asked the Attorney-General what proposals he has to locate a new Crown court in Cambridge: and if he will make a statement.

The courtrooms now available for use by the Crown Court in Cambridge and Wisbech are expected to meet requirements until after the year 2000 AD. Although the quality of the accommodation is lacking in some respects other areas have more urgent needs for additional accommodation and must take priority. There is no immediate intention to provide a new building for the Crown Court in Cambridge, but the situation will be kept under review.

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to bring forward legislation based upon the Law Commission's report No. 148 in respect of land registration.

Comments on the Law Commission's proposals are being received. The Government will make a decision as to whether to give effect to the proposals when the comments have been fully considered.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 6 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 6 May.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is attending the economic summit in Tokyo.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to separate the functions of Head of the Civil Service from those of the Secretary of the Cabinet when a suitable opportunity arises.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is content with the current arrangements and has no plans to change them. This is, however, one of the subjects on which a Sub-Committee of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee has heard evidence; my right hon. Friend will of course study the Committee's report when it is received.

asked the Prime Minister if she proposes to pay an official visit to East Anglia.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans to sponsor the erection of a national memorial to the United Kingdom service men who lost their lives in the Korean war; and if she will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry of Defence is already providing full support to the Korean Veterans Association in its plans to erect such a memorial at St. Paul's, which is to be financed by public subscription.

asked the Prime Minister what is the latest number of (a) messages of support and (b) expressions of opposition received by the Government in connection with the use of British bases for the United States attack on Libya.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give the latest cumulative figure of (a) messages of support and (b) expressions of opposition received at 10 Downing street in connection with the use of British bases for the United States attack on Libya.

I have been asked to reply.Up to and including Saturday 3 May the Government have received about 13,620 representations against, and 6,550 representations for, the United Kingdom's support of the United States action.

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government notified the Security Council of the use of bases in the United Kingdom for the air attack on Libya in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations charter.

I have been asked to reply.No. The obligation to report measures taken in exercise of the right of self-defence applied to the United States, which, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) told the House on 24 April, reported to the Secretary-General on 14 April.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings have taken place between herself and Unionist leaders since 15 November 1985; how many letters she has received from Unionist leaders; and how many she has sent, since that date.

I have been asked to reply.Since 15 November my right hon. Friend has met the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Molyneaux) and the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) once. My right hon. Friend has also had two meetings with the hon. Member for North Down (Mr. Kilfedder), once with a delegation from the Northern Ireland Assembly. My right hon. Friend has received four letters from the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley and the hon. Member for Antrim, North and two from the hon. Member for North Down. My right hon. Friend has written two letters to the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley and the hon. Member for Antrim, North and one letter to the hon. Member for North Down.

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish the content of any letters or documents sent to her by Unionist leaders, and sent by her to Unionist leaders since 15 November 1985 concerning discussions on the Anglo-Irish accord.

I have been asked to reply.It is not my right hon. Friend's normal practice to publish exchanges of correspondence. However, my right hon. Friend has made clear in the letters she has written to the Unionist leaders the importance of constructive dialogue for progress in Northern Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will seek from the United Nations copies of all documents in their possession relating to Dr. Kurt Waldheim's wartime activities.

I have been asked to reply.No.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit the Maudsley hospital.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if she will describe the role of each Department concerned in the United Kingdom nuclear weapons programme;(2) why, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith),

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend will reply on her return from Tokyo.

asked the Prime Minister whether there are any circumstances in which United States aircraft based in the United Kingdom can be used in military operations without the consent of Her Majesty's Government; and if she will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend will reply on her return from Tokyo.

asked the Prime Minister what emergency plans and procedures exist to enable members of the public to prepare for the possibility of threat from nuclear fallout.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's statement this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which advertising agencies have been engaged by his Department for each of the past five years; and what sums each have been paid.

Since 1981–82 my Department has engaged the following agencies for promotional campaigns, primarily for road safety, and has paid the sums as listed:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has calculated the financial effect to the motor industry of a change of vehicle prefix registration date from August to October.

There is no basis for making such a calculation since the view of a major part of the motor industry has been that October would overall be the most beneficial alternative to the present August change. The amount of notice given should allow the industry as a whole ample time to adjust to the new month of change. However if the industry on a whole now wants another arrangement we are prepared to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the representations from the motor industry to his Department in favour of a change of vehicle prefix date from August to October;(2) if he will list the representations from the motor industry to his Department against a change of vehicle prefix date from August to October.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to him on 30 April and to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Conway) on 1 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to permit a person aged 16 years in possession of a provisional driving licence, obtained to drive a tractor, to drive a tractor on the public highway in order to gain driving experience before the day of any driving test, and to permit any person with a driving licence to accompany that person; and if he will make a statement.

No, I am not satisfied that such a change would be in the interests of road safety. Most agricultural tractors must be fitted with a safety cab and there is simply not the room to carry a supervisor. A similar exemption applies to other single seater vehicles, unable to carry a supervisor.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet reached a decision on the future of the scheduled helicopter service between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered very carefully the Civil Aviation Authority's decision to grant British Caledonian's application to continue the Airlink service. I have also taken careful note of the evidence submitted to the authority, the transcript of the 16-day public hearing and the considerable number of representations which I received on the authority's decision.Because of its environmental aspects, the authority notified the decision to me under section 17 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. I have to decide whether it would be appropriate for me to direct the CAA to revoke the licence it granted for the Airlink service in order to prevent environmental disturbance caused by the helicopter. As with my decision in 1984 on a previous Airlink application, I believe that in reaching my decision the environmental disturbance caused by the helicopter has to be weighed against the economic benefits of allowing the service to continue.The arguments for and against the service are very finely balanced. On the one hand I must take into account the degree of disturbance caused to those under the flight path. I am conscious that some of the environmental objections to the service are exaggerated. But, even allowing for this, it remains the case that disturbance caused by the Airlink service arouses widespread and genuine annoyance and causes some distress. On the other hand British Caledonian and other airlines earn significant revenues from passengers making connections over the London airport system; and Airlink has in the past undoubtedly helped to attract such passengers to London.I believe, however, that the helicopter service is no longer so critical for this purpose. In addition to the fast and frequent coach service which now operates, the completion of the motorway link between the two airports should also allow fast journeys by other forms of road transport. Between them these should offer transferring passengers a sufficient choice of speed, comfort, convenience and price. Moreover, in the absence of a helicopter link the airlines will no doubt concentrate on seeking to improve further the quality of the surface links between the two airports. I believe this should be possible. Although a scheduled helicopter service would expand the choice a little further, I feel that the various alternatives to the Airlink service should be acceptable to the majority of passengers wishing to transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick and vice versa. I believe, therefore, that when the availability of these alternative forms of transport is taken into account the environmental disturbance caused by the helicopter cannot now be justified.I am therefore minded to direct the CAA to revoke British Caledonian's licence to operate the helicopter service. Before doing so, however, I am consulting the authority as required under section 6(2) of the 1982 Act. My officials are also writing to British Caledonian.I am aware there can be no guarantee that adequate surface links will be maintained. I would therefore be prepared to look again at the need for a scheduled service, should the question come before me at some future date, if the speed, frequency or quality of the alternatives deteriorate significantly, or if a service could be operated with markedly less impact. The alternatives to the helicopter, however, would first have to be given a year or two to prove themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to make more information available to hon. Members about the proposed Channel tunnel.

On 4 February the Government published a White Paper "The Channel Fixed Link" (Cmnd. 9735) which explained the basis of its choice of scheme and outlined the next steps. The promoters of the chosen scheme, Eurotunnel, formerly known as CTG—France-Manche, have arranged an exhibition in the North Tower foyer of the Department's offices at 2 Marsham street; it opens today and will run until 16 May. A member of Eurotunnel's staff will be present on weekdays between 12 noon and 6.30 pm to deal with any queries. I hope that as many Members of Parliament as possible will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a comparative table showing the numbers of home helps employed in each region, division or island authority in Scotland each year from 1979 to 1985.

The information available centrally and included in the Scottish Education Department's annual publication "Home Care Services,

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a comparative table showing (a) the cost of fixed school meals in each region, division or island authority in Scotland from 1979 to 1985 and (b) the average amount spent on cafeteria meals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the method used by each regional authority for granting qualification to free school meals, and the numbers of children in these categories in each region receiving free meals as a result.

All education authorities have a statutory duty to provide free school meals for pupils whose families are in receipt of supplementary benefit or

The information requested was not collected centrally prior to 1981. Details from 1981 to 1985 are as follows:family income supplement. The following authorities are, at their discretion, also currently awarding free meals to some children on the basis of their family income—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the number and names of schools in each region or division in Scotland which do not supply school meals, giving the reasons for their not supplying meals.

The information taken from the 1985 annual school meals census is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a comparative table showing the total uptake of school meals to pupils present from 1979 to 1985 in each region, division or island authority in Scotland.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing (a) the total number of staff employed in the school meals service each year since 1979 in each region of Scotland and (b) the numbers of staff employed for (i) 30 or more hours per week and (ii) less than 30 hours per week.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current proposed starting date for the reconstruction of the A9 at Navidale Brae, north of Helmsdale in Sutherland; and if he will make a statement.

The earliest possible start to an improvement of this section of the A9 would be in late 1987, subject to satisfactory economic appraisal, completion of statutory procedures and availability of funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which advertising agencies have been engaged by his Department for each of the past five years; and what sums each have been paid.

The information is set out in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the next housing condition survey will be carried out in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

No national house condition surveys have been carried out in Scotland. My right hon. and learned Friend is so far not convinced that the significant resources which would be required to produce accurate information beyond that already available should be deflected from the primary task of undertaking work on the housing stock.Local authorities have duties to consider housing conditions and needs in their areas and powers to carry out surveys to identify the condition of the stock.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of persons currently unemployed in Lochaber; in which age groups they are; and what was the figure for April and October in each of the years 1980 to 1985.

Information on unemployment by age category is available in the House of Commons Library. Because of various changes in the way the statistics have been compiled, year by year comparisons over the period may mislead.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the Scottish Development Agency's available funds was spent in Renfrew district between January and April; if, during that period, any factors arose which caused the agency to alter its expenditure priorities in relation to Renfrew district; and if he will make a statement.

In the period January to April 1986 the Scottish Development Agency spent £740,000 in Renfrew district. This represents 1·9 per cent. of the agency's total expenditure over the same period. During that period no factors arose which caused the agency to alter its expenditure priorities in Renfrew district. On 18 February 1986 Paisley and Renfrew Enterprise Trust was launched. The agency is committed to providing £63,500 over three years in support of the trust's activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make any additional or temporary appointment to the Land Tribunal for Scotland to expedite appeals under section 15(1A) to (1C) of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1963; and if he will make a statement.

From 1 October last year a part-time surveyor member of the Land Tribunal for Scotland became a full-time member for a period of two years. In addition two new part-time legal appointments were made also for a period of two years from 1 October 1985. All of these appointments were made primarily to deal with the anticipated work load on valuation appeals. I am riot aware of any need for further appointments to the tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to meet the Scottish Sports Association to discuss the rating of sports grounds and premises in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any request from the Scottish Sports Association for a meeting on this subject. I nevertheless appreciate the strength of feeling amongst sports clubs in Scotland about rates. The fact that the present valuation and rating systems in Great Britain can lead to differences of the kind some clubs have mentioned is one of the reasons the Government are tackling the difficult task of reforming local taxation, as is shown by our Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714). In the shorter term, many sports clubs have appealed against their rateable values, but I cannot comment on the merits of the cases. Rating relief of up to 100 per cent. is available to non-profit-making recreational clubs; decisions on this are wholly at the discretion of the appropriate rating authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has received from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities of the anticipated extra expenditure incurred by regions in settlement of teachers' pay for 1985–86.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities have estimated that education authorities have incurred £11,286,000 expenditure on teachers' pay in 1985–86 in excess of the provision they originally made in their budgets for that year, after account is taken of the savings made by the authorities because of the teachers' strike action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for the report of the Medical Health Commission on the Royal Scottish national hospital at Larbert to be published.

My hon. Friend is presumably referring to the annual report for 1985 of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland dealing inter alia with its visits to various hospitals. I understand this report is now being prepared for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many people were employed in his Department in 1975 and each subsequent year;(2) how many people were employed in the different occupational categories in his Department in 1975 and each subsequent year.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 April 1986, c. 522]: The information is set out in the table. The figures relate to 1 April each year. Part-time staff are counted as half units and casual staff are excluded. The figures take account of the following staffing implications of machinery of government changes:—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prison officers have received injuries due to attacks by inmates at Peterhead prison in the years 1980 to 1985 and the latest figure for 1986; how many officers required hospital treatment: and how many days were lost by officers in the same period due to injuries sustained.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 April 1986, c. 24]: the information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each district, and for each health authority in Wales (a) the number of psychiatric beds that would be required on a basis of 0·5 beds per 1,000 population and (b) the number of psychiatric beds currently available in each area.

The latest available information which relates to 1984 is shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which advertising agencies have been engaged by his Department for each of the past five years; and what sums each have been paid.

The advertising agencies engaged for each of the past five years were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the health authorities and health districts in Wales which are making or have instituted arrangements to cease providing drugs and other medications from hospital dispensaries when they are prescribed by hospital consultants; and what will be the estimated savings to each district authority of the discontinuance of this service.

The information is not readily available and I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the adult prison population are estimated to receive only the minimum visiting entitlement of six and a half hours per year.

My noble Friend will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male and female prison officers, respectively, were employed on the most recent convenient date.

On 1 April 1986, 17,845 male and 1,042 female members of the prison officer class were employed in Prison Department outstations.

asked the Secretaty of State for the Home Department if the evaluation by the scientific and research branch of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary on neighbourhood watch schemes is yet complete; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary keep the development of neighbourhood watch under careful review. This is a continuing process.Although there is no evaluation as specifically described by my hon. Friend, the institute of criminology, Cambridge university and the directorate of management services of the Metropolitan police are both carrying out evaluations of neighbourhood watch in London. The results are expected to become available by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the minimum sentence of imprisonment which is for once third remission.

Any prison sentence which, after taking account of reckonable remand time under section 67 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, effectively exceeds five clays attracts (by virtue of rule 5 of the Prison Rules 1964) one-third remission provided that the application of the rule does not result in an actual term served of less than five days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to introduce legislation to prevent the sale of offensive weapons such as knuckle dusters, flick knives or machetes to children; and if he will make a statement.

The importation, manufacture and sale of flick knives (and gravity knives) is already prohibited under the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 and 1961. Under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 it is an offence to possess any offensive weapon (including knuckle dusters or a machete) in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. We are not persuaded that further legislation is necessary at present. But we do believe that retailers should act responsibly in regard to the sale of potentially offensive weapons of any kind particularly to the young and the impressionable. We have recently issued guidelines to that effect to traders in martial arts equipment. We shall continue to watch the position very closely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which advertising agencies have been engaged by his Department for each of the past five years; and what sums each have been paid.