asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any indication of funding being made available by the German and Italian Governments for the experimental aircraft programme.

No, but discussions between the industries continue and Governments are in touch. Our invitation to other countries remains open.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answers of 6 December and 29 November, Official Report, c. 104, why, in view of the position and the course of the "General Belgrano", orders were given to torpdeo her on a 280 degree course at a position well outside the Burdwood Bank.(2) what positive evidence was available at the time she was torpedoed that the "General Belgrano" would change her course and make for the Burdwood Bank.

As was explained in the answer given to the hon. Member on 29 November—[Vol. 33, c. 104.]—there were indications that the "General Belgrano" and her escorts threatened the task force. It would not be in the public interest to go into details.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any member of the Armed Forces has been sent a bill for equipment lost during the Falkland Islands war.

As far as I know, no member of the Armed Forces has been sent a bill for equipment lost during the Falkland Islands war. It is certainly not the intention that kit lost or damaged during a combat situation should be treated as the personal financial responsibility of the individual Service man to whom it may have been issued. In the light of continuing interest in this matter, however, and notwithstanding the expense involved, I have instructed that inquiries be made of all units with men who served in the Falklands campaign to find out whether any cases are recorded of individuals having been penalised for losses incurred as a consequence of the Falklands conflict. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as the results of this investigation are available and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has accurate and precise information on the locations of British helicopters lost at sea in the South Atlantic conflict.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 6 December, whether consideration was given to making Gannet aircraft operational with early warning capability for deployment with the task force during the Falklands war.

Yes, very briefly. However, of the Gannet aircraft itemised in my earlier answer of 6 December—[Vol. 33, c. 410]—only two were AEW models. Neither could have been restored to operational service in time or with any guarantee of success, nor was there any suitable platform from which to operate them.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits have been made to the Falkland Islands by the families of soldiers stationed there; how many of these visits have involved the families of officers and other ranks, respectively; and what has been the cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for the wives of Service men stationed in the Falkland Islands to visit personnel stationed there; and why such arrangements have been given priority over widows visiting graves.

No visits to the Falkland Islands have been made by the wives of Service men stationed there.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the garrison presently deployed in the Falkland Islands is depleting the United Kingdom commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Those units currently operating in the South Atlantic remain committed to NATO though they will obviously be less readily available to the Alliance than under other circumstances. In assessing the composition of force necessary to ensure the security of the Falkland Islands and Dependencies, the Government have been concerned to minimise, as far as possible, the effect on the United Kingdom's contribution to NATO.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service widows have indicated their desire to visit the graves of their husbands in the FaLkland Islands.

The next of kin of all those who were lost at sea or who are buried on the Falklands will be given the opportunity to visit the Islands. We shall be approaching them shortly with details of the visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are expected to do more than one tour in the Falkland Islands; and how frequently such personnel may be expected to be stationed there.

This will depend upon the long-term requirement for the defence of the Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel who were involved in active service in the Falkland Islands are still serving there; and for what reason.

All personnel who were in the South Atlantic at the time of the fighting have since returned to the United Kingdom. A very small number have been posted once more to the Falklands area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when British troops will be able to fulfil a five-month tour in the Falkland Islands counting from the day of departure to the day of return to the United Kingdom.

Most British troops at present serve five months ashore in the Falklands, but we are considering whether this might be changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions extensions of the rules of engagement were granted to permit Her Majesty's Forces to engage Argentine forces outside the total exclusion zone or the maritime exclusion zone around the Falkland Islands; on what dates these were granted; and for how long in each case.

Rules of engagement for the South Atlantic were adjusted on a number of occasions as the situation developed. I am not prepared to give details.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any raids were made on units of the task force, or on troops ashore, by carrier-launched Argentine aircraft.

Not to the best of our knowledge.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends that the planned sale of HMS "Dido" and other ships to other countries is still to proceed; and what plans he has for their replacement.

As announced in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed)—[Vol. 29, c. 196.]—on 21 October, HMS "Dido" has been sold to New Zealand and will be handed over in July 1983. No negotiations are currently in progress to sell any other major warship to a foreign Government. The medium term size of the destroyer-frigate force is being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government plan to introduce a flying role for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in the near future.

There are no immediate plans for such a role, but, as my right hon. Friend mentioned on 1 July 1982—[Vol. 26, c. 1061]—some Wessex 5 helicopters may become surplus to Royal Navy requirements as new Sea King 4s are delivered over the next few years. If so, one possibility would be to use them in a supporting role with the predominantly TA reinforcing division, piloted by members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. This option is still being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had in the past 12 months with (i) Ministers and officials representing the Government of the Republic of Ireland and (ii) Ministers and officials representing the member Governments of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, concerning the entry of the Republic of Ireland into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer, Official Report, 24 November, c. 521, if he is yet in a position to state the number of wide-bodied jets he proposes to acquire for conversion to a strategic tanker role.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer, Official Report, 24 November, c. 521, if he is yet able to indicate the likely aggregate cost of acquiring wide-bodied jets for conversion to a strategic tanker role.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that any conversion work on wide-bodied jets for a strategic tanker role is carried out in the United Kingdom.

It is our policy that all work on British military aircraft should be carried out in the United Kingdom to the extent that this is the most practicable economic and timely method of accomplishing the task.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities exist in the United Kingdom for the conversion of wide-bodied jets into a strategic tanker role.

There are various sites in the United Kingdom where the relevant hangarage, tools and work force could be established.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish an assessment of the relative advantages of the DC10 and Tristar aircraft, respectively, for conversion into strategic tanker aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not the practice to publish assessments of the relative advantages of competing systems.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether Her Majesty's Forces were aware that the Argentine aircraft carrier "25 de Mayo" was at sea at any time between 2 April and 25 April;(2) what was the point of closest approach of the Argentine carrier "25 de Mayo" to the maritime or total exclusion zone before 2 May;(3) for how long continuously HMS "Conqueror" had the "General Belgrano" in her sights or in any other form of contact.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the extent of our knowledge of Argentine naval activity.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the interests of Anglo-French relations, he will refuse to allow further Anglo-French naval co-operation until problems connected with the sale of Exocets and naval arms to Argentina are resolved.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Gannet aircraft can take off from HMS "Hermes" under optimum conditions.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1), pursuant to the answer of 6 December, Official Report, c. 414, if he will outline the considerations of security which now apply (a) to the identity and (b) to the position of Argentine vessels in company with the aircraft carrier "25 de Mayo" on 2 May;(2) whether the identity of the Argentine vessels accompanying the aircraft carrier "25 de Mayo" on 2 May is known to Her Majesty's Government.

It would not be in the public interest to give details of our knowledge of Argentine dispositions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the future of the Portsmouth naval base.

We announced last year that the scope and volume of dockyard work at Portsmouth would be reduced and that, subject to further detailed study, the number of personnel would fall from about 7,000 to 1,300. In the light of the Falklands conflict and the revised plans for the Fleet it is clear that additional support will now be needed at Portsmouth. We are, therefore, issuing a consultative document today and we shall be consulting the trades unions on our plans. Subject to a satisfactory outcome to the consultation, and agreement on flexible working practices, we envisage 2,800 civilians being employed at Portsmouth naval base for essential repair and maintenance tasks, including the updating of weapon systems.The total work force will, therefore, be smaller than at present and some redundancies of industrial staff and transfers of non-industrial staff will still be necessary, but the issue of redundancy notices will not now need to be resumed until towards the end of March 1983. We intend, very early in the new year, to give all non-industrial staff at both Portsmouth and Chatham notice of their future appointments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the charging of value added tax on women's safety boots and other safety apparel; if he will take steps to remove these charges and bring the women's position in terms of safety clothes and footwear into line with that of men; and if he will make a statement.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what are the latest figures available of the cost to the Treasury of disregarding widows pensions from income tax assessment; and what estimate is available for the number of widows who would benefit in these circumstances;(2) if he will introduce measures to disregard all or part of the widows pension from income tax assessments; and if he will make a statement.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton) on 9 December, Official Report, c. 970, that British competitiveness had fallen by 18 per cent. from May 1979 to date, if he will describe the method used to calculate this figure, its source and basis; and whether all figures used in the calculation already appear in published form.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what has been the percentage increase in relative normalised unit labour costs between (a) May 1979, (b) the first quarter of 1979 and (c) the second quarter of 1979 and in each case the latest quarter for which published figures are available; if he will give the index numbers for each date; and if he will give the published source of these figures;(2) what was the percentage increase in relative normalised unit labour costs between

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest figures available for the average cost of a National Health Service worker; and if he will break down the average cost into pay, national insurance, superannuation, and other costs such as office space, heating, lighting, car allowance, travel allowance, telephone and others.

I have been asked to reply.According to the accounts submitted by health authorities, the average salaries and wages cost of a National Health Service worker—whole-time equivalent—in England in 1981–82 was £6,980. This includes £630 and £350 for employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the cost of providing encouragement to combined heat and power district heating schemes to penetrate the domestic, commercial and industrial premises in the lead cities already selected.

I have been asked to reply.It will not be possible to provide this information until the Government have assessed the consultants' report.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to have details of the results of the electro-fishing carried out in the River Roe and its tributary the Owenreigh River to discover the extent of the damage caused by a discharge of chemical into those waters earlier in the year.

I have not yet received details of the results of the electro-fishing carried out by the Foyle Fisheries Commission. When they are received, I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many places have been provided in Belfast under the youth training programme; what percentage of the places provided have been filled; and what percentage of the places provided have not been filled in (a) East Belfast, (b) West Belfast, (c) North Belfast and (d) South Belfast.

Some 4,632 places have been provided in Belfast under the youth training programme, and of these 3,485, or 75 per cent. were filled at 25 November 1982.Information on the youth training programme is collected only by travel-to-work areas, of which Belfast is one. These are self-contained labour markets and are the smallest areas within which it is safe to predict that a job or a training place will be occupied by a resident. Information for smaller areas is therefore not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the implications for Northern Ireland expenditure programmes of the announcement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 November.

The statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 November 1982 announced a total public expenditure planning total for the Northern Ireland programme of £3,822 million for 1983–84. Because of subsequent minor technical adjustment this now stands at £3,827 million, which is an increase of some £50 million on the previously planned total underlying the last public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 8494). As indicated in the November statement, the figures will continue to be subject to further, technical adjustments before publication in the 1983 public expenditure White Paper. I have decided on the following cash allocations to individual programmes within the overall Northern Ireland planning total—rounded to the nearest £5 million:

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will report on the outcome of the recent discussions between officials of his Department and the Soviet Union with regard to (a) passenger ships and (b) cargo ships operated by the Soviet Union.

The annual meeting of the Anglo-Soviet Maritime Commission was held in Moscow between 23 and 25 November. My officials made clear that the British Government were not prepared to allow the present position in Anglo-Soviet seaborne trade to continue. I am glad to say, therefore, that agreement was reached on a rationalisation of Anglo-Soviet liner trade, to the benefit of the United Kingdom. The agreement represents an important first step towards correcting the current imbalance in general cargo carryings to give the United Kingdom a greater share of Anglo-Soviet general cargo carryings.My officials also expressed the deep concern felt by the British Government about disruptive Soviet competition in certain other major routes serving the United Kingdom, and competition on passenger liner traffic, caused by the uncommercial nature of Soviet shipping which relies very heavily on State subsidy in areas such as building costs, insurance, fuel and general overheads. The Commission agreed that furher meetings to deal with these important issues should take place between the commercial parties concerned on both sides.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will introduce legislation to require all consumer products containing asbestos to be clearly labelled.

The Council of the European Communities is considering a draft directive on the marketing and use of asbestos, which includes provision for the compulsory labelling of consumer products containing asbestos supplied in the member States. If adopted in the form now generally agreed, the labelling will closely resemble that already provided voluntarily by the United Kingdom asbestos industry. When the directive is adopted it will be implemented by safety regulations in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the proposals he has under consideration regarding the Eady levy on cinema admissions.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will review the progress of the operation of the British Midland Airways Heathrow to Glasgow route; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade if he is satisfied with progress in bringing the United Kingdom fishing fleet up to the standards required by the Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975; and what further steps he is taking to improve the position.

Considerable progress has been made since the statutory survey and certification of fishing vessels of 12 metres in length and over were introduced in 1975, but it is not enough. In the seven years since the first group of vessels became due for survey, less than half the 2,200 vessels required to be surveyed have in fact been brought up to the statutory standard and obtained a fishing vessel certificate.Over this period the Department, in close co-operation with the industry through the fishing industry safety group, has operated a flexible policy of implementation in order to ease the burden on owners in bringing their vessels up to standard and has not generally resorted to its enforcement powers. This can no longer continue.With my approval and the agreement of the fishing industry safety group, the Department is introducing a phased programme of enforcement. As from 1 January 1983 vessels of 12 metres in length and above entering the United Kingdom fishing boat register, whether newly constructed or transferring from another register, will be liable to be detained if they have not been surveyed and certificated in accordance with the safety rules. As from 1 February 1983 vessels already on the register which have not been brought forward for survey and the appropriate survey fee paid will be liable to detention. As from 1 October 1983 any vessels without certificates will de liable to be detained unless they have obtained a temporary exemption by satisfying the Department's fishing vessel surveyors that at least the life-saving appliances, fire appliances and stability meet the requirements of the rules.Sea fishing is the most hazardous of occupations and the Department's priority in this area is to ensure the thorough survey of all vessels of 12 metres in length and above and subsequently to bring them up to the standards of the 1975 rules. In the interests of the safety of fishermen and fishing vessels, I urge all owners and skippers to complete the surveys and obtain a certificate without further delay.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) whether he has referred any of the recommendations of the insolvency law review committee to the advisory panel on company law for its consideration;(2) further to his reply of 23 November, if he will list the issues on which the advice of the advisory panel on company law has been sought in the last 12 months.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 November 1982, c. 63]: As explained in my reply of 23 November—[Vol. 32, c. 463]—the proceedings of the Department's advisory panel on company Law are confidential.

asked the Minister for Trade when last he received written advice from the Overseas Projects Board; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 December 1982, c. 204]: The Overseas Projects Board submitted a report to me in December 1981 on its objectives and priorities, which subsequently I discussed with it. The board's views were subsequently taken into account in the 1982 review of the aid programme, and in developing a number of services operated by the Export Credit Guarantees Department.Apart from written advice, the board is in close touch with my Department and approaches me confidentially on particular issues as the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which parts of the United Kingdom police have stop and search powers under local legislation.

Powers of stop and search are available to the police in England and Wales under the following provisions in local legislation:

• Burnley Borough Improvement Act 1871, section 342
• City of London Police Act 1839, section 48
• County of Merseyside Act 1980, section 33
• Hertfordshire County Council Act 1935, section 130
• West Midlands County Council Act 1980, section 40

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the consultative arrangements made by Islington borough council in respect of the Metropolitan Police and the wider community, following Lord Scarman's report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

It would be premature to comment before discussions with Islington borough council have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Street Offences Act 1959 so that the definition of soliciting will include male approaches to females for purposes of prostitution.

The criminal law revision committee published on 9 December a working paper—which has been placed in the Library—setting out its provisional recommendations for possible changes in the law relating to prostitution on which it invites comment. It proposes certain new offences to deal with the accosting of women by men. The Government think it right to await the committee's final recommendations—which will take account of the comments received on the proposals contained in the working paper and parliamentary and other reactions to them—before reaching conclusions on how the law in this area should be changed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedure is followed when the extension of the provisions of United Kingdom primary or subordinate legislation to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man is proposed.

United Kingdom legislation can be made to apply to the islands either by including a direct application provision in the Act itself or by including a provision in the Act enabling it to be extended to the islands by an Order in Council which may specify such exceptions, modifications and adaptations as may be appropriate. Before either course is followed, the normal procedure would be to consult the island authorities and to take their views into account. Subordinate legislation cannot as such be extended to the islands, but will apply to them when the principal Act applies or has been extended to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent visit of his noble Friend Lord Elton to Guernsey, Sark, Alderney and Jersey.

It has been the regular practice for Home Office Ministers to visit the islands to maintain good relations between the island authorities and the United Kingdom Government, to improve our understanding of the islands' problems and policies and to provide an opportunity for informal exchanges on a wide range of topics. My noble Friend's recent visits were valuable in achieving these objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is satisfied with the operation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975; whether he has any plans to amend that Act; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he is satisfied with the operation and progress of the Equal Opportunities Commission; what has been the cost of the commission to public funds in each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement.

We are satisfied that both the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Opportunities Commission continue to have an important contribution to make to the extension of equality of opportunity for both sexes. The Government have, at present, no plans to amend the Act, but we are still considering a number of proposals for amendment put forward by the Commission. The cost of the Commission to public funds in the last six years has been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to seeking to increase the present level for the deposit paid by parliamentary candidates in elections.

We are awaiting the report of the Select Committee on Home Affairs inquiry into the Representation of the People Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the recommended ration of bowl toilets to prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons; and in how many prisons that ratio is not achieved.

The standard for toilets in the living blocks of new closed cellular prisons is one per cell designed for one inmate. In new closed and open cubicular prisons, the comparable standard of communal sanitary facilities is based on groups of 20 or 24 cubicles, containing three or four WCs and three or four urinals, respectively. Information is not available centrally on existing ratios, which vary from prison to prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received in relation to the workings of section 8 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 1981, with regard to the circumstances in which a court may reimpose reporting restrictions after they have once been lifted in relation to that case.

One, from an hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name those diplomats still in the United Kingdom and alleged to have committed offences of (a) theft, (b) assault, (c) assaulting a police officer and (d) unlawfully possessing a firearm; and if he will request them to leave the United Kingdom.

No. It would not be appropriate to identify individuals in relation to alleged offences the facts of which have not been proved in the courts.It is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to decide what action should be taken in such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many occurrences of the type described in the instruction book for the guidance of the Metropolitan Police force as "resented stops" were reported as taking place in each of the Metropolitan Police districts in each of the past five years.

This information is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet reached a conclusion on the recommendation of the inquiry into cable expansion and broadcasting policy concerning the length of cable operators' franchises; and if he will make a statement.

Recommendation 40 of the inquiry into cable expansion and broadcasting policy (Cmnd. 8679) proposed that cable operators' franchises should be for 10 years in the first instance and eight years thereafter. The inquiry did not consider the question of the licences for cable providers, however, since its terms of reference did not extend to telecommunications and technology issues. In the debate on cable systems on 2 December—[Vol. 33, c. 490]—my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Information Technology announced that the licence period for cable providers would depend on the technology that the licensee proposed to install: for tree-and-branch systems laid down in the star configuration the licence would run for 12 years, extendable to 20 years if switches were installed at a later date; a provider installing a fully switched star system from the outset would receive a licence for 20 years. Because of the desirability of keeping the termination dates of the cable operators' franchises and the cable providers' licences in line, I have decided that the franchise for a cable operator should run for 12 years in the first instance and eight years thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the maternity centres in each of the nine health authorities in Wales where expectant mothers are screened for blood alpha foetoprotein levels and state the number of centres where facilities are available for measuring alpha foetoprotein levels in amniotic fluid and the number where facilities are available for the termination of abnormal pregancies revealed by the test.

Wales has a national service of screening for blood alpha foetoprotein levels. Blood samples may be taken in the many hospitals and general practitioner surgeries providing antenatal care. A full list of these is not held by the Welsh Office. Amniotic fluid samples may be taken at any antenatal clinic with access to ultra sound facilities. The provision of these facilities is an operational matter for health authorities. Samples are sent to specialist laboratories for measurement of alpha foetoprotein levels. The laboratory service is available to all parts of Wales. Termination of abnormal pregnancies may be done at any consultant gynaecological unit which performs terminations. There are 26 of these.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department now recognises the 'Welsh language as an official language in Wales for any purpose other than those covered by the equal validity principle of the Welsh Language Act 1967.

It is our policy to encourage the use of the Welsh Language for official purposes whenever appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received any request for finance and other assistance from the East Dyfed health authority following the recent fire at the central laundry for the West Wales health authorities at the West Wales general hospital at Carmarthen; and when he contemplates a return to normal laundry provision.

The East Dyfed health authority has reported this fire to the Welsh Office. Its assessment of the full costs and effects of the damage and losses has not yet been completed.The authority has not submitted a formal claim for financial or other assistance or advised how long it will take to restore normal services.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he estimates that the Welsh trunk road programme will be completed at current rates of spending.

The trunk road programme is a rolling programme in that schemes are added to it as and when resources become available to meet needs. No completion is yet seen.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make it his policy, when he responds to the British Steel Corporation's corporate plan, to leave the corporation free to pursue any option it may wish in regard to the five major steel plants.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will break down the civil stock of 14½ tonnes of plutonium listed under item (c) of his answer of 1 April, Official Report, c. 169, into (a) weapons grade, (b) fuel grade and (c) reactor grade.

These classifications are not employed in the United Kingdom or by the IAEA. It is undesirable that any distinction is made for international safeguards purposes, in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, between plutonium of different grades.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how far his inquiries have proceeded in examining the potential of combined heat and power district heating in the nine cities mentioned in the Official Report, 12 March 1981, c. 377.

The Government are at present examining the consultants' report.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report on progress made on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Burgoyne committee on offshore safety.

Of the 70 recommendations, 46 have now been implemented in whole or in part: namely, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.10, 6.15, 6.16, 6.17, 6.21, 6.22, 6.23, 6.26, 6.28, 6.32, 6.33, 6.35, 6.41.1, 6.43, 6.44, 6.45, 6.46, 6.47, 6.48, 6.50, 6.53, 6.56, 6.59, 6.63, 6.64, 6.65 and the following during 1982 6.8, 6.9, 6.12, 6.14, 6.24, 6.31, 6.34, 6.38, 6.39, 6.40, 6.41.7, 6.41.8, 6.49, 6.55, 6.57, 6.58, and 6.62. Studies are in hand on recommendations 6.30, 6.41.3, 6.60 and 6.66; consultation has begun on recommendations 6.25, 6.36, 6.41.2, 6.41.4, 6.41.5, 6.41.6, 6.41.9 and 6.54; and consideration continues to be given to recommendations 6.18, 6.19, 6.27, 6.37, 6.42, 6.51, 6.52, and 6.61 with a view to determining what further action may be appropriate.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she w ill list her official engagements for 14 December.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today, including one this afternoon with representatives from Scotland about the future of the steel industry. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

I shall be meeting members of the Scottish Trades Union Congress later today.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to meet the new Russian leadership.

I have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Prime Minister what assessment Her Majesty's Government make of current Argentine naval and air activity and military preparedness.

We believe that Argentine forces are now predominantly engaged in normal training activities and exercises and in attempting to replace lost equipment and to enhance their capability following their losses during the Falklands campaign.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will take steps to co-ordinate policy between the Departments responsible for matters, such as the arts and tourism, which affect foreign visitors most directly.

My right hon. and hon. Friends fully accept the need for consultation on matters affecting the development of tourism. In this context the Government are considering the recommendations on tourism and the arts made by the Education, Science and Arts Committee in its recent report on public and private funding of the arts—eighth report, Session 1981–62.

asked the Prime Minister if she will extend her review of British tourist authorities to take into consideration the way in which Government Departments deal with policy on matters, such as the arts and the national heritage, which impinge most directly on tourism.

We have no intention of extending the review of tourism which my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat) is conducting. However, the Government are currently considering their response to the recommendations on tourism and the arts made by the Education, Science and Arts Committee in its recent report on public and private funding of the arts—eighth report, Session 1981–82.

asked the Prime Minister if she intends to visit Perth.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she is now in a position to announce a date for her projected visit to the Falkland Islands.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 22 October 1982.—[Vol. 29, c. 226.]

asked the Prime Minister whether she will now respond to the proposals of Lord Shackleton for the economic development of the Falkland Islands and the Falkland Islands dependencies.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 8 December.—[Vol. 33, c. 859.]

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the measures that have been taken to date to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Civil Service.

Yes. The White Paper on "Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Civil Service" (Cmnd. 8616) describes the measures which have been taken and the progress which has been made. For example, centrally co-ordinated scrutinies and reviews alone have, since 1979, identified potential savings worth about £274 million a year, plus once-and-for-all savings of about £39 million, as well as resulting in streamlined procedures, improved organisation and a better service to the public.But much remains to be done. The White Paper also sets out the further work that is needed, including measures to strengthen financial management, improve efficiency and get better value for the taxpayer's money within the Civil Service.My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal will shortly be announcing the programme of centrally co-ordinated efficiency work for 1983.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the publication in the Daily Mirror of the confidential report on alcoholism by the Central Policy Review Staff.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 15 June 1982.—[Vol. 25, c. 227.]