asked the Minister for the Arts if he will take steps to provide central funding to the William Morris gallery and museum in Waltham Forest.

[holding answer 2 November 1987]: I am aware that the William Morris gallery and museum contains an interesting and important collection. Primary responsibility for its funding, as a local authority museum, lies with the borough of Waltham Forest, although the museum is eligible also to apply for assistance under grant schemes run by the Museum and Galleries Commission and the Area Museum Service for South-Eastern England.

asked the Attorney-General why the Crown prosecution service dropped the case against David Baveghens who was subsequently convicted in a private prosecution; and if he will make a statement.

I have read an article in The Times of 28 October 1987 and have noted the remarks attributed therein to the Police Federation and to Sergeant Michael Bennett. I am anxious to respond to those remarks at the earliest available opportunity. Sentence on Mr. Baveghens has been postponed pending the preparation of social inquiry reports. It would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment until sentence has been passed and the case has been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions of child sex abuse there have been in Leeds for the years 1984, 1985 and 1986.

The readily available information held centrally is given in the following table. For other sexual offences it is not possible from the records held centrally, to distinguish the age of the victim.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the standard waiting time for payment by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board between the crime being committed and payment to the victim.

The statistics kept by the board use the date of application as the baseline rather than the date of the crime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many payments by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board have been made in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Cleveland and (c) Langbaurgh constituency in each of the past five years.

The board's jurisdiction covers England, Wales and Scotland. The number of compensa tion awards paid by the board in the last five years is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper titles.

The amounts spent by the Home Office on press advertising in each of the past five financial years is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which member of the Group of Seven leading industrial countries provided the greatest amount of aid as a percentage of gross national product in 1979; and what was the rank aid-donor order by that measure of all members of the Group of Seven in 1986.

According to development assistance committee calculations, France provided the greatest amount of aid as a percentage of gross national product in 1979.In 1986 the rank order was: France, Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, United States.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the grants to the Government of Zimbabwe which relate to the provisions of support for the Zimbabwe national railways for the following years: 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88.

British aid for the national railways of Zimbabwe has been provided under aid and trade provision arrangements and an aid loan, both agreed in 1981, and from our technical cooperation programme for Zimbabwe. Expenditure in the three years in question was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) females and (b) males under the age of 18 years were in penal custody at the last date for which figures are available; and what information he has about the types of institution in which each were placed.

[holding answer 28 October 1987]: The information is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to proposals for the further dispersal of Overseas Development Administration jobs to the Glasgow-East Kilbride area.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has considered representations from the local trade union sides in East Kilbride and London about further dispersal of Overseas Development Administration jobs to the Glasgow/East Kilbride area. While the location of jobs between London and East Kilbride is kept under review, my right hon. Friend has no plans for a further major dispersal programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will obtain from the EEC Commission details of the amount of foodstuffs which have been sent from Germany to Third-world countries under the EEC food aid programme since the Chernobyl nuclear accident; and if he will further inquire what part of the total consisted of food imported to Germany from the German Democratic Republic under the inner German trade agreement.

I have nothing to add to the answers given by my hon. Friends the Minister for Overseas Development on 26 October, at column 12; and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 29 October, at column 409.

asked the Prime Minister what are the implications for Britain of the contingency plan for the deployment of United States chemical weapons in Europe in time of crisis.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces on 24 July 1986, at column 490. The United States contingency deployment plan does not designate any specific country as a destination for receiving binary munitions, and the United Kingdom has not been approached about possible contingency deployment to this country. If such a request were ever to be received, it would be a matter for decision by the Government of the day in the light of all the circumstances prevailing at the time. Any deployment to the United Kingdom at any time would require the consent of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister why Her Majesty's Government refuse to enter into direct negotiations towards achieving a comprehensive test ban treaty.

It would be premature to open negotiations on a comprehensive test ban treaty until progress is made on outstanding problems, notably verification. We welcome the stage-by-stage approach adopted by the United States and the Soviet Union which aims as a first step at agreement upon effective verification measures which will make possible the ratification of the bilateral 1974 threshold test ban and 1976 peaceful nuclear explosions treaties.

asked the Prime Minister what change is envisaged in the role of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons toward the conventional forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic in the event of substantial measures of nuclear disarmament.

For as long as the security of this country and our allies continues to depend on nuclear deterrence, I envisage no significant change in the role of United Kingdom nuclear weapons.

asked the Prime Minister at what stage Her Majesty's Government will enter the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons into the strategic arms reduction process.

The conditions that must be met before we could consider associating our independent deterrent with the arms control process are well known. They were set out by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at the United Nations in 1983:

"If Soviet and US strategic arsenals were to be very substantially reduced, and if no significant changes had occurred in Soviet defensive capabilities, Britain would want to review her position and to consider how best she could contribute to arms control in the light of the reduced threat."

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to withdraw battlefield nuclear weapons from West Germany; if she has received any representations from the Federal Republic of Germany to this effect; and if she will make a statement.

Under long-standing Alliance arrangements, British forces in Germany operate battlefield weapons systems capable of firing nuclear warheads supplied by the United States. I have no plans to withdraw from these arrangements, nor have I received any representations from the German Government asking me to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

asked the Prime Minister to list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 3 November.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty The Queen.

asked the Prime Minister what status the British Government accord to the African National Congress mission in London; and, in the light of recent events, what steps she will take to ensure its protection from terrorist attack.

The African National Congress is accorded no official status in this country. I understand that leading members of the congress have been given advice about their personal security by the police. On security matters, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 27 October, at column 204.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the progress made in respect of the voluntary ban on the promotion of tourism to South Africa.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment on 22 April this year, at columns 560–61.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the progress made with regard to imposing a voluntary ban on new direct investment in South Africa.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade on 23 July 1987, at columns 305–7.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the progress made in respect of the ban on importing gold coins, iron and steel from South Africa.

With effect from 5 November 1986 the United Kingdom ban on imports of South African gold coins was modified to include gold coins whether or not consigned from South Africa and to exclude gold coins minted before 1961. On 27 September 1986 the import of certain iron and steel was banned. Subject to satisfactory evidence, imports of iron and steel under contracts concluded before 19 September 1986 are allowed to go ahead. These interpretations are consistent with decisions taken in the European Community.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the progress made in respect of the cessation of oil exports and exports of sensitive equipment destined for the security services in South Africa.

We continue to abide by our international commitments in South Africa, including those on oil exports and exports of sensitive equipment for the security services.

asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to make an official visit to the European Court of Justice.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received concerning Government funding for the British Broadcasting Corporation to operate a satellite television news service.

The BBC external services put forward a new proposal to establish a satellite television news service to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 6 August. Examination of the complex issues raised is not yet completed.

asked the Prime Minister what consultations she expects to arrange in respect of the items on the agenda of the Heads of Government of member states of the European Community to be held in Copenhagen in December.

The agenda for the December European Council is being prepared by the Foreign Affairs Council in the usual way. I continue to take opportunities to discuss the various issues with other European Community Heads of Government in the course of bilateral meetings.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings she has chaired of committees in relation to her responsibilities for science.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose such information.

asked the Prime Minister if she will visit Blandford Forum, Corfe Mullen and Wimborne Minster.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Liverpool.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission any bid by Benlox holdings for the Storehouse group.

The current offer by Benlox Holdings plc. for Storehouse plc. is being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading. My right hon. and noble Friend will make his decision whether to refer the proposed acquisition to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the light of the director general's advice.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what legislative provisions are used by the EEC Commission in operating its anti-dumping powers; and if he will list each of the relevant provisions in the Official Report;(2) if he will give guidance to United Kingdom importers on the legislative provisions operated by the EEC Commission in applying its powers to curb imports on the basis that these are used for what are described as screwdriver production; and if he will make a statement.

The Community's anti-dumping powers are contained in Council regulation (EEC) No. 2176/84 of 23 July 1984. This regulation was amended by regulation No. 1761/87 of 22 June 1987 to introduce new rules whereby products assembled within the European Community could in certain circumstances be subject to anti-dumping duties where assembly operations with little added value are being used to circumvent existing antidumping duties on imports of the complete product. Advice and guidance are given to United Kingdom companies and other interested parties by officials in the Department's unfair trade unit. Information on these provisions has also been published in British Business. Companies which are not dumping have nothing to fear from this legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what rules of confidentiality apply to the revelation of offers of grant-aid to companies whilst their choice of location is still being negotiated.

Details of regional grants are published in British Business when a payment has been made. Levels of potential support under some of the Government's schemes of assistance are publicly available. Local authorities may also indicate the nature and level of assistance they can offer to specific projects.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper title.

Information is not readily available to distinguish between expenditure on advertising in national newspapers and that in the press generally. Nor is it readily available for amounts spent other than centrally by my Department.The figures which are readily available are:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any changes will be made to the Office of Fair Trading's cash limit or running costs for 1987–88.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates the cash limit on class XX, vote 16 will be increased by £444,000 from £9·585 million to £10·029 million. This increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planning total of public expenditure. The running cost limit is increased by £416,000 from £9·065 million to £9·481 million. The additional expenditure is required in connection with the installation and development of the consumer credit licensing branch computerisation project.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the sterling charge made by Her Majesty's consulate in Bangkok for a British visa; what percentage this represents of the average weekly wage of a Thai employee, such as a chauffeur or gardener employed at Her Majesty's embassy; and how the total revenue received from the issue of visas in Bangkok in the financial year 1986–87 compares with the cost of maintaining British diplomatic and consular representation there.

The fee charged by all British missions for single-entry visit visas for the United Kingdom is the local currency equivalent of £20. This represents approximately 90 per cent. of the average weekly wage of a Thai chauffeur or gardener employed at Her Majesty's embassy in Bangkok.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what profit the British Council's direct teaching of English earns annually, taking into account the overheads incurred in London; and if he will make a statement.

The British Council has 51 direct teaching operations in 32 countries. Their global operations are not always in surplus. In 1986–87, for example, there was a deficit of £0·2 million on a total turnover of £21·3 million after overseas running and investment costs and London overheads were taken into account. But for 1987–88, the council forsees a surplus of £0·3 million for re-investment in its teaching operation itself and to finance more cultural activities in the countries where the surplus is earned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what particular or special action the Government are taking to assist the seven members of the Commonwealth who have had a negative gross national product per capita growth rate from 1973 to 1985; and whether he will call a conference of the other Commonwealth nations to see if some new joint action could be organised to try to rectify this problem.

We give high priority within the aid programme to Commonwealth countries, including those 12 whose per capita GNP has fallen, but taking into account the economic policies being pursued. We have no plans at present to call a special conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper titles.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure on advertising and other forms of promotional literature for the financial years 1982–83 to 1986–87 was (all figures pounds sterling):

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by each Welsh county, the number of miles and the cost of construction of all A-class roads completed in each year since 1974.

The information requested is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of pupils in each Welsh local education authority remaining in full-time education after (a) 16 years of age and (b) 17 years of age; and what these figures represent as a percentage of the total age group in each county.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by Welsh county the number of miles of motorway in each county.

The information requested is given in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each year since 1974–75 the total public expenditure of his Department, together with the percentage increase or decrease over the preceding year in real terms.

The information is estimated to be as given in the table:

The numbers of pupils and students aged 16 and 17 attending schools or colleges of further education in each local authority on a full-time basis in 1985–86, are given in the table. These numbers have also been expressed as a percentage of the total population aged 16 and 17 respectively in each authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the average domestic rates bill in the Alyn and Deeside constituency for each year since 1979 in real terms, showing the percentage change between the years in each case.

Rating information is only collected on a district basis. The figures for Alyn and Deeside DC are shown in the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total number of pupils on rolls in each of (a) primary schools and (b) high schools in the Alyn and Deeside constituency.

The number of full-time and part-time pupils on roll at January 1987 in maintained schools identified as being in the Alyn and Deeside constituency was:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper titles.

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what research projects his Department has funded to test the effectiveness of community care for people suffering from schizophrenic psychosis; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 30 October 1987]: The Department of Health and Social Security's directly managed research covers Wales and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department has now decided to meet the grant application of the Foundation for Conductive Education; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to inform the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend announced on 14 October that he had agreed to provide grant assistance of £326,000 to enable Birmingham university to carry out a research evaluation of the conductive education product being established in Birmingham by the Foundation for Conductive Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will place in the Library a copy of those representations he has received in relation to his proposals for the future arrangements for determining teachers' pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will place in the Library a copy of those representations he has received in relation to his proposals for the future arrangements for determining teachers' pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement.

I have not yet received any detailed submissions on the proposals set out in the Green Paper which I laid before Parliament on 27 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the work of the interim advisory committee on teachers' pay and conditions.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. Haselhurst) on 27 October at columns 220–21.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the Government intend releasing information on teachers' pay and conditions of service to the European Trade Union Committee on Education.

The publication entitled "School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 1987" sets out provisions covering the pay and conditions of service of teachers in England and Wales. The Green Paper "Teachers' Pay and Conditions: A Consultative Document" sets out proposals for future arrangements for the pay and conditions of school teachers in England and Wales. Both these documents cost £4·50 and can be purchased through Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to provide additional places in higher education for mature students; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to provide additional places in higher education for mature students; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's plans, as published in the higher education White Paper, envisage a further substantial increase in the recruitment of mature students to higher education. In the case of full-time students this increase is expected to be about 18 per cent. over the decade to 1995. As a result of additional funding announced last year the number of registered undergraduates at the Open University will rise to approximately 73,000 in 1990, an increase of some 5,500 compared with 1985. The Government are currently reviewing demand in the light of the latest figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has had discussions with church leaders about the role of church appointees on school governing bodies.

Ministers and officials regularly talk to representatives of the churches on a range of issues concerning schools, including the role of governing bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to extend the provision of pre-five education; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the number of nursery school places.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to encourage greater provision for nursery school education.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for the City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the current national shortage of trained nursery school teachers; and what action he has taken to meet current demands.

It is not possible to estimate precisely to what extent there is a shortage of trained teachers for the early years, ages three to eight, which includes teachers in nursery schools. But information available to my Department suggests that some authorities, particularly in London, are experiencing local difficulties often exacerbated by external factors such as housing costs. To meet present and immediate future demands, the target allocation of initial teacher training places for the primary sector has been expanded by nearly 20 per cent. from 1986 to 1989. Within their allocations, institutions have been asked to give greater emphasis to early years training. This measure, together with local authorities' own recruitment campaigns, should ensure a sufficient supply of teachers for the early years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in relation to pre-five education; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in relation to pre-five education; and if he will make a statement.

On behalf of my right hon. Friend I had a most useful discussion on 9 September with representatives of the British Association for Early Childhood Education on a range of areas of concern to the association relevant to under-fives education. The association has since forwarded to my right hon. Friend a memorandum which is currently being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to improve the standards of English teaching in schools.

English will be one of the core subjects in the national curriculum. We intend to establish a working group to advise on attainment targets and programmes of study for pupils. It will draw upon the conclusions of the Kingman committee which my right hon. Friend set up to recommend what teachers and pupils should know specifically about the workings of the English language. We are also providing education support grants to develop oral work in schools; and we are funding the school curriculum development committee's national projects to improve pupils' writing and oral skills.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to expand the provision of in-service training for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to expand the provision of in-service training for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

A new local education authority training grant scheme was introduced with effect from 1 April this year to support in-service training. Under this scheme LEAs in England are planning to spend £265 million in 1987–88 compared with £225 million in 1986–87 under the previous arrangements for funding LEAs' in-service training. For 1988–89 the Government are increasing the total of expenditure on which specific grant is available under the scheme to £207 million, compared to £200 million this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the number per 1,000 population in each of the education authorities within the Greater Manchester area of non-teaching staff employed.

The number in June 1987 of non-teaching staff employed on education, expressed per 1,000 of population in each of the authorities requested was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much interest has been shown by secondary schools concerning the suggestion that they will be able to opt out of local government control.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary schools have shown an interest in wanting to opt out of local government control.

A significant number of requests for further information about the grant-maintained schools policy has been received within the Department. It is not possible at present to deduce how many secondary schools might be seriously interested in opting out.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding his consultative document on the national curriculum.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has received to his consultative document on the national curriculum.

The Government's consultative document on the national curriculum was published on 24 July, with a formal closing date for comments of 30 September. So far we have received over 7,000 responses, from national and regional organisations, individual members of the public, and others.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimates his Department has made as to the number of additional civil servants that will be required to help administer schools that opt for direct funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement.

No more than a modest addition to the Department's staffing should be required to administer the grant arrangements for schools which opt out of local authority control. Funding of the former direct grant schools, for example, was administered by a team of eight officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the impact of his proposals on opting out of local education authorities capacity to reorganise education.

Grant-maintained status will not be a refuge for weak or failing schools which LEAs wish to close as part of a sensible strategy for rationalising their provision. Where an application for grant-maintained status coincides with an LEA's proposals involving the applicant school, my right hon. Friend will take the respective merits of both sets of proposals into account before reaching his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will place in the Library those representations he has received in relation to his consultative proposals to devolve financial management to schools; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he will take to ensure that schools that have indicated a wish to opt out of local authority control will not be placed at a disadvantage while the legislation is going through Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that those schools which have indicated an interest to opt out of local government control will not be at a disadvantage pending the Education Bill reaching the statute book.

Schools will not be able to apply for grant-maintained status until the legislation has reached the statute book. Any proposals made by local authorities in the meantime in respect of particular schools will be judged by my right hon. Friend on their merits. Local authorities will remain under a duty adequately to maintain all those schools for which they have responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will place in the Library a copy of those representations he has received in relation to his consultative paper, "Admission of Pupils to Maintained Schools", and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what decisions have been made on the Essex education authority's proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education in Epping Forest.

My right hon. Friend has approved Essex education authority's proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education in Epping Forest.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he now has a definite date for the publication of the Education Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he can now give the publication date of the Education Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the new Education Bill to be published.

The Government hope to publish an Education Bill within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the time allowed for consultation on the five papers on reform of the education system published in July and September of this year.

The Government have received over 14,000 responses to the various consultation documents issued in recent months. Some of these have commented on the time allowed, but my right hon. Friend has made it clear that the process of consultation will continue during the passage of Education Bill and beyond.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he expects to publish a White Paper on his plans for educational change consequent on receipt of replies to his consultative papers; and if he will make a statement.

No. The responses to our consultation papers will inform the preparation of legislation which we hope to introduce within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the funding of research councils; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the funding of research councils; and if he will make a statement.

Following the publication on 20 July 1987 of the ABRC discussion document "A Strategy for the Science Base" and the publication on 23 July 1987 of the ABRC's advice "Science and Public Expenditure 1987" my right hon. Friend and I have received 155 representations about the funding of research councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures available for the cost to maintain public funds of nationals of the Irish Republic studying at British educational institutions.

Information is only available to allow a calculation to be made in respect of full-time and sandwich students from the Irish Republic attending United Kingdom universities, polytechnics and colleges. Such students, along with students from other EC member states, are charged fees at the home rate, the cost of implied subsidy for the 1,000 students from the Irish Republic in 1985–86 being estimated at £3·5 million.In addition, since 1986–87 full-time and sandwich students from EC member states on first degree and diploma courses are eligible for reimbursement of the tuition fee otherwise payable if they meet broadly similar residence requirements to those which United Kingdom students on the same courses have to satisfy to have tuition fees paid as part of their mandatory award. In 1986–87 680 Irish students were reimbursed fees at a total cost of £390,000.Irish students are also eligible for support under two Government awards schemes operated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Council, respectively. In 1986–87 these two schemes together supported 15 students at a total cost, including maintenance, of £80,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library a copy of any representations he has received on Her Majesty's inspectors' 1987 report; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to complete his review of student financial support; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to complete his review of student financial support; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the review of student support; and what consultations will be held on its proposals.

The Government hope to publish proposals for consideration in the first half of 1988.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to protect the real value of student grants after the introduction of the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to protect the real value of student grants after the introduction of the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

Decisions on the level of student grants in future years have not yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will indicate what city technology colleges have so far received financial support and from which organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will indicate what city technology colleges have so far received financial support and from what organisations.

Financial support has been pledged by Hanson Trust for the city technology college, Kingshurst; by Dixons Group plc for a South Yorkshire CTC; by Mr. Harry Djanogly, for the Nottingham CTC; and by the Philip and Pauline Harris Trust for a Wandsworth CTC. Support from other sources has been promised or is being negotiated for CTCs in other locations. The trustees for the Kingshurst and Nottingham CTCs have begun to receive grant from the Department to cover the transitional running costs of these projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in relation to the proposed city technology colleges; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash) and the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the provision of textbooks in maintained secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the provision of textbooks in maintained secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

Responses to the Government's consultation exercises have included comments on certain aspects of textbook provision in secondary schools. The provision of books was also discussed when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science met the Educational Publishers Council on 28 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current level of industrial action by teachers in schools.

No action is taking place on a national basis. We are aware of a few local disputes which have involved some industrial action.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to meet the chairman of the University Grants Committee to discuss the future funding of universities.

My right hon. Friend frequently discusses matters of university funding with the chairman of the University Grants Committee in the course of normal business, most recently on 27 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many pupils from outside the London borough of Barnet have opted to he educated within that borough.