To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what progress has been made on the Lord Chancellor's proposals concerning the management of court time;(2) what measures he has taken to improve the use of court time.

Over the last two years a number of measures have been introduced to improve the use of court time in the civil courts: jurisdictional changes and new arrangements for the allocation of business between the High Court and county courts which ensure cases are directed to the most appropriate forum for trial; procedural changes which advocate the early exchange of more informative pleadings so that trials can be focused on the issues in dispute, and the development of 80 county court trail centres which offer continuous hearings.In the Crown court and magistrates courts, recommendations to reduce delay made by a working party on pre-trial issues are being introduced. Three pilot schemes are already operating to monitor the effectiveness of magistrates committing defendants to appear in the Crown court on a specific date, either for pleas to be taken or directions given if the case is contested. The guidance for Crown court listing officers is being revised and will include maximum times for the period between committal and trial. Magistrates and their clerks have been asked to give the reduction of waiting times a high priority and are being encouraged to develop methods of listing which will minimise the time people have to wait at court.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications have been made for the post of magistrate; and how many appointments have been made in each of the last five years.

The first part of the question cannot be answered without disproportionate cost. The numbers of appointments made by the Lord Chancellor for each of the last five years are:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates have been relieved of their duties in each of the last five years owing to misconduct.

Prior to 1989, the records kept provide no differentiation between those who were removed on the grounds of misconduct and those removed on other grounds. However, the figures for each of the last three years are as follows:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria are used in the appointment of magistrates.

The criteria used in the appointment of magistrates are set out in the Lord Chancellor's "Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace" at pages 12 to 14. A copy of these directions is in the Library.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints are received each year concerning the conduct of magistrates.

During the period 1 May 1991 to 30 April 1992, a total of 70 conduct files were opened where complaints were received which, by nature of allegations made, could have involved possible disciplin-ary action by the Lord Chancellor.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department to what extent political persuasion is taken into account in the selection of magistrates.

A candidate's political persuasion is neither a qualification nor disqualification for appointment. Political persuasion and other factors are taken into account in order to obtain, so far as possible, a bench which broadly reflects the area it serves.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training magistrates receive; and how many are deemed unfit for duty after they have been selected.

All newly appointed magistrates receive induction training totalling a minimum of 16 hours before they sit to adjudicate. This should be completed within three months after appointment. Following this, within 12 months after appointment they undertake the basic course—year one—comprising sitting in court to adjudicate with two experienced colleagues; visits to a local adult prison and a young offender institute, and an introduction to the probation service—totalling six hours; and a training course of 12 hours. The basic course continues in years two and three after appointment and may either take the form of four hours' training in each year or be combined into eight hours' training as a residential course. Further training takes the form of 12 hours' training in each three-year period thereafter. Members of the juvenile court—youth court from October 1992—and family panels, and chairmen of courts receive specialist training. No justice has been removed because he or she has failed to complete the training satisfactorily.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases are adjourned each year owing to the non-appearance of witnesses.

No figures relating to this subject are generally collected.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the effects on his Department's work of the new guidance notes on the interpretation of the Immigration Act 1971.

The only recent policy guidance to immigration officers of which I am aware relates to primary purpose cases. The effect of policy on caseloads is continuously assessed but, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department made clear, in answer to a question from the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 30 June, Official Report, columns 523–24, it is not possible to estimate accurately the number of applicants who may be effected by this guidance. The effect, therefore, on the number of appeals to the immigration appellate authorities is similarly unclear.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he has plans to permit the Court of Appeal to be televised; and if he will make a statement.

The Lord Chancellor's Department has no plans at the present time to promote amending legislation to permit the televising of proceedings in the Court of Appeal.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to discontinue the system whereby retired judges are permitted to sit part time; and if he will make a statement.

The Lord Chancellor has no plans to end the arrangements under existing legal provisions whereby retired judges may be asked to sit judicially from time to time. The Judicial Pensions and Retirement Bill [Lords], at present under consideration in another place, contains a provision which would prevent a retired judge from sitting after reaching the age of 75.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on judicial salaries.

No. The Government are presently considering the salaries of members of the judiciary.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he plans to introduce a pilot project for court-based plea bargaining; and if he will make a statement.

The Lord Chancellor and I are considering the matter, but there are no plans to introduce a pilot project for court-based plea bargaining at the present time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if it will be possible for judges to buy additional years under the new judicial pension provisions.

The Judicial Pensions and Retirement Bill [Lords], which has recently completed its Committee stage in another place, contains a regulation-making power to enable provision to be made to entitle qualifying judicial officers to make voluntary contribution towards the cost of provision of additional benefits under the new judicial pension scheme.

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

The CPS annual report for 1991–92 was laid before Parliament at 11 o'clock this morning. I have caused a copy of the report to he placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps are being taken to make known to qualified former Members the availability of special guest passes.

It was agreed by the former Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) that the initiative for applying for special guest passes should lie with the former Members concerned. No specific steps are therefore being taken to alert those concerned to the availability of the new passes, although it is understood that a number of former Members have already submitted applications.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many special guest passes have been issued to qualified former hon. Members of the House.

Thirty-three.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many former Members are known to qualify for special guest passes.

Excluding the 81 former Members who have been elevated to the peerage and who therefore continue to enjoy certain facilities in this House, 205 former Members are known to qualify for special guest passes.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what special arrangements are in place within the precincts of the House of Commons for the parking of vehicles used by disabled people; how these arrangements are enforced; how the abuses of these arrangements are dealt with; what plans he has to improve such arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

The Serjeant at Arms has authorised four hon. Members, four Members' secretaries and 10 staff of the House to use on a first-come first-served basis the 12 parking spaces reserved for the use of vehicles driven by or used by photo-identity pass holders who are disabled. In addition, authority for the use of these spaces is given from time to time to disabled visitors and to photo-identity pass holders suffering from temporary incapacity.Those who use the other parking bays in Star Court have been reminded not to use the spaces reserved for disabled people.These arrangements are dependent in the first instant on the co-operation of all right hon. and hon. Members; but they do form part of the responsibilities of the Administration Committee in respect of regulations governing car parking in the precincts of the House. That Committee will act on advice from the Serjeant at Arms.I understand no complaints of misuse or abuse have been received this year and it would appear that the arrangements are working satisfactorily.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans he has to improve access and facilities for disabled people in the House; and if he will make a statement.

The arrangements for access and facilities for the disabled are kept under regular review. The hon. Gentleman may have noticed the recent installation of a stair lift up to the Grand Committee Room and Jubilee Room and handrails leading to the interview rooms off Westminster Hall. Consultants were commissioned last year to look at what might be done to improve access to the main public areas. Their initial report has been examined and further advice is now being sought.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the cost of producing new green plastic folders for the House of Commons telephone directory; why it was necessary to replace the black folders; how many were issued (a) to each hon. Member and (b) in total; who approved the cost; and how much was spent.

Some 3,500 new folders and directories are to be issued including a single personal issue to each hon. Member. The cost of the folders was £5,181. Their purchase was approved by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee of the Services Committee in the last Parliament. The Sub-Committee's successor committee, the Administration Committee, approved a mock-up of the new directory and the new folder.The new green folders for the House of Commons telephone directory are to replace the current black folders which are wearing out and which are too small satisfactorily to contain the newly designed telephone directory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his policy on the release of information concerning low-flying avoidance areas has changed since the introduction of the new open government measures.

My Department will continue to provide information on how to apply for avoidance status and on matters taken into account when applications are considered; applicants are informed of the decision in all cases. Our policy continues to be based on the considerations set out in the Government's reply—HC 659, October 1990, page v—to the Defence Committee's report on low flying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of low-flying sorties by aircraft type for each month of 1992 to date.

The information for the period January 1992 to April 1992, the most recent month for which figures are available, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to measure the noise levels generated by the F 15E aircraft at low level.

We hope to measure the noise generated by the F15E aircraft at low level later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times the radar operators at RAF Machrihanish have detected the new United States aircraft Aurora during the last 12 months; and if he will list by location where it has been detected by other RAF radar monitoring stations.

The existence of such an aircraft would be a matter for the United States authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that his Department's bases and facilities meet the guidelines set out in paragraph 20.23, as amended, of chapter 20 of "Agenda 21" as agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

It is MOD policy to comply fully with United Kingdom environmental legislation except for certain operational activities where compliance is impractical and closely controlled exemptions are permitted. Appropriate guidance exists on the management of hazardous materials and wastes at defence establishments. It is MOD policy to minimise or eliminate the use of hazardous substances wherever practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence following the agreement between the United States of America and Russia to cut strategic nuclear arms and to co-operate on the global protection against limited strikes system, whether Britain will develop a different tactical air-to-surface missile type delivery system.

We are continuing to study a range of possible options for the eventual replacement of WE177. These include French and American tactical air-to-surface missiles. No decision has yet been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Queen's Harbour Master, Portsmouth has to extend restrictions on the use of jet skis in those waters off the Isle of Wight for which he is responsible.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what time RAF Leuchars was advised of the needs to provide an aircraft to rescue David Pascall on Sunday 28 June; at what time the aircraft was scrambled; how long was the flight time to the point of pick up of Mr. Pascall; how long was the flight time from the point of pick up to Vale of Leven hospital; and at what time the aircraft returned to RAF Leuchars.

RAF Leuchars was advised on Sunday 28 June at 2.03 pm. The aircraft was airborne at 2.10 pm, reaching Mr. Pascall some 35 minutes later. Once Mr. Pascal] was on board, the aircraft took 20 minutes to reach the Vale of Leven hospital, after which it returned to Leuchars, landing at 5.25 pm. The Royal Navy search and rescue flight at Prestwick, which operates to the same 15 minutes standby as the RAF search and rescue flight at Leuchars, would have had a similar transit time to the incident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants in his Department are paid at a rate exceeding that of a Cabinet Minister.

The total salary, including reduced parliamentary salary, of most Cabinet Ministers is £63,047. The number of civil servants in the Ministry of Defence whose pay currently exceeds this figure is 12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the 24 empty houses referred to in his answer of 18 December 1991, Official Report, column 160, have been sold; how many are under offer; and how many have been sold to ex-service personnel.

None has been sold. Six are surplus to my Department's requirements and these are currently being offered for sale through the services discount scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Service Children's Schools (North West Europe) Defence Support Agency for 1992–93.

The chief executive of Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)—SCS (NWE) —has been set the following key targets for 1992–93:

To implement, so far as it is feasible in the British Forces Germany (BFG) situation, the Education Reform Act to the statutory timetable laid down for England and Wales by: Introducing the National Curriculum to SCS (NWE) by subject and Key Stage; introducing pupil assessment by subject and Key Stage; and implementing Teacher Appraisal.

To implement the SCS (NWE) "Schools For the Future Plan" in line with BFG drawdown.

To produce Management and School Development Plans to enable "taut" full cost financial and management planning within an agreed budget and to achieve annual efficiency savings of at least 1 per cent.

To increase the overall pass rate at GCSE (grades A-G) and "A" Levels (grades A-E) by 10 per cent. Within this target achieve an annual 2 per cent. improvement in the proportion of pupils achieving grades A, B and C.

To ensure that all teachers meet at least two of the four qualification-match criteria for their post with at least 75 per cent. meeting three criteria and at least 50 per cent. meeting all four criteria. The criteria are: a recognised professional qualification; relevant Specialist subject or phase qualifica-tions; broad and relevant previous teaching experience; and relevant post-entry in-service training;

To implement Parents' Charter requirements for: child's progress report to parents annually and on change of school; examination/Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) results to be reported to parents annually; and informing parents of relevant educational developments.

To be in a position to submit an application for a Charter Mark in mid-1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will respond to the third report of the Defence Select Committee, Session 1991–92, "Options for Change: Army, Review of the White Paper, Britain's Army for the 90s".

I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses a memorandum giving the Government's formal response to this report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the Trident programme.

I am pleased to announce that an order is being placed today with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. at Barrow-in-Furness for the construc-tion of the Royal Navy's fourth Vanguard class Trident missile submarine.Negotiations have resulted in a keenly priced contract, and a price lower on a comparable basis than those for the first three submarines. This reflects improvements in productivity at VSEL and the considerable experience the company now has in building this class of submarine.The order underlines the Government's commitment to the United Kingdom Trident programme and to the effective maintenance of Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent, while obtaining the best possible value for money for the taxpayer.Trident remains firmly on course for introduction into service with the Royal Navy in the mid-1990s.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all regulations covering senior civil servants' shareholdings; and if he will make a statement.

Central rules covering civil servants' shareholdings are contained in the "Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code", paragraphs 9874 and 9875; and the "Establishment Officers Guide", paragraph 4065. Copies of both documents are in the Library of the House. In some cases, Departments and agencies supplement these rules by further regulations and guidance in handbooks or equivalent documents for their staff. These are not held centrally.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the value of the 3 ft 6 in diameter table stolen from the Civil Service college, Sunningdale; what period of time elapsed before it was noticed it had been stolen; in what circumstances it was stolen; whether it has yet been recovered; how many other items were stolen at the same time: and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the chief executive and I have asked her to reply direct to the hon. Member. Copies of the letter will be placed in the House of Commons Library and Public Information Office.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many requests were made to the Duchy of Lancaster for financial aid in each year since 1982; if he will give the numbers that were unsuccessful; and if he will list the criteria by which such applications are judged.

Since 1982 some 750 payments have been made by the Duchy of Lancaster benevolent fund. Most of these were selected by local advisers within the county palatine. There have been few unsuccessful applicants. These were either not connected with the county palatine or other areas of duchy interest, or had a reasonable prospect of raising funds elsewhere.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration will be given by the Duchy of Lancaster to the application for financial aid from the Lancashire free legal action centre.

The application for financial aid from the Lancashire free legal action centre in Blackpool is being considered with other requests for financial assistance the duchy office receives. In keeping with normal practice we will be taking local advice before any decision is made.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if she will commission additional research with the Medical Research Council for the development of Interleukin receptor antagonist—IL-Ira—in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The Medical Research Council is funded by grant in aid from the science budget, and is an independent body which normally decides its research priorities on its own expert judgment. It is not currently funding research to develop interleukin receptor in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, it is supporting a considerable body of work relevant to the actions of interleukin in immunology, and has recently launched, with the help of additional funding from the science budget, a neuroscience approach to human health to develop further its research in fields such as Alzheimer's disease. The MRC welcomes high-quality research proposals relevant to the disease, and will consider them in competition by the usual peer review mechanisms.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set out the improvements in widening the scope of information disclosure to the public that are expected to arise from the European Commission's proposal for a council regulation on security measures applicable to classified information—Com (92) 56 final.

The Government consider that the draft regulation in its present form is unworkable. In consultation with other member states, the Government's aim will be to ensure that, within a framework which encourages greater openness in the EC's business, any genuinely sensitive material is effectively protected through appropriate security measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the report of the inquiry into river safety by Mr. John Hayes; and if he will make a statement.

After the tragic collision between the Bowbelle and the Marchioness in August 1989 an investigation by the marine accident investigation branch —MAIB—was immediately mounted. Directions on two new safety measures were made straight away, and action put in hand on six further safety recommendations which were announced in the MAIB interim report 10 days later.The MAIB final report could not be published until April 1991, because of possible prejudice to legal proceedings, but its 27 recommendations were published separately in July 1990. All were accepted immediately, and prompt action taken to put them into effect. All but eight recommendations have been implemented; five of those outstanding have been the subject of public consultation, and resultant legislation will be in force this autumn; one depends on international developments; and consideration of the remaining two, relating to the involvement of military helicopters in civil search and rescue, is not yet completed.The MAIB report commented, with the acknowledged benefit of hindsight, that action taken by the Department in the past had not gone as far as it should. My predecessor felt that further investigation was needed and invited Mr. John Hayes, secretary of the Law Society, to carry out an inquiry into the Department of Transport's handling of its responsibility for the safety of vessels on rivers and inland waters. I am today publishing his report.While pointing out that

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects rolling stock for channel tunnel night passenger services to be ordered.

British Rail and its continental partner railways have now confirmed with Metro Cammell their order for rolling stock. Night services are expected to begin in 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on discussions, within the Council of Ministers, about the intervention by the Commissioner for Competition Policy in the decision by British Rail, together with the national railways of France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, to operate through sleeper services via the channel tunnel; and if he will resist any attempt to prevent the provision of such services.

There has been no discussion of the channel tunnel night trains within the Council of Ministers. The question of exempting from European Community competition rules the joint venture agreement between the participating railways covering the purchase and operation of the night trains is a matter between the railways and the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to reply to the first report from the Transport Committee of Session 1991–92 on developments in European Community air transport policy.

My predecessor as Secretary of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), submitted the Government's response to the Committee on 16 March 1992. Copies of the response have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants in his Department are paid at a rate exceeding that of a Cabinet Minister.

The total salary, including reduced parliamentary salary, of most Cabinet Ministers is £63,047. The number of civil servants in the Department of Transport whose pay currently exceeds this figure is one.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Council of Ministers to approve the draft directive on safe transport to work of workers with reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement.

There was full discussion on the draft directive on safe transport to work of workers with reduced mobility in European Standing Committee A on 16 October 1991. I explained my position in detail at that time.I welcome moves towards more accessible transport for people with disabilities and my Department is actively promoting and encouraging them. There are a number of legal and technical objections to the directive as currently drafted. I will he discussing with the industry, with disabled people as consumers and with European colleagues, the best way to make progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend local authorities' duties and powers to adopt currently unadopted roads.

I have no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the obligations on local authorities to maintain those unadopted roads which have operated as public tracks for over 20 years.

Section 31 of the Highways Act 1980 provides that a way over land which has been enjoyed by the public as of right and uninterruptedly for fully 20 years shall be deemed to be dedicated as a highway. But of itself this imposes no obligation for such a highway to be maintained at public expense.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to the quality of life in local communities within the proposed M1/M62 link road.

The effects of the proposals on local communities are considered in the environmental appraisal framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the extent to which the M1/M62 link motorway will attract traffic from the Snake and Woodhead passes, and divert south Yorkshire trans-Pennine traffic through west Yorkshire via the M 1.

An assessment has been made which indicates that the transfer of trans-Pennine traffic from south Yorkshire to the proposed M1/M62 link road would not form a significant proportion of the total flow on that road.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how financial evaluations of cost-effectiveness have been undertaken for the proposed M1/M62 link road.

The economic evaluation of the scheme has been carried out using the Department's standard cost-benefit analysis—COBA. A copy of the COBA manual is in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to announce the results of the public consultation process on the proposed M1/M62 motorway link; and if he will undertake to publish (a) the number of responses in favour of the yellow route, ( b) the number of responses against the yellow route, (c) the number of responses in favour of the purple route and (d) the number of responses against the purple route.

A full analysis of the response to the public consultation will take many months, after which an announcement will be made. Information about the responses will be published at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received the inspector's report on the final stage of the Totton western bypass; and when he expects to announce his final decision on the route.

The inspector's report on the reopened inquiries into the Totton western bypass was received by the Secretary of State for Transport on 28 May 1992. A final decision on the route may be expected by mid-August.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will instruct his officials to progress detailed discussions with staff at the Co-operative Wholesale Society factory at Lowestoft over the route of the Al2 relief road and the new crossing of Lake Lothing; and if he will make a statement;(2) when he expects to be in a position to give the hon. Member for Waveney a substantive reply further to his holding letter of 2 March, Ref. C/PSO/1907/92; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 6 July 1992]: The Co-operative Wholesale Society's alternative proposals for a Lowestoft relief road are currently the subject of an assessment of economic, environmental and engineering aspects. The assessment is expected to be complete in approximately four to six weeks' time, when a substantive reply to my hon. Friend's correspondence on the subject will be sent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that those vans which are of the nature of saloon or estate cars in shape are classified as in category 1 for toll purposes under the Severn Bridges Act 1992.

[holding answer 6 July 1992]: No. Car-based vans fall within the description of small goods vehicles for tolling purposes, and thus fall in toll category 2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the amount of traffic now taking the northern route for the journey into Wales following the changes in the system of collecting tolls on the Severn bridge;(2) what change there has been in the amount of road accidents as a result of traffic taking the northern route into Wales following the changes in the system of collecting tolls on the Severn bridge;(3) what assessment he has made of environmental damage to villages in Gloucester as a result of traffic taking the northern route into Wales following the changes in the system of collecting tolls on the Severn bridge.

[holding answer 6 July 1992]: No assessment has been made of the effects of traffic diversion from the Severn bridge as result of the recent toll changes. There was a reduction in westbound traffic flows on the bridge immediately after the introduction of the new tolls. There is already some evidence to show that some drivers who may have diverted initially are now reverting to using the bridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on type approval as relating to motor cycles.

Many representations have been received on EC type-approval, mostly from private individuals, but also from representative organisations and industry. Apart from questioning the need for type-approval, they stressed, among other things, that customisation, low-volume manufacturers and sale of second-hand machines should be protected. Some went on to advocate that type-approval should apply only to the original design of a motor-cycle and not to machines in use. While supporting the principle of EC type-approval, industry stressed that much more time was needed to bring the scheme into operation. The Government took up these and other points during EC negotiations, and are now content that the main concerns of the motor-cycle user and industry are met in the type-approval framework directive as adopted on 30 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the need for leg protectors for motor cyclists.

Many representations have been received on this matter, mostly from private individuals, but also from representative organisations and industry. The majority are opposed to leg protectors, and many reflect the view of the motor-cycle industry that they could increase injuries to other parts of the body, particularly the head. The Government's response to industry criticism has been in the form of a research paper by the Transport Research Laboratory (working paper WP/VS/213: "TRL Review of Research on Motorcycle Leg Protection— 1991"). Among other things, it concludes that all the evidence to date, and there is much of it covering a very wide range of conditions, shows the TRL-designed leg protectors to be successful in achieving their objectives of reducing leg injuries without increase of other injuries, while being compatible with the production of motor-cycles. I have arranged for a copy of the TRL review to be placed in the Library today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has has with the EC regarding type approval for motor cycles.

Full discussions were held in Council prior to the adoption of the EC motor-cycle type-approval framework directive on 30 June. A further 23 Commission proposals for the separate directives that will constitute EC motor-cycle whole-vehicle type-approval are yet to be considered by Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what street furniture local authorities can add to unadopted roads (a) with and (b) without permission of the road owners.

Local authorities may place any street furniture in unadopted roads that they may in adopted roads unless the power to do so says otherwise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take regarding the blighted properties purchased on the proposed route of the A27 in the Worthing area and then let at an uneconomic rent when the leases expire in August.

All our properties will be retained until our land-take for roadworks has been confirmed following public inquiries. As they expire, existing tenancies will be extended for further fixed terms. Rent reviews will have regard to current market rent levels and the means of the tenant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much the volume of traffic using the M42 motorway between the M6 junction and the M40 junction is greater than his Department's predictions; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has made a number of predictions of likely traffic flows on this stretch of motorway over the period of several years during the phased construction of the M42 and M40 motorways. Projected flows for 1991 have varied between about 65,000 and 90,000 vehicles per day, with the whole of the M40 open to traffic. The figures vary for different parts of this stretch of motorway. The reasons for the disparity in the figures are changing circumstances affecting the basis on which traffic forecasts are made and the effects of developing plans for the trunk road network elsewhere. The actual flows for 1991 were about 95,000 vehicles per day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of noise levels experienced by residents of Knowle due to traffic on the M42 motorway after the completion of the link between the M42 and the M40 motorways; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has made no such assessment. There is no statutory basis for one. The Department will be making an assessment of noise levels in this area when it widens the M42 motorway as proposed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to introduce safer road crossings.

A new type of pedestrian crossing, called a Puffin crossing, is being installed at 50 trunk road sites in England during 1992–93. This crossing is equipped to detect the presence of pedestrians both on the crossing itself and waiting to cross. It automatically gives sufficient time for slow-moving people to cross in comfort and is designed to improve road safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those ships that currently comply with Solus 90; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not available. All passenger ships built after 29 April 1990 and engaged on international voyages are required to comply with Solas 90.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement in respect of the reported air near-miss on 26 June, involving an United Airlines Boeing 767 and a Venezuelan business jet over south Wales;(2) if he will make a statement in respect of the reported air near-miss on 25 June, involving an Air UK F27 and a Royal Air Force Tornado at approximately 12,000 ft, 15 miles north of Grimsby.

The responsibility for the safety regulation of United Kingdom civil aviation rests with the Civil Aviation Authority.All air-miss reports in United Kingdom airspace, involving civil or military aircraft, are investigated initially by the joint air-miss section of the national air traffic services, which is a joint CAA/Ministry of Defence organisation. They are then examined by the joint air-miss working group (JAWG), an independent committee drawn from a wide cross-section of responsible civil and aviation bodies.This incident is the subject of active investigation at this time. I have drawn the hon. Member's question to the attention of the CAA and have asked it to write to him direct when the investigation is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) under what circumstances he is required to give approval for an air fare for scheduled flights in or out of the United Kingdom;(2) if he will set out the exact process by which an application for the setting of an airfare, for which he is required to give approval, is made; to what extent it involves

At present, the Civil Aviation Authority has the power to regulate air fares. Fares on scheduled services within the EC performed by EC carriers have to be approved if they are reasonably related to the carrier's long-term fully allocated relevant costs, or otherwise meet the requirements of current EC legislation. Fares on services to points outside the EC are governed by bilateral arrangements. From 1 January 1993 all fares within the EC are to be set by free pricing: there will no longer be an approval system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what powers he has to regulate the air fares of British charter airlines;(2) what powers he has to regulate the air fares of non-British charter airlines flying in and out of the United Kingdom.

The cost of a seat on a charter flight is part of the overall cost of the package offered by the tour operator.As from 1 January 1993, European Community arrangements will cover charter services for the first time. Existing practice will be continued, as those arrangements stipulate that charter rates are to be determined by free negotiation between the parties concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will set out the powers he has to reject, vary, or accept applications for levels of air fares for (a) British scheduled airlines and (b) non-British scheduled airlines on routes other than EC or transatlantic;(2) if he will set out what powers he has to reject, vary, or accept applications for levels of air fares for

The Civil Aviation Authority has power to regulate air fares (a) in the case of United Kingdom airlines, under the air transport licensing provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and (b) in the case of airlines using foreign-registered aircraft, under part X of the Air Navigation Order 1989. In approving or disapproving a fare for international services the Civil Aviation Authority will have regard to the United Kingdom's international obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the powers he has to reject, vary, or accept applications for levels of air fares for (a) British scheduled airlines and (b) non-British scheduled airlines on EC routes.

EC regulation 2342/90 presently covers the setting of fares on scheduled services within the EC performed by British and other EC carriers. Generally, fares have to be approved if they are related to the carrier's costs. Fares charged by carriers from third countries on EC routes are governed by the bilateral agreements under which those services are permitted.Arrangements for EC carriers operating within the EC will change substantially on 1 January 1993 when free pricing is introduced for all carriers. The approval system disappears, and a carrier can bring in a fare on 24 hours' notice.There will be a safeguard against unfair pricing; but in agreeing this new regulation the Council and Commission made it clear that this safeguard was not intended as a means to reimpose a pricing policy on carriers. In the United Kingdom, whilst fares will be notified to the CAA, it will be for the Secretary of State to decide whether the safeguard should be activated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the date of the next meeting between his Department and the relevant United States authorities to discuss the Bermuda agreement.

The next round of discussions with the US authorities about possible liberalisation of the Bermuda 2 air services agreement is due to begin on 20 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the United Kingdom airports from which scheduled transatlantic flights leave.

Scheduled passenger flights to airports in north America, south America, and the Caribbean leave the United Kingdom airports listed:

• Glasgow
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• London Stansted
• Manchester

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list United Kingdom regional airports from which scheduled flights leave to airports abroad, other than in north America.

Scheduled passenger flights to airports abroad, other than in north America and the Caribbean, leave the United Kingdom regional airports listed:

• Aberdeen
• Belfast International
• Birmingham
• Blackpool
• Bristol
• Cardiff-Wales
• East Midlands
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Humberside
• Leeds Bradford
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Norwich
• Plymouth
• Southampton
• Teesside

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce a public register of motor vehicles on lease or hire purchase, together with an obligation to register, as a measure to protect innocent purchasers and intermediaries from fraud.

No. Hire Purchase Information plc (HPI) has for many years maintained a record of third party interests. Motor traders have ready access to this information and I understand that HPI is considering how it may be made more readily available to the general public. I see no reason for the public sector to duplicate this service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list United Kingdom regional airports from which charter flights to airports abroad leave.

Comprehensive information about the United Kingdom regional airports from which charter flights leave for airports abroad in the current season is not available in the Department. Information relating to 1991 is available in "UK Airports: Annual Statements of Movements, Passengers and Cargo 1991", published by the Civil Aviation Authority as CAP 504.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the effect on small businesses in the Severnside area of the recent increases in toll charges on the Severn bridge.

[holding answer 6 July 1992]: A report by Pieda plc which was recently published by the Department of Employment concluded, on the basis of a survey of businesses in Avon and south Wales, that the second Severn crossing scheme, taking account of the new tolls, would have a positive effect on local trading and commercial activity, and stimulate investment opportunities in south Wales. Copies of the executive summary of the report, entitled "The Economic Impact of the Second Severn Crossing", are in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had concerning the impact on United Kingdom trade, tourism and the free movement of goods and people of the road blocks set up by French hauliers, dockers and farmers in Macon, Narbonne, Perpignan and elsewhere; what proposals he has to approach the French ambassador to the Court of St. James on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 6 July 1992]: We have received representations from or on behalf of individual transport operators and the relevant trade associations. My right hon. Friend is keeping in close and regular contact with Mr. Bianco, his French counterpart, and is urging him to find solutions to this appalling situation as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislative provisions govern the freedom of trust ports not to release their annual report and accounts to interested parties or the public.

The relevant provision, which will be applicable where it has been incorporated in local harbour legislation, is section 50 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847. This provides for the harbour undertakers to prepare annual accounts and send a copy to the county clerk, who will open them for inspection by the public for a small fee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he gives (a) Commonwealth countries and (b) Caribbean nations on apprehending stolen United Kingdom registered yachts.

Tracing and recovering stolen yachts and apprehending those responsible is essentially a police matter working in co-operation with foreign law enforcement agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve (a) the use of ships registered papers and (b) the registration of yachts within the EC.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has made of (a) the principal destinations and (b) the sale of United Kingdom registered yachts stolen from the United Kingdom.

The information requested is not available centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the management of the recently privatised Port of Tilbury to discuss the write-off of outstanding loans; and if he will make a statement.

There are no Government loans to the Port of Tilbury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last attended a conference on marine theft from the leisure sector in (a) the EC and (b) worldwide.

Never.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the proposed improvement scheme for the A59 and A570 roads in west Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

Consulting engineers were appointed last year to investigate possible routes for three schemes in the Liverpool-Preston corridor; the A59 Ormskirk-Walmer bridge improvement (which would incorporate a bypass of Burscough); the A570 Ormskirk bypass; and the A570 Scarisbrick and Pinfold bypass. This work is still at an early stage. I cannot yet say when we shall be able to publish proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the outstanding loans between the Government and the Port of London authority and the Port of Tilbury.

The Port of London authority repaid all its outstanding Government loans in April 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current projected start date for work on the new fire station, Crossmaglen, Newry; what are the reasons for delays in the commencement of the building work; and if he will take steps to ensure that the work is started within the current financial year.

The fire authority considered tenders for the fire station at Crossmaglen on 23 June 1992 and awarded a contract. Work will commence within the next few months and should be completed in the spring of 1993. The delay in the commencement of building work arose as a result of the authority's decision to retender.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce measures to assist customs clearance agents (a) to prepare for the social impact of and (b) to cope with the economic consequences of the removal of tax barriers within the EC on 1 January 1993.

European social fund assistance is being used by the Training and Employment Agency and others to finance activities aimed at the retaining or redeployment of those employed in small and medium-sized enterprises threatened with redundancies. There is also scope for some assistance within the existing INTERREG programme which was specifically designed to help border regions deal with the advent of the single market. In addition, assistance may become available as a result of recent proposals by the European Commission on the redeployment of customs agents, but it will be some time before final details are known.Official in the Department of Economic Development, including the Training and Employment Agency, can offer detailed advice about existing initiatives and have been in contact with customs clearance agents' representatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent communications his Department has had with Scottish Power concerning plans to connect the province's electricity grid with the Scottish grid via a sea bed cable.

None. The project is being progressed by Northern Ireland Electricity and Scottish Power directly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants in his Department are paid at a rate exceeding that of a Cabinet Minister.

Three officials currently earn more than £63,047, the total salary of a Cabinet Minister, including reduced parliamentary salary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a boundary commissioner will be appointed for the purpose of forming district electoral areas; and what is the timetable for his reports.

My right hon. Friend has today appointed Dr. Maurice Hayes as district electoral areas commissioner to report on the grouping of local government wards in district council areas for local elections. The commissioner is an independent officer and it will be for him to decide his precise timetable; but the submission of the commissioner's report will be in time to enable my right hon. Friend to lay before Parliament a draft Order in Council making provision for electoral areas prior to the general local elections to be held in May 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the number of water disconnections in Northern Ireland in each year since 1979.

The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports he has received of damage to monuments or land in the counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Gloucester, Avon, Dorset, Somerset and Devon for which he has responsibility, resulting from the various manifestations to celebrate the 1992 summer solstice.

Neither I nor my statutory advisers, English Heritage, have received any reports of any damage in the counties listed by my hon. Friend. In respect of Stonehenge, English Heritage advises that due to the vigilance of its representatives and the Wiltshire police, no damage occurred at the monument.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will establish grant-aid funding to heritage projects which do not gain private good from public funds; and if he will make a statement.

The Department of National Heritage supports a number of heritage projects, both directly and indirectly, through agencies such as English Heritage and the National Heritage Memorial Fund. In all of the grant regimes funded by DNH resources, the primary objective is to ensure the preservation of the historic buildings, sites, or works of art concerned, or to enhance our knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the national heritage, by providing financial assistance which would not otherwise be available. Such policies are in the public, rather than private, interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many civil servants in his Department are paid at a rate exceeding that of a Cabinet Minister.

The total salary, including reduced parliamentary salary, of most Cabinet Ministers is £63,047. The number of civil servants in the Department of National Heritage whose pay currently exceeds this figure is one.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will give financial assistance to the listed grade II church of All Saints, Clayton-with-Frickley, south Yorkshire to cover the costs of subsidence damage; and if he will make a statement.

The church is potentially eligible for grant towards repairs from English Heritage, and an approach has been made by the parish. However, the major part of the repair bill is attributable to subsidence caused by undermining and the parish is pursuing a claim against British Coal for a significant proportion of the costs. A decision by English Heritage will not be possible until the question of compensation has been settled.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the practice in other EC countries of state subsidy of heritage church buildings; and if he will make a statement.

No specific study has been undertaken, but general information suggests that United Kingdom grant regimes for historic buildings compare favourably with those of most other European countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much cash from the Sports and Arts Foundation has been disbursed to (a) Wales, (b) the Sports Council for Wales, (c) the Sports Council for England and (d) the Sports Council for Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 3 July 1992]: The Foundation for Sport and the Arts has allocated grants totalling £1,902,380 to projects in Wales, up to 5 April 1992. No grants have been made direct to the Sports Council for Wales, the Sports Council GB or the Sports Council for Scotland. The foundation is an independent body whose grants are made at the discretion of the trustees within the terms of the foundation's trust deed.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what statutory protection exists for constables of the Royal Parks constabulary from unfair dismissal; what statutory restrictions exist on their taking industrial action; what statutory police federation exists to represent them; and what statutory restrictions exist on their entitlement to join a trade union.

[holding answer 30 June 1992]: No statutory protection exists from unfair dismissal for constables of the Royal Parks constabulary. In line with other police forces, they are an excluded category by virtue of section 146 (3) of the Employment Protection Consolidation Act 1978. There are similarly no statutory restrictions on their taking industrial action or their entitlement to join a trades union. Constables of the Royal Parks constabulary are represented by the National Union of Civil and Public Servants and many have exercised their right to join that trades union. No statutory police federation exists to represent the Royal Parks constabulary.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 24 June, Official Report, columns 200–1, if he is now able to say what funding for the Darwin initiative will be; if he will make a statement on his plans to set up the initiative; how it will relate to the United States biodiversity project based in New York; what further action he plans to conserve biological diversity; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.We are asking interested parties to come forward with ideas on how best to develop a framework for the Darwin initiative and to set priorities for action. We will consider the appropriate level of funding once we have decided those priorities. The Darwin initiative is based on United Kingdom expertise in the field of biodiversity, but we will be looking at action which other countries are taking.In addition to launching this initiative I have also written to my EC and G7 colleagues urging them to take follow-up action to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, including taking forward the convention on biodiversity.

To ask the Prime Minister, further to his speech at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, when he plans to hold the global technology partnership conference; where it will be held; who will be the invitees; which British companies will be involved; what discussions he held with British companies prior to announcing the conference; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The technology partnership initiative will extend the work of the United Kingdom throughout the preparations for the Earth summit to promote the role of technology co-operation in achieving sustainable development. It will provide developing countries with the opportunity to gain direct access to information on environmentally sound technologies, know-how, best practices and case studies available in the United Kingdom and will open up direct channels of communication with British companies.The initiative will be launched by a conference and exhibition in the first half of 1993. Officials are currently working on the details of both. We propose to invite representatives of developing countries and to approach United Kingdom companies and others who have experience in providing environmental solutions for developing countries.

To ask the Prime Minister which non-governmental organisations he will be inviting to the global forum in June; if NGOs from developing nations will be involved in the preparation for the forum; where the forum will be held; what consultations he held with NGOs before announcing the forum; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.We are discussing the arrangements with nongovernmental organisations. Overseas NGOs will be invited to attend and we expect them to be involved in the preparations.

To ask the Prime Minister, further to his speech at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, what extra amounts he intends to give to the following areas, stating for each over what time period the donation will be made and in what form (a) forestry conservation, (b) biodiversity, (c) energy efficiency, (d) population planning and (e) sustainable agriculture; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said at Rio, we are planning to make available substantial extra resources for these areas. New commitments will be made as part of the planning and management of our overseas aid programme.

To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to reduce the debt burden on developing countries and extend the Trinidad terms to other G7 nations; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The Government are fully committed to the agreed international debt strategy, and have given a strong lead in tackling the debt burden of the poorest and most heavily indebted countries. In addition to relieving developing countries of over $1 billion of aid loans, this Government have been responsible for both the Toronto and Trinidad initiatives. These were the first initiatives to result in the partial cancellation of the more substantial and burdensome debts owed by the poorest countries to export credit agencies.The Paris club began implementing Trinidad terms in December, and seven countries have already benefited. The agreed terms give a 50 per cent. reduction in debts falling due in the course of the debtor country's IMF programme of economic reform, and commit creditors to consider reducing the whole stock of debt in three to four years' time if the debtor keeps to its IMF and Paris club agreements. The Government hope that Trinidad terms can be further developed in the direction of our original proposals, which were for a benchmark figure of two thirds reduction applied immediately to the whole stock of debt. It would also be an important step forward if all creditors, without exception, were to implement debt reduction under Trinidad terms.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to ensure that (a) letters from hon. Members to Ministers concerning next steps agencies which are concerned with political rather than administrative or commercial matters and (b) letters concerning the planning inspectorate will be replied to by Ministers and not chief executives.

I have been asked to reply.The Government's policy on dealing with letters from hon. Members on agency matters was most recently set out in the Government's reply to the Treasury and Civil Service Committee's 1990 report on the next steps initiative, Cm 1263, which said:

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 18 June, Official Report, column 620, if he will make it his policy for any grant from PERIFRA II in respect of the Royal British Legion's bid for the establishment of a training centre at Tidworth, for the purpose of giving specific training to service personnel and dependants for employment in civilian life, to be treated as additional to the Ministry of Defence existing budget, to the extent necessary; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The matter will be dealt with in accordance with the arrangements for grants from the European regional development fund set out in my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade's statement of 30 June at columns