible, between further education and higher education, in each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and European Economic Community countries.

Information in the exact form requested is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member once an examination of international statistical sources has been completed.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Oil-Seed Rape

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the acreage of oilseed rape currently under cultivation in the United Kingdom and the range of tonnage he expects it will yield after harvest.

Estimates from the December 1983 census showed some 261,000 hectares sown with oilseed rape in England and Wales. Oilseed rape yields have varied widely in recent years and it is too early to make a firm assessment of the likely harvest.

Aujeszky's Disease

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many pig herds have been slaughtered since the inception of the scheme to eliminate Aujeszky's disease; how many pigs this represents; and what has been the cost;(2) why the scheme to eradicate Aujeszky's disease is now expected to cost double the approved estimate prepared by his Department; and what proportion of the cost is represented by administration;(3) whether he plans to finance part of the increased cost incurred by the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd.

Four hundred and eighty three herds, involving some 400,000 pigs have been slaughtered since the Aujeszky's disease control and eradication programme began. Compensation and related costs stand at about £24·5 million to which must be added some £3·5 million consequential loss payments plus interest charges on loans raised by the producers' company.The poll document which described the scheme which producers agreed to finance emphasised that it was very difficult to give a precise estimate of the net cost of compensation for animals slaughtered and stated that the net cost might be at least £6 million excluding consequential loss payments and interest charges. The cost has proved higher because valuations for pigs slaughtered have been higher than estimates and the salvage returns lower. The substantial costs of administering the scheme have been met by the Government.As I have explained, the scheme was only undertaken at the insistence of the industry and on the clear understanding that pig producers would finance the compensation and related costs arising.

Milk Production

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will delay the introduction of the new super levy on milk production until details are available of how the system will be supervised and enforced in the United Kingdom and in other member states of the European Economic Community.

At the Agriculture Council on 18–19 June I stressed the need for all member states to implement the arrangements agreed by the Council. I am pleased to report that the Agriculture Commission agreed with and supported my statement.The Commission has already agreed to combine the first two quarterly levy payments. This means that no levy will be due for payment until 45 days, at the latest, after the end of September.

Slaughter (Farm Animal Welfare Council Report)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take in the light of the report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council into the slaughter of animals for human consumption.

We have already asked interested organisations for their comments on the report. Meanwhile we shall be studying it carefully and in the light of comments received we shall put forward proposals for action.

Trade And Industry

Business (Assistance)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to co-ordinate and simplify the various projects and agencies currently operating in the business encouragement field.

The small firms service, local enterprise agencies, chambers of commerce and others operate advisory and support services for small businesses; all have a role to play in meeting marketing needs. They should seek to complement each other and I exhort them to do so.I am sure that small firms have sometimes been confused by the number of helpful schemes and services which my Department offers. I am therefore looking at the scope for streamlining the assistance available into a simpler framework.

"Textiles And Clothing: A European Strategy"

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration his Department has given to the Trades Union Congress policy statement entitled "Textiles and Clothing: A European Strategy"; if there is any action he will be taking on its recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

The TUC's policy statement is addressed primarily to the EC Commission; but representatives of the TUC's clothing and footwear industries committee recently explained the statement to my officials.

House Of Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of Mr. J. Griffiths, QC, on the membership of the House of Fraser plc; and if he will make a statement.

The inspector expects to complete his report shortly. Meanwhile, I am not in a position to make a statement.

Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take as a result of the documents relating to Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd. which he has received from the Attorney-General and which were sent to the Attorney-General by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe.

As Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd. is not a relevant company for the purposes of section 53 of the Companies Act 1980, no criminal offence is revealed in relation to the loans disclosed in the documents supplied by the right hon. Member. The accounts for year ended 31 March 1983 appear to comply with the disclosure requirements of Section 54 Companies Act 1980. As a result, on the basis of the information at present before me, I do not propose to take any further action.

Dumping

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made by British firms to his Department since 1979 for help from the European Economic Community in dealing with allegations of dumping; how many of them were taken up by the European Economic Community Commission; what was the outcome in each case; and what reason was given in each case that no action was taken.

This information is not readily availabe in the form requested. The Commission investigates allegations of dumping on behalf of a Community industry or a major proportion of one, and has undertaken investigations into imports of approximately 120 products between 1979 and the first quarter of 1984. Details of each investigation are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, copies of which are in the Library of the House. In most instances either a definitive duty has been imposed against suppliers found to be dumping or a price undertaking negotiated. Some investigations have been closed without remedy because either no dumping or no injury have been found. Further information for the period 1980 to 1982 may be found in the first annual report of the Commission of the European Communities on the Community's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy activities, a copy of which is also in the Library.

Pirate Radio

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to tackle the problem of pirate radio stations; and what action his Department has taken in respect of Radio Jackie, based in Morden, Surrey.

Since 1 January this year action against pirate radio stations has resulted in 50 unlicensed transmitters being traced (on 25 occasions the transmitter was unmanned) and 14 people being successfully prosecuted for offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Other prosecutions are pending. We intend to continue to give a high degree of priority to the tracing and prosecution of pirate radio operators.The operators of Radio Jackie have been prosecuted on many occasions, and recently the Department has written to advertisers on Radio Jackie warning them that it is an illegal station. I do not think it would be in the public interest to disclose details of action planned against particular pirate radio stations. However, if the right hon. Member has any particular point to raise on this perhaps he would write to me.

Foreign Insurance Companies (Judgments)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he is giving to the judgments of Mr. Justice Parker, in the case of the Bedford Insurance Co. v. IRB, and Mr. Justice Leggatt in the case of B. A. Stewart v. Oriental Fire & Marine Insurance Company Limited, about the operation of insurance offices in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

A review is in progress of the implications of the two judgments for the Department's attitude towards the operations in the United Kingdom of overseas insurers not authorised here.

Insurance Companies

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions have been brought since 1 January 1980, either by his Department alone or with the local police, under section 2 and section 14 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 or corresponding earlier legislation; how many of these prosecutions have been successful; and if he will list the cases concerned.

The Department does not maintain records of the numbers of prosecutions brought by the police under sections 2 and 14 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 or its predecessors. In some instances the Department provides assistance to the police. In many of these cases the carrying on of insurance business was not the principal offence.In the years 1980–83 inclusive, six prosecutions, all successful, were brought by the Secretary of State under the legislation referred to. No overseas insurers were involved.

Steel Imports (United States)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he has had discussions with his European counterparts regarding the effect of the International Trade Commission's decision on steel imports into the United States of America; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he intends to introduce further sanctions against United States' imports if United Kingdom steel exports to the United States of America are limited; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply, 29 June 1984, c. 534]: The Government have discussed with United Kingdom industry and with our Community partners the finding of the United States International Trade Commission that imports of certain steel products are injuring the United States steel industry. Since the finding was announced, the Community has made further representations to the ITC which is currently considering what remedies to recommend to President Reagan. The recommendation is expected during the week of 9 July, and the President, with whom the final decision lies, must then decide within 60 days.Our first objective must be to safeguard the interests of our steel exporters by persuading the United States Government not to impose further import restraints on their trade. But the possibility of further retaliation by the Community against United States exports remains open as a weapon of last resort. We shall continue to follow closely developments in this important case; and to make our views known as and when appropriate.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Diplomats (Offences)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will provide a breakdown by embassy of serious offences committed by persons with diplomatic immunity since 1974;(2) if he will ensure that crimes committed by foreign diplomats but not pursued in the courts on the grounds of diplomatic immunity are given publicity in order to deter others.

I entirely share the very understandable concern in the House about the number of offences committed by members of diplomatic missions in this country and the sense of indignation over the abuse of their diplomatic immunity. At the same time, it is important to keep these statistics in proportion. The 546 cases over the last 10 years listed in the evidence of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Foreign Affairs Committee were cases where we had prima facie evidence sufficient for criminal proceedings. Had the persons been tried, a number might have been acquitted, while by no means all would have received a custodial sentence.I am not persuaded that it would be right to name individuals, since this would not be consistent with the long-established principle that a person is presumed innocent until proved guilty.I am giving further thought to the question of revealing the names of missions whose members are alleged to have committed offences. This raises complex questions of very real practical importance. I shall report further in my forthcoming statement to the House about our review of the Vienna convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will consider limiting the numbers in those embassies whose members have committed serious offences.

We shall continue to deal firmly with all serious offenders on a case by case basis. It would not, in general, be right to curtail the functioning of a mission for offences alleged to have been committed by its individual members. What we seek to ensure is a proper respect by individual diplomats for our laws. In answer to other questions from my hon. Friend, I have outlined how we shall do this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the procedures are for informing the victim where an offence has been committed by a foreign diplomat.

This is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. I understand that the police inform the victim that the alleged offender is a foreign diplomat.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the procedures for compensating a victim where an offence has been committed by a foreign diplomat.

Claims arising out of motoring offences are almost invariably settled by the diplomat's insurance company. Insurance companies have given the Foreign and Commonwealth Office specific assurances that they will not seek to rely in this context on the immunity of any diplomatic client. If we found that a diplomat who had committed a serious motoring offence had no third party insurance, we would immediately request his removal from this country. In the rare cases not related to motoring offences we would take up claims for compensation with the diplomatic mission concerned, provided we were satisfied that the claim was genuine and that the claimant had tried but failed to obtain compensation by writing to the head of the mission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to reduce the number of serious offences attracting prison sentences of six months or more by members of the foreign diplomatic community in London.

Offences of this kind are invariably brought to the attention of the head of mission. In the more serious cases we require either a waiver of immunity or the removal of the offender from this country. In addition, heads of mission have been specifically reminded that we take a very grave view of drunken driving offences, failure to take out third party insurance and offences against firearms laws. We also have the sanction of declaring a diplomat persona non grata under article 9 of the Vienna convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many foreign diplomats have been asked to leave the United Kingdom in each of the last five years on the grounds that they were responsible for committing a serious offence for which he sentence could involve imprisonment.

Twenty-three diplomats and one dependant have left the United Kingdom since the beginning of 1982 following representations by us about evidence of a serious offence. It has not been possible in the time available to establish the number of diplomats removed from the United Kingdom on these grounds in the years 1979, 1980 and 1981. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as this information is available.

Consulate-General, Jerusalem

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will define the duties of the United Kingdom consulate-general in Jerusalem; what specific relationship it has with the embassy in Tel Aviv; whether it comes under the direct day to day control of Her Majesty's ambassador to Israel; and whether he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's consulate-general at Jerusalem carries out a wide range of duties broadly similar to those undertaken by our other posts abroad. Her Majesty's consul-general at Jerusalem reports direct to my right hon. and learned Friend.

Diplomats (Tel Aviv)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list by name and diplomatic title or job description all persons with diplomatic status currently serving in Her Majesty's embassy in Tel Aviv; how many adminstrative and technical staff there are; and how many of them are locally recruited.

The following, including three British Council staff, have diplomatic status:

Name	Status
Mr. P. H. Moberly CMG	Her Majesty's ambassador
Mr. W. K. Prendergast	Counsellor, head of chancery, and consul-general
Colonel P. A. Mitchell OBE	Defence and military attaché
Group Captain A. G. Bridges MBE	Naval and air attaché
Mr. I. L. Watts	Cultural attaché
Mr. A. R. Grimes	First secretary
Mr. T. M. Dowse	First secretary
Mr. A. S. Green MVO	First secretary (commercial)
Mr. R. Canning MVO	First secretary and consul
Mr. K. Allen	Assistant cultural attaché
Mr. I. Seaton	Assistant cultural attaché
Mr. M. J. Seery	Second secretary (administration)
Mr. D. E. G. Whitcombe	Second secretary and vice-consul
Mr. K. B. Howell	Third secretary
Mr. R. H. Gordon MBE	Third secretary
Mr. M. C. Nichols	Attaché

In addition, there are 12 administrative and technical staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list by name and diplomatic title or job description all persons currently serving in the United Kingdom consulate-general in Jerusalem.

United Kingdom-based staff:

Name	Status
Mr. V. Henderson	Consul
Mr. C. A. Russell	Vice consul/administration officer
Miss P. Spalding	Attaché (administration)

The new consul-general, Mr P.G. de Courcy-Ireland, is due to arrive in mid-July.In addition, there are the following locally-employed staff, who as such do not enjoy diplomatic immunity:

Name	Status
D. Lovett	Vice consul
Mr. Y. Dahdal	Commercial/information officer
Mr. S. Bayyuk	Pro consul
Mrs. J. Zakkak	Typist
Mr. S. Hamdan	Visa clerk
Mr. T. Mustafa	Head guard
Mr. M. Abu Sneineh	Driver

Name	Status
Mr. I. Hamdan	Driver
Mr. A. Hamdan	Guard
Mr. B. Khweis	Guard
Mr. E. Mubarak	Guard
Mr. M. Azem	Gardner
Mr. A. Abu Sway	Cleaner/messenger
Mrs. D. Huta	Cleaner (part-time)
Mr. A. Zuater	Cleaner (part-time)

Environment

London Docklands Development Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out in the Official Report for each completed financial year since the London Docklands Development Corporation was established the amount spent on poster, newspaper and television publicity, respectively, together with other promotional expenditure and likely spending under each head in the current year.

The publicity and promotion expenditure of the London Docklands Development Corporation since designation is set out in the following table.

	£'000
	Outturn		Provision
	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85
Poster	587	90	214	214
Newspaper		325	278	75
TV and Radio		1,075	358	—
Other^*	94	974	1,007	1,089
TOTAL	681	2,464	1,857	1,378
^* "Other" includes site marketing, promotions and public relations.

Green Belt And Land For Housing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his Department's response to the recommendations of the Environment Committee on the Government's green belt and land for housing draft circulars contained in the Committee's recent report (HC 275.)

The following is the text of the Department's response to those recommendations. A further memorandum responding to the Committee's other recommendations will follow shortly. Copies of the two circulars referred to in the response, which are being published tomorrow, will be placed in the Library.

First Memorandum Of Response By The Department Of The Environment To The First Report From The Environment Committee, Session I983–84 Hc 275-I

Green Belt and Land for Housing

1. The Government has the following observations to make on the First Report from the Environment Committee into Green Belt and Land for Housing. These observations respond to the Select Committee's specific recommendations about the Green Belt and Land for Housing Circulars which have been amended in the light of the Committee's recommendations and of comments received in response to consultation on the revised drafts that were issued in February. The final versions of the two circulars are being published on 4 July. The Green Belt Circular (DOE 14/84) is at Annex A and the Land for Housing Circular (DOE 15/84) is at Annex B. The Government will respond to the Committee's other recommendations in due course.

2. The Government welcomes the Committee's Report. In particular they welcome the appreciation that the Committee has

shown of the complementary nature of the two circulars. The Report says,

'To defend Green Belts there has to be sufficient land for housing available elsewhere. To promote urban housing there have to be defensible Green Belts'.

The Government agree and it believes that the circulars will give a clear lead to authorities to secure these objectives.

Cornish Unit Houses

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities covering areas where there are Cornish unit houses built in the private sector and the estimated numbers thereof in each case.

We have no records of these local authorities or areas. But, from correspondence with hon. Members and others, I understand that there are such houses in Bromley, Dartford, Lewes, Restormel and South Wight.

Royal Docks (Survey)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the London Docklands Development Corporation intends to publish the whole or part of its recent survey of businesses in the royal docks.

No. Businesses provided information for the survey on the understanding that it would be confidential to the LDDC.

George V Dock

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the procedure and subsequent actions of the London Docklands Development Corporation in respect of Messrs. McFee's operations in the George V dock are in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's assurances given in respect of consultations with local authorities by the London Docklands Development Corporation.

Yes. If the hon. Member has a specific complaint, I should be pleased to look into it.

Employment

Adult Training

11.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the response to the Government's proposals for adult training as set out in the White Paper, "Training for Jobs".

I am pleased to say that the proposals for adult training in our White Paper, "Training for Jobs", have been broadly welcomed. By making better use of resources we shall be doubling to 250,000 the number of adults who will be able to receive training next year.

43.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress the Manpower Services Commission had made in the implementation of the initiatives outlined in the White Paper, "Training for Jobs".

The major new initiatives announced in the White Paper were in the areas of adult training and vocational education.Developments on adult training include the launch of a joint programme by the Manpower Services Commission and the education departments of support for local collaboration between employers and providers of adult training and the start of pilots of new measures to be introduced into the commission's own programmes from 1985–86 onwards.With regard to the new arrangements within vocational education, officials of the commission have been consulting with a wide range of bodies about how the moneys to be transferred to the commission should be spent.

51.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made with the adult training awareness campaign.

The formal campaign will he launched in the autumn, following preparatory discussions between the major participants including Government, the Manpower Services Commission and industry. In the meantime, my colleagues and I take every opportunity to promote the Government's adult training strategy. Notably the themes of the campaign were put across at the Confederation of British Industry's conference on adult training on 18 April which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission and I addressed.

Youth Training Scheme

12.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently employed on youth training schemes.

At the end of May, there were about 238,000 young people in training in Great Britain under the youth training scheme.

14.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many youth training schemes he has visited since October 1983.

Since October I have visited 14 schemes and the Minister of State has visited 56 schemes. We have also had a large number of meetings and discussions with youth training scheme managing agents and sponsors.

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers were unemployed or on youth training schemes at the latest count.

At 10 May, 104,207 school leavers were unemployed, while at the end of May 238,083 young people were participating in the youth training scheme.

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he remains satisfied with the progress of the youth training scheme.

I am very encouraged by the progress of the youth training scheme during its first year. At the end of March over a quarter of a million youngsters were in programmes offering high quality work-related training. In the coming year we shall be seeking to improve on the standards of training already attained.

44.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males and females aged [6 years of age are on youth training mode A and mode B1 schemes.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. However, it is estimated that at the end of May there were 83,000 males and 67,000 females, who had joined aged 16, in training on mode A schemes. Comparable estimates for mode B1 are 30,000 and 17,000 respectively.

54.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many area manpower boards have now accepted Manpower Services Commission officials' proposals for the balance of provision between modes A, B1 and B2 of the youth training scheme in 1984–85.

I am pleased to say that all area manpower boards have accepted the balance of provision and are now approving or reapproving schemes for 1984–85.

61.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the number of current youth training scheme trainees who will find full-time employment when they leave the youth training scheme; and if he will make a statement.

It is not possible to estimate how many youngsters currently on the youth training scheme will find jobs. There are some early signs that many will secure employment at the end of their training programme.Later this year, the Manpower Services Commission will be conducting regular sample surveys on the destinations of youngsters leaving the scheme.

63.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to bring the youth training scheme back into line with the original task group proposals.

The youth training scheme is being developed generally in line with the original proposals set out in the April 1982 youth task group report.

Retail Price Index Advisory Committee

13.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements will be made for outside bodies to make representations on the adequacy of the index when he reconvenes the retail price index advisory committee.

In reconvening the committee I shall be inviting representation from a wide range of outside bodies. Other organisations wishing to raise specific questions concerning any aspect of the method of construction of the retail prices index are free to approach me at any time.

Labour Statistics

15.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of people unemployed in the United Kingdom.

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of unemployed people in the United Kingdom.

I refer the hon. Members to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery) earlier today.

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide the latest unemployment figures and percentages for each of the districts of Merseyside.

On 10 May, there was a total of 133,045 unemployed claimants—an unemployment rate of 19·2 per cent. in the Merseyside special development area. The following is the information on 10 May for each of the travel-to-work areas in the Merseyside special development Area for which a percentage rate of unemployment is calculated.

	Unemployed claimants
Area	Number	percentage rate
Liverpool travel-to-work area	90,101	18·9
Birkenhead travel-to-work area	31,323	19·5
Widnes travel-to-work area	11,621	20·7

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were unemployed in the Southampton travel-to-work area in June 1984; what percentage of the work force this figure represents; and how this percentage compares with the national average.

The latest statistics are for 10 May 1984, when the number of unemployed claimants in the Southampton travel-to-work area was 19,921 and the unemployment rate was 8·9 per cent. The corresponding rate for the United Kingdom was 12·8 per cent.

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present total of people unemployed in the United Kingdom; and what percentage of the work force this represents.

On 10 May, there were 3,084,457 unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom and the unemployment rate was 12·8 per cent.

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made in reducing the level of unemployment.

The Government believe that their economic policies, which are directed at holding down inflation and public spending while promoting efficiency and enterprise, offer the best prospect of sustainable growth in output and jobs, and thus of a reduction in the level of unemployment in the longer term. In the meanwhile, we are committed to helping those worst hit by unemployment through our range of special employment and training measures, at a cost of some £2 billion this year.

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the up-to-date unemployed figure for King's Lynn.

On 10 May, the number of unemployed claimants in the King's Lynn jobcentre area was 3,507.

40.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of people who left the unemployment register in the latest month for which figures are available.

In the five week period to 10 May 1984 a total of 411,212 unemployed people ceased to claim benefit in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people below 25 years of age have been unemployed (a) for more than one year, (b) for more than two years, and (c) for more than three years.

The following table gives the information for unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom on 5 April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available.

Unemployed claimants aged under 25 years
Duration in weeks	Number
Over 52 and up to 104 weeks	206,936
Over 104 and up to 156 weeks	85,264
Over 156 weeks	57,157

60.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the rate of unemployment among school leavers in the city of Leicester; and what percentage increase this represents when compared to May 1979.

Percentage rates of unemployment cannot be calculated for school leavers due to the absence of the relevant employment information. The available information, on the numbers of school leavers under 18 years of age unemployed in the Leicester jobcentre area for the dates requested, is contained in the table below. The figures are not comparable because of the October 1982 change in the basis of the unemployment count.

Unemployed school leavers aged under 18
	No.
May 1979
Registered	92
May 1984
Claimants	480

64.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been out of work for over two years at the latest available date; and how many of them are over 50 years of age.

The latest statistics are for 5 April 1984 and these are given in my reply to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Evans) on 5 June 1984 at column 155.

65.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the figure for total unemployed, including school leavers, for the United Kingdom at the latest date.

July 1983
	Males
Duration of unemployment in weeks	16	17	18	19	20–24
One or less	1,268	3,498	3,041	3,331	14,794
Over 1 and up to 2	1,241	3,590	3,380	4,240	21,794
Over 2 and up to 4	2,361	6,192	5,525	6,933	28,944
Over 4 and up to 6	2,001	5,420	4,585	4,295	17,248
Over 6 and up to 8	1,628	4,298	4,055	3,672	13,232
Over 8 and up to 13	4,414	9,794	9,034	7,241	28,036
Over 13 and up to 26	11,922	18,768	19,655	15,038	56,925
Over 26 and up to 39	2,172	10,099	14,114	11,967	43,899

On 10 May, there were 3,084,457 unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom. The figure includes school leavers.

67.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been out of work for over one year at the latest available date; and how many of them are over 50 years of age.

On 5 April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 52 weeks was 1,218,144. Of these, 291,068 were aged 50 years and over.

72.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Berkshire, East, (Mr. MacKay) earlier today.

74.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently in work in the United Kingdom at the latest available date; and how the figures compare with the highest recorded figure between March 1974 and May 1979.

In December 1983, the latest date for which the information is available, the estimated number of people in the employed labour force in the United Kingdom was 23,855,000. The highest recorded figure between March 1974 and June 1979 (Not available for May) was 25,356,000 in June 1979. The figures are seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest numbers of unemployed young people in the United Kingdom aged between 16 and 24 years, broken down by age, sex and duration of employment and the comparable figures for July 1983.

The following is the available information for unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom in July 1983 and April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available. Only combined figures for the age group 20–24 years are available.

	Males
Duration of unemployment in weeks	16	17	18	19	20–24
Over 39 and up to 52	2,006	11,510	14,263	14,637	38,843
Over 52 and up to 65	0	4,013	9,002	8,936	30,041
Over 65 and up to 78	0	953	5,759	7,171	20,583
Over 78 and up to 104	0	1,249	7,619	11,179	37,433
Over 104 and up to 156	0	0	2,069	7,574	42,941
Over 156 and up to 208	0	0	0	1,984	20,836
Over 208 and up to 260	0	0	0	0	4,601
Over 260	0	0	0	0	1,660>
TOTAL MALES	29,013	79,384	102,101	108,198	421,810

	Females
Duration of unemployment in weeks	16	17	18	19	20–24
One or less	916	2,559	2,492	2,884	11,130
Over 1 and up to 2	1,032	2,840	3,116	3,689	16,742
Over 2 and up to 4	1,677	4,544	4,541	5,710	20,867
Over 4 and up to 6	1,352	3,844	3,294	3,391	11,875
Over 6 and up to 8	1,123	3,175	2,962	2,725	8,697
Over 8 and up to 13	3,059	6,870	6,473	5,159	18,841
Over 13 and up to 26	9,037	13,439	13,591	10,459	37,291
Over 26 and up to 39	1,765	7,800	10,043	8,696	27,552
Over 39 and up to 52	1,589	8,788	10,048	10,835	22,039
Over 52 and up to 65	0	2,769	5,550	5,316	13,321
Over 65 and up to 78	0	550	3,304	3,846	7,453
Over 78 and up to 104	0	884	5,027	6,224	12,658
Over 104 and up to 156	0	0	1,238	3,788	12,527
Over 156 and up to 208	0	0	0	1,152	6,744
Over 208 and up to 260	0	0	0	0	2,012
Over 260	0	0	0	0	987
TOTAL FEMALES	21,550	58,062	71,679	73,874	230,736

April 1984
Duration of unemployment in weeks	Males
	16	17	18	19	20–24
One or less	1,135	2,831	2,891	3,048	12,204
Over 1 and up to 2	940	2,366	2,270	2,462	9,487
Over 2 and up to 4	1,753	4,252	4,223	4,183	16,839
Over 4 and up to 6	1,563	3,769	4,012	3,934	15,226
Over 6 and up to 8	1,470	3,222	3,680	3,396	13,443
Over 8 and up to 13	3,872	8,522	9,681	9,027	33,847
Over 13 and up to 26	4,801	13,709	18,864	17,551	66,359
Over 26 and up to 39	5,971	14,852	22,150	18,828	51,913
Over 39 and up to 52	79	7,587	11,307	9,396	33,928
Over 52 and up to 65	0	3,615	8,253	7,323	22,864
Over 65 and up to 78	0	1,999	5,143	6,044	19,210
Over 78 and up to 104	0	3,178	9,546	12,683	35,956
Over 104 and up to 156	0	0	3,425	10,699	46,425
Over 156 and up to 208	0	0	0	1,582	28,331
Over 208 and up to 260	0	0	0	0	9,802
Over 260	0	0	0	0	2,751
Total males	21,584	69,902	105,445	110,156	418,585

Duration of unemployment in weeks	Females
	16	17	18	19	20–24
One or less	769	1,991	2,270	2,271	8,282
Over 1 and up to 2	685	1,654	1,687	1,703	6,138
Over 2 and up to 4	1,226	2,973	3,042	2,968	10,741
Over 4 and up to 6	1,138	2,689	3,034	2,805	10,246
Over 6 and up to 8	1,129	2,412	2,577	2,453	8,816
Over 8 and up to 13	3,256	6,756	7,633	6,871	23,786
Over 13 and up to 26	4,094	10,604	14,154	12,786	43,758

Duration of unemployment in weeks	Females
	16	17	18	19	20–24
Over 26 and up to 39	4,966	11,199	17,516	15,024	34,988
Over 39 and up to 52	60	5,150	7,415	6,112	22,515
Over 52 and up to 65	0	2,540	5,238	4,704	11,289
Over 65 and up to 78	0	1,426	3,533	3,921	7,728
Over 78 and up to 104	0	2,387	6,430	7,810	14,116
Over 104 and up to 156	0	0	2,211	5,923	16,581
Over 156 and up to 208	0	0	0	955	8,874
Over 208 and up to 260	0	0	0	0	3,445
Over 260	0	0	0	0	1,417
Total females	17,323	51,781	76,740	76,306	232,720

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of 16-year-old school leavers secured employment in the borough of Rotherham in 1983; and if he expects the number securing employment to be higher in 1984.

I have no forecast of the figure for this year's leavers. Rotherham careers service records show that 25 per cent. of 16-year-olds who left full-time education in 1983 were in employment on 22 June this year.

Enterprise Allowance Scheme

16.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of the enterprise allowance scheme.

I am very encouraged by the way the enterprise allowance scheme is operating. As at 19 June 1984 the scheme had assisted nearly 40,300 unemployed people to create their own jobs. In addition, evidence suggests that, on average, for every 100 businesses set up under the scheme another 50 jobs have subsequently been generated.

39.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many businesses are supported by the enterprise allowance scheme at the latest available date.

The information is not available in the form requested. However, on 19 June 1984 some 34,600 people were receiving the enterprise allowance. The actual number of businesses supported will be lower as some participants will have set up in partnership.

56.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the future of the enterprise allowance scheme.

69.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the enterprise allowance scheme.

Response to the enterprise allowance scheme has been very encouraging and we are looking urgently at the future funding of the scheme. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Open Tech

19.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the relationship between Open Tech and PICKUP.

Both the Open Tech programme and the PICKUP initiative aim to improve the

responsiveness of vocational education and training provision for adults, but they do so in different ways and using different kinds of activity. I am satisfied that they complement one another and I am in contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to ensure that this remains the case.

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the progress of the Open Tech.

A total of 77 projects are currently being funded under the Open Tech programme providing open learning opportunities at technician and supervisory levels. During 1984–85 some 25,000 people are expected to benefit from the programme and in 1985–86 twice that number. The progress of the Open Tech programme has been most encouraging and is a fine example of what the Government are doing to promote training opportunities in this important field.

48.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the planned expenditure on the Open Tech programme in each of the next four financial years; and whether he is satisfied that this represents good value for money in terms of the Government's whole training strategy.

Expenditure on the Open Tech programme is expected to be £13·6 million in 1984–85, at a similar level in 1985–86 and at a reduced level in 1986–87. The programme was established in 1983, initially for a four-year development period, and decisions about support for open learning beyond March 1987 will be taken in the light of evaluation of the programme's achievements.At least 50,000 people will be benefiting by 1986 from opportunities provided under the programme. I believe that this represents a most cost-effective contribution to our overall training strategy.

Asbestos

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for licences to strip asbestos under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 the Health and Safety Executive has now received.

The Health and Safety Executive has now received 691 applications for licences under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983.

Health And Safety Commission

22.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to receive the next plans of work of the Health and Safety Commission.

The Health and Safety Commission will submit to my right hon. Friend its plan of work for 1985–86 and onwards in November of this year. The plan will be published shortly thereafter.

Labour Force Survey

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the data from the 1983 labour force survey will be published.

Preliminary results from the 1983 labour force survey will be published in the July 1984 Employment Gazette and in an Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Monitor. It is hoped that the fuller report will be published by the end of the year.

Minimum Wage And Income Support

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of the minimum wage machinery and income support mechanisms falling within his responsibility.

The Government are considering the operation of the minimum wage machinery provided through the Wages Councils Act but it is too early to say what conclusions will be reached.

Wages Councils

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from individuals employed in industries covered by wages councils in favour of the abolition of wages councils.

We have received some such representations.

49.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he now expects to make a decision on the future of the wages councils.

The Government are considering the future of the wages council system but it is too early to say when decisions will be taken. Any major change before June 1986 is in any case precluded by our international treaty obligation.

Factory And Agriculture Inspectors

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what date the first of the new intake of factory inspectors and agriculture inspectors will take up their duties.

I am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the first of the new intake of Her Majesty's factory inspectors class II took up duty on 25 June 1984 and the first of the new intake of Her Majesty's assistant agricultural inspectors took up duty on 8 May 1984. The remaining successful candidates will join the Health and Safety Executive during the second half of 1984.

Skillcentre Training Agency

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the progress being made by the Skillcentre Training Agency towards operating on a cost-recovery basis; and whether he expects the maximum subvention of £24 million in 1984–85 to be required in full.

As I said in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ribble, South (Mr. Atkins) on 28 June at column 509, the Skillcentre Training Agency is making encouraging progress towards its objective of cost-recovery, primarily by improving efficiency and by increasing the relevance and flexibility of its training provision.The extent to which STA will need to call upon the subvention of £24 million in 1984–85 will become clearer as the year progresses, and particularly in light of the review of progress by the Manpower Services Commission in the autumn.

Job Search Week (Young Workers Scheme)

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places were found for the young workers scheme during job search week in May.

I understand from the Institute of Careers Officers, the organisers of job search week, that 7,000 definite job vacancies were offered as a result of the exercise, as well as nearly 8,000 possible jobs. There is, however, no information on the number of those vacancies where the employers propose to seek support under the young workers scheme for the young people they employ.

Industrial Disputes

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the working of recent legislation concerning industrial disputes; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) on 1 May at column 59.

Certification Officer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider seeking to strengthen the powers of the certification officer.

I believe that the certification officer already has adequate powers to enable him to carry out his statutory responsibilities.

Job-Splitting Scheme

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have used the job-splitting scheme to date; how much the scheme has cost; and how much it has cost to advertise the scheme.

From the start of the job-splitting scheme to the end of May 1984, 883 jobs had been split providing 1,766 part-time jobs at a cost of £414,200 (provisional). Total costs of publicising the Scheme, including posters, leaflets and press advertising are £423,208.

Coal Industry Dispute

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide an estimate of the number of workers, whether employed by the National Coal Board or otherwise, who are being affected in their daily working pattern by the present coal industry dispute.

The present coal industry dispute is directly affecting some 45,000 miners who are working and some 135,000 who are not. Like all industrial disputes, it puts employment at risk and its consequence is likely to be a loss of jobs.

Women Workers (Public Sector)

41.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate what proportion of white collar workers in the public sector are women.

Approximately 55 per cent. of employees in non-manual occupations in the public sector are estimated to be women.

Training

42.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the training needs of British industry in the new technologies are being met.

It is primarily for industry to identify and meet its training needs. The Government's strategy is directed towards encouraging industry to assume its proper responsibilities and helping to develop more effective ways of meeting the skill needs of the new technologies.

Health And Safety Executive

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission and the director-general of the Health and Safety Executive specifically to discuss further improvements in the executive.

My right hon. Friend met the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission and the director-general of the Health and Safety Executive on 12 June to discuss the work of the executive in developing the financial management initiative, and the further progress the executive is making in improving its effectiveness and gaining value for money in the use of public resources.

Retraining Schemes

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the results, in terms of people finding permanent jobs, of his Department's retraining schemes.

	1981		1982		^1983*
Member state	Million ecu	per cent.	Million ecu	per cent.	Million ecu	per cent.
Belgium	22·73	2·3	23·70	1·5	30·96	1·6
Denmark	24·40	2·4	27·54	1·8	42·20	2·2
Germany	73·69	7·4	91·28	6·0	279·33	5·6
France	141·12	14·1	266·76	17·4	106·57	14·7
Greece	29·87	3·0	60·46	4·0	123·80	6·5
Ireland	105·68	10·6	145·15	9·5	184·35	9·7
Italy	340·77	34·1	455·36	29·7	346·91	28·9
Luxembourg	0·57	0·1	0·46	0·0	0·95	0·0

The proportion of trainees finding work on completion of training under our training opportunities scheme has recently improved. The major changes being made to our adult training programmes are intended to relate the training provided by the Manpower Services Commission even more closely to the needs of industry, thereby maximising employment opportunities.

Msc (European Social Fund)

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the extent to which the Manpower Services Commission is funded from the European social fund.

In 1983 the Manpower Services Commission was allocated £225·6 million from the European social fund. This included £209 million towards youth training, £10·5 million for projects for the disabled and certain smaller items.Overall about 10 per cent. of the Manpower Service Commission's social fund is met from the allocations made by the social fund and these allocations represent 20 per cent. of the whole social fund budget.

Travel-To-Work Areas (Review)

52.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultation has taken place in the current review of travel-to- work areas, including that in Bradford.

Consultations have been undertaken by my Department's officials with those of other Government Departments and with local authorities throughout the country, including Bradford.

European Social Fund

53.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the allocations from the European social fund to each member state for the last three years for which such figures are available in (a) absolute and (b) percentage terms.

The United Kingdom has been a substantial beneficiary from the social fund in the past few years. In 1983 we were allocated £320·8 million, 29·3 per cent. of the total social fund budget for that year and the largest share of any member state. The breakdown of allocations from the social fund to each member state for the years 1981 to 1983 is given below.

	1981		1982		^1983*
Member state	Million ecu	per cent.	Million ecu	per cent.	Million ecu	per cent.
Netherlands	12·68	1·3	16·53	1·1	23·40	1·2
United Kingdom	248·64	24·9	444·74	29·0	554·54	29·3
TOTAL	1,000·15		1,531·98		1,893·01
^* Provisional.

Ministerial Meetings

55.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he next expects to meet his European ministerial colleagues to discuss unemployment in Europe.

My right hon. Friend will have a welcome opportunity to discuss employment matters of mutual concern at the informal meeting of Employment Ministers to be held in Ireland on 20–21 September.

Jobcentre Network

58.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the proposals for the restructering of the jobcentre network endorsed at the Manpower Services Commission's meeting in May; and whether these are predominantly from jobcentre staff, members of the public, or employers.

To date Ministers in this Department have received some 90 letters on this subject, many of them referred to us by hon. Members. About a quarter of the letters are directly identified as coming from Manpower Services Commission staff or their trade union representatives. Four are directly identified as coming from employers.It is not clear how many of the other letters from individual members of the public (about a third of the total), from hon. Members and others are in fact from commission staff or employers, or arise from the representations they have made.

Health And Safety Commission (Noise Caravan)

59.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will arrange for the Health and Safety Commission's noise caravan to visit the Twickenham constituency.

I have asked the Health and Safety Commission to consider favourably a visit to my hon. Friend's constituency. The current programme for the remainder of 1984 is:

9 July	Great Yorkshire show
16 July	Burton-on-Trent
23 July	Greater Manchester
27 August	Sheffield show
10 September	Windsor show

Venues in the South West, Wales, Merseyside and the North Midlands in September and October are to be arranged.In each area the visit of the caravan will be used as a focal point for other activities by local health and safety inspectors. The intention is to bring to the attention of employers and employees the risk of noise-induced hearing loss at the work place, and the solutions which exist, either by designing machinery to eliminate noise or by personal protection.

Earnings (Women)

62.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current proportion of workers earning below £100 per week for an average week who are women; and what is this figure as a proportion of women in full-time work.

The latest information relates to April 1983, when it is estimated that about 60 per cent. of full-time employees of all ages earning below £100 per week were women, and that these comprised just over 53 per cent. of all women in full-time work.

Wages Inspectors

66.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has received any communication from the International Labour Organisation about the number of wages inspectors currently employed in Great Britain.

No.

Community Programme

68.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the Manpower Services Commission's proposals to introduce a training component into the community programme.

I received yesterday from the Manpower Services Commission the reports of the surveys of community programme sponsors and participants. We are now considering the commission's proposal about training in the light of its findings.

Working Week

70.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has received from his European Economic Community colleagues to the academic research he has sent them about reductions in the working week.

The research was concerned with the effect of the reduction of the working week on employment in the United Kingdom. I have received confirmation that experience in other countries does not suggest that reductions in the working week have led to additional jobs. Positive employment effects can result only if the competitive position of firms is not impaired.

18 To 25-Year-Olds (Training)

71.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next visit the European Commission to discuss training for 18 to 25-year-olds.

My ministerial colleagues and I are in frequent contact with our counterparts in the European Community about a wide range of employment and training matters. We particularly welcome this year's changes in the European social fund rules, which will make more resources available to support training initiatives in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the Community. These will benefit all age groups, particularly 18 to 25-year-olds.

Elderly Persons (Retraining)

73.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to extend the retraining facilities and programmes for unemployed people over 50 years of age.

The Government's plans for adult training announced in the recent White Paper "Training for Jobs" (Cmnd. 9135) will lead to a substantial improvement in both the quantity and quality of training available to unemployed adults.

Lost Working Days

75.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compare the number of working days lost through industrial action in 1984, on the latest available figures, with the same period in 1983.

It is provisionally estimated that 7·2 million working days were lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the five months ended 31 May 1984. In the comparable period in 1983, 2·1 million days were lost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many days were lost through strike action in the last 12 months.

It is estimated that 8·8 million working days were lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the 12 months ended 31 May 1984.

Young Persons (Stoke-On-Trent)

76.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young unemployed persons there are in the Stoke-on-Trent travel-to-work area; how many of these are on schemes and courses; and how many are without work and not undertaking training or education.

In the Stoke-on-Trent travel-to-work area 1,017 young people aged under 18 were unemployed at 5 April and 980 young people are currently being supported under the young workers scheme. In the Stoke-on-Trent district council area 2,040 young people are currently participating in the youth training scheme.

Tuc Centres For The Unemployed

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy towards Manpower Services Commission funding for Trades Union Congress centres for the unemployed.

Until discussions are concluded between the Manpower Services Commission and officials of the Trade Union Congress about funding under the community programme of TUC centres for the unemployed, the only applications being considered are for provisional renewal of existing projects. The area manpower boards examine these applications in the light of guidance about priorities for the selection of projects under the programme. This emphasises the need to ensure a significant contribution is made towards increasing the long term employment prospects of participants and something of practical value to the community created.

Jobcentres (Advertisements)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will instruct the Manpower Services Commission jobcentres not to advertise vacancies which contain age restrictions.

No. Although jobcentre staff may encourage employers not to place age restrictions on vacancies, it is ultimately for employers themselves to determine their own requirements, and in general jobcentres will refuse to handle only those vacancies where the terms of employment are unlawful.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees in his Department are currently taking part in job-share schemes.

The Department of Employment Group has over 3,000 staff who work a variety of patterns of part-time hours, including forms of job-share. The Department has recently taken an initiative aimed at increasing the opportunities for different patterns of part-time work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies in his Department have been filled through the job release scheme in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

I regret that the statistics requested could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees in his Department are currently allowed day release facilities or other assistance to encourage them to continue their education.

Two hundred and eighty seven employees are currently allowed day release facilities and 1,659 employees are given other assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total cost to his Department of assistance given to employees to encourage them to continue their education in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Civil servants undertaking further education are reimbursed tuition and examination fees and the cost of purchasing the necessary books. The total cost of providing this assistance in the Department of Employment group in each of the last three financial years was:

	£
1981–82	106,000
1982–83	119,000
1983–84	136,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether any of those working in his Department are young people on the youth training scheme.

None of those currently working in the Department of Employment group are on the Youth Training Scheme.

Working Hours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he has refused to endorse the European Economic Community initiative on reducing unemployment by shortening working hours.

The draft recommendation on the reduction and re-organisation of working time did not adequately take account of the need to improve the competitive position of industry.

Technical And Vocational Education Initiative

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that in those authorities running schemes under the technical and vocational education initiative all young people, including those with physical, sensory or learning difficulties, are enabled to take part;(2) what measures have been taken to ensure that, in the design of the schemes approved under the technical and vocational education initiative, young people with physical, sensory or learning difficulties are not excluded.

Pilot projects under the technical and vocational education initiative have to operate within nationally agreed criteria which require them to have arrangements which permit entry to the project for students from a wide ability range.Education authorities are also asked to give consideration to accommodating, within the annual student intake of up to 250 students in each project, some students with special educational needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the approved schemes under the technical and vocational education initiative include plans for young people receiving special education; and how many young people on currently approved schemes are receiving special education.

There are a variety of approaches to the question of accommodating young people with special educational needs in the pilot projects already under way. Details of the numbers involved are not readily available.

Travel-To-Work Areas (Wales)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to change the travel-to-work areas for Wales; what consultations he has had with local authorities; if he has had consultations with Alyn and Deeside council concerning the change in the existing boundary; and if he will reconsider his proposals to link Deeside with parts of Cheshire.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1984, c. 41–42]: The current review of travel-to-work areas in Wales, as in the rest of Great Britain, uses ward-based data on travel to work patterns obtained from the 1981 census of population. Local authorities, including Alyn and Deeside council, have been consulted about the provisional results of this statistical exercise, and where appropriate, their comments are being taken into account in finalising the new areas. However, it has been decided that the new areas should not straddle the Wales-England border and Deeside will not, therefore, be linked with parts of Cheshire.

Scotland

Vandalism

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the number of cases of vandalism made known to the police in both Tayside and Scotland in each of the latest two years; and what has been the detection rate in each case.

The information requested is set out in the table:

	Tayside		Scotland
	1982	^1983*	1982	^1983*
Offences	5,888	5,916	55,801	63,175
Percentage detected	23·1	24·0	19·5	19·7
^* Provisional.

Electricity Supply (Aid)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if financial assistance or grants are available in Scotland to assist with the supply and installation of mains electricity in rural areas for domestic consumers.

Under the house improvement grant scheme, grants may be available to householders for work within the curtilage of the house and, exceptionally, outside the immediate curtilage when improvement involves the first time provision of an electricity supply.Since 1978 the European regional development fund has assisted the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in a series of programmes to connect rural areas.

Dundee Enterprise Zone

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inquiries his Department has received regarding the future location of industry within the Dundee enterprise zone; and if he will make a statement.

The Dundee part of the Tayside enterprise zone is being promoted by the Dundee project team, which reports an increasing level of inquiries.

Youth Training Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the major relevant bodies were consulted by his office prior to his discussion on the level of grants to youth training scheme agricultural training groups.

The level of grants for sponsors and managing agents under the youth training scheme is of uniform and general application. There is no basis for separate discussion outwith the general arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many supervisory jobs on youth training scheme mode B1 schemes have been shed; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 1983–84, 1,670 adults were employed on mode B1 schemes in Scotland. This number is expected to fall broadly in line with the reduction which has been agreed for mode B1 places for 1984–85 of about 20 per cent. Every effort is made by the Manpower Services Commission and individual sponsors to find alternative employment for those directly affected so that redundancies may be avoided wherever possible.

Social Services

16-Year-Olds

77.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the present safeguards against the exploitation of under 16-year-olds who are in part-time employment.

I refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to him on 7 February, at column 579, which covers the same subject.

Unemployment Benefit

78.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the levels of unemployment benefit for those over 60 years of age.

Yes. The same standard rate of unemployment benefit is paid to claimants of all ages below retirement age, while those of pension age (over 60 for a woman or 65 for a man) receive the same rate as would be their pension if they retired. Both rates have been increased in line with inflation since the Government came into power and they will be so increased again from November. In addition those over 60 who are entitled to supplementary benefit receive the long-term scale rate, as a result of changes brought in by this Government.

Oecd Report (Poverty)

79.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has sought to block publication of September's issue of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's employment outlook report on the scale of poverty due to long-term unemployment in Great Britain.

We have not sought to block publication of this report, one section of which deals with the effects of unemployment in several Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member States. When it was discussed by officials there were a number of critical comments, some of them from the United Kingdom. As is normal the OECD secretariat is revising its report in the light of those comments.

Family Income Supplement

80.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many low-paid workers there are at present who qualify for family income supplement.

Family Income Supplement is paid to families with children where the total income, not merely from earnings, is below prescribed levels.At the end of December 1983, the number of families in receipt of FIS was 201,000. The most recent estimate of take-up of entitlement relates to 1981·82 when it was about half.

Housing Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the actual cost of housing benefit for 1984–85; and what proportion of the total social security budget this represents.

The cost of housing benefit in 1984–85 was estimated as £3,665 million in the Supply Estimates (HC 292-XII). The effect of the new benefit rates announced on 18 June and of other announced changes is to decrease this figure to £3,650 million, or just under 10 per cent. of total benefit expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the percentage of the number of households in the United Kingdom receiving housing benefit.

It is estimated that a third of all households in Great Britain are in receipt of housing benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the total amount of rent owing to local authorities as a result of arrears accrued due to the transfer of responsibility for the payment of housing benefit from his Department to local authorities;(2) if he will estimate how many housing benefit beneficiaries have accrued rent arrears since the transfer of responsibility for payment passed from his Department to local authorities.

No information is held centrally or the number of housing benefit recipients who have accrued rent arrears. However, the transfer of responsibility for payment of housing costs from the Department to local authorities should ensure that the amounts of rent owing to local authorities are less than they would otherwise have been.

the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any proposals to introduce capital limits for the recipients of housing benefit.

We have no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many authorities continued to apply the £3·10 a week non-department deduction to 18 to 20-yearolds receiving supplementary benefit after 1 April; and how many are still applying this deduction because their systems have not yet incorporated all the changes tc the housing benefit scheme supposedly effective from 1 April;(2) how many housing benefit claimants were subject to retrospective adjustments to their benefit because of delayed implementation of the changes due to apply from April;(3) how many local authorities have been, to his knowledge, unable to implement the changes to the housing benefit scheme due to take effect from 1 April; how many have experienced some delay in implementation; and how many have still not implemented all the changes.

The housing benefit measures introduced from 1 April were mainly amendments of rates rather than structural alterations, making implementation easier. When I met representatives of the local authority associations on 6 February they assured me that the measures could be implemented on time. As far as I am aware individual authorities have not experienced serious difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his Department's share of the cost to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee district councils of operating the housing benefits scheme.

The Housing Benefits (Subsidy) Order 1984 provides that in 1984–85 the Department will meet 65 per cent. of all reasonable costs incurred by Scottish authorities by way of a specific grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Government will consider meeting the entire cost to local authorities of operating the standard housing benefit scheme, as with new towns where 100 per cent. reimbursement is available.

The Housing Benefits (Subsidy) Order 1984 provides for new towns' administration costs to be fully reimbursed through specific grant because they have no powers to levy rates. For other authorities, it has always been the case that a proportion of costs is borne by the rate fund, as with other local authority services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on which dates local authorities using ICL software for housing benefit received the revised software package incorporating the changes supposedly effective from 1 April; and how many authorities use this software package.

I understand that 45 local authorities use ICL software for housing benefit and that the revised software package for the April changes was released by ICL by 1 March 1984.

North West Regional Health Authority (Ambulancemen)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why a constituent of the hon. Member for Worsley, Mr. Raymond Beck, of 107 Broadway, Irlam, Greater Manchester, had, after a heart attack, to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance from Eccles on 16 April; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is the intention of the North West regional health authority to recruit on a part-time basis a number of ambulancemen who left the service in the recent job cuts round.

Responsibility for the ambulance services in the Greater Manchester area lies with the North Western regional health authority who have recently been making changes designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the authority for the information he seeks.

Voluntary Unemployment Deductions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for repayment of money wrongly deducted from supplementary benefit on grounds of voluntary unemployment have been received by local offices of his Department in Porth and Tonypandy as a result of the advertising campaign in March; how many payments have resulted from these claims; and how many such payments had been made prior to the advertising campaign as a result of the check of current files and the publicity for dormant cases, respectively.

No payments in respect of refunds of voluntary unemployment deductions have been made by the Department's Rhondda, West and Porth local offices. The number of unsuccessful inquiries made is not recorded.

Bolton Health Authority

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total cost charged to the Bolton General hospital private taxi account for the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and the current year to date;(2) how many newly qualified nurses have been given short contracts, such as for three or four months only, before becoming unemployed in the Bolton district health authority area;(3) if he is satisfied that sufficient night nursing staff are employed at Bolton general hospital; and what was the effect of staff cuts on these numbers.

The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Bolton health authority for the information he seeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost charged to the Hope hospital, Salford, private taxi account for transporting patients in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and the current year to date.

The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Salford health authority for the information he requires.

Child Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimates he has made of the increase in child benefit that would be necessary to increase it by the same percentage amount as personal tax allowances have been raised in the Budget.

In November 1984 child benefit is to be increased from £6·50 to £6·85. If it were to be increased by the same percentage as were the personal tax allowances in April 1984, the amount required would be a further 45p or 50p (in line with the percentage increase in either the single person's or the married man's tax allowance).

Homes (Heating)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria he uses to decide whether a dwelling is exceptionally difficult to heat.

Decisions on whether or not to award supplementary benefit heating additions under paragraph 2(b) of Schedule 4 to the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983, on the grounds that accommodation is exceptionally difficult to heat adequately, are taken by the independent adjudicating authorities. Such decisions are based on the circumstances of the individual case, having regard to factors such as the size, age, condition and position of the home.A heating addition may also be awarded to a householder whose home is part of an estate which has been designated by my right hon. Friend as having a heating system with disproportionately high running costs. The factors taken into account in making such a designation are set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) on 20 June at col.

173.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many employees in his Department are currently taking part in job-share schemes.

456.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many vacancies in his Department have been filled through the job release scheme in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The number of staff recruited under the job release scheme in the last three years is as follows:

	Number
1981	926
1982	NONE
1983	59

The Department could not operate the scheme in 1982 because it was reducing staff numbers rapidly and undertaking little recruitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many employees in his Department are currently allowed day release facilities or other assistance to encourage them to continue their education.

During the financial year 1983–84 (the latest period for which figures are available) 1,636 employees received day release facilities or assistance with evening classes; a further 478 undertook Open University courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost to his Department of assistance given to employees to encourage them to continue their education in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The information requested is as follows:

Financial year	^Cost of assistance £*
1981–82	110,000
1982–83	112,000
1983–84	105,000
^* Excludes employees' salaries and travel and subsistence costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any of those working in his Department are young people on the youth training scheme.

No.

Chiropodists And Podiatrists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will name those organisations which are recognised by his Department as representing chiropodists and podiatrists.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what qualifications are required for appointment as a chiropodist or podiatrist with the National Health Service;(2) if he will list those establishments which run training courses which lead to qualifications required by the National Health Service for appointment as a chiropodist or a podiatrist.

Employment as a chiropodist in the NHS is dependent upon state registration under arrangements approved by the Chiropodists Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. A small number of state registered chiropodists have undergone additional training in podiatry. There are no posts in the NHS specifically for podiatrists.The following schools of chiropody are recognised as providing training meeting the requirements of state registration.

England

Chelsea School of Chiropody
London Foot Hospital
Birmingham School of Chiropody
School of Chiropody, Durham
School of Chiropody, Huddersfield
School of Chiropody, Plymouth
Northern College of Chiropody
The Sussex School of Chiropody

Scotland

Edinburgh Foot Clinic and School of Chiropody
Glasgow School of Chiropody

Wales

Cardiff School of Chiropody

Northern Ireland

School of Chiropody Belfast

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent discussions he has had with bodies representing chiropodists or podiatrists about the qualifications and training required for state registration and practising within the National Health Service.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Sir D. Smith) on 12 June at column 460.

Carers (Pensions Safeguards)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider extending the five-week home responsibilities protection rule to a period which is commensurate with carers getting the support which they are known to require without losing safeguards to their own pensions.

I assume that the right hon. Member has in mind the provision whereby attendance allowance is withdrawn where a person remains in hospital for more than four weeks, with the result that the carer will not satisfy the conditions for eligibility for home responsibilities protection since a qualifying benefit is not in payment for a complete tax year. We have no plans at present to change these provisions.

Drug Addicts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the estimated bed usage in hospitals for drug addicts in National Health Service hospitals in each of the last 10 years; and if he will break the figures down by district.

I shall let the hon. Member have such information as can be obtained without disproportionate cost as soon as possible.

Dental Treatment (Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an inquiry to establish why dental treatment costs per patient are 30 per cent. higher in Coventry than the national average.

No.

Unclaimed Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the answer on 21 June, Official Report, column 238, about unclaimed benefits, if he will publish separate Scottish figures.

I shall let my hon. Friend have such information as is available as soon as possible.

Youth Training Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in each month since the start of the youth training

(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
Benefit	November 1978 rate	November 1983 rate	Rate at November 1983 if benefits had maintained value against RPI since November 1978	Full year cost of making good difference between cols. (3) and (4)
	£pw	£pw	£pw	£ million†
Christmas bonus	10·00	10·00	16·88	75
Death grant
aged under 3	9·00	9·00	15·19	10
aged 3–5	15·00	15·00	25·32
aged 6–17	22·50	22·50	37·98
aged 18+	30·00	30·00	50·64
Men born between 5 July 1883 and 4 July 1893 and women born between 5 July 1888 and 4 July 1898	15·00	15·00	25·32
Maternity grant	25·00	25·00	42·20	10
Age addition to retirement and supplementary pension	0·25	0·25	0·42	15
Child dependency additions
short term	0·85	0·15	1·43	80
long term	5·35	7·60	903
Guardian's allowance	5·35	7·60	903
Child's special allowance	5·35	7·60	9·03
Invalidity pension	19·50	32·60	32·92	15
Unemployability supplement	19·50	32·60	32·92
Adult dependency addition to invalidity pension	11·70	19·55	19·75
Sickness benefit	15·75	25·95	26·59	10
Maternity allowance	15·75	25·95	26·59
Adult dependency addition to SB/MA	9·75	16·00	16·46

scheme until the latest available date, how many people have had their supplementary benefit reduced (a) for leaving the youth training scheme, and (b) for refusing to go on the youth training scheme.

The numbers of people who have had their supplementary benefit reduced because they have, without good cause refused or left prematurely a place on the youth training scheme, are as follows:

For the four weeks ending	Refusal of place	Premature leaving
20 December 1983	175	783
17 January 1984	178	731
14 February 1984	226	1,360
13 March 1984	156	1,223
10 April1984	87	1,087
8 May 1984	65	939
5 June 1984	47	862

Records of supplementary benefit reductions for this reason were not kept prior to December 1983.

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 14 June, Official Report, column 567, if he will detail for each of the categories of benefits listed the size of the shortfall in keeping each benefit in line with price rises since May 1979; and if he will estimate the savings in revenue which have resulted in not maintaining the real value of all benefits since 1979.

[pursuant to his reply, 22 June 1984, c. 313]: The information is as follows:

(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
Benefit	November 1978 rate	November 1983 rate	Rate at November 1983 if benefits had maintained value against RPI since November 1978	Full year cost of making good difference between cols. (3) and (4)
	£pw	£pw	£pw	£ million†
Supplementary benefit
Dietary additions
higher rate	2·25	3·35	^*3·42	0·5
haemodialysis	6·40	9·60	^*9·73	0·5
Blindness addition	1·25	1·25	2·11	1·8
^* Calculated by reference to the food element of the retail prices index between November 1978 and November 1983.
† In aggregate these sums represent about half of one per cent. of the total social security budget.

Benefits (Inflation)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent over the past three years social security, unemployment benefit, state pensions and other state benefits have kept up with inflation; and if he will publish figures to show, in the case of each benefit, how it has risen in comparison with inflation.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 June 1984, c. 416]: Most benefits have risen by more than the rate of

Table 1 (Comparison with General Index of Retail Prices)
Benefit	Rate at November 1980	Rate required to lore 1980 value at November 1983 prices	Actual November 1983 rate
Retirement pension:
Category A, Category B (widow)	27·15	33·88	34·05
Category B (wife), adult dependant	16·30	20·34	20·45
Category C and D Higher rate	16·30	20·34	20·45
Lower rate, adult dependant	9·80	12·23	12·25
Age addition (over 80)	0·25	0·31	0·25
Widow's benefits:
Widow's allowance	38·00	47·41	47·65
Widowed mother's allowance	27·15	33·88	34·05
Widow's pension	27·15	33·88	34·05
Unemployment benefit:
Standard personal	20·65	25·77	^*27·05
Adult dependant	12·75	15·91	^*16·70
Sickness benefit:
Standard personal	20·65	25·77	25·97
Adult dependant	12·75	15·91	16·00
Maternity allowance:
Standard personal	20·65	25·77	25·95
Adult dependant	12·75	15·91	16·00
Invalidity benefit:
Invalidity pension	26·00	32·44	32·60
Adult dependant	15·60	19·46	19·55
Invalidity allowance:
Higher rate	5·45	6·79	7·15
Middle rate	3·45	4·30	4·60
Lower rate	1·75	2·18	2·30
Non-contributory invalidity pension:
Personal rate	16·30	20·34	20·45
Adult dependant	9·80	12·23	12·25
Mobility allowance	14·50	18·09	19·00

inflation between November 1980 and November 1983. The main exceptions are Christmas bonus, death grant and maternity grant. Table 1 shows the rates of the main social security benefits at November 1983 compared with the rates which would have applied had the benefits been increased exactly in line with the increase in the general index of retail prices since November 1980. Table 2 shows similar information in relation to the main rates of supplementary benefit but measured against the retail prices index (less housing).

Benefit	Rate at November 1980	Rate required to restore 1980 value at November 1983 prices	Actual November 1983 rate
Attendance allowance:
Higher rate	21·65	27·01	27·20
Lower rate	14·45	18·03	18·15
Invalid care allowance:
Personal rate	16·30	20·34	20·45
Adult dependant	9·80	12·23	12·25
Child benefit	4·75	5·93	6·50
One parent benefit	3·00	3·74	4·05
Child dependency additions	7·50	9·36	†17·60
(to retirement pension, widow's benefit, invalidity benefit, non-contributory invalidity pension, invalid care allowance)
Guardian's allowance
Child's special allowance
Child dependency additions
(to unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, maternity allowance)	1·25	1·56	t0·15
Family income supplement
Prescribed amount for family with one child (income below which FIS is payable)	67·00	83·60	85·50
Increase in prescribed amount for each additional child	7·00	8·73	9·50
Maximum weekly amount for a one-child family	17·00	21·21	22·00
Increase in maximum amount for each additional child	1·50	1·88	2·00
Industrial disablement benefit:
Disablement pension:
Aged over 18 or with dependant (100 per cent.)	44·30	55·28	55·60
Aged under 18 without dependant (100 per cent.)	27·15	33·88	34·05
Disablement gratuity (maximum)	2,950·00	3,681·00	3,690·00
Industrial death benefit:
Initial rate	38·00	47·41	47·65
Higher permanent rate	27·70	34·55	34·60
Lower permanent rate	8·15	10·18	10·22
Maternity grant	25·00	31·19	25·00
Death grant	30·00	37·43	30·00
Christmas bonus	10·00	12·48	10·00
War pensions
Disablement pension for private at 100 per cent. rate	44·30	55·28	55·60
Widow's pension—private's widow:
Standard rate	35·30	44·05	44·25
Childless widow under 40	8·15	10·18	10·22
^*Includes restitution of the 5 per cent. abatement from 1980.
†Increases in the rate of child benefit are taken into account in determining the rates of the additions/allowances.

Table 2Supplementary Benefit—Main Rates
(Comparison with Index of Retail Prices (less housing))
	Rate at November 1980	Rate required to restore 1980 value at November 1983 prices	Actual November 1983 rate
Supplementary benefits
Ordinary rate:
Couple	34·60	42·68	43·50
Single householder	21·30	26·27	26·80
Non-householder age 18 and over	17·05	21·03	21·45
Age 16–17	13·10	16·16	16·50
Long-term rate:
Couple	43·45	53·59	54·55
Single householder	27·15	33·48	34·10
Non-householder age 18 and over	21·70	26·76	27·25
Age 16·17	16·65	20·53	20·90

	Rate at November 1980	Rate required to restore 1980 value at November 1983 prices	Actual November 1983 rate
Other person aged:
11–15	10·90	13·44	13·70
Under 11	7·30	8·99	9·15

Northern Ireland

Housing Executive

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many Housing Executive dwellings have been sold to tenants in each of the following district council areas: (a) Coleraine, (b) Magherafelt and (c) Limavady in total and for each year since sales of council dwellings began; in each area and year how many dwellings were rural cottages; and how many rural cottages are still owned by the Housing Executive in each council district to the latest available date;(2) how many unfit dwellings he estimates there are in each council area in Northern Ireland; of these, how many are rural dwellings in each case; and what is the percentage of (a) urban and (b) rural unfit dwellings in each council area.

These are matters for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that the information is not readily available; I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings are in the ownership of the Housing Executive in the council districts of (a) Coleraine, (b) Magherafelt and (c) Limavady; and what were the figures in 1975 and in 1980.

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

Salmon

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the average number of salmon and grilse taken by (a) commercial netting and (b) anglers, respectively, in the Foyle Fisheries Commission

area in the following years: 1956 to 1960, 1961 to 1965, 1966 to 1975, 1971 to 1975, 1976 to 1980 and 1981 to 1983; and,in each case, what was the percentage of the total taken by anglers.

The information is as follows:

Period	Average Annual Commercial Catch	Average Annual Rod Catch	Percentage Taken by Anglers
1956 to 1960	80,774	2,422	2·9
1961 to 1965	109,939	2,691	2·4
1966 to 1970	115,681	1,188	1·0
1971 to 1975	69,638	1,006	1·4
1976 to 1980	42,465	1,111	2·5
1981 to 1983	59,397	1,491	2·4

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has expressed any advice to the Foyle Fisheries Commission about the daylight drift netting of salmon in the Foyle area.

No. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland has approved the statutory regulations, introduced by the Foyle Fisheries Commission, which provide for daylight salmon drift netting in the Foyle area for a trial period.

Eastern Heatherland Social Services Board (Private Insurance)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why any staff association can use facilities of the Eastern health and social services board for the purposes of promoting a privately-operated insurance scheme; and when such a scheme was brought to the notice of the board for approval.

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

Volume 63: debated on Tuesday 3 July 1984

Written Answers To Questions

Wales

Beef Industry

Acid Rain

Inward Investment

Land Registration

Home Department

Public Houses

Strip Searches

Assaults (Newham)

Police Officers (Criminal Offences)

Subversion (Definition)

Coal Industry Dispute

Metropolitan Police (Earnings)

Attorney-General

Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd

National Finance

Commercial Fraud (Investigation)

Productivity

Charities

Private Health Insurance Schemes

Pay-As-You-Earn Codes

Value Added Tax

Electrically-Powered Two-Wheeled Vehicles

Transport

Motorway Speed Limit

Shrewsbury Bypass

Written Off Motor Vehicles (Log Books)

A1 (Upgrading)

A1 (Crash Barriers)

Stansted Airport

Stoke-Derby Link Road

Prime Minister

Engagements

Charities Value-Added Tax Reform Group

Dhss And Local Authorities (Social Work)

King's Lynn

Nhs (Staff Levels)

Cabinet Committees

House Of Commons

Departmental Efficiency

Defence

Raf Chilwell

National Union Of Seamen (Correspondence)

Departmental Staff

Heavy Vehicles

Education And Science

School Transport

Student Unions

Religious Instruction

Departmental Staff

Medical Research Council

Local Authority Expenditure (Books And Equipment)

Educational Publications

Oecd And Eec Countries

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Oil-Seed Rape

Aujeszky's Disease

Milk Production

Slaughter (Farm Animal Welfare Council Report)

Trade And Industry

Business (Assistance)

"Textiles And Clothing: A European Strategy"

House Of Fraser

Messenger Group Newspapers Ltd

Dumping

Pirate Radio

Foreign Insurance Companies (Judgments)

Insurance Companies

Steel Imports (United States)

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Diplomats (Offences)

Consulate-General, Jerusalem

Diplomats (Tel Aviv)

Environment

London Docklands Development Corporation

Green Belt And Land For Housing

First Memorandum Of Response By The Department Of The Environment To The First Report From The Environment Committee, Session I983–84 Hc 275-I