asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the New Zealand Government or the New Zealand Dairy Board about the exportation to the United Kingdom by New Zealand of milk or dairy products which did not originate in New Zealand.

There have been no imports from New Zealand to the United Kingdom in recent years of milk or dairy products which did not originate in New Zealand. Anchor Foods Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the New Zealand Dairy Board registered in the United Kingdom, has, I understand, imported into the United Kingdom small quantities of dairy products from other member states of the Community. Such imports will have been subject to the normal rules for intra-Community trade, not the special arrangements for imports from New Zealand. My officials, in conjunction with those of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, monitor the import of New Zealand butter sent under the special arrangements. They also keep in regular contact with the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand Dairy Board about matters such as the trading activities of the New Zealand Dairy Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to renegotiate the terms of the subsidy paid by the European Economic Community to sugar producers with a view to reducing the price of sugar to commercial beekeepers and others within the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

No subsidy as such is paid to Community sugar producers although refunds funded mainly by levies on producers apply to exports of surplus quota sugar to third countries. Previous Community schemes to provide reduced price sugar to beekeepers have not been cost effective, resulting in high unit administrative costs and little increase in sugar consumption, with less than 2 per cent. of the subsidised sugar under the last scheme being used in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the denaturing of the sugar required to prevent abuse has created problems for beekeepers. We therefore have no plans to press the Commission to introduce another such scheme. We do, however, support price restraint in the sugar sector and I am pleased to say that, over the last three years' price fixings, the effective support price for white sugar in the United Kingdom has increased by a total of only 2·1 per cent., which represents a substantial reduction in real terms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies have been carried out to assess the effect of chemical fertilisers and pesticides on water supplies, and the long-term effect on soils and wildlife in agricultural land; and if he will make a statement.

There have in recent years been many studies relating to the effects of fertilisers and pesticides. My Department has been closely involved in a number of these, including a three-year study on the ecological effects of pesticides used in various ways at the Boxworth experimental farm, from which the report is now being finalised. My officials are also working currently with others on the forthcoming report of the nitrate coordination group, which concerns nitrate in water.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to pay an official visit to the village of Ashow, near Kenilworth.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her answer of 5 June to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond), Official Report, column 1086, she will seek the necessary permission to enable her to reveal the source of the advice from the United States of America to the effect that F111 aircraft were more accurate and precise than carrier-based aircraft.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the impact on the Third world of the European Economic Community policy of disposing of surplus foodstuffs on the world market; and if she will make a statement.

I expect the European Council to discuss the problem of world agricultural surplus production and trade, to which the Community's surpluses contribute along with those of others notably the USA. This will no doubt include the effect of the surpluses on the economies of certain developing countries, a factor which was acknowledged in the declaration issued by the recent summit meeting in Tokyo.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 June.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will make it their policy to expand rehabilitation facilities for disabled people of all ages in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

As indicated in "Care in Action" Government priorities for health and social services already include provision of services for physically and sensorily handicapped, mentally ill and mentally handicapped people of all ages. These priorities apply to services both in hospitals and in the community. There has been a steady expansion in the number of therapy staff employed in provision of these services and regional health authorities' strategies show plans for further substantial increases.The Government are considering urgently the recommendation in the McColl report about the artificial limb and appliance centre services, with a view to further improving the services they provide.Considerable progress has also been made in developing support and assistance for disabled people living in the community. Through joint funding and the "Care in the Community" arrangements which are aimed at assisting the transfer into the community of people who do not need to be cared for in long-stay hospitals the Government have assisted the development of services for the most vulnerable groups. Our initiatives on "Helping the Community to Care" based on central funding for voluntary bodies will also benefit people to whom the hon. Member's question refers.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United Nations regarding the implementation of the world programme of action concerning disabled persons; if she will make it Her Majesty's Government's policy to help to promote further steps to implement the world programme in the second half of the decade; and if she will make a statement.

The Government have kept the United Nations Secretariat informed of the development of services for disabled people in the United Kingdom. These developments broadly reflect the aims and recommendations obtained in the world programme of action.I have referred in another answer to the hon. Member today to the development of rehabilitation and other health and social services which benefit disabled people. Progress has also been made on a number of other fronts.The Government have commissioned the first comprehensive study of disablement in the population for some 16 years. The information it will provide is essential if we are to make the best use of available resources in future planning for benefits and services for disabled people.

asked the Prime Minister what co-operation is taking place between her Government and other nations involved in the world programme of action concerning disabled people in stimulating better rehabilitation facilities in the underdeveloped world; and if she will make a statement.

As I explained to the hon. Member on 18 June, at column 546, we support the general aims of the United Nations world programme of action concerning disabled persons by giving direct assistance to specific projects under our bilateral aid programmes. In this way, we support rehabilitation programmes for disabled people in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, St. Helena and Zimbabwe. We are also funding jointly with various British charities rehabilitation programmes and projects to assist disabled people in Bangladesh (two projects), Botswana, India (10 projects), Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Zaire and Zimbabwe (two projects).In addition, the health aid programme of the Overseas Development Administration is directed at improving the availability of basic health services in the developing world. The programme contributes directly and indirectly to the welfare of the disabled and helps to prevent disability.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 18 June, Official Report, column 546, what steps she has taken to encourage compliance in respect of those companies which refuse to make returns for their operations in South Africa; and if she will list each of the initiatives Her Majesty's Government has taken during the past 12 months to encourage British firms to comply fully with the provisions of the European Economic Community code of conduct.

The Government do not comment publicly on individual company reports volunteered under the EC code of conduct. They are made available publicly and speak for themselves. But in their normal contacts with companies, Ministers and officials encourage them to comply fully.

asked the Prime Minister which Department first became aware that the version of the European Economic Community code of conduct for firms operating in South Africa made available to the public contained a misquote.

The Department of Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people under the age of 25 years are currently unemployed in Lothian region.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which information is available, the number of unemployed people claiming benefit in Lothian region under the age of 25 years was 17,786.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places have been designated in terms of section 5 of the Criminal Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act 1980; and if he plans to increase the numbers of places designated.

At present one establishment, Albyn house, Aberdeen, is designated by my right hon. and learned Friend under section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 as suitable for the care of drunken persons. A second establishment, Annan house, Dundee, is due to be opened by the Church of Scotland later this year, although formal designation has not yet been completed. I understand that proposals are also being devised for designated places in Inverness and at various locations in Strathclyde.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what savings have been made by diverting habitual drink offenders from the criminal justice system by the establishment of the designated place Albyn house, Aberdeen; and what were the specific savings made for (a) the police, (b) the courts and (c) Her Majesty's prisons for 1984 and 1985, arising therefrom.

It is not feasible to quantify the benefits of Albyn house on the line suggested. However, the facility has undoubtedly released police manpower in the Aberdeen area for other duties and diverted cases from the courts and prisons. But the principal benefit of this use of the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (under which Albyn house is designated) is that for the offenders concerned this provides a much more constructive approach to the problems of habitual drunkenness.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to how much sewage is disposed of into the Forth estuary from (a) pipelines and (b) ships.

Sewage from a population of some 1·2 million people plus industry and commerce is discharged from local authority sewers to the Firth of Forth, including the estuary and tidal reaches of rivers. This amounts to some 115 million gallons per day, of which 80 per cent. is treated. The Scottish Development Department has no information on the volume of sewage discharged from ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of secondary schools in Scotland are selective; and what were the comparable figures for 1979, 1970, and 1960, respectively.

There are no state schools at present with a purely selective intake policy. The information requested for past years is shown in the table. Comparable information is not available prior to school session 1966–67.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details of the levels of radioactive contamination and the isotopes identified in the mud flats of the Holy loch in 1965 and in 1978.

The fisheries laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food undertakes independent monitoring of the Holy loch in respect of the United States naval base. The results for 1978 which include radionuclides in sediments were published in the laboratory's aquatic environment monitoring report No. 4. The concentrations of man-made radioactivity reported were very low and of no significance radiologically.Although the Holy loch has been monitored regularly by MAFF since the United States base was established, the results for earlier years were not included in the monitoring reports because at that time details of all aspects of the operation of the base were classified. I am assured that the results for 1965 showed no grounds for concern and in terms of doses to people were well within the internationally recommended standard of radiological protection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to assist local authorities to finance water and drainage schemes in small villages which cannot sustain large enough housing developments to make the investment in water and drainage infrastructure economically viable.

Regional and islands councils have a duly to provide water and drainage services where this can be done at reasonable cost. Where provision of water supplies in a rural area would impose a significant financial burden on the council, grant assistance is available towards capital expenditure under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts. The grant is payable on approved expenditure, subject to a ceiling cost per property served, at a rate between 30 and 75 per cent. depending on the needs and resources of the council.Grant assistance for rural sewerage schemes was terminated as from 31 March 1986, after consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, but loan charges incurred in respect of capital expenditure on drainage works continue to count as relevant expenditure for the purpose of distributing rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, under public health legislation, there have been any reports to him in 1984, 1985 and 1986 of outbreaks of infectious diseases or salmonella poisoning in any of Scotland's private hospitals.

I am informed that no such outbreaks have been reported to the communicable diseases unit of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service in any of the years specified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, further to his answer of 16 June, Official Report, he will publish the information on the structure of employment in the Queensland division of the Stirling constituency which was available to him when he decided not to include that area within the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986, c. 419]: In analysing the case for an extension of the Highlands and Islands Development Board area my right hon. and learned Friend used the percentages of persons employed in several categories of employment, together with the unemployed as surrogates for employment structure. A qualitative analysis of the areas adjoining the HIDB area as a whole was undertaken to determine whether their employment structure was better than the average for the board's area. These qualitative assessments when taken along with similar assessments of other factors clearly showed that only parts of Moray district could be considered as satisfying the criteria for inclusion in the board's area. Information is not therefore available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to appoint a Director General of Gas Supply.

Subject to Parliament approving the Gas Bill, I intend to appoint Mr. James McKinnon to be Director General of Gas Supply. His appointment will be full-time and run for a period of three years from the day on which the Office of Gas Supply is set up under the new legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has of the effect on employment in the coal industry of the recent reduction in the price of coal being sold to the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The recently concluded deal between the NCB and the CEGB on coal prices will help to secure the future of the coal industry. Details of employment within the coal industry are a matter for the NCB.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will now make available all those documents relating to the foundation of the United Kingdom civil nuclear programme withheld from public inspection for beyond a period of 30 years.

No. The disclosure of such documents would be contrary to the national interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those matters relating to nuclear activities for which he is responsible on which it is his policy to withold information on the grounds of (a) national security, (b) commercial confidentiality, (c) history and (d) cost of provision, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has made clear his commitment to openness with respect to the nuclear industry. Requests for information are considered individually, taking into account the considerations listed by the hon. Member. A question would not, however, be answered when the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report the total cost to date of research and development for the Magnox nuclear programme and the advanced gas cooled reactor nuclear programmes, and indicate the extent to which these costs were borne by the electricity boards.

This information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. On the Magnox programme I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 23 July at column 470.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the total weight of plutonium reprocessed at Sellafield originated from Central Electricity Generating Board installations, in the period 1970 to 1985.

It would not be in the national interest to disclose this information as this would assist the calculation of plutonium produced for defence purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will review his Department's information programme in relation to nuclear energy; and if he will make a statement.

The Government wish to ensure that full and reliable information on the nature and uses of civil nuclear power is readily available to the public. Apart from its day-to-day press services, the Department provides funds for the UKAEA to prepare and publish a range of information about nuclear energy. This programme of expenditure by the UKAEA is reviewed periodically by the Department, as are all its expenditure programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what have been the capital investment costs of Magnox stations in constant pounds since 1956.

The Central Electricity Generating Board, the South of Scotland Electricity Board and British Nuclear Fuels plc advise that these costs were some £5,660 million at constant March 1986 prices. The original costs have been inflated using the retail price index.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will state the total weight of plutonium exported for civil use since May 1979, and give the amount, by weight exported to each country involved.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence between himself and the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board between January 1983 and May 1986 concerning the use of plutonium produced from civil nuclear power in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

No. It is not the practice to publish correspondence between Ministers and the chairmen of nationalised industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list all occasions that potassium iodate (iodine) has been issued to workers or civilians at or around nuclear stations in the United Kingdom; what dosage was administered on each occasion; and if he will give details of any side effects recorded.

[pursuant to the reply, 18 June 1986, c. 578–79]: In so far as these details are available, they are contained in the Health and Safety Executive's quarterly statements of nuclear incidents, which are published and placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister for the Arts whether, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warley, East on 26 February Official Report, column 593, he is now able to announce the publication of the report of the Reveiwing Committee on the Export of Works of Art covering the year ended 30 June 1985.

I expect to present it to Parliament and to publish it on 27 June.

asked the Paymaster General what progress is being made on the employment initiatives that the Paymaster General announced in Luxembourg in the current month; and if he will make a statement.

Together with the Employment Ministers from Italy and the Irish Republic I tabled a paper entitled "Employment Growth into the 1990s —A Strategy for the labour market" at the EC Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers in Luxembourg on 5 June. The Council welcomed the paper and agreed that discussion on it should continue at the informal meeting of Social Affairs Ministers in Edinburgh in September. The United Kingdom's aim, shared by those countries with which we tabled the paper, is to secure the adoption by the European Community of an employment strategy along the lines of the paper during the forthcoming United Kingdom Presidency of the Community.

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest figure of United Kingdom unemployed people.

On 8 May 1986, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,271,000.

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report the number of unemployed in Willesden and Wembley on 1 June for each year since 1979.

Following is the available information. The table shows the numbers of unemployed claimants in an area closely corresponding to that covered by the Willesden and Wembley jobcentres on the unemployment count date in June 1983, 1984 and 1985. Statistics of unemployment for local areas are derived from the new ward-based system and are available only since June 1983. Information for 12 June 1986 will be available in the Library on 17 July.

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

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

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of persons unemployed at the latest available date; and what rate of unemployment this figure represents.

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

On 8 May 1986, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,270,892, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 13·5 per cent.

asked the Paymaster General what is the best available estimate of the number of women who are unemployed but not included in the unemployment figures because of their ineligibility for benefit.

According to preliminary results from the labour force survey, in the spring of 1985 in Great Britain, there were 580,000 women who were without jobs seeking work but were not included in the monthly count of benefit claimants. There were also about 440,000 women who were claiming benefits and included in the monthly figures, who either had a paid job or were not looking for work.

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of the total number of persons aged under 25 years and unemployed have been unemployed for more than 12 months.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age and duration is available, 28 per cent. of unemployed claimants aged under 25 years in the United Kingdom had been unemployed for more than 12 months.

asked the Paymaster General how the number of unemployed women aged under 25 years compares to that of unemployed men aged under 25 years.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available, the numbers of male and female unemployed claimants aged under 25 years in the United Kingdom were 731,170 and 452,663, respectively.

asked the Paymaster General what are the latest figures available concerning the numbers of long-term unemployed.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 12 months was 1,356,509.

asked the Paymaster General how many persons aged under 25 years have been unemployed for more than 12 months at the latest available date.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age and duration is available, the number of unemployment claimants aged under 25 years who had been unemployed for over 12 months in the United Kingdom was 331,471.

asked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the arrangements for determining the number of unemployed people.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes) on 21 May at column 152.

asked the Paymaster General how many persons there are in full-time employment in the United Kingdom at the latest available date; how this figure compares with the figure for May 1979; and what are the corresponding figures relating to Wales for those dates.

Within the regularly published employment series the estimates of the numbers of self-employed persons and of male employees in employment do not separately identify those in full-time employment. Analyses of full and part-time female employees in employment are not available for the United Kingdom for the dates specified. The available information for Great Britain and for Wales is given in table 1.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of the unemployed have been without work for (a) one year, (b) two years and (c) three years.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the proportions of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for between one and two years, two and three years and over three years were 15·4 per cent., 8·4 per cent. and 17·1 per cent., respectively.

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of people under 25 years of age unemployed in the Rother Valley; and how this compares with the national figure.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available, the numbers of unemployed claimants aged under 25 years in the Rother Valley parliamentary constituency and in the United Kingdom were 2,286 and 1,183,833, respectively.

asked the Paymaster General how many people in the Bradford travel-to-work area have been unemployed for more than a year.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the number of claimants who had been unemployed for over one year in the Bradford travel-to-work area was 13,906.

asked the Paymaster General if he will state the number of unemployed, and the percentage, at May 1979 and May 1986, respectively, in the northern region.

On 8 May 1986 the number of unemployed claimants, seasonally adjusted excluding school leavers, in the northern region was 226,600, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 18 per cent. The corresponding number and rate for May 1979 were 99,100 and 7·3 per cent.

asked the Paymaster General what was the total number of people in part-time or full-time work on the latest date for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure on 1 July 1979.

The information is as follows:

asked the Paymaster General what are the latest unemployment figures; and how these compare with the figures for December 1979.

On 8 May 1986 the number of unemployed claimants, seasonally adjusted excluding school leavers, in the United Kingdom was 3,208,600. The corresponding number for December 1979 was 1,121,700.

asked the Paymaster General how many people are currently registered as unemployed in the Liverpool, West Derby constituency; how many have been jobless for more than a year; and if he will make a statement.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available. The number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool, West Derby constituency was 9,768, of whom 5,357 had been unemployed for over one year.

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

On 8 May 1986, the number of unemployed claimants in the Merseyside metropolitan area was 139,502.

asked the Paymaster General hove many people are currently in full-time employment; what proportion of the population this represents; and what was the comparable figure 10 year ago.

Information is not available in the exact form requested.Within the regularly published employment series, the estimates of the numbers of self-employed persons and of male employees in employment do not separately identify those in full-time employment. That latest available information for Great Britain, together with information for June 1975, is given in Table 1.

asked the Paymaster General if he estimates that the proposed clean-up campaign will create any full-time employment.

As I said in my earlier reply to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), it is estimated that the new environmental improvement initiative will initially provide work for up to 5,000 long-term unemployed people, and of these about 25 per cent. will be full-time workers.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the operation of the job release scheme.

I am satisfied with the operation of the job release scheme. At the end of April 1986, 40,000 people were receiving an allowance under the scheme.

asked the Paymaster General how much has been raised to date under the business expansion scheme.

Inland Revenue statitics indicate that a total of £252 million was raised by 1,403 companies under the business expansion scheme in the first two years of its operation—1983–84 and 1984–85.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the current level of employment amongst school leavers.

The level of employment among school leavers depends mainly on the performance of industry, business and the economy as a whole. Our economic policies are designed to create the conditions for improvement and we are making substantial progress. Our training and employment measures will help young people into jobs.

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest figure for the poportion of the unemployed who have been out of work for over a year; and what has been the increase in this figure since May 1979.

On 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, the proportion of claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 12 months was 40·8 per cent. The corresponding proportion of unemployed registrants in April 1979 (not available for May 1979) was 27·4 per cent. The figures are not strictly comparable because of changes in the way the figures are collected.

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of workers employed in the north-west are on earnings below 25 per cent. of the national average earnings.

The latest information from the new earnings survey relates to April 1985 and shows that less than 0·2 per cent. of full-time adult employees in the northwest region had gross weekly earnings below £42·8. The figure which is 25 per cent. of average gross weekly earnings of all full-time adult employees in Great Britain.

asked the Paymaster General what is his latest estimate of the number of tourists from the United States expected to visit Britain in 1986; and how this compares with 1985.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).

asked the Paymaster General what is the effect of the shortfall on previous years of United States tourists on employment within the tourist industry.

It is too soon to assess the extent of any reduction in the number of United States tourists and the consequences for employment within the United Kingdom tourist industry.

asked the Paymaster General what plans he has for the employment of young people in North Yorkshire.

Employment prospects for young people in North Yorkshire depend on a sustained improvement in the performance of industry, business and the economy as a whole. Our economic polices are designed to create the conditions for that improvement and we are making substantial progress. We also need levels of pay which ensure the competitiveness of our industry.In 1986–87 two-year YTS will provide 3,328 places in North Yorkshire, with a further 738 continuation places being provided for young people who entered training last year. The job prospects of those completing YTS and those ineligible for training will be further enhanced by the new workers scheme.Those young people who have been unemployed for some time will be able to benefit from temporary employment under the community programme. At April 1986 1,340 places were available in North Yorkshire and the target is to increase this figure to 1,520 by October this year. Our other employment measures will also directly or indirectly benefit young people.

asked the Paymaster General what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations contained in "Pleasure, Leisure—and Jobs; The Business of Tourism."

I am pleased to report that good progress has been made in the majority of the action points listed in "Pleasure, Leisure and Jobs" and that work is continuing on the outstanding recommendations. Particular achievements to date include the introduction of the new voluntary hotel classification scheme throughout Great Britain, the opening last month of the new British travel centre in Lower Regent street, the introduction throughout England of the new system of white on brown road signs for tourist attractions and the publication of the consultative document on tourist coaches in London including proposals for additional coach parking facilities for summer 1986. We have also taken steps to improve the co-ordination of Government policies affecting tourism by instituting regular meetings of Ministers under the chairmanship of my right hon. And noble Friend and by setting up new arrangements for co-ordination at regional level.

asked the Paymaster General how many people work, directly or indirectly, in the tourist industry; and how this compares with 1979.

It is estimated that about 1·1 million jobs were supported directly or indirectly by tourism spending in 1985. A comparable figure for 1979 is not available. However, separate information on the number of employees in those sectors which most directly serve tourists (hotels and catering, and leisure services) showed an increase of just over 100,000 to around 1·3 million between June 1979 and June 1985.

asked the Paymaster General if he will estimate the proportion of those working in the Southern Tourist Board region whose jobs depend directly or indirectly on tourism.

Estimates covering jobs depending both directly and indirectly on tourism in particular areas are not available. However, the following table shows the available information on the number of employees in the main tourism-related industries from the 1981 census of employment. Comparable details for 1984 will be available later this year.

asked the Paymaster General what further plans he has to aid the British tourist industry.

The Government have already taken a number of measures to aid the tourism industry this year, including an additional £6 million to the British Tourist Authority and English Tourist Board for promotion of tourism in regions where unemployment is high and there is potential for development. We shall continue to take appropriate measures to encourage the industry's development within available resources; but the prime responsibility for investment in the industry must rest with the private sector.

asked the Paymaster General what new overseas marketing initiatives have been proposed by the British Tourist Authority.

For 1986–87 the BTA has been set the objectives of encouraging overseas visitors to regions with above average unemployment and the potential to attract additional tourism traffic, and extending the tourism season. Its new marketing campaigns are intended to meet these objectives, and will focus on the promotion of senior citizen, youth travel and special interest markets, together with the business and conference sector.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the net contribution of the tourist industry to the creation of jobs.

The growth in the number and spending of tourists has been a vital contribution to the growth of employment in recent years. It is estimated that the spending of tourists supports about 1·1 million jobs, directly in hotels, restaurants, transport, tourist attractions, and so on, and indirectly in supplying industries. Also, in the two years to June 1985, the official estimates of the numbers of employees showed a growth of 106,000 in the sectors most heavily dependent on tourism— hotels and catering trades, and leisure and recreational services—and self-employment in hotels and catering grew by around 28,000 over the same period.

asked the Paymaster-General by how much he expects employment in the tourism industry to grow in 1986–87.

Future employment levels depend on many factors, some of which are difficult to predict. In recent years there has been a substantial growth in the number of employees in those industries which most directly serve tourists (up by over 100,000 in the hotel, catering and leisure and recreational services sectors between June 1983 and June 1985) at a time when the growth of tourists' spending rose in real terms by around 6 per cent.If tourists' spending continues to grow at a similar rate as in the recent past. I would expect to see further significant growth in employment in the sectors serving tourists.

asked the Paymaster General what is the best available estimate of the level of black unemployment compared with the overall level of unemployment.

According to preliminary results of the labour force survey, in the spring of 1985 in Great Britain, 202,000 or 20 per cent. of the non-white labour force were without a job and seeking work, compared with 2,808,000 or 10·6 per cent. of the total workforce.

asked the Paymaster General if he will take steps to improve training and re-training for tourist-related employment; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 16 April at columns 386–87.

asked the Paymaster General whether he proposes to provide financial support to the London Visitor and Convention Bureau, following the abolition of the Greater London Council; and if he will make a statement.

The Government already provide financial support to the LVCB through the English Tourist Board and this support will continue. I am happy to report that in addition to this support from the ETB, the London boroughs' grants committee is to provide in 1986–87 £360,000 of basic funding to the LVCB with a further £180,000 for special projects.

asked the Paymaster General how many young people will be provided for under the new workers scheme.

We estimate that, by the end of March next year, some 100,000 young people will have been helped into employment under the new workers scheme.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of people leaving the community programme obtain a permanent job.

The results of the latest survey of former community programme participants show that 54 per cent. of those responding had had at least one job within 10 months of leaving the community programme; 28 per cent. of respondents obtained a job immediately on leaving.

asked the Paymaster General if he has any plans to introduce a refuse cleaning element into the community programme.

I have no specific plans to introduce a refuse clearing element into the community programme. However, the programme already funds projects which, for example, remove flytips from beauty spots and collect and recycle waste materials.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has recently announced a new environmental improvement initiative which it is estimated will initially provide work for up to 5,000 long-term unemployed people through the community programme.

asked the Paymaster General what is the average wage on the community programme; and what proportion of participants are paid more than this and what proportion less.

The latest survey estimate shows the average wage paid to community programme participants, including managers and supervisors, to be £73 per week; 43 per cent. were paid more than this and 57 per cent. less.

asked the Paymaster General if he has any plans to seek to improve the training element in the community programme.

The principal objective of the community programme is to provide worthwhile temporary employment for long-term unemployed people. The latest survey evidence shows that about 70 per cent. of participants receive training, and this will continue to be encouraged.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the projects funded under the community programme in each of the last three years; how many jobs were created as a result; at what total cost in each year; and if he will make a statement.

The community programme began in October 1982. At the end of the last three years the number of projects and places were as follows:

asked the Paymaster General what recent representations he has received concerning the provisions of part III of the Wages Bill.

I had a meeting with TUC representatives on 7 May. In addition, I have had letters from the CBI and a number of other employers organisations.

asked the Paymaster General how many people find work each month in the northern region.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. Between May 1985 and May 1986 an average of 25,900 persons per month ceased to be unemployed claimants in the northern region.

asked the Paymaster General whether he will consider the introduction of further measures to reduce unemployment in the northwest and northern regions; and if he will make a statement.

I am always prepared to consider further measures to reduce unemployment in these regions. Both regions will benefit from the new package of measures announced in the Budget to accelerate the growth of enterprise, boost employment opportunities for the young and help the long-term unemployed find work.The north-east will also benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry of 14 May to alleviate the problems caused by the regrettable redundancies in the shipbuilding industry.The Government's economic strategy is providing the climate of low inflation and sustained growth which is the only sensible way to secure real jobs throughout the country.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the review of vocational qualifications.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope) on 8 May 1986 at column 205.

asked the Paymaster General if he has any plans to introduce further legislation in the field of industrial relations.

I have no plans at present to introduce further legislation in the field of industrial relations, but will be keeping the situation under review.

asked the Paymaster General what is the current rate of unemployment for registered disabled people.

There were 26,396 unemployed registered disabled people registered for employment at jobcentres and careers offices on 4 April 1986. It is not possible to convert this figure into an unemployment percentage rate because the number of registered disabled people in employment is not available.

asked the Paymaster General what steps are being taken to encourage links between jobcentres and unemployment benefits offices.

Most jobcentres already have close links with unemployment benefit offices, and liaison arrangements are kept under review.In order to increase the awareness of jobcentre services amongst claimants, including longer term unemployed, 46 pilot projects in unemployment benefit offices are currently under way and a further 70 are planned. The projects include vacancy displays, information displays and the installation of electronic equipment which gives information on jobcentre services.

asked the Paymaster General whether he will report upon the latest progress in Southampton on the job start scheme.

The job start scheme, which is part of the restart programme, will begin on 1 July 1986. The other elements of the restart programme, counselling of long-term unemployed people and restart courses, will be available in Southampton from 30 June.

asked the Paymaster General what estimates his Department has of the number of people working in the black economy.

Because of the nature of the black economy it is impossible to estimate the number of people working in it.

asked the Paymaster General if he will introduce legislation to provide for the substitution by United Kingdom nationals of foreign nationals employed in the United Kingdom when the foreign national's initial contract expires.

It is not always reasonable for such substitution to take place. Where appropriate, the need for the overseas national is reviewed at the end of the initial contract.

asked the Paymaster General if he plans any initiatives to promote an increase in the stock of hotel accommodation in London; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have noted the findings of consultancy study, "London's Tourist Accommodation in the 1990s", recently published by the English Tourist Board, British Tourist Authority and other sponsors. The report predicts a shortfall in hotel capacity by the early 1990s. We shall be responding shortly to its recommendations for increasing the supply of accommodation.

asked the Paymaster General how many entrants there have been to the enterprise allowance scheme since August 1983.

146,930 people entered the enterprise allowance scheme between 1 August 1983 and the end of May 1986.

asked the Paymaster General if he will arrange to give more specific advice to applicants for the enterprise allowance scheme at the information session about the need to apply for help whilst still in receipt of social security benefits.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 13–14]: Applicants for the scheme are already clearly advised both at information sessions and in the printed guide to the scheme that they must be receiving unemployment and supplementary benefit at the time of application. Applicants are also invited to ask questions about their eligibility for the scheme during the information session if they are in any doubt.

asked the Paymaster General how many applicants applied for help under the enterprise allowance scheme after operation of their business commenced in the last period for which figures are available.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 13–14]: The allowance is intended to provide an incentive for unemployed people to set up in business and is therefore not available to those who have already commenced operation of their business. Separate statistics are not kept for those whose applications were rejected because they had already started their business but 3·7 per cent. of applications received during May 1986 were rejected for various reasons.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been made redundant on Merseyside since June 1983.

A provisional total of 33,245 redundancies during the period 1 June 1983 to 30 April 1986 were confirmed by the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur in the jobcentres areas covering the Merseyside metropolitan county.

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest information he has as to the number of people currently in job clubs; and if he will make a statement.

On 12 June there were 1,039 people attending the 83 job clubs currently in operation. Forty-four of these job clubs have been operating only since May 1986.Up to 2 May, 2,334 people had passed through job clubs. Of these, 1,478 (63 per cent.) had found work. A further 266 have gone on to the community programme and 67 into training making a total of 78 per cent. positive outcomes.The Manpower Services Commission plans to expand the job club network to 200 sites by the end of 1986 and 450 as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Paymaster General what number of people were working in manufacturing industries in 1979, 1983 and the latest available date.

The information is as follows:

asked the Paymaster General what responses he has so far received to the Government's pilot scheme of career development loans; and if he will make a statement.

I am encouraged by the interest shown since the career development loan scheme was launched on 15 April in the four pilot areas of Aberdeen, Bath/Bristol, Greater Manchester and Reading/Slough. Some 48,000 leaflets have so far been distributed with some 5,000 responses to its invitation to make more detailed inquiries. I hope that as many people as possible in the pilot areas will consider whether taking a loan at the very favourable terms now on offer would enable them to train to improve their career prospects.

asked the Paymaster General what studies he has made of the employment implications of the present crisis in the tin industry in Cornwall.

Although no studies have yet been concluded of the employment implications of the present crisis in the tin industry in Cornwall, officials in the area are studying the implications for employment of the crisis and all the services of the Department of Employment and MSC are being made available to those made redundant.

asked the Paymaster General how many long-term unemployed people have been assisted to find jobs or training in Slough and nationally since job counselling became a nationwide scheme.

Counselling of long-term unemployed people is part of the restart programme. Although this will become a national programme on 1 July, some localities will start earlier, including Slough on 16 June.At this early stage, results are not yet available.