To ask the Attorney-General for how long investigations into Macdonald-Wheeler Fund Management Ltd. have been proceeding.

An inquiry under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 was commenced by the Department of Trade and Industry on 28 July 1986 and concluded on 6 August 1986 when upon the Secretary of State's petition to the court the Official Receiver was appointed provisional liquidator. Police inquiries into the management of Macdonald-Wheeler Fund Management Ltd. commenced in August 1986, one month after the company ceased trading. In April 1988 the newly formed serious fraud office adopted the inquiry and continued the investigation in conjunction with the police. Criminal proceedings were commenced against one person in June 1988.

To ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to amend the Merchant Shipping Act 1988.

No.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Kenilworth.

I have at present no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to visit Wales.

I make official visits to Wales from time to time.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has had about the tone of Her Majesty's Government's response to the Windlesham report on the "Death on the Rock" programme.

None, as far as I am aware.

To ask the Prime Minister whether she is now in a position to announce a date for the forthcoming visit to Britain by Mr. Yitzhak Shamir, Prime Minister of the state of Israel.

Professor Arens told me on 15 February that Mr. Shamir hopes to visit soon. No dates have yet been fixed.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 'Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to establish a Royal Commission on the operation of the Abortion Law Reform Act 1967.

We have no plans to do so.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing in each of the three counties of Yorkshire, how many applications and registrations he has received under the set-aside scheme (a) within and (b) outside less favoured areas; and within each category how many applications he has received for (i) permanent fallow, (ii) rotational fallow, (iii) farm woodland and (iv) non-agricultural use.

The available information is as follows:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, Official Report, column 94, what factors were taken into consideration by the Government in taking the decision not to publish details of individual brands sampled under the food surveillance programme.

The purpose of the sampling undertaken under the programme of the steering group of food surveillance is to carry out scientific surveys of particular issues; it is not an enforcement programme. Sampling programmes are necessarily selective and do not cover every item on the market. It would therefore be inequitable to report data on those brands included when others of equal quality are excluded.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, column 357, under which grant scheme the regeneration of older woodland is taking place; and if he will provide figures to illustrate the extent to which this has happened over the past five years.

Regeneration of older woodland is taking place under all the Forestry Commission grant schemes, including the woodland grant scheme.The area of woodland regenerated in England over the last five years, both by the Forestry Commission and the private sector, is given in the table.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to announce the guaranteed price for wool for the 1989 clip; and if he will make a statement.

Together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, I have reviewed the state of the wool market and prospects for the 1989 clip.The British Wool Marketing board has achieved good prices for United Kingdom wool in 1988. Average market prices for the 1988 clip rose above the prevailing guarantee, enabling the board to make further repayments to the stabilisation fund. Stocks are low and demand continues to be good; the wool board is confident of market prospects for 1989.We have given careful consideration to an appropriate guarantee level for 1989 in the light of these market circumstances. We have also noted the deficit on the stabilisation fund, currently around £14·5 million and my announcement in October last year of our plans to abolish the wool guarantee. We have decided in the light of these considerations to set the price guarantee for the 1989 clip at an unchanged level, 129p/kg.Following the sale of the 1989 clip any remaining deficit falls to be written off under the terms of the financial agreement with the board, During the following period leading up to the termination of the guarantees for wool we would not expect to raise the price guarantee above its present level.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will issue the consultation paper dealing with the proposed ban on the sale of untreated milk.

The consultation paper is being issued today and seeks views on the proposal to prohibit the sale of untreated milk for liquid consumption in England and Wales. It also seeks views on untreated cream (which poses risks similar to those arising from untreated milk) and on cheese made from unpasteurised milk. There is no proposal to introduce any prohibition on the use of unpasteurised milk in the manufacture of cheese. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. Copies will also he made available in the Vote Office.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the reported effects on animals of white mineral oil in the report to his Department by Shell.

[holding answer 22 February 1989]: The major effect in rats at all dose levels was a moderate to severe granulomatous inflammation associated with oil droplets in the mesenteric lymph nodes in both sexes and in the livers of females only.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what notifications have been issued to the National Farmers Union over the past 12 months concerning the possible incidence of listeria infection in United Kingdom cheese production; and if he will make a statement.

Action over individual instances of listeria in cheese has been taken with the individual producers concerned. The NFU has been made aware of the general problem through the series of meetings of all the organisations concerned that led to the production of the code of practice for cheese producers that was issued in August 1988.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Food and Drink Federation concerning possible listeria infection in United Kingdom produced cheese; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such representations from the Food and Drink Federation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what research his Department is currently funding into the causes and incidence of listeria contamination in dairy products other than liquid milk;(2) what research his Department is currently funding into the causes and incidence of listeria contamination in fresh milk.

A considerable programme of research into the micrological safety of food is being undertaken and funded by my Department. This programme includes work on factors which cause the listeria organisms to multiply and methods of inhibiting such growth.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has that milk infected with listeria became infected (a) from listeria endemic or internal to the cow or (b) through contamination from listeria in the environment.

Listeria infections in cattle udders are unusual. If contamination of milk occurs, it is more likely to be due to environmental contamination. The presence of listeria in milk is minimised by ensuring that mill: is produced and processed under hygienic conditions—and the Milk and Dairies Regulations aim to achieve this.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the current number of United Kingdom producers of soft cheese who use unpasteurised milk.

Precise figures are not available but it is estimated that there are about 50 United Kingdom producers of soft cheese who use unpasteurised milk.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the volume of United Kingdom production for each of the last three years of soft cheese using unpasteurised milk.

The latest information available to me indicates that soft cheese production during the last three years was as follows:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those measures he has enacted in each of the last three years to improve the quality and wholesomeness of (a) home produced and (b) imported food.

One of the major objectives of my Department is to maintain the quality and wholesomeness of the food supply and this is taken into account in all measures which we enact most of which apply to imported as well as home-produced food. In 1986, 20 measures were enacted including The Milk and Dairies (Heat Treatment of Cream) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, The Milk-Based Drinks (Hygiene and Heat Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 and The Horticultural Produce Act. In 1987, 15 measues were enacted including The Coffee and Coffee Products (Amendment) Regulations 1987, The Colouring Matter in Food (Amendment) Regulations 1987, The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 1987. In 1988, 14 measures were enacted including The Animals and Fresh Meat (Examination for Residues) Regulations 1988, The Animals and Fresh Meat (Hormonal Substances) Regulations 1988, The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Food) Regulations, The Importation of Milk Regulations 1988, The Sweeteners in Food (Amendment) Regulations 1988, The Milk (Special Designation) Regulations 1988, The Milk and Dairies (Semi-skimmed and Skimmed Milk) (Heat Treatment and Labelling) Regulations 1988.Proposals have been issued for consultation on the following draft regulations:—

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department has taken to promote British-produced energy conservation systems outside the United Kingdom.

We continue to promote energy efficiency both at home and abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a table of comparable annual research and development investment in renewables by Organisation of Economic, Co-operation and Development countries and a table showing the number of renewable energy research projects undertaken annually in each EEC member state since 1979.

The table gives the expenditure on renewable energy research projects by OECD countries in 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list all occasions over the past year when he has discussed with Government representatives or industrialists from abroad the prospects of their purchasing United Kingdom-designed nuclear power plants or nuclear fuel services.

The Government fully support the efforts of British industry in pursuing suitable export opportunities which would comply with our international non-proliferation obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to promote British tourism abroad; and if he will make a statement.

My Department promotes British tourism abroad through its sponsorship of the British Tourist Authority which undertakes a wide range of promotional and marketing activities to encourage visits to Britain from abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have been (a) prosecuted and (b) successfully prosecuted for offences under section 55 of the Social Security Act 1986 and its predecessors, region by region, each year since 1979.

This information is not collated centrally and is not available for any years between 1979 and 1987. Since 1988, two companies, in Wales and Kent, have been prosecuted, both successfully, for offences under section 55 of the Social Security Act 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish the next labour force survey.

The preliminary results of the 1988 labour force survey, together with revised employment estimates incorporating those results, will be published in the next month.A copy of the information being published will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of people who have so far registered for an ET course; what are the number and proportion which have ceased attending; and what are the main reasons for withdrawal.

By 10 February 1989, 174,500 people had started on employment training. By the end of December, the latest date for which information is available, it is estimated that about 20,000 of these people had left the programme. People leave the programme for a number of reasons such as completing their training or getting a job. Information on the numbers leaving for particular reasons is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost of each ET placement; if this sum has changed since (a) the announcement and (b) commencement of the scheme; and if he will give his reasons for any change.

The Government expect to spend about £2,300 on average on each trainee on employment training. There has been no change in the grants and allowances for ET since the announcement and start of the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many horseracing and equestrian establishments have been prosecuted for breaches of health and safety regulations in each of the last 10 years.

[holding answer 22 February 1989]: During the period 1 April 1978 to 31 March 1988 two prosecutions under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act were brought against horseracing and equestrian establishments—one in 1986 and one in 1987.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the number of trading standards officers in post in each year from 1978.

Trading standards officers (TSOs) are employed by local weights and measures authorities. Records indicate that some 1,323 TSOs were in post in 1978. Information from 1979 is held in the House of Commons Library and contained in "Trading Standards Statistics' published jointly by the Societies of County Trading Standards Officers and County Treasurers until 1987 and subsequently by CIPFA.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a table showing (a) the current degree of import penetration and (b) that in December 1978 for (1) radios, (2) black and white televisions, (3) video recorders, (4) colour televisions, (5) telephone receivers, (6) refrigerators, (7) passenger motor vehicles, (8) microwave ovens, (9) calculators, (10) desk top computers, (11) computer printers, (12) word processors, (13) microchips, (14) irons, (15) commercial vehicles, (16) x-ray machines, (17) dental instruments and appliances, (18) shoes, (19) sewing machines, (20) excavators, (21) lawn mowers, (22) public transport type passenger motor vehicles, (23) burglar alarms, (24) built-in ovens, (25) hovercraft, (26) lasers, (27) vending machines, (28) dishwashers, (29) medical instruments and appliances, (30) paper, (31) wallpaper, (32) printed matter and (33) furniture, respectively.

The information available is shown in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will publish in the Official Report, the site locations in the United Kingdom where trichloroethylene is produced;(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the site location of the five plants in the United Kingdom producing ethylene dichloride;

Within the United Kingdom, both trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene are produced at one site in Runcorn. I am aware of only four United Kingdom plants for the production of ethylene dichloride; these are at Runcorn, Wilton (Teeside), Fleetwood and Ellesmere port.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on the implications for his Department's investigation of the Barlow Clowes affair of the refusal of Singer and Friedlander to hand over the proceeds of the sale of shares in Buckleys to Harp to the liquidators of Barlow Clowes.

It has no implications for my Department's investigation. It is a matter for the liquidator.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will indicate what action his Department is taking to encourage British industry to stop emissions that affect the ozone layer; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 21 February 1989]: Officials from my Department are in regular contact with producers and users of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to consider what measures industry can take to meet the targets for CFC reductions set by the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Before emissions can be stopped completely, practicable and safe alternative substances, products and processes need to be developed. It is open to companies to make full use of the assistance available under schemes operated by my Department, against the relevant criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to the number of empty properties owned by each Welsh district council and the average time they have been empty.

The number of local authority dwellings vacant on 1 April 1988 is given in the following table. Data

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names and main place of residence of each member of the Pembrokeshire national park committee together with the nominating authority for each member.

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by Welsh county the total capital allocation for improvements to and the construction of school buildings in each of the last 15 years.

This information is not available. Prior to 1981–82 formal capital allocations were not issued, and since 1985–86 capital allocations have not been hypothecated to particular services. In the intervening years capital allocations for education did not differentiate between expenditure on schools and on other educational provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the hospitals in each district health authority.

The position at 30 September 1988 is given in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out in table form (a) the total expenditure on CADW maintained sites, (b) the total income from sales and admissions at CADW maintained sites, (c) the total expenditure on non-CADW maintained sites by CADW, (d) other income to CADW and (e) other expenditure by CADW in each of the past four years.

[holding answer 16 February 1989]: The total direct expenditure by CADW on each of the categories identified by my hon. Friend is shown in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to create an exchange of technical field workers employed in the health field between the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Under the overseas aid programme we actively encourage and support the exchange of information and experience between health workers in this country and in developing countries and between developing country workers. The exchanges take many forms. In 1987, 907 person years of training were funded in health and health-related subjects in Britain. Staff are exchanged under link arrangements which many United Kingdom institutions have with counterpart organisations in the developing world. Study tours are also arranged to enable individuals and groups from developing countries to visit this country and third countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, for each of those countries that are actual or potential recipients of British overseas aid, the latest estimate available to his Department of (a) daily per capita calorie supply and (b) the percentage it represents of daily calorie requirements.

Information on food supply (calories per capita per day) is included in the FAO production yearbook 1987. Information on daily per capita calorie supply as a percentage of the requirement needed to maintain health is based on figures from FAO and World Bank sources. The estimates for all developing countries taken from those sources are given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he yet has any knowledge of the type and country of origin of the explosive that brought down the Boeing 747 aircraft, flight 103 over Lockerbie; and if he will make a statement.

At the moment nothing can be added to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his statement to the House on 10 January at column 696.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the post, ranks and responsibilities of the United Kingdom representatives due to attend the meeting of the Northern Europe Sub-Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Planning Board for European Inland Surface Transport at the Civil Defence College in the spring.

One officer at grade 7 level from the Department of Transport and a major from the Ministry of Defence. Further details are confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has considered the Civil Aviation Authority consultative paper (CAP548); and if he will respond by initiating plans for the construction of an extra runway in the London area as soon as possible.

CAP 548 canvasses views on what advice the CAA should offer my right hon. Friend in July on United Kingdom airport capacity and traffic distribution policy for airports serving the London area. It would be inappropriate for him to respond before the authority makes formal recommendations, in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many talking pelican crossings for the blind have been installed in Britain; if he will name the local authorities where they exist; and how many more are planned.