asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet his colleagues in the Group of Five.

The Finance Ministers of the Group of Five nations meet from time to time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the price of the Official Report.

Following a review by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, I have authorised an increase of 45p in the price of the daily part, with corresponding increases in the prices of weekly parts, indexes, Standing Committee debates, bound volumes and subscription rates. The scale of charges for reprints of Members' speeches appearing in the Official Report will also be raised. Despite these increases, Hansard will still receive a substantial subsidy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give figures for total deep mine revenue output, number of pits, average men on colliery books and average revenue output per man shift for the latest convenient date and for February 1984 for each of British Coal's areas, in the same manner as in the reply of the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) on 24 July, Official Report, column 358.

I am advised by British Coal that the total deep mine revenue output, number of pits, average men on colliery books and average revenue output per man shift for each area for the fiscal month of September 1986 and the fiscal month of February 1984 were as follows:

Area	Revenue Output (000 tonnes)	Number of Pits	Average Man-power	OMS (tonnes)
Four weeks ended 18 February 1984
Scotland	373	9	13,337	1·96
North East (Revised)	850	16	23,065	2·20
North Yorkshire	507	12	13,132	2·63
Doncaster	440	10	13,495	2·23
Barnsley	349	16	13,904	1·71
South Yorkshire	507	15	14,162	2·37
North Derbyshire	422	9	10,648	2·54
North Nottinghamshire	949	14	16,865	3·39
South Nottinghamshire	478	11	13,028	2·28
South Midlands	528	14	12,982	2·40
Western	542	17	18,660	2·08
South Wales	527	28	20,359	1·65

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department makes of the United States system of armoured division equivalents in assessing the balance of forces between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Warsaw Pact; and if he will make a statement.

The system of armoured division equivalents is not used in the assessment of the balance of the military forces of East and West, as presented in successive "Statements on the Defence Estimates". The difficulty of calculating the balance using this and other methods is described on pages 58–59 of volume I of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1986".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the ground-to-air missiles installed in Gibraltar during the crisis between the United States of America and Libya have been dismantled; and if he will make a statement.

It is not our practice, for security reasons, to comment on the detailed factors governing the deployment of defence assets at particular locations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be able to place further orders with Vosper Thorneycroft for the single role minehunter.

The timing of future minehunter orders has yet to be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will describe the process under which applications for investigations of companies under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 are considered for approval or refusal; what criteria are used; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will describe the sources and nature of applications made for investigations of companies under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 and similar applications made under former legislation; and if he will make a statement;(3) what statistics are available about investigations undertaken by his Department's companies investigation branch in recent years, including statistics of the outcomes of such investigations; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the "Handbook of the Companies Inspection System" and the annual reports on companies, both published through Her Majesty's Stationary Office, which give information and

Companies investigation branch
Staff in post on 1 April for each of the years 1980 to 1986 inclusive and, additionally for 1986 staff in post at 21 October 1986 and the branch complement for 1986–87
	April 1980	April 1981	1 April 1982	April 1983	April 1984	1 April 1985	April 1986	21 October 1986	Complement 1986–87
Inspector of Companies	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Principal Examiner	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Chief Examiner	5	5	5	5	5	5	6	6	7
Senior Examiner	14	14	13	14	14	14	14	16	20
Examiner	5	5	4	4	4	3	5	5	8
Executive Officer	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	1 + HEO
Clerical Officer	4	4	3	3	4	4	3	5	5
Clerical Assistant	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Personal Secretary	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	2
TOTAL	33	33	30	31	32	31	32	38	47

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will describe and name the management information systems used in his Department's companies investigation branch, stating the timing and contents of each report; and if he will make a statement.

The companies investigation branch uses internal systems and controls to assist management. These are reviewed regularly. Broadly, these systems record details of applications for investigation of companies, and monitor progress of casework and expenditure, on monthly, quarterly and annual bases.The annual report on companies published through Her Majesty's Stationery Office gives detail of the handling of applications, and expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the Ault and Wiborg paint factory, Perivale.

The proposed acquisition by Berger, Jenson and Nicholson Ltd. of certain assets of the Ault and Wiborg Group plc is currently being examined by the Office of Fair Trading. If the proposal is found to qualify for investigation under the terms of the Act, my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will decide, in the light of advice from the Director General of Fair Trading, whether it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for further investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contact his Department has had with

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list showing the numbers of staff, by grade, in his Department's companies investigation branch in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

In January the Secretary of State announced increases in the staff of the companies investigation branch to take place over a period of two years. Those increases are being implemented.the Association of British Insurers on matters relating to acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has, as part of its normal functions, kept in touch with the Association of British Insurers about the issues raised by the spread of AIDS for the life insurance industry, those seeking life assurance and more generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he has now discussed with members of the licensed trade the introduction of legislation to enforce the sales of wine by measured glass and by reference to volume as agreed with the trade on the voluntary code of practice; and if he will make a statement;(2) what the most recent survey shows of the compliance of the code of conduct on the sales of wine displaying the price and precise volume by the licensed trade.

A local authority survey submitted to the Department last autumn showed that 43·4 per cent. of premises visited were using glass sizes agreed in accordance with the provisions of the voluntary code of practice: 16·2 per cent. of premises were clearly indicating both the quantity and price of wines offered for sale by the glass.The Department has discussed with the code's trade sponsors the options for controlling sales of wine by the glass and has invited them to suggest ways in which voluntary adherence to the code can be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on his Department's recent work to ensure that beer is served in full measure and that the head of froth is not paid for;(2) what regulations are being discussed between his Department and the brewing and licensing trades to establish lined beer glasses in order to facilitate the serving of fair and full measures, and if he will make a statement.

The Department has been considering representation on the "froth on beer" issue for some time. In the Department's view a combination of self-regulation by the trade and revised regulations for capacity measures offers the best way forward. A consultation paper on proposed new regulations was, therefore, circulated to interested parties last April. Copies are available in the House of Commons Library. In parallel with this initiative the Brewers' Society has been preparing guidance notes for publicans on the dispensing of draught beer.The comments received on the consultation paper are currently being considered by the Department and a statement on possible changes to the regulations would not, therefore, be appropriate at this stage.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 October 1986]; The present regulations relating to upholstered furniture specify resistance to smouldering cigarettes and labelling to indicate the result of a match flame test, not for the fabric alone, but for the combined upholstery. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Rathbone) on 1 July, at column 465, the industry is developing a code of practice, which it is to complete not later than November 1987, on which legislation introducing a requirement for match flame resistance will be based. I have no other plans to introduce legislation on the fire resistance of the fabrics used in the manufacture of furniture.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the agreed purchase price when Coventry Climax was privatised from British Leyland; on what date the sale was agreed; what arrangements were made for the payment to British Leyland of the agreed price; if those arrangements were honoured and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 October 1986]: BL (now the Rover Group) disposed of Coventry Climax Ltd. on 9 December 1981. The financial arrangements are matters for the parties concerned. I can tell the hon. Member that BL's 1981 report and accounts show that this was one of a number of assets sold in that year. The value of the combined sales totalled £53 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken by his Department to educate children and parents about the dangers of fireworks; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 October 1986]: This year the Government are mounting a vigorous firework safety campaign, the aim of which is to persuade all users of fireworks, and especially children, to follow the firework code. Parents are being encouraged to take their children to organised displays rather than to set off fireworks at home, and advised, if they do still prefer private parties, to take special care. In addition, shopkeepers are being warned that if they sell fireworks to the under-16s they are liable to a £2,000 fine or three months imprisonment, and the police have been asked to be particularly alert to the problem of fireworks being thrown about in the street.

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of the fourth report from the Defence Committee on Westlands, she will dismiss Mr. Charles Powell from her Private Office.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Princethorpe, near Rugby.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will urge the United States Administration not to breach the SALT 2 treaty limits by installing this November the 131st B-52 strategic bomber with nuclear tipped cruise missiles without any compensating reductions in other strategic launch systems; and if she will make a statement.

As I told the House on 3 June, we regard it as important that the SALT 2 agreement continues to be observed by both sides.

asked the Prime Minister if she will invite the Administration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to negotiate the abolition of their antiballistic missile systems sited around Moscow in exchange for a reduction in the number of Trident missile-based nuclear warheads planned for deployment by Her Majesty's Government; and if she will make a statement.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 28 October.

This morning I 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 hope to have an audience of Her Majesty The Queen.

asked the Paymaster General whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limits or running costs limits for 1986–87

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the following changes will be made.

asked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking to ensure that special interests, women, ethnic minorities and the disabled will be adequately represented on the proposed National Council for Vocational Qualifications.

The membership of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications was announced on 1 October 1986. Members were appointed on a personal basis and not as representatives of particular bodies or interests. I am concerned that the council should take full account in its work of the interests of women, ethnic minorities, disabled people and others with special needs, and I am confident that it will establish effective arrangements for doing so.

asked the Paymaster General when he expects the new National Council for Educational Qualifications to be operative.

The National Council for Vocational Qualifications was established as a company limited by guarantee on 17 September. It held its first council meeting on 13 October.

asked the Paymaster General what has been the net change in the number of businesses in the county of Avon between 1979 to 1983.

The number of businesses registered for VAT in the county of Avon is estimated to have increased by around 2,000 between the end of 1979 and the end of 1983.

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of those starting on the restart programme complete the full week.

On the basis that this question relates to the one week restart course, which is part of the restart programme, the information is not available in the form requested. However, the average attendance on restart courses is just over four days per participant.

asked the Paymaster General if he proposes to increase the period spent on the restart programme from one week; and if he will make a statement.

On the basis that this question relates to the restart course, which is part of the restart programme, there are no plans to increase the length of restart courses. However, participants may return on one day a week, for up to 13 weeks for further support and guidance.

asked the Paymaster General what follow-up his Department proposes to conduct to assess the effect of the restart programme on its participants.

A full evaluation of the restart pilot programme will be available later this year. In addition, the Manpower Services Commission will conduct a study of a sample of restart participants in order to follow their experiences during the 12 months following their restart counselling interview.

asked the Paymaster General what was the total number of people benefiting from special employment and training measures at the latest available date in the Swindon constituency; and if he will list the measures and the numbers affected in each case.

Some 3,400, although because of the various bases on which local information is collated an unknown proportion will be in areas outside the Swindon constituency. The numbers in each scheme are as follows:

	Numbers
Adult training	231
Community industry	84
Community programme	1,185
Enterprise allowance scheme	491
Job release schemes	133
Job splitting scheme	1
New workers scheme	153
YTS	1,095
Young workers scheme	10

asked the Paymaster General if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East of 18 February column 181 regarding YTS qualifications; and if he will make a statement.

YTS schemes are making use of a wide range of existing vocational qualifications. The YTS certification board has now been established and has begun work on the approval vocational qualifications suitable for use in YTS. We intend that assessments within YTS should come within the new vocational qualifications framework to be set in place by the recently established National Council for Vocational Qualifications.

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of people unemployed in Leeds metropolitan district council area for the last year for which figures are available; and what is the number of people unemployed who are (a) under 25 years old, (b) 25 to 40-years-old and (c) 41 to 60-years-old.

The following information is in the Library. The table shows the number of claimants at 10 July 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available.

Unemployment claimants in the Leeds local authority district area
	Number
Age under 25 years	16,062
Age 25 to 39	13,655
Age 40 to 59	12,475
All ages	43,085

asked the Paymaster General how many people in Leeds metropolitan district council area have been unemployed for (a) less than six months, (b) six months to one year, (c) one year to two years and (d) over two years.

The following information is in the Library. The table shows the number of claimants for the durations requested as at 10 July 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by duration is available.

Unemployment claimants in the Leeds local authority district area
	Number
Under six months	16,795
Six months to one year	8,133
One year to two years	6,670
Over two years	11,487

asked the Paymaster General what efforts the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has made to end the official union dispute with the Nove Leather company in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that ACAS has been conciliating in this dispute and remains available to assist the parties.

asked the Paymaster General what action will be taken in line with the report of the Public Accounts Committee to strengthen tests of the availability of unemployed claimants for work.

I refer my hon. Friend to my statement earlier today.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what percentage, in total and by type, of the European Economic Community regulations, directives and other decisions of the Council of Ministers brought before the House in 1985 were brought before the House for debate with a recommendation for a decision.

Four hundred and thirty European Community documents incorporating proposals by the Commission were deposited in Parliament in 1985. Of these, 283 (66 per cent.) were proposals for Council regulation, 63 (15 per cent.) proposals for Council directives, and 84 (19 per cent.) proposals for Council decisions. In the same year, following recommendations from the Commons Select Committee on European Legislation, 43 documents—some of which would have been deposited before 1985—were debated either on the Floor of the House or in Standing Committee, of which 25 (58 per cent.) concerned regulations, 16 (37 per cent.) directives, and two (5 per cent.) were decisions. Three proposals (7 per cent.) of those debated) were formally adopted by the Council of Ministers before the House had debated them. Two of these had been agreed by the Committee as being suitable for adoption before debate by the House; as for the third, the Chairman of the Commons Select Committee on European Legislation was informed of the position in accordance with the procedure laid down in the House of Commons resolution of 30 October 1980.

and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Protestant and (b) Roman Catholic tenants of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, respectively, have been moved to other accommodation since November 1985 in consequences of sectarian and terrorist violence.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am informed by the chairman that the Housing Executive has no record of the religious persuasion of its tenants or applicants, but the executive is aware of 179 cases where its tenants or the occupants of houses in the private sector have been intimidated since 10 July 1986 and have since been rehoused.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of tonnes of grain, in addition to what is already in store, which can be taken into store in Red Lane in the Coventry, North-East constituency.

Information on individual stores is not given on grounds of commercial confidentiality.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announced his modified proposals on the labelling of fats and other nutrients.

We are still in the process of considering the many comments made on the proposed Fat Labelling of Food Regulations, and on the guidelines for fuller nutrition labelling. We hope to be able to make a further announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (1) what gross tonnage has left the fishing fleets in England, Wales and Scotland as a result of the decommissioning scheme;(2) how much cod, haddock, saithe and whiting was caught and landed by vessels which are no longer active in the fleet by virtue of their having been decommissioned since the decommissioning scheme was introduced.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (1) how many fishing vessels have left the fleets in England, Wales and Scotland due to factors other than decommissioning in the period since 1981;(2) how many of the owners who received money to decommission fishing vessels have subsequently purchased replacement fishing vessels;(3) how many fishing vessels have been decommissioned in England, Wales and Scotland since the decommissioning scheme was introduced.

I shall replay to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the extent of ritual slaughter in the United Kingdom; what is his policy towards seeking amendment of the law with regard thereto; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 October 1986]: Statistics of animals slaughtered by religious methods are not maintained centrally. However our most recent estimate is that less than 1 per cent. of total animals, including poultry, slaughtered in Great Britain are slaughtered under the exemption from prior stunning. A further 2 per cent. are slaughtered according to religious law after being stunned. Government policy on religious slaughter is under review in response to the recommedations of the Farm Animal Welfare Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the numbers of claims pending from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for each of the last five years; and if he will state the average length of time it has taken for settlements to be made in each of these years.

The numbers of cases before the board at the end of each financial year for the last five years were:

	Cases pending
31 March 1982	28,700
31 March 1983	32,100
31 March 1984	34,300
31 March 1985	41,800
31 March 1986	51,500

Information is not available about the average time taken to deal with applications; the table gives the proportions of cases resolved by the board within 12 months of application.

Percentage of cases resolved within twelve months of application
Financial year
1981–82	81·9
1982–83	76·3
1983–84	75·3
1984–85	74·5
1985–86	169·6
1 Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken following the complaints by a London magistrate of the ability by some London prisons to produce prisoners for court hearings; and if he will make a statement.

We are discussing with the courts and other parties concerned how this problem might be tackled. In the longer term, we are taking forward the recommendations of the court escort scrutiny for rationalising the Prison Service's escorting commitment to courts, we are preparing plans for the more efficient deployment of prison staff across the service as a whole and we are considering the proposals made in the scrutiny report for changes in magistrates' courts procedure which would have the effect of easing the burden on the Prison Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions so far in the current year prisons have not been able to ensure the presence of prisoners due to attend court hearings of their cases.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the inquiries which have taken place into the death of people while in police custody during each of the last five years;(2) what has been the number of people who have died in police custody in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

The number of persons who died in police custody (or otherwise with the police) during the years 1981–85 is contained in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary — HC 463 (1981), HC 15 (1982), HC 528 (1983), HC 369 (1984), HC 437 (1985) and for those within the Metropolitan police district, in the annual reports of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Cmnd. 8569, 8928, 9268, 9541 and 9790). There have been no inquiries under section 32 of the Police Act 1964 into any death in police custody in the last five years. Information as to the number of investigations following a complaint against the police, or internal police inquiries, undertaken as a result of a death in police custody is not separately recorded. The number of inquests and inquest verdicts is dealt with in the annual reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of attacks by inmates in Her Majesty's prisons against prison officers in each of the last three years.

Information on offences against prison discipline of gross personal violence or assault on a prison officer is given annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales" (tables 9(g), (h) and (i) of the latest issue, for 1985, (Cmnd. 9903)).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what record is kept by prisons as to the number of inmates who are locked up each day due to the lack of prison work.

Governors are required to manage the resources available to them so as to enable inmates to spend the maximum possible time out of their cells in employment, education, individual or collective recreation, or other activities. Lack of prison work would not therefore necessarily lead to inmates being locked up and governors are not required to keep a separate record of when locking up is directly due to lack of prison work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prohibit citizins of the Republic of Ireland, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Cyprus, India, New Zealand, Tanzania and Zimbabwe voting in local elections in Great Britain.

We have no plans to introduce such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department received a passport application in respect of Mr. Sukhjinder Singh of 132 Brewery Road, SE18; when the passport was finally issued; why there was a delay in considering the application; and why letters written on behalf of the applicant on 27 February and 16 June went unanswered.

The hon. Member has kindly supplied further information to help to identify the case. I shall write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to authorise the reimbursement from public funds of legal and other expenses properly incurred by police officers against whom allegations are made and investigated, but are not pursued to a formal hearing; and if he will make a statement.

The matter of the legal costs of police officers subject to a disciplinary investigation which does not result in charges being brought has been raised in connection with the case of the deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester. My right hon. Friend has already announced that he is reviewing all aspects of the case to consider whether there are any lessons to be learnt from it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will provide a breakdown by police area of the figures contained in the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 24/86 "Statistics on the operation of certain police powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 First Quarter 1986," tables 1 to 6, September 1986; and if he will also provide a breakdown of the table No. 6 by sex of the persons searched;(2) if he will state the nature of the harmful article found as indicated in table No. 6 of the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 24/86; where on the person it was found; and whether or not the search was carried out by a police officer;(3) if he will provide details of the type of class A drug and the quantity found as indicated in table 6 in the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 24/86; and if he will further state with what offence the persons on whom these drugs were found were charged and in which police authority area;(4) if he will provide details by category of offence of the number of charges laid against persons detained arid recorded in table No. 4 in the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 24/86.

Quarterly figures for individual police forces are likely to be subject to considerable variation and so, as stated in note 2 to the Home Office statistical bulletin Issue 24/86, it is intended to publish figures for individual police forces only in an annual bulletin, which it is planned to publish in the spring of 1987. The other requests relate to information which is not collected centrally and which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide details of the reasons used to justify detention beyond 24 hours of persons identified as being detained under section 4 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

Section 4 of the the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 controls the setting up of road checks. It is part IV (sections 34 to 52) of the Act which deals with the conditions and duration of detention. Under section 42 an officer of the rank of superintendent or above may authorise the detention of a person beyond 24 hours if he has reasonable grounds for believing that:

(a) the detention of that person without charge is necessary to secure or preserve evidence for which he is under arrest or to obtain such evidence by questioning him;

(b) an offence for which he is under arrest is a serious arrestable offence; and

(c) the investigation is being conducted diligently and expeditiously.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide information on the number of police officers and civilians based at each of the eight area headquarters, broken down by rank, grade and function.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the current police policy in relation to the use of empty property for the use of surveillance within the Metropolitan police district;(2) what is the current Metropolitan police policy with regard to the use of council-owned property; and what procedures are adopted in contacting local councils when the need for the use of council property for surveillance arises.

I understand from the Commissioner that the police use of vacant premises, including council-owned property, is arranged by application to the person in control of the property, which in the case of council property is an official of the borough council concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide information on the costs of reorganising the Metropolitan police, to include the costs, actual and planned, of rehabilitating and adapting buildings and providing new and additional facilities.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for a passport and local inquiry office to be established in Bradford to assist those in Yorkshire affected by the provisions of the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to ensure those who are affected by the provisions of the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914, are aware of what action they are required to take; what publicity material has been issued; in what languages that material has been written; what public information has been placed in the British ethnic press and broadcasting media; and if he will make a statement.

An information leaflet prepared initially in English, to explain the implications of the new visa requirements, has been made available to inquirers. It has been sent to many immigration, community relations and advice organisations and to the ethnic press.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to airlines about nationals, affected by the provisions of the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914, settled in the United Kingdom, who do not require visas to return, within two years of departure, to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The details of the new visa requirements given to airlines operating international flights into the United Kingdom included details of visa exemptions for those settled in the United Kingdom who return within two years of their embarkation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if nationals, subject to the provisions of the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914, and who wish to comply with immigratiion rules requiring that couples should have met prior to entry clearance interviews, will be able to obtain visas to visit the United Kingdom for the purpose of meeting their fiancés/ fiancées;(2) if nationals, subject to the provisions on the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914, will be eligible for a visa to visit the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending any appeals in connection with a refusal to grant entry clearance for settlement; and if he will make a statement;(3) if nationals, subject to the provisions on the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914, will be able to apply for a visa to visit the United Kingdom for the purpose of obtaining a DNA test; and if he will make a statement.

Cmnd. 9914 makes no change to the substantive criteria in paragraphs 17 to 20 of the immigration rules for admission as a visitor, other than to require those coming for a visit to obtain a visa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what documents students seeking a visa to the United Kingdom, who are covered by the provisions of the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 9914, require; what evidence they are required to offer to show ability to meet the cost of their tuition; and if he will make a statement.

Those applying for a visa for admission as a student should produce evidence to establish that they meet the requirements of paragraphs 21 to 23 of the "Statement of changes in the Immigration Rules" (HC 169), in particular that they have enrolled for a course of study. A prospective student who has not yet enrolled on a course of study may also be granted a visa to come to this country for a short period to seek a place on such a course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between his Department and Imperial Chemical Industries about the commercial development of DNA testing; and if he will make a statement.

ICI has held preliminary discussions about its plans for commercial developments of DNA testing with officials of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans have been made for a trial of DNA testing by his Department; how many applicants are included in the trial; from what countries the applicants originate; who will analyse the DNA tests; where that analysis will take place; what criteria have been used to identify those taking part in the trial; and if they will be charged fees;(2) what information has been given to interested individuals and organisations about the progress of the DNA trial; and if he will make a statement;(3) what plans have been made for a pilot study in connection with DNA tests; how many applicants are included in the study; in which countries the applicants live; who will analyse the DNA tests; where that analysis will take place; what criteria have been used to identify the applicants taking part in the pilot study; if the applicants taking part in the pilot study will be charged fees; what information has been given to interested individuals and organisations about the progress of the pilot study; and if he will make a statement.

We plan to hold a trial applying DNA testing to a sample of about 40 immigration cases, drawn from various countries, where a parent-child relationship is fundamental to the claim to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. The details have yet to be finalised. Dr. Jeffreys of the University of Leicester has agreed to undertake the analysis. There will be no additional fee other than the normal entry clearance fee payable by entry clearance applicants.My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed our proposals with representatives of a number of interested organisations in April. Families invited to participate in the trial will be given full information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how observations from interested persons or organisations should be submitted for Lord Colville's report on the operation during 1986 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984.

Observations, at this stage in writing, should be sent to Lord Colville direct or received on his behalf by the Home Office, F4 division, not later than 28 November 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations have been made by right hon. and hon. Members to Ministers in his Department about (a) port refusals and (b) other immigration matters in each month since May.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 October 1986]: Since May the number of stops on removal made by right hon. and hon. Members in port refusal cases has been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given in reply to representations from the Wales Comprehensive Parents' Association about the introduction of the general certificate of secondary education; and if he will make a statement.

The letter from the Wales Comprehensive School Parents' Association was received last May. The Department's reply set out the support which has been given to the GCSE both to provide books and equipment and for the programme of preparation for teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received on the introduction of the general certificate of secondary education syllabus.

My right hon. Friend has received some 150 letter about the introduction of the GCSE since the beginning of September. Ministers have also recently met representatives of the National Association of Head Teachers and my right hon. Friend hopes to meet representatives of the Secondary Heads Association next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the level of direct financial support from industry and commerce for research and development in Britain's higher education establishments; how this compares with the European and United States experience; and if he will make a statement.

Universities' income from British industry and commerce for research and development in 1984–85 totalled £47 milion, compared with £23 million in 1981–82. Comparable figures for the public sector of higher education and for other countries are not available. However, in the wider context of gross domestic expenditure on R and D, some 40 per cent. of UK expenditure is financed by industry, compared with about 50 per cent. and 60 per cent. in the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations are taking place on his implementation of provisions for in-service training of teachers contained in the Education Bill.

A wide range of interests were consulted earlier this year. The local authorities are now submitting their detailed proposals for implementation to my right hon. Friend. A number of bodies, mainly representing providers of training, are making further comments to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from teachers' unions about the level of funding for in-service training.

No representations have been received from the teacher unions concerning the level of funding announced by my right hon. Friend on 7 August.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made in reforming the teachers' pay negotiating machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about his plans for the future of the Burnham committee.

I accept that there are strong grounds for changing the present arrangements for settling teachers' pay and conditions of service, but we need to be clear that new arrangements will work better. The proposals made so far in the current talks do not pass that test.

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

The employers and unions intend to meet in Nottingham for more talks on 8 November. The NAS/UWT has called a series of half-day strikes for the week beginning 3 November. This scandalous act will be condemned by all those concerned about children's education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he gives to local education authorities on the speed with which they deal with the assessment of children with special educational needs.

My right hon. Friend has issued no such guidance to local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the future funding of non-advanced further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the future funding of non-advanced further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the future funding of non-advanced further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the future funding of non-advanced further education.

My right hon. Friend receives representations from local education authority representatives and others from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what impact he expects the Government's funding intentions for advanced further education in the public sector in 1987–88 to have on National Advisory Board planning.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the proposals of the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education.

My right hon. Friend proposed in August that the resources available for polytechnics and colleges should increase by £54 million, or 8 per cent., in 1987–88. The National Advisory Body has accepted that this is fully adequate to meet student demand and will plan accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on the National Advisory Board planning exercise 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on the National Advisory Board planning exercise.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on the National Advisory Board planning exercise 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on the National Advisory Board planning exercise 1987–88.

I refer hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown), and for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to bring into effect the provisions of the Education Bill relating to sex education.

Subject to royal assent, the requirement to offer any sex education within a moral context supportive of family life will come into force two months after enactment. Control over the content and organisation of sex education will pass to the governing bodies of county, controlled and maintained special schools when these are reconstituted.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to extend parental choice within the state school system.

Our 1980 Act substantially increased parents' rights in school admissions and established the assisted places scheme. Our current Bill to increase parental influence over their children's schooling is a powerful extension of that choice. Additionally, my right hon. Friend has announced plans to establish a network of city technology colleges, to offer a further choice of school to the parents and children of our cities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the provision of equipment in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the provision of equipment in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the provision of equipment in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the provision of equipment in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the provision of equipment in schools.

My right hon. Friend has received no representations arising from Her Majesty's Inspectorate's judgment on the provision of equipment in schools in its report on "The Effects of Local Authority Expenditure Policies on Education Provision in England—1985". Provision for equipment, as for all other aspects of the education, is discussed annually with representatives of the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Association of University Teachers about the future funding of the University Grants Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Association of University Teachers about the future funding of the University Grants Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Association of University Teachers about the future funding of the University Grants Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Association of University Teachers about the future funding of the University Grants Committee.

I refer hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department now proposes to make available additional resources for the repair and maintenance of school buildings.

The Government's proposals for local authority expenditure in 1987–88 imply an increase of over 14 per cent. in planned expenditure on education, compared with this year's plans. It is for local education authorities to deploy their resources, but the Government believe that they should give high priority to the better repair and maintenance of school buildings. The plans allow for a substantial increase in expenditure for this purpose, provided that authorities contain their other costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the standard of maintenance of school buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the standard of maintenance of school buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the standard of maintenance of school buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate with regard to the standard of maintenance of school buildings.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis) and for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further representations he has received about the proposed reorganisation of secondary education in west Essex; and if he will make a statement.

Objections have been received in respect of statutory proposals published by Essex local education authority on 16 May to reorganise secondary and further education in the west Essex area. Comments on the objections are awaited from the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he has to increase the number of teachers of mathematics in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he has to increase the number of teachers of mathematics in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he has to increase the number of teachers of mathematics in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he has to increase the number of teachers of mathematics in schools.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on Friday 24 October to my hon. Friend the Member for Wansdyke (Mr. Aspinwall).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further action he is taking to improve education standards.

All the Government's education policies are in pursuance of my right hon. Friend's main aim, which is to improve standards throughout the education service and increase the value obtained from the substantial resources allocated to it.Details of many of the Government's initiatives to improve standards, and the practical measures taken and planned to give them effect, were set out in the White Papers "Better Schools" (Cmnd. 9469) and "Working Together—Education and Training" (Cmnd. 9823).