asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their proposals for reducing tuition fees for full-time and for part-time undergraduates.

Universities determine their own fees in the light of national recommendations, as do public sector institutions acting in conjunction, where appropriate, with their local education authorities.For full-time home undergraduates my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has recommended that the fee should be reduced from £900 in 1981–82 to £480 in 1982–83 with a corresponding increase in the provision of grant to institutions. I understand that no reduction in fees for part-time courses is envisaged by the Open University or by the UGC and other bodies responsible for recommending part-time fees. The fees cost of taking a first degree by part-time study will still be substantially lower than by full-time study.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any qualifications, gained by training, efficiency-testing or experience are required of a Mohammedan slaughterman before a licence is granted to him to slaughter animals according to the Mohammedan method comparable with the requirements imposed upon Jewish slaughtermen by Section 36(3)(

A licence may only be issued to a slaughterman who, in the opinion of the local authority, is a fit and proper person to hold one. No special conditions are laid down for the granting of a licence to a Moslem slaughterman.

asked Her Majesty's Government:From what sources and under what conditions Mohammedan slaughtermen are recruited for work in slaughterhouses in this country.

I understand that some are residents of this country and that others are sometimes brought from abroad in order to fulfil particular export orders. This is a matter for the slaughterhouse operator.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

A licence may he granted by a local authority to any slaughterman who is at least 18 years of age and is, in the opinion of the local authority, a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they propose to give reasonable protection to British growers against any further imports of soft fruit pulp at unrealistically low prices, whether such action has the active support of the European Commission and when results can be expected.

We took action in 1980 following representations on behalf of British growers. As a result, the Commission extended its import licensing system to frozen and pulped strawberries.Last year, following an approach made by the Commission to the Polish authorities at our request, Poland agreed to adopt pricing policies aimed at avoiding market disruption.We will continue to monitor the market situation closely in consultation with the Commission and we will press for effective action to be taken where this is necessary in the interests of producers, processors and consumers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is proposed to export plutonium to the USA and, if so, whether they will reconsider any decision in view of the fact that even if the exports were limited to certain purposes the effect would be to release US supplies now devoted to the reactor programme for the increased production of nuclear warheads, planned to be expanded by two-thirds.

The possible export of United Kingdom civil plutonium to the United States for civil purposes was debated in another place on 21st December 1981. Since then the position has not changed. There have been no commercial negotiations and there is no agreement at either intergovernmental or commercial level to go ahead with the proposal. Its status is, therefore, purely that of a proposal under examination by the two Governments. If there is any change in that position, Parliament will, of course, be informed.House adjourned at eight minutes past nine o'clock.