asked the Attorney-General what procedure exists for customers to find out information about bad debt judgments against companies before placing orders.

Every county court judgment for £10 or more which is not satisfied within one month of the date of judgment is entered in the register of county court judgments. It remains there until the judgment debtor has satisfied the judgment in full and has obtained a certificate of satisfaction from the appropriate county court. A person seeking information about judgment debts may search the register on payment of the appropriate fee. No such provision exists in respect of judgments obtained in the High Court.

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the Official Solicitor is made responsible for children taken abroad by persons other than those persons who have been granted custody of the child or children by the courts.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his suggestion, which is, I recognise designed to deal with a genuine problem. But I regret to say that it is not practical and is open to objections of principle. The Official Solicitor is an officer of the Supreme Court whose functions do not extend beyond England and Wales. The United Kingdom has signed but not yet ratified the European convention of recognition and enforcement of decisions relating to custody of children. In addition, early in 1983 the Government intend to issue a consultation paper on the desirability and implications of our signing the Hague convention on the civil aspect of child abduction. Both the Hague and the European convention will, it is hoped, assist in this matter.

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, to which agents the Church Commissioners have delegated the management of their Paddington estates.

The Commissioners themselves carry overall responsibility for the property which they own in the Paddington area. Subject to that responsibility, they have entrusted the day-to-day management of virtually all these properties to Messrs. Chestertons.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all non-statutory bodies to which his Department has made grants for 1981–82 and 1982–83, showing the name of the organisation, the amount of grant and the powers under which the grant is made; and if he will give similar information for grant-aid by other statutory bodies for which his Department is responsible.

The Supply Estimates for 1982–83 made provision for grants by the Department to bodies, other than United Kingdom public sector bodies, in certain subheads in class X, Votes 1, 2 and 13 and 16 to 23. The estimates also indicate provision made in 1981–82. The grants are made either under specific statutory authority or on the authority of the Appropriation Act, but it would require disproportionate effort and expense to list all recipients of grant aid from statutory bodies for which the Department is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers are trained annually in design and technology; and at how many institutions.

The information requested is not readily available. In November 1981 there were 728 men and 109 women students following full-time courses of initial teacher training whose main subject of study was craft and design technology (including handicraft and technical drawing). These students were enrolled in 18 establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to the answer by the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Derby, North on 20 December, Official Report, c. 664–5, concerning support for the Arts Council, which national companies will be subject to financial investigation.

The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to the answer by the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Derby, North on 20 December, Official Report, c. 664–5, whether the £5 million supplementary provision to the Arts Council will be linked to proposals for the funding of the national companies outside the Arts Council; and whether such proposals are under consideration in his Department.

No. Proposals for a separate grant to fund the national companies are being considered together with the other recommendations contained in the eighth report from the Education, Science and Arts Committee, Session 1981–82.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many enrolments there have been at British universities for the last year for which figures are available for courses which include Latin-American studies.

Information which is readily available relates to students on courses in Hispanic languages and studies (Spanish, Portuguese and Latin-American studies). In 1981–82 there were 841 students on such courses at universities in Great Britain, of whom 236 were new entrants.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what approaches he has made to the Commission of the EEC in relation to permitting the Welsh language to be used for labelling food and drink in Wales, if so desired by the manufacturers, without a Welsh language label having to accompany an equivalent English label; and if he will make a statement.

None. It is in the interests of consumers and manufacturers that particulars on labels can be easily understood as required by United Kingdom food and drugs regulations.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the evidence taken on 30 November by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee of the Services Committee on the proposed development of the Bridge Street site has now been published.

In accordance with an order of the Services Committee of 14 December this evidence has been reported to the House and is now available in the Library.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 December.

I refer hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley).

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Southfleet, Kent.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 6 December, Official Report, c. 337, which vessels of the task force were directly threatened by the group of Argentine vessels including the "General Belgrano".

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 December.—[Vol. 34, c. 353.] I have nothing further to add.

asked the Prime Minister what action was taken against HMS "Conqueror" by the escorts of the "General Belgrano".

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 December.—[Vol. 34, c. 353.]

asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has met to discuss factory closures since she last answered oral questions; and how many job losses were involved.

I have had no such meetings since 21 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will visit the North-West of England.

I intend to do so early next year.

asked the Prime Minister how many British Service men are still suffering from battle shock and related complaints as a result of the Falklands war.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces on 15 December 1982.—[Vol. 31, c. 172].

asked the Prime Minister, further to her reply of 20 December, why the memorandum of understanding under which the purchase of Exocet missiles for the Royal Navy was made conditional upon a proportion of components being manufactured in the United Kingdom is confidential.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of such intergovernmental arrangements.

asked the Prime Minister if she will institute an inquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 into the circumstances of the death of Helen Smith.

No.

asked the Prime Minister why the public sector funding of pay increases has been set above the forecast increase in domestic output.

The provision for pay in the public expenditure plans has not been set above the forecast increase in money GDP. The 3½ per cent. figure is well within the projected percentage increase in money GDP for 1983–84 of just under 7 per cent., as shown in paragraph 1.37 of the autumn statement.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Woolwich, West on 21 December, if she considers that the public would comprehend a system of taxation of child benefit.

It would inevitably be more complicated than the present system; how much more complicated would depend on the precise way in which child benefit was taxed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in the light of his plans to order further Phantom F-4 J aircraft, he will seek to facilitate their manufacture in the United Kingdom using Rolls-Royce engines.

The proposed purchase of Phantoms is to meet a requirement for aircraft which could be quickly in service. The best way to meet this requirement is by obtaining second-hand aircraft from the United States Navy which have as high a degree of commonality as is available with the Phantoms at present in RAF service. It would not be physically possible to fit into these United States Navy aircraft the Rolls-Royce engines fitted to RAF Phantoms.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will arrange for two of the new type 22 frigates to be named HMS "Coventry" and HMS "Sheffield" so as to perpetuate famous ships' names and continue the historic links between the Royal Navy and the two cities.

Names for ships to replace those lost in the Falklands campaign are currently under consideration. My hon. Friend's suggestions will be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, consequent to Cmnd. 8758, he has made any revisions to the list of Her Majesty's ships or Royal Fleet Auxiliaries that it is proposed to scrap or sell; and if he will name the ships involved.

Of the ships listed in my answer to my hon. and gallant Friend of 8 November—[Vol. 31, c. 88]—the following warships are now to be retained in operational service:

• "Glamorgan"
• "Achilles"
• "Apollo"
• "Ariadne"
• "Rhyl"
• "Euryalus"
• "Naiad"
• "Aurora"

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Royal Navy served in the Falklands task force.

Some 11,900 members of the Royal Navy served in the Task Force. An exact figure cannot be provided because personnel were moved frequently and at short notice to meet operational requirements and records are still being completed and validated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern the legal representation from outside the Service of Royal Navy officers facing courts martial; in what circumstances they are compelled or are allowed to employ counsel; in what circumstances fees paid to counsel may be refunded to the officer concerned; and whether these circumstances include cases where court martial proceedings against an officer are not pursued.

A naval officer, like all Service personnel, may be legally represented at a naval court martial by anyone of his choice. He is entitled to apply for legal aid, and if legal aid is granted he may be expected to make a contribution towards the cost depending upon his means. If legal costs have been incurred in connection with a proposed court martial which is not proceeded with, any request for financial assistance would be considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what charge, and for what reason, court martial proceedings were begun against Captain Barrow of HMS "Glamorgan"; why proceedings were dropped; and whether any compensation has been paid or apology made to Captain Barrow on this account.

No court martial proceedings were begun against Captain Barrow. It is not unusual for disciplinary proceedings to be considered after a navigational incident, as had occurred with HMS "Glamorgan". The question of compensation or apology does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to ensure that United States-based subsidiaries of United Kingdom-based companies are treated equally with regard to participation in classified defence work in the United States of America as United Kingdom-based subsidiaries of United States companies are in the United Kingdom.

Yes. The Government are keenly aware of the difficulties faced by United States-based subsidiaries of United Kingdom firms in securing classified defence work. Discussions on this subject aimed at achieving some relaxation of American regulations are in progress but the difficulties are compounded by the fact that the legal situation is substantially different in the two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider the use of Permair laminated to leather for the production of waterproof and breathable combat footwear for issue to the Armed Forces.

The new combat high boot, which is now being introduced into service after an extensive programme of research and troop trials, is expected to give many years of satisfactory service. There are therefore no plans at this stage to initiate a new development programme to replace it. However, if a suitable material emerges with the right characteristics then we would consider whether it might be worthwhile to modify the design of the combat high boot in due course.The Ministry of Defence has invited Porvair Limited to produce, in collaboration with a footwear manufacturer, boots incorporating its Permair material so that its properties can be evaluated for military use.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the replies to the hon. Member for West Lothian on 20 December, why Her Majesty's Government have decided to answer no further parliamentary questions on the circumstances of the sinking of the "General Belgrano".

For the reasons explained in the earlier answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which Service men Granada requested should appear in the programme "World in Action" on 20 December relating to the "Sir Galahad"; what were the reasons for refusing to accede to requests for spokesmen of low or middle rank; and whether soldiers who appeared on the programme spoke with his authorisation.

Granada Television asked to interview the senior commanders of the Task Force in the first instance, and those involved in the operation at Fitzroy on 8 June thereafter. Authority was refused because our own internal investigations were still in progress. The only interview which was subsequently authorised was that of Major-General Moore.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent an assessment was made of the similarity of the radar echo of "Atlantic Conveyor" to that of Her Majesty's ships "Hermes" and "Invincible"; and whether "Atlantic Conveyor" was deployed in order to increase the safety of the carriers by increasing the number of major targets perceived by the Argentine air force.

No such assessment is known to have been made. The "Atlantic Conveyor" was one of a number of large vessels supporting the task force and was in no way treated as unique. The answer to the second part of the hon. Member's question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those countries approached by the defence sales organisation of his Department as potential hosts for the Floater 1983 exhibition.

Negotiations on the itinerary for Floater 83 are not yet complete. I shall consider making a statement about the exhibition in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men who took part in the Falklands operation have since been discharged (a) because their period of service had expired and (b) because they are disabled; if his Department helps with arrangements for their future employment before discharge; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 November 1982, c. 185]: As at 6 December, the latest date for which figures are available, 35 Service personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who were involved in the Falklands conflict had left because their periods of service had expired. In addition, 71 had left the RN and RM on expiry of periods of notice which began before the Falklands operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the uranium enrichment plant at Capenhurst supplies Nuclebras in Brazil with low enriched uranium.

I have been asked to reply.In answering this and the following questions from the hon. Member I am referring to the centrifuge enrichment plant operated by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. at Capenhurst on behalf of URENCO Ltd. The plants servicing URENCO Ltd. are quite separate from the defence plant referred to in the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on Tuesday 21 December.—[c.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the uranium enrichment plant at Capenhurst is working at full capacity.

I have been asked to reply.Yes. The plant is brought on stream in sections as required, and the existing plant is therefore working at full capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what tonnage of enriched uranium goes from Capenhurst to (a) Germany, (b) the Netherlands and (c) United Kingdom installations.

I have been asked to reply.The allocation to customers of low enriched uranium from Capenhurst is determined by URENCO Ltd. in accordance with customers' requirements. URENCO Ltd.'s present total order book will lead to one-third deliveries going to United Kingdom customers, one-third to customers in the Federal Republic of Germany and one-third to other customers, including the Netherlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the means of transport by which enriched uranium is taken to Holland and Germany.

I have been asked to reply.The material is transported in containers designed to internationally approved standards, which are moved by road and sea transport under carefully controlled conditions approved by the Department of Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the security and safety measures taken by the companies and the emergency services en route for any radioactive products leaving Capenhurst.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the uranium enriched plant at Capenhurst is actively seeking export orders.

I have been asked to reply.URENCO Ltd. is actively seeking export orders from the operators of civil nuclear power stations. The Capenhurst plant will undertake the enrichment work allocated to it by URENCO Ltd. Overseas contracts are subject to the approval of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the uranium enrichment plant at Capenhurst is currently supplying the United States of America with medium enriched uranium.

I have been asked to reply.No. The existing civil enrichment plant at Capenhurst produces low enriched uranium only. The product is marketed through URENCO Ltd. which currently has no contracts with the United States of America.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many schools have charitable status.

Charities for the advancement of education take a number of forms; the information asked for about schools could not be provided without disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of sentence served by those convicted of rape (a) against children and (b) against adult women.

Information on victims of rape is not collected centrally. The information available on time served under sentence in prison department establishments by persons convicted of rape or attempted rape who were released in 1981 is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what tests are carried out on radar speed detection devices and the hand-held radar speed gun; and whether all such devices are certified by the British Standards Institution.

The radar speed detection equipment currently used by the police is assessed by the traffic committee of the Association of Chief Officers of Police. In accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act 1982 arrangements are in hand for the equipment to be tested by the Home Office. Approval of the equipment will be by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary rather than the British Standards Institution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to ensure that passport applications for children who are wards of court or who are in the custody of one parent following divorce or separation have the consent of both parents.

Administrative arrangements already exist which aim to provide a safeguard against the issue of a passport without the consent of both parents in the circumstances which the hon. Member has in mind. We do not consider that legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of children wrongfully removed from the United Kingdom and taken abroad are known to him.

Cases involving the unlawful removal of children from England and Wales are brought to our attention from time to time, but no record of the number of such cases has been kept.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to amend the law to provide for a mandatory sentence of not less than 20 years' imprisonment without remission for violent crimes involving a firearm and resulting in the maiming of a police officer.

No. For all offences falling short of murder, Parliament has entrusted the courts with power to decide what sentence is appropriate within the maximum allowed by law, having regard to the nature of the offence of which the accused has been found guilty and to all other relevant circumstances; we think it right that they should have this discretion. The maximum penalty for using a firearm with intent to resist arrest is life imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following his answer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud) on 16 December, Official Report, c. 205, he will set out the 1979 to 1981 prosecutions in respect of breaches in Sunday trading according to the local authorities which initiated them and indicate also for each authority the number of prosecutions that were successful and the average fine imposed.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet able to say when he expects to lay before Parliament a statement of changes in the immigration rules.

I shall make and lay before Parliament a statement of further changes in the rules as soon as possible in accordance with the provisions of section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971, which require me to do so not later than 16 February.The existing immigration rules (HC 394) will apply to any case decided this year and, as I explained to the House on 15 December, the immigration rules contained in the statement laid before Parliament on 6 December—HC 66—take effecton 1 January 1983 and will apply to decisions taken on or after that date until fresh rules come into effect. Applications which have not been decided when those further changes come into effect will fall to be decided under the provisions of the rules as further changed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to reduce the number of people remanded in custody at Risley remand centre.

We are considering the feasibility of establishing a remand function at Liverpool prison to enable that establishment to assume responsibility for the majority of men remanded by courts in Merseyside who are currently held at Risley remand centre. Under such arrangements the unsentenced population at Risley might be reduced by about 250 and these places could be occupied instead by sentenced prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the highest and lowest number of persons remanded in custody at any one time at Risley remand centre during 1982.

The only information readily available is that during the period January-November 1982 the number of persons on remand in custody at Risley remand centre at the end of any month ranged from about 650 to about 800.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently on remand at Risley remand centre; and what is the current planned capacity.

On 30 November 1982 there were about 800 remand prisoners in Risley remand centre. The certified normal accommodation at Risley is 586 places but, as at most local prisons and remand centres, the daily population is generally well in excess of this figure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time people spent remanded in custody at Risley remand centre for the current year and for each of the previous three years.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of persons who died in police custody in 1981 and, separately, in the first half of 1982, giving in each case the date of death, the age at death and the sex of the person concerned, the police station where the death occurred, the police force concerned, the cause of death and the inquest verdict.

Information on deaths in police custody is collected centrally on an annual basis; available information for 1981 was published in Home Office statistical bulletin number 6/82 and the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Information for the calendar year 1982 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now consider extending the period

No. The grounds on which refunds may be given must be limited if the licensing system is not to become unmanageable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what form of security is required when a banker's draft is presented for payment of a deposit in a parliamentary election.

I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the ages, offences, locations, and times spent in custody of the 52 14 to 16-year-old girls received as convicted unsentenced in 1981 but given non-custodial sentences.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 December, c. 139–40]: The available information is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 14 to 16-year-old boys were remanded to prison department establishments on unruly certificates in 1981.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 December, c. 139–40]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of certificates of unruliness issued is considerably greater than the number of boys received. However, a boy aged 15 or 16—and up to 31 March 1981 a boy aged 14—who is awaiting trial may be remanded in custody in a prison or remand centre in England and Wales only if a court certifies that he is so unruly that he cannot safely be committed to the care of a local authority. In 1981 there were about 1,700 receptions into prison department establishments of untried males aged 14 to 16. A boy aged 15 or 16—and up to 31 March 1981 a boy aged 14—who is convicted but unsentenced may also be remanded in custody in a prison or remand centre only with a certificate of unruliness except if he is aged 15 or 16 and has been committed under section 37 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, with a view to borstal sentence. In 1981 there were about 2,200 receptions of convicted unsentenced males aged 14 to 16 into prison department establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the age of each of the 24 14 to 16-year-old boys received as untried but found not guilty in 1981; where each was held; and for how long.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 December, c. 140]: The information requested is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the ages, locations, offences and times spent in custody of each of the two 14 to 16-year-old boys given an immediate prison sentence for vagrancy in 1981.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 December, c. 289–90]: In 1981 two males aged 16 were given detention centre orders for offences of loitering with intent to commit an arrestable offence. One was received into Kirklevington detention centre and the other into North Sea Camp detention centre. One spent 44 days and the other spent 48 days in custody under sentence.

asked the secretary of state for the Home Department what are the ages, locations, offences and times spent in custody of each of the two 17 to 20-year-old girls given an immediate prison sentence in 1981 for vagrancy.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 December, c. 289–90]: Further investigation has shown that the offences for which these two females were sentenced were misclassified; both were found guilty of loitering for the purposes of prostitution and should have been classified under "Offences relating to prostitution". Both were aged 19 and were received into Risley remand centre. One spent 12 days and the other 14 days in custody under sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many suppliers there are in the United Kingdom of dense sodium carbonate.

There are several, but the exact number is not known in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will estimate the proportion of manufacturing costs to the glass container industry that is represented by dense sodium carbonate.

I understand that dense sodium carbonate represents about one-eighth of the direct production costs of a major United Kingdom glass container producer, but this will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to ensure fair competition within the European Economic Community in the manufacture of glass containers by the harmonisation of prices of dense sodium carbonate.

It is not the role of the Department of Industry to seek harmonisation of prices in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he will next review the boundaries of assisted areas in England.

In his statement to the House on 28 June about assisted area boundaries—[Vol. 26, c. 616]—my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry referred to the Government's recognition of the need to maintain reasonable stability in regional policy if industry is to take account of it in making investment decisions. For this reason we do not envisage making any further changes in the assisted areas during the lifetime of this Parliament, other than in the most exceptional circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the average length of time taken by his Department to process applications under the loan guarantee scheme (a) in the year ended 31 March 1982 and (b) in the financial year 1982–83 so far.

It is not possible to be precise, but the average time taken from the date an application reached the loan guarantee unit to the date it was sent back to the bank was approximately eight to 10 working days up to March 1982 and 10 to 12 working days since April 1982. The time taken increased to about three weeks at the beginning of 1982 when demand was at its highest level, but most applications are now being processed in about one week.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether any special compensation from European Economic Community funds is available for workers in the private sector wire drawing industry who will not be made redundant.

I regret that no special compensation is available from Community funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what further steps the Government intend to take to allow the early competitive supply of telecommunications apparatus.

The Government's programme for the liberalisation of the United Kingdom telecommunications market is intended to cover all forms of subscriber's apparatus. A group of standards that together will cover all this apparatus is being written by the British Standards Institution; the first six standards have already been published. Work is well advanced on the standard for call routeing apparatus. Once this standard has been completed and approved by the Secretary of State, suppliers of call routeing apparatus will be able to apply to the independent British approvals board for telecommunications for approval to connect to the public network equipment which complies with the standard. The target date for completion of the standard for call routeing apparatus is July 1983; this will mark full liberalisation of this important category of subscriber's apparatus. However, from the beginning of the three-year liberalisation programme, which is due to be completed in mid-1983 the Government have acted consistently in the belief that it is in the best interests of British industry and telecommunications users to provide as many opportunities for competition as possible before the introduction of full liberalisation under formal British standards.In consultation with industry and British Telecom, the Department of Industry has therefore pursued a programme of "pre-liberalisation" which has over the past year brought on to the free market over 50 products which swould otherwise not have been available at all, or would have been available only from BT. On 23 November I announced the latest tranche of these arrangements which allowed for the approval for private supply of a number of items of small call routeing apparatus and small automatic call distribution apparatus. Applications for approval are now being received. The Department of Industry, following further discussion with BT, is able to announce that BT has agreed the principle, which is welcomed, that suppliers supplying BT with subscriber's apparatus should be free to compete directly in the market place. Because of existing contractual arrangements between BT and its suppliers, and in some cases with third party interests, any proposal for supply to the market by a supplier w ill be a matter for commercial negotiation between BT and the companies concerned. Companies with contracts with BT for the supply of an item of subscriber's apparatus will be welcome to approach BT with such a proposal. The commercial negotiations will take account of intellectual property rights and BT will be free to renegotiate existing contracts if companies wish to take advantage of the new arrangements. If the negotiations are successful, and provided that the subscriber's apparatus is technically similar to that already being supplied by BT, then there should be no obstruction to it being speedily approved for competitive supply. However, before approval is given, the Department will need to be satisfied that there will be an overall advantage to the United Kingdom economy and, in the case of call routeing apparatus, that satisfactory maintenance arrangements exist. These arrangements must be consistent with the Government's policy that only BT may maintain call routeing apparatus unless such apparatus is stored programme controlled digital call routeing apparatus installed after the general liberalisation of PABXs. In the latter case, the apparatus may be maintained by an approved maintenance contractor. Formal arrangements for the registration of maintenance contractors as a pre-condition of their approval by the Secretary of State are being developed by the British Standards Institution as a matter of urgency.This new initiative will introduce greater competition in existing market segments, expand the avenues of supply, increase consumer choice and provide suppliers with an early opportunity to establish positions in the open market.The arrangements for the installation and bringing into service of apparatus as well as its maintenance will be in line with the Government's overall policy and in due course I shall be placing in the Libraries of both Houses a more detailed statement of these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid given by Her Majesty's Government to any country over the past five years has been linked to tourist development by a commercial developer.

I shall write to the hon. Gentleman with the information required as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to make a decision on the request from the Indian Government for laparoscopes to be used in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government plan to hold discussions in India on the request of the Indian Government for laparoscopes to be used in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Two of my professional advisers discussed the requests in India earlier this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of the Minister of State, Official Report, 10 December, c. 630, how he intends to establish the adequacy of sterilising facilities in the hospitals in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in which the Indian Government intend to use the laparoscopes which were requested on 26 October and 2 November; and why this matter cannot be left to the Indian Government.

The adequacy of sterilising facilities is only one of the factors we would want to take into account when discussing the distribution of the instruments. In the first instance, we would ask for information from the relevant health authorities. It is our normal practice to make inquiries of recipient Governments to make sure that equipment provided under the aid programme is used safely and effectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing for Afghan relief work.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced recently when he visited Pakistan, a further contribution of £1 million is being made towards the work of relief agencies. £50,000 of this is to be allocated to the Afghanistan support committee. Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate to the overseas aid Vote. Pending that approval the necessary expenditure will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply of the Minister for Overseas Development, Official Report, 22 November, c. 390, whether it has yet been determined whether additional provision on the overseas aid Vote will be required for aid to the Falkland Islands.

As my right hon. Friend told the right hon. Member for Lanark on 8 December—[Vol. 33, c. 864]—the proposed new aid for the Falkland Islands will be financed mainly from additional funds and no existing aid commitments will be cut to pay for it. These decisions will be reflected in the main Estimates presented for 1983–84 and subsequent years.I cannot yet say what supplementary provision will have to be sought for the present year, but it is probable that an increase of up to £500,000 for the Falkland Islands will be needed in the allocation for regional technical co-operation for the dependencies—Supply Estimates Class II, Vote 10, Subhead D1.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reach a decision concerning investment in Agusan del Sur; and if he will make a statement.

I am earnestly considering the proposed investment by the Commonwealth Development Corporation and hope to be in a position to reach a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidelines for future European Community aid relating to the situation of women in developing countries which were agreed at the Development Council of 8 November.

A copy has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken to examine Soviet counterclaims in respect of alleged damage by British forces carried out after the 1914–18 war; and if he will detail the present amount of Russian assets frozen in the United Kingdom since 1918.

Careful consideration has been given over the years to Soviet counterclaims against the United Kingdom relating mainly to British intervention in Russia between 1918 and 1920. Our proposals for a settlement are still on the table. At this stage I do not think it would be sensible to disclose the further details sought by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the rules of engagement for the United Kingdom Forces in the Lebanon; how they will be commanded; what command arrangements will exist between them and the supreme commander in the Lebanon; and who and what nationalities will hold the appointments concerned.

The British contingent will be under its own British commander. He will work alongside the other commanders of the multinational force in a committee under the auspices of the Lebanese Government. The rules of engagement have not yet been worked out. They will have to ensure that our Forces are effectively able to defend themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will correct the arithmetical error in the reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury, Official Report, 16 December, c. 233, about British nationals held in detention abroad.

In the reply given to the hon. Member on 16 December, 141 British nationals were in detention for periods of over three months but less than six months and 508 for longer than six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation of the Hague convention 1980 regarding the prompt return of children wrongfully removed from a country.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Home Office on 2 December to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence). We have not yet taken a decision on signature and ratification of the convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make representations to the Spanish Government to permit British citizens who are tourists in Spain to visit Gibraltar through the border gates between Spain and Gibraltar;(2) if he will make representations to the Spanish Government to permit British citizens who are not resident in Gibraltar to be granted permission to visit Spain through the border gates between Gibraltar and Spain;(3) what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government on the failure of the Spanish Government to allow tourists into and out of Gibraltar through the border gate.

Her Majesty's ambassador at Madrid is in touch with the Spanish Government about the categories of persons whom the Spanish authorities are allowing to cross to and from Gibraltar. The Spanish Government are aware that, while we view any lifting of restrictions as a welcome step in the right direction, we do not regard partial opening of the frontier as a substitute for the full removal of restrictions as envisaged in the Lisbon agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations took place with the Government of Gibraltar on the hours of opening of the border gate on the Gibraltar side of the border; and what was the outcome of these consultations.

My right hon. Friend took note of the Gibraltar Government's view, conveyed to him by the Chief Minister, that the gates on the Gibraltar side should be shut overnight. But we believe that it is right to maintain the position that there have never been restrictions on our side. The Gibraltar Government accept that this is a decision for Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Gibraltar House of Assembly to discuss the situation at the border gates between Gibraltar and Spain; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. We are always happy to discuss matters of mutual concern with Gibraltar leaders when the occasion arises.