To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has reached a decision on the future of the wages councils; and if he will make a statement.

I have decided not to proceed with the abolition of the councils for the present. However, the consultation exercise showed that our concern about their adverse effects is widely shared by employers, who have confirmed the Government's view that the system should have no permanent place in the labour market. I therefore intend to keep its operation under close review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give (a) the total number of unemployed and (b) the total number of long-term unemployed for each of the months between July 1986 and December 1989 inclusive for each of the standard regions, Scotland, Wales and Great Britain.

[holding answer 12 February 1990]: As the information requested is detailed and lengthy, I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what incentives his Department promotes for women wishing to start up their own business.

[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The Government's policy is to create a beneficial climate for small businesses generally, mainly by encouraging conditions of fair competition and minimising regulation, and by providing a complementary range of fiscal, financial and advisory measures.My own Department's services include the development of a wide range of business training, the loan guarantee scheme, the enterprise allowance scheme in which over one third of participants are now women, and the small firms service. All these opportunities are open equally to men and women. My Department is keen to encourage women to set up in business, and part-funded a study into the barriers faced by female entrepreneurs conducted by the Scottish Enterprise Foundation, published in November 1988. Following that, the Training Agency has invited organisations to compete for a contract to develop enterprise training for women within employment training.Women are increasingly taking advantage of enterprise opportunities. Between 1979 and 1988 the number of self-employed women in the United Kingdom more than doubled, compared with an increase of just under 50 per cent. for self-employed men.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken by his Department to develop national policies for coastal protection and sea defence work in respect of the threat to ports from erosion of the coastline and the rise in sea levels.

The main policy interest relating to coast protection and sea defence work rests, in England, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and elsewhere with the territorial Departments. In specific cases where problems arise with respect to ports it is normally for the harbour authorities to assess the need for work and to take such action as may be necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the current financial targets and limits set by him which apply to Network SouthEast and the assumptions as to the increase in passenger fares made in connection with their plans for future revenue and capital expenditure.

For 1989–90 the British Railways Board's external financing limit is now £635 million. The PSO cash limit is, at present, £496 million. The EFL applies to BR as a whole and the PSO limit to supported sectors. They are not broken down by sector.In the medium term, the board has set Network SouthEast the objective of reducing its grant requirement to zero in 1992–93. This was endorsed by my right hon. Friend in his letter to Sir Robert Reid of 20 December, which set out BR's objectives for the next three years. Over the same period, planned investment will amount to £1·2 billion—an increase of 30 per cent. in real terms over the previous three-year period. According to BR's own plans, on which the medium-term objectives are based, fares on NSE are likely to rise by less than 10 per cent. in real terms over the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of existing rolling stock on British Rail and the London Underground have air conditioning; and what percentage of the new rolling stock will have it.

The figures for BR are given in the table below.

	Percentage of fleet with air conditioning		1Percentage of planned future rolling stock with air conditioning
	1989–90	11993–94
InterCity	85	2100	100
Network SouthEast	2	15	50
Provincial	2	24	75
1Taken from British Rail's 1989 corporate plan. For Network SouthEast the figure includes all rolling stock that will have been ordered by March 1995.
2 Percentage of carriages in regular, all year round service. A very small number of vehicles used for charter will not be air conditioned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the proper equipment is available and arrangements made to ensure that when a vehicle overturns on the Severn bridge quick remedial action can be taken.

The equipment necessary for the recovery and removal of overturned vehicles on the Severn crossing is already available. High winds are almost invariably the cause of vehicles overturning on the crossing and these winds also impede and delay vehicle recovery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the reason for the closure of the Severn bridge on 26 February; and for how long traffic was disrupted.

A high-sided heavy goods vehicle overturned in high winds on the westbound carriageway of the Severn crossing at approximately 3.30 am on 26 February. The vehicle came to rest across the central reservation, spilling diesel fuel on both carriageways. As a result, both carriageways were closed to traffic. The vehicle and spillage was cleared by early afternoon, but with winds gusting to 70 knots, it was not considered safe to reopen the crossing until 4.50 pm. High-sided vehicles were banned until 3.30 am the following day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decision he has reached about the route for the Newbury bypass.

The Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment are still considering the inspector's report on the A34 Newbury bypass public inquiry. We would hope to be able to announce their joint decision during the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new road building funded by his Department is planned for the city of Liverpool for the next decade.

There are none of our trunk roads within Liverpool. We support local authority spending on some of their more important roads through transport supplementary grant (TSG), currently paid at 50 per cent. of accepted expenditure. In Liverpool we are at present supporting phases of the Park road relief road and the Great Howard street improvement. It is for the city council to settle its forward programme and the schemes to be included in future annual bids for TSG.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the measures he has taken to reduce congestion on the roads.

Last year we announced in the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" a doubling of the trunk road programme. Our proposals to add some 2,700 miles of new or improved road to the trunk road network will make a significant impact on congestion on major inter-urban routes. Plans for over 150 bypasses will remove through traffic from towns and villages. In city centres better traffic management measures, parking controls and improvements to public transport, including the development of new facilities such as light rail systems will contribute towards reducing congestion.Full details of the trunk road programme are contained in the roads report "Trunk Roads, England—Into the 1990s", published on 20 February. Copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to improve access to motorists of up-to-date traffic information by means of radio.

We have held discussions with the BBC, AA and others involved in the provision of travel information about ways of improving the availability and reliability of information through better arrangements for its collection, co-ordination and dissemination. The Department is contributing to a trial by the BBC of radio data systems, a newly developed system to allow improved dissemination of travel information by radio.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatal accidents have occurred between Doncaster and Scotland on the A 1 in each of the past five years.

Figures available are for the A1 and A1(M) between the Scottish border and the border of Doncaster metropolitan district, which is approximately five miles south of Doncaster. In 1984, there were 22 fatal accidents. The figures for successive years are 19 fatal accidents in 1985, 38 in 1986, 25 in 1987 and 23 in 1988. The table shows fatal accidents for A1 and A1(M) separately and the resulting fatal casualties.

Fatal accidents and casualties on the A1 and A1(M) between Doncasler and Scotland, 1984 to 1988
	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988
Fatal accidents
A1	21	14	31	20	22
A1(M)	1	5	7	5	1
Total	22	19	38	25	23
Fatal casualties
A1	24	16	45	22	28
A1(M)	2	5	7	5	3
Total	26	21	52	27	31

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with environmental pressure groups on 23 February.

My right hon. Friend met representatives of Transport 2000, Friends of the Earth, the Council for the Protection of Rural England, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Royal Society for Nature Conservation on 23 February. He exchanged views with these organisations on a wide range of transport and environmental issues, and hopes to have further meetings with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policies he has to develop measures to improve driver efficiency as part of Her Majesty's Government's policy to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

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. We are considering what further measures are necessary to encourage driver efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies are being undertaken into the development of advanced catalytic converter technology for turbo-diesel engines by the transport road research laboratory.

[holding answer 1 March 1990]: None at present. Industry has its own longstanding development programmes in this field. These will be furthered by the £2·3 million joint venture programme between Government and a consortium of United Kingdom companies, directed towards cleaning up vehicle exhaust emissions, announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Enterprise on 15 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for testing the effectiveness of motor vehicle emission control devices once fitted and in use.

[holding answer 1 March 1990]: Our proposed amendments to the Construction and Use Regulations include a requirement for the user of a vehicle to keep the engine in tune and any emission control equipment in working order. This can be checked by most garages. We are also considering whether changes are needed in the existing annual testing schemes and roadside spot checks of exhaust condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce incentives to United Kingdom shipping companies to stop them registering their shipping in other countries.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list by year for the last 10 years (a) the sources and (b) the destinations, of radioactive material (i) imported and (ii) exported, through the ports of Immingham and Hull;(2) if he will list by year for the last 10 years how many tonnes of radioactive material were

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 22 January, Official Report, column 491.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he will issue to local authority trading standards departments in relation to current offences alleged to have been committed under sections 10 and 12 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 with respect to the alleged breach of regulation 4 of the Motor Vehicles Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1984 in the light of the acceptance and imminent introduction of BS A Lf144C 1988 retread car and commercial vehicle tyre specifications.

We shall consult on proposed amendments to the regulations, which will include the introduction of the BS AU 1440 requirements, later this year. As usual, the trading standards authorities, who are responsible for enforcement, will be included in the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to replace the British Standards AU144B 1977 specification for retreaded car and commercial vehicle tyres with British Standard AU 144C 1988 requirement; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 2 March 1990]: I shall be consulting on amendments to the Motor Vehicles (Tyre Safety) Regulations 1984 later this year. The amendments will include the change proposed by my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what documentation and tests are to be required after 1992 for a person to be qualified to drive a minibus in the United Kingdom and other European Community countries; and what are the present arrangements.

Minibuses with up to 17 seats that are not used for hire or reward may be driven in the United Kingdom by holders of full ordinary licences who are over 21 years of age. Younger drivers are also allowed to drive minibuses in closely defined circumstances. In order to drive these vehicles in other European Community member states, drivers must obtain a certificate of driving experience from the local traffic area office.Proposals for a second directive on the driving licence, as published by the European Commission, would require new drivers of minibuses to take a second test and meet tougher health standards. The United Kingdom has been pressing for the retention of the present arrangements. Useful progress has been made in direct discussions with Commission officials. Details of the modifications agreed with the Commission were announced in the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) on 21 July 1989,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact the recently approved extension of the M3 through Twyford Down near Winchester, Hampshire, will have on the natural landscape; and if he will make a statement.

The impact on the landscape of the Department of Transport's proposals for this section of the M3 motorway is set out at length in the letter conveying the decisions of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment on the reports of the two independent inspectors who conducted the public inquiries. I am sending the hon. and learned Gentleman a copy of the letter and arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Worthing of 28 February, Official Report, column 237, regarding the MV Fathulkhair, (1) whether he was informed by the French authorities of the loss of the vessel's dangerous cargo and potential risk on British beaches; when he first knew of the problem; whether the other dangerous chemicals found were on the MV Fathulkhair's manifest; and what information he has on whether the initial stowage and subsequent securing in Cherbourg were in conformity with Merchant Shipping Regulations;(2) where the MV Fathulkhair is registered; when the master of the vessel notified the authorities in Cherbourg of the loss of dangerous cargo; when the French authorities notified his Department of the danger; and if he is satisfied that the communications arrangements are adequate to warn of such dangers.

As explained in my answer of 28 February, Official Report, column 237, the MV Fathulkhair is registered in Qatar. I understand that the loss of dangerous goods was not reported by the master to the French authorities although the vessel at one time put back into Cherbourg to re-secure and survey cargo. Had the loss been so reported I am satisfied that the French authorities would have notified my Department's marine pollution control unit (MPCU) of the potential risk to British beaches under a longstanding bilateral agreement for co-operation in dealing with pollution in the Channel—Mancheplan.These arrangements have worked well in other recent incidents in the Channel involving the loss of dangerous goods, such as the Perintis and the Murree. Within the framework of Mancheplan there are also twice-yearly meetings between the MPCU and its counterparts in Cherbourg and annual counter-pollution exercises are held to ensure that communications are both speedy and effective.On this occasion, the first my Department knew of the danger on British beaches was when a canister of potassium cyanide was reported on the morning of 21 February to Sussex police who immediately informed Her Majesty's Coastguard. The MPCU was subsequently able to determine that this had been shipped on the MV Fathulkhair and was then advised by the shipping agent of other dangerous cargo which had been lost overboard from the vessel. This information was passed by the MPCU to the French authorities and to all United Kingdom coastal local authorities which might be affected. Other dangerous chemicals found on beaches on 21 February and on succeeding days are consistent with those reported by the shipping agent as being lost from MV Fathulkhair. Marine surveyors of my Department are investigating to see whether cargo loaded on board the MV Fathulkhair at Sheerness was stowed in conformity with merchant shipping regulations. Any subsequent re-securing of the cargo in Cherbourg is of course a matter for the competent French authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has concluded his review of Scottish lowland airports policy; and if he will make a statement.

I have now concluded my consideration of the views put in the over 1,100 submissions received during the recent consultation. I was much impressed by the scale and quality of the response, and I am glad to have been able to consider the issues against the background of this very full expression of Scottish opinion.I believe it is right in principle for Government to intervene in the operation of the aviation market only to the extent and when circumstances make it necessary. My intention in ordering the consultation was to determine whether to maintain a special policy for the lowland airports, or to adopt the less restrictive approach which applies more generally in the United Kingdom. I have concluded, in close consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, that the interests of Scotland generally and of the users and providers of air services in Scotland are best served by allowing each of the lowland airports to handle the traffic they are able to attract, subject of course to the licences held by airlines, to international air service agreements and to the physical capabilities of the airports. I shall not, therefore, be making fresh traffic distribution rules for the lowland airports. I did not find that there was a persuasive argument for construction of another airport in Scotland.The benefits to Scotland that can be expected to flow from this, and the rate at which those benefits will be become manifest, are necessarily difficult to state with precision. Much depends on the response of the industry and of users to the additional opportunities that a more liberal policy will open up: already two airlines have announced proposals for new services between Glasgow and the United States of America. It is the firm belief of almost all those well placed to take an informed view that the policy of confining long-haul services to Prestwick has hampered Scotland's economic development and that a less restrictive approach could be expected to enhance business efficiency and help encourage inward investment. I am myself clear that airlines' ability to respond flexibly to the needs of users is very important.I recognise and regret that the change in policy is likely to have an adverse impact on local Ayrshire employment. However my right hon. and learned Friend and I are confident that this will be more than offset by wider benefits to Scotland as a whole, and in the meantime I welcome BAA's firm policy of making no forced redundancies at Prestwick.I am conscious of the concern on safety grounds at the prospect of additional traffic at Glasgow and Edinburgh. I should stress that there is no question of any unsafe operations being permitted at either airport. A statutory responsibility for the safety of civil aviation rests with the Civil Aviation Authority. Objectivity in assessing safety standards is one of the key elements which take the regulation of aviation safety out of the commercial market place as far as is humanly possible. Thus, while the length of Glasgow's runway might impose a commercial penalty—which would be a matter for the airlines—there is no question of safety standards being compromised. Much higher levels of air traffic than are envisaged at Glasgow are already present at, for example, Heathrow and Manchester, airports also located in urban areas.There is concern, too, about additional noise and vibration at Glasgow and Edinburgh that an increase in traffic may bring. Responsibility for noise control measures at these airports rests with BAA as airport operator, and I am satisfied that this arrangement should continue, as indeed it does at all United Kingdom airports outside the London system. A number of noise abatement measures are already in place at Glasgow and Edinburgh, and I am asking the chairman of the BAA to ensure that these are kept under review.It is suggested that the withdrawal of Prestwick's sole gateway status would lead to the airport's closure. BAA has said that it will move to a common tariff at Glasgow and Prestwick for long-haul traffic, allowing Prestwick to compete fairly. Although it believes that passenger services will nevertheless in due course transfer from Prestwick, the BAA has made clear its firm intention of keeping the airport open and of intensifying its marketing of its other facilities, notably for all-cargo operations. I welcome those intentions, because I know there is concern among some Scottish business interests for the future of air freight facilities in Scotland. I very much hope that BAA will be successful in realising Prestwick's advantages for all-cargo services. It starts from a strong position, such services having accounted for 38 per cent. of all air transport movements at Prestwick in 1988, and for 80 per cent. of cargo moved through the airport in 1988–89. With the continuation of cargo operations at Prestwick and the hellyhold capacity offered by any additional long-haul services at Glasgow and Edinburgh, I believe Scotland will continue to enjoy good air freight coverage.Lowland Scotland is fortunate in having three fine airports. By extending freedom of choice, allowing the market to respond freely to the wishes of users, I am confident that each of the airports will be encouraged to realise its proper potential, to the benefit of Scotland as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the United Kingdom's preparedness to deal with an oil spill at sea has been reviewed in the light of recent tanker accidents.

Contingency arrangements to deal with pollution at sea in United Kingdom waters are kept under constant review by the Department's marine pollution control unit (MPCU) which was set up in 1979 with specific responsibility to do so and to take charge of operations.A thorough examination covering United Kingdom counterpollution responsibilities, communications and resources has been carried out. As a result of this the capability of the MPCU to deal with major oil spills is being increased by doubling its contracted aerial dispersant spraying capacity by the use of larger aircraft. The unit's ability to detect oil slicks at sea is also being doubled by increasing to two its complement of remote sensing aircraft, which are used to control and direct counterpollution operations. Additionally this enhanced remote sensing capability will be used to increase by more than 60 per cent. regular aerial surveillance patrols of United Kingdom waters to deter and detect ships making illegal operational discharges of oil. Overall spending in 1990–91 will depend on the number of incidents in the year but is expected to be of the order of £4 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of local authority agents in relation to the sections of the Department of Transport chapter of the Public Expenditure White Paper for 1990–91 to 1992–93 dealing with trunk roads and motorways, Cm.1007.

[holding answer 2 March 1990]: Under current agency arrangements it will fall in general to local highway authorities to manage maintenance of trunk roads on behalf of the Department. Authorities will also be responsible in general for designing and supervising the less expensive new construction schemes, normally those costing less than £1 million.It is the Department's policy to use private firms of consultants, selected by competition, for design and supervision of major schemes. We are however prepared to employ an agent authority on such a scheme where this is justified for reasons such as invested knowledge, linkages with local road schemes, or traffic management considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the proposed new regulations on road humps and other traffic calming measures; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 2 March 1990]: My aim is for these regulations to come into force before Easter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those authorities which have set a poll tax (a) below and (b) above the Government's assessed level.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 21 February, Official Report, column 741.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in descending order of magnitude for each non-metropolitan county in England the percentage amount by which its 1990–91 standard spending assessment represented an increase or decrease from the comparable adjusted figure for the 1989–90 grant-related expenditure assessment.

[holding answer 5 March 1990]: I will write to my right hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, further to his replies of 27 February, Official Report, column 178, to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby, concerning the average amount of Government contribution to local expenditure, he will now publish the information in the Official Report.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 23 February at column 929.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) of 23 November 1989, Official Report, columns 16–17, whether he intends the proposed country agencies of the Nature Conservancy Council to have responsibility for making nature reserve agreements under section 16 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Yes. Amendments to the 1949 Act contained in paragraph 1(2) and (3) of schedule 6 to the Environmental Protection Bill which is currently before Parliament are intended to achieve this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 1 February, Official Report, column 245, what is the maximum number of new members appointed to the Nature Conservancy Council or its predecessor bodies with effect from the same date; and on what date and on how many occasions there have been more than 18 members on the council.

[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The maximum number of new members appointed to the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) with effect from the same date is 11 from 1 November 1973. From 1 April 1989 until 28 September 1989, there were 19 members on the council. On no other occasion have there been more than 18 members. Information on the NCC's predecessor bodies is not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many D and F grades were employed at TCS on 16 February; and how many had applied for early retirement or severance at that date.

On 16 February 1990, a total of 318 permanent of D and F grades were employed in TCS. At that date, 152 had applied for early retirement or severance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often he met members of the privatisation unit of the Crown Suppliers in 1989.

My right hon. Friend meets his officials as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often the Parliamentary Under-Secretary met members of the management buy-out team for the product supply services division and the buying agency of TCS in 1989.

I had one formal meeting with the management buy-out team for PSSD and the buying agency, to discuss its proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he encourages managers from the buying agency of TCS to bid for their business separately; and if he will make a statement.

The Government welcome staff interest in bidding for the business of the Crown Suppliers. Managers of the buying agency of the Crown Suppliers are among those buy-out teams and outside organisations which have been invited to bid for the contract furnishing business, which consists of the product supply and services and the buying agency divisions of the Crown Suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether in 1989 TCS received any advice about EEC directives on procurement.

Like other Government Departments, the Crown Suppliers receive advice from the Treasury on EC directives from time to time. In 1989, some 20 such papers were received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of consultants employed by the Property Services Agency at DWO Teddington; and what was the total cost in 1989.

Five consultants were employed at the district works office at Teddington during the financial year 1989–90 at a cost of £177,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of consultants employed in place of in-house staff at DWO Westminster in 1989.

There were no consultants employed in place of in-house staff at DWO Westminster during 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to local rent officers to ensure that nominal rent levels for hostels for single people do not vary widely from one area to another.

The Rent Officers (Additional Functions) Order 1989 lays down the basis on which rent officers assess the rents paid by, and accommodation occupied by, private tenants claiming housing benefit. The order broadly requires the rent officer to assess the claimant's rent by reference to the level of rents being paid for similar accommodation within the locality by tenants who are not in receipt of housing benefit. Advice on how rent officers might approach this task—particularly in circumstances where no direct market evidence is available—was included in a study of the private rented housing market commissioned by the Department from the consultants Price Waterhouse. Copies of that report were circulated to rent officers and placed in the Library in February 1989. We have not issued any specific guidance as to the assessment of hostel charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what mechanisms exist to (a) review the level of nominal rent set by rent officers for single person hostels and (b) replace rent officers whose assessments are grossly out of line with reasonable rents.

Where a local authority is dissatisfied with the rent officer's determinations under the Rent Officers (Additional Functions) Order 1989, it can apply for the case to be redetermined by another rent officer, drawn from a different rent registration area. The redetermination will be made by reference to the same criteria as applied to the initial determination. The redetermining officer is normally required to seek the views of two other rent officers, neither of whom will have previously dealt with the case. Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the rent officer service in each registration area lies with the chief rent officer, but overall responsibility lies with the proper officer of the local authority concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department is taking in respect of the report by the district auditor on the sale by Westminster city council of three cemeteries.

Action on the report is for the city council and the auditor to take. The auditor's findings are provisional and the council has until 30 March to make representations to him. The auditor will then decide whether to apply to the High Court for a declaration that the items in the accounts relating to the transactions are "contrary to law".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to introduce initiatives on (a) prevention of sea disposal of wastes, reductions in atmospheric pollution from transport, long-term monitored storage for radioactive waste, and (d) measures to combat the greenhouse effect at the next Council of European Environment Ministers in Brussels on 22 March.

It is the sole prerogative of the Commission to put forward proposed measures for action by the European Community. Responsibility for setting

Net current expenditure
			Year-on-year Percentage Change
	Cash Terms £ million	Real terms 1989–90 Prices 1£ million	Cash terms	Real Terms
1981–82	101·787	157–831	—	—
1982–83	112·024	162·009	10·1	2·6
1983–84	116·162	160·501	3·7	–0·9
1984–85	122·959	161·851	5·9	0·8
1985–86	132·523	165·548	7·8	2·3
1986–872	164·623	198·947	24·2	20·2
1987–88	178·736	205·117	8·6	3·1
1988–89	196·764	210·537	10·1	2·6
1989·90	212·809	212·809	8·2	1·1
1981–82 to 1989–90			109·1	34·8
1981–82	270	419	—	—
1982–83	297	430	10·0	2·6
1983–84	308	425	3·7	-1·2
1984–85	326	429	5·8	0·9
1985–86	352	439	8·0	2·3

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out a table showing for each year since 1979 (a) the full-time, (b) the part-time and (c) the total staffing levels of Kirklees metropolitan council.

The information is as follows:

Kirklees metropolitan district council: Staffing levels at June
	Full-time	Part-time	Total
1979	10,678	7,734	18,412
1980	10,505	7,679	18,184
1981	1—	1—	1—
1982	10,206	8,231	18,437
1983	10,381	8,496	18,877
1984	10,587	8,107	18,694
1985	10,748	8,084	18,832
1986	11,440	8,507	19,947
1987	11,707	9,292	20,999
1988	11,808	9,954	21,762
1989	10,908	8,983	19,891
1 Data not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the expenditure of Kirklees metropolitan council for each year since 1979 per head of population in (a) cash terms and (b) constant 1989–90 price terms; what was the percentage increase in each year; and what was the percentage increase between 1979 and 1990;(2) what was the expenditure of Kirklees metropolitan council for each year since 1979 in

:The available information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his policy in relation to the design of major development proposals.

The Government have advised local planning authorities, in circular 22/80, confirmed by circular 31/85, and in planning policy guidance note No. 1, that they should not seek to impose their tastes on developers simply because they believe them to be superior. Judgments about external design are essentially subjective, and I have seen no evidence that a more interventionist approach by local authorities would result in improved standards overall. Indeed, there is a risk that attempts to compromise between differing aesthetic judgments may produce bland buildings which satisfy no one.Accordingly, where they consider it essential to refuse planning permission or to impose conditions related to design, local planning authorities should ensure that the grounds for refusal or for conditions relate to relevant planning issues such as the density and bulk of the development and its compatibility with its surroundings. This may include, in sensitive areas, the use of materials appropriate to the locality. Such control of external appearance may be particularly important where development proposals affect national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas, or the setting of important historic landmarks. Authorities should in general confine their concern to those aspects of design which are significant for the aesthetic quality of the area. Only exceptionally should they control design details, if the sensitive character of the area or the particular building justifies it. Alterations to buildings of special architectural or historic interest are controlled through listed building consent procedures, for similar reasons.Although I have no plans to impose further measures of aesthetic control, I am deeply concerned to promote good design. My concern relates particularly to the standard of planning applications made for major developments. I hope that developers will bring forward schemes which will make a major contribution to the architectural fabric of the country in the long term.

Year	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89
(i) Appeals allowed	12	15	10	14	13
Dismissed	16	26	23	28	32
(ii) Appeals allowed	7	7	4	6	4
Dismissed	8	7	6	10	4

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the costs to local planning authorities in Leicestershire of advancing the present expiry date of the county structure plan of 1996: and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 5 March 1990]: My Department has no information on costs relating specifically to the review of the Leicestershire structure plan. All such plans have to be reviewed well in advance of their end date if they are to continue to perform their planning function.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of planning appeals (a) upheld and (b) rejected by him in each year since 1980 in respect of planning refusals by (i) Lichfield district council, (ii) Cannock Chase district council and (iii) Stafford district council.

[holding answer 1 March 1990]: This information is available only in respect of appeals decided since 1 April 1984 and is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the definition of litter as adopted by his Department in regard to legislation covering waste and pollution.

[holding answer 2 March 1990]: We have not sought to define litter in the Environmental Protection Bill. Clause 71 of the Bill defines the offence of littering in terms of throwing down, dropping or otherwise depositing, and leaving

"any thing whatsoever in such circumstances as to cause, or contribute to, or tend to lead to, the defacement by litter of any place."

It is for the courts to decide, in all cases brought before them, whether the item complained of constitutes litter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce his legislative proposals in respect of the Common Land Forum's recommendation on commons.

[holding answer 2 March 1990]: I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, on 12 February 1990, Official Report, column 64.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue an urgent planning circular to planning authorities recommending that they relax planning requirements that storm damaged thatched roofs must be repaired or replaced with thatch, where shortage of available thatchers renders such a course impractable for the householders concerned.

[holding answer 6 March 1990]: In those cases where planning or other permissions are required, each proposal must be considered on its merits, having regard to the development plan and any other material considerations. Wherever possible, local planning authorities should adopt a flexible approach, but they will need to take account of the long-term consequences for the special character of thatched buildings and their surroundings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the container of lindane lost in the Channel in 1989 has been found.

I have been asked to reply.The container was lost in an area of the Channel in which under a longstanding bilateral agreement the French authorities are responsible for co-ordinating counterpollution action. Despite an intensive and very comprehensive search mounted by the French Navy and continuing vigilance, it has not been found. My Department's marine pollution control unit maintains close contacts with the French authorities and is satisfied that every effort has been made to try and locate the missing container. Sampling and analysis of seawater and fish both in the area where the container was thought to be lost and in the English Channel as a whole has been undertaken by the French authorities and by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) respectively. No increased levels of lindane have been detected. Further sampling and analysis will be undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the gallows kept at Wandsworth prison are next to be tested; and who will do this.

The gallows will next be tested in June. This will be done by a member of the prison's works department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) of 15 February, Official Report, column 371, how many of the 31 Iranian citizens served with the notice of the intention to make deportation orders against them on the grounds that this would be conducive to the public good for reasons of national security were involved in full-time or part-time education.

Fifteen.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by name since 1979 the number of employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that have been detained by special branch officers; on what charge they were detained; and what was the result of their inquiries.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of (a) Jamaica, (b) Trinidad and Tobago, (c) Guyana, (d) Barbados and (e) St. Lucia have made applications for entry clearance certificates at the respective British High Commissions in the West Indies; how many such applications have been refused during the 12 months of 1989; and what are the figures for each year since 1979.

Information on entry clearance applications refused initially in 1987–88 was published on 5 April 1989, Official Report, columns 221–24, in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling). Information on applications in 1989 is given in the table. The other information requested is not available centrally.

Applications for entry clearance1 to the United Kingdom in 1989
Number of persons
	Applications
Country2	Newly received3	Granted4 5	Refused initially5
Jamaica	3,140	2,950	470
Trinidad and Tobago	1,920	1,780	240
Guyana	1,840	1,560	160
Barbados6	1,580	1,460	110

Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados admitted to, and refused leave to enter and removed from, the United Kingdom
	Trinidad and Tobago		Guyana		Barbados
Year/Month	Total admitted	Total refused leave to enter and removed	Total admitted	Total refused leave to enter and removed	Total admitted	Total refused leave to enter and removed
1979	18,000	20	7,600	26	8,900	9
1980	18,000	17	7,200	23	9,000	10
1981	17,000	17	6,700	10	8,800	7
1982	19,000	13	5,500	19	8,100	7
1983	20,000	10	5,750	17	8,120	5
1984	22,200	10	5,920	29	8,280	4
1985	24,600	6	6,490	16	9,230	2
1986	18,400	20	6,120	16	9,260	7
1987	18,500	31	5,680	27	9,100	9
1988	17,300	42	5,640	27	9,520	20
1989	17,500	76	6,230	44	9,510	31
January 1989	1,200	5	400	3	700	—
February 1989	900	7	300	1	300	2
March 1989	1,100	6	400	7	500	4
April 1989	1,300	5	500	4	500	3
May 1989	1,200	7	400	2	600	4
June 1989	1,700	4	600	3	1,200	—
July 1989	2,400	6	800	5	1,600	3
August 1989	2,100	9	800	3	1,400	5
September 1989	1,800	9	700	2	1,000	4
October 1989	1,600	6	600	5	700	3
November 1989	1,000	6	400	5	500	2
December 1989	1,100	6	400	4	500	1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are being held in detention for immigration reasons; where they are being held; how many are asylum-seekers; and how many in the latter category are women.

No central record is maintained of the number of people held in detention for immigration reasons. On 28 February there were 187 people detained solely under Immigration Act powers in the following establishments:

	Number
Harmondsworth detention centre	70
Queens Building, Heathrow	13
Gatwick Airport	6
Newhaven	11
HMP Haslar	87

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of (a) Trinidad and Tobago, (b) Guyana, (c) Barbados and (d) St. Lucia have (i) been admitted and (ii) been refused admittance and removed during the 12 months of 1989; and what are the figures for each year since 1979.

The available information is given in the table. St. Lucia is not separately identified in the statistics of admissions and removals.It is estimated that some 30 people were detained at other prisons and in police cells in the south-east of England on the same day. There is no central record of how many of those detained had sought asylum.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women have been detained in Holloway for immigration reasons over the last 12 months; and how many of these are asylum-seekers.

The most recent figures available are for the calendar year 1989. In this period, 16 women were detained in Holloway under the powers conferred by the Immigration Act 1971. There is no central record of how many of these had sought asylum.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes dated 28 November (reference 27880/89).

I wrote to my hon. Friend on 28 February. I am sorry for the delay in his receiving a reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase penalties for people who sell cigarettes to children; and if he will make a statement.

Our proposals for strengthening the law to prevent illegal sales of tobacco to children will be put before Parliament when there is a suitable opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the use of the Ottawa system of police shift patterns.

We are aware of the experiment that is being conducted with the Ottawa shift system but no representations have been made to my right hon. and learned Friend about it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has conducted any studies in the last five years into alternative shift systems for the police service; and if he will make a statement.

No such studies have been conducted by the Home Office. However, a report prepared by the Home Office police requirements support unit, which was sent to all chief officers of police in England and Wales on 30 January, collates all the research into shift patterns which has been done in forces during the past three years and proposes further research into alternative shift systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of implementing in full the agreement reached by the Police Negotiating Board; and what will be the cost resulting from his decision to set aside the agreement on rent allowances and related matters.

My right hon. and learned Friend has decided that serving officers who are receiving rent allowance on 31 March should receive no less after that date and that officers living in accommodation provided by the police authority on the same date should receive a transitional allowance of £300 a year for up to three years. These decisions mean that the level of expenditure on rent allowance is unlikely to be significantly reduced in the next financial year. There are too many hypothetical factors for a meaningful comparison to be made between this situation and what would have happened had my right hon. and learned Friend accepted the agreement of the Police Negotiating Board in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a decision has been reached regarding the request for asylum by the Chinese diplomat Ning Hong Shan.

Mr. Ning Hong Shan was granted refugee status on 3 August 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the outcome of the study into regional co-ordination of home defence planning undertaken in the north-west; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a report on the study, and I have today placed in the Library a summary of its main findings. The study has identified a number of deficiencies in the co-ordination of home defence planning at regional level, and proposals are made for improvements. In the light of this study, and with the continuing support of other Departments, it has been decided that a small centrally led team should be established whose aim will be to improve co-ordination of planning in each region, drawing on and extending the work of the original study. Under these arrangements, responsibility for writing plans would remain with individual authorities, departments and public utilities at the local level, but the team will provide additional guidance, working through existing emergency planning fora.I have asked officials to put the arrangements into effect as soon as possible and to consult interested parties at national and local level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pedal cyclists have been convicted in each of the last five years for offences involving (a) going through traffic lights, (b) riding on the pavement and (c) going the wrong way along a one-way street.

[holding answer 21 February 1990]: Information available centrally cannot separately identify the number of pedal cyclists who commit offences of going through traffic lights and going the wrong way along a one-way street. Information on the number of pedal cyclists convicted of riding on the pavement for 1984 to 1988 is given in the table.

Pedal cyclists convicted o riding on a footpath1 England and Wales
Year	Convictions
1984	1,990
1985	1,198
1986	936
1987	502
1988	549
1 Offence under Highway Act, 1835 (section 72), Metropolitan Police Act, 1839(section 54 (7)) and Byelaws.

Data for 1989 will not be available until autumn 1990.

To ask the Prime Minister how many letters she has received regarding the increases in mortgage interest rates.

I have received approximately 360 representations this year on the subject of interest rates.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit the North Downs area of outstanding national beauty in mid-Kent.

I have at present no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received concerning homelessness in London.

I have received a number of representations and reports on homelessness in London. I and my colleagues look at them very carefully in the light of the action we are taking as follow-up to our review of the homeless legislation.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the procedures operated by the Commission to ensure that EEC legislation is adhered to by member states, with particular reference to the South African sanctions measures; and if she will make a statement.

The Commission is in no doubt of our commitment to implementing Community legislation, nor about our concern that it should be adhered to similarly by other member states.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if she has any proposals to introduce a consultation programme as part of the review into the effects of policies of a number of Government Departments towards young people who leave home and come to live in the inner cities;(2) which Government Departments are involved in reviewing the effects of those Departments' policies towards young people who leave home and go and live in the inner cities; and which Department is taking the lead.

The main Departments involved in these discussions are the Department of the Environment, which has a co-ordinating role, the Department of Health, the Department of Employment, the Department of Social Security, the Home Office and the Department of Education and Science. When we have fully considered the issues, appropriate consultation arrangements will be made.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what arrangements she has made for the representation of Scotland in the review of the effects of a number of Departments' policies on young people who leave home and go to live in the inner cities;(2) whether consideration of young people who leave home and live on the peripheral estates and in rural areas will be included in Departments' reviews of the effects of policies on young people who leave home and go and live in the inner cities.

Scottish Ministers are kept in touch with all discussions on this matter. The Scottish Development Department itself considers all situations which may contribute to homelessness.

To ask the Prime Minister if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to extend the poll tax to Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

The local government arrangements in Northern Ireland are significantly different from those in the rest of the United Kingdom and we have no present plans to replace them.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 6 March.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the Government's plans to provide assurance in respect of the financial position of Nuclear Electric.

I have today laid before the House a minute informing the House of an assurance I propose to give to Nuclear Electric in respect of its financial position. Copies of the minute have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to set up a fund from which money can be handed over to pre-school playgroups so that they can pay the proposed fees for inspection of playgroups alluded to in the new Children Act; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to set up a fund from which the costs of registration and annual inspection of pre-school playgroups may be met.We have received a number of representations on this issue. The Government do not propose to use the powers contained in the Children Act, to charge playgroups high registration or inspection fees. It is proposed that the charge will either be a nominal one or it may be possible for playgroups to be exempt from the fees regulations. This is to be considered in more detail during the process of consultation on new guidance and regulations which will lead to the introduction of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the health implications for people eating substantial amounts of fish from Lake Trawsfynydd; and if he will make a statement.

Annual assessments are made of the maximum dose of radioactivity received by people eating fish from Lake Trawsfynydd. The latest information shows that only 7 per cent. of the internationally recommended dose limit of 1 milliSievert was received in 1988 by the most exposed groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of Legionnaire's disease have occurred in the Mid Glamorgan health district in the past two years.

As cases of Legionnaire's disease are not notifiable, the information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has had any recent discussions with the chairman of British Rail concerning park and ride facilities in south Wales.

No. This is a matter for British Rail in consultation with the local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce his decision regarding the designation of Skomer, Dyfed, as a marine nature reserve.

My right hon. Friend expects to publish the requisite notice and draft order this month, with a statutory period of not less than 28 days within which representations on the draft order may be made. If at the end of that period there are no objections the order designating the area as a marine nature reserve may be made with or without modifications. If there are objections there is a statutory requirement either to hold a local inquiry or appoint a person to hear the objections before the order, with or without modifications, can be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the building of roads and the imposition of tolls by private companies.

The Government wish to encourage greater private sector involvment in the provision of roads. The Green Paper "New Roads by New Means—Bringing in Private Finance" published in May 1989 set out our ideas. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will be publishing our response to the consultation shortly. Tolling is envisaged as the principal source of revenue for privately financed roads but in general road users will continue to have a choice between tolled privately financed roads and other roads. Where there is a monopoly, such as an estuarial crossing, the Goverment will impose some form of control on the level of the toll to be charged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes to detect cervical cancer at an early stage; and if he will make a statement.

All district health authorities in Wales operate cervical screening services for women aged 20 to 64 based on computerised call and recall, which are designed to detect both pre-cancerous changes and the early stages of cervical cancer. Their efforts have been supported by a total of £1·3 million of recurring Welsh Office funds and, in addition, a further £390,000 has recently been allocated for the purchase of additional equipment. Welsh Office officials are continuing to work with health authority managers and clinicians to ensure maximum effectiveness of the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement as to the allocation of funds originally intended for the integrated development operation for Powys, Gwynedd and Dyfed.

In 1988 the European Commission allocated £108 million of European regional development fund grant to Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys, and £30·5 million has already been committed to projects in the area. The Commission has not yet taken a decision on the allocation of additional funds from the European social and agricultural guidance funds which will convert the original programme into an integrated development operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many (a) small businesses, (b) medium-sized businesses and (c) large businesses are registered as employers in Wales;(2) what is the definition in terms of members employed of

There is no single, accepted definition of small, medium or large businesses in terms of their employment. However, a breakdown of census of employment data units in Wales over a wide range of employment size bands is as follows:

Numbers of Census of Employment Data Units with employees in Wales: September 1987
Size of units (Number of employees)	Number of units1 (thousands)
1 to 10	36·2
11 to 24	7·7
25 to 49	2·9
50 to 99	1·4
100 to 199	0·8
200 to 499	0·4
500 to 999	0·2
1,000 or more	0·1
All sizes	49·7
1 The figures relate only to data units with employees. Sole proprietors and Her Majesty's Forces are excluded. Also excluded are agriculture and horticulture holdings. Some worksites may comprise several data units because of the way the information is collected eg because of different pay arrangements for weekly and monthly paid staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many small businesses in Wales have taken advantage of the services offered by the business improvement scheme and the enterprise initiative with respect to preparations for the single market in 1992.

A total of 2,362 Welsh companies have applied for assistance under the enterprise initiative consultancy schemes, of which 2,208 have benefited from the initial business review. Since June 1989, the business review has automatically included specific questions and guidance on the implications of the single European market.The enterprise initiative consultancy schemes are only one part of the Government's efforts to ensure that small businesses are aware of the importance of the single market. My Department's exports branch staff regularly raises such issues in its contacts with business while the single market unit provides guidance on all aspects of the single market. Since January 1989, the Welsh Office has provided speakers at seminars or conferences on 89 occasions, including a series of 14 Welsh Office seminars currently under way.In total, some 3,425 grants, totalling £10 million, were offered under the business improvement services scheme, which operated from December 1984 to March 1989. It is not possible to provide information on how many of these were relevant to single market issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total number of eye tests carried out in Wales annually from 1985 to 1989 inclusive.

The number of eye tests carried out in Wales which were paid for by the family practitioner committees for each financial year were as follows:

	Number
1985–86	600,714
1986–87	626,644
1987–88	697,280
1988–89	733,469

Most of the sight tests since April 1989 will have been private transactions and statistical information on these is not available centrally. The Government have commissioned a survey of sight tests to cover the period from Christmas 1989 to 31 March 1990. The report on the survey results will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons, some time in early summer.

	Langland Bay		Limeslade Bay
Date of Sample 1989	Total Coliforms per 100 ml	E. Coli per 100 ml	Total Coliforms per 100 ml	E. Coli per 100 ml
3 May	1,300	760	2,400	1,000
9 May	2,800	640	2,500	2,000
16 May	1,100	400	700	200
22 May	1,800	540	2,300	800
31 May	7,200	2,200	15,000	2,000
5 June	200	110	2,100	200
13 June	840	190	800	500
20 June	5,000	470	6,000	3,000
27 June	300	100	100	100
4 July	1,400	580	2,900	2,000
10 July	200	100	10,000	6,000
18 July	700	680	1,600	300
25 July	100	100	700	300
31 July	600	100	500	100
8 August	100	100	400	400
14 August	600	50	500	400
22 August	400	100	1,400	900
31 August	4,000	2S0	200	100
5 September	110	70	7,000	540
11 September	800	340	3,200	450

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total numbers of individual appointments kept at dentists' surgeries in the Principality annually from 1985 to 1989 inclusive.

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take measures to bring together the relevant authorities to prepare for the immediate removal of the Albion colliery waste tip above the village of Cilfynydd in Mid Glamorgan.

The relevant authorities, the Mid Glamorgan county council, as owners of the land, and the Welsh Development Agency. which would provide funding, are already discussing the best course of action for dealing with the remains of the Albion tip.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take measures to bring together the relevant authorities in Mid Glamorgan to undertake the remedial work needed to ensure that there will be no repeat of the flooding suffered by householders and owners of commercial premises in Pontypridd and Telapod in 1990.

This is a matter for the relevant authorities to resolve, but I understand that they have met to discuss how a solution may be best achieved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report for (a) Langland bay and (b) Limeslade bay (i) the dates in 1989 when total coliforms and E. Coli samples were taken, (ii) the corresponding total coliforms and E. Coli results for each date and (iii) the EEC Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC) conforming level for both total coliforms and E. Coli.