Written Answers
Solvent Abuse (Glue Sniffing): Northern Ireland
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will indicate:
1. While it is not Government policy to discourage publication of information or public discussion of solvent abuse, care is necessary to avoid any action which encourages the young to experiment. Information on solvent abuse is available to schools and colleges and to the youth service.2. Psychologists in the open training schools are researching the factors which lead children to solvent abuse and the effects of such abuse on personality and brain functions. A project at Lisnevin Secure Unit is designed to discover the extent of addiction to alcohol, tobacco and solvents in young people and the reasons for it. Training school staff, social workers, community relations and education staff are holding a "think tank" on solvent abuse.3. Statistical information is not available on the incidence of solvent abuse in Northern Ireland. However, since November 1978 six people have died from solvent abuse. In 1981 two cases were treated at hospital accident and emergency units for symptoms of glue sniffing.4. Responsibility in Northern Ireland lies with the Secretary of State, and there is liaison between the departments concerned.5. The Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland departments are aware of the seminar organised by the Woodvale District Youth Care Association. They are also considering the points made by the East Belfast Community Council on the results of a survey among local shopkeepers who sell solvents.6. The Government believe that the problem is best dealt with by education and persuasion, including local initiatives involving parents, health, social and youth workers, police, teachers and others. The Department of Health and Social Services is preparing a memorandum of information and guidance on solvent abuse to assist those who may come to have to deal with the problem. On 8th March 1982 the Departments of Health and Social Services and of Education will hold a conference on Drug Abuse. Northern Ireland departments have supported the production of a film on solvent abuse for use on a United Kingdom basis by professional groups who have to deal with the problem.
Residential Child Care Officers: Pay
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the range of take-home pay for residential social workers working as houseparents in homes run by local authorities for children in their care who present no special difficulties.
The information as requested is not available centrally. The current basic rates of pay under the national agreement for residential child care officers range from £3,480 to £12,999 per annum according to grade. The local authorities determine the appropriate allocation of their houseparents to grades within that range according to the local circumstances. Take-home pay relates to earnings and deductions which depend upon the circumstances of the individual houseparents.
Fish Farmers In Scotland: Aid
asked Her Majesty's Government:What financial aid has been given, in each of the last five years, to fish farmers in Scotland.
There is more than one scheme of assistance for which fish farmers can apply, depending on their particular circumstances.The following table sets out assistance offered or paid in respect of fish farms in Scotland under the schemes listed.
| (to date) | |||||
| 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FHDS/AHDS | |||||
| Grant1 | 513 | — | 977 | 222,985 | 391,213 |
| EC Aid2 | |||||
| (Regulation 1852/78) | — | — | 73,642 | 151,512 | Not yet available |
| HIDB Aid3 | |||||
| Grants | 304,000 | 815,000 | 341,000 | 839,000 | 769,000 |
| Loans | 389,000 | 490,000 | 292,000 | 497,000 | 89,000 |
| Equity | 30,000 | 75,000 | — | 22,000 | 20,000 |
| Totals | 723,513 | 1,380,000 | 707,619 | 1,732,497 | 1,269,213 |
Prisoners: Pay
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is the case that prisoners working for civilian employers under the Scottish Office are paid less than £50 for a 40-hour week, and whether this is considerably less than is paid in England and Wales.
Under the prison Training for Freedom (TFF) scheme in Scotland wages earned by prisoners are paid to the prison authorities. The prisoners receive a standard personal cash allowance and a fixed amount is paid into their personal funds as compulsory savings. In addition, prisoners receive a proportion of any overtime payments they earn.
The actual wage rates for individual prisoners are negotiated directly between the prisons concerned and the employers, but the guiding principle is that payment by the employer for the prisoner's services is at the rate applicable to an ordinary employee for the same work. There arc difficulties at present in finding TFF employment for prisoners and there are vacancies in each of our three hostels.
For certain TFF prisoners currently engaged in unskilled work the weekly basic rate for a 40-hour week is less than £50. For other employment it can be considerably more.
The Scottish TFF arrangements differ in many ways from the pre-release employment scheme (PRES) that the Home Office operates in England and Wales and it is difficult to make a true comparison between wages in the two schemes. I understand, however, that PRES wage rates in England and Wales vary very considerably according to circumstances and geographical area.
Papal Visit: Royal Mint Commemorative Plaque
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Home Secretary was consulted before the Royal Mint's decision was taken to accept an order to manufacture a commemorative plaque of the Pope's pastoral visit to this country showing the image of The Queen alongside that of the Pope.
The Home Secretary was not consulted. The Royal Mint had obtained confirmation from their client that the Lord Chamberlain's Office had been consulted and they had confirmed that no approval was required for production of the plaque.House adjourned at thirteen minutes past nine o'clock.