To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much investment has been made in Northern Ireland by American-controlled companies in each of the past five years; and to what extent these investments have been made as a result of the support made available from United States public funds.

The table shows the investment made in Northern Ireland by American-controlled companies in each of the past five financial years. Two of these investments involved support from United States public funds.

Year	Total investment (£,000)	No. of investments
1986–87	40,335	6
1987–88	21,541	5
1988–89	103,933	8
1989–90	212,674	12
1990–91	74,659	7

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since the introduction of privatisation into services provided for the Eastern health and social services board, what proportion of financial savings have been allocated to actual patient care and improvement of medical services.

The health and personal social services in Northern Ireland have not been subject to a privatisation policy. There is, however, a requirement on health and social services boards to test the efficiency of their domestic, catering and laundry services through competitive tendering. All financial savings arising from competitive tendering contribute to the overall resources available to each unit of management to deliver its operational plan, the emphasis of which is actual patient care and improvement of medical services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on the Stevens inquiry to date; and which Department is meeting the cost.

I understand that, up to 3 July, the cost of the Stevens inquiry has been £868,480. As is normal for such inquiries, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland is meeting the cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were arrested as a result of the Stevens inquiry; how many have been charged; how many have been brought to trial; how many of those tried have been found guilty; how many have been released from custody and of them how many are on bail; and how many are still in custody.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will now seek to have made available to his Department copies of the environmental audits carried out by companies in Northern Ireland which produce (a) toxic and (b) hazardous and special wastes.

Where such audits are carried out by companies in Northern Ireland, it is the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland's intention to seek to have copies made available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 17 July, Official Report, column 212, on information on environmental impact assessments, if he has obtained copies of the published information referred to for his departmental library.

Copies of the published information referred to are not held in the departmental library; they are held by the environment service where they are readily available to officials who may require access to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East, Official Report, 17 July, column 212–13, what steps were taken by the councils through whose areas the hazardous waste referred to passed to ensure that it is being transported in accordance with current regulations.

The transport of hazardous waste by road in Northern Ireland is subject to the provisions of regulations for which the enforcing authority is the Department of Economic Development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East, Official Report, 17 July, column 212, if he will list the types of hazardous waste imported into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic in 1988–89 and 1989–90; by what means it was disposed of; and whether those council areas through which it passed monitored its passage within their areas, and its disposal.

The information requested is given in the table. In most cases, the substances are chemically treated and sludge wastes which arise as a result of this treatment are landfilled under the close supervision of the relevant district councils. The passage through a district council area is not monitored by district councils.

Substances	Method of disposal
Acqueous solution/Suspension of low level pesticides (plant washings).	Treated in plant for disposal to landfill in Northern Ireland.
Ammonia corrosive liquid.	Treated with sulphuric acid in plant.

Substances	Method of disposal
Empty plastic containers of Escadulent material containing Esthyl methacrylate, Hydroxypropyl, Polyurethane, Iscoynate, Acrylic acid.	Repacked and sent to England for treatment and disposal.
Cupid acid.	Sent to England for re-cycling.
Printed circuit board effluent sludge.	Treated in plant and precipitate sent for disposal to landfill in Northern Ireland.
Mercury contaminated waste.	Treated in plant—Mercury extracted for re-use.
Copper hydroxide.	Sent to England for re-cycling.
Chlorinated solvents.	Sent to England for re-cycling.
Non-chlorinated solvents.	Sent to England for re-cycling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will outline the consideration given by any Government Department in Northern Ireland to the EC draft directive on the incineration of hazardous wastes and indicate what consultations there have been between Government officials and the European Commission on the implications of such a directive for any proposals for a hazardous waste incinerator in Northern Ireland.

Proposals for a directive on the incineration of hazardous waste have yet to be placed before the European Council, although it is understood that a submission will be made shortly.Officials in the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland have been kept informed of the details of discussions on the draft directive. Any proposals for a hazardous waste incinerator in Northern Ireland would have to comply fully with emission standards and controls set out in any such new directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any Northern Ireland Government Department has been briefed or sought information on the study by the small area health statistics unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on possible links between pollution from waste incinerators and ill health in the community.

The Department of Health and Social Services is represented on the steering committee which oversees the work of the small area health statistics unit. It is therefore aware of all studies being undertaken by the unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that the slag to be produced by the proposed incinerator at Maydown, Londonderry, will be harmless to the environment.

Details of the slag to be produced by the proposed incinerator and proper safeguards for the handling of such material will become available only if and when Du Pont (UK) Ltd. submits a planning application and accompanying environmental statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what types of (a) toxic, (b) hazardous and (c) other special wastes the proposed incinerator at Londonderry will burn; and what is the temperature needed and for what periods to destroy each of those wastes.

The specific types of waste which will comprise the feedstock material for the proposed incinerator and the design details of the plant capable of safely handling such waste will have to be contained in any environmental impact assessment. The requirements set by the Government will ensure the degree of burn-out achieved at any such incinerator will be sufficient properly to destroy all material for which the plant is designed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East, of 17 July, Official Report, column 210, on the expected lifetime of the Maydown incinerator, what is his estimate of the amount of waste which could be burnt in the incinerator over its lifetime.

Until the company submits details of the intended plant capacity that may be proposed for any incinerator, it is not possible to estimate the total quantity of material which might be burnt at any such incinerator over its lifetime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the IDB or the Department of Economic Development have any plans to provide funding for the Du Pont company's proposed hazardous waste incinerator; and what discussions they have had with the company about possible funding for such a project.

The company has approached the Industrial Development Board about possible financial assistance for its proposed hazardous waste incinerator. Negotiations have not yet been concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the sums of public money expended in (1) Strabane area, (2) Ballycastle area and (3) the rest of Northern Ireland after the floods of 1987 and last year; how many persons received such sums and for what purposes; for Department of Health and Social Security payments what sums were paid in (a) grants and (b) loans and how much of the loans have been repaid to the latest available date; and whether there are any differences in Government action in the different situations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has concluded his consideration of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights' recommendation that racial discrimination be made unlawful in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

The recommendation that racial discrimination be made unlawful in Northern Ireland was contained in the SACHR second report on religious and political discrimination in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State wrote to the chairman of SACHR on 23 July proposing a meeting between officials and the commission to discuss the Government's response to this and a number of other recommendations contained in the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the category B expenditure grants paid to each of the voluntary grammar schools and their numbers of fee paying and non-fee paying pupils for each school year since 1988.

The information is as follows:

	1988–89 school year
School	Category B grants paid £	Fee paying pupils	Non-fee paying pupils
Armagh Royal	243,713	43	458
Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar	293,463	51	669
Ballymena Academy	405,227	18	1,113
Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar	282,040	2	912
Ballymoney, Dalriada	294,737	15	771
Ballynahinch Assumption	248,335	9	691
Bangor Grammar	314,472	36	865
Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate	179,891	22	520
Belfast, Campbell College	440,606	106	478
Belfast, Christian Brothers	426,443	34	1,096
Belfast, Dominican College	275,287	14	782
Belfast High School	272,463	12	730
Belfast, Hunterhouse College	212,320	129	560
Belfast, Methodist College	773,910	138	1.458
Belfast, Our Lady and St. Patrick's	361,991	12	904
Belfast, Royal Academical Institution	489,258	45	858
Belfast, Royal Academy	636,237	46	1,250
Belfast, St. Dominic's High School	349,958	15	900
Belfast, St. Malachy's College	392,487	11	911
Belfast, Strathearn	219,177	6	598
Belfast, Victoria College	262,184	65	600
Coleraine Academical Institution	366,046	134	834
Coleraine, Loreto College	248,859	10	697
Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar	99,981	16	263
Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar	183,965	13	589
Dungannon Royal	303,152	29	549
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'	197,028	11	690
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'	183,699	13	672
Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar	350,238	23	1,041
Enniskillen Convent	219,193	1	746
Enniskillen, Portora Royal	231,547	27	314
Enniskillen, St. Michael's	240,806	17	664
Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College	205,749	21	529
Holywood, Sullivan Upper	348,720	18	984
Kilkeel, St. Louis High	128,174	21	266
Larne Grammar	237,915	17	614
Lisburn, Friends' School	301,811	46	820
Lisburn, Wallace High	394,991	20	1,060
Londonderry, Foyle College	289,168	35	757
Londonderry, St. Columb's College	536,879	7	1,537
Londonderry, Thornhill College	429,111	20	1,289
Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High	167,043	5	403
Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed	211,321	8	536
Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent	289,582	11	940
Newry, Abbey Grammar	233,459	6	705
Newry, Our Lady's Grammar	184,307	12	755
Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar	226,906	9	769

	1988–89 school year
School	Category B grants paid £	Fee paying pupils	Non-fee paying pupils
Newry, St. Colman's College	237,829	26	748
Omagh Christian Brothers'	227,145	9	754
Omagh, Loreto Convent	264,875	9	808
Portstewart Dominican College	150,428	46	317
Strabane Convent Grammar	164,192	12	444

	1989–90 school year
School	Category B grants paid £	Fee paying pupils	Non-fee paying pupils
Armagh Royal	258,771	58	442
Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar	309,385	36	667
Ballymena Academy	435,680	22	1,098
Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar	319,190	3	946
Ballymoney, Dalriada	323,114	14	763
Ballynahinch Assumption	266,720	17	704
Bangor Grammar	354,824	37	830
Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate	202,529	22	570
Belfast, Campbell College	412,396	131	502
Belfast, Christian Brothers	478,402	31	1,084
Belfast, Dominican College	310,162	13	788
Belfast High School	278,303	33	672
Belfast, Hunterhouse College	238,407	94	511
Belfast, Methodist College	833,236	147	1,491
Belfast, Our Lady and St. Patrick's	410,559	21	945
Belfast, Royal Academical Institution	519,440	46	846
Belfast, Royal Academy	699,557	28	1,243
Belfast, St. Dominic's High School	390,899	12	865
Belfast, St. Malachy's College	433,089	15	864
Belfast, Strathearn	248,988	3	636
Belfast, Victoria College	281,805	62	554
Coleraine Academical Institution	402,220	96	764
Coleraine, Loreto College	278,461	9	709
Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar	110,646	14	262
Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar	210,594	8	629
Dungannon Royal	331,810	44	545
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'	222,558	10	691
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'	213,209	11	725
Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar	396,293	14	1,093
Enniskillen Convent	245,074	6	734
Enniskillen, Portora Royal	252,344	19	308
Enniskillen, St. Michael's	261,543	12	676
Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College	225,173	23	517
Holywood, Sullivan Upper	388,198	17	990
Kilkeel, St. Louis High	134,699	26	227
Larne Grammar	249,192	26	568
Lisburn, Friends' School	328,602	52	816
Lisburn, Wallace High	429,965	19	1,084
Londonderry, Foyle College	327,808	22	763
Londonderry, St. Columb's College	582,500	25	1,503
Londonderry, Thornhill College	463,990	30	1,245
Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High	174,205	7	392
Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed	223,617	18	541
Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent	324,724	10	957
Newry, Abbey Grammar	263,235	10	677
Newry, Our Lady's Grammar	206,559	12	761
Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar	257,504	6	809
Newry, St. Colman's College	261,195	23	754
Omagh Christian Brothers'	258,129	15	758
Omagh, Loreto Convent	303,213	12	840
Portstewart Dominican College	161,779	52	338
Strabane Convent Grammar	181,566	8	451

	1990–91 school yea (8-month period)
School	Category B grants paid £	Fee paying pupils	Non-fee paying pupils
Armagh Royal	187,701	47	501
Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar	239,073	2	738
Ballymena Academy	332,780	11	1,148
Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar	248,949	0	959
Ballymona, Dalriada	239,696	2	777
Ballyneyhinch Assumption	205,914	0	780
Bangor Grammar	265,360	13	870
Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate	162,989	8	620
Belfast, Campbell College	302,079	93	597
Belfast, Christian Brothers	351,263	4	1,137
Belfast, Dominican College	240,567	0	867
Belfast High School	214,612	1	706
Belfast, Hunterhouse College	172,623	62	547
Belfast, Methodist College	609,615	100	1,549
Belfast, Our Lady and St. Patrick's	302,409	0	994
Belfast, Royal Academical Institution	379,070	14	911
Belfast, Royal Academy	509,946	15	1,274
Belfast, St. Dominic's High School	279,433	2	871
Belfast, St. Malachy's College	308,918	0	876
Belfast, Strathearn	191,777	3	648
Belfast, Victoria College	207,479	42	609
Coleraine Academical Institution	298,475	58	790
Coleraine, Loreto College	215,095	0	745
Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar	89,104	0	312
Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar	158,743	0	638
Dungannon Royal	238,446	30	569
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'	183,396	1	728
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'	177,033	0	769
Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar	308,664	2	1,206
Enniskillen Convent	195,484	0	765
Enniskillen, Portora Royal	174,606	12	331
Enniskillen, St. Michael's	204,249	1	688
Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College	174,779	7	568
Holywood, Sullivan Upper	294,377	1	1,012
Kilkeel, St. Louis High	104,106	11	266
Larne Grammar	187,641	6	622
Lisburn, Friends' School	259,282	37	830
Lisburn, Wallace High	320,445	6	1,133
Londonderry, Foyle College	245,472	13	814
Londonderry, St. Columb's College	440,508	2	1,553
Londonderry, Thornhill College	362,556	7	1,289
Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High	131,061	0	431
Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed	172,436	1	571
Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent	252,610	0	990
Newry, Abbey Grammar	196,665	2	664
Newry, Our Lady's Grammar	162,707	3	791
Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar	196,045	3	810
Newry, St. Colman's College	210,270	0	782
Omagh Christian Brothers'	201,664	0	777
Omagh, Loreto Convent	226,334	1	861
Portstewart Dominican College	128,331	23	368
Strabane Convent Grammar	133,922	2	449

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the amount of category A expenditure admitted for each of the voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland for each school year since 1989.

The information is as follows:

Category A expenditure admitted for grant
	1989–90 (School year) £	1990–911 (Eight month period) £
Armagh Royal	751,589	516,078
Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar	937,720	653,788
Ballymena Academy	1,499,902	1,053,189
Ballymena, St. Louis Grammar	1,075,497	782,492
Ballymoney, Dalriada School	1,083,466	773,908
Ballynahinch, Assumption Grammar	868,418	635,563
Bangor Grammar	1,156,739	816,750
Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate	741,887	542,722
Belfast, Campbell College	839,106	625,730
Belfast, Christian Brothers'	1,399,839	972,402
Belfast, Dominican College	962,192	695,087
Belfast High School	992,910	687,535
Belfast, Hunterhouse College	949,744	642,172
Belfast, Methodist College	2,302,121	1,673,818
Belfast, Our Lady & St. Patrick's	1,138,880	828,994
Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution	1,292,245	910,409
Belfast Royal Academy	1,740,888	1,208,832
Belfast, St. Dominic's High School	1,177,290	791,986
Belfast, St. Malachy's College	1,144,269	796,050
Belfast, Strathearn	869,980	624,987
Belfast, Victoria College	1,038,563	732,448
Coleraine Academical Institution	1,168,740	808,465
Coleraine, Loreto College	889,970	665,440
Donaghmore, St. Joseph's Grammar	385,694	279,930
Downpatrick, St. Patrick's Grammar	704,574	520,821
Dungannon Royal	794,732	563,270
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'	849,395	600,398
Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'	773,625	571,787
Dunmurry, Rathmore Grammar	1,291,737	962,553
Enniskillen, Convent Grammar	849,899	606,986
Enniskillen. Portora Royal	472,958	322,231
Enniskillen, St. Michael's College	804,585	554,063
Garron Tower, St. Macnissi's College	650,414	472,663
Holywood, Sullivan Upper	1,271,642	938,112
Kilkeel, St. Louis Grammar	424,290	305,462
Larne Grammar School	866,543	619,832
Lisburn, Friends' School	1,204,948	840,527
Lisburn, Wallace High	1,375,556	1,007,965
Londonderry, Foyle College	1,019,844	736,727
Londonderry, St. Columb's College	1,780,366	1,267,940
Londonderry, Thornhill College	1,550,162	1,107,787
Lurgan, St. Michael's Senior High	655,700	462,716
Magherafelt Rainey Endowed	763,579	542,845
Magherafelt, St. Mary's Convent	1,146,756	828,314
Newry, Abbey Grammar	819,377	593,304
Newry, Our Lady's Grammar	864,763	631,933
Newry, Sacred Heart Grammar	919,539	693,272
Newry, St. Colman's College	861,770	635,856
Omagh, Christian Brothers'	916,202	675,480
Omagh, Loreto Convent	916,969	660,344
Portstewart, Dominican College	517,616	380,137
Strabane, Convent Grammar	547,553	393,677

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the primary and secondary schools which have had tenders for major capital work approved and the amount involved in each case in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

The information is as follows:

	Tender amount approved £ million
1989
Primary Schools
All Saints (Tattysallagh) Omagh	0·437
Grange, Kilkeel	0·223
St. Anne's, Finaghy	1,229
St. Anne's, Strabane	0·691
St. Mary's, Aughnacloy	0·329
St. Patrick's, Dungannon	1·626
Secondary Schools
Banbridge Academy	4·400
Drumcree High, Portadown	1·800
Dundonald Boys' High	2·400
Friends' School, Lisburn	1·235
Glengormley High	3·100
Loreto College, Coleraine	2·200
Movilla High, Newtownards	4·250
Omagh Academy	3·200
Our Lady's Grammar, Newry	4·299
Victoria College, Belfast	0·378
1990
Primary Schools
Hollybush, Londonderry	0·709
Langfield, Drumquin	0·320
Secondary Schools
Drumcree High, Portadown	0·218
Lagan College, Belfast	2·788
Larne Grammar	3·126
Loreto Convent Grammar, Omagh	1·450
Orangefield High, Belfast	3·443
St. Mark's High, Warrenpoint	2·899
St. Mary's Girls' High, Downpatrick	2·216
St. Michael's Grammar, Enniskillen	3·051
1991
Primary Schools
Star of the Sea, Belfast	0·986
St. Joseph's Belfast	0·760
St. McCartan's, Loughinisland	0·370
St. Patrick's Mullinahoe	0·406
St. Tierney's Roslea	0·422
Secondary Schools
Ballyclare	3·443
Castelderg	2·100
St. Columb's College, Londonderry	3·051
St. Mary's High, Limavady	0·199

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of strip searches made on female persons in Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry monthly since March 1991; what were the numbers of persons involved and the number of times each person was searched; what prison contraband, smuggled item, or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for each search.

Details of the number of, and reasons for, strip searches of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry from June 1990 to March 1991 have already been provided, Official Report, columns 428–29, 7 May 1991. Details from April 1991 are as follows:

	April 1991	May 1991	June 1991
Number of Searches
Total number of searches carried out	35	25	33
Total number of inmates searched	26	19	24
Number of prisoners searched once	17	15	18
Number of prisoners searched twice	9	3	4
Number of prisoners searched more than twice	Nil	1	2
Reasons for search
First admission on remand/awaiting trial	6	5	5
First admission on sentence/final discharge	16	8	13
Attending remand court	Nil	1	Nil
Attending trial	2	Nil	Nil
Inter-prison visits	4	4	8
Following prison visits	1	Nil	Nil
Pre-release home leave	4	6	7
Compassionate home leave	Nil	Nil	Nil
Visits to outside hospital	Nil	Nil	Nil
Returning from bail application	Nil	Nil	Nil
Attendance at court for bail	Nil	1	Nil
Fines paid	2	Nil	Nil
Working out scheme	Nil	Nil	Nil
Bail granted	Nil	Nil	Nil

No prohibited article was found during these searches. One prisoner refused to be searched.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers (a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

The information requested is as follows:

	Total	Disproportionate cost	Undertaking to write	Other reasons	Referred to next steps agency
November 1989 to October 1990	1,140	24	23	16	0
November 1990 to 25 July 1991	1,030	21	25	22	7

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were (a) the sums allocated to each secondary school in Northern Ireland to fund teaching costs in each school year since 1989, (b) the numbers of pupils in each school in each year and (c) the numbers of approved teaching posts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many emergency heart operations have been carried out at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast in the past six weeks; and if he will break down these by how many operations were performed by each specialist surgeon.

The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to contact Mr. Norman Ferguson, the chairman of the Eastern health and social services board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on proposals for the future of Roe Valley hospital, Limavady.

There are no proposals at present to change the services currently provided at the Roe Valley hospital.I understand that the Western board is presently undertaking a review of health and social care provisions in the Limavady area. When this is completed any proposals affecting services at the hospital will be the subject of full consultation with all interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Her Majesty's Government intend to initiate the sale of the four power stations to trade purchasers; and when he expects the sale to be completed.

The first step in the process is being taken today with the issue of the preliminary memorandum. Prospective bidders will be afforded a period of four weeks in which to register an interest. Following the screening of responses, the information memorandum, on which the firm bids will be based, will issue to competing bidders at the beginning of September 1991. On the basis of the present programme all bids will require to be entered by the end of October. Completion of the sale of the power stations will, of course, be subject to Parliament's consideration of the draft Electricity (NI) Order and I hope to bring this before the House before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he is taking to ensure voluntary legal advice-giving agencies in Northern Ireland can continue to provide their services.

[holding answer 17 July 1991]: There are no plans to change the funding arrangements of legal advice-giving agencies in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about his consideration of the case of the Ulster Defence Regiment Four.

I have decided to use my power under the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 to refer the cases of Winston Allen, Noel Bell, James Hegan and Neil Latimer to the Court of Appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the introduction of anti-spray devices on heavy lorries.

There have been regulations requiring spray suppression devices to be fitted to vehicles and trailers in the United Kingdom since 1984. Largely as a result of the United Kingdom's initiative the European Community has now reached an agreement on an EC directive 91/226 EEC for spray suppression based closely on the British standard. There is a commitment written into the directive to develop more effective vehicle tests to reduce spray and research is continuing at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, which should result in improvements in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the development of the Chelsea-Hackney tube line; and if he will make a statement.

The Government remain of the view that the Chelsea-Hackney line will be needed to cater for current and forecast demand on the rail networks serving central London. It is also very conscious of the benefits which the line would have in terms of improving access to and from Hackney. The alignment is accordingly being protected through the planning system so that it can be taken forward when resources permit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was spent on noise prevention where the M40 motorway is concerned (a) before its original opening and (b) since its full implementation between Birmingham and London.

To date more than £2·7 million has been spent on specific noise mitigation measures on the M40 as a whole. It is not possible to give precise figures as noise amelioration measures are often an integral part of earthworks design and are not separately costed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to introduce into the MOT test carbon monoxide emission limits of 3·5 per cent. or within 0·5 per cent. of manufacturer's specifications, for cars made after 1986; and if he will make a statement.

The carbon monoxide limits in the amendment to the Construction and Use Regulations, which were introduced on 4 July, are 4·5 per cent. for a vehicle first used on or after 1 August 1983 and 6 per cent. for a vehicle first used between I August 1975 and 31 July 1983. It is expected the exhaust emmission standards will become more stringent in future years, to reflect improved technology and stricter European Community requirements for new vehicles, particularly the introduction of catalytic converters on a large scale.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, under the terms of BREL's privatisation, what restrictions were placed on the extent of its liability for defects in design and manufacture; and if he will make a statement.

These were commercial decisions for British Rail, which negotiated the details of the sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many open railway crossings there are in Scotland; and if he will list all those which are still to be fitted with barriers in accordance with the Stott recommendations.

The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has records of 24 open crossings in Scotland. The only crossing to be dealt with under Professor Stott's recommendations is the automatic open crossing at Rosarie, in the Grampian region, which is to be converted to an automatic half barrier crossing. No other changes, including reductions to the speed of trains over crossings, were required in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for improving Northern Ireland's rail links with the rest of Britain and Europe through routes in Scotland.

It is for British Rail to come forward with any proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains his intention that the proposed M12 should be a toll motorway.

Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend intends to hold a competition once he has identified a preferred route. Privately financed proposals will be invited and, if such a proposal proves to be the best option, the successful tenderer will be awarded a concession under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has re-examined the justification for the proposed M12 between Chelmsford and the M25 in the light of recent traffic forecasts; and if he will make a statement.

The justification for each motorway and trunk road scheme is kept under review throughout its development in the light of economic, environmental, traffic and other factors. That will happen in this case. As part of that process, roadside traffic interviews were held in June. They will also assist decisions about the capacity of the proposed motorway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the late delivery by British Rail Engineering Ltd. of the new class 158 diesel trains has cost ScotRail in (a) lost revenue and (b) additional running costs in having to use old stock longer than planned for.

This is a matter for the British Railways Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much faults of design and construction on the class 158 diesel trains have cost ScotRail in (a) lost revenue and (b) extra maintenance costs;(2) if he will instruct British Rail to take legal action against British Rail Engineering Ltd. to recover its financial losses caused by faults on, and the late delivery of, the new class 158 diesel trains.

This is a contractual and commercial matter for British Rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the British Rail Board will announce its decision on the tenders it has received for building a further 47 class 465 electrical multiple unit four-car sets.

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ascertain (a) the total number of British seafarers, (b) the number of British seafarers employed on United Kingdom-registered ships and (c) the total number of seafarers of all nationalities employed on United Kingdom-registered ships.

The Department of Transport last year commissioned a study into the demand for, and supply of United Kingdom and Irish seafarers worldwide. This includes detailed information about manning levels, of United Kingdom, Irish, and foreign seafarers, both on United Kingdom-registered vessels and on those registered abroad. I announced receipt of the report of that study on 11 June this year, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Sir G. Johnson-Smith). Summaries of the report are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning Virgin's application for British Airways slots at Narita airport, Tokyo.

None. Virgin Atlantic has made an application to the Civil Aviation Authority to vary British Airways' licence to serve Tokyo. In accordance with usual procedures the CAA has published the application, on 16 July, and has invited objections within 21 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) of 22 July, on the responses received to the document, "A Bus Strategy for London"; how many respondents commented unfavourably on the Government's policy to deregulate and privatise the London bus services; and how many favourably.

Approximately 60 per cent. of respondents, including the hon. Lady, commented unfavourably on the Government's plans to deregulate bus services in London. Although a number of respondents commented on the timing and method of implementing privatisation, few expressed a view on the merits or demerits of the policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the benefit derived from the duty free concession to transport operators of air and sea routes during each of the last five years; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department's estimates of the impact of the abolition of duty-free allowances on air and sea transport have been based on commercially confidential information. My right hon. Friend will understand that in these circumstances I am unable to provide the information he is seeking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the proportion of the duty forgone by the Treasury on duty-free sales, particularly at ports and on aircraft, which (a) subsidise transport operators and (b) directly benefit the travellers who purchase such goods.

I regret that the information requested cannot be given since there is no reliable detailed information available on duty-free expenditure by travellers entering or leaving the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the traffic volume on the Ilminster bypass and on the A361 north Devon link road; and what plans he has to dual these roads.

The Ilminster bypass carries an average of 14,000 vehicles per day; the figure for the north Devon link road between Tiverton and Barnstaple varies between 7,500 and 11,500 over the different sections of the route.I announced on 8 July our intention to add a second carriageway to the Ilminster bypass, in the light of the forecast doubling of traffic volume by early in the next century.Traffic flows on the single carriageway section of the north Devon link road are not expected to grow to the same extent and the road will continue to have capacity to deal with the forecast flow. I therefore have no plans to dual it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the West Yorkshire rail electrification.

I have nothing to add to my replies to the hon. Member of 18 June and 1 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make it his policy to make an announcement about his views on the rail route to the channel tunnel at the earliest opportunity after a decision has been made even if Parliament is not sitting.

We shall make an announcement on the rail link project as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the percentages of growth in road traffic for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 to date in the following regions: (a) the Northern region, (b) Yorkshire and Humberside, (c) the north-west, (d) the east midlands, (e) the west midlands, (f) East Anglia, (g) the south-west, (h) the south-east and (i) Greater London.

My Department does not compile estimates of annual traffic growth by region. For Great Britain as a whole the figures are as follows:

	Per cent, change
1988 to 1989	+ 7
1989 to 1990	0
Ql 1990 to Ql 1991	-3

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far this Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers (a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of each next steps agency.

The information requested is a matter of public record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs will be lost in Scotland due to the closure of Speedlink on 8 July.

British Rail estimates that between 90 and 100 posts will be withdrawn but that there will be no compulsory redundancies in Scotland as a result of the closure of Speedlink.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of Speedlink's Scottish traffic has been lost to road as a result of its closure on 8 July; and how many lorry movements this represents.

British Rail is still in consultation with some customers, but expects to lose around 13 per cent. of Speedlink's Scottish traffic to road. This represents about 20 lorry journeys per working day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the European Commission proposals for the third stage of air liberalisation in Europe are intended to apply to Gibraltar airport; and if he will make it his policy that any agreement based upon the proposals should include Gibraltar.

The Commission's proposals have not yet been transmitted to the Council. We understand that they envisage the continued exclusion of Gibraltar until the airport agreement is implemented. We shall consider the terms of the proposals fully in due course and we expect that they will be extensively discussed by the Council of Ministers. We continue to believe that the implementation of the airport agreement represents the best way forward for Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects to have paid all straightforward claims for compensation arising from compulsory acquisition of land for the Barnstaple bypass.

Full compensation has been paid in five cases. The remaining 73 cases will be completed and final payments made as soon as negotiations over the amount of compensation, and legal procedures, have been concluded.At least one advance payment of compensation has been made in over half these cases. Claims attract interest, at statutory rates, from the date of entry on to the land until payment is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the findings of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate, prior to 21 July, on the safety characteristics of single-line junctions between double-line railway routes, stating the operational advantages seen in such arrangements.

The findings of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate on the safety characteristics of single line junctions between double line railway routes were set out in the published report of the chief inspecting officer's inquiry into the collision at Bellgrove junction on 6 March 1989. He said: "We consider that single lead junctions are acceptable in principle on safety grounds and we do not accept that improvements in the efficiency of operation and maintenance are intrinsically at variance with the maintenance of an adequate standard of safety". A copy of the report is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint British Rail and Royal Holloway and Bedford New College study into incidents of signals passed at danger.

I am arranging for copies of the executive summary of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what extra training or route familiarisation train drivers receive when the signals and track on routes which they might normally be expected to work, have been significantly repositioned or remodelled.

For most significant resignalling schemes details are given to drivers by special signalling notices. In exceptional cases BR provides video training or conductors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents there were of railway signals being passed at danger since 1979; and how many of those were (a) considered to be sufficiently serious to merit reporting to the railway inspectorate, (b) resulted in a derailment and (c) resulted in a collision involving one or more passenger trains.

I understand from British Rail that there were 8,171 incidents of signals passed at danger (SPAD) over the years 1979–90. These involved 60 collisions and 124 derailments to trains of all types. There is no statutory requirement for operators to report SPAD incidents unless an accident occurs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the single lead junctions on the railways in Scotland.

This information is not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what type of signalling was in force at the time of the Newton, Glasgow rail accident on 21 July.

Trains were signalled under track circuit block regulations and controlled by multiple aspect colour light signals equipped with the automatic warning system. The signalling at Newton is controlled by solid state interlocking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the railway inspectorate made adverse comments on the singling of any specific double junctions proposed under the north Clyde track improvement and resignalling scheme;(2) if he will list those double junctions which have been or are to be converted to single lead junctions as part of the north Clyde track improvement and resignalling scheme.

Five junctions were converted as part of this scheme—Bellgrove, Knightswood North, Hyndland North and South, and Westerton. The railway inspectorate discussed the conversions in detail with BR, and in most cases the BR view was accepted but in one case two extra signals were provided and one was moved. Extra controls were added.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many incidents of railway signals being passed at danger in 1990, the signals in question had been repositioned or the track been remodelled less than three months before.

Out of 898 incidents on BR in 1990, nine occurred following signalling and/or track alterations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of signals being passed at danger each year since 1989 took place on single lead junctions and involved passenger trains.

Seven in 1990, and three in 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many double junctions on British Rail were converted to single lead junctions each year since 1989; and on how many occasions the railway inspectorate approved such conversions.

Three junctions were converted in 1990, and work is in hand to convert four this year. All conversions have been approved by HM railway inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if any parts of the railway routes travelled by the trains involved in the Newton, Glasgow rail accident on 21 July had signalling problems as highlighted in the British Rail signal and telecommunications technical investigation report 91019.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received on the allocation of grants to specified rail services; whether he intends to review subsidies with a view to introducing such provision; and if he will make a statement.

The Department received representation on this issue from the Central Transport Consultative Committee on 16 July and is considering them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the Department of Transport-owned houses in the Archway road area.

The Department is required by law to dispose of all its properties in the Archway road area as they are no longer needed for highway purposes. Some vacant commercial properties have already been sold. Options for disposing of the balance of the properties are being explored.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a decision about the proposed road improvements to the A34 by junction 13 on the M4 near Chieveley.

I hope it will be possible to announce a preferred route for the A34 Chieveley/M4 (junction 13) improvement in the early autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay of five years before pleasure boat operators have to implement his Department's safety guidelines.

Consultative documents for new life-saving appliance and survivability standards for small passenger ships have been issued which do not propose a delay for implementation of those standards for five years but put forward "phase-in" proposals over a five-year period. Approximately 1,000 ships and launches will be affected by these proposals. Some ships already comply with the new requirements. To impose a shorter "phase-in" period would not be realistic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirements apply to drivers of cars on giving way to persons riding bicycles across pedestrian crossings.

Drivers are required to give precedence to pedestrians, including those pushing bicycles, on a pedestrian crossing. No specific legal provisions apply in the case where the cyclist has not dismounted: both the driver and cyclist are required to show the same due consideration for other road users as on any other part of the carriageway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his proposals to encourage greater use of buses and further investment in the bus manufacturing industry.

Buses play an invaluable role in transporting large numbers of people going about their daily business. They will continue to be the major form of public transport in most urban areas and their greater use can play a significant part in reducing congestion and improving the environment.My Department is currently working on new advice to local authorities on a variety of traffic management measures designed to give buses advantage over other traffic. We intend to publish new guidance before the end of the year.We have recently set up a working group with local authorities and the bus industry to look at ways of encouraging more bus usage. Local authorities have been asked to identify bus priority schemes for credit approvals and we hope to be able to support some measures in 1992–93.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek information from each other European Community country where crash helmets for motorcyclists are not compulsory about the increase in the number of fatal and serious accidents to motor cyclists exceeding the number in the United Kingdom, on a comparable basis.

I will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive a copy of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate's further study of the management of safety on the London Underground.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways tells me that the report of the further study announced on the 23 May 1989, will be completed within the coming month. I will arrange for a copy of the report,

	Rate support grant		Domestic rate income1		Non-domestic rale income2		£ million
		Per cent.		Per cent.		Per cent.	Total
1979–80	33·7	—	—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	36·8	—	—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	31·2	—	—	—	—	—	—
1982–83	28·4	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	24·7	(23)	27·8	(26)	56·4	(52)	108·9
1984–85	23·7	(21)	31·0	(27)	59·9	(52)	114·6
1985–86	21·3	(19)	31·3	(27)	62·3	(54)	114·9
1986–87	56·9	(36)	33·3	(21)	68·9	(43)	159·1
1987–88	61·4	(36)	35·9	(21)	71·1	(42)	168·4
1988–89	61·5	(35)	40·2	(23)	76·0	(43)	177·7
1989·90	77·2	(46)	32–8	(20)	57·6	(34)	167·6
1 Domestic rates include rebates but are net of domestic rate relief grant.
2 Non-domestic rates are net of disabled non-domestic relief grant and enterprise zone grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of the 15 local authorities which have the greatest arrears in collection of (a) community charge and (b) rents, indicating in each case the political control of the authority.

Local authorities have been asked to report to the Department on their arrears of community charge at 31 March 1991 by 7 August. For details of local authorities' cumulative rent arrears, I refer my hon. Friend entitled "The Management of Safety on London Underground Ltd.—A Further Study", to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the amount of lead-free petrol used as a percentage of total petrol consumption in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) each of the other European Community countries.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H. Rossi) on 24 July 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Government have made since September 1990 in the attempts to secure international action to reduce greenhouse gases; and what action the United Kingdom Government are taking independently to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook) on 19 July 1991, columns 375–76.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) the rate support grant, (b) the non-domestic rate income and (c) the domestic rate income together with the percentages and totals for Tower Hamlets council in each year since 1979.

No figures are available centrally for rate income for Tower Hamlets council before 1983–84.to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 21 February,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the price before and after taxation of an average motor car with and without a catalytic converter, with and without automatic transmission for (a) cars under 1300 cc, (b) cars over 1300 cc and under 2300 cc and (c) cars over 2300 cc; and what research he has undertaken into the effect of the extra cost relating to a catalytic converter on potential purchasers.

The information required by my hon. Friend is not available to me. However, the estimated cost of an optional catalytic converter on a new car is approximately £350. The cost of an optional automatic transmission on a new car ranges from approximately £400 to over £800.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of hedgerow protection.

In our White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", the Government proposed new measures to give local planning authorities powers to safeguard key hedgerows. Subsequently, we issued a consultation paper—as part of our wider review of tree preservation policies and legislation—which gave further details of our proposals.As I explained to the House at the Report stage of the Planning and Compensation Bill, responses to the consultation were extensive and raised a range of basic issues. We explored these further in a series of meetings which I held with a number of interested parties during the spring, and have been giving careful attention to the various comments made.We have concluded that some of the criticisms made of our initial proposals have force: in particular that more comprehensive and systematic arrangements for protecting hedgerows are required; that the mechanics of the proposed new system should be refined; that payments for management should be targeted on hedgerows most likely to benefit, rather than be limited to those under threat of removal, and should reflect a wider range of management options; and that the burden of such payments should not fall on local authorities.We are therefore proposing measures which will address these criticisms, and now intend to go forward on a somewhat different basis from that set out in our consultation paper.The revised proposals would consist of two elements: a hedgerow notification scheme and separately administered and funded hedgerow management grants.The notification scheme would be administered by local planning authorities. It would require those who wish to remove hedgerows—or to reduce them in size beyond dimensions which would be laid down in regulations—to notify their local authority of their intention to do so. If the authority did not respond to the proposal within 28 days of such notification, the owner or occupier would be able to proceed. However, if the authority took the view that the hedgerow was of value for landscape, wildlife or historical reasons it would register it as such and inform the owner or occupier accordingly. Where a hedge was registered, the owner or occupier would be required to retain the hedgerow concerned—and to undertake such work on it only as was consistent with its long-term retention and the maintenance of its amenity value. That would include, for example, trimming as part of normal agricultural operations.There would be a right of appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision of the local authority concerned to register a hedgerow. It would be open to the appellant to request that the Secretary of State set aside the registration on the grounds that retention of the hedgerow would pose a significant threat to the viability of the farm business.In the absence of a successful appeal, registration of a hedgerow would confer protection for a period of 10 years. Exemptions would apply for certain contingencies, such as disease, and for minor works such as moving a gateway, and it would be open to the local authority to revoke registration at any time it considered this appropriate.Removal of a hedgerow without notifying the local authority, removal of a hedgerow following registration, or unauthorised reduction in the size of a hedgerow would all constitute an offence.The proposed new arrangements therefore offer a comprehensive—but straightforward—means of safeguarding our hedgerow heritage, and I hope they will be widely welcomed.At the same time we recognise that some farmers may need assistance if they are to maintain or bring our hedgerow stock back into positive management. We are therefore proposing separate arrangements—administered by the Government or their agencies—to offer grants for that purpose aimed at encouraging landowners and farmers to reintroduce environmentally beneficial management, after taking account of existing grants.Eligible operations would include laying coppicing and —where appropriate—biennial trimming, but not the costs of annual maintenance where this was carried out as part of normal farming operations. In some cases the most environmentally beneficial course of action may be to leave a hedgerow in an unmanaged state for the immediate future.Separating arrangements for protecting hedgerows from aid for management will ensure that resources are used to best effect and are directed at those hedgerows which will gain most from positive management of this type, having regard to the character of the hedgerow concerned, local custom and practice and the most appropriate cycle of management.Administering the proposed system of protection separately from aid for management will therefore provide an essential element of flexibility in efforts to conserve this important feature of the countryside.I intend to make a fuller statement in due course, giving further details of the operation of both schemes. In the meantime, we shall be glad to receive comments from interested parties on our revised proposals, to assist in the process of refining and finalising them. To that end both I and my officials will be pleased to take part in further discussions as appropriate.So far as Wales is concerned, the Welsh Office proposes to ask the Countryside Council for Wales to explore the possibility of including a hedgerow management grants system as part of its proposals for the countryside stewardship scheme.These revised proposals fulfil our White Paper commitment, and mark a significant step in the task of conserving the amenity of our rural areas. Some aspects—in particular the proposed notification procedures—will require primary legislation, and it is our intention to seek to introduce this when parliamentary time permits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing starts and completions there were in each quarter of 1990 and in the first two quarters of 1991 in each English standard region.

Figures up to the end of the first quarter of 1991 are in table 1.3 of the March quarter 1991 edition of "Housing & Construction Statistics: Great Britain: Part 1". A copy is in the Library. Corresponding figures for the second quarter of 1991 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of occasions in the last 10 years when radioactive sources escaped from the official control regime in the United Kingdom; whether these were reported separately as containing high, medium and low levels of activity, how many mislaid sources reached the metals reclamation industry; and how many prosecutions were instigated.

Any person wishing to keep or use radioactive material in England and Wales must be registered by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. Control is exercised by the imposition of strict limits and conditions contained in certificates of registration issued by HMIP following careful consideration of the relevant circumstances. One of these conditions requires the user to inform the police and the chief inspector of HMIP without delay if he believes the registered source has been lost or stolen and to take all practical steps to recover the source. All registered users are subject to inspection to ensure that the limns and conditions in certificates are being complied with.As an indication of the importance attached to the proper regulation of radioactive substances, the Government have recently increased the maximum penalties for offences under the Radioactive Substances Act to include an unlimited fine and imprisonment for five years on indictment.A small number of lost or stolen sources are notified to HMIP each year and reports on these cases will contain details of the levels of activity involved. All cases are thoroughly investigated by HMIP, which is aware of only one incident where a lost source may have entered the metals reclamation industry. In this case HMIP is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a quantity of pelletised steel dust contaminated with radioactivity which was shipped from Ireland to Avonmouth in September 1990.There have been two prosecutions involving lost or stolen sources in the past 10 years. I am satisfied that the Radioactive Substances Act continues to provide a robust control over the use of radioactive materials in this country.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount of grant paid and the number of organisations grant-aided under section 50 of the Housing Act 1988 for each financial year since enactment, including the amount available in the current financial year.

The Housing Corporation grant under section 50 of the Housing Act 1988 was as follows:

	£
1989–90	1,220,458,374
1990–91	1,738,092,695
1991–921	2,228,375,000
1 Provisional.

The total number of housing associations which are paid grants each year is not held by the Department. I have therefore asked the corporation to respond to the hon. Member direct. The subsequent reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount of grant paid and the number of organisations grant-aided under section 87 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 for each financial year since enactment, including the amount available in the current financial year.

I believe that the hon. Member is referring to the programme of promotional and advisory grants administered by the Housing Corporation under, principally, section 87 of the Housing Associations Act 1985. The level of the corporation's programme, financed by grant-in-aid from the Department, has been as follows for the years in question:

	£000s
1985–86	342·1
1986–87	509·7
1987–88	472·3
1988–89	586·3
1989–90	1,109·0
1990–91	2,699·5
1991–92	3,702·0

Decisions on the allocation of funds to particular organisations and projects are entirely a matter for the Housing Corporation. I have therefore asked the corporation to write to the hon. Member about the number of organisations which have received grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount of co-operative promotion allowance paid and the number of organisations to which it was paid in each financial year since its introduction, including the amount available in the current financial year.

Co-operative promotion allowance is paid at the discretion of the Housing Corporation from the funds which the Department makes available to support development by housing associations. I have therefore asked the corporation to write to the hon. Member giving the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on which local authorities have losses arising out of the BCCI closure, including the amounts in each case.

A number of authorities which had deposits with BCCI have written to the Department. Apart from that, I do not at present have any information beyond that which has appeared in the press.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of (a) the income to the Exchequer and (b) the financial benefit to the environment from the sale of catalytic converters; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Catalytic converters will be fitted to virtually all new petrol cars from the end of 1992. They will add to their cost and fuel consumption will increase, but there will be major improvements in local and regional air quality. It is impossible to predict

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to collect statistics on the number of guest houses that provide fewer than six bed spaces per night.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many mortgage repossessions there have been in each county in England and Wales during each of the last 12 months for which records are available; and what were the annual figures for each of the last 12 months.