asked the Attorney-General what has been the total cost to date in each of the past three years of legal attempts by Her Majesty's Government to prevent the publication of books and articles on British security services; and which foreign publications have been involved.

Over the last three years, the total cost has been about £315,000. The foreign publications concerned have been a manuscript by Mr. Peter Wright and a book "One Girl's War" by the late Joan Miller.

asked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions for seditious conspiracy there have been since 1957; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Attorney-General what recent meetings he has had with the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement.

My most recent meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions took place on 15 June 1987. Such meetings take place frequently.

asked the Attorney-General what are the costs incurred to date by Her Majesty's Government in the current cases against The Observer and The Guardian newspapers; and if he will estimate the cost of the outstanding appeal.

The total amount of costs expended in the current litigation with The Observer and The Guardian is £120. I cannot usefully estimate the cost of the appeal proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General what consideration he gave to taking legal action to prevent the publication on 25 June of "Break In: Inside the Soviet Delegation" by Bill Graham, published by Bodley Head.

I satisfied myself that the book contains no material whose publication by Mr. Graham would have been in the breach of any duty of confidence owed to the Crown.

asked the Attorney-General what was the average length of time between committal and trial in 1975, 1976, 1979, 1985 and 1986 respectively.

The average waiting time between date of committal from the magistrates court and start of trial in the Crown court in England and Wales was:

	weeks
1975	9·9
1976	11·0
1979	17·6
1985	14·0
1986	14·1

Despite an increase of 66 per cent. in the number of committals for trial to the Crown court since 1979, the above figures show that average waiting times have been reduced from well over 17 weeks to about 14 weeks.

asked the Attorney-General what representations have been received by him concerning current arrangements for trying scheduled offences in the courts in Northern Ireland; what changes have been called for; and if he will list the individuals and organisations concerned.

I have been asked to reply.I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about European Community proposals for food irradiation; and if he has any plans to ensure that treated food is labelled.

The import and sale of irradiated food in this country remains prohibited while the Government consider the advice of their independent committees, including recommendations on labelling, in the report on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods, together with representations on it.The European Commission has not yet issued any formal proposals to harmonise national laws pertaining to irradiated foods in member states. A proposal to amend the EC labelling directive would, if adopted, require the clear labelling of irradiated foods and irradiated ingredients of food marketed in the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give reasons for the reduction in places on the community programmes in Leicester.

The community programme will provide jobs for some 300,000 people in 1987–88, the same number a:3 1986–87. The programme will operate at an average level of 245,000 filled places over the year and will be focused more closely on areas of high unemployment. This has meant some shifts in provision and Leicester now has an average filled place allocation of 2,403 places compared to 2,591 for 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many reductions in community programme places have taken place in Leicestershire; and to which projects they apply.

At 31 March, the number of filled community programme places in Leicester was 1,879. The average level of filled places allocated for 1987–88 financial year is 1,845. Figures on the same basis for agencies and independent sponsors in Leicester are:

Name of agent/sponsor	Filled at 31 March 1987	Allocated filled places 1987–88
Leicester County Council Agency1	410	405
NACRO National Agency	139	148
CTF National Agency1	156	153
Birstall Action Team	26	25
Highfield Rangers	30	28
Leicester Council of Churches	19	18
University of Leicester—Community Health	10	8
University of Leicester—Cultural Heritage	18	12
Age Concern National Agency1	226	222
Leicester City Council Agency	203	188
Leicester and County Chamber of Commerce Agency	398	400
National Elfrida Rathbone National Agency1	66	65
Keep Britain Tidy National Agency	7	9
Leicester Sound (part of Community Service Volunteers National Agency)	9	10
Leicester Diocesan Board1	27	27
Leicester and Rutland Trust for Nature Conservation	27	—
Nirankari Advice Centre	10	10
Leicester Rural Community Council Agency1	78	72
Leicester Association for the Disabled	20	22

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people under the age of 18 years in Leeds, West constituency and Leeds metropolitan district council area will be affected by the proposed legislation to withhold benefit from those who refuse a YTS place.

No decision has yet been taken on the timing or coverage of the Government's proposals affecting supplementary benefit for young people under the age of 18, and it is not possible to give estimates of the numbers who will choose to be unemployed in the Leeds, West or Leeds metropolitan areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to introduce legislation to introduce a minimum wage in line with the Council of Europe's decency threshold; and if he will make a statement.

No. A national minimum wage would raise employers' costs and threaten jobs, including the jobs of those it was designed to help. Moreover, there is no such thing as a Council of Europe threshold for a minimum acceptable level of earnings. None has ever been endorsed either by any member state of the Council of Europe or by the governmental committee on the European Social Charter.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of adults in Leeds, West constituency whose wages are below the Council of Europe's decency threshold recommendations.

There is no such thing as a Council of Europe decency threshold recommendation on a minimum acceptable level of earnings. None has ever been endorsed either by any member state of the Council of Europe or by its governmental committee on the European Social Charter.Estimates of the numbers of employees by level of earnings are not available for individual parliamentary constituencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the extent of the low-pay problem in West-Yorkshire is in breach of the Council of Europe's European social charter.

The European Social Charter does not specify any level of earnings which should be regarded as an acceptable minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of people unemployed in the Leeds, West constituency by sex and who are (a) under 25 years, (b) between 25 years and 35 years, (c) between 35 and 50 years and (d) over 50 years.

The following information is available in the Library.

Unemployed Claimants—Leeds, West parliamentary constituency, 9 April 1987
	Males	Females
Aged under 25	1,212	670
25–34	1,016	379
35–49	864	309
Over 50	760	245

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much money was spent by the Chapeltown task force in Leeds for the year 1986–87; what is estimated expenditure for the current financial year; and how many jobs have been created.

During 1986–87, the task force committed £750,000 of top-up funds to support projects, funded by the public and private sectors, totalling some £2·25 million. These projects include support for

(a) Positive Action for Training in Housing (PATH), a 12-month training scheme aimed at increasing employment opportunities in business and financial services, including housing management;

(b) Jamaica Society Leeds, creating three employment and training programmes in the task force area, including the first employer-led YTS in that area.

(c) Community Enterprise Trust, a large project drawing together the private sector, local community, Government Departments and city council. The project involves the acquisition and refurbishment of two buildings to provide a wide range of employment and training opportunities, including enterprise training and starter units.

(d) A development fund in partnership with the Yorkshire bank, providing small grants and loans to local businesses.

During 1987–88, the task force is working up a number of initiatives which are expected to involve committing some £4·5 million from public and private funds, including around £1·25 million from the task force top-up funds.A principal aim of the task forces is to make it easier for residents in their areas to get jobs. It is not, however, possible to measure total net jobs in the task force areas with any accuracy. Any estimate would not only have to take into account new jobs specifically associated with task force projects, but also jobs associated with business start ups, jobs in firms helped by task force development funds, jobs created in agencies funded by the inner cities initiative and jobs gained by residents as a result of training courses facilitated by the initiative. We have not therefore yet attempted such an overall estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he intends to take arising out of the concern expressed to his Department by representatives of the British generating set manufacturers about grants paid from public sources to a company based in Northern Ireland; and whether he will make a statement.

I am urgently considering the concerns that have been raised and will be writing to my hon. Friend on this matter shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which patients at the Roy Hartley maternity wing of Billinge hospital situated in the Wigan health authority are being required to provide their own nappies; and what steps are being taken to ensure that the previous free supply of nappies is resumed.

I understand that the Wigan health authority was one of the few health authorities without a definite policy on the matter on the provision of disposable nappies to the mothers of newborn babies. In the absence of a policy, nappies were provided for the complete period of stay in hospital.The change of policy means that disposable nappies are provided for the first 24 hours only, after which the parents are required to provide nappies themselves for their child. Cases of hardship are dealt with on an individual basis.This follows a recommendation from the midwifery sections of the English National Board that local arrangements for the supply of nappies be reviewed. The new policy is in line with the policy followed by many health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of difficulties experienced in the Wigan health authority with its existing laundry service, he will provide additional capital funds for the building of a new laundry facility for the health authority; and if he will make a statement.

These are matters for Wigan health authority to consider. The hon. Member may wish to address his inquiries to the chairman of that authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the terms of reference of the Griffiths review on community care; and if he will make a statement on its progress.

Sir Roy Griffiths was asked by the then Secretary of State in December 1986

"To review the way in which public funds are used to support community care policy and to advise me on the options that would improve the use of these funds as a conribution to more effective community care".

Sir Roy was asked to complete the review within 12 months. I understand that Sir Roy is reading, meeting and visiting widely in the course of his review, gathering ideas and views from many quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in the Leeds, West constituency are currently in receipt of (a) supplementary benefit, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) housing benefit, (d) sickness benefit, (e) mobility allowance, and (f) maternity benefit; and how many people have received single payments in the current financial year.

The Leeds, West constituency is covered by two of the Department's local offices at Leeds, West and Leeds, North-West, but their boundaries are not conterminous. The table shows the number of people receiving benefit from those offices on the latest date for which information is available:—

	at 5 May 1987	at 2 June 1987
Supplementary Benefit	*27,739	—
Invalidity and Sickness Benefit	—	5,549
Maternity Benefit	—	379

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people nationally are on waiting lists for medical assessments to enable them to move into suitable homes.

Information about medical assessment of people for residential or nursing home care is not collected centrally. We are not aware of significant delays in admission for this reason.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost to each district health authority in each year since 1982 of meeting the cost of pay awards not fully funded by central Government.

The information requested is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will announce the membership of the Disablement Services Authority.

My predecessor announced (10 March 1987, at column 149) that my right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Holderness, had agreed to serve as chairman of the authority, and that Professor Ian McColl had agreed to serve as vice-chairman. I am delighted to have this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to these two distinguished men for taking on this task.I have appointed seven further members of the authority, and I am grateful to them for accepting the challenging but worthwhile task that lies before the authority over the next few years. They are as follows :

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of his Department with the agriculture and medical research councils.

The ODA finances research of relevance to developing countries in the institutions of the Agricultural Research Council and through the Medical Research Council's tropical medicine research board.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the UNICEF global immunisation programme.

In the last financial year, we gave £5·31 million for immunisation programmes in China, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Botswana. Our total contribution to UNICEF was £13·07 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's aid programme of the conclusions of the United Nation's Brundtland report entitled "Our Common Future—World Commission on Environment and Development", a copy of which has been sent to him.

The Brundtland report confirms our existing strategy, which combines the pursuit of sustainable economic growth with a concern for the environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is giving to help combat AIDS in developing countries.

Subject to parliamentary approval, we will contribute £3 million this year to the World Health Organisation's special programme on AIDS. We will also provide about £1·6 million, over three years, to the International Planned Parenthood Federation to help develop its AIDS work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's estimate of the number of deaths from AIDS in Africa over the next 10 years.

It is impossible to determine the scope of the disease in Africa because it is often under-diagnosed, facilities for testing for the disease are not yet widespread, and systems for reporting AIDS cases are in the early stages of development.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to change the level and range of the British aid programme to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is now the second largest recipient of British aid. In April, we pledged a new £10 million commodity aid grant which will enable us to maintain the overall level of our aid of around £40 million in the current financial year. The programme finances technical co-operation, projects in priority sectors and the supply of essential imports. The level and scope of our aid to all countries, including Bangladesh, is kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much he expects to allocate as aid to India during the next 12 months.

Last financial year we spent £111 million on bilateral aid to India. In addition, we provided over £6 million from the aid and trade provision. It is too early to predict the level of spending for the current financial year. We have, however, encouraged the Indians, most recently at the meeting of the India Consortium earlier this month, to put forward further proposals to strengthen the project pipeline.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to provide further assistance to Uganda.

At a recent World Bank meeting of aid donors to Uganda. we pledged £25 million in balance of payments support over the next two years. This is on grant terms and is linked to the maintenance by Uganda of the economic recovery programme agreed with the IMF.

asked the Secretary of State foiForeign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the choice of candidate for the position of executive director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation when the appointment comes up for election later this year.

I made public the Government's support for the candidature of Mr. Moise Christophe Mensah, during my speech to the Royal Commonwealth Society on 28 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects a contract to he awarded to a United Kingdom shipyard for the construction of a replacement vessel for the St. Helena service.

Tender documents have been issued to a number of shipbuilding firms which are preparing bids for the construction of the vessel. The closing date for receipt of bids is 3 August. A contract will be awarded by the St. Helena Government as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to relieve the situation in Mozambique.

We have committed nearly £14 million in emergency aid for Mozambique so far this year, including a pledge of up to 30,000 tonnes of cereals. In addition our share of emergency and food aid provided by the European Community this year amounts to nearly £3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British aid to Mozambique.

Our aid programme to Mozambique has increased substantially in recent years. We have committed nearly £34 million in capital aid and emergency assistance in 1987. Our aid also includes technical cooperation and training programmes; Mozambique additionally benefits from our assistance to projects sponsored by the Southern Africa development coordination conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what terms the Commonwealth Development Corporation receives loans from the aid programme.

It has been decided that from 1987–88, loans to the corporation from the aid programme should be at 3·5 per cent. interest and repayable over 25 years with a seven year grace period.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have for future assistance to Pakistan.

We have a substantial and growing aid programme to Pakistan, concentrated in sectors to which the Government of Pakistan attach high priority.In April I had discussions in London with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Mohammad Khan Junejo, and we agreed that the future programme would focus on irrigation and land drainage, agricultural development, power supply, primary health care (including population, welfare and water supply and sanitation) and education. Particular efforts will be made to direct assistance to benefit the rural poor.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the aid Britain is planning to provide to Indonesia.

Allocations totalling £21 million have been agreed for two projects for financing from the 1986 £140 million concessional loan to Indonesia. It is intended that the blance of £119 million will be allocated over the coming year to a number of projects which are already under negotiation. In addition, expenditure on technical co-operation, financial aid and debt relief is expected to exceed £10 million in the present financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of the aid Her Majesty's Government gave to Afghanistan between 1985 and 1987.

We have no bilateral aid programme to Afghanistan, though we provide humanitarian assistance for Afghan refugees, mainly through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and British and international voluntary agencies. The amounts provided for Afghan refugees in Pakistan in 1985–86 and 1986–87 were £4·47 million and £4·8 million respectively, and to Afghan refugees in Iran £0·1 million and £0·2 million. The British share of European Community aid to Afghan refugees was estimated at £1·11 million in 1985 and £2·49 millions in 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in establishing an international trust fund to provide Tuvalu with revenue to meet its recurrent expenditure.

An agreement to establish the trust fund was signed in Suva on 16 June by representatives of the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu and the United Kingdom. A copy was laid before the House on 25 June. After ratification, we intend to make a contribution to the fund of 8·5 million Australian dollars, approximately £3·86 million at current rates of exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has any target date for increasing United Kingdom overseas aid to match United Nations guidelines as a percentage of gross domestic product.

The Government accept in principle the UN target of 0·7 per cent of GNP for official development assistance but are not committed to a timetable for achieving it. We have achieved the UN target of 1 per cent. for official and private flows combined in evey year since 1979, except 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the amounts of net official development assistance, and net official and private flows combined, that the United Kingdom provided to developing countries in 1986, as a percentage of gross national product.

In 1986, Britain provided net official development assistance equivalent to 0·32 per cent. of GNP. For net official and private flows combined the provisional estimate is 1·34 per cent. of GNP.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner as to how many police officers were on duty inside the Wembley conference centre on 7 June; what was the total cost involved; and who was responsible for the costs.

I understand from the Commissioner that none of the 111 officers assigned to duties in connection with this event was deployed inside the Wembley conference centre.

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 how many police officers were involved in security operations surrounding the Prime Minister's visit to the Wembley conference centre on 7 June; how much the operation cost; what was the contribution made by the Conservative party; and how many people were arrested.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 111 police officers were assigned to duties in connection with the Prime Minister's visit to the Wembley conference centre. The additional cost to the Metropolitan Police was about £2,000. As is always the case with such operations, no charge was made to the organisers of the event. No arrests were made arising directly from the event.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the search of the house in Cheltenham of Mr. Alex Lawrie of GCHQ; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis will, when his inquiries are complete, report to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government have any plans to impose a legal duty upon owners of amusement arcades to prohibit persons under the age of 16 years from entering.

We have begun a research project examining the extent of the use which young people make of amusement machines in arcades and other places, whether there are signs that they become addicted to playing the machines found there and whether there is evidence of machines leading to anti-social behaviour or criminal behaviour. It is hoped that this and other research, will be completed by early next year. We will then take a view on whether there should be a change in the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many years clear-up rates for crime have been centrally collected; and if he will give the figures for the national clear-up rate for each year for which figures are available up to 1986.

Clear-up rates have been published in the Command Paper "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1950" and in the corresponding volumes for subsequent years up to 1985. The 1950 volume included figures for 1938, 1948, and 1949, and the 1986 figure is published in a Home Office statistical bulletin issue number 4/87 (table 5).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures for the proportion of offenders convicted of indictable offences who were sentenced to immediate custody for each year since 1957.

Information for 1975 to 1985 is published in "Criminal Statistics; England and Wales, 1985" (Cm. 10) at table 7.4. Information for years prior to 1975 is as follows. Statistics for 1986 are not yet available.

Percentage of offenders sentenced for indictable offences at all courts given immediate custody
England and Wales 1957–74
Year	Percentage sentenced to immediate custody
1957	17·3
1958	17·3

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of offenders convicted of indictable offences received community service orders, probation orders and fines, respectively, in 1986.

Information for 1985 and earlier years is published in "Criminal Statistics; England and Wales, 1985" (Cm. 10) at table 7.4. Statistics for 1986 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional new prisons were announced between April 1986 and March 1987.

Four additional new prisons were announced between April 1986 and March 1987. Under the prison building programme, three prisons have been completed and 17 are under construction or at the design stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute an inquiry into the incidence of senior police officers seeking appointments, prior to their retirement, to the board of, or as consultants to, Control Risks, a firm specialising in kidnap insurance, with a view to establishing whether this practice is in the public interest.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prohibit serving or retired police officers from taking up appointments to the board of, or as consultants to, commercial organisations specialising in kidnap insurance; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on staff shortages at the passport office in Glasgow in relation to delays in passport applications.

Delays in dealing with passport applications at the Glasgow passport office have been caused by industrial action rather than staff shortages. There are 108 staff in post, 25 above the normal permanent complement and seven more than the number in post at the end of June last year (temporary staff are recruited each year to deal with the seasonal rise in demand). Since 15 April this year, 393 man days have been lost at the Glasgow passport office through strike action over Civil Service pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to implement the commitment to environmental research, with particular reference to freshwater biology, expressed in their response to the World Conservation Strategy report, contained in the document, "Conservation and Development — The British Approach"; and if he will make a statement.

The Natural Environment Research Council has responsibility for planning, encouraging and carrying out research on the natural environment. It is funded by my Department through grant in aid from the science budget, and by other Departments and other customers for specific pieces of work. Within the resources available to it, the council has to determine the allocation to freshwater biology and other priority areas. The council's plans for research in the area of conservation are given in section 4D of its 1987 corporate plan, copies of which are in the Library. Paragraph 4.31 concerns freshwater studies, but such studies are also included in other aspects of the council's work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what priority Her Majesty's Government attach within their overall research programme to research into freshwater biology, with particular reference to river management, pollution assessment and nature conservation; how this priority is reflected in the current and projected level of funding from Government sources for this area of research; what representations he has received about the level of funding; and if he will make a statement.

Research into freshwater biology, with other environmental issues, is among a range of priority areas funded from within the resources available. Forty letters on this matter have been received from right hon. and hon. Members and a further 50 from members of the Freshwater Biological Association, the staff of its laboratories and the general public.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidelines he has issued to local authorities about the use, before they consider any applicant for a teaching post, of police vetting and of the disclosure in writing of any criminal convictions, bind-over orders or cautions.

In July 1986, a circular was issued jointly by the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Welsh Office and the Department of Education and Science on "Protection of Children: Disclosure of Criminal Background of those with access to Children". It gave guidance to local authorities on new procedures for checking with local police forces the possible criminal background of those who apply or move to work with children. The circular was only issued after wide consultation with bodies representing local authorities, unions, parents, voluntary organisations and educational institutions. A copy was placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the proposed closure of the only nursery school in Halifax; and if he will make a statement.

None. I understand from Calderdale local education authority that proposals for the future of the Ling Bob nursery school are currently being discussed at local level.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining what plans he has for the replacement of Waterside general hospital in Derry.

The Western health and social services board has set in hand initial preparatory work on a scheme for the replacement of Waterside hospital. This proposal will enable the board to carry out the recommendation of the Northern Ireland Hospital Advisory Service and to replace entirely unsatisfactory accommodation for geriatric patients. An investment appraisal will be required, and when this is completed, a scheme, which is expected to cost about £2·5 million, will be admitted to the capital development programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining what plans the Government have regarding the improvement of provision at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry.

The Western health and social services board has submitted outline proposals for a range of improvements at Altnagelvin hospital. These proposals, which are estimated to cost about £5 million, will facilitate the board's strategy for the development of acute hospital services in its area. The board has already set in hand initial planning work and the preparation of an investment appraisal which is required for schemes of this size. Subject to a satisfactory outcome to this exercise, the scheme will be admitted to the capital development programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds he has given to Shorts of Belfast in relation to the development of surface-to-air missiles.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will place in the Library minutes of the proceedings of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and papers prepared by its secretariat;(2) what views and proposals have been put forward within the Anglo-Irish Agreement by the Government of the Republic since 15 November 1985; and what has been the response of Her Majesty's Government to these proposals;(3) on how many occasions since 15 November 1985 the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference has met; what were the dates and locations of such meetings; and from what Department's Ministers and officials attending such meetings came.

There have been 10 full ministerial meetings of the conference, and two more of which I and the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Ireland were cochairmen. Joint statements, issued after each meeting, and placed in the Library, set out details of their dates and locations, those who attended, and the subjects discussed.As is customary with communications between Governments, it has not been our practice to make public further details of the discussions, or of papers passed through the secretariat, but I am of course willing to discuss all issues of Government policy with the elected representatives of any of the constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland, including those that have been discussed at the Intergovernmental Conference, or are identified in a joint statement as being for discussion at a future meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost so far to public funds of the secretariat of the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental Conference; how many civil servants are employed there; what functions they perform; and on which Vote this expenditure falls.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what ways the Anglo-Irish Agreement has contributed to peace, stability and reconciliation in Northern Ireland since 15 November 1985.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland in the last three years for which figures are available have been imprisoned for not paying a fine imposed by a court for failure to display a road fund licence; and what information he has as to how many such fines are outstanding at present.

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

asked the Prime Minister (1) what machinery exists to monitor the efficacy of end-users' certificates in relation to the export of Blowpipe missiles to Afghanistan;(2) if she will specify the circumstances in which Her Majesty's Government insist on the inclusion of transfer clauses in arms sales agreements with United States governmental agencies or citizens; and if she will list each such occasion since 1 January 1985 and the weapon system involved in each case;(3) if she will list each country or person in respect of which Her Majesty's Government have authorised the supply of Blowpipe surface-to-air missiles, if she will specify the steps taken in each case to ensure that the missiles did not fall into unauthorised hands; and what information she has as to whether any Blowpipe missiles have been passed on by their authorised recipients in breach of the relevant end-user certificates.

It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to comment on matters of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister what information Her Majesty's Government have about the use of Blowpipe missiles in Nicaragua and as to the sources, direct or indirect of those weapons.

I am advised that there is no evidence of the presence or use of Blowpipe missiles in Nicaragua. The United States Government have assured us that there are no Blowpipe missiles in Contra hands and that they have no intention to supply them.

asked the Prime Minister if she will now make a statement on progress of Her Majesty's Government's case in the Australian courts in relation to Peter Wright's memoirs.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick ) by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 29 June 1987.

asked the Prime Minister if she will now refer to the Security Commission the cases of Mr. Colin Wallace and Mr. Fred Holroyd, the circumstances of their resignations from Crown Service, and any payments made to them then or subsequently by the Government.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will establish an inquiry into the circumstances of the publication of information on the Zircon satellite and the search of the BBC premises in Glasgow in February.

I am advised that the police investigation which started in January is continuing, and the matter is being considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions. I have no plans for any inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from the Liverpool community health council concerning errors made by the Liverpool area health authority on cervical cancer smear tests; what reply she has sent; and if she will make a statement.

To date, I have received no representations on this matter from either of the two Liverpool community health councils.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals she has to give Her Majesty's Government's support to the European Economic Community scientific research programme for the next five years.

The United Kingdom is considering this matter and has not yet replied to the presidency's request for agreement to the European Community's framework programme for research and development for 1987–1991.

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report, the letter to her from the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 12 April concerning her role in the affair of the Law Officer's letter in relation to Westland plc, together with her acknowledgment in reply; why the hon. Member has not yet received a substantive reply; and if she will make a statement.

The hon. Gentleman wrote to me about the question he had tabled for oral answer on 30 April 1987. In my reply to his supplementary question I said that I had nothing to add to the many, many answers on that matter that I had given in statements and in replies to questions. That remains the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the collaboration between the United States of America and Her Majesty's Government in sending surface-to-air missiles to Afghanistan.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy on disposal sites for decommissioned nuclear submarine reactors.

No decisions have been taken about the disposal of reactor compartments from decommissioned nuclear submarines. If it were necessary to develop a site for their disposal, the House would be informed. Normal planning procedures would apply to a proposal for such a development.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken regarding the incident at Alconbury air base on 20 August 1986 involving Mr. John Bugg and the Ministry of Defence police concerning rights of way at Alconbury.

My Department has no knowledge of any incident taking place at RAF Alconbury on 20 August 1986. If the hon. Member would care to write to me giving further information, I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has issued to local authorities in Scotland about the use, before they consider any applicant for a teaching post, of police vetting and of the disclosure in writing of any criminal convictions, bind-overs and cautions.

None. Separate circulars will be issued shortly to social work and education authorities and to health boards setting out new procedures which it is hoped will be introduced early in 1988 to apply to all prospective employees who have substantial access to children. In the case of teachers, it will be for the General Teaching Council for Scotland to consider previous convictions when determining fitness to teach before admission to its register of teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long repair work has been in progress at the Ballachulish bridge; whether this work was necessitated by a mistake in the original construction; how long the work will take; what it will cost; and if he will make a statement.

The work to which the hon. Member refers is routine maintenance involving the treatment and repainting of the steel members above the bridge deck : it has not been necessitated by any defect in the original construction of the bridge. The work started last June; was suspended in December because of adverse weather conditions; recommenced around the end of March; and is now on the point of completion. The estimated cost of the work is £250,000. It is intended to repaint the steel beams below the bridge deck next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Highlands and Islands Development Board has spent on the breeding of halibut; what is his policy in promoting the fish farming of halibut; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1980–81 the HIDB has contributed £197,000 towards research into the cultivation of halibut. The Government have encouraged this research, which is mainly being done by the Sea Fish Industry Authority. Recent results are promising and it is hoped that within a few years a pilot project will be ready for commercial assessment.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what response his Department has made to EEC proposals relating to policy on fares in the EEC.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the EEC Transport Commissioner on policy towards fares in the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the European Economic Community Transport Commissioner on policy towards fares within the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the European Economic Community Transport Commissioner on policy towards fares within the European Economic Community.

Carlile asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards liberalising European air fares.

At last week's Transport Council, there was unanimous agreement to a package of measures, including fares liberalisation. Regrettably, however, adoption of the measures is being held up by Spanish refusal to accept the inclusion of Gibraltar. The presidency is making strenuous efforts to find ways of getting the package adopted and we are co-operating fully with them. A further Transport Council is planned for tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what advice on fare levels has been issued by his Department to public industries.

Responsibility for determining fares lies with individual transport industries. Guidance was provided to British Rail and London Regional Transport in the published objectives we have set the chairmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on representations he has received from Oxfordshire county council concerning road markings at trunk road box junctions.

None on the national criteria.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to report on the latest stage of the east London road assessment studies.

We are currently considering the comments on the draft terms of reference for the second stage of the four London assessment studies. I hope to announce the final terms next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the harmonisation of lorry weights throughout the European Economic Community.

The United Kingdom has won a derogation from the EC directives which set overall and axle weight limits for five and six-axle lorries. So we can maintain our present weight limits. The Community has not adopted weight limits for smaller lorries. No proposals to do so are under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards fare levels on the railways.

It is the hoard's responsibility to determine fares. In Network SouthEast we have asked it to take greater account of the costs of provision and improvements in quality.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the rail link to Manchester airport.

Applications from the passenger transport authority for Government and EEC grants towards the cost of the link are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation requiring compulsory wearing of rear seat belts.

Not at present. All new cars registered from 1 April this year must be fitted with rear seat belts and/or child restraints. Our aim is to increase the voluntary use of restraints and voluntary fitting in cars which do not already have them. We will continue to press home the message that the use of seat belts saves lives.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Essex Federation of Taxis regarding disabled access taxis.

I am not aware of any representations from the federation on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for improved road links between England and Scotland.

It is the Government's intention to upgrade the A74 between the M6 and the M74 to motorway standard. This is primarily a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland with whom I maintain close co-ordination on the need for road improvements on routes between our countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of British Rail concerning the future of the Severn tunnel junction.

None. This is a matter of management for British Rail.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many people will be employed on the construction of the Dartford bridge.

The new bridge between Thurrock and Dartford will generate about 5,000 man years work. Over half the work will be in steel and steel fabrication jobs in Scotland and the north-east. The Bill to authorise construction was reintroduced on Friday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will estimate the cost of building a northbound interchange on the A1(M) to link with the Darlington bypass to the south of Darlington.

No schemes have been investigated for the provision of a northbound interchange to the south of Darlington and no estimate of cost is available. An interchange would be costly and would include a large structure to cross the existing motorway

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the net cost to British Rail of the rationalisation of clerical and administrative staff.

The details of such schemes are a management matter for the British Railways Board. Bui: I understand that they are designed to reduce net costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made towards the construction of the Berkhamsted-Hemel Hempstead-Kings Langley (A41) bypass.

We have made good progress and expect to publish the remaining orders shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next intends to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss proposed electrification schemes.

My right hon. Friend will be meeting the chairman of British Rail on 1 July, He will be happy to discuss any new proposals the chairman may wish to raise.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has in hand to improve road safety.

Safer travel is a key objective of the Department's activities. This is reflected in the wide range of matters covered in the roads White Paper last April. Looking to the future, we have just completed a review of road safety with a view to directing available resources towards the most effective possible measures—existing and potential, national and local — for the reduction of casualties. Road safety must be everybody's concern. An immediate target for action is the drinking driver. I gave details of the Department's latest campaign on drinking and driving to the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Clyde Port Authority regarding the proposed closure of the Greenock container terminal.

The authority has kept my officials informed of impending developments and has discussed with them and with officials of the Department of Employment, Government grant towards severance payments to registered dock workers. My noble Friend the Lord Brabazon of Tara has corresponded with the chairman of the authority, at the hon. Member's request, about the authority's decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations his Department has received from (a) Theydon Bois and (b) elsewhere in the Epping Forest constituency regarding additional measures against the annoyance of motorway noise and lighting.

The most recent representation we received about motorway disturbance in the Epping Forest constituency, is the one my hon. Friend made in a letter dated 21 April to me enclosing correspondence from the Epping Forest M11/M25 Impact Group. I replied on 15 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of London Regional Transport; and what matters were discussed.

My right hon. Friend expects to meet Sir Keith Bright on 3 July to discuss a range of matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans further to reduce evasion of motor vehicle licence duty; and if he will make a statement.