asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what account the inner city task forces take of the level of political profile of groups seeking financial support; and if he will make a statement.

The aim of our inner cities Initiative is to improve employment and enterprise in the inner cities. If projects meet that aim, and as long as it is clear they have no ulterior political purpose, it is likely they will receive help. The political opinions of people putting forward projects are of no concern to us when we evaluate projects, but we have no intention of financing political campaigning of any kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what new initiatives he intends to take to encourage the establishment and survival of business in inner city areas.

The Government are continuing to develop the measures outlined before the election, including my Department's inner cities initiative, for targeting assistance more effectively on the problems of the inner city. I shall ensure that my Department's programmes take proper account of the need to encourage the establishment and revitalisation of businesses in the inner city areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what future plans he has for his action group set up to promote the United Kingdom's bid for the proposed European Community trade mark office;(2) what action he has taken to support the United Kingdom's bid for the proposed European Community trade mark office.

My Department is continuing the active role it has taken in support of the United Kingdom bid. Future arrangements for the action group may need to take account of any new developments in Brussels and will be considered in the near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has allocated funds to support the United Kingdom's bid for the proposed European trade mark office.

The Prime Minister told the House on 2 July that the Government are backing their bid with generous financial support. This would, of course, be subject to parliamentary approval, which would be sought at an appropriate time.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects the Rover group to complete the sale of Istel.

The Rover group announced on 10 June that it had concluded the sale of 75 per cent. of Istel to a consortium comprising management, employees and institutional investors for £26·25 million. The Rover group is retaining a 25 per cent. shareholding in the company.Following the completion of the sale of Istel, and not withstanding Rover group's minority shareholding, the Government will accept no further responsibility for ensuring the obligations of the company are met.

asked the Prime Minister if, further to her statement to the House of 1 July, she will state if the financial proposals placed before the Heads of Government meeting of the European Economic Community were there in the Commission Document 87, COM. 101; and if she will make a statement.

The Commission proposals on Community financing in documents COM(87) 100 and 101 have formed the basis for discussion in the Council of Ministers since February. These proposals remain on the table, but the present state of discussion is reflected in the presidency conclusions of the European Council, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if she will list her official visits abroad, with countries visited and appropriate dates since 10 July 1986;(2) if she will give the reason for each of her official visits abroad since 10 July 1986;(3) if she will give details of her official engagements on a daily basis on all overseas trips which she has undertaken since May 1979.

The information is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister why, in the light of her substantive answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 29 June, Official Report, column 29, about the alleged presence and source of Blowpipe missiles in Nicaragua, she made the statement in her reply of 2 July to an identically worded question from the hon. Member about Afghanistan, that it was not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to comment on matters of this kind.

The British public well understand the differences between the situation in Nicaragua and the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. In central America, it is our declared policy that the use of force is not the way to solve the problems of the region. In the exceptional circumstances of that case, we thought it right to make clear that, in line with our policy, exports of defence equipment were not, as had been alleged, taking place. This was an exception to our well-established policy of not commenting on matters of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister if, in calculating increases in pensions paid under sections 26 and 29 of the Parliamentary and Other Pensions Act 1972, any acount is taken of differences between the increased salary payable under the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1972 and the actual salary paid to the office holder.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give the total amount of grants made to tax receiving independent non-government organisations in 1986–87 and the likely amount in 1987–88.

[pursuant to her reply, 2 July 1987, c. 144]: Such organisations would cover all bodies which are in the receipt of any tax rebates or exemptions, including nearly all commercial organisations, but would exclude some voluntary sector bodies. Information on grants made to these organisations is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Prime Minister what are the criteria used in awarding grants to tax receiving independent non-government organisations; and if she is satisfied that the taxpayer gets value for money.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list for 1 July each year from 1979 to 1987 (i) the annual salary payable to the Prime Minister under the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1972 and (ii) the annual salary actually paid to the Prime Minister; and if she will estimate the new pension currently payable under the Parliamentary and Other Pensions Act 1972 to anyone relinquishing the office of Prime Minister after 1 January 1987.

The first column in the table sets out the annual salary payable to the Prime Minister under the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975. The second column sets out the annual salary actually paid to the Prime Minister. In addition to a salary under the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1972, the Prime Minister receives the reduced parliamentary salary payable to all Ministers and other office holders in the House of Commons. This is set out in the third column. The fourth column sets out the total salary the Prime Minister is entitled to from both sources. The fifth column sets out the total salary actually paid to the Prime Minister.The pension payable to anyone relinquishing the office of Prime Minister after 1 January 1987 is currently £16,791 per year.Following is the table:

[pursuant to her reply, 2 July, c. 144]: Grants awarded by Government Departments to independent organisations are made according to criteria which depend on the nature of the grant.For instance, grants to voluntary organisations by the Home Office Voluntary Services Unit are subject to criteria agreed administratively, and these organisations must normally be working at a national level. Grants made under the urban programme by the Department of the Environment are governed by statutory authority, providing that urban aid be directed to particular geographic areas, that the projects meet the current objectives of the urban programme, and that they have the support of the local authority, which has to bear 25 per cent. of the cost. Grants made by the Manpower Services Commission for the provision of training are subject to criteria laying down the nature of the training and the numbers involved.All Departments are aware of the requirement to ensure value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Christian churches in Northern Ireland concerning the proposed alteration to public house licensing laws.

Copies of the proposals for draft orders, together with their explanatory documents, were sent to all the main churches in Northern Ireland. Written comments were received from a number of them, but of the main bodies only the Presbyterian Church asked for a meeting, which I held with it on 15 December 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with political parties in Northern Ireland concerning the proposed alteration to pub licensing laws.

The views of the main political parties were sought in 1984 when the Government published their consultative document on Sunday opening and the range of premises permitted to sell intoxicating liquor. In March 1985 the Northern Ireland Assembly reported to the Government on that document. When the proposals for the draft Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order and the draft Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order were published in October 1986 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland wrote to the heads of the main political parties inviting their comments on the proposals. Only the Social Democratic and Labour party responded.

asked the Attorney-General what information he has on the delays in the issue of legal aid certificates which are taking place in Area 1, London; and what steps he is taking to eliminate those delays.

The average time taken in Area 1 from application to issue of a certificate—in non-contributory cases—or the issue of an offer—in contributory cases—was 118·6 days for the financial year 1986–87 as compared with 139·9 days for 1985–86. I understand that the legal aid administration of the Law Society has recently implemented a number of changes designed further to reduce the delays, as a result of a review by independent consultants of working methods in Area 1.

asked the Attorney-General (1) how many posts there were for each of the Crown Prosecution Service areas in the London areas and throughout England and Wales as at 30 May 1987 for (a) professional and (b) non-professional personnel;(2) how many persons were in post in each Crown Prosecution Service area as at 30 May 1987 in

I will reply to the hon. Member when the information has been obtained.

asked the Attorney-General what training courses he proposes to introduce in advocacy for inservice training for (a) solicitors who have just been admitted, (b) barristers who have completed no pupilage and (c) barristers who have completed no more than six months training.

I will reply to the hon. Member when the information has been obtained.

asked the Attorney-General what qualifications will be required of those persons not professionally qualified in law whom he proposes to employ to prepare and vet committal papers.

I will reply to the hon. Member when the information has been obtained.

asked the Attorney-General what is the average weekly cost of appointment of agents in the magistrates' courts in each of the London areas and throughout England and Wales.

I will reply to the hon. Member when the information has been obtained.

asked the Attorney-General what steps he proposes to take to ensure that case papers for agents, solicitors or barristers are provided, at the latest, the night before the hearings.

I will reply to the hon. Member when the information has been obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current numbers of YTS-employed status trainees; and if he will make a statement outlining the procedure by which employers are made aware of the scheme.

It is estimated that around one in ten of YTS trainees have employment status. Employers are made aware of the scheme in a number of ways: the Manpower Services Commission makes information and literature available to employers; individual managing agents may approach employers to be involved as work experience providers; and local and national employer organisations encourage their members to take part in YTS.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in each year since 1979 what has been Remploy's (a) turnover, (b) profitability, (c) grant from Government and (d) grant per employee from Government.

Remploy's turnover in each year since 1979 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed by Remploy in each year since 1979, and in what product areas.

The average number of people employed by Remploy by product group in each year since 1982 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what methods he is considering for the improvement of jobcentre recruitment.

We are constantly looking for ways of improving jobcentre recruitment services. Existing methods are varied according to local managerial judgment of labour market conditions, availability of resources and the wishes of employers. Jobcentres have been remarkably successful with this, as with other parts of their services and last year placed almost 2 million people in jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consider proposals that jobcentres should accept curricula vitae as part of their recruitment methods.

As the hon. Member may know, long-term unemployed people in job clubs are trained to prepare CVs and encouraged to use them as part of their job search activity.So far as the job broking activities of jobcentres are concerned, it is unlikely that greater usage of CVs would increase recruitment to employer's vacancies. Very few employers using jobcentres for recruitment ask for CVs, often requiring a speedy response and preferring to gain such information on job application forms or when interviewing candidates. Most jobcentre vacancies are successfully filled by self-service methods which do not lend themselves to the use of CVs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to tourism to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

To date I have not received any such application, but I would welcome such a request in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to increase the strength of the Wages inspectorate.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the number of actions taken by the Wages inspectorate against illegal activities by employers in accordance with the rules.

In 1986 two employers were successfully prosecuted for offences under wages council legislation.So far in 1987, four employers have been successfully prosecuted and a further three cases are expected to be heard shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the People's Republic of China has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve any dispute over implementation or interpretation of the joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether the United Kingdom has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve any dispute over implementation or interpretation of the joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

The People's Republic of China has not accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and the United Kingdom's acceptance of compulsory jurisdiction is subject to reciprocity. Nevertheless, both Governments have made it clear that they are firmly committed to the full and faithful implementation of the joint declaration in the interests of maintaining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. We intend to honour the agreement to the full and are confident that the Chinese Government intend likewise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what judicial procedures will be used after 1 July 1997 to resolve any dispute between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China over implementation or interpretation of the joint agreement on the future of Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

There is no provision in the joint declaration for the judicial resolution of disputes. It would be for us and the Chinese Government to seek to resolve any differences of view by whatever methods seemed appropriate at the time. There is close co-operation between our two Governments and we are fully satisfied with the progress that has been made in the implementation of the joint declaration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visas for emigration from Hong Kong have been issued in the past five years; if he will list the totals by country of destination; and if he will make a statement.

Hong Kong people are free to come and go as they wish. Exit visas are not required and travellers are not questioned on the purpose of their journey. In these circumstances, statistics on the numbers emigrating are not available. However, we estimate that on average about 20,000 people have emigrated in each of the past five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, following his consultations, he will state whether the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, after 30 June 1997,, maintain rights to amend the basic law of the special administrative region of Hong Kong and to review the constitutionality of the local laws of the special administrative region; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Chinese constitution, the power to amend the basic law, like other Chinese statutes, rests with the National People's Congress. However, the joint declaration provides that the basic policies set out in that agreement—which will be stipulated in the basic law—will regain unchanged for 50 years from 1 July 1997. In accordance with the terms of the joint declaration, laws enacted by the Legislature of the Special Administrative Region which are in accordance with the basic law and legal procedures will be regarded as valid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the statement by Sir Sze-Yuen Chung, a senior member of the Hong Kong Executive Council, concerning the totality of the control which will be exercised over Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China after 30 June 1997, and concerning the degree of local control over political affairs, represents Her Majesty's Government's policy; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Sze-Yuen Chung has made clear that in his statement he was putting forward his personal views. Our general position is made clear from our signature of the Sino-British joint declaration. This provides inter alia that from 1 July 1997 the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs which will be the responsibilities of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the following United Nations human rights international instruments have been signed and ratified by the People's Republic of China: (a) the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights, (b) the international covenant on civil and political rights, (c) the convention relating to the status of refugees, (d) the convention relating to the status of stateless persons and (e) the convention on the political rights of women; and if he will make a statement.

The People's Republic of China has not signed and ratified or acceded to (a), (b), (d) or (e). It acceded to both the convention and the protocol relating to the status of refugees on 24 September 1982 (c).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on cultural relations.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 1 July, at columns 476 and 477.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the peaceful reunification of Korea; and if he will make a statement.

As the hon. Member was informed by my hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Member for Mid Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 14 April 1986, at columns 244 and 245, our policy to support progress towards reunification by means of direct dialogue between the Koreans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to commence diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans to open diplomatic relations with North Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional funds are being made available to the International Planned Parenthood Federation for work in AIDS-related campaigns; and for what precise purpose such funds are intended.

We are providing an additional £1·6 million over three years to enable the federation to develop information and counselling services on AIDS for its health workers and clients.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds are being made available to CAFOD for work in AIDS-related campaigns; and for what precise purpose such funds are intended.

We have made no grants to CAFOD for AIDS-related campaigns or projects. We believe the best way to tackle the AIDS problem is to work within national AIDS programmes, and we are encouraging other donors and voluntary agencies to do the same. These programmes are being developed with the assistance of the World Health Organisation's special programme on AIDS, to which we have so far contributed £3·25 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy to ensure that the basis of any AIDS campaign run by voluntary organisations overseas, using British Government funds, is that chastity before marriage and fidelity within it should be promoted as being more likely to tackle the spread of AIDS than promiscuous sexual behaviour protected by condoms.

We believe assistance in this field, including that from voluntary organisations, should be provided within the framework of national AIDS programmes. The responsibility for developing these, which will include appropriate measures to prevent sexual transmission of the desease, rests with national Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made in the foreign affairs deliberations of the Council of Ministers on London as the location for the proposed European Trade Mark Office.

The Commission has yet to make a recommendation on the location of the Community Trade Mark Office and the issue has not therefore been discussed in the Council. My right honourable and learned Friend and I have, in discussions with other EC member states, sought support for London as the best site.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East on 1 July, he will state which nine trade unionists' cases were raised by Her Majesty's Government's ambassador in Pretoria on 19 December 1986; and what was the outcome of those discussions.

The nine trades unionists are Mr. Moses Mayekiso, Mr. Denis Dickinson, Mr. Peter Seabela, Ms. Patricia Dlungwana, Mr. George Hlabizulu, Mr. Alexander Kgagodi, Mr. Joseph Timane, Mr. Madla Cele, Mr. Philip Majara.The South African Government were left in no doubt of the Twelve's strong concern in the matter of their detention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider the possibility of transmitting BBC1 and BBC2 television by satellite to St. Helena.

St. Helena has no television service and the islanders would require special facilities to receive television programmes broadcast by satellite. We are aware of the potential opportunities offered by satellite broadcasting, but the question of Government involvement raises fundamental policy issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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.

Women have special needs relating to their use of public transport services and various road safety issues. These reflect factors such as more restricted access to private cars and greater fears for personal safety. These matters are given due weight in the formulation of policy on these issues, and in the monitoring of developments such as bus deregulation. The Department consults organisations representing the interests of women when this is appropriate although in general the policy is to consult organisations representing all those concerned with particular issues.Equal opportunities training, including that designed to increase awareness of the needs of women, is included in all the Department's main management training courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the timetable for receipt and publication of the inspector's report on the M66 from Denton to Middleton; and when he will expect construction to start if the inspector recommends construction.

The inspector's report is expected shortly. I shall make an announcement after I have considered it. The scheme is included in the national trunk road programme for a start of work in the period April 1989 to March 1991.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he collects from British Rail about its punctuality performance, region by region.

None. But I receive quarterly information now by sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what reasons have been supplied to him by British Rail for the trends in punctuality over the last six months (a) nationally and (b) in the London Midland Region.

British Rail has been making efforts to improve its performance, on which it will be reporting in its annual report, as I asked the chairman last October. I am glad to say that punctuality has improved over the last six months. I do not monitor punctuality regionally.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the punctuality performance of railways in other European Economic Community countries in comparison with that of British Rail.

None. Comparisons with foreign rail services are of limited use because circumstances vary from country to country.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about British Rail's accident record over the last six months (a) nationally and (b) in the London Midland Region.

Section 6 of the Regulations of Railways Act 1871 and orders made under it—currently the Railways (Notice of Accident) Order 1986, SI 1986 No. 2187—requires statutory railway authorities to report specified accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Department. In the case of British Rail these are made as individual reports or on monthly bulk returns depending on the nature and severity of the accident or incident. In each case the region of BR is identified. All the reports and returns are collated, analysed by the Railway Inspectorate and any adverse trends are thereby identified. The accident statistics, together with an analysis and commentary, are included in the Railway Inspectorate's annual report, published for each calendar year by HMSO. Based on the reports received so far, the accident record during the past six months, both of BR and of London Midland region, appears relatively satisfactory and in line with the improved overall safety performance achieved in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total amount of derelict land in the ownership of British Rail; and what was the equivalent figure for 1979.

The amount of vacant and under-utilised land owned by British Rail at 31 March 1987 was 1,246 sites, totalling 9,404 acres. The equivalent figure at the end pf 1979 was 2,823 sites, totalling 18,333 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to remove graffiti from motorway bridges.

The removal of graffiti from trunk road bridges is left to the judgment of the local highway authorities acting as the Department's agents. The mormal practice is to remove obscene or racist graffiti quickly. To save money and lane closures, the treatment of the remainder is undertaken as soon as possible within the routine maintenance works programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for road safety of graffiti on motorway bridges.

There is no evidence that graffiti on a motorway bridge poses a problem for road safety. The danger is for those placing the graffiti.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss recognition of the Federation of Professional Railway Staff.

No. This is a management matter for the Railways Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about excessive charges by duty-free shops at Heathrow airport.

No one has made representations to us in the last two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch on 29 June, Official Report, column 236, to which inquiries he was referring when he stated that in relation to previous public inquiries into matters analogous with the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster, a policy of not bringing criminal charges had been applied.

My right hon. Friend was referring to formal investigations ordered under section 55 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970. But the same policy is applied in relation to all such inquiries, as evidenced in the Government's response to recommendation 22 of the Royal Commission on Tribunals of Inquiry 1966, Cmnd. 3121.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give reasons why his Department is resisting proposals for alternative access to Watermead country park from the A46 rather than through Alderton Close, Rushey Mead, Leicester.

The A46 in Leicester is a heavily used dual carriageway road. Introducing a new access or intensifying the use of an existing access to this type of road is to be avoided on safety grounds.Our advice was sought informally about the proposed alternative access to the Watermead country park because here the A46 is a trunk road and we are the highway authority. Our advice has been confined to this access as the A46 at Alderton close is no longer a trunk road. Here it is a principal road and Leicestershire county council is the highway authority. Nevertheless, the traffic and road safety implications would still need to be considered.We understand that a planning application is to be formally submitted at which time when we have seen the details we would hope to discuss with Leicestershire county council and the planning authority how the access to the park should be best accommodated along this section of the A46.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to defer implementing Leicestershire county council's proposals for the extension of the A46-A47 until full public consultation has taken place; and if he will authorise a further public inquiry.

No. Implementation of the proposals for the A46-A47 link is a matter for Leicestershire county council as highway authority. The council has recently stated there will be public consultation on the detailed proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his current estimate of the opening dates for the A21 Pembury bypass and the A20 new Sidcup bypass.

Both of these new bypasses are due to be completed next spring. I understand that the contractor for the A20 Sidcup bypass hopes to finish early, to allow opening by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet received the report of the inspector into the inquiry into the Hollingbourne-Ashford section of the M20 motorway; and if he will make a statement.

The inspector's report was received in February. I hope to make an announcement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sites that have been and are currently under consideration as suitable for service facilities on the Birmingham northern relief road.

We are not yet ready to announce proposals for a site for an MSA on this road. We hope to be able to do so later in the year when indicating the proposed alignment of the road.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the draft line order for the Birmingham northern relief road.

We expect to publish the draft line order in September.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received from Walsall metropolitan borough council with respect to the proposed Burntwood bypass.

The Department has been discussing road proposals in this area with both Walsall and Staffordshire councils. Any decision to build a Burntwood bypass is essentially one for these authorities to make. This Department is considering how best such a scheme could link to the proposed Birmingham northern relief road.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if any recent traffic surveys have been carried out in the Brownhills area by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

The last full surveys in Brownhills were taken in 1985. Automatic traffic counts are in regular use along the A5 between Weeford and M6.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the availability of motorcycle helmet visors complying with the new regulations on abrasion resistance; and if, to avoid insurance complications for motorcyclists unable to comply with the new regulations, he will waive temporarily the new requirements.

I will answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if. when considering the study of a new rail link from central London to Heathrow, he will look at the question of providing a direct rail link from south Wales to Heathrow on the journey to Paddington.

It would be for British Rail to bring forward the case for such an investment. If it could be justified commercially, I would he happy to approve it.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make provision in the Channel Tunnel Bill for adequate facilities to ensure the safety, comfort and convenience of people with disabilities travelling on trains through the proposed Channel tunnel.

Eurotunnel's original submission to the Governments showed that they realised the need to make provision on their shuttle services for people with disabilities. They are now working closely with representatives of disabled people's organisations to establish their requirements and see how they can best be met; British Rail has a firm commitment to providing for the needs of passengers with disabilities on all their major services; and the safety authority will need to be satisfied by the arrangements proposed.Provision in the Channel Tunnel Bill is therefore unnecessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans Her Majesty's Government have to arrest the annual decline in the registered tonnage of the British merchant fleet.

The Government's interest is twofold: first, to ensure adequate merchant shipping resources to meet the country's need in emergency or war. Plans for this include new measures aimed at encouraging the retention of British seafarers on British-owned vessels.Second, to help the competitive position of the United Kingdom merchant shipping fleet, a number of important initiatives have been taken at the level of the EEC and on a wider international basis, aimed at providing improved access to trading opportunities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what return to the nation is expected for new afforestation proposals made by the Forestry Commission; and if he will publish any guidelines on this subject which have been issued by his Department to the Forestry Commission.

The overall financial targets set for the Forestry Commission are to achieve an overall return, in real terms, of 3 per cent. on its forest estate and 5 per cent. on its commercial recreation investment. It also has objectives in the fields of rural employment, recreation and the environment. The commission's performance over the period from 1982 to 1987 will be reviewed later in the year when the accounts for 1986–87 are completed and performance targets for the next three years will then be set.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the lowest rates of income tax for Italy, Japan, West Germany, the United States of America and France.

The lowest nominal rates of national income tax for the countries concerned are:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the immediate revenue cost of abolishing the 60 per cent. tax band, thus making the maximum rate of tax 50 per cent.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the immediate revenue cost of abolishing the 60 per cent. and 50 per cent. tax bands, thus making the maximum rate 40 per cent.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to seek to reduce rates of income tax; and if he will make a statement.

As we said in our election manifesto, our aim is to cut income tax still further and reduce the basic rate to 25p in the pound as soon as we prudently can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increase in tax collected if mortgage interest relief was restricted to the basic rate of income tax only.

The direct revenue yield in a full year, at 1987–88 levels, from restricting relief to the basic rate is estimated at £340 million. This makes no allowance for the effect of any consequential changes to the distribution of outstanding mortgages.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received in the past 12 months about the more favourable tax treatment of mortgages for unmarried people living together rather than that given to married couples; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received about 200 representations on the subject in the past 12 months. Replies have referred to last year's Green Paper on the reform of personal taxation, which suggested that one possibility would be to apply mortgage interest relief to the residence so that two or more people borrowing to buy a house would share the relief limit between them, whether they were married or unmarried.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the estimated total yield of (a) income tax, (b) value-added tax, (c) all other taxes, (d) all Customs and Excise duties and (e) all miscellaneous income to the Exchequer, other than borrowing, (f) public sector borrowing and (g) rates in each year from 1979–80 to 1987–88, estimated.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total cost to public funds of the recent General Election.

£27 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take steps to ease the cash flow problems caused for many companies whose value added tax refunds are held up by the Civil Service strike; and whether he will allow them to use their monthly pay-as-you-earn payment to the Inland Revenue to make good the shortfall.

[pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1987, c. 177]: The Customs and Excise computer system is working again and repayments of value added tax are now being made, together with the addition of repayment supplement—5 per cent. of the tax to be repaid—where appropriate. It will take some days for the backlog to be cleared.In considering a request for deferral of tax payments, Inland Revenue collectors of tax have general discretion to take account of temporary financial difficulties which a business faces.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he next intends to meet the Civil Service unions.

I have no plans at present to meet representatives of the Civil Service trade unions, but I meet them informally from time to time. Matters of mutual interest are discussed.

asked the Minister for the Arts what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what he has done to indentify 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.

I am delighted that women play a strong and active part in every field of artistic activity. I should like to see more women appointed to the trustee and similar governing bodies of the organisations for which I am responsible and am pleased to receive suggestions for suitable candidates.

asked the Minister for the Arts what requests the British museum has received from (a) Ghana and (b) Papua New Guinea for the return of tribal art treasures stored in Shoreditch; what reply was sent; and if he will make a statement.

The British museum received requests from Ghana in 1974 and 1975 about the return of material in its collections; it was explained at the time that the museum was prevented by Act of Parliament from disposing of its holdings.The museum has received no request from Papua New Guinea for the return of any material.Ethnographic material not on general display in the British museum is available for inspection and study.

asked the Minister for the Arts what he is doing to assist library authorities in developing management costing systems.

I am very glad to announce the publication today, as No. 17 in the Library information series, of "A Costing System for Public Libraries". This report sets out the basis of a costing system that will, I believe, be of real value to librarians and the authorities they serve.Nowadays the public sector has to show that it uses the taxpayer's and ratepayer's money efficiently and effectively, so good cost information is essential. I hope that the report will engage the commitment of the library service to a sustained and systematic process of reviewing and improving its management techniques and thus its service delivery. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Electricity Council about privatisation.

I have had preliminary discussions with the chairman of the Electricity Council on a wide range of issues, including privatisation. The Government will be undertaking a great deal of preparatory work, in consultation with the industry and others, before bringing forward its proposals for privatisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions he has visited Wales since his appointment.

Since my appointment I have each week visited Wales, I have had many meetings with my officials to obtain a full and detailed briefing on all matters affecting Wales, I have met a number of Welsh local authority leaders and I have had a number of meetings with Welsh MP's and I have arranged a substantial number of future meetings and visits.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for investment and improvement of the road system in Wales.

The Government's programme for improvement of the road network in Wales is set out in "Roads in Wales 1985".

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what road improvements are now included in the preparation pool.

The concept of a preparation pool of schemes was discontinued some time ago. The Government's programme for road improvements is set out in "Roads in Wales 1985".

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to visit the Rhondda valley.

I hope to find a suitable opportunity to visit the Rhondda and many other places in the months ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had proposing the designation of the whole of' Ynys Môn as marginal agricultural land; and if he will make a statement.

There have been 321 representations from individual farmers against exclusion of their own land from the less-favoured area. Representations have also been received from the farming unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give his estimate of the number of people in full time employment in Wales in 1987, to the latest available date, compared with 1979.

Data for male employment do not distinguish between full and part-time workers. The total of full-time and part-time male and full-time female employees in December 1986, the latest available, is estimated to have been 678,000; the corresponding estimate for December 1979 was 865,000. Between June 1979 and June 1986 self employment in Wales increased. by 30,000 to 154,000. Since December 1986 unemployment in Wales has fallen by nearly 11,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the numbers of notified vacancies in Wales, in south Glamorgan and in the area of the Vale of Glamorgan at the latest convenient date; how those compare with the figures for a year previously.

The number of vacancies notified to jobcentres and careers offices in Wales and south Glamorgan on 8 May 1987 and 2 May 1986 are given in the following table. This information is not available on a constituency basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what resources he will make available to deal with the housing and health situation in the Cynon valley.

The Cynon valley will continue to receive its fair share of available public resources in relation to its needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he next intends to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss rail communications in south Wales.

My predecessor met the chairman of British Rail on 25 November 1986. 1 have at present no specific plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will support Delyn borough council's application to extend the Delyn enterprise zone.

Decisions on applications submitted by local authorities, including Delyn borough council, to adjust boundaries or create new zones, will not be taken until ¹consultants' report on the performance to date of enterprise zones, just received, has been considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the future development of the Welsh water authority.

This is a matter for the Welsh water authority, I understand it will be publishing within the next two weeks its annual plan, which outlines future developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether any of the actions to be taken to meet the needs of the inner cities in England will be devoted to areas in Wales such as the industrial valleys and areas where the old major industries have declined.

I intend to give priority to measures aimed at speeding up the regeneration of those areas in Wales suffering from urban decline, including the south Wales valleys. In doing so I shall have regard to the particular circumstances of Wales and I shall examine all available mechanisms to ensure that they are deployed and co-ordinated to the best possible effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of village primary schools in Wales.

Where proposals for the closure of rural primary schools come before my right hon. Friend they are decided on the merits of the individual case, taking account of all the information available. The effects of the proposals upon the quality of education are a prime consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will withdraw Circular 30/68: "Housing for Senior Management".

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many council dwellings had been sold to tenants, up to the latest convenient date.

A total of 48,477 council dwellings have been sold to sitting tenants under the right-to-buy scheme since its introduction in October 1980, up to 31 March 1987.In addition, 2,211 council dwellings were sold under voluntary agreements during the same period.