asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the latest information he has on comparable parliamentary salaries exclusive of allowances, in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States of America.

The latest available figures on parliamentary salaries which have been compiled on a comparable basis are given in the "Twentieth Report of the Review Body on Top Salaries" (May 1983). The figures for the countries referred to in the hon. Gentleman's question are as follows:UNITED KINGDOM

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will give figures and grades, titles and rank for those officers of the House of Commons whose salaries are (a) higher and (b) lower than those of hon. Members.

The number and grades of staff employed by the House of Commons Commission, with an annual basic rate or on a salary scale which includes certain points exceeding £17,702, are given in the chart. All scales include £1,365, or a proportion of this figure, per annum inner London weighting allowance except that no such allowance is payable to those indicated^*. The numbers of staff shown include some staff in grades with a salary scale exceeding £17,702 per annum who may individually be receiving an annual salary below that amount.The remaining grades of staff currently in receipt of an annual salary of less than £17,702 are included in the list of all staff given in Statement C to the "Seventh Annual Report of the House of Commons Commission 1984–85", a copy of which is held in the Library. The salaries of certain grades of staff at various levels are in the course of revision following a recently completed grading review conducted by the Commission's Staff Inspector.The salaries of all staff employed by the Commission are linked to those of Civil Service grades.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the number of those from an ethnic minority background who are employed in his private office and those of other Ministers within his Department; and what are the positions they occupy.

Records are not yet kept, as staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have not been asked to disclose their ethnic origins. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is participating in an ethnic survey of staff in Government Departments in London, the south-east and East Anglia which will be completed by the end of 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the nationalities and numbers of those rescued from South Yemen by the Royal Navy.

The total number of persons rescued so far by the Royal Navy is 674. Apart from British citizens these comprised nationals of the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Argentina
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Denmark
• East Germany
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• France
• Guyana
• India
• Iran
• Iraq
• Italy
• Republic of Ireland

• Japan
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Syria
• Thailand
• West Germany
• Yemen Arab Republic
• Yugoslavia

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the chartered accountancy profession about the implications for the cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of the profession of its co-operation with the investigation being conducted by the Commission for Racial Equality under sections 48 and 49 of the Race Relations Act 1976; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the recent discussions he has had with United States trade officials concerning restraints on the sale, import or use of the European Airbus by airlines flying within or to the United States of America.

In the past few months, charges have been made in some quarters in the United States that European Governments have politically intervened to promote Airbus sales in competition with US manufactured aircraft. Doubts have also been expressed on whether Government launch aid towards development of the A320 is in accordance with our international obligations.My right hon. and learned Friend has already informed the US Administration that Her Majesty's Government do not accept that it has in any way acted contrary to its international obligations in these matters. The Government will continue to resist such charges on behalf of British Aerospace and our other aerospace companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he or his private office saw a draft of the letter to him dated 17 January from the chief executive of British Aerospace regarding the Westland affair before a copy of the letter was formally received by him; and if he will make a statement.

Following the exchange in the House between my hon. Friend, the Member for Arundel (Mr. Marshall) and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16 January at column 1207, it was clear to both my Department and BAe that there was a possibility of a misunderstanding having arisen at the meeting which I held with Sir Raymond Lygo on 8 January.Following contacts between my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Malone), a discussion took place on the evening of 16 January between Sir Raymond Lygo and one of his colleagues, and representatives of my Department. My hon. Friends the Members for Arundel and for Aberdeen, South took part in these discussions.As a result of those discussions Sir Raymond indicated his intention to write substantially in the terms of his letter of 17 January. When this was reported to me I indicated in turn that, were I to receive such a letter, it would be my intention to reply in the terms of my letter to Sir Raymond of 17 January.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the number from an ethnic minority background who are employed in his private office and those of other Ministers within his Department; and what are the positions they occupy.

This Department does not at present hold records of the ethnic origins of its staff employed in the London area; a survey is to be conducted later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has taken any action against Mr. Michael Hepker or against Provincial Properties Wales, its officers or directors for alleged non-filing of annual returns and accounts.

Summonses were issued on 11 December against the company and its directors, including Mr. Hepker. These summonses are returnable at Cardiff magistrates' court on 28 January.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to take any action concerning Mr. Michael Hepker and Meldoak in the light of the correspondence received from the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch.

I cannot say until my right hon. and learned Friend has studied the papers that he has just received from the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to take any action concerning Mr. Michael Hepker and borrowings from Johnson Matthey Bankers by Ravensbury Investments, Radcliffe and Provincial Properties Wales in the light of the correspondence received from the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch.

No. This is one of the matters already being investigated by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now refer the proposed take over of Plesseys by the General Electric Company to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1986., c. 15]: The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 20 January 1986 that he had decided, in accordance with the recommendation of the Director General of Fair Trading, to refer the proposed acquisition of Plessey Co. plc by GEC plc to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. He considered that the proposal raised issues of competition which justified investigation by the Commission.

asked the Attorney-General if he will give for each of the following categories of crime, namely, murder, attempted murder or conspiracy to commit murder, wounding with intent to do serious bodily harm, possession of firearms or explosives, other major firearms offences and membership of an illegal organisation, the number of cases reported to and investigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the number of persons charged and the number of persons convicted who were serving members of the security forces at the time of the alleged offence.

In respect of cases received by the Director of Public Prosecutions Northern Ireland in 1985 relating to persons who were serving members of the security forces at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, records maintained by the Director of Public Prosecutions Northern Ireland show the position to be as follows:

asked the Attorney-General how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and its Reserve, were charged with offences and convicted of offences, respectively, in 1985, giving details of custodial sentences imposed, and separately for charges and convictions concerning: murder, attempted murder, membership of illegal organisations, conspiracy to cause explosions, withholding information concerning terrorist activity, possession of explosives, possession of explosives to cause bodily harm, possession of firearms, possession of firearms with intent to cause bodily harm and other offences classified as scheduled offences.

In respect of cases received by the Director of Public Prosecutions Northern Ireland in 1985 relating to persons who were full-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment at the time of the commission of the alleged offence or part-time members who were on duty at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, records maintained by the Director of Public Prosecutions Northern Ireland show the position to be as follows. Directions were issued to prosecute 27 such members of the UDR. Trials have taken place in respect of four of these persons. Of these four one has been acquitted and three have been convicted. All three convicted persons were fined.In respect of the offences specifically referred to the position is as follows:

asked the Attorney-General what papers the Department of Public Prosecutions has received in relation to Mr. Michael Hepker and the Moneysave/Supasave case; and if he intends to take any action.

The greater part of this matter is under investigation by the Inland Revenue. The liquidator of the companies is in contact with the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of certain other aspects and has provided the Director with papers. It is too early to say what action, if any, the director will take.

asked the Attorney-General if he intends to take any action concerning Mr. Hepker and Meldoak.

This matter is under investigation by the south Wales police who have recently submitted a preliminary report to the director, which is under consideration.

asked the Attorney-General if he intends to take any action concerning Mr. Michael Hepker and borrowing from Johnson Matthey Bank by Ravensbury Investments, Radcliffe and Provincial Properties Wales Ltd.

The transaction mentioned in the hon. Member's question have been referred to the City of London police who are looking at all complaints relating to JMB. It is too early to say what action, if any, the Director of Public Prosecutions will take regarding this particular aspect of the matter.

asked the Prime Minister what is her policy towards using British Rail for official duties; and

I regret that for reasons of practicality and security it has not proved possible for me to travel by British Rail on official business. I hope to do so if a suitable opportunity arises.

asked the Prime Minister if she will state the number of those from an ethnic minority background who are employed in her private office; and what are the positions they occupy.

Records are not yet kept as staff in 10 Downing street have not been asked to disclose their ethnic origins. However, the office is participating in an ethnic survey of staff in Government Departments in London, south-east and East Anglia which will be completed by the end of 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and science if he will list in the Official Report the levels of direct and indirect spending at outturn and at 1985–86 prices on (a) public sector schools and (b) assisted and independent schools by (i) central Government and (ii) local education authorities for children (1) up to school leaving age and (2) after school leaving age up to 18 years, for each of the last 10 years, together with the percentages of children covered by the categories listed.

The financial information is as follows. Figures on the total numbers of pupils supported in independent and direct grant schools are not readily available. In 1983–84 the numbers supported under the assisted places schemes were 13,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a breakdown by age, sex and social class of student enrolments in the Open University since 1971.

The Open University collects information on occupation but not social class and a cross analysis by age, sex and occupation is not readily available. The available information is shown in the following tables. Information in respect of occupation prior to 1983 has been published by the Open University in their "Digest of Statistics 1971–1982", a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report the number of students who have enrolled with the Open University in each year since it was established in 1969, the global student population of the Open University in each year, and the number of students graduating in each year.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the average level of fees in higher and further education courses for home students for each of the last five years at (a) outturn prices, (b) 1984–85 prices and (c) indexed; and if he will isolate arts and science courses according to the same criteria.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing, for each year since 1962 (a) the value of student grants inside and outside London, (b) the real value when compared with the rise in retail prices and (c) the real value when compared with the rise in rents/ accommodation costs, (d) the real value when compared with the rise in average earnings, (e) the global value of student grants as a proportion of the gross domestic product and (f) the real value when compared with the increase in book prices, indexed, using 1962–63 as a base.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards the devolution of greater budgeting responsibility to school governing bodies.

The Government believe that, to increase the scope for cost-conscious and sound financial management in both LEAs and schools, the governing body should have significant responsibility for a school's expenditure. The Education Bill to be introduced this Session will consequently include proposals for an appropriate measure of financial delegation from LEAs to school governing bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in the Official Report the attendance figures for 1985 reported by the Natural History museum, comprising its outstations and the Geological museum, with the percentage increase or decrease on the attendance figures for 1984.

I understand that 3,354,351 people visited the British Museum (Natural History) in 1985. This figure includes the Zoological Museum at Tring, Hertfordshire and the Geological Museum. This represents an 11 per cent. increase over the equivalent figure for 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of first degree students in British universities in 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86; and what numbers he anticipates for 1986–87.

The total numbers of full-time and sandwich undergraduate level students in British universities in 1983–84 and 1984–85 were 244,200 and 241,700 respectively. The provisional estimate for 1985–86 to the nearest thousand is 240,000. Numbers to be admitted in 1986–87 is a matter for the universities to decide but it is not expected that the total numbers will be very different from those in 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the proposed civil science budget for 1986–87.

The science budget, from which the research councils receive their grants in aid, will be £614 million in 1986–87, an increase in cash of £15 million over previously published plans for that year. In addition it is estimated that approximately £600 million will be spent on scientific research in universities from University Grants Committee funds; this figure is based on an estimate of the distribution of universities' resources among different functions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Woking, dated 5 September, 16 November and 30 November 1985, respectively, about which the hon. Member wrote to him on 5 January 1986.

I hope to reply later this week to the letters dated 5 September and 30 November. The Department has no record of receiving a letter dated 16 November from my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students entered initial teacher training in 1985: and if he will make a statement.

About 16,700 students entered initial teacher training courses in 1985—the same number as in 1984, and rather more than in 1983. It is clear that many people still perceive teaching to be an attractive and rewarding career, despite the current dispute. Recruitment exceeded targets for primary training courses and was satisfactory for most secondary subjects.It is disappointing that there have once more been difficulties in achieving the recruitment targets in those secondary subjects where there has always been strong competition from other employers for the skills of a relatively small group of suitably-qualified people. In these subject areas we need to encourage more people to consider time spent in teacher training as a worthwhile alternative to immediate salaried employment. That is why, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I am today launching a bursary scheme which will pay £1,200 a year tax free in addition to the normal grant to students entering one or two year initial training courses in mathematics, physics or CDT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to take any steps to counter the European Commission's implementation of the Community budget in the form approved by the European Parliament; if he intends to pay the United Kingdom's share for February on the basis of the budget approved by the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January 1986, c. 109]: The European Parliament adopted on 18 December a Community budget for 1986 which includes a larger total for non-obligatory expenditure than the Council had agreed, and other disputed elements.In the view of seven member states, including the United Kingdom, the Parliament's action was not compatible with the EEC Treaty, and the Council decided accordingly on 20 December, by seven votes to three, to bring an action against the European Parliament before the European Court. The French, German, Dutch and Luxembourg Governments have decided to bring separate actions against the Parliament.The United Kingdom Government has likewise decided to bring a separate action against the European Parliament in which the Court will be asked to rule either that the disputed elements in the budget are invalid, and in particular the 629 mecu (some £385 million) of expenditure which the Parliament added in mid-December to the Council's second reading draft budget of 27 November, or in the alternative, that no legal budget has been established. The United Kingdom will shortly deposit an application with the European Court in Luxembourg.The Government will also be applying shortly to the European Court for an interim measures order suspending implementation by the Commission of the disputed elements in the budget pending substantive judgment by the Court.Since in the Government's view the United Kingdom is legally obliged to make monthly VAT contributions to the budget of only some 190 million ecus (some £120 million), any contributions in excess of that figure cannot be paid as a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund under Section 2(3) of the European Communities Act 1972. The Government propose, as in the 1982 budget dispute, to contribute in full to the budget but to make clear that our contribution, to the extent that it is in excess of 190 million ecus, is paid on a "without prejudice" basis pending judgment by the European Court. The authority of Parliament for this element in our contributions, which amounts to some 10 mecu (some £6 million) a month, is being sought in a Special Supplementary Estimate for the current financial year which is today being presented to the House.The Government's intention in adopting this approach is to minimise the risks of prejudicing the United Kingdom's case before the European Court, including our application for an interim measures order, and likewise the risks of incurring liability for penal interest rate charges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the cost to the Treasury of the charitable status of private and assisted-independent educational institutions for the last five years for which data are available.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of covenanting for educational purposes in the first five financial years for which data is available; and if he will make a statement.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the cost of tax repayments on covenant payments to charities with an educational purpose. However, it is not possible to distinguish educational charities from other charities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of cutting employers' national insurance contributions by 1 per cent.

We estimate that a cut of 1 per cent. in employers' national insurance contribution rates would reduce contribution revenue by £1,630 million (Great Britain) in respect of 1986–87.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax was received from transfer fees in respect of footballers in each of the last three years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received in taxes from (a) football, (b) rugby union, (c) rugby league, (d) cricket and (e) athletic events in each of the last three years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of those from an ethnic minority background who are employed in his private office and those of other Ministers in his Department; and what are the positions they occupy.

Three clerical officers and two specialist typists with ethnic minority backgrounds are employed in ministerial private offices in the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to the numbers of children in (a) public sector schools and (b) assisted and independent schools up to school-leaving age, and after school-leaving age, and the proportion they represent within their respective school populations as a whole.

The figures for 1984–85, the latest year for which figures are available are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the teacher-to-pupil ratio now in schools in Wales compared with 1978–79.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) on 20 January 1986 at column 21.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each county in Wales, the expenditure per pupil in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools.

The figures, at outturn prices, for the latest available financial year, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the advance factories programme in Wales and the benefit it produces.

The Government's advance factory programme supports the other measures of regional policy by providing speculative premises in areas where the private sector has shown itself unwilling to supply them. It continues to yield substantial benefits by providing space for new job opportunities. During 1985 the Welsh development agency, Mid Wales Development and the Cwmbran development corporation allocated a total of 457 advance factories, comprising more than 2 million sq ft of floor space, to companies which are expecting to create nearly 6,000 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new housing units he anticipates will be built in Wales in 1986–87 by (a) local housing authorities and (b) registered housing associations; and if he will publish comparable figures for 1984–85 and estimates for 1985–86.

Provisional figures for the numbers of new dwellings completed in Wales in 1984–85 by local authorities and registered housing associations are 2,141 and 281 respectively. Comparable estimates for 1985–86 are 1,000 and 500. No reliable estimates are available for 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table indicating his latest estimate of the eventual out-turn for 1985–86 of capital expenditure on new housing units by each of the district councils in Wales; and if he will give comparable figures for each of the past three years and his budgeted figures for 1986–87.

The following table shows capital expenditure on new build in 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 for each district council in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the latest estimated expenditure by the Housing Corporation in each county of Wales for the present financial year 1985–86.

This information can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, on what date he issued general guidelines to the Housing Corporation in Wales; and whether such guidelines included any direction as to the distribution of housing investment by the corporation between the various districts in Wales.

No such guidelines have been issued however, the corporation's development programme is submitted annually for my approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish in the Official Report the attendance figures for 1985 reported by the National Museum of Wales, comprising its outstations, with the percentage increase or decrease on the attendance figures for 1984.

A total of 765,189 people visited the National Museum of Wales during 1985, an increase of 0·63 per cent. on the attendance figures for 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has reached decisions about the allocation of resources for hospital and community health services in Wales in 1986–87.

In 1986–87, I shall allocate £719·9 million, which will amount to additional resources of £46·5 million over provision in 1985–86.For revenue spending this represents additional sums totalling £44·4 million, a cash increase of 7·1 per cent. over 1985–86 provision, of which £9·5 million will be required for centrally funded developments. The balance of £34·9 million is being made available to district health authorities. In 1986–87, district health authorities will again be expected to make efficiency savings, the first 0·5 per cent. of which will as in previous years be for reinvestment in the long stay sector; and these together with the cash increase now announced should enable authorities to meet pay and price increases, maintain proper standards of patient care and continue improvements in facilities.Capital resources for hospital and community health services will increase by £2·1 million net of receipts to £46·2 million. As a consequence of the declining requirements of the centrally funded residual all-Wales programme, the funds available to health authorities will increase to £21·4 million. Authorities will also, as before, retain the benefit of receipts from the sale of surplus land and buildings.The revenue and capital resources available to individual authorities in 1986–87, will be as shown in the following table. These allocations do not take into account further sums which will be made available following decisions on centrally funded developments for the coming year. These will be announced shortly.