asked the Attorney-General what information he has as to the total costs of public funds of the court cases involving the ban by three London boroughs on News International publications in public libraries; and if he will make a statement.

The total cost to central Government of these cases is estimated at £4,600. This includes the cost of court accommodation and the salaries of the judiciary and court staff involved. As regards fees to the legal profession, these are for the parties concerned. News International obtained an order for costs.

Proceedings at Magistrates' Courts for Seat Belt Offences1, by Police Force Area: 1984 and 1985
England and Wales	Number of Offences
	1984		1985
Police Force Area	Proceedings	Findings of guilt	Proceedings	Findings of guilt
Avon and Somerset	486	421	884	726
Bedfordshire	140	128	126	107
Cambridgeshire	176	175	93	91
Cheshire	147	138	483	463
Cleveland	208	198	216	196
Cumbria	367	355	539	506
Derbyshire	223	187	491	446
Devon and Cornwall	547	525	6S8	621
Dorset	299	280	326	309
Durham	138	130	261	231
Essex	201	168	512	485
Gloucestershire	100	96	79	75
Greater Manchester	547	524	1,074	1,020
Hampshire	176	163	251	230
Hertfordshire	596	549	468	450
Humberside	233	217	234	216
Kent	229	208	236	215
Lancashire	267	235	432	389
Leicestershire	335	312	330	305
Lincolnshire	138	125	146	137
City of London	12	10	21	19
Merseyside	67	50	60	54
Metropolitan Police	298	270	537	508
Norfolk	300	287	513	501
Northamptonshire	114	103	64	58
Northumberland	298	249	235	193
North Yorkshire	272	239	208	182
Nottinghamshire	60	51	137	125
South Yorkshire	657	610	559	506
Staffordshire	240	217	331	305
Suffolk	37	36	75	67
Surrey	159	151	346	316
Sussex	101	96	117	114
Thames Valley	631	580	SS4	799
Warwickshire	102	94	234	222
West Mercia	210	193	339	315
West Midlands	944	855	1,009	903
West Yorkshire	275	200	371	297
Wiltshire	151	146	120	115
Dyfed-Powys	65	60	14	12
Gwent	126	112	228	217
North Wales	886	862	710	691
South Wales	357	330	417	378
Total	11,915	10,935	15,338	14,115
1 Driving or riding in a motor vehicle not wearing a seat belt, or driving with child in the front not wearing seat belt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought under the legislation relating to the compulsory wearing of seat belts in vehicles for each of the years since its enactment; in which constabulary areas these took place; and how many resulted in convictions.

Information on the total number of proceedings and findings of guilt for seat belt offences is published annually in "Offences relating to Motor Vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables", (table 5 of the issue for 1985). The information for individual police force areas which can be provided without disproportionate cost is shown in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to the prison service of escorting prisoners to court in each of the last three financial years.

The cost to the prison service of escorting prisoners to court, including the costs of manning the Crown court, is estimated at £32·9 million in each of the financial years 1984–85 and 1985–86. Comparable information for 1983–84 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce time spent on remand by unconvicted prisoners.

The steps which we are taking were outlined in my reply to a question from the hon. Member

	Receipts from IBA	Operating charges	Cost of programmes transmitted, supplied by
			Harlech TV	Independent producers
	£000	£000	£000	£000
1981–821	2,009·0	386·0	2—	2—
1982–83	18,107·0	2,070·0	5,525·4	6,198·5
1983–84	25,119·0	2,199·1	14,567·0	7,829·7
1984–85	28,000·0	2,571·3	17,087·5	7,315·5
1985–86	31,900·0	3,213·0	20,012·7	9,152·6
1 15 months period.
2 S4C came on the air in November 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation took place with the representatives of political parties and English electoral registration officers over the design and wording of the new forms 7, 7B and 9; and how this differed from consultation on previous occasions when the design and wording for the electoral registration forms was revised.

There was full consultation with the political parties, local authority associations and bodies representing electoral registration officers in England and Wales on the content of the Representation of the People Regulations 1986, which largely govern the wording of these forms. The need to have the forms available by 1 January this year did not allow time for consultation on the design, although there was some informal consultation on the size of the forms. If my hon. Friend has any suggestion to make about the forms, we would be glad to consider it.There was extensive consultation when the electoral registration form A was changed, but on that occasion there had been no previous discussions on regulations prescribing the content of the form.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of Commonwealth citizens, resident in the United Kingdom for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 17 February, at column 559. On 6 March we laid regulations which will introduce statutory time limits on periods in custody in criminal proceedings from 1 April in the three police areas of Avon and Somerset, Kent and the west midlands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will specify the funds allocated to Sianel 4 Cymru during each year since its inception, differentiating between the contributions from the Independent Broadcasting Authority, operating charges and cost of programmes supplied by the British Broadcasting Corporation, Harlec Television and independent producers.

Programmes provided by the BBC are supplied at nil cost to S4C. The other information requested, which has been taken from S4C's annual reports, is as follows:prior to January 1973 with right of abode, who qualify for the registration of citizenship under the Nationality Act 1981 before 31 December.

The number with such an entitlement cannot be accurately calculated. However, we have received 170,000 applications for registration between 1 January 1983 and 28 February 1987, the great majority for which related to an entitlement, and we have budgeted for a further 55,000 such applications for the rest of this calendar year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what publicity campaign he plans to remind Commonwealth citizens, resident in the United Kingdom prior to January 1973 with right of abode, to register their citizenship under the Nationality Act 1981 before 31 December.

The Home Office published last July an information leaflet on registration rights entitled "Your Right to British Citizenship", together with a poster drawing attention to the leaflet. Copies of the leaflet were placed in the Library. The leaflet is now available in seven languages. In recent weeks advertisements have been placed in selected local newspapers and in newspapers serving ethnic minority communities drawing attention to the registration provisions and the leaflet. We will consider whether a further reminder is required later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received seeking allocation of resources forfeited by drug offenders towards assistance to rehabilitation schemes for drug addicts.

We have received two letters on this subject recently. The Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 empowers the Crown court to order the confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking and, in accordance with established Government accounting arrangements, provides for the money thus realised to be paid into the Consolidated Fund, which is used to finance Government expenditure generally. The Government are providing substantial funding for measures to tackle all aspects of the drugs problem, including the development of services for drug misusers.

asked the Paymaster General what alterations have been made in rates of payment to voluntary organisations sponsoring community programme schemes in respect of agency fees and operating costs since 1982.

The community programme agency fee and the maximum level of operating costs that can be reimbursed, are £100 and £440 per place, per annum, respectively. There have been no changes to these rates since 1982.However, we keep under review the levels of approved costs which can be reimbursed and make changes whenever this would improve the cost-effective use of taxpayers' money.

asked the Paymaster General what percentage reduction in authorised and filled places is planned in community programme schemes run by voluntary organisations in 1987–88; what are the planned percentage reductions in schemes run by local authorities and by the private sector respectively; and if he will make a statement.

Information in the form requested is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Places are allocated to regions and areas in the light of both national priorities set out in the planning guidance for 1987–88, and priorities determined locally in consultation with area manpower boards.

asked the Paymaster General what assessment he has made of the effect of levels of unemployment upon the pattern of collective bargaining over the past seven years; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Paymaster General what plans the Manpower Services Commission has for the two adult preparation training schemes in Leicester; how many adults are currently in training; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Paymaster General if he will meet the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside, to discuss the sacking of 270 transport workers by the Crosville Bus Company at Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

The resolution of disputes is a matter for the parties concerned. The assistance of the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is available to them and I understand that ACAS officials have been in touch with the parties. I do not think, therefore, that a meeting with the hon. Member would be appropriate at this stage.

asked the Paymaster General how many young people in each of the five Merseyside districts have been recruited into the job training scheme; what is the average length of time of the training/work placements in the area; what has been the nature of the jobs provided; and if he will make a statement.

The new job training scheme will begin in Merseyside in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent information he has received on the state of the arms control talks in Geneva.

The seventh round of the Geneva nuclear and space talks was due to end on 4 March. The element of the talks dealing with INF has been extended to enable further discussions to take place. The United States tabled a full draft Treaty on INF on 4 March.We have also welcomed the statement by Mr. Gorbachev of 28 February in which there were three positive aspects. First, he accepted the concept of an INF agreement based on the zero option which the Alliance put forward some six years ago. Second, he removed the Soviet-imposed linkage between an INF agreement and SDI. Third, he made no reference to United Kingdom and French deterrents being included.Our aim remains an agreement eliminating LRINIF missiles from Europe and incorporating constraints on shorter-range systems. Thereafter we envisage subsequent negotiations on remaining INF systems. Effective verification will be an essential part of all these negotiations.The chemical weapons negotiations resumed on 3 February. We hope it will be possible to build on the encouraging progress last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that Blowpipe missiles made in the United Kingdom are not being supplied to any Government or organisation which might supply them to Contra forces in Nicaragua.

Allegations in the media that we have given approval to the supply of Blowpipe to the Contras are totally unfounded. Following the publication of the Tower commission report the US Government have assured us that there are no Blowpipes in Contra hands and that there is no US intention to supply Blowpipe to the Contras. We have made it clear that the problems of this region cannot be solved by armed force and support the Contadora objectives which call for a reduction in arms levels. The system of licensing exports of military equipment enables us to control the supply of arms from the United Kingdom in accordance with this policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to respond to the offer to place a British seismic monitor in the Soviet Union to share in the monitoring of future Soviet nuclear tests.

No such offer has been made to us. In the case of the monitors installed in the Soviet Union by a non-official US body, we understand that they were in fact not operating at the time of the Soviet test on 26 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on how many occasions in 1985 and 1986 his Department was consulted over the granting of export licences for Blowpipe missiles;(2) on how many occasions in 1985 and 1986 his Department was consulted over the granting of export licences for military walkie-talkie radios.

This Department is consulted over all export licence applications for military or paramilitary equipment. This consultation takes place at different levels and in different forms and we do not maintain a record of the number of occasions on which we are consulted over particular applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in 1985 and 1986 his Department was consulted over the granting of export licences for military uniforms.

Military uniforms are not covered by the Export of Goods (Control) Order. The question of this Department being consulted over the granting of export licences does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to complete his inquiries into allegations of the supply of British arms to the Contra forces in Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

Recent allegations of British arms supplies to the Contras have already been denied as unfounded. All British arms exports are subject to control through the export licensing procedure. There are thus no grounds for holding an investigation, nor has evidence been produced to support the allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many individuals and how many organisations have contacted the city technology college unit since his Department's publication of "A New Choice of School"; how many of these expressed an interest in starting a college; and how much money has been offered.

Several hundred individuals and organisations have contacted the city technology college unit since the publication of "A New Choice of School". Many of these have expressed interest in assisting with the establishment of colleges, whether financially or in other ways. In addition to the £1 million in sponsorship offered by Hanson Trust, several other individuals and organisations have expressed a willingness to provide funding. Some of these offers are conditional or subject to discussion, and I am not prepared to confirm offers until sponsors are ready to make their decision public.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide the figures for capital expenditure financed by central Government for the universities and public sector higher education for each of the last five years, together with the projections for 1987–88, broken down on a per capita basis, as expenditure per full-time equivalent student, after making allowance for medical capital expenditure in the universities.

The following table shows capital expenditure per full-time equivalent student, financed by central Government on universities in Great Britain and direct grant institutions of higher education in England for each of the last five years, and projections for 1987–88, excluding medical capital expenditure in the universities. Capital expenditure in the local authority sector of higher education is not financed directly by central Government.

Capital Expenditure1 on Universities and Grant—Aided Institutions per Full—Time Equivalent Student
Financial Years (£)
	2Universities	3Grant—Aided Institutions
1982–83	136	171
1983–84	145	168
1984–85	155	197
1985–86	161	167
1986–874	168	185
1987–884	173	251
1 Capital expenditure financed by the DES: excludes any expenditure financed by other Government Departments or by the Research Councils.
2 Includes expenditure on minor projects estimated for financial years.
3 Capital expenditure by these institutions is defined for the purpose as projects costing over £6,500. The per capita amounts are based on projects expenditure figures which includes a contribution (usually 15 per cent.) from the providing body.
4 Based on estimated figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide the figures of universities' total spending on minor building works, defined as projects under £1 million in value, which are funded out of revenue block grant, in the last five years for which figures are available.

The available information on minor works met specifically from the University Grants Committee's recurrent grant is given in the table. Only the figures for the last two years relate to outturn. This information was not collected centrally for previous years for which figures for intended provision are given.

Academic year	£000
1981–82	19,305
1982–83	35,022
1983–84	35,951
1984–85	39,266
1985–86	138,461
1 Provisional

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about Government support of the Workers Educational Association.

It is the policy of my right hon. Friend to maintain existing educational opportunities for adults, and to extend provision for groups with special needs such as the unemployed and those lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills, within the constraints of available resources. While tackling new priorities inevitably involves changes in existing funding structures, my right hon. Friend remains committed to the support of liberal adult education through courses provided by the Workers Educational Association. About £2,545,000 in grant-aid has been made available to the Association for this purpose in the current financial year.My right hon. Friend is aware that some WEA districts are currently facing particularly acute financial difficulties, and he is considering a request for additional grant. He expects to announce his decision soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the latest progress towards Her Majesty's Government's evaluation of conductive education.

The University of Birmingham submitted a formal research grant application on 25 February, towards the cost of evaluating the conductive education project being established by the National Foundation for Conductive Education in Birmingham. The application is receiving urgent consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the percentage change in the number of mature students entering full-time grant aided education since (a) 1979 and (b) 1983.

Grant aided education has been taken to mean universities and public sector higher education. The number of students aged 21 or more entering full-time and sandwich Higher Education courses are given in the following table:

Higher Education in Great Britain
Academic year beginning	Entrants aged 21 or more (thousands)
1979	34·0
1983	36·8
1985	40·1
	(percentage change)
(a) 1979–1985	+18·2
(b) 1983–1985	+9·0

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what draft circulars to local education authorities he expects to issue for consultation purposes before August; and if he will make a statement.

The following draft circulars to local education authorities are expected to be issued for consultation purposes before August:

• Local Education Authority Training Grants Scheme 1988–89;
• Education Support Grants Programme 1988–89; Staffing Standards for Special Education;
• Role of the Education Service in Combatting Child Abuse;
• Application of Section 51 of the Education (No. 2) Act 1986;
• Automatic Recoupment and Free Trade for Non-Advanced Further Education;
• Second Circular of Guidance on the Education (No. 2) Act 1986.

This list excludes other forms of communications to local education authorities including the final versions of circulars.It is possible that a need for the issue of other circulars on matters not listed above may be identified before August.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing, for each year 1982–83 onwards, an analysis of capital allocations expressed as a percentage of expenditure bids submitted, broken down between (a) local education authorities in Greater London., (b) metropolitan district education authorities outside Greater London and (c) non-metropolitan county education authorities; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1982–83 to 1985–86 inclusive (a) the total of capital allocations made to local education authorities in Greater London, (b) the total of capital expenditure bids submitted by local education authorities in Greater London and (c) the figure (a) expressed as a percentage of the figure (b); and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1982–83 to 1985–86 inclusive

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department has available pertaining to the progress of the production of general certificate of secondary education syllabuses for modes 1, 2 and 3; and if he will make a statement.

GCSE mode 1 syllabuses in all subjects were distributed to schools before the end of 1986. Mode 2 and mode 3 syllabuses are designed by the schools themselves and are subject to approval by the examining groups. Information about these syllabuses is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what materials and in-service training have been provided to teachers for in-course assessment for the general certificate of secondary education; and if they have been provided according to the timetable originally set.

Introductory GCSE training for all teachers was completed according to the timetable originally set, as was the distribution of associated training materials and subject guides. Further subject-specific training is currently in progress and will continue throughout the early years of the GCSE.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department has on the progress made in introducing grade criteria for the general certificate of secondary education; and if he will make a statement.

The Secondary Examination Council is currently revising the draft grade criteria for the 10 most commonly studied subjects which it published in September 1985. The SEC is planning to trial the draft criteria for English, history and mathematics by means of pilot examinations as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken by his Department to monitor the implementation of in-course assessment for the general certificate of secondary education for each regional examination board; if the process of implementation has followed the timetable originally prescribed; and if he will make a statement.

The Department receives advice from the Secondary Examinations Council about each GCSE group's plans and progress in the implementation of the requirements of the syllabuses. The GCSE groups completed the national, introductory training to the timetable originally set. Further training is continuing throughout the early years of the GCSE.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a table showing for each non-metropolitan county education authority that replied to both of his Department's circular letters dated 5 February 1982 and 30 June 1986 requesting information on sub-standard primary school places (a) the percentage of sub-standard primary school places in 1982 within that authority's total primary provision at that date, (b) the percentage of sub-standard primary school places in 1986 within that authority's total primary provision at that date and (c) the figure by which the change between (a) and (b) differs from the percentage change between the total figures for all such authorities providing information; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will publish a table showing for each metropolitan district education authority outside Greater London that replied to both of his Department's circular letters dated 5 February 1982 and 30 June 1986 requesting information on sub-standard primary school places

The Department does not hold information on the number of school places in each local education authority area; the information requested cannot therefore be supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a table showing for each non-metropolitan county education authority that replied to both of his Department's circular letters dated 5 February 1982 and 30 June 1986 requesting information on sub-standard primary school places (a) the capital allocations made for each year 1982–83 to 1985–86 inclusive, in cash terms; and (b) the capital expenditure bids submitted for each year 1982–83 to 1985–86 inclusive, in cash terms; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will publish a table showing for each metropolitan district education authority outside Greater London that replied to both of his Department's circular letters dated 5 February 1982 and 30 June 1986 requesting

information on sub-standard primary school places

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans for an education programme in schools on AIDS: and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has already made clear that schools have a crucial role to play in ensuring that young people know the facts about AIDS. He announced on 6 March the publication of a factual booklet for teachers "Aids: Some Questions and Answers", to assist them in incorporating the subject into their teaching and in answering pupils' questions. He is also commissioning, from the BBC's production centre at the Open University, a video resource package about AIDS, intended for use with 13 to 16-year-olds in schools. We are continuing to consider urgently the need for further initiatives to assist the education service in this difficult area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when a decision will be made on the creation of new polytechnics.

Following the deferral of advice about further polytechnic designations by the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education (NAB) last December, my right hon. Friend does not propose to take any immediate decisions.

asked the Prime Minister what are the purposes of her forthcoming visit to the Soviet Union; and what issues she intends to discuss with Mr. Gorbachev.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 4 March 1987, at column 598.

asked the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council those structural problems in the common agricultural policy sugar regime which put cane refineries in the United Kingdom at a serious disadvantage.

It would not be appropriate to raise this at the European Council. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food secured an undertaking from the European Commission at the Agriculture Council on 24–25 March 1986 to review the margin available to refiners of cane sugar and to report back to the Council. We expect the Commission to make its report in the near future.

asked the Prime Minister what recent consultations she has had with the United States President or Administration on the proposed renegotiation of the 1972 arms treaty with reference to the strategic defence initiative; and if she will make a statement.

United States representatives consulted my right hon. Friends and myself on the consideration being given by the United States Administration to the future of work on the strategic defence initiative. I confirmed Britain's support for the SDI research programme which is permitted by the antiballistic missile treaty. We agreed that we wished to see the arms control negotiations in Geneva lead to reductions in nuclear weapons on the basis of the priorities I agreed with President Reagan at Camp David in November 1986. Subsequent consultations were held in the North Atlantic Council.

asked the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the recent proposals of the Commission's President to enlarge the own resources of the European Economic Community; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 10 February at column 159.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 12 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 12 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 12 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 12 March.

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

asked the Prime Minister whether she will consider reallocating ministerial responsibility for the immigration appeal authorities.

I have decided to transfer full administrative responsibility for the immigration appellate authorities to the Lord Chancellor. He is already responsible for appointments to the immigration appeal tribunal and it is sensible therefore that he should appoint the adjudicators, be responsible for the procedural rules and administer the appellate authorities as a whole. The Lord Chancellor will consult the Lord Advocate in connection with appointments and procedural rules. The necessary Transfer of Functions Order is in preparation, to take effect from 1 April 1987.

Growth in Local Government Electorate by County since 1981
	Electorate		Change 1981–86
	1981	1986	Number	Percentage
Powys	84,231	88,779	4,548	5·4
Clwyd	295,964	309,389	13,425	4·5
Gwynedd	175,617	182,687	7,070	4·0
Dyfed	255,050	261,985	6,935	2·7
Gwent	327,706	335,489	7,783	2·4
West Glamorgan	282,281	286,508	4,227	1·5
Mid Glamorgan	403,819	404,975	1,156	0·3
South Glamorgan	290,456	289,573	-883	-0·3

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many sheep have been killed by dogs in Wales during the last 12 months; what were the corresponding figures for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Statistics of livestock reported killed by dogs ceased to be kept centrally after 1978. The number of sheep killed in 19798 was 775 and in 1977 was 948. My Department will continue to give publicity to this serious problem. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 imposes a specific responsibility on owners to control their dogs when in the vicinity of sheep.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the John Brown Tourism, Marketing and Development Services Organisation was commissioned to report on the presentation of ancient monuments in his care; at what cost; and whether he will place a copy of their report in the Library.

The report was commissioned in August 1982 at a total cost of £8,000. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to improve the arrangements for consulting service personnel and their families on welfare matters.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 147]: I have not considered the arrangements for consulting service personnel and their families on welfare matters. The welfare of service men and their families is,

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Welsh counties in order of percentage growth in electorate since 1981; and what has been the percentage growth and actual figures in each case.

Information on the changes up to 1986 is given in the following table. Figures of the 1987 electorate will be available centrally in April.of course, part of the day-to-day management function at all levels within the armed forces, both as a good employer and because it is an integral element in ensuring their continued efficiency and effectiveness.The armed forces continually seek to improve such arrangements, and various mechanisms exist to ensure that current systems are functioning satisfactorily. Senior management concerned with welfare matters visit units on a regular basis to keep up to date with local concerns and take action accordingly. For example, the RAF personnel liaison teams, formed in 1967, are tasked to visit all RAF units once every two years and represent welfare issues that arise from service men and their wives to the appropriate service authority. Other issues are brought to the attention of service managers through the operation of existing welfare organisations such as the naval personal and family service, introduced in 1977, and voluntary organisations such as the service benevolent funds and SSAFA.Particular studies are also instituted where necessary. For example, recent work has been carried out by the Army and Navy into the attitudes of the wives of service men, giving them the opportunity of expressing their views on a wide range of issues. Only last year a review of welfare within the RAF at station and unit level concluded that existing arrangements for its personnel and their families were generally very satisfactory.The armed forces will continue to respond flexibly to the welfare needs of their personnel and families, ensuring that existing arrangements, including consultation, remain effective and making improvements as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to encourage water authorities to make the maximum use of sprinkler systems for fire protection in both public and private buildings and warehouses.

No. It is for the owner of any premises, in consultation with his insurers, to decide what system of fire protection best suits his needs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he issues to water authorities on the banning of the use of sprinkler systems for fire protection in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

None. But my Department has issued guidance to water undertakers on the recommended protection that should be provided in such systems to prevent contamination of the public water supply from backflow or backsiphonage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to expenditure incurred by (a) the Thames water authority, (b) the Yorkshire water authority and (c) the Trent water authority for all work undertaken in preparation for privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of (a) the number of home improvement grants and (b) the total value of such grants for (i) England, (ii) the city of Manchester and (iii) the Trafford borough for the years 1983 to 1986 inclusive.

The available information is as follows:

Renovation grants paid to private owners and tenants
	Number of dwellings	£ thousand
Manchester
1983 April-December	1,901	9,511
1984 not available
1985 July-December	1,436	9,049
1986 January-March	856	5,460
Trafford
1983	487	1,706
1984	685	2,959
1985	510	2,341
1986	470	2,888
England
1983	219,832	655,490
1984	229,107	839,383
19851	136,412	525,099
19862	112,767	388,522
1 Revised.
2 Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for letters to be written by his regional offices to all harbour authorities and to all boatyards asking what actions they are proposing to take to minimise the amount of antifouling debris being washed into the water from boats being stripped of TBT antifouling paints; and if he will make a statement.

Authoritative advice on the stripping of antifouling paints from small boats is set out in the leaflet "Don't Foul Things Up," published last year. This should have reached all boatyards and harbour authorities. The leaflet is being revised, and similar advice dealing with larger vessels is being prepared. I shall ensure that this guidance also is sent to all boatyards and harbour authorities. It is in everyone's interest to take account of this advice and I do not believe that individual approaches. to boatyards and harbour authorities would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement as to the extent to which he will permit International Paints to continue to use areas of the River Yealm for experimental purposes, including the testing of various toxic paints; and if he will consider restricting the area and the length of time such experiments should be permitted in any one river.

All experimental use of testing facilities for antifouling paints are governed by part III of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The relevant provisions come into force on 1 July 1987. The detailed arrangements which will apply in such cases are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inner area programme-funded projects are marked with Department of the Environment signs in Leicester; and if he will list them.

I am informed that there are 27 inner area programme projects in Leicester which display the required signs acknowledging the Department's funding through the urban programme. These are as follows:

• Operation Clean Up—Southgate
• Commercial property improvements, Nos 108–146 East Park road
• Narborough road Regeneration
• Industrial property improvements:
• 27 Wharf street
• 3 Camden street
• 64 Mansfield street
• 4 Dorothy road
• Braunstone Workshops
• Slater street Units
• Brailsford Industrial Park
• St. Matthews Tenants Information Centre
• St. Marks Tenants Information Centre
• Rathbone Development Officer Project
• Mundella Playing Surface
• Linwood Community Project
• East West Community Project
• Belgrave Playhouse
• Bengali Language School
• Garendon street Workshops
• SOFA
• Leicester Playscape
• Shape Community Project
• Mobile Care Centre
• Baby Gear
• West Indian Senior Citizens Centre
• Roof Group
• Havan Project
• Total 27–12 City, 15 County.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to take a decision on the application, submitted by Bradford council under the urban programme, to replace the West Bowling youth centre; and if he will make a statement.

Further information in support of this application was received on 10 March. It is being appraised and a decision will be issued shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he proposes to take to secure the future national development of children's play in view of Play Board's decision to go into liquidation and the Sports Council's indication that it will not take on the functions of Play Board without the board's agreement;(2) what representations he has received from the chairman of Play Board following the proposal to merge the board with the Sports Council;(3) how many representations he has now received concerning the proposal to merge Play Board with the Sports Council;(4) to which organisation he has allocated the sum of £700,000 budgeted for Play Board for the financial year 1987–88;(5) how many occasions, and on what dates, the Minister with responsibility for sport has visited offices of Play Board from its establishment to date.

I have received 120 representations from various organisations and individuals about our proposals to merge Play Board's role and functions with those of the Sports Council. Both organisations agreed last September to enter into negotiations on this.My consultations with Play Board did not require visits to their offices but I have held meetings and maintained contact with its chairman and other members of the board. In addition my officials have maintained close and regular contact with Play Board's staff.As part of its grant-in-aid for 1987–88, the Sports Council has been allocated £700,000 for children's play. This sum would have been available to support the work begun by Play Board had the negotiations between the council and the board succeeded.I regret Play Board's decision not now to support our proposal for the future development of children's play. I remain of the view that the development of play within the structure of the Sports Council represents the best way forward. I am exploring urgently with the Sports Council how best our proposals can be progressed so that effective future arrangements are in place for the greater benefit of children's play.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he proposes to make for those on low incomes to receive help in paying their community charges.

The Government intend to make provision for a rebate scheme based on the revised rate rebate scheme to be introduced in 1988. Each person liable would be required to make some community charge payment. The social security White Paper suggested that each household makes at least 20 per cent. contribution towards domestic rates. Final decisions on the operation of the scheme will be taken nearer the time and in the light of our objective of improving accountability in local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment for how many years the Royal Aircraft Establishment hostels for apprentices or single people have remained empty at Farnborough; and if the Public Services Agency will now make these premises available for letting for cases of housing need in the locality.

I have been asked to reply.Three of the hostel blocks at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, have been vacant since 1980. As the hostel is located within the establishment, it has not been possible to let vacant rooms other than to Crown servants. A review of hostel accommodation is currently in hand in the light of changing requirements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the extra revenues accruing if all income tax relief were restricted to the standard rate of tax.

The cost at 1986–87 levels of income of allowing personal tax allowances at rates in excess of the basic rate of income tax is estimated to be about £600 million. Information on the similar cost of other income tax reliefs is available only in respect of mortgage interest, retirement annuity premiums, employees' superannuation contributions, the business expansion scheme, and donations to charities; in total it is also about £600 million. It is not possible to estimate precisely the combined yield from restricting these reliefs and the personal allowances to the basic rate, but it is thought to be about £1,400 million. These estimates make no allowance for any possible behavioural effects if allowances and reliefs were to be restricted to the basic rate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have raised business expansion scheme finance with the assistance of the Ravendale Group.

I regret I am unable to provide the information requested as details of the use of the business expansion scheme by particular individuals and companies are obtained by the Inland Revenue on a confidential basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, on the basis of the revised figures for invisible earnings, he intends to revise his projection of the balance of payments deficit for 1987.

The next forecast of the current account of the balance of payments will be published at the time of the budget, in the usual way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the percentage of the total cost in value added tax collection which is involved in collecting value added tax from businesses with a turnover of less than £50,000;(2) what is the percentage of the total value added tax collected which comes from businesses with a turnover below £50,000.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what action will be taken by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate reports that the Guernsey-registered vessel Silver Sea was loaded with extra cargo after customs clearance before its departure on 15 February 1986 from Southampton;(2) what action his Department will take to investigate reports that the Guernsey-registered vessel Silver Sea was loaded with certain items not listed on the ship's manifest when it left Southampton on 15 February 1986.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was declared to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise officials in the ship's manifest by the owners of the vessel Silver Sea in respect of recent voyages to Central America; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in his capacity as director of the European Investment Bank, he will state whether it remains the policy of that bank that loans should be conditional on guarantees by member states or other first-class guarantors; and if he will make a statement on the guidance given by the board of the bank in this respect when it indicated that it was content for discussions to take place between officials of the bank and the promoters of the Channel tunnel for a loan of £1,000 million.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1987, c. 62.]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a member of the board of governors of the European Investment Bank.The European Investment Bank must act in accordance with its statute. Article 18(3) requires:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total amount of public funds contributed and subscribed to the European Investment Bank since 1 January 1973.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1987, c. 62.]: The figures were given in my reply of 20 February 1987, at column 830.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in the discussions between officials of the European Investment Bank and the promoters of the Channel tunnel on a loan of £1,000 million; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1987, c. 62.]: No proposal for a loan to the promoters of the Channel tunnel has yet been submitted to the European Investment Bank's board of directors. At this stage discussions on a possible loan are a matter for Eurotunnel and the EIB's staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has had any meetings with the officer commanding the Ulster Defence Regiment within the past six weeks concerning security.

Although my right hon. Friend has not recently met the brigadier commanding the Ulster Defence Regiment, he has regular meetings with the General Officer Commanding in Nothern Ireland and the Chief Constable to discuss policy issues of common concern in the security field.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Royal Ulster Constabulary code of conduct will be published.

Publication of the code will be a matter for the Chief Constable, he is hopeful that it will be issued soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in the Province.

Since I last reported to the House on 15 January, six people—a major in the Ulster Defence Regiment, a Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve constable and four civilians—have died as a result of the security situation. Three of the civilian deaths are believed to have been as a result of the Irish National Liberation Army feud.The efforts of the security forces are continuing to yield results. Since the beginning of the year a total of 72 people have been charged with serious offences, 47 weapons, 810 rounds of ammunition and 1,617 lbs of explosives have been recovered in Northern Ireland. There was a significant find of arms, ammunition and explosives by the Garda Siochana in the border region.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to meet the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland to discuss the future of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from my hon. Friend, the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the Anglo-Irish Agreement following the election in the Republic of Ireland.

We remain committed to the agreement, as a whole, and look forward to continuing co-operation with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation; and what trend there has been in the level of border patrols since 17 February.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) earlier this afternoon.Security forces' activity in the border region contiues at a high level and where necessary, additional military resources have been deployed in support of the RUC.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Spencer) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what subjects he discussed at his last meeting with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to discuss security matters; and if he will make a statement.

I have regular meetings with the Chief Constable and the General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland to discuss policy issues of common concern in the security field. It is not my practice to give details of the timing of these meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to embody the competition principles laid down in the Fair Trading Act 1973 in any measures to be brought in under the Financial Services Act 1986 governing independent insurance intermediaries, including the self-employed and independent brokers and other small businesses, with particular reference to (a) the cost of joining a self-regulatory organisation (b) the commission charged on policies and (c) the restrictions imposed upon the business they may transact; and if he will make a statement.

The Financial Services Act requires that my right hon. Friend may not transfer powers to a designated agency unless he is satisfied that its proposed rules do not have, and are not intended or likely to have to any significant extent, the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition to an extent greater than is necessary for the protection of investors. This will apply to rules and practices affecting independent insurance intermediaries as it does to other forms of investment business, and will extend to rules specifying the fees authorised businesses must pay and restrictions on the business they may transact. The Act does not permit rules made under it to impose limits on the commission which may be paid in connection with investment business; but any commission agreement embodied or referred to in the rules of a recognised self-regulatory organisation would also be subject to the competition test.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department's inquiry into the affairs of City investment centres of the Ravendale Group was initiated.

An officer was authorised on 28 July 1986, under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, to examine the books and records of City Investment Centres Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the licence of the Ravendale Group was last renewed; by what criteria its application was assessed; and whether there were any objections.

Ravendale Group was a holding company which did not need a licence and never held one. Several companies belongings to the Ravendale Group or associated with it held licences at various times. The dates upon which new licences were last granted and the companies in question were as follows:

• 5 November 1985: City Investment Centres Ltd.
• 11 December 1985: London Venture Capital Market Ltd.
• 5 November 1985: Ravendale Market Makers Ltd.

If an application is complete and properly made, the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act requires a licence to be granted unless the applicant appears not to be fit and proper. Applications do not have to be advertised so there is no formal opportunity to object, but account is, of course, taken of any complaints received.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in the current inquiry into the Ravendale Group; when he expects inquiries to be concluded; and at what stage he will decide whether to refer any papers to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

My Department's inquiries under the provisions of section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 have been concluded, but four companies comprised in the Ravendale Group are in liquidation and the inquiries being made by the liquidators and the Official Receiver have not yet been completed. These inquiries, which are now concentrated on the affairs of City Investment Centres Limited, have been hampered by the absence abroad of the person who was chiefly responsible for the management of the companies, but I understand they are well advanced. However, I cannot yet say whether or when any papers will be referred to the. Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the minimum acceptable share issue for a company to be licensed as a dealer in securities.

No minimum is specified; but an incorporated applicant is required to state its share capital and the type of securities business it intends to pursue. These are amongst the factors taken into account in considering the application.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for securities dealing were issued by his Department in 1986; and how many are currently in force.

One hundred and twenty-seven new principle licences were issued in 1986, and 527 existing principal licences were renewed. There were 674 principal licences in force on 27 February 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set up an inquiry into the control of the issue of grants by the information technology section of his Department.

Inquiries were made recently into allegations of improper payments of grant by this Department's information technology division. No irregularities were discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set up an inquiry into methods of supervision of Investors Discount Brokerage.

Subject to the requirements of the Licensed Dealers (Conduct of Business) Rules, the methods of supervision within a firm are a matter for its management. Inquiries under statutory powers may be instituted where there is good reason to do so, but I do not normally announce the institution of inquiries under section 447 of the Companies Act or section 105 of the Financial Services Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list any reciprocal arrangements comparable to United States of America export controls which the United States of America Government has made to allow United Kingdom inspectors to visit companies in the United States of America and inspect their books; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom Government have never requested permission to carry out visits to companies in the United States in connection with extraterritorial re-export controls because it does not operate such controls. The United Kingdom Government reject the principle of visits designed to monitor compliance with such controls, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said in his reply to the hon. Member on 19 February at columns 751–52.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will specify the number of claims made to his Department during 1985–86 by companies based in Wales for science and technology grants; and if he will identify how many of the claims have projected costs below £100,000.

Thirty-seven applications were received in 1985–86 from companies in Wales for project support under the principal schemes of the Science and Technology Act 1965. Fifteen applications had eligible project costs below £100,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for licences for the export of Blowpipe missiles have been considered by his Department in the last 12 months.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to make public information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the basis of the revised assessment of the value of invisible earnings, how many times and in which months, in 1986 the balance of payments was in deficit; and if he will give the revised figures for each month.

The information is as follows:

United Kingdom balance of payments current account
1986	£ million, seasonally adjusted
January	976
February	187
March	-481
April	231
May	-200
June	-126
July	-12
August	-735
September	-184
October	-100
November	-384
December	-272

The invisibles component of these figures is estimated on a quarterly basis, the monthly figures are one third of the appropriate calendar quarters estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ships have been built in shipbuilding yards of each EEC member state with the assistance of funds from the European shipbuilding intervention fund with engines supplied from non-EEC member states in each of the past five years; what has been the total value of EEC aid given in such cases; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if an export licence has been granted to the owners of the British vessel Silver Sea in respect of goods to be shipped in that vessel to any country in central America; and if he will make a statement.

No such licence has been granted to the registered owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the accounting treatment of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's tender to contract and forward exchange supplement scheme.

The tender to contract and forward exchange supplement scheme, which provides a measure of protection to United Kingdom capital goods exporters who tender in foreign currencies against exchange losses in the period between submission of a tender and award of contract, has been operated by the Export Credits Guarantee Department as a trading facility since 1977. The risk of adverse exchange rate movements, which the scheme sets out to insure, does not lend itself to the type of underwriting assessment and control through which ECGD seeks to ensure the financial viability of its other trading facilities. For this reason, it has been decided that the scheme should more properly be accounted for as a public expenditure programme and the losses incurred to date written out of ECGD's trading accounts. It remains the Government's aim that the premium charged for this cover should be sufficient to cover ECGD's costs and any underwriting losses.The necessary changes will be made in ECGD's 1986–87 trading accounts. Their precise effect will not be known until those accounts have been finalised, but the best current estimate is that the combined reserves and estimated open year trading surpluses on the national interest account will effectively be increased by £123 million. This comprises £68 million underwriting losses and administration costs and £55 million notional interest paid on the scheme's cash balance with the Consolidated Fund. The anticipated public expenditure costs of the scheme from 1987–88 were included in the 1987 public

Net capital expenditure in manufacturing industry1 by standard region of the United Kingdom from 1975 to 1984 in current prices
Region	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
	£ million	£ million	£ million	£ million	£ million
North	462	576	562	681	683
Yorkshire and Humberside	441	412	482	595	634
East Midlands	197	262	319	382	466
East Anglia	81	91	142	169	207
South East	656	729	1,035	1,357	1,698
South West	145	165	238	290	349
West Midlands	376	403	517	606	702
North West	411	460	608	787	990
Wales	249	265	294	331	495
Scotland	426	465	493	551	597
Northern Ireland	92	68	84	94	124
1 Orders III to XIX Standard Industrial Classification, Revised 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British citizens he estimates held a life insurance policy in 1979; and how many in 1987.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 March 1987, c. 196]: The Department does not collect statistics on the numbers of insurance policies issued. However, figures published by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) indicate that 101·9 million individual ordinary and industrial life policies were in force in the United Kingdom in 1979. This figure had fallen to 95 million by 1985, the last year for which data are available. Within the totals the number of ordinary life policies had risen from 21·6 million in 1979 to 31·2 million in 1985. The number of individual industrial life policies (those where premiums are collected more frequently than every two months at the assured's residence) fell from 80·3 million in 1979 to 64 million in 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report details of manufacturing investment by region for each year from 1975.

The requested information is shown in the following table. The figures relate to investment by manufacturing industry (excluding leased assets). The latest year for which data are available is 1984.