asked Her Majesty's Government:What reply has been sent to the letter from the Confederation of Health Services' Employees dis- patched by the Deputy General Secretary, Mr. D. O. Williams, to the Secretary of State for Social Services on 5th December 1981.

A full reply has been sent to Mr. Williams by my honourable friend the Minister for the Disabled. I have sent the noble Lord a copy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether individual hunt saboteurs and the like are in receipt of cash payments for attendances at demonstrations from so-called conservation societies and, if so, whether it is within the law to finance operations which are designed to interfere with the rights of individuals going about their legitimate business and recreation.

Her Majesty's Government does not have any information as to whether or not such payments have been made. It is not in itself an offence to make payments to those who take part in a demonstration but if the demonstration involves the commission of criminal offences those making the payments may be guilty of procuring the commission of those offences.House adjourned at two minutes before ten o'clock.