asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received a copy of the Equal Opportunities Commission in Northern Ireland's Study of Single Parent Families, and whether they agree with the conclusions and recommendations summarised in Chapter 9 of the report, and in particular whether they agree that a significant number of single parents are failing to claim benefits to which they are entitled; that the most important single obstacle preventing single parents from working is the absence of child care facilities; that wives should not be asked to clear rent arrears for which they are not liable; and finally whether they agree that stronger machinery to advise single parents of their rights is clearly needed and that Northern Ireland should have a single authority responsible for assessing and collecting maintenance payments.

The report is under consideration and I will be in touch with the noble Lord when decisions are made on its conclusions and recommendations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support the appeal to local authorities by the Commission for Racial Equality to prevent racial harassment on housing estates following its report on this subject.

The problem of racial harassment will be one of the matters discussed with police and local authorities and other bodies as part of the inquiry into racist attacks and the activities of extremist organisations which my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has announced.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What decision was reached by the United Nations Human Rights Commission on the Motion for an end to the supply of arms to E1 Salvador during the present troubles; which nations voted for and against; which nations abstained; and what has been the reaction of the USA.

We welcome the resolution which approved the appointment of a special rapporteur to investigate human rights violations in El Salvador. It was more balanced than the equivalent resolution at the General Assembly. The resolution was passed by 29 votes to 1 with 11 abstentions. The United Kingdom with most Western countries, supported it with an explanation of vote on our policy regarding the supply of arms. The United States abstained.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What conclusions were reached at the United Nations Human Rights Commission, attended by 43 nations, at Geneva, and what contributions were made by the British delegation.

At its 37th Session, the commission adopted 40 resolutions on measures to protect and promote human rights worldwide and on the situation in specific countries. The United Kingdom delegation was led by my noble and learned friend Lord Colville of Culross QC, who was also responsible for chairing the Western European and Others Group. The delegation played an active part in all aspects of the commission's work, including its working groups.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will again represent to the Government of Canada the strong feelings of disapproval widespread throughout the United Kingdom at the continued slaughter of young seals in large numbers year by year.

No. Her Majesty's Government fully understand public concern in this country about the Canadian seal hunt; but there are no grounds on which we can intervene with the Canadian Government, since the hunt takes place wholly within Canada's jurisdiction.House adjourned at seventeen minutes before ten o'clock.