asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out in tabular form the amount of money from public funds allocated to (a) the universities and (b) public sector institutions of higher education in each year from 1970 to the latest available date; and what this represents in terms of public expenditure per student in each case.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what role the further education unit will play in relation to the new National Council for Vocational Qualifications.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of the future of the further education unit, in the light of changes over recent years in the context of its work. One such change is the establishment of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. The Department's consultative document raises, as one possible option, a merger between the unit and the council. Irrespective of the outcome of that review, I am sure that the unit will have a considerable contribution to make to the research and development effort needed to support the council's activities the council has already commissioned some work from the unit.

The following table shows the readily available information in respect of (a) central Government funding, plus home fee income, for the universities, and (b) estimated central and local government expenditure on public sector higher education net of income, except fees.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has been taken to improve matters which were the subject of criticism by Her Majesty's inspectors reporting on their inspection of Willesden college of technology in November 1984; and if he will make a statement.

In line with usual practice the Department has written to the local education authority and expects to hear by 21 November, 1986 what action it and the college governors are proposing to take in response to the report's findings on aspects of part-time FE professional courses in construction and engineering.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action is being taken to alleviate the shortage of qualified teachers in the subjects of mathematics and physics.

Various measures to improve the numbers and quality of mathematics and physics teachers were set out in the consultative document "Action on Teacher Supply in Mathematics, Physics and Technology'. Since that document was published we have announced a new in-service teacher training grants scheme for 1987–88 which accords priority funding to mathematics and physics. Funds have been set aside to support specially-designed training courses in local authority higher education. From this autumn bursaries will be payable to postgraduate students training to teach mathematics and physics.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what Government funding is available to provide the necessary facilities for the new GCSE courses and examinations within the county of Avon.

The Government have directed substantial resources to ensure the smooth introduction of the GCSE, in addition to local education authorities' own plans. In support of expenditure for books and equipment in schools in Avon we have made available £251,200 through education support grants this year. A further £178,200 will be supported through ESG in 1987–88. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment in conjunction with the Manpower Services Commission has made a grant of £81,400 available to Avon for the provision of scientific and technological equipment in schools.For the introductory GCSE in-service training programme, expenditure up to £132,260 has been supported in Avon. Under the new arrangements for in-service training in 1987–88, expenditure of £276,000 has been set aside to support the continuing training of teachers of the GCSE in schools and further education in Avon.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received the Health Advisory Service's report on services for mentally ill people in Gwynedd; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I fully recognise that the HAS report on services for mentally ill people in Gwynedd identifies many real problems and deficiencies which must be tackled. I am aware that both the Gwynedd district health authority and the county council's social services department accept the thrust of the report and the need for urgent action. They have already produced a consultative document setting out their strategy for adult mental health services in Gwynedd. I commend them for the promptness of their response. The development of locally based mental illness services is a complex process requiring the close cooperation of a number of authorities, including the county council, voluntary bodies and professionals from a number of disciplines.I have decided in view of the relevance of the issues raised for the whole of Wales that a consultation paper should be prepared setting out the ways in which services for those who are suffering from mental illness can be further developed and improved. With regard to the response which is required locally, the Gwynedd and Clwyd district health authorities and the social services departments of the representative county councils have formed a joint planning team to plan the development of mental illness services in North Wales and this group will consider amongst other things the future of Gwynedd residents at North Wales hospital, Denbigh. Arrangements for these patients are the subject of major criticism in the report and a specific area in which HAS considers that my Department has a role to play. Officials of my Department will be in touch with the authorities in north Wales to review the plans and arrangements that they have already set in hand as well as to consider any further action that may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average annual rate of increase in the EEC share of United Kingdom exports and imports on manufactures between 1972 and 1985.

The average annual rate of increase in the proportion of United Kingdom exports of manufactures going to the European Community between 1972 and 1985 was 0·7 per cent. For imports, the figure was 0·9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the United Kingdom market for manufacturers was taken by (a) the EEC six and (b) the EEC ten in 1975 and 1985, respectively.

Estimated proportions are given in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the United Kingdom's share of EEC ten imports of manufactures in each year since 1980.

The information is:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the UK/EEC balance of trade in manufactured goods has been offset by United Kingdom exports of fuels to the EEC.

A comparison of United Kingdom exports of fuels to the European Community and our balance of trade in manufactures with the Community in recent years is in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to review the regulations covering the fire resistance of fabrics used in the manufacture of household furniture; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will review the safety regulations concerning materials used in the teats of babies bottles and dummies; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has any plans to ban the use of silicone substitutes in the teats of babies bottles and dummies; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he has any plans to seek the incorporation of World Health Organisation standards on the composition of materials used in babies teats in a new British standard; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has been involved in any discussions with the Nissan Motor Co. in the Houghton and Washington constituency regarding United Kingdom companies and tendering for materials in the manufacturing process.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further measures are being planned, following the implementation of the Anglo-lrish Agreement; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement.

I have placed in the Library the joint statements issued after each meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference. They list those things which have been discussed in conference as well as subjects for future discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Brent, East on 16 June, Official Report, columns 434–5, what has been the result of the investigation into the events leading to the shooting of Francis Bradley in county Derry on 18 February; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what precautionary and other act ion has been taken by the education and library boards, and by the Northern Ireland Office, following the conviction of Paul Fitzgerald Smyth, of Lisnaskea, who had been recruited for the Irish Republican Army by a woman teacher at his school.

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of Robert Bennett in South Tyrone on 7 September 1984; and if he will give details;(2) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of Malcolm Cullen in South Tyrone on 7 September 1984; and if he will give details;(3) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of Melvin Simpson in South Tyrone on 8 October 1984; and if he will give details;(4) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have caused the death of Fred Jackson in South Tyrone on 19 October 1984; and if he will give details;(5) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of Peter W. Gallimore in Fermanagh on 19 October 1984; and if he will give details;(6) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of Jimmy Graham in Fermanagh on 1 February 1985; and if he will give details;

[pursuant to his reply, 23 July 1986]: There have been convictions in relation to three of these deaths. One person was convicted of the manslaughter of Robert Bennett and Malcolm Cullen and another of conspiracy to murder in regard to the incident in which Frederick Jackson was killed.

asked the Attorney-General what steps he proposes to take to encourage recruitment to the ranks of the Crown prosecution service of (a) legally qualified staff and (b) non-legally qualified staff.

So far as legally qualified staff are concerned, the recruitment position in the Crown prosecution service nationally but excluding London is particularly encouraging and 82 per cent. of posts for legally qualified staff are filled. The position in London is gradually improving. Recruitment will continue to be organised by means of monthly competition advertised prominently in the legal sections of the national press and in legal journals. Considerable success was achieved in raising awareness of the Crown prosecution service as a consequence of the media launch to coincide with the official start date of 1 October. This seems to have been reflected in the number of candidates applying for legal posts in the current competition round. A total of 92 applications were received which represented an increase on previous rounds.The position with regard to recruitment of non-legally qualified staff is that staff will continue to be engaged locally, as necessary, in respect of clerical grades. Recruitment levels for these grades are satisfactory and no special measures are necessary. Recruitment of executive officers, organised centrally by the Civil Service Commission, has produced a total of 162 staff since April 1986 out of a bid of 197. The remaining vacancies are expected to be filled within the next month.

asked the Attorney-General whether he proposes to reconsider the salary structure of the Crown prosecution service; and if he will make a statement.

The salary structure of the Crown prosecution service is, with one exception, linked to that for the remainder of Civil Service. The exception is the grade of Crown prosecutor—the most junior grade for legally qualified staff. The salary structure for this grade has already been substantially improved from the original proposals and has also been subject to a general increase of approximately 6 per cent. as a consequence of the increase in the pay of Civil Servants operative from 1 April 1986.The position is always under general review to ensure that the CPS is able to recruit and retain sufficient staff of requisite calibre but in the light of my previous reply today to the hon. Member I see no need for any special review of the salary structure at this stage.

asked the Attorney-General for what period of time he proposes that the temporary secondment from the Crown prosecution service in shire and metropolitan areas to London shall continue.

The temporary secondment of prosecuting staff to London and other areas will continue to be necessary for some considerable time and it is not possible to estimate when it will end. The need for such secondment into these areas will be reviewed each month taking account of the current or anticipated levels of staffing and will be reduced as quickly as possible.

asked the Attorney-General what is the average monthly cost of the policy of secondment of Crown prosecution staff from the shire and metropolitan areas to London, including the cost of additional agents in the shire and metropolitan areas.

The average monthly cost of the policy of secondment of Crown prosecution lawyers from the metropolitan areas to London was approximately £17,000 for the six-month period to 30 September 1986. This figure includes an estimate of £9,000 for the cost of additional agents. Agents would have been employed in London in the absence of seconded lawyers and the £9,000 does not represent net additional expenditure. A small number of non-legally qualified staff were also seconded for a short time. Some prosecuting solicitors' department staff from shire counties worked for short periods in London prior to 30 September but they were not Crown prosecution staff at that time because the Crown prosecution service was fully established only on 1 October 1986.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has received any representations in respect of the differences between the pay structure of those who transferred as senior crown prosecutors and that of persons appointed senior crown prosecutors after transfer by way of the promotion boards; and what steps he proposes to take.

I understand a number of representations have been received by the Director of Public Prosecutions and his officials. The point has also been made by several staff in conversation with my right lion. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General who is presently undertaking a series of visits to CPS areas. Careful consideration is being given to this issue and a discussion paper proposing possible approaches to pay differences has been circulated to chief crown prosecutors and trades unions for urgent comment. It is proposed to review the response to the paper shortly and to implement any necessary action immediately thereafter.

asked the Attorney-General whether it is proposed that members of the Crown prosecution service shall be entitled to see the assessments made of them by their seniors when applying for consideration by the promotion boards; and if he will make a statement.

The Crown prosecution service has recently implemented an agreement with the trades unions in respect of promotion boards. The agreement covers an interim period and includes the requirement for an application form to be completed by line managers to assess suitability for promotion to the next higher grade. The form devised for this purpose is not subject to any agreement which would entitle a member of staff to see the assessments made although line managers are encouraged to inform staff of the general tenor of their comments. It is proposed to introduce a staff appraisal report form for all staff, including the large number who have transferred from prosecuting solicitors departments of local authorities, and this will replace the application form with effect from 1 April 1987. In accordance with Civil Service procedures this form is designed to enable all staff to see the assessment of their performance and if desired, to be informed orally or in writing of promotability markings (but not detailed assessments).

asked the Attorney-General whether there are any proposals to create special juvenile court

In the Inner London Crown prosecution service area a branch has been established whose principal function is to man the juvenile courts within that area. Elsewhere in England and Wales lawyers have been designated to co-ordinate administrative arrangements for juvenile case work and to take particular responsibility for ensuring that proper standards are applied. On designation those lawyers receive special training to assist them in the discharge of their duties.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 21 May, Official Report, column 179, if she will state to which Government Minister British Nuclear Fuels Limited is responsible for the operation of its reactors at Calder Hall and Chapel Cross for the production of nuclear material for defence purposes.

I have nothing to add to my previous answer. The operation of these reactors is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) on 3 June at column 466.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, by main expenditure heads, details of the 1986 EEC budget (a) as agreed by the Council in December 1985, (b) as approved by the Assembly and Commission and (c) as agreed after the judgment of the European Court; and if he will give similar details for the proposed 1986 supplementary budget and the draft 1987 budget.

The information requested is in the table.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanism exists to ensure that common agricultural policy expenditure take a decreasing proportion of the EEC budget; if this principle holds good even if there are exceptional circumstances such as changes in the dollar/European currency unit rate; and if he will make a statement.

Expenditure under the guarantee section of the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund in the EC budget is constrained by the financial guideline. The methodology for calculating the guideline was set out in the meaures adopted by the Council of Ministers on 4 December 1984 to guarantee the effective implementation of the conclusions of the European Council on budgetary discipline. The financial guideline limits the increase in agricultural market support expenditure to no more than the rate of growth of the own resources base. The measures adopted by the Council make specific provision that account has to be taken of exceptional circumstances.The ECOFIN Council on 7 July, reported in

asked the Paymaster General what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the social consequences of Coventry Climax going into receivership.

I understand that the receiver hopes to sell the company as a going concern. All the facilities of the Manpower Services Commission will be available to help anyone who is made redundant find a new job or retraining.

asked the Paymaster General how many engineering apprentices were taken on and made redundant, respectively, in each of the last 20 years for which records are available.

The information is not available in the detail requested. There is no central record of all engineering apprentices, many of whom are employed outside the engineering industry.However, the engineering industry training board has maintained a record of those trainees registering the basic craft and technician training. This record covers firms within scope of the board. Figures for the years 1966–67 to 1985–86 are given at table 1. In addition, since 1977, the board has maintained a record of those trainees employed by companies in other industries who choose to register their trainees with the board. This record, given at table 2, does not claim to include all engineering craft and technician trainees in industries other than engineering.Formal records are not maintained of engineering apprentices who have been made redundant. However, since 1980 the engineering industry training board has kept a record of the number of redundant trainees who have come to its attention. This is given at table 3.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the system of licensing oil and gas exploration operates at a net cost to public funds; and if he will give the most recently available figures.

There is no net cost to public funds. Estimated costs of administration of the licensing system were of the order of £3·9 million in 1985–86. These costs were far exceeded by licence proceeds, principally royalty, which alone amounted to about £2 billion in 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what change there has been in the number of visitors to British Nuclear Fuels' Sellafield nuclear site since May.

From May to September inclusive there were nearly 41,000 visitors to Sellafield. In the same period last year there were some 17,000 visitors.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has asked Her Majesty's Government's permission to include public information material on its military rôle in the exhibition centre at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 July at column 601.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 4 June, Official Report, columns 594–95, to the hon. Member for Penrith and the Border (Mr. Maclean), if he will set out the economic and organisational effects on the reprocessing of Magnox nuclear fuel of the United Kingdom-Euratom safeguards arrangements for Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy stated in his reply to the hon. Member for Penrith arid the Border (Mr. Maclean) of 4 June 1986 at column 594–95, the introduction of separate civil and non-civil Magnox fuel reprocessing operations will in future involve sequential rather than simultaneous procedures. British Nuclear Fuels plc will incur modest additional costs rendering escort and other assistance to Euratom inspectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meironnydd Nant Conwy, 25 July, Official Report, column 602, he will set out the purposes for which the nuclear material withdrawn from safeguards was put; and if he will make a statement.

The material in question was withdrawn from safeguards for defence purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if any overseas commercial scale orders or developments are known to his Department embodying the use of pressurised fluidised bed combustion based upon research carried out in the United Kingdom.

My Department is not aware of any overseas commercial scale pressurised fluidised bed plants under construction or ordered based on research carried out in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom holds a prominent position in the development of this technology in which there is considerable international interest. Work continues in this country particularly at Grimethorpe where further work is being supported by British Coal and the Central Electricity Generating Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest level of coal production from collieries; and what output per man shift this represents.

Provisional figures for the week ending 4 October 1986 show a deep-mined output level of over 1·883 mt at an average output per manshift of 3·43 tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the staffing levels of British Gas during each of the last five years; and what levels of staffing are forecast for each of the years to 1991–92.

Information covering previous years is published in the British Gas Corporation's annual report and accounts for 1985–86 a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Employment levels for future years are a matter for British Gas plc.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps will be taken to ensure that new coal-fired power stations will embody technological developments designed to reduce or eliminate acid rain.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment recently announced, any future coal-fired power station will be required to be fitted with flue gas desulphurisation equipment to the requirements of the national industrial air pollution inspectorates. Discussions are now taking place between the industrial air pollution inspectorate and the CEGB about the necessary requirements for any future coal-fired power station in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that Namibia should be included in and affected by measures by the United Kingdom directed against the Republic of South Africa.

Namibia is a separate issue and we would not necessarily apply against the territory of Namibia measures taken against the Republic of South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to China.

From 12 to 18 October my right hon. and learned Friend accompanied the Queen on the first state visit to China by a ruling British monarch. It was a great success, with a magnificent welcome from the Chinese leadership and people. As Her Majesty made clear, the visit has set the seal on the warm friendship between our two countries and will provide a foundation for the building of even closer contacts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the question of the proposed Daya bay nuclear plant was discussed at his recent visit to China; and if he will make a statement.

During his recent visit to China my right hon. and learned Friend discussed the proposed nuclear power plant at Daya bay with senior Chinese officials. They assured him that the Chinese Government are fully alive to the concerns of the Hong Kong people about safety aspects of the project. We shall remain in touch with the Chinese authorities on the subject, on our own behalf and on behalf of Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he discussed the dismissal of the Gurkha service men on his recent visit to Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend did not discuss this matter during his recent visit to Hong Kong. I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 21 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many specific occasions he has ordered the scanning of diplomatic bags; on what dates such an order was given and such scanning carried out; and on the bags of which mission and with what results.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on sensitive matters such as this which directly concern national security.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will hold an inquiry into the effects of the Government's stated readiness to scan any diplomatic bag on a specific occasion where the grounds for suspicion are sufficiently strong and into whether the knowledge that he is prepared to do so has acted as a deterrrent to abuse; and if he will make a statement.

We keep application of the policy set out in the White Paper on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges (Cmnd. 9497) under frequent review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will name the persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa by nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; and if these persons were in post on 15 October;(2) if he will name, for each country concerned, the persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa to visit the United Kingdom.

There are no persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa in the countries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance given by his Department on the procedure for appeals against refusal of a visa to visit the United Kingdom; and in how many languages such guidance is available

Yes. The guidance is available only in English, as has been the case since the coming into force of the Immigration Appeals Act 1969 in all entry clearance issuing posts. Where a refusal is handed to the applicant, the guidance is, where necessary, explained by the interpreter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs if he will give a breakdown by British missions in each of the five visa countries of the numbers and categories of additional staff employed to deal with visa applications; and what is the total cost involved to date.

The total planned reinforcement of visa sections in the five countries is in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations (a) he has made and (b) he proposes to make to the Austrian Government following President Waldheim's installation as commander-in-chief of the Austrian armed forces in the light of the provisions of article 12 of the Austrian state treaty of 15 May 1955 in relation to membership of Nazi organisations; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list in the Official Report those groups which visited the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation headquarters from the United Kingdom in 1985 and in 1986 to the nearest convenient date; what groups propose to visit for the rest of the current year; what was the cost of each visit; and upon whom the cost fell.

I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, and place copies in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the special dredging of Portsmouth harbour to allow the USS Iowa to enter the harbour after Exercise Northern Wedding.

No special dredging was carried out for the visit of the USS Iowa. A continual programme of maintenance dredging is carried out throughout the year to maintain the depths shown in Admiralty chart 2629. The recent dredging was part of this programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what method and period of consultation is planned with interested parties on the plans for contractorisation at COD Donnington after the feasibility study is completed.

In accordance with our normal procedure the Department's proposals would be set out in a consultative document as a basis for discussion with the departmental trade union sides. In the first instance they will be asked to comment within 28 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has held, or has any intention of holding, discussions with the chairman of British Nuclear Fuels plc on the provision of (a) plutonium and (b) tritium, to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Defence Ministers have not held any discussions with the chairman of British Nuclear Fuels plc concerning the provision of plutonium or tritium, and have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in places in Scotland at which work related to the strategic nuclear deterrent is carried out.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1986 c. 818]: On 1 July 1986 the MOD employed 1,746 civilians at Coulport, 1,701 at Faslane and 7,868 at Rosyth dockyard. No figures are available for other places in Scotland where work related to the strategic nuclear deterrent is carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed in defence-related work in Scotland

[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1986, c. 818]: Estimates of the total number of jobs in United Kingdom industry sustained by defence expenditure are derived from generalised statistical information. It is not possible to give a separate figure for Scotland. On 1 July 1986 19,701 United Kingdom service personnel and 17,934 MOD civilian staff were deployed in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support he is giving to the proposed national memorial in St. James park to police officers killed on duty.

This proposal has been made by the Police Memorial Trust, a privately funded charity, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has told him that the proposal has his full support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the study of the case for devolving to the probation service responsibility for administering and financing the present scheme of probation and bail hostels and of grant-aiding voluntary after-care projects to be completed; and whether he will make a statement.

I am considering, in the light of the responses to the consultative document which the Home Office issued earlier this year to all those with an interest in this subject, how this study might now be carried forward. I would not, however, envisage any such fundamental changes to the present arrangements taking effect before the 1988–89 financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Government propose to ratify the Council of Europe convention on extradition; and if he will make a statement.

The white paper "Criminal Justice: Plans for Legislation" (Cmnd. 9658) explained that the proposals for extradition law reform would, if enacted, enable the United Kingdom to become a party to the convention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the revised regulations governing the consumption of alcohol in private boxes at designated sporting activities will take effect; and if he will make a statement.

The necessary amendments to the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 are contained in Schedule 1 to the Public Order Bill. I cannot yet give a date for bringing the schedule into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for each of the last 10 weeks how many visitors have come from (a) India, (b) Pakistan and (c) Bangladesh, respectively; and in each week and for each country how many have been (i) permitted to enter, (ii) temporarily detained, (iii) returned immediately, (iv) given temporary admission and (v) been subject to a Member of Parliament's stop.

The information is not available in the form requested to answer parts (a),(b),(c), (i), (iii), (iv), and (v). Information readily available to answer (ii) refers only to persons arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The following table shows details of nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who were detained for further examination between 6 August and 15 October 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give a breakdown by (a) country of origin and (b) date of entry into the United Kingdom of all those currently detained;(2) if he will state the number and country of origin of visitors from the five visa countries who arrived in the United Kingdom up to and including 15 October who are still detained.

The information readily available relates to passengers from the five countries who arrived at terminal 3, Heathrow in the period 11–15 October 1986 and, as at midnight 22 October, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors from the five visa countries who have sponsors residing in Newham are currently detained.

No record of sponsors' addresses is maintained centrally. Of the passengers arriving at the Heathrow and Gatwick airports from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Ghana and Nigeria since 1 October 1986 who are currently detained, three are known to have sponsors residing in Newham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick airports between 6 and 15 October from the five visa countries gave an address of a sponsor living in the London borough of Newham.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what countries and organisations were officially notified of the visa requirements for India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ghana and Nigeria prior to 15 October, and which of those countries and organisations expressed (a) support and (b) opposition.

Representatives of the Governments of Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Pakistan and Nigeria were informed when the decision to change visa requirements was announced. We wrote to the following organizations with an information leaflet about the changes:

• Members of the Home Secretary's Advisory Council on Race Relations.
• All Community Relations Councils in England, Wales and Scotland.
• Advice Services Alliance
• British Council of Churches.
• British Refugee Council.
• Commission for Racial Equality.
• Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
• National Association for the Care and Welfare of Offenders.
• National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.
• National Association of Community Relations Councils.
• National Union of Students.
• Representative for the United Kingdom of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
• United Kingdom Council of Overseas Students Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a daily breakdown of the number and category of immigration officers who were present at London airports from the date of his announcement of a visa regime on 6 October and 15 October when it was implemented.

The information relating to immigration officers and chief immigration officers on duty at the four Heathrow terminals and Gatwick airport for the period in question is:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional advice services were provided at Heathrow and Gatwick airports between 6 and 15 October to assist sponsors of intending visitors from the five visa countries.

Special arrangements were made at terminal 3 for representatives of the Bangladesh and Indian high commissions, and Pakistan embassy to have unrestricted access to their nationals who were detained in the control areas and to visit them at detention centres. At terminals 2, 3 and 4 periodic situation reports were passed to waiting sponsors either by immigration staff direct or via the airport public address system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone lines were made available between 6 and 15 October for the use of sponsors inquiring about visitors arriving from the five visa countries at Heathrow and Gatwick airports; what telephone number was given; to whom they were connected; how many staff were available between 6 and 15 October to answer inquiries and between what hours; and how many telephone calls were received.

The information requested is set out in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for every day between 6 and 15 October the number of visitors interviewed from the five visa countries at ports of entry throughout the United Kingdom; what were the countries of origin of each visitor; how many were allowed to enter the United Kingdom as (a) regular visitors and (b) on temporary admission; and how many were refused admission.

Information on the number and nationality of passengers seeking or given entry as visitors to the United Kingdom or of the number of such passengers given temporary admission between 6 and 15 October is not available.The number of passengers refused entry by nationality at Heathrow and Gatwick airports is given in the table and includes passengers who sought entry for any purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a breakdown of the number of visitors from each of the five visa countries detained at the port of entry in the United Kingdom for every day from 1 September to 15 October.