To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take to seek to restrain the military action by Syrian forces against the Lebanon.

The Twelve have made dàmarches to both the Syrian and General Aoun and issued a statement on 17 April calling for restraint and a ceasefire. We fully support the efforts of the Arab League to find a negotiated solution and urge all parties to work with the league to that end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his visit to the United States of America on 16 April, he raised with the United States Secretary of State (a) the first preparatory committee meeting of the 1990 nuclear non-proliferation treaty to be held 1–5 May in New York, and (b) the strategy that the depository states for the non-proliferation treaty could adopt to increase the membership of the treaty.

No. However, we take every appropriate opportunity to discuss these issues with the United States. Preparations for the 1990 non-proliferation treaty review conference are frequently discussed at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, at the recent meeting in Spain of the Council of European Community Foreign Affairs Ministers, he raised the matter of the 1990 fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the non-membership of France of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit of the Minister of State to Vietnam with regard to the returning boat people.

During his visit my noble Friend Lord Glenarthur discussed all aspects of the boat people problem, stressing the heavy burden placed on Hong Kong and the urgent need to find a comprehensive and durable solution. He visited some returnees in their homes. All said they were glad to have returned, and that they had been well treated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel following the killing by their occupation forces of Palestinian children in Nahalim.

The Israelis will be fully aware of our views on this tragic incident following the statement by the FCO spokesman on 14 April and our vote in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution on 20 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give by reference to a common date the number of British citizens imprisoned abroad, showing the number in each country; and if he will make a statement.

To the best of our knowledge there were 1,190 British citizens detained overseas on 31 December 1988. A breakdown by country is given in the table.

British nationals detained overseas: 31 December 1988 (Total 1,190)
	Number
Argentina	1
Australia	16
Austria	5
Bahrain	1
Bangladesh	3
Barbados	2
Belgium	32
Botswana	1
Brazil	4
Bulgaria	1
Canada	7
Colombia	1
Cote D'lvoire	1
Cyprus	2
Denmark	8
Ecuador	1
Egypt	4
Finland	3
France	162
Germany, West	116
Ghana	2
Greece	33
Guyana	1
Hong Kong	8
India	23
Indonesia	4
Iran	1
Iraq	1
Ireland	7
Israel	6
Italy	23
Jamaica	13
Japan	9
Kenya	9
Korea, South	1
Kuwait	8
Liechtenstein	2
Luxembourg	3
Malawi	1
Malaysia	3
Malta	7
Mexico	4
Morocco	8
Mozambique	1
Nepal	6
Netherlands	19
New Caledonia	1
New Zealand	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on (a) the percentage of voters which elected the present Governments of Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, (b) the protection of opposition parties and supporters from military or para-military attacks or repression in these countries and (c) the facilities to meet and campaign enjoyed by such parties; and what regard he has to these factors when formulating his policy towards Central America.

The figures available to us are as follows:

(a)
Country	Election Date	Winning Candidate/Party	Per cent. of votes cast
El Salvador	6 May 1984	José Napoleon Duarte (Christian Democrat)	154·05
Guatemala	5 December 1985	Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo (Christian Democrat)	168·00
Honduras	14 November 1985	Jose Azcona Hoyo (Liberal)	49·23
Nicaragua	4 November 1984	Daniel Ortega Saavedra (Sandinista National Liberation Front)	61·77
1 Second Round Figures.

In the most recent Presidential election in E1 Salvador (19 March 1989), Alfredo Cristiani of the National Republican Alliance (ARENA) won on the first round with 54.8 per cent. of the votes cast. He will take office on 1 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the deployment of United States Air Force reserve C-130 aircraft to RAF Benson in September 1988.

The temporary deployment of three United States air national guard tactical aircraft units to RAF Benson in September 1988 was designed to give reservist aircrews experience of European flying conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the deployment of United States marine corps F/A-18 aircraft to Edinburgh airport in September 1988.

The purpose of the deployment of United States marine corps F/A 18 aircraft to Edinburgh airport during the period 3 to 9 September 1988 was to test the staging facilities for elements of the II United States marine air wing en route to a deployment destination in northern Europe as part of a NATO exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all exercises or deployments involving four or more aircraft of visiting forces for 1988 at bases and facilities, both military and civil, in the United Kingdom, giving the number of aircraft, type of aircraft, the major base or facility used and the dates of the exercises.

The information requested is not held centrally and could not be compiled without disproportionate cost and effort.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the dangers to members of the armed forces training in the village of Imber and surrounding lands from (i) unexploded ordnance, (ii) metal fragments, (iii) wire entanglements and (iv) open trenches.

Unexploded ordnance, wire entanglements, metal fragments, and open trenches are inherently dangerous. However, since soldiers are trained to recognise and take appropriate steps to deal with such dangers and have support from specialist explosive ordnance disposal teams, I am satisfied that risks to military personnel training in and around Imber village are kept to an acceptable minimum. Indeed there have been no recorded injuries to soldiers training in the area from unexploded ordnance in the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of injuries that have occurred to members of the armed forces training in the village of Imber and surrounding lands for each year since 1979 that are attributable to (i) unexploded ordnance, (ii) metal fragments, (iii) wire entanglements and (iv) open trenches.

There are no records of injuries to members of the armed forces resulting from incidents involving unexploded ordnance whilst training in the village of Imber or the surrounding area in the years since 1979. In respect of the other data requested by the hon. Member, I regret that the information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply of 3 March, Official Report, column 358, if he will list the legislation subsequent to the Defence Act 1842 that is relevant to the powers under which his Department holds the village of Imber and surrounding lands.

The legislation subsequent to the Defence Act 1842 that is relevant to the power under which MOD holds the village of Imber and the surrounding lands is the Ordnance Board Transfer Act 1855 and the Defence Transfer of Functions Act 1964.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply of 3 March, (Official Report column 357–58, if he will reconsider his decision not to search

Royal Navy ships	Period of visit	Ports visited
HMS Trafalgar	28 September—3 October 1987	Liverpool
HMS Churchill	30 January—4 February 1988	Cardiff
HMS Superb	1 March—6 March 1988	Cardiff
HMS Courageous	2 March—7 March 1988	Liverpool
HMS Tireless	9 March—15 March 1988	Southampton
HMS Torbay	11 May—17 May 1988	Liverpool
HMS Sceptre	4 June—10 June 1988	Liverpool
HMS Trafalgar	12 October—18 October 1988	Cardiff
HMS Turbulent	2 December—12 December 1988	Liverpool
HMS Tireless	25 January—2 February 1989	Cardiff
HMS Churchill	23 February—28 February 1989	Southampton

There were no visits to civil ports by foreign nuclear-powered warships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (a) how many soldiers were involved in Exercise Womble on Salisbury plain on 31 March, (b) which parts of Salisbury plain were covered by this exercise, (c) how many square miles, or square kilometres, were cleared by this exercise, (d) how many instances of (i) unexploded ordnance, (ii) metal fragments, (iii) wire entanglements or (iv) open trenches were found during this exercise, (e) how many injuries to personnel were recorded during this exercise, (f) how much litter was picked up during this exercise; and if he will make a statement.

Exercise Womble formed part of the annual clean-up of all ranges, training areas and camps within the Army's south-west district area. It involved about 500 men, lasted one day, and covered some 35 square miles of the Salisbury Plain training area. Small amounts of unexploded ordnance were discovered and removed for safe disposal; these were one artillery shell,

No, but I stress that those records that are readily available indicate that no recent representations have been received concerning the continued use of Imber by the Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (i) the recent visit of HMS Turbulent to Liverpool, (ii) the recent visit of HMS Tireless to Cardiff, and (iii) the recent visit of HMS Churchill to Southampton.

These visits were carried out for rest and recreation purposes and to further relations between the Royal Navy and the areas concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all visits by (i) United Kingdom and (ii) non-United Kingdom nuclear powered vessels to non-naval ports that have taken place since June 1987, giving the name of vessel, port visited and dates visited.

Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines have visited berths in United Kingdom civil ports on the following occasions since June 1987:one demolition charge and three pyrotechnic devices. Eight 4-ton truck loads of metal fragments, iron pickets and the remains of metal targets were removed and 11 open trenches filled in. No serious injuries were reported although a number of soldiers were treated for minor cuts and abrasions. Some 700 plastic dustbin liners filled with a mixture of domestic civilian and military rubbish were recovered along with several discarded refrigerators and other domestic appliances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the levels he envisages for limits on the amounts of arms a country can station in another country under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation proposals to the conventional forces in Europe talks;(2) if he will make a statement on the levels he envisages for zonal sublimits on the stationing of certain categories of weapons in specific geographical areas under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation proposals to the conventional forces in Europe talks.

I refer the hon. Member to rules 3 and 4 in the proposals submitted by the 16 NATO countries at the opening of the conference on conventional forces in Europe, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed sale of RAF Harrier GR3 aircraft to Zimbabwe.

The content of discussions on defence sales matters is confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps were taken to notify parties to the intermediate nuclear forces agreement of the transfer of eight cruise missile launchers from RAF Greenham Common to Boscombe Down airfield between 20 March and 5 April; why they were transferred; how their transfer affects the right to access for on-site inspection under the intermediate nuclear forces agreement; and if he will make a statement.

The INF treaty, which is a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union, allows either party to deploy treaty-limited items such as missile launchers within designated deployment areas for unspecified periods of time without the need to notify the other party. This arrangement has, I understand, worked well and given neither party any cause for concern.As the hon. Member is aware, it is not our practice to comment upon operational details. I can, however, say that the launch vehicles were not transferred directly from RAF Greenham Common to A&AEE Boscombe Down, but spent time there during an off-base deployment which left Greenham Common on 14 March and returned there on 12 April. As this took place within the United Kingdom deployment area, there was no requirement for the United States to inform the Soviet Union, and no such steps were taken.On-site inspections can only take place at specified locations, which in the United Kingdom are RAF Greenham Common and RAF Molesworth. Whenever an inspection is called, which is always at short notice, it is possible that treaty-limited items will be deployed away from those locations. This is accepted by both parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, Central and Royton (Mr. Lamond) of 7 March, Official Report, column 738, what category of nuclear disarmament it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support.

In common with our NATO allies, this Government support arms control agreements, whether nuclear or conventional, which enhance stability and allow Western security to be maintained at lower levels of weapons. For the foreseeable future, the Alliance sees no alternative to its policy of deterrence based on an appropriate mix of adequate and effective nuclear and conventional forces, kept up-to-date where necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if, pursuant to his answer of 11 April, he will consider providing the British armed forces with aircraft suitable for fighting forest fires.

No. Responsibility for fighting forest fires rests with the appropriate civil authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many instances have been detected in his Department of computer (a) hacking, (b) viruses, (c) logic bombs, (d) trojan horses or (e) other types of computer misuse, whether perpetrated by authorised or unauthorised users of the computers; and how many unsuccessful attempts have been recorded;(2) if he will make a statement on all recorded cases of unauthorised access to his Department's computer files.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he can quantify the risk of damage by hackers to sensitive computerised files in his Department.

The risk of damage by hackers to MOD computerised files holding classified material is regularly assessed. It is not in the interests of national security to provide details of the current assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether staff are briefed about computer hacking and computer viruses; and whether there are contingency plans to deal with computer downtime caused by unauthorised penetration.

Staff are trained in computer security including hacking and computer viruses. In addition, departmental instructions are circulated on computer security-related issues.The necessary contingency plans are in place to deal with computer downtime, no matter what the cause.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of his Department's policy on review of the security of its computer files.

MOD computer security staff continuously review the Department's computer security policy and its application to ensure that constant and adequate levels of protection are provided for those computer systems processing or holding classified material.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures his Department has taken to protect data in transit by electronic means.

Data in transit by electronic means is adequately protected. It is not in the interests of national security to provide details of the measures employed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about the crash of a United States Air Force A-10 Tankbuster jet from RAF Bentwaters at Bank farm, Benwick near Chatteris, Cambridgeshire;(2) if he will make a statement about each crash in the United Kingdom or its territorial waters of United States Air Force jets in the last year; what risk to life was involved; and what armaments they were carrying.

During the last year, three United States Air Force aircraft have been lost in accidents in the United Kingdom, as follows:

i. 22 December 1988: and A-10 aircraft crashed near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, during a routine training flight. The pilot successfully ejected.

ii. 4 April 1989: an A-10 aircraft crashed on landing at RAF Alconbury. The pilot was uninjured.

iii. 17 April 1989: and A-10 aircraft crashed during a routine training flight on open farmland one mile south of Benwick, Cambridgeshire. The pilot was killed.

Date	Tail	Type/Mark	Station	Fatalities	Unit
30 April 1975	XX831	Jaguar T2	Lossiemouth	0	226 OCU
5 February 1976	XX137	Jaguar T2	Lossiemouth	0	226 OCU
2 July 1976	XX822	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	1	14 SQN
15 September 1976	XX735	Jaguar GR1	Coltishall	1	6SQN
17 September 1976	XX120	Jaguar GR1	Coltishall	1	54 SQN
14 December 1976	XZ102	Jaguar GR1	Laarbruch	0	2 SQN
25 February 1977	XZ120	Jaguar GR1	Laarbruch	1	2 SQN
14 June 1977	XX978	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	1	31 SQN
29 July 1977	XX148	Jaguar T2	Lossiemouth	2	226 OCU
21 March 1978	XX971	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	31 SQN
27 April 1978	XX149	Jaguar T2	Lossiemouth	2	226 OCU
25 July 1978	XX823	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	1	17 SQN
1 November 1978	XX759	Jaguar GR1	Lossiemouth	1	226 OCU
26 March 1979	XX147	Jaguar T2	Bruggen	0	17 SQN
22 June 1979	XX142	Jaguar T2	Lossiemouth	2	226 OCU
18 July 1979	XX960	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	14 SQN
23 November 1979	XX762	Jaguar GR1	Lossiemouth	1	226 OCU
10 December 1979	XX755	Jaguar GR1	Lossiemouth	1	226 OCU
10 December 1979	XX749	Jaguar GR1	Lossiemouth	0	226 OCU
28 May 1980	XX964	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	17 SQN
28 May 1980	XX961	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	1	17 SQN
17 July 1980	XX817	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	17 SQN
12 February 1981	XX827	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	1	17 SQN
14 April 1981	XX973	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	31 SQN
1 June 1981	XX828	Jaguar T2	Lossiemouth	0	226 OCU
17 July 1981	XXI13	Jaguar GR1	Abingdon	0	MU
6 August 1981	XX972	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	1	31 SQN
21 October 1981	XX957	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	20 SQN
18 November 1981	XX758	Jaguar GR1	Lossiemouth	1	226 OCU
2 April 1982	XX122	Jaguar GR1	Coltishall	1	54 SQN
25 May 1982	XX963	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	14 SQN
11 June 1982	XX820	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	31 SQN
13 September 1982	XX760	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	14 SQN
29 September 1982	XX768	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	17 SQN
7 March 1983	XZ376	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	17 SQN
19 April 1983	XX742	Jaguar GR1	Coltishall	0	6 SQN
16 June 1983	XZ105	Jaguar GR1	Laarbruch	0	2 SQN
16 June 1983	XZ110	Jaguar GR1	Laarbruch	0	2 SQN
22 June 1983	XX721	Jaguar GR1	Coltishall	0	54 SQN
19 September 1983	XXI14	Jaguar GR1	Lossiemouth	0	226 OCU
7 February 1984	XX750	jaeuar GR1	Coltishall	1	6 SQN
12 July 1984	XZ393	Jaguar GR1A	Coltishall	0	54 SQN
22 August 1984	XZ395	Jaguar GR1A	Coltishall	0	54 SQN
1 April 1985	XZ388	Jaguar GR1	Bruggen	0	14 SQN
9 July 1985	XX365	Jaguar GR1A	Laarbruch	0	2 SQN
7 October 1985	XX728	Jaguar GR1A	Coltishall	0	6 SQN
7 October 1985	XX731	Jaguar GR1	Coltishall	1	6 SQN

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report all crashes involving RAF Jaguar aircraft since 30 April 1975, showing the date of the crash, the serial number of the aircraft, the unit it was attached to and the fatalities, if any, involved in the crash.

The details of serious accidents involving RAF Jaguar aircraft in which the aircraft sustained irreparable damage are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will prohibit RAF low-flying over cliff nesting sites for sea birds on the east coast of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

For flight safety reasons, areas of major bird concentration, including the locations of major seabird breeding colonies in Scotland, are already notified to aircrews who will take account of the potential hazards in the planning and execution of their low flying sorties. It is not therefore generally necessary to impose mandatory restrictions on the overflight of specific cliff nesting sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what role will be played by RAF Stornoway and Stornoway airport in the United Kingdom NATINADS exercise scheduled for 25 to 27 April;(2) what role will be played by RAF Benbecula and Benbecula airfield in the United Kingdom NATINADS exercise scheduled for 25 to 27 April.

During the NATO integrated air defence system exercise MAULSTICK, which is planned to be held between 25 and 27 April, the radar facilities at RAF Benbecula will be tested by a small number of aircraft operating some miles away from the island. RAF Stornoway will not be involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Mr. Alan Thomas will be taking over from Sir Colin Chandler as head of Defence Export Services; and what are the terms of the appointment.

Mr. Alan Thomas will start taking over from Sir Colin Chandler as Head of Defence Export Services in early July. He will assume total responsibility for the post in September.Mr. Thomas was appointed at a salary of £100,000 a year subject to annual review. He will also be eligible for a performance bonus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the results of the Manaus conference, sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society, on Amazonia, at which he was represented.

At the Manaus conference a five volume economic survey compiled by Dr. Ratter of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh was handed over. Forty-six scientific papers were read (in Portuguese) and useful discussions on future work were held. The Brazilian authorities expressed satisfaction with the level of expertise and the degree of United Kingdom/Brazilian co-operation. A series of reports will be prepared for Acta Amazonia, the major Brazilian journal of the National Institute of Amazon Research in Manaus. The Overseas Development Administration expects shortly a written report from the Royal Geographical Society.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for a member of his Department to visit the Maraca project, Brazil.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave him on 18 April, at column 183. We are in discussion with the Brazilian authorities on what further assistance may be given for rain forest work in Brazil. If a visit by an Overseas Development Administration team is agreed it will present an opportunity for the team leader to visit the Maraca project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Patten), the Minister for Overseas Development, has to pay a visit to Brazil.

Dependent on other commitments, I hope to visit Brazil later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for the forest regeneration team to return for two months to Maraca ecological reserve, Brazil.

The forest regeneration team are returning to Maraca for two months under the project work plan funded by the Overseas Development Administration as soon as their visas have been authorised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds Her Majesty's Government are providing to study the Alexa tree at the western end of Maraca, Brazil, for its potential in providing the plant alkaloid castanospermine; and what interim results are available from the clinical tests at St. Mary's hospital, London, with a view to providing a treatment for certain forms of the disease AIDS.

The Overseas Development Administration support for research in the Maraca forests has been concerned with their management and regeneration and not specifically with the Alexa tree. However we are aware of the great potential importance of the Alexa species for biochemical extractives. If the Brazilian authorities request support for collaborative research on the Alexa tree this will be considered sympathetically and could be looked at during the proposed ODA team visit to Brazil.I understand laboratory studies involving synthetic castanospermine are in progress but I have no knowledge of clinical trials at St. Mary's hospital, London. The hon. Member may wish to approach the medical authorities about this.

Gross bilateral aid to central America 1979—1987 in current prices
£ thousands
	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987
Costa Rica	623	606	570	486	1,838	1,666	12,685	10,038	2,584
El Salvador	448	265	41	13	0	205	103	239	411
Guatemala	14	35	15	4	0	0	0	10	1
Honduras	230	335	5,002	2,272	6,670	3,446	3,653	1,258	811
Mexico	1,186	1,577	1,464	34,334	2,827	517	773	803	630
Nicaragua	246	127	91	49	64	9	116	86	0
Panama	63	94	102	62	43	49	67	70	72
Total	2,810	3,039	7,285	37,220	11,442	5,892	17,397	12,504	4,509

Gross bilateral aid to central America 1979—1987 in constant 1987 prices
	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987
Costa Rica	1,127	916	773	613	2,204	1,909	13,751	10,513	2,584
El Salvador	811	401	56	16	0	235	112	250	411
Guatemala	25	53	20	5	0	0	0	10	1
Honduras	416	506	6,786	2,864	7,998	3,949	3,960	1,318	811
Mexico	2,146	2,384	1,986	43,277	3,390	592	838	841	630
Nicaragua	445	192	123	62	77	10	126	90	0
Panama	114	142	138	78	52	56	73	73	72
Total	5,085	4,595	9,884	46,915	13,720	6,752	18,858	13,096	4,509

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing in ranked order the per capita contributions made by Economic Co-operation and Development member states to Nicaragua for the latest year for which figures are available, including the total aid given by each Economic Co-operation and Development country for that year.

The information is as follows:

Net official development assistance from OECD member countries to Nicaragua in 1987
Donor	Net official development assistance	Per capita
	$US000's	US$
Norway	14,350	3·430
Sweden	25,590	3·047
Denmark	11,370	2·216
Finland	7,390	1·498
Netherlands	19,800	1·350
Switzerland	3,210	0·486
Austria	1,410	0·186
Italy	10,300	0180
France	9,210	0·166
Germany	6,240	0·102
Belgium	770	0·078
Canada	1,060	0·041
Ireland	10	0·003
Japan	290	0·002

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the level of British bilateral aid to each of the states in Central America for each year from 1979 onwards in (a) current and (b) constant prices.

The figures for Central America and Mexico are as follows. The figures include investment by the Commonwealth Development Corporation but do not take account of joint funding provided to non-governmental organisations.

Donor	Net official development assistance	Per capita
	$US 000's	US$
Australia	30	0·002
New Zealand	—	—
United Kingdom	—	—
United States	—	—
Total	111,030	0·157

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total emergency assistance given to Nicaragua in response to Hurricane Joan.

Including our contribution through the European Community, the total emergency assistance given to Nicaragua by the United Kingdom in response to Hurricane Joan was £413,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what special allocations within grants for overseas aid will be made to ensure that women figure more highly in development projects, especially primary health care and education.

Our grant aid finances activities which benefit both women and men. We do not make special allocations for either but we aim to design projects to meet women's special needs and problems wherever an opportunity arises.Improvements in primary health care and education are central to promoting conditions which allow women to play their full part in development. Our recent booklet "Women, Development and the British Aid Programme", copies of which are in the Library, explains how we are helping in these fields.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the possibilities of declaring an amnesty for those farm chemicals and fertilisers currently the subject of banning orders.

No representations have been made for an amnesty in respect of fertilisers since none of these are banned. There have however been a number of representations that an amnesty should be declared so as to permit the disposal of holdings of unapproved pesticide concentrates. In each instance it has been explained that no such amnesty is warranted, since those who can demonstrate that they have taken responsible steps towards achieving disposal—that is, by at least having made arrangements with a reputable specialist waste disposal contractor—need not fear that they will be penalised for illegal stockholding. Whenever the degree of risk permits, withdrawal of approval is phased so as to allow existing stocks to be used up.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Caerphilly of 11 April, Official Report, column 440, whether he intends his Department to finance the additional research necessary on the tuberculosis vaccine for badgers; and if he will make a statement.

I intend my Department to contribute towards funding the further research referred to in my earlier reply.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East on 2 February, Official Report, columns 399–400, whether he intends to update regularly the statistics relating to the use of tecnazene on potatoes.

Yes. Pesticide usage surveys are undertaken at regular intervals and the results are published.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East on 2 February, Official Report, columns 399–400, whether he now has further details of the use of tecnazene on the 1988 potato crop throughout the United Kingdom.

Details of the use of pesticides, including tecnazene, on the 1988 potato crop are still being collected. These figures will cover pesticide usage in England and Wales. Results available from the 1986 crop in Scotland were given in my answer to the hon. Member on 2 February at columns 399–400. Pesticide usage statistics are not collected for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 13 April, column 689, what was the total tonnage and average price per tonne of all cereals imported into the United Kingdom in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

The following is the information:

	1Quantity (tonnes)	2Average price (£/tonne)
1986	3,517,365	142·05
1987	3,520,873	133·28
1988	3,370,401	134·05
1 Quantities rounded to the nearest whole tonne.
2 Average prices have been calculated from import values on a cost, insurance, freight basis.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people have been employed in the farm and countryside service of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

The number of people employed in the farm and countryside service of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in the years requested is as follows:

	Number
1987	1,903
1988	1,774
1989	1,785

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of man years spent by his advisers working in Agricultural Development Advisory Service for each of the last three years on the following: (a) free advice, (b) extensification work and (c) chargeable advice; and if he will make a statement.

This information is in principle included in "Ministerial Information in MAFF" available in the Library of the House. However, publications to date have not distinguished between inputs to free and chargeable advice. It is anticipated such a distinction will be made in the 1989 version and the provisional figures for 1988–89 are 125 man years for free advice and 1,148 man years for chargeable advice. These figures exclude the activities of members of the State Veterinary Service who are not normally classified as "advisers".An extensification scheme has not yet been introduced in the United Kingdom. Some ADAS manpower has been involved in advising policy makers on the preparation of a scheme, but it is not included in the figures and cannot be identified separately.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has of the use of penicillinase in milk; and if he will make a statement.

We have no evidence of such use, which would be an offence under section 2 of the Food Act 1984.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his intentions with regard to the sale of green-top milk.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 23 February at columns 712–13.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on (a) the number of boardings of fishing vessels carried out by each European Community member state, (b) the proportion of such hoardings which were of vessels registered in that country and (c) the number and outcome of prosecutions following such boardings over the latest period for which figures are available.

I regret that information on hoardings of fishing vessels carried out by other member states and the number and outcome of prosecutions following such boardings is not available to me.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when Her Majesty's Government initially pledged themselves to introduce new laws to improve food labelling; when that proposed legislation is expected to be introduced; and if he will make a statement.

We have for a number of years been following a policy of moving away from strict compositional standards for food (recipe law) which restrict consumer choice towards an improved system of food labelling, to ensure that consumers are given adequate information of food labels and are able to make an informed choice. European Community policy is also following the same course.As part of the Community's food law harmonisation programme, amendments to the Community food labelling directive, are expected to be adopted by the Council very shortly, following which these will need to be implemented into United Kingdom law.The main changes for the United Kingdom are on datemarking of foods. Proposals on nutrition labelling are also under discussion in Brussels. These aim to standardise the presentation of nutrition information so that it is easier for consumers to compare products and to achieve a balanced diet. Other proposals for improved food labelling are also expected to be tabled in the run up to 1992.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will examine the use of mechanically reprocessed meat in pies and sausages and request that all products using such material shall be clearly labelled.

Mechanically recovered meat is used in a number of meat products including pies and sausages. The Food Labelling Regulations 1984 require that a treatment given to a food or food ingredient should be indicated in the appropriate place on the label if the omission of such an indication would mislead the purchaser.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made with the French to limit their fishing of sea bass in the Channel.

I announced on July 27 last year at column 298–99 a series of new steps for the conservation of bass fisheries, involving an increased minimum landing size, mesh size restrictions and plans for the establishment of a series of nursery areas to give protection to juvenile bass. The measures do not involve proposals for quantitative restrictions on the adult bass fishery in the Channel. There is no evidence at present to support the need for such restrictions though we shall continue, however, to keep that fishery under review.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has had any discussions with interested parties on the provision of low-cost housing in rural areas.

My right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales are, of course, responsible for policy on this matter in England and Wales, respectively. However, rural housing is an issue which is often raised with me in the context of agriculture and countryside matters. I therefore welcome warmly the statement made by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 3 February 1989 at columns 433–34 about new guidance to planning authorities in England, which is intended to increase the provision of low cost housing in rural areas.I hope that following the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement on the tax position of land sold to housing associations for this purpose, landowners will be encouraged to make suitable land available. An adequate supply of affordable housing to meet the needs of those who live and work in the countryside is an important element in the Government's policies for the diversification of the rural economy.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, Official Report, 10 April, column 362, he will make a statement on his policy in relation to ensuring where possible that tropical timber is obtained from sustainable sources, in relation to sea defences and other such projects.

The source from which timber is obtained cannot be the sole criterion in judging the merits of sea defence and similar projects. Nevertheless, where possible my Department would welcome proposals which utilise timber from sustainable sources.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans for the future of the Potato Marketing Board.

I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 19 April at column 175.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the amount

EC Aid Scheme

Mecus

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

Belgium

Denmark

France

Fishing Vessels and Aquaculture Grants

3·95

4·27

0·80

0·41

0·10

4·62

7·82

7·26

1·25

3·29

12·83

12·42

16·98

12·47

4·74

Market Support Measures

0·44

0·46

0·48

0·27

0·08

1·52

—

2·54

1·45

1·55

3·21

4·58

6·76

5·06

18·22

Marketing and Processing Grants

0·72

0·83

0·12

0·53

0·97

0·74

2·81

2·97

0·94

1·49

0·82

0·34

4·27

2·34

1·78

Germany

Netherlands

Spain

Fishing Vessels and Aquaculture Grants

3·20

2·90

7·71

4·41

1·39

2·07

1·33

4·73

0·66

0·57

—

—

2·206

32·2

1·814

Market Support Measures

1·40

0·44

0·17

0·27

0·49

2·47

1·11

0·90

—

0·06

—

—

—

2·40

19·38

Marketing and Processing Grants

0·57

1·83

0·95

1·83

1·34

—

0·85

1·20

0·41

0·81

—

—

—

4·34

6·63

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give his estimate of the extent of national aid for fishing in the latest available year in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland and Spain in each of the following areas (a) construction support, (b) lay-up subsidy, (c) social security support when not working, (d) fuel subsidy, (e) support for processing industry, (f) financial support for fishermen's organisations and (g) provision of port or market facilities.

This information is not centrally available. But some indication of the national aids given by these member states is contained in the 1986 OECD publication "Review of Fisheries".

	Number of farms	Hectares set aside	Percentage of arable land1in member state
Belgium	39	383	0·1
France	210	2,409	Less than 0·1
Germany	25,289	170,635	2·4
Ireland	97	1,918	0·2
Netherlands	98	1,222	0·1
Spain	180	6,202	Less than 0·1
United Kingdom	1,820	57,613	1·2
1 May in member states other than the United Kingdom include some land not eligible for the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on medical ethics in practice and protection for patients against unscrupulous operators.

It is for the medical profession itself, and in particular the General Medical Council, to lay down

The information held centrally is as follows. I shall write to the hon. Member about the other information as soon as possible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms have taken the option of the set-aside scheme for agricultural land; what proportion of total agricultural land this represents; and if he will give similar figures for the other countries in the European Economic Community.

[holding answer 21 April 1989]: The information so far available is as follows:ethical guidance for doctors taking into account changing attitudes in society, and to ensure that it is followed. Such guidance applies equally to private practice as to practice in the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his intention to make listeriosis a notifiable disease.

The Department is currently reviewing the list of notifiable diseases and, as part of this review, will consider whether listeriosis should be made notifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the need to make listeriosis a notifiable disease.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student midwives who started before April 1988 are on grades D, E and F; and how many who started after April 1988 are on grades D, E and F.

We do not hold this information centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has recently had with regional health authorities to ensure that denture replacements are made available to patients in hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Health authorities will be well aware that if in-patients lose or break their dentures, arrangements should be made for the hospital dental service to supply a replacement as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases have been reported each year since 1979 of persons suffering from toxocariasis.

The information available on human toxocara infection is limited. The communicable disease surveillance centre receives around one hundred reports of laboratory identifications each year; however, the true incidence of infection is unknown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances have been detected in his Department of computer (a) hacking, (b) viruses, (c) logic bombs, (d) Trojan horses or (e) other types of computer misuse, whether perpetrated by authorised or unauthorised users of computers; and how many unsuccessful attempts have been recorded.

There have been no instances detected and no unsuccessful attempts recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in view of evidence from the United States of America and France, that personal health records are being maliciously damaged by the implantation of computer viruses, what precautions are being taken against similar breaches of United Kingdom public health and medical records held on computer files.

It is not the policy of the Department of publicise the measures taken to ensure the security of medical data since such information would be of assistance to potential attackers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on all recorded cases of unauthorised access to his Department's computer files.

There have been no recorded cases of unauthorised access.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of his Department's policy on review of the security of its computer files.

The Department regularly reviews its computer security arrangements, but it would not be appropriate to publish details of procedures and arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he can quantify the risk of damage by hackers to sensitive computerised files in his Department.

Computer systems containing sensitive information are subject to physical and local security measures designed to remove or minimise the risk of damage, including that by hacking, to that information. The Department does not consider it sensible to publish details of risks and counter-measures involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether staff are briefed about computer hacking and computer viruses; whether there are contingency plans to deal with computer downtime caused by unauthorised penetration; and what plans exist to deal with penetration of particularly sensitive systems.

Staff are briefed on a wide range of security risks and counter measures including those by hacking and viruses. Security contingency plans include provision for potential computer downtime caused by unauthorised access. These arrangements vary according to the level of sensitivity of the information held. The Department considers that the effectiveness of these arrangements would be reduced if details were made public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department has taken to protect data in transit by electronic means.

Electronic transmission of data is subject to physical and logical security measures appropriate to the level of sensitivity of the data transmitted. The Department does not consider it sensible to publish details of the security measures taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what scientific evidence was considered by the Committee on Safety of Medicines before it gave its approval for a licence to the drug AZT for the treatment of AIDS.

The Committee on Safety of Medicines considered a range of scientific matters relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of this drug. The information supplied by a pharmaceutical company to support a licensing application is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evidence there is on the reversibility of the side effects of the drug AZT and on the effect on the AIDS virus if the drug is discontinued;

Zidovudine (AZT) has been associated with a range of side effects as set out in the ABPI Data Sheet Compendium 1988–89 (pages 1634–6). A copy is in the Library. Many patients do develop side effects due to the potency of this drug and the seriousness of their illness. Doctors are advised to monitor patients very carefully and adjust the dosage or even stop the drug altogether should side effects occur. Reversibility of side effects depends upon their nature and severity and upon the clinical state of the patient. Little information is available about the effects of discontinuing treatment on the AIDS virus, however there have been reports of a rise in the blood levels of the viral antigen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths are known to have resulted from the use of the drug AZT.

None that we are aware of. The Committee on Safety of Medicines has received three adverse reaction reports where patients being treated with Zidovudine (AZT) have died. Unfortunately all of these patients had a limited life expectancy due to the nature of their illnesses, and it is not possible to establish that any of these deaths resulted from the use of this drug.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence there is of the efficacy of the drug AZT (a) in prolonging the lives and (b) in improving the quality of life, of British AIDS patients who have been treated with it; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that evidence for the efficacy of the drug Zidovudine (AZT) when used in the treatment of patients in the United Kingdom was published in January 1989 in volume 18, supplement 1 of the Journal of Infection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many AIDS patients have been treated with the drug AZT; and how many are currently receiving it.

We do not hold this information centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital consultants held (a) full-time contracts and (b) part-time contracts with the National Health Service in: (i) 1979 and (ii) 1988.

The numbers in England in 1979 and 1987, the latest year for which figures are available, were as follows:

	1979	1987
Full-time contracts	5,080	6,774
Part-time contracts	7,281	7,740

The number with part-time contracts includes university staff who have an honorary contract with a health authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of assets disposed of by each district health authority during 1987–88; and what was the total value of those assets.

I shall let the hon. Member have such information as can be obtained withour incurring disproportionate cost as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all district health authorities which operate a computerised call/recall cervical cytology programme for all women aged 20 to 65 years at three-yearly intervals.

I refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 16 February at column 345.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list all those district health authorities which have not yet called all women aged 20 to 65 years for a cervical cancer smear;(2) if he will list the uptake of women called for a cervical cancer smear for each district health authority; and if he will list those district health authorities which are unable to provide these statistics.

HC(88)1 stated that all women aged between 20 and 64 years should be invited for a cervical smear test within five years of implementation of computerised call and recall systems, unless their GP has indicated that they should be excluded. We are not, therefore, expecting all district health authorities to have completed this task until March 1993—five years from when their computerised systems became operational. Information on the number of eligible women screened for cervical cancer is expected to become available later this year when we receive health authorities' returns from KÖrner form KC53—"Adult screening programmes—cervical cytology".A copy of HC(88)1 is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated cost to public funds for the current financial year of the spectacle allowance payable to staff in his Department who work on visual display units; what is the current allowance; and when it was last updated.

The estimated 1989–90 cost of spectacles for staff in the Department working on VDUs is £10,000. The current allowance, updated on 1 December 1988, is £50 plus any eyesight testing costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will take steps to ensure that each prescription for medicine is accompanied by an information pamphlet describing the relevant drug's indications, side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

No, but other measures to improve communication to patients about medicines are in progress.At present there is no requirement on pharmaceutical companies to provide leaflets with medicines, but the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) encourages its members to do so. Under the Medicines (Leaflets) Regulations, such leaflets, if supplied, must specify contraindications, warnings, and precautions, and may specify indications for use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will take steps to ensure that a health warning is given on all bottles of benzodiazepines prescribed to patients, to the effect that those medicines can cause dependence.

I have no present plans to do so. The space available on medicines labels is limited. Leaflets offer greater scope for developing communication to patients about medicines.