To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 January, Official Report, columns 853–54, what consultations he had with the United Nations prior to allowing the visas to be issued; and what opinion they gave as to whether these discussions contravened agreed sanctions.

As I said in my answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth) on 19 January, there is no reason why British firms should not hold such discussions with the Iraqis. But we made clear to GEC that, since Iraq is in breach of the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 setting out the terms of the formal ceasefire at the end of the Gulf war, there is no immediate prospect of sanctions being lifted and therefore no prospect of GPT being in a position to fulfil any contract with the Iraqis. We also told them that we were not therefore ready to put an application to the United Nations Sanctions Committee. There was therefore no need for discussions with the United Nations prior to granting visas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 January, Official Report, columns 853–54, what investigations he has made as to the military ranks or civil positions held by D. Jallo, M. Abdul Razak, B. Sabae, D. Yasin, A. Saad Gismail, M. Saddin, M. Abdul Sadar and C. Stefanou.

Seven of the eight applicants sponsored by GPT were described as engineers. The eighth was a merchant. All applications were fully investigated by relevant FCO departments and inquiries made of other Government Departments which have an interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the full text of his and his United States counterpart's letter to President Yeltsin on the Russian biological weapons research programme; and what response he has received.

There has been a series of exchanges over the last two years between the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) about the Russian biological weapons programme. These exchanges took place on a confidential basis. We have no plans to publish them.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the sum paid out in legal aid in the six most expensive fraud cases in each of the last five years.

Currently, interim payments cannot all be linked on the computer to the individual cases in which they are made. However, the position with regard to the most prominent fraud cases in recent times is as follows:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many actions for possession for 1992 were initiated by (a) building societies, (b) banks and (c) other lenders in each county court area.

The information is not available in this form. The only available breakdown of possession actions taken by county court is between those taken by local authorities and those initiated by private lenders. The latter includes banks, building societies and other private lenders.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current delay for trials in the commercial court, other courts of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, civil and criminal divisions, and as regards the latter, distinguishing between cases involving custody and non-custodial cases.

For longer cases the current waiting time in the commercial court is 10 to 11 months though urgent cases may be expedited. Shorter cases can be listed for hearing within three months. Cases are generally fixtures and a date for hearing is supplied to the parties, taking account of the time they need to prepare.In the Queens Bench Division waiting times vary between one month for warned list cases and 13 months for fixtures likely to last over two months.In the Family Division the average waiting time for cases likely to last between a half day and one day is six weeks in the High Court list. Cases of five days or more in duration can be heard within 20 weeks.In the Chancery Division the waiting times vary between eight months for cases under three days in duration and 23 months for long cases in the part I list.In the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) the average waiting time between set down and disposal is 7·7 months. At present there are no figures available to show the time between receipt of a case within the Criminal Appeal Office and final disposal in that court. However, from receipt in the list office to final disposal, the approximate waiting times for appellants in custody were, at the end of December 1992, 4·3 months for appeals against conviction and 2·3 months for appeals against sentence. For those not in custody, the waiting times were 6·6 months and 3·9 months respectively.In the crown office the waiting times are available only from the date of entry into the warned list to the date of hearing. They are, for the divisional court list 8·3 months, for the single judge list 16·5 months and for the planning court list 9·3 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards implementation of the recommendation contained in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report of December 1990 on rail services in Northern Ireland provided by Northern Ireland Railways Limited; and if he will make a statement.

The initial response, announced to the House on 3 July 1991, indicated that there had been a positive reaction to the Commission's recommendations and that none of them had been rejected. The follow-up response, which I have today placed in the Library of the House, confirms that 22 of the 34 recommendations have already been implemented and that the remaining 12 are in the process of implementation. The response was produced in consultation with the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and Northern Ireland Railways.There have been several important developments since the initial response. Northern Ireland Railways appointed a new managing director in August 1992. A total of 22 salaried posts have now been abolished. To fulfil the commitment in the Northern Ireland citizens charter, the Government have commissioned a study into the scope for introducing a private element into the management and operation of Northern Ireland Railways. Substantial progress has been made by management and the trade unions as regards industrial relations. Northern Ireland Railways published a more challenging passengers charter in November 1992. Together, these, and the other matters dealt with in the response, should result in a significant improvement of services to the public and the management of the company.The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will continue in dialogue with the Transport Holding Company and Northern Ireland Railways about the implementation of the recommendations and I shall report on progress to the House in due course.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will establish a review of the procedures for ensuring that the Crown prosecution service handles race attack cases without racial prejudice.

In all its actions the Crown prosecution service is committed to avoiding discrimination on the ground of race. A system is currently being established to monitor the implementation of its policy guidance on racial attack cases.

To ask the Attorney-General how many cases involving allegations of criminal offences have been considered in each of the past three years by the Crown prosecution service; and how many of these resulted in prosecutions being brought.

Statistics at present available relate to cases handled in the 31 areas of the service but do not include the numbers of cases of specialist work undertaken at Crown prosecution service headquarters. The table sets out in respect of each of the past three years the number of cases received (column 1), the number of cases which were proceeded with (column 2), and the number of cases not proceeded with (column 3). The figures for 1992 are for the first nine months only.

	Column 1 Case received	Column 2 proceeded with	Column 3 Not proceeded with
1990	1,638,751	1,298,158	301,048
1991	1,575,021	1,241,434	351,090
1992	1,193,294	895,582	285,181

The number of cases received in a particular period does not equal the number of cases finalised in that period (column 2 and 3) because incomplete cases are carried forward from period to period. The term "not proceeded with" includes cases discontinued, cases in which no evidence was offered, cases adjourned sine die and those not concluded because the defendant could not be traced. The figures also include cases submitted for advice only and some non-criminal proceedings (eg forfeiture under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959).

To ask the Attorney-General what examination he has made of the accuracy of the statements concerning witnesses in the case made by the Crown prosecution service to lawyers representing Mr. Bashir Uddin in connection with a case heard at Inner London crown court in mid-January.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has received a full report on the case concerning Mr. Bashir Uddin and a letter explaining statements made by the Crown prosecution service concerning witnesses has been sent to his solicitors. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Attorney-General what consideration is being given to the prosecution of Miss Lindi St. Clair for wasting police time.

I understand that the Sussex police are conducting an investigation into certain matters relating to Miss Lindi St. Clair. The question of prosecution will be considered at the conclusion of that investigation. At this stage I cannot predict whether any prosecution will be initiated.

To ask the Attorney-General what was the date of the Appeal Court hearing in Northern Ireland at which three of the UDR Four were released; what were the recommendations of the court about prosecutions of persons involved in the case; and what action is being taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

The Court of Appeal for Northern Ireland delivered its judgment in the appeal of R v. Neil Fraser Latimer, James Irwin Hegan, Noel Richmond Bell and Alfred Winston Allen on 29 July 1992.The court made no recommendations in respect of prosecutions. The court directed that its judgment be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland so that he may consider the bringing of prosecutions against officers who he considers committed criminal offences in connection with the trial of the appellants.The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland issued an interim direction on 5 August 1992 to the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary requesting that certain reports and information be obtained. When these matters have been received and considered the director will take decisions as to whether or not to institute proceedings. I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 11 November 1992 at columns 835–36.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for the provision of passenger rolling stock after the privatisation of British Rail.

The private sector must ultimately take the lead in providing rolling stock. Using its financing and management skills is the best way to ensure the right rolling stock is available at the right time for the best possible price.The Government recognise that there may be some uncertainty in the market until the railway is established in the private sector. In a consultation document "Railway Privatisation: Passenger Rolling Stock" published today, we indicate that we are considering a number of measures which will help to get a rolling stock market up and running. There must be no hiatus in railway investment during the transition to a franchised railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to decide a timetable for proposals for an M1-M62 link road; and if he will make a statement.

The results of the public consultation for this complex scheme are being assessed. An announcement about the scheme will be made after the completion of the assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budgets were available, for each passenger transport authority, for community transport provision in the last year for which figures are available.

This is a matter for the Passenger Transport Executives. The PTE's three-year plans indicate that 1991–92 expenditure was:

	£ million
Greater Manchester	2.900
Merseyside	0.676
South Yorkshire	1.300
Tyne and Wear	1.460
West Midlands	1.782
West Yorkshire	0.764

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of direct grant funding for community transport is provided, by region, in England.

This is a matter for local authorities. Separated details are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains his policy that public consultation on the three separate stages of the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road will be undertaken together.

No. Public consultation on stage 2 of the relief road (M56-M62) is underway. It is hoped to follow with consultation on route options for stage 3 (M62 Eccles to Whitefield) in late spring.Consultation on stage 1 (M6-M56) took place during 1989. Statutory orders for this section have now been published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the period of public consultation on the proposed Greater Manchester western and northern relief road (M56-M62 link) so as to allow consultation with residents of Irlam and Cadishead.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will consider all comments made—including those received after the close of consultation—before deciding whether to proceed with a scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate at current prices the total amount of separately identifiable expenditure by Her Majesty's Government over the last 25 years relating to all aspects of the proposed M3 extension; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not readily available for the period prior to the financial year 1981–82. The total amount of expenditure since that date to end December 1992 on all aspects of the proposed M3 extension between Bar End and Compton at current prices is as follows:

	£ million
Design and supervision	10·6
Works	6·2
Land	0·3
Total	17·1

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has regarding the status and use in other European Community and European Economic Area nations of the oil dispersants (a) Dispolene 34S, (b) Dasic Slickgone LTSW and (c) BP Enersperse 1037; and if he will make a statement.

The Department does not hold information on the status of particular dispersants in other countries. During the Braer incident it was established that Dispolene 34S was approved for use in Norway but, as in the United Kingdom, this dispersant expired from the list of approved products in September 1990 when it was re-submitted for testing by the manufacturer who had changed the proportions of the constituents and designated its dispersant Dispolene 36S—which is currently approved. It has not been necessary to withdraw previously approved stocks, which still meet current standards. The contracting parties to the Bonn agreement—United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Belgium,

From	'L' test	Motorcycle test		Vocational tests
	(£)	Accompanied (£)	Part I (£)	Lorry (£)	Bus (£)
1 March 1982	13·00	—	12·60	159·50	236·00
12 December 1983	14·40	—	15·60 + VAT	365·00	36·00
1 July 1986	14·40	—	15·60 + VAT	40·00
27 April 1987	15·00	—	15·60 + VAT	40·00
27 June 1988	16·50	—	15·60 + VAT	42·00
5 June 1989	18·00	424·00	15·60 + VAT	42·00
18 June 1990	19·50	26·00	15·60 + VAT	45·00
3 June 1991	21·50	28·50	15·60 + VAT	48·00
14 August 1992	23·50	34·00	5—	55·50
1 This fee came into effect on 27 September 1982.
2 This fee came into effect on 1 September 1982.
3 This fee came into effect on 12 March 1984;
4 The accompanied motorcycle test was introduced on 2 October 1989· Prior to that the fee for the part II motorcycle test was the same as for the 'L' test.
5 The part I motorcycle test was phased out after the introduction of compulsory basic training in December 1990 with a six month overlap period ending on 31 May 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he makes of the risk to the shore and to marine life in the North sea of cargoes carried

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the amount of oil spilled off the Kent coast in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

There were no major oil pollution incidents off the Kent coast during the last six months. Motor tanker Perfecto spilled some 200 gallons of gasoil during an incident at Shellhaven on 20 July 1992, and the fishing vessel Our Sarah Jane spilled 600 gallons of diesel at Whitstable on 18 July 1992. Both these incidents were dealt with by the appropriate port authorities who also investigated them with a view to prosecution. The marine pollution control unit monitored these and 21 reports of possible minor pollution by ships in the United Kingdom waters off the Kent coast. The majority concerned the sighting of oil-like sheens in the wakes of suspect ships and almost all were reported by other vessels or aircraft. It is impossible to quantify reliably the small amounts of oil discharged in the wakes of ships. As a result of MPCU action, four vessels were given port state control inspections at their next ports of call and two, bound for remote parts of the world, were put on the European register for inspection should they return to north European waters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of a driving test in each of the last 10 years.

The cost for each type of driving test over the last ten years is given in the following table:by ships lost by accident; what steps he is taking to implement regulations to reduce the risks; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 25 January 1993]: The risk to the shore and marine life resulting from the loss of ships' cargoes is taken into account when developing international regulations for the design of ships and their equipment and national procedures for dealing with pollution incidents. International convention requirements are implemented in the United Kingdom through merchant shipping legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total value of (a) business frauds, (b) cheque, credit and cash card frauds, (c) thefts from companies, (d) thefts from employees, (e) offences of shoplifting and (f) offences of vandalism against business in the most recent year for which information is available and for each of the previous 10 years.

The only available Home Office statistics on value are for certain types of theft offences, as recorded by the police. Figures for 1981–1990 have been published annually in chapter 2 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—copies of which are available in the Library. For 1991, the total value of property stolen in offences of theft by an employee was £29,848,000. The corresponding figure for offences of theft from shops was £20,902,000.The Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) estimates credit card, cheque and cash card fraud losses by major retail banks at over £165 million in 1991. Corresponding figures for 1988–90 were published in crime prevention unit paper 26 entitled "The Prevention of Cheque and Credit Card Fraud" (also available in the Library). In addition, we have not received detailed accounts of losses to building societies, to finance houses who manage storecards, from fraudulent purchase of goods by phone, and from unguaranteed cheques in excess of the guarantee limit.However, the British Retail Consortium has estimated that internal and external crime costs the retail industry in the region of £2.5 billion each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the budget of the safer cities programme at a constant price basis for each year since its inception, together with a forecast for 1993–94.

The expenditure on the safer cities programme for each year since it began in 1988 is as follows:

	Cash £	1993–94 prices £
1988–89	211,000	278,000
1989–90	3,295,000	4,074,000
1990–91	6,349,000	7,270,000
1991–92	7,217,000	7,730,000
1992–93	17,358,000	7,560,000
1993–94	25,785,000	5,785,000
1 estimated.
2 planned.

In 1993–94 expenditure is reduced while existing projects are winding down. It is expected to rise in later years as new projects come on stream.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation has been made of the current safer cities projects; what external consultants are involved in this process; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Evaluation is being carried out at three levels: of individual crime prevention schemes, of each project and of the programme as a whole. Project co-ordinators monitor the individual schemes promoted by their projects and assess effectiveness as work progresses. Thematic reviews drawing on this information are planned, the first of which, on the use of closed circuit television in car parks, is to be published shortly and will be placed in the Library. At project level, a study of the progress of projects in promoting local community safety strategies was published in December 1992 ("Safer Cities and Community Safety Strategies", crime prevention unit paper No. 38), a copy of which is in the Library. For the programme as a whole, an evaluation by the Home Office research and statistics department is in progress, focusing primarily on the impact of safer cities on crime rates and the fear of crime.The report "Safer Cities and Community Safety Strategies" was written by Mr. Nicholas Tilley of Nottingham Polytechnic. Professor K. Pease (Manchester university), Professor Murray Stewart (Bristol university) act as external academic consultants to the programme level evaluation. Dr. R. Wiggins (City university) provides advice on data analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the current safer cities projects, indicating when they commenced and their planned completion dates.

The information requested is as follows:

Safer Cities Programme
Project	Date established	Date of planned completion of HO funding1
Birmingham	August 1989	March 1994
Bradford	November 1988	March 1994
Bristol	January 1990	March 1994
Coventry	October 1989	March 1994
Derby	October 1991	September 1995
Hammersmith and Fulham	December 1991	September 1995
Hartlepool	September 1989	March 1994
Hull	October 1989	March 1994
Islington	January 1990	March 1994
Leicester	October 1991	September 1995
Lewisham	July 1989	March 1994
Middlesbrough	October 1991	September 1995
Nottingham	April 1989	March 1994
Rochdale	August 1989	March 1994
Salford	February 1990	March 1994
Sunderland	August 1989	March 1994
Tower Hamlets	December 1989	March 1994
Wandsworth	January 1990	March 1994
Wirral	September 1989	March 1994
Wolverhampton	February 1989	March 1994
1 This is the date by which, on present planning, Home Office funding is due to cease. Projects may continue beyond this date if other resources can be secured locally to support them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated expenditure on overtime for the Metropolitan police for 1992–93.

A total of £71.2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the costs incurred by prison establishments and prison headquarters in mounting the exercise "competing for quality" in connection with competitive tendering in prison education.

The need for competitive tendering for the future provision of education services in prison establishments is consequent upon the changes in the responsibilities of local education authorities under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The exercise is also wholly consistent with the Government's policy on competition.Information on the staffing and other costs that have been incurred in establishments is not held centrally. In establishments and at prison service headquarters for the most part existing resources have been re-deployed to undertake the exercise. The current estimate of those additional costs which can be identified is £96,000. This comprises consultancy costs, legal costs, staff and travel and subsistence costs, the hire of accommodation, photocopying and postage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision was made for prison education in 1992–93; what are the forecast costs for 1993–94; which vote will bear the costs of the 1993–94 provision; and what forecast he has made of the change in the number of hours of education provided in 1993–94 over 1992–93.

Provision for prison education in England and Wales is as shown:

Budget 1992–93 £ million	Provisional budget 1993–94 £ million
33·3	35·5

The 1993–94 costs will be borne on the prisons, England and Wales vote, class VIII, vote 2. The provisional budget for 1993–94 is based on maintaining the existing volume of education provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which organisations will be contracted to provide education in prisons between 1 April and 30 September;(2) which organisations will be contracted to provide education in Her Majesty's prison Maidstone between 1 April and 30 September; for how many prisoners classes will be provided; and what will be the average number of hours education per prisoner per week.

The information is not yet available. Existing providers of education in prison establishments have been asked to let the prison service know by 29 January whether or not they are willing to continue with present arrangements until 31 August 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a tribunal system for mandatory life sentence prisoners along the lines of the tribunals for discretionary life sentence prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans at present to introduce a tribunal system for mandatory life sentence prisoners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if partnership arrangements between the probation service and community services will apply to all drug services (a) generally or (b) where a health service-managed drug misuse service is the only local specialist provision.

We envisage that each probation service will be responsible for developing plans with the voluntary and private sector to ensure that there is a wide and effective range of schemes in the area for dealing with offenders in the community, and funding them accordingly. Guidance on the implementation of these partnership arrangements is still be prepared in consultation with the relevant representative bodies. It is not the intention that statutory services should be funded by these arrangements. Voluntary and private sector schemes directed at the needs of drug misusing offenders will however be within their scope.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to fund probation orders with conditions of residence for drug misusers from 1 April.

A probation order may include a requirement to receive treatment for drug or alcohol misuse only if the court is satisfied that arrangements have been made for such treatment to be given. A wide variety of possible treatments may be covered by such a requirement, with funding from different sources. Where treatment is to be provided under community care arrangements, which come into effect on 1 April 1993, the probation service will need to liaise with the appropriate local authority over the provision of resources to meet the offender's social care costs. Alcohol and drug misusers who are receiving treatment prior to 1 April and are eligible for income support will generally have preserved rights after 1 April to their existing level of benefit.When an additional requirement of a probation order is that an offender should reside at an approved probation hostel, a weekly charge for the accommodation will be payable by the person concerned, for which benefits may be available in the usual way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conditions to guarantee security he requires when he invites tenders from private contractors to contract for work escorting prisoners being transported; and if he will make a statement.

A copy of the operational specification for the court escort service in the east midlands and Humberside area has been placed in the Library of the House. It outlines general principles which cover all aspects of running a secure service. Once appointed, a contractor is obliged to submit his detailed operating procedures for approval by the Home Office. The standards required of contractors are no less than those applicable to the escorting of prisoners by police and prison officers. In addition, the extensive use of custom built cellular vehicles will give an improved level of security.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people from the former Yugoslavia seeking to enter the United Kingdom as dependent relatives have been refused entry since January 1992; how many have lodged appeals against such refusal; what representations he has received concerning policy matters affecting the definition of dependency; and if he will make a statement;(2) what recommendations he has made regarding policy in defining dependency with particular regard to those from the former Yugoslavia seeking to obtain visas to join relatives in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;(3) how many dependent relatives originating from the former Yugoslavia have been permitted to enter or join other relatives in the United Kingdom since January 1992; how he defines the categories of dependents permitted to enter the United Kingdom, within or outside the immigration rules, to join relatives in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 19 January 1993]: In the period 1 January to 30 November 1992 a total of 1,160 dependants accompanied principal asylum applicants from the former Yugoslavia who applied at the ports, and about 400 dependants were associated with applicants who were already in the United Kingdom at the time of their applications. Except for cases refused on safe third-country grounds, all these principal applicants and dependants are being allowed to stay while their applications are considered.There is no entitlement under the immigration rules for a person to come to the United Kingdom, whether from former Yugoslavia or elsewhere, as the dependent relative of a person who is here as a visitor or as any asylum applicant. Dependent relatives are not normally permitted to join an asylum applicant until either he or she has been recognised as a refugee under the terms of the 1951 United Nations convention on the status of refugees or has completed a period of four years' residence in the United Kingdom with exceptional leave to remain.My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has, however, decided that close dependants of the 1,000 former detainees will be allowed to join them for the duration of their stay. Generally, close dependants are regarded as the spouse and children under 18. However, in respect of the former detainees we are also prepared to consider applications for visas from fully dependent and unmarried daughters over 18 and under 21; from elderly or sick parents; and from other relatives living in the most exceptional compelling compassionate circumstances.

To ask the Secreatry of State for the Home Department (1) what steps have been taken to reduce squatting by increasing housing provision;(2) what consideration has been given to providing alternative accommodation for squatters if squatting is criminalised;(3) what study he has made of the measures taken by local authorities to secure homes and otherwise deter squatting through damaging their properties.

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.We do not accept that there are valid arguments in favour of squatting; it is wrong that legitimate occupants should be deprived of the use of their property by squatters. If squatters meet the criteria of priority need under the homelessness legislation, they will be entitled to be found accommodation by the local authority in the same way as any other homeless applicant. There are no plans to change this. No study has been made of measures taken by local authorities to discourage squatters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will visit the Stanley wholesale meat market, Prescot road, Liverpool, in order to discuss the impact of EC food hygiene legislation.

No. The Department is currently considering an application from the Stanley wholesale market for a licence under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992 and I shall write to the hon. Member about it.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on how CAP prices are affected by a realignment of currencies in the exchange rate mechanism.

Under the previous agrimonetary system, large monetary gaps between green rates and market exchange rates could build up in the period between two realignments within the exchange rate mechanism and these were automatically eliminated by green rate devaluations over a period of up to four years. Under the new agrimonetary arrangements which came into force on 1 January, green rates are kept broadly in line with market rates, so monetary gaps are limited in size. Any gaps that are created by an ERM realignment will be reduced according to the rules of the new system: these are different for currencies within the narrow-band of the ERM and for other currencies but in both cases are designed to prevent the retention of monetary gaps in excess of two percentage points. The resulting green rate devaluations will increase CAP support prices.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many salmon were caught in England, Scotland and Wales during the season 1991 and the season 1992, by (a) rod and line, (b) commercial nets and (c) north-east coast drift net fishing.

Details of reported salmon catches in 1991 are given in the table. Comparable data for 1992 are not yet available.

Reported Catches of Salmon in England, Scotland and Wales in 1991 by Method of Capture
	England	Scotland	Wales
Rod and line	9,452	45,136	4,522
Commercial nets1	34,631	20,057	3,044
(of which N.E. coast drift nets)	(22.463)
Total	44,083	65,193	7,566
1 Includes reported catches of salmon by all methods other than by rod and line.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the fall in the rate of exchange since the pound sterling left the European monetary system has had on common agricultural policy prices in terms of the pound sterling; and if he will publish a table showing for each CAP commodity the sterling price (i) immediately prior to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EMS and (ii) currently.

The devaluations of the green pound since the pound sterling left the exchange rate mechanism have increased CAP support prices by 18 per cent. The information requested on the sterling prices of CAP commodities is given in the table:

	to 16 September 1992	from 1 January 1993
Common Wheat (buying-in price per tonne)	122·24	1148·54
Feed Wheat/Barley (buying in price per tonne)	116·14	1141·34
Beef (intervention price per 100 kg)	272·83	322·09
Beef Special Premium Scheme (per head)	31·82	256·34
Butter (intervention price per 100kg)	232·88	274·94
Target price for milk (pence per litre)	21·96	25·93
Sheep Basic Price3 (per 100 kg)	336·42	4392·97
White Sugar Intervention Price (per tonne)	431·28	509·15
Basic Sugar Beet Price (per tonne)	31·82	37·56
'A' Quota Minimum Sugar Beet Price (per tonne)	32·43	38·29
'B' Quota Minimum Sugar Beet Price (per tonne)	20·50	24·20
1These buying-in prices reflect monthly variations as well as green rate changes.
2The increase in the Beef Special Premium reflects an increase in the amount of the premium in ECU as well as the changes in the green rate.
3The final rate of annual ewe premium payable for 1992, calculated according to the basic price in effect on 3 January 1993, will be decided on in March. The basic price for 1–3 January 1993 was £397.17 per 100/kg.
4Price wef 4 January 1993.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will give details of the methodology used to determine how much of the £25 million decommissioning package announced for the United Kingdom fishing fleet is to be allocated to the Scottish fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will give details of how the £11.25 million of the decommissioning package allocated to the Scottish fleet is to be divided between sectors; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will publish the basis of the calculations on which the proportion of the £25 million decommissioning fund to be allocated was decided as between English and Scottish allocations; and if he will make a statement;(2) how the proportion of his decommissioning package allocated to the English fleet is to be divided

The Government will shortly be laying a statutory instrument before Parliament setting out the rules for the decommissioning scheme. It is proposed that, in order to secure the best value for money, vessel owners should be invited to submit tenders, and funds will be allocated accordingly irrespective of port of registration. It follows that there will be no sub-division of the funds on a territorial basis.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average farm income in each of the last three years in England and Wales.

There are a number of measures of farm incomes which are published on a regular basis in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom". "Net farm income" is the measure for which there is the longest series. This is a measure which represents the returns to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial input and a return on tenant type capital. It is not comparable with the cash income from employment. The following table shows estimates of the average level of net farm income for all farm types derived from survey results. It should be borne in mind that there is considerable variation around these averages.

Average Net farm income for all farm types
£'000
	England	Wales
1989–90	17·2	12·3
1990–91	16·3	10·5
1991–92	17·3	14·0

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set a final date for the notification of milk quota transfers in England and Wales in 1992–93.

Following consultations with the industry and in exercise of powers provided by the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations I have decided that transfers of unused milk quota notified after 16 April will have no effect on the calculation of supplementary levy liability for 1992–93, even if they are notified as having occurred during that year.Similar deadlines have operated for the past four years. These have encouraged producers to notify quota transfers in good time and have thus assisted in the smooth running of the quota system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of national health service staff in London are women.

The information available centrally is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of maternal deaths following abortion since 1968, together with the causes of death.

In the period 1968 to 1987 a total of 98 maternal deaths related to legal abortion were recorded in England and Wales by the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths. Of these, 27 were due to embolism, 12 were due to haemorrhage and related conditions, 14 were associated with the use of anaesthetic, and the remaining 45 were attributed to various other causes. Full details are given in the reports of the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease for 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987 and the last year for which figures are available.

The available data are of new cases of pelvic infection and epididymitis reported by genitourinary medicine clinics. In England in 1990–91 there were 5,700 cases. Data for 1987 and earlier years are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been de-registered by their dentists for NHS treatment in Leeds to date.

During the period 3 July 1992 to 15 January 1993, 2,484 adult patients and 59 child patients were deregistered by their dentist in Leeds. In the period 30 June 1992 to 30 November 1992, the total number of adults and children registered with a national health service dentist in Leeds increased by over 12,000 to 451,268. Anyone who needs help in obtaining NHS dental treatment should contact Leeds family health services authority, who have been able to arrange NHS dental treatment for anyone who has approached them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the cost to the health service in the latest year for which information is available of hiring police or other security personnel to escort remand prisoners from hospital to court;

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the population were notified drug addicts in (a) Riverside, (b) Parkside, (c) Bloomsbury, (d) Islington, (e) City and Hackney, (f) Newham, (g)

Number of Notifications to the Home Office; England and selected District Health Authorities1, January to December 1991; and rate per million population
District Health Authority	All notifications	Mid 1991 population	Rate per million population
Riverside	621	290,500	2,138
Parkside	821	432,600	1,898
Bloomsbury and Islington2	862	242,400	3,556
The City and Hackney	358	187,700	1,907
Newham	36	217,000	166
Tower Hamlets	280	165,000	1,697
West Lambeth	542	161,800	3,350
Lewisham and North Southwark	273	327,900	833
England	18,827	48,068,400	392

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received about the impact of the Children Act 1989 on private sector nursery and child care provision; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 11 January at columns 604–05. In 1992 we replied to over 300 representations from hon. Members about the impact of the Children Act on private and voluntary providers of day nurseries, playgroups, out of school clubs and holiday schemes and on childminders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will list (a) which psychiatric hospitals and units have been sold since April 1990, (b) the value of the sales and (c) the purchasers of each hospital or unit.

The management of the national health service estate and the disposal of surplus assets has been delegated to health authorities and trusts. The information requested is therefore not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what obligation is laid on each newly-established NHS trust to establish an inventory of physical assets; and if she will make a statement.

The table shows the number of notifications received to the addicts index by the Home Office from doctors during 1991 (the latest year for which figures for district health authorities are available centrally), and the number expressed as a rate per million population.The addicts index includes only those drug addicts who are notifiable under the terms of the Misuse of Drugs (Notification and Supply to Addicts) Regulations 1973. This covers 14 controlled drugs, mainly opiates and cocaine, which are specified in the regulations.

There is no specific obligation but trusts have to draw up inventories for two practical reasons, one as part of the system of transferring assets from a health authority to a national health service trust and the other for valuation purposes to facilitate the assessment of the trusts' originating capital debt.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the general practices which are fund holding in the Leeds area.

The management of the general practitioner fund holding scheme in Leeds is the responsibility of the Yorkshire regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Sir Bryan Askew, for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from hypothermia took place in each region in 1992 among (a) men aged 65 years and over and (b) women aged 60 years and over.

The information requested will not be available before the end of April 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the procedure for the issuing of a death certificate to bereaved families in cases when the death occurs in hospital; and if she will make a statement.

The medical certificate of cause of death is issued by the doctor who attended the patient whilst in hospital or, if this is not possible, by Her Majesty's coroner. Departmental guidance suggests that hospitals should provide written local instructions, and appropriate training, to help staff advise bereaved families on such issues as collection of death and cremation certificates, registration of death and cases which require referral to the coroner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been issued to joint consultative committees in respect of implementing community care policies;(2) what roles joint consultative committees will fulfil in the future operation of health and community care management;(3) what guidance has been issued governing the make up of the joint consultative committees in areas where opt out hospitals, purchasing authorities and health authorities co-exist;(4) what steps she plans to improve joint planning and joint working arrangements between local authorities and health care providers;(5) if joint consultative committees' rules and responsibility are uniform throughout England and Wales; and if she will make a statement;(6) what steps she proposes to avoid duplication of function between health provider and local authority joint consultative committee arrangements and other management mechanisms for health and community care delivery.

The community care reforms introduce new incentives and requirements for joint planning and working between health and local authorities both for purchasers and providers. Detailed guidance has been issued to authorities to enable them to develop their arrangements.The policy guidance issued in 1990, which followed up the White Paper "Caring for People", made it clear that authorities should find the framework for developing joint planning and joint working which best suited them. Joint consultative committees will continue to advise health authorities and local authorities on the planning and operation of services which are of common concern to both. Their functions include making recommendations for payments by health authorities in connection with community care and other projects promoted by local authorities and other bodies.The statutory provisions relating to joint consultative committees including their composition are set out in Sections 22 and 28A of the National Health Service Act 1977 and in the Joint Consultative Committees Order 1985 (SI 1985 No. 305) which have effect in England and Wales. Recent guidance concerning joint consultative committees and their functions has been issued in circulars HSG(92)43 and LAC(92)17. Copies of all these documents are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when officials from English Heritage last inspected Battersea power station.

An inspection took place on 7 October. A further inspection is being arranged and is likely to take place next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he has anything to add to his oral answer of 7 December 1992 regarding the market share of B Sky B, Official Report, columns 584–85.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what recent representations have been received by his Department from local authorities and others regarding the concessionary television licence fee;(2) what representations have been received regarding the disparity of treatment for concessionary television licences for pensioners who moved into accommodation before and after May 1988.

I have received 108 letters from right hon. and hon. Members, 12 from local authorities and 174 from members of the public about the concessionary television

Description of item	Valuation £	Outcome
A painting, 'Landscape with Ruth and Boaz', by Joseph Anton Koch	343,000.00	Export licence granted
An illustrated book of carbon prints, 'Foochow and the River Min', by John Thomson (1873)	26,200.00	Purchased by the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television
A drawing, 'A bearded man seated at a table', by Baccio Bandinelli	50,000.00	Export licence granted
An ormolu and ivory mounted bureau cabinet, with marquetry of kingwood, by Pietro Piffetti, c.1770	899,980.00	Export licence granted
A drawing, 'A peasant family going to market', by Thomas Gainsborough (late 1760s-early 1770s)	357,600.00	Purchased by Gainsborough's House
Three albums of photographs by Bourne, Shepherd and Robertson, c.1870	32,407.50	Export licence refused
An English 13th Century gold and sapphire mounted clasp	45,000.00	Decision deferred until after 22 February 1993

Details of the items on which decisions were deferred were given in press notices issued at the time the reviewing committee's recommendations were accepted.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what criteria Sir Alan Bailey has been appointed to head the inquiry into the fire at Windsor castle; what are his qualifications; and what will be the scale and basis of his remuneration and expenses.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will take steps to ensure the cable franchise for Stockport is proceeded with rapidly.

I have been asked to reply.Responsibility for monitoring and, if appropriate, enforcing compliance with the build obligations contained in a cable operator's licence issued under the Telecommunications Act 1984 is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the items for which the issuing of export licences was withheld on the recommendation of the Reviewing Commitee on the Export of Works of Art during the half year ended 31 December 1992, specifying in each case the valuation and whether an item was exported or retained, with particulars in the latter event of the acquiring institution; whether he will list any items for which licences have been withheld but the final disposal of which is not yet decided, specifying in each case (a) the valuation and (b) the relevant time limit; and if a press notice will be issued by his Department covering the information given in his reply, including that relating to the outcome in individual cases.

[holding answer 19 January 1993]: The information is as follows:

[holding answer 25 January 1993]: Sir Alan Bailey has been appointed to chair the inquiry into the adequacy of fire protection measures at all the royal palaces for which the Department of National Heritage has financial responsibility. His professional experience as a senior civil servant fits appropriately with the requirement for this inquiry, as others, to bring together, analyse, assess, and advise on, the variety of issues involved. In particular, Sir Alan, as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Transport, was closely involved in the response to the recommendations of the Fennell inquiry following the Kings Cross fire. Sir Alan will be paid on a daily fee basis of £398 plus expenses.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make a statement on the policy adopted towards the removal of panelling from the former residence of the Serjeant at Arms in Speakers Court as part of the conversion process to offices; what was the decision-taking authority for such removals; and how such panelling has been disposed of.

This is a matter for the Director of Works; and I shall ask him to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on the implementation of the review of doorkeepers' responsibilities; and if the Commission will carry out a review of hours worked by doorkeepers.

The House of Commons Commission approved the recommendations of the Board of Management on the report of the staff inspector on the Doorkeeper grades on 9 December 1991. The recommendations did not cover doorkeepers' responsibilities as such, although they did propose changes concerning their manning levels. Subsequently detailed discussions were held between management and trade union representatives and agreement was reached on the implementation of the staff inspector's review.The agreement included a reduction in manning levels, to be achieved by natural wastage over a period of time. I understand this has still some way to go. It also made provision for close monitoring of the working hours of doorkeepers, particularly if and when the House sat very late on frequent occasions. The Commission has asked the Serjeant to keep working patterns of doorkeepers under review, and has received no representations from him that the manning reductions are not working satisfactorily. Until the full implementation of the recommended reductions has been achieved, it does not seem appropriate to carry out a further review.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy during his visit to India to raise the matter of the conditions under which India would join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

I have been asked to reply.During his visit my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, has discussed with Prime Minister Rao the attitude of the Indian Government towards the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and has emphasised the importance we attach to universal membership of the treaty.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Amber Valley (Mr. Oppenheim), of 11 January, Official Report, column 555, what information he has on the sale of machine tools from Germany to Iraq in 1987, 1988 and 1989, based on the standard international trade classification.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 26 January.

To ask the Prime Minister which Department has the responsibility for the licensing and control of premises using genetically modified material for research, development and production purposes for industrial, medical or educational uses.

I have been asked to reply.The Secretary of State for Employment has responsibility for the Genetic Manipulation Regulations 1989, which require all those intending to use premises for the first time for genetic modification work to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Notification requirements also apply to the subsequent activities involving genetic modification.A range of additional requirements, which are the responsibility of a number of Departments, apply to specific products which may be genetically modified. The products include medicines, plant pathogens, food additives, veterinary medicines and agricultural pesticides.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to provide a substantive reply to the letter sent to him by Mr. Barrington of Clist road, Bettws, Newport, on 30 November 1992.

I have been asked to reply.A reply was sent by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's office on 10 December 1992. A reply to the hon. Member's constituent's letter of 13 January 1993 will be sent in due course.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek time at the United Nations for reconsideration of sanctions against Iraq.

[holding answer 26 January 1993]: I have been asked to reply.The Security Council reviews sanctions against Iraq every 60 days in compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 687.The most recent review meeting took place on 25 January at which the Security Council concluded that conditions did not exist for the modification or lifting of sanctions against Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and other support he gives to the international rescue operation dealing with the immediate aftermath of natural catastrophes; and if he will meet their representatives to discuss a programme to assist them.

The International Rescue Corps is an independent organisation which has not sought financial assistance since September 1989 when ODA funds were provided to move an IRC team to Montserrat after Hurricane Hugo. ODA regularly offers assistance through our embassies in clarifying IRC's status and bona fides when it is aware IRC services are being offered to an overseas country. ODA and IRC officials are in frequent contact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals he has to extend the use of the know-how funds to the Baltic states.

We are considering a range of new proposals within our priority sectors, which are food processing and distribution, financial services, small business creation and energy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will commission the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies to examine the Government's running of the Chartermark award scheme.

I have no plans at present to involve the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies in the accreditation of the Chartermark scheme.Following the 1992 scheme, MORI was commissioned to carry out an independent review of the Chartermark scheme to find out reactions to the scheme, and to highlight any areas where improvements could be made for future years. MORI concluded its research at the end of November and its findings have been used in devising the 1993 Chartermark scheme; details of which will be published next month.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list and summarise briefly each of the initial commitments in the citizens charters which are environmental standards or targets; and if he will make a statement.

The citizens charter commitment to high quality services also extends to a clean and safe environment—for example:Explanatory guides on "Green Rights and Responsibilities" have been published in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These explain citizens' rights and responsibilities on environmental issues; and offer guidance on how to complain if standards are not being met.Under the council tenants charter all local authorities are expected to publish a statement advising tenants how their individual councils deal with environmental nuisances, such as graffiti and noisy parties.In addition the Government intend to publish a local environment charter in the spring which will detail citizens, rights to high environmental standards from their local authority.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to reply to the letter of 23 October 1992 from the hon. Member for Amber Valley about redundancy arrangements for miners.

I replied to my hon. Friend on 25 January.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what examination he has given to whether the United Kingdom national authority under the chemical weapons convention will require additional powers in order to examine work and scientific research in the chemical industry.

The United Kingdom national authority will not have the role of verifying compliance with the chemical weapons convention, and it will therefore not require powers to examine work and scientific research in the chemical industry. Verification will be the responsibility of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an international body to be set up under the United Nations' auspices. Primary legislation will be required to allow the OPCW to verify compliance in the United Kingdom.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that British Coal provides recent analysis of reserves at Vane Tempest and Easington collieries to companies charged by his Department to investigate current reserves under the terms of the energy review.

As part of the coal review, Boyds have undertaken assessments of the viability of each of the 21 pits included in the coal review, including Easington. Their report was published on 22 January.British Coal provided Boyds with recent information on coal reserves at each of the pits concerned, for use in this work. I understand that British Coal is providing similar information to Boyds for use in the assessment we have commissioned from them of the 10 pits currently the subject of consultation, which includes Vane Tempest.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent meeting he has had with the chairman or other officials of British Nuclear Fuels plc to discuss the present and future financing of Sellafield.

I meet the chairman and other board members of British Nuclear Fuels plc from time to time and discuss a range of matters on these occasions. The question of financing the company's business, both at Sellafield and elsewhere, is considered in the context of BNFL's corporate plan.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what effect the extension of the consultation period will have upon the guarantees applied to redundancy payments for miners at the 10 pits currently undergoing the 90-day statutory consultation period.

None. The current redundancy terms will remain available throughout the consultation period.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to prohibit the import into the United Kingdom of all species defined as endangered or threatened under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

No. The principal instrument for the regulation of international trade in wildlife species is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). However, in considering proposals to bring further species within the scope of CITES controls, the Government would take account of any designations made by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature together with any other relevant scientific information.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reasons underlay his refusal of a grant of £150,000 to the Coal Research Establishment for the development of membrane technology for the clean burning of coal.

My Department has considered a proposal from the Coal Research Establishment of the British Coal

G6 and Swiss exports of machine tools to Iraq 1985–1990
US$ 000s
	USA	Japan	France	Germany	Italy	Switzerland	United Kingdom
1990
728.1	0	0	0	2,124	1,270	578	570
731	537	645	1,279	22,209	2,783	7,666	8,278
733	5,891	911	499	6,992	1,070	2,762	246
735	2,377	39	1,331	6,286	10,824	1,743	2,955
TOTAL	8,805	1,595	3,109	37,611	15,947	12,749	12,049
1989
728.1	43	N/A	61	1,530	1,601	69	991
731	2,272	2,816	609	57,486	1,545	20,505	18,990
733	1,857	2,268	1,385	18,948	6,890	3,375	1,208
735	7,080	451	2,637	20,007	4,391	13,203	3,138
TOTAL	11,252	5,535	4,692	97,971	14,427	37,152	24,327

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure a fairer international trade environment for the British and other European Community footwear manufacturing industries before the conclusion of the Uruguay round of GATT negotiations.

We and our Community partners fully support the objectives of the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations in GATT, which include the specific aim of the reduction or elimination by all participants of high tariffs and non-tariff measures.The European Commission negotiates for the Community in GATT. It has details of all the concerns expressed to us by the United Kingdom footwear industry, and these have been carefully taken into account in the formulation of the Community's position in the negotiations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 11 January to the hon. Member for Amber Valley (Mr. Oppenheim) at column 555, if he will supply the corresponding information about the export of machine tools to Iraq in (a) 1985, (b) 1986 and (c) 1990.

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: For ease of reference the information requested for the major countries supplying machine tools to Iraq from 1985 to 1990 is set out as follows:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement outlining those steps which have been taken by his Department since 9 April 1992 specifically to assist the United Kingdom manufacturing industry; and what future action he intends to take to assist manufacturing industry.

[holding answer 26 January 1993]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, my ministerial colleagues and I have ensured that manufacturing industry's concerns are fully taken into account across the full range of the Government's decisions, and we shall continue to do so.Particular initiatives since 9 April have included: