asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the new Prison Standing Order 5 allows an inmate to complain to the General Medical Council about the medical treatment he is receiving in prison.

Yes, provided that the complaint has been or is at the same time raised internally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What the index of retail prices was in April 1980, April 1981 and March 1982, taking April 1955 as 100.

Taking April 1955 as 100, the index of retail prices would have been 614 in April 1980, 688 in April 1981 and 738 in March 1982. Over this period the index has been rebased several times and changes have occurred in composition and weighting.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they can quantify the potential loss of income and jobs that will result from restrictions on United Kingdom "creditability" of foreign withholding taxes on interest from overseas lending and other banking transactions because of the probable transfer of this business to other low-tax banking facilities such as the New York International Banking Facilities; and whether they can indicate the volume of United Kingdom exports currently financed by tax spared loans which may be put at risk.

Consultations with the banks on this matter are still proceeding with a view to introducing the necessary legislation at Committee stage of the Finance Bill. In coming to their decision, the Government will certainly take into account any possible implications for income, jobs and United Kingdom exports.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the importance of agriculture to the economy of Northern Ireland, they will publish the conclusions of the Hayes Interdepartmental Committee on the future of the industry.

While recognising the importance of agriculture to the economy of Northern Ireland, I regret I cannot add to the reply I gave to my noble friend on 7th April 1982. [Official Report, Vol. 429, col. 285].

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware that, though welcome, the annual grant of national aids to Northern Ireland agriculture, does not give confidence for long-term planning; and whether they will state what steps they are taking to have future necessary aids to agriculture put on a long-term basis.

The importance of giving farmers confidence to plan ahead is very much appreciated by Her Majesty's Government. However, it should be borne in mind that by far the greatest proportion of support for Northern Ireland farmers comes from continuing and long-term measures—both EC and national—and that most of the special aid is designed to supplement these to alleviate current local problems. Allocation of the necessary funds for special aid is also subject to priority assessments within Government expenditure for any particular financial year. Nevertheless, the agricultural development programme in the less favoured areas will run for 10 years and the additional aid for feeding stuffs projects for four years. Efforts will continue to be made to extend special aid provision where necessary but the assessment of additional needs will in most cases be on an annual basis.House adjourned at fourteen minutes before nine o'clock.