asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the biological half-lives of caesium-134 and -137 which he has adopted for planning purposes in connection with the ban on lamb sales in North West Wales.

Activity from radioactive caesium can remain in the tissues of mature animals which have ingested it for a period of between 50 and 100 days although for young animals such as lamb the period is 20 to 30 days.

asked the Attorney-General if he will provide a breakdown of the estimated provision for 1986–87 for net expenditure on legal advice and assistance of £94·4 million showing how that total is anticipated to be spent between the different classes of work covered by legal advice and assistance.

Of the £94·4 million, approximately £59 million is for legal advice and assistance—the Green Form scheme—£12 million is for assistance by way of representation—ABWOR—and the remainder for the 24-hour duty solicitor scheme. Within the £59 million for the green form scheme, if the pattern of previous years is followed, roughly 50 per cent. will relate to family matters, 25 per cent. to criminal matters, and 25 per cent. to other civil matters.

asked the Attorney-General what facilities were provided in the Land Registry during working time and on Government premises for the promotion of particular candidates and for the holding of ballots in the recent Civil and Public Services Association elections; on what criteria facilities were granted for particular meetings; and if he will make a statement.

The Land Registry provided accommodation and paid time off—up to half an hour — for members of the Civil and Public Services Association to attend balloting meetings and cast their votes in the recent elections. Such meetings are held at times which minimise disruption to business and the service to the public.Within the facilities provided, it is for union representatives to supervise the balloting arrangements in accordance with the union's rules and therefore the Department is not in a position to say whether or not these procedures involve the promotion of particular candidates.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation since its establishment; and if he will make a statement.

The Falkland Islands Development Corporation— FIDC—has now been fully operational for two years following the inaugural meeting in July 1984. Its second annual report to he published on 17 July 1986 reveals that it has been involved in a wide range of activities funded from its £4 million budget, provided by the Overseas Development Administration — ODA —ranging from small grants for local businesses to substantial commitments for projects such as a market garden, a wool mill, a dairy, tourism facilities and a shopping complex at the new Mount Pleasant airport.In a short time, the FIDC has established itself as a major force for development in the Falklands. I shall be considering over the next few months what further contributions it would be appropriate to make towards the FIDC's budget, on the basis of the report expected shortly of a joint review of the FIDC's operations by the Falkland Islands Government and ODA, representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign arid Commonwealth Affairs how much aid Britain is giving in the current year to (a) Ghana, (b) Kenya, (c) Nigeria, (d) Tanzania and (e) Uganda.

Estimated bilateral aid expenditure in the financial year 1985–86 was:

(a) Ghana	£6 million.
(b) Kenya	£21 million.
(c) Nigeria	£3 million.
(d) Tanzania	£14 million.
(e) Uganda	£3 million.

It is not yet possible to say what the level of aid expenditure will be in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to reconsider the level of aid to (a) Ghana, (b) Kenya, (c) Nigeria, (d) Tanzania and (e) Uganda in the light of these countries boycotting the Commonwealth Games.

The level of our aid to individual countries is kept under regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the range of fines, prison sentences and suspended prison sentences imposed for drug offences in Avon for the last five years.

The information requested for the years 1980 to 1984 is given in the following table; corresponding information for 1985 is not yet available.

Sentences imposed at Avon magistrates courts and Bristol Crown court for offences involving controlled drugs by type of sentence
Number of convictions*
Type of sentence and amount	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Unsuspended sentences of imprisonment
Up to and including 1 month	11	2	16	9	5
Over 1 month up to and including 3 months	14	4	11	14	4
Over 3 months up to and including 6 months	15	10	12	7	4
Over 6 months up to and including 12 months	6	9	7	—	8
Over 1 year up to and including 2 years	6	2	12	3	9
Over 2 years up to and including 5 years	14	14	9	6	12
Over 5 years up to and including 7 years	—	—	—	3	3
TOTAL	66	41	67	42	45
Suspended sentences of imprisonment
Up to and including 1 month	3	2	13	4	7
Over 1 month up to and including 3 months	10	6	23	6	8
Over 3 months up to and including 6 months	9	10	11	4	5
Over 6 months up to and including 12 months	6	13	6	4	3
Over 1 year up to and including 2 years	1	3	7	—	11
TOTAL	29	34	60	18	34
Partly suspended sentences of imprisonment
Up to and including 6 months	—	—	—	4	1
Over 6 months up to and including 12 months	—	—	9	4	1
Over 1 year up to and including 2 years	—	—	—	2	1
TOTAL	—	—	9	10	3
Fines
Up to and including £50	126	148	140	106	71
Over £50 up to and including £100	128	115	123	95	71
Over £100 up to and including £150	10	6	9	9	5
Over £150 up to and including £200	1	5	7	4	3
Over £200 up to and including £500	2	5	3	1	2
TOTAL	268	279	282	215	152
* One conviction has been counted for each finding of guilt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been imposed by magistrates in Avon on people for being in the possession of drugs in the last five years.

The information requested for the years 1980 to 1984 is given in the following table: corresponding information for 1985 is not yet available.

Convictions at Avon magistrates' courts for the offence of unlawful possession of a controlled drug
	Number*
1980	203
1981	237
1982	267
1983	186
1984	155
* one conviction has been counted for each finding of guilt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people left custody (a) after serving sentences and (b) after being held in custody before trial or sentence in the most recent convenient year.

It is estimated from central records, which are approximate, that about 94,500 sentenced prisoners, including fine defaulters, were released from prison department establishments in England and Wales in 1985. The corresponding figure for discharges of remand prisoners is not available. However, the information published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales" on receptions gives an approximate indication of the numbers discharged. Table 2.2 of the latest issue for 1984 — Cmnd. 9622—shows about 29,500 persons—provisional figures—received on remand in 1984 who were not recorded as having subsequently been received under sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what categories of prisoner it is intended to accommodate at Milton Keynes prison.

Milton Keynes will be a local prison taking the full range of prisoners held in such establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a unit for category A prisoners will be provided at Milton Keynes prison.

There are at present no plans for providing a discrete unit solely for category A prisoners at Milton Keynes, but it is likely that some category A inmates will be accommodated at this prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a unit for disruptive prisoners of the kind recommended by the control review committee will be provided at Milton Keynes prison.

The establishment of a unit of the kind recommended by the control review committee is one of the options being considered for this establishment which will not receive its first prisoners until 1992.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are currently in post to deal with City and financial fraud; and how this number compares with the figures for each year since 1979.

The number of officers in the Metropolitan and City police company fraud department engaged in the investigation of company fraud is as follows:—

	Metropolitan Police Officers	City Police Officers	Total
1979	163	46	209
1980	163	46	209
1981	163	46	209
1982	153	46	199
1983	144	53	190
1984	147	53	200
1985	147	53	200
1986	147	53	200

The Metropolitan police manpower increases which my right hon. Friend announced on 20 May should enable the Commissioner to increase the strength of the squad in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many times during the past 12 months a Metropolitan Police helicopter has been used in Newham; what incidents were involved; and what arrests resulted from information received from the helicopter crew.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that between 1 July 1985 and 30 June 1986 the Metropolitan police helicopters carried out 282 assignments in the London borough of Newham. Details could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but the assignments included assisting at scenes of crime and in the search for suspects, traffic management and searching for missing children. A total of 95 arrests resulted from the incidents in which the helicopters were used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the taxpayer of funding provided to the Commission for Racial Equality for the most recent 12-months period for which figures are available.

In the financial year 1985–86 grant in aid totalling £9,447,322 was paid to the Commission for Racial Equality.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 4 July, concerning the number of accesses to the police national computer, if he will give comparable figures for the year to June 1985 on the same basis.

The total number of accesses in the year to June 1985 was as follows:

Index	Number of Accesses
1. Stolen and Suspect vehicles	18,774,836
2. Vehicle owners
3. Chassis/engine Numbers	886,740
4. Fingerprints	233,219
5. Fingerprints—Scenes of Crime	16,809
6. Criminal Names	1,346,806
7. Wanted/Missing Persons	1,455,335
8. Disqualified Drivers	635,772
9. Convictions	2,802
10. Major Investigations	50,851
There have also been the following joint accesses:
To indices 6 and 7	1,157,537
To indices 6, 7 and 8	5,374,679
To indices 4 and 6	80,892

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to the answer of 26 June, Official Report, column 272, he has yet reached any conclusions, following his study of the book "Error of Judgment" by Chris Mullin, about the implications for the efficiency of the police forensic science services of the evidence contained in that book about the preparation of the prosecution case in the trial relating to the Birmingham pub bombings; and if he will make a statement.

As I mentioned in that reply, I am considering the material in Mr. Mullin's book in the context of my review of the case as a whole. Any wider implications which may emerge will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the recommendations of the Peacock report regarding pensioners on supplementary benefit and the television licence fee.

Two early-day motions—Nos. 1059 and 1065—have been tabled calling for the implementation of the Peacock committee's recommendation that certain pensioners in receipt of supplementary pension be exempt from the licence fee. One hon. Member has written on behalf of a constituent who opposes the recommendation, and two letters have been received from members of the public, one in favour and one against the recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for each of the past five years, what was the number of write-offs obtained by Metropolitan police officers from confessions by prisoners serving sentences for other unrelated offences.

I will reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what stage has been reached in the scrutiny led by the efficiency unit of the prison service's court duties.

The Lord Chancellor and I have received the scrutiny team's report on court's escorts and we are considering its recommendations. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the progress that has been made in the fight against drugs since the ministerial group on drug abuse was set up two years ago.

The ministerial group on misuse of drugs, chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, was set up in July 1984 to supervise the Government's five-point strategy against drug misuse. Since then it has implemented and co-ordinated a wide range of initiatives designed to stifle the supply of and the demand for drugs. The results have been impressive: we have seen more international action, more seizures, more arrests, greater awareness among the general public, and particularly the young, of the dangers of drug misuse, better services for drug misusers, more effective co-operation among service providers at local level, and more community action. Vital new legislation, with all-party support, to confiscate the proceeds of convicted drug traffickers has recently been enacted and will come into effect as soon as possible. I am placing in the Vote Office and the Library a summary of our initiatives and achievements since the group was established. The group has overseen substantial achievements. I pay tribute to the work of its chairman and members, both ministerial and official.The situation is of course still very serious. Too many people are still willing to take drugs; the quantity of hard drugs available remains far too great. Our attack on drug misuse will be sustained as long as may be necessary.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the cost and the number of man hours of staff of the Palace of Westminster involved in preparation for, and control of, the mass lobby of the House of Commons which took place on Tuesday 8 July.

Mass lobbies are an accepted and regular feature of parliamentary life at Westminster. The authorities of the House and supporting staff undertake the work involved in preparing for and controlling them as part of their normal duties. It is not therefore possible to quantify the costs in terms of man hours of the mass lobby which occurred on Tuesday 8 July.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will provide figures showing the number of (a) statements, (b) private notice questions and (c) applications under Standing Order No. 10 made in each of the past 10 Sessions and to date; if he will show for each Session the highest number of (i) statements, (ii) private notice questions and (iii) applications under Standing Order No. 10 in any one week; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested in the first part of the question is as follows:

Session	Private Notice Questions*	Statements*	Standing Order No. 10 applications
1976–77	23	89	44
1977–78	19	93	34
1978–79	23	39	66
1979–80	40	139	83
1980–81	8	78	46
1981–82	9	106	61
1982–83	7	60	48
1983–84	48	132	84
1984–85	26	105	61
1985–86	32	80	60
* Excludes questions or statements about business of the House.

The other information requested is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the future of Leith hospital.

As part of a wide-ranging review of services aimed at reducing inappropriately and under-used beds and increasing the provision for the elderly, Lothian health board has proposed to withdraw all services except for out-patients from Leith hospital and to provide a new 72-bed hospital mainly for geriatric patients at Leith. The board has sought my right hon. and learned Friend's approval to withdraw services from Leith Hospital and its proposal, along with the comments received during extensive public consultation, is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many self-inflicted deaths there have been in Scottish prisons since 1979, showing, (a) their location, (b) the numbers under 21 years of age and (c) the numbers of remand prisoners.

There have been 32 self-inflicted deaths in penal establishments in Scotland since 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the committee on alternative regimes in Scottish prisons, set up in 1981, will be published.

The internal working party on alternative regimes was set up in 1983, but has not yet reported. There is no commitment to publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the percentage of convicted prisoners currently engaged in (a) sewing mailbags, (b) other work, (c) full-time education and (d) no occupation.

The position at 31 March 1986, the latest date when figures are available, showed that 7 per cent. of convicted prisoners were engaged in manufacturing and repairing mailbags, 84 per cent. in other productive work, 1 per cent. on full-time education and 8 per cent. were not effectively employed. The 8 per cent. covers prisoners who were awaiting or under punishment, sick disabled or under assessment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what rules govern the regime for remand prisoners in Scotland.

The Prison (Scotland) Rules 1952 (S.I. 1952, No. 565), in particular rules 108 to 128 and rule 133.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payphones in total are available to prisoners in Scottish prisons; in which prisons they are available; to which categories of prisoner they are available; and if he will ensure they are made available to remand prisoners throughout the Scottish system.

32 payphones are available to prisoners in the following establishments:

	Number
Her Majesty's Prison Aberdeen	1
Her Majesty's Prison and Institution Cornton Vale	3
Her Majesty's Prison Dumfries	1
Her Majesty's Prison Dungavel	2
Her Majesty's Prison Edinburgh	7
Her Majesty's Prison Friarton	1
Her Majesty's Prison Greenock	2
Her Majesty's Prison Inverness	1
Her Majesty's Prison Low Moss	2
Her Majesty's Prison Penninghame	1
Her Majesty's Prison Perth	6
Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Castle Huntly	1
Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution and Detention Centre Glenochil	2
Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Noranside	1
Her Majesty's Remand Institution Longriggend	1

Access to payphones in these establishments is available to sentenced prisoners in security categories B, C and D.The question whether remand prisoners might be allowed access to payphones, and if so under what conditions, is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will review the working of section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 in the light of problems faced by claimants and social work departments as a result of disruption of Department of Health and Social Security services, as occurred in the strike in the Strathclyde Department of Health and Social Security region on the afternoon of Friday 20 June.

The co-operation of regional councils in Scotland in helping to ensure that emergency payments are made to persons when regular social security payments are prevented for any reason is very much appreciated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. As regards the recent problems in Strathclyde region to which the question refers, it is for him to decide what arrangements may be required in any particular circumstances to ensure that emergency payments can be made. Such arrangements do not depend on the making of payments by local authorities under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. The question whether legislation on wider local authority powers needs to be clarified is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will make publicly available the report of the steering group on the amalgamation of the Macaulay Institute of Soil Research and the Hill Farming Organisation; and when he will announce his decision on the location of the new institute.

The steering group report is being made available to interested parties today, and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I am grateful to the members of the steering group for their careful analysis of the various matters relevant to the establishment of the new institute, including their consideration of the question of its location. There are good arguments for supporting location either in Aberdeen or Edinburgh. I have decided that the interests of agricultural science in Scotland would be best served by locating the new institute in Aberdeen. Of the two sites in Aberdeen which have been appraised, Bucksburn offers greater advantages, and I am asking my officials to initiate action now towards the establishment of the new institute on that site.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the Government's response to the first report from the House of Commons Education, Science and Arts Committee, Session 1984–85 on the future of the science budget; and if he will make a statement.

I have written today to the Chairman of the Committee with the Government's response. It is being published as a White Paper (Cmnd. 9849).It is important to maintain a healthy and vigorous science base, for the efficiency, competitiveness and innovative capacity of the national economy and for the wider well-being of the United Kingdom. My Department's expenditure on the science base—some £19 yearly for every citizen of the United Kingdom—is only part of the total resources that the nation —Government and the private sector—devotes to research and development. The science community and others who spend the taxpayer's money have a duty to address not only their particular allocation and use of resources and how to get best value for them, but also larger questions. These are: what resources the nation should devote to science; its balance between pure, strategic and applied research; and the choice and selective pursuit of priorities in the national interest. With my Department the University Grants Committee and the universities, the research councils, and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils are considering these matters, setting priorities, developing selectivity, and undertaking redeployment, rationalisation and concentration to ensure greater value for money. This activity must continue. The private sector, where our investment nationally in civil R and D is lagging behind that of our competitors, must also recognise and play its proper part particularly in strategic and applied research and development, and in the identification of future exploitable areas of science. The Committee's report is a welcome stimulus and contribution to informed public discussion of these important matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contribution his Department is making to Energy Efficiency Year; and if he will make a statement.

The architects and building branch of the Department is involved in a number of projects which aim to promote energy efficiency in schools and colleges. Three more versions of the computer programme for calculating energy values under the energy requirements for new school buildings were issued in May. The calculation procedure is also demonstrated in the design guide which accompanies BS8207, the new energy head code of the British Standards Institution.A DES broadsheet describing cost-effective examples of the use of heat pumps in rural schools is due to be published in a few weeks' time. A publication on energy conservation options in upgrading schools with coal-burning boilers is due later this year. A mobile recirculatory fume extraction cabinet which was developed by the Department's laboratories investigation unit is now marketed commercially; it recirculates filtered air back into the laboratory and thus saves energy.Other current projects which have a bearing on energy efficiency include the monitoring of energy consumption in schools in a sample of 24 local education authorities; a study of ventilation in schools; and the preparation of guidance on the maintenance of heating plant. A research project is also planned on the application of passive solar energy designs to school buildings. As far as the Department itself is concerned, an official has been given energy management responsibility for the buildings occupied by the DES.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report total Government expenditure on schools for the last year for which data are available, together with projections for the next three years at (i) outturn and (ii) real prices; and what proportion of this expenditure was or is expected to be, accounted for by teachers' salaries, including and excluding employers' contributions.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to public expenditure on schools and so the expenditure by both central Government and local authorities is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information he has as to how many and what percentage of young people in Avon have entered higher education beyond A-level, indicating whether to university, polytechnic or to colleges of higher education, for the past five years;

Leavers from maintained schools in Avon
	1980–81		1981–82		1982–83		1983–84		1984–85
	Number of leavers (000s)	Percent of leavers	Number of leavers (000s)	Percent of leavers	Number of leavers (000s)	Percent of leavers	Number of leavers (000s)	Percent of leavers	Number of leavers (000s)	Percent of leavers
Total leavers	13·19	100·0	13·50	100·0	13·16	100·0	13·23	100·0	12·88	100·0
Attempting A level	1·80	13·6	2·29	17·0	2·33	17·7	2·33	17·6	2·22	17·2
Attempting O level or CSE	12·07	91·5	12·61	93·4	12·28	93·3	12·40	93·7	12·28	95·3
CSE/GCE qualifications
1 or more A level passes	1·56	11·8	1·98	14·7	2·02	15·3	2·03	15·3	1·93	15·0
No. A level passes but:
4 or more O level or
CSE higher graded results	1·67	12·7	2·03	15·0	1·96	14·9	2·07	15·6	1·83	14·2
5 or more O level or CSE graded results including 1–3 at higher grade	3·12	23·6	3·03	22·4	2·90	22·0	2·90	21·9	2·82	21·9
5 or more O level or CSE graded results all at lower grade	3·44	26·1	3·19	23·6	3·12	23·7	3·02	22·8	3·14	24·4
1–4 O level or CSE graded results (excluding 4 higher grades)	2·19	16·6	2·27	16·8	2·18	16·6	2·19	16·6	2·36	18·3
No graded results	1·21	9·2	0·99	7·3	0·98	7·4	1·02	7·7	0·80	6·2
Intended destination:
Full-time Further or Higher Education
University	0·48	3·6	0·63	4·7	0·51	3·9	0·59	4·5	0·38	3·0
Polytechnic
Degree course	0·10	0·8	0·14	1·0	0·13	1·0	0·15	1·1	0·25	1·9
Other courses	0·09	0·7	0·21	1·6	0·16	1·2	0·24	1·8	0·13	1·0

Information for school leavers from maintained schools in Avon is given in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information he has as to how many teachers were employed, and pupils were enrolled in (a) secondary schools and (b) primary schools in the county of Hampshire in each of the last 10 years, and to the teacher-pupil ratio in each case for each year;(2) what information he has as to the number of children who have taken

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many students from Hampshire have been enrolled for (a) university and (b) other further education in each of the last 10 years.

The following table shows numbers of students normally resident in Hampshire attending universities anywhere in Great Britain and colleges anywhere in England. Data for universities and the public sector before 1976 and 1979 respectively are not readily available.

Hampshire students in full-time or sandwich higher education
Thousands
	Great Britain universities	England—Public sector further and higher education
Academic year beginning	(full time and sandwich only)	full-time and sandwich	part-time
1976	5·6	—	—
1977	5·8	—	—
1978	6·1	—	—
1979	6·3	12·4	27·1
1980	6·6	13·1	29·6
1981	6·8	15·0	30·6
1982	6·9	17·1	28·9
1983	6·9	17·4	34·4
1984	6·9	18·7	29·3

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the full-time and full-time equivalent teaching staff employed in schools, non-advanced further education, advanced further education and universities for the last year for which figures are available, together with estimates for the next three years.

The information available is set out in the tables. The first table covers institutions other than universities. It is not possible to make projections for 1987–88 and subsequent years, since levels of local authority current expenditure remain to be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy that South Africa should not have use of the Science and Engineering Research Council's equipment at the South African astronomical observatory.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will terminate all financial support by the Science and Engineering Research Council for astronomers to use the South African astronomical observatory.

No.The interagency agreement by which SERC jointly funded the South African astronomical observatory with the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has been suspended for five years from 1986. Unless the agreement is renewed there will be no guaranteed right of access by United Kingdom astronomers to SAAO, nor guaranteed funding for those who obtain observing time.However individual United Kingdom astronomers are free to apply to the director SAAO for observing time. If they are successful they may apply to SERC for travel funds to use the SAAO. Such requests will be considered on their scientific merits in competition with other requests to use foreign telescopes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the measures which have been taken to discourage such cultural and scientific events as were agreed in the Commonwealth accord on southern Africa adopted on 20 October 1985.

The Government are committed to discouraging such events as were agreed in the Commonwealth accord on southern Africa adopted on 20 October 1985. No proposals for such events in my right hon. Friend's area of responsibility have come to his attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is yet in a position to make a decision on the future of Howe Dell school in Hatfield.

Hertfordshire county council's proposals to cease to maintain Howe Dell school in Hatfield are being considered: at present further information is awaited from the local education authority. Consideration of the proposals will he completed as quickly as is compatible with a full and careful examination of all the relevant issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the future numbers of medical students in Manchester.

The University Grants Committee notified the University of Manchester on 20 May of planning numbers for medical students until 1989–90. These envisaged no change in present intake levels.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of current defence expenditure which is accounted for by payments of value added tax and excise duties in respect of purchases of supplies and equipment for the armed forces.

The effort involved in gathering this information would be disproportionately high. What I can say, however, is that the amount of VAT paid by the Ministry of Defence was 5·3 per cent. of total defence expenditure in the financial year 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he anticipates announcing a decision in the competition to provide the Royal Navy with a new generation of remote underwater mine detection and disposal vehicles.

Tenders for the remote controlled mine disposal system have been received and are being assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much armed forces accommodation is currently vacant in North Yorkshire.

As at 31 March 1986, the MOD owned a total of 4,314 married quarters in north Yorkshire, of which 840 were vacant. Of these about 20 are surplus to requirements and will be sold.There is a requirement for the remaining 820, some of which have been allocated for planned deployments, some of which are undergoing works services to make them fit for future deployments and some of which may be demolished and replaced by new quarters. There are no empty barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will terminate the no-visa agreement with South Africa.

We have no present plans to institute a visa requirement for South Africans entering the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to withdraw his reservations on the recommendations adopted by the United Nations Security Council Committee established under United Nations Security Council resolution 421 of 1977, designed to close existing loopholes in the United Nations mandatory arms embargo on South Africa and seek their adoption by the United Nations Security Council.

Our position was recorded in paragraph 82 of the report (S-14179) of the United Nations Security Council committee to which the hon. Member refers. This position has not changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with Mr. Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe;(2) if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with President Kaunda of Zambia.

My right hon. and learned Friend's meetings with Presidents Kaunda and Machel and with Prime Minister Mugabe provided an opportunity to explain the commitment of the 12 EC Governments to working for a genuine negotiated settlement in South Africa. My right hon. and learned Friend believes that these discussions increased understanding for his mission and were particularly valuable in preparation for his talks in South Africa next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he had with Mr. Shevardnadze about southern Africa.

My right hon. and learned Friend gave Mr. Shevardnadze an account of his mission to southern Africa in his capacity as President of the European Council. He made clear to Mr. Shevardnadze our view that the aim should be to persuade the South African Government to create the conditions in which an end to apartheid can be brought about through peaceful negotiations. In order to create these conditions we have impressed on the South African Government the need to release black political leaders and end the ban on black political parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency plans have been made with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in case of sanctions against South Africa for the replacement of those minerals currently imported from South Africa indispensable to the United Kingdom economy.

We have no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the controls which exist, to enforce the embargo on the imports of arms, ammunition, military vehicles and paramilitary equipment from South Africa, as agreed in the Commonwealth accord on southern Africa adopted on 20 October 1985.

I have been asked to reply.Under powers provided by the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954 applications have to be made for specific import licences for any imports of arms or ammunition from South Africa. No arms, ammunition, military vehicles or paramilitary equipment are procured from South Africa for the armed forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are any controls over the provision by South Africa of licences for the manufacture of military or paramilitary equipment in the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply. No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the state of law and order in Hong Kong.

The overall law and order situation in Hong Kong is good. Hong Kong's reported crime rates are lower than those of most cities of comparable size. The maintenance of law and order is primarily the responsibility of the Royal Hong Kong police force, which has a strength of 25,420 disciplined staff supported by 5,505 civilian staff and 4,847 part-time auxiliaries. Developments in the crime situation are closely monitored by a central fight crime committee, which comprises senior Hong Kong Government officials and community representatives, and by the territory's 19 district crime committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the container terminal facilities in Hong Kong are adequate to support its position as one of the leading ports in the world.

In 1985 the port of Hong Kong handled over 13,000 ocean-going vessels. Over one third of this traffic was containerised. Hong Kong is the world's third largest container port after New York and Rotterdam, and may be about to overtake the latter. The Kwai Chung container terminals at present comprise six berths with over 2,300 m of quay and 88 hectares of cargo handling area. The Hong Kong Government have drawn up a programme for the phased development of additional terminal facilities. Under the programme 15·5 hectares of seabed are now being reclaimed in order to provide additional back-up facilities. In addition, the Hong Kong Government announced last year that a further 28 hectares of seabed would be reclaimed to provide three additional berths and associated terminal facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his assessment of the economic effects of the United Kingdom's membership of the Commonwealth.

Over the period 1984–85, the countries of the Commonwealth accounted for some 10 per cent. of the United Kingdom's external trade, took 39 per cent. of net new outward investment by United Kingdom companies and contributed 38 per cent. of the earnings from outward direct investment by United Kingdom companies. Over the same period, the United Kingdom ran an annual trade surplus of £1·1 billion with the countries of the Commonwealth.

asked the Paymaster General if he will discuss with the Open University the role it can play in establishing the College of the Air; what account he is taking of the Open University's track record and experience in providing such education and training and of the role of the Open University in providing education and training for disabled students; and if he will make a statement.

Representatives of the Open University have been involved in discussions about the setting up of a College of the Air. Full weight is being given to the record and experience of the Open University, including the provision made for disabled students.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of people interviewed on the Restart programme are referred to Department of Health and Social Security benefit offices on the grounds that they are earning more than £4 a week.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Paymaster General what progress has been made in removing obstacles to tourism and improving job prospects in the industry since publication of the Government's report "Pleasure, Leisure and Jobs— The Business of Tourism" in July 1985.

The Government have today published a further report entitled "Action for Jobs in Tourism" which provides a detailed review of progress on the action points in "Pleasure. Leisure and Jobs" and describes other new developments, either planned or already in progress, which will help to strengthen tourism's contribution to employment generation. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library. It is the Government's intention to publish an annual survey of tourism activities on these lines, complementing the annual reports of the statutory tourist boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the current level of support from his Department for research and development.

My Department plans to spend £415 million in 1986–87 on support for research and development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the objectives which his Department aims to achieve during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council of Ministers.

We will aim to achieve faster progress towards completing the internal market, a successful launch of the new GATT round, better relations wih the United States and Japan, and agreement on a new research and development framework programme for 1987 to 1991.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are his latest intentions with regard to the timetable for the privatisation of state-owned industries for which he is responsible.

Subject to market conditions, the Government intend to return Rolls-Royce to the private sector during the first half' of 1987. Decisions on the method and timing of returning other businesses to the private sector will be announced when they have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms were declared bankrupt in 1984, 1985 and 1986 to date.

Bankruptcies in Great Britain in 1984 arid 1985 were 8,521 and 7,074 respectively. Provisionally, there were 3,221 in the first five months of 1986. Unincorporated businesses usually account for between 75 and 80 per cent. of total bankruptcies.

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate how many bankruptcies have taken place in the last 12 months.

The provisional number of bankruptcies in England and Wales for the period 1 June 1985 to 31 May 1986 is 6,936. The figure includes receiving orders and administration orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the balance in manufacturing trade with the European Economic Community and the rest of the world, respectively, over the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

In the 12 months ending May 1986 there was a crude deficit on manufacturing trade with the rest of the European Community of £10·3 billion. In the same period there was a crude surplus on this trade with the rest of the world of £4·5 billion.

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action Her Majesty's Government intend to take in the face of the list of tariffs in United Kingdom textile goods outlined in the recent National Economic Development Office report.

In the new GATT round it will be an important objective to secure reductions in tariff and other barriers to exports of textile and other products. In the meantime the Community's mandate for the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations provides for more favourable treatment for those countries which maintain open markets than for those which do not.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the total sums, at 1979 prices, devoted to regional policy in (a) 1979 and (b) 1985.

Comprehensive figures are available for financial years only. The figures for Great Britain for 1979–80 and 1985–86 at 1979–80 prices are £519 million and £355·5 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in his review of regional policy; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my recent reply to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross).

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the overall value of export credit given to investment in South Africa over the last 12 months.

No new investment insurance liabilities were taken on during this period for South Africa.

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of exports to other member countries of the European Community in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how this compares with the value in 1978 at constant prices.

In the year to May, United Kingdom exports to the other 11 members of the European Community amounted to £35·5 billion compared to £14·5 billion in 1978. These figures are at current prices. Constant price figures are not available, but a rough estimate of the increase in volume would be about 45 per cent.

:asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to encourage the teaching of technology in schools.

The Department of Trade and Industry is actively promoting the teaching of technology in schools through a number of projects. British School Technology provides a teacher training service and supplies buses converted into mobile technology classrooms. The central aim of the science and technology regional organisation network is

"to enhance young people's understanding of science, technology, engineering and industry".

Expenditure on these and related activities in 1986–87 will be about £1 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next intends to meet the chairman and managing director of British Leyland; and what items will be discussed.

My right hon. Friend and I meet Mr. Day frequently to discuss items of mutual interest.

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received proposing changes in regional policy for the north of England.

The Department has received several representations about regional policy from the north of England since the beginning of the year. In addition Ministers have met hon. Members on a number of occasions to discuss the policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has about the level of United States investment in the United Kingdom in (a) 1984 and b) 1985; and how many jobs he estimates this investment created or safeguarded.

The total numbers of known decisions to invest in the United Kingdom by companies from the United States were 156 in 1984 and 193 in 1985. The Department estimates that these decisions will lead to the creation or safeguarding of over 50,000 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest profit figures for British Steel; and if he will make a statement.

The British Steel Corporation's report and accounts for 1985–86, published last week, show a profit for that year of £76 million, after interest but before exceptional items. This is BSC's best result for over a decade and, as I am sure the whole House will agree, reflects the greatest credit upon the chairmen, board and work force of the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide an up-to-date report on the current state of negotiations on the multi-fibre arrangement.

The European Commission is conducting the negotiations on renewal of the MFA on behalf of the Community in accordance with the mandate approved by the Council of Ministers on 11 March. I am confident that a protocol of extension of the MFA will be negotiated by the end of July, when the present arrangement expires. In parallel the Community has reached provisional agreement with a number of supplier countries on the renewal of bilateral agreements. My hon. Friend the Minister of Trade is keeping in close touch with the industry and other interested parties as the negotiations progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend is maintaining close contact with the industry as negotiations progress and receives representations from them on a wide range of points. He has also received representations from the trade unions, the World Development Movement, importers, consumers and local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend is maintaining close contact with the industry as negotiations progress and receives representations from them on a wide range of points. He has also received representations from the trade unions, the World Development Movement, importers, consumers and local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions European Economic Community negotiators are making in discussions about the multi-fibre arrangements for the possibility that the United States Government may be unable to sign the new multi-fibre arrangement if the Bill to be debated in Congress on 6 August to cut back clothing and textile imports from Third world countries is passed.

Negotiations on a renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement will resume in Geneva on 21 July. The United States is playing a full part in the negotiations. I am hopeful that a conclusion acceptable to all parties will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting on 2 and 3 July in Geneva in relation to the new multi-fibre arrangement.

The GATT textiles committee met on 2 July. There is a broad consensus that the MFA should be renewed, but detailed drafting of a new protocol has not yet started. The committee will meet again on 21 July, with the objective of concluding a new protocol before the end of the month.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the anticipated duration of the new multi-fibre arrangement.

The duration of renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement is still under discussion. The European Community is seeking an extension for four or five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quota growth rates in relation to the multi-fibre arrangement have been incorporated into the agreements so far initialled.