To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the number of people who have received legal aid in each of the last three years.

The number of acts of assistance provided under the legal aid scheme between 1990–91 and 1992–93 was 2.6 million, 3 million and 3.3 million respectively.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason survey work in Her Majesty's Land Registry's current market testing exercise has been awarded to Ordnance Survey; and what consideration was given to private sector bids.

The Ordnance Survey bid for the whole of England and Wales represented the best value for money when compared with any other combination of bids. Her Majesty's Land Registry gave full and proper consideration to all the bids received from the private sector, and the evaluation process observed scrupulously the principles of fair trading and good management practice.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications his Department has received in the past six months for licences to control the threat to fisheries from cormorants and similar predatory birds.

From 1 April to 30 September 1993, 34 such licence applications were received.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been allocated by her Department in each of the last 10 years for monitoring and inspecting levels of pesticide residue in food.

The costs of monitoring for pesticide residues carried out by the Government's working party on pesticide residues over the last 10 years are as follows:

	£ million
1992–93	2·1
1991–92	1·9
1990–91	1·8

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to adopt a target for reducing pesticide use in the United Kingdom by 50 per cent. by 2,000.

No. Government policy is to ensure that pesticide use is limited to the minimum necessary for the effective control of pests compatible with the protection of human health and the environment. As I informed the hon. Member in my answer of 26 May 1993, columns 597–98, this policy is pursued through the approvals process and our research programme. The tonnage of pesticide applied in England and Wales between 1980 and 1990 fell by 21 per cent. There is also increasing evidence that users are seeking to use reduced application rates where possible, building on the results of research findings.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the net farm income for mainly sheep and sheep and cattle farms in severely disadvantaged areas in England and Wales, in both nominal and real terms for each year since 1978.

The statistical information used in the autumn review of hill livestock compensatory allowances will be placed in the Library of the House when the outcome of the review is announced on 30 November.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many producers in England and Wales are entitled to hill livestock compensatory allowances; and what proportion of those are located in (a) severely disadvantaged areas and (b) disadvantaged areas.

Some 30,000 producers in England and Wales are currently entitled to claim hill livestock compensatory allowances; of these about 22,000 farm either wholly or in part within the severely disadvantaged area and the remaining 8,000 farm either wholly or in part within the disadvantaged area and land outside the less-favoured area.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in England and Wales were in receipt of hill livestock compensatory allowances in the severely disadvantaged areas according to the most recent figures for each year since 1978.

Precise annual figures covering this period are not available but the number of claimants paid each year under the hill livestock compensatory allowances scheme to farmers with holdings located either wholly or partially within the severely disadvantaged area, or the corresponding area prior to the extension of the less-favoured areas in 1985, has risen slightly from about 20,700 in 1980 to 21,300 in 1992.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give the figures for England and Wales relating to 1993 for the value of the ewe premium and suckler cow premium per head distinguishing the value of any supplements if applicable.

The rate of sheep annual premium in England and Wales for the 1993 marketing year is fixed only after the end of the year. To date, Commission regulations provide for payments of two advances totalling £12.55 per eligible ewe and a supplement in less-favoured areas of £5.16 per eligible ewe. The final rate of premium and supplement due in spring 1994 will reflect the level of market prices and green rates operating in each member state throughout the marketing year.The 1993 suckler cow premium rate per head is £65.73 in England and Wales. In addition a payment of £28 17 per head can be made if the stocking density on a holding is less than 1.4 livestock units per hectare of eligible forage area.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement about the arrangements for the use of the surplus levy funds from the Aujeszky's disease eradication fund.

We have held discussions with the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. and have drawn up an arrangement for the use of the accrued interest on the surplus levy funds. Starting in this financial year, for three years the accrued interest will be used to offset some of the costs of the monitoring work carried out by the state veterinary service to maintain Great Britain's internationally recognised health status. The capital sum will remain untouched by this arrangement. At the end of the three years we will carry out a further review with the Pig Disease Eradication Fund, in the light of the developments regarding pig disease in the United Kingdom and EC. I am pleased that the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. accepts this arrangement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries have been received from overseas Governments regarding Siemion Serafimowicz, now living in the United Kingdom.

[holding answer 28 October 1993]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes on average for replies to be sent to legal representatives dealing with deportation and immigration cases; and if he will make a statement.

The information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether red commissioning has commenced on the A90 complex at AWE, Aldermaston.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all modifications made to the liquid and solid waste treatment plants at AWE, Aldermaston, following the publication of the Pochin report.

Details of the large number of modifications carried out for liquid waste treatment are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs. However, significant modifications have been made in the following areas:

• Effluent collection system
• Effluent treatment
• Sludge solidification
• Treated effluent discharge
• Change room access to plants
• Solid waste is not treated on site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sanctions are available to discipline pilots of military aircraft who have been guilty of dangerous flying and who have left the service before the institution of disciplinary proceedings under service regulations.

The disciplinary codes of all three services make provision for court-martial action to be taken against former service pilots who have committed an offence, provided the trial begins within six months of their ceasing to be subject to service discipline. These provisions would cover the offences of dangerous and low flying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce legislation to make dangerous flying in military aircraft over the United Kingdom an offence.

Existing legislation deals adequately with occurrences of dangerous flying. I refer the hon. Member to section 20 of the Navy Discipline Act 1957, section 49 of the Army Act 1955 and section 49 of the Air Force Act 1955.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the RAF police investigation of the low-flying incident over Gullane on 16 September 1992 included (a) an interview with the rear-seat passenger in the Tornado or (b) interviews with or attempts to find witnesses on the ground apart from the original complainer.

The RAF police investigation of the low-flying incident over Gullane on 16 September 1992 did not include an interview with the rear seat passenger of the aircraft or interviews with or attempts to find witnesses on the ground other than the original complainant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the established procedure to be followed if a Tornado navigator feels unwell during a low-level sortie.

No specific procedures apply if a Tornado navigator feels unwell during a low level sortie. The pilot will decide appropriate action, which may range from carrying on with the original purpose of the flight in the case of a temporary incapacity to terminating the sortie, in the light of the particular circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the regulations for low-level familiarisation flights in Tornado aircraft; what are the criteria for weather at base and operating area, and the minimum altitude and maximum speed; whether such flights can include low passes or simulated attacks either on planned targets or targets of opportunity; what are the limits on bank angle and G pull on such flights.. what specific manoeuvres are prohibited in such flights; and whether such flights are permitted in operational GRI and GRIA variants.

The weather criteria for a low-level Tornado familiarisation sortie are visibility of 5 km and 1,500 m horizontal and 500 ft vertical separation from cloud. These are the standard criteria for military low flying. The weather at the base airfield must also meet the standard criteria for take off and landing of 800 m visibility and a minimum cloud base of 200 ft. The minimum altitude permitted during the sortie is 250 ft minimum separation distance; and the maximum speed permitted would normally be 480 knots, although an absolute maximum speed overland of 550 knots may be permitted for very short time periods. Low passes and simulated attacks would be permitted. There are no limits placed on the angle of bank, and the maximum G would be dictated by the limits placed on the aircraft unless the passenger's medical clearance specified a lower limit. No specific manoeuvres are prohibited but the involvement of passengers in the operation of weapon release equipment or switches is not permitted. Such sorties may be flown in operational variants of the Tornado GR1 and GR la. All such sorties must be properly authorised, and the pilot of the aircraft must meet minimum experience and qualification standards before being permitted to fly passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on his plans for procuring precision-guided munitions to fulfil staff requirement 1242; and what is the timetable for this procurement;(2) if it is his intention to exclude non-European participation from competition for SR 1242.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) on 4 May 1993, columns 18–19. Twelve ompanies in the United Kingdom, United States and Europe were invited to tender by 4 August 1993. Three companies responded—one each in the United Kingdom, United States and France. We are currently considering these in detail but I do not expect to be able to announce the results of the competition until the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the southerly directional flow control was introduced for military flights over the Gullane/ Aberlady area.

The flow controls north of East Fortune airfield were introduced on 1 June 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the maximum area that might have to be (a) evacuated and (b) subjected to restrictions in a worst case scenario nuclear weapons transport accident; and what are the maximum arc and distance that would be involved in the most unfavourable weather conditions;(2) if he will make a statement on the extent of nuclear weapon plutonium dispersion hazards.

Because of the stringent safety precautions observed, a nuclear weapon transport accident that posed a real hazard to the public would be an extremely unlikely event. The worst scenario would involve the crash of a military aircraft transporting nuclear weapons which then subsequently produced a release of respirable particles of plutonium.The MOD document for local authorities and emergency services, issued in December 1992, does address this scenario, and gives general guidance on the measures that should be taken promptly to protect the public. A copy of the document is already available in the Library of the House. The document makes clear that further specific advice would be given by the MOD for the particular circumstances of an accident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the decision by the US Defense Department to exclude foreign participation at prime contractor level from the completion for a joint direct attack munition.

Despite representations by the Ministry of Defence, the US Department of Defense has decided to exclude foreign participation at prime contractor level in its joint direct attack munition programme because of US national security constraints. However, foreign firms may participate as sub-contractors and United Kingdom companies will no doubt pursue any opportunities in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum area and radius which would have to be (a) evacuated and (b) subjected to restrictions in the worst case scenario of a severely ruptured submarine reactor due to collision or other circumstances in the firth of Forth or the firth of Clyde; and what contingency plans have been made.

The overall probability of any accident resulting in even a small release is very low indeed. Nevertheless it remains prudent to develop contingency plans to respond to the possibility of an accident which might result in a radioactive hazard. The risk of an accident which would require the application of public protection measures such as shelter, evacuation or taking potassium iodate tablets from any accident location is no more likely than about one in 1 million in any one year, even assuming a reactor is operating continuously at that particular location.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a breakdown by section, agency or function of the numbers of civil servants, civilian and non-military personnel employed by his Department.

The information requested is published in Defence Statistics 1993 tables 2.3 and 2.27, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of the RAF pilot training operations, Bristol university air squadron and No. 3 Air Experience Flight, at Colerne airfield, Wiltshire.

The Bristol university air squadron and No. 3 Air Experience Flight, which commenced operations at Colerne airfield in April have budget allocations for the current financial year of £758,000 and £329,000 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many young people are currently being trained to fly at Colerne airfield; and how many of these trainees are expected to join the RAF as pilots.

Forty-three young people are currently being trained to fly at Colerne airfield with the Bristol university air squadron. From experience, we would expect about 70 per cent. to join the RAF as pilots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about orders for vertical launch Seawolf missiles.

I am pleased to announce that we have awarded a contract for a second production order of 450 vertical launch Seawolf missiles to British Aerospace Defence Ltd., Dynamics Division. These will provide 24-hour protection for the Royal Navy's type 23 frigates against aircraft and anti-ship missiles.The value of the order is more than £100 million. Work will be centred at the company's Lostock and Filton sites. It will sustain some 100 jobs within the company, and many more at sub-contractors throughout the country.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Commission rules for funding under the Konver programme apply only to small and medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) on 27 October, Official Report, column 643.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the potential contribution of coal-bed methane to United Kingdom energy resources; and if he will make a statement.

Coalbed methane is still in the exploration phase in the United Kingdom, determining if production is viable. No estimate has therefore been made.Although the coal fields are well defined, it is necessary to find out the parameters that will govern the rate and extent of release of methane from United Kingdom coals and to adapt the production technique for United Kingdom conditions.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the iron and steel readaptation benefits scheme.

The scheme was set up in 1974 since when many improvements have been made to the arrangements for helping unemployed people. ISERBS is not very effective in assisting redundant steel workers to re-enter the labour market and has not proved good value for money. Further large-scale restructuring in the United Kingdom steel industry is no longer anticipated. Redundant steel workers should henceforth be treated in the same way as most other redundant workers. ISERBS will therefore be terminated.The termination will apply in respect of closures, capacity cuts or changes in activities at steel companies which take place from today. However, it is important that appropriate transitional arrangements are put in place which are as fair as possible. Accordingly I am today also issuing a consulation paper and inviting comments by 10 December 1993 on those arrangements in respect of such events which I am satisfied are imminent.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the result of the consultation exercise in relation to the accreditation arrangements relating to the EC Eco-management and audit regulation and British Standard BS 7750.

The consultation exercise showed clear support for the appointment of the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies as accreditation body for both the EC regulation and BS7750. NACCB is being asked to start work immediately so that it has the maximum possible time to develop accreditation arrangements which will include the necessary environmental dimension and to streamline procedures so that both regulation and standard may be as accessible as possible, to small firms in particular. We are actively considering the formal separation of NACCB from BSI and a further announcement will be made in due course. A further announcement will also be made in due course on the appointment of a competent body under the terms of the regulation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the review of options for the future of DTI's Accounts Services Agency.

The Department has received a proposal for a management led employee buy out from members of the agency's management. I very much welcome this initiative.In view of this proposal and of the very good progress the Accounts Services Agency has made in developing a more commercial approach since it became an agency in October 1991, I have decided to commission a review to consider the options for the future of the agency.PA Consulting Group has been appointed to assess the commercial position and prospects of the agency; to assess the current and potential developments in the markets in financial and management accounts services, and the opportunities and threats these may present to the agency; and to consider alternative possible forms of ownership and management. The consultants will assess the advantages and disadvantages to the Department, the agency, its customers and staff of all options.In assessing the options the consultants will need to take account of the requirement to ensure that the Department continues to receive essential accounting services. The Department is reviewing its requirements for these services, and the scope for them to be met from the private sector, in parallel with the review by consultants.In undertaking their review the consultants will take account of the proposal for a management-led employee buy-out.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received about the economic and employment effect of locating the proposed European Community trade mark office in London; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 28 October 1993]: The Government have received two letters about the proposed Community trade mark office since January this year.The location of CTMO has been linked to the question of the seats of other Community bodies. The Government's priority has always been to get the best deal for the United Kingdom. Our bid for the CTMO remains on the table.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much Companies House has spent on press advertising in the years 1991–92, 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94.

[holding answer 27 October 1993]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the chief executive of Companies House Executive Agency for which my Department is responsible. I have therefore asked Mr. David Durham to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the Government's response to the public consultation on the trans-Pennine study.

I shall make my response when all replies to the public consultation have been fully considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list details of road checks on light goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles carried out by vehicle inspectorate staff during 1992; and how many vehicles were issued with defect notices or prohibition notices.

The vehicle inspectorate collects information on a financial rather than a calender year basis. The figures below relate to the financial year 1992–93.

	Number
Roadworthiness checks
LGVs1
Number of vehicles checked	134,382
Number of prohibitions issued	18,786
Number of defect notices issued	18,379
PCVs2
Number of vehicles checked	29,542
Number of prohibitions issued	2,366
Number of defect notices issued	4,275
Vehicles examined
LGVs	295,124
PCVs	40,508
Vehicles weighed or prohibited
LGVs
Number weighed	124,004
Number prohibited	6,987
1 Large goods vehicle
2 Passenger carrying vehicle

These figures include 8,012 and 4,647 special partial checks on headlights and exhaust emissions on LGVs and PCVs respectively.VI issues advisory defect notices only as part of its roadworthiness checks.Traffic enforcement checks (checking driver hours and operator, vehicle and driver licences)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was (a) the agreed cost, (b) the final cost, (c) the estimated time for and (d) the actual time taken, of the construction and widening of the M20 motorway between junctions 5 and 8.

(a) The accepted tender for widening the M20 between junctions 5 and 8 is £69.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those links on the national motorway network which (a) are to dual four-lane specification and carry average daily traffic volumes in excess of 120,000 vehicles, (b) are to dual four-lane specification and carry average daily traffic volumes between 100,000 and 120,000 vehicles., (c) are to dual three-lane specification and carry average daily traffic volumes in excess of 80,000 vehicles, (d) are to dual three-lane specification and carry average daily volumes between 65,000 and 80,000 vehicles, (e) are to dual two-lane specification and carry average daily traffic volumes in excess of 50,000 vehicles and (f) are to dual two-lane specification and carry average daily traffic volumes between 40,000 and 50,000 vehicles.

This information is not immediately available, but I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents were recorded in the last 12 months involving pedestrians and bicycles.

Latest available data show that there were 24,962 pedestrian accidents and 49,767 bicycle accidents during the 12 months of 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce regulations making it compulsory for bicycles to carry a warning device to warn pedestrians of their approach.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11 May by my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle), to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Evans), Official Report, 12 May 1993, column. 380.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his intention to give further consideration to a route option to the south of Landrake as part of the consultation procedures for the A38 trunk road improvement between Saltash and Trerulefoot; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering all the responses to the recent public consultation, including suggestions for an alternative to the south of Landrake.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when work will commence on the installation of speed control cameras and the construction of a footbridge over the A38 trunk road at Landrake; and if he will make a statement.

We are arranging for the provision early in the new year of the necessary electrical and other work which will enable the police to install a speed enforcement camera at Landrake on the A38 trunk road.Construction of a footbridge over the A38 in the village requires the acquistion of privately owned land. We have yet to settle whether this land can be acquired by agreement, permitting construction in 1994–95, or whether compulsory purchase powers will have to be used, which would lead to later construction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the benefits that have arisen for safety of drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists from the innovations and work of the transport and road research laboratory in the last 10 years; and what plans he has to ensure that further progress in this field is maintained by commercial contact with bodies other than his own Department.

The Transport Research Laboratory has been responsible for many research projects which have made important contributions to the safety of road users. For example, work on vehicle standards has provided benefits for both vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users, research on urban safety has resulted in the implementation of low cost engineering schemes showing significant casualty reductions and work on skidding accidents has led to a new road surface standard which has again significantly reduced casualties.The Department intends to continue with a major programme of research in road and vehicle safety at TRL, and expects to place contracts both with TRL and with other researchers. TRL for its part is also seeking work in these fields from bodies other than the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the benefits obtained for his Department and the nation since the Transport Research Laboratory, Crowthorne became an executive agency in April 1992; and if he will list the possible further benefits and disbenefits he expects to raise from its full privatisation

Benefits have been obtained through the Transport Research Laboratory's good performance against the challenging annual efficiency and quality targets set by my right hon. Friend; and through its high-quality research output, which has informed a range of policy decisions. The possible benefits and disbenefits of transferring the laboratory to the private sector are currently being studied by external consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive a comprehensive report from Union Railways concerning the route of its proposed fast link, its costs, finance, operating capacity, international traffic forecasts, and forecasts of passenger traffic generated from any intermediate station; and when the report will be made available to the public.

I received today a report from Union Railways which, apart from commercially sensitive information, will be published when the Government's decisions are announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated amount to be spent in 1993–94 on rent and other costs associated with the offices of his Department at 2 Marsham street, London.

The estimated expenditurre on rent and other associated accommodation costs for the Department's offices at 2 Marsham street, London, is £10,156,641 in 1993–94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position on the proposed extension to the Jubilee line to Stratford via Canary Wharf; and if he will make a statement.

The High Court today discharged the relevant Olympia and York companies from administration; accordingly I shall today be giving the chairman of London Regional Transport my approval for London Underground Ltd. to let contracts for the construction and equipment of the Jubilee line extension. This reflects the fact that, in anticipation of their release from administration, and with the permission of Court, Olympia and York as the developers of Canary Wharf have entered into agreements to make a contribution of some £400 million towards the cost of the extension, a previously envisaged. The first contribution, of some £100 million, will be made forthwith, finance having been made available by the European Investment bank.London Underground Ltd. will start letting contracts for the extension at once. The total cost of the project is put at £1.9 billion, with the creation of over 22,000 jobs in the United Kingdom. London Underground Ltd. envisage completion of the extension in the first half of 1998. The 10-mile line will have 11 stations, including one at Westminster.I warmly welcome this successful outcome. The new line, assisted by private sector finance, will be of major benefit to London and its transport system, and in particular to the development of docklands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will publish the 1992–93 annual report of the Director and Co-ordinator of Transport Security.

I am today placing copies of this report in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans he has to improve the ventilation in the Members' Dining Room.

Although there are no current plans specifically to improve ventilation in the Members' Dining Room, I understand that this matter forms part of the Catering Committee's comprehensive investigations into options for the modernisation of the Refreshment Department.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will introduce proposals to arrange for the Chamber to be so arranged as to provide seating for every hon. Member; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to publish the report carried out by Sir Michael Davies last year in respect of three philosophy lecturers at University college, Swansea; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on 6 July 1993, column.114.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many parliamentary questions have been answered on or since 18 October with the statement that the answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The number of answers given to parliamentary questions from 18 to 25 October 1993 recorded in the POLIS database as including a reference to part or all of the information being available only at disproportionate cost was 13. The total number of POLIS entries for written answers in that period was 1,374.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines are used in evaluating whether or not to grant support for projects under the Overseas Development Administration's aid and trade provision.

The criteria used in evaluating aid and trade provision cases are set out in the ATP "Guidelines for Applicants" booklet, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. This is currently being revised to take account of the new OECD rules governing tied aid which came into force in 1992 and the revised arrangements for ATP announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development in another place on 17 June. Copies of the revised guidelines will be placed in the Libraries of the House when available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he received from his Commonwealth counterparts at the Commonwealth conference in Cyprus in regard to the decision to withdraw Government funding for the Commonwealth Institute in London.

The Commonwealth Secretary General reminded my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State of the Secretary-General's statement of 22 September regretting the decision. There were no other representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria the Government use to judge the efficiency of overseas aid; and if he will make a statement.

Ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of United Kingdom aid has the highest priority. The ODA's departmental report 1993, Cm 2202, sets out the Government's approach to these issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the amount of British aid given to Pakistan and India in 1992–93.

The provisional figures for gross bilateral aid to India and Pakistan in 1992–93 are £114.7 million and £34.5 million respectively. The final figures will be available in "British Aid Statistics", due to be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the ODA has to meet representatives of UNICEF-UK to discuss the implications for United Kingdom overseas aid policy of the findings of the UNICEF report "The Progress of Nations".

Overseas Development Administration officials are in regular contact with UNICEF-UK on all UNICEF related matters. My officials attended a briefing meeting with UNICEF staff as well as the press launch last month of the progress of nations report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent situation in Angola.

Following United Nations Security Council resolution 864 and the introduction of limited sanctions against UNITA the movement has declared a unilateral ceasefire and agreed to return to negotiations based on the 1991 Bicesse peace accords. "Proximity talks" involving the Government of Angola and UNITA, chaired by the United Nations Secretary General's special representative, Mr. Beye, began in Lusaka on 25 October. We hope that these will result in direct talks. We shall continue actively to support the Secretary General's efforts to bring about a nationwide ceasefire and a negotiated settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since October 1989 he has overruled the advice of his Department's accounting officer that a project being considered for aid funds should not be supported in each case, giving the reasons for his decision.

I have given a ministerial directive to ODA's accounting officer on one occasion. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him yesterday on the Pergau hydro-electric project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of (a) school leavers and (b) 16 to 19-year-olds have poor literacy skills; and if he will make a statement.

A recent survey by the Government-funded adult literacy and basic skills unit suggested that more than 40 per cent. of students entering further education colleges needed help with basic literacy in order to achieve a good qualification. The raising of literacy standards is a top priority for the Government's policies for education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that boys are being taught moral responsibility in sex education.

In the new draft guidance which will be issued shortly, schools will be reminded of the requirement that sex education should be provided in such a manner as to encourage pupils to have due regard to moral considerations and to the value of family life. The guidance will emphasise the need for schools to foster in both sexes responsible sexual attitudes and behaviour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he will take to encourage the work of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority in sex and moral education.

Under section 1 of the Education Reform Act 1988 all maintained schools are required to offer a curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society. The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority will be carrying out its work within this framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will issue guidance to education authorities advising them not to use the Family Planning Association's primary school workbook on sex education for four-year-olds; and what is his policy on the use of explicit teaching materials for sex education in primary schools.

The law does not require primary schools to teach about sex. It does, however, require that where there is such teaching it should encourage pupils to have due regard to moral considerations and to the value of family life. My right hon. Friend has made clear his view that education about sex should begin in the home, as should all education. Governors of all schools should keep closely in touch with parents on this sensitive subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the number of people trained by the Office for Standards in Education for inspection; and for which categories they have been trained.

The arrangements for inspecting schools under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 are a matter for Ofsted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the saving to public funds that could be achieved by a reduction to two years in the time taken for first-degree arts courses at universities in England and Wales.

Average public funding per student through Funding Council grant, mandatory awards and student loans for a funded student place on a classroom-based course in 1993–94 is around £5,000. If all such courses were of the conventional length of three years full time, a reduction to two years would lead to recurrent savings of some £560 million in 1993–94 prices when the change was fully implemented.If the length of first degree courses were reduced with no corresponding increase in the amount of teaching per year, curriculum coverage would be reduced. The Higher Education Funding Council for England is funding a pilot scheme of accelerated degree courses, which provide for more intensive teaching over two years. Direct comparisons with the costs of conventional three year degrees are not possible since the pilot courses attract special funding from the HEFCE and students are eligible for additional maintenance payments. The Government believe that such accelerated courses are likely to appeal mainly to some mature students.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education under what statutory power he intends to provide a grant to the Grant-maintained Schools Centre to enable it to set up four regional offices to provide information on grant-maintained status.

My right hon. Friend is making grant available to the Grant-maintained Schools Centre pursuant to regulation 15 of the Education (Grant) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990/1989).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the total cost to the Exchequer of the reduction in the special purposes grant-paid to grant-maintained schools to compensate for their reduced liability to pay council tax—uniform business rate—for the years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

No cost to the Exchequer arises in this manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the special purposes grants given to each grant-maintained school in Devon for each financial year since 1991–92, including the current financial year.

The following self-governing schools in Devon have received special purpose grants (SPGs):

Amounts paid (£) for each financial year
	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94
School
COLYTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL SPG (Development)	17,450	19,635	22,695

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase the grant to the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre.

My right hon. Friend announced on 16 March, Official Report, column 143, that he was making funds available to the Grant-maintained Schools Centre to support the dissemination of factual information about grant maintained status. The grant to the Grant-maintained Schools Centre for 1993–94 is likely as a consequence of this announcement to increase to around £790,000. The precise figure is yet to be finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of the 1992–93 audited accounts for the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre.

Yes, as soon as they are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what amount was given to each grant-maintained school under section 11 funding for each financial year since 1991–92, including the current financial year.

The table shows the section 11 grants paid by the Department direct to grant-maintained schools for each of the years in question. Payments for the current financial year are those paid to date. The table excludes payments in respect of those grant-maintained schools which have elected to remain part of approved projects within their former maintaining local education authority, as these payments are not made by the Department.

Section 11 payments
School	£
1991–92
Ash Green School	4,384·00
Avon Valley School	4,837·00
Burntwood School	20,564·00

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of the business plan drawn up by Coopers Lybrand for the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre.

No. The business plan which Coopers and Lybrand helped prepare covers the full range of activities of the Grant-maintained Schools Centre. More than half these are not grant-aided and the information on them is commercial-in-confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the amounts of cereals in storage in each region of the United Kingdom.

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Intervention Board Executive Agency under its chief executive, Guy Stapleton. I have asked him to provide the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Government offices there are in Northern Ireland.

The number of Government offices in Northern Ireland housing Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland civil service staff is 322.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated amount to be spent in 1993–94 on rent and other costs associated with the offices of his Department in Whitehall.

A total of £1,060,362.08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies of his departmental publication, "The European Community: Facts and Fairytales" have been published; at what cost; to whom and to what organisations it has been distributed (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) abroad; and if he will make a statement on its intended purpose.

A total of 30,000 copies of the booklet "European Community: Facts and Fairytales" have been published so far, at a cost of £10,787. Copies have been sent to Members of Parliament, members of the House of Lords, United Kingdom MEPs, the media, including in Brussels, chambers of commerce, information offices, consumer organisations, women's associations, EC and EFTA embassies in London, major United Kingdom posts abroad and to all individuals who have asked for copies. Some 16,000 copies have been sent out so far. The booklet is intended to help inform public opinion about the Community and, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said in the foreword, to fill in some of the gaps which occur when the facts behind the stories are not explained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest situation in respect of relations between the Republic of Korea and North Korea.

There have been three rounds of talks about talks during October after a period in which the two sides had not met each other. We have been disappointed at the lack of substantive progress. We hope however that North Korea's move at the third round in tabling a draft agreement for the exchange of high-level envoys may signify a willingness on their part to work towards specific progress at a fourth round of talks scheduled for early November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the United Nations report on military exports by country.

This 123-page (A/48/344) report was issued by the United Nations on 11 October. It has been sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by our mission to the United Nations and copies will be distributed to the Library very soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for the construction of a new British embassy building in Berlin.

We propose to open a new embassy in Berlin when the Federal Government move from Bonn. The project is still at pre-planning stages. Issues relating to the site of the pre-war embassy, where Her Majesty the Queen unveiled a plaque in October 1992, and the size of the future embassy, are at present under active consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated amount to be spent in 1993–94 on rent and other costs associated with the offices of his Department in King Charles street, London.

The main building of the FCO in King Charles street is undergoing major refurbishment extending until early 1997. During this programme approximately one quarter of the building is unoccupied. This is reflected in rent levels, and other costs for 1993–94, which are as follows:

Running costs	£
Rent, including works service charge and rates	8,195,719
Maintenance	475,000
Furnishings	700,000
Unilities	382,763
Contract cleaning	592,200
	10,345,682
Capital costs
Refurbishment programme	11,732,000
TOTAL	22,077,682

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidelines to school inspectors on the identification of good practice in the teaching of environmental education.

The statutory responsibility for school inspections rests with Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 and extended in the Education Act 1993. It is for the chief inspector to issue to school inspectors such guidance on good teaching practice as he considers appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to require each further and higher education college in Wales to develop an environmental policy and action plan for implementation by the start of the 1994–95 academic year.

I have no plans to do so at the moment. However, the report of a committee on environmental education in further and higher education was sent to all FHE institutions in Wales in February 1993. This report contained a specific recommendation that, after consultation with its staff and students, every FHE institution should formally adopt and publicise, by the beginning of the academic year 1994–95, a comprehensive environmental policy statement, together with an action plan for its implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to establish a central co-ordinating agency in Wales to encourage environmental education.

None. However, the Countryside Council for Wales is currently discussing this matter with other interested organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has given to the training and enterprise councils in Wales with respect to accounting conventions to be used in their annual report and accounts as regards (a) income and expenditure, (b) profit and loss account, (c) surplus and retained surplus, (d) gross profit and profit on ordinary activities after taxation, (e) turnover, (f) income and (g) chief executive and managing director level appointments and places on the board of such appointees; and if he will make a statement.

The annual operating agreement between the Welsh Office and training and enterprise councils, which is available in the Library of the House, requires them to publish an audited statement of accounts. As private limited companies, the training and enterprise councils are subject to the audit requirements of the Companies Act 1985 as to the form and content of these accounts.The standard operating agreement also sets out the procedure each training and enterprise council must follow in appointing a chief executive or managing director.As private limited companies, the composition of the board of training and enterprise councils is governed by the memorandum and articles of association of each.