Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 8 July 1986

Environment

Planning

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the chief planning adviser has yet consulted representatives of small business about the problems they face with the planning system.

It is normal practice for the Department to consult bodies representing small businesses about proposals to modify the planning system which are of relevance to them. By way of example, I refer my hon. Friend to pages 158–159 of "Speeding Planning Appeals: a review of the handling of transferred written representation planning appeals: report of an efficiency scrutiny" (HMSO, May 1986), a copy of which is in the Library. Consultation with representatives of small businesses is not a specific responsibility of the chief planning adviser.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the chief planning inspector last consulted representatives of small businesses about the system of planning appeals under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.

My Department, including its planning inspectorate, frequently consults bodies representing small businesses about the operation of the planning system, including planning appeals. Representative bodies were, for example, consulted during the course of the efficiency scrutiny of written representation planning appeals last year and the similar review of inquiry planning appeals which was completed recently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the new chief planning adviser will he expected to devise additional ideas for improvements in the planning system, further to those mentioned in the White Paper on deregulation.

It is the responsibility of the planning land use policy directorate under its director, and minerals division under the director of planning services (the chief planning adviser) to search constantly for, and advise on, improvements to the planning system. The proposals described in "Building Businesses … Not Barriers" (Cmnd. 9794) are another step in a process of improvement and simplification which has been under way since 1979. Paragraph 5.31 of the White Paper also invites suggestions for further deregulatory measures which we can consider.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the training for planning inspectors includes a module on development, enterprise and the role of small firms.

Yes, for example, a seminar on the economics of development was held recently for experienced inspectors; the subject is to be included in a forthcoming weekend seminar for inspectors recruited within the last two years; and is being introduced as a standard component in the training of new entrants.

Hedgehogs

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to seek to amend schedule 5 to the Wildlife arid Countryside Act 1981 to extend the protection currently afforded to hedgehogs.

The Government have no plans at present to amend schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to extend the protection currently afforded to hedgehogs by schedule 6 to the Act. I am advised that the hedgehog is not considered an endangered or declining species.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received in respect of the protection of hedgehogs.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no recent representations in respect of the protection of hedgehogs.

Conservation (Compensation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has any plans to seek to amend provisions for compensation under legislation concerned with protecting the countryside; and whether he will make a statement.

We are currently considering the responses to the consultation paper on the compensation provisions in the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 which was issued by the Department on 16 April 1986.

Nuclear Waste Disposal

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific numerical weightings were applied to each of the critical factors taken into account regarding a proposed dump for low-level nuclear waste when the four sites the subject of the special development order which was laid before Parliament on 14 May were chosen; and if he will make a statement.

The choice of sites was for NIREX. The factors influencing its choice, and weightings attributed to those factors, were matters for it. In making its choice NIREX was aware that any proposals for developing a site ultimately put forward would have to meet the Government's criteria for the development of radioactive waste facilities on land. These criteria are set out in a booklet published by HMSO, entitled "Disposal Facilities on Land for Low and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Wastes: Principles for the Protection of the Human Environment". Copies are available in the Library.

Team Events

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been his response to the report published in December 1985 by the Central Council for Physical Recreation on the staging of major team events.

I have received no such report.

Pollution Control

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next plans to have consultations with EEC Ministers about collective action to be taken to enforce more stringent pollution controls.

During the United Kingdom's Presidency of the EC we will be highlighting the importance of proper implementation and enforcement of Communitywide measures to reduce or prevent pollution. I intend to consult individually all my European colleagues before we meet at the Environment Council on 24 November.

Elderly People (Housing)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to seek to improve the housing stock used by elderly people; if, in particular, he has any plans to seek to improve insulation in houses occupied or intended for occupation by elderly people; and if he will make a statement.

The Government attach importance to improvements in the housing stock in contributing to its objective of helping elderly people to remain living in their own homes. Resources available to housing authorities have been increased by £200 million this year; we expect them to give increasing priority to the renovation of their own stock. Local authorities have been asked to give priority when considering applications for discretionary home improvement grants to those most in need, including elderly people. Under the homes insulation scheme grants are also available for the insulation of loft spaces and associated tanks and pipes, with a higher rate of grant available for the elderly on low incomes.The present requirements of building regulations for energy efficiency in new housing are being reviewed with the aim of combining a higher standard overall with greater flexibility in the ways in which the requirements can be met. There will be full consultation later this year on any proposals for change.Elderly people form one of the special needs groups to which priority is given when resources are allocated to housing associations for new build or rehabilitation schemes. Associations provide dwellings for the elderly for rent, and also for sale under leasehold schemes for the elderly, some of which are funded wholly or partly through private finance.

Fair Rents

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to increase the number of private dwellings for which fair rent has to be registered.

In the next Parliament we hope to introduce legislation to encourage private landlords to provide more rented homes. If landlords are to invest in rented accommodation, and maintain it adequately they need a better return than that currently provided by fair rents.

Listed Buildings

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the total numbers of listed buildings in each county in each grade.

I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly when I have up-to-date figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many grade I listed buildings are situated in the cities of Bath and York respectively.

There are 72 grade I listed buildings in Bath and 84 grade I listed buildings in York.

Lead-Free Petrol

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to encourage other petrol producers to follow the example of those companies which have introduced, or plan to introduce, lead-free petrol ahead of the statutory dates; and if he will make a statement;(2) what plans he has for a campaign to inform motorists on the use of lead-free petrol; and, in particular, how he intends to publicise which existing models can use it safely.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle) on 23 June 1986 at columns 3–5. Unleaded petrol started to come on the market shortly thereafter, and the Department is already consulting interested bodies on the information needs of motorists.

Liverpool (Ministerial Visit)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Liverpool of the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the visit of the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction to Merseyside.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1986]: I visited Merseyside on 2 July 1986.In the morning I toured the Liverpool south docks and also met the Bishop of Liverpool.In the afternoon I opened a computer-aided engineering centre on the Wirral, and on returning to Liverpool, saw examples of inner city housing conditions as well as some urban renewal projects in the company of the chief executive of Liverpool city council.

Motor Vehicles (Pollution)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the vehicle industry about any further steps to be taken to introduce computers into motor vehicles, including lorries and buses, in order to reduce pollution levels.

I have been asked to reply.The Department has frequent discussions with vehicle and component manufacturers to discuss the ways in which developing technologies would help meet emission limits for new vehicles. The new limits for cars provisionally agreed in Europe last year are likely to encourage more sophisticated engine control systems using computers.

The Arts

Objects In Lieu Of Tax

asked the Minister for the Arts what further property has been accepted by Her Majesty's Government in satisfaction of capital transfer tax since 31 March; and if he will give details of the individual amounts of tax satisfied in each case.

Yes. Two items have been accepted in lieu of capital transfer tax since 31 March. These are as follows:

Property Accepted	Amount of Tax Satisfied £
Portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence	103,435
Moorlands in Staffordshire	580,500

Civil Service

Executive Officer Appointments

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many applicants were received by the Civil Service Commission in each of the last five years for executive officer appointments; and how many appointments were made in each of these years.

The figures below relate to executive officers (and departmental equivalents) in the Home Civil Service and are taken from the Civil Service Commissioners' annual reports for each of the years in question.

	Applications received	Appointments made
1981	23,868	1,378
1982	24,867	2,133
1983	29,910	2,712
1984	31,845	3,578
1985	32,087	4,499

Duchy Of Lancaster

Magistrates

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the number of magistrates who reside in each ward, on a ward-for-ward basis; and what percentage this is of the total magistrates on each bench in the petty sessional districts of Ashton under Lyne, South Tameside and Stockport.

The figures requested are in the Table.

Table
	Magistrates
Ashton under Lyne Petty Sessional Division	Number	Per cent.
North Tameside
Ashton St. Michael's	2	2
Ashton St. Peter's	5	5
Ashton Waterloo	4	4
Ashton Hurst	16	16
Audenshaw	3	3
Denton South	3	3

	Magistrates
Ashton under Lyne Petty Sessional Division	Number	Per cent.
Denton West	10	10
Denton North East	3	3
Droylsden West	7	7
Droylsden East	—	—
Mossley	8	8
South Tameside
Dukinfield	1	1
Dukinfield Stalybridge	1	1
Hyde Godley	—	—
Hyde Newton	—	—
Hyde Werneth	—	—
Longdendale	5	5
Stalybridge North	—	—
Stalybridge South	10	10
Outside Tameside	23	23
Total	101	100
South Tameside Petty Sessional Division
South Tameside
Dukinfield	5	6·6
Dukinfield Stalybridge	6	8
Hyde Godley	1	1·3
Hyde Newton	4	5·3
Hyde Werneth	8	10·6
Longdendale	14	18·6
Stalybridge North	3	4
Stalybridge South	11	14·6
North Tameside
Ashton St. Michael's	1	1·3
Ashton St. Peter's	—	—
Ashton Waterloo	—	—
Ashton Hurst	1	1·3
Audenshaw	—	—
Denton South	—	—
Denton West	1	1·3
Denton North East	—	—
Droylsden West	—	—
Droylsden East	—	—
Mossley	2	2·6
Outside Tameside	18	24
Total	75	100
Stockport Petty Sessional Division
Bredbury	4	2·5
Brinnington	1	0·62
Cale Green	1	0·62
Cheadle	4	2·5
Cheadle Hulme North	6	3·73
Cheadle Hulme South	2	1·24
Davenport	9	5·6
East Bramhall	14	8·7
Edgeley	3	1·86
Great Moor	10	6·2
Hazel Grove	3	1·86
Heald Green	3	1·86
Heaton Mersey	6	3·73
Heaton Moor	14	8·7
Manor	5	3·1
North Marple	12	7·45
North Reddish	2	1·24
Romiley	9	5·59
South Marple	9	5·59
South Reddish	3	1·86

	Magistrates
Ashton under Lyne Petty Sessional Division	Number	Per cent.
West Bramhall	16	9·92
Outside	25	15·53
Total	161	100

Prime Minister

La Belle Discotheque (Bombing)

Q73.

asked the Prime Minister what is the character of the evidence other than the firm evidence regarding involvement of Libya in the bombing of La Belle discotheque on 5 April, referred to in her answer of 19 June, Official Report, column 617.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 3 July at column 587.

Overseas Aid

Q93.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to increase the current levels of expenditure in overseas aid in response to the United Nations Special Session on famine in Africa.

I welcome the positive outcome of the United Nations Special Session on Africa. We will make ever effort to increase our aid to those countries which can make effective use of it, especially those now carrying out sensible economic policies.

Easenhall

Q116.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Easenhall near Rugby.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Public Education

Q147.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is now the Government's policy to put more real resources into public education at all levels as part of their investment plans.

The Government's principal aims for all sectors of education remain to raise standards and to secure the best possible return for the resources invested. In schools, the investment we have already made has led to record levels of spending per pupil and to the best ever pupil: teacher ratio; and since 1979 there has been a substantial expansion of higher education. Further spending plans will be published in the next public expenditure White Paper; we shall continue to seek to improve the quality of education at all levels.

Broadcasting (Complaints)

asked the Prime Minister how many complaints Ministers, or officials acting on their behalf, have submitted during the past year to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, the Governors at the British Broadcasting Corporation or the Independent Broadcasting Authority, claiming bias in programmes; and if she will make a statement.

Ministers and Government's Departments, like other individuals and institutions, are free to complain to the broadcasting authorities about their treatment in programmes, but no central record is kept of such exchanges. As far as I am aware no such complaints were made to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in the past year.

Engagements

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 8 July.

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.

European Court Of Justice

asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to pay an official visit to the European Court of Justice.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Fraud

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 23 June, Official Report, column 47, concerning fraud investigations, if she will provide such details as she can without hindering possible police action of the two cases where progress has not been made; and if she will state the estimated amount of public money involved for each of the cases referred to in her answer.

I have been asked to reply.In both cases inquiries are proceeding, but it would not assist the police investigations if details of progress were to be given.Since all the cases referred to in the Prime Minister's answer of 23 June,

Official Report, column 47, are subjudice, the information requested cannot be given.

Attorney-General

Legal Aid

asked the Attorney-General what is the time taken in greater London to deal with an application for civil legal aid.

The only figures at present available for the length of time taken to deal with legal aid applications are those contained in the Law Society's annual reports, which are national figures based on a sample survey of a number of area offices. The latest available figure is for the financial year 1984–85, when the average time taken to issue a legal aid certificate was 39 working days. The figures for 1985–86 are still being collected. As the Law Society announced in its last annual report (35th Legal Aid Annual Reports, House of Commons Paper 156, published January 1986), improvements are planned in the collection and presentation of these statistics, which should enable a more detailed breakdown to be given in future years. It will be remembered that in appropriate cases emergency certificates may be granted. These are normally processed within a matter of days at most and sometimes even over the telephone.

Home Department

Visitors (Entry Refusals)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations were made by hon. Members on behalf of passengers refused entry in each month since January 1985.

Before 1 May 1986 figures were not kept on a monthly basis. The figure for May was 647. The figure for June will be available shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in 1985 a visitor refused admission has been removed from the United Kingdom after an hon. Member has placed a stop on behalf of the visitor but before the hon. Member has made representations, or after representations have been made but before the outcome of the representations has been notified to the hon. Member.

The statistics maintained do not identify such cases separately, but six are known to have occurred in 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals by visitors refused entry at ports of entry were (a) lodged, (b) allowed and (c) refused in each quarter since January 1985.

The readily available information relates to appeals by all persons refused entry at ports in the United Kingdom, and is given in the following table:

Appeals by persons refused entry at ports in the United Kingdom^*
Number of persons
	Referred†	Allowed	Dismissed
Appeals to Adjudicators
1985
1st quarter	174	17	132
2nd quarter	219	17	149
3rd quarter	160	19	104
4th quarter	214	12	118
Year	767	65	503
1986
1st quarter	217	13	151
Appeals to Tribunal by applicants
1985
1st quarter	11	—	3
2nd quarter	15	7	1
3rd quarter	23	2	11
4th quarter	12	2	11
Year	61	11	26
1986
1st quarter	12	2	7

	Referred†	Allowed	Dismissed
Appeals to Tribunal by Home Office
1985
1st quarter	1	—	—
2nd quarter	1	1	—
3rd quarter	2	—	—
4th quarter	—	1	—
Year	4	2	—
1986
1st quarter	1	—	—
* Appeals at the ports and external appeals.
† Including appeals which are subsequently withdrawn before determination and appeals over which the immigration appellate authorities have no jurisdiction.

Visitors (Detentions)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers detained at least overnight in each quarter since January 1985 were held (a) in prison department establishments and (b) in police cells.

Statistics are not maintained in the form requested, and are recorded on an annual basis. In 1985 a total of 582 passengers were detained overnight in prison department establishments, police cells, or other accommodation not managed by the immigration service. The figure may include a small element of double counting in respect of persons transferred between different detention accommodation.

Drug Offenders (Bail)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent thegranting of bail for those accused of serious drug offences.

The Bail Act 1976 establishes a general presumption in favour of bail. The nature and seriousness of the offence are among the matters to which a court must have regard when considering whether any of the exceptions specified in the Act to that general presumption applies. We have no plans to introduce legislation to prohibit absolutely the grant of bail to a person charged with any particular category of offence.

Prison Places (Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of providing a place in those prisons currently being built.

The average cost per place of the five prisons now being built is £45,994 (excluding staff housing and associated facilities). They include one category B (dispersal) prison, two category B (non-dispersal) prisons and two category C prisons.

Ex-Prisoners (Homelessness)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people released from prison in 1985 had no home to go to.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

Custody And Remand (Disabled Persons)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people serving a custodial sentence, or on remand, in 1985, were registered as disabled.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

Firearms, Certificates

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has increased the cost of renewal of a firearms certificate by 65 per cent.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the explanation I gave during the debate on the Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 1986 on 25 June, at columns 427–31.

Custody Officers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the police forces that have so far employed police officers below the rank of sergeant as custody officers.

Section 36(3) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provides that no officer may be appointed a custody officer at a designated police station unless he is of at least the rank of sergeant, but section 36(4) provides that an officer of any rank may perform the functions of a custody officer at a designated police station if a cutsody officer is not readily available to perform them. Section 36(7) provides that the functions of a custody officer shall be performed at a station which is not a designated station by an officer who is not involved in the investigation or, if no such officer is readily available, by the officer who took the arrested person to the station, or by any other officer. In such cases the Act does not prescribe the rank of the custody officer. Information about the identity of the officer, including his rank, performing the functions of the custody officer will be kept in individual cases on the custody record, but this is not collated and is not available centrally.

West Midlands Police

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current establishment of the West Midlands police force; and how many officers were in post at 31 March 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985.

The authorised establishment of the West Midlands police is 6,684. The strength of the force on the dates mentioned was as follows:

On 31 March	Strength of West Midlands police
1982	6,679
1983	6,673
1984	6,679
1985	6,544

Police Officers (Uncertificated Sick Leave)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the number of days uncertificated sick leave taken by police officers in each police force area during the last year for which figures are available.

It is for chief officers of police to monitor the incidence of uncertificated sick leave and no central record is maintained.

Police National Computer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are any plans to replace the police national computer; and if he will make a statement.

The police national computer mainframe hardware will have completed 10 years of continuous service by 1988, but final decisions have not yet been taken as to its replacement.

Litter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to permit the police to issue litter tickets analogous to parking tickets or to levy on-the-spot fines for littering of public places.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce such arrangements.

Foreign Visitors (Overstayers)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overstayers from the New Commonwealth and Pakistan were detected in 1984 and 1985; how many had been recorded on INDECS when they entered the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that this information is not available.

Lynne Marsland

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the pregnancy and confinement of Lynne Marsland on 28–29 June whilst a prisoner in Holloway prison, with particular reference to the type of cell in which she was kept prior to the confinement, the number and grades of relevant staff on duty, and the arrangements for monitoring the progress of her labour.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 7 July.

Wormwood Scrubs Prison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the works on new kitchens for Wormwood Scrubs have cost.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) on 27 June, at column 345.

Metropolitan Police

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of the number of home beat officers per police division within the Metropolitan police district.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Royal Ulster Constabulary (Inquiry)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary gave to the Police Complaints Authority and to the chief constable of Greater Manchester concerning the appointment of Mr. Colin Sampson to investigate alleged disciplinary offences involving the deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester, Mr. John Stalker;(2) what advice Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary gave to the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary concerning the appointment of Mr. Colin Sampson to take over from Mr. John Stalker the conduct of inquiries into allegations concerning the actions of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary;(3) to what extent Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, when consulted on the appointment of Mr. Colin Sampson to head the respective inquiries into the conduct of Mr. John Stalker, on the one hand, and of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, on the other, considered the implications for Mr. Sampson's ability to conduct expeditiously and effectively the one inquiry of his involvement with the other; and if he will make a statement.

In advising those concerned that the chief constable of West Yorkshire should undertake both of these inquiries, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary had regard to the importance of conducting both inquiries efficiently and expeditiously.

Public Order

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a list of housing estates in London for which the Metropolitan police have prepared contingency plans in relation to public disorder; and if he will detail such plans and procedures.

I understand from the Commissioner that there are contingency plans for dealing with disorder in a number of areas. It would defeat the object of these plans to publish details of them.

Drug Abuse

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which estates in London have been targeted by (a) the central drugs intelligence unit in the course of drug abuse investigation and (b) the area intelligence and surveillance unit.

I understand from the Commissioner that there is no such targeting. The activity of his officers is directed against individuals or groups of individuals whom the police have reason to believe are involved in drugs offences.

Trade And Industry

Cargo Road Trailers (Belgium)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the subsidy from the Belgian Government payable to exporters of cargo road trailers to the United Kingdom.

I have no evidence that the Belgian Government are subsidising exporters of cargo road trailers. However, should such details be forthcoming, my Department will pursue the case with the European Commission, which has powers to investigate state aids granted by EC member states.

Electrical And Electronics Firms

asked the Secretary of State for Trade arid Industry what information he has as to the degree of concentration of (a) total turnover, (b) research and development expenditure and (c) contracts with Her Majesty's Government, among each of the top 10 electric and electronic firms in the United Kingdom.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1986, c. 10]: Available information on the electrical and electronic engineering industries* is as follows:

(a) the 11 largest enterprises, defined in terms of their employment, accounted for nearly 50 per cent. of the total gross output† of these industries in 1983;

(b) the 10 largest enterprises, defined in terms of their research and development expenditure, accounted for nearly 90 per cent. of the total research and development expenditure of these industries in 1981; and

(c) information on contracts with Her Majesty's Government is not available in the form requested.

* Class 34, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).† The minor difference between the definitions of turnover and gross output is unlikely to be significant in this context.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Date Marked Food (Sales)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to ban the sale of food marked with a sell-by date or best-before date which has passed.

No. Date marking is intended to indicate when the product is at its peak, but it is not necessarily unwholesome after then. It is an offence under the Food Acts to sell or offer for sale food which is unfit for human consumption.

Frozen Food

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about European Community document 9402/84 on the approximation of laws relating to quick-frozen foodstuffs; and if he will make a statement.

My officials have kept in close contact with interested organisations during current negotiations on this directive in Brussels. We have received comments at various stages from representatives of the frozen food industry, refrigeration engineers, consumer groups and enforcement authorities.We still wish to avoid adoption of a directive in a form which would impose unacceptable burdens on industry and we will therefore continue to seek modifications to the proposals to make them more acceptable.

Research And Advisory Services

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Shepherd) on 2 July, if he will make a statement on the effect of further cuts of £4·1 million and £2·8 million on the manpower and the operations of the Agriculture and Food Research Council and the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, respectively.

The manpower and programmes of these two bodies will reflect the continuing substantial input of public funds and the contribution which the industry is prepared to make towards the cost of work from which it benefits. The Agricultural and Food Research Council is currently assessing the implications of the funding changes which have been announced. In the case of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, it is envisaged that receipts in 1987–88 from levy funded and contracted research and development commissioned directly with ADAS should enable the net reductions in expenditure to be achieved without ADAS post losses.

Employed labour force in the United Kingdom
seasonally adjusted: thousand.
	Analysis by sex
	Employed labour force			Employees in employment		of which Self-employed		Her Majesty's Forces		Full-time/part-time Employees in Employment
	Total	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	All Males and full-time Females*	Part-rime Females
1979
March	25,263	15,306	9,958	13,457	9,587	1,548	355	300	15	19,254	3,791
June	25,356	15,325	10,031	13,474	9,664	1,552	351	299	15	19,296	3,842
September	25,425	15,357	10,068	13,484	9,692	1,570	360	303	16	19,311	3,865
December	25,467	15,354	10,113	13,463	9,728	1,589	369	303	16	19,312	3,880
1980
March	25,396	15,303	10,093	13,391	9,700	1,607	377	305	16	19,187	3,905
June	25,284	15,236	10,048	13,303	9,646	1,625	386	307	16	19,035	3,914
September	25,042	15,074	9,968	13,115	9,556	1,644	394	315	17	18,801	3,872
December	24,765	14,894	9,870	12,915	9,450	1,662	403	317	17	18,531	3,836
1981
March	24,519	14,719	9,800	12,722	9,371	1,680	412	317	17	18,279	3,813
June	24,301	14,561	9,740	12,546	9,303	1,698	420	317	17	18,054	3,795
September	24,184	14,447	9,736	12,428	9,289	1,700	432	319	16	†17,906	†3,811
December	24,038	14,342	9,696	12,325	9,237	1,701	443	316	16	17,737	3,827
1982
March	23,988	14,292	9,696	12,277	9,226	1,703	454	312	16	17,655	3,849
June	23,873	14,216	9,657	12,203	9,177	1,704	466	309	15	17,536	3,843
September	23,748	14,142	9,606	12,128	9,114	1,706	477	308	15	17,370	3,872
December	23,608	14,053	9,555	12,040	9,052	1,707	488	306	15	17,250	3,841
1983
March	23,541	13,998	9,543	11,983	9,029	1,709	500	306	15	17,146	3,866
June	23,583	13,967	9,616	11,951	9,089	1,710	511	306	16	17,102	3,939
September	23,714	14,008	9,706	11,939	9,160	1,760	530	309	16	17,090	4,009
December	23,867	14,053	9,814	11,935	9,248	1,809	550	309	16	17,102	4,081
1984
March	23,962	14,085	9,877	11,916	9,292	1,859	569	310	16	17,082	4,126
June	24,046	14,127	9,920	11,909	9,315	1,907	589	310	16	17,065	4,160

Cereal Producers

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to include all cereal producers, including integrated cereal/livestock producers, in the United Kingdom arrangements for the European Economic Community cereals co-responsibility levy; if he will also make it his policy not to grant any exemptions to this scheme; and if he will make a statement.

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

Employment

Labour Statistics

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing quarterly levels and changes in the United Kingdom employed labour force since 1979, identifying separately (a) employees in employment, (b) armed forces and (c) self-employment, with a breakdown of these categories by:(A) hours, full-time and part-time split, and (B) sex.

The available estimates for the employed labour force are as follows:

				Analysis by sex						Full-time/part-time Employees in Employment
	Employed labour force			Employees in employment		of which Self-employed		Her Majesty's Forces		All Males and full-time Females*	Part-rime Females
	Total	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	All Males and full-time Females*	Part-rime Females
September	24,125	14,161	9,964	11,925	9,349	1,925	599	312	16	17,082	4,192
December	24,259	14,212	10,046	11,960	9,421	1,942	609	311	16	17,126	4,256
1985
March	24,319	14,216	10,103	11,947	9,468	1,959	619	310	16	17,125	4,291
June	24,378	14,239	10,139	11,954	9,494	1,976	629	309	16	17,115	4,334
September	24,428	14,234	10,194	11,931	9,536	1,993	642	309	16	17,091	4,376
December	24,535	14,275	10,260	11,958	9,590	2,010	655	307	16	17,139	4,408
* Includes all employees in Northern Ireland, whether full time or part time.
† The Census of Employment shows that there were 17,092 full time and 4,624 part time employees in the United Kingdom in September 1981.

Changes in the employed labour force in the United Kingdom
seasonally adjusted: thousand.
				Analysis by sex						Full-time/part-time Employees in Employment
	Employed labour force			Employees in employment		of which Self-employed		Her Majesty's Forces		All Males and full-time Females*	Part-rime Females
	Total	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	All Males and full-time Females*	Part-rime Females
1979
Quarter 1	+26	-2	+29	-5	+33	+4	-5	-2	—	+5	+23
Quarter 2	+93	+19	+73	+17	+77	+4	-4	-1	—	+42	+51
Quarter 3	+69	+32	+37	+10	+28	+18	+9	+4	+1	+15	+23
Quarter 4	+42	-3	+45	-21	+36	+19	+9	—	—	+1	+15
1980
Quarter 1	-71	-51	-20	-72	-28	+18	+8	+2	—	-125	+25
Quarter 2	-112	-67	-45	-88	-54	+18	+9	+2	—	-152	+9
Quarter 3	-242	-162	-80	-188	-90	+19	+8	+8	+1	-234	-42
Quarter 4	-277	-180	-98	-200	-106	+18	+9	+2	—	-270	-36
1981
Quarter 1	-246	-175	-70	-193	-79	+18	+9	—	—	-252	-23
Quarter 2	-218	-158	-60	-176	-68	+18	+8	—	—	-225	-18
Quarter 3	-117	-114	-4	-118	-14	+2	+12	+2	-1	-148	+16
Quarter 4	-146	-105	-40	-103	-52	+1	+11	-3	—	-169	+16
1982
Quarter 1	-50	-50	—	-48	-11	+2	+11	-4	—	-82	+22
Quarter 2	-115	-76	-39	-74	-49	+1	+12	-3	-1	-119	-6
Quarter 3	-125	-74	-51	-75	-63	+2	+11	-1	—	-166	+29
Quarter 4	-140	-89	-51	-88	-62	+1	+11	-2	—	-120	-31
1983
Quarter 1	-67	-55	-12	-57	-23	+2	+12	—	—	-104	+25
Quarter 2	+42	-31	+73	-32	+60	+1	+11	—	+1	-44	+73
Quarter 3	+131	+41	+90	-12	+71	+50	+19	+3	—	-12	+70
Quarter 4	+153	45	+108	-4	+88	+49	+20	—	—	+12	+72
1984
Quarter 1	+95	+32	+63	-19	+44	+50	+19	+1	—	-20	+45
Quarter 2	+84	+42	+43	-7	+23	+48	+20	—	—	-17	+34
Quarter 3	+79	+34	+44	+16	+34	+18	+10	+2	—	+17	+32
Quarter 4	+134	+51	+82	+35	+72	+17	+10	-1	—	+44	+64
1985
Quarter 1	+60	+4	+57	-13	+47	+17	+10	-1	—	-1	+35
Quarter 2	+59	+23	+36	+7	+26	+17	+10	-1	—	-10	+43
Quarter 3	+50	-5	+55	-23	+42	+17	+13	—	—	-24	+42
Quarter 4	+107	+41	+66	+27	+54	+17	+13	-2	—	+48	+32
* Includes all employees in Northern Ireland, whether full time or part time.

The Labour Force Survey provides information on a different basis but identifies male and female full-time and part-time employees and self employed. The available estimates are presented in the following table.

Labour force survey estimates ¹ of employees and self employed United Kingdom
Thousands
	Males	Females	All persons
1979
Employees²	13,464	9,244	22,708
of which
Full-time³	13,181	5,476	18,657
Part-time³	282	3,768	4,050
Self employed⁴	1,487	339	1,825
Employees and self employed⁵	15,090	9,680	24,770
1981
Employees²	12,483	9,178	21,661
of which
Full-time³	11,895	5,245	17,140
Part-time³	414	3,838	4,252
Self employed⁴	1,788	460	2,248
Employees and self employed⁵	14,427	9,725	24,152
1983
Employees²	11,929	8,937	20,866
of which
Full-time³	11,528	5,112	16,640
Part-time³	374	3,666	4,040
Self employed²	1,818	561	2,378
of which
Full-time³	1,724	284	2,007
Part-time³	87	263	350
Employees and self employed⁵	13,788	9,523	23,311
1984
Employees²	11,778	9,120	20,898
of which
Full-time³	11,334	5,096	16,430
Part-time³	435	4,019	4,454
Self employed²	2,045	650	2,694
of which
Full-time³	1,907	326	2,233
Part-time³	136	323	459
Employees and self employed⁵	13,837	9,780	23,617
1985
Employees²	11,802	9,244	21,047
of which
Full-time³	11,358	5,134	16,493
Part-time³	441	4,108	4,549
Self employed²	2,081	695	2,776
of which
Full-time³	1,950	354	2,304
Part-time³	132	340	472
Employees and self employed⁵	13,884	9,939	23,823
¹ Estimates relate to the spring of each year. Figures for 1984 and 1985 exclude those on Government schemes, whereas earlier years include those on schemes if reported as in employment.
² Includes those who did not state if they were in a full or part-time job.
³ In this table a person is shown as full-time or part-time according to whether he considers his job to be a full or part-time job.
⁴ In 1979 and 1981 the self employed were not asked if they worked full or part-time.
⁵ Includes those who did not state if they were an employee or self employed.

Preliminary results.

Training Schemes

asked the Paymaster General what was the total number of people on youth training schemes and other Manpower Services Commission schemes on 1 April.

I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. However the position on 31 March is shown in the table:

Scheme	Numbers on 31 March
YTS	265,219
Community Programme	199,919
Enterprise Allowance Scheme	54,878
Voluntary Projects Programme	15,094
Community Industry	*6,880
Total	541,990
* Community industry figures are as at 13 March 1986.

Nuclear Inspectors

asked the Paymaster General if he will specify in the light of the shortfall of nuclear inspectors in post against the number of authorised posts, what work is currently being delayed or not done; on the basis of what criteria; and if he will make a statement.

Recent events have inevitably created additional pressures on the inspectorate's already fully stretched resources. However, the inspectorate has so far been able to meet all its essential commitments without compromising its very high standards of safety.In allocating resources, the criterion for determining priorities is the immediate protection of the public and the work force. The highest priority is therefore allocated to matters affecting operating reactors and other installations. The inspectorate has some flexibility in deciding on the extent and depth of its assessment work for new installations, but there will be no relaxation of the inspectorate's requirements; hence there may be some delays to new projects until additional resources are available to balance the increasing demands on the inspectorate.The inspectorate's participation in international discussions is one area which has recently been given lower priority, although, inevitably, essential work will flow from the international reactions to Chernobyl.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the number of inspectors actually in post with the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, together with the number of authorised posts over each of the last five years

The numbers are as follows:

Nuclear installations inspectors in Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
	Number in post	Manpower target agreed by Health and Safety Executive
1 July 1982	98	102
1 July 1983	97	102
1 July 1984	99	102
1 July 1985	101	102
1 July 1986	98	105

In approving the manpower targets shown in the table the Health and Safety Executive made it clear that further resources would be made available if it proved possible to recruit beyond that figure.A recruitment competition is about to start from which it is hoped to recruit up to a maximum of 20 nuclear installations inspectors.

Energy

Oil And Gas Production

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year from 1970 production of oil and natural gas as a percentage of gross domestic product to one place of decimals.

The gross domestic product of the mineral oil and natural gas extraction industry, as s percentge of total GDP at factor cost, was negligible before 1976. The figures for later years are:

Year	Per cent.
1976	0·5
1977	1·6
1978	1·9
1979	3·3
1980	4·4
1981	5·5
1982	5·8
1983	6·3
1984	7·0
1985	*6·2
* Provisional.

Source: Tables 2.1 and 2.2, United Kingdom National Accounts.

Dounreay Reactor (Plutonium)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what use is planned for the plutonium which will be produced by the fast breeder reactor planned for Dounreay.

The United Kingdom is a member of the European collaboration for the development of the fast reactor, which was established by the intergovernmental memorandum of understanding of January 1984. This states that activities taking place as part of the collaboration will be directed to the peaceful development of nuclear energy. The collaboration envisages a sequence of demonstration reactors to be built in the collaborating countries. There is, however, no specific proposal at present to construct a demonstration fast reactor at Dounreay or anywhere else in the United Kingdom.

Ncb (Enterprise) Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progess made by the National Coal Board (Enterprise) Limited.

[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986, c. 391]: NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. was set up on 8 October 1984 with initial funding of £5 million to support and encourage new and expanding industries to create lasting jobs in Britain's traditional coalmining areas. On 28 November 1984 this sum was doubled to £10 million. The company's continued progress resulted in a further doubling of accountable funds to £20 million on 25 July 1985.The company is continuing to make excellent progress and is increasing the scale of its success: up to the end of June the company had committed £12·9 million towards 639 projects to create 8,228 job opportunities. A further £65 million of investment has been attracted from other sources and, in addition, the company will be spending some £3 million on building works for new enterprises and businesses. The Government are determined to ensure that this success will continue.The company, which from 31 July will be known as British Coal (Enterprise) Ltd. aims to double the level of its activities during this financial year. This will result in much more money being needed over the coming months. I am therefore delighted to announce that a further £20 million is being made available, bringing the total funding available to the company to £40 million.

Northern Ireland

Sewerage Scheme (Newtownbreda)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to which company the mechanical subcontract has been awarded in connection with the proposed new sewerage scheme for Newtownbreda; and in which country the company is based.

The contract for the supply and installation of mechanical and electrical plant and equipment at Newtownbreda sewage treatment works was awarded to Mahon and McPhillips (Group) Ltd. a company registered in the Republic of Ireland.

Royal Ulster Constabulary

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many requests to visit (a) Antrim Royal Ulster Constabulary station and (b) police stations in the police division containing Antrim Royal Ulster Constabulary station, were received by the Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable for the morning of Saturday 7 June from (i) hon. Members and (ii) other dignitaries;(2) how many guests of his Department have been right hon. and hon. Members in the years to the end of May 1985 and 1986; and how many of those right hon. and hon. Members have visited

(a) Royal Ulster Constabulary stations and (b) military posts.

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

Scotland

Nhs (Beds)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, for each year since 1978 and for each health board, the total number of beds in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland.

The most recent available information is as follows:

Average available staffed beds at 30 September
Health board	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Scotland	59,026	58,501	58,208	58,028	57,440	57,294	57,216
Argyll and Clyde	4,615	4,599	4,523	4,488	4,472	4,438	4,445
Ayrshire and Arran	2,849	2,837	2,822	2,827	2,794	2,918	3,059
Borders	919	898	897	943	928	928	931
Dumfries and Galloway	1,724	1,676	1,595	1,571	1,548	1,540	1,542
Fife	2,920	2,953	2,913	2,929	2,989	3,026	3,161
Forth Valley	3,640	3,611	3,616	3,583	3,498	3,446	3,436
Grampian	5,385	5,392	5,391	5,393	5,462	5,486	5,595
Greater Glasgow	14,128	14,045	14,084	14,032	13,547	13,355	13,166
Highland	2,483	2,455	2,422	2,427	2,347	2,290	2,277
Lanarkshire	5,599	5,517	5,536	5,538	5,528	5,491	5,404
Lothian	8,553	8,374	8,389	8,397	8,452	8,522	8,451
Orkney	126	119	126	131	131	131	132
Shetland	163	160	159	160	160	160	161
Tayside	5,705	5,648	5,522	5,408	5,377	5,354	5,248
Western Isles	216	216	212	202	207	210	206

Nhs (Acute Services)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cash value of total National Health Service acute services received by a person living in each of the Scottish regional health authorities and in each district authority, respectively.

A breakdown of expenditure between acute and other services is not available. Details of total per capita expenditure by Scottish health boards for 1984–85 were given in a reply of 14 April 1986, at column 262, in response to a question from the right hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Stewart).

Scottish Special Housing Association

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his policy review of the Scottish Special Housing Association; and if he will make a statement.

In accordance with arrangements applying to all non-departmental public bodies, I have now carried out a review of the Scottish Special Housing Association. I am satisfied that it is doing a worthwhile job and that it has an important and continuing contribution to make to the management and provision of public sector housing in Scotland. I have therefore set for it the following main objectives to guide its work over the next five years:

i. to continue to assist authorities to meet local housing needs, primarily by (a) managing its own stock effectively; and (b) contributing towards the provision of special needs accommodation;

ii. to recognise tenants' aspirations for home ownership and, where possible, to give priority to transfer of its assets from the public to the private sector, in order to break up single tenure estates and enhance diversity and choice of tenure;

iii. to promote and demonstrate innovative developments in the management and provision of public sector housing;

iv. to promote tenant involvement in the management of the estates in which they live;

v. to minimise the demands it makes on public housing resources, both capital and revenue;

vi. to offer value for money in all its operations and services.

At the same time, I have been conscious of the need to look at the wider context of overall housing activity in Scotland over which the Government exercise control. There is common ground among the main bodies concerned and there have been changes in housing patterns following the successful pursuit of this Government's housing objectives. I therefore propose that active consideration should be given to the early promotion of a closer working relationship between the SSHA and the Housing Corporation in Scotland. If this proves fruitful, a full merger in the longer term may be a desirable option. A consultation paper will be issued as soon as specific proposals have been developed for consideration.Copies of the policy review report have been placed in the Library of the House.

Transport

Thames Crossing, Dartford

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his choice of promoter to build a third crossing of the Thames at Dartford.

I received submissions from seven private sector groups on 31 May in response to the invitation my predecessor issued on 3 March for proposals for a third crossing at Dartford. Some groups offered schemes with several variants. I am grateful to all those who responded. All the proposals have been considered very carefully and I have decided that the choice lies between four of the schemes submitted by three of the groups. Before making a final choice, I need to undertake discussions with those three promoters to satisfy myself about certain technical and financial aspects of their proposals. They are the Dartford River Crossing Company, which has proposed twin bored tunnels or a bridge, and the Dartford Tunnel Group and the Thames Tunnel Company, both of whom have proposed immersed tube tunnels.I am still considering the public and private financing alternatives which all these promoters have offered. Following the discussions with them, I hope to announce my final decision as soon as possible.

A1 Doncaster

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when work will commence on widening sections of the A1 north of Doncaster.

Work began last month on widening the Clifton to Stannington section in Northumberland. Construction of a new bypass of Wetherby is planned to start in August. Widening of the Bramham to Wetherby and Wetherby to Dishforth sections could begin in the spring of 1989 subject to the completion of statutory procedures. The need for improving the section between Doncaster and Bramham is being examined as part of the east of Leeds study.

Southend Pier

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a vessel crashed into Southend pier on 30 June; and if he will initiate an inquiry into this incident.

A marine surveyor has been appointed under section 728 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 to inquire into the circumstances attending this incident. On completion of his investigation a decision will be taken on further action.

Roads (Manchester-Sheffield)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether in the light of the closure of all the direct routes between the Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire conurbations for several weeks during the severe winter weather early in 1986, he will reconsider his decision on the provision of a high standard all-weather route between Manchester and Sheffield in the trunk road programme.

There is no justification for adding such a route to the trunk road construction programme. Existing roads can, with selective and limited improvements, safely meet the needs of present and predicted traffic.

Widnes Bypass

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work will start on the Widnes eastern bypass scheme.

Consultants were appointed in March: it is too early to give a firm date for construction. Depending on the need for public inquiries, work might start in 1989.

Airedale Route (Shipley Link)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations have been carried out by his Department on the provision of a connection between the Airedale route at Cottingley Bar and the future Shipley eastern bypass.

Consultation is now taking place about improvements to the existing A650 between Cottingley Bar and the line of the proposed Shipley eastern bypass.

Blackburn-M6 Link

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what level of traffic is expected to be on the Blackburn-M6 link (a) at the time of its opening and (b) 15 years after it opened.

The predicted levels of traffic on the Blackburn-M6 link are between 8,000 and 34,000 (vehicles/day) at the time of opening and between 9,000 and 43,000 (vehicles/day) 15 years after opening. The predicted traffic levels are rough estimates and will be reassessed before firm proposals are published, to take account of the latest survey data and of the detailed design of the scheme. The wide ranges quoted are due to significant variations in flow along the route, and the use of high and low growth factors.

M180-A15 (Construction)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the starting date for the construction of the proposed M180-A15 in Humberside.

This is a Humberside county council scheme receiving 100 per cent. grant from central Government. A start could be made late in 1987 subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures.

M6 (Traffic Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of traffic was on the M6 between the Thelwall viaduct and the M55 Preston Northern bypass when last counted; what the level is expected to be by the end of the century; and what plans he has made for widening this motorway or making alternative provision in this corridor.

The last traffic count between Thelwall viaduct and the M55 (Preston Northern bypass) was taken in 1984, and showed an average flow of 52,000 vehicles per day; by the end of the century the level of traffic is expected to have increased by between 15 per cent. and 40 per cent. A scheme to widen the M6 between junctions 20 and 21a, including Thelwall viaduct is included in the national trunk road programme.

Roads (Morecambe-Heysham)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has made for improving road communications between the M6 and the developing industrial areas of Morecambe-Heysham and Heysharn docks.

At the Department's request, Lancashire county council has carried out a study to establish what improvements are necessary to cope with future traffic demands in the area. Its report is under consideration and a decision on it will be announced as soon as possible.

A59 (Improvement)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been carried out by his Department into the provision of an improved A59 between Liverpool and Preston; and what were the dates and results of such studies.

In the late 1960s a study identified three possible improvement schemes on the A59 Liverpool to Preston for inclusion in the national programme. By 1980 it became clear that the traffic figures no longer justified the scheme and they were suspended from the programme. In 1981 a bypass of Burscough and Rufford was reinstated. Consultants were appointed in August 1984 to study trunk roads in the Preston-Ormskirk area. Their report was received earlier this year and is currently under consideration.

Cumbria (Coast Road)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for improving the A595/A596 coast road in Cumbria.

There are six schemes, valued at some £21 million in the national trunk road programme. They are:

Under construction

A595/A596 Thursby bypass

In preparation

A596 Wigton bypass

Miles of new road constructed
Region	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
South East
Motorways	14	15	12	11	9	7	24
Trunk roads	7	14	15	4	4	4	7
Total	21	29	27	15	13	11	31
South West
Motorways	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Trunk roads	3	—	4	1	3	18	9
Total	3	—	4	1	3	18	9
West Midlands
Motorways	5	5	—	—	17	1	15
Trunk roads	—	5	—	—	5	5	10
Total	—	10	—	—	22	6	25
North West
Motorways	—	8	9	7	6	2	8
Trunk roads	5	—	7	6	3	1	3
Total	5	8	16	13	9	3	11
Northern
Motorways	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Trunk roads	—	—	3	8	14	2	10
Total	—	—	3	8	14	2	10
Yorkshire and Humberside
Motorways	9	—	—	—	—	—	—
Trunk roads	3	1	6	6	14	5	6
Total	12	1	6	6	14	5	6
East Midlands
Motorways	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Trunk roads	2	1	2	4	2	3	13
Total	2	1	2	4	2	3	13
Eastern
Motorways	18	14	—	2	21	8	10
Trunk roads	16	19	21	27	1	10	14
Total	34	33	21	29	22	18	24
Greater London
Motorways	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Trunk roads	1	—	1	—	—	4	—

A596/A66 Workington bypasses
A595 Howgate-Hayes Castle Improvement
A595 Hensingham bypass
A595 Egremont bypass

In addition, the Department continually monitors conditions on these trunk roads and introduces smaller improvements when justified on safety and economic grounds. As part of this monitoring we are currently investigating the A595 between Ironbridge and Yeorton Brow, south of Egremont.

Road Construction

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total mileage of new motorways and other trunk roads opened in the northern, northwestern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions in each of the years since 1979; and what were the comparable figures for the other English regions.

The information requested is set out below.

Region	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Total	1	—	1	—	—	4	—
All Regions
Motorways	41	42	21	20	53	18	57
Trunk roads	37	39	59	56	46	52	72
Total	78	82	80	76	99	70	129

Note:

The regions shown are those areas covered by the Department of Transport's nine regional offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which outstanding trunk road schemes in the Northern, North Western and Yorkshire and Humberside regions may now be built as dual carriageways rather than single carriageways following the publication of the revised rules in standard TD20/85 on 28 April.

No changes in the standard of trunk road schemes are proposed in the northern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions. In the north-west region, a section of the proposed Macclesfield relief road is to be upgraded from single to dual carriageway.

Roads (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total mileage of motorway and of dual carriageways in the northern, north-western and Yorkshire and Humberside regions.

The total mileage of motorway and dual carriageways by standard region as at 1 April 1985, was:

	Motorway	Dual Carriageways
Northern	95·8	283·5
North Western	292·4	296·3
Yorkshire and Humberside	195·4	284·9

Highway Schemes (Cost)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give an up-to-date estimate of the cost of outstanding highway schemes in the northern, northwestern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions.

The latest estimated works costs of national road schemes outstanding in the northern, north-west and Yorkshire and Humberside regions are given below:

	£ Million
Northern	80
North-West	470
Yorkshire and Humberside	200

These figures exclude the costs of scheme preparation, land acquisition and other miscellaneous items which add between 20 per cent. and 25 per cent. to the costs of a national road scheme.

Wigan, Westhoughton And Hindley Bypass

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now publish the anticipated timescale for decisions and action relating to the construction of the Wigan, Westhoughton and Hindley bypass.

We hope to appoint consultants for this later this month. A detailed programme will be drawn up after the appointment. Construction is programmed to start after April 1989.

Dearne Towns Link

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to build the Dearne towns link as a trunk road.

There are no plans to do so. We consider carefully proposals for changes to the trunk road network put by the local highway authorities.

Roads (Bradford)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total sum spent on the repair and maintenance of roads in the Bradford metropolitan district council area in 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86, giving the figures in actual prices and in terms of 1979–80 prices.

Returns of actual expenditure on highway maintenance are submitted by individual highway authorities to the Department in relation to their area as a whole. Prior to April 1986 the highway authority for Bradford was West Yorkshire Metropolitan county council. I am afraid therefore I have no details of maintenance expenditure within Bradford for this period.

Orange Badge Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to the problems of people with severe upper limb disabilities, including thalidomide victims, in his review of the orange badge scheme; when he expects to issue his discussion paper; and if he will make a statement.

The problems faced by those with severe upper limb disabilities will be carefully considered in the review. The discussion paper will be issued shortly, when we have the information we are still awaiting from some authorities.

Roads (Maintenance)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total sum spent on the repair and maintenance of roads nationally, for the years 1979–80 to 1985–86, inclusive, in actual prices and in real terms.

[pursuant to the reply, 7 July, 1986, c. 1]: The following reply should be substituted for that given:

The total sums spent on the repair and maintenance of all roads and bridges in England, including motorways and trunk roads, for the years 1979–80 to 1985–86 were as follows:

	Cash	Real
	(£ million)	(£ million)
*1979–80	715	715
1980–81	786	648
1981–82	972	722
1982–83	1,052	722
1983–84	1,068	697
1984–85	1,145	710
†1985–86	1,237	711
*1979–80 prices calculated from the Department's highway maintenance price index.
† Estimated.

Okehampton Bypass

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Dartmoor national park authority over the permanent siting of spoil heaps, arising from the construction of the proposed Okehampton bypass, within the boundaries of the national park.

[pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1986, c. 595]: The Department's agent for the highway works, Devon county council, has had discussions with the Dartmoor national park authority at officer level on the advice to be given to tenderers about the need for them to obtain planning permission for any use of land within the national park for the disposal of surplus material arising from the construction of the bypass.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

South Africa

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current policy on the present situation in South Africa.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister confirmed in the House on 17 June, our objectives remain an end to apartheid, a solution to the South African problem by negotiation and a suspension of violence on all sides. We shall continue with our partners to do what we can to help achieve these goals.

Intergovernmental Agreements

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the practice at meetings of representatives of European Community member states meeting on the occasion of Council meetings but not as members of the Council to give their assent to intergovernmental agreements not by formal signature but by their acceptance of the undertaking during such meetings.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has referred the hon. Member to previous instances where this practice has been followed.—[Official Report, 12 June 1986, c. 287.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what way the text of the 1984 intergovernmental agreement was recorded; and in what languages.

I have nothing to add to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member on 12 June at column 287.

Verbal Agreements

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there is any precedent for a verbal agreement accepted informally by representatives of EC member states without an agreed text being described as a treaty.

On the assumption that the hon. Member is referring to the 1984 intergovernmental agreement, the draft text for adoption was before the representatives of the member states meeting within the Council in a written form and the text as adopted appears in written form in the Council minutes. Agreement to that text was expressed orally. Article 11 of the Vienna convention on the law of treaties provides that the consent of a state to be bound by a treaty

"may be expressed by signature, exchange of instruments constituting a Treaty, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or by any other means if so agreed".

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has previously referred the hon. Member to precedents, on 12 June 1986 at column

287.

Ghana

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Ghana.

We enjoy good relations with the Republic of Ghana, a senior and respected member of the Commonwealth, though our two countries do not necessarily agree on every issue.Trade between the United Kingdom and Ghana increased by almost 50 per cent. in 1985 and our pledged programme aid doubled to £14 million.

Council Of Ministers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has of the additional cost arising for Her Majesty's Government as a result of the current United Kingdom Presidency of the Council of Ministers; and what estimates he has of the number of ministerial meetings arising.

Additional costs on the FCO vote are likely to amount to just under £2 million. There are likely to be 10 ministerial meetings held in the United Kingdom during our Presidency.

National Finance

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will provide figures for the weekly earnings after income tax, national insurance contributions and child benefit at (a) actual prices and (b) constant April 1985 prices of (i) a single man, (ii) a married man, (iii) a married man with two children under 11 years, (iv) a married man with four children, two under 11 years, one 11 to 15 years, and one over 16 years, whose gross weekly earnings are at (v) the lowest decile, (w) the lower quartile, (x) the median, (y) the upper quartile and (z) the highest decile for April 1979 under the June 1979 tax-benefit regime and April 1985.

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

Lead-Free Petrol

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with oil companies about his proposals for tax concessions on lead-free petrol.

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

Education And Science

Further And Higher Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate for 1985 on further and higher education.

69.

71.

77.

None.

Health Education

14.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has plans to publish more detailed guidance to schools on health education.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate published last week a discussion document on "Health Education from 5 to 16", offering professional guidance in the health education field. My right hon. Friend intends shortly to issue a draft circular on the particular issues associated with the provision of sex education in schools. He has no present plans to publish other more detailed guidance on health education.

78.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on health education in schools.

My right hon. Friend receives a considerable amount of correspondence about all aspects of health education provision, including sex education, education about smoking and health, teaching intended to combat drug and alcohol misuse, and healthy eating. The Government have made clear tha they regard health education as an essential element in the school curriculum.

Local Authority Expenditure

15.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has had to his offer to discuss the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on the effects of local authority expenditure policies on education provision in England with local authority elected members.

Local authority elected members have welcomed my right hon. Friend's offer of discussions on this topic.

26.

27.

34.

I refer hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Weetch).

Schools (Hmi Report)

16.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

56.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

76.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

The Department has no record of any representations from local education authorities about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on "The Effects of Local Authority Expenditure Policies on Education Provision in England—1985". My right hon. Friend has invited the Local Authority Associations to discuss the report at a future date.

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from teachers' unions about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

43.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from teachers' unions about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

44.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from teachers' unions about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

61.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from teachers' unions about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on schools (1985).

The Department has no record of any representations to my right hon. Friend from the teachers' unions about the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate on "The Effects of Local Authority Expenditure Policies on Education Provision in England—1985.

66.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate (1985) on the level of maintenance of school buildings.

70.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate (1985) on the level of maintenance of school buildings.

72.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate (1985) on the level of maintenance of school buildings.

The Department regularly receives letters from members of the public about the maintenance of school buildings but there have been no major representations on this issue since the publication of the Report by Her Majesty's Inspectors on "The Effects of Local Authority Expenditure Policies on Education Provision in England 1985".

Teaching Materials

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to deal with the problem of shortages of teaching materials in schools.

In successive rate support grant settlements the Government have made provision for local authorities to increase their spending on items such as books, equipment and materials, provided they can make savings through increased efficiency and contain costs generally. We are also making extra resources available to enable authorities to provide additional books and equipment for GCSE courses.

Polytechnics

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further representations he has received about the recommendations of the National Advisory Body.

In my reply of 10 June to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) I said that since the secretariat of the National Advisory Body wrote to institutions on 4 April with proposals for student numbers in 1987–88, about 470 representations had been received. Since then a further 250 representations have been received.

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in the past month from directors of polytechnics about the National Advisory Body's planning exercise for 1987–88.

39.

55.

74.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in the past month from the directors of polytechnics about the National Advisory Body's planning exercise for 1987–88.

I refer the hon. Members to the Answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) and Knowsley, North (Mr. Kilroy-Silk).

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will indicate the number of students at polytechnics, the proportion of school leavers gaining places and how this compares with previous years.

The figures for English polytechnics and English school leavers are as follows:

	Academic Year
	1979–80	1983–84	1984–85	*1985–86
Number of full-time and part-time students (thousands)	175·2	215·8	220·3	228·2

	Academic Year
	1979–80	1983–84	1984–85	*1985–86
Percentage of school leavers whose intended destination was a full-time course at a Polytechnic starting in the year shown	2·1	2·7	2·9	2·8
* Provisional.

School Syllabuses

19.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the scope of syllabuses are being sufficiently protected by education authorities in responding to falling school rolls.

My right hon. Friend is well aware that falling pupil numbers may make it difficult for schools to offer a broad curriculum, matched to the abilities of their pupils, without incurring disproportionate costs. This is why he urges local authorities and the governors of voluntary schools, on educational as much as on financial grounds, to rationalise provision so as to maintain schools of sufficient size. The Government published their proposals on school size in "Better Schools" for consultation with the partners, and my right hon. Friend intends to issue further guidance shortly.

School Libraries

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the level of purchasing of new books in school libraries.

65.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the level of purchasing on new books in school libraries.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the level of purchasing of new books in school libraries.

A survey which Her Majesty's Inspectorate conducted in 1984 of school libraries in six local education authority areas revealed a wide diversity of provision between authorities and within the same authority. The Government recognise the importance of school libraries and look to local education authorities and schools to explore ways in which the resources available can be most effectively deployed.

Graduates (Industrial Employers)

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to seek to remedy the shortfall in graduates for industrial employers.

My right hon. Friend has already responded to industry's strongly expressed concern about areas of skill shortages through a range of measures aimed at increasing significantly the numbers of relevant graduate places by the end of the decade.

Huddersfield Polytechnic

22.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to visit Huddersfield polytechnic.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

School Attendances

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on school attendances.

Unjustified absence is a serious problem in a minority of schools. In the Government's view there is scope for the education welfare services to focus their efforts more sharply on such absence, and to take early, preventive action before irregular attendance becomes habitual. On 10 February the Department issued a circular "School attendance and education welfare services", to local education authorities. It contained a number of recommendations about the functions and organisation of the services, commented on their implications for the training of education welfare officers, and asked authorities to inform the Secretary of State by 31 May how far their existing and planned policies corresponded to those recommendations. Early in 1987 we will ask for more detailed information about authorities' arrangements for implementing the recommendations in the circular.

Schools (Finance)

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to seek powers to regulate the method of distributing finance between schools.

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he plans to change the method of funding of secondary schools.

No.

Sex Education

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has plans to meet representatives of Family and Youth Concern to discuss sex education in schools.

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to meet representatives of Family and Youth Concern and has received no request for such a meeting.

Birkbeck College

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the future of Birbeck college.

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the future of Birbeck college.

My right hon. Friend has received over 400 representations about the funding of Birkbeck college. The University Grants Committee is currently reviewing the basis on which it allocated resources in respect of part-time students at Birkbeck college.

Russian Language

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to promote the teaching of Russian as a foreign language in schools and colleges.

My right hon. Friend published last month a draft statement of policy on foreign languages in the school curriculum which made clear his view that, within available resources, more pupils should have an opportunity to study Russian at school, in particular as a first foreign language. The draft statement is now the subject of consultation. In higher education, student numbers reflect demand: the Government are concerned to ensure that this demand is met in thriving and viable departments.

School Reorganisation Plans

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the shortest and what was the longest period in which he replied with his formal decision on school reorganisation proposals for local education authorities since 1983.

The shortest period between publication of school reorganisation proposals and a final decision by the Secretary of State since 1983 was 2·3 months and the longest period was 23·2 months. In both cases this includes the two-month period during which statutory objections can be made and the further month allowed before a local education authority must submit these objections and their comments to the Secretary of State.

Scottish Universities (Grants)

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Scottish universities about the latest round of grant allocation.

My right hon. Friend has received a letter from the Principal of Edinburgh university, and I heard representations at first hand when I visited Aberdeen university on 2 June. We have also received about two dozen representations on the 1986–87 grant allocations for Scottish universities from hon. Members, university staff and students.

General Certificate Of Secondary Education

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on progress on introducing the GCSE.

The Government have devoted £10 million to a training programme for the GCSE which is the most ambitious ever mounted. Schools will be able to close for two days this term to complete the training programme. Together, the LEAs and Government are directing £60 million this year to books and equipment for the new exams. The Government will be making available a further £20 million over the next two years. Almost all syllabuses are now approved and most of them are in schools. I welcome the fact that all the teachers' associations are now co-operating in preparation for the GCSE.

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has received to the steps he recently announced to help teachers prepare for the GCSE.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received concerning the funding available for the introduction of the GCSE.

Since my right hon. Friend's announcement of 10 June of increased support for books and equipment to the GCSE, both the NUT and the NAS/UWT have advised their members to co-operate with the preparations for the introduction of the GCSE. The Department has received a general welcome for this announcement, including an official response from the Professional Association of Teachers.

58.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many syllabuses have now been approved for the GCSE.

The Secondary Examinations Council has now approved 281 GCSE syllabuses which virtually completes the programme for the approval of syllabuses. The examining groups have already circulated most of the approved versions and they will distribute the remainder as soon as possible.

67.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Norfolk county council about preparations for the GCSE.

The Department has received no recent representations from Norfolk county council about preparations for the GCSE. However, my right hon. Friend will be meeting a deputation from Norfolk county council in the middle of July.

75.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received from local education authorities about the implementation of the new GCSE programme.

Since the beginning of June the Department has received six letters from local education authorities about the arrangements for the introduction of the GCSE. The authorities concerned are: Avon; Buckinghamshire; Devon; Kingston; North Yorkshire; and Shropshire.I also met a deputation from Bradford on 27 June to discuss GCSE issues. The main issues raised concerned the provision of resources and the training programme.

Design Courses

40.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the number of students studying on design courses.

The Government attach great importance to design. Between 1979 and 1984 the number of full time equivalent home and EC students on advanced courses in design in the public sector, which accounts for the majority of such courses increased by some 70 per cent. from a little over 8,000 to around 14,000.

Teachers (Dispute)

41.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to end disruption in schools still being caused by teachers in dispute.

In accepting a 1986–87 pay offer on 9 May, all six school teacher unions gave an assurance that there would be a return to peace and calm in schools immediately. Pupils should now be receiving a normal, uninterrupted service and I trust that local education authorities, as employers, are ensuring that teachers are carrying out their contractual obligations.

Technological Skills

42.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further steps he will take to overcome the deficiencies in technological skills of those engaged in British industry.

My right hon. Friend is maintaining the PICKUP programme which is encouraging and supporting universities and colleges to develop more and better training for adults in employment and the Department is playing its part in the Government's adult training campaign to bring home to employers the importance of investing in the training of their employees. In addition,

Financial year	Recurrent grant (£ million)		Recurrent grant in 1985–86 real terms (£ million)		Recurrent grant indexed in real terms: 1971–72 = 100		Student numbers in academic (calendar) years
1971–72	6·63		30·92		100·0		19,581
1972–73	7·90		34·14		110·4		31,902
1973–74	9·78		39·43		127·5		28,424
1974–75	13·86		46·83		151·5		42,636
1975–76	16·38		44·03		142·4		49,358
1976–77	23·57		55·99		181·0		51,035
1977–78	24·15		50·37		162·9		55,127
1978–79	29·96		56·49		182·7		58,788
1979–80	36·71		59·22		191·5		60,963
1980–81	47·13		64·02		207·1		61,446
1981–82	51·27		63·32		204·8		60,550
1982–83	54·21	(55·21)*	62·57	(63·73)	202·4	(206·1)	64,422
1983–84	55–72	(56·42)*	61·55	(62·33)	199·0	(201·6)	66,403
1984–85	58·25	(59·05)*	61·75	(62·60)	199·7	(202·5)	66,763
1985–86	60·93		60·93		197·1		67,433
* Figures in brackets arc based on the inclusion of £1 million, £0·7 million and £0·8 million in 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 respectively, to enable the Open University to develop its professional, industrial and commercial updating (PICKUP) activities. These sums were originally made available as loans but were converted to grant with effect from the financial year 1986–87. The university's PICKUP activities are part of its non-degree continuing education programme.

Glasgow And Strathclyde Universities

49.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to visit Glasgow university and Strathclyde university.

My right hon. Friend does not at present have plans to visit Glasgow university or Strathclyde university.

Higher Education

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he proposes to have any early discussions with university authorities concerning the future development of higher education.

My right hon. Friend and I met representatives of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals on 26 June and discussed a number of issues including the future funding of universities.

my right hon. Friend is reforming teacher training to promote the teachings of technology and of its economic importance.

Open University

48.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the level of supply and demand for places with the Open University in the forthcoming academic year.

The university predicts that it will receive about 58,500 applications for the 1987 academic year. It expects to make some 35,400 offers in order to fill the 22,000 places available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the value of the Government grant to the Open University for each year since 1971–72 in cash terms, constant 1985–86 prices and indexed using 1971–72 as a base, including and excluding Government loans to the institution; and what was and is the number of undergraduates studying at the institution on degree courses for each year.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will set out the number of students in (a) universities and (b) public sector institutions who are taking mixed honours degrees composed of more than one subject and indicate the proportions which these represent of the total number of undergraduates in each case;(2) how many students in

(a) universities and (b) public sector institutions are following courses of study based on single subjects and mixed subjects, respectively; and what were the equivalent figures in each year from 1970 to the latest available date.

The required information for further education and public sector higher education could be extracted only at disproportionate cost. Equivalent information for universities not currently collected. The number of students on modular first degree courses in public sector institutions in England, in 1984, was 6,400 which represented 3·6 per cent. of all first degree students in the public sector. The revised subject classification introduced for the collection of 1985 university statistics will in future enable students studying combinations of subjects to be identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students in (a) universities and (b) public sector institutions are following courses of study as undergraduates of two years, three years and more than

Full-time and sandwich new entrants
thousands
	Academic year beginning
	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Universities (GB)
Undergraduate
2 year*	0·5	0·6	0·7	0·7	0·6	0·6
3 year	80·7	62·1	59·8	56·4	53· 5	54·5
4 or more years	80·7	18·5	18·3	19·0	19·6	20· 1
Public sector (England)
First degree only
2 year†	0·1	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·2
3 year	26·2	27·9	32·7	33·3	32·2	31·5
4 or more years	12·9	13·3	16·5	18·8	19·0	19·8
* Mainly diploma students.
† These are likely to be entrants who have been granted exemption from the 1st year(s) of the course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the young mature entry index for higher education in each year since 1974.

The available figures for the young mature entry index, which is defined as the number of home full-time and sandwich initial entrants aged 21 to 24 expressed as a percentage of the numbers of "potential entrants" in the age group, are shown in the following table. In this context "potential entrants" means those with one or more A-levels or Scottish equivalent who did not enter higher education at younger ages.

Young mature entry indices to higher education in Great Britain
	Academic year beginning
	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	*1985
Men	10·8	10·8	10·5	10·4	10·8	11·5
Women	4·9	4·8	4·5	4·3	4·6	4·9
* Provisional.