asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of persons proceeded against as illegal immigrants in each 12 months period ending in September, in each year from 1980 to 1985, inclusive.

Information on persons dealt with as illegal entrants is published quarterly in the Home Office statistical bulletins on the control of immigration statistics. Figures for the periods requested are given in the following table.

Persons against whom action was commenced as illegal entrants
	Number of persons
12 months ending September—
1980	1,509
1981	11,120
1982	11,110
1983	986
1984	903
1985	1,083
(1) Rounded to the nearest 10 as precise figures are not available for the quarters of 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps, following the observation of Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary in his report for 1985, to ensure that the allocation of resources for traffic regulation enforcement takes proper account of the potential and actual consequences of motor vehicles as agencies of death and injury: and if he will make a statement.

HM's inspectors of constabulary already take account of these considerations in the course of their inspections and we are satisfied that chief officers fully appreciate the importance of effective enforcement as a contribution to road safety.

Police force	Authorised Police Establishment	Police strength	Civilian strength1	Total police and civilian manpower1
Dyfed-Powys	934	929	193	1,122
Gwent	978	973	236	1,209
North Wales	1,316	1,268	382	1,650
South Wales	3,109	3,099	956	4,055
Note:
1 Excluding traffic wardens and cadets Including part-time civilian staff on a two for one basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed future use of New Hall prison, Middlestown, Wakefield, and on the implications for the communities in Overton and Middlestown, Wakefield.

Work is in progress to convert the former detention centre at New Hall into a closed prison for females. As a detention centre New Hall functioned as a closed establishment for male young offenders in the 17 to 20-year-old group. We do not see the change of use of New Hall as having any implications for the communities in Overton and Middlestown. If the right hon. Member has any specific concerns which he would like to bring to our notice, I will be pleased to answer them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the percentage of recorded offences cleared up by the police in Wales in 1986, according to offence groups.

The information requested is given in the table.

Clear-up rates1 for notifiable offences recorded by the police 1986, by offence group
Wales	Percentages
Violence against the person	83
Sexual offences	86
Robbery	31
Theft and handling stolen goods	56
Fraud and Forgery	82
Criminal Damage2	30
Other notifiable offences	96
Total notifiable offences 2	40
1 The proportion of notifiable offences cleared up by the police expressed as a percentage of those recorded.
2 Excluding offences of 'other criminal damage' value £20 and under.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the authorised establishment and strength of the police force in Wales in 1986, according to police force areas.

The information as on 31 December 1986 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when Azad Akhtar — reference: TN3/IS/334/3/87— arrived in the United Kingdom; by which British post his visitor's visa was issued; when a telex was sent to the post seeking information about Mr. Akhtar; when the reply to that telex was received; and when a decision was taken on Mr. Akhtar's application to enter the United Kingdom;(2) where Mr. Azad Akhtar has been detained pending a decision on his application to enter the United Kingdom; if he has been informed as to his eligibility to apply for release on bail; and when he was advised of his rights to appeal against any decision to refuse him entry to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Azad Akhtar arrived on 26 March with a visitor's visa issued in Bahrain. Telex inquiries were sent to the post on 27 and 31 March, and replies were received on 30 March and 1 April. He was detained pending further examination in the detention accommodation at Harmondsworth, and was informed as to his eligibility to apply for release on bail. He was refused leave to enter on 2 April following further examination and was then given notice of his right of appeal against that decision. He has been granted temporary admission pending his decision on whether or not he wishes to appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of the latest crime statistics according to the ethnic origins of the offenders.

For many offences recorded by the police the offender is not known. Neither is information on ethnic origin regularly collected centrally for known offenders, apart from those received into prison department establishments. Information available on the ethnic appearance of offenders in the Metropolitan police district between 1977 and 1983 was published in a Home Office statistical bulletin issue 22/84, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to make any changes in citizenship fee levels for 1987–88.

I am pleased to say that citizenship fees for 1987–88 will be held at their present levels. This is a tribute to the staff who, by bringing about improvements in the cost effectiveness of the service, have enabled us to plan on the basis that over the next financial year fees should continue to cover the cost of issuing certificates. I have placed in the Library a copy of the nationality fees budget income and expenditure account for the year ending 31 March 1988.

asked the Prime Minister how many civil servants accompanied her to Moscow; from which Departments they came; and if she will make a statement.

Fifteen civil servants, of whom nine were secretarial and support staff, accompanied me and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to Moscow. Nine were from No. 10, five from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and one from the Central Office of Information.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total capital expenditure over the past five years on developing the coal mining industry; and what proportion of this has taken place in the coalfields of Wales.

Capital expenditure in the coal industry over the past five years has totalled almost £3·3 billion, of which £175 million (at outturn prices) has been invested in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he expects the feasibility study into the proposed Mersey barrage to be completed on time; and if he will make a statement.

The Mersey Barrage Company is making good progress in its work and expects that the feasibility study will be completed on time by the end of 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the total production by the National Coal Board of Welsh anthracite in 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively; and what is the anticipated production in 1987;(2) what tonnages of Welsh anthracite were allocated for disposal to each National Coal Board region in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 respectively;(3) What tonnage of Welsh anthracite was shipped to Northern Ireland in 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively; and what is proposed to be shipped in 1987;(4) what tonnage of Welsh anthracite was exported in 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively; and what exports are planned for 1987.

[pursuant to his reply, 20 March 1987, c. 648]: Total production by British Coal of Welsh anthacite since 1983–84 is as follows:

• 1983–84 — 1,858·8 thousand tonnes
• 1984–85 — 1,044·1 thousand tonnes
• 1985–86 — 2,288·2 thousand tonnes

Figures for 1986–87 and projections for 1987–88 are not available.Information on disposals by British Coal of Welsh anthracite since 1983–84 is as follows:

			Thousand tonnes
Region	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
Scottish	27·2	2·0	39·3
Northern	5·6	1·4	8·9
Yorkshire	29·3	7·3	48·6
Western	75·3	8·3	88·9
Midlands	85·9	7·2	98·6
South Wales	1,022·5	433·2	724·9
West of England	90·3	18·3	102·9
London and South	206·9	14·1	224·7
Total	1,543·0	491·8	1,336·8
Northern Ireland	172·7	7·3	204·6
Exports	503·8	18·2	321·9

Figures for 1986–87 and projections for 1987–88 are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice is given to contracting Departments to ensure that they do not award contracts involving unlimited liability which cannot be covered on the insurance market.

None. As in the private sector, a contractor may be held responsible without limit for costs arising from any default which would otherwise fall on the public purse as a result of his action. This is reflected in the standard conditions used in departmental contracts. In certain cases he may be required to carry specified levels of insurance cover. Otherwise it is a matter for him to decide what insurance he needs and can obtain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the level of investment, capital consumption and net investment each year in manufacturing industry since 1970.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from The Library Association concerning the continuation of zero rating on books and other literature after the harmonisation of value added tax arrangements within the European Community; and what response he has made.

The chief executive of the Library Association wrote to my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts on 9 February. His letter was passed to me for reply. In my letter of 12 March I informed the association that the European Commission has not yet made detailed proposals for the approximation of VAT rates but that, when it does, the proposals will require unanimous agreement. Questions concerning the VAT treatment of books and other literature will therefore remain wholly a matter for national decision and subject to full parliamentary consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give details of all cases in which prosecutions of Customs compounding have taken place in relation to the supply of arms and related material to South Africa since the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 418, 1977;(2) what action has been taken following the discovery by Her Majesty's Customs officials on 27 February 1986, that cargoes on board the MS St Maguire at Felixstowe described as agricultural machinery bound for a company known as M & I Engineers Pty, Pretoria, South Africa, were in fact components of 140 mm howitzers being exported in breach of the United Nations mandatory arms embargo; and if he will make a statement;(3) what action will be taken by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate allegations that the MV Lady Anita exported 140 howitzers from Felixstowe on 28 November 1984 which were destined for South Africa in breach of the United Nations mandatory arms embargo.

I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the estimated receipts in 1986–87 and the forecast receipts in 1987–88 from excise duties on spirits, beer, wine, made wine, cider and perry, respectively; and if he will explain any differences or special factors.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the results of the investigation into Clement Shaw Ltd. in relation to possible breaches of the United Nations mandatory arms embargo; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report his best estimate of the cost of new cars purchased by companies in 1986–87 for their own use, including by their directors and employees, or for the use of other business under lease or contract hire.

I have been asked to reply.I regret that estimates of this nature are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report representative figures showing the current annual cost to companies of providing new cars for the use of directors and higher-paid employees where the beneficiary is entitled to choose his own car within a specified price, but where (i) the car is acquired under a straightforward lease and (ii) the whole cost of putting the car on the road and maintaining it is carried by the supplier under a term-mileage contract; and if he will provide figures for a representative price range of cars within each category of scale charge, and for a Roll-Royce.

I have been asked to reply.I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been disbursed by the Science and Engineering Research Council teaching in companies scheme in each year since the scheme was introduced; how much has been disbursed to (a) individuals and (b) companies in Yorkshire and Humberside in each year since this scheme was introduced; how much is to be disbursed to individuals and companies in Yorkshire and Humberside under the council's latest allocation; what representations about this allocation he has received; and if he will make a statement.

The following table shows the information requested in the first part of the question:

Amount disbursed by SERC on teaching company scheme
£K
Financial Year	Net Expenditure3
1976–77	24·5
1977–78	81·5
1978–79	177·5
1979–80	231·5
1980–81	606·0
1981–82	663·5
1982–83	1,006·0
1983–84	1,600·0
1984–85	2,027·0
1985–86	2,452·5
1986–87	12,760·0
1987–88	2 3,585·0
1 Provisional outturn
2 Estimates
3 The teaching company scheme is jointly funded. Up to 1984–85, it was funded on a 50–50 basis by the SERC and the Department of Trade and Industry. Since 1985–86, the Economic and Social Research Council has contributed an additional £80,000 a year matched by the DTI. The Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development joined the scheme in 1986–87 when it contributed £20,000. Its estimated contribution in 1987–88 is £150,000.

Because of the way in which TCS records are held, disproportionate cost would be involved in extracting figures for a particular region such as Yorkshire and Humberside. No representations about regional allocations have been received.TCS grants are made to education institutes and not to individuals or companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conclusions have been drawn by the Medical Research Council's study of the possible relationship between aluminium saucepans, aluminium rich foods and senile dementia.

I understand the MRC is studying the possible relationship between aluminium in drinking water and the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. No conclusions can be drawn until this study is complete in 1988.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average annual current expenditure allocated by the University Grants Committee (a) on arts students and (b) on engineering students in a university in the last year for which figures are available.

The estimated average net recurrent expenditure by universities per student in the 1984–85 academic year was £3,930 for arts subjects and £6,070 for engineering subjects. The UGC's recurrent grant is, however, allocated on a different basis, as described in its circular letters 22/85 and 6/87, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total expenditure on capital equipment in (a) universities and (b) polytechnics in the last year for which figures are available; what were the corresponding numbers of full-time equivalent students; and what were the corresponding per capita allocations on equipment in the two types of institution.

The following table relates to expenditure on equipment in the financial year 1984–85 by universities and by local authorities in respect of polytechnics. Allocations of funding for equipment are not made on a per capita basis in either sector.

	Expenditure (£m)	Student Numbers1 (000s)	Expenditure per FTE student (£)
	(£m)	(000s)	(£)
Universities2	86·7	303·8	285
Polytechnics3	18·7	170·8	109
1 Full-time equivalent (FTE), academic year 1984–85
2 Great Britain
3 England

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of Broadacres school, Hixon, Staffordshire, in the light of the representations he has received from the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire.

Staffordshire LEA's proposals to reorganise educational provision in Stafford and the surrounding area, including Hixon, are currently before my right hon. Friend and a decision will be announced soon which will take into account all representations received.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards the retention of sixth forms in schools, with particular reference to sixth forms with substantial numbers and a high proportion of young people undertaking two-year courses leading to examinations at the advanced general certificate of education level.

Under the Education Act 1980 local education authorities are free to propose any pattern of school, including sixth form, organisation they may choose. My right hon. Friend considers such proposals on their merits: in doing so he takes account amongst other things of numbers, the range and diversity of the curriculum and the quality of examination results.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1982–83 to 1985–86 inclusive (a) the total of capital allocations made to local education authorities in Greater London, (b) the total of capital expenditure bids submitted by local education authorities in Greater London and (c) the figure (a) expressed as a percentage of the figure (b); and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1982–83 to 1985–86 inclusive

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if extra funds will be made available to farmers to overcome the problems of extra cull cows coming on to the market; and if he will make a statement.

The Commission has the necessary powers to introduce extra support through the management committee if there is undue weakness in the beef market as a result of heavy cow cullings. The budgetary and expenditure forecasts include appropriate provisions for this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will direct the Ordnance Survey to depict on its maps at 1: 25,000 and 1: 50,000 scale all open land to which the public has a right of access.

[pursuant to his replies, 12 March 1987, c. 260–61]: The information requested for the years 1982–83 to 1985–86 for local education authorities within Greater London, metropolitan districts and non-metropolitan authorities as set out in the table.

Ordnance Survey already depicts information on open land where this is available in a suitable form.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if consideration was given to representation at the fourth European conference of frontier regions in the light of invitations to both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

This conference of frontier regions took place in Spain on 23–25 March. Officials from the 21 member states of the Council of Europe with an interest were invited; its aim was to review the problems facing transfrontier co-operation in Europe, to discuss achievements and shortcomings, and to examine prospects for the year 2000. The United Kingdom decided on this occasion not to be represented because as an island the transfrontier problems being discussed were of little relevance. I understand that the Republic of Ireland similarly sent no representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to compensate, or consider compensation claims from, yacht chandlers or other retailers having stock of TBT-based anti-fouling agents purchased before the implementation of the ban on such products.

I have no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints he has received from within London with regard to nuisance caused by urban pests such as bees, foxes, wasps, cockroaches; and how many representations he has so far received, and from whom, in regard to the relevant consultation paper.

A few local authorities, including some in London, have in the past suggested that their current powers were insufficient to control various-species which can cause nuisance in urban areas. We have therefore consulted on possible amendments to the Public Health Acts 1936 and 1961. Of some 290 responses to the Department's consultation document received up to 31 March, some 200, including 180 from beekeepers or organisations representing beekeepers, have commented on these particular proposals. As was made clear in the consultation document itself, we will in due course be placing in the Library of the House copies of all responses where the authors have agreed to this; other responses will be included in any numerical analysis of views received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the relationship between his new planning circular, and circular 15/84.

The draft circular on development involving agricultural land and circular 15/84 are intended to be consistent with each other. The new circular and circular 15/84, as with all circulars containing planning policy, would need to be taken into account in each particular case to the extent that each is material to the decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available in the Vote Office copies of his draft circular "Development Involving Agricultural Land."

Copies of the draft circular have been available in the Vote Office since February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what alterations to the November 1985 Building Regulations have been made following the recommendations contained in paragraph 3.90 of the final report of Mr. Justice Popplewell into safety at sports grounds.(2) what guidance has been issued to local authorities, sporting bodies and other interested organisations regarding the criteria applied by the November 1985 Building Regulations to the construction of sports stands, including the materials which may be used; and if he will make a statement.

I shall answer these questions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the out-of-town retail developments which are currently before his Department for consideration.

[pursuant to his reply,2 April 1987]: The following out-of-town retail developments are currently before the Department as appeals or applications called in for determination by the Secretary of State. The list relates to proposals for development of 20,000 sq m or more outside established shopping centres at 31 March 1987.

Local planning authority	Applicant/Appellant	Gross-floor area (sq-metres)
Northern Region
North Tyneside MBC	Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate Ltd.	35,394
Yorkshire and Humberside
Leeds CC	Leeds University	27,870
Leeds CC	Mountleigh Development Ltd.	46,450
North West Region
Bury MBC	North West Regional Health Authority	23,225
Macclesfield BC	Tesco/Marks and Spencer	25,000
Rochdale MBC	J & J Fee1	74,320
St. Helens MBC	Citygrove Developments Ltd1 Pilkington1 United Co-operative Society Ltd.	30,416
Salford MBC	J & J Fee1	92,900
Stockport MBC	North West Regional Health Authority	23,220
	Spring Park Securities	74,320
Trafford MBC	Manchester Ship Canal Company	92,900
Trafford MBC	Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd/Shell UK1	116,125
West Midlands Region
Solihull MBC	B & Q (Retail) Ltd.	33,400
	Standard Life Assurance Co.	37,160
East Midlands Region
Mansfield DC	Chico Land Ltd.	23,480
Blaby DC	Centre 21 (Penwise Properties)1	64,566
	W. J. Parker Ltd/Everards Ltd./Tiger Brewery1	30,310
Eastern Region
St. Albans City DC/Three Rivers DC	Town and City Properties (Developers) Ltd.	52,000
South Bedfordshire DC	BTR plc/Citygrove developments Ltd.	20,000
South Cambridgeshire DC	Camtech Developments Ltd.	27,870
Thurrock DC	Capital Counties plc/Lakeside trading1	206,800
South West Region
Bristol CC	Bayliss1	46,450
	Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd.	46,450
East Devon DC	EBC	25,700
Exeter CC	M Baker Property Services Ltd.(and alternative scheme)	32,515
Teignbridge DC	Shearwater/Digby Hospital1	58,990
	Cameron hall1	37,067

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish the most recently available information to show the total number of community programme projects and places by type of project and type of sponsor.

The total number of community programme projects and authorised places, by project and sponsor type, are as follows. Table 1 gives information about projects, and table 2 places as at 20 February 1987.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the net jobs loss for (a) all employees, (b) employees in manufacturing and construction (c) employees in manufacturing, (d) employees in engineering and allied industries and (e) employees in metal manufacturing, and the percentage fall, from June 1979 to the latest date for which figures are available for (i) Greater London, (ii) Birmingham, (iii) Liverpool, (iv) Manchester, (v) Newcastle, (vi) Glasgow, (vii) Cardiff, (viii) Bristol, (ix) Coventry, (x) Leicester, (xi) Bradford, (xii) Edinburgh, (xiii) Dundee and (xiv) Swansea.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 March 1987, c.241]: I regret the information is not available as there was no employment census in 1979 or 1980. Between census dates information about employees in employment subdivided by industry is available only for those areas listed in table 1.5 of the Employment Gazette, a copy of which is in the Library. Greater London was added to these areas in 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list, for Sessions 1984–85, 1985–86 and for the current Session to date, the number of (a) ministerial statements, (b) private notice questions, (c) debates on Government motions, (d) debates on Opposition motions, (e) Bills passing all stages (other than Consolidated Fund Bill debates), (f) debates on the Adjournment (other than the half-hour Adjournment), (g) half-hour Adjournment debates, (h) debates on statutory instruments and (i) other debates including debates following proceedings on the Consolidated Fund Bill which required the attendance in the House of Ministers or officials in his Department.

The information requested is as follows:

	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87 to date
(a) Ministerial statements	6	4	6
(b) Private Notice Questions	2	3	—
(c) Debates on Government motions	1	1	—
(d) Debates on Opposition motions	—	1	2

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the costs and penalties involved in any cancellation of Trident; how these can be offset against savings; and if he will make a statement.

In the event of cancellation the costs payable would reflect contractors' properly incurred liabilities at termination. (These costs should be less than the total amount committed, which currently stands at about £3 billion).As Trident will provide the United Kingdom with much the most cost-effective minimum deterrent to succeed Polaris, the risks to our security involved in its cancellation would be very grave indeed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from British industry and trade unions about the role of Trident within the United Kingdom economy.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries about the role of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent.

Britain's NATO partners have welcomed the contribution made to the Alliance's forces by the British nuclear deterrent and have consistently supported our efforts to maintain its effectiveness. The most recent collective expression of this support was contained in the communiqué issued following the October 1986 meeting of the NATO Nuclear Planning Group, a copy of which is in the Library. Subsequently, at his meeting with the Prime Minister at Camp David in November 1986, President Reagan confirmed his full support for the arrangements made to modernise Britain's independent nuclear deterrent with Trident.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the estimated cost of housing of the main units of the directorate general of defence quality assurance of Royal Arsenal unit in accordance with his Department's recommendations;(2) when he expects to complete his appraisal of the possible location for the main units of the directorate general of defence quality assurance;(3) if he will publish the evidence which led his Department to recommend the Royal Arsenal unit as the preferred location for the directorate general of defence quality assurance, together with the list of other locations now being considered.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 January 1987, at column 452. The further appraisal of the future accommodation needs of the directorate general of defence quality assurance is still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff accredited with diplomatic status work in the offices of the British high commission in (a) Australia, (b) India and (c) Canada.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff accredited with diplomatic status work in the United Kingdom offices of (a) the Australian high commission, (b) the Indian high commission and (c) the Canadian high commission.