Sitting of 7 November 1986

Preamble
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock

PRAYERS
[MR. SPEAKER in the Chair]
9.35 am
Sitting suspended—
9.41 am
Message to attend the Lords Commissioners:
The House went:— and, having returned:

Royal Assent
10.12 am
Mr. Speaker: I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers where a Commission under the Great Seal was read, authorising the Royal Assent to the following Acts and Measure:

1. Family Law Act 1986

2. Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986

3. Public Trustee and Administration of Funds Act 1986

4. European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986

5. Sex Discrimination Act 1986

6. Financial Services Act 1986

7. Education (No. 2) Act 1986

8. Salmon Act 1986

9. Housing and Planning Act 1986

10. Public Order Act 1986

11. Housing (Scotland) Act 1986

12. National Health Service (Amendment) Act 1986

13. Milford Haven Port Authority Act 1986

14. Blyth Harbour Act 1986

15. Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour Act 1986

16. Deacons (Ordination of Women) Measure 1986

Prorogation

  Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech
  Mr. Speaker: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, one of the High Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command. For greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy and also directed that the terms of the Speech be printed in the Votes and Proceedings. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
  The Gracious Speech was as follows:
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of His Highness the Amir of Qatar in November, their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain in April, and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Freifrau von Weizsaecker in July.
  We recall with great pleasure the State Visit to Nepal followed by visits to New Zealand and Australia earlier this year, as well as the recent State Visit to the People's Republic of China and the visit to Hong Kong.
  My Government have attached great importance to relations with countries in the Far East. This was marked by the Prime Minister's visit to the Republic of Korea in May and by visits here of the President of the Republic of Korea in April and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in June.
  My Government and the Chinese Government have made good progress in carrying out the Sinn-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.
  My Government have enhanced the United Kingdom's defences and played a full part in the Atlantic Alliance. My Government have worked vigorously for balanced and verifiable agreements on arms control in respect of nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons, keeping in close consultation with the United Kingdom's allies. They were active at the Stockholm Conference on Disarmament in Europe which reached agreement in September. They have continued to seek improved relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe.
  My Government have assumed the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Community. My Government signed the Single European Act to amend the Treaty of Rome and legislation to give effect to it has been passed.
  My Government have worked to bring about peaceful and fundamental change in South Africa in consultation with their partners in the European Community and with the Commonwealth. They have supported efforts to restore the independence and non-aligned status of Afghanistan and Cambodia. My Government have honoured their commitments to the people of the Falkland Islands, while continuing to seek more normal relations with Argentina.
  My Government welcomed the resolution adopted at the United Nations Special Session on Africa concerning the economic recovery and development of African countries. They have provided substantial emergency assistance to victims of famine in Africa, both directly and through the European Community.

  1197
  My Government have worked hard for the launching of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations within the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. They welcome this initiative believing that a successful outcome to the negotiations will preserve and strengthen the world's open trading system.
  My Government have made vigorous efforts to combat international terrorism and trafficking in drugs.
  My Government have signed a treaty with the Government of France for a Channel Tunnel to be financed by private capital. Legislation has been introduced to enable the treaty to be ratified.
  My Government and the Governments of the Cayman Islands and the United States of America have signed a treaty relating to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. My Government have introduced measures for the better administration of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
  Members of the House of Commons
  I thank you for the provision which you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the Public Service.
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  My Government's policies have been successful in reducing inflation to levels not seen for almost 20 years. The output of the nation continues to expand and the number of people in work continues to grow.
  In order to give more help to the unemployed, my Government have through the Wages Act removed some outdated obstacles to the creation on new jobs and have expanded existing employment and training measures including the introduction of the national Restart programme for the long term unemployed and the expansion of the Community Programme and the Enterprise Allowance Scheme. The "Action for Jobs" information campaign has been introduced to ensure that employers, employees and unemployed people know what help is available to them.
  My Government continue to attach the highest importance to the education and training of young people and to improving the links between school and work. The new two year Youth Training Scheme was launched successfully and the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative has been expanded to a nationwide programme offering the opportunity of participation to all those between 14 and 18 years of age at school.
  My Government have taken additional initiatives to encourage enterprise and improve the performance of the economy. The basic rate of income tax has been further reduced.
  Continuing my Government's programme of encouraging greater industrial efficiency and promoting wider share ownership, legislation has been enacted to provide for the setting up of new regulatory arrangements for the gas supply and airports industries and for the sale of shares in British Gas and the British Airports Authority to the public. An Act was also passed to enable the Atomic Energy Authority to operate as a trading fund from 1 April 1986 with a capital structure and borrowing powers. The remaining warship yards of British Shipbuilders have been sold as have my Government's
  1198
  residual shares in Cable and Wireless. The National Bus Company has begun to sell its undertakings to the private sector including sales to managers and employees.
  An Act has been passed to enable building societies to increase the range of services offered to the public and to provide a new statutory framework for their supervision.
  Legislation has been passed to extend and reform the regulation of investment business. This will protect the interest of investors while encouraging the continued development of strong, efficient and competitive financial services.
  Legislation has been enacted to improve the management of schools in England and Wales and to promote the professional effectiveness of teachers.
  An Act has been passed giving further effect to my Government's policies towards agriculture and the countryside.
  Legislation has been passed to encourage the sale of publicly owned flats to their tenants and the wider involvement of private business in the ownership and management of council housing, and to improve the planning system.
  Legislation has been enacted to prohibit expenditure on party political publicity by local authorities and to require local authorities to make a rate by 1 April each year.
  An Act has been passed to reform social security.
  In Northern Ireland, the security forces have continued the fight against terrorism with courage and dedication. My Government has entered into an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Ireland which it believes can benefit all the people of Northern Ireland and help achieve greater peace and stability.
  For Scotland, measures have been passed to extend the rights of public sector tenants, facilitate the private ownership of public sector housing and improve the building control system, and to improve legal aid arrangements.
  Further progress has been made in the consolidation of statute law. Legislation has been passed for England and Wales to set fair time limits for cases involving latent damage; provision has been made to settle conflicts of law relating to child abduction within the United Kingdom, and to reform the law of land registration and the administration of funds by the Public Trustee and other authorities.
  An Act has been passed to enable the courts in England and Wales to confiscate the proceeds of drug trafficking, and to penalise those who assist traffickers to retain the benefit of such proceeds.
  An Act has been passed to reform the law relating to public order.
  Legislation has been enacted to establish improved arrangements for the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
  An Act has been passed to modify and extend the management structure of salmon fisheries in Scotland and to introduce further measures to prevent illegal fishing in Great Britain.
  Proposals have been made to extend the account ability of local authorities and for other reforms in the finance of local government.
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
  After which the Lord Chancellor said:
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has been now read we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to
  1200
  Wednesday the twelfth day of this instant November, to be then here holden and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the twelfth day of this instant November.
  End of the Third Session (opened on 6 November /985) of the Forty-Ninth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Thirty-Fifth Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

NORTHERN IRELAND
  Strip Searches
  Strip Searches
NATIONAL FINANCE
  Self-Employment
  Self-Employment
  European Monetary System
  European Monetary System
  EC (Interest Payments)
  EC (Interest Payments)
  Petrol
  Petrol
  Unemployment Benefit
  Unemployment Benefit
  Value Added Tax
  Value Added Tax
  Cigarettes (Taxation)
  Cigarettes (Taxation)
  Form T5 (EC)
  Form T5 (EC)
  Lloyd's Underwriting Profit
  Lloyd's Underwriting Profit
  Business Turnover (VAT)
  Business Turnover (VAT)
  Privatisation
  Privatisation
  Taxpayers (Statistics)
  Taxpayers (Statistics)
  Public Expenditure
  Public Expenditure
SOLICITOR-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND
  Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) Act 1981
  Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) Act 1981
WALES
  GCSE (Cash Support)
  GCSE (Cash Support)
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
  Wet, Salted Cod
  Wet, Salted Cod
  Internal Market Council
  Internal Market Council
  Patent Life
  Patent Life
  Trade Statistics
  Trade Statistics
PRIME MINISTER
  Dr. Kurt Waldheim
  Dr. Kurt Waldheim
  US Nuclear Submarine (Accident)
  US Nuclear Submarine (Accident)
  Wright Memoirs
  Wright Memoirs
  Mr. M. Vanunu
  Mr. M. Vanunu
SCOTLAND
  Main Report
  Main Report
  Assisted Places Scheme
  Assisted Places Scheme
  Planning Education
  Planning Education
  Dunfermline College
  Dunfermline College
  Bus Services
  Bus Services
  Young People (Accommodation)
  Young People (Accommodation)
  Centre for Continuing Education (Dundee University)
  Centre for Continuing Education (Dundee University)
  Police Training (Video)
  Police Training (Video)
  Tulliallan Police College
  Tulliallan Police College
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
  Wright Memoirs
  Wright Memoirs
  Simon Wiesenthal Institute (Murder Allegations)
  Simon Wiesenthal Institute (Murder Allegations)
  Supreme Court and County Court Rules
  Supreme Court and County Court Rules
  "Conspiracy of Silence"
  "Conspiracy of Silence"
  MI5 (Information)
  MI5 (Information)
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
  Milk Inspection
  Milk Inspection
  Lamb Exports
  Lamb Exports
  Dinoseb
  Dinoseb
  Intervention Stores
  Intervention Stores
  Fisheries Limits
  Fisheries Limits
  Official Secrets Act
  Official Secrets Act
  Food Rationing (Contingency Plans)
  Food Rationing (Contingency Plans)
  Food and Environment Protection Act 1985
  Food and Environment Protection Act 1985
  European Community (Legislation)
  European Community (Legislation)
  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
ENVIRONMENT
  Planning Appeals
  Planning Appeals
  Archaeological Sites (Development)
  Archaeological Sites (Development)
  Spectrum Arena, Warrington
  Spectrum Arena, Warrington
DEFENCE
  Holy Loch
  Holy Loch
  Private Education
  Private Education
  Nimrod AEW Aircraft
  Nimrod AEW Aircraft
  Tornado Aircraft
  Tornado Aircraft
  Nimrod
  Nimrod
  Nuclear Reporting Cells
  Nuclear Reporting Cells
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
  Dundee University (Engineering and Science Graduates)
  Dundee University (Engineering and Science Graduates)
  Teachers' Salaries (Departmental Document)
  Teachers' Salaries (Departmental Document)
HOME DEPARTMENT
  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Security Industry (Controls)
  Security Industry (Controls)
  Irish Prisoners (Transfers)
  Irish Prisoners (Transfers)
  Children
  Children
  Police Patrols (London)
  Police Patrols (London)
  Operation Condor
  Operation Condor
  Litter (Prosecutions)
  Litter (Prosecutions)
  Copyright Material (Blank Cassettes)
  Copyright Material (Blank Cassettes)
  Crown Court Sentencing Practice
  Crown Court Sentencing Practice
HOUSE OF COMMONS
  Foreign and Commonwealth Questions
  Foreign and Commonwealth Questions
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
  Chile
  Chile
  Refugees
  Refugees
  Falkland Islands
  Falkland Islands
  Human Rights
  Human Rights
  Diplomatic Staff (Children's Education)
  Diplomatic Staff (Children's Education)
  Systime plc
  Systime plc
  Chile (Police Visit)
  Chile (Police Visit)
SOCIAL SERVICES
  Food Imports
  Food Imports
  Children in Care
  Children in Care
  Social Services Expenditure (Newham)
  Social Services Expenditure (Newham)
  Hospital Accident and Emergency Departments
  Hospital Accident and Emergency Departments
  Child Abuse
  Child Abuse
  Forrest Report
  Forrest Report
  Project Smoke Free
  Project Smoke Free
  Cervical Cancer
  Cervical Cancer
  Nuclear War (Casualties)
  Nuclear War (Casualties)
  London Teaching Hospitals
  London Teaching Hospitals
  Westminster Hospital Pacemaker Unit
  Westminster Hospital Pacemaker Unit
  Christmas Bonus
  Christmas Bonus
  Cystic Fibrosis
  Cystic Fibrosis
  NHS (In-house Contracts)
  NHS (In-house Contracts)
  Maternity Allowance and Grants
  Maternity Allowance and Grants
  Children (Special Units)
  Children (Special Units)
  Strikers (Supplementary Benefit)
  Strikers (Supplementary Benefit)
TRANSPORT
  Manchester Airport
  Manchester Airport
  British Rail (Subsidies)
  British Rail (Subsidies)
  British Rail (Investment)
  British Rail (Investment)
  European Road Safety Year (Exhibition)
  European Road Safety Year (Exhibition)
  Uranium Hexafluoride
  Uranium Hexafluoride
  Roads (Archaeological Sites)
  Roads (Archaeological Sites)
  Buses
  Buses
  Hazardous Goods (HGV Drivers)
  Hazardous Goods (HGV Drivers)
  HGV Licences
  HGV Licences
  Barnetby Top-Redbourne Link
  Barnetby Top-Redbourne Link
  London Regional Transport
  London Regional Transport
  Marine Pilotage
  Marine Pilotage
  Racal-Decca Navigator
  Racal-Decca Navigator
  Rail Barrier, Cranswick
  Rail Barrier, Cranswick
EMPLOYMENT
  Labour Statistics
  Labour Statistics
  Community Programme
  Community Programme
  Benefits (St. Helens)
  Benefits (St. Helens)
  Inner City Projects
  Inner City Projects

Preamble
The House met at half-past nine of the clock: The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Ely.

Royal Commission
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone): My Lords, it not being convenient for Her Majesty to be personally present here this day, she has been pleased to cause a Commission under the Great Seal to be prepared for proroguing this present Parliament.
Then, the Lords Commissioners (being the Lord Chancellor, The Viscount Whitelaw, The Baroness Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe, The Lord Diamond and The Lord Elwyn-Jones) being present and the Commons being at the Bar, the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally present here at this time, has been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, and thereby given her Royal Assent to divers Acts and a Measure which have been agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament, the Titles whereof are particularly mentioned, and by the said Commission hath commanded Us to declare and notify Her Royal Assent to the said several Acts and Measure, in the presence of you the Lords and Commons assembled for that purpose; and hath also assigned to Us and other Lords directed full power and authority in Her Majesty's name to prorogue this present Parliament. Which Commission you will now hear read.
A Commission for Royal Assent and Prorogation was read.
The Lord Chancellor: In obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, and by virtue of the Commission which has been now read, We do declare and notify to you, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament assembled, that Her Majesty hath given Her Royal Assent to the several Acts and Measure in the Commission mentioned; and the Clerks are required to pass the same in the usual Form and Words.
The following Bills and Measure received the Royal Assent:

Family Law Act,

Parliamentary Constituencies Act,

Public Trustee and Administration of Funds Act,

European Communities (Amendment) Act,

Sex Discrimination Act,

Financial Services Act,

Education (No. 2) Act,

Salmon Act,

Housing and Planning Act,

Public Order Act,

Housing (Scotland) Act,

National Health Service (Amendment) Act,

Milford Haven Port Authority Act,

1254

Blyth Harbour Act,

Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour Act,

Deacons (Ordination of Women) Measure.

Prorogation: Her Majesty's Speech
The Lord Chancellor: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we are commanded to deliver to you Her Majesty's Speech in Her Majesty's own words.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
"The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of His Highness the Amir of Qatar in November, their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain in April, and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Freifrau von Weizaecker in July.
"We recall with great pleasure the State Visit to Nepal followed by visits to New Zealand and Australia earlier this year, as well as the recent State Visit to the People's Republic of China and the visit to Hong Kong.
"My Government have attached great importance to relations with countries in the Far East. This was marked by the Prime Minister's visit to the Republic of Korea in May and by visits here of the President of the Republic of Korea in April and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in June.
"My Government and the Chinese Government have made good progress in carrying out the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.
"My Government have enhanced the United Kingdom's defences and played a full part in the Atlantic Alliance. My Government have worked vigorously for balanced and verifiable agreements on arms control in respect of nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons, keeping in close consultation with the United Kingdom's allies. They were active at the Stockholm Conference on disarmament in Europe which reached agreement in September. They have continued to seek improved relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe.
"My Government have assumed the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Community. My Government signed the Single European Act to amend the Treaty of Rome and legislation to give effect to it has been passed.
"My Government have worked to bring about peaceful and fundamental change in South Africa in consultation with their partners in the European Community and with the Commonwealth. They have supported efforts to restore the independence and non-aligned status of Afghanistan and Cambodia. My Government have honoured their commitments to the people of the Falkland Islands, while continuing to seek more normal relations with Argentina.
"My Government welcomed the resolution adopted at the United Nations Special Session on Africa concerning the economic recovery and

1255
development of African countries. They have provided substantial emergency assistance to victims of famine in Africa, both directly and through the European Community.
"My Government have worked hard for the launching of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations within the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade. They welcome this initiative believing that a successful outcome to the negotiations will preserve and strengthen the world's open trading system.
"My Government have made vigorous efforts to combat international terrorism and trafficking in drugs.
"My Government have signed a treaty with the Government of France for a Channel Tunnel to be financed by private capital. Legislation has been introduced to enable the treaty to be ratified.
"My Government and the Governments of the Cayman Islands and the United States of America have signed a treaty relating to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. My Government have introduced measures for the better administration of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"Members of the House of Commons I thank you for the provision which you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the Public Service.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, my Government's policies have been successful in reducing inflation to levels not seen for almost 20 years. The output of the nation continues to expand and the number of people in work continues to grow.
"In order to give more help to the unemployed, my Government have through the Wages Act removed some outdated obstacles to the creation of new jobs and have expanded existing employment and training measures including the introduction of the national Restart programme for the long term unemployed and the expansion of the Community Programme and the Enterprise Allowance Scheme. The 'Action for Jobs' information campaign has been introduced to ensure that employers, employees and unemployed people know what help is available to them.
"My Government continue to attach the highest importance to the education and training of young people and to improving the links between school and work. The new two year Youth Training Scheme was launched successfully and the Technical and Vocational Education Initative has been expanded to a nationwide programme offering the opportunity of participation to all those between 14 and 18 years of age at school.
"My Government have taken additional initiatives to encourage enterprise and improve the performance of the economy. The basic rate of income tax has been further reduced.
"Continuing my Government's programme of encouraging greater industrial efficiency and promoting wider share ownership, legislation has
1256
been enacted to provide for the setting up of new regulatory arrangements for the gas supply and airports industries and for the sale of shares in British Gas and the British Airports Authority to the public. An Act was also passed to enable the Atomic Energy Authority to operate as a trading fund from 1 April 1986 with a capital structure and borrowing powers. The remaining warship yards of British Shipbuilders have been sold as have my Government's residual shares in Cable and Wireless. The National Bus Company has begun to sell its undertakings to the private sector including sales to managers and employees.
"An Act has been passed to enable building societies to increase the range of services offered to the public and to provide a new statutory framework for their supervision.
"Legislation has been passed to extend and reform the regulation of investment business. This will protect the interest of investors while encouraging the continued development of strong, efficient and competitive financial services.
"Legislation has been enacted to improve the management of schools in England and Wales and to promote the professional effectiveness of teachers.
"An Act has been passed giving further effect to my Government's policies towards agriculture and the countryside.
"Legislation has been passed to encourage the sale of publicly owned flats to their tenants and the wider involvement of private business in the ownership and management of council housing, and to improve the planning system.
"Legislation has been enacted to prohibit expenditure on party political publicity by local authorities and to require local authorities to make a rate by 1 April each year.
"An Act has been passed to reform social security.
"In Northern Ireland, the security forces have continued the fight against terrorism with courage and dedication. My Government have entered into an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Ireland which they believe can benefit all the people of Northern Ireland and help achieve greater peace and stability.
"For Scotland, measures have been passed to extend the rights of public sector tenants, facilitate the private ownership of public sector housing and improve the building control system, and to improve legal aid arrangements.
"Further progress, has been made in the consolidation of statute law. Legislation has been passed for England and Wales to set fair time limits for cases involving latent damage; provision has been made to settle conflicts of law relating to child abduction within the United Kingdom, and to reform the law of land registration and the administration of funds by the Public Trustee and other authorities.
"An Act has been passed to enable the courts in England and Wales to confiscate the proceeds of drug trafficking, and to penalise those who assist traffickers to retain the benefit of such proceeds.

1257
"An Act has been passed to reform the law relating to public order.
"Legislation has been enacted to establish improved arrangements for the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
"An Act has been passed to modify and extend the management structure of salmon fisheries in Scotland and to introduce further measures to prevent illegal fishing in Great Britain.
"Proposals have been made to extend the accountability of local authorities and for other reforms in the finance of local government.
1258
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you."
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has been now read we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the twelfth day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday, the twelfth day of this instant November.
Parliament was prorogued at ten minutes past ten o'clock.

  DEFENCE R & D
  DEFENCE R & D
  US NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN UK: SAFETY DEVICES
  US NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN UK: SAFETY DEVICES
  SDI RESEARCH AND BRITISH INDUSTRY
  SDI RESEARCH AND BRITISH INDUSTRY
  RIGHT-TO-BUY: ELDERLY TENANTS
  RIGHT-TO-BUY: ELDERLY TENANTS
  CLASS X, VOTE 4: CASH LIMIT INCREASE
  CLASS X, VOTE 4: CASH LIMIT INCREASE