Sitting of 28 July 1989

Preamble
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock
PRAYERS
[MR. SPEAKER in the Chair]
PRAYERS
  PETITIONS

    Chinese Students
    9.34 am
    Dr. Jeremy Bray: I wish to present two petitions from citizens of the United Kingdom and students from Hong Kong and China resident in the United Kingdom.
    Many Chinese students joined in sympathetic demonstrations in Britain in support of their fellow students and friends who demonstrated so courageously in support of democracy in China in June. Like those in Peking, they were filmed, blacklisted and threatened with future punishment by the Chinese authorities. The temporary extension of their visas is welcome, but not enough.
    The petition states:
    "Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House urges the Government to extend the visas and grant political asylum to those Chinese students who fear political prosecution if they go back to China and your petitioners in duty bound will ever pray etc."
    To lie upon the Table.
    The second petition is for the right of abode for all Hong Kong passport holders, a matter of continuing concern in Hong Kong since the House debated it on 13 July.
    The House must establish a fully democratic Government in Hong Kong which can seek the best available international arrangements for the people of Hong Kong before 1997.
    The petition states:
    "Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House urges the Government to grant the right of abode to all Hong Kong passport holders."
    To lie upon the Table.

Development (Leicester)
Mr. Keith Vaz: I wish to present a petition on behalf of Mr. Christopher Vernon and Mrs. Anne Vernon of 49 Veredale avenue, Leicester and Mr. Don Finlay and Mrs. Diana Finlay of 51 Veredale avenue, Leicester, Mr. Freddy Miles and Wendy Clayton of 19 Warren View, Leicester, and Miss Betty Beck of 57 Veredale avenue, Leicester, and 700 other local residents who are utterly opposed to the proposed development by Barratt East Midlands Ltd., of a piece of land in the Barkby Thorpe road area.
It has come to the notice of residents that the land had been used for dumping and now comprises one of the largest areas of landfill gas in the country. It is the view of the residents expressed at the public meetings and in letters to me, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Leicester city council and Leicestershire county council, any works on the site would be dangerous and cause intolerable inconvenience.
The residents therefore ask for proper consultation with the local authorities to enable a strategy to be adopted which will result in a solution that is acceptable to the residents as they live there. I support them absolutely. I commend the work of the West Humberstone (Humberstone Lane Area) residents committee. The petition states:
"To the Honourable, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of Leicester residents sheweth that the people of Leicester object to the proposed residential development in the Barkby Thorpe area by Barratt East Midlands Ltd. Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House encourage the Secretary of State for the Environment to take action to persuade the Leicester city council and Leicestershire county council to prevent the development from taking place."
To lie upon the Table.

Gas Prices (Horticulture)
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. John M. Taylor.]
9.38 am
Mr. Barry Field: I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity for this morning's debate, and I thank my hon. Friend the Minister of State for being here to reply. It may be helpful if I quickly paint in some of the background to my request for this debate this morning.
In October 1988, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission published its report and recommendations about the future pricing of contract gas. That followed a long and sustained campaign by Sheffield forgemasters and others about the cost of gas for those with very big loads. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry accepted the report and asked the Director General of Gas Supply to seek agreement with British Gas to modify its authorisation to give effect to the recommendations. The proposed and agreed draft modifications were published at the end of January. There then followed a 28-day period for representations on the proposals. Early in that period, British Gas published an explanatory memorandum showing the likely form of the pricing schedules that would be introduced as a result of the proposed modification. That memorandum was sent to the 20,000 contract customers of British Gas.
It is fair to say that the National Farmers Union and the regional gas boards were taken by surprise by the MMC proposals and their effect. They had believed, and I believe had encouraged their customers likewise, that the MMC report was likely to affect large industrial users only. With hindsight they realise that they had not, as a result of their initial belief, made as strenuous representations as they might have done had they foreseen the effect on the glasshouse growers.
At this stage it is worth putting down a marker—I find it extraordinary that the MMC and the Office of Fair Trading seem to conspire against small business men in all their recent reports. We have seen that happen with publican tenants or responsible brewers building up their clientele, or—here I must declare an interest—local funeral directors trying to compete with the mighty Co-op.
In this case glasshouse growers are trying to compete with their Dutch competitors. Even before the proposed price increases resulting from the MMC report, our glasshouse growers faced a price differential disadvantage in comparison with the Dutch who are still buying gas in volumes as low as 25,000 therms per annum at the price of 15·5p per therm, compared with 16·1p per therm for 500,000 to 1 million therms charged by British Gas. So that there can be no doubt that alternative fuels are not an option, heavy fuel oil was, at the time of the published proposals, 15·91p per therm. It carries none of the CO, advantages of gas, which I shall describe later.
Those facts make the conclusions of the MMC report, that British Gas prices for interruptible gas supplies were broadly in line with the rest of the Common Market and that prices were also comparable for small-firm gas customers, all the more extraordinary and breathtaking. They demonstrate a lack of comprehension of the effect that the clumsy intervention and interference of the MMC with the established market will have on the small business man. The MMC's proposals, taken together with its
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obsession and that of the OFT for transparent pricing, demonstrate that they are a recipe for disaster for the small business man, the little entrepreneur and the fledgling capitalist that the Government have done so much to nurture and encourage.
After all, every French restaurant must, by law, exhibit its prices ouside the premises, but any self-respecting Englishman will tell you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that no one has ever succeeded in paying a bill that bears any relation to that published menu. Similarly, in the energy market, every liquid petroleum gas and fuel oil salesman in the country is rubbing his hands in glee at the prospect of pitching his undisclosed price just below the British Gas published price.
I hope that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who is new to the post, will get to grips with the enclaves of theoreticians and academic gombeen men at the MMC, who have consistently failed to champion the cause of the small business man in practically every commercial sphere on which they have published reports. In this case, their philosophy to the market gardener seems to have been "tough tomato".
I have not come to this debate today as a Back-Bench banshee seeking to grab the headlines by screeching my complaints at my right hon. Friend. It is much more my style to seek the route of practical politics by endeavouring to find a solution without bothering the apparatus of Whitehall. In this case I have carefully examined the possibility of glasshouse growers connecting up their gas mains to one another so that they become a single customer of British Gas. That would mean that the total load would be eligible for the lower tariff prices; that would remove, or at least alleviate, the economic disadvantage faced by those growers. That proposition, however, is not financially viable and it would require capital investment beyond the reach of the growers. In any event, it would require such a long buy-back period as to be a financial disaster.
Under the new schedule, interruptible supply will be available only to single premises taking in excess of 250,000 therms per year. In the past, British Gas has allowed several independent nurseries to form a gas group so that the price could be based on their total consumption.
Being nothing if not resourceful, my second line of attack in practical political terms was to seek to use the MMC's directive that British Gas should make available its pipeline for other suppliers to contract gas supplies to commercial users. As the Wytch Farm gas and oil site is not far from my constituency, and as the chairman of the Isle of Wight development board is the recently retired chairman and chief executive of Mobil Oil, I asked whether he would investigate that proposal for our island growers.
The possibility of providing low-price gas to other island commercial customers appeared extremely attractive. Such gas could be used by other glasshouse growers in adjoining constituencies. The thought of establishing the island as a centre of low-cost energy appealed to my commercial instincts and would probably accelerate our economy quicker than any application for assisted-area status, which has been the longest running campaign that the island has ever mounted.
We were told, however, by Mr. Legatt, British Petroleum's section manager, that gas supplies from Wytch Farm are fully committed until more fields come on

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stream in 1991–92. I hope that my right hon. Friend will therefore appreciate that I have examined all the possibilities before bringing this matter to the House.
One other dimension that must be considered is the environmental effect of the MMC proposals. Glasshouse growers have invested heavily in CO2extraction plants that take the CO2 out of the flue gases from the gas-fired boilers and circulate it in the greenhouse, which is an essential ingredient to any plant's growth. Before the introduction of gas-fired boilers, growers had to purchase bulk CO2 and introduce it into the glasshouses from bottled gas. It is extraordinary that the Government are, quite rightly, pursuing environmentally sensitive policies on the atmosphere, but the MMC report, if effected, will require growers to switch back to fossil fuels. That will therefore increase the amount of "nox and sox" put into the atmosphere.
By purchasing gas for their heating and recovering CO2 from the flue gases, growers are pursuing as environmentally sensitive a policy as one could possibly get. That is especially true when one appreciates that it is coupled with an extraordinarily efficient energy-saving arrangement, whereby the heat of the flue gas is also used to heat water storage heat reservoirs, which are then used to supplement the heating requirements during the night-time drop in temperature.
Currently, the glasshouse industry of the United Kingdom has an output value of £271·4 million per annum for vegetable crops and £156 million for ornamental crops at 1987 prices. Those figures show that the industry is making a substantial saving in imports and therefore making a contribution to our balance of payments. Much as we love the Dutch, every British housewife would prefer to buy her pound of tomatoes from an English grower, providing that the price is right.
The glasshouse growers were encouraged to invest in the provision of new gas pipelines for their glasshouses in the expectation that the contracts into which they had entered with their local gas boards would be held in terms of the price for interruptible supplies for a few years hence. Indeed, in one case, taken together with the provision of the CO2 extraction plant, the total capital expended on a gas main and new energy-efficient gas boilers has been £100,000
One can therefore imagine the considerable anger and frustration that the glasshouse growers feel in finding that, because of the MMC's requirements for British Gas to publish a price tariff, the price of interruptible gas will rise from 16.1p per therm—already less competitive than the Dutch prices that I have mentioned—to 26.5p per therm, assuming that the grower continues to opt for the same maximum period of interruption. That is a rise of 64 per cent., with no rights of negotiation and no discussions between customer and supplier.
As a result of the representations made to me by the glasshouse growers, I contacted the Director General of Gas Supply, Mr. James McKinnon, who kindly agreed to visit the Isle of Wight and see at first hand the enterprising way in which the glasshouse growers were conducting their business and the effect that this massive increase in their prices will have on their business. As a result of that arrangement and representations that he has received from parliamentary colleagues on the Conservative Back-Bench horticultural committee, he has published a seven-point set of proposals, which he has asked British Gas to look at. These state:
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"The number of bands in the price schedule should be expanded in firm and interrupted contract categories to cater for higher levels of volume. Aggregation should be available in both categories. The number of proposals for which firm supplies can be aggregated should be increased to cover all customers' circumstances.
All legitimate trading affinity groups and energy management companies or other agents offering centralised contracts should be permitted to aggregate for the purpose of price qualification in both the firm and interrupted sectors.
Load factors to be introduced without delay as further determinant of the prices charged to customers.
Arrangements should be made to 'buffer' the impact of changing from one band to another.
The existing matrix of choice should be expanded to provide a further range of options. An understanding should be given that interruptions under contract should, if possible, be pre-arranged with customers.
A review should be carried out as to the choices which are presently offered in terms of an inflator or indices.
Some customers have experienced very heavy increases in prices. For such customers the transition period should be extended to three years."
On Friday 14 July, I met the regional deputy chairman of Southern Gas in Southampton and put to him the points about the effect that those increases would have on the glasshouse grower, the point being that in most businesses the energy cost of heating the premises is a small proportion of the total overheads, but in the glasshouse industry it amounts to some 30 per cent. of total production costs. It would be fair to say that Mr. Webb, the regional deputy chairman, and I had a robust conversation, but I believe that, having spoken to Mr. Young, the regional chairman, having corresponded with Sir Denis Rooke, the chairman of British Gas, and having met on no fewer than three occasions the Director General of Gas Supply, it is time for a champion in the Department of Energy to blow the whistle on behalf of the glasshouse growing industry and say that enough is enough.
The simple solution to this problem would be to allow glasshouse growers who are members of a similar buying and selling co-operative group to aggregate their supplies, even if this meant that the regional gas board was committed to invoicing a single trading entity, leaving the members to divide the costs and recover the payments among themselves.
The information that British Gas has given me—that it believes that the MMC's report prevents it from doing this—is falsely based. That is certainly the view of Ofgas. It criticises my solution also on the ground that other organisations will be able to aggregate their supplies and obtain a lower tariff. On one occasion, it was suggested that every betting shop would wish to aggregate its demand. We in the House are well used to attempts to rubbish logical solutions by extreme argument. The fact is that, whether multinational conglomerates or high street retailing chains, they are none of them part of the same purchasing and selling consortium. Each is a trading entity or a cost centre in its own right. Even if these organisations are centrally supplied, they are not also a consortium for sales in the daily marketplace, and it is that that distinguishes the growers from other gas consumers. After all, the MMC accepted the exception for customers who used gas as a feedstock for ammonia production.
I believe that allowing aggregation is not such a problem, nor is it so likely outside horticulture, where, as in all things, growers, like farmers, are well used to pooling their resources to obtain a stable price for their produce and to buy as cheaply as possible their fertilisers, packing

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requirements and so on. Also, these nurseries provide British Gas with summer demand, thereby balancing its total demand throughout the year.
I look to my right hon. Friend the Minister to champion this cause. I feel like a dog that has a flea in its tail; I have gone round and round in circles trying to end this small irritation. Like that flea, I believe that there is common ground between myself, the regional gas board and the chairman of British Gas on the view that the amounts involved for horticulture and the pricing of an aggregated gas supply for horticulturists are a fleabite in the total contracted interruptable gas supplies in the United Kingdom. British Gas has promised a response by September to the seven proposals from Ofgas. As my right hon. Friend the Minister lists gardening as one of his pleasures, I hope that he will ensure that, before we return to the House, everything in the greenhouse will be lovely once again.
9.56 am
The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Mr. Peter Morrison): I am delighted that my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) has had the opportunity to raise this important matter in the House on the last day before we rise for the summer recess. I listened to him carefully and, without wishing to sound patronising, I was extremely impressed by the tremendous work that he put into not only his speech but the whole issue, talking to many people to find a solution. He did not in any sense give me the impression that he was a dog with a flea in its tail; rather that he was a lion who had stalked through the jungle.
I agree with much of what my hon. Friend said. He noted that I count gardening among my hobbies, so I take a particular interest in the glasshouse growers. They are a shining example of what the Government have been doing over the past 10 years, and especially of the lead that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has given. I can therefore assure my hon. Friend that I share his concern about the problems experienced by horticulturists and other customers because of the introduction of British Gas's first price schedule. I assure my hon. Friend that Ofgas, which is so ably led by Mr. James McKinnon, and, to be fair, British Gas, are alive to the difficulties and that British Gas has committed itself to considering a number of proposals for improvements and to reaching conclusions, as my hon. Friend pointed out in the latter part of his speech, by the end of September.
I shall return to the present position in more detail, but it is important first to put gas prices in context.
The House will recall that, when British Gas was privatised, the market for gas to customers using more than 25,000 therms—non-tariff customers—was made subject to normal competition law. Gas was already facing competition from other fuels, and, in order to promote competition in gas supply, the Gas Act 1986 included further provisions to enable others to acquire rights to use British Gas pipelines. In particular, Ofgas was given the power to make directions on charges and other terms.
In November 1987, following major anxieties about British Gas's pricing policy, the Director General of Fair Trading referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the issue of the supply of gas through pipes to
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non-tariff customers. In making the reference, the director general set out four matters of concern to him: the arbitrariness of individual prices and price changes; wider differences in prices paid by customers with similar requirements and levels of consumption; contracts only fixing prices for a very short period—three months or less; and British Gas's total control over whether to provide interruptible supplies.
The MMC's report was published in October last year. In it, the MMC said that it found extensive discrimination by British Gas in the pricing and supply of gas to contract customers, and went on:
"We believe that this is attributable to the monopoly situation and operates or may be expected to operate against the public interest in a number of respects. First, British Gas's policy of price discrimination imposes higher costs on customers less well placed to use alternative fuels or to obtain such fuels on favourable terms, which in turn puts an arbitrary cost disadvantage on these consumers, and distorts competition in the markets in which they operate. Secondly, British Gas's policy of relating prices to those of the alternatives available to each customer places it in a position selectively to undercut potential gas suppliers. This may be expected to deter new entrants and to inhibit the development of competition in the market. Thirdly, the lack of transparency in pricing creates uncertainty in the minds of customers about future gas prices and renders more risky the business environment in which they operate. Furthermore, British Gas's refusal to supply interruptible gas to some customers imposes additional costs on those users; its prices for gas used in Combined Heat and Power schemes have inhibited the implementation of some such schemes; and its insistence on particular contract terms has imposed additional costs on users. We have also concluded that British Gas's failure to provide adequate information on the costs of common carriage, its ability to use information obtained when negotiating common carriage terms to identify potential customers of potential suppliers and the potential source of gas, and its position as a dominant purchaser of gas, may all be expected to operate against the public interest by deterring new entry to the market."
I accept that this is all rather a mouthful, but it led to a number of important recommendations which the MMC believed would encourage competition in the supply of gas and restrain British Gas's discriminatory policy on pricing and supply of gas until such competition was effective. The MMC's main recommendations were that British Gas should be required to publish a schedule of prices at which it is prepared to supply gas to contract customers, and not to discriminate in pricing or supply. Secondly, the MMC recommended that British Gas should not refuse to supply interruptible gas on the basis of the use made of the gas or the alternative fuel available. Thirdly, British Gas should publish further information on common carriage terms in sufficient detail to put a potential customer in a position to make a reasonable estimate of the charge that would be sought by British Gas. Fourthly and finally, British Gas should be required to contract initially for no more than 90 per cent. of any new gas field.
The MMC recognised—this was inevitable—that among British Gas's customers some would lose and some would gain from the recommendations. That is something which common sense dictates and which we had to accept in endorsing the commission's findings and recommended solutions. Like the MMC, we believe that price increases will be considerably outweighed by price decreases, that the MMC's proposals will contribute to the emergence of effective competition in gas supply, and that only such competition can produce a long-term solution to the adverse effects that it has identified.

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Essentially, the MMC endorsed the basic approach of the Gas Act in making this section of the gas market subject to the normal requirements of competition, rather than going for a regulated system. Its regulations build on that, in order to make competitive pressures more effective.
On 19 October, Lord Young, then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, welcomed the report and set out the steps being taken. The Director General of Gas Supply, Mr. James McKinnon, was asked to seek agreement with British Gas on modifications to its authorisation to implement the recommendations on pricing and contract policies in the supply of gas to large users, and on the provision of information on its common carriage terms for transmission of gas. The Director General of Fair Trading was asked to consult interested parties with a view to proposing a scheme which would make it easier for companies other than British Gas to buy gas from developers of gas fields.
These measures have now been put into effect. Ofgas went out to consultation on the modification to British Gas's authorisation on 31 January. British Gas's first price schedule was published on 20 March and came into effect on 1 May. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs announced on 27 April a Government target for 10 per cent. of all new gas contracted from producers to be supplied to final consumers by suppliers other than British Gas. British Gas published common carriage information on 15 June.
Since British Gas's first price schedule was published there have been a number of reactions from these customers, including—and this is why we are here today—horticulturists, who felt that they would be adversely and unfairly affected. Some of these have been about obvious flaws in the schedule, such as the incentive to waste gas at the boundaries of the volume bands. Some have related to the level of price increases, which in some cases appear to have been higher even than British Gas's expectations; others have related to changes in terms such as the introduction of minimum periods of interruption into interruptible contracts. All these concerns have gone to Mr. McKinnon for him to pursue, and he has kept me informed of the situation. Only yesterday, he and I had a further full and detailed discussion of these issues. We are keeping them in the front of our minds.
British Gas's price schedule is subject to competitive pressures in the ability of some customers to switch to alternative fuels. Therefore, British Gas recognises the need to reconsider in the light of its customers' reactions.
Representations from horticulturalists have covered many of the points raised by my hon. Friend, who I suspect has already covered many of the following points. They say that some increases in gas prices are very large, with claimed instances of up to 100 per cent. Energy costs account for a quarter to a third of the total cost inputs to the business. Interruptible supplies are no longer available to growers with consumption below 250,000 therms a year. Buying groups are no longer recognised. Growers have made major investments based on gas, and because of their requirement to use flue gas—CO2—for injection to glasshouses, they are particularly tied to gas. Their competitors in the Netherlands obtain firm gas at very low prices. They are believed to pay lower prices than customers in other sectors with similar consumption.
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My hon. and noble Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has given me a clear picture of the effects of the price schedule. My hon. Friends the Members for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe) and for Cambridgshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) have been in frequent contact with me on the matter, and other hon. Friends have written to me about the impact on horticulture in their constituencies.
I certainly recognise that this is a progressive industry. Glasshouse growers have invested heavily to incorporate the latest in heating equipment and environmental control technology. They achieve high energy efficiencies of up to 93 per cent. with modern systems, in addition to using the waste CO2. They have been quick to take up and develop new R and D. They operate in competitive markets, not dependent on European Community support systems. With this background, it is clear that the problems the industry has raised are not just whingeing, but serious issues deserving attention.
On 17 July, Ofgas announced that British Gas had agreed to consider a number of proposals designed to improve the recently introduced system of pricing, and that British Gas expected to reach conclusions on them by September. The proposals were that the number of bands in the price schedule should be expanded in firm and interrupted contract categories to cater for the higher levels of volume; aggregation should be available in both categories; the number of premises for which firm supplies can be aggregated should be increased to cover all customers' circumstances.
The proposals also stated that all legitimate trading affinity groups and energy management companies or other agents offering centralised contracts should be permitted to aggregate for the purpose of price qualification in both the firm and interrupted sectors; that load factors should be introduced without delay as further determinants of the prices charged to customers; that arrangements should be made to "buffer" the impact of changing from one volume band to another; and that the existing matrix of choice should be expanded to provide a further range of options. An understanding should be given that interruptions under contract should, if possible, be pre-arranged with customers.
The proposals continued: a review should be carried out as to the choices which are presently offered in terms of an inflator or indices; some customers have experienced very heavy increases in price and for such customers the transition period should be extended to three years. In a separate press release, British Gas has confirmed that those are the areas that it is now studying.
Those proposals are not aimed specifically at horticulturists. To do so would be to engage in the sort of discrimination that the MMC wished to eliminate, and which has indeed been eliminated by the requirement on British Gas to operate to a published price schedule. However, from the representations made by growers, it seems that, to the extent that they are taken up by British Gas, a number of these proposals could assist the glasshouse sector.
The regulatory arrangements for gas are proving responsive and effective. The original problems were taken to the MMC and the MMC produced a set of interrelated recommendations designed to remove discrimination and encourage competition. Those recommendations have

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been implemented. British Gas's first price schedule has admittedly resulted in difficulties for some customers and a number of complaints.
These have now been taken up by Ofgas and have resulted in constructive discussion between it and British Gas, and proposals which British Gas has agreed to consider. The system is working as it should and the matters are properly ones for Mr. McKinnon to follow through; it is now up to British Gas to be responsive to its customers' needs.
There is also a European dimension. We in the United Kingdom have gone further towards non-discriminatory pricing and the encouragement to competition than other EC countries. We shall be trying to persuade our partners in Europe to move in the same direction so that there can be no question of assistance to particular sectors in those countries from discriminatory fuel pricing.
I hope that British Gas is changing its attitude, from one which began as perhaps a little negative to becoming more positive.

Occupational Therapy
10.15 am
Mr. Keith Vaz: I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important subject on the Floor of the House and I am grateful to the Minister for his attendance this morning. The crisis in the occupational therapy service affects thousands of my constituents and tens of thousands of people throughout the country. I believe that hon. Members share my enormous sense of frustration at the policy towards occupational therapy services. I have received complaints from the disabled and elderly whose lives are limited and restricted because of the grave difficulties in the service. Many are in agony and are prisoners in their own homes.
I begin by commending the work of occupational therapists. The overwhelming number—as many as 95 per cent.—are women and they work under enormous pressure. I also commend the following for bringing to my attention, and therefore allowing me to bring to the attention of the House, information of great relevance: the College of Occupational Therapists; the editor and staff of Therapy Weekly; Mr. Mick Welles, the deputy director of the social services for Leicestershire county council; Councillor Valerie Vaz of the London borough of Ealing and Mr. Ian Buchanan who is one of her officials. I thank them all for their efforts.
Social services departments the length and breadth of the country are only too aware of the severe delays experienced by disabled people in receiving a service from occupational therapists. Many of the departments have considered detailed reports on the problems in their areas. The problems have been compounded by the fact that many more people are becoming aware of what might be available to them and are going directly to the social services departments or going through their doctors. The service has expanded in many areas, but the real problem lies in the recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
The current vacancy level for occupational therapists in Leicestershire is running at 37 per cent. The national average is just below that. A survey by the Association of Directors of Social Services from January to April 1988 revealed a 35 per cent. vacancy rate and that 18 per cent. of posts were vacant for more than six months. The shortage has become critical. The association estimated that nationally it was short of 250 occupational therapists.
The Minister must acknowledge the fact that the Government's policies of reducing the number of patients in hospital have contributed to the problem. Those difficulties have been exacerbated by the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 in relation to the assessment and provision of services to disabled people. That Act will create even greater demands for the services and skills of occupational therapists.
About a year ago, on 26 July 1988, the Association of County Councils social services committee met to discuss this subject and endorsed its members' grave concern at the increasing demand for and limited supply of occupational therapists. In a meeting with the Department of Health and Social Security on 27 June 1988 and in previous meetings with the College of Occupational Therapists and the National Association of Health Authorities in England and Wales, it identified the loss of staff, the need to increase training places and the increased

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need for sponsorship for training as key elements in the strategy to overcome problems. Because of demand, local authorities such as mine in Leicestershire have had to prioritise work.
Local authorities have agreed that the resources of the occupational therapy service should be concentrated as much as possible on two categories of need as defined by the Department. Category A includes the very severely handicapped—persons who consistently need night care such as help with toileting or turning in bed and who, in addition to night care, need help with basic feeding, washing, dressing and daytime toileting. They are all situations in which handicapped people are unable to care for themselves, as many are bed or wheelchair-bound. Category B includes severely or appreciably handicapped persons who do not need consistent night time care but who may need considerable help from another person in order to cope with at least one essential activity of daily living—dressing or undressing, feeding, bathing or toileting.
Leicestershire and other authorities decided that the resources of the occupational therapy service would be best deployed in accordance with a scale of priorities. Priority 1 was to be acute cases, or referrals showing that, without immediate action by the occupational therapy service, the client's health could be seriously impaired. Included in this priority are those who are chronically ill—referrals showing that action by the occupational therapy service is required immediately to prevent the client's circumstances from rapidly deteriorating, with the possibility of hospital admission.
Priority 2 included urgent cases, or referrals which showed that the client was unable to sustain independence without further support or that informal carers could no longer cope without assistance.
Priority 3 included referrals that showed that the client was unable to sustain independence without further assistance but where support systems were available via informal carers and/or other support services that could at least help in the short term.
As the first call on the resources available to the occupational therapy service was to be for acute cases in priority 1, or the urgent cases in priority 2, the waiting list has built up for the other priority categories.
The waiting lists have become a damning indictment of the present system. According to the latest figures for Leicestershire, from March to April 1989, in the first category 245 cases were dealt with and 315 cases were being progressed. There were no waiting times for those in the acute or chronic category. The priority 2 category was for urgent cases. I remind the House of the terms of reference: referrals which show that the client is unable to sustain independence without further support or if informal carers can no longer cope without assistance. The current waiting time in the Leicester city east division is 36 weeks, or nine months. From March to April 1989, 249 cases were dealt with, 332 cases were ongoing, 450 new cases arrived on the desk of the director of social services, and a staggering 1,680 cases were awaiting allocation or assessment.
Priority 3 cases were clients to be visited as soon as possible. Again I remind the House of the terms of reference: referrals which show that the client is unable to sustain independence without further assistance but where support systems are available via informal carers and other support services, but only in the short term.
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The waiting time is more than 35 weeks. From March to April 1989, 111 cases were closed, 115 cases were progressed, 219 new cases arrived, and 727 cases were awaiting allocation or assessment.
Those are the statistics. They do not tell us about the human misery behind them. For example, I refer to the case of Mrs. Jean Wilson of 3 Frisby road, Leicester, who wrote:
"I am writing to you in regards to my situation. I am severely disabled…with a serious heart condition winch means I can hardly walk and I cannot climb stairs…I have now been in the position of not being able to have a bath or sleep in a proper bed or be able to move around in my house for almost six years now. And I am virtually condemned to one room."
There is also the case of Mrs. Patel of 18 Coles close, Leicester. Her son wrote:
"I have a mother, 60 years old, virtually disabled due to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and can hardly walk without help. She has had three sets of complete knee replacement operations; two on one knee and one on the other. All her joints are gradually degenerating and deforming…The very first day she moved into this new house, she fell down on the staircase after having been to the toilet. She was hurt on the forehead and legs and taken to the Casualty department…Few days before my mother moved in this new house … I spoke to the Social Services regarding the Staircase Lift." They said that there was 'a long waiting list' for this facility."
They could not visit within a short period of time.
There is also the case of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, of 50 Croyland Green, Leicester whose granddaughter wrote:
"My grandmother cannot work any longer due to health problems, she has recently suffered a very stressful colostomy operation. My grandfather is 63 years of age and is on the sick at the moment and is expected to be for some time. He suffers from asthma and he is due to go into hospital for an operation on his left leg. Their problems are made much worse because they are in desperate need of a new bath. I briefly explained when we last met, but things have not improved. My grandmother needs to keep herself clean because she is not immune to catch infection with a colostomy and my grandfather has not got the strength to lift her in and out of the bath due to his health deterioration and vast loss of weight."
The same applies to Mrs. Jean George, who lives in Maplin road in Humberstone. She has been waiting for a chairlift. On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Spring who live on Bath street in Leicester, I wrote on 10 July to the director of social services, stating that I had been consulted by Mr. Spring
"who has told me of the terrible delays that are recurring with regards to the assessment of his home for, in particular, a lift and a shower. As you know, Mr. Spring's wife has a serious disability, and he is having to carry her upstairs. Visits have been made, and promises have been given concerning putting this matter right, but I am sorry to see that there has been very little progress. Mr. Spring himself is in difficulties, because of course this constant activity is putting his own health at risk. This is a very serious matter, and I have written to you about these delays in the past. Indeed, I am minded to raise this matter in Parliament."
I have taken up all those cases and have written to the director of social services, Mr. Brian Waller, who seems as angry and frustrated about the delays as I am. He tells me that there is simply nothing that he can do to ensure that the delays are removed.
It is not all gloom, because I have figures showing that up to the end of the last financial year Leicestershire was ensuring that more home adaptation cases were being processed than almost every other county. It wants to ensure that it can provide a better service.
Within the past month, we have had the findings of the Blom-Cooper independent commission, which was

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established by the College of Occupational Therapists at the end of 1987. The commission recommended a movement into the community and an expansion of the College of Occupational Therapists. It revealed that in 1988, 549 National Health Service occupational therapists left the profession.
Some initiatives can be taken in the short term. There is a need to increase the number of occupational therapists being trained. The number of training places must be increased, with the ever-increasing number of elderly people. It is imperative that urgent action is taken on training.
We must consider how occupational therapists are being recruited, even if it is on a part-time or sessional basis. For example, because many occupational therapists are women we must consider job shares, the establishment of creche facilities, better pay, refresher courses, and overall changes in the structure of their gradings. Sponsorship for training is another option.
The Government must realise that only quick, firm and effective action can resolve the problem. Every minute of every day someone is suffering because of the delays and the backlog. It is impossible for able-bodied persons to imagine the social and physical pain of those who wait month after month for assessment. In some cases, they are unable to move beyond a bed, a chair or a room.
Twenty years later, we are celebrating the technology of placing a man on the moon. Surely something can be done for those ordinary, helpless citizens. The answer, and the active lives of many people, rest inevitably in the Minister's hands.
10.32 am
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Roger Freeman): I very much welcome the opportunity to debate the occupational therapy profession and the challenges facing it. It is a most important subject and the House is indebted to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) for raising it this morning.
The House has been sitting all night, and we are grateful for the fact that the Chamber is air-conditioned. Hon. Members present will wish to place on record our thanks for and recognition of not only the Chair but the Clerks and all those who work in the House. Their hard work often goes unrecognised and taken for granted, but I am sure that the hon. Member for Leicester, East and my hon. Friends the Members for Solihull (Mr. Taylor) and for Beckenham (Sir P. Goodhart) will join me in wishing all the House's staff a restful recess.
I join the hon. Member for Leicester, East in thanking the profession for its hard work, which the hon. Gentleman rightly acknowledged in his speech. I unreservedly congratulate the profession on dealing with ever-increasing demand, for reasons that were accurately cited, in a professional way.
The occupational therapy profession has experienced a tremendous increase in demand for its services. As the hon. Member for Leicester, East said, that is because of the Health Service policy of discharging patients who no longer need medical attention but who may need sustenance and support in their homes, the ageing population, greater rights for disabled people and their
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increased determination, quite properly, to seek assistance from occupational therapists employed by the Health Service or local authorities.
In the face of that increased demand, the supply of occupational therapists has undoubtedly increased. The problem is that that increase has not been sufficient. There are substantial shortages, and I shall explain some of the ways in which the Health Service is dealing with vacancies.
Although I am the Under-Secretary of State for Health, I am not responsible for Leicestershire county council. I am ultimately responsible for the quality of service delivered, which is monitored and inspected by the social services inspectorate. In the final analysis, local authority occupational therapy services are a matter for the local authority. We are aware of the increased demand for those local authority services. Each year, we discuss their resource implications with local authorities. We have made more resources available through the rate support grant, but no one denies that demand is increasing.
I shall concentrate my remarks on the national picture and mention some of the issues that the hon. Member for Leicester, East raised about vacancies and the supply of more occupational therapists in the future. I understand the problems in Leicester, particularly in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. Leicester is an extreme microcosm of the national position. There is a much higher proportion of vacancies in the hon. Gentleman's constituency for occupational therapists, who work not only for the Health Service but for the local authority.
The subject of the debate is the occupational therapy service nationally. There is more than one service, as occupational therapists, uniquely among professional staff groups, are employed by the National Health Service and local authorities. A common and widely accepted definition of occupational therapy, made by the College of Occupational Therapists, is that it is
"the treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions through specific activities in order to help people reach their maximum level of function and independence in all aspects of daily life."
In practice in the National Health Service, occupational therapists work with people of all ages who may have physical disabilities, including the elderly, the elderly confused, those with learning difficulties and mental health problems, substance abusers or other forms of disability.
Occupational therapy developed in social service departments largely as a response to the statutory obligations placed on local authorities by the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 to provide certain services for people registered as chronically sick or disabled, such as the prescription and provision of disability equipment—mobility aids, bathing aids and hoists—and the assessment and recommendation of adaptions to the person's home. This role is developing to become more of an enabler, aimed at helping the disabled person to maximise his independence and quality of life.
I know that the hon. Member for Leicester, East is active in looking after the interests of all his constituents. In my constituency in Northamptonshire—not a million miles away—I have visited many residential homes for the elderly and many of my elderly and disabled constituents in their own homes. I have seen for myself what can and should be done. There is no doubt that the services of occupational therapists, particularly those working in the community visiting elderly people, can make a tremendous difference to the quality of their lives.

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The focus of occupational therapy on the practical resettlement and integration of a whole range of people is closely linked to the Government's care in the community policy. The emphasis on resettlement and integration has seen a substantial increase in demand for occupational therapy services. This is due to a number of factors, including the reduction of the long-stay hospital populations, reduced length of stay in acute hospitals and improved survival rates for people with often very severe disabilities. Demographic changes, such as the increasing number of elderly people in our population, many of whom have physical or mental difficulties, have also generated increased demand for occupational therapy.
Occupational therapists are often the key to the continued independence of the many people who are now rightly living in the community rather than in the various forms of institutional care.
The hon. Member for Leicester, East has implicitly endorsed the Government's policy of seeking to care for as many people as possible in their own homes and the community if they do not require medical attention in hospital. That is a fair statement of a commonly agreed policy and aim.
NHS expenditure on occupational therapy services in England increased from £23 million in 1978–79 to £135 million in 1987–88, which represents a real-terms increase of 102 per cent. Expenditure on community occupational therapy services provided by the NHS, although still a small proportion of the total, has grown at an even greater rate than expenditure on the service as a whole. The real-terms increase in that sector since 1978–79 is 543 per cent.
The increased expenditure has led to more occupational therapists being employed. The number has doubled in 10 years—I am now giving NHS figures—from 2,500 whole-time equivalents in 1979 to about 5,000 whole-time equivalents at present. Of course, some are employed on a part-time or temporary basis. There has also been a rapid growth in the number of helpers and technical instructors employed in the NHS. The total number is about 3,500 whole-time equivalents.
Although the local authority occupational therapy service is much smaller than the NHS service, it has grown significantly since 1979. The number of qualified occupational therapists employed by social services departments in England has about doubled from 550 whole-time equivalents in 1979 to more than 1,100 whole-time equivalents now. The hon. Member for Leicester, East might be interested in the figures for Leicestershire social services department. I am informed that in June 1988 there were 57 whole-time qualified occupational therapists in post and in April 1989—I am sorry that I do not have a more up-to-date figure—there were 71 whole-time equivalent qualified occupational therapists. The comparative figures for non-professional qualified staff were 18 in June 1988 and 59 in April 1989. That is a welcome increase in about a year.
Unfortunately, the NHS and local authorities are affected by shortages of qualified occupational therapists. The hon. Gentleman was right to underline the basic problem, which is that we cannot fill the posts available. The NHS has about a 17 per cent. vacancy factor, and the hon. Gentleman mentioned the much higher figure for local authorities. I assure him that we are not complacent about that because we know that it affects the service to patients and results in some people waiting far too long to
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see an occupational therapist. We know that that causes particular problems in the local authority service when people are unable to receive the equipment that they need because they are waiting for an assessment by the occupational therapist.
The Department has taken several initiatives to resolve the problem. First, the hon. Member for Leicester, East may be aware that the fees and bursaries for occupational therapy students in England and Wales are currently centrally funded through the Department of Health at a cost of some £8 million. Training to become an occupational therapist can be undertaken in a number of ways. Most of the 17 schools in England and Wales offer the three-year, full-time diploma course, and four-year, day release in-service courses for helpers and technical instructors. In the forthcoming academic year, 1989–90, 60 additional places have been funded. We are therefore on target for a total of at least 160 extra places, funded by us centrally, by 1990–91. We are currently supporting 740 entrants into training each year.
Secondly, in addition to funding bursaries and fees, the Department has provided a great deal of capital—more than £2 million over the past three years—to a number of the schools of occupational therapy which has enabled them not only to increase their intake of students, but to improve their learning environment. That money has enabled two new schools to be opened, in Canterbury and Sheffield. Officials are also exploring possibilities of additional training schools to increase the number of available training places.
Thirdly, the Department has held discussions with local authority representatives about their contribution to the training of occupational therapists. They make a negligible contribution to the three-year diploma courses, although they take 20 per cent. of the available supply of qualified people. I understand that Leicestershire social services department is planning to sponsor two occupational therapy assistants on the proposed in-service course to be held in Derby plus one on the three-year diploma at Northampton. I welcome that and wish that more local authorities would take a positive attitude towards helping to meet the widespread national need for more students to be in training.
Mr. Vaz: Does not the Minister think it a little unfair to expect local authorities to make a larger contribution in view of the expenditure restrictions that have been placed on them by the Secretary of State for the Environment?
Mr. Freeman: I do not accept that argument. As the hon. Gentleman knows, each year there are discussions about centrally provided funds between the Department of the Environment and the local authority associations. The Department of Health is represented at those discussions and an assessment is made of revenue needs, including the cost of providing a local authority occupational therapy service and the cost of training. Training is part and parcel of the supply of services. The Government reach a determination of the central grant available, and it is then for the local authorities—in this case the county council—to decide specifically what the priorities are.
The fourth measure addressing the need to increase supply and reduce shortages is that the Department also recognises that imaginative ways are needed to enable suitable recruits to undertake training. While the profession should be congratulated on the work that it has

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done so far in this direction, it is felt that there are additional ways in which an increase in student numbers could be achieved. To assist innovative developments in this direction, the Department has provided a total of £135,000 in the current financial year, divided between five of the schools of occupational therapy as pump-priming money. They are to report back in the autumn with options on a variety of topics agreed with us. They include the progression through national vocational qualifications to state registration level, as well as refresher training for those returning to work after a career break.
It is important that we attract back into the NHS—I am now speaking in a slightly wider context—nurses and midwives, particularly women, who have taken a break for family reasons and who, perhaps in middle age, still have a good deal to offer. Refresher courses are clearly needed, particularly in occupational therapy, but there is no reason why those who leave the NHS in their twenties or early thirties to have a family should not plan to return. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would join me in encouraging the breakdown of any prejudices that may remain, not only in the Health Service but in local authorities.
No doubt the hon. Gentleman expects me to mention rates of pay. He may be aware that NHS pay is determined each year following the recommendations of an independent review body for nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine. That includes occupational therapists. In making its recommendations, the review body takes full account of the duties and responsibilities of occupational therapists, reflected in evidence submitted by the health departments, trade unions and professional bodies representing the staff concerned. The Government are committed to implementing the recommendations of the review unless there are clear and compelling reasons not to do so.
I should mention that since the inception of the review body in 1983, the pay of occupational therapists in the NHS has been increased by 24 per cent. in real terms. The hon. Gentleman will know that my Department has no direct influence over the pay of occupational therapists in local authorities.
We recognise that it is very important for health and local authorities to retain qualified staff. That is clearly a more effective use of resources than undue reliance on recruiting new people into the profession. Equally important is the attraction of non-practising occupational therapists back into employment. We know that there are many of them, and some health authorities have been successful in identifying this hitherto largely untapped labour pool, providing refresher opportunities and then offering flexible working hours.
As part of the NHS manpower planning advisory group's national professional manpower initiative, we are currently collecting information about retention and returner patterns and the strategies adopted by authorities to attract people back to work in the NHS and local authority sectors. We intend to disseminate that information to employing authorities, and to use it as a basis for considering what further action can be taken by the Department, the NHS and local authorities to effect an improvement in retention and returner rates of qualified occupational therapists.
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It must be recognised, however, that good retention reflects good management. Some authorities have paid notable attention to such issues, and have provided good management support with appropriate training and development opportunities for their staff. That has reaped benefits, and I am sure that some authorities with particularly acute staffing problems could learn from the practice of the best authorities. I am not passing judgment on Leicestershire county council, or on the specific problems of Leicester city; I am making a general point.
The hon. Gentlemen concentrated on the difficulties in the local authority services particularly those that he has experienced in his constituency. As I think can be understood from my description of the profession's work, the operation of the local authority service cannot be seen in isolation from that of its NHS counterpart.
Mr. Vaz: Has my hon. Friend the Minister any more to tell us about his six-point plan? Assuming that he has not, may I question him on a point that he has raised?
Some of what he said will be welcome to those working in this profession; my concern, however, is with the backlog and delays in Leicestershire and other authorities. I realise that Leicestershire may be worse off than other areas. Although we have heard that the Minister is pledged to increase the number of training places, it will be three years before we have qualified occupational therapists. Can the Government do anything for local authorities such as Leicestershire in the short term?
Mr. Freeman: It may be convenient for the House and helpful to the hon. Gentleman if I now refer to my information concerning Leicestershire specifically. As I understand it, the hon. Gentleman's constituency covers the city east division of Leicestershire social services. That division has 1·5 occupational therapists in post, with 4·5 vacancies. Most are of more than six months' duration. Four occupational therapy assistants are in post, one of whom is to be sponsored for the three-year diploma course that I mentioned earlier.
Most waiting clients fall into what is described as priority category 2. Category 1 clients are seen within two to three weeks, while category 3 clients are invited to attend a clinic rather than receive a home visit: they are less disabled, and therefore able to travel. Category 2 clients wait for a long time. Most are awaiting assessment for home adaptation.
Leicestershire social services department is discussing with Leicester city council the idea of jointly funding a post just to assess for adaptations to homes. That innovative idea should help to clear much of the backlog. Leicestershire social services is also considering ways of introducing a self-assessment form for clients, so that it can determine who needs an occupational therapist to visit and who could be seen by an assistant. That is not a satisfactory or comprehensive solution; it is a means of satisfying as much demand as possible from the available resources.
Leicestershire social services' salary scales do not encourage occupational therapists to stay in post. If they wish to be promoted, they go back to the NHS. I understand that the division in the hon. Gentleman's constituency has lost two members of staff in that way recently. Recruitment to the NHS occupational therapy services has been good of late. Pay is clearly a factor in the problem in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. As a health

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Minister, I cannot either take direct action or directly advise the local authority concerned—the county council—on the action that it should take. At least the hon. Gentleman and I seem to agree on the diagnosis of the problem.
Clearly, initiatives can be taken jointly by the county and city councils: I have already referred to one. Management is all-important. I do not know the specific circumstances of Leicester, East or, indeed, the city of Leicester, but good management and good direction can help to improve retention, and can encourage staff who have left to return.
Mr. Vaz: The Minister is being very diplomatic. Perhaps I can tease an answer out of him. Does he consider that an authority—perhaps not Leicestershire county council, but a fictitious county council in exactly the same position—should pay its occupational therapists more than Leicestershire is currently paying?
Mr. Freeman: The hon. Gentleman, with his rapidly acquired parliamentary skill, cannot draw me on that.
Let me emphasise that our policy for care in the community—that is, caring for more elderly people in their own homes if they do not need medical attention in hospital—is one with which I hope all hon. Members agree. The independent Blom-Cooper commission, to which the hon. Gentleman referred, has put valuable effort into looking at the future of the profession. Although its report is not expected until October, I understand that its central theme is likely to be the need for the profession to direct more of its energies, planning and resources towards care in the community, as opposed to care in hospitals or institutions. I fully support that.
I remind the hon. Gentleman and the House that our proposals for the reform of funding for care in the community will mean that local authorities—that includes the social services department of Leicestershire county council—will in future have resources transferred from central Government. The portion of income support which is the care element will go to the local authorities so that they can make the correct decisions about how to provide support for the elderly in their own homes. That includes occupational therapy services and the provision of a wide range of domiciliary services to enable elderly people to stay in their own homes. The local authority will have continued responsibility and enhanced resources to achieve the laudable aim of providing for disabled people who wish to remain in the community.

Traffic (London)
11 am
Sir Philip Goodhart: I am grateful for this opportunity to raise the difficult problems of London traffic. Virtually all commuters and travellers in London agree that our transport system is in danger of seizing up. On Wednesday evening, parts of London ground to a halt. On that evening, the problems were accentuated by various public sector strkes, but many of us felt fear as well as frustration. We were fearful that what happened on Wednesday evening could become normal if nothing is done and the inexorable growth of traffic in central London continues.
It would be difficult to put a price tag on the irritation that I felt on Wednesday after missing an appointment with the American ambassador. It is also difficult to estimate the cost of the irritation that my commuter constituents feel as their journeys are delayed. However, we can estimate with some precision the amount that traffic congestion adds to the bills of some of the larger companies operating in London. For example, British Telecom has estimated that an improvment in traffic speed of just 1·4 mph inside the M25 circle would save the company £7·25 million. Its fuel savings would come close to £900,000 and the saving on drivers' time would account for more than £6 million.
It is ironic that British Telecom would benefit so greatly from a traffic speed-up because on many occasions its roadworks have slowed my journeys through the capital. Yesterday morning, I went to the AA's new road watch centre at Stanmore, where it can monitor delays and traffic hold-ups throughout a large part of the country. That centre will provide an increasingly valuable service to motorists. I noted at the centre that British Telecom was responsible for 11 of the almost 60 major roadworks in London yesterday.
On the desks of Transport Ministers are many plans for improving the transport infrastructure of London. I should like to pay tribute to the work of the former Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon), especially for the paper, "Transport in London", which he prepared and produced earlier this year. But building new railway lines, underground tunnels, light railways and roads takes time as well as hundreds of millions of pounds. While we wait for improvements in the infrastructure, it is vital to make the best use of the roads that we have.
There is general agreement that the basis of any plan to get London moving must be the unclogging of its traffic arteries. Some south London Members—I am one—including my hon. Friends the Members for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley), for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman), for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden), for Lewisham, West (Mr. Maples), for Orpington (Mr. Stanbrook), for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) and my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis), who is in his place and who thought up the title, have put forward the "Red Route Plan". It proposes that heavier fines and more traffic warden enforcement should be concentrated on the 300 miles of roads that make up our main arterial system in London. We propose that heavier fines of at least £75 for illegal parking should be levied on those red routes arid that there should be five times the normal level of enforcement.

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London's traffic warden force is about 500 under strength. There should be 2,000 traffic wardens and there are fewer than 1,500. The extra 500 wardens should be concentrated on those 300 miles of red routes. The red route concept of concentrated enforcement has powerful allies. It is backed by the AA, the CBI and the Institution of Civil Engineers. I cannot speak for the police, but I know that their thinking and our thinking is on the same lines. I hope that the red route proposals will soon be backed by the Government.
One of the roads that would obviously be earmarked as a red route is the south circular road, which has been heavily congested for as long as I can remember. Some years ago, the Department of Transport commissioned a comprehensive study of ways to relieve congestion on the south circular. Among the many proposals put forward were two plans for building alternative roads which would have cut through my constituency. Other south London constituencies are affected by similar proposals. If either of those new roads were built, it would cost hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money.
The drawing of broad brush strokes by the consultants on their planning maps has inadvertently blighted hundreds if not thousands of homes in Beckenham. I do not think that either of those routes will ever be built, and there is no need for them. Once again, I beg the Department of Transport to make an early announcement about that. When I recently drove six miles along the south circular on a Friday afternoon I saw 143 vehicles illegally parked and there was not one traffic warden to be seen. It would be absurd to spend hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to duplicate a road that is so often used as an illegal parking lot.
Apart from greater control of illegal parking, we propose the establishment of a more powerful London traffic management unit within the Department of Transport. We certainly do not want to create a new "son of GLC". We think that the proper place for this unit is within the Department of Transport. Once again, the proposal is backed by the AA and the CBI, although the Institution of Civil Engineers has rather more grandiose plans.
Part of the job of the London traffic management unit would be to ensure that artificial obstructions are not created on our roads. I am in favour of reducing the speed of traffic in residential areas and I am glad that the Department of Transport has made it easier to install road humps. However, I note that a number of councils, notably Hammersmith and Fulham, are going further and closing off side roads so that more and more traffic is forced to use the main trunk roads. I regret to say that Kensington and Chelsea council has recently gone even further and deliberately reduced the width of Kensington high street to one lane at one point, thus creating additional traffic jams on a road which already carries 10 major bus routes, quite apart from the admirable new hoppa buses, the Green Line coach services and the Heathrow buses. That act of traffic vandalism has, absurdly, been approved by the existing London traffic management unit of the Department of Transport, which surely could not have understood what it was doing. We
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need a traffic management unit with a remit to keep London's traffic moving, rather than creating artificial traffic jams.
One vital role to be played by the traffic management unit would be overseeing the roadworks in central London. The Horn report on roadworks control highlighted the lack of planning of roadworks not only in London but throughout the country. No part of the red route system should be dug up until the work plan has been approved by the traffic management unit. On the new red route, continuous working should be the goal, with a great deal of work being done at night. Spending £10 million per year for 10 years on subsidising quicker roadworks in central London would do more to help London's buses, lorries, taxis and cars than spending £100 million on a new road in Bromley or Barnes.
I hope that a London traffic management unit will also be given a key role in setting a parking policy in central London. In the immediate future, that will provide the best means to control the use of private cars in the central area. I admit that I usually drive to the Palace of Westminster rather than using public transport, because I can be sure of finding a place in our admirable underground car park. It was once said that the House of Commons was the best club in Europe. I doubt whether that is still so, but it certainly provides the best car park in London.
If we are to limit the number of cars in central London, firm central control must be kept on parking policy. At the moment, the responsibility for parking is untidily split between the London boroughs, the police and the Department of Transport. Once an effective London traffic management unit has been established, the lead role in establishing a sensible parking policy for central London must pass to the Department of Transport. I also hope that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and my right hon. Friend the new Secretary of State for Transport—whom we wish well—will combine their forces to persuade my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that money raised by parking fines should be used to recruit and maintain an effective warden force.
Mr. John Bowis: I agree with everything that my hon. Friend has said, but should not enforcement of the regulations be transferred to the boroughs, so that it is carried out sensitively and with local knowledge?
Sir Philip Goodhart: There is a strong case for transferring such responsibility to the boroughs in outer London, but inner London parking policy is so important that it should be the responsibility of the Department of Transport.
London's roads are dangerous. I pay tribute to the former Minister for Roads and Traffic, my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley)—who has now gone to Northern Ireland, the part of the United Kingdom with the worst road safety record of all. Even in the early 1970s, when terrorism was at its worst, the road toll in Northern Ireland far exceeded the toll from terrorism, so there will be much for my hon. Friend to do. In the past three years, he has done a great deal to publicise the cause of road safety.
I am sure that all of us have been moved by the story of Don Kell, the pensioner who was shot while having a go at bank robbers. Mrs. Kell, who saw part of the incident from a distance, thought that she was watching the result of a traffic accident. That is understandable, because last

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year 488 Londoners were killed in traffic accidents, while 146 died as a result of criminal violence. In other words, motorists are responsible for three times as many deaths in London as criminals. However, the situation is improving. Thirty years ago, 765 people were killed on London's roads—277 more than died last year.
In part, this improvement may be caused by the congestion that we deplore. A car that can travel at only 2 mph will do less damage than a car travelling at 40 mph, if it hits someone. The main causes of the dramatic fall in the number of deaths on London roads, however, have been the drink-driving legislation and the seat belt legislation passed in recent years. The best opportunity that we have to reduce the appalling toll on London's roads would come from passing a new Road Traffic Bill based on the many and sensible recommendations in the North report. Those recommendations will make it much easier for the police to enforce speed limits, and speed is a major killer on our roads.
What is needed from the Government? We need higher parking penalties on our red roads and another 500 traffic wardens, to be concentrated on the red routes. They should be left to the control of the Metropolitan police in inner London, however, and on the main routes, so that there is central direction on parking policy. We need the establishment of a high-powered London traffic management unit with powers to override obstacles placed by some London boroughs and to exercise proper management of roadworks. We need legislation on the Horn report on roadworks and on the North report on traffic law. These steps will not solve our traffic problems but they will provide a desperately needed measure of relief for the travellers of London and people generally.
11.20 am
The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Mr. Michael Portillo): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Sir P. Goodhart) most warmly on initiating this Adjournment debate and giving us the opportunity to discuss many matters. He has given a great deal of thought to the subject matter of the debate and the shopping list with which he ended his speech was a clear sign of the way in which he has organised his thinking. He has set the agenda for us to think carefully about the issues to which he has referred, and I pay tribute to him for what he has done.
My hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham was fulsome in his tributes, and I thank him for that. He referred especially to my right hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon), with whom it was a great privilege to work for a year. My right hon. Friend was extremely concerned about all the matters that my hon. Friend has raised, and perhaps especially about the London assessment studies. He understood that, necessary though these studies are, they create tensions and problems in the consituencies of hon. Members on both sides of the House. My right hon. Friend wished to bring the studies to a conclusion as rapidly as possible so as to end some of the uncertainty and the blight. We expect to receive the consultants' reports in the late summer. There will then be a period for public comment before we decide which, if any, of the consultants' ideas should be taken forward. We have said already that we shall not support schemes which do more harm than good.
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The assessment studies have the potential for making a major contribution to improving the quality of life in London. I should emphasise that they are not aimed at providing short cuts for motorists through London. Instead, their purpose is to relieve environmental problems and to reduce congestion and casualty rates. I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no unnecessary road building. Our aim is to ensure that motor vehicles serve the needs of London and do not rule its infrastructure. My right hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West was keen to try to rule out options which could not be carried forward as soon as possible, and I have every reason to believe that my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Parkinson), the new Secretary of State, will see things in much the same terms.
My hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham was also fulsome in his tributes to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley), who was for many years the Under-Secretary of State for Transport with responsibilities for roads, and I agree that he did tremendous work, especially on road safety.
My hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham was keen to hear that we were to bring forward legislation to implement the North report recommendations. He will understand the problems in committing myself on that. We welcomed the recommendations, and legislation will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time can be found.
My hon. Friend referred to the events of Wednesday evening, in which I was caught up. I do not know whether that statement provides limited consolation for my hon. Friend. It gives me the opportunity to say that the efforts made by the public to get to work in London during the recent difficulties have been magnificent and are to be applauded. I think that my hon. Friend was witnessing the symptoms of those great efforts. I do not think that there is any distance between the two of us in recognising that time wasted in traffic has a value and that time spent in that way reduces the quality of life for people in London. For both those reasons, we need to do what we can to improve traffic speeds through London.
The thrust of my hon. Friend's remarks was that we can look to build new roads and new railways, but that we must also make good use of what we have already. I could not agree with him more. Perhaps he will be patient with me for a few moments while I sketch the background in terms of some of the big projects that we have in mind. I shall put my remarks in the context of our general approach. My hon. Friend will know from the document on transport in London to which he referred that there are five main elements to our approach. These are, first, to provide through-road traffic with good alternative routes around London and, wherever possible, to avoid the central area. Secondly, we seek to make the best possible use of existing roads throughout London, especially those on the strategic London road network. Thirdly, we wish to ensure that London is linked properly to national and international transport networks. Fourthly, we wish to tackle the worst places and causes of congestion and improve conditions in areas where transport problems a re especially severe. That is where the London assessment studies come in. Fifthly, we wish to promote safe, efficient and effective public transport services, including those which will meet the demand for rail services to, from and within central London.

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We recognise that different transport modes are particularly suited to different purposes. We recognise, for example, that rail and underground transport are the main means of radial movement into central London, and that the underground system, buses, taxis and walking are the main means of travel in the inner and central areas. We are aware that cars dominate in the outer areas. Our approach is being implemented urgently and large sums are being invested. Our approach is further described in the document on strategic planning guidance for London, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environmemt will he publishing this afternoon.
My hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham knows that public transport is my particular concern. British Rail and the London Underground are undertaking major investment programmes to improve the quality of their services and to increase capacity. British Rail is planning to invest more than £1 billion on Network SouthEast in the next five years, the bulk of it on higher capacity and more comfortable and efficient rolling stock. I know that my hon. Friend has a constituency interest in that. London Regional Transport will be investing more than £400 million. Its investment programme includes a wide range of measures to ease congestion at stations and on trains. The Docklands light railway is being enormously upgraded in an attempt to keep pace with development and to provide higher capacity.
We are improving London's trunk roads to take traffic around central London. There are 38 major schemes planned or under construction, with works costing more than £1 billion. Priority is being given to improving orbital movement around the North Circular road and improved access to Docklands and east London. We are aiming also to realise the potential capacity of the present network by removing the worst pinch points and providing environmental relief in inner London and improved links to the M25, the Channel tunnel and Heathrow. My hon. Friend will know of the study on the M25 that was produced yesterday. We shall have to consider the consultants' recommendations extremely carefully.
Mr. Neil Thorne: In 1973, for good or ill, the Greater London council abandoned the South Circular road. By the time that it was taken on by the Government in 1974, no attempt had been made to provide for the additional traffic that would clearly need to use the M25. The M25 was originally designed to cater for the estimated amount of traffic on the assumption that a proper South Circular road had been constructed. In the absence of such a road, were not the then Labour Government extremely irresponsible in not providing a much better and larger M25 to take account of the fact that the South Circular road had not been provided?
Mr. Portillo: My hon. Friend has a much better understanding of these matters than I have. If he is suggesting that the Labour Government were irresponsible, I would find that easy to believe. I am happy to agree with my hon. Friend.
One of the problems with the M25 was convincing inspectors at public inquiries that a road of that capacity was needed. There were instances when inspectors were most reluctant to grant planning permission for a six-lane motorway. They thought that a four-lane motorway
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would do. I mention that because our perceptions have changed enormously. It is difficult to remember now that there was not then the expectation of continued economic growth of the kind that we have seen throughout the 1980s. There was no shortage of people assuring the Government that economic growth was impossible. Yet they now claim to be the people who saw so clearly that more roads were needed. However, my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Thorne) leads me to digress.
The majority of roads in London are borough roads, and we are supporting an increasing number of borough road schemes with transport supplementary grant from the Department of Transport. Schemes receiving our support include town centre improvement and bypass schemes which help the movement of traffic and create a safer, more pleasant environment for pedestrians, and schemes which provide better industrial access.
We believe that safer and smoother traffic flows will result from effective parking controls, the extension of advanced and responsive traffic light control systems and the development of in-car route guidance and driver information systems. All those are receiving high priority. My hon. Friend will know of the Road Traffic (Driver Licensing Information Systems) Act 1989, which makes it possible to introduce an Autoguide. That is an example of using the latest developments in technology to help ease traffic congestion. The United Kingdom Transport and Road Research Laboratory has estimated that in London, Autoguide could cut average journey times by about 10 per cent. and mileage by about 6 per cent. The Department is about to enter into negotiations with GEC on a licence for a large scale Autoguide pilot scheme in the London area. We expect the private sector to finance the development and operation of the system. The pilot scheme could be in operation by the early 1990s and the Department of Transport will monitor the results. If the pilot scheme is successful, a full commercial scheme could be available to the public by the early to mid-1990s. The development of the Radio data system by the BBC could also be important as it has the potential to relay specific traffic messages to people through their car radios, giving information on traffic conditions. The information will be fast, reliable and local rather than nationwide. That could be of considerable significance in combating unpredictable congestion caused by accidents or by burst water mains.
We are constantly looking for new ideas for practical and more radical solutions to London's traffic problems. In that context, I should like to thank my hon. Friends for their constructive proposals for improving the management of traffic in London by means of a "red routes" system for London roads. The proposals for a network of priority routes have received considerable support and certainly merit the most careful consideration. I confirm to my hon. Friend that we are giving them urgent and serious attention. I should perhaps explain that a network of priority routes already exists in London, although not in the form that my hon. Friend envisages. This is the strategic London road network, which consists of 550 miles of trunk and borough roads forming the most important routes in London. Although it comprises only 7 per cent. of London's roads, it carries 35 per cent. of London's traffic, including more than half its bus traffic and 45 per cent. of its freight traffic. Its importance is emphasised in the traffic management guidance that my right hon. Friend has issued to the London boroughs. This

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guidance seeks a coherent approach to the management of traffic on the network and encourages improved safety and smoother traffic flows through improved junction controls and strict control of waiting and parking.
It will not surprise my hon. Friend to hear that there are bound to be some potential difficulties with parts of what he and other hon. Friends have suggested. The idea of a London traffic management unit is interesting, but we would not wish to create more bureaucracy where that could be avoided. We believe that the concept of strategic priority routes is a good one, however, so we are giving careful thought to how to overcome the potential bureaucratic pitfalls.
I can give my hon. Friend more immediate encouragement on his call for the greater co-ordination of street works. This matter will be addressed in the legislative changes that we are proposing for the reform of the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950. Under our proposals, highway authorities will be given a power to designate as "traffic sensitive" streets where works are likely to cause severe disruption and to prescribe hours of working. In addition, the authorities will be under a duty to co-ordinate excavations with a view to minimising disruption and undesirable combinations of excavations. That duty will apply to utility services' excavations, the highway authorities' own works and works carried out under licence by others, such as builders. The proposed computerised street works register should also be a valuable aid to co-ordinating works. It is envisaged that all utilities and highway authorities will be linked to the register, which will provide a cheaper and faster system for notification of works than the present system of paper notices. I am sure that all that will be welcome.
I have acquired considerable experience in Docklands of seeking to co-ordinate the activities of all the various undertakings and public bodies which have the power to dig up our roads and the potential to cause disruption. I am mindful of the importance of co-ordination, because I understand that there is nothing more frustrating to the motorist than to be held up because of the poor co-ordination and management of these activities.
I hope that my hon. Friend will be reassured that the Government welcome his work on how to deal with traffic in London. The Government's mind is certainly not closed to considering constructive proposals such as those that my hon. Friend has put forward. We need to place substantial emphasis on the ways in which the existing road network can be fully utilised. To a large extent, that may be the product of new technology through radio data systems, better signing and better information, but the proposals that my hon. Friend has put forward deserve the fullest consideration.
My hon. Friend's proposals have broad implications for the respective roles of the Secretary of State, the London boroughs and the Metropolitan police. The proposals therefore need very careful study and I am in no position to announce any conclusions today. Nevertheless, my hon. Friends have given us much food for thought, and, typically, have shown their deep concern to improve the quality of life in London. I take this opportunity to thank my hon. Friend for raising the subject, to wish him a very happy summer break and safe motoring. May his way be ever free of jams throughout the summer period.

Rural Development (Borders)
11.37 am
Mr. Archy Kirkwood: Let me take the House away from the dusty highways and byways of the traffic problems in central London to a wonderland north of the border—to my constituency, where we nevertheless have problems of our own. I would not wish London's congestion problems on anywhere, but we have different problems, and I am grateful for the opportunity to raise them in the House. I hope that I have not detained the Minister too late and kept him from his holidays. In any case, if he were flying from Gatwick he would have transport problems, which I hope to avoid when I go on holiday later next week.
I seek to raise the matter of rural development in my constituency. I should like to make one or two general points, but the main thrust of my speech today is that there is a need to develop an overall coherent strategy for rural planning in south-east and south-west Scotland. Over the past 10 years, rural areas have been neglected. They have not been in the forefront of the minds of Government policymakers. The needs of rural areas are different, but they are nonetheless just as great and deserve just as much attention as the needs of places in inner London suffering from traffic congestion.
I accept that, in the past, the neglect of rural policy making has been defensible to some extent. In the past 20 years, a large amount of agricultural support was guaranteed from the Exchequer and, subsequently, from European Community funds. I know that the Minister has a deep interest in matters relating to the countryside and I pay credit to him for that. All of us with experience of rural areas recognise that agriculture has been an effective mechanism to allow resources devoted from the Exchequer or the EC to trickle down through the many support and ancillary industries. Although agriculture has never provided any local luxury as far as I have been able to discover, it has been the floor of local economies in rural areas.
In the past, therefore, the needs of those rural areas have not been as great. By and large, the Ministry of Agriculture, supported by the Scottish Development Agency and the local authorities, has managed to support a tolerable standard of living in our landward areas. I do not believe that that is necessarily so now, and it will not be the case automatically in the future. The Minister will appreciate that there have been substantial changes in the type of EC farm support and on the quantity of money that we can expect from support mechanisms aimed at maintaining agricultural life in the future. The Government must recognise that.
We know that, now, the Commission has plans that are much more concerned to support income via diversification and other schemes than to subsidise primary farm produce as in the past. That significant change will have a substantial impact on the countryside. The Minister will also appreciate that, increasingly, our countryside is being fought over by competing conservation and development interests. The casualties tend to be local people. Young local people, for example, trying to enter the local housing market for the first time are unable to compete with incoming commuters. The shift inwards to the towns from villages and peripheral valleys is accelerating at an alarming rate in my area. Such problems are not unique to

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the Borders, but there are special circumstances in south-east and south-west Scotland. In the Borders, in particular, we have a very narrow range of employment opportunities provided by the existing economic base. That narrow range, taken together with the changes to agricultural funding, means that the future could be bleak for the Borders.
A great deal of effort has gone into supporting and stimulating social and economic activity to provide jobs and housing for people in the inner cities. I do not criticise that, as it is necessary and such Government work as has been undertaken is welcome. A great deal of work has gone into stimulating economic and social activity to provide jobs and other facilities for those who live in the Highlands and Islands Development Board area. I do not want to criticise the excellent development work undertaken by that board, but nothing has been done in south-east or south-west Scotland and that situation cannot be allowed to continue any longer. Those areas, that are outside the remit of the HIDB and outside the central industrial belt, are areas whose time has come for some attention.
In the Borders, textiles, together with farming, forestry, fishing and tourism will continue to be the main elements in the local economic mix. If Lord Plumb's recent statements are to be believed—he should know, as a former President of the European Parliament—the EC expects to save some £2·8 billion on agriculture in the next four years. My constituents want to know how much of that saving will be devoted to other developments outside agriculture in the rural areas.
In the next two or three years, the multi-fibre arrangement will be renegotiated in Europe. That will largely determine the continued future viability of a large section of the local textile industry—45 per cent. of employment in Hawick in my constituency is directly or indirectly derived from that industry. Those workers believe that they are under a potential threat from a renegotiated or an abandoned multi-fibre arrangement.
My hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) is present. He would agree with me that the fishing industry provides a substantial proportion of jobs in our constituencies, in towns such as Eyemouth in Berwickshire. Quota restrictions, the lack of any sensible long-term policy for restructuring the fleet, and high interest rates are putting the catching sector under severe short-term and middle-term financial strain. Worse than that, the onshore processing industry in my area is suffering great financial difficulties and possible closure because of the lack of raw material being landed by the fleets as a result of restrictions on total allowable catches and the quotas.
Forestry is also passing through a troubled period. Of my constituency, 15 per cent. is already dedicated to afforestation and, increasingly, contractors are being used who do not follow the old-style practices of the Forestry Commission. That change is causing problems and distress, because such forests are replacing viable farming, particularly sheep units, in some of the remote valleys of my constituency.
Tourism is underdeveloped because of the lack of resources available to local authorities and to private contractors to renovate and to keep in good repair the
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buildings and environment of some of the local border towns. In the Borders, the inescapable signs of potential financial distress are there for all to see. The emergent feeling is that the economic base is extremely fragile, and that is a cause of concern. I have reached the inescapable conclusion that the Government must now develop a coherent policy to enable some of the deep-seated structural problems to be tackled. There is no shortage of ideas or methods for tackling them. The precondition of everything is for the Government to recognise the need for a coherent strategy to approach some of those problems.
I believe that the Borders should be designated a rural development area—I have put that argument at great length in the past. Since 1983, when I was elected, I have been arguing that case on the basis that the funding need not be enormous sums from the Exchequer. I believe that modest amounts of central Government finance could unlock and seed-fund development in the Borders. Such investment would repay handsome dividends at every level.
During the past few years, we in the Borders have been discriminated against by a series of Government decisions that have excluded the region from any access to external funding sources. That is now causing us increasing problems, and our region is at a consistent disadvantage in comparison with others, such as Tayside, west Scotland and the central industrial belt. This is also prejudicial to us compared with some rural areas south of the border, which have been earmarked for rural development assistance status.
The Government withdrew assisted area status from the region in August 1982, so that the Border area was no longer eligible for EEC regional development funds. That was a considerable blow, and we still feel its force. In April 1985, the Borders lost priority status for European social fund assistance, thereby limiting the finance available for, for example, vocational training. Recently, the Commission has reviewed the structural funds provided under the European regional development fund, the social fund and FEOGA—the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund—and brought them together under five objectives.
In May 1987, the Borders regional council made an urgent plea to the Scottish Office to set up a rural development fund in the region. The request was considered, but no action was taken, so we lost by default. The area gets no help through urban aid. Lynwood in Hawick has been designated for urban aid, which it certainly needs. However, I believe that the Government could make a case for urban aid to be a substantial contributor in more than just one street.
Our battle with the Scottish Office has recently focused on the question whether the Borders should be included in, or excluded from, the list of areas that are to receive help under the Commission's five new objectives. I am aware that there is an opportunity under objective 3 to get money for the region for vocational training for the long-term unemployed, although it is a restricted category. The potential exists also to help people between 18 and 25 under objective 4. The Government must understand that it is essential that we have access to objective 5b funds. I understand that the areas eligible for those funds are regularly reviewed and that the Government argued the case for the inclusion of the Borders. Although we were refused last time, I hope that the Government will give a

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fair wind to everything that the regional authority and others are doing in the Borders to sustain their case so that we are eligible next time for objective 5b funds.
There are a number of different ways in which a rural development agency or rural development fund could underpin the economy of the Borders. A number of obvious things could be done on the economic development front. On the rural housing front, there is a crying need for housing associations agencies and local authorities to stimulate much more activity. On the transport and community project fronts, there are many proposed methods of making progress that could be adopted if they were co-ordinated by a local planning authority that had access to rural development fund money. A rural development agency could select from a shopping list of issues that need attention.
I should like to consider some specific matters of urgent concern in the Borders. I hope that the Minister will comment on the status of the Borders in terms of the crucial matter of objective 5b eligibility. I hope also that he will say something about the progress made on the application by the Eyemouth harbour trustees for the expansion of Eyemouth harbour. The fishing industry is in a state of flux. I have referred to the short-term difficulties which are causing some distress in the area. Unemployment in the Eyemouth area is marginally higher than the Scottish national average. The fishing industry is important in providing jobs. If the industry is not underpinned in the long-term, the employment prospects will be bleak.
Much work has gone into putting together the expansion plan for Eyemouth harbour. This work has brought together, uniquely, the regional authority, the Scottish Development Agency and the trustees, and the proposal has the support of everyone with any part to play in the economic life of the Borders. We are 100 per cent. behind it. A substantial sum is involved, but the trustees will make a major contribution. However, the local feeling is that the Government are going slightly cold on the application. What is the Government's view on the proposed expansion of Eyemouth harbour?
Although this matter does not come within the departmental responsibilities of the Minister, I hope that Scottish Office Ministers will take a keen and continuing interest in the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations, because the textile industry is important to the employment base in Roxburghshire. I understand that, in the current Uruguay round of talks on the general agreement on tariffs and trade, the Government are prepared to accept some linkage between expanded access by developing countries to our markets if we can get liberalisation of our export trade in some other parts of the world.
My local textile industry is prepared to contemplate that kind of protection, as opposed to continuation of the MFA, only if it gets cast-iron guarantees that, if it yields its markets to the textile industries in developing countries, in return other countries must yield when we try to sell our goods in the developing markets of the middle east and far east. The Scottish Office must play a role in the negotiations.
I am worried about the stance taken by the European Commission in terms of its mandate for Ministers in the GATT talks. This gives away too much too soon. The guarantees in the recently published document on this matter are not sufficient to satisfy my local textile industry
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that its interests will be protected. It is important to the textile industry and to my constituency that the Government should put up a strenuous fight to get either cast-iron guarantees under GATT or a renegotiated MFA that protects the local industry. It is not that I favour protectionism, but we want to establish a system of fair trade whereby we have the same opportunities to make inroads into export markets in developing countries as they have into ours.
Another major anxiety facing the Borders is the maintenance of our road network. I know that the Minister is about to give birth to a policy review of trunk roads south of Edinburgh; it is expected at the end of this month or early next. He will recognise the importance of that study to the Borders region. I should like an assurance from him that the regional authority will be fully consulted and be given every opportunity to make its views known before administrative or ministerial decisions are taken.
As for subsidiary and minor roads, the Minister will know that, in the process of extracting timber from the forests, an inordinate amount of damage can be done to rural side roads. Formerly, the local authority had access to European assistance to make good the damage, but that is no longer so, and the result is a high cost. I know that the Department has made some concessions in terms of environmental improvement schemes and has managed to channel extra capital allocations in the direction of the regional council. Will that level of funding continue and increase?
We in the Borders are prepared to give the new Government initiative on Scottish Enterprise a fair wind—I understand that an agency is due to be set up in the Borders. Local people are prepared to give it their best shot and try to make it a vehicle of development, both under the amalgamated SDA and under the new powers that Scottish Homes has. It presents an opportunity to use the new framework of Scottish Enterprise to help to develop the Borders in future.
I hope that the Government will look carefully at the DRAW initiative which ended in 1987—a system which developed rural area workshops. The initiative was a great success, but unfortunately funding was withdrawn in 1987, so it produced no continuing benefits. The PRIDE scheme unfortunately had a poor response, but both short-lived projects contained the germ of an idea which could in future provide great benefits for the region—if it is given a little finance to speed it on its way.
I know that the local authority is worried about the provision of green field industrial sites on which to put up factories for incoming industry. Much puzzlement followed the Secretary of State's recent decision on the planning application for the Appletree Hall site in Hawilck. Against the background of the problems that I have explained—the narrow base of manufacturing industry in the Borders—the local authority thought that it had identified a place that was ripe for development as a major green field site for incoming industry.
After a local inquiry, the Secretary of State saw fit to refuse a compulsory purchase provision for the local authority, which left it with an area earmarked for development under its local plan but with no major greenfield site within the precincts of Hawick or other major Borders towns. That has stymied many of the authority's best efforts to provide locations for incoming industry and, on the face of it, it looks like the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. I hope that if the

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local authority identifies sites which it perceives as right for development in future, the Government will look more sympathetically on its applications.
There is also scope for town centre regeneration. Many outstanding buildings in the Border towns—in Kelso, Jedburgh, Chirnside and Hawick—are not being used to the full. Redevelopment is expensive and difficult and it is hard for the local authority to persuade private owners of these buildings to undertake large-scale redevelopment when it has no inducements or incentives to offer them. A small amount of money through a rural development fund or agency could give the local authority something with which to go to private owners or commercial businesses in key areas such as Kelso square and Jedburgh market square so that some of these buildings can be tastefully redeveloped. The local authority would like to do that, but the planning authority is restrained by the financial limits placed on it by central Government.
A rural development fund or agency could also co-ordinate trade and industrial promotions. The Minister knows that "Fashion 88", a project mounted in conjunction with the local authority and the chamber of commerce in the Borders last year, was a considerable success. It had a triumphant impact, and many internationally known designers attended. Its consequences are only now beginning to flow through the system, and many valuable economic and commercial contacts were made during the time that it lasted. I congratulate everyone involved in it and I hope that it will be repeated in the future. With good will and the right people doing the right things at the right time, local authorities have a great deal of scope to engage in industrial and trade promotions such as "Fashion 88".
Environmental improvements organised by the SDA in the recent past have been a conspicuous success in many Borders towns and have brought in their train economic development which would not have taken place under other circumstances. There is much scope for rural development agencies in the hands of local authorities or similar bodies to make considerable improvements to the Borders. The list of possibilities is inexhaustible, and the potential is great.
A quarter of the population of the borders live outwith settlements of more than 500 people. Even since I was elected in 1983, and certainly in the past last few decades, I have noticed a difference as I travel up the Craik and the Borthwick valleys, or up to Westruther or Longformacus. Rural areas have been suffering from the fragmentation of Government policy and from the competing interests of pressure groups. The local authority has a role to play in this too. I congratulate Borders regional council, which is a progressive and forward-looking body, doing the best it can subject to central Government restraints.
Other areas, such as the Highlands and Islands, which has its development board, and England and Wales, which have a rural development commission, are in a better position than we are to look after their interests. I know that COSLA is working through the rural affairs committee, and I know that a rural development programme is in place in Berwickshire, and that the local rural area development opportunities study will provide valuable ideas. But we have been here before: we have done pilot projects and examined ideas, and we know what
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needs to be done, but we enjoy no coherent assistance from central Government. In the past we have been able to live with that, relying on the continued prosperity of agriculture to support our rural area. I do not believe that we can do that with any confidence indefinitely into the future. I warn the Government that, if they do not take steps in that direction, I shall return year after year to the House to argue the case until Ministers see some sense and develop a rational, coherent and over-arching strategy for rural development, not just in the Borders, but throughout the United Kingdom.
12.9 pm
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton): I congratulate the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on his comprehensive and good speech. I will provide a slightly more optimistic note than he revealed in his speech. I have good news for the hon. Member, and for the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace). The House of Commons Library has revealed that the unemployment rates in their constituencies are among the lowest in Scotland. Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale has the lowest level of unemployment, followed by Orkney and Shetland, which is followed by Roxburgh and Berwickshire. The two Borders constituencies are in the top three and that is a very encouraging sign for the future.
I want to elaborate on the point made by the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire about the comprehensive strategy. I am very sympathetic to his theme of revitalising the villages. I should stress that building on local government initiatives is something which the Scottish Office will be pursuing in consultation with the development agencies and other interested bodies in the months to come. The hon. Member is aware that there is evidence of activity on that front within his constituency.
The Scottish Development Agency is working with local authorities and the local communities in the villages of Creetown and Newcastleton to implement projects to improve the environment and regenerate the local economies. In Newcastleton, the agency has undertaken a scheme in partnership with a local traders' group to renovate the frontages of retail premises and to improve external display signs. The agency has also supported the promotional activities of the traders' group and similar initiatives are progressing in Creetown. The agency is also currently involved in a study of the Berwickshire area which aims to identify ways of stimulating the development of the rural economy.
I visited Roxburgh and Berwickshire district council last year and last Friday I visited Tweeddale and Ettrick and Lauderdale with the right hon. Member who represents that constituency. I should stress that Scottish Homes will complete a rural housing strategy by mid-1990 and it has special teams set up to look specifically at the needs of housing in rural areas. After visiting Ettrick and Lauderdale, representations were passed to Scottish Homes that there should be more Housing Association activity there. I take the point raised by the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire about town centre regeneration, and improvement grants have an important part to play in that.
I congratulate the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire on covering this subject, which he pursues

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with commendable vigour on behalf of his constituents. In a period when there are many changes under way and in prospect for Scotland as a whole, it is entirely appropriate that we should take this opportunity of considering how these affect developments in the Borders.
The hon. Gentleman was right to call attention to some of the problems of rural communities. I do not wish to underestimate those for a moment, but I would suggest that they should be kept in proper perspective. Rural areas of Scotland, including the Borders, have performed relatively better in terms of population growth and employment than other parts of Scotland in recent years. Over the period 1971 to 1987, when the overall population of Scotland fell by 2·4 per cent., the population of the Borders rose by 4·3 per cent. I know that the increase in the Borders reflects in part a rise in the numbers in the retirement age groups, but that in itself is surely a tribute to the fact that many people find the Borders an attractive place to live and are no doubt making their own contribution to the life of the local communities in which they have settled.
The Borders, too, have been relatively insulated from the radical changes which have affected the rest of the Scottish economy in recent years. This is largely due to the fact that the region's manufacturing base is founded on distinctive local industries—particularly wool, textiles and knitwear—rather than on the traditional heavy manufacturing industries which are now in decline. That is not, of course, to say that the local manufacturing sector has not had to work equally hard to keep up with the process of change. Indeed, it is a tribute to the effort and initiative of the local industrial community that these industries on which the Borders have depended for generations are still continuing to show their strength and resilience in an increasingly competitive world. This is, of course, largely due to the readiness with which Borders industries have adapted to technological change, and have sought to harness the new technologies to the task of remaining competitive. In that respect they have set an example which Scottish industry as a whole would do well to follow.
The strength of the Borders economy is well reflected in the latest economic indicators. Next to Grampian, unemployment in the Borders is the lowest in mainland Scotland. Since January 1987, the numbers unemployed have fallen by almost 2,000—or 46 per cent.—and the current regional rate of unemployment is 3·6 per cent. below the Scottish average, which itself is at its lowest for over eight years. Clearly, therefore, the region's economic base is sound, despite the problems which may persist in particular communities. At the same time, it is very much in the region's interest to broaden its industrial base so far as possible, and I welcome the efforts which are being made to diversify into new industries such as electronics. Important as the traditional industries continue to be, I believe it is through such diversification that the region's economy—like that of Scotland as a whole—can look forward to an increasingly assured future.
Any debate on rural development must take into account the impact of agriculture. It underpins the economic and social well-being of all our rural areas, not only through direct employment but in related industries. In Scottish terms, agriculture contributes around £1·3 billion a year to Scotland's national output.
At a general level, agriculture, which is of the considerable importance to the Borders, is having to face
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up to change as we continue to reform the common agricultural policy. Change is never easy, but farmers themselves recognise that the process must continue if the long-term future of our agriculture is to be secured. The days are gone when commodities could be produced without regard to what the markets could absorb or the cost of production. Such inefficiencies did not benefit the farmer, the consumer, or the taxpayer. We have paid a high price for over-production encouraged by the common agricultural policy—£11·5 billion is spent every year on storage and disposal. Action was, and continues to be, necessary to tackle these problems.
In this context, we welcome the recent agreement on the reform of the sheepmeat regime because it removes uncertainty and will create, by 1993, a level playing field for our producers so that they can compete in Europe on equal terms. I am confident that the sheep industry in the Borders, with its natural advantages and long tradition of experience and efficiency, will be able to capitalise on the emerging opportunities in these European markets and that it can prosper under the new sheepmeat regime of the 1990s.
In recognition of the need to seek out opportunities beyond traditional agriculture, the Government have pursued a number of measures designed to pro vide farmers with the opportunity to develop alternative sources of income. The range of possibility for diversification is wide indeed—for example, adding value to conventional farm produce, developing leisure, craft or tourism-related initiatives. It has to be recognised that diversification will not suit everyone, and each farmer has to consider carefully his own circumstances and make his commercial judgments accordingly.
There are other possibilities. The set-aside scheme, which provides for payments to farmers who take land out of production, will help to curb surplus production, reduce dependence on cereal and oilseed production, and provide land for alternative uses such as farm woodland or non-farming enterprise.
We also have the environmentally sensitive areas scheme, which encourages environment-friendly farming. Farmers who enter this scheme in the Whitlaw and Eildon ESA can receive payments based on the amount and type of land on the farm. The scheme thus provides an additional source of income for farmers and also has the potential to generate demand for traditional skills such as dyking or hedge work.
Those changes will not undermine the continuing importance of traditional agricultural production in the Borders. The mixed nature of agriculture in the Borders means that there is no particular reliance on any one crop or agricultural sector, and this year promises to be a better one for Borders' farmers. The mild open winter, excellent lambing conditions and buoyant sheep and cattle prices have all contributed to a promising outlook. The good early summer weather resulted in good quality cuts and yields of hay and silage and although the lack of rain has affected summer grazing, crops are standing well and harvesting conditions look good. With the dairy sector also benefiting, the position of farmers in the Borders this year looks sound. However, the extent to which farmers can bolster their income and security through alternative forms of self-financing activities has to be encouraged. The Government continue to make available significant support to agriculture in itself, but are also providing additional opportunities to promote new developments.

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I should answer a few of the hon. Gentleman's questions. I share his disappointment that the European Commission has not included the Borders region in its initial list of rural areas eligible for objective 5b of the structural funds. The Government felt that the Borders had a good case in terms of the criteria for objective 5b, and put the case to the Commission as forcefully as it could. But funds for objective 5b are at present limited, and in Scotland only the Highlands and Islands and Western Dumfries and Galloway were selected at this stage. We shall continue to press for the inclusion of the Borders region in any subsequent list, although it is not possible at present to predict when the Commission will consider further areas. I should, however, like to make it clear to the hon. Gentleman that the case remains on the table in Brussels.
The hon. Gentleman has referred to Eyemouth harbour. I am well aware of the importance of Eyemouth harbour not only to the local fishing industry but to the wider community which suffers from higher than average unemployment. The scale and cost of the proposed development has, however, acted as a deterrent and the proposals have had to be examined carefully. We are certainly not cold on the application.
It has been suggested to the Eyemouth harbour trust and to Borders regional council that they should consider whether a less ambitious scheme would be possible and then discuss any proposals they may have with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.
No formal approach has been made to the Scottish Development Agency for assistance towards the costs of any redevelopment of Eyemouth harbour. The agency will, of course, give all due consideration to any proposal which may be forthcoming.
The hon. Gentleman mentioned trunk roads. As he recognised, an additional allocation was given to the Borders and Dumfries regions. In regard to routes south of Edinburgh, a consultation paper will be published on the study report's findings fairly soon, and we will be particularly interested to hear the views of the hon. Gentleman and the Borders regional council on the best way forward in the light of the representations that he made today.
We also recognise the importance of tourism in the Borders. Tourists obviously purchase a wide range of goods and services from the local community, and, in doing so, help to support the rural community in the broadest sense possible. This year we gave the Scottish tourist board £1 million extra. That should be of considerable benefit in helping to expand tourism. I realise that the Scottish tourist board does an excellent job for tourism in the area and recognises that there remains considerable potential for improving the area as a visitor destination, and development activity in the area has been at a fairly low level recently.
There are undoubtedly gaps in what is on offer. I understand that several exciting proposals are emerging, including major golf complexes, and that is encouraging news. Government agencies exist to help local authorities and the private sector, and the STB is well aware of the area's needs. The board's current development strategy is to assist the creation and improvement of visitor attractions. Accommodation projects are of considerably
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less importance, but the STB will consider applications where there are local shortages, and that strategy fits in well with the particular requirements of the Borders.
The hon. Gentleman has argued in the past for a range of powers for the Borders comparable to those available to the HIDB. I appreciate his wish to see the maximum stimulus being available to Borders development, but we must bear in mind the fact that the HIDB was created by a set of unique circumstances in the United Kingdom. The HIDB's area presents problems of remoteness and economic difficulty which call for very special solutions. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman would argue that the economic problems of the Borders match those of the Highlands and Islands, or that they justify the same distinctive approach. As I have said, the SDA has an extremely wide range of powers which it is already using to good effect, and its economic development projects bring benefits across the whole range of community life. On the social development side, there is much that can be done both by local authorities, central Government and the voluntary organisations.
Mr. Kirkwood: I understand what the Minister says—I have been at pains to endorse and recognise what work has been done—but the burden of my remarks is that there is no overall coherence to the plans. There is no overall strategy. If there were a rural development agency that could work with the local authority it would be much easier to co-ordinate all the various approaches, but they could be much more effective if there were some coherence and an overall strategy.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: It is important that that should take place in the housing sector. That is why the rural housing strategy of Scottish Homes will be important. Scottish Homes will work closely with the SDA, but I stress that the entire range of the agency's services is available in rural areas. The agency can provide factory buildings for sale or let; it can offer a range of advice on such matters as marketing and finance; and it can provide finance in the form of loans or equity to help new businesses and to enable existing companies to develop and expand.
I note what the hon. Gentleman said about the programme for rural initiatives and developments. It is designed to stimulate private sector involvement in projects suited to the rural economy. PRIDE has already proved its worth in stimulating a range of developments in rural areas, and last year alone an agency commitment of just over £150,000 succeeded in attracting private sector investment of over £1 million.
The Government remain firmly committed to the work of the agency. The advent of Scottish Enterprise will enhance the value of that work and give it a whole new dimension. I believe that the agency's work in the Borders and other rural areas will provide Scottish Enterprise and its local enterprise companies with a firm base on which to build for the future.
The hon. Gentleman wanted me to say a word about the textile industry. The Borders textile industry continues to play an important role in the economy of the region and provides an important source of quality employment. Certain sections of the industry are experiencing difficulties because of factors such as external economic conditions and changing fashion trends. The industry as a

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whole is in a healthy state. I have every confidence in those in the industry to react positively to the market changes that lie ahead.
The multi-fibre arrangement is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Government are committed in the current round of the GATT multilateral trade negotiations to look for a way of reintegrating the textile industry into GATT, but the Government are equally clear that that needs to be done on the basis of strengthened GATT rules to ensure that there is fairer international trade, and are pressing developing countries, particularly the more advanced, to open their markets to United Kingdom exports. That would create new opportunities for the textile industry in Scotland. I do not underestimate the employment provided by the textile industry.
We have taken two steps on the natural environment that will interest the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire. First, Lord Sanderson has assumed a special responsibility for co-ordinating Scottish Office rural policies. I attribute much significance to his new responsibility, and I have no doubt that he will carry out his duties extremely successfully.
The second initiative is the Government's announcement of proposals for reorganising the agencies responsible for nature conservation and countryside matters in Great Britain. That will provide an opportunity to achieve the right organisational structure for conservation and the countryside in Scotland.
I assure the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire that the Government are firmly committed to the welfare of rural communities. We have already given firm proof of our commitment to the various measures of assistance that I have outlined. The aim of all the measures must he to stimulate rural communities to work out their future for themselves. The spirit of enterprise is no less active in rural communities than throughout the rest of society. Given the necessary encouragement, those communities will rise to the challenge and seize the opportunities that are available.
Many of our rural communities in the Borders and throughout Scotland are as vigorous as they have been for many years. It will be the Government's aim to promote the welfare of those communities, so that rural Scotland can continue to play its part in a strong and vibrant Scottish economy.
I thank the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire for giving us an opportunity to discuss these matters today.

Lebanon
12.30 pm
Mr. Julian Brazier: I am grateful for the opportunity to have this Adjournment debate on Lebanon. The public view is of a country filled with warring factions all as bad as one another, but I believe that that is not so and that, although no one faction or side is wholly blameless, we can make some sense of Lebanon, and it is in the West's interest, as well as being its duty, to do so.
I applaud the comments made by the then Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) in the last Adjournment debate on 16 May, when he said:
"In the last analysis, it must be our aim to enable the Lebanese people themselves to find ways of restoring peace to their country without foreign interference."—[Official Report, 16 May 1989; Vol. 153, c. 297.]
I understand that that view was endorsed by the EEC Twelve in their last statement on the subject.
One of the wisest foreign policy decisions taken by the Government since they took office was to sever diplomatic relations with Syria. Terrorism was the main reason, especially the Syrian attempt to blow up an El Al airliner from Heathrow airport. Few regimes in the world are so obnoxious that we are unable to have diplomatic relations with them. Syria is one of them and it is Syria which now occupies three quarters of Lebanon. Against that bald fact, we must evaluate the options facing, and the decisions taken by, General Aoun.
In the 1960s and early 1970s, Lebanon was peaceful. prosperous and, above all, tolerant—conditions which, sadly, are rather rare in the middle east. Its constitution was based on conventional groups—a system despised in the West with its ordinary democratic system. One must ask, however, how many other Arab countries have an independent judiciary, the rule of law and the protection of minority groups. Until the early 1970s, all these things prevailed in Lebanon. Indeed, it was a haven for persecuted groups. It is my thesis that Lebanon has been the victim of multiple external aggression.
When the Jordanians expelled the Palestinians to Syria, the Syrians rapidly sent them on to Lebanon, having given them some extra weapons. The Lebanese generously, but I am afraid unwisely, took them in. They were given land for their camps, much of it from Lebanese religious orders. The camps became centres for lawlessness, and armed bands roamed the countryside causing trouble, murdering, raping and looting. Inevitably, there was retribution by the local population against those lawless groups, and a number of unpleasant attacks were made on the Palestinian camps. Those attacks were far more widely publicised in the western press, however, than the horrific incidents that provoked them.
A further factor was internal, but it was generated from the outside. The Shi'ites, who had always been a minority among the Moslems in Lebanon, and who are among the poorest people in the country, tended to live around those camps. They bore the brunt of the Palestinian onslaught. Expelled from their villages and greatly impoverished they fell prey to the agents of the Ayatollah. Out of the increasingly unhappy morass the feared Hezbollah—the so-called party of God—emerged. That turned on the local Christian community and, to a lesser extent, on the Sunnis,

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driving many of them from their villages. Eye witness reports, mainly from the French and British visitors, talk of murder, torture, public executions carried out by chainsaw and other methods, and desecration of churches, not least by sacrificing animals on the altar.
Inevitably, the villagers fled to the cities, principally the Christian end of Beirut, where they armed themselves and have since been identified by much of the western media as Christian Fascist militia. I have no doubt that they, too, have committed atrocities.
Another aggressor is Israel. Its counter attacks against the Palestinian camps were, like every other outside interference in Lebanon, unhelpful to the Lebanese people, many of whom were killed in crossfire. Israel has now withdrawn to a small strip at the bottom of the country. In fairness to Israel, it must be said that conditions in that southern strip are much better than in the three quarters of the country controlled by Syria.
The final outside factor, and by far the most important, has been Syria. That country is so obnoxious that we cannot have diplomatic relations with it. It controls three quarters of the unhappy state of Lebanon. The Syrians were invited in in 1976 by the disgraced Christian president, Sulaiman Franjiya, and elements of his Government. They were sponsored by the Arab League, I believe in good faith. However, the units—that is almost too grand a word because they were little more than military delegations—from other Arab League countries rapidly came under attack from guerilla groups, some of which even at that stage were sponsored by Syria, and withdrew leaving the Syrians in sole charge.
Since then, Syria has carried out a reign of terror in the three quarters of Lebanon that it controls. Its artillery bombards the country, not just the remaining so-called Christian enclave where the city of Dorä, its commercial centre, was flattened earlier this year, but, reports say, areas within the Syrian-controlled territory where artillery provides a useful adjunct to the secret police in imposing Syrian rule.
I do not intend to adopt a position on Yasser Arafat or the Palestine Liberation Organisation. However, he was independent of Syria. Since the Syrians expelled him by armed force, all the Palestinian groups, to a greater or lesser extent, are under Syrian control and rely upon the Syrians for the safety of their leaders and for their supply of weapons. Equally, the Hezbollah, originally set up by the Ayatollah, enjoys its supply of weapons principally from the Syrians. The same applies to the Druze and to the two major renegade Christian groupings which operate in the Syrian area.
It is worth observing that in the unhappy Syrian-controlled zone, the drugs trade, which was always an important part of Assad's foreign policy and his principal supplier of foreign exchange, is flourishing based in the Beka'a valley.
North of Beirut is the so-called Christian enclave—25 per cent. of the country controlled by General Aoun. I say "so-called"—I have said it several times—because General Aoun was appointed by the outgoing president. The constitution says that if the deputies cannot meet and agree on a president, the outgoing president should appoint a Christian figure—all the offices are allocated to different conventional groups—who should act as leader.
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At that point the Christian and Sunni deputies had said that they were unwilling to meet in the puppet process set up by the Syrians under their armed control. Therefore, the outgoing president rightfully appointed General Aoun as an interim successor.
General Aoun has found increasing numbers of people from other faiths in his enclave, in particular many Sunnis and a significant proportion of Druze who do not accept the leadership of Walid Jumblatt and are sheltering from the Syrian rule of terror. The West is reproaching General Aoun because he believes that the only way in which to prevent the Syrians from taking the last remaining part of his country is by meeting their force with force. The West has counselled him several times that that will lead to the extinction by armed force of the remainder of his enclave. The West may well be right, but it is difficult to see any alternative for Aoun—there is no evidence from any analysis of Syrian foreign policy that I have seen to suggest that the Syrians will negotiate with anyone except at the end of a gun.
I want to ask my hon. Friend the Minister a number of questions. As I gave him very short notice, I shall understand if he wishes to reply to some of them in writing. Can he confirm that we severed diplomatic relations with Syria because of its active involvement in worldwide terrorism, not merely as a result of one terrorist incident? Are the Syrians continuing to sponsor international terrorism and to neglect even the most basic niceties of international law? In particular, is it true, as has been widely claimed, that the Syrians are believed to have been behind the Lockerbie bombing?
Is it true that the Syrian move into Lebanon was sponsored—in good faith—by the Arab League, but that the Arab League proved unable to retain its grip on the Syrians and had to pull out the non-Syrian troops in the face of aggression from various groups? Is it true that the various terrorist groups and militias outside the so-called Christian enclave and the Israeli-dominated southern strip all now depend to a greater or lesser extent on the Syrians for their weapon supplies—including the group who seized Terry Waite, wherever that unfortunate man may be now?
Is it true that those who have spoken out against Syria have been executed or assassinated? Is it true that the recent tragic death of the Sunnite Mufti Sheikh Hassan Khalid—to whom my hon. Friend referred in a speech in May—had commented through a spokesman only days before that the recent shelling of Moslem west Beirut had been carried out by Syrian regular forces and not by guerrillas? Furthermore, is it true that that murder took place only hours after Sheikh Khalid had refused an invitation to Damascus to explain his spokesman's comments? Is it true that 247 mm mortar shells were fired in that incident in west Beirut? Those are enormous shells, and there is no conceivable chance that any group other than the Syrian regular army could have fired weaponry of that kind.
Is it true that the reign of terror has extended to foreigners—for example, French journalist and academic Michael Seurat, tortured to death by the Syrians for putting out an anti-Syrian line? Is it true that in Syrian-occupied territory people are held for years without trial, torture is rife and the drug trade continues from the Beka'a valley, and has been steadily expanded? Is it true that 100,000 Moslems have fled into the so-called Christian enclave and recognise General Aoun as it leader, and that 30 per cent. of his troops are now Sunmis? In

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particular, is it true that two Moslem brigades of the Lebanese army have moved over into his area in the past few weeks and are now fighting on his side, despite the terrible threat that that poses to their families, many of whom are still in the Syrian area? Is it true that the Syrian navy is illegally blockading the two Christian ports of Beirut and Byblos, and that people are starving as a result?
Finally, is it true that it is believed to have been the Syrian regular army that reduced Döra to rubble earlier in the year, and that last night 5,000 shells were fired at the Christian stretch of the coastline, with casualties still being assessed?
That is a lot of questions. Let me end by making four quick points. First, I firmly believe that the Government are right not to recognise Syria—it cannot be trusted and negotiations are possible only from a position of strength.
Secondly, the key to Lebanon's problems lies in the withdrawal of external forces, both Syrian and Israeli. I understand that there was another Israeli incursion last night in which a Hezbollah leader was seized. Thirdly, the Arab League means well, but there is not the slightest evidence from anything that one can look at in the past in Lebanon to show that the league could deliver anything that it tried to set up. It has acted in good faith in the past and that is how it is acting now, but it cannot bring pressure to bear on Syria because Syria does not recognise diplomatic pressure. Fourthly, the West must ensure that the remaining free enclave in Lebanon is not snuffed out.
Mr. John Bowis: I support my hon. Friend and echo his questions to the Minister. He has rightly said that we are talking about a country which in the past was a noble example of how communities could live together in a significant form of democracy. Perhaps when the Minister is responding to the debate and outlining British policy on this part of the world he will bear in mind that although we would like to see Britain act even handedly towards the Lebanon and its communities, that even-handedness cannot override the need for humanitarian aid. As my hon. Friend has said, even-handedness cannot apply to Syria. We must not fail to take into account General Aoun's attempts to stop the drug trade which is so polluting the international scene and, not least, affecting people in Britain. We should not discourage France from taking the lead in an area where, traditionally, it had a role and influence.
Mr. Brazier: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that intervention.
My fourth conclusion was that we must not allow Lebanon's remaining free enclave to be snuffed out. I agree with my hon. Friend that the French are the appropriate people to take the lead in this matter. The Lebanon is a Francophone country. I am no great sycophant towards France and I share the Prime Minister's views on the French revolution, but France has great ties of blood and culture with Lebanon and understands it much better than we do. We should support France in any initiative, which should include lifting the illegal Syrian blockade of the Christian ports and ensuring that General Aoun has the weapons that he needs. Those are the only ways in which the Syrians will be brought to meaningful negotiations.
12.47 pm
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. William Waldegrave): I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) for once again giving the House an opportunity to consider the tragic situation in Lebanon. He made certain underlying assumptions with which we can all associate ourselves. In the old days, which now seem far off although they ocurred not many years ago, Lebanon was one of the most attractive countries in the middle east and its different communities had a unique system of mutual toleration. My officials do not need to be reminded of that because the majority of them learned their Arabic in the now sadly defunct Middle East College for Arabic Studies. Because of that many of them know the old Lebanon extremely well and remember what it was like. Since that time the country has descended steadily into anarchy and horror. I suppose that, apart from the huge scale of events in Cambodia, some of the most frightful atrocites since the second world war have taken place in the territory of the Lebanon.
The situation is bleak. I am happy to have been given this opportunity by my hon. Friend to try to answer some of his questions and to place on record the Government's position. We do not think that the situation can now be easily resolved because of what I might call the polarisation between the West and the East on one side or the other. My hon. Friend showed that he is well acquainted with Lebanon's complex history and he will understand that we must reserve our position about who among the many players have contributed to the disaster. As a Government in western Europe and as a permanent member of the Security Council, we must try to take such steps as we can to return events to a process that might lead to peace and a practical solution.
Although I know very well from those to whom I have talked about these matters, both inside and outside Government, that it is almost impossible to speak about the Lebanon, if one knows it well, without passion and a passionate partianship, it is the Government's duty to try to put that aside and to take such steps as we can that we objectively believe will lead to progress. To take two names at random, if one put into the same room Patrick Seale and my good friend Professor Roger Scruton, one would find on each side a passionate partisanship and a great deal of knowledge, but a passing of ships in the night in their analysis of who should be blamed for what.
My less emotional task—although it is still emotional to have to stand back—is to analyse and advise on what we should now be doing to ensure progress. It is clear that in the Christian enclave some of the traditions of the old Lebanon are still alive. It is clear that all Lebanese, except those who directly profit from the anarchy, want peace. My hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury spoke of drug dealers, and others who thrive on the anarchy that has been created. Those who are involved in terrorism sometimes dress up as a political cause things that are closely related to the making of money. Some have profited by attachment, one way or another, to one or other of the external forces which have arrived in Lebanon—the Syrians, the Israelis and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Therefore, there are those who, sadly, have a vested interest in the maintenance of the horror. Apart

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from those, I agree with my hon. Friend that ordinary Lebanese from any community—Shi'ites, Sunnis, Christians—long for the departure of the external forces.
My hon. Friend is right to speak as he did about General Aoun, for his most bitter opponent would not doubt his patriotism or his honesty of purpose, and he is supported in his enclave by both Moslems and Christians. We have to weigh our words when we talk because they have some reverberation. My hon. Friend said that the words of a French minister might have more reverberation than ours, but we are permament members of the Security Council and we have long experience of, and influence in, the area. Therefore, when we are speaking as Ministers, it behoves us to judge what we say. I make no criticism of my hon. Friend because it is legitimate for him to see what he has seen and say what he has said on the basis of his own experience and research.
I have a slightly different responsibility. My anxiety is this. If the British Government were to commit themselves to a line of policy that made it look as though we were ready to intervene, whether militarily or in any other way, which we are not and cannot be, to rescue a Christian enclave under invasion, we might ourselves have caused those in the Christian enclave, and General Aoun, to misjudge the extent to which the conflict would be internationalised, and the interventions that would result. Above all, we must recognise the history of external interventions in the Lebanon recently. It is not now 1958, when American marines landed. In that near post-colonial time, order could be re-established relatively easily. That world has passed. No American aircraft carrier or battleship can restore order in the Lebanon. No arriving French or British soldiers with bases in the region and with friends and Governments willing to act with them throughout the middle east, as was still the case in 1958, could impose a solution from outside.
Mr. Brazier: I suggested that we should restore the rule of international law in international waters by clearing the blockade. That is something that we have done recently. The West has done it collectively in part of the Gulf where a much larger scale conflict was taking place until last year.
Mr. Waldegrave: It is true that our own ships and those which carried our flag, along with American ships and those which sought the protection of the American flag, did enable the complement of British and, ultimately more important in the scale of events, American naval forces to continue their passage to and fro in the Gulf. There is a long history of blockades in the Levant. In recent years, too, the Israelis have intervened on many occasions to stop ships. They have searched ships widely if they believed that that was necessary for their security. We deplore blockades, and my hon. Friend is right to say that on many occasions international law is being flouted. I must not give any signal to those who might then take action which
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might end in even worse tragedy that there is any immediate prospect of the Royal Navy or, as far as I know, the American navy, coming to the aid of those who are seeking to bring supplies or weapons into the Lebanon. I must make it clear that we do not think that it is possible for sheer straightforward military action to drive the Syrians out. We want the Syrians to go. We believe that the Lebanese should be allowed—they have the right—to seek their own future without intervention. We want the Israelis to go. We deeply regret the intervention of Iranian proxies, which only complicates the situation further. We do not think that anything will be gained by Iraqi intervention, which often follows the mirror image of Syrian intervention. If the Lebanon becomes the playground or the battleground, by proxy, of all these external forces, there is no hope.
We must analyse what is the best way forward. We believe that those Arab countries which have great power, both financial and otherwise, over many of the key players, must take the responsibility in this new world in which we can no longer look to the disposition of events by external super-power agreement or ex-colonial power agreement. It must be for the regional powers to take responsibility themselves. We are doing what we can to back the Arab League interventions, and they are extremely important. Nothing that we would want to do should be seen as undermining the action that the Committee of Three is trying to take to achieve, first, and above all, a ceasefire. My hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury was quite right when he said that the shelling in the past few days has been intense and some of the worst in the whole period from both sides, and there have been many casualties on both sides.
Secondly, there is a need to find a forum somewhere, perhaps outside the Lebanon, where people can talk and begin to put together what is bound to be necessary—a new constitutional settlement. Many on the Christian side recognise that. My hon. Friend is aware of the demographic changes that have taken place since the original settlement. There will be a need, I am sure, in future for constitutional change. As that change is discussed, in parallel with it must come pressures above all from the Arab world, and from those who have direct influence on Syria, such as the Soviet Union. We have talked about these matters to the Soviet Union. Pressure must come for the Syrians to withdraw, but not by using the excuse of the Israelis. We on our part should bring pressure on the Israelis to withdraw. That is not certain of success, but it is the only hope of a way forward.
My hon. Friend urges us to analyse our policy again. We do not overestimate our influence, but I shall respond to his request by making sure that we do not for a moment take our eyes off the Lebanon. If we can make any practical intervention to carry forward the process towards peace, we shall make it, with the one proviso that we must be careful not to encourage a belief that only a military solution is possible.

Entry Visa Requirements
1 pm
Mr. Peter Hardy: The two cases involving my constituents that I shall present in the debate justify my extremely serious concern or anger and illustrate remarkable or serious official inadequacy. I regret that the Government seem willing to he entirely disdainful of the constituency responsibilities and involvements of hon. Members. That cause for regret is clearly demonstrated by these cases, which persuaded me that I should delay my return home. I was drawn to Yorkshire before the weather broke, so the Minister will understand I did not enter this debate lightly, but the cases are sufficiently serious to justify my detention here today.
My attention was drawn to the outrageous experience of Mrs. Janette Caglar more than a year ago. The Minister will be aware of the enormous volume of correspondence which has flowed between my desk and his office. Mrs. Caglar lives in Wath upon Dearn in my constituency. She met her husband, Mr. Ondir Caglar of Izmir, some time ago. They married on 18 February last year, and Mr. and Mrs. Caglar sought to live together in Britain. That determined young lady had made sure that there were jobs and accommodation for them. Mr. Caglar's entry was refused, and their marriage was dismissed as one of convenience. That view has been maintained since they married in February 1988. It was still maintained when Mrs. Caglar became pregnant several months after the marriage and when their baby daughter was born on 20 July. The Home Office appear to disregard such biological demonstrations quite happily.
The baby girl was born in Yorkshire, while Mr. Caglar remains in Turkey. They are separated by more than 1,000 miles and Mr. Caglar, had to learn the news of the birth of his daughter by telephone from his mother-in-law in Wath upon Dearn. My constituent has been saddened and enormously distressed by her experience. She has also been caused indescribable frustration and anguish. At one time, she spent hour after hour trying to speak to the relevant office of the Home Office without being able to get through. While the official view may be that that does not happen, many Members of Parliament must be aware that British citizens and taxpayers frequently find it difficult to get through to public offices. It becomes particularly distressing when a constituent feels that Government Departments are insulated from human contact, especially when individuals feel anxious or despairing.
Mrs. Caglar decided to return to Britain to have her baby and to be with her mother in Wath upon Dearn. She hoped that the visit would be possible and that she could be accompanied by her husband; after all, she was to have her first baby. I felt that it was reasonable for Mrs. Caglar to want her husband to be with her in those circumstances. I contacted a Home Office official, who appeared to be extremely helpful. He thought that such a visit was possible and asked me if I could help by telling the Home Office on what date and at which airport Mr. Caglar would be arriving as a visitor. I immediately obtained that information from Mrs. Caglar's family, passed it on, only then to receive a message from the Home Office that a mistake had been made and that Mr. Caglar could not come in. The Home Office then knew, however, on what date he proposed to come and at what airport he would
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arrive. That was a distasteful and irritating experience. Perhaps a genuine mistake had been made, but it justified further consideration, but none was forthcoming.
On behalf of her husband, Mrs. Caglar then launched an appeal. The time passed and the hearing was set for May. Mrs. Caglar went to the hearing full of hope, but she was distressed and her hopes were dashed when, as soon as the hearing began, the Home Office representative asked for an adjournment to have more time for the investigation. More time—when months and months had elapsed since the case started, and months and months had elapsed since I first made representations to the Minister. That was a cruel blow to my constituent, and I shared her anger and frustration.
That young couple continue to live apart and they maintain contact by letter and telephone as they did during their courtship, when Mr. Caglar learned English in order to maintain communication with his future wife. Perhaps the Home Office feels entitled to be awkward as I believe that the Home Office suspects that one of Mr. Caglar's brothers may have acted a little improperly in the past. I know little about that, but I do not see how Mr. Caglar can be held responsible for the actions of a brother who is a good deal older than him and with whom he has little or no contact. It is not consistent with my regard for justice that a man should be punished for the offences of his brother. The Home Office should not pursue such an attitude.
The second case concerns Miss Tannanum Nawaz—I hope that my pronunciation is reasonably accurate. Miss Tannanum Nawaz is the neice of Mr. Tareen Farouk, a respected resident of Swinton in my constituency. He is a successful, well regarded, intelligent and responsible business man. His wife, a local lady, is employed in a position of considerable trust, and both are of excellent character.
Mr. Tareen has lived in England for a long time, but he had a sister in Pakistan with whom he enjoyed an extremely close relationship. Mr. Tareen was particularly attached to his sister and to her daughter, his niece, Miss Nawaz. Mr. and Mrs. Tareen regularly visited his sister and their niece in Pakistan.
Sadly, Mr. Tareen's sister died, and he immediately visited Pakistan once again. The purpose of that visit was, partly, to spend some time with his niece, but also to help her to arrange to come to Britain for a holiday. Miss. Nawaz is due to be married in a few months' time and the Minister will understand that in that situation, the planned holiday must have taken place before the marriage.
Miss Nawaz has a job and has arranged to take leave for the holiday and to return to her job once that holiday is over. Mr. Tareen is an intelligent, honourable and successful man. He went with his niece to the appropriate office in Pakistan to seek to arrange her entry to Britain. He had to pay a fee. The interview was not completed, so Mr. Tareen had to return the next day and pay a second fee. The Minister knows that I find that surprising. Miss Nawaz sought to provide the information that was requested at the two interviews and was asked how much money she had and would be bringing with her for her holiday. She said that she had $3,000. Mr. Tareen, who as I said is an experienced and honourable man, tells me that he believes that that is the reason for the application being rejected.
I suppose that they were in a catch-22 situation: if she had nothing, clearly she could not be accepted; as she was

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bringing a reasonably substantial sum, the officials suspected that it was her intention to stay. As I pointed out, the family is not impoverished. It is not the poorest in the land. Miss Nawaz was coming for a holiday before her marriage. She would have intended going shopping with her uncle and aunt. I believe that no regard was given to the circumstances of that case.
Miss Nawaz inherited her mother's property. No doubt, she would have enjoyed being with her uncle and aunt in my constituency. I know that the uncle and aunt were greatly looking forward to having their beloved niece visit before she entered matrimony which, as the Minister knows, is a relatively binding and substantial arrangement for Pakistani ladies.
Mr. and Mrs. Tareen fear that their beloved niece will never be able to visit them. I think that they have cause for bitterness at their treatment. They see the approaching solemnisation of Miss Nawaz's marriage as obviously cause for rejoicing but also cause for permanent regret, in that it could mean a disruption of the close relationship which they have enjoyed and which has always been strengthened by the frequent holidays that Mr. and Mrs. Tareen have been able to spend.
I find the whole experience of my constituents utterly unacceptable, partly because it seems to assume that responsible people like Mr. and Mrs. Tareen should have their record and character brought under little better than nasty suspicion. The Home Office disregarded the realities. If the Minister searches the record, he will know that I gave my assurance in the case of Miss Nawaz. I have given my confirmation as to the character of Mrs. Caglar, who lives in the same small town in which I live.
The Minister might also recall that, some years ago, I gave an assurance to the Home Office in a case where one constituent asked me to assist when a friend of his family was coming on holiday and had been detained at Heathrow. He gave me a clear assurance that the purpose of the visit was a holiday. The Home Office accepted my assurance and let that young man go to my area. A few days later, my constituent contacted me and said, "We have got over the first hurdle, Mr. Hardy. Now we want to arrange for him to stay." I said, "Your word may be worthless, but mine is not." I informed the Home Office that my assurance was then qualified and that I had no objection to the law taking its course. That is the view that most hon. Members would take, yet there seems to be no appreciation in the Home Office that hon. Members value their word. That word seems to be regarded as worthless or scarcely worth recognising. That case is on the record, although I have not taken the trouble to look up the necessary reference and date.
Mr. Tareen knows that I took that action. He knows that if Miss Nawaz should break her word to her employers who have given her leave of absence, disregard the marriage contract into which she has entered and seek to stay permanently in my constituency, I could not possibly accept that such a change of arrangement was possible. I would be the first to inform the Home Office that the assurances which I had given had been broken. I have no doubt that Mr. Tareen would want to keep his word, as I would want to keep mine. I regret that this ridiculous affair has taken place.
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I know that the Minister says that the rules are important and that he can intervene only in the most exceptional circumstances. The two cases that I have presented are exceptional. If the Minister thinks that they justify inaction, we do not need a Minister—all we need is a computer terminal regurgitating interpretations of the regulations, with the Minister passing on to Members of Parliament whatever it suggests. The Minister has his job to exercise a degree of discretion and to insist that Home Office officials—they are paid handsomely by the taxpayer—answer the telephone. His job is to ensure that, when someone appeals against a decision, and a lot of time has elapsed since the case was presented, Home Office officials do not go to the tribunal to ask for an adjournment for more time.
I have written to the Home Office time and time again about these two cases, and they should have received rather more consideration. We have no racial tension in my constituency. The younger members of a political party with which the Minister is familiar attempted to bring in a racist headmaster from Bradford to stir things up, but fortunately that went off like a damp squib. In the Rotherham area, partly because of the good will and common sense of the people, and partly because of the work of the community relations structure, the local authority and the police, we have avoided racial tension. I do not want it to develop, but the official suspicions and niggardliness evidenced in this case were scarcely helpful.
I shall not say much more; I look forward to hearing the Minister's views. It would be nice if, when I get home this afternoon—or evening, if the traffic is as bad as I fear it may be—I could call on Mr. and Mrs. Tareen, and on Mrs. Caglar and her new baby, and tell them that common sense and compassion have not entirely disappeared from the establishment in Britain.
1.18 pm
The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Tim Renton): I have listened carefully to the points raised by the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy) and I fully understand that, with the parliamentary recess an hour or two away, he would rather spend today enjoying the sunshine in his home or constituency than coming to the House to make these points. I take his point that the reason why he applied for an Adjournment debate was the seriousness that he attaches to these two cases.
As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, the issues that he has raised involve matters which are also the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, because he and his Department are responsible for the operation of the entry clearance system in overseas posts. These matters are also the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor, as it is he, as well as the Home Office, who has administrative responsibility for the immigration appellate authorities.
I realise that the large increase in the number of appeals lodged with the immigration appeal system has led to an increased backlog of cases in the appellate system. In our office, that has placed extra demands on available resources and has led, to my regret, to an increase in the preparation time for appeals explanatory statements. We are now considering urgently with the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office what steps need to be taken to arrest the increasing

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backlog of appeals and subsequently to maintain that backlog at an acceptable level. Some resources have already been provided for additional appeal hearing rooms and for listing more heavily in the present rooms. I hope in the months ahead that that will have some success in reducing the backlog.
I say that against a background which I am sure the hon. Member for Wentworth understands. The two cases that he raises involve decisions to refuse entry clearance, against which Parliament has provided a right of appeal to an independent adjudicator. The system of independent adjudicators—and above them an independent appellate tribunal—has been in place for a number of years. Adjudicators are now appointed by the Lord Chancellor, which ensures that they are wholly independent of the Home Office. They are present to act as an independent check on the decisions reached by the immigration service, entry clearance officers or the Home Office.
Against that background, I ask the hon. Gentleman to accept the independence of the appellate system. It has an important role to play, which has often been ratified by Parliament. I must direct to that system both the cases that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned today.
Mr. Caglar has appealed against a decision taken by the entry clearance officer in Istanbul to refuse him entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom. I understand that the appeal is now listed for hearing in Leeds on 3 October. Despite the hon. Gentleman's strong plea to me in his closing remarks, it would be wrong in principle for me to make any comment today on the substance of a case, or to go into the immigration history or details of Mr. Caglar's appeal, when the case has yet to be considered by the adjudicator. If I did that, it might prejudice the fair hearing of the appeal.
Mr. Hardy: My constituent, Mrs. Caglar, attended the hearing in May when she was eight months pregnant after being separated from her husband for a long time. The officials immediately asked for an adjournment to provide time for an investigation. That was not a reasonable experience for my constituent. Why was she not told that she would face an official request for an adjournment as soon as she arrived at the hearing? Would the Minister care to imagine a lady in his family who was eight months pregnant being forced to go through such an ordeal?
Mr. Renton: I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has raised that point with me again. I have been told clearly—and I have checked this with my officials while the hon. Gentleman was speaking—that the adjournment was granted at the hearing on 12 May at the request of both parties, not just at the request of the Home Office. Documentary evidence of certain points in the entry clearance officer's statement had not been produced and the adjournment was requested by both parties. The documents required were produced as quickly as possible and the appeal was listed for 11 July, but had to be adjourned again because Mrs. Caglar was then expecting her baby. As I have just said, it is now listed for hearing in Leeds on 3 October.
With regard to the complaints about the difficulties experienced by Mrs. Caglar in contacting the immigration department by telephone, to which the hon. Gentleman referred, I fully recognise that, in the early part of 1988, the level of service provided by the telephone inquiry bureau at the headquarters in Lunar house in Croydon was not
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acceptable. However, I assure the hon. Gentleman that many measures have since been taken to improve the efficiency of the telephone inquiry bureau. I will visit Lunar house next Thursday and will visit the telephone inquiry bureau to check on the progress. A fully satisfactory quality of service is now provided. If the hon. Gentleman would like to visit Lunar house after the holidays, I would welcome him there and he can reassure himself about the better quality of service provided for his constituents and others.
Referring to the case of Miss Nawaz, she applied for entry clearance as a visitor in Karachi on 9 April 1989. That application was refused after interview because the entry clearance officer was not satisfied as to her intention to leave the United Kingdom at the end of her visit. I stress to the hon. Gentleman that the first interview on 9 April was complete in itself. The decision to make a second application the following day was, I am sure, entirely her own. It was not required by the entry clearance officer. The second application was also refused after a further interview. Miss Nawaz was then notified of her right of appeal against both decisions. The proper way for persons who are dissatified with decisions of the entry clearance officer to seek to have their cases resolved is through the appeals system estabished for that purpose, as I have said. Although I have listened to the points made by the hon. Gentleman on behalf of Miss Nawaz, I have to say that, in my judgment, these matters should be raised on appeal.
Despite the hon. Gentleman's eloquence and passion, I have heard nothing today which persuades me that the most exceptional circumstances exist which would justify my intervening in either case.
In the remaining few minutes, I shall outline the background of hon. Members' representations and the new guidelines against which I have made my remarks.
The guidelines for representations by right hon. and hon. Members in immigration cases make it clear that Ministers will not normally intervene to take the initial decision on an application, to pre-empt consideration of a disputed decision by the independent appellate authorities, or to reverse a decision where the appeal process has been exhausted and no new and compelling evidence has become available. The revised guidelines came into effect on 3 January. Following circulation in draft form, they were debated in the House. The final version reflects points that were made by hon. Members during that debate. Experience of the operation of the revised guidelines over the past six months has proved beyond doubt that they are fair and reasonable and, despite Labour Members' original doubts, are working well in practice.
The hon. Gentleman said that they remove the necessity for a Minister and that all that a Minister is doing is getting reactions from a computer. However, I make the contrary point: that they have put hon. Members in direct touch with immigration officers and chief immigration officers at ports and airports for the discussion of special circumstances. There is great advantage to both sides in that—certainly there is to the immigration service and to hon. Members in being able to go directly over the special circumstances of cases with those members of the immigration service who are charged with taking a decision. If it is felt that there are special circumstances that the immigration service has not properly taken into account, there is always discretion to go back to the Minister. I have not yet been turned wholly into a computer, even though, at times, I might like to be.
Mr. Hardy: On the Minister's last point, my contact with the authorities led them to find out on what date and at what airport Mr. Caglar planned to accompany his pregnant wife.
The Minister will appreciate that, if Miss Nawaz is to visit her uncle and aunt in my constituency before her marriage, there is some urgency. Would he, in his ministerial role, have the capacity or the inclination to ask for the timetable of delay to be reduced so that, if Miss Nawaz is to be able to come into this country, permission can be given before the date of her planned and impending marriage?
Mr. Renton: I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will certainly pass on that comment directly to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The decision about who is interviewed and in what order of priority lies with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is responsible for entry clearance officers.
I am informed that three months have passed since Miss Nawaz made her second application. Since then, she has made no application at all. We tried to check that point before the debate—I do not think that we have received final information, but that is my impression. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will persuade her to take the necessary steps as soon as possible in Karachi.
I have listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman today. I stress to him that the various steps that we have taken over the past two years have speeded up the treatment of the many thousands of immigration cases that come before us every year, but the Labour party has always voted against them. I hope that the hon. Member for Wentworth, given his seniority in the Labour party, will persuade it in the next Session to vote for future changes that will further speed up the process.
The hon. Gentleman should suggest to his constituents that the right course for them is to pursue their case through the appeals system as endorsed by Parliament.

Turkish Minority (Bulgaria)
1.30 pm
Mr. David Atkinson: I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to refer to what is currently happening in Bulgaria and to report to the House on my recent visit there.
As I speak, hundreds of cars and trucks are lining up at the Bulgarian frontier with Turkey at Kapitan-Andreevo, containing members of entire families with about as much as can be transported, including, as I saw for myself last week, the kitchen sink. They leave behind their homes, jobs, livestock, other property and the country of their birth. They are all Bulgarian citizens. Their parents and grandparents, and their relations before them, were all born in Bulgaria, which is their home.
Currently, they are leaving Bulgaria and are unlikely to return. The reason, quite simply, is that they have had enough. They consider that their rights have been denied, and, for the first time, they have been given passports and can obtain exit visas. Most of them are leaving for good.
Those people are the so-called Bulgarian ethnic Turks. The authorities prefer to call them Bulgarian Moslems, which they are, but so are the Pomaks, who are not of Turkish origin but are Slavonic. These Bulgarians regard their identity as Turkish, which is what they are; one has only to meet them to see that. They are the remnants of those Turkish families who settled in the Balkans over the centuries of the Turkish occupation. I was to hear the phrase "Five centuries of Turkish yoke" repeatedly and with so much venom—understandably so, in view of the history. One has only to recall the Bulgarian atrocities of the last century, the Bashi Bazooks, and Gladstone's campaign to raise British public opinion on behalf of persecuted Bulgarian Christians, in which he called for the Turks to depart "bag and baggage".
The tragedy today is that, contrary to the spirit of Helsinki, the Balkan wars are still being fought by propaganda and repression. As a consequence, we are witnessing the largest movement of people since the second world war.
As my right hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) said on the "Today" programme from Turkey, 185,000 Bulgarian Turks have crossed the border to date, 3,000 are crossing every day and over 250,000 applications for exit visas have been made to date. It is obvious that that is only the beginning.
From what I saw and heard during my visit, the majority of the Bulgarian Turkish population, which numbers about 1 million—10 per cent. of the total population—want to leave and are planning to do so.
Apart from the human tragedy that that represents and the humanitarian issues involved—such as the division of families, the parting with friends, neighbours and colleagues at work, many of whom are Bulgarian Christians, and the emptying of communities, it is also resulting in growing problems for the Bugarian economy because of the unexpected loss of manpower.
It is resulting in major problems for Turkey, which is accepting the burden of providing for those people on their arrival there—in effect, as refugees rather than as tourists, as the Bulgarians would have it, although many of them have relatives somewhere in the country.
Surely few of those people can want to leave their country, homes and friends in that way. Does Bulgaria

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want to lose so many of its citizens? It says not. Surely Turkey can do without more refugees at a time when it is facing considerable economic problems of its own and is trying to provide for tens of thousands of Kurdish refugees from Iraq.
I believe that this tragedy was avoidable. Despite all the rhetoric and propaganda from both sides, it stems principally from the Bulgarian Government's policy to assimilate. I appreciate that they describe that as a process of national consolidation. However, they want to assimilate, integrate and regulate the ethnic Turkish population at the expense of its identity, culture and way of life. To the Turks, that represents their self-respect, indeed their very soul.
I first became alerted to the problem when it was brought to the attention of the Council of Europe committee for relations with non-member countries in March 1985, three months after the Bulgarian Government embarked on their assimilation policy. Every Bulgarian without a Slavonic name was required to sign a legal document to change it. Bulgaria maintains that that was a voluntary requirement, but from what was reported then and what I heard last week, I am convinced that it was carried out with threats and force. Henceforth, Mehmet, Ahmet, Ali and Hussein were to be called Mikhail, Ivan, Angel, Stojan and so on. That applied not only to the living Moslem population but to the dead. Names on tombstones have been erased and, as I saw, from 1985 only the initials of a Moslem name were allowed to appear.
Without a Bulgarian name, opportunities for employment, travel and a normal way of life would be impossible. Turks were not allowed to speak to each other in their own language in public. To do so would risk police beatings, fines, arrest and internal exile for those who persisted.
All Bulgarian radio broadcasts in Turkish ceased in January 1985, as did the publication of Turkish language newspapers in Bulgaria and the printing of Turkish books. Turkish community schools had long since been merged with Slavonic schools and the Turkish language was dropped as an optional subject in 1974. The wearing of traditional Turkish clothes such as the shalvar—baggy trousers—was penalised. Automatic telephone calls to Turkey could not be made and letters addressed to Turkish names were not delivered.
Perhaps the most insulting of all to many Moslems were the obstacles placed in the way of professing their religion. They effectively prevented them from performing marriages, funerals and circumcision in accordance with their Islamic rights and traditions. There are reports of mosques being closed, cemeteries being bulldozed and Moslem intellectuals and teachers of religion being imprisoned or even killed.
All that was contrary to the international commitments, treaties and protocols into which Bulgaria has entered concerning the rights of minorities. These include the original treaty of Berlin of 1878, which re-established the independent Bulgarian state, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, the Helsinki Final Act, the numerous bilateral treaties with Turkey and, not least, its own constitution. Article 35 of that constitution forbids such discrimination on the grounds of religion and ethnicity, and article 45 entitles ethnic minorities to be educated in their own language.
It is not surprising that the implementation of such a policy met with opposition and resulted in violence. Reuters reported that 40 people were killed in the first
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month—December 1984—including 10 Bulgarian soldiers. Although the international press was not allowed to visit the areas concerned, foreign embassies reported eyewitness accounts of villages being surrounded by tanks while people were rounded up to exchange their personal documents for those bearing their new Slavonic name. Those who resisted and tried to escape were shot. Prominent Turkish community leaders who objected were held at the Belene island prison camp.
In response to all that, I was appointed the Council of Europe's rapporteur and in my report, which was unanimously adopted by the parliamentary assembly in September 1985, I called for an end to such a repressive policy and the violation of minority rights. We also called for a fact-finding visit, but the Bulgarian authorities did not respond. Instead, they continued their policy and there was no way out. No Bulgarian ethnic Turk was allowed an exit visa and none was allowed to emigrate. However, by now, the rest of the world was waking up to what was happening.
The events were raised by the United Kingdom in 1985 at the Ottawa meeting of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. In March 1986, Amnesty International reported over 100 names of ethnic Turks killed in Bulgaria. Then, in December 1986, a Bulgarian weightlifter Naum Shalamanov, sought political asylum in Ankara. Better to be a garbage collector in Turkey than a national hero in Bulgaria, he said. At the Seoul Olympics last year, he won a gold medal under his previous Turkish name, Naim Sulemanoglu.
The Norwegian Helsinki committee reported on the position in 1987. The United Nations special rapporteur, Dr. Ribbiero, reported to the United Nations human rights commission in February 1988, and we raised the issue again at the Vienna review conference. Last year, the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs heard Mr. Georg Schepfass submit:
"the West has some responsibility to look very carefully at what Bulgaria has been doing to its Turkish minority."
Last October, the Council of Europe repeated its call for an end to the persecution of ethnic Turks and the elimination of Moslem identity in Bulgaria, and embarked on a new report, with a further request to be allowed to send a fact-finding team. Only when it was realised that the report would be debated by the parliamentary assembly in May did the Bulgarian authorities at last agree to such a visit, which postponed the debate and which took place earlier this month.
Our visit could not have been more timely. In advance of the CSCE human rights conference in Paris in May and June, Bulgaria announced that, in accordance with its Vienna obligations, it would allow passports to be available to its citizens and exit visas to be provided for all those who wished to leave, with the freedom to return. That, of course, was what the Bulgarian Turks had been waiting for, and the exodus began. It also gave Bulgaria the opportunity to expel those whom it did not want anyway, and the first 1,000 or so passports went to them, with a 48-hour notice to get out of the country. They were the first to arrive in Austria, Sweden, Yugoslavia and Turkey.
Our fact-finding team consisted of an Austrian liberal, a Spanish Socialist and myself, with our committee's secretary and our own interpreter. We had insisted that we should be allowed to go wherever we wished, and to meet and talk to whomever we wanted. During our week in

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Bulgaria we had meetings with Ministers, parliamentarians, human rights campaigners, university professors and students, representatives of all the religions, and national, provincial and local government officials. We found all that very useful, and it helped us to understand the position better, particularly from the Bulgarian point of view.
Our task, however, was to establish to our own satisfaction whether basic human rights were being denied to the Bulgarian's ethnic Turkish population, and, if so, whether that was the principal reason for the current exodus. I believe that we achieved that aim, and that is what I believe we shall conclude, without any shadow of doubt.
In the two areas where the majority of these people live, the Loudogorce and Kirdzhali regions, we were able to establish genuine and spontaneous dialogue with ethnic Turks who were keen to share their views and experiences with us—although, as several said, they would be observed, reported, questioned, arrested, beaten and given 14 days' hard labour for doing so. There is no doubt that they consider themselves Bulgarian citizens who are Turks; nor is there any doubt that the denial of their religious and ethnic rights is the principal reason for their discontent and their departure. Asked if they would return, few expected to do so; asked whether they would leave if their old names were allowed to be restored, most said that they would stay. They confirmed that many had been forced to change their names at gunpoint, that fathers had been gaoled for circumcising their sons and that they would be fined for speaking Turkish in public.
It is also clear that renewed unrest, hunger strikes, demonstrations and violence broke out in many places on 20 and 21 May—perhaps to coincide with the forthcoming Paris CSCE conference—and that there were several deaths and many injuries at the hands of the militia. I shall never forget our arrival at one of the places—Dzebel, in the south—where there had been much violence. Everyone stood around in silence and apprehension, waiting for something. They were waiting for our arrival, of which they had been informed by the media. It was like "High Noon" in a Western town. The atmosphere was electric. At first no one wanted to talk to us, then everyone did, until the police moved them on.
In our discussions with Bulgarian officials, we found a total failure—or perhaps it was a refusal—to appreciate this situation. They blamed Turkish propaganda for inciting hysteria and provoking the exodus. They cited pan-Turkism as the motive, and warned of Islamic fundamentalism.
They are quite certain that these people will return, as they are entitled to do, because they will not find that the grass is greener in Turkey where, it was suggested. they will not be allowed to restore their original names.
I do not know the truth of that. It may be that the Voice of Turkey has gone over the top in encouraging resistance to exploitation and in offering a haven to all. Perhaps many will return to Bulgaria as some have, we were told, already done. We were not satisfied with the meetings which had been officially arranged for us with local muftis who run the mosques. Their denials of the restrictions did not always match the evidence or satisfy our questioning.
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In conclusion, while I cannot anticipate the recommendations which our Committee will wish to make to the Council of Europe in September, it must be right to appeal once again to the Bulgarian Government to alter their policy of enforced name changing and to end all those petty restrictions against the expression of Turkish identity and Moslem religious practice. That is an essential step, which at a stroke could reduce, perhaps even reverse, the present exodus, and which could perhaps form the basis of a new attitude to Bulgaria's ethnic Turks that truly recognises their cultural identity and respects rights that are equal, civil, and human. It would also do much to restore Bulgaria's dreadful image abroad, which is rivalled only by that of its neighbour Romania and which is the principal obstacle to establishing better relations with the rest of Europe, including many of its own allies.
Today, it is totally out of the question for the Council of Europe to contemplate offering Bulgaria the special guest status that Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union have accepted and about which my hon. Friends the Members for Southampton, Test (Mr. Hill), for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg) and other hon. Members spoke in yesterday's debate on the Consolidated Fund.
At the end of the day, these problems will only finally be resolved bilaterally between the Bulgarian Government and the Turkish Government, both of whom have their own explanations as to why their 1988 protocol has failed to establish the process of dialogue that is essential. Common sense must prevail sooner or later, and as a good will gesture the Turkish Government should end the propaganda element of its Voice of Turkey radio broadcasts, to which Bulgaria takes understandable exception.
Finally, we in Europe should make available our good offices, backed up by aid to both Governments, to ensure the peaceful resettlement of the refugees in Turkey or their return to their Bulgarian homes, depending on which they want to do. The Council of Europe has immense experience in human rights and in the problems of refugees. I know that my hon. Friend the Minister will ensure that the Government will give their support to what we shall recommend to bring this latest Balkan tragedy to an end.
1.47 pm
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. William Waldegrave): My hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) draws attention to a great series of tragedies. He is right to say that the movements of population now taking place are perhaps the greatest such movements in Europe since the second world war. The scale of events is great. His speech was sensible and generous. It was sensible in urging the Turks to take such steps as they can that will not exacerbate the situation, and to make some gestures. I applaud my hon. Friend for that suggestion.
As in all such situations, it is easy to become as wholly partisan that problems are exaggerated. My hon. Friend has not done so and I pay tribute to him for that. He was generous in recording correctly the series of strong protests that the Government have made on these issues, and he gave an account of some of them. I think that it would be fair to say that we took the lead in the Paris conference on the human dimension of the CSCE in the matter. Earlier

1479
this week, during her visit to Turkey, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) went to see what was happening.
My hon. Friend, with a proper sense of history, reminded us of the irony that this of all Houses of Parliament should be raising this matter, when we responded with such passion and generosity under the leadership of the then Prime Minister, Mr. Gladstone, to similar atrocities being carried out at that time to the Bulgarians. It is fair to remind the Bulgarians that our concern for human rights is not new, and is pursued impartially. There is no question of a vendetta against Bulgaria or anything like that. We are concerned about the events and the people.
The last time that I made a protest was to the Bulgarian ambassador on 1 June. As my hon. Friend knows, on 14 June, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey issued a statement calling on the Bulgarian Government to allow the Turkish minority to live where they wish, free of harassment. My hon. Friend gives a full account of his long-standing involvement in this. It is no exaggeration to say that, among western European politicians, he has been one of the leaders in drawing attention to this issue. The scale of the movement of people makes it clear that the fears and pressures on the Turkish minority population in Bulgaria are not the result of events over a few weeks or months. The name-changing programme began in 1984–85, and when the full-scale assimilation programme described by my hon. Friend was put into full swing, that made matters much worse. We have emphasised again and again to the Bulgarian Government that they should reverse that policy. It has no chance of success and will produce nothing but conflict and unfairness. The pressures probably go even further back, and the right, now given under the CSCE process, to a passport has merely given a hope of escape to many who have suffered pressure for many years.
However, as my hon. Friend said, if this policy were reversed, many people might chose to stay in the areas in which they have had their livelihoods and families and in which their fathers have lived. My hon. Friend was right to draw attention to the name-changing point and to emphasise that even a symbolic gesture against that might do a great deal by itself to change the flow.
Bulgaria recognises the immense damage that what is happening has caused to her economy. She is in dire economic straits, particularly in agriculture, because she has lost so many of her best farming people. Others are being desperately drafted in to try to deal with the harvest. Because she is suffering from an exodus, it is in her own interests to try to resolve the matter fairly.
On 21 June, we invoked the first stage of the human dimension mechanism, the new mechanism established by the Vienna conference under the Helsinki process. This is a formal request for information, and the Bulgarian Government have provided some information. However, I am sorry to say that that does not seem to have had any effect on the practices about which we are complaining. The situation can be resolved only by negotiation. We have been calling constantly on the Bulgarian authorities to negotiate agreements, where they are needed, with their Turkish counterparts. These agreements should lead to an orderly and proper departure for those who want to leave—that is their right—with their property and the right of return, should they wish to, should be safeguarded.
1480
What is most important is that we should secure guarantees that the human rights of those who wish to stay are properly observed in Bulgaria. Therefore, we look to an early conclusion of negotiations between the Turks and the Bulgarians. Recent steps that looked at one time as if they were leading to high-level talks have broken down again. There are rumours that the Soviet Union has been seeking to act as a mediator, and we should not exclude anybody who seeks, with good will, to try to mediate in this situation.
I told my hon. Friend that I would give him some account of my right hon. Friend's visit, which confirms much of what he said. When speaking in public after visiting the crossing point at Kapi Kule, she said that what she saw was heartbreaking. She saw families split as they were crossing. She saw families divorced from their possessions before they crossed. In the chaos and disorder afterwards, she saw desperate families seeking to be reunited with other family members and property. She said that it reminded her of the pictures in her generation—the generation of my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) and my generation, let alone the generation of my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchell)—of the massed forced migrations of the second world war. Those were tragic pictures. She said that leaving families had been forced to give up their house keys and car keys, with rather obvious implications. She returned from her visit reinforced in her belief that what is happening is a human tragedy on a great scale.
Bearing in mind what my right hon. Friend had seen, she asked me to pay a tribute to the Turkish Red Crescent organisation. My right hon. Friend has travelled widely as a representative of the Government in Africa and elsewhere. She has seen similar situations in other parts of the world but she added that she had never seen better organised refugee camps and reception arrangements than those which the Turkish Red Crescent were arranging. The British Government were able to give some small financial help to this work, with a donation of £300,000 to the Turkish Red Crescent.
I would add a footnote. I urge the Turkish Government once again to give the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, access to the Kurdish refugees, which they have not done so far. We would be happy to contribute financially to that problem, too. There are certain ironies, but perhaps this is not the appropriate time to draw attention to them. Something of the same policies of assimilation, pressure and use of langauge, for example, impinge on the Kurds at the other end of Turkey.
We are dealing with the Turkish tragedy, however, and that must not be disguised. There is no excuse for it. Perhaps we have the right also to remind the Turkish Government not to fall into the same traps themselves in their treatment of the Kurdish minority. Above all, we ask them to let the UNHCR have access to the camps so that the funds which are available in the western world—£8·5 million is on offer from western European countries—can flow to deal with another desperate situation.
I appreciate that the debate is about the Bulgarian situation, and I do not wish to detract from the deep concern of the British Government and of Parliament. I believe that the British people who have studied the events and accounts that have appeared in the British press feel a deep concern for what is happening. Surely it is not too

1481
late for Bulgaria to see that its economy will be damaged and that its reputation among its friends and in the wider world is being severely damaged.
It is not too late for a foolish and wrong policy to be reversed. In many instances, people will seek to return, and will probably be willing to respond to gestures of the sort that my hon. Friend has described. In the end, that is surely the best way forward. We know from wider afield—the Soviet Union is perhaps the greatest example of all—that the most thorough-going persecutions and suppressions of people's ethnic identity do not work.
Although Stalin moved millions of people, suppressed religions and killed thousands or millions of people, as the Russians now admit, yet when a more liberal regime appeared in the welcome form of Mr. Gorbachev, it became clear that those ethnic feelings were still alive throughout the great Soviet empire. It is quite beyond the capacity of the Bulgarian Government to suppress the culture and the traditions of their Turkish minority. This doomed and futile enterprise, which has caused so much harm to Bulgaria and to the people involved in it, should be abandoned and a more sensitive policy of proper treatment of a minority population should at once be undertaken.

Low Pay
2 pm
Mrs. Alice Mahon: Low pay is not inevitable, it is not necessary and it is in no way a vital component for a successful economy. If it were, Bangladesh would be way ahead of West Germany in the league of economically successful nations. The Government's persistent view that wages at the lower end of the labour market are being held above their true market level, thereby pricing workers out of jobs, is simply not true. The Government's obsession with deregulating the labour market to bring wages down has incurred clear costs in economic and human terms. For workers it has caused low morale, poor living standards, insecurity, poor health and inadequate housing. According to the Low Pay Unit, which uses Government statistics, the Government are achieving some success in depressing wages, as the relative earnings of the low paid were 4 per cent. lower in 1988 than in 1986 when figures were first collected.
Firms caught up in the downward spiral of relying solely on low wages to increase profit have proved it to be a disastrous policy. Those firms often have a very high turnover in staff and their contribution to training and research is virtually nil. Low-wage competition produces uncertainty for individual firms, destabilises the business environment and destroys economic prospects for the future. It has a knock-on effect in the local economy as low-paid workers cannot buy goods produced by other workers and tend to rely more heavily on local authority services. Although low-paid workers pay a disproportionately high share of their wages in taxes, if they pay taxes at all, their taxes represent very small sums, so there is also a loss to the Exchequer.
In 1982 the Government rescinded the fair wages resolution, which instructed Departments to require contractors engaged on Government contracts to pay wages and observe hours and conditions no less favourable than those established for the trade or industry in the district. In 1985 the Government wanted to abolish the wages councils altogether, but because an election was on the horizon they settled for seriously weakening the wages councils by amending their powers and taking away protection for young people under 21. Wages councils were also no longer allowed to set minimum holiday entitlements for the workers in the industries they covered.
The Government engage in doublespeak when they talk about the market finding its own level and claim to be a non-interventionist Government, when in fact they intervene on a massive scale with family credit, which clearly subsidises inefficient and mean employers. The other side of the coin, which is even more negative, is that it is the least popular benefit. Low take-up is endemic, mainly because of the stigma attached to claiming it. People on low pay do not want to be seen to rely on Government handouts and would much prefer to earn a decent living wage.
The Government, in their push to abolish wages councils, have consistently refused to produce any real evidence. The only evidence that they have cited in maintaining the link between low earnings and employment growth was the Treasury model, in its paper, "The Relationship between Employment and Wages". That was

1483
referred to in the 1985 consultative document on wages councils. In that document Treasury officials admitted in relation to the fixed model that
"the simulation results depend critically on a system of adjustments which is entirely arbitrary and has no empirical basis"
Even the Financial Times, which is usually reasonably sympathetic to the Government, said in its edition of 13 May 1985:
"The Government have frequently given real wage increases as one of the causes of high unemployment and argued that lower pay was needed to price people back into jobs. However, the figures show that real take-home pay of the poorest single workers fell by nearly 6 per cent. in the three years to April 1982. A period during which unemployment was rising most rapidly."
Paradoxically, despite pinpointing real wage rises as a significant barrier to employment, the Government recognised in the consultative document accompanying the White Paper, "Employment for the 1990s", that since 1986
"the rates of youth unemployment has declined dramatically"—
at the same time as young people's earnings have—
"continued to rise".
It seems that the Government cannot make up their mind.
During the 1980s the Government have also set out to render the wages inspectorate impotent by cutting the numbers of inspectors from 120 in 1985 to just 71 today. That means that there are 106 fewer inspectors in post than in 1979.
In June another excellent report was produced by the Low Pay Unit entitled, "Undervalued, Underpaid and Undercut", and saying that
"The numbers of firms found to be committing the criminal offence of minimum wage underpayment has leapt by 26 per cent. in the past year."
The chances of prosecuting for that criminal act are small as only 51 of the 89,000 firms caught between 1979 and 1988 were prosecuted. More than 88,000 were never taken to court. That shows that the Government are ambivalent about their commitment to law and order.
The Government's commitment to fining firms which underpay is a joke because they do not have enough inspectors at the Department of Employment. The Government now send out a postal questionnaire to smaller firms. The 1988 consultative document on the abolition of the wages councils was the last to be published by the Government and it is a slim and inaccurate document. On page 7 the Government say:
"If the reply indicates that there may be an underpayment, or if no reply is received, an inspection visit is carried out. Where the reply shows that no workers are underpaid, no visit is made, except for a 5 per cent. sample selected for a visit to monitor the validity of the postal inquiry method."
That is not good enough given that the law-breaking firms owe their combined work force a total of £1·3 billion. How many small firms have filled in the postal questionnaire in each year since its introduction?
In 1985 the Confederation of British Industry voted by three to one in favour of retaining the wages councils. Then, as now, almost every response ranging from trade unions to churches was hostile to the abolition of the councils. As I have already said, a general election was on the horizon and the Government ran away.
The 1988 consultative document on the abolition of the wages councils uses many of the same arguments about workers pricing themselves out of jobs with one or two new ones thrown in for good measure. A firm in
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Calderdale, FKI Babcock, employs many low-paid workers. Recently, one of FKI Babcock's home workers visited me at my surgery. Home workers who work for that company are given kits of electronic components to assemble. They were arbitrarily told that the price of assembling those kits was to be halved, in the interests of efficiency. The woman who visited showed me written evidence. She had previously been paid £71 for assembling a kit—low pay, but that is the norm for home working—but in future she is to be paid £38. Meanwhile, Tony Gartland, the managing director of FKI Babcock, is to earn £773,000 this year, because he has just given himself a 250 per cent. increase in salary and bonuses. The company's pre-tax profits have risen by 122 per cent. to £108 million.
I ask the Minister to look at the massive increase in profits in the hotel and catering sector during the 1980s. The consultative document implies that wages councils were keeping wages higher than the market could afford. Greedy directors are a far bigger problem than low-paid workers. Those captains of industry—the good and the worthy—who are giving themselves huge pay increases and who have failed to invest in training and research, are being put in charge of training enterprise councils. Tony Gartland is one of the good and the worthy. He will be in charge of one of the TECs in my constituency—that is an absolute scandal.
On page 5 of the consultative document, the Government argue that 55 per cent. of workers covered by wages councils work for organisations that have established collective bargaining. It is sheer brass neck for the Government to try to treat unions sympathetically to win an argument when for years they have tried to smash the unions and any form of collective bargaining. The Government's arguments are fatally flawed. They have difficulty in following to a logical conclusion their thought processes in the document.
Because of high unemployment, the Government's union-smashing policies and some undemocratic laws, the number of workers covered by principal national agreements has fallen by 30 per cent., from 8·5 million workers in 1979 to only 5·9 million now. The Government admit in their document that two thirds of the 2·5 million workers who are still covered by wages councils work part time. The majority are women and those who work in the hotel and catering sector account for 39 per cent. Those groups have the smallest trade union membership in any industry. Women and part-time workers tend not to join unions and are discouraged from doing so. Hotels arid catering services are notorious for not having unionised workplaces. Small firms often employ on a casual basis. It is a fiction that national agreements and trade unions can protect those vulnerable groups of workers.
I hope that the Minister will give evidence to support the statement on page 5 of the consultative document that
"since young people ceased to be covered by wages councils in 1986 their earnings have not plummeted but have continued to rise. At the same time the rate of youth unemployment has declined."
I come from a low-paid area in Halifax, a town which has the dubious honour of being the low pay capital of west Yorkshire, which is the lowest paid area in the country. The West Yorkshire Low Pay Unit has asked the Minister to carry out some research. It has sent me examples of

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what has been happening to young people since the abolition of the protection provided for them. The Low Pay Unit referred to the following job:
"A receptionist offered £2 per hour to work shifts—morning, afternoons and evenings—in a busy town centre hotel. Duties involve checking guests in and out, cash handling, using a busy switchboard and a computer; reception experience required; age 17 to 20."
If the wages council had still covered young workers, a 17-year-old could have expected the princely sum of £1·60 in a licensed hotel. However, a worker aged 18 or over would have been entitled to a minimum rate of £2·12 an hour. They are not paid shift allowances and their conditions have got much worse because this vital protection has been removed.
The report also highlighted the case of a 19-year-old working in a fruit and vegetable shop. On 26 April 1988 he was earning £1.85 an hour. If still covered by the retail food wages council, his hourly rate would have been £2.33. A 16-year-old working all day Saturday in a supermarket was being paid 50p an hour on 29 April 1988. If still covered by the retail food wages council his hourly rate would have been £1.47. Those are disgraceful rates of pay by any standards—even compared with pay under the wages councils, which never set high rates of pay. Such salaries now are virtually criminal.
The Government omit to mention that the number of school leavers has fallen. There will be more than a million fewer 16 to 19-year-olds in 1993 than there were in 1983. And we have got used to the Government not mentioning changes in the way in which unemployment is calculated, particularly by excluding those on schemes.
If, as seems likely, the Government go ahead with their proposals to abolish the wages councils—the only minimum protection for 2.5 million of the lowest paid workers in the country—despite widespread opposition from employers, unions and other organisations, we shall be the only EC state with no legally enforceable wage protection and we shall be in breach of the universal declaration of human rights, the European charter and the treaty of Rome, which called for member states to
"promote improved working conditions and an improved standard of living for workers".
United Kingdom wage rates are already relatively low compared with high-pay, high-productivity countries such as Germany and France. It is unlikely that other member states will stand by and allow the United Kingdom to engineer competitive advantage by wage cutting. They do not want the Third world society that would emerge from such a battle. I imagine that there will be great pressure on the Government to acquiesce in the European social charter.
I am sure that the Minister will say that most employers favour abolition of wages councils, but a large number of important employers—some of them the Government's paymasters—are not convinced about abolition.
I still have another 10 minutes and I could easily go on for that long, but I shall conclude by quoting from the Low Pay Unit's recent press release which contained a report on the responses to the Government's paper. The Government say that they have received almost 400 responses to their proposal to scrap the wages councils. The Low Pay Unit survey comments that
"none of the responses from the churches, charities voluntary organisations and trade unions favoured abolition. Amongst
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the 24 employers' organisations who sent their responses to the Unit, those in favour of retaining the minimum wage system outnumbered those in favour of scrapping it by two-to-one. Those opposing Government plans included the CBI, the Institute of Personnel Management and the British Institute of Management … Employers are concerned that people should not be subject to exploitation and that the social security system should not be used to subsidise low wages."
There is also a belief that wages councils improve industrial relations and a scepticism about the Government's claim that the abolition of the wages councils will lead to the creation of more jobs. It is worth quoting one or two of the various employers' organisations. The British Independent Grocers Federation disagreed fundamentally with the Government's assertion that wages councils were a barrier to employment growth, saying that
"there is no evidence in the Consultation-Document, or elsewhere for that matter, to support that contention."
The National Federation of Fish Friers made a statement worthy of any trade union:
"It is our view that if a business has to rely on cheap labour to be successful and profitable there is something wrong with the management."
I have already quoted the British Institute of Management, which also said that
"to suggest that the social security system should be the support structure for low-earners, at a time when the so-called poverty trap remains unresolved is unhelpful to managers seeking to encourage people into legitimate employment at realistic wages".
In a debate the other evening on social security regulations, the Minister refused to give an undertaking that those who are now forced under the new regulations to take work for which they believe that they are not suitable or trained, would not be forced to go to an employer who paid illegal wages. That is disgraceful.
The Government will get away with whatever they can. Their real purpose in abolishing the wages councils is to allow even lower wages than at present. I carried out a little research among employers. I had asked the Minister a question about employers, but it was like extracting teeth; it proved very difficult to get straight answers from the Department.
Among the responses from 68 employers' organisations, almost half were opposed to abolition of the wages councils. Some of those who supported the abolition of the wages councils felt that the weakening of the wages councils in 1986, which they opposed, was the main reason for them to support abolition now. Clearly some employers favour abolition because that would allow them to exploit their workers even further.
I had some wonderful quotes from employers. To its shame, the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses said:
"The removal of Wages Councils would mean that the most deserving groups of employees would be able to start pricing themselves into jobs and that new and more flexible contractual arrangements could be introduced into the service industries."
The British Retailers Association referred to "inflationary minimum rates". As we are talking about £2 an hour, that is a clear sign that in an area with high unemployment some employers intend to get away with poverty wages and highly exploitive conditions of employment.
Wages council rates leave a great deal to be desired. However, in the absence of any legislation giving people the right to a minimum income, they must be maintained to prevent wholesale exploitation. The vast majority of

1487
those responding to the Government's consultative document took that view. I hope that the Minister will convey to the Government the fact that there is real opposition to the plans to abolish the wages councils. I ask the Government to drop their proposals and instead to strengthen the wages councils so as to provide real protection for the lowest paid, who deserve nothing less.
2.23 pm
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Patrick Nicholls): The hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) graced our deliberations today with a speech showing her usual and characteristic charm and generosity of spirit. In the very few moments that she has been kind enough to leave to me I shall do my best to answer at least some of the points that she has raised. I will deal with the wages councils, but, due to lack of time, I shall not be able to deal, as I had intended, with the general argument about low pay.
A point that is consistently ignored in these debates is that the economic and social situation today is vastly different from that in 1909 when the wages councils system was introduced. Average pay is far higher and hours worked per week some 10 to 15 fewer. The country also benefits from a comprehensive system of social security protection for those both in and out of work.
It is significant also that two thirds of wages councils workers are paid above the minimum and that the majority of wages councils workers work part-time, many of them contributing a second income to the family.
Councils now cover about 10 per cent. of the work force. The system is extensive only in retailing, hotel and catering and clothing manufacture and some other very small industries. It is not comprehensive in coverage. It is riddled throughout with anomalies—laundries are covered, but not laundrettes; and the sale of cooked meats is covered, but raw meat is not.
As the House will recall, the wages council system was reformed and simplified by the Wages Act 1986. The Government were acting in accordance with the wishes of the majority of employer bodies. In addition to reducing councils' powers and removing under-21s from regulation, the legislation attempted to clarify the councils' role as setting minimum rates, not going rates, by requiring them to consider the employment effects of their decisions in areas where workers are generally paid below the national average for their trade or occupation.
In the first year of operation, the average increase imposed by the councils on the previous lowest rate was 8·6 per cent. In the second year, the outcome was an average increase of 6·3 per cent. and settlements in the third year have averaged 6·5 per cent. Earlier this month, at the start of the fourth year, the council for licensed hotels and restaurants has proposed increasing its minimum rate by almost 10 per cent.
Settlements of that order of magnitude hardly suggest that the councils have operated with regard to their clarified remit. Moreover, a substantial proportion of workers covered by councils—probably as many as a third—continue to be paid on the minimum rate. Such clustering of pay levels around a particular figure is evidence that council minimums continue to be above the levels required to fill jobs.
The hon. Lady asked for evidence to be produced that the effect of wages councils was adverse employment
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implications. She said that she was unaware of evidence to that effect. I am bound to say that the evidence that the hon. Lady sought was in my written reply to a parliamentary question from her earlier this week. That answer stated:
"A large body of evidence exists on the implications for pay and jobs of the abolition of wages councils. This includes studies undertaken or commissioned by the Department".
I went on to say that the studies had been listed in various parliamentary answers, and I even set them out to help the hon. Lady in her deliberations. I went on to say:
"Virtually all of the research work on this subject conducted in the 1980s and known to the Department supports the view that removing statutory minimum wage provisions can be expected to have beneficial effects on employment."—[Official Report, 21 July 1989; Vol. 157, c. 390.]
That is the evidence that the hon. Lady said did not exist.
Much of what the hon. Lady said was consistent, bat, as often happens with the hon. Lady's contributions in the House and in Committee, it was consistently wrong. I will try to deal with two of the grosser fallacies. She tried to make some spurious capital out of referring to the prosecutions that had been mounted by the wages inspectorate over the years, and she referred to questionnaires. On prosecutions, the hon. Lady's attitude is that all things under Conservative Governments are wicked and all things under Labour Governments are good. That is a view of history that probably would not disgrace Noddy in Toyland. If the hon. Lady wants to conduct the debate in that way, and experience shows that she does, there is a slightly better ratio of prosecutions to underpaying employers under this Government than under the Labour Government. The hon. Lady referred to questionnaires—again, more evidence of her Ladybird economics—as a dreadful thing, apparently drawn up by the wicked Tory Government. I have to tell the hon. Lady—she can giggle her way through this if she will-that those questionnaires were introduced by a Labour Government.
Mrs. Mahon: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Mr. Nicholls: No, I will not give way. The hon. Lady has had more than her fair share of the time available.
She should look at the response to the questionnaires. Ninety-five per cent. of them were completed accurately, and if they were not, there was a follow-up and a full inspection.
Mrs. Mahon: What about inspector numbers?
Mr. Nicholls: The hon. Lady chirrups from a sedentary position, "What about inspector numbers?" From her extensive research into the matter, she must surely be aware that the operation of the wages councils was substantially clarified in 1986. It was made a great deal easier, and the regulations were made a great deal simpler. I do not expect the hon. Lady to approve that—that would be asking too much. It meant that the work of the wages inspectors could actually be concentrated on carrying out a much narrower remit. To suggest that there was any loss of enforcement, where it was still necessary under the law, was quite wrong. The hon. Lady cannot grasp, no matter how many times Ministers try to get it across to her, that she is concerned only about low pay. In the real world, the issue for many of our constituents is not low pay but no job. The hon. Lady cannot understand or countenance that for many people the first step back into the labour

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market is a low-paid job which leads on to something better. A low-paid job for a person who has been out of work means a better passport in the labour market. That is the reality, but the hon. Lady is a complete stranger to reality.
It being half past Two o'clock, the motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

Child Abuse
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Chapman.]
2.30 pm
Mr. Michael Stern: In relating the tragic events surrounding the last four months of the life of the Rev. Terry Barr, who was vicar of Avonmouth, I must stress that I am not seeking to use parliamentary time to attempt to prove the innocence of a close friend. Nor am I seeking to show that the actions locally of the police, social services or local hospitals are to be questioned. My purpose in raising the debate is that I believe that many of the events that led, almost inevitably, to his death carry implications for national policy. I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will consider that national policy to prevent the recurrence of such events.
Terry Barr had been the vicar of two parishes successively in my constituency for as long as I have been its Member of Parliament. In addition to his family of five children, his concern and care for children had been a feature of his life. For up to 20 years he had successfully fostered children, who were placed largely by the county of Avon for short or long periods. At no time during those 20 years had there been anything but praise from the county council for the love and care that he gave to his extended family. I visited the family on numerous occasions and always left with an impression of happy chaos.
Just before Easter this year, a third foster child, aged 15, joined the family, which included two foster children aged nine and seven. Like so many foster children, the boy had had a chequered past. He had been suspected of involvement in the making of pornographic videos and of procuring young children for that purpose. The boy was placed by the county with the Barr family, in what may have been regarded as a last attempt to provide him with some form of stable family background.
Within a week, on the Thursday before Easter, he had run away and had made what appeared to all the authorities concerned to be perfectly believable accusations of sexual abuse by Terry Barr of the children in his care. What followed had all the inevitability of a Greek tragedy.
The remaining children were questioned extensively by the police and, in view of the urgency inevitably involved, under what in retrospect must be seen as inadequate conditions. Terry was charged and bailed on condition that he never slept at home. At least in the early stages of the case he was not permitted to remain in a room with his children without another adult being present. His children were made wards of court and the two foster children were removed.
The case dragged on and was eventually sent to the Crown court, during which time Terry was being forced to live in a seamen's hostel opposite the vicarage where his family lived, without the moral support on which he was increasingly coming to rely from them.
Early in July, he penned three copies of a note to his bishop, to his solicitor and to myself. He said:
"If I could have come home to the love and care of my family, I might have been able to continue. I cannot spend another night on my own."
After writing that note, he attempted suicide. He spent two or three nights in the district general hospital, was transferred to the specialist supervised unit for potential

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suicides run by the district health authority and succeeded in committing suicide within a couple of days of his arrival. The case was still months away from any resolution of his guilt or innocence.
Inevitably, the fury of local reaction in the community he served has turned on the actions of the local organisations which played a direct part in the events I have described. The police were first on the scene and asked to interview the two younger foster children and one of the Barr's sons. In the confusion of being informed that her husband was suspected of being a child molester and never having been in a police station before, Mrs. Barr declined to sit in on the interview. As a result, the police, quite properly under existing practice, asked a member of the social services department to do so. In the absence of any friend of the family at the first interview it is perhaps inevitable that the boy who was interviewed and his two brothers, who were interviewed later in the presence of Mrs. Barr, all formed the impression that the interview had consisted of their being bullied and accused of lying. I repeat that because no outside friend of the family was present and there is no evidence of any impropriety on the part of the police or the social worker. The police have made it clear in a letter to me that
"one of their primary objectives is to safeguard and protect the interests of any children who may be involved".
I have no doubt that they did that. The question to which I shall return is the fact that the police apparently have no duty to give equal consideration to the interests of the family.
As social services departments are inevitably at the forefront of cases involving suspected child sexual abuse, the Government have rightly issued—and I believe re-issued—guidelines to local authorities. The latest guidelines that were issued only last week have laid down detailed rules on the manner in which all agencies working within the area of child protection should undertake an investigation when an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made. I have no doubt that the regulations were followed in scrupulous detail by officers of the social services department. However, the fact that they were so followed meant, in the words of the director of social services, that
"they were left with no alternative but to ensure that the Reverend Barr was separated from children."
The duty of social services is seen as relating solely to the children and not to either parent. It could be argued that because no allegation of sexual impropriety towards his own children had been made, the existing regulations forced social services even to be selective as to the children they had to protect. The result was that Terry Barr spent the last few weeks of his life believing that if he had put a foot wrong with the social services department, not only the children he had been fostering but his own children could be taken from him. After all, seen from his point of view, there had already been an attempt by the police and social services in the interviews to which I have referred to persuade his children to provide evidence against him.
In general, handling of the case by the local media has been responsible and there have been few—I regret that there have been any—of the predictable lurid headlines. Nevertheless, some concern remains that no protection is given to the defendant on being named in such cases. I have already raised this matter with the appropriate Minister at the Department of Health who has correctly pointed out that it is in the public interest to know whether
1492
a person has been accused of a serious crime. My concern in this case is that, whereas the anonymity of the defendant would have been available to the court under section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in order to protect any child involved in the proceedings—that was not necessary here since the children involved had already been removed from the Barr home—no such anonymity is available to protect the Barr children. Fortunately, in both the schools the children attend they were offered the strongest possible support. However, that might not have been the case.
My final area of concern relates to the period that Terry spent in hospital after his first suicide attempt. It is accepted that no level of care, however constant or stringent, can prevent suicide on the part of any human being who is determined enough.
What I think should concern the House is that there appears to be no intervening legal step between the full rigours of sectioning under the Mental Health Act 1988—which would have made Terry Barr a compulsory in-patient, and which would almost certainly not have been granted by the courts in this case—and the status of voluntary patient, in which he was free to come and go and to evade supervision as much as he wished. It was through a gap in the law that he was able to commit suicide, and I ask my hon. Friend and his colleagues to consider whether that gap is too wide.
I believe that there are two strands to the story. The first concerns whether, in our efforts as a society to protect the innocent victim of child abuse, we have gone so far down the road of considering only the interests of the abused child that we have entirely forgotten the potential interests of others involved in the case—not just the victim's family but the family of the defendant, and even the defendant himself. There was no official help, advice or care for Terry; help came only from his family, his bishop and his friends.
The second strand is this. It is a principle of our from of justice that any defendant is treated as innocent until proven guilty. While that principle applies in the case of an accusation of child sexual abuse, the way in which it is applied under current law and practice makes it indistinguishable from an assumption of guilt. If Terry Barr was innocent of the charges laid against him, the way in which we as a society handle such charges makes our legal system responsible for the destruction of his family, and for leading him to a point at which death seemed the best course.
If we as a society have given such untrammelled power to the child accuser, how do we now protect ourselves against the misuse of that power? Is not our purpose in Parliament to prevent rules from operating in such a way as to pick up a potentially innocent man and destroy him?
2.42 pm
The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Tim Renton): We must all be grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Stern) for bringing to our attention these sad issues concerning the existing law arid practice on child abuse. I need not rehearse the facts of this tragic case, as my hon. Friend has already given them eloquently and movingly; let me simply say how sorry I was to hear of the sad events surrounding Mr. Barr's death, which was obviously the unhappiest possible outcome for all concerned.

1493
I should like to make some general observations, particularly from the point of view of the Home Office. An allegation of child abuse is a grave matter; its consequences for the accused, even if he is acquitted, can be appalling. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree, however, that in the interests of the children the authorities cannot baulk at investigating and bringing proceedings when evidence warrants it.
In this case the police investigated carefully, involving the social services department as they did so. They decided that charges should be brought, and the Crown prosecution service agreed that the evidence and the public interest justified prosecution. The magistrates court imposed and sustained bail conditions, removing Mr. Barr from the family home. Those decisions were made and scrutinised carefully by responsible bodies.
Government's role is clearly to ensure that the general arrangements for investigating child abuse are as adequate and as fair as we can possibly make them. The investigation of allegations of child abuse is inevitably a difficult and sensitive process: important decisions must be reached which will have a profound effect on all concerned, whether it is decided to prosecute the suspect, to remove the child from its home or to give the family special help and support. The whole process of investigation and decision-making can be traumatic for the child and for its family, as the events in Cleveland clearly show, and as many of us know from constituency experience.
In some areas the police, social and medical services and voluntary agencies such as the NSPCC, have worked hard together for some years to try to ensure that they respond quickly and sensitively to allegations of child abuse. We have built on their experience in drawing up a guidance circular for chief officers of police about the investigation of child sexual abuse and we issued that in July last year. The circular, which also takes account of the recommendations of the Cleveland inquiry report, was prepared in consultation with the Department of Health and members of the social services, medical and legal professions and the forensic science service.
The essence of the guidance—my hon. Friend touched on this in his speech—is that police forces and social services should work together in investigating cases of suggested child sexual abuse and should use specially trained joint investigating teams. The aim of this approach is to combine investigation of the facts with therapy. We think that professionals can benefit from each other's expertise. It is most important that the child is given the opportunity to tell his or her story to sympathetic listeners who have gained the child's trust. In turn, the child is spared the ordeal of having to repeat that story again and again in front of others because we recommend that interviews should be recorded on video tape. There is no undue pressure to provide evidence that can be used in court. The interests of the child rather than the aims of a particular professional organisation come first.
My hon. Friend spoke about respecting the rights of parents. None the less it is right that we should always put the child's interests first. Working together in joint investigations is a new and difficult skill which requires special training. Many hon. Members will agree with that. We have agreed with the police and representatives of
1494
social services guidance on the organisation and content of general training, and hope to issue that guidance next month.
Obviously, close liaison with the local medical services is also essential. Our circular urges chief officers of police to work with them. It is important that there should be sufficient doctors who are skilled both in examining children for sexual abuse and in the presentation of forensic evidence. To that end we have asked the forensic science service to help the police organise joint training for police surgeons and other doctors and interested professionals. I am glad to tell my hon. Friend that the response to our circular has been positive and we believe there is now a genuine recognition of the need to work together.
What about cases which come to court, and the question of anonymity of defendants? The fundamental principle of our criminal justice system is that justice is done openly and in public. As my hon. Friend knows, only in exceptional circumstances will a trial take place in private or the court order that an accused or witness should not be identified in the press. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. That is a truism that remains true. Publicity helps to safeguard the integrity of the justice that is dispensed, and it is in the public interest to know whether a person has been accused of a serious crime, just as it is in the public interest to know whether there is subsequently an acquittal.
I certainly understand the distress that can follow from being accused of a crime, even if the accused person is subsequently acquitted. This is particularly so for sexual offences. However, I do not think that it would he right in principle to provide anonymity for all persons accused of crime, nor do I think that it would be acceptable to Parliament or to the public. It is true that defendants in rape cases for a period enjoyed anonymity. The argument that because the woman should have anonymity—in order not to deter her from reporting a rape—so should the man, was always misconceived, and at our instigation Parliament removed the anonymity of defendants by last year's Criminal Justice Act. A rape defendant can be named, like any other defendant.
My hon. Friend suggested, and I fully understand his feelings in suggesting this, particularly in relation to this case, that the duty of social services is seen as relating solely to the children and not to either parent. Guidance issued to directors of social services in response to the Cleveland inquiry report stressed that although social services departments must give first and highest priority to protecting the child, they also have responsibilities in relation to the child's parents and other family members. They also have a particular responsibility to consider whether it is in the child's best interests to keep the family together. I understand that in this case the social services department tried to achieve that but that the Reverend Barr, on his solicitor's advice, declined to co-operate with the social services department, and when he was charged by the police the social services department decided that it must act to protect the child, and initiated wardship proceedings.
As to my hon. Friend's point about the need to protect the Barr children, I fully understand that there is no general provision to protect the anonymity of the defendant's children if they are not involved in the proceedings, which is at the heart of the point that he was making. The general rule is that defendants can be named,

1495
and this may inevitably lead to the identification of their children. Children of a person accused of rape, murder or armed robbery may suffer when the accused is publicly identified. However, there would not appear to be any justification for singling out for special attention the children of those accused of the sexual abuse of other children.
My hon. Friend said that the press coverage in this case had been moderate or reasonably well balanced and I am delighted to hear that. It is important that we should strike a balance between the freedom of the press to report matters of legitimate public interest and the need to protect justice from interference. I think that the law already strikes this balance through the Contempt of Court Act 1981. It provides that any publication that creates a substantial risk of seriously impeding or prejudicing the course of justice in active proceedings is in contempt of court, regardless of whether there was an intent to interfere with the course of justice. The 1981 Act serves to deter the media from irresponsible reporting of cases and, if such reporting occurs, provides suitable penalties.
1496
We would all agree that, far from being easy, these are difficult matters. We have to consider the interests of those accused but not convicted of crime, but we must also consider the need to protect children against those who abuse them. We must have regard to the traditional openness of British justice, which we all greatly and rightly value. I am sure that my ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health will take note of the points affecting them that my hon. Friend has raised, and in particular his point about the possible gap in the Mental Health Acts between the rigours of the compulsory inpatient and the voluntary outpatient.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing these matters to the attention of the House and I am only sorry that it was against the background of such a tragic case.
Question put and agreed to.
Adjourned accordingly at seven minutes to Three o'clock, till Tuesday 17 October, pursuant to the Resolution of the House [27 July].

SCOTLAND

  Redundancies (Manufacturing)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of notified redundancies in manufacturing in Scotland in each of the past 23 years.

  Mr. Lang
  There are no comprehensive statistics on redundancies. A consistent series on redundancies involving 10 or more workers confirmed to the Employment Department: The Training Agency is available only back to 1977. The number of such redundancies in Scottish manufacturing industry in each year from 1977 to 1988 is set out in the table.

  Year

  Total redundancies Scottish manufacturing1 2

  1977

  22,168

  1978

  14,645

  1979

  27,519

  1980

  44,804

  1981

  40,372

  1982

  32,054

  1983

  28,397

  1984

  18,601

  1985

  14,175

  1986

  17,868

  1987

  15,267

  1988

  8,220

  1 Figures for 1977–83 for manufacturing are for Orders III-XIX of the 1968 Standard Industrial Classification.

  2 Figures for 1984 onwards for manufacturing are Divisions 2–4 of the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification.

  Health Service Salaries
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each health board for 1988–89, the amount allocated for nurses' salaries and the amount subsequently spent.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Initial revenue allocations to health boards do not separately identify provision for salaries. Total expenditure on nurses' salaries are shown in the following table:

  Health Board

  1 Expenditure £ million

  Argyll and Clyde

  54·966

  Ayrshire and Arran

  39·423

  Borders

  13·459

  Dumfries and Galloway

  21·722

  Fife

  39·744

  Forth Valley

  39·433

  Grampian

  68·392

  Greater Glasgow

  174·308

  Highland

  30·622

  Lanarkshire

  61·555

  Lothian

  111·384

  966

  Health Board

  1 Expenditure £ million

  Orkney

  2·555

  Shetland

  2·903

  Tayside

  67·829

  Western Isles

  3·992

  1 Provisional

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each health board for 1988–89, the amount allocated for salaries for doctors, dentists and nurses, and the amount subsequently spent on these groups.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Initial revenue allocations to health boards do not separately identify provision for salaries, Total expenditure on salaries for doctors, dentists and nurses are shown in the following table:

  Health board

  1 Expenditure £ million

  Argyll and Clyde

  67·567

  Aryshire and Arran

  49·213

  Borders

  16·250

  Dumfries and Galloway

  26·224

  Fife

  48·257

  Forth Valley

  46·885

  Grampian

  86·488

  Greater Glasgow

  230·355

  Highland

  38·146

  Lanarkshire

  77·323

  Lothian

  147·550

  Orkney

  2·936

  Shetland

  3·352

  Tayside

  86·233

  Western Isles

  4·821

  1 Provisional.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) at what board meeting or meeting of a committee with powers the Greater Glasgow health board decided to advertise works contracts for medical records facilities and laboratory services in the official journal of the European Communities of 30 June;

  (2) which committee of the Greater Glasgow health board is responsible to the board for (a) medical records and (b) laboratory services; what reports they have received on the privatisation of these services; and when they last discussed the matter in depth.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The finance and general purposes committee of Greater Glasgow health board discussed the potential for competitive tendering in a numberof services and agreed at the April 1989 meeting to the acceleration and expansion of the competitive tendering programme including clinical support services. The committee has received no specific report on privatisation. As regards the journal of 30 June, the advertisements merely invite expressions of interest in tendering.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated current year expenditure by the Greater Glasgow health board on(a) medical records facilities and (b) laboratory services; how many persons are employed in each; and what is the board's calculation of redundancy payments should the services be privatised.
  967
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have asked the Greater Glasgow health board to forward the hon. Member a copy of its annual accounts. The board is at the stage of gathering and considering expressions of interest from contractors.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Greater Glasgow health board's advertisements in the official journal of the European Communities of 30 June, references 89/S 123 14555/EN and 89/S 123 14556/EN, were first drafted; when the final draft was approved; and when it was submitted to the journal for publication.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The advertisements were drafted after the April meeting of the finance and general purposes committee and were submitted for publication on 20 June 1989.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each hospital in Scotland and show against each the non-medical services which have been retained in-house and which have been privatised; and if he will show the date of privatisation where applicable.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has taken steps to ensure that health boards seeking to privatise laboratory services have secured in the contract documents absolute legal liability of the contractor for delictual acts on his behalf; whether contractors are required to show proof of ability to meet awards in damages; whether that liability may lie in insurance cover; and whether the National Health Service has any residual liability for services that are privatised.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The National Health Service is liable to its patients for services provided for it by contractors. No specific instructions have, however, been issued by the Scottish Home and Health Department in relation to laboratory services. Such matters would be dealt with by boards under their ordinary procedures for placing contracts.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each health board in Scotland the number of patients on in-patient waiting lists on March 1988, the number of new cases added to the lists between then and March 1989 and the number of patients on the lists treated, between these dates.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has responded to the report on the survey of waste disposal in Scotland presented to him by the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland on 12 July; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The report is being considered by my officials. The Government have consulted extensively on 968
  proposals relating to waste disposal, on which we intend to legislate in the near future. The association's earlier response to our consultation paper on the role and functions of waste disposal authorities in Scotland will be taken into account in that context.

  Street Lighting
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to establish in Scotland street lighting projects, monitoring the connection between lighting and crime, along the lines of the four projects announced by the Home Office on 18 July.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I am fully aware of the four new street lighting projects which are to be monitored by the Home Office in an attempt to assess their impact on levels of crime. We will be closely following developments on the four projects, and their relevance to Scotland will be considered in the light of the results which are expected to become available early next year. The outcome of the current research study in Wandsworth on the relationship between street lighting and crime will be of similar interest, in the context of the safer cities projects which have already been announced.

  Edinburgh Dental School
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated additional costs that will be incurred by the Lothian health board in the event that the Edinburgh dental school is closed, showing(a) the estimated additional cost of funding clinical posts currently available at the school and (b) the recurrent loan charges for the capital cost of providing a new building for the dental hospital.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of funding clinical posts in any new dental hospital in Edinburgh is not yet known. In evidence to the McCallum working party, Lothian health board estimated that an additional £220,750 would be needed to meet total staff costs. Capital expenditure in the National Health Service is not funded on a recurrent loan basis.

  Drugs
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police officers are principally deployed on drugs work in each police force; and what was the comparable number in 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Force

  1979

  1989

  Central Scotland

  0

  4

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  2

  Fife

  0

  6

  Grampian

  2

  12

  Lothian and Borders

  13

  24

  Northern

  0

  5

  Strathclyde

  14

  34

  Tayside

  4

  13

  Total

  33

  100

  In addition, since 1986, the strength of the Scottish crime squad has been increased by 31 officers to allow the formation of drugs wings based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stonehaven.
  969
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the latest figures on the prevalence of drug misuse and service provision.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The extent of an illegal activity such as drug misuse cannot be precisely measured. Two main indicators are the number of addicts notified to the Home Office and the number of drugs offences recorded by the police. A comprehensive range of figures for 1988 is contained in "Statistics of Drug Addicts Notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1988—Area Tables" and SHHD statistical bulletin No. 1/1989 "Recorded Crime in Scotland 1988", copies of which are in the Library. The number of new addicts notified to the Home Office from Scotland in 1988 was 400, an increase of 5 per cent. over 1987. The number of drugs offences recorded by the police in Scotland in 1988 was 5,213, an increase of about 10 per cent. over 1987.

  From the current financial year, provision to health boards to maintain and develop drug misuse services is being increased from £1 million to £2 million per annum. The latest (fifth) edition of "Drug Problems—A Register of Helping Agencies", published in March 1989, lists the many services at present available in Scotland specifically for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of prosecutions for drug offences in 1979 and in each succeeding year.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is given below. For this purpose, the relevant offences are taken to be the illegal importation, production, manufacture, cultivation or supply of drugs, possession with intent to supply, and simply possession.

  Persons proceeded against: Scotland

  Numbers

  1979

  1,336

  1980

  1,402

  1981

  1,183

  1982

  1,663

  1983

  1,971

  1984

  2,584

  1985

  3,047

  1986

  3,065

  1987

  2,842

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of registered drug addicts in 1979 and in each succeeding year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on the total number of addicts notified to the Home Office from Scotland in the years 1979 to 1988 is published in Tables Al and A2 of "Statistics of Drug Addicts Notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1988—Area Tables", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Infertility
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the infertility services provided by each health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I regret that this information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the prevalence of infertility in Scotland.
  970
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information about the prevalence of infertility is not available since only a proportion of those affected will seek advice and treatment. Data on the numbers of those seeking advice and treatment are not held centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether plans for the provision of infertility services are required to be included in the strategic plans of each health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No. It is for individual health boards to determine, in the light of local circumstances and of the resources available to them, the extent to which they should make infertility services available in their areas and how such services should be organised.

  Mental Illness (Lothian)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the joint funding arrangements for support for people with mental illness in Lothian, including the location of new facilities and financial arrangements for both capital and revenue expenditure.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Lothian health board, together with Lothian regional council, the district councils, and the voluntary sector, has developed a comprehensive plan for the provision of services for the mentally ill. Jointly funded projects play an increasingly important part in that provision. I recently announced the latest proposals, developed jointly by the health board, the regional council, the Church of Scotland and other voluntary agencies, involving the transfer of 90 mentally ill people back into the community at a capital cost to the NHS of £4 million. I have asked Lothian health board to let the hon. Member have the detailed information which he requested.

  Paramilitary Activity
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been(a) killed and (b) injured in Scotland in the first six months of 1989 as a result of paramilitary activity; and if he will break down the figures specifying whether the paramilitaries were (i) from western Europe, (ii) from Northern Ireland, (iii) from the Republic of Ireland, (iv) from other parts of the world and (v) of unknown origin.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None.

  Prisoners (Transfer)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners were transferred from(a) Scotland to Northern Ireland and (b) from Northern Ireland to Scotland in the first six months of 1989; and under which section of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 such transfers were carried out.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  One, from Scotland to Northern Ireland, under section (27) 1.

  Female Prisoners
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in Scotland in 1988 and in the first six months of 1989.
  971
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Statistics on court disposals during 1988 and the first six months of 1989 are not yet available. Provisional estimates based on prison reception statistics indicate that in 1988 the average length of sentence of females received into the penal system on direct sentence was 121 days. Prison reception statistics are not yet available for the period April-June 1989. Provisional estimates indicate that in the first three months of 1989 the average length of sentence of females received into the penal system on direct sentence was 107 days. Females sentenced to life imprisonment or indeterminate detention are not included in the above calculations.

  Forestry
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Forestry Commission consults the Nature Conservancy Council about all new woodland grant schemes outwith sites of special scientific interest with the exception of those in Caithness and Sutherland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Forestry Commission consults the Nature Conservancy Council on planting and felling proposals falling wholly or partly within national nature reserves or sites of special scientific interest and on planting schemes which require to be assessed under the terms of the Environmental Assessment (Afforestation) Regulations 1988. The NCC is also notified by the Forestry Commission of all planting and felling proposals in environmentally sensitive areas and given the opportunity to comment.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the Forestry Commission takes account of comments from local authorities on nature conservation aspects of forestry proposals; and if he will list the organisations the commission consults about the nature conservation aspects of forestry proposals.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Forestry Commission consults local authorities over grant and felling applications in accordance with mutually agreed arrangements with individual authorities. If a local authority consulted by the commission objects to an application on nature conservation or other grounds the commission will always seek a solution through discussions with the local authority and the applicant. If the matter cannot be resolved, the commission is required to consult Ministers before any decision is taken to allow the application.

  The commission does not seek comments from voluntary conservation bodies, but it does encourage statutory authorities, including the Nature Conservancy Council, to consider the views of such bodies in formulating their expert advice on forestry proposals.

  Basking Sharks
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial resources were allocated to stock assessment of basking sharks in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  It is not possible to undertake a stock assessment for basking sharks and therefore resources are not allocated specifically to this task.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what records of incidental catches of basking 972
  sharks have been recorded by his district fisheries inspectors for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Incidental catches of basking sharks are not recorded separately, but the level of incidental catches in the past three years is thought to have been extremely low.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish the stock estimates for basking sharks for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Basking sharks have a worldwide distribution, and those occurring in British waters appear to be seasonal visitors. No stock estimates are therefore available although examination of Norwegian catch and effort data suggests there has been no long-term change in the population in the last decade.

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the Scottish Office first became involved in the decision to apply the job interview guarantee scheme to the Whitfield area of Dundee and the Castlemilk area of Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  New Life for Urban Scotland
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan will receive a reply to his letter of 13 June on the New Life for Urban Scotland programme.

  Mr. Lang
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 25 July 1989.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale of Monday 3 July,Official Report, column 51, he has any progress to report on negotiations on the European Commission's proposals to make changes to the payment of the hill livestock compensatory allowance.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Negotiations are still at an early stage.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money was paid in the past four years to residents in residential care establishments and private nursing homes in Scotland for the following categories:(a) elderly, (b) physical handicap, (c) mental handicap and (d) mental illness by local authority.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Community Care
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how he proposes to take account of any increase in the need for community care services;
  973
  (2) how the care element to be allocated to local authorities will be identified in the rate support grant settlement in the initial and subsequent years;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to follow Sir Roy Griffiths' proposal to provide resources to match the needs identified in local plans;

  (4) what capacity there will be to enable local authorities to expand community care; and where this capacity will come from;

  (5) what form of consultation or negotiation he intends to establish with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on community care matters;

  (6) what role he sees for local authorities in the longer term as a direct provider of community care services:

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will direct the general manager of the Greater Glasgow health board to reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Shettleston's letter of 24 May regarding competitive tendering.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Environmental Bodies (Grants)
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning the amount of grant aid being made available under the Special Grants (Environmental) programme in 1989–90 to voluntary bodies in Scotland working in the environmental field.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I am pleased to announce that grant aid totalling £208,000 has been offered to the following voluntary bodies in the financial year 1989–90, to assist them in carrying out environmental conservation, improvement or education work in Scotland:

  £

  Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland

  2,500

  Association of Community Technical Aid Centres

  12,500

  Buchan Countryside Group

  2,500

  Central Scotland Countryside Trust

  12,500

  Council for Scottish Archaeology

  9,000

  Environment Centre

  10,000

  John Muir Trust

  3,000

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  12,500

  Royal Zoological Society

  5,750

  Scottish Community Woods Campaign

  7,750

  Scottish Conservation Projects Trust

  36,000

  Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

  1,500

  Scottish Environmental Education Council

  15,000

  Scottish Field School of Archaeology

  1,500

  Scottish Field Studies Association

  10,000

  Scottish Historic Buildings Trust

  13,000

  Scottish Rights of Way Society

  2,500

  Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link

  12,000

  Scottish Wildlife Trust

  30,000

  Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust

  3,500

  Woodland Trust

  5,000

  The experience of the first three years of the scheme has been generally good.

  I am satisfied that the grants have greatly assisted the voluntary organisations to increase their level of activity
  974
  and do much useful work. We are of course still in the experimental period with this scheme and are monitoring it closely. We are asking certain organisations for further information prior to allocating their final tranche of grant for the current year. My Department will review this three-year experimental scheme to assess performance and recommend improvements. I hope that in future we shall be able to focus support on those bodies and activities which are carrying out the greatest amount of practical work to conserve and enhance Scotland's environment.

  Development Agency
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the companies in which the Scottish Development Agency has equity participation and the value of each investment.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Equity investments by the Scottish Development Agency are as detailed. The value of each investment is expressed at cost.

  Investment name

  Cost (£)

  Kelvin Technology Development Ltd.

  100,000

  Drug Development (Scotland) Ltd.

  20

  SEC Ltd.

  8,500,000

  Aurora Instruments Ltd.

  3,050

  Bioscot Ltd.

  173,572

  Scottish Textile and Technical Centre Ltd.

  13,333

  Assep Ltd.

  40

  National Hyperbaric Centre Ltd.

  147,108

  Stirling University Innovation Park Ltd.

  33

  Caledonian Transgenics

  106,000

  Glasgow Garden Festival 1988 Ltd.

  100

  Industrial Systems and Control Ltd.

  50,000

  Bathgate Investment Fund Ltd.

  50

  Biomac Ltd.

  20,000

  Biocure Group plc

  87,073

  Medical Laser Technologies Ltd.

  190,000

  Scottish Consultants International

  16,667

  Strath University Ltd.

  60,000

  The Fibre Corporation Ltd.

  50,000

  Thistle Foods Ltd.

  25,000

  James Findlay and Sons

  50,000

  J. Turnbull and Sons

  20,000

  Gilcomston Litho (Aberdeen) Ltd.

  15,000

  Albyn of Stonehaven Ltd.

  25,000

  Tarquin Photographic Ltd.

  12,189

  Carintech

  39,000

  Tayside Plastics Ltd.

  10,000

  Tachanalysis Ltd.

  30,000

  Swilken Golf Company Ltd.

  10,000

  Ask Systems Ltd.

  100,000

  Afton Dyers Ltd.

  15,000

  Hughes D. M. Ltd.

  2,500

  Scotforms Computer Stationery Ltd.

  30,000

  Drysdale and Gibb Ltd.

  20,000

  S. P. Technology Ltd.

  20,000

  ZOT Engineering Ltd.

  19,000

  Nova tech Micro Systems. Ltd.

  10,000

  Haq Brothers (Scotland) Ltd.

  25,000

  Stenhouse Supplies Ltd.

  10,000

  Timber Terminal Ltd.

  30,000

  Studio Ink Precision Photographics Ltd.

  30,000

  Fleming Thermo Dynamics Ltd.

  70,000

  Design GRP Group Ltd.

  30,000

  Whitecross Nursing Home

  25,000

  Development Engineering (Aberdeen) Ltd.

  25,000

  Deeside Game Farm Ltd.

  15,000

  Scotwest Pneumatics Ltd.

  30,000

  MRM Engineering Ltd.

  20,000

  Armstrong Packaging Ltd.

  15,000

  MMEW Ltd.

  40,000

  Wright and Jobson Ltd.

  19,812

  Rhino Toughened Glass Ltd.

  75,000

  Kinshar Ltd.

  50,000

  975

  Investment name

  Cost (£)

  Promat Engineering Services Ltd.

  75,000

  Magnum Signs Ltd.

  25,000

  Automatic Truck Loading Systems Ltd.

  50,000

  Biggar Quality Meats Ltd.

  50,000

  Kerse Engineering Ltd.

  25,000

  Schneider Industry UK Ltd.

  50,000

  Prep Foods Ltd.

  35,000

  Le Choc Motif Ltd.

  25,000

  Scott of Bellshill Ltd.

  40,000

  Scot Cree Ltd.

  20,000

  Digital Art Publications

  12,000

  Omega Diagnostics Ltd.

  20,000

  Shoebrokers Ltd.

  35,000

  Ferguson Fittings Ltd.

  25,000

  Mackintosh and Co.

  25,000

  Consortium Resources Management Ltd.

  35,075

  Alcohol Education Services Ltd.

  15,000

  Intec Interior Designs (Scotland) Ltd.

  35,000

  Grampian Distribution Services

  30,000

  Power Controllers

  20,000

  Burns Equip Ltd.

  30,000

  Barclay Ross (Aberdeen)

  30,000

  Deanmont Ltd.

  3,530

  Highland Bakeries

  50,000

  J. L. G. Industries Inc.

  250,000

  Carron Phoenix

  19,024

  International Microelectronic Products

  643,342

  Carron Plastics Ltd.

  60,000

  North Face (Scotland) Ltd.

  30,000

  Murray Electronics plc

  250,000

  Peoples Ltd.

  673,820

  Weathermac Ltd.

  35,000

  H. McMurray and Son

  10,000

  J. K. Peters and Co. (Trees) Ltd.

  250,000

  Dunclare Dispensers (UK) Ltd.

  130,688

  Eskfood Holdings Ltd.

  38,182

  Smith and Telford Ltd.

  250,629

  Berkeley Computer Services Ltd.

  35,125

  Kingston Spinners (Scotland) Ltd.

  219,500

  Kames Fish Farming Ltd.

  3,043

  Strathclyde Lifting Services

  25,000

  Penman Engineering Ltd.

  33,833

  Office Workstations Ltd.

  132,668

  Lasalle Ltd.

  245,840

  Blair Engineering Ltd.

  50,000

  G. and G. Kynoch plc

  250,000

  North Cape Ltd.

  39,999

  Patons Holdings Ltd.

  120,000

  Baby Deer Ltd.

  40,000

  Polytun Growers Ltd.

  50,000

  Damon Biotech Europe Ltd.

  772

  Damon Biotech

  361,282

  Intellemetrics Ltd.

  103,251

  Gleddoch Hotels Ltd.

  80,000

  W. H. Perkins Ltd.

  175,000

  Exacta Holdings Ltd.

  482,534

  Farmdata

  59,528

  Fife Silica Sands Ltd.

  266,000

  Optima Holdings Ltd.

  50,000

  Atlantic Fresh Water plc

  125,000

  Bauteil Engineering Ltd.

  314,155

  New Scotland Insurance Group plc

  1,000

  FSA Ltd.

  70,000

  Sonsub Ltd.

  150,000

  Yarmadillo Ltd.

  122,921

  Caledonian Arenas plc

  125,000

  Echo Hotel Ltd.

  1,000,000

  Crosslees Investments (Glasgow) Ltd.

  119,678

  Marenac Ltd.

  100,000

  The Court House Fashion Centre Ltd.

  220

  Campbell of Selkirk Ltd.

  60,000

  HCS (Scotland) Ltd.

  200,000

  Almond Engineering Ltd.

  125,000

  Healthcare Facilities (Edinburgh) Ltd.

  31,000

  Seametrix Ltd.

  44,357

  Alma Caledonia Ltd.

  260,399

  Stage-Coach (Holdings) Ltd.

  500,000

  Grant Brothers (Meat Canners) Ltd.

  200,000

  976

  Investment name

  Cost (£)

  Ewart Micro Ltd.

  150,000

  Stewart Engineering Services Ltd.

  100,000

  Precision Power Train (UK) Ltd.

  125,000

  Crop Services (Scotland) Ltd.

  80,000

  Riverside Care Ltd.

  25,000

  Encap (UK) Ltd.

  145,000

  Book Services (Scotland) Ltd.

  180,000

  Duncans of Edinburgh Ltd.

  120,000

  Healthcare Group plc

  200,000

  British Bits Ltd.

  150,000

  Marshall Lauder Knitwear Ltd.

  70,000

  Strathclyde Process (Engineering) Ltd.

  375,000

  Highland Metals Ltd.

  94,999

  Graphic Information Systems Ltd.

  243,016

  Bluemink Ltd.

  95,000

  Stanley Mills (Scotland) Ltd.

  39,000

  Edinburgh Instruments Ltd.

  225,604

  Wm. McCrindle and Son

  140,000

  Cruachem Holdings Ltd.

  298,570

  Fenton Barns (Scotland) Ltd.

  60,000

  M and M Industries Ltd.

  188,500

  Scottish Development Finance Ltd.

  100

  J. H. Carruthers (Engineering) Ltd.

  35,600

  T. Spencer

  50,000

  Wrights of Trowmill

  30,000

  Henry Bannerman Garments Ltd.

  50,000

  RDS Group Ltd.

  287,188

  The Lodge on Loch Ltd.

  50,001

  Tarbet Fyne Foods Ltd.

  180,000

  Chemflake International Ltd.

  167,561

  Tayside Canners Ltd.

  100

  Scottdale Leisure Ltd.

  70,001

  Chessbourne International Ltd.

  250,000

  Eastern Photo

  50,000

  Caledonian Brewing Co. Ltd.

  104,275

  Swiftlogic Ltd.

  60,000

  Kineticon Ltd.

  366,000

  Stirling Diagnostics

  6,666

  Forth Valley Foods Ltd.

  195,000

  Shield Diagnostics

  250,000

  Pure Malt Products Ltd.

  150,000

  International Twist Drill (Holdings) Ltd.

  305,000

  In Europe Electronics Ltd.

  742,666

  Carrorhall Ltd.

  100,000

  Advanced Metal Technologies

  393,445

  Plimley Holding

  100,000

  Clyde Helicopters Ltd.

  65,000

  Kitchen Conversions (East Kilbride) Ltd.

  1,700

  Osprey Group Ltd.

  279,627

  Protofeed Ltd.

  75,000

  Polysystems Health Care Ltd.

  200,000

  Instruments and Microelectronic Systems Ltd.

  100,000

  Memex Information Holdings Ltd.

  250,000

  Domain Power Ltd.

  200,000

  McLaggan Smith Mugs Ltd.

  100,000

  Liebnitz Lann Ltd.

  40,000

  Webco Marine Systems Ltd.

  195,000

  Arran Haulage Services

  60,000

  Diagnostic Instruments Ltd.

  56,950

  Pharmaceutical Proteins Ltd.

  187,500

  Corpro Systems Ltd.

  115,000

  Unilith Ltd.

  220,000

  Digital Publications Ltd.

  150,000

  Gaelic Broadcasting
  Mrs Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to ensure that the payments currently made by Scottish Television to S4C will in future be spent on Gaelic programming.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Government are currently considering the future of Gaelic broadcasting and will announce its conclusion in due course.
  977
  Mrs Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him concerning the possibility of concentrating Gaelic programming on one channel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Secretary of State has received a variety of representations about the future of Gaelic broadcasting. All argue for an increase in programming but many are not specific as to transmission arrangements. Of those who do express a view, rather more favour using a number of channels than argue for concentrating Gaelic programming on one channel. The Government are currently considering issues raised in these representations and will announce their conclusion in due course.

  South Pier, Oban
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's policy towards the future of south pier in Oban; what representations he has received about the development of the pier; what provision has been made for fishing interests; what expenditure of public funds has been made to date; what further expenditure is planned; what date has been set for the completion of the Oban bay development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Department has approved those aspects of the Scottish Development Agency's involvement in the Oban waterfront development which are outwith the agency's delegated authority.

  My right hon. and learned Friend and I have received a number of representations about the development, some of which have referred to the south pier.

  The redevelopment works on the south pier are expected to be completed by the end of this year and the pier will then be transferred to Caledonian MacBrayne, which will in turn lease it to the Oban Port Users Association. The pier will incorporate a new fish hall and offices.

  It is estimated that the total value of the development will be around £10 million. Of this, around £3·9 million will be contributed by the public sector. Expenditure to date from public sector sources is around £2 million.

  On present plans, the main elements of the development should be completed in time for the 1991 tourist season.

  The waterfront project has been developed for the purpose of enhancing the attractiveness of Oban as a major tourism centre and as a gateway to the west Highlands and the Hebrides. The development proposes a multi-purpose leisure facility, specialist shopping facilities, a heritage centre and a hotel. In addition, facilities for the local fishing fleet and for management of ferry traffic will be improved.

  It is anticipated that the development will bestow substantial benefits not only to visitors but to the local population through increased economic activity and improved facilities.

ENERGY

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this Session up to 1 July.

  Mr. Wakeham
  In January, 213 letters were received from and 189 sent to hon. Members. In the whole Session up to 1 July 1,703 letters were received from hon. Members and 1,842 sent out.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what new plans the Department of Energy has to promote and improve energy efficiency.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray) on 17 July,Official Report, column 53.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what specific arrangements he has made to ensure that the new premises of his Department and its Energy Efficiency Office incorporate and practise the latest techniques in energy control and management.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department's new premises at No. 1 Palace street incorporate an electronic building and energy management system using the latest proven technology, designed to run at optimum efficiency all the eletronic and mechanical services, including heating and ventilation, throughout the building. The Property Services Agency has let a contract for the operation and maintenance of the building services, including the building and energy management system. In addition, staff in the Property Services Agency have been trained in the use of the system, and a number of staff from the Department have received training in how to monitor the system.

  Power Stations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 and for the current year to date the cost of coal and heavy oil used in power stations in terms of coal equivalent together with (a) the quantity of each used in terms of coal equivalent, (b) the world price of coal in terms of sterling on a delivered to United Kingdom basis and (c) the index of the real exchange rate for sterling in terms of relative export prices on the basis of 1976 = 100.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Plutonium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy in future publication of annual civil plutonium production and dispatch figures, that the positive or negative error to be applied to the data for each nuclear station be published with the data.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I shall consider carefully the point made by the hon. Member.
  979
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what amount of plutonium has been declared to the safeguards authorities, which is located in(a) high-level liquid radioactive waste tanks and (b) solid plutonium contaminated waste at Sellafield; and if he will give details for the periods May 1979 to December 1986, and January 1987 to the present.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  All safeguards data are confidential to the parties concerned.

  Radioactive Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what volume of low and intermediate level radioactive waste will become the responsibility of United Kingdom Nirex Ltd., following the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel already contracted by British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This will be a commercial matter between United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. and British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much low, intermediate and high-level radioactive waste will arise from the reprocessing of West German spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield, following the joint declaration on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy signed in Bonn on 25 July between the Federal Republic and the United Kingdom; how much of the low and intermediate-level waste will be sent back to Germany following reprocessing; and for how long the high-level waste will have to remain at Sellafield before being returned to the Federal Republic.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  British Nuclear Fuels plc and the German electricity utilities are in the process of negotiating contracts in the context of the recently signed joint declaration. I understand that the quantities of spent fuel to be reprocessed have yet to be agreed. In line with Government policy, the contracts, when concluded, will provide for the return of wastes to the Federal Republic of Germany.

  Offshore Installations
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many prosecutions have been instituted for failure to comply with directions issued by his Department under the Mineral Workings Offshore Installations Act 1971 and relating to the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977 since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  None. Directions issued by the Secretary of State under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 exempt installations from specific statutory requirements for limited periods subject to adequate alternative safety arrangements being in place. A direction ceases to have effect if any condition attached to it is not observed.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library a copy of all directions issued by his Department under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 and relating to the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  There is a large number of directions and copies cannot easily be assembled.980
  However, I will be arranging for copies of all directions relating to the Offshore Installations (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations 1977 issued in the last two years which remain in force to be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what directions have been issued by his Department in terms of the provisions of sections 7(4) and (5) of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 in respect of the provisions of the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977; to whom these directions were made; and to what offshore installations they relate.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department takes to monitor compliance with directions issued under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 and relating to the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My inspectors monitor compliance with all directions issued under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 as part of their inspection of offshore installations.

  Pneumoconiosis
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has to show the monthly breakdown for the last 36 months of the number of persons X-rayed for the first time for pneumoconiosis in an attempt to secure lump-sum compensation from British Coal and the breakdown of the subsequent results, distinguishing between those not suffering from the disease and those suffering, analysed by percentage disability groupings.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The British Coal Corporation is responsible for the periodic X-ray scheme which it introduced in 1958. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Energy Production
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the light of new statistics on the cost of energy, he will publish the comparative costs of energy produced by(a) coal, (b) Magnox reactors, (c) advanced gas-cooled reactor reactors, (d) oil and (e) hydro-electric in the years 1979 to 1987.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The detailed historical information requested is a matter for the CEGB. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Magnox Reactors
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what estimate he has of the total cost for the decommissioning, dismantling and guarding of Magnox reactors during the next 10 decades;

  (2) what is the basis of his evaluation of the costs of decommissioning Magnox reactors, the reprocessing of Magnox spent fuel and the disposal of radioactive waste arising from Magnox plants.
  981
  Mr. Wakeham
  I have received further information on these subjects from the CEGB over the past two months which is the subject of continuing consideration and discussion. I understand that some of the information reflects the present position in continuing negotiations between the CEGB and British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) further to his statement of 24 July, when he first asked for an assessment of the cost of reprocessing and waste treatment of spent Magnox fuel in connection with electricity privatisation; who undertook that assessment; and when the assessment was completed;

  (2) when he was first informed that the rising costs of dealing with spent Magnox fuel might affect the structure of the electricity privatisation.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement that my predecessor made on 24 July, at column 744.

  Nuclear Energy
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much electricity was purchased by the public supply industry from(a) Chapelcross, (b) Calder Hall, (c) Dounreay and (d) Winfrith, in each financial year from 1983–84 to 1988–89, inclusive.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the electricity industry. I have asked the chairmen of the CEGB and the North Western electricity board to reply direct to my hon. Friend concerning purchases from Calder Hall and Winfrith and some of the purchases from Chapelcross. Purchases of other supplies from Chapelcross and from Dounreay are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland who is responsible for the SSEB.

  Nuclear Fuel (Reprocessing)
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his current estimate of the costs of reprocessing and waste treatment of spent advanced gas-cooled reactor fuel;

  (2)what is his Department's most recent estimate of the cost of decommissioning (a) advanced gas-cooled reactor and (b) pressurised water reactor nuclear power stations;

  (3) what is the assessment now of the cost of reprocessing and disposing of spent Magnox fuel, and of the cost of decommissioning Magnox nuclear power stations.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I have given today to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn).

HEALTH

  NHS (Equipment Losses)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the value of losses of equipment, property or cash in the National Health Service in England owing to theft, fraud, arson, neglect of duty, gross carelessness or malicious damage in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  Following is information derived from the "Statement of Losses, etc." included in the 1987–8982
  summarised annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England and those of special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals:

  £ (cash)

  Losses of cash due to theft, fraud etc.

  102,866

  Losses of equipment and property in stores and in use due to theft, fraud or arson (whether proved or suspected), neglect of duty or gross carelessness: Bedding and linen

  137,963

  Other equipment and property

  1,306,146

  The separately summarised 1987–88 annual accounts of family practitioner committees in England record similar losses totalling £1,184.

  Equivalent information for 1988–89 will be available in the autumn.

  Emigration, Australasia
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to establish contact with persons, born in the United Kingdom, sent out as nine-to 12 year-olds to New Zealand and Australia, who have been unable to establish the identity of relations in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Mellor
  No.

  Health Care Demand
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the annual increase in demand for health care due to the aging population.

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimate of growth in demand on the hospital and health services arising through changes in population is as shown:

  Year

  Per cent.

  1985–86

  1·3

  1986–87

  1·0

  1987–88

  1·2

  1988–89

  1·0

  The figures represent the expected increase in demand for services arising through population changes overall and not just those for the elderly.

  Details of the method used to arrive at the estimates are given in answer to question 2 of the Social Services Select Committee report, Session 1987–88, House of Commons No. 548.

  Listeria
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information was conveyed to his Department concerning listeria by successive telephone calls from Dr. Ribeiro of the Cardiff public health laboratory service on the 16 June and subsequent days.

  Mr. Freeman
  By Friday 16 June the preliminary results of the survey being carried out locally by PHLS Cardiff were available. On Tuesday 20 June it was agreed with the Department that PHLS Cardiff would provide a summary as soon as further results on a wider survey were available. This further information was conveyed to the Department on 3 July.
  983
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps are now being taken to ensure that the greatest number of pregnant women know of the dangers of listeria to the foetus;

  (2) what steps were taken to inform pregnant women of the dangers of listeria to the foetus at the first available opportunity.

  Mr. Mellor
  The chief medical officer issued general advice to the public about listeria on 10 February 1989. He also gave specific advice to pregnant women to avoid eating certain foods, such as soft cheeses and more recently pate. He subsequently wrote to all doctors in England on 16 February 1989 to provide them with detailed advice on listeriosis. This advice is extant.

  In the case of listeria in pate, the results of a survey in Wales were not available until 30 June following which a national survey was set in hand to see whether or not there was a wider problem. However, in light of further evidence received from one of the importers on 11 July, we issued our warning to vulnerable groups on 12 July.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues to pregnant women with regard to the dangers of listeriosis.

  Mr. Mellor
  The chief medical officer issued general advice to the public about listeria on 10 February 1989. He also gave specific advice to pregnant women to avoid eating certain foods, such as soft cheeses and more recently pate. He subsequently wrote to all doctors in England on 16 February 1989 to provide tern with detailed advice on listeriosis. This advice is extant.

  Eye and Dental Checks
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people pay for(a) eye tests and (b) dental examinations: (i) currently and (ii) before the current charging policy began; and what is the average charge for each currently.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not have information on the percentage of people receiving sight tests or dental examinations since 1 April 1989 who have paid a charge. There was no charge for sight tests or dental examinations before that date. An ophthalmic optician who carries out a sight test under the general ophthalmic service receives a fee of £10·40 from the family practitioner committee, and an ophthalmic medical practitioner a fee of £8·69. Charges to patients for private sight tests are a matter for the ophthalmic profession. The current charge to a patient for a clinical examination under the general dental service is £3·15. For both types of examination, certain groups of the population are exempt from charges, and others are entitled to help with the costs of private sight tests.

  Community Care
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the new funding structure for community care will allow disabled people to receive payments to enable them to buy in personal care, in the same manner as many can now do through the independent living fund, or whether all of the proposed single budget to cover the costs of care, whether in a person's own home or in residential or nursing home, will be payable to local authorities.
  984
  Mr. Mellor
  Local authorities will be responsible for managing the unified budget for social care which we propose to introduce in 1991, and from it will be expected to make available services for people whom they have assessed as being in need of social care. We have no plans to enable local authorities to pay new cash benefits. Whether, as Sir Roy Griffiths proposed, they should be authorised to experiment within their budget with schemes facilitating the purchase of services by individuals has yet to be decided.

  Hospitals (Self-governing Status)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provision he will be making to fund the additional costs of installation and operation of the management and pricing system for self-governing hospital treatment;

  (2) whether he will provide an estimate of the additional costs of running the management and pricing system for self-governing hospitals.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is not possible to give a firm estimate at this stage; this will depend on a number of factors including the number and types of self-governing units. We have made available an extra £82 million in this financial year for implementing the review generally. Over time, any extra cost should be offset by the improved efficiency which will stem from the changes.

  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why the South West regional health authority breached the requirement stated in paragraphs 11 and 13 of the letter to regional general managers from Mr. Nichol, dated 14 March, that expressions of interest should be referred to regional health authorities so that they can add their comments on all expressions of interest before sending them on to the Department; why the authority members have not had submitted to them for their comment such expressions of interest; and whether he will return for such comment all submissions improperly forwarded.

  Mr. Mellor
  The chief executive's letter made it clear that expressions of interest could be made by any interested party. It was not open to the region to withhold any submissions, although we were keen to have regional comments on the expressions. How this matter was dealt with in the regional health authority is for the regional chairman to decide.

  We would expect the regional health authority to play a full part in commenting on any applications for self governance in due course.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of hospital beds are taken up annually by road accident victims; and what is the cost(a) including and (b) excluding out-patients.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1985, the latest year for which figures are available centrally, road accident cases occupied 2 percent. of non-psychiatric, non-maternity beds in NHS hospitals in England. In 1986, the latest year for which the calculations are available, the estimated total cost to the National Health Service of dealing with road accident victims in England was £132 million, of which an estimated £7 million relates to out-patient costs.

  Member's Letters
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why his office did not write to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West until 24 July to inform him that letters about the reform of the National Health Service sent to his Department on 8 June had been transferred to the Welsh Office.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am sorry that there has been such a long delay before we notified the right hon. Member of the transfer of his letter. Staff in the Department have been dealing with a very large number of letters on the reform of the National Health Service and did not identify straight away that a response from the Welsh Office was appropriate.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will include proposals to require the registration of private care homes with fewer than four residents in his forthcoming White Paper on community care:

  (2) what action he is taking to ensure that local authorities have sufficient powers to deal with private care home proprietors who are running as one establishment a number of small homes with fewer than four residents.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 27 July.

  Childhood Cancer
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of children suffering from any form of cancer in the Glanford and Scunthorpe constituency for each of the years 1986 to 1989.

  Mr. Freeman
  Cancer registration data are still being collated for the years 1986 onwards. We would not normally release data for childhood cancers for areas as small as parliamentary constituencies on grounds of confidentiality.

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the latest figures for the prevalence of drug misuse and service provision in each Health Service region on a comparable basis with those issued in June 1985.

  Mr. Freeman
  Detailed figures on the prevalence of drug misuse are, because of the clandestine and illegal nature of the activity, not available. The figures which were issued in June 1985 were obtained via a special exercise. This exercise has not been repeated and so I am unable to give the hon. Member updated figures.

  The Department has produced the following statistical booklets which the hon. Member may find of interest:
  Mental Illness Hospitals and Units in England: Drug Misuse Statistics 1981–1985;
  Mental Illness Hospitals and Units in England: Drug Misuse Statistics 1982–1986;
  Data from the Addicts Index, October to December: Quarter 1988 and January to December 1988.

  These have been placed in the Library.

  Infertility
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the infertility services provided by each district health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the prevalence of infertility in England.

  Mr. Mellor
  Accurate statistics are not available, but it is estimated that about one in 10 couples is infertile.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether plans for the provision of infertility services are required to be included in the strategic plans of district health authorities.

  Mr. Mellor
  There is no such requirement. The provision of infertility services is a matter for individual health authorities to decide in the light of local needs and priorities.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the number of ambulance vehicles available for service in the London ambulance service area each week since the beginning of the current year, the number that had no drivers and the number of occasions that were emergency only.

  Mr. Freeman
  The details of emergency ambulance availability for the period 8 January to 23 July 1989 are shown in the table. Figures for non-emergency ambulances are not shown because of the variety of vehicles used:

  Week ending

  Planned vehicles

  Unmanned vehicles

  1Single-manned vehicles

  8 January 1989

  2,864

  146

  63

  15 January 1989

  2,864

  151

  50

  22 January 1989

  2,864

  112

  49

  29 January 1989

  2,864

  124

  43

  5 February 1989

  2,864

  153

  56

  12 February 1989

  2,864

  140

  66

  19 February 1989

  2,864

  158

  52

  26 February 1989

  2,864

  180

  60

  5 March 1989

  2,905

  181

  52

  12 March 1989

  2,905

  196

  66

  19 March 1989

  2,905

  191

  66

  26 March

  2,905

  169

  47

  2 April 1989

  2,905

  217

  69

  9 April 1989

  2,905

  158

  65

  16 April 1989

  2,905

  120

  57

  23 April 1989

  2,905

  188

  53

  30 April 1989

  2,905

  183

  45

  7 May 1989

  2,905

  157

  69

  14 May 1989

  2,905

  181

  45

  21 May 1989

  2,905

  196

  60

  28 May 1989

  2,905

  158

  57

  4 June 1989

  2,905

  248

  76

  11 June 1989

  2,905

  211

  49

  18 June 1989

  2,905

  300

  63

  25 June 1989

  2,905

  273

  88

  2 July 1989

  2,905

  267

  76

  9 July 1989

  2,905

  228

  66

  16 July 1989

  2,905

  228

  58

  23 July 1989

  2,905

  221

  70

  1 The single-manned vehicles can be used if a fully-manned vehicle is not available.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the number of occasions, and the dates
  987
  concerned, when the London ambulance service was ouside the 14-minute Department of Health guideline for emergency responses since January 1989.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, the table shows the performance by month from January 1989:

  Month

  Percentage responded to within 14 minutes

  Number of minutes to respond to 95 per cent, of calls

  January

  80

  20

  February

  77

  20

  March

  77

  20

  April

  77

  21

  May

  80

  19

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken following the ACAS report on the London ambulance service staffing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The ACAS report on stress in the London ambulance service (LAS) was welcomed by LAS management. Working groups comprising LAS managers, staff representatives and representatives of ACAS have been considering how best to implement the recommendations and have been making excellent progress. The working groups are expected to complete their work in September 1989.

  Cochlear Implants
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research funding has been made available to University College hospital for research into cochlear implants; what plans he has to increase it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  University College hospital has received some £300,000 for a five-year research programme on cochlear implants (due to end in April 1990) from the Sir Jules Thorn charitable trust and others. Further technical support has been provided by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The NHS meets the surgical costs and those of patients' stay in hospital.

  Birmingham Children's Hospital
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies annually are not receiving life-saving heart surgery under the Birmingham health authority policy of restricting open-heart operations to 28 per month.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that no urgent cases of life-saving heart surgery have been turned away from the Birmingham children's hospital.

  Indeed the planned number of open heart operations in 1989–90, at 320, is more than twice the number performed in 1987–88.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients other than with heart problems were turned away from the Birmingham children's hospital's intensive care unit during the period 1 January to 30 June; how many children patients with heart problems were turned away in the same period; and how many cardiac by-pass operations were carried out in the same period.
  988
  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that all emergency cases requiring intensive care during the period 1 January—30 June were admitted to the intensive care unit. The total number of open heart operations in this period was 191.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health over what periods of time the Birmingham children's hospital's records show that intensive care unit beds stood unused since surgeons have worked to the 28-monthly restriction to date.

  Mr. Freeman
  The hospital attempts to keep one intensive care bed free for emergencies, including casualties. Apart from that the intensive care beds which are for the use of the hospital as a whole have never stood unused.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when all the eight intensive care unit beds at Birmingham children's hospital will be available; what steps the hospital management are taking to increase the number of staffed beds on the intensive care unit; and what steps are being taken to provide additional intensive care unit beds.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that the number of intensive care beds occupied in the last three months fluctuated between six and eight, depending on the availability of staff and the dependency of patients. Nurse recruitment continues to improve in the intensive care unit following successful training initiatives and the hospital hopes to have eight intensive care beds available with increasing frequency. A project team is currently looking at options for further increasing the number of intensive care beds.

  North West Hertfordshire DHA (Dr. Sage)
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings of the North West Hertfordshire district health authority have taken place since the appointment to it of Dr. Sage; on how many occasions Dr. Sage has attended meetings; and on how many occasions he has sent an apology for non-attendance.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not available centrally. My hon. Friend may however wish to contact the chairman of North West Hertfordshire district health authority for further details.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department intends to review the training of audiology staff with a view to creating a specialism in hearing aid fitting;

  (2) whether he will introduce a training course for general practitioners to increase their knowledge of hearing loss.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, West and Torridge (Miss Nicholson) on 27 July.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to different local arrangements for the delivery of hearing aid services within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are aware that some health authorities are already operating various schemes
  989
  involving alternative methods of delivery of hearing aid services, including direct referral to audiology services. We propose to set in train a programme of action to increase the number of such direct referral schemes, together with appropriate methods of monitoring and evaluating them. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, West and Torridge (Miss Nicholson) on 27 July.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the usage of hearing aids after being dispensed.

  Mr. Freeman
  Precise information is not held centrally. A national study of hearing by the Medical Research Council indicates that about one fifth of those who have hearing aids do not use them.

  Mental Patients (Discharge)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has about the lengths of time mentally ill people discharged from hospital are able to stay in residential homes run or supported by local authorities.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information is not readily available centrally on the lengths of time mentally ill people stay in residential homes. It is for the local authority, in consultation with whoever is caring for the resident, to determine the appropriate length of stay in each case.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the intended increase in National Health Service funding, in percentage terms, in the next three years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The planned level of funding for the National Health Service for the next three financial years is subject to review in the current public expenditure survey, the results of which will be announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement.

  Infant Mortality
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give(a) the infant mortality rate for the Glanford and Scunthorpe constituency for each of the years 1986 to 1989 and (b) the comparable national and regional rates.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table.

  Infant mortality1 rates for 1986–88

  Area of usual residence

  1986

  1987

  19883

  England and Wales

  9·6

  9·2

  9·0

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  10·5

  9·9

  9·3

  Glanford and Scunthorpe parliamentary constituency2

  12·5

  11·7

  9·4

  1 Deaths under one year of age per 1,000 livebirths.

  2 Comprising Scunthorpe county district together with the following wards of Glanford county district: North West, Winterton, Darton upon Stather, Gunness, Meassingham, Bottesford West, Broughton, Bottesford Central, Bottesford East, and Trentside.

  3 Provisional.

  Health Care
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for health whether Her Majesty's Government have considered the reasons for the difference in the proportion of gross domestic product spent on health care in the United Kingdom and in other developed countries.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 16 May at column 146.

  Bills
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in the Official Report a list of Bills sponsored by his Department in each Session since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is in the table. For sessions earlier than 1988–89 the Bills shown are those which relate to health matters and exclude social security.

  Session

  Health

  1979–80

  Health Services Bill National Health Services (Invalid Direction) Bill

  1980–81

  —

  1981–82

  —

  1982–83

  —

  1983–84

  Health and Social Security Bill

  1984–85

  Surrogacy Arrangements Bill

  1985–86

  National Health Service (Amendment) Bill

  1986–87

  —

  1987–88

  Health and Medicines Bill

  1988–89

  Human Organ Transplants Bill

  1988–89

  Children Bill

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he has any plans to instigate a further advertising campaign to encourage people to have eye tests following the introduction of eye test charges; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he has any plans to instigate an advertising campaign on exemption from eye test charges.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have no current plans for instigating any new advertising campaign either to encourage people to visit their optician for a sight test or to further publicise the groups entitled to free sight tests under the NHS. Information on entitlement for NHS sight tests is clearly given in poster SB54 and leaflet G11, issued by this Department and updated on an annual basis.

  Mental Health
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are his plans for continuing research into mental health problems seen by general practitioners following the closure of the general practice research unit;

  (2) what funding is planned in the area of research into investigating psychiatric disorders over the next financial year following the closure of the general practice research unit;

  (3) what steps he is taking to ensure multidisciplinary research into mental health problems in primary care following the closure of the general practice research unit.

  Mr. Freeman
  Following the retirement of the director of the general practice research unit (GPRU), Professor
  991
  Shepherd, we reviewed our arrangements for social and community mental health research. We decided that we could best meet our likely needs through more responsive arrangements that would be possible by continuing long-term support for the GPRU and we therefore did not renew its contract.

  The Department is committed to maintaining its support for social and community mental health research up to the present level of available funding of £250,000 per annum. Indeed community care is one of the priority themes for our current research programme. The commissioning of appropriate projects will, of course, be driven by the requirement for research to assist the Government's policy objectives. When these requirements for 1990–91 and beyond have been worked into our research programme later this year, we shall be approaching researchers. We expect to discuss with the new MRC social and community psychiatry unit whether some of our research needs can be met by it. An undertaking has been given that those members of the core staff of GPRU who would have become employed in the new MRC unit had Department of Health commissions been added to its core programme and have not found further employment by the time their present contract ends, will be offered grant support at the Maudsley until 30 April 1990.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the total costs of general practice in the United Kingdom the proposed funding of investigations into psychiatric disorders would amount to after the closure of the general practice research unit.

  Revenue expenditure on hospitals categorised as "Mental Illness" at 1986–87 prices

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  Regions

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Northern

  52,186

  9·25

  57,267

  9·31

  57,317

  9·26

  57,854

  9·27

  Yorkshire

  63,822

  10·05

  70,621

  10·15

  69,461

  9·89

  69,979

  9·73

  Trent

  72,929

  9·73

  78,825

  9·57

  77,766

  9·37

  77,872

  9·33

  East Anglian

  31,110

  9·87

  34,213

  9·94

  33,871

  9·81

  33,086

  9·56

  North West Thames

  75,519

  10·04

  81,890

  10·03

  80,479

  9·65

  76,677

  10·11

  North East Thames

  68,592

  8·42

  76,773

  8·58

  75,999

  8·46

  75,678

  7·89

  South East Thames

  69,514

  8·84

  75,444

  8·89

  74,880

  8·81

  72,086

  8·59

  South West Thames

  74,822

  12·41

  78,919

  12·05

  78,363

  11·87

  76,666

  12·07

  Wessex

  51,691

  11·42

  55,383

  11·26

  55,350

  11·09

  54,870

  10·95

  Oxford

  28,849

  7·73

  30,755

  7·66

  32,916

  8·20

  29,477

  7·35

  South Western

  58,845

  10·62

  63,821

  10·62

  63,590

  10·45

  63,773

  10·50

  West Midlands

  81,979

  9·23

  87,996

  9·17

  88,460

  9·18

  87,440

  9·02

  Mersey

  50,575

  10·54

  53,966

  10·39

  52,817

  10·11

  51,472

  9·85

  North Western

  31,424

  4·06

  33,407

  3·93

  33,323

  3·82

  35,091

  4·01

  Total

  811,857

  9·29

  879,280

  9·24

  874,592

  9·10

  860,021

  8·99

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Regions

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Northern

  57,160

  9·01

  57,946

  9·05

  57,200

  8·92

  57,780

  8·69

  Yorkshire

  65,674

  9·26

  65,606

  9·15

  64,421

  8·91

  63,883

  8·54

  Trent

  76,924

  9·05

  74,744

  8·62

  76,767

  8·81

  78,973

  8·64

  East Anglian

  33,777

  9·44

  34,329

  9·39

  35,425

  9·57

  36,333

  9·33

  North West Thames

  76,827

  10·09

  74,693

  9·77

  76,453

  10·15

  74,047

  9·52

  North East Thames

  76,021

  7·89

  76,202

  7·93

  73,617

  7·79

  75,608

  7·75

  South East Thames

  71,767

  8·48

  81,255

  9·65

  67,409

  8·08

  76,136

  8·88

  South West Thames

  76,633

  11·98

  76,283

  11·93

  75,114

  11·95

  74,067

  11·39

  992
  Mr. Freeman
  Our precise requirements for future research on mental health issues are still being developed.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amount spent by each region on services for the mentally ill(a) in cash terms at constant prices and (b) as a proportion of their total budgets, for each year from 1979 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 18 April 1989]: For costing purposes prior to 1987–88 all hospitals were classified into one or other of a series of standard types which reflected the principal use to which their beds were allocated and costing returns in respect of community health services showed expenditure relating to major areas of activity only.

  The following table, derived from hospital costing returns for 1979–80 to 1986–87 gives figures of regional and national revenue expenditure (expressed at 1986–87 prices) on hospitals categorised as "mental illness" and those figures as percentages of total revenue expenditure on all hospital and community health services (HCHS).

  However, the expenditure figures exclude the growing volume of activity in psychiatric units within acute and other hospitals and services provided within the community health services. Such expenditure is not separately identifiable centrally.

  Information on the financial year 1987–88 is to be published shortly, but, because of the adoption of changes recommended in the reports of the steering group on NHS information (the Körner committee), it will not be in a directly comparable form
  993

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Regions

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Revenue expenditure (£ thousand)

  Percentage of total revenue expenditure

  Wessex

  54,031

  10·51

  54,490

  10·35

  52,850

  10·09

  55,041

  10·02

  Oxford

  28,716

  7·11

  29,067

  6·98

  28,479

  6·85

  29,431

  6·78

  South Western

  62,038

  10·03

  61,071

  9·80

  59,422

  9·53

  57,891

  8·91

  West Midlands

  90,151

  9·14

  89,998

  8·97

  88,760

  8·82

  89,801

  8·55

  Mersey

  51,664

  9·89

  50,392

  9·56

  48,556

  9·25

  47,681

  8·78

  North Western

  34,872

  3·96

  33,936

  3·82

  34,360

  3·86

  35,215

  3·82

  Total

  856,255

  8·84

  860,012

  8·79

  838,833

  8·60

  851,887

  8·41

  Notes:

  1. The figures have been expressed at 1986–87 prices by the use of the Gross Domestic Product deflator.

  2. Figures include expenditure on in-patients, out-patients, day patients etc.

  3. "HCHS" includes hospital, community, patient transport (ie ambulance), blood transfusion and other services.

  Environmental Health Officers
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many training places are or were available to those wishing to qualify as environmental health officers in each of the last five years; and how many there will be for each of the next three years.

  Mr. Mellor
  Decisions on the training of environmental health officers are matters for local authorities, and we do not normally collect information centrally on the number of training places available. The table shows the number of student EHOs entering training in each of the last four years, according to information supplied by the Institution of Environmental Health Officers.

  Total intakes

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  3 year diploma course

  65

  63

  71

  74

  4 year degree course

  142

  152

  184

  185

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the current shortage of environmental health officers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 27 February at columns 64–65.

  Expenditure on hospital and community health services (HCHS)

  1987–88

  Cash (£ thousand)

  As a proportion of total current expenditure (per cent.)

  As a proportion of total expenditure (current and capital) (per cent.)

  Expenditure on headquarters administration

  492,776

  4·37

  4·01

  Expenditure on general management and administrative offices etc. at operational levels

  443,226

  3·93

  3·61

  Source: 1987–88 annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  Notes:

  1. "HCHS" includes hospital, community health, patient transport (ie ambulance), blood transfusion and other services.

  2. Expenditure on headquarters administration includes all current expenditure on the pay and pay related costs of staff of all disciplines (including general managers) employed at regional and district headquarters levels and their office costs and overheads.

  3. Expenditure on general management and administrative offices etc. at operational levels includes all current expenditure on the pay and pay related costs of staff engaged on providing administrative services at hospital sites and units together with expenditure on printing, stationery and office sundries which cannot be specifically identified to other departments.

  4. The cost of medical records departments (£135 million in 1987–88) is excluded.

  Management and Administration Costs
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his most up-to-date estimate of the proportion of hospital and community health services' expenditure spent on management and administration, including internal hospital management costs as well as management costs of regional and district health authorities; and what he expects the proportion to be when the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" have been implemented.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 18 April 1989]: Information relating to hospital and community health services (HCHS) and derived from the 1987–88 summarised accounts of health authorities in England is shown in the table. Equivalent information for the financial year 1988–89 will be available in the autumn.

  It is not possible to forecast the proportion of total expenditure which health authorities will incur on management and administration after the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" have been implemented. However, since those proposals are designed to increase efficiency and to provide greater incentives to health authorities by encouraging both competition and cost consciousness we do not expect the proportion to increase significantly and moreover any increase in cash or in proportional terms should result in a more effective use of total resources for the benefit of patients.

  Agency Nursing
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each district health authority and for each regional health authority the spending in 1988–89 or the latest available year on agency nursing in absolute terms and also as a percentage of total spending on nursing.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 10 July 1989]: The information derivable from 1987–88 annual accounts submitted to the Department have been placed in the Library. Equivalent information for 1988–89 will be available in the autumn.

  Table A

  Analysis of catering costs nationally for both patients and staff meals for each of the years 1983–84 to 1986–87. Figures for 1979 are not readily available.

  Total expenditure

  Cost per person fed per day

  Total expenditure

  Cost per person fed per day

  £

  £

  £

  £

  1983–84

  1984–85

  Patient meals

  Cost of food

  131,230,768

  1·26

  133,482,131

  1·32

  Cost of staff

  129,751,878

  1·24

  129,582,427

  1·28

  Total service cost (net of receipts)

  269,781,664

  2·59

  272,266,181

  2·70

  Staff meals

  Cost of food

  37,542,627

  —

  38,770,039

  —

  Cost of staff

  84,745,231

  —

  82,074,742

  —

  Total service cost (net of receipts)

  76,399,525

  —

  73,371,327

  —

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Patient meals

  Cost of food

  133,560,652

  1·36

  134,721,529

  1·41

  Cost of staff

  127,816,200

  1·30

  130,509,430

  1·37

  Total service cost (net of receipts)

  272,355,217

  2·78

  280,365,094

  2·94

  Staff meals

  Cost of food

  39,336,250

  —

  41,394,976

  —

  Cost of staff

  80,464,975

  —

  78,821,583

  —

  Total service cost (net of receipts)

  71,650,488

  —

  71,077,574

  —

  Note: Cost per member of staff fed per day is not applicable.

  Source: Costing returns submitted to the Department by health authorities.

  Table B

  Regional information for the net daily cost per patient fed for 1979–80 and each of the years 1983–84 to 1986–871

  1979–80

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Region

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Northern

  1·84

  2·55

  2·66

  2·74

  2·84

  Yorkshire

  1·89

  2·60

  2·69

  2·77

  2·96

  Trent

  2·05

  2·71

  2·78

  2·81

  2·98

  East Anglia

  2·56

  2·78

  2·89

  2·94

  3·07

  North West Thames

  1·96

  2·58

  2·69

  2·83

  3·02

  North East Thames

  1·85

  2·54

  2·60

  2·70

  2·89

  South East Thames

  2·06

  2·55

  2·68

  2·91

  3·11

  South West Thames

  1·91

  2·39

  2·55

  2·66

  2·90

  Wessex

  2·00

  2·60

  2·81

  2·90

  3·02

  Oxford

  1·95

  2·63

  2·70

  2·76

  3·04

  South Western

  1·94

  2·58

  2·72

  2·74

  2·86

  West Midlands

  1·97

  2·61

  2·70

  2·75

  2·86

  Mersey

  1·81

  2·38

  2·49

  2·56

  2·63

  North Western

  1·96

  2·64

  2·76

  2·79

  2·94

  Board of Governors/SHAs

  2·81

  3·56

  3·72

  3·93

  4·33

  ENGLAND

  1·97

  2·59

  2·70

  2·78

  2·94

  Source: Costing returns submitted to the Department by health authorities.

  1 Figures for 1987–88 are not yet available.

  Similar information for staff is not available centrally.

  NHS (Meals)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost of production, by region of(a) staff and (b) patient meals in the National Health Service; and what are the comparable figures for 1979. 1983 and 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]: The information is not available in the form requested. Information for England is however available as follows:

  Abortions
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions at 25 weeks, 26 weeks and 27 weeks were performed during 1988 because of a substantial risk that if the child were born it would be seriously handicapped.

  Mr. Freeman
  The data for 1988, which are provisional, are shown in the table.

  Number of abortions performed under ground 41 of the 1967 Abortion Act by week of gestation, England and Wales 1988

  Gestation week

  Number

  25

  5

  26

  7

  27

  6

  1 There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

  National health service abortions on usual residents of regional health authorities (RHAs). (a) total number and (b) day cases. Selected gestation periods, 1988

  Gestation under 9 weeks

  Gestation 9 to 12 weeks

  Area of usual residence

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  England and Wales

  15,064

  9,663

  45,974

  25,103

  England

  14,476

  9,495

  42,958

  24,704

  Wales

  588

  168

  3,016

  399

  Northern RHA

  1,459

  939

  3,884

  2,239

  Yorkshire RHA

  660

  246

  2,178

  872

  Trent RHA

  1,109

  579

  4,172

  2,086

  East Anglian RHA

  735

  421

  2,572

  1,216

  North West Thames RHA

  1,505

  1,014

  3,324

  2,052

  North East Thames RHA

  2,297

  1,915

  6,408

  5,030

  South East Thames RHA

  1,357

  1,029

  3,559

  2,225

  South West Thames RHA

  990

  774

  2,147

  1,419

  Wessex RHA

  474

  241

  2,018

  907

  Oxford RHA

  1,012

  873

  2,001

  1,412

  South Western RHA

  784

  479

  3,683

  2,228

  West Midlands RHA

  537

  267

  1,740

  625

  Mersey RHA

  507

  355

  2,226

  1,627

  North Western RHA

  1,050

  363

  3,046

  816

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were performed in 1987 and 1988 on residents aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 years at each of the following gestational ages: less than nine weeks, nine to 12 weeks, 13 to 16 weeks, 17 to 20 weeks, 21 to 24 weeks and 24 weeks and over on each of the seven grounds.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The exact information requested cannot be released on grounds of confidentiality; the tables show such data as can be released.

  Number of abortions performed on residents aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 years by gestation weeks in 1988, by statutory grounds1

  Age of mother

  Gestation weeks

  Statutory grounds

  All grounds (mentions)

  2

  All others

  10

  Under 9

  4

  3

  1

  9–12

  4

  4

  0

  13–16

  1

  1

  0

  17–20

  1

  1

  0

  21–24

  0

  0

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  998
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of legal abortions under nine weeks, nine to 12 weeks, 13 to 16 weeks and over 16 weeks since last menstrual period, performed on women resident in each regional health authority and in each district health authority in England and Wales in 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of National Health Service abortions under nine weeks and nine to 12 weeks since last menstrual period, and the respective numbers of these abortions involving admission and discharge on the same day, performed on women resident in each regional health authority and in each district health authority in England and Wales in 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested cannot be released at district health authority level on the grounds of confidentiality. Data for usual residents of regional health authorities are shown in the table.

  Age of mother

  Gestation weeks

  Statutory grounds

  All grounds (mentions)

  2

  All others

  11

  Under 9

  0

  0

  0

  9–12

  0

  0

  0

  13–16

  0

  0

  0

  17–20

  0

  0

  0

  21–24

  0

  0

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  12

  Under 9

  2

  2

  0

  9–12

  2

  2

  0

  13–16

  0

  0

  0

  17–20

  1

  1

  0

  21–24

  2

  2

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  13

  Under 9

  18

  18

  0

  9–12

  44

  43

  1

  13–16

  15

  15

  0

  17–20

  8

  8

  0

  21–24

  4

  4

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  999

  Age of mother

  Gestation weeks

  Statutory grounds

  All grounds

  2

  All others

  (mentions)

  14

  Under 9

  185

  182

  3

  9–12

  355

  354

  1

  13–16

  129

  125

  4

  17–20

  66

  65

  1

  21–24

  37

  37

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  15

  Under 9

  611

  605

  6

  9–12

  1,465

  1446

  19

  13–16

  382

  375

  7

  17–20

  217

  214

  3

  21–24

  58

  57

  1

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  1

  1

  0

  16

  Under 9

  1,536

  1,522

  14

  9–12

  3,724

  3,657

  67

  13–16

  787

  779

  8

  17–20

  414

  407

  7

  21–24

  136

  132

  4

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  1

  1

  0

  Number of abortions performed on residents aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 years by gestation weeks in 1987, by statutory grounds1

  Statutory grounds

  Age of mother

  Gestation weeks

  All grounds (mentions)

  2

  All others

  10

  Under 9

  8

  7

  1

  9–12

  5

  4

  1

  13–16

  1

  1

  0

  17–20

  2

  1

  1

  21–24

  0

  0

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  11

  Under 9

  0

  0

  0

  9–12

  1

  1

  0

  13–16

  0

  0

  0

  17–20

  0

  0

  0

  Number of abortions performed on residents aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 years by gestation weeks

  Statutory grounds1

  Age of mother

  Gestation weeks

  All grounds (mentions)

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  1987

  10 to 16

  Under 9

  2,353

  10

  2,319

  23

  1

  0

  0

  9 to 12

  5,576

  21

  5,480

  69

  6

  0

  0

  13 to 16

  1,324

  1

  1,303

  16

  4

  0

  0

  17 to 20

  694

  2

  672

  10

  10

  0

  0

  21 to 24

  213

  0

  209

  2

  2

  0

  0

  24+

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Not stated

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1988

  10 to 16

  Under 9

  2,356

  4

  2,332

  16

  4

  0

  0

  9 to 12

  5,594

  14

  5,506

  71

  3

  0

  0

  13 to 16

  1,314

  0

  1,295

  15

  4

  0

  0

  17 to 20

  707

  1

  696

  5

  5

  0

  0

  21 to 24

  237

  0

  232

  3

  2

  0

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Conditions of the statutory grounds are:

  1. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  2. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman greater that if the pregnancy were terminated.

  3. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk or injury to the physical or mental health of any existing child(ren) in the family of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  4. There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be handicapped.

  5. To save the life of the pregnant woman.

  6. To prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

  1000

  Statutory grounds

  Age of mother

  Gestation weeks

  All grounds (mentions)

  2

  All others

  21–24

  0

  0

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  12

  Under 9

  3

  3

  0

  9–12

  4

  4

  0

  13–16

  3

  3

  0

  17–20

  0

  0

  0

  21–24

  0

  0

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  13

  Under 9

  26

  25

  1

  9–12

  55

  55

  0

  13–16

  16

  15

  1

  17–20

  12

  11

  1

  21–24

  6

  6

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  14

  Under 9

  171

  167

  4

  9–12

  398

  393

  5

  13–16

  126

  126

  0

  17–20

  61

  58

  3

  21–24

  34

  34

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  15

  Under 9

  639

  630

  9

  9–12

  1,560

  1,534

  26

  13–16

  398

  391

  7

  17–20

  225

  221

  4

  21–24

  66

  66

  0

  24+

  0

  0

  0

  Not stated

  0

  0

  0

  16

  Under 9

  1,506

  1,487

  19

  9–12

  3,553

  3,489

  64

  13–16

  780

  767

  13

  17–20

  394

  381

  13

  21–24

  107

  103

  4

  24+

  1

  0

  1

  Not stated

  2

  2

  0

  1001
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in the Official Report a breakdown of the reasons for abortions performed under grounds (a) one, (b) three, (c) four, (d) five, (e) six and (f) seven of the Abortion Act 1967 for 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The information requested is shown in the tables.

  Abortions performed under ground 11 (with any other) of the 1967 Abortion Act: numbers by principal medical condition, England and Wales, 1987–1988.

  Number

  ICD2

  Condition

  1987

  1988

  All legal abortions

  480

  486

  641

  Antepartum haemorrhage, abruptio placentae and placenta praevia

  2

  3

  642

  Hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium

  73

  145

  643

  Excessive vomiting in pregnancy

  10

  2

  646–648

  Other complications of pregnancy

  227

  250

  654

  Abnormality of organs and soft tissue of pelvis

  8

  5

  655

  Known or suspected foetal abnormality affecting management of mother

  30

  24

  656–659·9

  Other foetal complications

  —

  1

  Without mention of specific medical condition

  98

  27

  1 The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant women greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  2 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, 9th revision.

  Abortions performed under ground 31 (with or without 2) of the Abortion Act: numbers by principal medical condition, England and Wales, 1987–1988.

  ICD2

  Condition

  Number

  1987

  1988

  All legal abortions

  17,247

  17,902

  642

  Hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium

  15

  14

  643

  Excessive vomiting in pregnancy

  4

  3

  646–648

  Other complications of pregnancy

  13,573

  14,787

  654

  Abnormality of organs and soft tissue of pelvis

  8

  12

  655

  Known or suspected foetal abnormality affecting management of mother

  32

  8

  656–659.9

  Other foetal complications

  3

  2

  Without mention of specific medical condition

  3,597

  3,060

  1 The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk or injury to the physical or mental health of any existing child(ren) in the family of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  2 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, 9th revision.

  Abortions performed under ground 41 (alone) of the 1967 Abortion Act: numbers by principal medical condition—England and Wales, 1987–88

  ICD2

  Condition

  Number

  1987

  1988

  All legal abortions

  1,233

  1,215

  646–648

  Other complications of pregnancy

  20

  6

  655

  Known or suspected foetal abnormality affecting management of mother

  1,192

  1,197

  656–659·9

  Other foetal complications

  20

  10

  Without mention of specific medical condition

  1

  2

  1 There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

  2 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, 9th revision.

  1002

  Abortions performed under ground 41 (with any other except 1 and excluding 4 alone) of the 1967 Abortion Act: numbers by principal medical condition—England and Wales, 1987–88

  ICD2

  Condition

  Number

  1987

  1988

  All legal abortions

  682

  560

  640

  Haemorrhage in early pregnancy

  1

  —

  646–648

  Other complications of pregnancy

  49

  24

  654

  Abnormality of organs and soft tissue of pelvis

  1

  1

  655

  Known or suspected foetal abnormality affecting management of mother

  611

  519

  656–659·9

  Other foetal complications

  10

  10

  Without mention of specific medical condition

  9

  5

  1 There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

  2 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, 9th revision.

  Abortions performed under grounds 5 or 61 of the 1967 Abortion Act: numbers by principal medical condition, England and Wales, 1987–1988.

  ICD2 Condition

  1987–88 Total

  All legal abortions

  18

  Maternal complications

  13

  Foetal complications

  1

  Other

  4

  1 (5) to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (6) to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

  2 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, 9th revision.

  Child Immunisation
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the data available to him of rates for child immunisation and cervical screening by district health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: Copies of the Department's "Summary of Vaccination and Immunisation 1977 to 1987–88" (which gives district health authority uptake rates for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough and measles) were placed in the Library when it was published. I have sent the hon. Member a copy. Immunisation uptake rates for 1988–89 are not yet available. Information on cervical screening is not yet available because statistics to date have concentrated on numbers of smear tests performed rather than the number of women screened. We expect information for 1988–89 to become available later this year when health authority returns on Körner form KC53 ("Adult Screening Programme—Cervical Cytology") are received and analysed by the Department.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library data listing the number of cases of notified food poisoning in each of the last 10 years, by each environmental health authority, on the same basis as the data on Southwark provided in his reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) of 29 June,Official Report, column 545.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The information requested for the years 1979–86 can be found in the OPCS publication "Communicable Diseases

  1003
  Statistics", Series MB2, table 5, which can be found in the Library. A proof copy of table 5 for 1987, and provisional data for 1988 have been placed in the Library.

  District Health Authorities (Assets)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of assets disposed of by each district health authority during 1987–88; and what was the total value of those assets.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 April 1989, c. 380]: Details of the assets disposed of by each district health authority are not routinely collected centrally.

  However, all health authorities are encouraged to dispose of surplus assets and in many regions it is usual for the relevant regional health authority (RHA) to be involved in the major transactions and to account for the resultant income.

  Information derivable from the 1987–88 annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals have been placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners (Home Owners)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to help house-owning pensioners to gain access to the money they have tied up in their homes.

  Mr. Chope
  I have been asked to reply.

  Home-owning pensioners are already able to raise capital on the equity of their homes by means of schemes often known as home income plans, which are offered by a number of financial institutions.

  Under a home income plan, an older home owner offers his or her home as security for a mortgage loan which is used to purchase an annuity. The loan is usually repaid when the person sells the house or dies. The Government welcome the availability of such schemes, but I would strongly recommend elderly people to take independent financial advice before committing themselves.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many unemployed adult male and females of working age have exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit; what is his estimate of the gross cost of removing the time limit in the case of(a) males and (b) females; and what would be the saving in each case in (i) other benefits and (ii) increased tax.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In February 1989 there were approximately 542,000 men and 107,000 women claiming benefit who had exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit. The table sets out the estimated costs and benefit savings of removing the time limits.

  Benefit costs and savings of removing unemployment benefit duration limit

  Cost to UB (£ million)

  Savings on other benefits (£ million)

  Men

  1,100

  800

  Women

  200

  100

  1004
  Notes:

  1. This table assumes current levels of unemployment; costs and savings are calculated at 1989–90 benefit levels.

  2. It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the effect on tax receipts of such a change.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report a table on the same basis as that given in the written answer dated 20 March 1987 showing the total benefits paid out to the unemployed in 1987–88, 1988–89 and his forecast for 1989–90, together with payments from the redundancy fund, the percentage both represent of gross domestic product and the revenue from North sea oil.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many family credit recipients there are in the Bolton area; and how many family income support recipients there were.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  At 7 July 1989 the number of families receiving family credit who, at the time their awards were made, were living in the area covered by the Bolton local social security office was 2,274. Information about family income supplement is not available on a local basis.

  Pensions
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of pensioners who are now receiving the enhanced pensioner premium introduced by his Department on 9 October.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We estimate that some 2·6 million pensioners will benefit from the changes to be introduced in October, of whom some 1·1 million will qualify for the new enhanced pensioner premium in income support and housing benefit for people aged 75–79.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report, his best estimate of the number and proportion of (a) manual and (b) other workers covered by occupational pension schemes in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy together with a table showing (i) the benefits available under state earnings-related pension and under the state schemes in the other three countries, and (ii) the amount distributed in state pensions annually, the current number of pensioners expressed as a percentage of the working population and the forecast for the years 2000 and beyond.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information relating to the membership of occupational pension schemes in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany is not held on a manual/non-manual basis.

  For information relating to the benefits available under state earnings-related pensions and under the state schemes in France, Germany and Italy. I refer the hon. Member to the "Tables of Social Benefit in EC Member States", a copy of which is held in the Library. The tables are produced annually: the latest addition gives the position at 1 January 1988.

  There is no common definition of a state pension scheme which holds good for all four countries and therefore comparisons of total spending are not meaningful.
  1005
  The population aged 65 and over expressed as a percentage of the population aged 15–64 in each of the four countries for 1980 with projections for 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 is as follows:

  1980

  1990

  2000

  2010

  2020

  France

  22

  21

  23

  25

  31

  Germany

  23

  22

  25

  31

  34

  Italy

  21

  20

  23

  26

  29

  United Kingdom

  23

  23

  22

  22

  26

  Source: OECD 1988

  It is not possible to compute the number of pensioners in the above countries as only the United Kingdom has a unified state pension scheme.

  Pensioner Households
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the cash and percentage changes in real equivalised incomes of each decile group of pensioner households for each year since 1979.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Skye and Raasay
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many callers were dealt with at his Department's Portree office in each year from 1985 to 1988.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is as follows:

  Numbers

  1985

  771

  1986

  1,216

  1987

  1,724

  1988

  2,029

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claimants have been in receipt of supplementary benefit on Skye and Raasay in each of the past five years;

  (2) how many claimants were in receipt of income support on Skye and Raasay in each of the past five years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Skye and Raasay are administered by the local office in Fort William and no separate figures are held in respect of claimants resident on these islands. The information for the Fort William area as a whole is set out as follows:

  Number of claimants in receipt of supplementary benefit at Fort William office 1984 to 1987

  Number

  12 December 1984

  2,596

  11 December 1985

  2,633

  10 December 1986

  2,707

  18 November 1987

  2,619

  Number of claimants in receipt of income support at Fort William office in 1988

  Number

  30 November 1988

  2,448

  Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action, this will include cases where benefit is no longer in payment but other action is continuing.
  1006
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many effective home visits to claimants' homes were made by staff of his Department's Fort William office on Skye and Raasay between 1 January and 30 June.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is as follows:

  Number of effective home visits made between 1 January and 30 June

  Number

  Skye

  167

  Raasay

  Nil

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many effective home visits were made to claimants' homes by staff of his Department's Portree office in each year from 1985 to 1988.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information is available only from April 1988. From April 1988 to December 1988, 434 effective visits were made.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were registered as self-employed on Skye and Raasay at a convenient date in each of the past 10 years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many telephone call units were charged on his Department's Portree office in each year from 1985 to 1988.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Call units

  1985

  12,357

  1986

  32,504

  1987

  23,471

  1988

  27,020

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much was paid to staff on his Department's Fort William office for travelling arid subsistence in connection with work on Skye and Raasay between 1 January and 30 June.

  (2) how much was paid to staff of his Department's Portree office for travelling and subsistence between 1 January and 30 June 1988.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Travel and subsistence expenditure for specific areas administered by the local office in Fort William is not collated separately. The information for the Fort William area as a whole is set out as follows:

  Travel and subsistence expenditure for Fort William local office

  £

  1st January—30 June 1988

  6,692

  1st January—30 June 1989

  12,383

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the revised arrangements for providing a social security service on Skye and Raasay.
  1007
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  A number of representations have been received, the most recent in May 1989. The evidence to date shows that the revised arrangements are working extremely well.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to introduce the over-18 rate of housing benefit for under-18s; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) on 4 July at column 141.

  Income Support
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many NP1 forms on income support regarding applications for persons aged 75 years or over or 60 years or over and disabled have been distributed; what organisations have received forms directly; when the forms were first made available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Approximately 5·7 million leaflets have been printed. All these leaflets have now been put out to the various outlets.

  The following organisations were sent copies direct:

  Citizens Advice Bureaux

  Womens Royal Voluntary Service

  Age Concern

  The first copies were sent out on 7 July. Complete distribution took about two weeks.

  In addition, the Department is collaborating with Talking Newspaper on the production of an audio cassette, and with the Royal National Institute for the Blind on a Braille version.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) guidance and (b) training is given to staff asking 16 to 17-year-olds claiming income support questions on the nature of their estrangement from their parents.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The chief adjudication officer has issued guidance to staff on the issues, including estrangement, that need to be considered when deciding the entitlement of 16 and 17-year-olds to income support. Instructions on how this information should be obtained are contained in a circular to the income support manual.

  A video-based training package on the specific problems of interviewing young people has been given to all staff responsible for undertaking such work. This emphasises the need for tact and sensitivity when questioning a person from a vulnerable sector of the community.

  Postal Voting
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will include a postal vote application from in pension or allowance books issued to elderly or disabled persons.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No, as this would entail considerable operational difficulties and additional costs.

  Mrs. C. Peake
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Mrs. C. Peake of 30 Union street, Birkenhead, will receive her payment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs) of 17 April,Official Report, column 57, concerning women affected by the Social Security Commissioner's decision of 28 February.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  An order book at the revised higher rate was issued to Mrs. Peake on 20 July 1989, and a girocheque payment in respect of all arrears of widowed mothers' allowance was issued to her on 27 July 1989.

  Pensioners (London Allowance)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the case for a London allowance for pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Since 1 January 1989 we have received approximately five such representations.

  Actively Seeking Work Test
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, in the light of the new test on actively seeking work, he has any plans to assess entitlement to unemployment benefit on a weekly rather than a daily basis.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Regulations provide for the new actively seeking work provision to operate with unemployment benefit assessed on a daily basis. We have no immediate plans to change to assessment on a weekly basis.

  One-parent Families
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will publish an update of table 1.1 in the Green Paper, "Reform of Social Security", background papers volume 3, Cmnd. 9519 on the proportion of two and one-parent families separately, by working arrangements, in each quintile of income;

  (2) if he will publish the latest figures of the number of one-parent families who are dependent on income support and part-time earnings;

  (3) if he will publish the latest figures showing the number of one-parent families who are dependent on maintenance, by the type of one-parent family;

  (4) if he will publish the latest figures showing the number of one-parent families claiming (a) family credit, (b)housing benefit and (c) both;

  (5) if he will publish the latest figures showing the total amount collected in maintenance payments for one-parent families who are claiming benefits, broken down into the amount collected by his Department and by claimants themselves.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Single Payments
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the decision in the Carleton case in Northern Ireland has ever been used as a precedent to refuse a single payment in Great Britain.
  1009
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I understand from the office of the chief adjudication officer that adjudication officers who are considering residual single payment claims for furniture and household equipment have been advised to take into account the decision of the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal in the Carleton case, to the extent that it was adopted by a tribunal of social security commissioners in a decision dated 26 June 1989.

  Camberwell Social Security Office
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many callers have come to the Camberwell area social security office in each month over the last three years;

  (2) how many live cases were recorded at the Camberwell area social security office each quarter over the last three years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is as follows:

  Period ending

  Callers (4-weekly)

  Live cases (quarterly)

  6 May 1986

  3,474

  12,175

  3 June 1986

  3,761

  —

  1 July 1986

  3,477

  —

  29 July 1986

  3,802

  —

  26 August 1986

  3,500

  12,546

  23 September 1986

  3,630

  —

  21 October 1986

  3,449

  —

  18 November 1986

  3,630

  —

  16 December 1986

  3,630

  11,879

  13 January 1987

  3,520

  —

  10 February 1987

  2,678

  12,067

  10 March 1987

  2,717

  —

  7 April 1987

  2,974

  —

  5 May 1987

  3,262

  11,746

  2 June 1987

  2,830

  —

  30 June 1987

  2,977

  —

  28 July 1987

  3,716

  11,903

  25 August 1987

  3,904

  —

  22 September 1987

  3,783

  —

  20 October 1987

  3,994

  —

  17 November 1987

  3,568

  11,749

  15 December 1987

  3,194

  —

  12 January 1988

  2,801

  —

  9 February 1988

  3,795

  (No count made)

  8 March 1988

  3,652

  —

  10 April 1988

  3,520

  —

  30 April 1988

  2,614

  —

  31 May 1988

  3,130

  10,856

  30 June 1988

  3,435

  —

  31 July 1988

  3,091

  —

  31 August 1988

  3,171

  10,394

  30 September 1988

  3,712

  —

  31 October 1988

  3,109

  —

  30 November 1988

  1,509

  10,095

  31 December 1988

  1,352

  —

  31 January 1989

  1,768

  —

  28 February 1989

  1,726

  9,821

  31 March 1989

  1,871

  —

  30 April 1989

  1,857

  —

  31 May 1989

  1,718

  9,968

  Source:

  Internal management information statistics and 100 per cent. count of cases in action. Data from April 1988 onwards is provisional and subject to change and the numbers of live cases include a small number of cases not actually in receipt of benefit.

  Social Security Office (Southwark)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the conversion of the Odeon site into a social security office in Southwark is on target for completion in February 1991.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Present indications are that the completion on conversion work at the Odeon site will extend beyond March 1991. In the meantime preparations are being made for the implementation of the operational strategy and other service improvements, arising from the relocation of backroom work, in the existing Camberwell office. Similar improvements are planned for the Peckham office on completion of the move to the Odeon site.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children aged(a) under 16 years and (b) under 19 years lived in families where the head of the household is long-term unemployed at the latest date available.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Personal Pensions
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are being taken to ensure that members of personal pension schemes will be informed when they reach an age at which it would pay them to terminate their contributions to those schemes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  It is for an individual wishing to take out a personal pension to seek advice appropriate to his or her needs. In the case of personal pension schemes which are investments as defined in the Financial Services Act, persons regulated by bodies under that Act have a duty to provide best advice on such products. It is for the individual to make arrangements for obtaining any further advice which may be necessary in the light of changing circumstances.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each of the examples in tables P1 to P4 of the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security", for how many years it would pay the person concerned to contribute to a personal pension or other money purchase scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: I regret that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I will be able to provide some information and I will write to the hon. Member when it is available.

  Spending Power
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish tables on spending power using the assumption in the answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 22 June 1988,Official Report, columns 571–575, but using expenditure and benefit figures appropriate for families in Langbaurgh. together with a column showing the extent of the differences resulting from the April changes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [pursuant to the holding answer 13 April 1989]: The information requested is set out in the

  1011
  tables. They compare the post-reform position in April 1988 not with an actual pre-reform cash situation but with a hypothetical position which might have occurred, had the previous structure continued and been uprated on the assumptions in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits" (October 1987).

  In addition, it should be noted that although the comparisons are based on average local authority housing

  Old benefit system at hypothetical rates April 1988

  Langbaurgh L.A.

  Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings Head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Free school meals

  Free welfare milk

  Net inc. after housing costs

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  28·70

  14·50

  19·70

  17·23

  9·92

  7·68

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  94·02

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  23·70

  14·50

  19·70

  15·88

  9·92

  7·28

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  95·47

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  18·70

  14·50

  19·70

  14·73

  9·92

  6·88

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·90

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  13·70

  14·50

  19·70

  13·48

  9·92

  6·48

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·85

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  8·70

  14·50

  19·70

  12·23

  9·92

  6·08

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·80

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  3·70

  14·50

  19·70

  10·71

  9·92

  5·52

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  94·12

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  8·64

  9·92

  4·70

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  92·10

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  5·34

  9·92

  3·40

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  93·90

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  2·04

  9·92

  2·10

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  95·70

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·80

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  96·21

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  101·81

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  108·21

  New benefit system from April 1988

  Langbaurgh L.A.

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net income after housing costs

  Difference between systems

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  40·32

  14·50

  19·70

  4·94

  9·92

  3·39

  5·85

  84·68

  -9·34

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  34·65

  14·50

  19·70

  3·36

  9·92

  2·91

  5·85

  85·05

  -10·42

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  28·99

  14·50

  19·70

  1·76

  9·92

  2·42

  5·85

  85·40

  -11·50

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  24·37

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  2·03

  5·85

  85·21

  -11·64

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  19·75

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·63

  5·85

  86·79

  -10·01

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  16·67

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·37

  5·85

  87·85

  -6·27

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  12·19

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·98

  5·85

  89·38

  -2·72

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  7·71

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·60

  5·85

  90·92

  -2·98

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  3·23

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  92·24

  -3·46

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  95·41

  -0·80

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  101·81

  0·00

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  14·50

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  108·21

  0·00

  Old Benefit System at Hypothetical Rates April 1988

  Langbaurgh

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Free school meals

  Free welfare milk

  Net income after housing costs

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  32·90

  21·75

  19·70

  18·27

  9·92

  8·02

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  109·40

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  30·50

  21·75

  19·70

  16·37

  9·92

  7·41

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  112·59

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  25·50

  21·75

  19·70

  15·12

  9·92

  7·01

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  114·02

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  20·50

  21·75

  19·70

  13·87

  9·92

  6·61

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  113·97

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  15·50

  21·75

  19·70

  12·62

  9·92

  6·21

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  113·92

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  10·50

  21·75

  19·70

  11·23

  9·92

  5·72

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  111·44

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  5·50

  21·75

  19·70

  9·58

  9·92

  5·07

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  110·54

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  0·50

  21·75

  19·70

  7·93

  9·92

  4·42

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  109·64

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  21·75

  19·70

  4·79

  9·92

  3·18

  5·85

  5·10

  0·00

  109·33

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  21·75

  19·70

  1·49

  9·92

  1·88

  5·85

  5·10

  0·00

  111·13

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·58

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  112·19

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  115·46

  1012
  charges in Langbaurgh, they do not necessarily reflect either the wide variety of rents and domestic rates that people in the borough actually pay or real families' circumstances and their housing arrangements. Finally, the comparisons take no account of the housing benefit transitional cash protection announced on 27 April.
  1013

  New Benefit System from April 1988

  Langbaurgh

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11.

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net income after housing costs

  Difference between systems

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  51·72

  21·75

  19·70

  3·28

  9·92

  2·88

  5·85

  101·16

  -8·24

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  46·05

  21·75

  19·70

  1·70

  9·92

  2·40

  5·85

  101·53

  -11·06

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  40·39

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·91

  5·85

  101·76

  -12·26

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  35·77

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·52

  5·85

  103·35

  -10·62

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  31·15

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·12

  5·85

  104·93

  -8·99

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  28·07

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·86

  5·85

  105·99

  -5·45

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  23·59

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  107·05

  -3·49

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  19·11

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  108·97

  -0·67

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  14·63

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  110·89

  +1·56

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  10·15

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  112·81

  +1·68

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  5·67

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  114·73

  +2·54

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  1·19

  21·75

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  116·65

  +1·19

  Old benefit system at hypothetical rates April 1988

  Langbaurgh

  Single person with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Free school meals

  Free welfare milk

  Net income after housing costs

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  28·70

  19·40

  19·70

  16·01

  9·92

  7·29

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  97·31

  70·00

  0·00

  4·93

  23·70

  19·40

  19·70

  14·76

  9·92

  6·89

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  98·76

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  18·70

  19·40

  19·70

  13·51

  9·92

  6·49

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  100·19

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  13·70

  19·40

  19·70

  12·26

  9·92

  6·09

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  100·14

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  8·70

  19·40

  19·70

  10·75

  9·92

  5·53

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  99·67

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  3·70

  19·40

  19·70

  9·10

  9·92

  4·88

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·77

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  7·02

  9·92

  4·06

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  94·74

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  3·72

  9·92

  2·76

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  96·54

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·46

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  97·92

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  102·86

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  106·71

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  113·11

  New benefit system from April 1988

  Langbaurgh

  Single person with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net income after housing costs

  Difference between systems

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  40·32

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·52

  5·85

  82·77

  -14·54

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  34·65

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  1·04

  5·85

  84·72

  -14·04

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  28·99

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·55

  5·85

  86·65

  -13·54

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  24·37

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  88·08

  -12·06

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  19·75

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  90·06

  -9·61

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  16·67

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  91·38

  -5·39

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  12·19

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  93·30

  -1·44

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  7·71

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  95·22

  -1·32

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  3·23

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  97·14

  -0·78

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  100·31

  -2·55

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  106·71

  0·00

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  19·40

  19·70

  0·00

  9·92

  0·00

  5·85

  113·11

  0·00

  1014 1015

  Old tax and benefit system—assuming average local authority rent and rates for Langbaurgh and a simple rescaling of April 1987 benefits to April 1988

  Lone mother with two children aged 4 and 6

  £pw

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Not working after one year on benefit

  Working part-time earning £20

  Working part-time earning £40

  Supplementary benefit

  45·93

  30·89

  14·35

  Earnings

  —

  20·00

  40·00

  Tax

  —

  0·00

  0·00

  National insurance

  —

  0·00

  2·00

  Fares to work

  —

  2·92

  2·92

  Rent

  19·70

  19·70

  19·70

  Rates

  9·92

  9·92

  9·92

  Housing benefit

  28·06

  28·06

  28·06

  CHB

  19·40

  19·40

  19·40

  FSM

  2·55

  2·55

  2·55

  FWM

  1·83

  1·83

  1·83

  Net weekly spending power

  68·15

  70·19

  71·65

  Benefit system from April 1988

  Assumptions as in "Impact of reformed structure of income related benefits" October 1987

  Average local authority rent and rates for Langbaurgh Lone Mother with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  (a)

  Not working after one year on benefit

  Income support

  45·35

  Rent

  19·70

  Rates

  9·92

  Housing benefit

  26·39

  CHB

  19·40

  FSM

  2·55

  FWM

  1·83

  Net weekly spending power

  65·90

  Difference between systems

  -2·25

  Old benefit system at hypothetical rates April 1988

  Stockton L.A.

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Free school meals

  Free welfare milk

  Net income after housing costs

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  28·70

  14·50

  19·52

  17·12

  9·81

  7·62

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  94·14

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  23·70

  14·50

  19·52

  15·87

  9·81

  7·22

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  95·59

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  18·70

  14·50

  19·52

  14·62

  9·81

  6·82

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  97·02

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  13·70

  14·50

  19·52

  13·37

  9·81

  6·42

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·97

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  8·70

  14·50

  19·52

  12·12

  9·81

  6·02

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·92

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  3·70

  14·50

  19·52

  10·61

  9·81

  5·45

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  94·24

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  8·53

  9·81

  4·63

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  92·21

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  5·23

  9·81

  3·33

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  94·01

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  1·93

  9·81

  2·03

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  95·81

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·73

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  96·43

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  9·85

  0·00

  0·00

  102·10

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  108·50

  1016

  £ per week

  (b)

  (c)

  Working part time earning £20

  Working part time earning £40

  Income support

  40·35

  20·35

  Earnings

  20·00

  40·00

  Tax

  0·00

  0·00

  NI

  0·00

  0·00

  Fares to work

  2·92

  2·92

  Rent

  19·70

  19·70

  Rates

  9·92

  9·92

  Housing benefit

  26·39

  26·39

  CHB

  19·40

  19·40

  FSM

  2·55

  2·55

  FWM

  1·83

  1·83

  Net weekly spending power

  77·98

  77·98

  Difference between systems

  +7·79

  +6·33

  Benefit Statistics (Stockton)
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish tables using the assumptions in his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 22 June 1988,Official Report, columns 575–80, but using expenditure and benefit figures appropriate for families in Stockton, together with a column showing the extent of the differences resulting from the April changes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Pursuant to the holding answer of 17 May 1989, the information requested is set out in the tables. They compare the post-reform position in April 1988 not with an actual pre-reform cash situation but with a hypothetical position which might have occurred had the previous structure continued and been uprated on the assumptions in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits" (October 1987).

  In addition, it should be noted that although the comparisons are based on average local authority housing charges in Stockton they do not necessarily reflect either the wide variety of rents and domestic rates that people in the borough actually pay or real families' circumstances and their housing arrangements. Finally, the comparisons take no account of the housing benefit transitional cash protection announced on 27 April.
  1017

  New benefit system from April 1988 Stockton L.A.

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net income after housing costs

  Difference between systems

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  40·32

  14·50

  19·52

  4·76

  9·81

  3·31

  5·85

  84·71

  -9·43

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  34·65

  14·50

  19·52

  3·18

  9·80

  2·82

  5·85

  85·07

  -10·52

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  28·99

  14·50

  19·52

  1·60

  9·81

  2·33

  5·85

  85·42

  -11·60

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  24·37

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·94

  5·85

  85·41

  -11·56

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  19·75

  14·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·54

  5·85

  86·99

  -9·93

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  16·67

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·28

  5·85

  88·05

  -6·19

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  12·19

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·89

  5·85

  89·58

  -2·63

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  7·71

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·51

  5·85

  91·12

  -2·89

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  3·23

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  92·53

  -3·28

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  95·70

  -0·73

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  102·10

  0·00

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  14·50

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  108·50

  0·00

  Old benefit system at hypothetical rates April 1988

  Stockton L.A.

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Free school meals

  Free welfare milk

  Net income after housing costs

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  32·90

  21·75

  19·52

  18·16

  9·81

  7·95

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  109·51

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  30·50

  21·75

  19·52

  16·26

  9·81

  7·34

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  112·70

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  25·50

  21·75

  19·52

  15·01

  9·81

  6·94

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  114·13

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  20·50

  21·75

  19·52

  13·76

  9·81

  5·54

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  114·08

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  15·50

  21·75

  19·52

  12·51

  9·81

  6·14

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  114·03

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  10·50

  21·75

  19·52

  11·12

  9·81

  5·65

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  111·55

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  5·50

  21·75

  19·52

  9·47

  9·81

  5·00

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  110·65

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  0·50

  21·75

  19·52

  7·82

  9·81

  4·35

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  109·75

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  21·75

  19·52

  4·68

  9·81

  3·12

  5·85

  5·10

  0·00

  109·45

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  21·75

  19·52

  1·38

  9·81

  1·82

  5·85

  5·10

  0·00

  111·25

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·52

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  112·42

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  115·75

  New benefit system from April 1988

  Stockton L.A.

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net income after housing costs

  Difference between systems

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  51·72

  21·75

  19·52

  3·10

  9·81

  2·80

  5·85

  101·19

  -8·32

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  46·05

  21·75

  19·52

  1·52

  9·81

  2·31

  5·85

  101·55

  -11·15

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  40·39

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·82

  5·85

  101·96

  -12·17

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  35·77

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·43

  5·85

  103·55

  -10·53

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  31·15

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·03

  5·85

  105·13

  -8·90

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  28·07

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·77

  5·85

  106·19

  -5·36

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  23·59

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  107·34

  -3·31

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  19·11

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  109·28

  -0·49

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  14·63

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  111·18

  +1·73

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  10·15

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  113·10

  +1·85

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  5·67

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  115·02

  +2·60

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  1·19

  21·75

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  116·94

  +1·19

  1018 1019

  Old benefit system at hypothetical rates April 1988

  Stockton L.A.

  Single person with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Free school meals

  Free welfare milk

  Net income after housing costs

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  28·70

  19·40

  19·52

  15·90

  9·81

  7·23

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  97·43

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  23·70

  19·40

  19·52

  14·65

  9·81

  6·83

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  98·88

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  18·70

  19·40

  19·52

  13·40

  9·81

  6·43

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  100·31

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  13·70

  19·40

  19·52

  12·15

  9·81

  6·03

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  100·26

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  8·70

  19·40

  19·52

  10·64

  9·81

  5·46

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  99·78

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  3·70

  19·40

  19·52

  8·99

  9·81

  4·81

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·88

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  6·91

  9·81

  3·99

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  94·85

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  3·61

  9·81

  2·69

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  96·65

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·39

  5·85

  2·55

  0·00

  98·14

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  100·60

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  107·00

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  0·00

  0·00

  113·40

  New benefit system from April 1988

  Stockton L.A.

  Single person with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net income after housing costs

  Difference between systems

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  40·32

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  1·44

  5·85

  82·98

  -14·45

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  34·65

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·95

  5·85

  84·92

  -13·96

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  28·99

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  86·39

  -13·92

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  24·37

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  88·37

  -11·89

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  19·75

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  90·35

  -9·43

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  16·67

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  91·67

  -5·21

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  12·19

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  93·59

  -1·26

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  7·71

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  95·51

  -1·14

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  3·23

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  97·43

  -0·71

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  100·60

  0·00

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  107·00

  0·00

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  19·40

  19·52

  0·00

  9·81

  0·00

  5·85

  113·40

  0·00

  Old tax and benefit system—assuming average local authority rent and rates for Stockton and a simple reseating of April 1987 benefits to April 1988. Lone mother with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Not working after one year on benefit

  Working part-time earning £20

  Working part-time earning £40

  Supplementary benefit

  45·93

  30·89

  14·35

  Earnings

  —

  20·00

  40·00

  Tax

  —

  0·00

  0·00

  National insurance

  —

  0·00

  2·00

  Fares to work

  —

  2·92

  2·92

  Rent

  19·52

  19·52

  19·52

  Rates

  9·81

  9·81

  9·81

  Housing benefit

  27·77

  27·77

  27·77

  CHB

  19·40

  19·40

  19·40

  FSM

  2·55

  2·55

  2·55

  FWM

  1·83

  1·83

  1·83

  Net weekly spending power

  68·15

  70·19

  71·65

  1020

  Benefit system from April 1988

  Assumptions as in "Impact of reform structure of income related benefits'" October 1987

  Average local authority rent and rates for Stockton

  Lone Mother with two children aged 4 and 6

  £ per week

  (a)

  Not working after one year on benefit

  Income support

  45·35

  Rent

  19·52

  Rates

  9·81

  Housing benefit

  26·12

  CHB

  19·40

  FSM

  2·55

  FWM

  1·83

  Net weekly spending power

  65·92

  Difference between systems

  -2·23

  £ per week

  (b)

  (c)

  Working part-time earning £20

  Working part-time earning £40

  Income support

  40·35

  20·35

  Earnings

  20·00

  40·00

  Tax

  0·00

  0·00

  NI

  0·00

  0·00

  1021

  (b)

  (c)

  Working part-time earning £20

  Working part-time earning £40

  Fares to work

  2·92

  2·92

  Rent

  19·52

  19·52

  Rates

  9·81

  9·81

  Housing benefit

  26·12

  26·12

  CHB

  19·40

  19·40

  FSM

  2·55

  2·55

  FWM

  1·83

  1·83

  Net weekly spending power

  78·00

  78·00

  Difference between systems

  +7·81

  +6·35

  Benefits
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his reply to the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham, 17 July,Official Report, columns 39–40, if he will publish estimates of expenditure on child additions paid with national insurance benefit in 1978–79 and 1988–89.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The value of the child additions paid with national insurance benefits in 1988 was approximately £130 million. A similar estimate for 1978 is not available.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest esimate of the total numbers of(a) families and (b) persons dependent on income support, housing benefit or family credit; and how the figures are likely to be affected by the community charge benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Pursuant to the holding answer of 24 July 1989, on the basis of the readily available information for 1988, approximately 1⅔ million families with children (including lone parent families) got at least some of their income from income support, family credit and/or housing benefit. The total number of men, women and children (including young persons aged under 19) getting some income from these sources was approximately 12 million. I will write to my right hon. Friend concerning the remaining part of his inquiry.

  Vaccine Damage Payments
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South,Official Report, 6 July, column 245, when the details of the 1980 vaccine damage payments were destroyed; who gave the authorisation for their destruction; what are the normal arrangements for dealing with such information; and if a summary was made of the information before it was destroyed;

  (2) pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, Official Report, 6 July, column 245, if he will explain how some of the records for the 1981 and 1982 vaccine damage payments were lost; and what further steps he is taking to find them.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: I am writing to the right hon. Member about the arrangements under which the 1980 records were destroyed and about those for 1981 and 1982 which are missing. I am pleased to say, however, that we have been able to elicit from other sources all the information he requested. Details have been placed in the Library.

  Income Statistics
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures for 1979–80 and 1989–90 showing(a) net incomes and (b) disposable incomes for a single-wage married couple with two children under five years and a lone mother with two children under five years, at half, two thirds, average and twice average earnings; using the same assumptions for housing costs as in the DSS tax-benefit model tables.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Pursuant to the holding answer of 24 July 1989, the information requested is as follows:

  Single-wage married couple with two children under 5

  Average earnings1 2 4

  £ per week

  ½

  ⅔

  1

  2

  Total net income

  1979–80

  65·67

  67·60

  88·60

  163·44

  1989–90

  134·60

  156·57

  217·10

  408·73

  Disposable income

  1979–80

  56·37

  58·30

  79·30

  154·14

  1989–90

  104·10

  126·07

  186·60

  378·23

  Lone mother with two children under 5

  Average earnings1 3 4

  £ per week

  ½

  ⅔

  1

  2

  Total net income

  1979–80

  67·10

  68·58

  68·15

  110·62

  1989–90

  131·31

  136·83

  162·04

  287·18

  Disposable income

  1979–80

  57·80

  59·28

  58·85

  101·32

  1989–90

  100·82

  106·33

  131·54

  256·68

  1 1989–90 average arnings use the Government's Actuary's assumption of 7½ per cent, earnings growth over 1988–89.

  2 Average male earnings 1979–80 £109·30, 1989–90 £275·10 a week.

  3 Average female earnings 1979–80 £70·00, 1989–90 £183·80 a week.

  4 All figures are the cash values of the year in question.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Judiciary (Appointments)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what proposals the Government have to increase the number of solicitors appointed to the judiciary.

  The Solicitor-General
  The Lord Chancellor has made clear on a number of occasions his wish to see more solicitors appointed to judicial office. "Legal Services: A Framework for the Future" (Cm. 740) published on 19 July sets out the Government's proposals for extending eligibility for higher judicial office to solicitors. In addition, pilot schemes have been set up in certain parts of the country with the specific aim of identifying solicitors suitable for appointment, and, as part of the regular programme of reviews of candidates for judicial appointment, a special initiative has been taken to consult the judiciary about solicitor candidates on the south eastern circuit. It is hoped to extend this initiative to the other circuits shortly.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the chair of the Legal Aid Board; and whether he discussed the franchising or contracting of legal services.

  The Solicitor-General
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has ministerial responsibility for legal aid. At his request, the legal aid board is currently considering the future arrangements for providing advice and assistance under the green form scheme. As part of that review, the board recently issued a consultation document which contains proposals for the future provision of advice through franchises involving solicitors' firms, law centres and, possibly, advice agencies. The board will be bringing forward recommendations to the Lord Chancellor once the review has been completed.

  Law Centres
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General how many and which law centres(a) he, (b) the Lord Chancellor and (c) the Solicitor-General have visited since 1987.

  The Solicitor-General
  (a) none; (b) one (to the North Kensington law centre); (c) none.

  Malicious Communications
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General where information regarding prosecutions made under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 in the London metropolitan areas is held; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I have been asked to reply.

  I shall write to the hon. and learned Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  County Courts
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Attorney-General what has been the increase in the county court caseload over the last three years; and what increases there have been over a similar period in numbers of county court(a) judges, (b) registrars and (c) administrative staff.

  The Solicitor-General
  There is no single measure of caseload in the county courts; the work initially comes from the commencement of proceedings, but further work results from all stages of the procedures including enforcement. The increase in the number of proceedings commenced between 1985 and 1988 was 5 per cent. The number of proceedings initiated is continuing to increase. Over the same period the number of circuit judges (who also deal with Crown Court work) and county court registrars in office on 1 April of each year increased by 7 per cent. and 19 per cent. respectively. Similarly the number of staff (including bailiffs and ushers) in post in county courts on 1 April increased by 8 per cent. between 1985 and 1988. These figures include a number of staff employed in combined court centres on county court work.

  Westminster City Council
  Mr Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider allegations of a criminal conspiracy by Westminster city council to defraud the ratepayers of the City of Westminster.
  1024
  The Solicitor-General
  Preliminary police inquiries have been made into the sale of cemeteries by the Westminster city council. The director has requested further inquiries and will consider the matter when they have been completed. Other than that inquiry, the director has not had referred to him any allegations of fraudulent conduct by councillors or officials of the Westminster city council.

  One former official is presently the subject of proceedings for corruption arising out of an entirely unrelated matter.

  West Midlands Police
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney General how many West Midlands police officers are or have been the subject of reports referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions within the last 12 months.

  The Solicitor-General
  The information requested is not readily available. However, a total of 150 reports relating to allegations concerning one or more West Midlands police officers were received by the Director of Public Prosecutions office in the period 1 July 1988 to 26 July 1989.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he has yet received the Director of Public Prosecutions' report on the Crown Prosecution service for the year 1988–89; and when the report will be laid before Parliament.

  The Solicitor-General
  I have received the proof of this report and a copy of the proof has been placed in the Journal Office today. The report will be published later this summer and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a table of the number of appeals to the immigration appeal tribunal allowed and dismissed in 1988 and the first quarter of 1989.

  The Solicitor-General
  The information requested is as follows

  Allowed

  Remitted for re-hearing before an Immigration Adjudicator

  Dismissed

  Appeals heard in 1988

  266

  308

  378

  Appeals heard January-March 1989

  55

  27

  67

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a table showing the number of appeals to immigration adjudicators allowed and dismissed in 1988 and the first quarter of 1989; broken down according to the nationality of the appellant and the type of decision appealed against.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is set out in the tables.
  1025

  1 January to 31 March 1989

  India

  Pakistan

  Bangladesh

  EEC

  All other countries

  Appeal categories

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  1. Exclusion—Appeal at port

  1

  1

  4

  11

  5

  13

  0

  0

  3

  21

  2. Exclusion—External appeals

  0

  2

  0

  2

  1

  4

  1

  3

  24

  183

  3. Refusal of Certificate Entitlement

  0

  5

  0

  0

  10

  6

  0

  0

  2

  8

  4. Refusal of Entry Clearance for temporary purposes (not husbands, wives, fiances or fiancees)

  110

  154

  75

  154

  10

  28

  0

  0

  57

  126

  5. Refusal of Entry Clearance for employment, business or independent means (not husbands, wives, nances or fiancees)

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  6. Refusal of Entry Clerance requested by wives and children, other dependent relatives and returning residents

  5

  14

  51

  32

  185

  134

  0

  0

  4

  34

  7. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by female fiancees

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  8. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by husbands

  20

  27

  17

  37

  1

  6

  0

  0

  5

  3

  9. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by male fiances

  29

  35

  51

  55

  1

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  10. Variation of Landing Conditions

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  13

  11. Refusal to vary leave to enter

  4

  54

  1

  45

  0

  10

  0

  3

  30

  294

  12. Decision to make deportation order

  5

  12

  1

  8

  0

  11

  0

  0

  14

  91

  13. Refusal to revoke deportation order

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  14. Giving of removal directions

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  11

  15. Destination only appeal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  177

  307

  200

  346

  213

  213

  1

  6

  153

  795

  1 January to 31 December 1988

  India

  Pakistan

  Bangladesh

  EEC

  All other countries

  Appeal categories

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  1. Exclusion—Appeal at port

  0

  14

  1

  19

  82

  43

  0

  0

  14

  111

  2. Exclusion—External appeals

  1

  13

  4

  15

  1

  17

  0

  7

  35

  547

  3. Refusal of Certificate Entitlement

  4

  10

  1

  2

  21

  16

  0

  3

  3

  22

  4. Refusal of Entry Clearance for temporary purposes (not husbands, wives, fiances or fiancees)

  97

  206

  132

  292

  50

  164

  0

  0

  264

  664

  5. Refusal of Entry Clearance for employment, business or independent means (not husbands, wives, fiances or fiancees)

  6

  32

  0

  2

  0

  3

  1

  0

  5

  28

  6. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by wives and children, other dependent relatives and returning residents

  14

  65

  128

  178

  690

  639

  0

  0

  48

  139

  7. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by female fiancees

  6

  9

  0

  6

  7

  9

  0

  0

  3

  9

  8. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by husbands

  48

  78

  56

  74

  10

  18

  0

  0

  9

  13

  9. Refusal of Entry Clearance requested by male fiances

  65

  118

  125

  150

  12

  15

  0

  0

  2

  9

  10. Variation of Landing Conditions

  0

  2

  0

  4

  0

  5

  0

  0

  10

  55

  11. Refusal to vary leave to enter

  33

  169

  18

  120

  20

  59

  0

  5

  132

  1,118

  12. Decision to make deportation order

  4

  41

  2

  36

  0

  13

  0

  0

  51

  297

  13. Refusal to revoke deportation order

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  9

  12

  14. Giving of removal directions

  1

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  28

  15. Destination only appeal

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Total

  279

  757

  467

  903

  893

  1,003

  1

  16

  585

  3,054

  Israeli-occupied Territories
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he has considered taking proceedings under section 1 of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 in relation to breaches of 1026
  the conventions in the Israeli-occupied territories which have been drawn to the attention of the Government of Israel by Her Majesty's Government.

  The Solicitor-General
  No.

  Plastic Bullets (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases in 1988 and in the first half of 1989 involving persons injured by plastic bullets in Northern Ireland have been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland; and what action was taken in each case.

  The Solicitor-General
  Figures for cases considered during 1988 and the first half of 1989 by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland involving persons injured by the alleged use of baton rounds are as follows

  1988

  1 January 1989 to 30 June 1989

  Cases

  15

  7

  Persons injured

  15

  9

  Persons killed

  0

  0

  Prosecution directed

  1

  0

  No prosecution directed

  14

  5

  Direction pending the receipt of further information

  0

  2

  Personal Injury
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Attorney-General how many complaints he has received about the delay in payments being made in personal injury cases by the county court in Liverpool; what representations he has received on this matter; what his reponse has been; and what plans he has to increase staff resources.

  The Solicitor-General
  A number of complaints have been received about delays in paying out suitors' money from Liverpool county court. Information is not readily available which would show how many of these cases are personal injury actions. Where money has been paid into court in satisfaction of a claim and the court is responsible for an unreasonable delay in paying out, the Lord Chancellor will consider the payment of interest of the capital sum for the period of the delay. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the written answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen (Mr. Fields) dated 6 June 1989 at column 1, in relation to the steps being taken to remedy certain problems at Liverpool county court.

DEFENCE

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this Session up to 1 July.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. In January this year the Ministry of Defence received some 357 letters from right hon. and hon. Members, and some 2,223 from the beginning of the Session until 1 July. The number of letters sent to right hon. and hon. Members during these periods will have been higher, but a precise figure could be established only at disproportionate cost.

  Rhu Narrows (Dredging)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Trident-related contract for the dredging of the Rhu narrows to be placed and the date when the contract will commence.

  Mr. Chope
  I have been asked to reply.

  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Armed Forces (Recruits)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of new recruits to the armed forces nationally in each of the last three years; and what number of these recruits originated from Bolton.

  Mr. Neubert
  The total number of recruits to the regular forces in each of the last three financial years was as follows:

  Numbers

  1986–87

  34,049

  1987–88

  33,826

  1988–89

  33,863

  It is not possible to give precise figures on the number of recruits who originated from Bolton without checking each recruit's personal file. However, the following figures show the number of recruits enlisted at the Army's career information office at Bolton, although it is possible some did not actually live in Bolton at the time:

  Numbers

  1986–87

  153

  1987–88

  170

  1988–89

  148

  It is not possible to give comparable figures for officer applicants, as they are handled centrally, or for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force recruits, as these services do not have offices in Bolton.

  Defence Estimates
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide an explanation of the fluctuations in the levels of expenditure in the category "Other Army Combat Forces: Other Areas since 1985–86", as set in table 2.3 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989", volume two.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This category consists of the costs of the Belize garrison and personnel and freight transport costs around the world. The latter varies annually with activity levels and fuel costs.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what categories of equipment are included in the budget item, "Expenditure on equipment: Other" in table 2.2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989", volume two; and if he will make a statement on trends in this item since 1987–88.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This sub-heading includes miscellaneous expenditure on such items as plant, machinery and works services at the R & D establishments and other outstations; technology demonstrator programmes; research equipment for the Meteorological Office;
  1029
  extra-mural research contracts with universities and industry; royalties; payments to the Civil Aviation Authority; and computers. It is difficult to infer general trends from figures which are derived from so many such disparate items.

  RAF War Stocks
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the level of expenditure on RAF war stocks in each year since 1983–84, expressed in constant 1989–90 prices, applying the basis of attribution of war stocks used prior to 1986–87.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the reasons for the changes in the basis of calculation of RAF war stocks in 1986–87 and 1987–88 noted on page 10 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989", volume two.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The RAF war stocks figures reflect judgments about the attribution of the missiles or bombs to be purchased in a year between war stocks and peace-time consumption. The figures for 1986–87 were calculated on the basis of a new and narrower definition of war and contingency stocks (for example, they included gun ammunition but not missiles). In retrospect, however, these assumptions were not felt to have been as realistic as those previously used and subsequent figures have been calculated on a wider basis.

  United States Government
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to meet representatives of the United States Government; and what matters he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend next expects to meet representatives of the United States Government at the nuclear planning group in the autumn when a range of matters of mutual interest will be discussed.

  TA Marksmen
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of territorial soldiers who have qualified as marksmen over the last 15 years; and if he will tabulate the average number of rounds shot by Territorial Army soldiers in rifle practice by district and for sponsored and independent units for the last five years.

  Mr. Neubert
  The figures requested are not held centrally and it would not be possible to provide them without disproportionate cost.

  NATO Nuclear Planning Group
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the NATO nuclear planning group last met; and what items were on the agenda.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Provan (Mr. Wray) on 9 May at column 718.

  TA (Recruitment)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to date of the current recruitment drive for the Territorial Army.

  Mr. Neubert
  The volunteer reserve forces campaign, which emanated from a recommendation by the national employers liaison committee and which was launched in September of last year, will cost £2 million per annum over a period of five years. It should be stressed that the prime objective of this campaign is to improve retention with the reserve forces of all services. We would, however, hope to see some spin-off on recruitment.

  Free-fall Nuclear Bomb
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with the West German Government about the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  West German Defence Minister
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he is next meeting his West German counterpart; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend hopes to meet Dr. Stoltenberg at some time in the autumn to review the close defence relationship which we enjoy with the Federal Republic of Germany and to discuss matters of current bilateral interest.

  Troop Numbers
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the British Army of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on troop numbers.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the British Army of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on troop numbers.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  NATO has made no specific manpower proposals at the CFE talks in Vienna affecting the British Army.

  Warsaw Pact
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department now has any evidence that the Warsaw pact is changing its military doctrine.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) on 11 April 1989 at column 732.

  Skyguard Radar
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the height-monitoring radar system Skyguard to begin operating in the Borders; and whether he will report on the results of the monitoring.

  Mr. Neubert
  I will write to the right hon. Member.

  Pilots
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots are trained by the armed services each year; how many qualified pilots remain in the services for(a) five years and (b) 10 years after qualifying; how many are recruited by civil airlines; and if any of the cost of training is recouped from the civil airlines.

  Mr. Neubert
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints he has received this year about low-flying military aircraft.

  Mr. Neubert
  Between 1 January and 30 June 1989 the Ministry of Defence received 3,569 inquiries and complaints about military low-flying training in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has obtained a copy of the United States air forces in Europe document, "USAF Tactical Fighter Low-Level Flying Training in the Federal Republic of Germany Data Book", December 1988; and what plans he has to prepare a document setting out the rationales and requirements for Royal Air Force low flying over West Germany.

  Mr. Neubert
  [holding answer 10 July 1989]: My Department has a copy of this document. There are no plans to prepare a similar document covering Royal Air Force low flying over the Federal Republic of Germany.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the Chepstow transit area was abolished; what was the specific reason for its abolition; and if he will list the parliamentary constituencies over which low flying is newly permitted, or within which the area available for low flying is extended, as a result of this measure;

  (2) on what date that part of the London/Thames Valley avoidance area between Aylesbury and Chippenham and between Reading and Banbury was abolished; what was the specific reason for its abolition; and if he will list the parliamentary constituencies over which low flying is newly permitted, or within which the area available for low flying is extended, as a result of this measure.

  Mr. Neubert
  [holding answers 10 July and 20 July 1989]: It is not our practice to publish detailed information on the United Kingdom low-flying system. As part of the continuous monitoring of the United Kingdom low-flying system, however, a programme of reviews of avoidance areas is carried out and changes made when necessary, reflecting changes on the ground, and aimed at spreading low flying more evenly and enhancing flight safety, while at the same time reducing, where possible, the disturbance to those on the ground.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of low-level training flights are flown at night; what changes in this proportion have occurred since 1979; and what definition of night is used in compiling this figure.

  Mr. Neubert
  [holding answer 10 July 1989]: It is estimated that night low-flying training continues to
  1032
  account for some 5 per cent. of military low flying training activity in the United Kingdom. I have nothing further to add to my predecessor's answer of 10 November 1987 to the hon. Member at column 38.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many low-level sorties were flown over the United Kingdom in each year since 1985 by United States Air Force aircraft from units not based in this country;

  (2) how many Skyguard radar systems are to be employed on low-flying monitoring duties; and on what date they are due to enter service in this role;

  (3) how many sorties were flown in the United Kingdom low-flying system by F16 aircraft in each year since 1985;

  (4) how many sorties were flown in the United Kingdom low-flying system by (a) F-104, (b) Hunter, (c) Canberra, (d) Lynx, (e) Gazelle, (f) Sea King, (g) Puma, (h) Wessex, (i) Chinook, (j) Hercules, (k) Dominie, (l) Jet Provost, (m) Hawk, (n) Jaguar, (o) Buccaneer, (p) Harrier, (q) Phantom, (r) Tornado and (s) A-10, aircraft in each year since 1985;

  (5) if a quota system, specifying a maximum number of aircraft permitted to operate in a specific low-flying area, is in operation in the United Kingdom low-flying system; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) if he will list the categories of information required to be provided by military aircrew to Royal Air Force West Drayton when booking in to the United Kingdom low-flying system;

  (7) if the low-flying regulations permit military pilots to fly their aircraft at speeds greater than 450 knots in order to catch up with other aircraft when changing or re-establishing formations at low-level;

  (8) on how many occasions in 1988 Royal Air Force police covert monitoring of low-flying in the United Kingdom detected breaches of low-flying regulations;

  (9) what agreements have been reached with the West German authorities since 30 January on reductions in the number of Royal Air Force low-level flights over West Germany;

  (10) what information he can provide on the number of sorties flown at low level by United States Air Force aircraft, broken down by aircraft type;

  (11) what is the minimum distance from the coast of Britain at which low flying over the sea at 100 ft minimum separation distance is authorised;

  (12) what low-level air training activity was carried out at weekends over the Wash between 6 May and 25 June; and how many and what types of aircraft took part;

  (13) what means are used by aircrew of military aircraft operating in the United Kingdom low flying system to advise Royal Air Force West Drayton when remaining within a low flying area beyond the booked period;

  (14) what proportion of fixed-wing low flying at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom in 1988 consisted of aircrew continuation training;

  (15) what was the total number of complaints received about low-flying military aircraft in each month from January 1989 onwards; and how many of these came from addresses in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland;

  (16) what was the total number of low-flying sorties over the United Kingdom in each month from January 1989 onwards;
  1033
  (17) what, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 10 July, Official Report, column 386, are the normal and long-standing arrangements applicable to public records in the Ministry of Defence referred to;

  (18) why it is not Her Majesty's Government's practice to release detailed information about the United Kingdom low flying system;

  (19) how many air misses involving British military aircraft were reported over the Federal Republic of Germany in each year since 1985;

  (20) how many air misses involving military aircraft operating in the night low-flying system were reported for the period 1 June 1988 to 9 October 1988, inclusive.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Goose Bay, Canada
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list all past, current and planned deployments of Royal Air Force Jaguar aircraft to Goose bay, Canada, in 1989, giving the title and purpose of each deployment and the number of aircraft involved;

  (2) if he will list all past, current and planned deployments of Royal Air Force Hercules aircraft to Goose bay, Canada, in 1989, giving the title and purpose of each deployment and the number of aircraft involved.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  RAF Germany (Hours Flown)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average annual utilisation rate of Royal Air Force Germany fast jet aircraft, in terms of number of hours flown per aircraft.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Tail Fins (Painting)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of painting the tail fins of Royal Air Force aircraft in bright colours: what proportion of the front-line fast jet fleet has had these colours applied; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Bilateral Military Links
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposals made and agreements reached since 30 January in the Anglo-German study group on bilateral military links.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In addition to the measures announced on 30 January, the British-German study group has continued to look for opportunities to increase bilateral co-operation. In February it was announced that consideration would be given to the formation of a joint air defence unit in the Federal Republic, and the feasibility of this is being examined. The study group will report to Ministers on its further work in the autumn.

  "British Defence Policy"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department last published a copy of the pamphlet "British Defence Policy"; which external design 1034
  consultants were contracted; how many copies were printed; how many were distributed; through which outlets; and what was the total cost of design, printing and publication.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) on 11 May 1989 at column 523. "British Defence Policy 1989–90" was published on 4 May 1989. The contract for the design and printing of the booklet was let, by competitive tender, to Mason Clark McKenna Ltd. About 2,500 copies remain with the Ministry of Defence public relations staff for distribution. The total final cost of design, printing and publication, including staff costs, was £115,599.

  Uranium
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many tonnes of depleted uranium is currently held by his Department in the form of(a) uranium hexafluoride tails or (b) uranium metal; at what locations these materials are stored; and under what conditions these materials are being stored;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the proposed depleted uranium machining facility to be built at AWE Aldermaston;

  (3) what plans his Department has for using depleted uranium;

  (4) what proportions of the depleted uranium metal acquired by his Department came from sources (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in the United States and (c) in other countries.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet decided on the future use of(a) RAF Greenham Common and (b) RAF Molesworth following the removal of missiles and associated equipment under the intermediate nuclear forces treaty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The future of RAF Molesworth is still under consideration, although we envisage continuing to make it available to the United States authorities for military purposes. No decision has been taken about the future of RAF Greenham Common but we expect that it will continue to be designated as a standby operating base.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the timetable for removal of missiles from RAF Greenham Common under the intermediate range nuclear forces treaty; and when the first of these missiles is to be removed.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Under the terms of the Washington treaty, all of the 96 operational ground-launched cruise missiles currently based at RAF Greenham Common will have been removed and eliminated by 31 May 1991. For operational reasons, it is our policy not to reveal in advance precise dates concerning the removal programme.

  AWE Aldermaston
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the proposed tritium research and development facility to be built at AWE Aldermaston.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  RAF Upper Heyford
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make sure that there are no obstructions along the route of the public highway known as the Portway at RAF Upper Heyford;

  (2) if, in the light of the recent cases regarding the highway known as the Portway at RAF Upper Heyford and the challenges over his Department's use of land at RAF Greenham Common, he will review his Department's policies regarding acquisition and use of military lands;

  (3) in which year the land, over which the highway known as the Portway at RAF Upper Heyford runs, was acquired by his Department; and in which year this land was closed off by fencing;

  (4) what steps he will take to ensure public right of access to the highway known as the Portway at RAF Upper Heyford.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether training facilities are offered to representatives of the armed forces of El Salvador; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No training assistance is provided to the armed forces of El Salvador at present.

  Ulster Defence Regiment (Resignations)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the number of persons who have been asked to resign from the Ulster Defence Regiment, and its Reserve since 1985 as a result of having been charged with crimes, giving separately details of persons who resigned as a result of being charged with scheduled offences.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Army (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the manpower strength of the British Army in Northern Ireland; and if he will give details of the number of operatives for the categories(a) UDR, Regular British Army, and (b) British Territorial Army on 31 December 1988 and 30 June 1989.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The figures for 31 December 1988 and for 31 March 1989 (the latest available) are as follows:

  31 December 1988

  31 March 1989

  Ulster Defence Regiment

  6,312

  6,342

  Regular Army

  9,695

  9,658

  Territorial Army

  3,755

  3,812

  1036
  The figures for the Ulster Defence Regiment include both full time and part-time soldiers. Soldiers of the Territorial Army are not used in support of the RUC in counter-terrorist operations.

  Retired Officer Posts
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the basis of comparability between those employed in his Department's retired officer posts and the administrative class of the Civil Service will be re-established.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Military Facilities
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military facilities Soviet Defence Minister Yazov inspected on his recent visit to the United Kingdom; which of these facilities is open for visits by United Kingdom citizens; and if he will make a statement on the benefit to the United Kingdom-Soviet Union relations of the visit.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  General Yazov visited RAF Leuchars, HMS Invincible, the Parachute Regiment depot and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. All of these are open to the general public from time to time. General Yazov's successful visit is an important milestone in bilateral relations and has contributed significantly to improved mutual understanding in the defence and security field.

  Gruinard Island
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if agricultural production is now permitted on Gruinard Island;

  (2) when restrictions on visits to the Gruinard Island were (a) first put in place and (b) ended or removed.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Animals (Experiments)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the different animals used by his Department in experiments.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how much spending on defence has increased in real terms over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Defence expenditure in 1988–89 was some 16 per cent. higher in real terms than in 1978–79, excluding the effect of general inflation measured by the GDP deflator.

  Nuclear Forces (Deployment)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the thresholds of aggression at which nuclear forces will be deployed by NATO; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The possible use of nuclear weapons in response to an attack is central to NATO's
  1037
  policy of flexible response. However, it would undermine deterrence to spell out in advance the precise circumstances in which nuclear weapons would or might be used.

  Armed Forces (Personnel)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, following the findings of the MARILYN report regarding the difficulty and cost of maintaining current personnel levels in the armed forces, he proposes to conduct a defence review; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The "Statement on the defence Estimates" explained (volume I, paragraphs 513–518) the changing factors affecting the recruitment and retention of service personnel, and some of the measures we are taking to deal with the problems. There is no question of a defence review.

  Hunting
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the dates and locations of all occasions when Ministry of Defence land has been used for hunting with hounds in the last 12 months;

  (2) what are the costs of transporting riders and horses from the Household Cavalry to (a) meets of the New Forest buckhounds and (b) meets of the Vale of the White Horse hunt, Gloucestershire;

  (3) what information he has on the number of Army personnel who have been involved in hunting and in other duties associated with hunting in the past 12 months; whether paid leave of absence is granted for these duties; and how many duty hours were involved;

  (4) whether, when Ministry of Defence land is used for hunting, adjoining landowners are contacted in the case of the hounds or riders entering on to their land.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Government Property (Hire)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Ministry of Defence personnel are permitted to hire Government property for personal use.

  Mr. Neubert
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Environmental Pollution
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has assessed the United States Department of Energy's report on radioactive and toxic contamination at its military production facilities, released in January, in order to ascertain whether the details have relevance for the United Kingdom's environmental management practice at his Department's nuclear facilities.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]: I shall write to the hon. Member.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the future of wages councils; and if he will make a statement.
  1038
  Mr. Eggar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the former Minister of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 21 March,Official Report, columns 555–56. Reconsideration of the responses has shown that the second sentence in the narrative paragraph following the table in that reply should have read: "Replies by employer bodies represented on the six largest councils, which embrace 94 per cent. of the workers covered by the system, show that a majority of respondents want the councils abolished". Of the 138 seats held by employer bodies on these councils 83 are held by bodies wanting abolition, 30 by those wanting retention and 25 by non-respondents.

  Earnings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States of America the income of employees and the self-employed respectively as a percentage of national income in 1959, 1969, 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have been asked to reply.

  I shall answer when resources permit.

  YTS
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS starts and how many leavers were recorded by each payment type, by male and female, and by one or two-year training entitlement by standard Training Agency region for Great Britain as a whole, and for each of the last three months.

  Mr. Nicholls
  As the information is contained in several tables I shall write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of YTS trainees leave before the completion of their two-year programme.

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest information from the YTS leavers survey shows that, excluding re-entrants, 72 per cent. of trainees left YTS four weeks or more before completing their two-year entitlement to training, in the period between March 1987 and February 1989.

  The proportion of early leavers in this period is not typical of YTS as a whole, since a two-year entitlement could not be completed before April 1989. The percentage of early leavers is falling as more months with a representative mixture of completers and early leavers are included in the estimate.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the numbers or proportions of trainees who leave YTS within 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks, respectively, by Training Agency region.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The information requested is given in the table.
  1039

  Table to show the percentage of all leavers who leave YTS in the time bands shown by region

  13

  26

  39

  52

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  South East

  21

  14

  11

  19

  London

  25

  15

  11

  20

  South West

  21

  13

  11

  19

  West Midlands

  25

  15

  12

  16

  East Midlands & Easten

  23

  14

  11

  17

  Yorks and Humberside

  25

  14

  11

  17

  North West

  27

  14

  11

  14

  Northern

  23

  13

  11

  15

  Wales

  24

  14

  11

  18

  Scotland

  28

  15

  11

  17

  Tourism
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out his present responsibilities in relation to tourism.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Secretary of State for Employment is responsible for tourism policy in England and for overall tourism in Great Britain. The Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales are responsible for tourism policy in their countries.

  Travel-to-interview Scheme
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will increase the basic eligibility wage level to applicants for the travel-to-interview scheme.

  Mr. Eggar
  Following a recent review of the eligibility criteria for the travel-to-interview scheme, it has been decided to increase the upper salary limit to £16,500 with effect from 11 September 1989.

  Dock Labour
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he now has for the maintenance of current standards of enforcement of health and safety arrangements in scheme ports in the United Kingdom in the event of the termination of the current scheme for employment of dock labour.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Primary responsibility for health and safety at work lies with employers and others in the workplace. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have enforcement powers to ensure that

  Change in civilian employment

  1959 to 1973

  1973 to 1979

  1979 to 1988

  Thousands

  Per cent.

  Thousands

  Per cent.

  Thousands

  Per cent.

  United Kingdom

  936

  3·9

  364

  1·5

  817

  3·3

  Germany

  842

  3·3

  -896

  -3·4

  1,248

  4·9

  France

  2,192

  11·7

  442

  2·1

  -161

  -0·8

  Italy

  -981

  -4·9

  1,051

  5·5

  775

  3·9

  Japan

  9,240

  21·3

  2,200

  4·2

  5,320

  9·7

  United States

  20,434

  31·6

  13,760

  16·2

  16,144

  16·3

  Sources: ED for UK and OECD for other countries.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report (a) the number of unemployed who have not worked for at least a year and (b) the number who last worked in manufacturing industry by full-time, part-time, sex and adult status.
  1040
  employers comply with their duties under health and safety legislation, which applied in scheme and non-scheme ports alike. The abolition of the dock labour scheme has not affected these arrangements.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he now intends to take to ensure that current arrangements for determining remuneration and conditions of service in non-scheme ports shall be continued in the event of the termination of the present dock labour scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The dock labour scheme was abolished by the Dock Work Act 1989 which came into effect on 3 July. Arrangements for settling the terms and conditions of employment in all British ports are a matter for the employers directly concerned and their employees.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the numbers employed in manufacturing in the United Kingdom, United States of America, West Germany, France, Italy and Japan in 1959, 1968, 1979 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. Eggar
  The earliest year for which information is available for all the countries except Italy, is 1963. The information is shown in the table.

  Manufacturing employment

  (thousands)

  1963

  1968

  1979

  1987

  United Kingdom

  8,423

  8,353

  7,935

  5,415

  Germany

  9,912

  9,639

  8,793

  8,122

  France

  5,341

  5,294

  5,556

  4,629

  Italy

  —

  —

  5,371

  4,639

  Japan

  11,080

  13,050

  13,330

  14,250

  United States

  18,025

  20,856

  22,458

  20,935

  Source: ED for United Kingdom and OECD for other countries.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the increase in civil employment in (a) 1959 to 1973, (b) 1973 to 1979, and (c) 1979 to date in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) West Germany, (iii) France, (iv) Italy, (v) Japan, and (vi) the United States of America.

  Mr. Eggar
  The figures are shown in the table.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Data for each of the groups requested, on a comparable basis, is available only from the labour force survey (LFS). A preliminary estimate from the spring 1988 LFS of the number of unemployed (ILO/OECD definition) aged 16 or over in Great Britain, who left their last job 12 months or more prior to interview, is 1,191,000.
  1041
  Other preliminary estimates, as requested, are shown in the following table:

  Unemployed1 whose last job was in the manufacturing industries2—Great Britain

  Spring 1988, Thousands

  Age

  All persons

  Males

  Females

  (i)

  16 or over

  351

  218

  133

  full-time3

  309

  207

  102

  part-time3

  42

  11

  31

  (ii)

  18 or over

  335

  207

  128

  full-time3

  294

  197

  97

  part-time3

  41

  10

  31

  1 ILO/OECD definition.

  2 SIC 1980, Industry Divisions 2–4. Persons who left their last job three or more years prior to interview are not asked about their previous industry.

  3 Based on respondent's own assessment, not on the number of hours usually worked.

  Source: 1988 LFS, preliminary estimates.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide full details of the number of people who are receiving unemployment benefit for part of a week who are also working part-time(a) at the latest available date, (b) over the last 12 months and (c) in the preceding two years.

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people employed in(a) the textile industry and (b) the clothing industry for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The available information is as follows:

  Employees in Employment (unadjusted for seasonal variation)

  Great Britain

  June each year1

  2 Textile industry (class 43)

  2 Footwear and clothing industry (class 45)

  1979

  371,000

  395,000

  1980

  325,000

  361,000

  1981

  273,000

  314,000

  1982

  256,000

  295,000

  1983

  239,000

  286,000

  1984

  234,000

  292,000

  1985

  233,000

  295,000

  1986

  234,000

  296,000

  1987

  223,000

  293,000

  1988

  223,000

  295,000

  1989 (May)

  204,000

  280,000

  1 Except 1989 where May figures have been given as June figures are not yet available.

  2 Standard Industrial Classification 1980.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people employed in the machine tool manufacturing industry for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The available information is as follows:

  Employees in employment (unadjusted for seasonal variation)

  Great Britain

  Metal-working machine tools and engineers tools (Group 322)2

  June each year1

  Numbers

  1979

  111,000

  1980

  110,000

  1981

  96,000

  1042

  June each year1

  Numbers

  1982

  90,000

  1983

  75,000

  1984

  75,000

  1985

  78,000

  1986

  78,000

  1987

  75,000

  1988

  77,000

  May 89

  78,000

  1 Except 1989 where May figures have been given as June figures are not yet available.

  2 Standard Industrial Classification 1980.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have been subjected to legal proceedings by the Health and Safety Executive due to their breach of regulation 7 of the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1984.

  Mr. Nicholls
  None.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many health and safety prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive were carried out in(a) magistrates courts and (b) Crown courts, in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Available information is set out in the table:

  1All courts

  2 Crown courts

  Year

  Information Laid

  Counts on which convicted

  Counts on which convicted

  19833

  2,238

  1,941

  —

  1984

  2,209

  1,944

  —

  1985

  2,321

  1,915

  —

  1986–87

  2,199

  1,771

  35

  1987–88

  2,337

  2,053

  14

  1988–89

  n/a4

  n/a4

  38

  n/a =Not yet available.

  1 Data relate to prosecutions brought in all Magistrates, Crown and Sheriff's Courts by factory and agricultural inspectorates, mines and quarries inspectorate, nuclear installations inspectorate, railway inspectorate and petroleum engineering division (Department of Energy). The vast majority of prosecutions are brought by HM factory and agricultural inspectorates.

  2 Data relates to prosecutions in England and Wales brought by factory inspectorate, and is derived from a special HSE survey. Information prior to April 1986 is not available.

  3 1983–85 calendar years: 1986–87 onwards year commencing 1 April. Data for January—March 1986 have to be omitted.

  4 Data currently being processed.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average financial penalty imposed in successful health and safety prosecutions brought by the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last five years for which figures are available(a) in magistrates courts and (b) in Crown courts.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Available information is set out in the table:
  1043

  Average penalty per count on which convicted1

  All courts2

  Crown courts3

  £

  £

  19834 3

  252

  —

  1984

  313

  —

  1985

  436

  n/a

  1986–87

  410

  2,086

  1987–88

  792

  2,696

  1988–89

  5n/a

  3,017

  1 Defendants may be convicted on several counts.

  2 Data relates to prosecutions brought in all magistrates, Crown and sheriffs courts by factory and agricultural inspectorates, mines and quarries inspectorate, nuclear installations inspectorate, railway inspectorate, and petroleum engineering division (Department of Energy).

  3 Data relates to prosecutions brought by factory inspectorate in England and Wales and is derived from a special survey by the HSE. Information prior to April 1986 is not available.

  4 1983–85 calendar years: 1986–87 onwards year commencing 1 April. Data for January to March 1986 have been omitted.

  5 Data currently being processed.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of the chief inspector of factories as to whether health and safety at work cases should be prosecuted in magistrates courts or Crown courts.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is a decision for magistrates courts whether a case should be committed on indictment to the Crown court. Health and Safety Executive inspectors can make representations asking for committal, and will normally do so where they consider a particularly serious offence has been committed, or where the case seems of national significance.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of factories and other places of work for which the Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; how many of these have been basically inspected by the factory inspectorate in each of the last four years; and how many have received no inspection in the last(a) five, (b) seven, (c) nine and (d) 11 or more years.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the names of those companies which are currently in breach of the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards (CIMAH) Regulations 1984 by not having submitted a full safety case under regulation 7 to the Health and Safety Executive by 30 June.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not make publicly available the names of companies which may not have complied with health and safety and other related legislation unless enforcement notices have been served which have implications for the safety of the public. Details of these are available on the publicly accessible registers kept at HSE's local area offices.

  Factory Inspections
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any figures which indicate, on a comparable basis, the frequency of factory inspections in each of the European Community countries.
  1044
  Mr. Nicholls
  Direct comparisons of this kind are very difficult because of differences in enforcement arrangements and statistical systems.

  Evidence on these issues was given by the Health and Safety Commission to the Employment Select Committee and this is recorded in the minutes of evidence for 28 January 1987, "The Work of the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive", House of Commons paper 164, part 1, which is available in the House Library.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he has any indication of when a common standard and frequency of factory inspection will be established throughout the European Community countries;

  (2) what representations he has received seeking the establishment of a common standard and frequency of factory inspection throughout the European Community countries.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I am aware of concern about consistency of enforcement standards in the European Community, from various contacts with both sides of United Kingdom industry. I share the view of the Health and Safety Commission, in its latest plan of work, on the need to ensure that Community legislation is implemented and enforced in an even-handed way in all member states. There is no quick or easy solution; the United Kingdom will take every opportunity—in relevant contacts with the Community institutions and with other member states—to promote greater attention to the issue.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) in which newspapers, periodicals and so on, and at what cost, the post of deputy director general of the Health and Safety Executive was advertised;

  (2) who were the members of the interview panel which interviewed candidates for the post of deputy director general of the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Commission did not advertise this appointment and there is no statutory or other obligation on it to do so.

  The appointment was made by the commission with the approval of the Secretary of State for Employment, after consultation with the director general of the Health and Safety Executive, and on terms approved by the Minister for the Civil Service, as is the case with any appointment of a member of the executive. The commission is well acquainted with Mr. Eves' qualifications and talents.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of Health and Safety Executive area directors currently hold formal professional management qualifications.

  Mr. Nicholls
  A formal professional management qualification is not a prerequisite for appointment to the post of area director. They are all given appropriate training to ensure that they have the management skills necessary to perform their duties. There are currently 20 area directors employed by the Health and Safety Executive; 20 per cent. hold formal professional management qualifications.
  1045
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of Health and Safety Executive area directors are currently aged under 50 years.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Thirty per cent. of area directors employed by the Health and Safety Executive are under the age of 50.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the field force of(a) doctors and (b) nurses, employed by the medical division of the Health and Safety Executive are aged 50 years and over.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Fifty-nine per cent. of the doctors employed in the field force of the Health and Safety Executive medical division, are aged 50 or over. For nurses, the proportion is 48 per cent.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the contents of "Health and Safety—an alternative report on the work of the Health and Safety Executive in 1988" produced by the Institution of Professional Civil Servants.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have not received a copy of this report.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each year since 1979, the numbers of people disqualified from unemployment benefit by(a) occupation, (b) age and (c) length of disqualification both in total and as a percentage of those receiving such benefit.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is not collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those local authorities which are presently participating in the ET scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Local authorities currently participating in employment training as training managers or training agents are listed at tables 1 and 2.

  Table

  LOCAL AUTHORITIES PARTICIPATING IN EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AS TRAINING MANAGERS

  County Councils in England

  Avon

  Bedfordshire

  Berkshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Cheshire

  Cleveland

  Cornwall

  Cumbria

  Devon

  Dorset

  Durham

  East Sussex

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hampshire

  Isle of Wight

  Kent

  Lancashire

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Northamptonshire

  1046

  Northumberland

  North Yorkshire

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Straffordshire

  Suffolk

  Warwickshire

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire

  London Boroughs

  Brent

  Enfield

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Hounslow

  Kingston upon Thames (Royal)

  Redbridge

  Metropolitan District Councils in England

  Barnsley

  Birmingham City

  Bradford City

  Coventry City

  Doncaster

  Dudley

  Gateshead

  Halton

  Kirklees

  Leeds City

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Oldham

  Rotherham

  Salford City

  Sefton

  Solihull

  South Tyneside

  Stockport

  Sunderland

  Tameside

  Trafford

  Wigan

  Wolverhampton

  District Councils in England

  Allerdale

  Alnwick

  Ashfield

  Bath City

  Beverley

  Boothferry

  Brentwood

  Burnley

  Cannock Chase

  Castle Morpeth

  Charnwood

  Chester le Street

  Chorley

  Corby

  Derby City

  Easington

  East Hertfordshire

  East Lindsey

  East Yorkshire

  Epsom and Ewell

  Glanford

  Great Grimsby

  Guildford

  Harrogate

  Hartlepool

  Hastings

  Hereford

  High Peak

  Ipswich

  Kettering

  Kingston upon Hull

  Lancaster City

  Leicester City

  Lichfield

  Macclesfield

  Mansfield

  1047

  Newark and Sherwood

  Plymouth City

  Portsmouth City

  Preston

  Scarborough

  Scunthorpe

  Sedgefield

  South Lakeland

  Southampton

  Vale of White Horse

  Wear Valley

  West Lancashire

  West Lindsey

  West Oxfordshire

  Weymouth and Portland

  County Councils in Wales

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  West Glamorgan

  District Councils in Wales

  Blaenau Gwent

  Cardiff City

  Carmarthen

  Ceredigion

  Cynon Valley

  Dinefwr

  Islwyn

  Llanelli

  Lliw Valley

  Monmouth

  Neath

  Newport

  Port Talbot

  Preseli

  Rhondda

  South Pembrokeshire

  Swansea City

  Taff-Ely

  Torfaen

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Wrexham Maelor

  Ynys Mon

  Scotland Regions

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Grampian

  Highland

  Lothian

  Islands

  Orkney

  Districts

  Angus

  Argyll and Bute

  Caithness

  Clydesdale

  Cumberland and Kilsyth

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  Dunfermline

  East Kilbride

  Hamilton

  Kirkcaldy

  Lochaber

  Midlothian

  Moray

  North East Fife

  Ross and Cromarty

  Wigtown

  Table 2

  LOCAL AUTHORITIES PARTICIPATING IN EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
  1048
  AS TRAINING AGENTS

  County Councils in England

  Avon

  Bedfordshire

  Cheshire

  Cornwall

  Devon

  Dorset

  Gloucester

  Hertfordshire

  Isle of Wight

  Kent

  Northumberland

  North Yorkshire

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Surrey

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire

  London Boroughs

  Enfield

  Harrow

  Hillingdon

  Hounslow

  Kingston upon Thames (Royal)

  Metropolitan District Councils in England

  Birmingham City

  Bradford

  Calderdale

  Gateshead

  Kirklees

  Leeds City

  Newcastle

  Solihull

  South Tyneside

  Sunderland

  Trafford

  District Councils in England

  Cambridge

  Peterborough

  Portsmouth

  Southampton

  County Councils in Wales

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Scotland Regions

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Grampian

  Islands

  Orkney

  Districts

  Wigtown

  Caithness

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has about local authorities which do not intend to renew their participation in ET schemes.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend is aware of the following local authorities which will not be renewing their participation in employment training:
  1049

  Wolverhampton metropolitan borough council

  Cleveland county council

  Leicester city council

  Similar action is expected by Mansfield district council.

  European Social Fund
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the increase in the level of central Government funding from the European social fund in 1989 over 1988; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the split in Britain's European social fund allocation between central Government and the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  For 1988 the European Commission allocated over £215 million to programmes run by central Government. For 1989 the allocation was £236 million while around £26 million was allocated to the voluntary sector. We view the continued support of the European Commission through the European social fund as of great importance in our efforts to improve training opportunities and combat unemployment.

  Social Charter
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he supports health and safety in the workplace provisions contained within the social charter.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Council of Ministers has recently adopted a European Community directive, setting out a framework for health and safety in the workplace, which we supported. This broadly mirrors our own Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. We are continuing discussions on a number of directives dealing with specific areas.

  The Government have made it clear that they see no point in the Commission's proposal for a Communitywide social charter.

  Prices and Wages
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the percentage by which(a) the retail prices index and (b) the average wage level has increased in each EEC country, the United States of America, Japan, Sweden, the EEC and the Organisation Ibr Economic Co-operation and Development as a whole since the start of 1988.

  Mr. Eggar
  The dates for which information has been compiled vary a great deal between countries so it is impossible to make a comparison which is both comprehensive and up-to-date. All the available information is given in tables 5.9 and 6.8 of the Employment Gazette, which is available in the Library.

  Random Omnibus Survey
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) all the questions relating to employment that were asked in the survey carried out by NOP Market Research Limited in the NOP random omnibus survey in the two weeks from 22 February and (b) the detailed answers that were given to these questions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 17 April 1989]: The main findings of the survey were set out in the Green Paper
  1050
  "Removing Barriers to Employment" (Cm 655) published on 20 March 1989. I regret that I was unable to provide the hon. Member with a full reply on 17 April. Detailed analyis of the data is still taking place and a full analysis will be published in an article in the Employment Gazette later in the year.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to give a substantive reply to the question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East concerning the NOP random survey, tabled for priority written answer on 17 April; what are the reasons for the delay in answering; and what is the longest interval between the asking of a priority written question and its answer by his Department in this Parliament.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 26 June 1989]: I regret I was unable to give the hon. Member a full reply on 17 April or 26 June.

  I have answered the hon. Member's question of 17 April today.

  Benefit Claimants
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in the west midlands region were disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit during the period 1 January to 31 March because they were considered to have left their employment voluntarily without just cause and were disqualified for the maximum period of 26 weeks.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: For the period 1 January to 31 March 1989, the number of persons in the west midlands region who were disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit because they were considered to have left their employment voluntarily without just cause was 4,471.

  Information requested on the number of claimants disqualified for the maximum period of 26 weeks is not collected. However, the Department of Social Security has undertaken a survey to establish the proportion of claims which are disqualified for the maximum period, including those disqualified for leaving employment without just cause. An initial analysis of a sample of cases indicates that the full 26-week period is imposed in less than two thirds of the cases. The information obtained from the survey is still being analysed and will be published in full shortly.

  Agriculture Inspectors
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many farms on average each agricultural inspector has within his responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectorate has approximately 272,000 farm premises on its records.

  The inspectorate targets its visits according to hazard and the programme of inspections is concentrated on those premises where the hazard is greatest. In 1988–89 the inspectorate made a total of 30,303 farm inspections

  Disabled People (Transport and Holiday Accommodation)
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans his Department has to improve transport and holiday accommodation for the disabled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: My Department, through the English tourist board, contributes funding (£35,000 in 1989–90) to the holiday care service. In conjunction with the English tourist board, the holiday care service has published a series of booklets giving advice to hotel and guesthouse proprietors on providing for disabled visitors.

  The "Tourism for All" working party, set up by the English tourist board in 1988, is due to issue its report in September this year, which will make recommendations on improvements in holiday provision for disabled and disadvantaged people. The report will include sections on transport and accommodation.

  Product Design and Development
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of direct and indirect jobs in product design and development lost since 1979 and the number of jobs now threatened as a result of the increase in (i) import penetration, (ii) the import content of exported goods and (iii) the number of branch plants of overseas companies; and what is his estimate of the reduction in the number of such jobs since 1970 and 1979, respectively.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  No information is available on the number of jobs in product design and development. The economy gains from the exchange of goods and services and from the two-way flow of investment. It cannot be assumed that increased imports and inward investment result in a loss of jobs.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Service (Pay and Conditions)
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received from the national joint council for local authorities' fire brigades in answer to his request that a joint national joint council and Home Office working party should be set up to examine pay and conditions of service within the fire service; and if he will make a statement on the pay and conditions of service of the fire service.

  Mr. John Patten
  The chairman of the national joint council has recently written to my right hon. and noble Friend, enclosing a letter from the joint secretaries of the council which indicates its willingness to accept an ad hoc working party jointly constituted by the Home Office and the national joint council.

  We wish to see the national joint council examine, fairly and with an open mind, the conditions of service-related issues raised by the Audit Commission's paper on value for money in the fire service, including rigid employment conditions. We also wish to see the council consider whether the current fire service pay formula represents the best way forward for the future.

  Durham Prison
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are(a) involved in day-time education classes and (b) attending evening classes in Durham H wing.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In Durham H wing in the week ending 21 July there were eight prisoners attending morning day-time classes and a further eight prisoners attending afternoon day-time classes. Two evening classes, each with a maximum attendance of six, are held each night during the week. The weekly total of 10 classes offers 60 student places; all places are taken up, with some prisoners attending more than one evening class.

  Allowance Books (Theft)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of the theft of Department of Health and Social Security allowance books have occurred during each of the last three years in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Bolton area; and how many prosecutions have been made as a result.

  Mr. John Patten
  This information is not available centrally.

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he proposes to deal with over-age applicants from the Indian sub-continent(a) whose applications have already been refused on the grounds that they do not qualify under the immigration rules, (b) whose appeals have been dismissed on the above grounds and (c) whose appeals have been deferred pending his announcement on the use of DNA evidence in such cases.

  Mr. Renton
  Where an application for entry clearance has been refused, and any appeal dismissed, that application cannot be reopened. The case can be reconsidered only in the context of a fresh application for entry clearance.

  Where a person previously refused entry clearance as a child on relationship grounds is able to establish relationship by means of DNA evidence, but is now over 18 and does not qualify for admission under paragraphs 55 or 56 of the immigration rules, the reapplication will be considered in accordance with the policy which my right hon. Friend announced on 14 June at column 463.

  When an application for entry clearance or an appeal against refusal had not been finally determined by 14 June, the case will be reviewed in accordance with the terms of my right hon. Friend's statement (if applicable) without the need for a fresh application. In some such cases, it may be necessary to arrange a further interview by the entry clearance officer to establish the applicant's present circumstances before a decision can be reached.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) husbands, (b) wives and (c) dependent children have been refused (i) extension of stay and (ii) settlement in the United Kingdom on the grounds that the Secretary of State is not satisfied that they can be maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds.
  1053
  Mr. Renton
  The available information relating to after-entry cases is given in the following table. Information on dependent children is not readily available.

  Decisions on husbands and wives applications in 1988 under HC 503

  "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules"

  Number

  Husbands

  Wives

  Refusals to grant initial extension of leave to remain

  on grounds of

  (i) Accommodation

  7

  2

  (ii) Maintenance

  8

  4

  (iii) Maintenance and accommodation

  11

  5

  Refusals of settlement after the initial 12 months extension

  General considerations, including recourse to public funds (para 98 HC 503)

  18

  —

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for(a) single entry and (b) multiple entry visit visas were (1) received, (2) granted and (3) refused at each post in the Indian sub-continent, Ghana, Nigeria and Jamaica in each quarter of 1988 and the first quarter of 1989; and what was the delay between application and interview for those whose applications were felt to need a second or long

  Total passenger admissions and those refused leave to enter and removed by selected nationalities

  Numbers

  First quarter

  Second quarter

  Third quarter

  Fourth quarter

  Total

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1987

  Jamaica

  5,910

  54

  6,880

  45

  12,300

  61

  6,430

  109

  31,600

  269

  Turkey

  12,100

  227

  14,300

  265

  20,400

  302

  16,100

  623

  62,900

  1,417

  Morocco

  3,070

  96

  3,430

  105

  8,510

  324

  4,720

  275

  19,700

  800

  United States of America

  399,000

  267

  772,000

  242

  945,000

  298

  503,000

  243

  2,620,000

  1,050

  Australia

  58,600

  30

  104,000

  35

  124,000

  54

  73,000

  33

  359,000

  152

  Malaysia

  10,600

  107

  16,100

  91

  23,200

  131

  15,000

  113

  64,900

  442

  Hong Kong (BDTCs)

  12,100

  98

  12,700

  96

  24,900

  59

  11,600

  57

  61,300

  310

  Guyana

  890

  12

  1,240

  3

  2,500

  8

  1,060

  4

  5,680

  27

  Trinidad and Tobago

  2,980

  6

  4,280

  8

  7,870

  8

  3,400

  9

  18,500

  31

  Colombia

  2,980

  67

  5,070

  110

  6,710

  80

  3,510

  85

  18,300

  342

  Algeria

  4,120

  185

  4,150

  167

  8,250

  487

  4,560

  361

  21,100

  1,200

  1988

  Jamaica

  5,760

  82

  6,900

  95

  11,700

  116

  6,300

  131

  30,600

  424

  Turkey

  15,300

  393

  15,200

  380

  22,500

  653

  16,100

  786

  69,100

  2,212

  Morocco

  3,070

  166

  3,630

  294

  8,020

  649

  4,620

  353

  19,400

  1,462

  United States of America

  413,000

  267

  680,000

  261

  843,000

  273

  547,000

  281

  2,480,000

  1,082

  Australia

  56,700

  22

  101,000

  38

  126,000

  47

  83,100

  42

  367,000

  149

  Malaysia

  11,100

  93

  15,100

  156

  22,600

  124

  15,200

  128

  64,000

  501

  Hong Kong (BDTCs)

  12,900

  76

  12,500

  126

  24,200

  61

  10,700

  33

  60,300

  296

  Guyana

  870

  7

  1,190

  5

  2,340

  8

  1,230

  7

  5,640

  27

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,260

  12

  3,670

  4

  7,130

  7

  3,290

  19

  17,300

  42

  Colombia

  3,070

  89

  4,830

  193

  5,940

  126

  3,510

  111

  17,300

  519

  Algeria

  3,990

  324

  3,970

  339

  7,460

  1,005

  3,830

  677

  19,300

  2,345

  1989 first quarter

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Jamaica

  6,230

  236

  Turkey

  17,000

  618

  Morocco

  3,520

  253

  USA

  442,000

  261

  Australia

  72,400

  35

  Malaysia

  12,400

  93

  Hong Kong (BDTCs)

  14,500

  33

  Guyana

  1,080

  11

  1054
  interview at each of the above posts in (i) June 1988, (ii) January 1989 and (iii) June 1989 or the nearest available date;

  (2) how many applications for entry clearance in order to seek asylum in the United Kingdom were (a) received and (b) granted by country during 1988 and the first quarter of 1989.

  Mr. Renton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications from over-age reapplications from the Indian sub-continent seeking to join a sponsor settled in the United Kingdom have been(a) made, (b) deferred, (c) refused and (d) granted since 1986; and how many such reapplicants in each category had undergone successful DNA tests.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Jamaica, (b) Turkey, (c) Morocco, (d) the United States of America, (e) Australia, (f) Malaysia, (g) Hong Kong, (h) Guyana, (i) Trinidad, (j) Colombia and (k) Algeria were (i) granted and (ii) refused permission to enter the United Kingdom at ports of entry in each quarter since January 1987 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Renton
  The information is given in the following table:

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,260

  18

  Colombia

  3,320

  116

  Algeria

  4,120

  391

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notices have been issued to each airline under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability)
  1055
  Act 1987 in each quarter since March 1988; how much money has accrued as a result; and how many such notices have been contested by each airline.

  Mr. Renton
  Information on the record of individual airlines under the Act is a matter of confidentiality. The total number of notices issued to carriers (ie airlines and sea operators) in each quarter since March 1988 was as follows:

  Quarter ending

  Number of notices

  30 June 1988

  758

  30 September 1988

  1,415

  31 December 1988

  1,064

  31 March 1989

  1,345

  30 June 89

  1,616

  Total

  6,198

  A total of £1·822 million has been received in respect of these notices, and representations have been made by carriers in 1,317 cases.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding immigration applications there are at Lunar house; what time savings in dealing with applications from(a) students, (b) family members in the United Kingdom applying for variation of stay, (c) settlement entry clearance applications referred from overseas posts and (d) asylum-seekers have been achieved by recent changes in procedures and practice; and what are the average times applicants in each category might expect to wait before a decision.

  Mr. Renton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were received into prison establishments under Immigration Act powers during(a) 1987 and (b) 1988, by individual prison establishment; what was the average daily population of persons so detained in each of those years; what was the average length of time spent in detention by persons so detained in each of those years; and whether he will give a breakdown by nationality of persons so detained for each of those years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about detainees received into prison service establishments in England and Wales under the Immigration Act 1971 in 1987 is given by establishment and nationality in the tables. Similar information for 1988 is not yet available.

  The average population and the average length of detention of such detainees in prison service establishments in 1987 were published in tables 1.1 and 6.6 of "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (Cm. 547), a copy of which is in the Library. The average population in 1988 was 146. The average period of detention in 1988 is provisionally estimated as about seven weeks.

  Receptions of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in 1987: by establishment

  Establishment

  Number1

  Remand centres

  Ashford

  2

  Brockhill

  3

  1056

  Establishment

  Number 1

  Cardiff

  1

  Glen Parva

  3

  Hull

  1

  Latchmere House

  827

  Low Newton

  2

  Manchester

  1

  Risley

  11

  Winchester

  2

  Prisons

  Bedford

  7

  Birmingham

  51

  Bristol

  16

  Brixton

  7

  Camp Hill

  1

  Canterbury

  34

  Cardiff

  11

  Chelmsford

  1

  Dorchester

  3

  Durham

  6

  Foston Hall

  92

  Gloucester

  2

  Highpoint

  1

  Holloway

  15

  Hull

  17

  Leeds

  16

  Leicester

  34

  Lincoln

  3

  Oxford

  1

  Pentonville

  34

  Reading

  3

  Shrewsbury

  1

  Swansea

  1

  Winchester

  10

  Wormwood Scrubs

  1

  Others

  Erlestoke

  90

  All Prison Service establishements

  1,311

  1 The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate, detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost.

  Receptions of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in 1987: by nationality

  Nationality

  Number1

  Nigeria

  213

  Ghana

  212

  Sri Lanka

  146

  India

  114

  Bangladesh

  82

  Turkey

  73

  Iran

  61

  Pakistan

  53

  Algeria

  40

  Morocco

  26

  Cyprus

  20

  United States of America

  17

  West Indies2

  17

  Afghanistan

  16

  Hong Kong

  14

  Colombia

  11

  Libya

  8

  Ethiopia

  7

  France

  7

  Italy

  6

  South Africa

  6

  Zimbabwe

  6

  Egypt

  5

  Lebanon

  5

  Sierra Leone

  5

  Sudan

  5

  1057

  Nationality

  Number1

  Other countries3

  105

  Not recorded

  31

  ALL NATIONALITIES

  1,311

  1 The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate: detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost.

  2 Includes other Commonwealth countries in the Americas.

  3 Where fewer than five were recorded.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations (i) he and (ii) immigration officers received from Members of Parliament during(a) the first quarter of 1988 and (b) the first quarter of 1989 to delay the removal of passengers refused entry at British ports of entry; and, for both periods, how many representations resulted in (i) the delay of the passenger's removal for up to a week, (ii) the delay of the passenger's removal for more than a week and (iii) reversal of the immigration officer's decision.

  Mr. Renton
  In the first quarters of 1988 and 1989 representations received by Ministers resulted in deferment of removal in 382 and 54 cases respectively. I regret that the rest of the information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Admissions to the United Kingdom of British dependent territories citizens (BDTCs) from Hong Kong

  Number of persons

  Admission category

  1988

  Year

  1989

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Q1

  Visitors

  4,950

  6,350

  11,700

  5,200

  28,200

  6,260

  Business visitors

  1,340

  1,370

  1,390

  1,140

  5,230

  1,400

  Students

  350

  280

  4,720

  1,010

  6,360

  360

  Passengers returning

  4,920

  3,350

  4,560

  2,300

  15,100

  5,060

  Work permit holders and dependants

  50

  70

  180

  60

  350

  70

  Husbands and fiances

  1

  10

  10

  10

  40

  10

  Wives and fiancees

  1

  10

  30

  20

  70

  30

  In transit, Diplomats and officials and their dependants

  1,140

  910

  1,460

  900

  4,410

  1,210

  Settlement on arrival

  60

  60

  120

  70

  300

  40

  Others

  60

  60

  120

  70

  300

  40

  Total

  12,900

  12,500

  24,200

  10,700

  60,300

  14,500

  1 Fewer than 10.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his current policy on enforcing deportation decisions against genuine students who have been found to be working in breach of their conditions of entry; what criteria he uses to define a genuine student for these purposes; and whether he will list the colleges which he does not recognise as providing courses of study for overseas students acceptable under the immigration rules.

  Mr. Renton
  Any overseas student who wishes to work during his free time of vacations may do so by obtaining the requisite permission from the Department of Employment. Each case in which a student is found working without such permission is considered on its individual merits: as required by the immigration rules, the case for deportation is considered in the light of all known relevant factors, of which the genuineness of the studies will be of particular significance. As a general rule, however, it is not our practice to remove genuine students under the deportation powers unless their offences are serious or persistent. A genuine student in this sense is one
  1058
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many wives and dependent children applying for entry clearance in the Indian sub-continent in each quarter since January 1988 were refused(a) on first application and (b) on second or subsequent application.

  Mr. Renton
  Quarterly information up to the end of 1988 on the total numbers of wives and children in the Indian sub-continent refused entry clearance to the United Kingdom is published in table 7 of Cm 726, "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1988" a copy of which is in the Library. In the first quarter of 1989, 130 wives and 270 children were initially refused entry clearance. Separate information on first-time applicants and re-applicants is not available centrally.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (1) British nationals and (2) holders of certificates of identity from Hong Kong have been admitted to the United Kingdom in each quarter since January 1988 as(a) persons of independent means, (b) self-employed persons, (c) business people, (d) visitors, (e) students, (f) husbands and fiancés, (g) wives and fiancees and (h) other dependent relatives.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information is given in the following table for BDTCs from Hong Kong. Reliable figures of admissions of stateless persons from Hong Kong are not available.

  who at the time meets the requirements of the immigration rules for the grant of leave to enter or remain as a student. The immigration and nationality department does not maintain a list of colleges which are or which are not acceptable for immigration purposes. However, in dealing with individual applications and so on from students, account is taken of any material which is available to the Department about the circumstances of, and courses offered by, the colleges concerned. Case workers are made aware of such material by means of internal notices which form part of the staff instructions for dealing with cases: such instructions are not published.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken by his Department to investigate cases referred from overseas posts in order to assess whether the maintenance and accommodation requirements of the immigration rules have been met.

  Mr. Renton
  Inquiries into whether the maintenance and accommodation requirements of the immigration
  1059
  rules are met may be conducted either by correspondence or by interviewing the sponsor (usually when other matters also need to be investigated). Information on the average time taken to complete these inquiries is not available. Where an interview is required, the objective remains, as stated in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 23 March 1989 at column 809, to carry out interviews within three months of receipt of papers in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British citizenship under section 4(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981 have been(a) made, (b) granted and (c) refused; and how many of those granted have been on the grounds of service in the armed forces.

  Mr. Renton
  The information covering the period January 1983 to 21 July 1989 is as follows:

  Servicemen

  Others

  Total

  Received

  53

  499

  552

  Granted

  52

  9

  61

  Refused

  —

  487

  487

  Withdrawn

  1

  —

  1

  Still under consideration

  —

  3

  3

  Note: The numbers in the first column are former servicemen in Hong Kong as described in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan) on 23 April 1986 at columns 147–48.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance as(a) wives, (b) husbands, (c) fiancés, and (d) fiancees in each British post in all countries apart from those in the Indian sub-continent were (i) granted and (ii) refused in each quarter since January 1988; how many such applications in each category, at each post and in each quarter were refused (1) wholly and (2) partly because of the primary purpose rule; what was the refusal rate at each post; and what percentage of those refusals were (x) wholly and (y) partly on primary purpose grounds.

  Mr. Renton
  The only information requested which is available centrally is that on applications granted and refused in Hong Kong. Information for the fourth quarter of 1988 onwards is given in the table; for information for the first three quarters of 1988, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 20 December 1988 at columns 179–80.

  Applications in Hong Kong for entry clearance to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Applications

  Granted1

  Refused initially

  Wives

  1988 4th quarter

  40

  —

  1989 1st quarter

  40

  —

  Husbands, fiancés2

  1988 4th quarter

  10

  —

  1989 1st quarter

  20

  —

  Fiancées

  1988 4th quarter

  10

  —

  1989 1st quarter

  10

  —

  1 Granted initially or on appeal.

  2 Data for husbands and fiances separately are not available.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for entry 1060
  Clearance from (a) wives, (b) husbands, (c) fiancés, and (d)fiancées made at British posts in (1) New Delhi, (2) Bombay, (3) Calcutta, (4) Madras, (5) Dhaka, (6) Islamabad, (7) Karachi, and (8) Colombo for each quarter since January 1988 to the nearest available date were (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused; how many refusals at each post were (i) wholly and (ii) partly because the visa officer was not satisfied that the primary purpose of the marriage was not immigration; how many refusals at each post were (i) wholly and (ii) partly because the visa officer was not satisfied that the couple could support and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds; what was the refusal rate at each post and what percentage of those refusals was (x) wholly and (y) partly on primary purpose grounds;

  (2) how many applications for settlement by wives and children in (i) Dhaka and (ii) Islamabad were (a) received, (b) granted, (c) refused, (d) deferred at first interview, (e) lapsed and (f) outstanding and awaiting first interview for each quarter since the beginning of 1988.

  Mr. Renton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the(a) passengers in total and (b) persons treated as illegal entrants who were granted temporary admission in 1988, subsequently absconded.

  Mr. Renton
  In 1988 a total of 401 passengers absconded, either from detention or by failing to respond to the terms of temporary admission. The corresponding figure for illegal entrants is 124. The distinction between those absconding from detention and those failing to respond to the terms of temporary admission/temporary release is not centrally recorded and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many passengers seeking political asylum in(a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988 and (d) 1989 up the nearest available date were granted temporary admission;

  (2) whether he will provide a breakdown by nationality of the number of passengers seeking political asylum who were detained under Immigration Act powers in 1988 in (a) prison department establishments and (b) immigration detention accommodation.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people were detained(a) overnight and (b) for a period of more than one month in (1) Harmondsworth detention centre, (2) the Queen's building, Heathrow, (3) the Beehive Gatwick, and (4) Latchmere house during 1988;

  (2) what was the total number of passengers detained overnight under Immigration Act powers during 1988, by nationality.

  Mr. Renton
  The readily available information relates to the number of passengers whose detention spanned at least one night pending further examination on their admission to, or their removal from, the United Kingdom
  1061
  and is given in the tables. The remaining information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Table 1: Passengers1 detained overnight in certain locations, 1988

  Location

  Number

  Harmondsworth

  23,688

  Queen's Building

  1,475

  Gatwick South (virtually all at the Beehive)

  2,458

  1 Excluding illegal entrants and deportees.

  2 Some passengers who were detained elsewhere prior to being detained at Harmondsworth are excluded.

  Table 2

  Passengers1 detained overnight, by nationality and geographical region: 1988

  Nationality/Geographical region

  Number2

  European Community

  Belgium

  2

  Denmark

  2

  France

  32

  German Federal Republic

  10

  Greece

  3

  Italy

  9

  Luxembourg

  —

  Netherlands

  7

  Portugal

  275

  Spain

  126

  European Community

  466

  Western Europe

  Austria

  13

  Cyprus

  99

  Finland

  3

  Malta

  8

  Norway

  15

  Sweden

  14

  Switzerland

  16

  Turkey

  1,626

  Yogoslavia

  214

  Western Europe

  2,008

  Eastern Europe

  Bulgaria

  3

  Czechoslovakia

  4

  German Democratic Republic

  5

  Hungary

  17

  Poland

  41

  Romania

  —

  USSR

  3

  Eastern Europe

  73

  Americas

  Argentina

  9

  Barbados

  20

  Brazil

  196

  Canada

  29

  Chile

  30

  Colombia

  187

  Cuba

  —

  Guyana

  11

  Jamaica

  193

  Mexico

  45

  Peru

  30

  Trinidad and Tobago

  21

  USA

  273

  Uruguay

  1

  Venezuela

  11

  Americas

  1,056

  Africa

  Algeria

  1,144

  1062

  Nationality/Geographical region

  Number2

  Egypt

  61

  Ethiopia

  19

  Ghana

  420

  Kenya

  87

  Libya

  25

  Mauritius

  61

  Morocco

  423

  Nigeria

  792

  Sierra Leone

  83

  Somalia

  94

  South Africa

  43

  Sudan

  45

  Tanzania

  40

  Tunisia

  110

  Uganda

  427

  Zambia

  23

  Zimbabwe

  31

  Africa

  3,928

  Indian sub-continent

  Bangladesh

  371

  India

  517

  Pakistan

  586

  Indian sub-continent

  1,474

  Middle East

  Iran

  211

  Iraq

  91

  Israel

  64

  Jordan

  13

  Kuwait

  2

  Lebanon

  110

  Saudi Arabia

  12

  Syria

  9

  Middle East

  512

  Remainder of Asia

  China

  9

  Indonesia

  5

  Japan

  91

  Malaysia

  188

  Philippines

  37

  Singapore

  43

  Sri Lanka

  274

  Thailand

  35

  BDTC Hong Kong

  97

  Remainder of Asia

  779

  Australasia

  Australia

  28

  New Zealand

  17

  Australasia

  45

  British Overseas citizens

  31

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  422

  Stateless

  276

  All Nationalities

  11,070

  1 Excluding illegal entrants and deportees.

  2 The figures include a small amount of double counting when a passenger is detained at more than one location.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons detained under Immigration Act powers applied to the Home Office to be allowed to depart voluntarily under the supervised departure provisions of the immigration rules in each quarter since January 1988.

  Mr. Renton
  The readily available information on the numbers of persons removed under the supervised departure procedures is published in table 14 of the statistical bulletin issue 23/89 "Control of Immigration Statistics—First Quarter 1989", a copy of which is in the
  1063
  Library. Most of these persons would have been detained prior to departure. A number would have been subject to restrictions as an alternative to detention but such cases could be separately identified only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were recommended for deportation with no custodial sentence during 1988; and in how many such cases the courts directed release(a) subject to conditions and (b) without conditions.

  Mr. Renton
  During 1988, a total of 152 persons were recommended for deportation by the courts with no custodial sentence. The courts directed release subject to restrictions in 44 cases and without restrictions in 66 cases.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his best estimate as to how many applications for(a) adult registration with entitlement, (b) naturalisation and (c) registration of minors his Department (i) will receive and (ii) expects to grant in 1989–90.

  Mr. Renton
  Information is not available in the form requested. We estimate that in the financial year 1989–90 we will receive the following applications:

  Numbers

  Registration of adults

  3,000

  Registration of minors

  12,000

  Naturalisation

  32,000

  Estimated numbers of applicants in the Indian sub-continent on 31 March 1989 awaiting their first interview for entry to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Post

  Category 1

  Queue 1

  Queue 2

  Queue 3

  Queue 4

  Queue 5

  Dhaka

  150

  1,100

  170

  1,800

  —

  New Delhi2

  —

  250

  270

  80

  260

  Bombay

  40

  490

  460

  80

  30

  Calcutta

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Madras

  3—

  20

  10

  —

  10

  Islamabad

  1,100

  1,700

  1,900

  860

  n/a

  Karachi

  10

  120

  40

  3—

  40

  Total Indian sub-continent

  1,300

  3,600

  2,800

  2,800

  n/a

  1 Queue 1: Persons with a claim to the right of abode, dependent relatives over 70 years old, and special compassionate cases (first-time applicants for settlement.

  Queue 2: Spouses, and children under 18 years old (first-time applicants for settlement).

  Queue 3: Fiance(e)s, and other applicants (first-time applicants for settlement).

  Queue 4: Re-applicants for settlement.

  Queue 5: Other applicants (not for settlement).

  2 Date exclude Afghans seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom.

  3 = five or fewer.

  n/a = Not available.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance as working holiday makers have been(a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused in (i) India, (ii) Bangladesh, (iii) Australia and (iv) Canada during 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were waiting for special quota vouchers in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in
  1064
  In the same period we expect to grant about 103,000 registrations of all kinds and about 28,000 naturalisations.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time taken to process applications for(a) registration and (b) naturalisation; and how long those applying in both of those categories in December 1988 can expect to wait.

  Mr. Renton
  The average time taken to complete applications for citizenship granted in June 1989 was 18 months for registrations and 23 months for naturalisations.

  It is not possible to estimate how long, on average, it will be before decisions will be reached on applications received during December 1988. But I expect decisions to be reached on the last of the transitional registrations no later than January 1990, and from then onwards the use of the resources of the Liverpool nationality office to process naturalisations should result in a steady improvement in the time taken to complete those cases.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men, (b) women and (c) children, were waiting in each queue at each post in the Indian sub-continent on 31 March 1989.

  Mr. Renton
  Information on the estimated total numbers in each queue is given in the following table; separate information on men, women and children is not available centrally.

  (a) May 1988 and (b) December 1988; when those issued with vouchers on those dates had applied; how many vouchers were issued in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in (a) 1988 and (b) the first quarter of 1989; when those applying can now expect to receive vouchers; and how many applicants there were for vouchers in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in (a) 1988 and (b) the first half of 1989.

  Mr. Renton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Crime (Screening)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what proportion of crimes(a) in London and (b) in Leyton are screened out after the initial investigation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the commissioner that a recent survey of eight representative police stations indicated that following initial investigation, an average of 30 per cent. of all crimes are allocated for further investigation, but there are variations between areas and according to the seriousness of offences.

  More detailed figures for London as a whole and individual areas are not available centrally and could he obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Wakefield Prison
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each occasion since April 1988 on which staffing levels at Her Majesty's prison Wakefield have been at or below the minimum staffing levels agreed at the commencement of fresh start.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The governor always aims to operate at least at minimum staffing levels.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Wakefield are being searched with the frequency required by his Department's security manual for Her Majesty's prison service.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Searches are in most cases carried out at the discretion of local management and take account of internal instructions and guidelines.

  Drugs
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are principally deployed on drugs work in each police force and regional crime squad, and what was the comparable number in 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information for police forces, as at 31 December 1988, and for regional crime squads, as at 31 January 1989 is set out in the table. Information on deployment in 1979 is not held centrally.

  Police officers deployed in police force drugs squads and regional crime squads drugs wings

  Police force drugs squads as at 31 December 1988

  Numbers

  Avon and Somerset

  27

  Bedfordshire

  11

  Cambridgeshire

  11

  Cheshire

  17

  Cleveland

  11

  Cumbria

  9

  Derbyshire

  13

  Devon and Cornwall

  24

  Dorset

  20

  Durham

  8

  Dyfed-Powys

  14

  Essex

  13

  Gloucestershire

  13

  1066

  Numbers

  Greater Manchester

  34

  Gwent

  7

  Hampshire

  26

  Hertfordshire

  11

  Humberside

  22

  Kent

  27

  Lancashire

  38

  Leicestershire

  17

  Lincolnshire

  9

  Merseyside

  40

  Norfolk

  15

  Northamptonshire

  11

  Northumbria

  16

  North Wales

  10

  North Yorkshire

  10

  Nottinghamshire

  13

  South Wales

  24

  South Yorkshire

  26

  Staffodshire

  11

  Suffolk

  16

  Surrey

  11

  Sussex

  22

  Thames Valley

  24

  Warwickshire

  27

  West Mercia

  34

  West Midlands

  52

  West Yorkshire

  42

  Wiltshire

  7

  City of London1

  0

  Metropolitan

  220

  1 City of London do not have a drugs squad. Drugs investigations are undertaken by CID officers.

  Regional crime squads drugs ings as at 31 January 1989

  Numbers

  No. 1 squad

  42

  No. 2 squad

  27

  No. 3 squad

  27

  No. 4 squad

  40

  No. 5 squad

  27

  No. 6 squad

  27

  No. 7 squad

  27

  No. 8 squad

  14

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's estimate of the current number of drug users and the equivalent figure For each preceding year for which such estimates have been made.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, in its report "Aids and Drug Misuse Part 1" (page 13) pointed to the difficulties—inherent in the clandestine nature of drug misuse—in obtaining a reliable estimate of the number of drug misusers. Its best guess was that in 1986 there might have been between 75,000 and 150,000 misusers of notifiable drugs (essentially the most powerful narcotics and cocaine), plus perhaps as many again (excluding cannabis users) who were using non-notifiable drugs (such as amphetamine). Those figures remain the current broad estimate of the prevalence of drug misuse in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of prosecutions for drug offences in 1979 and each succeeding year.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information held centrally for 1979 to 1987 is given in the table. Data for 1988 are not yet available.
  1067

  Number of prosecutions for Drug Offences 1979 to 1987 England and Wales

  Numbers

  1979

  12,627

  1980

  16,030

  1981

  16,235

  1982

  18,187

  1983

  20,305

  1984

  20,399

  1985

  21,448

  1986

  18,276

  1987

  18,757

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of registered drug addicts in 1979 and each succeeding year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the total number of addicts notified to the Home Office in the years 1979 to 1988 is published in table 1 of Home Office statistical bulletin issue 13/89, "Statistics of Drug Addicts Notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1988", a copy of which is in the Library.

  War Crimes
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the court experience of the members of the war crimes inquiry.

  Mr. John Patten
  The authors of the report have each had extensive legal experience. They were asked to undertake this inquiry in view in particular of Sir Thomas Hetherington's service as Director of Public Prosecutions from 1977 to 1987, and Mr. Chalmers' service as Crown Agent for Scotland from 1974 to 1984.

  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his statement about the report of the war crimes inquiry on 24 July,Official Report, columns 731–32, he will make a statement regarding the facilities available to the three persons named in the second unpublished report as recommended for prosecution to visit Soviet Russia with a view to preparing their defence.

  Mr. John Patten
  Any person charged with war crimes in this country—if Parliament does decide on a change in the law that would enable such prosecutions to be brought—would be able to apply for legal aid in the normal way.

  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amendments to the existing criminal law and the existing law of evidence would be required if the recommendations of the report of the war crimes inquiry were adopted.

  Mr. John Patten
  The inquiry recommended legislation to give British courts jurisdiction over acts of murder and manslaughter committed as war crimes in Germany or German occupied territory during the second world war, by persons who are now British citizens or resident in the United Kingdom.

  In addition, it recommended certain procedural changes, of which the main elements would be provisions:
  to allow for the admissibility of evidence on video;
  to enable war crimes proceedings in England and Wales
  to be transferred to the Crown court without prior committal proceedings (as is already possible in serious fraud cases);
  to implement, and extend to other parts of the United Kingdom, the provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 for evidence to be given by live television links from witnesses abroad; and
  1068
  to enable evidence to be taken on commission for use in proceedings in Scotland;
  to enable recorded statements of persons now dead to be admissible in evidence in Scotland (the Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes provision in regard to such statements in England and Wales).

  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the three persons named in the unpublished part of the report of the war crimes inquiry are not identified by the media.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Government have not published material about individual cases; nor will we engage in speculation about individuals.

  Holloway Prison (Health Care Manager)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what period of time the post of health care manager at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, has been vacant; what is the complement of staff for the medical units; how many times agency nurses have been used in the past year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The post of health care manager was filled on I May 1989. The approved complement of staff in the medical units is as follows:

  1 Principal Medical Officer

  1 Senior Medical Officer

  3 Medical Officers

  84 Nurses

  Agency staff have been used for some years as a consequence of recruitment difficulties in London. In the 12 months ended 30 June 1989 the number of agency nurses employed during the day varied between 10 and 18. A drive to recruit additional nurses is well advanced, and Holloway is one of the priority establishments for the deployment of newly recruited hospital officers with suitable nursing qualifications.

  Sportsman Club (Parking)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what action is being taken by the Metropolitan police to prevent illegal parking outside the Sportsman club, Tottenham Court road, WC1.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I am satisfied that the Metropolitan police are aware of, and take proper action to prevent, the problems caused by illegal parking in this area.

  Guildford Four
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to move the Guildford Four to prisons nearer to London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no plans at present.

  Disasters
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many disasters and where they occurred, in each of the last five years, have required reference to the Home Office unit dealing with those disasters.
  1069
  Mr. John Patten
  The Home Office acted as lead Department during the storms of October 1987 and during the re-entry of the nuclear-powered satellite Cosmos 1900 in the autumn of 1988.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are allocated to civil disaster planning in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Terrorism
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in England and Wales were charged with terrorist-type offences relating to Northern Ireland in 1989; how many of those charged were released on bail; and what was the average period between remand and trial for prisoners refused bail relating to such charges in Britain in the current year.

  Mr. Hurd
  The available information relates to those charged having been detained under the prevention of terrorism legislation in connection with Northern Irish terrorism and is published quarterly for Great Britain in Home Office statistical bulletins which are placed in the Library. The latest, issue 26/89, gives in table 1 information up to the second quarter of 1989. Of the seven persons so charged in England and Wales in the first half of 1989, six were dealt with at court on the same or next day. One person charged on 13 February was remanded in custody and is currently awaiting trial.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of days spent on remand by those remanded in custody for terrorist-type offences in the first half of 1989, with regard to cases now completed in England and Wales and the number of bail applications refused, respectively.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The only information which is readily available relates to prisoners who are now in prison custody in category A and does not cover prisoners who have been released or downgraded.

  During this period one such prisoner was received into custody (on 14 February). He remains in custody awaiting trial. Our records show that he has made no application for bail.

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give details of the number of body searches, cell searches and cell changes and strip searches carried out on each of the female category A prisoners being held at Her Majesty's prison, Winchester, in September and October 1988, indicating the number of times each person was searched, if any prison contraband, smuggled item or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search, indicating which items; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for the search;

  (2) if he will give details of the number of body searches, cell searches and cell changes and strip searches carried out on each of the female category A prisoners
  1070
  being held at Her Majesty's prison, Durham, monthly, since February 1969, indicating the number of times each person was searched, if any prison contraband, smuggled item or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search, indicating which items; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for the search.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Records are not kept of the occasions when rub down searching or "frisking" is carried out in prisons and it is not the practice to disclose detailed information about security arrangements such as that requested about the frequency of cell searches and cell changes.

  Establishments are not required to record all strip searches. However, since August 1986 comprehensive records of strip searches are available in respect of category A women prisoners only, of whom there was one at Winchester prison between 27 September and 31 October. During that time the prisoner was strip searched on 30 occasions. On no occasion did the prisoner refuse to be strip searched. No unauthorised article was found.

  There were four category A prisoners held at Durham between August 1986 and March 1987; three from April 1987 to September 1988 and four from October 1988 to date. They were strip searched on the following number of occasions:

  Prisoner

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  1986

  August

  4

  1

  3

  —

  3

  September

  3

  6

  3

  —

  1

  October

  2

  5

  3

  —

  4

  November

  7

  2

  5

  —

  5

  December

  4

  4

  2

  —

  1

  1987

  January

  6

  2

  5

  —

  2

  February

  2

  7

  3

  —

  2

  March

  5

  2

  4

  —

  3

  April

  3

  2

  4

  —

  —

  May

  7

  5

  3

  —

  —

  June

  2

  5

  3

  —

  —

  July

  2

  3

  1

  —

  —

  August

  3

  3

  2

  —

  —

  September

  3

  4

  4

  —

  —

  October

  2

  4

  3

  —

  —

  November

  3

  3

  2

  —

  —

  December

  5

  7

  5

  —

  —

  1988

  January

  3

  3

  3

  —

  —

  February

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  March

  3

  4

  3

  —

  —

  April

  5

  5

  2

  —

  —

  May

  3

  1

  3

  —

  —

  June

  4

  2

  4

  —

  —

  July

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  August

  5

  2

  5

  —

  —

  September

  2

  7

  4

  —

  —

  October

  3

  6

  2

  1

  —

  November

  4

  5

  4

  4

  —

  December

  4

  6

  3

  4

  —

  1989

  January

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  February

  5

  2

  1

  2

  —

  March

  3

  2

  2

  3

  —

  April

  1

  5

  4

  4

  —

  May

  3

  7

  1

  1

  —

  June

  1

  1

  2

  5

  —

  1071
  No unauthorised article was found. On no occasion did the prisoners refuse to be strip searched.

  Strip searching is a routine security measure to which all inmates—male and female—are subject, both for its deterrent effort and as a means of discovering unauthorised articles.

  Deaths and Injuries (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of deaths and injuries which have occurred in Great Britain and mainland western Europe in 1988 and the first six months of 1989 connected with present civil unrest in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hurd
  The information is given in the table.

  Deaths and Injuries in Great Britain and Western Europe

  Attributable to Northern Irish Terrorism, 1 January 1988–30 June 1989

  Date of Incident

  Place of Incident

  Deaths

  Injuries

  6 March 88

  Gibraltar

  3

  —

  1 May1988

  Roermond, Holland

  1

  2

  1 May 1988

  Nieuwbergen, Holland

  2

  1

  Glamorgan Barracks,

  13 July 1988

  Duisburg, West Germany

  —

  9

  Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill,

  1 August 1988

  London

  1

  9

  12 August 1988

  Ostend, Belgium

  1

  —

  20 December 1988

  Battersea, London

  —

  1

  Clive Barracks, Tern Hill

  20 February 1989

  Shropshire

  —

  1

  Quebec Barracks,

  19 June 1989

  Osnabruck West Germany

  —

  1

  Hostel

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Featherstone Lodge, London

  28,500

  29,498

  31,000

  32,550

  33,852

  1—

  Battle Cottage, London

  13,512

  13,370

  11,000

  10,210

  14,469

  1—

  Waldram Park Road, London

  Not open

  4,072

  8,055

  9,000

  9,360

  1—

  Priory Road, South Yorkshire

  7,042

  13,548

  14,000

  14,700

  20,919

  1—

  Phoenix House (North), Northumbria

  Not open

  Not open

  Not open

  Not open

  7,200

  1—

  49,054

  60,488

  64,055

  66,460

  85,800

  94,553

  1 With effect from 1 April 1989 grants are made to the organisations running hostels and not to the individual hostels.

  Phoenix House trust has also received small amounts for capital purposes during the period.

  Drivers (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the chief constables in England and Wales as to the practice of their forces in detaining overnight drivers from Northern Ireland in connection with minor road traffic offences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. The responsibility for the enforcement of road traffic law rests with chief officers of police, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I should be glad to look into it.

  Free Television Licences
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now considering introducing free television licences for pensioners.

  Mr. Renton
  We are not.

  Female Prisoners
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in England and Wales in 1988 and in the first six months of 1989.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information for 1988 and 1989 is not yet available. Information prior to 1988 can be found in tables 7.19 and 7.20 of the Command Paper "Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1987", a copy of which can be found in the Library.

  Phoenix House Trust
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department what public funds have been given to the Phoenix House trust in each of the years from 1985 to 1989 by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Home Office provides funding to the Phoenix House trust under the voluntary after-care accommodation grant scheme. Under this scheme grants are made to vouluntary organisations in England and Wales providing accommodation for offenders. The grants are a contribution towards meeting revenue deficits. The information requested is set out in the table:

  Animal (Experiments)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments were recorded by his Department of contractors working on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in each year since 1985; and which animals were involved.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No information in this form is available in the Home Office.

  Crimes (Screening)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many reported crimes were screened out by the Metropolitan police in the most recently completed 12-month period;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what percentage of reported crimes were screened out by the Metropolitan police in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A formal system of crime screening was introduced throughout the Metropolitan police only
  1073
  in April 1988. A recent survey of eight representative police stations indicated that following initial investigation, an average of 30 per cent. of all crimes are allocated for further investigation. This figure varies between areas and according to the seriousness of offences.

  Crowd Control Equipment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new crowd control equipment is currently the subject of investigation by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) said in reply to a question from the right hon. and learned Member for Worley, West (Mr. Archer) on 13 April at columns 707–8 we are considering possible replacements for the authorised plastic baton round equipment. No other equipment for dealing with public disorder is being evaluated.

  Badgers
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Badgers Act 1973 by protecting badger setts from unlicensed damage or destruction and providing courts with power to disqualify convicted badger diggers from the custody of dogs.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the answer in the Library.

  Prisoners (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners in British gaols, who give as their domicile Northern Ireland, have been returned to Northern Ireland to serve the whole or part of their sentences in the first six months of 1989; and how many of these prisoners were serving sentences for terrorist-type offences;

  (2) how many prisoners were transferred from (a) England and Wales to Northern Ireland and (b) from Northern Ireland to England and Wales in the first six months of 1989; and under which section of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 such transfers were carried out.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Six inmates were transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland under section 26 of the Criminal Justice Act 1961, one of whom was convicted of terrorist-type offences, and one under section 27. All were either domiciled in Northern Ireland or had close family links with the Province. One inmate was transferred from Northern Ireland to England and Wales under section 28 of the Act.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners giving as their domicile either(a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland have been permitted to return home to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland on parole for humanitarian reasons in the first six months of the current year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This information is not available.

  Refugees
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he now has the figure for 1988 of the number of people applying for refugee status; and if he will provide a breakdown of the country of origin.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The available information, by nationality, is published in table 8 of Home Office statistical bulletin (issue 25/89) "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom, 1988", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give his best quantitative assessment as to the impact of recent events in China on the flow of Hong Kong Chinese to and from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Figures for admissions of pasengers from Hong Kong during the period since the recent events in China are not yet available. The latest available information relating to admission of Hong Kong British dependent territory citizens is given in answer today to the question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) which asks how many British nationals from Hong Kong have been admitted to the United Kingdom since January 1988. Corresponding figures for embarkations are not available.

  Prisoners (Heroin Addicts)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of prisoners currently remanded or sentenced in gaols in England and Wales who are known to be addicted to heroin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The number of heroin addicts in prison service establishments at any one time is not known. During 1988, counting addicts at their most recent notification, 1,022 heroin (alone or with other drugs) addicts were notified to the chief medical officer at the Home Office by prison medical officers in England and Wales.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Food Contamination
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the measures he intends to take to prevent adulteration and contamination of food.

  Mr. Forth
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of product interference or adulteration there have been in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The information is not available in respect of products generally in the form requested and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
  1075
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the average delay between retailers or manufacturers discovering the problem of food contamination or adulteration and their alerting consumers to the danger.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The responsibilty for the contamination of food rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, advised by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Manufactures Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the number of British jobs represented by the present deficit in manufactured trade with the EEC;

  (2) what was the United Kingdom share of the market for imported manufactures in the latest year for which figures are available in (a) South Africa, (b) Canada, (c) Australia, (d) New Zealand and (e) Nigeria; and if he will provide corresponding figures for 1977, 1968 and 1959;

  (3) what was the United Kingdom share of the market for imported manufactures in 1988 in the case of the Irish Republic, Denmark, Portugal and each of the European Free Trade Association countries; and if he will provide corresponding figures for 1977, 1970 and 1959;

  (4) why the indices of output in the production industries were dropped from the CSO annual abstract of statistics in the current year; and if he will publish in the Official Report the information given in table 8.2 of the 1988 edition;

  (5) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for Italy and the United Kingdom respectively the increase in gross domestic product and in imports and exports of manufactures since 1979;

  (6) whether he will bring up to date the export price and volume indices given in his answer to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould) on 22 March 1985, Official Report, column 638, including figures for the change in the terms of trade for finished manufactures;

  (7) whether he will publish in the Official Report for the years 1970 to date a table showing for the European Economic Community and for the rest of the world (a) the trade balance in manufactures less precious stones on a balance of payments basis, (b) the balance of trade less oil and precious stones on the same basis and (c) the ratio of exports to imports in each case.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the value of United Kingdom exports in 1988 of(a) finished and (b) semi-finished manufactures, including and excluding erratics, consists of re-exports; and what were the figures in 1979, 1970 and 1959.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Information on which to base the required percentage is not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report the balance of trade in manufactures between the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Holland and 1076
  Belgium, respectively, and the rest of the European Economic Community in 1978 and in 1988, together with the change in relative export prices for such goods.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The information is in the following tables:

  Balance of trade in manufactures1 3 with other members2 of the Community

  US $ billion

  1978

  1988

  United Kingdom

  -2·2

  -24·2

  Germany

  +15·5

  +54·6

  France

  -4·3

  -22·0

  Italy

  +6·5

  +5·4

  Netherlands

  -5·9

  -4·6

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  +0·7

  +6·5

  1 Standard International Trade Classification sections 5–8.

  2 Current EC membership throughout.

  3 The balance of payments statistics overall reveal the need for a balancing item of £14 billion for 1988. The Pickford report has looked at the limitations of the figures in the light of this item.

  Source: 1978—OECD series C.

  1988—Statistical Office of the European Community.

  Export of manufactures

  Changes in relative export prices between 1978 and 1988

  Percentage

  United Kingdom

  +20·4

  Germany

  -4·5

  France

  -5·8

  Italy

  +8·2

  Netherlands

  -5·2

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -6·8

  Source: Department of Trade and Industry.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, further to his reply of 30 November Official Report, column 251, showing the balance of trade in manufactures in terms of 1988 prices, he will provide the outturn figure for 1988 and that for the first five months of 1989 together with the figures for each year in current prices; and if he will provide the corresponding figures for trade in manufactures with the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The figures for manufactures excluding erratics for 1988 and 1989 to date at 1988 prices are:

  Manufactures less erratics (BOP basis) at 1988 prices (£ billion)

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1988

  59·3

  74·8

  -15·6

  11989

  62·5

  82·7

  -20·2

  1 The figures for 1989 are for January-May 1989 at an annualised rate.

  Figures for earlier years at current prices are shown in the table.

  Table 2

  Manufactures less erratics (BOP basis) at current prices (£ billion)

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1970

  6·3

  3·7

  +2·6

  1971

  7·1

  4·0

  +3·2

  1972

  7·2

  4·9

  +2·3

  1973

  9·0

  7·2

  +1·7

  1974

  12·2

  10·0

  +2·2

  1975

  14·6

  10·2

  +4·4

  1976

  18·8

  13·7

  +5·1

  1977

  23·3

  17·0

  +6·4

  1077

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1978

  25·5

  20·4

  +5·1

  1979

  28·1

  25·4

  +2·8

  1980

  31·0

  25·1

  +5·9

  1981

  31·8

  27·6

  +4·2

  1982

  33·9

  32·6

  +1·3

  1983

  35·7

  39·2

  -3·5

  1984

  41·9

  47·0

  -5·1

  1985

  48·0

  51·9

  -3·9

  1986

  49·1

  56·5

  -7·4

  1987

  54·7

  64·3

  -9·6

  Estimates for trade in manufactures with the European Community are available only at current prices, and including the erratic items:

  Table 3

  United Kingdom Trade with the EC

  Manufactures including erratic (BOP basis) at current prices (£ billion)

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1970

  2·2

  1·5

  +0·6

  1971

  2·3

  1·8

  +0·4

  1972

  2·5

  2·5

  —

  1973

  3·3

  3·7

  -0·4

  1974

  4·7

  5·2

  -0·5

  1975

  5·1

  5·7

  -0·6

  1976

  7·2

  7·7

  -0·5

  1977

  9·3

  9·8

  -0·5

  1978

  10·2

  12·0

  -1·7

  1979

  12·6

  15·2

  -2·6

  1980

  14·0

  15·2

  -1·2

  1981

  13·2

  15·9

  -2·6

  1982

  14·6

  18·9

  -4·3

  1983

  15·9

  23·1

  -7·2

  1984

  18·8

  27·0

  -8·1

  1985

  21·8

  30·5

  -8·7

  1986

  23·9

  34·0

  -10·1

  1987

  28·0

  38·4

  -10·4

  1988

  31·5

  44·0

  -12·6

  Export Markets
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for each of the past 20 years the 10 top markets for United Kingdom exports; and if he will show for each year the percentage the United Kingdom gained of each market.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will make it his policy not to return textile, knitting and clothing products to normal general agreement on tariffs and trade rules until such time as all of the major supplying and participating countries to the Uruguay round of general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiations have removed the tariff peaks and bans against United Kingdom exports;

  (2) if he will make it his policy not to return textiles and clothing to normal general agreement on tariffs and trade rules, until those rules related to safeguards, subsidies, dumping and intellectual property rights have been effectively strengthened.

  Mr. Redwood
  In its latest communication to the negotiating group on textiles and clothing the Community has emphasised that full compliance with all the elements 1078
  of the Punta del Este declaration—and in particular the parallelism between the gradual integration of textiles into GATT and the application of strengthened rules and disciplines within GATT—remains a vital condition for the success of the negotiations. The communication makes it clear that the strengthening of rules and disciplines must include action on tariff and non-tariff measures to ensure effective market access, as well as in relation to safeguards, subsidies, dumping and intellectual property rights.

  Recycled Materials
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, pursuant to his answer of 6 February to the hon. Member for Islington, North,Official Report, column 457, he will make a statement on his policy on the use of recycled materials.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department's new business and the environment unit will continue to promote the use of recycled materials whenever this is technically and economically possible and will seek the full co-operation of local communities, voluntary organisations, user and producer industries, retailers and local authorities in pursuing this aim.

  Conferences and workshops will be held on best practice in the production techniques of materials, the encouragement of waste minimisation and the design of products for recylability. Technical advice on recycling will continue to be available through the Warren Spring laboratory.

  Where appropriate further initiatives will be introduced.

  Post Office
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the total number of post offices managed directly by Post Office Counters.

  Mr. Forth
  I understand that there are, at present, 1,443 crown post offices.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the practice of the Post Office on the recruitment and employment of registered disabled people.

  Mr. Forth
  This is an operational question for the Post Office board. I understand that the Post Office has made the following joint statement with the Post Office Unions Council about the employment of disabled people:"It is Post Office policy, which its Unions fully support, to endorse the MSC Code of Good Practice and to develop and to maintain positive measures to encourage the recruitment and employment of persons who are disabled, provided that they are qualified and suitable for the job and can be expected to maintain a satisfactory level of performance in their allocated job."

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have wheelchair access to(a) the staff entrance, (b) welfare and sanitary facilities and (c) working areas.

  Mr. Forth
  This is an operational question for the Post Office board, and I am asking the chairman to write io the hon. Member.

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the standard contract showing the range of duties expected of a post person employed by the(a) Royal Mail (letters) and (b) Royal Mail (parcels).

  Mr. Forth
  This is an operational question for the Post Office board. However, I will place in the Library copies of the Post Office's staff contract manual.

  Correspondence and Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this Session up to 1 July;

  (2) what progress is being made in his Department's review, in line with Treasury guidelines, of the potential for the further relocation of Civil service posts outside London and the south-east; and when he expects the review to be completed.

  Mr. Forth
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Unichem (Shares)
  Dr. Woodcock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will take action to amend the Unichem Ltd. (Allotment of Shares) Order 1989 to prevent Unichem from continuing with the change of trading terms introduced on 1 July and to ensure that shares issued to new members recruited after the date of the order do not rank for participation in the planned flotation of Unichem;

  (2) what action he will take to prevent Unichem using its privileged position as an industrial and provident society to continue anti-competitive practices in a similar form to those identified in the recent Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Trade Deficit
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total deficit in visible trade with(a) the EEC and (b) the rest of the world, over the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list those standard industrial classification manufacturing activities where there is a trade deficit(a) with the rest of the world and (b) with the EEC, listing the percentage import penetration as at the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the current balance of trade deficit with (a) the EEC and (b) the rest of the world; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Textiles
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement outlining Her Majesty's Government's position on the recently published European Commission proposals liberating world trade in textiles and clothing in the context of the current general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiations.

  Mr. Redwood
  The communication submitted by the European Community this week to the GATT negotiating group on textiles and clothing sets out objectives agreed by all EC member states. It stresses in particular the need for parallelism between the gradual integration of textiles and clothing into GATT and the application of strengthened GATT rules and disciplines and examines the general framework within which these two elements need to be organised.

  Audio Cassettes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the Government's plans, in the light of the European Commission's Green Paper on copyright and the challenge of new technology, to ensure that consumers(a) can contine to purchase blank audio cassettes without a levy and (b) are not denied access to new recording technology.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Commission's Green Paper does not propose a Communitywide levy on blank audio cassettes and the Government have no intention of introducing such a levy in the United Kingdom. Developments in recording technology need to take account of the interests of copyright owners, but the Government do not believe this should be done by inhibiting consumer choice when acquiring new technology.

  Electrical Installations
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action the Government will be taking to ensure that only properly qualified electrical installation engineers are able to establish business in order to provide electrical installation services to the public.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: None.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the Government has to introduce a national register of qualified electrical installation engineers in order to protect the consumer.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: None. There is insufficient evidence that the benefits to be obtained from a registration scheme would warrant the cost and management effort that it would involve. However, the Government will continue to encourage the self-regulatory schemes operated by the Electrical Contractors' Association, the Electrical Contractors' Association for Scotland and the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps the Government will be taking to ensure that electrical installations comply with the
  1081
  generally accepted standards laid down in the IEEE regulations with the introduction of the free movement of labour within the European Economic Community in 1992.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: The treaty of Rome provides for free movement of labour, and overseas firms and individuals are already free to provide electrical installation services in the United Kingdom. However, the Government are considering whether electrical installations should be brought within the scope of the Building Regulations 1985.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what training measures the Government will he taking to ensure that electrical installations are installed in a manner which makes them safe with the introduction of the free movement of labour within the European Economic Community in 1992.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: No additional training measures are necessary as the United Kingdom market is already open. Nevertheless the Government will continue to give encouragement to the high level of training already provided by employers in the electrical contracting industry and by the Electrical Electronic Telecommunications and Plumbing Union.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of fires is attributed to faulty electrical installations.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: I have been asked to reply. In 1987, 17 per cent. of accidental fires in occupied buildings, in the United Kingdom, attended by local authority fire brigades were attributed to faulty electrical appliances and installations. More detailed information is published in table 49a of the Home Office annual report "Fire Statistics United Kingdom 1987" a copy of which is in the Library.

  China
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what official backing his Department provides to the 48 Group of British traders with China;

  (2) what support his Department is proposing to give the trade mission to China in the near future.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The Department is in consultation with the 48 group about its plans for this mission. About £70,000 had already been provided to the group prior to June of this year, that amount being based on normal DTI mission support terms. It was provided early in order to assist with the launching of this exceptionally large mission.

  Waterstone and Co. Ltd
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading the proposed takeover of Waterstone and Co. Ltd. by W. H. Smith.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: This proposal is currently being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading to ascertain whether it qualifies for reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the Fair Trading Act 1973. If so, the director general
  1082
  will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on whether the merger should be referred to the MMC: and the Secretary of State will then decide whether to make a reference.

  The main consideration in deciding whether to refer a merger to the MMC is the potential effect on competition in the United Kingdom.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in 1988–89.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The amount spent by my Department in 1988–89 on official hospitality cannot readily be separately identified.

  African Elephant Products
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of all African elephant products, other than ivory, imported each year into the United Kingdom by type, quantity and value since 1985.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: African elephants' products are not identified in the overseas trade statistics. However, some information by type and quantity for 1985 and 1986 is available from the EC annual reports on the convention of international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES): chapter 2, copies of which are in the Library.

  Car Exports (United States)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many cars were exported to the United States in 1988 and in 1989; and what information he has on the reason for the change;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of United Kingdom cars exported to the United States by category in 1987, 1988 and this year to date and the United States share by value of United Kingdom exports of cars.

  Mr. Redwood
  Pursuant to the holding answer of 2 July 1989, the United Kingdom exported 31,703 passenger motor vehicles to the United States in 1988. In the four months January to April 1989 the United Kingdom exported 11,187 vehicles to the United States compared with 13,090 vehicles for the same period in 1988.

  Short-term fluctuations in the level of exports may not be fully representative of the market. However, one factor that may have affected the level is that there has been a weakening of the United States luxury car market in which the United Kingdom has a strong presence.

  The following table shows a breakdown by category of United Kingdom exports of motor vehicles to the United States for the requested periods and the United States share by value of United Kingdom exports.
  1083

  United Kingdom exports of motor cars to the United States—numbers of vehicles

  1987

  1988

  January-April 1989

  New Vehicles—Assembled

  Station wagons and estate cars not exceeding 1,500 cm3

  1

  —

  11

  exceeding 1,500 cm3 but not exceeding 3,000 cm3

  141

  28

  9

  exceeding 3,000 cm3

  3,042

  3,478

  1,686

  Other

  not exceeding 1,500 cm3

  56

  50

  11

  exceeding 1,500 cm3 but not exceeding 3,000 cm3

  21,978

  5,855

  2,266

  exceeding 3,000 cm3

  25,172

  21,975

  7,056

  New Vehicles—Unassembled

  not exceeding 1,500 cm3

  —

  45

  18

  exceeding 1,500 cm3 but not exceeding 3,000 cm3

  1

  10

  14

  exceeding 3,000 cm3

  —

  6

  —

  Used Vehicles

  546

  210

  110

  Vehicles with engines other than spark-ignition or compression-ignition combustion engines

  n/a

  16

  5

  Motor Caravans

  n/a

  n/a

  1

  United States share by value of United Kingdom exports of cars—percentage

  40

  28

  24

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Notes: Motor vehicles defined as SITC R2 Sub-Group 781 for 1987 and SITC R3 Item 781·2 for 1988 and 1989. 1988 and 1989 figures provisional.

  NESL
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department was first made aware of a renewed interest in the purchase of North East Shipbuilders Ltd. by the Egon Oldendorff line of West Germany.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: British Shipbuilders informed my Department on 13 April that an approach it had received from a further interest in North East Shipbuilders Ltd. would be confirmed in writing that day.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on which date the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) met Sir Leon Brittan to discuss the sale of North East Shipbuilders Ltd.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: My right hon. Friend met Sir Leon Brittan to discuss this matter on 27 June 1989.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the reply by the right hon. Member for Braintree to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould)Official Report, 13 July, column 1151, whether it was his Department or British Shipbuilders who informed the bidders for NESL of the anticipated difficulties with the European Commission; and whether this advice was provided in writing.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Advice was given orally by my officials.
  1084
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any meetings took place or written correspondence was exchanged between his Department and the European Commission relating to the sale of North East Shipbuilders Ltd. between 17 April and the date of the meeting between the right hon. Member for Braintree and Sir Leon Brittan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: A full account of exchanges between my Department and the European Commission is contained in the note my right hon. Friend has recently placed in the Library.

  Export Promotion
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the direct and indirect cost to the Exchequer of export promotion; how much is recovered in fees; and what is his estimate of the effect in terms of(a) increased exports and (b) the real exchange rate.

  Mr. Redwood
  The cost, net of receipts, of export promotion services operated by my Department and by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office overseas was £102·4 million in 1988–89. Receipts totalled £16·4 million. These services make a valuable contribution to non-oil exports which reached a record level in 1988. There are many different influences on the real exchange rate and the effect of export promotion cannot be separately identified.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Prison Escapes
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many escapes there have been from prisons in Northern Ireland involving loyalist prisoners in the past year.

  Mr. Cope
  There have been no escapes from Northern Ireland prisons in the past year.

  Prisoners (Home Leave)
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners during the past year in(a) Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry and (b) Her Majesty's prison Maze have received (i) 30 days' home leave as part of the pre-release home leave scheme and (ii) five days' home leave; and what determines whether a prisoner should receive 30 or five days' home leave.

  Mr. Cope
  Statistics are not available in the form requested. The number of days pre-release home leave for which a prisoner may apply depends upon his classification and the length of his sentence. The maximum for fixed sentence prisoners is 23 days, for which prisoners in the "star" classification (generally those serving a first period in custody) with a sentence of four years or more are eligible.

  Criminal Injury Compensation
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Upper Bann on 17 July,Official Report, column 1, he will indicate whether there are written

  1085
  guidelines on criteria for the exercise of discretion in such cases of persons being denied criminal injury compensation.

  Mr. Cope
  There are no written guidelines. Each request for the exercise of discretion is considered on its own facts and merits.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this Session up to 1 July.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is as follows:

  In

  Out

  January

  249

  233

  Session up to 1 July 1989

  1,817

  1,932

  Corporals Derek Wood and David Howes
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons(a) have been charged. (b) have been convicted, (c) are still awaiting trial and (d) have been acquitted in respect of the incident in which Corporal Derek Wood and Corporal David Howes were murdered.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Belfast Urban Area Plan
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that, until the findings of the Belfast urban area plan are issued, no planning permission will be considered for developments falling within the scope of the plan.

  Mr. Needham
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Broadleaved Woodland Grants
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the Forestry Commission awarded grants under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme in Northern Ireland, between its inception in 1985 and closure in 1988; an on how many occasions was the grant of £100 for obtaining professional advice, in the preparation of a plan of operations under the scheme, awarded.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Bail
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for bail, by those held on remand for(a) scheduled, (b) non-scheduled offences, and (c) both together, were refused bail in the first six months of the current year.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  RUC (Attacks)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many attacks on Royal Ulster Constabulary personnel took place in 1988 and in the first 1086
  six months of the current year; and if he will indicate in each case whether the attack was on (a) a foot patrol and (b) a mobile patrol; what was the total attacked while on duty each month together with details of the type of attack, namely (i) physical assault, (ii) stone throwing, (iii) petrol bomb, (iv) explosion and (v) shooting; and what was the number of persons made amenable.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many formal complaints have been made about incidents of police use of plastic baton rounds in 1988 and in the first six months of the current year.; in how many cases the complaint has been upheld; and in how many cases disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved.

  Mr. Cope
  During 1988, seven formal complaints were made about the use of plastic baton rounds by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Three were later withdrawn. Police reports on the other four were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who directed no prosecution on each. The question of disciplinary action is now being considered by the deputy Chief Constable and in due course papers will be referred to the independent Commission for Police Complaints.

  During the first six months of 1989, four formal complaints were received all of which are currently under investigation.

  Security Forces (Custodial Sentences)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the security forces convicted of offences in Northern Ireland and sentenced to custodial sentences have been allowed to return to Great Britain to serve their sentence for humanitarian reasons in 1988 and the first six months of the current year; and how many members of the security forces secured early release from their sentences in the same period.

  Mr. Cope
  There have been no transfers of sentenced members of the security forces to Great Britain in 1988 or in the first six months of the current year, nor has any such person been released in Northern Ireland except under normal release procedures.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will give details for 1986 of the number of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, their respective Reserves, and the British Army, who have been charged with offences and who have been convicted of offences, giving details of custodial sentences and suspended sentences imposed and separately for charges and convictions concerning: murder, attempted murder, membership of illegal organisations, conspiracy to cause explosions, withholding information concerning terrorist activity, possession of explosives, possession of explosives with intent to cause bodily harm, possession of firearms, possession of firearms with intent to cause bodily harm and other offences classified as scheduled offences in 1988 and the first half of 1989;

  (2) if he will list for (a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary/Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, (b) the

  1087
  Ulster Defence Regiment and (c) the Army, the number of members and ex-members of these forces charged with and the number convicted of, scheduled offences committed, or allegedly committed, by members of the security forces while using firearms in 1988.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Non-scheduled Offences
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were charged with non-scheduled offences; how many were charged with scheduled offences; and how many persons were found not guilty of all or some of the offences with which they were charged in the first half of the current year.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Detentions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many persons were detained in connection with terrorist-type offences under Acts other than the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts and the Emergency Provisions (Northern Ireland) Acts in 1988 and in the first six months of the current year:

  (2) how many persons were detained under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Acts 1973–78 in the first six months of the current year; and how many of these persons were subsequently charged with (a) scheduled offences and (b) non-scheduled offences.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Remands in Custody
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many persons were remanded in custody before trial for(a) scheduled, (b) non-scheduled offences, and (c) both together in the first half of the current year;

  (2) how many persons were remanded in custody before trial for (a) scheduled, (b) non-scheduled offences and (c) both together in the first half of the current year;

  (3) how many prisoners charged with scheduled offences in the first half of the current year were remanded in custody prior to trial for periods between (a) nil to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months, (e) 12 to 18 months, and (f) over 18 months for (i) scheduled, and (ii) non-scheduled offences;

  (4) how many prisoners were remanded in custody prior to trial for (a) scheduled, and (b) non-scheduled offences in the first six months of the current year;

  (5) if he will give the average period between remand and trial for prisoners refused bail and charged with scheduled offences in Northern Ireland in the second half of 1988 and in the first half of the current year;

  (6) what percentage of prisoners on custodial remand for (a) scheduled, and (b) non-scheduled offences were (i) given a non-custodial sentence, (ii) given a custodial sentence, and (iii) found not guilty or not proceeded against in the first six months of the current year;

  (7) what was the average number of days spent on remand for both scheduled and non-scheduled offences together, in the first half of (a) the current year and (b) the total number of persons remanded in custody before
  1088
  trial for both scheduled and non-scheduled offences together, in the first half of the current year, and the number of bail applications refused for (i) scheduled, (ii) non-scheduled and (iii) both together in the first half of the current year;

  (8) what was the average number of days spent on remand for both scheduled and non-scheduled offences together, in the first half of the current year; what was the total number of persons remanded in custody before trial for both scheduled and non-scheduled offences together, in the first half of the current year; and what was the number of bail applications refused for (a) scheduled offences (b) non-scheduled offences, and (c) both together, in the first half of the current year;

  (9) what was the average number of days that prisoners spent on custodial remand for (a) scheduled, (b) non-scheduled offences and (c) both together, in the first half of the current year.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic bullets have been fired in Northern Ireland in 1988 and in the first half of the current year; in what circumstances and in what location the bullets were fired, and how many; and if any persons were injured as a result of the use of plastic bullets.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches were made on female prisoners in Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry, monthly since January, giving the number of persons involved and the number of times each person was searched; if any prison contraband, smuggled item or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search, indicating which items; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for the search.

  Mr. Cope
  Details of the numbers of, and reasons for strip searches made of female prisoners in HM prison Maghaberry from October 1988 to February 1989 have already been provided on 21 April 1989 at column 326. Details from March 1989 to June are as follows:

  March 1989

  April 1989

  May 1989

  June 1989

  Number of searches

  Total number of searches carried out

  15

  34

  10

  21

  Total number of inmates searched

  13

  25

  9

  15

  Number of prisoners searched once

  11

  16

  8

  9

  Number of prisoners searched twice

  2

  9

  1

  6

  Number of prisoners searched more than twice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Reasons for search

  First admission on remand/awaiting trial

  3

  13

  4

  6

  First admission on sentence/final discharge

  11

  16

  4

  11

  Attending remand court

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attending trial

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Inter-prison visits

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1089

  March 1989

  April 1989

  May 1989

  June 1989

  Pre-release home leave

  —

  2

  2

  4

  Visits to outside hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Returning from bail application

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attendance court for bail

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Fines paid

  —

  1

  —

  —

  No prohibited article was found during these searches and no prisoner refused to be searched.

  Arms Finds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the number of arms found in the first six months of the current year under the headings of (i) machine guns, (ii) rifles, (iii) shotguns, (iv) pistols/revolvers and (v) others.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Kincora Boys Home
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will place a copy in the Library of the report of Sir George Terry on the Royal Ulster Constabulary's investigation into the Kincora boys home;

  (2) on what date Mr. Roy Garland informed the Royal Ulster Constabulary that there was reason to believe that crimes were being committed in the Kincora boys home.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Firearms Thefts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing how many legally held firearms were stolen in Northern Ireland during the first half of the current year from(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary/Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve and Special Constabulary, (b) the Ulster Defence Regiment, (c) the British Army, and (d) civilians; and if he will give a breakdown of weapons stolen as (i) bullet firing, (ii) shotguns, and (iii) air weapons and miscellaneous, including blank-firing weapons, muzzle-loading weapons and antique weapons.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in Northern Ireland in 1988 and in the first six months of the current year.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is 7·5 months and 7·36 months, respectively, (excluding those female prisoners committed in default of payment of a fine).

  Scheduled Offences
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the number of persons proceeded against for scheduled offences in Northern Ireland in the first six months of the current year; how many persons pleaded guilty to the principal offence; and how many persons in such contested cases were found not guilty of the principal offence;
  1090
  (2) whether the security statistics for the first half of the current year are now available together with details of persons charged with terrorist-type offences and convictions for scheduled offences up to the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Ulster University
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cars have been stolen from car parks at the Ulster university, Jordanstown in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Cope
  The information requested is not available from existing records and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students have been prosecuted for wilful vandalism at the Ulster university, Jordanstown.

  Mr. Cope
  This information cannot be obtained from existing records.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the present level of security on the Ulster university, Jordanstown, campus.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure has been incurred in each of the last three years for repairing malicious damage at the Ulster university, Jordanstown.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  RUC Patrols (Antrim Coast)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with what frequency Ulster Defence Regiment and Army patrols deploy in the glens of the Antrim coast; and if he will immediately increase the presence of security forces to back up the Royal Ulster Constabulary along the Antrim coast so as to help prevent incidents such as recent attempted murders of policemen at Cushendall.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Contractors
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will give the number of contractors placed or chosen for the select list of contractors to tender for a Government construction contract at each of the following values of contract: up to £50,000, up to £100,000, up to £500,000, up to £1,000,000, up to £5,000,000, and over £5,000,000, or such other values as are used by the Government if convenient

  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table to show (a) all approved contracts for public Government construction contracts in Northern Ireland, (b) the value of contracts for which each such contractor will be considered, and (c) those contractors on the list and in each category who have not been successful tenderers in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show for each of the last five years (a) the number of people by sex and category used by the Department of Health and Social Security unemployed in Northern Ireland, (b) the number employed, (c) the number of vacancies, (d) the number of persons engaged in ACE schemes, (e) the number engaged in YTS and (f) the number receiving income support or supplementary benefit, indicating how many of these were in employment, and the number of pensioners.

  Mr. Tom King
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Social Security Payments
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show the number of payments and the annual or financial year sums paid each year in (a) Department of Health and Social Services sample payments, (b) community care grants and (c) social fund loans for each of the last three years (i) in Northern Ireland, (ii) the Coleraine, (iii) the Magharafelt and (iv) Limavady Department of Health and Social Services.

  Mr. Tom King
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Income Support (Guide)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the adjudicating officers' guide for income support is available to(a) members of the public, (b) persons representing claimants or (c) hon. Members.

  Mr. Tom King
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

PRIME MINISTER

  Cabinet Ministers (Pay)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in the pay of Cabinet Ministers since 1978–79, before and after tax, assuming allowances are restricted to the married person's allowance.

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested is contained in the following table.

  Percentage increase in pay of a Cabinet Minister in 1988–89 compared with 1978–79

  1978–79

  1988–89

  Cabinet Minister (Commons)

  Gross Salary

  £14,300

  £34,479

  Percentage increase

  —

  141

  1092

  1978–79

  1988–89

  Net Salary

  £9,386

  £25,220

  Percentage increase

  —

  169

  Cabinet Minister (Lords)

  Gross Salary

  £14,300

  £41,997

  Percentage increase

  —

  194

  Net Salary

  £9,386

  £29,731

  Percentage increase

  —

  217

  Note In 1983 Lords Ministers received a pay lead over their Commons counterparts.

  Commons Ministers receive in addition a reduced parliamentary salary. In 1978–79 it was £3,529, in 1988–89 it was £18,148.

  Underground Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her reply to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) on 8 June,Official Report, column 366, she will list those proposals received from London Underground Limited for the improvement of their services which Her Majesty's Government intend to approve; whether those improvements will be confined to peak hour travel; and if Her Majesty's Government will make any real increase in peak-hour travel fares conditional on their implementation.

  The Prime Minister
  Proposals recently approved include the modernisation of the Central line; the provision of 16 additional Underground trains; and improvements to Liverpool street and Angel underground stations. Other proposals will be considered as they come forward. In addition, London Underground Limited intends to invest £266 million over the years 1989–92 to implement the recommendations contained in the report by Mr. Desmond Fennell QC and to enhance safety. Improvements to the Underground system may benefit all passengers, not just those who travel at peak hours, although clearly, some works to enlarge capacity are needed only to cope with peak demand. The level and structure of fares are matters for London Regional Transport to decide.

  Environment (Parliamentary Questions)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her oral reply to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan),Official Report, 17 July, columns 34–35, she will now make it her policy that Ministers answer parliamentary questions based on the factual environmental record of previous Administrations.

  The Prime Minister
  It is a well-established practice that the Government of the day do not answer for the actions of previous Administrations. The factual environmental record of this Government is excellent.

  Women's Issues
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps she takes to co-ordinate Government policy on women's issues.

  The Prime Minister
  The ministerial group on women's issues was established to provide a co-ordinated examination of policies of special concern to women, including the practical effect of legislation. Its membership
  1093
  crosses departmental divisions. It is chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office and has now met eight times, most recently on 20 July, when it agreed new initiatives on domestic violence.

  House of Fraser
  Mr. D. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister whether her discussions on matters of state with representatives of overseas states have included matters relating to the takeover of House of Fraser by the El Fayeds.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25 July at column 849.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Indonesia
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the World Bank concerning the conditions on which loans are made to the Government of Indonesia, or any other body in that country, for schemes that directly or indirectly involve land resettlement; and if he will make a statement concerning Her Majesty's Government's policy on this matter.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My officials are in touch with the World Bank about a multi-purpose dam and irrigation project in central Java where difficulties have arisen over the resettlement of people displaced by the reservoir. Our understanding is that the bank is working closely with the Government of Indonesia on the formulation of a comprehensive resettlement plan. We shall continue to monitor the situation. The bank has recently produced guidelines for planning resettlement which we consider should be the standard against which to assess future bank projects.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail (Accidents)
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents have occurred on British Rail(a) during the past five years and (b) during the five years before that; and how many fatalities occurred during the same periods.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information is not available in the form requested. The railway inspectorate maintains accident records for the preparation of the annual report on railway safety. These records show the number of casualties but not the precise number of accidents. The numbers of accidents to trains (collisions, derailments, fires and so on) are given in the following table, together with the numbers of fatalities, since 1979 (table B). These cover all railways: the numbers for BR cannot generally be isolated without a lot of research, although it has been possible to do so for the years since the records were computerised (table C).

  Table A is a summary of accidents of all types for all railways during the 10 years ended 1988. Movement accidents are those which are caused to people by moving
  1094
  railway vehicles which are not train accidents, for example, an accident involving a carriage door of a moving train. Non-movement accidents are those which do not involve railway vehicles. The King's Cross fire is in this category.

  Table A

  Fatalities in all railway accidents 1979–88

  Year

  Train accidents

  Movement accidents

  Non-movement accidents

  Total

  1979

  20

  74

  13

  107

  1980

  7

  52

  10

  69

  1981

  7

  58

  11

  76

  1982

  11

  40

  6

  57

  1983

  10

  53

  6

  69

  1984

  30

  41

  5

  76

  1985

  6

  55

  13

  74

  1986

  27

  41

  4

  72

  1987

  10

  57

  37

  104

  1 1988

  40

  53

  5

  98

  1 Provisional figures.

  Table B

  Train accidents and fatal injuries—all railways

  Year

  Accidents

  Fatalities

  1979

  1,035

  20

  1980

  930

  7

  1981

  1,014

  7

  1982

  998

  11

  1983

  1,225

  10

  1984

  1,359

  30

  1985

  1,240

  6

  1986

  1,171

  27

  1987

  1,164

  10

  11988

  1,359

  40

  1 Provisional figures.

  Table C

  Train accidents and fatal injuries—British Railways only

  Year

  Accidents

  Fatalities

  1979

  2—

  2—

  1980

  2—

  2—

  1981

  2—

  2—

  1982

  2—

  2—

  1983

  2—

  2—

  1984

  1,329

  28

  1985

  1,213

  6

  1986

  1,117

  27

  1987

  1,121

  10

  11988

  1,287

  40

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Figures not available.

  Road Safety, Silver Hill
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department was consulted about the construction of a tarmac access road and erection of a 15 ft by 10 ft sign just south of the bend at the top of Silver Hill on the A21 south of Hurst Green (Ordnance Survey 1/25,000, sheet TQ72 MR 737258) advertising a theme park; and if his Department is satisfied that turning traffic would not constitute a hazard to traffic proceeding to Hastings.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has been consulted in the normal way by the local planning authority and is prepared to agree the access subject to the conditions. The recently installed access does not meet those conditions and does not comply with the Department's current design standards.

  Departmental Staff (Dismissal)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department's employees have been sacked for incompetence since 1986.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since 1 January 1986, 26 employees of the Department have had their employment terminated on the ground of inefficiency, and 25 on the ground of limited efficiency. Seventy staff did not have their employment confirmed at the end of their probationary period.

  GB(BR)

  West Germany

  France

  Italy

  1979

  Number of Passengers (million)1

  736

  1,027

  676

  386

  Passenger kms (billion)1

  32

  39

  53

  40

  Average Number Employees (000)

  244

  337

  259

  220

  1986

  Number of Passengers (million)1

  689

  1,023

  767

  397

  Passenger kms (billion)1

  31

  41

  60

  40

  Average Number Employees (000)1

  171

  272

  233

  214

  1980

  Tonne kms (billion)2

  18

  51

  58

  19

  1986

  Tonne kms (billion)2

  15

  48

  54

  19

  Sources:

  1 1979, 1986 International Railway Statistics (UIC).

  2 International Comparisons of Transport Statistics; Statistics Bulletin (88) 38 (DTp).

  Information on profit/loss and subsidy is available for 1985 and 1981. Comparisons between countries are misleading as accounting policies vary across Europe. For example, since nationalisation the Government have written off approximately £1·5 billion (cash) of BR debt. If

  Million units local currency (cash)

  GB(BR)

  West Germany

  France

  1Italy

  £

  DM

  FF

  L

  Subsidy

  1981

  831

  9,062

  15,408

  3,573

  1985

  920

  9,317

  23,342

  6,798

  Loss

  1981

  37

  3,830

  2,863

  1,705

  1985

  20

  2,909

  4,486

  2,119

  Source:

  EEC Transposed Accounts.

  1 Italian figures in billion lire.

  The most recent investment comparisons my Department has are for 1989–90.

  £

  Great Britain (BR)

  West Germany

  France

  Italy

  Investment (million)

  685

  1,662

  1,062

  n/a

  Investment per route mile (thousand)

  66

  97

  49

  n/a

  Source: January 1989 International Railway Journal.

  International comparisons of financial statistics must take account of the differences between the networks' geographical and operating conditions. A comparison of subsidy per route mile shows that the level of subsidy paid

  Railways
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the information he has for the railways in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Italy on (i) the amount of profit/loss, (ii) the number of passengers, (iii) passenger-kilometres and (iv) tonne-kilometres carried in (1) 1959, (2) 1969, (3) 1979 and (4) in the latest available year, together with the number of employees and the total amount in terms of local currency of the total state contribution and of total investment.

  Mr. Portillo
  I do not have information for the years 1959 and 1969. The information readily available is as follows:

  interest still had to be paid on this amount, the grant would have to be much higher to achieve the same effect. Other railways have been treated differently: in particular I understand that the West German railway has a large debt burden.

  to British Rail, in relation to the size of the network, is marginally higher than for the French railways. This is despite British Rail's smaller network being more heavily used than those in France and West Germany. The current

  1097
  budget for British Rail investment is also higher than that planned by French railways when the size of the network is taken into account.

  Hunts (Trespass)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will direct British Rail to prosecute in all cases where evidence is available of hunts trespassing on railway property, particularly where running rails are situated and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Decisions on prosecutions are matters for the police and prosecuting authorities.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy at the next Council of European Transport Ministers to take steps to initiate a research programme to combat the effects on greenhouse global warming from the transport sector in the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Atkins
  Following the June Council of Environment Ministers, the European Commission is already committed to looking into methods of controlling carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles. There is also a wider intergovernmental panel on climatic change which is examining the greenhouse effect in a more global context.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to evaluate the recommendation made in the sixth report of the Energy Select Committee that a full study be made of the implications for the greenhouse effect of the present transport modes, and of increased road use by the year 2000.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government will give a full response to the Select Committee's recommendations in due course.

  London Assessment Studies
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many visits he has made to areas affected by the London assessment studies; whom he met; and on what dates the visits occurred.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have not yet had the opportunity to make any such visits.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of representations he has now received concerning the London assessment studies; what proportion of these are opposed to all road building; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has received many representations about all aspects of the studies. To identify the proportion opposed to all road building would involve disproportionate cost.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will authorise his consultants for the west London assessment study to consider road pricing for London as a whole; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that account is taken of both generated and diverted traffic effects arising from other road schemes including the M25 and Westway in assessing new road options.
  1098
  Mr. Atkins
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply he was given on 28 June at column 474. The traffic models already take into account diverted traffic and an allowance will be made for generated traffic.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether information concerning rail freight over Barnes bridge is available to his consultants for the west London assessment study.

  Mr. Atkins
  The consultants for the west London assessment study have held numerous meetings with British Rail and have obtained information concerning use of the railway over Barnes bridge.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have signed the petitions presented to him opposing options contained in the west London assessment study.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have received several petitions about the west London assessment study. It is not possible without disproportionate cost to identify how many individuals have signed one or more of them.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are being made to take account of current transport studies including the central London rail study, the Heathrow and south west quadrant study and the Heathrow surface access study in the preparation of the west London assessment study.

  Mr. Atkins
  Co-ordination of the various studies is arranged by the Department's officials.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what general arrangements are being made for public participation on stage 2B of the west London assessment study; what period is planned for t his consultation; which local organisations will be consulted; how the public will be involved; and under what terms the stage 2B report will be made available.

  Mr. Atkins
  An announcement on the arrangements for public participation on stage 2B of the study will be made in due course.

  Road Accidents (Cyclists)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of road accidents involving cyclists in the past year; what are the comparable figures for the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The figures requested are as follows:

  All accidents involving pedal cyclists: 1983–1987

  Number

  1983

  31,236

  1984

  31,586

  1985

  27,482

  1986

  26,641

  1987

  26,616

  Final figures are not yet available for 1988; provisional estimates show 25,800 pedal cycle casualties for the year. This compares with a figure of 30,600 for 1983, a decrease of 16 per cent.

  While this fall is welcomed by the Department, we remain concerned at the high level of pedal cyclist casualties and are committed to reducing it further.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many instances, in each of the last five years, he has exercised his powers to investigate the health of applicants for and holders of driving licences who are over the age of 70 years.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not available.

  Drivers aged 70 or over are required to renew their licences at least every three years. Like all drivers, they are required by law to notify the DVLC of any relevant health condition when they apply for a driving licence, or if a condition develops or worsens during the currency of a licence.

  Rail Transport (East London)
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for improving rail transport in east London.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot) on 26 July,Official Report, column 729.

  Manchester Airport (Accident)
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has received any recent report from the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority on progress being made to implement the air accident investigation branch recommendations following the Manchester airport tragedy that(a) mandatory provision for smoke hoods in all passenger aircraft, (b) the development and introduction of water spray/mist systems, (c) the improved rules to facilitate evacuation rates and (d) the development of toxicity tests in cabin material specifications.;

  (2) if he will ask the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to review methods by which passenger jets are approved for air worthiness certification in light of the conclusions drawn by an expert from the Federal Aviation Administration on the subject of aging jets at a conference on aviation safety held in London in June.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The safety regulation of civil aviation is wholly the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority.

  I understand that the expert referred to was explaining matters which have been for over a year the subject of discussion and action by, among others, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration.

  The most recent CAA report on the AAIB investigation is the "Follow-up Action on Accident Reports No. F. 5/89" issued on 13 March. This document covers all of the matters raised by my hon. Friend and I shall arrange for a copy to be sent to him.

  Traffic Speed (London)
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his best estimate of the likely average traffic speed in 10, 20 and 30 years' time on the basis of the information and assumptions included in "Transport in London".

  Mr. Atkins
  I would not expect average traffic speeds in London as a whole to change substantially.

  Fishing Vessels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on 26 July, he will set out the requirements of the 1988 Act which each of the 150 formerly registered vessels failed to satisfy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The 150 vessels did not meet any or all of the requirements of schedule 14 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 relating to the ownership, management and control of the vessel. Thirty-one of these vessels also could not have been registered because they did not have valid safety certificates.

  M2 and A2
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of widening the carriageway to three lanes of(a) the A2 between London and the commencement of the M2, (b) the M2, and (c) the A2 between the end of the M2 and Canterbury.

  Mr. Atkins
  The A2 already has dual three-lane carriageways from the London boundary to the start of the M2.

  A scheme for widening the M2 to dual three-lanes between junctions 1 and 3 is programmed, at an estimated works cost of £28 million at November 1985 prices. Subject to detailed investigation, this scheme might also provide for the third southbound lane to continue some way beyond junction 3 as a crawler lane.

  There are no present plans for widening the remainder of the M2, or the A2 between the motorway and Canterbury. Estimated costs are not, therefore available.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the improvement and maintenance programmes for the A2 and M2 roads were last reviewed at ministerial level; and when he will next carry out such a review.

  Mr. Atkins
  The recent White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" (Cm. 693) announced the addition to the programme of the A2/A282 Dartford improvements scheme, and also the intention to carry out a study into possible future need for improvement along the section of A2 between Bean and the M2. The needs of the national trunk road network as a whole are kept under constant review by Ministers, and new schemes added when justified. We shall continue to watch the position on the A2/M2 route in the light of traffic developments.

  Ministers review the national road maintenance programme annually, usually early in the calendar year. This covers all motorway and all-purpose trunk roads.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial and other criteria were used in determining whether or not to carry out maintenance work on the M2 and A2 roads north of Canterbury in each year from 1985 to 1989; and if he will publish the criteria.

  Mr. Atkins
  Maintenance priorities on all trunk roads are determined using engineering judgment, based upon the results of road condition assessment surveys and the need for timely intervention to minimise costs. Much of the A2/M2 has exceeded its design life and its condition gave it a high maintenance priority.
  1101
  The Department's methods for monitoring road condition and for assessing the needs for maintenance are already published. There can be no set criteria for the application of expert engineering judgment to survey results.

  British Rail (Privatisation)
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects of privatising British Rail(a) as one national private railway company and (b) as individual regional private railway companies.

  Mr. Portillo
  These are among the privatisation options being considered.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the proposal to privatise Network SouthEast, with its operational responsibilities to include the development and operation of a Channel tunnel rail link, as a separate railway company; and what representations he has received from private sector parties interested in such a proposal.

  Mr. Portillo
  A range of privatisation options for British Rail is being considered, including privatisation by business sectors, of which Network SouthEast is one. Privatisation options will need to take account of the Channel tunnel rail link proposals, but I have received no representations from the private sector concerning privatisation of Network SouthEast and the rail link together.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the privatisation of British Rail.

  Mr. Portillo
  Not for some time.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations British Rail has made to him with regard to the progress of discussions with parties from the private sector interested in investing in a Channel tunnel rail link scheme; and when he expects to be able to announce the outcome of those discussions.

  Mr. Portillo
  The British Railways board keeps me informed of its progress in securing private sector involvement in the rail link scheme. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from potential bidders from the private sector interested in the private financing and future operations of a Channel tunnel rail link scheme.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend and I have received some representations on this subject. British Rail is currently discussing its proposals for the high-speed rail link with several private sector interests.

  Thames Link Station (Camberwell)
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what applications for funding for a projected new Thames link station in Camberwell he has received from British Rail and Southwark borough council; when 1102
  applications were made; for what sum was the bid for a Government grant; and when he expects to be able to announce his decision on any such application.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Public Transport Grants
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government grants are available for public transport investment where there are non-user benefits; and if any such grants have been applied for, or awarded.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Provincial Railway Services
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the British Railways board has responded to the report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the board's provincial services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The British Railways board has made an initial response to the report and I have today placed copies of that response in the Library of the House. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission has generally endorsed the achievements and strategy of the provinchal sector and the board has accepted nearly all the commission's recommendations. I am grateful for the commission's work and I welcome the board's positive response. The commission endorses the board's considerable progress in reducing the costs of provincial services and raising revenue through better marketing. I attach great importance to that. But these services still require considerable public subsidy and they must be cost effective. I shall monitor the board's progress in following up the commission's recommendations and a further statement will be made to the House about that, probably early next year.

  The commission's report makes recommendations about quality of service targets. Having considered the advice of the commission together with that of the central transport consultative committee and of the board itself, we have now asked the board to aim for the revised quality targets for provincial services which are set out in the table. We are expecting the targets to be met by each of the express/longer rural and urban shorter rural categories of service as a whole. However, we have asked the board t o advise on the cost implications of meeting the targets on each route.

  The new targets are more in line with the provincial sector's customer-oriented approach. They are consistent with the existing quality targets set for InterCity and Network SouthEast services. They establish reasonable levels of service for the board to provide for customers using provincial services without imposing exessive costs or fares. I very much welcome the recent appointment by the board of a provincial quality manager.

  I commend the new targets to the passenger transport executives for the services they support. But they may of course choose different targets if they judge that the extra benefits justify a higher level of local support.

  The board's response records that discussions are also taking place with my Department about recommendations that involve wider policy issues. Further announcements on these matters will be made in due course.
  1103

  British Rail provincial sector: New quality of service targets

  Target

  Punctuality

  Express

  90 per cent. (0 to 10 minutes of right time)

  Longer rural

  Urban

  90 per cent. (0 to 5 minutes)

  Shorter rural

  Trains run

  Express

  99·5 per cent, minimum

  Longer rural

  Urban

  99 per cent, minimum

  Shorter rural

  Loadings

  Express

  No published targets

  Longer rural

  Urban

  135 per cent./110 per cent, for sliding/slam door stock; maximum 20 minutes standing

  Shorter rural

  Cleaning

  Internal

  100 per cent, daily 100 per cent, every two days

  External

  Telephone Enquiry Bureaux

  95 per cent, of calls to be answered within 30 seconds

  Ticket Office queues

  Maximum times of 5 minutes/3 minutes, in peak/off-peak

  Drink-Driving
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of crashes involving more than one vehicle resulting in death or serious injury to individuals without alcohol in their blood are caused by drivers with illegal blood alcohol levels in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: That information is not available in the form requested. Approximately 8 per cent. of fatalities in road accidents are of non-drivers in accidents where at least one of the drivers involved had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, but many of these would themselves have had alcohol in their blood. The corresponding figure for serious injuries is 3 per cent.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has undertaken with the Petrol Retailers Association with a view to outlawing the practice of selling lead-free petrol through dual-purpose petrol pump nozzles.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: Petrol retailers have been given a temporary derogation by the weights and measures authorities to use dual-purpose nozzles. It expires on 1 April next year. The subject was discussed at the recent meeting of the unleaded petrol group, chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment. The Petrol Retailers Association was represented at the meeting.

  British Rail (Safety)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list(a) the number of reports he has received from the railways inspectorate, (b) the
  1104
  number recommending prosecutions, (c) the number of prosecutions taken up and the outcome for each of the past 10 years.

  (2) if he will list (a) the number of deaths on British Rail premises each year in the last 10 years and (b) the number of prosecutions for such deaths and the outcome of the prosecutions.

  Mr. Portillo
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 June c. 522–23]: The figures given in table A were for accidental deaths on all railways. The numbers for BR cannot generally be isolated without a lot of research, although it has been possible to do so for the years since the reecords were computerized.

  Table 1

  Train accidents and fatal injuries—British Railways only

  Accidents

  Fatalities

  1979

  2—

  2—

  1980

  2—

  2—

  1981

  2—

  2—

  1982

  2—

  2—

  1983

  2—

  2—

  1984

  1,329

  28

  1985

  1,213

  6

  1986

  1,117

  27

  1987

  1,121

  10

  11988

  1,287

  40

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Figures not available.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Teachers (Turnover)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information as to the turnover of teachers he has available to him.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Figures for teacher turnover for the three most recent available years are:

  Leaving post

  of which, moving to another post

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1985

  14·7

  7·2

  1986

  16·1

  8·5

  1987

  14·6

  7·4

  Teachers (London)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to improve the teacher supply in London.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Tottenham (Mr. Grant) and Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 4 July at column 119.

  Examinations
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will propose amendments to the existing system of the collection of examination fees from pupils to ensure that such fees are paid to the local education authority before those pupils enter the examination.
  1105
  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is for the independent examination boards to recover fees for examination entries. Under the existing arrangements, local education authorities meet the cost of pupil entries from maintained schools and, in the case of prescribed public examinations, may not levy a charge in respect of that cost where the pupil has been prepared for the examination in a maintained school.

  Deaf-blind Children
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to give financial support to local education authorities setting up new educational services for deaf-blind children as recommended in his Department's policy document "Educational Provision for Deaf-Blind Children".

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department's policy statement encourages local education authorities to consider how to use more effectively existing special schools and units and support services to develop educational services for deaf-blind children.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage the development of training for teachers of deaf-blind children.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department will shortly be laying before Parliament new Education (Teachers) Regulations to come into effect on 1 September 1989. These will extend the mandatory qualification requirement to cover teachers of pupils who are both visually and hearing impaired. Training leading to an approved qualification for teaching these children will have national priority status under the local education authorities training grants scheme 1990–91.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that local education authorities respond to the recommendations in his Department's policy document on educational provision for deaf-blind children, published in March.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  During the coming year, the Department will be following up through regional conferences for special education what action local education authorities are taking on the policy statement.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many physical education teachers there were in 1987, 1988 and on the latest available date.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The latest available data of the number of teachers in maintained schools in England with a post A-level qualification in physical education are as follows:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Primary schools (including nursery)

  12,800

  2,100

  Secondary schools

  31,600

  3,900

  The figures refer to March 1987, for primary schools and March 1988 for secondary schools. Information for secondary schools in 1987 is not available.
  1106
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the numbers entering training to become physical education teachers in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The numbers of entrants to secondary initial training courses in physical education in 1986, 1987 and 1988, for England and Wales are as follows:

  1986

  1987

  1988

  PGCE

  249

  293

  262

  BEd

  537

  604

  643

  Total

  786

  897

  905

  Source: DES annual ITT recruitment survey.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to carry out a survey of facilities available for school sports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Religious Education (Ealing)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to have the proposed new religious education syllabus in Ealing scrutinised by Her Majesty's inspectorate of education.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department is currently considering representations made about this syllabus. I will let my hon. Friend know the outcome.

  ILEA (Redundancy Arrangements)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the redundancy arrangements for female staff of the Inner London education authority; if they have been scrutinised by the Equal Opportunities Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State received two letters from the Trades Union Congress, dated 17 and 24 May, concerning the redundancy arrangements for female staff of the Inner London education authority. The second of these two letters enclosed a copy of a letter of 17 May from the Equal Opportunities Commission. The matter was also raised by the staff associations of the Inner London education authority.

  The Department replied to the Trades Union Congress on 7 July, attaching a copy of the regulations on the redundancy compensation arrangements for staff of the Inner London education authority, which had been laid before Parliament that day. The Department made clear in that letter its view that the regulations did not discriminate against female employees. The entitlement to a redundancy payment in the regulations derives from the statutory framework set out in the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978. This provides that certain categories of part-time employee, regardless of their sex, are not eligible to receive redundancy compensation.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has had about the withdrawal of social security benefits under the proposed student top-up loan scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  We have received a substantial number of representations about the Government's proposals on the introduction of top-up loans. Within that total of some 3,000 letters, no separate figure for representations about social security benefits is available.

  A and AS-level
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of A and AS-level entrants by subject for 1987, 1988 and 1989.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The number of school leavers attempting A-level by subject for 1987 and 1988 are shown in the table. Figures for 1989 are not yet available. The first AS examinations were taken in 1989 and figures are not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member about the numbers of students in further education colleges attempting A-levels.

  Numbers of school leavers attempting A-levels by subject

  England

  Thousands

  Numbers of school leavers attempting A-level

  1987

  1988

  Science

  Mathematics

  52·8

  53·9

  Physics

  34·1

  33·4

  Chemistry

  32·0

  32·2

  Biology, botany or zoology

  28·2

  27·4

  Other science1

  8·4

  7·1

  Social science

  Geography

  27·0

  26·4

  Economics2

  32·6

  34·5

  General studies

  40·5

  41·5

  Vocational subjects3

  7·8

  8·9

  Other social science

  8·4

  8·7

  Arts

  English

  40·3

  40·4

  History

  28·7

  27·2

  French

  16·4

  15·5

  Other modem languages

  9·0

  8·7

  Classics

  3·9

  5·3

  Religious knowledge

  4·1

  4·4

  Music, drama, visual arts

  17·7

  17·6

  Other arts

  0·7

  0·9

  Number of leavers attempting any subject

  134·6

  133·6

  Organisation

  11984–85

  11985–86

  11986–87

  11987–88

  11988–89

  1989–90

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  British Federation of Youth Choirs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,000

  National Association of Youth Theatres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,000

  National Youth Choir of Great Britain

  —

  1,230

  1,191

  1,155

  2,152

  5,000

  National Youth Dance Trust

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,000

  National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

  5,383

  5,226

  5,421

  5,162

  4,937

  5,000

  National Youth Theatre

  44,686

  44,141

  48,071

  45,710

  45,133

  45,000

  United Kingdom Federation of Jazz Bands

  5,383

  5,164

  6,672

  7,132

  7,469

  10,000

  1at 1989 prices

  These organisations are eligible to apply for grant for the 1990–91 financial year under the terms of the Department's
  1108
  1 Including building construction, geology, metalwork, technical drawing and woodwork.

  2 Including English economic history and British constitution.

  3 Including domestic and commercial subjects.

  Teachers
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the number of qualified teachers available against the anticipated demand in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  As at January 1989, there were 397,400 teachers employed by LEAs in England. Gross demand for teachers in maintained schools, in line with projected pupil numbers, will be approximately the same in 1992 as in 1989. There will be sufficient qualified teachers overall, including newly qualified teachers and out of service teachers, to meet this demand. My Department's action programme aims to help schools and LEAs in those regions where there are shortages to recruit the teachers they need.

  Dyslexia
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement regarding the central monitoring of individual local education authorities' performance in fulfilling their statutory duty to identify pupils with dyslexia.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for individual local education authorities, in the exercise of their statutory duties under the 1981 Education Act, to make provision for the identification of children with special educational needs. My right hon. Friend has no plans for central monitoring of LEAs' performance concerning dyslexia.

  Youth Arts Organisations
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the grants given by his Department in 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90, in 1989 prices to(a) the National Youth Orchestra, (b) the National Youth Theatre, (c) the National Youth Choir, (d) the National Youth Dance Trust and (e) any other national youth arts organisations; and what plans there are for the continued funding of these organisations.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The table shows the maximum level of funding, at 1989 prices, made available by the Department of Education and Science to seven national youth arts organisations 1984–88 to 1989–80.

  current grant memorandum for grants to national voluntary youth organisations issued in April this year. I

  1109
  have placed a copy of this Memorandum in the Libraries of both Houses. The level of any grant to these bodies will depend on the Department's assessment of their programmes of work proposed for DES funding in 1990–91 within the overall funding available for the purpose.

  Examinations (Fees)
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when pupils who sit for general certificate of secondary education examinations fail to complete the necessary entry requirements, what remedies are available to the local education authority to recover the fees from the parent or guardian.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  If a pupil fails without good reason to complete the requirements, including course work, for any public examination for which the LEA or school has paid the entry fee, it is open to the LEA to recover the fee from the parent or guardian.

WALES

  Cambrian Coast Railway
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to have discussions with the chairman of British Rail concerning the future of the Cambrian coast railway line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend expects to meet the chairman of British Rail soon to discuss a range of issues affecting the rail network in Wales.

  Broadleaved Woodland Grants
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions the Forestry Commission awarded grants under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme in Wales, between its inception in 1985 and closure in 1988; and on how many occasions was the grant of £100 for obtaining professional advice, in the preparation of a plan of operations under the scheme, awarded.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  To date, the Forestry Commission has approved 677 applications for grant under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme in Wales. The grant of £100 has been paid on 183 of those applications.

  Welsh Water
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to encourage the ownership of shares in Welsh Water by the people of Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  Decisions have yet to be taken as to the best way of ensuring that customers apply for shares in their own water service companies. We are examining the precedents set in earlier privatisations.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy that shares in Welsh Water are marketed separately from any basket of shares in water companies in England.

  Mr. Grist
  The Government have already announced that individuals will be able to apply for shares in their own water service company and in any other water service company.

  999 Calls
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that emergency services in mid-Wales and north Wales do not experience the problems of those in south Wales in relation to the introduction of new exchange arrangements for 999 calls.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs made clear in the House, there is already a high quality of 999 service across the country and the Government are concerned to see that standard of service maintained in the future. I know that the Director General of Telecommunications, whose office has the general duty of monitoring and enforcing the conditions of licences issued to public telecommunications operators, will be keeping the provision of 999 call services under review.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has investigated the recent problems with 999 services in Wales as a whole and the consequent effect on emergency services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have been kept fully informed of the recent problems with 999 services in Wales.

  Hospital Staff
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to protect the hours and wage rates for the lowest paid hospital staff.

  Mr. Grist
  It is the responsibility of employing authorities to determine hours of work in the light of local circumstances. A general Whitley council agreement provides for the short-term protection of earnings for staff who suffer a reduction in basic hours worked within the standard working week.

  Sewage Discharges
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to obtain and publish details of the schemes of work with starting and finishing dates, in respect of each derogation for sewage discharges in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The investment programme covering this work is still under discussion between the Department and Welsh Water Authority. Applications for time-limited consents are currently being advertised by the authority; consents which are granted will make clear the period for which they will apply and this information will be entered upon the public register maintained by the authority.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the activities of the Welsh Development Agency excluding property which have been privatised and the amounts of money estimated to have been raised from the privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No area of the Welsh Development Agency's work has been privatised, although, as I told the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 17 July, at columns 4–5, a number have been contracted out.

  Housing Allocations
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he is giving to housing allocation policies, particularly in respect of high-rise accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Each local authority is responsible for making effective allocation arrangements for the high-rise or other accommodation it owns.

  Practical guidance notes for the allocation of council houses, prepared by the Housing Management Advisory Panel for Wales, were issued in February 1988.

  Infertility
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the infertility services provided by each district health authority;

  (2) what is the prevalence of infertility in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether plans for the provision of infertility services are required to be included in the strategic plans of each district health authority.

  Mr. Grist
  There is no such requirement, though in drawing up strategic plans district health authorities are expected to assess likely developments in, and the need for services of this kind, and to make provision for them as appropriate.

  Mr. Tony Johnson
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the in-patient and out-patient treatment given to Mr. Tony Johnson in Cardiff and of information given by the health authority to the housing authority, in respect of Mr. Johnson's rehousing.

  Mr. Grist
  I cannot comment upon the details of the treatment given to any patient; these are a confidential matter solely for the patient and those concerned with that treatment. A plan for the care of an individual psychiatric patient after discharge is for the agencies concerned. My hon. Friend should write to the general manager of South Glamorgan health authority if he wishes to seek further information.

  Drugs
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library the latest figures on the prevalence of drug misuse and service provision.

  Mr. Grist
  Drug misuse is generally an illegal and clandestine activity and it is not therefore possible to provide accurate information on prevalence. However, one of the aims of the Welsh Committee on Drug Misuse is to keep the incidence, character and variety of drug misuse under regular review. As part of that aim, the committee is currently considering the options for data collection from treatment and other agencies in an attempt to develop a database which, with other information might provide the basis on which to make a more realistic assessment of the extent of the problem.
  1112
  As to service provision, in addition to the general services already provided by the statutory authorities, on 4 April this year I announced the availability of additional resources to combat drug misuse. A copy of the announcement is available in the Library of the House.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will indicate the number of victims in the north Wales salmonella poisoning outbreak; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the outbreak of salmonella poisoning in north Wales;

  (3) what consultations he has had with the Clwyd area health authority concerning the outbreak in Clwyd of salmonella poisoning; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the cause and extent of the food poisoning outbreak in north Wales, and north Cheshire-Wirral area.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  On the latest available information, there have been 43 cases of food poisoning in north Wales caused by salmonella typhimurium. Thirteen patients have been admitted to hospital in Clywd and one has died. I understand, again on the latest available information, that 52 cases of food poisoning in England caused by salmonella typhimurium, relating to this outbreak, have been reported to the Department of Health. Ten patients have been admitted to hospital and one has died.

  Infection was identified on 26 July in cold cooked meat produced by Joss Williams and Sons of Flint. Its production of cooked meat ceased on 26 July and previous supplies were withdrawn from sale.

  On 26 and 27 July my chief medical officer issued details of the retail outlets in north Wales and the north-west of England, which reportedly were supplied with cold cooked meats from Joss Williams and Sons. The public have been advised not to eat any cold cooked meals purchased from sources supplied by this firm, and wholesalers and retailers have been advised to remove such products from sale.

  Information is being conveyed to environmental health departments in England and Wales as it becomes available to enable them to take appropriate action.

  The Department has been in close touch with the Clwyd health authority since being informed of the situation on 24 July.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of botulism, salmonella enteriditis, salmonella typhimurium, listeriosis and other types of food poisoning have been detected and reported in Wales since 1983 for each month of each year.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: The information is not readily available in the detail requested. Annual figures for 1983 to 1988 are given in the tables. There are no separate figures on food-borne campylobacter infections.
  1113

  Number of cases of principal types of food poisoning detected or reported

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Clostridium botulinium

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Salmonella enteriditis

  106

  77

  149

  303

  479

  801

  Salmonella typhimurium

  297

  322

  277

  383

  352

  262

  Other salmonella

  232

  225

  280

  268

  283

  193

  Listeriosis

  8

  4

  11

  6

  11

  110

  Number of incidents, outbreaks or isolated cases of other types of food poisoning reported

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  19871

  1988

  Clostridium perfringens

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  n/a

  Staphylococcus aureas

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  n/a

  Bacillus sp.

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  n/a

  Laboratory reports of all campylobacter infections

  Number

  1983

  588

  1984

  853

  1985

  1,340

  1986

  1,207

  1987

  1,400

  19881

  1,273

  1 Indicates provisional data.

  Source: Public Health Laboratory Service.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Food (Country of Origin)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will ensure that the country of origin is indicated on all food products sold in the outlets of the Refreshment Department.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Such a proposal is not considered practicable.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Workplace Nurseries
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total number of places available in workplace nurseries for civil servants; and what is the comparable figures for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Luce
  None, but there are firm plans to open nurseries by early 1990 in Home Office (Croydon), Ministry of Defence (London) and in my own Department at the Civil Service college (Sunningdale). Discussions are under way in other Departments concerning other possible locations.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the trading surplus or deficit in(a) manufacturing and (b) services in each year since 1960.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The available information is set out in the table:
  1114

  £ million

  Year

  Balance of trade (exports less imports) for

  Manufactured goods

  Services

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  1960

  1,671

  —

  -1

  1961

  1,809

  —

  9

  1962

  1,886

  —

  6

  1963

  1,976

  —

  -42

  1964

  1,751

  —

  -75

  1965

  1,969

  —

  -98

  1966

  2,042

  —

  15

  1967

  1,619

  —

  133

  1968

  1,741

  —

  312

  1969

  2,311

  —

  366

  1970

  2,370

  2,545

  416

  1971

  —

  3,008

  544

  1972

  —

  2,147

  618

  1973

  —

  1,484

  683

  1974

  —

  1,965

  948

  1975

  —

  3,738

  1,337

  1976

  —

  4,912

  2,244

  1977

  —

  5,874

  3,037

  1978

  —

  5,054

  3,542

  1979

  —

  2,690

  3,907

  1980

  —

  5,450

  3,949

  1981

  —

  4,576

  3,923

  1982

  —

  2,279

  2,762

  1983

  —

  -2,448

  3,721

  1984

  —

  -4,054

  3,941

  1985

  —

  -3,151

  5,962

  1986

  —

  -5,719

  5,631

  1987

  —

  -7,508

  5,333

  1988

  —

  14,439

  3,428

  (a) Based on Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) [Balance of Payments Pink Book 1971]. There is a discontinuity with later estimates as indicated for 1970.

  (b) Based on SITC (3rd Revision). Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, Annual Supplement 1988, Table A9 (for 1970 to 1985) and July 1989, Table A9 (for 1986 to 1988).

  (c) Economic Trends, Annual Supplement 1989, Table 29 (for 1960 to 1985), and June 1989, Table Al (for 1986 to 1988).

  TSB Scotland
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he proposes to have with the TSB Group to ensure that the assurances given to him about TSB Scotland's continued autonomy are kept.

  Mr. Ryder
  None.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this Session up to 1 July.
  1115
  Mr. Lawson
  Treasury Ministers received 1,277 letters from hon. Members in January and 9,159 letters in the whole of this Session up to 1 July. All have been acknowledged and in the vast majority of cases substantive replies have been sent. A small number are still outstanding.

  Outward Investment
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate and show outward investment from the United Kingdom in each year since 1975; and if he will indicate the recipient countries.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Estimates of outward investment (direct, portfolio and other, mainly short-term, investments) are published in United Kingdom balance of payments 1988 edition (Transactions in United Kingdom external assets, 1975 to 1987, in table 1.1) and in Economic Trends, June 1989 (latest data to 1988 in table A1.

  Comprehensive estimates of the main recipient countries and areas are available only for direct investment (investment in overseas branches and subsidiary and associated companies), which are published in the Business Monitor series, M4, Overseas Transactions. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Building

  Rateable value

  Rate in £

  Estimated rental value per square foot

  Gross £

  Net £

  £

  National Westminster Tower

  4,909,000

  4,090,805

  1·64

  65

  Britanic House West

  3,050,000

  2,541,638

  1·64

  45

  Bank of England, New Change

  1,537,651

  1,281,291

  1·64

  45

  Bank of England, Bank

  3,150,000

  2,624,972

  1·64

  65

  Britanic House

  3,050,000

  2,541,638

  1·64

  45

  81 Newgate Street

  2,750,000

  2,291,638

  1·64

  60

  15 Newgate Street

  2,594,885

  2,162,376

  1·64

  45

  17–29 Woolgate House

  2,667,616

  2,222,985

  1·64

  65

  Unilever House

  1,765,000

  1,470,805

  1·64

  40

  Midland Montague House

  1,800,000

  1,499,972

  1·64

  50

  27,274,152

  22,728,120

  These figures reflect the rateable values of the buildings as shown in the valuation list as at 24 July 1989.

  Taxation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each financial year since 1978–79 the

  £ billion

  Income Tax2

  Corporation Tax3, PRT and oil royalties4

  Central Government Expenditure Taxes

  Capital taxes on persons

  Local authority rates5

  National Insurance Contributions6

  Total taxes and NICs

  1978–79

  19·1

  4·5

  18·2

  0·7

  5·8

  10·2

  58·6

  1979–80

  21·1

  6·8

  25·2

  0·9

  6·8

  12·0

  72·7

  1980–81

  24·9

  8·1

  28·8

  1·0

  8·7

  14·4

  86·0

  1981–82

  29·2

  11·2

  33·6

  1·0

  10·7

  16·5

  102·2

  1982–83

  30·5

  13·1

  35·0

  1·2

  12·1

  18·7

  110·6

  1983–84

  31·7

  14·2

  38·0

  1·3

  12·3

  21·3

  118·8

  1984–85

  33·3

  17·9

  40·6

  1·5

  13·0

  22·7

  129·1

  1985–86

  35·8

  19·2

  44·0

  1·8

  13·9

  24·7

  139·4

  1986–87

  38·4

  15·7

  48·5

  2·1

  15·7

  26·6

  147·0

  1987–88

  41·6

  19·2

  52·5

  2·5

  17·0

  29·1

  161·8

  1988–89

  43·8

  20·7

  57·1

  3·4

  18·9

  32·5

  176·3

  1989–901

  47·1

  24·6

  61·4

  3·2

  20·6

  34·0

  190·9

  North Sea Oil
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show the value to the Treasury of revenue from North sea oilfields in each year since 1978; and if he will show what that represented in each year as a proportion of gross national product.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The value of North sea oil revenues is published by the Department of Energy in the annual Brown Book. Gross national product statistics are available in the Blue Book published by the Central Statistical Office.

  Rateable Values, City of London
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the gross and net aggregate rateable value of those offices in the City of London referred to in his answer of 14 November 1988, Official Report, columns 525–26, the current poundage, and his Department's estimate of the current rental and capital value per square foot.

  Mr. Lilley
  The table below provides, with one exception, the details requested. An estimate of the current capital value per square foot could not be produced without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.

  amount of tax raised by (i) personal income taxes, (ii) national insurance contributions, (iii) capital taxes, (iv) corporate taxes, (v) indirect taxes and (vi) rates; and if he will give a forecast for the current financial year on a full-year basis.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The latest available data, using national income and expenditure account definitions, are:
  1117
  1 FSBR Forecast.

  2 Includes a small amount of income tax paid by companies.

  3 Includes corporation tax on gains which is classified as a tax on capital in the national accounts.

  4 Includes IBA levy.

  5 Includes business rates.

  6 Includes employers and employees NICs.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to his reply dated 10 April,Official Report. column 348, concerning the number of tax units and tax liability by range of total income, he will publish the underlying assumption concerning the increase in incomes together with his present estimate of the increase in average and median earnings in 1989–90 compared to 1988–89 and 1987–88 for manual and non-manual workers respectively.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The information given in reply to the hon. Member on 10 April 1989 was based on a projection to 1989–90 levels of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes. The assumptions used in the projection are consistent with those underlying the economic forecast given in chapter 3 of the 1989–90

  Higher Rate Tax Units1 1989–90

  (Thousands)

  Range of income £ per year

  Single

  Married couple (wife not working)

  Married couple (both working)

  All2

  Under 20,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20,000–25,000

  10

  0

  0

  10

  25,000–30,000

  60

  80

  70

  210

  30,000–50,000

  110

  250

  500

  860

  Over 50,000

  40

  120

  200

  360

  Total2

  220

  450

  770

  1,440

  1 Counting a married couple as one and combining the partners' incomes.

  2 Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding.

  Total tax liability of Higher Rate Tax Units1 1989–90

  (£ million)

  Range of income £ per year

  Single

  Married couple (wife not working)

  Married couple (both working)

  All2

  Under 20,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20,000–25,000

  30

  —

  —

  30

  25,000–30,000

  380

  470

  410

  1,260

  30,000–50,000

  970

  2,300

  3,910

  7,180

  Over 50,000

  1,240

  3,110

  4,330

  8,680

  Total2

  2,610

  5,880

  8,650

  17,150

  1 Counting a married couple as one and combining the partners' incomes.

  2 Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for women above and for those below pensionable age, the estimated number of tax units paying income tax in 1989–90 directly or indirectly and the estimated amount of tax payable in a full year at the marginal rate, dividing the figures to show the amounts by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000 and distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples; and if he will include tables showing his estimate of the amount of tax which would be
  1118
  Financial Statement and Budget Report. It is not the practice to publish fprecasts of personal incomes and average earnings.

  Mr. Austin Michell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the change in the number of higher-rate taxpayers in the current financial year; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing his estimate of the distribution by range of total income and tax category together with the total tax liability.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The number of married couples and single people liable to the higher rate of income tax is estimated to be 1,330,000 in 1988–89, and 1,440,000 in 1989–90. The tables show the distribution of those liable to higher rate tax in 1989–90 and their income tax liability by income and tax category.

  Estimates are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional.

  payable by such tax units in 1989–90 on the basis of separate taxation for husbands and wives as proposed for 1990.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: Estimates for single women are given in the tables. They are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional.

  Under the present tax system a married women's income is treated as her husband's and taxed as though it belonged to him. The estimates requested for the tax liability on the income of married women under the present tax system and under independent taxation could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
  1119

  Number of single females paying income tax and tax liability by range of total income, 1989–90

  Aged 65 and over

  Aged under 65

  Tax liability

  Tax liability

  Total income (lower limit)

  Number

  total

  of higher rate taxpayers

  Number

  total

  of higher rate taxpayers

  £ per annum

  ('000)

  (£ million)

  £ million

  ('000)

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  2,000

  —

  —

  —

  70

  2

  —

  3,000

  90

  10

  —

  370

  70

  —

  4,000

  170

  40

  —

  380

  150

  —

  5,000

  160

  80

  —

  440

  270

  —

  6,000

  120

  90

  —

  510

  430

  —

  7,000

  70

  60

  —

  470

  450

  —

  8,000

  60

  70

  —

  370

  430

  —

  9,000

  30

  50

  —

  210

  280

  —

  10,000

  50

  90

  —

  340

  610

  —

  12,000

  50

  130

  —

  360

  830

  —

  15,000

  50

  170

  —

  260

  760

  —

  20,000

  30

  150

  110

  110

  490

  80

  30,000

  10

  140

  140

  20

  220

  220

  50,000

  10

  210

  210

  1—

  110

  110

  Total

  900

  1,290

  460

  3,910

  5,100

  410

  1Less than 5,000.

  2Less than £5 million.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for wives with earned income on Inland Revenue records the estimated distribution of the number of such wives in 1989–90 by wife's total income and the couples' joint total income together with the estimated revenue loss from wife's earnings elections and the estimated further loss on the 1990–91 basis of separate taxation of husbands and wives;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for those above and for those below pensionable age, the estimated number of tax units paying income tax and their income tax liability as a proportion of their total income in a full year at 1989–90 rates, by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000 distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples, and if he will add figures showing what effect his proposals for the separate taxation of husbands and wives will have on the numbers of tax units and the proportion paid in tax by (a) one-earner and (b) two-earner married couples.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for those above and for those below pensionable age the estimated number of tax units in receipt of more than £200 gross in composite rate interest in 1987–88 and the average amount received, together with his estimates for 1989–90; and if he will divide the figures to show the amounts for those above and those below pensionable age by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000 and distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples.

  Mr. Lilley
  Estimates for the years requested are not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for those above and for those below pensionable age the estimated number of tax units in receipt of more than £200 gross in lettings and other incomes from property and the average amount received,
  1120
  together with his estimates for 1989–90; and if he will divide the figures to show the amounts for those above and those below pensionable age by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000 and distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples.

  Mr. Lilley
  For information in respect of 1985–86 I refer the hon. Member to the answers provided to him in October last year—Official Report, 19 October 1988, columns 935–38. Estimates for 1988–89 are not yet available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for one-earner and two-earner married couples under 65 years and married couples over 65 years the number of tax units paying less and the number paying more tax in each income band up to a lower limit of £100,000 at 1989–90 rates of tax in the event of the proposed allowances for separate taxation of husbands and wives being replaced by a transferable allowance of £3,000 for each spouse; and if he will include figures of the consequential changes in tax yield.

  Mr. Lilley
  The estimates requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing for those above and for those below pensionable age, the estimated number of tax units in receipt of more than £200 gross in National Savings accounts and bonds and the average amount received, together with his estimates for 1989–90; and if he will divide the figures to show the amounts for those above and those below pensionable age by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000 and distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for direct tax allowances and reliefs listed in table 6.5 of Cm. 288-I, "The Government's Expenditure Plans", his estimate of the cost in a full year at current rates of incomes and tax for items which will cost the Exchequer £10 million or more.
  1121
  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of an increase of £100 in each of the allowances and reliefs for income tax at 1989–90 income and tax levels; and if he will provide corresponding figures on the basis of the 1990–91 regime for the independent taxation of husbands and wives.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to table 4.5 of the Autumn Statement 1988.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000, for those above and those below pensionable age and distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples, the estimated saving to the Exchequer of abolishing all allowances and reliefs other than the basic single and married allowances; and if he will provide similar tables on the 1990 basis of separate taxation of husbands and wives;

  whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated number and direct revenue cost of wife's earnings elections in a full year by range of incomes at 1989–90 income and tax levels, together with tables for (i) husbands and (ii) wives showing (a) the numbers separately assessed by range of total income of the relevant spouse and (b) the aggregate total income of each spouse and the aggregate investment income of each spouse; and if he will add a table showing the additional direct revenue cost on the basis of the 1990–91 proposals for the separate taxation of husbands and wives;

  (3) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for those above and those below age 65 years the estimated number of tax units and their tax liability in the

  Higher rate taxpayers1 with wife's earnings election 1989–90

  Total Income (lower limit)

  Number

  With investment income

  With mortgage interest relief

  Number

  Average Amount

  Number

  Average Amount

  £ p.a.

  000s

  000s

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ p.a.

  20,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30,000

  6

  6

  2,400

  1

  400

  35,000

  35

  31

  5,200

  14

  1,900

  40,000

  76

  74

  3,500

  54

  2,700

  50,000

  119

  113

  12,400

  80

  3,200

  All

  235

  224

  8,200

  149

  2,900

  1 Married couples and single people.

  Higher rate taxpayers—Single people 1989–90

  Total Income (lower limit)

  Number

  With investment income

  With mortgage interest relief

  Number

  Average Amount

  Number

  Average Amount

  £p.a.

  000s

  000s

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ p.a.

  20,000

  5

  5

  13,800

  —

  900

  25,000

  62

  52

  10,100

  32

  2,400

  30,000

  56

  51

  7,900

  39

  3,300

  35,000

  23

  20

  11,200

  15

  3,400

  40,000

  29

  25

  12,000

  22

  3,600

  50,000

  44

  42

  37,000

  22

  3,600

  All

  219

  194

  15,700

  130

  3,200

  1122
  current financial year in each range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000 divided into single persons and one-earner and two-earner married couples together; and if he will include the number of females within each category and their tax liability;

  (4) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing by range of income and tax status an estimate of the saving to the Exchequer in a full year from abolishing, respectively, the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions and higher rate relief on mortgage interest;

  whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the yield from an increase of one penny in the standard rate of tax and in the employees' and employers' national insurance contribution, respectively, in 1989–90; and if he will divide the tax figure to show the yield from earned and unearned income.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Repor, a table showing for (a) two-earner families with a wife's earnings election and (b) other higher-rate taxpayers by tax category, his estimate of the number and distribution of incomes, together with the average unearned income and average amount of mortgage interest relief in each income band in each category in the current financial year; and if he will add a table showing the gains and losses to the Exchequer from the application of separate taxation of husbands and wives as proposed for 1990.

  Mr. Lilley
  Provisional estimates for 1989–90 based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes are given in the table. Estimates of the effects of the introduction of independent taxation in 1990–91 were given in the Inland Revenue press release on independent taxation issued on 15 March 1988.
  1123

  Higher rate taxpayers—Married couples with wife's earnings and no earnings election 1989–90

  Total Income (lower limit)

  Number

  With investment income

  With mortgage interest relief

  Number

  Average Amount

  Number

  Average Amount

  £ p.a.

  000s

  000s

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ p.a.

  20,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25,000

  73

  69

  4,800

  8

  1,000

  30,000

  203

  188

  3,100

  130

  2,700

  35,000

  100

  96

  3,500

  74

  3,100

  40,000

  78

  76

  7,600

  50

  2,900

  50,000

  76

  74

  13,300

  57

  3,200

  All

  531

  503

  5,600

  319

  2,900

  Higher rate taxpayers—Married couples without wife's earnings 1989–90

  Total Income (lower limit)

  Number

  With investment income

  With mortgage interest relief

  Number

  Average Amount

  Number

  Average Amount

  £p.a.

  000s

  000s

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ p.a.

  20,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25,000

  80

  71

  4,400

  25

  1,700

  30,000

  101

  93

  3,700

  65

  3,000

  35,000

  70

  66

  3,800

  50

  3,200

  40,000

  85

  79

  6,300

  57

  3,100

  50,000

  116

  111

  17,100

  75

  3,100

  All

  452

  420

  7,900

  271

  3,000

  Treasury Revenues
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total income to the Treasury since May 1979 from(a) North sea oil revenues and (b) privatisation of publicly owned assets.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The figures requested are given in the table below:

  £ billion

  North Sea Oil Revenues

  Privatisation proceeds

  1979–80

  2·3

  0·4

  1980–81

  3·7

  0·4

  1981–82

  6·5

  0·5

  1982–83

  7·8

  0·5

  1983–84

  8·8

  1·1

  1984–85

  12·0

  2·2

  1985–86

  11·3

  2·7

  1986–87

  4·8

  4·4

  1987–88

  4·7

  5·1

  1988–89

  3·2

  7·0

  CBI
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the chairman of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss management of the economy.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer meets representatives of the CBI from time to time, and a wide range of subjects is discussed.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of gross investment, including leasing, in plant and machinery in manufacturing industry in 1988 less capital consumption in terms of 1985 prices; and if he will provide comparable figures for 1964, 1969 and 1974 and 1979 in terms of 1985 prices.
  1124
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Estimates of investment net of capital consumption by manufacturing industry in plant and machinery are not of publishable quality.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the decline between 1977 and 1988 in the United Kingdom balance of trade in manufactures less erratics was due to overheating of the economy and what part to the increase in relative export prices for manufactures and in the terms of trade for finished manufactures between 1976 and 1987; what was the percentage increase in each case; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, on the basis of information in the Treasury model of the economy, the reduction in the rate of economic growth and alternatively in the trade-weighted nominal exchange rate in 1990 and 1991 required to enable the deficit to be eliminated by the end of 1991, all other assumptions remaining unchanged.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the improvement in the balance of trade in finished manufactures between the United Kingdom and the United States of America between 1980 and 1987 and the deterioration between 1977 and 1980 and since 1987 is due to overheating in one economy or the other and what part to the movement in relative prices of importable and exportable goods; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 the United Kingdom balance of trade with the United States of America (i) total trade less oil, (ii) manufactures less erratics and (iii) finished manufactures less erratics together with the ratio of the relative export prices for manufactures based on 1980 = 100.
  1125
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information requested, with the exception of the data on trade with the United States of America, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I shall answer when resources permit.

  Industrial Economies
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries have overtaken the United Kingdom in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's list of the leading industrial economies in the last three years.

  Mr. Ryder
  From June 1989, Italy has been placed before the United Kingdom in OECD publications where the leading industrial economies are given in order of size. The OECD ordering is based on GDP in an earlier year converted at market exchange rates. On the basis of GDP comparisons using OECD estimates of purchasing power parities, the United Kingdom comes before Italy in both 1987 and 1988.

  Oil Prices
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in detail the assumptions he made about the oil price in preparing the 1989 Budget.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The forecast published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1989–90 was prepared on the assumption that the North sea oil price would remain close to recent levels prevailing at that time.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether movements in oil prices since the 1989 Budget have caused any revision of the Budget forecasts and assumptions.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  As usual, the oil price assumptions will be reconsidered when my right hon. Friend prepares his next forecast to be published as part of the Autumn Statement.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the estimate published in "The Challenge to Agriculture," published in February 1988, of the cost of the common agricultural policy to the average family; how the original figure was arrived at: what changes have occurred since; and for what reason.

  Mr. Ryder
  The estimate in "The Challenge to Agriculture" of February 1988 was quoted from "The Political Economy of International Agricultural Reform," Department of Primary Industry, Australia, 1986. It was intended as an example of one particular attempt to quantify the cost of agriculture support policies to European families. The estimate referred to the cost to each non-farm family in Europe of transfers by consumers and taxpayers to EC farmers, and included domestic agriculture programmes of member states as well as the CAP. A new estimate, based on changes that have occurred since, would involve taking account of agricultural policies in each member state and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Financial Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) the increase in cash terms in sterling M0 and sterling M3 (i) from May 1979 to the latest available date and (ii) between January 1974 and May 1979, (b) the annual rate of inflation on these three dates, (c) the increase in the amount lent by the banks to, respectively, the public sector and the private sector, (d) the increase in outstanding mortgages on residential property, (e) the increase in producer and retail prices and (f) the average annual rate of increase in each of the foregoing cases.

  Mr. Ryder
  Data for M0, M3 and bank lending are published in Financial Statistics; the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin; and are available from the Bank of England on request.

  Data on mortgages on residential property are published in Financial Statistics.

  Data on prices are published in Economic Trends.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the reduction in the United Kingdom contribution to the EEC budget and what was the forecast.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to chapter 3 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–90 to 1991–92" (Cm 603).

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing his estimate of the number and amount of incomes subject to tax in the current financial year above a total of £100,000 by steps of £100,000 to the nearest 100 persons in each case and for 1978–79, the amount of tax collected in each case in 1978–79 and his estimate of the amount of tax payable in respect of the current financial year.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The available data do not permit the provision of information in the amount of detail requested. To the nearest thousand incomes (those of husband and wife being counted as one income), there were 1,000 incomes of £100,000 and above in 1978–79, upon which the liability to income tax was about £120 million. In 1986–87, the latest year for which information is available, there were 23,000 incomes of £100,000 but under £200,000, with tax liability of £1,400 million, and 5,000 incomes of £200,000 and above with tax liability of £850 million.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the earned and unearned income of the top 1 per cent. of tax payers in the current financial year and of the amount they are expected to pay in national insurance contributions;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of tax units and amount of earned income in each tax band by range of total income and tax status for those (a) above and (b) below pensionable age;

  (3) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of tax units in each tax band by range of total income and tax status for those below pensionable age, his estimate of the cost to the Revenue of the substitution of a single allowance of £3,000 and a married

  1127
  allowance of £6,000 for the present personal income tax allowances, the married woman's earnings allowance and the wife's earnings election together with an increase in the rate of income tax for from 25 per cent. to 35 per cent. on total incomes between £5,500 and £13,000 for single persons and £11,000 and £18,500 for married persons;

  (4) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for (a) one-earner and (b) two-earner married couples the number of tax units in each tax band by range of total income and tax status for those (i) above and (ii) below pensionable age and his estimate of the yield to the revenue in the current financial year from abolishing wife's earnings election and raising the higher rate of tax to 40 per cent. on incomes of married couples with total incomes between £18,500 and £27,000, 45 per cent. between £27,000 and £37,000, 50 per cent. between £37,000 and £50,000, 55 per cent. between £50,000 and £250,000 and 60 per cent. above £250,000;

  (5) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of tax units in each tax band by range of total income and tax status for those (a) above and (b) below pensionable age and his estimate of the yield from making investment income chargeable to national insurance contributions on the same basis as earned income; and if he will include the number of tax units and total investment income in each case;

  (6) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for single persons the number of tax units in each tax band by the range of total income and tax status for those above and below pensionable age, his estimate of the yield to the Revenue in the current financial year from an increase in higher rate tax for single persons to 40 per cent. on total incomes between £13,000 and £19,000, 45 per cent. between £19,000 and £26,000, 50 per cent. between £26,000 and £34,000, 55 per cent. between £34,000 and £125,000 and 60 per cent. above £125,000.

  Tax and/or NIC1 thresholds for married man with 2 children under 11

  Threshold at current prices

  Threshold at 1988–89 prices

  Threshold as percentage of average manual earnings2

  Threshold as percentage of average earnings3 for all occupations

  Break-even point at current prices

  Break-even point at 1988–89 prices

  Break-even point as percentage of average manual earnings2

  Break-even point as percentage of average earnings3 for all occupations

  Tax year

  £

  Index 1988–89 = 100

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  £

  Index 1988–89 = 100

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1958–595 7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1968–696 7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1978–79

  910

  91·0

  20·3

  18·9

  2,225

  86·9

  49·8

  46·1

  1979–80

  1,014

  87·5

  19·3

  17·8

  2,734

  92·1

  52·0

  48·1

  1980–81

  1,196

  88·7

  19·7

  17·5

  2,959

  85·7

  48·8

  43·3

  1981–82

  1,404

  93·4

  21·0

  18·5

  3,063

  79·6

  45·8

  40·4

  1982–83

  1,534

  95·3

  21·4

  18·7

  3,361

  81·6

  46·8

  41·1

  1983–84

  1,690

  100·4

  21·9

  19·0

  3,774

  87·5

  48·8

  42·4

  1984–85

  1,768

  99·9

  21·3

  18·4

  4,195

  92·6

  50·5

  43·6

  1985–86

  1,846

  98·5

  20·8

  17·9

  4,679

  97·5

  52·8

  45·3

  1986–87

  1,976

  102·2

  21·0

  17·8

  4,939

  99·7

  52·4

  44·4

  1987–88

  2,028

  100·9

  20·0

  16·7

  5,199

  101·0

  51·3

  42·8

  1988–89

  2,132

  100·0

  19·4

  16·0

  5,459

  100·0

  849·6

  41·0

  1989–904

  2,236

  99·0

  18·9

  15·6

  95,836

  9100·9

  949·3

  940·8

  1 Class 1 employees' national insurance contributions.

  2 Full time males aged over 21 working a full week.

  3 Full time males paid at adult rates working a full week.

  4 Provisional.

  5 In 1958–59 employees paid a flat rate on all their weekly earnings.

  6 In 1968–69 employees paid a flat rate on all their weekly earnings and a graduated element on earnings above £9 per week.

  7 The break-even point is zero because National Insurance Contributions were charged at a flat-rate, regardless of weekly earnings, which was in excess of the family allowance for two children.

  8 Provisional.

  9 Using average NIC rates for 1989–90 derived from pre-and post-October 1989 regimes.

  1128
  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Personal Taxation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply of 14 November 1988,Official Report, column 517, concerning annex C of "Inland Revenue Statistics", whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1959 the tax plus national insurance contribution threshold and break-even points for a married man on (i) average manual earnings and (ii) average earnings of all occupations; and if he will include (a) an estimate for 1989–90 based on the comparable earnings figures for April 1989 and (b) figures for the lowest decile of manual earnings in 1978–79 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Lilley
  Available information is given in the tables. The "tax and national insurance contribution threshold" is the level of earnings above which the married man first pays income tax or class 1 national insurance contributions.

  The "break-even point" is the value of earnings at which the amount of income tax and national insurance contributions paid is equal to the money received through child benefit or family allowance. It therefore gives the level of earnings above which the family pays more income tax plus national insurance contributions than it obtains in benefits for children.

  Estimates in table 1 for 1989–90 are based on the projected figures for average manual earnings and average earnings of all occupations, assuming 7·5 per cent. growth on 1988–89.

  Corresponding figures for the "tax and national insurance contribution threshold" and the "break-even point" as a percentage of the lowest decile of male manual earnings in April 1978 and April 1988 are given in table 2.
  1129

  Lowest decile of male manual earnings in 1978–79 and 1988–89

  April New Earnings Survey

  Lowest decile of male manual earnings £ per week

  Threshold as percentage of lowest decile of male manual earnings

  Break-even point as percentage of lowest decile of male manual earnings

  1978

  52·8

  33·1

  81·0

  1988

  127·7

  32·1

  82·2

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated direct revenue cost in income tax at the standard and higher rates in the full year at current rates of (a) mortgage interest relief, (b) life assurance pensions relief. (c) retirement annuity premium relief and (d) investment income relief of occupational pension funds.

  Mr. Lilley
  Available estimates for 1988–89 are given below.

  Estimated direct revenue cost 1988–89

  £ million

  Mortgage interest relief

  5,500

  —of which relief at the excess over the basic rate

  340

  Life assurance premium relief

  470

  Employees' contributions to occupational pension schemes allowed as a deduction for income tax purposes

  1,700

  Employees' contributions to occupational pension schemes not treated as taxable benefits in kind in the hands of the employees

  2,600

  Retirement annuity premium relief

  450

  —of which relief at the excess over the basic rate

  100

  Relief on investment income of occupational pension funds (assuming relief at the basic rate)

  4,400

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the saving to the revenue in the current financial year if(a) mortgage interest relief and (b) other non-personal allowances were progressively clawed back at the rate of 50 per cent. of income in excess of the higher rate threshold.

  Mr. Lilley
  It is estimated that the direct revenue yield in a full year at 1989–90 levels of income of withdrawing(a) mortgage interest relief and (b) other main reliefs from higher rate taxpayers at the rate of 50 per cent. on income in excess of the higher rate threshold is:

  £ million

  (a) Mortgage interest relief

  700

  (b) Retirement annuity relief (including payments by employees), relief for Class IV National Insurance contributions, employees' superannuation contributions, charitable covenants and business expansion scheme relief

  650

  Estimates are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional; they assume that relief is withdrawn against liability to the higher rate of tax of 40 per cent. not just against liability to the excess of the higher rate over the basic rate.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the saving to the revenue in the current financial year if personal allowances were clawed back for the purpose of higher tax at the rate of 50 per cent. on income in excess of the higher rate threshold.
  1130
  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for those with and those without investment income in 1988–89 the numbers in each income band up to a lower limit of £100,000 benefiting from mortgage interest relief; and if he will provide an estimate for 1989–90;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing the estimated number of tax units under age 65 years in each income band up to a lower limit of £100,000 in receipt of mortgage interest relief in the current financial year and the percentage with investment income; and if he will also distinguish between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples.

  Mr. Lilley
  The available information is in the tables It is not possible to provide reliable estimates in all the detail requested not to provide separate figures for those under 65. Estimates are subject to revision.

  Tax units1 receiving mortgage interest relief by range of total income 1988–89 (thousands)

  Range of total income

  with no investment income

  with investment income

  Total

  Up to £5,000

  490

  200

  690

  £5,000–£10,000

  430

  1,400

  1,830

  £10,000–£15.000

  290

  2,270

  2,560

  £15,000–£20,000

  160

  1,550

  1,710

  £20,000–£25,000

  70

  960

  1,030

  £25,000–£30,000

  50

  430

  480

  £30,000 +

  50

  750

  500

  Total

  1,540

  7,560

  9,100

  1 Single people and married couples.

  Tax units1 receiving mortgage interest relief bv range of total income 1988–89 (thousands)

  Range of total income

  with no investment income

  with investment income

  Total

  Up to £5,000

  440

  200

  640

  £5,000–£ 10,000

  420

  1,280

  1,700

  £10,000–£ 15,000

  270

  1,990

  2,260

  £15,000–£20,000

  160

  1,720

  1,880

  £20,000–£25,000

  120

  1,080

  1,200

  £25,000–£30,000

  60

  550

  610

  £30,000 +

  60

  950

  1,010

  Total

  1,530

  7,770

  9,300

  1 Single people and married couples.

  Life Policies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his forecast of the value in the current financial year of(a) investment-linked, (b) other surrendered life policies, excluding pension refunds, (c) the profit on these policies, and (d) the liability/to tax on those profits.

  Mr. Lilley
  In 1986, on the basis of a sample of companies, surrenders—broadly life policies "cashed in", in whole or in part, other than on maturity or death—amounted to some £3 billion. The information necessary to update this figure is not yet available, and no discrete estimates can he made of the value of investment-linked or
  1131
  other policies wholly surrendered. Tax on life assurance, in respect of all policies, is paid at the level of the life office on income and gains, and policy holders, in a minority of cases, may have further liability to tax at the marginal rate: no estimate can accordingly be made of profits or tax liabilities for a particular class and generation of policies.

  Junk Bonds
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic and financial effects have arisen in the United Kingdom economy due to the growth in the use of junk bonds.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 20 July at column 263.

  IMF (Quota Increase)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's response to the International Monetary Fund's proposals by Mr. Michael Camdessus for a quota increase.

  Mr. Ryder
  The size of any increase which may be made in IMF quotas is still under review.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the estimated saving to the Treasury of the relocation of Civil Service posts outside London and the south-east since 1979.

  Mr. Ryder
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, since no records are kept centrally of savings achieved through relocation of central Government Departments. However, the Scottish Office report published in June 1988 evaluating the dispersal of part of the Overseas Development Administration from London to East Kilbride in 1981 offers evidence of the significant financial and other advantages which can be obtained through relocation.

  Inflation
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The all-items RPI inflation rate in the year to June 1989 was 8·3 per cent., the same as in May. Underlying inflation is much better depicted by the increase in the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments; it rose 5·9 per cent. in the year to June 1989, down slightly from the 6 per cent. figure in May. Inflation may now have peaked and monetary policy will remain as tight as is necessary for as long as is necessary to ensure that it declines.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet representatives of the Building Societies Association to discuss the level of United Kingdom interest rates.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet representatives of the Building Societies Association.

  International Monetary Fund
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the recent annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank will take place between 26 and 28 September 1989.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings he has had with the International Monetary Fund since 29 September 1988; whether the United Kingdom's interest rates, inflation rate, level of public investment or trade deficit were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend attended the spring meetings of the IMF in April. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) on 4 May 1989,Official Report, columns 347–48.

  Domestic Credit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include in the Official Report a table showing the components of domestic credit, together with the increase in each year since 1980 and the current year to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Data on the components of domestic credit are published in Financial Statistics table 11.7.

  Clearing Banks
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will include in the Official Report a table showing for the years 1959, 1969, 1979 and 1988 the assets and liabilities of the clearing banks set out in cash, call money and so on form together with the percentage in each category and the reserves held with the Bank of England in reserve ratios and special deposits.

  Mr. Ryder
  Figures for the assets and liabilities of United Kingdom banks, and banks' balances with the Bank of England are published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will include in the Official Report a table showing for the big four clearing banks the profit before and after tax, excluding exceptional provisions in 1959, 1969, 1979 and 1988, together with his forecast for the current financial year.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is as follows:

  Pre-tax profits

  Post-tax profits

  £ million

  £ million

  1969

  212

  112

  1979

  1,571

  1,081

  1988

  4,443

  2,875

  These figures aggregate relevant figures in the annual reports of Barclays, Lloyds, Midland and National Westminster. Comparable figures for 1959 and forecasts for the current financial year are not available.

  VAT (Free Ports)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 19 July,Official Report, column 182, to the hon. Member for Mossley Hill, whether he will now review the operation of existing Customs roles in freeport areas; and what consideration he has given to the representations of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Ryder
  As the hon. Member will be aware, free ports were established in the United Kingdom in 1984 for an experimental period of seven years. The experiment is being reviewed this year by independent consultants. There will he a full examination of the rules administered by Customs and Excise which will take into account, among other matters, the representations of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

  EC Budgets
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set out in tabular form the total net payments or total net receipts of each of the other member states for the European Economic Community budgets since 1979.

  Mr. Ryder
  As my right hon. Friend the former Paymaster General indicated in his reply of 5 July 1989,Official Report, column 176, the information requested for other member states is not available.

  Bank Lending
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in bank lending since May 1979; where the additional funds have come from; what effect he expects the increase in interest rates since the beginning of the year to have on banking profits; and what is his forecast of the increase in revenue to the Exchequer therefrom.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 29 July 1988 at columns 735–36.

  Overseas Assets
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the information provided in the written reply dated 16 March 1983,Official Report, column 164, concerning the amount of tax collected on income earning and other assets held overseas; and if he will include in the table an estimate for each year of the total value of such assets, whether or not they have been assessed to tax.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1979 the increase in
  1134
  mortgage funds for housing together with the increase in the value of the houses sold by reference to stamp duty or otherwise.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1979 the estimated number of mortgages for domestic premises, the value of mortgages outstanding, and the cost of servicing the debt as a percentage of gross domestic product to one place of decimals.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to statistics published by the Department of the Environment in "Housing and Construction Statistics" and by the Building Societies Association in "Housing Finance".

  Investment Income
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing by range of income and tax status an estimate of the saving to the Exchequer in a full year by setting off investment income against mortgage interest qualifying for relief under the MIRAS scheme.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for those above and for those below pensionable age, the estimated number of tax units with an investment income in 1989–90 by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000, distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples, together with the average investment income in each case; and if he will provide separate figures for those with an investment income of more than £200;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for women above and for those below pensionable age, the estimated number of tax units with an investment income in 1989–90 by range of total income up to a lower limit of £100,000, distinguishing between single persons, one-earner and two-earner married couples, together with the average investment income in each case; and if he will provide separate figures for those with an investment income of more than £200;

  Mr. Lilley
  Available estimates are in the tables. All estimates are provisional and subject to a wide margin of error because they are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and the coverage of investment income in the survey is incomplete. In some cases. investment income on which basic rate liability is satisfied by deduction at source is not reported. No reliable estimates can be given for single people and married couples with total income of less than £5,000.
  1135

  Table 1

  Single people and married couples with investment income 1989–90

  Total income (lower limit)

  Single people

  Married couples

  without wife's earned income

  with wife's earned income

  Number

  Investment income

  Number

  Investment income

  Number

  Investment income

  Total

  Average

  Total

  Average

  Total

  Average

  £p.a.

  '000s

  £ million

  £

  '000s

  £ million

  £

  '000s

  £ million

  £

  Aged under 65

  5,000

  2,800

  2,200

  790

  990

  810

  820

  320

  310

  960

  10,000

  2,200

  2,100

  960

  2,200

  2,500

  1,150

  2,300

  2,400

  1,060

  20,000

  280

  570

  2,020

  500

  700

  1,400

  1,600

  2,200

  1,390

  30,000

  80

  460

  5,930

  210

  640

  3,000

  650

  1,600

  2,390

  50,000

  30

  710

  27,500

  90

  1,200

  13,200

  170

  1,800

  10,800

  ALL

  5,500

  6,100

  1,120

  4,000

  5,900

  1,480

  5,000

  8,300

  1,660

  Aged 65 and over

  5,000

  540

  1,200

  2,290

  430

  670

  1,560

  160

  220

  1,400

  10,000

  210

  1,200

  5,820

  250

  910

  3,630

  260

  770

  2,950

  20,000

  50

  640

  14,100

  50

  490

  9,810

  120

  890

  7,160

  30,000

  20

  470

  23,500

  30

  470

  16,500

  60

  780

  13,900

  50,000

  20

  830

  52,600

  20

  690

  35,500

  20

  550

  30,800

  ALL

  840

  4,400

  5,280

  800

  3,200

  4,160

  620

  3,200

  5,210

  Table 2: Single people and married couples with investment income of more than £200, 1989–90

  Single people

  Married couples

  Total income (lower limit)

  without wife's earned income

  with wife's earned income

  Investment income

  Investment income

  Investment income

  Number

  Total

  Average

  Number

  Total

  Average

  Number

  Total

  Average

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ million

  £

  000s

  £ million

  £

  000s

  £ million

  £

  Aged under 65

  5,000

  2,600

  2,200

  860

  830

  800

  970

  270

  300

  1,130

  10,000

  2,000

  2,100

  1,040

  2,000

  2,500

  1,270

  2,100

  2,400

  1,170

  20,000

  260

  570

  2,170

  470

  700

  1,500

  1,400

  2,200

  1,510

  30,000

  70

  460

  6,410

  190

  640

  3,300

  570

  1,600

  2,700

  50,000

  20

  710

  29,900

  90

  1,200

  14,000

  160

  1,800

  11,800

  All

  5,000

  6,100

  1,220

  3,500

  5,800

  1,650

  4,500

  8,300

  1,840

  Aged 65 and over

  5,000

  520

  1,200

  2,370

  400

  660

  1,680

  140

  220

  1,520

  10,000

  210

  1,200

  5,850

  240

  910

  3,730

  250

  770

  3,060

  20,000

  50

  640

  14,100

  50

  490

  9,850

  120

  890

  7,170

  30,000

  20

  470

  23,500

  30

  470

  16,600

  60

  780

  13,900

  50,000

  20

  830

  52,600

  20

  690

  35,500

  20

  550

  30,800

  All

  820

  4,400

  5,410

  740

  3,200

  4,380

  590

  3,200

  5,410

  Table 3: Single females with investment income and married couples where the wife has investment income 1989–90

  Single people

  Married couples

  Total income (lower limit)

  without wife's earned income

  with wife's earned income

  Investment income

  Wife's investment income

  Wife's investment income

  Number

  Total

  Average

  Number

  Total

  Average

  Number

  Total

  Average

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ million

  £

  000s

  £ million

  £

  000s

  £ million

  £

  Aged under 65

  5,000

  1,500

  1,300

  870

  700

  340

  480

  240

  120

  510

  10,000

  780

  900

  1,140

  1,600

  880

  550

  1,800

  1,000

  570

  20,000

  90

  230

  2,680

  340

  190

  570

  1,200

  790

  640

  30,000

  20

  220

  10,900

  140

  100

  700

  530

  380

  720

  50,000

  —

  180

  48,700

  60

  140

  2,260

  130

  310

  2,320

  All

  2,400

  2,800

  1,180

  2,800

  1,700

  580

  4,000

  2,600

  670

  Aged 65 and over

  5,000

  400

  950

  2,360

  330

  250

  760

  110

  70

  680

  10,000

  140

  970

  6,770

  200

  210

  1,060

  210

  260

  1,200

  20,000

  30

  460

  18,100

  30

  110

  3,530

  110

  210

  1,920

  30,000

  10

  370

  26,300

  20

  130

  5,860

  50

  160

  3,430

  50,000

  10

  430

  50,600

  10

  180

  12,800

  20

  150

  9,400

  All

  590

  3,200

  5,360

  590

  870

  1,480

  490

  850

  1,730

  1136 1137

  Table 4

  Single females with investment income of more than £200 and married couples where the wife has investment income of more than £200: 1989–90

  Total income (lower limit)

  Single people

  Married couples

  without wife's earned income

  with wife's earned income

  Number

  Investment Income

  Number

  Investment

  Wife's Income

  Number

  Investment

  Wife's Income

  Total

  Average

  Total

  Average

  Total

  Average

  £ p.a.

  000s

  £ million

  £

  000s

  £ million

  £

  000s

  £ million

  £

  Aged under 65

  5,000

  1,400

  1,300

  950

  540

  320

  590

  180

  110

  650

  10,000

  720

  890

  1,240

  1,200

  840

  690

  1,500

  1,000

  670

  20,000

  80

  230

  2,970

  290

  190

  650

  1,000

  770

  750

  30,000

  20

  220

  11,500

  90

  90

  1,000

  380

  360

  970

  50,000

  —

  180

  50,500

  40

  140

  3,250

  100

  310

  3,060

  All

  2,200

  2,800

  1,290

  2,200

  1,600

  730

  3,200

  2,600

  800

  Aged 65 and over

  5,000

  390

  940

  2,450

  210

  230

  1,140

  80

  70

  880

  10,000

  140

  970

  6,810

  170

  210

  1,210

  180

  250

  1,430

  20,000

  30

  460

  18,100

  30

  110

  3,900

  100

  210

  2,130

  30,000

  10

  370

  26,300

  20

  130

  6,090

  50

  160

  3,610

  50,000

  10

  430

  50,600

  10

  180

  13,200

  20

  150

  9,880

  ALL

  580

  3,200

  5,510

  440

  860

  1,960

  410

  850

  2,040

  Financial Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for manufacturing, other industrial and commercial companies, and the financial sector the same information as given in table 14.3 of the "Annual Abstract of Statistics 1989" for 1979 and 1987; and if he will add a forecast for 1988.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Separate figures for manufacturing companies are not available. A subdivision of the corporate sector between financial and industrial and commercial (including manufacturing) for the years 1979 and 1987 is given in the tables. Definitive figures for 1988 are in the course of preparation and will be available in September 1989.

  Table 1: Corporate sector appropriation account1: financial

  1979

  1987

  £ million

  £ million

  Income

  Income arising in the United Kingdom

  Gross trading profits of companies and trading surplus of public corporations

  After deducting stock appreciation2

  -1,856

  -3,586

  Stock appreciation

  —

  —

  Total2 3

  -1,856

  -3,586

  Rent and non-trading income 4

  15,856

  40,086

  Total

  14,000

  36,500

  Income from abroad5

  1,375

  6,534

  Total income

  15,375

  43,034

  Allocation of income

  Dividend and interest payments4 6

  9,660

  27,415

  Current transfers to charities from companies

  9

  33

  Profits due abroad, net of United Kingdom tax

  281

  48

  United Kingdom taxes on income

  758

  1,673

  Royalties and licence fees on oil and gas production

  —

  —

  Balance: undistributed income after taxation7

  4,667

  13,865

  1138

  1979

  1987

  £ million

  £ million

  Total

  15,375

  43,034

  Table 2: Corporate sector appropriation account1: industrial and commercial

  £ million

  1979

  1987

  Income

  Income arising in the United Kingdom

  Gross trading profits of companies and trading surplus of public corporations

  After deducting stock appreciation

  28,818

  71,421

  Stock appreciation

  8,061

  4,384

  Total3

  36,879

  75,805

  Rent and non-trading income4

  3,567

  8,996

  Total

  40,446

  84,801

  Income from abroad5

  5,722

  11,506

  Total income

  46,168

  96,307

  Allocation of income

  Dividends and interest payments4 6

  11,842

  25,479

  Current transfers to charities from companies

  42

  152

  Profits due abroad, net of United Kingdom tax

  3,711

  5,461

  United Kingdom taxes on income

  4,305

  13,500

  Royalties and licence fees on oil and gas production

  531

  1,151

  Balance: undistributed income after taxation7

  25,737

  50,564

  Total

  46,168

  96,307

  1 Includes flows between the companies' sector and public corporations but excludes flows within the companies' sector.

  2 This represents the contribution of financial enterprises in the corporate sector to the gross domestic product. It is the difference between bank charges, commissions, etc., on the one hand and management expenses of the other.

  1139
  3Before providing for depreciation and stock appreciation.

  4Financial sector figures include payments to and receipts from industrial and commercial sector. Industrial and commercial sector figures include payments to and receipts from financial sector.

  5After deducting depreciation allowances but before providing for stock appreciation.

  6Excludes dividends and debenture interest payments by United Kingdom subsidiaries to their overseas parents.

  7Before providing for depreciation, stock appreciation and additions to tax and dividend reserves.

  Mortgage Interest Relief
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing his estimate of the number of cases in which higher rate relief will be given on mortgage interest payments in the current financial year together with (a) the gross amount of interest qualifying for relief, (b) the amount of higher rate relief and (c) the number of recipients of working age and their distribution by personal tax category and by range of total income together with the average amount of relief given at the standard and higher rate of tax; and if he will add his forecast of the additional cost to the Revenue on the basis of this year's figures and rate of tax of mortgage relief as a result of the separate taxation of married couples.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will provide a further breakdown of the numbers below £15,000 given in his answer of 29 July 1988,Official Report, columns 729–30, concerning the distribution of mortgage interest relief and the percentage with investment income in the form of his answer of 27 March 1987, Official Report, column 310; and if he will provide a forecast for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  It is not clear to which answer the hon. Member is referring.

  Pensions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report (i) his estimate of the employers notional contribution to notionally funded and unfunded schemes, (ii) figures for the Civil Service showing the percentage contribution made by the Government and its employees and (iii) his best estimate of the proportionate split between sources of pension income in the cases quoted in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 22 of the Inland Revenue paper, using as a basis the information given in his answer of 11 November 1988, Official Report, column 235.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the payment of a lump sum pension is subject to the maximum pension rules; whether the estimated cost of the lump sum referred to in the table given in his answer of 11 November 1988,Official Report, columns 357–58, include (i) those who commute their pensions for a lump sum and (ii) provision for the beneficiary to replace the lump sum by an increase in pension; and at what cost to the Exchequer.

  Mr. Lilley
  Part of the benefits from a tax-approved pension scheme may be paid as a tax-free lump sum. The 1140
  normal maximum lump sum benefit is 1·5 times final salary from an occupational scheme or 25 per cent. of the accumulated fund under a personal pension scheme. The estimated cost of the tax exemption for lump sum payments is derived from a survey of amounts paid out in lump sums on retirement in a given year.

  National Debt
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total amount of national debt repaid by the Government over the last five years.

  Mr. Ryder
  Over the last five years as a whole, there has been a small net public sector borrowing requirement (PSBR) of about £1 billion. However, in the last two years, there has been a public sector debt repayment (PSBR) totalling £18·3 billion and a further substantial net repayment is forecast for the current year.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the rate of growth in gross domestic product, in manufacturing output, and in employment and unemployment in the United Kingdom and other European monetary system countries since 1979; and to what he ascribes the difference.

  Mr. Ryder
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  House Purchase
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has for (i) West Germany, (ii) France, (iii) Italy, (iv) Holland and (v) Belgium on the amount in terms of local currency of lending to purchase dwellings, the current rate of interest and the cost of servicing such loans as a percentage of(a) real disposable incomes and (b) consumers' expenditure.

  Mr. Ryder
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment of the effect of privatisation on the United Kingdom figures for (i) company profits and (ii) private and public sector investment since 1979.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Charitable Donations
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of one-off company donations to(a) charities and (b) professional arts organisations with charitable status in every year from 1986–87 to 1988–89, inclusive.

  Mr. Lilley
  Estimates of single donations to charities by companies are given in the table:

  £ million

  1986–87

  4

  1987–88

  9

  1988–89

  19

  Separate figures for donations to professional arts organisations with charitable status are not available.

  Capital Allowances
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his forecast for capital allowances other than first year allowances for plant and machinery and vehicles for 1987; whether he will gross up for each year since 1976 the implied value of corporate investment in company cars together with the loss to the revenue; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the annual increase in gross and net investment in plant, machinery and vehicles less the estimated figure for company cars.

  Mr. Lilley
  Capital allowances for plant, machinery and vehicles are estimated at £15 billion in 1987, excluding public corporations. The available data on capital allowances for companies' cars are very limited and not sufficiently detailed to serve as the basis for estimates of annual expenditure.

  Returnable Bottles
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to offer tax incentives to manufacturers and retailers who sell drinks in returnable bottles.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has no present plans to introduce such tax incentives.

  Farming Partnerships
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide statistics on the taxation of farming partnerships on the same basis as that given in his answer of 14 November 1988,Official Report, columns 515–16; and what is his estimate of the saving to the Revenue from aggregating the incomes of spouses in such partnerships for income tax purposes.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

  Life Assurance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the gain to the Revenue in the current financial year if the anomalies described in the discussion paper in the taxation of life assurance, including pension and annuity business, were to be corrected in favour of a neutral regime.

  Mr. Lilley
  The discussion paper "The Taxation of Life Assurance" set out the difficulties involved in making direct comparisons between life assurance and other media, and went far beyond a simple listing of anomalies. No perfectly neutral regime was identified in the document, and no estimate of tax yield from such a regime can be made. The discussion paper outlined three broad options for reform, but I have nothing to add about extra yield to the answer given to the hon. Member on 24 July at column 544.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the loss to the Revenue in 1988–89 and the forecast loss in the current financial year of single premium life assurance policies; and how much of the cost of writing such policies is offset against current profits.
  1142
  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The value of single premium policies effected in 1988–89 is not known, and no forecast of figures for the current year can be made. Nor are figures available for the value of single premium policies in force in 1988–89; and it is therefore not possible to give any meaningful estimate of the difference in tax yield which could have resulted had moneys invested in such policies been placed elsewhere. The costs of writing single premium policies are currently deductible immediately and in full under the income less expenses system, but from 1 January 1990 they will be deductible on the deferred basis prescribed in section 86 of the current Finance Act.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing which of the three key features of the wider tax regime applicable to investments listed in paragraph 3·3 of the 1988 consultative document on the taxation of life assurance apply to each of the options listed in paragraph 18 of the 1983 discussion document on the taxtion of pension funds; and what would be the consequential saving to the Revenue in the current financial year of (i) each option and (ii) taxing pension schemes on the same basis as unit trusts.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Taxable Benefits
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the real and the taxable value of benefits subject to (i) special and (ii) general rules, together with the estimated revenue therefrom;

  (2) whether he will bring up to date his reply dated 6 April 1987, Official Report, column 78, concerning taxable benefits together with an estimate of (i) the amount by which the scale charges for company cars fall short of the true value of the benefit and (ii) the yield from taxing the full value.

  Mr. Lilley
  The available information, based on projections from data relating to 1985–86, on the taxable value of benefits and the tax yield arising is as follows:

  Benefit provided by the employer—1989–90

  Taxable value

  Tax yield

  £ million

  £ million

  Cars and free fuel for private use

  2,840

  880

  Private medical insurance

  290

  90

  Other expense payments and benefits

  470

  150

  Total

  3,600

  1,120

  The Government's view is that the typical value to employees of being able to use their company cars privately exceeds the present scale charges. But the value to particular employees depends on a wide range of factors. It is not possible, therefore, to provide an estimate of the aggregate extent to which the private use of company cars is undertaxed, or of the additional revenue which would arise if the full value was used in computing income.

  Rent Income
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will include in the Official Report his forecast of the increase in rent income in 1989–90 as a result of the relaxation of rent controls, the amount which will be subject to tax and the expected yield and the extra amount which the Exchequer will have to pay out to tenants by way of rent relief.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has made no such forecast.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the amount by which child benefit could be increased on a revenue neutral basis if it was made taxable, the gross and net cost to the Exchequer of raising the benefit to £20 for the first child and £15 for subsequent children, the estimated saving to public authorities as a result of the consequential reduction in other benefits, the tax saving from the abolition of the additional allowance for income tax purposes and the estimated distribution of individual child benefits by range of income and tax status of their parents/guardians.

  Mr. Lilley
  The estimates requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Age Allowances
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (i) the gain to the Exchequer in the current financial year at present rates of tax of abolishing the age allowances and (ii) the cost of retaining them without the income limit.

  Mr. Lilley
  The yield in a full year at 1989–90 levels of income of abolishing the age allowances for taxpayers aged 65 and over is estimated to be about £420 million. If the age allowances were retained and the income limit abolished, the cost to the Exchequer would be £220 million.

  The estimates are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional.

  Wife's Earning Exemption
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing how many names were excluded from the 190,000 households referred to in the footnote to his answer of 29 July 1988, Official Report, columns 729–30, concerning households kept out of higher rate tax by wife's earnings exemption, and the distribution of the 190,000 plus any excluded wives on the same basis as in the table; and if he will provide an estimate of the saving to the revenue if (i) mortgage interest and (ii) other allowances were not deducted from total income in assessing liability to higher rate tax.

  Mr. Lilley
  The estimates requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report his forecast of the yield in revenue from corporation tax and advance corporation tax in the current financial year and in 1990–91 net of double taxation relief; and if he will include figures showing the amount of tax collected as a percentage of gross trading profit and as a percentage of the amount paid out in dividends.

  Mr. Lilley
  The forecast yield of corporation tax in 1989–90 is £22·4 billion of which advance corporation tax is £6·8 billion. A forecast for 1990–91 will be published in the next Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Mainstream corporation tax collected in 1988–89 was 19 per cent. of the gross trading profit in 1987. Advance corporation tax collected in 1988–89 was 32 per cent. of the amount of dividends paid out in 1988.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the yield to the Revenue from an increase in the rate of (a) corporation tax and (b) advance corporation tax to 50 per cent. in the current financial year, and his forecast for next year.

  Mr. Lilley
  The yield in a full year from increasing the main rate of corporation tax to 50 per cent. would be about £11 billion at 1988 levels of company profits and dividends. The additional yield from increasing the advance corporation tax and small companies rate to 50 per cent. would be about £2½ billion. These estimates take no account of possible behavioural effects following such a change.

  Graduate Tax
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received asking him to impose a graduate tax; what is his estimate of the likely yield from such a tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received no representations asking me to impose a graduate tax and made no estimate of the possible yield.

  Life Assurance (Taxation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect the restriction referred to in paragraph 26(a) of the Inland Revenue paper of June 1983, on the cost of tax reliefs for pensions schemes, would have on the amount of tax payable by life office-administered funds in the current financial year; and what would be the implications for the wider tax regime applicable to investments described in paragraph 3.3 and other considerations raised in the recent consultative document on the taxation of life assurance.

  Mr. Lilley
  There was no Inland Revenue paper of June 1983 on this subject.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the saving to the revenue in the current financial year if the tax on the incomings of life assurance offices had been as great as shown for 1968 in charts 11 and 12 of annex B to the recent consultation paper on the taxation of life assurance; and if he will provide similar figures on a 1959 percentage basis.
  1145
  Mr. Lilley
  The information necessary to support such an estimate is not yet available. It is not clear what the hon. Member's reference to a 1959 percentage basis means.

  EC Institutions (Payments)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the net payment of £1·97 billion to European Economic Community institutions forecast for this year (Cm. 603) is higher or lower than expected when he agreed the present budgetary arrangements; and what is the basis upon which this amount was decided.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to chapter 3 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–90 to 1991–92" (Cm. 603), and to paragraph 11 in particular.

  Customs and Excise Building, Dartmouth
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the building at Baynards Cove, Dartmouth, currently used by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The accommodation at Baynards Cove, Dartmouth, is too large for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise operational needs. The department is therefore seeking alternative smaller accommodation in the Dartmouth area and then to surrender the present building to the Property Services Agency.

  Suzanne Allen and Yvonne Knight
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis information held at Swindon 2 tax office on Suzanne Allen and Yvonne Knight was communicated to Swindon police.

  Mr. Lilley
  It is a strict rule that Revenue officials are not permitted to disclose personal and private information about the affairs of individual taxpayers except in certain very limited circumstances. Each Revenue official signs a statutory declaration to that effect on taking up duty in the Department. Disclosures are made to the police only in connection with the very serious crimes of murder and treason and then only with the express authority of the board.

  No information about Suzanne Allen or Yvonne Knight has been communicated to the Swindon police.

  Customs Officers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total number of Customs officers in 1979–80 and each succeeding year.

  Mr. Ryder
  The total numbers of Customs officers deployed at ports, airports and inland clearance premises for each of the fiscal years 1979–80 to 1988–89 were:

  Numbers

  1979–80

  7,231

  1980–81

  7,088

  1981–82

  6,861

  1982–83

  6,717

  1983–84

  6,552

  1984–85

  6,715

  1985–86

  6,880

  1986–87

  7,307

  1987–88

  7,684

  1988–89

  8,010

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of value added tax was raised in 1988–89 from the installation of energy conservation investments in the home, as defined in the home energy fact file, published by the Department of Energy.

  Mr. Ryder
  I regret that information requested is not available.

  Selective Investment Brokers Limited
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether negotiations have taken place between the Inland Revenue and Selective Investment Brokers Ltd. since January 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lawson
  Such information is confidential.

  Delors Report
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out the nature of his obligations to consult European Community institutions or bodies on financial and monetary policy inherent in his budget strategy; what additional requirements are set out in the report of Mr. Jacques Delors which was presented to the Madrid meeting of the European Council; and if he will make a further statement setting out Her Majesty's Government's policy on such consultations.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with his EC Finance Minister colleagues, on a wide range of economic and monetary matters, at meetings of the Economic and Finance Council. The Prime Minister set out the Government's views on the proposals made in the report of Mr. Delors in her statement to the House on 29 June on the outcome of the European Council in Madrid on 26 and 27 June—Official Report, columns 1107–22.

  EC (Contribution)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the net contribution to be made by the United Kingdom to the EEC in the current calendar year; and what was the comparable total in 1979.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is as follows:

  Net contribution to European Community budget (£ million)

  Year

  Current prices

  Constant 11989 prices

  21989

  1,966

  1,966

  1979

  947

  1,938

  1 GDP deflator at market prices.

  2 Estimate.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the net amount paid for each year since 1979 to the EEC; what is the estimated amount the Government are likely to pay in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is set out in the table. Details of the Government's latest estimate for 1989–90 are contained in the public expenditure White Paper, Cm. 603.
  1147

  Net payments to European Community institutions1

  Year

  £ million

  1979–80

  841

  1980–81

  168

  1981–82

  117

  1982–83

  589

  1983–84

  836

  1984–85

  974

  1985–86

  822

  1986–87

  1,079

  1987–88

  1,664

  1988–89

  21,022

  1989–90

  31,970

  1 Excluding overseas aid: for domestic public expenditure planning purposes, part of the United Kingdom's contribution to the Community budget is attributed to the overseas aid programme.

  2 Provisional outturn.

  3 Estimate.

  Source: Public Expenditure White Paper.

  Government Borrowing
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total amount of borrowings by the Government from the banking system for each year since 1985.

  Mr. Ryder
  The table shows the total indebtedness of the public sector to the United Kingdom monetary sector.

  Public sector borrowing from United Kingdom monetary sector: amounts outstanding end-period

  £ million

  Sterling

  Central Government

  Other

  Total

  Other currencies

  Total

  1985

  10,347

  6,927

  17,274

  1,938

  19,212

  1986

  11,574

  4,668

  16,242

  1,860

  18,102

  1987

  11,792

  4,192

  15,984

  1,037

  17,021

  1988

  10,753

  3,966

  14,719

  442

  15,161

  Q11989

  7,567

  3,779

  11,346

  270

  11,616

  Indebtedness has fallen each year since 1985 and recently at an accelerating rate.

  Ken Dodd
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to public funds of the recent trial of Ken Dodd.

  Mr. Lilley
  The total cost to public funds, including legal expenses and the estimated administrative expenses of the court, was £220,000.

  Laser Printers (Inland Revenue)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue department is currently using any Siemens ND3, Siemens ND2, ICL LPS20, UNISYS 0777 or Storage Technology 6/100 laser printers.

  Mr. Lilley
  The Inland Revenue is currently using 18 LPS20 laser printers.

  Recycled Publications
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether unused official publications including Bills,Hansards and Order Papers are recycled; and if he will make a statement.
  1148
  Mr. Ryder
  All unused official publications including those returned from the House to HMSO's publications centre are sold as waste paper for recycling.

  Post-tax Income
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the share of total national post-tax income taken by the richest 1 per cent., the next 9 per cent., the middle 60 per cent., and the poorest 30 per cent. in 1959, 1963, 1967, 1970, 1974, 1979, 1983 and 1988, or the latest available date.

  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Exports and Imports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of growth of exports over the last 10 years; and what has been the rate of growth of imports.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Manufacturing Deficit
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the deficit in manufacturing trade in the first and second quarters of 1989.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have been asked to reply.

  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Company Finances
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to how many United Kingdom companies hold £1 billion or more in bank accounts or outside equities.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Real Disposable Incomes
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing in terms of 1985 prices the increase in real disposable incomes between 1959 and 1973, 1973 and 1979, and 1979 to date together with (a) the contribution made by (i) the overseas trade surplus/deficit on current account and (ii) the revenue from North sea oil and gas and (b) the annual percentage increase in real disposable incomes in each period less the contribution from (a).

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Estimates for real national disposable income (RNDI) at constant 1985 prices for the years 1966 to 1987 are given in table 1.1 of "United Kingdom National Accounts", 1988 edition.

  The same table gives estimates, over the same period, for the "terms of trade effect". This is the contribution to RNDI made by changes in export prices relative to import prices. Estimates of the value added by the extraction of

  1149
  mineral oil and natural gas appear for the years 1977 to 1987 and in current prices in table 2.2 of the same publication; in volume terms expressed as an index with 1985 = 100 they appear in table 2.4.

  Longer-run estimates for real national disposable income and for the index number version of value added by the extraction of mineral oil and natural gas are available via the Library of the House which has access to the CSO's computer-readable database.

  Current Account Deficit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government have taken to sterilise the inflow of capital to finance the deficit on current account; and if he will publish in the Official Report details of the debt instruments sold for this purpose.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Government's funding policy ensures that any underlying change in the level of official foreign exchange reserves is sterilised over time. Since the balance of payments by definition must balance there are no further net inflows of capital to sterilise.

  Department for National Savings
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consideration is being given to the privatisation of the Department for National Savings;

  (2) what consideration is being given to the privatisation of the National Savings bank in Scotland;

  (3) which companies have expressed an interest in buying the National Savings bank in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The Government have no plans to privatise any part of the Department for National Savings.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has on the extent to which employers offer a company car instead of higher pay as an aid to recruitment; and by how much the chargeable addition to income for tax purposes for the use of a company car would have to be increased to make it uneconomic for the employer to provide and the employee to accept the use of a company car instead of an increase in pay.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The decision to provide a car instead of higher cash pay is a matter for employers. About 1·4 million employees have cars available for private use provided by their employers. The Government's policy is that there should as far as possible be neutrality between the tax treatment of remuneration in cash and kind. But the value of company cars to particular employees varies widely depending on a range of factors. It is not possible, therefore, to give a fixed point at which a chargeable addition to income for tax purposes would make company cars an uneconomic proposition for either employers or employees.

  United Kingdom Manufacturing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the percentage gross and net operating surplus in 1988 and in 1973 of firms not less than 90 per cent. of whose business is in United Kingdom manufacturing; and what improvement in the rate of return he expects in 1989.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: I will reply to the hon. Member when resources permit.

  Double Taxation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the net loss to the United Kingdom in tax revenue under double taxation agreements.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: This information is not available.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to his reply of 6 June,Official Report, column 118, he will report on the latest situation in respect of the five consignments of raw ivory held at Heathrow airport on 12 April.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my predecessor gave on 6 June Official Report, column 118.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he proposes to take to implement the declared policy of his predecessor to ensure that as wide a range as possible of people serve as justices of the peace within the Duchy, what measures he proposes to guard against political imbalance across the numbers of people so appointed; and what steps are taken to ensure the separation of his ministerial and non-ministerial functions in this respect.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I fully support the answers given by my predecessor to the hon. Member on 13 March. With regard to the final part of the question, the offices and advisers for my different functions are completely separate.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Nitrates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make it his policy to ensure that any compensation paid to individual farmers for restrictions imposed on the use of nitrogenous chemical fertilisers is financed by a levy on the sale of those fertilisers.

  Mr. Curry
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of the tonnage of nitrogenous fertilisers used in United Kingdom agriculture in each year since 1959;
  1151
  (2) whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans to impose a tax on the nitrogenous content of bulk fertilisers of £200 per tonne of the nitrate content; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the tonnage of nitrate consumed on British farms in each of the past 20 years.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government have no such plans. Figures on total nitrogen consumption on British farms are not available in the form requested. Information on applications of inorganic fertilisers containing nitrogen is published annually on a hectarage basis in the survey of fertiliser practice. In addition, nitrogen is also present in variable quantities in farmyard manure and sewage sludge. Total amounts involved are not available on a national basis, but are estimated to be about one fifth of total nitrogen application.

  Food Transport
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is now being taken to ensure that food is transported in the most hygienic conditions possible.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  The transport of food is already covered by the Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations 1966.

  On 4 July 1989 we began consultation on proposed amending regulations to apply temperature controls to certain foods carried in delivery vehicles.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this Session up to 1 July.

  Mr. Gummer
  In January 1989 the Ministry received 721 letters which were designated for ministerial reply and 603 replies were issued. In the whole of the last Session to 1 July 1989 the figures were 6,123 and 5,289 respectively. The large majority of this correspondence was from right hon. and hon. Members.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in his Department's review, in line with Treasury guidelines, of the potential for the further relocation of Civil Service posts outside London and the south-east; and when he expects the review to be completed.

  Mr. Curry
  Officials of my Department are currently carrying out a detailed study of the potential for further relocation of headquarters work outside London and the south-east. I expect the results of this study to be available to me towards the end of this year.

  Food Act 1984
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had concerning the amendment of sections 1 and 2 of the Food Act 1984; and how many of these have indicated a wish that they remain unaltered.
  1152
  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have received many representations in response to our proposals for re-enacting and updating the powers in sections 1 and 2. There has been general support for what we are proposing.

  Salmonella
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the causes of the cyclical occurrence of outbreaks of salmonella enteriditis over the last five years.

  Mr. Curry
  It has not been possible to identify any single cause for the increase in the number of incidents of salmonella enteriditis in poultry and animals reported under the Zoonoses Orders (1975) (1989) in the past five years.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there is scientific evidence available to his Department that salmonella enteriditis can reproduce inside an intact egg.

  Mr. Curry
  Evidence is available to show that salmonella enteriditis will multiply inside an intact egg if the egg is incubated at 37 deg. C.

  Nutrition Claims
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the result of the consultation exercise on the recommendations by the Food Advisory Committee for controls on the new generation of nutrition claims on food labels and in advertisements.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am grateful to the committee for its further advice following consideration of the responses to the consultation exercise.

  Nutrition claims can provide a useful source of information for consumers seeking a healthy, balanced diet but consumers must be fully protected from misleading claims. I therefore welcome, and accept, the Food Advisory Committee's recommendations and in due course I shall be issuing, for consultation, proposed legislation which would implement the committee's advice. This is part of our general policy to ensure that consumers are properly informed about the foods they buy and eat.

  I have arranged for a copy of the revised Food Advisory Committee's advice to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the capital value of milk quotas to British farmers.

  Mr. Curry
  I have made no such estimate.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of higher milk prices as a result of quotas; and what was the cost of buying up and disposing of surplus milk and milk products before the quotas were imposed.

  Mr. Curry
  Since 1983–84, the year before quotas were introduced, the intervention price of butter (82 per cent. fat) has been reduced from 357·86 ecu/100 kg to the present level of 300·80 ecu/kg. The intervention price for
  1153
  skimmed milk powder has moved from 149·64 ecu/100 kg to 174·04 ecu/100 kg but intervention buying for both skimmed milk powder and butter has virtually been brought to an end. Despite the existence of quotas a substantial surplus still exists in the dairy sector; the Government have been urging the Commission to make further cuts in the level of export refunds and other disposal subsidies in order to ease the supply situation—and hence prices—on the open market.

  Expenditure on surplus disposal measures for milk and milk products under the FEOGA guarantee section in 1983 amounted to 4,923 million ecu, not counting the offsetting effects of coresponsibility levy receipts.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the size of the United Kingdom milk quota in litres; how many million litres of quota have been sold in each of the past three years; and if he will provide an estimate of the average price paid for quotas in the first month of each quota year together with the implied cost per litre of output amortised over a period of three, five and 10 years, respectively, at current rates of interest.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: United Kingdom milk quotas on 1 April 1989 were as follows:

  Litres

  Wholesale quota

  14,503,970,784

  Direct sales quota (of which 5½ per cent, was temporarily suspended

  372,501,084

  European Community regulations do not allow the sale of quota as such, but quota is transferred in proportion to the areas used for milk production when all or part of a dairy holding is sold, leased, or transferred by inheritance. The total volume of quota transferred in the United Kingdom in each of the last three quota years was as follows:

  Year ending

  Million litres

  31 March 1987

  646

  31 March 1988

  750

  31 March 1989

  546

  My Department does not collect price data on transactions involving quotas. Information available from published sources suggests that typical values attributed to quota in England and Wales were as follows:

  Pence per litre

  April 1986

  12½ to 14

  April 1987

  25 to 27

  April 1988

  27 to 30

  Amortised costs over a number of years at various interest rates can be calculated by applying appropriate equivalent annual cost factors. These can be obtained from "Investment Appraisal in the Public Sector, Her Majesty's Treasury 1982" (page 40). A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Farm Costs and Incomes
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision is made by his Department for the cost of land in calculating farm production costs and farm incomes.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are various ways of allowing for the costs of land, which may be either tenanted or owner-occupied, in the calculation of farm costs and incomes.

  In the calculation of measures of aggregate farming incomes, allowance is made for the rent paid on tenanted land. In respect of owner-occupied land, allowance is made for the cost of land maintenance and improvement but not for the purchase of land, the return to use of which is thus included within the resulting measures of farm income.

  The treatment of land costs in the farm business surveys, which provide data by farm type, is described in pages 111–112 of the 1989 edition of farm incomes in the United Kingdom, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  EC (Production Figures)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will bring up to date the EEC production figures for(a) rapeseed, (b) sunflowerseed and (c) soya beans on the basis given in his written reply dated 18 February 1988.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested, which updates that contained in the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member on 22 February 1988, is as follows:

  Rapeseed

  Sunflowerseed

  Soya

  19871

  EC-10

  5,945

  2,807

  1,802

  EC-12

  5,955

  3,907

  1,808

  19882

  EC-10

  5,300

  2,880

  1,584

  EC-12

  5,312

  4,177

  1,600

  1 Actual production figures. Data are from management committee statistics.

  2 Estimates of production adopted by EC Commission for the purpose of determining adjustments to common prices in 1988–89 under the maximum guaranteed quantity systems; or figures derived therefrom.

  Note: All figures are in '000 tonnes.

  Agricultural Wages
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will bring up to date the figures shown in appendices VI and VII of Government economic service working paper No. 52 on wages and employment in agriculture.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Agricultural Holdings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will bring up to date the number of agricultural holdings and tenanted holdings on the same basis as that given in his written reply of 9 May 1985,Official Report, column 502.
  1155
  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is as follows. The definitions are the same as those given in the reply of 9 May 1985.

  Main Agricultural holdings in England and Wales

  Thousands

  Year

  Main holdings

  of which rented or mainly rented

  1985

  183·6

  51·4

  1986

  184·7

  49·9

  1987

  185·8

  48·8

  1988

  186·9

  47·9

  Partnerships
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report (a) the number of whole-time partnerships and the number of partners, (b) the number of part-time partnerships and part-time partners, and (c) the number of mixed partnerships and number of whole-time and part-time partners

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing farm holdings by size in terms of ownership by (a) companies, (b) partnerships and (c) individuals at the latest census.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available.

  White Sugar
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the years since 1983–84 (a) the United Kingdom price for white sugar and (b) the world price, on the same basis as that given in his written answer of 9 May 1985, Official Report, column 497.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Sugar prices

  United Kingdom price £/t1

  World price £/t2

  1983–84

  364·57

  1983

  141·14

  1984–85

  364·57

  1984

  103·47

  1985–86

  368·96

  1985

  80·99

  1986–87

  3372·37

  1986

  104·20

  1987–88

  3389·69

  1987

  107·95

  1988–89 1 July 1988 to 31 December 1988

  386·40

  1988

  n/a

  1 January 1989 to 30 June 1989

  3397·55

  1989–90

  3401·96

  1989

  n/a

  1 The price given is the effective United Kingdom support price for white sugar, ie the intervention price plus the storage levy. The storage levy changed in July 1986, 1988 and 1989.

  2 The heading to this table in the rply dated 9 May 1985 should have indicated it gave the London daily price for raw sugar rather than white sugar. There is no single world price for white sugar. The raw sugar prices were obtained, as previously, from the International Sugar Organisation.

  3 Indicates changes in green rates

  Wine
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since
  1156
  1983–84 the (a) guide, (b) intervention, (c) threshold and (d) other prices for wine, and the amount spent by way of price support and other data on the same basis as that provided in his written reply of 2 May 1985, Official Report, column 201.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is provided in the tables.

  Averages

  Guide price, activating price, reference price for wine and average weighted producer prices

  ecu/per cent. vol./hectolitre

  Wine year1

  2Guide Price

  3Activating

  4 Reference

  Average weighted producer prices

  1984–85

  3·30

  3·04

  4·36

  2·51

  1985–86

  3·30

  3·04

  4·36

  2·61

  1986–87

  3·30

  3·04

  4·36

  2·38

  1987–88

  3·23

  2·97

  4·36

  2·44

  1988–89

  3·23

  2·97

  4·36

  2·78

  1989–90

  3·22

  2·96

  4·36

  n.a.

  Note: All prices calculated on average of red and white wine (RI and AI) prices.

  1 Commodity year runs from 1 September to 31 August.

  2 The "guide price" is the equivalent of a target price

  3 The "activating price" is set at 92 per cent. of the guide price and triggers some intervention.

  4 The Reference price is the Community threshold price for imports.

  Costs of wine regime

  MECU

  Year

  Total cost of regime

  Surplus disposal2

  1984

  1,223

  940

  1985

  921

  664

  1986

  631

  462

  1987

  800

  599

  1988

  11,546

  1724

  1 Provisional figures

  2 Distillation of wine/compulsory distillation of the by-products of winemaking.

  Source: EC Commission financial reports (1984–87)

  EC Commission working document (1988)

  Volume of Wine Distilled

  millions of hectolitres

  Year

  Volume Distilled Under 822/87

  1984–85

  29·9

  1985–86

  23·8

  1986–87

  44·5

  1987–88

  40·5

  Production, Imports and Exports of Wine

  millions of hectolitres

  Year

  Production

  Imports

  Exports

  1984–85

  147·7

  4·5

  10·2

  1985–86

  142·7

  4·2

  8·5

  1986·87

  200·3

  1·5

  10·9

  1987–88

  209·0

  1·7

  10·6

  1984–85; 1985–86 Community of 10. 1986–87 Community of 11. 1987–88 Community of 12.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for all common

  1157
  agricultural policy products for each year since 1973 (a) public storage costs, (b) export refunds and (c) the quantities in both cases.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Information on the main components of expenditure under the common agricultural policy is set out in the financial aspects section of the Commission's annual publication, "The Agricultural Situation in the Community". Copies of this publication, for the years 1973 to 1988, are in the Library of the House.

  These reports set out for each product the quantities held in public storage on a given date and total exports from the Community. Details of expenditure given in the same reports reflect budget costs in the year in question but do not relate directly to the quantities held in store, or exported, in those years.

  Dredging Vessels (Recording Equipment)
  Mr. Carttiss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has decided to limit the provision of marine position recording equipment for dredging vessels to one authorised supplier; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  No decisions have yet been made on application of marine position recorders to dredging vessels.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the total amount of compensation paid to farmers as a result of the losses arising from the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident.

  Mr. Maclean
  Expenditure authorised to 30 June 1989 under the sheep compensation scheme 1986 has amounted to £6,284,286.

  Anthrax
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of anthrax have been reported during the last seven years.

  Mr. Curry
  The number of cases of anthrax reported and confirmed in each year since 1982 is as follows:

  Number

  1982

  20

  1983

  14

  1984

  9

  1985

  6

  1986

  14

  1987

  6

  1988

  3

  11989

  18

  1 To date.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what deficiencies of resources and materials were revealed during the recent outbreak of anthrax; and what steps are being taken to remedy them.

  Mr. Curry
  As was already known, the outbreak demonstrated that commercial supplies of anthrax vaccine had ceased to be available. We were already investigating the possibility of alternative sources and are continuing to do so.
  1158
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the restrictions on public access to land suspected of being infected by anthrax were lifted.

  Mr. Curry
  Public entry to premises under restriction because of anthrax is at the discretion of the owner.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of animals by type that have left the Singret farm, Clwyd in each week since 19 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The following animals have left Singret farm since 19 April:

  Pigs

  20 April

  19

  Thereafter, week commencing:

  24 April

  185

  1 May

  183

  8 May

  249

  15 May

  220

  22 May

  269

  29 May

  245

  5 June

  205

  12 June

  219

  19 June

  150

  26 June

  70

  3 July

  210

  10 July

  113

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where the slurry from the pigs recently destroyed during an anthrax outbreak in north Wales is being dumped; what steps are being taken to eliminate the risk of contamination; and what is being done with the rest of the waste from the slaughtered animals.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: All slurry on the farm is being treated with formalin on site by the local authority, to inactivate any anthrax organisms that may be present. After treatment it is being disposed of on a licensed waste disposal site at Warrington in Cheshire.

  The carcases of slaughtered animals are being incinerated on site and the ashes disposed of in an approved manner.

  Straw and Stubble Burning
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking with regard to the recommendations of the straw and stubble burning report recently produced by the National Society for Clean Air and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The views of the National Society for Clean Air have been carefully noted along with those of other interested organisations.

  Poultry (Monitoring)
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of monitoring of poultry stocks pursuant to the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 and in particular the related costs of sampling borne by the poultry industry.

  Mr. Curry
  The Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 requires the owners of all laying, breeding and rearing flocks comprising more than 25 birds and flocks of less
  1159
  than 25 birds which sell eggs for human consumption, to monitor their flocks for evidence of salmonella. To date there have been 562 reports of isolations of invasive salmonella. With regard to the cost of sampling I would refer the hon. Member to my recent reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) on 27 July.

  Fishermen (Taw/Torridge Estuary)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he proposes to restrict the rights of people fishing with rod and line only from small boats in the tidal waters of the Taw/Torridge estuary; and what representations he has received on the effect of the proposals upon the amateur private fishermen unable to cross the Bideford bar in a small boat.

  Mr. Curry
  Proposals to establish a series of nursery areas in the coastal waters of England and Wales for the protection of juvenile bass were published on 8 June. These included a prohibition on fishing for bass in the River Taw, east of a line from the western end of Braunton Pill to the site of the former power station at Yelland, and the River Torridge, south of a line from Zeta berth to the opposite shore. Fishing for bass and other sea fish would be allowed between these points and the Bideford bar under permit. These restrictions would operate only from May to October. Representations have been received from a number of local interests including the Braunton Small Boat and Angling Association.

  National Consumer Council
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the National Consumer Council and what was discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I last met the chairman of the National Consumer Council, Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, earlier today when we discussed food safety and other consumer topics for which this Ministry has responsibility.

  Edible Crabs
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to amend the regional minimum landing sizes for edible crabs as proposed by his Department in November 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Following careful consideration of the comments received from the fishing industry and other interests on the consultative proposals published in November 1988, the Fisheries Ministers have decided that a number of changes should be made to the provisions of the Undersized Crabs Order 1986.

  From 1 January 1990 the minimum landing size of 115 mm for edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) will be revoked except for those crabs landed in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cumbrian sea fisheries district.The minimum landing size for edible crabs landed in Kent, Essex, north-east England, Wales north of Caemas Head, north-east England and Scotland will be increased to 125 mm. That for crabs landed in Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire will be increased to 130 mm. In the Isles of Scilly the minimum landing size for female crabs will become 140 mm and that for male crabs 160 mm. At the
  1160
  same time British vessels will be prohibited from carrying edible crabs under 125 mm except in the Cumbrian sea fisheries district and the coastal waters adjacent to Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

  Amending regulations will be laid before Parliament in the autumn. Further changes in the provisions of the Undersized Crabs Order 1986 will be considered once the Ministry's directorate of fisheries research has completed a detailed investigation into the state of crab stocks in the English Channel fishery.

  Marine Mammals
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has held discussions recently with fishermen's organisations concerning the reporting and monitoring of the incidental capture of marine mammals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The fisheries department will be liaising with fishermen's organisations about proposals for a monitoring scheme on incidental capture, once the details for this have been finalised. To date it has not been apparent that this phenomenon presents anything like a significant problem in our waters, but we will keep the situation under general review.

  Badgers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list for each year from 1970 to 1989 all the parishes in which tuberculosis has been found in badgers and the years for each of these in which tuberculosis positive were found; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list for each year from 1970 to 1989, the parishes in which tuberculosis was found in cattle and the years for each of these in which cattle reactors to the tuberculosis test were found; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will list for each year from 1970 to 1989, parishes in which badger removal operations have taken place, and the years for each parish in which these operations have taken place; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: Only part of the data requested is readily available. I made arrangements for a summary table to be deposited in the Libraries of the House. Further information on the interim badger control strategy, adopted following Professor Dunnet's independent review is published annually. The 13th report on bovine tuberculosis in badgers will be published later this year.

  Shell Fish
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals concerning the introduction of a quota system for prawn fisheries in United Kingdom waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I have no plans. Fishing for prawns of the pandulus species is already subject to a minimum mesh size of 30mm except for pandulus montagui for which a minimum mesh size of 20 mm is permitted.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that
  1161
  shellfish farming of (a) alien species or (b) native species is compatible with the designation of special protection areas under the European Community rivers directive or designation as a site of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given yesterday to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark).

  Potato Marketing Board
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I have not met the chairman but intend to do so at the earliest mutual date.

  Dairy Quota
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the gross income from the sale of dairy quotas in each of the past three years, the amount of the capital gain, and the amount of capital gains tax payable thereon; and what is his forecast for the current financial year.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: I have made no such estimate.

  Regional Panels
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer of 21 July, which of his regional panel members are organic farmers; and whether he intends to appoint more organic farmers to his regional panels.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: No member of regional panels in England currently farms to a recognised standard of organic production. In considering future appointments to regional panels, regard is given amongst other factors, to the principal types of farming activities undertaken in the region concerned.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider appointing representatives of environmental or consumer organisations on his regional panels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The membership of regional panels is undertaken in a personal capacity; panel members do not represent organisations to which they may belong.

  Tenderisers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is planning to issue any new restrictions, control or advice on the use of papain or other tenderisers.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: We propose to issue guidance on the administration by injection of the enzyme papain to cattle before slaughter in the codes of practice which the Government propose to issue in response to the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of livestock (red meat animals) at slaughter.
  1162
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether recent research by the Farm Animal Welfare Council has proved that no traces of tenderisers administered to cattle shortly before slaughter remain as residues in the meat;

  (2) whether the recent research by the Farm Animal Welfare Council on the effects of tenderisers on cattle has been considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: I am not aware of any research by the council on the effects of tenderisers. Research was carried out by veterinary officials into the effects of the injection of the vegetable enzyme papain on the live animal. This indicates that traces of it remain in the meat after slaughter but that it will evaporate during cooking. Papain is a natural vegetable protein which in any case would be destroyed by the normal digestive juices. The results of the research were taken into account in reaching a decision on its use.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person applying for entry clearance for settlement at the British post in(a) Manila, (b) Accra, (c) Lagos, (d) Kingston, (e) Nicosia and (f) Cairo on 31 March or the latest convenient date could expect to wait for (i) interview, (ii) referral of the case to the Home Office and the requested information being received by the post, (iii) decisions and (iv) an explanatory statement prepared by the post in the event of an appeal against a refusal to be dispatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested at (ii) and (iii) is not available. Processing times vary according to the circumstances of individual cases.

  As to (i) and (iv) the position at 15 July was as follows:

  (i)

  (iv)

  Manila

  7 weeks

  within 3 months

  Accra

  5 weeks

  within 3 months

  Lagos

  1 week

  within 2 months

  Kingston

  16 weeks

  within 2 months

  Nicosia

  Normally same day (but 12 weeks for non-residents)

  within 7 days

  Cairo

  Normally same day

  within 10 days

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person applying for entry clearance on 31 March or the latest convenient date at each post in the Indian sub-continent could expect to wait, in each queue, for(a) first interview, (b) referral of the case to the Home Office and the requested information being received by the post, (c) decision after first interview, and (d) for the explanatory statement prepared by the post in the case of appeal against any refusal to be dispatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  (a): I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Leicester East (Mr. Vaz) on 17 July.
  1163
  (b) and (c): This information is not available. Processing times vary according to the circumstances of individual cases.

  (d): Average dispatch times of explanatory statements from receipt of an appeal are:

  Settlement

  Non-Settlement

  Dhaka

  12 weeks

  12 weeks

  Karachi

  15 weeks

  5 weeks

  New Delhi

  23 weeks

  18 weeks

  Madras

  4–6 weeks

  4–6 weeks

  Calcutta

  5 weeks

  5 weeks

  Islamabad

  6 weeks

  4 weeks

  Bombay

  12 weeks

  12 weeks

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens on the basis of a connection with Hong Kong have been(a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused for each year since 1985 and to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Maude
  The figures for applications for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens on the basis of a connection with Hong Kong are as follows:

  Period

  Received

  Approved

  Refused

  1985

  844

  701

  151

  1986

  861

  759

  98

  1987

  1,233

  807

  70

  1988

  1,016

  1,074

  60

  11989

  811

  604

  37

  1 January to June.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British dependent territories citizens from Hong Kong have(a) applied for and (b) been granted the status of British national (overseas).

  Mr. Maude
  A total of 70,268 applications for British national (overseas) passports have been received, of which 68,909 have been granted. The remainder are still being processed.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many explanatory statements related to entry clearance appeals were awaiting typing at (i) each post in the Indian sub-continent, (ii) in Manila, (iii) Lagos and (iv) Accra, on the latest available date; how many staff are employed, both full-time and part-time, to type statements; and when he expects any backlogs to be cleared.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is given in the following table (as at 15 July):

  (a)1

  (b)2

  Karachi

  38

  1

  Islamabad

  60

  13

  Dhaka

  233

  5

  New Delhi

  50

  (5)

  Madras

  Nil

  (1)

  Calcutta

  4

  (1)

  Bombay

  28

  (7)

  Accra

  9

  (1)

  Manila

  40

  1 and (4)

  Lagos

  Nil

  2 and (4)

  1 Numbers of explanatory statements awaiting typing.

  2 Staff whose duties include typing explanatory statements (staff employed on other typing work shown in brackets).

  1164
  The backlog in Dhaka is due to recruitment problems and will be cleared as soon as the typing establishment is at full strength.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present waiting times to first interview for all categories of applicant in each country and at each post in the Indian sub-continent.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 17 July at column,4–5.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the treaty or other basis on which the European Council at Madrid adopted the principle of subsidiarity; for what purposes European Community legislation is to take precedence over that of members states; and what body of persons are to make the initial and financial decisions on whether or not national legislation is sufficient to achieve those purposes.

  Mr. Maude
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development explained the concept of subsidiarity in the Adjournment debate on EC institutions on 4 July. This is a general policy concept rather than a specific legislative proposal. It therefore has no specific treaty base although an example of the principle can be found in article 130r. It is for the Commission to take subsidiarity into account when proposing legislation, and the Council to do so when taking decisions.

  Mr. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when and by whom Mr. Kikmatyar was invited to the United Kingdom; with whom he had discussions during his visit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Mr. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar last visited the United Kingdom in November 1988 on a private visit at his own initiative. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials met him informally as part of their established practice of keeping in touch with a wide range of Afghan opinion.

  Israel
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the agreements under which Israel has privileged access to the European market.

  Mr. Maude
  EC/Israel trade relations are covered by the 1975 co-operation agreement and subsequent protocols to take account of the accession of Greece, Spain and Portugal to the Community. As a result, free trade in industrial goods between the EC and Israel came into effect on 1 January 1989. There are also specific concessions for some Israeli agricultural products.

  Israeli-occupied Territories
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government have taken to enforce the provisions of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 in relation to breaches occurring in the Israeli-occupied territories.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have frequently exercised our right as a contracting party to the fourth Geneva convention to raise with the Israeli Government breaches of the convention in the occupied territories. Questions of prosecuting under the 1957 Geneva Conventions Act are a matter for the prosecuting authorities.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy that no produce originating from the settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories is given access to the British market.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There are no arrangements for produce originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories to enjoy preferential access to the British market.

  "Twenty Questions on Defence"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies of the leaflet "Twenty Questions on Defence" (second edition, published November 1988) prepared by the Central Office of Information for his Department and the Ministry of Defence, have been printed; how many have been distributed; to what outlets; what has been the cost to date; and if there are any plans to produce and distribute an updated and revised version.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A total of 15,000 copies of the leaflet "Twenty Questions on Defence" (second edition) were printed when the publication was first issued in November 1988. These cost £3,035 and were distributed as follows:

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
  5,000 copies for distribution to members of the public in the United Kingdom and abroad in response to requests for information.

  Ministry of Defence:
  5,000 copies distributed as with FCO.

  Central Office of Information:
  5,000 copies for distribution to addressees on the FCO Arms Control and Disarmament Department's United Kingdom, overseas and United Kingdom diplomatic posts' mailing list.

  A further 60,000 copies were printed earlier this year at the Ministry of Defence's request for distribution during the Ministry's "Britain in NATO" exhibition tour of the United Kingdom. This further print-run brought the total cost of the current edition of this publication to £5,965, shared equally between the FCO and MOD.

  A third edition of the leaflet is planned for the end of this calendar year.

  Emmanuel and Judith Lurie
  Dr. Blackburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Soviet authorities for a speedy resolution of the case of the refuseniks, Emmanuel and Judith Lurie of Moscow.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are continuing to press the Soviet authorities to resolve the case of the Lurie family once and 1166
  for all in line with their international commitments. I raised their case with the Soviet ambassador on 25 July. We will not let up until the family is allowed to emigrate.

  Vladimir Raiz
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the Soviet authorities the case of Vladimir Raiz of Vilnius who is still awaiting an exit visa.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have pressed the Soviet authorities about this case on a number of occasions—most recently when I saw the Soviet ambassador on 25 July. We will not let up until the Soviet Government have resolved it satisfactorily in line with their international commitments.

  Human Rights Conference (Moscow)
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it remains Her Majesty's Government's policy to attend the 1991 human rights conference in Moscow provided that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics conforms to certain conditions; and to what extent those conditions are being fulfilled.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We shall attend the proposed Moscow human rights conference in 1991 only if there is a further sustained improvement in the human rights situation in the Soviet Union. While there has been progress in the past six months, significant problems remain—in particular the plight of long-term refuseniks who are still not allowed to emigrate.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the Government of the People's Republic of China concerning human rights abuses in Tibet; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  We have made it clear to the Chinese authorities on many occasions the real concern in this country about human rights in Tibet. While we shall continue to seek suitable opportunities to make our views known, our main aim in recent weeks has been to bring home to the Chinese authorities our sense of shock and outrage at the brutality with which they suppressed those who were demonstrating for democracy in Peking.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings Her Majesty's ambassador has had with representatives of human rights organisations in El Salvador; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  In the course of their normal duties, Her Majesty's diplomatic representatives in El Salvador maintain regular and close contact with the various Salvadorean human rights organisations.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Turkey concerning abuses of human rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Overseas Development raised the subject of human rights
  1167
  during her recent visit to Turkey and made clear the concern felt in this country about Turkey's human rights record and the need for Turkey to comply with the international human rights conventions to which she is a party. We shall continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's ambassador has made to the Government of El Salvador concerning abuse of human rights.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We raise our human rights concerns with the Salvadorean authorities, both in El Salvador and elsewhere, whenever it is appropriate to do so.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet President Cristioni of El Salvador.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many prosecutions were initiated by the Hong Kong authorities in the first six months of 1989 arising from illegal imports, exports and possession of endangered species.

  Import (January-June 1989) Seizures: 149

  Imports

  Quantity

  Exporting countries

  Mammal

  Felidae (wild cats): live/carcases/meat/skin

  296 hd/pc

  China, United States of America, Japan, Thailand, West Germany

  Elephant: ivory/skin

  1,107 kg

  China, United States of America, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, France, Switzerland

  Monkeys (live)

  5hd

  China

  Pangolin: live/stuffed/carcase parts/meat

  62·1 kg + 6 hd + 4pc

  China, Singapore, United States of America, Thailand

  Bear: skin

  1 pc

  Canada

  Bird

  Bird of prey (owl)—live/dead/meat

  30 hd+1 kg

  China, Thailand

  Parrot

  71 hd

  China

  Reptile

  Reptiles: skins/live/stuffed/carcase

  1,313 pc + 5 hd

  United States of America, Singapore, United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Gabon, Philippine

  Sea turtle: live/stuffed/shell/egg

  35 hd+168pc

  Thailand, Singapore, India, China, Indonesia, Philippine, Vietnam, Malaysia

  Tortoise (live)

  100 hd

  China, Bangladesh

  Amphibian

  Giant Salamander: live/carcase/meat

  5hd

  China

  Anthozoans

  Corals

  15 pc

  Indonesia, Australia, Singapore

  Molluscs

  Giant clams

  16 pc

  China

  Plant

  American Ginseng (root)

  0·42 kg

  United States of America

  1168
  Mr. Maude
  In the first six months of 1989, 155 prosecutions were initiated against illegal imports, exports and possession of endangered species.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many restaurant inspections were carried out by the Hong Kong authorities in the first six months period of 1989 to ensure that no rare and endangered species of animals and plants were offered for sale as food; and if any seizures were made.

  Mr. Maude
  To prevent rare and endangered species of animals and plants being sold and consumed in restaurants, 139 inspections were conducted during the first six months of 1989. 0·4 kg of whale meat and three giant salamanders were seized.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many seizures of illegally imported endangered species were made by the Hong Kong authorities in the first six months of 1989; how many seizures were made of similar categories intended for export; and if he will give details of all seizures made including country of origin.

  Mr. Maude
  In the first six months of 1989, 149 seizures were made of illegally imported endangered species. Three seizures were made of similar categories intended for export. Details of all seizures are listed.
  1169

  Export (January-June 1989) Seizure: 3

  Exports

  Quantity

  Musk

  0·1 kg

  Tegue lizard skins

  6,658 pc

  Monitor lizard skins

  1,996 pc

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the sale by tender by the Hong Kong authorities of confiscated items permitted for commercial trade under CITES; what items were sold; to whom they were sold; and what amount was raised in each case.

  Mr. Maude
  The information requested is not immediately available. A further reply will be given as soon as possible.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Hong Kong authorities on implementation of CITES resolution conference 5.11.

  Mr. Maude
  The Hong Kong Government fully implement CITES conference resolution 5.11.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the Hong Kong Government in introducing new measures designed to enforce their responsibilities under the convention on international trade in endangered species; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  New legislation was passed on 28 June 1989 which provides for significantly increasing maximum fines for contravention of the law on protection of endangered species; tightening up transit controls; banning the import, export and possession of medical products purporting to contain rhinoceros ingredients; penalising persons who give false information in applying for endangered species licences; facilitating identifications; extending the power of search; and empowering the Government to release or dispose of endangered species.

  George Samoilovich
  Rev. Martyn Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the Soviet authorities the case of George Samoilovich, currently undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom, whose wife and son are being refused exit visas to join him.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have underlined to the Soviet authorities on numerous occasions the urgent need to grant exit visas to the wife and son of George Samoilovich—most recently when I saw the Soviet ambassador on 25 July. We will not let up until the family is reunited outside the Soviet Union.

  Turkey
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the right hon. Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) to Turkey.

  Mr. Maude
  My right hon. Friend paid a very successful visit to Turkey from 23 to 26 July. She held talks 1170
  with the Turkish Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. with the permanent under-secretary and the political director. Later she travelled to Istanbul and Edirne where she visited the Bulgarian border and a refugee camp, and donated £300,000 to the Turkish Red Crescent for its work among refugees from Bulgaria and Iraq. The visit enabled my right hon. Friend to exchange views on a number of bilateral and regional issues.

  Vietnamese Boat People
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the United Kingdom is making towards the costs of the repatriation of Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong to Vietnam.

  Mr. Maude
  We plan to contribute around £1,300,000 in this financial year.

  Parliamentary approval for this expenditure will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate for the "Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Other External Relations" vote. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £850,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will financially assist British business organisations such as chambers of commerce to attend the hearings in Geneva from 4 to 6 September held by the panel appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to examine the role of transnational companies in South Africa and Namibia.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. The Government believe that it is for companies and British business organisations themselves to decide on the basis of their own priorities and commercial interests whether to attend the hearings.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will send observers to the public hearings, on the role of transnational corporations in South Africa and Namibia, to be held by the panel appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations which meets in Geneva from 4 to 6 September; and if the European Community will be represented in any capacity.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom mission to the office of the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva will follow the proceedings of these public hearings as part of its normal coverage of United Nations meetings.

  The EC has observer status within the United Nations system and will therefore be entitled to send an observer to the public hearing.

  Arms (Standardisation and Interoperability)
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which area of arms co-operation in the Atlantic Alliance notable progress has been registered in the last five years in efforts to increase the
  1171
  degree of standardisation and interoperability of military material; and what progress can be attributed to Western European Union initiatives.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I have been asked to reply.

  Much effort continues to be put into extending and improving international arrangements for defence equipment co-operation, within both NATO, under the auspices of the conference of national armaments directors, and the Independent European Programme Group. In the latter, for example, 15 harmonised European staff targets have been agreed; a research and technology programme is being established; and the European defence market is being opened up. Collaboration on specific programmes is widespread; table 6 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989" shows the considerable number of projects in which the United Kingdom participates. The Western European Union has taken an interest in these and other areas, but progress on these issues within Europe as a whole is, and will remain, the responsibility of the IEPG.

  Military Aid
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the reasons for the increase in the budget for military aid to overseas countries from 1988–89 to 1989–90, set out in table 2.1 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989," volume two.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The funds in question are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The reasons for the increase in the budget for military aid to overseas countries from 1988–89 to 1989–90 are:

  a. the uplift of the 1988–89 provision to cover the effect of inflation; and

  b. an increase in the assistance provided by Her Majesty's Government to the front line states in Africa for the purchase of non-lethal military equipment in support of agreed military training programmes.

  Peru
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances John Boxhall and Brian Tristram could be extradited from Peru and charged with offences in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. John Patten
  [pursuant to the reply, 20 July 1989, c. 335]: I have been asked to reply.

  Persons may be extradited from Peru if they are accused or convicted of offences committed within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom which are deemed to be extraditable under the terms of the Extradition Act 1870 and the bilateral treaty of 1907 between the United Kingdom and Peru.

  International Coffee Agreement
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current state of negotiations on a new international coffee agreement.

  Mr. Maude
  [pursuant to the reply, 30 June 1989, c. 578]: The International Coffee Council on 3 July resolved (resolution number 347) to extend the international coffee agreement (1983) without quotas and virtually all its other
  1172
  economic provisions for a period of two years from I October 1989. The council also resolved to suspend the quota system with effect from 4 July. I regret that it has not been possible to publish resolution 347 of the council as a Command Paper before the parliamentary recess. I have therefore placed a copy of the text of the resolution in the Library of the House. I shall publish the resolution in the Command Paper series as soon as possible.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs what discussions he has had and what action is being taken, in secondary education in Hong Kong to lay the foundations for informed participation of youth in a democratic elective system in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Maude
  [pursuant to the reply, 25 July 1989, c.600]: It is the Hong Kong government's policy to promote an awareness in schools of the developing system of government in Hong Kong, and thereby to encourage informed participation of young people in the system. The Hong Kong Government seek to achieve this by featuring the subject in the civic education curriculum, and in seminars, training courses and workshops for teachers: and by the distribution of teaching kits and videos to schools on elections and representative government.

ENVIRONMENT

  Government Drivers
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Government drivers have passed either the Institute of Advanced Drivers test or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents driving tests; if he will express this as a percentage of the whole; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Right to buy, Cannock Chase
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will initiate inquiries with the Cannock Chase district council as to the reasons for the alleged delay encountered by Mr. S. A. McConville of 27 John Till close, Rugeley, Staffordshire, since he first submitted his right-to-buy application on 8 June 1988; and if he will use his powers to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion.

  Mr. Howard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  UN Environment Programme
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to meet with Dr. Mostafa Tolba director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Minister for Environment and Countryside will next see Dr. Mostafa Tolba in London, at the conference on 3 October organised by the advisory committee on pollution in the sea.

  Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Countryside Commission regarding the activities of the Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust, and the proposed dumping of 700,000 cu m of waste material in an area of natural beauty in Hertfordshire.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. The tipping of waste material is a matter for Hertfordshire county council as the local waste disposal authority.

  Land Sales
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites referred to in his answer of 20 July,Official Report, column 344, and indicate for each the local authority in which it is located, the price obtained and new owner.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times his Department has issued instructions to local authorities to sell land after approaches by members of the public to his Department; and if he will list these authorities for each year since 1979 and list for each authority how many times his Department has refused.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]I will write to the hon. Member.

  Conservation
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much money the Nature Conservancy Council has spent on(a) grant-aiding voluntary conservation bodies land purchases, (b) Nature Conservancy Council's own land purchases, in each of the last five years at 1989 prices; and if he will also express this as a percentage of Nature Conservancy Council total budget;

  (2) if he will report on progress in meeting the Government's obligations under the Ramsar convention and article 4 of the EC birds directive 79/409; how these international obligations will be administered in future; which proposed new SPAs he is considering; and when these will be declared.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Bathing Water
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to have produced from all the relevant services a full co-ordinated list of those bathing beaches around England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland which(a) reach and (b) do not reach the standards of water quality of directive 76/160/EEC; and if he will list the forecast dates by which those failing to reach this standard will attain it.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Details of the identified bathing waters and their compliance in the 1988 bathing season were given in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight) on 21 February and the 1174
  answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment at the Scottish Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 13 April. The water authorities are currently drawing up investment programmes with the aim of bringing all bathing waters into compliance with the directive by the mid-1990s.

  Rents
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 the number of council dwellings, the amount of rent collected and the average amount of rent collected per dwelling, the total amount of rent rebates, rate rebates, housing allowances and so on to (a) tenants of local authorities and (b) tenants of private landlords and housing associations, together with the number of beneficiaries in each cases.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what communications he has received from the Housing Corporation concerning the assessment of the percentage of income that constitutes an affordable rent.

  Mr. Chope
  Our exchanges with the corporation on rent issues are many and various. It is for individual housing associations to set rents at levels within the reach of people in low-paid employment.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he possesses concerning the future level of rents, including those where they are defined as affordable; and what level of inflation he expects in such rents in the next three years.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Lettings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of dwellings available for letting in each year since 1970 in the private and public sectors, respectively, in total and as a proportion of the housing stock; if he will give a regional breakdown; and what is his estimate of the proportion in France, Germany and Italy.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Caravan Sites
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the number of sites and pitches at each site provided for travelling people under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 by the local authorities at(a) Bradford, (b) Leeds, (c) Kirklees, (d) Calderdale and (e) Craven; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to take into account the sites available in neighbouring local authorities when considering any application by Bradford for designation under the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what discussions have taken place between officials of his Department and representatives at Leeds, Kirklees and Craven local authorities regarding implementation of the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.
  1175
  Mr. Chope
  Caravan sites for travelling people have been provided by the relevant local authorities as follows:

  Local Authority

  Site

  Number of pitches

  Bradford

  Bowling Back Lane/Mary Street

  24

  Esholt

  16

  Leeds

  Cottingley Springs (2 adjacent sites)

  36

  Kirklees

  —

  —

  Calderdale

  —

  —

  Craven

  —

  —

  The Secretary of State takes full account of all the relevant circumstances affecting applications for designated status under the Caravan Site Act 1968. These include the level of site provision in neighbouring authorities.

  Officials of my Department have meetings and discussions with local authorities as required. Meetings have been held this year with all the authorities in West Yorkshire to discuss the need for gipsy sites and to encourage the formulation and implementation of appropriate programmes of site provision.

  £ million

  1987–88 (outturn)

  1988–89 (forecast outturns)

  1989–90

  DOE region

  cash prices

  constant prices1

  cash prices

  constant prices1

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Northern

  13·52

  15·31

  10·95

  11·55

  8·20

  North West

  21·15

  23·94

  17·98

  18·97

  15·75

  Merseyside Task Force Area

  8·33

  9·42

  7·91

  8·35

  5·95

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9·75

  11·04

  13·65

  14·40

  12·00

  West Midlands

  16·63

  18·83

  16·16

  17·05

  13·00

  East Midlands

  8·23

  9·32

  8·28

  8·74

  8·15

  London

  1·05

  1·19

  0·77

  0·81

  0·75

  South West

  1·40

  1·58

  1·67

  1·76

  1·99

  South East

  0·61

  0·69

  0·45

  0·47

  0·70

  Eastern

  0·10

  0·11

  0·14

  0·15

  0·50

  Total

  80·77

  91·43

  77·96

  82·25

  66·99

  1 constant prices at 1989–90 values.

  Comparable information for other grant regimes dealing with derelict land is not available. Urban development corporations, city grant and the urban programme all make a significant contribution towards the reclamation of derelict land. It is estimated that in the period 1987–88 to 1989–90 some £170 million (£180 million in 1989–90 prices) will have been made available for reclamation projects through these regimes.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of replies held over to October for substantive answers for questions tabled for written reply in the final week of parliamentary business before the summer Adjournment in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Christopher Patten
  None; it is my policy to answer all questions tabled for written reply in the final week of parliamentary business before the summer Adjournment.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in general on whether to refuse or allow planning consents for industrial purposes in green belt land; what criteria he adopts in considering any exceptions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Planning policy guidance note 2 indicates and describes that very special circumstances are necessary to justify development for industrial or other purposes that are normally inappropriate in the green belt.

  Derelict Land
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list by regions the allocations received for derelict land purposes for 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 in real terms and constant value terms;

  (2) if he will list by region the derelict land grant allocations for 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 in real terms and constant value terms.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Derelict land grant allocations for the years requested are as follows:

  Sea Pollution
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meeting of the Paris commission on sea pollution recently held in Dublin.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The latest meeting of the Paris commission was held in Dublin between 19 and 22 June 1989. Progress was achieved across a wide range of topics relating to pollution of the seas from riverine inputs, atmospheric inputs and direct discharges. In particular, progress was reported on defining suitable control technologies for a number of industrial sectors.

  The Paris commission has also carried forward work on pollution control arising from the second North sea conference and endorsed the agreements on the use of best available technology and the precautionary principle: the results of this work will be discussed by Ministers at the forthcoming North sea conference in the Hague next March.

  The Paris commission continues to provide a valuable forum for developing measures for the protection of the north-east Atlantic waters.

  Seals (Deaths)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a table listing the monthly recorded details of deaths of seals, since June 1988, in United Kingdom coastal waters and beaches, broken down by areas covered by the water authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  World Clean Air Congress
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations at, and papers for, the World Clean Air Congress to be held in the Hague on 11 to 15 September will be prepared by his Department.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Water Byelaws
  Dr. Blackburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following his recent meeting with the president and vice-president of the British Bathroom Council, he will make a statement on the water byelaws.

  Mr. Howard
  European Community procedures to harmonise product standards are not intended to change traditional practices which do not present barriers to trade. New European standards will specify different levels of performance for water fittings to suit the requirements of individual member states. In these circumstances, the United Kingdom water byelaws will continue in operation.

  Housing Improvements
  Mr. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) general improvement areas and (b) housing action areas have been declared, per year, in each of the last 10 years; how many dwellings there have been in general improvement areas and housing action areas, per year, in each of the last 10 years; how many grants have been approved in general improvement areas and housing action areas, per year, in each of the last 10 years; and how many works have been completed in general improvement areas and housing action areas, per year, in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Chope
  Information on numbers of dwellings for which grants have been paid and total numbers of dwellings on which work has been completed inside general improvement areas and housing action areas in the 11 years up to 1986–87 is published in table 7.6 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1977–1987". A copy is available in the Library.

  It is estimated that in 1987–88, 4,300 dwellings in housing action areas benefited from grants, and work was completed on 5,700 dwellings in such areas. The equivalent figures for general improvement areas are 15,600 and 22,900 respectively.

  The other information requested is as follows:

  Housing action areas

  General improvement areas

  Number of areas declared

  Number of dwellings in areas

  Number of areas declared

  Number of dwellings in areas

  1979–80

  109

  28,413

  89

  16,550

  1980–81

  59

  17,540

  84

  12,569

  1981–82

  56

  15,073

  132

  5,493

  1178

  Housing action areas

  General improvement areas

  Number of areas declared

  Number of dwellings in areas

  Number of areas declared

  Number of dwellings in areas

  1982–83

  96

  26,856

  159

  9,509

  1983–84

  60

  18,108

  107

  29,654

  1984–85

  32

  11,510

  76

  20,779

  1985–86

  25

  6,735

  69

  30,521

  1986–87

  23

  5,059

  54

  18,227

  1987–88

  21

  5,658

  78

  15,038

  11988–89

  21

  6,308

  29

  7,775

  1 Provisional.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people employed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution have(a) resigned, (b) taken early retirement, (c) taken voluntary redundancy and

  (d) left for other reasons since January 1988;

  (2) if he will publish the headquarters address and telephone number of each regional office of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; on what date each will become operational; if he will give full details of all full and part-time posts for each office; if he will itemise each post on the current establishment which has been vacant or unfilled in each of the proceeding 12 months; and which posts in each region were vacant on 25 July or unfilled.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Paper (Phosphates)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will in future print Government publications on paper which does not require environmentally hazardous phosphates for its production; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Government publications generally are handled by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, for which responsibility rests with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The environmental impact of phosphates depends on the circumstances in which they are discharged. There is no widespread problem of environmental pollution by phosphates in this country.

  Football Membership Scheme
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he intends giving guidelines to the proposed Football Membership Authority about what would lead to a disqualification from the national membership scheme for football for a supporter, other than a relevant conviction; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what consultations he has had, or proposes to have with police and emergency services concerning whether, under the proposals of the proposed Football Spectators Bill and associated national membership scheme, clubs should be able to open exit gates before the end of a football match; and as to the siting of neutral supporters and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what consultations he is having concerning what guidance might be given to football clubs and to the

  1179
  proposed Football Membership Authority as to what constitutes a disabled person under clause 5(2)(c) of the Football Spectators Bill and as to how football clubs should check if a child is under or over the age of 10 years in order to grant exemption from membership under clause 5(2)(c) of the Bill;

  (4) what consultations he proposes to undertake concerning by what means the identity of a cardholder, under the proposed national membership scheme for football will be checked against the card on entry to the ground; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what discussions he has had with (i) the football clubs and (ii) any other organisation concerning financial assistance to those who cannot afford the price of a card under the proposed national membership scheme for football; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what guidance he proposes to issue to clubs at the commencement of the proposed national membership scheme for football registration as to what grounds for denial of membership there would be; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the Football Spectators Bill and the commencement orders for which it provides, it will be for the Football Membership Authority to prepare the national membership scheme required by the Bill. It is the Government's hope that a body set up by the Football Association and the Football League will be appointed as the Football Membership Authority. The football authorities have established a joint working party to prepare the development of the scheme, in consultation with my Department and the police and other bodies as necessary.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what occasions he met representatives of football supporters before publishing the Football Spectators Bill; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he proposes to consult the Police Federation and Association of Chief Police Officers concerning the proposed national football membership scheme; if he will also consult the Football Supporters Association; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Association of Chief Police Officers was represented on the working party which I chaired last summer on the national membership scheme. I and my officials discussed the scheme with representatives of the Police Federation in December 1988 and February this year and I shall be meeting the chairman of the federation again next week. The Government and the football authorities will continue to consult the police on the development of the scheme.

  I met the Football Supporters Association and the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs twice last year, before the publication of the Bill, and I made it clear to the Standing Committee considering the Bill that I would consider the possibility of involving representatives of the football supporters organisations directly in the running of the Football Membership Authority.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he is conducting concerning the legal structure of the proposed Football Membership Authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I told the Standing Committee considering the Football Spectators Bill that I would 1180
  consider further the question of the constitution of the Football Membership Authority and would bring forward appropriate amendments to the Bill at its Report stage.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received seeking restriction on the numbers of temporary identity cards issued by football clubs under the proposed national membership scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr Moynihan
  None.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department undertook which led him to state on 27 June Official Report, column 848, that the number of clubs likely to be put out of business by the proposed national membership scheme for football will be zero; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There is no reason why the national membership scheme should put any football club out of business. Even without commercial exploitation of the scheme, the cost of high technology membership cards to individual supporters need be no more than £3·30 a year at current costs. There are few grounds in the country where spectators would pay less than that to watch one match. Indeed, if football clubs take a positive attitude to the potential of the national membership scheme, it can provide a commercial benefit to both them and their supporters.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department undertook which caused him to reject the advice of the Football League, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Football Association, the Professional Footballers Association and the Football Supporters Association as to the impractical nature of a comprehensive national membership scheme for football.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Association of Chief Police Officers, the Football League and the Football Association were all members of my working party on the national membership scheme which met last summer. They agreed a number of recommendations on the practical nature of a national membership scheme. I have also discussed the scheme with representatives of the Football Supporters Association, the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs and the Professional Footballers Association.

  Resource Reallocation (Bedfordshire)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of money being transferred from Bedfordshire county council, Mid-Bedfordshire district council and South Bedfordshire district council by way of resource reallocation in the current financial year; what are the estimated figures for those three authorities in the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Resource equalisation is one of the factors affecting the distribution of block grant. In order to estimate the effect of this factor alone, I have assumed that each local authority in England is spending at the level of its grant-related expenditure assessment. On that basis, I estimate that in 1989–90 there would have been an implicit transfer of £7·2 million from domestic ratepayers in Mid Bedfordshire (£2·1 million) and South Bedfordshire (£5·1 million) to ratepayers in other parts of the country.
  1181
  Resource equalisation based on rateable values will end with the introduction of the new grant system in April 1990. There will, however, be a temporary safety net to phase in these arrangements.

  Youth Sport (Advisory Committees)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to encourage local authorities to establish advisory committees for youth sport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The School Sport Forum, which was established at the request of my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Education and Science, recommended that county and metropolitan district councils should appoint advisory committees for youth sport. My right hon. Friends are considering this and the other recommendations of the forum.

  Regent's Park
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) from whom the Crown Estate Commissioners received a request to extend the gardens of St. John's Lodge in Regent's park as set out by John Nash;

  (2) if he will list the organisations which occupy property in Regent's park on lease from the Crown Estate Commissioners together with the locations and acreage of the property concerned.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  These are matters for the Crown Estate Commissioners.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals have been made to London Zoo concerning the management of the running track in Regent's park;

  (2) whether there have been any consultations with the Bengali Sports Council about the proposal to include the running track in Regent's park in the land taken over by London Zoo;

  (3) whether the staff of Regent's Park or his Department have consulted any of the users of sports facilities in Regent's Park about its future management.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We await the Zoological Society of London's detailed proposals for the further 10 acres of Regent's park that it would like to lease under the terms of the Crown Estate Act 1961. Any impact on sports facilities will be considered very carefully and kept as far as possible to a minimum.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Crown Estate Commissioners made an informal inquiry to his Department in relation to the reinstatement of the original garden of St. John's Lodge, Regent's Park; and when they were told the formal request would not be looked on favourably.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The informal inquiry was made in February this year and the response by the Department in July.

  Land (Licences)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences for the use of land under his responsibility have been granted in 1989–90 before the terms were agreed.
  1182
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a progress report on phase I of the new parliamentary building now being constructed in Parliament street.

  Mr. Chope
  Under the terms of the contract let to Fairclough Building Ltd. in May 1987, construction of the building was required to be completed in May 1990. Although the work was already behind schedule, until January 1989 the contractor assured the Department that it saw no reason why the contract should not be completed on time, though it would be in a better position to report following a review in April 1989. Following that review the contractor has now reported that, unfortunately, the work will not be completed until October 1990, a delay of live and a half months. On the assumption that Fairclough Building Ltd. achieve its revised forecast the building will not now be ready for occupation until the Easter recess, 1991.

  I have provided the New Building Sub-Committee with a detailed report on how this situation has developed and the action that has been taken. I understand that the Sub-Committee will be taking evidence after the House returns from the summer adjournment.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to answer the letter from the hon. Member for South Hams of 3 March to the Under-Secretary, enclosing one from Major E. G. M. Pearce, dated 27 February; and if he will make a statement as to the reasons for the delay.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Pedestrians (Accident Compensation)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many claims were made against local authorities in each of the years, 1988, 1987, 1986 and 1985 after accidents to pedestrians as a result of defects in roads and pavements; what proportion were accepted by the local authorities and their insurers; how much was paid out in compensation; and what advice his Department gives local authorities about dealing with such claims.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 June 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Northamptonshire County Council (Committees)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when a reply will be sent to the letter of 22 May from Councillor J. G. Vane to the Minister for Local Government concerning the committee structure of Northamptonshire county council.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 7 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Protected Species
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any proposals to issue licences for traditional pearl fishing in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has considered proposals to place the freshwater mussel (Margaritisera margaritisera) on the schedule of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 as a protected species; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 11 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Gipsy Sites
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations from Leicester city council about proposals to designate gipsy and travellers' sites in Leicester.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has as to the maximum permitted level of Atrazine in drinking water in(a) France, (b) the Federal Republic of Germany and (c) Italy; and what is the comparable figure for the United Kingdom;

  (2) what information he has as to the maximum permitted levels of (a) trichlorethylene, (b) chloroform and (c) tetrachlorcarbon, in drinking water in (i) France and (ii) the Federal Republic of Germany; and what are the comparable figures for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Special Waste (Dumping)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances in which special waste from a disused gas works in Woking, Surrey, have to be dumped in a field outside Chobham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: No. This is a matter for the local waste disposal authority to investigate under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  Loud Music
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with local authorities to encourage them to use the existing laws under the Control of Pollution Act to stop the playing of loud music in residential areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: This issue has not been discussed with local authorities recently. Noise nuisance in whatever form can be a most unwelcome intrusion into people's lives and a great source of annoyance. Local authorities have extensive powers under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to control noise when necessary.

  Retail Developments (West Midlands)
  Mr. Nernst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding retail development on industrial land in the west midlands; whether he will meet a delegation from the West Midlands council's planning and transportation sub-committee to discuss the variations to the regional strategic guidance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Clyde Submarine Base
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the contracts signed with the names of the successful contractors and the value of each of the contracts for those elements of the construction of the new facilities at the Clyde submarine base and the number and location of the jobs created by these contracts.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Water Supply
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the dates and occasions when there has been a major breakdown in public water supply in each of the regional water authorities since their inception, together with a note concerning each relevant cause.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: This information is not held centrally at present. However, I expect the drinking water inspectorate, when established, to keep a record of major breakdowns in public water supply.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment under what powers Her Majesty's Government will require suppliers of water to retain a given proportion of storage, filtration and other machinery and plant as standby capacity for occasional use in the event of human, mechanical, or biological failures or accidents.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Hampton Water Treatment Works
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a schedule of plant or equipment, sometime in the ownership of Thames water authority, which, if in commission, could have ameliorated or prevented, the recent failures arising from difficulties at the Hampton treatment works, for what reasons such plant was made redundant; and what steps that authority is now taking to reactivate such facilities or to install stand-by capacity.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Midge Fly Infestation
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state each of the occasions when midge fly infestation, or similar cause, has interrupted
  1185
  public water supplies and the remedial or preventative action subsequently taken; and what future capital expenditure is contemplated by any regional water authoritiy to reduce risk of failures due to this cause.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: Midge fly infestation was a major cause of the failure of water supplies in south-east London recently, but I am not aware that such infestation has interrupted public water supplies previously.

  Thames Water will be making a report to me on the recent incident and the report will be studied to see what lessons can be learnt for the future.

  Environmental Assessments
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer of 20 June,Official Report, column 70, he will make copies of the decision letters available in the Library when he directs that environmental assessment is, or is not, required.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Letters containing directions on whether or not environmental assessment is required for particular projects are placed on the appropriate local planning register where they are available for public inspection. My Department is making arrangements under which information about decisions on the need for environmental assessment will be made more widely available by being published in the Journal of Planning and Environment Law. If the hon. Member wishes to see any particular decision letter I would be happy to send it to her.

  Street Cleaning and Litter (Halton)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has ever received any applications from Halton borough council under the urban programme for assistance for street cleaning and anti-litter operations.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: An application for urban programme support for an anti-litter campaign in Halton was approved in March 1983.

  Leaflets
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer on leaflets on 19 June,Official Report, column 51, he will publish an update of the letters he sent to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East on 23 June.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Most of the information remains as set out in the letter of 23 June from my right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer). In order to meet high demand, however, certain leaflets have subsequently been reprinted. The new figures for these are set out below.

  Title

  Print run

  Production costs1 £

  You and the Community Charge:

  Your Step-by-Step Guide

  1,950,000

  136,200

  The Business Rate leaflet

  235,000

  23,800

  Exemptions leaflet

  581,000

  34,000

  Second Homes leaflet

  240,000

  14,900

  Rebates leaflet

  550,000

  39,600

  1186
  1 All figures are rounded.

  The final cost of the distribution of the short leaflet to all households is now likely to be approximately £565,000 rather than the estimated £560,000 quoted in the letter.

  The cost of hiring display units in Crown post offices for the same leaflet has increased from £26,000 to £28,500 largely because of the extra costs incurred by the Post Office in temporarily withdrawing the leaflet during the court case initiated by Greenwich borough council.

  African Elephants
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding Her Majesty's Government's response to the outcome of the second meeting of the CITES African elephant working group held in Botswana from 4 to 8 July.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Government support the group's decision to seek a consensus of the African range states on a proposal to be made at the next conference.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place with the Hong Kong authorities in respect of CITES conference resolution 5.11; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to my recent answer—Official Report, Volume 156, column 477. Our discussions are continuing and will cover the full implications of appendix I listing.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to commission studies into the feasibility of transferring African elephants from countries with a surplus to those where elephants are endangered.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: We would consider assisting with such research only if asked to do so by the African countries concerned. We have received no such requests.

  Football Matches (Attendance)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what he attributes the rises in attendance at football matches over the last three seasons.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: A number of measures to counter football hooliganism have been taken over the past few years as a result of Government and public pressure. These include stronger police co-ordination both nationally and internationally, more co-operation between the police and football clubs, effective segregation of rival groups of supporters inside grounds and the introduction of closed-circuit television. The Government have also legislated to restrict the sale of alcohol at football grounds and to empower the courts to impose exclusion orders on convicted hooligans.

  These measures have clearly contributed to the small rise in attendances at football matches over the last three seasons.

  The further anti-hooliganism measures proposed by the Football Spectators Bill offer the prospect of attracting back to football many more of the millions of spectators who have been deterred from attending matches since the 1960s.

  Nile Crocodiles
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all applicants for licences under CITES regulations to import products made from the Nile crocodile in the period 1 March to 30 April 1989; and if he will state the country of origin and port of entry in each case.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: Details of individual import applications are confidential and cannot be released.

  Energy Control (House of Commons)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he applied to veto investment by the Property Services Agency in an energy control system for the House of Commons as described in the recent report from the Energy Select Committee on the spending plans of the Department of Energy.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  GLC Playing Fields (Sale)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the proposed sale of former Greater London council playing fields at South Oxley, Hertfordshire; and what action he is taking to ensure continued public access and use.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has received two representations expressing concern about the future of the playing fields, which lie within the green belt. The London residuary body is discussing their future with Three Rivers district council. No action by my right hon. Friend is contemplated.

  Housing Policies (Camden)
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the London borough of Camden's housing policies, with particular reference to its rent arrears and its right-to-buy progress.

  Mr. Howard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Planning
  Sir Hal Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to improve the efficiency of the planning system in dealing with planning applications and appeals.

  Mr. Howard
  The Government want the planning system to be effective in its function of regulating the use of land in the public interest, and efficient in its operation so that it does not impose unwarranted delays on development. Many planning authorities are failing to deliver an efficient service. There is a clear need for reform of some aspects of the system, to ensure that it is better focused to deal with the more significant development proposals and that adequate resources are available to do a proper job.

  My right hon. Friend has published today a consultation paper "Efficient Planning" setting out a range of proposals which would improve the operation of the planning system.
  1188
  The Government believe that it is a sound principle that those who seek planning permission should meet the cost of considering their development proposals. The paper therefore sets out proposals for the introduction of fees for planning appeals, and for increased levels of planning application fees.

  The paper also contains proposals for local planning authorities to be able to give general permissions for specified types of development, which could remove the requirement for planning applications; and for planning permission to be granted automatically for development by householders if the local planning authority had not issued its decision in eight weeks.

  Other proposals include a power enabling local planning authorities to turn away repetitious planning applications for developments substantially the same as schemes already rejected on appeal. There are also a number of proposals for minor changes to planning legislation which would improve its operation.

  Most of the measures proposed would require primary legislation. The overall effect of the proposals would be to reduce the burden of development control procedures, and increase the resources available to operate the system effectively.

  I am inviting views on these proposals by 29 September. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales will be consulting about the introduction of similar measures.

  Cryptosporidium
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the report of the group of experts on cryptosporidium in water supplies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Sir John Badenoch, chairman of the group of experts, wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 25 July 1989 to present the group's interim report. Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library. The establishment of the group was announced on 2 March 1989, at column 286, and an interim report was requested by the end of July.

  The interim report says that the organism cryptosporidium has a worldwide distribution. Although it has long been recognised as a parasite of animals, it was not until 1976—a little over a decade ago—that it was shown to be capable of producing illness in man. Infected animals including man excrete the organism in their faeces in the form of minute oocysts which may cause infection if they are ingested.

  In man, cryptosporidiosis is usually characterised by a self-limiting illness with diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and sometimes fever that resolves in one to three weeks. It can affect persons of any age but is most common in children between the ages of one and five years. In patients with AIDS, and others whose resistance to infection is impaired, it is much more serious and may lead to severe and lasting disability.

  Because of the organism's widespread distribution, the group indicates that it must be assumed that, from time to time, oocysts will be present in all surface waters including springs and shallow wells. Current methods of water

  1189
  treatment and disinfection properly carried out cannot eliminate entirely the risk of cryptosporidium passing into the water supply.

  However, though the group recognises the potential that exists for giving rise to a very large number of cases through public water supplies it points out that an individual is much more likely to contract the infection if he comes into direct contact with the faeces of an infected person or animal.

  The letter points to the need for high standards of maintenance and repair of water distribution systems, for extra monitoring at water treatment works in certain circumstances and for some modification of operating procedures should the organism be detected in significant numbers. Close collaboration between water undertakers, local authorities and health authorities is advocated. A co-ordinated programme of research is proposed for gathering information on the occurrence of cryptosporidium and the capacity of water treatment works to remove it.

  I am advised that the expert group has spent considerable time examining the more general public health aspects of cryptosporidiosis and will make a fuller report in due course. In its interim report it identifies those most as risk from contracting the disease and puts forward simple precautions for prevention.

  My right hon. Friends welcome the interim report and are grateful to Sir John and his colleagues for the considerable effort they have made so far in undertaking this study. The Departments will draw the attention of water undertakers, local authorities, health authorities and other organisations to the interim conclusions and recommendations. Ways of undertaking the proposed research are already under consideration.

  London Zoo (Car Park)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the licence to London Zoo for Gloucester Slips park;

  (2) what is the term of the licence of Gloucester Slips car park to London Zoo.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A copy will be placed in the Library. The licence will follow the standard form used for all licences in the royal parks. Licences are normally renewed from year to year and I would expect that to be the case for this licence, but my right hon. Friend has no power to grant licences in perpetuity.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment under what statutory authority his Department has granted a licence to London Zoo to use the Gloucester Slips car park.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The licence to manage the Gloucester Slips coach and car park will be given under my right hon. Friend's powers of management and control of the royal parks under the Crown Lands Acts 1829 and 1851.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the acreage of the Gloucester Slips car park to be covered in the licence to London Zoo.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Six and a half acres.

  District Heating
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Building Research Establishment applied its own guidance which it gives to local authorities on the upgrading of district heating systems to itself in deciding to remove its own district heating system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ealing, North of 19 July,Official Report, column 210, on homelessness legislation, by what date he expects to publish his conclusions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has nothing to add to the earlier answer.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people by London borough are described as homeless; and what plans he has to deal with this problem.

  Mr. Chope
  Latest estimates of households accepted as homeless in each London borough appear in table 7 of "Local Authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England", compiled by the Department. A copy is in the Library.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is reviewing the legislation and hopes to announce conclusions soon.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by London borough the number of people in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Chope
  The numbers of households temporarily resident in bed and breakfast accommodation as reported by each London borough at the end of the five years 1984 to 1988 appear in respectively: table 7 of "Homeless Households Reported by Local Authorities in England: Results for Second Half 1984: Supplementary Tables"; the corresponding publication for the fourth quarter 1985; "Local Authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the fourth quarter 1986. Supplementary Tables"; and the corresponding publications for the fourth quarters of 1987 and 1988.

  Latest reported numbers of households in bed and breakfast accommodation appear in table 7 of 'Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the first quarter 1989. Supplementary Tables".

  Copies of all these publications are in the Library.

  Thames Water Authority (Land)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about(a) total land holdings, (b) annual land sales and (c) income generated from it for the Thames water authority in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Howard
  At the end of 1988, the Thames water authority's estimated land holding was approximately
  1191
  19,000 acres. Figures for proceeds from the sale of fixed assets are included in the published accounts of all water authorities, for years up to and including 1987–88. The unaudited accounts of the Thames water authority recently placed on public deposit included a figure for proceeds from sale of fixed assets in 1988–89 of £19·9 million. Figures for acreage of land sold in past years by Thames water authority are available from annual reports.

  Housing Investment
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much each local authority has spent in capital expenditure on housing investment for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Chope
  I have today placed a table giving the relevant information as reported by authorities on their annual HIP returns, in the Library.

  Vacant Properties
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the special housing investment programme enhancements to local authorities to use for bringing empty properties into accommodation units for the homeless has been taken up by local authorities(a) in total and (b) by each local authority; and how many units have been brought into use by the homeless as a result.

  Mr. Chope
  The additional resources, totalling £74·9 million, were fully taken up, and local authorities advise that as a result some 7,700 units have been brought back into use for homeless people.

  For details of individual authorities' allocations, I refer the hon. Member to the announcements made on 20 January, 23 June and 18 July 1988.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the expected outcome of the additional housing investment programme enhancement in 1987–88 for bringing empty property into use by the homeless; what are the revised figures for how many will be made available under the housing investment programme enhancements in the current year; and if there are any plans for additional enhancements in the next financial year.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made on 20 January, 1988 which gives details of the numbers of units made available under this initiative in 1987–88. No additional allocations have been made in the current year, and no decisions have yet been taken for the next financial year.

  HAT Tenants (Ballots)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the ballots for tenants in housing action trust areas will be held.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser) by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 24 May,Official Report, column 592.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which tenants, in addition to secure tenants already provided for in the Housing Act 1988, will be able to vote in a housing action trust ballot.
  1192
  Mr. Chope
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman).

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he intends to consult interested associations about the draft formulation of the formula rating for combined heat and power plant designed to ensure equal rating treatment with the electricity supply industry;

  (2) when he intends to set out the new arrangements for the equal rating treatment of combined heat and power with district heating as against the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Chope
  My officials are in discussion with the interested associations about a formula that will ensure the comparable rating assessment of all generators of electricity, including combined heat and power schemes from 1990, and we expect to announce our proposals for the new arrangements shortly.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider extending the Housing Act right to buy provisions to council-owned property let to the elderly on the basis that it must be sold back to the local authority at the current value when it is no longer required by the named occupant or their spouse.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Evictions
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many eviction orders there have been in the private rented sector among those tenancies with restricted landlord-tenant contracts since the introduction of the Housing Act 1980.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested is not available.

  Approved Landlords
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many organisations have been granted approved landlord status under the Housing Act 1980 to the latest available date; how many had provided tenancies; and of these how many were in sheltered housing-for-sale schemes.

  Mr. Chope
  A total of 370 organisations were approved under section 56 of the Housing Act 1980 before it was repealed. The Department carried out a monitoring exercise on the assured tenancy scheme last year, the results of which were placed in the Library. That exercise identified 76 approved bodies which were actually letting under assured tenancies. A substantial proportion of the accommodation provided is sheltered housing for the elderly—the Department does not have precise figures.

  Demolition
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average number of dwellings demolished per year in England and Wales since 1979; and what proportion of these were private rented dwellings.
  1193
  Mr. Chope
  The available information for England is as follows:

  Number of dwellings/Percentage

  Net total demolished or closed (including slum clearance)

  Percentage of which in private sector (including owner occupied)

  1979–80

  137,300

  2—

  1980–81

  38,900

  62

  1981–82

  35,200

  56

  1982–83

  24,800

  54

  1983–84

  20,300

  46

  1984–85

  26,600

  38

  1985–86

  17,900

  50

  1986–87

  16,000

  45

  1987–883

  16,000

  40

  Average over period 1980–81 to 1987–88

  24,500

  51

  1 Estimate.

  2 Not available.

  3 Provisional.

  Note: Information for the private rented sector is not available.

  For information on Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Magnox Reactors
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask the chairman of United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. to re-evaluate the benefits of the Bradwell nuclear reactor site for the construction of a repository for bulk radioactive wastes such as boiler, heat-exchangers and pipework from decommissioned Magnox reactors; and reactor components from submarines.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. The Government have accepted Nirex's recommendation that further exploratory work at Sellafield and Dounreay is necessary before any particular site for a disposal facility for low and intermediate-level radioactive waste can be decided upon. The facility is intended to accommodate both operational and decommissioning wastes. The Government intend to keep open the sea disposal option for low-level large items arising from decommissioning operations. Reactor components from submarines are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the current whereabouts and plans for future disposal of the 1,025 kilos of ivory exported from Zaire without a licence in June 1986 by Mr. Shivaz Virji of Ealing.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has no information about a consignment in June 1986.

  Hazardous Wastes
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what initiatives he has taken at meetings of the European Council of Environment Ministers to ensure that proper border checks can be made on rail and road cargos of hazardous wastes at the joint borders of European Economic Community states following the creation of the European single market.
  1194
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  National borders will still be relevant after the creation of the European single market in the control of shipments of waste. We have asked the Council of Environment Ministers to examine transborder shipments of all waste, not only of hazardous waste.

  Uranium
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulatory regime covers the environmental protection of uranium wastes and depleted uranium stored at BNFL Springfields, Chapelcross, Capenhurst and Sellafield, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority sites at Harwell, Windscale, Winfrith and Dounreay and each of the Central Electricity Generating Board's nuclear plant sites, and the Central Electricity Generating Board's research laboratories at Berkeley and Barnwood.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Regulatory control is exercised in respect of radioactive waste discharges a nd disposals from nuclear site operators by HMIP.

  Radioactive wastes from nuclear sites are disposed of under the conditions and limitations of site specific authorisations issued under section 6 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by the authorising Departments (DOE and MAFF). These authorisations, which are kept under regular review, require the operator to meet strict disposal limits and to use the best practicable means to further limit discharges. They are given only if the Secretary of State is satisfied about the effect of the discharges on the environment.

  Radioactive Waste
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what volumes of low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes arising from reprocessed spent Magnox nuclear fuel from(a) the Latina reactor in Italy and (b) the Tokai Nura reactor in Japan are currently in store at (i) Harwell, (ii) Drigg, (iii) Sellafield, (iv) Chapelcross and (v) Aldermaston.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not kept by the Department. I have asked the chairman of British Nuclear Fuels plc to write to the hon. Member.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what volumes of radioactive toxic and special wastes for which his Department has responsibility are located at Springfields and Capenhurst.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The volumes of radioactive waste located at Springfields and Capenhurst are contained in the United Kingdom radioactive waste inventory, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. Details of toxic and special wastes are held by the appropriate waste disposal authority.

  Environmental Protection
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many written questions on environmental protection and pollution issues he has declined to answer since May 1979 on the grounds that replies could be given only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No record is kept of the number of questions which are answered in this way.
  1195
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will set out the investments made between 1974–79, and 1979 to the present respectively, by Her Majesty's Government in(a) energy conservation and efficiency, (b) detoxification of rivers and estuaries, (c) research into acid rain pollution, (d) radioactive waste management and disposal, (e) controlling air and aqueous radioactive discharges and (f) the reprocessing of nuclear fuel from foreign contracts;

  (2) what percentage of United Kingdom gross national product has been devoted to environmental protection in each year since 1979; if he has comparable figures for each year from 1975 to 1979; and what information he has for the gross national product/environmental protection expenditure ratio in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries for the same time period.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if water companies will be open to prosecution for events such as outbreaks of cryptosporidium in drinking water and cessation of water supplies due to midge larvae infestation after privatisation.

  Mr. Howard
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Sunderland Enterprise Zone
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the statement by the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 13 July,Official Report, columns 1148–57, he intends to proceed with the designation of the Sunderland enterprise zone.

  Mr. Hunt
  A fresh invitation to the Tyne and Wear development corporation to prepare an enterprise zone scheme has been issued today. This replaces the earlier invitation referred to in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier) to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Patnick) on 10 April, and incorporates revisions to the boundary of zone No. 1 covering land at Hylton riverside and Soundwick shipyard which were requested by the corporation. The effect of these is to replace a 10-acre site requiring much preparation with one that is ready for development. I am arranging for copies of the present invitation and map showing the land specified to be placed in the Library of the House. Meanwhile I understand that Sunderland borough council is continuing with steps towards the designation of those areas for which it is the enterprise zone authority (zone 2 at Castletown and zone 3 at Doxford park).

  Water Bill
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will reply to the points raised in the debate on the Water Bill on 3 July by the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes as promised by the Under-Secretary of State,Official Report, column 85.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I wrote to my hon. Friend yesterday.

  Strategic Planning (London)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on strategic planning guidance for London.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have placed copies of the strategic guidance for London in the Library today and will send my hon. Friend a copy.

  I announced in the House that the guidance takes account of the comments received in consultation on the draft which the Secretary of State published on 6 March.

  The purpose of the guidance is to help the local planning authorities in London to prepare their unitary development plans. It is not intended as a comprehensive "master plan" for London, but as a statement of the Government's policies on those matters relating to the development and use of land which need to be dealt with on a Londonwide basis. Within this framework, the guidance allows each borough wide freedom to draw up with the local community the unitary development plan for its area.

  The guidance includes policies on business, industrial, retail and tourist development; road and rail infrastructure and the relationship between transport and land use; provision for additional housing for the next decade; protection of the green belt, metropolitan open land and other open spaces; conservation of the natural and the built environment; and preservation of the character of the River Thames.

  The guidance marks an important further step away from the cumbersome, centralised planning of the 1960s and 1970s towards the effective and well-focused development plans London will need as it faces the opportunities of the 1990s.

  Copies of the guidance are being sent to all London Members of Parliament.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances the controls embodied in green belt policy can apply to uses of land as distinct from building development on it.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any further plans to regulate the sale of products containing chlorofluorocarbons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Production and supply of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are already limited by the Montreal protocol, which should be amended next year so as to require their complete elimination by the year 2000. We will legislate against specific products only if industry fails to maintain its rapid reduction in CFC consumption.

  Tropical Hardwoods
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of the Property Services Agency in respect of the use of tropical hardwoods.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the 65 applications by the London residuary body to his Department for consent to dispose of properties by means of voluntary sales to licensee occupiers at discounted prices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Sea Levels
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been carried out by or on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to ascertain whether and to what extent sea levels can be expected to rise in the next 60 years as a result of the greenhouse effect; and what areas of the present United Kingdom coastline would be under water at the lowest and highest projections for sea levels.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: The Meteorological Office has made a major international contribution to modelling climate change including its impact on sea level. This work has contributed to the current consensus that the sea level rise which would follow a doubling of effective greenhouse gas concentrations could lie between 20 cm and about 1·5 m. Costs of defending the coastline increase with sea level rise.

  The actual sea level rise over the next 60 years, and therefore the land area threatened, depends on the actual rate of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. Providing the best available scientific advice on this and all other aspects of the greenhouse effect is the task of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, for which the science review panel is chaired by the Meteorological Office and funded by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Energy.

  Beaches, South Wales
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) which beaches along the South Wales coastline between Cardiff and the Gower peninsula conform to the water quality standards of Economic Community bathing water directive 76/160/EEC; and what consideration he has given to the merits of existing and proposed screened sewage outfalls along this coastline;

  (2) which beaches on the south Wales coastline within 10 miles of Swansea attain the standards required under Economic Community bathing water directive 76/160/ EEC.

  Mr. Howard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Director General of Water Services
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment where the office of the Director General of Water Services will be located.

  Mr. Howard
  [pursuant to the reply, 23 March 1989, c. 782]: The Water Act creates a greatly improved system of regulating the water industry which will benefit the customer and the environment.

  The appointment of the Director General of Water Services is a key component. As director, Ian Byatt will
  1198
  ensure that customers are protected against unnecessary price increases. At the same time he will ensure that the company have sufficient income to carry out their functions properly and to meet quality standards. He will encourage water companies to be more efficient. He will monitor standards of service. He will establish customer service committees which will investigate complaints and provide a forum for customers to put forward their views.

  Financial provision is being made for the Office of Water Services in vote X.10 from 1 August. As previously announced, the office will begin operations in Birmingham on vesting day, 1 September.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of single and married persons over and under pensionable age who are likely to qualify for a rebate of poll tax; and how many of these are likely to be worse off under the new arrangements than at present.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Estimates of numbers expected to receive community charge benefit are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  My Department placed in the Library detailed estimates of the impact of the new system on household finances on 15 December 1988.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table illustrating the estimated levels of the community charge in England and Wales in the current financial year if the cost of education were to be borne entirely by the Exchequer.

  Mr. David Hunt
  If the cost of education were to be funded by the Exchequer and in consequence an equal amount were deducted from the level of grant available to local authorities, the average community charge in England would be £274, as shown in the illustrative community charge levels placed in the Library on 19 July 1989. The level of community charge in each area would depend on the previous arrangements used to distribute the remaining Government grant and the proceeds of the uniform business rate.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what liability to poll tax young people over 18 years of age in recognised apprenticeship schemes will face; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what liability to poll tax those over 18 years of age who are placed with employment training and other training schemes will face; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The people to whom the hon. Member refers will be liable to pay the personal community charge at the address of their sole or main residence unless they are exempt under the terms of schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Depending on their income, resources and personal circumstances they may be eligible for rebates of up to 80 per cent. of the charge; if they are full-time students as defined by the Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989 they would pay only 20 per cent. of the personal charge for the area.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of(a) the maximum and (b) the minimum initial standard community charge for each of the London boroughs.
  1199
  Mr. David Hunt
  I have made no estimate of the level of the community charge on introduction. Illustrative figures based on 1989–90 local government responsibilities and expenditure levels were placed in the Library on 19 July. The level of each class of standard community charge payable in each area will depend on the multiplier set by each charging authority.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update the answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, 2 May,Official Report, column 50, listing all recent sources of legislation and official guidance on the operation of the community charge, and any further orders and regulations (a) laid before and agreed to by the House, (b) laid before, but not yet agreed to by the House or (c) yet to be laid before the House giving in each case an outline of the area of implementation affected.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 29 July 1989]: The following are the official sources of information and guidance about the operation of the community charge.

  1. Legislation

  July 1988
  Local Government Finance Act, 1988
  Housing and Local Government Bill

  Regulations laid before Parliament

  March 1989
  Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement)
  Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/438)

  March 1989
  Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals Regulations Collection 1989 (SI 1989/439)

  March 1989
  Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals (Transfer of Jurisdiction) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/440)

  March 1989
  The Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/443)

  March 1989
  The Personal Community Charge (Exemptions) Order 1989 UK Service Personnel (SI 1989/442)

  June 1989
  The Community Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/1057)

  July 1989
  The Community Charge Benefits (General) Regulations 1989

  Regulation to be laid before Parliament

  These will cover the following areas:
  Exchange of information between Community Charges Registration Officers in Scotland and CCROs in England and Wales
  Properties occupied by ministers of religion
  Form of demand note and accompanying information
  Discounts
  Co-owners

  Community Charge Practice Notes
  The Government, in conjunction with the local authority associations, are publishing a series of community charge practice notes. These provide detailed advice on the operation of the community charge and are circulated to local authority
  1200
  practitioners and others with a professional interest in community charge. The following practice notes have been issued to date:

  May 1988
  An Introduction to the Community Charge

  June 1988
  Exemptions

  August 1988
  The Register

  August 1988
  Data Protection

  August 1988
  Rebates

  October 1988
  Omission of Names from the Extract

  October 1988
  Appeals

  November 1988
  The Canvass

  November 1988
  Sole or Main Residence

  January 1989
  Data Protection No. 2

  February 1989
  Billing

  March 1989
  Standard Charge

  April 1989
  Collective Charge

  April 1989
  Joint and Several Liability

  May 1989
  UK Service Personnel

  May 1989
  Diplomats and Visiting Forces

  Other Publications
  My Department is producing guidance for the general public on the community charge by means of a free booklet and series of supplementary free leaflets. Publications so far issued in this series are:-

  December 1988
  "You and the Community Charge:
  (Your Step by Step Guide)"

  March 1989
  "You and the Community Charge:
  Exemptions"

  June 1989
  "You and the Community Charge:
  Appeals"

  June 1989
  "You and the Community Charge:
  Students"

  June 1989
  "You and the Community Charge:
  Second Homes"
  1201
  June 1989
  "You and the Community Charge:
  Rebates"
  Copies of these publications are available free of charge from Room P1/163, Department of the Environment, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3EB.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each region the number of rated domestic premises in 1988–89, the estimated rate yield based on a charge of 1 per cent. of the capital value and the estimated cost of a rate-free deduction of, respectively, £10,000 per dwelling, £5,000 for each resident member as defined for electoral purposes, and £5,000 for each dependent resident.

  Estimated yield from 1 per cent, capita value rate and costs for various deductions

  Domestic hereditaments (000's)

  Yield from 1 per cent, capital value rate

  Cost of £10,000 rate free per hered

  Cost of £5,000 rate free per adult

  Cost of £5,000 rate free per child

  Column 1

  Column 2

  Column 3

  Column 4

  Column 5

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Northern Region

  1,233

  420

  123

  379

  114

  North West Region

  2,449

  975

  250

  946

  297

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,936

  783

  194

  759

  234

  East Midlands Region

  1,550

  768

  155

  302

  92

  West Midlands Region

  1,999

  1,039

  200

  694

  219

  East Anglia Region

  799

  574

  80

  154

  47

  South East Region

  4,078

  3,624

  408

  811

  244

  South West Region

  1,810

  1,221

  181

  357

  101

  Greater London Region

  2,792

  2,459

  279

  1,162

  331

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to announce a minimum threshold percentage of eligible residents registered for the community charge prior to exercising his powers of central control.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer) explained in his answer of 25 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight) that where there is doubt as to whether community charge register data give a realistic estimate of an area's adult population, we propose to adopt an alternative for the purpose of calculating the relevant population to be used for distributing grant and business rates. We will be discussing with the local authority associations the criteria which might be used to identify doubtful cases.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the detailed components used in calculating the expenditure needs of each local authority in England and Wales, and the method then used in establishing supposed overspending, in arriving at the indicative community charge figures given to the House on 19 July.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The method used to calculate the overspending figures contained in the table showing illustrative 1989–90 community charges is detailed in the explanatory notes accompanying that table.

  Overspending was measured by comparison with grant related expenditure (GRE) assessment. The components used in calculating GRE's are set out in the Department's publication "The Technical Handbook of Grant-Related Expenditure 1989–90" which is available in the Library.
  1202
  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 27 July 1989]: The table provides the information requested. Column 1 shows the number of domestic hereditaments as at 1 April 1988. Column 2 shows the yield from a 1 per cent. capital value tax, where the capital value is estimated by multiplying the average price for each region by the number of domestic hereditament properties. The average house price in each region was taken from the survey of building society mortgages. The costs of the three types of rate deduction are given in the following three columns. They are calculated by taking 1 per cent. of the products of:

  (1) The number of hereditaments over £10,000.

  (2) The 18-year-old and over population in each area and £5,000.

  (3) The under 18-year-old population in each area and £5,000.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the assumed contributions, in cash terms, to local expenditure for each authority from(a) Government sources and (b) business rates in the tables contained in the document, "1989–90 Illustrative Capital Value Rates and Local Income Tax", published on 19 July.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him and to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 25 July.

  Since data are not available for each local authority on either the capital value of domestic properties or on the taxable income of residents, I cannot provide the information requested.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total cost, in cash terms, of producing, printing and distributing the document, "1989–90 Illustrative Capital Value Rates and Local Income Tax" which was published on 19 July;

  (2) what was the total cost, in cash terms, of producing, printing and distributing the 22-sheet document, "Department of the Environment 1989–90 Illustrative Community Charges."

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Grocott) on 24 July.

  The cost of providing sufficient copies for the Vote Office, the local authority associations and others is estimated to have been about £600. The 22-page document headed "Department of the Environment 1989–90 Illustrative Community Charges" included details of the

  1203
  impact of capital value rates combined with a local income tax. The document was distributed through the Department's normal channels.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce details of the 1204
  rebate of up to 80 per cent. of the community charge to be made available to persons on low incomes; and when information on how to apply for such rebates will be sent to local authorities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to my hon. Friend.