Written Answers
Airguns: Publicity Campaign Against Misuse
asked Her Majesty's Government:When the publicity campaign relating to the misuse of airguns will begin.
Preparatory work to ensure the effectiveness of this campaign must be extensive and can be expected to take some time. The precise timing of the launch of the campaign is still under consideration as part of that work, but it will probably not take place until next year.
Long-Term Prisoners And Parole
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many prisoners have now been in prison for more than (
a) 20 years, ( b) 10 years; and how many of those who have been in prison for more than 10 years have been considered for parole by the local review committee.
Information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the central records available to us, which are approximate, show in prison department establishments in England and Wales, on 31st May 1982, 12 persons received under sentence more than 20 years earlier and 273 received under sentence more than 10 years earlier who had not in the intervening period been released on licence. Only those serving determinate sentences are eligible for release on parole; 13 of the 273 were serving determinate sentences but information is not readily available on how many of them had been considered for parole by the local review committee. However, local review committees also undertake the review of life sentence prisoners with a view to their release on licence and, of the 260 serving sentences of life imprisonment or detained for life under section 53(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, about 230 had had their cases reviewed by the local review committee.
Dr Pinder-Wilson
asked Her Majesty's Government:What further information they have about the arrest of Dr. Pinder-Wilson in Afghanistan, including his state of health; and what action they have taken and propose to take.
Dr. Pinder-Wilson was deported from Kabul on 14th July, and has returned safely to the United Kingdom.
The Lebanon: Un Peace-Keeping Force
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support the proposal to increase the strength and extend the functions of the United Nations peace-keeping force in the Lebanon; and whether they will state the conclusions of the meeting of the UN Security Council on 10th July on the subject of Lebanon.
The present mandate for the United Nations interim forces in Lebanon expires on 19th August. There are at present no firm proposals on future United Nations peace-keeping operations in the Lebanon, but the Government accepts that a strengthened United Nations peacekeeping force may have a part to play in the reconstruction of Lebanon. There was no meeting of the Security Council on 10th July. On 4th July the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 513 which called on Israel to respect the rights of the civilian population in South Lebanon and West Beirut, and for the restoration of vital facilities to Beirut. But we are not aware of any discussions about the United Nations interim forces in the Lebanon in the Council since Security Council Resolution 511 was passed on 18th June.
Immigration: Special Quota Voucher Applications
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many applications for special quota vouchers were received during 1981 from heads of household resident in India and the rest of the world respectively, and how may of these were submitted by persons who were previously shown as dependants on another person's application.
In 1981, 378 special voucher applications were received from heads of household resident in India and 34 from such persons resident in the "rest of the world" (that is, other than in India and East Africa). Twenty-four applicants in India are recorded as having a special voucher holder/applicant parent. No such information is available for the "rest of the world" applicants. Many of these submitted their applications in countries other than those in which their families had previously lived.
The Farm Animal Welfare Council
asked Her Majesty's Government:In how many instances the Farm Animal Welfare Council has given specific advice to the Government since it was set up; and which advice has been rejected.
Since it was set up in June 1979, the Farm Animal Welfare Council has submitted advice on the following topics to the agriculture Ministers in Great Britain, who have responded as indicated:1.
The Harvesting of antlers in velvet from live farmed deer
In April 1980, the council advised Ministers that, except as first aid or for therapeutic purposes carried out by a veterinary surgeon, the practice should be prohibited. The council's advice, which was published, was accepted and appropriate regulations were made.
2. Control of Rams Regulations 1952
The council was consulted late in 1980 about proposals to revoke these regulations. Although their advice, which was submitted to Ministers in February 1981, was that the regulations performed a useful welfare function, Ministers subsequently decided, on the balance of all the evidence considered, to proceed with revocation.
3. Further controls over the mutilation of farm animals
In July 1981, a number of recommendations for the regulations of mutilations of farm animals were submitted to Ministers and published. In the light of their subsequent consultations on the recommendations, Ministers recently asked the council to give further consideration to one point.
4. Codes of recommendations for the welfare of livestock (Welfare Codes)
The council submitted to Ministers in July 1981 revised versions of the welfare codes for cattle and pigs. In the light of their subsequent consultations on the proposed codes, Ministers have recently asked the council for further advice on a few points relating to the proposed pigs code, whilst accepting the majority of the council's recommendations.
The council submitted revised versions of the welfare codes for domestic fowls and turkeys in June 1982. Ministers are initiating the statutory consultations on these proposals.
5. Export of farm animals
The council advised Ministers on proposals by the agricultural departments for new legislation incorporating added safeguards to protect the welfare of exported farm animals and also on an associated code of practice for the case of farm animals in Government-approved export lairages. This advice was accepted in January 1981. The Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981 was made, and the code of practice was issued, later that year.
6. Transport of farm animals
The council has submitted its advice on a new order which was proposed by the agriculture departments to govern the sea transport of farm animals, and on an associated code of practice on the "roll-on/roll-off" transport of farm animals and horses. This advice is under consideration by Ministers, who hope to respond shortly.
7. Welfare of poultry at the time of slaughter
In January 1982, the council offered detailed advice in a published report on this subject. Ministers have consulted interested parties on the report and are currently considering it further in the light of the reactions of those consulted.
8. European Commission proposals for a directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in battery cages
In September 1981, the council gave its advice to Ministers on the line which it would like to see adopted. This was not wholly accepted for the reasons which were explained during the debate in another place on 17th November 1981.
9. Deer (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 1982
The council's advice to Ministers on one clause in this Private Member's Bill was to resist proposals to exclude farmed deer from the close season. This advice was reported to the Standing Committee in another place, which subsequently decided to proceed with an amendment to exclude farmed deer in Scotland from the close season.
10. Statements on research and development and electro-immobilisation
The council has recently published statements on research and development relating to farm animal welfare and on the technique of electro-immobilisation. These statements are addressed to others as well as to Government, but Ministers are considering their implications to the extent that they are directed to Government.
The Association Of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the statement by the Minister of State for Scotland on 27th May 1982 that the Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards were divided over the question of reconstitution and new finance, will be corrected in view of the fact that the Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards, at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 5th May 1982, unanimously endorsed proposals put to the Minister of State.
I have since seen the letter from the Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards dated 26th May reporting the outcome of their meeting on 5th May. I note that the association's members have endorsed the proposals which were enclosed with their letter and I am considering them on that basis. Meantime I am informed that the association propose to hold meetings with salmon angling interests who are affected by their proposals and who, I understand, are opposed to them.
Heavy Drinking: Civil Service Staff
asked Her Majesty's Government:To what extent the big differential in heavy drinking indicators "between the diplomatic and the Home Civil Service staff appears to have narrowed since 1972, and what are the reasons for this trend.
There is no dependable evidence of any differential in "heavy drinking indicators" between Diplomatic and Home Civil Service staff. The noble Lord may have in mind the differing proportions of abnormal liver function tests in Diplomatic and Home Civil Service personnel reports by a central laboratory. The home civil servants screened were not representative of the Home Civil Service and valid comparisons cannot be made. In both populations surveyed the percentages with "heavy drinking indicators" were considerably lower than those reported in the population at large.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What examination has been conducted by the Civil Service Department of the extent to which alcohol abuse causes avoidable costs in the public service.
Avoidable costs due to alcohol abuse are among the most difficult areas of study in a subject with great difficulties of measurement. Although the Civil Service Department (and now the Management and Personnel Office) has maintained close surveillance of the field, it, in common with other employing organisations in the United Kingdom, has found no dependable method of estimating such costs.
Licensed Bars In Civil Service Premises
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy on the opening of licensed bars in Civil Service premises under Crown immunity; whether they will list the bars operating in London which are covered by this immunity, and the turnover of each of them; and whether they will state the opening hours of each of these bars.
Bars are provided in Civil Service premises under Crown immunity in association with other catering facilities where there is sufficient demand for them; they are conducted in conformity with the licensing hours. Provision of such facilities is subject to the agreement of the head of the establishment concerned.Details of bars operating on London are as follows:
| Department | Location | Turnover 81/82 £ | Opening Hours |
| INNER LONDON | |||
| Central Office of Information | Hercules Road | 12,700* | 12.00–14.00 |
| Ministry of Defence | Main Building Whitehall | 28,800 | 12.00–14.30 |
| St. Giles Court Empress State | 28,200 | 11.30–14.30 | |
| Building | 14,500 | 12.00–14.30 | |
| Department of Education and Science | Science Museum | 2,000 | 11.00–15.00 |
| Department of Energy | Thames House South | 28,700* | 11.45–15.00 |
| Department of Environment | St. Christopher House | 21,900 | 11.45–15.00 |
| Foreign and | Century House | 32,500 | 12.00–15.00 |
| Commonwealth Office | Gt. George Street | 31,300 | 11.30–14.30 |
| Department of Health and Social Security | Hannibal House | 13,300 | 12.00–14.00 |
| Department | Location | Turnover 81/82 £ | Opening Hours |
| Home Office | Queen Anne's Gate | 23,300 | 12.00–14.30 |
| Lord Chancellor's Department | Thomas More Building | 9,200 | 12.00–14.30 |
| Management and | Cabinet Office | 2,800 | 12.00–14.00 |
| Personnel Office | Belgrave Road | 2,300 | 12.15–14.00 |
| Overseas Development Administration | Eland House | 5,900 | 12.15–14.15 |
| Department of Trade | 1 Victoria Street | 25,500* | 11.45–14.30 |
| and Industry | State House | 4,000 | 12.00–13.45 |
| HM Treasury | OAB | 18,700 | 12.00–14.30 |
| OUTER LONDON | |||
| Ministry of Defence | Woolwich West | 15,200 | 12.00–14.00 |
| Elmwood Avenue Hayes | 11,700* | 12.00–14.00 | |
| Fort Halstead | 7,600 | 12.00–14.00 | |
| Department of Environment | Bromyard Avenue, Acton | 12,700* | 12.00–14.00 |
| Bucknalls Lane, Watford | 7,800* | 12.00–13.30 | |
| West Croydon | 5,500 | 12.00–14.00 | |
| Inland Revenue | New Crown Building, Woolwich | 4,200* | 12.00–14.00 |
| Public Record Office | Kew | 12,200 | 12.00–14.00 |
| HM Treasury | Chessington | 13,600 | 12.00–14.00 |
| * Approximate figures. | |||