asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.

The Government consider that in the employment field the main need of both women and men is the creation of new jobs. The Department of Employment's activities are directed to achieving this through deregulation and the development of the enterprise economy. Women as well as men have benefited from the employment, training and enterprise measures offered by my Department and the Manpower Services Commission, on which we have already spent in excess of £10 billion since 1979.The Government nevertheless recognise that women have in the past been disadvantaged in the labour market and in consequence have special employment needs. Our equal opportunities polices are designed to address those needs and are described in detail in "The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women—A Review". This document was published in April 1987 and a copy has been placed in the Library.We are fully apprised of women's views through the normal process of consultation and through our regular contacts with the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Women's National Commission and women's voluntary organisations. The Advisory Committee on Women's Employment exists to advise Employment Ministers on all aspects of our policies affecting women in the labour market, and my Department is also represented on the interdepartmental ministerial group on women's issues.Training for staff at all levels within the Department of Employment group incorporates coverage of equal opportunities. Some courses have separate modules which specifically concentrate on the equal opportunities dimension, for example, a course for MSC "field" staff who have day-to-day responsibility for running programmes. This training ensures that staff fully understand the group's equal opportunities policy and the practical implications of that policy for the provision of services and for the group as employer.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the criteria for the award of (a) enterprise allowance and (b) a community programme place.

The purpose of the enterprise allowance scheme is to help those unemployed people who would like to set up business on their own but are deterred from doing so because they would lose their entitlement to unemployment or supplementary benefit. To help ensure that the purpose of the scheme is met, applicants must he aged at least 18 and under 65 and have been unemployed and actively seeking work for at least eight weeks. Additionally, applicants must be directly or indirectly in receipt of unemployment benefit or supplementary benefit, have £1,000 available to invest in their proposed business, plan to work full time and be free from any restrictions on their employment in Great Britain.The proposed business must be new, suitable for public support, be based in England, Scotland or Wales, and remain in the overall control of the applicant.The community programme provides opportunities for long-term unemployed people to gain work experience on projects of community benefit. It is open to those aged 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for six out of the last nine months and those aged 25 to 62 who have been unemployed for 12 out of the last 15 months.In addition, all applicants must have been continuously unemployed for the two months before they apply, and be directly or indirectly in receipt of an appropriate state benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much money has been lent by the banks to small firms under the Government's loan guarantee scheme; what is the number of firms involved; and what is the average amount of each loan and the losses to date under the scheme.

Bank lending of £586 million has been assisted by the scheme up to 31 May 1987. The average amount of each loan was £32,800. About 17,800 guaranteed loans were made to over 16,000 firms. The cost of claims net of premiums and other receipts has been £109 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the impact on employment opportunities in the television manufacturing industry in the light of the recent purchase of the Ferguson Group by Thomson.

It is too early to assess the effect of the purchase. Decisions on employment levels are of course for the manufacturing companies themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many times inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have visited commercial window cleaners in the last five years.

I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many accidents involving window cleaners have been reported to the Health and Safety Executive in the last five years;

18 fatal injuries to window cleaners were reported to the Health and Safety Executive during the five years 1981 to 1985. Provisional records show two fatalities in 1986. The provisional number of non-fatal injuries reported to HSE in the 12 months from April 1986 was 26. The number of accidents prior to 1986 is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Accidents which occur at premises not subject to inspection by HSE are reportable to local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what safety measures the Health and Safety Executive recommend to window cleaners;(2) what measures are being taken by the Health and Safety Executive to improve safety for window cleaners.

Guidance note GS 25 "Prevention of Falls to Window Cleaners", published by the Health and Safety Executive in 1985, provides technical advice for window cleaners on safety matters. It also gives advice on the legal duties of employers, employees, the self-employed and persons in control of premises under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.The Health and Safety Executive and local authority environmental health departments are currently taking a joint initiative in north London to promote safety for window cleaners. Factory inspectors and environmental health officers are visiting the head offices of window cleaning firms and sites to provide advice and take enforcement action where appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been denied unemployment benefit since November 1986 because they are not available for work because they have an adult or a child to care for during working hours.

Some claimants to unemployment benefit have always been disallowed benefit by independent statutory adjudicating authorities in accordance with longstanding legal rules adopted by successive Governments because they were not available for work. Departmental records do not identify the reasons which lead to claimants being disallowed benefit on the grounds that they are not available for work.

asked the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have for permitting or facilitating members of the Civil Service to speak or appear on radio or television programmes.

The Government have no plans to change the present guidance on the appearance of civil servants on radio or television programmes. Civil servants are permitted to take part in broadcasts, so long as they do not engage in discussion of politically controversial matters. Whilst, therefore, they may in certain circumstances describe and explain Government policies, it is for Ministers to justify those policies and to defend them in party political terms.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the application of the strict budgetary controls agreed at the European Council meeting of 4 December 1984; and if she is satisfied with the progress made in budgetary control.

As I said in the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on 18 November last, column 85, the control of European Community spending is a constant battle. In all discussions on this subject in the Community the Government have insisted, and will continue to insist, on the paramount need to improve budget discipline and management, taking account of the Council's conclusions of December 1984.I also refer my hon. Friend to the statement that I made today.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of playgrounds in schools are made of concrete.

This information is not available. The large majority of school playgrounds are made either of asphalt, or of concrete over which a tarmacadam surface is laid.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what studies have been made about the feasibility of introducing substances safer than concrete to be used in playgrounds, including wooden blocks.

In 1978 my Department sent to all chief education officers, for information, a copy of a Department of Environment circular letter advising authorities of the need for improved safety in children's playgrounds and including a technical appendix on the characteristics of various impact-absorbing surfaces that were considered for use beneath park playground apparatus. Wooden blocks were not mentioned; wood chips, although soft, were regarded as being difficult to maintain and clean. Local education authorities were invited to consider at the time whether any of the advice contained in the letter was felt to be applicable to school playground areas, particulary where climbing apparatus was being installed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what help he proposes to give the Natural Environment Research Council to enable it to maintain research at the grant-aided Freshwater Biological Association Laboratories.

My right hon. Friend allocates funds each year to the Natural Environment Research Council and other research councils, after the Government have determined the overall funding available. In reaching this decision he takes account of advice from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. Within the sum provided, the council is expected to determine its own priorities for the support of relevant research within its own establishments and grant-aided institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the main needs of girls and women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of girls and women.

The main needs of girls and women in education are equal opportunities for study to enable them equally to benefit from the advantages education confers. My Department, drawing on advice from Her Majesty's Inspectorate, has identified areas of the curriculum in schools and of higher education in which there has been a historically low participation by girls and sought to increase it, monitoring the results by statistical means. Opportunities for consultation exist through liaison with the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Women's National Commission. Staff in relevant branches of the Department are made aware of the need to bear in mind the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and ensure that the needs of women are taken into account in policy formulation and administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to seek to alter the arrangement under which local education authorities apply to him for permission to cease to maintain or to change the character of a school; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to alter the existing statutory arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his decision as to phase 2 of the East Devon college of further education, promised for the end of March, is still outstanding; and whether he will announce it without further delay.

This project was submitted by Devon LEA as a candidate for the local authority further and higher education major building programme 1988–89. It is under consideration, together with the bids submitted by other LEAs in England. The delay in responding to LEAs' bids is regretted and an announcement will be made as soon as possible. However, my right hon. Friend will not be in a position to inform LEAs of their capital expenditure allocations for 1988–89 until the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects the maintenance work currently in progress at and near junction 10 of the M1 motorway to be completed.

The contractor hopes to complete the work by mid-October.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider restricting heavy commercial vehicles to the nearside lane only when, due to maintenance work, motorways are reduced to two-lane traffic.

This would not be advisable. It would lead to one lane being heavily overused and the other operating at under capacity.All heavy goods vehicles would necessarily have to run at the speed of the slowest vehicle. This could lead to frustration on the part of their drivers, and in turn lead to risk taking and excessive speeds when they reached the end of the works. We consider it is safer to have two lanes running more or less equally, rather than one running much faster than the other.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to minimise disruption to holiday traffic on motorways due to maintenance and repair work being carried out during this summer.

All lane closures are carefully planned to keep delay and inconvenience to a minimum. The Department's agents work to national guidelines in respect of layout and spacing between works.We have substantially increased the number of contracts let on a "lane rental" basis whereby contractors can earn bonuses for early completion. This has proved successful in reducing the time of occupation for works to be carried out.In areas known to be heavily trafficked throughout the summer holiday period, such as the south-west, only essential works are carried out at this time. Wherever practicable works are lifted from all major holiday routes at peak periods such as bank holidays.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport for how long it is intended to close the London end of the M4 motorway at night; and whether there is any way by which one lane of it each way could be left open.

Alternative closures of the east bound and west bound carriageways at the London end of the M4 motorway are expected to continue until Friday 17 July. The maintenance work being undertaken is the replacement of bridge expansion joints. Safety considerations require the whole carriageway in one direction to be closed while the work is in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the Government's general policy on the development of new service areas on motorways and other trunk roads in England.

Our general policy for motorways is to secure service areas at strategic points roughly 30 miles apart. There are 41 such areas already open in England. A further 19 are planned. The aim is to provide the consumer with an adequate range of choice and good value for money, while upholding the highest standards of road safety and securing a return to the Exchequer. Save in exceptional circumstances, we believe that this is best achieved by promoting full and fair competition between firms providing such services, subject to our having adequate control over the initial development and subsequent use of sites.Our general policy for trunk roads is to continue to rely on private initiative for the identification, development and management of such sites. It is essential for road safety and traffic reasons to exercise strict control over the new developments which involve formation or an intensified use of accesses to such roads. It is, nevertheless, apparent that there are roads on which there are not at present adequate facilities for motorists. We believe that these needs will best be met in general by a comprehensive provision of services on single sites rather than a spread of individual facilities. It is intended to promote discussions with the local authority associations and the private sector on the identification of such sites and the sort of provision to be made on them.We believe that these policies represent the most effective way forward to meeting the future needs of motorists on our motorways and trunk roads. I am placing in the library a fuller statement of these policies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each parliamentary constituency in Greater Manchester, how many people were granted postal votes; how many applications for postal votes were refused; how many postal votes returned too late to be included in the count; what percentage of postal votes were valid and what representations he has received from returning officers about the new procedure for postal votes.

Information is being obtained in respect of each constituency in the United Kingdom on the number of persons shown on the absent votes lists as entitled to vote by post, on the number of postal ballot papers returned before the close of the poll and on the number of those ballot papers included at the start of the count. This information will be published in "Election Expenses" around the end of the year. We have not yet received all the postal ballot papers returns from the constituencies in the Greater Manchester area and I shall write to the hon. Member when they are complete. Information is not collected centrally on the number of applications for postal votes which were refused, nor are electoral registration officers obliged to record this information. We have received a number of suggestions for ways in which the new absent voting procedures could be improved and we shall take these into account in our review of these procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of different waiting times for interviews by the immigration service according to the geographical area in the United Kingdom of residence of the interviewee.

The position varies in different areas of the United Kingdom, subject to the type of interview required, and comprehensive information is not readily available. During the peak period of traffic through the ports priority is given to immigration control on entry. Other urgent interviews, however, continue to be undertaken during the peak summer months. At the end of the summer season, additional immigration service resources are devoted to outstanding cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any plans to institute a campaign against the selling and carrying of knives for offensive purposes; and if he will make a statement;(2) what legislative steps are being proposed regarding the sale of certain types of knives which can be used for offensive and criminal purposes; and if he will make a statement;(3) what representations have been made to him by the police and other authorities regarding the sale of knives which can be used for offensive and criminal purposes; and if he will make a statement.

We have received a number of representations from the police representative organisations, police consultative groups, local authorities, hon. Members and members of the public about the availability of offensive weapons, including knives, and their use in crime. We have also received reports of the local initiatives to increase awareness among the public about the dangers of these weapons, which we welcome and support.As my right hon. Friend announced to hon. Members yesterday, we have already set in hand a study of how the law relating to the possession of knives and other sharp bladed instruments might be reinforced. He will be considering urgently how best to take matters forward in the light of that study.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the figures relating to the use of knives in criminal offences which have occurred in England and Wales in the past five years and the overall percentage increase in this period.

Information on the use of weapons other than firearms in recorded notifiable offences is not collected centrally, except in respect of offences of homicide. Statistics of homicides are published each year in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 4.3 in the volume for 1985, Cm. 10)

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ask the British Overseas Trade Board to reconsider its decision to reduce its support for trade exhibitions in North America on behalf of the British footwear industry.

The BOTB has decided not to support the footwear industry in 1987–88 at the National Shoes Fair in New York, as it has done in previous years. Even though it supports some 330 events each year, involving some 7,000 British companies, the BOTB cannot meet all the demands for such assistance. It has, therefore, to balance the needs of well-established sectors in a particular market with those of newcomers. As part of its extensive North American programme the board is supporting a number of other shows which include footwear, and if circumstances permit it to add new events to the programme during the year, it will take full account of the footwear industry's views.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to which British industries, when trading with Japan, face a 60 per cent. duty on all sales to that country once the tariff quota is exceeded.

Leather, leather goods and footwear are the only industries falling into this category.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to ban the use of polyurethane foam in domestic furniture in view of the toxic fumes created when fire occurs.

No. As with the burning of most organic substances, the main toxic gas produced by burning polyurethane foam is carbon monoxide.I am today issuing a consultation document setting out a draft code of practice on ignition resistance of upholstered furniture.Recent developments in polyurethane technology offer foams which, when used in furniture, appear to burn less rapidly and with the production of less smoke and toxic gas. I believe that the way forward is to encourage the use of these better types of foam filling in furniture manufacture as quickly as possible, rather than banning a material which has many excellent qualities.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will make it his policy to bring commercial recovering of domestic furniture within the law relating to fire resistance of domestic upholstered furniture;(2) when he intends to introduce regulations leading to a higher standard of fire resistance in domestic upholstered furniture; and if he will make a statement on the standards to be introduced.

I am today issuing a consultation document setting out a draft code of practice on ignition resistance of upholstered furniture. A number of options are proposed in that document : I am satisfied that all would provide for a degree of improved safety in their various ways, whether by requiring the use of match resistant covering fabric or by requiring the use of more fire-resistant foam or other filling.Following consultation, I propose to make new regulations to replace those made in 1980 and amended in 1983 in order to make mandatory the code of practice.The mandatory code of practice approach offers a direct way of dealing with loose covers and commercial recovering of furniture within the same regulations, which a mandatory match test for complete items of furniture cannot do.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to extend the controls relating to fire resistance of domestic furniture to beds and other everyday items currently outside the law.

I intend to make use of the general safety requirement in the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to set an acceptable standard of fire resistance for beds and mattresses. This will be done by approval of the British standard specification for the ignition resistance of mattresses when this is finalised. Equally, if other standard specifications are prepared indicating a minimum level of fire resistance for other everyday domestic items, I shall consider approving these also.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to ensure that fire safety regulations for furniture sold for use in the home are stringently applied; if he is satisfied that there are adequate safeguards to ensure that toys are not inflammable; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1987, c. 58]: It is for local authorities to enforce regulations cons rolling the fire safety of upholstered furniture made under the Consumer Safety Act 1978, whose provisions have now been subsumed in the Consumer Protection Act 1987. There is no need for additional enforcement legislation. The present Toy (Safety) Regulations are inadequate in respect of the flammability requirements. The draft European directive on toy safety, which will considerably extend those requirements, was accepted in principle by the Council of Ministers on 10 June and is now before the European Parliament. If the directive is adopted, regulations to implement the directive will be introduced in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to alter the law regarding the material of, and the warnings concerned with, children's nightwear.

No. The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 came into force on 1 March this year. Children's nightdresses, dressing gowns and bathrobes (except bathrobes made from cotton terry towelling) for children must pass a strict flammability test. Other nightwear garments for children and adults must carry a permanent label showing their flammability performance.The Nightwear (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1987 defer until 1 September of this year the coming into force of the requirements of the 1985 regulations with respect to the labelling of garments for babies under the age of three months.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he received about the sale of the Ferguson Group by its owners, Thorn EMI, prior to its public announcement.

The company informed my Department of the proposed sale at the same time as it made its public announcement.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the prospect for the mass production of televisions in the United Kingdom, in the light of the recent purchase of the Ferguson Group by Thomson.

The implications of the proposed acquisition of Thorn EMI Ferguson by Thomson Grand Public will depend upon future decisions by Thomson on how it will run the business. Although Ferguson is the single largest manufacturer in the United Kingdom, there are nine other major companies established in television manufacture here, several of which are expanding their production. Plans by at least two additional companies to enter production are also well advanced.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many power lawnmowers have been checked by the officers appointed by his Department to establish whether the noise they make is consistent with the Lawnmowers (Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

The Lawnmowers (Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) Regulations 1986 do not make provision for appointing officers to carry out checks to establish whether the noise powered lawnmowers make is consistent with them.The regulations came into force on 18 November 1986 and introduce into United Kingdom law the European Community article 100 directive on the approximation of the laws of member states relating to the permissible sound power level of lawnmowers (84/538/EEC). The directive has to be applied as from 1 July 1987 and our regulations were introduced in advance of that date in order to give manufacturers and importers opportunity to obtain reports on the tests carried out on each type of lawnmower for the purpose of self-certification in readiness for marketing on or after 1 July 1987. I am aware that some of the nine appointed test laboratories have been making such reports for some time, but as the manufacturers apply direct to the test laboratory my Department does not get involved or record the numbers involved.The regulations empower the Secretary of State to carry out checks on the manufacturers continuing production, but no such checks have as yet been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has yet received a report by the Director General of Telecommunications for the year 1986, as required under section 55 of the Telecommunications Act 1984.

Yes. The third report by the Director General of Telecommunications is being published today. It covers the period 1 January to 31 December 1986. Copies of the report have been laid before each House of Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Consumer Council held on 10 June.

The Council reached agreement on a directive to harmonise legislation prohibiting products which, usually as a novelty, are made or packaged to appear like food or drink, and could be dangerous, especially to children. The Council also reached agreement in principle on a directive to provide common rules for toy safety throughout the community. Formal adoption will not take place in June, however, as the European Parliament's opinion is still awaited.The Council reached agreement on resolutions responding to reports by the Commission on consumer access to justice, and on a possible general obligation at community level to produce and market only safe goods. The Commission will be undertaking further work on both subjects.The Council also recorded conclusions on the fundamental elements which should form the basis for a settlement of the proposed unit pricing directives; and agree that a Commission proposal for a child safety information and awareness campaign should be examined further.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.

Officials in my Department act in accordance with the Government's commitment to the policy of equal opportunities for men and women. Staff receive training on equal opportunities for men and women as part of normal management training. We also seek to ensure that women are represented on advisory and consultative bodies on energy matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community Development Council on 21 May.

The United Kingdom was represented at official level. Conclusions were adopted welcoming the Commission's intention to propose a Community programme to combat AIDS in developing countries, in close co-ordination with the World Health Organisation's special programme on AIDS. Conclusions were also adopted on the importance of improving public awareness of development issues, and on the value of the private sector in development.It was agreed there should be detailed debates on the situation in sub-Saharan Africa, on the evaluation of previous aid and (at the United Kingdom's suggestion) on the environmental aspects of development projects at the next Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the speed with which Inland Revenue offices deal with taxpayers' affairs.

Over the last 18 months there has been a significant improvement in the time taken to reply to taxpayers' inquiries, and most of the annual cycle of other work is being completed on time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has of the effect on retailers of the delay arising from the break-down of the value added tax computer at Shoeburyness in the repayments of moneys due to them; if he will take steps to ensure the earliest possible repayment of such moneys; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net contribution made by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community in each of the previous five years; and if these figures take account of the transfer from European Economic Community to national responsibility of expenditure on agricultural policies like the disposal of butter surpluses.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he is satisfied with the working of the Liverpool freeport; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has assessed what effects the Manx freeport will have on the Liverpool freeport; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what decisions were made regarding the future of Cartrefle college at the last meeting of the committee of the Welsh Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement.

At its last meeting the WAB committee considered a report by a joint UGC/WAB working group which recommended the phasing out of initial teacher training at Cartrefle college which is part of the North East Wales institute of higher education. The committee advised that before final decisions are taken the Clwyd local education authority should be consulted to give it and NEWI an opportunity to comment on the implications for the institute of implementing the working group's recommendation. This is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will estimate how many charity-owned farms there are in Wales, and in each county in Wales, and which charities are involved;(2) how many charity-owned farms exist within the present environmentally sensitive areas in Wales; arid which charities are involved.

Records are not kept of the number of charity-owned farms in Wales and there is no information available on which to base an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the position of tenants of charity-owned farms in relation to the environmentally sensitive areas scheme in Wales.

The position of tenants of charity-owned farms in relation to the environmentally sensitive area scheme in Wales depends on the particular circumstances of the tenancy agreement and each case would be treated on its merits.A possible conflict would arise only if the charity that owns the land has received public money in connection with the purchase or management of the land.If the tenant pays a full agricultural rent and has a normal tenancy agreement there should be no reason why he could not qualify for an ESA management agreement. lf, however, the tenancy agreement requires him to farm in an environmentally sensitive way, and in return he pays a lower rent, it would be necessary to consider carefully whether the further benefit of ESA payment would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of properties in Wales with lead plumbing; and what proportion of the total this figure represents.

The latest available estimate derived from the 1981 Welsh house condition survey is that there were 294,000 dwellings with drinking-cooking water pipes made of lead, representing 27 per cent. of the total stock.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from James Mackie, Her Majesty's Inspector of Fisheries, about an incident involving illegal drift net fishing in the Forth, in the early hours of Friday 26 June; and what action he proposes to take.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received no representations from Mr. James Mackie regarding illegal fishing in the Forth on 26 June 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the number of canvassers required for house visits in Lothian region in order to collect the information required for the proposed community charge;

My right hon. and learned Friend has made no such estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sanctions he proposes against any individual over 18 years of age who fails to notify the authority applying a community charge of a change of abode.

The arrangements for the imposition of civil penalties in these circumstances are set out in section 18 of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc (Scotland) Act 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to reimburse Lothian region for the salaries of the extra staff needed to implement his community charge proposals in Lothian region.

The costs to be incurred by local authorities in implementing the community charge will be taken into account when determining provision for relevant expenditure and aggregate exchequer grant for 1988–89. The distribution of provision and grant amongst local authorities is based upon the client group approach to assessment of relative expenditure need, which is developed in consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received seeking legislation based upon the proposals contained in the Green Paper on air pollution control.

We have received 442 responses to the proposals in the consultation paper reviewing air pollution control legislation in Great Britain. Where they gave permission, copies of these replies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and of the Department to which the response was sent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.

The policies of my Department meet the needs of men and women equally. Specific measures taken by my Department which are of particular benefit to women are set out in the Government response to the United Nations "Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women", published on 29 April. The views of women on these measures and policies are welcome and my Department actively consults women's organisations in appropriate cases. Equal opportunities training, including that designed to raise awareness of the needs of women, is included in all my Department's main management courses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the timetable of work of the Local Government Boundary Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Local Government Act 1972 the commission has to review every 10 to 15 years the areas and boundaries of counties, London boroughs and metropolitan districts, and the boundaries of the City of London. The current round of these reviews has to end by 31 March 1992. Reviews of non-metropolitan districts and consideration of districts' reviews of parishes may be at any time, as necessary. In addition, the commission has to review the electoral arrangements for counties, London boroughs and districts, every 10 to 15 years from its last report on the area concerned. Subject to these statutory requirements and to any direction under powers conferred by the Act on the Secretary of State the commission has discretion to, and does set its own timetable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will postpone the public inquiry under section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 in relation to footpath No. 2 (Part) Stoke Gabriel, Public Path Diversion Order 1986, as requested in the letter from the hon. Member for South Hams to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 23 May, following representations from the Stoke Gabriel parish council.

No. It is considered that a postponement at this late stage may be prejudiced to other objectors who have already made arrangements to attend. Should any party wish to pursue the question of a delay, they would have the opportunity at the opening of the inquiry to request the inspector to adjourn to a later date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what actual or estimated percentage of rate income to local authorities in England and Wales is expended in its collection.

The cost of rate collection was about 1·2 per cent of rates paid in England and Wales in 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any proposals on the future of the Spectrum Arena, Warrington, what discussions he has had with the Warrington and Runcorn development corporation; and what information he has as to whether the Spectrum Arena has been offered for sale to Warrington borough council.

My right hon. Friend has not received any proposals on the future of the Spectrum Arena, or had any discussions on the matter, subsequent to the closure of the arena last year. The arena is currently available for purchase, following the discontinuance earlier this year of negotiations with a prospective buyer. It is open to the borough council to make an offer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to visit the Albert dock, Liverpool.

I visited the Albert dock in Liverpool on 22 June 1986 as part of a tour of the Merseyside Development Corporation's designated area. My right hon. Friend hopes to visit Merseyside in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the working of the Merseyside Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

I am very satisfied with the working of the Merseyside Development Corporation. In 1981 the corporation was set up to secure the regeneration of 350 hectares of derelict docklands. Its progress has been spectacular. 166 hectares have been reclaimed, including the site of the acclaimed Liverpool international garden festival in 1984. 120,000 m³ of buildings have been refurbished for new uses, including the largest grade I listed building in the country, the Albert dock; factory units have been provided in Bootle and at the Brunswick business park in the South docks, and Wapping warehouse is being refurbished to provide flats; all in partnership with the private sector or other agencies. This successful partnership is bringing new uses and a new pride to the docklands, creating a climate of confidence in which people are prepared to invest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to expand the Merseyside Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans to expand Merseyside Development Corporation at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the working of the task force on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has any plans to expand the task force on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

The Merseyside task force deals with a range of functions appropriate to a regional office of my Department, including housing matters, derelict land grant, the urban programme and the funding of the Merseyside Development Corporation. It is involved also with local authorities, the Housing Corporation and private companies in promoting special initiatives to tackle particular problems in the area. There is close collaboration at local level with the Department of Industry MSC, and other Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the likely level of uniform business rate which is to be established in consequence of the measure outlined in the Gracious Speech; and whether he estimates that business ratepayers in Essex and Southend on Sea, respectively, will pay more or less in rates as a direct consequence of the proposed reform.

The average non-domestic rate poundage in 1987–88 in England is 224·1p. Had a national non-domestic rate been fully introduced this year at that level the rate poundage in Southend would have increased by 1½per cent. In the rest of Essex changes would have ranged from an increase of 5 per cent. in Chelmsford to a reduction of 22 per cent. in Harlow.These figures do not take into account the effect of the revaluation on non-domestic rates, timed to come into effect in 1990.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from borough treasurers about the administration of the proposed community charge; and if he will make a statement.

The Association of District Council Treasurers and the Society of Metropolitan Treasurers responded to the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714). Both accepted the need to reform local government finance, but expressed concern about the proposal for a community charge, partly on administrative grounds. It was because of such concerns that the Government published on 15 December 1986 a document setting out how the community charge will work.A number of other representations were received from borough treasurers writing on behalf of their councils. A summary of all the responses to the Green Paper was placed in the Library on 15 December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the likely cost to local authorities of collecting a community charge as opposed to domestic rates; and if he will make a statement.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate for the latest convenient date the number of jobs (a) transferred from outside, (b) newly created and (c) displaced or lost in each of the three boroughs within the area of the London Docklands Development Corporation since its inception, together with their respective totals.

A total of 7,897 jobs have been created between the establishment of the corporation in July 1981 and 31 March 1987. These can be broken down as follows:

Borough	Number of jobs
Newham	1,895
Southwark	1,192
Tower Hamlets	4,810
TOTAL	7,897

Of these, 5,059 jobs were in establishments transferred from outside the UDA and 2,838 were created in new enterprises. A breakdown by borough is not available.In the answer given by my hon. Friend the former Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 6 April 1987, at column 26, he explained that an estimated 85 docklands firms have been relocated outside the area; 20 of these were from Newham, 32 from Southwark and 33 from Tower Hamlets. A total of 3,355 jobs have been notified by the MSC as lost between 1981 and 31 March 1987 as a result of firm closures or other redundancies. Information by borough is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the major reform of housing legislation foreshadowed in the Queen's Speech will include measures to empower local councils to sell off council estates, or parts thereof, to private companies; and if he will make a statement;(2) what information he has about the number of local councils which, under current legislation, have disposed of council estates, or parts thereof, to private companies; and if he will list the authorities concerned.

Local authorities may dispose of housing and housing land with the consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. A general consent has been granted for the disposal of vacant housing for owner-occupation; disposals of tenanted housing, other than to sitting tenants, require special consent. Consents were granted, in 1983 and 1984, for the disposal of the Cantril Farm estate by Knowsley borough council to the Stockbridge Village trust and of the Strinesdale estate by Oldham borough council to the Irwin Group.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further proposals he intends to place before his European Community partners for the development of Community policies.

The Community's most urgent priority is to agree measures to ensure the control of expenditure. We shall play a leading role in the discussions which will now continue to introduce stabilising mechanisms for agricultural commodities and on the application of budgetary discipline to all the Community's expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to meet the ambassador of Iraq in London to discuss Anglo-Iraqi relations.

The ambassador of Iraq will be calling on me on Wednesday 8 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy regarding the sale of arms to terrorist forces.

It is our firm policy not to sell arms to terrorist forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had during his visit to refugee camps in Pakistan in April 1986, about the provision of Blowpipe missiles to Afghan persons or organisations opposed to the Kabul regime; and if he will make a statement.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan) on 7 May 1986, during my visit to the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan I listened to representations from the refugees on the situation in Afghanistan and made clear our view that the key to peace is the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops. As regards arms supplies, I have nothing to add to my statement on 26 June in the foreign affairs debate.

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

My right hon. and learned Friend visited Australia from the 22 to 28 April. Relations continue to be excellent. We look forward to celebrating together the bicentennial anniversary of European settlement in 1988.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs if he will make a statement concerning relations with Ethiopia.

I visited Ethiopia from 9 to 11 April and had frank and open discussions with members of the Government. I drew attention to the European Community statement of 21 July 1986 in favour of a peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region and the encouragement of local agricultural production to prevent further famine. We have made clear our concern for human rights in Ethiopia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to make an official visit to Washington.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no firm plans at this stage, but would expect to visit Washington in due course as part of his regular series of meetings with Mr. Shultz.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase the resources available to the British Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to increase the funding of the British Council.

The British Council's requirements are considered, in the context of other priorities, in the annual public expenditure survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress concerning arms control.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning British policy on intermediate nuclear forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the United States Secretary of State to discuss arms control issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning North Atlantic Treaty Organisation policy in intermediate nuclear forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British priorities for arms control negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation position on arms control.

There has been significant progress in recent weeks in the United States/Soviet negotiations on intermediate range nuclear missiles. The Reykjavik meeting of the North Atlantic Council last month called on the Soviet Union to accept global elimination of United States and Soviet longer and shorter range intermediate nuclear forces missiles. NATO Ministers also confirmed the direction of future arms control negotiations; 50 per cent. cuts in strategic weapons; global elimination of chemical weapons; and an agreement to redress imbalances in conventional weapons.On conventional weapons, informal contacts between NATO and Warsaw pact representatives have been under way in Vienna since mid-February on the terms of reference for new talks on conventional stability covering the Atlantic to the Urals. Steady progress is being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the United States Government about a treaty banning intermediate nuclear forces from Europe.

The United States Government is in close and regular contact with ourselves and other partners in NATO about the negotiations on intermediate nuclear forces. As part of the process my right hon. and learned Friend, discussed the INF negotiations with Mr. Shultz last month at the economic summit in Venice and at the North Atlantic Council in Reykjavik. We support the United States proposal for global elimination of US and Soviet longer and shorter range intermediate nuclear missiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress at the arms control negotiations in Geneva.

As indicated in my earlier reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) there has been useful progress in recent weeks in the US/Soviet negotiations on intermediate range nuclear missiles. In the strategic arms reduction and space-defence groups significant difficulties remain. The United States has recently tabled a new draft START treaty. Both sides have made new proposals on space-defence which were discussed between Mr. Shultz and Mr. Shevardnadze in Moscow in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contacts Her Majesty's Government has had with the Argentine Government, directly or through intermediaries.

Following my right hon. and learned Friend's statement on 29 October 1986, we have been exchanging with the Argentine Government, via the United States Government, some informal ideas relating exclusively to the co-ordination of fisheries management in the south-west Atlantic in the interests of conservation and avoidance of incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the future financing of the European Economic Community.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will assess Her Majesty's Government's policy towards relations with the Government in South Africa.

Our relations with South Africa remain overshadowed by the issue of apartheid. We continue to seek an early end to this totally unacceptable system and its peaceful replacement by a non-racial, representative system of government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Government of South Africa.

Our policy towards South Africa remains unchanged. We seek an early end to the unacceptable system of apartheid and its peaceful replacement by a non-racial, representative system of government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made regarding detentions of trade unionists in South Africa.

We have continued to make known to the South African Government our concern about detentions without charge, most recently on 28 May. On 19 December 1986 Her Majesty's ambassador in Pretoria raised the individual cases of nine trades unionists.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to bring about the peaceful reunification of Cyprus.

We believe that the United Nations Secretary-General is best placed to achieve a peaceful, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus. His mission of good offices is supported by all parties to the dispute. We actively support his initiative. He has publicly declared the role we have played.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government have given to Dr. Arias of Costa Rica's peace proposals for the conflict in central America.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with President Arias of Costa Rica about the situation in central America.

We welcomed this effort by President Arias to reactivate the Contadora peace process and strengthen democracy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on Chileans formerly resident in the United Kingdom who are currently detained without trial in Chile.

Her Majesty's embassy in Santiago is aware of one such case. I am writing to the hon. Member with details.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the ambassador of Chile; and what subjects were discussed.

The last substantive meeting was on 18 February when the ambassador accompanied Chilean special envoy Ambassador Daza at his call on my right hon. and learned Friend. The discussion was specifically about human rights in Chile.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken in response to the recent spate of killings in Chile attributed to Government forces.

My right hon. and learned Friend has asked our ambassador in Santiago to seek further information on the recent shootings there. We shall be monitoring developments closely. We deplore violence from whatever source.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on arms sales to the middle east.

As with our arms sales policy to other parts of the world, all arms sales to the middle east are considered individually on their merits. Each transaction is subject to strict export licencing procedures. Full account is taken of the foreign policy implications of such a sale, the regional and local tensions, and the human rights record of the country involved. We do not allow the export of arms which are likely to be used for internal repression or to violate human rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy with regard to the middle east.

We remain committed to the search for a just and comprehensive settlement of the Arab/Israel dispute, based on the right of Israel to secure existence and the right of the Palestinians to self-determination. We believe that an international conference remains the most practical way forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends taking any initiatives in conjunction with the United Kingdom's European Economic Community partners to try to resolve questions relating to the Palestinians; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends taking to pursue the decision of European Economic Community Ministers to convene an international peace conference on the middle east.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said on 26 June, we and our European partners firmly support the principle of an international conference. This remains in our view the most practical way forward to negotiations between the parties that are directly concerned. We remain in close touch with the parties and will continue to encourage them to agree arrangements for a conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with Iran.

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

The recent deterioration in relations with Iran was not of the United Kingdom's making.Our position is that Iran must understand that any constructive dialogue with us can only prosper on a basis of reciprocity and provided the British diplomatic presence in Tehran is allowed to do its job without hindrance and with its safety assured.The hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend will know that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs set out our position more fully in his speech to the House on 26 June.

Cook asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibilities in relation to the control of arms exports as they affect Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy.

The export of arms is controlled by the Export of Goods (Control) Order which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. However, my Department is consulted over all export licence applications so that the foreign policy aspects of arms sales can be fully considered. In deciding whether to approve individual export licence applications my Department pays particular attention to those exports which might exacerbate regional or local tension or contribute to violations of human rights.As the hon. Member knows, special rules are announced from time to time in relation to certain countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relationship with the current administration in Fiji.

I. expressed our deep concern about the military coup in Fiji on 14 May, calling for a return to parliamentary democracy. The Governor-General has assumed sole executive authority in Fiji. We have maintained normal contact with him through our high commissioner in Suva. Our normal commercial and trading relations continue as does our aid programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of the staff of the British embassy in Washington are attending the congressional hearings on the Iran-Contra affair; and if he will make a statement.

No staff are attending on a regular basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Korean Government concerning democracy and human rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of the Republic of South Korea regarding recent human rights violations.

We have been following closely developments in the Republic of Korea and hope that the dialogue between the parties can be constructively resumed. The Korean Government are aware of the importance we attach to human rights and democracy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom will remove its objection to the European Community 1987–91 framework research programme.

We are considering whether or not the conditions can be met for such an agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Economic Community Foreign Ministers Council meeting on 29 June.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet his counterpart from the USSR to discuss Anglo-Soviet relations.

Mr. Shevardnadze has invited my right hon. and learned Friend to visit the Soviet Union. He hopes to take up the invitation later this year when, of course, Anglo-Soviet relations would be discussed. He may also meet Mr. Shevardnadze at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policy towards southern Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards southern Africa.

Our policy towards Southern Africa was set out in the most Gracious Speech from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament and elaborated in my right hon. and learned Friend's speech in the foreign affairs debate on 26 June.

Powell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British representation at UNESCO.

Our observer section in Paris continues to monitor developments. There is as yet no clear indication of the fundamental and far-reaching reforms which are necessary if UNESCO is to work effectively in the spirit which inspired its foundation.

Thompson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Venice summit.

I accompanied my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the economic summit held in Venice from 8 to 10 June. Copies of the statements issued at the summit have been placed in the Library of the House.This was the ninth summit I have attended, and was a very businesslike and successful meeting. It dealt with seven principal issues: economic policy, trade and protectionism, agriculture, developing countries and debt, East-West relations, terrorism and Iran-Iraq.On economic policy, we acknowledged the positive developments over the past year. Growth has continued into its fifth year, inflation continues to fall, interest rates are generally declining, and exchange rates have reached more appropriate levels. But we recognised that the world economy still faced a number of challenges: large external imbalances, continued high unemployment, large public sector deficits, and interest rates that are still too high in real terms. We welcomed the clear undertakings by both surplus and deficit countries to reduce imbalances and the agreement recorded in the economic declaration on strengthened arrangements for multilateral surveillance and greater co-ordination of our economic policies to strengthen the world economy. We also agreed to continue to co-operate closely to foster stability of exchange rates.We noted with concern rising protectionist pressures, and reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining and strengthening the multilateral open trading system through the Uruguay round of the GATT. We agreed to table a wide range of substantive proposals in Geneva over the coming months. Progress in the Uruguay round will be kept under close political review. We regarded a strong credible GATT as essential to the well-being of all trading nations, and the best defence against mounting protectionist pressures.Building on the agreements reached at Tokyo last year and in particular at the OECD ministerial in May, we gave a clear commitment to work together to adjust agricultural policies in the light of world demand, both at home and trhough comprehensive negotiations in the Uruguay round. We also agreed to refrain in the meantime from actions which would worsen the negotiating climate and damage trade relations.The amount of time that we devoted to discussing the problems of developing countries, in particular debt, reflects the importance that we and all summit countries attach to the economic progress and stability of those countries. While underlining the continuing appropriateness of the case by case strategy, with its central roles for the IMF and World Bank, we recognised that the problems of sub-Saharan Africa were unique and deserved special treatment. The Chancellor's initiative for granting debt relief to those of the poorest developing countries undertaking adjustment efforts was given broad support, and we welcomed the proposal by the managing director of the IMF to increase substantially the resources of the structural adjustment facility, which lends on very concessional terms to the poorest countries.Statements were made on various political issues.On East-West relations, we reaffirmed our commitment to peace and security at lower levels of arms, noting with satisfaction that the dialogue on arms control had intensified. We sought to encourage political solutions to regional conflicts, to secure improvements in human rights and to build confidence and trust between governments and peoples.Building on the initiative we launched at Bonn in 1985, we issued a strong statement on terrorism, reiterating our belief that, whatever its motives, it had no justification. We welcomed the progress made in international co-operation against terrorism, and in particular the initiative taken by France and Germany to convene a ministerial meeting earlier this year.We also urged the earliest possible negotiated end to the war between Iran and Iraq, both of whom have suffered grievously from this long and tragic conflict.I should like to pay a warm tribute to the skilful and effective chairmanship of the Italian President of. the Council of Ministers, Signor Fanfani, and to the Italian Government for their excellent arrangements.The United Kingdom played its full part in achieving a successful summit which has further strengthened our countries' determination to work closely together for the common good.