To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the list of approved and unapproved roads between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The list of routes approved for traffic with the Republic of Ireland is being reviewed by Customs and Excise at the present time. This is linked to the introduction of computer-assisted processing of customs declarations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of those families with children will receive more in child benefit than they pay out in income tax in the current financial year.

In 1989–90, an estimated 2·3 million families will receive more in child benefit than they pay in income tax. This represents about a third of all families with children. Estimates are based on a projection of the 1987 family expenditure survey and are subject to revision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total take for corporation taxes as a percentage of gross domestic product, and of company incomes for each year from 1979–80, including his estimate of the outturn for 1989–90.

The available information is as follows:

Year	Corporation tax1 as a proportion of
	Gross domestic product2 Percentage	Company incomes3 Percentage
1979–80	2·3	11·7
1980–81	2·0	12·0
1981–82	1·9	11·7
1982–83	2·0	12·2
1983–84	1·9	10·5
1984–85	2·5	12·5
1985–86	2·9	14·1
1986–87	3·5	18·6
1987–88	3·7	17·7
1988–89	4·0	18·4
1 Mainstream plus Advance Corporation tax, Excluding Public Corporations.
2 At Market Prices, calendar year.
3 Total company income in the calendar year as defined in the national accounts, net of interest payments.

Reliable estimates for the current year are not yet available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the median mortgage for residential property in each year since 1970 and the ratio of that median to the median annual earnings of the full-time adult male manual and non-manual worker, respectively.

Information for 1978 to 1988 on median mortgages issued by building societies on residential property is published by the DOE in "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988", table 10.13. Tables 10.20 and 10.22 in the same publication contain information on the size distribution of bank and insurance company mortgages respectively, from which medians may be calculated. Earlier information for building society mortgages only is contained in previous editions of "Housing and Construction Statistics". Median gross weekly earnings in April of each year for full-time adult male manual and non-manual employees are published by the Department of Employment in table 15, part A, of the new earnings survey reports. Figures for 1970 to 1978 can be found in the 1978 report and for 1979 to 1989 in the 1989 report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year from 1970 his estimate of the number of mortgages for residential property together with (a) the average amount of mortgage, (b) average earnings of full-time adult male manual and non-manual workers, respectively, (c) average earnings of full-time adult female manual and non-manual workers, respectively, and (d) the number of workers in (b) and (c).

Information on numbers of mortgage advances on residential property and average advances is published by the DOE in "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988", table 10.4. Information for years previous to 1978 is available for building societies only in previous editions of "Housing and Construction Statistics". Average gross weekly earnings in April of each year for full-time adult male and female manual and non-manual employees are published by the Department of Employment in table 15, part A of the new earnings survey reports. Figures for 1970 to 1978 can be found in the 1978 report and for 1979 to 1989 in the 1989 report. Disaggregated data on employment are published in the Employment Gazette, December 1989, table 1.10, and in previous editions of the Gazette.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing for each year from 1970 the number of conveyances of residential property, the average value, and the ratio of that value to median earnings of (a) all full-time adult male workers and (b) all full-time adult male manual workers.

Annual information on the numbers and value of conveyances in England and Wales is not available for years prior to 1986. Figures for 1986 to 1988 are available in table 15.1 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1989". Figures for the average price of dwellings purchased with a building society mortgage can be found in table 105 of the 1969–79 and table 10.11 of the 1978–88 editions of "Housing and Construction Statistics". Median earnings figures can be found in section 6 of the 1977, 1986 and 1990 editions of "Annual Abstract of Statistics".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing for 1978 and 1983 the number of conveyances of residential property in each region, the average value, and the ratio of that value to median earnings of all full-time adult male workers.

Annual information on the numbers and value of conveyances in England and Wales is not available for years prior to 1986.Figures for the average price by region of dwellings purchased with a building society mortgage can be found at table 10.11 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1977–1987". Median earnings figures by region within Great Britain can be found at table 116 of part E of the 1978 and 1983 editions of the new earnings survey.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the average rateable value of the highest and lowest 5 per cent. of rated dwellings.

This information could not be produced without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for England and Wales the total rateable values of residential property at the time of the last revaluation together with the estimated capital value; and whether he will provide in each case the proportion accounted for by the half with the lowest values.

As the book "Inland Revenue Statistics 1989" shows, the total rateable value of residential property in England and Wales at 1 April 1973 is £4,032 million. The information on capital value is contained in the book "UK National Accounts 1989." The other information could not be produced without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the highest and lowest 5 per cent. of gross incomes the percentage of gross incomes paid in income tax and national insurance contributions in (a) 1978–79, (b) 1988–89 and (c) 1989–90.

Information is given in the table; estimates are based on the distributions in 1978–79, 1988–89 and 1989–90 of the gross earnings and investment income of married couples and single people aged under 65 who would be liable to pay income tax or national insurance contributions. The estimates for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are based on a projection of the 1987–88 survey of personal incomes and are provisional.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many households will gain as a result of the proposals for independent taxation; how many could potentially gain because of the ability of husband and wife to swap investment income; and what is the income distribution of these households;(2) how many households will pay less in taxation as a proportion of household income as a result of the introduction of independent taxation; and what is

[holding answer 12 February 1990]: Available information is given in the table. Estimates are based on a projection of the 1987–88 survey of personal incomes and are provisional.

Independent Taxation 1990–91
Total income of married couple	Married couples1	Married couples2
£'000	'000	'000
0–5	—	—
5–10	370	210
10–15	510	530
15–20	390	620
20–25	220	400
25–30	160	280
Over 30	1,350	940
All ranges	3,000	2,980
1 With reduction in income tax liability. Makes no allowance for possible behavioural changes and the effect on Capital Gains Tax receipts.
2 Who could reduce their income tax liability by transferring income bearing assets from husband to wife or vice versa.

I regret that information on the regional distribution of gainers is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sale price received and the net asset value of each public undertaking sold since 1980.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1990, c. 963]: I regret that the table relating to my answer was omitted; it is as follows:

To ask the Attorney-General what criteria the Crown prosecution service follows when deciding whether to bring a prosecution under the Malicious Communications Act; and if he will make a statement.

The criteria which the Crown prosecution service follows when deciding whether to prosecute any offence, including any under this Act, are set out in the code for Crown prosecutors promulgated under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. These are that there is sufficient admissible, substantial and reliable evidence to afford a realistic prospect of a conviction and that the public interest requires a prosecution.

To ask the Attorney-General what will be the extra manpower involved in carrying out the new responsibilities proposed in the Courts and Legal Services Bill in respect of authorised practitioners; and what is the anticipated extra financial cost.

The annual cost of the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board, the conveyancing ombudsman and the conveyancing appeal tribunals is anticipated to be approximately £0·9 million in its first full year. The secretariats and support staff will require about 15 staff and the board itself, the ombudsman and the tribunal members will total a maximum of 13 individuals. It is intended that the board, the ombudsman and their secretariats should be self-financing and that any initial Government funding should decrease as quickly as possible. It is not possible, however, to estimate at this stage how much of any Government grant might be recouped from fees.

To ask the Attorney-General if he has any plans to meet the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement.

I frequently meet the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss matters of departmental interest. Such meetings are arranged as and when necessary.

To ask the Attorney-General whether the criminal investigation into matters raised by the report by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors into the House of Fraser has been concluded; and when he expects the Serious Fraud Office to reach a decision on prosecution.

The Director of Public Prosecutions and the director of the Serious Fraud Office have today issued the following statement:

"The Report of the Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry was passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of the Serious Fraud Office on 14th July 1988. After careful consideration of the Report and the accompanying evidence, the Directors jointly referred the matter to the Metropolitan Police on 24th November 1988 and asked for necessary enquiries to be carried out. Following the request of the Directors, the Secretary of State witheld publication of the Report.

The Directors are now satisfied that all lines of enquiry have been pursued and that the evidence available is insufficient to afford a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence relating to any matter of substance raised in the Report.

The Secretary of State has accordingly been informed that the Directors withdraw their objections to the publication of the Inspectors' Report."

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to build a new magistrates court in Crawley.

West Sussex county council has sought Home Office grant approval for the extension of Crawley magistrates courthouse to provide an additional courtroom. The council has not yet submitted a first stage investment appraisal, and will need to do so before a building start date can be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each category of parliamentary questions which it is his policy not to answer.

Of those questions not transferred, none.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the nations that have signed the European convention on reciprocal compensation for victims of violent crime, and give details of the representations that have been made to those European nations which have not yet signed the convention.

The Council of Europe convention on the compensation of victims of violent crimes, which lays down minimum standards for national arrangements for payment of compensation, was signed by the United Kingdom when it was opened for signature on 24 November 1983. The other signatory states are Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Turkey.The convention came into force on 1 February 1988. On 7 February 1990, we joined Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden as contracting states. The convention will come into force in relation to the United Kingdom on 1 June 1990, and we shall take every opportunity to encourage other countries to adopt it.There have been various calls in both the Council of Europe and the European Community for states to sign and ratify this convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Oxford, East on 19 February, Official Report, column 595, what was the cost of the contract awarded to the PA Consulting Group for its review of the prison service organisation above establishment level from its commencement until the end of its first extension in December 1989.

The projected price of the contract was £271,230, and £255,740 has been paid to date. Both sums include VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the role of the PA Consulting Group on the studies which led to changes in working practices in prison establishments, known as "fresh start"; and what was the cost of their work.

PA Management Consultants were engaged by the prison service in September 1985 to assist in studies of complementing in prisons and of the shift systems worked by prison officers. PA's role was limited to that of bringing to bear knowledge and skills, for example in the complex area of adapting shift arrangements to the grouping of work arrangements which, at the time, were unavailable within the Home Office to the extent required by the exercise.As part of this work, PA advised the prison service on the development of its "fresh start" proposals, which were put to prison service unions in February 1987, although they took no part in the subsequent negotiations. PA consultants also provided advice on the implementation of the proposals, including development work and training, and they assisted in the running of an evaluation of "fresh start" during November 1987. Their further assistance was used in the drawing up and implementation of an action plan, based on the evaluation, to ensure the development and establishment of best practice across all prison establishments.The total cost of PA's services for work undertaken over a four-year period in respect of "fresh start" was £948,720·90. This amount includes expenses and VAT as well as fees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total number of males under the age of 17 years appearing before the courts in England and Wales during 1988;(2) what was the total number of males under the age of 17 years who appeared in courts in Wales during 1988.

In 1988 in England and Wales, 43,600 males under the age of 17 were prosecuted for indictable offences, of whom 3,300 appeared before the Welsh courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of males under the age of 17 years who were remanded into prisons and remand centres in England and Wales during 1988.

Information on the number of males aged 14 to 16 received on remand into prison service establishments in England and Wales is published annually in "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (table 2.6 of the latest volume, for 1988, Cm 825) copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to reply to the letter of 13 June 1989, and the reminders of 14 September 1989, 25 October 1989 and 21 December 1989, from the hon. Member for Livingston on behalf of his constituent Mr. Wali Mohammed, his reference M29441 1.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 27 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces co-operate with local authority trading standards officers or environmental health officers in roadside checks of heavy goods vehicles.

All police forces participate in roadside checks of heavy goods vehicles where resources permit, and, where appropriate, roadside check sites are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the tape recording of interviews with suspected terrorists; and if he will make a statement.

Tape recording of summaries of interviews with suspected terrorists, and of their comments on the summary, is to be introduced on an experimental basis by the Metropolitan and Merseyside police from Monday 5 March. The experiment will run for two years and will be monitored by the research and planning unit of the Home Office, reporting to a steering committee which includes representatives of the police, the Crown prosecution service, the Criminal Bar Association and the Law Society. I have placed a copy of the relevant notes of guidance in the Library.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will take steps to improve communications with the Civil Service unions.

I believe that in general the present arrangements for communications with the Civil Service unions work well.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he requested that any files relating to atomic energy development should be withheld from release on 1 January under sections 3(4) and 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958.

In accordance with established criteria, my Department has requested that certain files in the category referred to by the hon. Member should be withheld. It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to disclose the contents of records which are so withheld from public release.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on current United Kingdom involvement in, and future financial commitment to (a) the international thermonuclear experimental reactor, (b) the next European Torus and (c) the compact ignition Tokamak fusion reactor projects.

The proposed new framework programme for Community research and development for the period 1990–94 includes provision for continuing work on a "next step" fusion reactor. The international thermonuclear experimental reactor is the subject of collaboration in conceptual design between Euratom, Japan, the USA and the USSR which is due to be completed at the end of 1990. The United Kingdom is involved only through Euratom.The design of the next European Torus is being defined by a small team based at Garching in Germany. The UKAEA is a party to the agreement setting up the team and makes a modest contribution by providing staff. Extension of either project to engineering design would require a further decision by the Council of Ministers.I understand that the compact ignition Tokamak fusion reactor is a United States project in which the United Kingdom is not involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he is reviewing his policy on the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation to 12 GW of coal-burning electricity generating capacity;(2) if he will make it his policy to deal with coal-burning power station emission problems by means of combustion process controls as distinct from importing low-sulphur content coal;(3) what effect he envisages on the make-up of British Coal, after the current three-year contract with the principal generators, if flue gas desulphurisation proceeds only at the 4 GW Drax project.

The Government are determined to implement in full the EC large combustion plants directive. This directive commits the United Kingdom to reduce its emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from existing plants, such as fossil-fuelled power stations, but does not specify the means by which this has to be done. It is for the electricity industry to plan how it will achieve its share of these reductions. The fitting of flue gas desulphurisation equipment will play an important part. Other measures, such as the burning of low-sulphur fuels, including gas, are also likely to contribute.The scale of future purchases of British coal by the generators will be a matter for their commercial judgment. The best protection for the United Kingdom coal industry would be for it to produce secure supplies of coal at competitive prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to consider the sustainability of supplies, long-term price, and balance of payments effects of low-sulphur coal as part of a review of his Department's policy on coal-burning power stations.

The source and cost of low-sulphur coal is a matter for the electricity generation industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what forecasts he has made of the long-term effects on British Coal (a) nationally and (b) in the east midlands region, of a policy of importing low-sulphur content coal.

None. Such forecasts are a commercial matter for the British Coal Corporation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on the proportion of oil imports to the United Kingdom used (a) in the manufacture of automobiles, buses and road haulage vehicles and (b) for fuelling road transport.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when flotation of National Power and PowerGen will take place.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Erewash (Mr. Rost) and for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) on 28 February 1990 at column 226.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the Government's latest forecasts of levels of United Kingdom petroleum production.

The latest forecasts for United Kingdom petroleum production in the years 1990 to 1994 are as follows:

	Million tonnes
1990	85–110
1991	80–110
1992	80–110
1993	85–115
1994	80–120

As in previous years, the forecasts are presented in the form of a range of outcomes for each year. These take into account the many uncertainties involved. The figures comprise stabilised crude oil, natural gas liquids and condensates. NGL and condensate production is expected to contribute between 5 and 10 million tonnes annually to the above.

To ask the Prime Minister which of the conditions which were agreed at the Madrid meeting of the European Council as a basis for the United Kingdom joining the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system have not yet been met; and if she will make a statement.

There has been significant progress on capital liberalisation, in competition policy and liberalisation of financial services, but further important decisions have yet to be taken. Further progress is needed to get inflation down.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has held recent discussions with (a) Chancellor Kohl and (b) other European Community state leaders on the subject of the unification of the two German states.

I last met Chancellor Kohl at the European Council in Strasbourg in December. Other EC Heads of State or Government were also present. We had a useful discussion of the question of German unity. This was reflected in the Council's declaration.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Walderslade, Chatham.

I have at present no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for St. David's day.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 March.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 March.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 March.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 March.

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

To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations she has received on environmental issues.

The Government have received very many positive representations, particularly in relation to the proposals in the Environment Protection Bill.

To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to the Confederation of British Wool Textiles office in Bradford.

I visited a textile mill during my regional tour to Bradford yesterday and was most impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of the staff and the excellence of the products.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the programme for establishing the single market; and if she will make a statement.

I have at present no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the trade which certain members of the Community have secured during the period of agreed European Economic Community sanctions; and if she will make a statement.

The Community has trade sanctions in place against South Africa only. Beyond the very limited scope of these, it is for individual member states to pursue trading relationships with South Africa as they see fit.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the professional background of those joining her policy unit since 1979.

Those joining my policy unit since 1979 have had a variety of experience in a range of professions including:

• Accountancy
• Administration
• Banking
• Business management
• Company directorship
• Economics Engineering
• Finance Industry
• Investment analysis
• Journalism.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will take steps to establish a ministerial working group to study the problems of coastal protection and sea defences and to co-ordinate the work of the various Departments concerned.

The policy responsibility for coast protection and sea defence rests, in England, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and elsewhere with the territorial Departments. There may be direct or indirect implications for other concerns but such co-ordination as may be necessary is already carried out with the relevant Departments.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will detail the reasons for the increase in the costs of running her office from £6·55 million in 1988 to £7·9 million in 1989; and what steps she is taking to reduce this increase.

The estimated increase in costs is due almost entirely to capital expenditure on refurbishment work and security improvements. The increase in the normal running costs of my office is less than one half of one percentage point in real terms.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans she has to ensure the security and non-infiltration of the Ernie draw by unauthorised persons.

All payments of premium bond prizes are made to winning investors, selected at random. The relevant accounts are audited by the National Audit Office, and the Department for National Savings is satisfied that there is no scope for abuse of the system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long it will take to intall safety fencing along the A31 trunk road at West Moors between Pinehurst roundabout and Boundary lane; and what are the reasons for the time taken.

The work will take about three months. This is because of the need for carriageway works to enable the central reserve to be widened to accommodate the 850m long safety fence without interfering with statutory undertakers' services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many communications he had received at the close of 28 February of consultation on traffic in London and the London road assessment studies; and if he will make a statement.

It will take a little while to collate and analyse the responses received. We shall make a statement as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he expects the road works on the A41 at Apex corner, where the turning into Mount grove has been closed, to be completed; and if he will take steps to ensure that, once the central gap has been reopened, it will remain open on permanent basis.

The works are expected to be completed in spring 1991. The right turn into Mount grove will then be restored. There are no plans to close it permanently. I shall continue to have regard to the safety of the trunk road network and will take appropriate safety measures wherever they are shown to be necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will obtain a copy of the transcript and video cassette of the television programme "A Change In The Air", on transport pollution, broadcast on 25 February, for his departmental library.

We have already ordered the video. We do not need the transcript as well.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review transport safety conditions and emergency rescue plans for cross-Channel ferries carrying toxic chemicals and spent nuclear fuel unable to dock in channel ports due to storms during the past month.

Ships which carry dangerous goods conform to the international maritime regulations regarding construction, equipment and manning, and are capable of riding out storms of the type recently experienced in the English Channel. It is the decision of the ship's master whether or not to leave port.Contingency arrangements already exist to deal with pollution arising from chemical spillages, or to recover irradiated fuel flasks from the seabed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives he has taken to inform the public of the various transport options available with regard to their comparative pollution effects.

My Department publishes annually in "Transport Statistics Great Britain" trends in emissions of pollutants from different transport modes. Pollution emitted by road vehicles is related to fuel consumption. My Department regularly issues a booklet about the fuel consumption of new cars which also advises motorists on how to save fuel when driving. It is generally well known that pollution may be reduced if people use public transport instead of private cars.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will institute a service advising motorists of those times on each day of the week that they can drive in either direction between junctions 6 and 12 of the M1 without being subjected to delays through congestion; and if he will make it his policy to update this advice each time a significant roadwork is commenced or completed and in any event once every three months.

The Department regards the provision of travel information as extremely important, and is considering with interested organisations ways of improving the reliability and availability of information through better arrangements for its collection, co-ordination and dissemination.Congestion on the Ml between junctions 6 and 12 occurs more commonly during peak periods, of which the travelling public is generally aware. It can also arise for a number of unforeseen reasons, for example after an accident. The police, the media and motoring organisations provide an important service in disseminating news about congestion when it occurs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to reform the hackney cab knowledge test outside London; and if he will make a statement.

Outside London, district councils are the licensing authorities for hackney carriages. It is a matter for them whether to require prospective hackney carriage drivers to undertake a geographical knowledge test for the area in which a licence would apply. The Government have no plans to propose the removal of that discretionary power.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Hungary.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is currently in Hungary. He arrived on 27 February and will leave on 1 March. He will be holding talks with Dr. Horn, the Foreign Minister, and other members of the Government, and will be meeting representatives of the major opposition parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) submissions have been received and (b) meetings have been organised with Government representatives from each Commonwealth country since August 1989 on the subject of trade sanctions and South Africa.

There were wide-ranging talks on South Africa at CHOGM in October 1989. Since then, there has been discussion of South Africa at both official and ministerial level as part of our normal contacts with Commonwealth Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the procedures adopted by the European Economic Community to ensure that Community sanctions legislation relating to South Africa is adhered to by member states.

As with any legislation adopted by the EEC, the Commission has the duty under the treaty to ensure that it is enforced and applied by member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to enforce the ceasefire agreed last year between the warring parties in Angola.

The terms of any settlement of the dispute in Angola are for the MPLA Government of Angola and UNITA to decide. We have consistently stressed to both sides the need for an early ceasefire and negotiations without preconditions, and we support President Mobutu's work as mediator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the civil war in Ethiopia.

After a long lull in the fighting in Eritrea, the Eritrean People's Liberation Front launched a major offensive on 8 February. The fighting is still going on, but it appears that the port of Massawa is in EPLF hands. In their statement of 20 February, the Twelve expressed deep concern about the implications of the renewed fighting for the famine relief operations which are urgently required, and for the prospects for peace negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications he has had with the Government of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

We maintain regular contact with the South African authorities on a wide range of issues, both here and via Her Majesty's ambassador.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration has been given to the provision of funds to the African National Congress and other political parties in South Africa to assist with the development of democracy.

There is a case for practical assistance to those in South Africa who have previously been excluded from the political process. We are considering what practical help we can give in a non-discriminatory way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the position of the Bush Administration on the exclusion of certain air-launched missiles from the strategic arms reduction talks negotiations.

Both the United States and the Soviet Union take the view that since these negotiations concern only strategic weapons, air-launched cruise missiles below a certain range should be excluded. The difference is that the Soviet Union want all such missiles with ranges of more than 600 km to be accountable, while the United States wants a higher range threshold.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government support the position of the Bush Administration on exclusion of air-launched missiles with a range of less than 1,500 km from the strategic arms reduction talks negotiations.

The United States and the Soviet Union have not yet agreed on the range at which strategic nuclear air-launched cruise missiles would become accountable under a START agreement. The START negotiations are between the United States and Soviet Union, and it is for them to reach an understanding on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the position of the Bush Administration on exclusion of air-launched missiles with a range of less than 1,500 km from the strategic arms reduction talks negotiations has been discussed in any official NATO meeting.

The United States regularly briefs its allies at official NATO meetings on progress in the strategic arms reduction talks, including the situation regarding air-launched cruise missiles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department are currently allocated to work on nuclear non-proliferation; and if he has any plans to increase the departmental commitment to this work.

There are 11 members of this Department working full-time on nuclear nonproliferation, including missile proliferation. In addition, there are a number of staff, both home-based and at posts abroad, who contribute to this work. There are no plans at present to increase the number of staff devoted to this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to disseminate information to schools, colleges, universities, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties on the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

The arms control and disarmament research unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes notes on arms control on an approximately monthly basis, and a quarterly review. Both documents are circulated to a wide range of educational establishments and other organisations on request. Information about the non-proliferation treaty and the fourth review conference is regularly included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his recent visit to Czechoslovakia, the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), or his accompanying officials raised the forthcoming fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with his hosts.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of any improvement or deterioration in the human rights situation in East Timor in recent years.

We have received diplomatic and other reports which confirm that there has been a sustained improvement in respect for human rights in East Timor in recent years. We have received reports of incidents which give rise to concern during the second half of 1989. We are watching the situation closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received concerning the execution of four people who had been in detention for over 24 years in Jakarta on 17 February.

The Indonesian Army confirms that four persons were executed on 16 February (Syryanto, Surono, Soleiman and Rohayan). There are unconfirmed reports of the execution of two others. On 21 February, the Twelve expressed their regret in the Presidency address to the UN Commission on Human Rights that these executions were carried out so long after conviction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the occupation of East Timor by Indonesia.

Our policy with regard to the annexation of East Timor by Indonesia is to support the UN Secretary-General's role in promoting a settlement between Indonesia and Portugal. We believe that both parties will be concerned to find a settlement which fully protects the interests of the people of East Timor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures Her Majesty's Government propose to take to help the Namibian economy.

We are actively discussing with the future Government of Namibia how we can best help them after independence, in particular through the aid programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there has been further progress on the approval of projects under the memorandum of understanding with Brazil since the Minister for Overseas Development's reply to the hon. Member for Fylde of 15 February, Official Report, column 350.

As I announced earlier this week, the first project has now been approved by the Brazilian Government. This is an important five-year climate research project, involving the Institute of Hydrology. We are contributing some £2·5 million. The first field mission will start this September. We are continuing our discussions with the Brazilian Government on other project proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have any plans to cut their aid to Indonesia in the light of continued human rights abuses there.

In determining the appropriate level of United Kingdom aid to individual countries, the Government take account of a number of factors, including the importance of human rights. Indonesia is in the low-income group of developing countries and we believe that the current level of British aid to Indonesia is appropriate in current circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many tutors are employed in a full-time capacity in Wales to teach the Welsh language to adults; and whether his Department has any plans to increase the number of full-time tutors of Welsh for adults.

This information is not held centrally. We are making available some £305,000 this year to colleges, voluntary bodies and other providers of adult education to help support activity in this area. We are currently considering the level of support for 1990–91.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any further plans to help and sustain the Welsh language and culture; and if he will make a statement.

The proposals for the introduction of Welsh in the national curriculum in Wales will provide the single most important boost to the Welsh language over the years to come. All other policies in support of the language will therefore complement and support what is happening in schools.In addition, the Government provide financial support for Welsh language and culture by way of grants to a wide range of organisations involved with the use and promotion of the language. Direct grant support in 1989–90 amounted to some £4·4 million. This figure will increase next year by 30 per cent. to a total of £5·9 million. My right hon. Friend will continue to look to the Welsh Language Board for advice in relation to all matters to do with the language and on how these grants can be harnessed to the greatest effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been dispensed to Welsh local authorities in grants for bilingual education under section 21 of the Education Act 1980 in each year since that Act came into force; how much he anticipates will have been granted by the end of the present financial year; and how much he has allocated for this purpose in the 1990–91 financial year.

I shall write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to set up a fund to help meet the additional travel expenses of relatives of patients who have been referred to treatment centres outside their own health authority; and if he will make a statement.

It will be for the patients concerned to assess the relative benefits of earlier treatment at the centres, including the possibility of additional travel for themselves and their relatives, compared with waiting for treatment more locally. As with any other hospital services, visitors on low incomes can apply for help with their travelling expenses to and from the centres from the Department of Social Security. We do not propose to introduce any additional assistance for the relatives of patients in treatment centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on general practitioners' clinical responsibility of the decision to exclude general practitioners from referring their patients directly to treatment centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet representatives of general practitioners regarding his decision not to allow general practitioners to refer patients directly to treatment centres; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received no requests to meet representatives of general practitioners to discuss treatment centres. The centres will not impinge on general practitioners' clinical responsibility. GPs will continue to refer new patients direct to hospitals of their choice, which will in turn continue to treat the majority of patients. Treatment centres are an additional resource to offer patients already waiting the choice of earlier treatment.This principle would be undermined if general practitioners were to refer new patients to treatment centres direct since the centres would then be likely to build up their own waiting lists. However, the operational policies of the ophthalmology and general surgery centres provide for re-referrals by general practitioners of patients who have been waiting on inpatient lists for more than four months. The policy of the orthopaedic centre in this respect will be kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health authorities have agreed contracts with private companies for the provision of health services to National Health Service patients in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what extra cash he will allocate to each of the Welsh health authorities to maintain current levels of services; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) on 11 January at columns 725–27, when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the revenue and capital allocations to health authorities in Wales for 1990–91.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to have discussions with the trade unions involved before authorising proposals for revised management arrangements for the South Gwent health unit.

No. We are satisfied with the existing arrangements for the consideration of DHAs' revised management arrangements involving consideration by the executive committee of the Health Policy Board.I understand, however, that in formulating its proposals Gwent health authority has consulted trade unions and this will be borne in mind by the executive committee. After further local consultation the authority will submit the proposals to the Department for approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to improve the teaching of religious education in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Education Reform Act enhances the place of religious education in the school curriculum, and central support is available to local education authorities which undertake in-service teacher training in the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will instigate investigations into the rates of incidence of cancer near nuclear installations in Wales following the recent report on Sellafield.

Analysis of the data available from the Wales cancer registry is under way. The data require careful scrutiny and validation. When the results are ready, I will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what trends he is able to identify in respect of the incidence rates of various forms of cancer (a) in Wales as a whole and (b) in each district in Wales; and what information he has on trends in such incidence rates in the United Kingdom generally.

Information on the individual incidence rates and trends of cancer within Wales is presented in the Welsh Office publication "Cancer Registration in Wales, 1974–1984".Figures for England and Wales are available from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys publication "Cancer statistics: registrations", while data for Scotland appear in "Scottish Health Statistics" published by the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service. Information on cancer registrations for Northern Ireland appear in the Department of Health and Social Services "Statistics and Research Bulletin".

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in the light of the Gardner report, he will commission fresh independent research into the incidence of leukaemia in north Wales and into the causes of high incidence of specific types of cancer in any part of Wales.

Welsh cancer registration data are kept under regular review. Where it appears that the rate of incidence of any particular form of cancer is significantly higher than would be expected consideration is given to the need for, and the most appropriate form of, investigation into possible causes.Additionally, as announced by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health on 15 February, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment plans detailed epidemiological studies to obtain more information on the possible health effects in the offspring of parents occupationally exposed to radiation. These studies should start in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he will make a statement setting out his proposals for independent inspection units for community care services in Wales;(2) whether he will make it his policy that independent inspection units for community care in Wales shall regularly review and report on the provision of services within the boundaries of each district authority in their area of responsibility;(3) whether he will make it his policy that there shall be an independent inspection unit for the area of each local authority in Wales which has responsibility for social services.

A consultation paper on the setting up of independent inspection units in Wales has recently been widely circulated. Copies have been placed in the Library. Policy decisions on the establishment and operation of these units will be taken following consideration of the comments received as a result of the consultation exercise and the deliberations of a working group comprising representatives of the independent and public sectors which has been set up to consider the issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the application of the new uniform business rate arrangements to the sale and purchase of small businesses.

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on the question of the cessation of transitional protection when the rateable occupier of a business property, large or small, changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further advice is being given to householders affected by radon gas as to how to tackle the problem; and what efforts are being made to ensure that builders etc. contacted by the public to tackle radon problems give correct advice to the householders.

The advice already available to householders affected by concentrations of radon in "The Householders' Guide to Radon" is still valid. A second edition is currently being prepared to take account of the new action level.The building research establishment is engaged in a continuing programme of research on tackling radon problems and the results of this will be published in the form of practical advice for builders and others as they become available. Meanwhile, where owners of buildings are uncertain about the best way to proceed, they should consult the building research establishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England and Wales use incinerators to dispose of suitable household waste; and what plans he has to encourage more disposal of such rubbish by this method in the future.

There are 30 municipal incinerators currently operated by local authorities in England and Wales and these dispose of some 8 per cent. of household waste. There is, however, no centrally held information on the number of local authorities which make use of these incinerators.The Government encourage local authorities to employ the best practicable environmental means for the disposal of their waste. It is for them to determine what that may be in the light of local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain for his departmental library a video tape and copy of the transcript of the "Northern Eye" programme on industrial pollution in Teesside, broadcast on 15 February.

My Department already has copies of the transcript. It is unnecessary to have a copy of the video.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of contracts awarded by the Property Services Agency for each of the last three years were carried out by private building contractors; and what were their total values for each year.

All new construction work for the Property Services Agency is undertaken by private sector contractors. In the last three years, the proportion of maintenance work undertaken by the private sector has remained steady, at about 85 per cent.