asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to highlight particular problem areas or contractors who persistently underestimate cost or completion dates.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 January to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Wainwright).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the European fighter aircraft in his Department's plans for European defence.

The EFA is intended to replace the Phantom and the Jaguar in the air defence and ground attack roles.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the latest position regarding the investigation into the properties of the S90 short fat hull.

As my right hon. Friend announced in another place on 13 November 1986, at column 124, Lloyd's Register of Shipping has agreed to conduct the inquiry into hull forms for frigates and destroyers under the chairmanship of Mr. H. R. MacLeod. I understand that Lloyd's Register has begun the gathering and assessment of the evidence and we look forward to receiving its report in due course. I would expect the inquiry to take about six to nine months to complete its work.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation frigate replacement programme (NFR90).

Together with seven other NATO nations, the United Kingdom participated in a 15-month joint feasibility study, which was completed towards the end of 1985.In concert with our partners in this project, the results have been evaluated; detailed discussions aimed at the commencement of the next phase, project definition, are currently in progress with the other nations. Current plans envisage decisions on the way ahead being reached by about the middle of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made as to how the planned United Kingdom number of surface ships is able to meet the maritime force requirements in the light of the study completed by the major North Atlantic Treaty Organisation commanders; and if he will make a statement.

The study to which I believe my hon. Friend is referring is confidential and work on it is continuing. The United Kingdom makes by far the largest contribution to the NATO surface naval presence in the eastern Atlantic and the Channel of any European NATO member.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has made for the £300,000 contract awarded by the United States to his Department for research into strategic defence initiative-related test bed requirements to be completed; and whether private firms will be involved in this work.

This study, which is already under way, is being led by the MOD's Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern, with the bulk of the work being sub-contracted to companies in the United Kingdom. A contract was recently awarded to Ferranti Computer Systems Ltd. which leads a consortium involving British Aerospace, the Marconi Company, Scicon and Software Sciences. Normal MOD rules of contracting by competition applied. The study, which is scheduled to be completed by March 1987, is valued at US$300,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are being made available for derelict land reclamation in 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

The resources available for derelict land reclamation in 1987–88 will be about £81·14 million compared with 78·38 million at the beginning of 1986–87 and about double in real terms the £23·5 million available in 1979–80. Of this, £75 million (92 per cent.) will be spent in the north, north-west, Yorkshire and Humberside, west midlands and east midlands.I have increased the allocation for grant to the private sector and nationalised industries by over two thirds, to £9·55 million. Resources for local authority schemes are slightly lower than in 1986–87, at £71·3 million. This is well justified by the level of interest shown by private firms and by the value for money that can be obtained from using scarce public resources in partnership with the private sector.Local authorities retain a major role in reclamation, so I have approved a further three rolling programmes to enable authorities to tackle areas of extensive dereliction in Rotherham, Sunderland and Barrow. Total expenditure on the 16 programmes now approved will be over £29 million next year. This will enable local authorities to tackle dereliction on an area basis more effectively than could be achieved on a scheme by scheme basis.I have allocated a further £10 million to continue support for the reclamation of the former Consett and Corby steel works (5·3 million), and investigation and remedial works on limestone workings in the Black Country (£5 million).The allocations include over £7 million for the reclamation of coal tip and related dereliction. Following the "Coal and the Environment" (1981) report, this is the largest amount made available in any year, and demonstrates the Government's continued support for good quality schemes in coalfield areas.Priorities for derelict land reclamation continue to be as set out in my Department's circular, "Reclamation for Re-use of Derelict Land (28/85)". This stressed the importance of schemes designed to reclaim urban, especially inner city land for housing and industrial and commercial end uses. These priorities will be reflected in the schemes to be supported in 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received regarding multi-occupied properties; and how he proposes to respond.

I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Batiste) on Friday 23 January by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to change his policy of providing loft insulation grants to householders in England and Wales;(2) what is his policy on the provision of loft insulation grants; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction announced proposed changes to the Homes Insulation Scheme on 19 December, at column 756, in response to a question from the hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller). The proposed new scheme would withdraw the general rate at 66 per cent. but would extend the availability of the 90 per cent. grant to all householders in receipt of housing benefit or supplementary benefit.The new arrangements would also apply in Wales, where my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has responsibility for the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of expenditure on loft insulation grants (a) in 1979 and (b) in the most recent year for which figures are available; and whether he has any plans to increase such expenditure.

Expenditure on grants in 1979 was £14·9 million, and in 1985, the most recent year for which figures are available, it was £25·4 million. My right hon. Friend has no plans to increase expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has submitted to the Paris Commission on the efficacy of environmental quality objectives and uniform emission standards; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

My Department made a statement on the use of environmental quality objectives and uniform emission standards to a Paris Commission working group to evaluate the two approaches in February 1985. This statement, together with those of other contracting parties, was included as an annex to the seventh annual report on the activities of the Paris Commission; the report also records the conclusions reached on the subject by the commission at its seventh annual meeting. Arrangements are being made to place a copy in the Library. My Department also makes an annual return to the Paris Commission to demonstrate compliance with the quality standard for mercury.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to respond to the House of Lords Select Committee recommendation concerning the unification of uniform emission standards and the environmental quality objective approaches to water quality management.

In his speech of 21 November 1985 my noble Friend Lord Skelmersdale undertook that the Government would give serious consideration to the House of Lords Select Committee's recommendations concerning a "unified" approach to the control of discharge of list 1 substances, while pointing out that any change in the current parallel approach would have far-reaching implications and require very careful thought. This remains the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what degree financially in the last three years his Department has supported work on (a) the effects of hydrocarbon discharges, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons on the North sea, and (b) development of biological indicators of pollution, and if he will detail the institute or person with whom these contracts were placed.

In the last three years my Department has not supported work on the effects of hydrocarbon discharges to the sea. Some £500,000 has been spent on the development of biological indicators of pollution, the main projects being:

— Sewage discharges to the sea and stress indices-at the Water Research Centre;

— Evaluation of techniques for detecting pollution effects on benthic communities; and part of an integrated study on environmental quality — at the Institute for Marine Environmental Research;

— Effects of heavy metals in estuarine benthic organisms at the Marine Biological Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the contribution Her Majesty's Government have made to the data bases being developed by the international council for the exploration of the sea and that of the joint monitoring programme of the Oslo and Paris commission.

The United Kingdom Government have played a full part in the development of these data bases and regularly submit information on the levels of contaminants in water, biota and sediments for particular locations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what controls Her Majesty's Government have introduced in the last three years to control the discharge of grey list substances to coastal and estuarine waters.

I refer to my replies to the hon. Member's questions on 27 November, at columns 314–15. Her Majesty's Government have introduced national quality standards in respect of six grey list substances—copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, lead and arsenic; quality standards have been set for saline as well as fresh water. Water authorities are required to ensure that the quality standards are met, which entails the appropriate control of discharges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when Her Majesty's Government intend to publish the results of the study they sponsored to examine the implementation in England and Wales of the cadmium directive, 1983/513/EEC.

Publication of the results of this study has been delayed because of the need to respect commercial confidentiality. However, agreement has now been reached with the companies concerned and I expect to publish the results shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date water authorities have to draw up plans incorporating time scales for the reduction of pollution from list II substances for those areas where quality standards are not met.

Water authorities are required, under DOE circular 18/85, WO37/85, to inform my Department by 1 January 1988 of details of the measures they intend to take to enable the national quality standards so far established for list II substances to be met in any areas where they are not already being achieved, and of dates by which these measures will be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by when, through international agreement, Her Majesty's Government are obliged to ensure that the best technical means are employed to reduce pollution by certain substances; and whose advice is sought to assist his judgment on what the best technical means are.

As far as discharges to water are concerned, Her Majesty's Government are already bound by the relevant provisions of the EC directives relating to discharges of mercury, cadmium, lindane, carbon tetrachloride, pentachlorophenol and DDT (directives 82/176, 83/513, 84/156, 84/491, and 86/280) to grant authorisations for new plants which apply the standards corresponding to the best technical means available, when that is necessary for the elimination of pollution or for the distortions to competition.Hitherto my Department has, in determining best technical means available, drawn on the expertise of its own staff who have taken into account any relevant discussion that may have taken place in the Community at the time of negotiation of limit values for the substance concerned. In the future, consideration of what constitutes best technical means available will be one of the tasks undertaken by the water pollution arm of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those occasions in the last three years when, in the light of experience or fresh scientific evidence, Her Majesty's Government have tightened numerically any environmental quality objectives;

My Department has not, in the last three years, tightened or relaxed any environmental quality standards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the Minister of State's statement that complete protection of all ecosystems is unattainable, it is his intention that Her Majesty's Government should adopt a precautionary approach to protection of the North sea.

The Government already adopt a precautionary approach to the protection of the environment, including the North sea. We undertake, and will continue to undertake, measures to reduce inputs of contaminants to the marine environment where there are reasonable scientific grounds for supposing that failure to take action may in due course result in environmental damage. In doing so, we take into account the likely costs and benefits of such measures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a detailed list of research for the wider activity of the joint monitoring group of Oslo and Paris commissions which Her Majesty's Government have conducted or commissioned in the last three years.

I shall write separately detailing the research asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list cases where Her Majesty's Government have found it necessary to require a refinery within their jurisdiction to reduce the oil content of its discharge into marine, freshwater and estuarine ecosystems to 5mg/L.

Consent conditions for refineries are the responsibility of the water authorities and are available from public registers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report in tabular form for each district council in the northern region the number of council properties (a) difficult to let, (b) vacant, (c) available for letting, (d) vacant for over one year and (e) vacant for over two years at 1 April 1986.

This information provided in local authorities' housing investment programme returns, is available in the Library in the "HIP (1986) all items print" under columns A71, A99, A91, A109 and A119, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many local authorities' housing departments take responsibility for the adaptation of premises for disabled persons.

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 requires all housing authorities when considering the needs of their districts to have regard to the special needs of chronically sick and disabled persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what payments he made to local authorities either through the rate support grant or directly to adapt premises for disabled persons in the last financial year.

The Department supports local authority expenditure on housing and building adaptations for disabled people in a variety of ways.Where rate support grant is concerned, local authorities may choose to spend part of their revenue expenditure for this purpose. But the block grant given towards that spending is not hypothecated on the basis that they will.The Department also meets a proportion of the cost of local authority home improvement grants, and the whole cost of local authority home insulation grants. Both schemes provide for higher rates of grant to disabled people in certain circumstances. It is for local authorities to decide how to allocate their resources. It is not possible to identify the extent to which Exchequer grant to local authorities relates specifically to this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of the London boroughs to discuss the problem of bringing empty council properties back into use.

On 19 January I met representatives of the local authority associations to discuss homelessness; our discussions included measures to bring authorities' empty housing back into use, and the disappointing response of some London boroughs to the Government's initiative, which I announced in August 1986, of making estate action resources available to accommodate homeless people in empty properties on estates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on progress in setting up the four new urban development corporations which he announced in October 1986.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) on 15 January, at column 269.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, for the last five years, how many times he has, for the county of Cornwall, called in planning applications that had previously received the backing of the planning authority involved.

Nine such applications have been called in by my right hon. Friend or his predecessors, within the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning pressures for substantial commercial developments in traditionally residential outer suburbs of the English conurbations; and what criteria he follows in deciding whether to call in planning applications of this kind.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does from time to time receive representations on such matters. Requests for applications to be called in are considered on their individual merits, but the general approach is to be very selective about calling in applications for the Secretary of State's decision, and in general applications are called in only when planning issues of more than local importance are involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many houses have been built by each borough and district council in East Sussex in each year since 1974; and what are the projected figures for each council until 1990–91;(2) how many units of sheltered accommodation have been built by each borough and district council in East Sussex, both directly and in partnership with a housing association or trust, in each year since 1974; and what are the projected figures for each council until 1990–91.

Reported completion of dwellings built for each of the authorities and, of these, the numbers from 1982 to 1985 which were designed for the elderly with warden supervision, appear in the following issues of "Local Housing Statistics" which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many houses the Basildon Development Corporation — New Towns Commission sold in each of the last five years; and for the same period how many shared ownership schemes or dwellings for single people have been built.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department was first informed of the withdrawal by the London borough of Bromley from the court proceedings in respect of the proposed office development at Bromley, South by Arlington Securities.

Inquiries on 6 January 1987 revealed that the Treasury Solicitor had been informed, by the London borough of Bromley's letter dated 10 December 1986, of its intention to withdraw. The Treasury Solictor had not previously notified the Department because the challenge remains extant until a notice of discontinuance has been agreed by all the parties. The notice of discontinuance has not yet been received and the matter remains subjudice. I have written to my hon. Friend to explain the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reissue his Department's circular No. 108/77 on nature conservation and planning.

I expect to reissue the circular shortly following extensive consultations with interested bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the homes insulation scheme to cover draught-proofing as well as loft insulation for people on supplementary benefit.

Future arrangements for help with the cost of materials for draught-proofing are being considered by the Government Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people have been accepted as homeless by each London borough council in 1978 and in each subsequent year;(2) how many people accepted as homeless were housed in bed and breakfast, other temporary accommodation or in permanent accommodation, respectively, by each London borough council in 1978 and in each year since.

[pursuant to the reply, 12 January 1986, c. 39]: Information about homeless acceptances and use of different forms of accommodation is contained in the Department's published quarterly statistics on homelessness and in annual HIP returns from local authorities; copies of these documents are in the Library. Further information on placings into temporary accommodation is contained in the CIPFA publication "Homelessness Statistics", also available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many acres of land have been placed on the register of vacant and derelict public land since its inception in 1981; if he will show in tabular form the ownership and size of parcel of land removed from the register since 1981; what new sites have been added each year; and under whose ownership;(2) if he will list the parcels of land which have moved

I shall answer these questions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has plans to require all public vacant land irrespective or size of potential future use to be included on the register of vacant and derelict public land.

There are no plans to widen generally the present criteria for entering unused and underused land owned by public bodies on the land registers. Nevertheless, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider entering on the register individual parcels of such land, irrespective of size, drawn to his attention by members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what price was obtained for each parcel of land which has now been sold and which was formerly on the register for vacant and derelict public land; who was the owner; and what percentage of the money realised for each sale was kept by the former owner.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures of levels of radiation in an area covered by the monitoring stations surrounding Winfrith, Dorset.

There are 16 monitoring stations around the SGHW reactor. Levels of radiation detected at these stations are equivalent to dose rates of 70 nano sieverts per hour, consistent with background levels. The only exception has been a detection of the Chernobyl cloud, when levels increased to about 100 nano sieverts per hour, returning to the normal level after about two weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of sites provided by each local authority in West Yorkshire for gipsy encampment, and the number they are required to provide.

Yes. The number of sites provided by each local authority in West Yorkshire for gipsy encampments is: Bradford two sites (32 pitches); Leeds one site (16 pitches); Wakefield one site (22 pitches); Kirklees and Calderdale no sites. The law requires each metropolitan district to provide accommodation for up to 15 caravans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom scholarships for students from Mauritius.

The Government have for some years offered scholarships to students from Mauritius. Thirty five undergraduates and 33 at other levels studied here during 1986 under such arrangements. Seventeen of these were financed under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan and six under the new Overseas Development Administration Shared Scholarship Scheme.In addition to the continuation of these two schemes and our in-service training scheme, a new arrangement requested by the Mauritian Government was agreed during the visit of the Mauritian Education Minister to Britain last week. Under this the top 16 school leavers from Mauritius in each of the next two years will study in Britain; the British Government will fund some in full and pay the tuition costs of the remainder.

Short asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help he is giving to underdeveloped countries to control HIV through their education programmes and blood transfusion screening to benefit their own nationals and United Kingdom visitors.

We are giving substantial support to the World Health Organisation's global AIDS programme. The programme is helping developing countries to establish facilities to screen blood and blood products and improve their health education as part of their national AIDS control programmes.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement describing the present arrangements for ex gratia payments by the courts to litigants who have suffered loss by maladministration within the court system.

The Lord Chancellor is prepared to consider claims for compensation where loss is sustained through any negligence of court officials in matters for which he is responsible.The courts as such do not make such payments.

asked the Attorney-General if he will prosecute the 11 Royal Ulster Constabulary officers named in Mr. John Stalker's report, whom he recommended should be charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Mr. Stalker's recommendations are confidential and I am not prepared to make any statement in relation to them. The investigation originally undertaken by Mr. John Stalker is being continued by Mr. Colin Sampson, but is not yet completed.When the DPP(NI) receives the completed report he will consider the question of prosecutions. I have asked him to inform me fully with regard to the facts reported to him and to consult me before any directions are given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil defence shelters have been built by local authorities between 1970 to 1975, 1975 to 1980, and 1980 to 1985 (a) in Wales, (b) in South Wales, (c) in Cardiff, (d) in Scotland, and (e) in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

There is no statutory requirement for such provision, and information is not kept centrally. So far as can be ascertained the answer is none.Local authorities in Great Britain are required under the 1983 regulations to make plans for the use of buildings and other structures as public shelter. Progress is variable, and a pilot study is being undertaken in eight areas to test how best this might be achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing legislation to provide for the local planning authorities to require that all new houses include a civil defence shelter; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's plans for the protection of the population include the improvement by the public of the protection already afforded by their own homes, and the utilisation, by local authorities, of buildings and other structures for public shelter. These plans are kept under review, but there are no proposals for change at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to ensure that the standards of keeping and using animals for experimental purposes by pharmaceutical and other firms comply with the statutory requirements; and if he will make a statement.

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which has replaced the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, provides a new and more rigorous system of controls over the use of living animals for experimental and other scientific research. The controls are enforced by a professional Home Office inspectorate, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. The inspectorate makes frequent visits to establishments, normally without notice, and keeps a close watch on the use of animals and on standards of care and accommodation. The Act provides for the issue of codes of practice as to the case of protected animals and their use for regulated procedures. A code is being prepared and will be ready later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support he is giving to the National Association of Victims Support Schemes; and if he will make a statement.

During the financial year 1986–87 the Home Office is providing a grant of £150,000 to the National Association of Victims Support Schemes, together with £136,000 to assist local schemes which are experiencing financial difficulties. In 1987–088, as well as renewing the grant to NAVSS, the Home Office intends to make £2 million available in further support for local schemes, as the first stage in a new programme of funding totalling £9 million over three years. The primary purpose of this funding is to support full-time salaried co-ordinators.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet received the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the adequacy of current Misuse of Drugs Act controls; and if he will make a statement.

Last year the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was asked to examine the nature of any risk arising from the cultivation in the United Kingdom of opium poppies and to consider whether existing statutory controls are adequate to deal with it. We expect to receive the council's report very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Horne Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the operational requirement of the replacement police national computer; and if he will make a statement.

We expect the Police National Computer Board to agree the operational requirement for the replacement police national computer later this year. I shall place a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that records of access to the police national computer are kept according to the nine categories mentioned in the reply of 18 November, Official Report, columns 89–90; and if he will make a statement.

As I explained to the hon. Member in my answer of 18 November, at column 89, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed us that records of accesses to the police national computer by the Metropolitan police are kept in terms of the nine categories mentioned. As these records are kept in the form of a manual log at each terminal, they cannot be easily compiled for statistical purposes, but we are satisfied that they are adequate to identify the originator of any PNC inquiry and see no need for any change.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the procedures and criteria used in sanctioning the manpower levels of the Metropolitan police.

The programme of manpower increases for the Metropolitan police which my right hon. Friend announced last May was based upon a review to assess the force's specific needs for additional manpower. This review sought to establish the proven needs for additional police officers and how the Commissioner would deploy them and with what objectives. It also assessed the extent to which these needs could be met by civilianisation and by the release of police officers as a result of the Commissioner's reorganisation of the force.As a result it was decided that there should be increases of up to 1,200 in the police establishment and 600 in the civil staff ceiling, phased over four years. As the first step in this programme increases of 300 in the police establishment and 150 in the civil staff ceiling have been authorised for 1986–87. We have made it clear that before authorising further increases over the next three years we shall need to be satisfied that earlier increases have been effectively used in accordance with the agreed objectives, and that satisfactory progress has been made with civilianisation and the force reorganisation. Officials are keeping in close touch with the Metropolitan Police to monitor progress on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to local authorities on air filtration needed for district and county control centres to protect against chemical weapons.

No guidance has been given. The Government are examining the requirement for, and methods of, protection against chemical agents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next plans to meet representatives of the brewing and licensed trade.

At present my right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a departmental committee, or some other form of inquiry, to establish the advantages and disadvantages of introducing identity cards for the population of the United Kingdom.

No. The introduction of identity cards along the lines of those issued in some European countries has been considered from time to time, but we are not persuaded that a sufficiently strong case could be made out for their issue here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for each of the last 24 months, how many visitors have been recorded in the Home Office computer; and what proportion of those who have reached their due date of departure have not yet departed.

The recording of the entry of visitors on the Home Office computer is selective. Only a minority, those passengers who are subject to special conditions, are recorded on it when they enter. The number of visitors whose arrivals were so recorded for each of the last 24 months is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce visas for visitors coming from Nigeria.

I shall tomorrow lay before Parliament a statement of change in the immigration rules which provides that citizens of Nigeria arriving at a United Kingdom port on or after 1 February 1987 will require visas to enter the United Kingdom unless they are settled here and returning after an absence of less than two years, or they are returning during the period of a limited leave which has been granted for a long-term purpose such as work or study.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received recently over free or concessionary television licence fees for pensioner households.

Since 16 July 1986, when my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) replied to a similar question from the hon. Member at column 508, 101 hon. Members and 198 members of the public have written, and two petitions have been received, about concessionary licences for retirement pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of his intentions regarding the High Court decision on 23 January involving concessionary television licences for pensioners who are visited by housing stewards.

My right hon. Friend is considering the court's judgment in this case and its implications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Police Federation and other organisations representing police officers regarding the preserved rate pension for police widows whose former husbands retired before 1956.

My right hon. Friend has received about 180 letters in recent weeks expressing disappointment with his decision not to implement an increase recommended by the Police Negotiating Board. As I indicated in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 19 December, at column 732, my right hon. Friend shared the regret of these correspondents that he was unable to implement the recommendation. To do so would have been a breach of the long-standing principle that entitlement under public service schemes should not be improved retrospectively, and might have had very costly repercussions in other schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press and public relations officers were involved in the preparation and mounting of the Metropolitan police's press conference following the incidents outside the News International plant on 24 January.

I understand that the press conference on the afternoon of Sunday 25 January was organised by the area press and publicity officer alone.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the number of demonstrators injured outside the News International plant in Wapping on 24 January; and how many received hospital treatment.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police are aware of 40 members of the public being injured, of whom 29 attended hospital. There will have been others whose injuries did not come to police attention.Mr. Tony Banks asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to who authorised the spraying of indelible dye on demonstrators outside the News International plant in Wapping on 24 January; and how many people stained with dye were subsequently arrested;(2) what is his policy on the spraying of dye by the Metropolitan police; what guidelines exist covering its use; on how many occasions dye spraying has been used in the past 12 months; where it was used; and how many people stained wih dye were subsequently arrested.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that dye is not sprayed by his force in situations of disorder and never has been. I understand that a tin of red paint was thrown by a demonstrator at Wapping on 24 January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to who was the officer in direct overall charge of police operations outside the News International plant in Wapping on 24 January; and where the officer in charge was between 7 pm and 9 pm on that evening.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that between 7 pm and 9 pm on 24 January, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jones, the officer in charge of police operations at Wapping, spent some time in the control room at Leman Street police station and some lime at various locations in the vicinity of Virginia Street.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many police officers were present in Wapping in connection with the News International dispute on 24 January.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 1,018 officers were deployed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the statement of service requirement for the provision of computers for the Government data network.

I have been asked to reply.I am placing a copy of the service requirement in the Library of the House. This is the version being distributed within Government. It is identical to that sent to the potential contractors, save that it does not contain the detailed information on traffic volumes and locations contained in the technical annexes. This information is commercially confidential and is being restricted on a need-to-know basis to minimise any risk to the security of applications planned to run on the network.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals the Government have to harmonise shipping arrangements with the European Economic Community.

It is for the European Commission to produce such proposals. The final Transport Council of the United Kingdom presidency last month, on which I reported in my reply to the hon. Member for Harwich (Sir J. Ridsdale) on 17 December, welcomed the Commission's programme to this end and invited it to submit appropriate proposals as rapidly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what efforts he is making to bring about the imposition of higher financial penalties for offences of evasion of vehicle excise duty.

The sentences imposed in individual cases are a matter for the courts. We have made known to the Magistrates Association and other court representatives our concern about the generally low level of penalties imposed for VED offences, and are currently considering what further measures might be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) in relation to (i) the Severn bridge, (ii) the Humber bridge and (iii) the Avon bridge what was (a) the length of time between the final grant of planning permission and opening of the bridge, (b) his Department's estimate at the time of the final grant of planning permission, of the date of opening, (c) the actual cost of construction, including all associated costs, (d) the actual cost of construction converted into constant prices at a convenient date close to the final grant of planning permission and (e) the cost of construction estimated by his Department at the time of the final grant of planning permission;(2) if his Department has prepared an analysis of the difference in construction time

Not all the information is readily available. The Department has not prepared analyses in the form requested. The procedures and powers used for authorisation of construction were not the same in all cases. The information that we have is as follows:

• Constructed under Humber Bridge Act 1972.
• 1972 estimate of cost of overall project, at then current prices, was £28 million.
• Actual cost of construction approximately £97 million (including approach roads), £80 million approximately for the bridge itself.
• Construction commenced 1973, bridge opened 1981 (three and a half years later than estimated).

• Statutory order fixing line of bridge 1947 under Trunk Roads Act.
• Contract for construction of foundations and approach viaducts awarded 1961 and for the superstructure 1962.
• Bridge opened 1966.
• Estimated cost about £11 million.
• Actual cost £9·8 million.

• Estimated construction time three years from 1969.
• Opening date May 1974 (that is two years overrun). Tender price £4·2 million.
• Actual construction costs £10 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which noxious liquid substances Her Majesty's Government intend to provide reception facilities for, on implementation of MARPOL (international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships), Annex II, on 6 April.

Reception facilities will be required on the entry into force on 6 April 1987 of annex II of the MARPOL convention. The requirement for these facilities is restricted to those chemical cargoes designated in the convention as being of category A and a restricted range of cargoes categories B and C which have high viscosity or low melting points.The Government policy for complying with these requirements are set out in the Merchant Shipping Prevention of Policy (Reception Facilities) Order 1984. This order imposes the duty to provide these reception facilities upon harbours and terminals at which these substances are unloaded.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what day in April he intends to introduce the requirement to ensure provision of reception facilities in United Kingdom ports for residues and mixtures of noxious liquid substances first proposed within the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships.

The Merchant Shipping, Prevention of Pollution (Reception Facilities) Order 1984 contains the requirement to ensure the provision of reception facilities, in relevant harbours or terminals for residues and mixtures for noxious liquid substances. It is the intention that this requirement will take effect from the 6 April 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport at what day in July 1984 the requirement was introduced to ensure provision of reception facilities in United Kingdom ports for oily waste proposed within the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships.

The requirement to provide reception facilities for oily waste from ships in United Kingdom ports, the Prevention of Pollution (Reception Facilities) Order 1984, came into operation on 25 July 1984. That order gave effect to the relevant provisions of annex I of the international convention and the protocol to that convention, known as MARPOL 73/78.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what research projects his Department has sponsored in the last three years to ensure that the marine transportation of radioactive substances and wastes is carried out in a safe way.

My Department has sponsored a project, which is currently being undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board. This is designed to provide information on radiation doses to crew and passengers, and to review the segregation provisions for radioactive materials transported by sea. The report is expected shortly.In addition, the Transport Committee on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials (ACTRAM), in response to a recommendation from the Environment Select Committee, is currently considering whether changes in practice are needed to ensure the greater control and safety of the transport of radioactive materials through the English channel.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the compulsory re-testing of all drivers convicted of drunken or reckless driving.

The possible wider application of retraining programme and driving tests for a range of traffic offences, including drinking and driving and reckless driving, is being considered by the Road Traffic Law Review, under the independent chairmanship of Dr. Peter North. The review's report is expected within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will instruct the British Airways share opportunity office to send full information, including a prospectus, to every member of the British forces posted overseas who requests it.

No problem will arise if they are able to provide a United Kingdom address, but I have no assurance that distribution of such material would be permissible within the relevant foreign legal jurisdictions, and cannot therefore permit distribution there.

This depends on the particular circumstances of cases. We are always willing to negotiate for the purchase of land required for road schemes. Frequently it is found expedient to make a draft compulsory purchase order at an early stage so as to expedite the processing of schemes. This does not in any way prejudice a negotiated settlement. In most cases the land is acquired by agreement. Terms of compensation, on which there is a right of appeal to the Lands Tribunal, are not affected.

The Civil Aviation Authority has informed me that wind-shear warning and safety devices have only lately become available on the market and that the authority has not yet been asked to approve them for use on UK-registered aircraft. There are therefore no aircraft on the UK-register fitted with these devices.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how frequently his Department agrees to the introduction of speed limits on principal roads in advance of any personal injuries arising from traffic accidents; and what is his policy towards introducing such limits to prevent accidents taking place.

Orders to impose or amend speed limits on principal roads in England require the consent of the Secretary of State for Transport. Each case is judged against the general criteria and considerations set out in the Department's circulars to local authorities numbered Roads 1/80 and Roads 4/83 issued in February 1980 and August 1983 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the specific factors which have led him to reject the application from Leicestershire county council arid Essendine parish council for a 40 mph speed limit on the A6121 road in Essendine; and in what ways the application fails to meet departmental criteria.

Accident records and speed readings give measured criteria used in determining right speed limits. At Essendine the measured speeds were just within the recommended criterion for a 40 mph speed limit. Since 1 January 1983 there have been no recorded injury accidents. The accident criterion of more than two all-injury accidents per million vehicle miles was not met.The Department advised Leicestershire county council against proceeding with a formal application for a 40 mph limit. Imposing a lower speed limit does not necessarily make drivers go more slowly.It is essential that uniform criteria are applied in all cases to ensure that speed limits command the respect of motorists nationwide.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the occasions since 1979 when his Department has been approached by Essendine parish council or by Leicestershire county council acting on its behalf, requesting a 40 miles per hour speed limit on the A6121 road in Essendine in the Rutland district of Leicestershire; and what reply he has sent.

The Department was approached by Leicestershire county council twice—in January 1981 and January 1986. In each case we advised against proceeding with a 40 mph limit.Essendine parish council approached the Department directly in July 1981 asking for reconsideration of the earlier advice. The Department confirmed our willingness to reconsider if the situation changed and if a fresh request came from the highway authority, Leicestershire county council.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of requests which his Department has accepted in 1986 for speed limits to be introduced on principal roads running through villages where no limit had existed before; and how many requests were refused.

My right hon. Friend gave his consent to the making of 43 such orders during 1986 and refused consent to 11.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to announce his decision on the public inquiry into the A52 bypass around Bottesford, Leicestershire; and for how long the report of the inspector has been in his possession.

As I said when I wrote on 7 January, I will announce the decision as soon as possible. We received the inspector's report in July 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of railway track will be electrified when all schemes so far approved are completed.

Once the present schemes have been completed, British Rail will have a total of 7,894 electrified track miles, representing some 32 per cent. of the total network. These figures include track for sidings; excluding sidings there will be 7,049 electrified track miles, representing 36 per cent. of the total network.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he was informed during the severe January weather of the state of the roads leading to nuclear power stations in England and Wales; if his Department will now conduct a review of evacuation arrangements in the event of a nuclear accident; and if he will make a statement on the condition of the roads leading to Bradwell nuclear power station during the severe weather.

During bad winter weather the Department receives regular reports on the state of the motorways and trunk roads in England. We are not specifically informed as a matter of course about the state of local roads leading to nuclear power stations. These are the responsibility of the local highway authorities. I understand from Essex county council that emergency access to Bradwell power station was maintained, except when severe drifting of snow caused blockages during the 36 hour period from about 8 pm on 14 January.Questions on emergency planning at nuclear sites are primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy. I would draw attention to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 18 December 1986 at columns 612–13, on the review of contingency plans following a nuclear accident.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to how much oil was spilt from the Flotta Piper pipeline on 26 and 27 November 1986 and as to the cause.

The quantity of oil spilt from the Piper-Claymore-Flotta pipelines on the 26 and 27 November 1986 was 20,000 barrels. (ca 2,660 tonnes).Spillage was caused by a crack in a welded branch connection where the Claymore pipeline joins the Piper-Flotta pipeline. No oil reached shore and the slick was dispersed by the North sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many non-European Economic Community personnel were employed offshore in the United Kingdom sector of the North sea during the last full year for which figures are available.

The latest figures available are from the Inland Revenue's annual survey of the offshore work force, taken on 30 September 1985. On that day the total number offshore was 15,248, of whom 1,065 were non-European Economic Community personnel. The survey covers construction workers and personnel on fixed installations, mobile drilling rigs, service vessels and support barges. In reporting their survey, the Inland Revenue's practice is to multiply the total counted by 1·9 to allow for shift working and seasonal variations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the total import of electricity in megawatts from Scotland by the Central Electricity Generating Board in each day of January to the nearest available date; and what was the cost;(2) how many megawatts of electricity were imported from France in each day of January to the nearest available date; and what was the cost.

I shall ask the Central Electricity Generating Board to reply to the hon. Member.Mr. Eadie asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the highest total megawattage generated in January from indigenous power stations; and what was the margin of share capacity in each day of January;(2) how many power stations were out of commission on any dates between II January and 18 January; if he will name them; and what is their capacity in megawatts;(3) how many power stations are at present out of commission; and if he will name them.

The operation of the integrated power generation and transmission system in England and Wales is the responsibility of the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have accordingly asked the board chairman to write to the hon. Member. Ministerial responsibility for the Scottish electricity boards and Northern Ireland Electricity rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has about the practice of leaving functioning North sea oil rigs unmanned overnight or for longer periods; what assessment has been made of the safety implications of allowing the first helicopter when the rig is reoccupied to land without the benefit of a helicopter landing officer or standby fire fighting cover; and if he will make a statement.

Unmanned platforms, of which there have been a number in the North sea from the beginning of the production phase in 1968, are designed to operate in that way and safety is taken into account during design. Both equipment and working procedures are considered for each individual platform in accordance with its functions. Such platforms are constantly monitored by telemetry from a nearby installation or from onshore. Those responsible for this monitoring are in communication with any aircraft landing or taking off.The persons who are first off the helicopter, and last on for the return journey, are trained for this work and will provide the helideck control of the landing officer and will man the fire-fighting equipment.

The operation of the integrated power generation and transmission system in England and Wales is the responsibility of the Central Electricity Generating Board. I shall ask the board to write to the hon. Member. Ministerial responsibility for the Scottish electricity boards rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leeds West (Mr. Meadowcroft), Official Report, 19 November 1986, column 233, if he will set out the nature of the sensitivity of information to which he refers; and what are the aspects of the national interest that any revelations of information on the civil nuclear programme are likely to damage.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 January 1987, c. 80]: It is well known that the civil and military nuclear power programmes had common origins. The records in question contain sensitive information concerned with national security, the disclosure of which would be contrary to the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there have been any delays in the dispatch of spent nuclear fuel from nuclear plants in the current year due to snow and ice on the rail network.

[pursuant to his reply, 22 January 1987, c. 653]: I am informed by the CEGB that one flask has been delayed in dispatch from Dungeness and one from Bradwell.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest information he possesses on unemployment in Dundee and Tayside by social class.

Information by social class is not available, but an analysis by socio-economic group of the usually resident population of Dundee city and Tayside who were economically active but not in employment is given in table 46 of "Census 1981 Scotland: Report for Tayside Region, Volume 2", which is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current unemployment rate in the Aberdeen travel-to-work area.

On 11 December 1986, the latest date for which information is available, the unemployment rate in the Aberdeen travel-to-work area was 8·9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the net change in the number of people unemployed to date in Greenock and Port Glasgow by district council ward since the present system of unemployment counting came into operation.

The change in the number of unemployed claimants in each electoral ward of the Greenock and Port Glasgow parliamentary constituency between 6 March 1986 (the date the current method of compiling the unemployment statistics came into operation) and 11 December 1986 (the latest date for which information is available) was as shown in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total public expenditure on student financial support in Scotland in 1982–83; and what was the figure in 1985–86.

Responsibility for financial support for students who are Scottish residents is divided among the Scottish Education Department, education authorities, research councils and other Government Departments. Information is available only for the students allowances scheme, administered by the Scottish Education Department and for education authority bursaries paid by regional councils, as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students studying for the higher national certificate are eligible for bursaries rather than grants but are not eligible for child benefit.

In session 1985–86, about 1,570 Scottish students were undertaking full-time courses leading to higher national certificates at Scottish educational establishments; some 1,200 of these students received assistance from local authorities. I have no information about how many of these students were eligible for child benefit.

the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to monitor the proportion of congenital malformations among babies born to women living in those parts of Scotland which were subject to rises in radiation levels following the nuclear accident at Chernobyl; and what plans he has to publish the information.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1987]: The information services division of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service already maintains information about certain congenital malformations occurring in babies born to women in Scotland. Any significant variation in the number of specific malformations occurring should be identifiable. It is not likely to be possible to determine which individual cases might be associated with increases in radiation levels arising as a result of the Chernobyl incident.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make it his policy that, before prison officers are accepted for service in Scottish prisons, they should be in possession of a professional qualification equivalent to a higher national certificate in prison studies; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 January 1987]: There is at present no higher national certificate in prison studies or any equivalent qualification in Scotland. Consideration is currently being given to the possibility of introducing such a certificate in the Scottish prison service, but this would be for serving personnel, to enhance their career prospects. To make possession of such a certificate a prerequisite for entry to the prison officer grade would debar otherwise well qualified and motivated candidates from pursuing a career in the prison service.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received calling for the proposed takeover of Pilkingtons to be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

I received a number of representations to that effect. Hon. Members will know that BTR has abandoned its bid. The matter has therefore been determined speedily and effectively by the market.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further proposals he has to attract industry to the northern region.

The Government's economic policies are promoting jobs and wealth creation nationally, and our regional industrial policy measures positively encourage investment and employment in the assisted areas, including much of the North East region. In addition, creation of UDCs in Tyne and Wear and Teesside will encourage industrial development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the latest manufacturing output figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the latest manufacturing output figures.

The latest figures on manufacturing output are very encouraging and the prospects are good. In the three months to November output was 1½ per cent. higher than in the previous three months, 14 per cent. above the trough in 1981 and well on course to meet the Industry Act forecast of 4 per cent. growth in 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of the total output of United Kingdom industry in 1986; what was the comparable figure in real terms in 1982; and what was the percentage difference.

Manufacturing output in the first 11 months of 1986 was 104.1, based on 1980 equal to 100; this compares with 94·2 in 1982, an increase of more than 10 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Japan.

In 1986 the United Kingdom had a visible trade deficit of £3,757 million with Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those applications, together with the financial amounts involved, that have been made under article 15 of the European regional development fund main regulation and which have been delayed pending a Government decision; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows: