To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contribution on science and technology will be made by his Department to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June; what has been the cost of preparation for UNCED by his Department, and previously at the Department of Education and Science.

Preparation for UNCED is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The Office of Science and Technology, the Department of Education and Science and the research councils have helped the Department of the Environment in these preparations, but the cost of this is not readily available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Research Council on 29 April.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I represented Her Majesty's Government at the meeting of the Council of Ministers (Research) in Luxembourg on 29 April 1992.The Council adopted the two outstanding programmes under the third EC framework programme for research and development: measurement and testing, and the dissemination and exploitation of results. It also adopted the joint research centre's programme for 1992–94. The Council had a general discussion on the future shape of Community research and development, and invited the Commission to bring forward its proposals concerning the framework programme as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to mitigate the effects of water shortages both on consumers and on river and wetland environments.

Primary responsibility for maintaining public water supplies rests with the water companies. The National Rivers Authority (NRA) also has a general statutory responsibility for conserving, redistributing and augmenting water resources and securing their proper use. This responsibility extends, in particular, to protecting river and wetland environment. My Department has for some months been holding regular meetings with the NRA, the Office of Water Services and the water companies to ensure necessary liaison and that we arc aware of action (such as the consideration of applications for drought orders) that will be needed by the Department.I am writing to all Members of Parliament in the areas which may be affected by water shortages this summer to explain the situation in greater detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce changes in noise abatement zone procedures.

Following the noise review recommendation that the procedures for establishing noise abatement zones should be reviewed, my Department commissioned the Building Research Establishment to carry out a survey of local authorities which have established noise abatement zones.Thirty-seven local authorities which have established, or attempted to establish, noise abatement zones have been consulted during this work. An interim report from BRE is due shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the number of jobs which have been sited in the enterprise zone in the Isle of Dogs from its inception to the latest convenient date, together with the total transferred there from existing locations outside that zone, the numbers of jobs related to completely new enterprises founded in that zone and the approximate expenditure of public funds, including remissions, for each of the latter categories of job so created.

By December 1989 there were 9,600 jobs in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone, an increase of 8,959 since the designation of the zone. It is not possible to state how many jobs have been transferred from outside the zone, nor how many relate to new enterprises in the zone. Consequently, public expenditure on jobs in either category cannot be estimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will have any responsibility to promote (a) combined heat and power stations, (b) the use of combustible waste as fuel and (c) industrial energy efficiency programmes following the abolition of the Department of Energy.

The Department is now responsible for the work of the Energy Efficiency Office.Energy Efficiency Office programmes relevant to industry are: the best practice programme covering research, development, demonstration and dissemination of energy technologies in the industrial, commercial and buildings sectors, including the promotion of all types of combined heat and power plant; the energy management assistance scheme (EMAS) for organisations with fewer than 500 employees; and the "Making a Corporate Commitment" campaign which is aimed at chairman and directors in industry, commerce and public sector organisations.Primary responsibility for the use of combustible waste as fuel now rests with the Department of Trade and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will institute a survey of the difference in the office rental levels available for government leasing between (a) routine property company transactions and (b) receivers or administrators thereof.

No. It is already established practice within Government to negotiate the best available terms, including rental levels, for any new office lease requirement, regardless of who might be the landlord.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to improve protection for sites of special scientific interest.

The additional safeguards for sites of special scientific interest announced by this Government in September 1991 came into effect on 2 January 1992. Further details of the many steps we have taken to conserve our natural heritage, and how our policies on conservation are to be reflected in land use planning, are set out in a draft planning policy guidance note, which was issued for public consultation on 27 February. The response to that consultation exercise are now being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what initiatives he has to reduce the impact of air pollution on health and amenity.

These are conveniently summarised on pages 42 to 44 of the White Paper, "This Common Inheritance—the First Year Report", published in September 1991. Twenty-three separate commitments to further action are listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the Local Government Boundary Commission's proposal to transfer Thamesmead East ward from the London borough of Bexley to the London borough of Greenwich; and if he will make a statement.

Ninety-one representations from Members, local groups, members of the public and other interested persons have been received. We are considering all the points made and will make public our decision as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities which came within 1 per cent. of the expenditure criteria he laid down for charge capping for 1992–93.

There are 126 authorities-94 charging and 32 precepting authorities—which have set budgets for 1992–93 within 1 per cent. of the limit implied by the principles which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has adopted for community charge limitation for 1992–93. These are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to make a statement before the summer recess on the outline 1993–94 financial settlement for local authorities.

Although it has been the custom to announce in July each year the Government's proposals for total standard spending and aggregate external finance, there are exceptional circumstances this year in relation to the revenue support grant settlement for 1993–94. First, in fixing these aggregates we shall want to take into account the implications for the level of council tax and for the transitional arrangements. These will in part turn on the results of the valuation of properties, which will not be available until September. Secondly, we shall want to look closely at the financing of community care. We have therefore decided to postpone an announcement of total standard spending and aggregate external finance until the autumn when our detailed proposals for the revenue support grant settlement will also be announced. I believe that it is to the advantage of local government that we should postpone these decisions this year. Similar considerations apply in Scotland and Wales and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales will also be postponing decisions on the aggregates of the settlements for Scotland and Wales until the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to prohibit the import of illegally extracted timber from tropical rain forests.

The Government believe that restrictions or bans on tropical timber imports would be counterproductive. We are pursuing an effective policy of helping developing countries to put their forest management onto a sustainable basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the timing and agenda for the first meeting of the private sector forum for London; and whether the forum will have its own staff and budget;(2)if he will make a statement indicating which organisations and individuals have been invited to become members of the private sector forum for London; and what position has been given in this process to nominations from London representative organisations and to local authority representatives.

We are still considering the detailed arrangements for the new private sector forum for London. We will announce our conclusions in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to develop further the new approach introduced last year to the allocation of resources within the local authority housing investment programme process.

I intend to carry forward the new arrangements made last year with two significant new points of development. First, I propose to extend the emphasis on ensuring that the processes for allocating capital funds to local authorities are focused on the vital issue of improving the performance of authorities and getting best value from the money that is available for social housing. Secondly, in association with this and consistent with the need for a strategic approach, I intend to draw together, at a local level, both the housing investment programme (HIP) process, which applies to local authorities, and the approved development programme (ADP) process, which is used for the allocation of funds through the Housing Corporation to housing associations.A consultation paper has today been sent to the relevant local authority associations and their members; to the National Federation of Housing Associations and the major developing associations; and to the Institute of Housing, seeking views and comments on these and other proposals to develop the local authority HIP round. The proposals involve the preparation by local authorities of comprehensive housing strategies and the way in which resources will be allocated by central Government.The Government's overall objective is to secure the best value for money from the considerable volume of resources allocated to local authorities within the HIP process. All the proposals which we have put forward will support this aim by encouraging local authorities to be efficient and effective in their roles as landlords and enablers of social housing and in promoting better co-ordination and closer partnership at local level between authorities, housing associations and the private sector.Last year, housing Ministers attended a number of successful presentations from local authorities, based on their housing strategics and HIP proposals. These occasions heightened the awareness and involvement of tenants and other local people in the HIP round, and pointed to the scope for partnership between local authorities, the private sector, and the Housing Corporation and housing associations in the provision of social housing. We propose to continue this initiative during the coming year, by inviting some authorities to give presentations in the course of Ministers' regular round of visits, and others to give more structured presentations in the course of the HIP round.A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Views and comments arc invited by 26 June. I intend to report back to the House shortly thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, when the process guidance notes for the waste disposal and recycling sector processes prescribed under part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will be available.

I am pleased to report that chief inspector's guidance to inspectors are expected to be published on 27 May for 1 I processes in the waste disposal and recycling sector. These notes have been drawn up following completion or research reviews; and relevant industries and other bodies have been given the opportunity to put forward their comments. The notes will provide a sound framework within which inspectors can assess applications for the authorisation of new processes and existing processes. They represent a further stage in the introduction of integrated pollution control.A set of the notes will be placed in the Library as soon as they are published.The preparation of guidance notes for the remaining processes to come under control is well advanced. Further notes will be published in the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has taken the necessary steps to make public the responses to consultation on the measures to promote competition in the water industry which are now incorporated in the Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992.

Copies of 45 responses to the consultation paper, "Proposed legislation on competition in the water industry", issued jointly by the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office in October 1991, are available to the public in the Department of the Environment's Library until 30 September 1992. A list of the bodies which submitted these responses has been placed in the Library of the House. In a further four cases, the body submitting a response asked that it be treated as confidential and that has been respected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future programme of large-scale voluntary transfers of local authority housing stock to housing associations.

The Government are committed to a continuing programme of large-scale voluntary transfers. I will issue a consultation paper shortly setting out my proposals for the implementation of the manifesto commitment to limit the number of properties transferred in a single batch and on other possible changes to the arrangements for transfers. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will also be issuing a consultation paper.It makes sense for future applications for consent for large-scale transfers under sections 32 to 43 of the Housing Act 1985 to be considered on the basis of the new arrangements arising out of the consultation exercise. However, I am aware that a small number of authorities have already issued a formal consultation notice to the tenants in accordance with the procedure set out in schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985 or are on the point of issuing such a notice and have already incurred significant expenditure in preparing for transfer. These authorities are: East Cambridgeshire, Surrey Heath, Breckland, Woodspring and West Dorset district councils and the London boroughs of Hillingdon and Kingston upon Thames. I will be prepared to consider applications for large-scale transfers by these authorities under the existing guidelines, once they have completed consulting their tenants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will make available grants to assist home owners in the Armley area of Leeds to remove from their homes the asbestos pollution from the former Roberts factory.

[holding answer 20 May 1992]: Under part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, local authorities are able to give mandatory renovation grants for works to make a property fit for human habitation. This may cover asbestos removal where the presence of asbestos causes a dwelling to fail the fitness standard, for example, as a result of serious disrepair, structural instability or poor ventilation. In other circumstances, authorities may offer discretionary grants for asbestos removal where works are required to put a dwelling into reasonable repair, or in conjunction with other works.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what plans he has for the future of Somerset house.

None at present, I am considering how best to take forward the challenge issued last December by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for an imaginative alternative use for Somerset house.

To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to lay before Parliament and publish the annual report of the Serious Fraud Office for the year 1991–92.

The report was laid before Parliament at 11 o'clock this morning. I have caused a copy of the report to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Attorney-General how many countries the Serious Fraud Office has visited in connection with the BCCI inquiry.

It is the practice of the director of the Serious Fraud Office not to divulge operational details relating to criminal investigations by the Serious Fraud Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the purpose of the works which have caused traffic lights and one-way operations to be set up on the A 1 Haggerston, south of Berwick upon Tweed; for how long the obstructions will remain; and whether they will remain in place during weekends and English and Scottish holidays.

The traffic signals on the A1 at Haggerston south of Berwick have been introduced so that essential maintenance and improvement works to the carriageway can be undertaken. The work is programmed for completion at the beginning of August.The traffic signals will normally remain in place at weekends, but arrangements have been made for them to be removed on Thursday 21 May for the bank holiday weekend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for Government funding of the extension of the Jubilee line through to London docklands; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 18 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what parameters have been given to British Rail for the definition of the route of the channel tunnel rail link.

We attach importance to encouraging the transfer of freight from road to rail, so we have provisionally asked British Rail to allow for the new line to take freight as well as passenger services if demand warrants it.The additional cost of extra dedicated tracks along the route for freight would be substantial and would not be justified by the anticipated demand, even on optimistic forecasts.So we have also asked British Rail to define a route which will allow the construction of a two-track railway with a freight capability, built to continental loading gauge standards. BR would consider the potential for the addition of passing loops and other facilities.We will confirm our view on these points after consulting the relevant local authorities and others who have an interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairmen of British Airways and British Midland to discuss a reduction in fares between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

No, although meetings with United Kingdom airlines are held periodically in the course of departmental business.The evidence suggests that there is, on a fare per mile basis, quite a wide variation in fares amongst the various routes to Northern Ireland. But taken as a whole the Northern Ireland fares do not differ markedly from those on routes between regional airports in other parts of the United Kingdom.All United Kingdom fare tariffs, including those to Northern Ireland, are filed with the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the powers to act against fares which are clearly excessive. The level they are filed at is a matter for the commercial judgment of the airline concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list British Rail's completed infrastructure investment capital and revenue, in Scotland for the financial years 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 and projected similar investment for each financial year until 1994–95.

British Rail keeps only limited historic information on investment on a geographical basis, and as BR plans on a business sector basis there is no information for future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the resignalling projects on the London Tilbury and Southend line will be completed and operational.

I understand that the new signalling is expected to be operational in 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail about the reliability of trains on the Fenchurch Street, Tilbury and Southend loop line; and if he will make a statement.

British Rail has told me that the current £50 million resignalling programme is the key to improving reliability on this line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safeguards exist to ensure that British Rail remains able to improve rolling stock, signalling and upgrading of station facilities on the Fenchurch Street, Tilbury, Southend line pending the British Coal and British Rail (Transfer Proposals) Bill receiving Royal Assent.

It is for British Rail to set priorities for expenditure within the funds available to it. For our part, we are doing all that we can to help it maintain its investment programme. In June 1991 an extra £400 million was provided to help British Rail maintain services and continue its investment programmes despite falling revenue. The Autumn Statement announced the addition of £1 billion to British Rail's plans for 1992.I am pleased that British Rail has been able to begin the resignalling project on the London, Tilbury and Southend line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about extended delays to those travelling westbound on the M4 towards London Heathrow as a result of the coning-off of lanes on the motorway on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May.

One hon. Member telephoned my right hon. Friend's office and another telephoned the Department. No other representations have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the reduction of the westbound carriageway of the M4 at the Heston service station from three lanes to one lane on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May; how many people were working on the M4 at Heston; and what repairs were being carried out.

Extended delays occurred on the westbound carriageway of M4 in outer London last weekend following a local failure of the concrete carriageway on Friday 15 May. Traffic was immediately restricted to one lane to protect motorists and a 20 mph speed restriction was imposed. The centre lane was reopened temporarily for the Friday evening peak period, following emergency repairs, but was then closed again for more substantial remedial measures.Concrete was broken out for 8 metres either side of a damaged lateral joint and was replaced by asphaltic material. The M4 westbound carriageway was fully reopened to traffic by 5·30 am on Monday 18 May. The Department's agent and contractor are to be congratulated on the speed and efficiency with which they tackled this emergency, which could not have been anticipated. The number of people working on site varied throughout the weekend depending on the operations being undertaken. At the peak, 22 engineering, supervisory and operative staff were employed. Most work was complete by midday on Sunday but time was needed for the asphalt to cool and harden before traffic could be allowed to run on it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his decision on British Rail's request for permission to enter into a leasing arrangement in order to fund a new fleet of commuter trains for north Kent.

An order for the 188 Networkers necessary to complete the replacement of rolling stock for Kent link services was placed by British Rail on 10 April 1992. There is therefore no need for a leasing arrangement to fund new trains for Kent link routes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for the provision and costing of policing of British Rail stations, lines and services following franchising.

The appropriate future arrangements for policing the railways are under consideration as part of the development of our proposals for privatisation. Our proposals will be set out in more detail in a White Paper which we aim to publish later in the summer and brought forward in legislation to be introduced later this Session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specific contributions his Department made to Her Majesty's Government's submissions to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June; and what was the cost to his Department in preparing the submissions.

The conference will take a wide-ranging view of a variety of complex and interlinked environment and development issues. Transport has an important role to play in issues such as climate change, the protection of the atmosphere and the promotion of sustainable human settlements.My Department has played a full part in developing the Government's policy on these issues. It is not practicable to separate out the cost of carrying out this work.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual revenue to the Exchequer from the taxation of mileage allowance paid to car service volunteers with the national health service.

Volunteers who drive for the hospital car service are taxed on motor mileage allowances only to the extent that they exceed the actual costs incurred in driving for the national health service. I regret that information is not available about the tax collected as a result of taxing this profit element.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters in regard to financing environmental protection and restoration were discussed at the ECOFIN Council in Brussels on 19 May.

The only environmental issue raised at ECOFIN on 19 May was a brief announcement by the Commission that a draft directive proposing a carbon-energy tax would be published soon. There was no discussion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the recommendations of Her Majesty's Government to their European Community counterparts on tax harmonisation for alcohol, with particular reference to the export market for Scotch whisky; and if he will make a statement on current negotiations and the likely date for the reaching of a final conclusion.

In the 1992 Budget Statement my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated that he was not prepared to accept any deal in Brussels that would force other member states to put up duties on spirits. At the 19 May 1992 ECOFIN the United Kingdom objected to the currently proposed 1,000 ecu minimum rate for spirits. No conclusion was reached, and the subject will be discussed again as part of wider discussions on indirect taxation in ECOFIN in June.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to implement a capping mechanism whereby current differentials in European Community member states on tax levied on different alcoholic beverages will, as a minimum, be retained, or as a maximum be harmonised; and if he will make a statement.

A capping mechanism would constrain the ability of member states, including the United Kingdom, to determine their own fiscal policies. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met representatives of the spirits industry on 15 May 1992 to discuss the EC proposals. He advised them that, for this reason, he was not prepared to argue for capping. However, he assured them that he would not agree to any minimum rate which forced other member states to increase their rate of duty on spirits to the detriment of United Kingdom exports.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what particular contributions his Department made to Her Majesty's Government's submissions to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June; and what was the cost to his Department in preparing the contributions.

Submissions made to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development reflect the policies of Her Majesty's Government. A number of departments, including the Treasury, are involved in the preparations for the summit in Rio de Janeiro. The cost of the Treasury's contribution has not been separately assessed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the public sector borrowing requirement for each financial year since 1974–75 expressed in actual pounds, constant pounds and as a percentage of gross domestic product.

[holding answer 19 May 1992]: The table shows the figures:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with east European leaders regarding potential dangers of aging nuclear power stations in eastern Europe; and what funds will be available to promote safety at these plants.

Following discussions between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Czechoslovakian Foreign Minister last December, assistance has been allocated from the know-how fund for nuclear safety projects in Czechoslovakia. Similar assistance has been allocated to Bulgaria. On funding, the EC has to date allocated 18·5 mecu from its PHARE programme to Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia for technical assistance to improve nuclear safety, and further funds will be allocated to eastern European countries from the 1992 PHARE budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the entry clearance officer, Islamabad, will issue the entry clearance visa to Zafar Iqbal of Pakistan, fiance of Miss Nasreen Akthar Younis of Blackburn, following the refusal of the immigration appeal tribunal on 5 February to grant leave to the entry clearance officer to appeal against the adjudicator's determination to issue the visa; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in issuing the visa.

In the absence of any details about this case, I have asked our high commissioner at Islamabad for a full report. I shall send the hon. Member a substantive reply as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policies to control the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons will be put forward by the United Kingdom at the Foreign Ministers' meeting on the future co-ordination of policies towards the Commonwealth of Independent States in Lisbon on 22–23 May.

We will continue to press all non-parties in the CIS to accede to the non-proliferation treaty and to pursue responsible policies on the transfer of conventional weapons. We have already made clear the importance we attach to signature of the 1925 Geneva protocol on the use of chemical weapons, and adherence to Australia group guidelines on the export of chemical precursors. We look forward to the conclusion at the Lisbon conference of an agreement to establish an international science and technology centre in Russia to fund and co-ordinate the peaceful employment of former Soviet military scientists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on progress made in the multilateral negotiations on curbing arms proliferation in the middle east.

I refer the hon. Member to the written reply that I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 18 May at column 11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the freezing of the assets of Serbia and Montenegro; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government will take a position on individual measures in the light of the situation on the ground and in the context of discussions in the EC and in the United Nations. The EC continues to withhold from Serbia the trade and aid benefits extended to the other five republics of the former Yugoslavia. The Council has asked the Commission to report on the other possible economic sanctions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's current policy towards (a) Croatia, (b) Serbia and (c) Montenegro in respect of the imposition of economic sanctions.

Her Majesty's Government will take a position on individual measures in the light of the situation on the ground and in the context of discussions in the EC and in the United Nations. The EC continues to withhold from Serbia the trade and aid benefits extended to the other five republics of the former Yugoslavia. The Council has asked the Commission to report on other possible economic sanctions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of Bosnia-Herzgeovina; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the Bosnian Foreign Minister on 7 May to discuss recent events in Bosnia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the ambassador of Yugoslavia; and what subjects were discussed on that occasion.

I met the Yugoslav ambassador on 30 April to discuss recent developments in Yugoslavia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the representatives of the Croatian Government in London; and what subjects were discussed on that occasion.

The Government of Croatia have no diplomatic or consular representative in London. However, the head of the Croatian information office is in regular touch with officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in respect of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

We remain in close touch with the United Nations Secretary-General through our mission to New York. We welcome the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 752 on 15 May and call upon all parties and others concerned in the fighting in Bosnia-Herzegovina to comply with it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates the treaty on European union signed at Maastricht on 7 February and laid before Parliament on 6 May, (a) comes into effect or (b) is ratified as respects (a) the Preamble, (b) Title I (Common Provisions), (c) Title V (Provisions on a Common Foreign and Security Policy), (d) Title VI (Provisions on Co-operation in the field of Justice and Foreign Affairs), and (e) Title VII (Final Provisions); whether the Ponsonby rule applies to (i) the whole of that treaty, (ii) certain provisions of that treaty and in the case of (ii) if he will specify which provisions.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on 14 May to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing). The treaty on European union can be ratified only in its entirety; there is no procedure for ratifying different parts. Provided that Parliament has passed the necessary legislation in respect of the titles amending the Community treaties, an instrument of ratification will be deposited with the Italian Government in accordance with article R of the treaty.Since it is a treaty signed subject to ratification, the Ponsonby rule will apply to the union treaty as a whole. The rule requires that such a treaty should not be ratified until 21 days after it has been laid before the House following signature. This requirement will have been more than fulfilled.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department if he will state for each year between 1979–80 and 1990–91 the contributions in (a) cash

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department if he will state the number of summonses issued and number of liability orders obtained for non-payment, or arrears, of community charge for the year 1991–92 for each local authority in England and Wales.

I have arranged for this information to be made available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current expenditure on legal aid; and what it was 10 years ago.

After the recovery of contributions, the estimated outturn of expenditure on legal aid in 1991–92 is £969 million, inclusive of administration costs. Expenditure in 1981–82 was £170 million net.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department what steps the Lord Chancellor takes to ensure geographical representation for the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom in the appointment of social security commissioners.

Most cases are determined on paper but commissioners sit regularly in all four regions of the United Kingdom when a particular case requires them to do so.To ensure that only the best candidates are appointed, ability and experience, rather than regional origin, are the criteria for appointment as a social security commissioner.

The figures requested are in the table. They show contributions retained in each financial year. The cash prices have been uprated to 1991 prices using the GDP deflator.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the visit to Britain of the Kwazulu police commissioner, General Jack Buchner.

I understand that General Jack Buchner came to Great Britain in a private capacity in May and arranged a visit to Humberside police, which was subsequently cancelled. Her Majesty's Government were not aware of these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue advice to police forces that they should not receive delegations from the South African police without consulting his Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The majority of visits to United Kingdom police forces by overseas police personnel are arranged on a Government-to-Government basis. Where this is not the case, chief officers of police are regularly reminded of the need to consult my Department and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if there are likely to be political or other sensitivities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will propose changes to the immigration rules to accommodate the free movement provisions of the European Economic Community/European Free Trade Association treaty.

I envisage doing so during the second half of this year. Subject to satisfactory progress towards ratification by the parties concerned, the target date for the European economic area agreement to come into force is 1 January 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of payment per annum the Government are giving to Group 4 for the running of the Wolds private remand prison.

Details of the payments to Group 4 are subject to commercial confidentiality and cannot therefore be made public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking in the creation of a miscarriage of justice tribunal; and if he will make a statement.

Present arrangements for the consideration and investigation of alleged miscarriages of justice are being reviewed as part of the work being carried out by the Royal Commission on criminal justice. The Government will give careful consideration to the findings of the Royal Commission on all matters arising from its examination of the criminal justice system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the number of firearms and shotguns reported stolen in the years 1986 to 1991; and if he will make a statement.

The available information relates to the number of notifiable offences of burglary and theft recorded by the police in which firearms, including shotguns, were reported to have been stolen. More than one weapon may have been stolen during each offence. The figures for 1986 to 1989 are contained in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1989" which is in the Library. The total figure for 1990 is 2,024. Figures for 1991 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has of the number of illegally held firearms and shotguns; and if he will make a statement.

The number of persons found guilty of possessing firearms or shotguns without the necessary certificate are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", copies of which are in the Library. In 1990, the latest year for which figures are available, 441 persons were convicted of possessing shotguns without a certificate and 383 of possessing other firearms or ammunition without a certificate.These figures do not show the whole picture. Although only 0·2 per cent. of notifiable offences recorded in 1990 involved a firearm combating armed crime remains a top priority. My Department has commissioned a research project by Oxford university into the source of firearms used in crime. I shall consider the results carefully to see whether further measures could be taken to reduce armed crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms and shotgun certificates were issued in each year between 1986 and 1991.

The number of applications for new firearm and shotgun certificates granted and the number of certificates renewed are shown for each year between 1986 and 1990 in tables 1 and 3 of Home Office statistical bulletin number 23/91. A copy of this bulletin is in the Library. Figures for 1991 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom in each month in 1991 and 1992 to the nearest available date.

The information is given in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom in the years 1989 to 1991, showing applications by country of origin.

The information is given in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted (a) asylum and (b) indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom in each year from 1981 to 1991.

Information is given in the table for those granted asylum. Information on the number of persons granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kindom, that is, the total accepted for settlement under the Immigration Act 1971, is published in table 10 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1990" (Cm 1571), a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to determine asylum applications in the United Kingdom; and how many claims currently await determination.

For cases decided in the first quarter of 1992, excluding those under paragraph 101 of the immigration rules for failure to provide evidence in support of the asylum claim, the estimated average length of time between the receipt of the asylum application and the decision was 171/2 months.At 30 March 1992 around 61,000 cases awaited action in the asylum and special cases division.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from the conflict in Yugoslavia have been given permission to stay in the United Kingdom; what assistance they are being given; and what plans he has to assist possible arrivals of further refugees from that country.

It is estimated that about 750 citizens of the former state of Yugoslavia have sought asylum in the United Kingdom up to the end of April this year on the basis of claims associated with the various conflicts in that area. All these applicants will be allowed to stay while their claims are considered. They, and any future applicants, are eligible to claim income support and housing benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Parliamentary Boundary Commission's initial proposals for Hertfordshire to be published.

I understand that the Boundary Commission for England has not yet decided when it will publish its provisional recommendations for the county of Hertfordshire, although it is likely that this will be towards the end of the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inspections the local fire brigade had made of the holiday home at Capel Curig, Snowdonia, recently subject to a fire leading to two deaths; what recommendations it had made; and if he will make a statement.