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Written Answers
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Written Answers
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should be some easements in the present April in areas of Cambridgeshire, Devon, conditions.
Leicester and York.
We accept the recommendations of the committee. Since, however, they will in- volve some additional cost, their imple- mentation will depend on the priority which they can be given within the resources available for social security expenditure.
Regional Health Authorities
Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will recon- stitute regional health authorities; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Moyle: All regional chairmen and half the regional membership will com- plete their present term of office on 31st July 1978. My right hon. Friend expects to be able to announce next April any changes and reappointments to the chair- menships, and at least a month in advance of appointment the names of the member- ship.
Regional health authorities are crucial to the good management of the National Health Service. Appointments to these bodies are made after widespread consul- tation. If hon. Members wish to make recommendations, I invite them to write to me before the new year about chair- men and before April 1978 about the regional membership.
Population Census
Mr. Jim Callaghan asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made so far in preparation for the next census of population.
A further test involving some 50,000 households is being planned for next April in the Districts of Slough, Berkshire, and Weymouth and Portland, Dorset. Its purpose it to try out modifications in pro- cedures aimed particularly at helping the public to make their census returns. Again, I hope that everyone approached to take part in the test will do so. The answers given in these voluntary tests will be entirely confidential, and no information about individual persons or households will be passed outside the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.
Mr. Moyle: Consultation on the 1981 Census with users of census statistics is well advanced; discussions both formal and informal have been held with repre- sentatives of local government and of research and academic interests. The views of others are being sought. Dis- cussions are also proceeding in the EEC on the harmonisation of the 1981 cen- suses to be taken in the nine member countries.
A series of voluntary tests to try out procedures and question wording and to seek the public's views on these matters has been launched. The Registrar General is grateful to all the people who took part in the first test which was carried out in
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The form to be used in this next test has been developed over the past year after a separate series of small-scale tests. Specimen forms will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
Council of Ministers
Mr. Mark Hughes asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the last meeting of the Council of Ministers. Dr. Owen: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made earlier this afternoon.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS
Indonesia (Detainees)
79. Mr. Willey asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise the matter of political detainees in Indonesia at the next meeting of the United Nations Com- mission on Human Rights.
Mr. Luard: As I informed the House on 7th November-[Vol. 938,..c. 42]- the Commission next meets in February 1978. The Government have not yet decided on which problems it would be right to concentrate on that occasion.
Hong Kong
Sir Anthony Royle asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking through diplomatic and other channels to press
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