asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the periods of time for which different categories of naval signals are retained, set out by security classification and by source.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Meadowcroft) on 27 November 1984, at columns 412–13.

asked the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy as to the making under Standing Order No. 122 of observations by Ministers on public petitions.

There is no procedural obligation on Ministers to make observations on public petitions. But they may do so if they consider that such action is appropriate taking account, for example, of the degree of public support and the previous consideration of the issue concerned.

asked the Prime Minister what assessment she has made of Argentine rearmament following the Falklands war; and what are the implications of such a rearmament on (a) the cost of maintaining a British garrison on the Falkland Islands and (b) the feasibility of defending the islands against attack.

We are aware that Argentina is modernising her forces mainly under contracts negotiated before the Falklands conflict. It would not be in the public interest to comment on our assessment of Argentine arms purchases and capabilities. We stand by our commitment to the Falkland Islands, and we will maintain a garrison there at the minimum size necessary to defend them. Our existing estimates of Falkland garrison costs take account of our assessment of Argentine capabilities and the forces necessary to defend the islands; our ability to reinforce the islands will be very greatly enhanced by the Mount Pleasant airfield.

asked the Prime Minister what information she has on (a) the supply of weapons manufactured in the United Kingdom and (b) the use of subcontractors in the United Kingdom to supply weapons manufactured outside the United Kingdom to Argentina.

There has been an embargo on the sale of arms to Argentina since the beginning of 1982.Under the terms of contracts signed well before the Falklands conflict, a number of British companies have supplied equipment to West Germany over the past two years for incorporation in warships being built for Argentina.The Government require end user certificates only for complete equipments. It is not practical to insist on these for minor components supplied to overseas prime contractors under collaborative agreements.

asked the Prime Minister what steps she has taken to ensure that no British weapons or parts are supplied to the Argentine Government.

The export of defence and defence related equipment is controlled by the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1981 and export licences are required.Since the beginning of April 1982 there has been an embargo on the export of such equipment to Argentina. This embargo remains in force.

asked the Prime Minister what changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

I have appointed the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mr. Parry) a Substitute Member in place of the hon. Member for Preston (Mr. Thorne).

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to ensure that no company with a Government majority shareholding establishes or uses any facilities in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the purposes of avoiding United Kingdom tax.

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conclusions he has reached on the need for an official investigation into the collapse of Sonic Sounds Audio Holdings plc following the representations of the hon. Member for Harrow, East.

Sonic Sounds Audio Holdings plc was wound up compulsorily by the High Court on 13 December 1982. Its affairs are subject to investigation by the Official Receiver, who is working closely with the receiver appointed by the debenture holder bank and the liquidator appointed by the court. It will be for them to consider whether there is any sufficient evidence to warrant further proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to increase Government investment in the British clothing, footwear and textile industries.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total value of imports of textiles, clothing and footwear into the United Kingdom from China in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

The information is as follows:

	Value £ million (cif)
1975	10·5
1976	14·2
1977	19·1
1978	25·8
1979	28·3
1980	31·2
1981	42·9
1982	49·0
1983	56·7
January-October 1984	64·2

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the effect that abandoning the multi-fibre arrangement would have on developing countries.

Any renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement would need to be negotiated with the developing countries concerned. The group of developing countries co-operating over these matters have published views in a document "The MFA in Theory and Practice". I am arranging for a copy of this document to be placed in the Library. The effect of the MFA on developing countries is also included in the report of the GATT secretariat "Textiles and Clothing in the World Economy", a copy of which is already in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list in the Official Report all those organisations or individuals who have expressed to him opposition to the possible implementation of the proposals of the Silberston report on competition in the United Kingdom textile industry;(2) what representations he has received concerning the Silberston report on competition in the United Kingdom textile industry;(3) whether he has any intention of implementing the proposals of the Silberston report on competition in the United Kingdom textile industry.

Professor Silberston was asked to make an independent study of the implications for the United Kingdom economy at large, and for the industries concerned in particular, of international trading policies affecting textiles and clothing. The Government will develop their own proposals, but before that will consult all the main interested parties concerned. Representations on the Silberston report have been received from various parties, including the British Clothing Industries Association, the British Textile Confederation, the Knitting Industries Federation and the Consumers' Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are his principal objectives in small business policy for 1985.

The Government's overall objectives in small firms policy in 1985 continue to be the stimulation of the growth of small businesses and self-employment and as a better understanding of their role in the community. Within these overall objectives we intend to:

• —review the impact and effectiveness of the new loan guarantee scheme and encourage use of the business expansion scheme, so that the flow of finance to small firms is improved,
• —sponsor seminars for professional advisers on business planning for small firms,
• —encourage co-operation between the various small firms advisory agencies, stimulate the growth of local enterprise agencies and the contribution of the private sector, promote the facilities that the small firms service can offer to small businesses and complete computerisation of its inquiry service,
• —hold a further local enterprise week in May to publicise the wide range of locally based assistance which is available to small firms,
• —continue to remedy disadvantages suffered by small firms arising directly from their size,
• —work with MSC in developing appropriate and accessible training facilities for those starting and running small firms, and in May to launch a video encouraging owner-managers of small firms to undertake relevant management training.

In addition, the work of Lord Young's enterprise unit, which has a bearing on small firms policy and the scrutiny report on administrative and legislative burdens, will be considered during 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the main achievements of small business policy in 1984.

During 1984 the Government continued to foster conditions favouring the setting up and growth of small businesses, the total number of which had in 1980 to 1983 increased by more than 110,000. The more important achievements included:

• —continuing development of the small firms service which handled 279,000 inquiries and new 23,000 counselling cases,
• —encouragement of the growth of local enterprise agencies, which now number 233 with 35 being formed,
• —the first local enterprise week was held on 17 to 22 June to encourage those offering help to small businesses to promote their work at local level,
• —the enterprise allowance scheme operated by the Manpower Services Commission was extended and helped 42,000 unemployed people to start new businesses,
• —the loan guarantee scheme was extended following the pilot phase until the end of 1985,
• —equity investment in small companies was encouraged through the business expansion scheme, under which more than 10,000 investors put at least £75 million into 400 small companies in 1983–84,
• —a nationwide series of seminars for professional advisers to increase their awareness of the problems of small firms finance, and Government schemes of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what share of British visible export trade, excluding diamonds, was accounted for by the top 30, 75 and 220 companies in 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively;(2) how many companies represented the top 40 per cent., 50 per cent. and 66 per cent. of United Kingdom visible export trade in 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively.

Such information as is available is published in British Business, 27 May 1983, p. 366, a copy of which is in the Library. For the reasons given in the article, the analysis of this data has been discontinued.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many youth training scheme places were unfilled in Waltham Forest at the latest date for which figures are available; and what proportion of total places this figure represents.

On 8 January there were 781 approved places on the youth training scheme in the London borough of Waltham Forest, 365 of which were unfilled. However, a number of places have only recently been approved and recruitment to these has either not begun or has started only recently.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of youth training scheme sponsors' staff and managing agents' staff had training at accredited training centres.

The information is not available in the precise form requested. From 1 April 1984 to 30 September 1984, a total of 51,463 people received training through accredited centres. The numbers are made up as follows.

		Per cent.
Youth Training Scheme Mode A staff	20,262	39·4
Youth Training Scheme Mode B staff	20,130	39·1
Non-Youth Training Scheme staff	11,661	21·5

In addition, managing agents and sponsors can and do make separate arrangements for staff training either through their own training facilities or by using external training agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in training on the youth training scheme are estimated to be employees (a) on current year schemes and (b) on previous year schemes; how these figures compare with the previous year; what growth in the number of employees was expected when planning 1984–85 places; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 January 1985, c. 535]: It is necessary to distinguish between the number of jobs for 16-year-olds which are covered by the youth training scheme (but which may be filled by youngsters with either employee or trainee status) and the number of young people on the scheme who are actually given employee status.In 1983–84 it is estimated that about 14,000 young people entered the youth training scheme as employees; more became employees during the course of the year, but the precise number is not known. Up to the end of November 1984, it is estimated that around 14,400 young people on 1984–85 schemes had joined as employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how wages of males under 21 years of age have moved since 1979 in comparison to those of adult males; and what are the equivalent figures for females.

According to the "New Earnings Survey", the percentage changes in average gross weekly earnings of full-time employees working a full week between April 1979 and April 1984 were as follows:

Age	Males	Females
Under 18	+57	+60
18 to 20 inclusive	+63	+69
21 and over	+79	+86

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to allocate funds for the proposed pilot adult training loans scheme on a county-by-county basis according to the proportionate size of the local education budget.

Decisions about the proposed pilot scheme for training loans will not be taken until after the period for consultation ends on 31 January. We have noted our hon. Friend's suggestion and will give it due consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will reconsider his designation of travel-to-work areas which receive regional assistance following the publication of the 1984 census of employment;(2) whether he will seek to verify his travel-to-work area employment figures by commissioning a study of the up-to-date employment numbers in the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy travel-to-work areas.

The designation of assisted areas is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.The results of the 1984 census of employment, which are scheduled to become available in the autumn, will provide more up-to-date employment figures for travel-to-work areas including the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the installations classified as major industrial hazards in the United Kingdom are located in Essex; if he will name them; on what criteria such classification rests; and when it is intended to review the list.

We are informed by the Health and Safety Commission that 43 installations in Essex had been notified to the Health and Safety Executive by 31 December 1984 under the Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982. Section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act prevents the Health and Safety Executive from providing a list of names and locations, but the executive is prepared to discuss with any hon. Member informally the position in his or her constituency. The notified installations are defined on the basis of their potential to cause a major accident (which might also have effects off-site), in terms of substances, or groups of substances, and inventories. The list of installations is under continuous review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers have (a) been cautioned and (b) prosecuted, and with what result, for infringement of the Power Presses Regulations 1965 in Birmingham, Coventry, and elsewhere in the west midlands by the west midlands area of the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last five years to the nearest convenient date.

Between 1981 and 1984 the number of improvement and prohibition notices served in the west midlands area in relation to power presses which are subject to the Power Presses Regulations 1965 are as follows:

	Notices
1981	2
1982	8
1983	14
1984	7

I regret that disaggregate figures for 1980 and figures for different districts within the west midlands are not available.Between 1980 and 1984 there were 61 successful prosecutions for breaches of the Power Presses Regulations 1965 in the west midlands.

Table 1 Prosecutions under the Power Presses Regulations 1965 (West Midlands Area)
	Birmingham	Coventry	Elsewhere in the West Midlands
1980	3 (5)	1 (1)	5 (5)
1981	4 (8)	—	1 (1)
1982	3 (4)	—	4 (4)
1983	11 (14)	—	10 (10)
1984	6 (7)	—	13 (13)

(Figures in brackets show the number of informations laid)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many inspections to check compliance with the Power Presses Regulations 1965 have been carried out by the factory inspectorate of the west midlands area of the Health and Safety Executive in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date; and how many were carried out in (a) Birmingham, (b) Coventry and (c) elsewhere in the area.

Between 1981 and 1984 there were 6,721 visits to premises in the west midlands where the Power Presses Regulations applied. Figures are not available for 1980. Details are given in the following table. 2,342 of these visits were made to look generally at health and safety conditions and compliance with the regulations was checked. The purpose and nature of each visit varied for the remainder, but at some of them compliance with the regulations would have been examined. 21 complaints about the safety of power presses received during the period were all investigated.

Number of visits to premises where the Power Presses Regulations 1965 apply (West Midlands)
	Birmingham	Coventry	Elsewhere in the West Midlands
1981	632 (196)	58 (12)	887 (279)
1982	773 (282)	76 (39)	1013 (383)
1983	715 (243)	76 (30)	963 (341)
1984	545 ((199)	61 (19)	922 (319)

(Figures in brackets show the number of routine visits to look generally at health and safety conditions).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest estimate of the number of (a) employers and (b) presses covered by the Power Presses Regulations 1965 in Birmingham, Coventry and elsewhere in the west midlands.

On 11 January 1985 the following number of premises where persons are employed were registered as having machines subject to the Power Presses Regulations 1965.

	Number
Birmingham	649
Coventry	68
Elsewhere in the west midlands	832

The number of presses covered by the regulations is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, in each of the last five years to the nearest convenient date, has been the number of full-time factory inspectors employed by the west midlands area of the Health and Safety Executive.

The numbers are as follows:

	Number
1 January 1981	63
1 January 1982	60
1 January 1983	56
1 January 1984	52
1 January 1985	47

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the percentage increase in the retail price of books for (a) the last five years and (b) the last 10 years.

The retail prices index for books increased by 107 per cent. in the five years to November 1984 and by 349 per cent. in the 10 years to November 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures for the number of establishments visited by wages council inspectors, the number of establishments found to be in violation of wages councils orders, the amount of money recovered for employees, the number of employers prosecuted and the number fined in (a) England, (b) the northern region and (c) the south Tyneside area, respectively, during 1984.

The figures requested are not yet available for 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to ways of providing greater encouragement to industry to expand apprenticeship training schemes for young people with particular regard to high technology jobs; whether he has any proposals to put to Parliament on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 January 1985, c. 35]: The development of new technology gives rise to changed training needs for young people and adults alike. One of the main objectives of our adult training strategy is to secure an adequate supply of people with up-to-date skills to meet the demands of new technologies, upon which economic growth must be based. The primary responsibility for meeting skill needs rests with employers, who are best placed to determine their future skill requirements, including those for new technology. We have therefore recently launched a campaign to raise awareness among employers of the need for training and retraining.With regard to young people, the Government continue to make support available through the youth training scheme, both for young people undertaking the first year of long-duration skill training including apprenticeships, and for information technology centres, which are making a positive contribution in equipping many young people with new technology skills.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to alter the vision test for driving test candidates; and if he will make a statement.

Both opthalmic research and accident studies suggest that the present number plate test constitutes a perfectly satisfactory standard of eyesight for driving. However, I shall be studying carefully the recommendation made by the Select Committee on Transport in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to require the marking of driving licences to signify that the holder should wear corrective lenses whilst driving.

I see no advantage in this.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to require driving licence holders to undergo periodic vision tests.

All licence holders already have a statutory responsibility to ensure that their eyesight meets the required standard. The fact that research by the TRRL has indicated that only between 1 per cent. and 3 per cent. of drivers would fail the number plate test suggests that the vast majority of drivers already comply with this requirement. However, I shall be studying carefully the recommendations made by the Select Committee on Transport in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken since publication of the report on the independent review by Sir Peter Lane into the present arrangements for protecting air package holidaymakers.

Action has already been taken on two of Sir Peter's main recommendations. We have undertaken to reimpose a levy on the holders of air travel organisers' licences should future claims arising from the failure of tour operators seriously reduce the size of the air travel reserve fund. The Civil Aviation Authority is also consulting on proposals to increase the level of bonds which must be provided by ATOL holders.When he announced publication of the report my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, invited the views of the travel and insurance industries. Comments have now been received from a number of interested parties. In addition, the chairman of the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency has commissioned from Bowring UK Ltd an examination of the feasibility of an insurance based scheme for protecting the interests of those buying package holidays from air tour operators. Bowring's interim conclusions suggest that insurance may be a feasible option and they have now been asked to produce a final report. A decision on the future arrangements for protecting holidaymakers will be taken on the basis of this work, when it has been completed and of the other comments we have received.I hope to announce the final decision before the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider introducing a speed limit on single track roads in upland areas.

The national speed limit of 60mph applies to all single carriageway roads and I have no evidence that a lower national limit is needed on single track roads. Lower limits may be imposed locally where appropriate.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many prosecutions have taken place for the failure to purchase a dog licence in the latest convenient year.

The most recent year for which figures are available is 1983 when there were 203 prosecutions.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the number of drug-related offences tried in (a) Scotland and (b) Greenock in the years 1978 to 1984.

Figures for the number of drug-related offences tried in Scotland and Inverclyde district, which includes Greenock, in the years 1978–1983 are given in the following table. Such information is not yet available for 1984.

Year	Scotland	Inverclyde
1978	1,144	1
1979	1,317	—
1980	1,386	17
1981	1,164	16
1982	1,627	25
1983	1,952	30

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, the publication date and availability of project C2 on fluoride pollution effects on north-east Anglesey, financed by the Welsh Office.

Subject	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Applied Mathematics	227	197	189	195	198	150
Mathematics	1,950	2,207	2,460	2,743	2,867	2,876
Pure Mathematics	277	256	235	257	253	190
Further Mathematics, Statistics, Pure Mathematics and Statistics	20	13	20	14	25	9

Reliable estimates of the numbers of entries to WJEC A-level examinations in the above subjects for 1985 are not available.

This research project by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Bangor, is ongoing, having commenced in 1971. Periodic progress reports have been published since the work started in 1971. Future data will also be published, although this is a matter for which the Natural Environment Research Council has the prime responsibility as the major contributor.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the infant mortality rate and the number of deaths of infants under one year of age for each area health authority in Wales for 1983 and 1984, respectively.

For the 1983 information I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 15 May at column 103. The information for 1984 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births in Wales in 1983 and 1984, respectively.Mr. Wyn Roberts: 10·7 in 1983. The information for 1984 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations have been received by his Department advocating an amendment to the regulations governing sheep scab control measures to enable sheep dipping to be varied in accordance with local sheep shearing practices; and if he will make a statement.

Representations were received from five organisations in Wales about the dates set in 1984 for compulsory dipping against sheep scab. I appreciate that difficulties arise when dipping dates do not coincide with local husbandry practices, but dipping periods which apply nationally are essential if the campaign to eradicate the disease is to succeed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh pupils took A-level examinations in applied and specialist mathematics courses for each year from 1979–80 to 1983–84, inclusive; and how many are expected to do so in 1985.

The available information relates to candidates from maintained and independent schools, further education colleges and external candidates who sat Welsh Joint Education Committee A-level summer examinations. The number of entries is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many families in Wales are currently on council house waiting lists for each relevant local authority.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 4 July 1983, at column 16.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many youngsters on youth training schemes in Wales were injured at work in (a) 1983 and (b) 1984.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information is as follows:

	Injuries
	Fatal	Major	Minor
(a) 1 April 1983 to 31 March 1984	—	5	68
(b) 1 April 1984 to 30 September 1984	—	11	91

Details for the quarter ending 31 December 1984 are not yet available.MSC accident figures for the youth training scheme are compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the figures quoted may include a number of accidents which did not occur "at work"; for example, road traffic accidents during scheme time and accidents to trainees in educational situations or establishments, which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.

Year (sic 1980)	Manufacturing		Service
June each year	Number of employees in employment	Change on previous year	Number of employees in employment	Change on previous year
1978	311,000	—	558,000	—
1979	312,000	+1,000	574,000	+16,000
1980	288,000	-24,000	573,000	-1,000
1981	239,000	-49,000	564,000	-9,000
1982	226,000	-13,000	560,000	-4,000
1983	213,000	-13,000	572,000	+12,000
1984	212,000	-1,000	581,000	+9,000

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh secondary school pupils took O-level examinations in (a) one modern language and (b) two modern languages for each of the years 1979–80 to 1983–84; and how many are expected to do so in June.

The information is not available centrally in the form requested. Details of the number of entries — including those from further education establishments and external candidates—by individual subject are, however, published annually by the Welsh Joint Education Committee in its report on the summer examinations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the Wales labour force has been unemployed for (a) over three years, (b) over two years and (c) over one year; and if he will publish the actual numbers involved in each category.

Detailed information is not available in the form requested. Available figures are based on employee population. These relate to October 1984 when 24,993, or 2·3 per cent., 16,928, or 1·6 per cent., and 29,981, or 2·8 per cent., were out of work for over three years, two years and one year, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) manufacturing and (b) service jobs have been (i) created and (ii) lost to Wales in each year from 1978–79 to 1984–85.

Net changes in levels of employment—excluding self employment—are indicated by the estimates of employees in employment compiled by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. These, for the years concerned and for the standard industrial classification concerned, are given in the following table:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the European Economic Community intervention price for sugar beet, the sugar price paid to ACP countries and the average world sugar price in each of the past five years.

There is no intervention price for sugar beet. The intervention price for raw sugar, the guaranteed price for raw sugar imported from ACP countries under preferential arrangements and the average London daily price for raw sugar have been as follows—on a July-June basis:

	Intervention price for raw sugar* £ per tonne	ACP guaranteed price for raw sugar*† £ per tonne	Average London daily price for raw sugar‡ £ per tonne
1979–80
1 July '79 to 30 September '79	198·39	198·39	191·05
1 October '79 to 16 December '79	200·59	200·59
17 December '79 to 30 June '80	211·15	211·15
1980–81	222·04	222·04	278·85
1981–82	238·68	240·90	158·66
1982–83	263·73	263·73	111·74
1983–84	274·31	274·31	134·44
Source: Average London daily price — International Sugar Organisation.
* Converted from ECU at the appropriate representative rate.
† Supplies of preferential ACP sugar are marketed in the Community at prices freely negotiated between buyers and sellers. The Community guarantees to purchase, at the guaranteed price, quantities of white or raw sugar, within agreed quantities, which cannot be marketed in the Community at a price equivalent to or in excess of the guaranteed price.
‡ There is no single world price for sugar. The London daily price is representative of the prices on the world market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in Brussels on 14–15 January.

Together with my hon. Friend the Minister of State in my Department I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting.The Commission proposed changes to the rules for milk quotas including one intended to meet my request for a provision allowing producers to exchange their direct sale and wholesale quotas. They also proposed, for 1984–85 only, that unused quota could be reallocated within a member state to producers, dairies or regions where deliveries exceed quotas. While reaffirming our commitment to an effective supplementary levy system, I gave a cautious welcome to these proposals which will now be examined in detail at official level.On structures, the Italian presidency said that it would put forward a compromise covering all proposals on the table with a view to a decision being taken at the next meeting of the Council; I emphasised that any compromise must include satisfactory provisions on conservation.Four measures were adopted providing for the same quantities of cattle and beef to be imported into the Community in 1985 on specially favourable terms as was permitted in 1984. This was a satisfactory outcome which will allow our processors and traders to secure beef of the qualities they need.With three other colleagues I complained about the slow progress made by the Commission in dealing with the Dutch national aid on gas prices. The Commission undertook to expedite the matter.The Council had a first discussion of the proposals designed to implement the agreement on wine reached at the European Council in December. It will return to this subject at its next meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are now any plans to discuss with Argentina the future of the Falklands.

No. But as I told my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) on 12 December, at column 521, we remain ready to pursue practical ways of improving bilateral relations with Argentina.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards reforms to the institutions and practices of the Western European Union which were outlined in Herr Genscher's address to the Western European Union Assembly on 29 October 1984.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Murphy) on 12 November, at column 151, in which I drew attention to our policy of full support for the reactivation and reform of WEU as agreed by Foreign and Defence Ministers at Rome on 27 October last year, and as subsequently reported by Herr Genscher to the WEU assembly in Paris.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the decision to transfer use of the Adelaide base in Antarctica to Chile on the Chilean position in the review of the Antarctica treaty in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Article IV of the Antarctica treaty states, inter alia, that

"no acts or activities taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica."

The arrangements made with Chile over the use of the Adelaide base thus have no legal effect on the sovereignty positions of either the United Kingdom or Chile in Antarctica and would have no direct bearing on any future review of the treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he did not announce his decision to hand over the use of the Adelaide base to Chile by means of an oral statement in the House.

Co-operation in both scientific and logistic activities is both regular and normal between Antarctic treaty consultative parties. There was, therefore, no requirement to inform the House of the new arrangements made for the use of the Adelaide station.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will institute an urgent inquiry within his Department into the reasons for the delay of Her Majesty's embassy in Islamabad in deciding the application by Mushtaq Hussein of PO Syedwala District, Shiekupura, to join his wife, Mrs. Perveen Hussein of 55 Birch Lane, Longsight, Manchester 13, following his interview of 20 June 1984.

Her Majesty's embassy in Islamabad has advised that, as a result of inquiries made during the course of a field trip on 14 January to Mr. Hussein's village in the Sheikhupura area, he has been informed that a visa can be issued to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why consideration of the application by Mr. Mushtaq Hussein to come to the United Kingdom was delayed through the absence on holiday in Britain of the officer handling the case.

The entry clearance application was not delayed through the absence on holiday of any individual member of the immigration section staff of the embassy in Islamabad. When an officer goes on leave his outstanding work is reallocated to other members of the immigration section.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will admit Mr. Mushtaq Hussein to the United Kingdom before 27 January.

Mr. Hussein was informed on 14 January that the issue of a visa has been approved and would be issued at his convenience.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received during the last two months from the Institute of Personnel Management concerning the taxability of benefit for workplace nurseries.

The Institute of Personnel Management wrote to me on this subject on 20 November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, over the past two years, what has been the change against the United States dollar of the exchange rate for the £ sterling; and what information he has as to changes against the United States dollar of the currencies of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela and Nigeria and other oil exporters, respectively.

Per capita Income Tax due in year (£)
Economic Planning Region	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83
Northern	281	316	337	399	461	497
Yorkshire and Humberside	286	341	365	411	479	494
North Western	293	306	348	421	482	509
East Midlands	288	309	333	407	464	520
West Midlands	319	359	385	410	497	488
East Anglia	313	309	381	433	514	530
South East	387	437	478	580	678	720
South West	295	314	368	436	500	513
Wales	243	269	283	369	418	446
Scotland	285	325	372	434	508	506
Northern Ireland	207	251	268	316	371	384

The percentage changes in the US dollar exchange rate against the currencies requested, between January 1983 (average) and the latest available rates, that is, for 9 January 1985 for all currencies except sterling, for which the closing rate on 14 January is used, are as follows:

	Percentage change
United Kingdom (pound sterling)	-29·3
Saudi Arabia (Riyal)	-3·6
Kuwait (Dinar)	-5·8
Venezuela (Bolivar)	-193·5
Nigeria (Naira)	-20·6
Other major oil exporters
Algeria (Dinar)	-10·7
Indonesia (Rupiah)	-55·5
Iran (Rial)	-12·8
Iraq (Dinar)	*0
Libya (Dinar)	*0
Mexico (Peso)	-116·3
Norway (Krone)	-30·0
United Arab Emirates (Dirham)	*0
USSR (Rouble)	-22·3
* These currencies are pegged against the dollar.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by standard economic planning region the yield of income tax per capita for each year since 1977–78.

Estimates have been made from sample inquiries and are subject to sampling error. The following table gives estimates of the yield of income tax per capita for each of the standard economic planning regions for the years 1977–78 to 1982–83 (the latest year for which information is available). Estimates of income tax due on income assessable to tax for each financial year have been divided by estimates of the population at the end of the first quarter of the financial year. For years up to and including 1979–80, income tax payable by taxpayers whose main source of income was assessable under schedule D was allocated to the region in which the assessment was made, generally the region in which the business was conducted. For other taxpayers, and from 1980–81 for all taxpayers, the allocation of income tax to region was by place of residence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons paid income tax in January 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and at the latest date for which figures are available.

The number of persons paying income tax in particular months cannot be estimated from Inland Revenue records. The available information relates to financial years and covers persons liable to tax in each financial year. This, including provisional estimates for the current and the two preceding financial years, has been published in table 1.3 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1984".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of tax and rate of relief received by independent schools in 1983–84 by virtue of their charitable status.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the net effect which the Trident project will have on the balance of payments.

No worthwhile estimate of the effect can be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average percentage increase in the retail price of Her Majesty's Stationery Office publications (a) over the last 10 years and (b) over the last five years.

Her Majesty's Stationery Office did not begin keeping consistent records of average prices for publications until 1976, so the information is not available in the form requested. The year by year increase since 1976 is as follows:

	per cent.
1977	28
1978	Nil
1979	6
1980	*68
1981	15
1982	18
1983	9
1984	5
* See Note 1.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the London market rates of exchange at close of business on 11 January between the pound sterling and the currencies of the European member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the rates which would correspond to the purchasing power parities of the same currencies on the basis of the recent studies on the subject by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development updated as necessary to the most recent convenient date.

The closing market exchange rates on 11 January 1985 of sterling against other European Community countries' currencies are given in the following table. The exchange rates that would correspond to aggregate GDP purchasing power parities in 1984, as estimated for the OECD in its December 1984 Working Paper No. 17 "Real Gross Product in OECD Countries and Associated Purchasing Power Parities', are given in brackets. As the working paper explains, purchasing power parities should not be interpreted as equilibrium exchange rates.

Exchange rates (for 11 January 1985) and PPP estimates (for 1984) of other European currencies against the pound sterling
	Exchange rates	Estimated purchasing power parities
Belgium (Franc)	71·27	(70·86)
Denmark (Krone)	12·74	(16·21)
France (Franc)	10·91	(12·28)
West Germany (Mark)	3·56	(4·24)
Greece (Drachma)	145·45	(116·21)
Ireland (Punt)	1·12	(1·14)
Italy (Lira)	2,190·10	(2,224)
Luxembourg (Lux franc)	71·27	(73·22)
Netherlands (Guilder)	4·02	(4·59)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he measures the rate of return on (a) basic infrastructure and (b) social infrastructure.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 January 1985, c. 487]: All infrastructure projects are assessed on their merits. Financial returns are measured by the net additions to revenue, cost savings or other measures of net benefit expected over the life of the investment. Social considerations are not precisely measurable but are taken into account where appropriate in the final decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given to the use of water cannon before he agreed to the use of baton rounds by police in Great Britain.

Baton rounds were first made available to the police in England and Wales following the serious rioting in 1981. The Department was aware that water cannon were used by some countries for public order purposes, but also that they had rarely proved effective in Northern Ireland. The possible use of water cannon has been kept under review since 1981 and two prototype water cannon have been built, but their evaluation has not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he has required or authorised in respect of disposal of surplus living accommodation by the Metropolitan police; and what consultations he undertook prior to any change in the procedures concerned.

None. The Metropolitan police's practice on the sale of land and buildings identified as surplus to requirements is to offer it for sale on the open market, except where it was acquired by compulsory purchase and there is an obligation to offer it back to the original owner. This is consistent with the practice laid down for Government Departments and other public bodies by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and referred to in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Shelton) on 13 June 1979, at column 255.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to revise the joint circular of his Department (ES 7/1975) to take fuller account of major industrial accidents.

Yes, in order to include reference to recent legislation on major industrial accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department intends to supply information and resources for the Greater London area war risks study.

A renewed grant-aid application from the Greater London council for its Greater London area war risks study has been received and is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the new training package for civil defence volunteers will cover law and order.

A working party on the production of standardised training material for volunteers will be convened shortly. We are considering with the police how information can usefully be made available through the working party about police wartime duties and the maintenance of law and order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department where the site is for the proposed civil defence north Wales regional headquarters; and when building work is expected to begin.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose details concerning this type of administrative centre.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department expects to be able to release the modified Plessey dose rate meter two radiac meters to local authorities.

Issue is expected to begin later this year and be completed during 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the manpower levels of the West Midlands police force.

It is the responsibility of the police authority to maintain an adequate and efficient police force for its area. On 30 November 1984 the West Midlands force had 6,551 police officers and 1,367 full time civilian staff. The staffing levels in relation to population are in line with those in similar areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the administration of justice in the courts has been affected by the attendance of police officers on picket line duty.

The absence of officers on picket line duty may have led some courts on occasion to adjourn proceedings in which an officer's attendance was essential. Otherwise, we have no reason to believe that the administration of justice in the courts has been affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Home Affairs if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning the incidents of disorder which occurred at Brixton, London, on Sunday 6 January; what was the cause and nature of the disturbance; how many persons were involved; how many were arrested; whether there were any injuries; and if he will make a statement.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that on the evening of 6 January 3,000 people attended a reggae concert in aid of Ethiopian famine relief at the Academy, Stockwell road, London SW9. At about 11 pm two police officers attempted to arrest a man who had been detained inside the building by security staff on suspicion of theft and being armed. A number of people intervened to prevent the arrest and the man escaped into the auditorium. The two officers gave chase, but were set upon by members of the audience. One officer received stab wounds to the thigh whilst the other was knocked unconscious by a blow from a bottle. Police reinforcements quickly arrived on the scene and dealt with the disturbance. A further five officers sustained minor injuries. One person was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were in each of the years 1981 to 1984 for the offences of possession of cannabis or cannabis resin, where the amount involved was less than one gramme.

The information requested is not available; the amounts of drugs involved are reported for drugs seizures, but not for drugs offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many establishments in England and Wales were in possession of a full justices on-licence for the sale of intoxicating liquor in each of the years 1981 to 1984.

The numbers of justices on-licences in force on 30 June in 1982 and 1983 is given, by type of premises, in table 1 of "Liquor Licensing Statistics, England and Wales, July 1982-June 1983" (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 24/83), a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. A breakdown of this information by type of licence is available for public houses, and so on, but not for licensed clubs, restaurants or guest houses. Licences for the sale of intoxicating liquor of all descriptions were held by 67,766 of the public houses and so on, with justices on-licences in force on 30 June 1982 and by 68,421 such premises in 1983. Information for 1981 and 1984 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase over the last five years in (a) recorded criminal offences of any kind and (b) the numbers of those found guilty of criminal offences of any kind.

The information is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 1.1 of the issue for 1983, Cmnd. 9349).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the current average weekly cost of maintaining a person in prison and the current average weekly cost of supervising a person under a community service order; and if he will make a statement.

During the financial year 1982–83, the latest year for which comparable figures are available, the average weekly costs of keeping a person in custody was £218, and the estimated weekly cost of supervising a person under a community service order was £10; the latter figure is based on the breakdown of probation service expenditure made by local authorities. The Government are anxious to maximise the use of non-custodial penalties in appropriate cases, but decisions in individual cases must be for the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of occasions in 1984 in which (i) remand and (ii) sentenced prisoners were held in police cells; and what was the date, location and number of prisoners involved in each occasion.

The numbers of prisoners held in police cells during 1984 are as shown in the following table: so far as I am aware, all the prisoners so held were unsentenced. Compiling further information about location would involve disproportionate cost.

	Metropolitan Police		Other Forces		Total
	Male	Female	Male	Female
3–4 January	3	—	—	—	3
4–5 January	1	—	—	—	1
5–6 January	8	—	—	—	8