asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the amount of net official development assistance provided by Britain to developing countries in 1985 as a percentage of gross national product.

In 1985 Britain provided net official development assistance equivalent to 0·34 per cent. of GNP, not 0·33 per cent. as announced to the House on 7 May. The earlier figure did not take full account of the amounts which Britain contributed to European Community aid programmes financed from the Community budget in 1985; overall the underestimation was about £30 million.

asked the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor intends to set up a pay review body for remuneration to barristers for criminal legal aid work for 1987 onwards.

I have nothing at present to add to the Lord Chancellor's statement in another place on 4 June last.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information his Department has about the use by Welsh health authorities of agency staff, nursing assistants or nursing auxiliaries; and if he will make a statement.

Some small use of agency nursing staff has been made by authorities in the past, but not on a regular basis. It is not possible accurately to distinguish between the two categories in the nursing auxiliary-nursing assistant grade. The use and deployment of particular categories of staff are operational matters for the health authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of people presently employed in or about to leave the various YTS schemes in Wales.

The latest available figure relates to young people in training on YTS at 31 May. At this date it is estimated that there were 16,234 trainees.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people are presently engaged in community industry schemes in Wales.

At 8 May 811 young people were engaged in community industry schemes in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total population of economically active 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales.

Preliminary results from the 1985 "Labour Force Survey" indicate that, in the spring of 1985, there were about 45,000 economically active persons aged 16 and 17 resident in Wales. This survey is based on a sample of some 2,500 private households in Wales and includes students with remunerative employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will report on the latest meeting of the European Community's Economic and Finance Council.

The EC Economic and Finance Council met in Luxembourg on 16 June. I represented the United Kingdom.The Council discussed the report of the Ad Hoc Group on the removal of fiscal barriers. The Council asked the Commission to present, by 1 April 1987, detailed proposals on rate structures and on the accompanying systems which in the Commission's view are necessary for the completion of the internal market. This will help the member states to assess the Commission's approach, particularly in respect of its wider budgetary, economic, social and industrial implications.The Council had a general discussion on the liberalisation of capital movements in the Community, in particular on the recent proposals by the European Commission for the achievement of full liberalisation by 1992. There was general support for the Commission's objectives. This topic will be given priority during the forthcoming United Kingdom Presidency of the Community, and it is hoped that in the first instance a new Council Directive designed to extend the current liberalisation obligations can be adopted by the Council later this year.The Council considered the Community's economic and financial relations with Japan and, in preparation for the European Council later this month, the general economic situation in the Community. The Council expects to return to the latter question at its meeting in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government intend to take in the light of the report of the United Nations Secretary General to the Security Council dated 12 June that the Greek Cypriots have refused his latest proposed draft agreement for the Cyprus problem and regarding the dangers of the present situation; and if he will make a statement.

We continue to stand ready to do all we can in support of the United Nations Secretary General's initiative. We have made clear our disappointment that one party in the Cyprus dispute has not felt able to accept his proposals. We agree with the Secretary General that all parties to the dispute must now reflect carefully on the way forward. We urge them not to take any action which could make the present situation worse.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in relation to the continued division of the island; what account has been taken by Her Majesty's Government in relation to such representations of resolutions passed by the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

We have made clear to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus our disappointment that only one side in the dispute has so far felt able to accept the Secretary General's latest proposals for a unified federal Cyprus. The Secretary General's proposals take account of the relevant United Nations resolutions. We continue strongly to support his efforts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies his Department has made of the possible application of direct broadcasting by satellite to the work of the British Council.

We have made no studies of the possible application of direct broadcasting by satellite to the work of the British Council. But we fully recognise the importance of being in the forefront of the new technology in the field of foreign policy and propose to study its application in an inter-departmental committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in respect of each of the three principal parts of the decision of the Ministers of the European Economic Community taken on the occasion of the signing of the Single European Act on 28 February last, he will list the steps he is taking to secure compliance with the Ponsonby rule in relation to ratification.

The decision adopted by Foreign Ministers of the Twelve on the occasion of the signing of the Single European Act sets out procedures for the practical application of certain aspects of title III of the Single European Act. It is not a treaty, is not subject to ratification, and the Ponsonby rules do not apply. It has been placed in the Library of the House for the information of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Russian authorities about the imprisonment of two Lithuanian priests, Father Svarinskas and Father Tamkevicius.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Sir G. Johnson Smith) on 17 June, at column 489.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy for preventing the spread by rodents of radioactive contamination from low level nuclear waste disposal sites.

We do not consider this to be a problem in practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the sale of water fittings and pipes which do not conform to British safety standards; and if he will make a statement.

No. The need for such legislation has not been shown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Press officers liaise with the Minister for sport in connection with matters within his responsibility for sport.

One officer in the Department's information directorate deals with sports matters along with other areas of the Department's responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants work directly for the Minister of sport: what is their grade; and what is their total cost per annum.

Twenty officials work in the Department's sport and recreation division providing advice for Ministers on sport and recreation matters. The grades of these officials are—assistant secretary (1), principal (2), higher executive officer (5), executive officer (7), clerical officer (4) and senior personal secretary (1). Their total cost per annum is £217,300. In addition, the four staff in my private office have some dealings with these matters, along with the other areas of the Department's work for which I am responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the places visited by the Minister for Sport during the last 12 months; and what was the purpose of each visit and the cost in each case.

Since September 1985 when I was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of the Environment, I have visited the following places in connection with the part of my ministerial responsibility relating to sport and recreation matters:

Date	Place visited	Purpose
Wednesday 11 September	Wembley	World Cup Qualifying Match—England v. Rumania
Saturday 14 September	Twickenham	London Welsh v. Barbarians Centenary Rugby Match
Tuesday 17 September	Birmingham	Opening of Olympic Bid Offices
Monday 23 September	Olympia, London	Presentation of "Product of the Year Awards" at Exhibition of Sport and Leisure
Wednesday 25 September	Richmond	International Ice Skating
Tuesday 1 October	London Borough of Bromley	Opening new dual-use facilities at Kemnal Manor School
Thursday 17 October	Portsmouth	Tour of children's play schemes
Wednesday 6 November	Woking	Opening new tennis centre
Wednesday 13 November	Bristol	Squash Championships (together with other Departmental business)
Monday 18 to Tuesday 19 November	Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Buckinghamshire	Meeting of Chairmen of Regional Councils for Sport and Recreation
Wednesday 20 November	Bournemouth	Address to Central Council of Physical Recreation Annual Conference
Saturday 23 November	Watford	Visit to Watford Football Club (at invitation of my hon. Friend the Member for Watford)
Wednesday 27 November	London	London Federation of Boys' Clubs Boxing Finals
Friday 29 November	London	Speech at fund-raising luncheon for World Hockey Cup
Saturday 30 November	Wembley	Netball International
Sunday 1 December	Tolworth	Surrey County Table Tennis Championships
Thursday 5 December	Maidstone	Address to South Eastern Council for Sport and Recreation
Thursday 5 December	Wembley	Presentation of awards at Sports Writers' Annual Awards Dinner
Saturday 7 December	Wimbledon	Visit to Wimbledon FC
Monday 9 December	London	Presentation of Football Club of Year Awards
Sunday 15 December	Olympia, London	Show jumping event
Sunday 22 December	Wembley	International Gymnastics event
Wednesday 8 January	Olympia, London	Boat Show
Saturday 11 to Monday 13 January	Switzerland	British Ski Championships
Saturday 18 January	London	Visit to Tottenham Hotspur FC
Friday 24 January	London	European Cup Tennis Championship
Saturday 25 January	London	Presentation of Awards to British Racing Sports Car Club
Sunday 26 January	London	Visit to Chelsea FC
Saturday 1 February	London	Presentation for Rowing Marathon
Monday 10 February	London	Sports Aid Foundation Dinner
Saturday 15 February	Kingston, Surrey	Attend league basketball match
Wednesday 19 February	London	Cable and Wireless Test Series Dinner
Thursday 27 February	Harrogate	Address to Sports Council Conference
Saturday 1 March	Twickenham	England v. Ireland Rugby International
Tuesday 4 March	Hook, Surrey	Inspection of dual-use facilities at Southborough School
Thursday 6 March	London	Tooting Sports Centre topping out ceremony
Saturday 8 March	Scunthorpe	Visit to Scunthorpe Town FC (at invitation of my hon. Friend, the Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe)
Saturday 15 March	Wembley	England v. Canada Women's Hockey International
Sunday 16 March	Wembley	All-England Badminton Finals
Saturday 22 March	Wembley	Presentation of prizes at National Basketball Championships
Sunday 23 March	London	Professional Footballers' Association Dinner
Monday 24 March	London	Boxing event
Thursday 27 March	London	National Schoolboy Rugby Sevens Tournament
Saturday 29 March	London	Oxford v. Cambridge Boat Race
Wednesday 2 April	London	London Welsh RFC Centenary Dinner
Thursday 3 April	Kingston, Surrey	Opening Norbiton Athletics Stadium
Monday 7 April	London	Football Association Dinner for Mexican delegation
Wednesday 9 April	Edinburgh	Visit to Commonwealth Games organisers
Saturday 12 April	Reading	Visit to Reading FC (at the invitation of my hon. Friend the Member for Reading West)
Saturday 12 April	Esher, Surrey	Kingstonian FC Dinner
Sunday 20 April	Badminton	Badminton Horse Trials
Tuesday 22 April	Wembley	Presentation of prizes at British Open Squash Championships
Wednesday 23 April	Wembley	England v. Scotland Football International
Wednesday 30 April	Dorset	Visit to dual use facilities and opening Sports Centre (at the invitation of my hon. Friends, Members for Dorset West and Poole)
Saturday 10 May	Wembley	FA Cup Final
Monday 12 May	Newbury	Opening Recreation Centre extension

Date	Place visited	Purpose
Wednesday 14 May	London	London Federation of Boys' Clubs Awards Presentation
Friday 16 May	Southampton	Visit to Solent Project, Hampshire CCC; and discussion with officers on dual use (at the invitation of my hon. Friend, the Member for Southampton Itchen)
Saturday 17 May	Warwickshire	Presentation at Schools' Swimming Gala in Stratford upon Avon
Monday 19 May	London	Central Council of Physical Recreation AGM
Thursday 22 May	London	Opening of Tideway Scullers Club House, Chiswick
Sunday 25 May	London	Start Sport Aid Run in Hyde Park
Wednesday 28 May	Weybridge, Surrey	Opening of Sports Centre
Saturday 31 May	Wembley	Schoolboy Football International
Sunday 1 June	Hickstead, Sussex	Presentation of Nations Cup (Showjumping)
Tuesday 3 June	London	Speech at English Basketball Association Dinner
Sunday 8 to Monday 16 June	Mexico	Soccer World Cup
Wednesday 18 June	Milton Keynes	Address to Southern Council for Sport and Recreation

This list excludes places visited in connection with my other ministerial responsibilities in support of my noble Friend the Minister of State with responsibilities for planning, heritage and regional affairs. The costs incurred in the case of most domestic visits are not readily available, and could be estimated only at disproportionate cost. The full cost to the Department of the overseas visit to Switzerland was approximately £1,600. The cost to the Department of the visit to Mexico has not yet been finally calculated, but is estimated to be approximately £5,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the Sports Council; what subjects were discussed; and what is the date of the next meeting.

I meet regularly the chairman of the Sports Council to discuss issues relating to the development of sport. We last met on 7 May, when we discussed a wide range of such issues. Our next meeting is scheduled for 2 July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement giving details of the national clean-up scheme.

[pursuant to his reply, 5 June 1986, c. 613]: I will make a full statement to the House in July, when the details of the new initiative have been completed and when all concerned are ready to launch the new scheme. I have invited a number of established national voluntary organisations to act as agents in launching the initiative, and I am happy to confirm that Mr. Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group has been invited to be chairman of the board.

asked the Paymaster General (1) how many inspectors there have been at the Health and Safety Executive dealing with toxic waste matters for each year since the establishment of the Health and Safety Executive;

The information is not available in the form requested. All Health and Safety Executive inspectors may be involved in dealing with toxic waste wherever their work brings them into contact with the handling or storing of toxic materials.

asked the Paymaster General what has been the increase in the number of employees below the national insurance level since 1983.

Precise information is not available. However, evidence from the "New Earnings Survey" and other data suggest that between April 1983 and April 1985 (the latest period for which data on the distribution of earnings are available), the number of employees whose gross weekly earnings were below the limit for national insurance purposes increased by about a third of a million.

asked the Paymaster General why the effective dose equivalent concept and the use of organ weighting factors as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection was incorporated into the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985; and whether it is possible under the regulations for a worker to show a lower recorded dose for a given exposure than under the system of dose limitation.

The effective dose equivalent concept, which involves the use of organ weighting factors, was incorporated into the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 because it represented the most recent recommendation of ICRP, was included in EC Directives 80/836/Euratom and 84/467/Euratom which the Regulations implement, and was the advice of the National Radiological Protection Board.It is not possible for the dose recorded for a worker for a given exposure to be less than that calculated using the ICRP system.

asked the Paymaster General by what method wages inspectors determine whether or not an employer is employing home workers.

Where records do not show that the services of homeworkers are used, wages inspectors ask employers whether work is given out to any person.

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Workers
(a) Workers whose pay was checked	244,941	295,491	205,804	287,392	332,853	416,894	300,692
(b) Homeworkers whose pay was checked (included above)	3,570	2,565	1,665	1,358	1,974	1,883	1,606
(c) (b) as a percentage of (a)	1·4	0·9	0·8	0·5	0·6	0·4	0·5
Establishments
(a) Establishments where pay was checked	52,821	49,994	37,893	39,514	42,558	41,576	40,382
(b) Establishments employing homeworkers where pay was checked (included above)	1,251	229	154	105	177	178	169
(c) (b) as a percentage of (a)	2·4	0·4	0·4	0·2	0·4	0·4	0·4

asked the Paymaster General what representations his Department has received from the National Bureau for Handicapped Students concerning representation on the proposed National Council for Vocational Qualifications; what reply is being sent; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science to his identical question concerning similar representations by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science from the National Bureau for Handicapped Students.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many (a) officials and (b) Ministers from his Department gave evidence to Commons Select Committees in each of the Sessions (i) 1983–84 and (ii) 1984–85.

In the 1983–84 Session 16 Officials and four Ministers from my Department gave evidence to Select Committees of this House. The figures for the 1984–85 Session were 27 and six respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if a report on the work of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology on native and naturalised species of plant as potential energy crops has been published.

Yes. The report was published in May 1986 by the Energy Technology Support Unit—reference number ETSU/B1086 volumes 1–5. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of the inspections carried out by the Wages Inspectorate in the period 1979 to 1985 were of home workers.

The information requested is given in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Community Council of Energy Ministers which met on 3 June.

I represented the United Kingdom at the Council of Energy Ministers on 3 June.The Council discussed the Chernobyl nuclear accident. It emphasised the importance of learning lessons from the accident both internationally and within the Community. It agreed that the appropriate forum for action was the International Atomic Energy Agency. Co-ordination between the Community and its member states should take place within the framework of discussions at the IAEA. It noted that the Commission intended to place a communication before the Council shortly on the consequences of the Chernobyl accident.Considerable progress was made on the draft regulation establishing a new regime governing the payment of state aids to the coal industry. The only outstanding point concerns the duration of the proposed regime. Once that is settled the Community will have an agreed mechanism enabling the Government to give support to the coal industry for some years ahead. This is an essential condition to bringing the coal industry to economic viability. The Council was unable to agree the proposed Community energy objectives for 1995. I regret that Denmark was not able to accept the wording of the Community's objectives.The Council agreed the adoption of the draft resolution on the Community orientation to develop new and renewable energy sources, subject to the comments of the European Parliament. This is a useful endorsement of the value of renewable energy sources where they are competitive.The Council had a further discussion on the oil market situation. It invited the Commission to continue to monitor developments in the market and keep the Council informed. The Community would continue to work towards promoting the opening up of the other major industrial markets so that exports of Middle East refined products are not unduly concentrated on the Community alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions, and in which years, and in what amounts, plutonium from British Nuclear Fuels Limited operated reactors at Calder Hall—Chapel Cross has been submitted to (a) EURATOM safeguards and (b) International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

[pursuant to the reply, 13 June 1986, c. 343]: When United Kingdom civil nuclear plutonium became subject to Euratom safeguards in January 1973 the initial declared inventory included material in Calder Hall—Chapel Cross origin then being used in civil research and development work.A similar situation obtained in August 1978 when the initial inventory of plutonium subject to the United Kingdom/Euratom/IAEA agreement was declared. Since safeguards were introduced, there have been two additional occasions on which plutonium, in greater than gramme quantities, of Calder Hall—Chapel Cross origin has been submitted for inclusion on the inventory of safeguarded material in the United Kingdom; 545kg in February 1984 and 1·5kg in March 1986. Additionally there has been a number of occasions when quantities of less than one gramme have been submitted for inclusion into the safeguarded inventory.The current situation is that more than 1½ tonnes plutonium of Calder Hall—Chapel Cross origin are subject to international safeguards arrangement. This includes some 700kg exported by BNFL. The balance is held by the UKAEA and BNFL.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money he plans to make available for in-service training of teachers of the deaf.

The Government intend that support from public funds for the provision of training for teachers of the deaf should continue at a level sufficient to assure the supply of such teachers. The student numbers now allocated to courses of initial teacher training in special educational needs will be transferred to in-service training when intakes to those courses cease. The costs to local authorities who send teachers for in-service training are currently supported through arrangements for the pooling among local authorities of in-service teacher training costs.

Leavers from maintained schools in Hampshire
	Academic year
	1979–80 Thousands	1980–81 Thousands	1981–82 Thousands	1982–83 Thousands	1983–84 Thousands	1984–85 Thousands
Total leavers	22·45	23·04	23·20	22·72	24·20	22·36
Number attempting O level in:
English	9·64	10·06	10·60	9·97	11·40	10·03
Mathematics	6·46	7·10	7·57	7·61	8·59	8·03
A science	7·68	8·03	8·82	8·17	9·21	8·34
A modern language	3·54	3·70	4·13	3·76	4·02	3·75

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Bureau for Handicapped Students concerning representations on the proposed National Council for Vocational Qualifications; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend received on 4 June a letter dated 28 May from the National Bureau for Handicapped Students. The letter called for specific responsibility to be given to one member of the proposed Council for reviewing the needs of people with special needs arising from disability, learning difficulty, and emotional problems. I replied to the letter on 11 June, replying at the same time to a similar letter sent to my right hon. and noble Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment; I am sending a copy of my letter to the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many children, expressed as a percentage of the total number leaving at 16, leave school at 16 (a) with no O-levels or CSEs and (b) with no O-levels and CSE grades 4 and below;(2) if he will give the number of children who have taken O-levels in Hampshire, in what subjects and how many have passed, in the last five years;(3) if he will give the number of children in Hampshire who have undertaken the CSE examination in the last five years, indicating subjects taken.

[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986, c. 383]: Information is not available in exactly the form requested. It is estimated that in 1984–85 13·1 per cent. of pupils who left English maintained secondary schools during their minimum school leaving age year had not obtained any graded results in O-levels or CSE examinations. A further 48·4 per cent. achieved one or more results at lower grade(s)† only. On the same basis the percentages for leavers from maintained schools in Hampshire were 8·2 per cent. and 47·8 per cent. respectively.Information on the number of school leavers, of all ages, from Hampshire maintained schools who attempted, and achieved higher graded O-level/CSE results in, specified subjects or combinations of subjects are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what police resources from the 'L' Division arc being deployed at Wapping.

The number of officers deployed in policing the News International dispute at Wapping varies from day to day and hour to hour, according to the operational requirement. I understand from the Commissioner that on Saturday 14 June, 42 officers from `L' District performed duty at Wapping totalling approximately 462 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to introduce legislation to amend or repeal the Immigration Act 1971; and if he will make a statement.

The Immigration Act 1971 provides the necessary framework for firm control over immigration. The Government believe that to repeal the Act would be irresponsible and damaging to community relations.As my right hon. Friend announced on 23 January, at col.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the legal powers available to protect private landowners from reckless intruders.

We are urgently considering whether some further strengthening of the criminal law is required to protect private landowners from trespassers, and shall not hesitate to introduce any necessary changes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made so far in connection with the current trades dispute at Wapping; if he will give a breakdown of (a) the charges laid against those arrested, (b) the number of charges that have subsequently been dropped, (c) bail conditions imposed by magistrates and (d) the number of convictions that there have been; and what sentences have ensued.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1986, c. 12]: I understand from the commissioner that, up to 9 June, 918 people had been arrested in connection with this dispute. Of these, 799 were charged with various offences ranging from threatening behaviour to grievous bodily harm. No charges have been dropped. Bail conditions have included undertakings not to go within a certain distance of the News International plant, and conditions of residence.Up to 9 June, 474 people had been convicted of offences in connection with the dispute. The sentences included conditional discharges, fines and imprisonment. The highest sentence of imprisonment was 21 days.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne) of 17 June, if she will give the terms of reference of the review of ethnic minorities in the armed forces; when it was established; by whom it is being conducted; from whom it has received evidence; and if the results will be published.

The possibility of introducing ethnic monitoring to the Armed Forces is being considered as part of their routine duties by those in the Ministry of Defence who are responsible for Service personnel policies and practices. This review is nearing completion. An announcement on this matter will be made in due course.

asked the Prime Minister if there are any plans to reallocate ministerial responsibilities in relation to sport within the Department of the Environment.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects a final decision to be made on the operation of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The cereals coresponsibility levy applies from 1 July to this season's Community grain which undergoes first processing, is exported or is sold into intervention. The operation of the levy in the United Kingdom will be governed by Commission regulations which are expected to be finalised shortly. These will be supplemented by a Statutory Instrument which will he laid before the House as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the operation of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom.

I have received representations from many different sources. I and my officials are in close consultation with the interested trade organisations on how best to operate the levy in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he expects to be the yield of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom; and what the yield would be if the levy were extended (a) to all cereals used in animal feed and (b) to all cereals grown in the United Kingdom.

It is not possible to predict the yield of the cereals co-responsibility levy in the United Kingdom as this will depend on the size of the harvest and the proportion of that harvest which is processed, exported outside the Community, or put into intervention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the proportion (a) of total cereals produced in the United Kingdom and (b) of cereals used in animal feed which will be liable for co-responsibility levy; and if he will give information on equivalent figures for the European Community.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what point in the production process the cereals co-responsibility levy will be applied; and what cereals will he exempt from the levy.

The cereals co-responsibility levy will be collected on Community grown cereals which either undergo first processing, are exported outside the Community or are bought into intervention. Cereals owned by traders or processors and in store on 30 June 1986 from harvests prior to 1986 will be exempt from levy if an exemption certificate is claimed before 7 July. Cereals imported from outside the Community and cereals sold out of intervention will also be exempt from levy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to implement section 40 of the Medicines Act 1968 as amended by section 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984.

The powers afforded by section 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 have already been used to take the first steps to improve controls over the manufacture, sale supply or import of medicated animal feedingstuffs. Statutory consultation is now in progress on further proposals which will simplify the labelling requirements. We now propose to seek the views of representative organisations on the principal measures. Their content has been under discussion with representative organisations for some two and a half years and I believe there is now a large measure of agreement on them. We hope to implement them within two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce the free issue of contraceptive sheaths to patients at National Health Service family planning clinics as a protective measure against the spread of HTLV-III virus; and if he will make a statement.

Professional opinions differ about the desirability of making sheaths available in genito-urinary medicine clinics for the control of HTLV-III virus. However, the matter is under careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of modern techniques of management of diabetics, he will include blood glucose test strips in the limited list so that these can be prescribed by general practitioners for their National Health Service diabetic patients.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health on 25 March at column 775.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what plans he has to make the standards of assessment and prescription of wheelchairs more consistent;(2) what is his estimate of the number of disabled people using unsuitable or unsafe wheelchairs.

The models of wheelchair issued by the Department meet standards of stability and durability and other safety requirements such as fire retardancy, and none is inherently unsafe. The suitability of a wheelchair for a particular individual is a matter of professional judgment. In reaching decisions about the recommendations of the McColl report I shall have in mind the scope for improving assessment and prescribing practices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to introduce a low-cost, low-performance wheelchair into the range in the near future.

An initial order has been placed for one new model of lower-cost pushchair for occasional users and arrangements are being made for its introduction and evaluation in use.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the back-up services for wheelchair users.

We are actively exploring ways of improving these services in the light of the McColl report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is satisfied with the competition between the British companies which manufacture artificial limbs;(2) how many British firms supply artificial limbs to amputees in the United Kingdom.

Seven British firms supply artificial limbs in the United Kingdom. The Department is currently consulting the industry about a number of matters including contractual arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what complaints he has recently received about the artificial limb and appliance centre services; and what response he has made.

Twenty three specific complaints have been received by Ministers since 1 January and answered individually. No central record is kept of complaints made direct to centres. The figure does not include some 50 written responses to our invitation to comment on the McColl report or other suggestions for the development of the services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of people who have attended the artificial limb and appliance centres in each of the last five years.

The following figures refer to patient attendances at artificial limb and appliance centres in England:

Year	Attendances
1981	183,840
1982	191,820
1983	195,800
1984	192,650
1985	189,730

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to make a statement in response of the McColl report on artificial limbs and appliance centre services.

I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) on Monday 16 June at column 460.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what is the cost over the most recent period of 12 months for which figures are available of unemployment and other benefits related to unemployment in Portsmouth.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that officials of his Department promulgate the position regarding the right to supplementary benefit for Easter school leavers as set out in the answer to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, 12 June, Official Report, column 303, in advice to potential claimants and in interviews and briefings with the media; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member's question and my reply to him on 12 June at column 303 referred to the benefit entitlement of young people leaving school at Whitsun and not to those who left school at Easter. The Chief Adjudication Officer's guidance for adjudication officers in local offices on the entitlement of school leavers in general to supplementary benefit is contained in the published "S Manual" paragraphs 2251–2292. Advice on Easter school leavers in particular is contained in circular S51/85.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what resources he is providing for the study of childhood cancers.

The Department supports the Childhood Cancer Research Group based at the Radcliffe infirmary, Oxford on the basis of a six-year rolling contract. The Group's financial allocation in 1986–87 amounts to £153,600 to which the Scottish Home and Health Department will contribute 10 per cent. The Department is also providing financial support in 1986–87 for the following research projects:

1. Case Control Study of Leukaemia and Lymphoma in Young People in West Cumbria—£19,800.

2. Birth Cohort Study in West Cumbria—£1,873.

3. Analysis of Cancer Incidence in Young People in Small Areas—£44,000.

Additionally the Department is giving £368,000 in 1986–87 to provide nursing support for trials in childhood leukaemia carried out by the Medical Research Council.The Medical Research Council is the major Government-funded body supporting cancer research, including research into childhood cancers. It receives its annual grant-in-aid from the Science Vote of the Department of Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the report on medical aspects of radiation from the Committee looking at the incidence of cancer near Sellafield.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South-West (Mr. Madel) on 18 February at column 115.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies he is making of the British Medical Association's report on alternative medicine; and if he will make a statement about the provision of alternative medicine on the National Health Service.

The Department is considering the Report of the British Medical Association's board of science working party on alternative therapy. Medical practitioners in the National Health Service can offer to use any form of treatment, including alternative therapies, which they consider to be in the interests of their patients and which they feel competent to provide.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to reduce waiting lists, particularly for surgery.

We have made it clear that the reduction of waiting times for operations is a priority for both the National Health Service Management Board and for health authorities. We expect to issue further guidance on the subject shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the recommendations of (a) the Acheson report on the distribution of health services resources and (b) the Black report on inequalities in health provision have now been implemented.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 12 December 1985 at columns 767–68 and to my predicessor's reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Eastham) on 14 May 1985 at column 110.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what he estimates will be the expenditure under his new system of maternity payments for low income families additional to current expenditure on supplementary benefit single payments for maternity needs;(2) what estimates he is able to make of the overall effect on public expenditure of the abolition of the maternity grant.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1986, c. 302]: I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Lady on 20 May at column 166.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage change there has been in the revenue allocation to the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley special health authority in the last six years.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1986, c. 302]: Revenue expenditure by the Bethlem and Maudsley special health authority increased by 125·9 per cent. in cash terms between 1978–79 and 1984–85, representing an increase in real terms of 27·2 per cent., after taking account of general inflation as measured by the gross domestic product deflator. This increase includes additional revenue allocated to the health authority over several years for the development of its interim secure unit and district services unit, which provide services for the South East Thames regional health authority. The revenue allocation to the SHA was £16·9 million in 1985–86 and £18 million in 1986–87. The SHA has recently been allocated a further £87,000 as part of the £50 million addition to health authority cash limits in England following the pay awards to review body staff announced recently.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all road construction contracts which his Department intends to award in 1986–87, showing in each case the total value of the contract and the expenditure likely to be incurred in that year.

The information requested is set out below. The national road construction contracts actually let in 1986–87 may differ somewhat from this list, depending on the progress of outstanding statutory and other procedures. Other schemes not listed may start in 1986–87 if progress with their procedures is faster than currently expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) officials and (b) Ministers from his Department gave evidence to Commons Select Committees in each of the Sessions (i) 1983–84 and (ii) 1984–85.

Eight officials and three Ministers from my Department gave evidence to Commons Select Committees in the 1983–84 Session, and 21 officials and three Ministers in the 1984–85 Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will reconsider his decision not to provide a roundabout on the junction of the A6 trunk road and Church road, Streatley, in the light of recent accidents in that area.

I am satisfied that the decision was correct. The junction conforms with current design standards, and the provision of a roundabout cannot be justified by the one personal injury accident reported in the last three years.There have since 1983 been six personal injury accidents at the junction of the A6 with Sharpenhoe road, Streatley just to the south of Church road. The accidents occurred at night, and five involved vehicles turning right from Sharpenhoe road onto the AO. Lighting was installed on this section of the A6 earlier this year which should contribute to increased safety at the junction. Bedfordshire county council is also proposing to prohibit all vehicular turning movements from the side road onto the trunk road, although I understand that there have been objections to the draft Statutory Order.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of his Department's study of the compliance of bridges with the standards laid down in BD21/84, the assessment of highway bridges and structures.

The results of the sample survey, which will provide information on the extent of compliance of public road bridges owned by local authorities, railways and British Waterways, are expected to be available this summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that when his officals check the telecommunications system at Rothersthorpe service station on the southbound carriageway of the M1 motorway particular attention is paid to telephone numbers Northampton 830668, 830185 and 830585.

My officials have now checked these telephones, two of which were found not to be working. The operator has agreed to inform the Department of progress by British Telecom in restoring the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the road traffic law review.

The review is currently taking evidence and hopes to produce its final report around the turn of the year. We would expect to publish it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to encourage more motorway drivers to drive on the nearside lanes of motorways by a publicity campaign and appropriate motorway signs.

The Department takes every opportunity to remind motorists that they should use the outer lanes on motorways for overtaking only and return to the nearside lane as soon as it is safe to do so.A total of 23 million leaflets on lane discipline have been issued with vehicle excise duty documents. We plan to issue a further 9 million this year. Experimental "keep left" signs have been installed on the M1. Their impact is to be monitored.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to the passenger transport authorities on future levels of expenditure.

Although I do not intend to determine expenditure levels for 1987–88 formally under the Rates Act 1984 for the Passenger Transport Authorities until July, certain of the authorities have asked me for provisional and informal early guidance on likely levels of expenditure for 1987–88 and 1988–89. Accordingly my Department has today written to each PTA with such guidance, and I have arranged for copies of those letters to be available in the House of Commons Library. This guidance is intended simply to give the authorities an indication of the order of expenditure which appears in the light of present information to be consistent with the Government's policy objectives. The authorities will of course have full opportunities to submit their views on the appropriate levels of expenditure under the normal procedures laid down by the Rates Act, and I will give very careful consideration to any such views at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of (a) projects, (b) manufacturing jobs (c) service jobs and (d) enterprise grants, promoted by local enterprise development units in each local enterprise development unit region since 1980–81 and the average cost per job.

Government assistance to small businesses in Northern Ireland is channelled through a single organisation, the Local Enterprise Development Unit. LEDU operates on an area basis with offices in Londonderry, Newry, Omagh and Belfast, where its headquarters is also situated.The following table sets out the numbers of

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, by country of origin, the firms in receipt of Government assistance that have opened or closed in Northern Ireland for the period for which data is available.

The following list shows firms (142 in all) which opened in the period 1972 to 1985 with assistance from the Industrial Development Board or its predecessor, the Department of Commerce. Those asterisked subsequently closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received from the British paint industry as to standards applied to protective paints for bridges and similar steel structures; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to replyInternational Paint wrote to me on 19 May proposing that the Department's specification be amended to permit the use of new paint system that require fewer coats. I have asked for full details so that the technical and economical merits of the proposal can be thoroughly examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he will take steps to require private forestry companies to include recreational provision in any large scale planting scheme which benefits from forestry planting grants;(2) whether he will make it his policy to adopt an integrated approach to agriculture and forestry in the uplands and lowlands of the United Kingdom;(3) whether he has any plans to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss alternative methods in controlling forestay planting;(4) if he will publish in the

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider setting up a system of national financial support for forestry industry projects.

No. The Government make available regional development grants and regional selective assistance in suitable cases to firms in the manufacturing or service sectors which invest in the assisted areas. The Government's policy concentrates resources on the areas of greatest need, in particular those with the highest rates of unemployment. Projects of particular national importance and benefit can, in exceptional cases, receive assistance regardless of location within the United Kingdom. In addition the Scottish Development Agency and Highlands and Islands Development Board can offer help and advice for new projects within their respective areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Forestry Commission, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the National Farmers' Union and other interested parties to discuss the objectives of Her Majesty's Government's upland land use policies.