asked Her Majesty's Government:What opportunities will be given to the trade unions and the workforce at No. 5 Maintenance Wing RAF Kemble to state their case against the proposed closure of the unit.

Studies were set in hand to examine whether the work at present carried out at RAF Kemble, including that by No. 5 Maintenance Unit, could be transferred elsewhere, in which case the maintenance unit and station could be closed. These studies have now been completed and their conclusions have been published in the form of a consultative document. The trade unions and the workforce are being given the opportunity to state their views through the agreed consultative procedures, and these will be taken into account before a final decision about the future of RAF Kemble is taken.I have arranged for a copy of the consultative document to be sent to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the effect of the trial area set up in the county of Norfolk in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act 1980, including the number of new bus operators and new bus services which have been introduced.

Since the Norfolk Trial Area came into operation last April, no bus operators new to stage carriage have set up business in the area. The existing pattern of bus provision by public sector and private operators has remained broadly steady. There has been a number of minor changes in services with one new service started and withdrawn after a trial period and two services instituted to replace those withdrawn by other operators. These changes have been able to go ahead without going through the detailed procedures formerly necessary under road service licensing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On the assumption that all income tax rates and allowances except those affecting the upper income bands remained as at present, how much additional revenue would be raised if the rates on (

It is not possible to say what the yield of increasing rates of tax would be without at the same time specifying at what points on the income scale those rates would be charged. It would be misleading to take the actual cash figures for 1978–79 because of the rise in prices which has occurred since then, a rise reflected in greater or less degree in both the tax thresholds and the thresholds for the higher rate bands. There can, therefore, be no simple answer to the noble Baroness's Question. But if one were to assume, for example, that the rate bands for rates up to 60 per cent. remain as at present and the 1978–79 band widths for the 60 per cent. and higher rates of tax were uprated by reference to movements in prices over the relevant period and imposed from the current starting point for the 60 per cent. rate (a taxable income of £27,751), the yield in a full year at 1981–82 income levels would be £200 million. The whole of this yield would relate to gross incomes over £20,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the estimated effect of the council rent rises implemented last April on housing revenue accounts throughout the country.

It is not possible to estimate readily the effect on English authorities' housing revenue accounts for 1981–82 arising solely from rent increases implemented in April 1981. It is, however, estimated provisionally that rent increases planned throughout 1981–82 will lead to an additional £835 million of rental income accruing to housing revenue account.House adjourned at ten minutes past eight o'clock.