Sitting of 1 November 1990

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

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

PRAYERS

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

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990

  Employment Act 1990

  Landlord and Tenant (Licensed Premises) Act 1990

  Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990

  Courts and Legal Services Act 1990

  Broadcasting Act 1990

  Environmental Protection Act 1990

  Caldey Island Act 1990

  City of Dundee District Council Order Confirmation Act 1990

  Zetland Masonic Sick and Widows and Orphans Fund Order Confirmation Act 1990

  London Local Authorities (No. 2) Act 1990

  Port of Tyne Act 1990

  Prorogation

    HER MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH
    Mr. Speaker: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, one of the Lord Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command. For greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Votes and Proceedings. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
    The Gracious Speech was as follows:
    My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
    The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of His Excellency the President of the Republic of India and Mrs. Venkataraman in April and his Excellency the President of the Italian Republic in October.
    We recall with pleasure our visit to New Zealand in February for the 150th anniversary of the Waitangi treaty and for the Commonwealth games. We remember with satisfaction our State Visit to Iceland in June, followed by a visit I made to Canada.
    My Government have played a full and vigorous part in the actions taken by the United Nations and the international community to bring about the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait and the restoration of that country's independence and legitimate government. They have responded quickly to requests by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Governments of the region to contribute to their defence. They have made clear their determination that this act of aggression will not be allowed to succeed.
    My Government have welcomed continuing progress towards economic and political reform in the Soviet Union and the far-reaching political changes which have taken place in most eastern European countries.
    My Government have welcomed the changes in the German Democratic Republic. They have played a constructive part in the preparation for the unification of Germany and the ending of the four party rights and responsibilities.
    My Government have maintained a sound defence based on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. They have played a full part in the process of adapting NATO to the new circumstances in Europe set in hand at the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in London in July.
    My Government have continued to work for balanced and verifiable arms control agreements. They have played a full part in the negotiations on reducing conventional forces in Europe and in the talks in Geneva on the abolition of chemical weapons. My Government played an important part in the Fourth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.
    My Government have continued to work actively for the completion of the single European market. They have made proposals relating to the forthcoming intergovernmental conference for economic and monetary union. They played a full part in the Community and wider international response to economic and political reform in eastern Europe and in multilateral negotiations to liberalise international trade.
    They have, with our European partners, concluded a fourth Lomé agreement.
    My Government have welcomed the independence of Namibia and its membership of the Commonwealth. In South Africa there has been welcome progress towards the end of apartheid.
    My Government have maintained a substantial and effective overseas aid programme to assist developing countries.
    My Government welcomed the extension of democratic government in Latin America. They were pleased to re-establish diplomatic relations with Argentina and Iran.
    My Government have continued their sustained efforts to combat terrorism in the United Kingdom and overseas. They welcomed the recent release of hostages from Lebanon and have continued their efforts to secure the release of all Britons held hostage or detained in the middle east.
    My Government convened the world ministerial drugs summit in April, and have given practical support to other Governments, particularly in Colombia. They have concluded agreements to confiscate drug traffickers' funds with seven Governments.
    My Government hosted the second meeting of parties to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer in June, at which a significant strengthening of controls was agreed.
    Members of the House of Commons
    I thank you for the provision which you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
    My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
    My Government have continued to pursue firm financial policies necessary for sustained economic growth. To reinforce these anti-inflationary policies, they have brought the pound sterling into the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system. They have made a public sector debt repayment for the third successive year, reducing Government debt to levels not seen since the first world war. National output has continued to grow and living standards to increase. The number of people in employment has risen further.
    As part of my Government's programme to improve the performance of the economy and encourage saving, legislation has been enacted to allow the introduction of tax exempt special savings accounts and to abolish the composite rate of tax and stamp duty on share transactions. The independent taxation of married women has come into effect.
    The 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales have been sold, continuing my Government's programme of encouraging greater industrial efficiency and wider share ownership.
    An Act has been passed to provide new powers to control pollution and waste, and also to reorganise nature conservation in Great Britain.
    A White Paper has been published providing Britain's first comprehensive survey of all aspects of environmental concern, and setting out a strategy for the environment over the next decade.
    An Act has been passed to improve aviation and maritime security.
    Legislation has been enacted to make further reforms in industrial relations and trade union law.
    Legislation has been enacted to improve maintenance arrangements for lone parents, to give better protection for members of occupational pension schemes and to begin changing the structure of disability benefits.
    An Act has been passed to improve the national health service and the management of community care.
    An Act has been passed to institute a legal framework for scientific developments in human fertilisation and embryology.
    An Act has been passed to improve the administration of civil justice and increase choice in the provision of legal services.
    An Act has been passed to strengthen the law on food safety and consumer protection.
    Legislation has been enacted to supplement students' grants with loans.
    My Government have worked to restore confidence in Hong Kong, building on the Sino-British joint agreement. My Government have passed an Act to encourage key Hong Kong personnel and their families to remain there by giving them the assurance of British citizenship, thereby helping to maintain the future stability and prosperity of the territory.
    An Act has been passed to reform the framework for commercial broadcasting, providing for a wider choice while strengthening the oversight of programme standards.
    An Act has been passed to enhance international co-operation in the investigation and prosecution of crime.
    In Northern Ireland, my Government have continued their efforts to combat terrorism, to tackle the Province's political, social and economic problems and to work constructively within the framework of the Anglo-Irish agreement.
    For Scotland, legislation has been enacted to create Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to provide for the winding up of the new town development corporations and to effect certain law reform measures.
    My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
    I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
    Thereafter a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read, after which the Lord Chancellor said:
    "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the seventh day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the seventh day of this instant November."
    End of the Third Session (opened on 21 November 1989) of the Fiftieth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Thirty-Ninth Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Prosecution Costs
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General by how much the total costs of prosecutions in the United Kingdom have risen in the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  The total costs of prosecutions in England and Wales prior to the creation of the Crown prosecution service are not readily available. The Crown prosecution service became fully operational on 1 October 1986. The total running costs of the service between the financial years 1987–88, the first full year of its operation, and 1989–90 increased by £50·3 million. The voted expenditure for the current financial year is £25 million more than the total expenditure for the financial year 1989–90. The total expenditure figures for the Crown prosecution service, excluding receipts from costs awarded to the service, are:

  £

  1986–87

  74,153,000

  1987–88

  133,840,000

  1988–89

  156,882,000

  1989–90

  184,141,000

  The voted expenditure for the current financial year is £209,157,000.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by location the establishments that produce radioactive(a) high-level waste, (b) intermediate-level waste and (c) low-level waste.

  Mr Needham
  No high-level or intermediate-level radioactive waste is produced in Northern Ireland. Low-level radioactive waste is generated at the following establishments and locations.

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board

  Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast

  Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman's Lane, Belfast

  Blood Transfusion Service, 89 Durham Street, Belfast

  NI Radiotherapy Centre, Belvoir Park Hospital, Hospital Road, Belfast

  Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast

  Northern Health and Social Services Board

  Waveney Hospital, Cushendall Road, Ballymena

  NI Radiological Protection Service, Purdysburn Hospital, Belfast

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  Craigavon Hospital, Portadown
  636
  Western Health and Social Services Board

  Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry

  Stradreagh Hospital, Clooney Road, Londonderry

  Erne Hospital, Cornagrade Road, Enniskillen

  Ulster Independent Clinic

  Stranmillis Road, Belfast

  Atlas Communications Ltd

  67 West Street, Newtownards

  Norbrook Laboratories Ltd

  Station Works, Camlough Road, Newry

  Richardsons Fertilisers

  Herdman Channel Road, Belfast

  Queen's University Belfast

  Main Site, University Road, Belfast

  Medical Biology Centre, Lisburn Road, Belfast

  University of Ulster

  Coleraine, Co Londonderry

  Newtownabbey, Co Antrim

  Limnology Lab, Tread point, Drumenagh, Magherafelt

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers in Northern Ireland have had specialist training to enable them to assist in developing the full potential of children suffering from dyslexia.

  Mr. Needham
  Dyslexia can describe a variety of specific learning difficulties experienced by children. All courses of initial teacher training include an element designed to enable students to develop the capacity to identify and deal with pupils with learning difficulties.

  Northern Ireland Centre, Brussels
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether Northern Ireland district councils, health and social services boards and education and library boards are empowered to make financial contributions towards the cost of a Northern Ireland centre in Brussels.

  Mr. Cope
  District councils have discretionary powers under the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 to incur expenditure or to contribute towards the expenses of any voluntary body or association which carries on activities which are in the interests of the council, the council area or the inhabitants of the area.

  Neither health and social services boards nor education and library boards are empowered to make financial contributions towards the cost of a Northern Ireland centre in Brussels.

  Water and Sewerage Services
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the future delivery of water and sewerage services.

  Mr. Brooke
  I propose to transfer the water and sewerage functions of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to a Government-owned company, in line with the Government's policy of applying private sector disciplines wherever possible. The target date for the transfer is 1 October 1992.

  The Government are committed to improving the quality of drinking water in line with EC standards and to

  637
  protecting the environment. They believe the transfer of the water service to a commercially orientated water company will enable these aims to be met in the most cost-effective way. This will safeguard the interests of ratepayers and metered water consumers. The separation of water and sewerage services from DOE will also facilitate the establishment of effective regulatory regimes, with benefits for the whole community.

  A major programme of work lies ahead to achieve an orderly transition from the present arrangements to the new ones. The effective and efficient delivery of water and sewerage services depends on the skills and commitment of the staff of the water service and the Government intend to discuss with the trade unions the basis on which staff will transfer from the Northern Ireland civil service to the new company.

  Parliamentary approval to funding for the establishment of the company will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the DOE, vote 3—water and sewerage. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £50,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Newtownbreda
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland within the parameters of which area plan planning applications for private residential developments in the vicinity of the village of Newtownbreda are considered.

  Mr. Needham
  The Belfast urban area plan 2001.

  School Employees
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the remit of the Fair Employment Commission extends to employees of integrated schools and of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

  Mr. Needham
  A teacher in a primary or a secondary school is exempt from the operations of the Fair Employment (NI) Acts 1976 and 1989. They apply however to the employees of educational bodies such as integrated schools and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools unless they are exempt under section

  Numbers of ratepayers receiving rate rebate/housing benefit 1985–86 to 1990–91

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  District council

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Antrim

  4,381

  30·8

  4,473

  31·0

  4,348

  29·6

  3,023

  20·2

  2,943

  19·7

  3,002

  20·0

  Ards

  6,382

  26·9

  6,546

  27·2

  6,255

  25·8

  4,304

  17·5

  4,353

  17·4

  4,336

  17·2

  Armagh

  5,132

  31·1

  5,174

  30·9

  5,239

  30·9

  3,453

  20·1

  3,470

  20·2

  3,577

  20·7

  Ballymena

  5,737

  29·9

  5,696

  29·1

  5,645

  28·5

  3,837

  19·3

  3,889

  19·1

  3,848

  18·8

  Ballymoney

  2,848

  37·2

  2,922

  37·5

  2,907

  36·8

  1,943

  24·3

  1,961

  24·2

  1,963

  24·2

  Banbridge

  3,250

  29·7

  3,334

  29·9

  3,261

  28·9

  2,196

  19·0

  2,189

  18·7

  2,233

  19·0

  Belfast

  50,426

  43·7

  49,349

  42·4

  49,338

  42·3

  38,830

  33·0

  38,684

  32·7

  38,750

  32·7

  Carrickfergus

  2,862

  24·8

  3,584

  30·2

  3,487

  28·8

  2,404

  19·2

  2,487

  19·5

  2,465

  19·2

  Castlereagh

  5,743

  25·3

  5,659

  24·5

  5,666

  24·2

  3,846

  16·2

  3,845

  15·8

  3,877

  15·8

  Coleraine

  6,428

  35·2

  6,382

  34·3

  6,461

  33·9

  4,335

  22·3

  4,403

  22·3

  3,930

  19·8

  Cookstown

  3,706

  39·7

  3,805

  40·1

  3,870

  39·8

  2,641

  26·7

  2,743

  27·5

  2,644

  26·3

  Craigavon

  12,302

  46·6

  10,074

  37·7

  9,616

  35·6

  6,730

  24·7

  6,814

  24·9

  6,866

  24·9

  Downpatrick

  5,196

  28·9

  5,565

  30·4

  5,598

  30·0

  3,746

  19·7

  3,865

  20·0

  3,873

  19·8

  Dungannon

  5,367

  37·5

  5,634

  38·8

  5,677

  38·6

  3,850

  25·9

  3,963

  26·3

  3,900

  25·7

  Fermanagh

  6,294

  35·4

  6,612

  36·3

  6,649

  35·8

  4,396

  23·5

  4,519

  23·7

  4,474

  23·3

  Larne

  3,117

  27·1

  3,287

  28·3

  3,098

  26·4

  2,131

  18·1

  2,186

  18·4

  2,178

  18·3

  Limavady

  3,134

  38·5

  3,208

  38·5

  3,227

  38·0

  2,116

  24·6

  2,230

  25·7

  2,255

  25·8

  Lisburn

  10,143

  32·5

  10,278

  32·2

  10,082

  30·9

  7,828

  23·2

  7,792

  22·6

  7,835

  22·6

  Derry

  12,968

  46·8

  13,035

  46·5

  13,055

  45·8

  10,399

  36·1

  10,672

  36·0

  10,695

  35·7

  Magherafelt

  4,197

  40·1

  4,284

  40·0

  4,306

  39·8

  2,848

  25·8

  2,891

  25·6

  2,820

  24·8

  Moyle

  1,940

  37·3

  1,966

  37·0

  1,993

  37·3

  1,392

  25·7

  1,415

  25·7

  1,401

  25·3

  638
  37 of the 1976 Act, because the essential nature of their jobs requies a particular religious belief or political opinion.

  Castlereagh Area Plan
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for the preparation of an area plan for the borough of Castlereagh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The main urban parts of Castlereagh borough council area are covered by the Belfast urban area plan 2001—BUAP—and the recently adopted Carryduff local plan covers a further portion of the council area. Throughout the remaining rural parts of the area the BUAP green belt policy applies.

  Work on the preparation of an area plan for the whole of the Castlereagh district is expected to commence in 1993 following a reassessment of the development lands proposed in the BUAP and the expiry of the Carryduff local plan.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) domestic and (b) other ratepayers in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and the current year in each council area in Northern Ireland received a rate rebate of (1) 20 per cent. to 29 per cent., (2) 30 per cent. to 39 per cent., (3) 40 per cent. to 49 per cent., (4) 50 per cent. to 59 per cent., (5) 60 per cent. to 69 per cent., (6) 70 per cent. to 79 per cent., (7) 80 per cent. to 89 per cent. and (8) 90 per cent. or over of their rates; and what percentage of the total ratepayers each such cohort of ratepayers represented.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: Housing benefit is granted only to domestic ratepayers and the schedule shows the total number of ratepayers by district council area who were in receipt of benefit for the last five years and the current year—column A—and the percentage of domestic ratepayers that this represents—column B. Figures relating to the percentage bands requested are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  639

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  District council

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Newry

  10,591

  41·6

  11,254

  43·4

  11,131

  42·5

  7,787

  29·3

  8,066

  30·0

  8,174

  30·2

  Newtownabbey

  8,035

  29·8

  8,631

  31·7

  8,193

  29·7

  5,013

  18·0

  5,715

  20·3

  5,703

  20·2

  North Down

  6,416

  24·5

  6,239

  23·3

  6,166

  22·7

  4,318

  15·7

  4,357

  15·5

  4,352

  15·3

  Omagh

  5,023

  37·7

  5,088

  37·5

  5,270

  38·0

  3,508

  25·0

  3,546

  25·0

  3,641

  25·5

  Strabane

  5,007

  45·7

  5,205

  46·8

  5,075

  45·1

  3,644

  31·9

  3,689

  31·9

  3,715

  31·9

  Total

  196,625

  36·2

  197,284

  35·8

  195,593

  35·0

  140,518

  24·8

  142,687

  24·9

  142,507

  24·7

  Column A—Total number of ratepayers receiving housing benefit.

  Column B—Ratepayers receiving housing benefit as a percentage of total domestic ratepayers.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I attended the Prorogation of Parliament. Later today I shall preside at a meeting of the Cabinet and have meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

  Receptions, Downing Street
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the estimated total cost of the reception held at Downing street on 29 October; how many of these "getting to know you" receptions have been held in the past year; and how many are proposed for the next 12 months.

  The Prime Minister
  The estimated cost of the reception is £1,700. During the past year one similar reception was held and one other is planned within the next 12 months.

  European Council (Rome)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list in the Official Report the titles and origins of all papers placed before the European Council at its meeting in Rome on 27 October and place copies of each in the Library.

  The Prime Minister
  The conclusions of the European Council have been placed in the Library of the House in the usual way. Published documents submitted to the European Council fall within the terms of reference of the. Select Committee on European Legislation and are deposited.

  Nuclear Test Ban
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received any communications this year from Parliamentarians Global Action, based in New York, on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  I was invited to meet a delegation from Parliamentarians Global Action in November. I am unable to do so, and the delegation will instead be received by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave).

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to address the amendment conference of the 1963 640
  partial nuclear test ban treaty in New York in January 1991; and what information she has on plans by any other Head of Government or state to address the conference.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to address the partial test ban treaty amendment conference. I am not aware that any other Head of Government or state plans to do so.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements are in hand for interdepartmental consultations on the appointment of accountancy firms to advise on privatisation.

  The Prime Minister
  It is for the sponsoring Departments of each privatisation to appoint advisers, which is done on a competitive basis. Her Majesty's Treasury is the co-ordinating Department for privatisations and, as such, provides advice to sponsoring Departments as required.

  European Commission
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to the EEC Commission.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to visit the European Commission at present. I meet European Commissioners during the regular meetings of the European Council and, at times, in London.

  German Fishing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if, when last she met Chancellor Kohl, and other EC Heads of Government, they discussed the increase in the size of the German fishing fleet, resulting from German unification and the need to persuade German fishermen to move into other areas of the German economy and labour market.

  The Prime Minister
  The special European Council in Rome on 27 and 28 October did not discuss the specific question of German fishing fleets. But the German authorities have given repeated assurances to the Council of Ministers that they will not seek any adjustments which would affect existing access to Community waters under the common fisheries policy.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Written Questions
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what has been the total number of written questions tabled in the 1989–90 Session; what estimate he has for the cost of replying to them; and what were the comparable figures in the previous Session.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The total number of written questions tabled in Sessions 1988–89 and 1989–90 are 39,540 and 41,371 respectively. Estimates of the average costs of preparing answers and of printing questions and answers are not prepared on a regular basis; the latest figures available are £53 and £38 respectively. These would indicate that the total cost of replying to written questions in the current Session is in the order of £3·7 million.

  Telephone Facilities
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his oral answer of 25 June,Official Report, column 18, if he will make a further statement on consideration by the Services Committee of the provision

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Prime Minister

  9

  6

  3

  7

  5

  7

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  7

  17

  2

  2

  3

  6

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  6

  6

  1

  6

  1

  1

  Home Office

  10

  8

  4

  8

  7

  8

  Ministry of Defence

  6

  4

  7

  3

  2

  5

  Department of Health and Social Security

  13

  12

  7

  8

  —

  —

  Department of Health

  —

  —

  —

  0

  5

  2

  Department of Social Security

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  4

  Department of Education and Science

  5

  4

  3

  3

  1

  3

  Scottish Office

  7

  8

  4

  9

  7

  3

  Department of Transport

  6

  6

  2

  5

  11

  3

  Department of Energy

  5

  0

  1

  4

  2

  3

  Department of the Environment

  7

  9

  6

  7

  5

  4

  Northern Ireland Office

  1

  2

  1

  6

  4

  2

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  4

  4

  2

  2

  6

  5

  Department of Employment

  5

  7

  3

  2

  3

  2

  Welsh Office

  4

  4

  1

  5

  2

  2

  Department of Trade and Industry

  8

  11

  5

  17

  7

  5

  Attorney General

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1

  0

  Minister for the Arts

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  105

  109

  52

  98

  76

  66

  Broadcasting
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many offices in the Palace of Westminster and its outbuildings currently receive a clean feed of proceedings in the House; and who occupies them.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 27 June at columns 232–33, the following offices or rooms within the House and its outbuildings are currently in receipt of a clean television and sound feed from the Chamber: Mr. Speaker's residence; the office of Mr. Speaker's Secretary; the office of the Chairman of Ways and Means; the office of the Supervisor of Broadcasting; and the Press Gallery (within which some broadcasting organisations have made their own separate arrangements). There are, of course, also monitors in each of the Division Lobbies, though these do not carry sound.

  In addition, the Votes and Proceedings Office, occupied by staff of the Department of the Clerk of the House, is
  642
  of free official telephone communication facilities for hon. Members to the institutions of the European Community in Brussels and elsewhere; and when he expects the Services Committee study to be concluded with appropriate recommendations.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The Services Committee is close to reaching conclusions on the provision of free telephone and postal communications with the main European Community institutions. Early in the new Session decisions are expected on these and other aspects of links with the European Community.

  I shall arrange for the House to be informed of the Committee's conclusions.

  Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many ministerial statements were made in the House during the current and each of the previous five Sessions; and if he will analyse them by Department.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The information requested is as shown in the table.

  equipped with a sound-only feed. I regret that this was inadvertently included in my answer of 27 June amongst those offices which receive a television feed.

  Private Bills
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the private Bills and the petitions against private Bills that have been placed before the House since the 1987 general election promoted by the parliamentary agents Sharpe Pritchard, showing the dates on which they were first tabled and their progress within the House.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The information requested is as follows:

  Petitions for Private Bills deposited on or before 27th
  November 1987

  (Agent: Sharpe, Pritchard amp; Co.)

  1. Birmingham City Council

  2. Brighton and Preston Cemetery

  643

  3. Cardiff Bay Barrage

  4. Hampstead Radio Station

  5. London Local Authorities

  6. Northampton

  Petitions for Private Bills deposited on or before 25th
  November 1988

  (Agent: Sharpe, Pritchard amp; Co.)

  1. Penzance Albert Pier Extension

  2. British Film Institute South Bank

  3. Bromley London Borough Council (Crystal Palace)

  4. Buckinghamshire County Council

  5. London Local Authorities (No. 2)

  6. Queen Mary and Westfield College

  7. Wesleyan Assurance Society

  8. Nottingham Park Estate

  9. Cardiff Bay Barrage

  10. Hayle Harbour

  11. Redbridge London Borough Council

  12. Birmingham City Council (Miscellaneous Provisions)

  13. Birmingham City Council (No. 2)

  14. Hythe, Kent, Marina (joint promotion with Sherwood & Co.)

  15. Hythe Marina Village (Southampton) Wavescreen

  16. Isle of Wight

  17. Kingston upon Hull City Council

  Petitions for Private Bills deposited on or before 27th
  November 1989

  (Agent: Sharpe, Pritchard & Co.)

  1. Cattewater Reclamation

  2. Humberside County Council

  3. Hythe, Kent, Marina (joint promotion with Sherwood & Co.)

  4. London Local Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions)

  5. Penzance South Pier Extension

  6. Ventnor Harbour

  (Agent: Sharpe, Pritchard & Co.)

  1. Calor Gas Limited

  2. Conoco Limited

  3. Doncaster Borough Council

  4. Humber Oil Terminals Trustee Limited and Associated Petroleum Terminals (Immingham) Limited

  5. City of Wakefield District Council

  6. Kenneth Tynsley Hadfield

  7. Falmouth Container Terminal Action Group, and others

  8. North East Derbyshire District Council

  9. City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

  10. Doncaster Borough Council

  11. St. George's Hill Golf Club Limited

  (Agent: Sharpe, Pritchard & Co.)

  1. Brook Street Bureau plc

  2. Noel Employment Ltd.

  3. Blue Circle Industries plc

  4. Northumberland County Council

  5. Runnymede Borough Council

  (Agent: Sharpe, Pritchard & Co.)

  1. Exeter City Council

  2. Wetherby Limited

  3. Associated Newspapers plc

  4. Delta, plc, Delta Repetition Components Limited, K. W. B. Controls Limited and Delta Electrical Systems Limited

  5. C. I. Property Investments Limited

  6. The Trustees of the Army & Navy Club

  7. Goddard & Smith

  8. County Hall Development Group plc

  9. Caphold Limited, O. G. M., Belt Mountains B. V., O. G.
  644
  M., Elongo Mountains B. V.

  10. The Council of the London Borough of Newham

  11. The Westminster City Council

  12. Shopping Centres Limited

  13. Rosehaugh Stanhope Development (Holdings) plc

  14. Noel Employment Limited

  15. Brook Street Bureau plc

  16. Northern Engineering Industries plc

  17. Haniel Transport (UK) Limited

  18. Birmingham Airports Developments Limited

  19. Norwich Union Life Insurance Society

  20. The Post Office

  21. BIFFA Holdings Limited

  Information about the progress of private Bills is readily available in the list of private Bills printed at the end of each Session.

  Members' Staff (Overtime)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on the backlog of overtime payments to hon. Members' office staff.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  There is a small backlog of overtime payments caused by many hon. Members giving instructions to increase staff salaries, authorising bonus and other payments and seeking information about their expenditure on office costs consequent upon the recent uplift in the maximum of the office costs allowance. I have been assured that this backlog is being progressed as quickly as possible.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any evidence to show that the incubation period of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle is diminishing; what was thought to be the average incubation period for the disease in 1988; and what is thought to be the average incubation period today.

  Mr. Maclean
  The evidence from the epidemiological data available so far suggests that since BSE was first identified the mean incubation period may have reduced slightly. However, it would be premature to make a definitive statement about the average incubation period and any changes which may have occurred until data about future cases have accumulated.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there have been any occurrences of spongiform encephalopathies in animals in London zoo; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  A spongiform encephalopathy was confirmed in an Arabian oryx and a greater kudu in London zoo in 1989.

  New Forest
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any restriction is placed on the evisceration of culled deer on New Forest land; and what steps he has taken to restrict the spread of tuberculosis from culled deer.

  Mr. Maclean
  Surveys since 1971 have shown that the incidence of tuberculosis in wild deer is very low. There are
  645
  no restrictions on the evisceration of culled deer, although local authorities have been advised to consider extending meat inspection to venison. Tuberculosis in deer was made notifiable in June 1989, and it is for local authorities to take appropriate action when a suspect infected carcase is notified. A proposal providing for compulsory meat inspection of venison is under consideration in the Community.

  The practice in the New Forest is that evisceration of culled deer takes place only in a deer larder, where the carcases are inspected. Suspect carcases are kept separate from other carcases and samples are sent to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's veterinary investigation centre for clinical examination. Carcases which are deemed unfit for human consumption are removed from the forests for final disposal to prevent reinfection of the wild population.

  Fallow deer

  Sika deer

  Red deer

  Roe deer

  Estimated current population

  1,300

  85

  170

  360

  Total cull 1989–90

  640

  26

  —

  6

  All the deer culled were shot.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require the deputy surveyor of the New Forest to reply to the questions submitted to him by Mr. Eric Ashby on 14 and 26 October.

  Mr. Curry
  The deputy surveyor replied to Mr. Ashby's letter of 14 October on 19 October. His letter of 26 October, received by the deputy surveyor on 30 October, will be replied to soon.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions during the present hunting season the programme for each of the New Forest hunts has been changed; and what were the circumstances, in each case.

  Mr. Curry
  There was only one change during the present season. For their meet on 13 October the New Forest hounds were given permission to extend their ground over part of an adjacent beat because they believed that people opposed to hunting were likely to attempt to draw hounds on to a trunk road, thus causing a nuisance to the general public.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library copies of the permissions to hunt in respect of those hunts licensed to hunt the New Forest, together with details of any special conditions imposed.

  Mr. Curry
  These documents were placed in the Library on 15 January 1990 in response to an earlier question from the hon. Member.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Forestry Commission has received any complaints concerning the use by followers of the New Forest hounds of mountain bikes to cross open heathland on 3, 10 and 17 September; and what action he proposes to enforce commission regulations relating to such use.

  Mr. Curry
  The Forestry Commission has received complaints about the use of mountain bikes on open land in the New Forest and is considering what action it may be possible to take.
  646
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many incidents of tuberculosis in deer have been recorded in the New Forest during the last three years; and whether Forestry Commission officials routinely examine culled deer for such infection.

  Mr. Curry
  There have been two confirmed cases of tuberculosis in deer in the New Forest in the last three years. All deer carcases for human consumption are examined by Forestry Commission staff for infection.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his current estimate of the deer population of each species of the New Forest; and how many were culled and by what means during the 1989–90 season.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take in respect of damage caused by the New Forest hounds to a recorded badger sett in Markway enclosure on 18 December 1989; and whether such action was in breach of the hunting licence.

  Mr. Curry
  On 16 December the hunt allowed hounds to mark a disused badger sett, in contravention of its authority to hunt, as it had mistaken it for a fox earth. The hunt was penalised by the loss of one day's hunting.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances the Forestry Commission agrees to variation in the programme of hunts; how much notice is required of such applications; and what steps are taken to minimise nuisance to the general public resulting from such changes.

  Mr. Curry
  The Forestry Commission is asked only occasionally to agree to variations in the programme of hunts. Requests are received for a variety of reasons, for example the planned programme might be impossible because of the weather. There is no standard period of notice, although some permissions require a week's notice. The commission takes into account any possible nuisance to the general public before agreeing to changes.

  Zoonoses Order
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received to date seeking the repeal of the Zoonoses Order; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Some representations have been received about the Zoonoses Order 1989 in relation to the compulsory slaughter policy for salmonella-infected poultry flocks. The Government measures are clearly reducing potential sources of salmonella infection and I have no plans to repeal this legislation, although it is kept constantly under review.

  Rural Housing
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what response he intends to make to the statement published by Housing Choice on 22 October on set-aside land being used for rural housing, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Set-aside is a scheme operated under European Community rules. Those rules, while permitting the use of set-aside land for non-agricultural purposes, require that the set-aside land be kept in good agricultural condition. The farmer must also continue to exercise legal rights of occupation.

  Foodstuffs
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those foodstuffs in which Britain was not self-sufficient in the latest year for which figures are available, indicating in each case the amount of the deficit.

  Mr. Curry
  Information on production, trade and self-sufficiency for the main basic food commodities produced in the United Kingdom is contained in section 5 of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom": the 1989 edition is available in the Library of the House. The United Kingdom also imports a wide range of tropical and other non-indigenous agricultural products as well as supplies of specialist varieties and out-of-season indigenous type foodstuffs demanded by consumers. Details of trade are contained in the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom" available in the Library of the House.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the cost of extending the environmentally sensitive area scheme into the less-favoured areas in each individual national park and area of outstanding natural beauty in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  I regret that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the cost of such extension since the environmentally sensitive areas scheme covers many different farming types with differing environmental objectives which are reflected in the payment levels.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum increase permitted by European Community rules for each grant made under the hill livestock compensatory allowances; and how much it would cost to implement such increases.

  Mr. Curry
  The maximum headage payment allowed under the European Community regulation governing the payment of hill livestock compensatory allowances will be 102 ecus per livestock unit from 1 January 1991. This converts, at 1991 green rates, to a maximum of £77·33 per cow and £11·60 per ewe. The current headage rates are:648

  Severely disadvantaged area

  Disadvantaged area

  £

  £

  Cows

  54·50

  27·25

  Hardy breed ewes

  7·50

  —

  Other eligible ewes

  4·50

  2·25

  The cost of increasing all these rates to the maximum possible in the United Kingdom would depend on the extent to which other financial ceilings (for example, the limit per hectare) applied, and this cannot be readily assessed. The total costs without taking account of these other ceilings would be of the order of £98 million a year.

  There is provision in the European Community regulation for a higher ceiling (121·2 ecus per livestock unit) in areas where the permanent natural handicaps are serious enough to justify the higher level.

  East Germany (Food Imports)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps will be taken to ensure that all food supplied into the European Community via an eastern Germany entry point has been processed and packed in accordance with existing European Community regulations.

  Mr. Curry
  Only food products which meet European Community standards are permitted to circulate within the Community. The German authorities are required by Community regulations, which form part of the package of transitional measures on German unification, to ensure that products not complying with Community standards are not placed on the market in the Community except within the territory of the former German Democratic Republic.

  Global Climate Change
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies have been undertaken or commissioned by his Department since 1985 into the effects of potential patterns of global climate change on United Kingdom agriculture and fisheries.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department will be spending £121 million on R and D in 1990–91. Much of this research is relevant to the response of agriculture to a changing climate. In 1991–92 my Department expects to spend £1·3 million on agriculture and fisheries projects directly relevant to climate change. Since 1985 relevant R and D topics have included:

  The impact of climate change on field drainage.

  Methane production by ruminants and its control.

  The development of grasses likely to tolerate climate change.

  Development of the arable crop model to assess the likely impact of climate change.

  The likely impact of climate change on aphid pest incidence.

  The effects of CO2 and aerial gaseous composition on growth and development of horticultural and other crops.

  Climate sensitivities of United Kingdom soils with respect

  649
  to agricultural production.

  The effects of future climatic change on agricultural potential in the United Kindom.

  Maintenance and improvement of the quality, reliability and availability of sea level data obtained from the national tide gauge network.

  Assemblage, analysis and maintenance of a bank of well documented and verified observations from the principal tide gauges round Great Britain.

  Geocentric fixing of tide gauge bench marks and thereby removing the inaccuracies due to land movement.

  Devise methods of estimating the effects of climatic variation on waves around the United Kingdom.

  Estimation of extreme sea levels due to tides, surges and waves.

  The economic impact of sea level rise on the South Coast.

  United Kingdom sea level trends in relation to climatic change.

  The economic impact of sea level rise.

  Climate change in relation to biological oceanography.

  Study of CO2 partial pressure in the ocean surface leading to a fuller understanding of marine controls on atmospheric CO2.

  Continuous plankton recorder for measurement of phytoplankton variations including responses to climate change.

  Undulating oceanographic recorder for vertical assessment of phytoplankton variations including responses to climate change.

  Variation of fish stock recruitment in response to planetary scale climatic changes.

  Salmonella
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the incidence of salmonella typhymurium currently being found in egg-laying flocks and on the rate at the same time last year.

  Mr. Maclean
  Thirty-three incidents of salmonella typhymurium in laying flocks (including pullets) were reported to the Ministry in the eight-week period ending on 26 October 1990, compared with eight such reports in the corresponding period in 1989. These figures relate to reports under the Zoonoses Orders and may include cases where the presence of salmonella typhymurium was not confirmed following a detailed on-farm investigation. Sixteen pullet and laying flocks infected with salmonella typhymurium have been compulsorily slaughtered in the first nine months of 1990, compared with 24 in 1989 following the introduction of the slaughter policy in April of that year.

  Pesticide Residues
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what prosecutions have been instigated by his Department in respect of those suppliers found to be in possession of produce tainted with pesticide residues above the maximum residue limit; and if he will make a statement.
  650
  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have an extensive surveillance monitoring programme. Results for 1988–89 covering over 80,000 pesticide/commodity combinations were published recently. They show that only 2 per cent, of produce contained residues above MRLs (including proposed MRLs) and in every case, action has been taken to avoid recurrence. Details are set out in the report of the working party on pesticide residues published by HMSO on 27 September. The results of enforcement monitoring are appended to this report. A copy is being placed in the Library.

  Cattle Records
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to introduce his new measures to amend cattle breeding and movement records; and if he will make a statement on the responses he has received to his consultation document of 1 June.

  Mr. Curry
  The Bovine Animals (Identification, Marketing and Breeding Records) Order 1990 (SI 1990/1867) and the Movement of Animals (Records) (Amendment) Order 1990 (SI 1990/1868) came into force on 15 October, following a supportive response to the consultation document.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many miles of hedgerows have been removed, and at what cost to the Exchequer, in the northern region for the year 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Sudan
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether DG VI of the European Community has purchased any food from Sudan since July of this year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Lady to the final paragraph of my answer of 19 October at column 936. Detailed statistics are not available for the period since July 1990, but I understand that small quantities of similar foodstuffs to those set out in my earlier reply have been purchased by DG VI during the last three months.

THE ARTS

  Royal Shakespeare Company
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on future subsidy of the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican.

  Mr. Mellor
  This is a matter for the Arts Council. I understand that the chairman of the Arts Council is in close touch with the Royal Shakespeare Company about its financial position. I am being kept informed of developments.

  Public Lending Rights
  Mr. Cormack
  To ask the Minister for the Arts by what amounts payments to authors from the public lending rights fund will increase this year; and whether he has any plans to increase the sum allocated to the fund.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Registrar of Public Lending Right cannot calculate payments to authors for this year until Parliament has approved the necessary rate per loan. The fund currently stands at £3·5 million. My predecessor announced increases of £1 million for 1991–92 and £0·25 million for 1992–93, subject to parliamentary approval.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list in the Official Report the figures for the number of loans and size of the public lending right funds on which the public lending right registrar has set the rate per loan for eligible loans from public libraries under the public lending right scheme for the years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 30 October 1990]: The figures on which the registrar has based his rate per loan calculations for payments to authors under the public lending right scheme for the years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 are as follows:

  Total Loans million

  Fund £ million

  1988–89

  624

  3·5

  1989–90

  611

  3·5

  1990–91

  583

  3·5

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  ACGB

  1·15

  1·30

  1·47

  1·67

  1·77

  1·86

  1·84

  2·46

  2·54

  2·68

  2·76

  SAC

  1·48

  1·65

  1·87

  2·09

  2·32

  2·34

  2·52

  2·65

  2·79

  3·01

  3·09

  WAC

  1·63

  1·80

  1·99

  2·39

  2·33

  2·53

  2·58

  2·76

  3·11

  2·99

  3·07

  ACN1

  1·05

  1·13

  1·45

  1·67

  1·78

  1·82

  2·06

  2·09

  2·36

  2·44

  2·88

  England

  1·09

  1·23

  1·40

  1·58

  1·68

  1·76

  1·84

  2·43

  2·48

  2·62

  2·70

  Eastern

  0·09

  0·10

  0·11

  0·14

  0·15

  0·18

  0·23

  0·24

  0·34

  0·38

  0·40

  East Midlands

  0·11

  0·15

  0·19

  0·22

  0·25

  0·28

  0·42

  0·44

  0·47

  0·51

  0·53

  GLA

  0·10

  0·14

  0·18

  0·21

  0·22

  0·23

  0·26

  1·03

  1·18

  1·17

  1·18

  L and H

  0·24

  0·28

  0·33

  0·37

  0·40

  0·42

  0·56

  0·57

  0·64

  0·67

  0·71

  Merseyside

  0·18

  0·21

  0·24

  0·27

  0·29

  0·33

  0·37

  0·58

  0·62

  0·63

  0·65

  Northern

  0·35

  0·42

  0·47

  0·55

  0·58

  0·63

  0·68

  1·11

  1·14

  1·15

  1·18

  North Western

  0·12

  0·14

  0·16

  0·18

  0·20

  0·22

  0·32

  0·40

  0·42

  0·46

  0·47

  Southern

  0·12

  0·14

  0·16

  0·20

  0·21

  0·22

  0·26

  0·27

  0·29

  0·36

  0·38

  South Eastern

  0·10

  0·12

  0·14

  0·17

  0·18

  0·20

  0·34

  0·37

  0·40

  0·43

  0·45

  South Western

  0·15

  0·18

  0·20

  0·25

  0·25

  0·27

  0·34

  0·34

  0·43

  0·47

  0·49

  West Midlands

  0·13

  0·15

  0·17

  0·20

  0·21

  0·24

  0·30

  0·37

  0·44

  0·47

  0·49

  Yorkshire

  0·11

  0·13

  0·14

  0·18

  0·18

  0·21

  0·33

  0·49

  0·51

  0·53

  0·57

  I have consulted my hon. Friend who has responsibility for funding the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and he has supplied the information on Northern Ireland.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxation
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures showing, for 1978–79 and for 1990–91, the percentage of gross income taken in taxes, including indirect taxes and the community charge, for each decile group of households ranked by original income, giving the best available estimates.
  652
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what account is taken of the annual rate of inflation in determining the rate per loan for eligible loans from public libraries under the public lending right scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 30 October 1990]: The rate per loan is dependent on the size of the public lending right fund and on various factors that are unknown at the time when funding is allocated, including the numbers of eligible books and loans. Government policy has been to make substantial increase in the fund at appropriate intervals rather than attempt to anticipate inflation and the other unknown factors through annual increases. Overall, however, the rate per loan has broadly kept pace with inflation.

  Arts Expenditure
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish a table showing the expenditure by the Arts Council of Great Britain, the regional arts associations, the Scottish and Welsh Arts Council and by the Government in Northern Ireland, per capita, in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 31 October 1990]: The information requested is as follows:

  Mr. Maude
  Information on which to base estimates will not be available until the 1990 and 1991 family expenditure survey data have been collected and processed.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate what increase would have to be made in the standard rate of tax if the whole of the community charge and commercial rates in the year 1990 were transferred to income tax; and whether he will set out the basis for such calculations.

  Mr. Maude
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.
  653
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his reply to the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Sir I. Gilmour) on 12 June,Official Report, column 152, on the standard rate of tax and the community charge; and whether he will set out the basis for his calculation.

  Mr. Maude
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the respective balances of payments between Britain and its European Community partners during 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Information on the balance of payments with the European Community is available on an annual basis in the CSO Pink Book. The latest available data are in section 10—pages 6 to 71—of the 1990 edition which is available in the Library. Information on visible trade, on an overseas trade statistics basis, between Britain and individual member states is published in the monthly review of external trade statistics which may also be accessed in the Library.

  Mortgage Interest Relief
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the additional average relief receivable by those people with incomes of(a) up to £5,000 a year, (b) between £5,000 and £10,000 a year, (c) between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, (d) between £15,000 and £20,000 a year, (e) between £20,000 and £25,000 a year, (f) between £25,000 and £30,000 a year and (g) over £30,000 a year if the ceiling on mortgage interest tax relief were to be raised to (i) £35,000, (ii) £40,000, (iii) £45,000 and (iv) £50,000; and how many beneficiaries there would be in each income band assuming (x) that relief would continue to be available at the higher marginal tax rate where applicable and (y) the relief was restricted to the standard 25 per cent, rate of income tax.

  Mr. Maude
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Petroleum Products
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his answer of 29 October to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras,Official Report, column 365, if he will provide equivalent figures on value added tax for each quarter of 1987 and 1988 and the first two quarters of 1989.

  Mr. Ryder
  Estimates of value added tax accruing on private consumption of petroleum products for the periods in question are as follows:

  £ million

  1987

  Quarter 1

  230

  Quarter 2

  260

  Quarter 3

  260

  654

  £ million

  Quarter 4

  260

  1988

  Quarter 1

  250

  Quarter 2

  270

  Quarter 3

  280

  Quarter 4

  270

  1989

  Quarter 1

  270

  Quarter 2

  310

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his answer of 29 October to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras,Official Report, column 365, when he expects to be able to publish an equivalent estimate of value added tax for the third quarter of 1990.

  Mr. Ryder
  It is expected that an estimate of value added tax accruing on private consumption of petroleum products will be available early in January.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Ryder
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Tax Forms
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which month are personal tax forms normally posted to individuals by the Inland Revenue; and whether this practice has varied at any time since 1970.

  Mr. Maude
  The Inland Revenue makes its annual issue of tax returns to individuals in April, and always has done; there has been no variation since 1970.

  Theatre Tickets
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now prepared to remove theatre tickets from liability to value added tax.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have no plans to alter the arrangements for taxation of theatre tickets.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the cash value and percentage amounts of annual public expenditure in each of the last three years which have been allocated to(a) housing and (b) roads in Great Britain.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Relocation
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what organisations and sections within his Department presently being housed in London are being considered for dispersal to provincial areas.

  Mr. Ryder
  The location of Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) London-based staff is under review; the rest of the CCTA is already located in Norwich.

ENERGY

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has to reconsider the retail prices index component in the annual price increase allocated to the electricity distribution companies.

  Mr. Baldry
  None.

  Nuclear Safeguards
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas),Official Report, 22 October, column 14, he will place in the Library a copy of the statement made by the United Kingdom delegation in support of nuclear safeguards at the annual International Atomic Energy Agency conference.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am arranging for copies of the relevant statement made by the head of the United Kingdom delegation at the 1990 IAEA general conference to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Geothermal Power Research
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of geothermal power research sponsored by his Department.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The results of a review of the Department's geothermal hot dry rock research programme are currently being considered. I hope that a decision on the future of the programme will be announced in the next month or so.

  Nuclear Reactors (Indonesia)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the supply of nuclear reactors to Indonesia would not lead to the development of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Indonesia is a party to the non-proliferation treaty. Any export of nuclear materials, equipment or technology would have to be fully consistent with our obligations under that treaty.

  Privatisation Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy which of the firms which have advised or are advising his Department or himself on electricity privatisation have been criticised by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors appointed under the Companies Acts since 1979.
  656
  Mr. Wakeham
  Further to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 25 October 1990 at column 272, the following additional firms have been criticised in reports by the inspectors:

  Firm

  Date of report

  Involving

  Kleinwort Benson

  7 March 1990

  House of Fraser Holdings PLC

  James Capel

  6 September 1989

  Consolidated Gold Fields PLC

  Gas Turbine Power Stations
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the number of gas turbine power stations now under construction and the number planned.

  Mr. Baldry
  The timing of the construction of any new gas turbine power station is a matter for the company concerned.

  My right hon. Friend has granted his consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction and operation of the following gas turbine stations:

  Killingholme "PowerGen",

  PowerGen plc

  Humberside.

  Killingholme "A",

  National Power plc

  Humberside.

  In addition, my Department is aware of four other new gas turbine stations where the necessary permissions were obtained from local planning authorities under town and country planning legislation before section 36 came into effect.

  My right hon. Friend is currently considering applications for his consent under section 36 to construct and operate the following gas turbine stations:

  Little Barford,

  National Power plc

  Bedfordshire.

  Rye House,

  PowerGen plc

  Hertfordshire.

  Wilton,

  Teesside Power Co. Ltd.

  Cleveland.

  Shotton,

  Deeside Power

  Clwyd.

  Development Co. Ltd.

  Keadby,

  Energy Resources Ltd.

  Humberside.

  Plymouth,

  PowerGen plc

  Devon.

  Staythorpe "C",

  National Power plc

  Nottinghamshire.

  Rugby,

  Rugby Power Co. Ltd.

  Warwickshire.

  He has also been notified under regulation 6 of the Electricity and Pipe-line Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1990 of the intention by Texaco Ltd. to apply for consent under section 36 to construct and operate a gas turbine station at Pembroke, Dyfed and from Coryton Cogen Ltd. to construct and operate one at Coryton, Essex.

  My Department has also been advised, in confidence, of several other proposals for new gas turbine generating stations. It will be for the companies concerned to decide when to make public details of these proposals.

  AGR Refuelling
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of refuelling is currently being achieved on load by each Nuclear Electric advanced gas-cooled reactor.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This is an operational matter for Nuclear Electric.

  Electricity Distribution Companies
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what valuation his advisers have placed on each of the electricity distribution companies, including their share of the National Grid Company.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The value of the regional electricity companies will depend on a wide range of factors including each company's share of National Grid Holdings plc and on market conditions at the time of sale. Details of the capital structures, future prospects as well as profit and dividend forecasts for each company will be included in the prospectus.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the estimated profits and dividends, respectively, of each of the electricity distribution companies.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Details of the capital structures, future prospects as well as profit and dividend forecasts for each company will be included in the prospectus.

  National Power and PowerGen
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on what date he agreed the debt to be borne by National Power and PowerGen.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Agreement on the amount of debt to be issued by PowerGen and National Power on flotation was reached in August and September 1990 respectively.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the anticipated number of ex-employees and employees of British Coal, by region, who are suffering from vibration white finger; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Department's general objective is to answer letters from hon. Members within three weeks of receipt. The specific information requested by the hon. Member could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Privatisation Vetting Committee
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy for what reasons the privatisation vetting committee told the chairman of Eastern Electricity that he should not address the Energy Industries Club on Thursday 25 October.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The decision not to address the Energy Industries Club was taken by the chairman, Dr. James Smith and no advice was sought or issued from a committee.

  North Sea Gas
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the latest calculations of gas reserves in the North sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The latest estimate of remaining gas reserves on the United Kingdom continental shelf is given in the latest edition of the publication "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom" [the Brown Book] which my right hon. Friend presented to Parliament on 30 April 1990.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out, in regard to departmental news release number 195 concerning annual civil plutonium figures, the specific quantities of plutonium exported to Austria, Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany and France, respectively, as mentioned in footnote 4(a); if he will list the safeguard agreements covering this exported plutonium; and what amounts of plutonium were involved per annum sent temporarily to France as mentioned in footnote 4(b,ii).

  Mr. Baldry
  Quantities of exports of civil plutonium to individual countries cannot be disclosed on the grounds of commercial confidentiality. Each country listed has a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency; the texts are in IAEA INFCIRCs 156 (Austria/IAEA), 193 (Euratom/Non Nuclear Weapon States/IAEA) and 290 (France/Euratom/IAEA) respectively.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement concerning Her Majesty's Government's interest in promoting combined heat and power plants.

  Mr. Baldry
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Oil Companies (Gifts)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his answer of 15 October,Official Report, column 681, concerning entertainment or gifts offered by oil companies, (1) whether he will publish the names of the oil companies that made the five gifts, the ranks and duties of the officials to whom the gifts were made, the nature of the gift and the reason for accepting it and whether the gifts were handed over to establishment division for disposal;
  659
  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table, showing for each of the oil companies the number of invitations made and the number accepted in 1989, together with a breakdown into such categories of entertainment as are distinguished in the records maintained.

  Mr. Moynihan
  As the answer given on 15 October at column 681 made clear, there are specific rules laid down for the acceptance of gifts and entertainment by civil servants.

  I am satisfied that these procedures have been followed.

WALES

  House Building
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new houses were started by Welsh local authorities in the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Grist
  In 1989, a total of 501 new dealings were started by local authorities.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what resources he intends to allocate to Welsh district councils for new house building.

  Mr. Grist
  It is too early to say what resources will be available next year. However, it is a matter for each local authority to determine its own housing priorities within the resources available to it taking account of local needs and securing value for money.

  Tai Cymru
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to appoint to the board of Tai Cymru any representatives of Welsh local authorities.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at this stage to appoint any new members to the board of Tai Cymru.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of those persons aged 16 years have continued in full-time education in Wales on a county-by-county basis.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information in respect of persons aged 16 years continuing in full-time education as a percentage of the total population aged 16 in 1989–90 is given in the table:

  Numbers attending schools1 and Colleges of Further Education as a percentage of total population aged 16

  Percentage

  Clwyd

  54·3

  Dyfed

  57·9

  Gwent

  55·6

  Gwynedd

  51·9

  Mid Glamorgan

  54·5

  Powys

  60·7

  South Glamorgan

  51·5

  West Glamorgan

  58·8

  1 Includes maintained secondary and special schools and independent schools.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will show the public expenditure in Wales on(a) agriculture, fisheries and food, (b) trade and industry, (c) employment, (d) health, (e) educational grants and (f) the administration of justice for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Housing (Waiting Lists)
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are on local authority housing waiting lists in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Denominational Education
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to continue supporting denominational education in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I will continue my support for denominational education in Wales as part of the Government's overall policy for choice in education.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what extra resources he intends to make available for the compulsory teaching of Welsh, particularly in non-native Welsh-speaking areas such as Gwent.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Grants for in-service training of teachers in Welsh was increased from £223,000 in the financial year 1989–90 to £ 1 million in 1990–91. This will be further increased to £1·64 million in 1991–92. Additionally, £0·5 million is available through the grants for education support and training scheme for the appointment of specialist training advisers in each LEA and the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Areas such as Gwent will also benefit from other initiatives, supported by Welsh Office funding, to develop teaching materials for pupils studying Welsh as a second language and the award of financial incentives to student teachers.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what effect he expects the requirement of the national curriculum in Wales for the compulsory teaching of Welsh to GCSE level to have on the teaching of modern languages.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The national curriculum in Wales includes both Welsh and a modern foreign language. This will increase the number of pupils who study a modern foreign language. It is not intended that pupils should be required to study Welsh to GCSE level: there is the alternative for 14 to 16-year-olds of a more limited programme of study taking up about half the time of a GCSE course.

  The Welsh Office has been consulting education interests in Wales about the structure of key stage 4 of the national curriculum, including the possibility of greater flexibility and choice. A copy of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Inside Lavatories
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in Wales are without inside lavatories.

  Mr. Grist
  In 1986, a total of 20,800 dwellings in Wales lacked a WC inside the dwelling.

  Teachers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest information he has about the number of teachers in secondary schools who are teaching

  Periods taught classified by teachers' qualifications

  The percentage of periods where the subject taught was:

  The main subject of the teacher's

  Degree or higher degree

  BEd.

  PGCE

  Certificate of Education

  Other post A-level qualification

  A subsidiary subject of the teacher's qualification

  The teacher had a qualification in a related subject

  None of these

  Total1

  All periods2 (Table 5.9)

  32·1

  7·5

  5·6

  16.2

  1·9

  8·9

  8·9

  19·0

  100·0

  Periods3 for GCSE tuition (Table 6.5)

  39·2

  8·1

  6·6

  15·1

  2·3

  8·5

  6·9

  13·2

  100·0

  Periods3 for A-level tuition (Table 6.6)

  63·4

  5·7

  8·7

  6·2

  1·5

  5·5

  3·0

  6·0

  100·0

  1 Rows will not necessarily sum to 100·0 due to rounding errors.

  2 Periods taught by all teachers.

  3 Periods taught by full-time teachers.

  Source: 1989 Secondary School Staffing Survey.

  Roads
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to improve road links between north and south Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Our proposals for selective improvements are clearly set out in "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s".

  Analysis of all admissions (including readmissions) to mental illness units and hospitals in Wales

  Age

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–15

  16–19

  20–24

  25–34

  35–44

  45–54

  55–64

  65–74

  75+

  Not known

  Total

  1979

  1

  19

  90

  308

  614

  1,787

  1,675

  1,724

  1,784

  1,661

  1,155

  1

  11,219

  1980

  0

  7

  98

  318

  666

  1,879

  1,941

  1,726

  1,875

  1,675

  1,657

  3

  11,845

  1981

  0

  7

  84

  313

  741

  1,942

  1,985

  1,682

  1,743

  1,817

  1,758

  0

  12,072

  1982

  11

  11

  81

  275

  691

  1,844

  1,864

  1,711

  1,755

  1,779

  1,942

  1

  11,965

  1983

  7

  18

  100

  240

  710

  1,881

  2,011

  1,796

  1,916

  1,892

  2,182

  1

  12,754

  1984

  3

  16

  92

  254

  729

  1,712

  1,977

  1,629

  2,034

  1,933

  2,734

  1

  13,114

  1985

  1

  9

  86

  285

  779

  1,800

  2,141

  1,730

  2,155

  2,179

  3,055

  1

  14,221

  1986

  23

  7

  86

  290

  811

  1,825

  2,166

  1,609

  1,868

  2,039

  3,076

  20

  13,820

  1987

  13

  4

  73

  258

  815

  1,862

  2,107

  1,547

  1,793

  2,017

  3,166

  2

  13,567

  1988

  11

  2

  71

  311

  800

  1,878

  2,059

  1,602

  1,674

  2,148

  3,290

  6

  13,852

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his reply of 1 December 1989,Official Report, column 449, if, on the same basis, he will publish how much money was raised in 1988–89 in prescription charges in Wales; and to what specific purpose this money, credited to class XVII, vote 7, was put.

  Mr. Grist
  Prescription charges, including receipts from the sale of pre-payment certificates, raised £10·7 million in 662
  subjects for which they have (a) no degree qualification, (b) no A-level qualification and (c) no O-level qualification.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information is not available in the form requested. Information is not centrally available on the A and O-level qualifications of teachers.

  A secondary school staffing survey was conducted in Wales in February 1989 and the results published in the "Welsh Education Statistics Bulletin No. 7", in July 1990. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library. A summary of tables 5·9, 6·5 and 6·6 of that bulletin is given in the following table:

  Mental Illness Hospitals
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the trend in admissions for mental illness hospitals and units in the last decade in the age groups for which statistics are kept.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on the number of admissions to mental illness hospitals and units in Wales for 1979 to 1988 is given in the table. Information for 1989 is not yet available.

  Wales in 1988–89. This amount, along with other national health service charges, was used to offset the cost of the NHS.

  Medical Research
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether, pursuant to his reply of 8 May,Official Report, column 58, the review of the arrangements for managing and funding medical research in Wales parallel

  663
  with developments in England, identified in the White Paper "Priorities in Medical Research", has been completed; and whether the danger he identified of separate development resulting in duplication or wastage of effort has been avoided.

  Mr. Grist
  The review has yet to be completed. I am confident that unnecessary duplication and wastage of effort will be avoided.

  Disability Relief
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in each district council area in Wales received disability relief on their rates bill in 1988–89; what was the average amount of relief per property given in each district; and what is his estimate of

  Analysis of all admissions (including readmissions) to mental handicap hospitals and units in Wales

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–15

  16–19

  20–24

  25–34

  35–44

  45–54

  55–64

  65–74

  75+

  Not known

  Total

  1979

  35

  184

  355

  253

  163

  213

  115

  80

  73

  22

  12

  0

  1,505

  1980

  57

  202

  434

  271

  183

  186

  128

  81

  88

  18

  5

  1

  1,654

  1981

  63

  204

  427

  342

  226

  233

  123

  79

  67

  13

  4

  1

  1,782

  1982

  20

  201

  464

  312

  301

  296

  112

  85

  52

  28

  7

  0

  1,878

  1983

  49

  164

  410

  265

  362

  394

  126

  133

  50

  22

  6

  1

  1,982

  1984

  22

  153

  336

  278

  443

  392

  154

  119

  46

  43

  6

  0

  1,992

  1985

  40

  159

  334

  330

  462

  365

  173

  96

  44

  40

  16

  0

  2,059

  1986

  35

  122

  251

  384

  372

  325

  193

  152

  61

  35

  28

  0

  1,958

  1987

  7

  52

  185

  262

  306

  371

  194

  127

  37

  33

  58

  0

  1,632

  1988

  7

  23

  170

  185

  342

  350

  239

  109

  45

  34

  70

  0

  1,574

  Rook wood Hospital
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many handicapped children are treated annually at Rookwood hospital with therapeutic care; and how many need therapeutic care for spine and hip deformities;

  (2) what is the current staffing of the custom-built special seats section at Rookwood hospital; what was the annual budget of the custom-built special seats section; and if he will give more cash and more staffing to the special seats section;

  (3) what is the size of the waiting list of Rookwood hospital concerning children needing therapeutic care and equipment from the rehabilitation engineering section.

  1978

  1979

  1988

  1989

  Number of claimants receiving Supplementary Benefit/Income Support

  111,705

  111,717

  115,274

  115,207

  Number of families receiving Family Income Supplement/Family Credit

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  21,074

  Information about the number of dependants is not available.

  Notes:

  (1) November count of 100 per cent, of cases in action which include a number where payment has ceased but other action was continuing.

  (2) Number of families receiving family credit on 24 November 1989 who at the time their award was made were living in the area covered by Paisley social security office.

  n/a = Not available

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each region and for Great Britain as a whole how many income support and unemployment benefit claimants have (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully claimed income support, under the hardship rules in each
  664
  the number of households previously receiving disability rate relief which are (a) better off and (b) worse off with the poll tax.

  Mr. Grist
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mental Handicap Hospitals
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the trend in admissions to mental handicap hospitals and institutions in the last decade in the age groups for which statistics are kept.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on the number of admissions to mental handicap hospitals and units in Wales for 1979 to 1988 is given in the table. Information for 1989 is not yet available.

  Mr. Grist
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Claimants
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give for 1978, 1979, 1988 and 1989 for Paisley social security office the number of(a) claimants and (b) dependents on (i) supplementary benefit or income support and (ii) family income support or family credit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is as follows:

  month since March 1990, showing those whose claim was in doubt due to (a) actively seeking work and (b) availability for work.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The statistics kept are given in the tables. The remainder of the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  665

  Income Support MR255

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1990

  1990

  London South Region

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  24

  13

  19

  16

  16

  12

  21

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  7

  4

  2

  1

  3

  1

  2

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  10

  10

  7

  7

  11

  10

  1

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  2

  15

  3

  4

  1

  0

  1

  London North Region

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  78

  39

  65

  62

  67

  29

  33

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  17

  3

  11

  9

  8

  10

  9

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  27

  15

  11

  23

  10

  8

  14

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  4

  5

  3

  2

  3

  4

  10

  Midlands Region

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  10

  13

  24

  17

  9

  8

  10

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  7

  9

  22

  7

  8

  11

  6

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  3

  3

  3

  9

  8

  2

  2

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  3

  0

  7

  2

  0

  3

  1

  Wales and South West Region

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  29

  41

  42

  53

  52

  22

  29

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  20

  16

  15

  32

  13

  33

  16

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  18

  8

  7

  13

  8

  6

  9

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  8

  4

  6

  9

  3

  1

  4

  North East Region

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  27

  37

  31

  37

  13

  21

  10

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  8

  18

  10

  14

  16

  12

  17

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  11

  5

  10

  7

  10

  10

  2

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  0

  1

  9

  4

  2

  1

  1

  North West Region

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  25

  20

  17

  21

  28

  46

  37

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  10

  8

  8

  12

  51

  54

  56

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  3

  3

  4

  3

  2

  8

  4

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  3

  4

  0

  3

  3

  7

  5

  Scotland

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  30

  13

  14

  20

  15

  36

  16

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  12

  4

  17

  4

  10

  21

  7

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  14

  1

  6

  4

  4

  5

  1

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  1

  3

  6

  4

  3

  0

  2

  National

  Availability

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  223

  176

  212

  226

  200

  174

  156

  REG B(3)

  Number of awards refused

  81

  62

  85

  79

  109

  142

  113

  Actively

  Hardship claims under

  Number of awards made

  86

  45

  48

  66

  53

  49

  33

  seeking work

  REG 10A(2)

  Number of awards refused

  21

  32

  34

  28

  15

  16

  24

  Retirement Pension
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of people currently retiring will receive more than the basic rate by way of retirement pension.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The precise information requested is not available. However, during the six-month period ending 31 March 1989, 57 per cent, of those awarded basic retirement pension received an additional pension from the state earnings-related pension scheme. Many pensioners also received a small award from the earlier graduated retirement pension scheme. In addition, the latest figures available—for 1987—show that 73 per cent, of all recently retired pensioners receive additional income from occupational pensions.
  666
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of state retirement pensioners in Easington in each of the last five years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This information is not available.

  Community Charge Benefit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the community charge benefit case load, as at 30 September, for the Doncaster standard region.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The 31 August 1990 quarterly count of community charge benefit claims in local authorities is not yet available. However, the number of community charge benefit claims as at 31 May 1990 for the Doncaster standard region was 660,000—couples count as
  667
  one. The May 1990 data reflect a time when local authorities in England and Wales were coping with the introduction of the community charge scheme and were faced with large numbers of unprocessed claims. The May 1990 figure of 660,000 is, therefore, likely to understate the true position.

  Source Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit Management Information System.

  Earnings Disregards
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the earnings disregards which currently apply to unemployed people in receipt of income support, formerly supplementary benefit; when and by how much they have been increased since 1979; and what they would be worth today if(a) they had been annually increased since 1979 in line with inflation, and (b) they had been annually increased since 1979 in line with average earnings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is in the tables.

  Weekly earnings disregards applying to unemployed people receiving Income Support:

  Couples aged under 60 years who have been continuously in receipt of Income Support for 2 years or more £15.

  Single people and couples receiving (or with underlying title to) the disability premium, and lone parents £15.

  All other single people and couples £5 each person.

  Levels of earnings disregarded under the Supplementary Benefit scheme since 1979:

  1979

  November 1980

  £

  £

  People required to register for employment

  2

  4

  People not required to register for employment

  4

  4

  Lone Parents

  6

  112

  1 Maximum—£4 plus half the amount of any earnings between £4 and £20.

  November 1979 earnings disregards revalued in line with (a) the RPI and (b) the average earnings index (whole economy):

  April 1990

  November 1979

  (a) RPI

  (b) Average earnings

  £

  £

  £

  2

  4·15

  5·10

  4

  8·31

  10·21

  6

  12·46

  15·31

  Kuwait Invasion
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if any increase is planned in the resources available to the social fund to allow for the unpredictable extra expenditure incurred in helping people who have returned to the United Kingdom from Iraq and Kuwait since the invasion of Kuwait.

  Mr. Scott
  All such expenditure is being recorded and monitored. At this stage it is not thought that extra resources will be required, but close monitoring will continue.

  Income Support
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many requests for attachment to income support in connection with non-payment of the community charge have been made by each regional and island council in Scotland; and how many requests for attachments for outstanding community charge debts have been refused because there were too many existing attachments.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No records are maintained in local offices of the number of applications made by individual local authorities for deductions from income support to clear community charge arrears. No information is available on the reason for refusal of requests for deductions from income support.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claimants are still receiving transitional protection and have not had a benefit increase since 1987; how many of these are people with disabilities; and how many are pensioners.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Shortly after last April's uprating benefits, the number of income support claimants receiving statutory transitional additions was about 110,000. About 86,000 of these were receiving a total benefit income at their old supplementary benefit level, of whom around 19,000 claimants were in receipt of the pensioner premium and some 7,000 were disabled people aged under 60.

  Special transitional additions for people with former high supplementary benefit additions for domestic assistance are uprated every year. Older and disabled pensioners on income support received a cash increase last October, through improvements to the pensioner premiums which did not erode transitional protection. In addition, increases in mobility allowance and attendance allowance are normally disregarded. As a result of these measures, about 24,000 of the claimants still on transitional protection have received some increase in their total benefit income.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to recommend changes to regulation 25(2) of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 (SI No. 967) in view of the Court of Appeal decision in the case of McKiernon v. the Secretary of State for Social Security in 1989 affecting claims for industrial deafness which are more than five years old; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  No. The legality of regulation 25 of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 has been put beyond doubt by the provisions in paragraph 4(3) of schedule 6 to the Social Security Act 1990.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each social security office in Newham the number of social fund applications(a) submitted and (b) rejected on grounds of insufficient priority since 5 April in each of the categories (i) grants, (ii) budget loans and (iii) crisis loans.
  669
  Mr. Scott
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of social fund applications submitted, accepted or rejected over the last two years at the Seaham and Peterlee offices.

  Mr. Scott
  Details of applications processed and awards made can be obtained from information placed in the Library.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of households claiming income support are repaying social fund loans by deductions from their benefit payments.

  Mr. Scott
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 October 1990, c. 226]I regret that information used to calculate the percentage of income support recipients repaying social fund loans was misinterpreted. Currently 10 per cent, of income support recipients are repaying social fund loans.

  Social Security Appeals
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals were made to the social security tribunal in 1989 and in the quarters of 1990 for which figures are available; and what is the average time appellants have had to wait for a decision in the specified periods in each standard planning region of the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In 1989 there were 161,294 new appeals lodged with the social security appeal tribunals. I regret that similar details for the first quarter of 1990 are not yet available.

  The figures show, for each of the social security regions, the average time from the date of lodgement of an appeal to the date of the tribunal hearing for the year ending 31 December 1989.

  Social Security Appeal Tribunals in year ended 31 December 1989 Average number of weeks from lodgement to hearing

  Region

  Number

  Great Britain

  25·4

  North Eastern

  22·8

  London North

  24·0

  London South

  27·2

  Midlands

  25·2

  North Western

  29·1

  Scotland

  28·4

  Wales and South Western

  19·0

  The figures do not include any time taken between the date of the appeal hearing and the eventual promulgation of the tribunal's decision. Responsibility for this action lies with the president of the social security and medical appeal tribunals and he has advised that a recent survey produced the following results.

  Number of weeks from date of hearing to issue of decision

  Region

  Number

  North Eastern

  3

  London North

  2–3

  London South

  3–4

  Midlands

  2–3

  North Western

  110

  Scotland

  2–3

  Wales and South Western

  2–3

  1Days-2.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled children between the ages of five and 14 years are receiving mobility allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  There are 18,167 such children receiving mobility allowance.

  Nursing and Residential Homes, Easington
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many residents in private nursing and residential homes in the Easington constituency have been discharged because they cannot afford the charges for such accommodation.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This information is not available.

  Disablement Benefit Gratuities
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by Department of Social Security office in Scotland, the number of disablement benefit gratuities paid under regulation 13 of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) Miscellaneous Provisions 1986.

  Mr. Scott
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Polygamous Marriages
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in(a) London and (b) the United Kingdom have had the entitlement of their first wife to a retirement pension refused because they have entered into a second, polygamous, marriage.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is not available.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to monitor the impact of the community charge on disabled people.

  Mr. Scott
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Child Support
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures for each year since 1974–75 showing Government support for families with children, at constant April 1990 prices and in the form of indices 1974–75 = 100, and distinguishing between(a) all families with children, family allowance/child benefit, child tax allowances, non-contributory maternity benefits, (b) two-parent families, family income supplement/family credit, supplementary benefit/income support, rent and rate rebates/housing benefit, community charge benefit and (c) lone-parent families, one-parent benefit, additional personal allowance, family income supplement/family credit, supplementary benefit/income support, rent and rate rebates/housing benefit and community charge benefit.
  671
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 5 June 1990]The information is not available in the form requested but the table sets out such information as is available.

  Figures are as denned in the public expenditure White Papers: that is, they include child benefit, one-parent benefit, family income supplement/family credit, maternity benefits and statutory maternity pay, and supplementary benefit/income support and housing benefit payments to one-parent families. They have been supplemented by estimates of the cost of child tax allowances and additional tax allowances for lone parents in the relevant years.

  All benefits/tax allowances

  Year

  At 1990–91 prices

  Indexed (1974–75 = 100)

  (£ million)

  1974–75

  8,411

  100

  1975–76

  7,732

  92

  1976–77

  8,616

  102

  1977–78

  7,032

  84

  1978–79

  7,711

  92

  1979–80

  7,919

  94

  1980–81

  7,330

  87

  1981–82

  7,941

  94

  1982–83

  8,485

  101

  1983–84

  9,228

  110

  1984–85

  9,275

  110

  1985–86

  9,517

  113

  1986–87

  9,757

  116

  1987–88

  10,104

  120

  1988–89

  9,971

  119

  1989–90

  10,000

  119

  1990–91

  10,177

  121

  Places of Entertainment (Access)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that blind people and wheelchair users are not refused access to places of entertainment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply and will write to my hon. Friend.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Developing Countries
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the proposal of the Italian Foreign Minister that European Community members spend 1 per cent, of gross domestic product annually to support developing countries.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Italian Foreign Minister suggested in July 1990 that 1 per cent, of GDP be spent on economic assistance, with one quarter of it going to eastern Europe, one quarter to the Mediterranean countries and one half to the developing countries in general. He has not pursued the idea further with the British Government.

  Pergau Hydro-electric Project
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Overseas Development Administration examined a feasibility study of the Pergau hydro-electric project carried out by consultants from Snowy Mountains Co. before offering aid for the project; and what other feasibility studies and appraisal reports were examined before the decision to offer aid was made.
  672
  Mrs. Chalker
  The Overseas Development Administration considered a feasibility study of this project carried out by the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation and mounted its own appraisal mission before making an aid offer.

  Malaysia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British aid has been given or offered for road building projects in Malaysia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In 1989 the Government offered to finance a study of a proposed road building project connecting the Genting Highlands, Frasers Hill and the Cameron Highlands. This offer is still under discussion with the Malaysian authorities. Apart from this offer we have not provided or offered aid for road building projects in Malaysia in recent years.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British aid has been given or offered for gas turbine projects in Malaysia in 1989 or 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government have recently offered £23·485 million from the aid and trade provision to finance waste heat recovery units for the gas turbines at the Connaught Bridge power station. These units will increase fuel efficiency by an estimated 50 per cent. Apart from that commitment, we have not provided or offered aid for gas turbine projects in Malaysia in 1989 or 1990.

  Civil Service Pensioners
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if arrangements have been made with the Government of Hong Kong for those of their pensioners who are or were expatriate members of the overseas civil service to receive credit for war service in their pensions.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Hong Kong Government are still actively considering whether to include credit for war service in the calculation of pensions for those of their staff who are, or were, members of Her Majesty's overseas civil service. We were told last month that they hope to complete their deliberations by the end of this year. I will inform my hon. Friend when a decision has been made.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Licensed Teachers
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of those individuals granted a licensed teacher award on 30 September have qualifications gained overseas.

  Mr. Fallon
  A total of 230 licences to teach had been granted up to 30 September 1990 of which 117 licensed teachers hold qualifications gained overseas.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications for the granting of a licence under the licensed teacher scheme had been received and granted by his Department on 30 June and 30 September respectively.
  673
  Mr. Fallon
  Up to 30 June 1990 a total of 68 applications for a licence to teach had been received by the Department all of which were accepted and licences to teach were granted. From 1 July 1990 to 30 September a further 164 applications were received, of which 162 were accepted and licences to teach were granted.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what qualifications are held by those individuals granted a licensed teacher award on 30 September.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Between 1 September 1989 and 30 September 1990, 230 licences to teach were granted, of which 187 of those licensed teachers are graduates.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of those individuals who have been granted the award of licensed teacher since September 1989 have an existing qualification in the secondary shortage subjects of mathematics, physics, computer and design technology and modern languages.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information requested is not readily available centrally.

  Local Management of Schools
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average percentage of their budget distributed by shire counties for local management of schools and what is the figure for Cumbria; what is the overall education budget for Cumbria education authority; and how many schools in Cumbria are participating in local management of schools.

  Mr. Fallon
  The average share of the potential schools budget distributed to schools by shire counties is 77·4 per cent.; Cumbria local education authority distributes 71·2 per cent. The general schools budget of Cumbria local education authority is £149 million. All Cumbria's 361 primary and secondary schools will have control of their own budgets by April 1992.

  Polytechnics
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the bid prices for student numbers in each programme area from each polytechnic together with the relevant Her Majesty's inspectorate's quality assessment.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not held by the Department but by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council. The PCFC makes it own judgments as to what information about its recurrent funding decisions should be made generally available, and what information should more appropriately remain confidential between the council and individual institutions.

  Higher Education Corporations
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many academic and research staff, both full time and part time, are employed in each of the higher education corporations in the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council sector;
  674
  (2) how many academic and research staff in each of the higher education corporations are funded from sources other than the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not currently available, but will be collected by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council's new staff record to be introduced for the 1991–92 academic year.

  Doncaster LEA
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list by school for the Doncaster local education authority(a) the number of teacher vacancies and (b) the subjects or speciality.

  Mr. Fallon
  Information on teacher vacancies by school is not held by the Department.

  For Doncaster local education authority as a whole:

  (a) There were 21 teacher vacancies on 18 January 1990, giving a vacancy rate of 0·8 per cent.

  (b) Of these 21 vacancies, 11 were in primary schools and 10 in secondary schools. Secondary subjects with recorded vacancies were mathematics, modern languages, art, music and physical education.

  Secondary School Teachers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest information he has about the number of teachers in secondary schools who are teaching subjects for which they have(a) no degree qualification, (b) no A-level qualification and (c) no O-level qualification.

  Mr. Fallon
  In 1988 the proportion of tuition in maintained secondary schools in England provided by teachers who did not have a post A-level qualification in the subject taught or in a closely related one was 20 per cent. The proportion of tuition provided by teachers for whom the subject taught was not the main subject of a degree was 61 per cent. This information is taken from the 1988 secondary school staffing survey, copies of which are available in the Library.

  No information is available on the A and O-level qualifications of secondary teachers.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to make physical education and games a compulsory part of the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  Physical education, which includes games, will be a compulsory part of the curriculum in all maintained schools under the requirements of the national curriculum.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 12 July,Official Report, column 313, if he is now in a position to announce his decision on the future of REPLAN.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It remains my right hon. Friend's hope that a decision will be announced later this autumn.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether city technology colleges are subject to the same regulations as local education authority schools so far as requesting the submission of tenders is concerned;

  (2) if he will list the rules governing the tendering procedures of city technology colleges;

  (3) whether city technology colleges are subject to the European Community regulations so far as requesting submission of tenders is concerned.

  Mr. Fallon
  There are no specific regulations governing tenders for school buildings. The Department does however recommend that competitive tenders should be invited from a number of approved contractors. Where other methods are chosen, the Department seeks assurance that these represent good value for money. The same considerations apply to the tender process for city technology colleges, which, while subject to European Community regulations, are not governed by specific rules. In each project, the tender method used has been subject to scrutiny by the Department to ensure that effective competition has been obtained.

  80

  81

  82

  83

  84

  85

  86

  87

  88

  89

  90

  91 (est.)

  IACR

  401

  402

  411

  390

  368

  323

  273

  253

  229

  233

  251

  246

  IAH

  451

  448

  443

  440

  401

  359

  321

  281

  268

  237

  227

  IAPGR

  338

  331

  330

  326

  288

  275

  258

  234

  224

  219

  222

  208

  IER

  240

  246

  263

  257

  252

  254

  237

  214

  208

  205

  194

  163

  IFR

  284

  290

  290

  284

  284

  223

  213

  211

  198

  192

  171

  131

  IGER

  324

  315

  329

  324

  316

  302

  291

  266

  260

  253

  224

  209

  IHR

  359

  364

  362

  361

  339

  325

  304

  286

  265

  269

  (269)

  (245)

  IPSR

  159

  166

  164

  160

  153

  145

  140

  137

  90

  93

  92

  92

  Total

  2,556

  2,562

  2,592

  2,542

  2,401

  2,206

  2,037

  1,180

  1,742

  1,701

  1,382

  1,276

  (1,651)

  (1,521)

  Notes:

  1. Abbreviations

  IACR—Institute of Arable Crops Research

  IAH—Institute for Animal Health

  IAPGR—Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics

  IER—Institute of Engineering Research

  IFR—Institute of Food Research

  IGER—Institute of Grassland and Environmental

  Research

  IHR—Institute of Horticultural Research

  IPSR—Institute of Plant Science Research

  2. IHR became part of the British Society for Horticultural Research (BSHR) from 1 April 1990. The figures in brackets show the number of AFRC support staff seconded to BSHR.

  3. The figures for IACR for 1980–84 include the former Letcombe Laboratory and the Weed Research Organisation, which closed in 1985 and 1986 respectively. They also include the former Soil Survey and Land Resource Centre, which was transferred to the Cranfield Institute of Technology in 1986–87.

  4. The figures for IPSR for 1980–86 include that part of the former Plant Breeding Institute which was purchased by Unilever plc in 1986–87.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields on 25 October,Official Report, column 282, how many scientific staff were employed at the Letcombe laboratory and Weed Research Organisation prior to closure; how many scientific staff were employed at the former soil survey and land resource centre prior to being transferred to the Cranfield Institute

  Research
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers of non-scientific staff employed at each of the AFRC institutes since 1980, including those expected to be employed in 1991 and 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  AFRC-funded institutes were restructured during the period 1985–87. The figures for non-science staff in post are shown on the basis of the present institutes of research.

  The figures for actual numbers employed at 1 April in the relevant years to 1990 and estimates for 1991 are shown in the table. The number of support staff employed in 1992 will depend on a number of factors, including the funding available to the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC) through the science budget and the extent of commissions from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and externally funded research. The present estimate is that the total number of non-science staff will be about 1,400, including AFRC staff employed in the British Society for Horticultural Research (BSHR).

  of Technology; how many people were employed at the Plant Breeding Institute prior to purchase by Unilever plc; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The numbers of science group staff employed at the Letcombe laboratory and the Weed Research Organisation prior to closure were 68 and 75 respectively.

  The number of science group staff employed at the soil survey and land resource centre prior to transfer to the Cranfield Institute of Technology was 34.

  The number of staff employed at the Plant Breeding Institute prior to purchase of Unilever plc was 223, which included 113 in the science group.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many academics in United Kingdom universities, polytechnics and other higher education institutions have resigned to take posts abroad in each of the last 10 years; how many academics from abroad have taken up posts in United Kingdom universities, polytechnics and other higher education institutions, in the same period; and what comparison he has made of the qualifications, experience and subject areas of those who went abroad and those who came to work in the United Kingdom.
  677
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The following information is contained in university statistics volume 1, "Students and Staff" published by the Universities' Statistical Record.

  Intake and Outflow of full-time non-clinical wholly university financed academic staff in Great Britain universities1

  Calendar year

  Intake2 Where non-clinical and previous year was employment/study abroad

  Outflow3 Where non-clinical destination during the year was employment/study abroad

  Total Fulltime non-clinical wholly university funded academic staff

  1980–81

  276

  249

  30,674

  1981–82

  183

  203

  30,243

  1982–83

  118

  214

  28,352

  1983–84

  220

  153

  27,859

  1984–85

  318

  138

  27,433

  1985–86

  292

  154

  27,814

  1986–87

  260

  204

  27,901

  1987–88

  199

  191

  27,788

  1988–89

  244

  160

  27,234

  Proportion of 17 and 18-year-olds in education training1 19862

  Percentage of age group

  17

  18

  FT

  PT

  All

  FT

  PT

  All3

  United Kingdom4 (1986)

  34

  27

  61

  19

  24

  42

  (1988)

  35

  40

  75

  20

  22

  42

  England4 (1988)

  36

  40

  76

  18

  23

  42

  Australia

  50

  17

  67

  25

  23

  47

  Belgium

  77

  5

  82

  64

  5

  69

  Canada5

  77

  —

  77

  53

  —

  53

  Denmark

  68

  6

  75

  57

  10

  67

  France

  68

  10

  78

  52

  4

  56

  Germany, West2 6

  43

  49

  92

  33

  47

  80

  Italy2

  47

  23

  70

  41

  15

  56

  Japan7 8

  89

  3

  91

  50

  2

  51

  Netherlands6

  77

  10

  88

  61

  11

  72

  Spain9

  52

  —

  52

  44

  —

  44

  Sweden10

  85

  1

  86

  52

  4

  55

  United States of America7

  87

  1

  88

  55

  3

  59

  Notes:

  1 Includes apprenticeships, YTS and similar schemes.

  2 1987 for Germany; 1982 for Italy.

  3 Includes higher education for some 18-year-olds.

  4 Includes estimates for public sector evening study and for private sector further and higher education, including training courses with employers.

  5 Excludes certain part-time students, 10 per cent, at 16–18.

  6 Includes compulsory part-time education for 16 and 17-year-olds in Germany and Netherlands.

  7 Includes private sector higher education.

  8 1988. Estimated for special training and miscellaneous schools, providing vocational training.

  9 Includes estimates for 18-year-olds in universities.

  10 1985. Includes estimates for part-time.

  Sources: DES Statistical Bulletins.

  1/90 International Statistical Comparisons of the Education and Training of 16 to 18 Year Olds.

  9/90 Education and Economic Activity of Young People Aged 16 to 18 Years in England from 1975 to 1989.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will show the breakdown by Wales, Scotland and the standard regions of England of(a) moneys disbursed on education directly by central Government and (b) university grant awards, exclusive of parental contributions whether by central Government or local authorities for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
  678
  Source: USR.

  1 Excludes transfers between universities.

  2 New recruits to university service or staff returning after a period with other employment.

  3 Members of staff leaving university service.

  Comparable information for other higher education insitutions is not available centrally.

  Information on the qualifications of university academic staff is collected by USR but not published separately.

  It is for institutions to judge the qualifications of all academic staff entering their employment.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many persons 17 and 19 years, respectively, per thousand are in full-time education in England, Scotland and Britain's major economic competitors.

  Mr. Eggar
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 October 1990, c. 369–70]I regret that some of the data given in the previous answer on the proportion of 17 and 18-year-olds in education and training, are incorrect. The corrected table is as follows:

  Foreign Languages
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the foreign languages taught in schools in England and Wales in order of popularity.

  Mr. Eggar
  The five modern foreign languages most commonly taught in maintained schools in England are, in order of popularity, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian. A number of other languages are taught to a lesser extent. Schools in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Trainee Psychologists
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students commenced initial training as educational psychologists in September 1990; and how many of these trainees are(a) fully funded, (b) partially funded through local authority training grants and (c) self-funded.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not available.

  The operation of the school psychological service is a matter for the local education authorities. The Government provide specific funds to LEAs for the training of educational psychologists. In 1990–91 £2·8 million was made available which allowed all bids submitted by LEAs to be met in full.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Ministerial replies despatched in September took an average of 29 working days to issue. A

  Number of patients by RHA (1979–88/89)

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Northern

  368,578

  393,788

  395,694

  376,067

  409,115

  420,080

  433,131

  441,095

  462,766

  461,033

  Yorkshire

  433,783

  456,885

  465,514

  454,013

  490,644

  499,895

  517,543

  525,296

  549,847

  551,458

  Trent

  464,917

  497,306

  511,888

  505,247

  543,221

  557,930

  578,370

  592,398

  612,890

  626,102

  East Anglian

  201,867

  216,878

  219,585

  213,297

  229,580

  238,332

  250,343

  253,483

  264,117

  269,637

  North West Thames

  403,264

  412,723

  418,144

  394,415

  408,474

  415,559

  418,753

  419,008

  421,582

  416,153

  North East Thames

  455,851

  473,469

  474,758

  512,655

  526,398

  534,760

  541,080

  530,372

  527,585

  521,291

  South East Thames

  438,889

  453,149

  462,239

  461,394

  477,283

  487,772

  501,557

  495,246

  504,666

  487,815

  South West Thames

  312,264

  320,149

  324,683

  315,210

  329,334

  338,587

  344,430

  347,089

  351,932

  344,259

  Wessex

  302,772

  318,509

  322,017

  320,939

  332,378

  345,528

  357,311

  366,421

  389,492

  391,376

  Oxford

  251,898

  264,990

  269,685

  266,304

  276,523

  284,583

  297,524

  299,270

  300,416

  296,433

  South Western

  338,890

  357,966

  365,849

  370,348

  385,293

  399,018

  408,004

  417,443

  443,179

  451,586

  West Midlands

  547,773

  575,105

  582,892

  591,061

  619,743

  644,202

  666,217

  673,375

  708,225

  689,457

  Mersey

  282,629

  297,465

  299,349

  293,928

  312,615

  322,138

  330,990

  336,944

  345,652

  347,893

  North Western

  509,049

  541,776

  554,967

  553,727

  582,667

  597,756

  617,628

  624,678

  644,540

  640,548

  Special health authorities

  87,696

  89,843

  92,613

  91,032

  92,317

  91,405

  90,931

  91,671

  92,465

  90,941

  England

  5,400,120

  5,670,001

  5,759,877

  5,719,634

  6,018,585

  6,177,545

  6,353,812

  6,413,789

  6,619,354

  6,585,982

  Source: SH3 return, 1979–86; SH3 and KP70 returns, 1988–89.

  Elderly Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Whitney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average number of residents occupying the three experimental units for elderly mentally ill people at High Wycombe, Liverpool and Hertford between 1984 and March 1990.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available. A total of 60 residential places were provided by the units—17 in High Wycombe, 23 in Liverpool and 20 in Hertford.
  680
  significant proportion of ministerial correspondence involves inquiries to be made of outside bodies. The rest of the information requested is not readily available.

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, by school, in the Easington district area, the number of teacher vacancies, and the subjects or speciality.

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

HEALTH

  Hospital In-patients
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by year for the past 10 years, and by regional health authority, the number of hospital in-patients treated.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Secondary Sensory Impairment
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Sunderland, Hartlepool and Durham area health authorities have been monitored, year by year, since 1985 for the development of a secondary sensory impairment.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally.

  Child Sex Abuse Cases
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the full cost to date of litigation and other legal expenses to the Northern regional health authority of the
  681
  Cleveland child sex abuse case and other related matters concerning the continued employment of Doctors Higgs and Wyatt.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not available centrally. My hon. Friend may therefore wish to contact the chairman of Northern regional health authority.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will show the total public expenditure on health by standard economic planning region for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost to the Northern regional health authority of a hospital bed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not available centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact the chairman of Northern regional health authority.

  Loop System
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the public buildings in the Easington constituency which have installed the loop system to assist the deaf and hard of hearing.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available centrally.

  General Practitioner Lists
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average general practitioner's list size in the Barnsley health authority area in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At 1 October 1987, the average general practitioner list size in the Barnsley family health services authority's area was 2,088. The corresponding figures for 1988 and 1989 are 2,112 and 2,067. Figures for 1990 are not yet available.

  Elderly People (Residential Care)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to provide for a guaranteed place in a local authority home in any case where supplementary income support for board and lodging payments to elderly people of limited or no means in private or voluntary care residential and nursing homes is inadequate or insufficient to pay the costs.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Local authorities already have a duty to provide or arrange residential accommodation for elderly people in need of care and attention not otherwise available. Health authorities have similar responsibilities for people who require nursing care.

  Children Act
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when local authorities will be able to obtain each of the 12 out of the total of 29 regulations pursuant to the Children Act which are still outstanding.
  682
  Mr. Dorrell
  We hope to make the regulations well in advance of the implementation date of 14 October 1991.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the reply of 29 November 1989,Official Report, column 299, if, on the same basis, he will publish how much money was raised in prescription charges in England in 1988–89; and for what specific purposes this money, credited for class XIV, vote 2, was put.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Prescription charges, including receipts from the sale of pre-payment certificates, raised £176·9 million in England in 1988–89. This amount, along with other national health service charges, was used to offset the total cost of the national health service.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the annual figures for the awarding of free prescriptions on the grounds of low income for the past three years for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Year ending 31 July

  Number of prescription items1 million

  1988

  38·6

  1989

  34·4

  1990

  35·7

  1 These figures represent the total number of items dispensed free of charge to persons receiving income support, family credit or who held a valid exemption certificate on low income grounds, and their dependants.

  NHS (Early Retirement)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been given early retirement on health grounds by the superannuation board of the national health service in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In each of the last five financial years the number of NHS employees who have retired prematurely on the grounds of ill-health and drawn their superannuation benefits is as follows:

  Financial year

  Number prematurely retired

  1985–86

  6,282

  1986–87

  6,427

  1987–88

  6,147

  1988–89

  6,695

  1989–90

  6,627

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been refused early retirement on health grounds by the superannuation board of the national health service in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In each of the last five years the number of NHS employees who have been refused early payment of superannuation benefits on the grounds of ill-health is as follows:
  683

  Year

  Number

  1985–86

  315

  1986–87

  321

  1987–88

  307

  1988–89

  334

  1989–90

  328

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis have applied for early retirement on the grounds of ill-health to the superannuation board of the national health service in each of the last five years; and how many have been granted early retirement.

  Table 1

  All admissions to NHS Mental Illness hospitals and units, by age, in England

  Age group (years old)

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  All ages

  178,841

  175,422

  171,914

  169,310

  180,164

  185,514

  183,593

  188,518

  192,258

  199,995

  197,251

  0–9

  725

  758

  767

  669

  710

  701

  647

  689

  671

  677

  707

  10–14

  1,340

  1,350

  1,237

  1,240

  1,334

  1,284

  1,247

  1,203

  1,198

  1,222

  1,077

  15–19

  7,071

  6,176

  6,080

  5,808

  5,956

  6,025

  5,446

  5,458

  5,527

  5,438

  5,272

  20–24

  13,804

  13,249

  12,302

  11,806

  11,841

  11,956

  11,628

  12,300

  12,963

  12,952

  13,267

  25–34

  34,852

  33,274

  31,317

  30,178

  30,931

  31,711

  29,951

  29,690

  29,792

  30,118

  30,476

  35–44

  29,780

  28,324

  27,608

  27,105

  28,884

  29,831

  29,514

  30,434

  30,879

  31,235

  31,069

  45–54

  28,926

  27,574

  26,153

  25,102

  26,019

  25,963

  24,825

  24,443

  24,812

  25,314

  23,859

  55–64

  23,122

  23,759

  23,526

  23,271

  24,670

  25,266

  25,044

  25,756

  25,675

  26,539

  24,423

  65–74

  20,789

  21,767

  22,319

  22,341

  24,014

  24,932

  24,758

  25,373

  25,271

  27,944

  27,487

  75 plus

  18,432

  19,191

  20,605

  21,790

  25,805

  27,845

  30,533

  33,172

  35,470

  38,556

  39,614

  Table 2

  Rates of all admissions to mental illness hospitals and units, by age, in England (per 100,000 population in age group)

  Age group (years old)

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  All ages

  385

  378

  371

  365

  388

  397

  392

  402

  409

  425

  417

  0–9

  11

  12

  12

  11

  12

  12

  11

  12

  12

  12

  12

  10–14

  35

  35

  33

  33

  36

  35

  35

  35

  36

  38

  36

  15–19

  204

  174

  168

  156

  157

  157

  140

  140

  145

  145

  143

  20–24

  432

  411

  376

  355

  347

  345

  321

  331

  338

  329

  334

  25–34

  534

  506

  474

  457

  468

  478

  458

  460

  459

  459

  455

  35–44

  564

  537

  517

  497

  521

  523

  499

  499

  495

  491

  479

  45–54

  519

  505

  487

  474

  497

  494

  478

  471

  478

  489

  464

  55–64

  442

  452

  449

  447

  477

  480

  481

  489

  482

  510

  479

  65–74

  489

  509

  519

  516

  553

  570

  579

  611

  624

  676

  656

  75 plus

  769

  781

  818

  844

  973

  1,009

  1,078

  1,141

  1,188

  1,263

  1,276

  I will write to the hon. Member with information for the years 1987–88 and 1988–89 in due course.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the trend in admissions for mental handicap hospital and units in the last decade in the age groups for which statistics are kept.

  Table 1

  All admissions to mental handicap hospitals and units, by age, in England

  Age group years old

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  All ages

  14,023

  14,936

  15,815

  16,665

  18,954

  21,974

  24,951

  31,106

  35,014

  37,800

  40,060

  0–1

  83

  79

  108

  112

  99

  110

  163

  163

  143

  108

  216

  2–4

  567

  557

  542

  577

  669

  716

  789

  827

  941

  1,159

  869

  5–9

  2,312

  2,371

  2,582

  2,444

  2,547

  2,835

  3,077

  3,536

  3,491

  3,873

  3,998

  10–14

  2,770

  2,949

  3,241

  3,495

  3,924

  4,512

  5,214

  6,115

  6,154

  5,921

  5,568

  15–19

  2,407

  2,806

  3,006

  3,352

  3,945

  4,549

  5,379

  7,029

  8,154

  8,584

  8,751

  20–24

  1,612

  1,743

  1,892

  2,176

  2,594

  3,104

  3,643

  4,753

  5,728

  6,663

  7,613

  684
  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the trend in admissions to mental illness hospitals and units in the last decade in the age groups for which statistics are kept.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is shown in table 1 for the years 1976–86. The figures are for admissions not individuals; an individual may be admitted more than once during the year.

  Table 2 expresses these admissions as rates per 100,000 population, in each age band.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is shown in table 1 for the years 1976–86. The figures are for admissions not individuals; an individual may be admitted more than once during the year.

  Table 2 expresses these admissions as rates per 100,000 population, in each age band.
  685

  Age group years old

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  25–34

  1,982

  2,091

  2,021

  2,188

  2,567

  3,170

  3,332

  4,434

  5,572

  6,385

  7,141

  35–44

  927

  962

  955

  841

  1,083

  1,401

  1,561

  1,920

  2,449

  2,841

  3,354

  45–54

  696

  683

  709

  684

  744

  823

  918

  1,262

  1,334

  1,166

  1,273

  55–64

  454

  483

  438

  470

  480

  469

  547

  579

  679

  744

  793

  65–74

  183

  179

  210

  189

  210

  221

  244

  340

  262

  241

  273

  75 plus

  30

  33

  111

  137

  92

  64

  84

  148

  107

  115

  211

  Table 2

  Rates of all admissions to mental handicap hospitals and units, by age, in England

  Age group years old

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  All ages

  30

  32

  34

  36

  41

  47

  53

  66

  75

  80

  85

  0–1

  7

  7

  10

  10

  9

  10

  14

  14

  12

  9

  18

  2–4

  30

  31

  32

  35

  41

  43

  46

  47

  53

  65

  49

  5–9

  64

  66

  74

  73

  79

  94

  108

  128

  127

  139

  140

  10–14

  73

  77

  85

  93

  106

  124

  146

  176

  185

  185

  184

  15–19

  70

  79

  83

  90

  104

  118

  138

  180

  213

  229

  237

  20–24

  50

  54

  58

  65

  76

  90

  100

  128

  149

  169

  192

  25–34

  30

  32

  31

  33

  39

  48

  51

  69

  86

  97

  107

  35–44

  18

  18

  18

  15

  20

  25

  26

  32

  39

  45

  52

  45–54

  12

  12

  13

  13

  14

  16

  18

  24

  26

  23

  25

  55–64

  9

  9

  8

  9

  9

  9

  11

  11

  13

  14

  16

  65–74

  4

  4

  5

  4

  5

  5

  6

  8

  6

  6

  7

  75 plus

  1

  1

  4

  5

  3

  2

  3

  5

  4

  4

  7

  I will write to the hon. Member with information for the years 1987–88 and 1988–89 in due course.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what reports of people suffering Campylobacter enteritidis he has received this year, to date; how many cases of people living in Bradford have been reported; what advice he has issued to combat this disease; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what action he has taken and what advice he has issued to combat the spread of Campylobacter enteritidis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The PHLS communicable disease surveillance centre has received 26,607 reports of faecal isolates of Campylobacter by laboratories in England and Wales in the first 39 weeks of this year. There have been 2,618 from the Yorkshire health region. The number from Bradford is not routinely abstracted from national surveillance data.

  The advice that the Government have issued to contain the disease relates primarily to good kitchen hygiene and is contained in the publication "Food Safety: a Guide from Her Majesty's Government" copies of which are available in the Library. In May 1989 14 million copies of this food safety leaflet, jointly published by the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, were distributed to the general public.

  Income Generation Unit
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the income generation unit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The unit's role is to formulate national policy on income generation; to provide a source of advice on this for health authorities and the private sector; to 686
  assist health authorities to develop and implement projects, monitor their achievements, and disseminate information and good practice.

  I am pleased to report that income generation activity raised £26·8 million for the NHS in 1989–90 and it is expected that £50 million will be raised in 1990–91. The initial top target of £75 million is therefore well in sight. These substantial sums of money are making a significant contribution to improving the care offered to patients by the NHS.

  Children (Employment)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to give preliminary approval to proposed byelaws, concerning the employment of children submitted to him by Bradford council on 25 October 1989 and the subject, to date, of seven further letters; when he acknowledged receipt of the various documents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Bradford council's draft amended byelaws have been considered by the Department; and a response was sent to the local authority on 26 October. I regret the delay; and will ensure that every effort is made to expedite approval of the byelaws.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantitative provision is being made for casualties from a Gulf war.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 31 October at column 528. Should the need arise, NHS beds would be made available through restrictions on non-urgent admissions. No request for such action has yet been made by the Ministry of Defence.

  Unruly Certificates
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will publish a table of all local authority social services departments showing the number of unruly certificates applied for in each department in 1989–90.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by date, and by location, the number of occasions in the past 10 years when public interest immunity certificates have been issued in the three counties of Yorkshire and Humberside concerning matters before coroners and other courts preventing members of the police forces and others within the remit of his Department from attending such courts, and to prevent such courts hearing details of operations, indicating which operations were involved and how many individuals were covered by such certificates.

  Mr. Waddington
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 17 October at column 820.

ENVIRONMENT

  County Hall, London
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold urgent discussions with the board of the London residuary body concerning the practical steps needed to retain county hall and its outbuildings in public ownership, following the collapse of the consortium offer in the recent tender application.

  Mr. Key
  No. The future of county hall is a matter for the London residuary body whose responsibility it remains to dispose of the property in the interests of London charge payers.

  Planning Permission
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to include in any future changes to planning legislation provisions governing the extension of planning permission applications to cover the demolition of existing dwelling units.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am considering the need for legislation in the light of the consultations which we undertook earlier this year.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list firms that have been(a) advised on pollution control and (b) prosecuted for discharging pollution into the River Rother by the National Rivers Authority, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution or their predecessors since 1979.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Detailed information about advice given to firms on pollution control, and about 688
  prosecutions for water pollution offences, is not held centrally. For information on prosecutions for pollution of the River Rother brought by the former Yorkshire water authority, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 18 January 1990, at columns 360–62. I have asked the National Rivers Authority to write to the hon. Member about prosecutions it has brought since its formation.

  Private Contractors
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice was sought by Warrington and Runcorn development corporation from its in-house solicitors concerning the redundancy of staff and their re-employment as private contractors; and what advice was proffered;

  (2) what information he has on the reasons why Milton Keynes sought outside legal advice concerning the redundancy of staff and their re-employment as private contractors and the advice that was proffered.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice has been issued to local authorities concerning Campylobacter enteritis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No specific advice has been issued to local authorities by my Department. The Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have issued jointly a food safety leaflet advising the public on how to avoid health risks posed by some types of bacteria including Campylobacter enteritis. This leaflet was also made available to environmental health officers in local authorities.

  Houses of Parliament
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total identified cost of maintaining the Houses of Parliament for the financial years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Maintenance costs, including consultants' fees, were as follows:

  £'000

  1987–88

  5,283

  1988–89

  6,316

  1989–90

  6,897

  Environment White Paper
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has been invited to contribute to the conference on the business implications of the environment White Paper and future environmental legislation, to be held on 19 November.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will be addressing the conference.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people in each district council area received disability relief on their rate bills in 1988–89;
  689
  what was the average amount of relief per property in each district; and what is his estimate of the number of households which are (a)now better off and (b) worse off under the poll tax.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those local authorities that gave grants to regional theatres in 1986,1987,1989 and the first six months of 1990;

  (2) if he has yet decided upon the criteria for capping poll tax levels, in 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures revising his analysis of the distributional impact of the community charge placed in the Library on 15 February 1990.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the implications of the introduction of local authority waste disposal company rules for existing contracts that local authorities may have previously entered into;

  (2) what time limits local authorities will be under to make a decision on the formation of a local authority waste disposal company;

  (3) if local authorities will in the future continue to be in a position to deal directly with private sector companies as an option to a local authority waste disposal company;

  (4) when his Department plans to publish local authority waste disposal company regulations.

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

  Environmental Projects
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those United Kingdom-based environmental projects in receipt of financial support from the European Community under Council regulation 2242/87, since 1987; and if he will make a statement on the future prospects of United Kingdom projects receiving support under this programme.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  EC Environment Council
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place in the European Environment Council on the proposed European Community directive for harmonising and rationalising reports on the implementation of certain directives relating to the environment—Com (90) 287 final—dated 26 July; what consideration has been given to that directive by the European Parliament and the European Community economic and social committee; and when he expects the Environment Council to take a decision on the Commission proposal.

  Mr. Trippier
  The proposal has not yet been discussed in the Environment Council. The European Parliament 690
  and the economic and social committee have not yet given their opinions on the proposed directive. It is for the EC presidency to decide when the proposal will be discussed at Environment Council.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he plans to make to the second world climate change conference in Geneva at the beginning of November.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  European Environment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom contribution to the Council of Europe conference on the European environment recently held in Vienna; and what decisions arose from that conference.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total cost of Government investment in each of the urban development corporations set up by the Government since 1981;

  (2) how many low-cost houses have been built by each of the urban development corporations since 1981;

  (3) how many compulsory purchase orders have been enacted by each of the urban development corporations;

  (4) what is the total number of jobs created by the investment in each of the urban development corporations;

  (5) how much private investment has there been in each of the urban development corporations for each year since 1981.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what reports he has received about the effects on the sea bed of licensed dumping of sewage sludge in the Bristol channel, in the area between south Wales, Lundy Island and Ilfracombe;

  (2) what reports he has received from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution about damage to the environment and the sea bed of the Bristol channel through the dumping of sewage sludge or the licensed input of effluent or other substances;

  (3) what are the tests carried out and with what frequency by the National Rivers Authority to check on beaches and adjacent waters for compliance with the European Community bathing waters directive and the award of blue flags;
  691
  (4) if he will list the holders of current licences to discharge any effluent into the Bristol channel and give details of the effluents the licence covers.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Local Government
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward legislation extending the role of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Local Government to include complaints made against parish and town councils.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Environment Offences
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the offences which may be committed by companies in their activities relating to the environment, in each case specifying the notices which may be served on companies which fail to comply with statutory provisions.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Anti-competitive Behaviour
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 30 October, if the circular he intends to issue regarding anti-competitive behaviour will take into consideration any legal rulings that may have resulted from a local authority appealing against his decision to issue a section 13 and/or 14 notice.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria he will use for calculating the standard spending assessment for the metropolitan boroughs in the financial year 1991–92.

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

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will show the breakdown of his Department's spending by standard economic planning region for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Home Repossessions
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the number of homes repossessed by mortgage lenders in 1979, 1980,1981,1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and the first six months of 1990.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Planning Gain
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a planning gain code of conduct for local authorities and developers.
  692
  Mr. Atkins
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Crown Suppliers
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to mitigate the impact on the staff of the privatisation of the Crown Suppliers.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Tourism, Harrogate
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the data on which the tourism element of the SSA for the Harrogate borough council will be based for 1991–92;

  (2) what is the amount the Harrogate borough council will receive from Government for the tourism element in its SSA for 1991–92; and what is its receipt for the current year.

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

  Antarctica
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the United Kingdom delegates who will be attending the special consultative meeting of the Antarctic treaty parties to discuss comprehensive measures for the protection of the Antarctic environment to be held in Santiago, Chile starting on 19 November; and what representation his Department will have.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Satellite Television
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce changes to planning controls over satellite television antennas in the light of responses to the 11 July consultation paper; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  We received over 500 responses to the consultation paper. They revealed a wide divergence of views on the need for stronger controls over the siting of dishes and on the case for two dishes per house. The proposed changes to permitted development rights which we are announcing today are designed to address both these concerns: to increase the controls over installations which would damage visual amenity, especially in sensitive areas, while at the same time to ensure that the development of broadcasting services is not unduly constrained. We have also taken into account the potential use of communal systems and the likely growth of cable networks which over the next few years will contribute significantly to the further protection of the environment.

  The main features of the new package being proposed by my right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Wales are a general provision that dishes must be sited to minimise their effect on a building's external appearance: this, combined with a new national code of practice, will give planning authorities wider power than they have at present to reduce the obtrusiveness of poorly sited dishes and will provide clearer guidance to installers on how to adopt a more consistently acceptable approach; a requirement that specific planning permission must be obtained for all installations on chimney stacks, walls and roof slopes fronting the highway in national parks, areas

  693
  of outstanding natural beauty and conservation areas, as well as those fronting the waterway in the Broads; a general permission for two dishes per dwellinghouse, but with stricter limits on the size of dishes; new permitted development rights for the installation of particularly small dishes on chimney stacks, where they may be less obtrusive than elsewhere on the building; new permitted development rights for installations on smaller blocks of flats, but subject to the limitations on number and size set out earlier in my reply; new permitted development rights for installations on smaller, non-domestic buildings, subject to the limitations on number and size set out above, except on chimney stacks, walls and roof-slopes fronting the highway.

  We have tightened the present restrictions to take advantage of the reductions that are being achieved in the size of dishes. There will of course be further developments in antenna technology over the next few years: and by about 1995 some 65 per cent, of the population may have access to television services through underground cable networks. For these reasons we intend to review the situation again in about two years' time, to ensure that the rules take maximum advantage of technological improvements which can reduce the visual intrusiveness of dishes. I should say now that I cannot envisage any circumstances in which a general permission for more than two antennas per house would be acceptable.

  To give effect to these changes, amendments to parts 1 and 25 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988 will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to paragraph 6.34 of the environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance?", he will state where the Government have asked local authorities to have particular regard to the conservation of energy as an issue in development plans.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will revise planning policy guidance note 15 to reinstate the reference to the need for development plans to consider energy conservation matters which was deleted when section 4 of circular 22/84 was superseded.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mud Slide
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance is available to the Isle of Wight's local authorities to assist with the clearance of the mud slide last weekend.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the my hon. Friend.

  Uniform Business Rate, Easington
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals have been lodged against the uniform business rate in the district council area of Easington.

  Mr. Key
  I will write to the hon. Member.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EC Treaty
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what opinions he has sought as to the applicability of the veto(a) to amendments to the European Community treaty relating to (i) economic and monetary union or (ii) political union and (b) to any new treaty which may be proposed by member states excluding the United Kingdom as to (1) economic and monetary union and (2) political union; and if he will place any such opinion sought in the Library.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The two forthcoming intergovernmental conferences have been called to amend the treaty of Rome. Such amendments must be agreed by common accord among the member states. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 30 October, our objective in the IGCs will be to find solutions which enable the Community to go forward as Twelve.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what opinions he has received as to whether other member states of the European Economic Community would be in breach of their Community obligations if they sought to make a new European Community treaty for economic and monetary union or political union exclusive of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The intergovernmental conferences on economic and monetary union and political union have been called under article 236 of the treaty, which states that the conference must determine by common accord the amendments to be made to the treaty. This precludes amendment of the treaty of Rome by fewer than all member states.

  Commonwealth
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate for the Commonwealth(a) those countries which have left, (b) those countries which have been expelled, (c) those countries which have been refused admittance and (d) those countries whose applications for membership are pending.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Republic of Ireland (1949)

  South Africa (1961)

  Pakistan (1972—rejoined in 1989)

  Fiji (1987)

  (b) None

  (c) None

  (d) Cameroon.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries of the Commonwealth, indicating the date they achieved Commonwealth status, and their current populations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Namibia, population approximately 1·26 million, joined the Commonwealth on 21 March 1990. The remainder of the information requested is available from the "Commonwealth Yearbook 1990", a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the present numbers of the population of Hong Kong(a) registered or (b) eligible to register as Hong Kong British dependent territory citizens.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  According to Hong Kong Government statistics:

  (a) the estimated number of Hong Kong British dependent territories citizens, principally by birth, descent, registration and naturalisation, is 3·56 million. The number of those who have acquired BDTC status by registration alone is about 5,200; and

  (b) the estimated number of Hong Kong residents eligible for naturalisation or registration as BDTCs is 1·9 million.

  Iraq and Kuwait (Mail)
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the statement made in the answer to the Adjournment debate by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Mr. Lennox-Boyd) on 24 October,Official Report, column 479, if he is now able to give any further details of his Department's efforts to speed mail deliveries to Iraq and Kuwait.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I am pleased to announce that we have now set up a PO box to receive mail from families of detainees and other British nationals prevented from leaving Iraq. We hope this will improve the reliability and speed of delivery of letters to our people in Iraq. The PO box address is:

  PO BOXNo. 1370

  LONDON SW1A 2AW

  Cambodia
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with European Community partners about recent developments in Cambodia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have regular discussions on Cambodia with our European colleagues and others among our friends and partners.

  Middle East
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any commitment has been given by the United Kingdom to Israel should Iraqi forces seek to wrest the occupied territories from Israeli control.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. Such a commitment has been neither sought nor given.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 October, on the Palestinian homeland, what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the exercise by Israel of a veto over the establishment of a Palestinian state.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Palestinian right to self-determination is not negotiable. What is for negotiation between the parties to the conflict is the shape of a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israel dispute.

  Defence and Disarmament
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the topics raised by non-governmental organisations at the six-monthly briefing on defence and disarmament issues held at his Department, on 23 October; which issues were raised most often by non-governmental organisations; and what was the response of non-governmental organisation representatives to the review of Government policy positions presented by the Minister of State.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 31 October, at column 564.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department received a copy of the resolution on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty passed at the annual general meeting of the nuclear free zone local authorities; when a response was sent; and if he will publish the text of the letter of reply in the Official Report.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A copy of the resolution was received on 20 September, and an official response was sent on the same day. It is not our policy to publish the content of such correspondence.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas)Official Report, 22 October, column 58, he will list the states in the middle east region to which the reply makes collective reference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I referred to all states in the middle east region, which is generally regarded as comprising:Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Republic of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates.
  However, it is not our intention that this list should be definitive.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas)Official Report, 22 October, column 57, what response was given by the South African Government to the urging of Her Majesty's Government that South Africa accede to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty during the visit of the Minister of State on 19 September.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The South African Government expressed their willingness to sign the nuclear NPT provided other states in the region also did so. The South African Government have also expressed their readiness to discuss full-scope safeguards for nuclear facilities with the International Atomic Energy Authority.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent Her Majesty's Government at the conference to be held later in November in Santiago, to discuss the future of Antarctica.
  697
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Present intentions are that a team made up of officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Departments of Energy, Environment and Trade and Industry will represent Her Majesty's Government. Individual participants from these Departments have not yet been nominated.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Development Council will meet on 5 November. Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions arising from a Commission paper on co-operation with the developing countries of Asia and Latin America in the 1990s. The Council will discuss progress on the Lome IV programming exercise which is currently under way and will exchange views on its increasing concern over the situation in the Horn of Africa. Ministers will also discuss the recent review of the tropical forestry action plan.

  The Internal Market Council will meet on 8 November to discuss a number of measures relevant to the completion of the single market.

  At the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 November Ministers will discuss follow-up action to the special meeting of the European Council held in Rome on 27 and 28 October. The Council will also consider the Commission's proposals for enhancing the Community's relations with Mediterranean countries through a mixture of aid schemes and improved trade and industrial co-operation, and will review progress in the negotiations with EFTA countries on the European economic area, in particular ideas for the industrial framework of the EEA. Ministers may also further discuss implications of German unification, association agreements with east and central European countries, and 10-year guidelines for cooperation with Asian and Latin American countries, and may consider the generalised scheme of preferences scheme in particular for 1991. An informal meeting of the EC/Arab Maghreb Union will be held in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council

  The Agriculture Council will meet on 27 November and will discuss the alignment of the Spanish and Portuguese olive oil regimes, and the review of the sugar regime. Other items which may be discussed are the agricultural aspects of German unification, animal welfare standards for pigs and veal calves on the farm, ACP sugar, agriculture and the environment and environmentally sensitive areas, inter-Community trade in fresh poultry meat, meat hygiene aspects of game meat and rabbit meat and plant protection products.

  The Budget Council will meet on 16 November to discuss the European Parliament's amendments and modifications to the first reading draft budget.

  The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 19 November to discuss the Commission's proposals for extending European investment bank operations to Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, with a Community guarantee. The Council may also discuss further work on economic and monetary union in preparation for the forthcoming intergovernmental conference and the Commission's proposals for revisions of the financial perspective as a result of German
  698
  unification and the Gulf crisis. The presidency is expected to submit a report on the progress on discussions of the Commission's VAT and excise technical proposals. Ministers may also discuss the investment services directive—ISD—a market-opening measure designed to give investment firms operating in one member state authority to set up branches and provide services in other member states. The presidency hopes to reach a common position by the end of the year. It is important that the ISD is implemented simultaneously with the capital adequacy directive and second banking co-ordination directive, by 1 January 1993.

  At the Culture Council on 19 November Ministers are likely to be asked to reach agreement on proposals for the protection of national art treasures and on vocational training. There will also be a policy discussion of the MEDIA programme, and discussions of the European Cultural Month and copyright.

  The Research Council will meet on 20 November and is expected to discuss co-operation with third countries on research; the EC's role in the international thermonuclear experimental reactor programme; the Community fusion programme including the proposed extension of the joint European Torus facility and aspects of the specific programmes under the third framework programme.

  The Fisheries Council will meet on 20 November to discuss 1991 price fixing, the common fisheries policy in the Mediterranean, technical measures for conservation of resources, the effects of German unification on the common fisheries policy and fishery and aquaculture structures as defined in regulation 4028/86.

  The Civil Protection Council will meet on 23 November to discuss the introduction of a Communitywide standard emergency telephone number. It will further discuss ways of improving mutual aid between member states in the event of a natural or man-made disaster and discuss further Community co-operation on civil protection.

  The Labour and Social Affairs Council is expected to meet on 26 November to take forward proposed directives on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos and biological agents, and to discuss a Commission proposal for Community action for the elderly.

  The Industry Council scheduled for 26 November is expected to discuss a Commission communication to the Council on industrial policy, a draft directive on aid for the Community shipbuilding industry and the future of national quantitative restrictions after 1992. Ministers are also expected to discuss the Community textile, biotechnology, semi-conductor and handicraft industries, as well as consider the future of the European Coal and Steel Community treaty, the industrial impact of the Uruguay round, a Commission green paper on standards, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

  The Telecommunications Council will meet on 27 November. Ministers will discuss the draft directive on telecommunications terminal equipment aimed at establishing mutual recognition of type approval procedures between member states for telecommunications terminal equipment. A common position was adopted by Ministers at the last Telecommunications Council and the draft is now going through the co-operation procedure with the European Parliament. There may also be an orientation debate on an open network provision—ONP—framework directive aimed at defining the terms and conditions under

  699
  which telecommunications administrations will be required to give access to users of the telecommunications network infrastructure which was adopted at the last Council and which anticipated the application of ONP conditions to leased lines. A formal draft directive on leased lines is still awaited. An orientation debate is also expected on a draft directive on the protection of personal data processed and transmitted over public telecommunications networks which has been adopted by the Commission as part of a general package of measures aimed at approximating the data protection laws of member states. Ministers will also discuss the draft directive and recommendation aimed at establishing the necessary conditions for the commercial exploitation of digital European cordless telephone technology throughout the Community, and a Green Paper on the liberalisation of satellite services which is about to be published by the Commission. There is also likely to be an orientation debate on Commission plans to publish a Green Paper by the end of the year on proposals for a postal policy for Europe aimed at liberalising the provision of postal services.

  At the Tourism Council on 29 November Ministers will consider a proposal for a Council decision on developing tourism statistics within the Community, and may consider papers on rural tourism and tourism and the environment.

  Territorial Integrity
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the statements made over the past 10 years by the conference on security and co-operation in Europe about inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity of states; and what provisions with regard to territorial claims are contained in(a) the charter of the United Nations and (b) the treaty of Rome.

  Mr. Hurd
  The concluding documents of both the 1980–83 Madrid and the 1986–89 Vienna CSCE follow-up meetings reaffirmed participants' determination to respect and put into practice all 10 principles from the Helsinki final act, which includes statements on the inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity of states. Neither the charter of the United Nations nor the treaty of Rome contains specific provisions with regard to territorial claims between member states.

  India
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited India; and if he was able to take the opportunity to visit the Punjab.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not yet visited India. I visited India on 21 to 26 September, but I did not have an opportunity to go to the Punjab.

  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received reports of infringements of human rights in the Punjab from Amnesty International or from any other source.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received Amnesty International's 1990 report, which includes references to human rights abuses in the Punjab. We have repeatedly made clear our concern to the Indian Government that 700
  human rights must be respected and have also urged them to exercise the greatest restraint in dealing with the violent challenge to law and order from militant groups.

  Gulf States
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the record on human rights in the Gulf states.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We deplore all human rights violations, wherever they may occur, and the Governments of the Gulf states are well aware of the importance we attach to the observance of international human rights standards.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from human rights organisations concerning abuses of human rights in the Gulf states; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A number of human rights organisations have made clear their concern. We have made our own views on Iraq's current human rights abuses in Kuwait entirely clear in UN Security Council resolutions including resolutions 664 and 674.

  Environment Agreements
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 30 October,Official Report, column 456, to how many of the 140 treaties and agreements concerned with the environment the United Kingdom is a signatory.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Many of the 140 international treaties and agreements in the field of the environment listed by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1989 are regional in application, with no relevance to the United Kingdom. We have, however, signed 60 which have either global or regional importance for us.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session in Parliament.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We reply to approximately 85 per cent, of MPs' letters within two weeks. The information requested at(a) and (b) is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  South Africa
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek to exert pressure on South Africa through the EEC or the United Nations to relinquish Walvis Bay to Namibia and to accept responsibility for the accrued Namibian debt.

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

  Diplomatic Missions (Parking Fines)
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish up-to-date figures recording the number of unpaid parking
  701
  fines incurred by each diplomatic mission first six months of the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is given in the table. The table also includes those international organisations which incurred unpaid fines. The figures maybe reduced by late payments.

  The total of 3,842 for the first six months of 1990 represents a 10 per cent. reduction from the figure of 4,292 for the same period in 1989. It compares with nearly 67,000 in the first six months of 1984 before publication of the 1985 White Paper. We welcome this further reduction in unpaid parking fines that has been achieved during 1989 and appreciate the co-operation of diplomatic missions since the introduction of the parking policy. We shall continue to monitor carefully the level of unpaid fines and bring pressure to bear on diplomatic missions to reduce this still further.

  Unpaid parking fines

  Diplomatic mission

  January-June 1990

  January-June 1989

  Poland

  344

  99

  Saudi Arabia

  176

  251

  Soviet Union

  171

  335

  Egypt

  133

  132

  Pakistan

  120

  120

  Qatar

  111

  102

  Sudan

  110

  190

  Cote d'Ivoire

  105

  195

  United Arab Emirates

  104

  113

  Kuwait

  100

  52

  Cameroon

  96

  173

  Morocco

  87

  71

  Iraq

  77

  67

  India

  74

  38

  Korea

  74

  99

  Greece

  70

  126

  Yugoslavia

  70

  31

  Zambia

  68

  14

  Thailand

  67

  72

  Malaysia

  65

  81

  Israel

  62

  81

  Spain

  61

  109

  Cyprus

  60

  46

  Hungary

  58

  21

  China

  57

  36

  Angola

  55

  29

  Jordan

  55

  35

  France

  53

  64

  Bulgaria

  52

  94

  Turkey

  49

  62

  Brunei

  47

  62

  German (Federal Republic)

  41

  82

  Portugal

  34

  63

  Oman

  31

  25

  Romania

  31

  16

  Sierra Leone

  30

  23

  German (Democratic Republic)

  29

  42

  Nigeria

  29

  8

  Bangladesh

  27

  41

  Brazil

  27

  43

  Canada

  27

  32

  Barbados

  25

  28

  Jamaica

  25

  13

  Seychelles

  25

  5

  Gambia

  24

  40

  PDR Yemen

  23

  20

  Algeria

  21

  35

  Italy

  21

  14

  Ghana

  20

  53

  Zimbabwe

  20

  6

  Philippines

  19

  9

  Japan

  18

  29

  702

  Diplomatic mission

  January-June 1990

  January-June 1989

  Liberia

  18

  15

  Uruguay

  18

  29

  Czechoslovakia

  16

  19

  Indonesia

  16

  3

  Cuba

  14

  20

  Gabon

  13

  5

  Mauritius

  13

  21

  Tunisia

  13

  29

  Ethiopia

  12

  20

  Kenya

  12

  7

  Vietnam

  12

  3

  Yemen AR

  12

  16

  Zaire

  12

  14

  Belgium

  11

  29

  Guyana

  11

  11

  Nicaragua

  11

  26

  Chile

  10

  7

  Austria

  9

  7

  Finland

  9

  27

  Guatemala

  9

  4

  Honduras

  9

  6

  Norway

  9

  35

  Somalia

  9

  11

  Iceland

  8

  5

  Lesotho

  8

  5

  Mongolia

  8

  8

  Senegal

  8

  11

  United States

  8

  5

  Bahrain

  7

  4

  Ecuador

  7

  9

  Myammar

  7

  16

  Paraguay

  7

  8

  Venezuela

  7

  32

  Ireland

  6

  19

  Togo

  5

  2

  Malawi

  5

  5

  Uganda

  5

  8

  Lebanon

  5

  9

  Trinidad

  5

  10

  Tanzania

  5

  40

  Australia

  4

  1

  Dominica

  4

  2

  Singapore

  4

  2

  Sri Lanka

  4

  1

  Botswana

  3

  2

  Luxembourg

  3

  1

  Mexico

  3

  8

  Netherlands

  3

  2

  Afghanistan

  2

  0

  Benin

  2

  0

  Bolivia

  2

  2

  Denmark

  2

  3

  Eastern Caribbean States

  2

  0

  Panama

  2

  4

  Sweden

  2

  22

  Nepal

  4

  Peru

  1

  5

  South Africa

  1

  0

  Swaziland

  1

  1

  Tonga

  1

  0

  Antigua

  0

  0

  Argentina

  0

  0

  Bahamas

  0

  0

  Belize

  0

  0

  Colombia

  0

  1

  Costa Rica

  0

  0

  El Salvador

  0

  0

  Fiji

  0

  13

  Grenada

  0

  0

  Iran

  0

  7

  Malta

  0

  1

  Mozambique

  0

  1

  New Zealand

  0

  0

  Papua New Guinea

  0

  1

  Switzerland

  0

  2

  703

  Diplomatic mission

  January-June 1990

  January-June 1989

  INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

  Commonwealth Secretariat

  24

  10

  Cocoa

  3

  3

  Coffee

  1

  0

  IMO

  0

  3

  EC

  0

  0

  UN

  0

  0

  WEU

  0

  0

  Sugar

  0

  0

  INMARSAT

  0

  3

  Totals

  3,842

  4,292

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last received representations regarding the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement concerning Her Majesty's Government's policy toward the occupation.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning amputations, flogging and execution by sword or stoning in Saudi Arabia.

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

TRANSPORT

  Passenger Statistics
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of passengers carried by bus and rail transport in each year since 1979 and the cost of travel per mile on bus and rail services in real terms for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information available is as follows:

  Passenger journeys

  Real fares indices 1979 = 100

  Local bus

  Rail1

  Local bus

  Rail

  1979

  6,472

  1,342

  100·0

  100·0

  1980

  6,224

  1,326

  108·5

  105·3

  1981

  5,694

  1,284

  109·3

  107·6

  1982

  5,518

  1,179

  116·3

  113·8

  1983

  5,587

  1,319

  117·6

  114·6

  1984

  5,650

  1,422

  114·4

  110·3

  1985

  2—

  1,494

  112·6

  110·6

  1986

  2—

  1,520

  118·0

  114·2

  1987

  2—

  1,576

  120·8

  115·2

  1988

  2—

  1,653

  122·3

  117·5

  1989

  2—

  1,619

  122·2

  119·0

  1985–86

  5,614

  112·2

  1986–87

  5,325

  119·8

  1987–88

  5,303

  121·7

  1988–89

  5,238

  121·9

  1989–90

  2—

  122·1

  1British Rail, London Transport rail and the rail systems of the Strathclyde and Tyne and Wear PTEs.

  2Not available.

  Sources: Transport Statistics Great Britain 1979–89 (and later information); Retail Prices Index.

  Underground Rail link, London
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the assessed rate of return on the east-west underground rail link through London.

  Mr. Freeman
  The east-west crossrail proposal was shown to have a benefit to cost ratio of 1·32:1.

  Ports and Docks (Police)
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on any plans to reform the law with regard to the employment of police officers at British ports and docks.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 22 October 1990, at column 70.

  "Transport of Delight"
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will obtain a copy of the recent policy paper published by the Tory Green Initiative, "Transport of Delight", for his departmental library.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My Department has received a copy.

  Summerley Court Aston Airstrip
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East,Official Report, 15 October, column 648, whether he proposes to take any action following the issuing of the AAIB report on the accidents at the Summerley Court Aston airstrip on 24 July.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Civil Aviation Authority has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation. The AAIB report has been passed to the CAA and it is for the authority to determine whether any further action is required.

  Glasgow-Edinburgh Railway
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the chairman of British Rail about electrification of the Glasgow-Edinburgh railway line and the traffic volumes required to meet the investment criteria.

  Mr. Freeman
  The £12·5 million electrification of the line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Carstairs is under way and due to be completed by the spring of 1991. ScotRail is introducing the new class 158 express diesel units on the route from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh via Falkirk and Linlithgow. A full service using these new trains will be in operation by the end of this year. I understand that BR is still considering whether a case can be made for electrifying the route via Shotts. Its forecast of traffic levels will form part of that consideration.

  A1
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the traffic flow counts for the stretch of the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth taken during the last 10 years.
  705
  Mr. Chope
  The average annual daily two-way traffic flows measured immediately south of Dishforth are shown in the table.

  Year

  AADT (Vehicles)

  1980

  29,483

  1981

  30,000

  1982

  31,400

  1983

  34,100

  1984

  36,800

  1985

  38,600

  1986

  39,400

  1987

  40,592

  1988

  44,321

  1989

  46,353

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the full details of the current and proposed future works to the A1.

  Mr. Chope
  I have written to my hon. Friend with the details and placed a copy in the Library.

  Greater Manchester Relief Road
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has considered in relation to the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road alterations to a dual three-lane motorway.

  Mr. Chope
  Our present proposals are to widen the M62 between junctions 12 and 17 to dual four-lane motorway and to provide the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road as a dual three-lane motorway. We shall review these standards as our investigations proceed.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will bring public consultation over the proposed Greater Manchester northern and western relief road forward from its originally planned time scale.

  Mr. Chope
  Public consultation cannot take place until our initial investigations have been completed. These are continuing and are unlikely to be finalised in time to allow any advance in the programme.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the residents of Bury, South in relation to proposals from his Department for the Greater Manchester northern and western relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  There have been 31 written representations from residents of the Bury, South constituency.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the metropolitan borough of Bury concerning the proposed Greater Manchester northern and western relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  The metropolitan borough of Bury was consulted on a confidential basis. I cannot therefore divulge the views expressed. It will be formally consulted at public consultation stage. Any responses will be made public after a decision on the options has been made.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from residents in Bury, North over the proposed Greater Manchester northern and western relief road, M62.
  706
  Mr. Chope
  There have been 42 written representations from residents of the Bury, North constituency.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance was given by his Department to the metropolitan borough of Bury in relation to its unitary development plan and the impact of such plans on his Department's proposals for the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  The council has been advised that unitary development plans should make proper allowance for proposed modifications to the existing motorway and trunk road network which have been announced and for other changes arising from the reviews of the trunk road network. One of the purposes in consulting local authorities on specific road proposals is to allow them to comment on the effect of such proposals on their planning policy.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to compensate the householders in Bury, South whose properties have been blighted as a result of the premature disclosure of the possible route of the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  Statutory blight provisions cannot be exercised until a route has been selected for protection against planning development. The Department will, however, consider exercising its discretionary powers of purchase when it publishes proposals for public comment.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bodies were supplied with confidential details of possible routes for the proposed Greater Manchester northern and western relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department has consulted 33 organisations on an informal and in confidence basis.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department's proposals for the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road were made with the benefit of(a) an environmental impact assessment or (b) an economic evaluation of the costs and benefits.

  Mr. Chope
  Environmental assessments and economic evaluations will be done before proposals are put forward for public comment.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the completion of the M66 Middleton to Stockport will have upon proposals for the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  There will be no significant effect.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what terms of reference were given to the consultants advising his Department on the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Mr. Chope
  The consultants have been asked to investigate and report on all the options for improving the M62 between junctions 12 and 17 and for the provision of a new route to the west and north of the existing motorway.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the
  707
  Greater Manchester western and northern relief road and his Department's proposals for a route through the parliamentary constituencies of Bury, North and Bury, South.

  Mr. Chope
  I have nothing to add at present to the comments which I made in a letter to my hon. Friend on 28 August.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what priority in the planned expenditure on motorways will be given to the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road; and what is the likely starting date of construction work.

  Mr. Chope
  Priority in the north-west region continues to be given to the completion of the last 10 miles of the Manchester outer ring road between Denton and Middleton and of the associated A6(M) Stockport north-south bypass. I can give no estimate as to when construction might start on the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road.

  Road Repairs
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out his proposals for minimising delays caused by road repairs to main trunk roads and motorways.

  Mr. Chope
  Since we introduced in 1984 the "lane rental" arrangement for major maintenance contracts whereby the contractor gains a bonus for early completion and is charged for lateness, we have saved traffic delay costs estimated at about £50 million. We will continue to make the maximum use of this type of contract.

  In addition, we intend to make greater use of night working, when traffic flows are lower, wherever safety and environmental conditions permit. We are also seeking to improve the management of traffic at roadworks sites by investigating the use of additional narrower lanes, tidal flow systems, and better recovery techniques for broken-down vehicles. In this way we hope further to reduce delays to road users.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he proposes to introduce information boards explaining works to major roads which are causing traffic delays and indicating why on occasions no activities appear to be being carried out.

  Mr. Chope
  Since April this year we have increased the amount of information available to drivers at all major maintenance contracts on motorways and trunk roads. Signs explaining the purpose of the works—for example, "Roads repairs reconstructing worn out roads"—have to be erected. Temporary signs are used to explain why from time to time no work appears to be going on—for example, when road materials are hardening or work has to be suspended because of adverse weather.

  We are keeping a close eye on this new initiative to make sure that drivers continue to be kept fully aware of the reasons why road works are taking place and hope that it will help to reduce their understandable frustration at unavoidable delays.

  Safety Slogans
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to providing slogan signs in lights on bridges spanning trunk and motorway routes urging motorists to heed safety advice.

  Mr. Chope
  Signing on high-speed roads is kept to the minimum consistent with good direction finding and the provision of other information required by drivers on their journeys. Slogans are generally more suited to other forms of publicity such as leaflets and publicity campaigns.

  A19
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to improve the A19 throughout the Easington constituency by the provision of a hard standing.

  Mr. Chope
  Yes. One metre strips will be provided as part of the future road maintenance programme.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when was the last time he made an official journey from Dishforth to the north via the A19; and whether he has any plans to do so in the near future.

  Mr. Chope
  Since taking up my current ministerial duties I have not made an official journey from Dishforth to the north on the A19, nor have I any plans to do so.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to(a) improve lighting, (b) improve drainage, (c) improve the access road at Cold Hasledon, (d) install emergency telephones and, (e) provide a footbridge from Peterlee houses to the Peterlee industrial estate on the A19 and throughout the Easington constituency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  For the section of the A19 in the Easington constituency the Department

  a. is considering the provision of lighting on a section of the route;

  b. will improve drainage as necessary under normal maintenance operations;

  c. is considering the need to improve the junction at Cold Hasledon;

  d. has no plans to install emergency telephones, or

  e. to provide a footbridge at Peterlee.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The average time my Department takes to reply to an hon. Member's letter is three weeks. In the last Session of Parliament the(a) shortest time was one day and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full was five months. Complex questions or problems inevitably take longer to research and resolve.

  Motorway Development, Bury
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department intends to seek the views of the people of Bury, South on any proposed
  709
  motorway development in Bury; and what arrangements he will make to consult the public on any plans produced by his Department.

  Mr. Chope
  We shall consult fully with all those who live and work in the vicinity of any proposed new or improved route. Residents will be notified by means of circular letters and press advertisements, and local exhibitions will be held.

  Traffic Disruption (M1 and A1)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the details of the contract terms involving night and weekend work and speed of completion for road repairs and other works involving disruption of traffic on the M1 and A1.

  Mr. Chope
  Contracts for the maintenance of the Department's motorways and trunk roads are let under standard terms and conditions. Where practicable, night and weekend working are adopted to reduce traffic disruption, and bonus incentives and charges for late completion are used to ensure that work is completed in the shortest possible time.

  M66
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the completion of the M66 Middleton to Stockport will have upon traffic flow forecasts for the M62 over the next 10 years.

  1995

  2000

  2005

  Link

  Low

  High

  Low

  High

  Low

  High

  J15—J17

  156,000

  169,000

  171,000

  194,000

  185,000

  220,000

  J17—J18

  125,000

  135,000

  136,000

  155,000

  148,000

  176,000

  J18—J19

  121,000

  131,000

  132,000

  151,000

  144,000

  171,000

  M11
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the proposal for an extension of the M11 through Lincolnshire to Yorkshire with particular regard to the involvement of the private sector.

  Mr. Chope
  The extension of the Mil is a proposal by a group of local authorities in eastern England. I understand they have appointed consultants to study their proposals. The local authorities are sharing the cost of the study, with contributions from the private sector and grant from the EC. The study is due to report early in 1991.

  Regional expenditure on roads: 1987–88

  £ million

  Standard economic planning region

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  North West

  West Midland

  East Midland

  East Anglia

  South West

  South East

  Unallocated

  England

  Motorways and trunk roads total1

  68·2

  71·8

  71·4

  116·1

  62·5

  27·1

  98·2

  357·2

  —

  873·1

  New construction and improvement

  44·9

  48·0

  38·6

  71·3

  37·3

  17·4

  83·5

  241·1

  —

  582·1

  Maintenance1 2

  Structural .. .. .. ..

  19·7

  16·8

  28·6

  36·7

  19·6

  7·3

  10·7

  94·5

  —

  234·0

  Routine

  1·5

  2·8

  1·5

  3·8

  2·2

  1·4

  2·2

  11·5

  —

  27·0

  Winter

  1·6

  2·7

  0·9

  1·9

  1·7

  0·9

  1·2

  4·7

  —

  15·7

  710
  Mr. Chope
  Completion of the M66 between Denton and Middleton will remove some 10,000 vehicles per day from the section of the M62 east of junction 18. There will be no significant effect on flows west of this junction.

  M62
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's estimate of the volume of traffic currently using the M62 motorway within the Bury, South constituency; and by how much this traffic will increase by the year(a) 1995, (b) 2000 and (c)

  Mr. Chope
  The estimate of 1989 average weekday traffic flows on this section of the M62 is as follows:

  Motorway link

  Vehicles per day

  J15 (A666)—J17 (A56)

  139,000

  J17 (A56)—J18 (M66)

  111,000

  J18 (M66)—J19 (A6046)

  107,700

  We have not yet prepared detailed local traffic forecasts, but an indication of possible weekday demand can be obtained by applying the Department's national road traffic forecasts to the figures given above:

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the tonnage of coal imports into Great Britain over the last three years; and if he will indicate the port of entry and country of origin.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information would take too long to provide in the time available. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will show the total public expenditure on transport broken down by standard economic planning region in England for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Chope
  A breakdown by region is available only for roads expenditure. The information is as follows:
  711

  Standard economic planning region

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  North West

  West Midland

  East Midland

  East Anglia

  South West

  South East

  Unallocated

  England

  Public lighting3

  0·5

  1·5

  1·8

  2·4

  1·7

  0·4

  0·6

  5·4

  —

  14·3

  Local roads total1 4

  114·1

  169·7

  211·8

  166·5

  123·3

  51·2

  165·2

  587·6

  2·9

  1,592·3

  New construction and improvement

  32·8

  54·2

  58·1

  56·0

  41·2

  21·9

  45·2

  213·5

  2·9

  525·7

  Maintenance1 2

  Structural

  48·9

  70·1

  84·5

  66·6

  51·2

  19·3

  78·1

  216·2

  —

  634·9

  Routine

  12·1

  17·7

  32·0

  19·9

  13·4

  5·3

  23·6

  94·9

  —

  219·0

  Winter

  6·6

  9·9

  7·1

  7·1

  5·5

  1·4

  5·4

  14·0

  —

  56·9

  Public lighting3

  13·5

  17·4

  29·2

  16·2

  11·5

  2·9

  12·7

  47·2

  —

  150·6

  All road expenditure1 4

  182·3

  241·5

  283·2

  282·6

  185·8

  78·3

  263·4

  944·8

  2·9

  2,465·4

  1 Figures include some estimates, due to incomplete data being received from some authorities.

  2 Structural maintenance: reconstruction, overlay, resurfacing, surface dressing, patching, drainage, footways, bridges, earthworks and fences.

  Routine maintenance: verge maintenance, sweeping, gullies, signals, signs and markings.

  Winter maintenance: salting, snow clearance and snow fences.

  3 Public lighting: maintenance and energy.

  4 Includes expenditure on technical surveys.

  Road Deaths
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the measures and the financial support his Department intends to provide for reducing the numbers of children killed on the roads.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that the new extensions to the Jubilee line will be accessible by lift to disabled people.

  Mr. Freeman
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

SCOTLAND

  Homelessness
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the official homelessness statistics for Scotland in each year since 1978.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information collected by the Scottish Development Department relates only to applications received by local authorities under the homelessness legislation. Not all applicants are assessed by local authorities as being in fact homeless or potentially homeless.

  According to returns submitted by local authorities the number of applicant households in Scotland, the number of households assessed by local authorities as homeless, and the number assessed as being threatened with homelessness in each year since 1978–79 are as set out in the table. The figures for 1989–90 are provisional, since returns may still be received from some authorities. In most years, some authorities failed to submit complete returns; part of the increase in the provisional figures for 1989–90 is caused by more comprehensive returns being received from some authorities.
  712

  Year of application

  Number of applicant households

  Households assessed as homeless

  Households assessed as being threatened with homelessness

  1978–79

  16,055

  7,437

  4,022

  1979–80

  15,466

  7,421

  2,758

  1980–81

  14,861

  6,993

  2,430

  1981–82

  15,950

  8,272

  1,982

  1982–83

  16,522

  8,674

  2,079

  1983–84

  15,542

  8,124

  2,309

  1984–85

  20,477

  9,913

  3,467

  1985–86

  23,735

  11,027

  4,615

  1986–87

  25,184

  10,571

  5,802

  1987–88

  24,651

  9,588

  5,741

  1988–89

  24,664

  9,607

  6,111

  1989–901

  27,083

  10,425

  6,309

  1Provisional

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure on(a) books and (b) equipment in schools in Scotland in each year since 1978 in real terms.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information available is given in the table, which has been compiled from local authority financial returns. Expenditure on equipment was not separately identified in these returns until 1982–83. There have been some variations from year to year in the recording of expenditure under these two headings. In particular some of the figures for expenditure on library books may include some expenditure on equipment and vice versa.

  Expenditure on text and library books and on educational tools, equipment and materials adjusted to 1988–89 prices using the GDP deflator

  Year

  Books

  Equipment

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  1978–79

  13·401

  n.a.

  1979–80

  13·347

  n.a.

  1980–81

  11·090

  n.a.

  1981–82

  10·605

  n.a.

  1982–83

  10·088

  20·888

  1983–84

  12·285

  17·801

  713

  Year

  Books

  Equipment

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  1984–85

  11·803

  19·631

  1985–86

  10·492

  17·892

  1986–87

  12·120

  18·528

  1987–88

  8·994

  22·051

  1988–89

  10·982

  22·522

  Note The figures include expenditure on local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  Community Care
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what allowance has been made of the level of capital expenditure by local authorities on information technology for community care purposes in the assessment of central Government grants; and what was the estimate of total such expenditure on which this was assessed.

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

  Hospitals
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) hospital beds and (b) acute beds for each health board and the total for Scotland in each year since 1979, and the percentage change from 1979–89.

  Table 1—Average available staffed beds for all and acute specialties; by health board; year ending 31 March 1979–90

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Gallo way

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  1979

  All specialties

  58,788

  4,623

  2,847

  906

  1,707

  2,966

  3,617

  5,384

  14,078

  2,470

  5,560

  8,432

  124

  160

  5,698

  216

  Acute specialties

  19,005

  1,372

  981

  319

  437

  801

  733

  1,752

  4,867

  810

  1,680

  3,210

  50

  62

  1,846

  85

  1980

  All specialties

  58,334

  4,561

  2,822

  897

  1,626

  2,928

  3,610

  5,398

  14,068

  2,433

  5,515

  8,393

  120

  159

  5,588

  216

  Acute specialties

  18,948

  1,330

  975

  311

  423

  791

  708

  1,758

  4,908

  810

  1,735

  3,200

  46

  62

  1,808

  84

  1981

  All specialties

  58,150

  4,499

  2,827

  910

  1,589

  2,912

  3,614

  5,387

  14,078

  2,424

  5,540

  8,408

  131

  160

  5,465

  207

  Acute specialties

  18,755

  1,263

  977

  322

  428

  784

  727

  1,709

  4,859

  811

  1,728

  3,175

  58

  62

  1.771

  82

  1982

  All specialties

  57,928

  4,484

  2,818

  931

  1,559

  2,971

  3,570

  5,429

  13,919

  2,417

  5,543

  8,419

  131

  160

  5,375

  202

  Acute specialties

  18,649

  1,259

  970

  337

  428

  791

  727

  1,711

  4,811

  809

  1,733

  3,171

  57

  62

  1,698

  83

  1983

  All specialties

  57,119

  4,455

  2,795

  934

  1,538

  3,001

  3,426

  5,447

  13,348

  2,337

  5,518

  8,452

  131

  160

  5,367

  209

  Acute specialties

  18,092

  1,258

  947

  345

  424

  979

  688

  1,694

  4,326

  815

  1,696

  3,142

  58

  62

  1,754

  85

  1984

  All specialties

  57,342

  4,433

  3,051

  925

  1,538

  3,106

  3,465

  5,571

  13,206

  2,288

  5,442

  8,505

  131

  159

  5,312

  208

  Acute specialties

  18,079

  1,255

  1,080

  325

  421

  804

  690

  1,729

  4,204

  797

  1,715

  3,124

  57

  62

  1,731

  84

  1985

  All specialties

  56,802

  4,437

  3,026

  927

  1,552

  3,139

  3,401

  5,568

  13,079

  2,279

  5,338

  8,358

  129

  159

  5,197

  210

  Acute specialties

  17,753

  1,248

  1,082

  333

  435

  795

  678

  1,725

  4,151

  766

  1,627

  2,999

  56

  63

  1,711

  85

  1986

  All specialties

  55,955

  4,386

  2,988

  933

  1,510

  3,229

  3,418

  5,567

  12,746

  2,131

  5,271

  8,163

  106

  160

  5,137

  211

  Acute specialties

  17,384

  1,245

  1,058

  339

  443

  785

  683

  1,722

  4,045

  686

  1,587

  2,910

  57

  62

  1,678

  85

  1987

  All specialties

  55,338

  4,312

  2,951

  944

  1,493

  3,290

  3,410

  5,513

  12,559

  2,165

  5,042

  8,047

  131

  158

  5,109

  216

  Acute specialties

  17,223

  1,236

  1,052

  348

  445

  811

  682

  1,707

  3,987

  695

  1,570

  2,840

  58

  60

  1,648

  85

  1988

  All specialties

  54,487

  4,307

  2,952

  939

  1,505

  3,254

  3,151

  5,457

  12,242

  2,142

  4,961

  8,008

  131

  159

  5,057

  221

  Acute specialties

  17,005

  1,233

  1,074

  347

  445

  811

  643

  1,693

  3,933

  687

  1,552

  2,761

  61

  62

  1,615

  88

  714
  Mr. Rifkind
  Information on the number of all national health service hospital beds in Scotland and those beds used for acute specialties, for Scotland and for each health board in Scotland for the years ending 31 March 1979 to 1990 are shown in tables 1 and 2.

  Table 1 shows information on the average available staffed beds and indicates the number of beds which are staffed and are available for the reception of in-patients and day cases. Borrowed and temporary beds are included.

  Table 2 shows information on bed complements and indicates the number of beds approved by the health board for the admission of in-patient and day cases. Beds in day bed units are not included.

  The acute specialty group comprises the following main specialty classifications: general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, ENT surgery, ophthalmology, urology, orthodontics and paediatric dentistry, oral surgery and medicine, restorative dentistry, general medicine, dermatology, rehabilitation medicine, respiratory medicine, surgical paediatrics, medical paediatrics, gynaecology, GP acute, acute mixed and other acute.

  The acute specialty group does not include those specialty classifications attributed to the supra-area specialty group, that is specialties: neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, neurology, radiotherapy and spinal paralysis.
  715

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Gallo way

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  1989

  All specialties

  53,448

  4,130

  2,972

  939

  1,505

  3,105

  3,082

  5,428

  12,115

  2,034

  4,909

  7,921

  131

  160

  4,796

  221

  Acute specialties

  16,595

  1,276

  1,088

  338

  438

  797

  617

  1,450

  3,862

  687

  1,535

  2,684

  61

  62

  1,614

  87

  1990

  All specialties

  52,121

  4,103

  2,925

  927

  1,439

  3,062

  2,878

  5,276

  11,918

  1,968

  4,790

  7,578

  131

  162

  4,743

  220

  Acute specialties

  16,270

  1,275

  1,087

  335

  417

  805

  604

  1,428

  3,854

  690

  1,529

  2,442

  61

  63

  1,593

  86

  Percentage change 1979–89

  All specialties

  -9·1

  -10·7

  4·4

  3·7

  -11·9

  4·7

  -14·8

  0·8

  -13·9

  -17·7

  -11·7

  -6·1

  5·5

  0·3

  -15·8

  2·4

  Acute specialties

  -12·7

  -7·0

  10·9

  6·0

  0·2

  -0·5

  -15·8

  -17·2

  -20·6

  -15·2

  -8·6

  -16·4

  20·8

  0·3

  -12·6

  2·7

  Table 2—Bed complement for all and acute specialties: by health board; as at 31 March 1979–90

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Gallo way

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tay-side

  Western Isles

  1979

  All specialties

  61,577

  4,668

  2,828

  927

  1,733

  2,960

  3,804

  5,832

  15,138

  2,494

  5,886

  8,976

  129

  160

  5,827

  215

  Acute specialties

  20,335

  1,395

  998

  329

  474

  802

  747

  1,795

  5,481

  812

  1,865

  3,546

  55

  62

  1,891

  83

  1980

  All specialties

  60,932

  4,646

  2,813

  944

  1,739

  2,918

  3,789

  5,474

  15,032

  2,447

  5,872

  8,955

  131

  160

  5,800

  212

  Acute specialties

  20,102

  1,355

  994

  337

  459

  802

  737

  1,767

  5,443

  815

  1,860

  3,468

  57

  62

  1,863

  83

  1981

  All specialties

  60,356

  4,678

  2,819

  943

  1,594

  2,940

  3,631

  5,440

  15,118

  2,436

  5,820

  8,913

  131

  160

  5,535

  198

  Acute specialties

  19,922

  1,393

  994

  340

  459

  802

  737

  1,717

  5,422

  814

  1,858

  3,414

  57

  62

  1,769

  84

  1982

  All specialties

  60,339

  4,677

  2,806

  955

  1,585

  3,012

  3,629

  5,509

  14,971

  2,436

  5,815

  8,968

  131

  160

  5,487

  198

  Acute specialties

  19,969

  1,393

  981

  350

  437

  814

  736

  1,738

  5,519

  814

  1,855

  3,407

  57

  62

  1,722

  84

  1983

  All specialties

  59,876

  4,620

  2,889

  994

  1,584

  3,041

  3,516

  5,464

  14,744

  2,338

  5,729

  9,004

  131

  160

  5,464

  198

  Acute specialties

  19,760

  1,393

  981

  365

  471

  814

  728

  1,706

  5,354

  822

  1,792

  3,350

  57

  62

  1,781

  84

  1984

  All specialties

  59,890

  4,603

  3,072

  938

  1,591

  3,191

  3,516

  5,650

  14,469

  2,324

  5,609

  8,962

  131

  160

  5,476

  198

  Acute specialties

  18,593

  1,253

  1,123

  339

  468

  814

  689

  1,737

  4,367

  766

  1,772

  3,284

  57

  62

  1,778

  84

  1985

  All specialties

  59,241

  4,577

  3,066

  936

  1,583

  3,158

  3,478

  5,642

  14,245

  2,316

  5,595

  8,770

  131

  160

  5,385

  199

  Acute specialties

  18,393

  1,253

  1,123

  341

  459

  814

  721

  1,737

  4,395

  746

  1,719

  3,151

  57

  62

  1,731

  84

  1986

  All specialties

  58,770

  4,460

  3,047

  952

  1,550

  3,327

  3,500

  5,638

  13,975

  2,193

  5,550

  8,677

  131

  160

  5,411

  199

  Acute specialties

  18,182

  1,253

  1,107

  357

  467

  814

  748

  1,737

  4,371

  680

  1,653

  3,031

  57

  62

  1,761

  84

  1987

  All specialties

  58,029

  4,461

  3,062

  954

  1,536

  3,320

  3,441

  5,687

  13,520

  2,212

  5,285

  8,697

  131

  160

  5,360

  203

  Acute specialties

  17,869

  1,209

  1,105

  357

  459

  814

  748

  1,741

  4,280

  686

  1,623

  2,907

  61

  62

  1,733

  84

  1988

  All specialties

  57,156

  4,477

  3,092

  937

  1,571

  3,245

  3,185

  5,631

  13,501

  2,171

  5,144

  8,443

  131

  160

  5,247

  221

  Acute specialties

  17,753

  1,326

  1,105

  357

  459

  814

  660

  1,772

  4,239

  676

  1,622

  2,832

  61

  62

  1,680

  88

  1989

  All specialties

  55,967

  4,248

  3,064

  955

  1,567

  3,093

  3,123

  5,386

  13,541

  2,091

  5,100

  8,302

  131

  160

  4,985

  221

  Acute specialties

  17,128

  1,287

  1,107

  344

  455

  809

  654

  1,448

  4,184

  676

  1,608

  2,660

  61

  62

  1,685

  83

  1990

  All specialties

  54,689

  4,235

  3,040

  947

  1,572

  3,089

  2,987

  5,312

  13,248

  2,013

  5,021

  7,865

  131

  157

  4,851

  221

  Acute specialties

  17,088

  1,287

  1,105

  352

  447

  809

  649

  1,465

  4,190

  703

  1,608

  2,583

  61

  60

  1,681

  88

  Percentage change 1979–89

  All specialties

  -9·1

  -9·0

  8·3

  3·0

  -9·6

  4·5

  -17·9

  -7·6

  -10·5

  -16·2

  -13·4

  -7·5

  1·6

  0·0

  -14·4

  2·8

  Acute specialties

  15·8

  -7·7

  10·9

  4·6

  -4·0

  0·9

  -12·4

  -19·3

  -23·7

  -16·7

  -13·8

  -25·0

  10·9

  0·0

  -10·9

  6·0

  716 717
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) private hospitals and (b) private beds in Scotland in 1979 and in 1990 or the most recent available figures.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information is set out in the following table:

  1979

  1990

  Number of private hospitals

  7

  10

  Number of private beds

  n/a

  417

  n/a—Not available.

  Prisons
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners who were admitted to Scottish prisons in the latest year for which figures are available were sentenced to periods of(a) three months and (b) 30 days or less; and what percentage this was of the total number of admissions and prisoners serving sentences in that year.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The available information is for receptions. One reception is counted if one or more warrants arrive for the same person from the same court on the same day. Some receptions relate to warrants arriving at establishments for people already held in custody. Provisional information for 1989 is given in the table:

  Sentenced receptions to Scottish penal establishments 19891

  Number

  Per cent. of total receptions

  Prisoners received to serve:

  3 months (or 90 days) or less of which:

  15,127

  77·6

  30 days (or 1 month) or less

  9,923

  50·9

  Greater than 30 days (or 1 month) and less than 3 months (or 90 days)

  2,606

  13·4

  3 months (or 90 days)

  2,598

  13·3

  1 Includes fine and compensation order defaulters.

  Housing Support Grant
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of local authority revenue budget has been made up of housing support grant in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The table expresses housing support grant as a percentage of total housing revenue account income for the years requested.

  Housing revenue account (HRA) income

  Housing support grant

  Housing support grant as a percentage of HRA income

  £ million

  £ million

  Per cent.

  1981–82

  651·0

  161·0

  24·9

  1982–83

  675·4

  104·6

  15·5

  1983–84

  667·5

  72·1

  10·8

  1984–85

  698·8

  67·2

  9·6

  1985–86

  700·2

  64·2

  9·2

  1986–87

  724·6

  44·5

  6·1

  1987–88

  747·9

  41·9

  5·6

  1988–89

  1806·9

  54·6

  6·8

  1989–90

  1885·4

  65·3

  7·4

  1990–91

  2916·6

  259·6

  6·5

  718
  1Provisional.

  2Estimated.

  Drugs
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions for(a) supply and (b) possession of controlled drugs have taken place in Scotland in each of the last 10 years; and how many have resulted in conviction.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The available information is given in the table:

  Drugs offences in Scotland 1985–89

  Supply

  Possession

  Year

  Persons proceeded against

  Charge proved

  Persons proceeded against

  Charge proved

  1985

  302

  234

  2,511

  2,230

  1986

  362

  269

  2,572

  2,275

  1987

  414

  320

  2,357

  2,134

  1988

  408

  314

  2,021

  1,837

  19891

  491

  370

  1,998

  1,801

  'Provisional.

  Prior to 1985 figures for the supply and possession of drugs were not separately identifiable within the Scottish Home and Health Department's classification of crimes and offences.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have appeared in the High Court charged with drug offences for each of the last five years and in the most recent period for which records are available; and what percentages these figures represent of the total number of appearances in the High Court for all offences.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The available information is given in the table:

  Persons called to High Court charged with drugs offences 1985–89

  Year

  Persons called to court

  Percentage of all persons called to court whose main crime or offence related to drugs

  1985

  281

  27

  1986

  246

  23

  1987

  206

  19

  1988

  154

  16

  11989

  131

  14

  1Provisional

  Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 relates to obstructing the police in pursuance of their lawful duty. Persons charged under this section are not separately identifiable within the Scottish Home and Health Department classification of crimes and offences and are not therefore included in the figures.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act have been dealt with by Glasgow district court in each of the last 10 years, and in the most recent period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The available information is given in the table:
  719

  Persons called to Glasgow district court for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

  Year

  Persons called to court

  1980

  0

  1981

  0

  1982

  4

  1983

  0

  1984

  1

  1985

  98

  1986

  494

  1987

  377

  1988

  65

  11989

  8

  1 Provisional.

  Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 relates to obstructing the police in pursuance of their lawful duty.

  Central

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Grampian

  Lothian and Borders

  Northern

  Strathclyde

  Tayside

  Scotland

  Crimes and offences recorded by the police, Scotland 19791 2

  Total crimes and offences

  28,398

  17,934

  31,779

  50,604

  116,828

  27,104

  351,269

  50,039

  673,955

  Total crimes

  13,344

  4,835

  14,257

  22,821

  62,502

  8,711

  195,485

  24,225

  346,680

  Violence against the person

  223

  53

  191

  407

  516

  205

  4,064

  577

  6,236

  Housebreaking3

  2,854

  975

  2,776

  3,763

  12,826

  1,385

  48,202

  3,954

  76,635

  Theft

  6,853

  2,227

  7,323

  11,597

  34,493

  4,451

  95,344

  12,200

  174,488

  Fraud and forgery

  544

  334

  835

  1,080

  4,853

  529

  6,221

  1,152

  15,548

  Criminal damage

  2,845

  999

  2,417

  4,624

  7,635

  1,432

  31,253

  4,924

  56,129

  Other crimes

  525

  247

  715

  1,350

  2,179

  809

  10,401

  1,418

  17,644

  Total offences

  14,554

  13,099

  17,522

  27,783

  54,326

  18,393

  155,784

  25,814

  322,275

  Crimes and offences recorded by the police, Scotland 1989

  Total crimes and offences

  44,493

  18,514

  53,411

  76,538

  141,039

  32,591

  465,187

  70,258

  902,031

  Total crimes

  21,066

  6,733

  27,690

  34,034

  78,301

  11,841

  275,134

  38,586

  493,385

  Violence against the person

  716

  210

  695

  795

  3,074

  330

  7,202

  955

  13,977

  Housebreaking3

  3,928

  1,147

  5,826

  5,097

  13,462

  1,375

  55,559

  7,333

  93,727

  Theft

  9,110

  2,784

  12,035

  15,073

  36,079

  4,765

  136,704

  16,269

  232,819

  Fraud and forgery

  1,036

  416

  1,324

  1,804

  4,742

  813

  12,002

  1,915

  24,052

  Criminal damage

  4,340

  1,424

  5,239

  7,850

  10,658

  2,512

  40,012

  7,017

  79,052

  Other crimes

  1,936

  752

  2,571

  3,415

  10,286

  2,046

  23,655

  5,097

  49,758

  Total offences

  23,427

  11,781

  25,721

  42,504

  62,738

  20,750

  190,053

  31,672

  408,646

  1 The figures in the tables are based on the revised classification of crimes and offences which was introduced at the beginning of 1980.

  2 The 1979 figures include crimes reported to the Procurator Fiscal by agencies other than the police (for example the Department of Health and Social Security) in which a prosecution was taken.

  3 In Scotland, information is collected on "housebreaking", rather than "burglary".

  Foxes
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of grant paid to fox destruction clubs in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows:

  £

  1986–87

  36,639

  1987–88

  39,854

  1988–89

  47,649

  1989–90

  58,981

  1990–91

  147,000

  1 Estimated.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to the Forestry Commission of killing foxes in Scotland, England and Wales for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The costs incurred by the Forestry Commission on killing foxes are not recorded separately from expenditure on controlling other animals, including rabbits and deer. It is therefore not possible to isolate the amount spent on the control of foxes.
  720
  Persons charged under this section are not separately identifiable within the Scottish Home and Health Department classification of crimes and offences, and aire therefore not included in the figures.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in respect of each police force area in Scotland for 1979 and 1989 the total number of(a) offences notified to the police, (b) offences of violence against the person, (c) burglaries, (d) thefts, (e) offences of fraud and forgery and (f) offences of criminal damage.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The available information on crimes and offences in Scotland recorded by the police is given in the tables.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the(a) Scottish population and (b) United Kingdom population was covered by private medical insurance cover in 1979 and 1989.

  Mr. Rifkind
  No information is available regarding the coverage of private medical insurance in Scotland in 1979. Currently around 6 per cent, of the population are covered by private medical insurance. Figures for the United Kingdom as a whole which do not differentiate between regions show that 5 per cent, of the population were covered by private medical insurance in 1979 while 13 per cent, were covered in 1989.

  Housing
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums have been paid by his Department to support housing associations in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information requested is shown in the table:
  721

  Year

  Housing Association Grant

  Revenue Grant

  £ million

  £ million

  1979–80

  35·5

  0·8

  1980–81

  50·6

  1·3

  1981–82

  82·4

  1·4

  1982–83

  104·2

  1·2

  1983–84

  115·7

  0·7

  1984–85

  127·7

  0·4

  1985–86

  104·6

  0·5

  1986–87

  106·6

  0·6

  1987–88

  114·2

  0·4

  1988–89

  150·1

  0·5

  From 1 April 1989, payment of grants to housing associations are made by Scottish Homes.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) unfit dwellings, (b) dwellings fit but lacking basic amenities, (c) non-standard dwellings in need of renovations and (d) dwellings afflicted by dampness in (i) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 October 1990]: There is no definition of unfit houses in Scottish housing legislation. Each local authority provides the Scottish Development Department with an annual estimate of the number of houses in its area which fail the tolerable standard for housing, as set out in section 86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. The Department also collects annually information on local authority houses suffering from dampness and condensation; comparable information for housing in other ownerships is not held centrally. No information is held centrally on dwellings fit but lacking basic amenities or on non-standard dwellings in need of renovations.

  The information for the year to 31 March 1989, the most recent available, is set out in the table. Figures for the areas of Greenock and Port Glasgow are not held separately; the details given are for the local authority district of Inverclyde.

  Total number of houses of all types below tolerable standard

  Local authority houses with rising and penetrating dampness

  Local authority houses with condensation and rising and penetrating dampness

  Inverclyde

  1,411

  Nil

  8,091

  Strathclyde

  25,176

  33,374

  67,915

  Scotland

  55,897

  48,597

  82,827

  Electoral Roll
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of people on the electoral roll for Scotland in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to table 1.1 in "Electoral Statistics 1990" published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys—Series EL No. 17—a copy of which is in the Library.

  Scottish Development Agency
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many regional directors have resigned from the Scottish Development Agency in the past two years.
  722
  Mr. Rifkind
  During the period from 1 October 1988, three regional directors have resigned from the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish in the Official Report any criteria which he required the Scottish Development Agency to satisfy before taking decisions to invest in area-based projects in Scotland;

  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report the sums invested by the Scottish Development Agency in the Dundee project in each year since the project was initiated; and if he will express these figures both in terms of the actual sums invested and at 1990 prices.

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

  Hunts (Forestry Commission Land)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that hunts on Forestry Commission land are required not to fill in earths after a failed dig or at any time when an animal might still be in occupation.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have brought this matter to the attention of the Forestry Commission and it will be taken into account when the commission gives permission for hunting to take place on its land.

  Govan Initiative
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what resources are available to the Govan initiative to fund the annual revenue costs for staffing and related educational costs in respect of the proposed nursery school at Merrick gardens, Ibrox;

  (2) what proportion of the money Govan initiative intends to spend on the construction of a nursery school at Merrick gardens, Ibrox, comes from (a) central Government, (b) the Scottish Development Agency, (c) local government and (d) the initiative's own resources.

  Mr. Lang
  Approval under the urban programme was given on 9 May 1990 for a child care project which was to operate from three locations in the area of the Govan initiative. The approved costs were £279,200 in capital and £247,369 in annual running costs, initially for four years. Central Government grant would meet 75 per cent, of these costs with the balance to be provided by Strathclyde regional council. Merrick gardens was not however one of the proposed locations for this project and the Industry Department for Scotland has not been approached about any proposed change to the approved project.

  Sport
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has any statistics available on teacher participation in extra-curricular sport(a) in 1980 and (b) in 1990;

  (2) when he received the Scottish Sports Council's strategy documents entitled "Sport 2000"; and when he intends to respond;

  (3) when he received the Scottish Sports Council's recommendation on school-age sports; and when he intends to reply;
  723
  (4) what communication there has been with the chief medical officer over the health-related aspects of the report entitled "Sports 2000", submitted to him by the Scottish Sports Council.

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

  British Rail
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the meetings which he has had with British Rail to discuss the proposed withdrawal of Speedlink freight services; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend met the chairman of British Rail, Sir Bob Reid, on 31 October 1990 when a number of topics were discussed including BR's present review of its Speedlink services.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his assessment of the implications for the Scottish economy and environment of the proposed withdrawal of Speedlink freight services.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  British Rail is currently studying the options for its Speedlink services. My right hon. and learned Friend will give consideration to the implications for Scotland of any proposals which BR puts to the Government in due course.

  Mental Illness and Mental Handicap Hospitals
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what has been the trend in admissions to mental illness hospitals and units in the last decade in the age groups for which statistics are kept;

  (2) what has been the trend in admissions for mental handicap hospitals and units in the last decade in the age groups for which statistics are kept.

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

  Foreign Languages Project
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects replies to be sent to the letters on the foreign languages pilot project sent to the Scottish Office by Mr. and Mrs. W. Toal, 77 Rockmount avenue, Giffnock, Mr. and Mrs. J. Crawley, 113 Ayr road, Newton Mearns, Mr. and Mrs. M. Davies, 2 Tobburn avenue, Giffnock and Mr and Mrs. G. Duffy, 85 Barnfield drive, Giffnock.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Replies were sent on 31 October.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the reply of 29 November 1989,Official Report, column 280, if, on the same basis, he will publish how much money was raised in Scotland in prescription charges in 1988–89; and to what specific purposes this money, credited to class XVI, vote 17 subheads A2 and AZ, was put.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The total amount raised from prescription charges in Scotland in 1988–90 was £19·565 724
  million. The majority of prescription charge income was used directly to reduce the costs, borne on subhead A2 of class XVI, vote 17, of the supply of drugs and appliances prescribed or ordered by general practitioners. Other prescription charges, including those collected by dispensing doctors and those for prepayment certificates, were included in subhead AZ of class XVI, vote 17, and were used to offset total expenditure on the vote.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the findings of his Department on research into dichlorvos, and its application in fish farming.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Scientists at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries marine laboratory have carried out a number of studies on the effects of dichlorvos on marine species, in particular, lobster and herring larvae, mussels and invertebrates, and on the fate of dichlorvos in sea water. Reports of these studies were placed in the Library on 22 June 1990 and they have also been made available as Scottish fisheries working papers.

  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has also carried out surveys of farmed salmon as part of its on-going food surveillance work. Between 1987 and 1989, a total of 92 salmon samples were obtained from farms, processors and markets. No residues of dichlorvos were detected. Details of this work will be published in due course.

  Community Care
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the programme he intends to follow in providing additional finance to housing associations(a) in the current financial year and (b) in the 1991–92 financial year in order to ensure adequate availability of appropriate housing to match the requirements of his programme for the implementation of care in the community.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Responsibility for identifying and planning for community care needs lies with social work authorities. As part of that process, social work authorities will be consulting housing associations and other voluntary housing agencies to ensure these needs are met.

  My right hon. and learned Friend, through Scottish Homes, funds the overall provision for housing associations. In 1990–91 the total housing association programme is expected to be £208 million. The total for 1991–92 has not yet been determined.

  It is for the housing associations themselves, in consultation with local authorities and Scottish Homes, to determine what proportion of their programme is devoted to community care.

  Bottle-nosed Dolphins
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the bottle-nosed dolphins resident in the Moray firth are now considered to be at risk.

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

  AGR Refuellings
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of refuelling is being carried out on load at each Scottish nuclear advanced gas-cooled reactor.

  Mr. Lang
  Questions about the operational performance of nuclear power stations in Scotland are for Scottish Nuclear Ltd.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will show the public expenditure in Scotland on(a) agriculture, fisheries and food, (b) trade and industry, (c) employment, (d) health, (e) educational grants and (f) the administration of justice for the latest year for which figures are available.

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

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Mc Allion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the individuals appointed to the boards of each of the local enterprise companies in the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise areas, indicating for each individual whether they are involved in (a) private sector business, (b) local authority, (c) a trade union, (d) other non-private sector or (e) other public sector.

  Mr. Lang
  At least two-thirds of the board members of local enterprise companies are to be drawn from the private sector. Individual appointments are for the local enterprise companies themselves. Board membership will be listed in the published summaries of the companies' business plans.

  Self-governing Schools
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the future of Holm school in Orkney; if the parents will be able to vote in a second ballot at an early date if in the first ballot on self-governing status they vote narrowly to reject the option of self-governing status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Carbon Emissions
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates have been made by the Forestry Commission of the potential role of woodland in absorbing carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement.

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

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Free Television Licences
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to meet pensioners' representatives regarding free television licences; and if he will make a statement.
  726
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend is not expecting to meet pensioners' representatives about free television licences. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor) told the hon. Member on 6 July, we have no plans to change the present concessionary arrangements.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has recently received about Sunday trading.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has of progress towards finding a compromise between those who support the liberalisation of Sunday trading and those who oppose it.

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the law on Sunday trading.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy on reform of the Shops Act 1950; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Since the then Home Office Minister of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor), answered a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) on 12 July at column 318, 11,321 written representations broadly in favour of Sunday trading and 18 against have been received.

  It is clear that there is common ground between the interested parties on certain issues such as removing opening restrictions from small convenience stores and garden centres. We continue to encourage discussion on such matters to reach agreement in those areas where wide divisions of opinion still exist.

  Car Security
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts motor manufacturers have made in the last year to improve the quality of car security.

  Mr. John Patten
  I am aware that some motor manufacturers have taken steps to improve the quality of security in their cars, but much more remains to be done. I am currently awaiting a report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on how best progress will be made in Europe towards a new mandatory common standard on car security, what plans manufacturers have for voluntarily building better security into their cars and what manufacturers are doing to encourage car buyers to give a higher priority to car security when buying a car.

  Drinking Bans
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the experimental ban on drinking in public places.

  Mr. John Patten
  The results of the byelaw which prohibits the consumption of alcohol in designated areas
  727
  have been carefully monitored by the Home Office and the local authorities concerned. I am now satisfied that a byelaw of this kind can contribute to a reduction in the unpleasantness all too often associated with drinking. The effectiveness of the byelaw has been demonstrated sufficiently for it to be made generally available subject to applicant authorities satisfying themselves as to a local need and police capacity to enforce it.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of drunkenness on the streets.

  Mr. John Patten
  In addition to existing legislation, my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary recently announced the general availability of the byelaw prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in certain public places to those local authorities that wish to adopt it. The byelaw is currently in operation on an experimental basis in seven selected areas and has shown that it can effectively control the nuisance of public drunkenness without becoming unduly oppressive. We are also fully supportive of the alcohol and crime demonstration projects that have been established in a number of areas.

  Pornography
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the results of the review into the law relating to pornography.

  Mr. John Patten
  This study is a review of existing research findings from a number of countries into the behavioural and other effects of pornography. We expect to publish this review in December.

  Tottenham Three
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to set up an internal inquiry to look at the safety of the convictions of the Tottenham Three.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. and learned Friend is considering very carefully a number of representations which have been made to him about the safety of the convictions of Mark Braithwaite, Engin Raghip and Winston Silcott. We will decide as soon as possible whether intervention in these cases would be justified.

  Crime, North Yorkshire
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the figures for reported crime in North Yorkshire for 1989.

  Mr. John Patten
  There were 35,774 offences recorded by the police in North Yorkshire during 1989. This was an increase of 3 per cent, over the previous year. Over 90 per cent, of these offences were crimes against property where effective preventive measures in support of the police by the public can help reduce the opportunities for crime.

  Courthouses
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new courthouses have been opened in England and Wales in each of the last three years.
  728
  Mr. John Patten
  Eleven new courthouses were opened during the period 1987–89—one in 1988 and 10 in 1989. In addition, four others had major improvements carried out to existing buildings.

  Crime, West Yorkshire
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet the chief constable of West Yorkshire to discuss crime reduction strategies.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets chief officers of police on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of policing matters, but he has no present plans for a meeting with the chief constable of West Yorkshire to discuss crime reduction strategies in particular.

  Crime Reporting
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of extra police officers required to keep pace with the increased work load resulting from the rise in the reporting of crimes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There is no simple correlation between levels of reported crime and the need for police posts. We hope to make an announcement shortly on the total number of police officers which police forces can recruit in 1991–92.

  Police Shifts
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning changes to police shift working patterns.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I am aware of suggestions which have been made from time to time that the present police regulations are unnecessarily rigid and Home Office officials have been in touch with the Association of Chief Police Officers on this matter. We shall consider further how best to make progress on the issue.

  UN Drugs Convention
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be in a position to ratify the 1988 United Nations drugs convention.

  Mr. John Patten
  We hope to ratify the convention early in the new year when all the necessary subordinate legislation under the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 is brought into operation.

  "Supervision and Punishment in the Community"
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the responses to the proposals as set out in the Green Paper "Supervision and Punishment in the Community".

  Mr. John Patten
  We received 159 responses which are now being carefully considered. All the main probation organisations responded, as did a number of other groups and individuals. We intend to make an announcement on the way forward before the end of the year.

  Right to Silence
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his Department's plans to reform the right to silence.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to change the right of silence rules for suspects interviewed by police officers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are continuing to consider what changes should be made.

  Public Demonstrations
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require those who wish to organise large public demonstrations to(a) contribute towards the cost of the necessary police operation and (b) take out insurance against the possibility of damage caused by vandalism and public disorder.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Recovering from organisers some or all of the costs of policing demonstrations was considered during the review of public order law which preceded the Public Order Act 1986. We concluded that it would not be possible to devise a general, workable provision. We believe that there would be similar difficulties in requiring organisers to insure against the possibility of damage caused by demonstrators.

  Sentencing Policy
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about sentencing policy for the guidance of magistrates courts.

  Mr. John Patten
  We invited comments on the White Paper "Crime, Justice and Protecting the Public" (Cm. 965) and received about 200 responses from organisations and individuals, the overwhelming majority of whom welcomed its proposals.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that offenders receive appropriate sentences.

  Mr. John Patten
  Our proposals for a coherent statutory framework for sentencing, so that the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime, were set out in the White Paper, "Crime, Justice and Protecting the Public" (Cm. 965). We will introduce legislation to implement those proposals as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Fire Service College
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of responses expressed support for his proposal to increase direct charges for officers attending courses at the Fire Service college.

  Mr. John Patten
  All of the organisations which we consulted naturally wished to see the total cost of courses to continue to be met from central funds. We have gone some way towards meeting their concerns by introducing 730
  direct charging in England and Wales over a period of three years. The additional costs which fall to local authorities will be taken into account when decisions are taken about the level of revenue support grant.

  Police Deployment
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he is having with chief constables about the efficient deployment of their police forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Chief officers, who have operational control over the deployment of their forces, and police authorities, which are statutorily responsible for providing an adequate and efficient force in their area, are well aware of the need to ensure that police resources are deployed to best effect. The search for greater value for money is a continuing theme in all our discussions with chief officers, and of the work of Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary and the Home Office.

  Administration of Justice
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost for the administration of justice in England and Wales for 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The estimated cost of the criminal justice system in England and Wales for 1989–90 is about £7 billion.

  Crime, Cheshire
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he intends to take to reduce the level of crime in Cheshire.

  Mr. John Patten
  Decisions about the deployment of police resources in Cheshire are an operational matter for the chief constable. But we can all help to reduce crime by taking sensible preventive measures of the kind set out in the Government's booklet "Practical Ways to Crack Crime", and I am pleased to note that there are now over 4,000 neighbourhood watch schemes in the county, covering more than 120,000 households.

  Prisons (Privatisation)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on proposals to privatise prisons.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A number of those who responded to the recent discussion paper "Court escorts, Custody and Security" also referred to our plans to introduce competitive tendering for the operation of the remand centre which is under development at Everthorpe, Humberside. Their views are being considered.

  Broadcasting Policy
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the chairman of the BBC to discuss broadcasting policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend has regular meetings with the chairman of the BBC at which a range of broadcasting issues is discussed. The last meeting was on 25 September.

  Football Matches (Policing Charges)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department will take to monitor and regulate increases in charges for policing football matches in England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  These charges are a matter for police authorities. We are consulting them, among others, on the terms of a Home Office circular but see no need at present for regulation or monitoring.

  Women Prisoners
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of women sentenced to prison.

  Mr. John Patten
  The proposals for a coherent statutory framework for sentencing set out in the White Paper "Crime, Justice and Protecting the Public" (Cm. 965) are intended to ensure that more offenders convicted of less serious, particularly property, offences are punished in the community. The national standards for community service orders, which came into effect on 1 April 1989, asked probation areas to ensure that community service placements are available for women offenders, including those who are pregnant, and offenders with young children. The new edition of "The Sentence of the Court", which reflects the Court of Appeal's guidance that custody should be used only when a court considers it absolutely necessary, refers specifically to women offenders with family responsibilities.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to discuss crime prevention measures in the metropolis.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The House will be aware that the commissioner suffered a heart attack on the afternoon of 29 October and is at present in St. Thomas's hospital. All hon. Members will want to wish Sir Peter a speedy recovery and offer their sympathy to Lady Imbert. While Sir Peter is indisposed, the Metropolitan police will be under the command of the deputy commissioner, Sir John Dellow, and my right hon. and learned Friend will be meeting him shortly to discuss a range of matters.

  Prison Work Regimes
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many of Her Majesty's prisons there is a regime of hard physical outdoors work for younger, healthy inmates; and what plans he has for the extension of such regimes.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information on regime activities in individual establishments is not held centrally but a number of establishments offer opportunities for purposeful and physically demanding outside work. In 1989–90, an average of 1,500 inmates a week were employed on building maintenance and refurbishment, and at 31 March 1990, some 1,900 inmates were employed on farms and gardens activities. It is the policy of the Prison Board to enhance and develop regimes and to ensure that the facilities of prison industries and farms are used to the best effect.

  Young Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representation he has received in respect of 17 and 18-year-olds being held on remand in adult prison.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We have not received recent representations specifically in regard to 17 and 18-year-olds, but I am of course aware of general concern in relation to young persons remanded into custody. Our policy is that wherever possible unconvicted and unsentenced male prisoners under the age of 21 years should be held in separate units. The practical possibilities are limited by the needs of the courts and the constraints of the prison estate. The latter are being alleviated by the prison building programme and certain role changes are also under consideration.

  Prisoners (Education)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to give all prisoners a right of access to education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A substantial proportion of the prison service's resources is devoted to basic education and the service aims to provide a variety of opportunities for prisoners. There was a 14 per cent, increase in student hours between 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  In addition the Government are considering the recommendations of the third report from the Education, Science and Arts Committee (HC 482) on this matter, and will also wish to take into account any relevant recommendations of Lord Justice Woolf's inquiry into prison disturbances.

  Private Security Companies
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the terms and conditions within which private security companies offer their services.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are no standard terms or conditions within which private security companies offer their services. It is for individuals to decide whether there is a need for additional protection of private property or possessions, to that provided by the police and it is for individual contractees to set the terms and conditions of service required.

  Prison Suicides
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet Judge Tumim to discuss current levels of suicides in British prisons.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons, Judge Tumim, has at my right hon. and learned Friend's request been carrying out a review of the prison service's policies and procedures for preventing suicides by prison inmates in England and Wales. I understand that Judge Tumim aims to finalise his report shortly. My right hon. and learned Friend would expect to discuss the report with him.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of Stae from the Home Department if he will list all attempted suicides in 1990 in
  733
  prison department establishments, stating the age, sex and status; and whether the inmate was sentenced or on remand at the time of the attempt.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  By 31 October, reports on 136 attempted suicides in 1990 in prison department establishments had been received at the prison service headquarters. Information on age, sex and status and whether the inmate was sentenced or on remand at the time of the attempt is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dispersal Prisons
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on staffing levels in dispersal prisons.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Staffing levels in each of the dispersal prisons are set to take account of the nature of the inmate population and the work to be carried out in the particular establishment. On 1 October 1990 there were 2,566 officers (including principal officers and senior officers) serving in dispersal prisons. On the same date the number of inmates in the dispersal prisons was 2,814, that is an average of 1·1 for every officer in post. The ratio of officers to inmates varies significantly between the prisons reflecting differences in their design, scale and the particular facilities which they contain.

  Nationality Applications
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the time taken to process an application for British nationality at the present time.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In September 1990, the average time taken to complete an application for British citizenship was 23 months for registration and 32 months for naturalisation.

  The Tote
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the conclusions of the Lloyds report on the privatisation of the Tote; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 12 July at column 328, the report by Lloyds merchant bank will not be published because it was made in confidence and contains commercially and managerially sensitive information. The report is still under consideration and the Government's conclusions will be made known in due course.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the additional costs which have been incurred in regard to the registration of electors in 1990; and to what reason he attributes this additional cost.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The level of central Government grant to local authorities in respect of electoral registration increases each year to take account of inflation. There has been no other increase in the level of grant for the compilation of the 1991–92 electoral register; nor are we aware that any significant additional expenditure has been incurred by electoral registration officers this year.

  Police Efficiency
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to improve police efficiency.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Under the Police Act 1964 each police authority is responsible for providing an adequate and efficient police force, while my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has a general duty to promote efficiency in the service. In partnership with chief officers and police authorities, therefore, the Home Office is taking and encouraging action aimed at improving police efficiency, including:

  1) encouraging civilianisation, which has released some 4,000 officers for operational duties in provincial forces since 1983–84, with a further 800 posts expected to be civilianised this year;

  2) inspection of forces by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary and the identification and promulgation of "good practice";

  3) a programme of efficiency scrutinies in forces, with 24 scrutinies in provincial forces completed or under-way to date;

  4) action to follow up Audit Commission published reports on aspects of police work, and on local audits; and

  5) a long-term research programme to improve methods of manpower allocation and develop better measures of police efficiency and effectiveness.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to introduce ethnic monitoring of police, probation and court decisions as a general practice.

  Mr. John Patten
  Ethnic monitoring of both staff and case-load in the probation service will begin in 1991.I hope that the development of monitoring, where this is feasible and useful, together with our wide-ranging programme of research studies will provide coherent information about the treatment of members of ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system.

  Strangeways Prison
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what lessons have been learned and what actions are proposed as a result of the Strangeways prison riot.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We shall, of course, consider carefully the recommendations of Lord Justice Woolfs inquiry, when they are received.

  A new offence of prison mutiny is to be introduced. Physical security improvements have been identified with a view to denying inmates access to roof areas and facilitating staff access and control. Arrangements for the management of incidents under the reorganised senior structure of the prison service also take account of the lessons from the April disturbances in Strangeways and elsewhere. Also those experiences are being taken into account in the development of strategies for staff training, contingency planning, the protection of vulnerable prisoners and the management of disruptive prisoners.

  Ms. Quin
  Tp ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the dispersal of prisoners as a consequence of events in Strangeways gaol in April.
  735
  Mrs. Rumbold
  Immediately before the disturbances, Her Majesty's prison Manchester held some 1,639 prisoners. It was not possible to accommodate so large a number in other prisons, and as a result substantial recourse had to be had to the use of police cells. Strenuous efforts are being made to resolve the industrial relations difficulties at a number of prisons which have since added to the problems.

  As at 30 October 1990, 748 prisoners are being held in police cells who, but for the loss of prison service accommodation in Manchester, would be held in prison custody there. Twenty-one constabularies are currently involved in this operation and I am most grateful for their assistance.

  Domestic Servants
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of domestic servants from overseas who, in the last 12 months, have entered the United Kingdom in company with their employers and without work permits.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is not possible to prepare a reliable estimate.

  Refugees
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning Her Majesty's Government's policy on refugees.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We frequently receive representations on aspects of our policy towards refugees and asylum seekers from hon. Members, interested organisations and the public. That policy is rooted in our obligations under the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees and our general determination to maintain firm and fair immigration control.

  Electro-static Detection Analysis
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether electro-static detection analysis testing is made available as a matter of routine to the defence in all cases on indictment where the Crown relies on a written statement by the accused.

  Mr. John Patten
  Such analysis is not conducted routinely. The defence in preparing its case may obtain expert evidence and may seek assistance from the forensic science service. Each party is bound, under the Crown court (advance notice of expert evidence) rules 1987, to disclose to the other any expert evidence which it proposes to adduce in proceedings. In addition, under guidelines issued by the Attorney-General in 1981, the prosecution makes available to the defence any unused material if it has some bearing on the offence charged and the surrounding circumstances of the case.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance is available to help local police forces suddenly faced with a sharp upsurge of violent crimes.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Government support for the police is provided in a number of ways, including an increase in 736
  expenditure on the police of almost 59 per cent, in real terms since 1979, an increase in the number of police officers of over 15,300 and specific grant of 51 per cent, on police expenditure. It is the responsibility of chief officers to deploy these resources in response to violent crime or any other priority. It is clear that this is being done to good effect so that there are high clear-up rates for violent crime of which there is a lesser incidence in England and Wales than in most European countries, the United States, Canada and Australia.

  Drug Seizures
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the numbers of drug seizures in Britain in 1990.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the period 1 January to 23 October 1990, Customs reported a provisional total of 6,471 seizures of controlled drugs in Great Britain. The latest information in relation to seizures made by the police is for 1989, figures for which are published, along with those for seizures by Customs, in table 2.3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 24/90, "Statistics of the Misuse of Drugs: Seizures and Offenders dealt with, United Kingdom 1989", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Community Service Orders
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress being made with community service orders.

  Mr. John Patten
  National standards to achieve greater consistency in the application of community service programmes were introduced on 1 April 1989; the results of the first year of operation are being analysed and should be available soon. The White Paper, "Crime, Justice and Protecting the Public", published earlier this year, outlined new proposals for community penalties, including making community service orders available with probation orders.

  Border Controls
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about border control between Britain and other European Community countries.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have nothing to add at present to the statement which my right hon. and learned Friend gave to the House on 27 June 1990 at columns 220–21, following the last meeting of Trevi and European Community Immigration Ministers in Dublin in June.

  Sexual Offences
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will remove the corroboration rules which exist in relation to the evidence of the victims of an alleged sexual offence; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Law Commission is reviewing the law concerning the corroboration of evidence in criminal proceedings including sexual offences. We shall consider the Law Commission's final report and any recommendations to change the law as and when they are made.

  Remand
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the numbers of people remanded in custody.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are promoting a range of practical measures to reduce the numbers of people remanded in custody. These include the development of more bail information schemes and an increase in the number of bail hostel places; encouragement to the courts to take measures to reduce delays; the continuing extension of custody time limits and the development of mode of trial guidelines for magistrates. We have also recently issued a circular on mentally disordered offenders which should help reduce the numbers of such people who are remanded in custody.

  Custody (Boys)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 15 and 16-year-old boys in England and Wales were(a) remanded into penal custody and (b) sentenced to custody in 1989 and during the first six months of 1990.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The readily available information is given in the table. Data for 1989 are derived from tables 2.6 and 3.10 of "Prison statistics England and Wales" (Cm. 1221), copies of which are in the Library.

  Receptions1 of male juveniles into prison service establishments in England and Wales: by type of reception

  Type of reception

  1989

  1 January-30 June 1990

  All remand, of which

  21,470

  2670

  Untried

  21,382

  2630

  Convicted unsentenced

  2416

  2167

  Sentenced3

  2,131

  2738

  1Excludes non-criminal prisoners. Some of the persons received in each category of prisoner were also received in another category.

  2Provisional figures.

  3Includes juveniles aged 14.

  Prisoners (Police Cells)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) sentenced and (b) remand prisoners were being held in police cells in England and Wales on the latest date available.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On 31 October a total of 1,027 prisoners were held in police cells. It is not possible to provide a breakdown between remand and other classes of prisoners because at present these figures are not collected centrally for all police areas.

  Crown Court Trials
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he holds on the number of cases in which defendants initially plead that they are not guilty and elect for their trials to go before a Crown court and subsequently have their cases transferred to a magistrates court; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Defendants do not enter a plea before electing Crown court trial and cases committed for trial there are not referred back to be tried at a magistrates court.

  Prisoners (Deaths)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all deaths during 1990 of persons detained in prison department establishments, stating in each case the age and sex of the inmate, the cause of the death, the inquest verdict, the establishment where the inmate was held, whether the death occurred in the prison or in an outside hospital, whether the inmate was sentenced or on remand and whether the inmate was occupying a single cell, multi-occupied cell, on the punishment block or in the prison hospital.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Almost all the information requested was given in the reply that I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 29 October 1990 at columns 351–54. Information about whether the inmate was occupying a single or shared cell at the time of death was not included in that reply, and is not readily available in a number of cases. I shall include this information when I write to the hon. Member for Huddersfield and send a copy of that letter to the hon. Member.

  Prisoners (Local Authority Care)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of male and female prisoners in England and Wales had previously been in local authority care.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is not recorded centrally.

  Income Support Claimants
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the latest available year the number of income support claimants sent to prison for failure to pay a court fine.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  While no statistics on the financial status of prisoners are recorded centrally, such information as is available suggests that perhaps three-quarters of those detained for failure to pay a court fine were in receipt of income support.

  Electronic Monitoring Trials
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average total cost of monitoring the 50 defendants placed under surveillance during the recent electronic monitoring trials in Tyneside, Nottingham and London.

  Mr. John Patten
  The total cost of the electronic monitoring trials was about £700,000 for 50 defendants. But the former figure includes the cost of setting up three different schemes on an experimental basis and the special production of the equipment needed. It would not be sensible to take the figure yielded by dividing the latter figure into the former as a realistic average cost for the use of electronic monitoring on a larger scale.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 50 participants in the electronic monitoring trials in England and Wales reached their trials without being brought to court for an alleged violation, breaching, being additionally charged with an offence, subsequently bailed or absconding during the monitoring period.
  739
  Mr. John Patten
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Electoral Statistics
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East, of 25 October,Official Report, column 258, how many names will appear on the provisional electoral register for the Finchley parliamentary constituency which is due to be published in November 1990; and how many of these are expatriate registrations.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested will not become available until the publication of the draft electoral register on 28 November.

  Prisons (Medical Care)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints from inmates about medical care in prisons in England and Wales have been received during the last five years.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Records of the type requested are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However the prison service working group on grievance procedures, which published its report in July last year, produced an estimate of the proportion of complaints received at prison service headquarters which related to medical matters. That estimate produces a figure of around 1,100 medical complaints received in the last year of the old grievance procedures, which were replaced on 25 September this year.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the findings of the research conducted by Professor Gunn into the incidence of mentally disordered inmates in the prison system in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Professor Gunn, Institute of Psychiatry, university of London, was commissioned to produce over a three-year period a definitive statement of the dimensions of the problem of sentenced mentally disturbed offenders in the prison system in England and Wales. This is an important study which will provide a sound basis on which the Department is able to consider the further development of its policies.

  The report is expected soon. Following normal practice we intend that once it has then been considered arrangements will be made for its wide dissemination.

  Places of Entertainment (Access)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that fire officers are aware of regulations on access to and egress from places of entertainment for people with disabilities.

  Mr. John Patten
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he last published regulations and guidelines concerning access to places of entertainment for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the neighbourhood watch schemes in the Easington district; and whether he will make extra funds available to extend the schemes.

  Mr. John Patten
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Remand Prisoners, Durham
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of prisoners on remand in Durham prisons in the year 1988–89, and the average length of time of such remands.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Arrests
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 July, if he will break down the numbers of people arrested in England and Wales in 1986, 1988 and 1989 by police force areas.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he intends to take against the BBC for employing Mr. Patrick Shai on the production of "Land of Dreams" without a work permit having been issued; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many summonses have been issued against employers employing persons without work permits in each of the last three financial years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Police Officers, Peterlee
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the compliment of police officers in the Peterlee subdivision for the last three years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Peterlee subdivision was merged with the Seaham subdivision on 1 January 1989 to form the Easington subdivision. The table shows only that part of the establishment and strength of the Easington subdivision which covers Peterlee.

  Pelerlee subdivision

  31 December

  Establishment

  Strength

  1988

  119

  115

  1989

  114

  114

  11990

  117

  118

  1 31 October.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables has South Yorkshire(a) proportionate to the population and (b) proportionate to other counties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waddington
  South Yorkshire has an estimated population of 1,293,000 of whom 316 are members of the
  741
  special constabulary. Appendix 7 of the report of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary lists the number of special constables and the population of force areas for each police force in England and Wales, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Labour Party Conference
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total policing costs arising from the Labour party conference in Blackpool; and what proportion of the cost will be met by local authorities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the chief constable of Lancashire that the additional costs of policing the Labour party conference in Blackpool were £97,545. The additional costs of policing will be met by Lancashire police authority. Under the normal police funding arrangements, the Government contribute both directly through police grant—which is at 51 per cent.—and indirectly through revenue support grant.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Waddington
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Le Vay Report
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on plans to implement the Le Vay report.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have now received and published the report of consultants appointed to prepare an assessment of the costs of implementing the main organisational recommendations in the report of the magistrates courts scrutiny 1989 and of an alternative organisational model. We are giving further thought to the scrutiny recommendations in the light of the consultants' advice and of any comments on their work by interested bodies.

  Mr. Arthur Scargill
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  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 permission has been sought by the company fraud department to interview Arthur Scargill, president of the National Union of Mineworkers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. The police do not require permission to conduct interviews during the course of their inquiries.

  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  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 his most up-to-date estimate of the likely completion date of the company fraud department, Metropolitan police, inquiries into the activities of Arthur Scargill, president of the National Union of Mineworkers.
  742
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the Metropolitan police expect their initial inquiries into the allegations against members of the NUM to be completed shortly.

  London Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if staff for new prisons are to be transferred from other London prisons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  To enable Belmarsh prison to open in April 1991, a total of 353 new prison officers will be recruited. In addition, it is proposed to redeploy to Belmarsh 202 officer posts from a number of other prisons in the London area as a consequence of the transfer of work there from those establishments. The reductions in staffing levels at existing establishments will be effected by means of wastage and voluntary transfers to other establishments.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when and for what reasons public interest immunity certificates are issued; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waddington
  A certificate claiming public interest immunity may, exceptionally, be issued by the Secretary of State when information is sought by a party to legal proceedings relating to matters within his responsibility. It is not practicable to give a detailed description of the circumstances where such a claim would be made, but I would issue a certificate only if I was satisfied that it was necessary in the public interest to prevent disclosure of the information.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by date, and by location, the number of occasions in the past 10 years when public interest immunity certificates have been issued in the three counties of Yorkshire and Humberside concerning matters before coroners and other courts preventing members of the police forces and others within the remit of his Department from attending such courts, and to prevent such courts from hearing details of operations, indicating which operations were involved and how many individuals were covered by such certificates.

  Mr. Waddington
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 17 October at column 820.

  Royal Family
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by date and location for the last five years to date the number of intruders who have been discovered on premises(a) owned by members of the royal family and (b) where members of the royal family have been in attendance; and if he will show, in his answer, the sentences imposed by the courts.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Rape
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the minimum sentence, the maximum sentence and the average length of sentence given in cases of rape between 1984 and 1990; and what was the average sentence served by rapists.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The information is not available in precisely the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Available statistics do not distinguish between rape, and aiding and abetting rape. The average determinate sentence for offences of rape, and aiding and abetting rape between 1984 and 1988 was as follows:

  Year

  Average sentence length (months)

  1984

  44·1

  1985

  54·2

  1986

  65·5

  1987

  74·5

  1988

  74·5

  In both 1984 and 1988, the maximum sentence given for rape was life imprisonment.

EMPLOYMENT

  Earnings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the increase since (a) April 1979 and (b) April 1989 in real average weekly earnings for (i) full-time adult male and (ii) full-time adult female workers, including overtime but excluding absence in the case of (w) manual workers in manufacturing, (x) other
  744
  manuals, (y) non-manuals and (z) journalists; and if he will provide similar figures for the period April 1974 to April 1979.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information on the average gross weekly earnings of full-time adult employees at April of the years in question is published in part A of the annual new earnings survey reports with the exception of manuals in non-manufacturing in the last two years, for which the figures are as follows:

  Males

  Females

  £

  £

  1989

  207·5

  131·4

  1990

  227·1

  143·4

  The available information for journalists can be found in table 8 of the reports for 1979, 1989 and 1990. Information on the retail prices index—all items—to convert the figures to 1990 prices is published in table 6.4 of Employment Gazette for April 1989 and 1990. and in table 26 of the annual supplement to Economic Trends for April of earlier years. Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase between 1988 and 1989 in the average earnings of full-time adult male manual workers in manufacturing, including overtime and excluding absences, and the corresponding increases for(a) the whole economy and (b) non-manuals in (i) banking, finance, insurance and business services, (ii) banking and finance and (iii) education and health; and whether he will add figures for manuals employed in (c) mechanical engineering and (d) clothing, footwear and textiles.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information for 1988 and 1989 is published in parts A and C of the respective annual new earnings survey reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Employment Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of accidents on employment training, fatal, major and minor, for each quarter since June 1989; and how many employer or project-based work placements were closed or rejected in those periods on health and safety grounds.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information on accidents on employment training is given in the table. Between 1 June 1989 and 30 September 1990, 11 employer or project-based work placements were closed on health and safety grounds.

  Quarter

  Fatal

  Major (b)

  Minor

  1989

  1 July to 30 September

  Nil

  52

  286

  1 October to 31 December

  Nil

  67

  246

  1990

  1 January to 31 March

  1

  40

  208

  1 April to 30 June

  Nil

  50

  269

  1 July to 30 September

  2

  44

  214

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each region and for Great Britain as a whole the number of ET trainees who have been recruited under the skill shortage category, in numbers and as a proportion of all ET recruits, for each quarter since ET began; and if he will outline what criteria were used when locally defining what is a skill shortage area of training.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested about the number and proportions of skill shortage entrants to employment can be provided only at disproportionate cost. It would not be appropriate to set national criteria for defining local skill shortage occupations.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for each quarter since June 1989, what was the number of trainees on employment training who were on placements with employers or on placements in projects;

  (2) if he will give for each region and for Great Britain as a whole for the latest available period the characteristics of entrants to ET showing (a) the number of male and female entrants, (b) their ethnic origins, (c) their duration of unemployment and (d) whether they had a disability.

  Mr. Jackson
  In view of the detailed information requested, I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the best estimate he has for the numbers and amounts of ET overpayments which have taken place since the start of the programme, including(a) overpayment of individual ET training allowances, numbers and amounts, (b) overpayment of grants to training agents and (c) overpayment of grants to training managers; how much has been recovered; how much has been written off; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Youth Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, the number of all YTS-youth training 746
  trainees in training by gender, and the numbers of each sex who had contracts of employment, for each quarter since March 1988.

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

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each region and for Great Britain as a whole for each month since April 1987 the(a) number of planned entrants for YTS/YT, (b) the actual number of entrants to YTS/YT and (c) the total in training in each month on YTS/YT.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is voluminous. I will arrange for the tables to be placed in the Library.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, how many YTS youth training providers there are; how many YTS/youth training providers have lost or failed to obtain approved training organisation status in each year since 1988; why ATO status has been refused or withdrawn in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the allocated budget of each of the training and enterprise councils which have become operational, showing the amount contracted for(a) youth training, (b) employment training and (c) enterprise allowance scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  The allocated budgets for each of the operational training and enterprise councils (TECs) are as follows:

  Total allocated budget

  YT

  ET

  EAS

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  South East

  Isle of Wight

  1·50

  0·65

  0·34

  0·15

  Hertfordshire

  10·10

  4·44

  1·96

  1·34

  Heart of England

  4·25

  2·24

  0·81

  0·33

  Hampshire

  13·18

  7·72

  3·0

  0·89

  Milton Keynes and North Bucks

  2·80

  1·52

  0·59

  0·18

  Kent

  8·54

  5·36

  2·66

  0·74

  Essex

  14·47

  9·90

  5·41

  1·65

  Thames Valley

  10·50

  5·04

  2·02

  1·12

  South West

  Somerset

  6·88

  3·69

  1·24

  0·70

  Dorset

  10·74

  5·9

  2·15

  1·38

  Devon/Cornwall

  39·94

  21·05

  10·98

  5·20

  West Midlands

  Walsall

  4·24

  2·09

  1·43

  0·28

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  12·94

  7·08

  3·14

  1·00

  Staffordshire

  16·71

  10·02

  3·43

  0·92

  East Midlands

  North Notts

  12·02

  6·70

  2·56

  0·95

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Calderdale/Kirklees

  17·58

  9·40

  5·13

  1·55

  747

  Total allocated budget

  YT

  ET

  EAS

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  North Yorkshire

  10·02

  4·71

  2·78

  1·16

  Rotherham

  6·99

  2·97

  2·58

  0·59

  Sheffield

  11·59

  5·23

  3·85

  0·84

  Leeds

  8·59

  3·77

  2·48

  0·94

  North West

  South and East Cheshire

  6·67

  3·77

  0·92

  0·74

  East Lancashire

  12·56

  6·71

  2·95

  1·16

  METROTEC (Wigan)

  6·12

  3·42

  1·83

  0·64

  Cumbria

  13·94

  7·77

  2·92

  1·07

  Rochdale

  5·60

  2·64

  1·61

  0·56

  Bolton and Bury

  4·50

  2·58

  0·79

  0·64

  Oldham

  7·40

  4·36

  1·40

  0·58

  Stockport and High Peak

  4·76

  2·55

  1·11

  0·66

  Northern

  County Durham

  15·91

  8·64

  5·15

  0·21

  Tyneside

  31·23

  17·1

  7·6

  2·60

  Wearside

  17·39

  8·5

  6·4

  0·88

  Teesside

  28·68

  14·8

  11·8

  1·94

  Northumberland

  7·04

  3·49

  1·77

  0·78

  Wales

  West Wales

  17·74

  7·15

  6·11

  2·53

  North East Wales

  5·48

  3·05

  1·28

  0·53

  Mid Glamorgan

  11·83

  6·70

  4·28

  0·98

  Individual budget figures relate to the period from the date when the TEC became operational to the end of the 1990–91 financial year.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many operational training and enterprise council chairmen and individual board members have had to resign; which training enterprise councils they have left; what reasons they gave for their resignations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  No operational training and enterprise council (TEC) chairmen have resigned. Nineteen board members have resigned for a variety of reasons, as follows:

  TEC

  Number

  Reason

  Bolton and Bury

  2

  Extra pressure on time

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  Extra pressure on time

  East Lancashire

  2

  One—company closed down; one—extra pressure on time

  Hertfordshire

  2

  Job changes

  North Yorkshire

  2

  Job changes

  Oldham

  1

  Job change

  Rotherham

  1

  Moved out of area

  Somerset

  2

  Extra pressure on time

  Teesside

  2

  One—retired; one—moved out of area

  Wearside

  1

  Company closed down

  West Wales

  1

  Firm gone into liquidation

  Wigan

  2

  One—ill health; one—job change

  Well over 1,200 key business leaders are involved with TECs and the initiative is some two years ahead of schedule.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which Government and training and enterprise councils training schemes he has designated as approved training for the purposes of the Social Security Act 1975; which of these schemes will recruit trainees over 748
  the age of 18 years; if it remains the Government's policy that employment training will remain a voluntary scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Only youth training is currently designated as approved training for the purposes of the Social Security Act 1975. Youth training is primarily for under-18s, but some over-18s may also enter. There are no plans to designate employment training. Both youth training and employment training remain voluntary.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a list of those training and enterprise councils which have become operational, the number of board members on each of them and those training enterprise councils which are in the development phase, indicating when he expects each of them to become operational.

  Mr. Jackson
  Thirty-six TECs are operational and these are listed, with the number of board members for each TEC:

  Board Members

  South East

  Essex

  15

  Hampshire

  11

  Heart of England

  12

  Hertfordshire

  11

  Isle of Wight

  14

  Kent

  15

  Milton Keynes and North Bucks

  15

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  13

  South West

  Devon and Cornwall

  15

  Dorset

  15

  Somerset

  14

  West Midlands

  Coventry/Warwickshire

  12

  Staffordshire

  15

  Walsall

  14

  East Midlands and Anglia

  North Nottinghamshire

  13

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  15

  Leeds

  15

  North Yorkshire

  14

  Rotherham

  11

  Sheffield

  15

  North West

  Bolton/Bury

  15

  Cumbria

  12

  S and E Cheshire

  9

  ELTEC

  13

  METROTEC

  14

  Oldham

  14

  Rochdale

  14

  Stockport and High Peak

  11

  Northern

  County Durham

  15

  Northumberland

  13

  Teesside

  14

  Tyneside

  14

  Wearside

  13

  Wales

  Mid Glamorgan

  15

  North East Wales

  12

  West Wales

  15

  749
  Forty-six TECs are in their development phase, and I confidently expect that they will be operational by summer 1991.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many board members are currently serving on operational training and enterprise councils; how many of them are women or are from an ethnic minority; how many of the training and enterprise councils have a woman or person from an ethnic minority as chairman; which sectors the board members came from, showing those from(a) the private sector, (b) local authorities, (c) trade unions, (d) local education authorities, (e) voluntary organisations and (f) health authorities; and how many training and enterprise councils' chief executives are also board members.

  Mr. Jackson
  There are currently 487 board members serving on the 36 operational training and enterprise councils (TECs). Of these, 49 are women. None of the TECs operational to date has appointed a woman as chairman.

  Information is not kept on the ethnic origin of TEC board members.

  The number of board members originating from the sectors identified are as follows:

  Table 1

  Employment service referrals to employment training: October 1989 to September 1990

  London and South East

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands and Eastern

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  North West

  Northern

  Wales

  Scotland

  Great Britain

  1989

  October

  15,300

  4,000

  7,700

  5,000

  7,300

  11,900

  6,600

  5,100

  12,400

  75,200

  November

  31,100

  7,700

  15,100

  10,900

  15,100

  23,500

  13,000

  10,200

  24,400

  150,900

  December

  44,100

  10,700

  20,900

  15,500

  21,500

  32,100

  17,600

  14,000

  33,500

  209,900

  1990

  January

  61,100

  15,000

  29,600

  21,500

  29,900

  44,700

  24,200

  19,400

  45,000

  290,600

  February

  78,400

  19,500

  39,600

  27,700

  38,900

  57,800

  30,600

  24,800

  57,900

  375,100

  March

  98,300

  24,800

  49,900

  34,800

  49,000

  73,300

  37,700

  30,700

  72,000

  470,400

  April

  107,700

  27,200

  55,300

  39,500

  54,800

  81,200

  41,400

  34,300

  79,500

  520,900

  May

  119,300

  29,800

  61,000

  43,600

  60,600

  89,700

  45,700

  38,100

  87,900

  575,700

  June

  131,600

  33,200

  67,000

  48,600

  67,200

  99,600

  50,400

  42,100

  98,300

  638,100

  July

  142,200

  36,200

  72,100

  53,100

  73,100

  107,900

  54,600

  45,500

  105,200

  689,900

  August

  155,700

  40,600

  77,500

  57,900

  79,800

  117,900

  59,400

  49,700

  115,400

  754,000

  September

  167,700

  44,400

  83,400

  62,600

  85,900

  127,000

  64,600

  53,700

  122,800

  812,000

  Table 2

  Employment training

  Action plans agreed at training agents: October 1989 to March 1990

  Training agency region

  1989

  1990

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  South East

  3,100

  5,700

  8,200

  11,200

  15,100

  19,500

  London

  4,600

  9,300

  13,200

  17,200

  21,800

  27,500

  South West

  2,200

  4,600

  6,400

  8,500

  11,000

  14,200

  West Midlands

  4,200

  8,600

  12,100

  16,200

  21,800

  28,000

  East Midlands and Eastern

  2,700

  5,700

  8,200

  10,700

  14,200

  18,400

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,900

  9,800

  14,400

  19,200

  24,800

  31,600

  North West

  6,300

  12,300

  16,700

  22,000

  28,700

  37,100

  Northern

  4,400

  8,700

  12,300

  16,500

  21,200

  26,100

  Wales

  2,800

  4,500

  6,300

  8,900

  12,500

  16,300

  Scotland

  5,800

  12,000

  16,300

  20,800

  26,300

  33,300

  Great Britain

  41,000

  81,400

  114,000

  151,000

  197,200

  252,100

  750

  Number

  Private sector

  339

  Local authorities

  47

  Trade unions

  26

  Local education authorities

  16

  Voluntary organisations

  14

  Health authorities

  11

  There are currently 22 chief executives who are also TEC board members.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish up-to-date figures for Great Britain and each region for each month since September 1989 showing the cumulative number of(a) referrals to ET from the Employment Service to training agents, (b) agreed ET action plans at training agents, (c) starts with ET training managers, (d) the number in training on ET each month and (e) the number of people who left ET each month.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information on referrals is given in table 1. Information for the period to March 1990 on action plans, starts, in training and leavers is given in tables 2, 3, 4 and 5. Information on action plans is not collected from April 1990. Information from April 1990 about the number of starts with training managers and leavers is not available. In training figures are not available for regions from April 1990. Estimated in training figures from April for Great Britain are given at table 6.
  751

  Table 3

  Cumulative starts at employment training managers: October 1989 to March 1990

  Training agency region

  1989

  1990

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  South East

  2,500

  4,900

  6,400

  9,200

  11,700

  15,100

  London

  3,400

  6,900

  9,500

  13,400

  17,500

  22,000

  South West

  1,900

  3,600

  4,900

  7,100

  9,000

  11,400

  West Midlands

  3,700

  7,500

  10,400

  14,000

  18,500

  23,800

  East Midlands and Eastern

  2,800

  5,500

  7,600

  10,100

  13,300

  17,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,600

  9,400

  13,100

  17,400

  22,500

  28,600

  North West

  5,200

  10,900

  14,600

  19,900

  25,800

  33,000

  Northern

  3,700

  6,700

  9,600

  12,900

  17,000

  21,900

  Wales

  2,900

  5,300

  7,200

  9,700

  12,900

  16,300

  Scotland

  4,800

  9,700

  13,200

  17,100

  22,400

  28,700

  Great Britain1

  35,500

  71,800

  98,000

  132,500

  172,500

  219,800

  1 Includes starts at Residential Training Colleges and Large Contractor Trainees not included in regional totals.

  Table 4

  Employment Training Filled Places: October 1989 to March 1990

  Training Agency Region

  1989

  1990

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  South East

  14,900

  14,800

  14,300

  14,700

  14,900

  15,100

  London

  20,700

  21,100

  21,000

  21,800

  22,300

  22,700

  South West

  12,300

  12,200

  11,900

  12,100

  11,800

  11,900

  West Midlands

  23,200

  23,200

  22,500

  21,900

  22,400

  22,600

  East Midlands and Eastern

  16,800

  16,800

  16,600

  16,400

  16,400

  16,100

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  25,200

  25,200

  25,100

  24,700

  25,000

  25,600

  North West

  28,800

  29,800

  28,800

  28,900

  29,000

  29,600

  Northern

  24,300

  24,400

  24,200

  23,700

  23,300

  23,100

  Wales

  16,600

  16,600

  16,100

  15,900

  16,100

  15,900

  Scotland

  25,700

  26,400

  26,100

  25,900

  26,300

  26,400

  Great Britain1

  209,000

  212,000

  208,000

  207,000

  209,000

  210,000

  1 Great Britain total includes small number of trainees at Residential Training Colleges and Large Contractors not included in regional figures.

  Table 5

  Employment Training Leavers: October 1989 to March 1990

  Training Agency Region

  1989

  1990

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  South East

  2,400

  4,900

  6,900

  9,300

  11,600

  14,800

  London

  2,900

  6,000

  8,700

  11,800

  15,400

  19,500

  South West

  1,600

  3,400

  5,000

  7,000

  9,300

  11,500

  West Midlands

  3,800

  7,800

  11,300

  15,500

  19,500

  24,600

  East Midlands and Eastern

  2,900

  5,600

  7,900

  10,600

  13,700

  17,800

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,600

  9,400

  13,200

  17,900

  22,700

  28,200

  North West

  5,500

  10,200

  14,900

  20,100

  25,900

  32,500

  Northern

  4,400

  7,200

  10,400

  14,200

  18,600

  23,700

  Wales

  2,800

  5,200

  7,500

  10,300

  13,200

  16,800

  Scotland

  4,100

  8,400

  12,200

  16,300

  21,200

  27,400

  Great Britain1

  34,400

  68,200

  98,300

  133,300

  171,800

  217,600

  1 Includes leavers at Residential Training Colleges and Large Contractor trainees not included in regional totals.

  Table 6

  Employment training filled places April 1990-October 1990: (Estimated)

  Month

  April 1990

  210,000

  May

  208,000

  June

  199,000

  July

  191,000

  August

  185,000

  September

  184,000

  October

  190,000

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the output-related targets for employment training-youth training for each of the training and enterprise councils which have become operational; what proportion of each of the training and enterprise councils' budgets will be paid only if they achieve these targets; and if he will make a statement.
  752
  Mr. Jackson
  Output-related targets for employment training and youth training are negotiated with individual training and enterprise councils and reflect local circumstances. Generally, the agreed target has been 10 per cent, of the total TEC budget; this payment is made for the attainment of relevant vocational qualifications under youth training and jobs secured under employment training.

  Back-to-Work Grant
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the back-to-work grant being piloted by his Department and outline what other forms of assistance are available to unemployed people who are just about to start work; and if he will make a statement.
  753
  Mr. Jackson
  The Department of Employment is not piloting a back-to-work grant. Unemployed people can take advantage of the advice and help available from employment service staff. They can give information on the benefits available to people in work. These include family credit, child benefit, housing benefit and community charge benefit.

  YTS Accidents
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of accidents on YTS—fatal, major and minor—for the periods January to March, April to June and July to September; and how many YTS placements were closed or not accepted in these periods.

  Mr. Jackson
  Table A gives the YTS accident figures.

  Table A1

  Quarter

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  1 January 1990 to 31 March 1990

  1

  133

  527

  1 April 1990 to 30 June 1990

  Nil

  163

  604

  1 July 1990 to 30 September 1990

  Nil

  87

  440

  1 Training Agency figures have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the Training Agency's figures will include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and road traffic accidents which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individual been employed.

  2 Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  Separate figures for closures and rejections for employer-based and project-based work placements are not kept Table B gives the reported figures of closures and rejections on health and safety grounds from 1January 1990 to 30 September 1990.

  Table B

  Quarter

  Closed

  Rejected

  1 January 1990 to 31 March 1990

  Nil

  Nil

  1 April 1990 to 30 June 1990

  Nil

  Nil

  1 July 1990 to 30 September 1990

  1

  2

  Unemployed Claimants
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest information showing from 9 October 1989 for each region and for Great Britain as a whole the number of unemployed claimants who have(a) been issued with warning letters for not actively seeking work, (b) had their claims referred to an adjudication officer for not actively seeking work, (c) had their claims (i) allowed or (ii) disallowed and (d) been referred to an adjudication officer for refusing suitable employment; and what is the number of those in (d) who have had their benefit disqualified.

  Mr. Jackson
  Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.

  Sellafield and British Nuclear Fuels
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what studies have been commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive into radiation risks at Sellafield using the epidemiological case control method;
  754
  (2) what studies have been commissioned by Her Majesty's Government recently into the health and work records of employees of British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Forth
  Following publication of the Gardner report on childhood leukaemia and lymphoma in west Cumbria, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has commissioned studies to examine other factors which may be relevant to Professor Gardner's findings since there appeared to be a statistical association between the incidence of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma and paternal employment at the Sellafield reprocessing plant. These studies will comprise three parts:

  (a) an investigation to see if the case fathers' doses were exceptional compared with the Sellafield work force as a whole;

  (b) an investigation into the occupational histories of the case fathers to see if there are any common factors; and

  (c) an epidemiological case control study looking at workplace exposure and occupational histories.

  The studies will proceed subject to the acceptance by the medical ethical committees of the United Kingdom of the HSE's proposals.

  Employment (Over-60s)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report statistics on the employment of over 60s in Britain; and if he will introduce legislation to protect those aged over 60 years who wish to work against prejudice from both public and private employers.

  Mr. Jackson
  The 1989 labour force survey found that in spring 1989 the number of people aged 60 or over in employment in Great Britain was 1,437,000. We have no plans to introduce legislation on age discrimination, since we believe that it would be difficult to apply and uncertain in its effect. Our policy is to persuade employers to consider all applicants on merit, without imposing arbitrary age limits on recruitment.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average time his Department takes in reply to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Howard
  The average time taken in reply to an hon. Member's letter is 20·2 days.

  Information on the shortest time and the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Part-time and Temporary Work
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library copies of the responses received from organisations to his Department's consultation document on the European Commission's proposals on part-time and temporary work.

  Mr. Forth
  No. It is for the organisations which responded to decide whether to publish their views.

  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his answer on 22 October,
  755
  Official Report, column 2, he will place in the Library a list of organisations that responded to the consultation document on part-time and temporary work.

  Mr. Forth
  I have arranged for the list to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Patrick Shai
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when his Department was notified by British Actors Equity Association that the BBC was employing Mr. Patrick Shai without a work permit; and what action was taken.

  Mr. Forth
  British Actors Equity Association wrote to my overseas labour section in this Department on 14 February 1990 saying that Mr. Patrick Shai was working. In accordance with standing instructions, this letter was forwarded on 21 February to the Home Office, which is responsible for investigating any possible breach of the Immigration Act.

  Health and Safety Offences
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the offences which may be committed by companies concerning the health and safety of employees, in each case specifying the notices which may be served on companies which fail to comply with statutory provisions.

  Mr. Forth
  The offences for which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and its agents are responsible are listed in sections 33(1), 36 and 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974—the HSW Act—and breaches of the relevant statutory provisions, listed in schedule 1 of the HSW Act, and regulations made under them. If an inspector is of the opinion that an offence has been committed under any of this legislation, he may issue a prohibition or improvement notice in accordance with sections 21 and 22 of the HSW Act.

DEFENCE

  Atlantic Conveyor
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial contribution was made by his Department for the replacement of the Atlantic Conveyor in the Falklands war; for what purpose; and why it was not chartered to assist in the transporting of arms and forces to the Gulf military operation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The financial contribution made by the MOD is commercially confidential. As described in Cmnd 8758, "The Falklands Campaign: The Lessons", militarily useful features were incorporated in the vessel, involving principally a prefabricated helicopter flight deck. The vessel has not however been offered in response to our bids for sealift for the Gulf operation as other vessels more suited to the particular requirements were available for charter.

  Gulf Crisis
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to date of chartering Merchant Navy vessels to assist in Gulf military operations.
  756
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the Department's policy to make public how much it has paid for the charter of merchant vessels.

  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many merchant ships have been chartered by his Department to assist in the Gulf military operation; aid what are the names of the ships, sizes and flags of registration.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Forty-three merchant vessels have been chartered to date. Details are as follows:

  Name of vessel

  Size (DWT)

  Flag

  Dana Cimbria

  6,897

  Denmark

  Scheldemond

  3,309

  St. Vincent

  Jolly Turchese

  19,420

  Italy

  Mercandian Queen II

  7,200

  Denmark

  Alsyta Smits

  6,110

  Netherlands

  Tor Caledonia

  9,882

  Denmark

  Roseanne

  4,106

  Cyprus

  Seabird

  4,270

  Denmark

  Arcade Falcon

  6,575

  Norway

  Nordic Pride

  5,350

  Sweden

  Cala Atlantica

  12,628

  Panama

  Baltic Eider

  12,830

  United Kingdom

  Nornews Service

  4,000

  Norway

  Atlantica

  3,502

  Cyprus

  Roro Runner

  4,720

  Panama

  Guyanne

  8,771

  Cyprus

  Mungo

  15,599

  Bahamas

  Bakengracht

  3,445

  Netherlands

  Cecilia 1

  6,000

  Netherlands

  Brabo

  3,600

  Cyprus

  Admiralengracht

  11,300

  Netherlands

  Baltic Eagle

  9,450

  United Kingdom

  Mirach

  4,800

  Cyprus

  Barentzgracht

  3,445

  Netherlands

  Kasmariane

  6,881

  Norway

  Snoekgracht

  3,300

  Netherlands

  Swan

  4,792

  Netherlands

  Stig Gorthon

  8,873

  Sweden

  Arroyofrio Dos

  4,600

  Spain

  Conro Trader

  4,350

  Antigua

  Nomadic Patria

  17,160

  Norway

  Sea Pearl

  3,880

  Bahamas

  Conti Britannia

  7,443

  Germany

  Slotegracht

  6,195

  Netherlands

  Aetos

  4,751

  Greece

  Geroro

  4,350

  Norway

  Sat Mars

  15,518

  Bahamas

  Askania

  3,560

  Antigua

  Sylt

  3,000

  Germany

  Makiri

  3,000

  Cyprus

  Beaulieu

  4,800

  Cyprus

  Margaretha

  3,676

  Cyprus

  Godewind

  3,693

  Germany

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the rate of casualties if military action were to commence in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of casualties which might result from any military action could vary considerably depending on a wide range of factors. It is not the practice to comment on details of contingency plans.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 26 October,Official Report, column 340, what other forms of support are being provided to United Kingdom forces by host nations in the Gulf; what other countries apart from the host nations have provided assistance; what form this assistance has taken; what are the further ways in which United

  757
  Kingdom allies might assist our forces in the Gulf; and what is the exact amount of financial assistance that has been provided by foreign Governments to date for the support of United Kingdom forces in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 30 October at column 856. In addition, as agreed by Ministers at their meeting in Paris on 18 September, the WEU nations continue to provide mutual assistance in the deployment of forces. We are also continuing to negotiate a range of further assistance with our allies. Details of these negotiations are confidential.

  HMS Vulcan
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are(a) the establishment and (b) the operational criteria of HMS Vulcan.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Vulcan naval reactor test establishment is owned and operated by the Ministry of Defence with the assistance of contractors. Its purpose is to test and develop naval nuclear reactors. The operational criteria for the establishment are classified.

  Tornado
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what laser target designation capability is currently carried by Royal Air Force Tornado aircraft.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  RAF Squadrons
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to scale back the readiness of front-line Royal Air Force squadrons in line with the commitment given in paragraph 14 of the communique from the London NATO summit on 6 July.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A review of readiness and availability requirements for NATO forces, including those of the RAF, is progressing and a number of measures have been agreed. Details are classified.

  Nancekuke Chemical Defence Establishment
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has arranged for a control of substances hazardous to health assessment to be made at the former chemical defence establishment at Nancekuke.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We do not see a need for such an assessment. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 17 October 1990 at column 855.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the information given by his Department to the National Rivers Authority on potential leakages of toxic chemicals from the former chemical warfare establishment at Nancekuke;

  (2) if he will publish a full list of all chemical wastes and hazardous substances disposed at or near the former chemical defence establishment at Nancekuke.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 17 October 1990 at column 855.

  Aircraft Noise
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the actions being taken by his Department in pursuit of the conclusions and recommendations of the NATO Committee on Challenges in a Modern Society report on aircraft noise.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) on 17 May 1990 at columns 517–18.

  Low Flying
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names, dates and locations of all low-flying exercises conducted over the United Kingdom since 19 May 1989, advance notice of which was given to hon. Members in affected constituencies.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is being given to the creation of new areas in the United Kingdom, additional to the Highlands restricted area, where low flying in instrument meteorological conditions is permitted.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom low-flying system is kept under review but there are no plans to create additional areas where low-flying training using terrain following radar can be carried out in instrument meteorological conditions.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards deployment of new United States air force aircraft in the United Kingdom which have a greater requirement for night and bad weather low-flying training facilities.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Any proposal from the United States of America to deploy new United States air force aircraft in the United Kingdom is carefully assessed, taking into account the environmental implications arising from the likely training requirements of the new aircraft.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the stipulated minimum period of advance notice required by his Department for requests to use the United Kingdom low-flying system by United States air force units not based in the United Kingdom; and what records are kept of such requests and his Department's responses thereto.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  United States air force units not based in the United Kingdom that wish to use the United Kingdom low-flying system are required to give at least 30 days' notice. Detailed statistics are not however kept of such requests which are infrequent and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-level sorties were undertaken by British military aircraft from Goose Bay, Canada, in 1989; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figure by aircraft type.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information is as follows:

  Sorties

  C—130

  9

  Jaguar

  321

  Tornado GR1

  1,415

  759

  Sorties

  Tornado F3

  4

  1,749

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature and cause of the damage sustained by the Buccaneer aircraft, tail number XT276, of No. 16 squadron Royal Air Force, during exercise "Red Flag" in October-November 1981.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The nature of the damage sustained by Buccaneer XT276 in October 1981 was a bent lug in the locking mechanism of one of the wings. The cause of the damage is unknown, but it is likely to have occurred when the outer wing section was folded while the aircraft was on the ground.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many days in each year since 1985 instrument low-flying training operations were authorised in the Highlands restricted area on the same day as operational low-flying training was authorised in the northern Scotland tactical training area.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort. When, however, low flying using terrain following radar in instrument meteorological conditions is taking place in the Highlands restricted area, other aircraft are excluded.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the changes to procedures in the United Kingdom low-flying system introduced as a result of the air staff review of low-flying procedures in early 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom low-flying system is under continuous review but periodically, a wider and comprehensive study of low-flying procedures is carried out by the air staff. The most recent such study, which was completed in early 1989 confirmed the broad validity of procedures currently in force but introduced minor adjustments to the United Kingdom night low-flying system.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if toss or dive attacks are permitted during low-level simulated air attacks on active civilian airfields;

  (2) what is the stipulated minimum period of advance notice required by his Department for requests to carry out low-level mock attacks on civil airfields in the United Kingdom; and what records are kept of such requests and his Department's responses thereto;

  (3) what are the operational training advantages of low-level simulated air attacks by combat aircraft being carried out against active civilian airfields, as opposed to disused airfields or active military airfields;

  (4) what is the stipulated minimum period of advance notice required by his Department for requests to carry out low-level mock attacks on military airfields in the United Kingdom; and what records are kept of such requests and his Department's responses thereto.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the reason for the omission from his 760
  Department's evidence to the House Defence Committee inquiry on low flying of the accident involving a Dutch air force F-16 in the North sea off England on 13 June 1986.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the lateral radius by which military jet pilots flying below 250 ft are instructed to avoid the village of Dalmellington, Ayrshire.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is not our practice to release detailed information on flying restrictions in individual areas.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inert 1,000 lb bombs were dropped by Royal Air Force aircraft during low-level training operations from Canadian forces base Goose Bay in 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The answer is 293.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the dates and locations of the RAF navigation and bombing competition, the Salmond trophy, since 1987; how many low-level sorties were flown in each competition, and by which aircraft types; and what advance notification was given to the press and hon. Members of these events.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force aircraft, and of which types, have been deployed to Canadian forces base Goose Bay for low-level training in 1990; and what were the dates of each deployment.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information requested is as follows:

  Aircraft Type

  Number

  Deployment dates

  Tornado

  9

  19 April—31 August

  6

  31 May—28 June

  Harrier

  2

  4 September—14 September

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of booked low-flying hours in the United Kingdom in 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The total number of flying hours booked at low level in the United Kingdom in 1989 was 111,037.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reasons why the United Kingdom military low flying handbook is a classified document.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom military low flying handbook provides information the unauthorised disclosure of which would be undesirable in the interests of the nation.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many detachments of aircraft from RAF Germany have been made to RAF Machrihanish, for the purpose of low-level training, in 1990; and how many low-level sorties were flown during these detachments.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None.
  761
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the radius of the avoidance area for low flying established around Lockerbie immediately following the Pan Am 103 disaster in December 1988; what is the radius of the avoidance area currently in force; and what was the date of any changes to the size of the area.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have nothing to add to the reply that my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) gave the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 15 May 1989 at column 63.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying movements were authorised at less than 250 ft in each of the three tactical training areas in 1989; and on how many days during 1989 such flying was authorised in each of the tactical training areas.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that he received from my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) on 13 June 1990 at column 240.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum speed permitted in Royal Air Force regulations for Tornado aircraft on low-flying training sorties from Canadian forces base Goose Bay.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  RAF low-flying training sorties from Canadian forces base Goose Bay are subject to Canadian regulations which require aircraft to remain at subsonic speeds in the low-level training areas.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the stipulated minimum period of advance notice required by his Department for requests to conduct low flying over the United Kingdom at weekends or on public holidays; and what records are kept of such requests and his Department's responses thereto.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No particular period of notice is laid down for requests to conduct low-flying training over the United Kingdom at weekends or public holidays but any such flying is kept to a minimum, and is generally in support of the territorial forces or units that are not available at other times. Detailed statistics are not maintained of such requests which are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations within the United Kingdom of(a)the Jaguar wire strike incident on 15 June 1979 and (b)the Harrier tree-strike incident on 8 July 1988.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Jaguar wire-strike occurred one nautical mile north of Shipton-on-Stour. The tree strike to the Harrier was not discovered until after the aircraft had landed, and therefore it is not known where the incident occurred.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the proportion of total low-flying movements in the United Kingdom which occurred in each low-flying area in(a) 1988 and (b) 1989, in the manner provided for earlier years in his Department's evidence to the Defence Committee (HC 120, p. 159).

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  As the Defence Committee indicated in its report (HC 120, paragraph 34), raw 762
  movement statistics are of limited utility in assessing the relative impact of low-flying in different areas and it is not the general practice to publish information relating to individual low-flying areas. The distribution of low flying movements in the United Kingdom is, however, dependent on deployment and training patterns which do not vary greatly from year to year and the information requested for 1989 and 1988 would be broadly similar to that for 1987.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were carried out over the United Kingdom in each month from January to the latest available date.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The number of low-flying sorties flown in the United Kingdom in each month over the period 1 January 1990 to 31 August 1990 is as follows:

  Month

  Sorties

  1990

  January

  11,263

  February

  10,152

  March

  16,362

  April

  10,871

  May

  13,329

  June

  11,709

  July

  13,704

  August

  11,309

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force aircraft, and of which types, are currently deployed for low-level training at Goose Bay, Canada; and how many low-level sorties the Royal Air Force is expected to carry out there during 1990.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None. The number of low-level sorties carried out by the RAF in 1990 is expected to be about 900.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the change, in percentage terms, in the number of Royal Air Force fast jet pilots qualified to fly at 100 ft between 1979 and 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Lanyard Exercises
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the Red Lanyard exercise series; what types of aircraft are involved; and what plans exist for further exercises in this series.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Lanyard exercises are parachute exercises designed to keep 5 Airborne Brigade properly trained for its role. There are approximately six exercises per year at various training areas in the United Kingdom. The next exercise is planned to take place in March 1991 at Salisbury plain. A maximum of 15 Hercules aircraft are employed. The colour of the exercise denotes the battalion of the Parachute Regiment taking part; in this case, the first battalion.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the Green Lanyard exercise series; what type of aircraft are involved; and what plans exist for further exercises in this series.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Lanyard exercises are parachute exercises designed to keep 5 Airborne Brigade
  763
  properly trained for their role. There are approximately six exercises per year at various training areas in United Kingdom. The next exercise is planned to take place in March 1991 at Salisbury Plain. A maximum of 15 Hercules aircraft are employed. The colour of the exercise denotes the battalion of the Parachute Regiment taking part; in this case, the third battalion.

  Cannock Chase
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the activity around Cannock Chase for which a new temporary danger area, D299, has been created.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I understand that a temporary danger area D299 was established around Cannock Chase between 24 September and 12 October, following a request from the Staffordshire police in connection with terrorist investigations in their force area.

  Morocco
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits or deployments have been made by Royal Air Force aircraft to Morocco in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Detailed records of all visits or deployments by RAF aircraft to Morocco in each of the last five years are not available. In the last two years however, there have been four visits by RAF fast jet aircraft to Morocco in addition to which RAF transport aircraft have occasionally staged through Moroccan airfields on routine flights.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received for offsetting agreements involving the British Army purchasing Abrams M1A2 battle tanks and the United States army purchasing VSEL's AS90 self-propelled howitzers.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  None.

  Iraq
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present status of the British service men removed from Kuwait to Iraq; and what representations have been made on their behalf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The members of the British liaison team who have been moved to Iraq are being illegally detained. We continue to press for the immediate release of all hostages being held by Iraq, in accordance with international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list details of the dates, locations, aircraft involved and circumstances of each of the category A air misses between civil and military aircraft over the United Kingdom in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989, including the height at which each incident occurred.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Foreign Military Aircraft
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on inadvertent releases of weapons outside weapons range danger areas in the United Kingdom by foreign military aircraft since 1979; what is his Department's policy on the collection and monitoring of such information; and if his Department holds copies of the reports of inquiries into such incidents.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We have received only one report from a foreign air force about the inadvertent release of a practice bomb in the United Kingdom since 1979; full details of the circumstances were passed to the Ministry of Defence. The Department requires to be informed of any such incidents.

  Departmental Reorganisation
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what organisations and sections within his Department presently being housed in London are being considered for dispersal to provincial areas.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We are currently examining a number of relocation possibilities, including the transfer of further work from London to Harrogate. Details of which organisations and sections of the Department are involved will be announced once final decisions have been taken. Of course, all proposals must be justified on both economic and operational grounds.

  Shackleton Aircraft
  Mr. Kirk wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the circumstances in which an aircrew would be entitled to fly at will for a period in a Shackleton or Shackleton-type aircraft during military exercises;

  (2) which officers of which Air Force rank have the authority to instruct the crew of a Shackleton or Shackleton-type aircraft to fly at will on a course and height which had not been previously planned in the course of a military exercise;

  (3) what is the recognised procedure for Shackleton or Shackleton-type aircraft in circumstances during military exercises where the aircraft are not needed for the purposes of the exercise for a short period in the middle of the timetable for the exercise; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Appropriate RAF officers may authorise the aircrew of RAF aircraft such as the Shackleton to fly on a flight path and at a height of their own choosing during a military exercise, provided always that the aircrew can do so safely, and observe the rules of the air, including low-flying regulations where appropriate. RAF aircrew would be entitled to fly their aircraft in this way provided they had the appropriate authorisation, reported their intentions to any appropriate ground authorities, such as air traffic controllers, and flew safely and within the rules.

  Because of their slow speed, when RAF Shackleton aircraft are on exercise at some distance from their home base, RAF Lossiemouth, it is normal practice for the aircraft to remain airborne during any short break in the exercise, rather than return to RAF Lossiemouth, Iand and take off again soon after. It is more cost-effective for

  765
  the aircrew to remain in the air to conduct continuation training, including practising some of their secondary roles, such as search and rescue.

  Mr. Kirk wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the circumstances in which a Shackleton or Shackleton-type aircraft can be authorised to engage in low flying below 1,000 ft during military exercises;

  (2) whether there are any RAF plans to introduce low-flying training involving Shackleton or Shackleton-type aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Appropriately trained and authorised RAF aircrew are already permitted to fly low (that is, below a height of 2,000 ft) in RAF Shackleton aircraft, provided always that they can do so safely, and observe the regulations governing low flying. If these conditions are met, there is no reason in principle why RAF Shackleton aircraft should not fly below 1,000 ft during military exercises.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the board of inquiry report into the cause of the RAF Shackleton aircraft crash which occurred on the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles earlier this year; if he will list in the Official Report any changes in flying procedures for Shackletons or Shackleton-type aircraft which have been issued since the crash; what is the normal operational role of Shackleton or Shackleton-type aircraft in military exercises; and if it has changed in any way since the crash on the Isle of Harris.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We expect to publish the military aircraft accident summary concerning this tragic accident in the new year.

  The primary operational role of RAF Shackleton aircraft in military exercises is to provide airborne early warning, but the aircraft may also be used in a secondary role of search and rescue, to drop smoke flares. There have been no changes in these roles since the accident. The RAF has not promulgated any specific changes in flying procedures for RAF Shackleton aircraft since the accident.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rents are being paid to landlords in Saudi Arabia for land and buildings occupied by units of the Army, Air Force and Navy.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Many of the facilities used by British forces in Saudi Arabia are being made available by the Saudi Government. Where commercial arrangements are necessary, accommodation and land is being rented at current market rates.

  Submarines (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for East Lothian on 29 October,Official Report, column 314, if he will list the submarines that are to be decommissioned; and if he will make a statement on the expenditure already incurred on the current refitting of any of the submarines on that list.
  766
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The nuclear-powered submarines which my right hon. Friend has so far decided should be decommissioned following his 25 July announcement are: HMS Churchill, HMS Conqueror and HMS Warspite.

  Of these, HMS Churchill and HMS Warspite were in refit. The cost of their refits—including cancellation charges—is still being discussed with the contractors; such costs are in any case commercially confidential.

  RAF Bentwaters
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the reason for the construction of 293 new homes at RAF Bentwaters by the United States Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I understand that in 1985 the United States air force contracted for the provision of new married quarters at RAF Bentwaters to correct a critical shortage of accommodation in the local area. Work on these houses started in April 1990 and is due to be completed in late 1991.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Chieftain Tank
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it remains his intention to make a decision on the tank to replace the Chieftain tank by the end of this year.

  Mr. Tom King
  I had hoped to announce a decision on equipment for our future main battle tank fleet by the end of this year. It is now clear that, owing to the uncertainties created by recent events, I will be unable to do so. I expect to be able to announce a decision in the early spring of 1991.

  Surplus Toxic Materials
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning his Department's policy in auctioning to the highest bidder surplus toxic materials in respect of ensuring that such materials are disposed of in a safe and acceptable manner in agreement with waste disposal authorities.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Conservative Conference
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs were incurred by his Department in connection with the Conservative party conference in Bournemouth.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding reply 26 October 1990]In response to a routine request from the Dorset police, small numbers of specialist military personnel were
  767
  deployed to assist the police in searching the conference area for explosive devices and on standby for potential bomb disposal tasks. No readily identifiable additional costs to Defence votes arose from this operation.

  In addition, two members of my right hon. Friend's private office staff accompanied him to Bournemouth in order to deal with departmental work. Travel, subsistence and communications costs were incurred on Defence votes.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Records
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a breakdown of how the latest charge for microfiche records of individual registered companies supplied by the postal sales service was arrived at and what that charge is now.

  Mr. Redwood
  The charge for the postal sales service was arrived at after taking into account costs for: staff; equipment; accommodation and overheads. The present charge for a microfiche record by post is £5.

  Companies House
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much it cost to set up each of the Companies House offices in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

  Mr. Redwood
  The figure for setting up each office is in the region of £30,000. Items covered include advertising, furniture, computer equipment and microfiche viewing and copying equipment.

  £

  Equipment

  18,750

  Computer installation and Equipment

  11,500

  Advertising

  1,500

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was(a) the date on which each of the Companies House offices was opened in Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds and (b) for each of these for the last complete month of business, the cost of the facility, the revenue received, and the period covered by the answer for each of these offices.

  Mr. Redwood
  The dates on which each office opened are as follows:

  Manchester>

  7 December 1989

  Birmingham

  24 January 1990

  Leeds

  9 April 1990

  The last complete month of business was September 1990. The cost of providing the office facility in each was:

  £

  Manchester

  3,556

  Birmingham

  2,371

  Leeds

  4,132

  The revenue received in each office was:

  £

  Manchester

  12,538

  Birmingham

  12,749

  Leeds

  4,640

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average time his Department takes in replying to an hon. Member's letter; and what is(a) the shortest time and (b) the longest time it has taken to reply in full to an hon. Member's letter in the last Session of Parliament.

  Mr. Lilley
  On average my Department replies to letters from hon. Members within about 13 working days. The shortest time to reply to a letter in the last Session of Parliament was one day. The question about the longest time to reply to a letter can be answered only at a disproportionate cost.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he intends to have discussions with environmental and third-world groups about environmental aspects of the Uruguay round;

  (2) if Her Majesty's Government will enter into discussions with environmental and third-world groups about the possibility of adopting environmental approaches to the negotiations in the Uruguay round.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government have always welcomed the views of interested parties, including those with environmental concerns, on the issues involved in the Uruguay round; and have taken these into account in contributing to the formulation of Community policy positions. But the round is now entering the final weeks of a four-year negotiation, and it would not be practical to seek to introduce any major new initiatives at this stage.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will take steps to ensure that the Bergen objectives with regard to(a) ensuring trade does not harm the environment and (b) using trade to promote sustainable development are fulfilled;

  (2) what action his Department has taken to carry out the commitment given by Her Majesty's Government at the Bergen conference in May, to accelerate within the general agreement on tariffs and trade the dialogue on linkage between environmental and trade policies; how his Department has pursued the Bergen objectives of ensuring that trade does not harm the environment and of using trade to promote sustainable development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government have, through the European Community, participated actively in negotiations aimed at clarifying GATT rules related to the export of goods banned and severely controlled domestically for reasons including environmental protection. We will continue to play an active part, in GATT and elsewhere, in the developing international dialogue on the links between trade and the environment.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action his Department has taken to ensure that the Bergen objectives are incorporated in all general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiations;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to seek to ensure that the principles agreed at the Bergen conference are incorporated in all general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiations; and if he will make a statement.
  769
  Mr. Redwood
  The Government have taken steps to persuade the Commission that the Uruguay round negotiations, for example, those on agriculture and technical barriers to trade, take due account of environmental objectives. We will apply this principle where future GATT negotiations have significant environmental implications.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the Government's policy on incorporating environmental conditionality into GATT;

  (2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the principle of environmental conditionality within the general agreement on tariffs and trade and towards the case for blanket exception to general agreement on tariffs and trade rules where the enforcement of those rules would prevent genuine trade-neutral environmental protection.

  Mr. Redwood
  The implementation of genuinely trade-neutral environmental protection is unlikely to involve breaches of GATT rules. However, in cases where such breaches occur, article XX(b) of the general agreement provides a general exemption to enable measures"necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health".
  This exemption would, in our view, cover measures taken with suitable environmental objectives in mind.

  Data Processing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his review of United Kingdom production and trade in data processing machinery and so on is now complete; and when he expects to publish a report on his findings.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The report of a study into the broad balance of trade of major companies in the electronics and information technology sector will be laid in the House of Commons Library within a few weeks.

  Industry Council
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the discussion on state aids which took place at the last European Community Industry Council on 15 October and the position put forward by the United Kingdom Government.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Council discussed a proposal from the presidency that the Commission should be requested to bring forward to the Council a proposal for a regulation under article 94 of the EC treaty determining the rules for the application of state aid policy by the Commission. A majority of member states including the United Kingdom and the Commission itself took the view that such a regulation would unduly fetter the discretion of the Commission in this important area. The Commission committed itself instead to a number of measures designed to involve member states more closely in state aids policy and to introduce greater transparency and legal certainty.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the discussion on the steel industry which took place at the last European Community Industry Council on 15 October and the position put forward by the United Kingdom Government.
  770
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Industry Council discussed briefly a United States proposal for a multilateral agreement to strengthen disciplines over steel trade and steel subsidies. Informal contacts with the United States on this issue are continuing. An important point to consider is the need to avoid cutting across the current Uruguay round discussions which will include disciplines on all sectors of industry.

  Brewers
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect the Grand Metropolitan/Elders IXL pubs-breweries swap will have on the regional brewers with relation to the MMC report.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on Elders IXL Ltd. and Grand Metropolitan plc was published on 16 October—Cm. 1227. The MMC found that the proposed arrangements would be against the public interest unless modified, but none of its conclusions relates specifically to the position of the regional brewers.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average time which has elapsed between the receipt by his Department and the publication of a Monopolies and Mergers Commission report since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  We aim to publish reports of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission as soon as possible after receipt and generally within four to five weeks of their submission by the commission to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The time taken on individual reports varies in relation to the policy issues which arise, and the number of excisions which may be requested by the commercial parties from the published report. Statistics analysing the period since 1979 are not available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any changes have been made to Monopolies and Mergers Commission reports between their receipt by his Department and publication.

  Mr. Redwood
  My right hon Friend the Secretary of State has powers to exclude certain material from a Monopolies and Mergers Commission report, as laid before Parliament and as published, under the provisions of section 83(3) and (3A) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and under section 17(4) and (5) of the Competition Act 1980. He has no powers to edit or amend such a report. Notes in the text of the relevant reports indicate where such exclusions have been made.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the longest period and shortest period, respectively, which has elapsed between the receipt by his Department and the publication of a Monopolies and Mergers Commission report since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  We aim to publish reports of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission as soon as possible after receipt and generally within four to five weeks of their submission by the Commission to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The time taken on individual reports varies in relation to the policy issues which arise, and the
  771
  number of excisions which may be requested by the commercial parties from the published report. Statistics analysing the period since 1979 are not available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department was consulted by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on its report on the British Coal Corporation prior to its submission.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission did not consult the Department about the content of this report prior to submission to the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the reasons for the delay between the submission of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the British Coal Corporation and its publication.

  Mr. Redwood
  Monopolies and Mergers Commission reports are published as promptly as possible but some delay inevitably arises, first from the process of publication itself and second from the statutory requirement for the Secretary of State to consider whether the publication of any matter in the report would be against the public interest.

  Brno Exhibition
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department gave financial or technical assistance to any British company to facilitate participation in the Brno environmental exhibition held from 23 to 25 October.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department provides financial and technical support for 6,000 to 7,000 companies at more than 300 overseas trade fairs each year. The programme of support for 1990–91 announced last November, included the major engineering fair at Brno, in which environmental-related products were included, but not the environmental fair.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any Minister or official from his Department attended the environmental exhibition in Brno, Czechoslovakia, held on 23 to 25 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 30 October 1990]: No Minister or official from my Department visited the exhibition. United Kingdom firms were, of course, free to attend if they chose. However, the Department hoped to support a group of some 60 companies at the Brno engineering fair, which took place in September; 55

  Sources of United Kingdom sales of bicycles—1980–1990

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Australia

  *

  *

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  Austria

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Bahamas

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  Belgium-Luxembourg

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Brazil

  *

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  —

  Canada

  *

  *

  *

  —

  —

  *

  —

  *

  *

  *

  Chile

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  China

  *

  *

  *

  —

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Cyprus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Czechoslovakia

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Denmark

  —

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  772
  companies attended with DTI support. Some of the companies in the British group exhibited equipment which had application in the field of environmental protection. At the request of my Department, Dr. N. S. Wooding, chairman of the East European Trade Council, visited this trade fair, where he met all the British companies present, including those exhibiting independently of DTI support.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British companies attended the environmental exhibition in Brno, Czechoslovakia, held from 23 to 25 October; what proportion this represented of the total; and what information he has on the corresponding figures from West Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Austria.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 30 October 1990]: According to information supplied by the organisers of the exhibition, five British companies attended. This was 2 per cent, of the total participation of 250 companies. Figures also provided by the organisers give the following participation level for the countries listed in the question:

  Country

  Number of companies

  Per cent.

  West Germany

  24

  9·6

  France

  1

  0·4

  Italy

  3

  1·2

  Sweden

  No participation

  Austria

  61

  24·4

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will show the total public expenditure on trade and industry broken down by standard region for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The most up-to-date figures showing public expenditure on trade and industry broken down by region can be found in the Industrial Development Act annual report for the year ended 31 March 1990. Copies of this report are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the sources of all pedal bicycles sold in the United Kingdom by country of manufacture for the years 1980–89 or the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The available information is in the table.
  773

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Federal Republic of Germany

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Finland

  *

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  France

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  German Democratic Republic

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gibraltar

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hong Kong

  *

  *

  —

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Hungary

  *

  *

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Iceland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  India

  *

  *

  *

  —

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Indonesia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  Irish Republic

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Israel

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Italy

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Japan

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Kampuchea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  Kenya

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Malaysia

  —

  *

  *

  —

  *

  *

  —

  —

  —

  *

  Mexico

  *

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  —

  Netherlands

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  New Zealand

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  *

  —

  —

  —

  *

  Nicaragua

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Nigeria

  *

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  *

  Norway

  *

  —

  *

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  —

  *

  Pakistan

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Poland

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Portugal

  *

  *

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  Singapore

  —

  *

  —

  —

  *

  *

  —

  —

  *

  *

  South Africa

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  *

  —

  *

  —

  *

  South Korea

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  Soviet Union

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Spain

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Sri Lanka

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sweden

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Switzerland

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Taiwan

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Thailand

  *

  *

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Tunisia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  United Kingdom

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  United States of America

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Vietnam

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yugoslavia

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Source: Customs and Excise

  Classification: SITC 785.2. Bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tricycles), not motorised.

  Key: * Imports of bicycles from this country in specified year.

  —zero imports.

  Note: It is presumed that at least some of the bicycles imported from a particular country in a specified year are sold in the United Kingdom in that year.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of United Kingdom sales of pedal bicycles were imported models; and what percentage were United Kingdom manufactured in each of the years 1980 to 1989 or the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The available information is as follows:

  Pedal cycles and parts (SIC 3634)

  Proportion of United Kingdom market1 Per cent.

  Imports2

  Home production3

  1980

  43

  57

  1981

  46

  54

  1982

  48

  52

  1983

  49

  51

  1984

  57

  43

  1985

  51

  49

  1986

  58

  42

  1987

  65

  35

  1988

  60

  40

  12 months to March 1989

  60

  40

  1 The United Kingdom market is defined here as United Kingdom manufacturers plus imports less exports.

  2 Import Penetration. Source: Industrial Economic database

  774
  (DTI). Figures for the rest of 1989 available.

  3 Estimated as 100 per cent, less import penetration. All percentages are calculated in terms of value.

  Consumer Protection
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the offences which may be committed by companies relating to the protection of consumers or the general public, in each case specifying the notices which may be served on companies which fail to comply with statutory provisions.

  Mr. Redwood
  A large number of Acts impose obligations on companies and others for the protection of consumer or the general public. The information is not readily available in the form requested and could not be provided without disproportionate expense.

  Junk Mail
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures can be taken by members of the public to prevent the delivery of junk mail.

  Mr. Redwood
  They can register with the Mailing Preference Service which was set up, with the support of
  775
  the Post Office, by the main trade associations representing the direct marketing industry. It enables individuals' names to be deleted from the mailing lists held by member organisations. The service claims to cover 80 per cent, of mailing lists.

  An application form can be obtained from the service's freepost address.

  Postage Stamps
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has had any meetings with his ministerial counterparts from the other member states of the Universal Postal Union to promote co-operation and in particular to ensure mutual acceptability of postage stamps and obviate the need for air mail stickers.

  Mr. Redwood
  No, although my officials together with representatives of the Post Office regularly attend meetings with other member countries of the Universal Postal Union to discuss matters of mutual interest. However, the issue of postage stamps and the manner in which mail is exchanged internationally is an operational matter for the Post Office itself.

  Business and the Environment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all conferences(a) to which his Department was or has been invited to contribute and (b) where his Department accepted an invitation to contribute, on "Business And The Environment in 1990".

  Mr. Redwood
  Records of all such invitations received are not held centrally. Nor are acceptances, but research in the time available indicates the Department will have contributed to around 70 such events by the end of 1990.

  In addition the Department will itself have organised and participated in over 30 seminars during 1990 on subjects such as waste minimisation, environmental technology and environmental labelling.

  Recordings
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the average price at cost(a) wholesale and (b) retail of compact discs, long-playing records, and pre-recorded cassettes; and if he can give an estimate of profit margin at each of these stages.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is not available from Government sources. The hon. Member may however wish to consult the 1989–90 year book of the British Phonographic Industry which contains some of the information he requests on the basis of data collected by the industry itself.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 95 single market measures not yet agreed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Part B of my Department's checklist on progress on the Commission's white paper, a copy of which is deposited in the Library of the House lists 109 measures which require Council adoption. Of these 109, seven have common positions agreed, five are partially adopted and two are political agreements, leaving 95 measures which have not yet been agreed.

  Financial Services Tribunal
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to how many cases have been dealt with by the financial services tribunal.

  Mr. Redwood
  I understand that to date seven cases have been referred to the financial services tribunal. Reports on two cases have been completed, three cases have been withdrawn and two cases are still before the tribunal.

  Credit Cards
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will lay orders implementing the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on credit card services in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Redwood
  I made the Credit Card (Price Discrimination) Order and the Credit Card (Merchant Acquisition) Order yesterday and have laid them today.

  On 13 March this year I announced that we had decided to proceed to statutory consultation preliminary to the making of orders under section 56 of the Fair Trading Act.

  That consultation is complete and I am today laying the orders to implement our decisions on the MMC report on credit card services. Traders will no longer have to charge cash customers the same price as those paying by credit card. This should lead to a fairer deal for the majority of shoppers. The orders should also allow more banks and financial institutions to come into the credit card business and thereby enhance competition.

  The MMC in its report made two recommendations applicable to credit card services:
  —the "no discrimination" rule, under which traders are required to charge the same price for purchases made with credit cards as those paid for by cash or other means, should not apply within the UK;
  —certain rules restricting the freedom of issuers of Visa and Mastercard cards to act as merchant acquirers, should not apply within the UK.

  The Credit Cards (Price Discrimination) Order requires that the credit card companies' "no discrimination" rules be abolished before 7 March 1991 and allows traders to price differentially by that date, if the trader so wishes, on purchases made with credit cards or certain cards not readily distinguishable from credit cards.

  Credit card companies will be free if they feel it appropriate to limit traders' price differentials to a maximum of the charge levied on the trader by the merchant acquirer for credit card use—this is currently less than 2 per cent, on average.

  The Credit Cards (Merchant Acquisition) Order makes it unlawful, subject to certain exceptions, for payment card organisations to prevent any person authorised by them to carry on business as a payment card issuer from acting as a merchant acquirer for that organisation's cards once the person commences to carry on business as a credit card issuer. Payment card organisations may not require payment cards to be issued before an authorised person may act as an acquirer.

  In addition to these orders, we are preparing regulations to be made under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, and for petrol, an order under the Prices Act 1974 to ensure that any differential pricing is clearly indicated to the consumer. It is intended that these will

  777
  come into force at the same time as the order requiring the abolition of the "no discrimination" rules on 28 February 1991, subject to consideration of comments made in the course of consultation.

  In the expectation that these orders will further open the credit card market and bring the benefits anticipated by the MMC from increased competition I have decided not at this time to bring forward a further order to require mechant acquirers to publish certain information on their charges and to submit information to the Director General of Fair Trading. We will watch with the DGFT developments in competition in the credit card market, particularly in the light of the two orders I am laying today, and will consider the position again if necessary.

  Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from citizens advice bureaux regarding the impact of community charge capping on the level of services provided by citizens advice bureaux; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department has received a few representations on this subject. Whether and how much a local authority supports a local citizens advice bureau is a matter for that authority. This is the case whether or not the authority is community charge-capped.

  Company Legislation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether he will seek to introduce legislation to give individual shareholders access to information which the directors have used for decision-making.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The imposition of such a requirement would give rise to considerable difficulties for companies given the range of information used by directors and the fact that it is frequently confidential and price sensitive in nature.

  Fibreboard Packaging
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to fibreboard packaging into the 1990s to be diplayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Redwood
  Arrangements have been made for an exhibition to take place in the Upper Waiting Hall in the week beginning Monday 19 November. Lord Hesketh, Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry, will be formally opening the exhibition at 3 pm on Tuesday 20 November.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department is taking to promote safety at fireworks events and at private bonfire parties; what was the number of injuries involving fireworks for each of the past five years; how much his Department will spend on publicity to promote firework safety this year; and how much was spent on publicity to promote firework safety for each of the past five years.
  778
  Mr. Redwood
  The Government have phased out the more hazardous types of firework, approved the British standard for the performance and labelling of fireworks, strengthened the legislation against the abuse of fireworks and mount an annual firework safety campaign to persuade the public to treat fireworks with care. Figures for injuries were published in the Official Report on 21 March 1990, at columns 614–16. Each year we spend some £75,000 on publicity and the industry spends a similar amount.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his Department's budget for the current firework safety campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 30 October 1990]: My Department is spending some £75,000 on this year's firework safety campaign, but we hope that this will attract as it did last year, several hundred thousand pounds' worth of media time as a result.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the law on fireworks, with a view to restricting disturbance to individuals and terror to pets over several weeks prior to 5 November.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 30 October 1990]: My Department keeps the law on fireworks under review. The present policy of restricting their sale to three weeks before 5 November and one week after, together with the rigorous enforcement of the law preventing the sale of fireworks to the under 16-year-olds and the throwing of fireworks about in the street and other public places, is designed to minimise disturbance to individuals and pets.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to seek to amend legislation relating to the use of fireworks to cover fireworks and fireworks displays other than in the period around 5 November.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 31 October 1990]: There is a voluntary agreement to restrict the sale of fireworks for the four weeks around 5 November, a law against selling fireworks to under-16s and against letting them off in the street. This provides a framework of protection, but my Department is always prepared to look at suggestions for improving firework safety.

  Telecommunications
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action has been taken following the work of COST 219 to improve the access of people with disabilities to telecommunication and teleinformation facilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The COST programme provides a framework in which European organisations can carry out long-term research on a collaborative basis. The COST 219 project is not due to be completed until 1991. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf and British Telecom are both participating in the project from the United Kingdom.

  Net Book Agreement
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to re-examine the workings of the net book agreement.

  Mr. Redwood
  In both 1962 and 1968 the restrictive practices court found the operation of the net book agreement not to be contrary to the public interest. The Director General of Fair Trading carried out a substantial investigation into the operation and effects of the net book agreement in 1989 to see whether circumstances had changed. He concluded that there was an insufficiently strong basis to justify his making an application to the restrictive practices court for a re-examination of the issues. The possibility of making such an application in the future is kept under review by the director general.

  "Waste Doesn't Pay" Seminars
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contribution was made by his Department to the "Waste Doesn't Pay" seminars organised by the Confederation of British Industry.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department and the CBI planned the seminars jointly and shared the work of finding speakers. Local organisation was provided by the CBI for 10 seminars and by my Department for 2. My Department also provided publicity material for the whole series of seminars. The seminars have been attended by over 700 people in total.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West,Official Report, 22 October, column 55, he will set out the reasons why his Department decided to respond to the request to participate in the "Panorama" programme on Iraq by supplying written replies.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 29 October 1990]: The terms of the agreement eventually reached with "Panorama" on the participation of my Department in the programme on Iraq were that the programme would provide written questions to which my Department would supply written answers. Some of the answers were used in the programme.

  Company Directors (Disqualification)
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was, for each of the last five years(a) the number of representations received from liquidators with a view to the institution of proceedings for the disqualification of company directors and (b) the number of prosecutions actually made.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 29 October 1990]: Insolvency practitioners were first required to submit
  780
  statutory returns and reports on the conduct of the directors of insolvent companies under the Insolvency Act 1985 from 28 April 1986. On 29 December 1986 the relevant provisions of this Act, together with the director disqualification provision of the Companies Act 1985, were re-enacted in the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

  Insolvency practitioners are required to make returns where they find no unfitted conduct and reports when they believe there has been unfitted conduct.

  The statistical information the hon. Member requires on the submissions of reports and returns by insolvency practitioners and the disqualification of company directors in England, Wales and Scotland, covering the period from 28 April 1986 to 30 September 1990, is as follows:

  Conduct reports received1

  Returns received2

  1986

  232

  1,754

  1987

  2,104

  9,148

  1988

  2,987

  6,878

  1989

  2,037

  4,500

  1990

  2,051

  7,373

  1 Unfitted conduct.

  2 No unfitted conduct.

  Many of these unfitted reports related to minor, one-off cases of bad conduct. These would not usually result in court proceedings because a court would not consider it sufficient to warrant disqualification. Disqualification proceedings have been commenced in all those cases of multiple bad conduct or where its gravity means disqualification is likely.

  Companies

  Directors

  1986

  —

  —

  1987

  30

  41

  1988

  144

  219

  1989

  163

  267

  1990

  145

  224

  As some voluntary liquidation and receivership cases subsequently involve court winding-up orders, I set out in the table details of disqualification proceedings commenced in official receivers' cases in the same period:

  Companies

  Directors

  1986

  20

  22

  1987

  110

  139

  1988

  157

  202

  1989

  137

  173

  1990

  83

  109

  Disqualification proceedings brought against an individual director may include allegations of unfitness emanating from more than one insolvent company.

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

ROYAL COMMISSION
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern): My Lords, it not being convenient for Her Majesty to be personally present here this day, she has been pleased to cause a Commission under the Great Seal to be prepared for proroguing this present Parliament.
Then, the Lords Commissioners (being the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Aberdare, the Lord Denham, the Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos and the Lord Jenkins of Hillhead) being present and the Commons being at the Bar, the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally present here at this time, has been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, and thereby given Her Royal Assent to divers Acts which have been agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament, the Titles whereof are particularly mentioned, and by the said Commission has commanded Us to declare and notify Her Royal Assent to the said several Acts, in the presence of you the Lords and Commons assembled for that purpose; and has also assigned to Us and other Lords directed full power and authority in Her Majesty's name to prorogue this present Parliament. Which Commission you will now hear read.
A Commission for Royal Assent and Prorogation was read.
The Lord Chancellor: My Lords, in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, and by virtue of the Commission which has been now read, We do declare and notify to you, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament assembled, that Her Majesty has given Her Royal Assent to the several Acts in the Commission mentioned; and the Clerks are required to pass the same in the usual Form and Words.
The following Acts received the Royal Assent:
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act,
Employment Act,
Landlord and Tenant (Licensed Premises) Act,
Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act,
Courts and Legal Services Act,
Broadcasting Act,
Environmental Protection Act,
Caldey Island Act,
City of Dundee District Council Order Confirmation Act,
Zetland Masonic Sick and Widows and Orphans Fund Order Confirmation Act,
London Local Authorities (No. 2) Act,
Port of Tyne Act.

Prorogation: Her Majesty's Speech
Her Majesty's most gracious Speech was then delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command) as follows:
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the state visits of His Excellency the President of the Republic of India and Mrs. Venkataraman in April and His Excellency the President of the Italian Republic in October.
"We recall with pleasure our visit to New Zealand in February for the 150th anniversary of the Waitangi Treaty and for the Commonwealth Games. We remember with satisfaction our state visit to Iceland in June, followed by a visit I made to Canada.
"My Government have played a full and vigorous part in the actions taken by the United Nations and the international community to bring about the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait and the restoration of that country's independence and legitimate government. They have responded quickly to requests by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other governments of the region to contribute to their defence. They have made clear their determination that this act of aggression will not be allowed to succeed.
"My Government have welcomed continuing progress towards economic and political reform in the Soviet Union and the far-reaching political changes which have taken place in most Eastern European countries.
"My Government have welcomed the changes in the German Democratic Republic. They have played a constructive part in the preparation for the unification of Germany and the ending of the four party rights and responsibilities.
"My Government have maintained a sound defence based on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. They have played a lull part in the process of adapting NATO to the new circumstances in Europe set in hand at the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in London in July.
"My Government have continued to work for balanced and verifiable arms control agreements. They have played a full part in the negotiations on reducing conventional forces in Europe and in the talks in Geneva on the abolition of chemical weapons. My Government played an important part in the Fourth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"My Government have continued to work actively for the completion of the single European market. They have made proposals relating to the forthcoming inter-governmental conference for economic and monetary union. They played a full part in the Community and wider international

1905
response to economic and political reform in Eastern Europe and in multilateral negotiations to liberalise international trade.
"They have, with our European partners, concluded a Fourth Lomé Agreement.
"My Government have welcomed the independence of Namibia and its membership of the Commonwealth. In South Africa there has been welcome progress towards the end of apartheid.
"My Government have maintained a substantial and effective overseas aid programme to assist developing countries.
"My Government welcomed the extension of democratic government in Latin America. They were pleased to re-establish diplomatic relations with Argentina and Iran.
"My Government have continued their sustained efforts to combat terrorism in the United Kingdom and overseas. They welcomed the recent release of hostages from Lebanon and have continued their efforts to secure the release of all Britons held hostage or detained in the Middle East.
"My Government convened the World Ministerial Drugs Summit in April, and have given practical support to other governments, particularly in Colombia. They have concluded agreements to confiscate drug traffickers' funds with seven governments.
"My Government hosted the second meeting of parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in June, at which a significant strengthening of controls was agreed.
"Members of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the provision which you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"My Government have continued to pursue firm financial policies necessary for sustained economic growth. To reinforce these anti-inflationary policies, they have brought the pound sterling into the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system. They have made a public sector debt repayment for the third successive year, reducing government debt to levels not seen since the First World War. National output has continued to grow and living standards to increase. The number of people in employment has risen further.
"As part of My Government's programme to improve the performance of the economy and encourage saving, legislation has been enacted to allow the introduction of tax exempt special savings accounts and to abolish the composite rate of tax and stamp duty on share transactions. The independent taxation of married women has come into effect.
"The 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales have been sold, continuing My Government's programme of encouraging greater industrial efficiency and wider share ownership.
"An Act has been passed to provide new powers to control pollution and waste and also to reorganise nature conservation in Great Britain.
"A White Paper has been published providing Britain's first comprehensive survey of all aspects of environmental concern and setting out a strategy for the environment over the next decade.
"An Act has been passed to improve aviation and maritime security.
"Legislation has been enacted to make further reforms in industrial relations and trade union law.
"Legislation has been enacted to improve maintenance arrangements for lone parents, to give better protection for members of occupational pension schemes and to begin changing the structure of disability benefits.
"An Act has been passed to improve the National Health Service and the management of community care.
"An Act has been passed to institute a legal framework for scientific developments in human fertilisation and embryology.
"An Act has been passed to improve the administration of civil justice and increase choice in the provision of legal services.
"An Act has been passed to strengthen the law on food safety and consumer protection.
"Legislation has been enacted to supplement students' grants with loans.
"My Government have worked to restore confidence in Hong Kong, building on the Sino-British Joint Agreement. My Government have passed an Act to encourage key Hong Kong personnel and their families to remain there by giving them the assurance of British citizenship, thereby helping to maintain the future stability and prosperity of the territory.
"An Act has been passed to reform the framework for commercial broadcasting, providing for a wider choice while strengthening the oversight of programme standards.
"An Act has been passed to enhance international co-operation in the investigation and prosecution of crime.
"In Northern Ireland, My Government have continued their efforts to combat terrorism, to tackle the Province's political, social and economic problems and to work constructively within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
"For Scotland, legislation has been enacted to create Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to provide for the winding up of the new town development corporations and to effect certain law reform measures.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you."
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has been now read we do in Her Majesty's
1908
name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to the 7th day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday, the 7th day of this instant November.
Parliament was prorogued at six minutes past ten o'clock.

  LOW-AND ALCOHOL-FREE BEERS: PRICING
  LOW-AND ALCOHOL-FREE BEERS: PRICING
  OFFICIAL REPORT: PRICE
  OFFICIAL REPORT: PRICE
  MENTALLY DISTURBED DEFENDANTS: BAIL HOSTEL PLACES
  MENTALLY DISTURBED DEFENDANTS: BAIL HOSTEL PLACES
  PRISONS: MENTAL DISORDER AND ADDICTION
  PRISONS: MENTAL DISORDER AND ADDICTION
  PSYCHIATRIC REPORTS FOR COURTS
  PSYCHIATRIC REPORTS FOR COURTS
  MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF SKIN: STATISTICS
  MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF SKIN: STATISTICS
  NHS: APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANTS
  NHS: APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANTS
  MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDERS: NHS ACCOMMODATION
  MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDERS: NHS ACCOMMODATION
  NHS WAITING LISTS
  NHS WAITING LISTS