asked Her Majesty's Government:In view of the case of Stephen Thompson, now given an absolute discharge from Rampton mental hospital, two months after representations by Denis Howell, MP, and Lord Brockway, whether they will set up an inquiry into all the circumstances which led to the committal to Rampton of an individual found to be fit for normal civilian life so that faults in procedure can be removed and, if necessary, the Mental Health Act amended.

Mr. Stephen Thompson was transferred from Gartree prison to Rampton Hospital on 12th December 1980 because the Secretary of State was satisfied, on the basis of medical advice, that he was suffering from mental illness which, under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1959, warranted detention in hospital for treatment. In my reply to the noble Lord's Question of 29th January, I indicated that my right honourable friend would be ready to consider very carefully any recommendation which he might receive from Mr. Thompson's responsible medical officer. After he had received such a recommendation and in the light of all the information available to him, my right honourable friend felt able to authorise Mr. Thompson's absolute discharge and did so on 13th March, 1981.My right honourable friend has carefully examined all the circumstances of the case and is not persuaded that any additional inquiry is needed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will comment on the report in the

The development of new models is a commercial matter entirely for BL. The motor industry welcomed the Government's decision last year to restore parity of duty between petrol and diesel fuel. This relationship has not been affected by the increases announced in this year's Budget.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the latest evidence of the cruelty to seals in the animal slaughter operations in Canada, mainly for the export of sealskins to Europe, a British initiative will be made to secure the complete ban of imports of seal products into EEC countries.

No. I share the concern felt by the noble Lord about recent reports of unlicensed killing of seals on Prince Edward Island, but understand that the hunt was stopped very quickly by the Canadian authorities and a large number of arrests were made.The Government do not consider that a ban on imports of goods made from sealskin would be justified. However, action has been taken under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 requiring all such products offered for sale in the United Kingdom to indicate that they are made from sealskin and where the skins come from. These requirements, which apply to all goods imported into or made in the United Kingdom from 1st January, 1981 have been welcomed by the RSPCA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether Mr. Stanley McGill of Eagle Kennels, Swinderby, Lincs., is a recognised supplier of animals for research laboratories under the MRC recognition scheme.

Mr. Stanley McGill, of Eagle Kennels, Swinderby, Lincolnshire, is not a recognised supplier under the voluntary Recognition Scheme for Suppliers of Laboratory Animals, which is administered by the Medical Research Council's Laboratory Animals Centre.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the conditions, stipulations, and safeguards (including records of sources and purchases and sales being open to inspection) laid down for the entry of dog dealers on the list of those recognised by the Medical Research Council.

Since 1st January 1973, dog suppliers who did not breed their dogs have not been eligible for entry to the Medical Research Council's Recognition Scheme for the Supply of Laboratory Animals. Dog breeders who held a valid certificate of accreditation under the Council's Accreditation Scheme could, until 1st January 1977, apply to become recognised suppliers. After that date the recognition scheme (in so far as the supply of dogs was concerned) was closed to all new applicants. The rules for both these voluntary schemes are contained in the MRC Laboratory Animals Centre Manual Series No. 1 (January 1974) and I have placed a copy of this publication in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of the growth in exports to Middle East countries of carcase meat slaughtered in this country under the exemptions granted by Section 36 of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 and corresponding Acts for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and what steps they are taking to close this loophole in the law.

The Government are aware that exports of meat take place to Middle East countries, some of which require animals to be slaughtered in accordance with certain religious practices. We do not have separate export statistics for meat prepared in this way. The provisions in the legislation which allow animals to be ritually slaughtered subject to stated conditions, including the avoidance of any unnecessary suffering, apply whether the meat is destined for the home market or for export. The Government have no plans to propose amendments to this legislation.House adjourned at three minutes past ten o'clock.