asked the Paymaster General if he will publish a table showing the most recent rates of unemployment in (a) all travel-to-work areas receiving regional development grants, (b) all travel-to-work areas receiving only regional selective assistance, (c) travel-to-work areas which receive no assistance but have rates higher than in (a) and (b), and (d) travel-to-work areas which receive no assistance but have rates within 2 per cent. of any in (a) and (b).

Following are tables giving the requested information for travel-to-work areas as at 11 December 1986. Table A shows the 42 travel-to-work areas which have development area status; table B the 57 travel-to-work areas which have intermediate area status; table C the 69 travel-to-work areas that receive no assistance but have rates higher than any in tables A or B; and table D shows the other 55 travel-to-work areas that receive no assistance but have rates within 2 per cent. of any in tables A and B.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest estimated cost of (a) the new Woolwich prison and (b) the associated court complex.

The latest estimated cost of the new woolwich prison is £63·85 million. The latest estimated cost of the associated court complex is £10·93 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the expected start and completion dates of (a) the new Woolwich prison and (b) the associated court complex.

Advance works for the new Woolwich prison and the associated court complex started in May 1986 and are expected to be completed in May 1987. The main contract for the court complex is due to start in February 1988 and is expected to be completed by April 1990. A further month will be required to bring the court complex into operation. The main contract for the prison is due to start in June 1987 and is expected to be completed mid to late 1991. A further three months will be required after the buildings are handed over before the first prisoners can be received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local job opportunities he expects to be created by (a) the new Woolwich prison and (b) the associated court complex.

It is not possible to say precisely how many job opportunities are likely to be created, but direct employment by Woolwich prison may provide 20–25 jobs locally and the court complex about a further 10. Furthermore, in excess of 500 people, many of whom could be locally recruited will be required during the construction work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the national crusade against drug abuse launched by President and Mrs. Reagan in the United States of America; and what lessons he has drawn for the United Kingdom in terms of providing additional ideas to assist Her Majesty's Government's drug misuse strategy.

The United States authorities keep us informed about all aspects of their strategy to combat drug misuse. Several components in our drugs policy have reflected lessons drawn from their experience. In particular, we constantly stress that Government action alone is not enough to tackle drug misuse; we need the support and commitment of the entire community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department. pursuant to the answer of 20 November, Official Report, column 292, when he expects to be in a position to say whether legislation might be introduced to reform the licensing laws in England; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot yet indicate the possible timing of any such announcement. A Private Member's Bill on this subject has recently been introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has not approved the agreement reached at the police negotiating board to increase the pensions of widows of police officers who retired before 1956; what is the weekly amount of the increase disallowed and the approximate amount cost of the pension disallowed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 12 January at column 73.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the terms of reference and expected timetable of the Home Office review of the forensic science service.

The contribution of the Home Office forensic science service to the investigation and detection of crime is being considered as part of a wide-ranging review of the scientific support required by the police service in England and Wales and how this might best be provided. A separate exercise is about to be undertaken to measure the work being done in the operational laboratories of the forensic science service. The terms of reference for this study are to be discussed with the departmental trade union side shortly. Both reviews are expected to have been completed by August 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what investigation is being carried out by the immigration service into advice from staff of Electronic Data Systems, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Linlithgow, about their behaviour when undergoing immigration control;(2) when he expects to reach a decision as to whether to take legal action against Electronic Data Systems in relation to alleged breaches of immigration rules.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth may expect to receive a reply to his letters of 15 August 1986 and 20 November 1986 which refer to Mr. V. R. Taylor of Rugby.

I regret the delay which occurred in dealing with my hon. Friend's letters. I have written to him today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made to provide police on duty at Wapping with riot equipment; and if the equipment available includes CS gas, smoke and plastic bullets.

Police officers at Wapping have been provided with the usual protective equipment. Plastic baton rounds and CS have not been made available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the number of injuries sustained by the Metropolitan police during the News International dispute; and if he will list those injured on a monthly basis and the injuries sustained.

The Commissioner informs me that up to 9 January, 410 police officers had sustained injuries. The injuries ranged from concussion and cuts and bruises to burns and broken limbs. More detailed information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will provide details on the total number of police deployed at the News International plant since the dispute began;(2) if he will list the number of police officers provided by the Metropolitan and City police forces to police the News International plant at Wapping on a daily basis for each month since February 1986 to date.

The number of Metropolitan police officers deployed at the News International plant varies from day to day and hour to hour depending on the public order situation. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that up to and including 31 December 1986 nearly 1·2 million police man hours had been spent by the Metropolitan police in connection with the dispute. Although City of London officers police marches by print workers which pass through the city they are not regularly deployed outside the News International plant itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the number of injuries by civilians during the News International dispute; and if he will list those injured on a monthly basis and the injuries sustained.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that this information is not available. Such injuries are not necessarily reported to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will outline the mutual aid arrangements established across the Metropolitan police district to ensure that the operational requirements for police cover have been met during the News International dispute at Wapping;(2) if he will list the Metropolitan police divisions which have sent officers to Wapping; and what were the numbers of officers sent on each occasion.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that officers from all eight areas in the Metropolitan police district have been deployed in connection with policing the News International dispute. The numbers provided by a particular area on a particular occasion depend on the requirement at Wapping, and other policing requirements elsewhere in the Metropolitan police district. Rest day working and other overtime are options available to senior officers to ensure that operational requirements are met. Records of the number of officers provided by each area or division are not kept centrally, and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide details of the mutual aid arrangements made with forces outside London to ensure the operational requirements of policing the News International plant at Wapping have been met.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that he has not requested any such aid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the daily cost of policing the Wapping News International dispute in overtime payments; and if he will provide a total cost of overtime necessitated by the dispute.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the daily cost in overtime payments of policing the News International dispute is not available. The total cost of police overtime up to the end of November is estimated at about £4·6 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what permanent new employment he expects to be created as a result of his plans to build a new prison at Wrexham; and if he will make a statement;(2) on what days he first informed Wrexham Maelor borough council and Clwyd county council of his intention to build a category C closed prison for about 600 inmates at Wrexham;(3) whether he will consider plans for building a smaller prison at Wrexham than at present suggested;(4) if he is prepared to consider, for the new prison, sites in addition to the one at present under examination at Wrexham, if any are found to be available and generally acceptable.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the working party set up to consider the findings of the removal of canine faeces projects carried out by the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, the borough of Gosport, the north-west Leicestershire district council and the Rochester upon Medway city council; and whether he intends to offer an extension of the bye-law to other areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the report on the experimental schemes allowing six local authorities powers to deal with the problem of dog-fouling; and when it will be published.

We have received this report and, as I stated in replies which I gave to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) at columns 554–558 on 17 December 1986, we are considering whether the results of the experimental scheme provide a sufficient basis on which to make the bye-laws available for adoption by other local authorities, and expect shortly to announce the conclusions we have reached. The publication of the report will coincide with this announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to issue new guidance on the movement of nuclear weapons convoys to chief fire officers.

It has been the long standing policy of this and previous Governments not to comment on methods of transporting nuclear weapons. However, there is continuing liaison between the representatives of chief fire officers and Ministry of Defence staff about the role of the fire service in the handling of incidents involving radioactive materials and guidance to chief fire officers is kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were killed on duty in 1978 and each year since.

The number of police officers killed on duty in England and Wales since 1978 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the agencies to be involved in a multi-agency effort to deter and combat crime.

We already actively encourage all agencies and organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to identify ways in which they can help to prevent crime. A vast range of projects and initiatives have been introduced or are planned which involve a number of agencies or organisations combining their knowledge, expertise and resources to undertake specific crime prevention activity at national and local level. A

asked the Attorney-General, pursuant to the answer of 12 January, Official Report, column 16. concerning the cost of the Peter Wright case in Australia, good example is our five local demonstration projects where the local authorities, police, probation, local companies and other local agencies, including voluntary groups have adopted a multi-agency approach to crime prevention in their communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the reasons for writing to the Community/Police consultative group for Lambeth on 23 September to say that the Government have allowed the Metropolitan Police (Compensation) Act 1886 to remain on the statute book even though the Government no longer accept the principles upon which it is based; and if he will specify the principles with which his Department disagrees.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 December 1986, c. 734]: I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Riot (Damages) Act 1886. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote to the chairman of the Lambeth consultative group in reply to a letter from her enclosing a copy of the group's report on the disorders in Brixton in September 1985. The report contained proposals for amending the 1886 Act. The Act is based on the assumption that riots are the result of a failure to provide adequate policing and that those who suffer damage to their premises or property in the course of a riot should therefore be entitled to compensation from the police fund for the area. As my right hon. Friend's letter explained, we no longer accept these assumptions but have retained the Act because it provides help to small businesses and households in inner city areas which may be vulnerable to riots.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and proportion of prisoners held on rule 43 in the Prison Department's south-east region at the end of October in 1976, 1985 and 1986 respectively.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 December 1986, c. 734–5]: Figures for 1976 are not available. The information requested for the years 1985–86 is as follows:if he will give a breakdown of the total cost between (i) travel and subsistence of witnesses, (ii) fees to counsel, (iii) fees to solicitors and (iv) other legal expenses.

I shall break down the total cost to public funds to date of the court action in Australia into two categories: the first, travelling and subsistence for officials, is approximately £55,000; the second, legal fees, is approximately £115,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to ensure that small airfield companies, such as flying clubs, gliding, microlights and parachute clubs, take account of the environmental impact of their activities; and if he will make a statement.

No. I am satisfied that the current legislation gives me adequate powers to take account of the environmental impact of operations at small airfields.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are involved in the car count on the Modbury to Bigbury road; and at what cost to the taxpayer each year.

On the average, two casual enumerators at £2,100 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will name the contractor who closed a mile-long section of the M5 on the inner lane of the southbound carriageway immediately before Taunton Deane motorway service area on Sunday 4 January; and if he will investigate why no work was being conducted within that sector.

The lane closure was introduced during Sunday afternoon by Somerset county council to enable essential maintenance work to start early on Monday 5 January. Operations of this nature are best carried out during daylight hours when traffic is at its lightest and lane closure introduced with the minimum disruption to the travelling public.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total amount of money spent and committed for spending by his Department and by British Airways in preparation for the sale of British Airways, showing separately how much has been spent on advertising.

As is customary, I shall publish the full details of the costs associated with British Airways privatisation after the flotation has been completed. Advertising costs, in particular, can be subject to last minute changes which would make it inappropriate to publish estimates now.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the foreign states in which a media campaign has been launched to aid the sale of British Airways, showing the amount in pounds sterling committed in each country.

No media campaign has been or will be launched in any foreign state to aid the sale of British Airways.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the positions and functions of those members of staff of his Department who are contributing to the work of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation committee on the challenges of modern society pilot study on aircraft noise in a modern society.

My Department has contributed in the past to this study but is not actively involved at the present.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now take steps to introduce full lighting and fog detectors at the M1–M6 interchange junction 19.

There are no immediate plans to light junction 19, which has a relatively good accident record, but the situation is under review.There are also no plans to provide fog detection equipment at junction 19. As announced on 29 October, trials of differing designs of fog detection equipment will be carried out over this winter and next winter to decide which design best meets the Department's requirements. The new system will then be installed at the 30 fog prone sites on the M25 identified by the Meteorological Office. The work is due for completion in 1990. The effectiveness of the system will be monitored to determine whether it should be used on other motorways.The ultimate responsibility for safety in fog rests with the drivers themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the chief constable on the circumstances surrounding the accident on the southbound carriageway of the M1/M6 at junction 19 on Thursday 8 January.

Officials are in regular contact with the Leicestershire police at senior and operational level and will together consider what can be learned from the unfortunate series of accidents and if any steps can be taken to reduce the possibility of a repetition.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions are given to British Transport police with regard to the detection and prevention of ticket fraud; and what is the nature of their relationship in this work with London Regional Transport staff.

It is the function of the British Transport police to protect both the general public using the Underground and London Underground staff from crime and th effects of crime. It is also their function to protect and safeguard London Underground's property. They have a duty to assist in the detection and prevention of any offence against the law or against the railway byelaws, including ticket fraud. It will not normally be necessary for staff to seek the assistance of the British Transport police in order to deal with minor offences of fare evasion, but the police may be called upon by London Underground management by individual members of staff if they believe that assistance is needed, for instance where they believe that there is a risk of violence directed against staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport under what authority British Transport police are undertaking checks at Pimlico and Brixton underground stations on tickets; and if he will make a statement.

British Transport police officers have not been engaged in checking tickets. The checks referred to have been undertaken by travelling ticket inspectors employed by London Underground Limited during operations to clamp down on fare evasion on this part of the Victoria line. Police have been present in order to reduce the risk of assault on staff carrying out these ticket checks.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has any plans to introduce mandatory warning labels against drinking and driving on all alcohol containers;(2) if he has any plans to introduce mandatory signs or posters in premises where intoxicating liquor is sold concerning the dangers of drinking and driving.

I believe the drinks trade is aware of the major contribution it can make in the battle against drinking and driving. A number of useful initiatives have been taken by the trade, one of which involved the circulation of new publicity material for use on licensed premises. I am keen to explore with the trade how its role can be developed further. We have no plans for action on a mandatory basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he anticipates bringing forward legislation to repeal the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 and replacing it with a new measure further to protect the consumer; and if he will make a statement.

Provision for repeal of the 1972 Act is made in the Consumer Protection Bill which is currently being considered in another place. It is the Government's intention that the entry into force of the repeal of the Act should coincide with that of any order providing for successor arrangements so that there will be no intervening period when no regime applies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the Government's intention of seeking repeal of the Trade Descriptions Act 1972.

I have received representations from a number of hon. Members and from some trade associations and local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place recently between the Government and representatives of time share agencies regarding the possible need for increased consumer protection and greater regulation of the industry.

I have exchanged correspondence and held meetings with representatives of time share developers. My Department has also held several such meetings. These discussions have covered both the current situation in the industry and the consumer advice leaflet which my Department will be issuing shortly.

asked the Secretary of Stae for Trade and Industry how much has been spent in each year by the Government since 1983 on regional aid to industry to each of the English regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; and through which agencies this finance was spent.

Figures for calendar years are not readily available, and expenditure is shown for financial years from 1983–84:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Office of Fair Trading last investigated petrol prices; and when it next intends to do so.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the most recent figure for the index of output in manufacturing industry; and what was the comparable figure six, seven and eight years ago.

The information requested is given in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Office of Fair Trading to complete its consideration of the BTR bid for Pilkington.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent steps he has taken to strengthen the knowledge and skills of the United Kingdom in science and technology.

My right hon. Friend announced on 6 November that the recurrent grant to universities for 1987–88 will go up by £95 million compared with the grant for 1986–87, an increase of over 7 per cent. and that equipment grant will go up by £6.5 million, an increase of over 6 per cent. This extra money will allow the universities to continue as the main providers of basic scientific research. In addition the science budget for 1987–88 will be £39 million more than in 1986–87, an increase of 6.3 per cent. Since the Government took office in 1979 the science budget has increased by 10.6 per cent. over the rate of general inflation.My right hon. Friend has also undertaken a number of measures to promote awareness of and competence in science, mathematics and technology across the whole range of educational provision. For a description of these I refer my hon. Friend to the Department's written evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology on 4 June 1986 (House of Lords Minutes of Evidence (71-xiv) page 385).My right hon. Friend's proposals to establish a network of city technical colleges are also designated to strengthen the teaching of science and technology throughout the school stytem.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what research evidence his Department bases its guidelines for minimum school sizes, as outlined in the White Paper, "Better Schools."

The White paper, "Better Schools", gives a general indication of the size thresholds at which schools of different types can deliver a satisfactory curriculum economically. This is based on curriculum modelling and on evidence from inspections of schools by Her Majesty's inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth may receive a definitive reply to his letters of 29 September and 4 December 1986 which refer to Dr. J. G. Beaumont.

I replied to my hon. Friend on 13 January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the occasions on which the Medical Research Council has sought funding for research on AIDS since 1983; and what was the outcome in each case.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 18 December 1986 to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) at columns 666–67.The Medical Research Council has supported research on AIDS from within its science budget allocation since 1983. They have sought additional funding for this research on two occasions.In 1985 the council sought £0·5 million a year from 1986–87 to fund an epidemiological research centre to monitor the spread of AIDS in the United Kingdom. The greater part of the cost (£0·3 million) was met by a contribution from the health departments. The council met the remaining £0·2 million from its science budget allocation for 1986–87 onwards (which included £2.5 million new money).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) why he has refused financial approval for the years 1987–88 for the replacement of Sacred Heart primary school in Trott street, Battersea, London; and if he will make a statement;

Resources for grant-aiding governors' expenditure at aided and special agreement schools, such as Sacred Heart, are limited. Priority is given to projects which provide extra places in areas where there is an overall shortage of places or which take out of use surplus places. Beyond that, it was possible this year to allocate funding to a very small number of the most urgent improvement projects. Sacred Heart was not one of these.A reply to the hon. Member's letter of 8 December will be sent as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list, on a monthly basis, the amount of electricity supplied to the Central Electricity Generating Board grid system from France via the Channel cable link since its inception to November 1986.

The figures arc published in table 1 of my Department's publication "Energy Trends".

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list, on a monthly basis, the amount of electricity supplied to France from the Central Electricity Generating Board grid system via the Channel cable link since its inception to November 1986.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy from which countries coal has been imported during the last 12 months; and what information he has in each case as to the extent to which the United Kingdom price of that coal properly reflects the cost of production, marketing and distribution.

In the past 12 months coal has been imported from Australia, the United States, Poland, South Africa, West Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and Colombia. Information on how the delivered price is calculated is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) further to his reply to the hon. Member for Rother Valley on 18 December, Official Report, column 621, concerning emergency arrangements at nuclear power stations, what is the statutory requirement for emergency arrangements to be rehearsed regularly; what is the typical number of inspectors present during the annual exercise at each location; whether any full-scale exercises have been undertaken in recent years other than those witnessed by Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; whether he has any plans to review the content or frequency of exercises of emergency arrangements; and if he will make a statement;(2) further to his replies to the hon. Member for Rother Valley on 27 November 1986,

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

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the present production of the coalfields in view of recent fires at two pits and the consequences for production in Scotland and Wales.

This is a matter for British Coal, and I shall ask the chairman to write.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision he has made for information to be available in local languages at United Kingdom missions abroad on how to vote in United Kingdom elections.

None except in France where newspaper advertisements in English have been accompanied by a French translation as required by French law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation of polygraph lie detectors at Government communications headquarters.

The first phase of the polygraph pilot scheme undertaken following the recommendations of the Security Commission in its report on the case of Geoffrey Prime (Cmnd. 8876) has been completed. This included the examination of staff of the Security Service and of senior members of GCHQ.It has been decided to commission some further independent research into the validity of the polygraph. No decision has yet been taken on the starting date for the 2nd phase of the pilot scheme, which would include the testing of a random sample of the staff of GCHQ.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to extend the ban on trade unions from the Government communications headquarters to other parts of his Department.

It is not our intention to extend the measures introduced at the Government communications headquarters beyond those agencies whose primary functions are concerned with security and intelligence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to introduce polygraph lie detector tests in parts of his Department in addition to the Government communications headquarters.

We have no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, having regard to the conduct of the British honorary consul in Perpignan and others, he will provide funds for the representation by senior and junior counsel of the two British complainants as co-prosecutors in the trial for raping them of Marc Diaz and Frank Noguera, and for the prompt payment to them of an ex gratia payment in lieu of criminal injuries compensation; if he will provide further funds for the same complainants as co-prosecutors of Mr. Paul Kutner; and if he will make a statement.

Successive Governments have confirmed that public funds are not available to assist those engaging in legal proceedings abroad. Complainants must seek legal advice on the availability or otherwise of legal aid in the country concerned. Awards under the criminal injuries compensation scheme are made on an ex gratia basis and apply only to cases arising in Great Britain or on British registered ships or aeroplanes. Charges against Mr. Kutner in the United Kingdom have not been pursued and he has not been charged in France.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions on Gibraltar with the Spanish Foreign Minister on 13 and 14 January.

As provided for in the Brussels agreement of November 1984, the Spanish Foreign Minister and I held a full discussion of differences between our two Governments over Gibraltar, including the issues of sovereignty, as well as ways of promoting co-operation between Gibraltar and Spain. The discussions were held in a positive, friendly spirit as befits two EC partners and NATO allies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the talks in the United States of America between United Kingdom and Argentinian officials began; what rank of officials are representing the United Kingdom; on what basis the talks are being held; what is the role of the United States Administration; what other countries are involved; what subjects are being discussed; and if he will make a statement.

There have been no such talks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Newham, North-West can expect a reply to his letter regarding Mr. Rajendra Ramasamy sent to the Home Office on 4 November 1986 and passed on to the Foreign Office on 9 December 1986; and when Mr. Ramasamy can expect to receive his student visa.

Mr. Ramasamy's application is still being considered. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice is given by the High Commission in Nairobi to British visitors to Kenya concerning the risk of AIDS in various parts of Kenya.

Advice for British nationals travelling anywhere overseas on AIDS or other infectious and communicable diseases is contained in the pamphlet SA35/1987, "Protect Your Health Abroad", published by the Department of Health and Social Security and freely available from travel agents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in which areas it is compulsory for local authorities to register vacant land held by them on the public land register;(2) in which areas it is not compulsory for local authorities to register vacant land held by them on the public land register; and what steps he proposes to take to make this procedure compulsory.

Part X of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 has been brought into operation throughout England. No English local authorities are exempt from its provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold an inquiry into planning applications made by the London Docklands Development Corporation in respect of the royal docks and West Ferry Circus.

My right hon. Friend expects to issue shortly his decision on whether or not to call in the planning application for West Ferry Circus that has been submitted to him as a departure from the development plan. There are no applications with the corporation at present to develop land in and around the Royal Victoria, Royal Albert and King George V docks.