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The Prime Minister: At this stage I cannot say when itill report, but I continue to hope that the report can be leted within six months from the date on which it began its work.
Q13. Mr. Ioan Evans asked the Prime Minister when she intends to publish the report on the inquiry relating to the Falkland Islands.
The Prime Minister: Until the Committee of Privy Counsellors has reported, no date for publication can be fixed. It remains my hope that its report will be completed within six months from the date on which it began its work.
Q20. Mr. Latham asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the latest progress in reconstruction on the Falkland Islands.
The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow), visited the islands earlier this month to review the situation. Considerable progress has been achieved but many problems remain. About £8.5 million has been committed from the initial rehabilitation allocation of £10 million.
Much has been done to restore essential services. The power station is in full operation and can meet the demands of Port Stanley. Preparations are in hand to install a new generator. The water filtration plant is also just meeting demands and extra pumps are on order. As regards mines, the area of Stanley common has been cleared and the Stanley to Darwin road is open. Other mined areas have been fenced off and clearly marked. A map showing progress with mine clearance is regularly revised and made available to the civil population.
The present airport has been repaired and extended so that regular supplies of urgent reconstruction material can be delivered by Hercules flights. The runway has been extended to 6,100 feet and can also now be used by Phantom aircraft.
Large quantities of building materials are being ordered and shipped. They are being used to repair private and Government-owned houses which were damaged during the occupation, and will also be used to repair public buildings. A project for 54 new houses has been launched to replace homes destroyed during the occupation and to house additional personnel attached to the Falkland Islands Government.
Replacement vehicles and plant for various depart- ments of the Falkland Islands Government have been ordered and shipped. Large consignments of solid fuel, kerosene, gas and aviation fuel have been sent to the islands. Three replacement aircraft for the islands' internal air service have been shipped. Thirty-four additional personnel for the Falkland Islands Government have been recruited.
Longer term rehabilitation requirements, such as the more permanent restoration and expansion of water, power, sewerage and road systems, and the harbour facilities and internal communications, are now being actively considered.
Scotland
Q12. Mr. Strang asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Scotland.
The Prime Minister: I hope to do so later this year.
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Northampton
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Q21. Mr. Michael Morris asked the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to visit Northampton.
The Prime Minister: Not at present.
Unemployed Women
HKR 026/5 нки
Q26. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett asked the Prime Minister how many women are now registered as unemployed; how many others are estimated to be looking for work; and if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to improve their job prospects.
Anne numberkem
The Prime Minister: At 9 September 1982 of women registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 1,003,741. This figure includes school leavers and is not seasonally adjusted.
It is estimated that in 1979, the last year for which complete information is available, about a quarter of a million women were seeking work but were not registered as unemployed. Later information suggests that the number was similar in 1980 and rose only slightly in 1981.
Women's interests are best served by the Government's policies aimed at creating the right economic climate for an effective and competitive industry. They can and do make use of Government employment and training services which are open on equal terms to men and women. In addition the Government have set up the new training initiative, at an annual cost of £1.5 billion-from 1983-84 which includes a £1 billion a year youth training scheme. Women as well as men will benefit from the opportunities offered.
The Government recognise that in some circumstances women have special needs and in those cases we encourage special provision. For example, the Manpower Services Commission has a small programme of training for women only, in skills where women are under- represented and for women returning to the labour market after a period of absence.
Poverty (Definition)
2
See HICK 0405
Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Prime Minister if she will introduce a definition of poverty in the United Kingdom along the lines of that used in the United States of America.
The Prime Minister: No.
Mr. Mark Thatcher
Mr. Skinner asked the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of the two bodyguards who flew to New York to accompany her son; and if she will make a
statement.
The Prime Minister: The additional cost of providing protection for this visit was about £3,000. It is not the practice to disclose details of arrangements of this kind.
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Prime Minister what groups or organisations she met on her recent visit to Hong Kong.
The Prime Minister: During my visit to Hong Kong I met the following groups and organisations or their representatives:
The Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative
Councils
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