asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ascertain to what extent local authorities or other bodies concerned have taken action as a result of the Government publication on wasting materials, particularly such as paper and glass bottles and whether they will pursue the matter further in such cases where no action has been taken.

Both the Department of Industry and the Department of the Environment are following up the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee on Waste Paper Supply and the Study of Returnable and Non-Returnable Containers and discussions have been initiated with all those concerned, including local authorities where appropriate. These discussions are still at an early stage, but I am pleased to note that the glass industry has itself substantially increased targets for the recycling of glass in the next few years. HMSO and other user departments are being asked to consider changing the specification for paper products to facilitate the use of higher percentages of recycled fibre in their manufacture.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What resolutions were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the subject of Namibia on 6th March; what was the voting in each case; and which nations abstained in each case.

The following resolutions were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 6th March 1981.Situation in Namibia resulting from the illegal occupation of the Territory by South Africa: votes for 114, votes against 0, abstentions 22 (United Kingdom, United States, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Austria, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).Intensification and Co-ordination of United Nations Action in Support of Namibia: Votes for 131, votes against 0, abstentions 5 (United Kingdom, United States, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Canada).Programme of Work of the United Nations Council for Namibia: Votes for 132, votes against 0, abstentions 5 (United Kingdom, United States, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Canada).Action by intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations with respect to Namibia: Votes for 133, votes against 0, abstentions 5 (United Kingdom, United States, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Canada).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What conclusions were reached at the conference on the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at Delhi; what was the British attitude to the USA and Canadian proposal to amend the convention to allow species to be removed from the restricted list; which nations voted against or abstained on the banning of three species of whales; and how the British delegation voted.

Among the more significant decisions reached at the New Delhi conference were the acceptance of United Kingdom proposals that black coral and the African blind barb fish (proposed on behalf of Zaire) should be listed on Appendix II; and that most parrots not on Appendix I should also be placed on Appendix II. Progress was made towards the more effective control of trade in ivory and acceptance was gained for the recognition under the convention of products from ranching, that is, permitting the controlled exploitation of species within a defined area where a conservation benefit can be achieved, but only with safeguards which are satisfactory to all parties to the convention.In general, the United Kingdom achieved its main targets. As a result of the conference the practical working of the convention controls should be more effective and at the same time the convention began to come to terms with the need to reconcile conservation with the legitimate economic and social pressures in less developed countries, thus paving the way towards controlled exploitation rather than the banning of trade. We supported the USA and Canadian proposal, provided that the downgrading was in conformity with the criteria laid down at the Berne Conference in 1976 for the listing of species. Russia and Japan voted against the whale proposals, and three nations, the names of which were not recorded, abstained. The United Kingdom voted in favour.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether in considering the report of the inspector who held the public inquiry into the National Coal Board's planning application to mine coal in the Vale of Belvoir account will be taken of the recent change in the National Coal Board's policy with regard to pit closures information about which was not available to the inspector when he held his local inquiry.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is still studying the inspector's report and will be considering whether this change in National Coal Board policy is relevant to his decision on these applications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is true that the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston started development on a nuclear warhead for the Trident ballistic missile in the mid-1970s, and, if so, whether it was done with the knowledge and authority of Parliament or with the knowledge and authority of the Cabinet.

The Atomic Weapons Research Establishment has conducted research and development on nuclear warheads for submarine-launched ballistic missiles since the early 1960s. This has been an envolving programme with elements that will be relevant when the design stage of the Trident warhead programme is reached. However, development of a warhead for the Trident re-entry vehicle specifically did not begin until agreement was reached with the United States Government for the purchase of the Trident system.House adjourned at twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock.