asked the Attorney-General what negotiations the Lord Chancellor and his officials have conducted with representatives of the Bar concerning fees in criminal cases; and if he will make a statement.

Officials have discussed the report on remuneration of barristers carrying out criminal legal aid, prepared for the Bar by Coopers & Lybrand, with the representatives of the Bar Council. In his letter of 7 February to the chairman of the Bar, the Lord Chancellor said that he remained to be convinced, on the information before him, that the current rates did not represent fair and reasonable remuneration. He made it clear in that letter that he wished to hold further discussions with the Bar about the need to keep fees at a level to attract competent people to the criminal Bar. He accepted that current rates needed to be adjusted for next year, and he was therefore proposing to bring forward regulations based on a routine uprating calculated according to the same formula as in previous years. This would allow for a five per cent. increase overall from 1 April.

asked the Attorney-General (1) on what date he was asked to give immunity from prosecution in respect of the disclosures of the Solicitor-General's letter of 6 January to the then Secretary of State for Defence; on what date he reached a decision; and with whom he consulted prior to reaching his decision;(2) what was the information supplied to him, prior to his decision to grant Miss Colette Bowe immunity from prosecution, in connection with the disclosure of official information relating to the Westland affair, which satisfied him that there was in any event no possibility that proceedings would be instituted against her in respect of the part which she had played in the matter; by whom it was supplied; and what was the ultimate source of this information.

I have nothing to add to the full account of this matter which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I have already given to the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all EEC countries are implementing log book and loading declaration rules as required by existing common fisheries policy regulations.

All member states other than Spain and Portugal are implementing the requirements of Community regulations on logbooks and landing declarations. Spain and Portugal will, like the other members states were, be given three months to implement the arrangements after the issue of the logbooks in their own languages. We understand that the logbooks are now available and are about to be issued.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to complete his review of pelagic fishing.

My right hon. Friends and I hope to complete this review shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the EEC Commission's proposals for fishing net mesh size increases to 90mm.

The Council regulation on technical conservation measures—Regulation (EEC) No 171/83 as amended—provides for the minimum mesh size in the North sea to be increased from 80 to 90mm with effect from 1 January 1987. The Commission has put forward proposals for the consolidation and revision of Regulation No 171/83 which are currently being discussed within the Community at official level. The proposals include the extension of the 90mm mesh size to the waters to the west of Scotland and the amendment of the special provisions in respect of fishing for sole in the North sea. My right hon. Friends and I are consulting the United Kingdom fishing industry on these proposals and will take its views, along with the objective of conservation of fish stocks, into account in the further Community discussions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total tonnage of foodstuffs of all kinds, collectively, in private or public intervention in the European Economic Community; and what was the collective total around the same date in each of the previous 10 years, respectively.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total sum which has now been provided in the European Economic Community budget for 1986 for the storage, dumping and destruction of food and wine surpluses; and what was the actual amount spent on these activities in each of the past six years, respectively.

The information requested is set out in the table below:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to make a decision on the application for a pumping licence for silt dredging from the river Mersey.

[pursuant to his reply, 6 February 1986, c. 261]: I am now able to announce the decision that I have reached on the renewal of licences for the disposal of dredged spoil and other material in Liverpool bay.After consideration of all the available information, and in agreement with the licensees concerned, I have decided to renew the licences for the sea disposal of dredged spoil from the Merseyside docks and river channels except in the case of the small amount dredged from the Manchester ship canal which will henceforth go to land. Similarly I have decided to renew the licences of the North West water authority for the sea disposal of sewage sludge, on condition that the trace amount of mercury allowed in the sludge is further reduced by about 30 per cent.These licences, which will as usual be valid for one year, will be issued under part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 which requires Ministers to have regard to the need to protect the marine environment, its living resources and human health. I am satisfied that the relevant standards for the protection of the marine environment from contamination by mercury are being met. The variations that I have announced in the terms of the licences will, however, contribute to a further reduction of the input of mercury into the areas concerned in accordance with our responsibilities to protect the marine environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total gross expenditure, current and capital, on the National Health Service for each year since 1975; what has been the percentage change deflated by (a) real terms, (b) the retail price index and (c) movements in National Health Service pay and prices.

The total gross expenditure on the NHS in Wales is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the European Community Commission's latest proposals for beef production as they affect agriculture in Wales.

The Government welcome the Commission's initiative in taking a fresh look at support measures in the beef sector, but considerable discussion will be required before any final decisions are agreed.Some of the measures proposed appear at first sight to discriminate against the United Kingdom, but we will make every effort to ensure that the interests of United Kingdom producers are fully taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek to maintain the beef variable premium scheme for Welsh beef producers.

The importance of the beef variable premium scheme for beef producers and indeed consumers in Wales is fully recognised and this will be taken into account in the common agricultural policy price negotiations. However, it must be recognised that opposition to the scheme will be stronger than usual this year as the Community seeks to achieve a harmonised beef regime.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a White Paper on the future of agriculture in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the capital expenditure which has been funded through his office from all sources for Holyhead since 1979; and if he will give the figures in constant terms for 1974 to 1979.

I will write to my hon. Friend in reply to the first part of his question as soon as possible, and place a copy of my letter in the Library. The answer to the second part of his question is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the perinatal mortality rate for each health authority in Wales in (a) 1979 and (b) 1984, respectively.

No. Perinatal mortality rates for 1979 and 1984 have already been published in table 1.07 of "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for Wales" Nos. 8 (1981) and 12 (1985) respectively, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will cause a public inquiry to be held into the safety implications of the Re-Chem operation at Pontypool; and if he will make a statement.

No. I have made it clear that there is no evidence to warrant a public inquiry. Should relevant evidence emerge, I will, of course, reconsider my decision.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans to bring forward proposals to strengthen the powers of Select Committees in relation to the summoning of witnesses who are civil servants; and if he will make a statement.

I have no such plans.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the activities to date of the departmental Select Committees.

I believe that the departmental Select Committees established in 1979 have generally assisted our system of parliamentary scrutiny.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will bring forward proposals to re-arrange the time at which formal applications are made to Mr. Speaker for leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 10 on days when the first debate is scheduled to be broadcast; and if he will make a statement.

I have no such proposals. It seems doubtful whether my hon. Friend's suggestion would be a practicable proposition, since the broadcasting authorities may broadcast live any part of our proceedings without prior notice being required.

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, whether there are any proposals to make staff redundant in any of the Departments of the House.

No.

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission (1) who will serve on the board which will appoint the new staff inspector in the House; and whether it includes trade union representatives;(2) who will act as assessor on the applicants for the board which will appoint the new staff inspector in the House.

The appointment of the new staff inspector will be made by Mr. Speaker under powers delegated to him by the Commission.

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what will be the terms of employment of the new staff inspector; and to which department of the House he will be appointed.

The post of staff inspector will continue to be graded at principal level and is being offered either as an established appointment within the House service, subject to a trial period of one year, or on the basis of a limited term secondment. The staff inspector will be located within the Administration Department and will operate under terms of reference which were laid down for his predecessor in 1982 after extensive consultations between management and trade union sides within the House.

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 396, regarding the Department of the Official Report, from which Department of the House he obtained the information reproduced in the table.

In the course of discharging its responsibilities the Commission receives information and advice from all Departments of the House; but it is not the Commission's practice to disclose the source of advice received in any particular case.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to permit the entry to the United Kingdom of Olga and Alexi Lusnikov of the Moscow group for the establishment of trust between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, who are to be expelled from the Soviet Union during the weekend of 15 to 16 February; and if she will make a statement.

If Mr. and Mrs. Lusnikov wish to come to this country, any application they make will receive careful consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if she will indicate Her Majesty's Government's latest estimate of the number of new jobs created in each enterprise zone in the United Kingdom; if there are any plans to designate further such zones; and if she will make a statement.

The increase in the number of jobs in each zone between designation and September 1984 for zones in Great Britain and designation and October 1985 for zones in Northern Ireland is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister if she will advise Her Majesty to set up a royal commission to consider the role and proper responsibilities of civil servants.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Privy Council Office on 28 October at column 663.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make arrangements for civil servants against whom allegations are made in public to defend themselves in public if they so wish.

No. I see no reason to change the existing arrangements.

asked the Prime Minister if a copy of the Solicitor-General's letter of 6 January to the then Secretary of State for Defence was shown to her chief press secretary before officials from the Department of Trade and Industry contacted her office about bringing the letter into the public domain.

I have nothing to add to the full account which I gave to the House in my statement on 23 January, Official Report, columns 449–51, and in the debate on 27 January, Official Report, columns 651–58.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if Her Majesty's Government received any representations from Westland plc after 3 January about the continuing validity of her letter of 1 January to Sir John Cuckney about Government policy on the future of Westland; and if she will make a statement;(2) what factors determined the timing of the letter sent to Westland plc on 13 January by the permanent undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Defence concerning Government policy on the future of the company.

As is clear from the text of Sir Clive Whitmore's letter of 13 January to Sir John Cuckney, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House on 27 January, that letter was written in response to a letter from Sir John Cuckney of 10 January putting questions about Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister (1) on what basis the Cabinet Secretary had reason to believe that Miss Colette Bowe would ask him about the position regarding the possible granting of immunity from prosecution;(2) if she will define the nature of the inquiries by the Cabinet Secretary of other Departments on 10–11 January about the leak of the Solicitor-General's letter;(3) for what reason the Cabinet Secretary believed that the particular person to whom he went first in his preliminary inquiries had passed information about the Solicitor-General's letter of 6 January to the Press Association;(4) when precisely the Cabinet Secretary sent the report of his leak inquiry to the Attorney-General;(5) how the Solicitor-General's letter to the then Secretary of State for Defence was brought to the attention of the Department of Trade and Industry's press secretary; and how soon this was done after it was received by the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's private office;(6) what evidence was sought or obtained by the Cabinet Secretary as to whether she had made any inquiries about who had leaked the Solicitor-General's letter to the then Secretary of State for Defence, prior to the inquiry being authorised;(7) what specific evidence was available to the Cabinet Secretary which led him to believe that officials did not understand what they were being asked to do in relation to giving information on the Solicitor-General's letter of 6 January to the Press Association.

I have nothing to add to the full account which I gave to the House in my statement on 23 January—[Official Report, columns 449–451]—and in the debate on 27 January—[Official Report, columns 651–658].

asked the Prime Minister what factors Her Majesty's Government take into account in deciding the timing of the release of information of commercial sensitivity, having regard to relevant market factors; and how these factors were applied in relation to the disclosure of parts of the Solicitor-General's letter to the then Secretary of State for Defence relating to Westland.

No general answer can be given to the first part of the question: any steps to be taken by the Government must depend on the specific circumstances involved.As to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I have nothing to add to my statement on 23 January and my speech on 27 January.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 11 February, what action was taken in connection with the report by the then Secretary of State for Defence alleging that the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had urged the managing director of the leading company in the European Westland Consortium to withdraw in the national interest, during the period between the receipt by the private office of that report on 8 January and the discussion of Westland plc by the Cabinet on 9 January.

[pursuant to her reply, 14 February 1986, c. 561]: I regret that the hon. Member was given an inappropriate answer to this question on Friday. The answer should have been as follows: I have nothing to add to my answer of 11 February—[Official Report, c. 414].

asked the Prime Minister by what authority disciplinary powers in Civil Service departments are exercised by the permanent head of the department.

Disciplinary procedures for the Civil Service are set out in Estacode Section Kb. A copy of this document is in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister what ministerial oversight there is of the exercise by the permanent heads of Civil Service Departments of their disciplinary powers; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on 5 February — [Official Report, column 160.].

asked the Prime Minister what is her general policy towards the circumstances in which officials whose conduct has been the subject of an internal inquiry should be authorised to appear as witnesses before a Select Committee's inquiry into related matters; to what extent the practical application of this policy would be influenced in any given case by (a) the rank or position of the official in question, (b) whether or not disciplinary action had been taken and (c) the fact the immunity from prosecution had been granted; and if she will make a statement.

Officials giving evidence before Select Committees do so on behalf of their Ministers, and it is therefore customary for Ministers to decide which officials should represent them for this purpose. The principles are set out in "Memorandum of Guidance for Officials appearing before Select Committees", issued as General Notice GEN 80/38, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister what were the salaries of the chairmen of state-owned industries on 1 January 1979 and in 1986; and what is the percentage difference in real terms.

The following table shows the salary of the chairman of each of the present nationalised industries at 1 January 1979 and 1 January 1986 together with the percentage difference in excess of the increase in the retail prices index during that period.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total of grants in aid paid to the tobacco industry in Northern Ireland since 1980.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 February 1986, c. 523]: A total of £21,522,047 has been paid towards the maintenance and development of the tobacco industry in Northern Ireland. The industry currently employs 4,166 people in a region of particularly high unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to oblige local education authorities to pay the full cost of

No. Insurance of school buildings and contents is for local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the current cost per pupil of education at primary and secondary level in the Inner London education authority; what information he has as to the equivalent figures for each of the London boroughs; if he will give such similar information as is available for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Information is readily available for the last six years as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much he has allocated for the next academic year to polytechnics and colleges of higher education to avoid a predicted shortfall in student places.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in his reply of 12 November 1985, at column 107, to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley), the AFE quantum for the financial year 1986–87, which covers the first two terms of the 1986–87 academic year, has been determined at £661 million, an increase of 6 per cent. on 1985–86. Advice from the National Advisory Body for public sector higher education (NAB) on the allocation of the 1986–87 quantum, which, as my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply of 20 December 1985, at columns 338–40 to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson), has been accepted, was based on the proposition that student demand and therefore the number of places to be provided would remain roughly stable between 1985–86 and 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decision regarding the scheme to reorganise secondary education in part of Plymouth; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he has not yet made known his decision concerning the proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education in Plymouth which were first submitted for his approval in March 1984, and amended 11 months ago; and when he proposes to announce his decision.

My right hon. Friend is still considering these proposals and hopes to be able to announce his decision on them very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the joint Research Council —Ministry of Defence research grants will provide an unmarked contribution towards overhead costs for the institutions concerned.

No contribution towards overhead costs will be provided as part of research grants awarded under this scheme. This is in accordance with the arrangements which normally apply to all research grants made under the dual support system to academic institutions by the research councils and which have been in force for many years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local education authorities have now requested a postponement of the introduction of GCSE examinations.

Six local education authorities have requested postponement of the introduction of the GCSE: Cambridgeshire; Derbyshire; Hertfordshire; Leicestershire; Norfolk and Northamptonshire. On 6 February my right hon. Friend confirmed that the introduction of the GCSE will proceed in accord with the timetable set and that he has no intention of postponing it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, under the new community charge proposals, students will have their community charge contributions deducted at source from their grants; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 February 1986 at column 111, to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden.)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report, for each of the past five years, the amount of money that the Scottish Development Agency has spent on tourism projects.

The Scottish Development Agency's records do not separately identify expenditure on projects to assist tourism.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of electricity was produced by nuclear power in (a) 1984 and (b) 1985 in Scotland.

The Scottish electricity boards estimate that the percentage of their total generated output produced from nuclear stations was 35·6 per cent. in 1984 and 40·6 per cent. in 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the light of the proposed closure of Gartcosh steel strip mill, he has invited the Scottish Development Agency to extend and enhance the Coatbridge project; and what other proposals he has for job creation in the area.

The Government regret the loss of jobs which will result from the closure of the Gartcosh mill. A number of job-creating initiatives are already underway, including the Coatbridge project, the Motherwell project, and local enterprise trusts. The Scottish Development Agency is at present reviewing the future organisation of its activities in the Coatbridge area, since the initial term of the Coatbridge project is due to expire this year. I have indicated to the agency that I expect the future organisation and intensity of agency activities in the area to take account of the effect of the closure of Gartcosh.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of drivers involved in accidents in Scotland with positive breath tests or failure to provide a specimen from 1976 to 1984, inclusive, and the total number of drivers involved in accidents with positive breath tests or failure to provide a specimen during the following periods — 04.00 hours to 10.00 hours, 10.00 hours to 16.00 hours, 16.00 hours to 22.00 hours and 22.00 hours to 04.00 hours from 1976 to 1984, inclusive, or such periods for which statistics are available.

The figures requested are as follows. Information on failure by drivers involved in accidents to provide a blood or urine specimen is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for Scotland the actual or projected payments of regional development grants in each year from 1979–80 to 1988–89 (a) at current prices and (b) at 1985 prices.

Actual or projected payments of regional development grants in each year from 1979–80 to 1986–87 are set out in the table below. These are shown net of refunds. No firm plans have been made about separate provision for regional development grants in 1987–88 and 1988–89 but public expenditure plans include provision of £100 million and £110 million respectively, at current prices and rounded to the nearest £10 million, for aggregate regional and general industrial support in these years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate for the years until 1988–89 the net expenditure on regional selective assistance in Scotland.

An estimate of net expenditure on regional selective assistance in Scotland for the current year and information about provision for 1986–87, and about aggregate provision for regional and general industrial support for 1987–88 and 1988–89, are contained in "Public Expenditure to 1988–89: A Commentary on the Scotland Programme" published by the Scottish Office and made available to all Scottish hon. Members. No firm plans are made about separate provision for selective assistance in 1987–88 and 1988–89.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing his latest estimate of expenditure on regional assistance in Scotland for 1985–86; and if he will compare this with his original estimate for such expenditure.

The latest estimate of expenditure on regional assistance in Scotland for 1985–86 compared with the original estimate is set out in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on finance provided by (a) the European Economic Community regional fund and (b) the Highlands and Islands Development Board to the proposed new British Rail line between Tain and Golspie over the planned Dornoch Firth bridge; if Her Majesty's Government will provide finance for British Rail to build this line; and if he will make a statement.

British Rail have had technical discussions with Scottish Development Department on the feasibility of a rail link across the Dornoch firth. They have however made no firm proposal for construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in arriving at the proposed level of grant-in-aid provision for the Highlands and Islands Development Board in 1986–87, an allowance was made for profits which the board was anticipating to receive from the realisation of any shareholdings.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Education in Scotland on 7 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express the proposed level of grant-in-aid provision for the Highlands and Islands Development Board in 1986–87 in terms of percentage change in real terms compared with the total for 1985–86; and if he will make a statement.

The change in real terms is -13 per cent. The reduction is due mainly to the impending completion of the integrated development programme for the Western Isles.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his proposed level of grant-in-aid provision for the Highlands and Islands Development Board in 1986–87 is subject to ongoing review and adjustment in the light of (a) unanticipated levels of profit accruing to the board through the realisation of share-holdings, (b) unanticipated levels of applications for such assistance and (c) evidence that all projects deemed to be viable in the opinion of the board are unlikely to progress due to insufficient grant-in-aid provision.

Grant-in-aid for the Highlands and Islands Development Board is contained within a cash-limited vote. The board has to control is expenditure to keep within the gross expenditure limit set and must, therefore, continuously assess its priorities and manage its programmes of assistance accordingly. The board's expenditure, commitments and income are monitored continuously throughout the year by the Industry Department for Scotland. Adjustments (both upward and downward) have been made in the past but any adjustment must have regard to the wider public expenditure implications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give figures for the average annual rent determined by rent officers for houses in Scotland in each of the last five years, showing figures for housing association rents and private sector rents separately and the numbers of houses covered by the determinations.

The information requested is published in "Scottish Housing Statistics", copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report, for each parliamentary constituency in Wales, the numbers of hazardous installations currently in operation.

The information is not available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Paymaster General whether the principal inspector of factories who visited the Brightside lane warehouse fire on the morning of 15 December gave any advice to the fire brigade on the wearing of breathing apparatus.

No. It is not customary for Health and Safety Executive inspectors to intervene during fire fighting operations.

asked the Paymaster General what were the dates between which the Employment Medical Advisory Service medical examination of the firemen at the Brightside lane warehouse fire took place.

Between 20 February and 2 April 1985.

asked the Paymaster General what were the dates on which the Health and Safety Executive inspectors took statements from firemen at the Brightside lane warehouse fire.

Inspectors took statements from firemen between 26 April 1985 and 2 July 1985.

asked the Paymaster General what was the date on which the fire service debriefing report referred to in paragraph 97 of the Health and Safety Executive report on the Brightside lane warehouse fire was completed.

This is a matter for the South Yorkshire fire service.

asked the Paymaster General for how many months the faulty cable referred to in paragraphs 100 and 101 of the Health and Safety Executive report on the Brightside lane warehouse fire had been in use.

Evidence suggests that it had been in use since about October 1983.

asked the Paymaster General whether the Health and Safety Executive has initiated a prosecution against Pickfords in relation to the matters described in paragraphs 100, 101, 102, 103 and 204 of the report on the Brightside lane warehouse fire.

There are to be no prosecutions in relation to the fire.

asked the Paymaster General why the Health and Safety Executive report on the Brightside lane warehouse fire makes no distinction between permanent and retained firefighters.

The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act requires the same standards to be applied to both permanent and retained firefighters.

asked the Paymaster General whether a log exists detailing the day-by-day progress of the Health and Safety Executive inspectors' investigations of the Brightside lane warehouse fire.

No.

asked the Paymaster General on what dates during 1980 Health and Safety Executive inspectors visited the site of the Brightside lane warehouse fire.

The site was visited on 7 May 1980.

asked the Paymaster General, following the 1980 visit to the site of the Brightside lane warehouse fire, how many years the Health and Safety Executive decided should elapse before a further planned visit was made to the site.

No period was set.

asked the Paymaster General why the Health and Safety Executive inspector who visited unit 6 at the Brightside lane warehouse fire in August and November 1983 did not on either occasion visit unit 1 at the site.

The visits to unit 6 were made following the notification of occupation by British Services Ltd. The visits were not directed at the site as a whole.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the current functions of the regional directors, Department of Employment.

Under an agency agreement made between the Secretary of State for Employment and the Manpower Services Commission the Commission's Training Division regional directors act as the Secretary of State for Employment's representatives in their regions. They carry out a range of functions on his behalf, including: the management of the new regional enterprise units recently set up within the Department; collating and providing information on manpower matters and advice relating to such matters; collecting and collating unemployment and vacancy statistics, and providing unemployment benefit offices with information regarding industrial disputes; issuing monthly regional press notices relating to unemployment and vacancy statistics; and handling enquiries from the press relating to their issue.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the functions of the regional enterprise units.

The main duties of the regional enterprise units can be summarised under the following broad headings: promotion of enterprise—they will act as the regional link for the enterprise and deregulation unit in spreading the message about deregulation, identifying burdens and providing a regional input to other EDU initiatives; representing and promoting the interest of small firms and developing links with small firms and small firms organisations; sponorship and funding of local enterprise agencies, including administration of the local enterprise agency grant scheme; developing links with tourist bodies and identifying obstacles to the growth of tourism at regional level.

asked the Paymaster General how many people not included in the published unemployment figures were in part-time employment at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many were engaged on YTS or community programmes.

The latest available estimate of the number of people aged 16 or over in Great Britain in part-time paid employment not claiming unemployment benefits is 4·8 million, based on the labour force survey conducted in spring 1984. The latest available estimates of the total numbers of people in Great Britain covered by the YTS and the community programme are 329,000 and 174,000 respectively relating to the end of December 1985.

asked the Paymaster General how many people under 65 years of age were unemployed but not registered as claiming benefit at the latest available date.

According to results of the labour force survey, in the spring of 1984 in Great Britain there were about 850,000 people without jobs seeking work aged under 65 who were not included in the monthly count of benefit claimants. There were 940,000 registered for benefit but not looking for work.

asked the Paymaster General if he will state the latest unemployment figures by ward and postal area for Peterborough, Northampton borough, Swindon, St. Helens, Wigan, Poulton, Bolton and Bury.

I am sending a copy of a computer printout giving the requested ward information, which is also available from the Library. The printout shows numbers of unemployed claimants as at 9 January 1986 by wards in the local authority districts of Peterborough, Northampton, St. Helens, Wigan, Bolton, Bury, Thamesdown—which covers the area of Swindon—and the wards that cover the area of Poulton. Unemployment figures by postal area for this date are not available.

asked the Paymaster General if the premises being used by News International at Wapping have been inspected by inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive.

Yes. Health and Safety Executive inspectors have visited the News International premises on several occasions during the installation and commissioning of plant.

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are eligible for a place on the community programme.

Available figures are as follows:

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland, if he has yet determined the criteria which will be used to allocate cases in the hands of the Accountant in Bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the question relates to the list to be maintained by the Accountant in Bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 of persons who can be appointed by a sheriff to act as an interim trustee in a sequestration. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has prescribed the qualifications of persons who are eligible to go on that list, but he has no power to prescribe the criteria by reference to which a sheriff may appoint a person from that list to act as an interim trustee in any particular sequestration.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he is taking to reward initiative on the part of civil servants; and what penalties he will introduce in the event of errors.

The Government's programme for improved management efficiency is directed at the encouragement of good performance by civil servants at all levels. Important elements in his programme include arrangements for the better management and control of resources, the setting of clearer objectives for staff, the development of more effective staff reporting and appraisal procedures and the experimental performance bonus scheme which is designed to encourage and reward particularly good performance. Steps have also been taken to deal more effectively with poor performance. Questions of penalties for mistakes or misdeeds by individual civil servants are dealt with as part of the procedures for reporting and appraisal or under the disciplinary procedures set out in Estacode section Kb, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has to the effects of the Ethiopian Government's resettlement policy; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that some 600,000 people have so far been moved from the northern provinces in the current phase of the Ethiopian Government's resettlement programme. There have been regular reports of coercion and families being split up, and of inadequate preparation of the resettlement areas. We have on several occasions expressed our concern. I reiterated these concerns to Mr. Michael Priestly, United Nations co-ordinator in Addis Ababa, when he called on me on 7 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the amount of grain that has arrived in Ethiopia from each member state of the European Economic Community and the United States in each of the last six months; what promised deliveries are still outstanding from these states; when they are likely to arrive; and if he will make a statement.

Information on deliveries made and planned is contained on pages 39–53 of the lastest status report No. 18 dated 2 January 1986 from the World Food Programme's Africa task force secretariat. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.I discussed emergency food aid for Ethiopia on 4 February with the UN Assistant Secretary-General based in Addis Ababa, Mr. Priestley. According to his figures pledges currently made only cover some 80 per cent. of the estimated need for 1986. I have therefore asked the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Natali, to propose a further substantial allocation to Ethiopia from the 1986 EC food aid programme in addition to the 150,000 tonnes that were agreed by the food aid management committee on 29 January.The United Kingdom will be delivering 17,700 tonnes from its national programme to Ethiopia in March-April 1986 through the World Food Programme. Following my discussion with Mr. Priestley I have decided we should provide a further 13,700 tonnes bilaterally during 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cereal requirement for famine relief in Ethiopia for 1986; what deliveries have so far been made; and what has been promised.

The United Nations co-ordinator in Addis Ababa estimates that Ethiopia will need 1·2 million tonnes of food aid in the form of cereals in 1986. Three hundred thousand tonnes will be available from deliveries in 1985. Our best estimate is that a further 670,000 tonnes has been firmly pledged for 1986 or is in prospect. The World Food Programme reported on 11 February that 67,000 tonnes of these new pledges had been delivered to Ethiopia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received by his Department within the last six months regarding levels of United Kingdom aid in Ethiopia and the Sudan.

The Overseas Development Administration has received many hundreds of representations within the last six months regarding levels of United Kingdom aid in Ethiopia and the Sudan.These include parliamentary questions, letters from hon. Members and members of the public, and petitions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the estimated supplementary food needs for famine relief in Ethiopia in 1986, the amounts so far delivered, and all outstanding pledges, together with edible oil pledges and deliveries.

After allowing for some 31,000 tonnes carried over in stocks from 1985, net additional supplementary food needs (skimmed milk powder and high protein biscuits) for 1986 are estimated to be about 91,000 tonnes; 19,000 tonnes have so far been pledged and 1,300 tonnes delivered.Net additional edible oil needs for 1986 are estimated to be about 43,000 tonnes; 16,800 tonnes have been pledged and 7,000 tonnes delivered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amounts of long-term development aid supplied by the United Kingdom to Ethiopia for the last five years, together with projected aid for the next two years, at outturn and at 1984–85 prices.

The following table shows British long term development aid to Ethiopia, excluding disaster relief and food aid but including technical co-operation and training, in £'000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the present level of grain stock at Assab and at Massawa in Ethiopia and in Djibouti; and how these levels compare with stocks in each of the last 12 months.