To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of the armed forces of each of the allied coalition countries have been stationed in Iraqi Kurdistan on a week-by-week basis since 6 May.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British-Paraguayan relations.

We enjoy friendly relations with Paraguay and maintain an embassy in Asuncion. British-Paraguayan trade is on the increase. I welcome the current visit to United Kingdom of a Paraguayan parliamentary delegation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Chief Ministers of (a) British Virgin Islands, (b) Turks and Caicos Islands, (c) Anguilla, (d) Montserrat, (e) Bermuda and (f) Cayman Islands; and what subjects were discussed in each case.

During my time in office I have met all the Chief Ministers of the Caribbean Dependent Territories. The Cayman Islands do not have a Chief Minister. I met Executive Council Members during my visit to Grand Cayman on 6 December 1990. I look forward to meeting the recently elected Chief Minister of Turks and Caicos Islands in London on 10 July. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the Premier of Bermuda on 27 November 1990 in London.The United Kingdom's commitment to the good government of the territories and the ways in which we can assist the local governments with their economic and social developments were discussed at all these meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had or proposes with the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands about the appointment of the new governor.

Following normal procedure Mr. Stoutt has already been advised of the appointment of the next governor in advance of the official announcement which is expected shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations have been undertaken with the Government of the British Virgin Islands on capital punishment; what was their result; and if he will make a statement.

The views of the Governments of all the Caribbean Dependent Territories on capital punishment are well known and were carefully considered before the decision to abolish capital punishment for murder in the Caribbean Dependent Territories was taken. I discussed them with the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands in London in March and when I visited the islands in April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest draft treaty on political union submitted by the Luxembourg presidency.

The presidency circulated on 20 June a revised draft treaty text updating the version circulated on 17 April and taking account of discussions in the inter-governmental conference since then. This is an interim working document which will simply be a basis for the next phase of the negotiations. I understand the Library is taking steps to obtain a copy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the People's Republic of China has ever suggested that it be allowed to construct the new airport or any part of it for Hong Kong.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the costs of administering the market information inquiry service and the overseas status report service were in each of the last two financial years.

Information on the costs of supplying these individual export services is not, at present, separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the Government of Kuwait the most recent death sentences on alleged collaborators imposed by the military court in Kuwait.

We shall continue as necessary both bilaterally and with our EC partners to urge the Kuwaiti authorities that trials should be conducted in accordance with due process of law and respect for the fundamental human rights of the defendants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 19 June, if he will ask the Chinese authorities to produce Lee Bun and her husband to demonstrate that they have not been executed; and if he will seek an account of the circumstances in which the couple are now living.

No. The Chinese authorities have told us that the couple are under investigation, accused of engaging in illegal petroleum transactions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last carried out a review of the financial consequences for Gibraltar of their joining the EC customs union; and if he will make a statement.

At the request of the Government of Gibraltar we carried out such a review earlier this year. It has been passed, in confidence, to the Gibraltar Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there will be anything pertaining to Gibraltar at the British pavilion at Expo 92 in Seville.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 June at col. 417. The theme of the British pavillion at Expo 92 will be "Original Britain". There is no plan to include exhibits based on specific geographical areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for each year since 1979 Overseas Development Administration funding for research and development into development issues, in real and nominal terms.

[holding answer 19 June 1991: The amount spent by the ODA on funding for research and development into development issues since 1979 is as follows:

	Cash terms £ 000	Real Terms(1990 Prices)£ 000
1979–80	25,800	51,771
1980–81	27,333	46,349
1981–82	26,474	40,940
1982–83	29,358	42,389
1983–84	32,588	44,973
1984–85	33,861	44,471
1985–86	32,875	40,950
1986–87	36,056	43,409
1987–88	48,906	55,897
1988–89	53,058	56,439
1989–90	58,486	58,486

To ask the Attorney-General what research the Government have carried out on whether the quality of service to the public would be better and costs lower if Crown prosecutors were granted extended rights of audience; and if he will make a statement.

Research is at present confined to an initial assessment of the potential costs and savings to the CPS according to the range of options open to the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and training. No research is feasible as regards the qualitative effect of any decision by the advisory committee.

To ask the Attorney-General what is his latest estimate of the full costs to public funds involved in providing the services for a full year of (a) a Crown prosecutor, (b) a senior Crown prosecutor and (c) a chief Crown prosecutor.

The latest estimates of the full costs to public funds involved in providing the services of Crown prosecutors for a full year, including accommodation costs and notional superannuation contributions are as follows:

	In London	Outside London
(a) a Crown Prosecutor	£36,868	£29,404
(b) a Senior Crown Prosecutor	£42,225	£34,306
(c) a Grade 4 Chief Crown Prosecutor	£67,424	£59,281
a Grade 5 Chief Crown Prosecutor	—	£53,056

To ask the Attorney-General what is his estimate of the number of salaried Crown prosecutors who appear in court as advocates on each sitting day.

No collected figures are available in respect of the number of salaried Crown prosecutors who appear in court each sitting day. In the financial year 1990–91 some 246,000 sessions in the magistrates' courts were covered by salaried Crown prosecutors. Assuming 250 sitting days in a year, the estimated average number of salaried Crown prosecutors appearing as advocates each day is 1,000.

To ask the Attorney-General what is the current annual cost of the Crown prosecution service; and if he will make a statement.

The current estimated annual cost of the Crown prosecution service for 1991–92 is £229,923,000. Further details were published in "Supply Estimates 1991–92" class X, votes 5 and 6.

To ask the Attorney-General if he is able to give an estimate of the number of hours per week spent in court, excluding waiting time, on average, by a Crown prosecutor and a senior Crown prosecutor respectively.

No specific figures are available of the average number of hours per week spent in court by Crown prosecutors. The best estimate that can be made is a figure of about 15 hours per week for both Crown prosecutors and senior Crown prosecutors. Waiting time is not a significant factor—full list advocacy by Crown prosecutors results in efficient use of resources and reduces waiting time to a negligible level.

To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of advocates appearing in magistrates' courts on behalf of the Crown prosecution service on an average day are (a) counsel from the independent Bar instructed (i) on a case-by-case basis and (ii) otherwise, (b) solicitors in private practice instructed (i) on a case-by-case basis and (ii) otherwise, (c) salaried members of the Crown prosecution service and (d) other advocates.

Exact figures giving the proportions requested are not available. The estimated proportions for the financial year 1990–91 are:

(a) (i) 2 per cent.

(ii) 15 per cent.

(b) (i) and (ii) 17 per cent.

(c) 66 per cent.

(d) 0 per cent.—an insignificant number of cases is handled by advocates from other Government Departments on behalf of the Crown prosecution service where a joint prosecution arises.

To ask the Attorney-General what additional cost to public funds is involved in providing the services of a Crown prosecutor stationed in central London as against one stationed in Manchester.

The latest estimate of the additional cost to public funds involved in providing the services of a Crown prosecutor stationed in central London as against one stationed in Manchester is £7,464.

To ask the Prime Minister when representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom will next meet representatives of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and what plans they have to discuss improved trade relations with the Baltic republics.

My hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office will meet the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Saudargas on 25 June. My hon. and learned Friend expects to discuss a wide range of topics of mutual interest with Mr. Saudargas. We have regular contacts with Baltic representatives in London and Moscow, and in the Baltic republics. These contacts cover a wide range of bilateral political and economic issues.

To ask the Prime Minister which Department is responsible for the co-ordination of Government policies on solvent abuse; and what policies there are to reduce solvent abuse.

The Department of Health takes the lead on Government policies against solvent misuse. These policies are directed primarily towards education and prevention and, where practicable, the restriction of sales of products containing volatile substances to young people. We have supported a number of initiatives to educate young people at risk and to inform adults, including parents, professional workers and retailers who may become involved.

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, how many shops the Church Commission owns in Golders Green road; and what is their rent.

Forty shops producing nearly £850,000 per annum.

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what were the reasons for the reduction in the value of the Commissioners' holding in the Grange Precinct, Birkenhead between 1989 and 1990.

The value dropped by 13 per cent. in line with general market trends at a time of recession.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the intention of the Post Office to combine south Wales with south-west England for Royal Mail purposes; what discussions he has had with the Post Office concerning this matter; and if he will make a statement.

We have received representations from the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Howells) and from the Gowerton branch of Plaid Cymru concerning the location of the Royal Mail administrative headquarters for the combined south Wales and south-west England area. We understand that Royal Mail will not be transferring its total divisional administrative base into one location. There will be several outstanding administrative units. We have written to the chairman of the Post Office pressing the case for Wales as a location for the administrative staff. The chairman has assured me that the location of the divisional headquarters and its outstations will be carefully considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the members of the Cardiff Bay development corporation.

Current members of Cardiff Bay development Corporation are:

• Geoffrey Inkin OBE (Chairman)
• Councillor Lord Brooks of Tremorfa (Deputy Chairman)
• Mrs. Mair Barnes
• Mrs. Honor Chapman
• Alan Cox CBE
• Hugh Hudson-Davies
• Councillor Paddy Kitson
• Professor Richard Silverman MSc(Edin) Dip Arch ARIBA ARIAS
• James Beveridge MA FCA
• Brian Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of people held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs were not allowed to contact a solicitor for the first 48 hours;(2) what proportion of people held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs exercised their right under

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many searches were made of the records held by the national joint unit at Scotland Yard in each year from 1987 to 1990, respectively.

The number of inquiries made of the records held by the national joint unit was as follows:

	Number
1987	81,060
1988	77,472
1989	101,766
1990	83,753

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many computerised records the national joint unit holds on individuals for the control of terrorism in connection with Northern Ireland affairs.

The information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and how many women have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts in connection with Northern Ireland affairs each quarter since 22 March 1984 (a) at ports and airports and (b) elsewhere.

The information requested is given in the tables.

	Men	Women	Total
(a) Ports
1984
Q1 1	—	—	—
Q2 1	—	—	20
Q3 1	—	—	19
Q41	—	—	16
1985
Q1	12	0	12
Q2	18	4	22
Q3	17	5	22
Q4	14	0	14

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the role of the national joint unit at Scotland Yard; and how many people work in this unit.

The role of the national joint unit at New Scotland Yard is to prepare, on behalf of all police forces in Great Britain, applications to the Secretary of State for extensions of detention and exclusion orders under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, and to provide advice to police forces on the operation of the Act. The unit is staffed by 17 police officers, most of whom are seconded to it for short periods from provincial forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average length of time from the initial arrest to the first interview under paragraph 3(2) of schedule 3 for all those arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs;(2) what was the average length of time from the moment they were stopped to the first interview under paragraph 3(2) of schedule 3 for all those people stopped

Number of people	Offence	Where charged	Outcome
3	Conspiracy to cause explosions	London	In two cases the charges were dropped. The third is awaiting trial.
2	Conspiracy to murder	London	Awaiting trial.
1	Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life	London	9 months in young offenders' institution.
1	Possession of a firearm in an aerodrome	Bedfordshire	Awaiting trial.
2	Assault occasioning actual bodily harm	1 Wiltshire	Fined
		1 London	4 months' imprisonment.
1	Driving with excess alcohol	Essex	Fined.
1	Driving whilst disqualified	Warwickshire	6 months' imprisonment suspended for 2 years.
4	Various offences under Theft Acts 1968 & 1978	2 London	1 Failed to appear—warrant issued
			1 Fined.
		1 Essex	Conditional discharge.
		1 Surrey	6 months' imprisonment suspended for one year.
1	Possession of forged passport and driving licence	Greater Manchester	Fined.
1	Criminal damage	Belfast	1 month in young offenders' institution.

The table relates to those detained in Great Britain only. In addition 262 people who were detained in Northern Ireland between 22 March and 31 December 1990 were charged with offences in Northern Ireland. Details of the offences and the outcome of the charges are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the amount of compensation paid to civilians by the Metropolitan police in each of the last three years following complaints.

Compensation payments may be made as the result of court proceedings or in out-of-court settlements, or when civil action has been suggested but and examined at ports and airports and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs;(3) in how many cases special arrangements for children have had to be made as a result of their parents or guardians being examined or detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts in connection with Northern Ireland affairs in each quarter since 22 March 1984;(4) how many children have been taken into care as a result of their parents or guardians being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts in connection with Northern Ireland affairs in each quarter since 22 March 1984.

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts in connection with Northern Ireland affairs have been charged only with criminal offences other than under the Act, shown by (a) principal offences and (b) where charged; and the outcome of the charge between 22 March and 31 December 1990.

The information requested is given in the table:not pursued. The matter concerned may not be such as to provide grounds for a complaint made under the terms of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.Compensation payments totalling £388,000, £523,000 and £836,000 were paid in 1988, 1989 and 1990 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of police officers dismissed from the Metropolitan police force for breaches of discipline, in each of the last three years.

The number of officers dismissed from the Metropolitan police following disciplinary proceedings is published each year in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of police officers serving in the Metropolitan police force who are now suspended from duty pending inquiries as to their conduct as police officers.

I understand that there are at present 72 officers suspended from duty in the Metropolitan police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of official complaints made against police officers serving in the Metropolitan police force, in each of the last three years; and how many have been upheld after inquiries.

The number of complaints made against officers of the Metropolitan police under the terms of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, together with the number of complaints completed, are published in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The Commissioner's 1990 report contains figures for the last three years.The number of complaints substantiated in 1988, 1989 and 1990 are 184, 103 and 172 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of (a) project licence and (b) personal licence applications rejected since the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 came into operation.

The vast majority of project licence applications and many personal licence applications are discussed in detail at an early stage with the Home Office animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate. Many are revised and redrafted as necessary into a form which the inspector considers acceptable.The normal procedure is for applications, mainly for project licences, to be withdrawn or not to be proceeded with in those cases where their justification is considered insufficient or where the applicant feels unable to refine the proposed procedures to an extent that the inspector is satisfied that it would be appropriate to advise my right hon. Friend that a licence should be granted. This means that it is only very rarely necessary to refuse an application formally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to involve consumer views in the development of performance indicators.

Consumer views are taken into account, either directly or indirectly, in developing performance indicators, particularly those which measure quality of service to the public.Of those operational services which the Home Office does not control, police forces consult local communities, often through opinion surveys, to obtain public views on police performance and worries about crime; fire brigades take pains to ensure that they have the views of the communities they serve and the fire service is currently looking at a scheme for introducing performance measures nationally, some of which will include measures of public satisfaction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance indicators are published for his Department.

Details of performance indicators for Home Office departments and services are published in the Home Office annual report 1991 (Cm 1509). For details of performance indicators for Home Office agencies (the Passport Agency and the forensic science service) I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to questions from my hon. Friends the Members for Cornwall, North (Sir G. Neale) and for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin) on 27 March at columns 469–70.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy on the passing of names of British citizens to foreign Governments for the purpose of warning those Governments that these citizens should not be granted entry to those countries; and if he will make a statement.

In the interests of international co-operation on law enforcement the names of people of whatsoever nationality may be passed to the authorities in other countries, for example for the purpose of taking forward an extradition request. All decisions over the granting of entry are the responsibility of the country concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide the financial help needed by Manchester's victim support schemes to avert closure; what representations he has had about their urgent need for alternative funding; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office grant for local victim support schemes, which has increased by 20 per cent. from £4·5 million last year to £5·4 million this year, is administered by Victim Support under criteria which have been revised this year to allow grants for both salaries and running costs to be paid to schemes which are in danger of closure. Applications from a number of Manchester schemes are being considered by Victim Support nationally.We have received representations about the funding of Manchester schemes from local Members of Parliament, district councils, representatives of Victim Support and the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to determine the application for British citizenship, reference IMPH330480/4 (S) which was first raised with his Department on 27 April 1989; on what date he requested from the embassy in Islamabad the confirmation that entry clearances for settlement had been issued and when that confirmation was received; whether all outstanding routine inquiries in this cases have now been completed; and if he will make a statement.

A final decision on this application was delayed while we obtained evidence that the applicant met the statutory requirements regarding residence in the United Kingdom. With this in mind we wrote to the British High Commission in Islamabad on 21 December 1990 for details of entry clearances issued to the applicant and her daughter in 1982. This information was received at the beginning of February 1991. From that and from information supplied by her solicitors we are now satisfied that the application may be granted, subject to her making an affirmation of allegiance. Her daughter will also be registered as a British citizen.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to publish guidelines concerning remission for people imprisoned for poll tax non-payment; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will

Guidance circulated to governors on 12 June advised that terms of imprisonment for non-payment of the community charge are not eligible for reduction by remission or remand time. A copy of this instruction is being placed in the Library together with prison standing order 12 which gives full details of the terms of imprisonment that do not attract remission on remand time. A revised version of the standing order, to be published in a few months' time, will include reference to the community charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which categories of prisoners are allowed access to a telephone while in prison; and if he will list those of Her Majesty's prisons which have (a) payphones and (b) cardphones; what plans he has to improve access to phones; and if he will make a statement.

Cardphones for use of convicted inmates have been installed in the category C and D, and equivalent female and young offender, establishments listed in the following table.At all establishments inmates may have access to an official telephone with the permission of the governor in special circumstances.On 25 February my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, announced on publication of the Woolf inquiry report that cardphones would be provided in all those establishments which do not already have them. This programme is being taken forward as quickly as resources permit.There are no ordinary payphones designated for inmates' use except at Haslar in respect of those persons detained under the Immigration Acts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman), 17 May 1991, Official Report, column 284, he is now in a position to place a copy in the Library of the guidance notes for use of bailiffs by magistrates courts.

Best practice guidance on the use of bailiffs by magistrates courts should be available shortly, and I shall arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many licensed mink factory farms there are in Scotland; and if he will publish the names of the parliamentary constituencies in which they are located.

There are two licensed mink farms in Scotland, one in Strathclyde region and the other in Grampian region. More precise information is not published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of fishing vessels by port (a) over 400 hp and (b) below 400 hp.

The information requested is given in the table for the base districts of active Scottish-based fishing vessels. Base districts are defined as the district in which the majority of the owners of the vessels live. District figures include vessels from a number of small ports and creeks in addition to those from the main port on which the district is centred.

	Horse Power
Base district of vessel	Under 400	400 or above	Not Known	All
Eyemouth	117	14	2	133
Pittenweem	110	18	—	128
Arbroath	81	4	—	85
Aberdeen	34	16	1	51
Peterhead	58	90	—	148
Fraserburgh	84	89	—	173
MacDuff	40	57	—	97
Buckie	56	51	—	107
Lossiemouth	45	53	—	98
Wick	87	3	—	90
Orkney	87	14	—	101
Shetland	55	37	—	92
Stornoway	298	4	3	305
Ullapool	52	—	—	52
Mallaig	216	3	5	224
Oban	142	1	1	144
Campbeltown	182	—	7	189
Ayr	108	20	1	129

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the consequences to the Scottish salmon farming industry of uncontrolled imports from Norwegian producers; and if he will make a statement.

We have received representations from a number of hon. Members and from salmon farming companies in Scotland.The Government understand the industry's concern about the current state of the market for farmed salmon. We are anxious to ensure a satisfactory and stable long-term future for the industry and are working closely with it to that end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps are being taken to safeguard archaeological sites identified in the course of development of the M74 —A74;(2) what funds his office has made available, and to which organisations, in connection with emergency archaeological investigation of sites along the proposed development of the A74;(3) for how long the Lintshie Gutter site will be available to archaeologists engaged in emergency investigation of the site.

The upgrading of the A74 to motorway standard has provided an unexpected opportunity to discover some of Scotland's past. Throughout the development of the project the Scottish Office's roads directorate has liaised closely with Historic Scotland, an executive agency within the Scottish Office responsible among other things for the protection of ancient monuments. Every effort has been made in determining the line of the motorway to avoid disturbing sites of archaeological importance. In eight locations where this has not been possible, archaeological surveys and excavations have been carried out in advance of the road construction. Without the impetus of the motorway these important examples of Scotland's heritage might have remained hidden for many years to come.Funds amounting to 100,000 have been granted by the Scottish Office towards archaeological surveys and excavations along the line of the motorway. In addition, Historic Scotland has made a contribution of £75,000. Apart from a small element of survey and monitoring carried out by the Biggar Museum trust, all the work has been undertaken by Archaeology Projects Glasgow (APG) which is a research group set up within Glasgow university archaeologist department to manage fieldwork and consultancy studies for Government and industry.It is expected that the excavation of the Lintshie Gutter site will be completed by the end of June. The site will remain available for some months beyond that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his replies to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan, Official Report, 14 June, column 713, what information he has on whether clinical waste incinerators in the national health service in Scotland are effectively complying with current pollution control legislation; and when the last report of inspection of the clinical waste incinerators was submitted to him.

I am aware that three clinical waste incinerators in the national health service in Scotland are experiencing difficulty in complying with current pollution control legislation. No report of inspection of clinical waste incinerators has been submitted to my right hon. Friend; powers to control emission standards are vested in local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations took place with the chairmen of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales, and the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, in advance of the introduction of provisions for the establishment of an advisory committee on sites of special scientific interest in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Bill.

Consultations took place between the Scottish Office Environment Department and the chairman of the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, the Government's statutory adviser on nature conservation in Scotland, before the amendments introducing these provisions were tabled. Since the committee relates exclusively to Scotland and its establishment does not affect the SSSI procedures laid down in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, no consultation with English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales was necessary. As the advisory committee can deal only with individual cases within the site guidelines overseen by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and there will be no overlap in membership, it was not necessary to consult the JNCC chairman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland of the total number of sites of special scientific interest in Scotland (a) how many were objected to at the point of notification and (b) how many were objected to subsequent to notification; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 21 June 1991]: As at 31 March 1991, 1,319 sites of special scientific interest had been notified in Scotland. A right of objection was introduced by the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985, which came into effect on 26 August 1985. The Nature Conservancy Council's latest available figures are that 541 sites were confirmed during the period from 1 August 1985 to 30 November 1990 and that representations or objections were received in respect of 153 of those sites. The detailed information about the stage at which objections were received is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish Action on Dementia; and if he will make a statement.

I have this week received a report "Dementia in Scotland: Agenda for Action 1991–95".Since the publication of the report "Scottish Health Authorities Priorities for the 80s" (SHAPE) in 1980, which drew attention to the need to develop services for this care group, the Government have given high priority to the development of such services in Scotland and now accord their development top priority. Since 1981 health board expenditure on services for elderly people with dementia has increased by 61·5 per cent. in real terms and it continues to rise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were available for rent by local authorities in Scotland in each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 20 June 1991]: Information on the numbers of dwellings owned by local authorities is given in table 2 of statistical bulletin HSG/1991/4, "Housing Trends in Scotland—Quarter ended 31 December 1990". Copies were sent to all Members representing Scottish constituencies and are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (a) the total number of domestic customers of Scottish Power and Scottish Hydro-Electric, respectively (b) how many of those individual customers, not including other members of their family or household, have bought shares in the recent privatisation and (c) how many of those customers have given postal addresses outside Scotland for correspondence about shares.

[holding answer 21 June 1991]: Scottish Power plc and Scottish Hydro-Electric plc respectively have around 1,600,000 and 530,000 domestic customers. Information on the numbers of those individuals who have purchased shares in the two companies or have given correspondence addresses outwith Scotland is not separately available, since customer preference under the share offers extended to include other members of their family or household. The share registers of both companies will be publicly available from 3 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the titles of the video recordings purchased by his Department during the financial year 1990–91 and 1991–92 to date.

The information in respect of Northern Ireland departments and the Northern Ireland Office is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees of the Northern Ireland civil service have applied for a job transfer and have stated Newry (i) as their first preference or (ii) as a preference other than first preference.

The number of non-industrial staff in the Northern Ireland civil service who have applied for a transfer and have stated Newry as:

(i) first preference is 159; and

(ii) as preference other than first preference is 66.

To ask the Secretary of State For Northern Ireland when he will make an announcement about the establishment of the social security agency.

The social security agency was launched this morning and will be formally established on 1 July 1991. I have made arrangements for copies of the framework document and the business plan, which includes challenging quality of service and efficiency targets, to be placed in both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the amounts allocated to local education authorities to enable them to carry out the training initiatives on child protection and child abuse under the new Children Act 1989, as described in consultative paper No. 22 "Working Together".

The consultation paper is concerned with inter-agency co-operation, and emphasises the importance of joint training under the auspices of area child protection committees. Local education authorities and schools may choose to make specific provision for training teachers and certain other education staff in matters relating to child protection, drawing as appropriate on the support available under our programme of grants for education support and training. However, their allocations for this purpose cannot be readily quantified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the total expenditure of the polytechnics and colleges employers forum for 1989–90 and 1990–91 was spent on entertainment.

This is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the level of departmental funding of the Trades Union Congress for educational purposes; what criteria determine the continuity of that funding; which section of his Department is responsible for vetting materials used on TUC training or education courses which use departmental funding; and if he will make a statement.

This Department does not provide any funds for the TUC for educational purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in respect of the student loans scheme, (i) the most recent figure for loan applications received, (ii) the number of loans made, (iii) the value of loans made and (iv) total costs incurred administering the scheme.

As at 20 June 1991 over 181,000 students had applied for a loan from the Student Loans Company Ltd. Over 153,000 loans had been issued, with a total value of £59·2 million.Between September 1990, when the scheme became operational, and 31 May 1991, the company's running costs were £7·73 million, exclusive of VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he has taken following his letter of 31 May to the Professional Footballers Association to bring together the Football Association, the Football League and the Professional Footballers Association to discuss plans for the future of football; what further measures he intends to take; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 21 June 1991]: I have had detailed discussions with each of the three bodies and have indicated to all of them that I stand ready to help, in an impartial manner, if the three organisations wish me to do so. In pressing the need for unity and for football to speak with one voice I have made it quite clear that the resolution of the various differences is for football alone.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Inland Revenue in court challenged the Woolwich tax model of the effects of regulations 3 and 11 (1985).

Yes. The Inland Revenue did not accept the conclusions of the Woolwich building society based on its hypothetical tax model.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates beginning and ending the financial years for which building societies' payments of members' income tax in (a) January 1984, (b) January 1985 and (c) January 1986 satisfied the Inland Revenue and the dates beginning and ending the period of deduction of tax to which the 1985, 1986 and 1991 legislation and regulations are directed; and if he will now add the information to a simple chart and place it in the Library.

[holding answer 21 June 1991]: Payments of tax by building societies in January 1984, 1985 and 1986 under the former annual accounting arrangements satisfied their liability under those arrangements for the tax years 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86 respectively.The Building Societies Regulations 1986, to which the 1985, 1986 and 1991 legislation relates, required societies to account for tax from 1986–87 onwards at the end of each quarter. In addition, under transitional provisions, societies were required to account for the tax on interest paid to their investors in the gap period between the end of their accounting period in 1985–86—which formed the basis for the January 1986 payment under the annual arrangements—and 5 April 1986.I have placed a chart explaining the sequence of events in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the balance of trade with (a) the other countries of the EC and (b) the rest of the world in (i) visible and (ii) invisibles in 1990 as a balance of payments basis; and if he will add the figures for imports and exports.

Information about visible trade with the EC and the rest of the world in 1990 on a balance of payments basis can be found in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", available in the Library of the House, or on the Central Statistical Office database which may also be accessed through the Library. Comparable information about invisible trade will be published on 4 September in the 1991 edition of "The CSO Pink Book."

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his responsibilities in respect of the Insolvency Service.

Department of Trade and Industry Ministers determine and answer to Parliament on the general policy framework within which the Insolvency Service executive agency operates. The Treasury has a number of specific responsibilities as set out in the Insolvency Act 1986 for certain issues of finance, accounting and investment (part XIV sections 404–5 and 407–9) and for certain fees (part XV sections 414–5). The Treasury also has certain other order-making powers (part XV section 422); and the Insolvency Service executive agency is subject to Treasury staff inspection.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations underlay his decision to continue to operate the tour operators' margin scheme.