To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) BBC Scotland, and (b) STV on the future of Gaelic broadcasting, and if he will make a statement.

Earlier this year I met the chief executives of Scottish Television, Grampian Television and Border Television to discuss their views on the White Paper "Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, Choice and Quality" and on the possible future arrangements for broadcasting in Scotland, including the future of Gaelic broadcasting. My officials had similar discussions with staff of BBC Scotland and last December I discussed Gaelic broadcasting with BBC representatives at the offices of Radio Nan Eilean in Stornoway. In April this year, I met representatives of Comunn na Gaidhlig specifically to hear their views on the future of Gaelic broadcasting.As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said during his statement on 13 June, we will make announcements before long on our proposals for Gaelic broadcasting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be in a position to respond to the several letters outstanding from the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye concerning specific cases of individual financial losses or commercial damage as a result of the severe weather conditions in the Highlands and Islands earlier in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

A reply covering all eight cases raised by the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye was sent by my noble Friend the Minister of State on 27 April, the day on which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's package of measures for assisting with storm damage Hansard, columns 609–12.A follow-up letter from the hon. Member on behalf of one of the cases involved is being considered and a reply will he issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing a link between rate poundages in Scotland and the new unified business rate to be applied in England after 1990.

We have announced firm proposals to achieve a common rate poundage for Scotland at the same level as for England. We are seeking powers through the current Local Government and Housing Bill to enable us to prescribe the actual non-domestic rate of each local authority for a transitional period beginning in 1990–91. Our intention is that rate poundages in Scotland will generally be reduced relative to the uniform business rate in England and Wales so that. after five years or so, they will be brought into line with the rate in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing an extension of the mechanism of industrial derating to commercial premises in Scotland in the period leading up to the introduction of the unified business rate.

The future of industrial derating will fall to be considered once the likely effect of the 1990 revaluations on different sides of the Border and on different sectors of property become known later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide for interim relief to business rate payers in Scotland to take account of the discrepancies in rates paid north and south of the English border in the period leading up to the introduction of the unified business rate.

The plans I have announced will ensure that the discrepancies are removed on a reasonable timetable which takes account of the likely timetable of changes in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress being made to implement the provisions of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979.

Progress to date has been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future role of local health councils in Scotland.

I am considering a number of proposals put to me, and I shall make an announcement on this in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the average length of time it has taken to record a deed in the General Register of Sasines over the last 10 years.

The information is as follows:

Average turnround time in days
Year	Days
1979	63
1980	64
1981	85
1982	79
1983	115
1984	123
1985	110
1986	110
1987	137
1988	158

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take urgent steps to introduce common methods for use by assessors in Scotland when deciding questions relating to the status of tourist accommodation to include guidance in the assessment of the domestic element in computing the commercial rateable value of hotels and guest houses, the criteria to be used to classify bed-and-breakfast establishments as commercial subjects not subject to the standard community charge and circumstances to be taken into account in deciding whether self-catering cottages are subject to the payment of the full standard community charge.

There are no plans to do this. The decisions of assessors and community charges registration officers in matters of this kind are subject to appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that statutory instruments dealing with matters such as solicitors' fees and court expenses are not implemented until after the regulations are made available to the legal profession.

I appreciate the desire of solicitors for adequate notification of forthcoming revisions to solicitors fees and court expenses. The normal arrangements for publishing statutory instruments permit this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to monitor the effect the introduction of the community charge is having on the tourist industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The effects of rating reform on the various sectors of the tourist industry are being looked at in the light of representations which have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Scottish tourist industry to discuss the effects on tourism of the introduction of the community charge in Scotland.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to maintain the existing number of appointees from local authorities to the board of East Kilbride development corporation when appointments fall to be made to the board.

In appointing members to new town development corporations, the Secretary of State is required to consult the local authorities and to have regard to the desirability of securing the services of at least one person resident in or having special knowledge of the locality. Both East Kilbride district council and Strathclyde regional council have been invited to offer nominees for vacancies due to arise in the board of East Kilbride development corporation on 1 January 1990. I cannot say at this stage what will be the outcome of that consultation, but all members are appointed because of the contribution their personal qualities enable them to make to the new towns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Government has with regard to the disposal of Forestry Commission land.

In answer to a question from the hon. Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord) on 8 November 1984 (Official Report, columns 6–7), my right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) announced that the Forestry Commission's disposals programme would be extended to 31 March 1989, and that its main purpose would be to rationalise the forestry estate thereby improving the commission's efficiency and the commercial effectiveness of the forestry enterprise.We welcome the important contribution that the rationalisation of the forestry estate has made to the increased efficiency of the forestry enterprise over the past few years. The commission has been able to dispose of a large number of plantations in a way which has assisted the streamlining of its management structure and enabled it to achieve significant improvements in its operational efficiency. The annual net call on Exchequer funds for the enterprise has been greatly reduced. At the same time the commission has been able to make an important contribution to the major new developments which have taken place in the wood-processing industry in recent years. The market for timber is now buoyant, to the great benefit of both public and private sector timber-growers.My right hon. Friends and I have considered the future extent and purpose of the commission's disposal programme. We have had regard to the needs of the wood-processing industry for a steady and secure source of supply; to the effect of the programme on the use of the commission's forests for public access and recreation; and to environmental considerations. We also accept that the commission must be able to plan ahead without the uncertainty caused by frequent reviews, and that it will continue to make a small but effective contribution towards the fulfilment of our targets for new planting.We consider that the rationalisation policy has been successful and that there is scope for it to continue to be pursued with vigour. In accordance with the general policy of this Government, we also wish to see some further transfer of forests out of the public sector. This will have the important effect of strengthening and enhancing the role of the private sector, whose proportion of the nation's woodland estate has already risen to over 60 per cent. We also see it as a valuable opportunity to widen interest and participation in British forestry.We have therefore asked the Forestry Commissioners to proceed with the further disposal of some 100,000 hectares of forestry land and properties in the period up to the end of the century, of which they should seek to dispose of some 50,000 hectares in the first half of the period. The commissioners will continue to be responsible for selecting properties for sale, and in doing so they will have regard to the selection guidelines which forestry Ministers set them in 1981. In particular I have referred to the use of the commission's forests for public access and recreation, which my right hon. Friends and I warmly support and encourage. Forests have a major part to play in the enjoyment and understanding of the countryside and the commission will continue to have an important role in this.We are concerned, however, that the general public should also continue to enjoy access to those forests to be disposed of by the commission in a way which is compatible with management for forestry and other purposes. We are therefore giving careful consideration to ways of achieving the objective.It is estimated that, subject to market factors, the programme which we have now asked the commissioners to carry out should realise up to £150 million over the period. By settling this issue for a decade, we intend to put the commissioners in a position to implement the programme so as to consolidate their forestry estate in a rational and orderly manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on the need to establish a centre in the south of Scotland for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from head injuries; and what progress has been made in funding the necessary resources and possible site for such a centre.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: I have had a number of letters about improving rehabilitation services in Scotland for people suffering from head injuries. I expect to receive a report very shortly, following a study by the Scottish Home and Health Department, on how these services could be improved, and what arrangements for funding and location would be appropriate.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will meet President-elect Carlos Menem to discuss the future of the Falkland Islands.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money Her Majesty's Government has allocated to assist in the repatriation of Namibian refugees; and how this will be deployed.

We have provided £1·15 million—£500,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and £650,000 to the World Food Programme for food for the returnees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) of 12 June, Official Report, column 274, what figures he used for (a) net development assistance, and (b) gross national product, in calculating the figure of 0·32 per cent.

The figures are as follows:

	£ million
Net official development assistance	1,467·84
Gross national product	459,610

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the grants to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations engaged in overseas development made by the European Community in the latest year for which figures are available.

Under its NGO programme the European Community co-finances projects in developinging countries and development education projects with European NGOs. Normally the Community contributes 50 per cent. of the costs of individual projects. In 1987, the latest year for which figures are available, amounts granted to United Kingdom NGOs were as follows:

1 For projects in developing countries
	£
Accord	384,571
Action Aid	298,789
Africa Now	41,823
Aga Khan Foundation	253,521
Christian Aid	833,272
Commonwealth Trade Union Council	169,086
Concern Universal	30,929
Cooperation for Development	633,954
Friends of Ngora Hospital	91,472
Health Unlimited	68,375
Help the Aged	446,044
International Boys Town Trust	17,767
Intermediate Technology Development Group	84,094
Leonard Cheshire Foundation	74,115
Namibia Refugees	89,060
Order of St. John	165,914
Oxfam	1,310,327
Population Concern	212,666
Population Services	446,373
Richmond Fellowship	158,701
Rufiji Leprosy Trust	57,242
Save the Children Fund	268,308
SOS Sahel International	253,521
Sylvia Wright Trust	28,798
Tear Fund	94,105
Twin	229,640
Voluntary Service Overseas	279,183
World University Service—United Kingdom	26,976
War on Want	140,845

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which official bodies and organisations outside the United Kingdom make grants to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations engaged in overseas development after either consulting or obtaining the approval of his Department.

There are no formal arrangements for organisations outside the United Kingdom to consult my Department or seek its approval before making grants to United Kingdom voluntary agencies engaged in overseas development. But we are happy to put such organisations in touch with British agencies if asked to do so; and we have taken the initiative in encouraging the Japanese to use their grant aid in support of projects undertaken in developing countries by British and other third country NGOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what subjects were discussed at his last meeting with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

I last met representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland at the meeting of the intergovernmental conference in Belfast on 24 May. At that meeting we completed the review of the working of the conference and copies of the joint statement were placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils are resident at Mitchell House school for the handicapped, Holywood road, Belfast; what proposals he has for them after the closure of this school; and at which other similar schools there is residential accommodation available for these students.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: Ten pupils are currently attending the boarding department at Mitchell House special school, Belfast. The only other school providing residential accommodation for physically handicapped pupils is Fleming Fulton special school, Belfast. I understand that the Belfast education and library board is currently considering the closure of the boarding department at Mitchell House school but no decision has yet been taken. Should the board decide to close this facility, it would be required to publish a development proposal which would enable objectors to make their views known to the Department of Education within two months. The Department would have the ultimate decision in the matter.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the current position of the referral of the press to the Office of Fair Trading and Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading is continuing his inquiries into the structure of newspaper publishing, competition between newspapers, and the involvement of newspaper groups in other media. If a full-scale investigation were seen to be necessary it would be likely to take the form of a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the effects of the level of inflation on industry.

A number of representations which I receive refer to inflation. The great majority of these recognise that the control of inflation must remain the prime objective of economic policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the present trade deficit on manufactured goods.

In the first four months of 1989 there was an estimated seasonally adjusted deficit in trade in manufactures of £5·8 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to visit the newly founded centre for technology strategy at the Open university in Milton Keynes.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is aware of the recent formation of the centre for technology strategy at the Open university in Milton Keynes but has no plans for a visit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he expects to achieve through the Government's policy of full funding.

The aim of the full fund policy is that the Government should conduct their own financial affairs so as to have a broadly neutral impact on liquidity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to the Economic Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury on 12 June, Official Report, column 272, he will indicate what other housing costs are included in the Italian index of consumer prices quoted by him on 7 June; and what housing costs other than mortgage interest payments are included in the United Kingdom retail price index figures.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: The only housing costs included in the Italian consumer price index are rent, water charges and repairs. The housing group of the United Kingdom RPI includes rent, domestic rates, water and other charges, repair and maintenance charges, do-it-yourself materials and dwelling insurance and ground rents as well as mortgage interest payments.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish a further report on business appointments of former Crown servants.

I have today placed copies of a statistical report entitled "Acceptance of Outside Appointments by Crown Servants—1988" in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects lead to be eliminated from paint used for road markings.

The constituents of road materials are specified by the British Standards Institution. I understand that the institution has not yet set a timetable for substituting a lead-free pigment in their specification. Work to develop such a pigment of acceptable performance and durability is in progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions have been drawn from the research into pluvious road surfaces being carried out at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory with regard to (a) whether spray-reducing benefit can be applied to the resurfacing of existing roads and (b) whether this will be a general specification of new roads as proposed in the White Paper, "Roads for Prosperity"; and if he will make a statement.

The Transport and Road Research Laboratory has been undertaking a full-scale trial of pervious macadam road surfaces since 1984 on the A38 Burton bypass.Trials of new materials normally last for five years so that their performance can be compared with conventional materials before they are permitted for general use.In this case the material appears to be as durable as conventional materials and is effective in reducing vehicle spray.We are proposing to amend the Department's specification to allow the use of pervious macadam on new or existing trunk roads. The aim is to issue it early in 1990 as soon as the trials have been completed and the results fully assessed. This will depend on those results being satisfactory.Pervious macadam could prove more expensive than conventional materials and if so its use is more likely to be justified on sections of road where, for example, increased accident savings can be demonstrated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning the circumstances in which the fishing vessel MV Majestic was sunk between Shetland and Orkney on 13 June; and if he will make a statement.

The Fraserburgh registered fishing vessel Majestic capsized and sank some 30 miles west of Sumburgh Head at about 1300 on 13 June with the loss of five lives. Two crew survived.The vessel was pair trawling at the time of the incident when the net snagged on an underwater obstruction. There are no indications at this stage of any involvement by a submarine.One of the Department's marine surveyors has been appointed to investigate the casualty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his Department's latest estimated cost for completion of the previously preferred route for the Birmingham relief road; and if he will estimate the number of man hours his Department has spent on the previously preferred route.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: The estimated cost of the Birmingham northern relief road is £219·5 million at May 1989 prices. The Department is unable to disaggregate the number of man hours spent on individual schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current number of people employed in the electrical supply industry by region.

This is a matter for the electricity supply industry. I shall ask the Chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is now in a position to reply and treat as a matter of urgency the letter from the hon. Member for Bassetlaw of 11 April regarding redundancy payments at Rexo which was passed on to him by the Department of Employment on 30 May.

The hon. Member should now have received my reply which was sent on 14 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's policy of encouraging high schools in Wales to develop links with businesses.

It is important that there should be effective links between schools and business so that young people have the opportunity to experience the world of work and learn about the career choices available to them, and business has a workforce better prepared and equipped to meet its needs.We have a range of activities designed to improve communications between schools and industry and to encourage enterprise activities in schools. The Technical and Vocational Education Initiative has proved successful and is being extended to all schools and colleges. The GCSE examination has an emphasis on learning by experience and the certificate of pre-vocational education also assists in the transition from school to adulthood and the world of work. The new national curriculum has as one of its main aims the preparation of pupils for adult life and work. Businessmen also have the opportunity to become governors of schools and colleges.Each local education authority in Wales has an officer responsible for education/industry links and there is evidence of increasing interest in organisations at the local level working to develop partnerships between education and industry.In addition, we now have a network of enterprise and education advisers whose purpose is to market to employers the benefits of links with schools and persuade them to become involved. Also, in the context of my valleys programme, I have met with the chairmen of the education committee and director of education of each of the five valleys LEAs to discuss ways of improving links between schools and industry. Positive action has already been taken and I hope to have further meetings in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list sewage works in Wales that are at present failing the established effluent pollution standards.

The following Welsh Water Authority sewage treatment works failed to meet their consent standards during 1988:

• Ross New (Lower Cleeve)
• Kenderchurch
• Presteigne
• Llanbister
• Eardisley
• Rockfield
• Llanbedr
• Ponthir
• Bonvilston
• Weycock Cross
• Acton Green
• Stoke Edith
• Hereford Rotherwas
• St. Owens Cross
• Fair View
• Llanwarne—Monkton Place
• Walford (Caughton Place)
• Carnay
• Kidwelly
• Rhydypandy
• Carew
• Kilgetty East/Stepaside
• Rosemarket
• Devils Bridge
• Llanybyther
• Rhandirmyn
• Brithdir
• Bryncrug
• Dolgellau
• Llandwcwyn
• Tyddyn Hywel
• Cynon
• Deinolen (Brynrefail)
• Edwin Ralph
• Ffeirh
• Fountain
• Glewstone-Wilson
• Groes Bronallt
• Gwalchmai
• Talybont (Price Bros.)
• Llangefni
• Llanfaes 'A'
• Sarnau
• Sesswick
• Five Fords
• Mold (Filters Plant)
• Gresford
• Maes Y Groes
• Penley
• Henllan
• Denbigh
• Nantglyn
• Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd
• Burton
• Flint
• Bagillt (East)
• Bethesda
• Bettws
• Brendenbury
• Bynea
• Capel Iwan
• Cefn Mawr
• Chwilog
• Cilfynydd
• Cilgerran
• Clyro
• Connahs Quay
• Coolech
• Crossgates
• Cwmyoy
• Rhoslefain
• Rhydymawyn
• Spamington
• St. Arvans
• Tirabad
• Weston Beggard
• Wolferlow
• Ystradgynlais
• Kupeck
• Kington
• Langdon
• Llanarmon Yn Ial
• Llanddew
• Llandegfan (Red)
• Llanfechreth
• Llanfaes 'B'
• Llanfaethlu
• Llanfaglan
• Llangaffo
• LLangyli
• Llanrhidian
• Llanrug
• Llansey
• Llanvapley
• Llanyre
• Llanystumdwy
• Llynfaes
• Llysuen Village
• Melin Y Wig
• Pentraeth
• Pentre Halkyn
• Penygausi

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of local authority houses to rent by district in Wales in (a) 1986, (b) 1987 and (c) 1988.

The information requested is as follows:

Estimates of dwellings owned by local authorities or new towns at 1 April1
Welsh Districts	1986	1987	1988
Aberconwy	3,227	3,139	3,060
Alyn and Deeside	5,573	5,503	5,415
Arfon	5,304	5,237	5,194
Blaenau Gwent	11,012	10,871	10,749
Brecknock	3,095	3,019	2,967
Cardiff	22,551	21,776	21,190
Carmarthen	3,740	3,711	3,661
Ceredigion	3,700	3,662	3,631
Colwyn	2,877	2,821	2,746
Cynon Valley	5,699	5,596	5,497
Delyn	5,088	4,992	4,864
Dinefwr	2,795	2,755	2,711
Dwyfor	1,490	1,484	1,478
Glyndwr	3,284	3,217	3,154
Islwyn	6,858	6,667	6,470
Llanelli	7,626	7,529	7,360
Lliw Valley	5,547	5,458	5,351
Meirionnydd	2,259	2,203	2,153
Merthyr Tydfil	7,541	7,357	7,145
Monmouth	5,388	5,351	5,185
Montgomery2	4,626	4,503	4,435
Neath	6,190	6,096	5,959
Newport	14,020	13,839	13,699
Ogwr	10,892	10,613	10,333
Port Talbot	7,115	6,834	6,539
Preseli	6,286	6,200	6,117
Radnor	1,268	1,262	1,220
Rhondda	5,234	5,153	5,095
Rhuddlan	2,907	2,905	2,862
Rhymney Valley	10,920	10,641	10,460
South Pembrokeshire	3,112	3,072	3,005
Swansea	18,788	18,554	18,196
Taff-Ely	8,609	8,356	8,030
Torfaen	14,787	14,519	14,222
Vale of Glamorgan	7,105	6,927	6,738
Wrexham Maelor	16,857	16,666	16,533
Ynys Moô	6,087	6,037	5,994
Wales Total	259,457	254,525	249,418
1 Includes some dwellings unavailable for rent, undergoing repair or improvement, awaiting sale or demolition, etc.
2 Includes new town dwellings in Newton.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he can give for each county in Wales the number of cottage-community hospitals with fewer than 70 beds in (a) 1985 and (b) 1988, and the percentage these represented of the total number of hospitals in (i) 1985 and (ii) 1988.

The total number of hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals, with less than 70 beds are shown in the table:

	Number of hospitals with fewer than 70 beds1		Percentage of all hospitals in authority
Health Authority	1985	1988	1985	1988
Clwyd	15	17	60·0	70·8
East Dyfed	7	7	58·3	58·3
Gwent	8	8	44·4	44·4
Gwynedd	16	18	76·2	81·8
Mid Glamorgan	13	15	41·9	46·9
Pembrokeshire	1	1	33·3	33·3
Powys	11	11	73·3	73·3
South Glamorgan	5	5	31·3	31·3
West Glamorgan	10	8	52·6	50·0
1 As at 31 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list those rivers in Wales which in 1988 were graded 3 and lower in pollution standards.

This is a matter for the Welsh Water Authority and I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average time taken to process applications for discretionary grants in respect of capital investments by small businesses; and what action is being taken by his Department to reduce the time taken to process applications and forward grants.

The main forms of discretionary grants towards capital investment by small firms are regional enterprise grants (investment) and regional selective assistance. The average times taken to process grant applications and payment claims during the period 1 January—31 May 1989 were as follows:

	Weeks
Regional enterprise grants (investment) applications	3·9
Regional enterprise grants (investment) payment claims	1·2
Regional selective assistance applications	7
Regional selective assistance payment claims	3·1

The Department is continuing its downward pressure on processing times consistent with the proper administration of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration was given by officers of his Department to the need to publish advice to the public in Wales prior to the Government's recommendation on Monday 12 June that people should not consume hazelnut yoghurt pending the outcome of investigations into the recent incidents of botulism.

My Department became aware of suspected cases of botulism associated with the consumption of hazelnut yoghurt on 12 June. Standard arrangements are that the Department of Health notifies national and regional media interests in such cases, including those in Wales. Copies of the Department of Health's press statement were subsequently sent by my Department to chief environmental health officers and medical officers for environmental health in Wales for information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what information he has available on the cases of botulism in Clwyd referred to in the answer of his right hon. Friend to the private notice question on Tuesday 13 June.

My officials are in close touch with the chief administrative medical officer/director of public health medicine in Clwyd health authority regarding the four suspected cases of botulism. Investigations are continuing as to the source of the outbreak.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research projects into food hygiene and food production are currently sponsored by his Department; what resources are allocated to each project and what plans he has for expanding such research in Wales.

My Department has no agricultural research funds. Last year the Government funded 436 research projects on food in England and Wales. Details can be found in the draft National Programme of Food R&D 1988–89, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House on 13 June 1989.Future plans for Government funded research will be guided by the advice of the Research Consultative Committee on Food Safety and Applied Nutrition which is expected to report at the end of August. This Government are firmly committed to food safety research and will place the work with the most appropriate contractors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to increase the resources available to local authorities in Wales to enable them to increase the number of environmental health officers available to inspect food producing and processing establishments in view of fresh public concern over dangers to health.

Provision for local authority spending in 1989–90 was announced in the rate support grant report published on 8 December 1988. My officials are presently discussing with the local authority associations their need to spend for 1990–91.The bulk of resources provided to local authorities are unhypothecated: it is for the individual authority to determine its own spending priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure the future security of adequate funding levels with predictable continuity for S4C in the light of the statement on 13 June, by the Home Secretary on the future of commercial television.

The White Paper on broadcasting made clear the Government's view that S4C has been a considerable success. At present the Independent Broadcasting Authority determines the channel's level of income. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I envisage that the Independent Television Commission and S4C will make similar arrangements to ensure adequate funding for the channel in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the level of bursaries to be paid to nursing students undertaking the first Project 2000 training courses; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have accepted the proposal of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, made after consultation with the nursing professions, that Project 2000 students should have student, rather than employee, status and receive bursaries rather than salaries. The personal element of these bursaries will not be means-tested.Project 2000 students in receipt of bursaries will not be liable for income tax or national insurance or superannuation contributions. All Project 2000 students will pay only 20 per cent. of the personal community charge, like other full-time students, and will have the benefit of seven weeks' holiday each year, compared with the four or five weeks for those who continue to be trained under the existing arrangements.The following basic levels of bursary are to be offered to students undertaking Project 2000 courses. They are broadly comparable with the average net basic salary of existing student nurses.Under 26 at start of course:

	£
London:	4,700
	£
Elsewhere:	4,000

Age 26 and over at start of course:

	£
London:	5,200
	£
Elsewhere:	4,500

In addition to the above basic/personal levels of bursary, there will be additions for dependents which will be means-tested on the basis of Department of Education and Science mandatory grant rules.Existing NHS staff who enter Project 2000 training, provided they have been employed at least one year, will retain their current salary rather than receiving a bursary.Pre-registration nursing students who are not on Project 2000 courses will continue to receive salaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the revenue generated from private patients at hospitals in the Doncaster area in 1988; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last 10 years, at 1989 prices.

The available information is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been given to registered medical practitioners on issuing certificates for poll tax exemption on the grounds that the individual is severely mentally impaired; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he has issued any guidance in relation to the poll tax on the question as to whether those seeking a certificate of exemption from a registered medical practitioner will be required to undergo any examination; who will pay for any such examination; if there will be guidance on any standard scale of charges; how much will be charged for such certificates; and who will be required to make the payment.

I have been asked to reply.The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.Guidance to registered medical practitioners on issuing certificates of severe mental impairment in connection with applications for exemption from payment of the personal community charge will be issued as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the North West regional health authority since 14 April regarding provision of a maternity unit at Queen's park hospital, Blackburn; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health will be meeting the chairman of North Western regional health authority on 19 June to discuss the implications of the extension of maternity services in phase IIIA of Queen's Park hospital, Blackburn, for the region's current review of its capital programme. It is unlikely that the outcome of the review will be known before the autumn of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department's superannuation branch first received a request to transfer pension rights in respect of Miss Claire Johnson from the National Health Service to the Professional Association of Teachers; why it has failed to reply; and when he expects the transfer to be effected.

National Health Service superannuation branch first received a request to transfer Miss Johnson's pension rights on 30 August 1988 when the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) wrote. They enclosed a copy of correspondence they had sent to Central Nottinghamshire health authority about the same subject.No reply, apart from an inquiry of the PAT about their scheme and routine acknowledgements, has yet been sent because the transfer value of the service was not apparently available. The health authority had exceptionally given details of Miss Johnson's final year's salary on 28 April 1988 when giving details about the cessation of her employment. This information was overlooked when the transfer request was received. A standard inquiry was therefore sent to the authority on 23 September 1988. Only when a belated reply was received on 8 May 1989 was attention drawn to the previous information.Urgent action is being taken to give details of a pension transfer value. Miss Johnson will then have the option of transferring the pension value or leaving it in the National Health Service scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 May to the hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) setting out the amount due to pharmacists from 1978 to 1988, if he will specify the amounts included which are in respect of drug and container cost reimbursement; whether the amounts due for profit are stated on a pre-interest basis; if he will express these as a percentage of turnover; and if he will give estimates of the amount due for costs in £m and the profit in £m and percentage of turnover for 1988–89 and 1989–90.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: The figures given in my reply to the hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) on 18 May at column 284, excluded the payments made as reimbursement of expenditure on drugs and containers. The amounts due for profit included interest on capital employed. Amounts due for profit expressed as a percentage of amounts paid as reimbursement of expenditure on drugs and containers in England and Wales were as follows:

Year	Percentage
1978	3·57
1979	3·52
1980	4·78
1981	5·48
1982	5·10
1983	4·67
1984	4·62
11985	5·28
1985–86	5·19
1986–87	4·79
1987–88	4·58
1 1 January 1985 to 31 March 1985.

Current estimates for 1988–89 are: amount due for costs £437·2 million amount due for profit £70·7 million, profit as a percentage of drug and container costs 3·68 per cent. As from 1 April 1989 amounts due for costs and profit are no longer calculated as separate items of remuneration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of a portable oxygen cylinder; and what guidance he issues to doctors on the provision of portable oxygen cylinders for use in the home and elsewhere by patients with chronic lung disease.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: The basic cost of a portable oxygen cylinder is at least £157·00. Such equipment for use in the home and elsewhere may be provided through the hospital service on the prescription of a hospital consultant if he considers it clinically necessary for the treatment of his patient. Guidance on the provision of oxygen and other specialised equipment is contained in the booklet MHM50, "Provision of Medical and Surgical Appliances". A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will ensure that compressor-driven nebuliser systems are made available to patients when so advised by a consultant with specialist knowledge in thoracic medicine.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: It is for health authorities to decide whether to issue compressor-driven nebuliser systems (either permanently or on loan) to patients for whom they are prescribed by hospital consultants. In making these decisions, health authorities will have regard to the costs of the equipment and its potential benefit to patients and the competing claims on available resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions, and by what means, his Department has drawn the attention of the medical profession to the dangers of represcribing benzodiazepine drugs; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: The Department issues regular advice to doctors on a wide range of topics which from time to time include guidance on the prescribing of benzodiazepines. Exampls include:

(i) Guidance on Good Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Drug Misuse, issued free in 1984 and 1985 to all doctors, includes advice on withdrawal from benzodiazepines. This publication is also issued annually to medical schools for distribution to final year medical students.

(ii) The Committee on Safety of Medicines reinforced prescribing advice on benzodiazepines in "Current Problems No. 21" issued in January 1988.

(iii) Up-to-date information on benzodiazepine prescribing is included in the British National Formulary, which is issued twice a year free to all doctors, pharmacists and to all first and final year medical students.

(iv) The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, issued fortnightly and distributed free by the Department has, on occasions, published articles on benzodiazepines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received from the Committee on the Safety of Medicines on the use and prescribing of benzodiazepine drugs; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 15 June 1989]: The Committee on the Safety of Medicines advice about the use and prescribing of these drugs remains as published in its bulletin "Current Problems No. 21" issued in January 1988. A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest meeting with the chargé d'affairs at the Chinese embassy in London.

My right hon. and learned Friend's latest meeting with the Chinese chargé d'affaires was on 5 June. He reported this meeting to the House on 6 June. A senior official had a meeting with the Chinese chargé d'affaires on 12 June, at which he further clarified our view of events in Peking, particularly with respect to the prospects and procedures for the implimentation of the joint declarations on Hong Kong. He also raised reports of Chinese embassy harassment of Chinese students here and the case of the Hong Kong resident detained in Shanghai.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning allegations that Chinese students in this country have received threatening telephone calls from officials at the Chinese embassy; whether he has made representations to the Chinese chargé d'affaires on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

We have noted press reports that the Chinese embassy has been harassing Chinese students in this country. A senior official raised this matter with the Chinese chargé d'affaires on 12 June and reminded him that we expected the Chinese embassy to act in accordance with British law. The Chinese chargé d'affaires said that the reports were a complete fabrication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will grant to Chinese students studying in the United Kingdom, on completion of their courses, extension of stay until their safety can be guaranteed.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I have given today to questions from the hon. Members for Leyton (Mr. Cohen), for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) and for Tooting (Mr. Cox).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to amend the treaty with China to exclude the stationing of the Chinese army in Hong Kong after 1997.

The prospect of the stationing of Chinese troops in Hong Kong after 1997 has always been a matter of concern in the territory. Recent events have increased this. We shall be considering how best to meet this concern when we resume our discussions with the Chinese authorities about the future of Hong Kong. But we have no plans to seek to amend the joint declaration, which is a solemn international agreement equally binding both Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had seeking to ensure that a democratic Government are fully in place in Hong Kong before 1997.

In the light of recent events in China, and evidence of a change of opinion in Hong Kong, we and the Hong Kong Government are considering carefully suggestions for advancing and consolidating effective democracy in Hong Kong. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State discussed this question with the Governor of Hong Kong on his visit to London last week and will be having further discussions with a broad range of Hong Kong opinion when he visits the territory early next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Wajid Mahmood, whose date of birth is 19 July 1971 and whose reference is IMM /92276, first applied to the post in Islamabad for permission to enter the United Kingdom; and when a decision is to be taken on his application.

In accordance with the recent guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases, issued to Members on 14 December 1988, I have referred the question to the correspondence unit of migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hon. Member will receive a reply from the unit in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the execution without trial in Iran of Mr. Abbass Tabbakhi of Forest Gate, London E7; when Mr Tabbakhi was arrested; when he was executed; and if he will make the stongest representation to the Iranian Government about the execution of Mr. Tabbakhi.

We have no information about the case of Mr. Tabbakhi. It is usually impossible to verify reports of individual executions in Iran, given the absence of information about the situation there. We have consistently expressed concern about Iran's human rights record and have taken vigorous action at the UN to try to persuade Iran to allow the UN special rapporteur to visit that country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Governments of Japan and South Korea regarding the slaughter of sharks in the waters around the Galapagos Islands; and if he will make a statement.

We have asked the Japanese and South Korean Governments for assurances that their fishing fleets around the Galapagos Islands are acting in accordance with their obligations on the protection of endangered species. Sharks are not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the sons and daughters of Foreign Office personnel can receive grants towards the cost of private education; and whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office keeps a list of schools approved for the education of such young people.

All members of the Diplomatic Service who have an obligation to serve overseas are eligible to apply for an allowance towards the costs of their children's boarding school education. The allowance is paid in order that children may be guaranteed continuity of education in the British system. In certain cases, provided the paramount principle of continuity is observed, it may be possible for an officer to be refunded the cost of private day school fees at a boarding school where the child will be educated when his/her parents are abroad.The allowance is based on an average of the fees of schools on the Headmasters Conference list, but attendance is not limited to those schools. Any United Kingdom boarding school can be approved, provided that it offers the full range of subjects normally offered by a state day school and in a form generally available in the state system. No attempt is made to keep a comprehensive list of schools which meet those criteria.Staff whose children are resident with them overseas may reclaim the cost of local private education in countries where the state education system is inadequate or unsuitable. Refunds in such cases are limited to tuition or scholastic activities of a kind which would be provided without cost under the United Kingdom state education services. Each overseas post maintains its own list of authorised schools.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current checks and controls for salmonella enteritidis undertaken by continental egg producers who export their produce to the United Kingdom.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to differentiate between eggs being sold in retail outlets for tested flocks as opposed to untested laying flocks.

It is a legal requirement that all UK flocks selling eggs should be tested. As for imports, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 20 April at column 280.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received for and against the continued sale of untreated green top milk; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on such sales.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Minister gave to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 13 June at column 353.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about seasonal variations in the price of beef and consequent shortages; and if he will make a statement about any proposals to alter support arrangements in order to ensure that there is a more even supply of beef throughout the year.

The ending of the beef variable premium has removed from the support regime an element which included seasonal variation. However, in practice the rate of premium remained fixed at its maximum rate for extended periods which limited its impact. Under the present arrangements the EC Commission has at its disposal measures designed to moderate fluctuations in beef supply. It can release beef from intervention stocks onto the market when supplies are short or introduce aids to private storage to hold beef off the market in times of over supply. We and other member states encourage the Commission to make use of these provisions as appropriate to market circumstances.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about possible retrospective payments being made to French early potato growers in Brittany; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such representations.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a compulsory slaughter scheme for deer suffering from tuberculosis.

Only a few herds are believed to be infected with tuberculosis, but in the interests of preventing it becoming established the Government have decided to introduce a compulsory slaughter scheme where this is necessary to control disease in deer kept in farms or parks. Compensation will be paid at 50 per cent. of the value of the slaughtered animal, subject to a ceiling. The necessary order under the Animal Health Act 1981 will be introduced as soon as possible. This measure, together with the steps already announced to make tuberculosis in deer a notifiable disease and to introduce movement controls and marking requirements, represent a major initiative by the Government to deal with the disease. I now hope that rapid progress can be made in devising a deer health scheme in co-operation with the industry.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a product licence under the Medicines Act 1968 has been issued for NUVAN Fish 500 EC; and if he will make a statement.

A product licence for Aquagard sea lice treatment (formerly known as NUVAN Fish 500 EC) was granted yesterday. The product licence was granted in accordance with the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968 following a detailed and thorough assessment of data relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of the product. As part of this assessment very careful consideration was given to the safety of the product to the fish, the consumers of treated fish, those operators administering the product and to the environment.In reaching their decision to grant a product licence for Aquagard sea lice treatment Ministers were advised by the Veterinary Products Committee, an independent committee of experts in human and animal health. In reaching its recommendation, the Veterinary Products Committee took advice from experts in environmental safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what transitional help the Government give to those people who lose their benefit entitlement due to taking up a full-time job, and thus find themselves financially worse off than previously.

In most cases, people who decide to accept a full-time job offer should find themselves better-off financially than when they were unemployed. The Department of Employment claimant advisory service helps claimants determine whether particular job offers could prove worthwhile financially. It also provides rapid access family credit facilities for unemployed people with children, so that delays in payment are minimised. People entering lower-paid remunerative work may receive help through the housing benefit and community charge rebate schemes if they are responsible for rent, rates or community charge in Scotland. If they have at least one dependent child they may also be entitled to family credit. Payment of these benefits will continue to be made as long as the qualifying conditions remain satisfied. People on low incomes are also able to claim help with dental, optical and prescription charges, and with the cost of travel to hospital for treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he hopes to hold an inquiry into the claim for industrial disablement benefit made by Mr. G. Watterson of North Park holiday centre, Totnes road, Dartmouth, on 23 June 1986, Ref. INS/5999/8057/4; and if he will make a statement.

Arrangements are in hand for fixing a date for an inquiry and Mr. Watterson should he hearing from the appropriate branch in the next ten days.The Department will be doing all that it can to process the matter smoothly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued any guidelines for the use of section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Home Office circular 11/1987 issued on 23 February 1987 gave guidance on those parts of the Public Order Act 1986, including section 39, which came into force on 1 April 1987. A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions and in what situations section 39 of the Public Order Act has been used; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not recorded by police forces or otherwise available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) Official Report, 15 March, column 231, exceptional and compelling circumstances which would warrant the Minister deferring removal include (a) a mistake and (b) a misrepresentation of a relevant fact by an immigration officer; and if he will make a statement.

As I said in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 15 March at column 231, the examples given in the guidelines introduced on 3 January are not exclusive but are illustrative of the sort of circumstances which would justify deferment of removal. A right hon. or hon. Member may contact my private office (or, out of working hours, the Home Office duty officer) in any case where he believes that the immigration service has wrongly refused to defer removal on the basis of exceptional and compelling circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisioner number 851715, John McComb;(2) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisoner number 463799, Ronald McCartney;(3) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisoner number B69204, Thomas Quigley;(4) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisoner number 119034, Paul Holmes.

Mr. McCartney's application was answered on 31 May. The applications of Mr. McComb and Mr. Holmes will be answered as soon as possible. To date, there is no outstanding request from Mr. Quigley.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners escaped from police custody before being sentenced in each police authority in the most recent period for which such figures are available.

The information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the escape of five prisoners from police custody in Liverpool on the evening of 12 June.

I understand from the chief constable of Merseyside police that at about 5.30 pm on 12 June a police bus left the main Bridewell in Liverpool bound for HM prison Hindley with 14 remand prisoners and a police escort on board. Shortly after leasing the Bridewell, a number of the prisoners, who were in individual cells, made a concerted attempt to force off the roof of the vehicle, and four of them managed to escape through a gap in the roof. Two of the prisoners were recaptured immediately, one was caught later the same day, and the other one is still at large. The chief constable is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the escape.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following a further break-out of five prisoners from a police custody van in Liverpool on the evening of 12 June, he will review the regulations for holding and transporting people held in custody; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the chief constable of Merseyside is conducting an inquiry into the incident and he will consider whether there are any lessons to be learnt for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy for Chinese students in London who feel unable to return to be allowed to remain beyond the expiry of their permit; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the entry permits of all Chinese nationals currently in the United Kingdom on the same basis as the Australian Government have done; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that no Chinese students will be forced to leave the United Kingdom to return to China once their student visa has expired, until condition greatly improve in China; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the present number of Chinese students studying in the United Kingdom.

There are between 6,000 and 6,500 Chinese nationals in the United Kingdom who are subject to immigration conditions and of these some 3,500 are studying here. In view of the current situation in China, we shall look sympathetically at applications for leave to remain here by Chinese nationals who do not wish to return to China at the present time. Any Chinese national therefore whose leave to remain here is due to expire soon, or has already expired, and who does not wish to return should write to the Immigration and Nationality Department, Home Office, Lunar House, Croydon CR9 2BY, and if they do not qualify to remain under the immigration rules, they will nevertheless be allowed to stay for a further six months on an exceptional basis. This is, I understand, a somewhat longer period than the Australian authorities have agreed. I am taking steps to have this advice published as widely as possible in the universities and colleges, and in the Chinese community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis regarding money taken by Metropolitan Police officers from the home of Mr. Garcia of Stratford, London E1 5 on 6 February; where the money now is; and why it has not been returned to Mr. Garcia.

The investigation of alleged criminal offences is an operational matter and, as such, is the responsibility of the commissioner. My right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene in such matters and it would therefore not be fitting for him to call for a report on Mr. Garcia's case.

Approved city grant schemes as at 13 June 1989
Local Authority	Project name	Developer's name	Approved city grant
West Midlands
Coventry	Seven Stars Industrial Estate	Deeley Investments Limited	1·627
Birmingham	Startpoint Industrial Development	English and Overseas Properties Limited	0·283
Birmingham	The Bond	The Bond Limited	0·391
Wrekin	Ketley Business Park, Phase 3	C. J. Pearce & Co. Ltd.	0·230
Dudley	Washington Centre, Dudley	Folkes Properties Ltd.	3·500
Birmingham	Garrison Lane, Ind. Dev. Birmingham	J. A. Elliot (Developments) Ltd.	0·570
Sandwell	Windmill Lane, Smethwick	Tarmac Contract Housing	0·775
Birmingham	Constitution Hill	T. S. Gandhi	0·068
Dudley	Garrick Business Park	Garrick Properties Limited	0·750
Birmingham	Birmingham Factory Centre	Slough Estates	1·260
Sandwell	Sandwell Ski Centre	Glenarn Investments Limited	0·282
		Total	9·736
North West
Oldham	Park Road Hotel	Florshiem Company (UK) Limited	1·053
Bolton	Prospect Mills Housing	Tay Homes (Northern) Limited	0·650
Bolton	Frederick Street, Farnworth	Allen Homes Limited	0·203
Bolton	Rose Hill, Bolton	Lovell Urban Renewal Ltd.	0·560
Manchester	Carriageway, Manchester	Upton Hunter Estates Ltd.	0·099
Manchester	Every Street Housing Scheme	Tay Homes (North West) Ltd.	0·457
Manchester	Bell Crescent, Manchester	Tay Homes (North West) Ltd.	0·622
Salford	Hazel Avenue and Acme Mill Housing Development	Brackenlea Homes	0·580
Salford	Salford University Tower	Manchester Pare Securities Limited and Amec Regeneration Limited	2·550
Blackburn	Atlantic Mill Site	Hillcrest Homes Limited	0·381
Blackburn	Ice Rink, Blackburn	Arena Associates Ltd.	0·680
Blackburn	Oozebooth Mill	Euro Jeans Ltd.	0·142
		Total	7·977
Northern
Hartlepool	Hartlepool Business Park	East Mercia Developments Ltd.	0·634
Newcastle	7–19 Mosley Street	Kelburn Holdings Limited	0·413
Stockton	West Row, Stockton	Glynns Estates (Cleveland) Ltd.	0·097
South Tyneside	Boldon Business Park	Washington Developments Ltd.	1·231
Sunderland	Ascot Court, Phase 3, Farringdon	Two Castles Limited	0·101
Hartlepool	Teesbay Business Park	Humberside Properties Ltd.	1·916
Sunderland	Ascot Court, Sunderland, Phase 4	Two Castles Limited	0·055
Sunderland	Gilley Law, Sunderland	Wimpey Homes Holdings Ltd.	1·221
Gateshead	Wellington Road, Dunston	Stannah Lifts Limited	0·201
South Tyneside	Mowbray Court, South Shields	North Country Estates Ltd.	0·101
Newcastle	43–49 Grey Street, Newcastle	City & Northern Properties Ltd.	0·487

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to his letter to the hon. Member for Bradford, West on 23 March concerning Mr. Bahadur Singh; reference IMP S656383/4(S), when he expects to despatch his explanatory statement to the appellate authorities and to Mr. Singh and his representative.

The explanatory statement will be despatched to the appellate authorities very shortly. They will make arrangements for it to be forwarded to the appellant's nominated representative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) all projects and (b) the companies involved and the amounts they are likely to receive, which have been offered a city grant.

The information requested is as follows: