TNAG-0639-FCO40-787-Construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-(Mas-1978 — Page 150

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Written AnsWETS

1 March 1976

Mr. Marks: I am giving special con- sideration to this matter and would not like to anticipate the result. However, unnecessary concern was created by mis- understandings which I tried to clear up in the debate on the Adjournment on 19th January.—{Vol. 903, c. 1097-1108.]

Building Contracts (Advertising)

Mr. Joseph Dean asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many works contracts in the public building sector have been advertised in the EEC in accordance with British commitments under EEC Directive 71/105; and what is the global monetary value of those

contracts.

Mr. Armstrong: In accordance with the requirements of EEC Directive 71/305. 2,368 public sector works contracts have been advertised in the Official Journal of the EEC up to 31st January 1976, by the United Kingdom contract awarding authorities. The global monetary value of these contracts is not known and the information could only ⚫ be obtained at disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

William Tyndale School

51. Mr. William Hamilton asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the estimated cost to public funds of lawyers employed on the recent investigation into the affairs of a London school; and what steps be intends to take to ensure stricter control of such expenditure.

is

Mr. Mulley: The conduct of the public inquiry into the affairs of the William Tyndale School was the responsibility of the ILEA. I understand that no autho- ritative figure for the legal costs available at present. I do not think that I should interfere with the discretion of local education authorities in matters of this sort.

Smoking

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Written Answers

418

smoking and non-smoking areas in colleges of further education;

(2) if he will issue a circular to local education authorities on the dangers of permitting smoking in schools.

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46

Mr. Mulley: My Department has published information on the health aspects of smoking and given advice to teachers in its booklets " A Handbook of Health Education and Smoking and Health in Schools". General advice on fire precautions has been given both in its Building Bulletin Fire and the Design of Schools and its series of safety pamphlets. I do not consider that a circular on the hazards of smoking is necessary in addition.

H

Local Authority Places (Private Schools)

Mr. Moonnian asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will bring forward proposals to forbid the practice whereby local education authorities are able to take up places at direct-grant and independent schools.

Mr. Mulley: Clause 5 of the Euca tion Bill now before the House empowers me to control this practice.

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Zambia

Mr. Hooley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweaith Affairs what further representations have been made to the Zambiza Government about the detention of Dr. Cliffe.

Mr. Ennals: The High Commissioner remains in close touch with the Zambian authorities and continues to urge that Mr. Cliffe should be tried quickly or else released if there are no charges to be answered.

Hong Kong

Mr. Costain asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Mass Transit Rai- way project in Hong Kong can be under- taken without any charge to the general revenue; and if he will make a state- ment.

Mrs. Chalker asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he has issued any advice to educativa authorities on the subject of (a) staff smoking in schools in staff-only and Mr. Ennals: Approximately general areas of the school and (b) | million has been set aside from general

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