asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the work of W. B. Gurney and Sons to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Arrangements have been made for such an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to take place from 21 October 1985 to 25 October 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about alleged anti-competitive practices by broadcasting organisations in relation to restrictions placed by them on the publication of programme schedules in newspapers and magazines other than those sponsored by those broadcasting organisations; when he expects to receive the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations since the matter was referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. The commission is required to report on the reference by 28 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the future of the loan guarantee scheme; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department receives frequent comments on the loan guarantee scheme from small businesses and representative organisations. Close contact is also maintained with the participating lending institutions. Most comments received are in favour of loan guarantee arrangements, but some representations suggest improvements in the terms of the scheme. I shall take account of these comments when reviewing the future of the arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what factors he based his decision to meet only half the cost of the £200,000 a year advisory service on profitable ways to recycle waste to be established at the Warren Spring laboratory in Hertfordshire.

It is most important that the work of the unit to be formed at Warren Spring laboratory is of a direct relevance to industrial needs. This can best be achieved by involving industry both in the formulation of the work of the unit and in its cost. Furthermore it is entirely appropriate that industry, one of the main potential beneficiaries from the expertise at Warren Spring laboratory, should contribute to their programme Such a contribution is entirely in accord with the general support policies of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which was the organisation that made an offer to his Department to purchase the Warren Spring laboratory in Hertfordshire after his original announcement of his intention to sell it off to the private sector.

A number of approaches were made to my Department last year by organisations expressing an interest in Warren Spring laboratory and it would not be appropriate for me to give information about those organisations or their interests, which I must regard as commercially confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reservations Her Majesty's Government hold about the scope of the European Community directive on product liability; what consultations on the matter have taken place with the European Commission, food processors and consumers' organisations; and if he will make a statement.

We do not hold any reservations about the scope of this proposed directive. Consulations with all concerned about the directive and its scope have been carried out on a number of occasions in the nine years since the first draft of the directive was put forward. We now hope that the directive will be adopted as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the market for manufactured goods within the original six members of the European Economic Community was taken up by British exports in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what was the comparable percentage in 1973.

In 1984, the United Kingdom accounted for an estimated 6·9 per cent. of the imports of manufactures by the original six members of the European Community. The comparable figure for 1973 was 6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of regulations, industrial practices or aids to industry of any kind, which have had to be cleared with, or which have been challenged by, the European Economic Community Commission since May 1979 as being inconsistent with the United Kingdom's obligations under the treaty of Rome, together with the outcome.

The information is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's review of the exchange risk guarantee scheme.

On 29 March, I announced that the review was nearly complete. The Government have now decided, in view of the increase in the scheme's costs in recent years, the unpredictability of future liabilities, and the availability of other sources of finance, that the scheme should be targeted more cost-effectively in line with the Government's regional policy objectives. The following arrangements take effect from today, subject to suitable transitional provisions.

(a) Exchange risk cover will no longer be available on loans provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB);

(b) Exchange risk cover for loans from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) will be limited to a maximum of £500,000 or each supported project;

(c) The sterling interest rate for ECSC finance enjoying cover will be increased from 3 per cent. below the broadly commercial rate (as used under the Industrial Development Act 1982) to 2 per cent. below the broadly commercial rate, subject to charging a minimum premium of 1 per cent.

It sould be remembered that companies dealing with the EIB and ECSC are creditworthy enterprises, often backed by third party guarantees, who can generally raise finance on the commercial money markets. In addition, the Government's regional selective assistance grants are available to worthwhile projects in the assisted areas that require assistance to enable them to proceed.As well as taking advantage of the Government's facilities, it is opeen to United Kingdom firms to seek EIB and ECSC loan finance in sterling, thus avoiding contingent liabilities for possible exchange losses. Alternatively, they can if they wish seek foreign currency loans with or without measures to reduce exposure to risk. I hope that United Kingdom companies will take full advantage of these European opportunities, within the limits of what is available.The Government will be prepared to provide cover under the terms of the previous scheme to eligible cases submitted to it before the date of this announcement, and will discuss suitable transitional arrangements with the scheme's agents in respect of their cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated cost to the consumer of full implementation of the European Economic Community requirement on car exhaust emission of (i) a 1·6 litre car and (ii) a 2·5 litre car, including purchase price and running cost.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 July, c. 6.]: The newly agreed Community standard for medium size cars cannot be implemented before October 1991 (new type approvals) and October 1993 (new registrations). It is not yet possible to calculate the cost of implementation with any degree of assurance. Whilst it is hoped that lean burn engines now under development, fitted with an efficient oxidation catalyst, will be able to meet the standard by 1991 it may be necessary to resort to three-way catalyst technology in some cases. Costs on the lean burn route depend on the ignition, fuelling and other equipment used to meet the emission limits without compromising performance and fuel consumption, but would be lower (if that technology can reach the standard in time) than the less efficient catalyser system.The newly agreed Community standard for large cars, will, for the foreseeable future, require the use of the three-way catalyst system as already developed for the US market. This would add about £500 to the pre-tax purchase price of a 2·5 litre car, and reduce its fuel economy by around 10 per cent.The Government do not intend to impose standards on vehicles sold or used in the United Kingdom which would not be cost-effective, or would have the effect of requiring manufacturers to use three-way catalyst technology rather than more cost-effective systems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the football authorities; and if he will make a statement.

I met the Football Association and the Football League in my working group on measures to combat football hooliganism on 17 July. We continued the discussions between the Government and the football authorities on measures to be taken, jointly and separately, to deal with the problems of crowd control and safety confronting the game. The Football League presented a memorandum and reported specifically on membership cards.The issue of membership cards is one which concerns the responsibility of football clubs for ensuring safety and security within their own premises. The Government expect them to take that responsibility seriously, and regret the delay. I am glad to note that the Football League has established a working group to give this option the full but speedy consideration it requires. I look forward to seeing an early report, which will be completed by early September.In the meantime, a Government-football authorities package is being constructed for the new season. The Government have already announced a range of actions, within their responsibilities, to reduce and contain hooliganism. The police role should be strengthened in particular with new powers to be proposed under the Public Order Bill to be introduced next Session. I hope that Parliament will approve our legislation to restrict alcohol at matches and on journeys to and from them; we know alcohol can incite and inflame trouble. I took the initiative to agree binding measures with European Governments and with UEFA. A convention has been agreed upon and should be adopted very soon; discussions have started with UEFA. To meet public concern about safety, divisions 3 and 4 Football League clubs are to be designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act; chief fire officers have been inspecting all sports grounds; and there is a full inquiry under Mr. Justice Popplewell. His interim report will be available very soon.The football authorities are developing plans for more all-ticket and morning matches. Known hooligans will be banned from grounds. CCTV will be installed quickly at as many grounds as possible. Problem matches are being identified early so that effective precautions can be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what activities his Department plans to arrange to mark the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless in 1987.

Since the focus of the year is on assistance to developing countries, action to mark it is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the Widdicombe interim report regarding advertising and other forms of publicity by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the interim report of the Widdicombe committee; and what arrangements he will make to publish it.

I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 17 July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consent applications under each of section 7, section 8 and section 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act have now been refused for each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority.

This information is as follows:

Authority	Section 7	Section 8
Greater London Council	3	—
Greater Manchester Council	1	3
	—	—
Totals	4	3

No application under section 9 has been refused consent

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the longest period a case submitted under sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act has remained with his Department before consent was given.

Two hundred and thirty two days. This case was held in abeyance pending resolution of the authority's related request for financial assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many consent applications have been received under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act from each of the metropolitan county councils and the Greater London council;(2) how many consent applications have now been received under section 8 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act from each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority.

This information is set out in the table.

Authority	Section 7	Section 8
Greater London council	186	2,257
Inner London education authority	24	707
Greater Manchester council	20	630
Merseyside county council	18	224
South Yorkshire county council	30	485
Tyne and Wear county council	366	218
West Midlands county council	61	591
West Yorkshire county council	15	261
Total	720	5,373

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff are employed by his Department to process consent applicationa under sections 7,8 and 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act; and what are their grades.

Details of Department of the Environment staff employed on administering specific applications for consent under section 7, 8 and 9 of the Local Government Act 1984 and sections 91, 92 and 93 of the Local Government Act 1985 are set out in the following table:

Grade	Estimated full-time equivalents
3	0·02
5	0·6
6	0·27
Principal	0·6
Principal Professional and Technology Officer	0·05
Principal Planning Officer	0·04
Principal Research Officer	0·05
Principal Estates Officer	0·05
Senior Legal Assistant	0·6
Senior Executive Officer	1·01
Senior Research Officer	0·2
Estate Officer	0·15
Higher Executive Officer	1·6
Executive Officer	4·06
Clerical Officer—Clerical Assistant	5·30
Total	14·6
These figures exclude related typing and messengerial staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will grant a general consent for all projects, excluding the enterprise boards, funded under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, from the provisions of section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act.

A number of general consents have been issued under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984. Any other applications for general or specific consent from the GLC or the metropolitan county councils will be considered carefully and on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each consent applied for under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act by the Greater London council and each of the metropolitan county councils and give the date the application was made, together where appropriate with the date on which consent was granted.

I refer the hon Member to my answer of 3 June 1985, at column 54. Updated information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each consent applied for citing sections 92 and 93 of the Local Government Act 1985 by the Greater London Council and each of the metropolitan county councils.

This information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the delays in granting consent on certain disposals submitted by the Greater London council under section 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act.

I refer the hon Member to my answer of 16 July 1985, at column 79.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many staff in the House have been occupied in preparing Westminster Hall and other facilities for the American Bar Association's function;(2) what is the cost of preparing Westminster Hall for the American Bar Association's functions to be held there;(3) how much money has been paid by the American Bar Association for the preparation of Westminister Hall for its function.

26 staff of the Property Services Agency were involved in the preparations. I have no information relating to staff of the two Houses, which is a matter for the authorities of those Houses. The estimated cost, including PSA's staff costs, of preparing Westminster Hall is £22,250 and this sum is to be refunded in full by the American Bar Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what pesticides and herbicides are used inside the grounds of the Palace of Westminster.

The only herbicide or pesticide used on the grounds of the Palace is for control of algae on gravel paths in New Palace Yard and on Cromwell Green. It is a contact herbicide, in the form of a sodium salt, which can be bought in most garden shops. Its main constituent is dichlorophen. Within the Palace itself appropriate pesticides are used in the kitchens when necessary by specialist contractors brought in from time to time as and when the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the money required by local authorities in England and Wales to bring their housing stock up to decent standards.

On 11 April my Department launched an inquiry into the condition of local authority housing stock, in order to establish how much local authorities estimate needs to be spent to put their stock into good condition. Their responses are now being analysed and first results should be available by the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much grant aid his Department has provided through the Countryside Commission to owners and occupiers of land in areas of outstanding natural beauty; and what was the corresponding figure three years ago;(2) how much grant aid his Department has provided through the Countryside Commission to local authorities to cover expenditure in areas of outstanding natural beauty; and what was the corresponding figure three years ago.

Total expenditure by the Countryside Commission on grants to private individuals, and to organisations and local authorities and public bodies throughout the countryside for the years 1981–82 and 1984–85 was as follows:

	£million 1981–82	£million 1984–85
Private	1·9	2·6
Public	5·1	5·3
The figures for 1984–85 are provisional and subject to audit.

The commission does not record figures separately for expenditure in areas of outstanding natural beauty, nor does it distinguish between landowners and other private persons or between local authorities and other public bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce before 26 July his decision on applications to the European Community for derogations or time limits in respect of the European Economic Community directive on water quality; and if he will publish the derogations and time limits.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to promote public access to information on environmental water quality.

My Department is tomorrow issuing a circular concerning the form, content and availability of public registers of data on discharges to surface and underground waters and related information on the licences under which they are made and on environmental water quality.The registers are to be maintained by water pollution control authorities in accordance with the regulations laid before this House on 5 June and to be open to the public from 31 July.Establishment of the registers substantially completes the Government's programme for implementing the main provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and will further strengthen the framework available for promoting our objectives for the maintenance and improvement of water quality.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many persons are currently housed under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977.

During 1984 local authorities accepted responsibility for securing accommodation for some 83,000 households under the Act. Figures for earlier years are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the United Kingdom intends to host the next intergovernmental conference on pollution in the North sea.

As I announced at the international conference on the protection of the North sea in Bremen last year, the United Kingdom will host a second conference in 1986 or 1987. I expect to announce a firm date soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the work of the housing association movement to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 22 July to Friday 26 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the safe installation of gas appliances.

There is evidence of an improvement in the level of gas safety over the past few years. We are anxious further to reduce the risks. The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission has told me that in the commission's view the greatest risk arises from installation downstream of the service pipe. One of the major tasks is ensuring adequate standards of competence of gas installers. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984 require competence in installation work. Precise requirements have not been defined. The commission considers that an essential step is to set standards for training. These can be widely promulgated as well as provising a legal framework.The commission has asked the Health and Safety Executive to bring together a panel of experts, including representatives from the gas industry, to develop an approved code of practice on standards of training for gas installers, under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974, which will also provide evidence for the better definition of requirements for competence. The text will be considered by representatives of gas consumers and the trade unions, and will be issued next year, after publication for consultation.The commission does not at present consider that the addition of mandatory registration could achieve much that would not be effectively brought about by firmer training and competence requirements; and it would in addition impose a bureaucratic and costly system on the large number of installers—costs which would be passed on to the numerous consumer population in the form of higher charges, with the result that poorer ones would be even less likely to call in installers for essential servicing. The commission advise, however, that this is an option which might be considered if, for instance, the balance of risk were to change and the recent encouraging trend were reversed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will provide figures showing the overall operating budgets of industry training boards and non-statutory training organisations in 1984–85, distinguishing industry funding from Manpower Services Commission funding;(2) if he will give figures for the number of staff employed by industry training boards in 1979 and by industry training boards and non-statutory training organisations together in 1984, broken down into permanent staff and staff funded on a 12 month basis by the Manpower Services Commission.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 July 1985, c. 418]: Training in sectors of industry covered by non-statutory training arrangements is the responsibility of employers in those sectors and financial and manpower information relating to them is not collected centrally by the Manpower Services Commission. The table shows figures for the numbers of staff employed by the seven industry training boards currently operating. The other information requested is either not available or could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Staff employed by ITBs*
	1979	1984
Clothing and Allied Products ITB	73	67
Construction ITB†	810	797
Engineering ITB	990	764
Hotel and Catering ITB	279	336
Offshore Petroleum ITB	82	73
Plastics Processing ITB	103	63
Road Transport ITB	800	405
* There are no ITB staff directly funded by the MSC.
† Full-time equivalents.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs have been lost by British Rail Engineering Ltd. since 1979.

British Rail Engineering Ltd. currently employs about 10,300 fewer men than it did in January 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has placed any restrictions on the removal of litter debris by local authorities from motorway verges.

Local authorities who carry out routine maintenance of motorways on our behalf are guided by the recently published code of practice for routine maintenance for motorways and all-purpose trunk roads, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The code is designed to ensure consistent and safe maintenance standards. The basic provision for the clearance of litter may be varied on safety grounds or where litter is a particular problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what ship repair work on behalf of Trinity House has been placed with British shipyards over each of the last three years.

This is a matter for Trinity House to decide, but I understand that in each of the last three years five lighthouse tenders have used British shipyards for dry docking and repair. In addition, 10 of their major floating aids have also been serviced and repaired each year in British shipyards.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he proposes to introduce to ensure that the work of the existing metropolitan county council and the Greater London council accident investigation and analysis units continues if the Local Government Bill is enacted.

It is for successor authorities to decide on what arrangements they wish to make to continue the work of accident investigation and analysis units. The Department has issued advice to London boroughs and metropolitan district councils and stands ready to offer further advice and assistance.Under the Local Government Act 1985 the residuary bodies have been given a duty to ascertain from successor authorities what professional and technical services they wish to see continued, and if necessary to enter into agreements with those authorities to maintain the services until permanent arrangements are settled. Successor authorities will want to consider the arrangements for accident investigation and prevention, including the link with traffic and accident data banks, and then decide whether these activities should be undertaken by the appropriate residuary body or by a lead district council or London borough.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was his projected date for the opening of the A20 Sidcup bypass; what is now the likely date of completion; and if he will make a statement.

When the award of the contract was announced last February, the bypass improvement was expected to be completed in the spring of 1988. That is still our expectation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the projected date for the opening of the A12 Chelmsford bypass; what is now the likely date of completion; and if he will make a statement.

The contract completion date remains 21 September 1986, but meeting this will depend on the weather and unforeseen circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which of the recommendations of the Armitage report on "Lorries, People and the Environment," have been superseded by other decisions of his Department; what those decisions were; and when they took place.

The White Paper on the Armitage report (Cmnd. 8439) remains the document on which my policy on lorries, people and the environment is based.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which of the recommendations of the Armitage report on "Lorries, People and the Environment", he has implemented; and when they were implemented.

Since my hon. Friend last reported on 3 April 1984 on progress on implementation of measures in response to the Armitage report a further 25 bypasses have been added to the trunk road programme with 177 in preparation or under construction that spray suppression equipment should be fitted to new trailers was effective from 1 May 1985. Work on further noise reduction is continuing. Motoring taxes (VED and fuel duty) on lorries as a whole have exceeded road track costs by a substantial margin since before 1980 and those on each class of lorry have done so since March 1985. VED rates on lorries below 12 tonnes have been reduced by 19 per cent. to 24 per cent. since 1982 and the emphasis of taxation has been shifted each year towards the heaviest lorries. The position on the 58 main recommendations can be summarised as:

• 51 accepted (5 in part), of these:
• 38 recommendations have been implemented
• 9 are being implemented
• 4 are addressed not to Goverment but to local authorities and hauliers.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made by London Regional Transport in achieving the objectives set for it last July; and if he will make a statement.

Shortly after the establishment of London Regional Transport on 29 June 1984, I set its chairman, Dr. Keith Bright, objectives in four crucial areas—reducing costs and the call on taxpayers' and ratepayers' money; improving management through the estabishment of smaller and more efficient units; involving the private sector; and improving services within the resources available. I am glad to say that, in the course of only 12 months, LRT has set in train radical changes in the way its business is managed, as a result of which it has made substantial progress towards these objectives.In its first year, LRT expects to exceed its target of reducing real unit costs by 2½ per cent. per annum. This is good news for Londoners. LRT's achievement here means that revenue support will be reduced in 1985–86 by £60 million compared with the GLC's budget for 1984–85 without excessive increases in fares or major cuts in services. This will enable over £40 million more to be made available in grants for capital projects in the current financial year than the GLC proposed for 1984–85. LRT has made a good start towards achieving its task of halving the level of revenue support, from £190 million in 1984–85 to £95 million in 1987–88.LRT has now formed subsidiary companies for its bus and underground businesses and for bus engineering. This will increase management accountability and improve LRT's cost-effectiveness. The LRT Act also required LRT to invite tenders for the provision of services on its behalf. An early example of this—the tendering of 12 bus routes—will reduce by £¾ million the annual subsidy bill of £4 million for these routes, while annual mileage operated on the 12 routes will be increased by 2½ per cent. LRT has recently announced the tendering of about 40 more bus routes.In our proposals for LRT, we made clear that we wanted to see closer co-operation with British Rail. I set up the London passenger transport group last July, with the chairmen of LRT and BR, to keep a regular watch on this. The decision to proceed with capitalcard—the combined travelcard for LRT bus, underground and BR rail services in Greater London—was an early result. Capitalcard has been a resounding success. Over 100,000 users are expected by the end of the year.A further example of increased co-operation between LRT and BR is demonstrated in their proposals for improvements to interchanges. A programme of schemes is being developed, designed to help passengers changing from one public transport mode to another.In my objectives for LRT, I asked it to keep in mind the needs of disabled people. It has set up a new unit to work full-time on initiatives for disabled passengers. Its recent statement, "Transport for disabled People: The LRT approach", shows how seriously it is taking its responsibilities towards disabled people. The new buses to be ordered by London Buses Ltd. from 1986 onwards will be the first to incorporate new design features which will improve access for elderly and less mobile people.The Government's recent decision to endorse LRT's proposals for investment in a new ticketing system for London's underground will save money and streamline the operation of the system, making it more convenient for passengers.The past year has also seen the letting of the contract for the docklands light railway, an important component in the strategy for revitalising London's docklands. I look forward to seeing the railway in operation by July 1987.I am pleased with the excellent start LRT has made in its first year and I am confident that this progress will be maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department proposes to provide any financial assistance towards the scheme to revitalise the Leeds and Liverpool canal in Lancashire.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 July 1985, c. 29]: I have been asked to reply. Whilst a scheme for the revitalisation of the Leeds and Liverpool canal is known to be under consideration locally in Lancashire, no firm proposals have yet been put forward. I cannot therefore say whether any financial assistance would be available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of regulations or aids and practices within the energy field which have to be cleared with, or which have been challenged by the European Economic Community Commission since May 1979 under the European Economic Community treaties, together with the outcome.

The following regulations, aids and practices are cleared with the European Economic Community Commission:

• —Information relating to plans to dispose of radioactive waste
• —State Aids for Coal
• —Breaches of EC oil stocking obligations
• —New formal bilateral oil stocking arrangements with other Member States

There is general accord with the European Community on energy matters, and such procedures as are necessary and appropriate are usually completed expeditiously and satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the number of persons aged between 16 and 21 years who are currently resident in long-stay mental hospitals in Wales.

The number of persons aged between 16 and 21 years who were resident in mental hospitals and units on 5 April 1985 is provisionally estimated to have been 163. Of these, 118 were resident in mental handicap hospitals/units and 45 in mental illness hospitals/units.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons, who had been immediately previously resident for a period in excess of 12 months in long-stay hospitals in Wales, have over the past 12 months been brought out of such hospitals to reside within the community.

The number of persons discharged from mental hospitals and units during 1984 to reside in the community, having immediately previously been resident in an instituttion for over 12 months, is estimated to have been 185. Of these, 142 were discharged from mental illness hospitals/units and 43 from mental handicap hospitals/units.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the joint funding projects in Wales geared to helping integrate persons resident in long-stay mental hospitals into the community, indicating those authorities involved in such schemes and the amount of funding associated with each project.

The schemes listed below either fully offer places in the community to patients from long-stay mental hospitals or are projects capable of so doing. In addition, the all Wales strategy for the development of services for the mentally handicapped places emphasis on community based initiatives. An additional £5 million is

Authorities	Scheme	Duration	Total funding from all joint financing authorities* £ million
Clwyd Health Authority and Clwyd Social Services Department	12 place residential unit for EMI at Colwyn Bay	13 years	0·557
Clwyd Health Authority and Clwyd Social Services Department	Extension of Rhyddlan Resettlement Team	13 years	0·294
Dyfed County Council, East Dyfed Health Authority and Pembrokeshire Health Authority	Mental Illness Services to enable people to move from St. David's Hospital, Carmarthen to more appropriate community care	10 years	2·222
Dyfed County Council and East Dyfed Health Authority	Llanelli Area Mental Health Team	7 years	0·133
Dyfed County Council and Pembrokeshire Health Authority	Pembrokeshire Area Mental Health Team	7 years	0·176
Gwent Health Authority and Gwent Social Services Department	Newport Day Centre for the promotion of Mental Health	5 years	0·433
Gwent Health Authority and Gwent Social Services Department	Care of elderly confused people in residential homes	7 years	2·420
Gwent Health Authority and MIND Group	Halfway House for the mentally ill	8 years	0·079
Gwynedd Health Authority, Gwynedd Social Services Departments and Voluntary Organisations	Abbey Road Centre	3 years	†0·064
Mid Glamorgan Health Authority and South Wales Federated Housing Association	Housing for the mentally handicapped at Porthcawl	10 years	0·031
Mid Glamorgan Health Authority and South Wales Federated Housing Association	Bridgend, staffed house for mentally handicapped	10 years	0·093
Powys Health Authority and Powys Social Services Department	Establishment of hostel for mentally ill persons in Powys	9 years	0·458
Powys Health Authority and Powys Social Services Department	Community homes for the mentally ill in Powys	10 years	0·456
Powys Health Authority, Powys Social Services Department, Local District Councils and Housing Associations	Aids and adaptations for people moving into community from hospital	7 years	0·181
South Glamorgan Health Authority, South Glamorgan County Council and Cardiff City Council	NIMROD project	7 years	2·932
South Glamorgan Health Authority and South Glamorgan Social Services Department	Day care provision for mentally handicapped	10 years	1·428
South Glamorgan Health Authority and South Glamorgan Social Services Department	Day Centre for mentally ill in Cardiff	5 years	0·233
South Glamorgan Health Authority and South Glamorgan Social Services Department	Additional staffing for Elms Day Centre for Mentally Ill	7 years	0·100
West Glamorgan Health Authority and West Glamorgan Social Services Department	Special care unit	6 years	0·701
West Glamorgan Health Authority and West Glamorgan Social Services Department	Minibus for special care unit	6 years	0·062
West Glamorgan Health Authority and West Glamorgan Social Services Department	Transfer of mentally handicapped people from Drymma Hall Hospital into the community	12 years	0·743
* At 1985–86 cash prices.
† Abbey Road Project: This represents the Welsh Office contribution to the Scheme. Contributions from the Health Authority and Social Services Department have yet to be finalised.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers there were in Wales in each year since 1978.

Estimates of the numbers of farmers, partners and directors doing farm work on agricultural holdings in Wales are as follows:

	Numbers
1978	34,900
1979	35,200
1980	34,300
1981	34,700

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is to happen to the industrial assets of Cwmbran development corporation when that body is wound up.

As part of the Government's policy of reducing public sector borrowing, the corporation is expected to take all reasonable steps to dispose of its assets to the private sector. However, I have decided that any residual industrial assets should be transferred to the Welsh development agency. Discussions have been held with Cwmbran development corporation and the WDA and it has been agreed that the transfer should take place on 30 September 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has considered the responses he has received to the consultation paper, "Local Choice in Public Transport"; and if he will make a statement.

The consultation paper was issued to stimulate debate and discussion in the principality about local authority involvement in local rail services and the possibility of providing more effective support for important local rail services about which there was concern at the time. There was a very full response from local authorities in Wales as well as from organisations and individuals with an interest in public transport matters. The main suggestion put forward in the paper was that county councils might in future become more directly involved in financing certain local rail services. There was considerable support for the principle of local involvement, but the idea that county councils might in future take over responsibility for providing revenue support for services on a number of local lines was not generally welcomed.A particular concern of respondents was that the practical difficulties arising from this transfer of responsibilities (difficulties to which the consultation paper itself drew attention) would outweigh the advantages. I have considered all the responses very carefully, including the report prepared by the committee on Welsh affairs. The conclusion I have reached is that, given the views expressed, the idea of making county councils responsible for providing revenue support for certain local rail services should not be pursued. The consultation focused attention on the importance that a wide cross section of people and organisations in Wales attach to the Welsh rail network.Local authorities already have powers to provide financial and other assistance to British Rail in certain circumstances. I very much welcome the fact that there has been an increase in the scale and number of cases in which Welsh local authorities have co-operated with British Rail to provide improved services or facilities; and more initiatives of this nature are planned. As a result of the cooperative efforts of British Rail, local authorities, Government agencies and the Welsh Office services have been improved and costs reduced on the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, Cambrian coast and central Wales lines.In the light of these developments and the comments I have received on the consultation paper I am satisfied that the development of an increased partnership between local authorities and British Rail using existing powers offers the best way of helping to secure the future of Welsh railways and of achieving the increased local involvement that so many people want. I shall therefore be writing to all local authorities in Wales reminding them of the powers that are available and urging them to consider how they might make use of these in future. I am sure BR will welcome the opportunity to work more closely with Welsh authorities and to build on the successful joint initiatives that are already being taken.

asked the Prime Minister, if she will make a statement on the reports of the pay review bodies.

[pursuant to her reply, 6 June 1985, col. 194–61]: Report No. 22 of the Top Salaries Review Body, which recommends new salary rates as from 1 April 1985 for senior civil servants, senior officers of the armed forces, and members of the judiciary, is being laid before Parliament as a Command Paper this afternoon. Copies will be available in the Vote Office.The review body has on this occasion undertaken a comprehensive review not only of the salary levels of the groups concerned but also of the salary structures. It is for this reason that the review body's report has, by agreement with the Government, been delivered rather longer after the date to which the recommendations relate (1 April 1985) than usual. I should like to put on record the Government's gratitude to the chairman and the other members of the review body for the care and thoroughness with which their conclusions and recommendations have been prepared.For senior civil servants the review body has recommended certain changes in the salary structure with a view to introducing into the pay arrangements at these levels a greater degree of flexibility to take account of differences of performance and of job weight, and of other factors such as, for example, the state of the market for particular appointments. In particular, it has recommended:

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her statement of 3 July, if she has yet decided on the representation which the United Kingdom will have at the European Economic Community special conference which is to discuss the draft treaty of European union.

Arrangements for the proposed intergovernmental conference, including the level of representation, will be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 and 23 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the recommendations about employment policy in the report "Financing the Future" by the Confederation of British Industry, a copy of which has been sent to her.

The CBI's report argues for a release of resources to the private sector as vital to the success of the economy. Within this, it calls for an increase in spending on infrastructure, especially roads, pointing to its beneficial impact on the economy generally, including employment. But the CBI stresses that this extra capital expenditure should be more than offset by reductions in public sector current spending. The Government's policies are similarly directed to containing public spending and borrowing as the best route to a growing economy and lasting jobs. Since we first took office in 1979, capital spending on national roads has increased by about a quarter in real terms.

asked the Prime Minister what is the latest situation regarding the negotiations intended to co-ordinate international action over security at Beirut airport.

We are continuing our efforts to reach effective international agreement on measures relating to security at Beirut international airport. We hope that the international community will work together to ensure that the airport will not be used again as a safe haven for terrorists.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 18 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 18 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 18 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 18 July.

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

asked the Prime Minister whether she will give an undertaking not to agree to any European Economic Community proposals which would in any way increase the powers of the European Economic Community Assembly.

To increase the powers of the European Assembly would require a change in the treaty which would have to be agreed by each national Parliament. I see no need for such a change. We shall continue to put forward suggestions of our own which would enable the assembly to play a more positive role within its existing powers.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on the proposals to reduce financial support for research, development and advisory services to the agriculture industry.

There is always room for improvement but there is already close and continuing collaboration between the two Departments on these matters.

asked the Prime Minister what action Her Majesty's Government is now taking following the representations made to her by Cambridge Friends of the Earth with regard to the drainage scheme for Swavesey Fen.

I have received the representations from the Cambridge Friends of the Earth. I understand that the Swavesey internal drainage board started work on this scheme earlier this month. A meeting with statutory conservation bodies and the Anglian water authority was held in May to discuss the feasibility of amending the scheme which had been the subject of both a public inquiry in 1980 and of full discussions with the Nature Conservancy Council and the County Naturalist Trust throughout its design. A modification to the original scheme has now been approved by the Government that will allow the exclusion of Mare Fen and I understand that negotiations are now well advanced that should enable Mare Fen to be taken out of the scheme.In these circumstances I doubt whether an article 4 direction is appropriate in this case.

asked the Lord Privy Seal of he will estimate the total number of visitors coming to the Palace of Westminster as part of the American Bar Association function.

Approximately 1,500 people were present in Westminster Hall for the American Bar Association function on Monday 15 July.

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) by how much the amounts disbursed from public funds to the official Opposition in the form of benefits in kind, such as office machinery, postal services, telecommunications and travel have been increased in each of the last five years;(2) whether, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Woolwich on 15 July, he will specify what office machinery, postal services, telecommunications, travel and other benefits are included in the annual sums of £1,747 and £53,970 provided for the official Opposition from public funds.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the measures he is taking on enforcement action against drug trafficking.

I have today announced a number of measures to strengthen police effort against drug trafficking and its co-ordination with customs. These measures accord with the key proposals submitted to me by the Association of Chief Police Officers earlier this month and I am acting immediately on them.First, regional crime squads in England and Wales will be strengthened by the addition of dedicated drugs "wings". I am ready to consider any appropriate requests for the necessary adjustments in establishments and I have in mind an increase of more than 200 officers. The addition of dedicated drugs wings to RCSs will increase very substantially the capacity of the police to catch major drug trafficking groups. In London, the Commissioner has agreed to make a substantial increase in the strength of the Metropolitan police central drugs squad.Secondly, there is to be a new national drugs intelligence unit, superseding the present central drugs intelligence unit. The new NDIU will be staffed by both the police and customs services and have an enhanced intelligence-gathering and analytical capability sharing common data in place of the present divided system. The new NDIU will provide both services with the intelligence capacity needed to counter today's sophisticated drug trafficking groups.Thirdly, a new senior post of national drugs co-ordinator is being created in New Scotland Yard to head the new NDIU and co-ordinate drugs intelligence with the operations of regional crime squads. This will enable a greater concerted and co-ordinated attack to be mounted on drug traffickers. The first holder of this new post will be Mr. Colin Hewett, at present deputy assistant commissioner in charge of the Metropolitan police special branch and anti-terrorist squad.Fourthly, I am establishing a top level steering group, on which both police and customs will be represented, to keep the working of the new arrangements and the effectiveness of liaison between police and customs under review and to give me periodic assessments of the nature and extent of the drugs threat.I believe that the initiatives which I am announcing today represent a most significant advance in police operations against drug offences. They build on the proven work of the RCSs and the already close and effective cooperation between police and Her Majesty's customs and will ensure that both services are better placed than ever before to take forward the fight against drug traffickers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Central and South America were accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom for each year since 1970; and how many were refused leave to enter.

Figures have been published annually from 1970 of persons refused leave to enter and from 1973 of persons accepted for settlement in respect of nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, and from 1978 of Uruguay, in "Control of Immigration Statistics" (tables 1 and 2 of the latest issue for the 1984 figures, Cmnd. 9544, and corresponding previous tables). Information is not available on nationals of other countries in Central and South America and Uruguay before 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the proportion of wives admitted for settlement in the United Kingdom in 1984 who were admitted as wives of persons referred to in section 1(5) of the Immigration Act 1971.

It is estimated that about half the wives admitted for settlement from the Indian subcontinent in 1984 were wives of persons referred to in section 1(5) of the Immigration Act 1971. It is not possible to estimate a corresponding proportion for wives from other countries as information on applications for entry clearance is not collected for these countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will estimate the number of

Deportation orders enforced against nationals of Central and South American Countries* 1973–84
Number of deportations
Reason for deportation (Section of Immigration Act 1971)	Year
	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Breach of conditions of leave to enter (S.3(5)(a))	—	2	—	3	1	1	3	8	19	13	12	11
Conducive to the public good (S.3(5)(b))	—	2	4	4	2	2	2	1	3	—	3	—
Following court recommendation (S.3(6))	9	9	29	24	20	25	44	43	31	21	22	25
All reasons	9	13	33	31	23	28	49	52	53	34	37	36
* Includes all mainland countries from Mexico southwards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific measures he plans to undertake to implement the proposals, on matters within his responsibility, contained in the recent Department of Trade and Industry report on scrutiny of administrative and legislative requirements in small businesses.

The Government's response to the proposals in the report, including those relating to the Home Office, are set out in the White Paper "Lifting the Burden" which was published on 16 July (Cmnd. 9571).

This reply also contains information pursuant to my reply to the right hon. Member on 17 July.It is estimated that there are about 2·1 million males now resident in the United Kingdom to whom section 1(5) applies as a result of their being Commonwealth citizens (including British citizens) who were settled in the United Kingdom on 1 January 1973. It is estimated that about ½ million of these were born outside the United Kingdom.About 4½ million males have been born in the United Kingdom since 1 January 1973 and are therefore not within the scope of the provision.The great majority of the wives and children of men born in this country will themselves be British citizens who are not subject to immigration control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Central and South America were deported in each year between 1970 and the present time; what were the reasons for these deportations; and to which countries they went.

The available information, which is for 1973–84, is given in the following table. It is the normal practice to remove a person to the country of which he is a national, unless he can show that he is acceptable to another country. Information on the numbers removed to other countries is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands police as to the number of police women as a percentage of the total force of the west midlands police constabulary, their levels of pay in comparison with those of their male counterparts and how many women have held the rank of detective inspector in the divisions of the West Midlands police constabulary during the last five years.

On 30 June 1985 there were 860 women police officers in the West Midlands police, 13 per cent. of the force. One woman officer in the force has held the rank of detective inspector during the last five years. The salaries of women police officers are the same as those of their male counterparts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any formal discussions have taken place between the Metropolitan police and the Inner London education authority over the issue of police involvement in inner London schools.

Regular consultations take place between the Metropolitan police and all local education authorities, including the Inner London education authority on matters of mutual interest. These matters would clearly include the schools involvement programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many schools in the inner London area have established formal consultative arrangements with the Metropolitan police.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that his statistics on schools which participate in the force's schools involvement programme do not distinguish between those in inner London and elsewhere, but that most schools in inner London receive liaison visits as part of the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any plan to extend the lay visitors to police stations initiative started in Lambeth and operated by members of the Lambeth community police consultative group.

My right hon. and learned Friend, as police authority for the Metropolitan police district, has appointed lay visitors to police stations in the London borough of Enfield and they are now receiving the necessary training: the scheme will begin on 1 September. He is at present considering nominations for appointment to panels in Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow and Wandsworth and is awaiting nominations from Croydon and Hounslow. There have been discussions between officials on the establishment of panels in Bexley and Tower Hamlets and a meeting will shortly take place with Newham. Westminster city council has been invited to comment on a proposal to establish a scheme in that borough.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will identify the range and type of community groups which he considers suitable to participate in liaison and consultation arrangements with the Metropolitan police.

The guidance on consultation between the community and the police in the Metropolitan police district which my right hon. and learned Friend issued last January under section 106 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 states that membership of consultative groups should be open to

"all bona fide formally constituted bodies which represent a significant number of local people".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the London boroughs and district councils within the Metropolitan police district who currently co-operate in police liaison and consultation committees and who service such a structure in their area; when each structure was established; what is the composition of each committee; and how many elected members serve on the committees;(2) if he will identify those London boroughs where consultation in the police liaison and consultation committees has been rejected by the local authority or where there are no plans to establish a consultation or liaison scheme.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief constables about how many of those police officers who have retired early due to ill health were on duties relating to the miners' strike; and what duties they performed.

The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Wirral council has now resubmitted the draft byelaws to give park rangers greater control over dogs and dog owners using parks in its area; and when he expects to give his decision on them.

On 14 May approval in principle was given to revised draft byelaws submitted by the council on 10 May. I understand that the council has adopted the byelaws and has just submitted them to the Home Office for confirmation. We are about to consult the council on an objection which we have today received and we hope very shortly to be in a position to decide whether the byelaws should be confirmed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total amount of new disbursement by health authorities to nurses consequent upon 5 per cent. of the recent pay award now being paid at the end of August what is his estimate of the interest at current rates which has been saved by health authorities as a result of payment. not having been made on the due date of 1 April; and if he will take steps to disburse this sum in the form of a Christmas bonus in December additional to normal monthly salary payments.

The total cost to health authorities in England in 1985–86 of the pay award to nurses and midwives is £173 million. The Government do not draw funds in advance of need. Although health authorities are notified of their annual allocations before the start of the financial year, they only draw cash on a daily basis. The question of interest does not therefore arise and there are no savings to health authorities as a result of the first stage of the award not being put into payment on 1 April. I am glad to say that most nurses are likely to receive their first stage awards backdated to 1 April in their August pay packets.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the future of Snapethorpe hospital, Wakefield.

Proposals about the future of Snapethorpe hospital are the responsibility of Wakefield health authority. The right hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the information available to his Department from sample surveys of the charges being made for ordinary board and lodging accomodation at the time when the weekly upper limits for ordinary board and lodging claims provided under the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Regulations 1985 were set.