asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for avoiding the inconvenience which is caused to British and European Community commerce by reason of different States' changing to summer time or double summer time on different dates.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave on 19th April to a Question by the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extra police were drafted into the Lambeth, Central constituency during the recent by-election; how many incidents were reported to the police during the by-election; and how many arrests were made.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that between 1st and 20th April ordinary divisional police cover in Lambeth was supplemented on five days. A total of 3,208 additional officers were deployed, 2,269 of them on 15th April. During the same period 49 persons were arrested for offences arising out of by-election activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Home Department (1) what is the number of terrorist prisoners transferred from England to Northern Ireland who are thought to have had loyalist sympathies in the years 1969 to 1978;(2) what is the number of terrorist prisoners transferred from England to Northern Ireland who are thought to have had Republican sympathies in the years 1969 to 1978.

Four prisoners serving sentences in England and Wales for acts of acknowledged IRA terrorism have been permanently transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland, all in 1975. No prisoners serving sentences here for acts of acknowledged "loyalist" terrorism have been similarly transferred, but one prisoner, believed at the time to have "loyalist" links who was serving a sentence for an offence which was not an act of terrorism, was transferred to Northern Ireland in 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of Loyalist prisoners who have been permitted to return to Northern Ireland for the purpose of facilitating visits to their relatives.

Since 1974, two prisoners believed to have had links with "loyalist" organisations connected with the situation in Northern Ireland have been transferred temporarily to a prison there to receive visits from their relatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners transferred from Northern Ireland to either Scotland or England and Wales to serve their sentences were at the time of their conviction serving members of the Armed Forces; how many were transferred to Scotland and how many were transferred to England and Wales in the years 1969 to 1978.

Forty-five prisoners who at the time of conviction were members or former members of the Armed Forces have been transferred from Northern Ireland to prisons in England and Wales. The number transferred to prisons in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take in the light of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Isle of Man birching case.

I shall consider the implications of the judgment in consultation with the Government of the Isle of Man, and with the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey where judicial corporal punishment is also at present available.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will arrange to place in the Library a full transcript of the trial at Lancaster Crown Court of those convicted of the Birmingham bombings.

The full transcript runs to well over 1 million words and is not yet available. I shall certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestion if he will write to me explaining the justification for the expense which would be incurred.

asked the Attorney-General by what authority he can advise parliamentary journalists not to publish a report of parliamentary proceedings.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer that I gave him yesterday regarding this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations he has made under Section 100 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

None as yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the names of those housing authorities, if any, which have established tenants' housing co-operatives in response to his circular of August 1976.

This information is not available at present. I understand, however, that the Co-operative Housing Agency is about to conduct a survey of local authorities which have set up co-operative management arrangements with tenant groups. I will let the hon. Member know the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ban the importation of all manufactured goods made wholly or partly from skins of those animals listed in Appendix I and Appendix II of the Washington Convention on Trade in Endangered Species.

No. The convention permits imports of Appendix II—vulnerable—species when an export permit has been granted by the State of export. In addition, the convention applies only to the readily recognisable parts and derivatives of animals listed in its appendices, and not all skins are readily recognisable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the Birmingham Inner Area Partnership Committee will take steps to see that the factory now being vacated by the Cadbury-Schweppes group at Bordesley, in the inner area of Birmingham, will be taken over by a prospective employer or employers who can offer sufficient employment to compensate for the number of jobs lost in the inner area of Birmingham as a result of the closure of the factory by Cadbury-Schweppes.

The Birmingham partnership has already established a joint working group with Cadbury-Schweppes Limited to investigate alternative uses and seek out users for the company's Bordesley Street factory. The working group hopes to report to the partnership committee by June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of aerosols in the United Kingdom has chlorofluorocarbons as propellants; what action he is taking to encourage the use of atmospherically safer alternatives; and if he will make a statement.

Less than two-thirds of aerosols used in the United Kingdom contain chlorofluorocarbons in their propellant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average weekly rent excluding rebates paid by tenants of private dwelling houses in England and Wales owned by local authorities in 1967, 1972, and 1977.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to ensure that the losses incurred by the West Lancashire District Council in not making a charge for the collection of trade refuse are recovered for the benefit of ratepayers.

I am still considering the letter I have had from the West Lancashire District Council on this subject. I

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total sum paid in rent rebates in 1977; and what was the total number of recipients;(2) what was the total number of rent allowances in 1977; and what was the total sum paid out under this head.

The latest available information is as follows:shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have reached a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, (1) in determining how the Property Services Agency should dispose of house properties that have been entrusted to it for disposal, if he will instruct the Agency to take into account the stock of houses owned by the local authority in question in deciding whether it would be more equitable to make a direct transfer to sitting tenants who may wish to buy their homes than to the local authority;(2) whether he will recommend that the vendor of Crown residential properties should give an instruction that the Property Services Agency should consider encouraging home ownership by sitting tenants rather than by selling to local authorities which may or may not permit tenants to purchase;

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the very high charges being implemented by the new water boards, and the lack of public confidence in their competence, if he will now revert to the old method of charging water rates; and if he will make a statement.

The Water Act 1973 requires water authorities to be financially self-sufficient and they are responsible for setting their charges accordingly. The average increase in charges this year in England and Wales for domestic water supply is about 7½ per cent. and for sewerage and environmental services is about 5 per cent. The White Paper on the water industry (Cmnd 6876) reasserts the Government's acceptance of the principle of integrated river basin management as the basis for the regional organisation of the water industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to deal with the situation where officers of water boards are answerable to no one, and the boards are not democratically elected, so that concern may arise on their competence and methods of accountancy; and if he will make a statement.

Officers are answerable to the members of their authority. The authority itself is accountable through Ministers to Parliament. Moreover, each authority contains representatives from the local authorities in the area, who themselves form a majority. Water authorities accounts are subject to scrutiny by the district auditor or an approved auditor, and their charges are subject to the Price Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 7th March, he is now in a position to announce his decision on whether he intends to invite local authorities to adopt the new counter-inflation clause in building contracts; and whether he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give an assurance that his Department has at no stage given any form of direction or instruction, or any advice which could reasonably be construed as a direction, to any local authority that it should require contractors or sub-contractors to accept the new counter-inflation contract conditions as a prerequisite of their tenders receiving consideration.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has at any stage given guidance, whether in writing or orally, to any local authority that it should include within a building contract a requirement that the contractor must give an undertaking to comply with the new counter-inflation contract conditions; and whether he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider having consultations with local authorities concerning the disbursement of EEC moneys for the repair of recent storm damage in eastern England.

I announced in a Written Answer of 22nd March the principles which the Government had decided should underlie the application of the EEC aid.—[Vol. 946, cc. 562–3.] The losses to agriculture and other interests respectively now have to be determined and, on the latter, my Department is in touch with the Association of District Councils.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements on 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minis-if he will list his public engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engaegments for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister what his official engagements are on Tuesday 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state his official engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 25th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 25th April.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Horsham and Crawley (Mr. Hordern).

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the leaders of the TUC and the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC and CBI.

I met representatives of both the TUC and the CBI when I took the chair at a meeting of the NEDC on 1st February. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East (Mr. Thomas).

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Noble) on 7th February.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the uncertainty of the future of Rhodesia, if he will consider visiting that country in order to demonstrate that Her Majesty's Government is interested in its future and wellbeing.

I have no plans for a visit to Rhodesia.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next visit the Northern Region.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to West Berkshire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to meet President Carter.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet the President of the United States of America.

I next expect to meet President Carter at the North Atlantic Council Meeting in Washington on 30th and 31st May.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Yorkshire.

I visited West Yorkshire on 13th and 14th April. I have at present no plans for a further visit.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to visit Bury St. Edmunds.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will be visiting Scotland at the time of the referendum on devolution.

I do not know.

asked the Prime Minister if he plans to make an official visit to Chile.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Thornaby.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Aberdeen.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he plans to visit Kenton, Middlesex.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the German Chancellor.

I next expect to meet Chancellor Schmidt at the North Atlantic Council meeting in Washington on 30th and 31st May.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received the report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made earlier today.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the French President.

I next expect to meet President Giscard at the meeting of the European Council in Bremen in July.

asked the Prime Minister if he has had any recent discussions with President Carter on the neutron bomb.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 11th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the London borough of Waltham Forest.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the operational status of instrument landing systems at RAF stations.

Yes, we are satisfied with the performance of the instrument landing systems now in use at RAF stations, although we are currently engaged in introducing new equipment into service and, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of State indicated to the hon. Member on 10th April 1978—[Vol. 947, c. 298–9]—are considering purchasing further installations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next expects to have discussions with his NATO counterparts about posible future deployment in Europe of the neutron bomb.

I have no plans to discuss this issue at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated destructive blast radius of the neutron bomb; and what is the estimated radius of its lethal radiation effect.

As my hon. Friend is aware, President Carter has decided to defer production of this warhead. The warhead does not exist; any information as to its characteristics is therefore hypothetical.Comparatively speaking, however, an enhanced radiation warhead would produce the same lethal radiation effect as existing short-range nuclear weapons, but less effects from heat, blast and fall-out. This means that the total radius of destruction would be considerably reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the neutron bomb.

We support President Carter's decision to defer production of the enhanced radiation warhead for deployment in Europe. The decision rightly sets the matter in the context of arms control and the balance of forces on both sides. We now look to the Soviet Union to respond to this move with measures which will moderate the threat we see from its build-up of nuclear and conventional forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the estimated cost of developing the neutron bomb by the United Kingdom alone.

I am unable to assist my hon. Friend. As we have no plans to develop such a weapon ourselves, I am unable to provide any such estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement regarding his plans for the development and storing of the neutron bomb.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Thanet, East (Mr. Aitken) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the recent nuclear test in Nevada was a success.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the results of the recent British nuclear test explosion at Nevada.

Yes. Initial indications are that the test successfully achieved its objectives, but a full analysis of the results will take some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the treatment of Service families by certain local authorities who refuse to allow residence in a Service establishment to count towards the initial qualifying period for inclusion in the housing waiting list, what steps he is taking to deal with this problem.

The management and allocation of their housing stocks is a matter for the individual housing authorities, but I am well aware of the difficulties that some authorities' policies pose for Service families. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence has discussed the problem with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Housing and Construction and, as the hon. Member will know, it was announced in the housing policy Green Paper last year that the Government are considering the case for introducing legislation to end the practice of imposing residential or other qualifications for inclusion on a housing list.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the placing of the order for the third through-deck cruiser.

I hope to make quite soon an announcement about an involvement contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots in the Royal Air Force have been asked to sign on for a period of years beyond the period of their contract.

Eighty-four pilots have recently been invited to extend their service on the Active List three years beyond their normal retirement date; 44 have so far accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are available to ships of the Royal Navy at ports or harbours on the Horn of Africa.

Subject to agreement by the Government concerned to the entry of Royal Navy warships, commercial facilities would be available at ports or harbours on the Horn of Africa; but Royal Navy ships on deployment in the area would not normally need to make use of shore facilities there.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a statement on the report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

As the hon. Member will know, the Prime Minister is to make a statement on Armed Forces pay later today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusions the Government have reached on the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body; and when and how he proposes to implement them.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on forces' pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement about pay and conditions of the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a further statement about the pay of the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on pay for the Services for the corning year.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Latham).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how forces' pay compares with their civilian counterparts, following the report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body due in April 1978.

As the hon. Member will know, the Prime Minister is to make a statement on Armed Forces pay later today. It would therefore be premature to comment on the question of pay comparability.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers next month; and what proposals he will be making.

The ministerial meeting of the NATO Defence Planning Committee will take place on 18th-19th May in Brussels. My colleagues will review general defence issues of concern to the Alliance, including progress made since the NATO Summit meeting in May last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the use of jobcentres for recruiting to the Armed Forces.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him in the Official Report on 24th January—[Vol. 942, c. 579]. In the continuing effort to achieve the most cost-effective recruiting organisation, I am actively considering the role that jobcentres might play in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about operations in Northern Ireland.

The Armed Forces' operations in support of the police in Northern Ireland continue to meet with success. As I saw for myself when I visited the Province earlier this month, the morale of the troops remains high and their determination is as strong as ever.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Armed Forces have been convicted of offences in Northern Ireland since 1969; and, of these, how many received non-custodial sentences and how many custodial sentences, broken down for the individual years 1969 to 1978.

This information is not held centrally and cannot be assemebled at the short notice given by my hon. Friend. I shall have investigations made and will write to my hon. Friend to give her any data that can be made available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment since 1960 have been convicted of offences; and, of those, how many were offences which involved violence, namely, assault.

At the short notice given by my hon. Friend it is impossible to assemble the information required. I shall write to her.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he anticipates that the specifications for the aircraft to replace the Royal Air Force's Jaguars and Harriers will provide for short takeoff and vertical landings; and what is his target date for completing this replacement.

These specifications are still under consideration and it is too early to say whether they will include short take-off and vertical landing. The date for completion of the replacement will be determined by the type of aircraft selected and by the procurement method to be adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on revisions to his policy of relocating civilian defence jobs away from London.

MOD policy on the dispersal of jobs to Cardiff and Glasgow as part of the Government's overall programme is unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has now reached a decision about the United States authorities' request to reopen RAF Greenham Common as a fully operational air base.

No. As I explained to the hon. Member when I met him on 4th April the United States request is being carefully considered not only in relation to RAF Greenham Common, but also taking into account the suitability of alternative locations for the task. This will necessarily take some time to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why so many middle rank officers, namely, lieutenant-commanders, commanders, majors, lieutenant-colonels, squadron-leaders, and wing-commanders, are leaving the Services.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him in the Official Report on Monday 24th April.The figures given on that occasion relate to all types of exit from the Services and, with the exception of Army majors, display no significant trend. The increase in the number of majors leaving the Army in the last two years is largely accounted for by a higher level of redundancy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to make a further visit to the British Army of the Rhine.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many registered disabled people are currently employed in each of the Royal naval dockyards and at the Royal ordnance factories; and what percentage of the workforce at each establishment this represents.

As at 1st June 1977, the latest date for which information is available, the numbers were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the main subject to be discussed at the NATO meeting in Washington.

At the Washington Summit on 30th-31st May, Heads of State and Government will discuss a wide range of topics of concern to the Alliance, including progress made since the NATO Summit meeting in May last year.

asked the Secretary of Stae for Defence whether he is satisfied with the working of the Independent European Programme Group.

Yes. As my right hon. Friend explained in his reply of 8th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George), it is not realistic to expect early results.—[Vol. 943, c. 598.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will postpone the private arms trading fair at Aldershot, scheduled for the end of June, having regard to the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament taking place at the same time.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the performance of the Royal Marines on Exercise Clockwork held in Northern Norway; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. 45 Commando Group goes to North Norway for three months in the winter of each year on a deployment known as Exercise Clockwork. During this exercise the Royal Marines learn and improve the skills necessary to survive and fight in arctic and mountain conditions. Their performance is excellent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the widows' pension for widows of officers of the rank of colonel and above on the 1956 rank code is lower than that for officers retiring on earlier and later codes.

Pension codes, which in more recent years have been related to pay, are affected by cost-of-living increases and have been operating in fluctuating economic conditions. There can therefore be no expectation of a stable relationship between the rates currently payable to widows on different codes. The disparities to which the hon. and gallant Member refers arise from a combination of factors. These disparities have been varied by developments in Service pay and pension schemes and by the cost-of-living increases which have been applied.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange a series of visits to Royal Marine establishments at home and overseas for hon. Members, especially those who are ex-Marines, to visit the bases and discuss the problems with which Royal Marines are faced.

Opportunities for hon. Members to visit Royal Marine establishments were notified through the usual channels last December.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the Royal Marines.

At 31st March 1978, 7,468 men—officers, warrant officers, NCOs and marines—were serving in the Royal Marines.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Marines re-engage after their initial period.

Royal Marines enter initially for a period of nine years active service from age 18 or date of entry if later. They may opt for a notice engagement if they wish. For the year ending 31st December 1977 the re-engagement rate was 58·8 per cent., that is 137 men re-engaged beyond nine years out of a total of 234 men who were eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the recruitment of Royal Marines compares with the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force.

During the financial year which has just ended recruitment to the Royal Marines has been good and targets have nearly all been met despite substantially increased requirements resulting from the decision to retain 41 Commando.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the future of the Royal Marines.

The Royal Marines will continue in their existing role for the foreseeable future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the places where Royal Marines have served since 1970.

The Royal Marines, as well as serving at home and overseas for operational and training purposes, also visit many countries on board Her Majesty's ships. The main areas in which they have served since 1970 are:

United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Malta, Iran, Bahrein, Oman, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Falkland Islands, West Indies.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that there is no intention of disbanding the Royal Marines and making them part of the Army within the next 10 years.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has taken steps to ensure that the suggestions made by the hon. Member for Huddersfield, West concerning Royal Marines quarters in Norway have been carried out.

The suggestions made by my hon. Friend will be taken into consideration. Accommodation for the Royal Marines in Norway is arranged annually through the Norweigan Government, who are co-operating in efforts to improve facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for the Globe and Laurel to be available in the Library.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis approval has been given to British Aerospace for the sale of eight Hawk ground attack/trainer aircraft to the Indonesian Government.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal information about sales of defence equipment to individual countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the report of the Health and Safety Commission for 1976–77 will be published.

The report is being published today and I have laid a copy before the House. In the report the Commission stress that its overriding concern is to encourage the joint participation of workers and management in efforts to eliminate risks. The report outlines the various ways in which the Commission is seeking to achieve this end and to involve all concerned both in the development of health and safety policy and in its implementation at the actual workplace.I greatly welcome the Commission's constructive approach to the considerable task confronting it in promoting positive attitudes to health and safety at work and reducing risks to both workers and the general public arising from industrial activities. I believe that this approach is right, and the report clearly shows how much the Commission has already achieved. Much still remains to be done, but with the full co-oporation of management and workers I am sure we shall see continuing and steady progress towards a healthier, safer working environment which will benefit all those affected by work activities.I commend the report to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies created by the Training Services Agency have been filled by non-British citizens to date in 1978.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which assumes that the term "non-British citizens" refers to trainees who are not citizens of the United Kingdom and colonies, that the full information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Commission has, however, supplied the following information:

Sixty-nine trainees, mainly from Middle Eastern countries, accepted on a cost-recovery basis, are currently undertaking courses. Such trainees are paid for by the sponsoring authority and are only allocated to training, if the place is not required for a TOPS trainee.

At 31st March 1978, the following numbers of trainees, whose country of origin was outside the United Kingdom were undertaking TOPS courses. The number holding United Kingdom citizenship is not known.