asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many students qualified to be teachers left the University of Wales and the teacher training colleges of Wales at the end of each academic year since 1975; and (a) how many were qualified in each of the main subjects and (b) how many were qualified to teach their subject through the medium of Welsh.

The available information about the number of students qualifying in each year is given in

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what the level of traffic on the A483 between Chirk and Ruabon was when last counted in April 1983; and what are the comparable figures for traffic volumes on other principal two-lane roads in Wales.

The average weekday traffic flow on the A483 between Chirk and Ruabon in April 1983 was 13,100 vehicles for the 12-hour period between 0700 and 1900 hours.Twelve-hour average weekday flows on other two-lane trunk roads in Wales with similar urban characteristics were:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of children on Anglesey in primary education speak Welsh as their principal language.

Assessments of fluency made by head teachers of primary schools in Anglesey in September 1984 indicate that Welsh was the home language of 35·3 per cent. of all pupils. A further 25·1 per cent. whose home language was not Welsh could speak Welsh fluently.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent on the assisted places scheme in each local authority area in Wales since the introduction of the scheme.

Details of expenditure under the assisted places scheme in each local authority area in Wales for the financial years 1981–82 to 1984–85 inclusive are given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on the assisted places scheme in Wales in each year since the scheme was introduced.

Expenditure on the assisted places scheme in Wales in the financial years 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 was £101,742, £274,777, £455,156 and £626,876 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the expenditure from the overseas aid budget on population and family planning-related research projects from the health and population division's population research and development Vote for each of the years 1983, 1984 and 1985.

Expenditure amounted to £155,000 in 1983 and £270,000 in 1984. The final figure for 1985 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research projects related to population and family planning are currently being supported by the Overseas Development Administration.

A study on contraception usage in rural areas of Egypt; a study on attitudes towards child health and relationships to mortality in India; programme to test and develop materials on contraceptive methods for African countries; preparation of instructional materials for non-literate users of contraceptive foam in Pakistan; an analysis of the relationships between demographic variables and socio-economic development in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for funding for family planning and population research projects have been received since March 1984 and from whom; which of these were accepted; how much funding was committed irrespective of the year of disbursement; which were rejected; and for what reason.

Nine applications for funding for family planning and population research projects have been received since March 1984. Three have been accepted: from the Program for the Introduction and Adaptation of Contraceptive Technology (PIACT)—£19,000; from the Centre for Population Studies at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine—£22,800; and from Cardiff University College Population Centre—6,000. Five proposals are currently under consideration. They have been submitted by the Cardiff University College Population Centre; the University of Edinburgh; the International Planned Parenthood Federation; the Program for the Introduction and Adaptation of Contraceptive Technology; and the Population and Community Development Association of Thailand. One proposal, from an individual researcher, was rejected on technical grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the administration of the British Council's book presentation for Namibia has been moved from Lusaka, Zambia to Pretoria, South Africa.

There has been no change in the arrangements for administering this scheme. It forms part of a small technical co-operation programme for Namibians within that territory which for some time has been administered by the British Council in Pretoria. A similar programme for Namibian refugees in Zambia continues to be managed by the council in Lusaka.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consideration he has given to the disposal of food surpluses presently stored in the United Kingdom towards world famine relief.

The purpose of food aid is not to dispose of food surpluses but to help relieve famine and promote long-term development. The substantial food aid programmes of the European Community (up to 1·54 million tonnes of cereals and large quantities of other products in 1986) and of the British Government (110,000 tonnes of cereals annually) have the effect of reducing surplus stocks here to the extent that they are bought in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future aid to Tanzania.

Our capital aid programme to Tanzania includes assistance towards the maintenance of the Songea-Makambako road, the southern regions health project and rural development projects in Lindi-Mtwara and other areas. Technical co-operation for Tanzanian universities, for English language training and for the Tanzania harbour authority is also being maintained.I have indicated that we are also ready to provide balance of payments support for the Tanzania Government once an economic programme is in place along lines advocated by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the number of grants being given by his Department towards the education costs of studying in the United Kingdom to students from the Sudan and Somalia.

By 31 December 1985, 271 students from the Sudan and 57 from Somalia had been awarded grants during the financial year 1985–86 to study in Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost and duration of bilateral population and family planning projects currently being supported by the Overseas Development Administration.

We are currently supporting the following bilateral population and family planning projects:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries received assistance for national family planning and population projects under the Overseas Development Administration bilateral aid programme in 1984.

British assistance for population-related activities was provided to the following countries in 1984:

• Anguilla
• Bangladesh
• Botswana
• China
• Egypt
• India
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Mauritius
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Vanuatu
• Yemen Arab Republic
• Zaire
• Zimbabwe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of proposals for bilateral aid assistance to population-related activities which he is at present considering, setting out the countries involved and the estimated cost to the United Kingdom of the proposals.

The following proposals for bilateral assistance to population-related projects and programmes are under consideration:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of Draize tests carried out in the United Kingdom in the latest available year.

The specific information requested is not available because Draize eye tests are not separately identified in the current returns on statistics of experiments performed on living animals. However, statistics are available on the number of experiments involving the application of substances to the eyes of rabbits, which are mainly Draize tests: in 1984, 7,751 such experiments were started in Great Britain.The majority of these Draize tests are probably modified Draize tests; such modifications are designed to restrict the damage the test may inflict on the experimental animal—for example, using a small volume or a dilute solution of the substance to be tested, or washing out the eye shortly after the application of the substance. The Government are taking urgent steps to encourage the development of alternatives to the Draize test and to ensure that tests carried out in this country use as few animals and cause as little harm as possible.The concern surrounding the use of Draize tests is well recognised. It is intended that, when the statistical return is revised to take account of the proposed legislation, this revised return should identify such tests separately.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the operational requirements issued to the potential suppliers of the proposed computer system for the computerisation of passport details by the Passport Office; what details on passport holders will be stored in the system; and if passport photographs will be held in it.

The operational requirement for the computerised passport issuing system is a formal, technical document. It was intended for the computer trade, and was freely available, having been advertised in accordance with GATT rules in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities No. S 216/29 dated 9 November 1985. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.The proposed computer system will hold only the following details of passport applicants: surname; forenames; title; sex; address; date, town and country of birth; passport number and type; previous passport number; credit card account number (for those paying by credit card); nationality and immigration status; names and dates of birth of any children included in the passport.The operational requirement does not call for photographs of applicants to be held in the system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of cases in the last five years of which he is aware in which disciplinary proceedings against an officer of the fire service led, wholly or partially, to the deprivation of pension rights.

The power to withdraw pension is not available in disciplinary proceedings but arises under the Firemen's Pension Scheme Order 1973 on conviction of certain criminal offences. I know of no cases in the past five years in which the power has been exercised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his authority has been sought for the overt carriage of submachine guns by police officers (a) at Manchester international airport and (b) at any other airport other than Heathrow; and if he will make a statement.

No. The decision in relation to Manchester international airport is one for the chief constable of Greater Manchester.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration he has given to the feasibility of limiting Sunday trading to a specified number of prescribed hours; and if he will make a statement;(2) what consideration he has given to the feasibility of retaining some limits on the possible growth of Sunday trading by setting a modest maximum number of employees who may work in a shop or stores; and if he will make a statement;

The Government have given the closest consideration to the views expressed both by the Auld committee and in another place on all the possible options for amending the Shops Act 1950. They have also taken into account the experience of other countries and the views of the Auld committee and others on the likely implications of changes in the law for small shops as well as wider social considerations including public transport and urban traffic. The Government's view—like that of the Auld committee—remains that there is no remedy for the present deeply unsatisfactory situation as convincing as the proposals for total deregulation of shop hours contained in the Shops Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from persons or organisations in Wales in favour of deregulation of Sunday trading, and how many in opposition; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that a separate record is not kept of representations from Wales and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the exact status of Mohsen Nikbakht; on what grounds he was admitted to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mohsen Nikbakht is an Iranian, born in 1959, who first entered this country in 1984 to attend a full-time course of study at the North Trafford college in Manchester. He was readmitted to the United Kingdom on 26 January of this year to continue his studies for which he has leave until 31 October 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds Elham Nikbakht was admitted to the United Kingdom; and what is her exact status.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Littleborough and Saddleworth (Mr. Dickens) on 6 March at column 237.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female spouses aged under 16 years are living in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Littleborough and Saddleworth (Mr. Dickens) on 6 March at column 237.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private actions were brought against farmers, landowners or employers of agricultural labour for infringement of safety standards or negligence following serious injuries in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively; and what was the percentage of convictions in each year.

Records available to me which may be incomplete are shown in the table.The information collected centrally does not distinguish private prosecutions.It is not possible to say how many proceedings followed a serious accident.Court proceedings under the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956 as amended by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Battersea, 3 March Official Report, column 51, if he will immediately place in the Library his response to the Commission for Racial Equality's report on immigration control procedures.

Copies were placed in the Library on 6 March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of (a) escapes, (b) attempted escapes, (c) assaults on staff, (d) disciplinary offences and (e) the use of rule 43 have occurred at Her Majesty's prison Featherstone during the last 12 months; and to what extent he attributes the incidence of such cases to overcrowding.

The following figures relate to 1985:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the detection and teaching of dyslexic children; what resources are devoted to the training of teachers in detecting and teaching dyslexic children; what priority he attaches to the early detection of dyslexia in children; and if he will make a statement.

The Education Act 1981 concentrates on identifying each child's individual needs and on ensuring these needs are met. It deliberately seeks to avoid categorising children. Local education authorities and school governors have the responsibility for the detection and teaching of children with special educational needs, including those with special reading difficulties. Local education authorities should provide guidance to all maintained schools in their area of the arrangements for identifying, assessing and meeting special educational needs. It is important that any child with special educational needs should be identified as early as possible.The criteria governing all courses of initial teacher training require that students should be introduced to ways of identifying children with special educational needs, helped to appreciate what the ordinary school can and cannot do for such children and given some knowledge of the specialist help available and how it can be enlisted. The Government have provided specific grants of about £2 million annually since 1983–84 to provide in-service teacher training to help teachers in mainstream schools to cope with many kinds of special needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the total number of grammar schools in the United Kingdom; and what percentage this represents of all secondary schools in the United Kingdom.

In January 1985 there were 194 grammar schools in the United Kingdom, accounting for nearly 4 per cent. of all public sector secondary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will set out in tabular form the numbers obtaining minimum university entrance qualifications and entering university in each year from 1963 to the latest available date and differentiated as follows (a) those obtaining university entrance qualifications as a percentage of the relevant age group, (b) university entrants as a percentage of the relevant age group and (c) university entrants as a percentage of those with university entrance qualifications;(2) if he will set out in tabular form the numbers obtaining minimum entrance qualifications to public sector higher education institutions and entering such institutions in each year from 1963 to the latest available date and differentiated as follows

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of public money allocated to each of the research councils is spent in Wales.

The table shows the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been spent on the assisted places scheme in England in each year since the commencement of the scheme.

I refer to the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 20 January at column 80.

The available information is given in the table using the Department's normal definition of participation indices for higher education. Information prior to 1970 is not readily available on the same basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been spent on the assisted places scheme in each local authority in England in each year since the scheme was introduced.

As regards 1983–84, I refer to the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 10 December 1985 at column 568. I shall reply to the hon. Member giving figures for others years as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the provision of education for deaf children by local education authorities in circumstances where a local education authority is not prepared to support financially a successful candidate to schools such as the Mary Hare grammar school for the deaf or Burwood Park school.

Local education authorities are required by the Education Act 1981 to make appropriate provisions for the education of children with special educational needs. An authority is under no obligation to support financially the education of such children at non-maintained schools if it can make satisfactory provision at one of it own maintained schools. The Authority's decision in any individual case does not remove a parent's rights of appeal to the Secretary of State under the provisions of the Education Act 1981, or of complaint under the Education Act 1944.

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

For the local education authorities, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to him on 17 February at column 14. Since then two further local education authorities, Birmingham and Stockport, have requested a postponement of the GCSE. Two of the five GCSE examining groups, the London and East Anglia group and the Welsh Joint Education Committee, have made a similar request.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the proportion of general certificate of secondary education syllabuses which are now available to teachers for preparation of teaching materials for the next academic year.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Freud) on 27 February at column 647.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many married girls are currently receiving school education; and if he will make a statement.

Such information is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his reply of 4 March, he will list the 32 local education authorities which have spent less in real terms in 1983–84, as measured by the gross domestic product deflator, on the repair and maintenance of schools and colleges, in comparison with 1982–83.

The authorities are as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether the case of Ronald Pelton, arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in November 1985 and who worked for a time at the Government communications headquarters, has been referred to the Security Commission.

No.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has agreed a date and venue with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Heads of Government of Zambia, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe for the meeting envisaged in paragraph seven of the Commonwealth accord on southern Africa adopted in October 1985.

No. The review referred to in the Commonwealth accord will take place in the context of developments in South Africa and the work of the group of eminent persons which is currently visiting South Africa.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if she will make a statement on her recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Syria.(2) if the question of human rights in Syria was discussed at her recent meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Syria.

I had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Syria, Mr. Farouk al-Shara', on 3 March, at which we discussed the Arab-Israel problem and other regional issues as well as terrorism. I sought the continued help of the Syrian Government in securing the release of Mr. Alec Collett held hostage in the Lebanon.Mr. Shara' also met my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and was left in no doubt about the strong feelings in this country on the question of human rights in Syria.

asked the Prime Minister which Minister is currently responsible for carrying out the duties conferred by sections 1 and 10 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964; and by what instrument that responsibility was last transferred.

The Minister for the Arts exercises day-to-day responsibility for these functions. Currently he acts on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to whom the legal responsibilities were transferred by the Transfer of Functions (Arts, Libraries and National Heritage) Order 1984 (No. 1814). However the legal responsibilities will shortly be transferred to the Lord President of the Council, in line with the Minister for the Arts' position as Minister of State, Privy Council Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to meet the chairman of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities Housing Committee.

I hope to discuss with him and the chairman of the Association of District Councils' housing and environmental health committee in the near future the additional allocations my Department is making available for capital schemes devised by local authorities in conjunction with the urban housing renewal unit; and to have a meeting with him and other representatives of the local authority associations about their proposals for reducing the level of rent arrears among their tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding comes from his Department to the BMX cycle track in Brixton; and if he is satisfied with value for money for the project.

The Department approved partnership funding for the BMX cycle track in Brixton in 1982. The scheme received a capital grant of E13,390, and a grant towards the annual running costs of £20,000.The scheme has made a positive short-term use of an otherwise vacant council site. As the land is now required for housing, the organisers of this project, Brixton cycle club, are winding up its activities on the site.I am satisfied that the project has provided value for money during the period of its urban programme funding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will identify the section of the process at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Sellafield works from which the matter discharged on 23 January originated; and if he will place in the Library a full and detailed flow diagram of the reprocessing operations overall, clearly identifying the location of the source of the discharged liquor.

The section of the process from which uranium originated and was subsequently discharged on 23 January was the uranium finishing stage, where purified uranium solution is handled. A flow diagram of the overall reprocessing cycle will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what filtering, mixing, dilution, conditioning and temperature adjustment was carried out on the relevant liquor before or during the operations at Sellafield to discharge it into the Irish sea on 23 January.

In passing through the normal low active waste treatment stages, the uranium solution was diluted 25 times by water and other wastes, neutralised with ammonium hydroxide and screened to remove any flotsam, all at ambient temperature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library copies of the monitoring records for the marine environments, sea and beaches, following the sea discharge of 23 January; and if he will make a statement assessing the hazards to the health of members of the public residing in the immediate area of the Sellafield plant, as a result of this discharge.

I have been asked to reply.My Department's assessment is that the discharge in question is unlikely to have any significant effect on the people most exposed to radioactivity from Sellafield since it amounted to only about one millionth of the annual limit allowed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. My Department already undertakes a substantial monitoring programme, the results of which are published annually and placed in the Library. No additional monitoring is required on account of this discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the St. Barnabas community centre, Bristol, to be available for use by the local community; and if he will make a statement.

The centre was completed by Avon county council in November 1984 and has been available for use since then. However, the St. Paul's community association declines to use the building until certain defects are remedied and improvements made.Recently the county council, whose responsibility this is, submitted an application to my Department for extra funding and this is being considered. I understand that the county council expect the centre to be in full use towards the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis has been made of the causes of homelessness; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to prevent homelessness occurring.

A breakdown by reason for homelessness of households accepted by locl authorities under the Housing (Homeless Person) Act 1977 is contained in the tables published quarterly by Department, copies of which are in the Library. I would refer the hon. Member also to the reply given on 30 January to a question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker).—[Vol. 90, c. 610.]The results of the latest research into homelessness carried out for my Department were published under the titles "Single and Homeless" (HMSO 1981) and "A Place for the Family" (SHAC 1982). Copies of these are also in the Library. Further research into homelessness is currently in hand.A wide range of Government measures have been introduced to increase the availability of accommodation in both the public and the private sectors and we are currently considering additional measures which might help to relieve the problem of homelessness in this and other ways. The provision of housing advice by voluntary bodies at national and regional level is assisted by grants from my Department under section 13 of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which projects run by voluntary bodies in the London borough of Waltham Forest will be eligible for transitional grant support after the abolition of the Greater London council; and what is the maximum amount in each case.

My right hon. Friend has accepted the following projects as eligible for transitional grant support in the London borough of Waltham Forest, and for the maximum amounts specified. However, it is for Waltham Forest council to decide which of these organisations should receive support under the transitional grant scheme, and the precise sum to be allocated to each, up to the allocation limit of £267,000:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what grounds he has granted dispensation to Wirral councillors to vote on imposing a rate on empty property; and if he will detail the names and the party affiliation of those councillors requesting such dispensation.

My right hon. Friend has granted dispensations under section 97(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to councillors D. A. Fletcher, T. Higgins, G. C. Lindsay and C. Whatling, three of whom I am informed are members of the Conservative group and one of the Liberal group on the metropolitan borough of Wirral.These dispensations were granted in accordance with my criteria set out in the Department's circular 105/73.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his plans following the Leavett review of rural community councils.

The review was undertaken on behalf Of the Development Commission which is now developing plans to take the recommendations forward in consultation with my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the acreage of land presently earmarked or zoned for building houses in Essex; and if he will express as a percentage of this the area of the site of special scientific interest land at West Mersea, Essex, in respect of which approval to construct houses has been granted after a planning inquiry.

The Essex structure plan makes provision for 93,840 dwellings in the county between April 1977 and 1991. By mid 1985 about 60,200 dwellings had been constructed and there remained provision for about 33,600 dwellings. On the basis of a density of 30 dwellings per hectare, which it is the policy of the plan to achieve in estate housing development, this would amount to development of about 1,120 hectares of land. No decision has yet been given by my right hon. Friend on the planning applications in respect of the land at West Mersea to which the hon. Members refers. The area of the site in question is 0·32 hectares.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he applied a section 29 order to land notified as a site of special scientific interest at West Mersea, Essex, in 1985; and if he will state the reason given by the inspector for his subsequent approval of an application to build houses on this land.

The site, which had not at the time been notified as a site of special scientific interest, was under immediate threat. On the information then available the Secretary of State was satisfied that the site was of special interest and of national importance, and that it was appropriate to provide an extended period of protection for the area concerned by means of a nature conservation order. In the light of more detailed information available at the subsequent public inquiry, the Secretary of State concluded that the site could not be regarded as being of national importance as defined in section 29 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and accordingly decided that the nature conservation order should be revoked.The Secretary of State is currently considering the inspector's report on the related planning application and will announce his decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the guidelines and advice offered to his Department's inspectors at inquiries which deal with planning applications involving sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.

The planning inspectorate is kept well informed of developments in Government policy, including those relating to nature conservation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take special measures to protect unimproved flower meadows such as that at West Mersea, Essex; and what information he has as to the acreage of meadows similar to that at West Mersea now left in Essex.

I am satisfied that existing arrangements for notifying and protecting sites of special scientific interest, and for making nature conservation orders where appropriate, are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in respect of those definitive maps and statements for which he has issued a direction to abandon a review under section 55(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the surveying authorities concerned have now completed the duty imposed on them by section 55(5) of the Act to modify the maps and statements to give effect to his decisions and to changes made by the draft revised definitive map which were not opposed; and, where the duty has not been complied with by any particular authority, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that it is completed during 1986.

There is no requirement for surveying authorities to notify the Department of modifications made to their definitive maps and statements to give effect to such matters. My right hon. Friend has no power to require that the duty be fulfilled within a specified period. We are, however, exploring the possibility of arranging meetings with surveying authorities to discuss progress being made generally in implementing the definitive map review procedures in the 1981 Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Council of Environment Ministers' meeting on 6 March.

I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting.The Council agreed the text of a proposed directive extending the implementation of the 1976 directive (76/464/EEC) on the discharge of dangerous substances to water. It includes a set of standard articles, and an annex with details of emission limit values and environmental quality standards which will be required for DDT, pentachlorophenol and carbon tetrachloride. The Council asked that the Commission should, in bringing forward further proposals for substances for inclusion in the annex, respect the criteria set out in the parent directive—toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation— and give priority to substances likely to be present in Community waters at levels which cause particularly important environmental problems.The Council also agreed the principles of a proposed directive amending the 1984 directive (84/631/EEC) on the transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste. The amendments would control movements of hazardous waste to countries outside the Community for disposal.The Council held a preliminary exchange of views on priorities for the fourth environment action programme.The Council reached a substantial measure of agreement on a proposed directive on the use of sewage sludge in agriculture, and gave further consideration to proposed directives on the control of polluting emissions from large combustion plants and on the sulphur content of gas oil.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Yorkshire water consumer consultative committees concerning the assessment of water charges for disabled persons; what action he proposes to assist disabled persons; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received a letter which asks for rebates on water charges for disabled persons. It is the Government's view that assistance towards the financial needs for disabled persons is best provided through the social security system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the Countryside Commission; and what subjects were discussed.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Environment, Countryside and Local Government and I met the chairman of the Countryside Commission on 3 February to discuss the report required under section 7(2) of the Local Government Act 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold), about additional rate support grant, 5 March, Official Report, column 321, what estimate his Department has made of the amount by which the rate announced by Dorset county council could be reduced directly as a result of the additional funds now being made available to Dorset, assuming the same level of expenditure and the same utilisation of balances.

Dorset's share of the recycled grant is £6·409 million for 1986–87. This is equivalent to a rate poundage of 7p. The extent to which the council may be able to reduce its precept is dependent on the grant assumptions already made by the county.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implications for Her Majesty's Government's policies towards the countryside of the abolition of the Greater London council and metropolitan counties and the consequent transfer of their powers relating to the countryside to successor authorities.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 25 February at column 490.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the changes in the general development order which came into effect on 1 March.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) and for Corby (Mr. Powell) on 20 December last at column 369–70.

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of those registered as unemployed came from building and allied trades in (a) the borough of Hyndburn and (b) the north-west.

The results of the 1984 labour force survey indicate that in the north-west region in the spring of 1984, 6·6 per cent. of those people without a job and looking for work had been employed at some time in the last three years in the construction industry. Data on the industrial classification of the unemployed cannot be provided for areas smaller than standard regions because of the sampling error that would be involved.

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of unemployed people in the United Kingdom.

On 6 February 1986, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,381,893. This information is in the Library.

asked the Paymaster General how many people in Leicester have been unemployed for more than one year.

On 9 January 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available, 9,148 claimants in the city of Leicester had been unemployed for more than one year. This information is in the Library.

asked the Paymaster General what account is taken in compiling the unemployment figures of those whose small self-employed businesses have gone bankrupt and are therefore not eligible for unemployment benefit.

Some people are not entitled to unemployment benefit if they were self-employed in the tax year relevant to their claim, but many nevertheless claim supplementary benefit or national insurance credits and are therefore included in the monthly unemployment count. Recent analysis from the 1984 labour force survey has revealed that only small numbers of unemployed people who had previously been self-employed are excluded from the unemployment count.

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest total of people assisted by the employment and training measures; and what effect this has on the recorded unemployment figures.

At the end of January, some 668,000 people were benefiting from our employment and training measures. It is estimated that the effect of the special employment and training measures was to reduce the unemployment count by 495,000.

asked the Paymaster General what consideration he has now given to the consequences for public policy of the decision of the European Court of Justice on Wednesday 26 February relating to the retirement ages of women; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a private notice question from the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull East (Mr. Prescott) on 27 February, at column 1067. I am actively considering whether any amendments should be made to the Sex Discrimination Bill to clarify the law and comply with the EC equal treatment directive in the light of the judgment.

asked the Paymaster General what steps he has taken to monitor the arrangements for the political fund ballots held under the Trade Union Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

The Certification Officer, an independent statutory officer, is responsible for approving the rules under which political fund ballots are conducted. I observe the working of the arrangements as reported in the press and other published material.

asked the Paymaster General if he will undertake an advertising campaign to warn the public of the dangers of open flue gas heaters in bathrooms; and if he will make a statement.

The British Gas Corporation tells me that it already runs publicity campaigns targeted particularly at areas where the remaining open flue gas heaters are mainly found. The number of heaters is diminishing and there are now very few incidents. Since 1980 British Gas regions have continuously advertised the need to have regular servicing. In addition, British Gas can stop dangerous appliances being used. The Health and Safety Executive has widely circulated its leaflet "The Gas Regulations for Everybody's Safety" which stresses the importance of competent servicing for gas appliances. The executive is also preparing a television reminder for public service broadcast.

asked the Paymaster General how many serious or fatal accidents involving farm employees were reported in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively.

The number of serious or fatal accidents involving agricultural employees in Great Britain reported to the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last three years is shown in the table below:

asked the Paymaster General which statutory bodies have a role in monitoring safety standards on farms and conditions of work for agricultural employees.

Employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of agricultural employees so far as is reasonably practicable. Work at agricultural premises is subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated legislation. The Health and Safety Executive is the enforcing authority at these premises.

asked the Paymaster General how many cases were brought against farmers, landowners or employers of agricultural labour for infringement of safety standards in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively, by statutory bodies; and, in each year, what was the percentage of convictions.

The number of informations laid and convictions obtained against self-employed farmers and employers of agricultural labour for infringements of safety standards in each of the last three years is shown in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any plans to promote the use of home energy audits.

My Department is continuing to work on the development of home energy audits at a price that the householder can afford.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how he intends to monitor the effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Year.

Energy Efficiency Year is just part of my campaign to save the 20 per cent. of our energy that is now being wasted. The level of response to our advertising campaign, attendances at our Monergy breakfast briefings and increases in the sales of energy efficiency goods and services will give some measure of the success of this campaign. The number of events taking place during the Year—well on course towards our target of 1,000—is another measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress is being made towards the formulation of a national energy policy.

It remains the Government's aim that energy should be produced, supplied and used efficiently and economically.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made since 17 February in promoting energy efficiency measures in Energy Efficiency Year.

Our campaign is reaching every sector of the community. Since 17 February over 75 school plays have taken place as well as around 50 other events aimed at the domestic and industrial/commercial sectors. The Monergy '86 Roadshow is now at the Earls Court Ideal Homes exhibition and will visit nearly 200 town centres during the Year. Our major advertising campaign is continuing both on television and in the national and specialist press.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any plans for targeting energy efficiency measures on housing in the inner cities.

No. My energy efficiency campaign is directed at all sectors of the economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what special measures will be made to make Energy Efficiency Year relevant to the needs of lower income households.

I expect the number of voluntary sector insulation projects to double to around 400 as this programme, sponsored by the Manpower Services Commission and my Department, expands during Energy Efficiency Year. Over 100,000 more homes will be insulated, making a total of around a quarter of a million since the programme began. The programme will also create up to 6,000 jobs among the long-term unemployed.In addition, low-income households can benefit from the advice and information on domestic energy efficiency measures, which has been made widely available by the Energy Efficiency Office; and many of the voluntary sector insulation projects also run individual energy counselling services.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what provision he has made to increase the resources available to regional energy efficiency offices.

The resources of regional energy efficiency offices have been increased substantially. Regional energy efficiency officers now have full-time assistants and clerical support and are able to draw on local professional assistance as required.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the progress in attaining objectives of the Monergy campaign.

Energy Efficiency Year aims to increase awareness and implementation of energy efficiency measures as a contribution to our campaign to save the 20 per cent. of our energy that is now being wasted. Our publicity programme including national press and television advertising has generated a substantial level of interest. We are well on course to achieve our original target of over 1,000 events during the Year—events run by private companies, the fuel industries and local authorities as well as the energy efficiency office. These events cover every sector and level of the community—including not only seminars for top executives but also courses for caretakers and plant operators and plays for schoolchildren.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will pay an official visit to Comrie colliery in Fife.

I have no plans at present to visit Comrie colliery.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his plans for privatisation of industries owned by his Department.

My right hon. Friend's legislative proposals for the privatisation of the British Gas Corporation are currently before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will next meet the chairman of the National Coal Board to discuss the workings of the modified colliery review body.

The colliery review procedure is an agreement between the National Coal Board and mining unions, to which the Government are not a party.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with progress being made towards the development of combined heat and power in the United Kingdom as a basis for whole-city heating.

Yes, the consortia in Edinburgh, Belfast and Leicester are making good progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to reply to the Energy Committee report on the Energy Efficiency Office.

The Government have submitted their response to the Select Committee's report on the Energy Efficiency Office. I understand that the committee will publish the response later this week.