asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is (a) the value of exports of Taiwanese goods during the last complete year and (b) the value of imports from that country.

According to Taiwan statistics their total exports in 1985 amounted to United States $31·4 billion of which United States $0·7 billion went to the United Kingdom.In the same year, the United Kingdom recorded imports of £583 million (United States $755 million) from Taiwan.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy that goods bearing a United Kingdom name or mark must continue to be marked with their country of origin.

For the reasons set out in my reply of 1 December 1986 at columns 434–35 to my hon. Friend, the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor), it is not possible to maintain the present requirements of the Trade Descriptions Act 1972. It does, however, remain the Government's policy that consumers should be protected against being misled about the origin of goods and my Department is currently consulting interested parties on the scope for supplementing the protection afforded by the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the level of manufacturing investment in each year since 1979 expressed as a percentage of the 1979 level.

The information requested is:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the level of manufacturing output in each year since 1979 expressed as a percentage of the 1979 level.

The information requested is given in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms in Dundee have gone into sequestration since 1979.

From 1979 to 1986 inclusive there were 42 sequestrations in Dundee. The figure covers all individuals and partnerships. A separate figure in respect of firms is not available. Included are cases relating to persons with businesses in Dundee but living outside.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the amount of the net borrowings of Rolls-Royce plc at 31 December 1986 which the Government intend to subscribe in new ordinary shares as indicated in his answer to the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye (Mr. Warren) on 18 December 1986, Official Report, columns 607–8.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, pursuant to his answer of 18 December, Official Report, column 608, he will give the net borrowings of Rolls-Royce as at 31 December 1986.

The figure concerned will not be available until the company's results have been audited and then approved by the directors. This is unlikely to be before the middle of March.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he now anticipates the draft regulations concerning the safety of domestic electrical plugs and sockets will come into effect; and if he will make a statement.

The House may recall that in response to a similar question in July of last year from the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge (Mr. Clelland) I said that we intended to submit the draft plug and socket regulations to Parliament during the early part of this Session. This is still our intention. However, following further consultation with the electrical industry, it has been agreed that there is a need to allow a longer period for implementation of certain provisions than I then indicated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Office of Fair Trading last investigated petrol prices; and when it next intends to do so.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1987, c. 259]: The Director General of Fair Trading continues to monitor the petrol market following the 1965 and 1979 Monopolies and Mergers Commission monopoly reports on the supply of petrol.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations have been conducted into multiple applications for shares during the public sale of nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Investigations into suspected multiple applications are made by the receiving banks appointed to process applications in Government share sales and, in certain large sales, by specially appointed firms of auditors. Where appropriate, suspected cases are referred by the Department responsible for the sale to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.There have been 10 successful prosecutions for multiple applications regarding the British Telecom sale. As far as the British Gas sale is concerned, Touche Ross have submitted an interim report on suspected multiple applications to the Department of Energy; investigations also involving the DPP and the Fraud Squad are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects on the competitive structure of the ports industry of the national dock labour scheme.

Ports to which the dock labour scheme applies suffer the disadvantages of its rigidities and cost, and some of them have had a poor industrial relations record. The growth in recent years of ports outside the scheme must in part reflect these factors. However, it would be very difficult to assess the effect of the scheme, as opposed to other relevant factors, on the comparative competitiveness of our ports.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to provide for departmental powers to control the design and manufacture of remould tyres.

My right hon. Friend already has powers to lay down safety requirements for vehicle components before they are put on the market. Under the Motor Vehicle Tyres(Safety) Regulations, 1984, retreaded tyres must be manufactured so as to meet British Standard BS Au 144b.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he is proposing to hold with local authorities and other interested parties about the possibility of closing the Severn bridge for repairs and maintenance at certain times during the summer months; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to close the bridge for repairs and maintenance during the summer months. Closures of one or both carriageways may be necessary on a few occasions during the major strengthening works, but these are planned for the winter at night times over weekends. The strengthening contract will stipulate strict conditions about lane closures and none will be permited at peak times.The traffic management strategy during the above works has been discussed in principle by the Severn crossing consultative committee and in detail by the traffic management liaison committee, on both of which local highway and police authorities, users organisations and the industry are represented at official level. These committees will continue to meet regularly to discuss future developments.In the event of unexpected delays due to planned works, or to unplanned incidents such as high winds and accidents, a strategy for the diversion of traffic on the English side has also been agreed with the police and the local authorities. This strategy will be implemented before the main strengthening work starts. Similar arrangements already operate on the Welsh side of the crossing.Advance notice and publicity will be given to all planned traffic restrictions, and up-to-date information will be made available to motorists at all times.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the refund of vehicle excise duty when proof exists that a vehicle was incapable of being used but where the licence disc is not available; and if he will make a statement.

No. Legislation is not required, since present statutory and administrative arrangements already provide for refunds of vehicle excise duty to be considered where the licence disc is not available. Whether or not the vehicle is capable of use is not normally a consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what medical evidence has now emerged to indicate a correlation between smoking while driving and an increased accident rate.

None that I am aware of. Our advice remains that if drivers must smoke they should only do so if they can be sure that their ability to concentrate will not at any time be affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department will be replying to the letter sent by the clerk to the Greater Manchester passenger transport authority on 24 December last, under the heading "Precept Limitation—Total Expenditure"; what action he is taking; if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

I have placed copies of the correspondence in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used in the selection of the Modbury to Bigbury road as a core census site.

:The Modbury to Bigbury road site was selected (along with six others) at random from all points on class B built-up roads in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport for how long each day, for how many days in each month, and for how many years, a census site will be maintained on the Modbury to Bigbury road; how much of the traffic so counted is estimated to be travelling by road beyond Bigbury; and if he will make a statement.

The traffic census on the Modbury to Bigbury road is taken for three 16-hour periods each month. Vehicles are not stopped, nor do interviews take place. Manual traffic counts will continue until the Department is able to install suitable automatic traffic counting and classifying equipment. Development of such equipment is in hand and undergoing trials. It is not possible to estimate from traffic counts alone the proportion of traffic using the road beyond Bigbury.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the rate of inflation of current Government policies on public passenger transport.

The Government's policies on public passenger transport are aimed at greater efficiency, cost effectiveness and increased competition. They will therefore generally lead to lower costs than would otherwise be the case, to the benefit of passengers, ratepayers or taxpayers, or a combination of these.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all those road schemes, for which he has issued contracts, but which are either incomplete, or have not begun, showing the cost of each scheme.

[pursuant to the reply, 10 December 1986, c. 153–4]:I regret that certain errors were contained in that answer. The list should be corrected as follows:

asked the Prime Minister when she next proposes to meet representatives of pensioner organisations.

I am meeting a delegation from the eighth national pensioners convention on 5 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the question of the anticipated expenditure of the European Economic Community in 1987 in comparison with its legal limits of expenditure; and if she will make a statement.

We shall make clear in every appropriate forum that the Community should contain its expenditure within the legal limits.

asked the Prime Minister if she will refer to the Security Commission the matter of the documents relating to national security allegedly bequeathed by the late Anthony Blunt to his brother and held in an institution in London.

I have nothing to add to my statement on Mr. Blunt of 21 November 1979, columns 402–10.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 January.

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.

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish a table showing forecast spending, at 1986 prices, on regional development grants in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales in each year from now until 1989–90; and if she will publish the figures for spending on regional development grants, at 1986 prices, for each year from 1979–80 for England, Scotland and Wales.

[pursuant to her reply, 19 January 1987]: The future provision for expenditure on regional development grants incorporated in the Public Expenditure White Paper, adjusted to 1986 prices¹, is as follows:

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the numerous changes in ministerial telephone numbers were not notified to those responsible for producing the House of Commons telephone directory, so that a new directory could he issued before the changes were made; what Government Department is responsible for such matters; if he will estimate how many man hours have been wasted as a result of this information not being available in a convenient form; and when a directory with the new numbers is now likely to be available.

Each Government Department is responsible for its own arrangements to notify callers when ministerial telephone numbers are changed. The December 1986 issue of the Palace of Westminster telephone directory was submitted for printing in early November at which time no information on the future changes of some ministerial numbers was available.It is not possible to state how many man-hours have been wasted on account of the lack of information on revised telephone numbers. The Palace of Westminster operators now have an updated list of ministerial telephone numbers shown in the Palace directory and hon. Members may obtain this information by dialling 100. Amended Palace of Westminster directories are produced three times a year; the next issue will be made in April 1987.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the early payment of non-value added tax own resources to the European Communities in January.

In accordance with article 10(2) of Council Regulation 2891/77, the Commission has requested member states to advance from February the payment of own resources other than VAT in respect of agricultural, sugar and isoglucose levies and customs duties collected by the Government on its behalf.The Government will accordingly make an advance payment today of some £138 million, in accorance with the European Court of Justice's ruling on 18 December that these requests impose an obligation on member states to comply with them. As I informed the House on 19 December at column 746, the payment will be made from the Consolidated Fund under the terms of section 2(3) of the European Communities Act, 1972. The payment of levies and duties on 20 February will be reduced by the amount of the advance. There will, therefore, be no net addition to forecast public expenditure for 1986–87.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means he proposes to inform the House of a payment of own resources made in advance at the demand of the European Commission, following the decision of the European Court of Justice in case 93/85; and whether the House will be given the opportunity of expressing an opinion on the circumstances which have given rise to the need for the advancing of payments before the transfer is made.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 January 1987]: The Government propose to inform the House by means of a parliamentary answer whenever advance payments of levies and duties are made. It will not normally, I fear, be practicable to arrange for the House to debate the surrounding circumstances before such advances are made since requests are usually made at short notice. They arise from temporary cash flow problems and do not involve any increase in public expenditure. Nevertheless, the House will continue to have the opportunity to discuss advance payments and the general financial position in the context of the Government's regular reports and statements to Parliament on Community budgetary matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since the decision of the European Court of Justice in case 93/85 is contrary to the Government's contention that advance payments of own resources to the European Commission require specific parliamentary approval, the United Kingdom intends to propose in the Council of Ministers the amendment or annulment of articles 10 and 11 of Council Regulation 1891/77, so far as they involve an absolute liability to make such payments and impose a penalty for late compliance.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 January 1987]: The Government have no plans to make such a proposal. There would, in any case, be no prospect of obtaining agreement to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he had made of the extent to which current cash flow problems of the Community are likely to give rise to demands for advance payments of own resources in the present European Community budgetary year.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 January 1987]: It is the Government's view that the European Commission's cash flow difficulties are such that it may be required to request advance payments of non-VAT own resources from member states for at least the first quarter of 1987. We have recently received such a request for the advance of February's payment to January. Our assessment is reflected in the public expenditure plans, published in the public expenditure White Paper (Cm 56-II, section 3.3, net payments to European Community Institutions, pages 68–71) on 14 January, in which it is assumed that some £130 million will be drawn forward from 1987–88 to 1986–87.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will summarise in the Official Report what steps he has taken to facilitate the giving of corporate and personal donations to support the arts.

Since 1979 the Government have made very substantial improvements to the tax reliefs for corporate and personal donations to charities, including arts charities. These are as follows:

1980 Budget

Reduction of minimum period for charitable covenants for tax relief from seven to four years.

Introduction of higher rate income tax relief for charitable covenants, originally with £3,000 limit.

1982 Budget

Exemption from stamp duty on charitable covenants and on conveyances and transfers of property of all kinds to a charity.

1983 Budget

Removal of limit for CTT exemption for gifts to charities within one year of death.

Introduction of tax relief for an employee's salary costs met by a company during period of secondment to charity.

Limit on higher rate income tax relief for charitable covenants increased to £5,000.

1984 Budget

Tax relief for an employee's salary costs met by an unincorporated employer during period of secondment to charity.

1985 Budget

Limit on higher rate income tax relief for charitable covenants increased to £10,000.

1986 Budget

Limit on higher rate relief for charitable covenants abolished.

Income tax relief introduced from April 1987 for charitable donations made by direct deductions from wages and salaries under approved payroll giving schemes.

Corporation tax relief introduced for single donations by companies (other than close companies) to charities, up to a maximum of 3 per cent. of dividends paid by company in relevant accounting year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the items of baby equipment upon which value added tax is imposed; and what is the percentage value added tax applied in each case.

All items of baby equipment, other than clothing and footwear, are liable to value added tax at the standard rate (15 per cent).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether French customs and excise officials will undertake on-train customs inspection for (a) passengers and (b) freight using the Channel fixed link; and whether they will travel further than Ashford.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing tax and national insurance contributions less child benefit, where appropriate, for 1986–87, and comparable figures for 1985–86 and 1978–79, with the multiples of average earnings as half, two-thirds, one, five and 10 times for (a) a married couple, with part-time working spouse, (b) a married couple plus two children, with part-time working spouse and (c) a single person;(2) if he will detail the proportinons of pre- and post-tax increases paid to the top 1 per cent., 2 per cent., 3 per cent., 4 per cent., 5 per cent., 10 per cent., 20 per cent., 30 per cent., 50 per cent., and 75 per cent. of taxpayers in 1978–79 and the latest available year; and what this represents in money terms.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the most up to date figures for the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Commission budget in each year from 1975 (a) at current prices and (b) at 1986 prices.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1987]: The figures requested are set out in the table herewith.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many existing homes and homes under construction within the area of the London docklands are (a) in or intended for owner-occupation, (b) held by local authorities for letting, (c) held by housing associations for letting, (d) held privately for letting and (e) held for shared ownership schemes.

The information requested is given in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current estimated population of the London docklands.

The estimated population of the London docklands urban development area at 31 March 1986 was about 42,800.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report for each local authority in England (i) the number of unfit dwellings, (ii) the number of dwellings fit but lacking basic amenities, (iii) the number of non sub-standard dwellings in need of renovation, (iv) the number of difficult to let dwellings, and (v) the total number of dwellings as indicated in form HIP1 submitted with their housing investment programme bid for 1987–88.

The information, which relates to April 1986, is listed in the "HIP1 (1986) all items print" which is available in the Library. The numbers reported are not necessarily comparable as authorities' criteria may differ.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many officials for whom he has responsibility currently have the power to enter and search premises, subject to statutory conditions; and, in each case, if he will indicate the statutory authority under which power is exercised.

I may authorise persons to enter and in some cases inspect, but not search, premises under section 6(9) and section 7(6) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, under section 1(10) and section 7(3) of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 as amended by the Wildlife and Countryside Act and under Regulations 4(3) and 5(2) of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985 (SI No. 1155). There are 105 wildlife inspectors who work on a casual, fee-paid, basis and are authorised under these powers.Her Majesty's radiochemical inspectors has powers under section 12 of the Radio-active Substances Act 1960 to enter premises to carry out inspections. There are 17 radiochemical inspectors.Sections 280 and 281 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 enable the Secretary of State to authorise persons to enter land for survey or inspection. Planning inspectors are thus authorised, but in practice when site visits are required they are always arranged with the parties concerned. There are 175 full-time salaried planning inspectors and 126 fee-paid inspectors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the operation of the powers bestowed on the Nature Conservancy Council in relation to the establishment of sites of special scientific interest.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide for appeal machinery following designations of sites of special scientific interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

This proposal was considered and rejected during the passage of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and subsequently by the Environment Committee of this House (first report, Session 1984–85). I am satisfied that existing procedures are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in view of the recent establishment by the Nature Conservancy Council of sites of special scientific interest on reservoirs in the east Midlands such as Pitsford and Rutland water, restricting or curtailing access by anglers, he will seek an assurance from the Nature Conservancy Council that no further sites of special scientific interest will be created in the area;(2) before establishing new sites of special scientific interest on reservoirs and other water areas where fishing is enjoyed, what consideration the Nature Conservancy Council gives to the general availability of such fishing in the area.

The Nature Conservancy Council has a statutory duty to notify areas which, in its opinion, are of special interest by reason of any of their flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. Although angling may be specified as a potentially damaging activity in such areas, the Nature Conservancy Council endeavours to reach agreements which reconcile fishing and conservation interests. I understand that the agreement with Anglian water authority, in the case of Rutland water and Pitsford in fact permits an overall increase in fishing activity, and that two reservoirs in the area, Stamford and Hollowell, have recently been de-notified as sites of special scientific interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the Nature Conservancy Council has established a site of special scientific interest at Pitsford reservoir, Northants, without prior consultation with anglers and the Federation of Midland Flyfishers.

The Nature Conservancy Council is required to notify all owners and occupiers of land in a site which in its opinion, is of special interest. It is impractical to notify, and the Nature Conservancy Council would not necessarily be aware of, others who might be concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, on the basis of his Department's voluntary inquiry on construction activity, he will give details of local authority starts and completions of dwellings built by direct labour departments in each of the years 1984, 1985 and 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of staff in his Department on 1 April for each of the years 1985 and 1986; what was the figure for 5 January 1987; and what is the current cost to public funds, including salaries, pensions and overheads of running it.

The total number of staff in the Department of the Environment (Central) at 1 April 1985 and 1986 was 6,560·5 and 6,521 respectively. Staff in post figures are collated for the first of each month. On 1 January 1987 the estimated total was 6,430. The cost of running the Department in 1986–87 is expected to be about £152 million. This includes a notional amount for superannuation payments which are met by the Paymaster General's Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now review the workings of

About 80 per cent. of local authorities in England reply to the Department's voluntary quarterly inquiry on construction activity, but only a small proportion of these build dwellings by direct labour. In the period 1 January 1984 to 30 September 1986, local authorities reported as follows although not all responded in every quarter.the Caravans Act 1968 in Surrey, in the light of the growth of the gipsy population in that county in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

The Department monitors the working of the Caravan Sites Act in Surrey, as elsewhere, and is in touch from time to time with Surrey county council about the implementation of its programme of site provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to review the operation of the Caravans Act 1968; when he intends to announce his conclusions; and if he will make a statement.

We are currently reviewing the operation of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 and expect to announce our conclusions very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now review the operations of the Caravan Sites Act 1960 in respect of the unauthorised occupation of sites.

No. I am satisfied that the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, which prohibits use of land as a caravan site without a site licence, provides local authorities with effective powers to prevent unauthorised use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties are currently held by the London residuary body in the Fulham constituency; how many of those are empty; and what are the latest proposals for the use or disposal of these properties.

These are all matters for which the London residuary body is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his Department's estimates of the number of acres of agricultural land likely to become available for other use in each of the next three years; and what change of use he envisages, expressed as a percentage.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 15 January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of completions of units of accommodation by the local authority in the Thurrock constituency in 1983 and 1986.

Information on local authority housebuilding is not kept on a constituency basis. Numbers of new dwellings completed by Thurrock borough council in 1983 and the first half of 1986 appear in issues Nos. 73 and 79 of "Local Housing Statistics" which are available in the Library.They are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the amount of the housing improvement programme allocation for Thurrock district council for each year from 1978–79 to 1986–87.

Housing investment programme allocations for Thurrock district have been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of completions of privately owned units of accommodation in the Thurrock constituency between 1983 and 1986.

Information on private sector housebuilding is not kept on a constituency basis. Numbers of new dwellings completed by the private sector in the Thurrock borough council area in the years 1983 to 1986 appear in issues Nos. 73, 74, 78 and 79 of "Local Housing Statistics" which are available in the Library.They are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of units of accommodation owned by Thurrock borough council in the Thurrock constituency between 1983 and 1986.

The information is not held on a constituency basis. The total number of dwellings owned by Thurrock borough council at 1 April 1983 and 1 April 1986 was 16,529 and 15,236.

asked the Secrertary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of prefabricated concrete cement houses in the Thurrock constituency (a) in private ownership, having been purchased from the local authority in 1986, and (b) continuing in local authority ownership in 1986.

Council's 1986 housing investment programme return shows that there were 247 prefabricated reinforced concrete houses in the Thurrock borough council area in private ownership at 1 April 1986. It is reasonable to assume that all these were bought from the local authority. The return showed 340 PRC houses in the ownership of the local authority at the same date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all moneys paid or revenue deferred in enterprise zones for each year since their establishment in total support and in (a) tax incentive and (b) rates relief for Scotland, Wales and England.

The available information on enterprise zones in Great Britain up to December 1985, including the value of public sector investment and grant payments, the estimated net cost to the Exchequer of capital allowances and payments in respect of rates revenue forgone by local authorities for the years 1981–82 to 1984–85, is contained in "Enterprise Zone Information 1984–85" published in October 1986, copies of which were placed in the Library. Payments in respect of rates revenue forgone in 1985–86 amounted to £25 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those Acts of Parliament since 1979 concerning (a)local government finance and (b) local authority duties, powers and responsibilities.

A considerable number of public general Acts, not all of them the responsibility of my Department, have some effect on the duties, powers and responsibilities of local authorities, and may thus affect the finances of those authorities. A list of the more major Acts since 1979 is set out below. Acts concerned purely with finance or of major significance in connection with local government finance generally are marked with an asterisk:

1979

• Education Act (c. 49)
• Weights and Measures Act (c. 45)

1980

• Education Act (c. 20)
• Highways Act (c. 66)
• Housing Act (c. 51)
• Local Government Planning and Land Act (c. 65)^*

1981

• Disabled Persons Act (c. 43)
• Education Act (c. 60)
• Local Government and Planning (Amendment) Act (c. 41)
• Town and Country Planning (Minerals) Act (c. 36)
• Wildlife and Countryside Act (c. 69)
• Zoo Licensing Act (c. 37)

1982

• Children's Homes Act (c. 20)
• Derelict Land Act (c. 42)
• Local Government Finance Act (c. 32)^*
• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (c. 30)
• Social Security and Housing Benefits Act (c. 24)

1983

• Local Authority (Expenditure Powers) Act (c. 52)^*
• Water Act (c. 23)

1984

• Cycle Tracks Act (c. 38)
• Education (Grants and Awards) Act (c. 11)^*
• Housing and Building Control Act (c. 29)
• Housing Defects Act (c. 50)
• Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act (c. 53)
• London Regional Transport Act (c. 32)
• Rates Act (c. 33)^*

1985

• Further Education Act (c. 47)
• Local Government (Access to Information) Act (c. 43)
• Local Government Act (c. 51)
• Mineral Workings Act (c. 12)
• Social Security Act (c. 53)
• Transport Act (c. 67)

1986

• Airports Act (c. 31)
• Educaation Act (c. 40)
• Eduction (Amendment) Act (c. 1)
• Housing and Planning Act (c. 63)
• Local Government Act (c. l0)^*
• Rate Support Grant Act (c. 54)^*
• Road Traffic Regulation (Parking) Act (c. 27)

(Note: Consolidation Acts and Scottish Acts are not included in the above list.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby's letter of 9 December 1986 in respect of marginal savings accruing to Her Majesty's Government as a result of the withholding of certain payments to Liverpool city council during 1985.

I am replying to the hon. Member today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many fines or fixed penalty payments were incurred by official vehicles for unauthorised parking outside or near to the Welsh Office during each year of its existence.

I have been asked to reply.Twenty-two in 1986 and 34 in 1985; information for previous years could be provided only at disproprotionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on arrangements to ensure the conservation of broadleaved woodlands and on felling licence regulations.

I have been asked to reply.The Government set out a comprehensive policy for the conservation and enhancement of broadleaved woodlands in a statement by my right hon. Friend, the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger), on 24 July 1985 at columns 557–562.In line with the statement, felling controls were tightened in December 1985 to reduce the volume of timber which may be felled witthout a licence. The Forestry Act 1986 also empowered the Forestry Commission to require restocking following illegal felling.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on concessionary fuel schemes.

The provision of concessionary fuel is a matter for British Coal and is governed by agreements with the unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if Her Majesty's Government have signed the International Atomic Energy Agency's convention on early notification of a nuclear accident adopted on 26 September 1986; when Her Majesty's Government expect to ratify it; and if he will make a statement.

The conventions adopted by the IAEA on 26 September 1986 on early notification of, and mutual assistance in the event of, nuclear accidents and radiological emergencies were both signed by the UK on that day. Both Conventions will be ratified as soon as possible. In his speech to the special session of the IAEA's general conference my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy made clear that Her Majesty's Government would apply both conventions in advance of formal ratification.

asked the Paymaster General how many officials for whom he has responsibility currently have the power to enter and search premises, subject to statutory conditions; and, in each case, if he will indicate the statutory authority under which power is exercised.

There are 2,233 officials for whom I have responsibility who have the power to enter premises under the following legislative provisions:

• Health and Safety at Work &c. Act 1974
• Docks and Harbours Act 1966
• Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1983
• Wages Act 1986
• Social Security Act 1975
• Employment Agencies Act 1973 (as amended by the Employment Protection Act 1975)

asked the Paymaster General how much was spent last year on community programme linked training; how much will be spent in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

In 1985–86 it is provisionally estimated that £3·5 million was spent on community programme linked training. The figure planned for 1986–87 is £5·2 million.

asked the Paymaster General how many places there are at present on national initiatives on the community programme.

At the latest count, in November 1986, there were 26,100 filled places on national initiatives.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of community programme participants are subject to an EC4 form.

The EC4 form referred to by the hon. Member is a record of termination of employment by participants on the community programme. Its purpose is to provide information on the success of community programme workers in going on to other employment and training opportunities.However, since completion of the form is voluntary the information provided is incomplete and I am unable to answer the question in the form requested. In order to improve this source of information, however, the form has been revised and from 2 February 1987 there will be a requirement for project sponsors to complete it.

asked the Paymaster General how many schemes for tender currently exist on the community programme; and if he will make a statement.

Schemes for tender arrangements were introduced in 1982 in order to encourage the building industry to participate in the community programme, and its predecessor the community enterprise programme, by allowing private building contractors to tender for, and sponsor, building projects.Although a small number of projects are known to have operated under these arrangements, no central record is kept and it is not possible to state with any certainty how many such projects are currently running. However, the arrangements have not been widely used and as a result discussions have been taking place with the building employers about how they might be improved. Currently the Manpower Services Commission is awaiting detailed proposals from the building employers in this regard.

asked the Paymaster General what was the number of people employed in the engineering industry in 1979 and 1983, and at the latest available date.

The information is in the following table. The latest available data is for November 1986, and the figures for June 1986 are given because comparison between the figures for June and November could be affected by seasonal factors.

asked the Paymaster General if the Manpower Services Commission will continue to develop joint sponsorship of centres for the unemployed with local authorities.

The Manpower Services Commission currently provides funds through the community programme to provide employment opportunities for long-term unemployed people at 83 centres for the unemployed, all of which are sponsored by local authorities. There are no plans to develop further such projects within the community programme.

asked the Paymaster General how his Department assesses the success of trade union centres for the unemployed receiving Manpower Services Commission support.

All community programme projects are monitored to ensure that they meet the objectives of the programme, are managed effectively, and provide worthwhile employment opportunities for long-term unemployed people.

asked the Paymaster General what is the net loss in manufacturing jobs in the south Yorkshire region since 1979.

The precise information requested is not available. The Department's statistics for the county monitor only net changes in employment between census dates.The available figures are from the September 1981 and the preceding June 1978 census of employment. In that period there was a net change of minus 47,500 employees in manufacturing industries, as defined according to the Standard Industrial Classification 1968, in the county of South Yorkshire. The September 1984 census estimates for counties are not yet available. Between censuses, employment statistics are based on small-scale sample inquiries which cannot produce reliable results for areas smaller than the standard economic regions.

asked the Paymaster General what is the decline in numbers and as a percentage between 1979

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report the percentage of those long-term unemployed leaving the employment register after being contacted through the restart scheme who have been (a) added to the sickness register or (b) added to the disablement register; and if he will further break down the latter figure, according to sex and age groups (i) under 24 years, (ii) 25 years to 44 years, (iii) 45 years to 59 years and (iv) over 60 years.

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

asked the Paymaster General (1) if he will publish in the Official Report for each job club (a) its location, (b) the length of time it has been operational, (c) the number of males and females who have been members, (d) the percentage success rate in each case and (e) the average number of weeks as a member (i) for those unemployed finding employment through the job club system and (ii) for those unemployed leaving the job club scheme not having found employment;(2) if he will number and identify

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

asked the Paymaster General how much the Manpower Services Commission spends on employment measures per head of the labour force in (a) each English region, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

The figures for approximate total estimated expenditure in 1986–87 on all Manpower Services Commission programmes, including employment and training measures, are given in the table below. Manpower Services Commission salaries, capital expenditure, central services and some other costs which cannot be apportioned by region are excluded.

The information is as follows:

asked the Paymaster General how many people in Avon have left the employment register through the restart programme since it started.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987]: We have no means of knowing what proportion of the 2,706 long-term unemployed people who have left the unemployment count in Avon since the beginning of the Restart scheme did so as a direct result of the scheme. Long-term unemployed people leave unemployment for a variety of reasons, including finding work, or training with or without the assistance offered at Restart interviews, Restart training courses and at job clubs.

asked the Paymaster General what was the total cost per head for breakfasts provided for business bodies and opinion formers at the Action for Jobs launches.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987]: Costs vary from place to place, but the average total cost per head of the breakfast is £4·90.

asked the Paymaster General (1) out of whose budget the cost of the breakfast launches for Action for Jobs for opinion formers and business bodies comes;(2) what has been the breakdown of costs for the breakfast launch of Action for Jobs on a region by region basis;(3) what has been the total cost to the Government of the breakfast presentations to business leaders and opinion formers in relation to the Action for Jobs projects.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987]: The total cost of the breakfast presentations held in 1986 was £164,141·56. This figure represents 0·0055 per cent. of the total £2·956 billion expenditure by the Department of Employment and Manpower Services Commission this year on employment, enterprise and training measures. I believe that this expenditure is necessary to increase knowledge of the programmes that we now have on offer among those who are intended to benefit from them and who can help others to benefit from them. The table allocates the costs by Department of Employment regions:

asked the Paymaster General (1) how many opinion formers and business leaders have been invited to the breakfast launches of the Action for Jobs programme (a) nationally and (b) by region;(2) which cities and towns have been used for the launch of breakfast presentations by the Action for Jobs project.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987]: Thirteen breakfast presentations were held in 1986 to increase awareness of the employment, enterprise and training measures offered by my Department and the Manpower Services Commission and particularly to reach local employers whose participation is crucial to the success of many of the programmes. Invitations to the breakfasts were sent to some 13,643 people in all. The location of the breakfasts and the numbers invited are listed below by Department of Employment region:

asked the Paymaster General how many people entered the youth training scheme in Hyndburn and north-east Lancashire in 1985; what was the placement percentage; and how many people completed the scheme.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987]: Between April 1985 and March 1986 a total of 1,145 young people entered YTS in Hyndburn and a total of 1,190 entered in the rest of north-east Lancashire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the policy of expecting prison governors to treat applications from prisoners for smoke-free cells was introduced; how it was first communicated to governors; when it was last confirmed to governors as policy; and how this policy is made known to prisoners.

As I indicated in my reply of 18 December 1986 to a previous question from the hon. Member, guidance to governors and medical officers designed to extend prisoners' opportunities to enjoy a smoke-free environment is being prepared. In that context, governors will be encouraged to give favourable consideration to requests to be located in a smoke-free cell where such a course is judged to be practicable in the circumstances of the case and having regard to local conditions at the time. They will also be asked to ensure that prisoners are made aware of the possibility of a smoke-free location being arranged if it is requested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) on 18 December 1986, Official Report, column 1336, he will give a detailed and referenced account of his Department's attempts to obtain from Dr. Frank Skuse details of the methods used by him in the Griess tests that he conducted on the men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.