To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those authorities whose schemes as submitted for his approval for the local management of schools contained insufficient information for determination.

All schemes for the local management of schools, as first submitted, contained insufficient information for the purposes of statutory approval. By the end of last year all but seven local education authorities, from whom this additional information had been sought, had provided it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what initiatives his Department has promoted on the raising of environmental consciousness and environmental protection in schools, colleges and universities.

In the course of the last 12 months, Her Majesty's inspectors of schools published "Environmental Education: 5–16", a booklet which offers advice to schools on the planning of environmental education, and the Department, in conjunction with the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Laura Ashley Foundation, launched the environmental enterprise award scheme for schools and colleges. The award scheme aims to encourage children and young people to bring their enterprise and practical ingenuity to bear in protecting or enhancing the environment.Environmental education has also been indentified as an important theme which should run through the whole school curriculum, including the core and other foundation subjects of the national curriculum.The natural environment research council, which receives grant-in-aid from the science budget, also played its part in raising young people's consciousness of environmental processes, the role of international scientific research, and Britain's contribution to it by circulating to secondary schools the information booklet "Our Future World".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students of nuclear engineering and nuclear physics are currently registered at United Kingdom universities and polytechnics; how many places in these disciplines are presently unfilled; and if he has made any assessment as to whether the present number of students being trained in nuclear physics and engineering will be sufficient for future needs.

Courses in nuclear physics are not separately identified in centrally available statistics. There are two first degree courses in nuclear engineering: one is at Manchester university, on which a total of 28 students were enrolled in 1988–89, the most recent year for which such statistics are currently available; the other, which had its first intake in autumn 1989, is at Queen Mary college. London university. Statistics on unfilled places on individual courses are not centrally available. I know of no evidence to suggest any current or future shortfall in the supply of highly qualified manpower to the nuclear power industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on developments since the 1987 economic summit in Venice on the institution of the human frontier science programme; where it will be administered; what United Kingdom contribution will be made to the first phase of the project; and how the programme will benefit United Kingdom research institutions.

The human frontier science programme (HFSP) for research in molecular biology and neuroscience was inaugurated in November 1989, and is administered from Strasbourg. The secretary general of the new organisation is Sir James Gowans, former secretary of the Medical Research Council. The United Kingdom is represented on the HFSP council of scientists and board of trustees. The United Kingdom is contributing to the first phase through the linking of a number of fellowships and workshops to the programme. Given the quality of United Kingdom science, our research institutions will be hoping to benefit from the award of grants for research, fellowships and workshops. An announcement is expected in March of the first awards under the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his Department has refused an application for funding from the Inner London Federation of School Sports Associations on behalf of its member organisations; and what other grants have been made under the 1990–91 special scheme for the headquarters e f Londonwide education voluntary organisations.

The purpose of the Department's special grant aid to Londonwide headquarters bodies is to offer, following the demise of ILEA, some temporary funding to help maintain their programmes of work until arrangements have been developed for funding from the new Inner London councils. While the Department recognises the value of the work undertaken by the individual school sports associations, the modest operating costs of these individual bodies renders them ineligible for consideration under these grant arrangements. Because of the high administrative costs involved in considering small grants, the Department is unable to provide grants of less than £5,000. The role of the Inner London Federation of School Sports Associations (ILFSSA), in co-ordinating the work of these bodies, was not considered to be sufficiently well developed within the programmes of work submitted, to be accepted for grant aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the distribution of the science budget for 1990–91.

I have considered the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils and have decided that the £897 million science budget for 1990–91 should, subject to approval by Parliament of the Estimates in due course, be allocated as follows:

	£ million
Agricultural and Food Research Council	86·57
Economic and Social Research Council	36·17
Medical Research Council	185·71
Natural Environment Research Council	136·05
Science and Engineering Research Council	437·12
The Royal Society	13·94
The Fellowship of Engineering	1·19
Science Policy Studies	0·23
Centre for Exploitation of Science and Technology	0·08

At £897 million, the science budget in 1990–91 is £189 million higher than expenditure in 1988–89—an increase of 27 per cent. over two years. Over the last two public expenditure exercises the Government have increased provision by £490 million; and expenditure in real terms in 1990–91 will be more than 28 per cent. higher than in 1979–80. This is further evidence for the scientific community of the importance which the Government attach to civil science in the research councils and the universities.The increased provision next year should enable the research councils to sustain the momentum created by the substantial increase in science funding in 1989–90. Over £17 million is available towards the construction costs of the royal research ship James Clark Ross, £2·8 million towards the cost of the remote sensing instruments associated with the earth remote sensing-2 satellite and the polar platforms, and £6 million towards the cost of the refitting of the royal research ship Discovery, all of which will make important contributions to the United Kingdom's programme of global environmental research. The natural environment research council is particularly prominent in this field, and the provision made will enable the council significantly to enhance its contribution to the world ocean circulation experiment.I am also pleased that the settlement will mean that the research councils are able to sustain and strengthen their current initiatives to maintain an adequate supply of highly qualified manpower; and that the AFRC will be able to press ahead with the restructuring of its institutes and to establish a programme on slow virus research with particular relevance to bovine spongiform encephalopathy.I am publishing the board's advice today. Copies are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of a new firearms licence for a shotgun in January 1986 and January 1990.

The fee for the grant of a shotgun certificate in England and Wales was £12 on both dates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many representations he has received, and from whom, since 1987 concerning (a) advertisements on commercial television, (b) independent television news reports, (c) television censorship, (d) private television stations, (e) repeats on BBC television, (f) video nasties and (g) certificates awarded to cinema films; and if he will make a statement on each of the above subjects;(2) how many representations he has received, and from whom, since 1987 concerning

Since 1987 many representations have been received on these and other broadcasting topics. Details could be given only at disproportionate cost. The broadcasting White Paper and more recently the Broadcasting Bill set out the Government's policies on broadcasting issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Wiltshire about the disappearance of the royal coat of arms from the magistrates court in Salisbury Guildhall.

I understand from the chief constable of Wiltshire that the disappearance of the royal coat of arms has not been reported to police as a loss or theft. It is the property of Salisbury district council and was removed when the Crown court moved from Salisbury Guildhall. It will be replaced by a new royal coat of arms.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his policy towards prisoners suffering from dementia.

This is a medical matter. The director of prison medical services has not thought it appropriate to issue guidance on the subject to prison medical officers, all of whom are registered medical practitioners and are able to take specialist advice on the management of individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the progress being made by the Metropolitan police in transferring their radio frequencies from the VHF commercial broadcasting frequencies to new transmision frequencies; and if he will list for each police force the date by which they propose to complete their transfer to non-commercial frequencies.

The Metropolitan police completed the transfer in December 1989. All other police forces in England and Wales completed their transfer by the end of July 1989, some five months before the deadline of 31 December 1989 agreed at the world administrative radio conference in 1979.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-British subjects will have the right to work and to set up business in the United Kingdom after 1992 as a result of the realisation of the single European market; and how many of these will come from overseas territorities and associated territories of other member states.

European Community law already confers upon nationals of most other member states the right to work or to set up in business in the United Kingdom. By virtue of the transitional provisions in the treaty of accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities, nationals of those countries will not enjoy the same rights in Community law to take employment in this country until 1 January 1993. Except for this incidental change the rights of nationals of European Community states to work or to establish themselves in business in another member state will not be affected when the internal market is completed after 1992. Nor will the establishment of the single European market itself affect controls on the entry to this country of non-EC nationals who wish to work or set up business here.It is, of course, possible that improved opportunities for business between Community states after 1992 will increase the mobility of workers in the Community. Although the numbers involved cannot be estimated, in respect of movement either from the member states or from the few overseas and associated territories to which the free movement provisions of the EC treaty apply, increased migration from and to other member states is likely to occur primarily among skilled and professional workers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has appointed lay assessors to Sir John May's inquiry into the Guildford and Woolwich and Maguire cases; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and I have, at the request of Sir John May, appointed three assessors to assist the work of his inquiry. They are Sir Richard Barratt, currently HM chief inspector of constabulary, Mr. Alastair Graham, the director of the Industrial Society and Professor J. C. Smith, professor in legal science at Cambridge university.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the arrangements are for conducting DNA tests in criminal and civil cases which come before the courts; and what progress is being made in DNA testing techniques.

ICI holds the worldwide rights to the DNA profiling technique using "multi locus" probes developed by Professor Jeffreys at Leicester university.So far as DNA testing in criminal cases is concerned, Cellmark Diagnostics (a subsidiary of ICI) is contracted by the Home Office to deal with criminal paternity cases and cases involving the mass screening of large numbers of individuals. The Home Office forensic science service and the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory deal with all other criminal cases in England and Wales. A contract for the provision of DNA profiling services on this basis, and for the purchase of materials from ICI for use by the forensic science service, was agreed with ICI in 1988 and has been renewed for a further year. DNA technology is continually developing and more sensitive techniques are now being implemented within the Home Office forensic science service and the Metropolitan police laboratory.Arrangements for carrying out civil paternity tests directed by a magistrates court are governed by regulations made under the Family Law Reform Act 1969. There is a panel of approved testers, which includes employees of Cellmark Diagnostics, any of whom cart carry out tests.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the circumstances with regard to the ending of the trial of electronic monitoring in Nottingham; and if there are plans for the introduction of monitoring on a trial basis in other areas.

The Nottingham electronic monitoring trial contract was let to run from 14 August 1989 to 29 January 1990. The trial will be ending, as originally planned, on that date. Existing participants will continue to be monitored after that date. The results of the trial will be carefully evaluated, but it is already clear that the technology can be put to practical use and that the procedures for fitting the equipment and monitoring defendants are practicable. It would now be desirable to test the use of electronic monitoring on a trial basis in a larger area in which substantial numbers are likely to be eligible for its application as a condition of bail. Meanwhile other trials which started on two different later dates in the north Tyneside and Tower Bridge areas are proceeding as planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the average rate support grant allocated to local authorities in (a) 1979 and (b) 1989.

In 1979–80 there were 405 local authorities in England eligible for rate support grant. The total amount of rate support grant paid was £4,624,902,834.In 1988–89 there were 425 local authorities in England eligible for rate support grant. The total amount of rate support grant paid was £9,076,759,236.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he is giving to community chargepayers who receive communications from local authorities under the heading "Poll Tax"; and what action he intends to take.

The Department continues to explain that "poll tax" is a misleading and erroneous term for the community charge and is encouraged by research which suggests that very few people are deceived. Whenever necessary, local authorities are reminded of the need for communications to be accurate and that certain formal notices to community chargepayers could be invalid if they do not conform to the requirements of regulations made under the 1988 and 1989 Acts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the per capita levels of expenditure that he assesses for (a) Northampton district and (b) Northamptonshire county council for 1990–91; and what is the impact on the community chargepayer for each £1 per capita that either authority spends in excess of this level.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment proposed on 6 November 1989 standard spending assessments of £103 per adult and £688 per adult for Northampton district and Northamptonshire county council respectively. Each £1 per adult spent by either authority in excess of these figures would result in a £1 increase in the community charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy in the absence of Crown liability to ensure immediate replacement of faulty light bulbs in the Palace of Westminster.

As I advised the hon. Member on 7 December, column 323, the established practice is to ensure that light bulbs are in working order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of money has been spent for each of the past five years for adaptations to council houses for disabled people.

The cost of work to make local authority dwellings suitable for disabled persons which was completed in 1986, 1987, 1988 and the first half of 1989 appears in table 2.20(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics Part 2" No. 38. Figures for earlier years appear in table 7.5(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988". Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the description set out in new release 515 and his accompanying statement will be included in the final planning policy guidance note on housing development and the special presumption when it is released to the planning inspectorate and local authorities.

As my hon. Friend will know, the consultation period on the draft planning policy guidance note on housing has just concluded. We shall bear his comments in mind as we consider the precise wording of the final version of the guidance note.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of the organisations within his area of responsibility which receive grants from the EEC.

Within the Department of the Environment's area of responsibility, EEC grants are made in the form of assistance from the European regional development fund for certain infrastructure schemes. In accordance with criteria laid down or established by the European Commission, assistance is available for schemes wholly or substantially financed by public authorities, or by other organisations responsible in a similar way, for the carrying out of infrastructure works. A list of such organisations is not available, but they include local authorities, transport undertakings and certain charitable organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many official properties are currently the responsibility of the Property Services Agency; and how many are vacant.

[holding answer 8 January 1990]: The Property Services Agency currently has responsibility for 8,653 official properties, of which 161 are vacant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that each of the microwave ovens in the Palace of Westminster is suitable for any uses to which it may be put.

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: The microwave ovens are purchased after discussions with the users about their needs. Copies of the manufacturers' instructions are supplied, but the onus for ensuring that ovens are used correctly must rest with the local management. The Parliamentary Works Office does however arrange for the ovens to be tested regularly by a specialist contractor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the decision was taken to reprint in a new edition the community charge booklet on second homes; when stocks are now expected; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 21 December 1989]: All our community charge leaflets are revised as necessary to take account of policy developments. In the case of the leaflet dealing with the community charge and second homes, there were a number of such developments during the last Session which had to be reflected in the leaflet in order to keep it up to date. The revised leaflet will be available later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the reasons for the current delay in the construction of the western section of the M1/A1 link road;(2) what is the daily traffic flow on the A427 between Market Harborough and Lutterworth at the latest available date; and what is the projected flow

The western section of the link road from Catthorpe to Kettering is divided into four contracts. Those for the Catthorpe interchange and the Rothwell-Kettering section are to be let shortly. Further progress on the two intermediate contracts is subject to the outcome of a public inquiry in February into objections to draft supplementary orders.Approximate traffic flows on the A427 without the M1-A1 link road would be as follows:

Vehicles per day
Present	1995	2000
9,000–10,000	10,000–12,000	11,000–14,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the accident record for the A5 within one mile of its proximity with the village of Newton, near Rugby.

Accidents in recent years on this length of trunk road involving personal injury and reported to the police have been as follows:

	Fatal	Serious	Slight
1986	Nil	1	1
1987	Nil	Nil	2
1988	Nil	1	Nil
11989	Nil	1	2
1 to end of November

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans exist for improvements to the A5 where it passes close to the village of Newton, near Rugby.

Changes to white lining and signing are to be carried out shortly at the junction of the A5 with the B5414. This will provide a right-turning lane for southbound vehicles turning towards Newton and Clifton-on-Dunsmore.The section of A5 trunk road near Newton is included in a scheme identification study in the 1989 White Paper "Roads for Prosperity". Consultants are to be appointed shortly and work will commence this spring. The study report is expected in spring 1991. Any schemes identified by this study will be considered for addition to the trunk road programme but the time scale for construction will depend on priority and statutory procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the annual report of the disabled persons transport advisory committee.

The committee's third annual report was submitted to me in November. Copies have already been placed in the Libraries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning British participation in the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on this subject.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reinstitute free postage between taxpayers and the Inland Revenue.

It was decided in January 1988 that—from April 1988—the provision of reply-paid envelopes by the Inland Revenue should be confined to demands for payment of tax and to a few other special instances. Treasury Ministers approved this change because it helps the Inland Revenue to keep its administrative costs as low as possible consistent with effectiveness and efficiency. The overall saving in Revenue running costs from the change was £2 million in 1988–89 and a change in the existing arrangements would not be justified.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of elderly home owners who have taken out home income plans and similar mortgage options.

About 4,000 elderly people took out home annuity loans qualifying for tax relief in 1988–89.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend tax relief on the interest payable on home income plans and similar schemes.

Tax relief is already available for interest paid by people aged 65 or more on loans up to the £30,000 limit which are secured on their homes and used to buy a life annuity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure the Inland Revenue publishes in its annual report on tax information summary details of High Court cases in which the Inland Revenue has sought to recover £1 million or more of tax revenue.

Details of High Court cases in which the Inland Revenue is involved are already available to the general public.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the results of those High Court cases in the last two years in which the Inland Revenue has sought to recover £5 million or more of tax revenue.

The Inland Revenue does not keep statistics of the tax involved in High Court cases. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the coverage of the proposed tax legislation on European economic interest groupings; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have received a number of representations on the taxation of European economic interest groupings. The Inland Revenue has discussed these with interested parties. Further to these discussions, the Inland Revenue is today issuing, with my agreement, a press release and a consultative document including a draft clause and schedule.Comments on the consultative document and draft legislation should be received by 28 February 1990. We shall carefully consider all comments and representations which are made before introducing the necessary legislative provisions in the 1990 Finance Bill. I have placed copies of the document including the draft clause and schedule in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue attended any discussions with British Aerospace or other taxpayers at the Department of Trade and Industry in 1988 additional to those referred to in his reply of 19 December 1989 to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill.

[holding answer 8 January 1990]: In addition to the discussions referred to in my reply of 19 December 1989 to the hon. Gentleman, Inland Revenue officials attended one discussion with British Aerospace at the Department of Trade and Industry in March 1988. There was also a further discussion that month at the Inland Revenue. Records are not kept centrally in a form which would permit discussions involving the Department of Trade and Industry, the Inland Revenue and other taxpayers to be readily identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with his Sri Lankan counterpart regarding the teaching of English in Sri Lanka.

Britain provides substantial assistance in English language teaching to Sri Lanka. Discussions on the programme and its possible development are held regularly by representatives of our two Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid is currently provided by the United Kingdom to (a) the MPLA and (b) UNITA in Angola.

We provide no aid for either the MPLA or UNITA. Our bilateral aid programme with the Government of Angola focuses mainly on English language training.

To ask the Attorney-General whether any changes have been made to the class XI vote 8 cash limit and running costs limit for the Northern Ireland court service.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class XI vote 8 will be increased by £1,640,000 from £14,746,000 to £16,386,000. The increase arises because of additional costs incurred in respect of judicial removals and bomb damage to a number of court buildings. The running costs limit for the Northern Ireland court service will as a result be increased by £120,000 from £11,721,000 to £11,841,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received since the announcement on banning straw burning in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), 19 December 1989, Official Report, column 124, what is the cause of toxic forms of algal blooms in Wales; what action he is taking; how he proposes to reduce their occurrence; and if he will make a statement;(2) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Gordon, 19 December 1989,

This is a matter for the National Rivers Authority. However, the authority has advised me that it is not aware of any toxic forms of algal blooms having occurred in Wales during 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with Saudi officials about the financing of the A1-Yamamah defence contracts.

My officials are in constant touch with representatives of the Saudi Arabian Government during which a range of Project A1 Yamamah issues, including finance, are reviewed and discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to discuss progress at the talks on conventional forces in Europe.

My right hon. Friend last met the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation at the meeting of the defence planning committee on 28–29 November 1989, when a wide range of defence matters, including progress at the talks on conventional forces in Europe, were discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total overseas exchange costs of all British forces in Germany and the net cost after offsetting expenditure in the latest year for which figures are available.

The estimated foreign exchange cost of British forces in Germany in 1989–90 is £1,331 million. While no direct offset payments have been made by the Federal Republic of Germany since 1980, property and certain public services continue to be provided free of charge along with some tax and duty concessions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many non-targeting laser devices are currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels,

It is not our practice to disclose information of this nature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances non-targeting laser devices fitted to Royal Navy vessels would be used.

As a non-lethal means of self-defence by HM ships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what heading in the Supply Estimates the expenditure on the non-targeting laser devices currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels was included.

Vote 2 sub head F (Sea Systems).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of procuring the non-targeting laser devices currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels.

The cost of procurement is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the project definition phase of the procurement programme for the non-targeting laser devices currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels.

There was no project definition phase.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any of the non-targeting laser devices currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels have ever been used operationally.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which company supplied the non-targeting laser devices currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels.

Irwin Desman Limited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government were, prior to the signature of the agreement signed between the United States and Soviet Governments on the reduction of risks al: sea in 1989, consulted by either of the two Governments concerned.

The United States Government kept their NATO allies fully informed on progress towards their conclusion of an agreement with the Soviet Union last year on the prevention of dangerous military activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the membership of the Auditing Practices Committee is determined.

As I explained in the replies I gave on 27 November at columns 92–93, 18 December, at columns 22–23, and 21 December, at columns 392–93, to questions by the hon. Member, membership of the Auditing Practices Committee is a matter for the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the United Kingdom's current balance of trade in information technology.

According to provisional figures published by the Central Statistical Office the United Kingdom had a crude trade deficit (i) in electronics and information technology manufactured goods (ii) of £3 billion for the year to June 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in manufactured goods with West Germany.

In the first 11 months of 1989 imports of manufactures from the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded United Kingdom exports to that country by £9 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had regarding a successor to the Alvey programme.

Support for a successor to the Alvey programme was announced in the January 1988 White Paper "DTI—The Department for Enterprise" (Cm. 278). The information engineering advanced technology programme was launched in mid-1988, and is continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Association of Consulting Engineers to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

The application was considered by my noble Friend the Minister for Trade and approved by him on 21 November 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the Government are giving to British businesses contemplating joint ventures in eastern Europe.

The Government are well seized of the new trading opportunities opening up in eastern Europe. To assist United Kingdom industry in making commercial decisions about participation in joint venture projects in eastern Europe, the Department of Trade and Industry has produced a comprehensive guide which contains advice on the merits and difficulties of establishing joint ventures in that area.Copies of the guide are freely available from the DTI and it gives details of contact points with whom United Kingdom companies can discuss further the opportunities for joint venture projects. I am arranging for copies of the guide to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses today. In addition, officials are very willing to advise companies on specific proposals if requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the names, dates of appointment, remuneration and other directorships of all directors appointed by him or his predecessors under special or golden share provisions.

Government directors appointed to the board of British Aerospace under the special share provisions, together with the dates of their appointment, have been Mr. K. M. Bevins CBE TD (1 May 1985); Mr. C. B. Gough (19 October 1987); and Mr. K. C. Brown (16 March 1989).Government directors appointed or nominated to the board of British Telecom under the special share provisions, together with the dates of their appointment or nomination, have been Mr. G. D. W. Odgers (20 September 1984); Mr. J. M. Raisman (20 September 1984); Mr. P. G. Bosonnet (1 October 1986, and re-nominated on 1 October 1988); Mr. G. J. Mulcahy (19 October 1988).Remuneration is a matter for the individual companies. Both companies' articles of association state that each director (including Government directors) shall receive a level of remuneration as decided by the company board subject to a maximum level agreed by shareholders.Details of other directorships as specified in section 289 of the Companies Act 1985 are held in the register of directors maintained by each company in accordance with section 288 of the Act. Details are also publicly available from the Registrar of Companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times in the last five years he has used his powers to disenfranchise voting rights in the shares of United Kingdom companies; and in how many of those cases the shares have been identified as being held by beneficial or nominee owners based in (a) Jersey, (b) Guernsey, (c) the Isle of Man, (d) the Netherlands Antilles, (e) the Cayman Islands and (1) Liechtenstein.

Seven orders imposing restrictions (since removed) on shares, including the prohibition of the exercise of voting rights, have been made during the period, all in relation to the current section 442 Companies Act 1985 investigation into Consolidated Gold Fields plc. In one case the restrictions were imposed on shares registered in the name of a United Kingdom company and held by it to the order of a Cayman Islands company. The investigation is continuing and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the extent to which competition is distorted by certain United Kingdom companies being involved in transactions, the purpose of which is solely or mainly to avoid or evade taxation, with companies' trusts and individuals based in (a) the Cayman Islands, (b) the Netherlands Antilles, (c) Guernsey, (d) Jersey, (e) the Isle of Man and (f) Liechtenstein.

I will consider any evidence of the distortion of competition which the hon. Member may wish to put to me. Taxation issues are however a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, rather than for me.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the case for keeping records of United Kingdom companies owned or controlled by Netherlands Antilles or Cayman Island companies in order to assist in preventing tax avoidance and evasion.

All companies registered in Great Britain, whatever their ownership, are required to file records at Companies House. These include lists of shareholders and, for subsidiary companies, identification of the ultimate holding company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those company investigations in the last 10 years carried out by his Department where the conclusions have alleged wrong doing or fraud or illegality and the reports refer to business transactions involving companies, trusts or individuals based in (a) the Cayman Islands, (b) the Netherlands Antilles, (c) Guernsey, (d) Jersey, (e) the Isle of Man and (f) Liechtenstein.

The following published inspectors' reports contain references to business transactions involving companies, trusts or individuals based in the countries listed in the table:

Company
Saint Piran Ltd	Cayman Islands;
	Netherlands Antilles
Minet Holdings plc/WMD	Netherlands Antilles
Underwriting agencies Ltd [interim "Unimar" report]
Westminster Property Group plc	Isle of Man
Equity & General plc (formerly Emray plc)	Jersey
Milbury plc/Westminster Property Group Ltd	Netherlands Antilles
Summer International plc (formerly Sumrie Clothes plc)	Isle of Man; Jersey

For further information, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will initiate an inquiry into the extent of business transactions between United Kingdom companies and companies, trusts and individuals based in (a) the Cayman Islands, (b) the Netherlands Antilles, (c) Guernsey, (d) Jersey, (e) the Isle of Man and (f) Liechtenstein in order to determine the purposes of those transactions and the degree to which those transactions are in the public interest;(2) what proposals he has to prevent frauds or breaches of company law involving United Kingdom companies as a result of their directors, shareholders or other interested parties

There are no plans for special treatment of companies owned by, or trading with, such companies, trusts or individuals. There is a system of enforcement already in place to deal with frauds and breaches of company law. The Companies Act requires notification, in the annual accounts, of any ultimate holding company and its location, and for large companies, a breakdown of turnover by geographical area, where material. This information is available from Companies House, on a company-by-company basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the proposed takeover of Dixons stores group plc by Kingfisher plc, to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

[holding answer 9 January 1990]: The proposed acquisition by Kingfisher plc of Dixons is currently being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading who has a duty to advise the Secretary of State on whether or not it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the proposed acquisition in anticipation of the director general's advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what distinctions his Department makes between paleontological discoveries and coal, in relation to export licences;(2) what statement was made by his Department on 22 December 1989 in relation to the legal position regarding paleontological exports.

[holding answer 8 January 1990]: My Department is guided by the provisions of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1987, (S.I. 1987 No. 2070) as they apply to exports of antiques, collectors' items and so on. My Department stated on 21 December that it had concluded that group B of the order should not be interpreted as bringing within export control fossils which are not the remains of man-made objects. Such fossils therefore do not require a licence under the order for export to any destination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made since 1979 in reducing the overall level of tariffs affecting imports into and exports from the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom imports are subject to the common customs tariff of the European Communities, whose rates have been reduced by approximately 34 per cent. overall since 1979, mainly as a result of the Tokyo round of GATT negotiations. A similar reduction has taken place in the tariffs of the United Kingdom's major trading partners. Comparable figures for other markets are not available.The tariff negotiations in the GATT Uruguay round, which is scheduled to end in December 1990, aim to achieve reductions at least as great as the 34 per cent. resulting from the Tokyo round, and in particular to reduce high tariffs. These reductions would be phased in over a period to be agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has plans to strengthen legislation on consumer protection.

[holding answer 8 January 1990]: We intend to improve the protection given to consumers in a number of ways including the introduction of an order under the Prices Act 1974, as amended, on price indications and unit pricing, and changes to other legislation affecting consumers' interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government have had any direct contact with the Polish Privatisation Minister; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.We are actively using the know-how fund to support privatisation in Poland. We organised a seminar on privatisation in Warsaw last year. A major consultancy report commissioned by the know-how fund, has recommended a number of future projects and programmes, including privatisation, within the Polish financial sector. These activities involve regular contact with the Plenipotentiary for Ownership Change and his office within the Polish Ministry of Finance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provision is made towards assisting British firms to exploit commercial opportunities in the Soviet Union.

The DTI in conjunction with the Foreign Office, offers a wide range of services to help United Kingdom exporters sell more overseas, including the Soviet Union. Through the export service initiative, we provide practical assistance, advice and support for exporters at each stage of the exporting process. Approximately 150 trade inquiries about the Soviet Union are received by the DTI each week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to reconsider the acceptability of the net book agreement.

I have no such plans. Under the relevant existing legislation, the review of arrangements such as the net book agreement is a matter for the restrictive practices court, on application by the Director General of Fair Trading.After looking at the case for making an application, the director general concluded in August 1989 that the basis for doing so was insufficiently strong. Although there had been many changes in book publishing and retailing since the court originally upheld the agreement in 1962, he felt that they were unlikely to be of such magnitude as to lead the court to reverse its previous finding that the agreement does not operate against the public interest.The director general also had in mind the proposals in the Government's White Paper "Opening Markets: New Policy on Restrictive Trade Practices" published in July 1989, under which agreements such as the NBA previously upheld by the court would be automatically reviewed against a new exemption test modelled on article 85(3) of the EEC treaty.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which Ministers represented the United Kingdom at the European Economic Community Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on 18 and 19 December; and which Minister represented the interests of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland.

Together with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food I represented the United Kingdom at the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 18 and 19 December. The interests of all parts of the United Kingdom were equally defended.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with consumer organisations about food safety; and if he will make a statement.

My Ministry continues to consult a wide range of organisations, including those representing consumers, on food safety matters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the operation of the common agricultural policy.

The United Kingdom Government have for many years insisted on the need to take action to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP), and I am glad to say that considerable progress has been made.Of particular importance were the measures agreed at the February 1988 European Council, introducing a legally binding limit on agricultural expenditure and stabiliser mechanisms for the main commodities. The Government's policy is to build on these reforms which are creating a more rational and sustainable CAP, and to pursue agricultural policy reforms internationally through the GATT.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken as a result of the hon. Member for Linlithgow's communication with the Minister of State, the noble Baroness Trumpington, of 3 January, about the evidence of Dr. John Ingram, former director of national fruit trials, concerning the proposed move of the national fruit collection from Brogdale to Wye college in relation to trees allergic to frost-holes; and if he will make a statement.

The potential for frost damage raised by the hon. Member with my noble Friend during their telephone conversation, was fully considered, together with a number of other important issues, when the decision was taken to move the national fruit collection to Wye college. In general the soils on the site at Wye are well suited for fruit growing. Radiation frost should not be a problem although there is some risk from wind frost to the fruiting potential of trees in an exceptionally severe year because of the site's elevation and exposure. The site is not at the bottom of a frost bowl. However, the risk from wind frost at Wye is less than at the present site at Brogdale and could, if necessary, be ameliorated by the planting of shelter screens as has been done at Brogdale. This will be one of the factors taken into account as the detailed arrangements for the transfer are made. The risk of exposure to frost is, of course, of less significance for the collection than it would be for a commercial orchard, given that the collection's main purpose is as a scientific, genetic and educational resource.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for the approval of new active ingredients for pesticides he has (a) received and (b) approved for each year since 1987; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 21 December 1989]: The information requested is set out as follows. It relates to the applications submitted to my Ministry, although approval is required jointly by six Departments. Applications for which the Health and Safety Executive is primarily responsible have not been included.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of Pwllpeirian experimental husbandry farm Cwmystwyth.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed) on 14 December 1989 at columns 800–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what subjects he discussed with the Japanese during his visit in the summer recess.

The bulk of the discussions held during my visit to Japan were the existing and potential inward investors. Meetings were also held with senior Government Ministers, to discuss trade links and other matters of mutual interest, including Scotch whisky exports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the value of the allocation to Scottish National Health Service services for 1982–83 to 1990–91 both at current and standard prices; and if he will indicate the value of the allocation in standard prices on a per capita basis.

The information requested is set out in the following table:

Total National Health Service Expenditure in Scotland
	Outturn £ million cash	1Adjustment	2Expenditure
1982–83	1,660	2,401	465
1983–84	1,773	2,450	476
1984–85	1,901	2,502	486
1985–86	2,015	2,518	490
1986–87	2,144	2,591	506
1987–88	2,328	2,672	523
1988–89	2,591	2,772	544
31989–90	2,821	2,821	553
41990–91	3,041	2,896	568
1 Adjusted by the GDP deflator to 1989–90 prices.
2 Expenditure per head of population adjusted by the GDP deflator to 1989–90 prices.
3 Projected outturn.
4 Provisional allocation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the reply of 20 December 1989 1:0 the hon. Member for Eastwood about standards of cleaning and catering in hospitals in Scotland, Official Report, column 289, he will place a copy of the report referred to in the Library.

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present situation in eastern Europe.

The whole House will welcome the momentous changes in eastern Europe which give promise of democracy and longer-term prosperity throughout the region. We hope in 1990 to see these gains consolidated. We shall do all we can to support these countries in accordance with their individual needs and stages of development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the respective powers of (a) democratically controlled Ministers and (b) Community bureaucrats with regard to the initiation of European Community policy with regard to eastern European issues; and if he will make a statement.

Under the EC treaties it is the Commission which has the responsibility to put forward proposals for Community action. Formulation of policy in European political co-operation is co-ordinated by the presidency. In both areas decisions are taken by Ministers. We have taken a prominent part within the Community in ensuring that the EC has responded generously and quickly to reforming countries in eastern Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is giving in the process of exchanges with parliamentarians from eastern Europe.

We welcome the increased scope which now exists for useful contacts between Members of this House and eastern European parliamentarians. We have assisted the Great Britain-East Europe Centre in setting up successful seminars for Polish and Hungarian politicians and are involved in a similar seminar for GDR politicians in March.We hope that future direct links and contacts within the I PU framework will encourage the further development of democracy in eastern Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the United Kingdom will offer for environmental improvements in eastern Europe.

The Government are fully committed to improving the environment in Europe, including eastern Europe. Environmental problems are best tackled through international co-operation, and we are working within the EC to establish how best we can help in eastern Europe. The £210 million EC assistance budget for 1990 to Poland and Hungary includes the environment as a priority area. The G24 countries, which are co-ordinating their assistance for eastern Europe, are also looking at ways to help.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being made available to encourage the process of reform in eastern Europe.

The Government are committed to supporting economic and political reform in eastern Europe, and have played a leading role in encouraging the positive response of the EC and its member states to the emerging democracies in Poland and Hungary. For both these countries we have established know-how funds and provide assistance through the EC's trade, aid and other measures. We will respond positively to other countries in eastern Europe at the time they put into place necessary political and economic reforms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet his European Community counterparts to discuss the developments of the Community and relations with eastern European countries.

The next formal meeting of the Community Foreign Affairs Council will be on 5 and 6 February, the first under the Irish presidency. The agenda is not yet known but is likely to include further discussion of eastern Europe, given the continuing pace of developments in those countries. The FAC will be preceded by an extraordinary meeting of the EC Foreign Ministers, called by the Irish presidency on 20 January, specifically to discuss eastern Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in setting up know-how funds to assist countries in eastern Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in providing know-how funding for east European countries emerging from one-party rule.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in setting up know-how funds to assist eastern European countries emerging from totalitarian regimes.

A know-how fund for Poland was established in June, and it has subsequently been doubled in value to £50 million to be spent over five years. The aim of the fund is to help political and economic reform. To date, some 40 separate activities have been approved and £2·1 million committed. A fund of £25 million over five years for Hungary will start in April. Help for the Poles and Hungarians to prepare for democratic elections is one of the central objectives of both funds. We are considering further help for other eastern European countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese boat people have been repatriated from Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

A total of 925 Vietnamese boat people have been repatriated from Hong Kong. Eight hundred and seventy-four of these volunteered to return. The remaining 51 were the subject of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 12 December. I have nothing to add to what was said then.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the forced repatriation of Vietnamese from Hong Kong.

We have received a number of representations on the repatriation of the first group of non-volunteer boat people to Vietnam. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said in his statement on 12 December, no force was used. The repatriation was conducted in line with procedures used worldwide to remove people refused permission to remain in a territory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to monitor the treatment in Vietnam of forcibly repatriated boat people.

No boat people have been forcibly repatriated. Normal removal procedures, which are applied worldwide in returning people refused permission to remain, were used. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs envisaged in his statement on 12 December, Her Majesty's embassy in Hanoi has monitored the conditions of the group of non-volunteers who have returned, both in the transit camp in Hanoi and in the villages to which they have subsequently returned. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Raison) and Lord Ennals are visiting Vietnam from 7 to 11 January as independent observers to report on the conditions of those who have returned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many non-refugee Vietnamese boat people have been returned to Vietnam to date; and with what result.

A total of 925 non-refugee Vietnamese boat people have returned to Vietnam. The monitoring undertaken by the UNHCR and Her Majesty's embassy in Hanoi has shown that none has been detained or punished for having left Vietnam.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the restoration of democracy in Chile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the restoration of democracy in Chile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the restoration of democracy in Chile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the restoration of democracy in Chile.

We warmly welcome the exemplary conduct of the presidential and congressional elections in Chile and, with our partners in the Twelve, look forward to working closely with the new democratic Government there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to meet the President-elect of Chile.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs hopes to have an early opportunity to meet the President-elect of Chile, but has no definite plan to do so at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his current policy with regard to Cambodia.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 8 November in which I made plain the Government's repugnance for the Khmer Rouge and set out our policy towards Cambodia.

To ask the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government involvement in the middle east peace process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to advance the peace process in the middle east.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to assist the development of the peace process in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in promoting peace in the middle east.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on progress towards a middle east peace settlement.

We have been closely involved in the efforts being made to establish direct contact between Israel and a representative Palestinian delegation as an important step towards an overall settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on implementation of the peace plan put forward by President Mubarak of Egypt.

President Mubarak deserves great credit for his efforts to help establish direct contact between Israel and a representative Palestinian delegation.