asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the British Veterinary Association, the National Farmers Union, and the Consumers Association, about a black market in the growth-boosting drugs, after the European Economic Community hormone ban; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the concern felt in many quarters on this aspect, and we have drawn it to the attention of the Council of Ministers, although no formal representations have recently been made to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what action his Department has taken under the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 to prevent the import of American signal crayfish;(2) what action he is taking following the observations in the 11th report of the Nature Conservancy Council on the spread of crayfish plague in British waters; and if he will make a statement.

Unfortunately, the considerable practical difficulties involved in combating a disease which attacks wild fish in their natural environment mean that efforts now to eradicate crayfish plague would almost certainly be unsuccessful. Moreover, the necessary restrictions on all imports of live crayfish, including those for the table, and controls on their movement throughout England and Wales would be highly disruptive to trade and expensive to enforce. For these reasons we have not taken any action to control imports of signal crayfish or to restrict or monitor their movements in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why his Department has continued to provide support from public funds for an organisation which markets American signal crayfish in view of the health record of imports of such fish.

In 1981 the Government contributed towards the cost of a feasibility study into the co-operative marketing of crayfish matured in this country. The grant was made under the agricultural and horticultural cooperation scheme which was then administered by the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Cooperation (now Food from Britain). As a result, the British Crayfish Marketing Association was established and in 1982 it received a very small grant towards its formation costs. My Department has made no further payments to the BCMA.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current position regarding the issuing of a dumping licence for silt dredged from the River Mersey, its adjacent docks, locks and channels.

The licences issued under the Dumping at Sea Act 1974 for the disposal to sea of dredge spoil from the River Mersey and its environs expired on 31 December 1985. Applications for their renewal were not received until well into the month of December. As it usually takes about two months for applications to be fully considered by our scientific advisers, the old licences were extended until 28 February to allow time for proper assessments to be made.Under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, which now governs the issue of licences for sea disposal, Ministers are required to have regard to the protection of the marine environment, the living resources which it supports and human health. We shall take full account of these considerations and all other relevant factors in coming to decisions on these applications, which we expect to reach well before the end of February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to seek further controls over the use of nylon monofilament nets in England and Wales.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1986, c. 579]: No. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Sir D. Price) on 29 November 1985, at column 702.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will refer the apparent breach of any security involved in the disclosure of the contents of the recent letter of the Solicitor-General to the right hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration and advice as to whether a decision to prosecute under section 2 of the Official Secrets Act should be taken.

An internal inquiry has been instituted into the matter to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers. When it has been completed —and it is still some considerable way from being completed—I shall be in a position to consider whether it is appropriate to follow the procedure which he suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Development Agency hopes to complete its arrangements with Glasgow district council for landscaping the coup at the Summerston shopping centre, Glasgow.

The agency is re-appraising all proposed new projects and expects to reach decisions by March on the priority to be accorded to this project, and, if it is to go ahead, on the time scale for undertaking it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further consideration his Department has given to proposals from Greater Glasgow health board for providing a psychiatric day unit at Ruchill hospital, Glasgow and an inpatient unit to serve the north-west of the city.

Formal proposals for a psychiatric development at Ruchill are still awaited from the health board. I understand, however, that the board is now actively working on these proposals, which will require to be set in the context of an overall strategy for the development of psychiatric services in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of rate support grant paid to Lothian regional council in 1979 and 1985, respectively; and what percentage of the expenditure of the council those figures represented.

Total rate support grant paid to Lothian regional council in respect of 1979–80 was £134·1 million. The grant paid in respect of 1985–86 will not be known until final expenditure information is available. The grant payable for 1985–86 on the basis of the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1985 is £182 million. This has already been adjusted for grant penalties and interest rate changes and will be further adjusted for these reasons as necessary. These grant figures are 52·6 per cent. of total expenditure, including loan charges, in 1979–80 and 45·6 per cent. in 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will report the outcome of Mr. Douglas Baker's internal investigation into the Welsh Development Agency's handling of its investment in the Parrot Corporation.

I announced on 28 October, at columns 313–14, that I had invited Mr. Douglas Baker, chairman of Touche Ross and Co., to examine the Welsh Development agency's handling of its investment in the Parrot Corporation and the agency's supervision of its investment, having special regard to the provisions of the WDA Act 1975, the investment guidelines laid down by the Welsh Office and the WDA's own investment manual; and to report to me.Mr. Baker has now completed his investigation. I have expressed my gratitude to him for the thoroughness with which he has undertaken this task.As I earlier informed the House, Mr. Baker was asked to undertake an internal investigation. His report contains material that is of a commercially confidential nature. In view of this and the continuing police investigation into the cirumstances of the original investment and the conduct of individuals it would not be appropriate to publish his internal advice to me. I undertook to report further to the House.Mr. Baker found that the transaction between the Parrot Corporation and Northern Trust involving a collateralised deposit was most unusual from a commercial viewpoint and that it could not reasonably have been anticipated by the agency. I have no reason to dispute that finding. Mr. Baker also found that the WDA Act 1975 and the investment guidelines had been followed. However, although Mr. Baker also concluded that even the most elaborate procedures may not have been sufficient to prevent the circumstances that arose, he did find that certain of the procedures followed by the WDA in its handling of the investment and in its subsequent monitoring were deficient.I have discussed these findings with the chairman of the WDA. It is clear that for the future there must be arrangements to ensure that the deficiencies identified are not repeated. The chairman has informed me that a number of measures have already been taken by the agency: in particular, arrangements with respect to the appointment of non-executive directors and their responsibilities have been substantially clarified and a new system to improve the monitoring of investments has been established within the agency. In the light of Mr. Baker's findings, the chairman has also informed me that steps will be taken to ensure that the agency obtains reports from outside accountants in all appropriate investment cases and to allow closer supervision of the legal aspects of completion deals. By these means the agency has taken or is in the process of taking steps to ensure that the deficiencies identified by Mr. Baker have been dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what expenditure will be incurred during the current year and for 1986–87, by each health authority in Wales, on the cervical smear programme;(2) what was the total expenditure incurred by the National Health Service on its cervical smear programme, by health authority, in Wales, for each of the last five years.

The information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the extent to which the current level of funding of the cervical smear programme in each of the area health authorities in Wales for the current year admits of the completion of the service, tests and follow-up reporting to all patients requesting or referred by their general practitioners for such tests.

The level of funding for this service is essentially a matter for the individual health authorities to determine in the light of other demands on their resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the total expenditure incurred on the cervical smear programme in Mid Glamorgan is accounted for by the laboratory testing of smears; and which centres are used for tests conducted for each of the districts within the Mid Glamorgan area health authority.

Information in respect of expenditure on the cervical smear programme is not available centrally. Pathology laboratories at the following hospitals in Mid Glamorgan conducted cervical cytology tests during 1984: Prince Charles, East Glamorgan general and Bridgend general.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements exist in each of the Welsh health authorities for follow-up reporting of results to National Health Service patients who have received cervical smear tests.

Responsibility for the administration of this service lies with the health authorities. The report of the joint NHS-Welsh Office working party which was published last July recommended certain follow-up action and safeguards that should be

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the additional capital allocation proposed for local authorities in Wales for 1986–87 compared with 1985–86; and what is his estimate of (a) the additional annual loans charges and (b) the other revenue cost consequences arising which will arise from this increased capital allocation.

The total of capital allocations available to local authorities in Wales for 1986–87 is £322·8 million, compared with £263·3 million in 1985–86; an increase of some £60 million, or 23 per cent. Additional capital expenditure may increase revenue expenditure in two ways—loan charges to repay any borrowing, and current expenditure, arising from increases in associated manpower and running expenses. Provision for this expenditure increased by £25·7 million and £59·1 million respectively between 1985–6 and 1986–87. The precise effect on current expenditure will depend on the nature of the schemes undertaken. Indeed, in announcing allocations for individual authorities on 16 December I emphasised that authorities should give priority to revenue saving schemes, such as projects to eliminate surplus school places. In the case of housing, a substantial part of the additional resources have been incorporated into local procedures. Some authorities have commented on the working party's findings and these are being considered prior to the issue of a circular advising authorities on the implementation of the recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state for each of the last five years the number of cervical smear tests conducted in each district of the Mid Glamorgan health authority and the total number for each of the other Welsh area health authorities.

The number of cervical cytology tests reported by pathology laboratories for each of the years 1980 to 1984 are given in the table. It is not possible to relate these figures to the district of residence of the patients tested. earmarked for public and private sector renovation, which does not, of course, result in increased current expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will specify the mechanism by which grant moneys which are withheld from local authorities in Wales will be credited back to local authorities in due course, and not redirected for use by other public services in Wales.

If aggregate expenditure by local authorities in Wales exceeds the level of provision in the rate support grant for 1986–87, there will be a net under-claim on block grant. As I indicated in my statement to the House on 18 December, any such surplus grant will be made available for local government spending in Wales. I shall await the budget returns of authorities before determining how this surplus might be distributed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to issue the final settlement figures for the rate support grant for local authorities in Wales for the year 1984–85; and why there has been a delay in this matter.

There has been no delay. In accordance with the timetable agreed with the Welsh local authority associations, I expect to lay the final supplementary report for 1984–85 in July of this year, after the customary audit of local authorities' accounts has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to change any of his Department's cash limits for the current year, in respect of rate support grants, national parks supplementary grants, and transport supplementary grants.

Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the following amendments are proposed. The cash limit for national parks supplementary grants (class 18, vote 4) will be increased by £29,000, from £2,000,000 to £2,029,000. The cash limit for transport supplementary grants (class 18, vote 10) will be increased by £9,000, from £26,500,000 to £26,509,000. These increases will be matched by a corresponding reduction of £38,000 to the cash limit for RSG (class 18, vote 2), from £828,600,000 to £828,562,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last visited remand prisoners in police cells; where; and if he will make a statement.

My noble Friend Lord Glenarthur visited the cells at Horseferry road magistrates court on 30 July 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces outside of the metropolitan area have detained prisoners in police cells in 1985; where they were detained; and what were their age and sex.

The number of prisoners held in police cells by provincial police forces between 18 October 1985 (that is since my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on 28 October) and 31 December 1985 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the longest period of time that a person was detained in police cells in 1985.

Twenty-nine nights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) men, (b) women and (c) juveniles in custody in police cells on each day in 1985 by location.

The number of prisoners held in police cells in 1985 after 18 October, the last occasion on which I answered this question for the hon. Member, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) men, (b) women and (c) juveniles in custody in police cells on each day in 1986 by location.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest cost of holding a person in police cells.

The average cost per night of holding a prisoner in police cells based on the latest accounts submitted by the Metropolitan police, is £176.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of police officers deployed in 1985 in guarding persons detained in police cells.

This information is not recorded centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure on prisoners in police cells in the last financial year.

Total expenditure incurred by the Department in the financial year 1984–85 on holding prisoners in police cells was £3,358,560.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on conditions in which unconvicted and unsentenced persons are held in police and court cells.

As at 13 January 1986, prisoners have been held in police cells as follows:

We are conscious of the fact that court cells are not designed to hold prisoners for more than a few hours and that the medical and other facilities leave much to be desired. The police, however, are doing everything they can under difficult circumstances to provide the best possible facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from each chief of police listing the number of racially motivated attacks that have been recorded in each of the last five years; and what special measures they have taken to deal with this problem;(2) if he has knowledge of any police force that does not record racially motivated attacks;(3) what advice or guidelines have been issued to police forces in the recording of and the dealing with racially motivated attacks.

Information on the incidence of racially motivated attacks and on the recording practices of individual police forces is not held centrally. However, in October last year the Association of Chief Police Officers issued guidance on the handling of racial attacks. The guidance, a copy of which I am placing in the Library, emphasised the importance of a vigorous and sympathetic police response, and drew attention to the need for collecting and collating reliable local information about racial incidents. My right hon. Friend has asked the Chief Inspector of Constabulary to pay particular attention in his annual inspections to the steps taken in each force to record and monitor racially motivated incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regionally organised training courses for prison officers have been suspended as a result of the prison department's decisions communicated to prison governors in August 1985.

Two hundred and eleven courses, of varying content and duration, have been cancelled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list for each prisoner at Holloway prison the number of (a) baths or showers allowed per week and (b) changes of clothes allowed per week.

The number of baths or showers allowed at Holloway is generally in excess of the statutory requirement of one per week. On average, each inmate is allowed four per week: inmates assigned to certain work parties are allowed a daily bath. All inmates may change their clothes for clean ones each day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the waiting list as at 1 January for entry clearance at (a) Dacca, (b) Islamabad and (c) Delhi; and what were the comparative figures for 1 January 1985 and 1 January 1984.

Information for end-December 1985 is not yet available; the other information requested and that for end-September 1985 are given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrivals from Bangladesh were stopped at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Dover between 20 December 1985 and 3 January 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to introduce visa requests for arrivals from Bangladesh.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Cleethorpes (Mr. Brown) on 5 December, at column 311.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the visa requests for arrivals from Sri Lanka will be lifted.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from him on 17 December, at column 132.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrivals from (a) Bangladesh, (b) Pakistan, (c) India and (d) Sri Lanka were held in detention at (i) Harmondsworth and (ii) Ashford during the period 20 December 1985 to 3 January 1986.

The available information relates to passengers detained at Harmondsworth who were citizens of the countries concerned, and is as follows: (a) 49; (b) 83: (c) 64; (d) 12. Statistics of persons held in Ashford remand centre do not differentiate between passengers and others held under the powers contained in the Immigration Act 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were denied entry to the United Kingdom at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Dover between 20 December 1985 and 3 January 1986; what was the total number of passengers arriving; and what were the comparative figures for 1984–85.

Precise statistics for passengers arriving during the period in question are not yet available. Those given are approximate.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the number of Bangladesh citizens who were refused entry at the ports listed during this period.The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent instructions have been given to the immigration service dealing with the arrival of people from Bangladesh.

Those issued at Heathrow terminal 3 about liaison with the Bangladesh high commission, about falsified documents and about the need for faster handling of representations from right hon. and hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the vegan diets being received by inmates of East Sutton Park open prison.

Sentenced prisoners may be allowed a vegan diet at the governor's discretion. On 14 January 1986 a vegan diet was being taken by two prisoners at East Sutton Park and a vegetarian diet by a further four prisoners, all at their own request. I understand that none of the prisoners concerned has complained about her food and that on the basis of his regular inspections the medical officer is satisfied with the nutritional quality of the diets.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the membership of his advisory committee on community radio.

The members of the advisory panel on community radio are:

Mr. Stephen O'Brien (Chairman), Mr. Ray Beaty, Mrs. Diana Eccles, Mr. Bevan Jones, Mrs. Jill McIvor and Mr. Richard Wade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations have been held between representatives of minority community groups and the advisory committee on community radio.

I understand that the advisory panel on community radio has held a number of useful meetings with interested individuals and groups from the ethnic minority communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement regarding the rights of Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens in the light of the motion passed by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong at its session on Wednesday 8 January.

The Government's proposals for the future nationality status of Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens and related matters were set out in a White Paper (Cmnd. 9637) published on 17 October 1985. I am aware of the motion passed by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on 8 January. The House will have an opportunity to consider all these matters when it debates the White Paper later today. The Government will take careful account of the views expressed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to issue a national code of guidance on means of escape in case of fire from houses in multiple occupation; what representations he has received from local authorities and others on the subject; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend plans shortly to issue a draft code of guidance on fire safety in certain houses in multiple occupation for consultation. Most representations have inquired about progress on the preparation of the code, which has taken longer than was expected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has as to the amount of money which might be expected to be raised by allowing advertising on BBC television.

A number of recent published studies, including two commissioned by the committee on financing the BBC, have offered various estimates of the potential revenue which might be derived from introducing advertising on BBC television. My right hon. Friend, of course, awaits the committee's own assessment of this evidence and of the financial and other implications of financing the BBC partly or wholly out of advertising revenue or from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to protect the editorial independence of the BBC; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware that any steps are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions the Minister has had with the governors of the BBC and the IBA over the introduction of advertising on BBC.

My right hon. Friend's discussion with the chairman of the BBC's board of governors arid of the IBA about various broadcasting issues have not included any substantive consideration of the questions now being studied by the committee on financing the BBC, whose report it is well understood he awaits with an open mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the BBC will continue to be allowed to retain any revenues derived from any source other than the licence fee.

The BBC's charter provides for the corporation to receive and use revenue derived from sources other than the television licence fee, and includes no provision for such revenue to be surrendered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Peacock committee is expected to report.

I understand that the committee expects to submit its report in the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will use his powers to deny entry to the United Kingdom to Mr. Louis Farrakhan, an American citizen, on the ground that his presence would not be in the public interest or of good race and community relations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of his anti-Semitic comments, he will refuse permission for Mr. Louis Farrakhan to enter the United Kingdom on the ground that his presence would not be conducive to the public good; and if he will make a statement.

I have decided, in the light of Mr. Farrakhan's public statements, that his presence in the United Kingdom would not be conducive to the public good, and have given instructions that he should be refused leave to enter if he seeks admission to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement as to his policy towards funding posts within Lancashire under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.

All applications from local authorities for grant under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 are considered in accordance with the criteria set out in Home Office circular No. 97/1982, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 16 January.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I shall be giving a dinner for His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan.

asked the Prime Minister how many staff are engaged principally in liaison with departmental Select Committees in each Department, and if he will estimate the number of working days spent by each Department on the overall requirements of departmental Select Committees.

Liaison with departmental Select Committees forms part of the duties of some staff in all Departments. In 1985 six individuals are reported by Departments to have spent more than half their time solely on this work. A study was carried out in 1980–81 to determine the amount of time spent by all officials on departmental Select Committee work, and a copy of the report on this was placed in the Library on 10 December 1982. It would not be possible to update this information without an extensive new study at disproportionate cost; however, in general the work occasioned by departmental Select Committees in 1985 has not changed markedly from the year on which this study was based.

asked the Prime Minister why Mohammed Fayed was invited to a Downing street dinner to mark the state visit of President Mubarak of Egypt; and if she will make a statement.

It is the normal practice to invite prominent nationals of the country represented by a foreign visitor to such occasions.

asked the Prime Minister if Mr. Mohammed Fayed attended a function at Downing street in March or April 1985.

asked the Prime Minister if she has ever met Mr. Mohammed Fayed in an official capacity.

I met Mr. Al-Fayed in the context of the visit of the Sultan of Brunei on 25 January 1985, and subsequently at a dinner for President Mubarak of Egypt at Downing Street on 14 March 1985.

asked the Prime Minister if any members or representatives of the British Government had any meetings with members or representatives of the Government of Brunei in relation to sterling deposists; and if she will make a statement.

The contents of meetings between members or representatives of Her Majesty's Government and other Governments are confidential.

asked the Prime Minister what gifts the Prime Minister has received from representatives of foreign Governments and overseas Heads of State; and on what dates.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).

asked the Prime Minister on what occasions since 1979 she met the Sultan of Brunei.

I met the Sultan of Brunei in June 1981 when he was in London studying the structure and operation of British government as part of the preparations for Brunei's independence. I also met the Sultan on three occasions last year: in January, when he was on a visit to London; in April, during the course of my tour of south and south-east Asia; and in October at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

asked the Prime Minister if she has completed consideration of the Australian Royal Commission's report on British nuclear tests; if she has any plans to meet Senator Gareth Evans; and if she will make a statement.

No. Officials had preliminary discussions in Canberra last week, which provided a useful opportunity for an initial exchange of views and for clarification of a number of matters. Senator Gareth Evans, Australian Minister for Resources and Energy, is to have discussions with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Baroness Young, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, whilst he is in Britain next week.

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to harmonise the provisions of financial inducements for household energy conservation throughout the United Kingdom on the basis of the scheme operating in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

The Government already provide financial assistance towards household energy efficiency in the rest of the United Kingdom on the same basis as in Northern Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister if the recent letter from the Solicitor-General to the Secretary of State for Defence about Westland was covered by the Official Secrets Act.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister how many inquiries into leaks have been initiated since June 1979; on what dates; and with what outcome.

As I have made clear on a number of previous occasions, it has not been the practice of successive Governments to disclose information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what individuals and bodies, including fire authorities, have been consulted about the risk from fire and other emergencies in each of the proposed solutions to the cross-Channel link.

During the course of the Government's assessment of the promoters' proposals, views on the risk from fire and other emergencies were obtained from the Chief Inspecting Officer for Railways, the Home Office fire service inspectorate, the chief fire officer for Kent, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's safety and reliability directorate and Lloyd's Register.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates when he received the final complete proposals from each of the promoters for the proposed cross-Channel link.

Four proposals for fixed link schemes were submitted in accordance with the "Invitation to Promoters" on 31 October 1985. In response to the joint Anglo-French assessment all promoters proposed, or agreed to, adaptations of their schemes to meet the various concerns of the two Governments. No time limit was imposed on such adaptations.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on security of United Kingdom airports; and if he will make a statement.

On 16 July in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State outlined some of the steps that were being taken to enhance the already high standard of security at British airports. Most of the measures to which he referred are now in place (for example, the reconciliation of passengers and baggage is now a legal requirement). We are keeping all aviation security measures continually under review; I am currently involved in discussions on security arrangements at United Kingdom airports following the attacks on EL AL check-in desks at Vienna and Rome.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake an immediate review of recent security lapses at Manchester airport; and if he will make a statement.

Manchester airport has been asked to report to my Department details of recent lapses in security and the remedial action they are taking. My Department will then consider whether any further action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the introduction of toll charges on the M5 over the Avon bridge.

No. I have no power to introduce such tolls. Moreover, I have no wish to risk causing significant volumes of traffic to divert from the M5 to unsuitable local roads in and around Bristol.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many private cars were registered in Wales in 1979 and in the latest year for which figures are available.

The total number of private cars registered in Wales in December 1979 was 726,398. The total as at 30 September 1985 (the last date for which figures are available) was 810,243.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he is satisfied that the navigational beacon at Minsters rock on the Rubha Na Leachaig on the west coast of Scotland is suitable for all weather conditions; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the navigational lights into Loch Inchard and Kinlochbervie on the west coast of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply, 15 January 1986, c. 580]: These lights are provided by the Highland regional council in its capacity as a local lighthouse authority. The Northern lighthouse board has a statutory duty to inspect these lights and I understand that it found them to be satisfactory in all respects when examined in August last. This is a matter for the board's judgment.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 263, why the direction signpost at junction 30 of the southbound section of the M1 between Wakefield and London has still not been repaired.

My reply of 14 November referred to the direction sign at the southbound exit to junction 30 which had been reported damaged on 9 October and was repaired on 28 October. I understand, however, that the right hon. Gentleman may have been referring to the one-mile advance warning sign at this junction which has also been damaged. It will be repaired as part of a larger re-signing scheme which I expect to be completed by the end of March 1986. The damage to this sign involves no threat to road safety and I have no information as to when it was damaged.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what sources of information he uses in replying to parliamentary questions on the state of road signs on motorways; and what checks his Department carries out to confirm the information provided.

Details are obtained from the county councils which maintain the motorways as my agents. My Department's regional offices also periodically carry out their own inspections of motorways.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest available statistics of manufacturing production.

The index of output for manufacturing in the three months up to October 1985 stood at 103, based on 1980 equal to 100.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much launch aid is planned for British Aerospace in connection with development of the European airbus project; and if he will make a statement.

In accordance with the statement to the House on 1 March 1984 by my right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, financial provision has been made in the Department's Vote for launch aid of up to £250 million in respect of participation by British Aerospace in the Airbus A320 programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what information he has concerning the share of the total world market which has been held by the United Kingdom aerospace industry in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;(2) what information he has concerning the share of the total European aerospace market which has been held by the United Kingdom aerospace industry in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has concerning the percentage of turnover which is represented by exports from the United Kingdom aerospace industry.

The most recent information that I have is for 1983 when 56 per cent. of the value of the United Kingdom aerospace industry's turnover was exported.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has concerning the total value of aerospace exports from the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what was the percentage change in value on the previous year's figures in each of those years.

According to the information I have, the figures in current money terms are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the London commodity exchange to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Arrangements have been made for such an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to take place from 24 February to 28 February 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his Department's policy on the wider application of new and improved materials and processes in the light of his Department's review of its support for innovation scheme and the publication of the materials advisory group report.

The materials advisory group drew attention to the very important field of materials technology and identified within it areas of particular opportunity to a wide range of UK industries. This has made a major contribution to my Department's continuing assessment of research priorities. While I am unable to accept that progress in this field can only be made by the provision of additional Government funding on the scale suggested by the group, I consider that there is considerable scope for obtaining greater benefit from the already substantial amount of work in the materials field by the redirection and more efficient use of Government resources.The Department will therefore be: re-orientating its existing resources towards materials work; seeking to improve awareness of new materials and to develop collaborative projects which will accelerate commercial application; collaborating more closely with the science and engineering research council to guide university research and promote technology transfer; working with the Ministry of Defence with a view to commercial exploitation of military materials developments; seeking the fullest UK participation in European Community and other international collaborative programmes; and working for improved specification standards where these offer opportunities for exploitation of new materials.In the discussion which has been concluded in the European Community's research council on an extension of the Community's primary raw materials programme I particularly emphasised the importance which the UK attaches to the new section on advanced materials. In the four year research action programme on materials which we agreed, over 40 per cent. of the total budget of £40 million will be devoted to this section, thus providing a useful further stimulus to advanced materials work.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the takeover bid by Hanson Trust for Imperial Tobacco Ltd. to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed takeover is currently being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will make his decision on whether it should be referred for further investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the light of that advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much launch aid Her Majesty's Government proposes to make available to British Aerospace in connection with the development of (a) the TA9 airbus project and (b) the TA11 airbus project; and if he will make a statement.

The supervisory board of Airbus Industries has yet to make any decision on the launch of these projects. The question put by my hon. Friend is thus premature.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the application by Lonhro to bid for the House of Fraser was delayed by the Secretary of State for three months in November 1984.

The extension of the period for the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to report on the merger reference of Lonrho and House of Fraser by three months, to 28 February 1985, was granted in the normal way, in response to a request for an extension from the MMC.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what sum he now expects will be received from the sale of British Gas in 1986–87 and 1987–88; and what is his estimate of the total fees and charges which will be received by City institutions involved in the sale.

I cannot speculate on the value the market will place on British Gas. Total fees and charges will depend on the precise structure of the offer, on which decisions have not yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the annual expenditure on research and development in renewable sources of energy since 1979–80, including the current year and any projected expenditure.

Information about expenditure between 1975–76 and 1984–85 was given in reply to the question from the hon. Member for Bootle (Mr. Roberts) on 13 June 1985 at columns 533–34. Actual expenditure in 1984–85 was the same as the estimate provided in that answer. Expenditure on research and development on renewable energy in 1985–86 is forecast to be at a similar level.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what additional capital investment has been incurred by the United Kingdom oil industry as a result of the reduction in the maximum lead content of petrol from 0·4 to 0·15g per litre from January.

The United Kingdom oil industry's most recently published figure indicates capital expenditure of the order of £300 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the extra energy, in terms of barrels of crude oil, that will be consumed at the refinery each year as a result of the reduction in the maximum lead content of petrol from 0·4 to 0·15g per litre from 1 January and, subsequently from 0·15g per litre to unleaded, when the transition to unleaded petrol is complete.

For a petrol demand of 20·2 million tonnes, the additional crude oil required per year, when lead levels are reduced, is estimated to be:

From 0·40 to 0·15g per litre (g/1) of lead—some 3·7 million barrels.

From 0·15g/1 of lead to unleaded—some 4·9 million barrels.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the increase in price that the United Kingdom oil industry will need to charge for each gallon of petrol as a result of the reduction in the maximum lead content of petrol from 0·4 to 0·15g per litre and, subsequently from 0·15g per litre to unleaded, when the transition to unleaded petrol is complete.

The manufacturing costs incurred in reducing the lead content from 0·40 to 0·15g per litre are believed to be about 2p to 3p per gallon. For the subsequent move to unleaded petrol, the costs are estimated to be in the order of a further 2p to 5p per gallon.However, the extent to which pump prices may be increased is purely a matter for individual petrol retailers.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what change will be made to the 1985–86 cash limit for class IX, vote 10, Law Charges, Scotland.

The outturn for this vote for 1984–85 showed expenditure of £107,000 in excess of that year's cash limit. The overspend arose as a result of insufficient provision necessary to meet greater manpower costs brought about by the increase in serious crime, unavoidable expenditure incurred through the provision of necessary accommodation and the establishment of Crown Office fraud and internal audit units. In accordance with normal practice, the cash limit for this Vote for this financial year is reduced by the amount of the previous year's overspend. The cash limit will therefore be reduced by £107,000 from £13,773,000 to £13,666 ,000.

asked the Paymaster General what representations he has received on the Baking Industry (Hours of Work) Act 1954; and what response he has given.

The Baking Industry (Hours of Work) Act 1954 is currently being considered in the context of the proposal to repeal restrictions on women's hours of work. Consultations with employers' associations and trade unions involved in the industry are in progress. I have received written representations from four employers' associations and two trade unions. Meetings have been held. The Health and Safety Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission have also given their views.

asked the Paymaster General what exemptions have been granted in North Staffordshire to the Baking Industry (Hours of Work) Act 1954; and if he will make a statement.

Information relating to North Staffordshire is not available. In Staffordshire as a whole, 11 employers are recorded as being exempted from the Act's provisions.Since 1980, there have been very few inquiries about the operation of the Act, no formal complaints requiring investigation have been received and no exemptions have been granted.

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been employed in the United Kingdom aerospace industry in each of the last 20 years for which figures are available; and what percentage of the total numbers employed in manufacturing industry this figure represents in each of those years.

The following table gives, for the dates specified, the estimated number of employees in employment in the aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing industry in Great Britain (figures are not available for the United Kingdom for some of the years). The Department's employment statistics are analysed according to the Standard Industrial Classification. The figures for June 1966 to June 1981 are for minimum list heading 383 of the 1968 SIC, while those for June 1982 to June 1985 are for activity heading 3640 of the 1980 SIC. The figures for September 1981 are given on both bases.