asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes have been made in the draft convention of the Council of Europe on animal use in laboratories since the meeting of the Committee of Experts held on 23rd to 26th November 1982.

There has been no occasion for amending the draft convention since the meeting on 23rd to 26th November. At the meeting changes were made to the wording of the article dealing with the pain condition and of that dealing with reservations to the convention. A number of other purely textual amendments were also agreed. The text of the draft convention and its explanatory report, together with the ancillary documents which have yet to be agreed by the ad hoc Committee of Experts, have now been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in considering and implementing the recommendations in Mr. Byford's report of his review of the "Yorkshire Ripper" case.

The department has issued to chief officers of police circulars of guidance on the investigation of a series of major crimes and on the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Copies of these circulars have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they propose to take to secure the development of the area known as the "Southwark Site", in the light of the GLC's decision not to proceed with an agreement to release the land to Lysander Estates Limited; and whether they will make a Statement.

An order under Section 141 of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980, which, if approved by both Houses of Parliament, will vest ownership of the site in the London Docklands Development Corporation, has today been laid before the House.