asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to reach conclusions about the three reports on the forensic science service, to which he referred, Official Report, column 387, 30 June; and if he will make a statement.

I expect to receive the reports shortly. I shall write to the hon. Member once I have had the opportunity to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average daily prison population for (a) 1970, (b) 1975, (c) 1980 and (d) the latest year for which figures are available, showing in each case the proportion of remand prisoners.

The information is given in the following table. Details of the average population for each of the previous 10 years are published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales" (table 1.4 of the latest issue for 1985, Cmnd. 9903) and figures for 1986 were published in April in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 6/87.

Average population of Prison Department establishments in England and Wales, 1970, 1975. 1980 and 1986
Year	Number of persons	Percentage on remand1
1970	39,028	12
1975	39,820	14
1980	42,264	14
1986	46,770	21
1 Untried or convicted unsentenced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish as a table in the Official Report the total prison population and the prison population rate per 100,000 people for each member country of the Council of Europe showing United Kingdom figures, England and Wales figures and Scotland figures separately.

A copy of the latest figures, which relate to 1 September 1986, from the Council of Europe, showing the information required has been placed in the Library. The information about prisoners in different countries published by the Council of Europe is not likely to be strictly comparable, because it reflects different legal and administrative systems and such differences may have a substantial effect on the comparisons. These difficulties apply particularly to the figures of committals to prison per 100,000 inhabitants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department in helping small businesses over the last three years; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

The Home Office, as part of the Government's policy to promote small businesses, is undertaking a number of initiatives intended to help business.The Home Office has reviewed all the licences for which it is responsible, to ascertain whether they place a burden on business and if so to see whether that burden could be reduced. A number of changes have been made which will help small business: for example, restrictions on betting offices have been relaxed; the requirement to hold a public billiard licence has been abolished; legislation has been introduced allowing bingo clubs to participate in a national bingo game; and a requirement for pest control firms to hold Home Office authority as well as Minister of Agriculture licences has been removed.For future developments, the Government are proposing to introduce a Bill later this Session to liberalise the laws on liquor licencing hours; new Cinema (Safety) Regulations and a guide to fire precautions in existing places of public entertainment should reduce burdens on both businesses and local authorities; the Home Office will also be publishing, as a result of the Fire Safety and Safety at Places of Sport Act 1987, a guide specifically intended to help small businesses ascertain what measures are necessary for fire safety. Performance indicators and statistics are not available to show the result of these activities, which are in the main enabling and assisting provisions.The Home Office, in partnership with other Government Departments, the private sector and local authorities, has helped to establish and fund four enterprise agencies in inner city areas with a high ethnic minority population. Though open to all, they are especially designed to counsel and support ethnic minority small businesses. The performance of the first three agencies, opened last year, is undergoing independent evaluation, using a number of performance indicators, including the number of businesses established and their rate of survival. An estimate will also be given of the value of the benefits flowing from the agencies' work in relation to the expenditure involved. An interim report will soon be made, but meanwhile there is evidence of ample demand for the agencies' services and that small businesses are being established as a result. As the evaluation progresses, more quantitative data are expected.The Home Office is also providing funding, through section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966, for a number of local authority posts concerned with ethnic minority business development, and a grant for similar work to an existing enterprise agency in an inner city. Routine monitoring arrangements will cover all such posts.In addition, my Department has for many years sponsored the Community Projects Foundation, which exists to demonstrate community development techniques in a range of local projects. Several of these have led to the setting up of small businesses. The work of the foundation has been regularly reviewed and we are at present considering proposals for research into the more systematic analysis of community development project.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has about the incidence of jury fixing in important criminal trials in London and elsewhere;(2) what efforts are being made by police forces in England and Wales to counter the practice of jury nobbling.

I understand that the police have intelligence which indicates that attempts to bring illegal pressure to bear on jurors have been made, but that this does not support the view that the problem is widespread. The police are alert to the risks to juries, particularly in major trials, involving organised crime, and if necessary seek the authority of the trial judge to provide police protection for the jurors in order to prevent any interference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when he last met the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, he raised with him allegations of the suborning of juries in important trials; and if he will make a statement.

This subject has not been discussed at my right hon. Friend's meetings with the Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the chief constables concerned about whether there were police video cameras present filming the crowds outside the count as results were declared on 12 June in the constituencies of Caernarfon, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Ynys Môn and Carmarthen.

The use of surveillance equipment (including video cameras) by the police is governed by guidelines issued by the then Home Secretary, the right hon. and learned Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Brittan), and placed in the Library in December 1984.The guidelines were issued to ensure, amongst other things, that surveillance devices were used only where strictly necessary and with due regard for the intrusion of privacy that might sometimes result.It has been the long-standing policy of successive Governments not to confirm or deny whether surveillance measures have been authorised in any particular case, irrespective of whether such measures have been authorised or not. We do not intend to depart from that policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions were drawn in the course of preparatory studies undertaken in relation to the proposed Government data network, about the potential cost savings resulting from the transfer of relevant data between (a) his Department and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, (b) his Department and the Inland Revenue and (c) his Department and the Department of Health and Social Security.

With one exception, no transfers of data are planned between the Home Office and the three other Departments which are expecting to participate in the initial implementation of the Government data network; and no cost savings resulting from the transfer of data between my Department and those departments are foreseen. The exception is the properly authorised transfer of data, through existing networks, to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, which provides an inquiry-only service on the vehicle keepers index held on the police national computer. A decision whether the police national computer network should be transferred to the Government data network will not be made this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his consideration of the Malaysian Government's methods of dealing with drug offenders, as raised with him in the last Parliament by the hon. Member for Christchurch.

Our consideration of Malaysian methods of dealing with drug offenders, insofar as they are different, does not lead us to propose any changes in our law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis regarding the progress of the investigation into the unlawful killing of Petty Officer John Black in Spain over Christmas 1983.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the investigation into Petty Officer Black's death requires further inquiries to be undertaken in Spain. The permission of the Spanish authorities has been sought for British police officers to go to Spain to conduct these inquiries and their reply is awaited.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the future of bridge programmes; and if he will make a statement.

The funding by the Manpower Services Commission of a distinct bridge programme for unemployed executives and managers was withdrawn from the end of March 1987 as part of a wider redevelopment of resources to provide more help for the long-term unemployed. The commission is, however, continuing to provide similar assistance through other schemes.Training in job hunting skills, similar to that previously offered by bridge courses, will continue to be available within the commission's job training scheme and jobclubs for those who have been unemployed for at least 26 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to alter the composition of the Manpower Services Commission.

As I announced to the House during the debate on the Loyal Address on Tuesday 30 June 1987, at column 468, I intend to increase employer representation on the commission by creating up to six extra seats.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people employed in the Yorkshire woollen textile industry in each year from 1972 to 1979 inclusive.

The available information is as follows and relates to June each year from 1972 to 1978 when censuses of employment were taken. No census was taken in 1979.

Employees in Employment in Yorkshire in the Woollen and Worsted Textile Industry
(Minimum List Heading 414 of the 1968 Standard Industrial Classification)
(thousands)
	Year	Numbers
	1972	74·0
	1973	73·1
	1974	69·6
	1975	61·2
	1976	56·3
	1977	56·3
	1978	53·7

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will detail the proportion, broken down by regions of Great Britain, of those members of the community programme who are successful in obtaining employment on leaving the scheme.

There is no up-to-date regional information, but information for Great Britain is available from the latest (4th) survey of former community programme participants undertaken from November 1986:

• —29 per cent. of respondents obtained a job immediately on leaving the programme.
• —36 per cent. of respondents were in employment at the time of the survey, an average 11 months later.
• —59 per cent. of respondents had had at least one job during the 11 month period.

Regional information will be available in due course, and, when completed, a copy of the report of the survey will be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline his plans for the community programme.

We are planning to improve the community programme in a variety of ways. We intend to make it full-time and to pay participants a premium over and above their social security entitlements. This will make the programme much more attractive to long-term unemployed people with families. We also propose to enhance significantly the training and job search content of the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support has been received from other Commonwealth countries for the Government's proposals for combating terrorism.

The discussion of terrorism has figured prominently at recent Commonwealth fora. We have actively urged all Commonwealth members to accede to and ratify the various international conventions to combat terrorism. This has drawn wide support atnongst Commonwealth members, who have committed themselves to increased co-operation in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the remaining British colonies and dependent territories indicating in each case his latest estimate of the annual cost to the Exchequer of administering them.

I shall write to the hon. Member and place copies of my letter in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those international organisations, including the European Economic Community of which Britain is a member indicating in each case the latest figure for the annual cost of membership.

A list of international organisations for which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible and the estimated costs of membership for 1987–88 were published in class II, vote 2, sections A and B, and vote 5, section C, of the Supply Estimates. The estimated cost of membership of the European Communities is to be found in the public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 56.II) in part 3.2. The costs of membership of other international organisations for 1987–88 will be found in the appropriate Supply Estimates. Copies of all these documents are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made about the fate of Nizametdin Akhmetov, imprisoned since 1966 in Soviet labour camps, and now incarcerated in a psychiatric prison in Kazakhstan.

Nizametdin Akhmetov was released from Chelyabinsk special psychiatric hospital in June of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to whether, following the meeting of the Palestine National Council in Algeria, there has been any movement by the Palestine Liberation Organisation to meet Her Majesty's Government's publicly stated conditions regarding the unambiguous recognition of Israel and the ending or armed violence prior to any meeting being possible at Cabinet Minister level with representatives of that organisation.

We have regular contacts with the PLO, but a meeting at Cabinet Minister level remains difficult while the PLO's policies remain ambiguous on Israel's right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and on the use of violence.We have no information of a recent change in PLO policy on these issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the response by the Palestine Liberation Organisation to the public statement of support given by Her Majesty's Government to the proposal for an international conference on the middle east, following the recent meeting between the Prime Minister and Mr. Shimon Peres.

We regret that the PLO should have misinterpreted the statement issued on 23 June as hostile to the Palestinian people. We remain committed to the search for a peaceful settlement of the Arab/Israel dispute, to ensure justice and security for all the peoples of the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the achievement of independence for the Western Sahara.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser) on 3 July, at column 190.

asked the Attorney-General to whom jury panel lists are currently made available; and if he will make a statement.

Under section 5(2) of the Juries Act 1974, any party to proceedings involving trial by jury, or his representative, is entitled to reasonable facilities for inspecting the jury panel.Under section 5(4) of the Act the court may, if it thinks fit, grant facilities for inspecting the panel to any other person at any time. This is intended to provide for the legitimate needs of persons such as research students.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor intends to conduct any inquiries regarding interference with juries.

Interference with juries is a criminal matter of great gravity, and its investigation must be a matter for the police. But there is no evidence to suggest that it is widespread.

asked the Attorney-General what delays are being experienced by applicants at HM land registry, Nottingham district, for first registration of their property titles; what is the reason for these delays; what arrangements he is making to overcome these delays; and if he will make a statement.

The average completion time at Nottingham district land registry for applications for first registration, where they are correctly lodged and no requisitions arise, is 170 working days. The delays are due to the exceptional increase over the last 12 months in the number of applications received. Measures being taken to reduce delays include the working of overtime, the recruitment of new staff, the opening of new offices and improvements in practice and procedures.

asked the Attorney-General what are the instructions given by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the Crown Prosecution Service in Leicestershire regarding bringing young persons under the age of 18 years before the courts who are alleged to have been involved in theft or malicious damage; and whether local prosecutors retain the discretion to insist upon a prosecution.

Paragraphs 15 to 18 of the "Code for Crown Prosecutors", a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library, set out the guidelines for dealing with juvenile offenders. No specific guidelines have been issued in respect of juveniles accused of offences of theft or malicious damage. Local Crown prosecutors have a discretion in all cases, including cases involving juveniles, either to discontinue or continue prosecutions which have been initiated by the police, or to institute proceedings where the papers have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police for advice.This policy is followed by all chief Crown prosecutors in England and Wales, including the chief Crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service area of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

asked the Attorney-General in what proportion of cases coming before magistrates' courts in Leicestershire the case for the Crown is put by a full-time employee of the Crown Prosecution Service; and what is the approximate equivalent proportion for the use of a solicitor in private practice retained by the service for that case.

Since 1 June 1987 full-time Crown Prosecution Service lawyers have appeared to prosecute in 11 per cent. of the courts in the Leicestershire area. The remaining 89 per cent. of courts have been covered by solicitors in private practice employed as agents. The relative proportion of cases within these figures cannot be ascertained incurring disproportionate cost.

asked the Attorney-General what is the total number of persons employed by the Crown Prosecution Service in Leicestershire; how many of them are qualified solicitors; and what is the estimated cost to public funds of the service in Leicestershire during the current financial year.

Seventy three persons are employed by the Crown Prosecution Service in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire area. Of these, 42 are employed in Leicestershire. The number of qualified solicitors for the whole area is 18 and for Leicestershire is eight. The budget for the current financial year for the whole area is £2,571,321. Of this £1,240,604 represents salaries, of which approximately 60 per cent. is paid to staff working in Leicestershire.

asked the Prime Minister whether in her recent meeting with Mr. Shimon Peres, she raised with him the consequences for the middle east peace process of the continuing level of armed violence initiated by members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

No. My talks with Mr. Peres were concerned with how to keep up the momentum towards peace. The Government have repeatedly called on all concerned to refrain from acts of violence which can only obstruct progress towards a peaceful settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the

	Sum recommended by TSRB	Sum recommended by TSRB in June 1987 prices1	Current Salary	Shortfall between current and recommended salary	Shortfall between current and recommended salary
	£	£	£	£	per cent.
October 19642	3,250	23,205	18,500	4,705	20
January 1972	4,500	21,209	18,500	2,709	13
June 1975	8,000	23,456	18,500	4,956	21
June 1979	12,000	21,972	18,500	3,472	16
June 1983	19,000	22,819	18,500	4,319	19
1 Using the retail prices index.
2 Lawrence report.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to how many communities in Wales

The Department has a relatively small purchasing budget and the scope for helping small businesses is limited. In 1986–87 we purchased from small firms goods to a total of £955,000, mainly in the information technology field. Information is not available for earlier years. The Department will continue to use small firms when it is appropriate to do so. The introduction of performance indicators is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet received a reply from the chief education officer of the Staffordshire county council to his Department's letter regarding the Staffordshire local education authority's proposals to reorganise educational provision in the Stafford area generally, and at Broadacres school at Hixon in the Mid-Staffordshire parliamentary constituency particularly.

A reply has been received and is at present under consideration.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will set out in tabular form the sum recommended by the relevant review body for the salary of a Member of Parliament in October 1964, January 1972, June 1975, June 1979 and June 1983, respectively, together with (a) the amount and (b) the percentage by which the value of the salary currently payable falls short in real terms of each of those previously recommended sums.

The information requested is as follows:are supplied by private water undertakings, as to what size of communities these supply and as to how many of these undertakings are registered as charities.

Two statutory water companies in Wales, the Wrexham and East Denbighshire water company and the Chester water company supply water to 148,000 and 112,500 persons in their areas respectively. Information in respect of the number of other communities in Wales supplied by a private water undertaking or the size of those communities is not held centrally but is available from individal local authorities in Wales, who have a duty under section 11(2) of the Water Act 1973 to ascertain the sufficiency and wholesomeness of water supplies within their area. The question of the number of such undertakings registered as charities should be addressed to the Charity Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance Her Majesty's Government give to water authorities regarding the criteria to be used in determining the eligibility of rural communities in Wales (a) to receive water supplies and (b) to obtain an expansion in their supply; and if he will make a statement.

The Welsh water authority has a general duty under the Water Act 1973 to supply water within its area. Grants are available to the authority under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts 1944 to 1971 for the provision of services to rural localities not previously served, or for the strengthening of services for the benefit of existing commitments, or for the improvement of a source which has an unacceptable quality or unreliable yield.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide assistance to the Cwmdu water undertaking, Powys, in its current programme of essential renewal works to meet EEC requirements on drinking water supply; and what is his policy towards assisting for the purpose other similar water undertakings which charitable status.

There are no funds available from my Department to assist the owner of any private water undertaking requiring remedial works to meet the standards of the EC drinking water directive. It is, of course, open to any owner of property served by a private water supply to apply to the relevant water authority for

2.10 Analysis offish kill incidents: Welsh Water Authority area1
Number of incidents
Cause	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
Discharge of crude sewage from WWA works	2	4	4	5	28	2	—	5	3
Discharge from storm sewage overflows	—	—	—	—		8	8	9
Discharge of sewage effluent from WWA works	1	2	1	2		—	3	1
Discharge from WWA water treatment works	2	1	1	3		1	2	3	—
Farming	9	4	2	18	18	23	43	25	15
Industry or trade waste	9	6	4	8	8	10	6	9	4
Low oxygen	4	4	1	2	—	4	15	10	6
Suspected poaching	8	13	7	5	7	4	11	8	—
Other	4	1	38	5	9	8	12	4	—
Unknown	3	6	11	15	17	29	33	14	—
Total	42	41	39	63	67	89	131	88	78
1 Fish kill is an incident when more than 100 fish are killed.
2 Includes incidents resulting from discharge from sewage overflows and WWA works.
3 Includes four incidents due to construction or demolition near a river.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest developments regarding the construction of the Cardigan bypass; and if he will make a statement.

A public local inquiry into objections to draft line, side roads, and compulsory purchase orders was held on 7 and 8 July 1987. The inspector's report is now awaited. Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and engineering design and to the availability of resources the scheme is expected to start in the period January 1988 to December 1990.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the number of incidents of water pollution recorded in Wales for each of the past five years in which there was loss of fish life; in how many of these cases there was a successful prosecution; and on how many an unsuccessful prosecution; what was the average level of the penalties imposed; what were the maximum penalties imposed; in how many cases compensation was awarded for the specific purpose of replacing fish stocks; and what were the average and the maximum of the amounts so awarded.

Information on fish kill incidents in the area covered by the Welsh water authority is contained in the "Environmental Digest for Wales", published by the Government Statistical Service, a copy of the table from the latest edition (No. 2 1985) is reproduced in the following table. Information on prosecutions is not held by this Department but I have asked the chairman of Welsh water to write and let the hon. Gentleman have such information that is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a further statement on his plans to introduce legislation to privatise the electricity supply industry.

A provision designed to pave the way for privatisation of the electricity supply industry is being included in a public utilities Bill. This provision will clarify the powers of the industry to ensure that it has adequate statutory backing to prepare for privatisation. Our main legislation on electricity privatisation will follow later.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the Director General of Fair Trading last reviewed the question of the net book agreement; and what plans he has to do so again.

Trade with Saudi Arabia in fertiliser products1
	United Kingdom			European Community2
	Exports	Imports	Balance	Exports	Imports	Balance
Tonnes (000's)
1986	4·4	—	+4·4	144·2	110·5	+33·7
1987 Q1	1·1	—	+1·1	4·7	—	+4·7
Value (000's ECU's)
1986	1,738	—	+1,738	28,509	12,828	+15,681
1987 Q1	795	—	+795	2,118	—	+2,118
1 Taken as Nimexe Chapter 31 (fertilisers)
2 Figures for 1987 Ql exclude Greece

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been Her Majesty's Government's involvement in the policy decision of the European Community to impose additional import duties on urea products from Saudi Arabia; and what are the reasons for this policy.

Provisional anti-dumping duties were imposed on imports of urea from a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, after a preliminary investigation by the European Commission indicated that dumping of urea was causing injury to the Community fertiliser industry. All EC members were consulted before the provisional duty was imposed and Her Majesty's Government were satisfied on the evidence available that the measures were necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the total quantity of urea used in Britain's fertiliser production; and what percentage of this comes from the United Kingdom, other European Economic Community countries, and Saudi Arabian sources.

I regret that I am not able to do so. Some of the information requested cannot be given without

The Restrictive Practices Court considered the net book agreement in 1962 and found that it was not contrary to the public interest. Under the legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading may obtain leave to apply to the court to review its judgment only if there is prima facie evidence of a material change in the relevant circumstances. He must therefore consider in particular whether there has been sufficient change in respect of those matters on which the court relied in reaching its judgment. The Director General keeps such matters under regular review but considers that at present there are insufficient grounds for an application to the court to review its judgment.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the balance of trade figures in volume and value terms in fertiliser products between the United Kingdom, the European Economic Community as a whole and Saudi Arabia.

The information is in the following table:prejudicing company confidentiality. Furthermore, whilst the majority of urea is sold as straight nitrogen fertilizer, my Department has no information on the quantity used in the production of compound fertilizer. Nor is data available segregating urea for fertilizer use from urea used for industrial purposes. Recent total imports into the United Kingdom from other member states of the EEC and from Saudi Arabia are:

	Tonnes
	January-December 1986	January-April 1986	January-April 1987
From EEC	240,739	126,206	96,803
From Saudi Arabia	Nil	Nil	Nil

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made as to the adequacy of investor protection for the purchasers of financial services in the period prior to the introduction of the compensation fund.

The Financial Services Act was introduced and passed because the previous arrangements did not offer an adequate level of protection to investors. It is not therefore possible to be satisfied with the protection afforded to investors until the whole of the regulatory structure established by the Act, including the proposed compensation arrangements, has been brought into operation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will have further discussions with the Securities and Investments Board regarding the desirability of all intermediaries authorised under the Financial Services Act 1986 holding professional indemnity cover; and if he will make a statement.

The regulation of persons authorised under the Financial Services Act is a matter for the board. The board's draft rules, which were before the House when it approved the delegation order transferring the relevant powers to the board, made clear the board's preference for a widely drawn compensation scheme rather than a requirement to hold professional indemnity. However, I know that the Board shares my view that there will continue to be substantial advantages to firms in taking out professional indemnity cover.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why Her Majesty's Government have refused to approve the budget allocation for the framework programme for scientific collaboration in Europe; what research into AIDS has been delayed because of this refusal; and whether he will make a statement.

We have always made clear our commitment to the concept of a framework programme for European Community research and indeed have been willing to see increases in funding in those areas aimed at improving Europe's industrial competitiveness. However, we have been concerned by the scale and scope of the proposals and have worked throughout the negotiations to secure a more effectively targeted and high quality programme. In her statement to the House on 1 July reporting on the European Council on 29 and 30 June my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear our agreement to the content of the framework programme and to spending continuing at present levels. We hope therefore that work can proceed quickly on this basis.A programme of AIDS research, a significant part of which comprises the co-ordination of national research activity in member states, forms part of the medical and health programme within the framework. Work to prepare this AIDS programme is at an advanced stage and we have indicated our willingness to agree to the commencement of the AIDS programme as soon as the way is clear. The Government's commitment to a programme of AIDS research in this country has been clearly demonstrated and will continue alongside the support we are giving to the EC programme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government intend to issue an amendment to the general import licence so as to render the importation of the book "Spycatcher" by Peter Wright subject to licensing.

The Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954 provides powers to require goods to be subject to import licensing. I have no plans to amend the licensing requirements to cover this book.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, pursuant to his answer of 8 July, Official Report, column 337, he will outline the proposed new services to be carried out by the Post Office.

We are still considering with the Post Office the range of services that counters might undertake with wider powers and I am not yet able to announce our conclusions.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the adoption of a European Community regulation on the textile quota regime for Taiwan.

The Council of Ministers adopted on 21 May a regulation amending textile import quotas for Taiwan. Quota levels for Taiwan had previously been reduced by 20 per cent. pending proof that Taiwan was not discriminating against the Community in its treatment of certain imports. Taiwan subsequently provided satisfactory evidence in this respect and the regulation reinstated the quota levels to 100 per cent. Withholding the United Kingdom's formal agreement would have given rise to uncertainty for the United Kingdom industry. I therefore judged that it was in the United Kingdom's interest not to delay adoption of the regulation until the House had completed its consideration of the Commission's proposal. I regret that the normal procedures were not followed on this occasion, but I hope the House will understand the special reasons why the Government agreed to the adoption of the regulation in these circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the adoption of a European Community Directive setting a mandatory range of sizes for knitting and rug yarns.

The Council of Ministers adopted on 25 June a directive setting a mandatory range of sizes for knitting and rug yarns. This is a harmonisation measure which sets a simple range of sizes in which such yarns must be packed throughout the Community. The sizes which have been agreed are those which were suggested by the relevant EC trade association. They have the full support of United Kingdom manufactureres who have been pressing for the measure to be adopted at the earliest opportunity. It will also benefit consumers by allowing them to make easier value-for-money comparisons between sizes. The outcome of negotiations might have been called into question had the United Kingdom delayed adoption beyond 1 July, the date on which the Single European Act came into force. In these circumstances and given the wish of all other member states to see the measure adopted as soon as possible, I judged that it was not in the United Kingdom's interest to continue to withhold agreement until the House had completed its consideration of the Commission's proposal. Although I regret that normal procedures were not completed on this occasion, I hope the House will understand the reasons why the Government agreed to the adoption of the directive.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the adoption of European Community directives on credit and suretyship insurance. and on legal expenses insurance.

The Council of Ministers adopted on 22 June two directives on credit and suretyship insurance, and legal expenses insurance. These directives bring to an end a temporary dispensation which had enabled Germany to require that credit, suretyship and legal expenses insurance may be performed only by undertakings specialising in the relevant class of insurance. They also provide for further harmonisation of the conduct of credit insurance and legal expenses insurance. In both cases the United Kingdom had obtained significant improvements during negotiations to meet our own concerns. Among these improvements were the exclusion of state export credit insurers from the scope of the directive on credit insurance and in the directive on legal expenses insurance we secured provision enabling the motoring associations to be exempted from certain of the directive's requirements. These and other improvements might have been called into question had the United Kingdom delayed adoption beyond 1 July, the date on which the Single European Act came into force. I therefore judged that it was in the United Kingdom's interest not to delay adoption of the two measures until the House had completed its consideration of the Commission's proposals. I regret that the normal procedures were not followed on this occasion, but I hope the House will understand the special reasons why the Government agreed to the adoption of the two directives in these circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the adoption of a European Community Regulation. on the dumping of assembled products.

The Foreign Affairs Council adopted on 22 June a regulation designed to prevent the circumvention of anti-dumping duties by assembly operations within the Community with little or no added value. It would do so by extending these duties to a product assembled in the Community where assembly or production has been started or substantially increased after the opening of the anti-dumping investigation; where assembly or production is carried out by a company which is related to a manufacturer whose exports of the like product are subject to anti-dumping duty; and where the value of the parts used in the assembly operation and originating in the country of exportation exceeds the value of all other parts by at least 50 per cent. (that is, by a ratio of 40:60). The United Kingdom welcomed the Commission's original proposal and had pressed for a Community decision as soon as possible in order to close a loophole in the Community's existing controls and prevent continuing uncertainty which would have been unfair on genuine overseas investors. It would therefore have been undesirable to delay its adoption. I regret that the normal procedures were not followed on this occasion, but I hope the House will understand the special reasons why the Government agreed to the adoption of the regulation in these circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the adoption of a European Community Directive on dangerous imitations of consumer products.

The Council of Ministers adopted on 25 June a directive prohibiting the sale of products which are made or packaged to resemble other products and may as a result mislead and injure consumers, especially children. Examples are scented lamp oil and scented erasers. The United Kingdom had obtained substantial improvements during negotiations to meet our own concerns; we limited the scope of the directive to products resembling food or drink where there was a risk, and we blocked a proposal to give the Commission greater powers to require member states to ban particular products. These improvements might have been called into question had the United Kingdom delayed adoption beyond 1 July, the date on which the Single European Act came into force. I therefore judged that it was in the United Kingdom's interest not to delay adoption of the measure until the House had completed its consideration of the Commission's proposal. I regret that the normal procedures were not followed on this occasion, but I hope the House will understand the special reasons why the Government agreed to the adoption of the directive in these circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when Mr. Ivor Williams, a constituent of the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet, will receive a substantive reply to his letter dated 12 January to the Office of Fair Trading regarding his complaint about the conduct of his estate agent; why the reply has not yet been given; and why the Office of Fair Trading has not yet acted on the complaint.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1987]: The Director General of Fair Trading has responsibility for the day-to-day activities of his office. I have therefore asked him to write to the hon. Member directly.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants are employed in his Department; and what is its budgeted expenditure for the current year.

On 1 April 1987 there were 26,489 civil servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments. This figure includes those in administrative grades, and also scientific officers and professional and technical officers. It excludes prisons service grades, civilian search unit staff and a small number of casual staff. Total planned public expenditure for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments for the current year is £4,877 million (the "Government's Expenditure Plans 1987–88 to 1989–90", Vol. II, table 3.18 p.291).

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons under 21 years of age were unemployed in Northern Ireland at the latest date; and how this compares with 1967, 1977 and 1982.

At 14 May 1987, the latest date for which figures are available, there were a total of 22,106 unemployed claimants under 21 years of age in Northern Ireland. Figures on the number of unemployed claimants in this age group are not available for earlier years.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what amounts of grants have been made to fishing fleets in the South Down ports of Ardglass and Kilkeel in each of the last three years.

Fishermen can obtain assistance to construct and modernise fishing vessels from both United Kingdom and EC funds. Information on United Kingdom grant-aid in respect of individual ports could only be obtained at disproportionate cost but the figures for Northern Ireland as a whole are as follows:

Northern Ireland
Year ending	Number of projects	Total grant paid
		(£)
31 March 1985	82	157,000
31 March 1986	148	559,000
31 March 1987	118	604,000

Grant-aid from the European Community has been:

	Kilkeel		Ardglass
Year ending	Number of projects	Total grant paid	Number of projects	Total grant paid
		(£)		(£)
31 March 1985	2	44,456	Nil
31 March 1986	4	100,039	3	64,956
31 March 1987	9	277,319	1	31,389

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers are presently unemployed; and how this compares with 1967 and 1977.

At 14 May 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland whose normal occupation was given as teacher was 1,495. The corresponding figure for unemployed registrants at 9 June 1977 was 451. Information for 1967 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the current sponsors of action for community employment schemes in Northern Ireland, indicating the number of action for community employment places and tasks undertaken in each case.

Information in the form requested could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. There are currently some 500 sponsors providing over 6,000 jobs throughout Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate the amounts of money allocated to the action for community employment programme in Northern Ireland, outlining the means by which the use of such money is monitored and evaluated.

£106·31 million has been made available since the scheme was introduced in 1981. All applications from potential ACE sponsors are carefully scrutinised to ensure that they satisfy the aims and objectives of the scheme and regular on site inspections of projects are carried out. Expenditure on the ACE programme is evaluated through surveys and through monitoring against annual cost per job target.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the Government's plans for the action for community employment programme in Northern Ireland indicating the type of work, scheme or area which will have priority.

The overall objective is to sustain an average of at least 6,200 jobs in the current financial year. Priority is given to projects which are likely to promote the creation or development of longer term jobs and to those which provide services for disadvantaged groups and jobs for the unskilled. Priority is also given to projects in areas where ACE provision is relatively low in relation to the local incidence of long-term unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating what role he envisages for the action for community employment programme in relation to the care in the community policies promoted in Northern Ireland's strategic plans for health and social services.

The Department of Health and Social Services "Regional Planning Guidelines 1987–1992" put forward a strategy for the development of community care which is long-standing and will proceed independently of the ACE programme. It is, however, estimated that about one third of ACE places are currently engaged in "community care" activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Department of Economic Development maintains a list or other records of current action for community employment.

Yes, manual records are kept in respect of each ACE sponsor and it is hoped to computerise these in the very near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he proposes to take to follow up the publication of the consultative paper, "Equality of Opportunity in Employment in Northern Ireland."

There has been a general welcome and a substantial number of responses to our consultative paper. Further consultation is proceeding and we expect to receive shortly a report on the outcome of the current review of anti-discrimination legislation being undertaken by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights. In the light of these I wish to proceed as quickly as possible to make a number of changes.A major issue raised in the consultative paper was whether change should concentrate on the single dimension of religion, or also encompass sex and disability. In the light of the comments received, I have decided to concentrate legislative and other action on the vital religious issue. The promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to sex and disability will continue to be addressed in the same way as in the rest of the United Kingdom.Work has now started on the preparation of new measures. It will proceed in parallel with further consultations, and considerations of the Standing Advisory Commission's report. Detailed proposals will be brought forward as soon as possible.Pending new legislation, action is now being taken, in respect of the religious dimension, to strengthen the promotion of equality of opportunity in employment. A new guide to effective practice will be published in September. It will make clear our commitment to ensuring that recruitment, selection and promotion take place solely on the basis of merit; and to the active promotion of employment equality through "affirmative action" where necessary. We shall also be introducing a support scheme to assist employers to improve the practice of employment equality in the private sector. Educational initiatives, in both the public and private sectors, will be carried forward over the next few months by the Departments of Finance and Personnel, and Economic Development. In advance of the wider changes to its role which we envisage, the Fair Employment Agency will be provided with additional resources, and we shall discuss with the agency how they can best be deployed.The Government are totally committed to equality of employment opportunity for both communities in Northern Ireland. These actions demonstrate the further progress we will be making to fulfil that commitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present position on the investigations by Mr. Cohn Sampson into allegations concerning the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

As I have already informed the House, I wish to make a statement as soon as I can about those aspects of the investigations which fall within my area of responsibility. I regret that I am not yet able to do so. In the meantime, however, I can inform the House that in response to one particular recommendation made by Mr. Sampson it has been agreed that certain matters of organisation and procedure should be more fully examined by way of a special inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. With the agreement of the Chief Constable, Her Majesty's chief inspector is arranging for a special inspection to be undertaken by one of Her Majesty's inspectors forthwith. I shall of course, take account of its findings when I make my statement to the House.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 July 1987]: The list of ACE sponsors as given to the Northern Ireland Federation of ACE Sponsors, in October 1986, was confined to those employing more than 10 ACE workers and is as follows:

• Antrim Borough ACE Scheme
• Ardoyne Industrial Development Ltd.
• Carrickfergus Youth Services Ltd.
• Coleraine & District Churches
• Divis Joint Development Committee
• Elim Churches of Northern Ireland
• Enterprise Carrickfergus Limited
• Farset Youth & Community Development Ltd.
• Glenbryn/Alliance District & Environmental Community Services
• Parish of St. Macnissis
• Rathcoole Community Group
• Shankill Road Mission
• Glenravel Community Centre
• Glora Na Ngael
• Grosvenor Environmental Society
• Joe Lindsay Memorial Recreation Centre
• Maghera & District Community Association
• Milltown Cemetery Maintenance Committee
• Mossley Community Project
• Mount St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church
• Newtownabbey Community Group Project
• North Queen Street Community Centre Management Committee
• The 174 Project
• Third World Centre
• Waveney Community Association
• Springfield Charitable Association
• Suffolk Community Service
• St. Agnes Community Services
• St. Luke's ACE Scheme
• St. Oliver Plunkett Parish Welfare Committee
• Newtownabbey Borough Council Special Parks Development
• Northern Health & Social Services Board Braid Valley Hospital
• Royal Group of Hospitals Unit of Management
• West Belfast Enterprise Group
• Physically Handicapped and Able-bodied (NI)
• Voluntary Services Belfast
• Voluntary Services Lisburn
• YMCA
• Eastern Health & Social Services Board
• Workspace (Draperstown) Ltd.
• Antrim Borough Council
• Ballymena Borough Council
• Magherafelt District Council
• Coleraine Borough Council
• Newtownabbey Borough Council
• Lower Falls Handicapped Association
• Mid-Belfast Charitable Association
• Parish of Nativity
• Rathcoole Self Help Group
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul—Belfast
• Down District Council
• Lisburn Borough Council
• North Down Borough Council
• Eastern Health and Social Services Board Belfast City Hospital
• South Eastern Education and Library Board
• East Belfast Community Council
• Belfast Simon Community
• Belfast Voluntary Welfare Society
• James Butcher Housing Association
• Chinese Welfare Association Ltd.
• Newcastle Society for the Mentally Handicapped Children
• Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders
• Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association
• Church of Ireland Youth Office
• Conservative Volunteers (Northern Ireland)
• Donaghadee Community Association
• Down and Connor Youth Council
• Downpatrick and Area Inter Church Caring Project
• East Belfast Mission
• Extern Organisation
• Extra Care Committee
• Fold Housing
• National Council of YMCA's
• Newcastle Community Project Committee
• Parish of Derriaghy Committee Group
• Waterside Churches Community Advice Centre
• The Ulster Society
• Archdiocese of Armagh
• Armagh Diocesan Council
• Ashgrove Community Projects

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the dates for the start and the completion of the Staveley bypass on the Kendal-Windermere road.

The A591 Staveley bypass is a local road proposal for which Cumbria county council is responsible. I understand that construction work is to start in the autumn and will take two years. The Government are supporting the scheme by transport supplementary grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information is available to him about highway authorities which have made local traffic orders requiring commercial vehicles to meet noise requirements other than those prescribed in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

I know of no such local traffic orders. The London night time and weekend lorry ban mentions efforts to reduce noise emissions as one of the factors which may be taken into account in issuing exemption permits.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify for which aircraft types 95 perceived noise decibels footprint diagrams will be included in his future consultation document on night restrictions.

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what change there has been in the aircraft noise contours around Gatwick airport between 1984 and 1985; and what action he intends to take as a consequence.

The area within the 35 noise and number index contour which is generally taken to indicate the onset of disturbance was 225 sq km in 1984, 299 sq km in 1985 and 288 sq km in 1986. We continue to pursue the policies in relation to aircraft noise described in the airports policy White Paper of June 1985. The ban on non noise-certificated subsonic jets will apply to foreign registered aeroplanes from 1 January 1988. We shall continue to press, in international negotiations, for the eventual phasing out of chapter 2 aircraft, such as the BAC1–11, which is one of the noisier aircraft using Gatwick.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate an update of aircraft noise infringement limits.

BAA plc is considering, together with the Civil Aviation Authority and officials of the Department, the introduction of an integrated noise and track-keeping monitoring system for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. When we know the capability of the equipment we shall consider the criteria against which it should be operated, including revised noise limits.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if the testing of noise levels on and around the A12 bypass at Chelmsford has been completed; and when the results will be made public.

The noise measurements have been completed. The report is being prepared. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have studied it.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to prescribe procedures for conducting appeals against refusals to remove prohibitions from larger passenger vehicles.

I have today laid regulations before Parliament to prescribe procedures for these appeals, which were provided for in section 31 of the Transport Act 1985. These regulations also rationalize existing subordinate legislation on:—

(i) appeals against refusals to remove prohibitions from goods vehicles;

(ii) appeals against refusals to issue certificates of initial fitness and public service vehicles certificates of conformity; and

(iii) circumstances in which vehicles may be driven in contravention of a prohibition without committing an offence.

The new regulations prescribe time limits of 14 days for appeals against refusals to remove prohibitions, and 28 days for appeals against refusals to issue certificates of initial fitness and public service vehicle certificates of conformity. The regulations require all appeals to be lodged at the Department's Goods Vehicle Centre/Public Service Vehicle Centre, Swansea.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what stage has been reached in the consideration of responses to the issued service requirement for the proposed Government data network; and when the final decision for the award of any contract can be expected.

Following the evaluation of suppliers' responses, a short list was announced on 25 March 1987. Further discussions and demonstrations are in progress. It is hoped to complete the tendering stage and award a contract by the end of 1987.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made as to how far the type of network envisaged by the Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency's Government data network service requirement could potentially be used to eliminate the duplication of data processing, either by allowing the controlled transfer of data between Departments or by facilitating shared access to suitable data; and whether the Government data network will eventually be used in such a way as to realise its potential in this respect.

The proposed Government data network service is being created primarily to facilitate the transmission of data between sites within Departments. Initially, four Departments are expected to take advantage of the service. Economies of scale are expected because the Government data network will obviate duplication of communication facilities which would arise if each of the departments installed and managed separate networks.Where interdepartmental exchanges or access to data are planned the use of the GDN will not alter the requirement for the originating Department owning the data to authorise such a transfer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will establish a system for provision of tax incentives to developers in blighted inner-city areas, combined with tax disincentives for development in designated areas of prosperity suffering from over-development.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on future changes in the United Kingdom coinage.

In May, at the ceremony of the Trial of the Pyx, I announced that the Royal Mint would be issuing a pamphlet describing some options for future changes in the coinage, including smaller versions of the l0p and 5p coins. The aim is to meet public dissatisfaction with the overall weight of the present coinage. The pamphlet is being published today, Wednesday 15 July.I hope that everyone—not just industry and commerce, but the general public and groups with a special interest such as the blind—will let us have their views.And I can give this assurance: we will not take any decisions about what changes should be made to the coinage—or indeed whether any changes should be made at all—until we have had the opportunity to consider thoroughly all the views and comments we receive.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the consultation process in relation to the proposed changes in the coinage; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to my hon. Friend's reply, 13 July 1987]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Westminster, North (Mr. Wheeler) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will describe the circumstances under which the Ministry of Defence raised objections to the establishment of licensed premises at the Coach house, Giffen, by Dairy; and to what purpose.

The Ministry of Defence invoked its statutory right and objected to the conversion of stables into a public house at the Coach house, Giffen by Dalry. The development lay within the safeguarded zone surrounding the royal naval armament depot, Beith and my Ministry was not prepared to accept an increase in the number of persons potentially at risk, in the albeit unlikely event of an accidental explosion at the depot.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he will outline the action which has been taken to check the detailed lists of incidents which have been supplied by two residents of Walnut close, Stretton. either directly or through the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton, showing substantial numbers of cases where Tornado aircraft fly directly over their houses rather than in accordance with the approved flight path;(2) whether he will make a statement on the level of complaints

Residents of Walnut close, Stretton, Leicestershire, have since August 1985 submitted 78 complaints to RAF Cottesmore and five to the Ministry of Defence.RAF Cottesmore has checked the lists of alleged overflying of Walnut close and while it can confirm that the figures more or less reflect the number of aircraft in the air at the time, it is not possible in retrospect to establish whether or not their flight paths took them over Walnut close.It remains the policy to the station to fly the circuit agreed with my hon. Friend and local residents, (as acknowledged in my letter of 23 April). However, even experienced aircrews' are unable to hold the course exactly because of the wind factor. Action taken to prevent the nuisance caused includes ending night circuit flying, modifying landing procedures to reduce reverse thrust noise, and modifying the circuit pattern for runway 23 to avoid specifically overflying Stretton.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to supply to Morocco military equipment which could be used against the population of the Western Sahara.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 14 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now answer questions about the details of military training given to foreign nationals in the United Kingdom.

No. Details of the military training provided for foreign nationals at Ministry of Defence establishments in the United Kingdom are confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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 staff employed in London and the Department's five regions on 1 April 1987 was as follows:

	Number
London and South-East Region	4,658
Midlands and Western Region	1,329
South Western Region	1,083
Eastern Region	1,724
Northern Region	1,066

There were also 622 staff in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and 512 temporary employees.On budgeted expenditure, some 60 per cent. of the Department's running costs are decentralised, partly to the regional organisation and partly to line management commands on a national or HQ basis. Details are published in the Supply Estimates 1987–88 for class IV, vote 5. A breakdown of costs as requested could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the procedures and practice governing the export of live animals; and what steps are taken to ensure that these requirements are properly observed in Portsmouth.

In Great Britain the export of live food animals is regulated by the Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981 which prohibits such exports except in accordance with a licence. The animals must be rested for 10 hours immediately before export at an approved lairage near the port of departure. At the lairage the animals must be offered food and water and be inspected for fitness to travel before their loading for international transport is officially supervised. These controls are applied stringently, at Portsmouth and elsewhere, by the state veterinary service and by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposal that the European Economic Community fisheries agreement with Morocco should extend only to the area of sea which is internationally recognised as Moroccan waters.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the effects of delay on United Kingdom dairy farmers, he will immediately allow the Milk Marketing Board to organise milk quota leasing in the United Kingdom.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1987]: As my right hon. Friend has already reported to the House on 1 July at column 511, it was agreed as part of this year's price-fixing settlement that measures would be implemented to permit the continuation of quota leasing. Although the Council agreed in principle to this measure, the absence of the European Parliament opinion, which is required on the proposal, means that formal adoption of a regulation will be delayed until after the summer holidays. My officials are already discussing detailed arrangements with the Milk Marketing Board that can be put into operation as soon as the necessary regulation is formally adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state capital spending plans for Scottish psychiatric hospitals for the next year.

Each health board determines its capital expenditure priorities within the block capital allocation made annually by my right hon. and learned Friend. Full details are not held centrally and at this stage in the year it is not possible to say which individual project each board will decide to take forward, but the following major projects for psychiatric hospitals are currently at detailed planning stages or under construction:

Project	Total Cost	Current Year Estimated Expenditure
	£ million	£ million
1. Royal Cornhill, Aberdeen	8·2	0·2
2. Parkhead, Glasgow	4·6	2·3
3. Ailsa Hospital, Ayr	1·3	0·8
4. Hairmyres, East Kilbride	3·1	0·1

In addition the West Lothian district general hospital, phase 11, includes provision for psychiatric patients. Other smaller projects are being undertaken by boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of people admitted to Scottish psychiatric hospitals for each of the years 1980 to 1986.

The total number of admissions (including re-admissions) is as follows:

Scottish psychiatric hospitals1: Admissions
	Admissions
1980	27,896
1981	28,510
1982	225,571

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of Scottish hospitals which meet the suggested target of 40 trained psychiatric nurses for every 100 psychiatric patients.

The target of 40 trained psychiatric nurses for every 100 psychiatric patients is not one which has been recommended by the Scottish Home and Health Department and its source has not been verified. The number of mental illness hospitals, mental handicap hospitals and those with units for the mentally ill and handicapped which have 40 or more trainee nurses (whole-time equivalents) for every 100 weighted' patients at 31 March 1986, the latest figures available, are shown in the table.Trained nurses include both registered mental illness and mental handicap nurses and enrolled nurses. Information on registered nurses alone cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

	Psycho-geriatric	Mental illness	Mental handicap
Mental hospitals
Number	19	26	17
Number with 40 or more nurses per 100 weighted1 patients	2	3	1
Other hospitals with mental units
Number	16	13	4
Number with 40 or more nurses per 100 weighted1 patients	7	13	1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state his policy towards the problem of the low morale among staff in Scottish central institutions; and if he will outline his plans to increase morale.

Staff morale is a matter for the boards of governors and for the management of the institutions. We warmly welcome the positive way in which the central institutions are responding to the Government's policies of improving access to higher education and seeking better value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of qualified occupational therapists in Scotland specialising in long-stay or psychogeriatric care.

The number of qualified occupational therapists based in long-stay hospitals at 30 September 1986, the latest figure available, was 184·4 (whole-time equivalents). This figure does not include staff employed in long-stay units of general hospitals as information collected centrally does not separately identify these staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies are currently in progress to investigate unexplained clusters of cases of leukaemia in the east of Scotland.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Tayside, North (Mr. Walker) on 13 July at col. 247.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of workers:in Scotland who earn less than £3 per hour and the percentage which they constitute of the total Scottish work force.

The table gives information about the distribution of average gross hourly earnings for some groups of workers. The figures are from the April 1916 New Earnings Survey, which is conducted by the Department of Employment and covers a 1 per cent. sample of employees who are members of PAYE schemes. The results of the April 1987 survey should be available at the end of the year.

Adult employees in Scotland whose earnings were not affected by absence
April 1986	Percentage with average gross earnings less than £3·00per hour
Full-time
males	18·3
females	46·6
employees	28·2
Part-time
males	not available
females	77·3
employees	not available

The figures are subject to sampling errors, and cannot be assumed to apply to the whole working population because they do not cover, for example, the self-employed, members of the armed forces, private domestic servants, those who are not on adult rates, and those who are not members of PAYE schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing average weekly earnings for men and women in Scotland and in each of the Scottish regions for each year since 1979.

Estimates of average gross weekly earnings for Scotland as a whole, and for the larger Scottish regions, are published each year in the tables of the New Earnings Survey, part E, which are available in the Library of the House. The results of the April 1987 survey should be available at the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the total prison population in Scotland and the prison population rate per 100,000 people in Scotland.

The population of the Scottish penal system on 30 June 1987 was 5,394. This is equivalent to 105·3 inmates per 100,000 of the Scottish population.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the job training scheme sponsors in Scotland; how many unemployed people are involved at the latest date; and what accounts he is taking of the views of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Trades Union Congress in reviewing the scheme.

The following organisations had, at 10 July 1987, signed contracts with the Manpower Services Commission to act as managing agents in Scotland for the new job training scheme:

• Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce
• A. D. M. Ltd. (Alan d'Morias)
• AMARC (TES Ltd.) (Associated Marine and Related Charities (Training and Education Services Ltd.))
• Borders Regional Council
• British Shipbuilders
• Buckhaven Parish Church
• Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council
• Dundee Skillcentre
• Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
• Grampian Regional Council
• Hotel and Catering Training Board
• Hillington Skillcentre
• J. H. P. Training Ltd.
• Lanarkshire JTS Ltd.
• Lloyds British Testing Ltd.
• Mentor
• Metcon
• The Microcomputer Training Centre
• Radix Training (Scotland) Ltd.
• Reid Consultants
• R. R. W. Associates
• Sight and Sound
• Suliven Ltd.
• Training Services (Fife) Ltd.
• Westwood Training Services Ltd.
• Whiteleys
• Work Start

At 3 July 1987 1,391 unemployed people were participating in the new job training scheme.The views of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Trades Union Congress have

Houses allocated to applicants under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977
	Houses allocated to applicants under the Act
	Number of houses				Percentage of houses available for letting
Authority	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
Scotland	5,146	5,654	6,230	7,353	7·15	12·53	12·37	15·60
Berwickshire	3	5	8	2	1·80	3·05	3·77	1·34
Ettrick and Lauderdale	18	13	6	9	5·79	3·57	1·46	3·01
Roxburgh	12	18	23	17	1·62	2·30	2·91	2·51
Tweeddale	0	1—	1	14	0	1—	0·93	15·05
Clackmannan	175	137	123	161	28·46	24·55	25·10	29·49
Falkirk	59	22	96	60	4·58	1·89	5·94	2·60
Stirling	1—	105	123	115	1—	16·46	28·54	19·52
Annandale and Eskdale	0	0	17	4	0	0	4·38	1·10
Nithsdale	96	69	81	106	28·49	16·87	24·25	27·75