To ask The Attorney-General what is his latest information as to the cost to public funds of the cases brought against certain local authorities resulting from their failure to place in public libraries News International publications; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my predecessor gave to him on 12 March at columns 251–52. The position remains unchanged.

To ask The Attorney-General why Dowty Rotol was not prosecuted for fraud, in the light of that company's overcharging on Ministry of Defence contract work.

A report was submitted by the Ministry of Defence police in August 1985 to the Director of Public Prosecutions. After careful consideration he decided that there was insufficient evidence against any of the persons named in that report to justify the institution of criminal proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to improve road communications between Sheffield and Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

The A616/A628 trunk route between Sheffield and Manchester is currently being improved over 7·5 miles between Stocksbridge and the Ml. This scheme is due for completion in Spring 1988.Local improvements are also being considered taking account of the special environmental considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints his Department has received concerning the nuisance to residents from driving schools and examiners using residential areas (a) for practice or tests and (b) for reversing practice.

This information is not collected centrally.All driving test centres use a variety of approved test routes. Examiners seek to spread testing to minimise nuisance and inconvenience to local residents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any representations from passengers' representative bodies concerning services on the Dartford or Bexleyheath lines of Network SouthEast.

My right hon. Friend has received no such representation recently. The MMC's report on Network SouthEast published in September does, however, draw attention to the need for improvements on these lines, and I am discussing with British Rail what needs to be done.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce plans for the complete privatisation of British Rail catering.

The Railways Board is extending the role of the private sector in all aspects of railway catering, but it has not brought forward any proposals for complete privatisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors are delaying his decision on the future of the Carlisle to Settle railway line; when the matter first came to his Department for decision; and if he will make a statement.

I received the board's financial case last December. Since then I have had to consider many representations, some of them quite recent, that have been made to me about that financial case, including comprehensive statements from both the local authorities, and the Friends of the Line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer of 19 November, he will now place in the Library details of all prescribed and reported accidents respectively, that have occurred on lines of London Underground Ltd. since 1 January 1986.

I have placed in the Library a list of those accidents since 1 January 1986 which have occurred on the London underground and which are required to be reported under the provisions of the Railways (Notice of Accidents) Order 1986, SI 1986 No. 2187.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has completed his review of road scheme assessment criteria to ensure that appropriate weight is given to leisure traffic; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The result of the review is contained in a report "Tourism, Leisure and Roads" published on 15 October. Copies have been placed in the Library.The main conclusion to emerge is that the assessment framework approach adopted on motorway and other trunk road improvement schemes brings together, in a comprehensive fashion, all the matters relevant in reaching decisions on these schemes. These include the special characteristics relating to the tourism and leisure industry. Recent increases in the value of leisure time will improve the case for schemes which serve tourist and leisure traffic.The tourism industry can and should press its case for improvements in trunk and other roads by participating activity in the public consultation procedures included in the road planning process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of the efficiency scrutiny of the management of property purchased by his Department for road schemes.

The scrutiny was completed early in November. I have placed copies of the examining officer's report in the Library. The report recommends measures to limit the amount of property held, to improve its management while held, to facilitate disposal when it is found to be surplus and to optimise price on disposal. Some of the recommendations are already being implemented; the others are being given immediate attention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has determined the fees to be charged to United Kingdom hauliers for international road haulage permits in 1988; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, The fees for 1988 permits are to be reduced.This is possible because of successful bilateral negotiations with other countries by Department of Transport officials.Significant increases in the United Kingdom's quotas have meant greater income from permits without a significant increase in cost.United Kingdom hauliers will benefit from the Department's success: first, in having more permits available and, secondly, from reduced fees.The fees will be as follows, with the 1987 charges in brackets:

	£
Single journey permit	2	(£2.80)
Multi-journey permit	1 per journey	(£1.70)
Annual period permit	50	(no change)
3-month period permit	14	(no change)
Multilateral EC/ECMT annual	100	(£105)
permit
Multilateral EC/ECMT 3	26	(£27)
months permit

The Government will continue to make representations to the European Community for the early removal of all permits and other restrictive trade practices concerning international transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will contribute to the disaster fund set up by the London borough of Camden for the victims of the King's Cross fire.

The Government will be making a contribution of £250,000 to the King's Cross disaster fund. I hope that the Government's example will encourage others to join in helping the bereaved and those who suffered in this dreadful accident. Neither the fund nor my donation to it will affect claims for compensation.Parliamentary approval for this payment will be sought in a Supplementary Supply Estimate for the Transport Services and Central Administration Vote. Pending that approval, the £250,000 donation will be met by an advance from the Contingencies Fund. As savings have occurred in class VIII, vote 2, there will be no increase in the public expenditure planning total.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about initiatives his Department is taking with respect to insurance in the inner cities.

This Department has a particular responsibility for insurance matters in the inner cities.We recognise that the availability of insurance cover can pose difficulties for businesses in inner-city areas and a procedure was agreed with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in October 1986 to help overcome these problems. These arrangements are working well and the local authorities in Lambeth, Leeds and Manchester are now associated with them.In addition, the ABI has now launched a series of advice files on small business insurance, one of which deals with inner-city business insurance. The ABI is also proposing to set up two pilot insurance advice centres in Birmingham and Manchester to provide essential information to small businesses. The Government's city action teams in those cities are assisting with premises. This marks a further stage in the close co-ordination of effort between the Government and the association, which can only help the inner-city business community.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what way Her Majesty's Government have withdrawn from, or come to disagree with, the guidance and the objectives for the European Space Agency agreed by the United Kingdom and all other members unanimously in resolution 1 on 31 January 1985 in Rome.

At Rome the United Kingdom was prepared to back a well-balanced ESA programme. At The Hague we were faced with an unbalanced programme, including a very expensive Hermes proposal not accepted at Rome, and a real risk that user programmes, which have always been our major interest, would suffer.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultations were undertaken with British Aerospace and those other British companies cooperating with the European Space Agency prior to Her Majesty's Government's decision on their contribution to the agency announced at The Hague; and what consultation and advice Her Majesty's Government have provided since that announcement to these companies.

Prior to the ministerial meeting at The Hague, the British national space centre was in regular contact with British Aerospace and other United Kingdom companies primarily involved in European Space Agency activities. Since the meeting these companies have been debriefed on the outcome, and, in consultation with industry, we shall shortly be taking a fresh look at United Kingdom civil space activities, both nationally and in ESA.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what financial contribution Her Majesty's Government are intending to make to the European Space

	1983	1984	1985	1986
United Kingdom contribution
Million ecu	110·7	122·2	124·0	125·5
Million pounds	61·6	70·4	73·5	71·8
Total members' contributions
Million ecu	683·0	765·2	859·9	957·8
Million pounds	380·1	440·7	509·5	548·1
United Kingdom contributions as percentage of total members' contributions	16·2	16·0	14·4	13·1
Total ESA expenditure (including other income)
Million ecu	697·9	927·8	923·8	1,067·3
Million pounds	388·3	534·3	547·4	610·8
United Kingdom contributions as percentage of total expenditure	15·9	13·2	13·4	11·8

For future years, our contributions to the ESA mandatory programmes (the general budget and the science programme) will be at a level based on relative GNP, which is fixed at 16·51 per cent, for 1988. Our overall level of contributions will depend on the levels at which we choose to subscribe to future optional programmes. (If we maintain our overall contribution to ESA at around its current level, and if other member states go ahead with the agency's current proposals, the United Kingdom's share of total expenditure will decline to around 5 per cent, by 1992).

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what future benefits in detail Her Majesty's Government envisage will now come to the United Kingdom from the work of the European Space Agency.

We shall continue to play our part in the mandatory programmes which will benefit both our space science community and industry, through the technology programme of the general budget. On the optional programmes, as in the past we shall continue to be selective and look for industrial, technological and commercial benefits to the United Kingdom. Consequently, I shall be discussing with industry the United Kingdom's interest not only in the Columbus and Ariane V programmes, which were discussed at The Hague, but in the future communication and earth observation programmes of ESA.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what projects projected for the future by the European space centre Her Majesty's Government

The United Kingdom's contributions to the European Space Agency from 1983–1986 have been as follows:consider British industry should co-operate with and help finance, either individually or in alliance with other British or foreign organisations.

Arrangements will be made soon for Government and industry to take a fresh look at United Kingdom civil space activities, both nationally and in ESA. If well-judged projects of proven commercial, industrial and scientific value are put forward, we will consider them alongside other scientific and commercial opportunities.We will be looking to the private sector to play an increasingly important part in the direction and funding of future programmes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to publish its report on the steel industry; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State expects to publish this report in the new year. The long delay in publication has been caused by the need to consider very carefully a request by the British Steel Corporation that the Secretary of State should exercise his powers under section 17 of the Competition Act 1980 to make a number of excisions to the published report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the European regional development fund was received by Scotland in the last yearly allocation.

Scotland received commitments totalling £84 million from the European regional development fund in 1986. This represents approximately 21 per cent, of the ERDF allocation to the United Kingdom as a whole, and over 3 per cent, of all commitments made by the fund in that year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which projects submitted from Scotland were

SCOTLAND
Industrial projects which received awards in 1986
Firm	Location	Project
Ireland Alloys Ltd.	Hamilton	Scrap Metal Recycling
Avery Label System Ltd.	Cumbernauld	Self Adhesive Label/Machine
Atlas Hydraulic Loaders Ltd.	Blackwood/Clydesdale	Hydraulic Cranes
G. L. Rexroth (SC) Ltd.	Kirkcaldy	Hydraulic Motor/Valves
James Paton Ltd.	Paisley	Weekly Newspapers
Bourns Electronics Ltd.	Dunfermline	Electronic Components
Alex Pettigrew Ltd.	Coatbridge	Business Forms
Dayco Rubber (UK) Ltd.	Dundee	Synthetic Rubber Accessor
W. L. Gore Assoc. Ltd.	Dundee	Micro Coax Cables
W. L. Gore Assoc. Ltd.	Dundee	Plastic Coatings
Digital Equipment (Scot) Ltd.	South Queensferry	Computers & Assoc. Periph
Beechams Pharmaceuticals	Irvine Ayrshire	Pharmaceuticals
McKellar Matt Ltd.	Glasgow	Frozen Products
Low and Bonar plc.	Dundee	Textile Materials
CPC UK Ltd.	Paisley	Food Products
Beckman Ltd.	Glenrothes	Diagnostic Systems
Fabri-Tek Computer Components	High Blantyre	Electronic Components
Weir Pumps	Alloa	Pump Testing

Infrastructure projects which received awards in 1986
Location	Project
Newton Stewart Wigtown	Workshop Units
West Calder West Lothian	Workshop Units
Whitburn	Workshop Units
Dumbarton	Workshop Units
Coatbridge	Workshop Units
Ross & Cromarty	Workshop Units at Alness I.E.
Skye & Lochalsh	Workshop Units at Broadford I
Sutherland	Workshop Units at
	Kinlochbervi
Inverness	Workshop Units at Smithson I.E
Cardenden	Workshop Units
Stirling	Workshop Units
New Lanark	Interpretive Centre
Stevenston	Wet Weather Leisure Facilities
Coatbridge	Industrial Heritage Park
Coatbridge	Industrial Heritage Park
Hamilton	Chatelherault Country Park
Hamilton	Chatelherault Country Park
Irvine	Site Servicing Old Hall West
Mauchlene	Workshop Units
Patna	Site Servicing Waterside I.E.
Patna	Site Servicing Waterside I.E.
Patna	Site Servicing Doonview I.E.
Patna	Site Servicing Doonview I.E.
Kyle of Lochalsh	Workshop Units
Blar Mhor/Lochabar	Workshop Units
Glac Mhor/Sutherland	Workshop Units
Alness	Workshop Units
Kinlochbervie	Extension of Water Supplies
Thurso	Improvements Drainage System
Kiltarlity	Sewage Treatment Plant
Kirkhill	Sewage Treatment Plant
Fort Augustus	Sewage Treatment Plant
Inverness	Road Improvements
Sunnyside	Road Improvements
Reiss	Road Improvements
Wick	Road Improvements

I attach a list of all projects submitted from Scotland for consideration by the European Commission for European regional development fund assistance in 1986.The list separately identifies those projects which were

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the value of export trade with (a) Nicaragua, (b) Honduras, (c) Guatemala, (d) Costa Rica, (e) El Salvador and (f) Panama in each of the past three completed accounting years.

The information is as follows:

TRADESTATISTICS: 1984–1986								Value: £000s
			EXPORTS			IMPORTS
		1984	1985	1986	1984	1985	1986
	Nicaragua	4,755	6,368	7,349	2,176	1,324	1,30
	Honduras	7,381	9,025	9,213	12,360	11,138	5,28
	Guatemala	10,659	13,457	9,288	9,564	5,176	8,09
	Costa Rica	9,138	14,412	12,007	21,234	22,646	30,31
	El Salvador	7,589	8,507	6,917	2,550	1,661	1,32
	Panama*	74,343	55,423	44,975	9,680	14,555	4,95

To ask the Prime Minister when she next intends to visit Crewe.

I have at present ho plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will visit the metropolitan borough of Sandwell.

I have at present no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister at what price threshold the purchase of computer equipment for a Government Department becomes subject to collective ministerial consideration; and if she will make a statement.

It is for each Department to judge what consultation is necessary in the light of the size of the prospective purchase and other relevant consideration.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received concerning the affairs of Electronic Data Systems in the past two years; and if she will make a statement.

I have received a small number of such representations, including from hon. Members who have asked questions on the matter.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library a copy of the rules governing Ministers and their relatives receiving presents or obtaining financial advantage; and if she will make a statement.

A memorandum by the then Secretary of the Cabinet describing the guidance given to Minsters on this matter was submitted in evidence to the Royal Commission on standards of conduct in public life in 1975. A copy is in the Library. The current guidance is to all intents and purposes the same, and continues to be based on the principle that Ministers must so order their affairs that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their private interests and their public duties.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy at the forthcoming EEC Heads of Government meeting in Copenhagen on 4–5 December to raise reports that plutonium and other nuclear explosive materials have been stolen from civil nuclear facilities in the European Economic Community and sold on the black market in Khartoum.

No. I also refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 19 November 1987.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 November.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. I also received the Soviet ambassador, who informed me of Mr. Gorbachev's acceptance of my invitation to make a short stop in the United Kingdom on his way to the United States/Soviet summit meeting in Washington. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have considered special aid for countries whose Governments wish to preserve areas of tropical rain forest, but are forced by economic and population pressures to give them over to development.

The United Kingdom actively supports the tropical forestry action plan, which has a conservation component. Our bilateral project aid expenditure on forestry has increased threefold over the last five years. We have also contributed to the World Wildlife Fund's innovative scheme to conserve the Korup national park in Cameroon, one of Africa's richest areas of rain forests. We are ready to do more, but we must also respect aid recipient Governments' views on the competing priorities for aid funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about the developing famine crisis in Ethiopia; what urgent actions are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to render assistance; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) on 17 November, at columns 480–81. Since then the European Community has allocated the equivalent of a further £7 million in emergency aid, of which Britain's share amounts to about £1·5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish information on the total number of unemployed people whose claim to benefit has been disqualified or reduced under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 from 5 October 1986 to the most recent available date, together with a breakdown showing (a) the number of initial disqualifications that were for less than 13 weeks, (b) the number that were later

Quarter ended
	30 September 1986		31 December 1986		31 March 1987		30 June 1987
Section 20(1)(a)	110,865	(1,427)	107,510	(1,674)	99,124	(1,989)	95,991	(1,837)
Section 20(1)(b)	465	(18)	534	(23)	549	(29)	494	(21)
Section 20(1)(c)	304	(13)	315	(7)	412	(23)	428	(14)
Section 20(1)(d)	10	(5)	7	(8)	19	(17)	13	(—)
Section 20(1)(e)	1,227	(58)	1,589	(86)	1,625	(120)	1,242	(51)
Total	112,871	(1,521)	109,955	(1,798)	101,729	(2,178)	98,168	(1,923)

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the industrial relations practices of Electronic Data Systems in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits have been granted to those working directly or indirectly, for Electronic Data reviewed and the disqualification lifted or altered and (c) estimates of the proportions that fell under each of the heads (a) to (d) of section 20(1); and if he will also show how many of these were (i) disqualifications in respect of unemployment benefit alone and (ii) abatement of supplementary benefit where there is no unemployment benefit entitlement;(2) if he will publish information on the number of claims for unemployment benefit made in the three month period before 5 October 1986, showing how many of these claims were initially disqualified under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975, together with a breakdown showing

Approximately 1–6 million new claims for unemployment benefit were made in the 13 weeks ended 4 October 1986, and 1·1 million in the 13 weeks ended 3 January 1987.Details of adjudication officers' decisions disqualifying claims for unemployment benefit under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 in each of the quarters ended 30 September 1986, 31 December 1986, 31 March 1987 and 30 June 1987 are shown in the table; the numbers in brackets represent decisions, whenever made, varied on review in each quarter. No analysis is made of the length of disqualification imposed or the number of consequent decisions abating supplementary benefit, and this; information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.Systems in the United Kingdom; if any hon. or right hon. Members have made representations in support of such work permits being granted; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1984,204 work permits have been issued for employment with Electronic Data Systems. Information about work permits issued in respect of persons working for employers associated with the company is not collated centrally. No representations in support of work permit applications from Electronic Data Systems have been made by any right hon. or hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries have lost a higher percentage of manufacturing jobs than Wales and Scotland since 1979.

International comparisons of labour market statistics should be treated with caution as it is difficult to obtain data for different countries on a consistent basis.The available data do not cover all OECD countries and are limited to the period 1979 to 1985 and to employees in employment. On this evidence no OECD country taken as a whole showed a greater percentage decline in manufacturing employment than Scotland and Wales. However, as with the United Kingdom, some regions within other OECD countries will have shown greater losses in manufacturing employment than the average.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how managing agencies assess whether the sponsors of training places under the new community programme are using trainees as substitutes for regular staff; and if he will make a statement.

The community programme and other adult training programmes are being replaced by a new training programme for unemployed people from September 1988. The Manpower Services Commission is currently considering the detailed operational arrangements for the new programme, including the arrangements for employer-based placements and training, and has been asked to submit its recommendations by mid-January next

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide information covering each of the last five years showing the number of employees whose earnings fell below (a) the minimum for payment of national insurance contributions and (b) the PAYE threshold; and if he will estimate what proportion of these employees work part-time and what proportion are aged under 18 years and 18 to 21 years.

[holding answer 17 November 1987]: The available information from the new earnings survey is not sufficiently precise to make reliable estimates separately distinguishing the numbers with earnings below these two thresholds. However, broad estimates of the numbers of employees with earnings below the PAYE threshold are as follows:

April	millions
1983	2½
1984	2¾
1985	3
1986	3
1987	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales from where, and under the auspices of which health authorities, the ambulance service is provided for in the Tanat valley.

Ambulance services for the Tanat valley are normally provided from the ambulance station at Llanfyllin, administered by Powys health authority. Additional ambulances are available from Bala ambulance station, administered by Gwynedd health authority and Chirk ambulance station, administered by Clwyd health authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any further plans to give extra financial aid to local authorities in Wales to improve rural roads; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing local authority capital allocations for 1988–89 shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the likely impact on farmers in Wales of the proposed community charge; and if he will make a statement.

I have made no separate estimate of the likely impact of our proposals upon farmers. Like everyone else, they will be individually liable for the community charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the appointment of a paediatric cardiologist at the University Hospital of Wales will be confirmed.

The Department indicated to South Glamorgan health authority in April 1986 that funds were available to appoint a consultant paediatric cardiologist. I understand that the authority has since been seeking to make an appointment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will act on the recommendations made in the 1981 working party report on cardiothoracic services in Wales.

Action has already been taken to implement the conclusions of the Welsh Medical Committee working party on cardiothoracic services. Heartbeat Wales was established and funded by the Welsh Office and Health Education Council to develop a strategy for preventing heart disease. The majority of district health authorities in Wales have appointed consultant physicians with a special interest in cardiology. The development of a cardiac centre in Cardiff is presently being planned and approved in principle for the first phase of the development, the paediatric cardiac unit, has already been given to South Glamorgan health authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve infant cardiology services in south and west Wales.

Approval in principle has been given to South Glamorgan health authority to develop a paediatric cardiac centre at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, which will provide cardiology services for children of all ages, including infants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to assume responsibility for approving and monitoring the use of waste disposal facilities in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

We are satisfied that the regulatory functions under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 can continue to be undertaken by district councils in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the dumping of a consignment of 800 tons of contaminated soil at the Dark lane tip near Rossett in Clwyd, following importation through the port of Mostyn; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a letter from the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate the average length of time taken to dispose of applications made by Pakistan nationals for a visa to enter the United Kingdom as a student; and if he will make a statement.

Student visas for Pakistani and other nationals are normally granted within 24 hours of application. Doubtful cases may take longer depending on the extent to which further inquiries are necessary to establish that the requirements of the immigration rules are met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost of maintaining a diplomatic presence in (a) Nicaragua, (b) Honduras, (c) Guatemala, (d) Costa Rica, (e) El Salvador and (f) Panama in each of the past three years.

The cost of maintaining a diplomatic presence in the nominated countries, for the years from 1984–85 to 1986–87, is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to make the full report and finding of the coroner's inquest into the Hungerford shootings available to hon. Members.

No. This is a matter within the discretion of the coroner, who is an independent judicial officer, to whose attention my hon. Friend's question has been drawn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each year since 1978, how many foreign nationals have successfully applied for residence in the United Kingdom from (a) Australia, (b) Bangladesh, (c) Canada, (d) East Africa, (e) Hong Kong, (f) India, (g) New Zealand, (h) Pakistan, (i) South Africa, (j) South America, (k) Sri Lanka, (I) United States of America, (m) West Africa, (n) the West Indies and (o) Zimbabwe.

The numbers of persons granted settlement in the United Kingdom in each year from 1978 to 1986 are published by nationality in table 21 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom 1986" (Cm. 166), copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many foreign nationals have successfully applied for refugee status in the United Kingdom; and what were their countries of origin, for each year since 1978;(2) how many foreign nationals have unsuccessfully applied for refugee status in the United Kingdom; and what were their countries of origin, for each year since 1978.

The available information on the outcome of applications for refugee status, by nationality, is for the years 1979 to 1986. The figures for 1979 to 1984 were published in tables 5A–5F of Home Office statistical bulletin "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom, 1985" (issue 12/86). The corresponding figures for 1985 (which have been revised since the issue of that bulletin) and 1986 were published in tables 6 and 7 of the corresponding bulletin for 1986 (issue 13/87). Copies of these publications are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cumbria as to the number of police deployed in the Carlisle area per year since 1977.

I understand from the chief constable of Cumbria that the information requested is as follows:

ON 1 JANUARY	NORTHERN DIVISION (Carlisle City and Carlisle Rural Sub-Divisions)
	Police Establishment	Police Strength
1977	217	198
1978	218	204
1979	218	198
1980	226	210
1981	223	216
1982	228	222
1983	227	216
1984	226	221
1985	228	221
1986	227	220
1987	227	221
1 November 1987	230	224

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information he has as to licensing hours for (a) restaurants and (b) public houses and similar establishments in other EEC countries.

The available information indicates that there are no restrictions on the hours during which alcohol may be sold in France, Belgium, Portugal and Italy, and few restrictions in Spain. Licensing hours in the Federal Republic of Germany vary by area but are generally from 6 am to 1 am; in the Netherlands they are from 5 am to 1 am; and in Denmark from 5 am to midnight, with extensions available to restaurants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to liberalise the licensing restrictions applying to wine tasting at English vineyards.

Vineyard proprietors with a justices' on-licence, authorising the sale and consumption of wine on the premises, would benefit from the revised licensing hours on weekdays provided by the Licensing Bill. We are not at present persuaded that the law should be relaxed further.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits he has made to police headquarters in Wales in the last 12 months.

My right hon. Friend has made no such visits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the arrangements for mobilising the emergency services in the event of a major incident in London; and if he will make a statement.

The operational response to a major incident is a matter for the emergency services concerned. The recent tragic fire at King's Cross underground station has shown how effectively the London services carry out their responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the proposed changes in firearms legislation and shotgun certificates.

Next week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what matters concerning those employed, directly or indirectly by Electronic Data Systems, have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions during the last two years; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many people, employed directly or indirectly by Electronic Data Systems, have breached immigration law, rules or procedures on entering the United Kingdom, in the last two years; what were the names and nationalities of those persons; and if he will make a statement.

Following allegations in September 1986 that breaches of the immigration laws had been committed by employees of Electronic Data Systems, irregularities were identified in 25 cases after investigation by the immigration service. All these concerned were citizens of the United States of America. We do not consider that it would be right to publish their names. In none of the cases was prosecution considered practicable by the police and none was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he, or his officials, have had any meetings in the United States of America with representatives of Electronic Data Systems to discuss any matters, including those employed directly or indirectly by the company; and if he will make a statement.

Over the past two years, Home Office officials and Electronic Data Systems representatives have met on two occasions: in April 1986, at EDS headquarters, in the course of market research into prospective computer suppliers and systems; and in January 1987, as part of a technical equipment appraisal, at the sites of major computer users, where EDS representatives were present in an advisory capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any representations from or met right hon. and hon. Members to discuss any matters concerning Electronic Data Systems, or those employed directly or indirectly by the company; and if he will make a statement.

I have not met any right hon. or hon. Members to discuss matters concerning Electronic Data Systems or its employees. I have received representations concerning immigration irregularities from the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) to which my right hon. and learned Friend, the then Minister of State, the Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Waddington) replied.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed directly or indirectly by Electronic Data Systems, have been refused entry into the United Kingdom; if any such persons appealed against such refusals; if any right hon. or hon. Members have made representations on behalf of such persons; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of the DNA blood testing trials which have recently taken place; and whether Her Majesty's Government will introduce them for all applicants for settlement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Randall) on 9 November at column 21.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to reassure those with an entitlement to register as British citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981 who fail to do so by 31 December about their position in the United Kingdom after that date.

I am today publishing a free information leaflet entitled "British citizenship: A Reminder" which explains that, other than the right to register, the rights of those affected will not be changed in any way if they do not apply to be registered as British citizens. The leaflet explains that they will not lose their entitlements to special benefits or their right to vote and that their position under the immigration laws is not changed. The leaflet also makes clear that an application for naturalisation may still be made at any time. The leaflet is now available from the nationality division of the Home Office and is being sent to community relations councils, citizens advice bureaux and other organisations so that they can give them to inquirers. I am placing copies of the leaflet in the Library. I hope this information will help to reassure people who do not use their right to register about their position here after 31 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement the main recommendation of the British Refugee Council's policy document "Settling for a Future", a copy of which has been sent to him, by taking the lead in bringing together the relevant Government departments, local authorities and voluntary agencies to develop a co-ordinated plan for the resettlement of refugees in the United Kingdom.

Consideration of the Government's response is well advanced under the co-ordination of the voluntary services unit at the Home Office. The response will shortly be conveyed to Lord Chitnis, chairman of the British Refugee Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average time lapse between the inspection of a school by Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools and the publication of the report consequent on each inspection.

Of those inspections which have taken place since June 1986, and for which a report has been issued, the average time lapse between the two events was 42 weeks. Of those 90 per cent, were issued within 38 weeks. Reports are not issued, as a general rule, during school holidays and were not issued during the general election campaign. This has worsened the average.However, no institution or governing body has to wait that long to know the findings of inspections as HMI discusses these and other matters with the head and staff during and at the end of each inspection, and with the governing bodies shortly after.It remains the aim of HMI that reports should be issued within six months of an inspection and it is working to achieve that time scale. It is hoped to introduce new procedures in the new year that will reduce the overall time taken to the six-month target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many seven year olds undergoing state education are assessed as being unable to read and comprehend a single sentence.

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provisions he intends to make to enable the classics to be taught when the core curriculum comes into operation.

Under our national curriculum proposals, it will be for schools and teachers to decide how much time to spend on each subject. The essential core and other foundation subjects will not take up all the available curricular space. There will therefore be scope for maintained schools to continue to offer other subjects such as classics to some or all pupils if they wish to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received with regard to the position of academically gifted children in the state maintained sector; and if he will make a statement.

A number of responses to the Government's consultations on their proposals for educational reform have included comments about the position of academically gifted children. My right hon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will give the numbers of full-time academic posts of each university in Scotland in each year since 1977–78, differentiating between those posts wholly funded by the university, those externally funded research posts, and those externally funded non-research posts;

Full-time academic staff in each university 1986–87
Full-time staff
		Teaching and research		Research only
		Wholly university financed	Others	Wholly university financed	Others
	1 Aston	264	9	4	72
	2 Bath	358	5	12	125
	3 Birmingham	903	142	34	441
	4 Bradford	384	31	6	86
	5 Bristol	715	56	32	393
	6 Brunel	246	10	6	120
	7 Cambridge	1,133	20	21	664
	8 City	276	31	3	76
	9 Durham	413	33	29	133
	10 East Anglia	378	42	4	89
	11 Essex	260	12	6	93
	12 Exeter	460	9	13	71
	13 Hull	416	12	2	86
	14 Keele	236	28	10	37
	15 Kent	344	22	3	103
	16 Lancaster	469	3	10	124
	17 Leeds	952	146	78	312
	18 Leicester	445	71	4	197
	19 Liverpool	830	62	18	227
	20 London Business School	41	8	0	29
	21 London University	4,510	971	180	2,788
	22 Loughborough	470	44	2	213
	23 Manchester Business School	33	1	3	13
	24 Manchester University	1,254	103	18	403
	25 Manchester Institute of Science and Technology	430	6	7	267
	26 Newcastle	809	61	16	319
	27 Nottingham	679	74	28	333
	28 Oxford	1,194	134	86	623
	29 Reading	520	50	13	192
	30 Salford	347	29	7	75
	31 Sheffield	800	17	25	222
	32 Southampton	644	49	23	352
	33 Surrey	322	24	12	227
	34 Sussex	408	11	12	186
	35 Warwick	524	27	10	207
	36 York	303	11	9	158
	37 Total England	22,770	2,364	746	10,056
	38 Aberystwyth University College	197	96	20	59
	39 Bangor University College	273	11	20	73
	40 Cardiff University College	503	8	12	127
	41 St. David's Lampeter	67	1	0	2
	42 Swansea University College	380	14	3	85
	43 University of Wales College of Medicine	135	60	11	131
	44 University of Wales Institute of Science and
	Technology	258	3	16	73
	45 Total Wales	1,813	193	82	550
	46 Total England and Wales	24,583	2,557	828	10,606