asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion of the Church Commissioners' assets, since the debate in Synod in July 1982, has been withdrawn from companies trading in South Africa; and what this sum represents for each year, expressed as a proportion of the commissioners' portfolio in commercial companies.

It is not possible to say what proportion of the many millions of pounds of investments sold by the commissioners since July 1982 were in respect of companies trading in South Africa. It is, however, the commissioners' policy not to invest in companies operating wholly or mainly in that country.

asked the Prime Minister if, in her next discussion with the Heads of Government of the European Economic Community, she will insist on a full investigation into the Commission's decision not to support the Governments of the Eastern Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank and Leeward Islands Air Transport in their wish to purchase Super 748 aircraft; whether she is satisfied that the Commission's decision in this matter accords with responsibilities under the Lomé convention; and if she will make a statement.

The Government have asked the European Commission to make public its reasons for rejecting the view of the Leeward Islands Air Transport that the Super 748 offer from British Aerospace best fulfilled the procurement criteria of the Lomé convention. When we receive the Commission's reply we shall consider what further action is required. Meanwhile LIAT is making other arrangements to finance the purchase of the aeroplanes it requires, and we have offered support from the aid and trade provision for the purchase of Super 748s.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report details for the latest available period of the average equated rate poundage in respect of unmeasured water supply for the Welsh water authority.

The equated rate poundage in respect of the unmeasured water supply charge for the Welsh water authority for 1984–85 is 37·80p.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated cost of non-tariff barriers to trade within the European Community.

There are a number of published estimates of the cost of non-tariff barriers to trade as a whole within the European Community, though these have concentrated mainly on the costs incurred at border crossings. In particular, I refer my hon. Friend to the following publications which are available from the Library:

• — European Commission Communication of the State of the Internal Market (COM(81)313)—June 1981.
• — House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, Session 1981–82, 17th Report — Internal Market—July 1982.
• — "Towards European Economic Recovery in the 1980s" —Report presented to the European Parliament by Mr. M. Albert and Prof. R. J. Ball—July 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is undertaking to assist industry in the Heywood and Middleton constituency.

As a result of the recent review of regional industrial policy the travel-to-work areas covering the constituency now have intermediate area status and industry there is therefore eligible for selective financial assistance under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. In addition, that part of the constituency which was in the old Bury TTWA (Heywood) is eligible for assistance under the ERDF non-quota funds for closure areas, which were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 26 November last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the adoption by the United Kingdom of clause 9 of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisations's proposed international code on the use and distribution of pesticides.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the decision by the EEC Commission not to sanction Her Majesty's Government's £20 million aid package to small textile producers.

I received preliminary notification on 15 February that the Commission had decided not to approve the clothing and footwear and textiles scheme. In discussions with the Commission I have repeatedly made it very clear that I would strongly disagree with a negative decision, and that in my view it would be inequitable in view of the large amounts of sectoral aids given to these industries in other member states. When the full text of the Commission's decision becomes available I shall wish to study it carefully in close consultation with representatives of the industries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contact his Department has with the British Council about its experience in the teaching of English as a second language overseas and the relevance of this experience to the teaching of English as a second language in maintained schools.

The Department is in constant contact with the British Council. However, the council's experience of teaching English overseas is as a foreign language, where the objective is to furnish the student with a knowledge of English adequate for specific, limited purposes. English as a second language provision in maintained schools aims to equip children with a fluency in the language equal to all the social and academic demands made on them in school and, later, as adults fully participating in British society. It follows that the teaching of English as a foreign language has only limited relevance to English as a second language provision in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total annual cost of publicly financed colleges of education; and what is the cost of teacher training for each student.

The estimated annual cost of providing an initial teacher training place in 1982–83, the latest year for which full information is available, was £2,950 (at 1982–83 prices). This is an average figure covering courses of various kinds in both the universities and the public sector. There were some 32,000 students in initial teacher training in 1982–83. Students taking in-service or other teacher training courses not leading to qualified teacher status, and the cost of such courses, are not included in the figures. Most teacher training, initial and in-service, is now provided in multi-faculty institutions: the information available to the Department does not allow the full costs of such training to be separated from other costs in those institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, of those local authorities which provide school meals, if he will indicate which authorities also provide alternative meals for children who are in need of special food.

LEAs make some provision for special dietary requirements in school meals where the diet is required for medical reasons. Detailed information on this is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the decision not to reconstitute the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers at the end of its five-year term.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers concerning the number of new teachers and intake to initial training; what analysis has been made of the cost of the proposals concerning intake to initial training; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, is currently considering the advice submitted by the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers on the future demand for primary and secondary teachers and on future levels of intakes to initial teacher training. Decisions on the size and broad shape of the initial training system from 1986 will be announced as soon as possible taking into account all relevant factors including resource implications.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers, with the estimated cost of implementation and his Department's response to each recommendation.

During its five-year term the committee has submitted 10 substantial reports and some shorter pieces of advice to my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. Some of the recommendations contained in those reports have been of considerable significance for subsequent policy decisions. Owing to the number and scope of the recommendations, however, a full answer to the question cannot be given without disproportionate cost. I shall send the hon. Member copies of the committee's reports and of the responses made so far by my right hon. Friends.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government accepts the desirability of the abolition of monetary compensatory amounts procedures at European Community frontiers; and if he will make a statement.

Monetary compensatory amounts are necessary to avoid trade distortions arising when market rates of exchange diverge from the special green rates used for the common agricultural policy. The Government accept that over time it is desirable for green rates to be adjusted to take account of underlying exchange rate developments, so that producers in all member states are supported at the same real price levels. But the specific timing of such changes must be decided in relation to all relevant economic considerations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will detail the annual savings which he expects to be achieved by the closure of the Itchen Abbas veterinary investigation centre;(2) in the event of the closure of the Itchen Abbas veterinary investigation centre from what source or sources the veterinary practices and veterinary surgeons currently using the centre would obtain a comparable service;(3) what additional costs would be involved in terms of relocating staff or travelling expenses if the work currently undertaken by the Itchen Abbas veterinary investigation centre was to be taken on by other centres.

The report of the study of the veterinary investigation service, to which I have referred in answer to earlier questions, is being considered in my Ministry. No decisions on the future of individual centres will be taken until the report has been made public and there has been opportunity for consultation with all the interests concerned including consideration of the points raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends raising the question of the European directive on trace elements with the Commission; or what other steps he intends taking to obtain uniformity of application.

The European Commission has under discussion at a technical level with member states proposals for a directive on the composition and labelling of liquid fertilisers and the labelling of trace elements in all fertilisers. United Kingdom officials are participating in those discussions which should ultimately lead to a proposal to the Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is currently engaged in any discussions regarding transferability of dairy quotas.

I recently issued a discussion paper, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, which explains the possibilities that exist at present for transferring quotas and sets out options for changes to the rules. I am currently considering the views of the industry on this paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making in the negotiations with the European Economic Community to obtain funds within the agricultural budget for environmental projects and integrated farming; and if he will make a statement.

I have made it perfectly clear to the Commission and other member states that any decisions on the structures proposals must include satisfactory provisions for conservation, and I shall continue to press the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will maintain the beef premium scheme at least at its current levels.

We shall be pressing to secure continuation of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to announce his conclusions on the proposal to introduce a salmon tagging scheme.

We have been carrying out a very thorough review of the practical problems associated with a salmon tagging scheme and are still considering the results. There remain a number of considerable difficulties. I shall make an announcement just as soon as we have been able to reach a conclusion on them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the recorded catch of salmon for the north-east drift net fishery for the last 10 years for which figures are available.

The total catches of salmon recorded in the Northumbrian and Yorkshire water authority areas by both drift nets and inshore nets were:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence has been commissioned by his Department or has been received by his Department on the effect of drift net fishing on the salmon stocks returning to Scottish rivers; and if he will make a statement.

In 1982 my Directorate of Fisheries Research published its Fisheries Research Technical Report No. 67, which was titled "Effects of the English north-east coast salmon fisheries on salmon catches". A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.Last year officials were asked to carry out a further examination of the effects of the fishery. As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 20 November 1984, their report was an internal one, based, in part, on information provided in confidence and it will not be published. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office and I are reviewing the management arrangements. We hope to be in a position to announce our conclusions before long.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with which health consumer organisations he is consulting in regard to nutritional labelling.

If we make any proposals for the nutrition labelling of foods we shall consult representatives of all organisations that appear to be substantially affected by the proposals. This would include representatives of health consumer organisations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with which health consumer organisations he is undertaking research in regard to nutritional labelling.

In conjunction with the Consumer's Association and the National Consumer Council, we have commissioned a survey by professional market research companies into consumer's attitudes towards and understanding of various formats of fat and nutrition labelling of foods. The results of this survey are expected in May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on which consultative bodies relating to nutritional labelling his Department is represented; and with what status.

With my colleagues I appoint members to the Food Advisory Committee and my Department provides the administrative and technical secretariat. One of my officials has observer status at the meetings of the Joint Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total National Health Service expenditure per head of population in Scotland.

Gross public expenditure on the National Health Service in Scotland in 1984–85 is expected to be £369 per head of population.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has plans to commission future research into the declining numbers of salmon returning to Scottish rivers in general and the River Tweed in particular.

Extensive research into the factors affecting levels of juvenile salmon production and returning adults is already carried out by the staff of the freshwater fisheries laboratory of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. I understand that the Tweed Foundation has commissioned a survey of the salmon and trout stocks of the Tweed basin from the department of forestry and natural resources of the University of Edinburgh and that a report will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date notification of the Government's proposals for limited list prescribing was sent to doctors in Scotland.

My hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for health and social work in Scotland wrote to the British Medical Association's Scottish office on 12 November 1984 explaining our proposals for limited list prescribing and my Department's Chief Medical Officer wrote to all Scottish doctors about the new measures on 14 December 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications to the rent officer for assessment of rents in (a) Shetland and (b) Orkney had still to be determined on 1 September 1984, 1 December 1984 and 1 February 1985.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the dates when the rent officer visited (a) Shetland and (b) Orkney in 1984 to determine applications for assessment.

The rent officer visited Shetland in July 1984. He last visited Orkney in December 1983 since when only one application for registration of a fair rent has been received, in November 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to provide additional funds to support projects concerned with the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers.

In April 1984 I announced that £1·5 million was being made available over a period of three years to provide financial support for local initiatives concerned with the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers. Some 13 projects were accepted for grant.I now consider that it would be appropriate to provide additional funds to secure an expansion of these services, and offers of grant totalling over £500,000 over a four-year period have been made to the sponsoring bodies in respect of the following six projects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received alleging that Iranian groups in the United Kingdom are being intimidated by Iranian supporters of the Khomeini régime; and what response he has made.

We have not received recently any representations making general allegations of this sort, although a number of applications for political asylum from Iranians have expressed individual fears of intimidation. Such applications are considered sympathetically.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the representations he received on the discussion document on immigration appeals.

Yes, if those who submitted comments on the document, and whom we are consulting about the hon. Member's suggestion, wish us to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in the Official Report the reconviction rate within two years for offenders given (a) community service orders, and (b) custodial sentences; and if he will make a statement.

The information available is published in "Reconvictions of those given Community Service Orders" (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 18/83) and in chapter 8 of "Prison Statistics, England and Wales, 1983" (Cmnd. 9363). Copies of both these publications are in the Library of the House. In comparing reconviction rates, it needs to be remembered that the main factors related to subsequent reconviction (sex, age on conviction, the number of previous convictions and the type of offence) are also likely to have influenced the sentence of the court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police are engaged in each Metropolitan police district expressed in terms of police per numbers of recorded crimes per annum and excluding police engaged on diplomatic, traffic and similar duties.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the latest available information is for 1983 and is given in the following table. The number of officers assigned to districts who were deployed on traffic duties could be excluded from the calculations only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number of people from India who have been given (a) political asylum and (b) asylum on religious grounds in the United Kingdom during the last five years;(2) what is the number of people from Pakistan who have been given

Statistics are not kept of the particular grounds on which asylum is granted. The following table shows the total number of nationals of India and Pakistan granted asylum in the United Kingdom, for whatever reason, in the last five years:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the dates on which Mr. Clive Ponting was interviewed by police; and if any officers of the Metropolitan police special branch were involved at any time.

I understand from the Commissioner that no Metropolitan police officers were involved in the investigations which led to the bringing of charges against Mr. Ponting. The only involvement of the Metropolitan police was in making administrative arrangements for Mr. Ponting to be questioned and subsequently charged by the Ministry of Defence police at Cannon Row police station on 17 August 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the proposed consultative document on extradition.

The consultative document (Cmnd. 9421) is published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. It discusses and seeks views on a number of proposals for the reform of extradition law. Comments are invited by 30 April on the matters covered in the document. These should be addressed to the Home Office, E5 Division, Room 426A, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with appointments to the new Police Complaints Authority.

I am glad to announce that the right hon. Roland Moyle and Rear-Admiral John Bell have accepted my offer of appointment as the full-time deputy chairmen of the new authority. They will take up their duties when the authority is established.Sir Cecil Clothier has already agreed to serve as chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek the renewal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his replies, 15 February 1985, c. 296, and 19 February 1985, c. 427]: Copies of my response to Sir Cyril Philips' first report have been placed in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has held consultation with (a) the London Electricity Board and (b) any other electricity board concerning rebates to low use customers; and if he will make a statement.

Area boards determine their own tariffs, following consultation with their consumer councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much grant aid has been given to how many projects under the coal boiler conversion scheme for each of the years 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984.

Grants made under the coal firing scheme are normally paid in stages over two years or more. The following table shows the total number of projects accepted for grant-aid under the scheme in each year, and the actual amounts paid out each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of the coal liquefaction project.

The National Coal Board has now begun work on the construction phase of the Point of Ayr coal liquefaction pilot plant. Detailed engineering design is now in progress, and procurement has begun for key plant items. Site work is expected to begin later this year and a main contractor is scheduled to be appointed at about the same time. The pilot plant is expected to be completed in 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has plans to visit the Brazilian trade exhibition or the Brazilian embassy.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so, but I attended the reception given by His Excellency the Brazilian ambassador to mark the opening of the exhibition.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his recent visit to Southern Africa, he met Mr. Sam Nujoma, president of the South West Africa People's Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend did not meet Mr. Nujoma during his recent visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to discuss with the United States Government, United States policy toward South Africa.

We regularly exchange views with the United States on Southern African issues. These may well be discussed during the visit my right hon. and learned Friend is paying to the United States at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will make further representations to the South African Government about the decision of the South African Cabinet to renege on its agent's undertaking to return the South African citizens charged with offences under customs legislation for trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has taken any action to seek to ensure the appearance in court of the four South African citizens charged with offences under customs and excise legislation further to the statement by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) in the House on 23 October.

The South African Government are in no doubt about our views on this matter. We shall continue to remind the South Africans at every opportunity that we expect them to honour the undertaking they gave to the court to ensure the return of the four defendants to stand trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the continuing non-compliance of the South African authorities with their pledge to the British courts that the four South African citizens charged with offences under customs legislation would return to stand trial, has had any effect on United Kingdom bilateral relations with South Africa.

The failure of the South African Government to comply with their undertaking to return the four men inevitably remains an obstacle to better relations with South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of relations with South Africa.

We have full diplomatic relations with South Africa. These are necessary to protect our major interests there and to make known to the South African authorities our views on matters of concern to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government intend to send observers to the UDF treason trial in South Africa.

We are very concerned at the arrest of a number of UDF leaders. Although we do not yet have full details of the trial, we expect to be sending an observer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any representations have been made to the South African Government concerning the trial on charges of high treason of eight South Africans including the six men who sought sanctuary in the British consulate in Durban.

No. As is our normal practice, we shall consider the possibility of representations only when the legal processes have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Namibia following his recent visit to Southern Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will report on the latest negotiations on Namibian independence under United Nations resolution 435.

Discussions are continuing between the United States, Angola and South Africa in an effort to achieve an agreement on Cuban troop withdrawal from Angola which will enable implementation of Security Council resolution 435. During his recent visit to Southern Africa, my right hon. and learned Friend urged other Governments in the region to support these negotiations, which offer the best prospect of progress towards Namibian independence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to attend a meeting of the Contact Group of Namibia; and what subjects he expects to raise.

There are at present no plans for a meeting of the Contact Group on Namibia, but we remain in close touch with our Contact Group partners over developments in the current negotiations towards a Namibia settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy on the re-opening of disarmament negotiations between the United States of American and the Soviet Union.

We welcome United States and Soviet agreement to begin negotiations in Geneva on 12 March on the whole range of space and nuclear arms. We fully share the objective of these negotiations which is to work out effective agreements aimed at preventing an arms race in space and reducing nuclear arms, and at strengthening strategic stability.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's latest assessment of the prospects for the forthcoming United States and Soviet Union disarmament talks in Geneva.

The Geneva talks represent a fresh opportunity for progress in arms control. We hope they will lead to agreement limiting and reducing nuclear weapons in the intermediate and strategic categories. We are also pleased that the talks will cover ways of preventing an arms race in outer space. As President Reagan has said, the negotiations will require patience and perseverance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on international measures against terrorism taken since the economic summit in London.

We have maintained close contacts with our economic summit partners. We played a leading role in concluding the Ten's agreement on terrorism and are playing a full part in the continuing discussions in the Council of Europe. We are working closely with our partners to counter the current terrorist threat to NATO.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to Governments in the middle east concerning the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards international terrorism; and if he will make a statement.

We take every appropriate opportunity to discuss the importance of combating international terrorism with other Governments. I have no doubt that our strong views on the subject are widely known.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has recently notified all diplomatic missions in London of the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding terrorism and, in particular, of the attitude of Her Majesty's Government towards acts of terrorism in the United Kingdom involving groups of foreign nationals.

The text of the statement on international terrorism and the Vienna convention which I made on 18 July to the Foreign Affairs Committee was sent on 15 August to all diplomatic missions.Acts of terrorism in the United Kingdom involving groups of foreign nationals are primarily matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the resumption of diplomatic relations with Guatemala.

Consular relations were broken off unilaterally by Guatemala in 1981. Recently there have been discussions with the Guatemalan Government about a possible resumption of such relations but nothing has yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has plans to meet Terry Waite, the Archbishop of Canterbury's special envoy to discuss recent visits to Libya; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Terry Waite called on me on 11 February. I thanked Mr. Waite on behalf of the Government for the successful completion of his humanitarian mission in securing the release of four British citizens detained in Libya. I have nothing to add to the statement by my right hon. and learned Friend in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks) on 8 February at columns 750–52.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Sri Lanka Government.

We enjoy close and friendly relations as befits fellow members of the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received an invitation recently to visit Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, during the meeting on 30 January, expressed the hope that my right hon. and learned Friend might visit Sri Lanka. However, my right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of British diplomatic representation in Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's ambassador to Costa Rica and the defence and assistant defence attachés resident in Mexico City are accredited to Nicaragua. A first secretary accredited to the ambassador's staff in Costa Rica also resides in Managua as chargé d'affaires ad interim.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any representations have been made to the South African Government concerning human rights violations in Namibia or South Africa since 12 December 1984.

We have consistently condemned human rights violations in Namibia and South Africa and shall continue to do so. Since 12 December 1984 we have expressed concern to the South African Government about the arrest of Ms. Gwen Lister and made public statements about the alleged Koevoet atrocities and Archbishop Hurley's trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in Turkey.

We continue to take suitable opportunities to raise the question of human rights with the Turkish Government. My right hon. and learned Friend did so during his visit to Turkey from 11 to 13 February. They can be in no doubt as to our opinions and the importance we attach to progress in this area being maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the reasons for the abstention by the United Kingdom representative to the United Nations in votes concerning the human rights situation in Chile.

; I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31 January at columns 293–94 to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Iranian regime about human rights in Iran since the revolution; and if he will make a statement.

We have made clear to the Iranian Government on many occasions our concern at violations of human rights. We co-sponsored the United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution on this question in March 1984. In addition, representatives of the European Community in Tehran have made a series of demarches on behalf of the Ten about the human rights situation in Iran, most recently on 2 October 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with Western European governments with a view to bilateral negotiations with individual Warsaw Pact countries.

We keep in close touch with Western European allies and partners on all aspects of the East-West relationship, including relations with individual Warsaw pact states. The discussions during the series of visits to Eastern European capitals by my right hon. and learned Friend will contribute to the East-West dialogue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates his Department has made of the total number of refugees who have fled from Afghanistan as a result of the Soviet invasion of that country.

There are now up to 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, and up to another 1 million in Iran. Those in Pakistan constitute the world's largest single concentration of refugees. Over one fifth of the population of Afghanistan have now fled that country. This is tragic testimony to the immense suffering inflicted by the Soviet invasion and a clear demonstration that the Afghan people reject the Karmal regime.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the recommendations of the document produced by the Transnational Institute, "The Central American Crisis: A European Response"; a copy of which has been sent to him.

We believe that the Contadora process, rather than the selective approach put forward by the Transnational Institute, offers the best basis for a solution to central America's problems. The statement issued on 4 December by the European Council reiterated our strong and continuing support for the Contadora process.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about relations with Libya.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend gave on 8 February, at columns 750–52, to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the commercial work of British embassies and high commissioners abroad.

There has been increased interest and concern following my right hon. and learned Friend's answer of 18 December, at column 137, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) in which he announced the closure of certain diplomatic service posts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, when he next meets his Syrian counterpart, he will seek to ascertain when that country's forces will leave the Lebanon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Syrian Government about their continued presence in the Lebanon; and if he will seek an assurance that they will leave the Lebanon in the same manner as Israeli forces.

We keep in touch with the Syrian Government about regional issues, including Lebanon. We have consistently called for the withdrawal from Lebanon of all foreign forces whose presence is not authorised by the Lebanese Government. I understand that the Lebanese Government of national unity have not called for the departure of Syrian forces from Lebanon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Lebanon, following the recent Israeli withdrawal.

We welcome Israel's withdrawal from the Sidon area, and look forward to the early, complete and orderly withdrawal of all Israeli forces to the international border. We have repeatedly emphasised to all parties the need for agreed and effective security arrangements in areas to be vacated by Israeli forces with full consideration for the safety of civilians, and to ensure the full restoration of Lebanese Government authority throughout the area in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any request either from the Lebanese Government or from the United Nations for either a British troop deployment or British logistical support for a United Nations international force in the Lebanon.

We have received no request for a British troop contribution to UNIFIL or any other United Nations force in Lebanon. We have provided logistic support to UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on East-West relations.

We continue to work, with our allies, for a better relationship between East and West. We welcome the agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union to resume bilateral arms control negotiations. We recognise that it will take time to consider fully the complex issues involved, and that patience and realism will be needed. We hope that meanwhile increased contacts, both between the United States and the Soviet Union, and between other countries of East and West, will lead to a broader understanding on arms control and other problems; and to the mutual confidence that can, over time, provide the basis for lasting progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when is the next meeting of the Council of the Western European Union; and whether he will be present there.

The next meeting of the Western European Union Council will take place in the last week of April in Bonn. My right hon. and learned Friend plans to attend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Ethiopia.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 23 January at column 967.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the extent of Soviet research and development into space weapons.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 29 January at columns 148–49. Soviet efforts in the field of research into space weapons, and in some cases development, are, as in all other areas of military research and development, extensive. The United States strategic defence initiative should be seen in the light of Soviet research into ballistic missile defence. The Soviet Union is alone in deploying an anti-satellite weapon and nuclear-tipped ABM missiles capable of destroying targets in space.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Sudan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present relationship between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Sudan.

We have good relations with Sudan. There is a long and friendly association between our two countries. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development is at present visiting Sudan. We are proud of the contribution we have made to the economic development of that country and regret that this contribution may have been damaged by recent political and economic developments. As friends of Sudan we are doing all we can to help resolve her refugee and drought problems. We hope that the Sudanese authorities will take practical steps to resolve their difficulties peaceably and thus restore stability and prosperity to their country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest developments at the Stockholm confidence building measures conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the progress of the Stockholm conference on security and co-operation in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made at the conference on confidence and security building measures and disarmament in Europe since the speech in Stockhom by the Minister of State, his hon. Friend, the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce) on 13 September 1984.

In December agreement was reached on an agenda and timetable for two working groups. In this session — 29 January to 22 March — participants are circulating working papers on thier tabled proposals and more detailed discussion has begun. We welcome this and look forward to making progress on practical measures which would enhance confidence and thereby diminish the possibility of any future resort to force.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to seek to visit states in Central America.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit Central America in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to seek to implement the objectives of the Venice declaration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on steps being taken to assist in achieving a peace settlement in the middle east.

The Heads of State and Government of the European Community reaffirmed in Dublin in December 1984 their desire to see urgent efforts made to establish peace and stability in the middle east, and their willingness to assist efforts to that end. With our partners we shall continue to do all we can to encourage a negotiated solution on the basis of a balanced approach which safeguards Israel's right to exist within secure and recognised borders and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. But it must be for the parties themselves to take the initiative in peace efforts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are now taking to achieve a comprehensive test ban treaty.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Deakins) on 12 February 1985 at column 142.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to improve relations with the countries of eastern Europe.

We attach importance to the development of relations with the countries of Eastern Europe and we have a regular programme of political consultations. My right hon. and learned Friend had valuable discussions during his recent visits to Romania and Bulgaria and he is looking forward to further useful exchanges when he visits the German Democratic Republic, Czhechoslovakia and Poland from 8 to 13 April. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited Hungary in February 1984, and in March we shall welcome the Hungarian Foreign Minister Mr. Varkonyi to Britain. We also continue to work for closer cultural and commercial relations with the countries of Eastern Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to raise the subject of postal communications between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with the Soviet Foreign Minister.

We have already made clear to the Soviet authorities our concern over several aspects of this subject which we find unsatisfactory. Most recently, the question of Soviet interference with mail from the United Kingdom to individuals in the Soviet Union was raised by our delegation to the universal postal union congress in Hamburg in July 1984. At that meeting the presidency also read out a statement by the Ten calling for an improvement in the Soviet record and clarification of its list of prohibited articles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to hold discussions with his counterpart in New Zealand on policy regarding relations in the South Pacific.

We are in continuing touch with the New Zealand Government on matters of mutual interest. The New Zealand Prime Minister will be visiting the United Kingdom at the end of this month and will call on my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there has been a review of British policy towards South Africa's new constitution since the statement made as an explanation of vote on United Nations Security Council resolution 554.

We continue to regard the new constitution as seriously flawed by the absence of any provision for South Africa's black population. We have been encouraged by President Botha's speech of 25 January and hope that the ideas it outlines will be followed by major reforms affecting South Africa's black majority.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Government on the forthcoming arms negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

We remain in the closest touch with the United States Administration on all such issues. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is having talks with President Reagan in Washington today. My right hon. and learned Friend will be holding separate discussions with Secretary Shultz.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there have been any positive developments at the mutual and balanced force reduction conference at Vienna.

Until there is agreement on the existing levels of Eastern forces, real progress in Vienna towards parity at lower levels of conventional forces in central Europe is not possible. Unfortunately, the East continues to reject all Western efforts to resolve this key issue. We shall, of course, study carefully the East's 14 February proposal. But at first sight it seems to amount to little more than repackaging of part of its 1983 proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart in preparation for the 12 March nuclear arms talks; and if he has yet indicated to the United States Government Her Majesty's Government's view on President Reagan's stategic defence initiative.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang). As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 9 January, at column 441, the strategic defence initiative was discussed during her last meeting with President Reagan on 22 December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Geneva disarmament negotiations on chemical weapons.

The negotiations resumed on 15 January. Although agreement in principle has been reached on a number of less central issues, there has been no significant progress on key problems of verification. We intend to concentrate on these areas in 1985. We trust the Soviet Union will join us in showing the flexibility and determination needed to achieve a total ban.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will extend the territorial limits of the Falkland Islands to 200 miles.

We do not recognise the legality of claims to territorial sea of a breadth of 200 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the Soviet Union in the middle east.

A peaceful solution of the fundamental problem of the middle east, the Arab-Israel dispute, is in the interests of the whole international community. As a member of the Security Council the Soviet Union has an important contribution to make to a negotiated peace settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, following the discussions held by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce), during his recent visit to the Sultanate of Oman, he will make representations to the United States Government regarding peace initiatives in the middle east.

I had useful talks with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 14 January. Our policy is to promote solutions to regional conflicts and the restoration of stability in the middle east. We are ready to support all sensible moves by the parties towards a just and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israel dispute and the Iran-Iraq conflict.We keep in close contact with the United States on the middle east and make our views on this and other matters clear. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend will be discussing the middle east during their current visit to Washington.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other Commonwealth countries on the future of small states.

During the past year my right hon. and learned Friend and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have taken every opportunity presented by visits to Commonwealth countries and the visits of Commonwealth colleagues to the United Kingdom to discuss the special needs of small states. My noble Friend Baroness Young led the United Kingdom delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference last autumn at which this was an agenda item. We look forward to holding further discussions later this year when the Commonwealth Secretary-General presents the results of the special study commissioned by the Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in New Delhi in November 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the work of United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the near east (UNRWA) does irreplaceable humanitarian work in the interests of peace and international stability. We are the second largest contributor to the agency overall since its inception, and our present national contribution of £5 million per annum taken with the European Community contribution of over $20 million per annum, are evidence of our continuing commitment to it.