asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have yet taken a decision on the invitation to send observers to the forthcoming Constituent Assembly elections in E1 Salvador.

Subject to their being satisfied about security, Her Majesty's Government have now decided to send observers to monitor the electoral process in E1 Salvador.The elections are to take place on 28th March. We are in touch with the Government of E1 Salvador about the precise arrangements. We envisage, however, that we shall send two official observers to E1 Salvador some time before the election day (28th March) to enable them to form a view of the election campaign and other preparations and that they will remain in E1 Salvador to see the poll take place, the votes counted and the result announced. We have not yet chosen observers but they will be of independent public standing and we will ask them to form their own conclusions about the elections in the light of their experience in E1 Salvador.A copy of their report will be placed in the Library of the House and made public.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimate the Thames Water Authority have made of the cost at 1981 prices of converting all toilets in London to a variable flush system, how long they estimate such a programme would take to complete and how many additional employees (in terms of full-time jobs per year) would be needed in each year of the programme.

In desk studies made in 1980, the Thames Water Authority estimated that the total costs of converting WC cisterns within the area of their Metropolitan Water Division would be around £12 million with a relatively small maintenance cost incurred subsequently. The estimate has not been revalued to 1981 prices and the water authority have not drawn up a conversion programme or estimated additional manpower requirements. I understand that they are now examining the acceptability and effectiveness of several ways of reducing water demand including the use of variable flush WCs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state what benefit they calculate has been received by British farmers since the introduction of the EEC sheepmeat régime; and whether they will make a statement about "claw-back".

British farmers have benefited from an increase in their guaranteed returns which, for the 1981–82 marketing year, are about 25 per cent. above the national guarantee level before the introduction of the régime in 1980. In addition, breeders benefit from the annual premium on ewes, of which the first payments, amounting to just over £2 a ewe, were made last autumn. British farmers received approximately £145 million in support under the régime to the end of 1981.The effect of the requirement to claw back variable premium on our exports to other member states remains a matter of concern, although trade has been good during the autumn and winter months. My right honourable friend has made it clear that we will be seeking improvements to the clawback arrangements. Exports to third countries are exempt from clawback and in its proposals for the 1982–83 marketing year the Commission has proposed the continuation of this exemption.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people were employed in the Defence Sales Organisation at the end of 1980 and 1981 respectively, and whether they will publish any directions or guidelines issued to the organisation regarding the sale of arms to régimes with a bad record on human rights.

The strength of the Defence Sales Organisation was 355 at the end of 1980 and 348 at the end of 1981.The Government's general policy is to withhold approval for the export of arms to a country where there are serious abuses of human rights and where the equipment is, in our judgment, likely to be used for the purpose of internal repression.House adjourned at one minute past nine o'clock.