To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to introduce leasehold reform legislation to give tenants rights of commonhold.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley) on 18 June 1990 at column 389.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain for his departmental library a copy of the 28 June edition of the "Construction Journal" article concerning Mundic aggregates; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the journal "New Builder", which my Department receives regularly.The article suggests that unsatisfactory aggregates for concrete made from mine waste, are still in use in the west country. The effect of "Mundic" in aggregates impairs durability of concrete used in construction. As such the matter is of concern to the Government as well as to householders and others affected by the problem. The Government have overall responsibility for the health and safety aspects of new construction under building regulations as well as those interests arising out of their purchasing role.The mechanism of "Mundic" in aggregates is little understood and, as the article makes clear, there is confusion within the construction industry. The first priority is to obtain a better understanding of the factors that indicate a risk of the effect and work on this is being carried out by the Building Research Establishment within the Department's research programme on aggregates. We shall then examine the extent to which the existing British standard (BS 882(1983): Aggregates from natural sources for concrete) may need amendment to be able to function as an effective check on unsuitable aggregates.The results of this research are being made available to the responsible BSI technical committee. However, a European standard for aggregates that, in due course, will take the place of the British standard is currently under development within CEN—the European Standards Organisation. United Kingdom interests within CEN are represented by BSI. The Department will support action by BSI to ensure that the European standards and the accompanying methods of testing provide the United Kingdom construction industry with an effective means of ensuring that the Mundic problem does not recur.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made an assessment of the threat to the otter population posed by the practice of mink hunting; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have made no assessment of the threat to otter populations posed by mink hunting. However, the Nature Conservancy Council advises me that voluntary guidelines are already in place to discourage mink hunting in areas where otters may be found.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to improve the efficiency of the air conditioning in the Palace of Westminster.

Only a limited area of the Palace has air conditioning or mechanical ventilation. Although there is no immediate need to carry out any major work, the replacement and upgrading of some plant and controls is included in the forward maintenance programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what proportion the level of housebuilding completions in 1989 differs from the figure for 10 years earlier.

Figures for housebuilding completions in England for 1989 appear in table 2 of my Department's press release issued on 5 July 1990, and for 1979, in table 6.1(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988". Copies are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to assess the potential of AEA Technology, Dounreay to be included in the European Environment Agency's proposed monitoring network; and if he will make a statement.

The regulation establishing the European Environment Agency has not yet come into force, but some preparatory work has been set in hand in my Department on the compilation of a list of United Kingdom institutions which could contribute to the work of the agency. AEA Technology, Dounreay has provided details of its capabilities which have been noted in this respect.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to issue planning policy guidance on the arts for consultation with local authorities.

My right hon. Friend has not yet decided whether or when to issue for public consultation draft guidance on planning policy in relation to the arts, but we have recently received from the Arts Council its proposals for such guidance. We will consider the council's draft carefully in the context of reviewing planning policy guidance note 1 (PPGI—general policy and principles).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now completed his consideration of English Heritage's advice on the effectiveness of part II of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 concerning archaeological areas; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered English Heritage's advice on the operation and effectiveness of areas of archaeological importance (AAIs) in the light of the likely impact of the Department's planning policy guidance note (PPG) on archaeology and planning. We are currently considering the 200 or so responses to the draft guidance note and expect to publish final guidance within the next few months. English Heritage has advised me that no further areas of archaeological importance should be designated at present but that it would be premature to take decisions on the future use of the existing statutory provisions until the impact of the Department's forthcoming planning policy guidance note on archaeology and planning has been assessed.The provisions of part II of the 1979 Act are broadly intended to help prevent important archaeological sites being damaged or destroyed without there first being an opportunity for archaeological investigation and recording. By contrast the draft planning policy guidance note places archaeology more firmly in the planning process with its message to developers and local planning authorities to consider the possible existence of archaeological remains on site before submitting planning applications and the desirability of preserving them. This guidance will apply across the country whereas areas of archaeological importance must be limited to specified areas.In the circumstances I have concluded, in agreement with English Heritage advice, that it would be sensible to allow time for the impact of the planning policy guidance note to be assessed before considering further the role of areas of archaeological importance. I therefore intend to review the position with regard to areas of archaeological importance 12 months after publication of the planning policy guidance note by which time we can begin to form a judgment on the effectiveness of the forthcoming planning policy guidance note.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue a consultation paper on planning controls over satellite television antennas; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales have today issued a consultation paper on permitted development rights for satellite television antennas.The Government are fully committed both to protecting the environment and to facilitating the growth of telecommunications. There have been major changes since the present planning regime for satellite television dishes was introduced in the mid-1980s. We need to provide better safeguards for the visual environment, respond to the growth in satellite broadcasting, and take advantage of the development of smaller antennas. The consultation paper sets out a range of options. Any extension of permitted development rights—which remove the need to apply for specific planning permission—should in our view be balanced by additional controls over unnecessarily obtrusive installations, particularly in sensitive areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would have been the total level of local government spending in the current year had local government spending plans not been subject to capping.

[holding answer 27 June 1990]: The caps which, if the House approves, my right hon. Friend intends to set for the designated authorities will result in the £35.8 billion total of all local authorities' budgets being reduced by £217 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from those local authorities that have been community charge-capped over the reduction and disruption of services; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 9 July 1990]: My right hon. Friend received many representations about the effect of charge capping on services, including those from the designated authorities which put forward alternative maxima. My right hon. Friend carefully considered all the information which he considered relevant, before taking his decisions on final caps which are at present before the House in the draft Charge Limitation (England) (Maximum Amount) (No. 2) Order 1990 and the draft Charge Limitation (England) (Maximum Amount) (No. 3) Order 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered increasing the upper spending limit for local authorities for each adult in their area when assessing their poll tax before applying the charge capping; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 9 July 1990]: My right hon. Friend considered carefully all the relevant information before him before taking his decisions on designation of authorities for community charge capping for 1990–91; he is satisfied that the principles he adopted for designation were appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will conduct an inquiry into the recent release of CFC-113 at the Culham JET laboratory.

No: I understand that a representative of the Health and Safety Executive has already visited the plant and is satisfied that improvements have now been made to the system which failed. CFC-113 is not itself a toxic substance and this release has not imperilled achievement of our obligations under the Montreal protocol. Nevertheless avoidable releases of ozone-depleting chemicals are regrettable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account was taken of the funds to be made available under the European Community RECHAR initiative when standard spending assessments for local authorities for the current financial year were drawn up.

[holding answer 10 July 1990]: No account was taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to ensure that the required contribution from Wakefield district council under the European Community RECHAR scheme does not count against its current approved capital programme;(2) what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that money made available through the European Community RECHAR initiative is additional to local authorities, over and above their approved level of borrowing.

[holding answer 10 July 1990]: The Government take anticipated European Community receipts into account at the national level when setting the level of public expenditure programmes, so that these programmes are higher than they would otherwise be.Thereafter, capital allocations are made to individual authorities on the basis of overall assessments of their needs to spend. No explicit account is taken of whether expenditure may be financed in part through grant from the European Community. A limited exception has been made in the case of expenditure on the "other services" block. In the current financial year, the Government have held back credit approvals of £25 million to be distributed in respect of ERDF grant claims for expenditure on that block.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what tonnage of polychlorinate bi-phenyls was imported into Newport by sea in the past three years.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: I have been asked to reply.The information sought is available only since the introduction of the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988.Records of shipments under the regulations show that 479 tonnes of polychlorinate bi-phenyl contaminated materials were imported via Newport for disposal in the year 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work on the A11 Red Lodge bypass to start; and what arrangements are being made about the timing of a new A45/A11 connector road.

Selected contractors are currently preparing bids for the construction of the A11 Red Lodge bypass. Work is expected to commence in early autumn this year. My Department has no proposals to construct a new link road between the A45 and A11.Draft proposals have also been published which would provide a second carriageway for the A11 between Red Lodge and the A45. Further progress on this scheme depends on the outcome of statutory procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the railway inspectorate has made of the safety of parked railway fuel tankers at Port Talbot station.

The primary responsibility for railway safety rests with the operator. British Rail has already taken a number of steps to reduce leakages from fuel tank wagons at Port Talbot station. There were eight such incidents in 1989 but only one so far in 1990.The railway inspectorate will be reviewing the situation to make sure that all reasonably practicable safety measures are being taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents have occurred with parked railway fuel tankers in south Wales in the last two years; and on how many occasions passengers have had to be disembarked from main line trains because of concern with safety.

I understand from British Rail that there have been 14 incidents of seepage or leakage from railway fuel tank wagons in south Wales since January 1988. No passengers have been disembarked from trains as a direct result, but it is usual for the fire service to be called and the passage of other trains stopped whilst any leakage is investigated and rectified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of traffic flows on the A1 north of Newcastle following upgrading to motorway standard of the A1 between London and Newcastle.

Estimates of increased traffic flows resulting from a new motorway link from London to Newcastle have not been assessed specifically. However, the study commissioned by the Scottish Development Department, "Routes South of Edinburgh", indicated that the completion of a motorway link between London and Tyneside would not lead to any significant transfer of traffic to the route north of Newcastle.The joint A1 steering group will of course monitor the traffic flows on the route between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of his road construction programme for 1990–91.

Following publication of the report "Trunk Roads, England" in February, the latest information for the current financial year is as follows:

• 10 contracts have been let (value £101 million).
• 11 contracts have been advertised in the Official Journal (value £114 million).
• 18 further contracts are expected to be let, subject to satisfactory completion of statutory processes (estimated value £260 million).
• 59 schemes are currently under construction (value £1,384 million).

A list of these schemes will be placed in the Library and sent to contractors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the new roads which have been built in each of the last five years in (a) areas of outstanding natural beauty, (b) sites of special scientific interest and (c) national parks.

Date	Areas of outstanding natural beauty	Sites of special scientific interest
1985–86	M25 Leatherhead—Reigate	M3 Popham—Bar End
	M3 Popham—Bar End
	M25 Swanley—Sevenoaks
1986–87	A34 East Ilsley—Chilton	A483 Oswestry BP
1987–88	A39 Bideford BP	A36 Heytesbury BP
	A303 Furze Hedge
	A2 Barham Crossroads
1988–89	A35 Bridport	A650 Airedale 1
	A35 Dorchester	A65 Settle/Giggleswick BP
	A303 Ilminster BP	A361 North Devon Link Road
	A417 Birdlip BP
	A34 Whitway Diversion
1989–90		A36 Steeple Langford BP
		All Thetford BP
		A46 Coventry Eastern BP1
1 Designated after work on site started.

The Okehampton bypass completed in 1988–89 is the only scheme to pass through national park land in recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners were transferred from (a) England and Wales to Northern Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland to England and Wales in 1989; and under what section of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 such transfers were carried out;(2) how many prisoners in British gaols who give as their domicile Northern Ireland have been returned to Northern Ireland to serve the whole or part of their sentences in 1989; and how many of these prisoners were serving sentences for terrorist-type offences.

In 1989, 15 prisoners were transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland under section 26 of the Criminal Justice Act 1961, one of whom was convicted of terrorist-type offences. One other prisoner was transferred under section 27. All were either domiciled in, or had close family links with, Northern Ireland. In the same year, four prisoners were transferred fom Northern Ireland to England and Wales under section 26, two under section 27 and one under section 28 of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in British gaols give as their place of domicile (i) the Republic of Ireland and (ii) Northern Ireland; and how many of these prisoners are serving sentences for terrorist-type offences as on 31 December 1989.

The information which is readily available centrally relates to prisoners' place of birth and to those terrorist-type prisoners who are held in category A. On 31 December 1989, 561 sentenced inmates of prison establishments in England and Wales were recorded as born in the Republic of Ireland and 378 in Northern

[holding answer 4 July 1990]: The information for trunk roads is as follows. Information about local authority roads is not available.Ireland. Of those, 13 born in the Republic of Ireland and 21 born in Northern Ireland had been convicted of terrorist-type offences and were held in category A.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners giving as their domicile either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland have been permitted to return home to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland on parole for humanitarian reasons in 1989.

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of deaths and injuries which have occurred in Great Britain and mainland western Europe in 1989 which are regarded as being connected with present civil unrest in Northern Ireland.

The information is given in the table.

Deaths and injuries in Great Britain and Western Europe in 1989 attributable to Northern Irish terrorism
Date of incident and location	Deaths	Injuries
20 February 1989
Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, Shropshire	—	1
19 June 1989
Quebec Barracks, Osnabruck, West Germany	—	1
2 July 1989
Hanover, West Germany	1	5
1 September 1989
York Barracks, Munster, West Germany	0	2
7 September 1989
Dortmund, West Germany	1	0
22 September 1989
Royal Marines School of Music, Deal, Kent	11	21
20 October 1989
Wildenrath, West Germany	2	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average number of days spent on remand by those remanded in custody for terrorist-type offences in 1989, with regard to cases now completed in England and Wales and the number of bail applications refused;(2) how many persons were remanded in custody before trial for terrorist-type offences in 1989.

The only relevant information which is readily available relates to prisoners who are now in prison custody in category A and does not cover prisoners who have been released or downgraded.Three such prisoners were first received in custody in 1989. The case of one of them has now been completed. This prisoner spent a total of 479 days on remand, and, according to our records, no applications for bail were made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in England and Wales were charged with terrorist-type offences relating to Northern Ireland in 1989; how many of those charged were released on bail; and what was the average period between remand and trial for prisoners refused bail relating to such charges in Britain in 1989.

The criminal statistics do not distinguish between terrorist-related and other offences. However, information about the number of people charged with criminal offences following detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act is published quarterly for Great Britain in statistical bulletins which are placed in the Library. The latest issue, 15/90, gives in table 1 the number charged in 1989 after detention in connection with Northern Ireland terrorism. Of the 12 people who were so charged in England and Wales in 1989, eight were charged with relatively minor offences; six of these were dealt with at court on the same day or the next day, and two were released on bail. Of the four who were remanded in custody, one person who had been charged in February 1989 was brought to trial in April 1990, and a second, who had been charged in October 1989, was released in January 1990 after the Director of Public Prosecutions decided to offer no evidence against him. The two others, who were charged in December 1989, are currently in custody awaiting trial.

Visa fees
(£)
	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89	1989–90
National Total	186,925	287,815	388,378	556,135	—	—	—	—	—
London	—	—	—	—	737,639	915,407	1,121,027	1,318,245	1,437,983
Liverpool	—	—	—	—	76,411	105,099	127,338	112,446	89,100
Peterborough	—	—	—	—	44,236	57,856	78,713	95,618	123,220
Newport	—	—	—	—	38,784	49,466	57,022	56,682	62,900

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average period of custodial remand for female custodial remand prisoners in England and Wales in 1989.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 3 May, at column 658.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the number of marches that have been banned in England arid Wales in relation to Northern Ireland, since 1986, detailing what the marches were, who applied for permission to hold them and the grounds on which they were refused.

The only public processions relating to events in Northern Ireland which are known to have been prevented as a result of an order made under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 are a procession organised by the Manchester branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry to take place on 21 November 1987 and a procession organised by Manchester Martyrs' Memorial Committee to take place the following day.Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 provides that if a chief officer of police has reason to believe that his powers to impose conditions on public processions are not sufficient to prevent the holding of a procession from resulting in serious public disorder, he may apply to the district council for an order prohibiting all processions, or specified classes of processions, for a period not exceeding three months.The district council may make such an order with the consent of the Home Secretary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require a photograph of the bearer to appear on a certificate of registration as a firearms dealer.

No. It would not be possible to do so as many firearms dealers are companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the income from visa fees for each of the offices in the United Kingdom from 1980 to the present for each year inclusive.

The information is not available in the form requested. The table shows the total income received from fees for visas issued in the United Kingdom for the financial years 1981–82 to 1984–85 inclusive and by office for the financial years 1985–86 to 1989–90 inclusive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to announce the Government's decisions on private sector involvement in the remand system.

In his statement to the House on 1 March 1989, at columns 277–78, my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary indicated that, in the light of the comments received on the Green Paper "Private Sector Involvement in the Remand System"—July 1988, Cm. 434—and of the report to the Home Office on the practicality of such involvement from the management consultants Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, the Government wished to take further their consideration of the possibility of contracting out to the private sector the design, construction and operation of new remand centres, the escorting of prisoners to and from court and their guarding whilst at court. Final decisions depended, however, on the outcome of further research into the likely cost-effectiveness of contracting out in these areas.In the light of the results of this further research, I have decided to go ahead with preparations to reorganise arrangements for court escorts, custody and security services and to invite competitive tenders for the provision of these services. I am confident that the resulting rationalisation of the existing complex and overlapping arrangements will lead to a substantial improvement in the cost-effectiveness with which these services are provided. An important objective of the new arrangements will be to enable the police and prison services to concentrate their efforts on work which makes more effective use of the skills and training of their officers.I am today issuing to interested parties a discussion document setting out the Government's proposals in greater detail, and describing the legislative framework which the Government propose should support the reorganisation of these services. A copy has been placed in the Library. Further copies can be obtained from Room 1103, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London, SW1H 9AT. Any comments should be submitted to the same address by 7 September 1990.The further evidence which has been obtained on the cost-effectiveness of privately operated remand centres indicates that the private sector could, if invited to operate remand centres, reasonably be expected to provide a good standard of service and value for money for the taxpayer. But the opportunities for involving the private sector in the running of remand centres will be considerably more limited than appeared likely at the time of the publication of the Green Paper and my right hon. Friend's statement on 1 March 1989.In the context of a general reduction in the prison population recently, the remand population in custody, including those held in police cells, has fallen from an average of 11,400 in 1988 to an average of 10,500 in 1989, and at the end of May this year stood at about 9,800. The proposals set out in the White Paper "Crime, Justice and Protecting the Public"—February 1990, Cm. 965—should lead to a further significant reduction in the numbers in custody. Taken with the success of the prison building programme, the result of these developments is that the likely need for additional remand places provided by the private sector is now very limited.The opportunity to mount a trial of competitive tendering for the operation of a remand centre still arises, however, in respect of the new remand centre currently under development at Everthorpe, Humberside. This establishment is due to be completed in 1992. Subject to the passage of the necessary enabling legislation, I have decided that a trial should be mounted in which competitive tenders would be invited from the private sector for the operation of this remand centre. If one or more satisfactory tenders were received from the private sector which offered better value for money than the prison service could offer, a contract would be awarded for private sector management of the establishment. The arrangements for letting and supervising any such contract would in the main follow the recommendations of the report from Deloitte, Haskins and Sells. The staff would be prisoner custody officers, with duties and protections similar to those which it is proposed staff engaged in court escorts and custody should have, and which are described in the discussion document.I believe that the introduction of this element of competition into the management of the prison system will make a valuable contribution to the prison service's continuing and successful efforts to raise standards and improve efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take in the cases of the Maguire family and their co-defendants.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and I have now received Sir John May's interim report on these cases. In the light of the report, I have decided to refer the cases of Mr. and Mrs. Maguire, their sons, Vincent and Patrick, Mr. William Smyth and Mr. Patrick O'Neill to the Court of Appeal under the provisions of section 17(1)(a) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968.I will seek the views of the Court of Appeal under section 17(1)(b) of the 1968 Act on the question of whether it is possible to refer to the court under section 17(1)(a) the case of a person who is now dead. If the court's view is that such action is legally possible, I will refer the case of Mr. Patrick "Guiseppe" Conlon also under the provisions of section 17(1)(a). If the court's view is that such action is not possible, I will consider what further steps to take in the light of its advice.My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and I are arranging for Sir John May's interim report to be published tomorrow at 3 pm in response to an order of the House for a return. Copies will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the results of the review of prisoners' pay.

Consideration of the review of inmates' earnings by the prisons board has identified the need for some further work to be done. The outcome will be announced as soon as conclusions are reached.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his policy on having an officer class in the police forces;(2) what consideration he is giving to the introduction of an officer class in the police forces.

We need to look actively for opportunities to recruit talented people from all sources while recognising that senior police officers need to start their careers by gaining experience as constables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on a common immigration policy at European Community level.

EC Heads of Government agreed at the European Council in Strasbourg in December 1989 that an inventory of member states' immigration position should be prepared, with a view to further discussion at ministerial level. I would not wish to prejudge the outcome of this discussion, but we have made it clear that we regard immigration policy as a national matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much crime figures have increased since 1979.

Since 1979 and up to the end of March 1990, recorded crime has increased by 58 per cent. However, there is evidence from the British crime survey that the real increase in crime has been less than that recorded by the police: between 1981 and 1987, survey crimes increased by 30 per cent. compared with 41 per cent. for comparable crimes recorded by the police. Results of the 1988 British crime survey are published in Home Office research study 111. Recorded crime figures for 1979 are published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1988"—Cm. 847—and for the 12 months to March 1990 in Home Office statistical bulletin 19/90. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the territorial sea round the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands is to be extended to 12 miles.

The Isle of Man has asked that such an extension be made. Agreement in principle has been reached on the terms and conditions for the transfer of rights relating to petroleum beneath the sea bed. Agreement has also been reached for compensation to be paid to the Crown Estate for its interests in the extended territorial sea. Rights for coal will not be transferred at this time, but may be subject to negotiation at a later date. In exercising jurisdiction over fisheries, the established rights of all fishermen will be safeguarded and any measures will be subject to approval by Fisheries Ministers. On the basis of these negotiations, it is proposed that the territorial sea wil be extended. Discussions are continuing with Jersey and Guernsey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to investigate ways in which the families of individuals who are seriously ill can be given better financial security.

I have been asked to reply.On 10 January we laid before Parliament "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" which details our major proposals arising from our review of the balance and structure of social security benefits for long-term sick and disabled people and their carers. With effect from October 1990 we propose to remove the six-month qualifying period for attendance allowance for people who are terminally ill. Carers of people who are terminally ill will automatically be eligible to claim invalid care allowance. Also effective from October 1990 a carer's premium, initially at a rate of £10 a week, will be introduced into income support and housing benefit for those receiving invalid care allowance. This will help 30,000 carers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of complementary medicine; what aspects of impending EEC legislation were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met representatives of the complementary therapies on 29 November 1989. At the meeting they expressed fears that their professions might be adversely affected by EC legislation.There are three current EC directives in this area—two on higher education diplomas one of a general nature, containing nothing specific to individual professions; they will not affect alternative practitioners' right to practise in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the other directive, on homeopathic medicinal products, is to achieve a single market whilst safeguarding public health. Our considerations will take account of United Kingdom interests and traditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what money Her Majesty's Government have allocated specifically for public health education for the avoidance of contracting HIV and AIDS in each year since such an allocation was first made; whether any major new campaign is proposed; and if he will make a statement.

The table sets out total allocations made to regional health authorities, local authorities and to the voluntary sector as a contribution towards the development of HIV and AIDS-related services, including educational and other initiatives to help further prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. The table also shows spending by the Department of Health and the Health Education Authority (HEA) on AIDS public education work between 1985–86 and 1987–88, and allocations to the HEA for the development of the

(£ million)
Year	Regional Health authorities	Local authorities	Voluntary sector	Department of Health	Health Education authority
1985–86	—	—	0·10	0·52	—
1986–87	—	—	0·16	7·60	—
1987–88	25·1	—	1·30	6·74	4·47
1988–89	61·7	—	1·09	—	10·00
1989–90	122·8	7·0	1·60	—	12·00
1990–91	127·5	9·8	1·80	—	10·00

So far as general Government strategies for HIV prevention are concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) on 15 June at columns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct Liverpool city council to allow Graham Gaskin access to his file.

There is no power under which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State can order a local authority to release confidential records of this kind.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health following the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on the Graham Gaskin case, what steps the Government have taken to implement the ruling; whether an independent procedure has yet been established to consider the release of Graham Gaskin's file; and what legislation is being considered arising out of the case.

The implications of the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights for the arrangements governing access to personal records are being carefully reviewed. Decisions on the need to modify those arrangements will be taken on completion of the review, at which stage I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ascertain whether the Graham Gaskin file is complete and request that a copy be deposited with his office for safe keeping.

The file relating to Mr. Graham Gaskin is, quite properly, held by Liverpool city council. We have no wish to assume its responsibility for its safe keeping, nor does my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State have power to require the council to supply a copy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) further to his answer of 15 January, Official Report, column 81, how many further inquiries he has received on the Child Migrant Trust; and what steps he is taking to encourage such inquiries;

Two further inquiries relating to the Child Migrant Trust's grant application have been received since 15 January.Responsibility for the welfare of former child migrants rests with the countries to which they have emigrated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to the statement by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health in the Adjournment Debate on neuroblastoma on 30 March, Official Report, column 870, if he will now state the number of children diagnosed with the disease and the number of deaths from it in each of the years since 1980; if there is any progress he can report in regard to research on screening the disease; and if there is any further action he is taking arising from the debate.

I understand that the Medical Research Council is considering the need for research on screening for neuroblastoma. I wrote to the right hon. Member on 27 June offering to discuss this topic further with him and parents' representatives. The statistical information requested is as follows:

Year	Neuroblastoma diagnosed at age 0–14 (England)	Neuroblastoma deaths at age 0–14 (England)
1980	56	42
1981	69	37
1982	63	33
1983	60	26
1984	67	38
1985	163	30
1986	167	42
1987	179	34
1988	188	56
1989	—	45
1 Provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department is doing to encourage the extension of hospital watch schemes.

It is the responsibility of health authorities to determine security arrangements but we welcome local initiatives such as hospital watch schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his reasons for seeking to prohibit full-time trade union officials from sitting on health authorities.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The new Membership and Procedure Regulations disqualify from non-executive membership of a regional or district health authority a person who holds any paid employment or office with a trade union which represents the interests of members who are employed by a health service body. This is one of a number of grounds for disqualification from health authority membership which aim to avoid any conflict of interest on the part of health authority members. It is for the same reason that directors of NHS trusts; members of other regional and district health authorities; members of the family health services authorities (FHSAs) (except for the FHSA chairman member of RHAs) and GPs who are practice fund holders are disqualified from membership by the regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written parliamentary questions he has answered; and how many of these were in reply to hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies in each of the last two parliamentary Sessions and the current Session to the latest convenient date indicating in a table (a) how many were answered by each Northern Ireland Office Minister, (b) how many were answered on the date requested and (c) in how many cases a holding reply was first given.

In the 1988–89 and 1989–90 (to 9 July 1990) Sessions 1,162 and 1,079 written parliamentary questions were answered. Of those 766 and 781 respectively were in reply to hon. Members for Northern Ireland. Similar information for the 1987–88 Session is not available.

Answered by	Parliamentary Session
	1988–89	11989–90
Mr. Brooke	7	53
Mr. King	44	—
Mr. Cope	99	327
Mr. Stewart	212	—
Mr. Bottomley	37	287
Mr. Needham	450	295
Dr. Mawhinney	118	117
Mr. Viggers	195	—
Total	1,162	1,079
Answered on time (priority and ordinary)	811	628
Answered on time (priority only)	218	188
Holding replies	351	451
1 To 9 July

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the information from the 1991 census in Northern Ireland will make it possible to aggregate population and employment statistics on a constituency basis.

As for past censuses, the 1991 census in Northern Ireland will have the capacity to aggregate population and employment statistics on the basis of local government districts and wards. Since the boundaries of these do not correspond to constituency boundaries it will not be possible to produce exact statistics for the latter. Instead, where required, they will be provided on an estimated basis, making appropriate adjustment for boundary differences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the latest available figures which indicate unemployment in each parliamentary constituency and in each electoral ward in Northern Ireland.

The information available is as follows:

Numbers of unemployed claimants by parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland at 10 May 1990
Parliamentary constituency	Total number of unemployed claimants
Belfast East	3,994
Belfast North	6,588
Belfast South	4,465
Belfast West	9,222
East Antrim	4,576
East Londonderry	6,986
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	6,363
Foyle	9,835
Lagan Valley	4,604
Mid-Ulster	6,893
Newry and Armagh	6,889
North Antrim	5,027
North Down	3,400
South Antrim	3,927
South Down	5,117
Strangford	3,258
Upper Bann	4,920
Total	96,064

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's activities in the last financial year and what figures in respect of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive are available to indicate (a) the dwelling stocks, (b) the collectable rent which should have been received from tenants, (c) expenditure on repairs and maintenance of stock, (d) expenditure on new buildings, (e) expenditure on rehabilitation of stock, (f) expenditure on salaries and administration, (g) expenditure on grants to the private sector, (h) expenditure incurred on interest charges and (i) grant received from the Department of the Environment.

The total cost of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's activities in the last financial year (1989–90) was £476,310,000.The detailed information sought is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and its reserve, currently hold private firearms certificates.

The Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has informed me that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to publish the report on Lord Colville's review of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Acts 1978 and 1987.

It has been published today (Cm. 1115). I am most grateful to Lord Colville for his comprehensive and detailed report, which deserves to be widely read. The Government will consider carefully his recommendations and in due course bring forward proposals for new legislation. In the meantime, the Government would welcome the views both of hon. Members and of the public at large on the matters addressed in the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what system he employs to classify, log and otherwise record each document generated by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 2 July 1990]: Staff are provided with clear instructions on the registering and classification of documents and on the transmission and storage of classified documents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria he uses when deciding which documents to pass on to the Public Record Office.

[holding answer 2 July 1990]: No document falls due for selection and transfer to the Public Record Office until it is at least 30 years old. A document's suitability for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested and to do so would inevitably incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, Departments are obliged to ensure that all documentary records are properly preserved with a view to possible transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general criteria under which the Department may retain documents over 30 years old are set out in section 3(4) of the Public Records Act.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has discussed with his European Community counterparts the compatibility of European monetary union with the principle of subsidiarity.

In discussions with his ECOFIN colleagues my right hon. Friend has stressed the need for all economic and monetary arrangements in the Community to respect the principle of subsidiarity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the current progress of discussions regarding the achievement of economic and monetary union in the European Community.

Economic and monetary union was last discussed at the European Council in Dublin on 25–26 June. It was agreed that more convergence of member states' economic performance and wider use of the ecu were needed during stage 1; and that the intergovernmental conference to decide on further stages should open on 13 December. ECOFIN and the Foreign Affairs Council and their committees will now continue their preparatory work.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the rate of inflation for the period April 1990 to April 1991.

It is not the practice to publish month-by-month forecasts for inflation. The FSBR forecast that all-items RPI inflation would be 5 per cent. in 1991Q2.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he holds on arrears of three months or more on (a) pay as you earn and (b) value added tax payments by professional football clubs.

Information held by the Inland Revenue and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise about individual football clubs is, of course, confidential and may not be disclosed. A global figure of arrears over three months old for all professional football clubs could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the benefits of independent taxation for married women.

Independent taxation, which took effect on 6 April 1990, offers all married women the opportunity to enjoy independence and privacy in their own tax affairs.Every married woman is now entitled to a personal allowance and basic rate band in her own right, which she can set against her own income of any kind. This includes any income which she may have from savings or investments, and any state retirement pension which she may receive by virtue of her husband's national insurance contributions. The allowance is given at higher, age-related levels if she is aged 65 or over, subject to her own income limit.Almost 3 million wives (just under half of all wives on whose income tax is charged) will have less tax charged on their income, because they will have their own personal allowance and their income will no longer be taxed as if it belonged to their husband. These changes remove the tax penalty on marriage because the tax payable on a married woman's income will now never exceed—as it could previously—the tax payable by a single woman on the same income.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates the pound sterling has been linked by Her Majesty's Government informally to the deutschmark at given rates of exchange since June 1983; what were the exchange rates on each given date; how long each arrangement was maintained; and if he will list the changes in the United Kingdom interest rates during each period of each informal link.

[holding answer 5 July 1990]: Tables 13.1 and 13.8 of the Central Statistical Office's monthly publication "Financial Statistics" give information on sterling's exchange rate against other major currencies and United Kingdom short-term interest rates, respectively.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the answer of 11 December, Official Report, column 463, on (a) the golden shares and (b) other shares currently owned by Her Majesty's Government.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 July 1990, c. 112–13]: I regret that Southern Water was accidentally omitted from the list of companies in which the Government hold a special share.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what are the statutory duties of (a) Hampshire county council and (b) his Department and its regional offices in relation to the development of commercial and industrial links with the lower Normandy area of the EEC;(2) what are the statutory duties of

The Hampshire county council has no statutory duties to develop commercial and industrial links with lower Normandy or to provide services to assist the location of industry and commerce in Hampshire.My Department has a number of powers (but no statutory duties) to achieve these ends, but is making limited use of them at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration has been given to the environmental implications of the European Community and the United States' proposals on trade-related investment measures and trade in intellectual property rights in the current general agreement on tariffs and trade round.

The Government believe that agreements such as those sought by the European Community and the United States in the current GATT Uruguay round negotiations to liberalise trade in the fields of investment and intellectual property will helpfully complement wider international efforts to tackle global and regional environmental problems. For example, by providing greater incentives and security for innovators, a GATT agreement leading to improved international protection of intellectual property would help facilitate the investment and technology flows needed to meet environmental challenges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many chambers of commerce have received assistance from his Department in the last 12 months.

Thirty-seven chambers have received funding in respect of their position as local host organisations under the enterprise and education initiative. Seventeen chambers have received funding to assist with the appointment of export development advisers. Six chambers have received funding for various activities from inner-city task forces. Three chambers have received funding as part of the Department's support for the South-West Export Federation initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the matters which are under discussion between himself and chambers of commerce; when he next plans to meet their representatives; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is intending to meet Mr. Miles Middleton, president of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce (ABCC), later this month to discuss the ABCC's five-year development plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of chambers of commerce; and what was discussed.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of chambers of commerce at a dinner organised by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce on 19 December 1989. A general discussion of the role of chambers of commerce took place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in which Group of Seven countries it is compulsory for local businesses to be members of the chamber of commerce in order to trade; and if he will make a statement.

It is compulsory for local businesses to be members of the chamber of commerce in order to trade in France, Italy and West Germany.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what functions are currently contracted out by his Department to chambers of commerce; and what proposals he has to extend this cover.

The Association of British Chambers of Commerce (ABCC) has, since 1966, acted as the Department's agent in the administration of the certificates of origin scheme. Since January 1989 the export marketing research scheme has been operated by the ABCC on behalf of the Department on a three-year contract. In May 1990 the ABCC assumed responsibility for issuing international import certificates. Officials are currently holding discussions with the ABCC regarding the possibility of transferring the issue of certificates of experience to chambers of commerce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government have done to protect the title and definitive status of chambers of commerce and industry.

The titles "Chamber of Commerce", "Chamber of Industry" and "Chamber of Trade" are specified in the schedule to Statutory Instrument 1981 No. 1685 ("The Company and Business Names Regulations 1981").This schedule specifies words and expressions for whose registration as, or as part of, a company's corporate name or whose use as, or as part of, a business name the Secretary of State's approval is required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of alleged insider trading were investigated by his Department in each of the last five years.

The power to appoint inspectors to investigate possible insider trading is contained in section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 which came into force in November 1986. The Secretary of State has made the following number of appointments for each year since then:

1986	1987	1988	1989	11990
3	10	12	16	1
1 to date

These statistics are published at page 152 of the Trade and Industry Committee third report on company investigations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any proposals to relinquish his golden share in British Telecom.

The articles of association of British Telecommunications plc require that the special share in the company may be held only by Her Majesty's Government. It could not therefore be sold.

To ask the Scretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to facilitate the introduction of electronic recording and transfer of shares.

Section 207 of the Companies Act 1989 gives me power to make regulations to enable title to securities to be evidenced and transferred without a written instrument. The international stock exchange (ISE) has published proposals for the introduction of TAURUS, its scheme for recording and transferring shares electronically in October 1991, and I am therefore considering the form of the regulations which I should make.I welcome developments that improve the international competitiveness of the United Kingdom as a financial centre. However, the introduction of electronic share transfers will also affect the way in which companies can meet their obligations, and change the manner in which investors hold shares. Striking the right balance between the interests of investors, companies and market participants may not be easy and I would like to hear the comments of a wide range of interested parties before reaching decisions on how to proceed.I am today publishing a consultative paper which describes the proposed legal framework for TAURUS, and seeks views on how different rights and obligations should be handled by statutory provisions or by the appropriate regulatory bodies. Comments are invited by 14 September. I am arranging for a copy of the paper to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he intends to take any steps to ensure that the privatised insurance group of the ECGD will not operate in direct competition with the ECGD.

[holding answer 3 July 1990]: The core business of the Insurance Services Group of the ECGD is quite different from that of the project group. The question of their competing is therefore unlikely to arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce the name of the successful bidder for the Insurance Services Group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

[holding answer 3 July 1990]: Final decisions have not yet been taken about the proposed method of sale of the Insurance Services Group, which would be subject to the necessary legislation. It is not therefore possible at present to say when I will be in a position to announce the name of any successful bidder(s).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce the site of the new offices of the Insurance Services Group, Export Credits Guarantee Department.

[holding answer 3 July 1990]: Decisions on the site of any new offices would be for the new management and owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any proposition has been submitted to him and the ECGD concerning the possible conversion of the ECGD's projects group into a "next steps"-style agency.

[holding answer 3 July 1990]: In his written answer of 18 December 1989, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced that the precise form of the organisation of ECGD after the separation of its Insurance Services Group would be decided as soon as possible. Decisions would focus on whether ECGD should remain a Department or acquire agency status.A review has been conducted by the Office of the Minister of the Civil Service (OMCS) to inform that decision. This has taken account of the views expressed by a number of interested parties some of which were opposed to the idea of agency status. A final decision is expected to be announced very shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the accumulated net annual profit or loss in respect of the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the main export credit insurers in (a) the United States of America, (b) Japan, (c) West Germany, (d) France and (e) Italy at the end of the 1988–89 financial year.

[holding answer 10 July 1990]: The accumulated net annual profit and loss of the Export Credits Guarantee Department as at the end of the 1988–89 financial year can be found in the trading accounts laid before the House in HC 153 in February 1990. Owing to different organisational structures and accounting practices, no comparable figures are available for the other countries from published sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the annual profit or loss in respect of the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the main export credit insurers in (a) the United States of America, (b) Japan, (c) West Germany, (d) France and (e) Italy in 1988–89.

[holding answer 9 July 1990]: The profit and loss account for the 1988–89 financial year of the Export Credits Guarantee Department can be found in the trading accounts laid before the House in HC 153 in February 1990. Owing to different organisational structures and accounting practices, no comparable figures are available for the other countries from published sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he intends to take, in conjunction with the United States of America and European Community countries, to protect the leather industry when the current tariff quota agreement expires in March 1991.

[holding answer 4 July 1990]: The hon. Member is right that the tariff quota agreement with Japan expires in March 1991.The agreement imposes high import duties on all but a small volume of EC imports of dressed leather and leather footwear whereas EC import duties on those products are low.Negotiations are handled by the EC. They are currently aiming to reduce Japan's import duties on dressed leather and leather footwear in the Uruguay round and bilaterally.The EC Commission will look at any allegations of unfair trade practices if damage is being done to the domestic EC industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to alter his policy regarding hostile takeovers; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 5 July 1990]: No. The 1988 blue paper policy made clear our belief that the possibility of takeover acts as an important discipline on incumbent managements to demonstrate to their shareholders that they are running their companies as efficiently as possible. I have no plans to amend our policy in respect of hostile takeover bids (which form only a small proportion of the total merger activity in the United Kingdom). It is in general up to the shareholders whether to accept or reject a bid. The main grounds for deciding whether to refer a bid to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission will continue to be its likely effect on competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much time the radio investigation service spends monitoring (a) the amateur bands, and (b) amateur radio licence enforcement.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The radio investigation service (RIS) works to clearly defined priorities. These are firstly to deal with complaints of interference to radio used by emergency and other safety of life services; secondly with complaints of interference to those who depend on radio for the successful operation of their businesses; and thirdly with other categories of radio use. The amateur radio hobby falls within the third category. Figures of time spent monitoring the amateur bands and on amateur licence enforcement are not separately recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to introduce a novice amateur radio licence.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The licensing of amateur radio is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. I announced on 19 April 1990 that a final draft of the amateur novice licence has been published and that the Radiocommunications Agency of the DTI hoped to be ready to issue the first novice licence in early 1991. A press notice was issued to that effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action radio investigation service officers are taking to stop abuse on GB35L, GB3BM and GB3NA amateur radio repeaters; and if he will make a statement;

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: A number of complaints have been received about abuse on these repeater stations. When the radio investigation service (RIS) of my Department's Radiocommunications Agency is able to prove offences or to establish that improper use of radio facilities has occurred, appropriate action is taken. This may include licence variation or prosecution. In addition to action which the RIS can take it is currently discussing proposals with the Radio Society of Great Britain, the licensee for repeaters, to exercise closer control of repeater stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many radio investigation service officers were in post in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 to date.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: Staff in post figures for radio investigation service district offices are published each year in the annual report of my Department's Radiocommunications Agency. The figures were (at 1 April each year):

	In post
1986	188
1987	184
1988	154
1989	140·5
1990	143·5

The figures for 1985 are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will close down radio voice repeaters in the United Kingdom until the Radio Society of Great Britain self-policing scheme is in operation.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: In general, no. The majority of amateur radio repeaters are used by responsible licensees. Closure in specific cases is an option if there is abuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the number of radio investigation service officers required to cope with the workload.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The performance of the radio investigation service of my Department's Radiocommunications Agency is kept under review to ensure that the service is correctly resourced. I am satisfied that the number of officers is appropriate to the present workload.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many amateur radio operators licences have been revoked by him in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: The number of amateur radio licences revoked was: in 1988, nil; in 1989, seven; in 1990 to date, two are being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Radio Society of Great Britain amateur observation service is currently operational; and if he will list any occasions in the last year in which it has not been operational.

[holding answer 6 July 1990]: This is a matter for the Radio Society of Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the voluntary codes for governing services available on 0898 number telephone lines; and if he has plans further to regulate such lines.

[holding answer 9 July 1990]: This is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications who has taken firm action to control 0898 and other premium-rate services. He announced on 29 June that from 10 July he is to withdraw recognition of the code of practice that governs "one-to-one" premium-rate services. They will not be able to operate from that date unless a new code of practice is recognised by the director general.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on (a) the number of specialist philately counters currently operating at post offices in England and Wales, (b) the location of those currently proposed for closure and (c) the total value of annual sales through these counters.

[holding answer 9 July 1990]: The Post Office tells me there are currently 33 philatelic counters in operation in England and Wales of which seven are new-style "collections" centres opened this financial year. There are, I understand, no plans to close any philatelic counters at present. The figure for the total value of annual sales through these counters is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Kingdom's contributions to the United Nations Development Programme for every year since 1979 in current prices, real prices (1990 prices) and as a percentage of United Nations Development Programme's total budget.

The information is as follows:

Year	Contribution £ million	Contribution at constant 1990 pries £ million	Proportion of UNDP total per cent.
1979	28·53	62·5	8·3
1980	15·0	27·5	4·9
1981	17·5	28·8	5·1
1982	18·5	28·3	4·8
1983	18·5	26·9	4·2
1984	19·0	26·4	3·9
1985	21·0	27·6	3·6
1986	21·0	26·7	4·0
1987	23·0	27·8	4·2
1988	24·5	27·9	4·6
1989	26·0	27·7	4·5
1990	27·0	27·0	4·2

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all aid and trade provision projects from 1979 to date with the companies and the sums of money involved.

Country	Project	Company	Export value (£ million)	ATP element (£ million)
January 1979 to March 1979
Belize	Telecommunications	Plessey	3·000	0·688
Jordan	Potash Plant	Wimpey	35·000	10·000
Vietnam	Haiphon Power Station	JBE	9·600	2·888
Vietnam	SD 14 Ships	Austin Pickersgill	18·000	4·463
April 1979 to March 1980
Egypt	Electrical Switchgear	GEC	7·500	2·000
Egypt	Electricity Generation Project	Rolls Royce	28·000	10·020
Egypt	(Draglines) Irrigation Project	Ransome Rapier	7·500	2·600
Kenya	Soda Ash Wagons	BRE Metro	3·098	1·279
Malaysia	Locum Submarine Cable	STC	23·000	9·018
Senegal	HS 748 Aircraft	British Aerospace	3·000	1·000
Tanzania	Bus Chassis	Leyland	0·960	0·481
April 1980 to March 1981
Bangladesh	Combined Cycle Gas Power Station	GEC	17·297	4·680
Brazil	Seine Net Winch	Anglo Dansk	0·019	0·019
Burma	Gas Turbines Project	JBE	15·625	3·201
Burma	Jute Mill Expansion	Mackies	10·592	2·154
Burma	Marine Diesel Engines	Kelvin Diesels	7·350	1·202
Burma	Jute Carpet Backing Machinery	Mackies	5·882	1·178
Caribbean	HS 748 Aircraft (Liat)	British Aerospace	3·000	1·000
Cyprus	Dhekelia B Power Station	NEI Reyrolle	2·500	0·366
Madagascar	Maintenance for HS 748's	British Aerospace	2·800	0·600
Malaysia	Airport Study	BAI	0·443	0·443
Philippines	Wood Burning Power Station	Balfour Beatty	8·592	1·967
Sri Lanka	Locomotives	British Electrical	7·952	2·867
Zimbabwe	Railway Electrification	GEC/Westinghouse	27·465	8·068
April 1981 to March 1982
Burma	Pharmaceutical Plant Study	Cementation/APV	0·188	0·188
Colombia	Bridges Project	Balfour Beatty	1·070	0·301
Kenya	Telecommunications	Plessey	2·815	0·703
Mexico	Sicartsa Steel Works	Davey McKee	200·000	34·943
Morocco	Nador Roll Mill	Davey Leowy	51·500	13·505
Mozambique	Bus Maintenance	Leyland	4·223	1·060
Mozambique	Mineral Survey	Hunting Geology	4·230	1·030
Pakistan	3 SD 18 Ships	Austin and Pickersgill	27·000	9·572
Paraguay	Power Transmission Scheme	Balfour Beatty	11·303	2·870
April 1982 to March 1983
Brazil	Jacui Power Station	Klockner/NEI	90·800	24·138
Burma	Gas Turbines	JBE	11·044	2·213
Burma	Bridge Project	Balfour Beatty	0·360	0·090
Egypt	W· Sebaeya Phosphate Mine	Seltrust Engineering	20·000	7·315
India	Rihand Super Thermal Power Plant	NEI	231·200	17·034
Indonesia	Mrica Hydro Project	Balfour Beatty	44·646	12·075
Kenya	Railway Coaches	BRE Metro	23·700	5·030
Mexico	Scientific Instrument Training	Darwin Instruments	0·029	0·029
Paraguay	Power Transmission Scheme	Balfour Beatty	5·290	1·350
Peru	Mini Hydros	Balfour Beatty	25·625	4·852
Zimbabwe	Hwange Power Station	PED	3·600	1·000
April 1983 to March 1984
Botswana	Moruple Power Station Turbines	NEI/Parsons	17·126	4·418
Burma	Outboard Propulsion Units	Sykes Marine	5·000	1·202
Colombia	Coffee Rust Control Programme	Wiles and Associates	0·201	0·201
Colombia	Mine Safety Training	BMC	0·018	0·018
Honduras	Aguan Valley Study	Halcrows	0·500	0·100
India	Amlori Coal Mine	BMC	80·030	15·030
Indonesia	Jambu Aye Hydro-Electric Dam Study	Rendel Williamson Hydro	0·200	0·200
Indonesia	Ombilin Coal Mine	Dowty Meco	19·200	4·445
Jordan	HV Transmission Line	Balfour Beatty	13·568	3·611
Malawi	Telecommunications	GEC/BT	1·000	0·260
Malaysia	View Data	GEC	2·367	0·851
Philippines	Dendro Power Station Adviser	Balfour Beatty	0·080	0·040