To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he expects Government debt to be wholly repaid.Mr. Lilley: Repayment of the whole of the outstanding stock of debt is not an objective of Government policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate current overseas holding in the national debt.

At the end of 1987–88, the total market holdings of sterling national debt were £173·2 billion, of which £22·1 billion were held by the overseas sector.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which financial sectors received the largest repayment of debt arising from the recent Budget decisions.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 4 April 1989, at column 5. Detailed figures for 1988–89 will not be available for several months. It is impossible to identify in advance the precise composition of the debt repayment arising from the forecast PSDR of £14 billion in 1989–90.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the national debt at May 1979 and at April 1988.

National Debt is measured annually at the end of the financial year. The total outstanding at the end of 1978–79 was £86·9 billion (47 per cent. of GDP) and at the end of 1987–88 was £197·3 billion (44 per cent. of GDP).National debt however, is not the best measure of public sector indebtedness, for instance because it covers only central Government debt, not the whole of the public sector. A better measure is net public sector debt, which was £95·3 billion (50 per cent. of GDP) at the end of 1978–79, and £171·3 billion (38 per cent. of GDP) at the end of 1987–88.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the principal beneficiaries to date of his 1989 Budget decision to repay £14 billion Government debt.

The nation as a whole will benefit from this decision as a result of the permanent reduction in debt interest payments, which will free public money for priority spending programmes while still reducing general Government expenditure as a share of GDP.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what price assumptions for the price of (a) unleaded, (b) 2-star and (c) 4-star petrol he based his Budget proposals for the reduction in duty on unleaded petrol; to what extent these have proved accurate; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend made it clear in his Budget speech that he expected the full decrease in the duty on unleaded petrol to be passed on to the consumer. He also expected his proposals on 2-star petrol to raise the price at the pumps to the level of 4-star.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Siemens ND3 printers are used by his Department, either in-house or through a private contract; and what is the location of each.

The Treasury does not use Siemens ND3 printers. We do not know what printers are used by our printing contractors.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on levels of value added tax in the context of progress towards the single market by 1992.

The Government have made it clear on numerous occasions that they do not consider centrally imposed tax approximation to be necessary for the completion of the single market.

To ask The Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate of the inflow of capital into the United Kingdom due to high income taxpayers making the United Kingdom their base because of the tax regime introduced by Her Majesty's Government.

Reductions in tax rates and the success of the Government's general economic policies have created a climate which encourages skilled people to work and pay tax in the United Kingdom. Tax reform has also played a part in encouraging foreign companies to locate in this country. However I regret that the information requested on capital inflows is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his criteria for deciding when it would be appropriate to revise his estimate of the balance of payments deficit for the current year.

As usual, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will publish his next forecast with the 1989 Autumn Statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total value of North sea oil revenue from 1979 to the current date.

The estimate of the value of North sea oil and gas revenues in fiscal years 1979–80 to 1988–89 is £69 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the balance of trade in manufacturing for the current year.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell) on 19 April, at column 168.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government expect to announce their proposals to levy value added tax on industrial water supply and sewerage services in line with the recent European Court of Justice ruling; what are the expected administration costs of levying value added tax; who will bear the costs; and what is the expected annual return to the Exchequer of the value added tax levy.

Clause 18 of the Finance Bill currently before the House details the Government's proposals. the expected additional administration costs for Customs and Excise will be minimal. Water undertakings will incur some administrative costs, mainly in setting up the arrangements. The net impact on Exchequer receipts will be negligible.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show for 1989–90 those ranges of earnings within which the burden of income tax plus national insurance is less than in 1978–79.

The burden of income tax plus national insurance will be less in 1989–90 than it was in 1978–79 at all levels of real earnings.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has with regard to other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries on the percentage contribution housing costs in various forms make to the calculations of a retail prices index; and what is the comparable percentage for the United Kingdom.

[holding answer 20 April 1989]: Information on the contribution of housing costs to the consumer price indices for OECD countries is available from national statistical sources and from OECD Main Economic Indicators December 1988. The treatment varies greatly from country to country: for example, some countries include prices of fuel, water and home furnishings as part of housing costs, but others do not. There is also a variety of treatment of home ownership costs: some countries exclude these altogether, others include a measure of imputed rent, while others, like the United Kingdom, include mortgage interest payments. Available figures relate to the base year for the price indices and these differ across countries.On this basis the information requested is as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the figures for total Civil Service manpower in 1959, 1964, 1970, 1974, 1979 and 1989, giving the percentage of the total working population which these figures represented in each of these years.

[holding answer 28 April 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the figures for the total work force employed in the nationalised industries in 1959, 1964, 1970, 1974, 1979 and 1989, giving the percentage of the total working population which these figures represented in each of these years.

[holding answer 28 April 1989]: The table gives employees in the nationalised industries on a head count basis for 1961, 1964, 1970, 1974, 1979 and 1988. Figures for 1959 and 1989 are not available.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list both those executive agencies for the Civil Service already set up and those announced as candidates, together with the number of staff in each agency or prospective agency.

The current list of those Government activities already established as executive agencies under the next steps initiative and those announced by Departments as candidates, together with the number of staff employed, is as follows:

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service, pursuant to his reply of 10 April to the hon. Member for Don Valley, Official Report, column 321, when parliamentary approval was given for funds arising from the retail prices in respect of pensions index error to be repaid.

Parliamentary approval was given on 15 March for the payment of awards from the RPI error funds to each of the Civil Service pension organisations.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the role of the European Parliament in the fields of arts and culture; and if he will make a statement.

The European Parliament is itself responsible for its involvement in the field of arts and culture, and has established a committee on youth culture, education, information and sport. The Parliament has the right to make alterations to certain aspects of the annual budget of the European Community.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the role of the Council of Europe in the spheres of arts and culture; and if he will make a statement.

The Council of Europe has cultural co-operation as one of its agreed objectives. It brings the member states of the European Community into a wider framework of European countries, which all share the desire to maintain and enhance the European cultural dimension.The council has appointed a standing council for cultural co-operation and its programme and direction in the field of culture are periodically discussed by the Ministers responsible for these matters. It promotes active involvement in cultural affairs by encouraging the appreciation of the European heritage and individual creativity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made in fitting devices to vehicles, especially heavy goods vehicles, to prevent them driving too close together; and if he will make a statement.

The most effective device is the driver, exercising judgment about a proper distance in the light of speed and driving conditions. Some vehicle manufacturers incorporate useful devices to improve driver awareness, for example of slippery road surfaces. Industry has long-term research in hand in Britain and abroad into electronic control devices. The safety of those has yet to be proven in real traffic conditions. In the meantime we are developing a performance standard for front guards on heavy goods vehicles to prevent under-running by cars. These have been shown to be capable of saving the lives of up to 60 car occupants per year if fitted to all HGVs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had on the European Community draft proposals for categories of yacht construction; and if he will make it his policy to resist any attempt to link categories of construction with restrictions on use in the United Kingdom or European Community waters.

There is no such draft EC directive at present, although I understand that the EC Commission has discussed with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations whether it would be useful to bring forward proposals for a directive to establish minimum standards and to remove barriers to trade in the boat construction industry within the EC. My right hon. Friend would look very carefully at any proposals for construction and use regulations for boats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has given any safety assurances to (a) the Belgian authorities or (b) Belgian Members of the European Parliament about the dangers posed by the overflights of plutonium between Japan and the United Kingdom.

We know of no request for such an assurance; nor is one necessary.Plutonium flights to Japan, if they take place, will be made in full compliance with international regulations, which require safety for both normal and accident conditions to be built into the design of the container.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all airports used for the export of quantities of plutonium in consignments of 1 g or less; and how often each year such quantities are exported from each airport.

[holding answer 22 March 1989]: No.The Department does not collect this information on a routine basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Central Electricity Generating Board has withdrawn its application to build a coal jetty and related works at Fawley; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 28 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to monitor the amount of seaborne garbage on United Kingdom beaches since 1 January.

The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulations 1988 entered into force on 31 December 1988. The Department is considering, together with the Department of the Environment, the most effective way to monitor its impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all local authorities which have supplied extra disposal facilities at ports since 1 January for handling shipborne garbage.

The information requested is not available. The Merchant Shipping (Reception Facilities for Garbage) Regulations 1988 which came into force on 31 December 1988 require all ports and terminals, including those under local authority control to provide adequate reception facilities for garbage from ships. The Department will shortly complete a survey on what facilities are provided to receive garbage, and at what cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has regarding all the circumstances of the sinking of the FV Inspire on 5 September 1988; what is the result of any inquiry that has been undertaken; whether any Royal Navy submarines or submarines of any NATO country are known to have been in the vicinity at the time; and if he will make a statement.

The Inspire foundered off the west coast of Wales on 5 September 1988 with the loss of three lives. A marine surveyor from the Department was appointed to conduct an investigation into the loss. A summary report of his findings is being produced and I will send the hon. Member a copy. I am advised that there were no United Kingdom or NATO country submarines in the vicinity at the time of the casualty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has as to the total cost of the oil spillage caused by the E1 Omar in December 1988 in the Milford Haven, including clean-up costs and insurance claims; and what costs have been received from the ship's owners.

The Milford Haven port authority is responsible for oil pollution control within the port area. The Department was not directly involved in the clean-up operations and has no information as to the total costs incurred or compensation received.Clean-up was undertaken and costs were incurred by the Milford Haven port authority; Texaco, the operators of the terminal where the E1 Omar was discharging cargo; and the local authorities bordering the haven. It is for them and any other parties suffering damage as a result of the spillage to each seek reimbursement from the owners of the vessel, who are statutorily liable and must have a contract of insurance to cover that liability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans he has to cope with a major oil spillage off the west coast of Scotland; what equipment he has stored on the west coast for such an eventuality; and where this is stored.

Because it is impossible to predict where or when a tanker accident may occur, the contingency arrangements to combat pollution at sea developed following the Amoco Cadiz incident in 1978 consist of a dedicated contingency response unit on constant standby to direct and control clean-up operations, together with highly mobile resources positioned at various locations around the United Kingdom, from where they can be deployed quickly to the west coast of Scotland or any other part of the United Kingdom that may be threatened by a major oil spillage.Included in those resources are dispersant spraying aircraft, two of which are permanently based at Inverness; stocks of dispersant at strategic locations including Paisley, Oban, and Stornoway; oil recovery equipment at Aberdeen; cargo transfer equipment; DAFS fishery protection vessels and commercial tugs fitted with spraying equipment and carrying stocks of dispersant; and stockpiles of specialised beach cleaning equipment, one of which is at Cambusbarron, near Stirling. If necessary, Royal Navy and Royal Maritime Auxiliary vessels in the Clyde, with dispersant spraying equipment, would be called on, together with whatever resources might be available in the private sector, including those owned by oil companies in connection with their responsibilities for clean-up of port terminal and offshore installation spillages.Local authorities on the west coast of Scotland all have their own contingency plans for dealing with coastal clean up and can call on advice and assistance from this Department.Port authorities generally have their own contingency plans and again, advice and assistance would be provided by this Department in the event of a major spill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has considered the implications for his policy on air transport of the judgment by the Court of Session in the case brought by Air 2000; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend will consider the judgment of the court and will make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the report of the efficiency scrutiny of his Department's activities in relation to local authorities' capital expenditure on roads; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is arranging for this report to be published today. Copies will be sent to the local authority associations and placed in the Library. Twenty-seven of the 38 recommendations have been accepted. We propose to discuss the implications of a further seven with the associations later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what allocation his Department gave Staffordshire county council for (a) capital road building programmes, (b) the maintenance of existing trunk roads and (c) other works relating to pedestrian safety for the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90; and what was the imputed amount assigned for works within Stoke-on-Trent boundaries in each of these years.

[holding answer 27 April 1989]: It is not possible to separate expenditure on work solely related to pedestrian safety. Pedestrian safety is one objective of the programme of new construction and maintenance on national roads in Staffordshire. It is also an objective of the highway authority's programme of new construction and maintenance on its own roads.The capital allocations for new construction of local roads in Staffordshire are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what simulated tests were made by London Underground Ltd of evacuation of a full length tube train carrying a rush hour overload in a single line tunnel and supervised by a single member of the railway staff, prior to the extension of one person operation; and if he will list any such occasions since that adoption, carried out in the course of an exercise or in an emergency.

[holding answer 26 April 1989]: No simulated evacuations with a rush hour overload have been carried out, though exercises with non-capacity loadings have been undertaken from time to time, most recently at Aldwych in summer 1988. London Underground Ltd. assures me that train operators have been, and will continue to be, trained in the techniques of evacuation. It tells me, too, that modifications are in progress to prevent the automatic application of train brakes when the passenger-operated alarm system is used, thereby minimising the risk of trains stopping away from stations in an emergency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations for Lomé IV.

Following the ACP/EC ministerial meeting in Brazzaville in February, work on the renegotiation of Lomé has continued. It is important to make progress in preparation for the next ministerial negotiating meeting at the beginning of June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the Council of Europe's European public campaign on North-South interdependence and its solidarity colloquy entitled "Interdependence and Cultural Development", organised by the secretary-general of the Council of Europe in the framework of the World Decade for Cultural Development, held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 7–8 April 1988; and what input Her Majesty's Government have made to this colloquy.

The Government supported the aims of the Council of Europe's campaign and gave it a grant of £70,000. The Government also met the expenses of the British representative to the European organising committee. In February last year I addressed a round table on developing country debt organised as part of the campaign. The Government made no input to the colloquy on interdependence and cultural development, which took place in Lisbon last April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to increase aid, particularly in the areas of primary health care and education, which would specifically improve conditions for women in recipient countries; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 24 April, at column 371.

To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the Delors report.

The Delors report envisages a transfer of sovereignty from member states to a new central monetary institution and central control of fiscal policy. It states that economic and monetary union would not be possible within the terms of the existing treaty and that a new treaty would be needed. Paragraph 39 of the report states that economic and monetary union must be viewed as a single process and that the decision to enter upon the first stage should he a decision to embark on the entire process.The Government's views on the matters dealt with in the report were set out in the speech given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Royal Institute of International Affairs on 24 January and in his remarks following the meeting of the ECOFIN Council in Luxembourg on 17 April. My right hon. Friend made it clear that we cannot accept the transfer of sovereignty which is implied by the Delors report. Economic and monetary union as spelt out in the report would in effect require political union, a United States of Europe. That is not on the agenda now or for the foreseeable future. My right hon. Friend also made it clear that the Government do not believe there should he further treaty amendment as proposed by the Delors report.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report the agenda and list of invited participants for the seminar on the environment at Chequers on 26 April.

Those attending included Ministers and representatives of universities, scientific and research institutes and industry. The agenda included a discussion on scientific assessment of climatic change and its impact, measures to mitigate the greenhouse effect, and the international context.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to arrange for 3 September 1989, the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of world war 2 to he commemorated as either a British or a European day of thanksgiving for peace.

No. I do not think that the anniversary of the outbreak of war would be an appropriate occasion to commemorate the achievement and continuation of peace.

To ask the Prime Minister what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to the proposals for a European social charter, drawn up by the Economic and Social Committee of the European Community.

The European Council at its meeting in Rhodes in December 1988 asked the Commission to propose a charter of social rights taking into account the Council of Europe charter. There are as yet no formal proposals from the European Commission for any statement of social rights within the Community. We want to see positive and practical proposals to create more jobs.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the responsibilities of (a) Her Majesty's Treasury and (b) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for matters relating to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Treasury is responsible for matters relating to the IMF and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—mainly through the Overseas Development Administration—for matters relating to the World Bank. The Treasury focuses on the world economy, the international monetary system and debt, whereas the Overseas Development Administration focuses on developmental concerns. Instructions to our executive director in Washington for use at both institutions are co-ordinated as necessary between the two Departments and with the Bank of England and other Departments.

To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government are considering proposals for the payment of rent for buildings used by (a) the National Health Service, (b) the police forces, (c) the armed forces and (d) the Prime Minister.

The White Paper "Working for Patients" (Cm. 555) set out the Government's plans to introduce a system for charging health authorities for the use of their existing capital assets and any new capital investment. The charging system will be designed to provide a strong incentive for the efficient use of assets while ensuring that there is no reduction in the funds available for patient services. Rent, in the form of property repayment service, is already paid on the civil estate, including 10 Downing street. In the case of the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence, as part of its new management strategy, is considering how best to ensure that budget holders make the best use of defence buildings. Payment of rent for buildings occupied by the police service is a matter for the police authorities.

To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her oral reply to the hon. Member for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) on Thursday 20 April, Official Report, column 452, she will set out the criteria enabling persons (a) to appeal at a planning inquiry into a new motorway or railway, and (b) to petition against such a proposal heard before a Private Bill Committee.

The criteria for planning inquiries into a new motorway are set out in the Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1976 (SI 1976 No. 721), a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Statutory objectors (including all persons whose property is directly affected) have the right to appear. Others may do so at the discretion of the person holding the inquiry. There is no available procedure for giving planning approval for new railways. Persons or organisations whose property or interests are directly and specifically affected by a private Bill may petition against it and be heard by a Committee on the Bill. If a petitioner's locus standi is challenged by the promoter his right to appear is decided by the Court of Referees (in the Lords by the Committee on the Bill) under "Private Business Standing Orders" or in accordance with the practice of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will give details of the date, time and place of the 300 deaths associated with attendance at football matches to which she referred in her oral answer to the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) on 25 April, Official Report, columns 799–800.

Details of the known post-war incidents at football matches involving British teams leading to fatalities among spectators are as follows:

To ask the Prime Minister whether at her global climatology seminar on 26 April, the issue of tropical rain forests was discussed; and if she will make a statement.

Yes, the seminar reinforced the importance of the conservation of tropical rain forests and of our support for forestry in developing countries.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 May.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds were allocated from his Department for directly commissioned research relevant to mental handicap for each of the past five years; and whether he intends those funds to be increased over the next five to 10 years.

A range of research projects relevant to mental handicap have been funded by the Scottish Home and Health Department and the Scottish Education Department using a variety of approaches. The figures are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether (a) Royal Navy and (b) Merchant Navy personnel who are away from shore (i) for six months or more continuously, within a fiscal year or (ii) for six months or more within a fiscal year are liable to pay poll tax.

It is for community charges registration officers to decide in the light of all the facts and

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure by each Department and Government-funded health education agency on mass media advertising on (a) smoking, (b) alcohol, (c) dental health, (d) drugs, (e) AIDS, (f) family planning, (g) immunisation, (h) coronary heart disease, (i) the "be all you can campaign" and (j) and any other health campaign in each year from 1978–79 to 1987–88.

In Scotland national health education is the responsibility of the Scottish Health Education Group. It is not possible to identify separately mass media advertising costs, but the following table gives details of expenditure by the group in the areas shown.circumstances relating to individual cases whether a person is solely or mainly resident in their area and thus liable to pay the personal community charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the rights of access to centrally and locally held information of a person who was adopted; and what is the statutory basis upon which an adopted person can seek and obtain information about birth and natural parentage.

In Scotland the Registrar General is empowered to disclose to an adopted person aged 17 or over information which links the person's entry in the adopted children register to the original entry in the birth register. The statutory basis on which the Registrar General holds this information and controls access to it is provided by section 45 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978. Under the terms of the Adoption Agencies (Scotland) Regulations 1984, adoption agencies are also empowered to disclose to an adopted person aged 17 or over information held by the adoption agency relating to that person's adoption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current percentage of children of pre-school age currently enrolled in state-run pre-school education in Scotland.

The number of children in local authority nursery schools and the number of children under five in all local authority schools in September 1987 expressed as percentages of 3 and 4-year-olds in the population were 31·0 and 38·7 respectively. It is estimated that when those attending pre-school playgroups and day nurseries are included about 80 per cent. of 3 and 4-year-olds were involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which classes of people are exempt from water charges in Scotland.

People are exempt from water charges in Scotland if their premises do not receive a public water supply. Further, any person detailed in schedule IA to the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as exempted from the personal community charge, is also exempted from the personal community water charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the area of land in (a) the Cairngorms, and (b) the Grampian mountains as a whole which was more than 3 km from a road or vehicular track prior to 1960; whether this area has changed; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not available centrally, but it is clear that following the construction of the access road to the Cairngorm ski development and other vehicular tracks the areas in question are smaller than they were in 1960.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department is carrying out into the effects of high levels of nitrates and lead in water supplies on (a) children and (b) adults.

None. The level of nitrates found in Scottish waters is low and does not present a health problem for either children or adults.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many and which of the water supplies containing excess of nitrate or lead according to the European Community standards will achieve the acceptable standards (a) in 1989 and (b) in 1990;(2) how many water supplies in Scotland do not comply with the European Community standards for nitrate or lead content of water supplies; and where they are located.

One small water supply source in Dumfries and Galloway region and six in Grampian region may at times exceed the European Commission standard for nitrate. That in Dumfries and Galloway will achieve compliance in 1989; those in Grampian are due to be abandoned, two in 1989–90 and the others not later than 1991–92. For information on areas where the lead content of tap water may exceed the European Commission standard I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 22 March 1989, at columns 662–64. In 1989 the acceptable standard will be achieved in 22 of these areas in Dumfries and Galloway, 12 in Grampian, eight in Highland, six in Strathclyde and 10 in Tayside. A further seven areas in Strathclyde will achieve the standard in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those areas of policy implementation in regard to environmental safety and regulation which have failed since May 1979; and if he will make a statement on the steps he intends to take to rectify these failures.

Government policies have been applied successfully.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims for damages arising out of alleged breaches of delictual duty have been intimated to each chief constable in respect of the actions of police constables engaged in central duties since 1 January 1967.

I have no reason to believe that any such claims have been made but the information requested is not held centrally. A constable whilst on central service is not under the general direction of the chief constable of his home force. Accordingly, the chief constable would not be liable in reparation for any wrongful act or omission on the part of a constable on central service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the number of incidents in Scotland involving central service police officers who have acted as though they possessed the powers and privileges of police officers in each year since the coming into force of the Police Act 1967.

No such incidents have been brought to the notice of the Scottish Home and Health Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which health boards are to appoint extra consultants; what criteria were used in the allocation of the extra posts; which health boards made applications for more consultants; and if he will make a statement.

The number of hospital consultants in Scotland has been expanding rapidly—by over 3 per cent. last year. A further increase in the number of consultants has been encouraged by a Scottish Home and Health Department circular on hospital medical staffing in Scotland issued to all health boards in December 1988, and I shall be keeping a careful watch to see that progress is maintained. It is for health boards to create new consultant posts, subject to the agreement of the Department, which is advised by the Advisory Committee on Medical Establishments on manpower considerations. Consultant posts recommended in the 1987 report "Staffing the Service—The Next Decade" do not require departmental approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment his officials have made of the operation of enterprise zones; and if he will make a statement.

None. Data provided by the Industry Department for Scotland relating to Scottish enterprise zones are included in the fourth annual report "Enterprise Zone Information 1986–87" published by the Department of the Environment on 18 April 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on 5 April, Official Report, column 237, he is in a position to estimate what approximate percentage of the stock of 0 group sand eels was taken by the Shetland fishery in each of the past 15 years.

The information requested, based on the most recent data available, is set out in the table. The quantity of O-group sand eels taken in the Shetland fishery after 1 July is expressed as a percentage of the estimated number alive at 1 July, when most of this age group are recruited to the fishery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his intentions on the future policies of the Scottish Development Agency and the HIDB in relation to their on-going work in relation to the National Trust for Scotland; and if he will give specific examples of projects to be undertaken by Scottish Enterprise.

We are currently reassessing the proposals in the Scottish Enterprise White Paper in the light of all the responses received, and will announce our detailed decisions in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the Scottish percentage contribution of United Kingdom manufacturing activity in 1970, 1979, 1986 and 1987.

The following figures relate to gross domestic product in manufacturing industries in Scotland as a percentage of manufacturing gross domestic product in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of loans made to Scotland by the European investment bank in 1988.

(holding answer 28 April 1989): Loans are negotiated directly between the EIB and prospective borrowers. The total amount of loans disbursed in Scotland in 1988 was as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he had with officials of the Football Supporters Association before his statement on 17 April, calling for all-seater stadia for major football clubs in England and Wales.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safety regulations or guidelines apply to private zoos; how often they require inspection; and by whom the inspections are carried out.

I have been asked to reply.All zoos in Great Britain are licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, the provisions of which are administered principally by the appropriate local authority.Under the Act, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has laid down standards of modern zoo practice, which specify standards for ensuring animal welfare, in addition to the safety and security of visitors. These standards relate to all licensed zoos, insofar as they are applicable to the nature of the collection.Licensed zoos are subject to regular inspections which fall within three categories: first a periodic inspection, approximately every three years, by a team of up to five inspectors chosen jointly by the local authority and the Secretary of State; secondly, an annual informal inspection conducted by a single inspector appointed by the local authority; and thirdly, a special inspection, which may be arranged at any time when the local authority considers that the circumstances warrant one.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North of 18 April, Official Report, column 91, if he will list those areas where television reminders expiring on 31 March were delayed in the post; and if he will reimburse the price increase to those persons who were therefore unable to purchase their television licences at the old price.

Reports of late delivery of renewal notices have been received from Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newport, Stoke-on-Trent, Taunton and Watford.Renewal notices are issued as a service to licence holders and are not a legal requirement. Licences can be renewed up to a month in advance at post offices or by writing to the National TV Licence Records Office and no renewal notice is required for this purpose. It would not therefore be appropriate to reimburse the price increase to licence holders who did not renew March expiry licences until after the fee had gone up.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women there are in prison in the United Kingdom according to the latest available figures.

On Friday 28 April, the most recent date for which figures are available, 1,769 females were held in prison service establishments in England and Wales. No female prisoners were held in police cells.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women have been injured in prison in the United Kingdom according to the latest available figures.

The available information is published at appendix 5 of the "Report of the Work of the Prison Service, April 1987-March 1988." Only information relating to self-injury is collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women have committed suicide while being detained in prison in the United Kingdom according to the latest available figures.

Since 1980 there have been two suicides of women at prison department establishments; the inquest on one similar death has not yet taken place. Deaths in prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for their respective Secretaries of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new information has become available to account for the discrepancy in the information provided about emergency centres in his Department's office report on the implementation of the Civil Defence Regulations 1983 at October 1988 and that provided from the same source in response to earlier parliamentary questions.

Information on emergency centres is drawn from annual reports submitted by local authorities under the Government's planned programme for implementation of the 1983 regulations (PPI). Records are therefore regularly updated according to reported progress, and earlier answers gave the latest information available at the time of the questions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the outcome of the senior level seminar at the Civil Defence college in November 1988 on the review of the arrangements for handling peacetime emergencies will become available.

We hope to make an announcement on the result of the review as a whole shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish compulsory rehabilitation centres as an alternative to prison for drug misusers.

Our proposals in the Green Paper, "Punishment, Custody and the Community" (CM. 424) were that treatment for drug abuse could be part of a programme of supervision in the community for suitable offenders. Effective treatment would need the co-operation of the offender, so it could not be made compulsory. We have no plans to set up compulsory centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local education authorities have successfully applied for funding under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 for new youth work posts in the last five years, specifying for each authority the year in which section 11 funding was approved.

The following local authorities have received approval for section 11 grant for new posts in youth work since the current criteria were introduced in October 1986:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can estimate the number of police officers to be involved within the West Midlands police in the Hillsborough inquiry.

I understand from the chief constable of the West Midlands police that on 25 April some 300 of his officers were involved. The number is subject to continuous review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are issued to medical practitioners with regard to pregnant women and qualification criteria for a postal vote.

The Home Office does not issue guidance to medical practitioners on the arrangements for absent voting; the requirements are clearly set out on the relevant application form. As my right hon. Friend explained in his reply to a question from the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 2 March, at column 274, we are reviewing the absent voting arrangements. If the hon. Member is aware of a particular difficulty, perhaps she would write to me about it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has of the number of illegal Turkish immigrants in London.

It is not practicable to make such an estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which EEC countries require Turkish nationals to have visas when visiting.

Belgium, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from local authorities and hon. Members suggesting an amnesty for illegal Turkish immigrants.

My right hon. Friend has received one such letter—from the chief executive of the London borough of Hackney.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to whether any of the officers involved in bringing the unsuccessful prosecution of Roc Sandford have subsequently been promoted; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the four police officers involved in the prosecution of Mr. Sandford have, like many officers in the force, continued to serve in the same ranks since his acquittal in 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received against transferring the main place of detention for Immigration Act detainees from Latchmere house in Richmond to Haslar in Gosport.

A number of bodies concerned with the welfare of detainees, including those listed, and a number of hon. and right hon. Members and noble Lords have made representations or written about the proposal to transfer Immigration Act detainees from Latchmere House to Haslar.

• British Refugee Council
• Charter 87
• Immigration Law Practitioners Association
• Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
• National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
• National Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Richmond Borough Council
• Richmond Citizens Advice Bureau
• United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received to the report of the review committee on the parole system in England and Wales, which sat under the chairmanship of Lord Carlisle of Bucklow, from interested organisations and in particular, the council of Her Majesty's circuit judges and the High Court judges; and with what result.

We have received 20 responses to the Carlisle report. These came from interested individuals and organisations including judges, the Parole Board, the Magistrates Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Central Council of Probation Committees, the Association of Chief Officers of Probation, the National Association of Senior Probation Officers, the National Association of Probation Officers, the Justices Clerks Society, the Labour party, NACRO and the Howard League. The recommendations of the Carlisle report were far-reaching and we are considering the best way forward, taking account of the comments which we have received and of the implications for the prison population.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to make a response to the Law Commission's working paper No. 110 on computer misuse; whether he will make it public; and if he will make a statement.

The Law Commission's working paper set out legal issues for consultation purposes, but did not make firm recommendations. The central question was whether there should be a new offence of hacking. The Government have not yet reached a considered view on this question and the commission has been so informed. I understand that the Law Commission hopes to publish its report making recommendations within the next few months.