asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are any plans to extend the London docklands light railway; and if he will make a statement.

London Regional Transport has today with my consent presented a Bill to provide powers to extend to the City the docklands light railway, now under construction. This extension would link the railway to LTR's Bank underground station. The extension would be mostly below ground. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have been considering ways to involve the private sector in ownership and operation of the docklands light railway. The consortium which plans to develop Canary wharf on the Isle of Dogs and which comprises companies associated with and backed by Credit Suisse First Boston, Morgan Stanley International and First Boston International has told me that it regards the extension to the Bank as essential for its project. An understanding has now been reached with it that it will contribute £30 million towards the construction of the extension and, unless others come forward, secure underwriting of an agreed privatisation scheme. My right hon. Friend and I have endorsed this understanding. The consortium is bearing LRT's costs in the Bill.There will be opportunity for other people who are interested in owning and operating the extended railway to put forward alternatives to the consortium's proposals.The railway, at present under construction, is being financed by the Government through London Regional Transport and the London Docklands Development Corporation at a capital cost of £77 million. The prime purpose is to facilitate the development of docklands. It is not expected to generate a financial return on the capital invested and the Government therefore intend to offer it to any appropriate person who is prepared to construct the City extension, on terms that the Government retain a shareholding representing its investment, which will be remunerated if profits from the combined railway reach a sufficient level. The railway will revert to the ownership of LRT if, for any reason, the City extension fails to be completed.The arrangements that I have described represent a sufficient understanding for the Bill to be deposited by the date specified by the Standing Orders. They are subject to final agreement between LRT and the consortium on the detailed design and costs of the City extension, and on the particulars of the privatisation scheme, and to the completion of a master building agreement between the consortium and the LDDC on the Canary wharf development, as well as to the consent of Parliament to the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the total share of the energy market which British Gas has had in each of the last five years compared with that of North sea oil, the National Coal Board and the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The percentage shares of United Kingdom final consumption of fuels and electricity covered by sales of gas by the British Gas Corporation and by electricity supplied by the Central Electricity Generating Board for the latest five complete years are as follows:

Percent	1984	1983	1982	1981	1980
British Gas Corporation	30	29	29	28	28
Central Electricity Generating Board*	11	11	11	11	11
* Direct sales or via Area Boards. The figures include a small element of estimation.

The corresponding contributions to final consumption of fuels and electricity from coal supplied by the National Coal Board and from United Kingdom North sea oil are not available on a comparable basis. Large quantities of NCB coal do not enter final consumption, but are used with imported coal for electricity generation and for the production of coke and other manufactured solid fuels. Similarly imported oils are used with United Kingdom North sea crude oil in refineries to manufacture products for inland consumption. In both cases it is not possible to identify separately the contributions made by the imported and home supply to the products finally consumed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on area electricity boards' appliance repair activities.

As I told the House on 25 July, at column 700, in the light of comments by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its report on the South Wales electricity board, I have been discussing with the Electricity Council whether it might be appropriate for area boards to adopt any new accounting arrangements for the repair business. The council has now decided that from 1985–86 boards will publish in their annual accounts four key indicators of performance in this activity: figures for turnover, operating profit or loss, average net current cost capital employed and the percentage return on that capital. The council has also indicated that boards will aim to run this business on a profitable basis.This measure usefully complements the arrangements for appliance retailing and electrical contracting which were announced by my right hon. Friend last year on 26 July 1984, at column 757. The Government welcome the contribution that this new step will make towards improving boards' accountability and demonstrating that they are trading fairly in the ancillary activities which they pursue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many habitable cells are to be provided in C wing at Parkhurst prison; and if it is intended to keep any cells unoccupied on a permanent basis.

The work currently being undertaken in C wing at Parkhurst will produce a total of 100 cells, of which 59 will be in the therapeutic unit and 41 in the adjoining rule 43 unit. All the accommodation in the rule 43 unit is expected to permanently occupied. The population of the therapeutic unit will be restricted initially to 30, probably rising in due course to about 35, which is considered to be the right size for a unit of this kind, having regard to the type of inmate to be held there. The additional space and flexibility will play an important part in the management of the therapeutic unit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were released on parole licence in 1984; and what percentage of those were recalled.

I regret the information is not available in the form requested. The number of inmates granted parole in 1984 was 11,886. The number of licences revoked in the same year was 512, but a proportion of these will have been in cases where a prisoner was released on licence before 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce photographic records of each person entering the United Kingdom.

Photographs are not taken of persons entering the United Kingdom, and we have no plans to introduce such an arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the terms of the Shops Bill [Lords] from individuals and organisations; if he will indicate which of those were opposed to the Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Few representations have been received as yet which relate specifically to the terms of the Shops Bill, but we have received much correspondence from organisations and individuals on Sunday trading, most of it including arguments against the complete abolition of statutory restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has discussed the future of the British Broadcasting corporation's engineering services with the director-general.

No. The management of its engineering services is entirely a matter for the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the two hijackers Yassil Membar and Mohammed Tahir Ahmed who brought an aeroplane to Stansted in 1983 and have now been released from prison have been allowed to remain in the United Kingdom; whether they will be allowed to draw social security benefits; and if he will make a statement.

We have refused applications for asylum made by Mr. Membar and Mr. Ahmed, but decided that to return them to Tanzania against their will would be inconsistent with undertakings given to them at the time to the hijacking. These undertakings were confirmed in writing on 29 April, 1982 after the hijack was over to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley (Sir P. Wall). They have accordingly been given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom for 12 months. Eligibility for social security benefits is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which institution Mr. Glenn Pearson of Hansard cresent, Caister, Lancashire, has been placed; and if he will make a statement.

On 19 November, at Lincoln Crown court, Glenn Pearson was found unfit to plead, under the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964, to a charge of burglary. On 26 November the same court directed his admission to Harmston Hall hospital as a place of safety, under schedule 1 to the Act, pending the Home Secretary's direction under section 5 on his longer term hospital placement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw), has been unable to reply to the letter sent by the hon. Member for Linlithgow, of 14 October, acknowledged on 28 October, about the statements attributed to a detective sergeant of the Metropolitan police, asserting that a news blackout had been imposed by 10 Downing street on the burglary in November 1983 of the flat of Elizabeth Keays.

The hon. Member will now have received the letter to him from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to his letter of 14 October, and I have nothing to add to that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received for the experimental community radio licences; and if he will make available the names and addresses of the applicants.

Preliminary scrutiny of the applications received by the closing date of 31 October has shown there to be a total of 266 applications for the 21 experimental licences (some for more than one licence), as follows:

	Number of applications
Small neighbourhood stations in
Aylesbury	5
Calderdale	2
Dumfries	2
Cambridge	4
Colchester	5
Lincoln	6
London (three stations)	83
Penzance	3
Purbeck	2
Solihull	9
Rhondda	1
Rutland	3
Sunderland	3
Wirral	6
Large neighbourhood stations in
North West Wales	11
Shetland islands	2
Community of interest stations in
Greater Manchester	16
North London	69
South London	34
Total	266

I have placed in the Library a full list of the names and addresses of the contacts specified on each application form. Copies of, or extracts from, the list are being made available on request, to the press and other interested parties.The advisory panel on community radio, which will advise on selection of the successful applicants, is now considering the applications. The panel hopes to be able to make recommendations to me in January.

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will detail the exact investment by the Church Commissioners' asset committee in the new shopping centres in St. Enoch, Glasgow, Ipswich and Gateshead; if he will give the names of any principal shopping chain that might be participating in that investment; and if he will make a statement.

The commissioners' total investment in the three shopping centres is likely to be in the order of £120 million. Sears Holdings is to participate in the development of the centre at St. Enoch's, Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to alter current planning laws.

The Gracious Speech from the Throne announced the intention to introduce measures to improve the planning system. The main matters to be included were noted in paragraphs 3.6(i) and (v) and 3.7 of the White Paper, "Lifting the Burden", (Cmnd. 9571), published on 16 July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase the £2,100 per scheme co-operative promotion allowance.

The level of co-operative promotion allowance for 1986–87 is currently being considered as part of the annual review of all housing association grant allowances. The current rates are £2,135 per scheme for projects in the provinces and £3,522 per scheme in London. The rates to take effect from 1 April 1986 will be promulgated early in 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend section 72 of the Public Health Act 1936 to increase the compensation which householders may apply for when a local authority is in default of its statutory obligation to collect household refuse; and if he will make a statement.

No. This would not be appropriate at a time when we are considering the bringing into force of the provisions of sections 12 to 14 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. When these provisions have been brought into force they will replace the corresponding ones of the Public Health Act 1936, and a remedy for default by a local authority will be available under section 97.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the water supply in the Yorkshire and Humberside region can be described as falling below the standard laid down by the European Economic Community.

About one third of the water supplied by the Yorkshire water authority falls below the standard laid down in the EC drinking water directive. This proportion will be substantially reduced in the next few years. A further 12 per cent. is softened at times below the minimum specified in the directive to ensure compatibility with naturally soft water from Pennine sources. Information is not available for the Yorkshire and Humberside region, as the economic region and the water authority areas differ.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Warrington and Runcorn development corporation concerning the possible sale of the Southgate housing estate to a private developer; and whether he is satisfied that the residents of the estate have been adequately informed and consulted about the proposals.

Officials of my Department have had preliminary discussions with officers of the Warrington and Runcorn development corporation about proposals to transfer ownership of the Southgate housing estate at Runcorn to a permanent landlord body, and to secure private finance for major improvements. Tenants had advance notice of the issue of a disposal prospectus earlier this year. Public meetings have bee held by the corporation to keep tenants informed of progress. Two offers have been received and these are now being considered and discussed with the prospective purchasers. When there is a firm proposal, tenants will be fully consulted. My right hon. Friend will not accept any proposal which does not include substantial protection of the tenants' existing rights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about cases in which local authorities have planned to dispose of rundown blocks of flats or estates to private developers after arranging alternative accommodation for any remaining tenants and in which problems have arisen in connection with (a) the power to make home loss payments and (b) the power to gain possession of the dwellings.

During informal discussions and formal consultations on the proposed new ground for possession, representations were made by various local authorities about general difficulties in obtaining possession when the properties were to be sold for redevelopment, in the absence of specific powers to obtain possession and to make home loss payments. Specific examples of difficulties in obtaining possession or paying home loss payments have been put to the Department by the following local authorities:

• Langbaurgh council
• Oldham borough council
• Wandsworth borough council
• South Tyneside borough council
• Solihull borough council
• City of Westminster
• Burnley council

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available the report by the Building Research Establishment following the examination of some Smith-built properties in the constituency of the hon. Member for West Bromwich, West.

As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Lady of 12 November, at column 119, I hope to make an announcement shortly on the question of designation of Smith houses under the Housing Defects Act. I propose to make the Building Research Establishment's report on Smith houses in West Bromwich available at the time of that announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has on the efficacy of vitamin supplementation in the prevention of spina bifida.

I refer the right hon. Member to my reply of 25 November, at column 399, to questions from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what other research into the areas for further study in chapter 6.1 of the working party report on prostheses, ortheses and aids for the disabled which he published in 1983 has taken place; and if he will state the outcome.

The areas of study referred to in the report relate predominantly to matters of local service. There is no central record of any research which may have been carried out into these matters by health boards or by local authorities.The committee for research and equipment for the disabled of the Chief Scientist's Office, Scottish Home and Health Department, is undertaking a major survey of aids and equipment for the disabled which will provide some indirect information on numbers of disabled.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rehabilitation engineering centres of prosthetic aids exist in Scotland; and how many others are planned.

The only centre in Scotland of which I am aware is the Tayside rehabilitation engineering service, Dundee. It is for health boards to decide whether they wish to set up such units.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what programmes exist to evaluate United Kingdom-produced orthotic and prosthetic aids.

All orthotic and prosthetic aids supplied through the National Health Service are assessed for safety and reliability by the scientific and technical branch of the Department of Health and Social Security. In addition, the Scottish Home and Health Department committee for research on equipment for the disabled awards grants to Scottish projects designed to develop and/or evaluate prosthetic or orthotic devices.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to link the prosthetic and orthotic services.

Prosthetic and orthotic services are provided by health boards. It is for them to take decisions on whether it would be appropriate for the services to be linked in their areas. This has been largely achieved in the Tayside health board area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent orthopaedic units are associated with hospital-based orthotic units in Scotland.

Fourteen of the 15 hospital-based orthotics units in Scotland are associated with orthopaedic units. The exception is the orthotics unit at the Gilbert Bain hospital, Lerwick.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys' survey of the effect of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 is to be published.

My right hon. Friend expects that the results of the survey will be published in February 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action his Department has taken over the past year to seek to ensure that local authorities are fulfilling their duties under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Act.

It is for local authorities themselves to decide how to discharge their responsibilities under the Act subject to any general guidance which my right hon. Friend may provide. I have no reason to think that they are failing to meet the needs which they have identified in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much venture capital has been raised from the Scottish Development Agency for Wren Skyships.

No venture capital has been raised from the agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has that mergansers and goosanders cause serious damage to fishing.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland published a paper in 1962 in the freshwater and salmon fisheries research series entitled "The Goosander and Red-Breasted Merganser as Predators of Salmon in Scottish Waters". In this publication the effects of those species on Atlantic salmon in Scotland were assessed and it was concluded that these species are, in some circumstances, harmful to trout and young salmon in freshwater. In considering applications for licences to shoot these birds, my Department takes account of the evidence provided by applicants as to the extent of damage to the fisheries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration is given to the views of conservationist organisations on the protection of species before licences are granted to permit the shooting of goosanders and mergansers; and how many of these species were shot in 1984.

As required by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, my right hon. Friend consults the Nature Conservancy Council from time to time as to the circumstances in which licences should be granted to permit the shooting of goosanders and mergansers for the purpose of preventing serious damage to fisheries. The advice of the council is fully considered before policy decisions are taken.The numbers of goosanders and mergansers reported shot in 1984 under licences granted by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland were 514 and 516, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for the wreck of the Mhari-L to be raised.

No. My Department has no responsibility for the removal of wrecks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel were involved in the nine nuclear weapon tests near Christmas Island in the South Pacific; what records have been kept regarding their health standards since; and if he will make a statement.

About 1,000 civilian personnel were involved in the atmospheric test programme near Christmas Island. Most of them were employed by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston. No special records have been kept regarding their health standards since in addition to normal employee medical records. Their details are being made available to the National Radiological Protection Board, for the board to consider them for inclusion in its study.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available to right hon. and hon. Members the reports of the studies carried out on the test veterans involved in the nuclear weapon tests on Christmas Island; and if he will make a statement.

The National Radiological Protection Board is carrying out a study of the participants in the United Kingdom atmospheric nuclear weapon test programmes, including the tests in Australia and those near Christmas Island. The study is not expected to be completed until October 1986. It is intended that the findings will be made generally available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel were involved in the nine nuclear weapon tests near Christmas Island, in the South Pacific, what records have been kept regarding their health standards since; and if he will make a statement.

Over 20,000 service personnel were involved in the entire British atmospheric nuclear weapon test programme, including 12 tests in Australia and or near Christmas Island. No special records have been kept regarding their health standards since in addition to normal service medical records. Their details are being made available to the National Radiological Protection Board, for the board to consider them for inclusion in its study.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of sheep carcases brought into service kitchens in the Falklands has been declared unfit for human consumption.

None, but some carcases (under 5 per cent.) are rejected at the abattoir.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to relocate the Royal Naval establishment in Bath to the Royal Marines barracks at Eastney, Portsmouth.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel will be affected by the relocation of service establishments from the south to the north.

As yet it has not been determined which service establishments might be relocated from the south to the north. This is a matter for review as opportunities arise, such as when major investment is required, but all proposals will need to stand on their economic and operational merits. Only when specific cases are considered will it be possible to assess the numbers of civilians to be affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the future of the Royal Marines barracks, Portsmouth.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, announced on 21 June 1985, at column 248, that it was envisaged that the major part of the Royal Marines barracks, Eastney, would close, subject to further study and to the outcome of consultation. This study and consultation are continuing, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which grades of scientists and technicians at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and the royal ordnance factory at Burghfield have received pay increases of up to 26 per cent.; what were the costs involved; whether there have been any consequent difficulties regarding differentials with other grades of staff; and if he will make a statement.

Special pay additions (SPAs) have been introduced at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, and the nearby royal ordnance factory at Burghfield in order to alleviate manning shortages in certain categories. The SPAs are payable from 1 October 1985 to engineers between the grades of professional and technology officer IV and professional and technology officers I, and to scientists between the grades of assistant scientific officer and senior scientific officer. The amounts range between £1,000 and £2,000 a year depending upon grade. The cost in a full year will be some £3 million. Other staff at these establishments have sought similar treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the location by parliamentary constituency of (a) all United States non-nuclear bases in the United Kingdom and (b) all United Kingdom non-nuclear bases in the United Kingdom;(2) if he will list the location by parliamentary constituency of

[pursuant to his reply, 19 November 1985, c. 199]: The following bases and facilities have been made available for use by United States forces in the United Kingdom. It is a longstanding convention of this and previous Governments not to confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any location; accordingly, the role of bases and facilities are not specified in this respect.

	Constituency
Main Operating Base
RAF Alconbury	Huntingdon
RAF Bentwaters	Suffolk, Coastal
RAF Fairford	Cirencester and Tewkesbury
RAF Lakenheath	Bury St. Edmunds
RAF Mildenhall	Bury St. Edmunds
RAF Upper Heyford	Banbury
RAF Woodbridge	Suffolk, Coastal
Holy Loch	Argyll and Bute
Standby Deployment Bases
RAF Greenham Common(1)	Newbury
RAF Scunthorpe	Norfolk, North
RAF Wethersfield	Braintree
Storage/Support Facilities
RAF Bicester	Banbury
Bramley	Basingstoke
RAF Brawdy	Pembroke
Broughton Moor	Workington
RAF Burtonwood	Warrington, North
RAF Caerwent	Monmouth
RAF Chelveston	Bedfordshire, North
RAF Chilwell	Broxtowe
Eastcote	Ruislip-Northwood
Felixstowe	Suffolk, Coastal
RAF Feltwell	Norfolk, South-West
Framlingham	Suffolk, Coastal
Glen Douglas	Dumbarton
High Wycombe Air Station (Daws Hill)	Wycombe
RAF Hullavington	Wiltshire, North
RAF Hythe	Romsey and Waterside
RAF Kemble	Cirencester and Tewkesbury
London USN Europe HQ	City of London and Westminster, South
RAF Machrihanish	Argyll and Bute
Marchwood	Romsey and Waterside
RAF Molesworth(2)	Huntingdon
Oakington	Cambridgeshire, South-East
Ridgewell	Saffron Walden
RAF Ruislip	Ruislip-Northwood
RAF Spadeadam	Penrith and The Border
RAF St. Mawgan	Cornwall, North
RAF Upwood	Huntingdon
RAF Welford	Newbury
RAF Walton	Norfolk, South-West

asked the Minister for the Arts if he has any plans to change the status of any museums from local to national as a result of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils.

The Government's plans for the future funding of major museums and art galleries affected by the abolition of the metropolitan county councils were outlined in their reply of 31 July 1984 (a copy of which is in the Library of the House) to the first report of the Select Committee on Education, Science and the Arts, 1983–84 Session.A trustee body is to be established by Order in Council under section 46 of the Local Government Act 1985, to

Arts Council of Great Britain
	£000	1985–86 provision £000
A1 England		84,492
(1) General Expenditure on the Arts		80,096
(a) Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Limited; English National Opera; National Theatre Board; and Royal Shakespeare Theatre	30,330
(b) Regional Arts Associations	12,892
(c) Music, Opera and Dance	15,828
(d) Drama	14,579
(e) Art and Arts Films	3,920
(f) Literature	518
(g) Combined Arts	1,229
(h) Training in the Arts and Education	800
(2) Administration and Operational Expenditure		4,395
Unallocated		—
A2 Scotland
(1) General Expenditure on the Arts		11,997
(a) Music, Opera and Dance	6,548
(b) Drama	2,517
(c) Art and Film	1,062
(d) Literature	515
(e) Arts Centres, Regional Projects and Festivals	1,355
(2) Administration and Operational Expenditure		743
Unallocated		—
A3 Wales		7,139
(1) General Expenditure on the Arts		6,524
(a) Music, Opera and Dance	2,651
(b) Drama	1,728
(c) Art	641
(d) Literature	606
(e) Arts associations, Arts Centres and Regional Projects	898
(2) Administration and Operational Expenditure		615
Unallocated		—
A4 Housing the Arts		1,230
A5 South Bank		400
Total		106,000

asked the Minister for the Arts if there has been any change in the Arts Council's expected commitment figures for 1985–86 as shown at page 24 of the class V volume of the Supply Estimates.

When the Supply Estimates were published in March 1985 a provisional table was included. The corrected figures are shown. The total of the grant-in-aid is not affected by the correction.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what procedure exists to ensure that when local service departments of local authorities in England place mentally handicapped children into private residential accommodation in Wales there is adequate co-ordination between those authorities and the social service departments in the area in which the accommodation is located; and who is responsible for monitoring standards of care;(2) if he is satisfied with the operation of the statutory provisions to enable private residential houses for mentally handicapped children in Wales to be inspected for standards of care on a regular basis;(3) if he is satisfied that proper procedures exist to ensure that local social service departments and district health authorities in Wales co-operate so that social services follow up any complaints made by health authorities concerning children at risk in private residential homes for mentally handicapped children.

Private residential establishments providing for four or more mentally handicapped children are subject to the registration and inspection arrangements arising from the Registered Homes Act 1984. Such establishments have to be registered with the appropriate county council's social services department and must be inspected by it at least once a year. The primary responsibility for children in care rests with the placing authority. Liaison arrangements between social services authorities and others will vary according to individual circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to increase the present expenditure limit of £14,000 under the Housing Defects Act; and if he will make a statement.

Not at present. But we are monitoring the costs of reinstating dwellings under the Act and would be prepared to prescribe a new limit or limits should it prove necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements have been made to provide professional advice to the Welsh Office on library and information matters in order to assist him to discharge his obligations under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 following the termination of advisory services from the Office of Arts and Libraries.

The Department's senior librarian will provide this professional support from 1 April 1986. The arrangements will be reviewed after a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much English wine was purchased during the last year by his Department for use in the United Kingdom and by British embassies abroad.

Thirty dozen bottles of English wine were purchased by the Government hospitality fund in February last year and a further 30 dozen in November this year. These wines are served at official functions hosted by Her Majesty's Ministers.Diplomatic missions overseas do not maintain official wine cellars. Wines are selected and stocked by individual officers. We do not have records of what wines are stocked.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make further representations to the Greek Government regarding the security aspects at Athens airport; and if he will make a statement.

We have been in touch with the Greek authorities on a regular basis over security at Athens airport and earlier this year offered them assistance in improving security. We will continue to keep in close touch, but note that a number of inspections in recent weeks have confirmed that security measures at the airport conform to the internationally recognised standards set down in annex 17 of the Chicago convention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to suspend the import of Ethiopian tinned meat into the United Kingdom and other European Community countries until such time as the Ethiopian Government can show that no grain fit for human consumption is being used to fatten cattle for export from that country.

[pursuant to her reply, 25 November 1985, c. 364]: No. The only justification for banning imports of tinned meat from a country is that they would constitute a risk to public health or animal health. Imports from Ethiopia are currently prevented on these grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action his Department has taken over the past year to seek to ensure that local authorities are fulfilling their duties under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.

I am content that local bodies which have functions under the Act are aware of their responsibilities and of the need to take them into account in formulating priorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list all registered air rifle clubs in Northern Ireland, detailing when they received their certificates of authorisation, the location of their approved ranges or proposed ranges and the number of club members;(2) if he will list all those registered air rifle clubs which submitted their rifles for safe keeping to the Royal Ulster Constabulary at any stage in the past 17 years, indicating

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Government policy on manufacturing industry in the light of the findings of the House of Lords Select Committee on Overseas Trade.

The Government's policy is to create a climate in which the wealth-creating sector of the economy, including manufacturing industry, can flourish.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the level of investment in manufacturing industry has varied since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

In 1984, capital investment in manufacturing was nearly £6·4 billion at 1980 prices; 16 per cent. above the trough in the last investment cycle downswing which started in 1980. The latest available estimates for all the years since 1979 will be published in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the figures for manufacturing output and investment in 1984; and how this compares with the year before.

In 1984 the index of manufacturing output rose by nearly 4 per cent. to 100·6 (1980=100)—the largest percentage increase in any year since 1973—and manufacturing investment (including assets leased from financial institutions) increased by nearly 15 per cent. to £6·4 billion (in 1980 prices).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the most recent figure for output in manufacturing industry; and how this compares with the figure for the same month six years ago.

For the third quarter of 1985 the index of production for manufacturing industry is 103, based on 1980 equal to 100. This is 5 per cent. lower than the corresponding index for the third quarter of 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about unfair competition to British manufacturing companies from companies receiving special assistance.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to his Department about the Office of Fair Trading discussion paper on consumer guarantees; and if he will make a statement.

No representations have been made to my Department about the Office of Fair Trading discussion paper on this subject. I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading has had a number of such representations and that he proposes to publish his final report on consumer guarantees early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's future plans for the funding of legal advice centres within the framework of citizens advice bureaux.

My Department has no plans for such funding.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on trading prospects with Iraq.

In the first nine months of this year United Kingdom exports to Iraq totalled £340 million, an increase of 44 per cent. over the same period in 1984. I shall be seeking ways of strengthening bilateral trade in meetings this week with the Iraqi Minister of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes have been made in the aid and trade provision and administration.

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. and learned Friend's statement on 12 November in which he told the House that the Government were introducing a soft loan facility to enable the doubling by 1988–89 of the annual business that might be won through support under the aid and trade provision.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he will take of United States protectionism in establishing Her Majesty's Government's position towards the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement.

Our policy will have to evolve to take account of the positions of the United States and other major participants as well as of our interest in reducing protectionist pressures in such countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now received the European Commission's proposals for a draft negotiating mandate for the multi-fibre arrangement renewal negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

The Commission has not yet made a communication to the Council on a draft negotiating mandate for the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations, but is expecting to do so soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study he has made of tariff and non-tariff barriers to United Kingdom and European Community exports of textiles and clothing; and if he will seek to reduce these barriers during the negotiations for renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement.

In the forthcoming MFA negotiations and the proposed new GATT round we shall be seeking reductions in the considerable barriers which exist in a number of countries to the export of United Kingdom and European Community textiles and clothing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has held with the Governments of Spain and Portugal regarding the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement.

I have not had recent bilateral exchanges with either Spain or Portugal about the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement. Following the signature of their treaty of accession, Spain and Portugal have the right to attend as observers in all European Community meetings, including those discussing textile trade policy. From 1 January they will participate as full members of the European Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has regarding the approach of the United States' Administration towards renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has held with the textile and clothing industries regarding the policy to be adopted for the multi-fibre arrangement renewal negotiations.

We consulted the representatives of the textile and clothing industry, as well as other interested parties, before the Government decided their overall approach to the multi-fibre arrangement which I announced to the House on 9 May. We have had further detailed discussions since then and I intend to keep in close touch with the industry and other interested parties as the negotiations progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what change has taken place in the relative competitiveness of British industry since 1979; and what assessments he makes of the contribution to this of trade union legislation enacted in this period.

Since 1979 productivity in manufacturing industry has increased by 22 per cent. By promoting responsible industrial relations and making trades unions more accountable to their members, the Government's industrial relations legislation has made a positive contribution to this improvement. Relative unit labour costs have, however, increased by 7 per cent. since 1979 indicating a need for continued wage restraint.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the level of industrial investment in those parts of the United Kingdom having assisted area status; and if he will make a statement.

No. The assisted areas need investment if jobs are to be created there. The revised schemes of regional assistance will help to secure that investment and those jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the figures in each of the last 10 years for the percentage share of the retail grocery sector of (a) major multiples, (b) other multiples, (c) independent stores and (d) co-operatives.

The Business Statistics Office has conducted full retailing inquiries annually from 1976 to 1980, and bi-annually thereafter. Figures for co-operative societies are not readily available before 1980. They are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Government's regional policy.

The changes in regional policy were introduced only a year ago and it is still too early to measure the effectiveness of the revised schemes of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure of his Department on science and technology in 1984–85; and how this compares with the figure for 1979–80.

Expenditure on scientific and technological assistance and on support for investment in innovation in 1984–85 was £416 million. This compares with £143 million in 1979–80.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support his Department provides for the export of telecommunications equipment; and if he will make a statement.

We have lent considerable support to the efforts of UK companies to secure telecommunications equipment export orders. Aid and trade provision and other measures to counter support available to competitor companies abroad have been offered. Such support continues to be available to all UK companies for current and future export campaigns, as does the full backing and encouragement of Ministers and our representatives overseas. We are also giving our full support to international efforts to reduce the barriers to open trade in telecommunications, notably within the EC telecommunications initiative.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the use of new technology in industry.

The Government's policies to create and maintain a business climate that encourages and rewards enterprise will stimulate improvements in industrial research and development and will help to encourage industry to develop and exploit new technology.In addition, my Department offers a range of assistance under the Industrial Development Act 1982 and the Science and Technology Act 1965 to help suitable projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Gartcosh and Ravenscraig steel plants; and if he will make a statement.

A number of representations from organisations and individuals in Scotland have been made to my Department. I have nothing to add to the replies my right hon. and learned Friend gave to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Hirst) on 23 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate what initiatives he is taking to secure the future of manufacturing industry in Greater Manchester.

Most of Greater Manchester has assisted area status and therefore benefits from regional assistance. I have no plans to alter these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on trading prospects with the Soviet Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on trading prospects with the Soviet Union.

During his visit to London in December 1984 Mr. Gorbachev spoke of a potential for an increase in trade turnover between the United Kingdom and the USSR of 40–50 per cent. in the next few years. I agree that the opportunities for United Kingdom firms to win increased business in the USSR are unusually good. I urge more companies to consider this market which, while difficult to enter initially, can be very rewarding. Her Majesty's Government will provide all possible support consistent with our international obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present position in regard to the privatisation of the special steels division of the British Steel Corporation.

British Steel Corporation and GKN have submitted the updated proposals to the Government, following the Government's agreement in principle to their proposals for a joint venture in engineering steels. My right hon. and learned Friend intends to make a statement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will next meet the chairman of the British Steel corporation to discuss the steel industry in Scotland.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no specific plans for a meeting at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to stimulate improvements in industrial research and development.

The Government's policies to create and maintain a business climate that encourages and rewards enterprise will stimulate improvements in industrial research and development and will help to encourage industry to develop and exploit new technology.In addition, my Department offers a range of assistance under the Industrial Development Act 1982 and the Science and Technology Act 1965 to help suitable projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount of exports of manufactured goods to the European Economic Community over the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total of imports of manufactures from the European Economic Community in the same period.

In the 12 months to September 1985, United Kingdom exports of manufactures to the European Community were £20,200 million and imports were £28,100 million (balance of payments basis).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement of progress on reducing the internal barriers to trade within the European Community.

Substantial progress in reducing a wide range of internal barriers to Community trade is recorded in the Luxembourg Presidency's report to the Council (document numbers 9171/85 and 9172/85). The Commission's White Paper entitled "Completing the Internal Market", of which the June European Council took favourable note, sets out its objectives for the removal of the remaining barriers. (A copy of these documents is available in the Library of the House.) The European Council agreed on the removal of remaining barriers by 1992 in priority areas including the removal of physical and technical barriers to the movement of goods. The October Internal Market Council endorsed arrangements for establishing a detailed programme for carrying this work forward in the next 15 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of the Office of Fair Trading on Elders' bid for Allied Breweries.

The Director General of Fair Trading will be advising me as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been provided to the Gainsborough travel-to-work area under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 since the passing of that Act.

Offers made between 1 April 1972 and 30 September 1985 total £4·1 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to vist the Nissan motor plant in the north-east of England; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit the Nissan motor plant in the north-east of England at the present time. I understand that the project is on schedule for production to begin in 1986 as set out in the heads of agreement between Nissan and the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications his Department has received for regional assistance from companies in the west midlands assisted area.

Since the designation of intermediate area status on 29 November 1984 my Department has received 597 applications for regional selective assistance in the west midlands. By November 1985 a total of £22 million has been offered in grants, and this is associated with some 13,500 jobs either created or safeguarded.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to attract inward investment into the United Kingdom.

The Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) within the Department of Trade and Industry is currently engaged in a major promotional campaign— "Britain Means Business"—in which it is collaborating with all the main British public sector inward investment promotional bodies and the private sector. The campaign, which is additional to the IBB's normal activities, aims to draw attention to the undoubted attractions of the United Kingdom for foreign investors, not leaast of which is the more favourable climate for business the Government have created.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government have taken to resolve the problems of the International Tin Council.