To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive British Coal's sixth report on the administration of the coal mining subsidence damage repair and compensation scheme.

I have now received this report from British Coal and have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses today.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations he has given to introducing a statutory responsibility for British Telecom to extend caller line identification to the emergency services.

BT operators already provide the emergency services with information about callers, including caller identification where technically possible. BT is also working to provide a direct CLI service in London, where it has been requested by an emergency authority.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the likely effect on United Kingdom trade in 1996, 1997 and 1998 of reconstruction in the former East Germany; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of the extent to which the United Kingdom will become less competitive than Germany.

Germany is the United Kingdom's largest export market. Over 1,000 British firms have subsidiaries or joint ventures there, and this country is among the leading investors in the new Länder.Annual growth of 8 to 10 per cent. is expected in the new Länder over the next few years, and 2.5 to 3 per cent. in Germany as a whole. Britain's market share is on the increase, and there is no reason why this should not continue.The Government have been active in developing trade promotion initiatives in key sectors of the new Länder which will help British companies, in the United Kingdom and in Germany, to capitalise on trade openings in 1995 and beyond.Some of the newly established German plant in the new Länder is likely to be highly competitive but the prospects for UK firms are excellent. The gap in manufacturing productivity between this country and Germany has narrowed since 1979, and the Government remain committed to creating the right framework for improving industrial competitiveness. The United Kingdom's continuing ability to attract very significant inward investment is a testament to the competitiveness policies that the Government are pursuing.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the cost of his Department's expenditure on water and sewerage in (a) the current year and (b) each of the three previous years.

Within DTI, information on expenditure on water and sewerage is not held centrally. Expenditure in relation to DTI's London headquarters buildings was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made with the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement.

The project to implement jobseeker's allowance, subject to parliamentary approval of the Jobseekers Bill, is on schedule for implementation in April 1996. Planning guidance has now been issued to the Employment Service and Benefits Agency field organisations. An external review of the project is under way and will report in early April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who will represent the United Kingdom at the fourth UN world conference on women.

I am pleased to announce that key members of the delegation to represent the Government at the fourth UN world conference on women vote held in Peking from 4 to 15 September, have now been agreed. Three Ministers will be in attendance during the period of the conference: myself, my noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development, and my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton (Mrs. Browning), the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Government appointed co-chairman of the Women's National Commission.They will be joined by Kamlesh Bahl, chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Great Britain, Joan Smyth, chair and chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Northern Ireland, and Liz Bavidge, elected co-chair of the Women's National Commission. We also expect to include delegates from Hong Kong, Bermuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, further representation from non-governmental organisations with expertise on women in development and officials from the relevant Government Departments to support the work of the delegation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he gives to regional differences when developing plans for employment initiatives; and what initiatives will be the subject of legislation in the near future.

The Department's initiatives are targeted primarily on those who need it most, particularly those who have been unemployed for some time. Other than provisions in the Jobseekers Bill, no legislation on initiatives is planned for the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's policy on increases in productivity being rewarded by increases in pay; and what evidence he has of the extent to which that principle has been followed in the (a) manufacturing and (b) service industries.

The extent to which increases in productivity are rewarded by increases in pay is a matter for organisations to decide in the light of their particular circumstances. However, productivity is one of many factors which need to be taken into account when making such decisions. The Employment Department does not collect data on how far productivity influences such decisions, but whereas both productivity and pay stagnated from 1974–1979, both productivity and real pay at all levels have risen sharply since 1979.The Government, however, also believe that increases in pay need to be more than matched by improvements in productivity in order to free resources for investment, which in turn will feed through to greater competitiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who is still owed money by the South Thames training and enterprise council; how much they are owed; and when they will be paid.

The total amount of money owing to individual contractors which submitted claims for payment for work carried out for South Thames training and enterprise council is a matter for the receiver.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the hours of guided learning undertaken by a student (a) in the evening and (b) on Saturdays will count towards the new 16-hour limit for guided learning allowed to unemployed students who are required to be available for work; and if he will make a statement.

All hours that are classified as guided learning hours will count towards the threshold of 16 guided learning hours per week.The Further Education Funding Council has introduced the definition of guided learning hours in place of the distinction between part and full-time courses. This reflects the fact that courses are increasingly delivered flexibly, to meet the needs of individuals. The Government's proposals for the rules under jobseeker's allowance are designed to accommodate this change, while ensuring that the same number of people will be able to benefit as do so now.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which permanent secretaries have left his Department's employment in the last five years; and which public positions they have been appointed to subsequently.

There is only one permanent secretary at the Scottish Office and he has been in post for over five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he proposes to introduce in the procedures for appointing sheriffs.

These procedures are kept under constant review. A number of improvements were introduced in the procedures adopted in a recently completed round of temporary shrieval appointments. Consideration is now being given to the further development of these procedures and their application to the appointment of permanent sheriffs. it is proposed that applications will be sought, by annual advertisement, for these appointments and that suitable candidates will be interviewed by a panel, whose membership will include lay representation. Consultation on the proposals will take place shortly and I shall arrange for copies of the consultation paper to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he proposes to publish his report on the discharge of his duties for further education in Scotland as required under section 1 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to say that the report entitled "Further Education in Scotland 1994: Report by the Secretary of State for Scotland" has been published today and has been laid before each House of Parliament. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.The report shows that good progress has been made in further education colleges in 1994. Members of the college boards of management and college staff continue to manage enthusiastically the changes and challenges arising from incorporation. The colleges have built on the success of the first year of incorporation and are working hard to continue to raise standards and increase efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if Ministers in his Department have on any occasion in the last seven days met representatives of (a) Messrs C. S. M. Parliamentary Consultants Ltd., (b) Dewe Rogerson Ltd., (c) Decision Makers Ltd., (d) G.J.W. Government Relations Ltd., (e) G.P.C., (f) G.J.W., (g) Ian Greer Associates Ltd., (h) Market Access Group, (i) Politics International, (j) Westminster Communications Group, (k) Westminster Strategy, (l) Good Relations, (m) Rowland Sallingbury Casy, (n) Lowe Bell, (o) Profile Corporate and Political Relations and (p) Shandwick Consultants Ltd. and discussed issues relating to the clients of these companies.

[holding answer 2 March 1995]: Neither I nor any of the Ministers in my Department had meetings with representatives of any of these organisations.

To ask the Attorney-General when he expects decisions to be announced regarding (a) the possible transfer to agency or private status of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office and (b) the possible merger of the fraud divisions of the Crown Prosecution Service with the Serious Fraud Office.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 8 July, Official Report, column 337. The steering group on agency status has not yet concluded its work.The consideration of merger group has reported its findings. The report is at present under consideration.Decisions will be announced as soon as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister what highly specialised form of treatment was available to Mr. Murray at Leeds Central infirmary.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has asked for an initial report on this matter from South Thames regional office in the near future. A report will he published as soon as possible thereafter, and any issues arising will be further investigated. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral Statement of 9 March, Official Report, columns 455–56, which companies provided the independent financial and legal advice to the Government on the question of whether to proceed with the sale of National Power and PowerGen; and when the advice was received.

[holding answer 14 March 1995]: The Treasury took advice on the evening of Friday 3 March from its financial advisers, Barclays de Zoete Wedd Limited and Kleinwort Benson Limited and its legal adviser, Slaughter and May.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what expenditure will be incurred in the current financial year on the commemorations to mark the 50th anniversary of the end in Europe of the second world war.

The cost in 1994–95 of commemorations to mark the 50th anniversary of the end in Europe of world war II is expected to be £3,000,000. I announced on 17 January, Official Report, columns 424–25, that parliamentary approval for this new service would be sought in a supplementary estimate for the Department of National Heritage's film, tourism, sport and broadcasting vote, class XI, vote 5. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure of up to £3,000,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage for this year and each of the past three years how many employees in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which his Department is responsible who have been employed on temporary contracts of (a) 51 weeks or (b) less than 51 weeks duration are re-employed in the same or similar position at a later date.

[holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information for the Department of National Heritage and its two agencies—the Royal Parks Agency and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency—is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, how many employees in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies supervised by his Department have been employed on temporary contracts of (a) 51 weeks or (b) less than 51 weeks duration for this year and each of the past three years, in each case specifying what percentage of the respective total work force these employees constitute.

[holding answer 15 March 1995]: The Department of National Heritage was created in April 1992. It has two agencies—the Royal Parks Agency created in April 1993 and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency created in October 1989. The information requested is shown in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, how many people he expects to employ in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which he is responsible on temporary contracts of (a) 51 weeks or (b) less than 51 weeks duration in the next three years, in each case specifying the number of employees who had previously been employed in a similar position on the same contract.

[holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information for the Department of National Heritage and its two agencies—the Royal Parks Agency and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency—is as follows.The Department of National Heritage does not anticipate recruiting any staff on temporary contracts over the next three years.The Royal Parks Agency expects to recruit two full-time staff and one part-time member of staff on temporary contracts of less than 51 weeks duration. The Historic Royal Palaces Agency expects to employ 53 members of staff on contracts of less than 51 weeks duration during 1995, 21 in 1996 and 22 in 1997. It is not possible to say, for any of these anticipated vacancies, whether previous temporary staff will fill the posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, what positions in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which his Department is responsible are filled by employees who are employed on temporary contracts of (a) 51 weeks or (b) less than 51 weeks duration.

[holding answer 15 March 1995]: The latest available information shows for DNH and its two agencies—the Royal Parks Agency and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will publish the full terms of employment as specified to employees in his Department and all executive agencies for which he is responsible who are employed on a temporary contract of (a) 51 weeks or (b) less than 51 weeks duration;(2) what guidance has been issued in respect of the recruitment and appointment of non-permanent employees in (i) in his Department and (ii) all executive agencies supervised by his Department.

[holding answer 15 March 1995]: The Department and its agencies—the Royal Parks Agency and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency—have their own independent personnel units which produce separate recruitment and appointment documentation. The terms of employment are set out in letters of appointment and I have placed copies of these for the Department and each of its agencies in the Library of the House.In the recruitment and appointment of casual employees the Department and its agencies are guided by the relevant civil service central policies. These policies are contained in the personnel management section of the civil service management code which sets down the principal recruitment rules for casual staff and is consistent with the provisions of the Civil Service Order in Council Regulations. I have placed copies of the relevant extracts of these documentations as annexes to the appointment letters in the Library of the House. My Department and its agencies also operate all recruitment within current employment legislation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will specify what code of conduct applies to information on Government business supplied by Ministers to staff employed by them as House of Commons secretaries and researchers; and if such staff are governed by a code of conduct analogous to the Official Secrets Act for civil servants with respect to such business.

House of Commons secretaries and researchers are not employed by the Government and are not therefore subject to rules of conduct applying to the civil service. Like other citizens, they are subject to relevant provisions of the Official Secrets Act.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent reports have been received concerning leakages of information concerning Government business from staff employed by Government Ministers as House of Commons secretaries and researchers.

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many requests for information have been made to Departments following the introduction of the open government code; how many of these requests have been (a) met and (b) refused; and in how many cases of requests, Departments have had to review refusals to release information;(2) if he will give the current figures of charges made by individual Departments and agencies for information requested under the open government code;(3) when the Government's review of the operation of the open government code will be published.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply today to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey). Copies of the Government's report on the implementation of the code of practice on access to Government information during 1994 are available in the Library of the House. Appendix 1 of the report gives figures for the numbers of code requests received by Departments in 1994, the numbers of requests refused in full or in part, and the numbers of internal reviews conducted by Departments. A schedule of departmental charging schemes for information requested under the code is included as appendix 4.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the operation of the code of practice on access to Government information during 1994.

I have today announced the publication of the Government's report on the operation of the code of practice during 1994, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when legislation will be introduced to give effect to the commitment in the Open Government White Paper, Cm 2290 1993, to create a right of access to personal records and a right of access to health and safety information.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 6 March, Official Report, column 15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently made to the Turkish Government regarding (a) the killing of civilians, (b) the destruction of homes and villages and (c) general abuses of human rights.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised our concerns about human rights in Turkey with the Turkish Foreign Minister in London on 2 February. My right hon. Friend subsequently met the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the EU-Turkey Association Council on 6 March. They were left in no doubt of our human rights concerns and those or our European partners. We shall continue to take every opportunity, at ministerial and official level, to remind the Turks of the need for improvement in their human rights performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations to the Turkish Government he has made regarding the activities of Turkish special intelligence—MIT—in Britain.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the numbers of Kurdish refugees from Turkey in northern Iraq; what contribution is being made towards UNHCR programmes in that area; if he will list the British non-governmental organisations which are involved in implementing the relief programmes; and what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities regarding their military activity against the civilian population in the border areas with northern Iraq.

The following British registered non-governmental organisations are receiving assistance from ODA for helping with relief work among the Kurds: British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Kurdish Life Aid, Mines Advisory Group, Oxfam and Save the Children Fund.We frequently make clear to the Turkish Government, at ministerial and official level, our view that the conflict in the south-east of Turkey must be settled within the rule of law and with due respect for human rights.We are seeking the further information requested by the hon. Member. I shall write to him with this information as soon as it is obtained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the involvement of the Turkish Government in crimes of violence in London; what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities; and if he will make a statement.

We have made no representations to the Turkish Government relating to crimes of violence in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received that Turkish military aircraft have penetrated northern Iraq and bombed refugee camps; and if he will make a statement.

We are not aware of any recent reports of Turkish military aircraft bombing refugee camps in northern Iraq. We have made clear to the Turkish Government our view that the conflict in the south-east of Turkey must be settled within the rule of law and with due respect for human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 February, Official Report, column 686, if he will provide details of the contract, firm, designate, costs and outcome of the arbitration case involving his Department and a consultancy.

Arbitration has not yet been completed. Because the arbitration process is confidential, it would he inappropriate for me to give details of the case at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at which British post overseas Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi, the leader of the Soldiers of God, based in Pakistan, was issued with a visa to visit the United Kingdom; if the application was referred to London; if the application was referred to the Foreign Secretary or ministerial colleagues in his Department or to the Home Office for a recommendation prior to the decision being taken on Mr. Farooqi's application; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Farooqi was last issued with a United Kingdom visa by our high commission at Islamabad in July 1994. He already held multiple entry visas for the United States and Australia and had been issued with UK visas in 1991 and 1992. At the time he appeared to meet the requirements of the immigration rules, so his application was not referred to London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Kenya concerning the arrest and imprisonment of opposition Member of Parliament, Mr. Njenge Mungai.

We remain deeply concerned about such arrests. Our high commission has raised this issue at the highest level with the Kenyan Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current fisheries dispute between the EU and Canada in the north-west Atlantic.

The dispute is about allocating the total allowable catch from Greenland halibut among the contracting parties in the North West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation—in particular the EU and Canada. The goal of all involved must be to conserve fish stocks so as to allow fishermen from both the EU and Canada a viable future. This requires proper conservation measures, including an equitable division of the agreed total allowable catch. It also requires strict enforcement to ensure that the rules are obeyed by all. We are pleased to hear that the Spanish vessel detained last week has been released. All concerned can now concentrate on resolving the wider issues through negotiation, in a way acceptable to the members of NAFO.The UK has been using its position as a member of both the Commonwealth and the EU to promote solutions to the immediate difficulties and to contribute to an outcome in the longer term which is satisfactory to all. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs yesterday spoke to his Canadian and Spanish opposite numbers as part of those efforts. The way ahead must be through negotiations undertaken in a calm and co-operative spirit and by avoiding actions which might make a solution more difficult.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many and what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary school have outside toilets;(2) how many and what percentage of schools fail to provide one toilet for every 20 pupils over five years old;(3) how many and what percentage of schools do not have hot and cold running water in all hand basins for their toilet areas.

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have no suitable toilet facilities for disabled pupils.

This information is not yet available. Local Education Authorities and the Funding Agency for Schools are required to provide such data to the Secretary of State after 1 May and by 1 June 1995, and biennially thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools overspent their budget in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the extent to which local education authorities are expanding in relation over the last two years non-statutory services at the expense of statutory education services; and if she will list the increase in expenditure on non-statutory services in each local education authority in the last two years.

Information at LEA level on statutory and non-statutory spending is not available, as LEAs' returns of their expenditure do not distinguish between expenditure on pupils of statutory and non statutory school age.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what recent representations she has received from parents and governors about the standards of reports published by school inspectors; and if she will make a statement;(2) if she will make a statement on the publication of parent-friendly reports by school inspectors;(3) what action she intends to take to ensure that teachers in schools in West Yorkshire have full confidence in inspectors working for the Office of Standards in Education; and if she will make a statement;(4) what recent representations she has received on the standards of reports issued by school inspectors; and if she will make a statement.

The Department has received two letters about the standards of individual school reports in the last six months. Such letters are normally referred to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector as the independent Office for Standards in Education is responsible for monitoring the quality of inspection reports. Ofsted is also responsible for the employment of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools and for the training and monitoring of registered inspectors.The content of inspection reports is similarly a matter for HMCI. The Government's intention is that reports should be rigorous, clear and easily understood by parents. HMCI has recently issued guidance to registered inspectors on making inspection report summaries more user friendly. He is also consulting on a revision to the framework for inspection and this includes taking the views of parents, teachers and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the average standard spending assessment for primary school pupils for local education authorities in England; and what is the average for local education authorities excluding the Isles of Scilly and inner London boroughs.

The average amount per five to 10-year-old which local education authorities in England will receive in the primary sub-block of their education standard spending assessments for 1995–96 is £1,981. The comparable figure for local education authorities excluding the Isles of Scilly and inner London boroughs is £1,941.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment has been made of the effect on children's education following the proposed reduction in funding for schools.

The local government finance settlement for England for 1995–96 allows a 1.1 per cent. cash increase over the equivalent figure for 1994–95. The effect of the settlement will depend on decisions made by local education authorities and schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the net standard spending assessment for (a) a child of primary school age and (b) a child of secondary school age in Shropshire and in the London borough of Southwark for the financial year 1995–96.

The standing spending assessment for a pupil of primary school age for the financial year 1995–96 in Shropshire is £1,862 and in Southwark £2,947. For a child of secondary school age, the figures are £2,482 for Shropshire, and £4,097 for Southwark. These differences arise from disparities in assessed education spending need and costs between different areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the standard spending assessment for Hereford and Worcester following the transfer of five schools to Birmingham from 1 April.

The standard spending assessment for Hereford and Worcester reflects the transfer of five schools to Birmingham from 1 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations she has received following the announcement of the education settlement for 1995–96 for the London borough of Havering.

We have received representations from the hon. Member and others about Havering's education standard spending assessment for 1995–96. The reduction results from a number of factors, including a below average increase in pupil numbers and other reductions in indicators of spending need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools had to close all or part of a school building because its condition posed a danger to staff and pupils in each of the last two years.

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what provisions exist for education on the dangers and prevention of solvent abuse, and if she will make a statement.

The national curriculum, which all maintained schools must provide, requires that pupils arc taught about the harmful effects of solvent abuse. My Department is providing £6 million of new grant to support teacher training and innovative projects concerned with the prevention of drug and solvent abuse. Following recent consultation, we will also issue shortly guidance on drug prevention and schools, together with guidance on teaching about drugs within the school curriculum and a digest of drug education teaching materials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Eduction how many people were employed in the (a) grant-maintained schools branch, (b) further education branch, (c) teacher training branch and (d) higher education branch of her Department for each year since 1992–93; how many arc forecast to work in each branch in 1995–96; what was the pay bill for each branch in each year since 1992–93; and what is the forecast pay bill in 1995–96.

The distribution of responsibilities among branches within the Department was reorganised in 1994. No one branch is or has been solely responsible for grant-maintained schools: presently both school organisation branch and schools funding branch have, among their other duties, responsibility for such schools. Certain duties also fall to the Funding Agency for

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes he is proposing to the Government of Northern Ireland Act 1920.

We have expressed a willingness, in the joint framework document, to amend or replace what little remains of the Government of Ireland Act as part of and contingent upon an agreed, comprehensive settlement, to emphasise the principle of consent. The precise detail of any changes would be a matter for discussion, negotiation and agreement with the political parties in future talks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances a referendum will be held in Northern Ireland following the consideration of the framework document.

We have undertaken to put to the electorate in Northern Ireland for approval in a referendum any agreed outcome of a three-stranded process of talks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when was the last occasion, and in what year, Her Majesty's Government had reason to suppose that Libya-based sources supplied explosives and arms to organisations associated with the island of Ireland.

Substantial quantities of Libyan arms and explosives reached the Provisional IRA in the mid-1980s. Their recovery has been the objective of intensive searching by the Garda in the Republic of Ireland and by the police and Army in Northern Ireland. For operational reasons it would not be appropriate to give details of the amount of arms and explosives expended and recovered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to provide political training, political, educational and exchange programmes for young people, politicians and community groups in Northern Ireland.

The Government have no plans at present to introduce programmes on the scale and in the manner indicated by the question. The Government remain committed, however, to encouraging mutual understanding within the community wherever possible, and to assisting political and educational development among young people in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received regarding the future of the RUC since the cease-fire.

Since the cease-fires, Ministers and officials have continued to hold meetings with interested bodies and individuals, including district councils, political parties, community organisations and police staff associations, on a variety of issues related to the police service. Several letters have also been received, mostly from members of the public. A wide range of views has been expressed; a key note to emerge has been the welcome for debate on policing matters, especially on strengthening links between the community and the police. The Government welcome this debate and are keen to hear constructive comments and proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met representatives of Families against Intimidation and Terror.

The Secretary of State has had no formal meetings with representatives of FAIT. I last met representatives from this group in September 1993. Since then there have been no further meetings with Ministers hut contact at official level has been maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what quantities of firearms and explosives have recently been voluntarily surrendered by Republican terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland.

No weaponry or equipment has been surrendered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about inward investment into Northern Ireland.

The year 1993–94 was Northern Ireland's most successful from an inward investment standpoint. The Industrial Development Board secured 13 new inward investment projects, together representing an investment potential of £259 million and 2,309 jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the level of inward investment to Northern Ireland since the cease-fire; and if he will make a statement.

The climate for investment in Northern Ireland from overseas has been greatly enhanced by a sustained absence of violence. Though it is too early to quantify the results in terms of new projects secured there are substantial indicators of heightened interest in Northern Ireland as an investment location—particularly in its primary target markets of the far east and the United States.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet business leaders to discuss inward investment.

My noble Friend Baroness Denton, the Minister for the Economy, is already heavily involved in meetings with potential inward investors. Her programme last week alone included a meeting with seventy Korean businessmen and the president of a potential Japanese investor. Baroness Denton will also meet business leaders during her visits to North America and Japan. Additionally, my noble Friend meets regularly with the business organisations in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the practice with regard to the early release of prisoners.

There is no general practice of early release for prisoners. Those convicted by the courts and given sentences of imprisonment will serve their sentences according to the law. Individual prisoners may he released early by exercise of the royal prerogative, but this power will be used only in exceptional circumstances such as when a prisoner is terminally ill or has given assistance to the prison authorities or the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to transfer responsibility for trade and economic development to a devolved assembly in Northern Ireland.

"Frameworks for the Future" explains that, should there be agreement on the creation of new institutions in Northern Ireland, as part of a comprehensive political settlement, these will have legislative and executive responsibility over as wide a range of subject as in 1973, including those aspects of trade and economic development currently discharged by the Department of Economic Development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley), for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker), and for Neath (Mr. Hain).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what machinery exists for regular dialogue between Ministers and the trade unions representing workers in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

There is no formal machinery for dialogue between Ministers and the Northern Ireland trade unions. Ministers meet trade union leaders from time to time to discuss specific matters and are always ready to give favourable consideration to requests for such meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on trade union rights for midwives in Northern Ireland.

The joint council machinery, which is responsible for the implementation of Whitley council agreements in Northern Ireland, is to be abolished from 1 April 1995. As in Great Britain, the application of such agreements will be left to management and staff interests at local level.I have met staff representatives, including the professional officers of the Royal College of Midwives, and they have been given an assurance that their organisations will continue to be recognised by all employers as representing staff on joint council terms and conditions of service. This will include those staff transferring to health and social services trusts. Such staff have their joint council terms and conditions protected.HSS trusts are, of course, completely free to establish their own arrangements for deciding the pay and conditions of service for new staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on disarming terrorist organisations.

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to reform the police force in Northern Ireland.

The Government published proposals last year for the reform of the framework for policing in Northern Ireland. On 15 December 1994 my right hon. and learned Friend announced that work is in hand, in continued consultation, to develop ideas for legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he intends to have with representatives of (a) the Housing Executive and (b) the Royal Ulster Constabulary to resolve the problem of Housing Executive dwellings being used by tenants alleged to be associated with supplying illegal substances.

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Housing Executive and the Chief Constable of the RUC. However, I have been assured that there is regular contact between the Housing Executive and the RUC and where evidence is available in relation to drugs offences, appropriate action will be taken under the criminal law to search premises, arrest offenders and bring them before the courts.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total net cost to the Exchequer of support for agriculture and the common agricultural policy, after deducting any relevant refunds and grants received in each year since 1991; and what amount per week per family of four this net figure represents for each year since 1990–91.

Figures on total Exchequer expenditure on agricultural support within the United Kingdom, and associated receipts from the European Community budget, are available for each of the years in question in table 9.1 of the publication "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1993", a copy of which has been deposited in the Library of the House. The 1994 version will he available shortly. In addition, the UK contributes to the cost of EC-funded agricultural support in other member states through its net contributions to the EC budget. A note entitled, "The Cost of the Common Agricultural Policy to Taxpayers and Consumers", produced by my Department, was deposited in the Library of the House on 9 March. This includes details of transfers from taxpayers to farmers both in the UK and in other member states under the common agricultural policy. For the purpose of expressing costs per person or per family of four, the population of the UK is assumed to he 58 million.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the ratio of his Department's fishery inspectors to United Kingdom registered fishing vessels.

The sea fisheries inspectorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food employs 81 fisheries inspectors, based mainly at the major fishing ports in England and Wales. At end 1994, there were 10,296 UK-registered fishing vessels, of which 5,332 vessels were administered by MAFF.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will recommend a moratorium on all fishing in specific areas during the different spawning seasons.

On the basis of scientific advice, the common fisheries policy of the EU already contains a number of provisions, which are modified when necessary, defining areas in which fishing for certain species is prohibited or restricted for some or all of the year, in order to conserve fish stocks.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will recommend to the European Commission that it funds an educational campaign across southern Europe to inform consumers about dangers to fish stocks from the purchase of under-sized fish.

I believe that the problem, which the hon. Member rightly identifies, about the danger to fish stocks when under-sized fish are marketed, is best addressed at the point at which the problem arises. That is, when the fish are caught. It is essential that the Commission ensures that the existing provisions of the EU's common fisheries policy, which are intended to protect fish stocks and prevent the landing of under-sized fish, are rigorously enforced in all member states. I made the point to the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Signora Emma Bonino, when I met her recently.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what Britian vessels are fishing in north Atlantic waters off Canada; what vessels fished there last year; and what catch is allocated to them and by whom.

No British vessels have fished in the regulatory area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation last year or this. The United Kingdom had a quota of three tonnes of cod in area 3NO and 1,022 tonnes of cod in area 3M in 1994. For 1995, there is a moratorium for cod 3NO. The cod quota for area 3M is 1,022 tonnes. These quotas are allocated to the United Kingdom by the Fisheries Council in accordance with relative stability.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to Spain in its fishing dispute with Canada;(2) what plans he has to disassociate Her Majesty's Government from Spanish overfishing and use of prescribed nets and gear in the north Atlantic; and if he will issue a statement on the representation he is making to Canada on its fishing dispute with Spain.

In the present dispute over Greenland halibut, we are taking all the steps we can to promote a reduction in tension, avoidance of confrontational action, and an early return to negotiations to result in an equitable settlement.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what EEC controls are applied to Spanish vessels fishing the north Atlantic outside Canadian waters; what inspection of mesh sizes, gear, catch quotas and discards is applied on those fishing grounds; what control is exercised of the port of landing; and what representations he is making to the Commission for more effective controls.

Rules of fisheries conservation and technical measures, including mesh size, minimum fish sizes, gear, catch quotas and discards, agreed in the North West Atlantic Fisheries Organization, are incorporated into EU law by the Fisheries Council. Fishing vessels may be inspected by the enforcement vessels of any NAFO contracting party operating the NAFO enforcement and controls scheme and apparent infringements are followed up by the flag state. There is an EU-funded enforcement vessel operating in the NAFO regulatory area. All Spanish and Portuguese vessels fishing in the area last year were inspected at sea on a number of occasions and all were checked at the port of landing. Any proposals for further enforcement and control measures would be considered at a meeting of the organisation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department carries out for organochlorine levels in sea birds or their eggs, and what range of chemicals has been found.

The Department is not conducting monitoring of organochlorines in sea birds or their eggs. If any sea birds were suspected of being poisoned by OC or other pesticides, the incident would be investigated under the Department's wildlife incident investigation scheme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of whether the milk quota leasing system is working in the interests of the British farmer; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 13 March 1995]: With the full support of the British dairy industry, the Government have sought to provide the most flexible conditions possible for producers to lease milk quota. The current leasing arrangements offer ready access to quota for those who do not have the resources to purchase quota outright or who want the flexibility to acquire extra quota as the need arises.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many strandings of dolphins, porpoises or whales there have been in each year since 1990; what analysis was carried out of the carcasses; if the results are available; and how the carcasses were disposed of.

I have been asked to reply.The marine mammals strandings project has recorded strandings in England and Wales since 1990 and in Scotland since January 1992. The numbers of whales, dolphins and porpoises recorded as stranded were 144 in 1990; 191 in 1991; 418 in 1992; 320 in 1993; and 360 in 1994.Analyses of carcasses include tissue and stomach samples for studying viruses and dietary constituents. Post mortems also address contaminant levels and incidences of bycatch in fishing nets. Results are periodically published in scientific journals, and basic strandings information is recorded on a national database.Carcasses are disposed of by a variety of methods. The decision rests with the relevant local authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to reviewing the Data Protection Act 1984 to permit the emergency services direct access to the databases of British Telecom and Mercury.

There are no plans for direct access by the emergency services to the British Telecom, Mercury and other telephone operator databases other than to the publicly available directory services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his letter of 6 March, ref: IMP H322601/3 (S); and PO 01835/95 to the hon. Member for Bradford West, concerning Mrs. Sadetha Mohammed Amin Hafejee, when Mr. Hafejee replied to the letter, dated 20 February, from Leeds/Bradford airport; when and where Mr. Hafejee is to be interviewed; and when is a decision to be taken on Mrs. Hafejee's application to enter the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hafejee replied on 28 February to Leeds/Bradford airport's letter of 20 February. As a result, an appointment has been made for Mr. Hafejee to be interviewed at 12 pm on Tuesday 21 March 1995 at the immigration office at North Shields. A record of the interview will be reported to the entry clearance officer in Bombay in the normal way. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that a decision will then be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 January, Official Report, column 302, if Mr. Rahgzeb has been interviewed, to date, in relation to the application by Mrs. Quereshian Bibi—BV100/25109 and when a decision is to be taken on her application to enter the United Kingdom.

Mr. Rahgzeb was interviewed on 5 February. A report of the interview was sent to the entry clearance officer Islamabad on 1 March. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs that a decision on the entry clearance application will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what evidence he has received of links between Turkish Special Intelligence—MIT—and crimes of violence in London; and if he will make a statement.

It has been the long-standing practice not to comment on stories about the purported activities of domestic or overseas security and intelligence agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will arrange for Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi to be removed from the United Kingdom on the grounds that his presence is not conducive to public order; and if he will make a statement;(2) when Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi, leader of the Soldiers of God, based in Pakistan, entered the United Kingdom as a visitor; for how long his visa was endorsed; and how many representations he has received from individuals and organisation in the UK protesting at Mr. Farooqi's being allowed to visit the UK.

It is not our normal practice to disclose information to third parties about an individual's immigration status. No representations have been received protesting against Mr. Farooqi's presence in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to seek the extradition of a Turkish citizen from Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus in connection with an attempted murder in London on 29 December 1994; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom does not have any extradition arrangements with Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to date of the West Midlands police operation at Baglinton airport; and what is his policy on the payment for the costs of policing on private property.

I understand that, as at 14 March, the total additional costs incurred in policing the demonstrations against live animal exports from Coventry airport were about £55,000.Police officers are not being deployed on private property, and the question of charging does not arise since they are enforcing the peace and preventing breaches of the law.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the average rates of reconviction for (a) community (b) custodial sentences in each of the past 15 years.

Comparisons between reconviction rates are affected by differences in age, sex, previous convictions and other characteristics of offenders receiving the sentences, as described in Home Office research study 136, "Explaining reconviction rates: a critical analysis". The decrease in the reconviction rate for those discharged from prison between 1987 and 1990 is partly due to the decrease in the number of young offenders discharged from prison, who have a relatively high reconviction rate.The information is published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales and Probation Statistics, England and Wales", copies of which are available in the Library. The available information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Prison Service staff have been used for training private prisoner custody officers; at what cost; and at whose cost, giving figures for each year since 1991 and for the latest date available.

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of his Department's expenditure on water and sewerage in (a) the current year and (b) each of the three previous years.

Estimated expenditure on water and sewerage in the current financial year is about £8.3 million. Complete details of expenditure on these services in earlier years are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 15-years-olds have (a) been cautioned and (b) been found guilty of any offence in each year since 1980.

Information on the number of 15-year-olds cautioned and found guilty is published in the annual Command Paper "Criminal Statistics England and Wales". Table 5.21 of the 1985 edition, table 5.23 of the 1991 edition and table 5.25 of the 1993 edition refer to it. Copies of these publications arc available in the Library.The 1994 data will not be available until the autumn.