asked the Attorney-General what recent steps he has taken to review the length of time prisoners are held on remand before being put on trial.

Waiting times between committal and trial in the Crown court are continually kept under review and various measures taken, such as the provision of additional judges and courtrooms, have helped to reduce average waiting times for those in custody from 12 weeks in 1979 to 9½ weeks in the third quarter of 1983. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary continues to encourage measures to reduce waiting times in magistrates' courts and discussions are taking place with the relevant associations to that end.

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to receive the report of the Law Reform Committee on limitation in negligence cases involving latent defects.

I am advised that the Law Reform Committee is currently in the final stages of its work on the subject of limitation in negligence cases involving latent defects and that a report will be submitted to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects work on sinking the shaft at the Asfordby pit to commence; when he expects this development to start production; and when he expects the pit to be in full production.

The development of the Asfordby new mine project is a matter for the National Coal Board. I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total cost in 1983 for the payment of British Telecom accounts in respect of all United Kingdom offices under his control.

The total cost of all payments to British Telecom in the financial year 1982–83 was about £858,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children, at each applicable age level, are at present attending nursery schools in each local education authority area.

The number of children aged 2, 3 and 4 in each local education authority in England attending nursery schools in January 1983 are:

Full-time and part-time pupils in nursery schools
	Aged 2	Aged 3	Aged 4	Total
Barking	0	0	0	0
Barnet	105	377	7	489
Bexley	17	103	55	175
Brent	55	203	19	277
Bromley	0	0	0	0
Croydon	52	331	1	384
Ealing	88	402	136	626
Enfield	0	0	0	0
Haringey	84	141	1	226
Harrow	0	0	0	0
Havering	0	0	0	0
Hillingdon	0	82	19	101
Hounslow	0	0	0	0
Kingston-upon-Thames	41	165	25	231
Merton	44	158	6	208
Newham	141	665	232	1,038
Redbridge	0	0	0	0
Richmond-upon-Thames	29	41	0	70
Sutton	13	128	91	232
Waltham Forest	32	320	99	451
ILEA	743	2,407	865	4,015
Birmingham	340	1,380	389	2,109
Coventry	119	267	2	388
Dudley	43	283	149	475
Sandwell	26	117	14	157
Solihull	0	0	0	0
Walsall	310	529	10	849
Wolverhampton	143	527	154	824
Knowsley	0	0	0	0
Liverpool	178	366	21	565
St. Helens	24	49	1	74
Sefton	61	241	11	313
Wirral	65	173	17	255
Bolton	177	422	2	601
Bury	34	123	1	158
Manchester	137	195	54	386
Oldham	0	0	0	0
Rochdale	101	769	1	871
Salford	334	423	19	776
Stockport	143	593	1	737
Tameside	77	241	0	318
Trafford	4	45	31	80
Wigan	53	128	2	183
Barnsley	33	104	28	165
Doncaster	0	0	0	0
Rotherham	0	225	106	331
Sheffield	85	522	134	741
Bradford	85	351	138	574
Calderdale	0	97	0	97
Kirklees	100	491	259	850
Leeds	7	216	49	272
Wakefield	47	353	78	478
Gateshead	16	42	1	59
Newcastle upon Tyne	184	406	2	592
North Tyneside	51	255	1	307
South Tyneside	143	662	1	806
Sunderland	53	852	0	905
Isles of Scilly	0	0	0	0
Avon	228	988	271	1,487
Bedfordshire	82	746	533	1,361

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he proposes to introduce legislation to change the rules on early retirement for school teachers.

My right hon. Friend proposes to make regulations under section 24 of the Superannuation Act 1972 to provide for premature retirement compensation, at the employer's discretion, for teachers in maintained schools and establishments of further education. A scheme which anticipates the making of regulations is already in operation and there is no intention to change the current rules.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decision on the proposals made by the Southwark diocesan education commission for the reorganisation at Roman Catholic secondary schools within the Inner London area.

As soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister what percentage of the age group she now expects to get two A-levels in 1985, 1990, and 1995, respectively; and what percentage of the age group in each of those years she expects to be able to take up a course in higher education.

The DES report on education No. 99, which gave projections of the future demand for higher education, included estimates of the percentages of 18-year-olds expected to obtain at least two GCE A-levels —or, in Scotland, three SCE highers—in 1985, 1990 and 1995. The estimates were 16·4 percent. 17·3 percent. and 17·7 per cent. respectively. The report gave upper and lower bounds for the numbers able and willing to enter higher education. The percentage of 18-year-olds entering if demand was met — the age participation rate — was projected to lie between 14·3 and 14·6 per cent. in 1985–86; 14·3 and 15·4 percent. in 1990–91 and between 14·7 and 15·7 per cent. in 1995–96.The assumptions underlying these projections are currently under review in the light of comments recently received from outside bodies, and it is planned to release by around Easter revised projections which take account of the latest statistical information.

asked the Prime Minister whether the agreement made in January 1948 between the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom concerning the use of atomic weapons is still current.

The so-called modus vivendi, signed by American, Canadian and British representatives in January 1948 was not a formal inter-governmental agreement and the arrangements it enshrined have almost all either become unnecessary or have been superceded by later agreements. It has, however, never been formally terminated.

asked the Prime Minister, if she will pay an official visit to Girvan.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Gainsborough.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Merseyside.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what progress was made during the Christmas recess in improving relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

My right hon. and learned Friend will today have a meeting with the Soviet Foreign Minister in Stockholm. This is part of the serious dialogue which we have made clear we are ready to pursue with the Soviet Union.

asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the balance of responsibility between central and local government.

In general, yes. But the position in relation to public expenditure and rates is not satisfactory; our Rates Bill will restore a proper balance here.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list those Departments of State, other than the Home Department, which have any responsibilities which relate to (a) the Channel Islands and (b) the Isle of Man.

Her Majesty's Government retain responsibility for the defence of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and for their external relations, including those with the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, respectively, have general responsibility for these matters, and other Departments are involved when a subject raises their particular responsibility.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will facilitate expansion of output by increasing the credit base.

Sustainable increases in output are not achieved by loosening financial conditions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will take steps to bring about a fall in interest rates regardless of the level of interest rates in the United States of America.

Firm control of public sector borrowing has contributed to reductions in United Kingdom rates relative to United States rates over the past year. The only way to secure a lasting fall in interest rates is to maintain sound financial policies.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will encourage expansion by measures designed to reduce the real exchange rate.

The Government's policies are designed to promote sustainable economic expansion, by pursuing sound financial policies and extending and improving the operation of market forces in the economy. This provides the best framework for industry, including those who work in it, to increase their competitiveness, both by cutting unit costs and by improving the important non-price aspects of performance.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will encourage the pound sterling to fall against the European monetary system currencies in line with any fall in the US dollar against those currencies.

The Government continue to have no target for the exchange rate, movements in which reflect market forces.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in respect of the £300 million contract secured by Cementation Ltd. to build a university in Oman any other British firms requested the assistance of Her Majesty's Government in the negotiations or were notified of the possibility of obtaining the contract.

The decision of the Omani Government to proceed with the establishment of the Sultan Qaboos university received wide publicity and the Department of Trade and Industry issued a notice through its export intelligence service in April 1981 drawing attention to the project. It subsequently issued further notices. No United Kingdom construction company had approached the Department about the project prior to the decision of the Omani Government to award a turnkey contract to design and build the university to Cementation International Ltd. The only British companies to register an interest with the Government had been a number of consulting firms interested in a design contract.

Banks asked the Prime Minister what has been the cost each year of official hospitality at No. 10 Downing street since May 1979.

The cost of official hospitality during each financial year, from May 1979 to December 1983, is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister what allowances Ministers receive when engaged on official visits abroad.

Ministers travelling abroad are treated in exactly the same way as senior Civil Servants and are entitled to draw the same subsistence allowances. The rates of these allowances vary according to the location visited.

asked the Prime Minister how many trips abroad have been made by Government Ministers since May 1979; and what was the cost.

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has issued any guidance to Ministers for the disclosure by them of any interests which close relatives of a Minister may have in commercial undertakings on whose behalf that Minister may be acting in his official capacity to help secure orders from overseas customers; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore) on Wednesday 18 January 1984.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about her negotiations with the Government of Oman for the award of a contract for the construction of a university in Oman to Cementation Ltd.; and whether she is satisfied that no conflict of interest arose due to her involvement in these negotiations.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on this matter in the House on Tuesday 17 January 1984.

asked the Prime Minister if she will set up an inquiry into the monopoly supply by the British Oxygen Company of medical gases to the National Health Service.

In accordance with his general statutory responsibilities, the Director General of Fair Trading will be ready to examine any evidence of restrictions on competition with a view to considering whether to take any action.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his reply dated 1 December, Official Report, c. 597–98, concerning the issue of food to infantry

Allowance	Current Rate	Applicability
(1) Retail Messing Allowance	£2·10 per day (in UK)	Where single and married unaccompanied personnel are in public accommodation (not messes) with self-catering facilities.
(2) Meals Out Allowance	£2·11 per day (in UK)	Where meals are regularly purchased from commercial sources.
(3) Special Messing Allowance	Actual Costs—each case considered on its merits	Where no mess and self-catering facilities exist and meals have to be taken in restaurants—in exceptional circumstances.

All allowances apply to officers as well as soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to assist those notified to his Department as being made redundant at Skarsten Ltd. in Welwyn Garden City.

The Manpower Services Commission will of course do all it can to help those workers who were made redundant find new jobs, and all its advisory, placement and retraining services will be at their disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures.

On 8 December, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,079,378. The underlying trend in unemployment has been flat, with only small increases and decreases in the past six months.

Short asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many women were registered as unemployed at 31 December 1983.

On 8 December 1983, the latest date for which the statistics are available, the number of unemployed female claimants in the United Kingdom was 912,442.

(a) Food allowances paid to those not living in mess and, where mess facilities are not available, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many closed shop ballots provided for in the Employment Act 1980 have taken place since the passing of that Act.

The balloting provisions of the Employment Act 1980 apply only to closed shop agreements which took effect after 14 August 1980. We are not aware of any ballots which have been held in accordance with these provisions, nor is it possible to identify any closed shop agreements which have been introduced since 14 August 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many cases since the passing of the Employment Act 1980 an individual has succeeded in establishing that he was unfairly dismissed from his employment in circumstances where he objected to being a member of a trade union on grounds on conscience or deeply held personal conviction.

One such case has been decided by an industrial tribunal. In addition, a number of persons dismissed from closed shops between 1974 and 1980 have received compensation under the scheme introduced by section 2 of the Employment Act 1982 having established that they objected on grounds of conscience or deeply-held personal conviction to being a member of a trade union.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many apprentices have been made redundant in the Wolverhampton travel-to-work area and in the west midlands as a whole since December 1981.

From 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1983 about 60 apprentices have been made redundant in the Wolverhampton travel-to-work area and about 1,140 in the west midlands region.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will give the numbers employed in the schools career advisory service, nationally and by local education authorities, and national average annual salary for 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively;(2) what sums were expended, nationally and by local education authorities, on the schools career service in 1981, 1982 and 1983; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the cost (a) nationally and (b) in the north-west region of reintroducing a system of collecting statistics of the number of trained nurses out of employment.

It is not practicable to compile unemployment statistics for any one occupation alone. An occupational analysis of all the unemployed would be involved and this could be compiled only at an excessive cost.

asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether plans for any further financial assistance to build theatres, centres containing theatre accommodation or for the refurbishment of existing theatres in the east midlands or the city of Leicester are included in the Arts Council's expenditure proposals for 1984–85.

The Arts Council's statement to my noble Friend of its estimated needs made no specific reference to the building or refurbishment of particular theatre accommodation. With the exception of the funding proposed for the Royal Opera house and the Royal Shakespeare company in the light of the Priestley report, the allocation of the grant to the council announced on 20 December is a matter for the council itself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if he will take steps to welcome and assist the World Archaeological Congress meeting in Southampton and London in 1986; and if he will make a statement.

I shall write to my hon. Friend about this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether he will make a statement regarding the extent of his Department's support for the Imperial war museum and his plans for the future thereof.

The Imperial war museum receives an annual recurrent allocation from the Office of Arts and Libraries programme towards its staff salaries and other running costs net of estimated receipts, together with a separate grant-in-aid for purchases. The museum's original net Vote—Class X Vote 15—for these purposes in 1983–84 was £4·140 million, but the cash limit was subsequently decreased to £4·099 million following the July 1983 reductions. Its net allocation for 1984–85, subject to parliamentary approval of the Supply Estimates, will be £4·383 million. Provision for capital building and maintenance work at the museum is charged to the Office of Arts and Libraries programme and borne on Property Services Agency Votes.My noble Friend the Minister for the Arts is currently considering the museum's proposals for the major renovation and redevelopment of its main building, and hopes to reach a decision shortly. The estimated cost of the whole scheme is £20 million, spread over eight years, and the proposal envisages that it might be undertaken in a series of self-contained stages. A decision on whether, and when, public funds can be provided towards part or all of the scheme will need to take into account the resources likely to be available for building work at the national museums and galleries, the competing needs of the other national institutions, and the scope for private contributions towards the cost.

asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts when he expects to announce the individual allocation to the national museums and galleries for purchase grants and other running costs for 1984–85.

The recurrent provision for the national museums and galleries which, subject to parliamentary approval of the Estimates, my noble Friend the Minister for the Arts proposes to make for 1984–85 within the total of £58,227,000 given in the earlier statement of 20 December 1983 is as follows:

	Original 1983–84 allocation £ million	1984–85 allocation £ million
British Museum	12.536	12.865
Imperial War Museum	4·140	4·383
National Gallery	6·797	7·024
National Maritime Museum	4·080	4·304
National Portrait Gallery	1·789	1·866
Science Museum	7·728	8·492
Tate Gallery	5·375	5·595
Victoria and Albert Museum	10·456	11·397
Wallace Collection	0·791	0·823
Sir John Soane's Museum	0·165	0·200
Museum of London	1·229	1·278
Total	55·086	58·227

Within these figures, provision is made for purchase grants-in-aid at the same underlying level in 1984–85 as in 1983–84, before allowing for the incidence of revotes; for pay and price movements in line with the Government's assumptions for other running costs; and for extra resource for conservation and other special needs. In addition, the 1984–85 allocations allow for the transfer to the Science museum and Victoria and Albert museum of provision for certain supplies formerly borne on Property Services Agency Votes, and for the return of the Slide library from the Museums and Galleries Commission to the Victoria and Albeit museum. As usual, the net allocations for individual institutions take account of the incidence of estimated receipts and of revotes. Provision is made separately on the Property Services Agency Vote, and charged against the arts and libraries programme, for capital building, maintenance and related expenditure for the national museums and galleries. Subject to parliamentary approval of the Supply Estimates, this provision will total £25 million in 1984–85, and will enable priority to be given to an enlarged programme of repairs, maintenance and refurbishment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the cost of policing the Greenham common base.

The Thames Valley police authority estimates the total cost of policing Greenham common in the current financial year as some £3·7 million. About 65 per cent. of all policing costs in Thames Valley are met by central Government through police grant and rate support grant. As my right hon. and learned Friend said in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 22 December 1983 — [Vol. 51, c. 350.] — he is making available an additional £1·5 million in recognition of the exceptional additional costs borne by the police authority which it could not have foreseen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any evidence from the prison medical service about the extent of addiction to cigarettes by under-age inmates of custodial institutions.

The experience of prison medical officers suggests that most young inmates, including those under 16, smoked before coming into custody but only a small proportion of these could be considered dependent on nicotine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to announce a date when he will introduce legislation to deal with animal cruelty.

We shall be introducing legislation to replace the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 as soon as parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet able to announce the date when the Government are proposing to introduce legislation to amend the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.

We shall introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the control of the illegal importation and use of hard drugs.

We shall not be satisfied so long as the illegal importation and use of controlled drugs continue at their present disturbing levels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received recently on the working of the Official Secrets Act.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will compare the number of fiancées entering and seeking entry from the Indian subcontinent in 1983 and 1982.

The number of female fiancées admitted to the United Kingdom from the Indian subcontinent in the nine months to 30 September 1983 — the latest date for which information is available—was 2,230 compared with 2,040 for the first nine months of 1982. Information relating to fianceés seeking entry is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men or women, engaged to marry British citizens, resident in the United Kingdom and unemployed, have been refused entry into the United Kingdom in 1983, on grounds that their entry might result in recourse to public funds.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now set up a review into the United Kingdom's constitutional relationship with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what current Acts of the United Kingdom Parliament extend to (a) Jersey, (b) Guernsey and (c) the Isle of Man.

I regret to say that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he monitors the operation of the Shops Act 1950; and if he will make a statement.

This Government have made clear that they regard the existing legislation as in need of reform. Following the failure of Bills introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. Whitney) and by Baroness Trumpington in another place to make progress my right hon. and learned Friend has set up a committee of inquiry to consider what changes are needed in the Act. We hope to receive the report of this committee by the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners whose relatives live in Northern Ireland, but who started then-prison sentence in Great Britain, have been transferred to Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

The following table gives the number of permanent and temporary transfers of prisoners to Northern Ireland from both England and Wales and Scotland in each of the last 10 years. In addition there have been a number of prisoners who were transferred temporarily to Northern Ireland for court appearances who subsequently remained there.

	Permanent transfer	Temporary transfer*
1974	1	4
1975	13	2
1976	0	3
1977	0	3
1978	0	3
1979	1	3
1980	2	3
1981	0	1
1982	0	0
1983	3	1
* Includes some prisoners transferred temporarily on more than one occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently serving sentences or are on remand in prisons in England and Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of prisoners in each security category in each of the four prison department regions; and what is the certified accommodation in each security category in each of the four prison department regions.

The readily available information for adult males is given in the following tables. Women and young offenders are not categorised in this way.

Adult males serving sentences in Prison Department establishments in England and Wales on 30 November 1983; by security category and region.
*Estimated number
	Prison Department region
Security category	North	Mid-land	South East	South West	Total
A	100	40	70	50	250
B	1,330	570	1,880	1,070	4,850
C	3,560	2,270	2,810	1,750	10,390
D	1,130	960	1,560	600	4,240

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of the Public Order Acts; and if he will make a statement.

Work on the review is continuing. It may be possible to complete the work and to announce conclusions within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage change in the number of convictions for criminal offences of 16 to 21-year-olds between 1979 and 1983.

Information by age groups is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". For persons found guilty of or cautioned for indictable offences, there were, per 100,000 population, increases of 16 per cent. between 1979 and 1982 for juveniles aged 16, and of 15 per cent. for persons aged 17 and under 21. Figures for 1983 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have heating systems fired by oil; and whether consideration has been given to conversion of these heating systems to coal-firing.

Seventy-seven prison department establishments in England and Wales have heating systems fired by oil. These establishments are listed in the following table. Whenever major work is required on boiler systems coal is considered along with other fuels. A detailed investment appraisal takes into account capital and running costs over the life of the plant. In the case of the 10 planned new prisons where a decision has already been taken coal has been shown by the investment appraisals to be the best choice.

The 77 prison department establishments which have heating systems fired by oil
Acklington	Kirkham
Albany	Kirklevington
Aldington	Latchmere House
Ashford	Leeds
Askham Grange	Lewes
Aylesbury	Leyhill
Bedford	Lincoln
Birmingham	Liverpool
Blantyre House	Maidstone
Blundeston	Manchester
Brockhill	Medomsley
Buckley Hall	New Hall
Bullwood Hall	Northeye
Camp Hill	North Sea Camp
Campsfield House	Parkhurst
Cardiff	Pentonville
Chelmsford	Preston
Coldingley	Pucklechurch
Dartmoor	Ranby
Dover	Reading
Drake Hall	Risley
Durham	Rochester
East Sutton Park	Send
Eastwood Park	Shepton Mallet
Erlestoke House	Shrewsbury
Everthorpe	Stafford
Featherstone	Styal
Finnamore Wood	Sudbury
Foston Hall	Swansea
Grendon/Spring Hill	Swinfen Hall
Gringley	Usk
Guys Marsh	Wakefield
Hatfield	Wandsworth
Haverigg	Wellingborough
Hewell Grange	Werrington House
Hollesley Bay	Winchester
Holloway	Wormwood Scrubs
Hull	Wymott
Huntercombe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to increase the size of the Special Constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

It is for the chief officer of each police force to determine how many special constables to appoint. We shall continue to encourage chief officers to recruit as many special constables as they can usefully train and deploy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the Government's response to the Home Affairs Committee's report on the Representation of the People Acts.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to the Thames Valley constabulary of policing the demonstration by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on Wednesday 28 December at Upper Heyford.

The chief constable tells me that the estimated cost of policing the demonstration was £800.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the work of his crime prevention unit in reducing the incidence of burglary.