asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) women and (b) girls are on remand in custody at the latest available date; and how many have been on remand (a) up to one month, (b) one to two months, (c) two to three months, (d) three to four months, (e) four to six months. (f) six to nine months, (g) nine to 12 months and (h) over 12 months.

The most recent information available is given in the following table:

Estimated population*of untried and convicted unsentenced females in prison department establishments inEnglandandWaleson31 August 1984, by age and length of time since initial remand in custody
Number†
	Age
Length of time since initial remand in custody‡	Under 18	18 and over
Up to 1 month	10	140
Over 1 month up to 2 months	5	80
Over 2 months up to 3 months	—	50
Over 3 months up to 4 months	—	30
Over 4 months up to 6 months	—	35
Over 6 months up to 9 months	—	20
Over 9 months up to 12 months	—	5
Over 12 months	—	—
Total	15	350
* Based on records held centrally which are approximate; detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost.
† Rounded estimates; the components do not always add to the totals because they have been rounded independently.
‡ Including any time which may have been spent on bail after the initial remand in custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any estimate of the number of children belonging to the women in prison at the latest available date;(2) if he has any estimate of the number of children currently taken into care because of the imprisonment of their mother.

This information is not kept centrally and reliable estimates could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are currently in prison with their children, where they are located, what are the ages of the children, and what were the offences for which the mothers were charged or convicted.

On 12 October 1984, the latest date for which this information is available, there were 20 women in custody with their children. Six were in Styal, of whom four had been convicted of drugs-related offences, one for wounding and one for burglary. Their children's ages ranged from three days to 18 weeks. Eight were in Askam Grange, of whom four had been convicted of deception, two of theft, one of supplying drugs and one of manslaughter. Their children's ages ranged from six weeks to 14 months. Six were in Holloway, of whom three had been convicted of the importation of drugs, two of theft and one of arson. Their children's ages ranged from three days to eight months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pregnant women are currently in prison; where they are located; whether they are on remand or serving a sentence; and what are the offences for which they have been charged or convicted.

Forty-four in custody on 12 October 1984 were known to be pregnant. Ten were on remand: two in Pucklechurch, two in Risley and six in Holloway. Thirty-four were sentenced: one in Low Newton, three in Drake Hall, four in Holloway, 12 in Askham Grange and 14 in Styal. The main offences with which these 44 women were charged or convicted were: theft (16), burglary (6), deception (3), drugs-related offences (3), customs evasion (2), forgery (2), arson, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, failure to comply with a community service order, conspiracy, criminal damage, conspiracy to defraud, false representations, forgery, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, perjury, handling of stolen goods, breach of a suspended sentence and wounding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women who gave birth while in prison awaiting trial or sentence in 1983 and so far in 1984 were (a) acquitted and (b) given non-custodial sentences; how long each had been in custody; and what were the offences with which they were charged or convicted.

I am advised that information about the outcome of court proceedings is available in respect of 13 of the 14 unsentenced women who gave birth whilst in custody between 1 January 1983 and 12 October 1984, as follows. One was acquitted of manslaughter after one month in custody and one acquitted of a drugs-related offence after six months in custody. Two were convicted of burglary and soliciting and given non-custodial sentences, both after two months in custody. Two received hospital orders after three and a half and four and a half months in custody after convictions for arson and deception respectively. Seven were given custodial sentences after one and a half, four, four and a half, five, six, eight and 12½ months in custody. Their convictions related to the handling of stolen goods, theft, drugs-related offences, burglary, robbery and murder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women who gave birth to babies in 1983 and so far in 1984 were (a) serving a prison sentence, (b) in borstal, (c) awaiting trial or sentence in custody; and if any children were born in prison.

Of the 121 women who gave birth whilst in custody in the period 1 January 1983 to 12 October 1984, 80 were serving terms of imprisonment and 27 were serving sentences or borstal training or youth custody: 14 were awaiting trial or sentence. All but one was in an outside hospital at the time of delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure a standard procedure for prompt liaison between fire services and local authority environmental health officers when asbestos hazards arise from fires such as the one at Claremont industrial estate, Cricklewood, London NW2 on 24 August.

Detailed procedures for liaison between the fire and environmental health services must be decided by local authorities in the light of the particular circumstances. The Department has issued guidance to fire authorities on the dangers from asbestos and how to minimise them. Our officials will now discuss with the fire service, wider local authority interests and the Health and Safety Executive how this guidance might best be supplemented after the Cricklewood experience.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many London authorities or local authority organisations included in their responses to Cmnd. 9063 comment supporting the retention of a single London-wide fire brigade in London; how many were opposed to the retention of a single fire brigade; and how many suggested special organisation changes for London's Fire Brigade when commenting on section 2.19 of Cmnd. 9063.

Responses to Cmnd. 9063 indicated little support for change in the organisation of the London Fire Brigade. No London borough or local government organisation was opposed to the retention of a London-wide brigade or suggested special organisational arrangements for its management by the joint fire board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the Government's intention that the setting up of four area committees within the proposed London joint board for fire, combined with the ability of groups of London boroughs to run their own local fire brigades at some future date, should lead to the eventual disbandment of the London Fire Brigade.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has had concerning the working of the British Nationality Act; and if he will make a statement.

Last week my right hon. and learned Friend and I had a useful discussion with representatives of the General Synod of the Church of England on the working of the British Nationality Act 1981 and the immigration rules.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to remove a chairman of a local police authority; and if he will make a statement.

No. The appointment or removal of a chairman of a police authority is entirely a matter for the authority itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were refused entry into the United Kingdom on the grounds of mental disorder in each of the last three available years.

The numbers of persons refused leave to enter the United Kingdom on the grounds of mental disorder, as recommended by the port medical inspector, were 124 in 1981, 126 in 1982 and 129 in 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether prison hospital officers who are not professionally qualified nurses attend courses on psychiatric nursing in a secure environment.

Yes. Basic training for hospital officers includes seven weeks, training in psychiatric nursing, involving placements in a special hospital and secure unit as well as a psychiatric hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what figures are kept by the prison department of the number of mentally handicapped people in prison; how such people are defined for the purpose of keeping such figures; and if he will provide such figures for the last three years, broken down by age, sex and prison.

Figures are kept for the number of prisoners assessed by prison medical officers as severely mentally impaired, and mentally impaired for the purposes of part III of the Mental Health Act 1983. Prior to the enactment of the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982 (consolidated in the 1983 Act) the equivalent classifications were severely subnormal and subnormal.On 31 March 1984 there was one severely mentally impaired male prisoner aged 20 held in Swansea prison.The number of subnormal mentally impaired prisoners on 31 March for the last three years, broken down by age, sex and establishment are as follows:

31 March 1982
Establishment	Subnormal	Age	Sex
Ashford	1	20	Male
Blundeston	2	29	Male
		25	Male
Cardiff	1	34	Male
Cookham Wood	1	37	Female
Dartmoor	1	38	Male
Gartree	2	27	Male
		25	Male
Glen Parva	1	20	Male
Gloucester	1	34	Male
Holloway	1	35	Female
Leicester	1	28	Male
Lewes	2	25	Male
		19	Male
Oxford	2	21	Male
		21	Male
Reading	1	36	Male

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the earliest and latest dates, respectively, when he expects domestic production of natural gas to be less than current or projected demand.

Domestic production of natural gas has been lower than demand in every year since UKCS production started. This is likely to continue for some time to come.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there is anything in the constitution of the new enterprise company which forbids it operating before the end of the current miners' strike.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when the new enterprise company will begin operation in mining districts;(2) who will appoint the chief executive and senior officers of the new enterprise company; and when such appointments can be expected.

The appointment of the chief executive and senior officers of NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. will be made by the National Coal Board. I understand that it has almost completed assembling the board of directors. The appointment of the chief executive has been advertised to meet the procedures agreed within the industry. The details of the appointment have to be made known to the management of the NCB so that they can have an opportunity of applying for the post.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how the new enterprise company will be financed; and how much money it will have at its disposal annually.

The National Coal Board is providing initial funds of £5 million, but this figure will be reviewed as the activities of the company develop.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many people the new enterprise company will employ.

The staffing structure has not yet been fixed, but the new enterprise company will be able to draw on the skills of the management of the whole of the National Coal Board and outside professional consultancy firms if necessary, as well as staff it employs directly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how the new enterprise company will decide where and on which projects it will spend resources.

This will be a matter for the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy with which bodies the Government and National Coal Board consulted before setting up the new enterprise company to fund projects in mining areas.

The new enterprise company will establish communications with all Government and other agencies which provide finance, advice and trading facilities in the localities where the company will be operating.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy who may apply to the new enterprise company for finance for job creation projects in mining areas; and by what criteria applications will be judged.

Any person or firm interested in a project which will bring benefit to a mining community will be able to approach the new enterprise company. The applications will be judged on their potential for providing jobs in these communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the new enterprise company is intended to be a permanent feature within the coal mining industry; and if he will make a statement.

It is certainly intended to be a feature for the forseeable future.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans there are to introduce new industry into the Castleford travel-to-work area to replace the jobs lost by the pending closure of Glasshoughton colliery and the partial closure of Ackton Hall colliery.

Many miners who chose to take the excellent voluntary redundancy terms available are older men who wish to retire immediately. Others, of course, wish to look for new work, and it was to help them that the new company NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. was set up. NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. supports and initiates job creation efforts in coal industry areas affected by closures and where unemployment is substantial.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much coal is presently stocked at power stations; and whether he has been informed by the Central Electricity Generating Board of plans to augment those stocks after 25 October.

The latest published figures are for stocks of coal at power stations in Great Britain at the end of August. These show stocks of 15½ million tonnes. The Central Electricity Generating Board has been doing all it can to conserve its coal stocks since the strike began. It has of course kept me informed of the broad position.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if Her Majesty's Government will now consider meeting the cost of the Sizewell public inquiries, including objectors' costs.

The administrative costs of the Sizewell inquiry are being met by my Department and the Central Electricity Generating Board. It is not the Government's policy to meet the costs of parties to public inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies have been made by or for Her Majesty's Government of the feasibility of safe land storage of nuclear waste; and which of them have been published.

I have been asked to reply.Nuclear wastes can be, and are, stored safely and successfully prior to disposal provided appropriate precautions are taken to safeguard workers and the general public. At sites licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, it is the responsibility of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to regulate such storage. A comparative assessment of alternative waste storage concepts for non-heat generating wastes was made in a report for my Department in April 1983 by Electrowatt Engineering Services (UK) Ltd. (DOE/RW/83.078), which is available in the National Lending Library. Studies on storage of heating-generating waste are described in the published progress reports on my Department's research programme, which are in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in matters relating to wildlife and conservation; and if she will make a statement.

There is always room for improvement.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Liverpool.

I visited Liverpool on 2 October 1984. I have at present no further plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 October.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I shall be attending a dinner given by President and Madame Mitterrand.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent visit to Chester.

In the course of my visit to Chester and Clwyd on 21 September I saw in operation a variety of youth training and technical education schemes. These were based at British Aerospace (Broughton), Browns department store in the city of Chester, Ysgol Maes Garmon at Mold, and the Wrexham information technology centre.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list the names of members of the Government who have visited the International Garden Festival, Liverpool.

In addition to myself the following members of the Government visited the festival:

• The right hon. Michael Heseltine MP
• The right hon. Patrick Jenkin MP
• The right hon. Tom King MP
• The right hon. Michael Jopling MP
• The right hon. Peter Rees QC MP
• John Stradling Thomas Esq MP
• The Lord Bellwin
• The right hon. Kenneth Baker MP
• The right hon. Paul Channon MP
• Mrs. Peggy Fenner MP
• The right hon. The Lord Belstead
• Sir George Young BT MP
• Allan Stewart Esq MP
• Wyn Roberts Esq MP
• The Lord Skelmersdale

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent talks with the Italian Prime Minister, Signor Bettino Craxi.

My talks with Signor Craxi on 18 and 19 October confirmed the excellent state of Anglo-Italian relations. We discussed in depth European Community issues, prior to Italy's assumption of the Presidency of the Community, and how to create an economically successful Europe. We discussed also East/ West relations and other international issues. We agreed that there were good possibilitiies for industrial collaboration following the successful launch of the EH101 helicopter.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement outlining the progress made in seeking a solution to the European Economic Community budget problem since the Fontainebleau summit.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 23 October, at column 538.

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from families of British citizens detained in Libya; what reply she has given; and if she will make a statement.

I have received four letters from the next of kin and at my invitation saw five of them on 17 October. Following a thorough discussion of the situation I assured them that I would pursue every avenue to secure the release of the detainees.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will consider changing the arrangements for administering the office of the Social Security Commissioners.

I have decided to transfer responsibility for administering the office from the Secretary of State for Social Services to the Lord Chancellor in relation to England and Wales, and for Scotland to the Secretary of State for Scotland. Since the Lord Chancellor is already responsible for advising on the appointment of the commissioners, it makes sense for their office to be administered by his Department. In Scotland, the office will be administered by the Scottish Courts Administration.The necessary transfer of functions order is in preparation, to take effect from 1 January 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many farming units, which produced less than 200,000 litres in 1983, have benefited by the reallocation of the quotas that have become available through the surrender of quotas under the outgoers scheme in (a) Wales, (b) Dyfed and (c) the former county of Carmarthen.

The purpose of the outgoers scheme is to purchase 2¼ per cent. of the England and Wales quota which will then be reallocated to those producers who delivered less than 200,000 litres in 1983, in order to return them to their 1983 level of production.Letters of acceptance under the outgoers scheme have been issued to the following prospective outgoers:

		Number
(a)	Wales	540
(b)	Dyfed	252
(c)	The former county of Carmarthen	97

Applicants were given four weeks in which to accept or withdraw their applications but can defer replying if they are awaiting final direct sales quota or the results of a special case application for additional quota.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the capitation allowance for each of the secondary schools in Dyfed (a) in total and (b) per pupil, for the current year 1984–85; how this compares with the money made available in 1983–84 and in 1979–80, respectively; and how the change compares with the rate of inflation since 1983–84 and 1979–80, respectively.

This information is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for neuro physiotherapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;

This information is not held centrally. It is for district health authorities to provide and develop appropriate clinical facilities for those with multiple sclerosis, as indeed for other patients with disabling neurological conditions. Service provision is normally made available from district general hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for group therapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;(2) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for telephone counselling by trained counsellors who have personal experience of the disease; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not held centrally. The development of any specialised scheme would be a matter for local or health authorities as appropriate working in concert with clients and voluntary effort, taking account of local needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for hyperbaric oxygen therapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Information on specialist facilities for hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not held centrally. Whilst its effects in the treatment of multiple sclerosis have yet to be assessed and established, hyperbaric oxygen is not made generally available from district general hospitals in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the extent to which the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's ruling to free franchise holders for motor vehicle parts has affected the percentage of components and, in particular, replacements for imported vehicles, supplied by United Kingdom sources.

Statistical information on replacement car parts of the kind sought by the hon. Member is not readily available at present. However, the Office of Fair Trading is currently conducting a survey with a view to assessing the effect of the Car Parts Order (SI 1146/1982).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take in response to the NEDO Report "Crisis facing UK Information Technology"; and if he will make a statement.

The NEDO report acknowledged the significant programmes of support that this Government have established for IT and the success of the many Government initiatives taken. Over the past five years there has been a significant shift in Government resources towards IT but we are not complacent about the problems created by the growth in international competition. We share NEDO's objective of seeking to create a climate in which the UK IT industry will increase its international competitiveness and we shall continue to pursue this objective vigorously.The Government have already given a full response to NEDO's earlier report "A Policy for the UK Information Technology Industry" and we are considering whether any further action needs to be taken in the light of NEDO's latest report. In particular, we share NEDO's concern about the issue of skill shortages in this industry and have therefore established a committee under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to explore the extent of any problems and to propose action to tackle them.NEDO's report has already been discussed at a meeting of the NEDO Council and also in the course of the debate in this House on 21 June, and I see no need to make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has made a study of the potential effects on the book and publishing industry of an imposition of value added tax at (a) the current rate and (b) 5 per cent.; and if he will make a statement on his findings.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department commenced its inquiry into the affairs of the Southend United football club; what were the terms of reference; and when the report of the inquiry will be completed.

My Department is not at present carrying out any inquiries into Southend United Football Club Ltd. Certain matters have recently been brought to the Department's attention and consideration is being given as to whether there is any action my Department needs to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the undertakings given following the Monopolies Commission report on the supply of colour film in 1966 have been reviewed.

Following publication of the MC report on the supply of colour films in 1966. Kodak gave five undertakings to the Secretary of State. The Director General of Fair Trading has recently reviewed these undertakings and has recommended that Kodak should be released from two of them.The undertakings concerned are the undertaking not to exceed a gross profit level of 61·5 per cent. of the value of sales and the undertaking to abandon resale price maintenance and to reduce recommended prices. Regarding the first of these the Director General considers that it no longer places a real constraint on Kodak's pricing or provides useful information by which to monitor Kodak's performance. He considers the second undertaking was made redundant by Kodak's price reduction in 1966 and the resale prices legislation which imposes a general ban on the maintenance of minimum resale prices.The three undertakings that the Director General recommends should remain in force are an undertaking not to discriminate between retail outlets for colour film products subject to normal commercial considerations; an undertaking to make colour films available to the retailer at prices both inclusive and exclusive of a charge for processing and an undertaking to consider genuine requests for technical help from independent processors who might wish to undertake the processing of Kodak colour films. Undertakings similar to the last two of these were also given by six other companies following the MMC report. The Director General recommends that the undertakings given by these other companies should also remain in force.My right hon. Friend has accepted the Director General's recommendations that Kodak should be released from two of its undertakings but that the other three undertakings given by Kodak and the two undertakings given by the other companies should remain in force. The Director General will continue to keep the colour films market, including the remaining undertakings, under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the channel centre frequencies assigned to the Bus and Coach Council confirmed in the letter of 12 September from the Directorate of Radio Technology to the Bus and Coach Council will enable operators to purchase new equipment in good time for a smooth and painless transfer to band III.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about proposals to equalise car prices within the European Economic Community; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply 24 October 1984, c.593]: Many representations have been received from manufacturers, dealers, consumer organisations and other interests about the European Commission's proposed regulation to exempt motor vehicle selective distribution systems from the prohibition on restrictive agreements in the European Community's competition rules.In response, we have made clear that in determining its attitude to the Commission's proposals the Government have had to take proper account of the interests of all those likely to be affected by the regulation.Our objective is to achieve a regulation which will prove beneficial to the operation of the EC internal market but which reflects the advantages of selective distribution for motor cars. The Government are continuing to participate in discussions with the Commission to achieve a satisfactory and workable regulation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for telephone counselling by trained counsellors who have personal experience of the disease; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;(2) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for neuro physiotherapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;(3) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for nutritional advice; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;(4) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for group therapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement;(5) what specialist facilities are available to people with multiple sclerosis for hyperbaric oxygen therapy; where they are situated; what action he is taking to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows:

(i) telephone counselling,, provided by trained counsellors from the Multiple Sclerosis Action Group Northern Ireland and located in Bangor, County Down;

(ii) physiotherapy facilities for neurological patients, provided at the Royal Victoria and Claremont street hospitals, Belfast and for long stay patients at Musgrave park hospital, Belfast and Thompson house, Lisburn. Patients can, if necessary, receive follow-up treatment in other hospitals throughout the Province;

(iii) nutritional advice, given by consultant neurologists and dieticians based at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast;

(iv) group therapy activities, available at day centres and workshops for the disabled and through the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Belfast;

(v) a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is located at Craigavon area hospital, but provison of this form of treatment is not currently available, pending the results of clinical trials.

The development of all these services is constantly under review and provision is increased depending on need, and the availability of resources.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether the Minister for the Arts has made a study of the potential effects of the imposition of value added tax on books at (a) the current rate and (b) 5 per cent. on national and local library provision; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities reclaim VAT on their non-trading activities, so that the imposition of value added tax on the purchase of books would not increase the costs of public libraries. The costs of the British Library would be increased by £500,000 per year if value added tax was imposed on books at the current rate, and £167,000 if the tax was levied at a rate of 5 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what discussions took place between the Office of Arts and Libraries and representatives of the English National Opera, concerning possible financial support from Her Majesty's Government for the English National Opera's recent North American tour.

The chairman of the English National Opera has kept my right hon. and noble Friend regularly informed of the financial situation of the company.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, pursuant to his reply of 1 August, Official Report, column 302, which individuals have been approached with a view to becoming members of the proposed South Bank Board should the Greater London council be abolished.

None as yet.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, pursuant to his reply of 1 August, Official Report, column 302, what progress has been made in the setting up of the South Bank Board to administer the south bank should the Greater London council be abolished.

Discussions are taking place with the Arts Council.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what legal inquiries have been made concerning ownership of the south bank arts complex.

Particulars have been requested of the council's title to properties on the south bank.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, pursuant to his reply of 27 July, Official Report, column 856, if he will detail what discussions have taken place between the Department of Arts and Libraries and district councils concerning the maintenance of an integrated museum service in the event of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils; and how much central funding will be made available.

It is a matter of regret to the Government that the district councils in the Tyne and Wear area have not yet sought discussions on the maintenance of an integrated service after abolition. My right hon. and noble Friend hopes that the successor authorities will react positively to the Government's initiative, to which I referred in my reply of 27 July; and that they will approach him in the near future. Provided satisfactory arrangements can be agreed, the appropriate level of central support would, of course, be part of these discussions.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what arrangements will be made for the continuation of open air concerts at Kenwood should the Greater London council be abolished.

Ownership and management of Kenwood house and the grounds attaching to it will pass to the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission following the abolition of the GLC. Responsibility for future events at Kenwood will rest with the commission but its chairman, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, has indicated that he would like the lakeside summer concerts to continue.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, pursuant to his reply of 5 March, Official Report, column 601, if the Minister for the Arts has had any discussions concerning the construction of a new national portrait gallery on the south bank.

Not yet. The national portrait gallery trustees are also considering other possible ways of providing additional accommodation elsewhere, and will no doubt make proposals to my right hon. and noble Friend when they have assessed the alternatives. It is intended that the option of a south bank site should meanwhile remain open.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the revenue saved by the parental contribution to higher education.

It is estimated that in the academic year 1984–85 parents will be asked to contribute about £250 million towards the cost of the higher education of their children.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conditions apply for public servants, including defence personnel, to be eligible for public funds to assist with their children's secondary school education; and if he will make a statement.

There is no single Government scheme for assisting public servants with the costs of boarding education for their children in the limited circumstances where this is required. Various schemes operate and are the responsibility of the relevant Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of pupils of secondary school age of public servants, including service personnel currently being publicly funded, and the cost to public funds; and what are the corresponding figures for October 1979 and October 1974.

Information is not collected centrally in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a table showing the cost of teachers' salaries as a proportion of total expenditure on education, each year since 1979 to the latest convenient date;(2) if he will publish a table showing the cost of teachers' salaries, and the percentage increase, each year since 1979 to the latest convenient date.

The expenditure since 1979 by local education authorities in England on the salaries of school teachers as a proportion of their total net expenditure on schools, and the yearly percentage increases in salaries are as follows:

Year	Expenditure on Teachers' Salaries (England)*(£ million Cash)	Col. (a) as percentage of Total Net Expenditure on Schools (per cent)	Increase in Expenditure on Teachers' Salaries over the Previous Year (per cent)
	(a)	(b)	(c)
1978–79	2,709	59·5	11·2
1979–80	3,066	58·9	13·2
1980–81	3,880	60·9	26·5
1981–82	4,302	61·7	10·9
1982–83	4,550	61·7	5·8
*Includes salaries plus employers' contributions to national insurance and superannuation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has made a study of the potential effects of the introduction of value added tax at the current rate and at 5 per cent. on (a) school libraries, (b) university libraries and (c) students in higher education; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has made no such study.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the criteria by which his Department calculates the extra weeks' allowance element of the student grant.

The criterion for calculating the allowance for extra weeks of study is that it should cover those items of expenditure which a student could reasonably be expected to incur as a result of his additional study, including board and lodging and travel.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the financial disparity for a medical student during the clinical period of his training between th weekly grant-income, assuming a full grant, and the amount received as the extra weeks' aallowance; and what would be the estimated cost to his Department, expressed as a percentage of the total cost of student grants and as a monetary total, of increasing the extra weeks' allowance to the level of the weekly grant-income.

In 1984–85 for those students living away from home and studying outside London the weekly grant income, assuming a full grant, exceeds the extra weeks' allowance by £14·50. At present grant rates, to increase the extra weeks' allowance for all students to the level of the weekly grant income is estimated to cost about £11 million per annum; this represents approximately 2·3 per cent. of the total estimated cost of undergraduate student maintenance in the current academic year. The cost of increasing the extra weeks' allowance for clinical medical students cannot be separately identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report (a) how many schools are taking part in the assisted places scheme in the academic year 1984–85 and (b) how many schools which wished to take part could not meet the requirement that 60 per cent. of the aided pupils formerly attended maintained schools.

There are now 226 schools in England in the scheme. The answer to the second part of the question cannot be known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what cost-benefit analysis his Department has carried out of the expenditure involved in the assisted places scheme; to what conclusions it pointed; and if he will make a statement.

The average cost to the public funds of an assisted place is broadly comparable to the average unit cost of educating a pupil in a maintained school. The widening of opportunities which the scheme offers to low-income families represents good value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what basis his Department records and studies the examination results of children educated under the assisted places scheme; whether these results have been compared with those of children at maintained schools; and what conclusions he has come to concerning educational standards as a result of the scheme.

Very few assisted pupils have as yet taken public examinations and it would be premature to draw conclusions on the results collected to date. Even with a larger sample, however, great care would be needed in interpreting such output measures.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report (a) how many pupils are taking part in the assisted places scheme in the academic year 1984–85 and (b) of these, how many and what percentage attended non-maintained schools (i) at some time in their educational history and (ii) immediately prior to taking up an assisted place.

Returns are not yet available from all schools to permit the first part of the question to be answered. Information is not, however, collected which would permit an answer to the second part of the question in the terms specified.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has reached its conclusions about possible methods of comparing examination results from different types of school system; and if he will make a statement.

The Department's work on this is almost concluded and I hope to make a statement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which cases he has rejected proposals put forward by local authorities to close or amalgamate secondary schools pursuant to the Education Act 1980; and what are the reasons for his rejections.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report those organisations and individuals who responded to the Green Paper, "Parental Influence at School" (Cmnd 9242); how many of these submissions supported the proposal that parents should elect, from amongst themselves, the majority of the members of school governing bodies; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 October 1984, c. 532–3]: By 22 October, responses had been received from the organisations listed as follows and from 179 individuals. A substantial number of respondents favoured increased parental representation on school governing bodies: 33 expressed themselves clearly in favour of a parental majority. The Government are now considering the way forward in the light of the various comments received.

• Abbott Primary School, Colleyhurst—governors
• Acacias Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Advisory Centre for Education
• Adwick School Parents Association, Doncaster
• Aldingbourne Parish Council
• Alfred Sutton Primary School Association, Reading
• All Saints Junior School Maidenhead—staff
• Alma Park Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Alwyn Infants School, Maidenhead—governors
• Arden Sixth Form College, Manchester—governors
• Ascot Heath Infants School, Ascot—governors
• Ashbury Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Assistant Masters and Mistresses Associations
• Association of Colleges of Further and Higher Education
• Association of County Councils
• Association of District Councils
• Association of District Secretaries—education working group
• Association of Education Officers
• Association of London Voluntary Schools Parents
• Association of Metropolitan Authorities
• Association of Voluntary Aided Secondary Schools
• Aston Branch Labour Party
• Athelney and Elfrida Schools, SE6—governors
• The Avenue School, Reading—governors
• Avon LEA
• Bank Meadow J&I School, Manchester—governors
• Barking & Dagenham Federation of Parent and Parent/ Teacher Associations
• Barnet LEA
• Barnsley LEA
• Bartholomew School, Eynsham—governors
• Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
• Beaver Road Junior School, Manchester—governors
• Beech Grove Primary School, Wellington—governors
• Beechwood J&I Schools, Reading—governors
• Benchill Infant and Junior Schools, Wythenshawe—governors
• Berkshire LEA
• Bexley LEA
• Bidbury Middle School, Havant—governors and staff
• Bilton Primary School, Hull—governors
• Binfield Primary School—governors
• Birches School, Manchester—governors
• Birchfields Junior School, Manchester—governors
• Birmingham Chamber of Industry and Commerce
• Birmingham LEA
• Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury—governors
• Blagdon Nursery School, Reading
• Blakedown First School, Kidderminster—governors
• Bolton LEA
• Boreham Wood Headteachers' Association
• Boston Spa Comprehensive School—governors
• Bournemouth Grammar Schools—governors
• Bowker Vale Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Boyne Hill and All Saints Schools, Maidenhead—governors
• Bradstow School, Broadstairs—governors
• Brent LEA
• Brighton Polytechnic
• Briscoe Land J&I School, Manchester—governors
• British Federation of University Women
• "
• Broadhurst Primary School, Machester—governors
• Broad Oak Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Bromley LEA
• Bromsgrove Education Group
• Brookbury Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Brunel University Department of Government
• Buckden Parish Council
• Buckden School, Buckden
• Buckinghamshire Federation of Head Teachers Associations
• Bucklebury Primary School—governors
• The Bulmershe School, Reading—staff
• Burgess Becker Primary, School, Manchester—governors
• Burnage High School, Manchester—governors
• Burwash Parish Council
• Bury LEA
• Calcot Primary School, Reading—governors
• Calderdale LEA
• Cambridge City Council
• Cambridgeshire Inter-PTA
• Cambridgeshire LEA
• Campaign for the Advancement of State Education (and 4 local groups)
• Campsmount School, Doncaster—governors
• Canterbury Diocesan Education Committee
• Carlisle Diocesan Education Committee
• Castle Camps Parish Council
• Castle Park Primary School, Kendal—governors
• Castleview School, Slough—governors
• Castor School, Peterborough—governors
• Catholic Education Council
• Caversham Nursery School—governors
• Caversham Primary School Association
• Caversham Primary School—governors
• Central Council of Haringey Parent and Parent-Teacher Associations
• Centre for Policy Studies
• Chase Bridge Junior School, Twickenham—governors
• Chelmsford Diocesan Education Committee
• Cheltenham Bournside School—governors
• Cheshire Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations
• Cheshire LEA
• Chevassut Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Chichester Association of Parish Councils
• Chichester High School for Girls—governors
• Children's Legal Centre
• Chorlton Park Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Christchurch Primary School, Caversham—governors
• Christs College School Finchley Parents Association Committee
• Churchend Primary School Reading—governors
• Churches Joint Education Policy Committee
• Church of England Board of Education
• Cippenham First School, Slough—governors
• Cippenham First School, Slough—staff
• Cippenham Middle School, Slough—governors
• Clanfield Middle School, Portsmouth—governors
• Claremont Infants and Junior Schools, Manchester—governors
• Cleveland LEA
• Clwyd Federation of PTAs
• Clwyd LEA
• Coleshill School, Birmingham—staff
• Coley Primary School, Reading—governors
• College Town Infant and Junior Schools, Camberley—governors
• Colleton Primary School, Twyford—governors
• Comberton Parish Council
• Confederation of British Industry
• Conservative Trades Unionists North Humberside Teachers Group
• Conservative Women's National Committee
• Cornwall LEA
• Coventry LEA
• Crazies Hill and Wargrave Schools, Reading—governors
• Crowcombe First School, Taunton—parents and governors Croydon LEA
• Curridge Primary School, Berkshire—governors, parents and teachers
• Darrell Primary School, Richmond—staff
• Davenant Foundation School, Loughton—governors
• Dee High School Action Committee, Cheshire
• Denmead Middle School, Hampshire—governors
• Derbyshire LEA
• Desborough School, Maidenhead—governors
• Devon LEA
• Diocese of Bath and Wells Education Committee
• Diocese of Bristol Education Committee
• Diocese of Durham Board of Education
• Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich Education Committee
• Dodford School, Bromsgrove—governors
• Dorset LEA
• Ducie Central High School, Manchester—governors
• Dunnington J&I School, Evesham—governors
• Durham Joint Consultative Committee Teacher Associations
• Durham LEA
• Dyfed LEA
• Ealing Education Advisory Committee
• Ealing Federation of Head Teachers
• East Sheen Primary School, Richmond—governors
• East Sussex LEA
• Eccleston Parish Council
• Elmbrook Junior School, Wokingham—governors
• Elm Road Primary School, Wisbech—governors
• Elstree and Boreham Wood Advisory Committee for Education
• Emmbrook Infant School, Wokingham—governors
• Emmbrook School, Wokingham—governors
• Enborne School, Newbury—governors
• Enfield District Manufacturers Association
• Enfield Grammar School—governors
• Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton—governors
• Fairlawn Primay School, Lewisham—governors
• Farnham College, Surrey—governors
• The Fawcett Society
• Fernhill School, Farnborough—governors
• Fourfields Primary School, Yaxley—governors
• Fowlmere Parish Council
• Foxhills First School, Southampton—staff
• Foxhills Middle School, Southampton—PTA
• Foxhills Middle School, Southampton—governors
• Friary-Grange School, Lichfield—parents
• Garland School Association, Reading
• Garland School, Reading—governors
• Gateshead LEA
• George Palmer Infants School, Reading—governors
• Gloucestershire LEA
• Gorse Ride Junior School, Wokingham—staff
• Gorse Ride Schools Association, Wokingham
• Gorton Brook School, Manchester—governors
• Gosforth Central Middle School PTA, Newcastle
• Grammar School of King Edward VI, Stratford—governors
• Grange School, Manchester—governors
• Greater London Area Conservative Education Advisory Committee
• Greater London Council Staff Association
• Great Linford School, Milton Keynes—governors
• Greycoat Hospital School, Westminster—governors
• The Grove School, Cambridge—governors
• Grovelands Infant School, Reading—governors
• Gwynedd LEA
• Hampshire Association of Parish Councils
• Hampshire LEA
• Hankham Primary School, Eastbourne—governors
• Haringey Association for the Advancement of State Education
• Haringey Community Relations Council
• Haringey LEA
• Hayes School Parent-Teacher Association, Bromley
• Harrow LEA
• Hatfield School—governors
• Havering LEA
• Haverstock Secondary School, Camden—governors
• Heaton Manor School Association, Newcastle
• Helpston Parish Council
• Hereford and Worcester LEA
• Hereford/Worcester Education Coordinating Group
• Heron Hill Primary School. Kendal—governors
• Herstmonceux Primary School—governors
• High Ham Primary School, Somerset—governors
• Hillside School, Boreham Wood—staff
• Holly Spring Schools, Bracknell—governors
• Holmes Chapel Parish Council
• Holyport Primary School, Berkshire—governors
• Hounslow LEA
• Humberside LEA
• The Hurst School, Baughurst—governors
• Ian Ramsey School, Stockton
• Ilfracombe School—governors
• Information for Organising Office
• Inner London Education Authority
• ILEA Parents Central Consultative Committee
• Inner London Teachers' Association
• Institute of Directors
• Institute of Personnel Management
• Isle of Wight LEA
• Isles of Scilly LEA
• John O'Gaunt School, Hungerford—governors
• John Rankin Infant and Junior Schools, Newbury—governors
• The Judd School, Tonbridge—governors
• Keighley School Governors Support Group
• Kendal Liberal Association
• Kendal Town Council
• Kennet School PTA, Thatcham
• Kent LEA
• Kettlebridge Nursery First School, Sheffield—staff
• The King Alfred School, Burnham-on-Sea—governors
• Kingston LEA
• Kirklees LEA
• Lambeth Conservative Education Advisory Committee
• Lancashire County Council Conservative Group
• Lancaster Royal Grammar School—governors
• The Latymer School, Edmonton—governors
• Leacroft Special School, Manchester—governors
• Leeds LEA
• Leicestershire LEA
• Liberal Education Association
• Liberal Party Education Panel
• Lichfield Diocesan Education Council
• Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education and Training
• Lincolnshire LEA
• Linton Parish Council
• Linton Village College, Cambridgeshire—governors
• Lister Primary School Parents Association, Cleveland
• Little Shelford Parish Council
• Liverpool Socialist Education Association
• Llandaff Diocesan Council for Education
• London Borough of Greenwich Education Sub-Committee
• London Borough of Southwark
• London Diocesan Board for Schools
• Longsight Park School Manchester—governors
• Lymm High School, Warrington—governors
• Lynch Hill First and Middle School, Slough—governors
• Manchester Diocesan Council for Education
• Manchester LEA
• Mandeville Headteachers Liaison Group
• The Manor School, Long Hanborough—governors
• Margaret Ashton College, Manchester—governors
• Marish First School, Slough—governors
• Mengham First School, Hayling Island—governors
• Menston Schools, Ilkley—governors
• Merseyside Association of Local Councils
• Merton LEA
• Methodist Church Division of Education and Youth
• Mid Glamorgan LEA
• Mill House Assessment School, Manchester—governors
• Mill Rythe First and Middle Schools, Hayling Island—governors
• Montsaye School, Northamptonshire—governors
• Moorlands Primary School, Tilehurst—governors
• NAS/UWT
• National Association of Governors and Managers: Sheffield and Inner London Branches
• National Association of Head Teachers: and 6 local groups
• National Association of Inspectors and Educational Advisers
• National Association of Local Government Officers
• National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations
• National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations (Wales) and one local group
• National Association for Primary Education National Consumer Council
• National Council of Women of Great Britain
• National Deaf Children's Society
• National Educational Association
• National Federation of Women's Institutes
• National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations: five local or regional Advisory Committees for Education
• National Union of Public Employees (Humberside County Executive Committee)
• National Union of Teachers
• National Viewers and Listeners Association (Midlands Regional Branch)
• Newcastle Federation of PTAs
• Newcastle LEA
• Newham LEA
• Newnham Croft Primary School, Cambridge—governors
• Norcot and Beenham Primary Schools
• Norfolk LEA
• Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Northamptonshire LEA
• North Bedfordshire Borough Council
• North Bromsgrove High School—governors
• Northolt First and Middle Schools, Ealing—governors
• North Manchester College—governors
• North Manchester High School for Boys—governors
• North Manchester High School for Girls—governors
• North Tyneside LEA
• Northumberland LEA
• North West Associated Education Authorities
• North West Leeds High School—governors
• North Yorkshire LEA
• Norwich Diocesan Council for Education
• Nottinghamshire Federation of Parent Teacher Associations
• Nottinghamshire LEA
• Nuneaton Conservative Association
• Oakfield First School, Windsor—governors
• Oakfield School, Frome—governors
• Oldham LEA
• Orleans Infant School, Twickenham—governors
• Orton Head Teachers Association, Peterborough
• Owlsmoor School, Berkshire—governors
• Oxfordshire Federation of PTAs
• Oxfordshire LEA
• Pangbourne J & I Schools, Berkshire—governors and staff
• Park Lane Primary School, Peterborough—governors
• Parkside First School, Boreham Wood—governors
• Pendle Primary School, Clitheroe—governors
• Pershore High School—staff
• Peterborough Diocesan Board of Education
• The Pines Junior School, Bracknell—governors
• Plant Hill High School, Manchester—governors
• Prince Albert Governors, Birmingham
• Princess Infant School, Manchester—governors
• Professional Association of Teachers
• Professional Association of Teachers (Wales and one local group)
• Putney Labour Party
• Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke—staff
• Radyr Comprehensive School Association, Cardiff
• Rainford Parish Council
• Ramsey Spinning Infants School, Ramsey—governors
• Reading School Parents Association
• Rectory School, Hampton—governors
• Redbridge LEA
• Regent Farm First School PTA, Gosforth
• Reigate Conservative Association
• Richmond upon Thames LEA
• Richmond upon Thames Federation of Parent and School Associations
• RICE The Right to Comprehensive Education
• Ridgeway Primary School, Reading—governors
• Rivermead School, Reading—governors
• Rochdale LEA
• Rochester Diocesan Board of Education
• Rockcliffe School, Carlisle—governors
• Rodney House School, Manchester—governors
• Rookwood Infant School, Eastleigh—governors
• Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe—governors
• Royce Primary School, Manchester—governors
• Sacred Heart Junior School, W6—governors
• St. Annes Church Council, Baslow
• St. Dunstans Primary School, Manchester—governors
• St. Edwards School, Romford—governors
• St. Helens LEA
• St. Ives Town Council
• St. James Primary School, Gorton—governors
• St. Johns Primary School, Wallingford—governors
• St. Jude's Primary School, Ancoats—governors
• St. Mark's Primary School, Cheetham—governors
• St. Martin's Primary School, Caversham Park—governors
• St. Michael's Primary School, Reading—governors—staff
• St. Michael's Primary School, Withyham—governors
• St. Pius High School—governors
• St. Thomas Primary School, Groombridge—governors
• Salford Priors Infant and Junior School, Worcestershire—governors
• Salford RC Diocese Schools Commission
• Sandwell LEA
• SDP
• Secondary Heads Association
• Secondary Heads Association (Wales)
• Sefton Schools Parents Association
• Service Children's Education Authority
• Senely Green Parish Council
• Settle High School—governors
• Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
• Sheffield LEA
• Sheffield University Division of Continuing Education
• Shropshire Education Watchdog
• Shropshire LEA
• Skinners School, Tunbridge Wells—governors
• Slough Secondary Heads Association
• Society of Education Officers
• Socialist Educational Association
• Solihull LEA
• Somerset County Council Labour Group
• Somerset LEA
• Somerton Infants School, Somerset—governors
• Southcote Primary School, Reading—governors
• South-East Hants First School Headteachers Group
• South Glamorgan LEA
• South Lake Infants School, Woodley—governors
• South Lake Junior School, Woodley—governors
• South Manchester High School—governors
• Southwell Diocesan Education Committee
• South Western Education Committees
• Spalding Grammar School—governors
• Speenhamland School, Newbury—governors
• Springfield Primary School, Reading—governors
• Staffordshire LEA
• Stockport LEA
• Stoke Holy Cross Parish Council
• Stoke Poges First and Middle School—governors
• Stogumber First School, Taunton—governors
• Suffolk Association of Local Councils
• Suffolk LEA
• Summerswood School, Boreham Wood—governors
• Sunderland LEA
• Surrey LEA
• Sutton Education Association
• Sutton LEA
• Swaffhani Prior Parish Council
• Tarnerland Nursery School, Brighton—governors
• Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames—governors
• Trades Union Congress
• Trafalgar Infants School, Twickenham—governors
• Trafalgar Junior School, Twickenham—governors
• Trelai Junior School, Cardiff—staff
• Turnpike School, Newbury—governors
• UCAC Gwynedd
• Upcroft Junior School, Tilehurst—staff
• Upminster and Cranham Ratepayers and Residents Association
• Waingels Copse School, Woodley—governors
• Walsall LEA
• Walter County Infants School, Wokingham—governors
• Wandsworth Association of School Parents
• Wandsworth Conservative Group
• Warwickshire LEA
• Welsh Consumer Council
• Wessex Infants School, Maidenhead—governors
• Westgate School, Slough—governors
• West Midlands CEOs Group
• Westminster City School—governors
• West Oxfordshire Conservative Association
• West Sussex Association of Parent and Parent-Teacher Associations
• West Sussex LEA
• Westwood Farm Junior and Infant Schools, Reading —governors
• West Wratting Parish Council
• Whitehall Infants School Parents Association, Uxbridge
• Whitworth Park School, Manchester—governors
• Wildridings School, Bracknell—governors
• Willink School, Burghfield Common—governors
• Wiltshire LEA
• Wimblington Parish Council
• Windle Parish Council
• Wirral Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations
• Wirral LEA
• Wirral West Conservative Executive
• Women's Engineering Society
• Woodbridge High School PTA, Essex
• Wyre Forest Constituency Conservative Association
• Yaxley Parish Council
• Yearsley Grove Infant and Junior Schools, York —governors
• York Parents Association

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the number of placings on the community programme by the East Ham jobcentre during 1984.

There are no community programme projects in the immediate area served by East Ham jobcentre, but the jobcentre is assisting in filling community programme vacancies in other parts of the London borough of Newham and other nearby London boroughs. Between 1 January and 5 October 1984 the jobcentre placed 42 applicants on to community programme projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of those aged under 20 years who were unemployed in the London borough of Newham in May 1979 and at the latest available date; and what is the percentage increase.

The following table gives the figures for unemployed claimants in July 1984, and the figures for registered unemployed in July 1979 (not available for May) in the area covered by East Ham, Plaistow and Stratford jobcentres, which corresponds closely to the London borough of Newham.

	number aged under 20 years
Registered unemployed
July 1979	1,569
October 1982	3,258
Percentage change	+ 107·6 per cent.
Unemployed claimants
October 1982	3,285
July 1984	3,194
Percentage change	- 2·8 per cent.

The July 1984 figure does not include 410 non-claimant school leavers registered at careers offices.The current statistics of age of the unemployed are not directly comparable with those for 1979 because of the October 1982 change in the basis of the count.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the unemployment figures for the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the latest date.

On 13 September 1984 the total number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 106,822 and the unemployment rate was 21·1 per cent.

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

It must be recognised that an important influence on the number of jobs is the level of wages. This affects firms' profits, and thus their investment decisions, and competitiveness. In Merseyside, for instance, the average earnings of manual males rose by 7·8 per cent. between April 1983 and April 1984, 2·6 per cent. more than the rate of inflation. In the latter half of 1983, and the first quarter of 1984, our unit wage costs in manufacturing increased significantly whilst those of some of our main competitors were stable or falling.Moderating the growth of real wages will have a significant impact on unemployment, in Merseyside and throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total number of males and females unemployed at each of the employment exchanges in the London Docklands in July 1981, July 1982, July 1983 and July 1984, respectively.

Males
Jobcentre area	Registered unemployed			Unemployed claimants
	July 1981	July 1982	October 1982	October 1982	July 1983	July 1984
Bermondsey	1,659	1,913	2,023	2,326	2,484	2,579
East Ham	3,073	3,554	3,778	3,824	4,109	4,314
Plaistow	3,254	3,762	3,634	3,113	3,114	3,224
Poplar	4,393	5,054	5,318	4,182	4,538	4,726
Stepney	4,609	5,488	4,888	4,407	4,728	4,239

Females
Jobcentre area	Registered unemployed			Unemployed claimants
	July 1981	July 1982	October 1982	October 1982	July 1983	July 1984
Bermondsey	416	534	601	637	721	840
East Ham	1,142	1,237	1,465	1,530	1,757	1,954
Plaistow	1,190	1,348	1,297	995	1,043	1,092
Poplar	1,293	1,592	1,683	1,404	1,525	1,653
Stepney	912	1,000	923	819	883	930

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has studied the pamphlet "Poverty Wages on Merseyside" published by the Low Pay Unit, a copy of which has been sent to him; and what steps he intends to take in response to this report.

I have read the pamphlet. It discusses a number of issues relating to poverty and low pay. The statistics quoted for the area covered by the north-west (west) division of the Wages Inspectorate (which includes Merseyside) do not give a complete picture. In 1983, 6·6 per cent. of the workers whose pay was checked by inspectors were found to have been underpaid. This is near the national figure of 6·3 per cent. The inspectorate increased visiting activity in the division during 1983 and is doing so again this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people who left the youth training scheme between 1 April and 31 July went into full-time education and training.

A recent sample survey of young people in nine Manpower Services Commission areas who left individual programmes within the youth training scheme between 1 April and 31 July showed that of those who responded 4 per cent. had joined another youth training scheme programme and 2 per cent. had entered

The following table gives the figures for males and females unemployed for the jobcentre areas which correspond most closely to the London Docklands. Figures are also given for October 1982 on both registration and claimant bases. The comparisons are affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982, and the male unemployment figures 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.full-time education or training. A further 7 per cent. indicated that they were intending to take up full-time education or training.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what consideration was given, when drawing up the proposal to include Hinckley within the newly defined Coventry travel-to-work area, to the published information from the 1981 census, indicating that Hinckley has stronger links with other parts of Leicestershire;(2) what consideration was given to the numbers of people travelling to work to Leicester from Hinckley and from Hinckley to Coventry and Nuneaton when the proposal was drawn up to place Hinckley in the Coventry travel-to-work area.

The definition of the new Coventry and Hinckley travel-to-work area was derived from an analysis of the 1981 census data on journeys to work. The methods used in this analysis, which took account of journeys between Hinckley and all other areas, are fully described in "Occasional Supplement No. 3" published with the September edition of Employment Gazette; a copy of which is in the Library.