asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether records will be kept of all arrests and criminal charges that arise from the recent operation conducted by the Metropolitan and other police forces under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 to search lock-up garages and other places for explosives.

Police records of arrests and subsequent charges are kept locally, but not collated centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will instruct prison governors to notify relatives promptly when a prisoner is moved, particularly when a visit is scheduled; and why the prison authorities at Gartree did not tell Mrs. G. Seale of the transfer of her husband to Leicester Prison over the weekend of 21st to 22nd November when she was due to visit him on 24th November.

In accordance with Standing Orders prison governors arrange for relatives to be notified of a prisoner's transfer in order to prevent abortive visits. For security reasons no information about the transfer of a Category 'A' prisoner can be given until the move has taken place. If prison staff have reason to suppose a visit is imminent, the visitor will in these cases be advised not to travel; he will subsequently be notified, usually by the receiving prison, of the prisoner's arrival so that further arrangements can be made for the visit. On arrival at a new location, a prisoner is issued with a letter so that he can, if he wishes, notify his relatives of his whereabouts. If for some reason the prisoner wishes the information to be passed to his relatives more quickly than by letter, for example, because a visit is imminent, the prison welfare officer will telephone.Prison staff at Gartree were unaware when Peter Seale was transferred to Leicester on 20th November that a visit had been planned for 24th November. Mr. Seale is not married. It is understood that his mother telephoned Gartree prison either Monday or Tuesday 23rd/24th November and was told that he had been transferred to Leicester prison. His unmarried sister, who lives with his mother, visited Mr. Seale at Leicester on 24th November.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will take steps to ensure that the lettering on the bindings of all Government publications is distinct and will not fade with age, avoiding for example black type on a dark ground or gilt lettering.

Her Majesty's Stationery Office make the lettering on the spines and bindings of books as legible as possible given the practical limitations on the size of lettering and the scope for contrast between the lettering and the background.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will make their statement of proposals for introducing the compulsory wearing of seat belts?

In accordance with the provisions in the Transport Act 1981, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport has today laid before both Houses of Parliament a copy of his statement explaining his proposals for the first set of regulations on compulsory seat belt wearing. Copies are available in the Printed Paper Office. My right honourable friend has also sent copies to a wide range of interested organisations and has asked for comments by 9th February. My right honourable friend will give careful consideration to all the representations he receives before drawing up these regulations which will not be laid before Parliament for approval for at least three months.House adjourned at three minutes past eight o'clock.