asked the Attorney-General, how many cases are currently awaiting trial in (a) the Court of Appeal, and (b) the Divisional court; and how these figures compare with each of the past five years.

In the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, as at 30 April 2,536 persons had applications for leave to appeal or appeals before the court: of these 617 were awaiting a full court hearing. Corresponding figures for the end of each of the previous five years are as follows:

	Persons whose applications for leave to appeal or appeals were before court	Awaiting full court hearing (1)
end 1980	2,531	834
end 1981	2,414	914
end 1982	2,516	815
end 1983	3,333	1,136
end 1984	2,545	712

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were refused the right to vote in the local elections in Northern Ireland on 15 May because they were unable to produce the necessary documents.

The figures requested are not available. It is clear that some people wishing to vote but not able to produce one of the documents specified under the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 were refused ballot papers in accordance with the provisions of the Act. In many of these cases, however, the voters concerned subsequently returned to the polling place with an appropriate document and were then able to vote. The total turnout, at 60–61 per cent. compares with 65·0 per cent. at the 1981 local elections and 55·4 per cent. at the 1977 local elections: in some areas it was over 80 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions were made in 1984 and with what result for (a) keeping a dog without a licence, (b) taking possession of a dog before a licence had been issued and (c) giving or selling a dog to a person who had not produced a licence.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 15 April 1985, in columns 58 and 59.A detailed breakdown of the types of prosecution is not available. The fixed penalty system is applied to most licensing offences and in their reports councils only identify specific cases where attacks on persons or livestock are concerned resulting in the destruction of the dog.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will lay the latest accounts of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive before Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

The accounts of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for 1983–84 together with the reports of the Local Government Auditor and of the Comptroller and Auditor-General thereon were laid today (Cmnd. 9512). The matters raised have been discussed between the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the Housing executive and the agreed follow-up action will be monitored. In this occasion the report raises individual issues rather than criticisms of systems and in that sense it is encouraging.I have arranged for copies of a statement by the Housing Executive in response to the Local Government Auditor's Report to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his plans for future capital investment in the electricity industry in Northern Ireland.

Some 90 per cent. of the usable generating capacity in Northern Ireland is oil-fired. This heavy oil-dependence is the main reason for Northern Ireland's high electricity generating costs, and for the decision to provide a substantial Government subsidy to keep Northern Ireland electricity tariffs in close association with the highest area board in England and Wales. The cost of that subsidy—estimated to be more than £95 million in 1985–86—is becoming an increasing burden on the Northern Ireland public expenditure block. The Government and the Northern Ireland Electricity Service have therefore been anxious to explore how best the oil-dependence of the Northern Ireland electricity system might be significantly reduced.I have decided that the first step in reducing Northern Ireland's oil dependence should be the immediate conversion of the first phase of Kilroot power station to solid fuel-firing. In the first instance the station will be converted to coal-firing, although provision will be made in the design to retain the existing oil-fired capability, and to allow the future burning of a processed form of lignite at the station, should this prove to be technically feasible and economic. For this purpose I have made funds available within the Northern Ireland public expenditure block which will support the investment and enable the Northern Ireland Electricity Service to carry out the necessary works. The initial cost of the project is estimated at £94 million, at October 1984 prices, and the station is expected to be taken out of service in the years 1986 to 1988, and to recommissioned in 1989. After Kilroot is recommissioned as a coal-fired station, it is estimated that Northern Ireland Electricity Service fuel costs could be reduced by some £25 to £30 million per annum, which will represent a significant saving in public expenditure.At the same time I am very conscious of the contribution which cheap local lignite might make to reducing Northern Ireland Electricity Service generating costs, and the fact that a substantial proportion of total existing NIES capacity—as much as 35 per cent.—will be progressively retired throughout the 1990s. We have therefore given considerable thought to how Northern Ireland's future generating capacity needs should be met, and the extent to which lignite might feature in these plans. Our current assessment is that the most economically effective use of lignite would be in a purpose-built mine-mouth power station, and that lignite-fired plant would offer the cheapest option when new generating capacity is required in the 1990s. As an initial step therefore I have authorised the Northern Ireland Electricity Service to enter into the preliminary planning stages of a new lignite-fired power station to be constructed at the mouth of the lignite mine, and work on such studies has now begun.It should be realised, however, that the capital expenditure involved in the construction of a new power station will be substantial. Detailed assessments of the phasing of such capital expenditure and of its economic implications have to be carefully examined before a final decision on construction would be taken. In that context I am examining in depth the scope for private sector involvement in the development of lignite-fired electricity generation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had concerning the reform of the guidelines covering the European social fund.

My right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs have discussed the European Commission's proposed interpretation of its guidelines for 1985 with Commissioner Sutherland and President Delors respectively. So far as 1986 is concerned, officials discussed the draft guidelines with the Commission both informally and formally. The guidelines for 1986 were published by the Commission on 6 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the skillcentres which have been closed in the Greater London council area during the last five years.

The skillcentres at Poplar and Charlton, together with Charlton annexe, have been closed in the last five years. In addition, the annexes at Enfield, Perivale and Twickenham have been merged with their parent skillcentres.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a regional breakdown of the occupancy rates on the community industry scheme; and if he will give each region's allocation.

The latest statistics, for community industry regions, are set out in the table below:

Community industry region	Occupancy*	Allocation
London and South-East	589	695
Midlands	631	665
Wales and South-West	1,007	1,025
North-West	1,074	1,155
Northern	936	975
Yorks and Humberside	1,033	1,045
Scotland	1.452	1,440
Total	6,722	7,000
* 11 April 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how he proposes to deal with the reporting of accidents in the period until new regulations are available.

The Health and Safety Commission is considering proposals for revised regulations on the reporting of accidents. The Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980 continue in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report statistics on numbers entering and numbers completing the youth training scheme by mode for each local education authority area in Yorkshire and Humberside for 1983–84, setting out the results for boys and girls separately.

The information requested is given in the table. The figures do not include young people who entered or completed construction industry training board schemes. There were few young people who entered the youth training scheme early enough in 1983 to complete their programmes in the 1983–84 financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total overseas development assistance by the United Kingdom Government in sub-Saharan Africa during 1984 or the last year for which figures are available.

Gross public expenditure on British bilateral aid to sub-Saharan Africa during 1984 was £248 million. In addition, substantial amounts of British aid go to sub-Saharan Africa through various multilateral and European Community channels.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he will make at the European Economic Community Council of Ministers to the Commission proposal that aid to Nicaragua should be doubled by member countries.

The Commission has not to date communicated to the Council any proposal to this effect. But the Commission is expected soon to forward proposals on ways by which the European Community could further relations, including aid, with Central America following the meeting last year of Foreign Ministers in San José.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the 1984 annual report and accounts of the Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations will be published.

The 1984 report and accounts will be published on 29 May and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of both Houses. Copies will be laid before the House after the recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the 1984 annual report and accounts of the Commonwealth Development Corporation will be published.

The report and accounts will be published on 23 May. Copies have been laid in both Houses today. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give, for each financial year from 1978–79 to the current year, the increase in real terms in the total defence budget over the previous year.

The information is as follows:

Year	Real increase in outturn defence expenditure Percentage
1979–80	2·9
1980–81	2·7
1981–82	1·5
1982–83	6·0
1983–84	*2·2
Note:
* Includes £251 million available for carry forward to 1984–85.

The outturn for 1984–85 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army officers bought themselves out of the service in (a) 1984 and (b) so far in 1985.

There is no provision in the regulations for officers to purchase their discharge from the Army. They may, however, be permitted to terminate their Service prematurely at their own request.The number of officers who left the Army through premature voluntary retirement during the periods in question was:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to satisfy himself as to the cost effectiveness of the recent purchase of Phantom F4J's from the United States Government.

This purchase was approved in accordance with the normal procedures of my Department which have as a primary objective the most cost-effective procurement of defence equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the Phantom F4J's recently purchased from the United States Government: what information he has as to (a) the original life expectancy of their airframes (b) their length of service with the United States Navy and (c) the remaining life expectancy of their airframes; and if he will make a statement.

The cost of the Phantom F4J project including refurbishment of 15 aircraft, training, spares and support equipment is some £125 million at current prices. The aircraft were refurbished before delivery and they are expected to be in service with the RAF well into the 1990s.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make periodical reports to the House on the savings effected in the South Atlantic as a result of the opening of the new airport at Mount Pleasant.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley on 22 April in column 386. The savings are expected initially to be of the order of those in that reply. My right hon. Friend will continue to keep the House informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement regarding the latest position of the multi-launch rocket system project.

The MLRS basic system (phase I) is in production in the USA. Production of European requirements will be undertaken in Europe by an industrial consortium known as Europäische Productions Gesellschaft mbH (EPG). Work sharing between the European partners — France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom—was agreed in November last year. The offer by EPG for European production of MLRS is currently being considered by the participating nations and we expect that a contract will be awarded later this year. The ISD is planned for about 1990.A contract for development of a terminally guided warhead (MLRS phase III) for use with the basic system was awarded last November to MDTT Incorporated, a joint venture company of which Thorn-EMI is the United Kingdom member. The first stage of development is progressing well and will be completed in 1987. The system is planned to enter service in the early 1990s.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the value of the contracts to build a further three type 23 frigates.

The value of the contracts to build the next three type 23 frigates will depend upon the prices negotiated following receipt of tenders. As stated in Cmnd. 9430–1, the estimated unit cost of a type 23 frigate is £110 million at 1984–85 prices, including weapons and equipment fitted in the ship but excluding development costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the British shipbuilding companies which will be invited to tender for the next three type 23 frigates.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said on 28 January, Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd. will be invited to tender for the second type 23 frigate.It is intended to invite tenders for type 23 frigates 03 and 04 only from the United Kingdom shipyards with current experience of building destroyers and frigates for the Royal Navy: Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd., Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd., Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. and Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd. We would consider requests from other United Kingdom companies on their merits at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many tickets are available for this year's trooping the colour; how they are being distributed; if he will list the bodies to which allocations are being made together with the number of tickets allocated in each case; how the current year's arrangements compare with those for previous years; and what is expected to be the total income from the sale of tickets.

Further to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces gave to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 25 January 1985 at columns 556 and 557, the distribution of tickets for the trooping the colour ceremony is arranged by the Brigade Major, HQ Household Division, Horse Guards. The list of bodies to which allocations have been made this year is:

	Number
HM The Queen and the Royal Households	92
Houses of Parliament	300
Diplomatic Corps	198
Ministry of Defence and Service Establishments	1,734
Other Government Departments	923
Household Division and Regiments (including those participating in Parade)	1,714
Ambassador of the United States of America	12
Lloyds Bank	6
Metropolitan Police	62
St. John's Ambulance	6
Sheriffs of the City of London	4

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 8 May, Official Report, column 386, why, following the telephone call made by the Principal Director of Contracts (Air), to the group commercial director of British Aerospace on 13 March to inform him of the deadline date for the tender for the new Royal Air Force basic trainer, the Controller of Aircraft on 15 March telephoned the managing director of British Aerospace to confirm that the latter understood that the bid received by the relevant contracts branch of his Department before noon on 14 March was British Aerospace's final offer.

Controller Aircraft rang Sir Raymond Lygo, managing director of British Aerospace, to satisfy himself that Sir Raymond understood that the company's bid received before noon the previous day was indeed its final offer. In doing so he neither encouraged Sir Raymond to make a further bid nor gave any indication that a further offer from British Aerospace might be accepted by the Ministry of Defence.British Aerospace did, however, submit later bids, but, although these narrowed the gap, they did not change the fact that the total acquisition cost would have been higher for the PC-9 than for the Tucano.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the names of the shipyards which have submitted tenders for the construction of SKK 2400 submarines; and if he will make a statement.

The following shipyards have submitted tenders for the construction of the three submarines to follow HMS Upholder: Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd., Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. and Scott Lithgow Ltd. These tenders are under consideration. Decisions have yet to be taken on the size and timing of orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any foreign companies have been invited to tender for the first two auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which British shipbuilding companies have been invited to tender for the first two auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels.

The following companies have been invited to tender for the first two auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels: British Aerospace plc, Marconi Projects Ltd., Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd., Harland & Wolff Ltd., Scott Lithgow Ltd. and Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place an order for auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

I have nothing to add to the answer given on 25 April at column 519.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels will be required to support the Royal Navy surface fleet in the early 1990s.

No decision has been taken on the total number of auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels to be ordered.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence further to paragraph 408 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1985", whether the BAe Sea Harrier FRS 1 is equipped with weapons for all its operational options while embarked on board Invincible class carriers.

It has been the policy of successive Governments neither to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at particular locations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many missions to sub-Saharan Africa were undertaken by the Defence Sales Organisation in 1984 or the last year for which figures are available.

There were five visits to sub-Saharan Africa by the Defence Sales Organisation in 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the work, and its estimated cost, that has been or is to be done for the refit of HMS Otter and HMS Euralyus in Rosyth and Plymouth dockyards.

The royal dockyards at Rosyth and Devonport are providing certain assistance, including technical advice and guidance, direct to the contractors undertaking these refits. In addition, replacement items which have been or which may be issued to the contractors, some from MOD stocks, will in some cases have been fabricated or refurbished in the dockyards. The propeller shafts refurbished at Devonport — Official Report, Vol. 79, columns 57 and 58—are an example of the latter category. A running total of such assistance is not maintained centrally. Full records are, however, being maintained by the various MOD authorities responsible and the relevant costs will be taken fully into account when the final cost to the MOD of these refits is assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake a survey to ascertain how many physiotherapists are needed to meet the requirements for physiotherapy in Wales; and how this compares to the numbers of established posts for physiotherapists in Wales and the numbers of trained physiotherapists available to fill these posts.

No. It is for each individual district health authority to assess its needs for physiotherapy staff in accordance with locally determined priorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the expected start of the A40 Whitland bypass; and if he will make a statement as to the causes of its delayed start.

The scheme is presently expected to be ready to start in 1988. However, this is dependent on the satisfactory completion of engineering design and of the statutory procedures. The actual start will depend on the availability of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the amount of expenditure and the activities to be supported through education support grants in the financial year 1986–87.

Subject to Parliament's approval of regulations which will amend the Education Support Grant Regulations 1984 it is intended that expenditure to be supported by education support grant in 1986–87 will amount to £2·61 million in that year. It is proposed that £1·35 million of this total of planned expenditure will be accounted for by continuing expenditure arising from projects first approved in 1985–86. Roughly £1·26 million will be available to support expenditure on new activities and on the extension of existing ones. Grant will be paid at the rate of 70 per cent. of the amount of expenditure approved for support.The following table shows the new and extended activities, the amount of expenditure for each, a provisional assessment of the number of LEAs likely to be supported and the length of support. The precise division of the £1·26 million available and its distribution among authorities will not be settled until applications have been received and considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report all the different types of licences operated or granted by his Department and the year in which they first came into operation.

The following are the types of licences granted or available under current legislation for which my Department is responsible.

asked the Prime Minister if she will transfer responsibilities relating to whaling issues to the Department of Environment prior to the International Whaling Commission meeting in July.

The present distribution of ministerial responsibility relating to whaling issues has not prevented the Government from pursuing policies within the International Whaling Commission designed to conserve whale populations, but if my hon. Friend wishes to let me have his reasons for suggesting such a transfer I will of course consider them with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland where the Forestry Commission will be seeking approval to spray by aerial means 500 hectares of land with glyphosphate; and why alternative means of application have been discounted.

The programme that has now been drawn up covers less than 500 hectares of land. The areas to be sprayed are as follows:

Conservancy	Forest district	Area (hectares)
North England	Bellingham	100
East England	Sherwood	98
Wales	Llanwynno	200

In addition, an area of 46 hectares may be sprayed in the Brecon forest district of Wales Conservancy.Aerial spraying is the most efficient means available for applying glyphosphate on these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many outpatients are waiting to have a hearing aid fitted or exchanged in Scotland; and what is the average waiting time in each case.

I regret that the information requested is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland against which authorities he proposes to take action on the grounds of excessive and unreasonable expenditure.

I have decided to initiate action in terms of section 5 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 in respect of Edinburgh district council on the grounds that its planned expenditure for 1985–86 is excessive and unreasonable. A letter has today been sent to the council proposing a rate reduction of 5·2p and inviting it to make representations about the proposed reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the report of the public local inquiry in Stirling on 29 April; and if he will make a statement.

I received the report of the local inquiry on 8 May. Having considered the report carefully, I am satisfied that Stirling district council is in default of its statutory duties under sections 23A of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 and section 108(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, namely, to limit the amount of contribution out of their general fund to the estimated housing revenue account for the year 1985–86 to an amount not exceeding £2.026 million and to determine such district rate as will provide sufficient moneys to meet such part of the total estimated expenses to be incurred by the authority during the year 1985–86 as falls to be met out of monies raised by rates.Accordingly, I have today made an order under section 211 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 requiring Stirling district council to remedy their default within 21 days by revising their estimated housing revenue account so as to budget for a rate fund contribution within the limit set, and also by revising the district rate from 23p in the £ to not more than 20p in the £, and to take all necessary steps to give full effect to these decisions. Copies of the inquiry report and of the default order have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report in respect of (a) each local authority area in Scotland and (b) the average for Scotland as a whole, the percentage increase in average rate bills for 1985–86 over 1984–85 for (i) domestic, (ii) industrial, (iii) commercial, (iv) miscellaneous, (v) public utility and (vi) all subjects.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1985, c. 90]: Since the tabulated information asked for by the hon. Member, and by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton) is quite bulky, I am placing the computer print-outs in the Library rather than publishing them in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the average rates payments for (a) domestic ratepayers, (b) commercial ratepayers and (c) industrial ratepayers, for each district and region in Scotland.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 May 1985, c. 376]: Since the tabulated information asked for by my hon. Friend, and by the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), is quite bulky, I am placing the computer print-outs in the Library rather than publishing them in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning incidents of public disorder which occurred in Newham, east London on Saturday 11 May, detailing the cause and nature of the disturbance, the number of persons involved, the number of persons arrested, whether there were any injuries and the ethnic breakdown of the persons involved; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report.

I understand from the commissioner that these incidents of public disorder occurred during a march and rally held by the Newham 7 Defence Campaign and others, in which some 1,500 people of various ethnic backgrounds took part. The mood of the marchers initially was good but scuffles later broke out and some arrests were made. As the demonstrators assembled for a short rally in Plashet park, missiles including stones, bottles and smoke canisters were thrown at the police, who used shields to protect themselves. After the crowd in the park was dispersed, some demonstrators remained in nearby streets and bricks were thrown at a police vehicle, but eventually all the demonstrators dispersed. During the afternoon 15 police officers sustained minor injuries and one demonstrator, who had been struck on the head by a brick, was taken to hospital. Fifteen people were arrested of whom three were white, nine black and three of Asian origin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cells in the proposed prison at Milton Keynes will be for single occupation and how many for double or multiple occupation.

The nature of the living accommodation for the proposed prison at Milton Keynes will be determined later this year when the design brief is finalised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cells in the proposed prison at Bicester will be for single occupation and how many will be for double or multiple occupation.

276 cells will be for single occupation and 168 for double.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how many officers the Greater Manchester police force was below its authorised establishment at 31 March; to what reasons he ascribes this reduction in the strength of the force; and if he will make a statement.

The authorised establishment of the Greater Manchester police is 6,943, an increase of 208 since May 1979. The strength of the force was 6,736 on 31 March 1985. Police manpower levels fluctuate from month to month because of different recruiting and wastage patterns, seasonal changes and other local reasons. I understand that there was further recruitment to the Greater Manchester police in April, and the present strength is 6,744. The number of full-time civilian staff in the force has increased by 176 to 1,437 since May 1979, including an additional 76 during the past year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 14 May regarding sources of information on missing persons, why accurate statistical information could be provided only at disproportionate cost from the police national computer; and if he will publish such information as is available for the last five years together with the relevant qualifications on its accuracy.

The Police National Computer provides an operational service to police forces and holds information about missing persons only for the minimum period essential to that purpose. Information is not retained for statistical purposes and it is therefore not possible to provide information about the number of persons reported missing over the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the review of the national recommended minimum standards of fire cover which has been undertaken by the central fire brigades' advisory councils for England and Wales and for Scotland.

Table 1
Juveniles and vulnerable adults║ recorded as missing from outside the Metropolitan police district including overseas + including those outstanding from previous year‡
United Kingdom other than MPD, and overseas					Number of persons*
Year
	Male			Female			Total
	Under 14	14–17	18+	Total	Under 14	14–17	18+	Total
1975	29	119	529	677	23	240	297	560	1,237
1976	30	101	625	756	24	220	322	566	1,322
1977	100	248	775	1,123	51	413	436	900	2,023
1978	36	144	917	1,097	34	326	544	904	2,001
1979	37	167	980	1,184	23	265	542	830	2,014
1980	47	168	1,075	1,290	16	214	555	785	2,075
1981	45	169	1,175	1,389	19	169	595	783	2,172
1982	53	164	1,216	1,433	40	174	563	777	2,210
1983	40	199	733	972	35	214	401	650	1,622
1984¶	58	167	623	848	43	185	311	539	1,387
* The same person may be reported missing more than once.
+These figures are not comprehensive because other forces are not required to report to the Missing Persons Bureau cases of missing juveniles and do not report to the bureau cases relating to non-vulnerable adults.
‡Persons recorded as missing at the end of the year plus those traced or identified during the year.
║"Vulnerable adults" include the elderly, the sick and those whose manner of disappearance gave cause for special concern
¶The figures for 1984 may have been increased by improved procedures for recording those missing for only a short period.

A joint committee of the central fire brigades' advisory councils began a review of the recommended minimum standards of fire cover and of the requirements of special emergency and other services in July 1981. The committee's review was completed in November 1984 and its report was subsequently presented to the advisory councils. The principal recommendations are that the current minimum standards should not be changed but that fire authorities should review the categorisation of the risk of fire in their areas in the light of guidance contained in the report. The advisory councils have endorsed the report's recommendations and so now do I and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. Accordingly, the report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, is being sent to fire authorities today together with a circular commending its recommendations to them. In addition, my right hon. Friend arid I have asked our fire service inspectorates to be ready to assist fire authorities in achieving consistency in application and to monitor how individual fire authorities carry out the recommendations in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing juveniles and vulnerable adults who were (a) recorded as missing from outside the Metropolitan police district, including overseas, and (b) who were traced or identified, broken down under each heading by age and sex, for each of the last ten available years; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 16 May 1985, c. 172]: I understand from the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis that the available information from the missing persons bureau of the Metropolitan police is as given in the following tables. Comprehensive statistics on missing persons are not collected centrally. The procedures for the recording of persons who were missing for a short period only were improved in 1984 and this may have increased the numbers recorded by the missing persons bureau.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the proposals to redevelop the Mansion House Square site.

My decision to dismiss the appeal and thereby refuse permission for the proposed development of the Mansion House Square site was issued today. Copies of the decision letter have been placed in the Library of both Houses and the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is proposed to extend the duty to accept radioactive wastes to all or any of the operators of landfill refuse sites.

Under section 9(5) of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 there is a duty on a waste disposal authority to accept radioactive waste on a refuse disposal site specified in an authorisation for disposal of that waste granted by the relevant Minister under section 6 of the Act. There is no plan at present to extend this statutory duty to operators of private waste disposal sites.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of domestic hereditaments in England on an authority by authority basis with a rateable value of under £400.

I have today placed the information requested in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenants exchanged homes between (a) England and Scotland and (b) England and Wales in 1984.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what factors lie behind the differential between the figure of new households in the south-east projected for the decade 1981 to 1991 in his Department's report "1981-Based Estimates of Numbers of Households in England, the Regions, Counties 1981–2001", in February and the projected figure given by officials of his Department to the south-east regional plan inquiry in December 1984;(2) if he will publish in the

The household projections published by the Department are derived from projections of the population of men and women of different ages and marital status by applying the appropriate "headship rates" —the proportions who will head households.The figures released in 1981 were based on headship rates from the censuses of 1961, 1966 and 1971 extrapolated to 1991. These were applied to "1979-based" population projections published by the Office of Population and Censuses and Surveys, analysed by marital status on the basis of projections on the Government Actuary's Department. Separate headship rates were derived for 24 categories: men, women, ages 15–29, 30–44, 45 but below retirement age, retirement age (men of 65 or over and women of 60 or over); married, widowed or divorced, single.To incorporate the figures from the 1981 census, a new mathematical procedure was devised to extrapolate from four instead of three sets of data. The projected headship rates were applied to the OPCS "1981-based" population estimates. These incorporated the main census results. Initially the headship rates were derived for and applied to the same age, sex and marital status categories as

South-East Region: Projected Households
Thousands
	1979-based			1981-based
				Provisional			Published
Type of household	1981	1991	Increase	1981	1991	Increase	1981	1991	Increase
Married couple	4,003	4,083	80	3,852	3,912	60	3,859	3,920	61
Lone parent	464	514	50	502	597	95	503	641	138
One person	1,616	2,029	413	1,496	1,843	347	1,494	1,900	406
Other	366	381	15	459	500	41	466	581	115
All	6,448	7,006	558	6,309	6,852	543	6,322	7,042	720
Private household population	16,541	16,924	383	16,727	17,132	405	16,727	17,132	405
Average household size	2·57	2·42		2·65	2·50		2·65	2·43

The increase in "other" households in the decade 1981 to 1991 and the decrease in 1991 to 2001 apply generally across the country, not just to London and Hampshire. This reflects a combination of changes in the age structure of the population and of trends in headship rates for households.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council, if the Government will ensure that the Greater London council's successor bodies provide facilities for the disabled at the same level as that currently provided by the Greater London council.

I see no reason why abolition of the GLC should harm the interests of disabled people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which consultants have been (a) approached and (b) engaged by his Department to carry out an initial appraisal of the tasks in order to draw up for use by the residuary bodies (i) an initial brief, (ii) an action plan, (iii) a model organisational structure and (iv) suggested before. The resulting figures for the south-east region are those which were provided to the London and South East Regional Planning Conference Housing Issues Group as provisional results and at its request in December last.These provisional results were scrutinised in the Department and the method was then improved by splitting the age groups into five-year bands for England as a whole. In particular, this corrected for the effect of a relatively large number of births in the 1960s and a lower number in the 1970s which meant that the 15 to 29 age group in 1981 contained an unusually high proportion under 20 and in 1991 an unusually low proportion under 20. The headship rates were derived from only a 10 per cent. sample of the census data and, for this reason, projections for sub-divisions of England have not been made in that detail. Instead, the estimates for the different types of households—married couples, lone parent, one person and "other" households—within the broader age-bands used initially have been adjusted for each area pro rata to the changes in the England totals. The changes between the provisional and final published estimates are predominantly among young single people living on their own or heading "other" households and these households are disproportionately common in the south-east and particularly in London.The projected figures for 1981 and 1991 are as follows:arrangements for liaison with the local authorities in their areas, in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils; and what is the estimated budget for the consultants' costs.

My Department has recently commissioned Price Waterhouse to undertake such a study in relation to the London residuary body, and Peat Marwick in relation to the six metropolitan counties. It is not our practice to reveal details of fees negotiated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to onshore oil and gas activity to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 3 to 7 June. Also available at the exhibition will be copies of a new booklet setting out the stages of oil and gas operations and the safeguards which apply to protect the environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the voluntary bodies for which he has approved grants by the Greater London council under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 March 1985, Vol. 76, c. 338]: Specific consent under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984 has been given for expenditure by the Greater London council under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 on assistance to the following organisations:

• Advance
• African People's Historic Monument Foundation (UK)
• Asian Community Action Group
• Beormund Community Centre
• Black Londoners Action Committee
• Black People's Information Centre
• Black Teens Publications Ltd.
• British Trust for Conservation
• Camden Training Centre
• Caribbean Educational Project
• Caribbean Teachers Association
• Carila Resource Centre
• Caribbean Studies Group
• Centerprise Ltd.
• Central London Youth Project
• Central Wandsworth Youth Advisory Service
• Chinese Information and Advice
• Clays Lane Community Co-op
• Community Information Project
• Community Land and Workspace Services Ltd.
• Community Organisations Forum
• Community Roots Trusts
• Community Service Volunteers
• Conference of Ethnic Minorities Senior Citizens
• Creation for Liberation
• Credit Unions of Great Britain
• Drake Fellowship
• Ealing Community Law Centre
• Ecological Parks Trust
• Elephant Jobs
• Ethiopian World Federation
• Family Welfare Association Ltd.
• Federation of Ethnic Minority Organisations
• Federation of Independent Advice Centres
• Ghana Union
• Greater London Citizens Advice Bureaux — Welfare Rights
• Unit
• Grass Roots Self Help Project
• Haringey Womens Training and Education Centre
• Hammersmith Crisis Centre
• Haringey Irish Association
• Hillingdon Community Newspaper
• Hillingdon Legal Resource
• Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board
• Hybrid Vehicle Development
• Indian Workers Association
• Information on Ireland
• Institute of Race Relation
• Interchange Trust Ltd.
• Islington Dial-A-Ride
• Lambeth Inner City Consultative Group
• Law Centres Federation
• Lewisham Women's Training Workshop
• Local Radio Workshop
• London Association of Community Relations Councils
• London Community Projects Design Service
• London Cycling Campaign
• London Friend
• London Interpreting Project
• London New Technology Network
• London Voluntary Service Council
• London Wildlife Trust
• Manor House Centre for Judaism
• Migrant Service Unit
• New Grapevine
• New Ways to Work
• Newham Association of Education and Training
• Newham Community Renewal Programme
• North Kensington Law Centre
• North London Garages Group Training Association
• North London Training Workshop
• Notting Hill Adventure Playground
• Nucleus-Earls Court Community Action
• Paddington Farm Trust Ltd.
• Palingsworth House Ltd.
• Parents Association for Educational Advance
• Passage Day Centre
• Portuguese Community Centre
• R T Studios
• Racism Awareness Programme Trust
• Rastafari Universal Zion
• Redbridge Asian Women's Association
• Redbridge Community Care
• Response Community Projects
• Roehampton and Putney Community Law Centre
• Royal Town Planning Institute
• Shalom Justice and Peace Centre
• Shri Guru Valmik Sabha
• Society of Voluntary Associates
• South Bank Polytechnic
• Southall Community Law Centre
• Tabernacle Community Association Ltd.
• Tooting and Balham Law Centres
• Tottenham Community Projects
• Tower Hamlets Association for Racial Justice
• Tower Hamlets Advanced Technology Training
• Tower Hamlets Environment Trust
• Tower Hamlets Information Research and Resource Centre
• Tower Hamlets Law Centre
• Town and Country Planning Association
• Vince Hines Foundation
• Waltham Forest Chamber of Commerce
• Waltham Forest Chamber of Commerce Training Trust Ltd.
• Waltham Forest Social Resource Centre
• Wandsworth Legal Resource Project
• Wells Park Health Project
• Wesley Hall Community
• West Indian Ex-Servicemen's Association
• West London Garages Group Training Association
• Women and Training South London
• Women in Print
• World Wildlife Fund

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his current estimate of the number of staff needed by each of the residuary bodies due to take over in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils.

Estimates would be premature at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what support arrangements he intends to set up in the regions for each of the residuary bodies in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils; and what is the estimated cost.

After their formal establishment, the residuary bodies will be responsible for making their own arrangements for support services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils, what is his most recent estimate of (a) the reduction in the number of jobs and (b) redundancies in each of the authorities concervned.