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

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about levels of students' grants and parental contributions for 1987–88.

Subject to Parliament's approval of the necessary regulations the main rates of student grant will be increased by 3·75 per cent., in line with the forecast rise in the retail price index. The new rates for England and Wales will be as follows (rates for 1986–87 are shown in brackets):

	Undergraduate	Postgraduate
	£	£
Hall or lodgings
(i) London	2,330 (2,246)	3,492 (3,366)
(ii) Elsewhere	1,972 (1,901)	2,859 (2,756)
Parental home	1,567(1,510)	2,075 (2,000)

The threshold for parental contribution, and the transitional scale points, will be raised on average by about 6·75 per cent. Parents earning a residual income of less than £9,300 will no longer be assessed for a contribution. The minimum parental contribution will be raised from £20 to £40, and the maximum for parents with more than one child in receipt of grant, from £4,300 to £4,600. The full scale is as follows:

Parental contribution scale 1987–88
Residual income	Contribution
£	£
9,300	40
9,400	54
9,500	68
10,000	140
11,000	282
11,800	397
11,900	417
12,000	437
13,000	637
14,000	837
15,000	1,037
16,000	1,237
17,000	1,437
17,300	1,497
17,400	1,522
17,500	1,547
18,000	1,672

Residual income	Contribution
£	£
19,000	1,922
20,000	2,172
21,000	2,422
22,000	2,672
23,000	2,922
24,000	3,172
25,000	3,422
26,000	3,672
27,000	3,922
28,000	4,172
29,000	4,422
29,712	14,600
1 Maximun.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will direct the Liverpool education authority under section 68 of the Education Act 1944 to consult the governors, parents and staff, in accordance with the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 before completion of the sale of the Morrison wing of Calderstones comprehensive school to a private developer.

There is no provision in the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 requiring a local education authority to consult the governors, parents or staff of a school before parts of the school premises are taken out of use.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the sale of the Morrison wing of Calderstones comprehensive school, Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received two letters from the hon. Member enclosing letters from his constituents. Calderstones comprehensive school is at present operating on a split site and I understand that the Liverpool education authority is considering the disposal of the Morrison wing in order to rationalise on to one site.

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will reduce inequalities in the allocation of primary health care financing by moving resources from areas such as Scotland and Northern Ireland to England.

The amount of resources provided for primary health care depends on demand for the family practitioner services and the need to develop community health services. Therefore, resources cannot be switched in the way the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the division of responsibility between Departments concerning the environment of the North sea.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible for co-ordinating policy on issues affecting the marine environment, including the North sea. His Department, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Transport, the Department of Energy, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office, also have responsibility, where appropriate, for various specific aspects of the marine environment.

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report, Her Majesty's Government's definition of national security in the context of its use by Ministers.

I refer the hon, Gentleman to the reply by my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 2 April 1985 at column 569.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if contingency plans exist for the closure or running down of nuclear power stations in wartime; and if he will make a statement.

Contingency plans exist governing the operation of nuclear power stations in wartime. It would not be appropriate for me to reveal the details.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a visit to Paisley, North to inspect power station manufacturing equipment at Babcock Power Limited.

My right hon. Friend and I would be pleased to consider such a visit, should we receive an invitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the current spare storage capacity of the irradiated fuel storage vaults at Wylfa, and the date by which these vaults will be filled presuming normal operation of the station;(2) why repairs to the damaged flask-handling crane at Wylfa nuclear power station have not been completed; when it was decided to obtain a replacement crane; and when this replacement crane must be operational in order to prevent closure of the station.

I have asked the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the volume of the spare storage capacity of the irradiated fuel stores at a nuclear facility at which the nuclear installations inspectorate considers that it will be necessary to close down the station.

I am advised by Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive that it expects sufficient storage capacity to be kept available at a nuclear power station so that an irradiated defective channel of fuel could be discharged immediately from a reactor.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the light of recommendation 4(f) of the report on the Sizewell public inquiry by Sir Frank Layfield, concerning the production of a consultative document as a matter of high priority, he will state his policy on waiting for the outcome of any such consultative initiatives before making a decision on the Sizewell consent application; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has a quasi-judicial role in respect of the Central Electricity Generating Board's application to construct Sizewell B. It would not be proper for him to comment on the inspector's report, including the recommendations, before he has taken his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the new regime at Sellafield foreshadowed in June 1986 has now been instituted.

The new regime was instituted last month though, as I stated in June, Euratom inspectors have had access to all civil material at Sellafield since March last year. Under the new regime, it will be necessary for a time for certain quantities of residues containing plutonium to be removed temporarily from safeguards for treatment by specialised equipment in non-civil plant. These are purely technical movements which are necessary for safety reasons. All of the material will be returned to safeguards after treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Yes. My hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) will be opening the exhibition on 9 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any change has been agreed in provision for the Overseas Development Administration in 1986–87.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the spring supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the overseas aid vote (class II, vote 5) will be increased to £1,064,998,000. The change allows for agreed carry-over of aid programme underspending in 1985–86 and other adjustments. Subject to parliamentary approval, the cash limit on the overseas aid administration vote (class II, vote 6) will also be increased, to £27,312,000, to meet necessary capital expenditure on a computerised management information system. The increases do not add to the planned total of public expenditure in 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the net gain or loss of jobs in the service sector in (a) Clwyd and (b) Wales since 1983 to the latest date for which such figures are available.

The latest estimates by the Department of Employment of the number of employees in employment indicate a net gain of 2,000 jobs in the service sector in Wales between June 1983 and June 1986. These estimates are not available below the Wales level.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector in (a) Clwyd and (b) Wales since (i) 1979 and (ii) 1983.

Comprehensive information regarding the latest number of jobs lost in the manufacturing sector is not available. The latest Department of Employment estimates for employees in employment in Wales indicate that there were 112,000 fewer jobs in June 1986 than in June 1979. The comparable loss between June 1983 and June 1986 is 11,000.Although equivalent information is not available for Clwyd, results of my Department's regional data system (which largely relate to the previous, 1968, definition of manufacturing and to companies of more than 10 employees) indicate that there was a fall of about 11,000 in the numbers employed in the establishments covered between 1979 and 1983, and a rise of over 1,500 in the period 1983 to the latest available date, which may vary a little because of the timing of reports from the establishments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the most recent figure for output in the Welsh manufacturing industry; and what was the comparable figure for the same month seven years ago.

Changes in the levels of output of Welsh manufacturing industry are measured by the "Index of Production and Construction for Wales", (1980= 100), which is published in a quarterly press notice and is available in the Library. The most recent results available indicate that in the third quarter of 1986 the manufacturing index stood at 107·0, compared with 110·0 on a comparable basis in the third quarter of 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has yet determined the allocations of specific grant to the local authorities in Wales for in-service teacher training in 1987–88; and what improvements he expects as a result of the new arrangements which he is introducing.

In September 1986 the local education authorities in Wales were invited to submit details of their programmes of in-service teacher training for 1986–87. At the same time the authorities were given indicative allocations of grant ceilings against which to bid. All the authorities have submitted proposals for in-service training involving expenditure equalling or exceeding the indicative allocations. After considering these proposals, and in the light of advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate, I have decided that grant should be provided on the basis of the indicative allocation of £11·86 million aided expenditure for the scheme. I intend to confirm the allocations to each authority after regulations have been laid before Parliament and come into force.This is a major new scheme for the professional development of teachers, leading to a more effective and properly planned system of training for the education service. The aided expenditure for 1987–88 represents and increse of 19 per cent. over the estimated expenditure on in-service training in the current year. I am pleased that local authorities have responded positively: they intend to spend £13·5 million on in-service training next year compared with £9·96 million this year. This is a major step towards ensuring that teachers' access to training will no longer depend on the part of the country in which they work.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Director of Public Prosecutions will initiate a prosecution under the terms of the Data Protection Act for the unauthorised disclosure of personal data from the Police National Computer to private detectives by a police officer in Essex constabulary, discovered during the police investigation of the bugging of the director of Comet Electricals in November 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Inquiries are continuing into allegations of unauthorised disclosure of personal data from the police national computer. A decision as to the institution of criminal proceedings will be made when the inquiries are complete.

asked the Attorney-General what is his policy towards prosecutions under the Official Secrets Acts as opposed to the Data Protection Act in cases where a prosecution under either Act appears justified; and if he will make a statement.

The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider each case on its own facts and merits, and he will institute criminal proceedings whenever they are justified under the provision which is most appropriate in the circumstances.

asked the Attorney-General what action the Director of Public Prosecutions proposes to take in the case of alleged infringement of immigration rules by Electronic Data System Limited.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1979 to 1986 inclusive, the number of incidents of crime reported within the north Wales police area, the average number of police constables working in this area for those years and the number of incidents per police constable arising from these figures for each year.

The number of offences recorded by the police in the north Wales police force area is published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 2.4 of the 1985 edition, Cmnd. 10.) The number of police officers working in the north Wales police force area is published in the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, appendix 7 of the edition for 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any recent representations from local authorities in support of amending the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1926 to permit under certain circumstances the burial of bodies without the delivery of a registration certificate; and if he will make a statement.

We have received a letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, West (Mr. Butterfill), together with a letter from Bournemouth borough council and a local maternity service manager. The possibility of amending the legislation which controls the disposal of human remains which are not at present registrable will be considered further depending on the parliamentary progress of the Infant Life Preservation Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he is taking to draw to the attention of chief police officers the judgment of the High Court in the case of R. v. the Chief Constable of North Wales ex parte Connah, that it was contrary to natural justice that this accused police sergeant and his representatives were denied access to police witnesses who might assist in the preparation of his defence against discipline charges unless a senior officer was also present;(2) if he will place in the Library a transcript of the 17 November 1986 judgment of Lord Justice Johnson and Mr. Justice Peter Pain in the case of R.

I have today placed a copy of the judgment in the Library. The court limited the effect of their judgment to the facts of the case of Sergeant Connah. We shall, however consider whether the judgment needs to be brought to the attention of all chief constables through an amendment to the guidance to chief officers on complaints and discipline procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further proposals he has for seeking to combat crime.

We shall continue to combat crime by a range of measures to promote the involvement of the community in crime prevention, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system and to increase the resources available to the police. The Home Office standing conference on crime prevention has recently established working groups to consider juvenile crime, publicity on child abuse, and young people and alcohol. Demonstration projects to tackle the problem of alcohol-related crime in city centres are being set up. The Criminal Justice Bill includes measures to strengthen investigatory powers in major fraud cases and to increase the powers of the courts to confiscate the proceeds of crime. Further details of the Government's strategy may be found in the revised edition of "Criminal Justice: A Working Paper", a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the initiatives being taken to strengthen the range of non-custodial options available for dealing with offenders.

The maintenance and development of a wide range of non-custodial options is a fundamental part of the Government's criminal justice strategy. Since 1979 we have taken a number of steps to increase the range of alternatives to imprisonment and their value to the courts: for example, by extending community service orders to 16-year-olds and by strengthening the probation order. Our main aim is to increase the courts' confidence in and use of existing measures, including the fine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of crimes of violence against the person in Wales in the 12 months ended March 1979 and the most recent 12 months for which such figures are available.

Numbers of notifiable offences recorded in police force areas are published each year in the Command Paper "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 2.5 of the issue for 1985). Police in Wales recorded 4,810 offences of violence against the person in the 12 months ending March 1979, compared with 6,910 in the 12 months ending September 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the penalties exacted by wheel-clamping is retained by the Metropolitan police; how many clamps were imposed in London during the month of December 1986; and if he will make a statement.

All receipts from charges for wheel-clamping are retained by the Metropolitan police and used to offset the costs of clamping, including the payment of contractors and staff costs. A total of 8,187 vehicles were wheel-clamped during December 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration officials are employed in connection with duties at the port of Dundee; and what steps he is taking to ensure they are equipped to deal with increased activity at the port.

Customs officers stationed at Dundee act as immigration officers and are able to call upon the assistance of five immigration officers at Edinburgh airport as required. Operational requirements are regularly reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether officials from his Department have been in touch with Dundee district council's environmental health convener, or environmental health department officials at Dundee regarding the stowaways on hoard the jute vessel "Banglar Robi"; and if he will make a statement.

No. Immigration officers did not go on board the "Banglar Robi" until some time after the suspected stowaways were detained ashore.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on current work being undertaken for his Department by Electronic Data Systems.

No work is at present being undertaken for the Home Office by Electronic Data Systems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset as to what items of equipment relevant to an incident involving radioactivity are available from stores located in Avon and Somerset for use by police and the Avon and Somerset constabulary: what number of (a) personal dosimeters, (b) other radiation meters, (c) sets of protective clothing and (d) breathing units, are available from such stores; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset as to what training facilities are used by the Avon and Somerset constabulary for courses in dealing with incidents involving radioactivity; what number of officers have attended such courses in each of the last five years; what training is given in the use of relevant equipment; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, c. 358]: Officers of Avon and Somerset constabulary are trained in the effects of radiation during initial training. Further training is given to senior officers. The force plan for major incidents covers a wide range of civil emergencies, including those involving radioactivity. It is exercised at least once a year. Avon and Somerset constabulary holds some 12 dosimeters and 694 radiac survey meters (PDRM 82s); protective equipment and breathing apparatus is held by Avon and Somerset fire brigade. Further equipment and professional advice is available as set out in the emergency planning guidance to local authorities (a copy is in the Library).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of north Wales on the items of equipment available for police use in an accident involving radioactive contamination at (a) A division (Caernarfon), (b) B division (Llandudno), (c) C division (Prestatyn) and (d) D division (Wrexham) of the north Wales police. listing in each case the number of (i) dosimeters, (ii) radiac survey meters, (iii) sets of protective clothing, (iv) breathing units and (v) decontamination units;(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of north Wales on what training the police in

[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1987, c. 148–49]: Officers of the north Wales police are trained in the effects of radioactivity during initial training. Officers of A and B divisions take part in exercises with the CEGB at Trawsfynydd and Wylfa. In the last five years there have been five annual exercises at each site and two broader exercises. All exercise scenarios include radioactive contamination. The force reviews annually plans for evacuation of areas around the sues. North Wales police hold centrally 12 dosimeters and 780 radiac survey meters (PDRM 82s). A division holds 30 breathing units and B division 40. Further equipment and professional advice is available as set out in the emergency planning guidance to local authorities (a copy is in the Library).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in terms of revenue forgone if the maximum annual amount of income tax payable by any individual taxpayer, counting husbands and wives separately, were £100,000 or 40 per cent. of gross taxable income.

The direct revenue cost would be about £450 million at 1986–87 income levels. This estimate makes no allowance for possible behavioural changes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Treasury of a cut in income tax basic rate of one penny.

The direct revenue cost would be about £1·1 billion in 1987–88 and £1·45 billion in 1988–89.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the loss of revenue in 1987–88 if (a) the basic rate of income tax was to be reduced by 2 per cent. and (b) the threshold for income tax liability was increased by 10 per cent. in real terms.

The direct revenue costs in 1987–88 would be about £2·2 billion and £1·8 billion, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to the answer of 19 December 1986, Official Report, column 740, to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury, in relation to the table of tax units receiving mortgage interest relief in 1986–87, he will account for (a) the increase from 1985–86 in those with total income of under £4,000 p.a. receiving mortgage relief from 500,000 to 690,000, and the increase in the average value of this relief from £110 to £350, (b) the increase from 1985–86 in those with total income over £20,000 p.a. receiving mortgage relief from 900,000 to 1,100,000, whilst the total cost of such relief has fallen from £1 billion to £970 million and (c) the factors involved in the fall in the total cost of relief from £4·75 billion to £4·5 billion; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. Member is comparing the information supplied in my answer to him of 19 December 1986, at column 740, with that given to the hon. Members for Thurrock (Dr. McDonald), for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) and Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 9 April 1986, at columns 125–26.The information provided for 1985–86 in April 1986 was based on projections of the 1983 family expenditure survey and the 1983–84 survey of personal incomes. The estimates were therefore subject to a considerable amount of error. Also, I regret that the analysis incorrectly allocated the small proportion of mortgage interest relief received by non-taxpayers; this mainly affected the estimates for the lowest ranges of income.Revised estimates for 1985–86, based on the 1985 family expenditure survey and projections from the 1984–85 survey of personal incomes are given in the table. These estimates are consistent with those for 1986–87, supplied on 19 December 1986. But they, like those for 1986–87, remain provisional.Compared with the information supplied in the answer of 19 December 1986:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the estimated cost of providing mortgage interest tax relief in 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88, at 1985–86 prices, showing separately the estimated cost of mortgages previously under the option mortgage scheme.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1987]: Information for 1985–86 and 1986–87 is in the table. It would be premature to provide an estimate for 1987–88, since the cost will depend on the amounts of mortgate lending and interest rates as well as on the 1987–88 income tax rates and bands. It is not possible to distinguish the cost of relief for those mortgages which were previously under the option mortgage scheme:

Estimated cost of mortgage interest relief (£ million)
Year	At current prices	At 1985–86 prices
1985–86	4,500	4,500
1986–87	4,500	4,370

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will update the figures relating to the direct revenue costs of tax relief on pension contributions on the same basis as his reply of 3 May 1985 to the hon. Member for Oldham, West, (Mr. Meacher) Official Report, columns 255–7.

The information, including later estimates for 1984–85, is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the "Statement of System Requirement" for Her Majesty's Government's data network, issued to five United Kingdom foreign bidders by the CCTA, cannot be made generally available to interested parties.

1 refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 28 January 1987.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs staff are employed at Dundee; and if he is satisfied that their numbers are adequate to deal with increased activity at the port of Dundee.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table for each of the years 1979–80 to 1989–90 showing territorial spending by function in terms identical to those used for 1985–86 in table 2·12 of the 1987 public expenditure White Paper.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) on 16 December, at columns 488–98. This contains information for the period 1981–82 to 1985–86; figures for later years are not available.

Multiples of Average Earnings
	1/2		2/3		1		5		10
	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)
	£ per week	per cent.	£ per week	per cent.	£ per week	per cent.	£ per week	per cent.	£ per week	per cent.
Single person
1978–79	10.92	23·5	17.03	27·5	29.25	31·5	242.17	52·2	625.97	67·5
1985–86	25.99	26·2	38.89	29·4	64.69	32·6	451.12	45·5	1,046.62	52·7
1986–87	27.52	25·8	41.04	28·8	68.07	31·9	487.04	45·6	1,127.24	52·8
Married couple with part-time working spouse
1978–79 871	7.43	12·5	13.54	17·1	29.28	24·6	285.80	48·0	726.82	61·1

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table comparable to table 2.12 of the 1987 public expenditure White Paper distinguishing for each function (a) expenditure falling within each territorial Secretary of State's block and (b) expenditure falling outside the block for (i) Scotland and (ii) Wales giving in each case the amount of expenditure in England which is judged to be "comparable expenditure" for the purpose of determining the size of each block.

I refer the hon. Member to table 6 in the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) on 16 December, at columns 488–98. This showed expenditure in Scotland and Wales under the responsibility of the respective Secretaries of State. Figures for block expenditure are not readily available in the form requested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what help he has made available to British companies adversely affected by policies of the Nigerian Government relating to currency exchange controls.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1987]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on Thursday 29 January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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.

[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1987, c. 496–70]: The following table shows (a) income tax plus national insurance contributions less child benefit at current prices and (b) income tax plus national insurance contributions less child benefit as a percentage of gross income. The calculations assume that the taxpayer has no reliefs other than the appropriate personal allowances and that national insurance contributions are at the contracted-in rate. Average earnings are those for full-time males and part-time females paid at adult rates whose pay was not affected by absence. Figures for 1986–87 are provisional.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage and amount of national incom

Tax revenues and national insurance contributions
£ billion
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–871
Taxes on income and expenditure2	54	63	75	80	85	93	101	102
of which: North sea revenues3	2	4	6	8	9	11	11	5
Local authority rates	7	9	11	12	12	13	14	15
National insurance contributions	12	14	16	19	21	23	24	26
Total	73	86	102	111	118	129	139	144
1 Autumn statement forecasts.
2 Excluding local authority rates.
3 Figures may not sum to totals because of rounding.

Tax revenues and national insurance contributions as a percentage of gross domestic product at market prices
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–871
Taxes on income and expenditure2	26	27	29	28	28	28	28	27
of which: North sea revenues3	1	2	3	3	3	3	3	1
Local authority rates	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
National insurance contributions	6	6	6	7	7	7	7	7
Total	35	37	39	39	39	39	39	38
1 Autumn statement forecasts.
2 Excluding local authority rates.
3 Figures may not sum to totals because of rounding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the manner of his reply of 20 January 1986, Official Report, c. 83–84, he will publish and update the table on total estimates tax revenue, broken down into the headings shown for 1986–87.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1987]: Estimates based on the autumn statement forecast for 1986–87 are given in the table below. The definitions used for non-North sea corporation tax and taxes on expenditure differ slightly from those used in the table in the Official Report of 20 January 1986, c. 83–84, but are consistent with the forecasts published in the 1986–87 Financial Statement and Budget Report, table 1.2

	£ billion	Percentage of gross domestic product at market prices
Income tax	38	10·1

[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1987]: Following is the information:

	£ billion	Percentage of gross domestic product at market prices
Non-North sea corporation tax	10	2·7
Capital taxes	3	0·7
Expenditure taxes (including stamp duties but excluding rates)	48	12·5
Local authority rates	15	4·1
North sea revenues	5	1·2
Other1	-1	-0·3
National insurance contributions— employees	13	3·4
National insurance contributions—employers	14	3·6
Total2	144	37·9

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the manner of his reply of 20 January 1986, Official Report, c. 84, he will publish and update the table showing the real changes in revenue sources between 1978–79 and 1986–87.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1987]: Estimates based on the autumn statement forecast for 1986–87 are given in the table. The definitions used for non-North sea corporation tax and taxes on expenditure differ slightly from those used in the table in the Official Report of 20 January 1986, c. 83–84, but are consistent with the forecasts published in the 1986–87 Financial Statement and Budget Report, table 1.2

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries, now normally require British citizens to possess a recent AIDS-free certificate or similar documentation before issuing a work permit or allowing entry.

According to the most recent information available to me, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Qatar now normally require such documentation from British and other foreign nationals applying for residence, and India and Finland require it from overseas students.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made on behalf of Dr. Frank Bertrand in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

When Dr. Bertrand was first imprisoned in 1981 he was a dual British-Zimbabwean national and we had no standing under the terms of the Vienna convention on consular relations to intervene formally on his behalf in the country of his second nationality. However, since Dr. Bertrand renounced Zimbabwean nationality in 1985 a consular official has visited him regularly and has raised any problems, particularly on health, with the authorities. The most recent visit was on 14 January.The High Commission has also assisted Mrs. Bertrand in her active representations to secure her husband's release. We understand that a plea for clemency on behalf of her husband was recently delivered to the Zimbabwean authorities. The High Commission has expressed to the authorities its support for this plea and the hope that it will be treated sympathetically.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many prosecutions were conducted during the past five years against foreign diplomats for committing rape or indecent assault on young children; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many foreign diplomats over the past five years claimed diplomatic immunity when faced with prosecution for committing indecent assault against young children; and if he will make a statement.

In the past five years no prosecutions took place against foreign diplomats for committing rape or indecent assault on young children. In no such case did diplomatic immunity prevent a prosecution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present, five meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all overseas official delegations or Government-sponsored individuals or parties who visited the United Kingdom during the months of May, June and July 1986, stating in each case the purpose of the visit.

Visitors for whom the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has responsibility fall into two categories: first, guests of Her Majesty's Government, including Heads of State and Government and Foreign Ministers, who are invited in furtherance of Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy objectives; and secondly, visitors invited under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office sponsored visitors scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to enable influential personalities from overseas to obtain first-hand impressions of British policies and achievements.I will write to the hon. Member with the list of names; more than 600 visitors came, under both categories, in the period concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leicester, East on 22 January, Official Report, column 670, which relations of diplomatic staff other than spouses and children under 18 years may be regarded as enjoying immunity from criminal jurisdiction; and if he will specify the exceptional circumstances involved.

We look carefully at suggestions that anyone outside the normal categories should be regarded as having diplomatic immunity. Our practice is as set out in paragraph 25 of the White Paper "Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges" (Cmnd. 9497).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report such information as is readily available to him on refusals by foreign Governments to waive diplomatic immunity in respect of legal proceedings against their officials for alleged serious criminal offences.

We have no direct information on the policy of overseas Governments concerning waivers. Our experience suggests that it is infrequent for overseas Governments to waive immunity for the purpose described in the question. Waivers are, however, often granted to enable diplomats to appear in court as witnesses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leicester, East on 27 January, if he will provide a breakdown of the 77 offences relating to cars with diplomatic registration in 1986, by type of offence and by country.

Twenty-three of the alleged offences were for drinking and driving. The remainder were reported as minor offences (the largest single category was driving without due care and attention) under the various Road Traffic Acts and regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much financial assistance was given to tobacco companies under the various industry Acts in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, in the last calendar year for which figures are available.

The following assistance has been provided under the Industrial Development Act 1982 (as amended) to tobacco companies in England, Scotland and Wales in the calendar year to 31 December 1986:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when his Department first commenced its current investigations into the affairs of Prior Harwin;(2) if his Department was aware as at 15 December 1986 that Prior Harwin had set out to attract trading in British Gas shares;(3) if his Department's investigations were sufficiently advanced by 15 December 1986 to have justified suspending the trading activities of Prior Harwin on that date.

Inquiries under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 into Prior Harwin plc and Prior Harwin Securities Limited began on 1 August 1986. At 15 December 1986, my Department was aware that Prior Harwin Securities Limited had set out to attract trading in British Gas shares. Action was taken to present a petition for the winding up of both companies and for the appointment of the Official Receiver as provisional liquidator as soon as sufficient information and legal advice was available to support such a serious step.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many traders in British Gas shares now rank as unsecured creditors of Prior Harwin; and how much in total is their unsecured claim.

The Official Receiver was appointed as provisional liquidator on 22 December 1986; he has so far been notified of 796 possible claims amounting to £731,000 relating to potential purchases of British Gas shares.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to reply to the letter dated 20 January from the hon. Member for Monklands. West concerning the problem raised by Reed Corrugated Papers, Coatbridge.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how his Department will be distributing the consumer advice leaflets on time sharing published on 27 January;(2) how many consumer advice leaflets on time sharing have been printed by his Department for distribution;(3) if he will name the three trade associations covering most United Kingdom developers mentioned in his reply to the right hon. Member for Bristol, South on 27 January.

Initially, 100,000 consumer advice leaflets on time sharing were printed, and heavy demand may make a reprint necessary shortly. They have been distributed to Citizens Advice Bureaux, Trading Standards Departments, public libraries, airport information centres and British consular offices in several holiday countries. Copies have also been sent to other interested organisations and trade associations, including those representing the travel and the time share industries.The three major United Kingdom trade associations in the time share industry, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member on 27 January, are the British property Timeshare Association, the European Holiday Timeshare Association and the Timeshare Developers Group.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on what grounds two members of staff of the Housing Executive were threatened with disciplinary action for being associated with the Fair Employment Trust.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that no threats of disciplinary action were made to the two members of staff for being associated with the Fair Employment Trust.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has determined the line of route for the proposed M80 motorway between Stepps and Haggs; and if he will make a statement.

The first part of a consultation report on alternative routes for the proposed motorway has been received by the Scottish Development Department and is being considered. The final part of the report is expected shortly. The preferred route will then be selected and draft orders will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports he has received on the continuing programme of research sponsored by his Department on the assessment of achievement in schools.

Two research reports have been presented to my right hon. and learned Friend and myself, one concerning performance in mathematics and the other performance in English language, both at primary 4, primary 7 and secondary 2. I have placed synopses of both reports in the Libraries of both Houses, along with a newsletter setting out the main purposes of the programme and its progress to date.The aims of the programme are:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice is given or conditions attached prior to the approval of plans of operation for private woodlands, in respect of nesting periods of birds and conservation in general, by the Forestry Commission;(2) what advice is now given or conditions attached by the Forestry Commission, prior to the approval of felling licences, in respect of nesting periods of birds and conservation in general.

The Forestry Commission seeks to ensure that forestry operations approved in plans of operations and felling licences are compatible with the environment. Woodland owners generally adopt a responsible attitude towards the need to minimise disturbance to nesting birds during felling operations. It is not usually felt necessary, therefore, to introduce specific conditions for this purpose in plans of operations or felling licences, although this would be done in respect of woodlands in SSSIs if the Nature Conservancy Council asked for it.Comprehensive advice on good environmental practice, including the protection of nesting birds, is available to private woodland owners in the "Forestry and Woodland Code" published by Timber Growers UK.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice the Forestry Commission now gives to landowners with private woodlands arising from the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

It is the Forestry Commission's policy, before commencing consultations on forestry grant and felling applications, to try to ensure that they are sensibly drawn on silvicultural, land use, nature conservation or landscape grounds. Where necessary, the commission will return an application with suggestions as to how it might be modified in order to achieve an acceptable standard. The commission therefore encourages applicants to take care to see that adequate information about their planting or felling proposals is given and that in framing their proposals sufficient account is taken of amenity and conservation considerations, especially in areas designated for their landscape or conservation value.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students were undertaking full-time courses of higher education in Scotland in each year since 1979.

The information is as follows:

Total Students in Full-Time Higher Education in Scotland
Academic year beginning
1979	68,800
1980	72,700
1981	74,400
1982	75,300
1983	76,700
1984	77,900
1985	179,000
1 Estimated

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish the 1987 volume of his Department's document, "Public Expenditure to 1989–90: a Commentary on the Scotland Programme."

I expect to publish "Public Expenditure to 1989–90: A Commentary on the Scotland Programme" on Wednesday 18 February. As in previous years, I shall arrange for a copy to be sent to all Scottish Members. Copies will also be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his Department has made available to each Scottish regional authority in the form of urban aid in each of the last five years for which records are available.

The information is set out in the table.

	Capital £ million	Current £ million
Central region
1982–83	0·092	0·201
1983–84	0·120	0·480
1984–85	0·043	0·510
1985–86	0·213	0·746
1986–87	0·040	0·752
Fife region
1982–83	—	0·005
1983–84	0·052	0·038
1984–85	0·040	0·043
1985–86	0·070	0·113
1986–87	0·076	0·187
Grampian region
1982–83	0·146	0·287
1983–84	0·357	0·590
1984–85	0·082	0·715
1985–86	0·103	0·849
1986–87	0·063	0·978
Highland region
1982–83	—	0·045
1983–84	0·005	0·018
1984–85	0·188	0·005

	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–862
(a) Total outturn1 on education expenditure	1,554	1,610	1,648	1,654	1,668	1,641	1,569
(b)(i) proportion for school teachers' salaries (expressed as a percentage)	41·5	43·4	42·8	41·8	41·3	40·9	39·2
(b)(iv) proportion for Workers' Educational Association (expressed as a percentage)	0·009	0·009	0·010	0·010	0·010	0·010	0·013
1 £ million at constant prices, calculated by applying GDP deflator-base year 1986–87.
2 Estimated outturn.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much European Economic Community intervention fund food is to be distributed in Scotland; what individual foods are included in the total; and in what quantities.

Arrangements are being made for distribution of butter, beef, milk and certain milk products. The amounts of food to be distributed will depend on the needs established by the charitable organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing (a) the total education budget for each year since 1979 expressed as actual outturn expenditure for each year on a constant 1986–87 prices base and (b) the proportion of that total allocated in each year to (i) school teachers' salaries, (ii) adult education, (iii) adult education staff salaries and (iv) the Workers Educational Association.

No separate information is held on resources allocated to adult education which will constitute an element of many parts of my education programme. The information requested which is available is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland who will be responsible for the distribution in Scotland of European Economic Community intervention fund food; and how much of each individual type of food will be distributed to each region.

The following charitable organisations have agreed to co-operate in arranging the distribution of free food in Scotland:

• Salvation Army
• Women's Royal Voluntary Service
• Age Concern Scotland
• Royal British Legion Scotland
• Help the Aged
• British Red Cross
• Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility
• Catholic Social Care Commission

The amounts of each individual food distributed in each region will depend on the needs established by the charitable organisations, and cannot yet be estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the United Kingdom allocation of European Economic Community intervention fund foods will be distributed in Scotland.

Funds are not being allocated to individual member states or regions. The relationship of expenditure in Scotland to that in other regions of the United Kingdom will depend on the eventual uptake by the charitable organisations concerned in each region.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost to the Scottish Education Department of (a) student grants and (b) student tuition fees in each year since 1979 expressed in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms on a constant 1986–87 base.

This information is not yet available in the form requested. The cost to the Scottish Education Department of students' maintenance allowances and tuition fees in cash terms, and in real terms on a constant 1985–86 base was as follows:

Academic year	Maintenance allowances (including reimbursement of travelling expenses)		Tuition, etc fees
	Actual	At 1985–86 prices	Actual	At 1985–86 prices
	£ million	£ million	£ million	£ million
1979–80	52·9	80·8	33·1	50·6
1980–81	63·7	84·5	43·1	57·2
1981–82	68·4	83·8	52·2	63·9
1982–83	64·6	74·4	34·5	39·7
1983–84	70·9	78·4	30·1	33·3
1984–85	68·2	72·0	31·2	32·9
1985–86	166·8	66·8	132·5	32·5
1 Provisional.

Notes:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the maintenance element of student grants in 1985–86.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, c. 397]: I propose to increase main rates of allowances by about 3·75 per cent. in session 1987–88. The new rates for Scottish students will be as follows (rates for 1986–87 are shown in brackets):

	£
Student in parental home	1,442 (1,390)
Student living away from home outside London	1,915 (1,846)
in London	2,273n (2,191)