asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the current staffing level of the Fire Research Station; and what were the numbers of staff in post on 1 June in each of the years 1984 to 1986 inclusive.

There were 109 staff in post at the Fire Research Station on 1 December 1986. The numbers in post on 1 June 1984, 1985 and 1986 were 113½, 106 and 111 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the research or testing work carried out by (a) the Building Research Establishment and (b) The British Board of Agrmént regarding cavity insulation, since the reply by the hon. Member for Ealing, Acton (Sir G. Young) on 6 June 1984.

The Building Research Establishment has continued its research programme into the effectiveness and performance of cavity fill insulation. The research has assisted the preparation and publication of British standards which ensure that the insulants are correctly installed so that maximum thermal benefit may be achieved with minimum danger of rain penetration or ingress of any substances likely to cause irritation to the occupants. A survey of reported incidents of rain penetration of insulated cavity walls mainly in new private housing has been carried out with the collaboration of BEC, BBA and the NHBC. The provisional findings are being discussed with those who collaborated in the study and other interested organisations with a view to publishing a report of the study. Work continues on the effectiveness of water repellant treatments to the external wall in preventing rain penetration on the effect of the width of the cavity on the risk of rain penetration of insulated walls.The British Board of Agrément continues to test and assess products and systems for cavity wall insulation. 41 agrément certificates for these have been issued since June 1984 here are currently 40 certificates valid for built-in full and partial-fill products, and 37 for injected systems.The board has collaborated with the BRE and others in the recent survey of rain penetration of insulated cavity walls.The BBA's surveillance scheme, by which the board monitors the quality of work done by approved installers of injected systems, was improved and extended in 1985, notably to increase checks on companies' methods of management and control of products used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he held with the House Builders Federation on the proposed Hamilton development, prior to his approval for a modified development at Hamilton, north-east Leicester.

The House Builders Federation took part in the examination in public of the alteration to the Leicestershire structure plan when this proposal was extensively discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy concerning the construction of large council housing estates and how this policy was applied to the proposed Hamilton plan in Leicester.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1987]: My right hon. Friend is against large new rented estates. He sees councils primarily as enablers rather than producers of housing, with a special responsibility for groups like the homeless whose needs the private sector cannot meet in full. Housing policies and proposals in development plans relate to the number and location of new dwellings. It is not part of their function to indicate whether the provision will be made by the public or the private sector.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criterion he used in assessing the need for a large scale housing development at Hamilton in the Leicester, East constituency, and on what basis he considered such a development as "environmentally desirable".

[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1987]: Provision of land for housing in structure plans takes account of market demand and other housing requirements. The proposal for Hamilton is in accord with our policy that development should be directed towards urban locations and avoid increased pressure on environmentally sensistive small villages and rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the proposed new development at Hamilton, north-east Leicester.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1987]: My right hon. Friend has received five representations in favour of the development and seven against it. Five other representations supported development in this location, but suggested that provision before 1996 should be reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the present position in respect of the proposed Mersey barrage scheme.

The Merseyside Barrage Company was formed in February 1986 to foster joint participation from the public and private sectors.A £700,000 study is to take place to investigate that there are no overriding impediments to the construction of the barrage and its preferred location.The barrage is primarily an energy-based project. The Department of Energy is in the lead for the Government and has contributed £400,000 towards the cost of the feasibility study.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last had discussions with the chairman of the Merseyside Development Corporation; and what subjects were discussed.

I met Mr. Forster on 9 July 1986. The meeting was to discuss the corporation's progress in achieving the aims of its current corporate plan and to look forward to the preparation of the next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the Merseyside Development Corporation, stating their occupations, whether they are appointed in a full-time or part-time capacity and their remuneration in each case.

The information held by the Department is as follows:Mr. Donald Forster, Chairman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to combat pollution in the river Soar.

The responsibility for controlling pollution of the river Soar lies with the Severn Trent water

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last held discussions with the chairman of the Merseyside residuary body; and what subjects were discussed.

My right hon. Friend has not held any discussions with the chairman of the Merseyside residuary body, but my noble Friend met the chairman on 16 December at Croxteth hall for the purposes outlined in the answer given to the hon. Member on 16 December by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave). I met Mr. Brodrick on 23 October at a meeting with the residuary body chairmen at which matters concerning the residuary bodies' functions in general were discussed. These included staff, property, finance and progress towards wind-up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the Merseyside residuary body, stating their occupations, whether they are appointed in a full or part-time capacity and their remuneration in each case.

The information is as follows:authority. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 17 December 1986, at column 580, I am satisfied that the powers available to water authorities are generally adequate for dealing with pollution of rivers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to reduce pollution in British rivers since 1979.

The main provisions of part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 have been progressively implemented since July 1984. The Act provides comprehensive controls over discharge to rivers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Building Research Establishment to complete the investigation into the Reema type of prefabricated reinforced concrete house.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on his Department's public expenditure plans, following publication of the White Paper setting out the Government's expenditure plans 1987–88 to 1989–90.

The White Paper amplifies my Department's plans for expenditure in 1987–88 to 1989–90, announced in summary at the time of the autumn statement. It also contains a wealth of information about what we have achieved through our programmes in past years, and about our targets for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the housing investment programme allocation for the London borough of Newham for each of the last five years.

[pursuant to his reply 13 January 1987]: The housing investment programme allocations for the London borough of Newham for each of the last five years are given in the table:

	Allocations £m	Expenditure £m
1986–87	21·699	147,224
1985–86	21·574	28·849
1984–85	23·310	40·979
1983–84	20·361	33·238
1982–83	22·162	17·542
1Estimated.

Since 1981–82 local authorities have, in addition to their HIP allocations, been able to increase their capital spending power by a prescribed proportion of their receipts from sales of assets, including council houses. The table therefore also gives, for comparison, Newham's total capital expenditure on housing in those years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland, Official Report, 17 December, column 592, he will indicate the clarification he has given in reply to the representations received about his proposals to extend planning controls to new livestock building and associated structures.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 January 1987]: I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the £5 million pledged by Her Majesty's Government to cover refugee-related infrastructure projects has already been disbursed within the ICARA II framework; on what projects; and whether he intends to commit further resources to such refugee-related infrastructure projects.

Of the £2.3 million committed to date, some £1.3 million has already been disbursed.Eighteen projects have been supported in the fields of agricultural development, community development, small-scale industries and income-generation, primary education, adult education and water supply. Countries assisted include Sudan, Rwanda, Chad, Somalia, Botswana, Guinea (Conakry) and Zimbabwe.Efforts are being made to accelerate commitments under the £5 million pledge. I shall review the situation when the pledge has been fully committed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Land Authority for Wales since 20 June 1984.

During the financial year ending 31 March 1986 the Land Authority acquired about 128 hectares (317 acres) of land and disposed of about 69 hectares (171 acres) for residential, industrial and commercial purposes. Its land bank consisted of about 533 hectares (1,317 acres). About £5.9 million was spent on acquisition of land and provision of infrastructure, and income was about £5.0 million. The net profit for the year was £0.9 million and accumulated profits some £5 million. The authority's net worth at 31 March 1986 stood at some £12.8 million. Annual review reports updating the housing land availability studies have been published for the counties of Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent and Mid, South and West Glamorgan.We are satisfied that the Land Authority for Wales has continued to play a valuable role in facilitating economic development in Wales. It is particularly noteworthy that during this period the authority was instrumental in bringing about the first phase of the redevelopment of south Cardiff.

asked the Paymaster General what are the latest figures, expressed as numbers and percentage by region, for (a) the numbers of restart letters sent out, (b) the numbers of second letters sent out, (c) the numbers who have been sent letters out but not yet attended interviews and (d) the numbers who have left the register (i) without any response to the programme and (ii) subsequent to interview and counselling.

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

asked the Paymaster General whether the Government's undertaking that all unemployed minimum age school leavers would be offered a suitable two-year place in YTS by Christmas 1986 has been met; and if he will make a statement.

I am very pleased to say that the Government's undertaking has been effectively met in this the first year of two-year YTS as it was in the three years during which the one-year youth training scheme was in operation. There are around 347,000 trainees currently on YTS and on 5 January only 2,376 young people were waiting for the offer of a place. The comparable figures for 1985, 1984 and 1983 were 2.290, 3,853 and 4,320 respectively.Young people have been quick to grasp the opportunities which two-year YTS affords them to obtain high quality training leading to recognised vocational qualifications. The fact that we are now able to guarantee all unemployed minimum age school leavers the offer of a two-year place is a tremendous achievement and a great credit to the Manpower Services Commission and all others involved.

asked the Paymaster General what was the total of people on Department of Employment schemes in Greater London in 1978 and in each year since; and how many of these were aged (a) 16 to 17, (b) 17 to 18, (c) 18 to 19 and (d) 19 to 20 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 January 1987]: It is not possible to give precise total figures because of the various bases on which local information is collected.Almost all the employment, training and enterprise measures run by the Department of Employment and the Manpower Services Commission provide opportunities for young people, but a breakdown showing the numbers of young people benefiting from the schemes in the form requested is available only at disproportionate cost. Some of the schemes, however, are aimed specifically at young people. These are YTS, community industry and the new workers scheme, which are currently operating; previous schemes for young people which we were operating during this period but which have now closed were the youth opportunities programme and the young workers scheme.The number of people who have participated in the training opportunities programme, the youth training scheme, community industry, adult training, the enterprise allowance scheme, voluntary projects programme, the special temporary employment programme, the community enterprise programme, the community programme and the temporary short-time working compensation scheme in Greater London are as follows with figures for the schemes aimed specifically at young people shown separately.

			YOP/YTS and CI
1978	5,522	including	5,292
1979	9,658	including	6,652
1980	39,792	including	11,397
1981	41,759	including	20,369
1982	31,622	including	17,341
1983	49,802	including	22,722

asked the Prime Minister if, further to her answer to the hon. Member for Newham, South on 8 December 1986, Official Report, column 28, she will state the response of Her Majesty's Government to the requirements to impose value added tax on civil engineering and construction (other than domestic housing), industrial fuels, and news services; and if she will make a statement.

I can assure the hon. Member that the European Commission's challenge on all the goods and services in the zero rate case is being strenuously contested by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister if she will review co-ordination between the Secretary of Slate for Defence and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with respect to decisions on the approval sought for the Russian Klondyker vessels to tranship mackerel in Falmouth Bay, in view of the effects of the delay on the Scottish fishing fleet; and if she will make a statement.

Security considerations must be taken fully into account in deciding on the stationing of east European factory vessels for trans-shipping purposes in United Kingdom ports. I am satisfied with arrangements for consultation between the Fisheries Departments and the Ministry of Defence on this matter.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many cases of theft from hon. Members' and hon. Members' secretaries' offices were reported to the head of security in 1986; in how many cases the culprits were identified; how many people were removed from employment within the Palace of Westminster as a result; and if he will make a statement.

Eight cases of theft from hon. Members' and hon. Members' secretaries' offices were reported to the head of security in 1986. The culprits have not yet been identified, but investigations are continuing.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will review the security measures taken to prevent theft from hon. Members' and hon. Members' secretaries' offices in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

The security measures which are taken in the Palace of Westminster are kept continually under review.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when he next plans to visit the procurator fiscal's office is Kilmarnock.

I expect to visit the procurator fiscal's office in Kilmarnock on 30 January 1987.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he has any plans to meet the Sheriff Principal to discuss the effects of cases of refusal of legal aid.

I have no such plans.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many cases were prosecuted in the High Court in Glasgow in the last year for which figures are available.

In 1986 approximately 384 cases were indicted or adjourned into 25 sittings of the High Court in Glasgow. Of that number, 92 cases are recorded as pleas of guilty and 205 as having gone to trial. The balance comprises cases which were not called, deserted, adjourned or in which the accused failed to appear.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether there have been any prosecutions for the sale of tobacco products to children in the last 12 months.

These statistics are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why he gave approval to the A46–A47 link road in east Leicester; what representations he received against the scheme; and if he will provide a breakdown by party.

The A46–A47 link road is the responsibility of Leicestershire county council, the highway authority. The scheme was accepted for transport supplementary grant in the 1985–86 financial year in recognition of its more than local traffic importance. The grant enables county councils to plan and finance major schemes. Acceptance for grant does not imply any views on the detailed aspects of any statutory orders which may still be necessary for the scheme.The link road was included in the approved county structure plan after the examination in public in 1979. We cannot now identify individual objectors. I understand the link was not specifically mentioned in the list of matters examined or the ensuing report of the panel.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now implement section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1974, to ban car parking on footways, verges and central reservations in urban areas.

The Department has today published a discussion paper which looks at the reasons for pavement parking and the problems it causes. It puts forward various options for tackling the problem and invites interested bodies to comment. The Department has also produced a leaflet summarising the discussion paper which will be made available to the general public. Copies of the discussion paper and leaflet have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what his plans are to improve the ability of his Driver Testing and Training Organisation to respond quickly and cost effectively to demand for driving tests.

From 1 April 1987 the Driver Testing and Training Organisation will be treated as a central Government trading body for the purposes of public expenditure and national accounting. This arrangement means that direct current expenditure by DTT will no longer count as public expenditure or against the gross running cost limits of the Department on the Transport Services and Central Administration Vote (VIII. 2.) Similarly, its fee receipts will no longer be an offset against public expenditure totals. In future, DTT's expenditure (including an assessed charge for general support still provided from the Department of Transport) and the associated fee receipts, will be brought to account on the non-cash limited Transport Industries Vote (VIII. 3).The new arrangement will enable DTT to respond more quickly than in the past to changes in demand for tests and therefore to improve the service to the public. DTT's activities will be subject to unit cost targets consistent with efficient and effective use of resources and the recovery of its costs in fees.Accordingly the costs and fee income of the DTT organisation are omitted from this year's public expenditure White Paper, published today. I shall arrange for DTT to produce an annual report and accounts after each financial year, which will be laid in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department's circular 6/86 is intended to fund in-service staff development; and what steps he will take to ensure that no sector is excluded from an adequate share in terms of in-service staff development.

The arrangements for grant-aid set out in the circular encourage local authorities to promote the training of teachers, educational psychologists, youth and community workers and education inspectors and advisers in a more systematic and purposeful way. Local authorities are required to address the needs of each of these groups in their locality in the training proposals on which grant-aid is based.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to encourage greater concentration and selectivity of research activities.

My right hon. Friend is advised on the distribution of funds for research by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, and the University Grants Committee, and he has encouraged these bodies to adopt an increasingly selective approach. Progress has been achieved through the major restructuring being undertaken by research councils, including the rationalisation of sites, and re-ordering of scientific priorities; and through the more selective procedures adopted by the UGC in its distribution of research funds. The ABRC will further address the question of selectivity and concentration, in consultation with the UGC, in the strategy document it is preparing which will form part of its advice to my right hon. Friend in the spring of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to how many political refugees from China are now living in the United Kingdom.

Information is not available in the form requested. However, the numbers of Chinese nationals granted refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom in the years 1979 to 1985 are given in table 1 and 5A to 5F of Home Office Statistical Bulletin, "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom 1985" (issue 12/86).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have made application to be considered as political refugees from China in the last year.

Provisional information indicates that one Chinese national made an application to be considered as a refugee in the 12 months ending 30 September 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what purposes prison chapels may be used other than for religious services and acts of worship;(2) how many prison chapels are dedicated for exclusive use as places of worship;(3) what is his policy regarding the use of prison chapels as cinemas for inmates;(4) if he is satisfied that Pentonville prison chapel is being properly used by staff and inmates.

All prison chapels are dedicated as places of worship to be used primarily for acts of worship and religious services. The few Roman Catholic chapels where there is the Reserved Sacrament may be used only for religious purposes. Apart from these chapels a prison chapel may have wider uses, provided that due regard and respect arc had for its primary religious purpose. Alternative uses of this kind include staff and offical meetings, seminars, exhibitions, concerts and training groups for inmates in circumstances where alternative accommodation of a suitable size is not available.In a few establishments, including Pentonville, it has been necessary to use the chapel as a cinema because of the lack of an alternative venue for this purpose. I have no reason to believe that improper use is being made of chapels by staff or inmates either at Pentonville or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given for the selection and showing of films in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Now that the Video Recordings Act 1984 has come into force, advice will be given to governors on its implication for the selection and showing of films in prisons.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to Export Management Training to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Arrangements have been made for such an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to take place from Monday 26 January to Friday 30 January 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Rover Group corporate plan, indicating what extra financial assistance he proposes to offer to ensure its successful implementation.

The Rover Group 1987 corporate plan was delivered to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 22 December 1986 and is now being considered. Once that process of consideration is complete my right hon. Friend will announce the Government's response. Until then it would be inappropriate to comment on any aspect of the plan's content.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will call for an interim report from the inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of Guinness.

No. I have consulted the inspectors, who agree that preparation of an interim report at this stage would impede their investigation. This question, will, however, be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the report he has received from the inspectors appointed under the Financial Services Act to investigate share dealing by Mr. Geoffrey Collier.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to publish reports by inspectors appointed under section 177 of the Financial Services Act. Such reports are akin to reports made by the police to the Director of Public Prosecutions rather than to reports by inspectors appointed under the Companies Act. Their purpose is to advise my right hon. Friend whether any individual appears to have contravened the Company Securities (Insider Dealing) Act, and to assist him in deciding whether to institute criminal proceedings. If an individual is prosecuted the substance of the inspectors' report will be disclosed in open court. Conversely, individuals who are not prosecuted are entitled to have their involvement in an investigation kept confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with existing competition in the condom market; what is the current market share of the major producers; how many recent requests he has had to refer this situation to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

The supply of contraceptive sheaths was referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation in 1972 and 1981. The MMC concluded in its second report that a monopoly situation existed in favour of LRC Products Ltd. (now the London International Group) by virtue of the company's United Kingdom market share, estimated at between 90 and 95 per cent. As a result, LRC Products Ltd. gave undertakings in 1983 to limit price increases by relation to an index of its costs. These undertakings, which are still in force, are being closely monitored by the Director General of Fair Trading.The Director General of Fair Trading has powers under the Fair Trading Act 1973 to make a further reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission if he considers it necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are Her Majesty's Government's plans for expenditure on incentives to industry in the assisted areas in 1987–88.

The present public expenditure provision for regional incentives in 1987–88 is £419 million, an increase of 9 per cent., that is £36 million, on the provision contained in last year's public expenditure White Paper. Within this increased provision it has been decided that payment of grant on new applications under the new RDG scheme, RDG II, will be made two months after a claim has been approved. This will help to ensure that expenditure on regional incentives stays within 1987–88 public expenditure plans. Grants under the old RDG scheme, RDG I, will continue to be paid four months after claims have been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the Official Report investigations under the Companies Act initiated in the past 10 years stating (a) the date when inspectors were appointed, (b) the date of any interim report and (c) the date of their final report, if received, to date.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress made at the December European Community Council of Industry Ministers.

The last Industrial Council of the United Kingdom presidency met under my chairmanship on 22 December. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry represented the United Kingdom.The Council approved a new directive on state aid to shipbuilding to replace the fifth directive, which expired on 31 December 1986.Under the new directive, which is to last four years, all subsidies that influence shipbuilding decisions will now have to be disclosed and they will be subject to a common maximum ceiling.For the first 12 months, the Commission has set the ceiling at 28 per cent. of cost, that is 28 per cent. of the value of contract before aid. Assistance at this level represents 39 per cent. of the resulting contract price. This compares with the maximum limit on production aid of 18·4 per cent. of cost and 22½ per cent. on price available to United Kingdom shipbuilders under the fifth directive. The directive requires the Commission to make arrangements so that the level of aid provided for small ships, those costing less than 6 million ecu, where the impact of international competition from beyond the Community is least severe, will not exceed 20 per cent. of cost, or 25 per cent. of the resulting price.The total amount of operating support a yard can receive over the course of a year, including compensation for losses as well as contract support, is also subject to the ceiling. In addition, the directive also permits in certain circumstances aid for investment, research and development, and closure. This support falls outside the ceiling.Spain and Portugal will benefit from transitional arrangements which will exempt them from the common ceiling, though they will be obliged to compete fairly with other member states on individual contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received from relatives of Ivan Oleg Gordievsky about his detention in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

It is not our practice to comment on security matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much is being spent on (a) the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation information service in the current year, and (b) how much of this is the United Kingdom's contribution; what was the comparable figure in 1976; and if he will make a statement.

The figures are:

	1986	1976
Total Budget	Belgian Francs 143 million (£2·42 million)	Belgian Francs 65 million (£823,000)
United Kingdom contribution	Belgian Francs 26·9 million (£456,000 or 18·82 percent.)	Belgian Francs 12·6 million (£160,000 or 19·5 per cent.)

It is important that information about NATO, which is and will continue to be the bedrock of Western security, should be widely disseminated. We fully support the efforts of the NATO information service to this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the achievements of the United Kingdom's presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Community.

I refer to my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough (Sir M. Shaw) on 19 December 1986 at columns 761–62.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Australia following the Wright case.

Our relations remain excellent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many convicted criminals and criminally insane are currently held under the provisions of the Colonial Prisoners Removal Acts; where they were removed from; and where they are now held.

There are no convicted criminals or criminally insane persons held in any dependent territory under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Acts.There are six prisoners convicted of offences in British dependent territories who are serving sentence in the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Colonial Prisoners Removal Acts at the request of the authorities of the territory where the prisoner was sentenced. All but one of these cases, which is under consideration, are held here at the expence of the territory concerned. Two of the prisoners are from St. Helena, one from the British Indian Ocean Territory, two from Bermuda and one from the Turks and Caicos Islands.Additionally, there are a small number of persons normally resident in the United Kingdom who have been convicted of crimes in the dependent territories and transferred to this country under the Acts to serve their sentences, but there is no central record of such transfers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which organisations funded by his Department, other than the United Nations Association, have not had their grant increased in the past five years.

Apart from the UNA, other organisations receiving funds from the diplomatic wing of the FCO which have not had their grant increased in the past five years are:

• British Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen's League
• College of Europe
• South African War Graves Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the answer of 16 December, Official Report, columns 446–50, he will publish figures showing for each of the last five years, in alphabetical order by country, the number of unpaid parking fines incurred by each diplomatic mission; and if he will make a statement.

Details of the total number of fixed penalty notices cancelled on the ground of diplomatic immunity for the years 1981, 1982 and 1983 were given to my hon. Friend by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor), on 13 February 1985, at column 193. The table gives the details for the years 1984, 1985 and the first three quarters of 1986 (the latest figures available). These figures are based on information received up to 8 January 1987 and may be further reduced by late payments. We welcome the very significant downward trend and expect the holders of diplomatic immunity to continue it in the future.

Fixed Penalty Notices Cancelled on Grounds of Diplomatic Immunity (Metropolitan Police District)
Organisation/Country	1984	1985	19861
Afghanistan	11	20	10
Algeria	932	939	226
Antigua and Barbuda	17	0	0
Australia	2	0	0
Austria	51	46	23
Bahamas	21	13	5
Bahrain	644	621	8
Bangladesh	404	242	152
Barbados	319	203	194
Belgium	154	51	40
Bolivia	71	19	3
Botswana	62	15	14
Brazil	4,927	1,558	134
Brunei	86	163	110
Bulgaria	2,823	1,932	235
Burma	407	306	77
Cameroon	1,293	952	471
Canada	132	232	125
Chile	610	301	105
China	1,132	763	616
Colombia	553	197	20
Costa Rica	471	376	37
Cuba	2,147	1,018	39
Cyprus	2,698	782	70
Czechoslavakia	316	138	42
Denmark	1	1	1
Dominica, Commonwealth of	22	0	1
Dominican Republic	45	0	0
Eastern Caribbean State	28	19	13
Ecuador	304	144	47
Egypt	6,885	3,618	650
El Salvador	9	11	27
Ethiopia	530	184	65
Fiji	93	59	19
Finland	580	327	145
France	2,375	1,390	808
Gabon	345	195	104
Gambia	362	274	145
German Democratic Republic	198	329	199
Germany, Federal Republic of	226	132	99
Ghana	2,223	1,216	306
Greece	1,321	973	229
Grenada	5	2	0
Guyana	193	137	33
Haiti	0	2	1
Holy See	0	0	0
Honduras	142	298	19
Hungary	1,456	955	85
Iceland	154	91	33
India	512	395	211
Indonesia	2,232	1,056	182

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the waiting time for the issue of entry visas from Ghana at the latest date.

For business men and other regular visitors to the United Kingdom entry clearances, including multiple entry visas valid for two years, are normally granted within two days. For visitors who need a short interview the waiting time is currently two weeks. Applicants for settlement are normally interviewed within one month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current waiting list for the issue of entry visas from Ghana and the figure over the past five years.

As at 31 December 1986, 200 people were awaiting interview, 190 applications for visit visas and 10 for settlement.Over the five years to 22 October 1986, during which period most visitors travelled without entry clearances, the waiting time was normally two or three days extending up to two weeks during the summer season. Settlement applicants during this period were invariable interviewed within one month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to reduce the waiting list for entry visas from Ghana; and if he will make a statement.

The current two weeks waiting time for the minority of visitors who need an interview is a result of the days lost during the Christmas and new year holidays and the move to the new high commission premises which took place in December. The complement of entry clearance officers was increased from two to three last month and the high commission expects to be able to reduce the waiting time to five days by the end of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the figures for the last five available years (i) on the number of claimants who have received disablement benefit for the prescribed industrial disease C23, primary neoplasm, including papilloma, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma, of the epithelial lining of the urinary tract, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder and urethra and (ii) on the number of claimants receiving such benefits who were employed in the printing industry.

The following table shows the number of awards of disablement benefit for the prescribed disease C23 for the years ending September 1984–86, and the number of these awards to claimants who were employed in the printing industry. Information for earlier years is not available.

	1984	1985	1986
Total awards	5	5	5
Awards to claimants from the printing industry	Nil	1	Nil

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, of those abortions performed in the first quarter of 1986 (a) in emergency to save the life of the mother and (b) because of risk to the life of the mother, how many were performed on women pregnant with babies of gestation (i) 0 to 20 weeks, (ii) 21 to 24 weeks and (iii) 25 weeks or over.

Provisional figures are shown in the table, which are base on notifications received up to the end of October 1986 for terminations carried out in the March quarter 1986.

Number of notifications of legal abortions to resident and non-resident women by gestation period in weeks, and grounds 1 and 51 England and Wales, March quarter 1986.
Gestation weeks	Grounds1
	1	5
0–20	103	—
21–24	1	1
25 and over	—	—
1Ground 1. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.
Ground 5. In emergency, to save the life of the pregnant woman.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services of those abortions performed in the latest year for which figures are available upon women of (a) 0 to 20 weeks gestation, (b) 21 to 24 weeks gestation and (c)25 weeks and over, how many were performed (i) under the National Health Service in National Health Service centres, (ii) under the National Health Service through agency arrangements, (iii) in pay beds in National Health Service centres and (iv) in private clinics.

The information available by gestation and category of premises is shown in the table. The category of bed occupied in National Health Service hospitals is not collected in the notification of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967, and information on gestation is not available from the "Hospital In-patient Enquiry".

Number of notifications of legal abortions to resident and non-resident women by category of premises and gestation period in weeks England and Wales 1985
	Category of premises
Gestation weeks	NHS	non-NHS
		Total	of which Agency1
0 to 20	64,991	103,897	5,904
21 to 24	222	2,702	34
25 and over	27	6	—
1Operations carried out in the private sector on NHS patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had about the renewal of the National Coal Board's contract to supply solid fuel to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

The existing agreement for supply of coal to National Health Service authorities by British Coal (formerly National Coal Board) commenced in April 1984 and has an expiry date of March 31 1987.In conjunction with representatives of the principal coal-burning NHS regions, the Department's director of procurement has been engaged in commercial negotiations with British Coal throughout 1986. These negotiations have taken account of the dramatic changes in world energy markets over the past 18 months and British Coal's willingness to revise its own pricing mechanisms to meet this challenge.A new supply agreement with British Coal was agreed in principle early in December 1986 and, subject to final review and acceptance by senior NHS officers at a meeting arranged for Thursday of this week, the director and British Coal hope to announce an improved agreement covering the period 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1989.I am advised that British Coal and regional health authorities are satisfied that the new agreement, whilst providing security of supply to NHS establishments, will also enable the market and supply situation to be kept under regular review. The agreement also takes full account of the complex distribution and usage requirements of the National Health Service and provides a sound platform for British Coal to retain and possibly extend the use of coal subject to the normal value-for-money criteria.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report information available to him on the unit retail price for condoms in each European Economic Community country.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet fixed the flat rate national insurance contributions to be paid by share fishermen and volunteer development workers for 1987–88.

For 1987–88 the flat-rate national insurance contributions of share fishermen and volunteer development workers will remain at £6·55 per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take following the study he commissioned of the scope for reducing public sector involvement in funding loans to family doctors for the provision of surgery premises.

The General Practice Finance Corporation has been asked to invite private financial institutions to participate in loans to family doctors for the provision of surgery premises. The decision follows a study by Hambros bank into the feasibility of reducing public sector involvement in these loans. Hitherto the corporation's only method of providing funds for doctors has been public sector borrowing and as such this source has been subject to cash limits. The new arrangements will free the corporation from this restriction by allowing it to provide money to doctors from private sector sources such as banks and building societies. As a result, the public sector provision is being reduced significantly over the next three years. The Government are confident that the GPFC is well placed to attract private sector finance alongside public sector finance by virtue of its present excellent level of performance. Ministers will be kept closely informed of progress with this new development. We will wish to ensure that recent improvements in surgery premises are maintained, particularly in underprivileged areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for 1985 for each region and for England as a whole the number of deaths and discharges among, and the number of beds occupied on 31 December by, patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the National Health Service; and if he will break down these figures into the categories of (a) medical, (b) surgical, (c) pre-convalescent and post-operative, (d) convalescent, (e) geriatric, (f) diseases of the chest, (g) maternity, (h) mental illness, (i) mental handicap, (j) rehabilitation, (k) terminal care and (l) others.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service in-patients received treatment in private hospitals in the last year for which figures are available.

[pursuant to her reply, 24 November 1986, c. 129–130]: The information is given in the table.

Patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the National Health Service in 1985
Specialty	Deaths and discharges	Average daily bed occupation
England
Medical	1,568	68·6
Surgical	10,350	198·1
Pre-convalescent and post-operative	195	11·3
Convalescent	6,279	255·4
Geriatric	999	736·0
Diseases of the chest	1,129	58·7
Maternity	614	9·6
Mental illness	651	244·4
Mental handicap	452	626·3
Rehabilitation	372	71·3
Terminal care	4,645	352·1
Others	594	466·7
Totals	27,848	3,098·5
Northern Regional Health Authority
Medical	—	—
Surgical	—	—
Pre-convalescent and post-operative	—	—
Convalescent	1,130	47·2
Geriatric	—	—
Diseases of the chest	—	—
Maternity	—	—
Mental illness	—	—
Mental handicap	3	92·1
Rehabilitation	—	—
Terminal care	—	—
Others	45	56·5
Totals	1,178	195·8
Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
Medical	38	2·8
Surgical	231	7·6
Pre-convalescent and post-operative	—	—
Convalescent	546	18·0
Geriatric	227	59·5
Diseases of the chest	—	—
Maternity	—	—
Mental illness	58	13·7
Mental handicap	140	2·5
Rehabilitation	—	—
Terminal care	56	6·0
Others	1	7·9
Totals	1,297	118·0
Trent Regional Health Authority
Medical	—	1·0
Surgical	1	0·0
Pre-convalescent and post-operative	—	—
Convalescent	293	10·5
Geriatric	—	—
Diseases of the chest	—	—
Maternity	—	—
Mental illness	1	1·7
Mental handicap	1	1·0
Rehabilitation	—	—
Terminal care	463	23·0
Others	—	1·9
Totals	759	39·1
East Anglian Regional Health Authority
Medical	992	16·7
Surgical	2,509	35·2