To ask the Attorney-General how many proceedings have been initiated by the Crown prosecution service in respect of the publishers and distributors of anti-Jewish literature from 1987 until the present; and what was the outcome in each case.

I refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave on 13 November, at column 88.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for political asylum in the United Kingdom are currently awaiting a decision; and how many of these have been waiting for over 12 months.

It is provisionally estimated that about 27,800 asylum applications were awaiting a decision in the United Kingdom at 30 September 1990, of which about 8,400 had been outstanding for 12 months or more. However these figures are maxima which overstate the position, because of under-recording of decisions made earlier.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Dublin convention determining the state responsibility for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Community will be ratified in the United Kingdom.

The convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum was signed in Dublin in June by 11 members of the European Community. The ratification process must await a decision by the 12th member, Denmark, on whether to sign the convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce the changes regarding postal voting controls in the Representation of the People Act 1990.

We propose as soon as possible to make a commencement order to bring the Representation of the People Act 1990 into force. In order for the Act to take effect, it will also be necessary to make some minor amendments to the Representation of the People Regulations 1986 and the European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 1986 and to make an Order in Council in respect of local elections in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the number of successful prosecutions for child abuse in Wales for each of the last five years.

The available information is given in the table. It is possible from the information held centrally to identify only offences where the victim is by definition aged under 16: children may also have been the victims of other offences, such as murder, that are not defined by reference to the victim's age.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now implement article 24 of European Community directive 86/609/EC to render illegal the use of former track greyhounds in laboratory experiments.

At the moment, the only type of dog bred on any scale for scientific procedures is the beagle. In the absence of other types of purpose-bred dogs for use in research, it will remain necessary to grant some exemptions, all of which have to be fully justified scientifically, to the requirement in section 10(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that only those dogs specially bred at and obtained from designated sources may be used in scientific procedures.Care is, however, taken to ensure that greyhounds obtained from non-designated sources are neither pets nor ex-racing greyhounds which have been supplied to charitable bodies for rehoming as pets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those Commonwealth countries the citizens of which, resident in the United Kingdom, are eligible to vote in United Kingdom elections.

Citizens of all Commonwealth countries, who are resident in the United Kingdom and who are not otherwise disqualified, are eligible to register as electors and vote at elections here.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police investigations in respect of anti-Jewish literature are currently under way; and in what month and year each publication was referred to the police.

Information about current investigations is not kept centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for the current year, the number of (a) applications for the renewal of and (b) applications for a new shotgun certificate made to the North Wales police, and indicate in each case the number of applications which were not dealt with and certificates issued after (i) 28 days and (ii) three months.

In the North Wales police force area in 1989 there were 6,697 applications for the renewal of shotgun certificates and 1,068 applications for the granting of new shotgun certificates. Figures for 1990 are not yet available. No information is available centrally on the time taken to deal with these applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable for north Wales, as to the reasons for the delay in processing the application for the renewal of a shotgun certificate made by Bryn Havord in April; and when the certificate will be issued.

No. The administration of the licensing system under the Firearms Acts 19158 to 1988 is entirely a matter for local chief officers of police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he issues to magistrates court clerks on the regard they should have to the consequences on employers and the public when arranging the hearing of cases relating to non-payment of the community charge by a large number of persons employed in the same undertaking; and if he will make a statement.

We have had no evidence so far that any such guidance is required. There would in any case be practical difficulties. Courts issue summonses on the basis of applications from the local authority: information about employment is not included in such applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate, without identification of individuals, how many of the 21 members of the Animal Procedures Committee (a) currently hold licences to conduct animal experiments, (b) have previously held such licences, (c) are currently employed by organisations which conduct such experiments and (d) have previously been so employed.

For the reasons set out in my reply to a question from the hon. Member on 12 November at columns 37–38, I am not prepared to add to the very full information given in my answer on 19 November at columns 11–12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those individuals and organisations which his Department has consulted in respect of the proposed introduction of an emission standard for carbon monoxide; and if he will indicate which (a) supported the proposed standard, (b) regarded it as too strict, (c) regarded it as too lax, (d) have yet to reply and (e) requested that their comments be treated as confidential.

We have consulted 120 individuals and organisations on our proposals to introduce a check of exhaust emissions into the MOT test. Twenty-nine submitted a response. There appears to be strong support for the principle of such a check. I shall make a further announcement on our proposals in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he remains satisfied with the safety arrangements in place for the road transport of hydrobromic acid.

I am satisfied that the regulations for the road transport of dangerous substances, including hydrobromic acid, are adequate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current status of the project to upgrade the Northern line on London underground; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that London Underground is working up a scheme for the modernisation of the Northern line. I await its proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in his review to improve motorists' safety at the Kennards House junction on the A30 trunk road at Launceston.

I have agreed that lighting should be installed at this junction. Some changes to road markings are also to be made to help drivers negotiate the junction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the dates and circumstances of each occasion when he or a predecessor has exercised his powers in part XV, section 276, of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971; and in each case how much compensation was paid.

In the period 1955 to 1973 there were 18 cases in which my right hon. Friend's predecessors used their default powers to revoke local authority planning permissions. There have been no cases subsequently. The available details are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government have any plans to provide fiscal incentives to car owners to fit catalytic converters.

Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the progress of the investigations into the illegal dumping of 40 barrels of toxic chemicals in Dunday; and what measures are being taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The investigation of this incident is a matter for Avon county council as waste disposal authority for the area in which it occurred. HM inspectorate of pollution is continuing to monitor developments and is prepared to offer advice on arrangements for analysis or safe disposal should such advice be required.The Environmental Protection Act 1990, which received Royal Assent on 1 November, includes a duty of care to be imposed on all holders of waste to ensure that it is not disposed of or managed illegally. The Act also extends the penalties for the illegal disposal of waste. The maximum fine on summary conviction will be £20,000, and prison terms will be introduced for all offences. On conviction on indictment fines are unlimited and, where special waste is involved, a maximum prison sentence of five years is possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing measures to give the National Rivers Authority power to prevent pollution from abandoned mineworkings; and if he will make a statement.

The National Rivers Authority has powers under section 115 of the Water Act 1989 to carry out works and operations for the purpose of preventing pollution of controlled waters, to take remedial action where pollution has already occurred and to recover the costs of taking such action. These general powers are applicable to abandoned mineworkings. In such cases, the authority may seek to recover costs from any person who caused pollution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of homeless people who will be sleeping rough this Christmas.

[holding answer 26 November 1990]: We do not make forecasts of the number of people who may be sleeping rough at any point in the future. We have recently announced an increase of £80 million in our package of measures to help such people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the Housing Corporation's approved development programme allocation on current projections by regions in terms of (a) original projected expenditure per region, (b) current projected expenditure per region, (c) original planned number of units for rent and (d) current projected number of units for rent.

[holding answer 26 November 1990]: This is a matter for the Housing Corporation. I have therefore asked the corporation to respond to the hon. Member direct.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration is being given by his Department to making donations to higher education from industry tax deductible.

The tax system already provides incentives to encourage business donations to higher education. Corporation tax relief is available for trade-related company donations for technical education and for cash payments by way of covenants and the gift aid scheme to educational establishments that are charities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the development of the new airport at Hong Kong, and when it is now expected to be completed.

There has been no delay. The Hong Kong Government plan to have the first runway in operation by early 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of Vietnamese children under the age of 14 years who were being held in detention centres in Hong Kong on 20 November.

On 20 November there were 13,468 children under the age of 14 being held in detention centres in Hong Kong.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of Vietnamese (a) men and (b) women who were being held in detention centres in Hong Kong on 20 November.

On 20 November there were 16,991 men and 13,976 women being held in detention centres in Hong Kong.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for the 1995 extension conference of the non-proliferation treaty of the lack of a final document from the fourth review conference.

The lack of a final document did not prevent the review conference from endorsing the continuing importance of the non-proliferation treaty for world security. We hope that the conference in 1995 will take a similarly positive line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the fourth review conference of the non-proliferation treaty.

The NPT review conference was conducted in a positive atmosphere; there was wide support for the treaty's objectives and agreement was reached on most issues. It is to be regretted that consensus on a final document was blocked by one delegation, but the conference nevertheless achieved a full review of the operation of the treaty and demonstrated its continuing importance as a cornerstone of world security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate if any commitments were made to any of the 37 nongovernmental organisations invited to the off-the-record briefing referred to in his answer of 31 October 1990, Official Report, column 564, to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) to clarify in writing matters not resolved during the meeting of 23 October.

As the hon. Gentleman has recognised, the meeting was off the record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the reasons why the United Kingdom Government considered it inappropriate for preparatory meetings for the 1995 nuclear non-proliferation treaty to begin in 1991 and the alternative proposals tabled by the three nuclear non-proliferation depository powers including the United Kingdom.

The preparatory committee deals with administrative arrangements for the review conference, and we see no need for it to meet as early as 1991. For the alternative proposal by the depository powers, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 18 October, at column 901.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received from the Government of the Soviet Republic of the Ukraine concerning the return of a barrel of gold deposited with the Bank of England in the early 18th century; and if he will make a statement.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of participation in negotiations leading to a comprehensive test ban treaty.

A comprehensive test ban remains a long term goal to which progress will be made only by a step-by-step approach. This must take account of technical advances in verification as well as progress elsewhere in arms control and the attitudes of other states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the reasons for the present closure of the British embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia, until 11 December; if he will state for what period from 11 December the embassy will be reopened, and with what services; and if he will describe the arrangements he proposes to make, for persons currently in Somalia who have been granted visas to enter the United Kingdom but are unable to collect them because of the present closure of the embassy, to enable such persons to travel to the United Kingdom.

The British embassy in Mogadishu is not closed. All normal services except visas are available. As in many small missions, the consul is the only trained entry clearance officer. During his leave from 21 November to 10 December the issuance of visas is temporarily suspended. The ambassador will assist urgent visitors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the Government's policy on aid to Romania.

We frequently review our policy on aid to Romania and shall continue to do so in accordance with developments in that country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he intends to take to facilitate cultural exchanges between the United Kingdom and Romania.

We have agreed with the Romanian Government to have negotiations in Bucharest in February to determine the shape and content of a new cultural exchange programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of names of those being held hostage in Iraq and Kuwait; and if he will make a statement.

I am arranging for a list of all those detained in Iraq and Kuwait to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of, and the Government's policy in respect of ratification of (a) the protocol additional to the Geneva conventions of 12 August 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts, protocol 1, and (b) the protocol additional to the Geneva conventions of 12 August 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts, protocol 2.

Currently, 97 states are party to additional protocol 1 of the 1949 Geneva conventions. Eighty-seven states are party to additional protocol 2. We signed both additional protocols in 1977, but have yet to ratify them. We hope to come to a decision soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what allowance he will make for the non-fossil fuel levy in assessing the financial go-ahead for the Bilsthorpe power station;(2) what assessment he has made of the economic potential of the Bilsthorpe coal-fired advanced technology power station.

It is for the partners involved in the Bilsthorpe project to assess its economic potential, taking into account the requirement of the Electricity Act 1989 as regards the fossil fuel levy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with British Gas regarding the cost of further computer runs to detect multiple share applications for British Gas.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has had from the Metropolitan police for further computer runs to detect multiple share applications for British Gas.

The Department is in discussion with the Crown prosecution service and the police about the investigation and possible prosecution of multiple applications, both for British Gas and the forthcoming regional electricity company share offers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what additional resources are to be provided to stimulate energy conservation and saving; and if he will list the particular steps which are to be taken or confirmed in 1991.

The Energy Efficiency Office budget will be substantially increased, to £42 million for 1991–92. The EEO will continue to promote a range of programmes designed to encourage the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency measures.From January 1991, the new home energy efficiency scheme, replacing the community insulation programme, will offer grants towards the cost of basic energy efficiency measures in low-income households.During 1991, the EEO will be taking forward the initiatives announced in the White Paper on the environment "This Common Inheritance", Cm. 1200, which include: developing proposals for a new scheme of project management assistance for implementation of energy efficiency projects; considering with the lighting industry how to overcome barriers to the uptake of high-efficiency lighting; pursuing appliance labelling and minimum standards with our own appliance industry and in the EC.The ministerial committee on energy efficiency, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy, will maintain the momentum for energy efficiency improvements; monitor the Government's energy efficiency programmes and the White Paper initiatives, and assess the need for further action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps the Government have taken to encourage regional electricity companies to promote energy conservation after privatisation.

Condition 22 of the supply licences issued to the regional electricity companies imposes an obligation on them to provide information and advice on energy efficiency and to provide individual codes of practice to the Director of the Office of Electricity Regulation—OFFER —setting out their proposals for doing this. Negotiations are continuing between the regional electricity companies and OFFER on the content of the codes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what response has been offered to the European Community proposals to set out energy survey standards for domestic electricity appliances; and to what extent this response fulfils the aspirations and plans which Her Majesty's Government put forward at the recent world climate conference in Geneva.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if the Government have any plans to implement legislation requiring energy labelling on electrical goods to enable consumers to be aware of the relative amounts of energy different brands of appliances consume;(2) if the Government have any plans to introduce legislation requiring minimum energy efficiency standards for all new domestic appliances as part of the programme to combat global warming.

As set out in chapter 5 and annex C of the White Paper on the environment "This Common Inheritance"—Cm 1200—energy efficiency is an important part of the Government's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.On appliances, we are pressing for agreements on energy efficiency labelling and standards within the European Community. Our own plans for a voluntary labelling scheme which will lead to improved efficiency were outlined at a consultative workshop held by the European Commission earlier this month. We believe that effective voluntary measures can make legislation unnecessary and bring about far swifter improvements in energy efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what legal advice was received in relation to the letter from Mr. Heathcote, head of coal division, to Sara Llewellyn Jones, solicitor to the South Wales Small Mines Association, dated 22 November, concerning the offer of improved coal prices from National Power; and if he will place a copy of that letter in the Library.

The letter was drafted in consultation with representatives, including legal advisers, of National Power and British Coal. Its contents are confidential to the parties concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on farm-in proposals for oil and gas exploration and production licences; and if he will make a statement.

Transfers of interest in petroleum licences, which are commonly known as farm-ins, are commercial transactions and, as such, the arrangements are initially a matter for the companies concerned.Under the terms of petroleum licences, such transactions also need prior consent. Like my predecessors, I believe that farm-ins have the potential to benefit United Kingdom oil and gas exploitation. They enable companies operating on the United Kingdom continental shelf to make what they regard as timely and desirable adjustments to their holdings of licence interests and they are of particular importance to those independents which wish to increase the scale and pace of their participation in exploration and development activity.In examining farm-in proposals, I shall continue to seek to ensure that the purpose for which licences have been granted—that is the thorough and efficient exploration and exploitation of the nation's oil and gas reserves—is fully safeguarded by the transactions. It is the policy and practice of my Department to consider each application on its merits. In advising me, the Department will in particular consider:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what annual expenditure is incurred by his Department in controlling the numbers of the wild fox population in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the expenditure per pupil on school books in each of the local education authorities in Wales in (a) the

None. Control of foxes is a matter for individual landowners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teaching positions are currently filled by supply teachers in (a) the primary sector and (b) the secondary sector in Wales according to each local education authority area; and how many positions have been filled by supply teachers in each of the last five years.

The numbers of teachers employed in maintained primary and secondary schools to provide temporary cover for absent teachers on an occasional or short-notice basis are shown in the tables:primary sector and

Figures for expenditure per pupil on equipment and materials, including books, are given at constant prices in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many day nursery places were taken up by pre-school children in Wales during (a) 1989 and (b) 1990; if he will publish a breakdown of these figures for (i)

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date was the draft compulsory purchase order first drawn up to enable the construction of a pavement between Caernarfon and Bontnewydd on the A487 trunk road; on what date an objection was received by the Welsh Office; and what steps have been taken subsequently by his Department to try to resolve this matter.

I have nothing to add to the letter I sent the hon. Gentleman on 19 November in reply to his letter of 2 November.

The information available for local authority nurseries and private registered nurseries is shown in the table for county council areas. Data for district council areas are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the performance of the roads division of the Welsh Office.

Since 1979, a total of 156 miles of new motorway and trunk roads have been completed, and total expenditure of over £1·2 billion incurred on such roads. This reflects the importance which the Government place on improving and maintaining the road network in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that, in determining planning applications which come on appeal to the Welsh Office, sufficient consideration is given to the wishes of the local community as expressed by the district council; if he will make it his policy that planning appeals should be upheld only if there is a very strong case either on a point of law or on a failure to implement agreed planning strategy at a local level; and if he will make a statement.

All representations received in respect of a planning appeal are taken into account by my right hon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to increase the staffing levels of the National Rivers Authority Welsh region.

This is a matter for the National Rivers Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from business interests in Wales on Britain's entry into the exchange rate mechanism and how many indicated (a) that the exchange rate was too high against the deutschmark and (b) that the exchange rate was too low against the deutschmark.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, for the latest available date, the number of children (a) who are infected with the HIV virus, (b) who are suffering from AIDS and (c) who have died from AIDS.

For reasons of confidentiality and in line with the AIDS (Control) Act, numbers betwen one and nine inclusive are given as "less than 10". In each of the three categories cited the number is less than 10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff are currently in post at the University hospital of Wales paediatric cardiac surgery unit.

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the net projected savings made by health authorities in Wales in the current financial year.

The most recent estimates provided by health authorities suggest that the level of savings which they will collectively achieve from their cash-releasing cost improvement programmes this year will be £8·5 million. This is equivalent to 0·9 per cent. of their recurrent revenue allocations notified at the start of 1990–91 and is slightly below the minimum target of 1·1 per cent. of recurrent revenue resources which has been set for cash-releasing cost improvement savings this year. While authorities may count non-recurrent cost improvements such as capital receipts against this target, those doing so will have the recurrent shortfall added to the minimum target for cost improvement savings to be set for 1991–92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to enable health authorities to improve their defective buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for the management and maintenance of the NHS estate in Wales is delegated to district health authorities. They are expected to maintain their buildings to an acceptable standard and to spend a minimum of 7·5 per cent. of their revenue and capital allocations on the maintenance of assets, including buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health authority buildings still in use were built (a) 50 years and (b) 100 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to bring defective school buildings up to standard; and if he will make a statement.

Local education authorities are responsible for the condition of school buildings in their areas. Since 1985–86, central Government have increased by 60 per cent. the capital resources notionally made available to local education authorities for the provision of educational buildings and for their capital maintenance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales in each local education authority were built before 1903; and if he will make a statement.

Details of the ages of school buildings are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital trust applications he has received in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

None, although my right hon. Friend is currently considering the "expression of interest" submitted by Pembrokeshire district health authority for NHS trust status.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways he is actively pursuing the interest of Pembrokeshire health authority in becoming a national health service trust.

My right hon. Friend is currently considering the "expression of interest", together with further information which has been recently received from the authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner budget status applications he has received in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Applications for recognition as a fund-holding practice from I April 1991 were required to be made by 1 November. Eight applications were received from practices in Wales although one of these has since withdrawn. The seven practices have been authorised to undertake the preparatory work. Formal offers of practice funds will be made early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital beds have been lost in Wales since 1979.

Between the calendar year 1979 and the financial year 1989–90 the number of average daily available beds fell by 3,600. Over the same period the number of in-patients treated rose by 125,800— + 36 per cent.—and the number of day cases rose by 54,800—+ 176 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital wards are proposed for closure in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The information held centrally relates only to proposed closures which are at present the subject of formal consultation. On this basis, and including those cases where consultation has ended but a final decision has yet to be made, 52 hospital wards are subject to closure proposals. Of these, 25 are linked to the planned development of a new district general hospital for the people of Taff-Ely and the Rhondda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospitals have closed since 1980.

Since 1 January 1980 the number of hospitals that have closed, and are still closed, is 21. However, during the same period eight hospitals, including five district general hospitals, have opened.

To ask the Secretary of Stale for Wales how many meetings he has had with the health authorities of Wales to discuss their financial difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend and I discussed the financial difficulties of Gwynedd health authority and its plans for resolving them with the chairman and general manager of the authority on 1 August. In addition, our officials have undertaken a series of annual review meetings with all authorities in recent months at which their financial positions have been reviewed. Health authorities have a statutory duty to contain expenditure within their notified cash resources, and we are content that they will do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, for each recommendation made by the Welsh Affairs Committee in its first report of Session 1989–90 on toxic waste disposal in Wales, he will state (a) the action taken by his Department so far and (b) the action proposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's response to the recommendations was set out in Cm. 1147—my right hon. Friend's reply of 18 July refers to it. Provisions as indicated have been embodied in the Environmental Protection Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library the statutory community charge appeal documents authorised or prepared in the Welsh language and indicate the legislative base for the production of such documents.

I have not prescribed community charge appeal documents in either English or Welsh. Welsh language forms for use in connection with the community charge are prescribed in the Community Charges and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (Wales) Regulations 1990, and in the Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989, copies of which are in the Library. In each case the powers relied upon include those provided by section 2(2) of the Welsh Language Act 1967.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the traffic counts for (a) cars and (b) lorries on the M4 from (i) Newhouse roundabout to the Coldra and (ii) from the Coldra to Tredegar park roundabout in each of the past 10 years.

Figures are provided for the sections from Newhouse to Magor and Caerleon to Malpas. Only total vehicle counts are available for the 10-year period as shown in the following table. Manual classified counts are carried out less frequently and the split between cars and all classes of goods vehicles is shown where available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the dates of all unexpected tidal surges of more than a foot that have occurred in the Severn estuary during the past 10 years.

This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing for each county of England and Wales the number of salmonella enteritidis PT4 outbreaks among poultry, the number of birds slaughtered and the compensation paid, in 1990 to date.

Information in the form requested is not readily available. However a total of 49 flocks infected with salmonella enteritidis comprising 507,733 birds have so far been compulsorily slaughtered in 1990 at a cost in compensation of £551,509.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) under what circumstances antibiotic treatment of salmonella in poultry is now allowed; and if he will make a statement on the use of competitive exclusion products;(2) whether he intends to amend his salmonella control regulations in respect of poultry; if he will introduce an antibiotic treatment alternative for laying flocks; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the grant earning ceiling for each local or regional drainage district of the National Rivers Authority in each of the last five years at constant 1989–90 prices.

The information is as follows:

Flocks of pullets—layer replacements—which are infected with salmonella enteritidis or salmonella typhimurium are permitted in certain circumstances to be treated with antibiotics and a competitive exclusion product as an alternative to slaughter. These arrangements are being conducted on a trial basis at present to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. The possibility of further adaptation of the salmonella control policy is being kept under review.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received a copy of the Humane Slaughter Association report on the culling of pig breeding stock; what response he will be making to its recommendations; and if he proposes any consequent legislative change.

A copy of this report has just been received and we will be considering it carefully.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inquiries his Department is currently undertaking following the sale of unfit meat to butchers and supermarkets.

Although MAFF veterinary officers can and do work closely with local authorities in this area, enforcement of legislation on unfit meat is the local authorities' responsibility and questions on numbers of inquiries must therefore be addressed to them. I am, nevertheless, aware that there is concern over allegations of illegal trade in unfit meat and we have instituted a full review of the existing controls to see if any improvements can be made, with particular attention to collection of casualty stock from farms.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the market value of beef cattle coming from farms where bovine spongiform encephalopathy has been confirmed.

None.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's latest forecast for the future spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement on the level of reporting of BSE cases.

At present, about 350 suspect cases of BSE are being reported each week. The future course of the disease cannot be predicted precisely, but an

assessment of the latest epidemiological evidence suggests that the number of cases will continue to rise until some time in 1992, after which, provided there is no direct cattle-to-cattle transmission, it will start to fall. The expected increase does not represent continued spread of the disease, but is a result of the exposure of cattle to the agent through the consumption of ruminant-based protein rations prior to the imposition of the feed ban in July 1988 and the long incubation period before clinical disease manifests itself.Since BSE was made a notifiable disease in June 1988 the number of suspected cases arising each week has increased fairly steadily. Within this overall upward trend, a fairly consistent pattern of reporting has become apparent with numbers increasing in spring and autumn. Close surveillance at markets and abattoirs has not revealed any deliberate attempts to evade the legal requirement to report suspect cases of BSE.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of confirmed cases of BSE by county in the months to (a) 17 July, (b) 17 August, (c) 17 September, (d) 17 October and (e) 17 November.

[holding answer 21 November 1990]: The number of cases confirmed on a monthly basis simply reflects the number of positive findings of BSE recorded as a result of laboratory investigation in the period concerned. As processing in the laboratory can take several weeks, these figures do not therefore accurately reflect developments in the number of new cases arising or reported.The information for Great Britain is as follows: