Written Answers To Questions
Thursday 13th July 1978
Northern Ireland
Prisoners And Prisons
8.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement about Her Majesty's prisons in Northern Ireland and the special category status of prisoner.
Despite the actions taken by the prisoners protesting against the phasing out of special category status, prisons continue to function normally. I am glad to take this opportunity to pay tribute once again to the members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.The number of special category prisoners continues to fall from over 1.500 in 30 compounds at the end of February 1976 to about 650 now in 11 compounds. It is our firm intention to phase out special category, and the Government will not be deflected from this policy.The hon. Member will be interested to know that there are approximately 1950 convicted prisoners in Northern Ireland serving a total of 14,688 years of sentence. Of these prisoners, 288, including 57 persons detained at the Secretary of State's pleasure, are serving life sentences; 261 prisoners are serving life sentences for murder.The protesting prisoners are losing a day's revision for each day they are in breach of the rules, and loss of remission currently totals almost 300 years.
Community Leaders (Meetings)
14.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to hold discussions with the leaders of the minority community in Northern Ireland.
I regularly meet political, religious, trade union and business leaders from all parts of the community, and will continue to do so.
Political Talks
15.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent talks he has had with political leaders about the future government of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Thomas).
Security
16.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Craig).
Trade Unions
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Northern Ireland trades unions.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Loyden).
Industrial Investment
18.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the level of industrial investment, both private and public, in Northern Ireland.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Lamond).
Belfast Redevelopment (Area No 31)
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the record of the public inquiry on comprehensive redevelopment area no. 31 in Belfast; and when he intends vesting this area.
I intend that a statement of decision on the proposals for a development scheme and notice of intention to vest land in this comprehensive development area should be issued shortly. The report of the Planning Appeals Commission, which conducted an inquiry into the proposals, will be published at the same time.
Belmont House
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the total cost of Belmont House, including fitting out and furnishings of the proposed new headquarters, for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and when it will be ready for occupation.
The Government have approved the purchase by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive of Belmont House at a cost of £3,375,000. The executive is at present preparing detailed proposals for fitting out and furnishing the building and it is not yet possible to determine the cost of these proposals nor when the building will be ready for occupation.
Scotland
Mr D C Anderson
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now considered the motion passed in the House of Lords regarding the case of Mr. D. C. Anderson; and if he will make a statement.
I have examined with great care the detailed representations made by Mr. Anderson and others. I have now also considered the representations made in another place that I should either recommend the exercise of the Royal Prerogative in favour of Mr Anderson or institute an independent inquiry.Recommendations for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative are clearly matters for the personal decision of the Secretary of State. I should rightly be criticised if I intervened lightly or unjustifiably to overturn decisions of courts of law. In a case such as this it would be wrong of me to substitute myself for the sheriff, who heard the evidence under oath and subject to cross-examination, or for the appeal court.In considering whether to recommend a free pardon, the principal issue I face is this: are there any factors of substance which constitute grounds for my believing that the verdict of guilty recorded against the person involved may be a miscarriage of justice? I appreciate that the present form of appeal in Scotland open to those tried under summary procedure does not permit a full review of the evidence heard by the sheriff or of his verdict, but it is certainly not a sufficient ground for recommending a free pardon in any particular case that there has been criticism of the appeal procedure prescribed by law and followed in that case.Against that background, I have taken into account criticisms made of the evidence in court in the case against Mr. Anderson. In addition, as is proper in a Prerogative case, I have considered factors of substance which were not before the court but which bear on the question of Mr. Anderson's innocence or guilt. I refer to the fact that, as is not disputed, Mr. Anderson made two separate relevant admissions to senior officials before his trial, and to a number of subsequent explanations he has given of why those admissions were made.Mr. Anderson saw the then Crown agent and subsequently wrote two letters to him before his trial. He wrote the first of these on 26th December 1972, giving a description of an encounter with two girls on the night of 18th December which was inconsistent with his subsequent alibi defence. He wrote a second letter on 12th January 1973—following receipt of the complaint from the procurator fiscal—to the effect that he had wrongly placed the incident with the two girls and that it had taken place a week earlier. He subsequently stated that this second account was untrue and has said that no such incident occurred. Both these letters have been widely circulated by Mr. Anderson, and I am placing copies in the Libraries.On 10th January 1973, following his receipt of the complaint from the procurator fiscal, Mr. Anderson also made an admission to the same effect as that in his letter of 26th December at a meeting with the then permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office. A record was made of that meeting in an internal memorandum in the Scottish Office. Mr. Anderson has asked to see the memorandum, and in all the circumstances I have decided to supply him with a copy and to put a copy in the Libraries.
I am aware of no other factors bearing upon Mr. Anderson's conviction that are relevant to my Prerogative decision. No fresh issue was raised in the debate in another place to justify a departure from my previous decision.
Control Of Pollution Act 1974
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sections of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 remain to be implemented in Scotland; and if he will give figures to show the costs so far incurred by local and central Government in carrying out the provisions of the Act.
Of 99 sections of the Act which apply to Scotland, 45 are fully in force, 11 are partly in force, and one comes into force on 1st September. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish River Purification Boards Association have been asked for their views on commencement of the provisions of Part II—Pollution of Water. Estimates of the cost incurred so far are not available.
Scottish Development Agency (Tenants' Debts)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the tenants of Scottish Development Agency factories whose debts due to the Scottish Development Agency have been written off in the year 1976–77.
As the published accounts show, £46,000 was written off in the year 1976–77. Details of the cases concerned are matters for the agency, and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
Scottish Development Agency (Accounts)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish the accounts for the Scottish Development Agency for the year 1977–78 pursuant to section 13(1) of and paragraph 8 of schedule 2 to the Scottish Development Agency Act 1975.
In accordance with paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 2 to the Scottish Development Agency Act 1975, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will transmit the statement of account to the Comptroller and Auditor General as soon as possible, but certainly by 30th November.
Port Dundas (Housing)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his Written Answer, Official Report, 29th June, column 685, if Glasgow District Council proposed the modernisation of houses or the demolition of properties in the Port Dundas housing area as alternatives to transfer to a housing association in its approach to the Scottish Development Department.
No proposals have been submitted.
Strathclyde (Sheltered Workshop)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Strathclyde regional council about a possible second sheltered workshop for the blind and partially sighted; and if he plans to approve such a development.
None, but the Manpower Services Commission is planning, in consultation with Strathclyde Regional Council, a replacement for the existing workshop in Glasgow for blind and partially sighted people.
South Of Scotland Electricity Board (Accounting Procedures)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the light of the recent report of the Price Commission, he intends to issue a general direction to the South of Scotland Electricity Board about changes in its accounting procedures.
No.
Electricity Prices
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the action he proposes to take in the light of the Price Commission report on electricity prices in Scotland.
I have nothing to add to the statement issued on behalf of the Government by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when the Price Commission's report was published. A copy has been placed in the Library.
Home Department
Metropolitan Police (Road Speed Metres)
22.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many static radar speed register equipment units have been approved by his Department for use by the Metropolitan Police; how many are in use in the West London area; how many VASCAR units have been purchased for the Metropolitan Police; and in what numbers and areas the equipment is in use.
The Metropolitan Pouice have 15 portable electronic traffic analysers—PETA—in use throughout the Metropolitan Police district, of which three normally operate in the west London area. Twenty-seven VASCAR units have been purchased, and 18 are in operational use, all in the outer areas of north and east London.
Illegal Immigrants (Prosecutions)
23.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has advised local prosecuting authorities not to prosecute relatives for harbouring illegal immigrants.
No. A decision to prosecute someone for harbouring an illegal entrant is a matter for the chief officer of police concerned.
Avon And Somerset Constabulary (Police Duties)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many senior police officers of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary have been transferred to civilian duties within the police service in each of the last four years.
No serving senior police officer was transferred and no officer who has left the police service prematurely was appointed to a civilian post. Of the 545 civilian posts filled since 1974, the number of successful applicants who had retired after police service in the rank of inspector and above was one in 1974, one in 1975, two in 1976, one in 1977 and three in 1978—to 31st May.
Mentally Abnormal Offenders
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which National Health Service hospitals have refused places to imprisoned mentally-abnormal offenders and for what reason; and which hospitals have refused admission to the four sentenced prisoners mentioned in the Written Answer to the hon. Member for Ormskirk, Official Report, 22nd June, c. 270–1.
I regret that information about which National Health Service hospitals have refused to admit sentenced prisoners who were thought to require hospital treatment for mental disorder and the reasons for such refusals is not available. The four sentenced prisoners awaiting transfer to whom I referred in the answer of 22nd June had not been refused admission by National Health Service hospitals; their cases were still under consideration by the hospital authorities. One has now been transferred to hospital, and consultations with the appropriate regional health authorities about the other three are continuing.
Metropolitan Police (Manpower)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the increase in crime since 1965 when the last major review of the establishment of the Metropolitan Police was undertaken, he will institute a fresh review.
A number of studies relevant to any revision of the Metropolitan Police establishment are being made.
Prisoners (Escapes)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of escapes from each of Her Majesty's prisons over each of the past five years, indicating the category of prisoner escaping in each case; and whether or not he or she was recaptured.
The information about escapes is listed in the following table. A complete list of recaptures is not immediately available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The number of prisoners who escaped during the relevant years and are still at large is, however, known to be exceedingly small.
| PRISON SERVICE: ENGLAND AND WALES—ESCAPES FROM PRISONS AND REMAND CENTRES | |||||
1972
| |||||
A
| B
| C
| D
| Under 21 and women
| |
| Acklington | — | — | 10 | — | — |
| Appleton Thorn | — | — | — | 22 | — |
| Ashford | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Ashwell | — | — | 15 | — | — |
| Askham Grange | — | — | — | — | 3(F) |
| Aylesbury | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Bela River | — | — | — | 16 | — |
| Birmingham | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Blundeston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brixton | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Camp Hill | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Canterbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cardiff | — | — | — | — | — |
| Channings Wood | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chelmsford | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| Dorchester | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drake Hall | — | — | — | 4 | — |
| Exeter | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Exeter (Haldon Camp) | — | — | 10 | — | — |
| Featherstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ford | — | — | — | 16 | — |
| Gartree | 1 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Haverigg | — | — | 9 | — | — |
| Highpoint | — | — | — | 29 | — |
| Kirkham | — | — | — | 29 | — |
| Lancaster | — | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Leeds | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Lewes | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leyhill | — | — | — | 6 | — |
| Lincoln | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| Low Newton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maidstone | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Moor Court | — | — | — | — | 12(F) |
| Northallerton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northeye | — | — | — | — | — |
| Norwich | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nottingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Onley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parkhurst | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pentonville | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Preston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pucklechurch | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ranby | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Reading | — | — | — | — | — |
| Risley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shepton Mallet | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| Shrewsbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Spring Hill | — | — | — | 4 | — |
| Stafford | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Standford Hill (formerly Eastchurch) | — | — | 5 | 30 | — |
| Stya | — | — | — | — | 1(F) |
| Sudbury | — | — | — | 19 | — |
| Thorpe Arch | — | — | — | 23 | — |
| Verne | — | — | 5 | — | — |
| Wakefield | — | — | — | — | — |
| Winchester | — | — | — | — | — |
1973
| |||||
A
| B
| C
| D
| Under 21 and women
| |
| Acklington | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Appleton Thorn | — | — | — | 16 | — |
| Ashford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ashwell | — | — | — | 37 | — |
| Askham Grange | — | — | — | — | 12(F) |
| Aylesbury | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Bela River | — | — | — | 12 | — |
| Birmingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Blundeston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brixton | 9* | 4 | — | — | — |
| Camp Hill | — | — | — | — | — |
| Canterbury | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Cardiff | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Channings Wood | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chelmsford | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Dorchester | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drake Hall | — | — | — | 7 | — |
| Exeter | — | — | — | — | — |
| Exeter (Haldon Camp) | — | — | — | 5 | — |
| Featherstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ford | — | — | — | 39 | — |
| Gartree | — | — | — | — | — |
| Haverigg | — | — | 6 | — | — |
| Highpoint | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kirkham | — | — | — | 16 | — |
| Lancaster | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leeds | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lewes | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Leyhill | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lincoln | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Low Newton | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Maidstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Moor Court | — | — | — | — | 7(F) |
| Northallerton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northeye | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Norwich | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Nottingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Onley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parkhurst | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pentonville | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Preston | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Pucklechurch | — | — | — | — | 1(F) |
| Ranby | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Reading | — | — | — | — | — |
| Risley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shepton Mallet | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shrewsbury | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Spring Hill | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| Stafford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Standford Hill(formerly Eastchurch) | — | — | 12 | 29 | — |
| Styal | — | — | — | — | 4(F) |
| Sudbury | — | — | — | 31 | — |
| Thorpe Arch | — | — | — | 33 | — |
| Verne | — | — | 9 | — | — |
| Wakefield | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Winchester | — | — | — | — | — |
1974
| |||||
A
| B
| C
| D
| Under 21 and women
| |
| Acklington | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Appleton Thorn | — | — | — | 15 | — |
| Ashford | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Ashwell | — | — | — | 44 | — |
| Askham Grange | — | — | — | — | 22(F) |
| Aylesbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bela River | — | — | — | 11 | — |
| Birmingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Blundeston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brixton | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Camp Hill | — | — | — | — | — |
| Canterbury | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Cardiff | — | — | — | — | — |
| Channings Wood | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Chelmsford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dorchester | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drake Hall | — | — | — | 10 | — |
| Exeter | — | — | — | — | — |
| Exeter (Haldon Camp | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Featherstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ford | — | — | — | 32 | — |
| Gartree | — | — | — | — | — |
| Haverigg | — | — | — | — | — |
| Highpoint | — | — | —- | — | — |
| Kirkham | — | — | — | 19 | — |
| Lancaster | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leeds | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Lewes | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leyhill | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lincoln | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | — | — | — |
|
| Low Newton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maidstone | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Moor Court | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northallerton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northeye | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| Norwich | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| Nottingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Onley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parkhurst | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pentonville | — | — | — | — | — |
| Preston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pucklechurch | — | — | — | — | 2(F) |
| Ranby | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Reading | — | — | — | — | — |
| Risley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shepton Mallet | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shrewsbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Spring Hill | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Stafford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Standford Hill(formerly Eastchurch) | — | — | 7 | 29 | — |
| Styal | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sudbury | — | — | — | 23 | — |
| Thorpe Arch | — | 1 | — | 47 | 2 |
| Verne | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| Wakefield | — | — | — | — | — |
| Winchester | — | 1 | — | — | — |
1975
| |||||
A
| B
| C
| D
| Under 21 and women
| |
| Acklington | — | — | — | — | — |
| Appleton Thorn | — | — | — | 16 | — |
| Ashford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ashwell | — | — | — | 43 | — |
| Askham Grange | — | — | — | — | 9(F) |
| Aylesbury | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Bela River | — | — | — | — | — |
| Birmingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Blundeston | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Brixton | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Camp Hill | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Canterbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cardiff | — | — | — | — | — |
| Channings Wood | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chelmsford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dorchester | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drake Halt | — | — | — | — | 1(F) |
| Exeter | — | — | — | — | — |
| Exeter (Haldon Camp) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Feathserstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ford | — | — | — | 33 | — |
| Gartree | — | — | — | — | — |
| Haverigg | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Highpoint | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kirkham | — | — | — | 33 | — |
| Lancaster | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leeds | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Lewes | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Leyhill | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lincoln | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low Newton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maidstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Moor Court | — | — | — | — | 11(F) |
| Northallerton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northeye | — | — | 14 | — | — |
| Norwich | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Nottingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Onley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parkhurst | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pentonville | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Preston | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Pucklechurch | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Ranby | — | — | 12 | — | — |
| Readin | — | — | — | — | — |
| Risley | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shepton Mallet | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Shrewsbury | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Spring Hill | — | — | — | 4 | — |
| Stafford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Standford Hill (formerly Eastchurch) | — | — | 7 | 17 | — |
| Styal | — | — | — | — | 4(F) |
| Sudbury | — | — | — | 43 | — |
| Thorpe Arch | — | — | — | 24 | — |
| Verne | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Wakefield | — | — | — | — | — |
| Winchester | — | — | — | — | — |
1976
| |||||
A
| B
| C
| D
| Under 21 and women
| |
| Acklington | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Appleton Thorn | — | — | — | 15 | — |
| Ashford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ashwell | — | — | — | 48 | — |
| Askham Grange | — | — | — | — | 4(F) |
| Aylesbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bela River | — | — | — | — | — |
| Birmingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Blundeston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brixton | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Camp Hill | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Canterbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cardiff | — | — | — | — | — |
| Channings Wood | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chelmsford | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dorchester | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Drake Hall | — | — | — | — | 34(F) |
| Exeter | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Exeter (Haldon Camp) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Featherstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ford | — | — | — | 28 | — |
| Gartree | — | — | — | — | — |
| Haverigg | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Highpoint | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kirkham | — | — | — | 15 | — |
| Lancaster | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leeds | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lewes | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leyhill | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Lincoln | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| Low Newton | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Maidstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Moor Court | — | — | — | — | 9(F) |
| Northallerton | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Northeye | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| Norwich | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nottingham | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Onley | — | — | — | — | 4 |
| Parkhurst | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Pentonville | — | — | — | — | — |
| Preston | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Pucklechurch | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ranby | — | — | 13 | — | — |
| Reading | — | — | — | — | — |
| Risley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shepton Mallet | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Shrewsbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Spring Hill | — | — | — | 9 | — |
| Stafford | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Standford Hill (formerly Eastchurch) | — | — | 16 | 26 | — |
| Styal | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sudbury | — | — | — | 29 | — |
| Thorpe Arch | — | — | — | 31 | — |
| Verne | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Wakefield | — | — | — | — | — |
| Winchester | — | — | — | — | — |
1977
| |||||
A
| B
| C
| D
| Under 21 and women
| |
| Acklington | — | — | 5 | — | — |
| Appleton Thorn | — | — | — | 15 | — |
| Ashford | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Ashwell | — | — | — | 50 | — |
| Askham Grange | — | — | — | — | 21(F) |
| Aylesbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bela River | — | — | — | — | — |
| Birmingham | — | — | — | — | — |
| Blundeston | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Brixton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Camp Hill | — | — | — | — | — |
| Canterbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cardiff | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Channings Wood | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chelmsford | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Dorchester | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drake Hall | — | — | — | — | 40(F) |
| Exeter | — | — | — | — | — |
| Exeter (Haldon Camp) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Featherstone | — | — | 8 | — | — |
| Ford | — | — | — | 51 | — |
| Gartree | — | — | — | — | — |
| Haverigg | — | — | 6 | — | — |
| Highpoint | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| Kirkham | — | — | — | 20 | — |
| Lancaster | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Leeds | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lewes | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leyhill | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Lincoln | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liverpool | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low Newton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maidstone | — | — | — | — | — |
| Moor Court | — | — | — | — | 31(F) |
| Northallerton | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northeye | — | — | 13 | — | — |
| Norwich | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Nottingham | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| Onley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parkhurst | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pentonville | — | — | — | — | — |
| Preston | — | — | — | — | — |
| Packlechurch | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ranby | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Reading | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Risley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shepton Mallet | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Shrewsbury | — | — | — | — | — |
| Spring Hill | — | — | — | 7 | — |
| Stafford | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Standford Hill (formerly Eastchurch) | — | — | 5 | 31 | — |
| Styal | — | — | — | — | 1(F) |
| Sudbury | — | — | — | 23 | — |
| Thorpe Arch | — | — | — | 13 | — |
| Verne | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wakefield | — | — | — | — | — |
| Winchester | — | — | — | — | — |
Notes:
1. Prisoners under 21 years of age and women and girls are not placed in the security categories which apply to male adult prisoners.
2. (F) denotes women prisoners.
3. Drake Hall was formerly a category D male adult prison, which was closed and re-opened as an open prison for women in 1975.
4. * These were unconvicted prisoners placed provisionally in category A.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of recapturing prisoners who escape from Her Majesty's prisons.
No estimate of cost has been made and it would be impracticable to do so.
Firemen (Pay)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the comparability of wages and working conditions over the years between the police and the firemen, he will arrange for any police pay increases to be paid to firemen as well.
No. Pay and conditions of service of firemen are matters for the national joint council for local authorities' fire brigades. On 17th January 1978, the council registered agreement on a formula for increasing the pay of firemen by stages to provide comparability in November 1979 between the average earnings of firemen and those of the upper quartile of adult male manual workers.
Race Relations
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations advised him not to accept the recommendation of the Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration to set up a top-level working party to examine relations between the police and the West Indian community.
This was not a matter on which the Government sought advice from any organisation before reaching a decision. Our response was based on our judgment of the matter, bearing in mind all relevant considerations and, in particular, the local and national initiatives which were already under way.
Crime (London)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what percentage the figure of all offences, summary and indictable, known to the Metropolitan Police, has increased since 1965.
Statistics of offences recorded by the police cover indictable offences only. Indictable offences recorded by the Metropolitan Police increased by about 86 per cent. between 1965 and 1977.
Mr I Whiteley
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his response to the representations made by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton, in the case of Mr. I. Whiteley and his wife, South African citizens, and his children, who are Stateless, so that they can be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom, in the light of the fact that Mr. Whiteley has obtained employment and accommodation, and would be subject to apartheid laws if he and his wife went back to South Africa.
My hon. Friend the Minister of State has received my hon. Friend's recent letter and hopes to reply to him shortly when he has considered his and other representations.
Judicial Studies And Information (Report)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is intended to publish the report of the working party on judicial studies and information under the chairmanship of Lord Justice Bridge.
The report is being published today. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and I welcome the report, which we hope will receive general support.
Imprisonment (Maintenance Arrears)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are in prison currently for arrears of maintenance; under what statutory authority imprisonment is ordered in such cases; and if he will make a statement.
The data are not readily available, but I shall write to the hon. Member. Statutory authority to imprison maintenance defaulters is conferred by section 5 of the Debtors Act 1869 for the High Court and county courts, and by sections 64 and 74 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 for magistrates' courts.
Short Sentences (Costs)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to public funds of imprisoning a man for a six-week period, including all related costs such as transport to and from prison.
In 1976–77, the last financial year for which full details are available, the average cost was £492.
Civil Service
Retired Civil Servants (Employment)
asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, in implementation of the Boyle Committee report on top salaries either wholly or in part, he will take action to prevent these top paid civil servants retiring on indexed pensions and taking jobs in industry with which they have had business relationships during their Government-held appointments.
There are already rules providing for the scrutiny and approval of appointments to commercial organisations with which a retiring civil servant has had official contact. These are contained in the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code and establishment officers guide, copies of which are in the Library. There is also provision for the abatement of pension in certain circumstances, on which I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 21st November last.—[Vol. 939, c. 488.]
Energy
Coking Coal
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will compare the stockpiles of coking coal in the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom for the latest date for which figures are available; and when he anticipates the stocks will be reduced in the United Kingdom, bearing in mind the continued recession in the steel industry both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Figures of coking coal stocks in other Community countries are not readily available. As there is a general practice to carbonise coking coal and stock the resultant coke, I shall give such figures as I have for coal and coke.At the end of April 1978, the Federal Republic of Germany had coke stocks of some 15½ million tonnes and total coal stocks, a large part of which might be coking coal, of 18 million tonnes. Stocks of coke in France were over 1 million tonnes. Italy is not a coal producer, and any stocks of coal or coke are likely to be largely derived from third country imports rather than Community sources. At the same time United Kingdom coking coal stocks were 5 million tonnes and coke stocks 3·7 million tonnes.The levels of coking coal stocked at coke ovens are now consistent with the needs for current rates of carbonisation. The extent to which the National Coal Board will be able to reduce coking coal stocks will depend largely on economic recovery within the United Kingdom. Measures have already been taken to reduce surplus availability of coking coal by diverting tonnages of marginal quality to the power station market. In addition, discussions are taking place with the British Steel Corporation to establish the technical feasibility of supplying NCB coals in lieu of third country imports.
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the tonnage of coking coal processed by the coal and steel industries, respectively, during the past year, and the quantity of such coal stockpiled by each at the latest date for which figures are available.
Provisional information for the year ending June 1978 is as follows:
| At coke ovens operated by: | ||
| National Smokeless Fuels Ltd.* | Iron and Steel Industry | |
| million tonnes | ||
| Coal consumed | 4·5 | 10·6 |
| Coal stock at end of period | 0·5 | 1·2 |
| * Wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Coal Board. | ||
Concessionary Coal (Cost)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total annual cost to the National Coal Board of concessionary coal supplied to miners.
This is a matter for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
Mining Industry (Wages And Conditions)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will refer to the Boyle committee the wages and working conditions of those in the mining industry.
Wages and conditions in the mining industry are a matter for
| Coking Plant | Location | Owner | ||
| Clyde Iron | … | Scotland | … | British Steel Corporation |
| East Moors | … | South Wales | … | |
| Stanton | … | Nottinghamshire | … | |
| Cleveland | … | Cleveland | … | |
| Barnsley | … | Yorkshire | … | National Carbonising Company Ltd. |
| Rotherham | … | Yorkshire | … | |
| Kidsgrove | … | Staffordshire | … | |
| Glasshoughton | … | Yorkshire | … | National Smokeless Fuels Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Coal Board) |
| Dagenham | … | Essex | … | Ford Motor Company Ltd. |
Coal
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will elucidate further his statement—Official Report, 26th June, column 1020—that the United Kingdom produces overwhelmingly the cheapest coal in Europe; and if he will compare the production costs and export prices of United Kingdom and Polish coal.
The Commission's "Carnet de Prix" No. 23(1) of 14th June 1978 shows that for equivalent grades of coal, National Coal Board pithead prices are consistently lower than those of other Community producers, and the difference between the lowest NCB price and the highest Community price for the same grade of coal can be as much as $45 per tonne. In addition, it must be borne in mind that Government aid per tonne of coal production is much lower in the United Kingdom than in the other member States. Poland does not disclose the production costs of its coal. Export prices are low, with steam coal offered for delivery to Community countries at below the NCB cost of production, but these prices do not necessarily reflect Poland's own production costs.
asked the Secretary of State for Energy, on the assumption that United Kingdom coal is the cheapest coal in
negotiation between the mining unions and the National Coal Board.
Coking Plants
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many coking plants have been closed in the past five years; and what are the locations of the plants and the owners of the ovens involved.
Over the past five years, nine coking plants have been closed. The details are as follows:Europe, why United Kingdom coal exports during the first four months of 1978 were only 656,000 tonnes, compared with the annual import requirements of the EEC of some 45,000,000 tonnes.
Third country imports into the European Community mainly come from Australia, the United States and South Africa, where opencast mining and favourable underground conditions yield cheap coal for shipment in large vessels at low rates of freight, or from Poland where export prices are at least as low. Although the National Coal Board is doing its best to increase its share of the export market and United Kingdom coal is the cheapest in the Community, it is necessary, when competing for export business, to match the price of these third country producers.I assure the hon. Member that the Government will continue to strive within the Energy Council and elsewhere for the increased use of indigenous coal within the Community.
Metallurgical Coke
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the tonnage of metallurgical coke consumed in the United Kingdom in each of the past four years; and what percentage was derived from indigenous sources and from imports, respectively.
The following table shows, for the last four years, the quantity of coke—including coke breeze—consumed by the iron and steel industry, and estimates of the percentage derived from imported coal:
| Consumption (million tonnes) | Estimate of percentage of consumption derived from imported coal | |
| 1974 | 10·5 | 6 |
| 1975 | 9·3 | 6 |
| 1976 | 10·5 | 9 |
| 1977 | 9·2 | 9 |
asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent it has been proved feasible to produce metallurgical coke from general purpose coals.
It has not yet proved feasible to produce metallurgical coke from general purpose coals alone. Research in this country is showing that careful blending of such coals with coking coals is enabling larger proportions of the former to be used in manufacture of metallurgical coke in coke ovens than was hitherto thought possible, but even then the general purpose coals do not constitute the major part of the blend. Formed or briquetted coke processes offer the prospect of using mainly general purpose coals as the feedstock, but such cokes have yet to be proved satisfactory for consistent and efficient blast furnace operation.
Coal Pits (Finances)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish, for the latest available year, the aggregate profits, after depreciation but before interest, grants under the Coal Industry Acts and deficiency contributions to pension schemes, of those National Coal Board pits which made a profit.
This is a matter for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.
Mr Joe Gormley
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will appoint Mr. Joe Gormley as chairman of the National Coal Board or some other Government board or organisation connected with the energy industry for which he has ministerial authority.
I am grateful for my hon. Friend's suggestion. Each vacancy is considered as it arises, taking into account all the suitably qualified available candidates.
History Of Parliament (Exhibition)
26.
asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for a permanent exhibition in Westminster Hall to depict the history of the British Parliament, for the benefit of visitors to the Palace of Westminster.
This matter is currently being examined by the Services Committee.
House Of Commons Staff (Pay)
asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will refer to the Boyle Committee the salaries, wages and conditions of service of the catering and administration services of the House.
No. Such a reference would be outside the scope of the work of the review body.
Library
asked the Lord President of the Council how many staff were employed in the Library in each of the last 10 years; how many were accommodated, respectively, in each year in (a) the precincts, and (b) the parliamentary buildings; of those in the precincts how many were accommodated in the main Library rooms, single rooms, double rooms, treble rooms and rooms accommodating four, five and six or more staff, respectively; and what other accommodation in the precincts is currently occupied by Library staff and equipment other than solely for book and document storage.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10th July 1978; Vol. 953, c. 347], gave the following information:
| STRENGTH AND APPROXIMATE MANNER OF ACCOMMODATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY STAFF 1968–69–1978–79 | |||||||||||
Numbers* full-time equivalent | |||||||||||
Numbers accommodated:
| |||||||||||
Within the Palace of Westminster† | |||||||||||
Outside the Palace
| Main Library‡ | Single rooms§ | Double rooms
| Treble rooms
| Four-person rooms
| Six or more person rooms
| Total within the Palace
| Total Library Staff
| |||
| 1968–69 | … | … | — | 23 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 53 | 53 |
| 1969–70 | … | … | — | 23 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 53 | 53 |
| 1970–71 | … | … | — | 23 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 53 | 53 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | — | 24 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 54 | 54 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | 4 | 27 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 51 | 55 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | 5 | 32 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 58 | 63 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | 5 | 32 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 58 | 63 |
| 1975–76 | … | … | 17 | 25 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 51 | 68 |
| 1976–77 | … | … | 18 | 31 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 56 | 74 |
| 1977–78 | … | … | 19 | 32 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 57 | 76 |
| 1978–79 | … | … | 21 | 30 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 58 | 79 |
| * Including vacant posts; the figures are of the number of staff for which the Estimates make provision. | |||||||||||
| † The sizes of the rooms refer to the numbers actually accommodated rather than the theoretical capacities. | |||||||||||
| ‡ Including some of the Library attendants who have no specific desks. | |||||||||||
| § Librarian's room and Librarian's bedroom from 1972–73 to 1975–76; from 1976–77 the latter became a double room for secretarial staff. | |||||||||||
asked the Lord President of the Council what accommodation is currently occupied by the Library in the North Curtain area and the area below Mr. Speaker's house by number and size of rooms.
| Room Number: Location | Room Use | Area M2 | |||||||
| Basement Level | |||||||||
| 5 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 20·50 |
| 4 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 13·50 |
| 3 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 13·50 |
| 2 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 13·50 |
| Vaults Number 10 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 85·00 |
| 10 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 29·50 |
| 1 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 13·50 |
| Next Number 10 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 22·30 |
| 15 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 24·20 |
| 11 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 44·00 |
| 16 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 13·64 |
| 22 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 24·40 |
| 17 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 21·75 |
| 18 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 8·70 |
| 19 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 15·60 |
| 20 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 13·20 |
| 21 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 14·28 |
| Ground Floor Level | |||||||||
| North Curtain Lobby | … | Hark Room | … | … | … | … | … | … | 32·69 |
| 42 | … | Library Research | … | … | … | … | … | … | 32·77 |
| 43 | … | Secretaries | … | … | … | … | … | … | 20·40 |
| 46 | … | Library Research | … | … | … | … | … | … | 20·77 |
| 1 | … | Library Research | … | … | … | … | … | … | 35·00 |
| 2 | … | Office | … | … | … | … | … | … | 12·42 |
| 3 | … | Staff Rest Room | … | … | … | … | … | … | 22·09 |
| 4 | … | Office | … | … | … | … | … | … | 14·10 |
| 5 | … | Office/Store | … | … | … | … | … | … | 65·80 |
| 6 | … | Library Research | … | … | … | … | … | … | 25·84 |
| 7 | … | Bookstore | … | … | … | … | … | … | 12·00 |
| 8 | … | Copying/Store | … | … | … | … | … | … | 26·45 |
Lord President's Department (Staff Salaries And Pensions)
asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give for the latest most convenient date the number of staff in his Department and their salary scales; how many of these are not entitled to a pension; and whether those who will be entitled to a pension have contributed 5 per cent. or 6 per cent. towards it.
The information is as follows:Forty, of whom 38 are on Civil Service scales ranging between £2,349–£2,466 and £10,462–£12,273. The other two posts are at fixed salaries of £12,208 and £7,429 respectively. These figures are exclusive of inner London weighting.All the posts are pensionable, and the salaries reflect the deductions for pension
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th July 1978],.gave the following information:contributions which are built into Civil Service pay rates.
Legislation (Preparation)
asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in the interests of the better drafting of legislation, he will consider allowing parliamentary draftsmen to have consultations with responsible representative groups of those organisations affected by proposed legislation.
Consultations with representative groups affected by proposed legislation are normally undertaken by the Department promoting the legislation. Any specialist advice received is made available to the Government draftsmen, who are free to seek any further advice they may require.
asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will list the recommendations of the Renton report on the preparation of legislation which have so far been implemented;(2) what further steps he is proposing to take to implement the recommendations of the Renton report on the preparation of legislation.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Runcorn (Mr. Carlisle) on 15th December 1977.—[Vol. 941, c. 329.]The recommendations made in the Renton report are already taken fully into account in the drafting of all new legislation.
Ministers And Members Of Parliament (Pay)
asked the Lord President of the Council if he will ask the Review Body on Top Salaries to consider and advise him on the remuneration of hon. Members and Ministers of the Crown in order to raise the real value of such remuneration to the level proposed by the Review Body on Top Salaries No. 7
| USE MADE OF ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE IN 1973 FOR MEMBERS | ||||||||
| Single | Double | Treble | 4 MPs | 5 MPs | 6 or more MPs | |||
| Precincts | … | … | 143 | 122 | 12 | 24 | 10 | 105 |
| 1, Bridge Street | … | … | 21 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
| 7, Old Palace Yard | … | … | — | — | — | — | — | 31 |
| 2, The Abbey Garden | … | … | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 9 | — |
| Palace Chambers | … | … | — | — | — | 8 | — | 30 |
| 46, Parliament Street | … | … | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 168 | 138 | 30 | 40 | 23 | 179 | |||
| Ministers | … | … | … | 62 single rooms |
| Speaker | … | … | … | 1 single room |
| Party Leaders | … | … | … | 2 single rooms |
| Whips | … | … | … | 4 single rooms |
| Chairmen of Ways and Means | … | … | … | 3 single rooms |
| Chairmen of Select Committees | … | … | … | 13 single rooms |
| Front Bench spokesmen of official Opposition | … | … | … | Unknown |
Prices And Consumer Protection
Electricity Industry (Scotland)
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action he proposes to take on the Price Commission's investigation into the electricity industry in the south of Scotland.
Command Paper No. 6136; and if he will undertake that the Government will implement the Review Body's findings by 1st April 1980.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas) on 6th June—[Vol. 951, c. 55.]
Members Of Parliament (Accommodation)
asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis of the rooms available to hon. Members in 1973 as described in paragraph 3 of the Seventh Report of the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) 1972–73 (HC Paper 466) on the same basis as his reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East on 15th March 1978.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th July 1978], gave the following information:
The Price Commission's report on the South of Scotland Electricity Board, published on 6th July, contained no statutory recommendations on which I could have based an order. The Government's views on the report's observations are set out in the Press notice issued on 6th July, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. My consideration of this report is now concluded.
Industry
Cable And Wireless Limited (Chairman)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the chairman of Cable and Wireless Limited is entitled to claim, in addition to his chairman's salary for this part-time employment, his former ministerial pension and his House of Commons Members' pension; and what these amounts total for this employment and the number of hours spent on the job.
Pensions under the parliamentary pensions scheme are not my responsibility but I understand that the Parliamentary Pensions Acts do not require abatement of pensions on appointment to a public board.The current annual salary for this 3½-day-per-week appointment is £10,150.
Shipping (Investment Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list, for each
| INVESTMENT GRANTS PAID ON SHIPS | |||||||
| Built in United Kingdom | Built outside United Kingdom | Total | |||||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||
| Financial Year— | |||||||
| 1967–68 | … | … | … | … | 118,968 | 417,976 | 19,661 |
| 1968–69 | … | … | … | … | 41,650 | ||
| 1969–70 | … | … | … | … | 67,201 | ||
| 1970–71 | … | … | … | … | 59,169 | ||
| 1971–72 | … | … | … | … | 97,388 | ||
| 1972–73 | … | … | … | … | 92,760 | ||
| 1973–74 | … | … | … | … | 99,891 | ||
| 1974–75 | … | … | … | … | 59,224 | ||
| 1975–76 | … | … | … | … | 8,657 | 37,704 | 46,361 |
| 1976–77 | … | … | … | … | 6,465 | 14,504 | 20,969 |
| 1977–78 | … | … | … | … | 108 | 4,833 | 4,941 |
| Total | … | … | … | … | 134,198 | 475,017 | 609,215 |
Paper Recycling (Research)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the extent of United Kingdom participation in the current EEC research programme on the recycling of paper.
As is usual in such cases, the Commission has invited tenders for the four main topics in a research and development programme in the field of paper and board recycling. The United Kingdom paper and board industry and
year since 1969, the amount of investment grants paid out to shipowners in respect of ships, listing ( a) whether the shipowner was United Kingdom or foreign controlled, and the respective amounts, and ( b) whether the ship concerned was built in a United Kingdom or a foreign yard, and the respective amounts of grant.
The information is not available in the form requested. Investment grants towards the costs of ships are payable only when the ship was supplied under a contract entered into before 27th October 1970. Applications made after 10th November 1969 are subject to the Industrial Development (Ships) Act 1970 whereby grants towards the cost of a ship built in a foreign yard may, in general, only be made when the transaction was not to the detriment of the United Kingdom balance of payments. Of the 995 new ships on which investment grant has been paid, wholly or in part, over half were built in the United Kingdom. The following table shows the payments of investment grant in respect of ships:research association concerned have expressed a strong interest in participating in the programme. I hope that they will be able to play a full role in these developments.
European Community
asked the Secretary of State for Industry, whether he can confirm that it is the intention of the EEC Commission to undertake any review of policies which come within his jurisdiction in 1979 or later; and, if so, what policies.
My responsibilities cover several directorates general of the EEC Commission. The Commission normally reviews Community interests and policies periodically and as need arises. The Government's six-monthly White Paper on developments in the Community sets out the Commission's current thinking on particular issues, including those touching my Department's interests.
Employment
Barclays Bank, Brent (Pay)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the results of his discussions with representatives of Barclays Bank concerning their alleged breaking of the Government's incomes policy in the case of its employees at the Brent shopping precinct held on 7th July 1978; and on what statutory authority he arranged these discussions.
As an outcome of discussions with representatives of Barclays Bank on 7th July my officials are satisfied that the bank's arrangements for remunerating staff at its Brent Cross branch, which are similar to those existing in other part of its organisation where evening and Saturday working is required, are not inconsistent with the pay policy. The bank's representatives were pleased to co-operate in providing information on a voluntary basis.
Disabled Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Kings-wood, Official Report, 28th February, Vol. 945, c. 231–33, he will publish the quota figures of "opinion formers" among employers in the private sector.
I am pleased to say that the employers concerned, with one exception, have given their agreement to the publication of their quota figures, which are given below, with the addition of figures for the House of Commons and the House of Lords which can also be regarded as"opinion formers ". In seeking their permission, I also invited them to comment on the quota scheme, including any difficulties which they may have experienced in meeting the quota. The comments below reflect the principal points made in reply to this initiative.
In considering the figures it is important to recognise that only those disabled people who are registered under the terms of the 1944 Act can be counted towards an employer's quota. The percentages in the table therefore relate only to those disabled people who are known by their employers to be registered. However, registration is voluntary, and many disabled employees choose not to register. Likewise, there is no obligation to disclose registration to an employer. Most "opinion formers" indicated that they were employing disabled people who were not registered and that therefore their quota figures did not truly represent their contribution to the employment of disabled people.
The "opinion formers" to whom I wrote suggested that another significant reason why they experienced difficulty in satisfying their quota obligations was the unavailability of suitably qualified disabled candidates for their vacancies. In addition, employers in the newspaper industry commented that a high proportion of their vacancies are restricted to candidates nominated by the printing trade unions under staffing and employment agreements. The employers' ability to satisfy the quota therefore depends to a large extent on the unions being able to nominate candidates who are registered as disabled. I propose to discuss this question with the TUC.
It seems clear from the replies that private sector employers have similar difficulties in meeting their quota as do public employers. The reluctance of disabled people in employment to register and the shortage of suitably qualified disabled people for vacancies are of course valid reasons why some employers are below quota. The Manpower Services Commission proposes to examine this matter carefully in its review of quota at the end of 1979.
At the same time, I was disappointed that a few replies from "opinion formers" assumed that jobs which require specialised or professional staff with high academic qualifications automatically ruled out disabled people. This is a real misconception. Disabled people are able to undertake a wide range of occupations, including those requiring high intellectual ability. Both private and public employers need to employ more disabled people and I am convinced that they could do so despite the very real difficulties outlined above.
Implementation of the guidelines set out in the MSC guide to employers, "Positive
Employer
| Date to which information relates
| Registered disabled employees
| Quota position Percentage
| |
| Trade Union Congress | … | 22.5.78 | 5 | 3·1 |
| Transport and General Workers Union | … | 20.3.78 | 27 | 2·1 |
| Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers | … | 9.6.78 | 15·5* | 3·4 |
| General Municipal Workers Union | … | May 1978 | 14 | 1·7 |
| Confederation of British Industry | … | 5.5.78 | 6 | 1·7 |
| National Farmers Union | … | 15.2.78 | 3 | 1·3 |
| Engineering Employers Federation | … | 15.5.78 | Nil | Nil |
| National Federation of Building Trade Employers | … | 10.4.78 | Nil | Nil |
| Conservative and Unionist Central Office | … | 4.5.78 | 1 | 0·3 |
| The Labour Party | … | 17.2.78 | 3 | 1·6 |
| ATV Network Ltd. | … | 27.1.78 | 16 | 0·9 |
| London Weekend Television | … | 14.3.78 | 18 | 1·5 |
| Yorkshire TV | … | 15.5.78 | 14 | 1·1 |
| Thames Television Ltd. | … | 9.5.78 | 19 | 1·1 |
| Granada Television Ltd. | … | 12.5.78 | 13 | 1·1 |
| Guardian Newspapers Ltd. | … | 24.5.77 | 51 | 2·1 |
| Evening Standard Co. Ltd. | … | 9.1.78 | 7 | 0·4 |
| Daily Telegraph | … | 24.2.78 | 93 | 3·0 |
| Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd. | … | 14.6.78 | 94 | 1·8 |
| Associated Newspapers Group Ltd. | … | 8.6.78 | 150 | 3·1 |
| Newsgroup Newspapers Ltd. | … | 20.2.78 | 36 | 0·9 |
| The Times Newspapers Ltd. | … | 3.2.78 | 87 | 1·4 |
| The Morning Star Co-operative Society Ltd. | … | 3.5.78 | 6 | 4·0 |
| House of Commons | … | 28.6.78 | 7 | 1·3 |
| House of Lords | … | 28.6.78 | 4 | 2·2 |
| * The column headed"Registered Disabled Employees"in the table shows in the case of the AUEW ·5 of a decimal place. This is because registered disabled people who are normally employed between 10–30 hours per week count as half a unit of staff for the purpose of calculating an employer's quota percentage. A similar rule applies to the total number of staff employed. | ||||
The Express Group was approached but declined to allow publication of its quota figures.
Training (Ipswich)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently on waiting lists for training opportunities sponsored courses in the Ipswich employment area.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that at 7th July 1978 there were 160 people on waiting lists for TOPS—training opportunities scheme—courses in the Ipswich employment office area.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what money the Construction Industry Training Board has made available to support training and recruitment to the construction industry in the Ipswich employment area.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the grants made available to employers by the Construction Industry Training Board could not be analysed on an area basis without disproportionate cost. I
Policies", especially fair consideration of disabled people for all vacancies, would help employers in this respect. There is no room for complacency.
understand, however, that the number of young people from Ipswich who were recruited to construction apprenticeships and commenced off-the-job training this year was higher than in 1976–77.
The CITB has, in addition, enabled a number of redundant apprentices to complete their training and has provided financial support of £62,500 in the current year for the Ipswich and district construction training group and the Ipswich construction training centre.
Unemployed Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of unemployed, and the appropriate percentage rates, where available, for the Attleborough, Wymondham, Diss and Thetford areas for the months of June 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978.
The first table below gives the numbers unemployed for the employment office areas specified. Unemployment rates can be given only for complete travel-to-work areas and the second table gives information for the Norwich travel-to-work area, which includes Attleborough and Wymondham,
| NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED | |||||||
| Attleborough | Wymondham | Diss | Thetford | ||||
| June 1974 | … | … | … | 103 | 116 | 262 | 107 |
| June 1975 | … | … | … | 241 | 238 | 484 | 269 |
| June 1976 | … | … | … | 329 | 322 | 606 | 400 |
| June 1977 | … | … | … | 378 | 399 | 693 | 465 |
| June 1978 | … | … | … | 350 | 331 | 575 | 446 |
| UNEMPLOYMENT RATES (Per cent.) | |||||||
| Norwich travel-to-work area | Diss | Thetford travel-to-work area | |||||
| June 1974 | … | … | … | … | 1·9 | 3·5 | 2·1 |
| June 1975 | … | … | … | … | 2·8 | 4·5 | 4·5 |
| June 1976 | … | … | … | … | 4·5 | 5·8 | 5·8 |
| June 1977 | … | … | … | … | 5·0 | 6·7 | 6·9 |
| June 1978 | … | … | … | … | 4·9 | 5·5 | 6·0 |
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures showing the total number of people who have suffered periods of unemployment since March 1974.
I regret that this information is not available.
Ipswich, Sudbury And Woodbridge
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total numbers of employed and the number of unfilled vacancies in the Ipswich, Sudbury
| EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT (Thousands) | |||||||
| Ipswich | Sudbury | Woodbridge | |||||
| June 1972 | … | … | … | … | 69·8 | 9·2 | 10·7 |
| June 1976 | … | … | … | … | 73·7 | 12·0 | 11·4 |
| VACANCIES NOTIFIED TO EMPLOYMENT OFFICES AND CAREERS OFFICES AND REMAINING UNFILLED | ||||||||
| Ipswich | Sudbury | Woodbridge | ||||||
| Employment Office | Careers Office | Employment Office | Careers Office | Employment Office | Careers Office | |||
| May 1972 | … | … | 342 | 186 | 97 | 27 | 73 | 52 |
| May 1974 | … | … | 976 | 380 | 226 | 132 | 259 | 73 |
| May 1976 | … | … | 141 | 222* | 66 | * | 62 | * |
| May 1978 | … | … | 599 | 130* | 91 | * | 136 | * |
| Note: The statistics relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices; vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one third of all vacancies in the country as a whole. Because of possible duplication the two series should not be added together. | ||||||||
| * Figures for the Sudbury and Woodbridge careers offices, which closed in November 1974, are now included in those for the Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich careers offices respectively. | ||||||||
Alcoholism
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the annual cost to British industry of
for Diss and for the Thetford travel-to-work area, which comprises the Thetford, Swaffham and Brandon employment office areas.
and Woodbridge employment office areas in May 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1978, respectively.
The available figures for the Ipswich, Sudbury and Woodbridge employment office areas are given in the table below. Estimates of the total numbers of employees in employment in local areas relate to June each year. The latest figures available are those for 1976. Comparable figures for 1974, however, are not available due to difficulties which arose following the reorganisation of local government in England and Wales.years requested are given in the table below:absences, accidents and errors due to the excessive consumption of alcohol.
There is no precise information available. The financial cost to industry is difficult to assess, primarily because of the problem of correlating absenteeism, accidents and errors with the incidence of excessive alcoholic consumption. However, I have noted that estimates have been made varying from £100 million to £350 million a year.
Wisbech
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the unemployed registered in Wisbech on 1st June 1978 divided into those who have been without employment for more than one month, more than three months, more than six months and more than one year, respectively.
The following table gives the information for the Wisbech employment office area at 13th April 1978, the latest date for which an analysis by duration of unemployment is available:
| Over 4, up to 13 weeks | 283 |
| Over 13, up to 26 weeks | 326 |
| Over 26, up to 52 weeks | 259 |
| Over 52 weeks | 302 |
Lost Working Days
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing
| NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS: UNITED KINGDOM | ||||||||
| MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES | ||||||||
| (Thousands | ||||||||
| Size range according to numbers of employees | ||||||||
| 11·99 | 100·999 | 1,000+ | Total | |||||
| 1951 | … | … | … | … | 43·7 | 13·6 | 1·0 | 58·3 |
| 1954 | … | … | … | … | 42·4 | 13·8 | 1·1 | 57·2 |
| 1958 | … | … | … | … | 40·6 | 13·0 | 1·1 | 54·7 |
| 1963 | … | … | … | … | 39·1 | 13·1 | 1·2 | 53·4 |
| 1968 | … | … | … | … | 37·8 | 12·8 | 1·2 | 51·8 |
| 1973 | … | … | … | … | 45·9 | 12·7 | 1·1 | 59·7 |
| 1975 | … | … | … | … | 44·9 | 12·3 | 1·0 | 58·2 |
Telecommunications Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on employment in the telecommunications industry.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th July 1978; Vol. 975, c. 260], gave the following information:Employment in telecommunications has declined markedly in recent years. The sector working party's report on the industry forecast a further, though less
for the EEC as a whole, for each present member State of the EEC, the USA and Japan for each year since 1970 the number of working days lost through strikes per 1,000 employed population.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Companies (Statistics)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the total number of firms employing (a) one to 99 employees, (b) 100 to 999 employees, and (c) over 1,000 employees, for each of the following years, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1978.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 3rd July 1978; Vol. 953, c. 29], gave the following answer:Information is not available about the size of firms. The nearest available information covering a span of years is compiled by the Business Statistics Office and relates to establishments with 11 or more employees in manufacturing industry. This information is given below for the years for which the information is available and which most closely correspond to those requested.rapid, decline in employment in the years to 1981, with employment losses in the switching sector being partially offset by gains in transmission and subscribers' apparatus. Future employment levels depend on both the speed of introduction of new technology and on the industry's success in world markets.
Defence
Northern Ireland (Troop Numbers)
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops are now in Northern Ireland.
The present force level is 13 major units of the combat arms. The number of troops is about 13,500, but of course the precise figure fluctuates because of variations in the strengths of individual units.
Ulster Defence Regiment
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the developing role of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
The role of the UDR is to provide military support to the RUC in the maintenance of law and order in the Province. The introduction of 16 full-time operational platoons has enabled the UDR's participation in security operations to be increased. The regiment now provides immediate military support for the RUC, wholly or in part, in 11 police divisions.
Argentina
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has held conversations with Admiral Emilio Massera, a member of the Argentinian military junta, during his visit to London; and if he will make a statement.
I understand that Admiral Massera was on a private visit and no official discussions took place. The Chief of the Naval Staff and one junior member of my Department attended a reception for the admiral at the Argentine Embassy on 3rd July.
Departmental (Employees Suffolk)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed by his Department in the county of Suffolk.
About 500 Ministry of Defence civilian employees and 3,000 Service personnel.
United Nations (Peacekeeping Operations)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many days are given to the study of, and training for, United Nations peacekeeping operations at the National Defence College, Latimer and at the Royal College of Defence Studies, Belgrave Square.
Each of these courses includes a lecture on the United Nations which covers peacekeeping operations. In addition, United Nations peacekeeping operations are considered in various contexts and figure among the subjects which students may choose for their research projects. The amount of time devoted to the subject varies considerably from course to course.
Prime Minister (Engagements)
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 13th July 1978.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July 1978.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 13th July 1978.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July 1978.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 13th July.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13th July.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 13th July 1978.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13th July 1978.
I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price).
President Carter (Talks)
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister what subjects other than aeronautics he discussed with President Carter.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 5th July.
European Community Council (Bremen Meeting)
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting in Bremen with the EEC Heads of Government.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the outcome of the recent European Heads of Government meeting at Bremen.
I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the statement which I made to the House on 10th July.
Tuc And Cbi
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.
I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas) on 15th June.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC and CBI.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC and CBI.
I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave on my behalf to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Stoddart) on 6th July.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 13th June.
East Anglia
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit East Anglia.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Secretaries Of State For The Environment And Social Services
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will dismiss the Secretary of State for the Environment.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if he will dismiss the Secretary of State for Social Services.
The hon. Members may assume that I do not intend to make any changes in ministerial appointments or responsibilities—including my taking on any of the existing responsibilities of other Ministers—unless and until I make a statement to the contrary.
Ussr
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit the Soviet Union.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave on my behalf to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 6th July.
Sheffield
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Sheffield.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Mottram St Andrew
Q.33
asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Mottram St. Andrew.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Ormskirk
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Ormskirk.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Security Commission (References)
Q.48
asked the Prime Minister if he will list the references to the Security Commission since its inception.
The Security Commission has examined and reported upon the following cases:
- Mr. Bossard and Staff Sgt. Allen, June 1965.
- Squadron Leader Reen, July 1966.
- Miss Keenan, June 1967.
- Chief Technician Britten, November 1968.
- Mr. Bland, January 1969.
- Sub Lt. Bingham and Mr. Hinchcliffe, May 1973.
- Earl Jellicoe and Lord Lambton, July 1973.
First Lord Of The Treasury
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister what duties he performs as First Lord of the Treasury.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 14th November.
Resources Policy
asked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for resources policy.
A number of Ministers have responsibilities for natural resources. The formulation of policy falls to the Minister with responsibility for the natural resource in question, in consultation with other Ministers as necessary.
North Devon Link Road Proposals
asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in a Written Answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Tiverton on 26th June as to the cause of the delay in announcing the date of the public inquiry into the North Devon link road proposals, the Secretary of State for Transport replied, inter alia, that the Lord Chancellor had been asked to nominate an inspector, that in answer to a further question about the continuing delay on Monday 3rd July the Secretary of State for Transport replied, inter alia, that the inspector had not yet been appointed, that the hon. Member for Tiverton had tabled a Question for priority Written Answer on Monday 10th July asking the Attorney-General how much longer this inquiry would be delayed by the Lord Chancellor's failure to appoint an inspector, and that instead of receiving a reply to this Question the hon. Member received a letter from the Attorney-General's office saying that the Secretary of State, not the Lord Chancellor, has been asked to reply because he was responsible for the appointment of the inspector; and whether the Prime Minister will investigate the matter and announce who is, in fact, responsible for appointing the inspector for the inquiry.
I have seen the Questions and Answers to which the hon. Member refers.Highway inquiries are held by persons appointed jointly by the Secretaries of State for Transport and the Environment, but the Secretaries of State ask the Lord Chancellor to nominate a particular individual considered by him to be suitable for a particular inquiry. These arrangements were announced in paragraph 27 of the White Paper on the report on the review of highway inquiry procedures (Cmnd. 7133).
Social Services
National Health Service (Northern Region)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much progress the Northern region of the National Health Service has made towards its target since the acceptance of the report of the Resources Allocation Working Party; how much progress has each area in the Northern region made towards its target; and, in Cleveland, how much progress has each district made towards its target.
Health authorities' targets as defined by the Resource Allocation Working Party are recalculated year by year on the basis of up-to-date statistical information and the total level of resources available nationally. Over the two years since the working party reported, calculations indicate that from a position of some 11½ per cent. away from target, the Northern region's allocation is now just over 8 per cent. away from target. The working party explained that the impact of a number of unquantified factors would need to be borne in mind each year when decisions were taken whether and how far allocations should move towards target. Hence, progress cannot be uniform and comparisons need to take account of these influences.Below regional level, the calculation of, and the weight to be given to, targets present, as the working party recognised, additional difficulty. Regional health authorities have sought each year to adopt the best method of calculation available to them. Because of changes of method from year to year, a direct comparison of distances from target of areas and districts in the Northern region would not be soundly based. This year's allocations to area health authorities in the region represent the following proportions of their targets as calculated by the regional health authority:
| Per cent. | |
| Cleveland AHA | 89·48 |
| Cumbria AHA | 94·65 |
| Durham AHA | 92·92 |
| Northumberland AHA | 88·87 |
| Gateshead AHA | 93·64 |
| Newcastle AHA (T) | 93·58 |
| North Tyneside AHA | 88·92 |
| South Tyneside AHA | 91·32 |
| Sunderland AHA | 92·61 |
National Insurance (Class 4 Contributions)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the actual amounts of class 4 contributions received and credited for the year (a) 1976–77 and (b) 1977–78.
The estimated amounts of class 4 contributions—including the NHS element—expected to be received for the years 1976–77 and 1977–78 were given in the reply to the hon. Member on 4th July 1978.—[Vol. 953, c. 149.] More precise information is not available.
Psychogeriatric Patients (Walsall)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the provision for psychogeriatric patients in Walsall.
No, but there are plans for substantial additional provision. These include provision in a later phase of the new district general hospital, in the community hospital planned for Aldridge-Brownhills and in a psychiatric day unit which it is hoped will be ready by 1981.
Local Authorities (Returns)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many returns of information are made by (a) non-metropolitan counties, (b) non-metropolitan districts, (c) metropolitan counties and (d) metropolitan districts to his department each year.
The types of return made to the statistics and research division each year number (a) 47 from non-metropolitan counties, (b) one from non-metropolitan districts, (c) nil from metropolitan counties, and (d) 48 from metropolitan districts.
Prescription Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to change the categories of people at present exempt from paying prescription charges.
No, we have no such plans at present. It remains our intention to consider further steps in the progressive abolition of prescription charges when the resources available to the Health Service permit.
Hospitals (Capital Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give figures showing, at 1978 survey prices, the total amounts devoted to hospital capital expenditure for each of the years from 1946 to 1977, inclusive.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Orthoptists
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will issue guidance on the proper deployment of orthoptists in the National Health Service, with particular reference to their role in support of community health services.
My Department is aware of a number of schemes where orthoptists have been successfully involved in the community health services. Nevertheless, it is for health authorities, in the light of local circumstances, to determine the best way to deploy the services of orthoptists, and it would therefore not be appropriate to issue guidance about their specific role. The draft guidance on "Prevention in the Child Health Services", which was circulated for comment earlier this year, reflects this general principle. My Department is currently considering comments on it from a wide range of organisations, including the British Orthoptic Society.
Alcoholism
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of expenditure in 1978–79 and in 1977–78 by his Department in the treatment of alcoholism;(2) what is his estimate of the cost of excessive consumption of alcohol both from the provision of treatment and from social security expenditure during the last financial year.
The full extent to which the misuse of alcohol contributes to ill health and unemployment cannot, on present information, be reliably estimated nor therefore can the consequential expenditure incurred in social security benefits and the provision of treatment, but it is likely to be much greater than the available separately identifiable figures given below:
| Cost at November 1977 prices | |
| £ million | |
| Treatment of alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis | |
| in non-psychiatric hospitals (1973) | 1·07 |
| in psychiatric hospitals (1975) | 7·80 |
| 1977–78 | |
| £ | |
| Grants to voluntary bodies providing community services for alcoholics | 808,000 |
Visual Defects (Screening Of Children)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to extend the screening of children for visual defects at an early age.
My Department has prepared a draft document on preventive health services for children suggesting that health authorities should ensure that a basic programme of health surveillance is offered to all children, including testing for specific conditions such as disorders of vision and hearing. Vision screening is recommended at the ages of 7 to 8 months and 2½ to 3 years, at school entry and at least in alternate years throughout school life. Consultations are taking place with interested bodies on this draft, and it is hoped that it will be issued in its final form later this year.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimates he has made of the savings to the National Health Service attainable through the early screening of children for visual defects and the treatment of those defects, thus avoiding later expensive hospital treatment or the prolonged use of the optical service.
No such estimates have been made. The objective of the early detection of visual defects is essentially to ensure that children can be offered any necessary further investigations and treatment and advice in order to prevent or minimise the effect of visual disorder rather than to make financial savings.
Heart Treatment (Merseyside)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients from Merseyside have had to travel to London for heart treatment in each of the past three years to the latest available date.
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk), on 12th July.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of evidence that cardiac patients have died on Merseyside as a result of inadequate care caused by lack of funds, he will provide a greater share of resources to the Merseyside area health authority to enable it to provide better facilities for such patients.
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Loyden) on 12th July.
Washington, County Durham (Departmental Office)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many complaints he has received of delays in work carried out by his Department's office at Washington, County Durham; and what proposals he has for dealing with such delays.
During the six months ended 30th June 1978, 490 letters of complaint through hon. Members or the media or directly from claimants to child benefit, addressed to departmental Ministers, have been considered. In 207 cases the child benefit centre at Washington was not considered to have been at fault. Of the 283 cases where the centre was considered wholly or partly at fault, it is estimated that the majority involved unnecessary delay. No record is available of the larger number of cases in which claimants have complained of delay in correspondence with the centre before the matter was settled generally to the satisfaction of the claimant.As explained in my replies to the hon. Members for Rochdale (Mr. Smith), and Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 21st June and 26th June respectively—[Vol. 952, c.
219–220 and c. 416]—the staff at the centre are coping with a very heavy work load. Regular overtime is being worked. In a small minority of cases, there may be delay giving cause for dissatisfaction in replacing an order book returned for adjustment following a change or circumstances. A new computer system being brought in during 1979 will, among other improvements, enable an additional order book to be issued, the existing book being left in issue, when a further child is included in an award. Some 600,000 such additional books will eventually be issued each year.
Generally, I am satisfied that the management at the centre is closely monitoring operations with a view to reducing delays to the minimum.
North Staffordshire Maternity Hospital (Patient's Death)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has not yet given a substantive reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South who wrote to him on 14th February asking for an inquiry into allegations by Mr. Anwar Hussain of Stoke-on-Trent that the death of his wife in the 35th week of her pregnancy was caused by an anaesthetic fault at the North Staffordshire Maternity Hospital.
The West Midlands Regional Health Authority is completing its inquiries into the circumstances of Mrs. Hussain's death with a view to sending me a full report. I am sorry that it is taking so long for a report to be provided, but my hon. Friend will understand that difficult medical issues are involved, with possible legal implications.
Freeman Hospital, Newcastle (Heart Patients)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current waiting time for patients requiring heart surgery at the Freeman hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne; and what is being done to speed up admissions.
At 12th July, there were 268 patients on the waiting list for heart surgery at Freeman hospital. Sixty-two patients were classified as urgent, of whom 55 have been waiting over four weeks. Two-hundred-and-six patients were classified as non-urgent, of whom 58 have been waiting over 12 months. The area health authority (teaching) expects that admissions will be speeded up this year on the commissioning of a further 30 beds in the cardio-thoracic unit, but this is being delayed because of difficulties in recruiting suitably qualified and experienced nursing staff. The area health authority (teaching) is currently carrying out an energetic recruitment campaign.
Population Census, 1981
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made on plans for the 1981 census of population.
A White Paper setting out the proposals for the 1981 census of population—Cmnd. 7146—has been published today.
One-Parent Families
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of one-parent families living in Great Britain; and how the position has changed since 1971.
The Registrar-General's latest estimate is that the number of one-parent families in Great Britain has increased from 570,000 in 1971—revised figure—to a figure of the order of 750,000 in 1976, the latest date for which information is available. This represents a 32 per cent. increase over the five-year period. An account of changes in the numbers and family characteristics of one-parent families in Great Britain will appear in the September issue of Population Trends.
Family Income Supplement
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of allowing claims for family income supplement to be made on the basis of full-time working by either husband or wife, instead of husband only; what is his estimate of the number of families which could be affected; and whether his studies confirm that the principal categories affected are those where the husband is disabled, or is studying full time.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 707–8], gave the following information:The estimate of the number of families affected, based on my Department's analysis of the 1976 family expenditure survey, is the same as for 1975–10,000 in Great Britain—and is subject to the same limitations and qualifications as described in my right hon. Friend's reply on 5th December 1977. Using current benefit levels, the estimated cost would be about £3¼ million, excluding administration costs.
Public Analysts
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Association of Public Analysts that the service should remain a local authority function, but that the position of public analysts be regularised and that communications between them and the Government Chemist be improved; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.The Association of Public Analysts published a report in April this year, dealing with the future of the Public Analyst's scientific, advisory and analytical services. A copy of this document was forwarded to my Department, together with the association's preliminary views on the review of the Food and Drugs Acts, announced in November last year. These representations will be discussed shortly with officials from the Government Departments concerned and will be taken into account in the preparation of a consultative document on the revision of the food laws in the United Kingdom. I am not aware of any criticism of communications between public analysts and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.
Trade
Comecon
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and the separate States of COMECON for the most recent year for which figures are available.
In accordance with established practice to refer hon. Members to published information where this is readily accessible, the United Kingdom's crude trade balance—that is, the difference between exports valued fob and imports valued cif—with these countries can be readily derived from table IB of the publications "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.
Coal
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish details of coal imports since 1st January 1978 by country of origin; and what is the average price paid per ton for each country.
Following is the information for the period January to May 1978:
| Country of origin | Tonnes | Average Value per tonne (cif) |
| £ | ||
| Australia | 511,634 | 25·56 |
| Poland | 201,584 | 32·15 |
| United States of America | 134,373 | 37·60 |
| Federal Republic of Germany | 127,789 | 47·84 |
| USSR | 38,462 | 39·42 |
| Irish Republic | 20,441 | 25·76 |
| South Africa | 14,704 | 32·97 |
| Morocco | 8,406 | 49·42 |
| Belgium-Luxembourg | 5,893 | 53·66 |
| France | 630 | 47·59 |
| Spain | 32 | 68·32 |
| Netherlands | 20 | 54·39 |
| Grand Total | 1,063,968 | 31·97 |
Note: Values per tonne, derived from the trade statistics, are not true prices; they are influenced by differences in the type and quality of the coal imported.
Ussr
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what recent negotiations he has had with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the development of trade.
I have nothing further to add to my reply to the Question from my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 19th June.
Multi-Fibre Arrangement (Textile Surveillance System)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on discussions with European partners on the textile surveillance system introduced under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement.
There are three separate systems of surveillance: those of the EEC Commission, the United Kingdom industry, and Whitehall. All three are now in operation, as are similar systems in the other member states. In discussion with the Commission and with other member States we have continued to stress the importance that we attach to effective monitoring and surveillance. The Commission is keeping the system under review to see what improvements should be made in the light of experience.
Textiles (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the latest stage of discussions between the EEC and Portugal concerning textile imports.
Imports of textiles from Portugal were discussed again at the Council of Ministers on 27th June, in the context of current textile problems generally. We have continued to make it clear that this question presents particular difficulties for us.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the level of imported textile goods as defined under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement; and how far these have been met at the latest available date for Taiwan, India and Pakistan with specific reference to knitted items, particularly shirts.
Ninety-eight per cent. of the United Kingdom's low-cost imports of textiles and clothing are covered by actual or potential quantitative restraints, at levels based in general on 1976 imports and with limited growth rates. There are quotas for imports of many knitted items, including shirts, from Taiwan, India and Pakistan, and import licences issued by the United Kingdom are within the quota levels. But there may be discrepancies between the 1978 import statistics and quota levels for various reasons such as additional imports licensed only for re-export, or shipments arriving this year but shipped in 1977 and therefore not counting against the 1978 quota.
Overseas Investment (Developing Countries)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of total British direct investment overseas went to developing countries in each of the years since 1970; and what these proportions were worth in £ sterling at constant prices.
The available information relates to net direct private investment overseas at current prices by the United Kingdom, excluding oil, and is given below. These figures cannot be expressed in terms of constant prices because there are no suitable price deflators.
| Developing Countries* Share of Total Net United Kingdom Private Direct Investments Overseas | |
| per cent. | |
| 1970 | 24 |
| 1971 | 12 |
| 1972 | 12 |
| 1973 | 15 |
| 1974 | 16 |
| 1975 | 30 |
| 1976 | 23 |
| * As defined by OECD (includes Portugal). | |
T-Shirts And Singlets (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what undertaking was negotiated between the EEC and the Greek Government under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement regarding imports of T-shirts and singlets; how far this has been observed; and if he will make a statement on the level of recent imports.
No undertaking was negotiated with the Greek Government, though the EEC Commission secured assurances from representatives of the Greek industry about the level of its exports of a number of textile and clothing products, including T-shirts and singlets, to Community markets. Recent import statistics showed that these assurances were not being respected, and that the limit on knitted shirts—which includes T-shirts and singlets—had been exceeded. The Commission has therefore imposed quantitative restrictions on certain products, including T-shirts and singlets, into the United Kingdom market, as from 7th July, at the levels that the United Kingdom accepted last December.
Council Of Europe (Health And Social Affairs Committee)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement and publish in the Official Report a detailed account of the assistance which he gave to the Health and Social Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on Thursday 6th July during their mini-session held at Church House, Westminster.
I gave a speech on aircraft noise to the Health and Social Affairs Committee on 6th July and a
| PERCENTAGE SHARE OF EXPORTS IN 1977 | |||||
| Exports to | |||||
| EEC | United States | Japan | Rest of World | World | |
| Exports from | |||||
| United Kingdom | 37 | 9½ | 1½ | 53 | 100 |
| Belgium-Luxembourg | 71 | 4 | ½ | 24 | 100 |
| Denmark | 46 | 6 | 1½ | 46 | 100 |
| France | 50 | 5 | ½ | 44 | 100 |
| Federal Republic of Germany | 45 | 6½ | 1 | 47 | 100 |
| Irish Republic | 76 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 100 |
| Italy | 47 | 6½ | 1 | 46 | 100 |
| Netherlands | 70 | 3½ | ½ | 26 | 100 |
| EEC | 51 | 6 | 1 | 42 | 100 |
Source: OECD Statistics of Foreign Trade, Series A, May 1978.
Castle Donington Airport (Runway Extension)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what advice his Department has given to the East Midlands Airport Authority about the proposed extension to the main runway at the airport at Castle Donington; and whether there is sufficient need for the proposed extension to justify substantial public expenditure upon it.
Any extension of the runway at East Midlands airport would be subject to the necessary planning procedures. The airport authority
copy of my notes has been placed in the Library.
My speech emphasised the need for full and effective consultation with those affected by aircraft noise as well as with the civil aviation industry before major decisions are taken. It referred to actions set out in the airports policy White Paper and to other examples of consultations about Government policies affecting aircraft noise.
Exports (International Comparisons)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for the latest date for which information is available for the EEC as a whole and for each present member State of the EEC, the percentage of each country's exports that are destined for (a) other member States of the EEC, (b) the USA, (c) Japan and (d) rest of world excluding the EEC, the USA and Japan.
Following is the information:has been advised that loan consent from my Department to finance the development would depend upon whether it could be justified by additional traffic which might be generated and the resulting income.
Ministerial Appointments
asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will give the number of public bodies, excluding departmental committees but including statutory corporations, to which he makes paid appointments, the total number of such appointments and the estimated total cost to public funds for the last year for which the information is available.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28th June 1978; Vol. 952, cols. 570–1], gave the following information:I make salaried appointments to nine public bodies, excluding advisory and similar departmental committees, the total number of such appointments being 56. Salary costs in respect of three of these bodies only are borne by public funds, the estimated total for the 12 months ending 31st March 1978 being £27,750.
Transport
Driver And Vehicle Licensing Centre
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give the original total estimated costs of the move to Swansea of the road licensing department and of the establishment of the computer; how many revised estimates have been made subsequently; and what have been the actual costs to date.
The original estimate, in 1965, was £95 million. This covered the cost of setting up the new system; of operating the old one while it was being set up; of operating the old and new systems in parallel during the conversion period; and of operating the new system for the balance of 10 years. The estimate was revised in 1968—when detailed planning of the centralised system began—and again in 1970. Since then it has been updated annually. Actual expenditure over the 10 financial years 1968 to 1977, inclusive, was £302 million. At 1965 prices it would have been approximately £150 million.
Lorries (Exhaust Emissions)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to introduce more stringent legislation to control the emission of exhaust pollution by lorries.
New diesel-engined lorries already have to be tested for compliance with specific smoke limits; we are discussing with other countries in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe possible limits for gaseous emissions from such vehicles. There are more general regulations to limit emissions from existing vehicles; work is well advanced on developing a more effective method for testing such emissions.
Bury St Edmunds Bypass
asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to commence on the spur from the central interchange on the Bury St. Edmunds bypass to the A143 north of that town.
Suffolk county council, as highway authority for principal road A143, is responsible for the scheme to link it to the Bury St. Edmunds bypass. It plans to start the work in the financial year 1981–82.
A52
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has now received reports on possible improvements to the A52 between Nottingham and Grantham and associated roads and, in particular, on proposals for a road between Gamston and Lings Bar, a Bingham bypass and a new Radcliffeon-Trent bypass; and whether he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend expects to receive the reports in September and hopes to make an announcement shortly afterwards.
Toxic Substances
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the safety provisions relative to the transport of dense toxic gaseous substances by rail through urban areas.
Yes. I am satisfied that the transport of dense toxic gases by rail is carried out under a comprehensive system of safety provisions.
British Railways (Inter-City Trains)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give the actual or estimated expenditure of British Railways on track, signal and electric track equipment for that part of their route over which inter-city trains regularly run.
Although the Railways Board has the base data, the information is not readily available in this form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Accident Statistics (Public Holidays)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider reintroducing a daily report of accident statistics over bank holiday and other public holiday periods; and if he will make a statement.
No. The numbers of casualties during bank holiday weekends are usually little different from those on other weekends at a similar time of the year.
Driving Tests (Worcester)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current delay in obtaining a driving test in Worcester; and what action is being taken to shorten this period.
Nineteen weeks. I cannot add to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara) on 3rd July.—[Vol. 953; c. 81–2.]
| Million loaded passenger train km | ||||||||
| Principal inter-urban services | London and South-East services | Local Provincial services | All services | |||||
| 1973 | … | … | … | … | 84·7 | 124·1 | 83·8 | 292·6 |
| 1974 | … | … | … | … | 88·2 | 123·8 | 86·7 | 298·7 |
| 1975 | … | … | … | … | 91·9 | 128·3 | 88·4 | 308·6 |
| 1976 | … | … | … | … | 95·3 | 121·7 | 88·0 | 305·0 |
| 1977 | … | … | … | … | 102·7 | 116·4 | 91·7 | 310·8 |
Tachographs
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will propose in the Council of Ministers an amendment to EEC Regulation 1463/70 for the purpose of exempting private road passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 seats excluding that of the driver from the enforced fitting of tachographs.
I sought complete exemption from the tachograph requirements in EEC regulation 1463/70 for vehicles of this type and succeeded in obtaining discretion for member States to grant exemption for vehicles with no more than 15 seats overall on domestic journeys. The United Kingdom is now taking advantage of this discretion, and
British Railways Board (Depreciation And Amortisation)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what part of the £185 million supplementary depreciation and amortisation as shown on page 13 of the British Railways Board's annual report and accounts for 1977 relates to its railways and rail workshops.
Ninety per cent.
Loaded Passenger Train Kilometres
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give the actual or forecast number of loaded passenger train kilometres for the years 1970 to 1976, respectively, which correspond to the figures for principal inter-urban services, London and south-east services and local provincial services that appear in Transport Statistics Great Britain 1966 to 1976, Table 84; and whether he will also provide figures for 1977.
The following are estimates of loaded passenger train kilometres for the years 1973 to 1977:so is Italy. The other member States have not, and given their domestic attitudes I doubt whether the time is ripe to press for a Community-wide exemption.
National Bus Company
asked the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his answer of 5th July to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury about the property of the National Bus Company, whether he is satisfied that the profit of £20·192 million for 1977 which, in fact, turns out to be a loss of £8·88 million represents an adequate standard of accounting.
The accounts showed clearly the adjustment needed if full replacement cost depreciation were provided. I see no grounds to object.
River Clyde (Port Facilities)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the Government's policy towards the development of port facilities on the Clyde in relation to present and future industrial needs.
It is my policy, with the advice of the National Ports Council, to encourage all viable schemes of port development by harbour authorities, particularly those designed to meet the needs of local industry. Professional advice is available and government loans can be given in suitable cases if required.The Clyde Port Authority, as the statutory harbour authority, has prime responsibility for developments on the Clyde and is always ready to serve the needs of new and existing customers. To this end it can always draw upon the help of my Department.
A49 (Woodcote Way, Shrewsbury)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will have discussions with the Salop county council and the Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council to resolve their differences over the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the A49 at Woodcote Way, Shrewsbury.
The decision whether to provide a pedestrian crossing in Woodcote Way, Shrewsbury, is a matter for Salop county council, as highway authority, and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene.
Birmingham West Orbital Route
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the proposed Birmingham west orbital route.
Not yet.
Environment
Middlesex Guildhall
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is proposed to clean the face of the old Middlesex Guildhall; and what the cost would be.
Formal acquisition of the old Middlesex Guildhall by this Department is not yet complete. However, plans are being made for external cleaning, repairs and painting, which are estimated to cost about £55,000. Subject to acquisition being formally completed, it is expected that work will commence towards the end of the year.
Local Government Staff (Pay)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that the local authorities chief executives and other top paid local government officers have their salary scales based on those of civil servants, to what extent, in the implementation of the Boyle committee's report on top salaries, he estimates that local government expenditure would rise if the same rate of increases as proposed in the Boyle committee's report were applied throughout local government service.
The salaries of local authority chief executives and senior officers are determined not by the Review Body on Top Salaries but by negotiations with the local government employers. The estimate requested would not therefore be meaningful.
Local Authorities' Superannuation Funds (Management)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions currently exist for recognised trade unions to be represented on the managing bodies of local authorities' superannuation funds; how many local authorities include a trade union representative on their managing body; and if he will introduce legislation to seek to make the inclusion of trade union representatives on their managing bodies mandatory.
The Local Government Superannuation Regulations 1974 provide for local authorities' superannuation funds to be administered by county councils, London borough councils and the Greater London Council. Managing committees of funds are subject to section 104 of the Local Government Act 1972, which excludes from membership of local authority committees persons employed by the particular authority. I have no information as to membership of fund representatives not so excluded. The Government's proposals for member participation in the management of occupational pension schemes were outlined in the White Paper "The Role of Members in the Running of Schemes". Cmnd. 6514, published in June 1976.
Voluntary Organisations (Accommodation Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which voluntary organisations receive grants from public funds for the provision of accommodation for young, single, homeless people; and how much each organisation receives.
Voluntary organisations receive grants and assistance from both central and local government for the provision of accommodation for single homeless people. Housing association grant—and revenue and hostel deficit grant—are payable to registered housing associations. Urban aid grant, grants from the voluntary services unit of the Home Office, and grants under section 13 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 may also be payable. In addition, grants from both central and local government are available to certain voluntary organisations which specialise in providing help and support for particular groups, such as ex-prisoners, alcoholics
| AVERAGE SUBSIDY PER HRA DWELLING (£) | |||||||
| Central Government subsidy | Local authority rate fund contribution | Total | |||||
| 1964–65 | … | … | … | … | 19·6 | 6·9 | 26·5 |
| 1965–66 | … | … | … | … | 20·5 | 9·1 | 29·6 |
| 1966–67 | … | … | … | … | 22·2 | 9·5 | 31·7 |
| 1967–68 | … | … | … | … | 23·9 | 9·7 | 33·6 |
| 1968–69 | … | … | … | … | 26·5 | 10·6 | 37·1 |
| 1969–70 | … | … | … | … | 30·8 | 13·8 | 44·6 |
| 1970–71 | … | … | … | … | 36·2 | 12·7 | 48·9 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | … | … | 41·6 | 8·9 | 50·5 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | … | … | 40·3 | 5·7 | 46·0 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | … | … | 51·3 | 14·1 | 65·4 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | … | … | 103·7 | 29·0 | 132·7 |
| 1975–76 | … | … | … | … | 131·4 | 36·4 | 167·8 |
| 1976–77* | … | … | … | … | 170·4 | 31·2 | 201·6 |
| 1977–78* | … | … | … | … | 181·0 | 31·1 | 212·1 |
| Figures on a United Kingdom basis would be likely to show a slightly higher average. | |||||||
| * Provisional. | |||||||
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the factors currently used in determining the rate support grant.
and the mentally ill, and these can include a contribution towards the cost of accommodation.
Because of the nature and diversity of the grants available, a list of voluntary organisations receiving support from public funds for the provision of accommodation for young single homeless people is not available. But I shall write to the hon. Member.
Housing Subsidies
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the average housing subsidy paid on each council house in each year since 1964.
The answer is set out in the following table. The figures relate to England and Wales and cover houses owned by local housing authorities. New towns are excluded. Average subsidies have been calculated by comparing housing revenue account—HRA—subsidies with the best available estimates of HRA dwelling stock. The average subsidies for 1972–73 onwards exclude the rent rebate subsidy, since this constitutes income support to individuals rather than a general housing subsidy. It is not possible to exclude rent rebates for the years before 1972–73, but the amounts of subsidy involved were small.
I refer my hon. Friend to Schedule 1 of the 1977 Rate Support Grant Order which lists all the factors used in the 1978–79 rate support grant distribution, and gives their weightings.
Households (Occupation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the number of individual households (a) in which two or more people were resident and (b) in which two or
| HOUSEHOLDS BY SIZE: ENGLAND AND WALES: 1951, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976 | |||||
| (millions) | |||||
| 1951 | 1961 | 1966 | 1971 | 1976 | |
| Households containing two or more persons | 11·72 | 12·93 | 13·02 | 13·61 | 13·85 |
| Married couples living in households | 10·50 | 11·32 | 11·51 | 11·95 | 11·95 |
| Note: Figures are based on the census of population, except for 1976 which are DOE estimates. | |||||
Urban Aid
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum applied for in all the applications for grant aid under urban programme circular no. 17; and what was the total sum actually granted.
Applications from non-partnership authorities for urban grant amounted to £23·2 million; approvals totalled £10·1 million. The total value of applications from the seven partnerships is not available, but approximately 586 projects have been approved, totalling £15·5 million. These figures are resource totals. The expenditure will attract 75 per cent. grant.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for separate projects were made for funding under urban programme circular no. 17; and how many were successful.
Non-partnership authorities submitted 1,022 applications for separate projects for funding under the circular, and 396 were approved. The total number of applications made by the seven Partnerships is not available, but some 586 projects have been approved.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the principles of selection on which projects were chosen for grant aid under urban programme circular no. 17.
As explained in the circular, the urban programme is intended to supplement the main programmes of
more people were resident including a married couple, in England and Wales in 1951, 1961, 1966, 1971, and the most recent subsequent estimate.
Following is the available information:central and local government by providing, in the most deprived areas of out towns and cities, facilities which
The funds available have invariably been oversubscribed, and projects are selected on the basis of these considerations, the capital and running costs of projects, the advice where appropriate of the co-sponsoring Government Departments, and the priority attached to projects by the local authorities.
Lawnmowers (Noise)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make representations to the EEC Commission to the effect that if the EEC directive on lawnmower noise is implemented, British-made lawnmowers will be unable to be used to cut grass.
There is no EEC directive on lawnmower noise. We believe that the Commission intends shortly to put a formal proposal for such a directive to the Council. We shall then be able to give Parliament a detailed account of the position. Representatives of the United Kingdom have attended consultative meetings held by the Commission at all stages, and they have made the views of the British Lawnmower Manufacturers Federation quite clear to the Commission. I have no intention of agreeing to any such directive which might emerge.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from British lawnmower manufacturers concerning the EEC directive on lawnmower noise.
My Department has consulted the British lawnmower manufacturing industry at all stages since the EEC Commission began work in 1975 on the ridiculous draft proposals for a directive on noise from lawnmowers and is fully seized of the industry's views.
Ribble Estuary
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consult with the Nature Conservancy Council concerning the potential loss of the Ribble estuary to reclamation and invite it to consider whether it should not invoke its full statutory powers to preserve the site in its existing state;(2) in the light of the fact that on average one-seventh of the world population of pink-footed geese winter on the Ribble estuary, what steps he is taking, in consultation with the Government of Iceland, where these birds breed, to protect the species from the threat posed to them by agricultural development of their roosting and feeding grounds;(3) in view of the threat to wildlife and, in particular, many thousands of waders by the possible reclamation of some 6,000 acres of marshland and saltflats at the Ribble estuary, an area of special scientific interest ranked fourth in Europe, what action he intends taking to ensure that this important sanctuary remains undisturbed.
The Nature Conservancy Council has kept me closely informed of the threat to the wildlife of the Ribble estuary and its actions to preserve the site. The Council is seeking an agreement with the owner and cannot contemplate invoking its compulsory purchase powers until it has taken all reasonable steps to protect by other means. I have not felt the need to consult the Government of Iceland about the pink-footed geese.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a compulsory purchase order under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 on the part of the 8,200 acres of marshes on the Ribble estuary which have been designated by the Nature Conservancy Council as a grade 1 site of special scientific interest for wading birds, in view of the impending danger of its reclamation for intensive agriculture following purchase of 5,500 acres of part of the site by a Dutch business man.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) and my hon. Friends the Members for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) and Stockport, North (Mr. Bennett) on 10th July.—[Vol. 953, c. 386–7.]
North Cheshire Housing Association Schemes
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the schemes carried out by the North Cheshire Housing Association in Stockport, the amount each scheme was originally estimated to cost and for which loan sanction was requested and the final cost of each scheme; and if he will give reasons for any excess of final cost over original estimate.
North Cheshire Housing Association has undertaken the following five schemes since the Housing Act 1974 was passed. Final costs have not yet been made known to the Department. I shall write to my hon. Friend when they are available.
| Location of scheme | Cost Jar loan sanction purposes |
| £ | |
| 58 Devonshire Park Road, Davenport Park, Stockport | 169,467 |
| Brentwood, Church Lane, Marple | 332,306 |
| Essex Avenue, Gorsely Bank, Stockport | 473,944 |
| 130 Mile End Lane, Stockport | 738,310 |
| 10–26 Athol Street and 2–8 Hapton Place Stockport | 92,940 |
Pollution Control
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the estimated costs so far of implementing the provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; and if he will distinguish between local and central Government costs;(2) how many sections of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 remain to be implemented; and if he is satisfied with the operation of this measure.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sections of the Control of Pollution Act remain to be implemented; and what proposals he has for their implementation.
Six sections of Part I and 20 sections of Part II have not yet been implemented. I announced the Government's plans for implementing these sections in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Ferny-hough) on 13th April. I am generally satisfied with the operation of the Act, but I shall be better satisfied when all its provisions are in force. I regret that the information on costs is not readily available.
Council House Building
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of starts and completions in council house building in each local authority in the Lancashire county area for each year since 1974.
The figures requested appear in "Local Housing Statistics: England and Wales", issues 33, 37, 41 and 45, copies of which are available in the Library.
Planning Applications
asked the Secretary of Slate for the Environment how many planning applications have been called in by him since February 1974.
Between 1st March 1974 and 30th June 1978, some 375 applications were called in for decision by the Secretary of State.
New Town Development Corporations (Housing Assets)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which new town development corporations have prepared schemes for the transfer of housing assets to local authorities.
Following the transfer last April of the housing assets of Aycliffe, Bracknell, Corby, Harlow, Peterlee and Stevenage Development Corporations and of the Commission for the New Towns housing at Crawley, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Welwyn Garden City, no schemes for further transfers have yet been prepared.
Building Societies' Support Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made with the building societies' support scheme for local authorities; and when the "Code of Good Practice" on the scheme will be issued.
Progress so far in 1978–79 is very encouraging, and I hope that it will be maintained throughout the year. In the first two months, 5,200 advances were approved, totalling £41·4 million. This compares with 2,200 advances worth £15·5 million for the same period last year. This increased lending reflects the growing co-operation between building societies and local authorities throughout the country. The local authority associations, the Building Societies Association and my Department have now prepared notes of guidance on the day-to-day operation of the scheme, based on experience where the scheme is going well. These notes are now being made available to all society branches and local authorities participating in the scheme and should provide additional helpful guidance.
Bicycle Parking (Government Offices)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Ministry of Overseas Development; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Stag Place and 29 Bressenden Place;(2) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Passport Office; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Clive House;
(3) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Victoria Street, Abell House and Sanctuary Buildings;
(4) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Prime Minister's office; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Downing Street;
(5) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive at meetings at 4–12 Queen Anne's Gate;
(6) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at Her Majesty's Treasury, and the Northern Ireland Office; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Great George Street and Queen Anne's Chambers;
(7) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Department of Trade; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Victoria Street, Abell House, Adelphi, Cleland House, Cromwell House, Dean Bradley House, Gaywood House, Hillgate House, Kings-gate House, Millbank Tower, Monsanto House, Parliament Square House, Sanctuary Buildings, Savoy Hill House, Shell Mex House, State House, 73–75 Strand, and Waterloo Bridge House;
(8) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at Her Majesty's Stationery Office; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Atlantic House, and Cornwall House;
(9) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Welsh Office; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Gwydyr House and Palace Chambers;
(10) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the department of the Treasury Solicitor; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at 2–3 Central Buildings, 35 Old Queen Street, Palace Chambers, 12 Buckingham Gate, and St. Stephens House;
(11) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Whitley Council; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at 19 Rochester Row;
(12) whether he will make a statement about the arrangements currently in force for the parking of bicycles at the Scottish Office, the Privy Council Office and the office of parliamentary counsel; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities for those wishing to travel by bicycle who arrive for meetings at Whitehall.
The Department considers the provision of storage or parking facilities for bicycles in Government offices at the request of the occupiers. Such requests are met wherever it is economically possible to do so, taking account of the requirements of the occupants and visitors and of the availability of space. The following is the current situation at the specific buildings mentioned:
Property and Facilities available
- Eland House, Stag Place—Yes.
- 29 Bressenden Place—No.
- Clive House—No.
- 1–19 Victoria Street—Yes.
- Abell House—Yes.
- Sanctuary Buildings—No.
- 10 Downing Street—No.
- 4–12 Queen Anne's Gate—Yes.
- Great George Street—Yes.
- Queen Anne's Chambers—Yes.
- Adelphi—No.
- Cleland House—Yes.
- Cromwell House—No.
- Dean Bradley House—No.
- Gaywood House—No.
- Hillgate House—No.
- Kingsgate House—No.
- Millbank Tower—No.
Property and Facilities available
- Monsanto House—No.
- Parliament Square House—No.
- Savoy Hill House—No.
- State House—Yes.
- 73–75 Strand—No.
- Waterloo Bridge House—No.
- Atlantic House—Yes.
- Cornwall House—Yes.
- Gwydyr House—No.
- Palace Chambers—No.
- 2–3 Central Buildings—Yes.
- 33 Old Queen Street—No.
- 12 Buckingham Gate—No.
- St. Stephen's House—No.
- 19 Rochester Row—No.
- Whitehall, Dover House—No.
- Shell Mex House is no longer used for Government offices.
Construction Industry (Manpower)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on developments since the publication of the second report of the Construction Industry Manpower Board on 24th January; and what stage his consultations have reached.
I have established that there is general support in the construction industry for the voluntary scheme recommended by the board. On 24th July I am meeting representatives of the main employers' organisations to discuss how best to implement the scheme, and will be meeting the TUC on a later date to be fixed.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Construction Industry Manpower Board since January in assessing the effect of the 714 certificate scheme.
The board is to consider this matter at its meeting today, and its views should be known shortly.
Opencast Mining (Consett)
asked the Secretary of State for thet Environment what representations he has received following the rejection of a planning application to conduct opencast mining operations at Pont House, Leadgate, Consett; and if he proposes to hold a public inquiry.
The Rassau Coal Company Ltd recently appealed to the Secretary of State against Durham County Council's refusal of planning permission in this case. A petition opposing the proposed development and containing some 300 signatures has been received from the Pleasant View, Bradley and Pont Action Committee. It is proposed to hold a public local inquiry into the appeal.
Disabled Persons (Housing)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach a conclusion about publication of the report resulting from research into housing for disabled people in greater London undertaken by Chelsea College.
I expect a decision to be taken very soon. The report is now being finalised.
Petrol (Lead Content)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the current lead content of petrol in grammes per litre of 0–45 grammes per litre in the United Kingdom compares with that obtaining in each country in the EEC; and what will be the permitted maximum in 1981.
I have been asked to reply.The following, expressed in grammes per litre, are the limits on lead content of petrol currently applying in other EEC countries:
- Belgium—0·55
- Denmark—0·40
- France—0·55
- West Germany—0·15
- Ireland—0·64 (commercial limit only)
- Italy—0·62 (commercial limit only)
- Luxembourg—0·55
- Netherlands—0·40
In accordance with the terms of a recently agreed EEC directive, it is proposed to reduce the limit in the United Kingdom to 0·40 from 1st January 1981.
Woodwool Formwork (Fire Hazards)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made since 25th January with his Department's inquiry into fire problems associated with the use of woodwool formwork for concrete floors.
The report is now in draft form. There have been no recent developments which would give reason to amend the advice given previously.
Council Housing (Rents And Rates)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those local authorities with over 20,000 council dwellings and the amount of their rent and rate arrears for each of the last three years.
| NON-METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCILS | |||||||
| Number of dwellings at 31st March | Rent Arrears | ||||||
| Authority | 1977 | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | 1976–77 | |||
| (£) | (£) | (£) | |||||
| Bristol | … | … | … | 45,725 | 99,781 | 125,964 | 162,223 |
| Derby | … | … | … | 22,883 | 9,566 | 7,381 | 15,925 |
| Kingston-upon-Hull | … | … | … | 44,835 | N.A. | 68,446 | 95,198 |
| Leicester | … | … | … | 33,685 | 131,822 | 208,667 | 300,253 |
| Norwich | … | … | … | 23,175 | N.A. | 58,468 | 107,800 |
| Nottingham | … | … | … | 53,793 | 175,961 | 225,542 | 349,429 |
| Plymouth | … | … | … | 23,603 | 24,980 | 36,644 | 39,609 |
| Portsmouth | … | … | … | 27,326 | 113,459 | 112,755 | 96,283 |
| Southampton | … | … | … | 23,824 | N.A. | 147,783 | 176,505 |
| Stockton-on-Tees | … | … | … | 21,249 | 61,956 | 82,771 | 109,687 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | … | … | … | 31,928 | 9,307 | 959 | 3,877 |
| Salford | … | … | … | 40,184 | 169,906 | 167,113 | 152,808 |
| Sandwell | … | … | … | 56,949 | 77,998 | 77,252 | 221,239 |
| Sefton | … | … | … | 21,482 | 56,688 | 74,456 | 87,258 |
| Sheffield | … | … | … | 89,911 | 296,969 | 302,576 | 367,865 |
| South Tyneside | … | … | … | 33,197 | N.A. | 39,079 | 33,953 |
| Sunderland | … | … | … | 50,598 | 12,338 | 42,496 | 69,492 |
| Tameside | … | … | … | 23,807 | N.A. | 107,875 | 123,824 |
| Wakefield | … | … | … | 45,435 | 84,029 | 95,698 | 113,981 |
| Walsall | … | … | … | 40,880 | 42,150 | 50,082 | 56,558 |
| Wigan | … | … | … | 36,107 | 76,526 | 216,953 | 238,619 |
| Wirral | … | … | … | 28,439 | 128,637 | 213,187 | 303,421 |
| Wolverhampton | … | … | … | 41,489 | 58,884 | 169,479 | 278,463 |
| METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCILS | |||||||
| Number of dwellings at 31st March | Rent Arrears | ||||||
| Authority | 1977 | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | 1976–77 | |||
| (£) | (£) | (£) | |||||
| Barnsley | … | … | … | 34,139 | 84,455 | 82,610 | 83,468 |
| Birmingham | … | … | … | 148,648 | 938,051 | 993,509 | 1,307,836 |
| Bolton | … | … | … | 26,345 | 35,408 | 36,467 | 41,842 |
| Bradford | … | … | … | 39,142 | 127,098 | 161,090 | 185,289 |
| Coventry | … | … | … | 27,785 | 120,465 | 117,614 | 181,232 |
| Doncaster | … | … | … | 33,403 | 38,787 | 42,558 | 69,005 |
| Dudley | … | … | … | 40,033 | 120,579 | N.A. | 161,609 |
| Gateshead | … | … | … | 37,817 | 86,053 | 87,374 | 108,290 |
| Kirklees | … | … | … | 35,745 | N.A. | 122,040 | 110,152 |
| Knowsley | … | … | … | 39,200 | N.A. | 670,564 | 743,590 |
| Leeds | … | … | … | 96,829 | 284,303 | 401,643 | 461,263 |
| Liverpool | … | … | … | 79,928 | 952,538 | 912,900 | 1,078,125 |
| Manchester | … | … | … | 102,740 | 822,135 | 865,194 | 1,118,663 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | … | … | … | 48,990 | 237,097 | 259,935 | 284,246 |
| North Tyneside | … | … | … | 31,172 | N.A. | 67,937 | 101,827 |
| Oldham | … | … | … | 24,696 | 74,921 | 106,639 | 136,887 |
| Rochdale | … | … | … | 21,583 | 95,161 | 105,395 | 91,040 |
| Rotherham | … | … | … | 38,115 | 79,572 | 94,152 | 102,136 |
| St. Helens | … | … | … | 21,671 | 113,130 | 86,925 | N.A. |
Rent arreas net of rates owing to those local authorities with over 20,000 dwellings, as at 31st March for each of the last three years for which this information is available, are below. Some of these arrears are only technical due to dates of payment. Information on arrears of rates is not collected by the Department.
| GREATER LONDON | ||||||||
Number of dwellings at 31st March
| Rent Arrears
| |||||||
Authority
| 1977
| 1974–75
| 1975–76
| 1976–77
| ||||
| (£) | (£) | (£) | ||||||
| GLC | … | … | … | … | 220,392 | 1,492,576 | 1,742,896 | 2,547,991 |
| Barking | … | … | … | … | 25,231 | 100,387 | 67,291 | 62,838 |
| Camden | … | … | … | … | 28,489 | 1,097,074 | 871,122 | 869,958 |
| Croydon | … | … | … | … | 21,213 | 124,492 | 165,797 | 198,004 |
| Enfield | … | … | … | … | 21,691 | 171,110 | 189,932 | 181,520 |
| Greenwich | … | … | … | … | 25,011 | 316,529 | 386,752 | 253,170 |
| Hackney | … | … | … | … | 24,778 | 348,626 | 296,225 | 485,295 |
| Hillingdon | … | … | … | … | 23,352 | 151,035 | 143,628 | 158,586 |
| Islington | … | … | … | … | 27,702 | N.A. | 643,929 | 491,029 |
| Lambeth | … | … | … | … | 31,071 | 664,616 | 567,224 | 577,490 |
| Lewisham | … | … | … | … | 28,244 | 415,488 | 415,249 | 432,848 |
| Newham | … | … | … | … | 31,893 | 243,527 | 183,991 | 204,213 |
| Southwark | … | … | … | … | 34,778 | 326,579 | 232,259 | 273,043 |
| Wandsworth | … | … | … | … | 27,690 | 305,115 | 296,939 | 405,980 |
Education And Science
State Schools (Report)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has ordered the shredding of a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate on "Our Worst State Schools" or otherwise suppressed its publication.
No. There has never been any draft report or anything resembling such a draft. Nor has there ever been any intention on my part or that of HMI that such a report should be prepared it follows that I could not have ordered its suppression.In addition, to instances which arise in the course of their normal surveillance, HMI generally follow up unfavourable reports in the press or elsewhere about particular schools; from time to time I or another Minister in my Department requests a report from HMI on a particular school. Sometimes HMI find that there is sufficient cause for concern to justify a formal HMI inspection; sometimes they find there is a storm in a teacup which calls for no further action. In my view, it would be negligent not to follow up such reports and, indeed, this has been the practice for many years.Soon after I joined the Department in the autumn of 1976 I asked the inspectorate to let me have illustrations of the factors which make for success, or create problems, with the development and running of comprehensive schools, with a view to the encouragement of good practices. Partly as a result of this process, my Department organised a conference on good practice in comprehensive schools which was held in York in December 1977. This exercise had no connection with the DES publication "Ten Good Schools" which was in preparation before I became Secretary of State and was based on a survey of schools conducted in 1975.
Higher Education (Mandatory Grant Scheme)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what safeguards she has considered including in the proposed mandatory grant scheme for young adults in higher education to ensure that the education being undertaken is worth the expense incurred by the public;(2) if her proposal for mandatory grants to young people between the ages of 16 and 18 years who stay on in full-time education has as its primary purpose improving the quality of the education received by British youth; and if she will make a statement.
The primary objective of any new scheme of financial support for 16 to 18 year olds in full-time education which may result from my current discussions with the local authorities would be to secure an increase in participation by this age group in relevant full-time education. The local authorities and I are confident that the education service is able to provide courses that are useful both to the individual student and to society as a whole. The quality, nature and scope of education provision for this age group is a continuing concern of all those engaged in the education service.
School Inspectors (Jersey And Guernsey)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what activities are undertaken by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools in Jersey and Guernsey; and what charge is made for such services.
A number of education establishments in Jersey and Guernsey are inspected each year at the request of the islands' education authorities. The full cost of these visits in respect of salaries national insurance, and travel and subsistence is recovered from the islands' authorities, and amounted to some£5,000 in the calendar year 1977.
Voucher System
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has had about the introduction of the voucher system for education; and if she will make a statement.
In the last two months I have received six letters about education vouchers. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 20th June to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) and the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Ashley).—[Official Report, 20th June 1978; Vol. 952, c. 200–203.].
Teachers
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, on the basis of the 1978–79 rate support grant, how many extra teachers she expects to be employed in England and Wales from September 1978; if she will list each local education authority's quota of the total; to date what information she has from each local education authority of the actual number of extra teachers they will be employing; and how far each authority is above or below its quota.
The rate support grant settlement for 1978–79 provided a basis for local authorities to employ 470,800 teachers—full-time and full-time equivalent—in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in the next school year. This compares with 464,970 in January 1978. I have no information about individual authorities' intentions in regard to teacher employment; but I understand that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy will be publishing later this month its education estimates statistics for 1978–79 which will show the number of teachers expected to be employed by each local education authority. My Department no longer mintains a quota system for the employment of teachers.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many names of teachers have been added to list 99 during the last two years; and whether all those teachers have been informed that their names are on the list.
Seventy teachers were added in the two years 1st July 1976 to 30th June 1978, all of whom have been informed. In addition, eight teachers are shown in the list who were excluded from teaching in that period by the Secretary of State for Scotland or the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
School Milk
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions have been held with the Lancashire Education Authority concerning the provision of free school milk for children under 12 years; and if she will make a statement.
A letter was sent in May to every local education authority explaining that free milk could be provided to junior children in 1978–79 at no cost to the authority and that thereafter estimated expenditure, net of the EEC subsidy, would form part of relevant expenditure for rate support grant purposes. It is now for individual authorities to decide whether to take advantage of these arrangements which in my view represent exceptionally good value for money. I understand the Lancashire Education Sub-committee has decided that free milk will not be provided for its junior pupils, and that this decision will be reported to the full council meeting on 3rd August.
Pensions
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with her review concerning recognition of war service of university staff for pension purposes.
Many university staff already enjoy credit for their war service. An assessment is being made of the possibility of making provision for others in line with the provisions which have been made in public service schemes. I cannot forecast when this is likely to be completed or what the outcome will be.
Nursery Schools, Lancashire
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what has been the annual allocation for nursery provisions in Lancashire for each year since 1974; what has been the take-up; and how it has been distributed in each district of the county.
Lancashire's allocations and take-up under the Department's nursery building programme since 1974 have been as follows:
| £'000s | ||
| Allocation | Take-up | |
| 1974–75 | 357·5 | 0 |
| 1975–76 | 364·9 | 357·0 |
| 1976–77 | 188·0 | 0 |
| 1977–78 | Nil bid | — |
| 1978–79 | 54·6 | Not yet known |
| District | No. of Projects |
| Lancaster | 1 |
| Wyre | 1 |
| Blackpool | 2 |
| Preston | 1 |
| W. Lancashire | 1 |
| Blackburn | 2 |
| Burnley | 1 |
| Pendle | 1 |
| District | No. of Projects |
| Preston | 2 |
| S. Ribble | 1 |
| Rossendale | 1 |
Schools
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the Official Report the schools in Stoke-on-Trent which have been replaced since 1945.
The information is not available in the Department.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the Official Report the schools still in use in Stoke-on-Trent which were built between 1900 and 1914 and those which were built before 1900.
Nineteen schools in Stock-on-Trent use buildings constructed between 1900 and 1914. They are:
- Hamilton First.
- Trent First.
- Moorland Middle.
- Moorland High.
- The Close Middle.
- Jackfield First.
- Greenways First and Middle.
- Summerbank First.
- Summerbank Middle.
- Goldenhill First.
- Tunstall R.C.(A) First and Middle.
- Sneyd Green Middle.
- Cobridge R.C.(A) First and Middle.
- Milton First and Middle.
- Boothem C.E.(C) First.
- Heron Cross First and Middle.
- Fenton Manor First.
- Bradeley First.
- Abbey Hulton Middle.
- Moorland High Annexe.
- Goldenhill C.E.(C) Middle.
- Central First & Middle.
- Longport First & Middle.
- Middleport First.
- St. John's C.E.(C) First.
- St. Joseph's R.C.(A) First & Middle.
- North First & Middle.
- Meir First.
- Normacot C.E.(C) First.
- Alexandra First
- Heathcote First.
- Adderley Green First.
- Grafton First.
- Florence First & Middle.
- Dresden C.E.(C) First and Middle.
- Fenton First & Middle.
- Glebe First.
- Glebe Middle.
- Mount Pleasant C.E.(A) First & Middle.
- Penkhull First.
- Boothen C.E.(C) Middle.
- Clarence First & Middle.
- Eastwood Middle.
- Sacred Heart R.C.(A) First and Middle.
- Birches Head R.C.(A) First & Middle.
- Lindsay First.
- Shelton C.E.(A) First & Middle.
- Cauldon First.
- Gove Middle
- Smallthorne First.
- Smallthorne Middle.
- Chell First.
- Chell Middle.
- Brindley First & Middle.
- Harpfield First.
- Harpfield Middle.
- Trentside First & Middle.
- Hill Top First & Middle.
- Cauldon Middle.
- St. Peter's C.E.(A) First & Middle.
- Woodhouse Middle.
- St. Paul's C.E.(C) Middle.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in England which are still in use were built between 1900 and 1914 and how many were built before 1900.
It is estimated that in the spring of 1975 the number of primary and secondary schools in England whose oldest teaching accommodation was built before 1903 was 8,130. The comparable figure for the period 1903 to 1918 was 2,060. No figures are available relating to 1900 and 1914.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in Staffordshire which are still in use were built between 1900 and 1914 and how many were built before 1900.
Two hundred and nine schools in Staffordshire use buildings constructed before 1900 and 73 use buildings constructed between 1900 and 1914.
School Governors (Kent)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence she has that Kent county council does not appoint parent governors to schools in the county.
I understand that parent governors are indeed appointed to Kent schools, but I have also seen reports that parents' political affiliations are an important factor in making these appointments in Kent. I am sorry that I did not make the position clear in the House on 20th June, and I regret in particular that I did not stress that I deplore party political considerations entering into the appointments of parent governors.
Comprehensive Schools (Sixth Forms)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimates she has of the number of comprehensive schools in England having under 900 pupils which have a sixth form; and if she will list the dates on which these arrangements were approved by her Department.
In January 1977, the latest date for which information is available, there were 610 comprehensive schools in England with fewer than 900 pupils which had sixth forms. I regret that the information required to answer the second part of the Question could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how far, in assessing the desirability of establishing a sixth form in a comprehensive school, she has regard for the transport charges which fall upon parents of pupils required to travel to schools remote from their homes.
In considering a proposal to establish a sixth form, the Secretary of State has regard to all relevant factors. Provision of transport for post compulsory school aged children living more than three miles from the school is discretionary, but where children stay on into the sixth form most authorities continue to provide transport for those who have previously required it.
Lytchett Minster Comprehensive School
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the best estimate she has of the extra cost involved in the event of a sixth form being established at Lytchett Minster School.
Dorset Education Authority has estimated that the cost of bringing the premises at Lychett Minster up to the standard required for a comprehensive school for 11 to 18 year-olds would be £359,000 at November 1977 prices. Some of this cost would. however, be incurred in bringing the premises up to the standard required for a comprehensive school for 11 to 16 year-olds.The authority has estimated that the small size of the proposed sixth form would require a subsidy in excess of the normal staffing ratios for sixth forms of three to four teachers, at an annual cost of £15,000 to £20,000; or alternatively an undue constraint on staffing in other classes.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of pupils now studying at Lytchett Minster Comprehensive School; and what assessment she has of the number that will be attending in three years' time.
At January 1978 there were 583 pupils at Lytchett Minster comprehensive school. Dorset Education Authority has estimated that in three years' time there will be 687 pupils at the school.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the light of her decision to forbid a sixth form at Lytchett Minster Comprehensive School, what estimate she has made of the cost of transport per pupil per week for future pupils living in Lytchett Minster to Corfe Mullen, Poole or Wimborne schools.
I am informed by the Dorset Education Authority that the bus fares from Lytchett Minster to Corfe Mullen are £7·60 a week; to Poole Grammar School—the site of a proposed sixth form college—£5·40 a week; and to Wimborne £9·10 a week. Savings could be made by buying monthly season tickets. Most local education authorities are prepared to assist towards the travelling costs of sixth form pupils.
Student Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether she has yet decided on the rates of grant for postgraduate students for 1978–79; and if she will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have now decided on the rates of grant for 1978–79 for postgraduate studentship awarded by the Education Departments and the research councils. They will be increased as follows: For students living away from home and attending an establishment in London, from £1,655 to £1,990; for students living away from home and attending an institution outside London, from £1,475 to £1,610; for students living in the parental home, from £1,075 to £1,210. These increases are in line with those announced on 19th April for undergraduate students.
Comprehensive Schools (Dorset)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will supply a list of comprehensive schools in Dorset that do not have a sixth form and give their numbers.
The following comprehensive schools in Dorset do not have sixth forms:
Age Range and Number of Pupils
- Highcliffe Comprehensive—11–16 943.
- Christchurch, Twynham Comprehensive—11– 16 1,010.
- Christchurch, The Grange Comprehensive—11–16 856.
- Lytchett Minster Comprehensive—11–16 583.
In addition, there are two 11–14 comprehensive schools and 10 9–13 comprehensive middle schools deemed secondary. The authority has put forward plans for the reorganisation of Bournemouth and Poole which envisage a further nine 11–16 comprehensive schools and six 12–16 comprehensive schools, with a sixth form college in each town.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Enzootic Bovine Leukosis
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current position on enzootic bovine leukosis infection among cattle in Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.
This disease has been found for the first time in Great Britain in the course of testing cattle imported in recent years and their progeny. So far, four instances of infection have been confirmed, in herds in Angus (2), Gloucestershire and Somerset, and results which as yet are inconclusive are being investigated in 13 other herds.The first requirement is to establish the extent to which the disease, which is associated with a virus infection and which develops slowly, exists in the national herd so that a long-term policy can be determined in the full light of the facts. The survey will concentrate on herds containing imported animals and their first generation progeny and will take about three months. Discussions with representatives of breed societies, farmers' unions and the British Veterinary Association have confirmed that the most effective way of conducting the survey, with full co-operation from the herd owners concerned, is to provide for the slaughter of infected cattle and the payment of compensation at full market value. Alternatively, it has been agreed, herd owners may choose to keep infected animals in isolation and under movement restriction until the long-term policy is decided.Existing powers in the Enzootic Bovine Leukosis Order 1977 make bovine leukosis a notifiable disease and provide for the containment of the disease by controlling the movement of infected cattle and by tracing and testing contacts. Two further orders are now being made: the Enzootic Bovine Leukosis Order 1978 will provide power to require the slaughter of any bovine animal in Great Britain on account of the disease and the Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (Compensation) Order 1978 will provide that, for any animals so slaughtered, the compensation shall be the market value.It is hoped to make a statement on the long-term policy for the disease in the autumn.
Fishing (Greenland Waters)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the arrest and fine of the trawler "Goth" off Greenland and the continued fishing in that area of German trawlers, he will discuss with his German counterpart the problems of fishing in those waters.
The Government have asked the Commission for its view on the legality of the Greenland quota legislation and are keeping in close touch with the British company involved. We do not consider that an approach to the German authorities would be of value at this stage.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any proposals to take the unilateral quotas imposed by Denmark in Greenland waters to either the European Court or the EEC Commission.
We have asked the Commission for its view on the legality of the current Greenland legislation establishing quotas in Greenland waters. We understand that the Commission is considering this matter and has undertaken further inquiries with the Danish authorities.
Fishing (European Community Agreements)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those EEC countries which have bilateral fishing agreements with third parties; if he will specify the third party countries; and whether he has made any representations to the EEC Commission about the compatibility of these agreements with the requirements that third party negotiations be carried on by those acceptable to the EEC Commission.
On 3rd November 1976 the Council of Ministers authorised the Commission to negotiate fisheries agreements with non-member countries. Subsequently there were discussions between Denmark, Norway and Sweden concerning fishing in the Kattegat and Skaggerak, and the Government have sought an explanation for this. The Government are not aware of any other negotiations later than 3rd November 1976.
Fishing (Norwegian Waters)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he or his Department was consulted by the EEC Commission on the 12 extra licences offered by Norway for EEC fishing vessels fishing Norwegian waters from 63 degrees north for June;(2) whether the EEC Commission has made any proposals to him for increasing flexibilty in the operation of the licences issued for fishing in Norwegian waters from 63 degrees north; and if he will make a statement;(3) whether he or his Department were consulted by the EEC Commission on the 12 extra licences offered by Norway for EEC fishing vessels fishing Norwegian waters from 63 degrees north for July; and if he will make a statement.
The Government have been fully involved in discussions between the Community and Norway on the possibility of a larger number of licences for EEC vessels off Northern Norway, but that would not in itself solve the problems which have arisen. However, discussions are continuing between the Community and the Norwegian Government about a more flexible licensing system.
Sheep (Killing By Dogs)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sheep have been killed by dogs in England during the last six months; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
Statistics on this, based on police returns to local authorities, are available only for complete calendar years. Those for 1977 and the previous decade are as follows:
| Sheep killed by dogs in England 1967–1977 | |
| Year | No. |
| 1967 | 2,785 |
| 1968 | 1,923 |
| 1969 | 2,500 |
| 1970 | 2,417 |
| 1971 | 1,921 |
| 1972 | 1,963 |
| 1973 | 2,574 |
| 1974 | (a) |
| 1975 | 2,067 |
| 1976 | 1,788 |
| 1977 | 1,856 |
Note: ( a) Not available owing to local Government reorganisation.
I am advised that no significant trend can be discerned in these figures, and I accept that sheep losses of this kind continue to give cause for concern. However, the hon. Member will be aware that the Animals Act 1971 provides a defence for owners of livestock who take reasonable action against marauding dogs and that under the Criminal Justice Act 1977 owners of dogs that worry livestock are now exposed to a far higher maximum fine.
New Zealand Butter
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the average price per tonne paid by United Kingdom importers for New Zealand butter for each year since and including 1968 at constant prices.
The average unit values of the imports adjusted to take account of inflation since 1968 are as follows:
| £ per tonne | |
| 1968 | 285·3 |
| 1969 | 270·9 |
| 1970 | 261·6 |
| 1971 | 310·2 |
| 1972 | 380·8 |
| 1973 | 251·1* |
| 1974 | 215·2* |
| 1975 | 227·7* |
| 1976 | 244·1* |
| 1977 | 271·5* |
| *The figures for 1973–1977 include the monetary compensatory amount applicable on such imports, but not the variable levy. | |
Intensive Livestock Houses (Fire Hazards)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the approximate percentage of intensive livestock houses that comply with the British Standard specifications as far as fire hazards are concerned; and what further action he has taken in this respect.
I regret that the information available does not enable a reliable estimate to be made. The Agriculture Departments make it a condition of grant aid for livestock buildings that the standards of fire precautions in the BSI code of practice for farm buildings, published in January of this year, are observed. The Departments have also asked the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to review the whole question of fire precautions in farm buildings.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what fire precaution requirements are mandatory for new buildings housing livestock; and how often they are inspected by the fire departments.
Buildings housing livestock must comply with the statutory provisions for structural fire precautions set out in the Buildings Regulations 1976, which are enforceable by local authorities. There are no statutory provisions requiring inspection of such premises by fire brigades.
Food Science And Human Nutrition
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the present level of support for research in food science and human nutrition; and whether the Government has any plans to increase that level of support.
My right hon. Friend the Minister intends to increase expenditure on food science research when resources become available. Research into human nutrition is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total level of Government support for research in food science and human nutrition; and by what agencies that support is distributed.
The current level of Government expenditure on research in food science is estimated to be £6·1 million, of which my Department contributes £3·9 million; the rest is expended in the agricultural research service and funded by grant from the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. Responsibility for research in human nutrition lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Rhodesia
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the Umtali massacre, he will consider the making of compensation payments to the relatives and dependants of unarmed British citizens killed in the course of the guerrilla war in Rhodesia on the lines of compensation paid to innocent victims of violence in Northern Ireland.
I regret that this is not possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek the assistance of the United Nations in inquiring into the responsibility for the Vumba massacre in Rhodesia.
My right hon. Friend does not consider that this would be practicable. We have therefore decided, as I told the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) on 3rd July—[Vol. 953, c. 85]—to offer assistance to the Elim Pentecostal Church to enable it to employ its own independent expert advisers at the inquest.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an undertaking that those responsible for the Vumba massacre if identified and captured will be brought to trial and that a decision not to prosecute the murderers will not form part of any political settlement of the Rhodesian problem.
My right hon. Friend has said that he hopes that those responsible for this outrage will be caught and put on trial.
International Peace Academy
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give his active support to the establishing of a branch of the International Peace Academy in the United Kingdom.
The decision whether to establish an office in the United Kingdom is for the International Peace Academy. If it decides to do so, my right hon. Friend would welcome it.
Passports
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any representations from applicants for passports who have been caused delay and inconvenience due to the length of time taken to process applications by each of the regional passport offices; and if he will make a statement.
A number of representations have been received from people concerned about the length of time they have had to wait for their passports. This position has arisen as a result of a sudden increase in demand this year of over 40 per cent. Priority is given to issuing passports by the travel dates indicated by applicants and the processing of non-urgent cases is currently taking longer than the customary four weeks. A substantial increase in staff levels has been authorised which will go some way towards alleviating this year's difficulties. Long term measures to avoid excessive delays in future years are being looked at urgently.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time for each of he regional passport offices between the receipt of applications and the date of issue of passports.
Priority is given to issuing passports by the date of travel indicated by applicants. In consequence of the heavy and unexpected increase in demand this year, the current average time taken to issue non-urgent passports at each of the offices is as follows:
| London | 5–6 weeks |
| Liverpool | 5–6 weeks |
| Glasgow | 5 weeks |
| Peterborough | 7 weeks |
| Newport | 5 weeks |
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time taken by each of the regional passport offices before applications are opened; and whether there is a deliberate policy of delay in the process of such applications.
My right hon. Friend regrets that there is a delay in the opening of applications for passports. This is certainly not due to any deliberate policy of delay. Because of the exceptionally heavy increase in demand for passports the number of postal packages received has exceeded staff capability despite overtime and weekend working. Average opening times at each office are as follows:
| London | 5 days |
| Liverpool | 4 days |
| Glasgow | 2 days |
| Peterborough | 6–7 days |
| Newport | 9 days |
European Community
European Assembly (Members' Salaries)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the general council of the Trades Union Congress about the proposed salary for members of the European Assembly after the implementation of direct elections.
None.
Wales
European Community (Regional Development Fund)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what applications have been made from Wales for assistance from the EEC regional regional development fund for the scheme under which the regional fund will pay 40 per cent. of the cost of projects for the development of the infrastructure.
None, because the proposed new fund regulation is not vet in operation.
Welsh Assembly
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table listing (a) the number of members, (b) the annual administrative cost, and (c) the total annual expenditure within its authority of each of the nominated bodies in Wales which will come under the control of the Assembly provided for in the Wales Bill.
The following are the principal nominated statutory bodies which the Wales Bill, as it stands at present, provides should become responsible to the Welsh Assembly, together with the number of members:
| Ancient Monuments Board for Wales | 13 |
| Area health authorities | 117 |
| Central Advisory Council for Education (Wales) | None at present |
| Historic Buildings Council for Wales | 7 |
| Library Advisory Council (Wales) | 16 |
| Cwmbran Development Corporation | 9 |
| Wales Tourist Board | 10 |
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the estimated capital expenditure, by function, for the areas of government whose capital expenditure will become the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly when it is set up.
Outturn figures for capital expenditure in 1975–76 by local authorities and public corporations, by function, are given in Table 1 of the White Paper, "Devolution: Financing the Devolved Services", Cmnd. 6890. The corresponding figures for central Government expenditure are not readily available, but it is estimated that about 22 per cent. of the total figure of £426 million given in table 1 relates to capital expenditure.
Welsh Office (Budget)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the budget of the Welsh Office for each year since its creation in 1964.
Estimate totals for Welsh Office Votes for each year from 1964–65 to 1978–79 are given below. The totals reflect the increases in functions transferred to my Department during the period.
| 1964–65 | £48,000 |
| 1965–66 | £26,017,000 |
| 1966–67 | £31,019,000 |
| 1967–68 | £31,960,000 |
| 1968–69 | £33,949,000 |
| 1969–70 | £117,205,000 |
| 1970–71 | £138,002,000 |
| 1971–72 | £158,796,000 |
| 1972–73 | £185,086,000 |
| 1973–74 | £207,579,000 |
| 1974–75 | £292,154,000 |
| 1975–76 | £405,105,000 |
| 1976–77 | £492,304,000 |
| 1977–78 | £560,268,000 |
| 1978–79 | £672,657,000 |
Ministerial Appointments
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest figures of the number of appointments he makes of persons to serve on nominated bodies in Wales.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26th June 1978 by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts).—[Vol. 952, c. 435.].
Departmental Staff
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons have been employed by the Welsh Office in each year since 1970; and what has been their cost and the cost of their accommodation, respectively.
The information is as follows:
| Number of stall in post at 1st April | |
| 1971 | 908 |
| 1972 | 938 |
| 1973 | 998 |
| 1974 | 1,211 (1) |
| 1975 | 1,298 |
| 1976 | 1,523 (2) |
| 1977 | 1,565 |
| 1978 | 2,491 (3) |
| Salary costs during financial year: | |
| £ | |
| 1970–71 | 1,691,717 |
| 1971–72 | 2,214,944 |
| 1972–73 | 2,499,474 |
| 1973–74 | 2,897,083 |
| 1974–75 | 4,118,549 |
| 1975–76 | 6,275,809 |
| 1976–77 | 7,138,460 |
| 1977–78 (provisional) | 7,662,480 |
Derelict Land
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many acres of derelict land were reclaimed in Wales in each year since 1974–75.
The information is not readily available in the form requested. The following indicates the acreage of derelict land approved for reclamation in Wales in each year since 1974:
| 1974 | 632 |
| 1975 | 1,285 |
| 1976 | 436 |
| 1977 | 1,329 |
| 1978 to date | 550 |
Artificial Limb And Appliance Centres
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in the provision of a new artificial limb and appliance centre to serve South Wales; and if he will make a statement about difficulties encountered by the area health authority in implementing its proposals for such a centre.
Our intention is to provide new artificial limb and appliance centres as quickly as possible. Design work on the Swansea centre, which will be on the site of the new Morriston hospital, is proceeding according to plan. Building work should start early next year, and I hope that the centre will come into use early in 1980. Legal problems relating to the use of land at Rookwood, where we intend to situate the Cardiff centre, have not yet been resolved.
National Finance
Rental Income (Service Personnel)
21.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider rebating income tax on income received from hiring his house for a Service man living in official married quarters so that he is not required to pay more than he earns for renting his own house.
No. Such a provision is unnecessary because tax is charged only on the net rental income after deducting the cost of maintenance, repairs, insurance and any rates paid by the landlord on the let property. Tax relief for any mortgage interest is also given against the rental income, except that a person living in job-related accommodation, such as a Service man in married quarters, may claim the relief against his other income if it is to his advantage.
Mortgages (Tax Relief)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average amount of tax relief for housing mortgage purposes paid to mortgagors in each year since 1964.
The estimated amounts of mortgage interest relief are as follows:
| AVERAGE TAX RELIEF PER MORTGAGOR IN UNITED KINGDOM | |
| Year | £ |
| 1964–65 | 27 |
| 1965–66 | 32 |
| 1966–67 | 36 |
| 1967–68 | 40 |
| 1968–69 | 41 |
| 1969–70 | 47 |
| 1970–71 | 55 |
| 1971–72 | 57 |
| 1972–73 | 66 |
| 1973–74 | 89 |
| 1974–75 | 120 |
| 1975–76 | 146 |
| 1976–77 | 175 |
| 1977–78 | 173 |
North Sea Oil
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the value of revenues received from North Sea oil during each quarter of the financial year 1977–78 and his estimates for the quarters in 1978–79.
Following are the figures for 1977–78:
| Quarter ending | £ million |
| 30 June | negligible |
| 30 September | 100 |
| 31 December | 10 |
| 31 March | 130 |
| 240 |
British Petroleum Limited (Government Directors)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue instructions to the Government directors of British Petroleum Ltd. drawing to their attention the provisions of the Rhodesian sanctions regulations.
The relevant provisions of the Rhodesian sanctions regulations were brought to the attention of the directors of British companies in the normal way by publication in the London Gazette.
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of collecting value added tax in each of the past three years.
It is estimated that the cost of administering value added
| Married man, 2 children under 11 | |||||
| Grass Weekly Earnings (Notional) | Income Tax Payable | Employee's National Insurance Contributions | Net Income (including child benefit) | Real net income at 1973–74 prices | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Average of earnings in all occupations | 90·20 | 17·60 | 5·90 | 71·90 | 34·80 |
| Twice average of earnings in all occupations | 180·40 | 47·40 | 7·80 | 130·40 | 63·10 |
| Three times average of earnings in all occupations | 270·60 | 89·70 | 7·80 | 178·20 | 86·30 |
tax in 1975–76, 1976–77 and 1977–78 was about £70 million, £80 million and £85 million respectively.
Personal Incomes
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate for 1978–79 of (a) a figure for actual or estimated average adult male earnings, (b) the amount of tax payable on such a level of earnings by a married man with two children under 11 years of age, (c) the amount of employee's national insurance contribution, (d) the residual net income adjusted for child benefit and (e) the real purchasing power of the residual net income as adjusted for inflation since 1973–74, expressed in terms of prices at the latest date, together with similar figures for persons with twice and three times average earnings.
The figures are as follows:The amount of child benefits included in net income includes the appropriate proportion of the increase payable from November 1978.The figures of real net income have been expressed at 1973–74 prices for comparability with those for earlier years given in the answer to the hon. Member on 15th February 1978—[Vol. 944, cols.
268–70.] The prices index used is the general index of retail prices, all items. The figure for the financial year 1978–79 is an estimate based on the assumption that prices rise by 7 per cent., between 1977–78 and 1978–79.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for each of the financial years since 1970–71 the average real weekly net income and the average real weekly take-home pay of a man on average industrial earnings who (a) is single, (b) is married with two children and (c) is married with four children, on the latest available price basis.
| Man on Average Industrial Earnings | |||||||||
| Single person | Married man with two children under 11 | Married man with four children, two under 11 and two between 11 and 16 | |||||||
| Real weekly take-home pay | Real weekly net income | Real weekly take-home pay | Real weekly net income | Real weekly take-home pay | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| 1970–71 | … | … | … | … | 53·40 | 62·00 | 59·60 | 69·80 | 62·00 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | … | … | 54·60 | 63·60 | 61·40 | 72·00 | 64·90 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | … | … | 59·50 | 67·90 | 65·80 | 75·80 | 69·20 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | … | … | 61·20 | 68·70 | 66·80 | 75·80 | 69·80 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | … | … | 6010 | 68·50 | 67·00 | 75·80 | 70·80 |
| 1975–76 | … | … | … | … | 56·90 | 65·00 | 62·90 | 72·00 | 65·70 |
| 1976–77 | … | … | … | … | 55·40 | 64·00 | 62·10 | 71·00 | 65·50 |
| 1977–78 | … | … | … | … | 54·70 | 63·50 | 60·80 | 69·60 | 63·70 |
| 1978–79 (Estimate) | … | … | … | … | 57·10 | 67·00 | 61·80 | 73·80 | 63·50 |
The figures expressed at estimated 1978–79 prices are as follows:year. For years up to 1974–75 and for 1978–79 it has been assumed that the employee is not contracted out of the graduated pension scheme.
Gross Domestic Product
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, from information available from international sources, what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost in New Zealand for the most recent year for which information is available; and how this compares with the figure for the United Kingdom.
The latest available figures are as follows:
| Gross domestic product at factor cost per head of total population | |
| US dollars | |
| New Zealand | |
| Year ending 31st March 1976 | 4,092 |
| Year ending 31st March 1977 | 3,859 |
| United Kingdom | |
| Calendar year 1976 | 3,508 |
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the extent to which growth in gross domestic product reflects growth in incomes, expenditure and output in the public sector and private sector, respectively.
The public sector in this context is taken to comprise general government—that is, central Government plus local authorities—and public corporations.The respective contributions to the gross domestic product of the public and private sectors' production of goods and services are indentifiable only in the income-based estimates and are therefore available only in terms of current prices. The estimates are compiled annually and published in the National Income and Expenditure Blue Books; the latest available figures are given in table 1.10 of National Income and Expenditure 1966–76. The share of factor incomes generated by general government, public corporations and the private sector in 1970 and 1976 are shown below. These shares of income are affected by movements of institutions between sectors; but the effect on the distribution between the private sector and the public sector as a whole is likely to have been small over the period quoted.
| FACTOR INCOMES BY SECTOR | ||
| Per cent. of total | ||
| 1970 | 1976 | |
| General government | 16 | 19 |
| Public corporations | 10 | 12 |
| Private sector | 74 | 69 |
Economic Trends.
Although some of the industries for which separate information is readily available lie wholly in either the public or private sector, some span the two sectors. The preparation of estimates requiring sub-divisions of the latter would involve a disproportionate use of resources.
The expenditure-based estimate of gross domestic product is obtained by adding together the various elements of final expenditure, or demand, and deducting the demand met through imports. The public sector component of final demand comprises the final consumption and capital formation of general government and the capital formation of public corporations. Following are the percentage increases in final demand in the domestic sectors and in gross domestic product, at 1970 market prices, between 1970 and 1977:
| General government | 11 |
| Public corporations | -1 |
| Public sector | 9½ |
| Private sector | 10½ |
| Total domestic demand | 10 |
| Gross domestic product | 12½ |
It is not possible to give estimates of changes in each sector's demand on domestic output since imports are not analysed according to sector of end-use.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the gross domestic product per adult in the United Kingdom, currently; and if he will give comparable figures for 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977, respectively.
Following is the latest available information:
| £ | ||
| Gross domestic product at factor cost per adult(1) | ||
| At current prices | At constant (1970) prices | |
| 1974 | 1,829 | 1,186 |
| 1975 | 2,301 | 1,159 |
| 1976 | 2,692 | 1,191 |
| 1977 | 3,011 | 1,190 |
| (1) Expenditure measure of gdp per person aged 18 and over. | ||
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the per capita gross domestic product of Scotland, Wales and each of the regions of England; and if he will express each gross domestic product figure as a percentage of the British gross domestic product.
Estimates of regional gross domestic product per capita at current prices in 1976 and as a percentage of the average for Great Britain, are as follows:
| Gross domestic product per capita, 1976 | ||
| £ | GB=100 | |
| North | 1,850 | 95·5 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 1,852 | 95·7 |
| East Midlands | 1,877 | 96·9 |
| East Anglia | 1,744 | 90·1 |
| South East | 2,155 | 111·3 |
| South West | 1,750 | 90·4 |
| West Midlands | 1,887 | 97·5 |
| Northwest | 1,855 | 95·8 |
| England | 1,955 | 101·0 |
| Wales | 1,712 | 88·4 |
| Scotland | 1,888 | 97·5 |
| Great Britain (excluding the Continental Shelf) | 1,936 | 100 |
Estimates of gross domestic product per capita for the regions of the United Kingdom are published in an article on regional accounts in the June 1978 edition of "Economic Trends". The total for Great Britain excludes profits of the offshore activities of the oil and gas extraction industry which are included in the Continental Shelf region. Income from employment of employees working offshore is included in the gross domestic products of their onshore regions of residence.
Taxation (Yield)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of revenue in 1977–78 from (a)direct taxation and (b)indirect taxtion less subsidies; and how these figures compare with revenue from the same sources in 1975–76.
The information is given below:
| £ million | ||
| Direct taxes and employees national insurance contributions | Indirect taxes and employers national insurance contributions less subsidies | |
| 1975–76 | 20,812 | 15,716 |
| 1977–78 | 25,388 | 23,702 |
Source: National Accounts.
£ Sterling
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates will be the impact on the retail price index of the fluctuation in the external value of sterling since the beginning of the current year; and over what period this impact will be experienced.
The effective exchange rate of the £ sterling has fallen by approximately 5 per cent. since the beginning of the current year, but rose by about the same percentage in the last quarter of 1977. The usual relationships, which may not strictly apply to temporary fluctuations of this kind, suggest that the direct effect of the rise in the exchange rate in the last three months of 1977 would have been to reduce the general index of retail prices (RPI) by about 1–1½ per cent. below the level it would otherwise have attained. The subsequent fall in the exchange rate is likely to result in the RPI being 1–1½ per cent. higher than the level which would otherwise have been reached had the appreciation in the last quarter of 1977 not been reversed. Most of the effects of these exchange rate fluctuations can be expected to have fed through into the RPI by the end of the year.
Small Businesses
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the estimated cost to the Revenue in a full year of the concessions for the benefit of small businesses.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Tax Evasion
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount of revenue lost to the Exchequer by tax evasion for each year since 1974: and if he will list the number of prosecutions for tax fraud over the same period.
It is not possible to estimate the tax lost because of undetected tax evasion. On the second part of the Question, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 11th July.
Public Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the identifiable public expenditure per head of population in England and the Midlands Region of England, respectively; and what were the figures of the past five years.
Figures of identifiable public expenditure are available only for the four countries of the United Kingdom. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Woof) on 24th November 1977—[Vol. 939, c. 852]—which gives identifiable public expenditure per head in England from 1972–73 to 1976–77. Figures for 1977–78 are not yet available.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the figures of public expenditure programmes in cost terms, for the years 1976, 1977 and 1978, respectively.
I refer my hon. Friend to Volume II of the White Paper on the Government's expenditure plans (Cmnd. 7049-II). Table 5.5 shows figures of public expenditure programmes in cost terms on a financial year basis. Similar information is not available on a calendar year basis.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish for the fiscal years 1975, 1976 and 1977 separate prices indices of current and capital public expenditure and a further prices index for both current and capital public expenditure taken together, and also the actual projected relative price effect for each of those years and the relevant price index or indices for the economy as a whole.
The table below shows price indices for 1975–76 to 1977–78 for public expenditure, and the price index for GDP at market prices, which is an indicator of the movement in prices for the economy as a whole.
| 1975–76 | 1976–77 | 1977–78 | |
| Public expenditure | |||
| current | 100 | 114·3 | 127·5 |
| Capital | 100 | 112·6 | 125·8 |
| Total | 100 | 113·9 | 127·0 |
| price index for GDP at market prices | 100 | 113·0 | 128·4 |
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the main items of Government expenditure per head of the population in cost terms; and how much such amounts have changed since 1970.
For public expenditure programmes, the information required is set out in the table below. Comparable figures for "net Government lending to the nationalised industries" are not available.
| Expenditure per head of population in cost terms (in £, at 1977/78 prices) | ||
| Percentage change since | ||
| 1977/78 | 1970/71 | |
| Defence | 120 | +10 |
| Overseas aid and other overseas services | 30 | +85 |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 15 | -5 |
| Trade, industry and employment | 30 | -40 |
| Roads and transport | 50 | +10 |
| Housing | 85 | +50 |
| Other environmental services | 50 | +20 |
| Law, order and protective services | 35 | +30 |
| Education and libraries, science and arts | 155 | +25 |
| Health and personal social services | 140 | +40 |
| Social security | 235 | +40 |
| Other public services | 15 | +10 |
| Common services | 15 | +30 |
| Northern Ireland | 35 | +45 |
Comparisons of 1977–78 with 1970–71 are affected by classification changes. Details of these are given in the White Papers on the Government's expenditure plans. The most significant was the exclusion of nationalised industries' capital investment from public expenditure.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the main measures which have either increased or reduced public spending since 1st January 1977, showing in respect of each the estimated cost or estimated saving during the current financial year and in a full financial year.
Details of changes in planned public expenditure from January 1977 up to Cmnd. 7049, showing the estimated effects in all years up to 1980–81, were published in that Command Paper. Details of the main changes to individual programmes announced since the publication of Cmnd. 7049 were published in HC. 92-ii of Session 1977–78. Announcements have since been made relating to assistance to the shipping industry [Hansard, 8th May, Written Answer, c. 328] vaccine damage payments [Hansard, 9th May, c. 973–5], increase in common agricultural policy support prices [Hansard, 12th May, c. 1605–7] and poultry meat inspection [Hansard, 30th June, Written Answer, c. 701–3], together estimated to cost £20 million to £25 million in the current year. Effects in future years will be reviewed in due course.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing for each EEC country, the United States of America, Sweden, Canada and Japan, the proportion of national income represented by direct public expenditure and total public expenditure, respectively, in each year since 1974.
| General government expenditure as a proportion of national income at market prices | ||||||
| per cent | ||||||
| Expenditure on goods and services | Total general government expenditure(1) | |||||
| 1974 | 1975 | 1974 | 1975 | |||
| United Kingdom(2) | … | … | 28·1 | 30·0 | 48·9 | 51·2 |
| Belgium | … | … | 19·7 | 22·1 | 42·9 | 48·7 |
| Denmark | … | … | 30·3 | 32·8 | 49·1 | 53·3 |
| France | … | … | 19·0 | 20·5 | 43·6 | 48·0 |
| West Germany | … | … | 27·0 | 28·6 | 47·1 | 52·0 |
| Ireland | … | … | 21·6(3) | n.a. | 42·5(3) | n.a. |
| Italy | … | … | 19·0 | 18·8 | 43·6 | 48·1 |
| Luxembourg | … | … | 21·6 | 26·0 | 44·9 | 56·5 |
| Netherlands | … | … | 22·8 | 24·2 | 55·2 | 60·4 |
| United States of America | … | … | 23·1 | 24·6 | 37·5 | 42·6 |
| Sweden | … | … | 31·8 | 32·5 | 55·0 | 57·1 |
| Canada | … | … | 25·9 | 27·5 | 43·2 | 47·0 |
| Japan | … | … | 18·4 | 19·0 | 27·9 | 29·7 |
| (1) Excluding capital transfers, lending and expenditure on the acquisition of company securities. | ||||||
| (2) 29·3 per cent—goods and services, 51·2 per cent—total government expenditure, in 1976. | ||||||
| (3) 1973. | ||||||
Foreign Investment
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what figures are available to him oil the total of foreign investment in 1976 and 1977; what foreign investment was refused during the same period; what proportion of foreign investment has gone into manufacturing industry, and what proportion into land and property speculation; and in which fields foreign investment is over 25 per cent, of the United Kingdom's productive capacity.
Total overseas investment in the United Kingdom private sector, net of disinvestment, was £2,020 million in 1976 and £3,012 million in 1977. No foreign investment into the United Kingdom was refused during 1976 and 1977. Direct investment — net of disinvestment—in the manufacturing industry was £546 million in 1976. The amount in 1977 has not been identified separately. Net investment in the United Kingdom by foreign owned oil companies was £819 million in 1976 and £1,042 million in 1977—including investment on the continental shelf. Investment in land and property speculation is not separately identified and details of overseas ownership of productive capacity in each industrial sector are not available.
Figures for general government expenditure are given below for 1974 and for 1975, the latest year for which information is available:
Unemployed Persons
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can estimate the annual cost of tax unpaid on the present unemployed work force.
No realistic estimate can be made, since the tax payable by the unemployed if they were in work would depend on the amount of their earnings, their tax allowances and on any other income.
Social Wage
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current social wage in England, Wales and Scotland; what it comprises; and what was the comparable figure at constant prices in the years 1975, 1976 and 1977, respectively.
The table below gives estimates of the social wage in England, Scotland and Wales in the current and three preceding financial years. The figures are at constant 1977 survey prices and are based on the public expenditure White Paper Cmnd. 7049. The social wage comprises expenditure on housing, other environmental services, law, order and protective services, education and libraries, science and arts, health and personal social services, social security, food and transport subsidies and concessionary fares.
| Social wage in Great Britain: | |
| £ per head of the working population, at constant 1977 Survey prices | |
| 1975–76 | 1,532 |
| 1976–77 | 1,514 |
| 1977–78 | 1,486 |
| 1978–79 | 1,521 |
Consumer Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the latest available figure for total consumer expenditure in 1978, revalued at 1975 prices, shows any increase over 1977.
In the first quarter of 1978 consumers' expenditure was nearly 4 per cent, higher than a year earlier. The forecast published in the FSBR was for a 5 per cent, increase between 1977 and 1978. Both these figures are at 1970 prices. The Central Statistical Office will be publishing estimates of the national accounts at 1975 prices later this year.
Standard Of Living
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the standard of living on the basis of real disposable income per head between the fourth quarter of 1977 and the second quarter of 1978.
Estimates for the second quarter of 1978 are not yet available. Between the fourth quarter of 1977 and the first quarter of 1978 real personal disposable income per head fell very slightly but this was only a reflection of the tax rebates paid in the fourth quarter. Between the first quarters of 1977 and 1978 real personal disposable income per head rose by about 3 per cent.
Economic Trends (World Trade)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the effect on the British economy of the trends in world trading conditions; and if he will make a statement.
The Economic Summit which will be held in Bonn on 15th to 17th July will consider the outlook for world trade, and we shall press for the adoption of policies for strengthening its growth. The United Kingdom's prospects would obviously be improved by stronger growth in world trade.
Road Fund
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue received from all forms of motor taxation and the amount of Government expenditure spent on roads in each of the financial years from 1974.
Receipts from vehicle excise duty, car tax and excise duties on road fuels in each of the years 1974–75 to 1977–78 were as follows:
| 1974–75 | £2,069 million |
| 1975–76 | £2,385 million |
| 1976–77 | £2,995 million |
| 1977–78 (provisional) | £3,512 million |
It is estimated that central and local government expenditure on highway provision, maintenance and administration in the same years, at 1977 public expenditure survey prices, was:
| 1974–75 | £1,852 million |
| 1975–76 | £1,879 million |
| 1976–77 | £1,651 million |
| 1977–78 | £1,441 million |
Inflation
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation based on the increase in the retail price index over the 12 months to July; and what is the rate based on the last three months calculated to an annual basis.
I regret that the July retail prices index will not be published until 18th August: the index increased in the 12 months to May, the latest figure available, by 7·7 per cent. The increase in the three months to May, expressed at an annual rate, was 11·1 per cent.
Tax Revenue
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total tax revenue in the United Kingdom for the year 1970–71; what percentage of the gross national product this represented; and what are the comparable figures for the year 1977–78.
The information is given in the table below. The figures for total general Government revenue from all taxes comprise central Government receipts of taxes on income, expenditure and capital, and also local authority receipts of rates. National insurance, etc. contributions are total receipts under the national insurance, national health, redundancy and maternity pay schemes.
| General Government Revenue from Taxes and National Insurance contributions | ||
| Total revenue from all taxes | Total revenue from all taxes and National Insurance, etc. contributions | |
| £ million | ||
| 1970–71 | 16,710 | 19,371 |
| 1977–78 | 42,695 | 52,397 |
| as a proportion of GNP at factor cost | ||
| per cent. | ||
| 1970–71 | 37·1 | 43·0 |
| 1977–78 | 33·7 | 41·4 |
Source: National accounts estimates.
Road Haulage Firms (Government Action)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 5th July to the hon. Member for Chingford, that five road haulage firms are subject to discretionary action, what is the meaning of the term discretionary action in this context; who is empowered to exercise this discretion; and what is the action concerned.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont) on 24th November 1977— [Official Report, Vol. 939, c. 854]—and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop) on 9th February 1978—[Official Report, Vol. 943. c. 666].
Bank Notes (Durability)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated life of a £1 and £5 note, respectively and what was the expectation in 1970 and 1974.
Following is the information:
| Average estimated life | |||
| 1970 months | 1974 months | 1978 months | |
| £1 | 11 | 10¼ | 9¼ |
| £5 | 19½ | 20 | 16 |
Northern Ireland
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total personal and corporate tax revenue from Northern Ireland in each of the two complete years for which this information is available.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
715 Tax Certificates
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost to date of the operation of the 715 tax certificate procedure; how many more civil servants have been employed to deal with it; and what has been the amount of tax recovered thereby.
I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
National Debt
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1945 (a) total Government debt per head of population and (b) the total amount of interest paid on the Government's debt.
I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Dividend Restraint
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the grounds upon which the Government have decided to end dividend restraint as from August 1978; and when he expects to make a public announcement to this effect.
No decision to end dividend restraint has been taken. A statement on the Government's intentions when the present controls end on 31st July 1978 will be made at an appropriate time.
Taxation Costs
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the revenue and administration costs of each of the taxes in the United Kingdom, and the estimated total cost to taxpayers of complying with payment of each of these taxes.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th July 1978; Vol. 953, c. 298], gave the following information:Net receipts from Inland Revenue taxes and duties are shown in table 5 of the 120th report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmnd. 7092). For the financial year 1976–77, the cost of collecting stamp duties was 1·54 per cent, of the yield; of estate duty and capital transfer tax together 357 per cent.; and of taxes on income, profits and capital gains 1·92 per cent. It is not possible to break down the third category further as much of the work of administering these taxes is carried out in connection with more than one tax.The revenue and administrative costs of the main Customs and Excise taxes and duties in 1976–77 are as follows:
| Revenue | £ Estimated administrative costs | |
| VAT and car tax | ||
| Value added tax | 3,770 | 80 |
| Car tax | 218 | 0·6 |
| Revenue Duties | ||
| Hydrocarbon oil | 2,067 | 4·2 |
| Alcoholic liquor | 1,946 | 15 |
| (a) | (b) | |||||
| Retired on 31.3.78 | Retired on 1.4.78 | |||||
| Retired pay on award | Terminal Grant | Retired pay from 1.4.78 (increased by 1977 Pensions Increase Measure) | Retired Pay on Award | Terminal Grant | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Major | … | 3,210 | 9,630 | 3,605 | 4,220 | 12,660 |
| Lieutenant-colonel | … | 3,870 | 11,610 | 4,346 | 5,091 | 15,273 |
| Colonel | … | 4,481 | 13,443 | 5,032 | 6,062 | 18,186 |
| Tobacco | 1,875 | 2·6 |
| Betting and gaming | 284 | 3·7 |
| Matches and mechanical lighters | 7·9 | 0·1 |
Import Duties etc.
| ||
| Import duties | 676 | 31 |
| Agricultural levies | 53 | 1·6 |
In addition, Customs and Excise spent £38 million on preventive and fraud work related to the whole range of the Departments' activities.
The revenue from vehicle excise duty in 1976–77 was £816 million; the administrative costs of VED in the same period are estimated to have been £30 million.
No official estimates exist of the costs to taxpayers of complying with payment of each of these taxes; but every effort is made to keep compliance costs as low as possible.
Defence
Retirement Pay
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the terminal grant and retired pay awarded to a colonel, lieutenant-colonel and major, each with 34 years qualifying service, who retired on (a) 31st March 1978, and (b) 1st April 1978.
The rates of retired pay appropriate to 34 years' reckonable service from age 21 are shown below:
Northern Ireland
Roads (Edge-Lining)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many miles of road other than motorways in Northern Ireland have been edge-lined; and what conclusions if any have been drawn as to its effectiveness in reducing accidents and edge maintenance.
About 140 miles of road in Northern Ireland other than motorways have now been edge-lined. This practice has not been in operation over a long enough period to enable firm conclusions to be drawn on its general effectiveness in reducing accidents and edge maintenance. The Government are hopeful, however, that it will lead to a reduction in the number of accidents.
Cockcroft Report
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken over the leaking of the Cockcroft Report to a Republican councillor: and if the Royal Ulster Constabulary has questioned the councillor concerned as it did in similar circumstances the hon. Members for Belfast, North (Mr. Carson) and Antrim, North.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Secondary Education (Reorganisation)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the composition and terms of reference of working parties concerned with the proposed reorganisation of secondary education.
As to terms of reference, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 5th May to the hon. Member for Down, North (Mr. Kilfedder).—[Vol. 949, c. 283]The composition of the two working parties concerned with the reorganisation of secondary education is as follows:
Working Party on Voluntary Schools
Dr. J. M. Benn (Chairman)—Former permanent secretary, Department of Education for Northern Ireland.
Rev. Bro. J. M. Murphy, Mr. Walter Smyth—representing the Association of Governing Bodies of Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland.
Professor M. J. Boyd, Rev. V. A. Mulvey representing the Association of Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards.
Very Rev. F. MacLornon, Very Rev. D. McHugh—representing the Catholic Maintained Schools Commission.
Mr. D. McKeown, Mr. D. H. Vaughan—representing the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council.
Working Party on Administrative and Legislative Aspects of Reorganisation of Secondary Education
Dr. R. J. Dickson (Chairman)—Chief officer, North-Eastern Education and Library Board.
Mr. F. Jeffery—representing the Joint Four (Northern Ireland) Teachers' Association.
Mr. J. R. Holland—representing the Association of Head Teachers in Secondary Schools.
Mr. M. McKeown—representing the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.
Mr. D. Riley—representing the Ulster Teachers' Union.
Mr. J. A. Scott—representing the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers.
Mr. R. D. Carswell, Mr. J. A. Paul—representing the Association of Governing Bodies of Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland.
Rev. R. Devine, Rev. C. McCaughan—representing the Catholic Maintained Schools Commission.
Rev. Canon F. W. Gowing, Mrs. M. McGregor, Mr. J. Magee, Mr. W. J. Patterson, Rev. R. H. Pinkerton—representing the Association of Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards.
Mr. R. H. A. Wallace—representing the Standing Conference on Technical Education.
In addition, following the work of the Taylor Committee in England and Wales, a working party has been set up to consider the arrangements for the management of schools in Northern Ireland, with particular regard to the reorganisation of secondary education and the Government's wish to ensure that integration, where it is desired, should be facilitated and not impeded. The composition of this working party is as follows:
Working Party on School Management
Professor A. E. Astin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Queen's University, Belfast (Chairman).
Mr. W. J. Dickson, Chief Officer, Southern Education and Library Board.
Mr. J. Doherty, Chairman, Western Education and Library Board.
Professor J. F. Fulton, Department of Education Studies, Queen's University, Belfast.
Mr. B. White, Chief Leader Writer, Belfast Telegraph.
Political Settlement
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans any discussions with the political parties in Northern Ireland during the adjournment to carry forward a political settlement in Northern Ireland.
As I told the House on 30th June, I have periodic meetings with local political leaders to exchange views on security policy and on economic problems, as well as to discuss possible constitutional advances.
Republic Of Ireland (Prime Minister)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland.
I have no plans at the moment for a meeting with Mr. Lynch.
National Insurance Contributions
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total value of national insurance contributions made by residents of Northern Ireland during the last two complete years for which this information is available.
The total value of national insurance contributions made by residents of Northern Ireland during 1975–76 was £143,019,000, and during 1976–77 was £172,583,000.