asked Her Majesty's Government:What reply they have made to representations received from the Association of Independent Radio Contractors concerning the problems encountered by independent local radio stations, and to what extent these problems and the impact on them of advertising revenue being taken by the BBC can be considered within the remit given to Professor Peacock.

There have been several exchanges of letters with the Association of Independent Radio Contractors. The Government are fully aware that in promoting opportunities for the orderly development of radio broadcasting, including the possible introduction of community radio, they will want to consider carefully the implications for the existing radio structure and to ensure that there is a proper opportunity for consultation. As I said in reply to the noble Lord's Question on 15th April (Official Report, Vol. 462, col. 595), the terms of reference of the Peacock Committee specifically provide for the consideration of the financial and other consequences for independent local radio in the event of the introduction of advertising on the BBC's Home Services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their attitude to the conclusions on page xlii, Chapter 6 of the 3rd Report of the Environment Committee, 1982–83, published on 12th May 1983, and whether they still support in principle the Task Force for Merseyside.

Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the 3rd Report of the Environment Committee 1982–83 is set out in the memorandum by the Department of the Environment published on 1st February 1984. The Government have established the Merseyside Task Force as a more permanent presence on Merseyside. In addition to its responsibilities for special projects it has taken over responsibility, within the Department of the Environment, for most of the main programmes of local authorities within its area, and for the Merseyside Development Corporation. Officials of the Department of the Environment continue to work closely with those of the DTI, MSC and other departments with relevant responsibilities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they propose to take, following the letter from the Attorney-General to Lord Harris of Greenwich dated 25th March regarding the application by the GLC to the Secretary of State for the Environment for consent to incur expenditure under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, on the new Cowcross Centre at Finsbury.

The application from the GLC for the consent of my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment to incur expenditure under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 in connection with the London Lesbian and Gay centre at Cowcross Street is being carefully considered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state how many sites in the United Kingdom qualify for listing as special protection areas under EC Directive 79/409; how many sites qualify for listing under the Ramsar Convention and whether the listing of these sites under the Ramsar Convention will be completed by the end of 1986, as stated by the official United Kingdom delegate to the conference of the contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention held at Groningen (Netherlands) in May 1984.

The Nature Conservancy Council has identified 151 sites which satisfy the requirement for listing as special protection areas under EC Directive 79/409 and 129 sites which meet the criteria for listing under the Ramsar Convention. It is possible that more such sites may be identified in the future.The listing of sites under the Ramsar Convention is being carried out as part of the notification and renotification of sites of special scientific interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This is a complicated programme and there have been delays, though it is expected that work will be substantially complete by the end of 1987.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What control is exercised by the Forestry Commission over the erection of notices on roads in the New Forest warning drivers of possible hazards when the New Forest Buckhounds are in the area; why such notices do not mention that deer and hounds may cross roads suddenly at these times; and whether it is possible that the presence or otherwise of adequate warning notices could have a bearing on insurance claims in the event of an accident.

The erection of temporary warnings signs by the roadside is a matter for arrangement between the Masters of the Buckhounds and the police, as is the wording of the notice themselves. I have no reason to believe that these signs are inadequate.I know of no serious road accident which has occurred, and I cannot speculate on the effect on insurance claims of the presence or absence of adequate warning notices, which would depend on the circumstances of the case and the view taken by the insurance company.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of the total compensation paid during 1984 for all animals and birds slaughtered under the Animal Health Act 1981 was paid in respect of reactor and contact animals slaughtered because of bovine tuberculosis.

Compensation in respect of bovine tuberculosis accounted for 3.5 per cent. of the total compensation paid under the Animal Health Act 1981 during 1984.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they propose to take following the case of

My right honourable friend has requested that he be informed of the results of the investigation into this case which has been jointly set up by Buckinghamshire Social Services Department and the Probation Service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to publish the second annual report of the Ordnance Survey Advisory Board.

The second annual report of the Ordnance Survey Advisory Board was published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be purchased from Ordnance Survey.