asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the Atomic Energy Authority special constabulary standing orders in the Official Report.

It is not customary for standing orders issued to police forces to be published and I consider that it would not be prudent to make an exception in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the annual cost of the Atomic Energy Authority special constabulary for each year since 1976.

The total expenditure on the Atomic Energy Authority constabulary since 1976 is as follows:

Date	£ million
1976–77	2·0
1977–78	2·5
1978–79	2·8
1979–80	4·4
1980–81	6·2
1981–82	6·9
1982–83	7·7
1983–84	8·8
1984–85	*9·6
*Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many constables are currently employed under the Atomic Energy Authority (Special Constables) Act 1976.

The strength of the Atomic Energy Authority constabulary as at 1 April 1985 was 654. Officers of the Atomic Energy Authority constabulary are not employed under the Atomic Energy Authority (Special Constables) Act 1976. The constabulary exists by virtue of the Special Constables Act 1923 as applied by the Atomic Energy Authority Act 1954.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he intends privatising the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority; and if he will make a statement.

As I told the House on 11 February in response to a question from the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) at column 31, there are no plans to privatise the Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the latest estimate of the cost of answering written and oral questions, respectively; and what is the cost upper limit for providing answers in each category.

The costs of individual questions vary considerably, but the current average cost is estimated at £41 for written answers and £67 for oral answers. Ministers may decline to give a substantive reply to a parliamentary question if they consider that the cost of providing that reply would be disproportionate to its value to Parliament and public. An advisory figure of £200 was introduced in 1982 as the level at which Ministers might consider whether the expense of a full reply was justified. It is for individual Ministers to decide particular cases; there is no upper level of cost which automatically disqualifies a question from answer.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many temporary research assistant passes are at present issued to (a) United Kingdom nationals, (b) United States nationals and (c) other nationals.

Of the 269 temporary research assistants' photo-identity passes on issue on 1 May 1985, 169 were issued to United Kingdom nationals, 91 to United States citizens and nine to other nationals.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many temporary research assistant passes have been issued to (a) United Kingdom nationals, (b) United States nationals and (c) other nationals, since 1 May 1984.

This information is not available, except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many hon. Members' secretarial passes are at present issued to (a) United Kingdom nationals, (b) United States nationals and (c) other nationals.

A total of 636 secretaries' photo-identity passes were on issue on 1 May 1985. Of these, 562 were permanent passes and all these were held by United Kingdom nationals. Of the remaining 74, who were issued with temporary passes, 58 were United Kingdom nationals, 11 were United States citizens and five were other nationals.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many hon. Members' secretarial passes have been issued to (a) United Kingdom nationals, (b) United States nationals and (c) other nationals since 1 May 1984.

This information is not available, except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans for removing asbestos from Northern Ireland Housing Executive property where it is discovered.

This is a matter for the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, who has advised me that, when improvement work is to be carried out to Executive dwellings, consideration is given as appropriate to the removal of any materials containing asbestos or their encapsulation (protection with a sheet of asbestos-free board or treatment with a suitable sealer). In addition to this general policy, asbestos in solid fuel room heaters is removed when planned maintenance is carried out and a programme for the replacement of all electric warm-air units containing asbestos is being drawn up.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the publications subsidised from the public funds of Northern Ireland Departments, other public bodies and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, respectively.

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether all the recommendations in regard to staffing levels and security measures outlined in the Baker report have been met;(2) what are the numbers of maximum security prisoners in each prison in Northern Ireland; and how the staffing levels to deal with them compare with the staffing levels required for similar prisoners in Great Britain;(3) what are the staffing requirements for each prison including the new prison in Northern Ireland; and what are the actual staffing levels for prison staff in each grade;(4) what is the design capacity by modern standards for each prison in Northern Ireland, including the new prison; and what are the actual numbers in each prison at the present time;(5) If he will publish in the

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to introduce in Northern Ireland the provisions of the Employment Act 1982 and the Trade Union Act 1984.

Following consultations with interested bodies, it is my intention to bring forward a proposal for legislation in Northern Ireland which will reflect the changes introduced in Great Britain by the Employment Act 1982. The application to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Trade Union Act 1984 will be addressed in further discussions with interested bodies which will now get underway.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement outlining how the pension payable to former Prime Ministers is funded, detailing what part contributions play, how it takes account of length of service and cost of living changes and if it is based on salary as approved by the House.

Former Prime Ministers are awarded immediate non-contributory pensions, on leaving office, under section 26 of the Parliamentary and other Pensions Act 1972. Irrespective of the length of service, the amount of pension is 15/40ths of the Prime Minister's full salary as approved by both Houses of Parliament. The pensions are not funded in advance, but are paid directly out of the Consolidated Fund. They are increased annually in line with increases in the cost of living but may not exceed the amount that would be paid to the current Prime Minister if he or she were to leave office.On assuming office, Prime Ministers cease to belong to the parliamentary pension scheme. They lose all the pension rights accrued to date, and the contributions they have paid become refundable with interest, and are repaid to them when they leave office.The pensions of former Prime Ministers are withheld at any time while they draw a salary from public funds other than that paid to them as Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits have been made by the Health and Safety Executive each year since 1978 to the Coppermill lane waterworks of the Thames water authority.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors have visited the site on the following number of occasions each year since 1978.

	Visits
1978	1
1979	3
1980	3
1981	5
1982	2
1983	1
1984	1

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has recently received from the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission as to the adequacy of the staff of the Health and Safety Executive to undertake inspection work related to the storage of hazardous chemicals.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a quarterly breakdown of the number of workers employed in the construction industry in the west midlands for each quarter since 1979.

The information is as follows:

Employees in Employment
Construction industry West Midlands region
		Numbers
1979
	March	100,000
	June	103,000
	September	103,000
	December	103,000
1980
	March	102,000
	June	102,000
	September	102,000
	December	98,000
1981
	March	95,000
	June	94,000
	September	92,000
	December	88,000
1982
	March	86,000
	June	86,000
	September	86,000
	December	84,000
1983
	March	81,000
	June	81,000
	September	82,000
	December	80,000
1984
	March	78,000
	June	78,000
	September	78,000
	December	76,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers in Wales now earn less than the Council of Europe's decency threshold.

The new earnings survey indicates that in April 1984 about 30 per cent. of full-time adult employees in Wales had gross weekly earnings for a full week of less than £108·3, the latter figures corresponding to 68 per cent. of the national average for all full-time adult employees. Although an advisory committee of the Council of Europe has suggested the figure of 68 per cent. of national full-time adult average earnings as significant in considering low pay, the figure has not been accepted or recognised by the United Kingdom or any other European country.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his answer of 7 May, Official Report, column 609, he will publish the evidence upon which he based his statement that in certain instances it can be demonstrated that wages councils keep down rather than put up wages.

I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations the International Labour Organisation has made to his Department concerning the Government's proposed de-ratification of International Labour Organisation Convention 26.

The International Labour Organisation has not made representations to this Department concerning the proposal to de-ratify International Labour Convention 26.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many information technology centres have earned revenue in excess of £10,000 during their third year of operation.

[pursuant to his reply,26 April 1985, c. 589]: Final accounts from all sponsors are not now expected to be available until June or July, but current information shows that two information technology centres earned revenue in excess of £10,000 in their third year of operation. The large majority of centres have not yet completed their third year of operation.The rules relating to revenue generation by information technology centres have recently been relaxed and this should provide a greater incentive for centres to generate income.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the request from the hon. Member for Swansea, West for a meeting to discuss deaths at Swansea prison.

My right hon. and learned Friend has written today to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now reconsider the deportation case of Mrs. Nasdeen Shahid Ali in view of the medical report received about her.

Mrs. Nasdeen Shahid Ali's case has been fully considered in the light of medical reports on her condition, on the basis of which I am advised that there is no reason to believe that her health would be at risk if she returned to Pakistan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1970 the number of (a) women and (b) men who have been sent to prison for first offences in respect of (i) shoplifting and (ii) domestic violence, respectively.

The information on sentencing by type of offence published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (Chapter 7 of the issue of 1983, Cmnd. 9349, and Supplementary Tables, Vol. 1, Tables S1.1(A)-(E) — magistrates' courts and Vol. 2, Tables S2.1(A)-(E) — the Crown Court) does not distinguish first offenders from other offenders; nor are offences of domestic violence distinguishable from other offences of violence against the person. The results of a special study on the sentencing of first offenders in 1977 were published in tables 10.4 to 10.6 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1978" (Cmnd. 7670); corresponding information for other years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the establishment of the Lancashire police force on 28 February; what was the actual strength on the same date; to what factors he attributes the difference in the two figures; and if he will make a statement.

The authorised establishment of the Lancashire constabulary is 3,158, an increase of 40 since May 1979. The strength of the force was 3,067 on 28 February 1985. Police manpower levels fluctuate from month to month because of different recruiting and wastage patterns, seasonal changes and other local reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many road accidents involving Metropolitan police vehicles on emergency calls have occurred in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

The precise information requested is not readily available. In a very substantial mileage covered annually by Metropolitan police vehicles (amounting to some 50 million miles in 1984) the following are the numbers of accidents involving police vehicles responding, to an emergency call or pursuing a suspect vehicle where it was considered that the driving of the police vehicle was in some measure responsible for the accident.

	Answering emergency call	Pursuing suspect vehicle otherwise than in response to an emergency call	Total
1982	213	72	285
1983	252	78	330
1984	312	57	369

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have (a) been killed or (b) been injured as a result of road accidents involving Metropolitan police vehicles on emergency calls in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

The number of people killed as a result of road accidents involving Metropolitan police vehicles engaged on emergency calls or pursuing suspect vehicles is as follows:

	Answering emergency calls	Pursuing suspect vehicles otherwise than in response to an emergency call	Total
1982	4	4	8
1983	1	2	3
1984	0	5	5

The precise information requested is not readily available. The following figures relate to the number of accidents involving Metropolitan police vehicles where injury occurred:

	Answering emergency calls	Pursuing suspect vehicles otherwise than in response to an emergency call	Total
1982	37	13	50
1983	36	8	44
1984	36	7	43

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the amounts due from each of the London Football League clubs to the Metropolitan police for police services provided for the seasons 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 to date.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is as follows:

Amounts owed to the Metropolitan police as at 3 May 1985 for policing services during the seasons 1983–84 and 1984–85
	1983–84	1984–85
	£	£
Arsenal	—	4,135·03
Brentford	—	13,921·32
Charlton	—	2,372·30
Chelsea	—	19,022·90
Crystal Palace	21,911·79	34,931·55
Fulham	—	17,301·35
Millwall	—	7,862·82
Orient	—	4,002·98
Queens Park Rangers	—	3,583·23
Tottenham Hotspur	—	11,733·66
West Ham United	—	—
Wimbledon	—	2,488·68

No money is owed to the Metropolitan police for policing at football matches in the two proceeding seasons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for determining the level of policing needed inside London Football League clubs; what criteria are applied; what discussions normally take place between the Metropolitan police and the individual clubs on the level of policing; and if he will make a statement.

The safety certificates issued by the GLC in respect of grounds designated under the Safety of Sports Ground Act 1975, require the holder of the certificate to

"seek to arrange for and use its best endeavours to secure, at the holder's expense, the attendance at the stadium of the appropriate number of officers of the Metropolitan Police force, determined by agreement between the holder and the police".

For the 1984–85 season the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has instructed senior officers to seek agreement with clubs on the number of police required both for normal games and for those likely to present special problems; but the certificates specify that in the absence of such agreement it is the decision of the commissioner that prevails. Where a ground is not designated under the Act, such agreement is sought with the club on an informal basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places there are in CI wing of Holloway prison; and what has been the average monthly occupancy rate since January 1984.

C1 unit, Holloway prison, holds a maximum of 46 inmates. The average monthly occupancy rate since January 1984 has been as follows:

	Average Numbers
1984
January	31
February	30
March	28
April	31
May	32
June	38
July	43
August	42
September	41
October	40
November	40
December	39
1985
January	35
February	36
March	33
April	31

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total occupation and capacity of Holloway prison for each year since 1978 and for each month of 1985.

The information requested is as follows:

Date	Population	CNA
1978	*359	†221
1979	*363	†245
1980	*355	†253
1981	*331	†247
1982	*315	†247
1983	*332	†247
1984	*335	†247
January 1985	‡330	‡247
February 1985	‡327	‡247
March 1985	‡344	‡247
April 1985	‡346	‡247
* Average.
† As at 31 December.
‡ On last day of month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when considering applications for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom, which Government Departments are consulted.

No routine inquiries of other Government Departments are made in connection with applications for indefinite leave to remain but other Departments are consulted if it appears they may have information which is relevant to a decision under the Immigration Rules in a particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances refugees recognised in terms of the United Nations Convention on Refugees 1951 may be deported from the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. Member to articles 32 and 33 of the convention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees have been deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years; and on what grounds.

I am not aware of any case in this period in which a person granted recognition as a refugee in the United Kingdom has subsequently been deported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average period of time taken to deal with applications by refugees for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

This information is not readily available, but I am arranging for it to be obtained, and I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportation orders have been served during each of the last 10 years on the grounds of national security; and how many have been carried out in each of these years.

Two orders were served and enforced in 1977 and six served and enforced in 1984 on these grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens with indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom have been deported during each of the last 10 years; and on what grounds.

The information requested is not available. Such persons could only be deported under sections 3(5) (b), 3(5) (c) and 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971. The total numbers of persons so deported in each year from 1973 to 1983 were published in table 20 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1983" (Cmnd. 9246); a large proportion of these would not have had indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been deprived of British nationality within the last 10 years; and on what grounds.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the procedure for depriving persons of British nationality.

The statutory procedure for deprivation of citizenship is laid down in section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average period of time taken to deal with applications for the renewal of travel documents; and for what period travel documents are normally renewed.

At present straightforward applications for the issue and renewal of travel documents are being delat with in about four weeks. Travel documents are normally renewed in line with the holder's leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. For those with indefinite leave to remain documents are issued with five years' validity to refugees and with two years' validity to others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has carried out or sponsored any research into the economic consequences for Wales of the introduction of Sunday trading.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies carried out an economic review of the likely effects of possible changes in the permitted trading hours of shops in England, Scotland and Wales which has been published as an appendix to the report of the Auld committee: "Late Night and Sunday Opening" (Cmnd. 9376). Specific research has not been sponsored separately for Wales alone.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the implications for employment in Wales of the introduction of Sunday trading.

I have no reason to suppose that the predictions of the Institute for Fiscal Studies for England and Wales as a whole should not apply other than in a proportionate manner to Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date after the shooting on 17 April 1984 Mr. Salah Najem was escorted from the Libyan People's Bureau under police supervision; on what date he is believed to have entered it; whether he is currently resident in the United Kingdom; and in what permitted capacity.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what species of great ape are or have been used for the purpose of experimentation in the United Kingdom at any time during the past three years; and for what purpose.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 April 1985, c. 570]: The information collected centrally does not distinguish between types of primate. I understand, however, that no species of great ape—defined as a chimpanzee, a gorilla or an orang-utan—is currently in use in experimental work at any of the establishments which are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend, and that no experiments involving the use of such species are known to us to have been conducted at such establishments at any time during the past three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made with regard to the proposed sale of Vosper Shiprepairers Ltd. of Southampton; and if he will make a statement.

Vosper Shiprepairers is currently formalising a lease for an important part of its site. The company cannot be sold until this negotiation has been completed. Nevertheless, British Shipbuilders is in discussion with potential purchasers of the company and hopes to be able to complete the sale before too long.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid out in grants each year from the support for software products scheme; and what was the take-up in Northern Ireland.

The information is as follows:

(a) From inception in 1972 to the relaunch of the scheme in 1982,£4·1 million was paid in grants. A further breakdown of the figures for this period would entail disproportionate costs.

Since the relaunch in 1982, figures are as follows:

	£
1982–83	1,633,193
1983–84	2,985,106
1984–85	8,249,004
*1985	768,868
* 1 to 30 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the United Kingdom share of imports of manufactures into the European Economic Community 10 in each year since 1962 and for the latest 12 months or part year for which figures are available.

The annual figures are in the table. It is estimated that the share in the period January to September 1984 was about 7½ per cent.

European Community Imports of Manufactures* from the United Kingdom†
	Per cent.
1962	11·2
1963	11·4
1964	10·8
1965	10·2
1966	9·6
1967	9·2
1968	8·7
1969	8·4
1970	7·9
1971	7·8
1972	7·4
1973	7·2
1974	7·2
1975	7·5
1976	7·8
1977	8·3
1978	8·4
1979	8·6
1980	8·5
1981	8·4
1982	8·0
1983	7·8
* Standard International Trade Classification sections 5 to 8.
† The proportion of imports of manufactures by the other members of the present European Community which come from the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for European Economic Community countries and non-European Economic Community countries, United Kingdom imports as a percentage of United Kingdom manufacturing less exports for industrial headings 35, 3510.1, 3510.2, 353, 3634; 43, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 438, 439, 45 less 451, 452, 453; 424, 481, 4811, 4831, 4833, 4954, 3452, 3453, 3454, 373, 4116, 346 and 415 for the years 1975, 1979 and the latest 12 months for which figures are available in each case.

The information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for standard industrial category headings 3137, 3161, 3165, 3212, 324, 3244, 3245, 3254, 3255, 326, 327, 3281, 3283, 3288, 342 and 3432 the ratio of imports to home demand in 1975 and at the latest available date for the European Economic Community and the non-European Economic Community countries together with the relevant import figures.

The information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for standard industrial category headings 2235, 224, 2245·2, 2471, 2479, 2489, 251, 2512, 2514, 2515, 2516, 2563, 2568, 2569, 259, 2591 and 2599 the ratio of imports to home demand in 1975 and at the latest available date for the European Economic Community and the non-European Economic Community countries together with the relevant import figures.

The information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the membership of the Advisory Committee for Scotland appointed by him under section 54 of the Telecommunications Act 1984.

The following people are currently members of the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of employees in the steel industry at the latest date for which statistics are available and one, three, five and seven years earlier.

The following is the information requested:

Total Labour Force engaged on ECSC Steel Activities in United Kingdom
	'000
End April
1978	171·1
1980	142·8
1982	85·6
1984	62·5
1985	61·1

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what emphasis he intends to place on the West Midlands region during the course of the campaign which he is initiating to encourage foreign firms to establish themselves in the United Kingdom.

The "Britain Means Business" (BMB) campaign will promote overseas a single, united image of the whole of the United Kingdom with no geographical bias. The promotional efforts of the relevant public sector inward investment bodies and the private sector will be co-ordinated to achieve maximum success and benefit for the United Kingdom.The west midlands, in common with all the other areas of the United Kingdom, has the opportunity to play a full and active part in the campaign's activities. On their behalf the West Midlands Industrial Development Association (WMIDA) is acting as co-sponsor at two events in the United States as well as being involved in other BMB activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, region by region, the number of private enterprises which are contributing towards the sponsorship of the campaign which he is initiating to encourage foreign businesses to establish themselves in the United Kingdom.

Fifteen private enterprises so far have agreed to contribute in cash or in kind to the "Britain Means Business" campaign. Most of these enterprises are in the banking or accountancy sectors and are based in London, although many have operational branches throughout Britain. Region by region, of the 15 enterprises, 13 are based in the south east of England, one in the west midlands and one in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to take any steps to seek to encourage his counterpart in the Japanese Government to persuade private companies in his country to consider establishing themselves in the west midlands.

The Secretary of State made clear to Japanese Government and industry during his recent visit to Japan that the Government welcome Japanese companies whose investment will be of net benefit to the United Kingdom economy. The precise locations of those investments within the United Kingdom are for the companies themselves to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific assistance he intends to give to the West Midlands Industrial Development Association to promote further investments and new industries in the West Midlands Region.

For the period April 1985 to March 1986, up to £130,000 of grant aid will be made available to the West Midlands Industrial Development Association, towards promotional activities directed to attracting new industry, especially from overseas, to the west midlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he is giving to United Kingdom companies bidding for contracts for the Lo Aquerre reactor in Chile.

Assistance from my Department is available in the normal way in support of any British bids to refurbish the Lo Aquerre research reactor. Any transfer of nuclear materials to Chile would have to comply with the Government's general policy on the export of nuclear material as set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in her reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 28 January at columns 24–5.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in negotiations over the sale of Scott Lithgow, Trafalgar House was asked to give any indication of its employment projections for the years 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

At the time of sale Trafalgar House indicated that it expected employment to be about 2,000 initially, with subsequent levels depending on its ability to secure new orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations took place between his Department and Trafalgar House over the decision by Trafalgar House to seek several hundred redundancies at the Scott Lithgow yard.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether in his negotiations for the sale of Scott Lithgow, Trafalgar House was asked for a commitment to maintain manning levels at the yard.

Trafalgar House was not asked for a commitment to maintain manning levels at the yard. When we returned the yard to the private sector we were giving it a second chance, not guaranteeing its future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which firms of accountants have been sent an indication that his Department will accept private sector accountants on secondment for work under the Official Receiver.

Following a decision to apply to the insolvency service the practice of exchanges between private and public sector, a wide range of accountancy firms have been approached.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if a regional development grant and/or regional selective assistance was paid to the General Electric Company towards its recent £9 million investment programme.

Information on regional development grants payments of £25,000 and over and regional selective assistance offers of £5,000 and over is published quarterly in British Business. It is not the usual practice, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, to give any further information about assistance to particular companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the establishments and yards divested by British Shipbuilders since 1979, the nature of the business undertaken in each of the facilities divested and the names of the firms acquiring those facilities.

The following companies have been sold by British Shipbuilders since 1979:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the preparation for the non-proliferation treaty review conference since his answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang), 19 March, Official Report, column 438.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 May at column 428.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to discuss with Commonwealth countries the issues to be raised in the 1985 review conference of the non-proliferation treaty.

We are keeping in touch with several Commonwealth countries, which are parties to the non-proliferation treaty, about the forthcoming review conference. We are also urging those members of the Commonwealth which are not parties to adhere to the treaty. In the past year, five have done so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom delegation to the non-proliferation treaty review conference in Geneva in September will be raising the matter of the current non-application of full physical inspection nuclear safeguards at the Windscale reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

We do not intend to raise this matter at the review conference. Although we have voluntarily offered to submit United Kingdom installations to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, our signature of the non-proliferation treaty, as a nuclear weapon state, did not require us to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the potential contribution of the advanced verification techniques set out in the threshold test ban treaty and the peaceful nuclear explosion treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics towards the establishment of verification measures for a comprehensive test ban treaty.

Any consideration of how to verify a comprehensive test ban would naturally have to take account of the provisions of existing treaties on nuclear testing. The problems involved in the verification of a total ban on nuclear testing, however, are more difficult than in the case of the limited constraints which currently exist.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors prevent an immediate resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive test ban treaty.

It would be premature to resume negotiations while key technical problems, including those of verification and compliance, remain unresolved. We believe these should be discussed by the Geneva conference on disarmament and are working actively to get a nuclear test ban committee established there. We also play a full part in the work of the scientific experts group set up by the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what degree of precision Her Majesty's Government require in the scientific monitoring of underground nuclear tests as a prerequisite for agreeing to a comprehensive test ban treaty.

Considerable improvements in scientific monitoring techniques are required as a first step towards precluding, under a comprehensive test ban regime, a clandestine continuation of nuclear testing at levels sufficient to confer a significant military advantage. This is one of the verification issues which, along with other Western delegations, we have proposed should be the subject of substantive examination by the Geneva conference on disarmament, with a view to negotiation of a treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will cancel discussions with the E1 Salvadorean Government regarding training facilities for E1 Salvadorean officers.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any progress has been made in discussions with the Spanish Government on any outstanding issue dependent upon further British concessions on the issue of sovereignty over Gibraltar.

There have been useful discussions with Spain on a number of matters relating to Gibraltar. These have not affected our position on sovereignty: we stand by the commitments in the preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the United Kingdom parliamentary delegation to the North Atlantic Assembly.

The following represent the United Kingdom at the North Atlantic Assembly:

• Sir Patrick Wall MP (Leader)
• Mr. Robert Banks MP
• Mr. Julian Critchley MP
• Sir Philip Goodhart MP
• Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith MP
• Mr. Robert McCrindle MP
• Sir Julian Ridsdale MP
• Mr. Peter Viggers MP
• Sir Peter Emery MP
• Earl of Kimberley
• Earl de la Warr
• Dr. David Clark MP
• Mr. Patrick Duffy MP
• Mr. Bruce George MP
• Mr. Kevin McNamara MP
• Lord Ardwick
• The right hon. Lord Mayhew
• Mr. John Cartwright MP

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means he monitors how much cereal and other foodstuffs are delivered by the European Economic Community as a result of the decision taken at the Dublin summit.

The Commission compiles shipment plans for Community and member states' food aid in preparation for coordination meetings between the Commission and member states. There have been two such meetings since the Dublin Council, and a third will be held shortly. Between these meetings my staff are in regular contact with Commission officials over the rate of delivery of Community food aid. Statistics are also included in the Food and Agriculture Organisation's monthly reports of food aid deliveries to countries affected by famine.

asked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions arising from the miners' strike were awaiting trial on 1 May 1985.

Statistics of this nature supplied during the course of the dispute were compiled by the national reporting centre, which has now closed down. I am therefore unable to say exactly how many cases arising from the miners' strike were awaiting trial on 1 May 1985. The available figures, although not covering all courts, continue to show steady progress in the disposal of these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received about Smith houses since July 1984; and from whom such representations have been received.

Since July 1984 my Department has received representations concerning Smith houses from six members of Parliament, two local authorities and nine home owners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is available to him about the proportion of sewage leaking through faulty sewers; what are the risks from such leakage of pollution of water sources; and if he will make a statement.

Flow volumes in sewers, which include rain water run-off, are not generally recorded and therefore no estimate of leakage from sewers can be made. As a rule, water sources are located well away from sewers as a precaution against contamination. Further protection is given by disinfection at water treatment works where water enters the public supply system, and by regular sampling and analysis. These precautions are generally effective and sewage contamination incidents are very rare.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which authority will have responsibility for the Lesnes Abbey site and surrounding parkland following the abolition of the Greater London council.

Subject to the views of Parliament, my right hon. Friend proposes that the site of Lesnes Abbey will be transferred by order to the ownership of the London borough of Bexley on the abolition of the Greater London council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last reviewed the safety and inspection procedures in respect of hostels, boarding, lodging or guest homes in multiple occupation; and when the next review is due.

My right hon. Friend continues to review local authorities' powers in the light of representations which he receives. My Department is carrying out research which involves examining the condition of the HMO stock and local authorities' use of the existing legislation. My right hon. Friend wishes to see the outcome of this research before deciding whether further measures are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation imposing a duty on inspectors responsible for the listing of buildings to notify owners of intended visits and of the possibility that the property may be listed; and if he will make a statement.

No. Unfortunately, there is a real danger that some owners would take advantage of prior notification to carry out works prejudicial to the special interest of a listable building. My Department takes all reasonable steps to explain to owners the implications of listing after a building has been added to the statutory list. Field workers carry identity cards to show to owners or occupiers in cases where internal inspection is necessary, and have been briefed to explain the nature of the survey as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide an appeal procedure in relation to the listing of buildings; and if he will make a statement.

No. A building is listed if it is considered to be of special architectural or historic interest. This is a professional and technical assessment made according to principles of selection formulated in 1970 by the former Historic Buildings Council, agreed with my Department and consistently applied ever since. Those assessments depend entirely on the actual merits of particular buildings and an appeal procedure would not therefore be appropriate. There is, of course, a full right of appeal by an owner against the refusal of consent to alter, extend or demolish a listed building.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the qualifications necessary for appointment as an inspector responsible for the listing of buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Appointment to the Historic Buildings Inspectorate of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England currently requires a degree in architectural history or a related subject, together with evidence of relevant post-graduate research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 339, if he will list by local authority area the addresses of the 39 cases which have been decided and give his detailed reasons in each case for making or declining to make a determination under paragraph 5 of schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1980, as amended.

In deciding whether or not to exclude a dwelling from the right to buy under paragraph 5 of schedule 1, my right hon. Friend must consider very detailed evidence, both as to the dwelling's physical characteristics and as to its letting history. A full statement of reasons for all the decisions taken since 26 August 1984 could be provided only with disproportionate effort and expense. I shall, however, write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that where money has been awarded under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966, the local authorities are guaranteed a 100 per cent. disregard from rate capping of the money they allocate to maintain the projects in question.

Under rate limitation a limit. is set on the rate an authority may raise to finance its spending; but selected authorities had the opportunity to seek re-determination of the expenditure levels on which their rate limits were to be based. No such re-determination were sought. My right hon. Friend will consider carefully the representations he has received from Southwark and other authorities that this expenditure should be disregarded for grant penalty purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the local authorities which have been granted money under the urban aid scheme for nursery schemes for each year since 1979, giving the number for each authority:(2) if he will list the number of schemes approved for urban aid to local authorities for the provision of nurseries in each of the years from 1979 to 1983;(3) if he will list the amounts of money granted to local authorities from urban aid for nurseries for each of the years from 1979 to 1983, expressed in terms of 1979 prices.

Information is not available in the form requested. In 1984–85, however, a total of 398 nursery schemes costing around £13·8 million were funded under the urban programme in 90 local authorities. A list of these authorities, and the number of nursery schemees supported in each, is as follows:

Local Authority	Number of Nursery projects funded
Partnerships
Birmingham	17
Hackney	8
Islington	3
Lambeth	7
Liverpool	16
Manchester/Salford	16
Newcastle/Gateshead	8
Sub-total	75
Programme Authorities:
Blackburn	9
Bolton	1
Bradford	8
Brent	7
Coventry	7
Hammersmith	10
Hull	2
Knowsley	6
Leeds	4
Leicester	—
Middlesborough	—
N. Tyneside	—
Nottingham	1
Oldham	9
Rochdale	7
Sandwell	5
Sheffield	2
S. Tyneside	1
Sunderland	—
Tower Hamlets	2
Wandsworth	10
Wirral	—
Wolverhampton	6
Sub-total	97
Traditional Urban Programme: London Boroughs
Barnet	3
Camden	2
Croydon	3
Ealing	4
Enfield	2
Greenwich	1
Haringey	13
Hounslow	5
Kensington and Chelsea	4
Lewisham	1
Newham	14
Southwark	4
Sutton	1
Waltham Forest	5
ILEA	1
Sub-total	63
Traditional Urban Programme: District Councils
Bristol	1
Bury	4
Clderdale	1
Doncaster	2
Dudley	3
Kirklees	6
Rotherham	4
St. Helens	4
Sefton	8
Solihull	2
Stockport	4
Tameside	4
Trafford	2
Wakefield	1
Walsall	6
Wigan	4

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take note of alterations to structure plans in considering the reports of inspectors at public inquiries into local plans in the period between the submission of the alterations and his decision on those alterations.

The inspector's report following a public local inquiry into a local plan is made to the local planning authority which prepared the plan, and not to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the expected timescale for the submission of structure plan alterations in metropolitan counties following their proposed abolition.

Under the proposals in the Local Government Bill, following abolition approved structure plans will continue in force in Greater London and the metropolitan county areas until they are replaced by the unitary development plans which, under the provisions of the Bill, each borough or district council will prepare. There will be no power to alter structure plans for those areas after the abolition date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those counties for which he has accepted alterations to structure plans proposed by county councils and the dates concerned.