asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their intention to ratify the protocol to the 1979 convention on long-range trans-boundary air pollution etc.

The Government fully share the general will in Europe to overcome the environmental problems associated with trans-boundary air pollution. We have announced our aim of achieving a further reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions of 30 per cent. from the 1980 levels by the end of the 1990s. This would represent a total reduction in United Kingdom emissions of 47 per cent. from the peak levels in 1970. The protocol takes no account of the substantial emission reductions achieved by the UK before 1980. The Government consider that it would be wrong to commit the UK to the levels of investment that would be required to guarantee a reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions by 1993 of 30 per cent. on the 1980 levels and we have not, therefore, signed the protocol.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, when they are asked to prepare a draft public path extinguishment order under Section 120 of the Highways Act 1980, they have the power to make their agreement to do so conditional upon the removal by the applicant for the order of any obstruction preventing the public from the use of the footpath or bridleway in question.

. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has no such power.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there have been any meetings of the Committee for the Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress established under Directive 79/409, or any other committees concerned with the application of Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds, attended by either Department of the Environment or Nature Conservancy Council officials where matters or papers relevant to Duich Moss (Islay) were tabled or discussed; and if so whether they will place in the Library any papers or minutes from any such meeting relevant to Duich Moss.

The Committee for the Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress has met three times, in January 1981, September 1984 and November 1984. My officials attended the first two meetings; the Nature Conservancy Council was represented at all three. Under the rules of procedure for this committee, it proceedings are confidential.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of Her Majesty's Ships of over 400 tons were in commission or in reserve on 1st June 1979 and 1st June 1985.

On 1st June 1979, 124 HM Ships displacing over 400 tons were in commission or in reserve. There were also in service a further 37 "Ton class" ships, which have a standard displacement of 360 tons but displace over 400 tons when fully loaded.On 1st June 1985, 134 HM Ships displacing over 400 tons were in commission or in reserve, together with a further 24 "Ton class" ships.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many warships of over 400 tons were ordered for the Royal Navy in each year from 1975 to 1984 inclusive.

The number of warships of over 400 tons displacement ordered for the Royal Navy in each year from 1975 to 1984 inclusive were as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many uniformed men and women were on the Active List of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force on 1st June 1979 and 1st June 1985.

The information is as follows. This information is for 31st May in each case, rather than 1st June, since it is the end month date on which the statistics are produced.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

The information requested is as follows: