Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Monday 16 July 1984

Attorney-General

Solicitors (Compensation Fund)

asked the Attorney-General whether the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland has established a compensation fund to compensate clients with claims against solicitors in Northern Ireland in accordance with article 55, part IV, of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is inquiring into the position and a reply will be given as soon as possible.

Transport

Underground Railways (London)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the underground railways in London which are subject to inspection by the Railways Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.

Under the railway legislation, any newly-constructed underground railway, in London or elsewhere, requires the Secretary of State's formal approval before it is opened for public use; approval is given on the advice of the Railway Inspectorate following an inspection of the works. Any substantial alteration to an existing railway is also subject to inspection and approval.As agents of the Health and Safety Commission, the Railway Inspectorate is empowered by the health and safety legislation to inspect all underground railways in London.

Ports Aid (London And Liverpool)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the financial aid given by central Government to the ports of London and Liverpool, respectively, in each of the last five years; and what were the amounts in each case of loan and grant.

The information is as follows:

Port of London Authority
£ million
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
Rdw severance grant^*			4·5	17·2	14·2
Staff severance grant^*	3·7	16·5	6·9	8·7	12·4
Revenue support grant^*		7·0	10·4	5·2
Loan				3·0
Guarantee				5·0	-3·0
Non-repayable grant				0·7	8·8
Total	3·7	23·5	21·8	39·8	32·4
^*Repayable grant.
A minus sign denotes a reduction in a guarantee or a repayment of loan.

Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
£ million
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
Rdw severance grant^*			5·2	23·1	3·5
Staff severance grant^*			5·1	18·5	4·7
Revenue support grant^*			15·5	14·7
Loan				4·1	-0·3
Guarantee				10·3	-0·8
Non-repayable grant					32·3
Total			25·8	70·7	39·4
^* Repayable grant.
A minus sign denotes a reduction in a guarantee or a repayment of loan.

Driving Tests

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of people pass their driving test at their first attempt in the following age groups: (a) under 21 years, (b) 21 to 40 years, (c) 41 to 50 years, (d) over 50 years; and how these compare with the proportions over the last 10 years.

The Department does not keep statistics of all candidates passing the L-test at their first attempt. But a series of sample surveys conducted between 1973 and 1980 gave the following percentage figures:

	Under 21	Aged 21–40	Aged 41–50	Over 50
	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
May 1973	45	42	27	23
October 1973	44	40	25	18
May 1974	50	41	26	24
October 1974	44	40	20	18
April 1975	45	42	25	18
October 1975	45	41	22	20
May 1976	44	42	26	22
October 1976	44	39	23	17
April 1977	46	40	23	21
October 1977	46	39	27	16
May 1978	47	42	23	25
October 1978	46	40	26	21
June 1979	50	42	29	22
October 1979	46	41	22	20
June 1980	49	40	22	18
October 1980	48	42	29	23

Commission Of Irish Lights

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what appointment has been made to the: vacancy in the Commission of Irish Lights.

My right hon. Friend has no powers in this matter: appointments are made by the commissioners themselves. However, I understand that there is no vacancy at present. The most recent appointment was in August last, when Mr. V. A. Cooke OBE succeeded the late Major G. V. MacKean.

Cycle Schemes

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many cycle schemes have been funded by his Department within the last 12 months; and where they are located.

In the 12 months to 30 June 1984, the Department has funded five innovatory cycle schemes; in Hull, Chelmsford, Canterbury, Greater London and Liverpool.

Motor Cyclists (Tests)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give assistance to motor cycle rider associations in their efforts to provide trail parks and instructional video films to prepare motor cycle riders for part I tests; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are ready to give whatever support they can to organisations who wish to promote motor cycle training, subject to our general policy that training schemes and trail parks should not normally be dependent on public funds.My Department's own film "A Good Start", which is widely available, gives general information about learning to ride motor cycles and provides a useful introduction of part I of the motor cycle test. I would, of course, be concerned at the prospect of riders regarding films as a substitute for a full course of training with an appointed organisation.

District General Hospitals (Access)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has any plans to finance further research as recommended in paragraph 5.5 of the study financed by his Department and undertaken by the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology on access to district general hospitals.

The study referred to was financed jointly by my Department and the Welsh Office. There are no plans to fund further research on this subject.

M27 (Southampton)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the reasons for the delay in the completion of the extension to the M27 north of Southampton; and when he now expects this section to be open to traffic.

As I announced on 11 July, the final Chilworth to Stoneham section of the M27 will be opened to traffic on 24 July. This will be some five weeks ahead of the contract completion date.

Cruise Ships

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers were carried by passenger cruise ship operations on cruises commencing from United Kingdom ports in each year from 1977 to 1983; and what part of the total, expressed both as passengers carried and percentage market share; was accounted for by ships sailing under the following flags: (a) British, (b) Soviet, (c) Greek, (d) Norwegian and (e) other foreign.

The total number of sea cruise passengers leaving United Kingdom ports between 1977 and 1983 is as follows:

Year	Sea cruise passengers (thousands)
1977	93
1978	82
1979	89
1980	90
1981	81
1982	43
1983	65

No analysis of the above figures by nationality of vessel is published by the Department on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of passenger cruise holidays expressed in bednights offered by passenger cruise ship operators on the home market, were available in 1982–83 from (a) United Kingdom ports and (b) non-United Kingdom ports.

The information requested is not available.

British Rail (Weedkiller)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, following the use of 245-T weedkiller by British Rail employees at Willand, Devon in such a way that it affected a neighbouring vegetable garden, he will discuss with British Rail procedures to ensure the immediate and total withdrawal of this substance within British Rail.

British Railways ceased to use weedkiller containing 245-T in 1980. However, a drum containing this weedkiller remained undetected in a store and was used in error at Willand. BR are urgently examining all their stores to ensure that no further stocks remain.

Civil Aviation Authority (Review)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how the Civil Aviation Authority review of competition and deregulation will be made available to hon. Members;(2) when he expects to complete his examination of the civil aviation review; and when he expects to publish this review.

The Civil Aviation Authority has today published its report and copies are available in the Vote Office, copies have also been deposited in the Library. I shall be considering it urgently and will announce the Government's response to the recommendations as soon as possible.

Prime Minister

Appointment Of Bishops Measure

asked the Prime Minister whether she will refrain from advising the Queen to signify her consent to the Appointment of Bishops Measure.

No.

Voluntary Organisations (Grants)

asked the Prime Minister whether she will advise all Government Departments to include an element to cover inflation in the grants which they award to voluntary organisations.

No.

Special And Personal Advisers

asked the Prime Minister if she will estimate the cost in 1983–84 of salaries and expenses paid to, and the secretarial back-up service for, special and personal advisers to Government Ministers and her own advisers and staff.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 6 June 1984 at column 191–92.

Staff

asked the Prime Minister how many staff work for the Prime Minister on public affairs who are not paid out of public funds.

Eight.

Greater London Council (Ratepayers)

asked the Prime Minister, further to her answer to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Montgomery) on Thursday 12 July, if she will set out the details of her calculation of the figure of 9 per cent. as the proportion of the services provided for the ratepayers of Greater London by the Greater London council.

About 16 per cent. of all revenue expenditure on local government services for the ratepayers and other residents in the Greater London area is made by the Greater London council. This figure is described in chapter 1 of the White Paper "Streamlining the Cities". When account is also taken of services provided in London by central Government bodies such as the National Health Service, the proportion changes to 9 per cent. or less.

Overseas Visits

asked the Prime Minister what countries she is considering seeking to visit in the course of the next four months.

I hope to make an announcement in due course

Office Expenses

asked the Prime Minister how many people were employed and what was the cost of the salaries and administration of the Prime Minister's 10 Downing street Office for each of the years since 1979.

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

Church Commissioners

St John's Church, Birkenhead (Organ)

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what happened to the organ in St. John's church, Birkenhead, when the church was declared redundant.

It was transferred for a nominal sum to the Lancastrian theatre organ trust.

House Of Commons

Gallery (Accommodation)

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek to designate part of the Gallery of the House of Commons for spouses and the immediate families of hon. Members.

No. I believe that it is desirable to retain the high degree of flexibility that is inherent in the present arrangements.

Home Department

South African Embassy

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what date the Metropolitan police became aware of the weekly anti-apartheid demonstrations outside the South African embassy; from what date the demonstrators were removed to Duncannon street; why they have been moved; and if he will make a statement.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the first demonstration was on 24 August 1982; that action has been taken to prevent demonstrations immediately outside the embassy since 26 May 1984; and that the action has been taken in pursuance of articles 22 and 29 of the Vienna convention (to which the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 gives effect).

Immigration (Detention)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) children and (b) women have been detained overnight under the Immigration Act in 1983 and so far in 1984; where they were detained; and for what length of time they were detained.

The information requested is as follows:

	Number
Children under 17 detained overnight 1983
Harmondsworth	122
Gatwick detention unit	12
Glasgow detention unit	1
On board ship	4
Total	139
Children under 17 detained overnight 1984
Harmondsworth	46
Gatwick detention unit	5
On board ship	6
Harwich BTC PS	1
Total	58
Women detained overnight 1983
Harmondsworth	571
Dover Harbour Board PS	3
Dover West PTC PS	2
Birmingham detention unit	4
Manchester detention unit	2
On board ship	2
Police stations^*	5
Police stations/prisons†	2
Gatwick detention unit	211
Newhaven BTC PS	2
Glasgow detention unit	1

	Number
Glasgow PS	1
Glasgow PS and prison	1
Harwich BTC PS	5
Sheerness PS	1
Total	813
Women detained overnight 1984
Harmondsworth	290
Dover Harbour Board PS	1
Dover West BTC PS	1
Birmingham detention unit	2
On board ship	10
Police stations (Deptford)	1
Gatwick detention unit	123
Newhaven BTC PS	2
Harwich BTC PS	2
Police station/prison (Tottenham PS/Holloway)	1
Total	423
* Leyton, City road, Harlesden, Bournemouth, Southampton.
† Thurso PS/HMP Petersfield, Penzance and Exeter/PS Pucklechurch RC.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons, by nationality, were detained overnight in 1983 in port detention centres.

The available information is as follows:

	Number
Afghanistan	48
Algeria	41
Antigua	3
Argentina	11
Australia	14
Austria	4
Bangladesh	129
Barbados	1
Belgium	1
Bermuda	1
Bolivia	2
Brazil	13
Bulgaria	4
Burma	1
Cameroon	4
Canada	11
Cayman Islands	2
Central African Republic	1
Chile	17
China	3
Colombia	66
Cyprus	9
Denmark	4
Dominica	5
Ecuador	1
Egypt	14
Ethiopia	8
Gambia	22
Federal Republic of Germany	10
Ghana	543
Greece	9
Grenada	8
Guinea Bissau	1
Guyana	3
Haiti	1
Honduras	1
Hong Kong	52
Hungary	4
Iceland	3
India	275
Indonesia	17
Iran	100
Iraq	33

	Number
Israel	17
Italy	7
Ivory Coast	7
Jamaica	14
Japan	13
Jordan	11
Kenya	15
Korea	3
Kuwait	6
Lebanon	10
Lesotho	2
Liberia	3
Libya	25
Luxembourg	1
Malagasy	1
Malta	10
Mauritius	15
Mexico	16
Morocco	46
Mozambique	1
Netherlands	2
New Zealand	1
Niger	2
Nigeria	606
Norway	5
Pakistan	509
Panama	1
Paraguay	1
Peru	4
Philippines	22
Poland	11
Portugal	48
Qatar	3
Romania	4
Salvador	1
St. Lucia	1
Saudi Arabia	13
Senegal	2
Singapore	9
Somalia	1
South Africa	9
Spain	110
Sri Lanka	96
Sudan	13
Surinam	3
Sweden	4
Switzerland	17
Syria	9
Tanzania	21
Thailand	11
Togo	3
Trinidad	3
Tunisia	38
Turkey	66
UAE	1
Uganda	24
British Overseas Citizens	3
Uruguay	6
USA	106
USSR	9
Venequela	14
Vietnam	2
North Yemen	3
South Yemen	1
Yugoslavia	14
Zaire	4
Zambia	4
Zimbabwe	2
Nationality Doubtful	83

These figures do not include persons detained at Queen's building, Heathrow. The statistics at this unit are kept in a different way and the information requested cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. In 1983, 4,146 persons were detained there for some period not necessarily overnight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were detained in port detention centres, by sex and establishment, at the latest available date.

At noon on 7 July 1984 the persons detained were as follows:

	Male	Female
Harmondsworth	15	1
Queen's building, Heathrow	8	1
Gatwick	10	5
Manchester	6	—
Harwich	1	—
Dover East	1	—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons, by nationality, have been detained overnight in port detention centres so far in the current year.

The available information up to noon on 7 July is as follows:

	Number
Afghanistan	3
Algeria	18
Antigua	2
Argentina	5
Australia	7
Austria	5
Bangladesh	75
Barbados	1
Bermuda	1
Bolivia	2
Brazil	6
Canada	4
Cape Verde	1
Chile	3
China	3
Colombia	32
Cyprus	5
Cuba	10
Czechoslovakia	1
Denmark	1
Ecuador	2
Egypt	6
Equatorial Guinea	1
Ethiopia	5
France	2
Gambia	29
Federal Republic of Germany	4
Ghana	387
Greece	7
Grenada	1
Guyana	2
Hong Kong	11
Hungary	1
Iceland	1
India	298
Indonesia	3
Iran	57
Iraq	19
Israel	19
Italy	5
Jamaica	9
Japan	6
Jordan	2
Kenya	8
Korea	9
Kuwait	1
Lebanon	6
Liberia	1
Libya	33
Malaysia	8
Malawi	1

	Number
Malta	7
Mauritius	6
Mexico	9
Morocco	31
Mozambique	3
Nepal	2
Netherlands	3
New Zealand	2
Nicaragua	1
Nigeria	334
Norway	2
Oman	1
Pakistan	129
Peru	2
Philippines	25
Poland	11
Portugal	47
Romania	4
St. Lucia	1
Saudi Arabia	7
Senegal	1
Seychelles	2
Sierra Leone	10
Singapore	7
Somalia	1
South Africa	4
Spain	71
Sri Lanka	59
Sudan	5
Surinam	1
Sweden	7
Switzerland	9
Syria	9
Tanzania	9
Thailand	4
Tunisia	23
Turkey	62
Uganda	13
British Overseas Citizens	2
Uruguay	1
United States of America	51
USSR	1
Venezuela	4
South Yemen	3
Yugoslavia	6
Zambia	7
Zimbabwe	2
Nationality Doubtful	27
Others	1

These figures do not include persons detained in Queen's building, Heathrow. In 1984 a total of 2,288 persons have been detained in that unit not necessarily overnight. A breakdown by nationality cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Deportation

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in penal establishments, by sex, nationality and establishment, await deportation, by category of reason for deporting and length of time imprisoned at the latest available date.

On 9 July 1984, 133 persons, including 16 women, were detained in penal establishments under Immigration Act powers awaiting deportation or while deportation was being considered. Fifty-seven persons had been detained under Immigration Act powers for less than one month, 41 for less than two months, 13 for less than three months, nine for less than four months, seven for less than five months, two for less than six months, three for less than seven months and one for less than eight months.

The other information requested is as follows:

Prison Establishment	Category of Deportation
	Section	Section	Section
	3(5)(a)	3(5)(b)	3(6)
Male detainees England and Wales
Ashford
Algeria	1	—	—
Australia	—	—	1
Bahrain	1	—	—
B.D.T.C. Hong Kong	2	—	—
Chile	—	—	2
Colombia	—	—	2
Cyprus	3	—	1
Egypt	3	—	—
Germany (Federal Republic)	—	—	1
Ghana	g	—	9
Guyana	1	—	—
India	3	—	3
Iran	—	—	1
Iraq	1	—	—
Malta	—	—	1
Morocco	1	—	—
Nigeria	4	—	9
Pakistan	—	1	—
Philippines	—	—	1
Tunisia	1	—	—
Turkey	2	—	3
United States of America	—	—	1
Yugoslavia	1	—	—
Birmingham
Algeria	—	1	—
B.D.T.C. Hong Kong	—	—	1
India	1	—	—
Bristol
Nigeria	1	—	—
Bull-wood Hall
Australia	—	—	1
Ghana	—	—	2
Nigeria	—	1	—
Cardiff
Libya	—	—	1
Iran	—	—	1
Coldingley
Pakistan	—	1	—
Durham
Pakistan	1	—	—
Leicester
India	1	—	—
Pakistan	1	—	—
Liverpool
Republic of Ireland	—	—	1
Manchester
Malaysia	—	—	1
Nigeria	1	—
Norwich
Iran	—	—	1
Nigeria	—	—	1
United States of America	—	—	1
Northeye
Jamaica	—	—	1
Kenya	—	—	2
Nigeria	—	1	1
Pentonville
Algeria	—	—	1
Ghana	—	—	1

Prison Establishment	Category of Deportation
	Section	Section	Section
	3(5)(a)	3(5)(b)	3(6)
Germany (Federal Republic)	—	—	1
India	—	—	2
Italy	—	—	1
Nigeria	—	—	2
Spain	—	—	1
Zimbabwe	—	—	1
Risley
Libya	—	—	1
Nigeria	1	—	—
Republic of Ireland	—	—	1
Yugoslavia	—	1	—
Shepton Mallett
Nigeria	—	—	1
Stafford
Jamaica	—	1	—
The Verne
Ghana	—	—	1
India	—	—	1
Pakistan	—	—	1
Winchester
Syria	1	—	—
Total	40	7	66
Male detainees Scotland
Aberdeen
Ghana	1	—	—
Barlinnie
B.D.T.C. Hong Kong	1	—	—
Pakistan	1	—	—
Edinburgh
Iran	1	—	—
Total	4
Female detainees England and Wales
Cookham Wood
Ghana	—	—	2
Nigeria	—	—	1
Holloway
Australia	—	—	1
Germany (Federal Republic)	—	—	1
Ghana	1	—	4
Jamaica	—	—	1
Nigeria	—	—	1
United States of America	1	—	—
Leeds
Nigeria	—	—	1
Risley
Argentina	—	—	1
United States of America	—	—	1
Total	2	—	14

Seamen (Detention)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of seamen, by nationality, detained other than aboard ships in 1983 and so far in 1984; where they were detained; and for how long.

The available information is as follows:

	1983	1984
Bangladesh	1	—
Benin	1	—
Cyprus	2	—
Denmark	1	—
Egypt	1	—
Gambia	2	9
Germany (Democratic Republic)	2	—
Germany (Federal Republic)	2	1
Ghana	3	1
Greece	2	—
India	10	1
Iran	1	—
Morocco	—	2
Pakistan	5	—
Philippines	1	1
Portugal	1	—
St. Lucia	—	2
South Africa	1	—
Spain	—	1
Sri Lanka	1	—
Sudan	1	—
Sweden	2	—
Syria	—	1
Tanzania	—	3
Turkey	—	1
USA	1	—
USSR	1	—
Nationality doubful	1	—

The place or places of detention for each detainee cannot be provided without disproportionate cost. In general, police cells are used if the stay is for less than five days, although seamen may be detained in a port detention unit if there is one near to the port of arrival. Detention is rarely for more than one or two days. The numbers for 1984 are up to noon on 7 July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number and nationality of seamen detained on board ship in 1983 and so far in 1984.

The information requested is as follows:

	1983	1984
Bangladesh	14	1
Benin	2	—
Cameroon	1	—
Cyprus	1	1
El Salvador	1	—
Gambia	7	9
Germany (Federal Republic)	—	4
Ghana	12	7
Greece	1	—
India	89	30
Indonesia	1	—
Lebanon	2	—
Liberia	1	1
Malta	—	1
Mauritius	1	—
Nigeria	3	2
Norway	1	—
Pakistan	62	25
Poland	—	3
Portugal	—	1
Sri Lanka	18	15
Syria	—	1
Tanzania	3	—
Togo	1	—
Tunisia	—	1
Turkey	1	1
Upper Volta	1	—

	1983	1984
USSR	1	—
Yugoslavia	1	1
Nationality Doubtful	2	—

The numbers for 1984 are up to noon on 7 July.

Detained Persons

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons seeking entry to, or transit from, the United Kingdom were detained in police cells in 1983 and so far in 1984, by sex and nationality; and what were the establishments in which they were so detained.

The available information is as follows:

	1983		1984
	Males	Females	Males	Females
Algeria	11	—	—	—
Australia	—	—	1	—
Bangladesh	—	—	1	—
Barbados	—	—	1	—
Belgium	1	—	—	—
Brazil	1	—	—	—
Bulgaria	1	—	—	—
Chile	2	—	—	—
Colombia	5	—	1	—
Cyprus	1	—	—	—
Denmark	—	—	1	—
Egypt	2	—	—	—
Equatorial Guinea	1	—	—	—
Ethiopia	—	—	—	1
France	1	—	—	—
Gambia	4	—	1	—
Ghana	13	—	5	2
Greece	1	—	—	—
Hong Kong	—	—	1	—
Iceland	—	—	—	1
India	9	—	3	—
Iran	2	—	—	—
Iraq	2	—	—	—
Ireland	1	—	—	—
Jamaica	1	—	2	—
Japan	—	—	1	—
Kenya	1	—	—	—
Kuwait	2	—	—	—
Libya	7	—	—	—
Mexico	—	1	—	—
Morocco	3	—	3	—
Netherlands	2	—	1	—
Nigeria	16	—	7	—
Norway	1	—	1	—
Pakistan	4	—	1	—
Philippines	1	—	1	—
Poland	—	—	2	—
Portugal	2	—	—	—
Qatar	1	—	—	—
Saudi Arabia	1	—	—	—
Senegal	1	—	—	—
Sierra Leone	1	—	—	—
Singapore	—	—	1	—
South Africa	1	—	—	—
Spain	—	—	3	—
Sri Lanka	2	—	1	—
Sweden	1	—	—	—
Switzerland	—	—	1	—
Tanzania	—	—	1	—
Tunisia	1	—	—	—
Turkey	9	1	—	—
USA	6	1	2	—
USSR	1	1	—	—
Venezuela	1	—	—	—
Nationality doubtful	16	—	9	—

Details of the establishment in which each was detained cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. In general, detention will be in the police cells nearest to the port or airport at which the passenger sought entry.

Some of the passengers included in the above totals may have been detained following the preferment of criminal charges in addition to being detained under the Immigration Act.

The numbers for 1984 are up to noon on 7 July.

	1983				1984
	Prison		Remand centre		Prison		Remand centre
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Argentina	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Bangladesh	1	—	—	—	—	—	3	—
Bulgaria	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Chile	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Gambia	1	—	—	—	4	—	—	—
Ghana	9	—	4	—	2	—	1	—
Guyana	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Hong Kong	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
India	2	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Iran	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Iraq	—	1	—	—	1	—	1	—
Italy	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Jamaica	—	—	1	—	2	—	—	—
Liberia	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Morocco	1	—	1	—	1	—	—	—
Nigeria	1	—	3	—	—	—	—	—
Pakistan	—	—	8	—	—	—	1	—
Senegal	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
South Africa	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Sri Lanka	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—
Stateless	5	—	6	—	1	—	—	—
Syria	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—
Tanzania	4	—	4	—	1	—	—	—
Tunisia	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Turkey	—	—	1	—	—	—	1	—
United States of America	1	—	1	—	1	—	2	—
Upper Volta	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Zaire	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
Totals	28	1	44	0	14	0	9	0

Details of the establishment in which each was detained cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. The figures for 1984 are up to noon on 9 July.

Harmondsworth Detention Centre

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number, sex, and nationality of those persons currently in detention at Harmondsworth detention centre; and how long each has been detained.

At noon on 7 July, 16 persons (15 males and one female) were detained at Harmondsworth.The other information requested is as follows:

	Number	Duration
3 Pakistani males	1	16 weeks
	1	18 days
	1	1 day
5 Indian males	1	18 days
	1	7 days
	1	1 day
	2	less than 1 day
2 Iranian males	1	5 days
	1	1 day

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons seeking entry to, or transit from, the United Kingdom were detained in prisons or remand centres in 1983 and so far in 1984 by sex, nationality and establishment.

The information requested is as follows:

	Number	Duration
2 Ghanaian males	1	2 days
	1	1 day
2 Nigerian males	1	2 days
	1	less than 1 day
1 Ecuadorian male		2 days
1 Filipino female		2 days

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the number of people detained at the Harmondsworth detention centre in the last 12 months, their country of origin, and the average length of their stay.

The available information set out in the table below, gives the number and nationality of people detained in 1983 and from 1 January to 7 July 1984.

	1983	1984
Afghanistan	44	3
Algeria	22	13
Antigua	2	2
Argentina	4	—

	1983	1984
Australia	12	5
Austria	—	3
Bangladesh	115	65
Barbados	1	1
Belgium	1	—
Bermuda	1	1
Bolivia	1	—
Brazil	4	—
Bulgaria	4	—
Burma	1	—
Cameron	2	—
Canada	9	1
Cape Verde	—	1
Cayman Islands	1	—
Chile	4	2
China	2	3
Colombia	23	15
Cuba	—	10
Cyprus	5	3
Czechoslovakia	—	1
Denmark	3	—
Dominica	3	—
Ecuador	—	2
Egypt	13	5
Ethiopia	8	4
Gambia	1	2
Germany (Federal Republic)	5	1
Ghana	466	328
Greece	1	6
Grenada	8	—
Guyana	3	—
Honduras	1	—
Hong Kong	22	7
Iceland	—	1
India	434	227
Indonesia	4	1
Iran	93	37
Iraq	31	18
Israel	10	5
Italy	1	1
Ivory Coast	2	—
Jamaica	6	5
Japan	9	3
Jordan	10	—
Kenya	14	8
Korea	3	7
Kuwait	6	1
Lebanon	8	3
Lesotho	2	—
Libya	11	14
Malaysia	11	5
Malta	8	6
Mauritius	12	4
Mexico	7	3
Morocco	22	10
Mozambique	1	—
Nepal	—	2
Netherlands	1	2
New Zealand	1	2
Nigeria	431	180
Norway	3	—
Oman	—	1
Pakistan	416	65
Panama	1	—
Peru	1	2
Philippines	6	8
Poland	5	10
Portugal	3	6
Qatar	3	—
Romania	4	3
St. Lucia	1	1
Saudi Arabia	7	6
Sierra Leone	5	—
Singapore	5	5
Somalia	1	1
South Africa	7	4
Spain	18	6

	1983	1984
Sri Lanka	53	33
Sudan	9	4
Surinam	1	1
Sweden	1	3
Switzerland	2	2
Syria	7	6
Tanzania	17	2
Thailand	9	1
Togo	3	—
Trinidad	3	—
Tunisia	15	9
Turkey	36	40
UAE	1	—
Uganda	3	1
Uruguay	6	—
USA	49	16
USSR	5	1
Venezuela	5	2
Vietnam	1	—
Yemen	2	3
Yugoslavia	5	2
Zambia	1	6
Zimbabwe	1	1
British overseas citizens	5	1
Nationality doubtful	19	5

The average length of stay in Harmondsworth is about 2 days.

Prisoners (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations for minimum periods to be served by murderers have been made by judges since 1965.

Since the power to recommend a minimum period of detention for adult prisoners convicted of murder was introduced in the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965, 188 such recommendations have been made by courts in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases since 1965 prisoners have been released before the period recommended by the trial judge under section 1(2) of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965.

To date three prisoners convicted of murder have been released on licence in England and Wales at a date earlier than that recommended by the trial judge under section 1(2) of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965. All three were released, in accordance with section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, on the recommendation of the Parole Board and after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and, where he was available, the trial judge.

Spain (Wanted Persons)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of British people now living in Spain and who are wanted for questioning by the British police.

The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Immigration

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been detained under the Immigration Act in the last year and so far in 1984; how many are currently detained; and where they were detained.

The information available relates to children who were detained overnight. Numbers for 1984 are up to noon on 10 July.

	Numbers
Children under 17 detained overnight in 1983
Harmondsworth	122
Gatwick detention unit	12
Glasgow detention unit	1
On board ship	4
Total	139
Children under 17 detained overnight in 1984
Harmondsworth	47
Gatwick detention unit	5
On board ship	6
Harwick BTC PS	1
Total	59
Children under 17 currently detained
Harmondsworth	1
Total	1

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for entry certificates for immediate settlement were (a) received, (b) decided and (c) granted in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1983;(2) how many applications for entry certificates for immediate settlement have been decided in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in each year since 1977; and how many have been granted.

The information requested for 1977–83 is published in table 6 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom 1983" (Cmnd. 9246) and for the first quarter of 1984 in table 5 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics, First Quarter 1984" (Issue 13/84).

Aliens (Registration Fee)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the costs which are met by the fee paid by aliens who register with the police; what was (a) the fee income and (b) the expenditure, on registration with the police in 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84; and what is the estimated figure for 1984–85.

The costs are those incurred by the police in the registration process and include salaries, accommodation and other administrative expenses. The figures requested are as follows:

	Income (£ thousand)	Expenditure
1981–82	614	650
1982–83	713	738
1983–84^*	794	765
1984–85†	798	789
^* partly estimated
† estimated

Prison Adjudications

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to appoint legal trained clerks to hearings of prison adjudications.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave at col. 92 on 22 November to an earlier question from the hon. Member.

Royal Prerogative Of Mercy

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the criteria that have to be established and the procedures that have to be completed before the Royal Prerogative of mercy is used to release prisoners who are ill.

My right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to consider recommending the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy to remit the remainder of a sentence in cases of prisoners who are ill if the prisoner is in the terminal stages of an illness and is expected to die in the near future, or is likely to be bedridden or seriously incapacitated up to the date on which the prisoner would be released in the normal course, or it appears that continued imprisonment would endanger life, provided in every case that the risk of further crime is past, that there are adequate facilities for the prisoner's care and treatment outside prison, and that early release would bring some benefit to the prisoner or his family. Each case is decided on its own merits. Medical reports and welfare reports are obtained and taken fully into account.

Concessionary Tv Licence Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include, in the concessionary television licence scheme, old and disabled people living in sheltered housing provided specifically for them by housing associations without recourse to public funds.

Yes. We shall be introducing regulations shortly which will include this change in the conditions of eligibility for the concessionary licence.

Zimbabwe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any requests for political asylum from political leaders from Zimbabwe.

In 1983, 16 applications for asylum were received from Zimbabwean nationals. A further seven have been received so far this year. I shall write to my hon. Friend when the individual files have been examined.

Coal Mining Dispute

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constables for Durham and Northumberland police as to the additional policing costs incurred in relation to the mining dispute on Monday 9 July.

I understand that the information requested is not available at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serious charges have been brought to date in connection with the coal mining dispute; how many have been fully tried; and if he will summarise the sentences that have been awarded.

There is no standard definition of a `serious' offence. Following is the information available about the nature of offences charged in connection with the miners' dispute between 14 March and 10 July inclusive:

Offences	Number of charges
Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1936 (conduct conducive to a breach of the peace)	1,893
Obstruction of a police officer	1,027
Obstruction of the highway	511
Criminal damage	257
Arson	1
Assault on a police officer	256
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm	221
Causing grievous bodily harm	12
Theft	67
Assault with intent to resist arrest	9
Offensive weapon	12
Section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 (Intimidation)	76
Burglary	1
Handling stolen property	1
Drug offence	1
Attempt (various offences)	9
Drunkenness	57
Unlawful assembly	135
Affray	12
Riot	84
Other offences	85
TOTAL	4,727

In the same period the courts had dealt with 656 cases. Sixty of the defendants were acquitted. In 37 cases the courts imposed a conditional discharge; in 237 cases the defendants were bound over to keep the peace. In 404 cases fines were imposed (the courts making more than one order in some cases). The information available centrally on the level of fine imposed is as follows:

Level of fine	Number
under £10	6
£10–£24	35
£25–£49	17
£50–£74	83
£75–£99	151
£100–£149	59
£150–£199	25
£200 and above	28
TOTAL	404

Places Of Worship (Fire Precautions)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish the contents of the telex he received on 9 July from the British Safety Council following the fire at York Minister; and if he will make a statement;(2) what proposals he intends to make to re-designate places of worship in order to bring them within the Fire Precautions Act 1971.

Although not exempt from the fire-fighting inspection provisions of section 1(1)(d) of the Fire Services Act 1947, places of worship are specifically exempted from the provisions of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 which enables premises falling within certain classes of use to be designated as requiring a fire certificate. 'The effect of the 1971 Act has been to give priority to premises which appear most likely to constitute a threat to life safety, and it is not generally considered that places of worship specifically built for that purpose fall into that category.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action was taken by his Department following criticism by the British Safety Council on the existing fire precaution arrangements in St. Paul's cathedral in July 1981.

The allegations made by the British Safety Council about fire precautions arrangements in St. Paul's cathedral before the Royal wedding in July 1981 were discussed with the London Fire Brigade. The brigade reported that it carried out regular inspections in the cathedral and received every cooperation from the cathedral authorities. The brigade also confirmed that it was satisfied with the special arrangements which had been made for the wedding.

Fire Precautions Act 1971

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what other categories of buildings, apart from churches which are used by the general public and remain outside the scope of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, his Department has considered for re-designation under the Act.

Apart from places of worship, no other premises to which the general public have access are exempted from the classes of use which may be designated under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 as requiring a fire certificate. The Act is currently the subject of a wide ranging review but, pending the outcome, it is not proposed to make any new designations under the 1971 Act.

Fire Officer Duty Systems

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions on new fire officer duty systems, designed to increase flexibility of practice, are currently taking place; and when he envisages these being implemented.

Matters relating to fire officer duty systems are the responsibility of fire authorities, and negotiations between representatives of fire authorities and their employees take place in the national joint council for local authorities' fire brigades, on which my right hon. and learned Friend is not represented.

Places Of Public Entertainment (Fire Protection)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what national guidance is available to fire authorities on the standard of fire protection appropriate to places of public entertainment; what plans there are to give further guidance; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office is currently preparing a national advisory standard on fire precautions in places of public entertainment (based on existing local guidance) for use by fire authorities when advising licensing authorities on the fire precautions to be imposed in such places.

World Administrative Radio Conference

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure will be incurred (a) nationally and (b) on average per fire authority through the United Kingdom's participation in the World Administrative Radio Conference; and if he will make a statement.

As a result of the decisions of the world administrative radio conference in 1979, the frequencies currently used by the police and fire services for mobile communications have with effect from the end of 1989 been re-allocated to VHF sound broadcasting. The estimated purchase cost of the principal replacement items of fixed and mobile equipment to enable fire brigades within the Home Office wireless rental scheme to operate in the frequency bands is estimated at about £4 million. In addition, there will be expenditure on ancillary items which are currently being specified.Each brigade within the Home Office scheme has been provided with a handbook detailing the equipment to be procured, individual budgetary rental estimates and estimates of installation and maintenance charges. The average increase in rental costs for fire authorities, assuming all existing equipment is replaced, is 30 per cent.Much of the equipment at present in use is coming to the end of, and has in some cases already exceeded its planned operating life, and would in any event have to be replaced at currently prevailing prices.

Illegal Moneylending

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been in the years 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 to date for illegal moneylending.

The information available to me, which may be incomplete, relates to all proceedings for offences under section 39(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It shows eight offenders found guilty under this section of the Act at all courts in England and Wales in 1980, five in 1981 and 14 in 1982. Corresponding information for 1983 is not yet available.

Mr Bill Bush

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who authorised the investigation of the offence under the Official Secrets Act 1911 for which Mr. Bill Bush was arrested on 26 June.

The investigation was conducted at the request of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Trade And Industry

Job Creation (Dewsbury)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs have been created in the last two years in the Dewsbury travel-to-work area.

Dewsbury is not an assisted area under regional industrial policy, and firms based there do not recieve assistance for projects aimed directly at creating jobs. Other Government policies which benefit firms will have created employment, but information on the number of jobs so generated is not readily quantifiable. The unemployment rate in the TTWA fell from 15·4 per cent. in June 1982 to 14·0 per cent. in June 1984.

Company Information (Postal Sales)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to legislate for the implementation of EEC Directive 68/151, article 3, paragraph 3, on postal sales of company information.

I am satisfied that the present arrangements comply with the requirements of article 3 of the directive, and that their implementation is consistent with the provisions of article 13.

Company Information (Statutory Charge)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present statutory charge for the provision of company information from the Companies Registration Office.

Any person may inspect a copy of any document kept by the Registrar of Companies at a fee of £1 for each inspection. Any person may also obtain a certified copy of any such document or a certificate on the incorporation of a company. The statutory fee is £1 for each occasion on which the registrar has to inspect the documents in order to produce the necessary copies, plus 30p per page so certified; in the case of certificates, the fee is £3·50 for the first certificate and £2·50 for any subsequent certificates supplied on the same occasion.These fees were prescribed by SI 1980 No. 1749, under the provisions of section 37(1) of the Companies Act 1976.

Cyprus (Exports)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the total value of United Kingdom exports to Cyprus in 1982 and 1983;(2) what was the total value of imports to the United Kingdom from Cyprus for the years 1982 and 1983.

This information is published in table 1B of the relevant volumes of the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, copies of which are in the Library.

Balance Of Payments

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1977 (a) the surplus or deficit on the current balance of payments per capita, (b) the surplus or deficit on the visible account of the United Kingdom balance of payments per capita and (c) the surplus or deficit on the invisible account of the United Kingdom balance of payments per capita.

The information is given in the table:

£ per head of UK population
	Current account	Visible balance	Invisible balance
1977	+0·97	+40·65	+41·62
1978	+20·62	+27·46	+48·08
1979	-9·84	-61·35	+51·51

	Current account	Visible balance	Invisible balance
1980	+64·55	+26·86	+37·69
1981	+128·68	+64·81	+63·87
1982	+102·49	+42·32	+60·17
1983	+51·87	-8·86	+60·73

Sources:

Monthly Digest of Statistics.

Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics.

Company Directors (Government Nominees)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many directorships of limited companies are occupied by nominees of Her Majesty's Government as a result of support given to such companies under the Industry Act and similar legislation; and how many individuals hold such positions.

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

Sunshine Radio

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he now proposes to take against Sunshine radio for broadcasting illegally; and if he will make a statement.

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

Illegal Moneylenders

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from organisations on the matter of illegal moneylenders.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous questions on 25 June at columns 340–41.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the highest percentage of interest charged by illegal moneylenders that has been brought to the attention of the Office of Fair Trading.

The Office of Fair Trading is aware of cases where the annual percentage rate of charge has run into 1000s. In extreme cases of refinancing the APR can be very much higher.

ed the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with the Director General of the Office of Fair Trading the need for more debt counselling services to combat illegal moneylending practices in view of the Director-General's recent statement on this matter.

I meet the Director General from time to time and discuss a wide range of subjects.

"The Observer"

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will name the independent directors appointed by himself to The Observer newspaper; and to whom they are accountable.

The independent directors are Sir William Clark, Sir Geoffrey Cox, Dame Rosemary Murray, Lord Windlesham, and Sir Derek Mitchell.The appointment of the first four named was agreed prior to the transfer of

The Observer from Atlantic

Richfield Company to George Outram & Company Ltd. by the paper's new owners, management and editorial staff. This agreement was given effect by the conditions attached to the Secretary of State's consent to the transfer. In accordance with those conditions, the fifth independent director was chosen by the initial four.

The independent directors are answerable to shareholders in the normal way, but no independent director can be removed from office without the approval of the majority of the independent directors.

Council Of Ministers

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the meeting of the European Community's Council of Ministers (Research) held on 29 June.

The Community's Council of Ministers (Research) met on 29 June 1984 in Luxembourg; I represented Her Majesty's Government. The Council adopted decisions on new structures and procedures for advising the Commission on the formulation and management of EC research programmes, and on the responsibilities of the board of governors of the joint research centre. The Council also held an exchange of views on priorities in Community research and on research programmes concerned with biotechnology, non-nuclear energy, basic technologies, radiation protection, and the stimulation of European co-operation and scientific and technical interchange.

Overseas Development

Crown Agents (Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in settling the strike in the pensions division of the Crown Agents in East Kilbride; and what special help is being given to those suffering as a result of the dispute.

Cases of hardship are being processed to the extent practicable. Negotiations continue between the board of the Crown Agents and the trade unions with the aim of settling the dispute as soon as possible.

Wales

Health And Social Services

14.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to increase the provision for joint funding between district health authorities and personal social services departments of local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

With allocations totalling £1·4 million we are making available record levels of central support for schemes financed jointly with health and social services authorities in Wales this year. Decisions have not yet been taken on the level of provision for this purpose in 1985–86.

Coal Industry Dispute

15.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received any representations from Gwent county council concerning the consequences for local government expenditure and revenue of the dispute in the mining industry.

The county council has written to me asking for mediation in the coal miners strike, though its letter did not specifically refer to local government expenditure.

Civil And Political Activities

16.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has received an application for grant-aid from the Welsh campaign for civil and political liberties.

No.

Milk Quotas

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, how many letters he has received during the past three months about the effects the Government's agreement with the European Economic Community on milk quotas is likely to have on agriculture and ancillary industries in Wales.

I have received some 280 letters during the past three months about the effects of the milk quota scheme; most referred to individual hardship cases.

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has any proposals for the alleviation of hardship in the specialist dairy rearing sector of Welsh farming arising from the introduction of new dairy quotas; and if he will make a statement.

There are no specific proposals to alleviate any effects of the introduction of milk quotas on the specialist dairy rearing sector in Wales. The reserve set aside for hardship cases and the outgoers scheme will all help to ameliorate the effects of the milk quota scheme. The effect on the specialist dairy rearing sector cannot be forecast and will depend upon individual management decisions throughout the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what special advice and assistance will be available in his Department for Welsh farmers affected by the milk quota changes who seek to develop or increase alternative agricultural production.

The services of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service are always available and I encourage farmers to consult them before deciding on any major changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultation he has had, in relation to the milk quota changes, with farmers' unions, and with milk producers' organisations; and what is his latest assessment of the effects of such changes on the agricultural industry in Wales.

I am in regular contact with the farming unions and the dairy industry. The effects of the milk quota scheme on the agricultural industry in Wales will depend on a large number of individual management decisions which cannot be forecast.

Mental Handicap Strategy

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of the mental handicap strategy.

Long-term plans have been approved in three counties for the development of a wide range of community-based services for mentally handicapped people. Plans for other counties are being discussed with joint planning teams. In 1983–84 we approved individual projects throughout Wales up to a full year value of £2·5 million to give each county area and the vanguard districts a good start.

Road Construction

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent at constant prices on new road construction in Wales on national and local authority roads, respectively, in each of the past three years.

Taking average 1982–83 prices as the base and adjusting for general inflation as measured by the gross domestic product deflator, the amounts spent on new construction and improvement are as follows:

£ million
	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84
Trunk roads	102	110	130
Local authority roads	51	65	57

Trunk Roads (Pembroke)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the amount of money allocated for trunk road improvement schemes in the Pembroke constituency in the years 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86; and if he will for the same years provide the figures for money expended on schemes on the A477 trunk road between St. Clears and Pembroke dock.

The information requested is as follows:

£ million
	Provisional outturn	Estimated expenditure	Expected committed expenditure
	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
Works expenditure on:
i. trunk road improvements within the Pembroke constituency^*	6·6	1·5	0·2
ii. A477(T)	6·4	1·2	0·2
^* These figures are inclusive of expenditure on the A477(T) within the constituency boundary.

Final decisions on expenditure allocation in 1985–86 have not yet been taken.

Colleges Of Further Education

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report for each of the years 1978 to 1984 those colleges of further education in which Her Majesty's Inspectors have undertaken detailed in-depth investigations of the quality of education provided.

The answer is as follows:

Her Majesty's inspectors have undertaken the following detailed, in-depth studies involving visits to further education colleges in Wales during the period 1978 to 1984.

Formal Inspections of Individual Colleges

1978–79

South Gwent college of further education, Newport

1980

Rumney college of technology, Cardiff

1981

Coleg Pencraig, Llangefni, Gwynedd
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor

1982

Polytechnic of Wales, Pontypridd—faculty of engineerng studies
Polytechnic of Wales, Pontypridd—public administration and related courses
Crosskeys college, Gwent
Coleg Meirionnydd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd

1983

Radnor college of further education, Llandrindod Wells, Powys
Merthyr Tydfil technical college, Merthyr Tydfil
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor

1984

Usk college of agriculture, Usk, Gwent

Surveys

1978–80

Survey of provision of further education in Dyfed Colleges visited:

Aberstwyth college of further education
Felinfach college of further education
Cardigan college of further education
Pembrokeshire technical college Haverfordwest
Carmarthen technical and agricultural college
Ammanford technical college
Llanelli technical college

1980–81

Survey of careers education in colleges of further education Colleges visited:

Swansea college of further education
Rhondda college of further education
Welsh college of horticulture, Northop
North East Wales institute of higher education
Llanelli technical college

1980–83

Education for the employed in Wales—a survey of non-advanced part-time release provision in colleges of further education

Colleges visited:

North East Wales institute of higher education
Coleg Pencraig, Llangefni
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor
Coleg Meirionnydd, Dolgellau
Pembrokeshire technical college, Haverfordwest
Llanelli technical college
West Glamorgan institute of higher education
Neath technical college
Bridgend technical college
Rhondda college of further education
Merthyr Tydfil technical college
Ystrad Mynach college of further education
Pontypridd technical college
Rumney college of technology
South Glamorgan institute of higher education
Crosskeys college, Gwent

1982–83

Broad-based Training—aspects of work-skills programmes in colleges of further education

Colleges visited:

Crosskeys college, Gwent

Mid Gwent college of further education, Pontypool
North Gwent college of further education, Ebbw Vale
South Gwent college of further education, Newport
Barry college of further education
Rumney college of technology
Aberdare college of further education
Bridgend college of technology
Merthyr Tydfil technical college
Pontypridd technical college
Rhondda college of further education
Ystrad Mynach college of further education
Gorseinon college of further education
Neath college
Port Talbot college of further education
Swansea college of further education
Aberystwyth college of further education
Ammanford technical college
Cardigan college of further education
Carmarthen technical and agricultural college
Llanelli technical college
Pembrokeshire technical college, Haverfordwest
Coleg Pencraig, Llangefni
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor
Coleg Meirionnydd, Dolgellau
Llandrillo technical college, Colwyn Bay
North East Wales institute of higher education
Montgomery college of further education, Newtown
Radnor college of further education, Llandrindod Wells
Coleg Howell Harris, Brecon

1983–84

Survey of engineering courses in colleges of further education in Wales

Colleges visited:

Crosskeys college, Gwent
Pontyoiik college, Gwent
Ebbw Vale college of further education
Newport college of further education
Barry college of further education
Bridgend technical college
South Glamorgan institute of higher education
Merthyr Tydfil technical college
Pontypridd technical college
Rhondda college of further education
Ystrad Mynach college of Further Education
Gorseinon college of further education
Neath college
Port Talbot college of further education
Swansea college of further education
West Glamorgan institute of higher education
Cardigan college of further education
Llanelli technical college
Pembrokeshire technical college
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor
Coleg Meirionnydd, Dolgellau
Llandrillo technical college, Colwyn Bay
North East Wales institute of higher education
Montgomery college of further education, Newtown
Coleg Howell Harris, Brecon
Polytechnic of Wales, Pontypridd

1983–84

Report by Her Majesty's inspectors of education provision by Powys education authority.

Colleges visited:—

Montgomery college of further education, Newtown
Radnor college of further education, Llandrindod Wells
Coleg Howell Harris, Brecon

1984

Survey of youth training programme courses in colleges of further education.

Colleges visited:—

Crosskeys college, Gwent
Pontypool college
Ebbw Vale college of further education
Nemport college of further education
Usk college of agriculture
Barry college of further education
South Glamorgan institute of higher education
Rumney college of technology

Aberdare college of further education
Bridgend college of technology
Merthyr Tydfil technical college
Mid Glamorgan college of agriculture and horticulture
Pontypridd technical college
Rhondda college of further education
Ystrad Mynach college of further education
Gorseinon college of further education
Neath college
Port Talbot college of further education
Swansea college of further education
West Glamorgan institute of higher education
Aberystwyth college of further education
Ammanford technical college
Cardigan college of further education
Carmathen technical and agricultural college
Llanelli technical college
Pembrokeshire technical college, Haverfordwest
Coleg Pencraig, Llangefni
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor
Coleg Meirionnydd, Dolgellau
Coleg Glynllifon, Caernarfon
Llandrillo technical college, Colwyn Bay
North East Wales institute of higher education
Llysfasi college of agriculture, Ruthin
Welsh college of horticulture, Northop
Montgomery college of further education, Newtown
Radnor college of further education, Llandrindod Wells
Coleg Howell Harris, Brecon

1984

Survey of bilingual and Welsh-medium courses in colleges of further education in Wales

Colleges visited:—

Coleg Meirionnydd, Dolgellau
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor
Aberystwyth college of further education
Cardigan college of further education
North East Wales institute of higher education
Llandrillo technical college
West Glamorgan institute of higher education

1984

Survey by Her Majesty's inspectors of education provision by Dyfed education authority

Colleges visited:—

Aberystwyth college of further education
Cardigan college of further education
Pembrokeshire technical college
Carmarthen technical and agricultural college
Ammanford technical college
Llanelli technical college

1984

Survey of modern languages in continuing education for non vocational purposes in Gwent, Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan

Barry college of further education
Bridgend technical college
Merthyr Tydfil technical college
Newport college of further education

'Welsh to Adults' in Wales:

North East Wales institute of higher education
Gwynedd technical college, Bangor

Visits in relation to the inspection of the intitial and in-service training of teachers

1978–79

Coleg Normal, Bangor

1978–79

Survey of 'school experience' of students in initial teacher training

Colleges visited:—

Coleg Normal, Bangor
Gwent college of further education
North East Wales institute of higher education
South Glamorgan institute of higher education
West Glamorgan institute of higher education
Trinity college, Carmarthen

1980–82

Survey of subject teaching

Colleges visited:—

Coleg Normal, Bangor
Gwent college of further education
North East Wales institute of higher education
South Glamorgan institute of higher education
Trinity college, Carmarthen
West Glamorgan institute of higher education

1980–82

In-service training of teachers (Clwyd)

Colleges visited:—

North East Wales institute of higher education

1980–82

Welsh to teachers (intensive language learning courses)

Colleges visited:—

North East Wales institute of higher education
West Glamorgan institute of higher education

1982–83

Post-graduate certificate of higher education

Colleges visited:—

South Glamorgan institute of higher education
Trinity college, Carmarthen

1982–83

Primary school management course

Colleges visited:—

West Glamorgan institute of higher education

1983–84

Initial teacher training

Colleges visited:—

Coleg Normal, Bangor
West Glamorgan college of higher education

School Books (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will collect information from each education authority in Wales as to the funds allocated to each secondary school for new books in 1983–84 compared with each of the past five years; and if he will publish the statistics in the Official Report.

No.

Schools Inspectors

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed in Wales hold qualifications at post-graduate level gained in institutions of learning outside Wales.

There are 45 of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed by our Department, of whom 12 hold qualifications at post-graduate level gained in institutions of learning outside Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed in Wales have enjoyed full-time teaching experience outside Wales.

There are 45 of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed by the Welsh Office, of whom 28 have full-time teaching experience outside Wales.

dell asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed in Wales have held previous full-time posts in industry.

There are 45 of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed by our Department, of whom eight have held full-time posts in industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed in Wales have enjoyed full-time teaching experience outside the United Kingdom.

There are 45 of Her Majesty's inspectors currently employed by our Department, of whom three have full-time teaching experience outside the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied that Her Majesty's inspectors when visiting schools are adequately trained to advise headteachers and teachers on how to cope with the problems of solvent and drug abuse.

Her Majesty's inspectors have the appropriate knowledge and experience to advise headteachers and teachers on educational considerations relating to solvent and drug abuse and would be able to advise where additional help could be sought on other aspects of the problem.

Radioactivity (Survey)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will include radioactivity emanating from hospital treatment in Wales in the terms of reference of the survey to establish background levels of radioactivity to be carried out by the environment and medical services division of Harwell.

All the radionuclides being studied, irrespective of their source, will be recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost to his Department of the survey to establish background levels of radioactivity in Wales to be carried out by the environment and medical services division of Harwell.

The project is currently estimated to cost £30,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if, on completion of the survey to establish background levels of radioactivity in Wales, to be carried out by the Environment and medical services division of Harwell, he will publish the results in full.

The full results of the survey will be made public.

Teachers (Religious Education)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the percentage of secondary school teachers of religious education in Wales who are (a) graduates and (b) graduates in religion or theology.

This information is not currently available centrally.

Boundary Commissioners

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list any boundary commissioners whom he has appointed since 1979; and the dates of their appointment.

My right hon. Friend appointed Mr. Murray A. McLaggan as a member of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales on 14 July 1980. Appointments to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales since 1979 have been made as follows:

Lady Crawshay (Chairman) re-appointed 1 October 1982.
Mr. Idris Davey (Deputy chairman) re-appointed 1 October 1982.
Mr. R. T. D. Williams (Member), re-appointed 1 April 1981 and 1 April 1984.
Mr. William Colmen (Member), re-appointed 1 July 1980 for year only. Not reappointed in 1981.
Mr. D. W. C. Morgan (Member), re-appointed 1 October 1982 for 18 months. Not re-appointed in 1984.

The Arts

Works Of Art (Sale And Purchase)

30.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether the Minister for the Arts will investigate the effects on cultural heritage, including public access thereto, arising from the buying and selling of works of art.

My noble Friend is watching the situation carefully, but sees no need for a special investigation at present.

Arts Funding

32.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether he will review the funding arrangements for the Arts.

No. As indicated in the reply to the Select Committee report on "Public and Private Funding of the Arts", the Government consider that in general the existing arrangements, based on the arm's-length principle and the division between public and private funding, remain appropriate.

33.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what is the total cost of local authority expenditure cuts on aris provision.

I have no evidence that authorities generally are budgeting to reduce their arts expenditure this year.

London-Based Symphony Orchestras

34.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what representations the Government have received following the Arts Council policy document concerning the future of the London-based symphony orchestras.

My noble Friend has received no representations concerning the future of any of the London-based symphony orchestras.

National Museum (Admission Charges)

35.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to ensure that extra revenue collected by a national museum through admission charges is not subject to surrender to the Treasury.

The interim arrangements, announced on 2 March, will enable the National Maritime Museum to retain and spend the net proceeds from its newly-introduced general admission charges this year. Longer-term arrangements will depend on the outcome of the current review of the existing net Vote and re-vote system for the national museums and galleries generally. My noble Friend has so far received no proposals to charge for general admission from any other national museum or gallery.

Libraries

36.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what action Her Majesty's Government is taking to encourage the provision and use of libraries.

My noble Friend the Minister for the Arts exercises the responsibility under section 1(1) of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to superintend, and promote the improvement of, the public library service provided by local authorities in England. In practice, his direct involvement is limited, as responsibility for the provision of the service rests with local library authorities which have a duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use of it.

Education And Science

Open University

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of graduates from the Open University from the date of its inception and the subject matters of their degrees.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 6 June at column 188. The Open university offers only general degrees (BA and BA (Hons)). The subjects covered are arts, the social sciences, educational studies, mathematics, science and technology. A list of the course subjects offered to undergraduates up to 1982 starts on page 178 of volume 1 of its "Digest of Statistics, 1971–82", a copy of which is in the Library.

Science And Engineering Training

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to introduce measures to ensure that sufficient training places in science and engineering are available to meet the needs of industry.

I would remind my hon. Friend of the Government's initiative to increase higher diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate provision in information technology, in universities and the public sector of higher education, by 20 per cent. over previously planned numbers, which I announced on 16 December 1982 at columns 187–189.As a result of the planning exercise conducted recently by the National Advisory Body, there will be a significant shift in subject balance within local authority higher education (LAHE) in 1984–85 towards scientific, technological and business-related subjects. First-year intakes to full-time and sandwich courses in engineering are planned to increase by 15 per cent. in 1984–85 over 1982–83, and intakes in mathematics and computing, including most LAHE information technology courses, are planned to rise by 49 per cent.In response to a request from the University Grant Committee, universities have indicated that at their new levels of staffing and funding the admission of over 3,000 additional students, mainly in scientific and technological subjects, might be achieved in both 1984–85 and 1985–86.I am also considering, in conjunction with the Engineering Council and others, whether current estimates of demand call for additional measures to be taken.

Drugs Abuse

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has held any consultations with local education authorities concerning the abuse of drugs and solvents by school pupils.

With regard to drug misuse, the Department last month distributed copies of the report on "Prevention" by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to all local education authorities in England with a request for comments. With regard to solvent misuse, I would refer my hon. Friend to to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 3 April 1984 at column 511. The Department last month issued a safety in education bulletin which includes advice about solvent misuse. Copies of the bulletin have been sent to local education authorities for distribution to schools and colleges.

Church-Aided Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total grant from central funds for 1984–85 for building works to voluntary Church-aided schools; and what is the anticipated grant for 1985–86.

Estimated provision for 1984–85 is £38·1 million. The figure for 1985–86 will depend on various matters yet to be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria are used in deciding what allocation of moneys is made to each local education authority for building works for voluntary Church-aided schools.

The first priorities are expenditure which is already committed in respect of work started in previous years and any projects designed to create new school places in areas of population growth. Thereafter, so far as the availability of resources permits, allocations reflect judgments made locally and centrally about the priorities to be accorded to particular projects, including the extent to which these would enable surplus places to be taken out of use, and allow for the need to undertake minor works.

Schools (Construction)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary and secondary schools were built in England in each of the last four years.

The number of new primary and secondary schools completed during the last four years for which information is available is as follows:

	Primary	Secondary
1978–79	137	27
1979–80	93	32
1980–81	73	10
1981–82	70	6

The Department no longer collects this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent on (a) primary school buildings and (b) secondary school buildings in the Staffordshire, Moorlands constituency in each year since 1979.

This information is not available centrally.

National Union Of Students (Submissions)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many submissions he has received a year from the National Union of Students; and on what subjects, for the last five years;(2) how many submissions he has received annually from the Federation of Conservative Students, and on what subjects, for the last five years.

Detailed information prior to 1982 is not available, but my right hon. Friend receives an annual submission from the NUS on the level of student awards for the coming year. The NUS has also made representations since 1982 on: methods of paying student awards and travel costs; accommodation; overseas students; disbled students; the planning of higher education; and the financing of student unions. A submission from the Federation of Conservative Students was received in 1983 about student awards rates and conditions for the academic year 1984–85. Communications about student unions were also received from the federation in the period in question.

Special Needs (Funding)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to seek to ensure in changing the Government funding of the Open University that opportunities for in-service training and further education for people living in rural and remote areas, particularly in relation to special needs in education are not disproportionately diminished.

The university is reviewing its current activities in the light of the announced grant levels and my right hon. Friend has asked the Open University visiting committee to advise him on its intended programme of action. The review is still in progress and we have no doubt that the university will weigh carefully the effect on students from rural areas of the action it decides to take.

Teachers' Strike

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the number of school pupil hours lost so far in schools in England as a result of the teachers' strike.

Information is not available centrally on which to base a reliable estimate.

Embryos (Research)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science from what sources embryos used for research under the guidelines laid down by the Medical Research Council in 1982 are obtained; and whether there is any export of spare embryos to laboratories overseas.

Embryos used in research may be obtained as a result of clinical in vitro fertilisation programmes or by using donated eggs and semen. I understand from the Medical Research Council that, in accordance with its guidelines, the embryos used for research supported through their grant-in-aid from the science budget are obtained with the informed consent of donors after the research concerned has been approved both by the local ethical committee and by the normal scientific peer review process. I am not aware of any export of spare embryos overseas.

British Post-Graduate Medical Federation

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the total Government funding for the 12 institutions of the British Post-Graduate Medical Federation in each year since 1978–79 at 1979 prices.

I understand that the total income of these institutions from Government funds, including research grants and contracts, fees and training grants met from public funds and payments by health authorities, but excluding capital grants, was as follows:

Academic years (cost terms using gross domestic product deflators)
		£ million
	1978–79	13·8
	1979–80	15·2
	1980–81	15·2
	1981–82	14·1
	1982–83	13·4

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the total research staff and total staff of each institution of the British Post-Graduate Medical Federation in 1978–79 and each year since.

Numbers are only collected centrally for total teaching and research staff wholly funded from university funds in respect of the Federation as a whole. For the years requested, these are as follows:

	Numbers
1978–79	450
1979–80	478
1980–81	501
1981–82	494
1982–83	496

National Finance

Wealth (Statistics)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of (a) personal marketable wealth, (b) private land and (c) company shares is owned by the 1 per cent. of the adult population in the United Kingdom with the largest ownership in each case.

It is estimated that in 1981 some 23 per cent. of the marketable wealth owned by adults was owned by the most wealthy 1 per cent. Data for land (excluding dwellings) and company shares are available only for 1979 when the approximate proportions owned by the wealthiest 1 per cent. were 60 per cent. and 70 per cent. respectively. Information about the largest holdings is not available.It should be borne in mind that occupational pension schemes form a significant part of personal wealth, and that if these pension rights are included the holding of the wealthiest 1 per cent. amounted to about 19 per cent. of wealth in 1981 (and 12 per cent. including also state pension rights). Much of this wealth is in the form of company shares held by the occupational pension funds for the benefit of individuals. If these shares were included, the proportion relating to the wealthiest 1 per cent. would be reduced markedly, but this effect cannot be quantified precisely.

Commercial Buildings (Capital Allowances)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full financial year of introducing a 2 per cent. annual straight-line depreciation allowance for expenditure on new commercial buildings.

In the first full year the estimated cost would be approximately £25 million, taking the levels of profits, investment and the corporation tax rate for 1984–85, and assuming that sufficient profits are available to absorb the allowances in full. The actual cost would be somewhate lower because of the overhang of tax losses, but it is not possible to give a reliable estimate of it.However the cost would build up rapidly and the eventual long term cost, assuming present levels of expenditure on commercial buildings and a corporation tax rate of 35 per cent., would be about £1 billion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his best estimate of the full-year saving in revenue that he will obtain from the phasing-out of capital allowances for buildings in the financial years 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89.

The precise effect of the changes to building allowances — writing down allowances will remain — will depend, among other things, on future levels of profits and investment in industrial buildings. But they are part of a package of corporation tax changes which are broadly revenue neutral taken over the period to 1988–89.

Whisky (Duty)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the yield from duty on whisky in each of the last five years and the estimated yield in the year 1984–85.

It is estimated that the revenue raised from excise duty on whisky in each of the last five financial years was as follows:

	£ million
1979–80	575
1980–81	575
1981–82	625
1982–83	^*475
1983–84	^*820

Note

^* The introduction of duty deferment on 15 February 1983 reduced the revenue in 1982–83 by a substantial amount, most of which was transferred into 1983–84. The 1984–85 forecast for the duty from all spirits is £1,400 million. Of this, probably about half will be from whisky.

Wine And Whisky (Consumption)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the consumption of wine and whisky in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

The quantities of wine and United Kingdom produced whisky released from home consumption are published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics, table 6.14. There is a copy in the Library of the House.

Japan

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the capital outflows and inflows between the United Kingdom and Japan for each of the last 10 years; and if he will also set out the proportions one to the other.

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

North Sea Oil

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for every 10 point drop in the pound sterling against the United States dollar what additional benefit accrues to the revenue from North Sea oil.

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

Disabled Persons (Income Tax Relief)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the value in the current tax year of each of the income tax reliefs for a severely disabled person or for the care of a severely disabled person.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 1984]: The income tax reliefs which relate, or may relate, to disability are:

(a) blind person's allowance;

(b) dependent relative allowance; which may be claimed by a taxpayer who is maintaining a relative of limited means unable—by virtue of old age or infirmity—to maintain him or herself;

(c) son's or daughter's services allowance: which may be claimed by a taxpayer, compelled through old age or infirmity to depend upon the services of a son or daughter who lives with, and is maintained by, the claimant;

(d) additional personal allowance (APA): which is available to a married man with children whose wife is totally incapacitated by physical or mental infirmity.

The present levels of these allowances and their estimated revenue costs in 1983–84 are:

	Level proposed for 1984–85	Direct revenue cost in 1983–84
	£	£ million
a. blind person's allowance	360	3
b. dependent relative allowance:
maintained by a single woman	145	^*18
other cases	100	^*18

	Level proposed for 1984–85	Direct revenue cost in 1983–84
	£	£ million
c. son's or daughter's services allowance	55	under 1
d. APA for incapacitated wife	1,150	3
^* Includes cases where there is no incapacity.

In addition, there is a range of tax-free social security benefits for the disabled. Detailed figures for the cost of exempting these benefits from income tax in 1983–84 are shown in table 4.10 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 to 1986–87" (Cmnd. 9143).

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible and which have been abolished, or whose abolition has been announced, since the publication of "Public Bodies 1983".

[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 1984]: Since the publication of Public Bodies 1983, none of the non-departmental bodies for which I am responsible has been abolished, or had its abolition announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible that have been introduced or announced too late to be included in the list published in Public Bodies 1983.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 1984]: The following bodies, for which I am responsible, were not included in the list published in Public Bodies 1983.

The Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, which was set up in July 1983.

The Pharmacist Review Panel, which was omitted in error.

Employment

Young Persons (Newham)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in the London borough of Newham left a place on the youth training scheme; and, of these, how many left to take up employment, entered another place on the scheme, returned to full-time education, left for any other reason or were unemployed, respectively.

Information is available only on the basis of the Manpower Services Commission's London North East area, which includes the London borough of Newham. In the area as a whole 1,960 youngsters are recorded as having left youth training scheme programmes between the inception of the scheme in April 1983 and the end of May this year. Of the 313 who left in April and May this year, 59 per cent. were reported by managing agents and sponsors, to the best of their knowledge, to have entered employment, 5 per cent. to have entered another youth training scheme programme, 1 per cent. returned to full-time education and 27 per cent. left for other destinations, including those remaining unemployed. No information was available for 8 per cent.

Average Earnings

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the average earnings of (a) all male workers and (b) all male manual workers was represented by unemployment benefit payable to a man with a wife and two dependent children in 1974, 1979 and 1983, respectively.

The figures in respect of April each year when comparable information on benefits and earnings is readily available are shown in the following table.

	April 1974	April 1979	^April 1983*
(1) Unemployment benefit† for a man with a wife and two dependent children	£16·50	£35·20	£52·75
Average gross weekly earnings of full-time male employees aged 21 and over
(2) All employees	£47·7	£101·4	£167·5
(3) Manual employees	£43·6	£93·0	£143·6
(1) as a percentage of (2)	34·6	34·7	31·5
(1) as a percentage of (3)	37·8	37·8	36·7
^* The figures for 1983 do not reflect the uprating of benefits in November 1983. Assuming that the earnings in items (2) and (3) rose broadly in line with the monthly average earnings index between April and November, the corresponding percentages for November 1983 would be 32·9 and 38·3 respectively.
† Including child benefit to achieve greater comparability between the years as the element included for children in unemployment benefit has been reduced over this period following the replacement of family allowance by child benefit.

Youth Training Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the expected annual cost of the youth training scheme in the Staffordshire, Moorlands constituency.

I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. However, it is expected that, exclusive of administrative costs, about £17 million will be spent on the youth training scheme in the area covered by the Stoke-on-Trent area office of the Manpower Services Commission in 1984–85.

Tooting Jobcentre (Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the present dispute at the Tooting jobcentre, London S W.17.

At its meeting on 26 April 1984, the Manpower Services Commission unanimously endorsed a broad strategy for the development of the employment service. As a prelude to further consideration of the detail of the proposals, the commission instructed its employment division to test some aspects as a matter of urgency.The Government endorse the Manpower Services Commission's decision to test these proposals in a full and proper way and tests are at present proceeding in offices in London and the south west. It is regrettable, however, that trade unions representing Manpower Services Commission staff have refused to co-operate with the test in Tooting and that nine of the 14 in this office have gone on strike thereby denying the Commission the information it has requested.

Jobcentres

asked the Secretary of State for Employment for how long the registration details of a person seeking work are retained at a jobcentre.

A jobcentre will normally hold a job seeker's registration details for three months, but will extend this period if the job seeker requests it or the jobcentre decides it is likely to be helpful to the job seeker. Special arrangements apply to the registration of young people, disabled people and ex-regular members of Her Majesty's forces.

Asbestos

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies which applied for unconditional licences under the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983 were given only conditional licences; and what were the main reasons for these decisions.

All licences are issued subject to general conditions. In addition, regulation 4 permits the Health and Safety Executive to impose such additional conditions on the licence as it considers appropriate.810 applications, all for unconditional licences, have been received. The executive has so far issued 706 licences. 586 are for one year. 381 of these require a notification of work to be given to the enforcing authority and 204 have one or more of the additional conditions that the executive considered to be necessary. 121 licences have been issued for a five-year term. The number and type of conditions imposed is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have had their applications for a licence under the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983 refused; and what were the grounds for each refusal.

To date one company has had their application for a licence refused, on the grounds that the Health and Safety Executive's record of their activities indicated a lack of ability by senior management to exercise effective control over important aspects of work with asbestos including training, supervision and overall site management.All those who have been issued with licences have had attached conditions of varying kinds. A high proportion have had licences only for one year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many additional staff have been appointed to the Health and Safety Executive to monitor the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983.

The Health and Safety Executive aims to recruit up to 50 general factory inspectors during 1984–85. It is from within the total staff numbers that allocations to specific work are made and staff are not, in general, recruited for specific purposes. Factory inspectors will continue to monitor work involving asbestos as a high priority and will where necessary pay particular attention to the work of individual licensees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have been granted conditional licenses under the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983; what categories of conditions have been imposed; and how many companies fall into each category.

All licences are conditional with regard to instruction training, compliance with asbestos-related legislation and the making of the licences available for inspection. Moreover, all licences are issued with a limitation on their validity. The categories of conditions that have been imposed vary according to inspectors' assessment of an applicant's previous compliance record. Precise numbers of the categories of condition which have been imposed and how many companies fall into each category are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what additional resources have been allocated to the Health and Safety Executive to cope with the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983.

The level of grant in aid allocated to the Health and Safety Commission takes into account the work plans of the commission and executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what constraints will be exercised by the Health and Safety Executive on companies who have been granted only conditional licences under the Asbestos Licensing Regulation 1983.

Only conditional licences have been granted. The executive may revoke a licence if the licensee is not operating in accordance with the criteria set out in the regulations or it may vary the terms of a licence if it considers it appropriate to do so. Revocation of a licence will be considered whenever inspectors report that a licensee failed to comply with the conditions of his licence, and in every case where a licensee is convicted of an offence under the Licensing regulations or which directly relates to work with asbestos.All enforcing authorities are being asked to report site visits to the principal inspectors responsible for asbestos licenses at the Health and Safety Executive area offices. This will provide the executive's asbestos licensing unit with more information on which applications to renew licences may be favourably considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have been granted unconditional licences under the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983.

No unconditional licences have been granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies of whose working practices the Health and Safety Executive had no prior knowledge have been granted licences under the Asbestos Licensing Regulations 1983.

Special additional conditions will be applied to any licences issued to companies where the Health and Safety Executive has no previous knowledge of their working practices. The number of applications from previously unknown companies has not been separately recorded.

Discrimination (Codes Of Practice)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to amend those sections of the Race Relations and Sex Discrimination Acts relating to the making and approving of codes of practice.

The Government plan to amend the relevant provisions of both Acts to enable the Secretary of State to amend codes before presenting them to Parliament for approval, but precise details have yet to be decided. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement in due course.

Littlebrook Power Station, Dartford (Asbestos)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the discharge of their health and safety obligation by the contractors and subcontractors currently removing asbestos from Littlebrook power station, Dartford.

I am advised by the Health and Safety Executive that during the period of asbestos stripping at Littlebrook power station the site has been visited by inspectors of the executive's local construction group and field consultant group, the most recent visits being on 6 and 25 June 1984. On neither occasion was asbestos stripping work in progress. Further visits will be made by inspectors in the near future and my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford, in whose constituency this power station is, will be kept fully informed.

Strikes (Days Lost)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a list of the number of days lost through strike action in each of the major ports of the United Kingdom, including Bristol, in the last 12 months.

Figures for 1983, the latest figures available, are given in the following table.

	Females		Aged under 25 years		Aged 50 years and over
January each year	Number	As a percentage of total unemployed	Number	As a percentage of total unemployed	Number	As a percentage of total unemployed
Registered unemployed
1964	114,487	23·9	119,116	24·9	145,217	30·4
1965	88,118	24·0	88,872	24·2	124,444	33·9
1966	73,430	21·7	81,681	24·1	116,688	34·4
1967	102,124	19·4	144,014	27·3	149,907	28·4
1968	101,189	16·9	153,793	25·6	175,260	29·2
1969	86,952	14·9	138,848	23·8	192,337	32·9
1970	85,324	13·9	152,119	24·9	197,305	32·2
1971	99,826	14·8	182,811	27·1	215,332	31·9
1972	144,431	15·6	279,021	30·1	262,009	28·3
1973	129,046	16·8	241,469	31·4	245,972	32·0
1974	92,365	15·5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
1975	128,000	17·3	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
1976	270,518	21·6	453,498	36·2	287,517	23·0
1977	356,207	25·6	507,244	36·5	314,700	22·6
1978	414,508	27·9	551,240	37·1	326,385	22·0
1979	401,318	28·8	499,505	35·9	324,895	23·4
1980	434,028	30·9	511,675	36·4	326,216	23·2
1981	673,362	29·0	888,062	38·3	481,597	20·8
1982	833,614	28·2	1,105,331	37·4	623,175	21·1
Unemployed claimants
1983	838,386	27·0	1,178,405	37·9	N/A	N/A
1984	920,854	29·9	1,209,443	39·3	560,820	18·2

Working days lost in 1983 owing to industrial disputes
Port	Numbers
London	88,400
Hull	4,000
Liverpool	2,500
Bristol	2,200
Tees and Hartlepool	1,800
Grimsby and Immingham	1,600
Southampton	500
Clyde	200
All other ports	1,600

The following major ports experienced no days lost through strike action among their employees during 1933:

Cardiff, Dover, Felixstowe, Forth, Manchester, Medway, Port Talbot, Swansea, Tyne.

Labour Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people and what percentage of the total registered unemployed were accounted for by (a) women, (b) people under 25 years of age, (c) people over 50 years of age and (d) people with no formal qualifications in each year from 1964 to the present date.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 July 1984]: The following table gives the available information for Great Britain. The unemployment statistics do riot separately distinguish people with or without formal qualifications.The comparisons are affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982 and by the 1983 Budget provisions which meant that some men aged 60 and over no longer had to sign on in order to receive supplementary benefit or national insurance credits.

Northern Ireland

School Building

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average age of main school buildings in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with the same figure in 1970, 1975 and 1980.

The information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff (Air Journeys)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions are currently in force within his Department concerning the choice of carriers on air routes between Belfast and other British airports by staff making air journeys on official business.

There are no instructions currently in force concerning the choice of carriers on routes between Belfast

Sentence Length
	Up to 3 months		Over 3 months Up to 6 months		Over 6 months Up to 12 months		Over 12 months Up to 18 months		Over 18 months Up to 4 years		Over 4 years Up to 8 years
	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B
Under 18 years	—	—	1	2	1	8	—	4	3	5	3	—
18 years and under 25 years	7	26	9	42	18	66	16	20	88	78	96	11
						(2)			(1)
25 years and under 30 years	1	11	1	13	1	16	4	10	39	18	72	21
		(1)		(2)		(1)					(1)
30 years and under 40 years	2	4	1	6	—	12	1	5	20	21	50	10
				(1)							(1)
40 years and under 50 years	1	4	—	5	1	4	—	3	2	11	17	5
50 years and under 60 years	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	5	2	1
60 years and over	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Totals	11	48	12	69	21	106	21	43	153	138	240	48
		(1)		(3)		(3)			(1)		(2)
Percentage of total population	0·6%	2·6%	0·6%	3·9%	1·1%	5·8%	1·1%	2·3%	8·3%	7·4%	13·0%	2·0%

	Over 8 years		Life		Totals		Grand Total
	A	B	A	B	A	B
Under 18 years	—	—	—	—	8	19	27
18 years and under 25 years	91	6	34	—	359	249	608
	(5)	—	(1)		(7)	(2)	(9)
25 years and under 30 years	241	4	192	—	551	93	644
	(11)		(1)		(13)	(4)	(17)
30 years and under 40 years	132	—	165	—	371	58	429
	(3)				(4)	(1)	(5)
40 years and under 50 years	21	1	25	1	67	34	101
			(1)		(1)		(1)
50 years and under 60 years	1	2	5	—	9	11	20
60 years and over	—	1	1	—	1	3	4
Totals	486	14	422	1	1,366	467	1,833
	(19)		(3)		(25)	(7)	(32)
Percentage of total population	27·1%	0·8%	22·8%	0·0%	74·6%	25·4%	100%

Notes:

1. The figures in columns A relate to those serving sentences for scheduled offences and those in columns B to all other offences.

2. The figures without brackets relate to male inmates and those in brackets to female inmates.

3. The figures include those detained in young offenders centres.

4. Persons detained at the Secretary of State's pleasure are included in the life sentence figures.

and other British airports. The Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office may use any United Kingdom airlines for the purposes of conducting official business, having due regard to cost-efficiency criteria.

Prison Population

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the size of the present prison population in Northern Ireland categorized by age and by sex in the following groups: under 18 years old, 18 to 25 years, 25–30 years, 30–40 years, 50–60 years and over 60 years, giving a breakdown of the length of sentence being served by percentage of the total prison population and the number of prisoners serving sentences for terrorist-type offences.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 July 1984]: The following table shows the position as it was on 10 June 1984.

Environment

Thames Water Authority

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of demanning to be carried out by the Thames water authority within the next 12 months.

I understand that the authority plans to reduce its employee numbers by about 1,000 during 1984–85.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water supply schemes are being deferred by the Thames water authority until 1985–86.

I understand that three significant water supply schemes were among capital investment schemes deferred to 1985–86 — two concerned with water treatment and one a trunk main.

Private Sewers

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider amending the Public Health Act 1936 so as to ensure that private sewers are constructed to uniform standards, enabling them to be more readily adopted by the appropriate water authority.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

Green Belt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to restrict the advertising for a use other than green belt land of green belt land whose status is subject to a decision by himself on an undetermined structure plan; and if he will make a statement.

No. It would not be appropriate to control advertising in this way, though I would, of course, expect any such advertisement to indicate clearly that the site was in the green belt. Advertising at present is subject to few statutory controls, but complaints can be put to the Advertising Standards Authority.

Maisonettes And Flats (Leasehold Tenure)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Her Majesty's Government have made a study of the problems associated with leasehold tenure on maisonettes and flats.

The committee which my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction established under the chairmanship of Mr. Edward Nugee QC is looking at a wide range of problems associated with the management of privately-owned blocks of flats and maisonettes, including those occupied by long-leasehold tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation for a common form of leasehold contract for all newly built flats and maisonettes.

This is one of the suggestions for alleviating the problems of management of privately-owned blocks of flats which will be considered by the Nugee committee.

Single Homeless

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he wishes to make a statement about the funding after the abolition of the Greater London Council of voluntary organisations concerned with the single homeless and currently funded by that council.

My right hon. Friend announced on 11 April at col. 406–7 our decision that the main abolition legislation should include provision for a statutory basis for the collective funding by London boroughs and the Common council of voluntary bodies serving London as a whole or an area wider than that of individual authorities.I have recently received a letter from the London Boroughs Association which records the associations's decision to support the proposal that these arrangements should, in principle, apply to projects forming part of the programme to replace the hostels previously owned by Rowton Hotels PLC. The associationa also envisages that the great majority of the projects now funded by the GLC and directly providing services for the single homeless will be recommended for grants under those arrangements; individual projects are to be assessed during the current year.I welcome this clear willingness by the members of the LBA to support the view that the London boroughs should collectively assume responsibility for the funding of worthwhile voluntary activity in the housing field. This offers great reassurance to those organisations concerned about the arrangements for London-wide grants once the GLC is abolished. I am placing a copy of the association's letter in the Library of the House.

Fire Precautions

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the outcome of his reviews of the responsibilities of local authorities towards means of escape from fire in houses in multiple occupation before the summer recess.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Mr. Wheeler), on 11 July.

Water Reserves

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the water reserves of each water authority in England.

As I explained to the House on 9 July at col. 697–702, I have asked for weekly reports from all water authorities and will be discussing them with all Water Authority Chairmen on 18 July. I will write to the hon. Member after that meeting.

Waste Disposal

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to appoint a day for the coming into operation of section 1 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

It would not be appropriate to appoint a day for the coming into operation of section 1 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 until the bulk of waste disposal plans required under section 2, have been completed. To date, about half the waste disposal authorities in England have either completed their plans or are at an advanced stage with their preparation: I would urge the remainder to make progress with their plans as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the County Councils Association regarding readiness to assume its responsibilities as waste authorities under section 1 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.

The Association of County Councils has not made any recent representations to my Department seeking implementation of section 1 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

Water Loss

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much loss of water in the distribution system is due to worn-out infrastructure; what action and what financial investment has been put in in each of the last 10 years to update this; and what total investment would be necessary to update it completely.

Leakage from water mains is affected by many factors and its reduction is largely a matter of revenue spending. However, in their annual plans, water authorities propose investing nearly £100 million per annum in maintaining water supply systems, including treatment works. Comparable figures for the last 10 years are not available. Further work is needed to establish how much investment is required to overcome dereliction in water mains including the removal of incrustation from pipes and the remedying of corrosion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much water has been lost between the reservoir and the point of service in England in each of the last 10 years; what action has been taken to reduce this; what has been the effect of this action; and if he will make a statement.

It was estimated by my Department and by the National Water Council in 1980 that on average 24 per cent. of water put into supply was unaccounted for mostly due to leakage. Water undertakers follow a nationally-agreed procedure for determining the method of leakage control appropriate to their respective systems and arriving at the economic level of manpower and financial resources required.

Raf Lakenheath (Hospital)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the construction by the Property Services Agency of a hospital at RAF Lakenheath; and what is the estimated total cost of the project.

No detailed instructions have been received by the Property Services Agency for the design and construction of a new hospital at RAF Lakenheath. When these will be available is a matter for the United States Government, who will fund the construction and use the facility for general medical purposes in support of their forces stationed in this country. Estimates will be prepared after the requirements are known.

Drought (Financial Loss)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the financial loss due to drought in each year from 1976 in current prices.

No realistic estimate can be made.

National Water Grid

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any estimates have been made of the cost of establishing a national water grid.

The cost of a national water grid would depend on its extent and capacity as well as on other engineering factors.

Rent Officers

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his reasons for refusing to publish his advice to rent officers.

Because it concerns matters of management and administration which are not suitable for general publication.

Rents

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the average percentage rent increase approved by each rent officer district in each year since 1978–79; and what has been the equivalent figure for each district in each year determined by the appropriate rent assessment committee.

Figures for mean percentage changes in rent for regulated unfurnished tenancies, on re-registration by rent officers within three to four years of the previous registration, for rent registration areas in England and Wales, during 1978 are given in the Rent Officer Statistical Note RO(S) 29; during 1979 in RO(S) 34; during 1980 in RO(S) 44; during 1981 in RO(S) 51; and during 1982 and 1983 in RO(S) 62.Figures for mean percentage changes in rent assessed by rent assessment committees, on rent assessed by rent officers for panel areas in England and Wales, during 1978 are given in RO(S) 26; during 1979 in RO(S) 33; during 1980 in RO(S) 39; during 1981 RO(S) 50; and during the first half of 1982 (the most recent period for which figures are available) in RO(S) 54.Copies are available in the Library.

Council Houses (Demolition)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the effect of the decision on national funding of debt charges incurred by local councils on demolishing council houses on the city of Liverpool; what will be the effect of these changes on possible rate support grant penalties by the city; and if he will make a statement explaining the manner in which this policy decision was arrived at and announced.

Under the Housing Act 1980 it has always been open to any authority to apply for special determination to allow debt charges on demolished council houses to be admissible for housing subsidy purposes, but no such determinations have been made under the Act to date.I am now, however, intending to adjust the Department's approach so that such applications would be considered more sympathetically in future. I am consulting the local authority associations about the considerations which will normally apply when dealing with applications for special determinations from 1984–85 onwards.The financial effects of this nationally cannot be calculated in advance but are unlikely to be other than marginal. The change of rule was under consideration before my recent meetings with Liverpool city council; the change, of course, will apply to all councils in receipt of subsidy who qualify. There is no special concession of any kind to Liverpool

Liverpool

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details of the agreement with Liverpool council on the rescheduling of their debts; what will be the effect of these changes on possible rate support grant penalties; and if the facility will be available to other councils.

It is open to any local authority to decide to reschedule its debt redemption and I understand that Liverpool city council has done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the amount of spending which the city of Liverpool will be able to incur in areas regarded as revenue spending before his recent discussions with the city officials during the forthcoming financial year.

I have made no such estimate. The council initially planned a growth budget of £261 million and a rate increase of only 9 per cent.; this left a huge gap of £164 million which the council said the Government would have to fill if services were not to crumble. The council has now resolved to accept a balanced budget of £223 million with a district rate increase of 18 per cent.; none of this reduction of £38 million is financed by special concessions from the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will explain the circumstances under which it will be possible for Liverpool city council to exceed its spending target of £216,000,000 by over £40,000,000 without incurring any rate support grant penalty; and if he is willing to make similar arrangements with other councils.

I have made no special arrangements which will affect Liverpool's grant entitlement for 1984–85. As with any other authority it will be subject to grant penalties for overspending its target.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why he decided to provide an additional sum of urban aid to the city of Liverpool; how much additional cash has been provided and in respect of what period; and if the aid is in respect of capital or revenue spending;(2) if he will list the various projects in the city of Liverpool for which additional urban aid has been granted; and if there were any conditions attached to the grant on the time scale within which the projects are required to be completed.

Liverpool's inner city partnership programme for 1984–85 has yet to be finally settled. However, in response to the city's acute inner city problems I have offered the council an additional £2½ million for 1984–85 from within my Department's total budget.Details of the package, which will consist entirely of revenue items, are still being worked out by officials, but will probably include environmental maintenance in selected housing areas, running costs of recreation facilities already provided by the urban programme, selected voluntary sector schemes and continuation of the additional street cleaning and nursery classes previously funded through the inner city partnership. As with the whole of the urban programme a Minister will personally approve each scheme.The whole of this marginal contribution to Liverpool 's partnership allocation could have been secured much earlier had the council been prepared to engage in normal discussions with my Department on its programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the reduction in rate support grant penalties which will be secured by Liverpool council in consequence of the additional urban aid granted to the city.

About £5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details of the agreement with Liverpool council concerning capitalising revenue spending on housing; what will be the effect of the changes on possible rate support grant penalties; and if the facility will be available to other councils.

In framing its expenditure plans, Liverpool city council, in common with all other local authorities, will have taken decisions about whether certain expenditure is most appropriately charged to revenue or capital account. The Government took no part in that decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details of the agreement with Liverpool council on the alteration on rating liability for schools affected by falling pupil numbers; what will be the effect of these changes on possible rate support grant penalties; and if this facility will be available to other councils faced with falling pupil numbers.

The council's rate liability for its schools, like that of all local authorities, is assessed on the basis of rateable values arrived at by the valuation officer in accordance with a formula agreed in 1971, which enables pupil numbers to be taken into account as one of many factors influencing rateable values.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details of the extra sums provided to the city of Liverpool for environmental work.

There are no extra sums for environmental works. Payments on this count relate to claims the city council ought to have made earlier in the normal course of business.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give details of the agreement reached between the Government and Liverpool city council which enabled that local authority to levy a rate for 1984–85;(2) if he will estimate

(a) the value to Liverpool city council and (b) the cost to his Department of the agreement recently reached by him with the city council.

I have made no special agreements with Liverpool city council about its budget. As compared with its earlier proposals the council has reduced its spending plans by £38 million. None of this reduction is financed by special concessions from Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment following his recent agreement with Liverpool city council, if he will indicate whether there was any switching of money between the revenue and capital spending of Liverpool city council so as to enable rate-borne spending to be reduced.

I have made no special agreements with Liverpool city council about its budget. I understand that the council has now decided that certain expenditure which hitherto it was planning to charge to revenue account will now be charged to capital account. It has always been open to it, as to other authorities, to take such a decision in respect of certain categories of expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) following the meeting on Monday last at his Department between Ministers and representatives of Liverpool city council, what agreement was made about press statements by either side;(2) why Ministers refused, for 24 hours, to make any comment to counter the version of their meeting with Ministers on 9 July promulgated by Liverpool's representatives.

At my meeting on 9 July with the Liverpool city council delegation, we agreed that neither side would say anything to the press after the meeting, with a view to giving the councillors time to persuade the district labour party to accept what was in effect a humiliating climbdown by the Labour group, namely, the budget and rate which were finally settled on Wednesday, 11 July. I kept my word.After certain Liverpool councillors made extravagant and untrue claims on the evening of Monday 9 July, I issued a brief statement the following morning which was carried in the later editions of the Liverpool evening press the same day. It is a matter for regret that so many national commentators swallowed the councillors' line and ignored the Government's rebuttal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department made available to Liverpool's representatives a room and facilities for press, radio and television.

It is a normal courtesy when delegations from local authorities visit Ministers in my Department to make available facilities for them to speak to the press should they request them.The Liverpool delegation has asked for, and has been given, such facilities on each of its visits to the Department. When Ministers visit local authorities the courtesy is reciprocated—as for instance after my visit to Liverpool housing estates on 7 June.

Water Transfers

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any arrangements have now been made for transferring reserves from one water authority area to another; and if he will make a statement.

There are several schemes for inter-regional transfers of water in normal circumstances, and in some places it is practicable to make special arrangements when water is exceptionally short.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of civil servants now working in his Department on (a) duties associated with the abolition of the Greater London council and metropolitan county councils and (b) rates limitation, listing in each case the numbers and ranks of officials and the estimated cost per year of each group.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants in his Department he anticipates being employed on work associated with processing financial transactions over £100,000 arising from the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils.

Enough.

Metropolitan County Councils

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of section 142 money allocated for 1984–85 in each of the metropolitan authorities which Her Majesty's Government propose to abolish; and on what activities such money was spent in each of the past three years.

My right hon. Friend does not make allocations in relation to expenditure under section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the number of financial transactions likely to be scrutinised by his Department arising from amendments Her Majesty's Government are proposing to the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill which restrict the commitments which certain councils may enter into without his approval.

The number of applications for consent that would be required as a result of the proposed amendments to the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill will depend upon decisions yet to be taken by the authorities concerned, and on the scope of consents of a general nature to be issued under the legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of section 137 money currently raised in each of the Greater London council and metropolitan county councils; and on what the money has been spent in each such authority in each of the past three years.

Figures for 1982–83, the first year in which information was collected, were as follows, according to information supplied by the authorities in question:

Section 137 Local Government Act 1972
Authority	Net expenditure	2p rate product
	£ million	£ million
GLC	8·39	38·75
Greater Manchester CC	1·82	8·84
West Midlands CC	6·83	8·95
Tyne and Wear CC	0·69	3·81
West Yorkshire CC	6·57	6·94
South Yorkshire CC	0·76	4·54
Merseyside CC	4·56	4·99

Figures for 1983–84 are not yet available. Information on specific payments is not collected centrally.

Internal Audit

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of (a) civil servants and (b) secondees, who are engaged in internal audit within his Department and the grades and qualifications of each individual; and to what extent the establishment and work carried out by the unit deviates from the nine primary standards listed in Government Accounting 9/82.

[pursuant to his answer, 18 June 1984, c. 79]: The Property Services Agency of my Department has 79 staff in its internal audit unit, composed of one assistant secretary, one senior principal, five principals, eight senior executive officers, 23 higher executive officers and 41 executive officers. The assistant secretary and one principal are Fellows of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the senior principal and one principal are Fellows of the Association of Certified Accountants, and one principal is an Associate Member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants. Three senior executives, five higher executive and ten executive officers are studying for the diploma of the Institute of Internal Auditors.There are no secondees. The establishment of the unit is still being built up. Its work is conducted in line with the standards in Government Accounting 9/82.

Defence

Air Cadets (Gliders)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is yet in a position to give details of the new glider for the air cadets; and when the first gliders will be delivered to air cadets central gliding school.

Following competitive tendering, a contract has been placed for the supply of 100 Grob G103 Twin II Acro gliders. The Central Gliding school will receive the first gliders in September. A small quantity of winches, which provide one of the launching methods used, will shortly be ordered for evaluation in use with the new gliders.

Ascension Island

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on all areas of expenditure at Ascension Island since 3 April 1982; what expenditure is committed for the current financial year; and what is the forecast expenditure for 1985–86.

I will answer shortly.

Bodney Camp, Norfolk

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to the purposes of the exercises by United States national guardsmen at Bodney camp, Norfolk.

The exercise was one of a series of annual reciprocal training exchanges between members of the Territorial Army and the United States National Guard which are intended to broaden the experience of our reserve forces.

Service Vehicles (Leicester)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the passage through Leicester on 24 May of Ministry of Defence vehicles, registration numbers 31 AJ 81, 31 AJ 82, 31 AJ 83, 31 AJ 84 and 31 AJ 85; and what were their final destinations.

The vehicles to which I believe the hon. Member is referring were en route to a military establishment but it is not our practice to discuss details of such movements.

Us Hospitals (Back-Up Facilities)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what medical, nursing or other back-up facilities the British Government are expected to provide to United States military hospitals in the United Kingdom both now and in times of emergency.

Apart from the provision of sites for prefabricated buildings and some existing building surplus to our own requirements, planning is on the basis that United States military personnel in the United Kingdom will be broadly self-sufficient in hospital facilities in peace time, and also in times of emergency once the United States hospital facilities are operational.

Ascension Island (Tristar Aircraft)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any difficulties in landing Tristars on Ascension Island.

No.

Rosyth Dockyard

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his most up-to-date estimates for manpower to be employed in Rosyth dockyard in 1984–85 and in the subsequent five years.

In the current year, 1984–85, manpower numbers at Rosyth dockyard are planned to remain broadly at their present level of some 6,300. Plans for the subsequent five years are not yet finalised.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what capital investment he plans for Rosyth dockyard.

The latest approved plans to meet the task of Rosyth dockyard through the 1980s will require a capital investment of some £35 million at 1983–84 prices. Projects include the provision of new workshops, improvements to docks and the modernisation of arrangements for the supply of utilities and services.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on when he expects new Leander and type-42 refitting work to begin at Rosyth dockyard.

Leander class refits are planned to commence at Rosyth in 1986 and Tyoe 42 refits in 1985.

Leander And Oberon Vessels (Refitting)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the refitting work on Leander and Oberon vessels, scheduled for the private sector, will commence; and when he expects to announce the results of his study into comparative costs in private and public sectors.

The contract refits of Her Majesty's Ships Euryalus and Otter are due to commence by the end of the year. These will be compared with two similar refits to be conducted in the Royal dockyards. Final conclusions will not be reached until the longer of the two refits that of HMS Otter, has been completed and evaluated in relation to its dockyard comparator. The Otter refit will take about two years.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Cyprus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was last in touch with the Turkish Government over the Cyprus problem; and if he will make a statement.

We are in frequent touch with the Turkish authorities, both in Ankara and in London, and discuss the Cyprus problem in such contacts. My right hon. and learned Friend last discussed the matter with the Turkish Foreign Minister when they met in Washington on 30 May.

Greenland Treaty

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to place before Parliament under section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972 a resolution respecting the Greenland treaty, Cmnd. 9283.

I am not yet in a position to forecast when a draft Order in Council under section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972 will be brought before Parliament.

Falkland Islands

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesty's Government have not yet completed their consideration of fisheries conservation around the Falkland Islands.

Fisheries conservation would be one of the most important purposes of an exclusive fisheries limit (EFL) around the Falkland Islands. The establishment of such a zone is a complex matter which remains under active consideration. We must avoid the risks of long-term repercussions which could outweigh the short-term benefits of declaring an EFL.

Ec (Flags, Anthems And Honours)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government are represented on the working party established in accordance with the decisions of the Fontainebleau summit to design a Common Market flag, to compose a Common Market anthem and to draw up a Common Market honours list; and if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to seek the approval of Parliament before any such flags, anthems or honours lists are established.

The terms of reference of the ad hoc committee have not yet been decided. The United Kingdom will be represented. The Presidency Conclusions of the Fontainebleau Council do not mention a Community honours list. The House will have an opportunity in the usual way to consider any proposals on these matters.

Israel (High Seas Seizure)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has initiated any international action in response to Israel's seizure on the high seas of a Cypriot vessel and the kidnapping of some of its passengers.

No. No United Kingdom ship was involved in this incident. I understand that the Cyprus Government have protested to the Israeli authorities. Our support for the principle of freedom of navigation is well-known, and we of course condemn any violation of it.

Middle East Centre For Arab Studies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list, by name, rank and country of accreditation, all persons currently serving in Her Majesty's embassies in middle-eastern countries with the rank of head of chancery or above who underwent a full-time Arabic language course at the former Middle East Centre for Arab Studies at Shemlan, Lebanon.

The following officers with rank of first secretary or above attended MECAS and are currently serving or designated to serve in Middle Eastern countries:

Mr. A. G. Munro, CMG, Ambassador, Algeria
Mr. W. R. Tomkys, CMG, Ambassador and consul-general, Bahrain
Mr. W. H. Stevens, First secretary, Bahrain
Sir Michael Weir, KCMG, Ambassador, Egypt, Arab Republic of Cairo
Mr. M. C. S. Weston, Counsellor designate, Egypt
Mr. J. S. Laing, First secretary and head of chancery, Egypt
Mr. I. McCluney, Consul-general, Alexandria, Egypt
Sir John Moberly, KBE, CMG, Ambassador, Iraq

Mr. I. R. Callan, Counsellor, head of chancery and consul-general, Iraq
Mr. D. W. Wright, First secretary (commercial), Iraq
P. G. de Courcy-Ireland, CVO, Consul-general designate, Jerusalem
Sir Alan Urwick, KCVO, CMG, Ambassador, Jordan
Mr. D. R. Spedding, CVO, Counsellor, Jordan
Mr. A. R. Brown, MVO, First secretary (commercial), Jordan
Mr. M. R. Melhuish, CMG, Ambassador, Kuwait
Mr. G. H. Boyce, First secretary (financial and economic) and head of chancery, Kuwait
Mr. R. E. Palmer, Counsellor and consul-general, Lebanon
Mr. F. X. Gallagher, First secretary, head of chancery and consul, Lebanon
Mr. S. J. G. Cambridge, CMG, CVO, Ambassador, Morocco
Mr. D. Slater, CMG, Ambassador, Oman
Mr. R. J. Dalton, First secretary, head of chancery and consul, Oman
Mr. H. D. Marcelin, First secretary (commercial), Oman
Mr. I. S. Lockhart, MBE, First secretary (commercial), Qatar
Sir Patrick Wright, KCMG, Ambassador designate, Jedda, Saudi Arabia
Mr. J. Q. Greenstock, Counsellor (commercial), Saudi Arabia
Mr. G. L. St. L. Rolleston, MBE, Counsellor, Saudi Arabia
Mr. A. M. Layden, First secretary and head of chancery, Saudi Arabia
Mr. S. R. Bonde, First secretary (commercial), Saudi Arabia
Mr. R. J. S. Muir, Director-General, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mr. M. J. Copson, OBE, First secretary (defence supply) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mr. W. H. Fullerton, Ambassador, Somalia
Mr. R. A. Fyjis-Walker, CMG, CVO, Ambassador and consul general, Sudan
Mr. B. S. T. Eastwood, Counsellor and head of chancery, Sudan
Mr. C. S. M. Shelton, First secretary (aid), Sudan
The Hon. Ivor Lucas, CMG, Ambassador, Syria
Mr. J. R. Young, Counsellor, head of chancery and consul-general, Syria
Mr. D. L. Hardinge, First secretary, head of chancery and consul, Tunisia
Mr. H. B. Walker, CMG, Ambassador, UAE, Abu Dhabi
Mr. H. G. Hogger, First secretary, head of chancery and consul, UAE, Abu Dhabi
Mr. P. J. F. Mansley, First secretary, UAE, Abu Dhabi
Mr. L. J. R. Dando, First secretary and head of chancery (and first secretary aid), Yemen (North)
Mr. P. K. Williams, Ambassador, Yemen (South)

Scotland

Vitamin And Mineral Deficiencies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information or estimates his Department has collected on the number of people suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies in Scotland.

None.

Nhs Resources (Private Use)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many instances in the latest year the National Health Service received requests from the private medical sector for use of National Health Service resources; and how many requests were approved.

Information about requests submitted to health boards for the use of National Health Service resources is not available centrally.

School Buildings

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average age of main school buildings in Scotland; and how this compares with 1970, 1975 and 1980, respectively.

This information is not available centrally, but information obtained from education authorities in 1977 gave the following indication of the age of main school buildings in Scotland:

Age of main school buildings Percentage of all schools
	Primary	Secondary
Pre-1918	47	20
1918–39	9	15
Post-war	44	65

Labour Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures to show, at the latest available date, the percentage unemployment rate for each travel-to-work area in Scotland.

The information requested as at 14 June 1984, the latest date for which information is available, is given in the following table.

Travel-to-work area	Unemployment percentage rate
Dingwall	22·7
Fort William	15·9
Inverness	11·3
Nairn	15·8
Portree	19·1
Thurso	13·0
Wick	14·2
Lerwick	5·5
Kirkwall	10·6
Stornoway	20·0
Aberdeen	6·6
Banff	8·7
Buckie	14·3
Elgin	11·3
Forres	21·1
Fraserburgh	11·6
Huntly	9·8
Peterhead	11·3
Arbroath	20·7
Blairgowrie	15·4
Dundee	15·9
Forfar	10·6
Montrose	10·3
Perth	9·1
Dunfermline	13·8
Kirdcaldy	13·7
Anstruther	20·5
Cupar	9·8
St. Andrews	8·1
Glasgow	16·2
Dumbarton	19·7
Greenock	18·3
Paisley	15·8
Lanark	18·1
North Lanarkshire	19·9
Ayr	15·2
Cumnock	18·0
Girvan	17·6
Irvine	22·1
Kilmarnock	16·0
Rothesay	19·2
Campbeltown	16·8
Dunoon	12·9
Lochgilphead	11·4
Oban	9·9
Edinburgh	11·2
Bathgate	18·9
Haddington	8·0
Falkirk	16·7
Stirling	13·8

Travel-to-work area	Unemployment percentage rate
Dumfries	11·4
Castle Douglas	12·2
Newton Stewart	16·3
Sanquhar	16·4
Stranraer	15·0
Eyemouth	9·6
Galashiels	7·0
Hawick	8·1
Kelso	10·2
Peebles	9·8

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school leavers in Scotland were registered unemployed in January of each of the following years: (a) 1970, (b) 1974, (c) 1978, (d) 1980, (e) 1982, (f) 1983 and (g) 1984, respectively.

The following table shows for school leavers aged under 18 in Scotland the number registered as unemployed at January 1970 and 1974 and the number unemployed and claiming benefit at January of each of the years from 1978 to 1984. The registrant-based figures are not directly comparable with the claimant-based figures for more recent years.

School leavers registered as unemployed
	Numbers
1970	1,400
1974	2,800

Unemployed school leavers claiming benefit
	Numbers
1978	13,511
1980	11,474
1982	21,942
1983	25,278
1984	23,624

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average rate of unemployment in Scotland in percentage terms for each of the last 10 years to date in comparison to the average rate of unemployment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 July 1984, c. 393]: The following table shows for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland the annual average rate of unemployed people claiming benefit for the period 1974–83 inclusive. The figures for the years up to 1982 are estimates only as the unemployment count was registrant-based until October 1982.

Unemployed persons claiming benefit Average annual unemployment rates
	Scotland	England	Wales	Northern Ireland
1974^*	3·8	2·3	3·7	5·4
1975	5·0	3·7	5·5	7·4
1976	6·7	5·1	7·1	9·5
1977	7·7	5·4	7·6	10·5
1978	7·7	5·2	7·7	11·0
1979	7·4	4·8	7·3	10·7
1980	9·1	6·3	9·4	12·8
1981	12·4	9·8	13·5	16·8
1982	14·0	11·5	15·4	18·7
1983	14·9	12·3	15·9	20·2

^* The figures for 1974 are calculated over nine months as comparable figures of unemployed claimants are available only from April of that year.

Ship-Breaking, Cairnryan (Asbestos)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received regarding danger from asbestos arising from the ship-breaking at Cairnryan; and what action he has taken as a result.

I have received a copy of a letter which the Wigtown trades council sent to the Health and Safety Executive on this matter. Questions relating to danger from asbestos in the workplace are of course a matter for the Executive. If there is a threat to the general environment the matter is one for the district council.

Peterhead Cottage Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure the removal of fire hazards from the first floor of the Peterhead cottage hospital, which caters principally for elderly persons.

The responsibility for fire safety in Health Service premises rests with the health board for the area. Grampian health board is considering urgently further measures to improve the level of fire safety at this hospital.

Care In The Community

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether his review on joint planning and support finance with regard to care in the community is completed;(2) whether he will publish a document or consultative paper on joint planning and support finance, with regard to care in the community in Scotland;(3) with which bodies in Scotland he intends to consult on the subject of joint planning and support finance with regard to care in the community in Scotland.

I shall be making an announcement very soon.

Local Authorities (Grant Abatement)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities before his announcement of the general abatement of grant to Scottish local authorities.

I am meeting representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on Tuesday 17 July before my right hon. Friend announces the level of abatement of rate support grant for 1984–85.

Hospital Building Programme

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much the hospital building programme in Scotland has been expanded since May 1979; whether he will publish a table giving details; and which schemes are now in progress and will be instituted.

Expenditure on the hospital building programme has increased by over 85 per cent. since 1979. The details for the financial years are set out in the following table:

	£ million
1979ߝ80	57·6
1980ߝ81	59·5
1981ߝ82	84·0
1982ߝ83	92·4
1983ߝ84	^*98·4
^* Provisional

The estimate for 1984–85 is £107 million. Included in these sums is an allocation for health boards to spend themselves on smaller capital projects. This has tended to be about one-third of the total.

Boards also received special allocations totalling £6·5 million in 1983–84 and £16·8 million in 1984–85 to upgrade their stock in light of the survey of the capital estate in Scotland. These are also included in the table.

Schemes currently in progress under the major building programme are as follows:

Paisley district general hospital
Falkirk Royal infirmary maternity and geriatric unit
Gartloch hospital, Glasgow
Inverness Central hospital

	1979	1980	1981	1982	^1983*	Increase	Percentage increase
Medical staff in the hospital and community services	5,426·4	5,441·2	5,436·4	5,545·6	5,583·1	156·7	2·9
General practitioners	3,190·0	3,256·0	3,345·0	3,392·0	3,460·0	270·0	8·5
Nursing and midwifery	38,781·2	40,442·7	42,514·3	43,699·6	44,599·9	5,818·7	15·0
Nursing auxiliary/assistant	17,256·0	18,159·8	18,611·2	18,279·6	17,747·2	491·2	2·9
^*A11 1983 figures are provisional.

Figures for new doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff as requested in the question are not held centrally.

Nhs (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in spending on the National Health Service in Scotland in real terms giving the percentage increases for the period from May 1979 to date, and for each year giving the figures and the percentage increase in real terms year by year; and what are the most up to date plans for future years.

Detailed records of expenditure at constant prices are no longer maintained. The resources provided to the National Health Service in Scotland since the Government took office have, however, been sufficient to enable all health services to expand by about 7 per cent. within which hospital and community health services expanded by about 5 per cent.Gross expenditure on the National Health Service in Scotland, in cash terms, from 1979 has been as follows:

	£ million
1979–80	1,053
1980–81	1,331
1981–82	1,519
1982–83	1,6648
^*1983–84	1,764
^*Provisional

In 1984–85 gross expenditure is expected to be more than £1,870 million. the Government's present plans envisage expenditure on health in Scotland exceeding £2,060 million by 1986–87, an increase of almost £200

Royal Victoria hospital phase III, Edinburgh
Murray Royal hospital phase I, Perth
Borders district general hospital, Melrose
West Fife district general hospital, Dunfermline
Fife college of nursing, Kirkcaldy
Leverndale hospital, Glasgow
Caithness central hospital phase II, Wick
Kirklands hospital phase IA, Bothwell
Western general hospital phase II, Edinburgh
West Lothian district general hospital phase I, Livingstone

Staff Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff have been employed by the National Health Service in Scotland since May 1979, giving separate figures for each category year by year, to date, indicating the net increase in numbers for each category since May 1979.

The numbers of whole time equivalents in post for each of the years 1979 to 1983 and the net and percentage increases are as follows:million over the next two years. This should be sufficient to maintain the existing levels of service and to meet new demands.

Mentally Handicapped Children And Adults

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many residents there are in (a) local authority and (b) private and registered voluntary homes, for mentally handicapped children and adults, respectively;(2) how his most recent figure of approximately 1,500 places in the community for mentally handicapped children and adults was arrived at.

Figures for places in homes for mentally handicapped adults and children are contained in Social Work Services Group Statistical Bulletins "Residential Accommodation for the Elderly and Certain Other Adults, 1982" and "Residential Accommodation for Children, 1982". Copies of both bulletins are in the Library; explanatory notes referring to the collection of these statistics are included in the bulletins. Figures for 1983 have not yet been published.

Energy

Combined Heat And Power (Edinburgh)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning Edinburgh's claim to be made a lead city for combined heat and power; and if he will make a statement.

Numerous representations have been received concerning Edinburgh's wish to be a lead city for combined heat and power, including meetings with Department of Energy Ministers and Correspondence from interested parties.As indicated in my right hon. Friend's announcement of 5 April, local consortia wishing to seek financial assistance for the preparation of a prospectus for a combined heat and power scheme in up to three of the nine towns considered in the Atkins report should submit their proposals to the energy efficiency office by 31 July 1984. Decisions will be taken in the light of proposals received.

North Sea Oil

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes to seek to meet a delegation from the organisation of petroleum exporting countries to discuss prices and production quotas for North sea oil.

No. Nor have I received any request to meet such a delegation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes to give the British National Oil Corporation a specific direction on price for North sea crudes in view of the decline in spot prices.

No. The prices of United Kingdom North sea crudes are governed by market forces and established by negotiation between BNOC and its customers and suppliers.

Opec

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to apply to join the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries or without membership on the analogy of Mexico to become subject to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries disciplines.

No.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Aujeszky's Disease

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report of the virus research unit at Pirbright on the presence of Aujeszky's disease in pig carcase meat came into his possession; what action he is taking on it; and when it will be made publicly available.

Our officials are aware of the conclusions of this study which confirms our earlier understanding, conveyed to producers' organisations, that the risk from importing pig meat derived from healthy pigs is insignificant. I understand that the full report prepared by the Animal Virus Research Institute at Pirbright has been submitted to a scientific journal for publication shortly.

Milk Quotas

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest position regarding the proposal for transferability of milk quotas; and whether he will make a statement.

The revised draft Dairy Produce Quota Regulations, which were laid before the House on 11 July, will make it possible for a producer who moves to a different farm to have his quota transferred to the new farm, provided the person taking over the original farm and the landlord (where appropriate) agree to this. The regulations will also make it possible for a producer who has more wholesale quota than he needs but not enough direct sales quota, or vice versa, to exchange quota with a producer in the opposite position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest position regarding direct sales of dairy produce, following the introduction of milk quotas; and whether he will make a statement.

It was possible to give direct sellers guidance on how the quota system would be applied to them only after the Commission resolved a number of important points and agreement was reached on a further regulation on 14 June. We issued guidance to all producers on direct sales quotas in the following week immediately these matters had been settled. As soon as the United Kingdom regulations governing the milk supplementary levy have been approved by both Houses and come into effect, we will be writing to all milk producers inviting those with direct sales to register as direct sellers and to apply for an allocation of direct sales quota.

Eggs (Imports)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the influx of Polish and East German eggs on to the British market, following the blockage of their normal outlets by the Gulf war; and what steps are being taken to achieve orderly marketing in the interests of domestic producers.

There have not been any recent imports of Polish and East German eggs onto the British market. To protect the European Community market, an additional levy of 40 ecus. per 100 kg (equivalent to about 17p dozen for size 4 eggs) on imports from third countries was introduced on 8 June.

Mr Whitehead (Feoga Loan)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why Mr. Whitehead, a fisherman of Haberton, has not received his European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund loan for reconstruction and modernisation of his vessel; what administrative difficulties have caused this; what action he will take to expedite payment and interest thereon; and if he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend knows from correspondence we have had on his matter we have repeatedly urged that payment be expedited in this and other cases. I very much regret the delays but this is entirely a matter for the Commission.

Milk

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much milk (a) by volume and (b) by cost was exported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and to which countries;(2) how much milk (a) by volume and (b) by cost was imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and from which countries.

Details of imports and exports of milk for the past five years are given in the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, published by HMSO and available in the Library of the House.

Cereals

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the Commission's forecasts with regard to the supply and demand of cereals over the forthcoming year; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen no such forecast published by the Commission.

Milk Outgoers Scheme

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce further details of the milk outgoers scheme.

I have today put in the Vote Office and the Library of the House copies of the Milk Supplementary Levy (Outgoers) Scheme 1984, which provides the basis for the arrangements I announced on 25 May to compensate producers who agree to give up quota and cease milk production. An explanatory leaflet and application form will be sent to all milk producers as soon as the quota regulations on which the scheme depends come into operation.As announced on 25 May, the Government have agreed to make available a sum not exceeding £50 million for this scheme over the five-year period of 1984–89 to be paid in equal annual instalments. We shall be seeking an early opportunity to bring the necessary legislation before the House. Provision for up to £10 million in the current year will be sought for this new service through winter supplementary estimates on the relevant Agricultural Departments' Votes. The appropriate cash limit changes will be announced in due course. Pending Parliamentary approval of these supplementaries, urgent payments will be met from repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

Social Services

Single Homeless Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what criteria are employed by his Department's local offices when deciding the standard, facilities and cost of furnished accommodation for single homeless persons; and if he will make a statement;(2) what instructions he has issued to his Department's local offices with regard to their discretion to offer single

	1979		1983 (provisional)
Speciality	Average daily number of available beds	Available beds per 1,000^ population*	Average daily number of available beds	Available beds per 1,000^ population*
Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley health authority
Paediatrics	36	0·6	58	1·0
Acute surgical	411	1·5	416	1·5
Acute medical	294	1·1	278	1·0
Geriatrics	337	7·9	335	8·1

homeless persons, who have obtained unfurnished council or other accommodation, either (a) furnished accommodation or (b) a furniture grant plus rent assistance; and if he will make a statement.

The independent adjudicating authorities do not have discretion to offer furnished accommodation or payments for rent or furniture. They are required to decide, on the basis of the relevant regulations, on claims for weekly or single payments of supplementary benefit. Guidance on the interpretation of the regulations is issued by the chief adjudication officer, not my right hon. Friend, in the form of the S manual (a copy of which is in the Library) and occasional circulars.A single homeless person who obtains furnished board and lodging accommodation may be eligible for supplementary benefit to enable him to meet the charge made and the cost of any meals not provided, subject to a locally determined limit which reflects a reasonable charge for the area concerned. Questions of accommodation standards are a matter for local authorities rather than for the supplementary benefits scheme: if local office staff visit an establishment where there seems to them to be cause for concern about standards, they are expected to draw this to the attention of the local authority.Single payments for essential furniture and household equipment may be made to people moving into unfurnished or partly furnished accommodation. For certain categories of claimants, however, including single people in good general health, such payments can he made only if no suitable alternative furnished accommodation is available. Guidance on the interpretation of the provision was issued recently by the chief adjudication officer and a copy is in the Library (circular S/8/84).

Hospital Beds

asked the Secretary if State for Social Services (1) what was the total number of beds in the North-West regional health authority in the following categories (a) children's, (b) acute, (c) surgical and (d) medical and geriatric; and what was the ratio of these to the relevant population in 1979 and 1983, respectively;(2) what was the total number of beds in the districts now known as the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble valley district health authority and Tameside and Glossop district health authority in the following categories:

(a) children's acute and (b) surgical, meical and geriatric; and what was their ratio to the relevant population in 1979 and 1983, respectively.

Information is not available in precisely the form requested. The available information is given in the table.

	1979		1983 (provisional)
Speciality	Average daily number of available beds	Available beds per 1,000^ population*	Average daily number of available beds	Available beds per 1,000^ population*
Tameside and Glossop health authority
Paediatrics	28	0·5	21	0·4
Acute surgical	268	1·1	287	1·2
Acute medical	117	0·5	135	0·5
Geriatrics	255	7·3	244	6·9
North Western regional health authority
Paediatrics	723	0·8	722	0·9
Acute surgical	7,824	1·9	7,487	1·9
Acute medical	4,945	1·2	4,876	1·2
Geriatrics	4,890	8·0	5,194	8·5
^* Population aged 0–15 for paediatrics

Population aged 65 and over for geriatrics

Total population for acute medical and acute surgical.

Advice Services (Exhibition)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will pay an official visit to the exhibition on advice services which is taking place in the Upper Waiting Hall from 16 July to 20 July organised by the National Association of Disablement Information and Advice Lines.

I hope to do so. I understand that the exhibition is in fact organised by the Advice Services Alliance, and features the work of a wide range of advice services, including the National Association of Disablement Information and Advice lines.

Vitamin And Mineral Deficiencies

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information or estimates his Department have collected on the number of people suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies in England.

The Department has carried out a number of nutritional surveys^* of the population including infants, pre-school children and school children, adults and the elderly.

^* Recent reports:—
1.DHSS, Report on Health & Social Subjects 16: Nutrition and Health in Old Age: HMSO, 1979.
2.DHSS, Report on Health & Social Subjects 19: Rickets and Osteomalacia: HMSO, 1980.
3.DHSS, Report on Health & Social Subjects 21: Sub-Committee on Nutritional Surveillance, Second Report: HMSO, 1981.

More recent findings, including a dietary survey of school children, are at present being analysed and will be published in due course.

Medications (Charges)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the rates of charges for medications (a) for a patient receiving treatment in hospital and (b) for a patient being nursed at home who is in receipt of invalidity benefit.

There is no charge for NHS inpatient treatment. The normal prescription charge arrangements apply to individuals being cared for at home. Many recipients of invalidity benefit will qualify for prescription charge exemption, and others will have purchased prepayment certificates. The remainder will pay the standard charge of £1·60 per item.

Dental Payments (Capitation System)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce his decision on the recommendation of the Dental Strategy Review Group, page 26, paragraph 4·20, to institute a capitation system in place of the present method of payment for items of service.

The dental strategy review group recommended that the present system of remuneration by fee per item of service be retained for adults, but that a voluntary capitation scheme for children should be introduced. We proposed on 27 October 1982 that a pilot study should be set up to test the feasibility of a capitation scheme, and, following discussions with the profession, the study is due to begin later this year.

Benefits (Dewsbury)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the percentage of people in the Dewsbury travel-to-work area entitled to family income supplement who fail to draw the benefit; and what proportion of these people is of Asian origin.

I regret this information is not available.

Chiropodists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends admitting non-state registered chiropodists to National Health Service practice.

There is no intention of allowing non-state registered practitioners to be employed as chiropodists within the National Health Service.

Dental Treatment

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of a General Dental Services non-priority patient and a non-priority patient receiving supplementary benefit.

The average cost per course of dental treatment in England in 1983 was:

	£
Non-priority patients	^*29·53
Non-priority patients entitled to automatic remission of charges†	^*38·79
^* Excluding courses of treatment consisting only of examination, advice and report.
† This includes patients receiving supplementary benefit, family income supplement and free prescriptions or free milk and vitamins on grounds of low income.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of non-priority patients complete courses of general dental services treatment for Item 1, the free examination, only.

27·4 per cent. of courses of treatment given to non-priority patients in England in 1983 consisted only of examination, advice and report.

Southwark (Pensioners' Allowances)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioners in Southwark receive (a) attendance allowance and (b) mobility allowance.

I regret that this information is not available.

Attendance Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people applied for attendance allowance for the last 12 months for which figures are available; and of those how any were (a) granted, (b) refused and (c) allowed on appeal.

In 1983, the latest year for which information is available, there were 233,480 initial applications for attendance allowance. In the same year, 217,307 decisions were made on initial applications. Of these 159,491 resulted in awards and 57,816 were disallowed. In 1983, 5,527 awards were made on review following disallowance.

Stoma Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total expenditure of the Joint Board of Clinical Nursing Studies on training for stoma care nurses during 1982 and 1983, respectively;(2) what plans the Government have to increase training facilities in stoma care nursing.

Training facilities in stoma care nursing are provided and funded by individual health authorities. The Government have no plans to change the existing arrangements whereby decisions about facilities are taken by health authorities based on their assessment of local priorities and needs.The joint board of clinical nursing studies' role was to develop curricula for training and approve the centres where courses are run. This responsibility was taken over by the English National Board for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting on 1 July 1983. We have no information centrally about the costs of developing curricula and approving centres in 1982 and 1983.

Dentists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the figure of 216 dentists earning more than £100,000 each was arrived at.

From records of fees authorised by the Dental Estimates Board and the Scottish Dental Estimates Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the average expenses paid to dentists in the general dental service within the National Health Service in each of the last three years.

The average expenses payable to dentists in Great Britain in respect of each of the last three years are as follows:

	£
1981–82	22,962
1982–83	^*24,575
1983–84	^*26,051
^* Estimated.

Maternity Units

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give an assurance that he will attach full weight, in his regular discussions on resources with chairman of regional hospital authorities, to the publicly expressed wishes of patients and community health councils that maternity units should be retained in general practitioner hospitals located in county towns serving rural areas; and whether he will make a statement.

Responsibility for determining the pattern of maternity services best suited to local needs and circumstances must rest with the district health authority concerned. We accept the view of the maternity services advisory committee, whose two reports we have commended to regional and district health authorities, that:

"Ideally GP maternity facilities should be integral or adjacent to Consultant units. In some localities, however, geographic factors will require the continued availability of GP units distant from the Consultant unit."

We therefore expect GP maternity facilities to continue to play an important role within the range of services provided and that authorities, when proposing changes or developments should take this fully into account along with the views of users as expressed through community health councils. Whenever proposals to close or change the use of a GP hospital are opposed by CHCs and come to the Secretary of State for final decision, their views are always considered carefully, along with other factors such as the use made of the facility in question, its size, location and the availability of other services.

Interspecies Fertilisation

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies are being undertaken in the field of interspecies fertilisation as appear in the guidelines laid down by the Medical Research Council in its statement on human fertilisation and embryology in 1982; what species are involved; and what is the purpose of the studies.

We understand that interspecies fertilisation usually involves hamster eggs. It is used as a diagnostic test at some centres specialising in the investigation and treatment of men with infertility, to assist in the identification of those who have some prospect of fathering a child. We do not have information about the numbers of diagnostic tests and research studies involving this procedure centrally.

Women (Pensions)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why no benefits in pension entitlement accrue to women who retire in the month of March at age 60 years in respect of the period of full national insurance contributions paid for the period from the April prior to retiral to the month of March when they retire; and if he will take steps to enable such persons to reclaim the contributions for the 11-month period in question.

The final period to be taken into account for calculation of an individual's retirement pension entitlement is the tax year which ends on 5 April preceding the attainment of pension age. The inclusion of contributions paid after this date in the calculation of entitlement would necessitate a provisional pension award pending notification to the Department of the individual's final part-year of contribution payments. A recent study by officials of the Department concluded that such a system would produce reduction in standards of service and an unacceptable increase in administration costs.It has long been a principle of the national insurance scheme that contributions properly paid are not refundable and the Government have no plans to change this. The converse of these arrangements applies in relation to the first three tax years in a person's working life. Credits are fully available to the extent necessary to make those years qualifying years for pension purposes regardless of the date on which the contributor's 16th to 18th birthdays fall. To make refunds for contributions paid during the final tax year before retirement would constitute a loss of £30 million per annum at 1981–82 prices, and require an increase of over 100 staff to process the claims.

Long-Stay Patients

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his Department's estimate of the number of people presently in long-stay hospitals who will cease to be in such hospitals and who will instead be dependent on community care, in the current financial year and each of the next three financial years in each National Health Service region and in total.

The rate of discharge of long-stay hospital patients will depend on the progress individual health and local authorities are able to make and meaningful estimates cannot be made centrally. The 13 projects so far approved under the centrally-sponsored programme of Care in the Community pilot projects are expected to result in up to 500 long-stay patients being discharged over the next three years.

Civil Defence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total expenditure by each district health authority in each year since 1978–79 on civil defence contingency planning and provision.

This information is not separately identifiable in the annual financial accounts health authorities have submitted to the Department.

Nhs (Premature Retirement Scheme)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, pursuant to the reply which he gave to the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt) on 9 April, Official Report, columns 118–19, he will estimate the total cost of terminating the employment of the remaining 33 staff, at the earliest possible date, who were re-employed after having elected to take advantage of the premature retirement scheme.

I do not expect any additional costs to arise. The reason for termination is not redundancy and there can be no payment of redundancy compensation for the period of further employment. Even where the individual has paid further superannuation contributions, and that will by no means always be the case, these contributions go first to offsetting the compensation element of the earlier award and only when that is completely wiped out would additional pension benefits be earned. Even if they did earn additional benefits these would not be payable before the individual's normal retirement age.

Dr John Griffin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Dr. Griffin applied for permission to take up the position as head of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries; when his application was considered by the Diamond committee; who gave the views of his Department to the committee regarding Dr. Griffin's proposed appointment; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Griffin applied for permission to take up the position as director of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on 15 June. The rules governing public appointments did not require a reference to the advisory committee or any Ministerial approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the departmental responsibilities of Dr. John Griffin, noting which involve contact with the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical companies and giving an explanation of the nature of Dr. Griffin's responsibility wherever there is such contact.

Dr. Griffin's responsibilities covered the implementation of the Medicines Acts 1968 and 1971; the Biological Standards Act 1975; policy relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines; and international aspects of medicines control. All of these responsibilities could, at various times, involve contact with the pharmaceutical industry and with individual pharmaceutical companies. This contact was in the context of Dr. Griffin's responsibilities for advising Ministers on matters concerning the control of medicinal products under this legislation, and also for assisting the work of the independent statutory bodies set up under the Medical Act to advise Ministers on these matters. Dr. Griffin exercised these responsibilities in conjunction with the head of medicines division and with other colleagues from the various disciplines in the division.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Dr. Griffin is leaving his Department to join the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries; and if, in the meantime, he has been stopped from working on matters involving the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Griffin's last day of work in the Department will be 27 July 1984. In the meantime arrangements have been made for him to deal only with work which does not bring him into contact with the pharmaceutical industry. His other work has been allocated to other medical staff in medicines division, or to senior medical staff in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services who has been appointed to replace Dr. Griffin as head of the medicines division of his Department; when he will take up his position; and if he will be required to give any assurance that he will not in due course move directly from the Department to work for the pharmaceutical industry.

No decision has yet been taken on Dr. Griffin's replacement. We are in no position to seek assurances of the kind suggested from our officials, nor could we enforce them if they were offered.

Greenwich Health Authority (Health Visiting Staff)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an independent inquiry into allegations by the majority of the health visiting staff of the community unit of the Greenwich health authority of gross mismanagement and victimisation.

The allegations are being considered by the Greenwich health authority under agreed grievance procedures, and it would not be proper for us to intervene.

Newcastle Computer (Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what negotiations are currently taking place to end his Department's computer strike.

I would welcome an early resumption of the negotiations which the unions concerned broke off at the start of the strike action.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether his plans to increase the available scale margin for pensioners in receipt of supplementary benefit will be affected by the present computer strike at his Department;

(2) if he will list all those benefits currently affected by the computer dispute at his Department; and what changes he anticipates will be delayed or otherwise affected by the strike that were planned to take effect from 26 November.

The dispute at the Newcastle computer centre is currently affecting retirement pension, national insurance widows' benefits, child benefit and child's special allowance. As far as the changes to take effect in November are concerned we are currently considering the best way of ensuring that pensioners and others receive their new rates of benefit on time or with as little delay as possible. It is too soon to say to what extent individual benefits are likely to be affected as this depends upon a number of factors, not least the date on which the dispute ends. Clearly the most satisfactory solution would be a speedy end to the dispute.

Occupational Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people will benefit from his proposal to remove the age limit of 26 years for entitlement to preservation of occupational pensions; and how many others will benefit if the requirement to have five years' service in a scheme were (a) reduced to three years and (b) removed entirely.

I regret that the information is not available. The responses we received to our consultative document on early leavers suggested that in practice the age limit now has little significance. Ninety per cent. of members of occupational pension schemes (those contracted-out) must already have their benefits preserved after five years' service.

Blood And Blood Products

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of the recent Old Bailey convictions, he is satisfied with the arrangements within the National Blood Transfusion Service and National Health Service hospitals for recording the movement and storage of blood and blood products.

As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Batley and Spen (Mts. Peacock) on 12 July, we have issued guidance to the NHS on improved standards of record keeping and stock control in NHS hospitals. This will complement the existing arrangements within the national blood transfusion service itself.The incidents involved in the recent criminal proceedings appear to have been an isolated case which should not diminish the high reputation of our national blood transfusion service.

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will seek to raise the level of the following benefits so that they maintain in real terms their value in May 1979; widows' benefit, invalidity benefit, maternity allowance, Christmas bonus, maternity grant and attendance allowance.

Widows benefit and attendance allowance have more than maintained their values in real terms since May 1979.The Government are firmly committed to restoring the 1980 abatement of invalidity benefit as soon as that benefit is brought into tax. When maternity allowance is brought into tax we shall look again at the restoration of the abatement of that benefit, taking account of the economic and other circumstances prevailing at the time.As far as maternity grant is concerned we take the view that priority must be given to the weekly benefits which are intended to cover day to day living expenses. However we are currently carrying out a review of the financial provision for maternity and this, of course, includes the question of the maternity grant.This Government made the Christmas bonus a permanent feature of the social security system but, given the competing pressures on the social security budget, an increase in the amount of the bonus cannot be a high priority at present.

Retirement Pension

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the weekly cost of the increases in retirement pension announced in his statement of 18 June, Official Report, columns 20–22.

It is estimated that the November 1984 uprating will increase expenditure on retirement pensions by about £15 million per week.

Coal Industry Dispute

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which social work or social services departments have been approached by officials of his Department with a view to revealing the names of those miners on strike whose families are being assisted with loans or other payments; and under which legal power this information is sought.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 12 July. Social work and social services departments are of course departments of local authorities.

Nhs (Veterinary Surgeons)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many veterinary surgeons are employed in the National Health Service.

None.

Heating Additions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary pensioners (a) currently receive (i) higher rate and (ii) lower rate heating additions and (b) will receive from 26 November (i) higher rate and (ii) lower rate heating additions; and how many in each category will lose money due to the increase in the available scale margin.

We estimate that at present just over 1 million supplementary pensioners receive heating additions at the basic rate of £2·05 and just over 500,000 receive heating additions at the higher rates. From November it is estimated that about 950,000 pensioners will receive basic rate heating additions at £2·10 and that about 580,000 pensioners will receive heating additions at the higher rates. All these claimants will be affected by the changes in the available scale margin, but they will all gain in cash terms at the uprating. Indeed, about 170,000 supplementary pensioners will be better off in real terms because of the new automatic heating additions which will be payable to householders aged 65 or over, at £2·10 a week, and to those aged 85 or over, at £5·20 a week.

Paediatricians (Expenses)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid to consultant paediatricians and paediatric surgeons in travelling expenses in pursuance of their duties, six-monthly from 1980 to date, in the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley health authority and the Wigan district health authority.

We do not collect information centrally in a way that enables these items to be separately identified in health authorities' accounts. The chairmen of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley and Wigan health authority may be able to provide the information my hon. Friend seeks.

Supplementary Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number (a) of supplementary pensioners, (b) of national insurance widows under 60 years, (c) of other single-parent families, (d) of sick and disabled, (e) of unemployed men aged 60 to 65 years on the long-term rate and (f) of others who will be affected by changes in the available scale margin in November; and how many of these stand to lose 50p a week and how many stand to lose £1 a week as a result of the changes.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 June 1984, c. 242]: We estimate that the following numbers of claimants will receive less at the uprating in November than they would otherwise have done, because of the proposed changes in the available scale margin:

	Up to 50p less	Between 51p and £1 less
	(thousands)	(thousands)
Supplementary pensioners	345	1,245
National insurance widows under 60^*	†	5
Other single parent families^*	15	75
Sick and disabled^*	30	65
Unemployed men aged 60–65^*	5	20
Others^*	5	15
^* Receiving supplementary allowance.
† Too small to estimate accurately.

Pensioners (Housing Cost Assistance)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the number of pensioner households in England and Wales receiving help between May 1983 and April 1984 (a) as certificated housing benefit cases, (b) as housing benefit supplement cases and (c) as standard housing benefit cases;(2) what is the number of pensioner households in

(a) England and Wales and (b) Greater London currently

receiving help with housing costs (i) as certificated housing benefit cases, (ii) as housing benefit supplement cases and (iii) as standard housing benefit cases.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 June 1984, c. 355]: Information is not available in the precise form requested. The latest information available is given below. The information for certificated housing benefit and housing benefit supplement relates to December 1983. The information for standard housing benefit, which has recently become available, relates to September 1983. Information on housing benefit supplement and standard housing benefit for the GLC area is not available.The number of pensioner households currently receiving help is not available but we estimate that, broadly, about 70,000 pensioner households lost entitlement to housing benefit in April 1984 as a result of the changes.

Estimated number of pensioner households
Thousands
	England and Wales	GLC
Certificated housing benefit	1,360	205
Standard housing benefit	2,430	^*
Housing benefit supplement	160	^*
^*Not available.

Supplementary Pensioners

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary pensioners are in receipt of additions for (a) heating, (b) laundry and (c) special diets; and how many of these householders are headed by persons aged between 70 and 84 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1984, c. 529]: It is estimated that about 1·6 million supplementary pensioners receive heating additions, and that about 300,000 and 80,000 supplementary pensioners receive dietary additions and laundry additions respectively—the majority of whom are included in the 1·6 million who receive heating additions. It is estimated that between 1·1 and 1·2 million claimants between 70 and 84 receive heating additions. Reliable estimates cannot be made of the number of supplementary pensioners in this age band who receive dietary or laundry additions.

Housing Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what social security benefits, formerly uprated by the index of the increase of prices or earnings, have failed to keep pace with earnings and by what amount; and if he will publish a table showing the comparative figures.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1984, c. 560]: The table shows the main benefits which until November 1979 were uprated in line with the movement in prices or earnings. Since November 1979 all these benefits have maintained their value, being increased in line with the movement in prices. The table shows the effect of increasing the benefits in line with earnings.

	A	B
Benefit	November 1983 Rate	^November 1979 rate re-valued by movement in earnings to November 1983*
	£	£
Retirement pension
Category A, Category B (widow)	34·05	35·63
Category B (wife), adult dependant	20·45	21·41
Category C and D higher rate	20·45	21·41
Lower rate, adult dependant	12·25	12·84
Widow's benefit
Widow's allowance	47·65	49·85
Widowed mother's allowance	34·05	35·63
Widow's pension	34·05	35·63
Invalidity benefit
Invalidity pension	32·60	35·63
Adult dependant	19·55	21·41
Invalidity allowance: higher rate	7·15	7·49
middle rate	4·60	4·74
lower rate	2·30	2·37
Non-contributory invalidity pension
Personal rate	20·45	21·41
Adult dependant	12·25	12·84
Attendance allowance
Higher rate	27·20	28·44
Lower rate	18·15	18·96
Invalid care allowance
Personal rate	20·45	21·41
Adult dependant	12·25	12·84
Child dependency additions (to retirement pension, widow's benefit, non-contributory invalidity pension, invalid care allowance)	†7·60	10·86
Guardian's allowance
Child's special allowance
Industrial disablement benefit
100 per cent, disablement pension (aged over 18 or with dependant)	55·60	58·10
Disablement gratuity (maximum)	369,0·00	3,868·00
Industrial death benefit
Initial rate	47·65	49·85
Higher permanent rate	34·60	36·47
Lower permanent rate	10·22	10·69
Supplementary pension
Couple	54·55	57·57
Single householder	34·10	36·24
Non-householder aged 18 or over	27·25	28·97
War pension
100 per cent, disablement pension for private	55·60	58·10
Widow's pension—private's widow; standard rate	44·25	46·18
Childless widow under 40	10·22	10·69
^* Based on the movement in the Department of Employment Index of Average Earnings (whole economy—seasonally adjusted).
† Adjusted to take account of increases in child benefit.

Dentists (Earnings)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Fife, Central on 2 July, Official Report, column 74, on National Health Service dentists' earnings, he will make available all the information pertaining to gross earnings above £100,000 a year, indicating what were the highest individual gross earnings;(2) what was the highest figure of gross annual earnings paid to a dentist within the National Health Service in each of the last three years.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 July 1984, c. 415.]: The information, on the basis set out in the reply given on 2 July 1984 [Official Report Vol. 63 c. 74.], is as follows:

£	1981	1982	1983
100,000–109,999	50	63	76
110,000–119,999	29	37	56
120,000–129,999	18	26	33
130,000–139,999	14	23	19
140,000–149,999	4	9	14
150,000–159,999	1	8	7
160,000–169,999	1	4	3
170,000–179,999	3	3	5
180,000–189,999	2	0	0
190,000–199,999	4	1	0
200,000 and more	5	3	3
Highest individual gross earnings	£358,268	£239,611	£225,669

Volume 64: debated on Monday 16 July 1984

Written Answers To Questions

Attorney-General

Solicitors (Compensation Fund)

Transport

Underground Railways (London)

Ports Aid (London And Liverpool)

Driving Tests

Commission Of Irish Lights

Cycle Schemes

Motor Cyclists (Tests)

District General Hospitals (Access)

M27 (Southampton)

Cruise Ships

British Rail (Weedkiller)

Civil Aviation Authority (Review)

Prime Minister

Appointment Of Bishops Measure

Voluntary Organisations (Grants)

Special And Personal Advisers

Staff

Greater London Council (Ratepayers)

Overseas Visits

Office Expenses

Church Commissioners

St John's Church, Birkenhead (Organ)

House Of Commons

Gallery (Accommodation)

Home Department

South African Embassy

Immigration (Detention)

Deportation

Seamen (Detention)

Detained Persons

Harmondsworth Detention Centre

Prisoners (Statistics)

Spain (Wanted Persons)

Immigration

Aliens (Registration Fee)

Prison Adjudications

Royal Prerogative Of Mercy

Concessionary Tv Licence Scheme

Zimbabwe

Coal Mining Dispute

Places Of Worship (Fire Precautions)

Fire Precautions Act 1971

Fire Officer Duty Systems

Places Of Public Entertainment (Fire Protection)

World Administrative Radio Conference

Illegal Moneylending

Mr Bill Bush

Trade And Industry

Job Creation (Dewsbury)

Company Information (Postal Sales)

Company Information (Statutory Charge)

Cyprus (Exports)

Balance Of Payments

Company Directors (Government Nominees)

Sunshine Radio

Illegal Moneylenders

"The Observer"

Council Of Ministers

Overseas Development

Crown Agents (Dispute)

Wales

Health And Social Services

Coal Industry Dispute

Civil And Political Activities

Milk Quotas

Mental Handicap Strategy

Road Construction

Trunk Roads (Pembroke)

Colleges Of Further Education

School Books (Expenditure)

Schools Inspectors

Radioactivity (Survey)

Teachers (Religious Education)

Boundary Commissioners

The Arts