asked the Paymaster General how many jobs have been offered to unemployed citizens in Wolverhampton and the west midlands on the community programme.

82,432 people have entered the community programme in the midlands region since its start in October 1982; 8,558 of them were in the combined Wolverhampton and Walsall area. A separate breakdown for west midlands and Wolverhampton is not available.

asked the Paymaster General under what circumstances the Health and Safety Executive is called in to monitor the excavation of asbestos from outdoor dumps.

Responsibility for ensuring the safe removal of asbestos lies with those undertaking the work. Such work is subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated legislation. The Health and Safety Executive is the enforcing authority at these sites. The frequency of visits to a particular site depends on the degree of hazard. Health and Safety Executive inspectors also have power to investigate complaints.

asked the Paymaster General if he will institute a process such that, for every measure passed by the European Economic Community, an estimate is given of the effect on manpower requirements in industry.

Departments will be assessing the likely impact on industrial manpower and costs of proposed community initiatives on a similar basis to that of proposals for domestic regulations. The European Commission will be reporting to the Council of Ministers in December on a number of related matters including the scope for action by the Commission.

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the numbers employed in the bus manufacturing industry in each of the five years prior to phasing out of the new bus grant, and the numbers employed in that industry in each year since that date, providing his Department's estimate of the number of jobs generated by each job in bus manufacture.

The Department's employment estimates are analysed according to the 1980 standard industrial classification, which does not separately distinguish the manufacture of buses.

asked the Paymaster General what is the figure for the average earnings of full-time (a) male and (b) female workers in the east midlands compared with the national figure at the latest available date.

The latest information relates to full-time employees on adult rates working a full week in April 1985. Figures of average gross weekly earnings for employees in the east midlands and in Great Britain are published, for males, in table 12 and, for females, in table 13 of "New Earnings Survey 1985", part A. A copy is in the Library.

asked the Paymaster General what is the average weekly overtime worked by (a) males and (b) females in the (i) east midlands, (ii) south-east, (iii) west midlands, (iv) north, (v) south-west and (vi) north-west.

The latest information relates to full-time employees on adult rates working a full week in April 1985. Figures of average weekly overtime hours for employees in each region of Great Britain are published, for males, in table 12 and, for females, in table 13 of "New Earnings Survey 1985", part A. A copy is in the Library.

asked the Paymaster General whether he intends to proceed with a merger of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board.

Following consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with Mr. Duncan Bluck, the chairman of both the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board, we have concluded that there should be no further steps towards a merger of the two bodies. The present arrangements whereby the boards share common premises and have certain common services departments are working well. A merger, which would require amendment to the Development of Tourism Act 1969 would probably yield little further gains in efficiency and could lead to difficulties in the promotional activities of the BTA in relation to Scotland and Wales.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the payment in November of December non-value added tax own resources to the European Communities.

In accordance with article 10(2) of Council Regulation 2891/77, the Commission invited member states to pay on 20 November instead of 20 December non-VAT own resources collected in October. These own resources consist of agricultural, sugar and isoglucose levies and customs duties. Following scrutiny of the need for the early payment, the Government have paid an amount of £134 million to the Commission. The payment of levies and duties on 20 December 1985 made under section 2(3) of the European Communities Act 1972 will be reduced by a corresponding amount. There will therefore be no net addition to public expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meeting of the European Community's Council of Finance Ministers.

The ECOFIN Council met in Brussels on 18 November. I represented the United Kingdom.In the light of the conclusions of the Milan European Council, consideration was given to the question of amendment of the provisions of the Treaty of Rome concerned with monetary co-operation. No agreement was reached. This matter will receive further technical examination in the Monetary Committee.The Council approved the grant under the Community loan mechanism of a loan of 1.75 Becu to Greece. The loan, which is subject to a number of detailed conditions, will be made available in two equal instalments. The second instalment, which will not be payable before 1 January 1987, would be made in the light of examination of the performance of the Greek economy.There was a further discussion of the Commission's annual economic report and also of the Commission's views on indirect tax harmonisation.The Council agreed in principle to raise the ceiling on the issue of Euratom loans to 3 Becu.Following the lifting of a Danish reserve, the Council adopted the Directives establishing common rules for unit trusts and other undertakings for collective investment in financial securities (UCITS).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the balance of trade in manufactured goods for 1979 and 1984.

The balance of trade in manufactured goods was in surplus by £2,698 million in 1979 and in deficit by £3,786 million in 1984. In contrast, the current account as a whole was in deficit by £736 million in 1979 and in surplus by £935 million in 1984.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of net contributions to the European Economic Community in each of the coming three years.

The latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net payments to European Community institutions for the coming three financial years was published in the Autumn Statement and laid before the House on 12 November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to provide for a system of self-assessment for personal taxation.

Self-assessment will be among the matters to be discussed in the Green Paper on the reform of personal taxation, along with other possible longer-term developments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received from the glass and glazing industry over the imposition of value added tax.

Very few since my hon. Friend's previous question on 27 June.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he proposes to continue to impose on United Kingdom companies the terms of the 1962 NATO agreements on technology transfer; and if he will give an estimate of the effect of this agreement on United Kingdom high technology exports in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

I am not aware of any such agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, when he next meets the chairman of the Post Office, he will raise with him the exclusion of Bradford from the dedicated inter-city service operated by the Post Office and the implications of the withdrawal of Bradford/ Kings Cross train services for evening post collection times in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.

No, this is a matter for the Post Office Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a breakdown for each of the last three financial years of the percentages of comprehensive bankers' guarantee scheme policy-holders with facility values of (a) up to £0·5 million, (b) £0·5 to £1 million and (c) over £1 million and the percentages of total claims paid under the scheme for each of these categories.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of empty houses in his Department's ownership; and if he will list them by local authority.

The numbers of vacant service and civilian houses at the end of July 1985 were:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current posting of SAC Geoffrey Jones;(2) what is the current posting of SAC Christopher Payne;(3) what is the current posting of SAC Alan Lightowler;(4) what is the current posting of SAC Wayne Kriehn;(5) what is the current posting of SAC Gwynfor Owen.

It is not the usual practice to publish details of the movements of individual service men in the course of their duties; however, in this instance, I can say that the current posting of these service men is RAF, West Drayton.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current posting of Signalman David Hardman.

Former Signalman David Hardman gave notice in October 1983 that he wished to leave the Army on completion of nine years service, and was acccordingly discharged in October 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current posting of Lance-corporal Anthony Glass;(2) what is the current posting of Signalman Martin Tuffy.

It is not the usual practice to publish details of the movements of individual service men in the course of their duties; however, in this instance, I can say that the current posting of these service men is a signal regiment in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current posting of SAC Paul Davies.

Former SAC Paul Davies was discharged from the RAF in October 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any of the eight members of 9 Signals Regiment, recently acquitted on spying charges, have expressed a desire to leave the service.

Notices requesting discharge were received from former Signalman David Hardman in October 1983 and Signalman Martin Tuffy in February 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the eight members of 9 Signals Regiment, recently acquitted on spying charges, will be permitted to remain in 9 Signals Regiment;(2) if the members of 9 Signals Regiment recently acquitted on spying charges have been allocated comparable tasks to those they undertook before their arrest.

Former Signalman David Hardman, Signalman Martin Tuffy, Lance Corporal Anthony Glass and SAC Christopher Payne have either left the armed forces already or will do so shortly on completion of their engagements.The next steps for SAC Alan Lightowler, SAC Wayne Kriehn, SAC Gwynfor Owen and SAC Geoffrey Jones are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Nepalese Government concerning the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Her Majesty's Government maintain close and regular contact with the Government of Nepal on matters concerning the Brigade of Gurkhas. My noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence visited Nepal between 25 and 31 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many battalions of the Gurkhas he plans to disband;(2) if he plans to make a statement concerning the planned strength of the Gurkhas when Hong Kong is returned to the People's Republic of China.

I cannot add to the Ministry of Defence news release of 27 September headed "Hong Kong Stability Permits Force Reductions", a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current cost of a Tornado ADV Mk 2.

The estimated cost for the Tornado Mk 2 air defence variant is £17 million at 1984–85 average outturn prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current posting of Lt.-Col. Boyle, Royal Signals.

The Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current cost of training a fast jet pilot for the Royal Air Force.

The average cost to the Ministry of Defence of training a student pilot to the point when he joins an operational fast jet squadron is approximately £2·87 million (at 1984–85 prices).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department is involved in any discussion about the construction of an airfield on St. Helena.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 11 November, at column 39. The proposal to construct an airfield on St. Helena has been discussed with my Department, which has confirmed that there is no military requirement for one.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the number of people employed at Devonport dockyard from 1970 to 1985 as (a) Royal Naval personnel and (b) industrial civil servants;(2) if he will list the number of people employed at Portsmouth dockyard since 1970 as

The number of (a) Royal Naval personnel and (b) industrial civil servants employed at Rosyth, Devonport and Portsmouth dockyards as at 1 April in each of the years in question was:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of Royal Naval ships that have had major refits in Rosyth, Devonport and Portsmouth since 1975.

Major refits completed at the three dockyards simce 1975 are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will issue guidelines to local education authorities regarding the role of head teachers in the election of teaching and non-teaching staff representatives on school governing bodies; what representations he has received on this subject; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has any plans to issue guidance to local education authorities concerning the procedures for the election and appointment of governors and representatives to school governing bodies.

A few representations have been received requesting the issue of general guidance on the procedures for elections of parent and teacher governors, but none specifically on the role of the headteacher in such matters. Under section 2(9) of the Education Act 1980, the necesary arrangements for the election of governors are left for local decision by the local education authority or, in the case of an aided or special agreement school, the governing body, always provided that any contested election is by secret ballot. In view of the wide variety of local circumstances, the Government continue to believe that these matters are best determined locally and has no plans to issue guidance on procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Lindop inquiry had available to it copies of both Price Waterhouse reports on the Council for National Academic Awards before reaching its conclusions.

The Price Waterhouse reports were commissioned by the Council for National Academic Awards for its own internal management purposes and I understand that the Lindop committee therefore did not ask to see them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations has he received concerning the criteria for Bachelor of Education courses as set out on circular 3/84 as it applies to the training of primary teachers; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received two letters on criteria which apply only to the training of primary teachers through undergraduate courses. He has also received letters on criteria which apply equally to other courses of initial teacher training. The criteria set out in the annex to circular 3/84 are based on the requirements published in the White Paper "Teaching Quality" (Cmnd. 8836) and recommendations made to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Wales by the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth may receive a reply to his letter dated 26 September relating to appraisal plans and policy on replacement of teachers by advisers.

I replied to my hon. Friend on 16 November on behalf of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth may expect a reply to his letter of 17 September about teachers' salaries.

I replied to my hon. Friend on 16 November on behalf of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what use he intends to make of his powers under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1985 to establish single authorities for waste regulation and disposal where he considers that there would be advantage in joint arrangements between boroughs or districts but no satisfactory arrangements were made before 15 November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many voluntary groupings of boroughs had been established to deal with operational waste disposal in Greater London by the deadline in the Act of 15 November 1985; how many statutory groupings he will need to establish in Greater London; and when the total post-abolition waste regulation and disposal situation in Greater London will be known.

I have carefully considered whether there would be advantage in joint arrangements for the discharge of waste regulation and disposal functions between London borough councils and between district councils in each of the six metropolitan areas. I have concluded that in each area, there would be advantage in certain joint arrangements.I am glad to report that satisfactory voluntary agreements have been concluded covering all waste disposal functions between district councils in Tyne and Wear, the west midlands, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. I very much welcome the hard work which these authorities have put into reaching agreement on these arrangements by the statutory deadline.In Merseyside, I am of the view that there is advantage in joint arrangements for all waste disposal functions to cover the five district councils, and I intend to lay an order setting up a single authority for this purpose. Both Sefton and Wirral proposed to discharge these functions independently. However, I am satisfied that the need for adequate control of hazardous waste and the existing links with the rest of the county on operations are such as to rule this out. If the situation were to change, for example by the conclusion of a satisfactory agreement with a neighbouring county council, I should be prepared to consider an amending order to exclude either district from the new authority in due course.In Greater Manchester, I have concluded that there would be advantage in joint arrangements to cover all ten district councils for regulatory functions. For operational functions, Bolton and Wigan borough councils have both proposed that they should be independent. I have concluded that the present pattern of waste disposal in Greater Manchester is such that there needs to continue to be a single organisation to manage it for all the districts except Bolton and Wigan. I have also concluded that Bolton should form part of this organisation, since the present county council landfill site at Red Moss, Horwich in Bolton, and its proposed extension, play a significant part in the plans of the county council and it would be to the overall advantage of these districts that they should participate in the decision on them. If the decision should subsequently be not to proceed with development of the Red Moss site, I would be prepared to re-consider Bolton's inclusion.I have also concluded that, because Wigan borough council's operational links with the rest of Greater Manchester are not significant, and because they have the ability to provide sufficient disposal capacity for their own needs within their own area at least into the next decade, there would be no advantage in joint arrangements for this council. I therefore propose to lay an order setting up a single authority for all waste regulation and disposal functions in Greater Manchester, except operational functions in Wigan.In London, I have concluded that joint arrangements are necessary to deal with the regulation of hazardous waste over the whole of Greater London. No joint arrangements have been made, and I therefore intend to establish a single authority for the whole London area for hazardous waste. As it will not be possible to treat the licensing under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 of hazardous waste disposal sites separately from the licensing of other sites, this authority will be responsible for the licensing of all waste disposal sites in London. The individual London boroughs will, of course, retain their development control planning powers.I have considered the arguments which have been advanced for and against a single London-wide authority for operational purposes as well, and also those for a single authority for the whole area excluding the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Merton and Sutton. The Local Government Act 1985 is based on the principle that, so far as possible, services should be devolved to lower-tier authorities. Whilst I recognise the need for joint arrangements between certain authorities in London, I have concluded that, for operational purposes, the balance of advantage does not lie in a single authority or an authority covering all but five boroughs, as compared with the seven groupings of boroughs outlined in my Department's consultation document of 23 July. In consequence, I have to consider whether joint arrangements that have been made on that basis are satisfactory.I am pleased to say that satisfactory agreements have been concluded for joint arrangements between the London boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Merton and Sutton ('group 1'); and between the City of London, the city of Westminster and the London borough of Tower Hamlets ('group 6'). The London borough of Tower Hamlets has undertaken in this agreement to redevelop the Northumberland wharf refuse transfer station for the river-borne disposal of waste. I very much welcome this decision, which has the environmental advantage of ensuring that more of London's waste will be carried by river. It must, however, be for Tower Hamlets to decide the exact nature of the redevelopment it wishes to undertake at Northumberland wharf. I have therefore decided that it would be an undue restraint on the discretion of the successor authority if the present proposed scheme were to commence before the London borough of Tower Hamlets has decided what it will in future want. A letter has therefore today been sent to the Greater London council withholding consent to the contract for the proposed scheme under the terms of section 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984.A joint agreement has also been made between the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark ('group 2'). I take the view that there would be advantage in joint arrangements which included the London borough of Bexley as well as these three boroughs in order to fulfil the terms of the contract which serves Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham and to ensure adequate future waste disposal arrangements. The existing agreement is not, therefore, satisfactory. I intend to establish a single authority for operational functions covering all four boroughs. If, however, agreements were made which effectively dealt with these two questions, I would be prepared to consider an amending order.Elsewhere in London, no satisfactory voluntary joint arrangements have been made for the discharge of operational functions. In the light of the considerations set out in my Department's consultation document of 23 July and the representations I have subsequently received, I intend to establish four authorities for this purpose, covering: (i) the London boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames; (ii) the London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, and Waltham Forest; (iii) the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham and Redbridge; and (iv) the London boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth and Wandsworth. There will need to be certain transitional arrangements between some of these groups, and the order will provide accordingly. The five statutory authorities for operational purposes in London will be responsible for the disposal of waste from civic amenity sites; the running of the sites themselves will, however, become the responsibility of the borough councils throughout London.I intend to make all the necessary orders to give effect to these decisions as soon as possible, so that the new authorities can be established on 1 January 1986. In the meantime, I urge all the constituent authorities concerned to make every effort to prepare the ground for the work of the new authorities. My Department will shortly be issuing guidance to assist the constituent authorities in this process.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will exercise his powers under section 99 of the Local Government, Land and Planning Act 1980, to direct the Leeds city council to sell the surplus inner city land in their ownership.

On 19 November 1985, my right hon. Friend directed Leeds city council to take steps to dispose of its interest in 11 sites from the register of unused or underused land compiled by him under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. The directions were made under section 98 of the Act. A list of all the 21 sites where directions were issued on 19 November has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he plans to take to draw the attention of local authorities to the consolidation of their powers in respect of houses in multiple occupation in the Housing Act 1985; and if he plans to give any assistance to authorities to make fuller use of these powers.

My right hon. Friend proposes to consult the local authority associations and other interested organisations shortly about a draft circular on houses in multiple occupation. The draft circular will be accompanied by a draft memorandum which will draw attention to local authorities' wide ranging powers for securing improved conditions in this type of accommodation. Subject to these consultations, my right hon. Friend hopes to publish the circular and memorandum shortly after the Housing Act 1985 comes into force on 1 April 1986. The consolidated Act and the new circular will be helpful to local authorities in the use of their powers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of his research project on houses in multiple occupation; when he will publish the report of the first stage of the project on the postal survey of local authorities; if he will list the local authorities in which the physical survey of houses in multiple occupation is being conducted; and when he intends to publish the report on the second stage of the project.

The first part of the research project, a postal survey of all local authorities in England and Wales, has been completed. My Department is studying the contractor's report. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce a summary of the results early in the new year and to publish a detailed account shortly afterwards. The second part of the research, also completed, was a pilot physical and social survey in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the city of Birmingham and the city of Gloucester. This was a feasibility study to consider the scope for a full scale study and the results will not be published. The full physical and social survey of 550 HMOs is being carried out in the following areas:

• Bristol city council
• Bolton metropolitan borough council
• Calderdale metropolitan borough council
• Cardiff city council
• Colchester borough council
• Derby city council
• Ealing borough council
• Eastbourne borough council
• Harrow borough council
• Kensington and Chelsea borough council
• Kingston upon Hull city council
• Leicester city council
• Lewisham borough council
• Peterborough city council
• Plymouth city council
• Salisbury district council
• Sandwell metropolitan borough council
• Wakefield metropolitan borough council
• Wirral metropolitan borough council
• York city council

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific statutory rules he proposes to introduce in respect of selection procedures adopted by local councils when making new staff appointments.

I refer to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 15 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Stevens) at column 31.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many district councils in England and Wales have issued licences under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; if he will list the names thereof; and what information he has as to the fees charged by each local authority.

Local authorities are responsible for granting licences under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and are required to charge such fees as are necessary to cover their costs. No central record is kept of the number of licences issued and fees charged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the tips in southern England which are licensed to take asbestos.

Details of sites as at March 1984 can be obtained from the Hazardous Waste Inspectorate's register of facilities for the disposal of controlled wastes in England and Wales. A copy is available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed by the Wirral metropolitan council in 1979 and at the latest available date, respectively.

The total number of staff, full-time plus part-time employed by Wirral metropolitan district council was 15,318 in June 1979 and 14,308 in June 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he received from the Nature Conservancy Council the relevant details required to list a special protection area under directive 79/409, of the Wash (Norfolk-Lines); and when this site will be listed with the European Commission.

Proposals for designation of a number of areas, including the Wash (north Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast), as special protection areas under the EC Directive 79/409 were submitted to this Department by the Nature Conservancy Council in March 1984. The majority of these sites have since been designated following consultation with other Government Departments and interested bodies. Consultations on the Wash are not yet complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which sites recognised by the Nature Conservancy Council as being of sufficient importance to merit listing as a special protection area under directive 79/409 are currently threatened by development proposals or approved developments; and if this information has been registered with the European Commission.

The Nature Conservancy Council has identified 149 sites in Great Britain which merit designation as special protect ion areas under EC Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds. The council is aware of development proposals or approved developments on 8 of these sites:

• Caenlochan, Grampian and Tayside
• Drumochter Hills, Highland
• Firth of Forth, Central Lothian and Fife
• Islay, Strathclyde
• Loch Kenn and Dee Marshes, Dumfries and Galloway
• Teesmouth Flats and Marshes, Durham
• Humber Flats and Marshes, Humberside
• Stour/Orwell estuary, estuary

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) for each water authority in England in cash and real terms since 1979, taking that as the base year (i) the water rate, (ii) the percentage change in water rate, (iii) capital expenditure and (iv) the percentage change in capital expenditure and (b) for all local water authorities in England in cash and real terms since 1979, taking that as the base year (1) the average water rate and percentage change and (2) the total capital expenditure and percentage change.

The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to when the repair systems for prefabricated concrete houses will be approved and licensed by PRC Homes Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to report that PRC Homes Ltd. has now approved and licensed the first two repair systems for prefabricated reinforced concrete houses. Both systems are for the Cornish Unit type and were submitted by W. G. Curtin and Partners and John Laing Construction Ltd. respectively. I understand from PRC Homes Ltd. that 11 further systems (for Airey, Cornish Unit, Unity, Reema and Woolaway houses) are currently being appraised; that a further five (for Airey, Reema, Unity and Woolaway) have been received by PRC Homes Ltd. for assessment and that a further 33 systems are currently being prepared by builders and designers, for submission to PRC Homes Ltd. These are expected to cover Airey, Boot, Cornish Unit, Orlit. Parkinson, Stent, Tarran, Unity, Wates and Woolaway house types.This represents considerable progress: we can therefore anticipate several more approvals emerging in the near future. It is, of course, good news for PRC home owners who are looking forward to having their homes repaired, with grant assistance from their local authorities, under the provisions of the Housing Defects Act 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to when the London Docklands Development Corporation will have concluded the master building agreement with Credit Suisse First Boston concerning the scheme for Canary wharf.

Negotiations are continuing between LDDC and the American consortium, and I understand that they aim to conclude the master building agreement in early 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he is making for river quality surveys.

I am pleased to announce that, with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, I am arranging for information on the qualities of rivers, canals and estuaries in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1985 to be assembled and published in 1986. These surveys will, in conjunction with earlier ones, allow an assessment of the progress being made by our authorities in the protection and improvement of the water environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what nominations he has in mind to put forward for the world heritage list; and if he will make a statement.

My noble Friend the Minister of State made an announcement today in another place on this subject.The World Heritage convention, to which the United Kingdom ratified last year, provides for the protection of cultural and natural properties of outstanding universal value, in part by the drawing up of a world heritage list. The Government are anxious that the United Kingdom and the Dependent Territories should be fully and properly represented in the list. To secure an entry sites should first be included in the so-called "tentative list" which gives advance warning of nominations likely to come forward in the next few years. The second stage is the submission of fully-documented nominations to the world heritage committee. If the nominations are approved, the sites are then entered on the world heritage list.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about funding to Short Brothers plc for the year ending 31 March 1986.]

Following consideration of Shorts' 1984 corporate plan update, the Government have authorised an external funding limit of £16 million covering the period 1 April 1985 to 31 March 1986. As their contribution to this funding the Government have agreed to provide up to £6·44 million largely by means of payment under a repayable launch-aid contract and normal grants in respect of product development undertaken by the company. The balance of the £16 million will be raised by the company through commercial borrowings. The agreed funding level will enable Shorts to continue development of the three parts of its business—aircraft, aerostructures and guided missiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many miles of motorway in Northern Ireland are currently lit; if he will break them down by motorway; how many miles of motorway are planned to be lit; of those miles lit, in the case of how many the lights were installed during construction of the motorway itself; and in how many cases the lighting was installed separately after construction of the motorway itself; and what mileage was involved.

There are 6 miles of motorway in Northern Ireland currently lit: 1 mile on the M1, 3¼ miles on the M2 and 1¾ miles on the M5. It is not planned to light further stretches of motorway. In the case of those miles of motorway lit, 4¾ miles were lit at the time of construction, and in three cases a total of 1¼ miles of motorway were lit after construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what will be the respective proportionate contributions towards the costs of operation of the secretariat of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference by the two Governments involved;(2) if Her Majesty's Government expect any financial support from the Government of the United States of America to be available for Northern Ireland in the context of the proposed Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement;(3) what will be the postal address of the proposed secretariat of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference;(4) where is the location of the proposed secretariat of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference;(5) if the proposed Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will have authority to discuss United Kingdom and Western Alliance defence installations with Northern Ireland.

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

asked the Attorney-General whether the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to institute proceedings against any person under the Marine &c. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 for (a) supply of food and provisions and (b) procuring advertising for the pirate radio station Laser 558; and if he will make a statement.

Proceedings have already been commenced against one person for supply of food and provisions to Radio Laser. Inquiries are still continuing in respect of persons suspected of procuring advertising for Radio Laser. When the results of those inquiries are known I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to institute proceedings under the Marine &c. Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 against those persons who operated the pirate radio station Laser 558; and if he will make a statement.

Inquiries are being made in respect of certain persons involved in the operation of Radio Laser, and if sufficient evidence becomes available the Director of Public Prosecutions will institute proceedings. When the results of this inquiry are known I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Attorney-General when the Director of Public Prosecutions expects to decide whether to prosecute the police officer alleged by Ms. Adebola Makenjuola to have committed a serious sexual assault on her; and if he will make a statement.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has received a police report in this matter, which is presently under consideration.

asked the Attorney-General what arrangements operate for the logging of those who have access to (a) computer and (b) manual files kept on individuals by his Department and the Lord Chancellor's Department; and if he will describe the procedures in operation for both categories.

Specific guidelines on security of automatically processed data in Government Departments are observed. They are contained in "Protection of information in computer systems" and "Central Government Code of Practice No. 21", issued by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, which give recommended procedures to safeguard data in computer installations. Copies of the guidelines have been placed in the House Library.Manual files containing personal information held in the Law Officers' Department or in the Lord Chancellor's Department are available only to members of the respective Department's staff who need to see them. The precise arrangements vary according to the type and location of the file. In the Law Officers' Department the identity of the members of the staff to whom the file has been passed is ascertainable from records in the Department's registry or from the file itself. In the Lord Chancellor's Department the issue of a file is always recorded in writing.

asked the Attorney-General, pursuant to the reply of the Solicitor-General to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill, of Friday 8 November, Official Report, column 293, when he now expects to take a decision on whether to prosecute the 29 British subjects interviewed by Merseyside police in connection with the riot at Heysel stadium.

No final decision will be taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions as to proceedings in this country until such time as the Belgian authorities have decided whether to request the extradition of any British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has now received the report of the inquiry into the loss of the Mhairi L; when he expects it to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, the report has now been received and studied. It is not the practice to publish reports of this kind, but the facts will shortly be made available to interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total expenditure on roads during the financial year 1984–85.

The figures for roads in England are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's assessment of the efficacy of current speed limits on motorways in relation to (a) cars, (b) coaches and (c) heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the current speed limits are set at appropriate levels. The extent to which drivers comply with the limits was published in the 1983 and 1984 speed surveys and are available in the Library. I announced to the House on 15 November measures for the compulsory fitting of speed governors to coaches to ensure compliance with the speed limit.Although motorways are our safest roads, safety must ultimately depend on the general standards of behaviour by all road users, of which compliance with the speed limits is only one part.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway in England are currently lit; if he will break them down by motorway; how many miles of motorway are planned to be lit; of those miles lit, in the case of how many the lights were installed during construction of the motorway itself; in how many cases the lighting was installed separately after construction of the motorway itself; and what mileage was involved.

The trunk road motorway lighting information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what make, model and year are the 12 vehicles referred to in the reply of 15 November, Official Report, columns 331–32; and what happens to them at the end of the contract.

The 12 vehicles provided for the use of the engineer's site staff are:

• 10—Peugeot 205's all B reg. (1984–85)
• 1—Austin Montego Estate C reg. (1985)
• 1—VW LT31 van B reg. (1984–85)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if any complaints have been received by the traffic commissioner for the metropolitan area regarding licensed persons driving tendered bus services for London Regional Transport; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the metropolitan traffic commissioners have no record of any such complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the criteria of assessment of the standards required in preventing the spread of rabies in the consideration of proposals for a fixed Channel link.

The requirement that promoters of a Channel fixed link must satisfy in respect of preventing the spread of rabies are laid down in paragraph 44 of the "Invitation to Promoters", issued by the British and French Governments on 2 April, a copy of which was placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the infrastructure investment which will be required to be made from public funds in respect of the Channel link proposals; and if he will make a statement on the likely cost.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) on 11 November, at column 83.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the procedures through which members of the public and interested bodies should make known their views on the various proposals for fixed links across the Channel.

My right hon. Friend has advertised widely inviting public comment on the four schemes that we are considering. Any views received will be taken into account before a decision is reached. Additionally, members of the public can write to their MPs, who in due course will be asked to consider a Bill embodying any decision the French and British Governments may make.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the estimated financial savings, in each relevant financial year, of the phasing out of new bus grants.

When the last Administration decided to phase out new bus grants in 1977, the annual cost was £43 million. It is impossible to say how many buses would have been brought into service had the grant rate remained at 50 per cent., and the saving from phasing out the grant cannot therefore be reliably estimated.