asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries there were in London in 1983 compared with 1979.

One hundred and fifty-four thousand offences of burglary were recorded by the police in the Metropolitan police district in 1983. The corresponding figure for 1979 was 118,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners now being held in English prisons have made application to be transferred to complete their sentences in Northern Ireland.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the clear-up rate for serious crime in London in 1983; and how this compares with 1979.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that in 1983 the clear-up rate for notifiable offences recorded by the police in the Metropolitan police district was 17 per cent. and the corresponding figure for 1979 was 20 per cent. Figures for 1983 and 1979 are not entirely comparable because of changes in the counting rules made in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to discuss the level of crime in London.

My right hon. and Learned Friend is in regular contact with the commissioner on all aspects of policing in London, including the level of crime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which counties had established civil defence volunteer organisations at 30 November 1983 as envisaged in S.I., 1983, No. 1634.

Formal county volunteer organisations existed only in Devon and Surrey, although other counties had plans to make use of individual volunteers. The new regulations require local authorities to make arrangements for volunteers to come forward and to train and exercise them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which county councils had established a civil defence emergency centre and standby centre; and how many district councils within each county area had also established an emergency centre as at 31 March 1984.

Forty six county councils have established emergency and standby centres; and 306 district councils have established an emergency centre. I shall write to my hon. Friend with the details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which county councils had made and kept up to date civil defence plans as at 30 November 1983.

The new regulation came into force on 1 December 1983. Before this county councils were only required to make plans, and all did. There was no requirement then to keep these up to date, and we have no record of how many authorities did so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to issue detailed guidance on the standards required for civil defence emergency centres.

Guidance is available to local authorities on request and will be included in the consolidated circular to be issued this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria his staff use for monitoring the performance of local authorities in carrying out their civil defence responsibilities.

We intend to monitor the performance of local authorities against the different requirements of the new civil defence regulations. A questionnaire to this effect is being prepared. The new civil defence adviser, when appointed, will help us to work out the right criteria for assessing the replies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to run a national civil defence exercise in 1985.

No. This would not be sensible until civil defence preparations are more advanced. We are encouraging district, county or regional exercises, such as the successful exercise "West Wind" in the west country last November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authorities plan to increase their emergency planning staff, and by how many, during the financial year 1984–85 as a result of the new civil defence regulations statutory instruments Nos. 1633 and 1634 of 1983

The following applications for an increasein full or part-time staff have been received:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to re-issue the consolidated civil defence guidance notes as outlined in circular ES/1 1983.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in recent weeks in his monitoring of the performance of local authorities of their legal duties relating to civil defence.

We are now consulting the local authority associations and the Greater London council on the terms of a questionnaire, which we intend to issue shortly, designed to assess progress since 1 December. A professional civil defence adviser is being recruited who will help us to analyse the responses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he gives specific guidance to chief constables for advising community volunteer leaders about law and order problems within the civil defence context.

No. Guidance on the role of volunteers and community organisations in war is contained in Home Office circular No. ES 2/1981, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Volunteers have a crucial role in civil defence, out we intend that responsibility for law and order should remain with the Government and the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any representations from local police authorities in regard to the costs of policing the miners' picket lines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet able to give the cost of the police operations in the miners' dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet able to give figures for the cost of policing the miners' dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of additional policing operations required to maintain public order during the recent industrial action by the National Union of Mineworkers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the total cost of policing connected with the present dispute in the coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the average daily cost of policing the current industrial dispute between the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Coal Board.

I have received representations from a number of police authorities about the additional costs arising from the policing of the miners' dispute. While it will be some time before I am able to make a reliable estimate of the total costs, it is clear that they will impose a severe burden on the finances of some police authorities. For this reason, I announced, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart) on 11 May, at columns 483–84, the details of a special payment which I am prepared to make, in addition to police grant, in respect of these costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contribution his Department will be making to the Lancashire county police authority to defray the cost of policing pickets in the mining dispute within the county.

Fifty per cent. of all approved police expenditure in England and Wales is met by the Home Office through a police grant. My right hon. and learned Friend announced in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart) on 11 May, at columns 483–84, the details of a special payment which he is prepared to make, in addition to police grant, in respect of approved additional expenditure arising from the policing of the miners' dispute. We cannot yet say whether or to what extent the Lancashire police authority will benefit from this special payment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Cambridgeshire police man hours have so far been devoted to preserving law and order in connection with the current miners' strike.

I understand from the chief constable of Cambridgeshire that up to 16 May some 95,161 man-hours have been spent in helping other forces in duties connected with the policing of the miners' dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report copies of all communications he has had with chief constables and police authorities about police conduct during the miners' strike.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to receive the report from the chief constable of Nottinghamshire over the questions asked of miners who had been arrested; and what are the reasons for the delay in answering the original question tabled by the hon. Member for Walsall, North for answer on 2 April.

The chief constable has now provided me with a report on allegations about questions put by police officers to people at Mansfield police station on 27 March. The report was delayed to establish whether or not the allegations were to become the subject of a formal complaint, under section 49 of the Police Act 1964. Such a complaint has now been made, and it would not be right for me to comment on the allegations further at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with Sir Kenneth Newman about the new code of ethics; and if it is his intention to allow hon. Members to participate in any public endorsement of the code.

I am considering a draft of this document which the commissioner has sent to me. It is the commissioner's intention to seek public comment on it in due course and on the statement of policing principles which it complements. Hon. Members will have an opportunity to express their views at that time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the progress in establishing neighbourhood watch schemes within the Metropolitan police area.

Yes, good progress is being made. I understand that figures now being collated will show that at least 350 neighbourhood watch schemes are in operation in the Metropolitan police area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to make further savings to reduce the projected total running costs of his Department in 1984 to 1985.

Keeping running costs to the minimum needed to carry out its functions is a continuing objective of my Department. Plans for tightening control over Home Office running costs were included in last year's White Paper on financial management in Government Departments (Cmnd. 9058).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to limit the powers of magistrates to remand people in custody for alleged offences that do not carry imprisonable sentences.

No. The Bail Act 1976 already limits a court's powers to refuse bail to persons charged with non-imprisonable offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of times over the last 12 months that body belt restraints have been used in prisons in England and Wales.

Provisional figures for 1983, the latest period for which information is available, indicate that body belts were used on 113 occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the clear-up rate for crime in 1983; and what was the figure for 1979.

Statistics of notifiable offences recorded by the police and cleared up were published in Home Office statistical bulletin 5/84 on 15 March. The clear-up rate for notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1983 was 37 per cent. The corresponding figure for 1979 was 41 per cent. Figures for 1983 and 1979 are not entirely comparable because of changes in the counting rules made in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet the Association of Chief Police Officers to discuss crime levels.

My right hon. and learned Friend meets representatives of the association regularly to discuss a wide range of policing issues, including crime rates. There is no meeting arranged at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which bodies he has invited to submit evidence to the inter-departmental working group reviewing the operation of the criminal injuries compensation scheme.

In addition to Government Departments and official bodies, 75 organisations have been specifically invited to submit evidence. They include bodies in England and Wales or Scotland representing the legal, medical and nursing professions, the judiciary, the police, prison and fire services, public transport workers, the private security and insurance industries and the licensing trade, and social work organisations. A full list has been placed in the Library of the House. Any organisation or individual is welcome to submit evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what body determines firemen's pay and conditions of service.

These are matters for negotiation between representatives of fire authorities and their employees on the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research results he has had on the effect on crime of increased police foot patrols; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware of the results of research summarised in the report "Crime and Police Effectiveness". I am informed by chief constables that increases in the number of police officers on the beat has allowed the investigation of minor crimes to be increasingly undertaken by uniformed staff, thereby releasing the CID to concentrate on more serious crime. It has also enabled the police to establish schemes such as neighbourhood watch. The effectiveness of these schemes is being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the 1983 agreement regarding non-payment of television licence fees for those living in homes for mentally and physically handicapped has now been brought into full operation; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop) on 15 May at column 98.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans any changes in the forensic science service.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to make any major changes in the forensic science service, but intends to continue to keep its efficiency and scientific standards under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the statistics on the drink-drive campaign carried out by the police during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his question on 23 January at columns 398–99. The statistical bulletin mentioned in that reply is being prepared and will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the annual cost of policing marches and demonstrations in the Metropolitan police area; and what is the number of police man hours involved.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has estimated the cost of policing marches and demonstrations in the Metropolitan police district in 1983 which required the presence of 100 or more officers at £5.44 million. The number of man-hours involved was 437,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Association of Chief Police Officers; and what subjects were discussed.

Apart from social occasions, my right hon. and learned Friend last met the president of the association on 27 March when he reported to him, on behalf of his colleagues, on the police operations in relation to the miners' dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has received for an increase in police force establishments.

Nine police authorities in England and Wales have applied for increases totalling 87 posts in their police establishment for the current financial year 1984–85. My right hon. and learned Friend will shortly be considering these applications in the light of advice from Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary, together with applications outstanding from three other police authorities for the last financial year 1983–84.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has readily available figures for the number of electronic scanning devices used by the Metropolitan police.

It would not be in the interests of police operational effectiveness to provide details of electronic devices used to search for and examine firearms and explosives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the sentences available to the courts to deal with violent offenders are appropriate.

We are generally satisfied that appropriate and sufficient penalties are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in convictions of persons under 21 years of age since 1979.

The number of persons aged under 21 years found guilty at all courts of all offences in England and Wales has increased by 10 per cent. over the period 1979 to 1982. Information for 1983 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards alternative sources of funding for the British Broadcasting Corporation.

We have no present plans to change the way in which the BBC's services are financed, except that it is proposed that the DBS joint project, in which it is foreseen that the BBC will have a half share, will be financed by subscription, with the possibility of supplement from advertising revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently in police and court cells.

On the night of 16–17 May, there were 13 prisoners in police cells. None had been held longer that one night.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is considering to improve police efficiency and effectiveness.

Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary will continue to encourage forces to manage resources efficiently and effectively, in accordance with the guidance which my right hon. and learned Friend recently issued to chief officers and police authorities, and to ensure that examples of good practice are widely disseminated. We attach importance to the sustained contribution of the Department to improve efficiency and effectiveness through its work in such important areas as crime prevention, police training, new technology and research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress there has been in considering reparation to the victims of their crimes by young offenders.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North-West (Mr. Bellingham). We believe that reparation may have a particularly useful contribution to make in cases involving young offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the level of police recruitment and the numbers of police in England and Wales.

On 31 March 1984, the strength of the police service in England and Wales was 121,053—an increase of 9,560 over May 1979. All forces remain at, or very close to, their authorised establishments and there is no shortage of good quality recruits to fill vacancies caused by retirements and resignations. This is satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate how many representations he has received about naturalisation procedures, including the level of fees, since 13 April.

Since 13 April we have received three letters from Members of this House and one from an organisation about nationality procedures generally and/or the level of nationality fees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made to reduce the delay in considering applications for British citizenship.

The case working groups in the nationality division have been enlarged and reorganised, and simplified procedures for conducting outside inquiries have recently been introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider introducing legislation to confiscate the motor cycles of persons convicted of offences of violence in seaside towns, and only to be reclaimed by a fine of 50 per cent of the value of the motor cycle.

This suggestion will be taken into account in our general review of the laws on forfeiture and compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches have taken place in English women's prisons over the past 18 months; how many women were involved; and in how many cases anything was found.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a copy of any management summary of the detailed operational requirement or specification of the Metropolitan Police command and control computer and criminal information computer will be placed in the Library.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that no suitable management summary is at present available, but that a brochure on the command and control system is being prepared for issue later this year. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry to the United Kingdom from (a) husbands and (b) fiancés were decided and refused in each quarter of 1983 in each of the following countries: (i) Jamaica, (ii) Nigeria, (iii) Australia, (iv) Canada, (v) the United States of America, (vi) Spain and (vii) the Philippines; and how many refusals were wholly or partly because the primary purpose of marriage was held to be immigration to the United Kingdom.

The information on applications for entry clearance to the United Kingdom made in countries outside the Indian sub-continent is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department has made in experimentation into cornputerised facial recognition systems.

The scientific research and development branch of the Department has experimented with the use of modern technology to produce a facial likeness from witness descriptions, and to classify and retrieve photographic images. Current work involves the use of computers for retrieving photographic images from large databases. A number of technical hurdles remain to be overcome before an economic and operationally viable system is developed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police on what guidance he issues to his constables about the use of handcuffs on persons arrested or held in police custody.

I understand from the chief constable that his policy—embodied in force standing orders—is that whether or not a prisoner will be handcuffed must depend on the circumstances of the particular case, as, for instance, the nature of the charge and the conduct arid temper of the person in custody; that handcuffing will not be resorted to unless there is fair ground for supposing that violence may be used, or an escape attempted, that handcuffing cannot be justified unless there are good special reasons for resorting to it; that females, juveniles, the old and infirm will not be handcuffed unless there are exceptional circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police on how many occasions during the past year handcuffs have been put on women arrested at Greenham common.

I understand from the chief constable that the number of occasions on which women arrested at Greenham common during the last year have been handcuffed are few, if any.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will estimate the cost to public funds if every member of the Metropolitan police special constabulary were to receive tax-free bounty payments comparable to those currently paid to members of the Territorial Army;(2) if he will estimate the cost to public funds if every member of the special constabulary in England and Wales were to receive tax-free bounty payments comparable to those currently paid to members of the Territorial Army.

It is not possible to make reliable estimates from the information available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations of concern were made to his Department by spokesmen of the opposition parties over the takeover of the Libyan People's Bureau from the time of that takeover in February until the shooting of WPC Fletcher.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to estimate the total cost of the police actions directly related to the recent incident at the Libyan People's Bureau.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information is likely to be available shortly. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates Commander William Hucklesby reported direct to him, either verbally or in writing, during or after the siege of the Libyan People's Bureau.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of casualties which would result from a one megaton nuclear missile landing on the city centre of Liverpool.

No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question on 20 December 1983 at column 132.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his duties in relation to monitoring privately-owned children's homes and other units in which social services departments make placements.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Warwickshire as to the circumstances surrounding the detention on Thursday 10 May for two and a half hours in Nuneaton police station, of a 20-month-old baby, Matthew Ham.

I understand from the chief constable of Warwickshire that the incident arose from the arrest of the child's father at a time when he had sole custody of him. It was not possible to make alternative arrangements for the care of the child, who was allowed to remain with his father while the latter was being interviewed. I am satisfied that proper steps were taken to ensure the wellbeing of the child while his father was in police custody.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place between civil air traffic control and military authorities on exchanging information on military air traffic movements on helicopter routes to and from North Sea rigs and platforms.

The National Air Traffic Service (NATS), which has responsibility for the safety and efficiency of air traffic management in United Kingdom air space, is a joint Civil Aviation Authority/Ministry of Defence organisation. There is thus continual dialogue between civil ATC and military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider moving the test bombing range at Rosehearty to an area which involves less interactions with civil helicopter routes.

Air traffic matters relating to military use of Rosehearty range are kept under constant review. Measures to improve the procedural separation of military and civilian aircraft in the area were instituted last month.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider ways of enabling the Royal Air Force liaison officer assigned to civil air traffic control during a military exercise to intervene in the event of a potential near miss developing.

No. The liaison officer's role is to provide co-ordination between civil ATC and military operators. It would be impractical and potentially hazardous for him to attempt to control individual aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations have been received by his Department relating to near misses involving military aircraft and helicopters flying from Humberside to southern gasfields;(2) how many representations have been received by military authorities from civil helicopter operators about near misses and other incidents involving military aircraft and civil helicopters.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last three years military authorities have held formal discussions with helicopter operators and civil air traffic control on ways of improving the separation of military aircraft and civilian helicopters; and what was the date of the last such meeting.

A variety of forums exists for the exchange of views, both formal and informal, on this subject, and numerous discussions have taken place. The last such formal meeting — of the National Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee—was held in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to improve direct communication by military aircraft with civil air traffic control.

Yes, where this is thought necessary. Steps are being taken to provide Aberdeen air traffic control with a special UHF frequency for use by those military aircraft with essential operational reasons for transiting the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts placed by McDonnell Douglas in the United Kingdom in each of the past seven years totalling £300 million referred to by the Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 12 April, Official Report, column 527.

More than 30 companies have received contracts from McDonnell Douglas covering a wide range of defence and aerospace equipments and including work on the Harpoon, F4, F15, F18, AV8 and AV8B projects. However, details of contracts between United Kingdom companies and McDonnell Douglas are a matter of commercial confidence between the companies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts are made by each section of the armed forces to employ service men who have been blinded whilst serving in the forces; what new technologies are being used to allow such blind persons to remain in the forces; and if he will make a statement.

Unfortunately, blind personnel cannot be retained in the services because they cannot perform an adequate range of military duties to an acceptable standard. I do not think that the use of new technologies is able at present to change this situation significantly. However, wherever possible, servicemen who are blinded in one eye, and still retain useful vision in the other eye, are offered the opportunity to continue their service provided they are, or can be, employed in a trade where their standard of eyesight is acceptable.Anyone invalided due to blindness that was attributable to service in the armed forces would, of course, be eligible to receive a disability pension from the Department of Health and Social Security as well as an occupational pension from my Department. he would also be given considerable assistance with resettlement into civilian life.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the investigations by the Royal Military Police into allegations concerning the possession and supply of drugs, involving soldiers serving in Germany with the 14th/20th Kings Hussars, have now been completed; if any charges are to be brought; and if he will make a statement.

The Royal Military Police investigation has been completed. I am not yet in a position to say whether any charges will be brought.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport by what criteria he will determine expenditure levels for public transport joint boards during their first three years of existence.

In setting precepts for passenger transport joint boards following the abolition of the metropolitan county councils, I shall have regard to the level of national resources which it would, in my view, be appropriate to make available for the support of public transport in those areas. I shall also consider the information provided in the plans prepared by the passenger transport executives about the benefits to be derived from different levels of support and the implications for fares and services, taking account of the scope for improvements in productivity and reductions in unit costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what conservation and other groups have made representations opposing the development of a container terminal at Falmouth.

Representations opposing this development — some in qualified terms — have been received from:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the overtime ban by workers employed on the Severn bridge is having on essential repairs and on the time scale for their completion.

The overtime ban has necessitated some reprogramming of the works now in progress, but it is not expected to delay their completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport for what purpose manned and unmarked caravans were parked off the hard shoulders on the northbound and southbound carriageways of the M1 a few yards north of junction 9 at about 3 pm on Saturday 12 May; how long they were parked there and for what purpose; and in what form and when the information collected will be published.

This site is one of a number used for a continuing national transport census and it was being used for that purpose at the time referred to by the hon. Member. Traffic counts are usually spread over one week in each month. On this occasion the caravans were there from 11 to 16 May. The information collected is published quarterly in "Statistics Bulletin Traffic in Great Britain" and also appears annually in the publication "Transport Statistics Great Britain". Copies of both publications are placed in the Library of the House. The next quarterly bulletin will appear in June and the annual publication in the late autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine why the road junction on the A4 Great West road at the intersection with North End road has been altered; and if he will make a statement.

This alteration, which reduces the number of lanes available for traffic travelling towards central London from three to two, was introduced by the GLC, despite contrary advice from GLC officers and the police who warned of an increased risk of accidents.I have written to the GLC asking it to call off this experiment before tragic consequences are added to the congestion and environmental damage that have already been caused.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made with his plans to build a new court house in Stockport; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Our officials hope very soon to be in a position to approve the accommodation schedule for this scheme; it will then be for the providing authority, Stockport metropolitan borough council, to submit sketch plans and cost estimates. Every effort will be made within existing staff resources to help the authority to meet its projected 1985–86 building start date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the current levels of charges for registering companies under the Companies Acts.

The current fee to register a company is £50.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now take steps to control the export of handcuffs; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to improve the opportunities for disabled people to take part in and enjoy the arts; and if he will make a statement.

My noble Friend the Minister for the Arts encourages all arts organisations to take steps, within the resources available to them, to facilitate the participation of disabled people in the arts, including improvements in access to premises. The Minister and the Arts Council of Great Britain are represented on the Attenborough committee set up by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust to examine existing facilities for disabled people in the arts and to make suggestions for their improvement. He has made available £10,000 to assist the committee in a study in connection with its work.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many requests for guidance regarding the propriety of the receipt of gifts were referred to establishment officers in each Government Department over the last three years, under article 9883 of the "Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code."

This information is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many occupational therapists are in post in the National Health Service in Tayside region; and how the figures compare with other regions.

The number of occupational therapists in post in each health board at 30 September 1983 is shown in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now concluded his discussions with the principal organisations concerned with salmon fishing in Scotland regarding a salmon tagging scheme to curb salmon poaching; and if he will make a statement.

No; the necessary discussions have not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of the total number of pickets arrested from 14 March, at the beginning of the miners strike, to 10 May, by police force area; and what information he has as to the nature of offences with which those arrested have been charged.

From 14 March to 10 May 1984, both dates inclusive, a total of 512 arrests were made: one in the area of Central Scotland police, six in the area of Fife constabulary, one in the area of Lothian and Borders police and 504 in the area of Strathclyde police. These figures include 334 persons detained in Strathclyde en route to locations at which the police had reasonable cause to fear a breach of the peace.The majority of those arrested were charged by the police with breach of the peace and/or contravention of section 41 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 — obstructing the police. Four persons were charged, respectively with vandalism, assault, trespass, and possession of an offensive weapon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outcome of his review of the law of trespass on residential premises in Scotland.

More than 40 replies were received to the consultation document which I issued on the law of trespass in Scotland. I am grateful to the bodies and individuals who provided comments. Nearly all of those consulted took the view that the existing common law and statutory provisions were adequate in Scotland and that no new criminal offence of trespass need be created. I agree with this conclusion, and do not intend to propose changes to the existing law in Scotland in relation to trespass on residential premises.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 17 May.