asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has concerning the total value of anticipated orders for small arms supplies to be placed with United Kingdom suppliers in the present year; and if he will make a statement.

It has been decided to place contracts on Royal Ordnance plc in respect of our outstanding requirements in 1986–87 for 5·56 mm and 7·62 mm ammunition. The ammunition will be produced at Royal Ordnance plc's factory at Radway Green and the value of the contracts will be about £35 million. This is additional to orders already placed with the factory. Discussions are continuing with the company concerning requirements for the two subsequent years.

asked the Prime Minister if she expects to announce her decision on the pay award to nurses which was due for payment as from 1 April before the Whitsun recess.

An announcement will be made in due course.

asked the Prime Minister which Ministers in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices were undertaking ministerial responsibilities, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively, at midnight on 14 April.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office the hon. Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) was duty Minister in Northern Ireland on the night of 14–15 April. Similar arrangements do not apply in the Scottish and Welsh Offices.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement following her meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader, President Kyprianou, on the Greek Cypriot response to the present United Nations initiative for a settlement in Cyprus.

On my meeting with President Kyprianou, I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in another place on 8 May. Meanwhile the UN Secretary General, with whom I discussed Cyprus on 14 May, is actively pursuing his initiative, which we continue strongly to support. I do not believe it would be helpful to comment on progress in the negotiations at this stage.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to meet the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash, to discuss the favourable response by the Turkish Cypriot leadership to the present United Nations initiative for a settlement on Cyprus.

No. Mr. Denktash is kept fully in touch with our views through our High Commission in Nicosia.

asked the Prime Minister what weight was given to the bombing of the discotheque in Berlin in her decision to authorise the use of British bases to bomb Libya.

The Government's decision was made in the light of clear evidence of the Libyan state's complicity in terrorist activity. Evidence of Libya's role in the Berlin bombing was one factor of that decision.

asked the Prime Minister why the following documents are missing from the Public Record Office, namely, JIC (42) 507(0), JIC (43) 285(0) 3 August 1943, DEFE 3/573, CX/M5.IS 1250/T13, 1350/T2, 1588 Para 29, CX/MSS 1421 Para 46, 1477 Para 33, 1986 Para 46; whether any of these documents refer, directly or indirectly, to Dr. Kurt Waldheim or to German Army group E; and whether she will make copies of these documents available to the hon. and learned Gentleman for Leicester, West.

I shall reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been extradited from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland in the six months ended 15 May.

One.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of deaths due to terrorist and paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland during the six months since 15 November 1985.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the general trend in the levels of numbers of serving members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary about whom recruitment inquiries have been made by police forces in Great Britain in the past three years.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 May 1986, c. 425]: Detailed statistics on the number of recruitment inquiries received from GB forces about Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are not available prior to 1 January 1986 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. From 1 January to 2 May 1986 the number of recruitment inquiries from GB forces in respect of Royal Ulster Constabulary officers was 43.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate, for each year from 1970 to 2000, of the number of young people reaching or projected to reach (a) minimum school-leaving age and (b) the age of one, two, and three years after minimum school-leaving age and, in each case, his estimate of the number known or expected to come onto the labour market in each year, separating all answers into male and female.

I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange for copies of the University Grants Committee letters to universities and to specific universities and any appendices to those letters to be sent out in the next three weeks to be placed in the Library as soon as those letters are sent.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) on 15 May at column 515.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had about the case of Mr. Jonathan Savery with the Avon local education authority.

A formal hearing into the charges made against Mr. Savery is being held today. The authority has been asked to inform the Department of its outcome. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate to comment further on the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had

My right hon. Friend discussed the costs of, and planning for, the GCSE with the local authority associations on 30 April and has held meetings with the NUT and the NAHT. My right hon. Friend has indicated that he stands ready to meet all the teachers' associations to discuss these issues. Meetings will be held shortly with the PAT and the NAS/UWT. In addition, since the beginning of this year my right hon. Friend has received letters from 12 local education authorities which refer to the provision of additional resources for books.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimates he has of the cost per pupil for local education authorities of providing new books for the general certificate of secondary education courses this autumn: how much extra he has allocated per pupil for this purpose; and if he will now make extra funds available.

It is not possible to estimate precisely, for each local education authority, the cost of providing new books for the GCSE. Demand will vary from school to school in the light of existing stocks and the individual GCSE syllabus in each subject which teachers have chosen to follow. The Department is discussing these and other matters connected with the introduction of the GCSE with the teachers' associations. These discussions will be taken into account in our consideration with the local authority associations of local authority expenditure on education generally and including the GCSE. Under the education support grant programme, as announced by my right hon. Friend on 12 May at columns 325–28, we propose to devote £20 million to the provision of books and equipment for the GCSE as a contribution to local authority expenditure in this area. This would amount to an average of £5,000 per secondary school over two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are teachers' salaries at all levels following the interim rise; what were the comparable figures in 1979; and what percentage increase over 1979 levels in real terms the 1986 interim award represents at all levels.

The attached table shows teachers' salaries at the minimum and maximum of each scale:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average teacher's salary following the 1 April interim award; what was the comparable figure in 1979 in real and money terms; and if he will make a statement.

The average annual salary of full-time teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools in England and Wales following the 1 April 1986 payment is estimated to be £10,500. The average salary of teachers at 1 April 1979 was £5,400 or £9,731 at 1 April 1986 prices (adjusted by the RPI). These figures exclude all allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science where research work previously done at the pneumoconiosis research unit at Llandough hospital is now being done since the closure of that unit.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when Her Majesty's Government intend to ratify the Paris text of the Berne convention;(2) if he will introduce legislation to incorporate into United Kingdom law the provisions of article 9 of the Paris text of the Berne convention, in so far as it relates to copyright protection for visual artists and photographers; and if he will make a statement.

The requirements of article 9 of the Paris text of the Berne convention, so far as they relate to visual artists and photographers, are met by section 3 of the Copyright Act 1956. There are, however, a number of changes which will need to be made to other parts of our law before the Government can ratify the Paris text. The Government intend to make these changes as part of the general reform of copyright law proposed in the White Paper "Intellectual Property and Innovation", Cmnd. 9712. The necessary legislation will be introducd as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits and ratification of the Paris text will follow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry if he will make a statement on the Director-General of Fair Trading's review of newspaper wholesaling, published on 14 May.

I welcome the publication of this timely review of newspaper wholesaling. Both I and the Director-General of Fair Trading have for some time been concerned about features of the market, in particular the refusal to supply newspapers to certain retailers with its effect on small shopkeepers and new businesses.The Director-General has made some constructive proposals for further action which will involve discussions with interested parties. I hope that all sectors of the trade will give him their fullest co-operation and that the outcome of this review will help to remedy the grievances which exist at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what magnitude of error in the employment census returns for a travel-to-work area would be regarded by his Department as sufficient to determine that that area should be included in the assisted area map, despite an original decision, based on the faulty returns, not to do so; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 May 1986, c. 502]: Although relative annual average unemployment was the main criterion used for assessing an area's need for assisted area status, a number of other factors were also taken into account. Any corrected unemployment rate would, therefore, have to be related to those other factors. The errors which have been discovered would not justify amendments to the assisted areas map introduced in November 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the work now taking place on empty prison officers' quarters at Wandsworth prison; what is the cost of this work; and if money has already been allocated for all work to be done.

Rewiring vacant quarters at a cost of £2,250 has begun; funds have been allocated for future work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists in the Metropolitan police area were (a) cautioned for exceeding the speed limit under section 89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and (b) convicted for exceeding the speed limit for each year since 1976.

The readily available information relates to written warnings and findings of guilt for all speed limit offences and is published annually by police force area in "Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables" (tables 18 and 19 of the issue for 1984). In 1983 and 1984 there were, respectively, about 1,300 and 900 written warnings and about 24,500 and 32,700 findings of guilt for these offences in the Metropolitan police district. Of the latter, about 24,300 and 31,700 respectively were for speeding offences which the police would normally prosecute under section 89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or equivalent earlier legislation (that is offences not involving speed limits for special types of vehicle or speeding on motorways). Earlier figures for findings of guilt under section 89 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many motorists were convicted of (a)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the extent to which statistically either the perpetrators or the victims of crimes of violence against the person are under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence in question; and if he will make a statement.

The latest available information is given in the table; that shown as not readily available could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The statistics on screening breath tests and evidential tests cannot be compared directly with those on court proceedings because they are obtained from separate collections which are not subsequently reconciled. Information on the functional status of the police officers administering screening or evidential breath tests is not available.

No statistics are collected on the consumption of alcohol by violent offenders or their victims. Research suggests that the relationship between alcohol and crime is very complex.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has any plans to conduct further research into the effects of the fear of crime.

Findings from the British crime survey on fear of crime have been published in Home Office research studies and two further reports, commissioned from outside researchers, are awaited. Further research is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he make a statement on the priorities of the victims support scheme.

The victims support movement does valuable work as a voluntary service providing practical and emotional support to the victims of crime. The determination of priorities must be a matter for the movement itself, in consultation with the police and other services with which local schemes are closely involved. The Government will continue to encourage victims support by providing financial assistance to the National Association of Victims Support Schemes and, under various central Government programmes, to some local schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if funding for new police units to combat drug abuse will have to be found by police authorities from existing resources.

Yes. The rate support grant settlement for 1986–87 takes account of additional expenditure required for the deployment of 240 officers in drugs wings in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in the light of the 1985 annual report by the board of visitors at Wandsworth prison in relation to conditions in the prison.

My noble Friend will shortly write to the chairman of the board of visitors indicating how the matters of concern to the board are being followed up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the police investigation of the incident on Wednesday 7 May at countess roundabout on the A303 when an unidentified liquid was allegedly squirted at members of the public from the vehicles of a cruise missile convoy.

I understand from the chief constable of Wiltshire that he is investigating allegations from six members of the public. Articles of their clothing are being sent for forensic examination. The investigation is still in its early stages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the occasions on which the hele-tele surveillance camera has been used by the Metropolitan police since December 1985; and what was the cost of its use on each occasion.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the hele-tele surveillance camera was used 11 times between 1 January and 12 May 1986 for the following purposes:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Metropolitan police have purchased any of the following weapons from the Trebor Corporation of America: stun gun, stun burst and stinger 37; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will report on his visit to Leicester on Friday 9 May.

During my visit I had discussions with the chief constable and some of his officers, in particular about the policing of inner city areas. Later I visited the Wesley hall community project and the central west area further education office where I discussed a range of subjects with members of the local community. I also visited the Anchor club—a club for ex-offenders—and undertook various party functions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be in a position to announce the grants of franchises for community radio stations in Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham) and the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Clay) on 6 May 1986 at column 19.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were heard (a) entirely through the medium of the Welsh language and (b) partly through the medium of the Welsh language in each of the magistrates' courts of Wales in each year since 1967.

By virtue of the Welsh Language Act 1967, the Welsh language may be used in courts in Wales by any party, witness or person who desires to use it. There is no requirement for statistical records to be kept of such use, and the information requested is therefore not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the chief clerks to the magistrates' courts in Wales have a sufficient command of the Welsh language to be able to conduct their business through the medium of that language.

This information is not maintained centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that the telephone at the Gwent passport office is promptly answered; what have been the causes of recent delays in answering calls from members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

The telephone inquiry points at the Newport passport office are fully manned. However, the office is having to deal with an abnormal number of telephone inquiries about delays in dealing with postal passport applications. These delays arise from increased demand, recent disruption of postal services in south Wales and the residual effects of industrial action in passport offices earlier this year. Steps are being taken to reduce the backlog of postal applications as quickly as possible. This will reduce the number of telephone inquiries and should ensure that callers receive the normal prompt response.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has anything to add to the statement he made to the House on 13 May about the numbers of British overseas citizens throughout the world.

I very much regret that a mistake was made in the information that I gave to the House. The number of British overseas citizens throughout the world is, as I suggested, probably about two million, but I was misinformed about the percentage who possess only that form of citizenship. The figure is probably something over 200,000, and not about 800,000. I apologise for having unwittingly misled the House by giving the latter figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department has any plans to carry out research into the effects of low-flying aircraft on livestock.

There are no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated effect on the Welsh tourist industry of the drop in numbers of United States tourists to Wales during the last few weeks in financial terms.

This information is not available. I am however, well aware of the reports of cancellations from North America not just to Wales but to the whole of the United Kingdom. Steps have been taken to reassure Americans that the United Kingdom is a safe place to visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has received concerning the introduction of the general certificate of secondary education examination in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received from 18 Members of Parliament, three county councils, one local education authority, the Local Authorities Committee of the WJEC, the Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association, two county groups of secondary headteachers, a county branch of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Woman Teachers, the governing bodies of 18 secondary schools, a federation of parent-teacher associations, 13 individual parent-teacher associations, nine heads of school departments, two teachers, three school associations, one school governor, the Welsh SDP conference and 146 individuals, all requesting postponement.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if there are any oilfields currently being exploited where there is a risk of premature abandonment or a likelihood of insufficient or discontinued investment leading to reduced levels of oil recovery.

No well can be abandoned without the Secretary of State's consent. This consent will not be given so long as recovery remains economic and is not contrary to good oilfield practice. There must be a risk that a sustained period of low oil prices will bring forward the date at which production from some wells becomes uneconomic, but I have received no proposals to cease production for this reason and have no grounds at present for believing that planned ultimate recovery from currently producing fields will be affected by insufficient investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate priority is given to the maximum attainable level of oil extraction from off shore fields now in the course of exploitation or development.

The Government's policy continues to be to achieve maximum economic recovery of petroleum reserves, subject to good oilfield practice. All development plans have to meet these criteria before they are approved; fields in production are monitored regularly to ensure production is in accordance with good oilfield practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he received the report of the feasibility study into the proposed Severn barrage scheme; what information he has as to the proposed publication date; and if he will take steps to publicise the findings.

I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 12 May at column 333.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Government have contingency plans for using the armed services to assist in smothering an atomic reactor in the event of a nuclear explosion causing pollution of the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement.

The Health and Safety Executive's booklet "Emergency Plans for Civil Nuclear Installations" outlines the flexible contingency plans which have been drawn up and regularly tested to respond to any emergency at a United Kingdom civil nuclear installation. The arrangements have been designed to be capable of extension in the remote possibility of a serious accident. In these circumstances the part that might best be played by all the resources of Government, including those of the armed services would be considered as necessary.

asked the Attorney-General which of the chief clerks to the county courts of Wales have sufficient command of the Welsh language to be able to conduct their business through the medium of that language.

The Chief Clerks of Carmathen, Haverford West, Llangefni, Porthmadog and Swansea County Courts are able to conduct the business of their courts in Welsh.

asked the Attorney-General what are the criteria used in appointing interpreters (Welsh/English) in the Welsh courts.

Interpreters are selected on the basis of tested ability to provide rapid and accurate simultaneous translation from and into Welsh and English with particular reference to the special requirements of legal proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General if he will publish in the Official Report the number of persons tried, acquitted or convicted following trials (a) in which the evidence of a former accomplice was given on behalf of the Crown or (b) on the basis of their statements of admission made after inquiries based on the evidence of a former accomplice.

The information requested by the hon. Member is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense to the taxpayer.

asked the Attorney-General why, when deciding want charges to make against Thomas Quigley and Paul Kavanagh in relation to terrorist activities, he did not charge them with treason.

The charges preferred against Thomas Quigley and Paul Kavanagh were those which were considered most appropriate in the light of the known facts and the nature of the conduct alleged of them.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list all those who have been prosecuted for offences relating to terrorist incidents in Great Britain since 1983.

Prosecutions for offences arising out of terrorist incidents are not centrally recorded. However, I have arranged for the Director of Public Prosecutions to prepare a list of the main terrorist cases conducted by his Department since 1983 and will forward it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will produce four tables of information relating to Scottish applications under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 for 1984–85 in a form similar to that published on pages 42–44 of "Scottish Housing Statistics 1984".

The information requested is set out below. The figures are provisional and subject to change. The form of the tables reflects changes, effective from 1 April 1984, in the information collection system.