asked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her answer of 3 June, Official Report, column 447, she will make a statement on the progress of the search of military records of the Ministry of Defence in connection with Dr. Kurt Waldeheim's wartime activities if she can yet state when the search is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement.

As yet, I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the right hon. Member on 3 June, at column 447.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list the occasions since June 1979 when the United Kingdom has been found guilty in a case before (a) the European Court of Human Rights and (b) the European Court of Justice; and what was the subsequent action taken by the United Kingdom in each case.

[pursuant to her reply, 27 June 1986, c. 327]: The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

(a) Since June 1979 the European Court of Human Rights has found against the United Kingdom on eight occasions. New primary legislation, or amendments to existing regulations or administrative practice, have been introduced consequent upon seven of these judgments. The cases, together with the date of the judgment and the subsequent action taken by the Government are as follows:

Young, James and Webster (13 August 1981): Employment Act 1980, effective 15 August 1980, re-enacted and strengthened by Employment Act 1982 — effective 1 December 1982;

Dudgeon (22 October 1981): Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 — effective 9 December 1982;

"X" (5 November 1981): Mental Health Act 1983—effective September 1983;

Silver and others (25 March 1983): Control of prisoners' correspondence. Amendment to Prison Regulations — effective in England and Wales 1 December 1981, Scotland 1 August 1983 and Northern Ireland 1 February 1985;

Campbell and Fell (28 June 1984): Changes in the practice relating to Prison disciplinary tribunals— by means of a letter of 12 July 1984 to Chairmen of Boards of Visitors copied to Prison Governors;

Malone (2 August 1984): Interception of Communications Act 1985 — effective 10 April 1986;

Abdulaziz, Cabales and Balkandali (27 May 1985): Changes to Immigration Rules on admission of husbands and wives—effective 26 August 1985;

As regards action on the one remaining case, Campbell and Cosans (25 February 1982), the hon. Member will be aware that the possibility of legislation relating to corporal punishment in schools is the subject of discussion in Committee on the Education Bill.

(b) Since June 1979, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has found against the United Kingdom in 11 cases brought by the European Commission under article 169 of the EEC treaty, and in one case brought by another member state (France) under article 170 of the treaty. Details, including follow-up action, are as follows:

ECJ case number	Subject	Follow-up action
141/78†	Fisheries conservation legislation	Subordinate legislation amended.
170/78 170A/78-*	Wine and Beer: Tax arrangements	Legislation amended by the Finance Act 1984.
32/79 804/79	Sea Fisheries: Conservation Measures	Community regime introduced in September 1980. Revised national arrangements introduced for control of herring fishing in the Irish Sea.
61/81	Equal pay for men and women	Legislation amended by the Equal Pay (Amendment) Regulations 1983 (SI H83 No. 1794).
124/81	Imports of UHT Milk	Legislation amended by the Importation of Milk Act 1983 and regulations thereunder.
40/82 40A/82*	Newcastle disease in Poultry	Administrative changes made.
165/82	Equal Treatment for men and women	Amending legislation before Parliament in the Sex Discrimination Bill (HL).
207/83	Origin-Marking of retail goods	Legislation amended by the Trades Description (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) (Revocation) Order 1986(1986/193).
100/84	Anglo/Polish Fishing	Administrative changes made.
* The notification "A" is used to denote two judgments given in each case.
† Proceedings under article 170 of the EEC treaty.

In addition, under article 177 of the EEC treaty national courts may ask the European Court of Justice to give preliminary rulings in order to clarify questions of Community law. Once the European Court of Justice has answered the questions of the national court the matter returns to that court for decisions. Some preliminary European Court of Justice rulings in cases referred to it by United Kingdom courts have a bearing on United Kingdom law, which may on occasions require amendment as a result. Recent examples are the court's judgments in 152/84 Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many orders for ships and ship and engine repairs involving public money have been placed abroad since 1979; and what was the total sums involved.

No orders for ships involving public money have been placed abroad since 1979. The only expenditure incurred abroad in respect of ship and engine repairs relates to running repairs. The amount is believed to be modest in total, but full records of this incidental expenditure have not been kept.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to ensure that the British Standards Institute audit of British standards to identify and eliminate references of asbestos is carried out urgently; and when he expects it to be completed.

The British Standards Institution has commenced the audit. It anticipates that about three months will be required to scan the portfolio of some 10,000 standards in order to identify those where action is required. Prior to the completion of this initial investigation it is not possible to predict when the audit will be completed. I share BSI's desire to complete this activity as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to abolish the National Accreditation Council.

The National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies is performing its functions well. A number of certification bodies are currently being assessed prior to accreditation and the first, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd. was accredited last March. The Government therefore have no intention of abolishing the council.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why Government Departments are withdrawing participation from the formulation of British Standards.

The Government remain firmly committed to raising the efficiency and competitiveness of United Kingdom industry through their support for and development of a strong national standards system as stated in the 1982 White Paper "Standards, Quality and International Competitiveness" (Cmnd. 8621). Government Departments therefore continue to participate fully in the work of the British Standards Institution. There will, however, be occasions when changing priorities lead to changes in membership of particular standards committees, and these are a matter for the Departments directly concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in implementing the rolling programme of references of nationalised industries to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will announce a further programme of references.

During 1985 reports were published on the revenue collection systems of four area electricity boards, the British Railways Board: Property Activities, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the British Airports Authority. The report on the water supply services in the Southern water authority's area was published on 16 April 1986 and I hope to publish the report on the South of Scotland Electricity Board during the summer.The commission is currently investigating the British Steel Corporation and the Post Office's procurement activities.I decided that in view of current proposals for modernising the Post Office's counters service it would have been inappropriate to proceed with the counters reference planned in 1985.I am anxious that our commitment to a worthwhile programme of efficiency audits of the public sector should continue. I hope shortly to announce the terms of reference for an inquiry into the British Waterways Board. As soon as the commission completes its outstanding work on the existing inquiries I propose to make references covering the remainder of 1986 including a re-reference of British Rail's network south-east, and an aspect of the Central Electricity Generating Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what monitoring takes place of the discharge of radioactive waste into the River Severn from nearby nuclear power stations; and if he will arrange through the Central Electricity Generating Board for the level of emission to be published.

The CEGB power stations at Berkeley, Oldbury and Hinckley Point discharge liquid radioactive waste into the River Severn or its estuary. Monitoring of the discharges is carried out by the CEGB in accordance with the discharge authorisations granted under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Duplicate samples supplied to the radiochemical inspectorate of my Department are sent for independent analysis to ensure that the operators' analyses are being performed correctly.Levels of emissions from all nuclear power stations in England are published regularly by the Central Electricity Generating Board and in the additional tables of the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" published by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to monitor the levels of water abstraction for agricultural purposes from rivers in England and Wales.

It is for water authorities to monitor water resources and to license abstractions (other than their own), which are controlled under the Water Resources Act 1963. Most agricultural abstractions are however exempt from licensing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the keeping of polar bears in captivity; and if he will make it his policy that this practice should be discouraged at least where breeding is unlikely to be achieved.

I have received representations only from my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) and I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of Tuesday 15 April 1986, at column 335, and to my subsequent letter to my hon. Friend the Member for Drake on 30 April, which I have placed in the Library.The decision to keep polar bears in captivity is one for the individual zoo operators to make; conditions regulating their keeping may be imposed via licences issued by local authorities under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, to ensure adequate standards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses he has now received in favour of the proposals in the Green Paper on home improvements.

My Department received a total of 430 responses to the Green Paper on home improvement. Over half these expressed no overall judgment on the merits of the proposals. Of the remainder, almost a quarter were generally favourable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many wildlife inspectors are employed in his Department; how many of these are qualified ringers; and if he will give the figures for the last six years.

There are currently 105 wildlife inspectors, of whom 53 are qualified ringers. The Wildlife Inspectorate was established following the introduction on 28 September 1982 of part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. By April 1985, 230 inspectors had been appointed, of whom 61 were qualified ringers. In the light of the inspectorate's operating experience, this number was then reduced to 112, of whom 58 were qualified ringers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will begin consultation with local authorities and the voluntary sector about the bidding process for 1987–88 traditional urban programming.

Arrangements for urban programme support to local authorities in 1987–88 will be announced soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to arrange for the report commissioned by the Metropolitan police on police actions during the events at the Broadwater Farm Estate, Tottenham in 1985, to be circulated to all police stations in the Metropolitan police area; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply, 24 June 1986, c. 125]: The Commissioner is today publishing a report which includes details of the outcome of the reiew. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library. The Commissioner is arranging for copies to be circulated to all divisional stations.I welcome the report. It provides a useful and frank account of what happened at Brixton and Tottenham, describes some of the work being done with the community to prevent crime and disorder and sets out the action taken, following the review, to improve the capacity and preparedness of the Metropolitan police to tackle disorder if and when it arises.The report chronicles the events at Brixton and Tottenham following two tragic incidents—the shooting of Mrs. Groce and the death of Mrs. Jarrett. It gives a full and chilling picture of the ferocious attack which the police faced in the front line against the violence of the mob. At Brixton, the police faced a barrage of stones, bottles and petrol bombs and under the cloak of mob rule many crimes of serious personal violence against members of the public, looting and damage to property were committed. A press photographer suffered injuries from which he later died. At Tottenham, the police took the full brunt of a murderous attack during which firearms were used against them in addition to petrol bombs and other missiles and weapons. At height of the rioting PC Keith Blakelock was killed.The report rightly emphasises the positive efforts which the Metropolitan police have made both before and after the riots to develop the good working relationships with the local community, which are an essential basis for tackling crime and disorder. These efforts include close consultation with community-police consultative groups, helping to set up neighbourhood watch schemes, victim support schemes and working with other agencies in tackling the particular problems of inner city housing estates. In addition, action has been taken to ensure that officers are trained in the skills necessary to understand and cope with the problems of the community they serve.This commitment to positive and constructive policing policies remains and is being developed. At the same time, the Commissioner has taken action to improve the capacity and preparedness of the Metropolitan police to deal with extreme disorder, in the light of the lessons learnt from the rioting last autumn. Selected officers at senior and middle management level have received further intensive training, radio communications are being improved and better information gathering systems and command structures are being introduced. The new territorial support groups will also help in providing an early response to disorder.In my statement to the House on 21 October last year, at columns 30–32, I said that the Metropolitan police were obtaining more shields and defensive equipment. As a result of the review the Commissioner has asked for my authority to purchase a number of items of equipment. I have given approval for the purchase of 700 additional radios, 24 ballistically protected vehicles, (which, in the light of the experience of Tottenham, are necessary to provide protection against firearms and petrol bombs) and 80 protected personnel carriers. This equipment will be made available as soon as possible.At Tottenham the police lines were assaulted with long poles and other similar weapons. Shields and short truncheons proved ineffective in dealing with attacks of this kind, and the only available alternative was the use of plastic baton rounds or CS. The Commissioner has therefore sought my authority to acquire long truncheons to enable police officers on foot to protect themselves and respond effectively to such attacks. I have given authority for the purchase of 1,500 long truncheons for this purpose. These will he deployed only in a situation of extreme disorder, where other methods have failed or are unlikely to succeed, on the authority of an officer of at least commander rank and used under the direction and control of the senior officer in charge at the scene.I share the Commissioner's hope that the availability of long truncheons as an intermediate option in dealing with serious disorder may prevent a situation escalating to a point where the use of plastic baton rounds or CS is necessary. But I have made it clear to the Commissioner that if, in the event of further extreme disorder, he concludes that there is no alternative to the use of plastic baton rounds or CS he will have my full support. The strict conditions governing the use of plastic baton rounds or CS were set out in my reply of 19 May to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire West, (Mr. Hind) at columns 15–16.The Commissioner's report is a thorough and wide-ranging review which seeks to move forward from the dreadful events of Brixton and Tottenham and ensure that the lessons are learnt and acted upon. The report clearly has implications for other chief officers of police and it is being widely disseminated within the police service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if British Rail, the Central Electricity Generating Board and other relevant bodies are required to inform the London fire brigade of proposed movements of trains carrying nuclear waste materials on the Greater London rail network.

No, but comprehensive guidance has been issued to all chief fire officers on emergency procedures and sources of expert advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Geiger counters are currently provided to the London fire brigade for use at incidents involving radioactive substances.

The London and all other fire brigades have a range of equipment for the detection of radiation and for the personal protection and decontamination of firefighters at incidents involving radioactive substances. This includes personal dosimeters, radiac survey meters and decontamination meters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many young people are subject to detention centre orders; and what is the estimated average weekly cost of a detention centre order;(2) how many people are subject to youth custody; and what is the average annual cost of a youth custody order.

According to the records held centrally, on 30 April 1986 there were about 1,200 detention centre trainees and about 7,800 youth custody trainees in Prison Department establishments in England and Wales. Estimates of average costs are all available only for types of penal establishments, and not for types of sentence. Detailed information on average weekly costs of penal establishments was published in the "Report on the work of the Prison Department 1984/85," (Cmnd. 9699) (table 7 and appendix No. 2, table D).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has about reconviction rates following a detention centre order;(2) what information he has about reconviction rates following a youth custody order.

The regularly available information of young offenders reconvicted within two years of discharge from Prison Department establishments is published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales". (Information about those discharged in 1981 is given in tables 8.4 and 8.5 of the latest issue, for 1984, Cmnd. 9622). Figures for youth custody trainees are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate will receive a detailed response to the letters sent to his noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 15 April and 3 June about KG smoke dispersals.

I very much regret the delay. My hon. Friend will receive a reply from my noble Friend very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill on 18 June, Official Report, whether he has now taken a decision on the recommendation of the Parole Board regarding Mr. Norman William Davis.

My right hon. Friend has considered the Parole Board's recommendation. Mr. Davis will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state which of the Welsh police forces have supplies of plastic bullets.

Plastic baton rounds are held only by the North Wales police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the practice of backtracking from breath tests for the purpose of seeking to assess whether a driver was at any particular previous time likely to have been in breach of the drink-driving provisions of the Road Traffic Acts; and if he will make a statement.

The Road Traffic Act 1972 provides for the courts to give due weight to the results of evidential breath test, blood or urine tests in drink drive cases. It is for the court to decide in a particular case what other evidence is to be admitted, and the importance to be attached to it. I see no need to seek to restrict the discretion of the courts in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed reorganisation of the current divisional structure of the Metropolitan police.

In accordance with the plans for reorganising the force which the Commissioner announced in November 1984, the district command structure has been abolished with effect from 30 June. No changes are to be made to the divisional structure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest estimate of the

England
	16-year-olds in full-time education				17-year-olds in full-time education
	1980–81		1984–85		1980–81		1984–85
	Student numbers (000s)	Percentage of age group*	Student numbers (000s)	Percentage of age group*	Student numbers (000s)	Percentage of age group)*	Student numbers (000s)	Percentage of age group)*
North	18	35	19	40	10	21	12	25
Yorkshire and Humberside	30	38	32	41	18	23	20	27
North West	41	39	42	42	26	25	30	30
East Midlands	24	39	25	42	14	24	17	29
West Midlands	35	42	35	43	21	25	24	29
East Anglia	11	40	11	43	6	24	7	28
Greater London	45	48	43	51	27	29	28	32
Other South East	72	48	73	51	45	31	50	34
South West	27	44	28	47	17	28	19	31
England	303	42	309	46	185	26	209	30
* The number of 16-year-olds have been expressed as a percentage of the total number of 15-year-olds in maintained secondary schools one year earlier.
† The number of 17-year-olds have been expressed as a percentage of the total number of 15-year-olds in maintained secondary schools two years earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he is notified of proposed increases in fees for students studying for PhDs on a part-time basis; if he will list the increases by university; and what estimate he has of the effect of fee increases on completion rates.

Universities do not notify the Department or the University Grants Committee of their fee levels for part-time students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy for attracting more science and engineering teachers into the teaching profession.

Good science and technology teachers are vital for the future of an advanced industrial nation. Appropriate remuneration is important in securing an adequate supply of teachers of suitable quality, but a range of other measures will still be necessary. We are working on these with our partners in the education service and in industry. We are publishing a consultative document and I shall send a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service talks on teachers' pay and conditions of service.

I understand that the four working parties set up to look at teachers' pay and structure,

The table shows the numbers and percentages of 16 and 17-year-olds who remained in full-time education at maintained schools and further education establishments in the academic years 1984–85 and 1980–81 by region in England. Data for the current academic year (1985–86) will be available in the autumn.appraisal and training, duties and responsibilities and future negotiating machinery have now completed their work. These reports are to he received at a meeting between the two sides at ACAS on Wednesday 9 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the amount of money in current sterling values paid by Her Majesty's Government and local education authorities per head of the student population to universities in the financial year 1979–80 and in the present financial year.

The sum of the University Grants Committee's recurrent, equipment and capital grants to universities and universities' receipts in fees for home students (nearly all of which are paid by local education authorities) per full-time home student was, at 1986–87 prices, £6,323 in 1979–80 and £6,234 in 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many university departments and polytechnic departments have closed since 1979.

Information on the closure of university and polytechnic departments is not collected centrally; nor is information on the opening of new departments. Some such changes arise from reorganisation within institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many objections to the closure of schools, out of the total number, have been successful in each year since 1979.

Since 1979, 125 out of a total of 1,618 proposed school closures have been rejected by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State considered these cases on their individual merits and reached his decisions on the basis of all the relevant factors, including any arguments raised by objectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have closed in England since 1979.

Between 1979 and 31 May 1986, 1,493 schools have been approved for closure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average time it has taken for him to reach a decision on the closure of a school in the last five years.

Information is not available in exactly the form requested. The average time taken to decide all proposals falling to the Secretary of State in the period August 1980 to December 1985 was 6·5 months, including the two-month period for statutory objections to be made, and the further month for proposers' transmission of any such objections to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been his response to recent representations regarding the future of training teachers of the deaf.

Ministers have received a number of letters, including one from the hon. Member on the future organisation of training to teach the deaf. I shall be replying to these representations shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will be replying to the letter sent to his predecessor by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 19 May concerning the relocation of the royal Greenwich observatory; and if he will make a statement.

I replied to the right hon. Member today.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the development of the curriculum under the technical and vocational education initiative.

As explained in the White Paper "Working Together: Education and Training" published today, the Government have decided that the technical and vocational education initiative should be extended from the pilot to a national scheme from autumn 1987, to be administered by the Manpower Services Commission working in close consultation with the Education Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his answer of 13 May, Official Report, columns 433–34, he will publish in the Official Report details of the basket of goods he used for comparing the purchasing power of expenditure on education, including figures on the standard of living of teachers.

My answer of 13 May, revised on 12 June, at column 278, made use of purchasing power parities estimated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. For comparing expenditures measured in national currencies, these are preferable to exchange rates in that they allow for differences in national price levels and so permit "real" comparisons. A summary of the theory underlying PPPs, together with some recent data, were given in "Purchasing Power Parities and Real Expenditures in the OECD", a copy of which is in the Library.As is the case with consumer price indices which are used to adjust for changes in price levels over time, PPPs

Students aged 16 to 20 in full-time further and higher education as a percentage of the population aged 16 to 20
	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
England*
Population aged 16 to 20 (000's)	3,681	3,788	3,873	3,922	3,941	3,894
University (000's)	128·8	132·5	133·7	131·3	127·8	126·0
Per cent. university	3·5	3·5	3·5	3·3	3·2	3·2
PSHE (000's)	82·7	85·3	94·8	107·6	116·1	119·4
Total higher education (000's)	211·5	217·8	228·4	239·0	243·8	245·5
Per cent. higher education	5·7	5·7	5·9	6·1	6·2	6·3
NAFE (000's)	228·5	244·1	282·1	315·1	302·2	295·0
Total further and higher education (000's)	440·1	462·0	510·5	554·0	546·0	540·4
Per cent. further and higher education	12·0	12·2	13·2	14·1	13·9	13·9
Wales*
Population aged 16 to 20 (000's)	216	223	231	236	239	236
University (000's)	11·1	11·6	11·2	11·2	10·6	10·8
Per cent. university	5·2	5·2	4·8	4·7	4·4	4·6
Scotland*
Population aged 16 to 20 (000's)	440	445	457	457	454	453
University (000's)	26·7	27·6	28·0	27·8	27·4	27·0
Per cent. university	6·1	6·2	6·1	6·1	6·0	6·0
* Country of study for student numbers causing some distortion to the percentages where there are noticeable cross-border flows.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what (a) number and (b) percentage of people aged between 16 and 21 years in (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland are in higher education in the United Kingdom for each year from 1979 to date;(2) what

[pursuant to his reply, 17 June 1986, c. 515]: The information is shown in the following table. Figures for further and public sector higher education in Wales and of Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. Figures for further and higher education, including universities in Northern Ireland, are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state the locations in Wales of facilities available to the public to monitor radioactivity in samples of food.

General facilities for members of the public to monitor radioactivity are not provided by the Government. A programme of monitoring a wide range of crops and meat has been undertaken by the Government on a national basis since the Chernobyl accident in order to ensure the safety of public food supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of lambs whose movements have been restricted by his recently announced Government ban, in each of the districts of Arfon, Dwyfor, Meirionnydd, Aberconwy, Ynys Môn, Colwyn and Glyndwr, respectively.

The estimated number of lambs whose movements have been restricted in the districts requested is as follows:

	Thousands
Arfon	80
Dwyfor	51
Meirionnydd	208
Aberconwy	128
Ynys Môn	156
Colwyn	154
Glyndwr	132

	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Education Act 1980: Section 21 allocations	—	515,000	794,000	866,000	1,034,000	1,004,701	1,317,657	1,439,300
Development of Rural Wales Act 1976: Section 26 allocations	237,210	378,000	821,000	900,330	976,740	982,124	1,103,850	1,079,700
Voluntary Social Services Grant to MYM	70,000	87,000	94,000	98,000	102,000	110,350	119,400	115,800
Urdd HQ grant	68,073	47,949	58,282	55,497	56,496	60,296	62,236	62,485
Education research related to the Welsh language	143,788	150,432	123,531	137,084	147,000	200,000	276,000	380,000
Provision of Welsh element in bilingual roadsigns on motorways and trunk roads	190,000	245,000	280,000	300,000	350,000	173,760	132,648	*156,163
Total Direct Government support	709,071	1,423,381	2,170,813	2,356,911	2,666,236	2,531,231	3,011,791	3,233,448
Per Capita	£0·26	£0·52	£0·79	£0·86	£0·97	£0·92	£1·10	£1·18
* estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the Welsh-speaking population of the counties of Gwent, South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan and West Glamorgan at the last census.

This information is already published in the 1981 census report "Welsh Language in Wales" CEN81WL, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table indicating the average price of lambs sold in markets in Wales during the periods (a) 8–14 June, (b) 15–21 June and (c) 22–28 June.

The average market price of lambs sold in markets in Wales in the periods requested are as follows:

Week commencing	Price per kg liveweight pence
9 June	234·59
16 June	190·45
23 June*	150·00
* Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are his responsibilities in relation to the Welsh language and its use.

The position was made abundantly clear by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in his speech to representatives of Gwynedd county council on 15 April 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total amount of direct Government support for the Welsh language; and if he will express the figures on a per capita basis, and as a whole under each expenditure heading, for each year since 1979.

The information is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he takes to ensure that the linguistic position in Wales is taken into consideration when appointments to his Department are made.

The guiding principle 'with appointments to posts in all parts of the Civil Service is that the best available candidate should be selected, an where the duties of a post either require proficiency in Welsh or are such that proficiency would be an advantage, this is reflected in the selection process. Recruitment to clerical posts in the Department's local officers is undertaken locally and in the more Welsh speaking areas it is normally found in practice that a reasonable proportion of those appointed to them will be Welsh speakers.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many senior civil servants in his Department are Welsh speaking; and what proportion this represents.

Of the 126 senior civil servants (grades 1 to 6) 56 (44 per cent.) are Welsh speakers.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has about the number and total sales value of children's books published in the Welsh language during the most recent 12-month period.

Through my annual discussions with the Welsh Books Council I am kept fully informed on all aspects of publishing in the Welsh language. The hon. Gentleman should approach the council direct for information which might be of commercial interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken since May 1979 by his Department to encourage non-Welsh speaking persons in Wales to try to learn the language.

Direct Government support for the Welsh language since 1979 amounts to £18 million. This money has been used to support a wide variety of practical projects, including some to encourage non-Welsh speakers to learn the language.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken to ensure that the number of qualified speech therapists employed by each of the area health authorities in Wales conforms with the standard set out in the report of the committee chaired by Sir Randolph Quirk; how many of those currently employed are bilingual in Welsh and English; and what were the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

Following the publication of the Quirk report, a working party on speech therapy in Wales reported in December 1979. Since 1979 whole-time speech therapists employed by district health authorities in Wales increased from 65·6 to 117·6 at September 1985. This suggests that the standards recommended in the Quirk report will be attained well before the target date of 1992. Information on the current number of bilingual staff employed by health authorities is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons are now employed full-time and part-time at the translation unit of his Department; and how this compares with the position in 1979.

We employ four full-time members of staff in the Welsh Office translation unit, compared with five in 1979. No part-time staff are employed, but we make use of translation agencies from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report his sources of evidence for his acceptance in Welsh Office circular 30/86 that there is a genuine demand for sites for houses for executives and his concern that failure to meet it will inhibit attempts to secure new commercial and industrial enterprises.

The evidence derives from representations and statements to that effect by representatives of industry and housebuilders, supported by the views of the Land Authority for Wales and by professional advice in the Welsh Office. It has been corroborated in the responses to the consultation exercise undertaken on the issue received from a number of bodies, including the Confederation of British Industry (Wales), Winvest, Welsh Development Agency and Mid Wales Development.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report those organisations, including local authorities, that he consulted before issuing Welsh Office circular 30/86 about housing for executives.

The information is as follows:

• Confederation of British Industry (Wales)
• Winvest
• Welsh Development Agency
• Institute of Directors
• National Federation of Chambers of Commerce (Wales)
• Land Authority for Wales
• House Builders' Federation
• Building Societies Association
• Federation of Master Builders
• Royal Institute of British Architects
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
• Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers
• College of Estate Management, Polytechnic of Wales
• National Housing and Town Planning Council
• National Farmers' Union
• Farmers Union of Wales
• Country Landowners' Association
• Development Board for Rural Wales
• Countryside Commission
• Council for the Protection of Rural Wales
• Nature Conservancy Council
• Royal Town Planning Institute
• Town and Country Planning Association
• Welsh Counties Committee
• Welsh Office of the Assocation of District Planning Authorities
• Welsh District Planning Officers Society
• Wales Association of Community and Town Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what additional resources he is to make available to planning authorities to carry out the review specified in Welsh Office circular 30/86 about housing for executives.

I am satisfied that the local planning authorities will be able to undertake the review in conjunction with their existing programmes of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report those research studies his Department has undertaken preceding the issuing of Welsh Office circular 30/86 that have direct relevance to that circular.

The evidence was not collected on the basis of research studies, but through the long-established process of public consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report those individuals and organisations who have drawn his attention to the possible disincentive to business people who might otherwise he prepared to invest and develop in Wales brought about by the absence of an adequate pool of houses attractive to and suitable for senior managers and senior technical staff referred to in Welsh Office circular 30/86.

My right hon. Friend had his attention drawn to this matter by a number of individuals and organisations concerned with inward investment of business and industry. Their views have been supported in the responses from the Land Authority for Wales, Confederation of British Industry (Wales), Welsh Development Agency and Winvest, to the consultation exercise undertaken on the issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current statement of policy objectives for the trunk road programme.

The current statement of policy objectives for the trunk road programme in England is in paragraphs 11 and 12 of the report, "National Roads England — 1985". This updates the previous statement of policy objectives given in the White Paper "Policy for Roads in England: 1983" (Cmnd. 9059).Copies of "National Roads in England—1985" were placed in the Library at the time of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is considering the provision of any additional motorway services on the existing motorway network in the north-west.

We are considering the provision of a motorway service area at Hapsford, at junction 14 of the M56 north of Chester.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 June, on what basis he has concluded that the results so far of the performance management team for the London Midland region to be encouraging.

Details of this sort are a matter for the board, but I understand that its view was based on improved punctuality figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the public inquiry into the proposed A65 Addingham bypass to take place.

Probably in the late autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the revised method of assessing the need for road lighting.

We hope to announce a new policy on road lighting and to publish related guidance on assessment aspects before the summer recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what stretches of the M42 have been identified as being prone to fog.

The table lists the relevant findings of a study undertaken for the Department by the Meteorological Office.

Sites around the M42 motorway between M5 and junction 5 north of Tamworth likely to experience 25 or more days with fog (visibility 1,000 m) at 09.00 h GMT per year and approximate average annual number of days with fog at 09.00 GMT +/-5 days
Site	Number of days
Kingsbury Water Park	35
Junction 2 area	33
Junction 3 area	30
Austrey Meadows	27
River Anker Crossing	26
Junction 1 area	25

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what stretches of the M42 have had lighting installed along them.

All junctions, including motorway to motorway interchanges, are being provided with lighting.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if cable ducting has been installed during the construction of the M42.

Transverse ducting has been provided at regular intervals.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total of (a) accidents and (b) fatalities on motorways (x) in daytime and (y) at night in 1985 and in 1986 to date.

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive a further report from the Civil Aviation Authority into the Boeing 737 fire at Manchester international airport on 22 August 1985; and if he can yet make a further statement.

The accident to the Boeing 737 at Manchester airport on 22 August 1985 is the subject of an inspector's investigation by the accidents investigation branch of my Department. The Chief Inspector of Accidents anticipates submitting his report to Ministers at the end of the year. This accident is an extremely complex one and it would be improper of me to try to anticipate the findings of the inspector's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which member states of the European Economic Community make operational subsidies available to their shipping companies; what is the scale of such assistance; and what conditions are imposed on the availability of such assistance.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1986, c. 443]: Up-to-date information is not available, but in general direct operating subsidies in the Community are confined to support for services to outlying communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which member states of the European Economic Community reserve part of their seaborne trade to their national shipping companies; and what is the nature and extent of such cargo reservation in each case.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1986, c. 443]: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain all reserve their cabotage trades to their national flagged vessels. Denmark and the Federal Republic of Germany

	Grants			Financing			Tax or Fiscal Exemption
Country	Description	Volume 1985	1986	Description	Volume 1985	1986	Description	Volume1986	1985
Germany	12·5 per cent, of construction value for new ships and conversion for home owners (not legally bound to national yards) (eight year German flag obligation)	219·33 m DM (for total construction and conversion costs of 1,733 m DM)	Increased to 20 per cent. for conversion	Interest free loans (six years) to home owners based on initial costs and present linear book value of fleet under German flag, not more than 14 years old	80mio DM	continuing	Specific fiscal offsetting of new building losses at a maximum of 150 per cent. of capital share	n.a.	continuing
Denmark	none			a}14 years (four year grace period 8 per cent. loans to home owners) (construction at EEC yards)	Coverage of difference to par: 614 mio DK.R (out of total financed value of 3605·7 mio DKR)	Also in certain foreign currencies		n.a.
Portugal				Credit facilities for owners for constructions in Portugal. Credit on 80 per cent. of contract price. Duration ten years interest rate OECD terms
Belgium				Credit facilities Credit on 70 per cent. of contract price. Interest rate 4–5 per cent. for 15 years with one year moratorium. Credit is available to Belgian ship-owners for building in any country but the vessel under the Belgian flag
United Kingdom				Home Ship-building Credit Guarantee Scheme conforms with OECD understanding on export credit	United Kingdom £207 m	continuing
France	Intensity 0–15 per cent. legally bound to national shipyards	n.a.	n.a.	nil

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which member states of the European Economic Community provide investment grants or other assistance to their shipping companies for the purchase of new ships; what is the size and nature of such grants or assistance in each case; and whether the grant of such aid is conditional on either building such ships in national shipyards or operating them under the national flag.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1986, c. 443]: The available information is as follows:

asked the Attorney-General if he will consider establishing an inquiry into the use of the Welsh language in the courts of Wales.

The Government are committed to the principle of equal validity in the use of English and Welsh in court proceedings in Wales as provided for in the Welsh Language Act 1967. The Lord Chancellor will willingly consider any specific representations about the facilities for the use of Welsh in courts for which he is responsible, but no need is seen for a further general review.

asked the Attorney-General what provision is being made as part of the development of land registration in Wales, for the certificate of land registration to be available in either a Welsh language or bilingual form.

There are approximately 340,000 separate registered properties in Wales. The translation of this information in every case could at present be accomplished only at the cost of an unacceptable delay in the compulsory registration of title.

asked the Attorney-General how many special procedure sittings took place at Merthyr Tydfil county court between 1 August and 1 October in 1983, 1984 and 1985; and how many are planned for those months in 1986.

During the period 1 August to 1 October 1983 there was no special procedure sitting for dissolution of marriage at Merthyr Tydfil county court. One such sitting took place during the same period in each of the following years and one is planned for this year. Normally there is about one special procedure sitting each month. The court on an average sits about four days each month.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will deposit in the Library a full copy of the original safety case for one of the Magnox nuclear power stations now subject to a 20-year safety review.

No. I understand from the operators that the original safety cases, which were prepared for the construction of the Magnox stations, have been continuously updated and that the original documentation does not therefore fully reflect the current safety cases.

asked the Secretary of State for 'Energy what is the latest estimate of the total value of purchases of goods and services made by the public energy utilities; and what proportion of the total was supplied by the private sector.

This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the terms of his assurance about Government financial support for the National Coal Board set out in his answer of 19 June 1985 to the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Portillo), apply to 1986–87 also.

Lower oil prices have increased the competitive pressure on the coal industry. Nevertheless, it remains the board's objective to break even on revenue account by 1987–88, and to earn a positive return thereafter on its assets in real terms after the payment of social grants.I can confirm that, subject to Parliament's approving the necessary provisions, the Government will continue to

Table 1—Labour Force Survey data on employees*aged 16–19 by occupational groupings, in Great Britain
	Male		Female
	Full-time† (thousands)	Part-time† (thousands)	Full-time† (thousands)	Part-time† (thousands)
CODOT broad groupings—1979
Managerial and professional	93	..	58	..
Clerical and related	83	..	378	11
Other non-manual occupations	54	13	107	37
Craft and similar occupations	390	..	80	..
General labourers	55	..	7	..
Other manual occupations	325	20	204	24
TOTAL‡	1,002	41	838	75
CODOT broad groupings—1981
Managerial and professional	74	..	53	..
Clerical and related	69	..	335	22
Other non-manual occupations	57	40	104	91
Craft and similar occupations	351	..	57	..
General labourers	35	..	..	..
Other manual occupations	251	64	173	63
TOTAL‡	840	122	727	181
CODOT broad groupings—1983
Managerial and professional	62	..	48	..
Clerical and related	57	..	273	26
Other non-manual occupations	49	37	86	91
Craft and similar occupations	277	..	45	..
General labourers	42	..	..	..
Other manual occupations	252	65	157	79
TOTAL‡	742	114	616	200
CODOT broad groupings—1984
Managerial and professional	62	..	49	..
Clerical and related	62	11	277	34
Other non-manual occupations	49	55	96	100
Craft and similar occupations	287	..	46	..
General labourers	40	..	..	..
Other manual occupations	266	82	179	97
TOTAL‡	768	163	652	236

asked the Paymaster General (1) if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby, Official Report, 28 April, columns 337–38, he will show the types of job on the CODOT classification of those people aged under 20 years recorded as in (a) full-time and (b) part-time work;(2) if, in the manner of the answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby,

The available labour force survey estimates are given in tables 1 and 2. The amount of occupational detail that can be given is limited by sample size.

asked the Paymaster General what data have been assembled by his Department reflecting the overall level of employment and increases in levels of pay

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year of the labour force survey the number of people aged (a) 16 to 19 years, (b) 20 to 24 years and (c) 25 years and over who were in temporary work, broken down into full and part-time workers.

Estimates of the number of seasonal, temporary or casual jobs are available from the labour force survey since 1981. These are presented in the following table.and earnings in the west midlands region each year since 1979; and how these statistics compare with those of east Anglia and the south-east.

Table 1 records the civilian employed labour force (the sum of employees in employment and the self-employed) in the regions specified at June each year from 1979 while table 2 presents the new earnings survey estimates of gross weekly earnings for April of each year.

Table 1
Civilian employed labour force in June of each year
	West Midlands	East Anglia	South East
1979	2,382	781	8,124
1980	2,362	793	8,166
1981	2,221	768	7,963
1982	2,145	767	7,867
1983	2,094	775	7,825
1984	2,113	802	8,064
1985	2,128	824	8,227

Table 2
Average gross weekly earnings of full-time*adult employees April
	West Midlands		East Anglia		South East
		Per cent. change from previous		Per cent. change from previous		Per cent. change from previous
	£/week	year	£/week	year	£/week	year
1979†	87·2	+13·8	85·7	+14·9	95·6	+13·1
1980†	105·0	+20·4	104·3	+21·7	119·1	+24·6
1981†	117·8	+12·2	120·6	+15·6	134·8	+13·2
1982†	127·9	+8·6	130·3	+8·0	149·3	+10·8
1983	‡137·8	†+8·0	‡139·6	†+8·4	‡162·9	†+9·1
1984‡	149·7	+8·6	150·8	+8·0	176·1	+8·9
1985‡	160·3	+7·1	163·7	+8·6	189·1	+7·4
* Whose earnings were not affected by absence.
† Women aged 18 and over and men aged 21 and over.
‡ Women and men on adult rates.