asked Her Majesty's Government:How much general betting duty it was anticipated would be collected during the financial year 1981–82 at the time when the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced his 1981 Budget; how much it was anticipated would be collected over the same period as at 1st July 1981; how much it was anticipated would be collected following the increase in Betting Duty announced by the Chancellor on 2nd July 1981; and how much it is now estimated will be collected over the same period at the increased rate of duty.

The Budget estimate of receipts in 1981–82 from the betting and gaming duties, published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1981–82, included £280 million from the general betting duty. The increase in the off-course rate from 7½ per cent. to 8 per cent. from 12th July was expected to increase the revenue by £8 million in 1981–82, bringing the total for the general betting duty in the financial year to £288 million. It would be contrary to normal practice to publish revisions to the Budget estimates except, as in July, in relation to a change in the duty.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will now hold a public inquiry into the proposal to develop a new marina at Walton Mere that will adversely affect the Hamford Water Site of Special Scientific interest at Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex, in view of the fact that the Essex County Council, the Nature Conservancy Council, the Essex Naturalists' Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds are opposed to this proposed development, which would represent a major departure from the Essex Structure Plan.

The planning application to provide extra boating facilities at Walton Mere has been referred to the Secretary of State by the Tendering District Council as a significant departure from the approved development plan. Further information is being sought from the council and a decision on whether a public inquiry should be held will be made shortly, taking into account the views of all interested parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many invitations to priority interview in January 1982 are being issued by the High Commission in Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Bombay to United Kingdom Passport Holders aged 70 or over and to widows with children who have to support them respectively; how many within each category will have been in the queue over five years, up to 5½ years, and over 5½ years respectively; and what is the latest date of application of a person who has already been called for interview to fill the quota for the current year.

It is not Government practice to publish numerical data about special voucher quota allocations to individual countries. I told the noble Lord in my reply of 15th October that priority applicants called for interview in January 1982 had applied between January and March 1976. The latest date of application for an applicant called for interview under the 1981 quota was 23rd January 1976.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether all development and research work on cereals in Scotland has been transferred to England and Wales and whether this is in the best interest of Scottish farming.

No. Research and development work on cereals will continue at the Scottish Crop Research Institute and at the three Scottish Colleges of Agriculture.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the average cost of maintenance of the houses at Tidworth, Hampshire, owned by the Ministry of Defence in each of the last three financial years up to March 1981.

It is presumed that the Question refers to the 384 sub-standard married quarters in Tidworth, some of which are being considered for leasing by the local authorities.The average cost of maintaining these properties in each of the last three financial years is as follows:—

During 1980–81 the level of necessary maintenance fell as the quarters were progressively vacated and this is reflected in the lower average cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether cruise or other missiles installed by the United States of America in European NATO countries may be used by the United States only in accordance with alliance plans and consultation procedures or whether, at times of national emergency, the United States is entitled to use them without such consultation, and otherwise than in accordance with alliance plans.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer which I gave him on 5th May 1981. (Lords Hansard, Vol. 420; col. 7).House adjourned at eleven minutes before six o'clock.