Written Answers
Territorial Seas: Jurisdiction
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Answer given by Lord Goronwy-Roberts on 2nd May (
Official Report, column 169) to the effect that—
"There are no plans to extend the United Kingdom territorial sea from 3 to 12 nautical miles at this time. However, the Government support the proposal at the Law of the Sea Conference to establish the right of coastal States to declare a territorial sea up to 12 miles in breadth, as part of an internationally acceptable régime for territorial waters"
is consistent with the evidence on the same subject given by the Department of Trade to the Trade and Industry Sub-Committee of the Expenditure Committee of the House of Commons on 10th May, and with the European Communities Foreign Ministers' acceptance of the Commission recommendation on a general 12 nautical mile extension of the territorial sea.
There is no inconsistency. The proposal put to the Foreign Affairs Council on 2nd May was accepted by the Council for further study; and it is now being considered by the Member States with the Commission. The Government's own examination of the question is also in progress.
Housing Authority Policy: Chimneys
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many council houses have been built without chimneys in each of the last five years; and whether this is in accordance with Government policy.
I regret that this information is not collected by the Department of the Environment. It is Government policy that the choice of heating system for new public sector dwellings, including the installation of a chimney where appropriate, is a matter for the individual housing authority concerned to decide in the light of local needs and circumstances.
Employment: Trends And Influences
asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimates they have made of trends in employment over the next few years: and whether they will state the principal factors which in their opinion are likely to influence the total number employed.
The Government assess possible developments in the economy over the medium-term. These assessments—and in particular those relating to employment—are surrounded by uncertainties, but do suggest that rates of growth of world trade, inflation and industrial performance are the principal factors that influence the growth of output and hence of employment.
Farmhouse Cider: Tax Revenue
asked Her Majesty's Government:What revenue they now derive annually from their tax on farmhouse cider.
There is no seperate record of the revenue derived from the duty on farmhouse ciders, but the total amount received from cider makers who paid duty on less than 20,000 gallons each in the year ended 31st March 1978 was about £50,000.
Farmhouse Cider: Production Statistics
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many farmhouse cider makers have stopped production since the introduction of cider tax.
A total of 54 cider makers have registered for the purposes of cider duty since its introduction in September 1976. Of these only one who could be described as a farmhouse cider maker has since asked for his registration to be cancelled. In addition one farmhouse cider maker has sold his business as a going concern.
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many farmhouse cider makers are now producing in each county, and how much cider is produced in each annually.
The records kept are not divided into county totals and do not differentiate between farmhouse cider makers and other producers. There were 31 registered cider makers who each paid duty on less than 20,000 gallons in the year ended 31st March 1978. The total quantity on which they paid duty was about 207,000 gallons.House adjourned at twelve minutes past five o'clock.