asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish statistics for each member state of the European Economic Community showing how far milk production has been restricted consequent upon the introduction of production quotas.

The milk supplementary levy system was introduced on 2 April 1984. The table compares deliveries to dairies throughout the Community for the 1983–84 and 1984–85 marketing years. These figures show that in most member states, and in the Community as a whole, deliveries fell during the first year of implementation of quotas.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) pursuant to his reply of 21 November, Official Report,

This is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his conclusions on the Waddilove committee report on coalmining subsidence claims.

The Waddilove report raised a number of complex issues which are undergoing full and careful consideration; the Government's response will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much coal mined in the United Kingdom was exported in each of the last 10 years; what were the main destinations; and what is his policy towards coal exports by the National Coal Board and the extent to which such exports should be profitable.

The Government expect the National Coal Board to maximise its long-term profitability by securing those sales which are profitable on a continuing basis in competition with other fuels. Within this the level and profitability of NCB coal exports is a matter for the board's commercial judgment.Details of coal exports since 1976 are shown in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will explain the circumstances in which potassium iodate tablets were taken by personnel at Hinckley Point nuclear power station of 29 November; what was the maximum level of individual exposures anticipated at that time; and if he will make a statement;(2) what was the maximum individual effective dose equivalent commitment in milli-sieverts of any person as a result of the site incident at Hinckley Point nuclear power station on 29 November; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he will list and describe the calculated total radioactive inventory of the gas, including any fissile particles and debris, released from reactor 3 at Hinckley Point nuclear power station during and subsequent to the site incident on 29 November; what was the calculated collective effective dose equivalent commitment in mansieverts arising from this incident; and what proportions were attributable to

[pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1985, c. 751-52]. This is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to introduce further measures aimed at the seizure and confiscation of the profits of drug trafficking crimes in Scotland in the light of the measures proposed by the Home Secretary in the Drug Trafficking Offences Bill.

Like my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, I am determined that the courts should have all the powers they need to deal effectively with the crimes of drug traffickers. Scottish courts have already been given new powers, in the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985, which contribute to this end: in particular, Scottish courts passing custodial sentences on indictment for such crimes must now have regard to the profits made and impose a fine as well as a custodial sentence unless satisfied that it would be inappropriate to do so. If such an offender is sentenced to imprisonment because that fine has not been paid, he will serve that additional period of imprisonment consecutively.The measures proposed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in the Drug Trafficking Offences Bill go beyond this, and I intend at the earliest opportunity to introduce equivalent legislation suitable for operation in Scotland. It would not be practicable simply to extend the Bill to Scotland, as there are distinctive features of our legal system which require to be taken into account in preparing a suitable legislative scheme for Scotland relating to forfeiture of proceeds of drug trafficking. For example, while the use of receivers and of charging orders in the enforcement procedures under the Home Office Bill builds on established English law, both would require novel provisions in Scotland.The Scottish Law Commission, which has carried out some preliminary work on the general question of forfeiture in response to a reference which my predecessor gave them in 1985, agree with the view that extension to Scotland of the Home Office Bill is not a viable option. Moreover, this work has shown that the commission's normal process of consideration of and consultation on separate Scottish legislation could not be completed in time to allow for legislation in the present Parliament. Given the urgent need for legislation on the forfeiture of the proceeds of drug trafficking, I think it would be inappropriate to delay legislation on this particular issue to allow for completion of that reference. After consultation with the commission, I have suspended the reference meantime and have instructed my officials to set in hand the preparation of legislation on that topic.I am most grateful to the commission both for its preliminary work and for its kind offer of advice on problems that may arise in relation to the preparation of such a Bill.Meanwhile, provision will be made in the Home Office Bill to enable orders of the courts in England and Wales made under the Bill to be enforceable in Scotland through the Scottish courts. This will ensure that Scotland does not become a haven for the assets of drug traffickers within the jurisdiction of the English courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the statistics for the assisted places scheme in the 1985–86 school session in Scotland, and the income scale which will apply to the scheme in school session 1986–87.

At the beginning of the current school session there were 2,583 pupils receiving assistance under the assisted places scheme. Additional pupils will be admitted to assisted places throughout the 1985–86 school session.Of the 2,583 pupils in the scheme, 1,300 (50 per cent.) attended a fee paying school prior to taking up an assisted place. The corresponding proportion for the new intake of pupils joining the scheme at the beginning of the current session was 48 per cent.The scheme continues to concentrate assistance on lower income families. In 1985–86, 1,267 pupils (49 per cent. of those in the scheme) will be receiving full fee remission because they have a family income of £6,376 per annum or less. A further 146 pupils (6 per cent.) have family incomes between £6,377 and £7,000 per annum and 242 (9 per cent.) between £7,001 and £8,000.For school session 1986–87 I propose to lay regulations before the House in due course providing for progressive parental contributions for one assisted pupil in relation to family income as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about the implementation of standard grade and revised higher grade examinations.

The Government have given very careful consideration to the revised timetable for the introduction of standard grade which my predecessor announced on 15 January last year, at column 39.The Government remain firmly committed to the introduction of standard grade and to the consequent revision of higher grade. The new courses offer more relevant and effective education for children of all abilities and have continued to receive wide support both from within the education service and from universities, employers organisations and other users of the certificate. It therefore remains a central aim to introduce standard grade for all pupils in all subjects as soon as possible.I recognise, however, that the boycott of curricular development which the Educational Institute of Scotland and other teachers' unions have operated since August 1984 has seriously affected the implementation of the standard grade courses which were introduced in 1984 and the development of new courses. This is in spite of the strong support of many teachers for the principles of standard grade. It has meant that relatively few schools will be able to present pupils for standard grade in 1986 and has led to serious uncertainty both about the future of standard grade and about arrangements for certification if standard grade continues to be boycotted in many schools.My aim is to reach an early settlement of the teachers' dispute which will among other things secure the commitment of teachers to curriculum development. The Government have recognised however that there is force in the argument that in present circumstances the proposed pace of curricular change is likely to prove too fast for the education service, in particular for the classroom teacher. I also believe it is essential that avoidable uncertainty about future examination arrangements should not continue. In the light of these factors I am making the following proposals:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many accidents occurred on the Al road in East Lothian, involving damage to vehicles or property, injuries to people and death, respectively, in each of the last 10 years.

The numbers of reported road accidents involving personal injury or death from 1979 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what criteria were used to determine the cuts in advisory and specialist services given by Scottish agricultural colleges;(2) what criteria were used to determine the reduction of funding for the veterinary investigation services in Scotland.

Decisions on the planned reductions in the funding of the agricultural advisory services with effect from 1 April 1987 were taken as part of the 1984 public expenditure survey and reflect the Government's view that those who use and benefit from the services provided should make a contribution towards their cost.The veterinary investigation services in Scotland are provided by the three Scottish agricultural colleges as part of the advisory services to the agriculture industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which agency will monitor and provide inspectors for the implementation and enforcement of part III of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 in Scotland; and if he will indicate by region how many extra inspectors will be provided.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 January by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the similar question he addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide for each district council the average net price paid by sitting tenants purchasing their council houses for the last 12-month period for which figures are available.

The information requested is set out in the table for the period 1 October 1984 to 30 September 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide for each district council the average valuation of council houses sold to sitting tenants in the last full 12-month period for which figures are available.

The information requested is set out in the table for the period 1 October 1984 to 30 September 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis charges are being made to patients at Leverndale psychiatric hospital in Glasgow for certain items of furniture; and if he will make a statement.

The report of the working party on Incapax patients funds which was published in July 1983 reminded health boards that there is much scope for improving the quality of life for patients who are incapable of managing their own affairs by making fuller use of the funds to which they are entitled; and guidelines were suggested as to how this was to be achieved. The report stressed, however, that patients' funds should not be used to purchase goods or services which would normally be provided by the National Health Service. It is for Greater Glasgow health board to indicate the basis on which the purchase of items of furniture is to be charged to individual patients' funds at Leverndale hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is able to announce his decisions on local authority higher education provision in 1986–87; and if he will make a statement.

Having consulted the Welsh Joint Education Committee and the Welsh Counties Committee I have decided that the advanced further education quantum for 1986–87 should be set at £31·0 million. This represents an 8·8 per cent. increase between 1985–86 and 1986–87.I have received advice from the Wales Advisory Body on the planned disposition of academic provision and the number of student places on higher education courses in local authority colleges in Wales. The WAB proposals provide for a 3 per cent. growth in student numbers between 1985–86 and 1986–87, rising from approximately 13,200 to 13,595 in 1986–87. The proposals provide for a continued emphasis to be given to courses in science, engineering and other vocational disciplines and for sub-degree and part-time provision to be protected. The WAB has also provided advice on how the AFE quantum of £31·0 million should be distributed between local authorities, and I have also consulted the WJEC and the WCC about this. The proposals for distributing the quantum are related to the proposals for target student numbers for 1986–87 by institution, mode of attendance and subject, and they allow additional funding for degree and postgraduate courses. The method of allocation proposed will put pressure on high spending institutions to become more cost effective, but will also protect institutions against unacceptably large reductions in their funding between 1985–86 and 1986–87.I have decided to accept the WAB's advice on academic provision and student numbers and on the methodology for distributing the quantum. In the absence of firm advice from the WAB about a minimum level of funding, I have decided that for 1986–87 every local education authority will receive at least 92½ percent. of its 1985–86 allocation. Local education authorities have been informed of these decisions and of their individual allocations.Copies of a note explaining the method by which the AFE quantum for 1986–87 are being distributed and have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses were sold in 1979 in Wales and in the latest year for which figures are available.

I refer my hon. Friend to table 29 of the publication "Welsh Housing Statistics No. 5, 1985", a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many working days have been lost in Wales during the years 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively, as a result of industrial action.

The number of working days lost in Wales due to industrial disputes for each calendar year requested was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many approved applications for regional development grant were outstanding for payment at 30 November 1985; how much money these applications represent; and what further delay he expects.

2,317 approved applications for old-style regional development grant were outstanding at 30 November 1985, representing approximately £46 million of grant. Payment of grant on each application will be made within the terms of the four-month moratorium announced on 17 January 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to set up one overall co-ordinating elected body in Wales to subsume the work of the National Parks, the National Trust, the Nature Conservancy and the Countryside Commission on an all-Wales level.

No. The National Trust is an independent body which is not, and should not be, subject to Government control. I have no evidence to suggest that a new body is necessary to subsume the functions of public sector bodies involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new companies have been registered in Wales in each year since 1983.

I have been asked to reply.All companies incorporated in England and Wales are registered at Cardiff. No separate statistics are kept of those who have their registered offices in Wales or in any other area. The Registrar of Companies estimates that about 2 per cent. of companies incorporated (currently at the rate of 100,000 per year) have their registered offices in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to continue the functioning of the National Commission on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation following British withdrawal; and if he will make a statement.

I have disbanded the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the latest available figure for average gross national product per capita in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; what comparable information he has for the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance countries and the rest of the world, respectively; and what information he has as to the trends in these figures in the past decade.

It is well recognised that international comparisons of national income, product and expenditure are best made in terms of purchasing power parities. The latest available data for OECD on this basis are given in the OECD publication "National Accounts —Main Aggregates Volume 1, 1960–1983", page 125. This is available in the Library. For the OECD as a whole, the figures since 1976 are as follows:

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.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Paymaster General how many unions have received public money for trade union ballots.

I am informed by the certification officer that 27 trade unions have received public money for secret ballots under the provisions of section 1 of the Employment Act 1980.

asked the Paymaster General how many unions have now brought their election practices into line with the Trade Union Act 1984.

Press reports indicate that 19 trade unions have decided to change their electoral practices in order to comply with the 1984 Act. Others are considering changes. For some unions no changes will be necessary.Unions which do not afford their members the democratic rights required by the Act leave themselves open to challenge by any member through the certification officer or the courts.

asked the Paymaster General how many pre-strike ballots have taken place under the provisions of the Trade Union Act 1984.

The Department is aware of 115 pre-strike ballots believed to comply with the provisions of the Trade Union Act 1984, but there will have been other ballots which the Department does not know about.

asked the Paymaster General what progress has been made in reducing bureaucratic burdens on small firms.

The Government have made good progress in following up the proposals in the White Paper "Lifting the Burden" to reduce the administrative requirements on business and particularly small firms. We intend to produce a second White Paper reporting progress and making further proposals later this year.

asked the Paymaster General what steps he proposes to take to seek to encourage small firms to use distance learning packages to improve their management expertise.

I am anxious to encourage small firms to consider relevant training opportunities of all types as a route to success. Open learning methods have much to offer the small business sector in a number of areas including management training. The Manpower Services Commission's open tech programme has funded the North East Wales Institute to design material specifically for small businesses, and these packages will be available, early in 1986. Other open tech projects have produced material which is helpful for small businesses. Training using open learning methods can be funded by the MSC through the normal rules applying to grant payments under its other schemes.In the context of our request to the commission to focus adult training programmes more sharply on the needs of small firms and enterprise, we have asked the MSC to consider whether there is a need for additional open learning material to improve the management expertise of small firms, and whether more should be done to make small firms aware of the facilities available to them.

asked the Paymaster General what is the net increase in small firms in the United Kingdom over the last 12 months.

It is estimated that the net increase in the number of small firms in the United Kingdom in 1984 (the latest period for which an estimate is available) was of the order of 35,000.The figures were published in

asked the Paymaster General what is the trend in venture capital investment in small firms.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope) on 3 December 1985, at column 183.

asked the Paymaster General what training supported wholly or partly from public funds is available for those starting small firms.

The Manpower Services Commission supports a range of training courses for people wishing to start up their own business as part of the training for enterprise programme. In the current financial year the programme has a budget of £14·3 million, and around 25,000 people setting up or running small businesses are expected to benefit.In addition, many further and higher education institutions provide courses geared to the needs of new and small businesses.

asked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking to encourage hi-tech centres.

Information technology centres are an important national resource and we shall continue to support them, both with normal youth training scheme funds and with special transitional financing. We are also actively encouraging improved marketing, business planning and diversification of their training activities.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of the work force was unemployed in May 1979; and what is the proportion unemployed at the present time.

On 12 December 1985 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, excluding school leavers, was 13·2 per cent. The corresponding unemployment rate for May 1979 was 4·9 per cent.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been unemployed for over one year, two years and three years, respectively; and what were the comparable figures for May 1979.

The following table shows the requested information in respect of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom as at 10 October 1985, the latest data for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, and for unemployed registrants at 5 April 1979 (not available for May 1979). The figures for April 1979 and October 1985 are not comparable because of changes in the way the figures are collected.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been unemployed for 12 months or more; and what this is as a percentage of the total number of registered unemployed.

asked the Paymaster General what are the numbers of people who have been unemployed for over 12 months; and what this is as a percentage of those registered as unemployed.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis by duration is available, the number of claimants in the United Kingdom, who had been unemployed for over 12 months, was 1,351,857. This is 41·3 per cent. of the total.

asked the Paymaster General how many of those presently unemployed are under 25 years of age; and what percentage of the total unemployed this represents.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom under 25 years of age was 1,245,218–38 per cent. of the total.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been unemployed for over 12 months; and what was the figure for May 1979.

asked the Paymaster General what are the numbers of people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more; and what were the figures for May 1979.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 12 months was 1,351, 857. It is difficult to make a comparison with April 1979 (no figures are available for May) because of changes in the way figures were collected. However, the number of registrants who had been unemployed for over 12 months in April 1979 was 366,711.

asked the Paymaster General if he will indicate the aggregated component numbers from which a conclusion has been deduced adding 600,000 to the total number in full-time employment.

The employed labour force is estimated to have increased by 709,000 (seasonally adjusted)—from 23,015,000 to 23,724,000—between March 1983 and September 1985, the latest date for which figures are available. The estimates cover the number of employees in employment, self-employed and members of Her Majesty's forces, whether working full time or part-time, and are published monthly in table 1.1 of the labour market data section of Employment Gazette with further subdivisions being presented in other tables.

asked the Paymaster General what is the number of persons unemployed in Knowsley; and how many of those have been unemployed for over a year.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the borough of Knowsley was 20,222, of whom 10,989 have been unemployed for over one year.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been unemployed for longer than 12 months at the latest available date; and what was the comparable figure five years ago.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 12 months was 1,351,857. Comparable figures for October 1980 are not available because of changes in the way figures are collected. However, the number of registrants who had been unemployed for over 12 months in October 1980 was 401,114.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Merseyside.

On 12 December 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the Merseyside metropolitan county was 139,369, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 21 per cent.

asked the Paymaster General how many people are currently in full-time employment in Great Britain; and what were the comparable figures for May 1979.

In September 1985 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 16,547,000 male employees and female full-time employees in employment in Great Britain. The corresponding estimate for June 1979 (figures are not available for May) was 18,768,000.Estimates of full-time male employees in employment are not separately available for the dates specified.

asked the Paymaster General how many people are currently unemployed in the Liverpool travelto-work area.

On 12 December 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 105,461.

asked the Paymaster General how many people are currently employed in the United Kingdom; and how many were in employment in May 1979.

asked the Paymaster General how many people are currently in employment in Great Britain; and what were the figures for May 1979.

The available estimates are presented in the following table:

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest number of people unemployed who are aged between 50 and 60 years.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom aged between 50 and 59 years was 508,931.

asked the Paymaster General what is his latest estimate of the total number of people in work, including those in training schemes; how that compares with the total number of people in work in June 1983; and if he will make a statement.

The estimated size of the employed labour force in Great Britain in September 1985 is 23,724,000 (seasonally adjusted) compared with 23,038,000 in June 1983. The employed labour force comprises employees in employment, the self-employed and Her Majesty's forces; it includes employed participants in the Manpower Services Commission's adult training schemes together with those on the youth training scheme who have contracts of employment. For 1983, participants receiving work experience in the youth opportunities programme were included.The new increase of 686,000 jobs since June 1983 has not been matched by our European competitors.

asked the Paymaster General what was the number of long-term unemployed in each of the past three years.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over one year was 1,351,857. The corresponding figures for October 1984 and October 1983 were 1,276,922 and 1,142,898, respectively.

asked the Paymaster General how many people are currently in full-time employment in the United Kingdom; and what were the figures in May 1979.

Figures for the United Kingdom are not available from the Department's statistics.In September 1985 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 16,547,000 male employees and female full-time employees in employment in Great Britain. The corresponding estimate for June 1979 (figures are not available for May) was 18,768,000. Estimates of full-time male employees in employment are not separately available for the dates specified.

asked the Paymaster General what is the present number of people who are unemployed.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment.

On 12 December 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,273,089.

asked the Paymaster General what was the fall in the number of employees in employment between 1979 and 1983; and what has been the increase between 1983 and the present.

Between June 1979 and June 1983 the number of employees in employment in Great Britain fell by 2,063,000. Between June 1983 and September 1985 (the latest date for which figures are available) there has been an increase of 252,000.

asked the Paymaster General how many people were out of work in the Staffordshire, Moorlands parliamentary constituency at the most recent count; and what was the comparable figure for the same month in 1973.

On 12 December 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the Staffordshire, Moorlands constituency was 3,599. Statistics of unemployment for parliamentary constituencies are derived from the new ward-based system and are available only from June 1983.

asked the Paymaster General what was the total number of persons classed as being long-term unemployed in December 1978; and what was the number of such persons in 1985.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of claimants unemployed for over 12 months in Great Britain was 1,292,777. It is difficult to make a comparison with October 1978 (not available for December 1978) because of changes in the way figures are collected. However, the number of registrants who had been unemployed for over 12 months in October 1978 was 333,078.

asked the Paymaster General how many people were out of work in the West Bromwich, East parliamentary constituency at the most recent count; and what was the comparable figure for the same month in 1979.

The following information is in the Library. On 12 December 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the West Bromwich, East Parliamentary constituency was 6,005. Statistics of unemployment for parliamentary constituencies are derived from the new ward-based system and are available only from June 1983.

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of unemployed people in the United Kingdom.

On 12 December 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,273,089.

asked the Paymaster General (1) how many people were out of work in the Portsmouth, North parliamentary constituency at the most recent count; and what was the comparable figure for the same month in 1979;(2) how many people were out of work in the Portsmouth, South parliamentary constituency at the most recent count; and what was the comparable figure for the same month in 1979.

The following information is in the Library. On 12 December 1985, the number of unemployed claimants in the Portsmouth, North and Portsmouth, South parliamentary constituencies was 4,719 and 7,524 respectively. Statistics of unemployment for parliamentary constituencies are derived from the new ward-based system and are available only from June 1983.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been unemployed continuously for more than 12 months; and what percentage of the total number of unemployed this represents.

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,276,900, of whom 1,351,900, 41 per cent. of the total, had been unemployed for over one year, and 823,100 for over two years.

asked the Paymaster General if he intends to introduce any further safeguards to ensure that jobs advertised in jobcentres pay at least the wages council minimum rates.

No. The present arrangements are adequate.

asked the Paymaster General whether he is satisfied with the working of the enterprise allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the operation of the enterprise allowance scheme.

I am very satisfied with the operation of the scheme. It has now helped over 121,000 unemployed people set up new businesses, and the evidence available from surveys on the survival rate of these businesses and the number of new jobs they create is most encouraging.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have now benefited from the enterprise allowance scheme since its introduction.

Up to 31 December 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, 120,915 people have joined the enterprise allowance scheme.

asked the Paymaster General how many new jobs have now been generated by businesses established under the enterprise allowance scheme.

The total number of jobs generated by businesses established under the scheme since it began is not known. However, the latest survey evidence indicates that on average for every 100 businesses still trading two years after the allowance has stopped, 99 additional jobs have been created.

asked the Paymaster General when he expects to introduce legislation to amend or repeal the Truck Acts.

As announced in the Queen's Speech, the Government intend to introduce legislation in this parliamentary Session which will repeal the Truck Acts and associated legislation and will contain new measures concerning deductions from pay.

asked the Paymaster General when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss employment and training schemes for which the commission has responsibility.

I regularly meet the chairman of the MSC to discuss a range of matters for which the commission has responsibility, including the employment and training measures.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the number of jobs lost in the Tyne and Wear county council area in manufacturing, transport, docks, shipbuilding and shiprepairing and local authorities for the years 1979 to 1985, respectively.

The precise information requested is not available. The Department's statistics for the county monitor only net changes in employment between census dates.The latest available figures from the September 1981 census of employment showed that 129,500 employees were employed in manufacturing industries in the county of Tyne and Wear compared with 162,400 in 1978 when the previous census was taken. Included in this reduction of 32,900 was a reduction of 6,300 in those employed in shipbuilding and repairing and marine engineering. The number of employees in transport services, with the exception of port and inland water transport, declined by 2,900 while the numbers in port and inland water transport (including docks) increased by 200.The reported numbers employed by the Tyne and Wear county and district local authorities are as follows:

asked the Paymaster General how many industrial stoppages there were in 1985; and how this compares with previous years.

The latest information relates to the first 11 months of 1985. A total of 781 stoppages due to industrial disputes were provisionally recorded as being in progress. This is the lowest total for the first 11 months of a year since 1936.

asked the Paymaster General if there has been any increase in the employment of "lump" labour in the construction industry in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not available from the Department's statistics.

asked the Paymaster General how many people were employed in the United Kingdom construction industry in 1979 and at the latest date for which figures are available.

In June 1979 there were 1,248,000 employees in employment in the construction industry in the United Kingdom. In September 1985 (the lastest date for which figures are available) the number was provisionally estimated to be 957,900. The figures may be affected by seasonal influences.

asked the Paymaster General if he will take steps to relax the rules governing the engagement of staff for the community programme in such a way as to enable their employment to be extended beyond 12 months.

Employment on projects funded by the community programme is normally limited to a maximum of 12 months. However, exceptions to this rule may be allowed for managers, supervisors and other key workers with skills essential to the continued successful operation of a project and for whom no suitably qualified replacement is available from among unemployed people.

asked the Paymaster General what are the objectives of his Department's community programne policy; how he is monitoring its effectiveness; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to part 3.7 of volume II of the White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1986–87 to 1988–89" (Cmnd. 9702) which sets out the objectives of my Department's employment measures, and the methods of monitoring effectiveness.

asked the Paymaster General how many men and how many women are participating in the community programme.

During the 12 months ending 29 November, the latest date for which the information is available, 160,108 males and 43,333 females joined the community programme. Monthly statistics about the number of jobs on the programme do not distinguish between male and female participants.

asked the Paymaster General what was the net increase in places on the community programme over the past three months.

The increase was 24,146 in the three months ended 29 November.

asked the Paymaster General what is the current number of self-employed in the United Kingdom.

In September 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of self-employed in the United Kingdom was provisionally estimated to be 2,651,000.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the adult training strategy.

asked the Paymaster General whether he will make a further statement on the progress of the adult training initiative.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a further statement on progress in Her Majesty's Government's initiatives to promote adult training.

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 12 November, at columns 139-40, we have made good progress in making our adult training programmes more relevant to current and future skill needs. I have asked the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission for proposals by the end of January to focus adult training programmes more sharply on the needs of small firms, and on promoting enterprise and self-employment and the advantages of open learning.

asked the Paymaster General when he will next meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss the adult training strategy.

I have frequent meetings with the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission and matters relating to the adult training strategy are regularly on the agenda.

asked the Paymaster General how many accidents, serious and fatal, were reported by the Health and Safety Executive for the last year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for the year ended 1978.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the hon. Members for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) earlier today.

asked the Paymaster General what criteria he uses to measure the progress of his policy to reduce unemployment.

Success in tackling unemployment depends on a strong economy that can generate wealth and new jobs. This is what our policies are designed to achieve and over 700,000 jobs have been created in the past two and a half years.

asked the Paymaster General if he will simplify the guidance leaflets emanating from his Department.

Yes. As announced in the White Paper, "Lifting the Burden", simpler and more readable leaflets are under consideration covering employment protection and health and safety matters. In addition, my Department will continue to issue a range of guidance and aim to simplify this as much as possible. Particular emphasis is being placed on meeting the needs of small firms.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the preparations being made to introduce the new two-year youth training scheme.

My ministerial colleagues and I are satisfied with the progress that has been made on the establishment of the new two-year youth training scheme. All the main funding and administrative elements of the new scheme have been decided, and negotiations with potential training providers are going well. Plans for publicising the new scheme are also well under way.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a further statement on the funding arrangements for the two-year youth training scheme.

The Government have approved the Manpower Services Commission's recommendations that the funding arrangements for the new two-year youth training scheme should feature not only basic grants, premium payments and annual management fees, but also permanent additional funding for specialist training for young disabled people and extra funds for equipment and adaptations to premises for disabled trainees. Agreement has also been reached about the future funding of information technology centres and on the transitional payments to current mode B1 providers.

asked the Paymaster General what were the destinations of those trainees who left the youth training scheme in June.

The Manpower Services Commission's regular follow-up survey of young people leaving the youth training scheme shows that, of those who left in June 1985, 63 per cent. were in work, 3 per cent. were on a full-time course at a college/training centre, 3 per cent. were on another YTS scheme, 7 per cent. were doing something else and 24 per cent. were unemployed, some three months later. Results from the survey are placed in the Library.

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of youth training scheme trainees secured a job within six months of leaving the scheme for the latest date for which figures are available.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the most recent results from the Manpower Services Commission's regular follow-up survey of young people leaving the youth training scheme show that, of those who left between 1 April 1985 and 31 July 1985, 61 per cent. were in work some three months later.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on mode B youth training schemes.

Mode B of the present youth training scheme provides funding, on a cost-recovery basis, for programmes for unemployed young people based mainly in training workshops and information technology centres and on community projects. Under the new two-year scheme, which will have a single system of funding and administration, there will be extra premium payments and transitional funding for the next two years to current mode B1 providers who remain in the scheme, so that they can continue to offer training programmes in areas where there is a shortage of employer-based provision and to young people with special needs.

asked the Paymaster General when he will next meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss the youth training scheme.

I frequently discuss the progress and development of the youth training scheme with the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission.

asked the Paymaster General how many unfilled youth training scheme places there are in Hampshire.

I regret the information is not available in the precise form requested. However, at the end of November 1985 some 8,863 places had been approved while there were 6,695 young people in training. It is not possible to give a precise figure of unfilled places because not all approved places will actually be available for occupation.

asked the Paymaster General how many youngsters will be able to participate in the youth training scheme each year after April 1986.

We estimate that around 360,000 young people will enter the youth training scheme in 1986–87 and a similar number in 1987–88. It is too early to make forecasts for subsequent years.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the financial disadvantages often experienced by participants in Manpower Services Commission schemes when they progress from part-time engagements to full-time.

Participants on the community programme are able to move from part-time to full-time engagements. We have no evidence to suggest that those who choose to do so experience financial disadvantages.

asked the Paymaster General what arrangements are made for the inspection of Manpower Services Commission training courses; and if he will make a statement.

The Manpower Services Commission monitors training courses to ensure that contractual obligations are met, to eliminate inefficiency and to identify and disseminate effective training practice. The pattern and frequency of monitoring visits are geared to the nature and performance of individual training courses I am satisfied that the commission's monitoring strategy is appropriately targeted, and makes the most effective use of available resources.

asked the Paymaster General if he has any plans to increase the number of factory inspectors in the north-west region.

Decisions on the number and distribution of inspectors are a matter for the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, subject to the limits set by the Government on total salary expenditure and manpower. Six new factory inspectors are to start work in the executive's Manchester, north-west and Merseyside area offices in the next three months.

asked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) on 12 November 1985, at column 132.

asked the Paymaster General what research his Department has carried out concerning the relevance of travel-to-work areas as a measure of unemployment when related to regional aid.

A discussion of the use of travel-to-work areas as building blocks for the assisted area map is contained in section V of "Regional Industrial Policy—Some Economic Issues", published by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1983.

asked the Paymaster General whether he is planning additional programmes for the long-term unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

We are concerned to ensure the most effective arrangements for helping long-term unemployed people back into the labour market, and therefore keep our range of current measures under constant review.