asked the Prime Minister for what reason it is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to answer parliamentary questions about the operation of arms export control procedures in relation to individual countries; and if she will make a statement.

Successive Governments have agreed that it would not be in the public interest to disclose details of the operation of arms export control procedures.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give the total cost to each public service and each department of British Telecom's decision to end free emergency fault repair cover and replace this by total care and prompt care schemes.

The information requested is not held centrally.

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report the grades and estimated annual costs of the staff of the Cabinet Office dealing with inner-city initiatives, and show for each post whether the present occupant was (a) a member of the Cabinet Office staff on 11 June 1987, (b) in another Department on 11 June 1987 or (c) employed elsewhere and, in such cases, where.

Since the beginning of July, one official at grade 3, two at grade 7 and a senior personal secretary have been temporarily detached from their duties in other Departments and seconded to the Cabinet Office to work on urban policy issues. The annual costs of such officials are £98,524. In addition, a number of other officials in the Cabinet Office spend some of their time on matters relating to urban policy issues in the course of their regular duties.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the action being taken by Her Majesty's Government to bring about the release of Mr. Terry Waite and other persons held captive by terrorist groups in Lebanon.

We are pursuing every reasonable lead, through our staff in Beirut and elsewhere and by maintaining close and regular contact with those concerned at Lambeth palace, to try to establish the whereabouts of Mr. Waite, as well as the fate of the other British hostages held in Lebanon.

asked the Attorney-General when he intends to bring into force the Family Law Reform Act 1987.

The Lord Chancellor intends to bring the Family Law Reform Act 1987 into force when the necessary resources are available.

asked the Attorney-General on what basis the figure of 70 per cent. of households qualifying for legal aid, mentioned on page 9 of the recent White Paper on legal aid, was calculated; what proportion of households has been covered by the legal aid scheme for each year since 1979; and if the basis of calculation has been changed at any time over the past eight years.

It is not possible to calculate with precision the percentage of the population eligible for legal aid. The figure of 70 per cent., which has remained broadly constant throughout the past eight years, is an estimate only. It is based on a comparison between the qualifying levels of income for legal aid for different compositions of households and figures published by the Department of Employment for household incomes. This method has been used throughout the last eight years.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive with regard to the repair or replacement of steel-framed windows in its houses.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that the information is not readily available; I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the plans of the Warrenpoint harbour authority with regard to the expansion or development of the harbour area in Warrenpoint.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the list of sponsors of action for community employment schemes which was made available to ACE sponsors in 1986 for the elections to the Northern Ireland Federation of ACE sponsors.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish a table showing the average household bill for water rates for each regional water authority in Northern Ireland for each year separately between 1979 and 1987;(2) if he will publish a table showing the figures for the numbers of households where water supplies have been disconnected, showing, where possible, the reasons for disconnection for each year separately between 1979 and 1987.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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.

The number of Department of Trade and Industry staff in post at 1 April 1987 were as follows:

	Number
London	8,669
South West	194
Midlands	442
North of England	865
Other (Wales and Scotland)	2,443
Total	12,593

Most of the Department's spending programmes are addressed to national objectives, and budgets are not therefore set on a regional basis. The Department's budget for regional support in the assisted areas in the current year is £230 million. Expenditure in the different regions will depend on their respective demand from eligible projects under the relevant schemes. Last year, such expenditure totalled £356 million. A regional breakdown of the bulk of this expenditure (regional development grants and the main programme of regional selective assistance) is as follows, on the basis of spend in DTI regions (aggregated where appropriate):

	£ million
London and the South East	—
South West	20·5
Midlands (East and West Midlands)	20·4
North of England (North East, North West and Yorks and Humberside)	277·9
Total	318·8

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has had with the European Commission about the grant of state aid in breach of the treaty of Rome to textile and carpet companies in other European Economic Community countries.

The Government have made a number of respresentations to the European Commission concerning the fair and even-handed enforcement of the state aids rules in the textile sector.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has yet received information on whether the Belgian Government have now complied with the Commission decision of 27 June 1984 and the European Court judgment of 9 April 1987 concerning the required repayment of aid of £3·7 million by a subsidiary of Deaulieu, a Belgian carpet manufacturer.

No information has been received to date. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to safety with electricity to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Arrangements have been made for such an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to take place from Monday 2 November to Friday 6 November 1987.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement as to the reasons for the decline in regional development grant assistance to the north-east of England, as detailed in the reply to the right hon. Member for Monklands, East (Mr. Smith) on 2 February 1987, Official Report, column 501.

I will reply to the hon. Lady as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the implementation of the Financial Services Act; and, in particular, when he expects to exercise the functions of sections 119 and 120 of the Act.

Following transfer of the relevant powers, the SIB has received two applications, from the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association and the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation, for recognition under section 9 of the Act. The SIB is in discussions with other potential applicants and further applications are expected shortly. Copies of the rules and supporting material submitted by FIMBRA and IMRO have been sent to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and forwarded to the Director General of Fair Trading. My right hon. Friend will consider whether to give leave under section 120 for the recognition of these SROs when he has received a request to do so from the SIB and the report on their rules from the Director General. Now that the power to grant recognition has been transferred to the SIB my right hon. Friend has no powers exerciseable under section 119 in advance of a recognition order being made.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his funding of Surrey university satellite research.

Surrey university has a good record of achievement in space research. My Department, through the British National Space Centre, is currently funding one research activity there in the field of high technology thermoplastic polymers for space structures. A number of other possibilities are under discussion.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations have been made to the EEC Commission to ensure that applications under article 56 of the European Coal and Steel Community programme for payments to redundant steel workers are approved without delay.

Members of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission as at 10 July 1987
Name	Position	Background	Salary
			£
Sir Godfray Le Quesne	Chairman	The Law	64,739
Mr. H. H. Hunt	Deputy Chairman	Management Consultancy	22,670
Mr. D. G. Richards	Deputy Chairman	Accountancy	26,070
Mr. R. G. Smethurst	Deputy Chairman	Economics	22,670
Sir James Ackers	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. C. C. Baillieu	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. L. Britz	Member	Trade Union affairs	9,128
Mr. M. B. Bunting	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. K. S. Carmichael CBE	Member	Accountancy	9,128
Sir Robert Clayton CBE	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. P. H. Dean	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. A. Ferry MBE	Member	Trade Union affairs	9,128
Mr. P. S. G. Flint	Member	Industry (lawyer)	9,128
Mr. D. G. Goyder	Member	The Law	9,128
Miss A. M. Head	Member	Unit trusts	9,128
Mr. J. D. Keir QC	Member	Industry (lawyer)	9,128
Mr. L. Kelly	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. M. S. Lipworth	Member	Insurance	9,128
Professor S. C. Littlechild	Member	Economics	9,128
Miss P. K. R. Mann	Member	Advertising	9,128
Mr. S. McDowell CBE	Member	Economics	9,128
Mr. L. A. Mills	Member	Trade Union affairs	9,128
Mr. B. C. Owens	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Professor R. Rees	Member	Economics	9,128
Mr. N. L. Salmon	Member	Industry (management)	9,128
Mr. D. P. Thomson	Member	Banking	9,128
Mr. C. A. Unwin MBE	Member	Trade Union affairs	9,128
Mr. S. Wainwright CBE	Member	Banking and Finance	9,128
Mr. R. Young	Member	Industry (management)	9,128

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the cost of running the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and whether he will itemise this over the past four years.

The cost of running the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the current year and over the past four years is estimated to be:

		£'000s
1983–84	Outturn	1,879
1984–85	Outturn	2,029
1985–86	Outturn	3,404
1986–87	Provisional outturn	3,317
1987–88	Estimated provision	3,563

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any information relating to the

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

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the members of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission giving their occupations and/or professional background and their remuneration.

The information requested is as follows:proposed merger between International Digital Communications and International Telecommunications of Japan; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government understand that commercial discussions are still continuing in Japan. Her Majesty's Government have consistently made clear their expectation that the issues be given a fair and objective appraisal, and are continuing to watch the situation very closely.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, in view of the importance of the Clydesdale bank to the Scottish financial sector and the Scottish economy as a whole, he will refer its sale to the National Australia bank to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation.

The proposed sale of the Clydesdale bank to the National Australia bank is being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading, who is responsible for advising my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the question of reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would not be appropriate for me to prejudge the Director General's advice by commenting further at this point.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to introduce legislation to require that upholstery materials used in caravans and caravanettes manufactured in the United Kingdom be made of fire retardant materials.

I have been asked to reply.There are no current legal requirements for the flammability of upholstery materials in road vehicles. We are trying to get European agreement to a standard as a basis for introducing such requirements in coaches where large numbers of people could be at risk in the event of a rapidly spreading fire resulting from a road accident. There are no plans at present to extend such requirements to other types of road vehicle such as caravans and caravanettes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for initiatives to encourage boys into non-traditional fields of study and employment following the initiatives to encourage girls into the non-traditional fields of science and engineering.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing such information as he has about how the main cost of public education is financed, respectively, by central, state or local government in each European Economic Community member state.

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of (a) women and (b) men registered on ACCESS courses.

This information is not collected by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest cost per pupil of the assisted places scheme.

The average cost to my Department per assisted place pupil is £1,759 for the 1986–87 school year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many posts for speech therapists remained unfilled at special schools in inner London at the most recent convenient date;(2) how many special schools in inner London are currently estimated to be without an adequate level of speech therapy.

The information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the number of places available for the training of speech therapists; and if he will make a statement.

Registration to practise as a speech therapist follows study for a degree in a relevant discipline recognised for the purpose by the College of Speech Therapists. It would be for the National Health Service as principal employer of speech therapists to approach providing institutions if it were considered that numbers on appropriate courses were insufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue guidelines to local education authorities as to the recommended ratio of adult escorts to school pupils during educational visits and school journeys; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to issue such guidelines. It would be impracticable to lay down specific ratios since much depends on the nature of the particular visit, the pupils' previous experience, and the type of terrain to be encountered on individual journeys.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary, secondary and special school pupils lost their lives during educational visits and school journeys in 1986.

This information is not collected by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will meet a delegation from the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs to discuss the future funding of Birkbeck college.

I am ready to consider any requests to meet delegations. However, the funding of Birkbeck college within London University is a matter for the university itself which will, I understand, be reviewing the matter following various current inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to review the operation of the Transport Act with particular regard to the operation of new bus routes along roads which have not previously been used for this purpose and where residents have objections.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Transport Act 1985 both provide remedies in cases where roads are unsuited to bus operation. The expansion of the bus services into new areas has been of great value to many people who do not have access to a car.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the Civil Aviation Authority expects to report on its research into the use of smokehoods to protect air passengers from smoke and fumes.

The Civil Aviation Authority is wholly responsible for the regulation of aviation safety. I understand that it expects to issue a decision on the use of smokehoods by the end of the year when it has completed its current research and consultations.

	November 1982		June 1983		November 1984		July 1986
	1SS	2R	SS	R	SS	R	SS	R
		percent.		percent.		percent.		percent.
Rear seat
Baby (under 1 year)	213	30	648	45	423	49	429	55
Small Child (approx 1–4 years)	2,083	40	3,568	27	2,526	34	2,433	42
Medium Child (approx 5–9 years)	1,599	12	1,985	9	1,492	12	1,971	19
Large Child (approx 10–13 years)	405	2	517	3	582	6	732	12
1 SS = Sample size ie Numbers of children observed.
2 R = Proportion restrained.

Two other continuing studies by TRRL have highlighted the benefit of the use of child restraints in cars. An early study showed that the use of child restraints reduces the risk of overall injury by two thirds. The second study, which reported in May this year, showed that in the zero to four age group the use of child restraints reduces the risk of death by about three quarters.Current wearing rates are likely to be higher following national and local publicity including the BBC "That's Life" campaign. The rates are likely to deteriorate unless parents of new born children are constantly reminded of the benefits of installing and using restraints.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what information he has as to what proportion of registered cars have rear anchorage points but no rear seat belts;(2) if he will introduce regulations requiring the retrospective fitment of rear seat belts for cars registered between January 1981 and April 1986.

Rear car seat occupants by severity of injury and seat belt use: Great Britain: 1985
Severity of injury	Seat belt in use	Seat belt not in use	Seat belt not fitted	Child restraint in use	Child restraint not in use	Child restraint not fitted	Restraint unknown	Total
Fatal	7	10	240	4	—	14	58	333
Serious	111	164	3,342	51	23	240	702	4,633
Slight	692	595	14,498	542	183	1,941	2,743	21,194
Total	810	769	18,080	597	206	2,195	3,503	26,160

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will provide details of the latest research into the effectiveness of seat belt and child restraint use in reducing the severity of injury of children in cars;(2) what information he has as to the proportion of children who are currently restrained in the rear of cars.

Surveys published by the Department's Transport and Road Research Laboratory show that between 1982 and 1986 the overall wearing rate for all child occupants in the rear of cars has increased from 26 per cent. to 31 per cent. The highest increase is for those under one year old. The results of the surveys were as follows:

About half the cars currently registered have rear anchorage points but no rear seat belts. The great majority of these were first registered between April 1982—when rear anchorages became a mandatory requirement—and April 1987 when rear seat belts became a mandatory requirement. It is not planned to require the retrospective fitment of rear seat belts to these or earlier registered vehicles.We do encourage the fitting and use of rear restraints for children and adults.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many rear-seat passengers were injured in road accidents during 1986; and if he will provide details of injury severity and restraint use.

The position of vehicle occupants is recorded only for cars. Information for 1985, the latest year available, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what kinds of tactile designs are used for tactile crossings to help the blind; and if he will take steps to standardise them.

A tactile paving design specifically for use at pedestrian crossings has been developed by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in close consultation with organisations representing disabled people, including those who are visually handicapped.Advice on the design, purpose and layout of the tactile surface was issued to highway authorities in the Department's disability circular DU 1/86 of 13 October 1986. That advice emphasises that the surface recommended should remain distinct from those surfaces used for other purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the current level of service on the Woolwich ferry; and what steps he is taking to improve it.

As I said in my answer to the hon. Member on 23 June 1986 at column 61, Greenwich borough council is operating the Woolwich ferry as our agent and questions on its day-to-day operation should be addressed to the council.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the consultant's report on the future of the Woolwich ferry.

I expect to receive the consultants' final report very soon now. I shall then decide what steps to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet representatives of the London borough of Greenwich and the staff of Woolwich ferry to discuss its future operations.

When I have considered the findings and recommendations of the consultants' final report I shall discuss these with the London borough of Greenwich. It is for Greenwich to have discussions with its work force.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on how many days since 1 April the Woolwich ferry has been subject to disruption; and how many scheduled crossings have been lost.

Up to 8 July, disruption has occurred on 93 days. Around 6,600 crossings have been lost.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the numbers of staff employed on the Woolwich ferry in each grade at the most recent convenient date together with the comparative numbers at the same date in 1986, 1985 and 1984.

The staff are employed by the London borough of Greenwich. Questions about staff numbers should be addressed to the council.We assumed responsibility for the ferry on 1 April 1986 at which date, Greenwich took over the following complement, which is still operative.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the current level of service on the Woolwich ferry; and what has been his response.

I have received two letters from members of the public. Questions on the day-to-day operation of the ferry are a matter for the London borough of Greenwich as the Department's agent.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what comments he has received from the London borough of Greenwich about the consultant's report on the future of the Woolwich ferry.

The London borough of Greenwich contributed to the review by consultants of the Woolwich ferry. We will discuss the final report with Greenwich.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (I) what roadworks are currently being undertaken on the M I motorway between London and Leicester; how long they are expected to last; what further roadworks are planned for this stretch of motorway; whether he will take steps to reduce the delay caused to motorists during the carrying out of such works; and whether he proposes to install any additional motorway lighting on the M 1 between London and Leicester;(2) what roadworks are currently being undertaken on the M 1 motorway between Leicester and Scotland; how long they are expected to last; what further roadworks are planned on this stretch of motorway; whether he will take steps to reduce the delay caused to motorists during the

Site	Scheme	Start—Finish dates
J4–5	Resurfacing	August 1987–October 1987
J101	Overlay	May 1987–October 1987
J12–131	Safety Fence and carriageway renewal	October 1987–January 1988
J14–151	Reconstruction/overlay	August 1987–January 1988
JI6–171	Central Reserve Reconstruction (Reserve Scheme)	February 1988–March 1988
JI91	Construction of Junction for M1–A1 link	Spring 1988–Autumn 1988
J23–241	Reconstruction/overlay	July 1987–September 1987
J24–R1 Trent	Reconstruction/overlay	October 1987–November 1987
J231	Reconstruction/overlay	February 1988–March 1988
J251	Reconstruction/overlay (Reserve Scheme)	February 1988–April 1988
J39–40	Carriageway renewal	September 1987–December 1987
1Lane Rental

Further work will take place in future years, with about 5 per cent. of the route renewed each year. Minor repairs and routine maintenance will also take place from time to time. All reasonable measures will be taken to reduce delays to the road user, including the use of lane rental contracts.Additional lighting is proposed between the end of existing lighting near Newport Pagnell and the Buckinghamshire-Northamptonshire boundary to the north. There are no current proposals for lighting the M1 between Leicester and Leeds.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he proposes to announce his decision on the public inquiry into the route of the north circular road through Ealing; and what is the reason for the delay;(2) when he received the inspector's report on the local public inquiry held from December 1983 to June 1984 on proposed improvements to the north circular road from Pope's lane in Hounslow to Hanger lane in Ealing; when he expects to publish it; why publication has been delayed; and what representations he has received from the local population about this matter.

The inspector's report was received in April 1985. It raised difficult issues which are taking some time to resolve and which my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport are considering. I hope that an announcement can be made before too long, at which time the report will be published. I have not received representations about the delay from local people.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will publish the traffic count in respect of the section of the north circular road between Hanger lane and Chiswick roundabout and roads linking thereto in west London both before and after the opening of the M25, together with counts of traffic now using the

The following roadworks are currently being undertaken or planned for the remainder of 1987–88 on the M1 between London and Leeds ( where M1 terminates).M25 itself in the same sector; and what plans he has for updating counts of traffic flows since the opening of the M25.

I shall write to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the northern section of the M42 is to be completed.

The M42 motorway is now complete and open to traffic from the M5 (southern turn) to Appleby Magna, Leicestershire. An extension northwards to the M I near the east midlands airport will be a dual carriageway all-purpose trunk road, the A42.Construction of the first section, the A42 Measham and Ashby bypass, will start on 3 August and take about two years to complete. Construction of the final section, the A42 Castle Donington north, will start in 1989, subject to the completion of the outstanding statutory procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how his Department obtained samples of remould tyres produced by Arvoland Ltd. referred to in his Department's Press Notice No. 51 dated 30 January 1987; and if he will make a statement on the current situation regarding the recall of remould tyres.

The Department obtained Arvoland tyres independently from three retail outlets and tested these at the Rubber and Plastics Research Association in August 1986. Further tyres were subsequently supplied directly to RAPRA by Arvoland, as part of a programme agreed with the Department to demonstrate improved product quality, between October and December when the firm went into receivership.Arvoland and their receivers have co-operated with the Department in recalling or destroying remould tyres following the launch of a recall campaign in November 1986. It is believed that few, if any, tyres remain on sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of fatal road accidents involved drink in the last year for which figures are available.

In 1985, at least 1,400 road deaths—over one quarter —were associated with excess alcohol. In these accidents one or more road users were found to have a blood alcohol content over 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres, the legal limit for drivers. Further details will appear in "Road Accidents Great Britain" ("The Casualty Report") later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of serious accidents involved drink in the last year for which figures are available.

We do not know. We do know that in 1985, 6·4 per cent. of serious accidents involved a driver who failed the breath test or failed to provide a sample. This figure does not include accidents where the driver was not tested. It does not include drivers who had consumed alcohol but were below the legal limit.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is considering plans to reopen the Burscough curves rail extension to Southport.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any representations on the reopening of the Burscough curves rail extension to Southport.

I received a written representation last August from my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Dover) but I have not been approached yet by the hon. Member for Southport.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if there have been any consultations between his Department and British Rail on whether to restore the Burscough curves rail extension to Southport.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he employs when deciding whether to reopen a rail link.

It is for British Rail to consider the case for re-opening any rail link. Ministers would only wish to be involved in major investment proposals. As a general rule, we expect proposals for additions to the existing rail network to achieve at least a real return of 7 per cent. We would support any worthwhile investment which offered a sound prospect of improving the railways' finances.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many visitors a tourist resort has to attract per year before it can apply to have further words added to local road and motorway signs to attract more people.

Individual tourist attractions which are open for casual visits by the general public may be signed from motorways using the new white on brown tourist signs if they attract over 150,000 visitors per year, are situated within 20 miles of the nearest motorway junction, have adequate car parking and are open for more than 50 days per year.Places providing accommodation and facilities fpr pre-booked customers are not eligible for white on brown tourist signs; if they also cater for casual visitors then their eligibility for signing will be considered on the basis of the number of casual visitors. Where a town, or a rural area, has a number of smaller attractions which in total have 150,000 visitors a year then a white on brown sign may be erected on the motorway directing drivers to an information hoard just off the motorway where they can stop and obtaim details of the various attractions in the area. Major holiday resort towns which are of sufficient traffic importance are already signed from motorways as primary destinations on the standard white on blue signs. The criteria for signing tourist attractions and resorts on local roads are a matter for the local highway authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he employs for the designation of a tourist attraction or resort on motorway signs.

The criteria and arrangements for the white on brown tourist signing are set out in circular Roads 3/86. To be eligible for tourist attraction signing from a motorway, the attraction must have over 150,000 visitors a year, be within 20 miles of a motorway, have adequate parking and be open for at least 50 days in the period 1 April to 31 October each year. Caravan parks, camp sites, youth hostels and hotels are not eligible for motorway signing.Places providing accommodation and facilities for pre-booked customers are not eligible for white on brown tourist signs; if they also cater for casual visitors then their eligibilty for signing will he considered on the basis of the number of casual visitors. Resort towns, historic towns, or rural areas, which have a number of smaller attractions which in total meet the criteria for motorway signing, may be signed with a white on brown sign on the motorway directing drivers to an information board just off the motorway where they can obtain details of the individual attractions in the area. The individual attractions may be signed as approporiate on the local roads.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth might expect a reply to his letters of 26 January, 4 March and 6 May, all of which refer to Mr. Neil Allison of Kenilworth.

I have today written to my hon. Friend to explain the reasons for delay and to send a substantive reply to his query.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch of 6 July, Official Report, column 15, he will now list those formal investigations ordered under section 55 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 which he was including, in his answer of 29 June, Official Report, column 26, as being analogous with his stated policy on non-prosecution in the case of the Herald of Free Enterprise.

In the past 10 years there have been 11 formal investigations held under the Merchant Shipping Acts, as follows:

Vessel
MFV Rotche/MFV Stroma II	1978	July 1977
MV Hero	1979	November 1977
MFV Boston Sea Ranger	1979	December 1977
MFV Do It Again	1979	January 1979
MV Kurdistan	1981	March 1979
MV Pool Fisher	1980	November 1979
MV Union Star and RNLB Solomon Browne	1983	December 1981
MV Grainville	1983	December 1981
MV European Galeway/MV Speedlink Vanguard	1983–84	December 1982
Marques	1985–86	June 1984
MV Herald of Free Enterprise	1987	March 1987

In the case of the Stroma II and Rotche, a prosecution was brought but the formal investigation was not held until after the criminal proceedings had been completed. It would riot he fair to the parties involved for me to comment on whether or not criminal offences were thought to have been committed in the remaining cases, but in none of them did the Department initiate any prosecution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will outline the action which he has initiated at the United Nations to protest about the arbitrary execution of members of the Baha'i faith in the Islamic Republic of Iran; and whether he will make a statement.

For the last five years, including 1987, we have co-sponsored the resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. These resolutions urged the Iranian Government to respect the human rights standards set out in the instruments to which it is party. The resolutions also established and renewed the appointment of the commission's special representative on Iran, including a specific mandate to investigate the treatment of Baha'is.In 1985 and 1986 we also co-sponsored the resolutions on human rights in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs (1) if he will raise with the United Nations Human Rights Commission allegations of the use of an electric guillotine to cut off fingers of prisoners during 1986 in the Islamic Republic of Iran detailed in a recent report by Amnesty International;(2) if he will raise with the United Nations Human Rights Commission allegations of stoning to death of at least eight people during 1986 in the Islamic Republic of Iran detailed in a recent report by Amnesty International;(3) if he will raise with the United Nations Human Rights Commission allegations of the use of torture, including floggings and mock executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran detailed in a recent report by Amnesty International.

For the last five years, including 1987, we have co-sponsored the resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. At the next session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in February 1988, we will again make clear our continued abhorrence of all violations of human rights in Iran.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of British diplomats remaining in British interests sections of friendly powers accredited to the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Socialist Libyan Arab Jamahirya; and what are the equivalent number of persons purporting to be diplomats from those same countries currently based in friendly embassies in Britain.

There are three diplomatic staff in the British interests section of the Australian embassy in Damascus, one in the British interests section of the Italian embassy in Tripoli and one in the British interests section of the Swedish embassy in Tehran. There are three diplomatic staff in the Syrian interests section of the Lebanese embassy in London, one in the Libyan interests section of the Saudi Arabian embassy and one in the Iranian embassy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list all known examples of involvement in terrorist incidents since 1974 of persons purporting to be diplomats accredited to the embassies in London of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Socialist Libyan Arab Jamahirya, indicating in each case whether any diplomats subsequently returned to their country of origin at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In April 1984, the staff and occupants of the Libyan people's bureau in St. James's Square were expelled following an incident in which WPC Yvonne Fletcher was murdered by a shot fired from the people's bureau.Following the arrest of Nezar Hindawi in April 1986, the Syrian Ambassador was asked to waive the diplomatic immunity of three attaches on his staff to enable police to question them about their involvement with Hindawi. When the Syrian authorities refused to meet our request, we informed the Ambassador that we required the attaches to be withdrawn within seven days.On 24 October 1986, following the conviction of Nezar Hindawi, we announced that the United Kingdom was breaking off diplomatic relations with Syria. The Ambassador and the remaining seventeen members of his staff were given seven days in which to leave the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have reported to United Kingdom consular staff that they have been (a) physically assaulted and (b) robbed in Spain in each of the past five years.

I regret that the statistics requested are not available. Only in serious cases, or those in which consular officers are requested to take follow-up action, are records kept. Even for those it would require a disproportionate amount of time to provide figures in the categories requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have died in Spain in each of the past five years.

It is not mandatory for the deaths of British nationals overseas to be registered at our consulates, but the numbers of deaths of British nationals in Spain which have been so registered over the past five years are as follows:

	Number
1982	295
1983	401
1984	429
1985	350
1986	416

Figures relating to the deaths specifically of British citizens are not kept separately, but they are likely to represent a very high proportion of the figures given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on representations made to Her Majesty's ambassador in Moscow by the Soviet Government on Monday 6 July about the supply of Blowpipe missiles to Afghan guerillas; and if he will list each of the specific allegations put to Her Majesty's ambassador and his reply to each.

The Soviet Foreign Ministry made an oral statement to Her Majesty's ambassador in Moscow on 6 July. He undertook to report to London. Pravda published the statement on 8 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions officials at the British embassy in Washington have had with representatives of the United States National Security Agency about the possibility of legal action to prevent publication of Peter Wright's book "Spycatcher" in the United States.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave to him on 3 and 10 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his meeting with representatives of the League of Arab States on 9 July regarding the war between Iran and Iraq.

At their request, a delegation from the Arab League, led by the Foreign Minister of Jordan, visited London on 9 July to discuss the Iran-Iraq conflict. Similar delegations have visited the capitals of the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. They had talks with my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.We emphasised our deep concern over the continuation of the conflict, which threatens the stability of the region and freedom of navigation in the Gulf.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to whether the King of Morocco, or any member of his party, will be meeting representatives of any armaments manufacturers at any stage during his state visit beginning on 14 July; and if he will make a statement.

Representatives of a large number of British companies, including some with interests in arms manufacture, have been invited to functions during King Hassan's state visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will offer his services as a mediator between the Polisario Front and Morocco, with a view to ending the conflict in Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement.

No. We fully support the efforts already being made by the UN Secretary General to bring about a peaceful solution to the Western Sahara dispute.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will consider issuing hon. Members with a world-wide wrist bleeper to enable Parliament to be recalled during the recess in the case of a national emergency.

No. The Services Committee considered the question of radiopaging in its second report of 1986–87 (HC207). The Committee recommended against the House providing its own radiopaging service, but expressed the view that Members who wished to subscribe to such a service in connection with their parliamentary duties should be free to do so out of their office allowance.My hon. Friend will no doubt wish to leave word as to his whereabouts with my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary before he goes away.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to meet the chairman of British Coal about the future of the industry; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal to discuss the future of the industry.

I had an initial meeting with the chairman on 29 June, and intend to meet him regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Coal to discuss coal prices.

I intend to meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to lay orders under sections 6 and 7 of the Coal Industry Act 1987.

I hope to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal; and what issues were discussed.

Financial Support to the Coal Industry (£ million)
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	Total
Deficit and Operating Grants	189	175	455	386	875	2,225	50	290	4,645
Social Grants	62	79	120	134	270	189	513	594	1,961
Pneumoconiosis	—	1	2	1	1	—	—	—	5
Total Grants1	251	255	577	521	1,146	2,414	563	884	6,611
RMPS	16	16	49	81	191	202	566	614	1,735
Total Support2	267	271	626	602	1,337	2,616	1,129	1,498	8,346
1 Figures are on an accruals basis.
2 This represents total Government support for the industry and includes RMPS amounts paid direct to redundant mineworkers.

In addition the Government has supported the following levels of capital investment by the coal industry.

	£ million
1979–80	661
1980–81	807
1981–82	812
1982–83	842
1983–84	702
1984–85	371
1985–86	660
1986–87	650
Total	5,505

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the increase in labour productivity in the coal mining industry compared with 1983–84.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Tatton (Mr. Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has yet had the opportunity to meet the chairman or board members of British Coal to discuss the future of the coal mining industry.

I intend to meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his plans for the coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of the coal industry.

The objectives agreed between the Government and the chairman of British Coal, Sir Robert Haslam, were announced to the House on 11 March. They remain valid.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to privatise British Coal during the lifetime of the present Parliament.

My right hon. Friend I met the chairman on 29 June, and intend to meet him regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give details of the Government's financial support to British Coal for each financial year since 1979–80.

The information requested by my hon.Friend is as follows.

We have no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last had a meeting with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what subjects were discussed.

I have met the chairman once since joining the Department and will be meeting him on a regular basis in future.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to promote the development of combined heat and power.

We are continuing to promote combined heat and power through the energy efficiency demonstration scheme and the energy efficiency survey scheme. We are also contributing to the cost of the studies in the lead cities.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to meet representatives of the Combined Heat and Power Association.

I have no immediate plans to meet representatives of the Combined Heat and Power Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when gas bill vouchers are to be dispatched; and if he will make a statement.

The gas vouchers will be dispatched this week to qualifying shareholders who were on the register on 30 June. Some 1·2 million of the present 3 million shareholders chose vouchers; around 1·8 million chose the share bonus alternative.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on future prospects for the North sea oil industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent stability of world oil prices at higher levels on United Kingdom continental shelf oil production and new offshore development.

The signs are that development activity is beginning to pick up again in the United Kingdom sector of the North sea; many oil companies are now concentrating on the longer term and looking on the North sea as a priority area, as clearly demonstrated by the response to the recent 10th round of licensing.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he plans to publish a consultation document on the privatisation on the electricity industry.

We are engaged in widespread consultation and will bring forward our proposals as soon as our consideration of the important issues involved is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of the electricity generating industry.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to discuss the construction of new power stations.

I met the chairman of the CEGB recently and we discussed a wide range of issues. Applications for consent to the construction of power stations are a matter for the CEGB and I have received no applications either for coal-fired or nuclear stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to introduce a regulatory system for prices in the electricity supply industry when it is privatised.

Proper regulation will certainly be necessary and will depend on the structure of the privatised industry, which is currently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to make competition a priority when determining his plans for the privatisation of electricity.

Yes.