Written Answers
Wine By The Glass: Legislation
asked Her Majesty's Government:Which bodies consulted by the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Trading Standards favoured legislation to regulate the quantity of wine sold by the glass and which had any major reservation; and
Whether they will now summarise the conclusions and recommendations of the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Trading Standards on prescribed quantities of wine sold by the glass; whether they are broadly in agreement with them and what action they propose to take.
It is for the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Trading Standards (LACOTS) to publish, in whatever way they think fit, the outcome of their consultations about the sale of wine by the glass. So far as their recommendations and conclusions are concerned, my honourable friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs is considering the contents of the report sent to him on 24th June 1982 and its recommendation for some form of statutory control. A meeting is being arranged with LACOTS to review the situation and consider their report.
British Midland Airways: Route Application
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a decision has been taken on the appeal from British Midland Airways against the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority to refuse the company's application to operate scheduled services between London (Heathrow) and Glasgow and between London (Heathrow) and Edinburgh.
I have decided to uphold the appeal and to direct the Civil Aviation Authority to grant the appellant the two licences in the terms applied for.
The Humanities: Research Council
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is proposed to set up a Research Council for the Humanities.
Such a proposal is not being considered at present.
Northern Ireland: Trial By Judge And Jury
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many criminal cases have been tried by judge and jury in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and whether there have been any allegations or suspicion of intimidation of jurors or witnesses during this period.
The number of criminal cases tried by judge and jury in Northern Ireland during the last five years is as follows:—
| Year | Number |
| 1977 | 65 |
| 1978 | 84 |
| 1979 | 83 |
| 1980 | 68 |
| 1981 | 91 |
In Northern Ireland many persons who could give evidence concerning terrorist activity continue to be fearful of the consequences to themselves and their families should they give such evidence. It is impossible to estimate the number of persons who because of threats made either directly or indirectly will not inform the police of evidence which they could give, or alternatively reduce or modify such evidence. Intimidation occurs almost entirely in relation to cases directly related to terrorist activity. Owing to the nature of the charges these cases are tried under the procedures of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. It is thus a continuing problem in relation to witnesses but since these cases are tried by a judge sitting without a jury the problem does not arise in relation to jurors.
Descheduled Offences: Attorney- General's Certification
asked Her Majesty's Government:On how many occasions in the last five years the Attorney-General has exercised his power to de-schedule offences which were
prima facie scheduled under the Emergency Provisions Act so that they went for trial by jury.
During the period 1st January 1977 until 31st December 1981 the Attorney-General has certified that an offence is not to be treated as a scheduled offence on 1,025 occasions.House adjourned at ten minutes past eleven o'clock.