asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the European Community Labour and Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 5 June.

I represented the United Kingdom at this Council. The Council agreed the directive on equal treatment in occupational social security schemes, the recommendation on the employment of the disabled and the resolution on the promotion of equal opportunities for women. A new joint United Kingdom, Irish and Italian paper on the labour market was tabled for discussion and welcomed by the Council.The agreement on the directive for equal treatment between men and women in employers' pensions or sick pay schemes is a major step forward in giving women valuable financial security on terms which are fair in comparison with those available to men. It will prohibit discrimination between men and women in the conditions of membership of schemes, in the level of contributions and subject to certain exceptions in the level and type of benefit. The United Kingdom Government wish to encourage and support the provision of good occupational schemes to workers and welcomes the directive for the important part it will play in ensuring that these schemes throughout the Community look after women workers as successfully as their male colleagues.The United Kingdom Government welcome the recommendation on the employment of the disabled which encourages member states to adopt measures promoting fair employment and training opportunities for disabled people. The Government also welcome the fact that agreement on the terms of the resolution has been reached so rapidly. United Kingdom policy and practice is already consistent with the terms of the resolution.I was also pleased to support the resolution on the second action programme to promote equal opportunities for women. I particularly welcome the attention which it gives to education and training policies which can expand women's occupational choice and encourage their entry into new technology jobs and entrepreneurship. The United Kingdom is already implementing a number of the measures suggested in the programme and will continue to promote equality of opportunity.The joint United Kingdom, Irish and Italian paper on "Employment growth into the 1990s—a strategy for the labour market"—was tabled as forecast in my earlier reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) of 3 June, at columns 423–24. The paper, which proposes measures in four main areas— promoting enterprise and self-employment; flexible patterns and conditions of work; training; and steps to help long-term unemployed people—was welcomed by the Council, which agreed to continue its work on the paper during the United Kingdom presidency, particularly at the informal meeting of EC Employment Ministers in September. It remains our aim to secure the adoption of an employment strategy along the lines of the paper later this year.The Council also discussed a presidency note on the long-term unemployed. On behalf of the United Kingdom Government I was able to support its conclusions aimed towards giving more priority to the problems of long-term unemployed people. We will be looking to take the proposals in the paper forward in the United Kingdom presidency within the context of an overall labour market strategy.In a discussion on the so-called Vredling directive, the Council reached conclusions recalling their earlier view that before further progress on the directive could be made a solution had to be found to the fundamental problems posed by the fact that in some member states the issue was essentially one for voluntary agreements between employers and employees. The Council concluded that it would not hold further discussions on the draft directive before the beginning of 1989, but that in the meantime the Commission should be invited to follow closely developments in the member states.The Council was unable to reach agreement on the draft directive on equal treatment for self-employed women and on proscribing certain carcinogens. In the latter case the United Kingdom Government would have been prepared to support a text proposed by the presidency, but other countries had fundamental objections to it. In the former case the United Kingdom shared the reservations attached by the Republic of Ireland relating to the establishment of an unsuitable legal framework for the employment status of those who assist their spouses in the running of their businesses.Finally, the Commission stated its view to the Council that in view of the lack of progress on the draft directive on parental leave, the Council would instead put forward proposals for a series of actions in the area of sharing family and occupational responsibilities.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list those forms, leaflets and pamphlets published by his Department that are available either in a Welsh language or a bilingual Welsh-English version.

My Department currently produces a total of 22 forms, two leaflets and seven posters in the Welsh language.

asked the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood on 26 March, Official Report, column 469, what progress is being made towards establishment of the Crown prosecution service in England and Wales; when he now expects the Director of Public Prosecutions to promulgate to Crown prosecutors the code provided for by section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985; if he has any plans to seek to alter the constitutional relationship between himself and the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what will be the relative status of the code and the existing guidelines for prosecution promulgated by the Attorney-General in March 1983.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department made a commencement order last week which will have the effect of bringing the Crown prosecution service into operation in those parts of England and Wales where it is not already established on 1 October 1986. The Director of Public Prosecutions is today issuing to members of the Crown prosecution service the code for Crown prosecutors required by section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The code reaffirms and expands my earlier guidance so as to provide a public statement of the fundamental principles according to which the Crown prosecution service will discharge the duties placed upon it by Parliament as well as its policies on the specific matters mentioned in section 10.By providing clear and open criteria as the basis for decisions by crown prosecutors, the code complements the director's accountability to me. I am, of course, in turn accountable to Parliament. However, the constitutional position of the director in relation to Her Majesty's Government will be unaffected. Prosecution policy is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government; such prosecution policies as the Director of Public Prosecutions may adopt are a matter for his independent judgment, subject only to superintendence by me in my capacity as a Law Officer and not as a member of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list those forms, leaflets and pamphlets used in the courts of Wales which are available in the Welsh language or in a bilingual Welsh-English format.

The forms listed are currently available in Welsh. All other forms, leaflets and pamphlets can be translated into Welsh on request. Additionally, a bilingual notice is attached to county court summonses that a Welsh translation will be provided on request.

	Form
County Court Forms
N1	Default summons (Fixed Amount)
N2	Default summons (Unliquidated)
N3	Fixed date summons (pre-trial review)
N9	Forms of admission, defence and counterclaim to accompany Forms N1, 2, 3, 4
N18	Notice of reference to arbitration
N19	Order referring proceedings to arbitration
N232	Notice to parties of day fixed for hearing
N233	Notice to parties of day fixed for pre-trial review or for giving instructions
Divorce County Court Forms
D8	Divorce Petition—notes for guidance
D8A	Statement as to arrangements for children
D8(2)	Notice of Proceedings—Party other than Spouse

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the loss of an Army Gazelle helicopter in the Falkland Islands on 6 June 1982.

I will set out, as fully as is possible at this distance in time, the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Gazelle.2. On 6 June 1982, night flying conditions were excellent with a clear sky and a prominent moon and a wind speed of some 20 knots. There is no evidence of any restrictions on night flying. The Gazelle was flying from 5 Brigade headquarters, at Darwin, to Pleasant Peak, a distance of some 19 nautical miles. A radio rebroadcast station had been established there the previous day in order to provide a communications link between the headquarters and the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment which had reached Fitzroy. There were problems with this link, and the Gazelle was taking spares and the officer commanding the Signals Squadron and a technician to investigate. It had been intended that the flight would go on to Fitzroy and then return to Darwin the next day. The helicopter's identification friend or foe (IFF) was switched off because it had been established that at that time the use of this equipment caused interference with other weapons systems critical to the battle. Five Brigade was in contact with the Gazelle until it was shot down, and those at the rebroadcast site saw an explosion and reported it to the headquarters almost immediately. It cannot now be ascertained with certainty whether any unit other than 5 Brigade was aware at that time of the helicopter's flight. At first light a search was mounted and the wreckage found. The two aircrew and two passengers were found to have been killed.3. On the same day, 6 June, suspicions arose that the helicopter had been shot down by a Sea Dart missile fired from HMS Cardiff; but these suspicions fell well short of certainty, and indeed the situation was confused. The eastward advance of our forces through East Falkland was still in progress at the time, and the initial reaction to the loss of the helicopter was that there could still be Argentinians in the area. An investigation on the ground was unable to determine with finality whether Argentinian action or the missile from HMS Cardiff was responsible. In the circumstances of continuing operations it was decided that a board of inquiry was not required, and the helicopter was reported as lost in action. In view of the doubts about the cause, the commanders at the time understandably took the view that it would be wrong to add to the grief of the relatives by telling them that the Gazelle might have been lost as a result of an error on their own side.4. After the conflict the investigation into the loss of the Gazelle was continued, and a study of missile fragments found in the wreckage commenced at the Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough in 1982. The coincidence of the Sea Dart firing and the Gazelle's loss at the same time and in the same vicinity had been noted, and a Sea Dart missile casing had later been found several hundred yards from the wreckage. However, the scientific tests by RAE in 1982 led to the conclusion that the missile fragments were not from a Sea Dart.5. Drawing on this work, the Army Air Corps submitted evidence in December 1982 to the Southampton coroner who held the inquest into the death of one of those killed whose body had been repatriated. It was stated that scientific analysis of warhead fragments found in the wreckage indicated that the aircraft had been destroyed by an anti-aircraft missile of a type known to have been in the possession of the enemy. It is now known that this was not correct, and the coroner has been informed accordingly.6. Since 1982 work has continued on the lessons of the conflict, and this led to the scientific evidence being assessed afresh. A review was carried out by RAE Farnborough in the latter part of 1985 of the findings of the 1982 tests by RAE to which I have referred. The 1985 review, which was completed in November, concluded that there could be no definitive conclusion as to the exact source of the missile fragments recovered from the crash site. This led the Ministry of Defence to conclude in the light of all the available evidence that the Sea Dart missile fired by HMS Cardiff must be adjudged the probable cause of the loss of the helicopter.7. The question whether the relatives of those killed in the Gazelle should be told of the conclusions drawn from the revised assessment was given very careful consideration. The prime concern was to minimise the additional distress which such news would cause; however it was concluded that they should be informed, and this was done on 23 May.8. With the benefit of hindsight, and divorced from the pressures of war, it is arguable that the 1982 decision not to hold a formal inquiry into the loss of the Gazelle was mistaken. Regarding the question whether the relatives of those killed should have been told earlier that the helicopter might have been lost through action by our own side, the deep concern of the Ministry of Defence has been not to cause further anguish to relatives until the facts were clear. We are very sorry indeed for any additional distress that the relatives have suffered.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom permanent representative in NATO is authorised to agree policy matters on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

The principal NATO committees, including the North Atlantic Council and the defence planning committee, meet both in permanent and ministerial session. The United Kingdom's permanent representative represents Her Majesty's Government's policy to NATO in meetings in permanent session, acting on instructions as necessary, and is responsible to United Kingdom Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what machinery exists within the NATO Alliance for deciding about the use of chemical weapons in war.

No chemical weapons are declared to NATO and no machinery has been established within

	Royal Navy		Army		Royal Air Force
Administrative discharge	7		23		24
Dismissal/Dismissal* with disgrace	5		6		3
Court martialled†	3		19		3
Summary trial†	7		—		—
Prison sentence	‡6		||11		||3
	Detention	Prison	Detention	Prison	Detention	Prison
Minimum sentence days	28 days (suspended)	—	56 days	2 years	70 days	90 days
Maximum sentence	90 days	—	9 months	6 years	84 days	90 days
Average sentence	42 days	—	4 months	4 years	77 days	90 days
* The term "dishonourable discharge" does not exist in the British Armed Forces; it is assumed that dismissal and dismissal with disgrace are referred to.
† Figures refer to number of cases brought, not to the number of convictions.
‡ Relates to detention in Royal Navy detention quarters only.
|| Includes military detention and civil prison sentences.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the deployment of chemical warheads for cruise missiles in the United Kingdom will require the prior approval of Her Majesty's Government;(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the NATO force goal that includes modernisation of the United States share of a NATO chemical deterrent.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the right hon. Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies) on 28 April 1986 at column 665 and 15 May 1986 at column 546.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces in 1985 were disciplined on the ground of male or female homosexuality; under what military regulations they were charged and disciplined; of the total number disciplined in that year, how many were (a) discharged administratively, (b) dishonourably discharged, (c) court-martialled and (d) given military prison sentences; and, in these cases, what was the minimum, maximum and average length of sentence, respectively.

No member of the services is disciplined purely on the ground of being a homosexual. If an individual has committed no offence, he will usually be administratively discharged, which is not a disciplinary procedure. However, homosexual practice is an offence under each Service Discipline Act, and may lead to administrative discharge for action under the Acts, which may result in dismissal or imprisonment.I refer the hon. Member to the statistics for 1981–84 given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement on 8 March 1985 at column

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Commission for Racial Equality regarding alleged racial discrimination in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

There have been a number of contacts between officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Commission for Racial Equality. These contacts which were of a routine nature, related to general race relations policies and practices in the armed forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to require Royal Navy personnel to contribute to the cost of their meals when on beard ship; and if he will make a statement.

There are no such plans. As discussed at paragraphs 79 to 82 of the review body's 15th report, Cmnd. 9784, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body will be considering the overall remuneration package for those at sea in a future review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those leaflets, pamphlets and forms published by his Department for use in Wales which are printed in Welsh or in a bilingual Welsh-English format.

No leaflets, pamphlets or forms, published by the Ministry of Defence, are printed in Welsh or in a bilingual Welsh-English format.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what response the United Kingdom has made to the latest United Nations exercise on the reduction of military budgets; and how this compares with the record of Warsaw Pact countries.

The United Kingdom has replied to the questionnaire on military expenditure issued by the UN this year, as it has done every year since 1982. None of the Warsaw Pact nations has provided any input, with the sole exception of Romania which provided a response, albeit an incomplete one, for the first time last year. This refusal by most of the Warsaw Pact to participate is most regrettable.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his policy to seek a mandate for the ad hoc committee of the conference on disarmament at Geneva to commence the negotiation of a comprehensive test ban treaty.

I have been asked to reply.As we have made clear on numerous occasions, it would be premature to resume negotiations until progress has been made in resolving verification issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the specific ways in which Her Majesty's Government are working towards the achievement of a test ban treaty.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 May, Official Report, column 542, if he will list any discussions Her Majesty's Government have held with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since January 1980 on the absence of any effective verification procedures for a comprehensive test ban treaty.

I have been asked to reply.We have discussed arms control matters, including nuclear testing issues, with the Soviet Government on a number of occasions, most recently when my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) saw Mr. Karpov on 18 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 May, Official Report, column 542, if Her Majesty's Government are currently holding any discussions with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in pursuit of Her Majesty's Government's wish to find a way to eliminate nuclear weapons as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. and learned Friend will have an opportunity to discuss the broad ranges of arms control issues, including current nuclear arms control negotiations, when the Soviet Foreign Minister visits the United Kingdom on 14–15 July. However, as my right hon. and learned Friend said in a speech to the Foreign Press Association on 17 March, nuclear weapons will continue for the foreseeable future to make an essential contribution to preserving peace.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer given on 13 May, Official Report, column 542, if Her Majesty's Government plan to hold any discussions with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the absence of effective verification measures for a comprehensive test ban treaty and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.As my right hon. and learned Friend has informed the House, the Soviet Foreign Minister will be visiting the United Kingdom on 14–15 May and we expect the discussion will cover a wide range of issues including arms control.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the further measures on verification that are required of the Soviet Union in order that progress can be achieved on a comprehensive test ban.

I have been asked to reply.It is not possible to specify the measures that might be required in advance of further discussion at the conference on disarmament, which we favour.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, when Her Majesty's ships are in port in Great Britain or within the three mile limit video recording cannot be played where the recording system is one relayed from a central source whereas they can be played if the playback is of an individual system; if he will take steps to permit video recordings to be played back on board Her Majesty's ships at all times, irrespective of the source of the playing back; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1986, c. 579]: Because individuals are not permitted to bring personal video recorders on board Her Majesty's ships, the ship's own public system is the only means of showing video recordings. There is a unique and very advantageous arrangement between the Royal Naval Film Corporation and the film distributors, which allows the screening of very recent releases at low cost over the ships' systems, where they do not compete with normal commercial outlets. This arrangement is of great benefit to the Navy as a whole, and we certainly wish to continue to honour it; but under its terms it is not generally possible to allow video recordings of commercial films to be played back over the ships' system while in port, or at anchor less than two miles from a commercial cinema.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials for whom he has responsibility currently have the power to enter and search premises, subject to statutory conditions: and, in each case, if he will indicate the statutory authority under which power is exercised.

I shall be writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether live ammunition will be issued to members of the armed forces for the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.

It is not intended that members of the armed forces undertaking ceremonial duties in connection with the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew will be issued with live ammunition.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total estimated cost to his Department of providing security and ceremonial services at the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.

I shall answer shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces will be engaged in duties connected with the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.

On present estimates some 1,600.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs will be dependent on the Trident project programme in 1988.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 25]: In 1988 the number of job opportunities created by the Trident programme in United Kingdom industry will be nearly at its estimated peak of 27,000, including over 2,000 construction jobs on the Clyde. In addition, some 11,000 civilians are presently employed by the Ministry of Defence on nuclear weapons-related activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of gross domestic product will be spent on the defence programme in 1988–89 compared with 1978–79 and 1985–86.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 28]: The information requested is as follows:

	per cent.
1978–79	4·3
1985–86	5·1
1988–89	4·4

The calculations are based on the following figures:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the technical problems delaying the SP70 howitzer's entry into service; and when he expects them to be overcome.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 25]: The main problem faced is the reliability of the equipment in particular in the areas of the turret and ammunition handling system. A review of the programme is currently being undertaken to determine the best way ahead. This is being pursued as a matter of urgency but it is not possible to say when decisions will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the precise dates of the concept stage, of the feasibility study stage, of the project definition stage, and of the full development stage of the SP70 155 mm howitzer; and if he will list the specific reasons of the delay at each stage.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 25]: Because it is a collaborative project, SP70 does not fit exactly into the framework in the question. The main milestones in its history are:

Date	Activity	Remarks
1969	Start of collaborative studies
1970	Start of formal project study
1973	Start of Phase A development	Design changes to overcome deficiencies in meeting the required performance.
1977	Phase A development suspended	Difficulties in meeting the operational requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to convert further VC10 aircraft to tankers; and what is the reason for the delay.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 25]: We plan to invite competitive bids for the conversion of further VC10 aircraft to tankers in the first half of 1987. The aircraft are not required to enter service until the early 1990s and the question of delay does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how long is the delay on the Tucano basic trainer programme; and what is the reason for it.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 25]: There will he a few months' delay in the delivery of the first aircraft but it is hoped to recover most of the slippage later in the delivery programme. The delay has occurred because the initial phases of the programme took a little longer than expected and there was an industrial dispute which is now resolved. There are no technical problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has introduced into the torpedo programme to increase competition.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 26]: We insist on the maximum use of competition at subcontractor level and we monitor contracts to ensure that this is effectively achieved. We also plan to go to competitive tender for future torpedo production orders, starting with Spearfish which is now under development.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Procurement Executive; how many are civilians; and how many have service personnel.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 27]: At 1 May 1986 the number of people working in the Procurement Executive was 36,138 civilian personnel and 1,527 service personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the operation of the Procurement Executive management board.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 27]: Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence who are the members of the Procurement Executive management board.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 27]: The membership of the Procurement Executive management board is as follows:

• Chief of Defence Procurement—Chairman
• Controller, R&D Establishments, Research and Nuclear Controller of the Navy
• Master General of the Ordnance
• Controller Aircraft
• Head of Defence Export Services
• Deputy Under Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
• Deputy Under Secretary of State (Finance)
• Deputy Under Secretary of State (Civilian Management)
• Director of Procurement Policy—Secretary
• In Attendance: Director General of Defence Contracts

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many secondments there have been both inwards and outwards in 1985–86 from the Procurement Executive.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 27]: The figures for Procurement Executive secondments inwards and outwards for 1985–86, excluding Royal Ordnance plc, were as follows:

	Number
Outward	87
Inward	52

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the equipment programmes in which he is experiencing management or contractual difficulties; and if he will specify what precise steps he is taking to overcome them.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 27]: The cost of the MOD equipment programme is currently running at some £8·5 billion a year, and we have extant at any one time some 100,000 contracts. Clearly, in a programme of this size, it would not be possible to answer the question without totally disproportionate effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on white salt is to be published; and if he will make a statement.

The report is published today.The commission found that the market shares of Imperial Chemical Industries plc and British Salt Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Staveley Industries plc, constitute a monopoly situation in relation to the supply of white salt. The commission also found that the lack of price competition in the United Kingdom and the pricing of white salt in the United Kingdom market are attributable to this monopoly situation and operate against the public interest.The commission has concluded that British Salt has chosen to follow the price increases of ICI, despite significant cost differences between the two companies which favour British Salt as the lower cost producer. Although the commission did not consider that the procedure for determining prices amounted to collusion, in its view it has resulted in a restraint of competition and domestic price increases made by the two companies being greater than they would have been with effective competition.The commission found evidence of significant existing barriers to entry in the market, and discovered several factors suggesting, when taken together, that new entry on a significant scale was unlikely: notably the advantages conferred by economies of scale, the length of time needed to develop boreholes, existing mineral rights and the present degree of excess capacity which favour the established producers. The commission, however, finds no evidence to suggest that the companies have excluded potential competitors through uncompetitive practices.As there appears to be little likelihood of the adverse effect on prices being remedied by new entrants or competition from imports, the commission has recommended a system of price control intended to break the link between the price increases of British Salt and ICI's costs, but without depriving either company of the incentive to improve efficiency.The commission recommends that prices should be controlled by reference to increases in a weighted index of production costs. However, the commission considers that it would be both impracticable and unnecessary to exercise direct control of both companies' prices either by a single composite index or by a separate index for each company. The application of price controls to British Salt alone—as the commission recommends — would effectively ensure that no competitor can raise prices beyond the levels charged by British Salt without jeopardising its market share.I accept the findings and recommendations of the commissions report. I am consequently asking the Director General of Fair Trading to consult British Salt and Staveley Industries with a view to obtaining from them undertakings designed to limit the prices of white salt sold in the United Kingdom by British Salt in accordance with the principles and suggested input cost index set out in the commission's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much European regional development fund non-quota infrastructure aid for textile and steel closure areas has been allocated by the European Economic Community Commission to the United Kingdom; how much has been spent; and how much has been committed.

The non-quota programmes approved by the European Commission in respect of certain areas in the United Kingdom suffering from the decline in the textile and steel industries provide for aid from the European regional development fund of about £50·7 million in respect of infrastructure measures. £21 million of this has been committed to specified projects, and £6·5 million has already been spent. In addition, the Commission announced last March that around £7·5 million will be made available to the United Kingdom under the steel non-quota regulation. The necessary amendment to the United Kingdom's programme has not yet been submitted, but it is likely that infrastructure measures would receive about half of this additional money.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials for whom he has responsibility currently have the power to enter and search premises, subject to statutory conditions; and if he will, in each case, indicate the statutory authority under which power is exercised.

Officials for whom the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has responsibility have powers of entry and search under the following statutory provisions:

• Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, Section 15.
• Trade Descriptions Act 1968, Section 28(1)(a) and (3).
• Crystal Glass (Descriptions) Regulations 1973, Regulation 8(3) (SI 1973/1952).
• Textile Products (Indications of Fibre Content) Regulations, Regulation 9(2) (SI 1973/2124).
• Hallmarking Act 1973, Section 9(3).
• Fair Trading Act 1973, Sections 29(1)(a) and (3), 123(1).
• Prices Act 1974, paragraph 3 of Schedule and paragraphs 9 and 11 (not at present active).
• Calibration of Tanks and Vessels (EEC Requirements)
• Regulations 1975, Regulation 9(1)(b) (SI 1975/2125).
• Alcoholometers and Alcohol Hydrometers (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1977, Regulation 13(1)(b) (SI 1977/1753).
• Consumer Safety Act 1978, Schedule 2, paragraphs 3 and 5 Taximeters (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1979, Regulation 15 (SI 1979/1379).
• Industrial Development Act 1982, Schedule 1, paragraph 1(2).
• Telecommunications Act 1984, Sections 37 and 79 (79 to be read with Section 15 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949).
• Construction Plant and Equipment (Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985/1968).
• Companies Act 1985, Section 448.

It is not possible to say how many officials (even in theory) could exercise these varied powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent in each area under the assisted area scheme in each of the last three years (a) on capital account and (b) on revenue account; and if he will make a statement.

The following grant payments were made under the regional selective assistance and old and new-style regional development grant (RDG) schemes in the last three years.

£ million
Region-Country	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
North-East	82·6	76·1	61·7
North-West	130·7	121·1	95·4
Yorkshire and Humberside	32·3	36·0	30·7
East Midlands	16·9	10·2	8·3
West Midlands	—	1·8	6·6
South West	9·8	11·3	10·6
Scotland	166·2	138·4	149·1
Wales	87·3	111·0	106·2

Revenue expenditure is not eligible for grant under the RDG schemes although payments of new-style RDGs may be related to the number of jobs created. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of payments of regional selective assistance in the form requested, but the bulk is related to capital expenditure. The Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are responsible for the administration of these schemes in their respective territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what has been the percentage change in English steel production since 1979;(2) what has been the percentage change in Welsh steel production since 1979.

The following is the information for the percentage change in steel production between 1979 and 1985 for England and Wales.

Steel industry in England and Wales: Percentage change in steel production between 1979 and 1985
	Per cent.
England	-30·2
Wales	-31·9

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many persons work in the steel industry in England at the present; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979;(2) how many persons work in the steel industry in Wales at the present time; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

The following is the information for the total labour force employed in ECSC activities in the steel industry for the years 1979 to 1986 (end March), in England and Wales.

Steel industry in England and Wales: Total labour force employed in ECSC activities*
Thousands (at year end)
	England	Wales
1979	91·7	51·8
1980	69·5	32·2
1981	53·8	24·9
1982	44·1	23·0
1983	36·5	21·2
1984	34·9	21·1
1985	32·9	20·6
†1986	32·2	20·6
* The figures supplied relate to employment in ECSC activities, compiled by the Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau, and are published in Eurostat for the United Kingdom as a whole.
† End March.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was (a) the total output of steel and (b) the output of various categories of steel from the plants in England in the last year for which figures are available and for each year since 1979;(2) what was

The following is the information on (a) crude steel production for the years 1979 to 1985 and (b) output of steel by category for the years 1979 to 1984, in England and Wales.

Steel Industry in England and Wales
(a) Crude Steel production
million tonnes
	England	Wales
1979	12·9	6·9
1980*	7·0	3·0

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make available to the public and to Parliament the report by the President of the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community on the completion of the Common Market (11019/85) issued in Brussels on 5 December 1985; and if he will now list in the Official Report the proposals it contains and the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to each proposal.

A copy of the programme is available in the Library of the House. The Internal Market Council on 23 June took note of a new presidency programme of proposals to be discussed by the Council of Ministers during the period 1 July 1986 to 1 July 1987. The Government's policy on each is set out in the explanatory memoranda which are submitted in to the House in accordance with the normal scrutiny procedures. The programme includes a number of items on which Commission proposals are still awaited. Following are the proposals listed in the action programme for the next 12 months:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the nature of the main items of business discussed at the Internal Market Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community since May 1985, listing those decisions taken.

Since May 1985 the Internal Market Council has discussed a wide range of measures aimed at reducing barriers to free trade in goods and services in the Community. These include proposals on technical standards, freedom of establishment for the professions, freedom to provide financial services, and frontier formalities and customs controls. The Internal Market Council on 23 June noted a list of 31 measures adopted in this period as follows:I.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community Council of Industry Ministers of 9 June.

The Industry Council, at which I represented the United Kingdom, heard a report from the European Commission on its consultations with member states on the Community regime for state aids to shipbuilding which should apply after the fifth directive expires at the end of 1986. The Commission will produce formal proposals for a new directive during the United Kingdom presidency of the Community.The Council also reviewed progress on a number of measures in the high technology field. Of these the following were adopted:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet received the report by the Director General of Telecommunications for the year 1985, as required under section 55 of the Telecommunications Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The second report by the Director General of Telecommunications is being published today. It covers the period 1 January to 31 December 1985. Copies of the report have been laid before each House of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the renewal of licences under the Consumer Credit Act.

I have today laid regulations to extend the period of standard licences under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 from 10 to 15 years.The system of licensing has been in place for nearly 10 years. The Office of Fair Trading is in the process of computerising its licensing operation. In the long term this will benefit business by substantially reducing the time taken to process applications. I have therefore agreed to a request by the Director General for a five-year extension in the validity of licences to ensure that the computer system is fully operative well before the first licences issued are due for renewal.The statutory instrument that I have laid is the Consumer Credit (Period of Standard Licence) (Amendment) Regulations 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Ministers in his Department who have met deputations from Birmingham city council in the current year, stating the date and the purpose of each meeting.

[pursuant to the reply, 23 June 1986, c. 42]: I also met representatives of the Birmingham city council economic development committee with MPs on 11 March to discuss BL.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 18 June, Official Report, column 569, whether the target wage level for British firms operating in South Africa is the minimum living level plus 50 per cent. or plus 30 per cent. as calculated by the University of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1986]: The level of minumum wages required under the revised code of conduct for companies operating in South Africa, as agreed by EC Foreign Ministers last November, is the supplemented living level (SLL) for the district concerned, as calculated by the University of South Africa, for a family of average size. The code stresses that this level should be regarded as an absolute minimum and not as a target.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's investigations into the case of Milcom Electronics UK Ltd. in the context of the arms embargo on South Africa.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1986]: I have no reason to believe that our international obligations in respect of the import of arms from South Africa are not being observed. If there is evidence to the contrary, I am willing to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to enforce the embargo on the import of arms from South Africa since the discussions between his Department and Milcom Electronics UK Ltd.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1986]: I would refer the hon. Member to my earlier replies of 24 June and today. It is not clear which are the alleged discussions the hon. Member refers to.

asked the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on new business sponsorship of dance.

The Digital Equipment Company has today announced a major new sponsorship programme for dance. The programme is receiving matching funding under the Government's business sponsorship incentive scheme, which was a major influence in DEC's decision. This means that in total the programme will inject £500,000 new funding into dance. It is an imaginative sponsorship package covering the whole range of dance activity, and is an outstanding example of business and Government joining forces to support the arts. It will be welcomed by all who love dance. DEC deserves enormous credit.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make an estimate of the amounts of money provided each year by parents towards maintained school equipment costs in Wales for each year from 1979–80 to 1986–87; and if he will express the amount in cash terms and adjusted according to the gross domestic product deflator; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many profoundly mentally handicapped children and young adults there are in each of the health and social services board areas in Northern Ireland.

Routine statistical data do not enable the identification of those clients who are profoundly mentally handicapped. The total number of young mentally handicapped clients in contact with the Social Services Departments of the Health and Social Services Boards at 31 December 1984 is set out in the following table.

Health and Social Services Board	Mentally handicapped children (aged 0–15)	Mentally handicapped young adults (aged 16–24)	Total
Eastern	463	520	983
Northern	272	337	609
Southern	225	262	487
Western	271	228	499
Northern Ireland	1,231	1,347	2,578

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the budget allocation of each of the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland for the provision of care and services to profoundly mentally handicapped children and young adults and their parents; and what proportion this represented of their total budget;(2) how much each of the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland spent on the provision of care facilities and other services to profoundly mentally handicapped children and young adults in each of the last five years, for which such figures are available; and what proportion this represented of their total budget.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what care facilities and other services for profoundly mentally handicapped children and young adults are provided for in the budget of each of the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland;(2) what provision is made for daytime nursery-care of very young and profoundly mentally handicapped children in each of the health and social board areas in Northern Ireland.

Mentally handicapped people of all ages and degrees of handicap have access, in common with the rest of the population of Northern Ireland to a range of general health and personal social services. In addition, at 31 December 1984, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 118 day care places available in Northern Ireland specifically for mentally handicapped children aged 0–4, 957 places for those aged 5–15 and 982 places for young adults aged 16–24. Within this provision, the available information does not enable those who are profoundly mentally handicapped to be identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what provision is made for short-term care of profoundly mentally handicapped children and young adults in each health and social services board area in Northern Ireland;(2) what guidelines his Department has as to a recommended level of accessibility of short-term care facilities for profoundly mentally handicapped children and young adults, in terms of numbers, bed places, and in terms of distance to travel;(3) what summer recreation schemes are provided by each of the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland.

No specific guidelines have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Services but Health and Social Services Boards have been asked to include the profoundly mentally handicapped in determining priorities for the development of services for the mentally handicapped.Short-term respite care is provided to varying degrees across the Province for mentally handicapped people of all ages and varying degrees of handicap. Short-term residential care is provided in some mental handicap hospitals and residential homes as appropriate on a year round basis. Alternative ways of providing families with a break such as short-term fostering schemes are being developed in some areas. In addition, during the summer holiday period, some short-term care is provided in holiday homes and summer camps. Day time activity schemes, some of which are run in co-operation with voluntary organisations, are also available in some areas. Details of these schemes are not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many qualified specialists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and music therapists each of the health and social services boards employ in Northern Ireland.

The information requested is as follows:

	Eastern Board	Northern Board	Southern Board	Western Board
Speech Therapists	62	35	16	23
Physiotherapists	245	61	48	30
Occupational Therapists	130	30	26	19

There is no music therapists grade in the health and personal social services in Northern Ireland.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will raise with the Services Committee the replacement of the railings in Westminster Hall; and if he will make a statement.

No. I accept that the existing railings are plain and functional in character; but demands on the parliamentary works programme are heavy at present and will remain so for the foreseeable future, and in these circumstances I do not regard replacement of the railings as a priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the number of flats and houses owned by the prison department in England and Wales; and how many are currently occupied.

On 31 March 1986, 8,258 flats and houses were owned by the prison department, of which 6,839 were occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will discuss with the chairman of British Telecom the possibility of ensuring that all 999 emergency calls have an immediate play back facility; and if he will make a statement.

All 999 calls are recorded by British Telecom; most are recorded also by the emergency service concerned.British Telecom records these calls to enable it to monitor the quality of the service and to deal with allegations of mishandling. The recordings are retained for three months during which period access to them is granted only on the authority of a BT district manager following a request from a chief constable or other chief officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications for the effectiveness of the operation of the Data Protection Act of the current number of registrations under the Act.

It is too early to make such an assessment. Applications for registration are still being received by the Date Protection Registrar, who is to carry out research into the impact of the Act on businesses and into the number of data users who may still need to register.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria as to competence in the use of English for persons seeking naturalisation; whether there are different criteria for Vietnamese refugees; and whether it is standard practice for applicants to be interviewed.

The language criteria and the practice on interviews were set out in the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend on 23 May at column 335. They apply to refugees as to other applicants and allow for the particular circumstances of all applicants, including refugees, to be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for preventing crime in the inner city areas of Leicester; and if he will make a statement.

The chief constable of Leicestershire gives a high priority to crime prevention in his force strategy. For example, efforts are being made to encourage the development of neighbourhood watch schemes in inner city areas. Also, the chief constable has recently launched a special publicity campaign to encourage an awareness of crime prevention in the city's Asian community using publicity material, provided by the Home Office, in five languages of the India sub-continent. In addition, Age Concern in Leicester manages a community programme funded scheme which provides, among other services, a security device fitting service for elderly householders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those forms, pamphlets and leaflets published by his Department which are available in either a Welsh language or a bilingual version.

The Home Office currently publishes the following booklets, leaflets and posters in Welsh:

• Danger from fire (Booklet and leaflet)
• Complaints against the Police (Leaflet)
• Electoral registration (Ten forms and a poster).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to extend the scope of the criminal injuries compensation scheme to include victims of joy riders in stolen cars; and if he will make a statement.

The scheme provides for compensation to be paid for personal injury attributable to a traffic offence where a deliberate attempt has been made to run the victim down. A person who has suffered injuries caused by a motor vehicle may also be within the scope of the scheme if he was attempting to prevent an offence or to apprehend a suspected offender. Other persons injured as a result of traffic offences, including those committed by drivers of stolen cars, have access to compensation through compulsory motor insurance and Motor Insurers' Bureau arrangements. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is at present under review in preparation for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were taken against individuals for offences relating to control of domestic pets for the last five years which figures are available.

The only information available to me, which may be incomplete relates to court proceedings for offences in connection with dogs and is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables, Volume 1" under offence classifications 111 (offences relating to dogs) and 171 (revenue offences concerning clog licences).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the estimated total cost to the Metropolitan police of policing the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew;(2) how many members of the Metropolitan police will be engaged in duties connected with the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he plans to deploy some 2,000 officers for this occasion at an estimated cost in police overtime of about £61,000. Other additional policing costs—on transport, catering and so on, cannot be quantified at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether live ammunition will be issued to members of the Metropolitan police for the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that armed officers will be deployed as part of the security arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to delay the sealing of extradition warrants until relevant applications lying before the European Commission on Human Rights are decided;(2) when the surrender warrant for Werner Bruchhausen's removal from the United Kingdom was sealed;(3) what notice he took of Werner Bruchhausen's application to the European Commission on Human Rights in making his decision to remove him from the United Kingdom;(4) at what time on Friday 13 June he executed the warrant for Mr. Bruchhausen's removal from the United Kingdom;

In May 1985 the United States Government applied for the extradition of Mr. Werner Bruchhausen on charges related to the illegal export of high technology equipment to the Soviet bloc. After my predecessor had issued the necessary orders to proceed the Chief Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate at Bow Street committed Mr. Bruchhausen to custody on 25 October 1985 on four counts of obtaining property by deception and eight counts of false accounting. Mr. Bruchhausen applied to the Divisional court for a writ of habeas corpus but this was refused, as was his petition for leave to appeal to the House of Lords. On 6 June Mr. Bruchhausen applied to the European Commission on Human Rights alleging irregularities in the extradition procedures (allegations which had already been rejected by both the Divisional court and the House of Lords). The United Kingdom is under no obligation under the European Convention on Human Rights to defer the removal of a person under the Extradition Act 1870 pending the consideration of a petition, nor do we understand it to be the practice of the Commission to ask for removal to be delayed except where, for example, there are allegations of likely ill-treatment in the country of destination. No such allegations were made in this case, nor was such a request made by the Commission. I therefore signed a warrant for the surrender of Mr. Bruchhausen at about 1 pm on 13 June and the warrant was executed later that afternoon. The Commission will be able to continue its consideration of the petition notwithstanding Mr. Bruchhausen's removal.In the course of the afternoon of 13 June Mr. Bruchhausen's solicitor, who had been informed that I had already signed the surrender warrant, asked if the removal of Mr. Bruchhausen could be delayed while further representations were made. In subsequent conversation with the solicitor it was established that the basis of these representations would be that the offences for which Mr. Bruchhausen was to be extradited were political and that the petition had not been decided by the Commission. On further consideration of the arguments it seemed clear that they did not add to the case, which had already been fully considered by the Divisional court and myself. Although the possibility of an application for judicial review had been mentioned by the solicitor earlier in the week, time to prepare such an application did not form part of the case for an extention of the time limit for Mr. Bruchhausen's removal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the qualifications of Mr. D. Abbott, an official of his Department; and in which division of his Department he works.

Mr. D. J. Abbott is an established civil servant in respect of whom a certificate of qualification was issued by the Civil Service Commissioners in January 1958. He has spent the last two years in the extradition section of the Home Office general department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time that elapses between motoring offences (a) generally and (b) drunk in charge, involving an accident and a prosecution; and if he will make a statement.

The available information relates to proceedings completed at magistrates' courts during the week ending 24 to 29 June 1985. The average time between date of offence and completion of proceedings in magistrates' courts was 18 weeks for all summary motoring offences and 13 weeks for offences relating to driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. Information is not separately available for offences arising from accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) of prisoners serving sentences eligible for parole in each of the years 1983, 1984 and 1985, what proportion of what percentage served (a) less than 25 per cent., (b) less than 30 per cent., (c) less than 40 per cent., (d) less than 50 per cent., (e) less than 60 per cent. and (f) less than two thirds of their sentence;(2) what proportion of prisoners sentenced were eligible for parole in each of the years 1983, 1984 and 1985.

[pursuant to my reply, 11 June 1986, c. 17]: The available information is as follows, showing separately the two halves of 1984 to reflect the reduction from 30 June 1984 in the minimum qualifying period for parole from 12 to six months. Prisoners do not serve less than one third of their sentence unless they successfully appeal, die in custody or are transferred to a psychiatric hospital or to a prison outside England and Wales. Time served owing to loss of remission is not included but would increase the overall proportion of sentence served by around 1 per cent. Further information on the periods of licence recommended and on the lengths of sentences being served is given annually on the report of the Parole Board (Table 3, Appendix 4 of the latest issue, for 1985, HMSO June 1986).

asked the Prime Minister what is the total estimated cost to all Government Departments of providing services at the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.

The estimated net cost of providing services is approximately £40,000 but this does not include costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence, which are the subject of a separate written answer tabled by the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

asked the Prime Minister what is the total cost to all Government Departments of providing various services at the Trooping of the Colour.

The identifiable extra cost to Government Departments of providing services at the Trooping of the Colour 1986 was £11,594.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list the Ministers who have received deputations from Birmingham city council in the current year, stating the dates and the purpose of each meeting.

[pursuant to the replies, 16 June 1986, c. 408; 17 June 1986, c. 512–13 and 23 June 1986] I have been asked to reply.I also met representatives of the Birmingham city council economic development committee with MPs on 11 March to discuss BL.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of all incidents reported to him in which students or invited speakers were denied the right to speak, asked not to appear, had invitations to speak withdrawn, were physically or otherwise stopped from speaking at universities or other institutions of higher education in the last two years; and if he will give a description of each such incident and details of any information he has on subsequent disciplinary action taken;(2) whether he will publish in the