asked the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received about the effect on attendances of the introduction of admission charges to museums.

In the 12 months to the end of February I received six letters expressing concern about the effect on attendances of charges for admission to the national museums and galleries that I sponsor.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when he last reviewed the policy on prosecution of child sexual abuse cases.

Prosecutions in respect of offences involving the sexual abuse of children are afforded a high priority in Scotland and every effort is made to ensure that proceedings are instituted expeditiously and handled in such a way as to minimise the inevitable traumatic effects upon the children involved. In addition, procurators fiscal are instructed to maintain contact with other agencies concerned with the safety and welfare of the children and, in particular, with the reporter to the children's panel, with whom the fiscal has a close working relationship.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes to take to prevent the spraying of herbicide on part of the Black Mountains site of special scientific interest in the Brecon Beacons national park; and if he will make a statement.

The Nature Conservancy Council has already written to the landowner concerned to remind

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any representations on the new rules for the collection of tax from visiting entertainers and sportsmen; and when he intends to introduce the regulations.

Sixty-one representations have been received. Regulations will be laid before the House as soon as possible in time for them to come into effect on 6 April 1987.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the governing bodies of sport which he has consulted over the draft regulations on the collection of tax from visiting entertainers and sportsmen; and if he intends to meet a delegation from the Institute of Sports Sponsorship to discuss the effects of the proposals.

Representations on the draft regulations have been received from the following sports bodies:

• All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon
• British Equestrian Federation
• British Equestrian Promotions Ltd.
• Central Council of Physical Recreation
• Institute of Sports Sponsorship

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total consumer expenditure on (a) alcohol, (b) tobacco, (c) gambling and (d) video hire for each year since 1970 showing these in actual prices and in constant prices taking 1970 as 100; and if he will also show each figure as a percentage of total consumer expenditure.

The latest estimates of consumers' expenditure on alcohol (including beer), tobacco and gambling (including bingo admissions) are as follows. Constant price estimates are based on 1980 prices and resealed to 1970=100. Separate estimates for video hire are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, at 1980–81 prices, and using the gross domestic product market price deflator, public expenditure on education and science, housing, law and order and protective services in 1978–79 and in 1985–86, showing the percentage differences in each case.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he now expects the European Court of Justice to make its decision on the case presented by the Commission that the United Kingdom should cease to zero rate new house building, gas, electricity, news services and protective clothing for value added tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the oral hearing of the infraction case in which the Commission has challenged certain of the United Kingdom's zero ratings will take place on 15 September 1987. A final judgment is generally given three to four months after the conclusion of an oral hearing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions prior to February 1987 the European Economic Community Commission has demanded to overdraw on the account of member states under article 12(2) of Regulation 2891/77; if he will make a statement on the operation of the sub-article; and whether there is any restriction on the amount of such overdraft facilities which can be demanded from the accounts of member states.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Attorney-General what is the average delay in the payment of Crown court fees to junior counsel briefed by the Crown prosecution service; and if he will make a statement.

Figures are at present not available. However, the target of the Crown prosecution service is to make payment of Crown court fees to junior counsel briefed by the Crown prosecution service within 10 days of the receipt of an agreed invoice; that target is already being achieved in the majority of the areas of the CPS. Ultimately it is expected that payment will be achieved within five days.

asked the Attorney-General how many registrars in the county court have been promoted to high court judge service since 1979; and how many were promoted directly from registrar.

County court registrars are not eligible for appointment as High Court judges and none has been appointed. One registrar of the principal registry of the family division of the High Court has been appointed a High Court judge.

asked the Attorney-General how many registrars there are in England and Wales.

There are 199 county court registrars, 13 registrars of the principal registry of the family division of the High Court and four bankruptcy registrars of the High Court in England and Wales.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement as to the Lord Chancellor's practice in recommending the appointment of registrars and High Court judges.

County court and district registrars are appointed by the Lord Chancellor. High Court judges are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.The Lord Chancellor's practice is outlined in a pamphlet entitled "Judicial Appointments" obtainable from the Lord Chancellor's Department, and which has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. The Lord Chancellor's overriding consideration is the public interest in maintaining the quality of the bench and confidence in its competence and independence. His practice is to appoint to every judicial post the candidate who appears to him to be best qualified to perform its duties regardless of party, sex, religion or ethnic origin. Profession ability, experience, standing and integrity alone are the criteria, with the requirements that the candidate must be physically capable of carrying out the duties of the post, and not disqualified by any personal unsuitability.

asked the Attorney-General (1) what is the total number of briefs given in prosecution cases to Queen's counsel in England and Wales, in each year since 1979 for each circuit;(2) how many Queen's counsel were instructed in prosecution cases more than

I will write to the hon. Member when the information he requests has been collated.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will publish a list of all those prosecution cases handled by his Department naming the Queen's counsel who were instructed in each year since 1979; and what were the results of each case.

Responsibility for the prosecution of criminal cases in which the consent of the Law Officers must, by statute, be obtained lies with the prosecutor. Specific records are not kept of the leading counsel instructed in these cases, and figures could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

asked the Attorney-General what is his practice in the allocation of prosecution briefs to Queen's counsel.

The nomination of counsel for the prosecution of criminal offences, both leading and junior, is now the responsibility of the Crown prosecution service. Leading counsel are briefed in cases of gravity and complexity, either according to a rota system or on the basis of special expertise in a particular area, such as fraud.

asked the Attorney-General with whom he consults in deciding which Queen's counsel are allocated work in the High Court.

In cases where it falls to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to nominate counsel for civil cases in the High Court on behalf of other Government Departments, although the ultimate decision is his alone he takes into account views expressed by the Department seeking a nomination.

asked the Attorney-General if any Queen's counsel have been removed from the list of Queen's counsel available for criminal work for reasons of lack of success in achieving convictions in prosecution cases.

No.

asked the Paymaster General how many skillcentres have been closed down during the past three years; and where they were located.

My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Employment informed the House on 29 November 1984 about the skillcentre training agency's proposals for improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the skillcentre networks and told the House on 21 February 1985 that he was asking the Manpower Services Commission to implement the agency's proposals. In consequence, some 27 skillcentres or skillcentre annexes have been closed down. These were located at :

Bellshill Annexe (Glasgow), Bristol Annexe, Castle Bromwich Skillcentre, Denton Skillcentre (Manchester), Doncaster Skillcentre, Dumbarton Skillcentre, Edinburgh Annexe, Gloucester Annexe, Handsworth Young Persons Training Centre (Birmingham), Hillington Annexe (Glasgow), Hindley Annexe (Greater Manchester), Killingworth Skillcentre (Newcastle), Kirkby in Ashfield Skillcentre, Lambeth Young Persons Training Centre, Liverpool Skillcentre, Llanelli Skillcentre, Long Eaton Skillcentre, Medway Annexe, Middlesbrough Skillcentre, Plymouth Annexe, Queenslie Skillcentre (Glasgow), Redditch Skillcentre, Waddon Skillcentre (Sydenham), Waddon Annexe (Sydenham), West Gwent Skillcentre (Pontllanfraith), West Sussex Annexe (Lancing), Wolverhampton Annexe.

asked the Paymaster General how many unemployed people in the Yorkshire/Humberside region have been invited to restart interviews; of these, how many have found jobs, how many have been placed on the community programme or other schemes; and how many have stopped claiming benefit.

In the period 12 May 1986—January 1987 a total of 97,270 people in Yorkshire and Humberside were invited to restart interviews. We have no means of knowing precisely how many have since found jobs or other opportunities which might lead to employment. However, 75 per cent. of participants agreed to pursue the offer made to them at their restart interview. 16,811 of those invited to interview had ceased to claim benefit as unemployed by 8 January. We do not know how many of these people left the count because of help received under the restart programme since people are constantly leaving unemployment for a variety of reasons.

asked the Paymaster General, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, columns 427–8, if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the number of entrants to YTS schemes in the financial services sector at March 1986 by the standard Department of Employment categories of ethnic origin, and by sex, and (b) the percentages of young people in work three months after leaving YTS schemes in the financial services sector between April 1985 and March 1986, by ethnic origin, and by sex.

The information required on entrants by ethnic origin and sex is not currently available. The information below shows the percentage of young people in work three months after leaving YTS schemes in the financial services sector between April 1985 and March 1986 by (i) ethnic origin and (ii) by sex.(i) Of the 17,273 white young people 66 per cent. were in work three months after leaving YTS. Of the 452 young people of Black/African Caribbean descent 40 per cent. were in work three months after leaving YTS. Of the 457 young people of Indian subcontinent descent 37 per cent. were in work three months after leaving YTS. Of the 316 young people who were either from none of those groupings or preferred not to say, 65 per cent. were in work three months after leaving YTS.(ii) Of the 6,409 males who left YTS schemes in the financial services sector, 62 per cent. were in work three months after leaving YTS. Of the 12,094 females, 66 per cent. were in work three months after leaving YTS.

asked the Paymaster General if, pursuant to the reply given by the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Lee) on 21 January, Official Report, column 568, he will estimate the number of jobs lost indirectly associated with tobacco manufacture since 1979; and what is his estimate of the extent to which such losses are attributable to the import of cheap cigarettes.

Estimates of the number of employees indirectly supported by tobacco manufacture are not available.Employment in the various industries which supply tobacco manufacturers has, in some cases, grown since 1979 and, in others, declined. This performance has partly depended on the ability of those industries to win orders from many markets, of which tobacco manufacture is only one.Direct employment losses in tobacco manufacture since 1979 are the result of numerous factors, principally declining cigarette consumption but also rising productivity in the industry and increased import penetration. It is not possible separately to identify the employment impact of each of these factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures are being undertaken or considered to reduce the numbers of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong; and whether he will make a statement.

We are considering carefully what more can be done to help, in terms both of resettlement and of the search for other practicable solutions to the problem of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong. We shall announce our decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what consideration Her Majesty's Government propose to give, in future discussions with the Chinese Government regarding the legal framework governing the transitional period up to 1997, to the effect of the Colonial Laws Validity Act 1865 on the introduction of democratic institutions in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

Our exchanges with the Chinese Government on Hong Kong are confidential. The legal framework for Hong Kong for the period up to 30 June 1997 must conform with the provisions of the Sino-British joint declaration, under which the British Government will retain full responsibility for the administration of the territory to that date. We are satisfied that the provisions of the Colonial Laws Validity Act will in no way affect the ability of the Government to fulfil all our obligations under the joint declaration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the sale of arms by British manufacturers to the Contra forces in Central America.

Our policy is in line with our consistent support for a political solution to the problems of the region based on the Contadora objectives and our frequently stated view that these problems cannot be resolved by armed force.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what detailed assurances have been given by Mr. Duncan Campbell in respect of the disclosure of sensitive information about project Zircon now that the injunction against Mr. Campbell has been discharged.

Mr. Duncan Campbell gave a binding undertaking to the High Court on 25 February that he would not, whether by himself, his servants or agents or otherwise, publish

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the three accidents at the Sellafield plant during the month of January, he plans any new initiatives to investigate the cumulative effect of Sellafield's discharges to the terrestrial environment; and if he will make a statement.

None of the events at Sellafield during January resulted in a discharge of radioactivity to the environment. An extensive research programme is already in progress to examine the behaviour of radionuclides discharged to the terrestrial environment from Sellafield. Reports on this work are published regularly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the three accidents at the Sellafield nuclear plant during the month of January; what evidence his Department has on plutonium levels in the Cumbrian environment; and if he will make a statement.

I have been informed about two minor events at Sellafield during January 1987 and in the same month the results of an inquiry on the loss of part of a fuel pin were also announced. None of these events resulted in a discharge of radioactivity to the environment.Levels of plutonium and other radionuclides in the vicinity of Sellafield are regularly monitored by BNFL and authorising Departments. The results of the aquatic monitoring programme undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the vicinity of major United Kingdom nuclear installations are published annually in a series of reports entitled "Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles". Data relating to atmospheric discharges in 1986 will be published in mid-1987. A copy of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's Report "Studies of environmental radioactivity in Cumbria. Part 7: A summary of progress to December 1984" was published in April 1985. Copies of these reports have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect of the proposed community charge on the rating of sports clubs and related buildings.

Sports clubs will not be directly affected by the introduction of the community charge. However, like other non domestic properties, under our other proposals for rating reform, they will pay rates at a uniform rate in the pound on up to date rateable values following the revaluation planned for 1990. Non profit making sports clubs will continue to be eligible for rate relief of up to 100 per cent. at the discretion of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the actions taken by his Department since the publication of the COMA report designed to assist in the prevention of coronary heart disease.

The Sports Council sponsored by his Department continues to encourage participation in sports and recreational activities to enhance health and fitness. Also, the voluntary agreement on the sponsorship and related advertising of sporting events has recently been renegotiated with the tobacco industry, as outlined in my hon. Friend the Minister of Sports reply of 19 January to his hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North (Mr. Carlisle).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many publicly owned indoor multi-purpose sports stadiums there are in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) West Germany and (c) France.

The information is not available in this form.The Sports Council collects information only on the number and type of facilities in England as part of its planning process.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in each of the last five years ozone levels monitored in the open air have exceeded those permitted as a maximum in factories.

The interim report of the United Kingdom photochemical oxidants review group, copies of which I have had placed in the Library of the House, analysed the United Kingdom ozone monitoring data available up to 1985. Only during the exceptional summer of 1976 could the occupational exposure limit for ozone be said to have been exceeded at some sites in the south-east. Data for 1986 have yet to be fully verified but it is unlikely that they will change that conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list all planning appeals in the Hertfordshire, West constituency since May 1979 where he has upheld an appeal for planning application relating to land in the green belt.

This information is not available. However, I will write to my hon. Friend if he will let me have details of the planning appeals he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council homes have been provided in each year since 1983; how many he expects to be completed in the current year; and how these numbers compare with the record for 1979.

The number of new dwelling completions for local authorities in 1979 and 1983 to 1985 appear in table 6.1(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1975–1985" and a provisional estimate for 1986 appears in table 3 of this Department's press notice No. 60, issued on 5 February 1987: copies are available in the Library. It is not the practice to make forecasts of housebuilding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he takes any steps in reaching a decision over a planning appeal to inform himself as to whether the recommendation comes to him as a result of a unanimous decision by the local planning authority.

Planning appeals are decided having regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the proposal, and to any other material considerations. Representations by the parties and other interested persons are taken into account so far as they refer to considerations which are material. The unanimity or otherwise of the local planning authority's decision is not relevant to the weight to be attached to the local authority's representations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to enable mobile-home owners to qualify for insulation grants; and if he will make a statement.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will issue direction requiring the London residuary body to transfer Thamesmead to Thames Trust;(2) when he expects the transfer of Thamesmead from the London residuary body to Thamesmead Trust.

I shall answer these questions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require a further consultation of Thamesmead tenants on the final terms of transfer of Thamesmead from the London residuary body to the trust.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will allow Thamesmead Trust to sell properties with vacant possession.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further action he has taken in the light of the report, "Faith in the City", on matters which are the responsibility of his Department, subsequent to the action referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey, 9 December 1986, Official Report, column 95.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assurances he has given Rolls-Royce plc about the future public funding of research and development following the proposed privatisation of the company.

There will be no reduction in Rolls-Royce plc's eligibility for Government funding for research and development following privatisation. Rolls-Royce will have the same eligibility for Government funding as other companies in the private sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the projected number of jobs in the shipbuilding industry from 1987 to 1990.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that cloth made in the People's Republic of China shall not enter the United Kingdom with the word "England" woven in its selvedge.

Section 16 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 prohibits the importation of any goods to which a false or misleading trade description has been applied outside the United Kingdom. This section is enforced by the Customs and Excise and I have drawn this matter to their attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of the consequences for employment of the proposals he is currently considering from the Securities and Investments Board in relation to the future of independent intermediaries.

My right hon. Friend is currently considering the rules and supporting material submitted by the Securities and Investments Board on 10 February. The position of independent intermediaries will be one of the matters to which he will have regard in deciding whether to recommend to Parliament the transfer to the board of powers under the Financial Services Act 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning the proposals he is considering from the Securities and Investments Board in relation to the future of independent intermediaries.

I have received a large number of letters from hon. and right hon. Members and directly from those likely to be affected by the Board's proposals. The comments made will be fully considered in deciding whether to recommend to Parliament the transfer to the Board of powers under the Financial Services Act 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has completed his consideration of the Director General of Fair Trading's report on the patent agents' profession; and if he will make a statement.

The report by the Director General of Fair Trading "Review of Restrictions on the Patent Agents' Profession" was published in September 1986. It recommended that the Government end the exclusive right which patent agents, together with solicitors, have to represent inventors in dealing with the Patent Office, and remove restrictions on the use of the title "patent agent" and on the freedom of patent agents to enter into mixed practices. It also made a number of recommendations relating to the rules of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, which the Government have already endorsed and asked the director general to discuss with the Chartered Institute.Having studied the recommendation for statutory change carefully, and considered representations from the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents and others, the Government have now decided to accept the recommendations concerning the right of representation and mixed practices. It is our intention to include these changes in the legislation implementing the proposals in the White Paper "Intellectual Property and Innovation" (Cmnd. 9712) which will be introduced when the Parliamentary timetable permits. They will, by making it possible for anyone to offer patent agency services, open the profession to greater competition; whilst patent agents will be free to enter into practice with members of other professions to offer a range of protection and exploitation services. We have decided, however, that use of the title "patent agent" should continue to be reserved to qualified patent agents, so as to avoid any risk of the public being misled or the international reputation of the profession being undermined by unrestricted use of the title. This, and the maintenance of a register of patent agents, means that the position of qualified patent agents will continue to be recognised and safeguarded. At the same time, we are, as the director general also recommended, reviewing the present system of register qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial support the Government are offering the Northern Development Company for the activities set out in the company's business plan as presented to him on 6 February.

I have offered the Northern Development Company a total of up to £1,118 million in 1987–88. Of this £908,000 is for the company's inward investment promotion work hitherto carried out by the North of England Development Council. This latter sum represents an increase in excess of the rate for inflation over the provision of 1986–87. The remaining £210,000 meets in full the company's request for support for its wider activities aimed at the regeneration of the region. My Department is providing up to £180,000 of this latter amount and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is contributing £30,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial support he is offering the regional development organisations in England in 1987–88 for inward investment promotion activities.

As I have stated separately today in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) I have offered the Northern Development Company up to £908,000. I shall also make available up to £600,000 to support the approved inward investment promotion programme of the Yorkshire and Humberside development association and up to £320,000 to that of the Devon and Cornwall development bureau, on the understanding in both cases that they continue to co-ordinate such promotional work in their respective regions. In the case on INWARD Ltd, (the regional development organisation for the north-west), on condition that it is also able to carry out this co-ordination role, I am prepared to make available up to £380,000 in support of its approved inward investment promotion programme. I am also making available up to £320,000 to support the approved inward investment promotion programme of the West Midlands industrial development association, provided that it is able to raise the same level of support from contributors within its region.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the inspector's report on the A65 Addingham bypass.

The inspector's report has now been received. We hope to announce a decision in the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions there were in the last five years for which figures are available for impersonation of driving test candidates; and how many resulted in convictions.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he anticipates the works on the M11 at Redbridge roundabout will be completed.

The works involve building a viaduct to carry the new A406 South Woodford to Barking relief road. The present closures and diversions for A12 traffic at the roundabout will finish by the beginning of May. The relief road itself should be fully completed and open to traffic early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport for how long he expects the night-time closures of the M4 between junctions 2 and 3 to last.

The westbound carriageway is involved in this essential maintenance work. Its closure is restricted to the hours of 9.30 pm to 6.30 am to minimise inconvenience to travellers. We hope to have the road fully open again from 13 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how long he expects to be the period between the end of consultation about, and the implementation of, his Department's intention to compel coach operators to fit speed governors; and if he will make a statement.

I shall make the necessary regulations as soon as we have completed consultation with the interested organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will review the operation of driver testing; and if he will make a statement.

I am setting up an internal review of the scope for improvement in the way in which driver testing is carried out. Its purpose is to examine whether and how a better service to customers can be provided and greater efficiency achieved. The review will also consider the possibility of delegation to the private sector and of means to improve the pass rate of candidates. I have no intention of reducing the standard of the test. I expect that any changes the review may propose will maintain the contribution which the driving test makes to road safety, and the public confidence which the present arrangements enjoy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list existing defence lectureships in British universities, polytechnics and colleges of higher education.

The Ministry of Defence currently sponsors a total of five defence lectureships in British academic institutions. These are at the University of Aberdeen; the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; King's College, London; and two posts at the University of Cambridge. A sixth defence lecturer will take up his post at the University of Birmingham on 1 October 1987. Two former defence lecturers, at the University of Lancaster and the University of Leeds, will continue to receive support funds from the Ministry of Defence until the end of the 1986–7 and 1987–88 academic years respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the results of the Compex exercise are available; and if he will make a statement.

Following an initiative by my right hon. Friend the Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) on the scope for competition, and a report by a joint Ministry of Defence/British Shipbuilders working party, COMPEX was set up in 1984 to compare in terms of time in hand, quality and cost the refits in Devonport Dockyard of a Leander class frigate and an Oberon class submarine with those of similar vessels undertaken by private ship repair yards.The refits of the frigates, HMS Euryalus at Tyne Shiprepair Ltd (TSL) and HMS Arethusa at Devonport dockyard, were completed in 1985 and 1986 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what investigations are currently taking place into murders and kidnappings by paramilitary organisations in the 1970s.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what prospects he envisages for the export of electricity to France and other EEC countries from the national grid.

The present cross-Channel electricity link with France was designed for two-way exchanges. The predominant flows are likely to be from France to England; there have been some recent exports. The CEGB concluded agreements with Electricité de France which provide for imports of electricity until 26 March 1988. Arrangements beyond this will be subject to commercial negotiation between the two utilities. There are no plans at present for further links with any EEC countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will place in the Library a copy of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's report of work carried out at the United States Oak Ridge National Laboratories into risk of damage to the core of pressurised water reactors;(2) whether he will ask the British ambassador in Washington to secure from the Library of Congress under freedom of information legislation a copy of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's report of work carried out at the United States Oak Ridge National Laboratories into risk of damage to the core of pressurised water reactors for use by Government Departments in the United Kingdom.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in the Official Report a table showing in terms of 1985 prices the cost to a domestic consumer in 1974, 1979 and 1987 of a unit of electricity and a therm of gas, each computed on the basis of the standing charge for a quarter distributed across 1,000 units of electricity and 125 therms of gas and 25 kilogrammes of coal.

The information is as follows. Changes in tariff levels and structures over the period mean that the figures for each fuel are not directly comparable.

asked the Prime Minister what contacts there have been between the Strathclyde police and press officers of Government departments (a) prior to, (b) during and (c) after the police raid on BBC Glasgow.

So far as my office is concerned, there have been no such contacts.I understand that on 6 February, five days after the police operation, the Scottish Information Office informed Strathclyde police as a matter of routine of the content of two news releases issued on behalf of the Crown Office. On 13 February the Scottish Information Office informed the Police of a third news release.There is no evidence that press officers from any Government Department other than the Scottish Office have been in contact with Strathclyde police at any stage about the action at the BBC.

(Southend East) asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to raise at the next meeting of the European Council the proposals made by Mr. Delors, President of the Commission, on 18 February regarding alternative sources of funding for the European Economic Community; and if she will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 10 February 1987 at column 159.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to make an official visit to Scotland.

I make official visits to Scotland two or three times each year.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give the dates of her forthcoming visit to Moscow; and what matters she intends raising with Mr. Gorbachev.

At the invitation of the Soviet Government, I shall be visiting Moscow from 28 March to 1 April 1987. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 4 March 1987, column 598.

asked the Prime Minister when she last hosted an offical reception at No. 10 Downing street.

I last gave an official reception at No. 10 Downing street on Monday 9 February.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply of 2 March, Official Report, column 463, what procedures will be adopted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his capacity as a Director of the European Investment bank to identify and separate those funds provided by Her Majesty's Government to the bank when he and other directors consider the loan application from the promoters of the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a member of the Board of Governors of the European Investment bank.The bank borrows on the capital markets to finance its project loans. The funds paid by Governments are contributions to the bank's subscribed capital which supports the general operations of the bank and enables it to raise finance on the capital markets. It would not therefore be appropriate to link contributions to subscribed capital with particular projects.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 5 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 5 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 5 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 5 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 5 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 5 March.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today, including one with a delegation from the National Pensioners' Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of local authority spending on the arts in Scotland.

Outturn in the current financial year is expected to be in the order of £60 million. The breakdown is as follows :

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the distribution points in the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow where European Economic Community surplus butter is made available for pensioners to collect; and if he will give the quantity of butter so far distributed in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

In Greenock and Port Glasgow the Salvation Army and Women's Royal Voluntary Service are co-ordinating arrangements for the distribution of free intervention butter to those persons whom the charities consider are eligible, including many pensioners.I understand that there are 10 distribution points:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest available figure for the number of homes started by housing associations and local authorities in Scotland in the year 1986; and what were the comparable figures in 1978.

Figures for 1986 are not yet available. Figures for earlier years, including 1978, are published in the table on page 9 of "Scottish Housing Statistics 1985" which is available in the House Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce plans for the introduction of a scheme of performance related pay for general managers in the National Health Service in Scotland.

The Scottish Home and Health Department issued today a circular describing the arrangements for performance-related pay for NHS general managers. The scheme provides for an annual performance review measured against objectives previously agreed with employing authorities. I have made arrangements for copies of the departmental circular promulgating the scheme to be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have been made to date for the sale or provision for an option on sale of Forestry Commission land at Tilgate forest, near Crawley; what are the terms of such arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The Forestry Commission has entered into negotiations to grant an option to purchase some 35 hectares of its land at Tilgate forest. Any sale under this option would be dependent on planning permission being given for industrial and other purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the existing provision of (a) sheltered housing, (b) amenity housing, (c) sheltered wheelchair housing, (d) wheelchair housing, (e) housing for the ambulant disabled and (f) other specially adapted housing; and if he will give the proportions provided by (i) public authorities, (ii) housing associations and (iii) the private sector, indicating the proportions which are rented housing and which are owner-occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the numbers of dwellings in Scotland which are privately rented, detailing the numbers which are (a) rented with business, (b) rented by virtue of employment, (c) other rented unfurnished and (d) other rented furnished for each of the years 1978 to 1986 inclusive, indicating the percentage of all households which are living in each of these sectors.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: Annual estimates splitting the numbers of privately rented dwellings into the required categories are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details of the type of shortstay accommodation secured for homeless people and the percentage securing permanent accommodation for the years 1984–85 and 1985–86, and if he will provide this in a form similar to table 5 of SDD statistical bulletin HSI U Number 17.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: Details, in the form requested, are no longer available centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen) on 30 July 1984, at column 95.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the average annual rent for registered rents for 1978 and for 1986.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: Information on registered rents for 1986 is not yet available. Figures for 1978 are published in the table on page 37 of "Scottish Housing Statistics 1985" which is available in the House Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average subsidy provided by housing support grant per local authority house for each of the years 1979–80 to 1987–88 inclusive.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information is given in the table :

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The provision of special needs housing, as reported by authorities to the Scottish Development Department. is set out in the table. Other sources of statistical information suggest that the numbers provided by the private sector as thus reported are understated. The information collected by the Department does not identify rented and owner-occupied housing in the private sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the number of new dwellings started in 1986 by (a) local authorities, (b) new towns, (c) the Scottish Special Housing Association, (d) housing associations, (e) Government Departments and (f) the private sector; and if he will break down this information by district within regional sub-totals.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information requested is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details of the numbers of dwellings in Scotland which are (a) rented from a local authority, (b) rented from the Scottish Special Housing Association, and (c) rented from a new town development corporation for each of the years 1978 to 1986 inclusive.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information requested is set out in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the numbers of vacant houses in (a) the private rented sector and (b) the privately owned sector; and if he will break these figures down according to the reasons for vacancy.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The most recent figures on vacancies in the private sector relate to 1981 and were published in Scottish Development Department statistical bulletin—HSIU No. 1 (September 1983) which is available from the House Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide detailed breakdown of local authority housing revenue account income for each of the years 1979–80 to 1986–87 inclusive; and if he will estimate income for 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the percentage of sales of public sector dwellings since 1980 which have been (a) two-apartment dwellings, (b) three-apartment dwellings, (c) four-apartment dwellings, (d) five-apartment dwellings and (e) six or more apartment dwellings; and if he will provide this information for (i) local authorities, (ii) new towns and (iii) the Scottish Special Housing Association.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information requested is set out in the table.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information requested is set out in the table. Estimates for 1987–88 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a detailed breakdown of local authority housing revenue account expenditure for each of the years 1979–80 to 1986–87; and if he will estimate expenditure for 1987–88.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information requested is set out in the table. Estimates for 1987–88 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the percentage of sales of public sector dwellings since 1980 which have been (a) cottage type dwellings, (b) four in a block type dwellings, (c) lowrise flats and (d) highrise flats; if he will express the sales of each type of dwellings as a percentage of the stock of each type of dwelling; and if he will provide this information for (i) local authorities, (ii) new towns and (iii) the Scottish Special Housing Association.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 57]: The information is not available in the form requested. The classification of dwelling type has changed during the period and the figures show the common elements that can be drawn from the series. A corresponding classification of stock is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what steps he takes to ensure that there are sufficient postgraduate management education places in the United Kingdom to meet demand therefor;(2) when he expects to receive the report of the two working parties on management education in the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend is advised by the University Grants Committee in relation to provision for management education in universities and by the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education in