asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants are employed by his Department in (a) London and the south-east, (b) the south-west. (c) the midlands and (d) the north of England: and what is the budgeted expenditure of his Department for the current year in each of these regions.

Civil servants are employed in my Department as follows:

Region	Number of staff employed	Budgeted running costs for the current year
		£000
London and the South-East	836	17,650
The South-West	6	100
The Midlands	42	670
The North of England	27	330

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what additional amount of money has been allocated to the Health and Safety Executive in order to enable it to carry out additional duties imposed by the Food and Environment Protection Act.

For 1987–88 Parliament has voted grant-in-aid for the Health and Safety Executive of £1 million more than was shown as planned provision in the public expenditure White Paper, Cm. 56 and this provision was intended to include the costs of the additional duties imposed by the FEPA. Planned provision for future years is currently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the extra 12 agricultural inspectors required for the Health and Safety Executive to carry out responsibilities under the Food and Environment Protection Act to be appointed.

The Health and Safety Executive intends to meet its responsibilities for enforcing the Food and Environment Protection Act from within existing staff resources through a re-arrangement of priorities. It is hoped that further recruitment to the agricultural inspectorate will take place later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the latest unemployment figures for Erith and Crayford; and if he will make a statement.

The following information is in the Library. On 14 May 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the Erith and Crayford parliamentary constituency was 3,650.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimates he has of the cost to employers of implementing the European Economic Community proposed directive on parental leave.

There are no precise estimates available, but clearly the directive would be bound to add significantly to employers' costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will consider widening the definition of parental leave to include family leave when implementing the European Community draft directive on parental leave; and if he will make a statement;(2) when he expects the United Kingdom to comply with the provision of the European Community draft directive on parental leave; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are opposed in principle to this directive, but as it is still at the draft stage no question of implementation or compliance arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will extend the rights to maternity leave to women working for firms with fewer than 10 employees; and if he will make a statement.

There is no specific statutory right to maternity leave. However, an employee can earn an entitlement to statutory maternity payments for a period of up to 18 weeks for her maternity absence and. separately, a right to return to her former job.There is no exemption for small firms in the statutory maternity pay provisions. Firms with fewer than six employees are exempt from the obligations to reinstate, but only if it is not reasonably practicable for them to take the employee back. There are no plans to remove this exemption.

asked the Secretary of State tot Employment whether his Department has assessed the effects of the implementation of the White Paper. "Building Businesses—Not Barriers," on the rights to maternity leave of women employed at establishments with 10 or fewer employees; and if he will make a statement.

There is no specific statutory right to maternity leave. However, an employee can earn an entitlement to statutory maternity payments for a period of up to 18 weeks, of her maternity absence arid, separately, a right to return to her former job.The proposals in the White Paper would affect the right of women working in firms with fewer than 10 employees to return to work, but not their entitlement to statutory maternity pay.It is difficult to estimate how many expectant mothers would subsequently fail to qualify for the right to return to work if these proposals were implemented. However, it is likely to be few as only a small proportion of those who leave work to have a baby seek to return to their former job.The proposals in the White Paper are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases the wages inspectorate took to court in 1985, 1986 and to date in 1987 in respect of arrears of wages; what was the age and sex of the low-paid employees in each case; and how many cases are in hand.

No civil proceedings were taken by the inspectorate for the recovery of arrears of wages in 1985. In 1986 two cases were taken, the first in respect of two female workers and the second for one female worker. So far in 1987, one case involving a female worker has been taken and three other cases are in hand.Records are not kept of the ages of workers for whom proceedings action is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether his Department has any plans to seek to change the number of hours which must be worked by employees in order to qualify for current statutory employment rights; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether his Department has any plans to require applicants to industrial tribunals to pay a fee; and if he will make a statement;(3) whether his Department has any plans to seek to change the qualifying period of employment for the legal right of a statement of the reasons for dismissal; and if he will make a statement;(4) whether his Department has any plans to change the regulations regarding rights of employees to time off for trades union duties; and if he will make a statement.

Proposals or suggestions on these matters were set out in the White Paper "Building Businesses … Not Barriers" (Cmnd. 9794). They are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has assessed the effect of the implementation of the proposals of the White Paper, "Building Businesses—Not Barriers," on those employees at present working less than 20 hours per week; and if he will make a statement.

The proposals are still under consideration. The position of existing employees will be taken into account when detailed proposals are drawn up.

	Home Trade	Per cent. change (rounded)	Foreign-going	Per cent. change (rounded)
1974	57p	+ 10	104p	+ 10
1975 April	64p	1+12	128p	+23
1975 December	90p	+40	180p	+40
1977	104p	2+15	208p	2+15
1980	128p	+23	256p	+23

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has considered what effect the implementation of the proposals of the White Paper, "Building Businesses—Not Barriers", will have on the practice of job splitting; and if he will make a statement.

The Government continue to be committed to removing those unnecessary regulations which serve only to hinder and stifle the enterprise that creates jobs. We believe that firms that are able to concentrate their energies on running their businesses efficiently and competitively, with fewer administrative burdens, will be much better placed to provide more employment opportunities, whether full or part time.Specific proposals of the White Paper are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline the measures introduced by his Department to encourage job splitting; and what further measures he is considering implementing to encourage this practice.

The job-splitting scheme was introduced in January 1983 to help employers create more part-time job opportunities for people who would otherwise be unemployed. The scheme was improved and relaunched with the effect from 1 April this year. The main changes were:

• —to increase the grant available to employers from £840 to £1,000, payable in three instalments of £500, £200, and £300;
• —part-time employee places to be open to anyone claiming benefits at an unemployment benefit office;
• —to change the name of the scheme to jobshare, a title which more accurately reflects the principle behind the provision and the name most commonly used by the public when describing the job splitting scheme.

As with all our programmes, jobshare will be kept under review during the coming year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the rates of light dues in each financial year since 1974, the percentage increase in each year and the reasons for the increases in the present financial year.

The following are the light dues charges per voyage for each 10 tons net registered tonnage in the years concerned, respectively for home trade and foreign-going vessels:

	Home Trade	Per cent. change (rounded)	Foreign-going	Per cent. change (rounded)
1981	160p	+25	320p	+25
1983	144p	-10	288p	-10
1986	152p	+5	304p	+5
1987	173p	+14	346p	+14
1 The maximum annual number of voyages on which light dues were payable by home trade ships was also raised from 10 to 12.
2 The maximum annual number of voyages on which light dues were payable were also raised from 12 to 14 voyages for home trade ships, and from six to seven voyages for foreign-going ships.

The increase in 1987 was needed to bring revenue into line with current operating costs and particularly to meet a new requirement to make provision for the costs of operating the United Kingdom transmitters of the Racal-Decca navigator system. This followed a long period in which light dues had been held well below the rate of inflation by drawing on the cash reserves in the general lighthouse fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport to what factors his department attributes the north-west region's high child road accident victim rate; and if he will make a statement.

We do not know why the overall numbers of child casualties per 100,000 population has been higher in the north-west in recent years than in other regions outside London.We shall continue in consultation with local authorities to develop initiatives which will help to protect vulnerable road users including children, throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to commence on the Davenham bypass; and if he will make a statement.

The A533 Davenham bypass is a non-trunk road proposal for which Cheshire county council is responsible. The Department's involvement would be limited to considering confirmation of any statutory orders and any bid by the council for transport supplementary grant support.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue separate statistics for traffic or road accidents in which horses are affected; and if he will make a statement.

No. Horses involved in personal injury accidents will continue to be recorded with animals other than dogs. Such accidents account for only ½ per cent. of all personal injury accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to begin on the Warwick road, Ruscote avenue, Orchard way roundabout on the A41 at Banbury.

We hope to complete the outstanding statutory procedures for the A41 Ruscote avenue/Orchard way improvement this autumn. This should enable work to start by about the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in the light of amended criteria for cost/ benefit analysis, his Department has looked again at trunk road schemes which had failed to achieve a net present value.

There were 14 COBA negative schemes in the trunk road programme. So far only one scheme has been reassessed following the new value of leisure time and casualty costs. This scheme (Louth) has been reassessed as positive. The others will all be reassessed in due course at the point where decisions concerning their development have to be made.Schemes for which decisions have already been announced will not he reassessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the total road length in each of the English regions is (a) trunk road, (b) dual carriageway and (c) urban motorway standard.

The information is as follows:

Percentages of Road Length for each English Region: 1 April 1986
	All-purpose trunk roads	Motorways	Dual carriageways (excluding motorways)
Eastern	3·3	0·8	1·8
East Midlands	4·4	0·7	1·3
Greater London	2·3	0·5	1·7
Northern	2·8	0·4	2·4
North Western	2·6	1·8	1·8
South Eastern	2·6	1·4	2·0
South Western	2·3	0·7	1·2
West Midlands	3·4	1·1	1·8
Yorkshire and Humberside	2·8	1·1	1·6
England	2·9	1·0	1·7

Urban motorways are not identified separately, but principal road motorways, which tend to be in urban areas, constitute only 0·04 of 1 per cent. of total road length.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the grants made for the installation of railway sidings under section 8 of the Transport Act 1974 in the Bradford area since 1979; how many of these are still in use; and if he will make a statement.

No applications have been received, hence no grants awarded towards the cost of work on this type of facility in the Bradford area since 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a grant aid available for the construction of a standard railway link between the Bradford interchange and Bradford Forster Square station site; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the West Yorkshire passenger transport authority is currently examining the feasibility of such a link, but I have received no application from the authority for grant for the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Bradford. South of 30 June, Official Report, column 53, on what estimate of rail costs he based his judgment that road-borne materials would be cheaper than rail for the construction of the Airedale route.

Officials had discussions with British Rail about the delivery of fly ash to the site of the Kildwick to Beechcliffe section of the Airedale route. Even with an existing railhead available at source, the overall cost markedly exceeded that of supply by road.Officials also had discussions with British Rail about the delivery of bulk materials to the site of the Victoria Park to Crossflatts section of the route. There was high additional cost. Qualifications attached to the use of the railway would have had further—and incalculable—cost implications.It was decided that the circumstances did not justify incorporating conditions in either contract about the use of railway for delivey materials.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail on whether the east coast route to Glasgow from King's Cross should go via Edinburgh-Linlithgow-Polmont-Falkirk or Edinburgh-Fauldhouse-South.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement about the M25 service area at Iver.

I hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, following the implementation of low cost/high return engineering schemes which do not qualify for transport supplementary grant on local authority roads, what proportion of each accident cost saved is of more than local significance in terms of expenditure; and what proportion is of only local significance.

We do not have this information. Such schemes are the responsibility of the appropriate local highway authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish an annual report to Parliament giving details of all road accident remedial works implemented primarily for road safety reasons on roads for which he has responsibility.

The Department publishes regular reports about the motorway and trunk road programme. The most recent is the White Paper, "Policy for Roads in England 1987" (Cmnd. 125). Safety is a major objective of the whole road programme ranging from bypasses of busy urban areas to minor local improvements. I shall be happy to consider what further detailed information on road safety might usefully he included in future reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if a national definition of a hazardous location is available to agent authorities in planning accident investigation and prevention work.

Any location where vehicles and people conflict is potentially hazardous. The Department's accident investigation and prevention manual, its series of advice notes and leaflets and its programme of seminars in every region all seek to assist every local authority to be as alert and skilled as possible in planning accident investigation and prevention work.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce an amendment to the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations 1982 to make it possible for people whose difficulty in walking is not regarded as being permanent to qualify for exemption from restrictions relating to the use of motor vehicles.

This is one of many possible changes to the scheme that have been aired during our recent consultation. We hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the public inquiry into the route for the Newbury bypass to start.

We hope to start the inquiry in the first half of next year. Consideration of the representations and objections is taking longer than expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that the issue of Ministry of Transport test certificates is not being abused by unscrupulous secondhand car dealers.

The vehicle inspectorate of the Department of Transport closely monitors the issue of MOT certificates and withdraws garages' authorisation where there is malpractice. Following a recent joint exercise with trading standards department they have identified a number of cases where disciplinary action is being considered against the garages concerned. Buyers of secondhand vehicles must themselves be careful. If they have any doubts about the condition of a vehicle they should have it examined by an independent expert before agreeing to buy it.

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to make a decision on the possible prosecution of Lord Rothschild in relation to the Wright case.

Allegations made against Lord Rothschild and also against Mr. Chapman Pincher have been investigated by the police. The Director of Public Prosecutions has now decided that the investigation has not disclosed evidence justifying the bringing of proceedings against either Lord Rothschild or Mr. Chapman Pincher. The director has consulted me and I have agreed with his decision.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy to arrange for the substantive answers to questions from hon. Members relating to policy and statistics on the Crown Prosecution Service to be published in the Official Report and not by way of letter to the hon. Member concerned.

That is and will continue to be my normal practice.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Dufftown.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when she next intends to visit Strathclyde region.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will now publish the names and numbers of Cabinet commitees and sub-committees.

There continue to be four standing committees of the Cabinet: a defence and overseas policy committee and an economic strategy committee under my chairmanship; a home and social affairs committee under the chairmanship of my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council; and a legislation committee under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal. Attendance at these committees will vary according to the subject under discussion. Sub-committees of the standing committees will be continued or established as appropriate. Membership and terms of reference of the standing committees and their sub-committees will remain confidential.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make it her policy to publish the names and numbers of special ad hoc committees and sub-committees of the Cabinet as they are established.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give the total cost of her recent visit to the Venice conference and the number of hours she spent there.

The estimated cost of my visit to the world economic summit conference in Venice with the official party from my office is £5,500. I spent 17½ hours in Venice.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals she made at Venice for concerted action to bring down unemployment; and what action was agreed upon to monitor and combat unemployment.

The Venice summit conference confirmed the need for sound finance to support non-inflationary growth. Those are the policies which in the United Kingdom have helped create the conditions for six years of growth averaging nearly 3 per cent. a year. more than a million new jobs since 1983 and, for the past 11 months, falling unemployment. I was also encouraged that the Venice summit agreed on the need for surplus and deficit countries to take action to correct their imbalances.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will repeat her instruction that, to preserve the confidentiality of hon. Members' correspondence with Ministers, acknowledgement cards will not be sent out naked, but enclosed in an envelope.

I am aware of the hon. Member's concern. I am looking into the matter and will reply as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contacts he has had with the Secretary-General of the United Nations over the Cyprus issue; what progress is being made to bring about a lasting solution to that island's problems; what part Her Majesty's Government are prepared to play in bringing about a just settlement; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend last discussed Cyprus with the United Nations' Secretary-General in September last year. We also have frequent contacts with the United Nations at official level to discuss Cyprus. The Secretary-General's latest proposals have not yet been accepted by both sides, but he is persisting with his efforts to bring the two sides together. We believe that the Secretary-General is best placed to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, and we shall continue to give active support to his mission of good offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the countries which do not have diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.

We do not have diplomatic relations with the following countries:

• Albania
• Argentina
• Cambodia
• Libya
• Syria.

We do not have diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Bhutan but maintain friendly contacts and conduct official business with its embassy in New Delhi.We have only consular relations with the following countries:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been made to make supplies of non-contaminated blood supplies for British citizens travelling abroad; and if these arrangements are being co-ordinated by British embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement.

In January this year we asked our posts overseas to consider, in the light of local circumstances, establishing a list of voluntary blood donors for use of local British residents and visitors in an emergency. A number of posts now have such a list and others may be drawn up if the situation requires it. This facility is entirely at the risk of those who use it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to publicise the availability of non-contaminated blood supplies for British citizens travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement.

The travel inquiry unit in the consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can provide telephone callers with information, provided by posts abroad, about local arrangements for screening blood for HIV. Posts will also on request provide British visitors with names of local doctors, dentists and hospitals, and information about the availability of non-contaminated blood.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why a letter was not sent by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch until 2 July concerning the application of Mrs. Chacadben Patel for entry clearance to attend a wedding in Hackney on 27 June.

The hon. Member will recall that he first wrote to me about Mrs. Patel's application for entry clearance on 5 May 1987, received in my office on 12 May. It was necessary to consult the post concerned and a substantive reply to that letter was sent in my absence, by my office on 10 June, in view of the wedding date. The hon. Member wrote again on 18 June. I replied on 2 July reiterating the position set out in the earlier reply of 10 June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of European Economic Community directives which have been applied in the United Kingdom in each year from 1979 to 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were, during the most recent period for which figures are available, in the United Kingdom, of dog owners who allowed their dogs to foul the pavement or other prohibited areas.

Prosecutions for dog fouling offences cannot be separately distinguished in the information collected centrally. The readily available data, which may be affected by variations in the completeness of reporting, relate to all offences covering dogs under local Acts and byelaws and show 69 persons proceeded against in England and Wales for such offences in 1985, and 176 in Scotland. Comparable information is not available for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which airlines or shipping companies have been fined under the Immigration Carriers (Liability) Act; and what are the sums of money and numbers of passengers involved.

Since 5 March a substantial number of airlines and shipping companies have incurred liability under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act. A comprehensive list is not readily available, their cases are still being processed. The total number of passengers involved, at 26 June 1987, was about 1,500; this number will be reduced if carriers are able to show that the charge should not be imposed in particular cases. In each case the sum is £1000 per passenger.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male warders now supervise women in prisons (a) nationally and (b) in Holloway; and what safeguards against sexual harrassment exist in view of the vulnerability of the women prisoners.

The table shows the number of male prison officers, up to the rank of principal officer, currently serving in Holloway and other female establishments. These officers are deployed within establishments in such a way that their presence does not compromise privacy and propriety.

Male Prison Officer grades serving in female establishments
	Holloway	Other female establishments
Discipline:
Principle Officers	—	—
Senior Officers	7	—
Officers	—	—
Specialists1:
Principal Officers	2	5
Senior Officers	2	4
Officers	9	10
1 Includes: Works. Catering and Physical Education Officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and proportion of prisoners appearing on disciplinary charges before boards of visitors in each year since the Tarrant judgment who applied for and were granted legal representation.

This information cannot be provided in the form requested. Since the Tarrant judgment in November 1983 legal representation is known to have been granted to over 300 prisoners appearing on disciplinary charges before boards of visitors.

Year	Monochrome	Colour	Total	Convictions
March 1983	90,174	183,758	273,932	341
March 1984	83,818	192,553	276,371	574
March 1985	79,357	199,055	278,412	645
March 1986	75,724	194,941	270,665	736
March 1987	74,061	196,539	270,600	818

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many successful prosecutions against television licence evaders in Northern Ireland during the past five years have been taken as a result of information obtained from (a) detector vans and (b) search warrants;(2) how many search warrants have been sought during the past 12 months in Northern Ireland to detect television licence evasion.

Detector van equipment has not been used in Northern Ireland. One conviction for licence evasion

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the experience of the recent general election and the many complaints of hon. Members, he will review the whole operation of postal voting, with a view to introducing legislative. improvements.

I said in reply to the Adjournment debate on 3 July at columns 809–16, that we were reviewing the absent voting provisions in consultation with electoral registration officers and the political parties, with a view to amending the Representation of the People Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of 5p concessionary television licences issued in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of those licences are held by pensioners.

At the end of May 1987, 690,629 people benefited from concessionary licences, which are known as accommodation for residential care licences. Separate records are not kept showing how many are retirement pensioners or physically disabled or mentally disordered people, but the great majority are believed to be retirement pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many black and white and colour television licences have been issued each year in Northern Ireland during the past five years; and how many successful prosecutions there have been in each year against licence fee evaders.

The available information relates to the number of general form television licences in force at the end of March in each of the years mentioned, and to the number of convictions in each year to that date:has been obtained in the last five years as a result of a search warrant; this was one of four sought in the last 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis regarding the conduct of the policing of the round-the-clock picket of the South African embassy.

The policing of the demonstration outside the South African embassy is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of officers in the Metropolitan police.

The strength of the Metropolitan police on 30 June was 27,105.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester as to the reasons why the police have refrained from arresting Mr. Virji Mendis in the church buildings which he is currently occupying; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he intends to issue any guidance to chief constables concerning their practice towards the arrest of suspects or persons who have committed offences and who remain upon church property in an attempt to avoid arrest; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he has any plans to introduce legislation to recreate a right of sanctuary from arrest in Church buildings; and if he will make a statement.

The Police may enter and search any premises for the purposes of making an arrest, including those used for religious purposes, in accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The decision whether or not to use this power in the circumstances of a particular case is an operational matter for the judgment of the appropriate chief officer of police who will take account of all the factors which he considers to be relevant. We have no plans to call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester or to introduce legislation to create a right of sanctuary or to issue guidance to chief officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what authority individuals have been prevented from peaceful demonstrations immediately outside the South African embassy; and why this was done.

I understand that the Commissioner directed that the demonstration be moved from outside the South African embassy to Duncannon street following an incident on 6 May when the embassy building was attacked and damaged. This direction was made under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of police services outside the South African embassy in each of the past three years; and what has been the cost since 6 May.

I understand that the additional cost to the Metropolitan Police of policing demonstrations outside South Africa House between 6 May and 5 July was about £10,000. Information for the past three years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning policing arrangements outside the South African embassy.

Officials have discussions as necessary with the Metropolitan Police about the arrangements for the policing and protection of diplomatic missions, including the South African embassy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made outside the South African embassy since 6 May; and what charges have been brought.

I understand that since 6 May a total of 172 arrests have been made. Those arrested have been charged with a variety of public order and other offences, including criminal damage, assault on police occasioning actual bodily harm, breach of bail conditions and obstruction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers on average are involved in policing duties outside embassies and high commissions in London.

There are a small number of officers permanently deployed on duties concerned with the security of diplomatic missions. Others are deployed as necessary. Their number will depend on various factors, including the size and nature of any demonstrations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the progress made with crime prevention schemes in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

We are satisfied that good progress is being made in building up a wide range of crime prevention schemes and initiatives throughout England and Wales. The variety of bodies and organisations now actively engaged in crime prevention schemes both nationally and locally has never been broader. From members of the public who have now joined together in over 35,000 neighbourhood watch schemes through to an increasing number of authorities, organisations, companies and groups across all sectors there has come a welcome recognition that much crime is preventable and that the responsibility for preventing it does not only rest with the police. Local crime prevention initiatives which have taken a variety of forms have already proved their worth and we look forward to a further expansion in their numbers and their influence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the crime prevention schemes set up in Wales.

There are 588 places on 27 community programme crime prevention initiative projects in various parts of Wales. There are 18 local Crime Prevention Panels, 1,666 neighbourhood watch schemes spread over the four police areas. In addition, one of the local crime prevention projects which make up the "Five Towns" initiative is based on the Penlan Estate in Swansea: I understand that the project will shortly extend its activity to other areas of Swansea. I am aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has also introduced a number of other initiatives.

Jones asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the level of funding from his Department for each crime prevention scheme; and whether such schemes are directly funded from his Department or are funded through agencies.

Local crime prevention schemes may receive funding or support in kind from a variety of sources, but, as a general rule, they do not receive Home Office funding either directly or indirectly. However, from the beginning of January 1986 the Home Office has met in full the salaries and related expenses of the coordinators of the five local crime prevention projects in Croydon, Bolton, north Tyneside, Swansea and Wellingborough which together made up our five towns crime prevention initiative. The Home Office has also provided some financial support for local publicity for these projects. We estimate that when the five towns initiative ends in October this year, Home Office funding for these projects will have amounted to about £170.000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Deartment what conclusions he has reached on the proposal, contained in the report of the committee chaired by professor Peacock on the financing of the BBC, that the television licence fee should be replaced by a system of subscription; and if he will make a statement.

In announcing my response to Professor Peacock's report, I said that I would be engaging independent consultants to examine the technical and economic feasibility of this proposal. Communications Studies and Planning International Limited, who are now merged with Booz Allen and Hamilton International (UK) Limited, were appointed to undertake this study, which they completed in May. 1 have today published their report and a copy has been placed in the Library. The findings of the report are those of the consultants, and do not necessarily reflect the direction of present Government policy. We would welcome comments on the analysis and conclusions contained in the study, and we have invited comments to be sent to the Home Office by 30 September 1987. Any decisions will be taken in the light of these comments.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of unemployed under 21 years of age in the Province at the latest date.

The number is 22,106 as at 14 May 1987.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of long-term unemployed in the Province at the latest date.

At 14 May 1987, 65,313 claimants had been continuously unemployed for more than one year in Northern Ireland, representing 51·8 per cent. of unemployed claimants in the Province on that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the Province.

The Government continue to pursue a series of measures designed to reduce unemployment. These include the substantial measures to secure new jobs in Northern Ireland through the Industrial Development Board, the Local Enterprise Development Unit and through a unique framework of financial assistance distributed to that end. They also include an extensive programme of employment and training measures which include Action for Community Employment, Enterprise Ulster, the new workers scheme, jobclubs, restart, the new job training programme, the enterprise allowance scheme and the youth training programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures in the Province.

At 14 May 1987 there were 126,105 unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland. representing 18·4 per cent. of the working population.The Government recognise the seriousness of the unemployment problem in the Province and continues to give a high priority to employment, training and enterprise programmes. Besides having a direct impact on the unemployment situation these programmes should also help to improve the conditions for economic growth in the Province.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of persons employed in the electrical and electronic industry in Wales at the most recent date; how this compares with the figure in September 1984 and in September 1981, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the significance of any changes.

The latest estimate of people employed in electrical and electronic industries in Wales was 34,400 in mid-1986. This compares with 33,800 in mid-1984 and 32,900 in mid-1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of all chairmen and members of public bodies in Wales for whose appointment he is responsible.

I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many miles of trunk roads there are in each of the counties of Wales; what proportions of those roads are dual carriageway; and of those what proportion is of urban motorway standard.

The information requested is as follows:

County	Trunk road mileage (including motorway)	Percentage of trunk roads and motorways that is dual carriageway	Percentage of dual carriageway that is motorway
Clwyd	125·7	n/a	n/a
Dyfed	238·0	7·6	17·0
Gwent	108·0	58·3	39·2
Gwynedd	208·8	4·9	0·0
Mid Glamorgan	55·6	65·9	45·6
Powys	263·8	1·5	0·0
South Glamorgan	17·2	100·0	74·7
West Glamorgan	39·5	68·5	61·3
n/a Not yet available.

The above figures are as at I April 1987 and are provisional.Urban motorways are not identified separately.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the total road length in Wales is (a) trunk road, (b) dual carriageway and (c) urban motorway standard.

Provisional figures as at 1 April 1987 show that of the total road length in Wales (a)5·2 per cent. was trunk road (including motorway), (b)0·9 per cent. was dual carriageway (excluding Clwyd for whom no figures are available), and (c)0·4 per cent. was motorway.No data are available for lengths of roads of urban motorway standard.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has for the improvement of the A5 road from the Welsh border to Holyhead; and if he will make a statement;(2) what plans he has for the improvement of road links between north and south Wales between

"Roads in Wales 1985" contains details of planned improvements to these routes. In drawing up the road programme for the 1990s consideration is being given to further schemes to be added to the programme.

Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for further improvements to the A55 Chester to Bangor road; what is the projected expenditure on each of the stages of improvement; and when he expects them to be completed.

Three schemes (the Conwy crossing; Penmaenbach-Dwygyfylchi; Penmaenmawr bypass) are at present under construction at a total estimated cost of £230 million. The following schemes are in preparation:

Estimated Gross cost at November 1986 prices
	£ million
1. Northop Bypass	11·328
2. Llanfairfechan Bypass	18·936
3. Traveller's Inn Improvement	3·789
4. Pen-y-Clip tunnels	28·174
5. Rhuallt Hill Improvement	8·312
6. Aber Improvement	7·850

The upgrading of the A55 is expected to be complete around the turn of the decade.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of his Department on roads in Wales at outturn and current prices in each year since 1977–78; and what is the projected expenditure for 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

Details of expenditure since 1977–78 are as follows:

£000's
Year	Outturn Expenditure on Trunk Roads and Motorways	Expenditure on Trunk Roads and Motorways at 1986–87 Prices1
1977–78	52,964	113,969
1978–79	61,351	119,284
1979–80	73,747	122,695
1980–81	92,251	129,391
1981–82	107,815	137,702
1982–83	118,707	141,362
1983–84	148,310	169,075
1984–85	104,913	114,684
1985–86	101,630	104,687
1986–87	114,461	114,461
1The figures at 1986–87 prices have been calculated by the application of the GDP Deflator at market prices.

Provision for trunk roads and motorways for 1987–88 is £124 million. It is currently estimated that in each of the years 1988–89 and 1989–90 expenditure will be in the region of £140 million. No firm decisions have however yet been taken on the apportionment of the Welsh block expenditure to individual services for the years beyond 1987–88. Planned provision for 1990–91 will be announced in the 1988 Public Expenditure White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to support the recent submission of Gwynedd, Dyfed and Powys county councils to the European Community under the integrated operations programme; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the local authorities concerned have yet to complete their work on the preparation of an integrated operations programme for this area but that a submission is expected shortly. Once the programme is submitted I, and my officials who are already in consultation with the local authorities on the initiative, will of course give it full and early consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which road improvement schemes in Wales, in each year since 1979. qualified for the transport supplementary grant.

Until 1982–83 transport supplementary grant was paid on local authority programmes of capital and current expenditure and from 1982–83 to 1984–85 on programmes of capital expenditure. Information on all individual schemes is not available.Since 1985–86 the only new expenditure accepted for TSG relates to schemes estimated to cost £5 million or more. The following have been accepted for grant:

Year of Acceptance and Scheme	County
1985–86
A534 Holt Farndon By-Pass	Clwyd
A484 Loughor Bridge and Approaches	Dyfed/West Glamorgan1
A4119 Mid Rhondda Access Road	Mid Glamorgan
1986–87
Bridge over Wrexham-Bidston Railway	Clwyd
A467 Abertillery-Brynmawr Improvement	Gwent
Cardiff Central Link	South Glamorgan
Neath Urban Inner By-Pass	West Glamorgan
A4067 Glais-Pontardawe Improvement	West Glamorgan
1987–88
Cardiff Butetown Link	South Glamorgan
1Joint project.

Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to lower the qualifying threshold for transport supplementary grants in order to make some trunk roads eligible; and if he will make a statement.

Transport supplementary grant is payable only on local authority road schemes. The trunk road programme is wholly funded by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales at present; and what was the corresponding figure in 1979.

The number of ADAS staff in post in Wales on 1 April 1987 was 356 and the number in post on the corresponding date in 1979 was 493. These figures include staff at the experimental husbandry farms and ADAS headquarters staff outstationed in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total budget of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales in each financial year since 1978–79.

It is not possible to extract this information in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has any plans for changes in the operations of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales; and if he will make a statement on the future of the service.

The future organisation of ADAS in Wales is being discussed by my Department and MAFF in the light of the reorganisation which MAFF is currently implementing.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which schemes for road improvements in each of the counties of Wales have received assistance from the European regional development fund since its inception.

To date total ERDF assistance to road improvement schemes in each county in Wales is as follows:

	£
Clwyd	30,568,451·90
Dyfed	17,570,954·10
Gwent	25,756,626·00
Gwynedd	7,278,806·40
Mid Glamorgan	25,226,911·36
Powys	1,328,674·50
South Glamorgan	31,321,242·70
West Glamorgan1	14,853,374·00
Total Wales	153,905,040·96
1includes a joint scheme with Dyfed CC.

I will to the hon. Gentleman in due course with details of the schemes involved and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be able to announce the result of his Department's consultation on the need for new Welsh language legislation; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 26 February at column 349.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the Gwent health authority to discuss the future of the County hospital, Panteg.

The future of County hospital is a matter for Gwent health authority in the first instance. Any proposals to vary substantially the service provided at County hospital would be subject to extensive consultation. Should local agreement not be reached, the proposals would be submitted to my right hon. Friend for a decision. It would therefore be inappropriate for my right hon. Friend or me to enter into discussions with the authority which might prejudice any future role in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest results of sheep monitoring in north Wales.

Monitoring shows that some sheep within the present restricted area continue to have readings above the action level. In addition a number of sheep with readings above this level have been found in an area of about 10 sq. miles to the west of Llanuwchllyn immediately outside the restricted area. In the light of these results I have today made an Order to re-introduce restrictions on the movement and slaughter of sheep from this area. Some 17 producers and around 10,000 sheep are affected and will qualify for compensation arrangements under the existing schemes. Monitoring of sheep inside and adjoining the restricted area boundaries will continue and any action needed to protect public health and maintain market confidence will be taken if necessary.The monitoring results are being published and a copy will he placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle, sheep or other animals were killed or seriously injured by stray dogs worrying them in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the estimated cost of the damage.

Records of the numbers of farm animals killed or injured by dogs in Great Britain have not been collected centrally since 1978 because collection was considered to be an undue burden on the local constabularies, who were responsible for gathering the data. The statistics for 1978 based on police returns to local authorities, were as follows:

Species	Killed	Injured
Sheep	3,951	2,805
Poultry	1,760	245
Cattle	11	78
Pigs	12	8
Goats	2	7
Domestic rabbits	1	—
Horses/ponies	1	1
TOTAL	5,738	3,144

These figures exclude West Yorkshire, where returns were discontinued earlier.There is no estimate available of the cost of the damage resulting from these attacks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent on maintaining European Economic Community food intervention stores in London by borough in each of the past four years.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of farm bankruptcies in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Scotland,(c)Wales, (d)England, (e)Northern Ireland, (f)Dyfed and (g)Pembrokeshire, in each of the years 1980 to 1986, inclusive.

I have been asked to reply.The information that is available for the agriculture and horticulture industry is given in the table. I regret that no industrial analysis is available for sequestrations in Scotland (equivalent to bankruptcies) or for company liquidations in Northern Ireland. No area analysis of company liquidations is available. For bankruptcies in England and Wales, although an area analysis of the total is available, there is no analysis of the area figures by industry.

Insolvencies in Agriculture and Horticulture 1980–1986
Number
	Bankruptcies1		Company liquidations2
	England and Wales	Northern Ireland	England and Wales	Scotland
1980	50	2	34	3
1981	70	11	56	8
1982	78	2	55	8
1983	98	9	74	5
1984	155	8	77	7
1985	3136	7	102	4
1986	n/a	9	128	6
1Bankruptcies are of unincorporated businesses classified to agriculture and horticulture, deeds of arrangement are included.
2Compulsory and creditors' voluntary liquidations.
3Discontinuity in serious because of changes to monetary limits on petitions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the Government's plans to provide for more open enrolment to schools.

I intend to bring forward legislation to change the present arrangements for admissions to schools so that local education authorities and governing bodies, depending on who is responsible for admissions policy at any particular school, would be required to admit pupils up to the limit of that school's available capacity.I am today publishing a consultation document which develops the proposal I first announced in a public speech on 1 May. I shall be inviting comments by 16 September 1987. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what tendering procedures works under the House of Commons maintenance allocation in the Supply Estimates which are carried out by private contractors or sub-contractors are subject to; and if he will publish the guidelines covering the awarding of maintenance work either in house or to outside contractors.

The parliamentary works office is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Palace of Westminster, including the parliamentary outbuildings. As part of the Property Services Agency it conforms to the rules of Government contracting designed to ensure the proper use of public money and to obtain good value for the funds expended. For maintenance schemes a variety of tendering methods are available, according to the type of service required.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants are employed by his Department in (a) London and the south-east, (b) the south-west. (c) the midlands and (d) the north of England; and what is the budgeted expenditure of his Department for the current year in each of these regions.

Region	Department of the Environment (Central)		Property Services Agency
	Staff Employed	Running costs provision	Staff employed	Running costs provision
		£ Million		£Million
London and the South East	5,225	119.7	12,205	213.6
The South West	595	13.5	2,463	43.4
The Midlands	210	4.8	1,490	26.7
The North of England	426	9.7	2,854	50.0
Total	6,486	147.7	19,012	333.7

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is intended to bring into effect the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

I hope that it will be possible to do so during the autumn as soon as the necessary supporting orders and regulations have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to the London Docklands Development Corporation concerning public access to riverside land when giving consent to planning applications; and if he will instruct the London Docklands Development Corporation, when it considers planning applications, to provide for continuing public access to the river bank as part of development schemes.

No guidance from my right hon. Friend is necessary. Development control in the docklands is guided by the provisions of the Greater London development plan, in which development control authorities are urged to give special attention to, inter alia, the creation of better public access with new and improved riverside walks, open spaces and viewpoints. The London Docklands Development Corporation, in its planning briefs on individual sites, aims to provide for greater public access to the river hank.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what costs have been incurred on the site of South Killingholme since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;(2) what costs have been incurred on the site of Elstow since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;(3) what costs have been incurred on the site of Bradwell since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;

On 1 June 1987 my Department employed 6,486 staff in the Department of the Environment (central) and 19,012 in the Property Services Agency. My Department's estimates for 1987–88 include provision for £147·7 million running costs expenditure by the Department of the Environment (central) and £333·7 million by the Property Services Agency. The regional breakdown of the totals is:(4) what costs have been incurred on the site of Fullback since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste.

£5 million is the estimated total of the costs that will be incurred at all four sites from the announcement on 1 May until the final reinstatement of the sites.