Sitting of 26 October 1981

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Board of Inland Revenue (Chairman)
  Mr. Morgan asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current annual remuneration of the chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue.
  Mr. Ridley:
  £33,170.

  Capital Transfer Tax
  Mr. Cook asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total amount of revenue forgone as a result of the exemption from capital transfer tax of gifts and bequests to political parties, and if he will allocate this relief to each of the main parties.
  Mr. Ridley:
  The revenue forgone from the exemption for bequests to political parties is very small. I am afraid that information on which to base an estimate of the revenue forgone from gifts to political parties, or of the allocation of the relief between parties, is not available.

  Value Added Tax (Flowers and Plants)
  Mr. Beith asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why cut flowers and plants sold in food shops, street markets, supermarkets and garden centers are not subject to value added tax while cut flowers sold in florists are subject to value added tax.
  Mr. Bruce-Gardyne:
  Cut Flowers are subject to value added tax irrespective of the outlet through which they are sold.

  Personal Incomes
  Mr. Knox asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of personal disposable income was saved in each of the past 10 years.
  Mr. Bruce-Gardyne:
  The information requested is to be found in a footnote to table 4.1 of "National Income and Expenditure Blue Book"—1981 edition—a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. The figures are as follows:

  Saving as a percentage of personal disposable income

  per cent.

  1971

  7.7

  1972

  10.1

  1973

  11.9

  1974

  12.3

  1975

  12.4

  1976

  11.6

  1977

  10.8

  1978

  13.0

  1979

  14.7

  1980

  15.8

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Knox asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been raised by Customs and Excise over the past year; and what proportion of Government revenue this accounts for.
  Mr. Bruce-Gardyne:
  In the period 1 October 1980 to 30 September 1981 the revenue raised by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise was £22,902 million and this accounted for 34 per cent. of the revenue of the Consolidated Fund.

  Investment Income Surcharge
  Sir William Clark asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year if the investment income surcharge in the case of taxpayers over 65 years were abolished.
  Mr. Ridley:
  About £215 million for a full year at 1981-–82 income levels.

  Alcoholic Drinks (Taxation)
  Mr. Gwilym Roberts asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy in the planned negotiations with other Finance Ministers of the European Economic Community to resist any attempts to harmonise the British taxation on beer with that on wine; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Bruce-Gardyne:
  A Council of Ministers meeting was held on 21 October to consider a package of measures concerning the harmonisation of the structure of excise duties on alcoholic drinks. No agreement was reached, and there are no plans for a further meeting.

  European Community (United Kingdom Contribution)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the £16 million aid offered by the EEC Commission for housing projects in Northern Ireland will have the effect of reducing further the net contribution to be made by the United Kingdom to the EEC under the agreement of 30 May, or whether it will be included as income from the EEC in assessing the size of rebates to be made under that agreement.
  Mr. Ridley:
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

  Television Programme Contractors (Revenue)
  Mr. Abse asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he can make of the likely reduction in revenue in the financial year 1982–83 arising from the proposed changes in the rates of additional payments to be made by television programme contractors of the Independent Broadcasting Authority in that year announced by the Home Secretary on 22 July.
  Mr. Brittan:
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  London Open Radio
  Mr. O'Halloran asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made

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  to him regarding the granting of a licence to broadcast by London Open Radio; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Mayhew:
  We have received representations from London Open Radio about its proposals for a community radio station in London. In addition, four hon. Members have sought comments on the proposals and two more have expressed support for them.

  London Open Radio has been told that my right hon. Friend is considering the question of community radio in the light of the third report of the Home Office local radio working party; that its views on community radio will be taken into account along with the many other comments received on this subject; but that in the meantime my right hon. Friend is not prepared to license community radio stations on either a permanent or an experimental basis.

  My right hon. Friend cannot yet make any further statement.

  Prison Building Programme
  Mr. David Atkinson asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans for a prison building programme.
  Mr. Mayhew:
  Details of major place producing schemes, including six new prisons to start in the three years 1981–82 to 1983–84, are given in appendix No. 8 to the "Report on the Work of the Prison Department 1980"—Cmnd. 8228. In addition, there is an enlarged programme of repairs and maintenance over the same period.

  Scarman Inquiry
  Mr. John Fraser asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report of the Scarman inquiry.
  Mr. Whitelaw:
  I hope to receive the report soon and will publish it as quickly as possible thereafter.

  Railton Road, Brixton (Police Operation)
  Mr. John Fraser asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a further statement about the police raid on 11 premises in Railton Road on 16 July.
  Mr. Whitelaw:
  I hope to make a statement later this week.

  Press Bingo
  Mr. John Fraser asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult the Gaming Board about press bingo.
  Mr. Whitelaw:
  I understand that the Gaming Board is keeping this development under review.

  Police National Computer (Safeguards)
  Miss Richardson asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the safeguards against the disclosure of confidential personal information stored on the police national computer and in intelligence files to unauthorised persons;
  (2) whether unchecked telephone callers have been given confidential personal information stored on the police national computer and local intelligence files.
  Mr. Whitelaw:
  The police national computer system has electronic, physical and procedural safeguards. My Department has asked for reports from chief officers of certain forces on recent allegations that information has been disclosed to unauthorised persons over the telephone.

  Race Relations (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought to date under the Race Relations Act 1976; and how many of these have been successful.
  Mr. Raison:
  I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, whose consent is required for such prosecutions, that since the Act came into force in June 1977 there have been 25 prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred and conspiracy to incite racial hatred; of these, 15 have resulted in convictions and four have not yet been completed.

  Royal Commission on Gambling
  Sir Timothy Kitson asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to introduce legislation to incorporate some of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Gambling; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Whitelaw:
  I have no immediate plans for major legislation on the report of the Royal Commission on Gambling, but work is proceeding on a number of the commission's recommendations which may lead to proposals for legislation.

  Criminals and Terrorists (Dangerous Weapons)
  Mr. Gwilym Roberts asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the increased use of firearms, shotguns, crossbows and other dangerous weapons in criminal and terrorist activities; if he will publish relevant data in the Official Report; if he will take steps to tighten the control of the sales and importation of such weapons; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Mayhew:
  Numbers of serious offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—tables 3.1 to 3.4 of the volume for 1980, Cmnd. 8376. Information on other weapons used in serious offences is not collected centrally.

  The use of firearms, and other weapons, in serious crime is kept under continuing review, but my right hon. Friend is not persuaded that more stringent controls would have a significant effect on the level of crime, or that the substantial extra work load that these would create for the police would be justified.

  Glue Sniffing
  Mr. Ron Lewis asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received, and from whom, regarding the spread of glue sniffing; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Mayhew:
  Departmental responsibility in England and Wales for matters relating to solvent abuse rests primarily with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Social Services and the Secretary of State for Wales. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has been concerned chiefly with proposals that the criminal law should be changed to control the practice. As well as a number of representations from the general public we have received nearly 30 letters from members of this House, including one from the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Lewis), with which he enclosed a petition from his constituents. Home Office Ministers have also answered four parliamentary questions on the subject.

  The view of the Government remains that the prevention of solvent abuse is a matter for persuasion and education within the community, rather than the imposition of criminal sanctions.

  Nuclear Shelters
  Mr. Ray Powell asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department where shelters for civil defence purposes in the event of a nuclear attack are located in Mid-Glamorgan; and who will be allowed access to such shelters in the event of nuclear attack.
  Mr. Patrick Mayhew:
  It is not in the public interest to disclose the location of wartime regional government headquarters. In a war, emergency sub-regional headquarters would be manned by representatives of key Government Departments and other essential services under the control of a Minister appointed as the sub-regional commissioner.

  Mr. Dobson asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed that in the event of an imminent nuclear attack places will be provided in bunkers for hon. Members.

  Mr. Mayhew:
  Seventeen Ministers, appointed as sub-regional commissioners, will be located in sub-regional headquarters.

  Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875
  Mr. Woolmer asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for each decade since 1945, how many charges have been brought, and how many convictions secured, in England and Wales under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875;
  (2) for each decade since 1945, how many charges have been brought, and how many convictions secured, in England and Wales under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 in cases where the events and circumstances concerned occurred during and in the course of an industrial dispute;
  (3) when the last successful prosecution was made in England and Wales under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 in a case where the events and circumstances concerned occurred during and in the course of an industrial dispute.
  Mr. Mayhew:
  The total numbers of defendants proceeded against and found guilty of principal offences under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" under the offence heading
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  of "intimidation"—offence classification number 10 or 145. Information on the circumstances of those offences is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Woolmer asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what: is the maximum sentence that can be imposed on persons found guilty of charges brought under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875.

  Mr. Mayhew:
  Section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875, as amended by schedule 13 to the Criminal Law Act 1977, provides maximum penalties of £50 or three months' imprisonment.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Milk
  Mr. Stan Thorne asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take up the option offered by the European Economic Community and ensure that the subsidy for school milk is not exclusive to full fat milk but equally favouring skimmed and semi-skimmed milks.
  Mr. Buchanan-Smith:
  I am at present considering whether to include certain kinds of semi-skimmed milks in the United Kingdom programme under the European Community's school milk subsidy arrangements.

  Mr. Stan Thorne asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will modify the milk subsidy arrangements so that the distribution of the subsidy is more equal across applying authorities.

  Mr. Buchanan-Smith:
  I am not aware of any such inequalities that are likely to arise from the present arrangements, but if the hon. Member has any particular point in mind I should be happy to consider it.

  Mr. Stan Thorne asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take powers to ensure that local authorities in receipt of the milk subsidy pass on the entire subsidy minus genuine administrative costs to the children drinking milk.

  Mr. Buchanan-Smith:
  After negotiation with the Commission of the European Communities my right hon. Friend has set a maximum price of 18½p per pint at which milk may be sold to school children by those local authorities which receive subsidy. I am satisfied that this price is reasonable, given the level of the subsidy and the authorities' need to cover their costs.

  Mr. Stan Thorne asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will take action to promote the drinking of low fat milk and milk products.

  Mr. Buchanan-Smith:
  Should the dairy industry identify a demand for the products to which the hon. Member refers, I should of course be glad to lend what support I can to any promotional measures that it may undertake. Indeed, my right hon. Friend and I have recently done so in the case of flavoured milk.

  Hill and Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. McQuarrie asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce the rate for the hill and livestock compensatory allowances for the 1981–82 marketing year; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Buchanan-Smith:
  As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 21 October 1981—[Vol. 10, c. 147]—the outcome of the current review of economic conditions in the hill livestock sector will be announced as soon as possible.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Government Departments (Library and Information Services)
  Mr. Christopher Price asked the Minister for the Civil Service if she will set out in the Official Report those Government Departments that have separate library and information services, excluding press and information departments, those in which such facilities are provided on a co-operative basis, those Departments in which the library and information service also deals with public records for Public Record Office purposes and those in which such records are dealt with separately.
  Mr. Hayhoe:
  Questions of departmental organisation are the responsibility of Ministers concerned. I understand that in the major Departments the position is as follows:

  Departments having their own library and information services.

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Central Office of Information.

  Civil Service Department.

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Ministry of Defence.

  Department of Education and Science (including Office of Arts and Libraries).

  Department of Employment (The Manpower Services Commission and the Health and Safety Commission and Executive have their own libraries).

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Department of Health and Social Security.

  Board of Inland Revenue.

  Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Her Majesty's Treasury.

  Scottish Office.

  Welsh Office.

  Departments sharing library and information services

  Department of the Environment.

  Department of Transport.

  Home Office.

  Northern Ireland Office.

  Department of Industry.

  Department of Trade.

  Department of Energy.

  In the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise the library also deals with departmental records. In all the other Departments there are separate arrangements for records.

  Quangos
  Mr. Philip Holland asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether she will make "Non-departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments" available in the Vote Office for the information of hon. Members.
  Mr. Hayhoe:
  A number of copies are available to hon. Members in the Library and copies may be ordered from Her Majesty's Stationery Office in the usual manner.

WALES

  Housing Renewal Areas
  Mr. Anderson asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider abolishing housing action areas and
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  general improvement areas in favour of housing renewal areas with greater scope and flexibility for local authorities.
  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  The Government have no plans to abolish the arrangements relating to housing action areas or general improvement areas, but we are always interested in proposals for new approaches to the problems of our older housing areas.

  National Parks
  Sir Timothy Kitson asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the amount of money granted to each of the national parks and national park boards in Wales over the last three years and the estimates for 1981 and 1982.
  Mr. Michael Roberts:
  National parks supplementary grant has been allocated to the county councils concerned as follows:

  1978–79 £

  1979–80 £

  1980–81 £

  1981–82 £

  Brecon Beacons

  250,800

  297,000

  341,500

  363,550

  Pembrokeshire Coast

  330,400

  323,400

  428,100

  454,550

  Snowdonia

  315,000

  431,200

  489,600

  551,900

  The aggregate amount of national parks supplementary grant for 1982–83 will be announced in due course when we make the Welsh rate support grant settlement for 1982–83.

  Paediatric Surgeons
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of specialist paediatric surgeons in each area health authority per 1,000 births; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  One full-time consultant is employed by the South Glamorgan health authority (teaching) and the Clwyd health authority is visited fortnightly by a consultant from the Liverpool health authority (teaching).

  Neonatal Intensive Care Cots

  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of neonatal intensive care cots available by hospital and region per 1,000 births in 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  There is no designated neonatal intensive care unit in Wales. Some special care baby units provide an intensive level of care for very sick and very small babies.

  Perinatal and Infant Mortality
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates by social class and in the following age ranges (a) to mothers under 16 years, (b) mothers under 20 years, (c) mothers aged 20 to 24 years, (d) mothers aged 25 to 29 years, (e) mothers aged 30 to 34 years and (f) mothers aged over 35 years; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the percentage of babies weighing 2,500 grams or less by area and region in Wales in 1980

  227
  and state the number and rate of stillbirths, first week deaths, first month deaths and deaths under 1 year; and if he will make a statement.

  Babies born in Wales during 1980 with birth weights less than 2,500 grams

  Area

  Number of such births as a percentage of all births

  Stillbirths

  Deaths within 7 days

  Deaths within 28 days

  Number

  Rate*

  Number

  Rate†

  Number

  Rate†

  Clyd

  6·27

  26

  8·28

  21

  7·29

  21

  7·29

  Dyfed

  5·70

  15

  6·52

  19

  8·84

  19

  8·84

  Gwent

  8·78

  18

  4·27

  33

  8·17

  37

  9·16

  Gwynedd

  5·81

  11

  6·63

  11

  7·10

  12

  7·74

  Mid Glamorgan

  7·13

  32

  5·59

  35

  6·48

  41

  7·59

  Powys

  4·46

  7

  11·67

  2

  3·77

  2

  3·77

  South Glamorgan

  6·99

  16

  4·23

  26

  7·18

  31

  8·56

  West Glamorgan

  6·03

  28

  9·30

  22

  8·06

  22

  8·06

  WALES

  6·50

  153

  6·26

  169

  7·38

  185

  8·08

  * As a percentage of total births of this type.

  †As a percentage of live births of this type.

  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates for Wales in 1980 by region and area health authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Perinatal rate*

  Neonatal rate†

  Infant mortality rate‡

  Clwyd

  15.0

  7.7

  11.7

  Dyfed

  11.9

  7.2

  9.7

  Gwent

  11.3

  8.3

  11.2

  Gwynedd

  13.3

  7.4

  9.2

  Mid Glamorgan

  13.3

  8.3

  11.6

  Powys

  9.7

  3.0

  6.7

  South Glamorgan

  12.2

  8.9

  13.8

  West Glamorgan

  13.8

  8.3

  12.5

  *

  Wales

  12.8

  7.9

  11.4

  Source: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  * Stillbirths and deaths under 1 week combined per 1,000 total live and still births.

  † Deaths under 4 weeks per 1,000 live births.

  ‡ Deaths under 1 year per 1,000 live births.

  Midwives
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many community and hospital-based midwives

  Area

  Year

  align="right"Number of midwives per 10,000 popula tion (1)

  Number of midwives per 10,000 1,000 births *

  Clwyd

  1978

  4.35

  36.1

  1979

  4.12

  31.2

  1980

  4.41

  34.0

  Dyfed

  1978

  4.62

  39.9

  1979

  4.61

  36.7

  1980

  4.80

  38.8

  Gwent

  1978

  2.94

  24.7

  1979

  3.08

  22.7

  1980

  3.20

  23.5

  Gwynedd

  1978

  5.26

  44.8

  1979

  5.08

  40.7

  1980

  5.25

  41.7

  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  Information on a number of deaths after the first 28 days by weight at birth is not held centrally. The other figures requested are given in the following table:

  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  The information is given in the following table:
  per 10,000 population and per 1,000 births there were in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980 for each area health authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  The information is given in the following table:
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  Area

  Year

  align="right"Number of midwives per 10,000 popula tion (1)

  Number of midwives per 10,000 1,000 births *

  Mid Glamorgan

  1978

  2.78

  21.5

  1979

  2.91

  20.08

  1980

  2.89

  19.3

  Powys

  1978

  4.35

  39.6

  1979

  4.93

  43.4

  1980

  4.40

  35.2

  South Glamorgan

  1978

  3.00

  24.5

  1979

  3.27

  25.0

  1980

  3.16

  22.9

  West Glamorgan

  1978

  4.67

  37.7

  1979

  4.51

  35.0

  1980

  4.68

  34.3

  * At 30 September.

  Health Visitors
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many health visitors per 10,000 population there were in each area health authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  The figures are given in the following table:

  Area

  Number of health visitors per 10,000 population (*)

  Clwyd

  1.86

  Dyfed

  2.26

  Gwent

  1.91

  Gwynedd

  2.09

  Mid Glamorgan

  1.67

  Powys

  2.04

  South Glamorgan

  2.49

  West Glamorgan

  1.93

  * At 30 September 1980

  Births
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number and percentage of (a) all births and (b) births in National Health Service hospitals in Wales that were induced in 1980, stating the birth-weights and perinatal mortality rates for these babies; and if he will make a statement.

  TABLE 1

  Number of students enrolled in adult education classes

  Adult education provided by

  1978–79*

  1979–80*

  1980–81*

  1981–82*

  Local education authorities†

  127,411

  110,761

  110,000††

  110,000††

  University of Wales‡

  20,426

  18,979

  na

  na

  Workers' Educational Association**

  16,816

  15,479

  na

  na

  Welsh National Council of YMCA

  979

  1,067

  na

  na

  * Academic years.

  † In respect of LEA adult education centers.

  ‡ Includes students enrolled on courses run jointly with WEA.

  ** Excludes students enrolled on courses run jointly with University of Wales.

  †† Estimated figure rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  This information is not available.

  Pregnancy Terminations
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the numbers of pregnancies terminated in 1980 because of (a) maternal rubella disease (b) maternal rubella contact and (c) maternal rubella immunisation and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  The information is not available.

  Rubella
  Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of rubella were reported in 1980; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Wyn Roberts:
  As rubella is not a notifiable disease, this information is not available.

  Adult Education Classes
  Mr. Alec Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the expenditure and numbers enrolled in adult education classes in Wales by local education authorities, the University of Wales, the Workers' Educational Association and the YMCA in each of the last three years: and what are the corresponding figures estimated for the current year.
  Mr. Michael Roberts:
  The available information is contained in the following tables:
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  TABLE 2

  Net current expenditure on adult education*

  £ million outturn prices

  Expenditure by

  1978–79†

  1979–80†

  1980–81†

  1981–82†

  Local education authorities‡

  0.754

  0.816

  0.910

  1.0**

  University of Wales

  0.632

  0.751

  0.8**

  1.0**

  Workers' Educational Association**

  0.182

  0.204

  0.2**

  0.3**

  Welsh National Council of YMCA

  0.002

  0.004

  0.004

  0.004

  * Net expenditure is gross expenditure less income from non-grant sources.

  † Financial years.

  ‡ In respect of LEA adult education centers.

  ** Estimated figures rounded to the nearest £0.1 million.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Debating Time
  Mr. Gordon Wilson asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish figures to show the total number of minutes per year spent on the Floor of the House for each of the years 1960 to 1980, inclusive.
  Mr. Pym:
  A summary of the time spent on the Floor of the House in each Session is contained in the House Returns, which are held in the Library.

  FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

    Venice Declaration
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Foreign Ministers of the EEC nations are in agreement that the proposals of the Venice declaration should be pursued.
    Mr. Hurd:
    Yes.

    Middle East
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in his endeavours to seek a Middle East settlement, he has ascertained any recent change in the attitude of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to the continued existence of the State of Israel.
    Mr. Hurd:
    We constantly impress upon the PLO the importance of making clear in public its acceptance of Israel's right to live in peace and security as part of a comprehensive peace settlement meeting legitimate Palestinian aspirations. The PLO continues to see difficulty in giving away what it sees as its major bargaining card without major concessions in return. We shall continue to urge it to make their position clear.

    European Democratic Union (Ministerial Speech)
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech made by his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the European Democratic Union in July.
    Mr. Humphrey Atkins:
    No. My right hon. and noble Friend spoke informally to the European Democratic Union on 3 July. There is no record of what was said at the meeting, but I can assure my hon. Friend that recent accounts in the press have been wholly misleading.

    General Dayan (Funeral)
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Lord Privy Seal who represented Her Majesty's Government at the funeral of
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    the late General Dayan of Israel; and if he has information on the representation by the United States of America, France and the Federal Republic of Germany.
    Mr. Hurd:
    The Government were represented at General Dayan's funeral by the counsellor and consul-general at the British embassy.

    The United States was represented by the Attorney-General, Mr. William French Smith, France by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Deferre, and the Federal Republic of Germany by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hamm-Bruecher.

  DEFENCE

    Trident
    Mr. Arnold asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to purchase the D5 Trident system; and what is his latest estimate of the cost.
    Mr. Nott:
    We are still studying the final configuration of the United Kingdom Trident force, and I will announce our decisions, and their cost implications, in due course.

    Outer Space Treaty
    Mr. David Atkinson asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the Soviet Union is abiding by the 1967 outer space treaty concerning the deployment of nuclear weapon carrying objects in orbit.
    Mr. Blaker:
    Yes. We have no reason to believe that any State has placed nuclear weapons in orbit or stationed such weapons in outer space in any manner.

    Sea Wolf VM40
    Sir Patrick Wall asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made with the development of the Sea Wolf VM40; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Pattie:
    The VM40 radar is being considered as one possible option for the tracker of an improved Sea Wolf point defence missile system; I anticipate that a decision will be made in the next few months. I will keep my hon. Friend informed of any significant progress.

    Lieutenant-Colonel Seward
    Mr. Christopher Price asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will prefer charges against Lieutenant-Colonel Seward of 1st Signals Regiment at Ayios Nikolaos, Cyprus, for improper financial dealings in relation to equipment used in that part of Cyprus at present occupied by the Turkish Army.
    Mr. Wiggin:
    As a result of an investigation into alleged misuse of military equipment and irregularities in connection with Customs and Excise matters in Cyprus, Lieutenant-Colonel Seward will be brought to trial by general court martial at Bulford on 7 December 1981.

  ENERGY

    Plutonium
    Mr. Frank Allaun asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, and for what reasons, he is negotiating to sell increased quantities of plutonium from the Calder Hall plant to the United States of America; what quantities are involved; and if he will secure an undertaking that it will not be used to replace the increased quantities of plutonium to be supplied from the United States fuel plants for the increased nuclear arms programme of the United States Government.
    Mr. John Moore:
    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Cambourne (Mr. Mudd) on 19 October. This plutonium would be derived from civil nuclear power stations. It would be subject to IAEA safeguards and would not therefore be available for military purposes. How the United States uses its own plutonium is a matter for the United States Government.

    Oilfield (Definition)
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Energy what constitutes an oifield for the purpose of his statement of 19 October 1981, Official Report, c. 21; and whether it is determined be a high oil: gas ratio.
    Mr. Gray:
    I shall be giving further details of my proposals in due course.

    Participation Agreements
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many participation agreements have been negotiated between companies operating in the North Sea and his Department.
    Mr. Gray:
    In addition to the participation agreements concluded with the 62 companies listed in appendix 13 to the Secretary of State's report to Parliament of July 1979 "Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom"—the Brown Book—further agreements were concluded in April this year with Total Oil Marine Ltd., Elf (UK) and Aquitaine (UK) Ltd.

    Severn Barrage
    Mr. Pawsey asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, following the report on the Severn barrage published in July 1981 and his subsequent statement, he intends to set up a combined acceptability and preliminary design study as suggested by the committee in its report.
    Mr. Mellor:
    I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for East Grinstead (Mr. Johnson Smith) and for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Colvin) on Monday 19 October 1981—[Vol. 10, c. 14.]

    Gas and Electricity Disconnections
    Mr. Mudd asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has yet received the report of the Government's Policy
    234
    Studies Institute into the incidence of gas and electricity consumer disconnections in the South-West of England; if the report lists the number of disconnections for gas and electricity, respectively, for 1979–80 and 1980–81; what is the percentage increase or decrease revealed by the figures and what steps he will be recommending to the regional gas and electricity boards in anticipation of the issuing of the main winter fuel accounts with effect from the end of March 1982, in an attempt to reduce the numbers of disconnections.
    Mr. Mellor:
    The report by the Policy Studies Institute of its review of the fuel supply industries' code of practice on the payment of bills was published on 14 October following its receipt by the sponsors—the industries and the gas and electricity consumers' councils. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The report does not list the numbers of gas and electricity disconnections sought. This information can, however, be derived from disconnection data already published and is as follows:

    Disconnections

    1979–80

    1980–81

    Percentage increase

    South Western Electricity Board

    2,040

    2,420

    18.6

    South Western Gas Region

    255

    351

    37.6

    I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) and for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) on 20 October on the action that I have already taken with the fuel industries in the light of this report.

  PRIME MINISTER

    Welsh Office, Cardiff (Flat)
    Mr. Skinner asked the Prime Minister whether, and for what reasons, she authorised the expenditure of £12,069 on a flat constructed in the Welsh Office in Cardiff for the use of the Secretary of State for Wales.
    The Prime Minister:
    Yes. I authorised the long-overdue provision of a modest flat in the Welsh Office, Cardiff, for use by Ministers and senior officials who may need to stay there overnight because of public engagements or emergencies. After scrutiny, the Secretary of State decided upon a modification of the original plans put to him and, as a result, the cost was reduced from an estimated £20,000 to £12,069.

    Industrial Incentives
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Prime Minister what is the percentage range of assistance for industrial incentives in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain, in the following aspects: (i) building grants, (ii) machinery and equipment grants and (iii) research and development grants.
    The Prime Minister:
    This information is as follows:

    Northern Ireland

    Building grants

    Machinery and equipment grants

    Under the Industrial Investment (General Assistance) Acts 1966 to 1971 standard capital grants are available at the rate of 30 per cent. for buildings, plant, machinery and equipment in qualifying industrial activities.

    Alternatively under the Industries Development (Northern Ireland) Acts 1966 to 1971 selective financial assistance, which includes capital grants, is available on the cost of new

    235
    machinery, plant and building works at the higher rate of 40 to 50 per cent., depending on location, providing the employment criteria are satisfied.

    Research and development

    Under the industries development legislation grants towards the cost of research and development projects aimed at developing new products and processes are available at the rate of 40 to 50 per cent., depending on location, up to a maximum of £250,000 per project.

    (b) Great Britain

    Building grants

    Machinery and equipment grants

    Regional development grants, under section 1 of the Industry Act 1972, are available at rates of 15 per cent. of the cost of assets provided on qualifying premises in development areas and 22 per cent. in special development areas. Buildings, machinery and equipment are all eligible.

    Additionally, under both section 7 and section 8 of the Industry Act 1972, selective financial assistance is available for qualifying projects. The percentage of assistance is negotiated as the minimum necessary to secure the project; historically the average has been about 10 per cent. of project costs—including the cost of buildings, machinery and equipment.

    (iii) Research and development

    Under various schemes assistance is available as a grant of up to 25 per cent. of the cost of applied industrial research projects and the development of new or significantly improved products or processes. In some cases the Government will contribute up to 50 per cent. of the cost in return for a levy on commercial sales. Under nearly all schemes the Department of Industry is prepared to purchase pre-production models for user trials with a view to selling these to the user afterwards.

    (c) United Kingdom

    Assistance under two special schemes is available in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Microelectronics Industry Support Programme provides for assistance of up to 25 per cent. of eligible project costs which may include research and development, buildings, and machinery and plant. The coal fired boiler scheme also provides grants at up to 25 per cent. of eligible project costs.

    European Community (Economic Effects of Membership)
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Prime Minister if she will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate and report on the effect on the United Kingdom economy of membership of the EEC.
    The Prime Minister:
    No.

    Mexico Summit
    Mr. Wm. Ross asked the Prime Minister if she will list the proposals put forward by Her Majesty's Government at the Mexico summit on world poverty.
    The Prime Minister:
    I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made earlier today.

  EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

    Works of Art (Report)
    24. Mr. Faulds asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he anticipates that the Office of Arts and Libraries will be in a position to issue to the public explanatory literature relating to the Government's response to the interim report on works of art by the Select Committee on Education, Science and the Arts.
    Mr. Channon:
    As soon as possible after the Government have replied to the Select Committee. I am glad to say, however, that the draft of the booklet is at a late stage.

    National Heritage Memorial Fund
    25. Sir David Price asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the first report of the National Heritage Memorial Fund; and what action he proposes to take.
    Mr. Channon:
    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have very much welcomed the publication of the first annual report of the fund. The trustees have responded to the enormous demands made upon them with flexibility and imagination. My right hon. Friend and I are carefully considering all the points raised in the report.

    Arts (Business Sponsorship)
    26. Mr. Durant asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he is making in his campaign to encourage the business sponsorship of the arts.
    Mr. Channon:
    I am encouraged by the growth in the amount of money and the numbers of businesses and arts organisations involved in sponsorship. Next month in York I am beginning a series of regional meetings to explain the benefits of sponsorship to smaller, local businesses and arts organisations. At the same time I shall be publishing a new booklet offering basic guidance to small arts organisations.

    Arts (Funding)
    27. Mr. Blackburn asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to reply to the report from the Education, Science and Arts Committee on private and public funding of the arts; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Channon:
    Consultations between the interested Departments are under way, and I hope the Government's response will be made reasonably soon.

  NORTHERN IRELAND

    Paediatric Surgeons
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the number of specialist paediatric surgeons in each area health authority per 1,000 births; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    In Northern Ireland there are three specialist paediatric surgeons, all based in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area, which represents for the whole of Northern Ireland 0.1 specialist paediatric surgeon per 1,000 births or one specialist paediatric surgeon per 9,616 births. This compares favourably with the ratio recommended in the report of the Committee on Child Health Services, the Court Report—"Fit for the Future." There are at present no vacant posts and no plans to increase the number of specialist paediatric surgeons.

    Neonatal Intensive Care Cots
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the number of neonatal intensive care cots available by hospital and region per 1,000 births in 1980; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    Four hospitals in Northern Ireland provide a total of 13 neonatal intensive care cots:

    cots

    Royal Maternity hospital, Belfast

    5

    Royal Belfast hospital for sick children

    3

    Belfast City hospital

    2

    Altnagelvin hospital, Londonderry

    3

    On a regional basis this represents 0.45 cots per 1,000 births.

    Perinatal and Infant Mortality
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates by social class and in the following age ranges (a) to mothers under 16 years, (b) mothers under 20 years, (c) mothers aged 20 to 24 years, (d) mothers aged 25 to 29 years, (e) mothers aged 30 to 34 years and (f) mothers aged over 35 years; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    Perinatal, neonatal and infant deaths in Northern Ireland by social class for 1979 are given in the table below. This is the latest year for which information is available, and the figures are provisional. Analysis by age of mother is not possible.

    Mortality Rates

    Perinatal*

    Neonatal†

    Infant†

    Professional

    13.1

    9.0

    12.5

    Intermediate

    12.1

    7.6

    11.2

    Skilled non-manual

    18.4

    10.1

    14.3

    Skilled manual

    16.7

    9.1

    14.4

    Partly skilled

    17.4

    8.6

    15.3

    * Per 1,000 live and still births.

    † Per 1,000 live births.

    The recommendations of the Baird report on infant mortality and handicap in Northern Ireland are being implemented as resources permit.

    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates for Northern Ireland in 1980 by region and area health authority; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. John Patten:
    The perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates for the four health and social services board areas and for Northern Ireland in 1980 are set out in the following table.

    The figures are provisional.

    Board

    Mortality rate

    Perinatal*

    Neonatal†

    Infant†

    Eastern

    15.3

    7.3

    12.9

    Northern

    13.7

    7.7

    13.4

    Southern

    14.5

    8.1

    11.2

    Western

    19.8

    9.6

    16.3

    Northern Ireland

    15.8

    8.0

    13.4

    * Per 1,000 live and still births.

    † Per 1,000 live births.

    Midwives
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community and hospital-based midwives per 10,000 population and per 1,000 births there were in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980 for each area health authority; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    The information is as follows:

    Health and social services board and year

    Community and hospital midwives in post at 31 December 1980 (whole time equivalents)

    Midwives per 10,000 population

    Midwives per 1,000 births

    Eastern

    1978

    424

    6.4

    44.0

    1979

    443

    6.7

    42.1

    1980

    496

    7.5

    46.8

    Northern

    1978

    246

    6.7

    38.2

    1979

    246

    6.7

    36.0

    1980

    260

    7.0

    37.5

    Southern

    1978

    226

    8.4

    44.1

    1979

    228

    8.5

    40.7

    1980

    248

    9.2

    44.4

    Western

    1978

    209

    8.7

    39.4

    1979

    227

    9.3

    41.6

    1980

    209

    8.5

    36.6

    Northern Ireland

    1978

    1,104

    7.2

    41.7

    1979

    1,145

    7.4

    40.3

    1980

    1,213

    7.8

    42.1

    Health Visitors
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many health visitors per 10,000 population there were in each area health authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    The information is as follows:

    Health and social services board

    Health visitors in post at 31 December 1980*

    Health visitors per 10,000 population

    Eastern

    176.7

    2.7

    Northern

    93.5

    2.5

    Southern

    88.0

    3.3

    Western

    60.5

    2.5

    Northern Ireland

    418.7

    2.7

    * Whole time equivalent.

    It is hoped that the target of one health visitor to 3,000 population will be achieved in the next three to five years.

    Induced Births
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the number and percentage of (a) all births and (b) births in National Health Service hospitals in Northern Ireland that were induced in 1980, stating the birth weights and perinatal mortality rates for these babies; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    The information is not available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

    Birth Weights
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the percentage of babies weighing 2,500 grams or less by area and region in Northern Ireland in 1980 and state the number and rate of stillbirths, first week deaths, first month deaths and deaths under 1 year; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    The numbers of notified births, under the child health record system, of babies weighing less than 2,500 grams, and the percentages of all notified births which they represent, are given for each health and social services board area and for Northern Ireland in the table below. The table also shows the numbers of stillbirths and the rate of stillbirths per 1,000 live and stillbirths. The figures relate to 1979; data for 1980 are not yet available.

    The remaining information requested is not available.

    Health and social services board

    Notified live and still births of babies weigh-ing less than 2,500 grams

    Notified births less than 2,500 grams as percentage of all notified births

    Stillbirths

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live and still births

    Eastern

    650

    6.2

    53

    81.5

    Northern

    419

    6.2

    37

    88.3

    Southern

    292

    5.2

    34

    116.4

    Western

    287

    5.3

    35

    122.0

    Northern Ireland

    1,648

    5.8

    159

    96.5

    Against a background of steadily reducing mortality rates in Northern Ireland the recommendations of the Baird report on infant mortality and handicap are being implemented as resources permit.

    Rubella
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of pregnancies terminated in 1980 because of (a) maternal rubella disease, (b) maternal rubella contact and (c) maternal rubella immunisation; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. John Patten:
    The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of rubella were reported in 1980; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. John Patten:
    Rubella is not a notifiable disease in Northern Ireland. A campaign to improve the take-up of rubella vaccination was begun in 1979, and the information available shows that take-up increased by one-third between 1978 and 1980.

    Industrial Development Board
    Mr. Molyneaux asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce the appointment of the chief executive of the Industrial Development Board and make known the composition of that board; and when he intends to bring forward the relevant legislation.
    Mr. Adam Butler:
    The procedure for the selection of the chief executive for the Industrial Development Board
    242
    for Northern Ireland is well under way; the first of the advertisements seeking applications for the post appeared in the national press on 22 October 1981. It is hoped that an appointment can be announced about the end of the year. It is intended that appointments to the board will not be made until after the chief executive is appointed. Preparation of legislation for the Industrial Development Board is under way with the intention of publishing a proposal for a draft order early next year.

  EMPLOYMENT

    School Leavers (Leek)
    Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in the Leek parliamentary constituency who left school in 1980 have not yet obtained their first job.
    Mr. Peter Morrison:
    The statistics do not separately distinguish the number of last year's school leavers who are still unemployed.

    In October there were 182 school leavers under 18 registered unemployed in the Leek employment office area.

    Industrial Accidents (Leek)
    Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial accidents were reported in the Leek parliamentary constituency in 1980 and in each of the previous five years.
    Mr. Waddington:
    Figures for reported accidents are now organised on a basis which makes it impossible to provide answers for the Leek parliamentary constituency, without disproportionate cost.

    Temporary Short-Time Working Subsidy
    Mr. Richard Wainwright asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs in (a) the West Yorkshire metropolitan county council area and (b) the Greater Manchester metropolitan county council area are currently dependent on the temporary short-time working subsidy; and how these figures compare with those for the same time in 1980 and 1979.
    Mr. Peter Morrison:
    I regret that statistics in the form requested are not readily available for 1979 and 1980 and could be extracted only at disproportionate cost. However, the following table shows the figures requested for September 1981:

    Area

    Number of potentially redundant jobs covered in applications that were current in September 1981

    West Yorkshire metropolitan county council

    10,695

    Greater Manchester metropolitan county council

    23,439

    Mr. Richard Wainwright asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs in (a) the Kirklees metropolitan district area and (b) the Oldham metropolitan

    243
    district area are currently dependent on the temporary short-time working subsidy; and how those figures compare with the numbers for the same time in 1980 and 1979.

    Mr. Peter Morrison:
    The following table shows the figures requested:

    Kirklees metropolitan district area

    Oldham metropolitan district area

    Number of potentially redundant jobs covered in applications that were current in September 1981

    3,280

    2,542

    Number of potentially redundant jobs covered in applications that were current in September 1980

    4,210

    4,845

    Number of potentially redundant jobs covered in applications that were current in September 1979

    1,645

    547

    Textile Industry
    Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the textile industry in the United Kingdom during each of the last five years for which figures are available.
    Mr. Peter Morrison:
    The following table gives the numbers of employees in employment in the textiles industry in the United Kingdom at June each year from 1977:

    June each year

    1977

    512,000

    1978

    490,000

    1979

    *478,000

    1980

    *424,000

    1981

    *364,000

    * Provisional.

    Census of Employment
    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many officials in his Department are engaged full-time in the compiling, distribution and analysis of the "Census of Employment Return: 14 September 1981"; and what is the estimated cost of the exercise.
    Mr. Waddington:
    There are currently 128 officials in my Department engaged mainly in the census of employment. In addition, an estimated 140 man years of work will be carried out by temporarily recruited staff. Improvements to the census operation planned or already implemented have reduced the proposed annual budget for this work from £3 million to £2 million in the current year and to £1 million from 1984. The overall cost of the 1981 census is estmated at about £4½ million.

    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Employment to which individuals, companies or other organisations the "Census of Employment Return: 14 September 1981" has been distributed; and what is the purpose of the return.

    Mr. Waddington:
    Census forms are sent to all employers on the register, which consists of names and
    244
    addresses recorded by the Inland Revenue as holding payas-you-earn tax records for employees. The purpose of censuses of employment is to provide detailed and comprehensive information not available from other sources about employment and its industrial distribution at national, regional and local levels, for us particularly in relation to national and local government policies. It also provides a check and basis for the monthly and quarterly employment series. The 1981 census updates information previously collected in respect of 1978 and will enable account to be taken of the significant changes in the structure of employment that have occurred over the last three years.

    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department will study the returns from the "Census of Employment Return: 14 September 1981" which are sent to his Department in completed form later than 23 October.

    Mr. Waddington:
    Yes; 23 October is the date by which firms are asked to return forms if possible but late returns are also included in the compilation of the results which are normally based on over 99 per cent. response.

    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the CBI, the Association of Small Businesses, chambers of commerce and other organisations concerning the usefulness and purpose of the "Census of Employment Return: 14 September 1981."

    Mr. Waddington:
    No representations have been received. Support for the census henceforth to be taken normally triennially rather than annually has been expressed by the CBI.

    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Employment when was the last occasion on which his Department had conducted a census of employment; what was the estimated cost of the exercise; what were its conclusions; and what proportion of the census of employment forms was returned to his Department.

    Mr. Waddington:
    The last census of employment was taken in June 1978. Overlap of work on the 1977 census with that on the 1978 census meant that the cost of each was not separately identified. The annual cost of the census operation at that time was running at approximately £4½ million at 1981 prices; current and future censuses will cost very much less following the introduction of improved operational methods.

    The results were published in the February and March 1981 issues of the Employment Gazette.

    Over 99 per cent. of the census forms issued were completed and returned.

    Departmental Statistical Surveys
    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the usefulness of and the response to the statistical surveys carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Waddington:
    These matters have recently been clearly and fully examined in the review of statistical services co-ordinated by Sir Derek Rayner in which important changes were recommended. Details of the changes which it is proposed to make, subject to consultation, were published in the action report "Review

    245
    of Statistical Services in Department of Employment and Manpower Services Commission", which was also reproduced in the May issue of the Employment Gazette. These proposals, and other planned changes, are expected to produce reductions in the cost of statistical services from £15.4 million in 1979 to £10 million in 1984, all at 1979 prices, and in numbers of permanent staff from 1,430 to 960.

    Youth Opportunities Programme and Community Industry
    Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will extend the tabulations given in reply to the hon. Member for Colne Valley, (Mr. Wainwright) on 10 July, Official Report, columns 239–40, by including the average number of weeks each trainee spends in each programme and the average cost both net and gross per week.
    Mr. Alison:
    I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

    Health and Safety Executive
    Mr. Cryer asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of qualified health and safety inspectors who are occupying administrative posts in the Health and Safety Executive headquarters; what is the additional cost of this; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Waddington [pursuant to his reply, 23 October 1981): Sixty-one of the 710 posts in the Health and Safety Executive headquarters are occupied by health and safety inspectors. These posts are filled by inspectors because of the need for their technical and inspectorial knowledge and experience in this work and because it is an important part of their career development. Their employment cannot be considered as an additional cost. The headquarters of individual inspectorates are also staffed chiefly by health and safety inspectors.

  INDUSTRY

    British Leyland
    17. Mr. Wrigglesworth asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultations he has had with the board of British Leyland about the possibility of putting the company into liquidation; and what consultations he has had with others about the economic and industrial consequences of such an act.
    Mr. Norman Lamont:
    Sir Michael Edwardes has said that, if effective and financially damaging strike action took place at BL, the board of BL would have no option but to consult the Government on the steps that would be needed to liquidate those parts of the business that were on strike or were prevented from working. The strike is not scheduled to start for a week, so the stage has not been reached when the board would need to consult the Government on the lines envisaged. My right hon. Friend is in touch with his colleagues about the implications of a strike at BL.
    246
    Leeds (Industrial Strategy)

    18. Mr. Joseph Dean asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will reconsider the Government's current industrial strategy with particular reference to the Leeds area.

    Mr. Norman Lamont:
    The Government's regional industrial policy is to concentrate on the areas of greatest need. There are no plans to reconsider the decision to withdraw intermediate area status from Leeds on 1 August next year but until then Leeds will continue to be eligible for regional assistance appropriate to its status.

    Steel Industry (Productivity)
    19. Mr. Garel Jones asked the Secretary of State for Industry how productivity in the steel industry in Wales has changed since January 1980.
    Mr. Norman Lamont:
    The British Steel Corporation's plants at Port Talbot and Llanwern account for the bulk of steel making in Wales. I understand the corporation's figures show that since January 1980 productivity at each plant has improved from 9.1 man-hours per tonne to 5.1 at Port Talbot and 7.0 to 4.7 at Llanwern.

    Tungsten Reserves
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is the area of the ore body affected by the tungsten prospect at Hemerdom near Plymouth and the anticipated life of the mine;
    (2) what are the reserves of tungsten ores in the EEC and the percentage thereof in the United Kingdom.
    Mr. MacGregor:
    I understand that the Hemerdon ore body is 800 metres long and 120 metres wide, and that it is proposed to exploit this to an average depth of 230 metres. The mine is expected to have a life of at least 20 years. Its reserves are not yet proven but estimated potential United Kingdom reserves of tungsten metal in ores are about 64,000 tonnes. Proven reserves in other EEC countries are about 16,000 tonnes.

    Coal Burning Conversions
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Industry of the £50 million granted in the budget for conversion of factories from oil to coal burning, how many applications have been received and accepted; and what steps he is taking to receive a more satisfactory response.
    Mr. MacGregor:
    A total of 47 applications for grant have been made under the coal fired boiler scheme. Twenty offers have so far been made for grant totalling over £750,000. The scope and coverage of the scheme will be reviewed in the next few weeks.

    Strategic Metals (Imports)
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Industry, if he will identify the strategic metals that are not produced in the United Kingdom and thus have to be imported (a) from either the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or South Africa or (b) comprise mineral exports of developing countries.
    Mr. MacGregor:
    There is no agreed definition of strategic metals. Of those non-fuel metals considered to be

    247
    critical to the economy, South Africa and USSR are significant suppliers to the United Kingdom of the following:

    South Africa:

    Chromium, manganese, platinum group metals, vanadium and copper.

    USSR:

    Chromium, manganese, platinum group metals and vanadium.

    The United Kingdom imports the following critical metals in significant quantities from developing countries:

    Alumina

    Guinea, Jamaica, Surinam.

    Bauxite

    Ghana, Surinam, Indonesia.

    Chromium

    Philippines.

    Cobalt

    Zaire, Zambia.

    Copper

    Zambia, Chile, Peru.

    Iron Ore

    Brazil.

    Lead

    Peru.

    Manganese

    Brazil, Gabon, Ghana. Molybdenum Chile.

    Niobium

    Brazil, Nigeria.

    Tin*

    Malaysia, Bolivia, Indonesia.

    Tungsten

    Bolivia, Thailand.

    * There is substantial production of tin in the United Kingdom.

    Minerals (Annual Consumption)
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the annual consumption of the United Kingdom in the following minerals: chromium, cobalt, manganese, niobium, molybdenum, the platinum group and vanadium and the highest consumption figures obtained for each during the past 15 years.
    Mr. MacGregor:
    Total consumption figures for these materials are not systematically recorded and are not available for the past 15 years. The best estimate of the current annual consumption in the United Kingdom is as follows:

    Tonnes Contained Metal

    1980 Prices Approximate value £ million

    Chromium

    chemical grade

    33,000

    3

    ferro chrome

    43,000

    30

    refractory

    17,000

    3

    Cobalt

    1,860

    40

    Manganese

    239,000

    50

    Molybdenum

    4,800

    60

    Niobium

    450

    2.4

    Platinum group metals

    about 5–6

    35

    Vanadium

    590

    3.7

    Werner Report
    Mr. Woolmer asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what plans he has to implement any of the points raised in the Werner report on the woollen and worsted sector of the textile and garment making industries;
    (2) whether he intends to publish the Werner report on the woollen and worsted sector of the textile and garment making industries in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy; and, if so, when it will be available to the public.
    Mr. MacGregor:
    The report is still the subject of discussion between my Department and the Confederation of British Wool Textiles and I shall reach no conclusions about it until these discussions have been completed. The report is very long and of a specialised nature and I do not think that the cost of publishing it would be justified. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

    British Steel (Board Appointments)
    Mr. Hardy asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his role in the appointment of members to the board of the British Steel Corporation.
    Mr. Norman Lamont:
    My right hon. Friend's role in the appointment of members to the BSC is laid down in section 1 of the Iron and Steel Act 1975, which provides that all appointments are made by the Secretary of State. This section includes a requirement that the appointment of a member of the corporation, other than the chairman, shall not be made by the Secretay of State except after consultation with the chairman.

    Engineering Council
    Mrs. Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for Industry what funding is to be given to the new Engineering Council; and what responsibilities the council will have for training engineers.
    Mr. Wakeham [pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1981]: The firm intention is that the council should become financially independent as soon as possible, but the Government have indicated that they would be prepared to help finance its initial running costs. The draft Royal Charter would enjoin the council generally to promote and develop the knowledge and best practice of engineering, and to take and encourage action for securing the supply and best use of engineers and engineering technicians. More particularly, the council would determine standards of training to be satisfied by those wishing to be entered on its register; arrange for the accreditation of, or itself accredit, industrial training programmes; and encourage the development and provision of training to enable engineers and engineering technicians to satisfy its standards and thereafter to maintain their competence in the light of technological and other changes.

  SCOTLAND

    Council House Sales
    Sir Hector Monro asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state for each housing authority the number of council houses sold in the last convenient 12 months and the number of applications to buy that are outstanding.
    Mr. Younger:
    The information requested is given in the following table. The sales figures refer only to completed sales. Cases where missives have been concluded but the sale is not yet completed are not included either in the sales figures or in the figures for outstanding applications; the number of such cases cannot be identified precisely but is estimated at between 4,000 and 5,000 for Scotland as a whole. The figures on outstanding applications to purchase are based on information supplied by authorities at the end of September 1981 and relate to applications under part I of the Tenants' Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Act 1980. The figures will, however, include small numbers of applications either where the tenant has received an offer to sell but has decided not to proceed with the purchase or where a landlord authority has been obliged, under the terms of the Act, to issue a notice of refusal. I do not have reliable

    249
    information about outstanding applications to local authorities for voluntary sales. In addition, the SSHA and new towns have sold 3,343 houses during this period and have approximately 5,200 applications to purchase outstanding.

    Authority

    Sales from 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981*

    Number of applications to purchase outstanding

    BORDERS REGION

    Berwickshire

    28

    45

    Ettrick and Lauderdale

    22

    71

    Roxburgh

    —

    119

    Tweeddale

    9

    96

    CENTRAL REGION

    Clackmannan

    88

    46

    Falkirk

    149

    533

    Stirling

    11

    206

    DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY REGION

    Annandale and Eskdale

    —

    284

    Nithsdale

    109

    222

    Stewartry

    70

    123

    Wigtown

    60

    152

    FIFE REGION

    Dunfermline

    44

    920

    Kirkcaldy

    179

    485

    North East Fife

    144

    232

    GRAMPIAN REGION

    City of Aberdeen

    3

    1,385

    Banff and Buchan

    2

    363

    Gordon

    —

    269

    Kincardine and Deeside

    120

    156

    Moray

    158

    421

    HIGHLAND REGION

    Badenoch and Strathspey

    16

    35

    Caithness

    71

    154

    Inverness

    —

    228

    Lochaber

    13

    150

    Nairn

    33

    49

    Ross and Cromarty

    91

    158

    Skye and Lochalsh

    26

    58

    Sutherland

    45

    29

    LOTHIAN REGION

    East Lothian

    —

    541

    City of Edinburgh

    735

    548

    Midlothian

    3

    732

    West Lothian

    228

    270

    STRATHCLYDE REGION

    Argyll and Bute

    8

    295

    Bearsden and Milngavie

    76

    161

    Clydebank

    —

    127

    Clydesdale

    2

    67

    Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

    16

    52

    Cumnock and Doon Valley

    93

    80

    Cunninghame

    170

    190

    Dumbarton

    —

    189

    East Kilbride

    17

    54

    Eastwood

    58

    53

    City of Glasgow

    221

    3,009

    Hamilton

    36

    329

    Inverclyde

    76

    128

    250

    Authority

    Sales from 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981*

    Number of applications to purchase outstanding

    Kilmarnock and Loudoun

    —

    137

    Kyle and Carrick

    171

    90

    Monklands

    30

    316

    Motherwell

    38

    408

    Renfrew

    88

    1,311

    Strathkelvin

    61

    270

    TAYSIDE REGION

    Angus

    23

    588

    City of Dundee

    40

    220

    Perth and Kinross

    230

    190

    ISLANDS AREAS

    Orkney

    50

    71

    Shetland

    —

    125

    Western Isles

    93

    140

    * Based on incomplete returns.

    Sex Shops
    Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce regulations in the new Session to control the opening of sex shops in Scotland.
    Mr. Rifkind:
    My right hon. Friend is considering whether, and, if so, what further measures might be introduced to control these establishments.

    Chiropody
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish a school of chiropody in Dundee.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    My Department is continuing to consider how expected patterns of demand for chiropody services might best be met. The creation of a new school of chiropody in Tayside would be one option, but others, such as some expansion of existing schools, are also being considered.

    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting time for chiropody treatment in Dundee and Scotland, respectively.

    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    This information is not held centrally.

    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of chiropodists in Dundee and Scotland, respectively; and what is the ratio for each per 100,000 of population.

    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Information is available centrally only on chiropodists who are employed by health boards in a full-time or part-time capacity and does not include those who provide services for boards on an agency basis, or those practising privately. The whole-time equivalent figures for chiropodists who were health board employees at March 1981 are as follows:

    Rate per 100,000

    Tayside

    32.6

    8.2

    Scotland

    371.1

    7.2

    General Medical Practioner Locums
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received a letter from the Association

    251
    of Scottish Local Health Councils on responsibility for general medical practioner locums; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    I have seen a recent letter from the Association of Scottish Local Health Councils; several hon. Members have also drawn the letter to my attention. At present I have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Sir R. Fairgrieve) gave to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) on 25 March.—[Vol. 1, c. 342.]

    Assisted Places Scheme
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be able to announce the number of places provided at each school participating in the assisted places scheme; and how many such places were awarded to pupils already attending the participating school.
    Mr. Alexander Fletcher:
    I hope to be in a position to report on the scheme within the next four weeks.

    National Parks
    Sir Timothy Kitson asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the amount of money granted to each of the national parks and national park boards in Scotland over the last three years and the estimates for 1981 and 1982.
    Mr. Rifkind:
    There are no national parks in Scotland.

    Paediatric Surgeons
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of specialist paediatric surgeons in each area health authority per 1,000 births; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    The whole-time equivalent figures at 30 September 1980 are set out as follows. Although there are surgeons with a commitment to paediatrics elsewhere, posts as consultant paediatric surgeons exist in only the Greater Glasgow and Lothian health board areas. Some children treated in Greater Glasgow and Lothian accordingly come from other parts of Scotland.
    252

    WTE Paediatric Surgeons per 1,000 births

    Greater Glasgow

    0.49

    Lothian

    0.41

    Scotland

    0.15

    Neonatal Intensive Care Cots
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of neonatal intensive care cots available by hospital and region per 1,000 births in 1980; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Neonatal intensive care is provided in five units in Scotland. It is not possible to identify the number of cots designated for intensive care only as these are normally within combined intensive and special care units; the average number of available cots in these units for the year to 30 September 1980 is set out as follows. It would not be meaningful to express these figures as a rate per 1,000 births because referrals to the hospitals concerned are not limited to the local health board area.

    Average available staffed cots

    Grampian health board

    Aberdeen Maternity Hospital

    36

    Greater Glasgow health board

    Queen Mother's hospital

    34

    Glasgow Royal Maternity hospital

    38

    Lothian health board

    Simpson Memorial Maternity hospital

    30

    Tayside health board

    Ninewells hospital

    30

    Perinatal and Infant Mortality
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates by social class and in the following age ranges (a) to mothers under 16 years, (b) mothers under 20 years, (c) mothers aged 20 to 24 years, (d) mothers aged 25 to 29 years, (e) mothers aged 30 to 34 years and (f) mothers aged over 35 years; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    The readily available mortality rates for 1979, which relate to legitimate births and stillbirths in five age bands, are given in the following table:

    Legitimate perinatal, neonatal and infant death rates by social class and age of mother, Scotland 1979

    Age of mother

    Total including

    Social Class

    Not Stated

    1

    2

    3NM

    3M

    4

    5

    Perinatal Deaths*

    20

    13

    27 (2)

    6 (1)

    13 (5)

    11

    18

    13

    20–24

    13

    5 (4)

    11

    13

    13

    13

    18

    25–29

    13

    10

    11

    10

    13

    13

    20

    30–34

    14

    12

    12

    14

    14

    16

    28

    35+

    18

    8 (3)

    21

    20 (6)

    19

    10 (5)

    44 (8)

    Total (incl. Not Stated)

    13

    10

    12

    12

    13

    14

    19

    Neonatal Deaths†

    20

    12

    41 (3)

    —

    15 (6)

    9

    17

    11

    20–24

    8

    3 (2)

    8

    9

    8

    8

    8

    253

    Age of mother

    Total including

    Social Class

    Not Stated

    1

    2

    3NM

    3M

    4

    5

    25–29

    8

    7

    6

    6

    7

    9

    10

    30–34

    8

    7

    85 (6)

    7

    9

    21 (8)

    35+

    10

    3 (1)

    10 (8)

    7 (2)

    12

    6 (3)

    39 (7)

    Total (incl. Not Stated)

    8

    6

    7

    8

    8

    9

    12

    Infant Deaths‡

    20

    19

    41 (3)

    6 (1)

    18 (7)

    15

    22

    22

    20–24

    13

    3 (2)

    13

    14

    12

    12

    17

    25–29

    11

    9

    9

    11

    10

    13

    13

    30–34

    10

    9

    10

    7 (2)

    11

    9 (5)

    21 (8)

    35+

    14

    3 (1)

    14

    7

    18

    10 (5)

    45 (8)

    Total (incl. Not Stated)

    12

    8

    11

    12

    12

    13

    19

    * Rates per thousand legitimate births live and still.

    † Rates per thousand legitimate live births.

    ‡ Rates per thousand legitimate live births.

    In many instances the numbers of deaths are relatively small and consequently the rates are of less significance; the actual number of deaths is shown in brackets after rates based on less than 10 deaths.

    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates for Scotland in 1980 by region and area health authority; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Provisional figures for 1980 are given in the following table:

    Perinatal, Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates, Regions and Health Board areas, Scotland 1980

    Region/HBA

    Perinatal rate

    Neonatal rate

    Infant mortality rate

    Borders

    18

    11

    12

    Central (Forth Valley)

    12

    7

    11

    Dumfries and Galloway

    15

    11

    18

    Fife

    13

    9

    12

    Grampian

    8

    4

    9

    Highland

    12

    7

    13

    Lothian

    12

    8

    13

    Orkney

    8

    4

    4

    Strathclyde Region

    15

    9

    13

    Ayrshire and Arran

    19

    9

    15

    254

    Region/HBA

    Perinatal rate

    Neonatal rate

    Infant mortality rate

    Argyll and Clyde

    13

    9

    12

    Greater Glasgow

    14

    9

    13

    Lanarkshire

    14

    8

    12

    Shetland

    16

    11

    13

    Tayside

    13

    5

    9

    Western Isles

    8

    —

    3

    Scotland

    13

    8

    12

    Note The rates for some areas are based on relatively small numbers of stillbirths and deaths and are therefore less significant.

    Midwives
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many community and hospital-based midwives per 10,000 population and per 1,000 births in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980 there were for each area health authority; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    The information requested is set out in the following table in terms of whole time equivalents. The table relates to 30 September in each year and includes qualified hospital and community midwives, student midwives, and an appropriate part of the time of combined duty nurses in the community. Recruitment to midwifery training remains high, though many of those trained do not subsequently practise as midwives.

    Midwives—Rates per 10,000 Population and 1,000 Births

    Health Board

    1978 Rate Per

    1979 Rate Per

    1980 Rate Per

    10,000 population

    1,000 Total births

    10,000 Population

    1,000 Total births

    10,000 Population

    1,000 Total births

    Argyll and Clyde

    7.1

    55.4

    6.5

    48.2

    7.0

    50.6

    Ayrshire and Arran

    4.8

    37.0

    4.9

    36.6

    5.2

    38.3

    Borders

    3.9

    35.8

    4.1

    35.2

    4.4

    38.2

    Dumfries and Galloway

    7.2

    63.3

    7.7

    61.3

    8.1

    64.5

    Fife

    5.3

    42.1

    5.1

    36.9

    5.7

    41.8

    Forth Valley

    8.6

    67.7

    7.8

    59.7

    8.2

    60.8

    Grampian

    7.2

    54.6

    6.7

    48.4

    6.2

    44.7

    Greater Glasgow

    7.4

    61.8

    7.4

    56.4

    7.5

    56.5

    Highland

    10.0

    68.1

    9.4

    63.0

    9.7

    63.6

    Lanarkshire

    5.6

    40.4

    5.3

    35.9

    5.2

    35.3

    Lothian

    6.2

    53.4

    6.7

    54.2

    7.2

    57.3

    Orkney

    5.5

    39.4

    5.1

    37.6

    4.8

    33.2

    Shetland

    7.0

    42.9

    7.1

    42.9

    7.6

    44.9

    Tayside

    6.8

    59.9

    6.8

    55.9

    7.0

    57.0

    255

    Health Board

    1978 Rate Per

    1979 Rate Per

    1980 Rate Per

    10,000 population

    1,000 Total births

    10,000 Population

    1,000 Total births

    10,000 Population

    1,000 Total births

    Western Isles

    12.8

    90.0

    12.8

    85.6

    12.4

    97.9

    Scotland

    6.7

    53.7

    6.6

    49.5

    6.8

    50.6

    Health Visitors
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health visitors per 10,000 population there were in each area health authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    The numbers of health visitors—whole-time equivalent—in post at 31 March 1981 in each health board in Scotland and the rate per 10,000 population are set out in the following table:

    Health Board

    WTE

    Rate per 10,000 population

    Argyll and Clyde

    117.8

    2.6

    Ayrshire and Arran

    78.5

    2.1

    Borders

    19.8

    2.0

    Dumfries and Galloway

    32.2

    2.3

    Fife

    98.1

    2.9

    Forth Valley

    85.1

    3.1

    Grampian

    147.0

    3.1

    Greater Glasgow

    264.2

    2.6

    Highland

    53.8

    2.8

    Lanarkshire

    146.6

    2.6

    Lothian

    194.3

    2.6

    Orkney

    6.0

    3.3

    Shetland

    8.5

    3.8

    Tayside

    105.5

    2.6

    Western Isles

    12.0

    4.0

    SCOTLAND

    1369.4

    2.7

    The figures do not include student health visitors nor any allowance for the health visitor work done by community nurses who perform combined duties.

    Births
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number and percentage of (a) all births and (b) births in National Health Service
    256
    hospitals in Scotland that were induced in 1980, stating the birth-weights and perinatal mortality rates for these babies; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Information relating to births in NHS hospitals in 1979, the latest available, is set out as follows; the information requested in respect of babies born in non-NHS hospitals is not available centrally.

    Induced births in NHS hospitals showing birth-weight (1979)

    Birth-Weight (Grams)

    Induced births

    Perinatal Rate per 1,000 total births

    No.

    per cent.

    500

    2

    20.0

    1000.0

    500–999

    31

    19.7

    838.7

    1000–1499

    75

    16.0

    680.0

    1500–1999

    147

    16.7

    278.9

    2000–2499

    820

    26.9

    57.3

    2500–2999

    4,047

    33.6

    10.6

    3000–3499

    9,848

    38.0

    4.0

    3,500–3999

    7,674

    41.8

    2.5

    4000–4499

    2,294

    44.5

    2.6

    4500+

    370

    46.4

    8.1

    NK

    81

    24.2

    148.1

    Total

    25,839

    37.8

    11.4

    Babies (weights)
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the pecentage of babies weighing 2,500 grams or less by area and region in Scotland in 1980 and state the number and rate of stillbirths, first week deaths, first month deaths and deaths under 1 year; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Information about first month deaths under one year relating to babies weighing less than 2,50 grams is not available centrally. The other information requested is set out as follows for 1979; 1980 figures are not yet available.

    All births less than 2,500 grams by health board of residence 1979

    Health Board

    Percentage of Births 2500 G

    Stillbirths 2,500

    1st week Deaths 2,500

    No

    Rate *

    No

    Rate †

    Argyll and Clyde

    7.2

    21

    48.8

    24

    58.7

    Ayrshire and Arran

    6.7

    25

    74.9

    33

    106.8

    Borders

    6.6

    5

    67.6

    3

    43.5

    Dumfries and Galloway

    6.1

    5

    46.3

    11

    106.8

    Fife

    6.7

    29

    92.4

    15

    52.6

    Forth Valley

    5.6

    12

    62.2

    8

    44.2

    Grampian

    6.2

    29

    74.7

    18

    50.1

    Greater Glasgow

    7.2

    41

    43.9

    49

    54.9

    Highland

    6.6

    8

    43.7

    14

    80.0

    Lanarkshire

    7.0

    33

    57.5

    38

    70.2

    Lothian

    7.1

    36

    56.3

    36

    59.7

    Orkney

    5.2

    2

    166.7

    —

    —

    Shetland

    3.6

    2

    166.7

    —

    —

    Tayside

    6.8

    18

    54.9

    9

    29.0

    257

    Health Board

    Percentage of Births 2500 G

    Stillbirths 2,500

    1st week Deaths 2,500

    No

    Rate *

    No

    Rate †

    Western Isles

    3.0

    1

    76.9

    —

    —

    Other Areas ‡

    9.2

    4

    85.1

    10

    232.6

    All areas

    6.8

    271

    59.1

    268

    62.2

    Note:

    * Rate per 1000 total births

    † Rate per 1000 live births

    ‡ Outwith Scotland and address not known

    Pregnancy Terminations
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of pregnancies terminated in 1980 because of (a) maternal rubella disease (b) maternal rubella contact and (c) maternal rubella immunisation; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Numbers of pregnancies terminated in 1980 on these grounds were as follows:

    (a) maternal rubella disease

    8

    (b) maternal rubella contact

    6

    (c) maternal rubella immunisation

    12

    Rubella
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of rubella were reported in 1980; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    Rubella is notifiable in Edinburgh and Glasgow only. The number of cases reported in Scotland in 1980 was 803.

    Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875
    Mr. Woolmer asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, for each decade since 1945, how many charges have been brought, and how many convictions secured in Scotland, under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875.
    Mr. Rifkind:
    These offences are not separately identified in the statistics collected by my Department.

    Mr. Woolmer asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, for each decade since 1945, how many charges have been brought, and how many convictions secured in Scotland, under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875, in cases where the events and circumstances concerned occurred during and in the course of an industrial dispute.

    Mr. Rifkind:
    The statistics collected by my Department do not identify these offences separately and in any event do not contain details of the circumstances in which an offence took place.

    Mr. Woolmer asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the last successful prosecution was made in Scotland under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875, in a case where the events and circumstances concerned occurred during and in the course of an industrial dispute.

    Mr. Rifkind:
    I regret that this information is not available from records maintained centrally and that to search local records would involve inordinate expense.

    Factory Construction (Dumfriesshire)
    Sir Hector Monro asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the location and size of factories constructed in Dumfriesshire by the Scottish Development Agency or otherwise with Government finance.
    Mr. Younger:
    Since it was established in December 1975 the Scottish Development Agency has provided new factories or extended existing factories at six separate locations in Dumfriesshire with total accommodation of 9,623 square metres in addition to the 15,841 square metres it inherited from the Scottish Industries Estates Corporation. I am sending fuller details to my hon. Friend.

    A75 (Gretna-Stranraer)
    Sir Hector Monro asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the timetable for major road improvements on the A75 Gretna-Stranraer trunk road.
    Mr. Younger:
    "Roads in Scotland 1980" listed nine major improvement schemes to be carried out on the A75 over the next five years; in addition, it is intended that a trunk road bypass of Dumfries should be constructed after 1985. This timetable must, however, be subject to amendment should public expenditure considerations require it.

    Education Expenditure (Dundee)
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express the expenditure on education in the area represented at the time by Dundee corporation in each year from 1973 to the latest available year at constant prices.
    Mr. Alexander Fletcher:
    Since local government reorganisation figures have been produced on a Tayside basis. I shall write to the hon. Member with the relevant information on Dundee corporation's expenditure in 1973–74 and 1974–75.

    Art Degree Courses (Grant Assistance)
    Mr. Gordon Wilson asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any intention to withdraw or restrict grant for the first year of art degree courses in Scotland.
    Mr. Alexander Fletcher:
    No.

    Glue Sniffing
    Mr. Craigen asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, following the continuing number of fatalities from the practice of solvent abuse, he will consider legislation to make it an offence to be under the influence of solvents with a view to giving the necessary social and medical support to young people involved.
    Mr. Allan Stewart:
    I do not consider that legislation of the kind suggested by the hon. Member would be an effective means of dealing with this complex problem. In our view, it is best treated as a matter of health education by ensuring that all concerned are fully aware of the part which social workers and doctors, among others, can play in helping young people. My right hon. Friend, nevertheless, proposes to undertake further consultations shortly about means of dealing with this problem.

    Ewe Premium
    Mr. McQuarrie asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what amount of money has been paid to Scottish farmers for the annual ewe premium for the 1980–81 marketing year; what was the value paid per ewe; and if he will make a statement;
    (2) whether Her Majesty's Government have decided to pay an additional £1.40 per ewe to Scottish producers based on the EEC forecast of £2.80 per ewe for the 1981–82 marketing year; when this money will be paid to the producers; and what will be the total value of the payment.
    Mr. Younger:
    The sheep annual premium for 1980–81 was 67.93p per ewe. This was paid to Scottish producers on 7 October along with the advance payment of £1.40 per ewe for 1981–82. The total sum paid was £6,927,000. Any balance that may be due for 1981–82 will be paid after the end of the marketing year, when the European Commission will have all the information necessary to determine the final rate for that year.

    Rate Support Grant (Lothian Region)
    Mr. Home Robertson asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to make any changes to the allocation of funds on his Department's Vote following the removal of £30 million of rate support grant from Lothian regional council; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Younger:
    No. The withdrawal of grant is intended to reduce excessive public expenditure.

  CIVIL SERVICE

    Her Majesty's Stationery Office
    Mr. John Garrett asked the Minister for the Civil Service what arrangements have been made to reduce the work of Her Majesty's Stationery Office for the Department of the Environment; and what effect they will have on the profitability of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
    Mr. Hayhoe:
    The general arrangements on untying were set out in my answer to the hon. Member' s question on 11 March 1981.—[Vol. 1000, c. 347.] The arrangements for early untying of about one-third of Her Majesty's Stationery Office publishing and procurement for the Department of the Environment are still under consideration and, I understand, some purchases have been made.

  EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

    University Graduates (Employment)
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide a breakdown by sex of the percentage of university graduates entering the following sectors of employment in the past years (a) primary, (b) manufacturing, (c) services and (d) construction.
    Mr. Waldegrave:
    Information in respect of graduates during the academic year 1979–80 is given below. It relates only to those graduates who were known to have entered full-time employment by 31 December 1980 or who by 31 March 1981 had made firm arrangements for such employment. For earlier years similar information is available in the annual publication of the University Grants Committee "Details of First Destinations of University Graduates", copies of which are in the Library.

    Graduates of United Kingdom Universities 1979–80 Entering Home Employment Analysed by Type of Employer (Percentages)

    First Degree

    Higher Degree

    men

    women

    men

    women

    Primary

    8

    4

    12

    5

    Manufacturing

    23

    9

    16

    6

    Services

    59

    83

    64

    85

    Construction

    5

    1

    3

    1

    Transport and Utilities

    5

    3

    5

    3

    Total Number

    (= 100%)

    (19730)

    (9867)

    (3588)

    (1300)

    Down's Syndrome (Research)
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the projects associated with research into Down's syndrome which his Department is sponsoring; what has been the level of funding; and if he anticipates sponsoring further research into the syndrome.
    Mr. William Shelton:
    The Medical Research Council, which receives a grant-in-aid from my Department, is supporting a number of research projects relevant to Down's syndrome. I shall send the hon. Member a list. During the financial year 1980–81, the council spent £643,000 on research in this area. In addition, the council supports a wide range of chromosomal and genetic research which may produce advances in our understanding of Down's syndrome and related conditions, and is always willing to consider funding soundly-based research relevant to this syndrome.

    Other work on Down's syndrome is carried out in universities, and some of this is supported out of the funds made available by my Department through the University Grants Committee as block grants for teaching and research.

    Epilepsy (Research)
    Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds his Department is granting to sponsor research work into the causes and treatment of epilepsy; and if he intends to increase them.
    Mr. William Shelton:
    The Medical Research Council, which receives a grant-in-aid from my Department, is the main Government agency funding research into the causes

    261
    and treatment of epilepsy. In the financial year 1980–81 the council spent some £470,000 on research in this area, and is always ready to consider support for any further soundly based proposals of epilepsy research.

    Other research on epilepsy is carried out in universities, and some of this is supported out of the funds made available by my Department through the University Grants Committee as block grants for teaching and research.

    Community Homes
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools inspects the provision of school education in those community homes operated by social service departments where school education is provided.
    Dr. Boyson:
    Yes. The inspections are made at the invitation of, and in co-operation with, the social work service of the Department of Health and Social Security.

    University Admissions
    Mr. Marks asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the number and percentage of qualified applicants failing to obtain admission to universities in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.
    Mr. Waldegrave:
    From all home applicants to United Kingdom universities the Universities Central Council on Admissions—UCCA—defines a "real field" comprising those desiring to go to university and at least minimally qualified to do so. This field excludes those who decide not to accept the offer of a place or who reapply in subsequent years. For some applicants there are doubts about their real intentions and so the council has defined applicants certainly in the real field plus another group who are possibly within it. The table below gives the estimated numbers and percentages of those in the real field who were not accepted for entry in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Information for 1981 is not yet available.

    1978

    1979

    1980

    Applicants certainly in real field

    Number not accepted

    8,300

    9,100

    9,100

    As percentage of total such applicants

    10

    11

    10

    Applicants certainly or possibly in real field

    Number not accepted

    18,400

    22,400

    22,000

    As percentage of total such applicants

    20

    23

    22

    Manchester (Reorganisation Proposals)
    Mr. Eastham asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to announce his decision on the Manchester local education authority's reorganisation proposals, in view of the fact that these have been under consideration by him for some nine months.
    Dr. Boyson:
    I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Members for Manchester. Gorton (Mr. Marks) and Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 21 October 1981.

    Open University (Fees)
    Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what date he expects to be able to announce the level of tuition fees at the Open University.
    Mr. Waldegrave:
    My right hon. Friend has today informed the Open University that the tuition fees assumed for the purpose of the Government's calculation of the university's 1982 grant will be £120 per full credit course.

    Further Education
    Mr. Kinnock asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recommendations he has made to local education authorities for the effective expenditure of the £60 million allocated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to further education in his July statement; and what procedure he has established for recovering claims upon this sum.
    Mr. Waldegrave:
    My right hon. Friend hopes to make an early announcement.

    Students (Art Degree Courses)
    Mr. Gordon Wilson asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish figures to show the number of students in England and Wales who, in the academic year 1981, were in receipt of grant assistance for a foundation course leading to entry to an art degree course; and whether he has any plans to restrict or withdraw such grants in the future.
    Mr. Waldegrave:
    This information is not available. Awards for such courses are made entirely at the discretion of local education authorities.

    Universities (Financial Hardship)
    Mr. Orme asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the hardships caused to a number of universities by the recent action of the University Grants Committee in clawing back £8 million from their 1980–81 recurrent grants because of a clerical error, he will seek to alleviate that hardship.
    Mr. Waldegrave:
    No. The University Grants Committee regrets the mistake which led to overpayment to some universities of grant instalments for the last four months of the academic year 1980–81. These universities cannot be allowed to keep the windfall gains which resulted, but recovery of the overpayment is being spread over the period up to 31 March 1982. Where universities were underpaid the deficiencies were made good in August.

    School Milk
    Mr. Stan Thorne asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue guidance to local authorities to encourage a reduction in the amount of full fat milk consumed by schoolchildren.
    Dr. Boyson:
    The supply of milk to schoolchildren is a matter for individual LEAs. My right hon. Friend has no plans to issue guidance on their exercise of this power.

    Computer Assisted Learning (Exhibition)
    Mr. Ian Lloyd asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to computer assisted learning to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall for the week commencing Monday 16 November 1981.
    Mr. William Shelton:
    I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 16 November to Friday 20 November.

  NORTHERN IRELAND

    European Community (Housing Aid)
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the £16 million aid offered by the EEC Commission for housing projects in Northern Ireland will be in addition to planned expenditure by Her Majesty's Government; and if the arrangements for the making of these grants have been finalised with the Commission.
    Mr. Prior:
    I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

    Liverpool-Belfast Ferry
    Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning the proposed closure of the P and O Liverpool to Belfast ferry; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. David Mitchell [pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1981]: In addition to discussions with P and O management and the relevant trade unions, my right hon. Friend and I have received representations from a wide cross section of commercial and community interests including the hon. Members for Antrim, North (Rev, Ian Paisley), Belfast, South (Mr. Bradford), Belfast, West (Mr. Fitt), the Belfast city council and the Merseyside county council.
    P and O Ferries has told me that it intends to terminate the service on 11 November unless the Government accept full responsibility for it. The Government appreciate the importance attached to the Belfast to Liverpool ferry service both as a convenient passenger and commercial route to England and as a tourist gateway to Northern Ireland. We would therefore wish to see the service continue. But it is not Government policy to subsidise commercial shipping interests. The Government are, however, pursuing urgently contacts with a number of alternative potential operators who have expressed a positive interest in taking over the service.

  TRANSPORT

    Speed Limits
    Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to introduce legislation providing for different day-time and night-time speed limits on certain roads.
    Mr. Kenneth Clarke:
    No.

    Motor Cars (Cherished Numbers)

    Sir Hector Monro asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is ready to announce a simplified transfer system for cherished registration numbers for motor cars.

    Mr. David Howell:
    I am now studying views put forward on the consultation paper issued earlier this year. I hope to announce my conclusions around the turn of the year.

    Vehicle Excise Duty (Evasion)
    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) on 15 April 1981, Official Report, c. 194, if he will now initiate a national campaign on a systematic county by county basis to deter evaders of vehicle excise duty.
    Mr. David Howell:
    The special campaigns referred to in the reply on 15 April are carried out in co-operation with individual chief officers of police to supplement the regular national enforcement of vehicle excise duty carried out in the course of their normal duties by police and traffic wardens. I agree with my hon. Friend that more should be undertaken and my Department is in regular discussion with chief officers about this. In addition to the areas mentioned on 15 April, there have already been further campaigns covering the Eastern counties—Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk—and special checks are being conducted at various locations in London by the Metropolitan Police this week. Campaigns in other areas are being planned.

    A6 (Market Harborough)
    Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will give traffic flow figures on the A6 passing through Market Harborough (a) north to south and (b) south to north, for each of the last two occasions on which a census was taken, subdivided by vehicle categories;
    (2) when was the last occasion on which his Department took a traffic census of the A6 at Market Harborough;
    (3) when was the last occasion traffic flow problems on the A6 at Market Harborough were analysed by his Department; and with what conclusions.
    Mr. Kenneth Clarke:
    Traffic counts were carried out on the A6 trunk road north of Market Harborough in May 1980 and south of the town in September 1979. The results are given below. The figures given are for vehicles per day. A further traffic count was taken in September. I will let my hon. Friend know the result when it is available.
    265

    Pedal Cycles

    Motor Cycles

    Cars

    Buses and Coaches

    Light Goods

    Other Goods

    Other Vehicles

    1980

    South to North

    22

    114

    3,960

    56

    759

    681

    5,570

    North to South

    25

    117

    3,844

    59

    698

    670

    5,388

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    Totals

    47

    231

    7,804

    115

    1,457

    1,351

    10,958

    1979

    South to North

    14

    47

    1,834

    25

    280

    688

    3,231

    North to South

    13

    62

    2,237

    17

    334

    581

    2,874

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    ——

    27

    109

    4,071

    42

    614

    1,219

    6,105

    While the traffic flows on this length of the trunk road are not excessive, our consulting engineers will obtain additional traffic information for the report which they will submit to us.

    Historic Towns (Bypasses)
    Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many towns categorised as ancient and historic were originally included in the list carried by his Department as needing bypassing; and how many on that list have now been bypassed or are in the course of being bypassed.
    Mr. Kenneth Clarke:
    My right hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Walker), then Secretary of State for the Environment, announced in June 1971 that it was hoped to relieve 84 historic towns of trunk road traffic by the early 1980s; 58 of these have so far been wholly or partially bypassed. Bypasses for two more are under construction.

    Road Accidents (Seat Belt Legislation)
    Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will institute a study into the trend of road accidents in countries which have adopted compulsory seat belt legislation subsequent to that legislation.
    Mr. David Howell:
    We have already studied seat belt wearing experience in other countries. I do not think that further studies would take us much beyond what my right hon. Friend said in the House on 28 July.—[Vol. 9 Cols. 1048–49]. I believe that it will be better to concentrate our resources on ensuring that experience of seat belt wearing in this country is effectively monitored.

    M1 (Repairs)
    Mr. Speed asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the M1 motorway currently is under repair; and if he is satisfied with the safety arrangements made for traffic in the areas being repaired.
    Mr. Kenneth Clarke:
    This year we have strengthened 68 miles of carriageway and hard shoulder which is about 17 per cent. of the total carriageway length of the M1. The Department takes considerable care in designing lane diversions with help from the police, local authorities and motoring organisations. The frequency of accidents at these sites is less this year than it was last year but is still too high. We are looking at ways of introducing clearer signs and more effective layouts but it is also vital that drivers should keep their speed down and maintain a safe distance between vehicles. Most of the accidents are of the "nose to tail" variety because drivers are travelling too close behind the vehicle in front.

  SOCIAL SERVICES

    Nurses
    Mr. O'Halloran asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the "Nurses are Worth More" campaign; and if he will make a statement.
    Dr. Vaughan:
    I have received a copy of the letter which I understand the Nursing Mirror is urging its readers to send to hon. Members. Nurses have received very substantial pay increases since this Government took office and we have financed a reduction in their working week from 40 to 37½ hours. Nevertheless, problems remain and in August 1980 we wrote to both sides of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council with suggestions for a better method of determining nurses' pay in the longer term. The Staff Side responded in August last and currently Ministers are consulting both sides about finding a way forward. It would not, however, be possible for any new arrangements which may emerge to operate in time for the 1982 settlement.

    Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will recommend to the Nurses' and Midwives' Whitley Council that the nurses receive a wage increase not less than the rate of inflation as calculated by the Government's tax and prices index; and if he will make a statement.

    Dr. Vaughan:
    No. It will be for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council to negotiate its next pay settlement in the light of the cash allocation for the NHS for 1982–83 when this has been announced.

    Kidney Failure (Treatment)
    Mr. Hannam asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that more patients over the age of 45 years are accepted for the treatment of chronic kidney failure.
    Dr. Vaughan:
    The acceptance of a patient for treatment is for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned. Facilities for treating chronic renal failure have expanded rapidly in the past decade. They are still insufficient to meet all the estimated needs. The rate at which these facilities can be further expanded will depend mainly on the priority that health authorities find it possible to give them against the other claims on their limited resources. The Government have given particular attention to increasing the number of donor kidneys available for transplantation. A successful transplant not only benefits the patient who receives it but also frees a

    267
    kidney machine for use by another patient. A new plastic donor card was introduced earlier this year and my hon. and learned Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport has recently announced that driving licences issued from next year are to include a donor declaration form. In addition, we have continued the funding for developing minimal care dialysis units. The Department is at present undertaking a study of the costs of different methods of treating chronic renal failure, with the object of helping health authorities and clinicians to make more effective use of the resources available.

    Mr. Hannam asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of new patients with chronic kidney failure, over the ages of 45, 65 and 75 years, respectively, in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, who were accepted for treatment in each of the last three years.

    Dr. Vaughan:
    Information for the years 1976–78, the last three years for which figures are available, is given in the following table:

    Numbers of new patients

    Ages 45–65

    Ages 65–74

    Over 74

    France

    1976

    717

    221

    29

    1977

    757

    289

    32

    1978

    749

    306

    54

    West Germany

    1976

    972

    196

    16

    1977

    1,057

    291

    19

    1978

    1,047

    350

    34

    United Kingdom

    1976

    301

    4

    0

    1977

    353

    6

    0

    1978

    464

    19

    0

    Gloucestershire (Area Health Authority)
    Mr. Charles Irving asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations he held in Gloucestershire with local bodies, staff and union organisations concerned and the area health authority before he reached a decision on separation into two districts;
    (2) what were the special grounds on which he based his decision to separate the Gloucestershire area health authority into two districts, having regard to the restructuring of the health services and the continuance of other larger authorities as a single health authority;
    (3) whether his decision in respect of the Gloucestershire area health authority was based in any way on a failure to fulfil its proper function as outlined in "Patients First"; and, if so, if he will identify the evidence upon which he reached this view;
    (4) what will be the cost of separating the present Gloucestershire area authority and setting up two district authorities, including additional consultants; and what will be the cost of separating the joint para-medical services;
    (5) how many additional people will be involved in the setting up of two district authorities consequential upon his decision in respect of the Gloucestershire area health authority.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Our reasons for believing that smaller, more locally based, health authorities will
    268
    provide a better more responsive structure for the NHS are set out in "Patients First". Features we have emphasised include local involvement, short chains of decision, and members of authorities who have a direct knowledge and interest in the services for which they are responsible. The Gloucestershire area health authority did its best under difficult circumstances and I am happy to pay tribute to it. We have however decided that two district health authorities based on Cheltenham and Gloucester will provide a structure more akin to the philosophies set out in "Patients First".

    In coming to this decision, we had the benefit of the wide-ranging consultations carried out by the South-Western regional health authority and our own soundings.

    Until the new authorities are formally established and decide the form of management and other arrangements best suited to their responsibilities, no estimate can be made of the direct cost of establishing two authorities or of any extra staff that may be involved. Overall, as a result of restructuring, the proportion of NHS resources devoted to management costs in South-Western region will, as elsewhere, be reduced as appropriate to achieve the national reduction of 10 per cent. that we have laid down.

    Mr. Charles Irving asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many area health authorities had higher, and how many lower, administration or management costs than Gloucestershire area health authority in the last year for which figures are available.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The Department collects management costs information only on a regional basis, so it is not available centrally in the form requested. I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly about administration costs.

    Patients (Nationality)
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total cost of his pilot scheme to be operated in 12 hospitals to question all patients on their nationality.
    Dr. Vaughan:
    The estimated cost of the survey, which is being carried out at the 10 hospitals listed below, is £4,540. The survey is concerned with where patients live, not their nationality.

    Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge

    Hillingdon hospital, Middlesex

    The Queen Mother's hospital, Glasgow

    Royal Gwent hospital, Newport

    Royal Northern hospital

    St. Bernard's hospital, Middlesex

    University College hospital

    Warwick General hospital

    West Suffolk hospital, Bury St. Edmunds

    Wythenshawe hospital, Manchester

    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the number of additional administrative staff to be employed in each of the following hospitals engaged in his pilot study to question patients on their nationality: Addenbrooke's, Cambridge, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, West Suffolk, Bury St. Edmunds, Royal Gwent, North Manchester, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Hillingdon, University College, St. Bernard's, Ealing and the Royal Northern, Holloway.

    Dr. Vaughan:
    None.
    269
    Sickness Benefit

    Mr. Higgins asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding employers' responsibility for payment of sickness benefit; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Rossi:
    Over 250 representations on the consultative document, "Compensating Employers for Statutory Sick Pay", were received from employers and others. In addition, many right hon. and hon. Members have written conveying the views of their constituents. Most responses expressed continuing concern over the method of compensation for statutory sick pay.

    My right hon. Friend announced recently that the Government have decided to compensate employers for their new liability by the method known as 100 per cent. self-deduction, which was the overwhelming choice of industry. When the scheme comes into operation, employers will be able to deduct the full amount of their statutory sick payments from their payments of national insurance contributions. We hope to introduce a Bill early in the next Session so that the scheme should operate from April 1983.

    Medical Schools
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the London medical schools have teaching general practices under their control; and if he will take steps to secure that the remaining medical schools take responsibility for at least two teaching practices where modern primary care team work can be demonstrated.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The organisation and operation of medical schools in London are predominantly matters for the University of London.

    The London Health Planning consortium's report, "Primary Health care in Inner London"—the Acheson report—identified 10 London medical schools with academic departments of general practice or departments of community medicine with responsibility for teaching the principles of general practice. Many staff in these departments are occupied largely in providing a direct service to patients. The report recommends closer involvement between academic departments and general practitioners working in inner London; and the Department is seeking the views of interested parties on the report's recommendations.

    Prescription Charges
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the rise in prescription charges from 20 pence per item to £1 since May 1979, he will not make any further addition for those in medical need in April 1982.
    Dr. Vaughan:
    As announced in the White Paper, "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1981–82 to 1983–84"—command 8175—prescription charges will increase annually in line with costs and present expenditure plans assume that the charges will be increased in April 1982 and annually thereafter. There are no plans to alter the wide ranging exemption arrangements under which over 68 per cent. of all prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and a further 6 per cent. to the holders of "season tickets".
    270
    Mr. Knox 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.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    We have no plans to change the wide ranging exemption arrangements under which over 68 per cent. of all prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and a further 6 per cent. to the holders of "season tickets".

    German Measles
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department will promote a campaign to encourage immunisation against German measles, in view of the fact that it is a major cause of deafness, on the lines of that conducted by the Brent area health authority, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    In June 1979 health authorities were urged to intensify their vaccination programmes against congenital rubella and the Department launched a publicity campaign in support of their efforts. Some authorities were not able to start their local action until later. There are no plans to launch another national campaign but health authorities will need to continue their efforts in order to achieve and maintain the high targets set by the Department.

    Childhood Cancer
    Mrs. Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what have been the results to date of the Oxford survey of childhood cancer and the research in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Results of research conducted by the Oxford survey of childhood cancer, now located in Birmingham, are published in the scientific press as they become available.

    Among published results during the period of DHSS financial support have been:

    Nephro-blastoma:
    treatment during 1970–73 and the effect on survival of inclusion in the first Medical Research Council trial [B.M.J. 1979, 2, 567–569]

    Bone metastases in childhood rental tumours [Br.J. Cancer (1980) 41, 875]

    Childhood cancer in relation to prenatal exposure to chickenpox [Br.J. Cancer (1980) 42, 342]

    Overseas Visitors (Medical Charges)
    Mr. Beith asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now plans to make regulations governing National Health Service charges for overseas visitors.
    Dr. Vaughan:
    I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins) on 20 October 1981.

    Cervical Cancer
    Mr. Pawsey asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Rugby dated 30 July, why the latest available figure for the incidence of cervical cancer is that for 1976; and if he will take steps to ensure that more up-to-date information is available for the years 1976 to 1980.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Information on the incidence of cancer is obtained from the national cancer registration scheme, which relies on data submitted by regional cancer registries to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. One of the conclusions of a recent report on the operation of the scheme by the advisory committee on cancer registration is that information must be produced more frequently and quickly if the incidence of cancer is to be effectively monitored. As was said in a foreword to the report, we are anxious to see the scheme improved, and while there is no possibility of additional central funds being made available I am exploring with the Registrar General ways in which improvements might be introduced.

    Dental Therapists
    Miss Richardson asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his policy on the proposal of the Dental Strategy Review Group that dental therapists should retrain as dental hygienists;
    (2) what alternatives would be made available for the training of dental therapists if New Cross school is closed;
    (3) if he concurs with the proposal of the Dental Strategy Review Group that New Cross school, which trains dental therapists, should be closed.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    We are consulting widely on the recommendations in the Dental Strategy Review Group report and the views of interested bodies and individuals will be taken carefully into account before any decisions are made on the future of the New Cross school or on arrangements for training or re-training dental therapists.

    Perinatal Mortality
    Mr. George asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will propose selective assistance to reduce the perinatal mortality rate in Walsall;
    (2) which areas in England have a higher perinatal mortality rate than Walsall;
    (3) by how much the annual perinatal mortality rate in Walsall exceeds the national average.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Figures for 1980 show that, at 19.2 per 1,000 total births, Walsall had the highest perinatal mortality rate of any area health authority, exceeding the rate for England (13.3) by 5.9 points. In "Care in Action" we gave a high priority to achieving further reductions in perinatal death and handicap, and I am confident that health authorities are taking this guidance seriously. In Walsall a detailed report is being drawn up, analysing the causes of death and other relevant factors, and will be carefully considered by the authority. We brought out in Cmnd. 8084 our reasons for not making a special allocation of funds for the maternity and neonatal services.

    Maternity Services Committee
    Mrs Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the membership of the maternity services committee.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    I shall do this shortly, as soon as the final selection has been made.

    Psychogeriatric Care (Enfield and Haringey)
    Mr. Eggar asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the level of psychogeriatric care in the Enfield and Haringey area health authority: and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Current provision for inpatient psychogeriatric care in the Enfield health district is inadequate and the health authorities plans to open a new 28 bed unit next year. The health authorities are taking urgent steps to make better provision for psychogeriatric patients in the interim period.

    Form CH(A)297D(REV)
    Mr. Mudd asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, when he reissues form CA(A)297D(REV), he will ensure that the second word of the second line of Note 5, on page 1 (reverse) is correctly spelt.
    Mrs. Chalker:
    The incorrect spelling of the word "grammar" has already been noticed. The error will be corrected when the form is reprinted next year.

    Birth Weights
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the percentage of births weighing 2,500 grams or less in each member country of the European Community and in each Scandinavian country and in Japan in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The figures for which the hon. Member asks are not routinely available, but from a variety of published sources we have been able to collect the following:

    Country

    Year

    Percentage of total births weighing 2,500 grams or less

    England and Wales

    1980

    7.3

    Scotland

    1978

    7.0

    France

    1975-76

    *6.5

    Norway

    1979

    4.5

    Sweden

    1977

    4.2

    Denmark

    1978

    6.3

    Finland

    1978

    4.2

    Germany, Federal Republic

    1973

    †6.8

    Japan

    1976

    †4.9

    * Based on a sample of 4,685 deliveries.

    † Percentage of live births only.

    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the percentage of babies weighing 2,500 grams or less by area and region in England in 1980 and state the number and rate of stillbirths, first week deaths, first month deaths and deaths under one year; and if he will make a statement.

    Dr. Vaughan:
    The information presently available is given in the table below. Numbers of deaths under one year of babies weighing 2,500 grams or less are not collected by the Department but it is hoped that estimates of numbers and rates can be produced by OPCS towards the end of next year.
    273

    Babies weighing 2,500 grammes or less at birth England, Regional Health Authorities and Area Health Authorities 1980

    Percentage of all live and still births

    Stillbirths

    Deaths 1st week

    Deaths 1st Month (28 day

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live and still births

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live births

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live births

    England

    7.3

    2,999

    66

    2,501

    59

    2,872

    68

    1. Northern RHA

    7.0

    223

    76

    195

    72

    213

    79

    Cleveland

    8.0

    65

    93

    44

    69

    46

    72

    Cumbria

    7.0

    33

    82

    19

    51

    24

    65

    Durham

    6.5

    34

    66

    52

    108

    57

    118

    Northumberland

    5.5

    11

    52

    10

    50

    12

    60

    Gateshead

    8.0

    10

    46

    15

    72

    15

    72

    Newcastle upon Tyne

    7.4

    22

    82

    13

    53

    15

    61

    North Tyneside

    6.8

    10

    60

    10

    63

    12

    76

    South Tyneside

    7.7

    12

    80

    8

    53

    8

    53

    Sunderland

    6.3

    26

    95

    24

    97

    24

    97

    2. Yorkshire RHA

    7.9

    273

    72

    209

    59

    247

    70

    Humberside

    7.0

    59

    75

    27

    37

    37

    51

    North Yorkshire

    6.1

    30

    68

    24

    58

    25

    60

    Bradford

    10.3

    55

    65

    37

    47

    43

    54

    Calderdale

    9.5

    12

    49

    20

    86

    23

    99

    Kirklees

    8.5

    34

    73

    30

    69

    38

    88

    Leeds

    7.9

    55

    76

    43

    65

    51

    77

    Wakefield

    7.2

    28

    91

    28

    100

    30

    107

    3. Trent RHA

    7.5

    284

    63

    262

    62

    304

    72

    Derbyshire

    6.9

    61

    78

    45

    63

    50

    70

    Leicestershire

    8.1

    51

    51

    56

    59

    64

    67

    Lincolnshire

    6.5

    31

    69

    23

    55

    25

    60

    Nottinghamshire

    8.1

    53

    50

    62

    62

    69

    69

    Barnsley

    7.5

    13

    59

    15

    73

    19

    92

    Doncaster

    7.6

    19

    62

    14

    49

    18

    63

    Rotherham

    7.2

    20

    75

    19

    78

    26

    106

    Sheffield

    6.9

    36

    85

    28

    72

    33

    85

    4. East Anglia RHA

    6.6

    93

    57

    80

    52

    89

    57

    Cambridgeshire

    7.0

    26

    47

    28

    53

    30

    57

    Norfolk

    6.1

    37

    62

    31

    55

    33

    59

    Suffolk

    6.9

    30

    61

    21

    46

    26

    56

    5. North West Thames RHA

    7.5

    200

    55

    139

    41

    172

    50

    Bedfordshire

    6.7

    49

    89

    18

    36

    21

    42

    Hertfordshire

    6.4

    43

    54

    36

    48

    42

    56

    Barnet

    8.3

    23

    67

    10

    31

    14

    44

    Brent/Harrow

    9.1

    21

    34

    23

    39

    28

    47

    Ealing/Hammersmith/Hounslow

    8.3

    32

    41

    30 40

    40

    53

    Hillingdon

    7.2

    15

    68

    8

    39

    11

    53

    Kensington and Chelsea/Westminster

    7.5

    17

    56

    14

    49

    16

    56

    6. North-East Thames RHA

    7.6

    270

    68

    176

    48

    209

    57

    Essex

    6.3

    96

    77

    49

    42

    61

    53

    Barking/Havering

    7.6

    26

    68

    22

    62

    25

    70

    Camden/Islington

    7.6

    25

    71

    11

    34

    12

    37

    City/Hackney/Newham/Tower Hamlets

    9.6

    58

    61

    47

    53

    52

    58

    Enfield/Haringey

    7.8

    33

    65

    21

    44

    26

    55

    Redbridge/Waltham Forest

    8.2

    32

    63

    26

    54

    33

    69

    7. South-East Thames RHA

    7.1

    221

    68

    179

    59

    207

    68

    East Sussex

    7.1

    38

    77

    33

    72

    35

    77

    Kent

    6.5

    91

    71

    60

    50

    70

    59

    Bexley/Greenwich

    7.0

    23

    55

    23

    58

    25

    63

    Bromley

    5.9

    10

    51

    9

    48

    9

    48

    Lambeth/Lewisham/Southwark

    8.7

    59

    66

    54

    65

    68

    82

    8. South-West Thames RHA

    5.8

    129

    59

    124

    61

    139

    68

    Surrey

    4.9

    45

    66

    50

    79

    52

    82

    West Sussex

    6.4

    31

    62

    26

    55

    28

    59

    Croydon

    7.0

    17

    55

    10

    34

    12

    41

    Kingston/Richmond

    5.7

    6

    36

    13

    82

    17

    107

    Merton/Sutton/Wandsworth

    6.2

    30

    58

    25

    51

    30

    61

    9. Wessex RHA

    6.9

    143

    61

    115

    52

    139

    63

    Dorset

    6.3

    30

    74

    21

    56

    24

    64

    Hampshire

    7.3

    67

    53

    55

    46

    67

    56

    Wiltshire

    6.6

    39

    64

    35

    61

    42

    73

    274 275

    Percentage of all live and still births

    Stillbirths

    Deaths 1st week

    Deaths 1st Month (28 day

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live and still births

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live births

    Number

    Rate per 1,000 live births

    Isle of Wight

    6.3

    7

    89

    4

    56

    6

    83

    10. Oxford RHA

    6.6

    134

    61

    120

    58

    128

    62

    Berkshire

    6.3

    42

    62

    36

    56

    39

    61

    Buckinghamshire

    6.7

    40

    74

    38

    76

    40

    80

    Northamptonshire

    7.2

    36

    65

    28

    54

    29

    56

    Oxfordshire

    6.3

    16

    37

    18

    43

    20

    48

    11. South Western RHA

    6.4

    171

    71

    127

    57

    144

    65

    Avon

    7.0

    56

    78

    50

    75

    55

    83

    Cornwall/Isle of Scilly

    6.0

    17

    54

    17

    57

    19

    64

    Devon

    6.2

    45

    66

    34

    53

    40

    63

    Gloucestershire

    6.7

    28

    66

    17

    43

    18

    45

    Somerset

    5.7

    25

    98

    9

    39

    12

    52

    12. West Midlands RHA

    7.9

    392

    69

    341

    64

    392

    74

    Hereford and Worcester

    6.5

    46

    83

    32

    63

    35

    69

    Salop

    6.0

    20

    69

    18

    67

    22

    82

    Staffordshire

    6.9

    81

    82

    73

    80

    80

    88

    Warwickshire

    7.6

    25

    54

    34

    78

    38

    88

    Birmingham

    9.3

    93

    64

    77

    57

    90

    67

    Coventry

    8.4

    12

    32

    16

    44

    18

    49

    Dudley

    7.0

    18

    64

    10

    38

    10

    38

    Sandwell

    9.4

    31

    76

    28

    74

    31

    82

    Solihull

    6.4

    10

    67

    10

    71

    10

    71

    Walsall

    9.3

    24

    70

    23

    72

    30

    94

    Wolverhampton

    10.2

    32

    84

    20

    57

    28

    80

    13. Mersey RHA

    7.3

    161

    68

    153

    69

    178

    81

    Cheshire

    6.6

    58

    73

    46

    63

    55

    75

    Liverpool

    8.5

    35

    60

    39

    71

    43

    78

    St Helens/Knowsley

    7.8

    26

    61

    24

    60

    33

    82

    Sefton

    7.0

    22

    87

    15

    65

    16

    69

    Wirral

    6.7

    20

    63

    29

    98

    31

    105

    14. North Western RHA

    8.2

    305

    67

    281

    66

    311

    73

    Lancashire

    8.0

    108

    73

    99

    73

    104

    76

    Bolton

    8.4

    18

    56

    16

    53

    20

    66

    Bury

    8.7

    17

    82

    18

    95

    20

    105

    Manchester

    10.2

    28

    43

    39

    62

    48

    76

    Oldham

    8.7

    18

    62

    15

    55

    15

    55

    Rochdale

    9.9

    23

    70

    21

    69

    23

    75

    Salford

    8.3

    17

    64

    10

    40

    11

    44

    Stockport

    6.8

    23

    89

    14

    60

    16

    68

    Tameside

    7.5

    17

    66

    16

    66

    19

    79

    Trafford

    6.6

    11

    58

    14

    78

    14

    78

    Wigan

    7.1

    25

    80

    19

    66

    21

    73

    Perinatal and Infant Mortality
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the perinatal and infant mortality rates in each member country of the European

    Country

    Year

    Perinatal Mortality

    Year

    Infant Mortality

    Belgium

    1978

    15.8

    *1978

    13.9

    Denmark

    1979

    9.9

    1979

    8.8

    France

    1978

    14.7

    *1979

    10.1

    Federal Republic of Germany

    1979

    12.6

    1979

    13.5

    Hellenic Republic

    1979

    21.3

    1979

    18.7

    Irish Republic

    1977

    19.2

    1979

    15.5

    Italy

    1979

    18.5

    1979

    15.3

    Luxembourg

    1979

    13.0

    1979

    12.2

    Netherlands

    1979

    11.9

    1979

    12.2

    United Kingdom

    1979

    14.7

    1979

    12.8

    (England and Wales)

    *1980

    13.3

    *1980

    12.0

    community and in each Scandinavian country in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The table below sets out the latest information on perinatal and infant mortality rates for EEC and Scandinavian countries:
    277

    Country

    Year

    Perinatal Mortality

    Year

    Infant Mortality

    Finland

    1976

    12.0

    1976

    9.9

    Norway

    1977

    13.1

    1978

    8.6

    Sweden

    1978

    9.6

    1976

    7.8

    Note:

    * Provisional figures.

    Sources:

    WHO Annual Statistics 1980.

    Eurostat Demographic Statistics.

    OPCS Monitor DH3 81/3.

    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates by social class and in the following age ranges (a) to mothers under 16 years, (b) mothers under 20 years, (c) mothers aged 20 to 24 years,

    Infant Mortality Rates by Social Class and Mothers Age

    England and Wales 1979

    Mothers Age

    Social Class

    All ages

    Under 20

    20–24

    25–29

    30–34

    35 and over

    All

    12.6

    20.8

    13.4

    10.7

    10.7

    13.7

    All legitimate

    11.8

    19.6

    12.7

    10.4

    10.3

    13.4

    i-v

    11.6

    19.2

    12.4

    10.3

    10.1

    13.4

    i

    9.8

    19.2

    8.3

    10.4

    8.9

    12.1

    ii

    9.7

    17.6

    11.0

    8.6

    9.7

    10.9

    iiiN

    9.8

    13.6

    10.4

    8.6

    9.5

    14.7

    iiiM

    11.4

    18.6

    11.6

    10.4

    9.9

    12.4

    iv

    14.3

    19.0

    14.8

    12.6

    12.2

    17.0

    v

    18.7

    23.8

    17.0

    17.5

    17.4

    24.8

    Others

    18.6

    27.4

    18.8

    16.2

    18.9

    14.1

    Illegitimate

    19.1

    22.4

    16.7

    15.5

    16.9

    16.3

    Neonatal Mortality Rates by Social Class and Mothers Age

    England and Wales 1979

    Mothers Age

    Social Class

    All ages

    Under 20

    20–24

    25–29

    30–34

    35 and over

    All

    8.2

    12.1

    8.2

    7.1

    7.5

    10.2

    All legitimate

    7.8

    11.1

    7.9

    7.0

    7.2

    10.0

    i-v

    7.7

    11.1

    7.8

    6.9

    7.2

    10.0

    i

    6.5

    11.5

    5.0

    7.3

    5.3

    8.9

    ii

    6.9

    14.7

    7.5

    6.0

    7.1

    8.0

    iiiN

    7.2

    7.8

    7.6

    6.1

    7.2

    12.3

    iiiM

    7.5

    11.0

    7.3

    6.9

    7.1

    9.8

    iv

    9.1

    10.9

    9.1

    8.3

    8.6

    11.4

    v

    10.7

    11.8

    9.6

    11.0

    9.2

    17.1

    Others

    9.7

    11.1

    9.3

    9.0

    11.8

    7.0

    Illegitimate

    11.6

    13.6

    10.6

    9.2

    11.6

    12.7

    Perinatal Mortality Rates by Social Class and Mothers Age

    England and Wales 1979

    Mothers Age

    Social Class

    All ages

    Under 20

    20–24

    25–29

    30–34

    35 and over

    All

    14.6

    19.9

    14.4

    12.9

    13.7

    20.7

    All legitimate

    14.0

    19.1

    13.9

    12.6

    13.4

    20.0

    i-v

    13.9

    19.1

    13.8

    12.6

    13.2

    19.9

    i

    10.3

    19.0

    9.3

    10.6

    9.3

    13.8

    ii

    11.8

    24.9

    13.0

    10.2

    11.4

    16.6

    iiiN

    12.7

    17.6

    12.8

    11.8

    12.2

    18.4

    iiiM

    14.3

    18.9

    13.4

    13.5

    14.5

    20.4

    iv

    16.5

    18.3

    15.1

    15.0

    18.6

    26.8

    v

    18.7

    19.8

    16.2

    18.6

    20.6

    32.0

    Others

    16.8

    19.1

    16.7

    14.5

    18.4

    24.8

    Illegitimate

    19.5

    21.0

    18.2

    16.9

    19.4

    27.1

    1. These data are not available for mothers aged under 16.

    2. Rates by social class are available for legitimate births only.

    3. Social Class of a legitimate child is derived from the occupation of the child's father using the 1980 Classification of Occupations. These data are not comparable with previous years' rates which were based on the 1970 Classification of Occupation.

    278
    (d) mothers aged 25 to 29 years, (e) mothers aged 30 to 34 years and (f) mothers aged over 35 years; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The available information is as follows:
    279
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates for England in 1980 by region and area health authority; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The information requested is as follows:

    Infant, Neonatal and perinatal mortality rates for England by region and area health authority, 1980.

    Infant mortality rate

    Neonatal mortality rate

    Perinatal mortality rate

    England

    12.0

    7.6

    13.4

    Northern

    12.4

    8.4

    15.0

    Cleveland

    14.9

    10.9

    17.6

    Cumbria

    10.8

    6.1

    14.2

    Durham

    14.2

    10.8

    16.5

    Northumberland

    9.0

    5.3

    8.9

    Gateshead

    9.6

    7.0

    13.6

    Newcastle upon Tyne

    12.0

    8.7

    14.1

    North Tyneside

    11.5

    7.4

    10.6

    South Tyneside

    9.2

    4.4

    15.4

    Sunderland

    12.8

    7.9

    17.1

    Yorkshire

    12.9

    8.2

    14.9

    Humberside

    10.4

    6.7

    13.8

    North Yorkshire

    10.7

    6.1

    11.6

    Bradford

    16.0

    9.0

    15.6

    Calderdale

    15.6

    11.0

    16.7

    Kirklees

    16.9

    11.5

    18.2

    Leeds

    11.8

    8.0

    14.7

    Wakefield

    13.2

    9.4

    17.5

    Trent

    10.9

    7.4

    13.0

    Derbyshire

    12.1

    7.6

    14.6

    Leicestershire

    9.7

    7.1

    12.5

    Lincolnshire

    9.6

    6.1

    11.9

    Nottinghamshire

    9.9

    6.6

    11.5

    Barnsley

    12.0

    7.9

    11.3

    Doncaster

    10.3

    7.0

    12.2

    Rotherham

    15.2

    10.8

    16.7

    Sheffield

    11.6

    8.7

    14.9

    East Anglia

    10.4

    6.4

    11.3

    Cambridgeshire

    9.6

    6.2

    11.5

    Norfolk

    10.6

    6.6

    10.8

    Suffolk

    11.0

    6.4

    11.7

    North West Thames

    10.9

    6.4

    11.0

    Bedfordshire

    11.2

    7.1

    12.7

    Hertfordshire

    9.6

    5.1

    9.5

    Barnet

    9.0

    5.6

    11.4

    Brent and Harrow

    12.0

    6.1

    9.7

    Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

    10.9

    7.2

    11.6

    Hillingdon

    11.1

    7.2

    11.3

    Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

    14.9

    8.2

    11.7

    North East Thames

    12.0

    7.3

    13.8

    Essex

    11.7

    6.8

    12.9

    Barking and Havering

    11.2

    7.2

    14.1

    Camden and Islington

    11.4

    7.7

    13.8

    City and East London

    12.8

    8.1

    15.3

    Enfield and Haringey

    10.9

    6.8

    12.8

    Redbridge and Waltham Forest

    13.5

    8.3

    15.3

    280

    Infant mortality rate

    Neonatal mortality rate

    Perinatal mortality rate

    South East Thames

    12.3

    7.6

    12.9

    East Sussex

    12.2

    7.9

    13.4

    Kent

    11.7

    7.0

    12.5

    Greenwich and Bexley

    14.1

    9.0

    13.5

    Bromley

    10.1

    6.1

    9.7

    Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

    13.2

    8.1

    13.9

    South West Thames

    11.0

    6.3

    10.8

    Surrey

    11.4

    7.0

    11.1

    West Sussex

    10.5

    6.0

    11.9

    Croydon

    11.3

    5.0

    9.2

    Kingston and Richmond

    9.3

    5.3

    7.6

    Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

    11.5

    6.9

    11.5

    Wessex

    12.0

    7.0

    11.7

    Dorset

    10.4

    6.0

    10.8

    Hampshire

    11.8

    6.0

    11.6

    Wiltshire

    13.5

    7.7

    12.2

    Isle of Wight

    14.6

    10.6

    15.3

    Oxford

    11.4

    7.5

    12.6

    Berkshire

    12.5

    7.5

    12.3

    Buckinghamshire

    11.1

    7.5

    14.0

    Northamptonshire

    10.8

    7.9

    13.9

    Oxfordshire

    10.9

    6.9

    9.8

    South Western

    11.5

    7.4

    12.6

    Avon

    13.5

    8.7

    13.7

    Cornwall and Isle of Scilly

    10.2

    7.7

    12.5

    Devon

    10.8

    6.6

    11.7

    Gloucestershire

    10.7

    6.9

    12.2

    Somerset

    11.0

    6.3

    12.3

    West Midlands

    13.1

    8.7

    15.1

    Hereford and Worcester

    11.2

    6.3

    14.2

    Salop

    11.6

    7.8

    13.4

    Staffordshire

    12.4

    8.6

    14.8

    Warwickshire

    15.0

    10.8

    14.7

    Birmingham

    13.7

    8.6

    15.1

    Coventry

    12.2

    9.8

    15.9

    Dudley

    10.7

    6.2

    12.8

    Sandwell

    16.0

    11.0

    18.6

    Solihull

    9.7

    5.5

    10.5

    Walsall

    15.5

    11.9

    19.2

    Wolverhampton

    17.2

    9.7

    17.8

    Mersey

    12.8

    7.9

    13.7

    Cheshire

    11.8

    7.5

    13.5

    Liverpool

    14.5

    8.4

    14.8

    St Helens and Knowsley

    12.9

    8.0

    13.3

    Sefton

    11.4

    7.5

    13.5

    Wirral

    13.7

    8.2

    13.2

    North Western

    12.9

    8.5

    15.3

    Lancashire

    12.0

    7.9

    15.2

    Bolton

    12.2

    8.8

    14.2

    Bury

    16.1

    11.9

    19.0

    Manchester

    16.8

    10.3

    15.9

    Oldham

    12.7

    8.5

    17.1

    Rochdale

    14.9

    9.1

    18.4

    Salford

    14.1

    8.1

    13.7

    Stockport

    13.2

    9.1

    16.2

    Tameside

    13.8

    8.4

    14.3

    Trafford

    11.6

    7.4

    13.9

    Wigan

    8.0

    6.4

    12.5

    281

    Special Paediatric Surgeons
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of special paediatric surgeons in each area health authority per 1,000 births; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    At 30 September 1980, 39 consultants—35.9 whole-time equivalents—whose major commitment was paediatric surgery were in contract with health authorities in England; other general surgeons also undertake paediatric work. No breakdown is available by area, but by region, the distribution of consultant paediatric surgeons then was as follows:

    Region

    Consultants (whole-time equivalent)

    Whole-time equivalent/1000 live births

    Northern

    1.6

    0.0581

    Yorkshire

    2.0

    0.0388

    Trent

    4.0

    0.0663

    East Anglia

    —

    —

    N.W Thames

    1.8

    0.0379

    N.E Thames

    2.4

    0.0465

    S.E Thames

    3.6

    0.0788

    S.W Thames

    1.0

    0.283

    Wessex

    2.0

    0.0585

    Oxford

    2.0

    0.0606

    South-Western

    1.0

    0.0255

    West Midlands

    4.0

    0.0562

    Mersey

    4.0

    0.1240

    North-Western

    3.7

    0.0680

    Hospitals for Sick

    included in national

    Children

    2.8

    average

    ——

    ——

    England

    35.9

    0.0581

    Neonatal Intensive Care
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of neonatal intensive care cots available by hospital and region per 1,000 births in 1980; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The table below sets out by region the number of intensive care cots at March 1980 per 1,000 births in 1979—the latest figures available. It is not possible to give a similar ratio for individual hospitals, since some intensive care units provide a regional, and others a local service.

    Region

    Total births in NHS hospitals

    Intensive care cots

    Cots per 1,000 births

    Northern

    41,494

    5

    0.12

    Yorkshire

    45,725

    6

    0.13

    Trent

    53,066

    15

    0.28

    East Anglia

    23,113

    4

    0.17

    North West Thames

    39,763

    21

    0.53

    North East Thames

    50,791

    11–13†

    0.22–0.26†

    South East Thames

    43,881

    16

    0.36

    South West Thames

    32,674

    12

    0.37

    Wessex

    32,052

    4

    0.12

    Oxford

    31,249

    6

    0.19

    South Western

    35.209

    29

    0.82

    West Midlands

    69.247

    16

    0.23

    Mersey

    31,548

    14

    0.44

    North Western

    54,710

    12

    0.22

    Boards of Governors*

    4,257

    2"5*

    0.47–1.17*

    * Excludes Hospial for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street.

    † The number of intensive care cots available at any one time is not clear, since their availability tends to change from week to week according to staffing and referral states.

    Midwives and Health Visitors
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will state the number of community and hospital-based midwives per 10,000 population and per 1,000 births in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980 for each area health authority; and if he will make a statement;
    (2) how many health visitors per 10,000 population there were in each area health authority in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The latest year for which complete information on midwives and health visitors employed by area health authorities is available is 1979. As the figures are extremely lengthy I am placing copies in the Library.

    Induced Births
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number and percentage of (a) all births and (b) births in National Health Service hospitals in England that were induced in 1980, stating the birth weights and perinatal mortality rates for these babies; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    In 1978, the latest year for which figures are available, the estimated number of inductions—200,770—as a percentage of all deliveries in England and Wales was 36.3 per cent.; the comparable figure for National Health Service hospital inductions as a percentage of all births was 33.4 per cent. The birth weights and perinatal mortality rates for these births, and separate figures for England, are not readily available.

    Rubella
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of pregnancies terminated in 1980 because of (a) maternal rubella disease (b) maternal rubella contact and (c) maternal rubella immunisation; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The information requested should be available in December.

    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of rubella were reported in 1980; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The weekly rate per 100,000 of the population of cases reported in 1980 was 5.2. This is a lower incidence than the rates of 8.7 in 1979 and 13.4 in 1978.

    Child Benefit
    Mr. Gwilym Roberts asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that recipients of child benefit who do not complete an option as to their desired frequency of payment continue to receive their payments on a weekly basis as from January 1982; and if he will make a statement.
    Mrs. Chalker:
    Recipients of child benefit who do not complete and return an option card indicating that they wish to continue to receive weekly payment will receive their payments every four weeks in arrears from their first

    283
    renewal order book after 15 March 1982. Option cards are being included in all order books issued between November 1981 and March 1982. Anyone who does not return the card to the Child Benefit center and is put on to four-weekly payments will be able to ask to switch back to weekly payment at any time within the six months after the change. This is explained on the option card. In addition, regulations will provide that any recipient of child benefit paid four-weekly will be able to switch to weekly payment at any time if he or she is a lone parent; or if the family is receiving supplementary benefit or family income supplement; or if hardship is being caused as a result of payment four-weekly. This will be explained in the notes contained in each child benefit order book.

    "Silent Minority"
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make public the finding of the area health authority inquiries into Borocourt hospital and St. Lawrence's hospital undertaken following the screening of the television documentary "Silent Minority"; and if he will make a statement;
    (2) if the Croydon and Berkshire area health authorities, in the course of their inquiries into St. Lawrence's hospital and Borocourt hospital, took evidence from those persons who were involved with or contributed to the television documentary; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Fowler:
    I hope to make a statement shortly.

    Mental Handicap (Community-based Accommodation)
    Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the Green Paper "Care in the Community" and the December 1980 document "Mental Handicap—Priorities, Progress and Problems", if he will set a specific date by which all area health authorities will have moved all children and adolescents presently living in long-stay mental handicap hospitals into community-based accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Hospitals have already very largely stopped admitting mentally handicapped children other than for short-term care and the numbers remaining are small. It would be inappropriate and impractical, particularly at a time of restraints on public expenditure, for my right hon. Friend to impose a target date for authorities to make alternative provision when the needs of the children and local circumstances vary so widely. If such a deadline were set, some authorities might be obliged, in order to meet it, to transfer some of the remaining children to less suitable forms of alternative care.

    Invalidity Pension (Household Duties Test)
    Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations his Department has received in connection with discrimination in the household duties test for disabled married women claiming invalidity pension;
    (2) whether his Department will initiate a review of the regulations concerning the household duties test for disabled married women claiming invalidity pension;
    (3) what study his Department has made of the recent report by the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the household duties test for disabled married women claiming invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Rossi:
    Following the publication in 1980 of the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the household duties test for married women claiming noncontributory invalidity pension, officials in the Department have been reviewing the test. In the course of the review, representations have been received from groups representing disabled people, women and trade unionists, from the Equal Opportunities Commission, from a number of hon. and right hon. Members, and from several members of the public. Most of the representations received have asked that the rule be modified or abolished; the latter course would cost well over £200 million a year.

    The review is nearly completed, and when it is the matter will be brought before the House.

    Children and Young Persons Act
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the working of the Children and Young Persons Act; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    The Children and Young Persons Act 1969 contained a large number of provisions of different kinds, many of which have worked well. The Government's White Paper—Cnmd. 8045—proposed amending the Act in certain respects to improve the provisions for dealing with young offenders. In addition, we think it unnecessary for the regional planning of accommodation for children in care to be on a statutory basis and we shall, when possible, introduce legislation for the repeal of the relevant provisions.

    Community Homes
    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue advice to local authorities that qualified teachers should be appointed to posts in charge of community homes where school education is provided; and if he will make a statement.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No. These establishments are not boarding schools. The primary function of community homes, whether or not there is education on the premises, is to provide accommodation, care and control for children who do not have a suitable home elsewhere. Education is provided in some homes to cater for youngsters who need to be removed from home but who cannot be sent to ordinary schools. I understand that the education in such homes is invariably under the direction of a qualified teacher, but I am writing to my hon. Friend to explain the position more fully.

    Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many community homes exist in England and Wales; and how many of these homes provide school education.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    At 31 March 1980, the latest date for which figures are available, 2,165, of which 111 provided education on the premises.

    Opticians Act 1958
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to amend the Opticians Act 1958 to ensure that only a registered ophthalmic optician may own and operate a practice in order to bring this speciality into alignment with dentistry and medicine.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No. Although the conditions governing the ownership of optical practices differ from those governing dental and medical practices, we are satisfied with the provisions of the Opticians Act 1958 in that they ensure that, in all practices, regardless of the status of the owner, the testing of sight is carried out only by a registered ophthalmic optician or a registered medical practitioner, and glasses are supplied only by or under the supervision of a registered optician or registered medical practitioner.

    Ophthalmic Opticians (Fee Structure)
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will revise the fee structure divorced from the cost of materials for ophthalmic opticians so that they derive the whole of their remuneration from eye examination and eye care as such.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No. Ophthalmic opticians not only test sight and examine eyes under the NHS but dispense glasses. They are paid separate fees for each of these services in addition to receiving direct reimbursement of the cost of lenses and frames. The levels of sight testing and dispensing fees payable are negotiated between the Health Departments and opticians' representatives within two optical Whitley committees.

    Dental Strategy Review Group (Recommendation)
    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to implement the recommendation of the Dental Strategy Review Group that for adult patients practitioners should limit clinical intervention to the absolute minimum.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No decisions have as yet been taken on the recommendations on which we are consulting widely. There is no specific recommendation in the report on the point raised by the hon. Member, but the report points to the need to encourage dental practitioners to limit clinical intervention to the absolute minimum as part of the process of changing the emphasis towards preventive care. What treatment may be appropriate for a patient is, of course, a matter for the clinical judgement of the individual practitioner.

    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet given consideration to the recommendation of the Dental Strategy Review Group that there should be an overall reduction in the consumption of sugar; and if he will consult the television authorities concerned on the timing and content of advertisements for sweets, as recommended by the group.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No decisions have yet been taken on the recommendations of the Dental Strategy Review Group on which we are consulting widely. There
    286
    are already codes of advertising practice, such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority's code of advertising standards and practice, which already prohibits radio and television advertisements from encouraging persistent sweet-eating throughout the day or the eating of sweet, sticky foods at bed-time. We shall consider in the light of comments received on the report, whether further action may be needed.

    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment his Department has made of the total cost which would be involved if he implements all the recommendations of the Dental Strategy Review Group.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No estimates have been made of the costs or savings involved in implementing the recommendations of the Dental Strategy Review Group, since we are in the process of consultation. Much will depend on which of the group's many recommendations are accepted, and how they are to be implemented.

    Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now defer or abandon the closure of the New Cross School for Dental Therapists in view of the recommendation made by the Dental Strategy Review Group; what is the annual cost of maintaining this school; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    No decision has yet been taken on the Dental Strategy Review Group's recommendation that the school for dental therapists at New Cross should be closed. We are consulting widely on this and the group's other recommendations, and the views of interested bodies and individuals will be taken carefully into account before any decisions are made. In the financial year 1980–81 the cost of maintaining the school (including the payment of student grants) was approximately £740,000.

    Dentists
    Mrs. Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dentists were working in the National Health Service in England and Wales in 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    At 30 September in the years 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980, the number of dentists in England and Wales providing National Health Service general dental services, excluding dentists employed by health authorities, was 10,405, 10,843, 11,737 and 13,039 respectively.

    Dental Treatment
    Mrs. Renée Short asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many posterior crowns, anterior tooth crowns, full synthetic resin dentures, prolonged gum treatment and anterior tooth fillings were provided under the National Health Service in 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980.
    Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:
    Not all the items of information are collected in the form requested. In these cases the following table gives the nearest equivalent comparisons available:

    287

    Figures to the nearest thousand

    *1965

    *1970

    *†1975

    †1980

    Number of teeth crowned

    169

    360

    710

    1,381

    Number of full synthetic resin dentures (upper and lower jaw)

    783

    720

    691

    509

    Number of courses including prolonged periodontal treatment

    73

    74

    151

    ‡1,227

    Number of deciduous teeth filled

    1,919

    2,730

    2,878

    2,094

    Number of permanent teeth filled

    26,110

    29,701

    30,997

    30,291

    * Figures cover 1 December to 30 November.

    † Figures cover calendar year.

    ‡ This figure is not strictly comparable with those for earlier years owing to a change in the definition of prolonged periodontal treatment in the 1979 Fee Scale.

    Invalidity Benefit
    Mr. Hannam asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects the invalidity benefit to be brought into taxation.
    Mr. Ridley:
    I have been asked to reply.

    As my right hon. and learned Friend said in his Budget Statement earlier this year, we have decided to postpone for the time being our intention to bring invalidity benefit into tax. No firm date is fixed for this at present.

  ENVIRONMENT
  Bolsover Coalite (Dioxin Dumping)
  Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now initiate a full public inquiry into the dumping of dioxin by Bolsover Coalite within the North-East Derbyshire area; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Giles Shaw:
  The question of dumped dioxin waste is a serious one, but I think it right at this point to await the report of the public inquiry recently convened by Derbyshire county council. I will arrange for this to be given the fullest consideration when it is received.

  ENVIRONMENT

    Tenancies
    Mr. Field asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many (a) furnishd tenants, (b) unfurnished tenants and (c) licensed tenants there were at the latest available date.
    Mr. Stanley:
    In England at the end of 1977 there were 590,000 households in furnished and 1,830,000 in unfurnished privately rented accommodation. In addition, 5,090,000 households were renting from local authorities and new towns in March 1981 and 225,000 were renting from housing associations at the end of 1977: almost all were in unfurnished accommodation.

    No figures are available of properties occupied under licence rather than under a tenancy agreement.

    Housing, Tax Relief and Subsidies
    Mr. Cook asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a table updating the reply on housing, tax relief and subsidies, provided to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. McKay) on 13 July 1979.
    Mr. Stanley:
    I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

    Planning Application Fees
    Mr. Speller asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend the scale of planning application fees to remove the anomaly caused by basing them on land area rather than the value of work to be done which results in some cases in the fee for the same project in the countryside being £160 compared with only £40 in an urban area.
    Mr. Giles Shaw:
    My right hon. Friend would be reluctant to depart from the simple principle of charging for outline applications according to the area of the application site. The alternative of charging according to value of work done would create formidable problems of
    288
    assessment. An application for a large plot is liable to raise considerations not involved in an application for a small plot, and it is accordingly not unreasonable that there should be some difference in the charges levied.

    Merseyside (Construction Industry)
    Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry on Merseyside.
    Mr. Heseltine:
    The creation of the Merseyside Development Corporation and the establishment of the Speke enterprise zone in recent months will stimulate development and lead to employment opportunities. The garden festival planned for 1984 will help employment in the construction industry. Following my visit to Liverpool in July, I also announced a number of initiatives which should create additional jobs, some in construction. On 9 October the Prime Minister announced the setting up of a task force to carry forward this work. The remit of the task force includes consideration of how available resources can be co-ordinated to this end.

    London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
    Mr. O'Halloran:
    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerning methods of raising local authority revenue; and if he will make a statement;

    (2) what representations he has received from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerning a local payroll tax; and if he will make a statement;

    (3) what representations he has received from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerning local sales and motor vehicle fuel duties; and if he will make a statement;

    (4) what representations he has received from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerning a local income tax; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. King:
    The Department is considering a memorandum from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry about the volume of local taxation and methods of collecting local authority revenue, including possible alternatives to the present domestic rating system. The Government's consultation document on alternatives to domestic rating will be published shortly and the chamber's memorandum will be taken into account in this context together with any further comments that the chamber wishes to make.

  Merseyside County Council
  Mr. Alton asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current cost of running the Merseyside county council.
  Mr. King:
  On the basis of its revised budget return Merseyside county council's estimated net current expenditure in 1981–82 is £218.775 million—at estimated outturn prices.

  Metropolitan County Councils
  Mr. Alton asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of his statement of July about the future of metropolitan county councils, whether he intends to introduce legislation to facilitate their abolition.
  Mr. King:
  I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Dickens) on 8 July.—[Vol. 8, c. 160.]

  Footpath Diversions
  Mr. Pawsey asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the high cost of placing notices of footpath diversions in the London Gazette, he will take steps to amend legislation requiring local authorities to advertise such diversions in that newspaper.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  I have already done so. Schedule 15 to the Wildlife and Countryside Bill removes the requirement for these notices to be published in the London Gazette.

  Zoo Licensing
  Mr. Stephen Ross asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in drawing up a list of experts further to section 8 of the Zoo Licensing Act; and whether he intends to extend an invitation to the RSPCA to be represented on that list.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  We shall soon be asking interested organisations, including the RSPCA, to suggest suitable candidates. The experts will, however, serve as individuals and not as representatives of organisations.

  Zoo Management and Animal Husbandry
  Mr. Stephen Ross asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to introduce a set of standards relating to zoo management and animal husbandry; at what stage he intends to invite animal welfare organisations to comment on those standards; and whether he will make a statement.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  Discussions with animal welfare organisations and other interested bodies on standards for zoo management and animal husbandry should start within the next few weeks. We shall proceed as quickly as possible with the introduction of the standards, but timing will depend on the progress made in the full and careful consultations which we have promised to undertake.

  Greater London (Rates)
  Mr. Chapman asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the total amount collected in general rates in the Greater London area in respect of each of the Inland Revenue's categories of hereditament for the years 1979–80 and 1980–81 and the latest estimate for 1981–82.
  Mr. King:
  The information is as follows:

  Rate call by type of hereditament, Greater London, 1979–80 to 1981–82

  Type of hereditament

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Domestic

  521

  687

  934

  Commercial

  642

  813

  1,056

  Industrial

  113

  139

  179

  Other undertakings

  67

  83

  108

  Entertainment and recreational

  14

  18

  23

  Education and cultural

  37

  47

  61

  Miscellaneous

  143

  183

  236

  Total

  1,537

  1,970

  2,597

  Figures for 1981–82 are based on rate poundages set at April 1981.

  Mr. Chapman asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the total amount of rate rebates allowed in respect of domestic ratepayers in the Greater London area in 1979–80 and 1980–81 and the latest estimate for 1981–82.

  Mr. King:
  The amount of rate rebates paid in the Greater London area in 1979–80 was £27.5 million. The provisional estimate for 1980–81 is £38.8 million. No estimate is yet available for 1981–82.

  Mr. Chapman asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the total amount of the domestic element of rate support grant in respect of the Greater London area in the years 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82.

  Mr. King:
  The final figures for 1979–80 and the latest estimates in respect of 1980–81 and 1981–82 are as follows:

  £ million

  1979–80

  141.4

  1980–81

  144.4

  1981–82

  146.1

  Rate Rebate Relief
  Mr. Alexander asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of domestic ratepayers in the United Kingdom do not pay full general rates by reason of rate rebate relief.
  Mr. King:
  It is estimated that 16 per cent. of domestic ratepayers received a rate rebate in the financial year 1980–81. A further 12 per cent. had their rates taken into account in supplementary benefit payments.

  Domestic Rates
  Mr. Alexander asked the Secretry of State for the Environment what is the proportion of general rates in the United Kingdom which is paid by domestic ratepayers.
  Mr. King:
  It is estimated that 44 per cent. of local authorities' rate income is paid by domestic ratepayers—before allowance for rent rebates—based on rate poundages set at April 1981.

  Member's Correspondence
  Mr. Ron Lewis asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the hon. Member for Carlisle can expect a reply to his letter dated 14 July 1981.

  1978–79 £

  1979–80 £

  1980–81 £

  1981–82 £

  Dartmoor

  389,300

  399,300

  455,100

  497,000

  Exmoor

  236,100

  261,800

  354,500

  *605,000

  Lake District

  643,500

  709,500

  810,400

  851,000

  Northumberland

  185,000

  250,800

  222,700

  240,000

  North York Moors

  319,200

  369,600

  475,700

  501,000

  Peak District

  808,000

  908,600

  1,096,300

  1,249,000

  Yorkshire Dales

  322,700

  448,800

  526,100

  557,000

  * Includes special provision of £212,000 towards the purchase of moorland at Larkbarrow.

  My right hon. Friend will announce the aggregate allocation for 1982–83 in due course when he makes a statement on the rate support grant settlement.

  Merseyside Enterprise Zone
  Mr. Kilroy-Silk asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many of the companies to which space has been let on the Merseyside enterprise zone have moved five miles or less to occupy such space;
  (2) how many companies have so far taken leases in the Merseyside enterprise zone; and how many of these have moved five miles or less to do so.
  Mr. King:
  One aim in enterprise zones is to keep detailed inquiries to firms that would be required to answer these questions to a minimum. We have, however, appointed consultants to monitor the development of the enterprise zones. They will be reporting next year, and this should help provide the answers to questions such as these.

  Mr. Kilroy-Silk asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are employed in the area of the Merseyside enterprise zone; and how many of these were employed there before the area became an enterprise zone.

  Mr. King:
  There were about 400 people employed in the Speke enterprise zone at designation on 25 August. There is no information about changes since then.

  Mr. Kilroy-Silk asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inquiries have been made about the leasing of land or space in the Merseyside enterprise zone; and how many of such inquiries came from companies on Merseyside.

  Mr. King:
  I understand that the Liverpool Development Agency has received over 400 inquiries
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  Mr. Heseltine:
  I am writing to the hon. Member.

  National Parks
  Sir Timothy Kitson asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the amount of money granted to each of the national parks and National Park Boards in England over the last three years and the estimates for 1981 and 1982.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  National park supplementary grant was allocated to the county councils concerned for the years in question as follows:

  about the enterprise zone. Further inquiries will have gone to the landowners. There is no detailed information on the origin of these inquiries.

  Control of Pollution Act 1976
  Mr. Onslow asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received from anglers concerning the implementation of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1976; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Giles Shaw:
  Since my right hon. Friend met the National Anglers Council in July about 60 letters from both individual anglers and angling organisations have been received, all urging the speedy implementation of part II. We have explained that no decision can be reached until we have further considered the cost implications of implementation and its possible effect on water charges. We are currently reviewing the position in the light of the latest information on that subject as well as the recent representations.

  Agricultural Land (Rating)
  Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards the rating of agricultural land and buildings; and what is the anticipated yield from this in (a) real terms and (b) as a percentage of the total rate receipts at the last available date;
  (2) if he will make a statement on the effect of the rating of agricultural land and buildings upon the profitability of the agricultural industry, the cost to the consumer, the cost of living and the effect on farm modernisation.
  Mr. King:
  We are currently looking at the whole question of rating but we have no plans to remove the existing exemption from rates of agricultural land and buildings. If we were to do so, there would be a significant

  293
  adverse effect on the financial position of the fanning industry leading to a loss of home food production, higher imports and a rise in food prices. There would also be a significant cost in manpower of bringing agricultural land and buildings into valuation.

  The information concerning the yield if we were to rerate agricultural land and buildings is not available in the form requested; it is estimated however that about £200 million might be added to the total rateable values in England and Wales. The revenue raised would depend on the rate poundages levied in the year in question.

  Building Research Establishment (Findings)
  Mr. Heddle asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his answer to the right hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason), Official Report, 14 May 1981, c. 330, if he will indicate when the findings of the Building Research Establishment will be published.
  Mr. Stanley:
  The findings of the BRE investigation have already been provided in my Department's letter to local authorities of 14 May 1981 and in the technical annex to that letter—copies of which were placed in the Library.

  Land and Buildings (Government Purchase and Sale)
  Mr. Ron Lewis asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, for the period from May 1979 to the end of September 1981, he will publish the complete list of cases where land and buildings taken over by the Government, and which have since become surplus, have been offered back to the original owners.
  Mr. Giles Shaw:
  I regret that the information requested cannot be supplied except at disproportionate cost but if the hon. Member has a specific case in mind I would be pleased to hear from him.

  Merseyside (Ministerial Visit)
  Mr. Steen asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what parts of Merseyside he visited and whom he met on Tuesday afternoon 21 October and Wednesday 22 October; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Heseltine:
  I visited Liverpool and Ellesmere Port, and met the leaders and chief executives of the various local authorities covered by the Merseyside special development area, the chairman and general manager of Warrington and Runcorn new town development corporation, the chairman and managing director of Skelmersdale new town development corporation, senior representatives of some of the largest private and public sector employers on Merseyside, and the management secondees from leading Merseyside firms who are helping run some of the schemes that I announced on 5 August, at the end of my initial visit to Merseyside. I also met representatives of the press.

  The visits and meetings provided a useful opportunity for me to discuss the problems of Merseyside with representatives of many of the organisations involved in the area, and to invite them to give fresh thought to how those problems might be tackled. I was also able to announce the appointment of the head of the task force that will be helping me in this work.

  Merseyside (Ministerial Responsibilities)
  Mr. Steen asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report details of his extended responsibilities with regard to Merseyside following the announcement by the Prime Minister on 9 October.
  Mr. Heseltine:
  My responsibilities were explained in the statement issued by the Prime Minister on 9 October, a copy of which I sent to the hon. Member. The text of the statement is attached.

  Statement by the Prime Minister-9 October 1981 Merseyside

  Following his visit to Merseyside in July, the Secretary of State for the Environment has been asked by the Prime Minister to continue to take a special interest in the problems of that area for a further 12 months. His role will be to bring together and concentrate the activities of central Government Departments and to work with local government and the private sector to find ways of strengthening the economy and improving the environment in Merseyside.

  To assist him in his work a new task force is to be established in Liverpool, with participation from the Government Departments concerned with Merseyside's economy and environment—principally the Department of the Environment, the Department of Industry, the Manpower Services Commission and the Department of Transport. Under the Secretary of State's direction the task force will work in collaboration with the local authorities, the private sector and other organisations on Merseyside, with a view to promoting the best use of resources which the central Government commit to Merseyside; making proposals, for consideration by Ministers, for modifying policies or switching resources between Departmental programmes of expenditure on Merseyside; generating new initiatives; examining, as a basis for ministerial decisions, how any additional resources that might be made available by the Government could most usefully be deployed for the reduction of unemployment and the improvement of the economic and social life of the conurbation; and developing longer term proposals.

  The task force will take account throughout of the need to promote good community relations and reduce disadvantage among ethnic minority groups.

  These arrangements are intended to point to new ways of tackling the economic, environmental and social problems of inner cities which will benefit not just Merseyside but other conurbations with similar problems. There will be close liaison with Department of the Environment Ministers and their colleagues in the inner city partnerships in other conurbations. The task force will also draw on experience elsewhere for example the Glasgow eastern area renewal project.

  Following the Secretary of State's approach to them last July, over 20 leading financial institutions have each agreed to second one of their best managers to work with the Government and in particular to help find ways of improving co-operation with the private sector on inner city problems. This group will be concerned with British cities generally, not just Merseyside.

  In addition, the Government will be looking at a whole range of its activities—for example incentives for service industries, help for small businesses and training schemes, with the intention of seeing how they might contribute more effectively to the solution of inner city problems.

  Gipsies (Control)
  Mr. Shersby asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the London Boroughs Association seeking new powers for local auathorities to deal with unauthorised camping by gipsies and to reduce the cost of control and remedial measures; if he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to avoid unnecessary and substantial expenditure on such measures; and if he will make a statement.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  Only last year, after consultation with the local authority associations enhanced powers for

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  dealing with unauthorised gipsy settlements were enacted in the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. We have no proposals for fresh legislation at present. I continue a seek discussions with the chairman of the London Boroughs Association to determine how, in the light of this new legislation, a programme for the adequate provision of gipsy accommodation in the London boroughs can be provided, so that the problems of unauthorised camping by gipsies in London may be resolved.

  Caravan Sites Act (Hillingdon)
  Mr. Shersby asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received an application from the London borough of Hillingdon for designations under the Caravan Sites Act; and, if so, what response he has made.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  The London borough of Hillingdon most recently applied for designation in July 1981. The

  Town

  Sales

  Firm Negotiations

  Number of Sales and Firm Negotiations as Percentage of Tenancies at June 1979

  Basildon

  1,858

  1,033

  17

  Central Lancashire

  45

  86

  6

  Milton Keynes

  269

  294

  6

  Northampton

  522

  312

  15

  Peterborough

  680

  337

  15

  Redditch

  341

  55

  6

  Runcorn

  386

  352

  8

  Skelmersdale

  748

  955

  21

  Telford

  608

  151

  8

  Warrington

  117

  223

  14

  Washington

  275

  111

  5

  ——

  ——

  ——

  Total

  5,849

  3,909

  12

  Football (Crowd Misconduct)
  Mr. Denis Howell asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times since 1979 he has convened, under ministerial chairmanship, the football crowd behaviour working party; what reports he has received about serious crowd misconduct during the current football season at matches at home and abroad; and if he will take steps in this connection to protect the reputation of British people abroad and their safety whilst travelling to and from and being spectators at football matches.
  Mr. Macfarlane:
  This working party has not met since 1978, some 10 months before the right hon. Member left office.

  I have received two reports about crowd misconduct during the current football season, one at home and one abroad. Nonetheless, only last week I met the chairmen of the Football Association and Football League to discuss football hooliganism generally.

  The good sporting reputation of British people abroad is being marred by a small minority of hooligans. It is my firm intention to take every step open to me to try to resolve this difficult problem. With this in mind I shall be maintaining a regular dialogue with the football authorities.
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  borough has been informed that a decision on its application awaits the outcome of discussion between my Department and the London Boroughs Association on an overall programme of site provision for the outer London boroughs. In this connection, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given to his other question today.

  New Towns (House and Flat Sales)
  Mr. Proctor asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of houses and flats sold by new town development corporations to sitting tenants since May 1979.
  Sir George Young:
  Since May 1979 new town development corporations have sold 5,849 dwellings and negotiations are in hand for the sale of a further 3,309. Together these represent 12 per cent. of the tenancies at June 1979. The figures for individual towns as at 30 June 1981 are:

  London Borough of Brent (Overspending)
  Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will return to the London borough of Brent the penalty he imposed of £611,000 for alleged overspending in view of the High Court judgment on 21 October.
  Mr. King:
  As my right hon. Friend told the House in his statement of 22 October, the Government must consider the terms of the judgment before deciding on their response.

  EMPLOYMENT

    Unemployed Persons (Birmingham)
    Mr. Rooker asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest numbers of unemployed persons in Birmingham; and how this figure compares with April 1979, showing a breakdown between males and females in each of the following age groups: under 18 years, under 25 years, over 55 years and over 60 years, respectively, indicating how many in each of these age groups have either never had a job or have been unemployed for more than one year.
    Mr. Peter Morrison:
    At October 1981 the provisional total number of people registered as unemployed in the

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    Birmingham travel-to-work area was 115,726—84,515 males and 31,211 females—compared with 40,275—29,469 males and 10,806 females—in April 1979. An analysis by age and duration of the number unemployed is made quarterly and the latest at present

    Number unemployed

    of whom, those unemployed for over 52

    Male

    Female

    Total

    Male

    Female

    Total

    April 1979

    Under 18 years

    1,191

    1,137

    2,328

    35

    49

    84

    18 to 24 years

    7,256

    4,322

    11,578

    1,192

    719

    1,911

    55 to 59 years

    2,112

    829

    2,941

    1,056

    364

    1,420

    60 years and over

    3,525

    43

    3,568

    1,739

    22

    1,761

    July 1981

    Under 18 years

    6,351

    4,918

    11,269

    336

    227

    563

    18 to 24 years

    18,987

    10,303

    29,290

    4,516

    2,213

    6,729

    55 to 59 years

    5,699

    1,578

    7,277

    1,745

    610

    2,355

    60 years and over

    7,725

    74

    7,799

    2,391

    37

    2,428

    Comprehensive information is not available for those unemployed who have never had a job, but the number of unemployed school leavers who have not entered employment since completing full-time education is given below for those aged under 18 years. The figures for
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    available is for July. The following table gives information for the Birmingham travel-to-work area for April 1979 and July 1981 for the age ranges specified, distinguishing those unemployed for more than 52 weeks.

    October include this year's summer school leavers, whereas the April 1979 figures do not even include the Easter school leavers in that year.

    Male

    Female

    Total

    April 1979

    226

    285

    511

    October 1981

    4,798

    3,725

    8,523