asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage increase in domestic gas and electricity prices, respectively, in each year since 1979; and, in each case, what has been the overall increase between 1979 and 1985 in cash and real terms.

The information requested is given in the table below:

Percentage increases in average domestic gas and electricity prices
	Gas per cent.	Electricity per cent.
1979 to 1980	17	27
1980 to 1981	26	20
1981 to 1982	25	10
1982 to 1983	12	4
1983 to 1984	4	1
1984 to third quarter 1985*	5	5
1979 to third quarter 1985*
In current terms	124	85
In deflated terms†	36	12

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the cost of each public inquiry into the construction of nuclear power stations since 1970.

Three such inquiries have been held since 1970. Information on the costs of the first two inquiries, for Portskewett and Connah's Quay, both held in 1971, is not readily available. The final cost of the third inquiry, for Sizewell B, will become evident only when the inspector has completed his report. However, costs up to 31 October 1985 either falling to my Department or recoverable to the CEGB total approximately £2,890,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the future of the coal-firing scheme.

I attach great importance to keeping energy costs to industry to a minimum and have therefore decided to extend the deadline for receipt of applications for grants under the coal-firing scheme to the end of June 1987. The £75 million ceiling on total grants offered will no longer apply; I will make funds available as necessary to cover this extension. The exchange risk guarantee scheme on loans from the European Coal and Steel Community for coal-firing projects will be discontinued as from 31 December 1985 though of course companies will still be able to take advantage of the attractive terms of the loan facility itself.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, what recommendations he has received from Her Majesty's coroner for Nottinghamshire arising out of the death of Paul King and Lee James Bradley.

I set out below the jury's recommendations as reported to me by the coroner:—

"We the jury recommend:—

(a) Closed sub-stations or improvements to stop children climbing in.

(b) Recommend a more frequent inspection of sub-stations.

(c) Look into some kind of system to detect a build up of pressure within the cover box to detect a breakage in the outer covering."

I have asked the Electricity Council to consider these recommendations as a matter of urgency and to advise. It is setting up a working party for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy towards the development of flora and fauna on the verges of the M25.

It is our policy to encourage a varied flora on all motorways, including the M25. In 1970 a survey showed that 384 species of flowering plant, including one third of all British grasses, were growing on the M1 where only five had been sown during construction. The survey is being repeated this year to assess the effects of the reduction of grass cutting on the enrichment of herbage by other species.We take no specific steps to encourage fauna, but the development of a rich and varied flora and the absence of man's influence on motorway verges provide ideal conditions for a wide range of fauna to establish themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the work of the Corporation of Trinity House to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

The corporation, in consultation with the House authorities, have already made arrangements for such an exhibition: I shall have pleasure in opening it on Monday 2 December at 4.00 pm.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated proportion of all accidental deaths in the United Kingdom which result from accidents involving motor vehicles.

According to the definition of road accident death used by this Department, that is death occurring within 30 days of the road accident, 38 per cent. of all accidental deaths were due to road traffic accidents in 1984.However, if the definition employed by the Registrars General is used, that is death occurring within one year of the road accident, road deaths made up 40 per cent. of all accidental deaths in 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prison officers presently members of the Territorial Army will be prevented from being members of the Territorial Army under revised guidelines;(2) why certain prison officers are prevented from joining the Territorial Army.

Prison officers are not permitted to join the Territorial Army because they are classified as a reserved occupation and would not be available for call-up in a national emergency. Figures for prison officers prevented from joining the TA are not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the education authorities within the Metropolitan police area in which some or all schools ban visits from the police;(2) if he will make a statement on the implications for the work of the Metropolitan police of the banning of police visits by certain schools in London;(3) what information the Metropolitan police have as to the number of schools within their area at which police visits are banned.

I am advised by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that there are 21 schools, all within the area of the Inner London education authority, which refuse to allow an educational input by the police. In addition to establishing good relationships with young people, the police seek to make children at the primary level aware of dangers—on the roads, canals, rivers and railway lines and of going off with strangers. At the next stage the dangers of drugs and solvent misuse and offensive weapons, as well as advice on self protection, feature in the valuable exchanges. The development of a better understanding of the role and function of the police is an important element of the commissioner's strategy for the improvements of relations between the forces and community in general. I fully share the commissioner's concern at the lack of co-operation of a few schools in promoting this objective.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will describe the role of (i) the central intelligence unit and (ii) A8 department of the Metropolitan police in relation to surveillance and the monitoring of political and community developments; and if he will make a statement.

After the urban riots in 1981 all police forces were invited to develop systems for monitoring rises in community tension which might foreshadow serious public disorder. In London each district reports on a regular basis on the level of tension in the area. The central information unit in A8 branch and New Scotland Yard collates these district reports for senior management to consider whether action is required to prevent tension escalating into riots.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were committed into custody by magistrates courts in default of payment of a fine where the original offence was one of loitering or soliciting during 1982, 1983, 1984 and the first six months of 1985.

The information available is given in the following table:

Prostitutes committed into custody by magistrates' courts in default of payment of a fine
	Number
1982	83
1983	168
1984	269
January—June 1985*	151
* Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours in the week ended 2 November, or any other recent typical week, the workshops in Liverpool prison were open; what was the average number of prisoners employed; how many classes took place and for how many hours; what was the average number of inmates in each class; how many individual prisoners attended at least one class during the week; and how much time on average each prisoner spent out of his cell during that week.

In the week ended 2 November 1985 two of the eleven workshops at Liverpool were closed for structural alterations. The remaining nine workshops were open for an average of 13 hours employing an average of 41 prisoners. In addition 253 prisoners were employed on domestic, catering and maintenance duties.Thirty-nine classes were held during this week, with total class hours of 72½ and the average number of inmates attending each class was 7·7. One hundred and eighty inmates attended at least one class. It is not possible other than at disproportionate cost, to calculate the average amount of time spent out of cells.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum number of prisoners who can be employed in workshops in Liverpool prison on any one day.

Six hundred and seven.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours in the week ended 2 November, or any other recent typical week, the workshops in Manchester prison were open; what was the average number of prisoners employed; how many classes took place and for how many hours; what was the average number of inmates in each class; how many individual prisoners attended at least one class during the week; and how much time on average each prisoner spent out of his cell during that week.

In the week ended 2 November 1985, the five workshops at Manchester prison were open for an average of 19 hours employing an average of 33 prisoners. In addition, 246 prisoners were employed on domestic, catering and maintenance duties.Ninety-nine classes were held during this week, with total class hours of 188. The average number of inmates attending each class was 10·1. About 200 inmates attended at least one class. It is not possible, other than at disproportionate cost, to calculate the average amount of time spent out of cells.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum number of prisoners who can be employed in workshops in Manchester prison on any one day.

Two hundred and nine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the budget for each police force in Wales for the current financial year.

This is a matter for the police authority. The police budget for each force is determined locally by the police authority, subject to their statutory responsibilities and in consultation with the chief constable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police forces in Wales whose manpower is below establishment, and in which the police authority has stated that this is attributable to budgetary restrictions.

On 31 October 1985 the authorised establishment and strength of the police forces in Wales was as follows:

	Authorised Establishment	Police Strength	Vacancies
Dyfed Powys	934	930	4
Gwent	978	971	7
North Wales	1,316	1,259	57
South Wales	3,109	3,053	56

The police budget for each force is determined by the police authority, subject to their statutory responsibilities, and in consultation with the chief constable. I understand that the North Wales police and the South Wales constabulary are holding police vacancies for budgetary reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy towards the proposed Council of Europe convention banning the docking of dogs' tails; and what consultations he has undertaken on the issue with representatives of breeders and owners in the United Kingdom.

The Government welcome the continuing work in the Council of Europe on issues of animal welfare in general and are maintaining a close interest in the preparation of a draft convention for the protection of pet animals. We are currently in correspondence with the Kennel Club and the Joint Advisory Committee on Pets in Society about various provisions in the draft convention, notably the article which would prohibit tail-docking and certain other surgical procedures unless a veterinary surgeon considers it to be in the interest of the welfare of the animal. We are also taking into account a number of representations about tail-docking received from owners and breeders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will answer the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, concerning building contracts at Parkhurst prison and dated 21 October.

My noble Friend replied to the hon. Member on 21 November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those organisations from which he has recently received objections to the deregulation of Sunday trading.

Since 1 October 1985 we have received objections to the deregulation of Sunday trading from the following organisations:

• Hereford and district Butchers Association
• Birmingham battalion of the Boys Brigade
• Blackrod town council
• Bebington council of Churches
• Mid Cheshire Fellowship of Baptist Churches
• Wolverhampton Deanery Synod
• The Hallam branch (Sheffield) Christian Constituency Movement
• Free Church of Scotland, Presbytery of Lewis
• Christian Action Now
• Orpington Deanery Synod
• The Methodist Church Midsomer North Circuit
• Plumstead Christian Fellowship
• The Methodist Church Lillborough Circuit
• The Oxford New Testament Fellowship
• Orpington and District Evangelistic Council
• Beverley and district Master Butchers Association
• The Methodist Church Nottingham North Circuit
• Swanborough Team of Parishes
• Revelation Christian Fellowship, Chichester
• Christian Family Ministries
• West Wales English Baptist Association
• Bangor and Ards district C E Union
• The Methodist Church Exeter Circuit
• United Reformed Churches in Darwen, Lancs
• The Methodist Church Plymouth and Exeter district
• The Lawyers Christian Fellowship
• Plaistowe Christian Fellowship
• Farmers Area Inter-Schools Christian Union
• Union of Evangelical Churches, Essex
• East Glamorgan Welsh Baptist Association
• The Methodist Church London South East district
• The Holy Christian Church, International Ministries, West Berlin
• The Presbyterian Church of Wales—London Presbytery
• Free Church of Scotland, Edinburgh
• The British Hardware Federation
• The Multiple Shoe Retailers Association
• Caerphilly Fellowship of Christian Churches
• Farmers Christian Postal Service
• Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers
• Jubilee Centre
• British Council of Churches
• Bishops Stortford Chamber of Trade and Commerce
• Newport Chamber of Trade
• West Wales English Baptist Association
• Preston Action Committee
• Worcester Diocesan Synod
• Transport and General Workers Union
• Byker and Heaton Shields Road Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what level of grant is currently being made to the Carmarthen district council in relation to the construction of an emergency control centre;(2) if his Department will make extra resources available to Carmarthen district council to cover additional costs incurred during construction of the emergency control centre at Carmarthen; and if he will make a statement.

An application for civil defence grant aid at the normal rate of 75 per cent. on capital costs of £60,000 for the construction of an emergency centre at Carmarthen has been approved. Payment of grant on additional cost resulting from security measures necessary to ensure that the work can continue is also eligible for grant aid, and consideration is being given to a further application for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the exact sums spent on prison buildings and accommodation in England and Wales for each of the last 10 years, giving figures for each year; and what is the proposed expenditure for 1986 and 1987.

The information requested is as follows:

	£ million
1976–77	31·8
1977–78	33·4
1978–79	33·3
1979–80	36·6
1980–81	48·2
1981–82	51·4
1982–83	65·8

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about progress made in relieving overcrowding at Leeds prison.

Overcrowding at Leeds will be relieved by HM prison Lindholme which has now received its first prisoners, and by the changes of role at HM prison Hull and HM remand centre Thorp Arch which will take place as soon as a small number of outstanding staffing issues have been resolved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about incidents involving violence against prison officers which occurred at Leeds prison on 19 November.

At approximately 8.10 am, staff dealt with an incident between inmates. Shortly afterwards, other incidents occurred. A small number of inmates were involved in these disturbances and each incident was quickly dealt with by staff. Unfortunately, in the process, some injuries were sustained by members of staff, and six officers were sent for hospital treatment. One was initially detained but was allowed home later the same day. The police have been asked to investigate, in accordance with normal practice. Furthermore, at approximately 8.45 am, two inmates reported seeing flames in a warm air duct. As a precautionary measure, the wing was evacuated and the fire brigage attended, but no evidence of fire was found. The prison resumed normal working shortly before 9.15 am and has been operating normally since.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of his field trials of time limits in criminal proceedings.

Field trials are now beginning in the four areas served by the Crown court centres at Birmingham, Bristol, Maidstone and Southwark. Test limits will apply to cases from 25 November in magistrates' courts and from January in the Crown court. For this stage of the trials, the prosecution has been encouraged to act as if the time limits had statutory force, but the statutory procedures for seeking extensions and the consequences of breaching limits will not apply. The courts will have regard to the limits on the prosecution in arranging their business.Where the accused is in custody the test limits are 56 days to summary trial, 70 days to committal for trial (or beginning of committal proceedings), and 112 days from committal to arraignment, except at Southwark where this limit will be 182 days. The overall test limits which apply whether the accused is in custody or on bail are 20 weeks to summary trial or committal, and at Birmingham and Bristol 26 weeks from committal to arraignment.The longer custody limit at Southwark and the lack of overall limits there or at Maidstone reflect current circumstances in the Crown court in London and the south east, where too high a proportion of cases would inevitably overrun limits which were achievable elsewhere. The test limits are intended to be realistic initial targets for improvement on current performance.We shall study the effects of the test limits over about six months. We have it in mind thereafter to make regulations to apply statutory limits in the trial areas only in order to conduct a more lifelike test before wider implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Government have given to deaf or hearing-impaired people in Third world countries.

In 1984–85 about £28,000 was spent from the aid programme on assistance to the deaf and hearing-impaired in developing countries. This included a programme for the development of education centres for deaf children in Pakistan, a number of projects jointly funded with voluntary organisations and some training. In addition some £20 million was spent on activities which contributed to the general health of the community, including the prevention of disability.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he appointed a non-scientist to be director of the Tropical Development and Research Institute.

An open competition was held earlier this year to try to identify a suitable successor to the present director of the Tropical Development and Research institute. The vacancy was widely advertised in the appropriate journals, but the competition failed to produce anyone who was judged to have the right combination of scientific and administrative skills. Since the new director will face the major task of managing the relocation of the component parts of the institute on a new site at Chatham in 1987–88, proven management ability was a prime requirement. An assistant secretary (Mr. G.A. Beattie) in the Overseas Development Administration has accordingly been appointed, on temporary promotion, to the post for the next two to three years. The aim will be for this officer to be succeeded in due course by an officer with a scientific background.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost of sending one tonne of wheat in overseas aid to Africa; and of that cost, how much is (a) storage, (b) purchase cost of wheat, (c) road transport in the United Kingdom, (d) shipping and (e) transportation within the African continent.

Tenders are invited for wheat purchased under the British food aid programme on a fob basis. The price paid therefore includes unidentifiable elements for storage and road transport to the shipping port. The average recent purchase price for wheat has been £110 per tonne fob.Shipment is normally arranged on our behalf by the World Food Programme at an average cost of £42 per tonne to Africa. Internal transport costs vary considerably: on the most recent shipments to Ethiopia the estimated cost is £100 per tonne.

asked the Prime Minister whether she was informed in advance by President Reagan of his willingness to hand over strategic defence initiative technology to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and why the United States is refusing to transfer the same technology to the United Kingdom.

President Reagan has referred on several occasions to the possibility of sharing with the Russians technology arising from the strategic defence initiative research programme. For its part, the United Kingdom has had intensive discussions with the United States about participation in the research programme. A statement will be made about this at the appropriate time.

asked the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of the State opening of Parliament on 6 November.

[pursuant to her reply, 18 November 1985, col. 1]: The cost to the Property Services Agency of the State opening of Parliament on 6 November 1985 is estimated at £42,200. This includes the cost of providing stands for guests in the Royal Gallery, building camera positions for TV broadcasting and erecting the ornamental awning outside the Peers' Entrance.No additional costs were incurred by the Metropolitan police as a result of the policing of the State opening.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total cost to public funds during the last 12 months of the surveillance and other activities carried out against off-shore pirate radio stations.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report his Department's estimates, for the years 1978 to 1984, for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions, of the numbers of jobs created by (i) regional policy and (ii) other employment assistance measures, and of the costs per job.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, for each regional area of the United Kingdom, and by industry groups, the gross domestic fixed capital formation for 1979 and for the most recent year for which figures are available, at current prices and at 1979 prices.

Constant price figures are not available. The latest published current price series for the years 1974 and 1980 to 1982 appeared at page 92 of the November

Net capital expenditure in manufacturing industry* at current prices

£ million

Standard regions of England

Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

United Kingdom

Industry

Year

North

Yorkshire and Humberside

East Midlands

East Anglia

South East

South West

West Midlands

North West

(Class of Standard Industrial Classification Revised 1980)

Extraction and preparation of

1980

†

-0·9

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

-0·4

metalliferous ores

1982

-0·1

-0·3

-0·2

—

—

†

—

†

†

†

†

1·2

Metal manufacturing

1980

31·4

64·0

18·8

1·1

25·3

9·6

53·9

16·8

88·0

36·8

0·4

346·1

1982

39·7

46·2

7·2

0·8

16·5

4·2

28·2

11·9

60·2

11·2

0·2

226·3

Extraction of minerals not

1980

4·1

1·8

3·1

2·6

12·0

14·5

3·5

7·7

1·2

3·2

0·7

53·3

elsewhere specified

1982

2·1

1·4

3·2

3·2

12·1

*

5·4

*

*

*

*

52·1

Manufacture of non-metallic

1980

23·2

35·1

3·8

8·9

64·9

25·1

35·6

98·5

26·5

42·1

11·2

404·9

mineral products

1982

18·0

38·2

30·2

6·2

47·2

23·5

36·6

37·7

17·4

20·6

10·3

285·8

Chemical industry

1980

162·2

81·1

46·8

18·5

163·3

18·2

22·0

304·8

57·2

109·3

19·9

1,003·4

1982

58·9

52·9

33·4

18·5

175·9

15·7

19·2

222·5

59·3

154·9

3·0

814·3

Production of man-made fibres

1980

†

5·0

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

11·2

41·5

1982

†

3·3

†

—

†

†

†

†

†

†

3·8

16·5

Manufacture of metal goods not

1980

14·9

26·5

36·0

8·4

61·0

13·8

101·6

26·9

7·4

16·0

1·0

313·4

elsewhere specified

1982

8·6

16·8

27·3

7·5

41·2

6·7

58·8

22·3

7·3

11·6

0·7

208·7

Mechanical engineering

1980

51·6

75·8

61·7

23·2

135·8

48·0

74·5

65·2

17·0

70·2

7·6

630·6

1982

55·7

50·4

48·6

42·0

114·2

39·3

47·3

75·0

17·5

52·4

16·1

558·6

Manufacture of office machinery

1980

†

0·2

0·6

0·3

26·3

0·8

3·1

†

†

20·6

†

56·0

and data processing equipment

1982

0·1

0·4

0·9

0·4

36·5

1·1

-1·3

0·4

0·1

21·2

0·1

59·9

Electrical and electronic

1980

32·2

17·6

21·3

10·9

182·1

23·8

54·6

53·0

26·9

46·8

6·2

475·4

engineering

1982

28·0

17·5

28·1

13·3

184·6

32·8

41·8

59·2

35·9

52·6

8·1

501·8

Manufacture of motor vehicles

1980

9·8

16·1

18·4

9·0

229·8

15·8

170·2

87·0

54·8

16·9

0·5

628·4

and parts thereof

1982

4·0

10·8

5·3

2·8

201·1

11·5

142·2

41·9

36·4

10·6

1·1

467·6

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, for each regional area and by Government service, the gross domestic fixed capital formation for 1979 and for the most recent year for which figures are available (a) at 1979 prices and (b) at current prices.

The information requested is not available at constant prices. Analyses by Government service are not readily available for 1979 and would be costly to compile. Available figures, expressed at current prices, were published for years 1974 and 1980 to 1982 at pages 92 and 93 of the November 1984 issue of "Economic Trends". More up-to-date information will be published in the November 1985 issue of "Economic Trends".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, for each regional area and for major industry groups, the capital expenditure in manufacturing for 1979 and for the most recent year for which figures are available (a) at 1979 prices and (b) at current prices.

Constant price figures are not available. The latest available figures, at current prices and relating to capital expenditure in the standard regions of the United Kingdom, are given in the following table. Comparable information for the industry groups shown in this table is not readily available for 1979 and would be costly to compile.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he is unable to publish details of his Department's revised spending plans for 1986–87 and 1987–88 until January 1986.

Departments are still considering precise allocations. When completed, details of all departmental spending plans will be co-ordinated and published in the public expenditure White Paper in the usual way.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for the future of consular relations between the United Kingdom and Guatemala of the recent elections in Guatemala.

The elections are not yet complete: there will be a second round between the two leading candidates on 8 December. We hope the election of a democratic Government in Guatemala will facilitate a resumption of consular relations for which we have always been ready.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to publicise and protest against abuses of human rights in Poland; and if he will make a statement.

During my right hon. and learned Friend's visit to Warsaw in April, he made clear the widespread concern in the United Kingdom about human rights in Poland. He also discussed the situation with members of the opposition and leaders of the church. We have since protested several times to the Polish authorities, in particular about the harsh sentences given to three leading members of Solidarity in June. I believe our views are well known in this country and in Poland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to reopen the British consulate in Miami.

The British consulate in Miami will reopen in the first half of next year. This reflects both the growing economic importance of Florida and Miami's role in Caribbean trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many empty houses are held by the Property Services Agency in the borough of Rushmoor in its own right and under management for the Ministry of Defence.

In the borough of Rushmoor, the Property Services Agency holds under its management 19 Ministry of Defence empty houses; 6 are in the process of transfer to private purchasers; 1 is with an estate agent for sale on the open market, and 12 form part of a larger group of houses offered for sale to the borough. There are none held by PSA in its own right but there are other Government-owned empty houses in the borough for which the Property Services Agency is not responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the annual sales and numbers employed by the Crown Suppliers for each of the past five years.

This information is included in the Crown Suppliers' annual report and accounts for 1984–85, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library. The details are as follows:

	1980–81 £000	1981–82 £000	1982–83 £000	1983–84 £000	1984–85 £000
Sales	207,290	205,138	220,960	228,329	240,315
Staff numbers in post at 31 March	3,007	2,134	1,981	1,980	1,933

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the names of the review team considering the future of the Crown Suppliers and the sources of external expert advice.

The members of the review team were:

• Miss E. C. Turton, Cabinet Office
• Mr. A. A. Carter, Cabinet Office
• Mr. R. J. Meadows, Her Majesty's Treasury
• Mr. N. L. Gregory, The Crown Suppliers
• Mr. P. S. Mundy, The Crown Suppliers

During the course of the review, the team obtained external advice from 10 private sector firms which are suppliers to the Crown Suppliers, 10 public sector organisations which are customers, and three major private sector organisations which have large purchasing departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report of the review team considering the future of the Crown Suppliers.

The report was sent to my right hon. Friend on 11 November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations have been held with the staff of the Crown Suppliers as part of the review of the organisation's future; and what response they have made.

During the review, the team consulted the Departmental Whitley council trade union side and the joint consultative committee trade union side. The former submitted a paper to the team.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many (a) nationalised industries, (b) local authorities and (c) other public sector bodies are currently customers of the Crown Suppliers.

The Crown Suppliers have provided goods and services during the last year to 14 nationalised industries, 83 local authorities and 550 other public sector customers, in addition to their main business with central Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations have taken place on possible amendments to the Fire Precautions Act 1971; and what representations he has received on fire safety in houses in multiple occupation.

Since my Department consulted local authority associations and other interested organisations in September 1983 about a possible extension of the Housing (Means of Escape from Fire in Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 1981 (SI 1981 No 1576), my right hon. Friend has received a number of representaions about fire safety. These were mainly inquiries about when an announcement would be made on the review of the 1981 order and representations about the fire which took place in November 1984 at 46 Gloucester place, London, W1. The Fire Precautions Act 1971, and the possibility of any amendments to that Act, are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the maximum supplementary capital expenditure allocation given to a non-metropolitan district council in 1985–86.

The largest supplementary expenditure allocation given to a non-metropolitan district council for 1985–86 was £842,000. Supplementary allocations, issued to qualifying authorities, were calculated as an amount equal to 5 per cent. of an authority's basic capital allocation for 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received an application from Portsmouth city council for supplementary capital expenditure for the year 1986–87; and whether he anticipates it will be eligible.

The basic capital expenditure allocations to individual authorities for 1986–87 have not yet been decided. Nor have I received any application from Portsmouth city council for a supplementary capital expenditure allocation in respect of that year, although the council has been given a supplementary allocation for 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, in ranking order, the 50 local authorities with the largest housing capital programmes in 1984–85 and 1985–86 showing the figures for each authority.

The information requested is shown in the following tables:—

Local Authority	1984–85 Expenditure £ thousands
(1) Greater London council	163,555
(2) Birmingham	94,253
(3) Manchester	70,700
(4) Liverpool	65,169

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to establish maximum permitted levels of lead in paint (a) generally and (b) when used on equipment intended for outdoor playgrounds.

No. In February 1985, the Paintmakers Association of Great Britain, whose member companies account for 90 per cent. of United Kingdom paint manufacturers, agreed to stop adding lead to white gloss, undercoat and primers for decorative use from January 1986; and to all other decorative paints and varnishes from July 1987. Paint with no added lead will be labelled appropriately. Further action can take place only in the framework of the European Community, and at the United Kingdom's instigation the Commission is now considering ways to encourage the manufacture and sale of unleaded paint.Department of the Environment circular 22/82 (Welsh Office circular 31/82) advised local authorities to specify low-lead paint for almost all uses, including metalwork in recreation grounds. An information note, "Lead in Paintwork", published by the Department in 1982, gave advice on surveying and treating old paintwork. In consultation with the Department, the local authorities management services and computer committee (LAMSAC) issued further advice last year on the treatment of playground equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the grants given by the Nature Conservancy Council towards the purchase of sites of special scientific interest land by voluntary conservationists in the current financial year; if he will express this grant as a percentage of the total price paid where this is known; and if he will make a statement as to the role of such grants in the Nature Conservancy Council's work.

Body	Site name	Grant paid	Per cent. of purchase price
Northants Trust	High Wood and Meadow	10,000	25
RSPB	West Sedgemoor	16,000	25
Somerset Trust	Beer and Aller Wood	5,375	25
RSPB	Ouse Washes	1,188	25
Berks, Bucks and Oxon	Oulsmoor Bog	8,750	25
Hereford and Radnor	Upperhugg Meadow	1,640	25
Somerset Trust	Tealham and Tadham	5,250	25
North York Moors National	Lewisham Woods	12,500	25
Park Committee
Woodland Trust	America Wood	5,000	25
Gloucester Trust	Coombe Hill Canal	4,750	25
Montgomery Trust	Roundton Hill	7,750	33⅓
Hereford and Radnor	Upper Lugg Meadow	595	25
RSPB	Allt Pu Farm	16,000	25
Norfolk Trust	Narborough Embankment	7,250	25
Northants Trust	Wansford Pasture	3,666	33⅓
Yorks Wildlife Trust	Sutton Ings	1,913	25
Somerset Trust	Tealham and Tadham	4,050	25
Notts Trust	Teversal Pastures	2,250	33⅓
RSPB	Ouse Washes	6,156	25
Leics and Rutland Trust	Orchid Meadows	11,893	33⅓
Scottish Wildlife Trust	Whitlaw Wood	500	25
Scottish Wildlife Trust	Woodhall Dean	8,500	50
Scottish Wildlife Trust	Coilsholm Wood	950	25
Kent Trust	Stonelees	8,000	50

Under arrangements operating since 1 April 1985 SSSI land attracts grant of 33⅓ per cent., and key sites of 50 per cent.The list above includes details of those grants offered under previous arrangements and paid in the current financial year.By assisting the voluntary conservation movement by way of grants, the Nature Conservancy Council will secure conservation protection of a substantial number of important nature conservation sites. They will continue with their programme of assistance as a viable alternative to NCC acquiring the land itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will allocate funds to promote co-operative housing developments in areas where none exist.

The allocation of funds to individual registered housing co-operatives or their projects is a matter for the Housing Corporation, or local authorities, within the resources available to them. However my Department's urban housing renewal unit is currently examining ways in which we could encourage the greater diversification of housing tenures, through housing co-operatives for example, in order to help to revitalise rundown council estates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue to the local authority associations consultation papers on housing subsidy for 1986–87.

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Wales have issued consultation papers today. The first concerns the

Grants given by the Nature Conservancy Council to voluntary conservationists for the purchase of SSSI land since 1 April 1985 are as follows:Government's proposals for calculating the increase in the amount of the local contribution which local authorities will be expected to find from local sources in arriving at their entitlement to housing subsidy for 1986–87. The second concerns the amount of management and maintenance expenditure to be treated as reckonable for housing subsidy purposes in 1986–87. Copies of the papers have been placed in the Vote Office and in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to amend the Rent Act 1977, section 12(1) and schedule 2(2) so as to put right anomalies which have arisen regarding the status of resident landlords who hold their legal estate as joint tenants.

This is an issue which we shall consider when a suitable legislative opportunity occurs.

asked the Paymaster General what is the level of (a) male and (b) female unemployment in Derbyshire at the latest available date.

The following information is in the Library. On 10 October 1985 the number of unemployed male and female claimants in Derbyshire was 32,867 and 15,925 respectively.

asked the Paymaster General what is the level of unemployment in Derbyshire for 16 to 18-year-olds and 19 to 21-year-olds at the latest available date.

The following information is in the Library . On 10 October 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in the county of Derbyshire aged under 19 years and aged 19 to 24 years was 6,139 and 12,055 respectively. Separate figures are not available for those aged 19 to 21.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the net changes in employment by regional area from December 1982 after making allowance for second jobs.

The following table gives the net changes in the civilian employed labour force between December 1982 and June 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, for the areas specified. The civilian employed labour force is the sum of employees in employment and the self-employed. Estimates of the self-employed after June 1984 are provisional.The second jobs included in the employees in employment estimates are not separately identified, but estimates from the labour force surveys suggest an increase of 60,000 between spring 1983 and spring 1984 (the latest date for which estimates are available) in the number of people with a second job as an employee. The survey sample is not large enough to give reliable estimates on a regional basis.The employment estimates do not include second jobs when they are held as self-employed.

Net changes in the civilian employed labour force between December 1982 and June 1985
	Number
South east	326,000
East Anglia	59,000
South west	83,000
West midlands	28,000
East midlands	12,000
Yorkshire and Humberside	4,000
North west	46,000
North	30,000
Scotland	38,000
Wales	35,000

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the net charrges in service sector employment by regional area from June 1979 to June 1985; and if he will also publish the figures for December 1982.

The following table gives the net changes in the numbers of employees in employment in the service industries between June 1979 and June 1985 for the areas specified. The table also gives the estimated numbers of employees in employment in the service industries at December 1982 for the same areas.

Employees in employment in the service industries
	Net changes between June 1979 and June 1985	Employees in employment December 1982
South east	199,000	4,995,000
Greater London (included in south east)	*	2,645,000
East Anglia	48,000	405,000
South west	32,000	961,000
West midlands	13,000	1,031,000
East midlands	16,000	736,000
Yorkshire and Humberside	-5,000	1,022,000
North west	35,000	1,453,000

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish a table showing the net losses in full-time employment for men and women by each regional area and for Great Britain as a whole from June 1979 to June 1985.

The following table gives the net changes in the numbers of male employees in employment and female full-time employees in employment between June 1979 and June 1985, for the areas specified. Estimates of full-time and part-time male employees are not separately available for these dates.

Net changes in employees in employment between June 1979 and June 1985
Thousands
	Males (including part-time)	Full-time females
South east	-291	-90
East Anglia	-20	+1
South west	-64	-74
West midlands	-225	-80
East midlands	-126	-37
Yorkshire and Humberside	-202	-80
North	-178	-53
North west	-266	-96
Scotland	-169	-73
Wales	-118	-28
Great Britain	-1,658	-610

asked the Paymaster General what is the number of men, women and young people, respectively, who have been unemployed for more than a year, two years, three years and four years, respectively, in Knowsley, South.

The following information is in the Library. The table shows the requested information in respect of unemployed claimants as at 10 October 1985.

Duration of unemployment
	Over one year	Over two years	Over three years	Over four years
Knowsley South parliamentary constituency
Male	4,226	3,046	2,255	1,571
Female	1,158	640	402	248
Aged under 18 years	82	0	0	0

asked the Paymaster General what is the number of job vacancies in Knowsley, South.

The following information is in the Library. On 4 October 1985 there were 118 unfilled vacancies in the area covered by the Huyton and Prescot jobcentres, which closely corresponds to the knowsley, South parliamentary constituency.

asked the Paymaster General what is the number unemployed and the job vacancies in each occupation in Knowsley, South.

The following information is in the Library. On 10 October 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the parliamentary constituency of Knowsley, South was 10,396.The number of unfilled vacancies in the main occupational groups at 6 September 1985 is given in the following table for the Huyton and Prescot jobcentres, which closely corresponds to the Knowsley, South parliamentary constituency. More detailed occupational analyses of vacancies are available in the Library.

Unfilled vacancies at September 1985
Huyton and Prescot jobcentres
Managerial and professional	20
Clerical and related	34
Other Non-manual occupations	26
Craft and similar occupations	19
General labourers	0
Other manual occupations	36
Total	135

asked the Paymaster Gerneral how many jobs have been lost from 1979 to date in Knowsley, South.