To ask the Minister for the Arts what was his Department's total expenditure on the arts in England and in Wales during the 1986–87 financial year.

My Department's total expenditure on the arts in the financial year 1986–87 was £285.7 million, largely in the form of grants in aid to arts bodies. Of the grant in aid of £135.6 million to the Arts Council for Great Britain, £7.6 million was provided for the Welsh Arts Council. Responsibility for the provision of grants in aid to the National Museum of Wales and the National Library of Wales rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students with special educational needs regularly attend courses run by colleges of further and higher education in England and in each of the English counties.

A survey by the National Bureau for Handicapped Students was commissioned in 1985. Its report "Catching-Up?" and DES statistical bulletin 7/87 summarise the results and are in the Library of the House. Figures are not provided for individual counties, but about 44,000 students with special educational needs were attending various courses run by public sector institutions of further and higher education in England. Of these, 17,600 were on mainstream college courses or courses specifically provided for students with special educational needs, 12,500 were enrolled at another institution but attended a college for part of the week, and 13,400 were attending outreach courses run by college staff at other centres. Some of the data are to be updated annually.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. Specific guidance on reporting alleged sexual harassment is included in "Women in the Treasury; a guide to personnel management policies" which has been issued to all Treasury staff. There have been four complaints reported in the past five years; in the two proven cases, formal written warnings were issued.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the Exchequer of the Manor of Northstead in each year since 1980.

Nothing. The stewardship of the Manor of Northstead, like that of the Chiltern Hundreds, is a nominal office of profit under the Crown; no salary actually attaches.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total cost of the Central Office of Information in 1987–88; and what it was in 1978–79 and 1982–83.

[holding answer 14 January 1988]: The estimated total running costs of the COI in 1987–88 and comparable actual costs for 1978–79 and 1982–83 are as follows:

£ million
Year	Cash prices	Constant 1987–88 prices
1978–79	10·7	21·5
1982–83	17·6	22·0
1987–88 (estimated)	19·0	19·0

At constant 1987–88 prices the total expenditure for the COI in 1978–79 was £71·4 million, in 1982–83 was £60·5 million, and in 1987–88 is estimated to be £141 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of Central Office of Information work put out to private consultants and agencies in 1987–88; arid what it was in 1978–79 and 1982–83.

[holding answer 14 January 1988]: The COI does not hold records of expenditure with consultancies and agencies in the form requested. In 1987–88 the department estimates that it will spend £104·5 miilion on goods and services with the private sector as a whole. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to meet the Kuwaiti Government or the Kuwaiti Investment Office in order to discuss the Kuwaiti Investment Office's shareholding in British Petroleum plc.

It is not my normal practice to disclose details of possible discussions with other Governments or their agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the actual or estimated costs of office rentals for the Overseas Development Administration's accommodation in East Kilbride in each of the last three years, the current year, and in each of the next three years.

The annual rental cost per square metre of the Overseas Development Administration's office accommodation for its East Kilbride headquarters is as follows:

	£
Actuals
1984–85	37·92
1985–86	39·44
1986–87	70·59
1987–88	73·06
Estimated
1988–89	75·98
1989–90	78·64
1990–91	81·00

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Overseas Development Administration has for accommodation for its London headquarters when it eventually leaves Eland house.

The matter is being kept under review by officials of my Department and the Property Services Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the actual or estimated costs of office rentals for the Overseas Development Administration's accommodation in London in each of the last three years, the current year and in each of the next three years.

The annual rental cost per square metre of the Overseas Development Administration's London headquarters—excluding its scientific units—is as follows:

	£
Actuals
1984–85	156·20
1985–86	164·45
1986–87	149·97
1987–88	172·20
Estimated
1988–89	179·09
1989–90	185·36
1990–91	190·92

The charges are those paid to the Property Services Agency under property repayment services arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the estimated net annual recurrent cost savings if the London-based Overseas Development Administration jobs were dispersed to the Glasgow-East Kilbride area.

The main recurrent saving from moving the Overseas Development Administration London-based posts to East Kilbride would be on accommodation costs and would be approximately £1·9 million a year at January 1988 prices. Other recurrent savings, for example on London weighting, would probably be broadly offset by the additional recurrent costs of relocation, including travel.This estimate takes no account of unquantifiable efficiency losses arising from the separation of such a significant element of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from the remainder of that office. Nor does it take account of the capital and other non-recurrent costs of relocation, or of costs which would accrue to other Government Departments and public bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will place in the Library copies or summaries of the reviews and studies that the Overseas Development Administration has made into further dispersal of its work to East Kilbride since the initial dispersal exercise in 1981.

The matter has been kept under review on a continuing basis since 1981, as part of the wider exercise to ensure that the Government met their commitment to disperse to the west of Scotland functions providing at that time 2,050 jobs, and as part of a regular programme of internal Overseas Development Administration management reviews. The conclusion has always been that there were no further major blocks of work which could be dispersed without unacceptable loss of efficiency, although minor changes have been made. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the House on 3 November 1987, I re-examined the question last year as a result of representations from the Overseas Development Administration's local trade union sides in London and East Kilbride, but concluded that there was no case for a further major dispersal programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of Overseas Development Administration posts dispersed to East Kilbride as a result of the reviews and studies which the Administration has carried out since the initial dispersal exercise in 1981.

One hundred and sixty-seven posts in the Crown Agents pensions division were dispersed to East Kilbride in 1982. The Crown Agents pensions division was incorporated in the Overseas Development Administration's pensions department on 1 December 1987. Three posts dealing with arrangements for joint funding of projects with non-governmental organisations were transferred to East Kilbride from London in 1983. It was decided last year that consultancies department (10 posts based in London) should form part of overseas manpower department (based in East Kilbride). The implications of this for the structure of the department and location of jobs are currently being examined.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received from civil servants on the new staff appraisal system in the Civil Service.

No representations have been received. However, the recently completed evaluation of the new staff appraisal system has shown that the system has been well received by civil servants, who are especially pleased with its openness.

To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to remove from the Property Services Agency its current responsibilities in defence work either (a) in full or (b) in part; and if she will make a statement.

The responsibilities of the Property Services Agency are among the matters kept under review as part of the Government's efforts to improve efficiency and enhance value for money in the provision of Government accommodation. In the event of changes in those responsibilities, an announcement would be made at the appropriate time.

To ask the Prime Minister, further to her answer of 7 December 1987, Official Report, column 9, whether she will convert the comparison she provided in terms of estimated fire power or throw weight intensity and provide comparable figures for NATO as a whole.

It is not known what quantities and types of missiles the Soviet Union would retain to meet a 50 per cent. cut in strategic systems. Furthermore, information on missile throw weight and warhead yield is classified.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of her visit to Kenya and Nigeria; what was her method of travel and who was the carrier; and how many civil servants accompanied her.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) at columns 352–53. I travelled by Royal Air Force VC10.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the charge to journalists who travelled with her to Africa in official transport.

Journalists who travelled with me to Africa were charged £1,000. This sum was based on commercial rates.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library the memorandum to Government Departments about the inclusion of lawyers in key Government policy decisions.

It is not my practice to place documents dealing with internal Civil Service management procedures in the Library.

To ask the Prime Minister what consideration has been given to prosecuting under the Official Secrets Act those individuals who sought to induce Peter Wright to disclose information from MI5 files concerning Lord Wilson; and if she will make a statement.

Any such matter would be for the prosecuting authorities.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has caused inquiries to be made into the identity of individuals who sought to induce Peter Wright to disclose information from MI5 files concerning Lord Wilson; and if she will make a statement.

It would be inappropriate for me to comment on matters at issue in the proceedings concerning the Peter Wright case while those proceedings continue.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps she has taken to ensure that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton), has complied with the rules governing ministerial conduct, with particular reference to the divestment of financial interests, in so far as they relate to his dealings with the Housing (Scotland) Bill; and if she will make a statement.

I have been advised of the facts and am satisfied that no breach of the rules governing ministerial conduct has occurred.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library the rules regarding the conduct of Ministers, with specific reference to their financial and other interests.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to make Cabinet documents public or to release them to Parliament. So far as Ministers' financial interests are concerned, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 26 November 1987 to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) at column 261.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 13 November 1987, Official Report, column 333–34, why the British Army equipment exhibition, scheduled to be held at Aldershot from 27 June to 1 July, will not be open to the public.

The British Army equipment exhibition is designed for professional and technical experts, not for the general public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many houses and flats owned by his Department are surplus to requirement; in how many cases the Property Services Agency has been instructed to sell such properties; and how many properties remain unsold (a) more than four months, (b) more than eight months and (c) more than 12 months after the Property Services Agency was instructed to sell them.

At 30 November 1987, the most recent date for which statistics are available, a total of 2,397 houses and flats had been declared surplus to MOD's requirements and were still owned by the Ministry of Defence. Of these, PSA had been instructed to sell 844 and a further 384 were in the process of sale through the discounted sales scheme which offers houses (but not flats) to servicemen at a discount of 30 per cent. The remaining 1,169 properties were still being processed by the PL(Lands) division at the Ministry of Defence as part of the normal process prior to sale. Each year PL(Lands) processes about 2,000 properties.I regret that the information required to identify the number of the properties remaining unsold after four, eight and 12 months is not available to the PSA and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn of 16 November 1987, Official Report, column 452, he will place copies of the standing instructions relating to military flying in the Library.

No. The document in question, the "United Kingdom Military Low Flying Handbook," is classified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what grounds he decided to dispose of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President, and what consultations he undertook prior to reaching that decision;(2) what publicity he gave to his decisions to dispose of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President; by what means their prospective sale was publicised; and how many tenders were received for each vessel;(3) how many tenders he received for the sale of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President, respectively, and what was the price received for each.

HM ships Chrysanthemum and President currently house the London division royal naval reserve. It was decided to dispose of them, as the headquarters is due to move to new shore accommodation next month and no alternative use within the Royal Navy had been identified.Normal disposal procedures were followed. A number of representations concerning their possible future use after disposal were received from organisations outside the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer given on 8 December 1987, Official Report, column 142, how many jobs will be lost each year as the facilities progress towards the elimination of Polaris and the installation of Trident;(2) pursuant to the answer of 8 December 1987,

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December at column 142. The phasing out of Polaris is currently the subject of detailed planning within MOD. Until this work is completed, it is not possible to be specific about the timing of any resultant job losses at RNAD Coulport. Assessments of how many new jobs are likely to be created at the depot are similarly dependent upon the outcome of this work, which, because of its complexity, will not be concluded for some considerable time. The investigation into any other possible employment will similarly take a considerable time to complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many empty houses and flats were owned by his Department on the latest available date; and how many were owned on the same date in each of the past eight years.

Statistics showing the number of empty service houses and flats and the number of empty MOD owned civilian houses and flats are held separately.As at 30 November 1987 (the latest date for which figures are available) the total number of service houses and flats vacant was 15,801. Statistics showing the number of empty service houses and flats throughout the last eight years are only available for each year as at 31 July. This information is:

	Number
31 July 1980	19,400
31 July 1981	14,850
31 July 1982	13,200
31 July 1983	14,670
31 July 1984	14,527
31 July 1985	14,235
31 July 1986	14,381
31 July 1987	15,529

To ask the Lord President of the Council, how many items have been reported as stolen from the (a) offices, (b) corridors, (c) family room, (d) Library and (e) refreshment rooms of the Commons section of the Palace of Westminster in 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date; and how many items have been recovered for each period.

Cases of theft from areas in the House of Commons which were reported to the head of security were as follows:

	1986	1987
Offices	10	4
Corridors	1	Nil
Families' Room	Nil	2
Library	Nil	Nil
Refreshment Rooms	5	2

One item, stolen in 1987 has been recovered, but investigations into the remaining cases are continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken through the Council of Ministers to condemn police repression in Romania.

Romania's observance of its human rights commitments is unsatisfactory. My right hon. and learned Friend had a detailed discussion of this with the Romanian Foreign Minister, during his visit to London in November. Both the United Kingdom delegation and the European Community Presidency have referred to these issues frequently at the Vienna CSCE meeting. We shall continue, with our Community partners, to draw attention to the need for Romania to respect human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

None. We are concerned at human rights violations wherever they occur. While there continue to be occasional reports of ill treatment of prisoners, we have noted a recent general improvement in the human rights situation in Zimbabwe as reflected in the Amnesty report itself, particularly the release of large numbers or opposition detainees. Significantly the African Association on Human and People's Rights in Development was established in the presence of a Zimbabwe Minister in Harare on 31 August 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zambia regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Zambia, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

The importance we attach to respect for human rights is well-known to the Zambians arid is regularly expressed at the United Nations, and other international fora.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Uganda regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Uganda, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

Amnesty International's 1987 report noted a "significant" improvement inrespect for human rights in Uganda. The Government of Uganda are publicly committed to respect for human rights. We have regular contacts with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Nigeria, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement;(2) what representations he has made to the Government of Ghana regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Ghana, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

We continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in west Africa as elsewhere and regularly make clear in appropriate fora our view that human rights must be respected in accordance with internationally agreed standards.In respect of the 1987 Amnesty International report, no representations have been made to the Governments of Ghana or Nigeria. In general, the human rights situation in these countries has improved over recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of India regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in India, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

None. We have noted the contents of Amnesty International's 1987 report. We regularly make clear our views on the need for all governments to respect human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Bangladesh, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

We have noted the contents of the 1987 Amnesty International report. We regularly make clear our views on the need for all governments to respect human rights and have on several occasions raised with the Bangladesh Government at the highest levels the concern felt in this country for human rights in Bangladesh.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Kenya regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Kenya, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

Kenya's human rights record has been good since independence. In the context of the Amnesty International report, President Moi has given a number of public undertakings that human rights will continue to be respected. In his speech at the official banquet for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 5 January he said,

"Our law is clear on the question of protection of human rights … we cannot betray our struggle for Independence by denying our people the very same rights we fought for so hard".

We have made our view clear on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been the main decisions of the European Community Council of Social Affairs Ministers in the last five years.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the six-monthly White Papers on developments in the European Community, which have been laid before Parliament and debated in the House of Commons. For the decisions of the Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers from June 1983 to June 1987, the references are set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report those countries for which his Department recommends visitors to take any special precautions to avoid contracting the AIDS virus.

AIDS is a worldwide problem: 130 countries had reported AIDS cases to the World Health Organisation as of 12 January 1988. The DHSS leaflet, "Protect Your Health Abroad" gives general health advice (including advice on AIDS) for people travelling overseas.The travel inquiries unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's consular department can provide similar advice, and where available official information issued by other countries. Travellers are advised to contact the mission in London of the country which they are visiting for more specific information or on arrival to contact the nearest British mission which can usually provide a list of local medical practitioners, but cannot, of course, provide medical advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all members of staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action for equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and may be dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual diplomatic service or home Civil Service complaints procedure.Guidance on reporting complaints has been made available to all staff in the diplomatic and aid wings. There have been no official complaints in the past five years in the diplomatic wing. In the aid wing, one complaint resulted in the offender's being reprimanded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional costs were incurred by Her Majesty's high commissions in Kenya and Nigeria arising from the visit to those countries by the Prime Minister.

Costs incurred by British high commissions in Kenya and Nigeria are as follows:

	£
(a) Kenya	563
(b) Nigeria	2,500

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to what discussions have taken place to ensure that representative sections of the Mujahideen will participate in the peace proposals for Afghanistan.

It is clear that the peace process cannot succeed without participation by the Mujahideen. The European Council statement of 5 December 1987 called on the Soviet Union to recognise that the participation of the Afghan resistance is essential to a comprehensive political settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the timing of withdrawal of Soviet troops stationed in Afghanistan.

We regularly raise these issues with the Soviet Government, most recently on 7 December when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expressed to Mr. Gorbachev the hope that there would be a Soviet withdrawal in 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made, or intends to make, to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in May 1986 and again in July 1986 and the subsequent detention without trial of Dr. George Katema Mkangi;(2) what representations he has made, or intends to make, to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in March 1986 and subsequent detention without trial of Francis Kariuki Gathitu;(3) what representations he has made, or will make, to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in July 1986 and again in October 1986 and the subsequent detention without trial of Wanyiri Kihoro;(4) what representations he has made or will make to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in May 1986 and again in July 1986 and the subsequent detention without trial of David Mukuru Ng'ang'a.

Kenya's overall human rights record has been good since independence. The Kenyan authorities are well aware of our view on the importance of maintaining this record and our concern over prolonged detention without trial. We raise such cases with them on appropriate occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made, or will make, to the Government of Kenya on the seven-hour interrogation on 11 January of Judge Marvin Frankel and Dr. Robert Kirschner, both international observers at the inquest into the death in custody of Peter Karanja.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to raise this matter with the Government of Kenya.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the implied threat to the legitimate activities of a legal opposition party and those who oppose the integration of northern Cyprus into mainland Turkey, he will make an official protest to the Turkish Government over the award of £100,000 damages against Mr. Ozker Ozgur, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party in Cyprus, for an alleged libel of Mr. Rauf Denktash.

It would not be appropriate for us to make representations over a civil case of this kind. Nor do we believe that the Government of Turkey are involved in this matter.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons the indentities of the holders of radio call signs are secret; and if he will make a statement.

The identities of civil radio licensees are not classified, but many users of radio such as the police and security firms have very good reasons for not wanting to make unauthorised reception of their transmissions easier. There are also commercial reasons for many other users not wishing to have their call signs made available. Radio amateurs are specifically asked upon issue of their licence whether they wish to have their call sign details published; I respect their decisions.All licence details kept on computer are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on the economic prospects for the north-west.

I refer to the Autumn Statement given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 3 November 1987 Official Report, columns 783–86, when he forecast that for the United Kingdom as a whole there was likely to be a continuation of steady growth, low inflation and falling unemployment in 1988. I would expect the economy in the north-west to share in this increasing prosperity. Unemployment in the region is already falling steadily and there is much evidence of rising investment and output from an increasingly competitive industrial base. I am confident that, thanks to the sound fiscal policies and measures to promote enterprise adopted by the Government, the economy of the north-west now has better prospects for sustained growth than for many years. I am also sure that the enterprise initiative which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced on 12 January, Official Report columns 145–47, will give an added impetus to economic growth in the north-west by allowing the talents arid energies of companies and people in the region to be harnessed even more effectively than in the past.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total of grants paid by his Department to Courtaulds in respect of its Belmont factory since its inception: when the last grant payment was made; if, in view of the closure of the factory, Courtaulds will be repaying grant; what advance notice was given to his Department of the closure of the factory: and if he will make a statement.

Details of assistance paid to individual companies are published in "British Business" in accordance with established procedures. Assistance paid to Courtaulds in respect of its Belmont factory has been mainly by way of regional selective assistance, most of which was paid in 1975 and 1976. No assistance has been paid since 1986. The question of any repayment of grant is a matter for consideration by my Department in negotiation with the company. My Department was notified of the proposed closure the day before the press announcement on 11 December. While the closure is, of course, regrettable, it is a matter for the commercial judgment of the company.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the levels of regional development grant to private licensed mines and opencast mines in the counties of Durham and Northumberland in the last year for which figures are available.

Mining is not a qualifying activity for regional development grant.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the total payments made of support for advanced manufacturing project planning and implementation in each year since 1980 within the Corby travel-to-work area.

The following payments have been made under the support for advanced manufacturing project planning and implementation studies scheme within the Corby travel-to-work area:

Year	£
1986–87	20,320
1987–88	2,835

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the measures outlined in his publication "DTI—the department for Enterprise" (Cm 278) will be applicable to areas which do not at present have either regional or assisted area status.

Many of the measures outlined in "DTI—the department for Enterprise" (Cm 278) apply throughout Great Britain; such measures include those on competition policy, and improving business and education links. Innovation programmes, including the new collaborative research initiatives in superconductivity and information technology, apply throughout the country, with the exception of the new innovation grant for small firms which will be available only in the development areas.Independent firms with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for support of half of the cost of consultancy projects to improve marketing (including export marketing), design, quality management, manufacturing systems and, from April, business planning and financial and information systems. The rate of support is two thirds of the cost in assisted areas and urban programme areas.The English Industrial Estates Corporation is giving priority to a programme of managed work space primarily in inner city locations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to make counterfeiting of goods a criminal offence whether done by way of trade or not; and if he will make a statement.

In the Copyright, Designs and Patents Bill which has now completed its Committee stage in another place, we have already proposed a new trade mark offence, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, to deal with counterfeiting. The offence would apply in any case where a trade mark is fraudulently applied to goods, packaging, labelling or advertising material, either for gain or with intent to cause loss to another person.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of trade deficit in manufactured goods with the EEC in 1987.

Figures for the whole of 1987 are not yet available. The latest information is in the table.

United Kingdom Balance of Trade in Manufactures' with the European Community
£ billion
	BOP basis	OTS basis
January to September 1987	-7·7	-8·4
January to November 1987	ֵ	-10·5
1 Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8.

ֵ Not available.Figures on a balance of payments basis are available only quarterly. On the overseas trade statistics basis, imports, but not exports, include the cost of insurance and freight charges.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of his Department's future plans for the support of the growing export market in photovoltaics.

[holding answer 14 January 1988]: United Kingdom companies in the photovoltaic industry are generally of small to medium size and are, therefore, well placed to benefit from the recently announced enterprise initiative, including the marketing initiative which assists companies to develop a comprehensive marketing plan at home and overseas. All United Kingdom firms, irrespective of size, will continue to be helped to succeed in the export market through my Department's new export initiative.Within this framework, my Department will continue to encourage collaboration in research and development including by means of the international photovoltaic energy project established as a result of the Versailles (1982) and Williamsburg (1983) economic summits, participation in European Community-funded research, development and demonstration programmes, and the development of international standards, all of which will contribute to the ability of United Kingdom firms to compete effectively in overseas markets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will provide figures of the support given by the Department of Trade and Industry and any other Government Departments towards the development of photovoltaics during the past five years.

[holding answer 14 January 1988]: Over the past five years Government Departments have granted financial assistance of £3,320,000 for the development of photovoltaic devices and systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what facilities British Coal will give during the next National Union of Mineworkers elections in particular in the Nottingham area of British Coal.

This is a matter for the management of the British Coal Corporation and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick), Official Report, 16 December 1987, column 518, if he has any plans to publish previous annual production figures for plutonium from electricity from electricity board safeguarded reactors for the period May 1979 to 31 March 1986.

I have no plans to publish this information as it could be produced only at disproportionate cost. It is our intention that from now on information on plutonium produced at Britain's civil nuclear power stations will be published annually.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West, Official Report, 26 November 1987, column 279, on nuclear safeguards, if he will give the period judged by his Department that would not incur disproportionate cost; and if he will publish the information in the format previously requested for the period from May 1979 to 31 March 1986.

Each year safeguards inspectors from Euratom and-or the International Atomic Energy Agency make frequent visits to United Kingdom civil nuclear facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what information he has about the numbers of workers employed in British Coal workshops and garages in the Nottinghamshire coalfield area for the years 1979 until the present, inclusive;(2) if he will list the numbers and categories of workers employed by British Coal in the Nottinghamshire area for the years from 1979 until the present, inclusive.

This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) on what basis the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority contracted to reprocess fuel from the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board in terms of fixed fuel volumes, duration of contract and linkage to lifetime of nuclear power stations;(2) whether the original contracts between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board were concluded on an individual power station basis; and if he will make a statement.

The UKAEA has no contracts with the CEGB and SSEB to reprocess nuclear fuel. The reprocessing contracts between the authority and the boards which existed before the creation of BNFL were transferred to the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether the contracts between British Nuclear Fuels plc and the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board for reprocessing are fixed price contracts; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether the contracts between British Nuclear Fuels plc and the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board provide for contingent costs to cover the additional costs arising out of improvements in waste technology; and if he will make a statement.

The terms under which business is conducted between BNFL and the United Kingdom generating boards are a commercial matter between the parties involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the cost to date of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

Recorded expenditure to date on the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield is in the order of £700 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportions the Sellafield thermal oxide reprocessing plant Thorp base load is expected to be provided for by overseas business from Japan.

Some 38 per cent. of the Thorp base load of 6,000 tonnes is expected to be provided for by business from Japan.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the outcome of Her Majesty's Government's action over "Spycatcher" in the New Zealand courts.

The proceedings before the New Zealand Court of Appeal are part-heard and stand adjourned during the court's long vacation in New Zealand.

To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act since 1979 have not been proceeded with due to lack of evidence.

Separate records are not kept of prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act which are not proceeded with due to lack of evidence, and the information could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the number of working days lost by prison officers at Barlinnie prison during the last year due to stress-related illnesses.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to reduce the number of administrators in the National Health Service in Scotland below the level pertaining in 1979.

We keep tight control of the proportion of total health board revenue which is applied to management and administration; since 1979, it has fallen from 5·5 per cent. to 4·5 per cent. Many administrative staff work directly in support of clinical staff and make an important contribution to patient care. In addition, effective managers make a vital contribution to the efficiency of the Health Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of civil servants at grade 5 level and above in his Department is female.

The proportion in my departments, excluding the prison service, is 6 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what importance he attaches to the early implementation of the recommendations of the Law Commission for reform of the law governing breach of confidence.

The report by the Scottish Law Commission on breach of confidence (Scot Law Com. No. 90) made no conclusive recommendation on the need for legislation in this area. I am keeping the law governing breach of confidence under review, but have not yet decided whether to legislate to supplement the common law or to leave development of the law to the courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the East Kilbride projected school rolls for the primary and secondary sectors, broken down by denominational and non-denominational category, for each of the next 10 years.

Information about projected school rolls in individual schools is not prepared centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mrs. Shephard) of 17 December 1987, Official Report, column 723, how much of the funds for the environmentally sensitive areas will go to the Scottish areas.

The level of expenditure in Scottish environmentally sensitive areas will depend on the number of farmers wishing to join the scheme. In 1988–89 when three new areas will be introduced, it is estimated that expenditure could be about £1·5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial support Her Majesty's Government will give to the Scottish national meat centre; and if he will make a statement.

Proposals for setting up a Scottish national meat centre are at a very early stage and the extent of private sector support is not yet clear. It is not, therefore, possible to say at present whether any public financial support is required or appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to how many social workers are employed in each of the eight counties of Wales; and what is the average number of social workers per 100,000 head of population for the latest date and for each of the last four years.

Information about the number of senior social workers, social workers, community workers, trainee social workers and social work (welfare) assistants is given in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a special financial allocation to Clwyd county council to enable it to recruit more social workers.

The total amount of rate support grant made available for 1988–89, and the principles underlying its distribution between authorities, are published in the Welsh rate support grant report 1988–89. The allocations were approved by the House on 15 December, and there is no scope for extra allocations.It is for individual authorities to determine spending priorities for their areas. However, in setting current expenditure provision for Wales for 1988–89, an increase of £9·9 million or 7·1 per cent. was allowed for personal social services (including port health).

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the number of trainees entering nursing for the state registered nurse and registered general nurse course in Wales for each of the last 10 years.

The information is not available centrally in the form requested. The Department holds information only on the number of people in training at any one time. Information on the number in training in September in each year is given in the following table:

	State Registered Nurse	State Enrolled Nurse
1978	2,168	1,284
1979	2,347	1,227
1980	2,306	1,294
1981	2,676	1,378
1982	2,641	1,256
1983	2,661	1,080
1984	2,670	983
1985	2,639	852
1986	2,693	776
1987	2,769	879

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the number of (i) trainee physiotherapists, (ii) trainee speech therapists, (iii) trainee occupational therapists and (iv) trainee midwives (Royal College of Midwives) entering courses in Wales during each of the past 10 years.

The information requested for trainee physiotherapists, trainee occupational therapists and trainee midwives is not available centrally on an all-Wales basis. Information on the number of first year entrants into speech therapy courses at colleges of higher education is available for Wales from 1979–80 and is as follows:

	Number
1979–80	10
1980–81	14
1981–82	14
1982–83	15
1983–84	17
1984–85	15
1985–86	15
1986–87	15

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

Following the public inquiry held in July 1987, line, side roads and compulsory purchase orders were made in December. Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and engineering design and the availability of resources, the scheme is expected to start in the period January 1988 to December 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the submissions made to his Department during his consultation exercise on the case for a new Welsh Language Bill during 1986–87 to be made available to the public for inspection.

As soon as my right hon. Friend and I have completed our further consideration of issues related to the Welsh language.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many offers there have been, and of what total value, against which a first payment was made of (a) regional selective assistance of (i) less than £5,000 and (ii) £5,000 or more by his Department in each financial quarter since 1985–86 in (1) Holyhead, (2) Bangor/Caernarfon, (3) Pwllheli, and (4) Portmadog Ffestiniog travel-to-work areas, respectively; and (b) regional development grants of (i) less than £5,000 and (ii) 5,000 or more in the Holyhead travel-to-work area.

There have been no offers of regional selective assistance since 1985–86 against which a first payment has been made in the travel-to-work areas of Holyhead, Pwllheli and Porthmadog and Ffestiniog. In the Bangor and Caernarfon TTWA, there have been no such offers of less than £5,000. Details of those for £5,000 or more are set out in the table.In the case of regional development grant, details of offers in the Holyhead TTWA against which a first payment has been made are given in the table for the period 1 April 1985 to 31 December 1987 as a whole. In order to protect confidentiality on individual projects which do not meet the standard criteria for publication, the information is not broken down into financial quarters.I envisage more regional development grant during 1988–89 and thereafter an increase in demand for regional selective assistance in the area.

(i) RSA offers—1.4.85 to 31.12.87 (where a first payment has been made).
Bangor and Caemarfon TTWA
	Offers of £5,000 or more
Period	Number	Total Value
		£
1 April 1985–30 June 1985	1	5,000
1 July 1985–30 September 1985	1	24,000
1 October 1985–31 December 1986	—	—
1 January 1987–31 March 1987	2	54,000
1 April 1987–31 December 1987	—	—
Total	4	83,000

Persons on the register of handicapped people at 31 March 1987
	Handicap
	Deaf with speech	Deaf without speech	Hard of hearing	Blind	Partially sighted	General classes2	Total
Clwyd
Number	61	138	709	1,077	688	29,804	32,477
per cent. of population1	0·015	0·034	0·177	0·270	0·172	7·458	8·127
Dyfed
Number	78	44	195	1,375	755	8,052	10,499
per cent. of population	0·023	0·013	0·058	0·406	0·223	2·375	3·097
Gwent
Number	182	187	184	1,475	1,070	15,249	18,347
per cent. of population	0·041	0·042	0·042	0·334	0·242	3·452	4·153
Gwynedd
Number	44	57	351	801	339	6,116	7,708
per cent. of population	0·019	0·024	0·150	0·341	0·144	2·607	3·286
Mid Glamorgan
Number	173	194	437	1,849	1,271	36,162	40,086
per cent. of population	0·032	0·036	0·082	0·346	0·238	6·766	7·500
Powys
Number	60	35	232	249	144	2,985	3,705
per cent. of population	0·053	0·031	0·206	0·222	0·128	2·656	3·296
South Glamorgan
Number	169	103	222	807	516	10,400	12,217
per cent. of population	0·043	0·026	0·056	0·204	0·130	2·628	3·087
West Glamorgan
Number	221	274	355	870	833	10,710	13,263
per cent. Of population	0·061	0·075	0·098	0·239	0·229	2·947	3·650

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) which planning authorities in Wales regularly consult access groups concerning the needs of physically disabled people;(2) if he will list those Welsh planning authorities which have appointed access officers either on a full-time or part-time basis.

Information on those Welsh planning authorities which have appointed access officers and those which regularly consult access groups is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales and in each of the Welsh counties have physical disabilities; and in each case what percentage of the population they represent.

The information requested is given in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance his Department has issued to planning authorities in Wales concerning the needs of the disabled and visually handicapped in planning; and if he will make a statement.

Separate guidance to planning authorities on the provision of access for the disabled is given in development control policy note No. 16 "Access for the Disabled" and in Welsh Office circular 21/82 "Disabled Persons Act 1981".

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students with special educational needs regularly attend courses run by colleges of further and higher education in Wales and in each of the Welsh counties.

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he hopes to announce the results of his Department's consultation process on the consultative document on the future of the artificial limb and appliance service in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Our decision to confirm the preferred option, set out in the consultation document, was announced on 26 November 1987; management responsibility will be vested in the Welsh health Common Services A uthority from 1 April 1988. For north Wales our proposals in respect of the limb service remain as set out in Welsh health circular 87/11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the implementation in Wales of the recommendations of the Home committee.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport and confirm that such legislation would apply equally in Wales.