asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in dealing with pre-1932 claims for Soviet compensation.

The negotiations with the Soviet Union which began over 60 years ago about pre-1939 British financial and property claims and Soviet claims in respect of British involvement in the intervention in Russia from 1918 to 1921 have been brought to a successful conclusion. The Soviet Foreign Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend signed an agreement on the subject this morning. It sets the seal upon many attempts made by successive Administrations over the years to secure a settlement of these claims. Copies of the agreement have, earlier today, been laid and placed in the Library and Vote Office of the House.The Agreement sets out in detail the provisions for a mutual waiver of claims by both Governments. It also provides that each Government shall have full title to the assets remaining in its territory under the terms of the agreement and be solely responsible for settling claims of its own nationals. Finally, it provides for the release to the Soviet Government of a sum of money amounting to £2.65 million in diplomatic and certain miscellaneous official bank accounts held in London. These were essentially embassy and diplomatic accounts which enjoy a special status under international law.We understand that the remaining moneys in banks in the United Kingdom which will become available for distribution to British claimants under the terms of the agreement exceed £45 million. The Government have waived their entitlement to a share of this money in respect of their own claims and it will be distributed to the original private British claimants, both corporate and individual, and to their heirs and successors as well as to the British holders of bonds issued or guaranteed by the Russian Government prior to 7 November 1917 who acquired these bonds on or before Monday, 14 July 1986.An Order-in-Council will be made and laid before Parliament in due course providing for the distribution of this fund. We intend the distribution to be as rapid as possible. We hope it may be completed in its entirety within three years. We have decided that, apart from British bond holders, the distribution will be limited to the original British claims. These original claims were registered over a period of more than 30 years.A cut-off date of Monday 14 July has been set for British bond holders. This has been done in order to avoid speculation in the bonds or their transfer from foreign to British hands. The Stock Exchange therefore suspended all dealings in these Russian bonds at the start of its normal operations today. British bond holders who wish to share in this distribution will be required to make a formal statutory declaration that they had acquired the bonds on or before Monday, 14 July. We have it in mind, subject to the approval of the House, to set a closing date of 31 December 1986 for the presentation of bonds by British bond holders. We propose to allow other applicants a somewhat longer period in which to apply to share in the distribution but the closing date for such applications will not be later than the middle of 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the recent meeting of European Economic Community Heads of Government, what steps are now being taken to consult countries outwith the European Economic Community on the coordination of economic measures to be taken against South Africa; if he will list those countries which he is consulting or intends to consult; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will indicate which of those countries consulted about measures against South Africa have refused to join European Economic Community countries in coordinated action.

In accordance with the decision by the European Council in The Hague on 27 June, consultations are proceeding with other industrialised countries on further measures which might be needed against South Africa. The details of these consultations are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate, from information available to him, which countries have supplied any military weapons or equipment to South Africa in the last three years, notwithstanding the United Nations arms embargo.

We comply fully with the requirements of Security Council Resolution 418 (the UN Arms Embargo). It would not be proper for me to speculate whether other Governments are failing to do so. The UN Security Arms Embargo Committee is the forum for the investigation of alleged breaches.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Hong Kong about the Daya Bay power station project; and if he will make a statement.

We have received no representations. We have, however, been following very closely the expressions of concern in Hong Kong about the project. We recognise that the people of Hong Kong will wish to be reassured of the safety of the Daya Bay plant. There are a number of initiatives under way to ensure that they are kept informed about the safety measures to be adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Government of Spain.

Our relations with Spain are excellent.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in the Official Report Government Departments and the percentage and number of registered disabled employed by each at the latest available date.

The figures for registered disabled persons employed by Government Departments are collected each summer and published by the Cabinet Office in its annual publication "Independent". The 1986 figures are currently being assembled but the figures for 1 June 1985 were published in January in the 1986 issue of "Independent", of which there are copies in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library a full description of the advanced investigations and site exploration in connection with the Severn barrage announced on 9 July.

The programme of work to be undertaken on the Severn barrage will include the following areas:

• Tidal Regime, Hydrodynamics and Energy Production
• Geology, Geomorphology and Structure Foundation
• Power Systems
• Civil Engineering
• Barrage Operating Costs
• Regional Economics and Planning
• Ecological—Environment

The details of this work programme are still being discussed by the parties involved. I shall place a copy of the finalised programme in the Libraries of both Houses when it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what sanctions are applicable against companies exporting North sea crude oil to countries excluded from such exports by the policy indicated in his answer of 9 July.

This is a matter to which we attach considerable importance and we do not expect companies to ignore our views. What we would do in the event of their doing so is a hypothetical question.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, he will now list those countries to which exports of North sea crude oil are precluded by the policy indicated in that reply.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 8 December 1983 to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor), at column 222.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the forms and leaflets published by his Department in a Gaelic or in Gaelic/English bilingual format.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to ensure that all documents relating to the 20-year safety reviews of Magnox nuclear reactors will be published in full; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 June 1986, c. 52]: No. It is essentially for the operators and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive to decide what is practicable. As I told the hon. Member in a written answer on 20 May, the inspectorate will in future publish its conclusions on each long-term safety review, following discussion of those conclusions with the licensee.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any proposals for further offshore production licensing.

[pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1986, c. 118]: The arrangements for the tenth round of offshore petroleum production licensing have now been determined. A text describing the arrangements has been placed today in the Libraries of both Houses. The text, which will be published in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes on Friday 25 July, includes a list and map showing the blocks for which applications will be invited. I expect that around 50 to 60 of the 127 blocks on offer will be licensed. All awards will be at the discretion of the Secretary of State.A mix of blocks from different areas of the United Kingdom continental shelf will be on offer, distributed as follows:

Northern North Sea	24
Moray Firth	36
Central North Sea	23
Mid North Sea High	5
Southern North Sea	26
Rockall Trough	7
Faeroes Trough	6

The closing date for applications will be noon on tuesday 17 February 1987.The selection of blocks for offer has followed extensive consultations with interested organisations, including fishing and environmental interests. In certain blocks, for example these close to the coast, there will be drilling restrictions or other special requirements to reflect the sensitivity of the areas for fishing, wildlife, defence or navigation.I will also expect licensees considering development plans for any discoveries near the shore to carry out a study into the implications and impact of the proposed development, in consultation with all interested parties.A key objective for the tenth round is to consolidate on the ninth round and encourage exploration in areas which merit more intensive examination. We need to maintain continuity on the United Kingdom continental shelf to increase knowledge of our oil and gas reserves and provide potential for developments in the 1990s to replace existing fields when they start declining. I believe that the United Kingdom continental shelf remains one of the most attractive areas in the world for hydrocarbons exploration.Applicants for licences will be judged against the background of the continuing need for expeditious, thorough and efficient exploration to identify oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom continental shelf, including deep water and other frontier areas.The terms on which licences will be awarded will be on the same general lines as in ninth round, though rental charges will be indexed against movements in the price of oil.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many doctors' posts have been lost in the National Health Service over the past year.

I regret that the information requested is not collected centrally. However, sustained increases in medical manpower in the hospital and community health services are shown in the following table.

Hospital and community health services medical staff at 30 September: England
Whole-time equivalent
	Number
1979	34,929
1984	38,201
1985	38,851

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the numbers of doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, opticians and pharmacists in (a) Derbyshire and (b) Amber Valley in 1979, 1983 and the latest year for which figures are available.

I regret that figures for Amber Valley are not available centrally. To obtain information to this level of detail my hon. Friend may wish to contact the chairman of the South Derbyshire district health authority.I regret that information on the total numbers of doctors and dentists employed in Derbyshire is also not available centrally. The contracts of senior doctors and dentists (that is consultants and senior registrars) are normally held by regional health authorities, and therefore the district health authorities in which they are employed cannot normally be identified. Such information as is available, excluding these staff, is given in the table.

	Number of Contracts Awarded In-House	Estimated Annual Savings	Number of Contracts Awarded to Contractors	Estimated Annual Savings
		£ million		£ million
Domestic Services	294	21·0	121	19·5
Catering Services	159	5·7	8	0·9
Laundry Services	69	3·9	20	1·1
Total	522	30·6	149	21·5

asked the Secretary of State For Social Services what is the total amount of savings for the last year for which figures are available, achieved by the National Health Service through the contracting out of (a) domestic services, (b) catering, (c) laundry and (d) any other duties to private contractors; and what proportion of these services are now contracted out nationally.

I regret that the information requested is not available in the form requested. However, my hon. Friend may wish to know that the position at 31 March 1986 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of registered deaths by hypothermia per month from January 1980.

Number of deaths with any mention of hypothermia by month of registration England and Wales—1980–86
Month	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986*
January	159	99	227	75	103	211	101
February	94	113	106	116	105	165	177
March	65	115	88	94	93	131	190
April	50	45	42	41	56	76	103
May	27	31	14	38	37	49	69
June	12	24	20	23	22	23	n/a
July	8	13	11	12	13	12	n/a
August	10	9	6	5	7	11	n/a
September	15	12	18	13	16	13	n/a
October	33	41	23	18	19	23	n/a
November	38	37	38	35	29	44	n/a
December	85	146	71	68	55	68	n/a
January-December	596	685	664	538	555	826	n/a
* Provisional.

n/a Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what restrictions have been placed either on the hours which ambulancemen in Greater Manchester can work or on the number of ambulances which can be used, over the last 12 months;(2) how many journeys ambulances make for each station in Greater Manchester in the first week in May for each of the last five years; and how many patients were not carried although requests were made by hospitals or doctors for their transport;(3) how many ambulancemen were employed at each ambulance station in Greater Manchester on 1 May in the current year and for the last five years;(4) how many patients in Greater Manchester were unable to keep appointments at hospitals with consultants due to lack of ambulances to take them to the hospitals for their appointments; and if he will break down the figures by day and week for the last six weeks for which figures are available.

We do not hold such information centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to address his inquiries to the chairman of North-Western regional health authority, which is responsible for the management of the Greater Manchester metropolitan ambulance service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will carry out an inquiry as to why the number of attendants at the Tameside district general hospital mortuary has been reduced.

No. The management of Tameside district general hospital is the responsibility of Tameside and Glossop health authority. The hon. Member may therefore wish to seek the information he requires from the chairman of that authority.

The numbers of deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, irrespective of whether it did or did not appear as the underlying cause of death, by month of registration for 1980 to the latest available complete month of 1986 for England and Wales, are shown in the table. The figures for 1986 are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made by his Department in its consultations with representatives of local authorities on the detailed arrangements for the new housing benefit scheme; and when he expects to be able to publish firm proposals in respect of (a) certification and liaison between authorities and his Department, (b) service charges, (c) amenity charges, (d) recovery of overpayments, (e) net income assessments and (f) subsidies.

Substantial progress has been made in discussion on future subsidy arrangements, and exploratory discussions are nearing completion on assessment of net income and liaison arrangements between local authorities and local social security offices.Our firm proposals on liaison arrangements, service and amenity charges, recovery of overpayments and net income assessment will be set out in regulations. We will consult the local authority associations on these in the usual way, before laying the regulations in draft before Parliament early next year. Firm proposals on subsidy will be set out in an order early in 1988.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what survey into the manpower needs of the medicines inspectorate was carried out in recent years; and what were the recommendations.

An internal management report reviewing the function and effective use of medicines inspectorate resources has very recently been received and is under consideration by senior departmental officials.The report emphasises the considerable contribution to improving standards of manufacturing practice in the pharmaceutical industry made by the medicines inspectorate and its high collective and individual professional standing in the United Kingdom and overseas. The report does not recommend any change in the current staffing level but provides guidance on developing management measures for obtaining the best value for money from the work of the medicines inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that all ophthalmic opticians include tests for glaucoma in each examination; if he will encourage and provide resources for the equipment for such tests; and if he will make a statement.

The use of ophthalmoscopy for the detection of glaucoma is already part of the routine sight test carried out under the general ophthalmic service and will remain so. There is also a requirement in its National Health Service terms of service for GOS practitioners to inform the patient's doctor if any abnormality is detected in the course of the sight test.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the leaflets and forms which his Department prints in Gaelic or in a bilingual English/Gaelic format.

A version of the combined explanatory leaflet and claim form for supplementary benefit (SB1) is available in Gaelic.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people claimed supplementary benefit in Alyn and Deeside constituency in (a) 1979 and (b) 1985; what percentage change that represents; and what was the percentage change in (i) staff handling supplementary benefit and (ii) all staff at the local offices of his Department over the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give the figures for the number of claimants of supplementary benefit in the Govan constituency at the most recent date for which figures are available and comparable figures for 1979; and what percentage change the latest figures represent;(2) what were the numbers of staff employed on supplementary benefit work in his Department's local offices in the south-west of Glasgow at the latest available date; and if he will give comparative figures for 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people claimed supplementary benefit at the latest available date in 1986 and the comparable month in 1979 at each of the Coventry offices of his Department; what percentage change that represents; and what was the change in numbers and in percentage terms in the staff handling supplementary benefit and in all staff at those offices for the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people claimed supplementary benefit in the St. Helens, South constituency in (a) 1979, and (b) 1985; what percentage change this represents; and what was the percentage change in (i) staff handling supplementary benefit and (ii) all staff at the local offices of his Department for the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people claimed supplementary benefit in Cunninghame, South constituency in (a) 1979 arid (b) 1985; what percentage change this represents; and what was the percentage change in (i) staff handling supplementary benefit and (ii) all staff at the local offices of his Department for the same period.

I shall-let the right hon. and hon. Members have replies as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met the chairman of the South-West Thames regional health authority; and if he will make a statement about the effect of the resources allocation working party in this region of London.

My right hon. Friend meets all regional health authority chairmen at regular two-monthly intervals to discuss a wide range of topics. The last such meeting was held on 21 May.The distribution of funds within South-West Thames is a matter for the region. Regions are expected to follow the resources allocation working party approach of improving equity of access to services, to plan their services and funding accordingly and to plan for a manageable pace of change. These aspects are taken into account in assessing and approving regions' strategic plans and progress is monitored through their short-term programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps his Department has taken to integrate workplace cervical cancer screening with those operated by the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Some workplace cervical cancer screening is organised by health authorities either directly or using the mobile clinics of the Women's National Cancer Control Campaign. Other workplace screening is organised by individual employers. However, there is no requirement for employers to notify the Department or health authorities of these activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply of 1 May, Official Report, column 470, if he has any information showing standardised mortality ratios of men aged 15 to 64 years according to social class based on occupations recorded in the 1981 census, and at death registration prior to and following the census, where occupations have been coded into social classes according to both the 1970 and 1980 classifications of occupations.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 July 1986, c. 270]: No, not in this precise form, though a re-coding study of the occupations of a sample of those who died in 1979–80 has been made for the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys longitudinal study. Some conclusions from this will be published in the forthcoming decennial supplement on occupational mortality. A possible further re-coding study is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when his Department will expedite the payment to Captain Balnave of 23 Malvern Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, awarded to him on appeal.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 July 1986, c. 171]: Captain Balnave's appeal was successful in establishing entitlement to a war pension for an additional disablement. A medical board is being arranged to advise on the assessment of the level of disability so that payment can be made at the appropriate rate as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer of 13 May, Official Report, columns 433–34, whether he will publish in the Official Report an estimate of the numbers of (a) privately educated and (b) publicly educated pupils in each group, together with the UNESCO definitions used in compiling the figures.

The available estimates are shown in the following table, covering 1st and 2nd levels. Pupils at private schools in France, USA and Japan include those in schools receiving public subsidies. The private sector figure for Germany has been derived by assuming that 4 per cent. of pupils attend private schools. The private sector figures for France, Japan and the USA were taken

Estimated numbers of publicly and privately educated pupils
Thousands
	Year	1st level1		2nd level2		1st and 2nd levels
		Private	Public	Private	Public	Private	Public
France	1980	670	3,940	1,030	3,990	1,700	7,930
Japan	1982	60	11,770	1,440	8,600	1,500	20,370
United States of America3	1981	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	4,640	37,800
United Kingdom	1983	192	4,133	380	45,187	572	49,321
Federal Republic of Germany5	1982	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	350	8,400
n.a. = Not available.
1 Equates broadly with primary (compulsory) education.
2 Equates broadly with secondary school education and non-advanced further education.
3 Includes special education.
4 Includes full-time equivalent public sector non-advanced further education student numbers.
5 Excludes some 1·8 million students in Dart-time vocational education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will direct Devon county council, under section 68 of the Education Act 1944, to permit hon. Members to visit schools in their constituencies in Devon; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the chief executive of Devon county council has written to local Members of from national statistical publications of those countries. The public sector figure was derived by subtraction from the total figure supplied to UNESCO.The International Standard Classification of Education Handbook defines level as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many village schools have closed in each education authority in the United Kingdom during each of the last five years.

The numbers of rural school closures in England are as follows:

	Primary	Secondary	Total
1981	88	1	89
1982	75	1	76
1983	127	4	131
1984	100	3	103
1985	50	6	56

The numbers of closures by education authority could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The figures for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the procedures that are followed before a village school can be closed; and if he will make a statement.

A local education authority which intends to close a school must first publish its proposals in accordance with section 12 of the Education Act 1980. Guidance on procedures to be followed is contained in the Department's circulars 2/80, 2/81, 4/82 and administrative memorandum 4/84, copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will initiate discussions with employers' organisations with a view to them releasing mathematics and physics graduates from industry to teach these subjects in schools; and if he will make a statement.

The Department published a consultative document on 9 July seeking the co-operation of all with an interest in improving the supply of teachers

United Kingdom imports of cement (COO) 1981 to 1985
Quantity thousand metric tonnes
	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
	Quantity	Quantity	Quantity	Quantity	Quantity
France	6·5	2·1	2·0	11·4	39·8
Belgium/Luxembourg	7·8	14·2	14·2	10·9	4·4
Netherlands	29·9	26·6	131·8	137·9	110·5
Federal Republic of Germany	13·7	48·6	114·3	114·2	72·5
Irish Republic	129·3	168·0	86·8	73·2	211·3
Spain	—	—	7·1	43·0	44·2
German Democratic Republic	0·0	18·0	54·9	50·0	62·3
Poland	0·1	0·1	15·8	56·0	56·6
Other countries	0·8	4·2	1·5	3·0	17·3
Total	188·1	281·8	428·5	499·6	618·9

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the Official Report the level of imports of cement into the United Kingdom in each of the past three yars.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he plans to make any financial cuts in the Welsh Plant Breeding Station, "Gogerddan' Aberystwyth in the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 July 1986, c. 178]: The allocation of funds to the Welsh Plant Breeding Station is the responsibility of the Agricultural and Food Research Council. I understand that the budget for 1987–88 is currently under discussion; detailed plans for later years have yet to be formulated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of imports of cement into the United Kingdom each year for the past five years; and what were the countries of origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the tonnage of cement imports into the United Kingdom for each year since 1980, together with the countries of origin.

The information is as follows:

[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1986]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the controls introduced to enforce the ban on the sale and export of computer equipment capable of use by South African military forces, police or security forces, as agreed in the Commonwealth accord on southern Africa on 20 October 1985.

The Export of Goods (Control) Order 1985, as amended, subjects most computers and associated equipment to export licensing for all destinations, including South Africa. A licence is not issued unless the end-use and end-user are satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce a ban on the sale of Krugerrands in the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a breakdown for each region of the numbers of reports received by his Department of abuses of citizens band radio regulations, the number of such complaints which were investigated by his Department, the number of cases in which prosecutions were brought and the number of convictions which were achieved in each of the years since citizens radio was introduced.

The Radio Investigation Service, which enforces the Wireless Telegraphy Acts, transferred from British Telecom to my Department in August 1984 and has since gone through a period of integration. Information on the number of complaints, investigations and prosecutions by RIS districts was not held centrally prior to 1 April 1986 and could now be provided only at disproportionate cost.The number of persons prosecuted and convicted for offences related to citizens band radio for the years following the introduction of the FM CB service into the United Kingdom on 2 November 1981, was as follows:

	Persons prosecuted		Persons convicted
	Use of AM CB equipment	FM CB related offence	Use of AM CB equipment	FM CB related offence
1982	2,310	25	2,274	25
1983	1,404	66	1,379	66
1984	949	221	940	220
1985	473	467	471	461

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if officials of his Department have been invited by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to submit evidence in relation to the bid by Elders XL for Allied-Lyons.

Yes. It is the normal practice of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to invite evidence from interested Departments. In this case written evidence was submitted on behalf of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy, in considering recommendations from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, to take into account the most recent information available to him on the activities of the companies involved.

In considering reports by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission my right hon. Friend takes into account all relevant factors, as does the commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now state what action he proposes to take on the flammability of upholstered furniture, and, in particular, the replacement of standard polyurethane foam in upholstery combinations where it poses an unacceptable safety hazard.

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1986, c. 10.]: I would refer the right hon. member to my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Rathbone) on 1 July. The option of reference to a code of practice on match ignitability will offer an advantage over the simple match test requirement, in that it will encourage furniture manufacturers to use safer fillings rather than concentrating on the selection and use of protective cover fabrics.The proposed code of practice will permit the use of high resilience polyurethane foam (which has better characteristics in its behaviour in fire than does the standard product) in combination with certain covering materials. But some presently popular combinations including standard polyurethane foam filling will not meet the criteria and will therefore not be permitted by the code.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what is his policy towards the prosecution of dog owners who allow their pets to foul public parks and highways.

No special policy exists. Reports of such offences are dealt with by the prosecution authorities in the same way as reports of other contraventions of the criminal law.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will make it his policy to allow the use of the Gaelic language in Scottish court proceedings.

In an appeal heard in 1982 the High Court of Justiciary held that the language of the courts in Scotland is English. There are no plans to change that position at the present time. However, the right hon. Member will be aware there is a statutory requirement that one member of the Scottish Land Court should be a Gaelic speaker.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will list the forms and leaflets for use in Scottish courts which are published in Gaelic or in a Gaelic/English bilingual format.

I understand that there are no Gaelic/English forms in use in Scottish courts.

asked the Paymaster General (1) what are the latest figures available for the number of new businesses registered in Derbyshire since 1979;(2) what has been the net change in the number of new businesses since 1979 and 1983.

Around 11,600 new businesses registered for VAT in Derbyshire between the end of 1979 and the end of 1984. For the same period the net increase in the number of businesses registered was about 2,200, including a net increase in the order of 420 between the end of 1983 and the end of 1984.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the future role of the Manpower Services Commission education and training.

The White Paper "Working Together—Education and Training" published on 2 July outlines the future direction of relevant activities of the Manpower Services Commission and announces the new tasks which the Government wish it to undertake. In particular, the commission is asked to administer the national extension of the technical and vocational education initiative from autumn 1987 and to assist and support the National Council for Vocational Qualifications in creating a new framework of national vocational qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

asked the Paymaster General how many representations he has received (a) for and (b) against, the proposal to introduce a fee for applications to industrial tribunals.

Comments on the proposal to introduce a fee for applications to industrial tribunals have been asked for by 30 September. Up to 11 July the Department had received five letters broadly opposing the proposal and four broadly supporting it.

asked the Paymaster General how many applications to industrial tribunals were made in the last quarter for which figures are available in respect of claims for (a)unfair dismissal, (b) equal pay, (c) sex discrimination and (d) race discrimination.

The number of applications registered by the industrial tribunals for the quarter ending 30 June 1986 is as follows:

asked the Paymaster General what representations he has had from the staff association representing workers at Government Communications Headquarters, Cheltenham, on the United Kingdom's obligations under International Labour Organisation convention.

None.

asked the Paymaster General what response he has had to the steps he has announced he is taking to assist the long-term unemployed.

The new restart programme, under which all long-term unemployed people will be invited for a jobcentre interview by the end of next March, has been widely welcomed, notably by the long-term unemployed themselves. In the period to 12 June, in those areas where the programme started early, 95 per cent. of those due to be interviewed in the period responded positively by attending for their interview.We are also continuing to expand the community programme, which provides worthwhile job opportunities for over 300,000 long-term unemployed people.The wide range of measures to assist the unemployed and others is described in our booklet "Action for Jobs", which has been widely distributed and well received.

asked the Paymaster General what, is the take-up of (a) community programme places and (b) YTS places by (i) all local authorities and (ii) all health authorities, in the latest year for which figures are available.

I regret that the information requested is not available. However, on 31 May 1986, the latest date for which statistics are available, there were 93,883 people taking part in local authority schemes under tile community programme. For YTS on the same date, there were 30,737 young people in training on local authority schemes, for which contracts have been awarded since 1 April 1986.Figures for health authorities are not available.

asked the Paymaster General whether he has any proposals for changing the levy arrangements operated by the construction industry training board.

The primary responsibility for determining levy arrangements rests with the industry's own representatives on the board. I understand that its proposals for the 1986 levy will be forwarded to the Manpower Services Commission shortly. The House will have the opportunity to consider these later this year.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the forms, leaflets and pamphlets published by his Department in Gaelic or in Gaelic/English bilingual format.

The Department of Employment does not publish any forms, leaflets or pamphlets in Gaelic or in a Gaelic/English bilingual format. However, the Stornoway unemployment benefit office, which deals with proportionately the largest Gaelic-speaking community in Scotland, has two Gaelic-speaking members of staff who are able to deal with any claimant who wishes to have his claim dealt with in Gaelic.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list in the Official Report the names and addresses of companies prosecuted under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts 1944 and 1958 since 1956 and the outcomes of each prosecution.

Six employers have been prosecuted under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 since 1956. Of these, five were convicted and fined. The case against one employer was dismissed by the courts. The last prosecutions were in 1975. I do not think it would be helpful at this stage to publish the names and addresses of the companies who have been prosecuted.

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest information available on how many employers are subject to the disabled persons quota; of these, what percentage meet the quota; what percentage were issued with permits within the last 12 months and what percentages were issued with bulk permits; and what percentage were below their quotas but had not been issued with permits.

The latest information available relates to 1 June 1985 and was given in a written answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 18 March 1986 at column 181. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as the 1986 figures are available, probably by early August.

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement about the report of the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee.

My right hon. and noble Friend and I have today presented the committee's report to the House and copies are available in the Library. The committee concluded unanimously that the retail prices index fully merits public acceptance and, with the changes it recommends, will continue to do so. These changes are in the main directed to improving the coverage and construction of the index and to clarifying the principles which govern its construction and use. My right hon. and noble Friend is accepting all the committee's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average age of British Rail passenger rolling stock for which consent for replacement was given over the last five years; what was the oldest and youngest stock so replaced; and what are the corresponding data for stock for the London and south-eastern sector.

The normal "design life" of passenger rolling stock ranges between 20 and 40 years, (the latter figure often involving a mid-life refurbishment.) Replacements in recent years have been influenced by the board's policy commitment to withdrawing vehicles containing asbestos by the end of 1987. Vehicles ranging in age from eight to 33 years are currently being replaced. Both these extremes relate to network south-east stock. I do not have the information needed to calculate a meaningful average.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he is giving to motorcyclists on the use of headlights in daytime; and if he will make a statement.

Our advice to riders is that wearing fluorescent clothing and-on larger machines-using dipped headlamps will make them more readily visible to other road users in daylight. This advice is included in the proposed revision of the Highway Code which has been laid before Parliament. Consultation indicated general support for advice on these lines and in particular the need to make clear that the use of dipped headlamps applies to larger machines only.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the regulations controlling safety standards for carriage of dangerous commodities on railways.

Dangerous goods are accepted by British Rail under the conditions contained in its list of dangerous goods and conditions of acceptance. Special instructions to staff on the handling and conveyance of all dangerous goods are contained in its "Working Manual for Rail Staff". The Railways Act 1921 (section 50) requires the owner or consignor of dangerous goods to comply with the rules laid down by the railway. The Railway Clauses Act 1845 (section 105) requires the consignor to give the railway a written indication of goods that are dangerous. Specific regulations for the conveyance of military explosives by rail are contained in SI No. 889 of 1977. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 have a general appliation to the transport of radioactive substances; all materials in this category are carried in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency safety standards. For international traffic, the regulations concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail are also relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the leaflets, forms and pamphlets which are published by his Department in the Gaelic language or in a Gaelic/English bilingual format.

My Department issues no leaflets, forms or pamphlets in the Gaelic language or in a Gaelic/English bilingual format.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in implementing the National Bus Company's disposal programme.

My right hon. Friend has given approval for the sale of the National Bus Company's subsidiary National Holidays Ltd. to a subsidiary of the Pleasurama Group, Smiths Happiways Ltd.This first successful sale marks the start of privatisation for the National Bus Company.Smiths Happiways will continue to employ all the present management and employees of National Holidays, who will be given normal access to the firm's share option and purchase schemes.The Smiths Happiways bid, which was recommended by the National Bus Company, was one of four offers received, including one from the management of National Holidays, which was substantially lower than the successful offer.The National Bus Company is currently negotiating on the sale of several other subsidiaries, all of which include bids from management teams.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to raise the official environmental quality standard of 0·3 mg of mercury per kilo in fish caught in Liverpool bay; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1986]: No.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to pay an official visit to Macclesfield.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Dewsbury and Batley and Spen.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what criteria are used to determine which official papers relating to the conduct of Government business should be preserved and which should be shredded; and what role is played in this process by the Cabinet Office.

Every Department, including the Cabinet Office, has a departmental records officer whose duty it is to select departmental records for preservation in accordance with the principles set out by the Grill committee on Departmental Records (Cmnd. 9163 of 1952). If in doubt a departmental records officer may seek the advice of an inspecting officer of the Public Records Office.

asked the Prime Minister if any loans were provided by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of South Africa during the years 1979 to 1985.

Her Majesty's Government provided no loans to the Government of South Africa during this period.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to implement a ban on the promotion of tourism to South Africa.

This was one of the possible further measures in the Commonwealth Accord for consideration by Commonweath Heads of Government. We are not committed to any of these measures. But they may be discussed at the Commonwealth review meeting next month.

asked the Prime Minister what were the main recommendations accepted by Her Majesty's Government from the reports of the 14 departmental Select Committees during (a) March 1983 and March 1984 and (b) March 1984 and March 1985.

The tables below show the main recommendations accepted by Her Majesty's Government from the reports of the departmental Select Committees published between (a) March 1983 and February 1984 and (b) March 1984 and February 1985. In addition, during this period there have been numerous lesser recommendations which have been accepted and suggestions or statements made in reports which the Government have noted.