asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what initiatives Her Majesty's Government have taken since 1979 to improve standards of numeracy of school leavers.

The Government's policies are designed to secure improvements in the standards achieved by pupils of all abilities across the whole of the school curriculum. In mathematics, measures taken in the four years since the Cockcroft report was published include dissemination of the report's findings; the publication of the White Paper "Better Schools" in March 1985, chapter 2 of which sets out the Government's policies on the school curriculum 5 to 16, including mathematics; support from September 1985, under the education support grant scheme, for additional advisers and advisory teachers in almost all LEAs; the inclusion of mathematics in the in-service training grants scheme; and sponsorship of research and development work. The introduction of the GCSE examination will encourage further improvements in this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the Open University regarding sustaining its range of courses; what action his Department is taking to maintain the science and technology areas of the work of the Open University; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend last met the vice chancellor and the chairman of the council of the Open University on 9 December 1985. The Government have demonstrated their commitment to increasing activity in the science and technology areas of the university's work by providing additional funds for that purpose, most recently as part of the engineering and technology programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what he attributes recent increases in the number of people refusing the offer of a place on the undergraduate programme of the Open University; if he will consider introducing special grants where such refusals are caused by unavoidable poverty or disability, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

The number of applicants turning down the offer of a place on the Open University's undergraduate programme has decreased slightly in recent years. The university provides financial assistance from within its recurrent grant for those students who are most in need. Since 1982 the Government have earmarked sums (£0·6 million in 1986) to enable the university substantially to reduce the fees for unemployed students. In order to meet the additional costs of providing services to the increased numbers of disabled students the Government have, from 1986, made baseline additions to the university's recurrent grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to increase the grants to the Open University if there has been an underestimate in the grant assumptions about inflation; what assessment he makes of the implications of such underestimations on undergraduate programmes at the Open University; and if he will make a statement.

No. Decisions on the level of grants to the Open University and other centrally funded institutions take into account the availability of resources and include an allowance for inflation. Institutions must manage their operations within the moneys available to them from all sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support his Department is giving to the work of the Open University in developing adult continuing and distance education; and if he will make a statement.

The Open University's recurrent grant for 1986 has been set at £59·325 million. This will be used primarily to maintain the undergraduate programme. The continuing education programme is intended to be self-financing by means of fee income and grants from sponsoring bodies, and has expanded rapidly in recent years. The Government welcome this development. In order to promote the further growth of its professional, industrial and commercial updating programme, loans totalling £2·5 million, made available to the university in the years 1982 to 1984, have, from the beginning of the financial year 1986–87, been converted to grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from parents and teachers concerning the implementation of the general certificate of secondary education.

The Department has received many representations about the GCSE from parents and teachers. The main concerns have been about the national programme of training for teachers, the provision of adequate resources for books and equipment and the availability of GCSE syllabuses. The measures which my right hon. Friend announced on 13 March met these concerns by enabling all teachers to take part in the training programme and by proposing to direct £20 million of expenditure to books and equipment for the GCSE. On the availability of syllabuses, the Secondary Examinations Council has approved some 170 draft syllabuses and is on course to approve the remainder by the end of this month. Some syllabuses have already been sent to schools and the GCSE examining groups plan to distribute the others as soon as possible. But the draft syllabuses, in schools for several months, and the GCSE national criteria, in schools for a year, have enabled teachers to plan sensibly for the first GCSE courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration has been given to setting up schools run directly by central Government.

The Government continue to consider all possibilities for improving school education. If and when decisions are made about possible changes, they will be announced and discussed with the partners in the education service in the usual way.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what studies he has commissioned of the living costs of students at (a) universities and (b) polytechnics (i) in London and (ii) outside London, for the assessment of student grants.

Net institutional expenditure per pupil-FTE student*
(£ 1984–85 real prices)†
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	‡1984–85
Nursery schools	1,240	1,270	1,295	1,240	1,285	1,295
Primary schools	655	700	725	740	760	765
Secondary schools	930	990	1,015	1,030	1,060	1,090
Special education	2,940	3,150	3,220	3,335	3,405	3,565
Polytechnics	3,810	3,760	3,575	3,380	3,120	3,110
Other further education	2,345	2,330	2,345	2,315	2,325	2,345
Adult education	655	700	770	815	825	855
Universities	5,040	5,210	4,990	4,945	5,105	n.a.
*Coverage. Universities in Great Britain, otherwise England.
† Price basis. The cash figures for each year have been repriced to 1984–85 prices using the gross domestic product (market prices) deflator.
‡ The 1984–85 figures, where available, are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to privatise any of Scotland's universities.

It was made clear in "The Development of Higher Education into the 1990s" (Cmnd. 9524) that whilst an increase in universities' income from private sources would be desirable the Government had concluded, with regret, that no substantial part of established public funding responsibilities for higher education could be shed. That remains our view.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information he has on the numbers

Speech science, speech pathology and speech therapy courses and numbers of graduates
		All first degree graduates			Good honours graduates
Institution	Course	1983	1984	1985	1983	1984	1985
(a) Great Britain universities
University College London	Speech sciences	43	46	42	18	16	14
Manchester	Speech pathology and therapy	22	18	19	16	10	13
Newcastle	Speech, Speech and psychology	16	11	19	4	7	8
Reading	Linguistics and Language pathology	10	13	11	9	4	8
Sheffield	Speech science	19	14	14	7	5	5

None. As I said in my reply of 27 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor), at column 366, the level of student grant represents a balance between covering students' needs and the total expenditure which taxpayers and ratepayers can reasonably be asked to meet given other claims on scarce resources. The actual living costs of all students in and outside London are obviously kept clearly in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the figures, in real terms, relating to the cost per full-time equivalent student, each year from 1979–80 to 1984–85 for nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, adult education, further education excluding polytechnics and universities and polytechnics, both separately.

The information is as follows:of staff engaged in full or part-time teaching on courses leading to degrees in speech science, speech pathology or speech therapy and their places of employment;(2) what information he has as to the number of students, and their place of study, sitting for examinations for degrees in speech science, speech pathology or speech therapy in 1983, 1984 and 1985 and the classification of honours awarded where appropriate;(3) what information he has as to the numbers and location of courses at universities, polytechnics or other institutions leading to degrees in speech science, speech pathology or speech therapy.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1986, c. 444]: The table published with my reply was incorrect. Revised information on the numbers of speech science, speech pathology and speech therapy graduates is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current status (a) as regards the National Coal Board and (b) as regards his policies towards the mining industry of the "Plan for Coal."

Developments within the coal industry since 1974 have overtaken the "Plan for Coal." The NCB's new approach is set out in its memorandum "New Strategy for Coal", made available to the unions in the coal industry last October. The Government welcome its approach.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of support has been decided for the Devon and Cornwall development bureau for 1986–87; andhow this compares as a total and as a percentage with each of the years 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86.

Subject to the voting of funds by Parliament, my Department will make available up to a maximum of £305,000 to the Devon and Cornwall development bureau for 1986–87. Grants paid in the preceding five financial years, as a total and as a percentage of £305,000, were as follows:

	£	Percentage
1981–82	55,000	18
1982–83	60,000	20
1983–84	110,000	36
1984–85	152,000	50
1985–86	210,000	69

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he intends to introduce a scheme to assist universities and colleges to purchase textile and clothing equipment.

I intend within the next few months to introduce a £4½ million scheme to help centres of higher and further education to buy advanced textile and clothing machinery. Although all institutions running appropriate courses will be eligible to apply, we intend to concentrate assistance upon those universities, polytechnics and colleges which provide a particularly wide range of education in this area. The raw of grant will be 50 per cent. of equipment costs.Preparations for the introduction of the scheme have yet to be completed; but centres of education will no doubt wish to start thinking about possible applications under the scheme and the likely availability of supporting finance from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding the future of British Leyland.

I hope that the improvement in BL's performance in 1985 will continue. The Government will continue to support BL's efforts to increase competitiveness. The Government believe that the long-term future of the business is in private ownership and intend that the various operating companies be privatised at the appropriate time.Discussions are taking place with potential purchasers of Land Rover and Freight Rover with a view to securing the best future for the businesses. The BL board also hopes to consider proposals relating to the future of Leyland Bus during April. For Leyland Trucks, the board will continue to examine possibilities for collaboration with other manufacturers and other ways to sustain its improving trend in performance.There are no proposals at present to privatise Austin Rover and the company will continue to devote its efforts to the further development and growth of its business, building on the creditable progress already achieved.Separate discussions are continuing with a view to the privatisation of Unipart by the early placement of shares with United Kingdom financial institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the value of each service which has entered into the United Kingdom invisible trade with Yugoslavia in each year since 1979.

Estimates of the United Kingdom's invisible transactions with Yugoslavia are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the commodities which entered into the United Kingdom's import and export trade with Yugoslavia in each year since 1979 and the total value of each commodity.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bankruptcies were handled by the county courts on Merseyside during each of the years 1980 to 1985 inclusive.

Bankruptcies handled by the county courts on Merseyside were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes have been proposed to him for British Shipbuilders pension arrangements.

British Shipbuilders has made its pension arrangements open to any company in the shipbuilding industries. Accordingly, it has appointed Hadrian Trustees Ltd. as the independent trustee of its scheme, renamed the shipbuilding industries pension scheme. The Secretary of State has given his consent to British Shipbuilders to transfer the share capital of British Shipbuilders Pension Trustee Ltd. to Hadrian Trustees Ltd. This change will not affect the pension rights of British Shipbuilders' pensioners or continuing employees or the rights of the employees of those privatised yards that opt to remain in the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he proposes to refer to the European Commission the subsidies being offered to the conference trade in the Netherlands by the Dutch Government; and if he will make a statement.

We have received representations about these subsidies. We are considering the possibility of asking the Commission to investigate them.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state for each of the last six years the number of (a) Welsh debates, (b) meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee and (c) statements on matters relating to Wales; and if he will give similar information in respect of Scotland.

[pursuant to his reply, 4 March 1986, c. 96]: Since my earlier reply, a number of other debates have also been identified. The figures for the period 1979–80 to 1984–85 should now read as follows:

Session	Welsh debates*	Scottish debates*
1979–80	14	22
1980–81	5	24
1981–82	10	21
1982–83	5	13
1983–84	12	23
1984–85	14	23
* Excluding debates on various stages of legislation, ten-minute Bills, money resolutions, SO No. 10 applications and PNQs, but including inter alia daily Adjournment debates, debates on statutory instruments and Consolidated Fund Bill debates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has arranged for any tests to be carried out to establish the extent of any carcinogenic properties of CS gas; and if he will make a statement.

No. Following the "Report of the Enquiry into the Medical and Toxicological Aspects of CS (Orthoclorobenzylidene malononitrile) (Cmnd. 4775), a number of scientific studies in this area have been published. I understand that no positive correlation between CS and cancer has been demonstrated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what control he exercises over the work of the Independent Broadcasting Authority.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority is a body corporate established by Parliament to provide broadcasting services within the United Kingdom. The Home Secretary is responsible for appointing the chairman and members of the authority, and has various reserve powers with regard to the operations of the authority. He does not exercise day-to-day control over the work of the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to seek to repeal the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 and 1977; and if he will make a statement.

We have at present no plans for legislation in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the frequency of strip searches of women prisoners in Brixton prison, London.

Strip searching is a routine security measure to which all prisoners—male and female (and including those on remand)—are subject. Such searching is essential to detect small items of contraband—such as weapons and drugs—which can easily be concealed about the person and which cannot be detected by other means of searching. Because of the nature and circumstances of the offences with which they have been charged, the three women prisoners on remand in Brixton prison have been provisionally placed in the highest security category, category A, which is reserved for those prisoners whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public, or to the police, or to the security of the state. In accordance with standard practice, they are strip searched before and after court appearances, after visits, at the time of cell changes, and during wing and cell searches. They are being treated no differently from male category A prisoners. My right hon. Friend has taken a personal interest in the cases of the three women. He is satisfied that they have not been subject to an unreasonable number of strip searches; and that they are being treated fairly and reasonably and in accordance with the prison rules.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of the weather conditions experienced over the Easter weekend, he will now undertake the necessary consultation with the Churches with a view to laying draft orders before both Houses of Parliament to invoke the provisions of the Easter Act 1928 providing that Easter Day shall be the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April.

No. Inquiries undertaken by the Government in 1984 showed that there was no early prospect of the orthodox Churches adopting a common date for Easter. It would not be desirable to act without consensus on this issue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when he next meets Her Majesty's

	Day classes		Evening classes
Week commencing	Planned	Cancelled	Planned	Cancelled
9 September 1985	50	50	27	18
16 September 1985	50	40	27	0
23 September 1985	50	50	27	0
30 September 1985	50	25	27	0
7 October 1985	50	50	27	0
14 October 1985	50	20	27	0
21 October 1985	50	40	27	0
28 October 1985	*	*	*	*
4 November 1985	50	40	27	0
11 November 1985	50	5	27	0
18 November 1985	50	10	27	0
25 November 1985	50	0	27	0
2 December 1985	50	40	27	0
9 December 1985	50	15	27	0
16 December 1985	50	20	27	0
23 December 1985	†	†	†	†
30 December 1985	†	†	†	†
6 January 1986	50	40	27	9
13 January 1986	50	35	27	0
20 January 1986	50	20	27	0
27 January 1986	50	20	27	0
3 February 1986	50	10	27	0
10 February 1986	50	40	27	0
17 February 1986	50	40	27	0
24 February 1986	50	10	27	0
*Half term (no classes planned).
†Christmas break (no classes planned).

In all cases day classes were cancelled because of a shortage of prison officers to perform escort and supervisory duties. Evening classes were cancelled on 9 September 1985 as a precaution in response to riots in Birmingham and on 6 January 1986 because teachers were absent as a result of adverse weather conditions.In common with other local prisons, the transient nature of the population at Birmingham influences the day-to-day size of education classes, and the precise number of prisoners who were due to attend classes in each week

Under section 106 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 responsibility for obtaining the views of the local community on matters concerning policing rests with the police authority in consultation with the chief constable. Home Office guidelines contained in circular 2/1985 provide for the inclusion of representatives of youth organisations in consultation arrangements. The establishment of separate forums is a matter for local decision, and I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that consideration is being given to this by the group in north Bradford.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will detail the number of educational classes at Her Majesty's prison, Winson Green (a) due to be held and (b) cancelled, giving reasons for any such cancellations, in each week from September 1985 to February 1986 and stating the number of prisoners in each week due to undertake educational classes.

The information is as follows:could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. it is estimated that, in a normal week with a full schedule of classes, an average total of 60 prisoners would attend day classes and 150 prisoners would attend evening classes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of those Libyans currently training at the Oxford air training school, Kidlington.

Immigration Department records do not normally identify individuals by place of study or employment, but I understand that there are 27 Libyan nationals at the Oxford air training school, Kidlington. It would be contrary to normal practice on disclosure of personal information to publish their names.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the amendments to the immigration rules (HC 503) will be incorporated with the other immigration rules (HC 169).

The Government have no plans at present to incorporate these changes in a new statement of the immigration rules. But following the undertaking given by my noble Friend during the debate on the statement of changes in immigration rules in another place on 23 October 1985, what is in effect a consolidated version of the immigration rules has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Welsh Office makes any inquiries as to the possible membership of, or identification with, any political parties when making appointments to district health authorities in Wales.

Such inquiries are not made. In making appointments to district health authorities our policy is to select the best person for the job. Sometimes a nominee's curriculum vitae includes political affiliations, but more often these are not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the percentage increase between the actual outturn expenditure of each of the nine district health authorities in Wales in 1984–85 and their provisional forecast of outturn for 1986–87.

The information requested is as follows:

	Percentage increase
Clwyd	12·57
East Dyfed	9·32
Gwent	10·63
Gwynedd	7·72
Mid Glamorgan	12·34
Pembrokeshire	13·43
Powys	10·77
South Glamorgan	9·08
West Glamorgan	20·41

The figures for 1986–87 used to produce these percentage increases are provisional forecasts of outturn, since they do not take account of all the income which might be generated locally, possible movements in balances, and a further £13 million which will be allocated for centrally funded developments during the course of the year.From 1 April 1985 the responsibility for family practioner services was transferred from health authorities to independent family practitioner committees. Expenditure on these services has therefore been excluded from the calculations.These figures cannot be taken as indicative of the increase in discretionary provision made available to the authorities over the period in question, since they include recurrent revenue provision in respect of centrally funded developments and non-recurrent capital expenditure associated with major capital schemes.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to York.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 10 April

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 10 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 10 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 10 April.

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

asked the Prime Minister what Her Majesty's Government's involvement was in the meeting in Washington on 25 March involving 50 British companies and the strategic defence initiative organisation at the Pentagon.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 26 March 1986, at columns 494–95.

asked the Prime Minister who signed the 1985 European Economic Community intergovernmental agreement on Britain's behalf.

The 1985 intergovernmental agreement was concluded at the Foreign Affairs Council on 17–21 March 1985. The United Kingdom was represented by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. In accordance with practice at such meetings the assent of the member states was given not by formal signature but by by their acceptance of the undertaking during the meeting.

asked the Attorney-General if he will publish an analysis of, and an explanation for, the increase in the number of persons employed by the Land Registry between 1979 and 1985.

The number of staff employed by the Land Registry between 31 March 1979 and 31 March 1985 increased by 1,607 (29 per cent.). This increase has been necessary to deal with a 52 per cent. increase in applications and transactions during that period. This increase arose primarily owing to the continuing growth in owner-occupation, increased property market activity and the further extension of compulsory registration of title in England and Wales.

asked the Attorney-General on what date he decided to bring a prosecution against junior airmen and Army service men from 9 Signals Regiment based in Cyprus, who were subsequently acquitted in October 1985.

I consented to the prosecution of 7 service men on 11 April 1984 and to the prosecution of an eighth service man on 1 June 1984.

asked the Paymaster General what has been the total number of entrants to date to the enterprise allowance scheme in the Cheltenham area; and at what cost to his Department.

The figures are not available in the form requested. However, in the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire area, which includes Cheltenham, 1,838 people entered the enterprise allowance scheme between its inception in August 1983 and the end of March 1986 at an estimated cost of £2·865 million in allowances.

asked the Paymaster General if he has any plans for the phasing out or termination of the job release scheme; and if he will make a statement.

There are currently no plans to phase out or terminate the full-time job release scheme, which in common with all employment measures is kept under review.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the redundancies which occurred in Coventry of which his Department was notified from April 1983 to the latest date for which information is available.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 April 1986, c. 17]: A provisional total of 8,155 redundancies were confirmed by the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur in the Coventry jobcentre area between April 1983 and February 1986.The names of the firms suffering redundancies cannot be disclosed, as this information is treated in confidence by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet received a report assessing, in the light of experience, the suitability for blind persons of the surface area of the pavement at the pedestrian crossing in Abingdon street near Parliament square; if he will institute consultations on the suitability of this surface and publish the outcome in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.

Assessment of the textured surface at the pedestrian crossing in Abingdon street and at other sites around the country has now been completed. The trials have demonstrated that the surface is helpful in assisting visually handicapped people to locate and use pedestrian crossings at which the kerb has been ramped for the benefit of people in wheelchairs. A report on the trials is being prepared and a copy will be placed in the Library when it is published.Following consultation with local authority associations the Department will be issuing advice to highway authorities on the purpose, design and layout of the surface.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to traffic flows on the following sections of the M40 motorway: (a) between the M25 motorway and Beaconsfield, (b) between Beaconsfield and Wycombe East, (c) between Wycombe East and Handy Cross and (d) between Handy Cross and Stokenchurch; what information he has in particular as to five-day and seven-day average traffic flows; and what counts have been undertaken.

The information is set out in the table. For the sections from Wycombe East to Stokenchurch, it is derived from either continuous count equipment or manual traffic counts in December 1985. For the other sections, where no counts have been taken since March 1984 at the latest, an estimate has been made of the average daily flow in December 1985 on a seven-day, 24-hour basis.

asked the. Secretary of State for Transport what forecasts he has made of traffic flows on the M40 motorway in the year 2000 (a) without and (b) with the extension of the motorway to Birmingham.

Two-way average daily flow (5-day 24-hour flows)
Section of M40	Without M40 extension	With M40 extension
Denham to Beaconsfield	50,000 to 60,000	64,000 to 77,000
Beaconsfield to Wycombe East	49,000 to 58,000	64,000 to 76,000
Wycombe East to Handy Cross	49,000 to 58,000	64,000 to 76,000
Handy Cross to Stokenchurch	39,000 to 46,000	56,000 to 67,000
Stokenchurch to Lewknor	44,000 to 53,000	62,000 to 75,000
Lewknor to Milton Common	33,000 to 40,000	54,000 to 66,000
Milton Common to A40	31,000 to 37,000	53,000 to 64,000

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many Department of Transport test certificates were printed in 1985; and how many tests were undertaken in each of the past three years and to date.

About 14 million test certificates are printed annually.I refer my hon. Friend to the answer on the number of tests undertaken given to him on 25 March, at column 419.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans there are to enable Department of Transport vehicle tests to be undertaken in the absence of certificates: and if he will make a statement on the availability of test certificates.

Authorised garages know that they should apply for certificates at least 14 days before their existing stock runs out.Although regrettably there has been some delay recently in the issue of test certificates to garages, the turnround in the Department has now been reduced to about two days from receipt of application.If, for any reason, an authorised garage is unable to issue an MoT certificate, a motorist should take his vehicle to another of the 17,000 test centres distributed throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects that all licensed garage testing centres will be in possession of MoT certificates.

Now and always.

The forecasts for the existing lengths of M40 in the year 2000 are given in the table. They are based on forecasts made in the context of the extension proposals and up-dated to reflect subsequent developments. The ranges show flows on the basis of both low and high growth assumptions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish Government about the Greek Cypriots missing after the events of 20 July 1974.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley on 24 February at column 441.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwelath Affairs whether he raised the refusal of the Greek authorities to allow entry into Greece by United Kingdom citizens carrying British passports, which had been stamped by the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, during his recent visit to Athens; and if he will make a statement.

The Greek authorities have indicated that this practice has now been discontinued.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Greek authorities will now allow entry into Greece by United Kingdom citizens carrying British passports previously stamped by the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

That is our understanding. We welcome this development.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what stage has been reached in the study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation of fishing in the south-west Atlantic; what is the United Kingdom part in this study; and whether he will make a statement;(2) if he will make a statement about the agreement with the Japanese to limit their fishing of Falkland islands and South Georgia waters; and whether he intends to seek other such agreements.

It is encouraging that all the Governments concerned have agreed to participate in the FAO study. FAO experts are compiling data and have recently visited capitals for discussions. The United Kingdom is making a major contribution; we have provided technical data and held talks with FAO officials. We have urged all nations involved to co-operate fully.Pending completion of the study we have asked fishing nations to take account of our conservation concerns by exercising self-restraint, limiting their 1986 operations to 1985 levels. There has been a positive response. The Japanese authorities have undertaken to keep their fishing effort at the 1985 level by reducing their fishing season and limiting the number of their vessels fishing within the Falkland Islands Protection zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what check is kept, and what records are maintained, of the nationality and numbers of fishing vessels in the exclusion zone around the Falklands.

Daily patrols of the Falkland Islands Protection Zone are carried out by the RAF and the Royal Navy. These provide fisheries surveillance reports which incorporate information on the nationalities and numbers of fishing vessels sighted. These reports are analysed regularly by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation in Port Stanley and by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the incident which occurred in United Kingdom territorial waters off the Dependent Territory of Gibraltar on 20–21 March involving the Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo;(2) what representations were made to the Spanish Government regarding the entry into United Kingdom territorial waters off the Dependent Territory of Gibraltar by the Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo on 20–21 March; and what reply was received.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the encroachment into Gibraltar's territorial waters by the flagship of the Spanish navy Dedalo on 20 March; if he will detail the extent of representations made by Her Majesty's Government to the Spanish Government; and if he will make a statement.

The Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo entered Gibraltarian waters at 2344 hours on the night of 20–21 March and departed 15 minutes later at 2359 hours. During that time two helicopters were launched from the vessel. Her Majesty's embassy in Madrid was instructed to protest to the Spanish Government about this incident. This was done after the Easter holiday on 2 April. A Spanish reply was received on 3 April. I am satisfied that the United Kingdom's position has been properly safeguarded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been (a) made by Her Majesty's Government to Libya and (b) received by Her Majesty's Government from the United States, following the recent threat by a Libyan trainee pilot that American bases in the United Kingdom might be bombed.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his answer of 10 March, Official Report, column 361, he will make a statement on the concrete outcome of the discussions he held with the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister on the release of funds of former Zimbabwe residents.

When my right hon. and learned Friend discussed the problem of the blocked funds of former Zimbabwe residents with the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister in February he asked for cases involving blocked remittances to be handled sympathetically, especially when hardship had occurred. The Minister expressed the hope that favourable developments in Zimbabwe's balance of payments could lead to some improvement in the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Pakistan.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 9 April, at column 142.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards UNITA in Angola.

We recognise the state of Angola and have diplomatic relations with its Government. Officials have had contact with UNITA for humanitarian purposes, most recently in March to facilitate the release of four British citizens taken captive by UNITA in Angola.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of other states concerning the situation in Afghanistan; if he has any plans aimed at seeking to bring about an end to foreign interference in the internal affairs of that country; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has frequent and detailed discussions about the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan with our European Community partners and NATO allies and with many other countries. Most recently he discussed the subject in depth with the Government of Pakistan during his recent visit there. My right hon. and learned Friend made clear to them that we fully support their firm and principled stand and the hospitality and help they are providing to the Afghan refugees who have sought refuge in their country. We are in full agreement that the key to peace in Afghanistan is the withdrawal of Soviet troops. To that end we fully support the United Nations Secretary General's efforts to find a solution on the basis of the principles set out in successive United Nations resolutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist in mediation moves to seek to bring a peaceful solution to the conflict between the communities in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

We have not been asked, neither would we wish, to become involved in Sri Lanka's internal problems. But we fully support any efforts which encourage direct talks between the Sri Lankan Government and representatives of the Tamil separatist movements. We have continued to make clear to all the parties involved that a negotiated settlement offers the best route to lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main features of Anglo-Mongolian relations.

The promotion of trade and cultural exchanges. Recent visits by the chairman of the Mongolian state bank and by a Mongolian state buying mission have improved the prospects for increased bilateral trade. The Anglo-Mongolian cultural exchange programme was renewed in April 1985 for a further two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what purpose the United Kingdom maintains a mission in the Mongolian People's Republic; how many people are in post; and what is the annual cost of the mission.

The United Kingdom maintains a mission in Ulan Bator to conduct political relations with the Mongolian People's Republic, to promote trade, to help to implement the cultural exchange programme, and to provide consular assistance to British tourists. The embassy has four United Kingdom-based staff and seven locally-engaged staff, and cost £203,000 in 1984–85.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the universities from which staff were recruited into the administrative group of the diplomatic service during each of the years 1984 and 1985.

The breakdown is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his answer of 12 November, Official Report, column 146, he will make a further statement on the future of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust.

In view of increased pressure of Parliamentary business, it has been decided to drop the Bill from the current legislative programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to the answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 47, concerning the licensing controls on touring caravans, he will now state what will be the form and timescale of further public consultation on this issue.

Further public consultation would be on the proposals for a future Bill, but this is unlikely to happen this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has as to the effluent discharge standard at each sewage treatment plant in the Thames water authority;(2) what information he has as to the number of occasions on which sewage plants failed to achieve their set standards in 1984–85 and as to which plants were involved.

I shall answer these questions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many items or projects by the Thames water authority fell into the following investment or expenditure categories in the last year for which figures are available: (a) £2,000 to £10,000, (b)£10,000 to £20,000, (c) £20,000 to £30,000, (d) £30,000 to £40,000, (e) £40,000 to £50,000, (f) £50,000 to £60,000, (g) £60,000 to £70,000, (h) £70,000 to £80,000, (i) £80,000 to £90,000, (j) £90,000 to £100,000 and (k) £100,000 or more.

The information requested is not held by my Department. Thames water authority has some 50 schemes in progress which cost over £l million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the current members of the Merseyside Residuary Body, indicating each member's occupation.

The current membership of the Merseyside Residuary Body comprises the following:

• Mr. Norman Brodrick (Chairman)—Retired local agent for Bank of England
• Mr. Duncan Forbes—Retired chairman of shipping line
• Mr. John Hill—Retired local government officer
• Mr. William Hughes—Retired local government officer
• Mr. Leslie Jones—Retired civil servant
• Councillor James Lloyd—Manager in industry: leader of Knowsley Borough Council
• Mr. Barry Marsh—Solicitor
• Mr. Kenneth Medlock—Retired businessman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with NIREX about the proposals for nuclear dumps since the receipt of the list of recommendations.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 11 March at columns 431–32, to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Cleethorpes (Mr. Brown).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what relevant geological exploratory work he is aware of on the Killingholme Central Electricity Generating Board site supported by NIREX as a possible nuclear dump.

I understand that earlier geological exploratory works undertaken by the CEGB in connection with the possible development of a power station on the Killingholme site were insufficient for NIREX's purposes. The site investigations now proposed by NIREX will establish whether the site would be geologically suitable for development as a disposal facility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards replying to correspondence, meeting deputations and receiving representations from those in the areas affected by the proposals for nuclear waste disposal before the special development order is published; and whether he intends to set any final date for this process.

My ministerial colleagues and I have made it clear that we are willing to meet representatives of the areas concerned to discuss the draft special development order. With my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State I have already met such delegations led by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lyell) and my hon. Friends the Members for Bedfordshire, South-West (Mr. Madel) and for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Hickmet) and the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell). Matters of civil nuclear policy in general are, of course, largely a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy. It is clear that the proper occasion for the detailed examination of proposals for any particular site must await the public inquiry.Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend and I will consider on their merits all representations concerned with the planning and other implications of the proposals now the subject of the draft SDO.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the special development order for exploratory work on nuclear dumps.

As soon as all the matters raised during the consultation period have been fully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what population lives within a (a) five-mile radius and (b) 10-mile radius of each of the four sites supported by NIREX for nuclear dumps; and what are the drainage boards, the water authorities and the district authorities into which they fall.

Population levels for these precise areas are not readily available. However the following approximate population levels are derived from the 1981 census:

Radius
	5 km	15 km
South Killingholme	10,000	288,000
Elstow	40,000	130,000
Fulbeck	3,500	76,000
Bradwell	8,000	75,000

All four sites are within the area of the Anglian water authority. South Killingholme falls within the area of Glanford borough council and North East Lindsey internal drainage board.Elstow falls within the areas of Mid Bedfordshire district council, North Bedfordshire borough council and the Bedfordshire and River Ivel internal drainage board.Fulbeck falls within the areas of South Kesteven district council, North Kesteven district council and Witham internal drainage board.Bradwell falls within the area of Maldon district council. This site is not within the area of any drainage board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what budget is allocated to NIREX for informing public opinion on nuclear dumping; and from what sources the money is allocated.

I understand from UK NIREX Ltd. that it has allocated £896,000 to its publicity budget for 1986–87. NIREX is funded by the four shareholders: British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., the United Atomic Energy Authority, the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy holds a special share, nominally valued at £1.