Written Answers
Sports Medicine Centres
asked Her Majesty's Government:(
a) what steps, if any, have been taken to implement Resolution No. (73) 27 adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 26th October 1973 at the 225th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies recommending the establishment of Sports Medicine Centres; and
( b) what reports, if any, of action regarding this recommendation have been circulated to Her Majesty's Government from Governments of other Member States of the Council of Europe.
(a) The resources available to the National Health Service and to the Sports Council have not permitted the introduction of purpose-built sports medicine centres covering the wide range of functions suggested in the resolution. The National Health Service treats sports injuries on the same basis as other injuries and is also co-operating in trials of sports injuries clinics attached to local sports centres and working closely with local general hospitals. The Sports Council is supporting research into sports medicine. There are clinics providing medical services at the two largest centres of sporting excellence—Crystal Palace and Leeds—and it is hoped that any further development of centres of excellence will be accompanied by an extension of associated medical services.(
b) Member States were invited to report on action taken in respect of this resolution every five years. Her Majesty's Government would not therefore expect to receive any reports until the latter part of 1978, although we are aware that there have been developments in this field in some Council of Europe countries.
Illegal Immigrants: Amnesty
asked Her Majesty's Government:
With regard to the Statement of 29th November granting amnesty to illegal immigrants, whether they will indicate how many dependants are to be permitted entry; and, according to most recent figures available, how many dependants of those who have been granted leave of entry under the current 3,500 voucher scheme are permitted to enter each month.
No reliable estimate can be made of the number of dependants who will be admitted for settlement in consequence of the decision announced by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary on 29th November which of course is concerned with those who entered before 1st January 1973.The global quota of special vouchers was raised from 3,500 to 5,000 a year in 1975. Excluding those heads of household who arrived with special vouchers, a total of 1,980 United Kingdom passport holders, mainly dependants, were admitted for settlement on arrival in the United Kingdom during the first six months of 1977. The monthly figures were as follows:
| Acceptances for settlement on arrival January-June 1977 | |
| United Kingdom passport holders excluding those with special vouchers | |
| January | 257 |
| February | 249 |
| March | 263 |
| April | 352 |
| May | 462 |
| June | 397 |
| 1,980 | |
Eec And Uk Cost Of Living
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish, as an appendix to the six monthly White Paper on developments in the EEC, statistics to show the effect of membership of the EEC on the cost of living, the price of food, the balance of payments, and the rate of inflation in the United Kingdom.
No. As I told the noble Lord in reply to his Question on the 18th July 1977 (Hansard Vol. 386 col. 171) it is not possible to separate all the effects of the Community from the many others which combine to influence the cost of living as expressed in various indices. This is also the case with the balance of payments. I confirm however that where the effects of particular developments can be identified estimates are published in the six monthly White Paper on developments in the European Communities or other suitable publications.
National Spinal Injuries Centre: Waiting List
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many patients, at the most recent convenient date, were awaiting admission to the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville, and of these, how many have been waiting for more than two months, four months and longer.
There were 31 patients on the waiting list on 14th December. Of these, seven were classified as "acute", and none of them has been waiting more than two months. Of the 24 patients on the "ordinary" waiting list, six have been waiting less than two months; two have been waiting more than two months; and 16 more than four months (nine of them over a year).The Buckinghamshire Area Health Authority are having difficulty recruiting nursing staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and this is affecting admissions from the waiting list to the National Spinal Injuries Centre.
War Pensioners: Christmas Bonus
asked Her Majesty's Government:In what circumstances a war disablement pensioner qualifies for a Christmas bonus under the Pensioners' Payments Act 1977, and why war pensioners below pensionable age and not in receipt of National Insurance benefits are excluded from entitlement to this bonus.
I should explain that the broad intention was to pay the Christmas bonus to all those over pension age and retired from regular employment and to a limited number of people under pension age—widows and those so disabled as to be incapable of work. It was not the intention that it should be paid to people who, although disabled, were not incapable of work.A war disablement pensioner was entitled to receive the bonus if, during week beginning 5th December 1977, in addition to his war disablement pension, he was receiving one of the qualifying benefits set out in Section 2 of the Pensioners' Payments Act, such as:
- a retirement pension,
- an invalidity pension,
- a non-contributory invalidity pension,
- an invalid care allowance,
- an attendance allowance,
- an unemployability supplement or allowance,
- including the special unemployability supplements or allowances paid to war pensioners,
- a supplementary pension.
War disablement pensioners were thus placed on the same footing as other beneficiaries and, moreover, if, for any reason, a war disablement pensioner was over pensionable age but was not entitled to a retirement pension, he received the bonus if he had retired from regular employment or was over age 70 (men), 65 (women).
If, during the debate on the Second Reading of the Pensioners' Payments Bill on 22nd November I misled you as to the entitlement of war pensioners to the bonus, I regret this. I hope I have now made the position clear.
I would also like to take this opportunity to re-state the position on the taxation of retirement pensions which may not have been entirely clear during the debate. The retirement pension is taxable. The reason is that income tax is a tax on total income. Pensions are and always have been looked upon as just as much a form of income as, for example, wages or salaries. However the tax thresholds for those over 65 are substantially above the levels of the retirement pension, so that elderly people can have some additional income, such as a small occupational pension, on top of their retirement pension without having to pay tax. The bonus itself is, however, not taxable. This is because of the administrative difficulties in taxing it.
Telephone Rentals And Old-Age Pensioners
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of the heavy incidence of the quarterly "Rental (and other recurring charges)" for a telephone, arrangements might be made for old-age pensioners (whose outgoing calls may be few) to use travel tokens towards defraying this outlay, in the same way as they can do so for a TV licence.
This is a matter for the Post Office and the individual local authority concerned. I therefore suggest that the noble Lord write to the chairman of the Post Office about this matter.
Japan: Beef Import Restrictions
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will use their offices to persuade the Japanese Government to modify their restrictions on the import of beef so that the EEC beef "mountain" may be reduced, and the Japanese consumer obtain beef at less exorbitant prices.
The international trading arrangements for beef are among the subjects under discussion in the GATT Multilateral Trade Negotiations, the object of which is to achieve greater liberalisation of world trade. Both Japan and the EEC are participating in these negotiations and the United Kingdom is playing an active part in the preparation of the EEC's negotiating position.
The Phillimore Report On Contempt Of Court
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they have made in their consideration of the Phillimore Report on Contempt of Court (Cmnd. 5794).
The recommendations of the Phillimore Committee raise difficult and important issues of public policy about the proper balance between the freedom of the press and the right of the citizen to a fair trial. After careful study of these and related issues, the Government have decided that satisfactory conclusions cannot be reached on them without informed Parliamentary and public discussion. In order to provide a basis for such discussion, the Government propose to prepare and publish a Green Paper on the subject.
Dental Treatment And Charges
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish figures showing the number of fillings and extractions performed under the National Health Dental Service
The numbers of fillings and extractions for which payment was authorised under the National Health Service general dental services in England and Wales for the six months ending 31st March 1977 were 18,519,540 and 3,677,940 respectively. The figures for the six months from 1st April 1977 were 18,269,490 and 3,542,280 respectively.
The Ordnance Survey: Nomenclature
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will instruct the surveyors of the Ordnance Survey not to accept too readily anglicised place names, now more common due to the arrival of more English settlers in Scotland; and to obtain the information necessary from long established inhabitants.
The Ordnance Survey's policy is to adopt place names in the form and spelling which at the date of the survey are the most generally useful and acceptable in the locality concerned. In making its decision the Ordnance Survey is guided primarily by local usage and custom, and consults such authorities as appear appropriate.Where it is impossible to establish which of two alternative forms is the recognised name, both may be given. In such cases in Scotland Gaelic names will be written first.
The Falkland Islands: Press Report
asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps have been taken to deny
The Times newspaper's assertion of 14th December that "Britain is anxious to get rid of the Falkland Islands as of all its remaining Colonial possessions" and thus alleviate the obvious distress which the report has caused.
The policy of Her Majesty's Government towards our Dependent Territories was clearly defined by my honourable friend Mr. Edward Rowlands in another place on the 21st December 1976. In the case of the Falkland Islands, Mr. Rowlands met an Islander delegation in Rio de Janeiro on the 18th December for a full exchange of views. This meeting has provided the Islanders with the reassurances they sought, as the following statement issued by the Islands councillors on their return to Port Stanley makes clear:Mr. Ted Rowlands, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, met representatives of the Falkland Islands Council in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, 18th December. He gave them a full account of the negotiations in New York from 13th to 15th December with the Argentine delegation led by Captain Allara. These negotiations had been conducted on the basis of the terms of reference announced in the Statement of 26th April 1977, and covered the two themes of political relations, including sovereignty, and Anglo-Argentine economic co-operation.There was a friendly and wide ranging exchange of views, during which Mr. Rowlands explained the functions of the two working groups which are to be established at official level to study the issues in detail on an
ad referendum basis to Ministers.
Mr. Rowlands emphasised that negotiations were still continuing and reaffirmed that the British Government would not put proposals to Parliament which were unacceptable to the Islanders. He stressed that the primary British concern was for the Islanders, their wishes and their welfare.
Mr. Rowlands made it clear that if the Islands' Councils wished to appoint a representative or representatives to participate in substantive rounds of negotiations, he would be glad to have them as members of the British delegation. Whatever decision the Islanders made on this point, there would be the fullest consultation with them.
The Islands' councillors made clear their concern about early progress on economic development in the Islands. Mr. Rowlands assured the councillors of the British determination to push ahead with current projects as soon as possible. In particular he expressed the British intention to help to improve internal communications including the construction of an all weather track from Darwin to Stanley, and said that £1 million could be made available for expenditure on internal communications next year, if the money could be spent in that time. He also said that tender documents for the new school hostel would issue in the next few weeks and construction should start before next June.
The Islands' representatives expressed their appreciation of Mr. Rowlands' clear exposition of the current state of negotiations, and were grateful for his assurances on the consultation and development aid.
Belfast: Personal Injury Claims
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many claims have been received by the Department of the Environment in respect of personal injury caused by ill-maintained roads and footpaths coupled with inadequate street lighting within the City boundary of Belfast; in how many cases the courts have determined in favour of the claimant; and what is the total amount of compensation that has had to be paid as a result.
In 1977 the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland received seven claims for personal injury, for the area within the City boundary of Belfast, where inadequate street lighting has been mentioned as a contributory factor; none of these claims has yet been settled. Statistics for earlier years are not readily available.
The Senior Crown Agent
asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the annual salary of the Senior Crown Agent on 1st September 1974.
£13,200 per annum.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Senior Crown Agent had the use of a car and a driver on official duties in the spring and summer of 1974; and, if so, what was the make of the car and the salary of the driver.
The Senior Crown Agent did not have the use of an official car and driver in the spring and summer of 1974. A car was hired from a commercial firm as and when necessary.
Civil Service: Under-Secretary's Retirement Awards
asked Her Majesty's Government:What would have been the proportion of the annual salary of an Under-Secretary in the Civil Service paid to an official of that rank retiring after 36 years' service on 30th September 1974.
Assuming all 36 years to be fully reckonable, 36–80ths of the salary received in the 12 months ending 30th September 1974.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What would have been the number of years of salary paid as a lump sum to an Under-Secretary in the Civil Service retiring on 30th September 1974 after 36 years' service; and whether such a sum would have been tax free.
Assuming all 36 years to be fully reckonable, 17/20 years of the salary received in the 12 months ending 30th September 1974, less any outstanding contributions for widow's pension. The sum paid would have been tax free.
Civil Service: Under-Secretary's Pension Value
asked Her Majesty's Government:What would be the money value of a pension awarded to an Under-Secretary retiring on 30th September 1974 in October 1977, expressing the value in 1974 as 100.
A pension of £100 awarded in respect of retirement on 30th September 1974 would have been in payment at the rate of £147.14 in October 1977.
Unemployment And Social Security Costs
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the annual total cost to the Exchequer of the current disbursement for unemployment benefit and for all other social service benefits.
On the assumptions used in the Government Actuary's report on the 1978–79 contribution rates (Cmnd. 7036) it is estimated that expenditure from the National Insurance Fund in the current financial year on unemployment benefit will be £653 million. For other social security benefits the cost for the current financial year will be of the order of £3,510 million to the Exchequer and £8,672 million to the National Insurance Fund.
Acas Appeal: Cost To Public Funds
asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the cost to public funds of the appeal by ACAS from the Court of Appeal to the House of Lords.
It is not yet possible to assess the costs to public funds of the appeal by ACAS to the House of Lords in the Grunwick case. I will write to the noble Lord when the information is available.
Belize/Guatemala: Press Report
asked Her Majesty's Government:
No agreement has been reached. Our talks with the Guatemalan Government have been to find a basis for progress in the negotiations. No agreement will be made which is not acceptable to the Belize Government and people. Premier Price is being fully consulted.
Dominica: Independence Proposals
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will undertake to have a referendum held in Dominica before the granting of independence to the Dominicans.
Detailed reports of the Parliamentary and public debate on independence in Dominica are now being studied. If we are satisfied that independence is widely supported in Dominica we will recommend to Parliament that Dominica should proceed to independence. If some further process of consultation seems necessary, we shall consider with both parties in Dominica what form it should take.
Nature Conservancy Council And Imports Policy
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Nature Conservancy Council have now given their views on the adequacy of existing legislation relating to the banning of imports on ecological grounds; whether they will summarise the Council's views and suggestions on the need to increase the Government's powers; and whether they will introduce any necessary measures during the present Session of Parliament.
Following consultations with a wide range of interested bodies, the Nature Conservancy Council is setting up a working group to help formulate policy advice on the control of introductions of non-native species. The Council has already advised that measures are needed to control the introduction of non-native fish species on ecological grounds, but they have still to reach a view on whether wider legislative measures are necessary.
The Ordnance Survey Study
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a Statement about the study of the Ordnance Survey.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has asked Sir David Serpell to chair the Committee to review the operations of the Ordnance Survey. Mr. J. R. C. Yglesias will be the deputy chairman. He expects to announce the names of the other Committee members shortly: their number will include some with professional, academic and commercial expertise and some with considerable knowledge of user interests. Mr. Walter Smith, the Director General of the Ordnance Survey, will be available to attend meetings and to act as co-adjutor and adviser to the Committee.The terms of reference of the Committee, which will work on the basis that the Ordnance Survey will remain a Government Department operating throughout Great Britain are:
"Taking account of the views of users and other interested parties, in the context of national surveying and mapping needs, to consider and make recommendations about the longer term policies and activities of the Ordnance Survey and ways of financing them".
He is asking the Committee to complete its report, which he proposes to publish, by early 1979 so that it may serve as a basis for determining Ordnance Survey policies for the 1980s and 1990s.
While he does not envisage any requirement for legislative action in regard to the Ordnance Survey's status he expects the review to cover the whole range of services (including quality) involved in the collection, presentation and utilisation of information by the Survey. The Committee will also need to consider whether costs could be reduced or revenue increased by greater efficiency; by changes in policies or standards or levels of activity; or by improved marketing. These tasks will obviously call for the identification and assessment of the needs of current and potential users.
Finally, he is asking the Committee to consider what the appropriate long-term financial guidelines should be for establishing the proportion of costs to be borne by the user (whether public or private) and the proportion to be borne by the taxpayer.
Garment Imports
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total value of imports of garments from Italy during the last five years.What is the total value of imports of garments from Portugal during the last five years.What is the total value of imports of garments from Korea during the last five years.
Following is the information:
| (£ million c.i.f.) | |||
| Five years | January-October | ||
| 1972–1976 | 1977 | Total | |
| Italy | 116·2 | 62·7 | 178·9 |
| Portugal | 135·8 | 26·6 | 162·4 |
| South Korea | 105·7 | 44·5 | 150·2 |