asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes in diet are to be introduced in the prisons to increase the content of fibre and from what date; what will be the main items on the menus that will be increased or decreased; and what amounts of money are allocated per head of the prison population per week under each heading.

Following a review last year of the dietary scales for the inmates of penal establishments in England and Wales, a copy of which is in the Library, new scales were introduced at the beginning of November. The new scales give effect to minor changes in the diet to make the food more palatable and to comply with recommendations in reports by the National Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education (NACNE) 1983 and by a Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy.The NACNE report recommended that the average fibre intake in the general population be increased from 20 grams to 30 grams per day. The previous prison dietary scales already provided between 28 grams to 47 grams of fibre per day, depending upon the dietary category of the inmate. The new scales increase the corresponding levels to between 35 grams and 51 grams per day. This improvement has been achieved largely by the introduction of wholemeal flour and long grain rice, together with increased quantities of fruit, root vegetables and cornflakes. Marginal decreases have been made in some items. The approximate cost per inmate per week of the

increased provision (at bulk purchase prices for most items) is:—

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the

The individual in question was sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment on 10th January 1984 for inflicting grievous bodily harm. He was granted parole on 23rd November 1984 on a licence due to expire on 23rd September 1985—the date on which he would have been released from prison with remission if parole had not been granted.Prisoners serving sentences of under 10½ months are not eligible for release on parole and thus must serve at least two thirds of their sentence in prison, subject to loss of remission.It is estimated that males aged 21 or over serving determinate sentences for offences involving violence against the person, rape, buggery and gross indecency between males, aggravated burglary and robbery who were eligible for parole and who were released during the year ending 30th September 1985 served on average 55 per cent. of their sentence in prison and 12 per cent. on licence. About 40 per cent. served less than half their sentence in prison. Persons serving sentences of over five years of offences of violence and drug trafficking are released on parole only when release under supervison for a few months before the end of a sentence is likely to reduce the long-term risk to the public or in circumstances which are genuinely exceptional.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make available the draft guidance on the operation of the controls proposed in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Bill.

Yes. A draft note of guidance on the introduction of new controls on scientific procedures performed on living animals has been prepared. Copies have been placed in the Libray and are available in the Printed Paper Office.Interested organisations have been sent copies of the draft and asked for their comments on it. Copies of subsequent drafts of the note will also be made available to the House in the same way.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have recently received new evidence throwing light on the guilt or innocence of the six men convicted of the Birmingham Public House bombings of 1974; what action they will be taking about such evidence; and when any decision will be announced.

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has recently received papers relating to the case. He is examining this material carefully in order to determine whether it constitutes new evidence of a kind which would make it appropriate for him to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. This examination is being carried out as quickly as possible, but I cannot yet say when my right honourable friend will be in a position to reach a decision.

asked her Majesty's Government:In view of the duty-free importation into the United Kingdom and EC of South Korean manufactured goods, what representations have been made to the Government of South Korea to prevent the restrictions on the importation of all bottled Scotch whisky; the termination of existing "joint venture" agreements for the importation of Scotch whisky in bulk for local blending and bottling.

Her Majesty's Government have made vigorous representations to the Korean Government requesting early liberalisation of their market for bottled Scotch whisky. Concern has also been expressed over proposals to end imports of bulk whiskies which would go back on recent liberalisation and cause the disappearance of the three existing brands of 100 per cent. Scotch whiskies in the Korean market.We consider that Korea, as a competitive newly industrialising country, should now allow more liberal market access. These points were taken up by European Commission delegates in recent high level talks in Seoul, and we will continue to press them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a statement on the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in Brussels on 18th and 19th November 1985.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, together with my right honourable friend the Minister of State, represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels on 18th and 19th November 1985.The council had a first exchange of views on the latest Commission ideas for adjusting the cereal regime. These will now be discussed in detail by a group of senior officials. The Commission intend to present their proposals for discussion by the Council in December.There was further discussion of the Commission's proposls for sugar for the next five years, for sugar for the chemical industry and for amending the starch regime. No decisions were reached.The Council discussed a proposal for extending the payment of annual premium at 80 per cent. of the full rate to goats in certain regions and to shearling ewes of the Herdwick breed in the Lake District. My right honourable friend the Minister made it clear that this latter arrangement should apply to certain other slower maturing breeds in the Lake District and in certain areas of Scotland. The Commissioner was not prepared to amend the proposal and the President decided to consult the acceding countries on that basis to press for the additional coverage.The Council discussed again arrangements for minimum standards for hens in battery cages. It was not possible to reach conclusions and the Council will come back to this in December.On hormones, the Commission presented a proposal for banning the use of three natural and two synthetic hormones as growth promoters in cattle. The Commission explained that this proposal was in line with the opinion recently expressed by the European Council. My right honourable friend the Minister argued that it was a mistake to take decisions without regard to scientific evidence and drew attention to the problems of control and of trade with third countries. The proposal will be examined in detail by officials before further discussion in the Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In how many cases has action been taken against the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Police Authority or the Chief Constable for compensation in respect of damages to (1) property and (2) injury to persons as the result of the firing of a plastic baton round; and in the cases where action has been taken on how many occasions have either the Ministry of Defence, Northern Ireland Police Authority or the Chief Constable paid out compensation; and how many cases have been contested by either the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Police Authority or the Chief Constable.

The information requested is as follows, and covers the period from 1975 to date.Thirty-seven claims have been made against the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and/or the Chief Constable in respect of damage to property. Twenty-four were settled out of court and compensation was paid. In eight others liability was denied and the actions were successfully defended in court. Of the remainder, one was withdrawn and four are still under consideration by the police authority.Eighty-eight claims have been made against the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and/or the Chief Constable in respect of personal injuries. Twelve were settled out of court and compensation was paid. Compensation was awarded by the courts in 11 cases where liability was denied and eight actions were successfully defended. Fifty-seven cases are still under consideration by the police authority.Information in respect of claims against the Ministry of Defence is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.