asked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects the Norman Shaw North Issue Office to extend its opening hours beyond 6 pm; and if he will make a statement.

With effect from 1 December the Norman Shaw North Issue Office will remain open until 10 pm on sitting Mondays to Thursdays. In accordance with the recommendation of the Services Committee, this extension in opening hours will apply for an experimental period of six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he as made of the impact of easing the planning regulations for the fast service restaurant industry on the number of new jobs which could be created; and if he will make a statment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implication of further planning restrictions on the fast service restaurant industry for the potential for new jobs in that industry throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government's proposals to modernise the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972 on the fast service restaurant business; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications of the Property Advisory Group's recommendations on modernising the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972 for the creation of new jobs in the fast service restaurant business.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications of the Property Advisory Group's recommendations on modernising the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972 for employment in the fast service restaurant business.

Following an earlier report by the Property Advisory Group which was published for comment, the Government's proposals for a modernised Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) order were put out for consultation in June. The effects on business activity and therefore employment were taken into account in shaping those proposals. We proposed that fast service restaurants, which are currently not in any use clase, should be included in a new "prepared food" class. The effect of this would be to widen the range of buildings which could be taken over for use as fast service restaurants without the need for planning permission. We are considering carefully the representations which we have received in response to our consultation paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has to ascertain the scale of pollution in the North sea; and if he will make a statement.

The condition of the North sea is kept under regular surveillance by the Oslo and Paris commissions, of which the United Kingdom is an active member. Scientists from the relevant Government Departments responsible for monitoring United Kingdom North sea waters contribute to the assessments undertaken by the commissions. In addition, my Department is coordinating the scientific preparations for the forthcoming international North sea conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to protect wildlife in the North sea; and if he will make a statement.

Wildlife on the United Kingdom coasts and in United Kingdom North sea coastal waters, as elsewhere in the United Kingdom, is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This Act has strengthened the protection of birds, wild creatures and plants, and also provides for the establishment of marine nature reserves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment at what rate for 1987–88 he requires Thames water authority to repay its long-term debt; and if he will indicate the likely price rise for Thames water customers as a consequence.

I have written to the chairman of the Thames water authority informing him that the external finance limit for his authority for 1987–88 will be minus £98 million. The precise increase in charges is a matter for the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the Government's assistance now available to first-time home buyers.

The Government have given many tenants of public authorities the opportunity to become home owners for the first time. Over 1 million dwellings in Great Britain have been sold by public authorities since the Government took office. The Housing and Planning Act 1986 will improve the terms of the right to buy by allowing higher discounts (up to a maximum of 70 per cent.) and by reducing the period of liability to repay discount on resale from five to three years.The Government have also introduced measures in the Housing and Planning Act 1986 which will encourage the expansion of shared ownership by making privately financed housing association schemes more feasible. The Government are encouraging building societies and other lending institutions to take up these funding opportunities using new forms of finance currently being developed. In this way people who might not otherwise be able to afford to buy homes will have the opportunity to do so. This could prove particularly helpful to first time purchasers in the south of England.First-time buyers may qualify for benefits under the home loan scheme. Provided the savings conditions are fulfilled, the scheme can provide a loan of £600 free of interest for up to five years and a bonus of £110 to first-time purchasers buying a house within the regional price limits.Mortgage interest tax relief is available on the first £30,000 of a mortgage loan; and no stamp duty is payable on homes costing £30,000 or less. The Government have also encouraged competition in the house buying system. The reduction in the cost of buying a house resulting from these measures will benefit particularly first-time buyers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the course of the telephone call to the leader of Portsmouth city council on 4 March, it was made clear that consent for the council's scheme to refurbish the Portsdown Park estate had been refused.

I made it clear that, on the basis of the information which had been provided, I did not think that the Secretary of State would be justified in granting consent to the disposal on the terms proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will refuse the application for derelict land grant from Blue Circle Industries in respect of the site at Queslett in Birmingham on the grounds that it involves the disturbance and movement of tipped waste.

I cannot take a decision on this derelict land grant application until I receive the further information on the costs of the work involved which has been requested by my Department. I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman is informed of the grant decision in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date his Department received the application for derelict land grant from Blue Circle Industries in respect of the site at Queslett in Birmingham; and what is the amount of grant requested.

The application for grant was received on 3 April 1986. The amount of grant requested was £526,000 against estimated total reclamation costs of £720,000. Subsequent discussions indicate that total costs may have been under estimated and revised figures are awaited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce heating charges regulations under section 108 of the Housing Act 1985.

My Department issued a consultation letter on 16 June 1986 seeking the views of the local authority associations, housing associations and voluntary groups on the content to possible heating charges regulations and the timing of their introduction. We are considering the responses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the recent discharges into the Rhine of certain toxic chemicals, he is satisfied that the water authorities have adequate contingency plans to contain or direct chemicals from their water and to provide alternative supplies in the event of a large water body being contaminated within their area.

Following a pollution incident on the River Dee in 1984, my Department asked the Water Authorities Association and Water Companies Association to report upon measures needed to protect river-derived water supplies in the event of a similar incident. In the light of that report, all water authorities and water companies reviewed their emergency procedures and informed my Department of the steps they were taking to fill gaps identified. A number of recent pollution incidents have shown that adequate contingency plans do exist.I shall, however, consider whether there are any lessons to be learnt from the recent incidents on the Rhine to see whether more needs to be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give reasons for the proposed cut in the rate support grant for Essex; and if, in the light of representations he has received from the right hon. Member for Chelmsford and other hon. Members he will cease these.

The amount of grant Essex county council receives in 1987–88 depends on the level at which it spends. If it budgets to increase expenditure in line with inflation, I estimate that it will receive about £118 million grant on the basis of my proposals; this is only £1 million less than this year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider all the representations made to him on his porposals for next year's rate support grant settlement before taking final decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many press and public relations staff are employed in his Department; and how many were employed in 1979–80 and each intervening year.

[pursuant to his reply 19 November 1986, c. 250]: The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the total spending of his Department on press and public relations in the current year; and what it was in 1979–80 and each intervening year.

[pursuant to his reply 19 November 1986, c. 250]: The expenditure on information officer staff costs and paid publicity was as follows:

asked the Attorney-General what response he has received to his proposals for a system of family courts.

My hon. Friend is probably referring to the consultation paper prepared by the interdepartmental committee of officials established by the Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary to examine the feasibility of a unified court with exclusive jurisdiction in family matters. The Lord Chancellor's Department has received 169 responses to that paper and these are now being analysed.

asked the Attorney-General when the Director of Public Prosecutions expects to complete his investigation into the Minet-PCW syndicates.

It is not yet possible for the Director of Public Prosecutions to say when the fraud investigation group set up to investigate the affairs of the Minet-PCW syndicates will complete its inquiries. The FIG is still awaiting the outcome of inquiries abroad. When these are completed is not within the control of the group.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will prosecute Mr. Rupert Allason, alias Mr. Nigel West, for conspiracy with others to publish information on matters relating to national security.

I have agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that he will ask the Metropolitan police to investigate certain statements attributed in recent press articles to Mr. Nigel West concerning matters relating to the security services.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he will prosecute Mr. Ronnie Symonds formerly of MI5 for passing information on matters relating to the security services to Mr. Rupert Allason alias Mr. Nigel West;

I have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider these questions in the light of the result of the police investigation referred to in my answer to the hon. Gentleman's earlier question.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he proposes to take any steps against Colonel William Skarden in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(2) whether he proposes to take any steps against Andrew King in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(3) whether he proposes to take any steps against Colonel Leo Long in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(4) whether he proposes to take any steps against Lord Victor Rothschild in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(5) whether he proposes to take any steps against Lord Clanmorris in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(6) whether he proposes to take any steps against Mr. T. A. R. Robertson in repect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(7) whether he proposes to take any steps against Nigel Burgess in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(8) whether he proposes to take any steps against Constance Burgess in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department she has given to publishers;(9) whether he proposes to take any steps against Russell Lee in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(10) whether he proposes to take any steps against Christopher Haines in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(11) whether he proposes to take any steps against William Luke in respect of information on MI5, MI6 or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;(12) whether he proposes to take any steps against Stephen Demonbray in respect of information on MI5, or any other security agency or department he has given to publishers;

Former and present servants of the Crown are well aware that they may not make unauthorised disclosure of information acquired in their work. Formal letters underlining the duty of confidentiality have been sent to a number of former officials whom Mr. Penrose and Mr. Freeman purport to quote in their book "Conspiracy of Silence". I do not propose to identify the individuals concerned.

asked the Attorney-General (1) if he has any plans to take out a warrant for the arrest of Peter Cameron Webb; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is now in a position to begin extradition proceedings against Peter Cameron Webb; and if he will make a statement.

The fraud investigation group established by the Director of Public Prosecutions for the purpose of this case continues vigorously to pursue inquiries with a view to securing, in a form admissible in criminal proceedings in England, evidence to justify the institution of such proceedings and an application for extradition. Any such application would be founded upon a warrant obtained under the provisions of section 1 of the Magistrates Courts Act 1980. However, that stage has not yet been reached.

asked the Attorney-General how many cases, and in respect of how many people, have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions by Lloyd's since 1980; in how many cases (a) warrants for arrest have been taken out, (b) extradition proceedings have been started or completed, (c) criminal charges have been laid, (d) prosecutions have been brought and (e) convictions have been secured; and if he will make a statement.

Seven cases, in respect of 37 persons, have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions by Lloyd's since 1980. Prosecutions in one of those cases, in respect of three people, are in progress. Prosecution had already taken place before referral in one case, and in that case a conviction was secured. In two cases decisions have been taken not to bring criminal proceedings. In the remaining three cases decisions have not yet been taken.

asked the Prime Minister if she had any discussions with her Private Office between 4 January and 1.30 pm on 6 January concerning the possibility of bringing into the public domain the Solicitor-General's opinion that the then Secretary of State for Defence's letter to the European consortium contained certain inaccuracies, or concerning the way in which the anticipated letter from the Solicitor-General to the then Secretary of State for Defence should be handled; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 17 November, at columns 49–50.

asked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her answer of 17 November, she will specify the date and Official Report reference where she answered the question when she first learnt of the letter sent by the Solicitor-General to the former Secretary of State for Defence in relation to Westlands.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 17 November, at columns 49–50.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to review the powers and composition of the House of Lords.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Education and Science as regards Her Majesty's Government's policy on teachers' pay and conditions.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from the Organisation of American States concerning the imposition of a fisheries conservation zone around the Falkland Islands.

None.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 November.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether she will institute an inquiry as to how two reports by Mr. Ronnie Symonds were given to Mr. Rupert Allason alias Mr. Nigel West in 1965 and 1969;(2) what action she intends to take to secure possession of documents relating to the security services which were given to Mr. Rupert Allason alias Nigel West, currently held by solicitors in London.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given to him today by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will set up an inquiry into identifying those persons who have given information on matters relating to the security services to Mr. Phillip Knightley for use in his book "The Second Oldest Profession" and other publications.

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister on what dates Ministers or departmental officials have discussed matters relating to Iran with Mr. Terry Waite, the Archbishop of Canterbury's emissary, during the current year.

As the Archbishop's representative, Mr. Waite is entirely independent of Government. None the less, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains contact with Mr. Waite on questions of mutual interest covering many countries. The only contact on Iran was in connection with a consular case in Iran. No record has been kept of the dates this year on which such contacts have occurred.

asked the Prime Minister what Ministers have held discussions with Mr. Terry Waite, the Archbishop of Canterbury's emissary, since 1 September; and on what dates.

As far as I am aware, none.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made for consideration by the European Council of the monthly reports on agricultural spending which were required to be submitted by the European Economic Community Commission to the Council following the Council agreements of 4 December 1984; and if she will make a statement.

There are no plans to discuss the monthly reports on agricultural spending as such at the next European Council, but they are taken fully into account by the Budget Council.

asked the Prime Minister what has been the total cost to public funds, including fares and subsistence for civil servants detached from their normal duties, associated with the court action in Australia to prevent publication of a book by Mr. Peter Wright.

The total cost to public funds to date of the court action in Australia concerning the publication of a book by Mr. Peter Wright, including legal costs, fares and subsistence for civil servants, is estimated to be of the order of £100,000.

asked the Paymaster General how many unemployment review officers-claimant advisers are employed in the DE group; how many work in unemployment benefit offices; how many are currently placed in jobcentres; and how many are planned to be working in jobcentres by January 1987.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 23 July, at columns 304–5, claimant advisers are being introduced into unemployment benefit offices to replace unemployment review officers operating in the Department of Health and Social Security. There will be 171 advisers in post by the end of November, rising to 640 by the end of march 1987. All claimant advisers will be Department of Employment staff working from unemployment benefit offices. They may make local arrangements to interview in jobcentres, but we will not collect figures on the numbers making such arrangements.

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish the most recently available tables to show the total number of community programme projects and places by type of project and type of sponsor.

Following are the latest tables listing the total number of community programme projects and authorised places, by project and sponsor type. The information was collated on 11 September 1986.Table 1 gives information about projects, and table 2, places.

asked the Paymaster General what is the total number of persons registered on community programme placements in Greenock and Port Glasgow at the latest available date.

It is not possible to give information exactly in the form requested. However, at the end of October, the latest date for which statistics are available, there were 5,333 people employed on the community programme in the Renfrewshire area. This includes the areas of Greenock and Port Glasgow.

asked the Paymaster General what is the present number of people registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth and the number of job vacancies registered at local jobcentres.

The following information is in the Library. On 9 October 1986 there were 16,061 unemployed claimants in the London borough of Wandsworth. On 3 October 1986 the number of unfilled vacancies at the Balham, Clapham Junction and Tooting jobcentres, which cover an area closely correspnding to the London borough of Wandsworth, was 1,038.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the travel-to-work areas in the United Kingdom where unemployment is above the national average, giving in each case the number of jobless now and in May 1979, and the percentage increase.

The following information is in the Library. The table shows the travel-to-work areas in the 'United Kingdom where the unemployment percentage rate is above the United Kingdom rate of 13·1 per cent. in October 1986. It is not possible to give comparable figures with May 1979 because of the revision of travel-to-work area boundaries in 1984 and changes in the way the figures are collected. All the unemployment percentage rates show the unemployed as a percentage of employees in employment plus the unemployed.