asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any knowledge of there being terrorists aiming to overthrow the Government of Nicaragua training military in Florida with the connivance of authorities in the United States.

No.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state the number of officers, identified by rank, of the Metropolitan Police currently suspended from duty; and how many have been suspended for more than one year.

I understand that, as at 6th May 1981, the figures were as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:If they will make a statement on the outcome of recent efforts to effect economies in the publication of Command Papers.

In order to effect economies in the publication of Command Papers, it has been decided that the texts of bilateral double taxation agreements should no longer be tabled in Parliament as White Papers in the Country Series of Command Papers. They will however continue to be published in the Treaty Series of Command Papers after entry into force. These new arrangements will necessitate a limited departure from the strict terms of what has become known as the Ponsonby Rule—namely, the practice whereby the texts of all international agreements concluded subject to ratification are laid before Parliament for a period of 21 sitting days after signature and before ratification.The purpose of the Ponsoby Rule is to afford Parliament the opportunity of considering commitments which the Government of the day are proposing to enter into. In the case of bilateral double taxation agreements, that purpose is already served by the statutory requirement that the draft of any Order in Council providing for double taxation relief shall be laid before the other place for approval by affirmative resolution, it being the invariable practice that the text of any bilateral double taxation agreement falling within the scope of the Ponsonby Rule should be scheduled to the draft order designed to implement the agreement. It will accordingly be seen that the new arrangements are wholly consistent with the spirit of the Ponsonby Rule.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware that a black labrador dog taken unlawfully by intruders who raided the Lodge Moor Laboratories of Sheffield University last October was recognised by its rightful owner (from a press photograph) from whom it had been stolen several months previously, and that this dog was bought by the university from a dealer in Swinderby, Lincolnshire, who had no valid registration as an accredited dealer under the MRC Accreditation Scheme, and what steps are being taken to require university authorities to keep entirely clear of dubious sources of supply of animals for research.

The acquisition of animals for research is entirely a matter for those registered establishments, including universities, at which persons have been licensed by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Home Office to perform experiments on animals. It is accordingly for those establishments to consider whether their sources of supply are reliable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes are being made by the Medical Research Council for the future of the Laboratory Animals Centre and the council's accreditation scheme.

I understand that during the past year the Medical Research Council has considered the future of the Laboratory Animals Centre and has decided that it should continue, with a strengthened scientific programme. Steps are being taken to identify and recruit a new director of high scientific standing.The council's voluntary accreditation and recognition schemes for suppliers of laboratory animals were also reviewed, and the council has concluded that the administration of these schemes might well become the responsibility of another organisation. Initial discussions between the council and an interested organisation are in progress.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What conclusions were reached at the meeting of the Interim Committee of the International Monetary Fund at Gabon, particularly regarding its financial difficulties and the greater participation of OPEC countries; whether any conditions were laid down for such participation; whether the United Kingdom was represented; and if so, what contribution was made to those decisions.

The Interim Committee of the International Monetary Fund will not meet in Gabon until 21st May.House adjourned at sixteen minutes past eleven o'clock.