asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total area of land notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest owned or managed by the following organisations and departments:—

I regret that this information is not readily available, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will confirm the order for six Goalkeepers (Close-In Weapons System) for installation on board the Type 22 Batch III Frigates.

The initial order for six Goalkeeper Close-In Weapon Systems was placed in May 1984.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will confirm how many Goalkeepers they envisage for (1) the Type 42 Batch III destroyers; and (2) the three aircraft carriers.

We are still considering proposals for the type and number of point-defence systems to be fitted to these vessels.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have had discussions with the Goalkeeper contractors, as asked for on 14th March: and, if not, when they intend to hold these discussions.

The meeting between MOD officials and the contractors for the Goalkeeper Close-In Weapon System, which was requested by the contractors, will take place later this month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state, in respect of licences issued to kill herons in Scotland in 1984 to prevent serious damage to fisheries,

The following information relates to licences issued by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland in 1984 to kill herons in Scotland to prevent serious damage to fisheries;

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, on the restructuring of the National Institute of Research in Dairying (NIRD) the staff, who had retained the option to retire at 65, have had their contracts prematurely terminated on terms less favourable than those they would have obtained if the contracts had run their full course, and, if so, whether, since the Government departments concerned have refused to allow the Agriculture and Food Research Council (AFRC) to pay compensation in respect of the shortfall, these contracts have not been honoured.

I understand that termination of the contracts of the staff concerned by notice was allowed for in their conditions of service. Now that such termination has taken place they are redundant and are receiving the compensation to which they are entitled under the AFRC's superannuation scheme. That compensation will at least equal, and will in most cases significantly exceed, their statutory entitlement under employment protection legislation. The position therefore appears to be within the law and within the terms of contracts, but that would in the final analysis be a matter for an industrial tribunal or the courts to decide.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many licences were issued in each year between 1975 and 1984 to the Northumberland drift net fisheries and how many crews were employed by each licensee.

The number of licences issued by the Northumbrian Water Authority in the years 1975 to 1984 is shown below together with the total number of fishermen whose names are endorsed on the licences so that they may help work the nets.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their advice from the Nature Conservancy Council confirms recent reports that large scale cruelty and injury to wild fauna in transit to this country is taking place, and that the present regulations are both inadequate and widely ignored, and, if so, what part they will play in seeking to strengthen them.

The Nature Conservancy Council has not offered advice to the Government on this matter. I understand that the reports are based on a study published recently by the Environmental Investigation Agency. The summary of the study in fact states that United Kingdom legislation has proved extremely successful in improving and maintaining adequate standards of shipment, and recommends other states to adopt similar legislation. I also understand that the report will be available at the Conference of parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species which begins on 22nd April. The United Kingdom will seek to ensure that other CITES parties take note of the report during the conference.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How their policy on the undisclosed reserves of banks has developed since the debate on 8th February 1982 (HL Deb, col. 33), and their Written Answer on 16th July 1984 (col. 1323).

My Lords, the Government's policy on undisclosed reserves has changed little. The position described in the debate on 8th February remains as then. The Government have not formed a final view. However, we considered then that the burden of proof rests with those who believe in the necessity for the retention of undisclosed reserves.Before discussions began on the proposed directive on the annual accounts of banks in May last year, we reconsidered our position. Given our view on the burden of proof, we considered that the proposal for undisclosed reserves in principle ran counter to the trend towards transparency and comparability of accounts established in other Community legislation. This was reported in our Written Answer to the House on 16th July 1984. We have therefore supported in Brussels similar views expressed by other member states.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are considering to follow up the Foreign Secretary's condemnation of South Africa's police atrocities.

We have made our condemnation of the shootings at Uitenhage very clear. The tragic incident and the continuing unrest underline the urgency of a comprehensive dialogue in South Africa leading to substantial reforms. We intend to use all our influence and contacts to press the South African Government to pursue this course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will conduct an overall review of the structure and financing of radio in the United Kingdom, either by extending the remit given to Professor Peacock or by another independent inquiry.

Under their terms of reference, Professor Peacock and his committee will be considering, inter alia, the effects of the introduction of advertising or sponsorship in the BBC's Home Services, including the financial and other consequences for the BBC and for independent local and national radio. As outlined in reply to a Question from my noble friend Lord Orr-Ewing on 23rd January (HL Debates, Vol. 459, cols. 372–373), an additional range of matters including the relationship with and implications for existing and prospective sound broadcasting services fall to be considered in the context of our study of how the development of community radio can best be taken forward. We hope to make a further statement before long.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the terms of reference of the Peacock Committee will take account of the conclusion of the Perry Committee that the mode of funding of the BBC External Services should be seriously and immediately considered.

No. The committee under the chairmanship of Professor Peacock will confine its investigation to matters affecting the BBC's Home Services. As my noble frieneLord Trefgarne indicated in reply to a Question from the noble Lord, Lord Hatch, on 5th March (HL Debates, Vol. 460, col. 1201), the recommendation in the Review of the BBC External Services about the funding of the External Services is being actively but separately considered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why Mr, John O'Shea, a prisoner at Wandsworth Prison, was not produced at Thames Magistrates Court on March 29th for a remand hearing.

Mr. O'Shea, who is serving a sentence of imprisonment, was not produced at this hearing because of shortage of staff at Wandsworth prison.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people were found guilty of trafficking in Class "A" drugs during each of the last five years, and what were their nationalities.

The information requested for the years 1979 to 1983 is given in the table below; corresponding figures for 1984 are not yet available.