§ Mr. Lathamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the results of his Department in achieving the Government's policy programme since he answered a similar question from the hon. Member for Melton on 18 June 1980.
§ Sir Ian GilmourWe have made progress in the following ways in the implementation of our policies.
In the past 12 months we have engaged in sustained and successful efforts to consult closely with our partners and allies in the European Community and the Atlantic Alliance.
The communiqué issued in Rome in May by the Foreign Ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty 93W Organisation was a signal of the unity and determination of the Alliance. The Allies have held successful consultations on political and economic measures to be taken in the event of external intervention by force in Poland.
We have made progress towards closer political co-operation with our European Community partners. The Venice declaration on the Middle East, issued by the European Council last June, has been followed up by consultations with the parties concerned. On the eve of the United Kingdom's assumption of the Presidency, the Ten launched on 30 June a proposal for a two-stage conference about a settlement in Afghanistan.
Following the agreement of 30 May 1980 on the United Kingdom's budget contribution, the European Community has embarked on discussion of the restructuring of its budget and a major review of community policies, in particular the common agricultural policy.
We have continued our efforts to strengthen our security. Our agreement with the United States to purchase the Trident missile will assure the effectiveness of our independent strategic nuclear deterrent for many years to come. We have fulfilled our commitment to the Alliance to increase spending on deterrence and defence. By the deployment of a naval patrol near the Gulf we have demonstrated our readiness to act with our friends to keep open oil supply routes.
The importance we place upon our relations with the developing countries, particularly those in the Commonwealth, is clearly demonstrated by our announcement of an aid programme for the current year, which exceeds £1,000 million. We played a leading role in the successful Zimbabwe aid conference.
We have renewed and developed Britain's relations with a very wide range of countries: overseas travel by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and noble Friend has included visits to India and the Gulf,
Percentage age of dwellings statutorily unfit Percentage age of dwellings without a bathroom Percentage age of dwellings without a wash-hand basin Percentage age of dwellings lacking hot and cold water at 3 points Percentage age of dwellings without an internal WC Percentage age of dwellings lacking 1 basic amenity Northern Ireland 1979 14.1 15.4 15.9 17.0 15.7 17.9 England 1976 4.6 4.7 5.8 6.9 6.3 8.7 Wales 1976 9.8 9.7 10.9 10.2 13.7 Some comparative indicators for the European Community are as follows:
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Percentage of Dwellings Country Year Built pre 1945 With inside toilet With fixed bath With kitchen Belgium 1977 54 58 69 97 Denmark 1970 51 88 71 96 France 1975 55 74 70 98 West Germany 1972 45 85 82 98 Greece— — — — — Ireland 1971 65 64 56 — Italy 1971 46 83 65 70 Luxembourg 1970 62 78 67 — Netherlands 1977 35 98 93 100 United Kingdom 1976 54 95* 95* 99* Northern Ireland 1979 43 84 85 96 Latin America, West Africa, China, Japan, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, as well as to the capitals of our major allies and friendly countries closer to our shores.