Sitting of 8 November 1995

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

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

PRAYERS

  Royal Assent
  10.10 am
  Madam 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:

  Atomic Energy Authority Act 1995

  Civil Evidence Act 1995

  Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995

  Criminal Procedure (Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1995

  Law Reform (Succession) Act 1995

  Private International Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995

  Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995

  Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1995

  Gas Act 1995

  Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

  Northern Ireland (Remission of Sentences) Act 1995

  Charities (Amendment) Act 1995

  Town and Country Planning (Cost of Inquiries etc.) Act 1995

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995

  Medical (Professional Performance) Act 1995

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995

  Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995

  Loch Leven and Lochaber Water Power Order Confirmation Act 1995

  Accommodation Level Crossings Act 1995

  Queen Mary and Westfield College Act 1995

  London Local Authorities Act 1995

Prorogation

  Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech
  Madam Speaker: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, one of the Lord Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command. For greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Votes and Proceedings. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
  The Gracious Speech was as follows:
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait in May and His Excellency the President of Finland in October. We also remember with great pleasure our State Visit to South Africa in March. We are enjoying our visit to New Zealand, where we shall be present at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
  The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive Heads of State and Government, or their representatives, from fifty-six countries, to commemorate Victory in Europe Day in May. We were also pleased to see many veterans, and representatives from countries whose forces served under the Crown during the Second World War, in London in August to attend the ceremonies to commemorate the fiftieth anniversaries of the end of the Second World War.
  We were pleased to attend the ceremony marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in London in June.
  My Government continued to make provision for the defence of the United Kingdom and our allies and for the promotion of international peace and stability. They were among the leading participants in United Nations peace-keeping operations. They contributed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to the development of effective and reliable European defence arrangements which complement those of NATO. They welcomed the success of the Partnership for Peace between the countries of NATO and other countries of Europe; the commitment by NATO and Russia to build a co-operative relationship; and the decision to extend indefinitely the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  My Government continued to be at the forefront of attempts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. In response to a worsening of the conflict there, they substantially increased the British contribution to United Nations operations and provided humanitarian aid on a significant scale to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. In Africa, my Government helped the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity in their work to prevent and resolve conflicts.
  My Government have continued to act vigorously against terrorism, drugs and organised crime, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
  In the European Union, my Government welcomed the accession of Sweden, Finland and Austria. They worked to promote a closer relationship between the European Union and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe,

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  with a view to the enlargement of the Union. They continued to help the former communist states of Europe and Asia to establish democratic market economies: bilaterally, using the Know How Fund, and together with our European Union Partners.
  My Government contributed to the European Union's efforts to combat unemployment and promote growth. They secured agreement to liberalise telecommunications by 1998. They worked to promote effective action against fraud and to achieve higher standards of farm animal welfare throughout the European Union. They participated in meetings of the Study Group which is preparing for the 1996 Inter-Governmental Conference. They welcomed the Commission's first annual report on subsidiarity.
  Reducing poverty in the poorest countries remained a priority. To this end, my Government continued a substantial overseas aid programme and took a leading role in securing more generous terms for bilateral debt relief for the poorest, most indebted countries.
  At the Summit of the seven leading industrialised nations in Halifax in June, my Government contributed to far-reaching proposals on the reform of the international financial institutions and the United Nations. They worked at home and with our European Union partners to implement the outcome of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations.
  In the interests of the people of Hong Kong, my Government worked to achieve a smooth transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997. My Government in Bermuda consulted the people of Bermuda about the future constitutional arrangements for the Territory and its relationship with the United Kingdom. My Government gave assistance to the Cayman Islands to alleviate the problems caused by the arrival of a large number of migrants from Cuba in 1994.
  In Northern Ireland my Government have continued to promote peace and political stability and to encourage progress towards a political settlement. They held substantive talks with the Northern Ireland parties and other exploratory talks. They published a document describing a framework for a political accommodation in respect of Northern Ireland. Legislation has been passed to enable certain prisoners to be released on licence at the half-way point of their sentence. My Government have sought to improve social and economic conditions through inward investment and other means.
  Members of the House of Commons
  I thank you for the provision 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 pursued firm financial policies which have allowed recovery to broaden and strengthen, while maintaining low inflation. Measures have been taken to ensure that the public sector borrowing requirement is brought back towards balance over the medium term.
  My Government showed their commitment to improving the nation's competitiveness through the White Paper "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead." Legislation has been
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  passed to promote increased competition in the supply of gas to customers, and to reform the agricultural tenancy laws in England and Wales, so that more agricultural land is made available for rent. The first proposals were made for use of the new deregulation order-making power.
  An Act has been passed to create a Jobseeker's Allowance, reforming benefits for unemployed people and giving them better help into work.
  The Sunday licensing hours have been revised.
  My Government continued to pursue a programme of privatisation with the successful sale of the coal mining activities of British Coal. They published a White Paper on the future prospects for nuclear power in the United Kingdom and began work to transfer parts of the industry to the private sector.
  An Act has been passed which takes forward my Government's commitment to sustainable development and the protection of the environment.
  The criminal justice system has been improved through legislation to establish a Criminal Cases Review Commission for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and to provide statutory authority for a compensation scheme for victims of violent crime. Legislation has also been enacted to reform the Scottish criminal justice system and the law relating to children and their families in Scotland.
  Legislation has been passed to combat discrimination against disabled people; to improve child support; to equalise the State Pension age between men and women; and to improve security, equality and choice in non-state pensions.
  Health services have been strengthened. An Act has been passed to make further improvements to the management of the National Health Service. There has also been legislation to provide for people with a severe mental disorder discharged from hospital to be cared for under supervision, and to increase the powers of the General Medical Council to deal with doctors whose professional performance is seriously deficient.
  Further successful use has been made of new procedures for enacting uncontroversial measures of law reform.
  Other important measures have been enacted.
  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 fifteenth day of this instant November, to be then here holden and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the fifteenth day of this instant November."
  End of the Third Session (opened on 16 November 1994) of the Fifty-First Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Forty-Third Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Centre for Information Systems
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will outline his proposals for the future of the CCTA, the Government Centre for Information Systems. [42350]

  Mr. Freeman
  The CCTA offers an advisory service to Departments on the procurement of information technology and information systems, on which Government spend over £2 billion a year. But it does not have a sufficiently central place to influence and co-ordinate the strategy of Government in relation to information systems so as to ensure that the latest technology is harnessed to improve co-ordination across Government and the effective delivery of services to the public.

  I therefore propose to establish a small central unit in the Office of Public Service designed to secure a strategic approach to IT across Government. It will be known as the central IT unit, and will work in close co-operation with the DTI, which is the sponsoring Department for the industry. It is expected to comprise no more than eight to 10 people drawn from the private and public sector. The unit will report through me to the Deputy Prime Minister.

  At the same time, the existing CCTA will concentrate on providing intelligent customer support on IT issues to Departments and agencies which so wish to be advised and on a full repayment basis. We shall be consulting customers and staff about the appropriate status and role for CCTA and considering whether there is scope for more private sector involvement in its ownership and management. I intend to make a more detailed announcement in due course.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 7–10—, on next steps agencies what estimates he has made of the proportion of civil servants working in next steps agencies in (a) April 1996 and (b) April 1997.

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The next steps programme is on course towards the Government's expectation that it will cover about three quarters of the civil service as a whole. Projecting proportionate coverage is uncertain because decisions on whether to establish candidate functions as agencies and the exact timing of the launch have yet to be made and will depend on a variety of considerations—and because the overall numbers of civil servants continue to fall.
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  However, taking our current indications of potential launches in April 1996 and adding their current staffing into the proportions I gave for 1 April 1995 in my report of 30 October would produce the following figures:

  1995 including possible April 1996 launches

  Per cent.

  Indicative projection of Home civil servants working on ext Steps lines on 1 April

  70

  Indicative projection of civil servants in Northern Ireland working on Next Steps lines on 1 April

  72

  Thereafter and on the same basis, I estimate that these proportions would rise to 75 per cent. and 78 per cent. respectively on the assumption that all functions currently under consideration were launched as agencies, mostly by April 1997.

  Civil Service
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will update table 8 of the Cabinet Office publication "10 Years Progress Report" on promotion rates in the administration group to include 1994–95 and extend the table to take in the higher executive grades of the service to grade 2 for the years 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 for men and women. [41749]

  Mr. Horam
  An up-dated table will appear in the data summary on equal opportunities in the civil service in 1994–5. This will be produced early in the new year, and copies will be laid in both Libraries of the House. There are no plans, however, to extend the table to the highest grades, as the numbers involved are too small to show meaningful trends.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will update table 1 of the Cabinet Office publication "10 Years Progress Report" on women's grade levels in the non-industrial home civil service at 1 April to include 1994–95. [41750]

  Mr. Horam
  An updated table will appear in the data summary on equal opportunities in the civil service in 1994–95. This will be produced early in the new year, and copies will be laid in both Libraries of the House. I also refer the hon. Member to figure 18 and table 4a in "Civil Service Statistics 1995"—placed in the House of Commons Library on 31 October 1995—about the proportion of women at key grade levels and occupational groups.

  Outside Consultants
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the projects undertaken since 1992 by the Office of Public Service where outside consultants have been employed; and if he will list the contract fee and consultant in each case. [39831]

  Mr. Freeman
  The details of individual consultancy contracts let by the Office of Public Service and its agencies where outside consultants may have been used in some part of the contract are not held centrally in the form requested. The full information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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  However, the costs of external consultancy contracts let by the Office of Public Service and its agencies in the last two completed financial years are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  5,697,880

  1994–95

  5,832,044

  The greater part of these totals was consultancy to CCTA, the Government Centre for Information Systems, mainly for the benefit of other Departments.

  Charter Mark
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those organisations which have unsuccessfully applied for a charter mark. [42169]

  Mr. Horam
  Applications for a charter mark are confidential. We publicise only the names of the winners and those who are highly commended. These we will announce at the charter mark awards ceremony on 4 December.

  We do not disclose the names of unsuccessful applicants. It is for those organisations to decide for themselves whether to publicise the fact that they have applied.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many persons in the Deputy Prime Minister's office and in the Office of Public Service are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42055]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  There are no staff within my private office and the Office of Public Service employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry on a full-time or part-time basis, although some will inevitably be involved from time to time. There are also no external consultants or advisers employed on such matters by my private office or the Office of Public Service. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.

  Parliamentary Candidates
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what rules govern parliamentary candidatures for senior Crown servants. [40900]

  Mr. Freeman
  Section 1 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 disqualifies for membership of the House of Commons any person employed in the civil service of the Crown, or any member of the regular armed forces of the Crown. Civil servants, except those in industrial and non-office grades, must resign from the civil service on their formal adoption as a parliamentary candidate. Industrial and non-office grade civil servants must resign before they give their consent to nomination in accordance with the parliamentary election rules.
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  Deregulation Task Force
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff have been employed on the deregulation task force; and what is the total estimated cost of its operations since it was established. [42031]

  Mr. Freeman
  The deregulation task force is assisted by three staff in the deregulation unit of the Cabinet Office, who provide administrative support. Its members are not paid, but they receive travel and subsistence expenses.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many committees and sub-committees of the deregulation task force have been established since its inception; and how many reports have been produced by them. [42030]

  Mr. Freeman
  There have been 10 ad hoc working groups since the inception of the deregulation task force, of which some have included non-task force members. The task force has produced two reports: "The Charities and Voluntary Organisations Report", which was published in July; and the task force's first annual report, which was published in September. Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the 870 regulations identified by the deregulation task force were introduced since 1979. [42029]

  Mr. Freeman
  The 870 recommendations were made by Lord Sainsbury's eight deregulation task forces and published in 1994. The recommendations did not just identify regulations but covered other areas, such as enforcement. It would involve disproportionate cost to identify how many of the regulations on which the task force made recommendations were introduced since 1979. The text of the recommendations and the commentary on the progress made in implementing them has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his office; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42310]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42311]

  Mr. Freeman
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Information and Planning Systems
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what consideration the Prime Minister's advisor on efficiency has given to the management of information and planning systems report of May 1995; [42335]
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  (2) if he will list all Government Departments and agencies, specifying the precise steps being taken to ensure that their information and planning systems are up to the level of the best. [42334]

  Mr. Horam
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid to ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40740]

  Mr. Hanley
  Transport for FCO Ministers is provided by the Government car service. Payments over the last five years were as follows:

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  220,688

  1991–92

  238,343

  1992–93

  330,096

  1993–94

  342,732

  1994–95

  342,732

  The figures above represent the cost of the agreed options and do not include VAT. The Government car service says that it has not been possible to calculate the outside option charges or the despatch charges in the time given.

  Ministers who use their own vehicles on official business may claim a private car allowance, now 37p per mile.

  Details of claims are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  No information available

  1991–92

  No claims received

  1992–93

  364

  1993–94

  2,762

  1994–95

  No claims received

  Official Cars
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the make and model of the official car used by each British High commissioner and ambassador serving overseas as of 21 October. [41771]

  Mr. Hanley
  A detailed list follows.

  List of all embassies and High Commissions together with their flag cars

  Model

  Abidjan

  Jaguar SOV

  Abu Dhabi

  Jaguar XJ6

  Accra

  LR Discovery

  Addis Ababa

  Rover 825 SLD

  Algiers

  Range Rover

  Almaty

  Volvo 850

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  List of all embassies and High Commissions together with their flag cars

  Model

  Amman

  LR Discovery

  Ankara

  Rover 825

  Antananarivo

  LR Discovery

  Asuncion

  JAG Daimler

  Athens

  Jaguar XJ6

  Bahrain

  Jaguar XJ6

  Baku

  LR Discovery

  Bandar Seri Begawan

  Rover 827

  Bankok

  Daimler Limo

  Banjul

  Range Rover

  Beirut

  Jaguar SOV

  Belgrade

  Jaguar XJ6

  Belmopan

  LR Discovery

  Berne

  Rover 827

  Bogota

  Range Rover

  Bonn

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Brasilia

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Bratislava

  LR Discovery

  Bridgetown

  Rover 825

  Brussels

  Jaguar SOV

  Bucharest

  Volvo 960

  Budapest

  Rover 827

  Buenos Aires

  Rover 825 SD

  Cairo

  Rover 825

  Canberra

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Caracas

  Ford Grand Marquis

  Castries

  LR Discovery

  Colombo

  Range Rover

  Copenhagen

  Jaguar XJ6

  Dakar

  Rover 825

  Damascus

  Jaguar XJ6

  Dar Es Salaam

  LR Discovery

  Dhaka

  Daimler Limo

  Doha

  Rover 827

  Dubai

  Rover 827

  Dublin

  Rover 827

  Freetown

  LR Discovery

  Gaborone

  LR Discovery

  Georgetown

  Range Rover

  Guatemala City

  Range Rover

  Hanoi

  Rover 825

  Harare

  Jaguar XJ6

  Havana

  Jaguar SOV

  Helsinki

  Jaguar XJ6

  Ho Chi Minh City

  LR Discovery

  Holy See

  Rover 827

  Honiara

  LR Discovery

  Islamabad

  Daimler Limo

  Jakarta

  Range Rover

  Kampala

  LR Discovery

  Kathmandu

  Range Rover

  Khartoum

  LR Discovery

  Kiev

  Rover 825 SLD

  Kingston

  Rover 827

  Kingstown

  LR Discovery

  Kinshasa

  Range Rover

  Kuala Lumpur

  Jaguar Sov

  Kuwait

  Jaguar Sov

  Lagos

  Range Rover

  La Paz

  LR Discovery

  Lilongwe

  Rover 825

  Lima

  Range Rover

  Lisbon

  Rover 827

  Ljubljana

  Rover 820

  Luanda

  Range Rover

  Lusaka

  LR Discovery

  Luxembourg

  Rover 827

  Managua

  Range Rover

  Manila

  Range Rover

  Maputo

  Jaguar Sov

  Maseru

  LR Discovery

  Mbabane

  LR Discovery

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  List of all embassies and High Commissions together with their flag cars

  Model

  Mexico City

  Cadillac de Ville

  Minsk

  LR Discovery

  Montevideo

  Rover 820

  Moscow

  Range Rover

  Muscat

  Jaguar XJ6

  Nairobi

  Rover 825

  Nassau

  Rover 827

  New Delhi

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Nicosia

  Jaguar V12

  Nuku' Alofa

  Range Rover

  Oslo

  Jaguar XJ6

  Ottawa

  Jaguar XJ6

  Panama

  Rover 827

  Paris

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Peking

  Rolls Royce Silver Spur

  Phnom Penh

  Range Rover

  Port Louis

  Rover 825

  Port Moresby

  LR Discovery

  Port of Spain

  Range Rover

  Prague

  Rover 827

  Quito

  Jaguar V12

  Rabat

  LR Discovery

  Rangoon

  Rover 825

  Reykjavik

  LR Discovery

  Riga

  LR Discovery

  Riyadh

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Rome

  Rover 827

  San Jose

  Jaguar V12

  San Salvador

  Range Rover

  Sanaa

  Range Rover

  Santiago

  Rover 827

  Sarajevo

  LR Defender 110

  Seoul

  Jaguar XJ6

  Singapore

  Daimler Limo

  Skopje

  LR Discovery

  Sofia

  Jaguar V12

  St. George's

  LR Discovery

  St. John's

  LR Discovery

  Stockholm

  Daimler Limo

  Suva

  LR Discovery

  Tallin

  LR Discovery

  Tashkent

  LR Discovery

  Tegucigalpa

  Range Rover

  Tehran

  Rover 820

  Tel Aviv

  Rover 827

  The Hague

  Rover 827

  Tirana

  LR Discovery

  Tokyo

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Tripoli

  Range Rover

  Tunis

  Jaguar Sov

  Ulaanbaatar

  LR Discovery

  Valletta

  Rover 827

  Victoria

  Peugeot 605

  Vienna

  Rover 827

  Vila

  Range Rover

  Vilnius

  Volvo 850 GLE

  Warsaw

  Rover 827

  Washington

  Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

  Wellington

  Jaguar Sov

  Windhoek

  LR Discovery

  Yaounde

  Rover 820 SLI

  Zagreb

  Rover 827

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42315]
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  Mr. Hanley
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

  Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (1) misappropriated in such frauds and (2) subsequently recovered. [39128]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The answer is as follows:

  1991–1992:

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): One fraud valued at £19,206. No recoveries.

  Overseas Development Administration (ODA): Two frauds valued at £2,400. No recoveries.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC): One fraud valued at £17,100. No recoveries.

  British Council: Eight frauds valued at £26,881. £2,957 recovered.

  1992–93

  FCO: Nil

  ODA: Nil

  British Council: Eight frauds valued at £585,377. £30,100 recovered.

  CDC: One fraud valued at £58,000. No recoveries.

  1993–94

  FCO: Four frauds valued at £13,479. £4,000 recovered.

  ODA: Nil

  British Council: Nine frauds valued at £168,718. £99,994 recovered.

  1994–95

  FCO: Five frauds valued at £79,283. £6,338 recovered to date.

  ODA: One fraud valued at £5,000. No recoveries.

  National Resources Institute (NRI): One fraud valued at £4,200. No recoveries.

  British Council: Seven frauds valued at £68,246. £2,052 recovered.

  Vigorous action for recovery and restitution continues.

  European Parliament (Subsidised Visits)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the European Parliament spent on subsidising the visit of parties of visitors organised by Members of the European Parliament to it for each financial year since 1983–84; how many visits were subsidised; how many visitors were covered by these payments; and what representations the British Government has made to the European Union about these arrangements. [39407]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The European Parliament annual budget for inward visits was 7.82 million ecu from 1992 to 1994, and 7.88 million ecu in 1995. The EP advises that it subsidised 3,218 and 3,463 group visits to EP sites in 1992 and 1993 respectively, and 1,223 visits to the EP in Brussels in 1994—figures for 1994 are not available for visits to

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  EP sites in Luxembourg and Strasbourg. Corresponding figures for 1983 to 1991, and for the total number of visitors subsidised, are not available. The EP sets its own administrative budget, within the limits agreed by the Council. The European Court of Auditors examines the expenditure of the EP and publishes its findings in its annual report.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Work-related Death and Illness
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what published statistics underlie the Northern Ireland Information Service press statement of 29 September on work-related deaths and illness. [40888]

  Mr. Moss
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal; [41551]

  (2) if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41525]

  (3) what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and on how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41526]

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

  Export Marketing Research Scheme
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many businesses in Northern Ireland will now be eligible for help from the export marketing research scheme. [41910]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Over 4,300 manufacturing businesses in Northern Ireland are eligible for assistance under the export marketing research scheme. Information on the number of tradeable services companies which would be eligible for the scheme is not available.

  Making It Back Home Scheme
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications are currently under consideration for the making it back home scheme. [41897]

  Sir John Wheeler
  To date, the Local Enterprise Development Unit has received approximately 1,000 expressions of interest and is currently processing 40 live applications.
  868
  It is estimated that approximately 10 per cent, of the expressions of interest and approximately 66 per cent. of applications currently being processed will become firm projects.

  New Jobs
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new jobs, created in each of the past 10 years with the assistance of LEDU, were located in(a) the borough of Ards, (b) the borough the Castlereagh and (c) district of Down. [41907]

  Mr. Ancram
  My noble Friend will write to the right hon.Gentleman as possible.

  Newcastle Orange Hall (Attack)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the reason for the delay in the issue of the Chief Constable's certificate, relating to the attack on Newcastle Orange hall. [42086]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Chief Constable's certificate in respect of the attack on Newcastle Orange hall was issued as soon as the Chief Constable was able to form the opinion that the act was committed maliciously by a person acting on behalf of, or in connection with, an unlawful association.

  Terrorist Campaigns (Unsolved Deaths)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths, arising from the terrorist campaigns by Republicans and Loyalists, remain unsolved; and if he will make a statement. [42139]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I will write to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42321]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42319]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Unfortunately, in the time available, it is not possible to answer this question. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Divorce
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the timetable for divorce(a) proposed for the United

  869
  Kingdom and (b) currently applicable in other EU countries. [42159]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The White Paper proposal is that the minimum waiting period before a divorce decree can be applied for should be 12 months, provided arrangements for children, and financial and property matters have been decided.

  The information requested about other European Union member states is currently being updated. I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Kidderminster Court
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Government expect a start date for work to start on the new Kidderminster court complex. [42330]

  Name

  Service undertaken

  Fee per sitting day

  Mr. Justice Brooke

  High Court judge

  Salaried as High Court Judge—no additional remuneration as Chairman of the Law Commission

  Charles Harpum

  Rent Assessment Panel

  £191

  Diana Faber

  Assistant Recorder (in training)

  £135 (per specified training day)

  Stephen Silber QC

  Deputy High Court judge (Queen's Bench Division) Recorder

  £2,250 per week or part week/or £450 per day £346

  Andrew Burrows

  None

  In all cases, travel and subsistence expenses are also payable.

DEFENCE

  Ammunition Dumps, Solway Firth
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the quantity of bombs or ammunition remaining in the Solway firth as a result of dumping following the end of the second world war; and if he will make a statement. [42161]

  Mr. Soames
  No munition dumping operations were conducted in the Solway firth.

  Swan Hunter Shipyard
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if a figure has been agreed with the receivers of Swan Hunter shipyard in respect of claims made against his Department for additional costs arising from work on the auxiliary order replenishment vessel—AOR2; [42255]

  (2) if a claim has been made by his Department against the receivers of Swan Hunter shipyard in respect of additional costs arising from the contract for three type 23 frigates; when potential liability first arose; and what additional costs arose directly from the company being in receivership. [42256]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  870
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Unfortunately, in the time available, it is not possible to answer this question. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Law Commission
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the current payments which are being made to each member of the Law Commission; if he will list for each member additional sums which they receive from the public purse for other services, including service as judges; and what additional sums are derived from private work. [42106]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The salaries paid to each of the members of the Law Commission are as set out in the answer to parliamentary question No. 42111. Other public services undertaken by members are set out in the table, together with the fees payable, were these to be claimed. Sums derived from private work, if any, are a matter for the individuals concerned.

  Joint Rapid Deployment Force
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the headquarters of the joint rapid deployment force is to be located; what decisions have been taken on the level of commands; what will be the size of the headquarters; to what extent the staff will be dual-hatted; and if he will make a statement. [42259]

  Mr. Soames
  Headquarters and command arrangements for the JRDF have not been finalised. The JRDF implementation team will make recommendations on where the JRDF headquarters should be sited, the detailed command and control requirements of the force, the levels of command and the size of the headquarters.

  Mr. Legg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to contribute to a NATO-led implementation force in the event of an overall peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Soames
  Contingency planning for a NATO-led implementation force in the event of an overall peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia is continuing in parallel with the current peace talks in Dayton, Ohio. We would expect to make a substantial contribution.

  As part of this contribution, we envisage a need to make use of a number of members of the Territorial Army and the Regular Army reserve. On present estimates, the number would not exceed 350 personnel, who would, as far as possible, be sought on a voluntary basis. My Department will shortly be setting in hand the necessary arrangements.
  871

  Radioactive Waste, Carlisle
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much radioactive material remains in the Carlisle area as a result of dumping following the British nuclear tests in the Pacific; and if he will make a statement. [42162]

  Mr. Soames
  No such material was ever sent to the Carlisle area.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42312]

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

PRIME MINISTER

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b). [42309]

  The Prime Minister
  I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister how many persons in(a) the Prime Minister's Office or (b) the Cabinet Office are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid.[42068]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 8 November 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  The number of officials within the Cabinet Office wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry is five and their direct annual salary cost is approximately £140,000. There are no officials employed on Scott inquiry-related matters within my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Office on a full-time or part-time basis, although some will inevitably be involved from time to time. There are also no external consultants or advisers employed on such matters by the Prime Minister's Office or the Cabinet Office. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by the Cabinet Office or the Prime Minister's Office relating to the Scott Inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42069]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.
  872

  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list where appropriate for each Nolan commissioner his or her most recent public salary. [41165]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  Lord Nolan receives his judicial salary. My right hon. Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Mr. King) and the right hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore) receive their parliamentary salaries. They receive no emoluments as members of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Of the remaining seven members of the committee, six were paid an honorarium of £1,000 per month from November 1994 to April 1995 and subsequently an attendance fee of £155 per day and one, who was then in receipt of a salary from public funds, was not. All seven are now entitled to the daily attendance fee.

  Five of the seven have previously held full-time positions paid at public expense. Two members of the committee hold other current part-time appointments paid from public funds. Sir Martin Jacomb is chairman of the British Council, for which he receives an honorarium of £10,250 per year, and Diana Warwick is a lay member of the Employment Appeals Tribunal, for which she is paid an attendance fee of £186 per day.

  Sir Gerald Warner
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the specific functions in the Cabinet Office of Sir Gerald Warner; and what are the terms on which he is remunerated. [42067]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  Sir Gerald Warner is employed in the Cabinet Office at grade 2 level as the intelligence co-ordinator. As such, he advises the Secretary of the Cabinet on the co-ordination of the intelligence machinery and its resources and programmes. He chairs various formal and informal groups charged with intelligence management. He has particular responsibility for reviewing the United Kingdom's intelligence requirements and for advising on the allocation of the resources to enable the intelligence agencies to meet them. He is remunerated within the civil service grade 2 range.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41745]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
  873

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of south Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary. [39427]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I was responsible for the appointment of a chairman and three members to the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee of the National Rivers Authority, a committee which covers a large proportion of south Yorkshire. These appointments are for three years and new ministerial appointments will be made on 1 July 1997. Other members are appointed by local authorities and the National Rivers Authority. Existing appointments will continue when the Environment Agency subsumes the National Rivers Authority next year. The chairman receives a salary of £9,715 per annum. Members receive expenses.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and what was the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41218]

  Mr. Boswell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on Tuesday 7 November 1995,Official Report, column 697, by my hon. Friend, the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis).

  Meetings
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on how many occasions in the last year his senior civil servants, at or above the grade of assistant secretary in the Ministry, have met representatives of(a) the Consumers Association, (b) the National Consumer Council, (c) the Consumers in Europe Group, (d) the Vegetarian Society, (e) the Food Commission, (f) the National Food Alliance, (g) the National Federation of Women's Institutes, (h) the British Medical Association, (i) the National Federation for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, (j) the British Heart Foundation, (k) the National Farmers Union, (l) the Food and Drink Federation, (m) the National Dairy Council, (n) the Retail Consortium, (o) the Confederation of British Industry, (p) the Institute of Grocery Distribution, (q) the Country Landowners Association, (r) the Advertising Association, (s) the Chemical Industry Association, (t) the British Agrochemical Association, (u) the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association, (v) the British Cake, Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionary Alliance and (w) the British Soft Drinks Association; [42136]

  (2) on how many occasions in the last year ministerial colleagues in the Ministry have met with representatives of (a) the Consumers Association, (b) the National Consumer Council, (c) the Consumers in Europe Group,
  874
  (d) the Vegetarian Society, (e) the Food Commission, (f) the National Food Alliance, (g) the National Federation of Women's Institutes, (h) the British Medical Association, (i) the National Federation for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, (j) the British Heart Foundation, (k) the National Farmers Union, (l) the Food and Drink Federation, (m) the National Dairy Council, (n) the Retail Consortium, (o) the Confederation of British Industry, (p) the Institute of Grocery Distribution, (q) the Country Landowners Association, (r) the Advertising Association, (s) the Chemical Industry Association, (t) the British Agrochemical Association, (u) the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association, (v) the British Cake, Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionary Alliance and (w) the British Soft Drinks Association; [42122]

  (3) on how many occasions in the last year he or his predecessor have met with representatives of (a) the Consumers Association, (b) the National Consumer Council, (c) Consumers in Europe Group, (d) the Vegetarian Society, (e) the Food Commission, (f) the National Food Alliance, (g) the National Federation of Women's Institutes, (h) the British Medical Association, (i) the National Federation for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, (j) the British Heart Foundation, (k) the National Farmers Union, (l) the Food and Drink Federation, (m) the National Dairy Council, (n) the Retail Consortium, (o) the Confederation of British Industry, (p) the Institute of Grocery Distribution, (q) the Country Landowners' Association, (r) the Advertising Association, (s) the Chemical Industry Association, (t) the British Agrochemical Association, (u) the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association, (v) the British Cake, Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionary Alliance and (w) the British Soft Drinks Association; [42123]

  (4) on how many occasions in the last 12 months (a) the Minister or his predecessor, (b) his junior ministerial colleagues in the Ministry and (c) senior civil servants, at or above the grade of assistant secretary in the Ministry, met representatives of interest parties in the dairy fats and margarine industries; and if he will list these and the companies they represented; [42126]

  (5) how many times (a) the Minister of his predecessor, (b) his junior ministerial colleagues in the Ministry and (c) senior civil servants at or above the grade of Assistant Secretary in the Ministry, have met food and drink manufactures, retailers and other food industry trade associations in the last 12 months; and if he will list these meetings and the business they represented. [42127]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I and my ministerial colleagues, and senior officials in my department, meet regularly with most of the trade, industry and consumers organisations referred to, though contacts with health interests are primarily a matter for colleagues in the Department of Health. Details on all the meetings and the interests represented could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  National Nutritional Databank
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Royal Society of Chemistry's marketing and distribution management of the national nutritional databank; and when this service and the data collected from it will be opened and made available for public consideration. [42129]
  875
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Government Food Advisory Committees
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the process by which appointments of consumer representatives to Government food committees are made; [42130]

  (2) which commercial head-hunting firms have been used in the process of appointing consumer representatives to Government food advisory committees (a) currently and (b) in previous years; what has been the cost to the public purse; and if he will make a statement; [42131]

  (3) on what grounds the steering group on chemical aspects of food surveillance is being closed down; and if he will make a statement. [42132]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in the last three years individuals on MAFF and Department of Health advisory committees and working parties on food and health-related committees have declined to declare vested interests when asked to do so, whether on a voluntary basis or a compulsory basis. [42128]

  Mr. Hogg
  No member of a food-related advisory committee for which declaration of interest is required has declined to make such a declaration in the last three years. This policy is now being extended on a voluntary basis to all working parties on surveillance; a query in one of the working parties has now been resolved and all interests will be declared.

  Food Surveillance Programme
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has for his Department to publish all the data generated by the food surveillance programme in the public domain; [42133]

  (2) what programmes will be affected by charges in funding as a result of the priority-setting exercise for chemical food surveillance in 1996–97. [42134]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Cheese Production
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the changes proposed in regulations concerning cheese production; if these are required by European Union regulations; if they will be broadly applicable throughout the European Union; and what representations he has received regarding the regulations. [41461]

  Mrs. Browning
  As part of our deregulation plan, proposed changes to the Cheese Regulations 1970 were published earlier this year. These regulations are not based on EC legislation. Under single market rules, national compositional and labelling legislation cannot be applied to products imported from another member state in which they are lawfully produced and marketed.

  We have taken careful note of the comments made during the consultation period and, as a result, have decided to amend the proposed changes to these
  876
  regulations. We will not now be revolving the compositional standards for 12 named British cheeses. Nor will we be introducing a new requirement for cheese, and cream, to bear a separate declaration of their fat content. It is intended that the new regulations will come into force on 1 January 1996.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many units in each environmentally sensitive area were entered under tier 1 only for England and Wales. [41700]

  Mr. Boswell
  The following numbers of ESA agreements have been entered under the "basic" tier in each of the ESAs in England and Wales:

  English ESAs

  Number of agreements with land in basic1 tier

  Pennine Dales

  668

  South Downs

  165

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  730

  Broads

  550

  West Penwith

  184

  Breckland

  105

  Suffolk River Valleys

  355

  Clun

  190

  North Peak

  69

  Test Valley

  31

  North Kent Marshes

  49

  Avon Valley

  31

  South Wessex Downs

  125

  Exmoor

  377

  South West Peak

  309

  Lake District

  806

  Blackdown Hills

  109

  Cotswold Hills

  292

  Dartmoor

  155

  Essex Coast

  57

  Shropshire Hills

  123

  Upper Thames Tributaries

  90

  Welsh ESAs

  Cambrian Mountains (1995)

  0

  Cambrian Mountains (Original)

  30

  Cambrian Mountains (Extension)

  77

  Cambrian Mountains (Original revised)

  54

  Cambrian Mountains (Extended revised)

  78

  Clwydian Range

  13

  Preseli

  90

  Ynys Mon

  219

  Radnor

  244

  Lleyn Peninsula (Original)

  272

  Lleyn Peninsula (Revised)

  76

  1 The "basic" tier requires agreement holders to maintain the existing landscape and conservation interests in the ESA.

  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the mean(a) tier 1 payment and (b) tier 2 payment for each of the English and Welsh environmentally sensitive areas. [41699]

  Mr. Boswell
  During the period 16 October 1994 to 15 October 1995, the mean payments made to ESA agreement holders in the "basic" and "enhancement" tiers in each of the ESAs in England and Wales were as follows:
  877

  Basic tier mean payment £

  Enhancement tier mean payment £

  English ESAs

  Pennine Dales

  3,647.61

  1,135.25

  South Downs

  1,244.37

  8,795.02

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  1,797.30

  2,243.29

  Broads

  2,080.50

  4,018.34

  West Penwith

  2,300.46

  —

  Breckland

  5,649.40

  5,897.50

  Suffolk River Valleys

  2,201.99

  2,664.49

  Clun

  2,630.76

  2,429.15

  North Peak

  8,556.51

  27,475.43

  Test Valley

  2,144.55

  4,946.40

  North Kent Marshes

  7,071.72

  7,386.51

  Avon Valley

  1,937.79

  595.99

  South Wessex Downs

  2,355.77

  4,563.82

  Exmoor

  2,334.95

  4,656.55

  South West Peak

  939.50

  1,353.23

  Lake District

  3,508.24

  1,055.17

  Blackdown Hills

  850.16

  1,119.60

  Cotswold Hills

  1,988.55

  4,468.34

  Dartmoor

  1,145.35

  1,955.73

  Essex Coast

  2,297.12

  3,099.14

  Shropshire Hills

  1,752.87

  7,272.25

  Upper Thames Tributaries

  1,572.17

  5,561.10

  Welsh ESAs

  Cambrian Mountains (1995)

  Nil

  Nil

  Cambrian Mountains (Original)

  n/a

  3,503.36

  Cambrian Mountains (Extension)

  n/a

  6,997.76

  Cambrian Mountains (Original revised)

  n/a

  10,895.70

  Cambrian Mountains (Extension revised)

  1,025.77

  4,317.48

  Clwydian Range

  205.27

  475.37

  Preseli

  65.49

  1,990.57

  Ynys Mon

  519.31

  1,673.24

  Radnor

  818.47

  2,156.21

  Lleyn Peninsula (original)

  57.76

  116.33

  Lleyn Peninsula (revised)

  433.39

  1,385.15

  Notes:

  1. The "basic" tier requires agreement holders to maintain the existing landscape and conservation interests in the ESA.

  2. "Enhancement" tiers seek to make radical improvements in the wildlife and landscape interests of each ESA.

  Broiler Chickens
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many broiler chickens died from heat stress on United Kingdom broiling farms in the period May to September; and if he will make a statement. [41807]

  Mrs. Browning
  Figures on the number of broiler chickens which have died from heat stress are not available.

  The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary pain or distress to livestock. It is a provision of the code of recommendations for the welfare of domestic fowl made under the Act that accommodation should be so designed that its ventilation is adequate to protect birds from overheating under any weather conditions that can reasonably be foreseen. MAFF has funded an advisory booklet, video and a series of countryside meetings to help farmers prevent heat stress in poultry.
  878

  Deep-sea Fish
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the international efforts in which he is participating to form an intergovernmental regime to do research on and control fishing of, deep-sea fish, where habits are relatively unknown. [39289]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding reply 2 November 1995]: The UK participates in a range of intergovernmental bodies which promote research in, or control fishing for, deep sea fish. These bodies include the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization and the Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission. This summer the UK played an active role in the UN conference on straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks. At the end of November, the Ministry will participate in an international workshop considering the comprehensiveness and consistency of global arrangements for management of the oceans.

  Alport Dale, Derbyshire
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions the regional advisory committee of the Forestry Commission, eastern region, came to at its meeting of 4 October concerning Food Enterprise's proposals for Alport dale in Derbyshire; if he will outline English Nature's official response as a statutory consultee to Forest Enterprise's proposals for Alport dale, Derbyshire; how many (i) letters and (ii) signatures on petitions he has received opposing the Forest Enterprise proposals for Alport dale, Derbyshire; and if Forest Enterprise has undertaken an environmental impact assessment of its proposals for Alport dale, Derbyshire. [42039]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: The regional advisory committee has not been asked to consider Forest Enterprise's plans for felling and replanting the maturing woodlands in Alport dale at this stage. Forest Enterprise is reviewing its proposals.

  English Nature has expressed concern about the possible impact of the original proposals on landscape and conservation, especially in the area of land designated as a site of special scientific interest. Forest Enterprise will be discussing the terms of a management plan for the area within English Nature.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has received one letter about the proposals; I have received one and the Forestry Commission has received 10.

  Forest Enterprise carefully considered the environmental impact of its proposals in preparing its design plan for the woodlands and will continue to do so in revising the plan.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the ways in which(a) harvesting Forest Enterprise's plantations in Alport dale will affect the rural economy and (b) Forest Enterprise's proposals for Alport dale will affect the (i) recreational and (ii) conservation potential of the Peak national park. [42037]
  879
  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: Harvesting the maturing woodlands at Alport Dale will contribute to the rural economy by generating employment in felling and replanting operations. Forest Enterprise aims to improve the potential of the area by phasing the felling of tress to increase the diversity of the woodlands and replanting in such a way to enhance the landscape.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the cost of burying the overhead electricity line that supplies Alport hamlet and at present interferes with cable crane extraction from one of the Forest Enterprise's plantations at Alport dale, Derbyshire; and who will bear the cost. [42036]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: Forest Enterprise has asked Yorkshire Electricity to consider the options for moving the overhead electricity line and for meeting the cost. Putting the line underground is one of the options.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions have been made by Forest Enterprise against the risk of landslips and erosion during and after the harvesting of its plantations in Alport dale, Derbyshire; what is the expected yield of timber from Forest Enterprise's plantations in Alport dale, Derbyshire; what would be the net return to Forest Enterprise on the entire timber crop in its plantations in Alport dale, Derbyshire, at 1995 prices; and what are the costs of Forest Enterprise of gaining access to all the timber in its plantation in Alport dale, Derbyshire. [42038]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: To minimise the risk of erosion, Forest Enterprise would use a cable crane to harvest timber from the steep slopes of the Dale. After harvesting, the roots of the trees felled are expect to stabilise the soil until the new trees are well established.

  Forest Enterprise estimates that the woodlands will produce about 25,000 cu m of timber and that the net return on harvesting the crop could be £10,000 to £20,000 over the first five years, depending on conditions in the wood market.

  Forest Enterprise expects to spend about £10,000 on access improvements.

  Dairy Fats and Margarine Industries
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will itemise the financial support given to the dairy fats and margarine industries(a) from national Government spending and (b) from the European Union. [42125]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  EC Live Transport Directive
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what organisations he plans to consult with regard to the draft EC live transport directive. [42089]
  880
  Mrs. Browning
  The consultation package on the new EU rules, which we issued on 23 October includes a list of the organisations to which it was sent. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if the percentage share-out allocated to each member state of the EU for each of the fish stocks concerned varies when a new member state is fully integrated into the common fisheries policy; [42272]

  (2) if the 1983 percentage share out of the total allowable catch is permanent. [42271]

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

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the level of hill livestock compensatory allowances; what action he is taking as a result; and if he will make a statement. [42180]

  Mr. Boswell
  On 2 November, my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister met representatives from the National Farmers Union for England and Wales, the Scottish National Farmers Union and the Ulster Farmers Union to discuss hill livestock compensatory allowances in the context of the annual review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. He was accompanied on that occasion by Ministers from both the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office, and by myself.

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the change in sheep retention periods; and what action he is taking as a result; and if he will make a statement. [42178]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department received numerous representations on the move to a single application and retention period for the sheep annual premium scheme, which had been recommended by EU auditors. Most were concerned that this would reduce marketing options, but the National Sheep Association felt that it might help breeders. We investigated the feasibility of tighter controls to enable the continuation of two retention periods but decided these would be too onerous for producers and too costly to administer.

  Accordingly, my right hon. Friend announced on 18 October a single application and retention period which will protect the interests of the majority of sheep farmers.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase sheep annual premiums to compensate for any losses resulting from the change in the sheep retention period. [42179]

  Mr. Boswell
  The sheep annual premium is fixed by the European Commission, taking into account the difference between the basic Community price for sheepmeat and the average price prevailing on the Community market throughout the year. The final rate of premium for the 1995 scheme will not be determined until
  881
  February 1996. A first estimate of the rate of premium for 1996 will be made by the Commission in the spring of 1996. It is not open to member states to fix the rate of premium themselves.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42309]

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

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy to make available figures on(a) the sale of national lottery tickets by region and (b) the distribution of national lottery proceeds by region. [41238]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department produces a monthly report of the distribution of lottery proceeds. Included in this report are details of the awards made each month and the total since the lottery began, for each region of the United Kingdom. Copies of this report are placed in the Libraries of the House. Figures on the sale of lottery tickets by region, are an operational matter for

  Body

  £

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Chairman and Members

  Nil

  Chief Executive

  80,000–84,999

  Director of Finance

  60,000–64,999

  Director of UK and Corporate Planning

  50,000–54,999

  Director of England

  50,000–54,999

  Director of Scotland

  45,000–49,999

  Director of Personnel and Administration

  40,000–44,999

  Director of Communications

  40,000–44,999

  Millennium Commission

  Chairman and Members

  1Nil

  Director

  80,000–84,999

  Director of Projects

  65,000–69,999

  Director of Finance

  60,000–64,999

  Director of Corporate Affairs

  45,000–49,999

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  Chairman and Members

  Nil

  Director

  2—

  Arts Council of England

  Chairman and Members

  Nil

  Secretary General

  60,000–64,999

  National Lottery Director

  45,000–49,999

  Seven other Senior Officials—Total3

  £305,000

  Scottish Arts Council

  Chairman and Members

  Nil

  Director

  40,000–44,999

  Arts Council of Wales

  Chairman and Members

  Nil

  Chief Executive

  50,000–54,999

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Chairman

  10,000–14,999

  Vice-Chairman

  0–4,999

  Chief Executive

  45,000–49,999

  882
  Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total lottery moneys to date collected from each of the English regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. [41233]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the Lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money has been allocated under the national lottery to applicants in the New Forest district council and Test Valley district council areas. [41847]

  Mr. Sproat
  Figures for national lottery funds broken down by district council areas are not currently available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the emoluments or salaries of members and senior officials of the lottery distributary bodies. [38747]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have set out as follows, in bands of £5,000, the salaries of all senior officials where these are £40,000 and above and all chairmen and board members.
  883

  Body

  £

  Sports Council

  Chairman and Vice Chairmen3

  50,000–54,999

  Chief Executive

  60,000–64,999

  Acting Director

  60,000–64,999

  Scottish Sports Council

  Chairman

  20,000–24,999

  Vice Chairman

  0–4,999

  Chief Executive

  50,000–54,999

  Sports Council for Wales

  Chairman

  (15,000–19,999)

  Vice Chairman

  (5,000–9,999)

  Chief Executive

  50,000–54,999

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Chairman

  (10,000–14,999)

  Vice Chairman

  (0–4,999)

  Chief Executive

  40,000–44,999

  Salaries in brackets are not met from National Lottery funds.

  With the exception of the senior officials and members of the National Lottery Charities Board and the Millennium Commission and the Arts Council of England Lottery Director, the salaries set out above are not fully charged to lottery funds. Salaries are met from grant in aid and lottery funds in proportion with the duties carried out by the officers or members concerned. Charges in respect of these salaries will therefore vary from year to year and specific details will be included in the annual accounts for each body prepared at the end of each financial year.

  1 The Secretary of State for National Heritage (Chairman of the Millennium Commission) and the Deputy Prime Minister (a member of the Millennium Commission) receive salaries in respect of their duties as a Cabinet Ministers.

  2 The new Director of the National Heritage Memorial Fund is due to take up the post in December 1995. The vacancy was advertised with a salary of £70,000.

  3 Only a very small proportion of the salaries of these officials is charged to the Lottery.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if, as at 31 August, Camelot plc had reached its 12-month national lottery revenue target as projected in its tender to the Office of the National Lottery; and by how many months it is ahead of its target as at 7 November; [42331]

  (2) by what percentage Camelot plc's national lottery revenues had, for the period from commencement of the national lottery to the latest date for which information is available, exceeded those projected in its tender to Oflot. [42332]

  Mr. Sproat
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will give the number of projects by each English county which are bidding for support from the Millennium Commission. [41274]

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many projects from Northern Ireland are currently under consideration by the Millennium Commission. [41909]

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, further to her letter dated 3 November and placed in the Library, what is the earliest date for commencement of the second round of applications for financial support to the Millennium Commission. [42214]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what regional criteria are used for deciding the distribution of Millennium Commission grants; [41227]
  884
  (2) what regional criteria will be used to decide on the allocation of Millennium Commission bursaries to individuals. [41225]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the right hon. and hon. Members in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  National Heritage Memorial Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the application of the negative leverage principle with respect to applications for assistance from the national lottery millennium fund. [38760]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 23 October 1995]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if she will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of her Department over the past two years; and if she will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41209]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis) on 7 November, Official Report, columns 698–702.
  885

  Brynmawr Rubber Factory
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action she has taken to date in conjunction with the Welsh Office, to preserve the Brynmawr rubber factory; and if she will make a statement. [40949]

  Mr. Sproat
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones), on 7 November,Official Report, column 798.

  English Heritage
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the implementation of English Heritage's policy for the local management of the historic properties she has placed in its care. [42364]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Since the launch of its forward strategy at the end of 1992, English Heritage has established agreements with partners who can bring local commitment and resources, in conjunction with English Heritage funding, towards improving the presentation and preservation of historic sites. Agreements have now been established in respect of nearly 80 of the 406 properties in English Heritage's care, with partners such as the National Trust, local authorities and local community groups. The agreements include clear safeguards for the care of the property. Given the success of its approach, I have agreed with English Heritage that it may enter into new management agreements, within agreed framework, but without in future seeking my specific approval. My Department will continue to monitor the implementation of this policy and I look forward to its successful extension to further appropriate sites.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by her Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42320]

  Mr. Sproat
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many persons in his office are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part time or a full time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list the names and how much each is paid.

  Mr. Newton
  No one in my Department is wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry, and it would not be possible to specify the number involved on an occasional basis. No payments have yet been made for external advice.
  886
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his office relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons.

  Mr. Newton
  Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above.

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

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what percentage of hon. Members are of ethnic minority background.

  Mr. Newton
  There is no monitoring of the ethnic background of hon. Members.

  Written Answers
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the current disproportionate cost threshold for written parliamentary questions; and if he will publish a table showing the amount of such questions unanswered for that reason expressed as(a) a total number and (b) a percentage of those submitted to each Government Department or office by right hon. Members during the last and current parliamentary sessions. [39292]

  Mr. Newton
  The current disproportionate cost threshold for written parliamentary questions is £450.

  It would not be possible, except at disproportionate cost, to supply the further information requested.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Prosecution Files
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the recommended retention period for prosecution papers by the Crown Prosecution Service. [40788]

  The Attorney-General
  Area offices of the Crown Prosecution Service retain files relating to cases finalised in the magistrates' courts for a minimum of 12 months after the final court date and those finalised in the Crown court for a minimum of three years. Cases handled in CPS headquarters are retained for a minimum of five years. Where there is a conviction, all case files are retained until the expiry of the sentence if it exceeds the usual retention period. Arrangements also exist to identify those prosecution files worthy of permanent preservation and to transfer them to the Public Record Office.
  887

  Advisers and Press Officers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Attornery-General how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by the Law Officers Departments; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42318]

  The Attorney-General
  No special advisers are employed by the Law Officers Departments. A total of nine press officers are employed, seven by the Crown Prosecution Service and two by the Serious Fraud Office. I shall write to the hon. Member with details of salary costs.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42326]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  At 1 November, the Department employed 19 press officers, at an estimated annual salary bill of £637,000.

  It is unclear to whom the hon. Member refers in his reference to "specialist advisers".

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many persons in his Department and in the Export Credits Guarantee Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42053]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: The number of staff in my Department wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry is five, and their direct annual salary cost is £133,065. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers. The amount spent by my Department on external advice, principally on the provision of legal advice to DTI witnesses to the inquiry, is £294,000 since the inquiry began in 1992.

  This information does not include the members of Sir Richard Scott's inquiry team.

  Citizens Advice Bureau
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the ratio of the Department of Trade and Industry's funding of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux to the funding of citizens advice bureau by local authorities over the last five years. [42231]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In each of the last five years funding by my Department of NACAB has been:

  Year

  £ million

  1991–92

  11.032

  1992–93

  11.699

  1993–94

  12.252

  888

  Year

  £ million

  1994–95

  12.353

  1995–96

  111.916

  1 Agreed to date but may change by the end of the financial year.

  Individual citizens-advice bureaux are funded by individual local authorities. My Department does not hold information about the level of that funding.

  European Framework Programme IV
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out how the allocation of the additional costs of the European framework programme IV was divided between Government Departments in 1994–95. [41884]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  No allocation of the costs of European framework programme IV were made in the UK financial year 1994–95, since this programme was first implemented in the Community's financial year 1995.

  Companies House, Edinburgh
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the retained functions of Companies house, Edinburgh, after contracting out. [42238]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The functions to be retained are:

  the granting of extensions of filing dates for annual returns,

  the striking off, dissolution and restoration of companies in accordance with the Companies Acts,

  processing cases passed by the contractor where there has been an objection to the use of a company name,

  processing cases passed by the contractor which may lead to prosecution, pursuing possible breaches of the Companies Acts.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of staff necessary to carry out the retained functions of Companies house, Edinburgh. [42237]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  It is envisaged that five staff will be retained to carry out retained functions.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the terms of confidentiality which will apply to contractors seeking to bid for the contract to run Companies house, Edinburgh. [42236]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  All persons invited to tender are subject to confidentiality obligations as part of the tender documentation. The Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994—under which an order was made to permit statutory functions to be carried out by a contractor—ensures that the same requirements as regards confidentiality will apply to contractor and his staff as apply at present to Companies house. In addition, confidentiality requirements will form part of any contract.

  Wincanton Co., Clwyd
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what intervention he will make according to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981, on behalf of the Wincanton Co. milk lorry drivers based at Pentre, Queensferry, Clwyd, who have lost their jobs
  889
  consequent upon Wincanton failing to keep their contract; and if he will make a statement. [42208]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Questions concerning the dismissal of employees in connection with the transfer of an undertaking, or part of one, to which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply, are matters for an industrial tribunal to determine.

  Pay Increases
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many employees he estimates have had pay increases below the rate of inflation in each of the last 10 years. [41581]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is not available.

  Financial year

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Regional Selective Assistance

  Offers

  22

  25

  15

  20

  45

  Amount offered

  £2.5m

  £1.7m

  £1.8m

  £1.2m

  £1.8m

  Regional Investment Grants

  Offers

  144

  77

  44

  47

  —

  Amount offered

  £1.3m

  £720k

  £428k

  £511k

  —

  Regional Innovation Grants

  Offers

  16

  14

  41

  68

  85

  Amount offered

  £328k

  £333k

  £931k

  £1.7m

  £2.1m

  Spur

  Offers

  —

  2

  2

  1

  3

  Amount offered

  —

  £179k

  £189k

  £150k

  £348k

  Smart

  Offers

  1

  5

  2

  2

  2

  Amount offered

  £50k

  £220k

  £117k

  £81k

  £97k

  1. Regional Investment Grants ceased to be available in Sheffield TTWA on 1 August 1993, but were re-introduced in certain wards in the TTWA, w.e.f 1 April 1995, as part of the coalfield regeneration measures.

  2. SPUR was introduced in February 1991.

  America (Investment)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number of(a)Sheffield and (b) United Kingdom firms investing in the United States of America in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [42163]

  Mr. Nelson
  There is no central register of investments in the USA by Sheffield or other UK companies. To attempt to obtain this information could be done only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

  North West Water/Norweb Merger
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many hon. Members sought a meeting with him to discuss the merger of North West Water and Norweb; [42181]

  (2) when the hon. Member for Corby (Mr. Powell) last met him to discuss the merger with Norweb; [42307]

  (3) how many representations he received from (a) hon. Members and (b) others urging him (i) to refer and (ii) not to refer the proposed merger between North.
  890
  However, the new earnings survey shows that, since 1985, there have been significant increases in employees' real earnings at all levels of the earnings distribution.

  Small Businesses
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the type and the number of grants made by his Department to small businesses in the Sheffield area for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [42160]

  Mr. Page
  Information in respect of DTI grants currently available in the Sheffield travel-to-work area, which covers part of north Derbyshire, is given on the attached table.

  If any small firms wish to know whether they are eligible for grants, they should contact Business Link, Sheffield on 0114 281 3813.

  West Water and Norweb to the Monopolies and Merger Commission. [42182]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Around 30 representations were received by this Department concerning the proposed merger between North West Water and Norweb; about a third of these were from hon. Members. Most of the correspondents were opposed to the merger or wished to see it referred to the Monopolies and Merger Commission. The correspondence was copied to the Office of Fair Trading so that the Director General of Fair Trading could take account of it in formulating his advice to my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade.

  My right hon. Friend held no meetings with hon. Members to discuss the merger. He received one request for a meeting, from the all-party parliamentary water group.

  Burnley and Pendle Buses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance the Office of Fair Trading has given to Pendle council concerning the proposed sale of the council's stake in Burnley and Pendle Buses. [42201]
  891
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  As a general principle, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and the Office of Fair Trading never disclose whether confidential guidance has been sought or the nature of any guidance given.

  Business Links
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to public funds of business links in each year since they came into being. [42262]

  Mr. Page
  Public expenditure on the development of business links is mainly from the DTI's business link pump-priming budget. Expenditure from that budget in 1993–94 and 1994–95 was £1.14 million and £13.1 million respectively. The pump-priming budget for 1995–96 is £38.5 million.

  The Department also contributes to the cost of local business support services which are being delivered through business links as they are set up. The budget for these services in 1995–96 is £63.9 million.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each business links office(a) when it opened, (b) how many small businesses with (i) 0 to nine employees, (ii) 10 to 49 employees, (iii) 50 to 99 employees and (iv) 100 to 499 employees it assisted in the last year, (c) what its cost was in the last year to the public purse and (d) what percentage of businesses which used the service were charged for it. [42261]

  Mr. Page
  The list of business links and their opening dates is shown. Individual business link information relating to the size banding of company, cost to the public purse and percentage of businesses charged for services is not available. This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Table of open business links

  Business link outlets

  Opening date

  Leicester

  September 1993

  Birmingham

  October 1993

  Congleton

  December 1993

  Macclesfield

  January 1994

  St. Albans

  February 1994

  North Tyneside

  30 March 1994

  South Tyneside

  —

  Newcastle

  —

  Gateshead 1

  —

  Gateshead 2

  —

  Halton (Widnes)

  5April 1994

  Hereford

  5 April 1994

  Worcester

  —

  Malvern

  —

  Leominster

  —

  Doncaster

  18 April 1994

  Manchester

  3 May 1994

  Trafford Park

  —

  Tameside

  —

  Barnsley

  3 May 1994

  Salford

  9 May 1994

  Dorset (Poole)

  19 May 1994

  Crewe and Nantwich

  23 May 1994

  Shropshire (Telford)

  31 May 1994

  West Cornwall (Redruth)

  31 May 1994

  Pershore

  13 June 1994

  Coalville

  8 June 1994

  Hinckley

  14 June 1994

  Metropolitan Wigan

  14 June 1994

  Thames Valley (Reading)

  28 June 1994

  892

  Table of open business links

  Business link outlets

  Opening date

  Ross on Wye

  30 June 1994

  Lincoln

  1 July 1994

  Wirral (Birkenhead)

  11 July 1994

  Southern Derbyshire (Derby)

  1 August 1994

  Swadlincote

  31 August 1994

  Derby Inner City

  5 September 1994

  East Manchester

  12 September 1994

  Walsall

  12 September 1994

  Slough

  21 September 1994

  Aylesbury

  30 September 1994

  Chester and Ellesmere Port (Chester)

  26 September 1994

  Dudley

  30 September 1994

  Gainsborough

  30 September 1994

  Boston

  —

  Skegness

  —

  Grantham

  —

  Spalding

  —

  Sleaford

  —

  Louth

  —

  Sunderland

  31 October 1994

  Loughborough

  11 November 1994

  Gloucester (Cheltenham)

  28 November 1994

  Chester and Wirral (Hoole Bridge)

  28 November 1994

  Chester and Wirral (South Wirral)

  —

  Rutland

  28 November 1994

  Central Devon (Exeter)

  5 December 1994

  Merseyside (Liverpool 1)

  5 December 1994

  Merseyside (Mount Pleasant)

  —

  Merseyside (Knowsley)

  19 December 1994

  Merseyside (Bootle)

  —

  Merseyside (Liverpool 2)

  —

  North Dorset

  19 December 1994

  Weymouth

  —

  Hertfordshire (Letchworth)

  19 December 1994

  Melton Mowbray

  3 January 1995

  Market Harborough

  —

  Isle of Wight (Newport)

  3 January 1995

  Merseyside (Southport)

  3 January 1995

  Oswestry

  31 January 1995

  Brighouse

  20 February 1995

  Huddersfield

  —

  Batley

  —

  Halifax

  March 1995

  Sandwell

  10 April 1995

  Middlesbrough

  10 April 1995

  Derwentside

  10 April 1995

  Chester le street

  —

  Teesdale

  —

  Durham City (1)

  —

  Durham City (2)

  —

  East Durham

  —

  Sedgefield

  —

  Wearvalley (1)

  —

  Wearvalley (2)

  —

  Coventry

  10 April 1995

  Nuneaton

  —

  Leamington Spa

  10 April 1995

  Stratford upon Avon

  —

  Rotherham

  19 April 1995

  Hexham

  1 May 1995

  Berwick

  —

  Blyth

  —

  Ashington

  —

  Alnwick

  —

  Furness

  1 May 1995

  Carlisle

  —

  Workington

  —

  Whitehaven

  —

  Kendal

  —

  Bristol (hub)

  9 May 1995

  St. Helens

  9 May 1995

  Welwyn/Hatfield

  9 May 1995

  East Cornwall

  2 June 1995

  893

  Table of open business links

  Business link outlets

  Opening date

  Bedford

  Jun 1995

  Luton

  —

  Stevenage

  Jun 1995

  Bath

  3 July 1995

  Weston super Mare

  —

  Wansdyke

  —

  Cannock

  17 July 1995

  S. Devon: Newton Abbot

  17 July 1995

  Solihull

  31 July 1995

  Wyre Forest

  31 July 1995

  Craven Arms

  1 August 1995

  Stafford

  17 August 1995

  Frome

  14 August 1995

  Rugby

  14 August 1995

  Burton on Trent

  21 August 1995

  Rochdale

  29 August 1995

  Lichfield

  4 September 1995

  Redditch/Bromsgrove

  4 September 1995

  Bridgwater

  5 September 1995

  Tamworth

  11 September 1995

  North Devon

  11 September 1995

  Leek

  18 September 1995

  Hull

  18 September 1995

  Sheffield

  19 September 1995

  SW Herts Centre (Watford)

  25 September 1995

  Chesterfield

  29 September 1995

  Ilkeston

  29 September 1995

  Ripley

  2 October 1995

  Leeds

  2 October 1995

  Central Milton Keynes

  2 October 1995

  Stoke

  2 October 1995

  West Mailing

  2 October 1995

  Wolverhampton

  2 October 1995

  Bolsover

  2 October 1995

  Bake well

  2 October 1995

  Minehead

  2 October 1995

  Wakefield

  16 October 1995

  Castleford

  —

  Nottingham City

  23 October 1995

  Stockton

  23 October 1995

  Kings Lynn

  23 October 1995

  Lowestoft

  —

  Norwich

  —

  Oldham Inner

  26 October 1995

  Oldham Outer

  —

  City

  30 October 1995

  Hackney

  —

  Islington

  —

  Croydon

  31 October 1995

  Hounslow

  31 October 1995

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice is given by his Department to(a) the business links chief executive and (b) local business links offices about fee rates for business links services. [42268]

  Mr. Page
  Business links are advised, in the business link service guide, to charge for services where it is reasonable to do so. The guide also sets out the requirements of the European Community state aid rules—which set a 50 per cent. limit on public funding of consultancy and training provision for small and medium-sized enterprises—competition policy and value for money. The guide was issued to business link chief executives in October 1995 and is available to business link staff. I have arranged for a copy of the guide to be placed in the Library of the House.
  894

  Business Statistics
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each parliamentary constituency(a) how many businesses there are employing (i) between 0 to nine people, (ii) between 10 to 49 people, (iii) between 50 to 99 people and (iv) between 100 to 499, (b) how many business start-ups there have been in each of the last 16 years and (c) how many deregistrations there have been in each of the last 16 years. [42267]

  Mr. Page
  Figures for parliamentary constituencies are not available.

  Numbers of VAT-registered businesses, new registrations and deregistrations by local authority district are published in "VAT County and District Estimates 1980–91" and "VAT County and District estimates 1992–93", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of business start-ups in each of the last 12 months. [42006]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: There are no official figures on the number of business start-ups each month. Estimates from Barclays and NatWest suggest around 400,000 businesses started up in the 12 months ending June 1995.

  Small Business Ministers (Meeting)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of the meeting of small business Ministers on 30 October. [42269]

  Mr. Page
  The group agreed to meet twice yearly—in January to provide input into the competitiveness White Paper and July to provide input into the Budget. Other meetings will take place on a bilateral basis to discuss issues specific to individual departments.

  It was also agreed that each Department would provide a contribution to the annual small firms in Britain report, showing the progress it had made helping small businesses.

  Meetings
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times(a) he or his predecessor, (b) his junior ministerial colleagues in his Department and (c) senior civil servants at or above the grade of assistant secretary in his Department, have met food and drink manufacturers, retailers and other food industry trade associations in the last year; and if he will list these meetings and the businesses they represented. [42124]

  Mr. Eggar
  There is a wide range of DTI Ministers and senior civil servants who may have had such contracts. However, the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Asthma Research
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money the Medical Research Council spent in 1994–95 on(a) research into asthma and (b) research which may be relevant to the condition. [41160]
  895
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In 1994–95, the MRC spent(a) £873,400 on research directly relevant to asthma, and (b) £718,254 on research related to the condition.

  Gas Industry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that measures to increase competition in the gas industry are not at the expense of people living in rural areas a long way from North sea sources of supply; and if he will make a statement. [41769]

  Mr. Page
  No such measures are necessary. Competitors are already promising to offer domestic customers in the south-west—the first region which is to be opened up to competition in April 1996—lower prices. In fact, one company has already made public its intention to offer prices that are 15 per cent. or more below British Gas's current standard tariffs. This is despite the fact that the region includes large rural areas and is a long way from the North sea.

  British Association (Annual Science Meeting)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations made him unable to accept an invitation to visit the British Association's annual science meeting held in Newcastle during September. [39041]

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

  Deregulation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many occasions in the past 12 months he has agreed to meet individuals and organisations interested in(a) deregulation proposals and (b) telecommunications policy where the introduction was initially sought by (i) a Minister and (ii) another hon. Member. [42175]

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

  Digital Terrestrial Television
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects the frequency planning work for the introduction of digital terrestrial television to be completed. [41678]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Internet
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received about the possible regulation of material available on the Internet; [41815]

  (2) what investigations his Department has made in the practicality of the regulation of material available on the Internet. [41816]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Over the last few months, I have received a number of representations about the nature of material on the Internet. These have involved indecent, obscene and
  896
  racially inflammatory material and that which could lead to terrorist activity. In addition, there have also been representations about the possible access of young children to some of this material.

  In general, the Internet is already subject to the same laws as apply to other media. However my officials, along with those of other Departments, are considering the practicality of, and the case for, any more specific regulation. We have also been interested in the proposals from the US for specific self-regulation in relation to the Internet, both by providers of Internet services and by schools and parents. On obscenity, my Department is participating in the interdepartmental group on the subject which is chaired by the Home Office.

  Increasingly, servers such as BT are offering to filter out material supplied to schools and other similar users. We are co-operating in evaluating such action.

  Ultimately, the enormous benefits of Internet and its international character make legal remedies against abuse by a minority difficult.

TRANSPORT

  Train Safety (Women)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of reported assaults on women travelling on trains each year since 1990. [41751]

  Mr. Watts
  The table shows the number of recorded assaults against women travelling on trains from 1 September 1993 to 30 September 1995. Separate figures by gender for periods before 1 September 1993 are not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Period

  Total

  1 September 1993 to 31 December 1993

  113

  1 January 1994 to 31 December 1994

  494

  1 January 1995 to 30 September 1995

  395

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about women-only train carriages; and if he will make a statement. [41752]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Eurostar
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has paid in(a) grant, (b) loan and (c) otherwise during the current year to European Passenger Services or British Rail to assist the operation of the Eurostar service. [41641]

  Mr. Watts
  To date no grant has been paid to European Passenger Services. EPS has an external financing requirement of about £143 million in the current year to date. This is funded by borrowing from the national loans fund. EPS was separated from British Rail on 9 May 1994 and has been funded separately from BR since that date.
  897

  Railway Timetable
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he expects the May 1996 railway timetable to be published. [42283]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack informs me that next year's summer timetable will come into effect in June 1996 and will be published at the end of April 1996.

  Municipal Bus Companies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those former municipal bus companies whose sale to the private sector was allowed only under covenants(a) preventing asset stripping, (b) protecting the work force's employment terms and conditions and (c) preserving minimum service levels; [42170]

  (2) what factors he considers in deciding whether or not to give consent to the sale of a 50 per cent. stake in a jointly owned municipal bus company where one local authority wants to sell and the other does not; [42168]

  (3) what is his policy in respect of sales of a municipal bus company where the sale offer is made to a restricted number of carefully selected potential purchasers; [42172]

  (4) to what extent the pension rights of persons formerly employed by municipal bus companies have been affected following the purchase of the company by (a) a private operator and (b) the management and employees themselves; [42171]

  (5) what discussions, meetings or contact he has had with Price Waterhouse Corporate Finance concerning the proposed sale by Pendle council of its stake in Burnley and Pendle Buses. [42173]

  Mr. Norris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in the past 12 months he has agreed to meet individuals and organisations interested in rail privatisation where the introduction was initially sought by(a) a Minister and (b) another hon. Member. [42174]

  Sir George Young
  The information is not kept in this form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  M62
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what has been the expenditure to date on the two-year further investigation into the M62 relief road project which was announced in 1983; [42165]

  (2) how many houses affected by the M62 relief road proposal have been purchased by his Department to date; [42167]

  (3) what has been the expenditure to date on acquiring properties affected by the M62 relief road. [42166]

  Mr. Watts
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  898

  Road and Motorway Maintenance
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cyclical and routine maintenance contracts let by the Highways Agency for roads and motorways are(a) carried out directly or indirectly by local authorities as designated agents and (b) supervised by (i) consulting engineers and (ii) others working directly or indirectly for the Highways Agency. [42156]

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

  Ferrybridge-Hook Moor Inquiry
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give a breakdown of costs of the public inquiry into the A1 Ferrybridge to Hook Moor proposed development. [42157]

  Mr. Watts
  The final cost of the inquiry is not yet known but is likely to be of the order of £68,000. Of this amount, some £15,000 relates to accommodation.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the procedure for(a) collecting and recording statements, (b) answers to questions and (c) other matters at the public inquiry held at the Parkside hotel, Pontefract by (i) the Highways Agency and (ii) the independent inspector, (1) in the room where the inquiry was held and (2) in the room occupied by the Highways Agency; [42154]

  (2) what procedure in respect of recording of statements, questions and answers was applied during the public inquiry held recently into the A1 Ferrybridge to Hook Moor proposals by the Highways Agency. [42148]

  Mr. Watts
  The current rules of procedure for inquiries concerned with Highways Act Orders are contained in the Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1994, SI 3263, which came into force on 10 January. All inquiries are subject to the rules of natural justice and are conducted by the appointed inspector on the basis of openness, fairness and impartiality. It is for the inspector to decide the order in which witnesses will be heard, statements recorded and the pattern of examination and cross-examination. Since the purpose of the inquiry is to appraise the inspector of the facts of the matter before him, the most important record is the set of notes the inspector takes himself. These notes provide the inspector with the basis for his report.

  All written evidence to the inquiry became inquiry documents which were deposited in the inquiry library.

  No record is kept of the proceedings in the private workrooms of the Highways Agency and its advisers.

  Motorways Inquiries
  Mr. William O' Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public inquiries dealing with major motorway developments have been initiated by the Highways Agency on behalf of his Department; and if he will list the titles of the public inquiries. [42150]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  899
  Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr. William O' Brien, dated 8 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, how many public inquiries dealing with major motorways developments have been initiated by the Highways Agency on behalf of his Department, and if he will list the titles of the public inquiries.
  Public inquiries into objections to motorway and trunk road schemes are set up jointly by the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment.
  Since our formation on 1 April 1994 Public Inquiries into the following major motorway development have been initiated:

  M1 Junctions 6A–10 Widening

  M4 Junctions 3–4b Widening

  M11 Junctions 5 North Facing slip roads Improvements

  M20 Junctions 3–5 Widening

  M23 Junctions 8–9 Widening

  M25 Terminal 5 Spur (Heathrow)

  M63 Junctions 6–9 Widening

  A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor

  A1(M) Leeming to Scotch Corner

  A556(M) M6 to M56

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice is given to independent inspectors hearing a public inquiry into motorway developments to ensure all witnesses' statements are recorded and available for public inspection. [42151]

  Mr. Watts
  The planning inspectorate of the Department of the Environment has issued "Notes for the Guidance of Independent Inspectors Holding Inquiries Into Orders and Special Road Schemes Made Under the Highways Act 1980". These notes make it clear that documentary evidence, like oral evidence, can be taken into account only if it is fully disclosed at the inquiry. The notes advise the inspector to list inquiry documents, plans and photographs, giving them unique numbers, in an appendix to the report on the inquiry. A transcript service is normally provided by the Department of Transport, for trunk road inquiries which are expected to last more than 16 sitting days.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislation applies to the terms and conditions of a public inquiry into a major motorway development. [42153]

  Mr. Watts
  The conduct of inquiries for which notice was given on or after 10 January 1995 is governed by the Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1994, SI 1994 No. 3263, and the Compulsory Purchase by Ministers (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1994, SI 1994 No. 3264. Inquiries for which notice was given before 10 January 1994 are governed by the Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1976, SI 1976 No. 721, and the Compulsory Purchase by Ministers (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1967, SI 1967 No. 720.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what stage in a public inquiry into a major motorway development the independent inspector appointed by him takes on responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [42152]
  900
  Mr. Watts
  The independent inspector for a trunk road motorway inquiry is nominated by the Lord Chancellor and appointed by the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport. The inspector is fully responsible for the conduct of the inquiry from its opening and for any pre-inquiry meeting.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibilities, other than operational, are allocated by his Department to the Highways Agency. [42149]

  Mr. Watts
  In addition to being responsible for the day-to-day management and the performance of the Highways Agency, the chief executive advises my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on operational policy affecting the agency's work and has the lead role in making recommendations to him about the future development of the network.

  M1-A1 Link Road
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated number of vehicles that will use the Leeds M1 to A1 link road when it is complete. [42158]

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

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the projects considered for the private finance initiative since it began in his Department, indicating in each case whether or not it has proceeded and the public and private financial input in each case. [41328]

  Mr. Watts
  All projects for which the Department is responsible are considered for procurement through the private finance initiative. Information on those that have proceeded to date is included in the Department's publication "Building Tomorrow's Transport Network", copies of which are in the Library, and in my answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) on 28 June 1995,Official Report, column 672–73. Funding for line 1 of Midland Metro has since been approved: the total value of the project is estimated to be £145 million of which the private sector is contributing £11.5 million. Bids for the WCML modernisation signalling programme are being evaluated by Railtrack and the contract will be let before the end of the financial year.

  Road Building Programme
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the spending in constant terms of the road building programme in each year since 1979. [41765]

  Mr. Watts
  The information requested regarding spending in constant terms in the road building programme since 1979—calculated using 1993–94 as the baseline—is set out in million pounds sterling. The figures apply only to roads in England as the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales have responsibility for this expenditure in those countries. Expenditure on local roads is not available at constant prices and is therefore excluded.
  901

  Year

  £ million

  1979–90

  1094.0

  1980–81

  1083.8

  1981–82

  1184.2

  1982–83

  1292.7

  1983–84

  1190.0

  1984–85

  1279.1

  1985–86

  1235.5

  1986–87

  1270.2

  1987–88

  1341.5

  1988–89

  1315.1

  1989–90

  1656.5

  1990–91

  2052.4

  1991–92

  1988.6

  1992–93

  2018.9

  1993–94

  2041.9

  1994–95

  1991.7

  Car Windscreen Cleaners
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to reduce nuisance to the public by people offering to clean car windows; [42336]

  (2) how many people cleaning car windscreens without legal authority or excuse have been prosecuted for wilfully obstructing the free passage along a highway in 1994–95. [42337]

  (3) what consultations he has had with the police about the extent of people cleaning car windscreens, with particular reference to the dangers of vulnerable drivers. [42338]

  Mr. Norris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42327]

  Mr. Norris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Trans-European Transport Networks
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the decision by the EU Council of Transport Ministers in respect of the amendments Nos. 12, 162, 163 and 166, concerning environmental standards, from the European Parliament to the European Community proposal on trans-European transport networks. [41763]

  Mr. Watts
  A common position on the draft guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network was adopted by the Transport Council on 28 September. In reaching this common position, the Council considered amendments Nos. 12, 162, 163 and 166 and agreed to an amendment to article 5 of the draft guidelines. This provides for environmental concerns to be integrated into the design and development of the network. The Council agreed that there was no need to include an article devoted specifically to environmental protection since this was already dealt with adequately in the draft proposals.
  902

  Stranraer Rail Services
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his intentions with regard to the franchising of passenger rail services serving Stranraer. [42377]

  Mr. Watts
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what support or promotion his Department is giving to installing public displays of traffic pollution levels in streets. [40915]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department makes information available to the public from its automatic air quality monitoring sites, which in city centres are mainly influenced by road traffic emissions. Daily information is provided on air pollution in both urban and rural areas across the United Kingdom via a Freephone helpline, Ceefax, Teletext, the Internet and a variety of other news media. Bulletins include information on levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone together with a forecast for the following day. The information is available to local authorities and it is for them to decide what use should be made of it in their local circumstances.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Micro-credit Programmes
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amount of bilateral British aid in 1994 given to micro-credit programmes making small business loans to poor women. [41587]

  Mr. Hanley
  British aid, in 1994, funded a number of programmes with micro-credit components including large programmes in Bangladesh, through the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, and in Kenya, through the Kenya rural enterprise programme. Neither the total of these micro-credit programmes nor the proportion made to poor women are readily identifiable, but women are the main beneficiaries in the programmes specified and we believe that total expenditure on micro-credit was approximately £3 million in 1994.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to contribute funds for the World Bank plan announced last July to assist micro-level credit schemes. [42195]

  Mr. Hanley
  The consultative group to assist the poorest, launched by the World Bank in June, aims to pool experience on the delivery of financial services to the very poor; to support institutions which provide such services on a financially sustainable basis; to strengthen donor co-ordination and increase awareness of microcredit schemes within the bank. The bank is
  903
  contributing $30 million towards this pilot programme. Other donors may contribute in cash or in kind, by nominating directly administered projects and programmes for joint review of experience and dissemination of best practice. The UK is participating in the group on the latter basis.

  Bilateral Aid
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by how much the Overseas Development Administration budget would need to rise, in percentage and money terms, to maintain the value of the bilateral programme during the period 1996–97 to 1998–99. [41621]

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not possible to answer this question precisely, since there is scope to modify certain limited categories of multilateral spending such as contributions to new multilateral replenishments, or voluntary contributions to UN or Commonwealth bodies.

  The latest relevant forecast, published in the 1995 departmental report, suggests that the increase required to maintain the value, in cash and real terms, of the bilateral programmes at the levels planned for 1995–96 in 1996–97 and 1997–98 is as follows:

  £ millions

  Percentage

  1996–97

  Cash

  81.0

  3.6

  Real

  114.0

  5.1

  1997–98

  Cash

  155.0

  7.0

  Real

  216.0

  9.7

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by how much the Overseas Development Administration budget would need to increase, in percentage and money terms, to maintain its value, in cash and real terms, during the period 1996–97 to 1998–99. [41620]

  Mr. Hanley
  The level of the Overseas Development Administration budget for 1995–96 is planned to be £2,230 million excluding overseas superannuation and global environment assistance. The increase on the planned level for 1995–96, in percentage and money terms, required to maintain its value, in cash and real terms, during the period 1996–97 to 1998–99, is as follows:

  £ millions

  Percentage

  1996–97

  Cash

  0.0

  0

  Real

  67.0

  3

  1997–98

  Cash

  0.0

  0

  Real

  124.0

  5.6

  1998–99

  Cash

  0.0

  0

  Real

  177.0

  8

  904

  Debt Relief
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how much debt service on Overseas Development Administration debt was received in 1993 and 1994; and how much is due in 1995 and 1996; [42343]

  (2) to which countries the United Kingdom has provided Overseas Development Administration debt relief in 1995. [42344]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Lady.

  Nigeria (Oil Industry)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what projects his Department is funding(a) alone and (b) in partnership, in Nigeria; and if he will list (i) the amount of funding and (ii) the organisations involved; [42374]

  (2) if he will provide a full list of all projects and Overseas Development Administration is funding in partnership with Shell and give the amount of funding involved; [42375]

  (3) if he will list all projects his Department is funding (a) alone and (b) in partnership with other organisations linked to the oil industry in Nigeria; and if he will list the amount of funding involved; [42376]

  (4) if he will list all projects his Department is funding (a) alone and (b) in partnership in or to do with Ogoniland, Nigeria; and if he will list the amount of funding involved; [42369]

  (5) if he will list all projects that his Department is planning to take part in which includes co-operation with oil industry companies; [42370]

  (6) if he will list all the projects his Department his taken part in which have involved Shell in each year for the last 10 years; [42371]

  (7) if he will list all projects his Department is planning to take part or fund in Nigeria; [42372]

  (8) if he will list all the projects his Department has funded in Nigeria in each year for the last 10 years. [42373]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Member.

TREASURY

  Income Tax
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide updated figures using the September retail prices index for tables 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the tax ready reckoner and tax reliefs giving for each table the effect in 1996–97 and a full year. [40774]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Revised figures are in the tables.
  905

  Table 2

  Income tax

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  Personal allowance

  3,525

  3,665

  Personal allowance (age 65–74)

  4,630

  4,810

  Personal allowance (age 75 and over)

  4,800

  4,990

  Married couple's allowance1

  1,720

  1,790

  Married couple's allowance (age 65–75)1

  2,995

  3,115

  Married couple's allowance (age 75 and over)1

  3,035

  3,155

  Additional personal1,2 and widow's bereavement allowance1

  1,720

  1,790

  Aged income limit3

  14,600

  15,200

  Lower rate band

  3,200

  3,400

  Basic rate limit4

  24,300

  25,300

  1Allowance available at a flat rate of 15 per cent.

  2Primarily for single parents.

  3If the total income, less allowable deductions, of a taxpayer aged 65 or over exceeds this limit, the age-related allowances are reduced by £1 for each £2 of income over the limit until the basic levels of the personal and married couple's allowances are reached.

  4Higher rate income tax is payable on income (less those allowances and reliefs that are allowed at the higher rate) in excess of the basic rate limit.

  Table 5

  Cost of indexation for 1996–97

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Indexation of income tax allowances, lower rate band and basic rate limit1

  1,190

  1,880

  of which:

  increases in allowances

  810

  1,170

  increase in the lower rate band2

  150

  300

  increase in the basic rate limit2

  230

  410

  Indexation of inheritance tax threshold

  25

  45

  Indexation of capital gains tax annual exempt amount

  0

  3

  1Includes the consequential effects on capital gains tax.

  2Additional cost after previous change has been introduced.

  Table 6

  Direct effects of illustrative changes in income tax1

  £ million

  Full year cost/yield

  Receipts cost/yield

  Income tax2

  1996–97

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Rates

  Change lower rate by 1p3

  560

  850

  720

  Change basic rate by 1p

  1,900

  1,600

  2,000

  Change higher rate by 1p

  460

  240

  560

  Allowances

  Change personal allowance by £100

  590

  430

  640

  Change age-related personal allowance by £1004

  60

  45

  60

  Change married couple's allowance by £1005

  150

  120

  160

  Change age-related married couple's allowance by £1004

  15

  11

  15

  Change aged income limit by £500

  13

  8

  14

  Change all personal allowances by 1 per cent.6

  240

  180

  260

  Change all personal allowance by 10 per cent.6

  2,530

  1,750

  2,550

  Change married couple's and related allowances by 1 per cent.6

  30

  20

  30

  906

  Table 6

  Direct effects of illustrative changes in income tax1

  £ million

  Full year cost/yield

  Receipts cost/yield

  Income tax2

  1996–97

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Change married couple's and related allowances by 10 per cent.6

  300

  220

  330

  Lower rate band

  Increase lower rate band by 10 per cent. 6

  320

  240

  350

  Basic rate limit

  Change basic rate limit by 1 per cent.6

  80

  50

  95

  Change basic rate limit by 10 per cent.6

  increase (cost)

  750

  450

  870

  decrease (yield)

  930

  580

  1,100

  Allowances, lower rate band and basic rate limit

  Change all main allowances, lower rate band and basic rate limit by 1 per cent. 6

  380

  280

  420

  Change all main allowances, lower rate band and basic rate limit by 10 per cent. 6

  increase (cost)

  3,700

  2,650

  4,100

  decrease (yield)

  4,050

  2,900

  4,500

  1The estimated revenue effects of changes on receipts are rounded. The extent of rounding reflects the desire to avoid undue compounding of its effects when numbers are pro-rated, rather than the accuracy of the estimates.

  2The figures for income tax changes include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax. Changes are assumed to take effect from April 1996.

  3Including the effects of the change on receipts of advance corporation tax and on consequent liability to mainstream corporation tax.

  4Allowances for those aged 65–74 and aged 75 and over.

  5The figures include the revenue effects of changing the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance by £100.

  6Percentage changes are calculated with reference to 1995–96 levels.

  Table 7

  Direct effects of illustrative changes in other direct taxes and national insurance contributions1

  £ million

  Full year cost/yield

  Receipts cost cost/yield

  1996–97

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Corporation tax2

  Change full rate by 1 percentage point

  880

  630

  940

  Change small companies' rate by 1 percentage point3

  130

  90

  140

  Capital gains tax4

  Increase annual exempt amount by £500 for individuals and £250 for trustees

  6

  0

  4

  Inheritance tax4

  Change rate by 1 percentage point

  45

  20

  38

  Increase threshold by £5,000

  40

  19

  37

  1The estimated revenue effects of changes on receipts are rounded. The extent of rounding reflects the desire to avoid undue compounding of its effects when numbers are pro-rated, rather than the accuracy of the estimates.

  2Assessment to corporation tax normally relates to the preceding year. These estimates are the changes to revenue that would occur if the changed rates were applied to profits from 1 April 1995.

  3These figures ignore effects arising from the imputation system.

  4These changes are assumed to take effect from April 1996.

  907

  Table 8

  Direct effects of revalorising all excise duties by 3.9 per cent.1

  Typical item

  Current level of duty on typical item

  Price change2

  Pint of beer

  24.6p

  1.1p

  75cl bottle of table wine

  105.33p

  4.8p

  70cl bottle of spirits

  £5.77

  26.4p

  20 king size cigarettes3

  £1.69

  13.8p

  Litre of unleaded petrol4

  31.3p

  3.3p

  Litre of DERV4

  31.3p

  3.3p

  VED5

  £135

  £5.27

  1These are estimated on the assumption that total consumers' expenditure at factor cost does not change.

  2The price change is assumed to equal the change in duty plus the consequential VAT except in the case of VED where VAT is not payable. The price change is for the typical item described above and rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a pence.

  Table 9

  Direct effects of illustrative changes in indirect taxes1

  3,4£ million cost/yield

  Price change of typical item2

  Associated percentage change in duty

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Beer and cider

  1p

  3.5

  15

  105

  110

  Wine

  5p

  4.0

  5

  30

  35

  Spirits

  25p

  3.7

  5

  25

  25

  Tobacco5

  5p

  2.8

  40

  180

  190

  Petrol6

  1p

  2.6

  75

  310

  340

  Derv

  1p

  2.7

  40

  150

  170

  VED7

  £5.00

  3.7

  50

  150

  150

  Air passenger duty8,9

  50p/£l

  10.0

  10

  35

  35

  1 percentage point change in VAT standard rate8

  190

  2,480

  2,610

  1 percentage point change in rate of insurance premium tax8

  20

  270

  285

  1These are estimated on the assumption that total consumers' expenditure at factor cost does not change.:

  2The price change is assumed to equal the change in duty plus the consequential VAT except in the case of VED where VAT is not payable. The price change is for the typical item described above and rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a pence.

  3Assuming implementation on 1 January 1996 for alcohol and on Budget day for all other duties.

  4Revenue effects include effects of changed duty on all items in the same category by the same percentage. Estimates are subject to uncertainty about the extent to which consumers would switch between different categories of expenditure. This is particularly so for switching from one type of alcoholic drink to another.

  5The duty on cigarettes has ad valorem and specific elements; revalorisation relates to total duty and the illustrative percentage change relates only to the specific element, but the price change includes the consequential increase in ad valorem duty hand VAT. The figures are for an increase of 3 per cent, above revalorisation to reflect the commitment to raise tobacco duties by at least 3 per cent, in real terms in future budgets announced in November 1993.

  6Revenue effects assume duty on both leaded and unleaded petrol is changed by the same percentage.

  7All VED, including HGVs as well as cars and light vans.

  8Assuming implementation from Budget day.

  9Current duty rates are £5 and £10 depending on destination.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the effect on(a) tax revenue and (b) benefit expenditure of increasing (i) the married couple's allowance, (ii) the additional personal allowance and (iii) the widow's bereavement allowance by (A) £100, (B) £200 and (C) £300; [42287]

  (2) what would be the effect on (a) tax revenue and (b) benefit expenditure of introducing a tax allowance of £300 per child for taxpayers with children (i) under 11 years of age and (ii) under 16 years of age, giving relief at (A) the taxpayers' marginal rate, (B) the 25 per cent. rate, (C) the 20 per cent. rate and (D) the 15 per cent. rate. [42285]
  908
  3The duty on cigarettes has ad valorem and specific elements; revalorisation relates to total duty and the illustrative percentage change relates only to the specific element, but the price change includes the consequential increase in ad valorem duty and VAT. The figures are for an increase of 3 per cent. above revalorisation to reflect the commitment to raise tobacco duties by at least 3 per cent. in real terms in future budgets announced in November 1993.

  4The figures are for an increase of 5 per cent. above revalorisation to reflect the commitment to raise fuel duties by at least 5 per cent. in real terms in future Budgets announced in November 1993.

  5Cars and light vans.

  1£ million cost/yield

  Year

  Revalorisation of all excise duties by 3.9 per cent

  1995–96

  415

  1996–97

  1,750

  1997–98

  1,875

  Impact effect on the RPI

  per cent. 0.51

  1Assuming implementation on 1 January 1996 for alcohol and on Budget day for all other duties.

  1. Includes receipts from taxes on items not listed above.

  Mr. Jack
  Estimated full-year tax costs at 1996–97 income levels are given in the table. The benefit offset will depend on take-up and other factors, but it is likely to he small relative to the total cost.

  Full year revenue tax costs of increasing allowances at 1996–97 levels

  £ million

  Increase

  Married couples allowance

  Additional personal allowance

  Widow's bereavement allowance

  100

  150

  10

  less than 5 million

  200

  300

  20

  300

  450

  30

  909

  Full year revenue tax costs at 1996–97 levels

  £ million

  Introduction of child tax allowance of £300 per child available at:

  Children under 11

  Children under 16

  marginal rate

  460

  730

  25 per cent.

  430

  670

  20 per cent.

  340

  540

  15 per cent.

  260

  400

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for all taxpayers the effect on revenue yield in 1995–96 resulting from changes since 1987–88 and 1990–91 in the eligibility, rates or amounts of allowances and reliefs, including MIRAS, available for offset against income tax, after allowing for indexation. [39108]

  Mr. Jack
  Comparisons at 1995–96 income levels using the higher tax rates from the earlier years and with income tax allowances and rate bands indexed in line with changes in the retail prices index are given in the table. These are based on a projection of the 1993–94 survey of personal incomes. The effect of changes in mortgage interest relief cannot be estimated from this source because most mortgage interest relief is given at source and therefore is not included in individual tax records.

  Tax regime applied to 1995–96 incomes

  Total income tax liability before mortgage interest relief £ billion

  1987–88 indexed

  84.7

  1990–91 indexed

  80.2

  1995–96 actual

  74.7

  Numbers: Thousands

  Taxpayers with employment or self-employment income

  Total taxpayers

  Taxpayers liable only at 20 per cent, rate

  Percentage liable only 20 per cent, rate

  Wales

  970

  1,110

  290

  24

  Mid Glamorgan

  170

  200

  50

  25

  Merthyr Tydfil/Rhymney Valley

  50

  55

  1—

  1—

  1 Estimates cannot be provided due to low number of sample survey cases in the Survey of Personal Incomes sample.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41745]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: By the end of 1995–96, I expect projects to a value of some £5 billion to have been agreed. Fuller details of the major projects concerned were published in the Treasury press notice 136/94 of 29 November 1994. Within this total, there is a large number and variety of projects, which are being taken forward by a number of public sector bodies, including those outside central Government. Detailed information of the kind requested by the hon. Gentleman is not held centrally.
  910
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate for the latest year available the number of married couples in the United Kingdom, including those couples that are dependent on benefits, who have(a) insufficient income and (b) sufficient income to use the married couple's allowance in full to offset against tax; [42288]

  (2) what is the number of taxpayers who are entitled to (a) the married couple's allowance, (b) the additional personal allowance (c) neither of these allowances because their partner is claiming the allowance, (d) neither of these because they are unmarried and do not have dependent children and (e) the widow's bereavement allowance. [42286]

  Mr. Jack
  I cannot answer substantively before Parliament is prorogued. I will, however, write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has of the number and proportion of income taxpayers in(a) Wales, (b) Mid Glamorgan and (c) Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney who pay no higher than the 20 per cent. rate; [41608]

  (2) what estimate he has of the number of people in employment in (a) Wales, (b) Mid Glamorgan and (c) Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney who earn enough to pay income tax. [41609]

  Mr. Jack
  The table provides estimates for those resident in Wales, Mid Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil or Rhymney Valley districts. Figures are given for 1993–94, the latest year in which information can be provided below the United Kingdom level.

  Financial arrangements for projects under the private finance initiative fall into a number of categories. These include financially free-standing projects where public sector involvement is limited to enabling the project to go ahead; services sold to the public sector where the cost is met wholly or mainly by charges from the private sector supplier to the public sector; and joint ventures, where the cost of the project is met partly from public funds and partly from other sources of income.

  Housing Benefit (Taxation)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the loss to the Exchequer in respect of housing benefit paid to private landlords which is not declared for income tax purposes; [40903]

  (2) what amount and proportion of housing benefit paid to private landlords in the last year for which figures are available was paid in income tax. [40902]
  911
  Mr. Jack
  No specific figures are available. The Inland Revenue places great emphasis on the detection of those who fail to declare taxable income. Payments of housing benefit are monitored as part of the Inland Revenue's normal compliance work.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the likely consequences to(a) income tax yield and (b) capital gains yield in a full year in the medium term and long term of the introduction of a maximum rate of capital gains tax of 25 per cent. due to (i) straightforward revenue loss and (ii) behavioural effects. [42289]

  Mr. Jack
  For the capital gains tax effects of the specified measure, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 27 October,Official Report, column 857. Behavioural effects would also be expected to lead to a small reduction in income tax yield, perhaps of the order of £50 million in a full year in the medium term.

  It is not possible to produce reliable estimates for the long term.

  Advance Corporation Tax
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on revenue in 1996–97 and a full year of restricting the carry back of ACT to(a) three years, (b) two years and (c) one year. [42284]

  Mr. Jack
  The Exchequer effect of restricting ACT carry back from 1996–97 would depend on future levels of profits and dividends. On the basis of the economic forecasts in the 1995 summer economic forecast, the yield from restricting carry back to one, two or three years might be between £100 million and £200 million in a full year. The receipts effect in 1996–97 would be negligible. More detailed estimates cannot be made reliably.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those companies privatised since 1979 together with the debt write-off agreed by the Government prior to the sale. [42176]

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Ms Armstrong) on 23 March 1995,Official Report, columns 285–88.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total expenditure of his Department since 1979 on advertising and promoting share offers in(a) gas, (b) electricity, (c) water and (d) telecommunications. [42102]

  Mr. Jack
  The costs have been as follows:

  (a) Nil.

  (b) £8 million (Genco2, 1995).

  (c) Nil.

  (d) £14.7 million on BT2 in 1991

  £12.0 million on BT3 in 1993

  912

  Betting and Lottery Duty
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far his most recent projections of combined betting duty and lottery tax revenues for 1994–95 and 1995–96 exceed those projected in November 1994. [42333]

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

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42328]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Development Banks
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the total capital, paid and callable, and voting percentage in the African development bank, the Asian development bank, the Inter-American development bank and the European bank for reconstruction and development; [42345]

  2) what co-financing of regional development bank projects there has been in 1993–95; for which projects; in which countries; and how much was donated per project. [42346]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Lady.

  Debt Relief
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which countries benefited from debt conversion in 1993, 1994 and 1995; how much was converted and at what rate of face value; of the conversions that took place what proportion were for environmental or social development projects etc; and if non-governmental organisations play a role in designing or implementing the conversions; [42347]

  (2) which countries to which the United Kingdom was or is a major creditor benefited from Paris Club debt reduction arrangements in 1993, 1994 and 1995; by how much their debt was reduced; and which option of (a) debt reduction, (b) debt service reduction, (c) capitalisation, (d) moratorium interest and (e) commercial option was chosen in each case. [42348]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I will write to the hon. Lady.

  Bilateral Debt Service
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much bilateral debt service on Overseas Development Administration and Export Credits Guarantee Department debt was received in 1993 and 1994; and how much is due in 1995 and 1996. [42349]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Lady.
  913

  Life Assurance (Taxation)
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the taxation of life assurance policyholders. [42361]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government have decided to defer the proposals for the reform of policyholder taxation, which were promised for inclusion in this year's Finance Bill, to allow a longer period for consultation with interested parties.

  As a result, the system of certification of life insurance policies by the Inland Revenue, which was to be abolished with effect from 6 May 1996, will continue for the time being. It is intended that legislation to give effect to this proposal will be included in this year's Finance Bill.

  The Government intend to publish next spring draft clauses and proposed secondary legislation aimed at giving effect to the proposed reform with a view to the inclusion of the clauses in a future Finance Bill. This would enable the Inland Revenue to consult interested parties on the proposed changes and allow those parties more time to assess their impact and prepare for them.

  Share Schemes (Taxation)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost in 1996–97 and a full year of reducing the qualifying period for full relief under profit sharing schemes and savings-related share options schemes from five to three years. [40782]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The cost in 1996–97 of reducing the qualifying period for full tax relief under profit sharing schemes and introducing an optional three-year contract period for savings-related share option schemes is estimated at £15 million. The estimated full-year cost is £25 million.

  European Courts
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the reply of the Attorney-General of 30 October, c.12, relating to the decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41212]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), gave him on 7 November 1995.

  Savings
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of(a) gross savings as a percentage of gross domestic product and (b) public spending as a percentage of gross domestic product in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement on the trends indicated. [40908]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I regret that I cannot answer substantively before Parliament is prorogued. I will, however, write to the hon. Member.
  914

  Benefits
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those social security benefits that are not taxable or are in certain instances exempt from taxation and the gross annual amounts that are not subject to tax; and if he will make a statement on the distinction between such differing tax approaches. [40906]

  Mr. Jack
  A list of taxable and non-taxable social security benefits appears in the table.

  £ million

  Cost 1995–96

  Non-taxable benefits

  Pensioners' Christmas bonus

  135

  Sickness benefit1

  348

  Maternity allowance

  35

  War pension

  1,247

  Attendance allowance

  2,089

  Severe disability allowance

  797

  Disability living allowance

  3,416

  Disability working allowance

  23

  Industrial disablement benefits

  659

  Child benefit

  6,327

  One parent benefit

  312

  Family credit

  1,682

  Housing benefit2

  10,996

  Council tax benefit2

  2,039

  Social fund payments

  226

  Independent living fund

  103

  Other miscellaneous benefits3

  8

  Total

  30,442

  Taxable benefits (wholly or partly taxable)

  Industrial death benefit

  56

  Invalid care allowance

  609

  Invalidity benefit1

  7,713

  Retirement pension

  29,833

  Widows benefits

  1,021

  Statutory sick pay

  25

  Statutory maternity pay

  465

  Income support

  15,964

  Unemployment benefit

  1,335

  Total

  57,021

  1. Figures given are in £millions and may not sum due to rounding.

  1 All figures given are in respect of 1995–96 planned expenditure (taken from the 1995 Social Security Departmental Report). The Table does not therefore show incapacity benefit which has now replaced Sickness benefit and Invalidity benefit.

  2 Includes additional local authority spending.

  3 Includes Guardians allowance, Child special allowance, miscellaneous industrial injury benefits, vaccine damage payments and payments to charitable organisations.

  Annual expenditure on non-taxable benefits is estimated to be £30,446 million in 1995–96. Annual expenditure on taxable benefits, including those taxable in part, is estimated to be £57,021 million in 1995–96. Information is not held on the amount of taxable benefits not subject to tax.

  A number of different considerations are taken into account by the Government in deciding on the tax treatment of social security benefits, for example, the purpose of the benefit in question, whether it is short or long-term, whether it is intended as a replacement for income from employment or self-employment, and whether it is subject to a means test.
  915

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many landowners who receive conditional exemption from inheritance tax as a result of access agreements own land covered by these agreements which is(a) registered and (b) unregistered. [41282]

  Mr. Jack
  As the inheritance tax conditional exemption provisions make no distinction between registered and unregistered land, the information requested is not available.

  Unemployment
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many unemployed(A) 16 to 19, (B) 20 to 24, (C) 25 to 34, (D) 35 to 44, (E) 45 to 54 and (F) 55 to 65-year-olds in (1) Lewisham, East and (2) each of the London boroughs (a) receive job-related training or (b) are working either full time or part time while in education; and what is their average income; [41658]

  (2) how many unemployed ethnic minority male (A) 16 to 19, (B) 20 to 24, (C) 25 to 34, (D) 35 to 44, (E) 45 to 54 and (F) 55 to 65-year-olds in (1) Lewisham, East and (2) each of the London boroughs (a) receive job-related training and (b) are working either full time or part time while in education; and what is their average income. [41655]

  (3) how many unemployed males in (1) Lewisham, East and (2) each of the London boroughs (a) receive job-related training or (b) are working either full time or part time while in education; and what is their average income; [41651]

  (4) how many unemployed male (A) 16 to 19, (B) 20 to 24, (C) 25 to 34,(D) 35 to 44, (E) 45 to 54 and (F) 55 to 64-year-olds in (1) Lewisham, East and (2) each of the London boroughs (a) receive job-related training and (b) and working either full time or part time while in eduction; and what is their average income. [41652]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information about these groups is available from the labour force survey. However, the standard International Labour Organisation definitions used in that survey include all persons in job-related training, full-time and part-time work as in employment. No one in the groups listed is, therefore, classified as unemployed on the ILO definition.

  Earnings
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) females and (b) males working in (i) Great Britain and (ii) Northern Ireland in April 1995 earned less than £58.00 per week. [41585]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Estimated numbers and proportions of all employees on adult rates, whose pay was not affected by absence, are given in the following tables:

  Proportion earning less than £58 per week

  Per cent.

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Male

  0.1

  35.7

  2.3

  Female

  0.2

  29.7

  11.7

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey 1995.
  916

  Estimated number earning less than £58 per week (millions)

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Male

  —

  0.3

  0.3

  Female

  —

  1.2

  1.2

  April 1995 information for Northern Ireland is not yet available.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what proportion of(a) manual, (b) non-manual and (c) full-time employees were earning less than (i) £161.60, (ii) £215.47 and (iii) £228.68 per week excluding overtime payments for (1) men, (2) women and (3) both sexes for (A) each county in England, (B) each county in Wales, (C) each London borough and Greater London as a whole and (D) each regional authority and borough in Scotland in April; [41583]

  (2) how many and what proportion of (a) manual, (b) non-manual and (c) part-time employees were earning less than (i) £4.26 per hour, (ii) £5.69 per hour and (iii) £6.03 per hour excluding overtime payments for (1) men, (2) women and (3) both sexes by standard economic region for (A) Great Britain and (B) Northern Ireland and for (iv) each county in England, (v) each county in Wales, (vi) each London borough and Greater London as a whole and (vii) each regional authority and borough in Scotland in April; [41582]

  (3) how many and what proportion of (a) manual, (b) non-manual and (c) full-time employees were earning less than (i) £161.60, (ii) £215.47 and (iii) £228.68 per week excluding overtime payments for (1) men, (2) women and (3) both sexes by standard economic region for (A) each Great Britain and (B) Northern Ireland in April. [41584]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I am placing the available information from the new earnings survey in the Members' Library. April 1995 information for Northern Ireland is not yet available.

  Mortgage Brokers
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the regulatory bodies which oversee the work of mortgage brokers who give advice on mortgages. [41617]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Firms which sell, or offer advice on, mortgages which include an investment element, such as an endowment policy, have to be authorised by one of the Financial Services Act regulators, normally the Personal Investment Authority.

  The banking ombudsman and the building societies ombudsman can also consider complaints about malpractice related to the selling of mortgages.

  The mortgage lending industry is currently considering the possibility of producing a code of mortgage lending practice.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the work of regulatory bodies which pursue cases of malpractice by mortgage brokers giving advice to the public. [41616]

  Mrs. Knight
  The performance of the Personal Investment Authority and other self-regulatory organisations is a matter for the Securities and Investment Board.
  917
  In 1993–94, mortgages accounted for 8.9 per cent. of preliminary complaints to the banking ombudsman, and 10.65 per cent. of the complaints accepted for full investigation. Cases varied from those who claimed that banks had given poor advice, to those who were concerned about mistakes in the calculations of repayments or final redemption figures.

  In 1994–95, mortgages constituted 56 per cent. of the preliminary complaints received by the building societies ombudsman, and 62 per cent. of the cases which came to the ombudsman for resolution after exhausting the society's own internal complaints procedure.

WALES

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the directly managed units in the national health service in Wales and what progress each has made in moving to trust status. [41786]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The three remaining directly managed units in Wales are:

  Merthyr/Cynon health unit

  Rhymney Valley health unit

  Hensol health unit

  Applications have been received for each unit to acquire trust status from April 1996. Three months public consultation on the applications commenced on 25 September.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, columns 642–43 if he will list which trusts provide (a) mental health and illness and (b) learning disabilities services for each health authority area in Wales classified as in whole or in part. [42303]

  Mr. Hague
  The answer is as follows:

  Health authority

  Trust

  Clwyd

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS trust

  Glan Clwyd District General Hospital NHS trust

  Clwydian Community Care NHS trust1

  Dyfed

  Derwen NHS trust1

  Gwent

  Gwent Community Health NHS trust1

  Gwynedd

  Gwynedd Community Health NHS trust1

  Mid Glamorgan

  Rhondda Health Care NHS trust

  Bridgend and District NHS trust

  Merthyr Cynon Valley health unit (directly managed unit)

  Hensol hospital (directly managed unit) 1

  Powys

  Powys NHS trust1

  South Glamorgan

  Cardiff Community Health Care trust1

  Llandough Hospital and Community NHS trust

  West Glamorgan

  Glan y Mor trust

  1 Denotes trusts providing learning disabilities services.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, columns 642–43, if he will list any representations he has received from (a) Welsh Association of Health Authorities and Trusts and (b) from other sources in relation to trusts bidding together or separately to take over directly managed
  918
  units, which themselves wish to be formed into a trust; and if he will make a statement. [42295]

  Mr. Hague
  Representations received to date on applications from trusts to merge with directly managed units in Wales are as follows:

  (a) WAHAT—None;

  (b) Others—

  Rhodri Morgan Esq. MP

  Allan Rogers Esq. MP

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  Ms M. J. Henderson, Non-Executive Director, Mid Glamorgan Family Health Service Authority (independent comment)

  South Glamorgan Homeopathic Group

  Standing Conference of Voluntary Organisations for People with a Learning Disability in Wales

  Rhondda Borough Council

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, columns 642–43, if he will list the different functions of each of the mixed function trusts and the different geographical areas to which they apply. [42304]

  Mr. Hague
  The current geographical areas for the different functions of the following NHS trusts are:

  Llandough Hospital and Community NHS trust

  Acute services mainly for the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan areas with the provision of community services restricted to the Vale of Glamorgan area, excluding Cowbridge and Llantwit Major.

  Rhondda Healthcare NHS trust

  Acute and community services for the Rhondda and Taff Ely area with drug and alcohol services provided to the whole of Mid Glamorgan.

  Bridgend and District NHS trust

  Acute, community and mental health services mainly for the Ogwr area and community services in the West Vale of Glamorgan.

  Glan-y-Mor NHS trust

  Acute services in Neath and Port Talbot areas and community and mental health services for West Glamorgan.

  Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS trust

  Community, mental health and learning disability services to the Greater Cardiff area and mental health services to the lower Rhymney Valley.

  Gwent Community Health NHS trust

  Community and mental health services to the county of Gwent and mental health services to the Rhymney Valley.

  Welsh Language Board
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schemes to promote the Welsh language have been submitted by public bodies under the Welsh Language Act 1993 and approved by the Welsh Language Board, and if he will make a statement. [42120]

  Mr. Hague
  The Welsh Language Board issued statutory notices to public bodies of the need to prepare schemes on 13 October 1995. No schemes have yet been submitted.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of running the Welsh Language Board in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [42121]
  919
  Mr. Hague
  The board's running costs for 1994–95 amounted to £868,792.

  Brecon and Radnor Community Health Council
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from the Brecon and Radnor community health council in relation to patient deregistration in relation to the incentive payments for meeting immunisation targets, and if he will make a statement. [42213]

  Mr. Hague
  I have received no such representations.

  School Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from county councils in Wales concerning funding levels for schools in 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [42186]

  Mr. Hague
  I met Welsh local authority representatives at the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance in September to hear their views on local authority expenditure needs, including education, in 1996–97.

  Decisions on capital and revenue resources for unitary authorities will be announced in the local authority capital and revenue settlements in December.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received concerning schools funding in Clwyd. [42188]

  Mr. Hague
  No representations have been received within the last two months concerning schools funding in Clwyd.

  Planning Policy Guidance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had concerning draft planning guidance from local authorities in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [42190]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Assembly of Welsh Counties, eight county councils, 28 district councils and seven new county and county borough councils in Wales in response to the public consultation exercise on the draft planning policy guidance in Wales documents. Responses are currently being evaluated to inform the way forward.

  Estatecare Division (Sale)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, column 642, what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority concerning the advertisement for sale of the authority's Estatecare division in the Official Journal of the European Communities; and what were the dates of the relevant exchange of correspondence with the Official Journal authorities.

  Mr. Hague
  I have had no discussions on this issue with the chairman. Investigation confirmed that there was no requirement to advertise the sale in the Official Journal. The conduct of the privatisation process is a
  920
  matter for the chief executive of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, to whom operational questions should be addressed.

  OSIRIS
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, columns 641–42, if he will give the estimated number of staff to be provided with personal computers under the OSIRIS contract. [42274]

  Mr. Hague
  The advertisement inviting proposals for OSIRIS estimated the number of staff to be provided with personal computers as about 1,900.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, columns 641–42 if he will estimate the annualised sum payable for services under the OSIRIS as a percentage of the initial capital cost. [42296]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is commercially confidential.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received regarding the funding of further education colleges; and if he will make a statement. [42184]

  Mr. Hague
  None, apart from the annual confidential advice from the Further Education Funding Council for Wales.

  Apprenticeships
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many craft apprenticeships were made available in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [42210]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of apprenticeships made available, nor is any reliable information available on those in employment in craft and related occupations who are undertaking a trade apprenticeship.

  The following table shows the information on apprenticeships available from the labour force survey.

  Modern apprenticeships were introduced in Wales last year in manufacturing engineering. For 1995–96, training and enterprise councils have been given resources to support 3,400 modern apprenticeships—including up to 1,000 accelerated apprenticeships.

  Number of people in employment in Wales who were in the process of completing any recognised trade apprenticeship (at the time of the survey)

  Year

  Number

  Spring 1991

  19,000

  Spring 1992

  14,000

  Spring 1993

  14,000

  Spring 1994

  10,000

  Spring 1995

  10,000

  921

  Powys Family Health Services Authority
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Powys family health services authority concerning the deregistration of children from general practitioner patient lists for reasons arising from incentives paid for achieving immunisation rate targets; [42205]

  (2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Powys family health services authority concerning the restoration to general practitioners' lists of families provisionally deregistered because of the financial impact on the practice of the immunisation targets set in the standard general practitioner contract. [42270]

  Mr. Hague
  I have had no such consultations.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Conwy (Sir W. Roberts) of 30 October,Official Report, column 7, on which dates his Department received (a) a detailed letter and (b) reminders from the economic development department of South Glamorgan county council raising concerns about the threat to payments from the European regional development fund arising from the reduced grant in aid from his Department; and if he will make a statement. [42273]

  Mr. Hague
  South Glamorgan county council raised a number of matters concerning the operation of the structural funds, including WDA participation, in a letter to my Department of 16 November 1994. The council provided further information related to the WDA's corporate plan on 2 February and wrote further on 2 and 17 March and 24 April 1995. There were informal exchanges between officials and the authority on 10 January and 21 February 1995. My predecessor gave an assurance to the House on 20 March 1995 about the propriety of WDA involvement in structural fund programmes, a view which has since been accepted by the European Commission.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit(a) Queensferry fire service station and (b) Buckley fire station in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement. [42191]

  Mr. Hague
  No; the responsibility for the fire service and its organisation in Wales rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

  Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from district councils in Wales concerning the funding levels for housing in 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [42187]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I met Welsh local authority representatives, in the forum of the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance in September to hear their views on local 922
  authority expenditure needs, including housing, in 1996–97. Subsequently, I met local authority representatives in the Welsh Housing Consultative Committee.

  Decisions on capital and revenue resources for unitary authorities will be announced in the local authority capital and revenue settlements in December.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been sold in(a) 1994 and (b) so far in 1995, giving the cash units realised according to each housing authority. [42209]

  Mr. Jones
  The available information for 1994 is given in the following table. I will write to the hon. Member when the corresponding information for the first six months of 1995 has been finalised and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Council house sales 1994

  Dwellings sold Number

  Receipts £000

  Aberconwy

  36

  638

  Alyn and Deeside

  72

  1,322

  Arfon

  52

  1,060

  Blaenau Gwent

  118

  1,795

  Brecknock

  42

  682

  Cardiff

  225

  4,224

  Carmarthen

  59

  1,010

  Ceredigion

  68

  1,239

  Colwyn

  28

  480

  Cynon Valley

  57

  549

  Delyn

  32

  492

  Dinefwr

  41

  658

  Dwyfor

  22

  501

  Glyndwr

  50

  846

  Islwyn

  113

  1,882

  Llanelli

  98

  1,488

  Lliw Valley

  52

  802

  Meirionnydd

  20

  304

  Merthyr Tydfil

  56

  754

  Monmouth

  119

  2,264

  Montgomeryshire

  48

  1,016

  Neath

  52

  759

  Newport

  180

  2,961

  Ogwr

  136

  2,046

  Port Talbot

  105

  1,496

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  107

  1,710

  Radnorshire

  25

  536

  Rhondda

  30

  309

  Rhuddlan

  25

  454

  Rhymney Valley

  127

  1,510

  South Pembrokeshire

  25

  419

  Swansea

  185

  2,418

  Taff-Ely

  74

  1,171

  Torfaen

  282

  3,545

  Vale of Glamorgan

  89

  1,777

  Wrexham Maelor

  169

  2,683

  Ynys Mon

  44

  688

  Source:

  Local authority returns.

  Teachers (Costs)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of how many extra(a) primary school and (b) secondary school teachers could be obtained by additional expenditure of £40 million; and if he will make a statement. [42207]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.
  923

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many primary school pupils are taught in classes of 32 or more; and if he will make a statement. [42185]

  Mr. Hague
  Information is not collected centrally in respect of primary school classes of more than 32 pupils. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) on 3 November,Official Report, column 493.

  Fire Service Reorganisation
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further discussions he will have concerning the organisation and structure of the fire brigade in Wales in 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [42189]

  Mr. Hague
  I have no plans to have further discussions concerning the organisation and structure of the fire service in Wales for 1996–97. The responsibility for the fire service in Wales rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

  Immunisation Targets
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will carry out a study of the impact of the immunisation targets in the standard general practitioner contract on the supply of primary health care services in remote rural areas by single-handed practices. [42260]

  Mr. Hague
  I have no plans to do so.

  Patient Lists (Removal)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will be taking with respect to the removal of(a) children of the Venables family and (b) other children whose parents did not wish to have them immunised by Dr. Goodall-Copestake of Presteigne, Powys, from his general practitioner's list; what discussion he has held with Powys family health services authority on this subject; if he will list similar cases where general practitioners have had children removed from their lists; and if he will make a statement. [42280]

  Mr. Hague
  I understand that Dr. Goodall-Copestake has withdrawn his request that the children be removed from his list. I have held no discussions with Powys FHSA on this issue nor am I aware of any similar case elsewhere.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by this Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42329]

  Mr. Hague
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Freight Terminal, South Wales
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's involvement in proposals for a924
  freight terminal in south Wales; and if he will make a statement. [42368]

  Mr. Hague
  The WDA and Welsh Office have received several applications for contributions towards the capital costs of developing freight terminals. In assessing these applications, the detailed requirements of the various schemes of assistance must be met, together with the overriding one of value for money. It is for the applicants to show that their proposals satisfy all these requirements. The effect on existing rail freight businesses is another important consideration.

  The provision of such a facility and its nature are matters for the commercial and technical judgment of investors. There is no need for Welsh Office permission to build a terminal at any location subject to the usual planning considerations, but I have today directed South Glamorgan county council to prepare an environmental statement as part of its planning application for a proposed rail freight terminal at Wentloog, Cardiff.

  Applications for ERDF assistance under the objective 2 programme for industrial south Wales have been made by Gwent county council, in respect of a development at Magor, and by South Glamorgan county council, in relation to a project at Wentloog. Both applications were submitted on 30 June 1995 and, inquiries have been completed, these will be considered by the appropriate technical group, a wide-ranging partnership comprising central and local government, the European Commission, agencies and other bodies. Decisions are expected in early 1996.

  Applications in respect of the same sites have been submitted for freight facilities grant. This is an environmental grant designed to encourage the transport of freight by rail rather than road.

  The Magor application was submitted on 21 June 1995 and, following a meeting with officials on 2 August, further material was received on 10 October. That material is being considered urgently but it is too early to say whether it will be sufficient to enable a decision on grant to be made.

  An application for Wentloog was submitted on 20 October 1995 but further essential material is awaited from the applicants.

  With regard to the applications made to the Welsh Development Agency, I have asked the agency to consider these proposals on their merits and to offer such support as it may determine is both justified and necessary. The agency will therefore be contacting the relevant bodies concerned to take forward discussion in this regard.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMEMT

  Local Education Authorities
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list local education authorities in rank order by the proportion of the potential schools' budget held back in the most recent year for which figures are available. [37670]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table provided the information requested, for the financial year 1995–96.
  925

  Local education authority

  Percentage age not delegated

  Dudley

  4.2

  Hertfordshire

  5.9

  Solihull

  6.0

  Waltham Forest

  6.1

  Islington

  6.1

  Knowsley

  6.1

  Brent

  6.5

  Leeds

  6.6

  Berkshire

  6.9

  Northamptonshire

  7.1

  Rochdale

  7.1

  Staffordshire

  7.2

  Wigan

  7.3

  Greenwich

  7.4

  Liverpool

  7.5

  Sunderland

  7.7

  Manchester

  8.0

  Devon

  8.1

  Wolverhampton

  8.1

  Bury

  8.2

  North Tyneside

  8.2

  Cumbria

  8.2

  Havering

  8.3

  Oxfordshire

  8.4

  Norfolk

  8.6

  Coventry

  8.7

  Bedfordshire

  8.8

  Bexley

  8.8

  Gloucestershire

  8.9

  Somerset

  8.9

  Cheshire

  9.1

  Stockport

  9.1

  Tower Hamlets

  9.1

  Hereford and Worcester

  9.2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  9.2

  Northumberland

  9.2

  Salford

  9.3

  Suffolk

  9.4

  Oldham

  9.4

  Redbridge

  9.4

  Richmond

  9.6

  Wirral

  9.7

  Walsall

  9.7

  Birmingham

  9.7

  Isle of Wight

  9.8

  Westminster

  9.8

  Sutton

  9.8

  Barnet

  9.8

  Harrow

  9.9

  Kensington and Chelsea

  10.0

  Croydon

  10.0

  Hillingdon

  10.1

  Ealing

  10.1

  North Yorkshire

  10.2

  Surrey

  10.2

  Dorset

  10.3

  Doncaster

  10.3

  Wiltshire

  10.4

  St. Helens

  10.5

  Lincolnshire

  10.5

  Cleveland

  10.6

  Enfield

  10.6

  Rotherham

  10.6

  Tameside

  10.7

  Derbyshire

  10.7

  Cambridgeshire

  10.7

  Kingston

  10.8

  Merton

  10.8

  South Tyneside

  10.8

  Barnsley

  10.9

  Calderdale

  10.9

  Barking and Dagenham

  10.9

  Essex

  11.0

  Cornwall

  11.0

  City

  11.1

  926

  Local education authority

  Percentage age not delegated

  Bolton

  11.1

  East Sussex

  11.1

  West Sussex

  11.1

  Nottinghamshire

  11.2

  Hounslow

  11.2

  Humberside

  11.3

  Sefton

  11.3

  Trafford

  11.4

  Hampshire

  11.4

  Durham

  11.5

  Buckinghamshire

  11.6

  Leicestershire

  11.6

  Warwickshire

  11.6

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  11.8

  Shropshire

  11.8

  Sandwell

  11.9

  Avon

  11.9

  Southwark

  12.0

  Bradford

  12.0

  Wakefield

  12.1

  Sheffield

  12.2

  Bromley

  12.2

  Lancashire

  12.3

  Lewisham

  12.4

  Kent

  12.5

  Camden

  12.6

  Haringey

  12.8

  Kirklees

  12.9

  Hackney

  13.1

  Gateshead

  13.4

  Newham

  13.5

  Lambeth

  13.6

  Wandsworth

  14.6

  Isles of Scilly

  14.9

  Education and Employment Departments
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the work of(a) the Department for Education and (b) the Department of Employment since 1990. [38077]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department for Education has aimed to raise general standards of educational attainment, to enable individuals to realise their full potential, to equip pupils and students for the responsibilities of adult life, to enhance the nation's international competitiveness and to enhance choice and diversity for parents and students.

  Standards have been raised in schools. The national curriculum has been developed and revised. Regular assessment for seven and 14-year-olds has been introduced, and in 1994 many 11-year-olds were tested as part of a voluntary national pilot. The parents charter was published in 1991—updated in 1994—setting out the rights and responsibilities of parents in relation to their child's education. The Education (Schools) Act 1992 paved the way for performance tables, which have subsequently been published. A code of practice on the education of children with special educational needs came into effect in 1994. The Office for Standards in Education, Ofsted, was established in 1991 to carry out independent inspections of schools. Where a school is found at inspection to be failing to provide acceptable education, it becomes subject to special measures and is required to submit an action plan to the Secretary of State. In May 1995 the Secretary of State launched the improving schools programme which contains a wide range of measures designed to help raise standards of teaching and learning in all schools.
  927
  Choice and diversity have been enhanced. The number of grant-maintained schools have increased from 10 in January 1990 to more than 1,000 in 1995. The number of city technology colleges has increased from three to 15. The technology and colleges and language programme, launched in 1993, builds on CTC experience by helping existing maintained secondary schools to specialise in science, technology and mathematics or in modern foreign languages. We now have 101 technology colleges and six languages approved offering a new choice for parents across much of the country. The assisted places scheme continues to give the parents of academically able children the opportunity to send them to good independent secondary schools. In July 1995, the Secretary of State announced the new nursery voucher scheme for four-year-olds. The parents of every four-year-old will receive a voucher which they can exchange for three terms of good-quality nursery education in the state, private or voluntary sectors.

  Participation in full and part-time education at age 16 has increased from 73 per cent. in 1990–91 to 79 per cent. in 1994–95, and at age 17 from 59 per cent. to 68 per cent. The percentage of 15-year-olds obtaining five or more GCSEs at grade C or better has increased from 34.5 per cent. in 1989–90 to 43.3 per cent. in 1993–94, while the percentage of young people obtaining two or more passes at GCE A/AS level has increased from 20.2 per cent. to 27.9 per cent.

  In further education, participation of 16-year-olds in full-time education in schools and FE colleges has increased by about 12 per cent. since 1990. The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 released FE institutions from local authority control, giving them greater freedom to conduct their own affairs. Following the 1994 White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win", links between FE institutions and local training and enterprise councils have been strengthened.

  In higher education, participation rates have greatly increased, and the rates projected in the 1991 White Paper "Higher Education: A New Framework" have already virtually been met. To help maintain standards, the Higher Education Quality Council was established in 1993 and has continued with its programme of audits of HE institutions' quality assurance processes.

  The Employment Department has aimed to support economic growth by promoting a competitive, efficient and flexible labour market.

  Flexibility in the labour market has facilitated recovery from the recession. Unemployment has fallen by over 700,000 since December 1992 and stands at two percentage points below the average for the European Union. Employment and training measures to help unemployed people have been maintained at high levels despite the fall in unemployment. The effectiveness of measures has been continually monitored and new measures developed on a pilot basis, followed by evaluation and extension where they have proved successful.

  The Employment Service was established as an agency in 1990. Over 1,000 jobcentres are clearly focused on their key objectives of getting people into work and paying them benefits accurately and promptly while they look for work. This year, ES has been set its highest ever target of placing 1.9 million unemployed people into jobs.
  928
  The Jobseekers Act 1995 provides for the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance. The main aims of the JSA are to improve the operation of the labour market by helping people in their search for work, to secure better value for money for the taxpayer and to improve the service to unemployed people themselves.

  During the period since 1990, the Department continued with a step-by-step reform of industrial relations legislation. In 1994–95 the number of strikes was the lowest since records began in 1891.

  The Department has continued to promote equality of opportunity in the labour market.

  The Department has presented and promoted the United Kingdom's approach to labour market issues within the European Union and helped to increase the emphasis in EU social policy on improving competitiveness, reducing the cost of employment and increasing labour market flexibility.

  Both Departments have supported the development of national targets for education and training, and have taken part fully in the Government's competitiveness and deregulation initiatives.

  The Employment Department has introduced a series of reforms and measures to boost outputs from the training system. Since 1990, it has established 74 training and enterprise councils in England. The system of national vocational qualifications has been further developed to the point of 86 per cent. coverage of the working population. The Department has promoted and supported the investors in people standard. Nearly 20,000 employers are now committed to investors in people. In 1990, the Department introduced youth training as a replacement for the youth training scheme. It has successfully operated the YT guarantee. In 1991, it introduced youth credits, now available nationally. In 1993, training for work was introduced as a replacement for employment training and employment action. Modern and accelerated modern apprenticeships have been made nationally available. Incentives have been introduced for individuals to improve their skills through a range of measures including career development loans and tax relief for vocational training. The Department has provided help for small businesses to develop the skills of their work force through measures such as small firms training loans, 1994, and skills for small businesses, 1995.

  Following the formation of the Department for Education and Employment in July 1995, a draft aim, objectives and values for the new Department have been published and rapid progress has been made towards integrating structures and policies.

  Further details of the work of the Department for Education and the Employment Department are available in their annual departmental reports.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what grant-giving funds her Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38598]
  929
  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave on Tuesday 31 October,Official Report, columns 183–84.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the percentage of children who currently take or are entitled to free school meals in each school in Doncaster education authority; and what was the figure(a) 12 months and (b) 24 months ago. [39050]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The following information is derived from returns made by schools in January of each year to the Department.

  Percentage of day pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained schools in Doncaster Local Education Authority

  Position in January each year

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Abbey CE middle school

  41

  53

  54

  Adwick Park junior school

  37

  31

  37

  Adwick school

  20

  23

  27

  Anchorage school

  58

  55

  61

  Arksey first and middle school

  14

  13

  15

  Armthorpe CE infant school

  39

  —

  —

  Armthorpe comprehensive school

  17

  19

  21

  Ash Hill middle school

  24

  27

  24

  Askern Spa junior school

  39

  40

  37

  Athelstane school

  n/a

  56

  54

  Auckley junior and infant school

  3

  1

  2

  Balby Carr school

  25

  24

  29

  Balby middle school

  39

  41

  41

  Balby Street junior and infant school

  33

  34

  32

  Barnburgh primary school

  6

  5

  7

  Barnby Dun first school

  13

  8

  —

  Barnby Dun middle school

  11

  10

  —

  Barnby Dun primary school

  —

  —

  5

  Bentley RC Junior and Infant School

  23

  22

  23

  Bentley New village primary school

  45

  47

  52

  Bessacarr first school

  2

  2

  3

  Braithwell first and middle school

  9

  11

  —

  Brodsworth CE first and middle school

  21

  12

  —

  Campsmount school

  25

  26

  29

  Carcroft first school

  46

  40

  —

  Carcroft middle school

  43

  47

  —

  Carcroft primary school

  —

  —

  42

  Carr House middle school

  37

  39

  44

  Castle Hills first school

  21

  —

  —

  Castle Hills primary school

  —

  23

  24

  Cedar Special school

  55

  55

  55

  Central first school

  23

  22

  24

  Chase school

  37

  35

  35

  Copley junior school

  3

  3

  2

  Crookesbroom primary school

  34

  41

  46

  Curlew middle school

  41

  40

  —

  Danum school

  24

  22

  22

  Denaby main infant school

  53

  54

  50

  Denaby main junior school

  67

  67

  73

  Don valley high School

  27

  24

  26

  Doncaster road infant school

  45

  38

  31

  Doncaster road junior school

  43

  40

  30

  Dunsville primary school

  17

  20

  20

  Eastgate first school

  57

  57

  —

  Edenthorpe Hall primary school

  10

  13

  9

  Edlington school

  17

  19

  17

  Ellers middle school

  6

  9

  9

  Estfeld primary school

  2

  3

  2

  Fernbank School

  40

  46

  45

  Finningley CE junior and infant school

  8

  6

  5

  Fishlake Endowed first school

  7

  11

  —

  Grange Lane first school

  42

  46

  47

  930

  Percentage of day pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained schools in Doncaster Local Education Authority

  Position in January each year

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Green Lane middle school

  25

  32

  33

  Greentop first school

  20

  25

  23

  Hall Cross school

  14

  9

  16

  Hatfield high school

  19

  23

  27

  Hawthorn first school

  34

  33

  35

  Hayfield Lane primary school

  7

  7

  11

  Hayfield school

  6

  6

  7

  Hexthorpe first school

  39

  45

  43

  Hexthorpe middle school

  38

  41

  40

  High Street first school

  31

  —

  —

  High Street middle school

  30

  —

  —

  High Street primary school

  —

  30

  29

  Highfields primary school

  63

  60

  61

  Highwood junior and infant School

  55

  60

  59

  Hill Top infant school

  46

  42

  43

  Hill Top junior school

  41

  44

  48

  Holmescarr junior school

  50

  54

  57

  Holy Family RC junior and infant school

  16

  16

  18

  Hooton Pagnell CE primary school

  8

  18

  12

  Hungerhill school

  8

  9

  9

  Hyde Park first school

  24

  27

  28

  Intake first school

  43

  43

  47

  Intake middle school

  42

  44

  49

  Ivanhoe junior and infant school

  31

  28

  27

  King Edward first school

  50

  47

  51

  Kingfisher first school

  33

  35

  35

  Kirk Sandall infant school

  13

  11

  8

  Kirk Sandall junior school

  8

  11

  16

  Kirkby Avenue first school

  19

  22

  22

  Kirkby Avenue middle school

  18

  22

  21

  Kirkton Lane primary school

  31

  38

  38

  Little Moor first school

  32

  37

  35

  Manor middle school

  9

  14

  17

  Marshland middle school

  29

  36

  38

  Mayflower junior and infant school

  18

  13

  14

  McAuley RC school

  13

  13

  14

  Mexborough school

  26

  29

  28

  Montagu junior school

  30

  28

  27

  Morley place junior school

  28

  29

  32

  Moss Road first school

  23

  26

  29

  Nightingale first school

  36

  39

  37

  Northcliffe school

  36

  37

  40

  Northfield middle school

  29

  34

  38

  Norton first school

  25

  26

  21

  Norton junior school

  21

  24

  24

  Orchard infant school

  4

  5

  3

  Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC primary school

  22

  23

  18

  Our Lady of Sorrows RC primary school

  14

  16

  19

  Owston Skellow junior school

  28

  28

  34

  Park First school

  33

  28

  30

  Park Road infant school

  26

  25

  26

  Pheasant Bank junior school

  26

  31

  31

  Popham Memorial CE primary school

  10

  8

  6

  Richmond Hill infant school

  10

  11

  10

  Richmond Hill junior school

  14

  15

  15

  Ridgewood school

  10

  10

  11

  Rosedale primary school

  23

  23

  17

  Rossington Comprehensive school

  28

  32

  34

  Rossington Hall school

  53

  45

  55

  Rowena infant school

  27

  27

  26

  Saltersgate infant school

  9

  10

  7

  Saltersgate junior school

  6

  10

  7

  Sandall wood school

  40

  47

  46

  Sandringham first school

  26

  30

  33

  Shaw Wood infant school

  27

  29

  28

  Shaw Wood junior school

  33

  31

  34

  Sheep Dip Lane primary school

  43

  45

  44

  Skellow infant school

  28

  29

  30

  931

  Percentage of day pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained schools in Doncaster Local Education Authority

  Position in January each year

  1993

  1994

  1995

  South Cantley first school

  20

  24

  19

  South Cantley middle school

  11

  15

  13

  South Common first school

  36

  36

  35

  Southfield junior and infant school

  10

  8

  11

  St. Aidans CE primary

  —

  —

  25

  St. Albans RC junior and infant school

  32

  34

  35

  St. Francis Xavier RC primary school

  26

  20

  20

  St. Georges CE first school

  24

  23

  —

  St. Johns CE junior and infant school

  12

  14

  13

  St. Josephs RC junior and infant school

  16

  19

  17

  St. Marys RC junior and infant school

  35

  34

  36

  St. Michaels CE first and middle school

  14

  14

  13

  St. Peters CE first school

  13

  17

  —

  St. Peters RC primary school

  21

  21

  19

  St. Wilfrids CE junior and infant school

  7

  13

  14

  Stainforth first school

  —

  —

  54

  Stainforth middle school

  43

  45

  53

  Station Road junior and infant school

  22

  24

  29

  Stirling first school

  36

  39

  48

  Sunnyfields first and middle school

  17

  21

  24

  Sycamore first school

  34

  31

  36

  Thorne grammer school

  21

  26

  27

  Thorne Moorends first school

  49

  45

  46

  Tickhill CE Aided middle school

  6

  6

  —

  Tickhill first school

  9

  7

  —

  Tickhill St. Marys CE primary

  —

  —

  6

  Toll Bar first and middle school

  51

  48

  46

  Tornedale first school

  26

  26

  26

  Town Field first school

  25

  33

  35

  Tranmoor junior school

  20

  —

  —

  Tranmoor Lane infant school

  13

  —

  —

  Tranmoor Primary school

  —

  20

  16

  Travis CE first school

  11

  11

  12

  Victoria first school

  34

  35

  —

  Victoria middle school

  34

  31

  —

  Victoria primary school

  —

  —

  34

  Wadworth primary school

  17

  12

  12

  Warmsworth first school

  6

  7

  —

  Warmsworth middle school

  7

  6

  —

  Warmsworth primary school

  —

  —

  8

  Washington infant school

  33

  29

  28

  Waverley first school

  45

  46

  44

  West Road first school

  29

  31

  29

  Westgate first school

  49

  52

  —

  Wheatley Hills middle school

  20

  28

  26

  Wheatley middle school

  34

  37

  38

  Wilby Carr middle school

  30

  27

  33

  Willow first school

  5

  7

  8

  Windhill junior and infant school

  27

  31

  31

  Woodfield first school

  37

  42

  44

  Woodfield middle school

  32

  35

  33

  Woodhouse primary school

  5

  7

  10

  Woodlands East RC junior and infant school

  29

  34

  24

  Woodlands infant school

  36

  36

  38

  Woodlands junior school

  36

  37

  37

  Yorkshire school for the deaf

  0

  0

  —

  —not applicable n/a not available

  Gateways to Learning Initiative
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what achievements have been made under the gateways to learning initiative programme; what yearly funding it has received to date; if Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council is involved; and when the initiative will end. [39020]
  932
  Mr. Paice
  The gateways to learning initiative has helped training and enterprise councils in England to promote the development of quality-assured adult careers guidance and information networks. Over 66,000 people have so far been helped to produce personal action plans relating to their education, training and career opportunities. By the time the initiative ends in December 1995 it will have received a total of £8 million in Department funding. The yearly expenditures are shown in the table.

  Barnsley and Doncaster TEC joined the initiative in 1994 and its involvement is planned to end in December 1995.

  Gateways to learning initiative

  Government expenditure £ million

  1992–93

  2

  1993–94

  3

  1994–95

  2

  1995–961

  0.4

  1 To end September 1995.

  Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the results of her Department's last quality assessor's audit of Barnsley and Doncaster TEC; and on what date the next one is planned. [39438]

  Mr. Paice
  The last quality audit at Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council was a compliance audit undertaken in August 1994 on its youth training provision.

  The findings of the audit were that the TEC was in compliance with the Department's quality requirements. A number of areas were identified in which development was desirable to increase the overall effectiveness of the TEC's quality management systems. The TEC has since taken effective action to address each of these development needs.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial year 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which she is responsible. [39524]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This Department has two executive agencies, the Teachers Pensions Agency and the Employment Service.

  The tables show staff by grade in each agency for 1994–95 and in 1995–96 with their associated costs. The 1994–95 staff figures for ES are at 1 April 1994 while those for TPA reflect the average over the year. The costs shown for 1994–95 are outturn figures.

  The staff numbers for 1995–96 for TPA are actuals as at October 1995 and those for the Employment Service are actuals at 1 April 1995. It is expected that the final

  933
  numbers for the Employment Service will be smaller. Staff costs for the financial year 1995–96 are expected to match the budget allocation as shown.

  TPA staff by grade 1994–95 and 1995–96 and total cost

  Grade

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Grade 5 and

  equivalent

  1

  1

  Grade 7 and

  equivalent

  5

  5

  SEO and equivalent

  9

  9

  HEO and equivalent

  20

  25

  EO and equivalent

  58

  56

  AO and equivalent

  180

  178

  AA and equivalent

  77 (including 12 casuals)

  115 (including 23 casuals)

  Total staff numbers

  350

  389

  Total staff costs

  £5.1 million

  £5.5 million

  ES staff costs 1994–95 and 1995–96 and total costs

  Grade

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Grade 3 and 4

  8.0

  7.0

  DE 5 and equivalent

  18.0

  19.0

  DE 6 and equivalent

  30.5

  29.6

  DE 7 and equivalent

  181.5

  180.3

  SEO and equivalent

  423.5

  415.4

  HEO and equivalent

  2,142.0

  1,890.9

  EO and equivalent

  12,062.5

  11,176.7

  AO and equivalent

  25,611.0

  24,066.2

  AA and equivalent

  1,559.5

  1,422.7

  SPS/PS

  47.5

  49.3

  Typing staff

  106.5

  56.4

  Support staff

  561.0

  548.0

  Casuals

  3,568.0

  644.7

  Total staff numbers

  46,319.5

  40,506.2

  Total staff costs

  £704.3 million

  £669.7 million

  Vaccines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will initiate a study as to whether the use of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines is related to learning difficulties in schoolchildren. [40062]

  Mr. Forth
  This is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. I am advised that there are no plans to carry out such a study at present.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultation she, Ministers in her Department or departmental officials have had with her or their counterparts in the Department of Health in regard to the effect on school attendance of children vaccinated with measles and rubella inoculations over the past year. [40066]

  Mr. Forth
  Officials in this Department have been in close contact with colleagues in the Department of Health in preparation for, during and after the measles and rubella immunisation campaign on a variety of issues.

  This Department collects and publishes information on pupils' attendance in schools only in terms of authorised and unauthorised absence. Any general health
  934
  implications for pupils, following the immunisation programme, would be for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Unemployment
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the annual loss to the Exchequer of unemployed persons in(a) October 1992 and (b) at present, in current prices. [39907]

  Mr. Forth
  The total expenditure on unemployment related benefits in the United Kingdom was £9.3 billion in 1992–93 and is estimated to have been £9.5 billion in 1994–95, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the basis for the figures supplied to the Employment Committee by the Employment Department on 18 November 1994, showing the overall cost of unemployment to be £13.2 billion in 1992–93 and £14.3 billion in 1993–94; and if she will give a figure for 1994–95 on the same basis. [41376]

  Mr. Forth
  The figures provided to the Employment Committee were not an estimate of the cost of unemployment, but were simply the total public expenditure on items requested by the Committee. The corresponding figure for 1994–95 is £13.5 billion.

  Remploy
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals to sell Remploy are being considered by Ministers. [40390]

  Mr. Forth
  None. Remploy is already a private company limited by guarantee, although it receives a Government grant to compensate it for the costs of employing severely disabled people.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40742]

  Mr. Paice
  Ministerial transport is provided to the Department by the government car service and no allowances have been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles. The information requested, in respect of both the former Employment and Education Departments, is contained in the following table:

  year

  Employment department costs £

  Education department costs £

  1990–91

  171,198

  134,191

  1991–92

  195,075

  241,215

  1992–93

  216,352

  217,197

  1993–94

  238,134

  288,121

  1994–95

  236,062

  274,377

  1. The DFE figure for 1990–91 does not include the cost of using GCS to transport ministerial boxes.

  2. During the five-year period, each of the former Departments had four ministerial cars on hire, except for the financial years 1991–92 and the first four months of 1994–95 when the Department for Education had five cars.
  935

  School Leavers
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 24 October,Official Report, columns 611–12, if she will make a statement on the reasons why her Department no longer collects information on school leavers in the maintained and independent sector. [40648]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information on school leavers was derived from the school examinations survey. The survey collected examinations and school leavers data from a sample of pupils in all secondary maintained and independent schools.

  The decision to abandon the SES was taken as part of a move towards securing the Department's examination statistics directly from the examination boards and groups. The new source provides more comprehensive and accurate figures, although it cannot identify school leavers.

  There were significant cost savings to be realised, in particular in the compliance cost to schools, once the SES had been discontinued. These savings helped offset the added burden on schools arising from checking and providing the data to be published in the school and college performance tables.

  Jobfinder's Grant
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applicants for the jobfinder's grant have been disallowed on the ground that time spent by lone parents on an order book does not count towards the qualifying period for the grant. [40642]

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Discretionary awards to postgraduate students England and Wales: Academic years 1991–92 to 1993–94

  Number of awards

  Expenditure £000s (Cash terms)

  Expenditure £000s (Real terms)1

  LEA name

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Corporation of London

  1

  —

  2

  2

  —

  8

  2

  —

  8

  Camden

  —

  10

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  41

  —

  Greenwich

  4

  5

  3

  25

  23

  16

  26

  23

  16

  Hackney

  20

  2

  5

  125

  12

  25

  134

  12

  25

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2

  9

  1

  10

  29

  6

  10

  30

  6

  Islington

  9

  —

  —

  51

  —

  —

  55

  —

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  27

  27

  —

  116

  113

  —

  124

  117

  —

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lewisham

  14

  8

  12

  74

  29

  36

  79

  30

  36

  Southwark

  15

  8

  1

  64

  35

  4

  68

  36

  4

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wandsworth2

  —

  11

  —

  —

  30

  —

  —

  31

  —

  Westminster

  38

  46

  25

  124

  152

  57

  133

  156

  57

  Barking and Dagenham

  13

  5

  —

  65

  22

  —

  70

  23

  —

  Barnet

  —

  49

  12

  —

  28

  4

  —

  29

  4

  Bexley

  13

  25

  —

  43

  90

  —

  46

  93

  —

  Brent

  —

  15

  8

  —

  50

  37

  —

  51

  37

  Bromley2

  47

  —

  1

  187

  —

  3

  201

  —

  3

  Croydon

  5

  31

  —

  24

  25

  —

  26

  26

  —

  Ealing

  31

  —

  —

  90

  —

  —

  96

  —

  —

  Enfield

  25

  2

  —

  54

  5

  —

  58

  5

  —

  Haringey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Harrow

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Havering

  12

  —

  —

  49

  —

  —

  53

  —

  —

  Hillingdon

  33

  —

  2

  133

  —

  7

  143

  —

  7

  Hounslow

  5

  2

  3

  11

  4

  8

  12

  4

  8

  Kingston upon Thames

  3

  —

  1

  8

  —

  —

  8

  —

  —

  936
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. J. Lifton to Mrs. Helen Liddell, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State had asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about the Jobfinder's Grant.We do not maintain records of lone parents claiming benefits by way of an order book who apply for a Jobfinder's Grant.The grant is targeted, in the main, at people who have been required to actively seek work for two years or more. It, therefore, precludes payments to lone parents who have received their benefit by means of an order book, since many people receiving benefit in this way will not be looking for work.I hope this is helpful.

  Postgraduate Student Awards
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many discretionary awards were made to students on postgraduate courses by each local education authority in the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the total level of spending on discretionary awards to postgraduate students by each local education authority in the last three years for which figures are available in(a) cash terms (b) current prices; [40756]

  (2) what is the total level of discretionary awards made to postgraduate students in the last three years for which figures are available in (a) cash terms and (b) current prices.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is given in the following table.
  937

  Discretionary awards to postgraduate students England and Wales: Academic years 1991–92 to 1993–94

  Number of awards

  Expenditure £000s (Cash terms)

  Expenditure £000s (Real terms)1

  LEA name

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Merton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Newham

  26

  1

  1

  61

  —

  3

  65

  —

  3

  Redbridge

  68

  27

  88

  271

  110

  134

  291

  113

  134

  Richmond upon Thames

  7

  —

  —

  25

  —

  —

  27

  —

  —

  Sutton

  2

  3

  —

  2

  4

  —

  2

  4

  —

  Waltham Forest

  4

  —

  —

  22

  —

  —

  23

  —

  —

  Birmingham

  —

  201

  27

  —

  821

  192

  —

  847

  192

  Coventry

  —

  5

  1

  —

  11

  4

  —

  12

  4

  Dudley

  12

  13

  1

  11

  10

  —

  12

  10

  —

  Sandwell

  1

  1

  —

  5

  6

  —

  6

  7

  —

  Solihull

  2

  3

  3

  7

  14

  14

  7

  14

  14

  Walsall

  40

  34

  —

  143

  116

  —

  153

  120

  —

  Wolverhampton

  6

  —

  —

  29

  —

  —

  31

  —

  —

  Knowsley

  10

  7

  11

  28

  17

  20

  30

  18

  20

  Liverpool

  68

  65

  28

  192

  179

  68

  206

  184

  68

  St. Helens

  11

  17

  —

  33

  37

  —

  36

  38

  —

  Sefton

  47

  52

  51

  233

  116

  137

  250

  119

  137

  Wirral

  63

  58

  35

  241

  263

  177

  259

  271

  177

  Bolton

  57

  2

  2

  13

  8

  7

  14

  8

  7

  Bury

  52

  —

  —

  113

  —

  —

  121

  —

  —

  Manchester

  7

  8

  —

  28

  30

  —

  30

  30

  —

  Oldham

  23

  20

  —

  93

  88

  —

  100

  91

  —

  Rochdale

  26

  26

  8

  55

  59

  12

  59

  61

  12

  Salford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stockport

  —

  6

  8

  —

  10

  16

  —

  11

  16

  Tameside

  16

  —

  —

  49

  —

  —

  52

  —

  —

  Trafford

  61

  57

  2

  141

  126

  7

  152

  130

  7

  Wigan

  7

  2

  —

  17

  6

  —

  18

  6

  —

  Barnsley

  9

  12

  —

  43

  35

  —

  46

  36

  —

  Doncaster

  40

  28

  36

  85

  56

  60

  91

  58

  60

  Rotherham

  19

  15

  18

  82

  55

  45

  88

  57

  45

  Sheffield2

  30

  —

  —

  144

  —

  —

  154

  —

  —

  Bradford

  21

  21

  11

  83

  99

  40

  89

  102

  40

  Calderdale

  2

  —

  —

  7

  —

  —

  8

  —

  —

  Kirkless

  62

  57

  16

  208

  148

  54

  223

  153

  54

  Leeds

  23

  —

  —

  20

  —

  —

  22

  —

  —

  Wakefield

  7

  5

  1

  25

  21

  —

  26

  22

  —

  Gateshead

  16

  22

  22

  61

  87

  113

  66

  90

  113

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3

  7

  10

  7

  11

  28

  8

  11

  28

  North Tyneside

  19

  10

  —

  47

  21

  —

  50

  22

  —

  South Tyneside

  12

  17

  9

  24

  41

  20

  26

  43

  20

  Sunderland

  1

  3

  20

  1

  4

  24

  2

  5

  24

  Isles of Scilly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Residuary Body

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Clwyd

  75

  2

  1

  182

  6

  2

  195

  6

  2

  Dyfed

  2

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  Gwent

  88

  76

  1

  317

  297

  5

  340

  307

  5

  Gwynedd

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mid-Glamorgan

  82

  82

  —

  330

  343

  —

  354

  354

  —

  Powys

  21

  5

  11

  78

  23

  41

  84

  24

  41

  South Glamorgan

  4

  1

  2

  11

  5

  8

  12

  6

  8

  West Glamorgan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Avon

  24

  16

  1

  56

  36

  1

  60

  37

  1

  Bedfordshire

  12

  —

  —

  36

  —

  —

  38

  —

  —

  Berkshire

  60

  35

  10

  193

  66

  20

  207

  69

  20

  Buckinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  63

  78

  8

  286

  408

  37

  307

  421

  37

  Cheshire

  186

  8

  2

  589

  22

  10

  632

  23

  10

  Cleveland

  101

  112

  59

  441

  618

  218

  473

  637

  218

  Cornwall

  77

  40

  61

  187

  119

  162

  200

  122

  162

  Cumbria

  70

  70

  6

  172

  151

  13

  184

  156

  13

  Derbyshire

  103

  21

  3

  321

  45

  3

  344

  47

  3

  Devon

  62

  73

  3

  197

  112

  6

  212

  116

  6

  Dorset

  58

  128

  153

  159

  231

  287

  171

  238

  287

  Durham

  7

  —

  —

  25

  —

  —

  27

  —

  —

  East Sussex

  2

  6

  2

  5

  24

  11

  6

  25

  11

  Essex

  181

  162

  —

  810

  986

  —

  869

  1,016

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  938 939

  Discretionary awards to postgraduate students England and Wales: Academic years 1991–92 to 1993–94

  Number of awards

  Expenditure £000s (Cash terms)

  Expenditure £000s (Real terms)1

  LEA name

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Hampshire

  108

  3

  —

  149

  1

  —

  159

  1

  —

  Hereford and Worcester

  61

  3

  2

  196

  10

  9

  211

  10

  9

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  75

  —

  —

  60

  —

  —

  62

  —

  Isle of Wight

  3

  1

  —

  4

  3

  —

  4

  3

  —

  Kent

  24

  16

  7

  63

  40

  17

  67

  42

  17

  Lancashire

  5

  5

  166

  15

  13

  483

  16

  14

  483

  Leicestershire

  22

  —

  —

  30

  —

  —

  32

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  25

  28

  41

  65

  109

  120

  70

  113

  120

  Norfolk

  78

  51

  2

  195

  116

  2

  209

  120

  2

  North Yorkshire

  122

  145

  2

  421

  112

  —

  452

  115

  —

  Northamptonshire

  50

  56

  128

  159

  166

  290

  171

  172

  290

  Northumberland

  43

  2

  29

  148

  10

  22

  158

  10

  22

  Nottinghamshire

  43

  37

  —

  142

  98

  —

  152

  101

  —

  Oxfordshire

  41

  48

  44

  93

  117

  122

  100

  121

  122

  Shropshire

  67

  50

  56

  188

  147

  150

  202

  152

  150

  Somerset

  5

  8

  11

  13

  10

  28

  14

  10

  28

  Staffordshire

  182

  146

  5

  545

  300

  12

  585

  309

  12

  Suffolk

  69

  1

  —

  294

  7

  —

  315

  7

  —

  Surrey

  133

  147

  115

  262

  316

  97

  281

  326

  97

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Sussex

  —

  80

  91

  —

  247

  175

  —

  255

  175

  Wiltshire

  30

  2

  —

  154

  21

  —

  165

  22

  —

  England and Wales3

  3,535

  2,920

  1,511

  11,441

  8,869

  3,746

  12,274

  9,149

  3,746

  Source:

  F503G

  — = nil or negligible.

  1In 1993–94 prices using the March 1995 GDP deflator for fee expenditure and the RPI (excluding mortgage interest payments) in respect of maintenance expenditure.

  2Wandsworth were unable to provide full details of discretionary awards in 1991–92. Bromley and Sheffield were unable to provide full details in 1992–93.

  3National totals have been grossed to compensate for either partial or complete non-returners.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many colleges in the further education sector offered provision in(a) sciences, (b) construction and (c) engineering in the last three years for which figures are available; and if she will list them (i) individually and (ii) by region. [40755]

  Mr. Paice
  Details of the type of provision available in further education colleges are matters for the Further Education Funding Council. I am therefore asking the council's chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to allow unincorporated colleges to apply directly to the Further Education Funding Council for their schedule 2 funding. [41236]

  Mr. Paice
  In accordance with the commitment in the "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" White Paper, Cm 2867, the Government are considering the removal of the requirement that potential new further education providers must gain the sponsorship of an existing college before being able to receive FEFC funding.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what, was the original estimated cost of implementing the jobseeker's allowance, giving a breakdown of expenditure; and what is the 940
  current estimated cost of implementing the jobseeker's allowance, giving a breakdown. [40840]

  Mr. Forth
  In November 1994 the one-off administrative costs of implementing the jobseeker's allowance were estimated at £270 million. The main cost areas were:

  £million

  Information technology and allied costs

  110

  Training

  70

  Premises

  45

  Project management and Communications

  45

  Revisions to these estimates are being concerned as part of this year's public expenditure survey.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the final cost of installing the new computer system designed to implement the jobseeker's allowance. [39675]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Two new computer systems will support the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance. The labour market system will replace current systems in ES jobcentres used to support vacancy filling and advisory work. The estimated cost of developing and installing this system is around £70 million.

  The JSA payments system is being developed to pay JSA, by girocheque or automated credit transfer. The estimated cost of implementing JSAPS is about

  941
  £80 million. This figure covers expenditure which has already been incurred and planned expenditure to March 1999.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the cost of delaying the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance by six months; and what will be the interim position of those claiming the allowance. [39671]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The cost of delaying the introduction of jobseeker's allowance by six months is estimated to be £25 million to £30 million, in terms of overall benefit expenditure.

  People who are unemployed between April and October 1996 will continue to receive unemployment benefit or income support. When JSA is introduced in October 1996, existing claimants will be moved to JSA. There will be transitional arrangements to protect such claimants against cash loss. Those for whom benefit was payable immediately before 8 April 1996 will be entitled to a maximum of 12 months' contributory benefit. Those for whom benefit was not payable at that time will be entitled to a maximum of six months' contributory benefit.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the cost of using outside consultant agencies in reviewing the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance. [39672]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: An external review of the project to implement the jobseeker's allowance was carried out earlier this year. The review cost was £88,000 including VAT.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the computer systems designed to implement the jobseeker's allowance will be ready. [39674]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The computer systems designed to implement jobseeker's allowance will be ready for the introduction of jobseeker's allowance in October 1996.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the original timetable for the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance; what is the current timetable; and if she will make a statement. [39678]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: It was originally planned that jobseeker's allowance would be introduced in April 1996. It was clear in May 1995 that the implementation as originally planned would entail risks to the smooth delivery of the new service to unemployed people. We therefore decided to introduce it in October 1996 and we are holding to that timetable.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what considerations led to the decision to reduce unemployment benefit in April 1996 and introduce jobseeker's allowance in October 1996. [39670]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Unemployment benefit is not to be reduced in April 1996.

  The Government have always been concerned to ensure that implementation of jobseeker's allowance, which is a large and complex undertaking, should not entail risks to
  942
  the smooth delivery of services to unemployed people. We therefore took the decision to defer implementation of jobseeker's allowance until October 1996 when it became evident that implementation in April 1996 would have involved an unacceptable level of risk.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) fatal, (b) major and (c) minor accidents took place on youth training schemes in each region in (i) July to September 1993, (ii) January to March 1994, (iii) April to June 1994, (iv) July to September 1994, (v) October to December 1994, (vi) January to March 1995, (vii) April to June 1995 and (viii) July to September 1995; what were the numbers of accidents on training for work for the same periods. [41128]

  Mr. Paice
  Table A gives the accident figures for youth training. Table B gives the accident figures for training for work in each English region for the periods stated.

  Notes:

  (a) Department for Education and Employment figures for trainees have been complied on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for employed persons. However, the Department's figures include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and road traffic accidents which would not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.

  (b) Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  (c) North-west region and north-west (Greater Manchester) region were restructured in the quarter ending 30 June 1994 and became north-west region and Merseyside region.

  (d) The accident figures for the period July to September 1995 are not yet available.

  Table A

  Youth Training

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  July to September 1993

  South East

  0

  3

  23

  London

  0

  4

  8

  Eastern

  0

  5

  24

  South West

  0

  4

  39

  West Midlands

  0

  6

  28

  East Midlands

  0

  3

  26

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1

  12

  71

  North West

  0

  10

  49

  North West (GM)

  0

  3

  21

  Northern

  0

  6

  36

  January to March 1994

  South East

  0

  4

  29

  London

  0

  1

  18

  Eastern

  0

  4

  21

  South West

  0

  4

  23

  West Midlands

  0

  8

  35

  East Midlands

  0

  3

  34

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  9

  85

  North West

  0

  12

  39

  North West (GM)

  0

  6

  22

  Northern

  0

  10

  49

  April to June 1994

  South East

  0

  1

  16

  London

  0

  1

  8

  Eastern

  0

  3

  28

  South West

  0

  5

  20

  943

  Table A

  Youth Training

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  West Midlands

  0

  3

  31

  East Midlands

  0

  4

  21

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  5

  50

  Merseyside

  0

  1

  11

  North West

  0

  12

  39

  North East

  0

  8

  56

  July to September 1994

  South East

  0

  7

  20

  London

  0

  1

  19

  Eastern

  0

  0

  32

  South West

  0

  5

  24

  West Midlands

  0

  5

  34

  East Midlands

  0

  9

  35

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  11

  59

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  15

  North West

  0

  13

  62

  North East

  0

  5

  49

  October to December 1994

  South East

  0

  3

  23

  London

  0

  2

  19

  Eastern

  0

  4

  28

  South West

  0

  12

  26

  West Midlands

  0

  7

  44

  East Midlands

  0

  4

  28

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  8

  39

  Merseyside

  0

  2

  18

  North West

  0

  9

  50

  North East

  0

  9

  51

  Janaury to March 1995

  South East

  0

  5

  32

  London

  0

  4

  17

  Eastern

  0

  5

  21

  South West

  0

  7

  26

  West Midlands

  0

  2

  37

  East Midlands

  0

  6

  27

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1

  13

  45

  Merseyside

  0

  1

  12

  North West

  0

  11

  48

  North East

  0

  8

  31

  April to June 1995

  South East

  0

  4

  24

  London

  0

  2

  15

  Eastern

  0

  1

  19

  South West

  0

  1

  34

  West Midlands

  0

  10

  33

  East Midlands

  0

  5

  22

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  6

  57

  Merseyside

  0

  1

  15

  North West

  0

  8

  36

  North East

  0

  6

  32

  Table B

  Training for Work

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  July to September 1993

  South East

  0

  5

  2

  London

  0

  0

  2

  Eastern

  0

  4

  4

  South West

  0

  1

  8

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  11

  East Midlands

  0

  3

  15

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1

  6

  35

  North West

  0

  0

  13

  North West (GM)

  0

  0

  5

  Northern

  0

  3

  15

  944

  Table B

  Training for Work

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  January to March 1994

  South East

  0

  3

  6

  London

  0

  0

  2

  Eastern

  0

  0

  9

  South West

  0

  3

  10

  West Midlands

  0

  2

  4

  East Midlands

  0

  2

  10

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  5

  20

  North West

  0

  5

  12

  North West (GM)

  0

  0

  7

  Northern

  0

  2

  13

  April to June 1994

  South East

  0

  0

  10

  London

  0

  1

  3

  Eastern

  0

  4

  8

  South West

  0

  0

  7

  West Midlands

  0

  5

  14

  East Midlands

  0

  1

  4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  3

  26

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  2

  North West

  0

  4

  2

  North East

  0

  3

  22

  July to September 1994

  South East

  0

  0

  8

  London

  0

  0

  1

  Eastern

  0

  4

  6

  South West

  0

  0

  11

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  11

  East Midlands

  0

  1

  8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  3

  18

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  4

  North West

  0

  3

  12

  North East

  0

  0

  20

  October to December 1994

  South East

  0

  0

  6

  London

  0

  0

  3

  Eastern

  0

  1

  6

  South West

  0

  2

  6

  West Midlands

  0

  1

  7

  East Midlands

  0

  0

  1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  4

  15

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  2

  North West

  0

  3

  10

  North East

  0

  1

  12

  January to March 1995

  South East

  0

  3

  7

  London

  0

  1

  3

  Eastern

  0

  2

  6

  South West

  0

  0

  8

  West Midlands

  0

  1

  10

  East Midlands

  0

  0

  6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  6

  17

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  1

  North West

  0

  1

  15

  North East

  0

  0

  8

  April to June 1995

  South East

  0

  2

  5

  London

  0

  0

  3

  Eastern

  0

  0

  3

  South West

  0

  2

  7

  West Midlands

  0

  1

  5

  East Midlands

  0

  1

  4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  0

  9

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  4

  North West

  0

  1

  5

  North East

  0

  0

  15

  945
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each training and enterprise council the number of youth training places available in 1993–94, 1994–95, the estimated number in 1995–96 and the total budget for youth training in each TEC for the same years. [41476]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Information on the number of places available on youth training for each training and enterprise council is not available.

  Youth programmes budgets

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  In training 1993–94

  In training 1994–95

  Including MA

  Excluding MA

  South East

  Hampshire

  16,047,985

  15,106,666

  13,405,079

  5,540

  5,820

  Heart of England

  5,242,274

  5,694,866

  5,513,937

  2,010

  2,140

  Isle of Wight

  1,742,460

  1,605,572

  1,370,053

  600

  570

  Kent

  18,062,061

  16,400,753

  18,527,730

  6,420

  6,310

  Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire

  5,140,633

  5,528,127

  6,069,607

  1,220

  1,230

  Surrey

  4,405,432

  4,823,602

  4,186,043

  1,670

  1,830

  Sussex

  10,287,749

  10,696,850

  8,902,406

  2,870

  4,470

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  12,602,202

  15,440,460

  19,247,926

  6,830

  6,300

  London

  AZTEC

  3,692,164

  3,784,135

  3,868,169

  1,260

  1,370

  CENTEC1

  7,430,302

  6,570,634

  9,349,726

  1,790

  2,000

  CILNTEC

  8,037,943

  6,936,267

  6,307,241

  2,120

  1,760

  London East

  14,169,207

  12,854,780

  12,541,744

  4,260

  4,120

  North London

  3,888,513

  4,125,403

  4,360,620

  1,310

  1,600

  North West London

  2,896,199

  2,882,196

  2,758,360

  1,090

  870

  SOLOTEC1

  8,513,285

  6,779,580

  10,606,280

  2,260

  2,240

  South Thames2

  11,757,361

  10,175,785

  10,534,506

  2,830

  0

  West London

  7,406,653

  7,392,430

  7,671,522

  2,380

  2,410

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  5,604,888

  5,937,048

  6,222,017

  1,930

  1,890

  CambsTEC

  3,196,782

  3,114,720

  3,494,319

  1,290

  1,210

  Essex

  16,534,219

  16,577,365

  18,086,376

  6,170

  6,420

  Greater Peterborough

  4,691,786

  5,072,899

  5,031,187

  1,510

  1,630

  Hertfordshire

  13,125,126

  11,447,223

  10,183,534

  4,620

  3,380

  Norfolk and Waveney

  10,297,504

  10,942,005

  11,768,955

  4,090

  4,120

  Suffolk

  9,450,401

  12,447,882

  8,278,408

  2,710

  2,780

  South West

  Devon and Cornwall

  23,830,082

  18,717,697

  17,230,580

  6,270

  6,440

  Dorset

  6,664,970

  6,695,489

  6,611,890

  2,280

  2,430

  Gloucestershire

  6,411,555

  6,619,913

  7,848,027

  2,900

  2,790

  Somerset

  5,788,739

  5,579,887

  5,855,758

  2,030

  2,170

  Westec

  11,986,489

  12,049,031

  11,258,709

  4,470

  4,240

  Wiltshire

  5,926,164

  5,535,863

  5,644,332

  2,150

  1,860

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  18,558,199

  13,084,266

  12,709,982

  4,560

  3,100

  Central England

  4,158,285

  4,093,850

  4,068,131

  2,060

  1,660

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  11,845,007

  10,722,649

  11,300,329

  4,240

  5,030

  Dudley

  4,955,104

  4,623,153

  4,335,351

  1,720

  1,480

  Hawtec

  5,568,011

  6,482,333

  6,530,025

  2,090

  2,180

  Sandwell

  5,006,485

  5,786,077

  5,559,137

  2,030

  1,930

  Shropshire

  6,299,786

  5,967,341

  6,031,148

  2,180

  2,280

  Staffordshire

  20,619,930

  15,655,714

  15,405,069

  5,170

  6,270

  Walsall

  3,778,373

  3,615,258

  3,463,734

  1,540

  1,220

  Wolverhampton

  5,059,768

  4,246,005

  4,133,762

  1,610

  1,580

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham

  9,261,085

  8,873,421

  9,010,935

  3,620

  3,420

  Leicester

  12,979,065

  11,707,244

  12,254,713

  4,580

  4,390

  Lincolnshire

  10,730,363

  10,097,316

  10,990,967

  3,620

  4,160

  North Derbyshire

  4,962,627

  4,780,228

  4,992,201

  2,000

  1,660

  North Nottinghamshire

  7,423,985

  8,049,829

  8,172,590

  2,710

  3,620

  946
  The following table shows for each TEC in England:

  The number of trainees on youth programmes, excluding prototype modern apprenticeships, at the end of March 1994 and March 1995.

  Youth programme budgets, including modern apprenticeships
  from 1994, for the years 1993–94, 1994–95, and 1995–96.

  A comparable figure for the number of trainees on youth programmes for 1995–96 will not be available until early 1996–97.

  The responsibility for TECs in Wales lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  947

  Youth programmes budgets

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  In training 1993–94

  In training 1994–95

  Including MA

  Excluding MA

  Northamptonshire

  7,481,478

  6,747,909

  6,820,843

  2,220

  2,470

  Southern Derbyshire

  8,417,026

  7,926,205

  8,842,730

  2,780

  3,100

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley and Doncaster

  12,833,878

  11,231,677

  10,750,819

  3,590

  3,250

  Bradford and District

  10,693,263

  8,156,103

  8,379,978

  3,140

  2,670

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  12,535,694

  9,137,810

  9,344,125

  3,010

  3,270

  Humberside

  16,226,497

  14,788,882

  15,796,139

  6,390

  5,440

  Leeds

  7,646,213

  6,833,800

  7,491,027

  2,680

  2,880

  North Yorkshire

  7,258,191

  7,008,192

  7,046,324

  2,760

  2,850

  Rotherham

  5,709,086

  4,724,170

  4,963,738

  1,790

  1,500

  Sheffield

  9,562,261

  8,073,007

  8,285,362

  3,010

  2,920

  Wakefield

  4,891,686

  4,309,289

  4,284,776

  1,410

  1,650

  North West

  Bolton and Bury

  6,863,992

  6,596,854

  8,050,148

  2,850

  2,310

  Cumbria

  9,735,130

  9,754,227

  10,437,489

  3,700

  3,630

  ELTEC (East Lancashire)

  9,616,309

  9,411,718

  10,631,879

  4,250

  3,300

  LAWTEC (Lancashire West)

  13,247,988

  12,153,753

  14,524,330

  5,200

  4,990

  Manchester

  16,208,606

  15,688,340

  21,028,570

  8,310

  5,970

  METROTEC Ltd. (Wigan)

  5,352,625

  5,226,318

  5,673,611

  2,050

  1,940

  NORMIDTEC

  7,719,985

  7,025,151

  7,934,830

  2,830

  2,860

  Oldham

  4,713,622

  4,353,242

  4,834,414

  1,590

  1,560

  Rochdale

  4,038,291

  3,821,248

  4,405,691

  1,620

  1,440

  South and East Cheshire

  7,279,469

  6,944,187

  8,377,200

  3,030

  2,600

  Stockport/High Peak

  5,299,155

  5,129,690

  6,922,242

  1,740

  1,790

  Merseyside

  CEWTEC

  9,249,995

  8,497,001

  8,111,945

  2,910

  3,130

  Merseyside

  27,637,344

  20,298,196

  20,090,184

  8,130

  7,820

  QUALITEC

  5,616,592

  4,270,192

  3,766,549

  1,380

  1,370

  North East

  County Durham

  12,861,366

  11,257,776

  11,734,070

  3,570

  3,250

  Northumberland

  7,519,133

  6,151,631

  6,883,192

  2,620

  1,900

  Sunderland City

  7,782,659

  6,487,963

  6,437,531

  2,020

  1,830

  Teesside

  13,745,206

  12,468,630

  12,395,338

  4,510

  4,730

  Tyneside

  18,334,040

  17,516,871

  17,536,823

  6,430

  5,530

  1. Budgets (GO latest cash limits)as at October 1995 includes youth training, youth credits, funding pilots and modern apprenticeships.

  11995–96 budgets include successor payments for South Thames TEC.

  2South Thames TEC—funding relate to receive payments for 1995–96.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education -and Employment what are the estimated annual social security benefit savings from the access to work scheme in helping disabled people to obtain or remain in employment. [39991]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about social security benefit savings resulting from the Access to Work programme.We do not calculate the social security benefit savings accruing from disabled people making use of the Access to Work programme in order to take up work. Access to Work is available to help unemployed, employed and self-employed people to take up or to stay in work. Employed people would continue to receive any in-work benefits they were entitled to as well as Access to Work
  948
  help. Help is given based on ability to work rather than on entitlement to a benefit so the pattern of benefit savings, if any, will be dependent on the circumstances of the individual case.I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the amount paid in performance-related bonuses for 1994–95 for each training and enterprise council. [40930]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The following table shows the amount of performance-related funding earned by individual TECs in respect of their performance in 1994–95. These amounts are subject to final audit and will be paid to TECs in April 1996.

  1994–95 performance-related funding awards

  TEC name

  Points

  Award (£)

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  3

  244,185

  Central England

  7

  164,001

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  7

  434,777

  Dudley

  5

  119,290

  HAWTEC (Hereford and Worcester)

  7

  217,958

  949

  1994–95 performance-related funding awards

  TEC name

  Points

  Award (£)

  Sandwell

  6

  181,314

  Shropshire

  6

  180,712

  Staffordshire

  6

  450,121

  Walsall

  4

  77,116

  Wolverhampton

  7

  165,095

  South East

  Hampshire

  4

  272,534

  Heart of England

  7

  205,261

  Isle of Wight

  7

  56,006

  Kent

  7

  663,766

  Milton Keynes and North Bucks

  7

  204,691

  Surrey

  3

  88,330

  Sussex

  2

  105,196

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  7

  624,686

  London

  AZTEC

  5

  202,348

  CENTEC (Central London)

  5

  386,750

  CILNTEC (City and Inner London

  North)

  3

  207,249

  London East

  3

  369,450

  North London

  7

  425,770

  North West London

  4

  132,815

  SOLOTEC (South London)

  3

  191,677

  West London

  7

  460,040

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  6

  175,818

  CambsTEC

  4

  69,883

  Essex

  7

  543,132

  Greater Peterborough

  7

  174,596

  Hertfordshire

  6

  276,416

  Norfolk and Waveney

  5

  283,563

  Suffolk

  7

  246,293

  South West

  Devon and Cornwall

  7

  610,951

  Dorset

  7

  213,570

  Gloucestershire

  7

  221,072

  Somerset

  7

  185,166

  Westec (formerly Avon)

  5

  280,067

  Wiltshire

  7

  170,570

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham

  7

  266,588

  Leicestershire

  7

  344,677

  Lincolnshire

  7

  333,345

  North Derbyshire

  7

  154,478

  North Nottinghamshire

  7

  239,139

  Northamptonshire

  7

  191,616

  South Derbyshire

  6

  221,148

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Humberside

  7

  522,535

  North Yorkshire

  6

  200,476

  Wakefield

  5

  108,550

  Sheffield

  6

  260,878

  Rotherham

  7

  166,782

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  6

  317,336

  Leeds

  5

  200,847

  Bradford and District

  7

  267,886

  Calderdale/Kirklees

  7

  307,020

  North West

  Bolton/Bury

  7

  301,598

  Manchester

  3

  360,861

  METROTEC (Wigan) Ltd

  6

  189,864

  Oldham

  4

  102,826

  Rochdale

  6

  156,700

  South and East Cheshire

  7

  303,552

  Stockport/High Peak

  7

  248,763

  Cumbria

  5

  321,495

  950

  1994–95 performance-related funding awards

  TEC name

  Points

  Award (£)

  ELTEC (East Lancashire)

  7

  486,075

  LAWTEC (Lancashire Area West)

  5

  496,326

  NORMIDTEC (North and Mid Cheshire)

  7

  359,517

  Merseyside

  Merseyside

  3

  442,205

  QUALITEC (St. Helens) Ltd.

  3

  73,548

  North East

  County Durham

  6

  323,382

  Northumberland

  7

  216,600

  Sunderland City

  4

  131,345

  Teeside

  7

  449,314

  Tyneside

  7

  576,216

  Total award for 1994–95 performance

  19,925,723

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the budget for each training and enterprise council in England is spent on administration costs. [41667]

  Mr. Paice
  The list shows administration costs as a percentage of turnover for each of the training and enterprise councils in England. The information has been extracted from TECs' statutory accounts for 1993–94. I am unable to provide information for 1994–95 as TECs' statutory accounts are not yet in the public domain.

  Many TECs do not draw down all their available budgets, so my Department does not calculate administrative costs as a percentage of budget.

  TEC administration costs as a percentage of turnover (Source—1993–94 Statutory Accounts)

  1993–94 Per cent.

  Northern

  County Durham

  8.24

  Northumberland

  9.03

  Teesside

  6.46

  Tyneside

  6.07

  Sunderland (Wearside)

  11.75

  North West

  Bolton/Bury

  10.10

  Manchester

  12.03

  METRO

  11.20

  Oldham

  15.42

  Rochdale

  8.16

  South and East Cheshire

  4.41

  Stockport and High Peak

  7.89

  Cumbria

  10.71

  ELTEC

  10.41

  LAWTEC

  0.00

  NORMIDTEC

  7.89

  Merseyside

  CEWTEC

  9.11

  Merseyside

  10.51

  QUALITEC

  10.48

  Yorks and Humber

  Barnsley/Donacaster

  13.57

  Bradford

  8.67

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  9.78

  Humberside

  10.09

  Leeds

  10.74

  North Yorkshire

  11.51

  951

  TEC administration costs as a percentage of turnover (Source—1993–94 Statutory Accounts)

  1993–94 Per cent.

  Rotherham

  10.81

  Sheffield

  6.62

  Wakefield

  11.98

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  13.00

  Cambridgeshire

  11.95

  Essex

  8.55

  Greater Peterborough

  10.53

  Hertfordshire

  8.36

  Norfolk and Waverney

  12.81

  Suffolk

  8.87

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham

  5.99

  Leicester

  10.49

  Lincolnshire

  5.44

  Northamptonshire

  9.78

  North Derbyshire

  10.74

  North Nottinghamshire

  7.49

  South Derbyshire

  15.59

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  7.4

  Central England

  8.38

  Coventry/Warwick

  4.84

  Dudley

  12.42

  HAWTEC

  12.60

  Sandwell

  8.38

  Shropshire

  9.37

  Staffordshire

  10.22

  Walsall

  16.13

  Wolverhampton

  10.73

  South West

  Avon (WESTEC)

  9.61

  Devon/Cornwall

  10.24

  Dorset

  9.35

  Gloucester

  12.75

  Somerset

  12.87

  Wiltshire

  11.30

  London

  AZTEC

  12.45

  CENTEC

  11.83

  CILNTEC

  10.65

  LETEC

  11.78

  North London

  10.85

  North West London

  11.35

  SOLOTEC

  11.98

  South Thames

  0.00

  West London

  11.88

  South East

  Hampshire

  7.65

  Isle of Wight

  12.87

  Kent

  8.47

  Milton Keynes/North Buckinghamshire

  13.02

  Heart of England

  15.60

  Surrey

  13.70

  Sussex

  11.76

  Thames Valley Ent.

  8.56

  1 The regional average for north-west for 1993–94 does not include LAWTEC as all their expenditure was classed as adminsitration in 1993–94.

  952

  Agriculture Training Courses
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to reduce overlapping of agriculture training courses in the north-west. [41510]

  Mr. Paice
  Colleges are autonomous institutions and it is for them to decide which courses to offer.

  Shaw Trust
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she received the letter dated 27 October from the director general of the Shaw Trust about the potential of the trust to employ extra disabled people; what assessment she has made of offsetting flowbacks to the Treasury from the funding of such extra places; and if she will make a statement on what action she proposes to take following the receipt of the letter. [41374]

  Mr. Forth
  I have received no such letter. However, a letter on the subject to which my right hon. Friend refers was sent to Lord Henley, who received it on 30 October. He is considering it and will reply shortly.

  Education Expenditure (Hampshire)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent in total on education in Hampshire in each of the past 25 years at constant prices. [41457]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows expenditure by Hampshire local education authority from 1970–71 and 1993–94, the latest year for which figures are available. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes of function.

  Hampshire County Council

  Years

  Gross expenditure 1993–94 prices £ million

  1970–71

  291.17

  1971–72

  320.57

  1972–73

  354.06

  1973–74

  391.12

  1974–75

  638.49

  1975–76

  654.89

  1976–77

  655.17

  1977–78

  640.25

  1978–79

  649.81

  1979–80

  625.49

  1980–81

  632.01

  1981–82

  631.23

  1982–83

  622.71

  1983–84

  618.71

  1984–85

  609.7

  1985–86

  606.02

  1986–87

  632.15

  1987–88

  660.28

  1988–89

  677.83

  1989–90

  635.94

  1990–91

  636.49

  1991–92

  684.46

  1992–93

  719.2

  1993–94

  581.48

  953

  Teachers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is(a) the average, (b) the maximum and (c) the minimum cost of employing (i) a headmaster and (ii) a deputy headmaster in a special school; [41309]

  (2) what is (a) the average, (b) the maximum and (c) the minimum cost of employing a primary school class teacher; and what are the equivalent figures in cash and constant terms for (i) 1975 and (ii) 1985; [41313]

  (3) what is (a) the average, (b) the maximum and (c) the minimum cost of employing (i) a secondary school head teacher and (ii) a secondary school deputy head teacher; and what are the equivalent figures in cash and constant terms for (1) 1975 and (2) 1985; [41311]

  (4) what is (a) the average, (b) the maximum and (c) the minimum cost of employing a classroom teacher for children with special educational needs; and what are the equivalent figures in cash and constant terms for (i) 1975 and (ii) 1985; [41310]

  (5) what is the (a) the average, (b) the maximum and (c) the minimum cost of employing a secondary school class teacher; and what are the equivalent figures in cash and constant terms for (i) 1975 and (ii) 1985; [41314]

  (6) what is (a) the average, (b) the maximum and (c) the minimum cost of employing (i) a primary school head teacher and (ii) a primary school deputy head teacher; and what are the equivalent figures in cash and constant terms for (1) 1975 and (2) 1985. [41312]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is set out in the following table.

  Estimated cost (£s) of employing teachers in 1975, 1985 and 1994 in cash and real terms

  1975

  1985

  Cash

  Real

  Cash

  Real

  1994

  Primary Head

  Maximum

  9,600

  43,400

  26,100

  40,100

  58,600

  Average

  —

  —

  14,800

  22,700

  31,100

  Minimum

  4,000

  17,900

  11,300

  17,300

  26,700

  Deputy

  Maximum

  7,100

  32,100

  19,300

  29,600

  42,600

  Average

  —

  —

  12,700

  19,500

  27,600

  Minimum

  2,700

  12,400

  8,000

  12,300

  25,900

  Classroom

  Maximum

  5,700

  25,800

  15,700

  24,100

  35,200

  Average

  —

  —

  10,600

  16,300

  21,700

  Minimum

  2,000

  9,100

  6,400

  9,900

  13,000

  Secondary

  Head

  Maximum

  9,600

  43,400

  26,100

  40,100

  58,600

  Average

  —

  —

  20,600

  31,700

  42,900

  Minimum

  4,000

  17,900

  11,300

  17,300

  26,700

  Deputy

  Maximum

  7,100

  32,100

  19,300

  29,600

  42,600

  Average

  —

  —

  16,700

  25,700

  34,300

  Minimum

  2,700

  12,400

  8,000

  12,300

  25,900

  Classroom

  Maximum

  5,700

  25,800

  15,700

  24,100

  35,200

  Average

  —

  —

  11,400

  17,400

  24,000

  Minimum

  2,000

  9,100

  6,400

  9,900

  13,000

  954

  Estimated cost (£s) of employing teachers in 1975, 1985 and 1994 in cash and real terms

  1975

  1985

  Cash

  Real

  Cash

  Real

  1994

  Special Head

  Maximum

  7,400

  33,600

  21,100

  32,300

  51,600

  Average

  —

  —

  17,700

  27,200

  35,800

  Minimum

  4,700

  21,300

  13,300

  20,500

  28,900

  Deputy

  Maximum

  6,000

  26,900

  17,100

  26,200

  37,300

  Average

  —

  —

  15,000

  23,000

  30,200

  Minimum

  3,200

  14,300

  9,300

  14,300

  26,300

  Classroom

  Maximum

  5,700

  25,800

  15,700

  24,100

  35,200

  Average

  —

  —

  11,400

  17,500

  25,200

  Minimum

  2,000

  9,100

  6,400

  9,900

  13,800

  1. Figures relate to full-time teachers in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sectors as at 31 March of each year.

  2. Figures include "on costs" in respect of employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions.

  3. Average teacher salaries for 1975 were not available in requested format.

  4. 1975 figures include "on costs" for men over 18 years old.

  5. 1994 data are the latest available.

  6. Real term figures are expressed in 1994 prices.

  7. Salaries have been rounded to the nearest £100.

  Pre-16 Students
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education Employment what representations she has received regarding the education sponsored by Education Otherwise of pre-16 students in colleges of further education; and if she will make a statement. [41804]

  Mr. Paice
  The Secretary of State is aware that some parents who have exercised their right to educate their children otherwise than at school have sought places for them at further education colleges. It is for the individual FE college to determine whether or not to agree the placement, bearing in mind FEFC advice that pupils of compulsory school age should be admitted only in exceptional circumstances.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her Department's estimate of(a) the number of students and (b) the number of local authorities involved in the education, sponsored by Education Otherwise, of pre-16 students in colleges of further education. [41805]

  Mr. Paice
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Training for Work
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each training and enterprise council the number of training for work starts for(a) 1993–94 (b) 1994–95, the estimated number in 1995–96 and the total budget for training for work in each TEC for the same years. [41477]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The number of training for work starts for (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95, the planned number for 1995–96 and the total budget for training for work for the same years for each training and enterprise council in England are listed in the following table. The responsibility for TECs in Wales lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  955

  Training for work

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  Starts 1993–94

  Starts 1994–95

  Starts 1995–96

  South East Hampshire

  11,665,618

  10,832,502

  7,745,100

  5,330

  4,170

  3,330

  Heart of England

  3,858,212

  3,919,846

  3,733,856

  1,510

  1,520

  1,530

  Isle of Wight

  1,379,369

  1,477,441

  930,619

  480

  530

  400

  Kent

  14,232,343

  12,451,952

  12,486,828

  6,650

  6,610

  5,310

  Milton Keynes and N. Bucks

  2,829,713

  2,824,335

  2,785,818

  1,110

  1,010

  1,030

  Surrey

  5,057,271

  5,064,749

  4,608,735

  2,530

  1,770

  1,620

  Sussex

  11,042,127

  10,563,542

  8,100,887

  3,210

  4,250

  3,190

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  8,482,205

  8,684,611

  7,171,892

  3,800

  3,390

  2,850

  London

  Aztec

  8,825,503

  6,496,797

  5,529,204

  3,220

  2,510

  2,210

  Centec1

  15,613,383

  14,414,841

  21,889,220

  6,270

  6,020

  8,711

  Cilntec

  14,456,709

  12,571,342

  10,135,739

  4,530

  4,980

  4,040

  London East

  24,000,588

  20,518,363

  17,103,731

  7,480

  6,430

  6,820

  North London

  13,156,694

  12,424,582

  11,237,109

  5,510

  3,540

  5,020

  North West London

  7,135,522

  6,271,138

  5,394,014

  3,520

  2,200

  2,150

  Solotec1

  8,240,523

  7,752,474

  14,497,827

  3,590

  3,680

  5,779

  South Thames2

  25,166,155

  22,628,482

  1,005,664

  8,440

  6,950

  769

  West London

  7,399,737

  7,016,948

  6,240,073

  3,150

  3,040

  2,490

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  5,285,187

  5,506,553

  4,130,725

  2,240

  2,740

  1,870

  Cambstec

  2,302,357

  2,601,570

  2,260,168

  930

  960

  1,080

  Essex

  12,688,893

  11,294,151

  9,292,707

  5,810

  4,200

  3,900

  Greater Peterborough

  4,588,012

  4,774,504

  3,989,912

  1,340

  1,560

  1,700

  Hertfordshire

  7,156,808

  7,398,366

  6,244,717

  3,100

  3,020

  2,740

  Norfolk and Waveney

  11,288,618

  10,813,090

  8,813,196

  4,860

  3,370

  4,260

  Suffolk

  4,651,158

  4,162,161

  3,481,084

  2,050

  2,090

  1,800

  South West

  Devon and Cornwall

  25,533,963

  22,286,966

  19,831,832

  9,810

  8,640

  8,300

  Dorset

  6,703,318

  5,368,272

  4,848,408

  3,030

  2,240

  1,900

  Gloucestershire

  5,068,345

  4,310,120

  3,791,687

  2,110

  1,520

  1,350

  Somerset

  5,255,888

  4,867,001

  3,918,576

  1,830

  1,710

  1,540

  Westec

  14,971,534

  14,209,852

  12,280,754

  6,800

  4,810

  4,980

  Wiltshire

  5,622,688

  4,669,597

  3,584,883

  1,740

  1,900

  1,570

  Merseyside

  Cewtec

  11,025,720

  9,214,910

  9,181,808

  3,800

  3,780

  4,360

  Merseyside

  30,041,270

  24,171,147

  25,194,485

  9,230

  11,800

  11,150

  Qualitec

  4,719,713

  3,456,984

  3,208,610

  1,740

  1,780

  1,690

  North East

  County Durham

  16,791,888

  12,962,112

  9,613,345

  6,020

  6,090

  3,830

  Northumberland

  6,670,090

  6,084,082

  4,948.91

  1,910

  1,780

  1,540

  Sunderland City

  12,558,651

  10,628,801

  7,880,288

  3,980

  3,220

  2,880

  Teeside

  18,308,303

  16,590,623

  14,239,840

  6,160

  5,550

  5,950

  Tyneside

  25,145,755

  19,530,190

  14,526,420

  8,290

  7,920

  6,210

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  22,328,234

  20,365,575

  16,499,337

  8,040

  6,650

  8,820

  Central England

  5,078,153

  4,996,145

  3,904,241

  2,620

  2,340

  1,950

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  13,158,154

  11,854,454

  9,342,371

  5,400

  5,920

  3,900

  Dudley

  5,788,085

  5,099,161

  3,838,838

  2,200

  1,990

  1,470

  Hawtec

  4,867,681

  4,245,428

  3,248,105

  1,880

  1,970

  1,590

  Sandwell

  5,423,583

  4,898,597

  4,753,041

  2,730

  2,710

  2,110

  Shropshire

  5,523,999

  4,743,849

  3,622,462

  2,030

  2,020

  1,530

  Staffordshire

  11,911,525

  10,611,997

  7,857,313

  5,240

  5,580

  2,530

  Walsall

  4,830,477

  3,707,430

  2,956,441

  2,050

  1,490

  1,480

  Wolverhampton

  5,442,464

  5,165,870

  3,964,510

  2,670

  2,160

  1,580

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham

  10,314,638

  7,909,295

  5,999,848

  3,150

  3,800

  2,970

  Leicester

  8,877,929

  8,000,950

  8,277,787

  3,200

  3,910

  2,600

  Lincolnshire

  11,783,913

  11,310,036

  8,654,831

  3,920

  4,400

  3,450

  North Derbyshire

  5,013,978

  4,465,685

  3,734,693

  3,900

  2,020

  2,200

  North Nottinghamshire

  7,464,456

  6,864,832

  5,464,845

  2,820

  3,750

  2,190

  Northamptonshire

  3,840,188

  3,677,035

  2,933,257

  1,540

  1,800

  1,300

  Southern Derbyshire

  7,739,104

  6,680,602

  5,223,143

  2,500

  2,880

  2,200

  956 957

  Training for work

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  Starts 1993–94

  Starts 1994–95

  Starts 1995–96

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley and Doncaster

  13,740,141

  13,226,355

  10,357,973

  10,040

  7,370

  3,970

  Bradford and District

  8,345,142

  7,348,956

  6,099,413

  3,690

  2,380

  2,340

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  10,800,160

  9,920,249

  7,128,005

  3,700

  3,850

  3,010

  Humberside

  17,748,578

  15,489,065

  11,892,101

  6,790

  6,070

  4,580

  Leeds

  13,379,984

  10,388,387

  8,420,482

  4,240

  4,350

  3,230

  North Yorkshire

  6,763,131

  6,480,703

  5,362,235

  2,960

  3,080

  2,060

  Rotherham

  6,106,957

  5,202,021

  4,088,428

  2,680

  2,680

  1,650

  Sheffield

  14,268,298

  12,028,692

  8,852,973

  5,190

  4,150

  3,400

  Wakefield

  6,879,885

  5,622,084

  4,272,130

  2,670

  3,260

  1,640

  North West

  Bolton and Bury

  5,473,743

  5,392,104

  4,453,173

  3,000

  2,760

  1,990

  Cumbria

  6,376,747

  5,997,170

  5,000,621

  2,640

  2,410

  2,080

  Eltec (East Lanes)

  7,421,013

  7,074,335

  5,660,454

  3,370

  2,870

  2,830

  Lawtec (Lanes West)

  12,373,434

  11,619,943

  9,820,791

  5,910

  5,230

  4,330

  Manchester

  18,170,265

  16,458,591

  14,522,504

  9,370

  9,210

  6,070

  Metrotec Ltd. (Wigan)

  4,722,238

  4,699,333

  3,877,183

  2,340

  2,070

  1,720

  Normidtec

  5,512,679

  5,504,926

  4,546,472

  2,290

  2,170

  2,000

  Oldham

  3,698,127

  3,513,678

  2,902,624

  1,740

  1,560

  1,200

  Rochdale

  4,688,477

  4,436,458

  3,664,184

  2,090

  2,060

  1,510

  South and East Cheshire

  4,358,567

  4,005,311

  3,138,254

  1,950

  1,610

  1,680

  Stockport/High Peak

  3,812,332

  3,779,547

  3,114,870

  1,540

  1,510

  1,300

  1Budgets include successor payments to South Thames TEC.

  2South Thames TEC—funding relates to receiver payments.

  1. Budgets as at 1 October 1995.

  2. Includes funding pilots

  3. TFW includes allowances and adult guidance and excludes coal.

  Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received since 1 January 1994 regarding the workings of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969; and if he will make a statement. [42230]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  Eighteen representations have been received by myself and colleagues at the former Department of Employment about various aspects of this Act since 1 January 1994. My Department has also received 71 responses to the consultative document issued by the Department of Employment on 27 April 1995 as part of a review of the Act. I am currently considering these responses.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobcentres have closed since 1990 where the nearest alternative office for signing on is more than five miles away. [41679]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about how many Jobcentres have closed since 1990 where the nearest alternative office is more than five miles away.The number of Jobcentres (taken to include separate Benefit Offices) is 51 of which 20 were only open part time.I hope this is helpful.958

  Moorfoot, Sheffield Office
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to recruit and fill posts at Moorfoot, Sheffield, what plans she has for the training division based at Moorfoot, and if he will make a statement. [42026]

  Mr. Forth
  Posts in the Moorfoot, Sheffield office of the Department for Education and Employment will be filled using normal departmental vacancy filling mechanisms. It is not envisaged that there will be a need for external recruitment at this time.

  The training, enterprise and education directorate of the former Employment Department was largely based in Moorfoot, Sheffield. It has been reorganised following the creation of the new Department for Education and Employment. It now forms part of the further and higher education and youth training, employment and lifetime learning, strategy, international and analytical services and operations directorates of the new DFEE.

  Schools (Consultation)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she has drawn up a code of good practice on consultation on lines recommended by the efficiency scrutiny on the administration burden on schools. [42025]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My officials are planning to draft a code of practice on lines recommended in the scrutiny report and seek views on the usefulness of such a code.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she has accepted the recommendation of the efficiency scrutiny on the
  959
  administration burden on schools that periods of consultation should last at least 10 weeks, not including school holidays. [42028]

  Mr. Squire
  I consider that this is a commendable ideal for the Department, but one that it is not always possible to achieve. Other demands such as the parliamentary and legislative timetable, sometimes necessitate shorter consultation periods if we are to avoid long delays in Government action. The recommendation acknowledged this.

  "Just the Job"
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the distribution of the booklet "Just the Job"(a) in East Sussex and (b) elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [42119]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. J. Lifton to Mr. Tim Rathbone, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about distribution of the Just the Job booklet.The Just the Job booklet describes the range of services provided by the Department for Education and Employment to unemployed people through Employment Service Jobcentres (ESJs). It is freely available in ESJs throughout the United Kingdom, including all those in East Sussex.I hope this is helpful.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 2 November,Official Report, column 459, how much of the sum applied for has been paid to the Government in (a) 1994 and (b) 1995; and in respect of the amount applied for in 1994 when was the latest date on which the Commission made a payment to the Government. [42302]

  Mr. Forth
  The amount paid so far to Government programmes under ESF objective 3 for(a) 1994 is £175,040,117; and (b) 1995 is £95,643,847.

  The 1994 final claim for objective 3 was received from the Commission on 22 September 1995.

  SOLOTEC
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional financial provision has been made by SOLOTEC for talking on responsibility for the London boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham. [42258]

  Mr. Paice
  This is a matter for the board of SOLOTEC. I understand that the board regularly reviews the financial contribution it can make to Greenwich and Lewisham.

  "Going GM" Conferences
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans her Department has to hold further "Going GM" conferences; and what 960
  financial provision has been made for further conferences. [36168]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My officials are planning to hold another eight "Going GM" conferences before the end of December, at an estimated total cost to the Department of about £100,000. Plans for conferences after that date have not yet been decided.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums have been allocated to meet the administration costs incurred by(a) the DFEE, (b) local authorities (c) pre-school provider institutions, (d) the contractor appointed to administer the scheme and (e) overall, in phase 1 of the pre-school voucher scheme. [42023]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The financial details of the Government's contract with Capita Managed Services Ltd. to administer the nursery voucher scheme are commercially confidential.

  No detailed estimate of the other administration costs has been made.

  GCSE Scores
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will provide the GCSE average point scores per pupil in 1995 for each individual 20th group, and also for the cumulative 20th groups, of all 15-year-old pupils when ranked according to their average point scores, where A* = 7 for(a) all such pupils in England, (b) all such pupils of the local education authority-maintained sector only, excluding those of grant-maintained schools, (c) all such pupils of the grant-maintained sector only, (d) all such pupils of the whole maintained sector only, excluding those of independent schools and (e) all such pupils of the independent sector only. [42202]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information for 1995 is not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as this information is available and place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will provide for all 15-year-old pupils in(a) England, (b) the local education authority maintained, (c) grant-maintained and (d) independent sectors, on the same basis as in the annual school performance tables, and also by gender (i) their GCSE average point score where A* = 7 and where A* = 8 and (ii) the percentage achieving (1) at least five GCSEs at Grades A* = C, (2) at least one GCSE at grade C or higher, (3) at least five GCSEs at grade G or higher and (4) at least one GCSE at grade G or higher. [42204]

  Mr. Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the answer in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will provide the average GCSE point scores, where A* = 7 per 15-year-old pupil by local education authority and for 1995, and also by gender in each case for(a) the local education authority-maintained sector only, (b) the grant-maintained sector only and (c) the whole maintained sector; and if he will state the averages in each case for each standard Department for Education region. [42203]
  961
  Mr. Squire
  The information for 1995 is not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as this information is available and place a copy in the Library.

  Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the recommendations of the review of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 announced on 2 October 1990, and if she will place a copy of the report of the review in the Library. [42232]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire), set out the conclusions of the review of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 on 14 July,Official Report, columns 829–30. Our detailed proposals for putting those conclusions into effect are set out in the draft regulations and draft circular put out to consultation on 14 August.

  Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.

  Labour Statistics
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many(A) 16 to 19, (B) 20 to 24, (C) 25 to 34, (D) 35 to 44, (E) 45 to 54 and (F) 55 to 65-year-olds in (i) Lewisham, East and (ii) each of the London boroughs are (a) in full-time employment, (b) in part-time employment, (c) in full-time education, (d) in part-time education, (e) on a Government training scheme, (f) on another type of training scheme and (g) unemployed; [41657]

  (2) how many males in (i) Lewisham, East and (ii) each of the London boroughs are (a) in full-time employment, (b) in part-time employment, (c) in full-time education, (d) in part-time education, (e) on a Government training scheme, (f) on another type of training scheme and (g) unemployed; [41653]

  (3) how many males in (A) 16 to 19, (B) 20 to 24, (C) 25 to 34, (D) 35 to 44, (E) 45 to 54 and (F) 55 to 64-year-olds in (i) Lewisham, East and (ii) each of the London boroughs are (a) in full-time employment, (b) in part-time employment, (c) in full-time education, (d) in part-time education, (e) on a Government training scheme, (f) on any other type of training scheme and (g) unemployed; [41656]

  (4) how many ethnic minority male (A) 16 to 19, (B) 20 to 24, (C) 25 to 34, (D) 35 to 44, (E) 45 to 54 and (F) 55 to 65-year-olds in (i) Lewisham, East and (ii) each of the London boroughs are (a) in full-time employment, (b) in part-time employment, (c) in full-time education, (d) in part-time education, (e) on a Government training scheme, (f) on another type of training scheme and (g) unemployed. [41654]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information at area level on employment, educational status, training, unemployment and ethnic origin can be obtained from the labour force survey, but not at the full level of detail requested. The 962
  available information can be accessed through the NOMIS database by the House of Commons Library.

  1–2–1
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unemployed people have been referred to 1–2–1 by Employment Service counsellors since April in each region and in Great Britain as a whole; how many attended and completed 1–2–1; what were the outcomes of the participants; how many had their income support reduced for not attending or failing to complete their attendance on 1–2–1; if she will break down this information by(a) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) gender; and if she will make a statement. [41915]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the 1–2–1 interview programme.Unfortunately the information is not available in the exact form you require as we do not collect it by ethnic origin, disability or gender. I have set out the remainder of the information you requested in the attached table (Annex 1).It may be helpful if I explain that 1–2–1 was piloted in 1994/95 and introduced nationally from April 1995. It provides help for 18–24 year olds who have been unemployed for a year. Attendance is mandatory for people who decline other offers of help and it therefore takes the place of Jobplan Workshops for this client group.1–2–1, which offers 95,000 places in 1995/96, provides a series of caseload interviews with an Employment Service adviser. By using a caseload approach advisers are able to offer clients concentrated help and information. The figures in the table show that 1–2–1 has proved extremely successful in achieving job placings and other positive outcomes.For those who 1–2–1 is unable to help a linked four week course, Workwise, provides further help with job search and confidence building. Workwise is also made available immediately, in preference to 1–2–1, for those clients to whom it is more appropriate.I hope this is helpful.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the total amount paid out in unemployment benefit, by region, since May 1979. [40836]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  The table provides estimates for the years 1991–92 to 1994–95. Estimates for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  England

  1,370

  1,531

  1,428

  1,069

  South East

  448

  540

  518

  365

  East Anglia

  55

  64

  62

  45

  South West

  125

  137

  126

  94

  West

  174

  198

  170

  122

  East

  108

  125

  115

  93

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  159

  158

  154

  123

  963

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  North West

  194

  206

  178

  134

  North

  107

  101

  104

  93

  Wales

  82

  75

  68

  55

  Scotland

  152

  154

  153

  137

  Great Britain

  1,604

  1,760

  1,649

  1,260

  1. Estimates have been calculated using the expenditure data shown in the 1995 social security departmental report and allocated to regions by use of a 5 per cent. sample of unemployed claimants.

  2. Figures given are in £ millions.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the total amount paid out in unemployment benefit, by region, since May 1979, at 1995 prices. [40837]

  Mr. Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  The table provides estimates for the years 1991–92 to 1994–95. Estimates for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  England

  1,495

  1,604

  1,453

  1,069

  South East

  489

  566

  528

  365

  East Anglia

  60

  68

  63

  45

  South West

  136

  144

  128

  94

  West

  Midlands

  190

  207

  173

  122

  East Midlands

  117

  131

  117

  93

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  174

  166

  156

  123

  North West

  211

  216

  181

  134

  North

  117

  106

  106

  93

  Wales

  89

  79

  69

  55

  Scotland

  165

  162

  155

  137

  Great Britain

  1,750

  1,845

  1,678

  1,260

  Notes:

  1. Estimates have been calculated using the expenditure data shown in the 1995 social security departmental report and allocated to regions by use of a 5 per cent. sample of unemployed claimants.

  2. Figures given are in real terms 1994–95 prices and are given in £ millions.

  Employment-related Benefits
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what has been the total amount paid out in employment-related benefits, by region, since May 1979; [40838]

  (2) what has been the total amount paid out in employment-related benefits by region since May 1979, at 1995 prices. [40839]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply. I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Special Educational Needs Appeals
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many special educational needs appeals have been lodged with the Special Educational Needs Tribunal from September 1994 to date; [42263]

  (2) how many special education needs appeals have been heard from September 1994 to date; [42264]
  964
  (3) how many special educational needs appeals have been withdrawn or settled prior to a hearing taking place; [42265]

  (4) how many appellants whose appeals were heard received written confirmation of the outcome of their appeal (a) within four months of the date of lodging their appeal, (b) within between four and five months of the date of lodging their appeal, (c) within between five and six months of the date of lodging their appeal, (d) within between six and seven months of the date of lodging their appeal, (e) within between seven and eight months of the date of lodging their appeal and (f) over eight months of the date of lodging their appeal. [42266]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department does not maintain detailed records about appeals to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal, which is an independent non-departmental public body. I have therefore asked the president of the tribunal, Mr. Trevor Aldridge QC, to write to the hon. Member.

  Information about the numbers of appeals to the tribunal will be available in the president's annual report to the Secretary of State, which will be placed in the Library of the House when it is published.

  Nursery Education (Hampshire)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the number and percentage of three and four-year-olds attending nursery and primary schools in Hampshire in each of the last five years. [41846]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Pupils under five years of age1 in maintained nursery and primary schools in Hampshire local education authority area 1991–1995

  Position as at January each year

  Year

  Pupils

  Pupils as a percentage of the population3

  1991

  8,166

  20

  1992

  8,672

  20

  1993

  8,988

  21

  1994

  15,098

  36

  1995

  15,622

  37

  1Excludes pupils who became five years of age by 1 January.

  2Number of pupils under five years of age expressed as a percentage of the estimated population aged three and four at 31 December in the previous year.

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the current numbers and percentages of surplus places in each local education authority, in the rank order according to the proportion of surplus places, in(a) secondary schools, (b) primary schools, (c) special schools and (d) grant-maintained schools.

  Mrs. Gillan
  For the latest available figures, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend gave the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle) on 20 February 1995,Official Report, columns 38–43.
  965

  International Year of Lifelong Learning
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangement are in hand for the launch in England of the International Year of Lifelong Learning 1996. [40388]

  Mr. Forth
  A conference to launch the European Year of Lifelong Learning in the United Kingdom will be held in Scotland during early 1996.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the amount budgeted in the current financial year for education in the overall budget for her Department; and if she will break it down into its principal elements; [42103]

  (2) if she will estimate the cost of increasing the education element of the budget for her Department by the rate of inflation, indicating the totals for (a) education and (b) employment spending. [42146]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place copies of my reply in the Library.

HEALTH

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the original capital cash limits given for each the last three years. [37925]

  Mr. Sackville
  The original regional capital cash limits years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 tables.

  From 1994–95, the number of regional health authorities reduced from 14 to eight as a number of authorities merged.

  The amount of NHS capital allocated to RHAs reduced during this period because of the increase in NHS trusts, which receive capital through the external financing limit mechanism. The slight decrease in the overall capital planning totals over this period reflected reduced demand for capital from health authorities and trusts as they reviewed their plans in response to the introduction of capital charging. Receipts from land sales—of the order of £200 million a year—which can be used to fund capital investment are additional to these figures.

  Trent and South Thames had negative initial cash limits for 1995–96 because the forecast land sale receipts in each of these regions exceeded the anticipated capital spend. The nil cash limits of South West and North West are a reflection of the original forecasts of receipts on spending being broadly level.

  Regional cash limits 1993–94

  Regions

  Trusts

  £000sTotal

  Northern

  67,046

  40,751

  107,797

  Yorkshire

  30,826

  94,772

  125,598

  Trent

  50,224

  108,112

  158,336

  East Anglia

  21,757

  47,412

  69,169

  North West Thames

  64,929

  40,958

  105,887

  966

  Regional cash limits 1993–94

  Regions

  Trusts

  £000sTotal

  North East Thames

  47,633

  71,408

  119,041

  South East Thames

  43,935

  79,691

  120,626

  South West Thames

  44,713

  50,232

  94,945

  Wessex

  46,821

  54,167

  100,988

  Oxford

  45,975

  31,408

  77,383

  South West

  17,189

  97,775

  114,964

  West Midlands

  130,802

  44,775

  175,577

  Mersey

  18,640

  64,030

  82,670

  North West

  85,235

  54,731

  139,966

  Total

  715,725

  877,222

  1,592,947

  Regional cash limits 1994–95

  £000s

  Regions

  Trusts

  Total

  Northern and Yorkshire

  37,910

  187,702

  225,612

  Trent

  10,466

  143,074

  153,540

  Anglia and Oxford

  14,428

  128,693

  143,121

  North Thames

  63,738

  154,420

  218,158

  South Thames

  15,367

  194,640

  210,007

  South and West

  23,416

  188,038

  211,454

  West Midlands

  28,068

  140,940

  169,008

  North West

  27,928

  185,941

  213,869

  Total

  211,321

  1,323,448

  1,544,769

  Regional cash limits 1995–96

  £000s

  Regions

  Trusts

  Total

  Northern and Yorkshire

  6,773

  208,033

  214,806

  Trent

  -785

  151,155

  150,370

  Anglia and Oxford

  31

  149,100

  149,131

  North Thames

  3,733

  227,304

  231,037

  South Thames

  -31,562

  237,921

  206,359

  South and West

  0

  199,022

  199,022

  West Midlands

  26,853

  135,692

  162,545

  North West

  0

  215,513

  215,513

  Total

  5,043

  1,523,740

  1,528,783

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will itemise payments made in each NHS trust to(a) chairs, (b) non-executive directors, (c) chief executives and (d) board directors for 1993–94 and 1994–95, by region. [37945]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 16 February, at column 808 for information regarding chairmen and chief executives of national health service trusts in respect of 1993–94. Information will be placed in the Library on the remuneration of executive and non-executive directors of NHS trusts, as extracted from their annual accounts for 1993–94. The payments listed represent remuneration in respect of the total gross salary, bonus payments, monetary value of benefits in kind, taxable expenses allowances and compensation payments in relation to the offices described—rather than to an individual. Information for 1994–95 is not yet available.
  967

  Cash Limits and Running Costs (OPCS)
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the proposed changes to the cash limits and running costs for the OPCS for 1995–96. [42226]

  Mr. Sackville
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XII, vote 4-Office of Population Censuses and Surveys-will be increased by £2,666,000 from £35,775,000 to £38,441,000 and the running costs limit of OPCS will be increased by £1,702,000 from £49,694,000 to £51,396,000. This reflects the take-up of £1,281,000 for running costs and £635,000 for capital under the end-year flexibility arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, at columns 776–82. It also reflects an increased running cost provision of £406,000 and increased capital provision of £1,780,000 in the national health service central register area for work on the Department of Health's existing number replacement project. Also included is an increased running cost provision of £15,000 and capital provision of £22,000 for the processing and production of abortion statistics. The increase in capital costs will be met from within the existing resources of the Department of Health, class XII, vote 3. There is also a capital provision of £750,000 for work on a building to house the London staff of the new Office of National Statistics. The increase will be offset by savings and a claim on the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Health Spending
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each year since 1991, total health spending, expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product, for(a) the UK, (b) the EU, (c) the OECD and (d) for each OECD country. [41992]

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows total United Kingdom expenditure on the national health service expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product for each year since 1990–91. Information on expenditure on health in other countries is not available on a comparable basis.

  United Kingdom NHS expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product

  Year

  Expenditure (£ million)

  Proportion of GDP percentage

  1990–91

  29,231

  5.2

  1991–92

  33,061

  5.7

  1992–93

  36,209

  6.0

  1993–94

  37,331

  5.8

  1994–95

  39,093

  5.8

  The national health service share of GDP in 1978–79 was 4.7 per cent.

  Primary Health Care Staff
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to assist the recruitment of primary health care staff in deprived areas. [42032]

  Mr. Malone
  All family health services authorities are able to target their cash limited resources to areas of 968
  greatest need. In addition, as part of the Government's London implementation zone initiative, FHSAs are able to provide assistance to general practitioners in the employment of a wider range of health care staff. The number of whole-time equivalent staff employed by general practitioners increased from 37,546 in 1989 to 51,833 last year—a rise of nearly 40 per cent.

  Tamoxifen
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make the anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen free to all breast cancer sufferers. [41858]

  Mr. Malone
  No. Extensive exemption and remission arrangements already protect those who might have difficulty paying charges. For those who have to pay charges and who need regular medication, prescription season tickets offer real value for money.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish for each standard region of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom as a whole for the latest available year the number of woman diagnosed as suffering from breast cancer, indicating the figure as a percentage of the total female population in each case. [41960]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Breast Cancer (ICD91174) 1990 England2 (RHAs as at 1990)

  Number of cases diagnosed

  Percentage of total female population

  Northern

  1,564

  0.10

  Yorkshire

  1,970

  0.11

  Trent

  2,482

  0.1

  East Anglia

  1,249

  0.12

  North West Thames

  1,997

  0.11

  North East Thames

  2,182

  0.11

  South East Thames

  2,102

  0.11

  South West Thames

  1,773

  0.11

  Wessex

  1,864

  0.12

  Oxford

  1,479

  0.12

  South Western

  1,947

  0.12

  West Midlands

  3,026

  0.11

  Mersey

  1,332

  0.11

  North Western

  2,070

  0.10

  England

  27,037

  0.11

  Wales2

  1,775

  0.12

  England and Wales

  28,812

  0.11

  Scotland (Health Boards)

  Argyll and Clyde

  230

  0.10

  Ayrshire and Arran

  214

  0.11

  Borders

  89

  0.17

  Fife

  192

  0.11

  Dumfries and Galloway

  91

  0.12

  Forth Valley

  118

  0.08

  Grampian

  310

  0.12

  Greater Glasgow

  567

  0.12

  Highland

  127

  0.12

  Lanarkshire

  287

  0.1

  Lothian

  488

  0.13

  Orkney

  10

  0.10

  Shetland

  13

  0.12

  969

  Breast Cancer (ICD91174) 1990 England2 (RHAs as at 1990)

  Number of cases diagnosed

  Percentage of total female population

  Tayside

  222

  0.11

  Western Isles

  21

  0.14

  Scotland

  2,979

  0.11

  Great Britain

  31,791

  0.11

  Northern Ireland

  724

  0.09

  United Kingdom

  32,515

  0.11

  1 International Classification of Diseases—9th Revision.

  2 Provisional.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 June,Official Report, column 332, if he will now provide updated accident and emergency department figures. [42297]

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

  Clinical Negligence Claims
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 July,Official Report, column 1151, if he will now provide figures on clinical negligence settlements for 1994–95. [42298]

  Mr. Malone
  Final figures for the period 1994–95 are not yet available.

  Doctors (Recruitment)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from royal colleges and other medical bodies about recruitment difficulties in certain specialties. [42233]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health has received representations through informal discussions with various royal colleges and from the national health service on particular specialties' difficulties in filling vacant posts.

  Medical work force advisory groups have been asked to consider suitable action to ameliorate any shortages.

  Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare Trust
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on the delivery of NHS health care by the Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare trust and the delivery of health care in the region generally of the trust's plans to build a private hospital in the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital at Heavitree; [42279]

  (2) if he will make a statement regarding the Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare trust's plans to build a private hospital on the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital at Heavitree; what representations he received regarding this project; who was responsible for the final approval of the project in his Department; and if he will place a copy of the contract between the trust and the private contractors involved in the Library. [42278]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no plans to build a private hospital on trust property.
  970

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from the medical profession with regard to frequency of smear tests for cervical cancer. [42291]

  Mr. Sackville
  None of which I am aware.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to the NHS of conducting, analysing and reporting a cervical smear test; and what is the private sector cost of conducting, analysing and reporting a cervical smear test. [42293]

  Mr. Sackville
  Total estimated costs to the national health service of cervical screening is £100 million each year and £40 for an individual test, including the reporting of it.

  Information is not available centrally on these costs in the private sector.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the cervical cancer screening programme. [42294]

  Mr. Sackville
  The cervical cancer screening programme has been extremely successful. Some 4 million women are screened each year; this means that 84 per cent. of women in the eligible age group nationally have been screened. Through screening, cervical abnormalities which could lead to cancer are identified so that appropriate treatment can be given. I am confident that our "Health of the Nation" target to cut cervical cancer incidence by 20 per cent. by 2000 will be achieved.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recommendations he has received from the chief medical officer regarding the frequency of smear tests for cervical cancer for women aged between 20 and 60 years. [42290]

  Mr. Sackville
  Departmental policy agreed with the chief medical officer is set out in HSG(93)41: all women in this age group should be invited for a cervical smear at least every five years.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the past five years and for each family health service authority area(a) the number of women who received a smear test for cervical cancer on the NHS, (b) the percentage of women in the at-risk category who have received a smear test, (c) the average interval of time between smear test and (d) the number of GPs and clinics, also expressed as a proportion of the total number of GPs and clinics at which NHS smear tests were available. [42292]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available in the form requested. The most recent information held on the cervical cancer screening programme, "Cervical Cancer Screening 1993–1994 Summary information from Form KC53 England", was placed in the Library.

  General Practitioners
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the number of vacant places on the general practitioner vocational
  971
  training course and the recruitment of doctors who have qualified in other countries to fill some of those vacancies. [42277]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for the past five years(a) the number of qualified doctors enrolling on the general practitioner vocational training course, (b) the overall number of places on the schemes and (c) the number of places which are filled by doctors who have qualified in another country, in each case specifying the number per regional training centre. [42275]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Regional health authority

  Organisation or service

  Current position

  1. South and West

  Eastwood Park Training and Conference Centre

  Subject to contract, to be sold to Peritas (a subsidiary of ICL) in January 1996

  2. South and West

  Lyngford House Training and Conference Centre

  Options under consideration

  3. South and West

  Avon and Gloucester College of Health

  Contract with the University of Western England due for signing by 30 November to take effect in January 1996. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  4. South and West

  Tor and South West College of Health

  Contract with the University of Plymouth due for signing by early December to take effect in January 1996. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  5. South and West

  SWIFT (IT services)

  Contract awarded to EDS wef 1 September 1995. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  6. West Midlands

  Midlands Laundry Group

  Invitations to tender will go out shortly

  7. Northern and Yorkshire

  Yorkshire Health Legal Services

  Tenders invited, and final bids expected in mid-November. Award likely by the end of the year

  8. Northern and Yorkshire

  Financial Services

  Contract awarded to Hartshead Solway wef 1 August 1995. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  9. Northern and Yorkshire

  White Hart Training and Conference Centre

  Options under consideration for final decision early in 1996

  10. North Thames

  IT services

  Constituent parts have either been transferred to NHS Authorities, or to a management/staff buy-out; or wound up and no longer provided

  11. South Thames

  HCR and SE Computing (IT services)

  Contract awarded to Hoskyns wef July 1995. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  12. South Thames

  David Salomans Training Centre

  Subject to contract, award to be made to Canterbury Christchurch College wef April 1996; staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  13. North West

  North West Health Legal Services

  Contract awarded to Hempsons wef 1 October 95. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms

  14. Anglia and Oxford

  Mandeville Medicines (Pharmaceutical Production)

  Options for transfer under consideration for final decision in 1996.

  15. Anglia and Oxford

  Oxford Consortium (various services)

  Contract awarded to CSC wef 1 July 1995. Staff able to transfer on TUPE terms.

  NHS Management
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) managerial staff, (b) administrative and clerical staff and (c) nursing and midwifery staff have been employed and at what cost in (i) trusts and (ii) health authorities in each region in each year since 1989. [42239]

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

  Staff Cars
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) of 1 November,Official Report, columns 360–1, if he will provide
  972
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he plans to take to encourage qualified doctors to become general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [42276]

  Mr. Malone
  At 1 October 1994, there were 25,567 general practitioners in England—a record number. We are ensuring that general practice remains an attractive career, for example, by assisting doctors with their duties out-of- surgery hours and implementing the efficiency scrutiny on unnecessary paperwork.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 1282, if he will now update the information on regional health authority services. [42299]

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows updated information:(a) a regional and (b) a district breakdown of the figures on staff cars. [42301]

  Mr. Malone
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Nurse-patient Ratio
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average qualified nurse-patient ratio in each of the last five years by(a) region and (b) district. [42235]

  Mr. Sackville
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  973

  Private Patient Income
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 1 November,Official Report, column 356, when 1994–95 figures on private patient income will be available. [42300]

  Mr. Sackville
  Shortly.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and midwives and (b) doctors have worked in the (i) acute and (ii) community sectors in each of the last three years in each region. [42240]

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

  Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [42340]

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

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42316]

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

  Child Protection
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been allowed for child protection services such as health visitors. [42351]

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

  Health Visitors
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funding there has been of the health visitor service over the past three years; [42352]

  (2) if he will list the number of health visitors by authority over the past three years; [42357]

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

  Dental Implants
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list by authority how many dental implants were performed this year and last year(a) on national health patients and (b) in the private sector; [42353]

  (2) what consultations he has had with representatives of the dental health consultants about the funding of dental implant surgery; [42354]

  (3) if he will list by authority those health authorities which have decided not to fund dental implant treatment for NHS patients; [42355]
  974
  (4) if he will list those health authorities that perform dental implant treatment for patients on the national health service. [42356]

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

  Social Services
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money Buckinghamshire county council has spent on social services under both special transitional grant and social services SSA during the financial year(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96 to date. [42359]

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

  AIDS
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the NHS will continue to meet the full cost of treating patients with HIV and AIDS with combinations of anti-viral drugs. [42366]

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

  Injection Pens
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his reasons for excluding disposable needles for insulin injection pen systems from the drug tariff. [42367]

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

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and what was the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41214]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the my hon. Friend Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), gave him on 7 November, columns 698–702.

  Management Costs
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 848, to the hon. Members for York (Mr. Bayley) and for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) what was the level of management and administrative expenditure in each health authority of the last three years for which figures are available. [41432]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Asbestos-related Diseases
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of deaths wholly or partly attributable to asbestos-related disease that are expected in each year until 2030. [41886]
  975
  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The estimated number of males dying annually from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in 10 years' time could range from between 1,300 and 2,100; in 20 years' time between 1,300 and 3,000 and in 30 years' time between 1,000 and 3,200. These estimates are based on a paper: "The continuing increase in mesothelioma mortality in Britain" which was published in The Lancet on 3 March 1995. This paper discusses the uncertainties attached to the projections, which increase very significantly beyond about 2010. It is therefore inappropriate to forecast a figure for each separate year. Projected figures for females are not available.

  Currently, there are estimated to be one or two deaths from asbestos-related lung cancer for each death from mesothelioma. The falling prevalence of smoking is likely to reduce this ratio in the future.

  Measles, Mumps and Rubella
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, supplied by which companies, were withdrawn from use in 1992; and for what reasons. [41066]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The two vaccines were manufactured by SmithKline Beecham and Merieux. As to the reasons for the discontinuation of their use, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 6 November, Official Report, column 607–11.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to dispose of measles vaccine surplus to the 1994–95 campaign. [41019]

  Mr. Sackville
  Surplus measles-rubella vaccines arising from overprovision of diluent has already been returned to manufacturers for which my Department has received reimbursement as credit; a small stock is being held against future requirements.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he possesses as to the reason for MMR vaccines being withdrawn in Japan. [41023]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Urabe-based MMR vaccines have been withdrawn from use in Japan only recently, for the same reasons that they were replaced in this country three years ago. The reason for replacement was restricted to the rate of adverse reactions in the mumps vaccine component.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds as to the shelf life of the vaccines used in the campaign conducted since November 1994 to vaccinate against measles and rubella. [41024]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The shelf lives of the vaccines used in the measles-rubella immunisation campaign were all two years. The expiry dates of the batches were either 30 or 31 July 1996, 30 August 1996 or 30 September 1996.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been conducted by his Department into the effects of the modification of natural immunologic response by vaccines in relation to the increase in autoimmune diseases. [41028]
  976
  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies were chosen as suppliers of the measles-rubella vaccine in the recent countrywide campaign; and for what reasons. [41018]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: All possible manufacturers were approached. Only SmithKline Beecham and Merieux were in a position to supply—both were awarded contracts.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of the adverse reactions to the administration of both MR and MMR vaccines, in regard to the under-reporting of thrombocytopenic purpura. [41017]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The Public Health Laboratory Service has recently published a review on an advanced technique for surveillance of adverse reactions. New information was established on the association between idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and MMR immunisation. This related to primary immunisation and was of little relevance to the measles-rubella campaign because there was a far lower probability of susceptibility to rubella in children of the campaign age than in those immunised with MMR at 12 to 15 months.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the problems occurring in the passive surveillance procedures adopted in the United Kingdom to monitor adverse effects of vaccinations. [41031]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Doctors are aware that suspected adverse reactions to vaccines should be reported through the United Kingdom's adverse drug reactions reporting scheme. It is more likely that acute and serious adverse reactions are reported. The United Kingdom's reporting scheme has successfully detected rare unrecognised hazards with vaccines and other medicines and the scheme receives widespread support from doctors. The limitations of the scheme are well recognised but it is the best scheme currently available for the routine surveillance of adverse reactions to vaccines throughout the UK.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out each consideration which led his Department to initiate a country-wide vaccination campaign against measles and rubella jointly in November 1994. [41061]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The key consideration was to protect children against a predicted epidemic of measles. The background is given in the chief medical officer/chief nursing officer letters issued in July and September 1994, copies of which are available in the Library; other supportive information has been published in:
  Babad H.R., Noakes D. J., Gay N.J., Miller E., Morgan-Capner P., Anderson R. M.,
  Predicting the impact of measles vaccination in England and Wales; model validation and analysis of policy options.
  Epidemiol Infect 1995; 114: 319–344.
  Gay N. J. Hesketh L. M., Morgan-Capper P., Miller E.

  977
  Interpretation of serological surveillance data for measles using mathematical models: implications for vaccine strategy.
  Epidemiol Infect
  Ramsay M., Gay N. J. Miller E., Rush M., White J., Morgan-Capper P.et al.
  The epidemiology of measles in England and Wales; rationale for the 1994 national vaccination campaign.
  CDR Review 1994: 4: R141–146.
  Christine P.
  Measles in Scotland
  Commun Dis Envir Hith Scot 1994; 28(41): 3–8

  For further relevant scientific papers I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 6 November, Official Report, columns 607–11.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what considerations led to the decision not to include on the consent form given to parents for children being vaccinated against rubella information on the possibility that it might lead to some increase in arthritis. [41033]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: In preparing the leaflet for parents careful evaluation was given to all side effects. The risk of arthritis in the age group covered by the measles-rubella campaign was considered not to warrant inclusion as the risk is in older women.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the claims in a journal which has been sent to him regarding information to parents and professionals in respect of the recent MMR campaign. [40885]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for parents was produced after careful consideration of all relevant information and was pre-tested with parents and young people. Extensive information on adverse reactions was provided to all doctors and other health professionals involved in the campaign. The author appears not to have considered all the relevant information in making his claims.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been(a) conducted and (b) sponsored by his Department into the causes and development of measles encephalitis in children. [41021]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Two studies on the rate of acute encephalitis associated with measles infections have been conducted by the Public Health Laboratory Service, and deaths from measles encephalitis were reviewed by the PHLS in 1985. In addition, detailed information on cases on late-onset encephalitis following measles infection subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is collected by the PHLS, and a comprehensive report from this surveillance scheme was published in 1992.

  Miller DL. Frequency of complications of measles, 1963. BMJ 1964; 2: 75–78

  Miller CL. Severity of notified measles. BMJ 1978. 1: 1255–54

  Miller CL. Deaths from measles in England and Wales, 1970–83. BMJ 1985; 290: 433–34.

  Miller C, Farrington CP, Harbert K. The epidemiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in England and Wales, 1970–89. Int J Epidemiol 1992; 21: 988–1006.

  978
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) mumps and (b) rubella occurred in each year since 1985; and what assessment he has made of the reliability of the data. [41026]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Since 1985, the most reliable source of data on mumps and rubella incidence is reports of confirmed infections to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre from laboratories in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Cases thus confirmed therefore represent true infections. Laboratory investigation is not performed in all suspected cases, however, and therefore these figures may under-estimate the total number of mumps and rubella infections. Since 1988, statutory notifications of mumps and rubella have been collected at the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. In a Public Health Laboratory Service study of the accuracy of notification, laboratory confirmation of rubella cases was attempted in 18 districts between 1991 and 1993. Only 29 per cent, of rubella were confirmed by laboratory testing. No formal study of mumps notifications has taken place but, as part of the PHLS saliva diagnosis scheme, we have confirmed only 3.3 per cent. of mumps cases notified this year. This data suggest that notifications substantially over-estimate the incidence of these infections.

  Reports to Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre of confirmed infection from laboratories in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 1985–1995

  Year

  Mumps

  Rubella

  1985

  360

  828

  1986

  547

  2,069

  1987

  688

  1,887

  1988

  428

  1,031

  1989

  265

  760

  1990

  94

  705

  1991

  52

  249

  1992

  49

  201

  1993

  37

  1,625

  1994

  47

  310

  1995 (to week 42)

  44

  752

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many yellow card reports covering measles, mumps and rubella have been registered by the Medicines Control Agency identifying cases of possible vaccine damage, in each month since 1992. [41022]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The number of yellow card reports of adverse reactions related to measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for each month since 1992 is shown in the table.

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  January

  8

  8

  6

  10

  February

  11

  16

  3

  16

  March

  15

  13

  13

  15

  April

  12

  10

  5

  11

  May

  15

  15

  14

  12

  June

  17

  11

  7

  15

  July

  15

  8

  7

  4

  August

  7

  12

  13

  11

  September

  44

  10

  9

  4

  October

  27

  9

  15

  —

  November

  22

  8

  19

  —

  December

  9

  5

  20

  —

  979
  The report of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean the vaccine was responsible.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration was given to the conclusions in the communicable disease report, volume 4, review number 7 of 24 June 1994, as to the need for a mass campaign against rubella before the decision to institute a measles and rubella campaign in November 1994 was taken. [41032]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The results of the summary of districts in England and Wales were consistent with the decision to include rubella vaccine in the immunisation campaign of November 1994. The article identified current policy at that time but also stated that there are no contradictions to a second vaccination in girls. The article did not address the issue of rubella immunisation in boys.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what considerations he has given to including decisions not to include details of each of the known side effects of immunisation in the booklet "Measles: Why every child in school needs to be protected from measles this autumn"; and if he will make a statement. [41020]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The content of the measles booklet was underpinned by research by the Health Education Authority among parents to establish what information they regarded as most important. This research showed that parents were unaware of the seriousness of measles. The final leaflet reflected parents information priorities about the need for measles and rubella immunisation. Side effects from measles rubella vaccine are rare but the more common ones are covered in the booklet. Doctors and other health care workers were given more detailed information on the full range of possible adverse reactions. Parents were advised to discuss any further concerns with their family doctor.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the policy implications of the scientific article on measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, a copy of which has been sent to him. [40884]

  Mr. Sackville
  The scientific article in The Lancet—volume 345, 4 March 1995— a copy of which is in the Library, has been considered by the Department of Health, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, and its importance is acknowledged. It describes a valuable technique for investigating more serious adverse reactions—that is, those likely to lead to hospital admission. Wider evaluation of the technique would be appropriate. The policy implication of the article is that active surveillance reveals a higher than previously reported risk of thrombocytopaenia and a fourfold reduction of risk of febrile convulsions after the change in the immunisation schedule that we implemented in 1990. The article has no relevance to varicella, for which there is no UK licensed vaccine.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the incidence of measles in 1994–95 among unimmunised 17-year-olds. [41062]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: During 1994, there were 19 confirmed cases of measles infection in 17-year-old children—all of whom were unimmunised—reported to the Public Health Laboratory
  980
  Service. So far in 1995, there have been only five confirmed cases and all of these cases occurred in unimmunised people.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations his Department has received from the Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children. [41068]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: A number of letters have been received concerning the measles-rubella campaign and the childhood immunisation programme in general.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanism exists for parents who have lost confidence in their general practitioner to pass on confidential information concerning the suspected deleterious effects of measles immunisation vaccinations on their children. [41006]

  Mr. Sackville
  Doctors are asked to report adverse reactions when, based on their clinical judgment, there is a likelihood of the reported event being related to the administration of the vaccine. We believe that there was good compliance with standard reporting procedures during the course of the campaign. It is open to parents to make representations on specific issues of concern to them to their local family health services authority through the complaints procedures.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to doctors, nurses and other medical service professionals in regard to the level of information that they are expected give parents on potentially adverse effects of immunisation against measles. [41069]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Health service professionals are given extensive information on possible adverse reactions to vaccines. The United Kingdom Health Departments' "memorandum", Immunisation against Infectious Disease, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, provides information on adverse reactions. In addition, for the measles-rubella immunisation campaign the chief medical officer's letters of July, September and October 1994 covered adverse reactions in some detail and included an information booklet for health care professionals.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what tests are conducted on children before immunisation against measles to establish their existing levels of blood antibodies. [41029]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: None. The European advisory group on immunisation of the World Health Organisation has specifically advised against testing of blood for antibodies because of potential unreliability of information obtained and the impractical scale of the exercise. This practice is not known to be routinely undertaken in any country in the world.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many updates have been prepared and circulated by the chief medical officer, the chief nursing officer and the chief pharmacist on the national measles-rubella immunisation campaign since December 1994; and if he will place copies in the Library. [41025]
  981
  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: There has been one joint communication from the chief medical officer, the chief nursing officer and the chief pharmacist on the measles-rubella immunisation campaign since December 1994. This was a letter dated 19 December 1994: "Update on National Measles-Rubella Immunisation Campaign". A brief article also appeared in CMO's update 6, dated July 1995: "Success of measles/rubella immunisation campaign". Both letters are available in the Library.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what papers or research reports have been prepared or sponsored by his Department on adverse reactions to immunisation against measles; [41030]

  (2) what studies have been (a) conducted and (b) published by the United Kingdom Public Health Laboratory Service on investigation into the effects of measles-mumps-rubella-immunisation inoculation on convulsions amongst recipient children. [41060]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Extensive studies of measles vaccine were conducted by the Medical Research Council before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1968. Two reports from these studies summarised the incidence of adverse events. Subsequently, a study of symptoms following measles vaccination was conducted by the Public Health Laboratory Service in a large number of children between 1970 and 1980.

  Before the introduction of MMR vaccine in 1988, studies were conducted by the Public Health Laboratory Service to measure the rate of adverse events, including convulsions, associated with the vaccine. The study involved over 10,000 children in three district health authorities in the United Kingdom. In 1993, a pilot study to evaluate new methods for monitoring adverse events following vaccination, including MMR vaccine, was conducted.

  This involved linking computerised hospital admissions data to child health vaccination records in five districts of England and Wales.

  Measles Vaccine Committee. Vaccination against measles: a clinical trials of measles given alone and live vaccine preceded by killed vaccine. BMJ 1966; 1: 441–6. Measles Vaccine Committee. Vaccination against measles: a study of clinical reactions and serological responses of young children. BMJ 1965; 1: 817–23.
  Miller C. Surveillance after measles vaccination in children. Practitioner 1982; 226: 535–7.
  Miller C, Miller E, Rowe K, et al. Surveillance of symptoms following MMR vaccine in children. Practitioner 1989; 223: 69–72.
  Farrington P, Pugh S, Colvile A et al. A new method for active surveillance from diphtheria/tetanus pertussis and measles/mumps/rubella vaccines. Lancet 1995; 345: 567–9.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the decision was taken, and on what basis, to place a notification for competitive tender in the Official Journal of the European Communities for the vaccines to be used in the immunisation campaign initiated in November 1994 against measles and rubella. [41067]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The normal procedures of the European Communities public procurements directives did not allow sufficient time for manufacture of vaccines. Therefore, no notification for competitive tender was placed in the Official Journal of
  982
  the European Communities for the vaccines used in the measles rubella immunisation campaign, but contracts were placed using a negotiated procedure as specified in Statutory Instrument 2679 of 1991.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his predecessor was first involved in internal discussions with his chief medical officer and departmental experts on immunology, on the immunology campaign against measles and rubella launched last year. [41063]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Ministers were informed in April 1994 of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's recommendation that a measles-rubella campaign should be undertaken. This recommendation was considered by Ministers and an announcement made on 28 July 1994.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inter-departmental discussions at(a) ministerial and (b) official level have been held since 1993 on the measles-rubella immunisation campaign. [41065]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Discussions took place as required.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures have been adopted to monitor suspected adverse reactions to the measles-rubella immunisation campaign since November 1994; and what it has cost to date to conduct the monitoring. [41027]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Before the start of the campaign with measles rubella vaccine the Medicines Control Agency agreed that all reports of suspected adverse reactions would be handled with the highest priority. Spontaneous reports using the yellow card system were classified and entered on to the MCA database within 24 hours of receipt and evaluated by a doctor within 36 hours. Requests for further information were made for serious adverse reactions if inadequate information had been provided on the yellow card. The cost of monitoring MR vaccine cannot be estimated because surveillance was part of the normal MCA procedures for monitoring all licensed medicines in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when officials in his Department first established internal discussions on the departmental immunisation campaign against measles and rubella. [41064]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The situation was evaluated in 1992. Development work on strategies was undertaken in 1993. This work was under the stewardship of the United Kingdom Health Departments' external independent expert committee—the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

  Immunisation
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were(a) harmed and (b) died as a result of immunisation in each of the last five years. [41643]

  Mr. Sackville
  A report of a suspected reaction does not necessarily mean it was caused by the vaccine. Reports to the Medicines Control Agency of suspected
  983
  adverse reactions to vaccines classified in children, aged 15 years or less, in the United Kingdom are presented in the table:

  Reports of any reactions to a vaccine

  Reports of a fatal reaction to a vaccine

  1 November 1990–31 October 1991

  292

  6

  1 November 1991–31 October 1992

  610

  7

  1 November 1992–31 October 1993

  1,843

  12

  1 November 1993–31 October 1994

  830

  4

  1 November 1994–31 October 1995

  1,840

  2

  These figures include 19 sudden infant deaths but the age at which SIDS most commonly occurs is coincidental with that for the recommended primary vaccination schedule. Numerous studies have failed to identify a causal link with vaccination.

  Eleven deaths occurred in children with underlying pathologies that were not linked to vaccination.

  Approximately 80 million doses of vaccines used in the childhood programme have been distributed in the UK in the last five years.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the percentage of parents who do not wish to have their children immunised. [42281]

  Mr. Sackville
  Current United Kingdom immunisation coverage by a child's second birthday is: 95.8 per cent. for diphtheria, tetanus and polio; 93.5 per cent. for pertussis; 94.9 per cent. for Hib; and 92.5 per cent for

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Numbers of patients on inpatient/day case waiting lists on 31 March

  922,676

  958,976

  948,243

  917,717

  994,974

  1,065,369

  1,044,051

  Numbers of waiting over 12 months on 31 March

  223,311

  207,860

  169,781

  80,585

  56,877

  64,508

  32,194

  Average waiting time for inpatient/day case admission as at 31 March (in months)

  9.3

  8.6

  7.6

  5.1

  4.5

  4.6

  4

  Available hospital beds during financial year staring 1 April (1)

  270,000

  255,000

  243,000

  232,000

  219,000

  212,000

  n/a

  Hospital doctors as at 30 September (2)(3)

  38,910

  40,250

  41,430

  42,290

  43,800

  44,660

  n/a

  Hospital nurses and midwives as at 30 September (2)(4)

  346,710

  342,360

  339,300

  325,370

  307,870

  296,090

  n/a

  Medical students qualifying as at 31 July (5)

  2,639

  2,808

  2,730

  2,788

  2,759

  2,866

  n/a

  Medical school places available as at October

  3,051

  3,051

  3,051

  3,051

  3,051

  3,315

  n/a

  n/a Data not available yet.

  (1) Average daily number of available beds, wards open day and night, all specialties.

  (2) Whole time equivalents.

  (3) Excludes hospital dentists and medical and dental locums.

  (4) Excludes agency staff and Project 2000 students. Project 2000 training was introduced in 1989 and has gradually replaced traditional nurse training. Non-Project 2000 nurses undertaking training are included in work force figures. There were no Project 2000 students in 1989; for subsequent years the figures were 3,000, 10,500, 18,300, 28,000, and 32,000. The figure for 1995 is not yet available.

  (5) Medical students with first registerable medical qualification.

ENVIRONMENT

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to abolish the area cost adjustment. [40321]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have no plans to abolish the area cost adjustment. There is general acceptance among the local authority associations that there should be some allowance for geographical variations in costs. What is 984
  measles, mumps and rubella. These figures do not identify the reason for children not being immunised, but nationwide research in April 1995, commissioned by the Health Education Authority, into attitudes of mothers of children aged nought to two years, estimated that less than 0.5 per cent. said that they would not allow a future child to have any immunisation at all.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if general practitioner contract targets for immunisation take into account the fact that some parents do not wish to have their children immunised. [42282]

  Mr. Malone
  The higher target level of 90 per cent. reflects the fact that not all children will be immunised.

  NHS Management
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of(a) patients on waiting lists for hospital treatment and waiting times, (b) hospital beds available, (c) hospital staff employed, (d) hospital managers and hospital administrative and clerical staff employed, (e) hospital doctors employed, (f) hospital nurses and midwives employed, (g) medical students qualifying and (h) medical school places available in each year since 1989 to the latest date available. [40621]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The information available for England is shown in the table. The numbers of managers and administrative and clerical staff and total numbers employed in hospitals, as distinct from the hospital and community health services, are not available separately.

  disputed is the proper extent of the adjustment. We have announced that a review of the area cost adjustment is to be carried out.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities concerning the area cost adjustment. [40333]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have received many representations from local authorities about the area cost adjustment. There have been representations both supportive and critical of the present method of determining the adjustment.
  985
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the area cost adjustment element of the standard spending assessments. [40349]

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the area cost adjustment element of standard spending assessments. [40360]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs) on 17 October,Official Report, columns 185–86.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to reduce the proportion of funding allocations by area cost adjustment within the standard spending assessment. [40352]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is the policy of my right hon. Friend that the amount allocated by the area cost adjustment should be determined on an objective basis.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the additional revenue allocated to local education authorities over the capping levels to provide additional services to meet local demands. [40322]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 1 November 1995,Official Report, Wednesday 1 November, columns 372–74.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received with regard to the capping criteria. [40327]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend received a large number of representations about the capping criteria for 1995–96. He will announce his intentions for capping for 1996–97 as part of his proposals for the local government finance settlement shortly after the Chancellor's Budget statement.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many authorities, on appeal, he allowed to set budgets in 1995–96 above his Department's initial guidelines. [40330]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Three.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to remove capping from local authorities. [40337]

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he intends to make to the capping criteria. [40357]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend will announce his proposals for the local government finance settlement for 1996–97, including his intentions for capping, shortly after the Chancellor's Budget statement.

  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated savings in terms of public expenditure as a result of measures taken over the past eight years to restrict spending by local authorities. [41861]
  986
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Since 1990–91, when capping in its current form was introduced, it has been directly responsible for reducing the budgets of those authorities that challenged their caps by a total that has now reached around a third of a billion pounds a year compared with the budgets originally set. The great majority of authorities did not challenge their caps, but set budgets within the limits implied by the capping criteria; although no direct estimate can be made, it is clear that in these cases too capping has been generally successful in ensuring that many authorities have budgeted at a lower level than would otherwise have been the case.

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many councils have been warned by the district auditor that he is unhappy with their accounts or expenditure. [40356]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Appointed auditors may formally warn local authorities about their accounts or expenditure through reports in the public interest, under section 15(30) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982, or by making recommendations under section 5 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. In 1993–94, seven public interest reports were made, and section 5 recommendations were included in the management letters of 10 local authorities.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of local authority capital receipts can be used for new projects rather than debt repayment(a) up to 31 March 1996 and (b) beyond that date. [42177]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  At present, local authorities can normally spend on purposes other than debt repayment 25 per cent. of receipts from the sale of housing assets and 50 per cent. of receipts from disposal of other assets. Temporary relaxations introduced this year mean that authorities can now spend on new projects increased proportions of receipts from the sale of certain types of assets. These are:

  Airport companies: 75 per cent. (from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1997)

  Bus companies: 75 percent (from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996)

  Car parks: 90 per cent. (from 1 September 1995 to 31 August 1996)

  Shops: 90 per cent. (from 1 September 1995 to 31 August 1996)

  Crematoria: 90 per cent. (from 1 January 1996 to 30 June 1997)

  In addition, we have announced our intention to make regulations with the effect that for two years from 1 April 1996 authorities should be able to spend 90 per cent. of receipts from the sale of county farms, and 75 per cent. from the sale of education assets.

  Yorkshire Water
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor the performance of Yorkshire Water plc. [40323]

  Mr. Clappison
  The performance of Yorkshire Water Services Ltd., the regulated water and sewerage subsidiary of Yorkshire Water plc, is monitored by the water industry regulators—the Director General of Water Services, the drinking water inspectorate and the National Rivers Authority. During the present water shortages in the area,
  987
  my right hon. Friend has been taking independent advice to satisfy himself that Yorkshire Water Services is doing all that it can to maintain supplies.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Government have to license houses in multiple occupation; and if he will make a statement. [40324]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have no plans to license houses in multiple occupation. Our proposals are set out in the consultation paper "Improving Standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation" which was published on 13 July. Copies are in the Library. An announcement on how the Government intend to take this matter forward will be made shortly.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further measures he plans to control houses in multiple occupation. [40338]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government's proposals are set out in the consultation paper "Improving Standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation" which was published on 13 July. Copies are in the Library. An announcement on how the Government intend to take this matter forward will be made shortly.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the most recent figures for homelessness; and what was the figure in 1979. [40325]

  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities report in their quarterly P1(E) returns the number of households for which they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1985.

  Local authorities accepted some 119,710 households as homeless in the 12 months ending June 1995, the latest period for which a figure is available. This is some 25,370, 17 per cent., below the peak figure in the year ending March 1992. Total acceptances in 1979 were 55,530.

  The figure for 1979 is not strictly comparable with that for the latest 12 months because of changes made to reporting systems in 1980, for non-metropolitan districts, and 1982 for London boroughs and metropolitan districts.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation he has made of the effect of the proposed White Paper "Our Future Homes", on the levels of homelessness. [40345]

  Mr. Clappison
  The proposals in the White Paper will help to achieve overall objective of bringing a decent home within reach of every family, and reduce homelessness.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many homeless people there have been in London in each of the last 10 years; [41267]

  (2) how many homeless people there have been in Southwark in each of the last 10 years. [41272]
  988
  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities in England report in their quarterly P1(E) returns the number of households for which they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act.

  The available information for the years 1985 to 1994 for London and Southwark is in the table:

  Acceptances in

  Southwark

  London

  1985

  11,443

  27,070

  1986

  11,594

  29,380

  1987

  1872 (2)

  29,220

  1988

  1550(1)

  28,880

  1989

  n/a

  33,020

  1990

  n/a

  36,480

  1991

  13,012 (3)

  37,060

  1992

  2,885

  37,840

  1993

  1,646

  31,890

  1994

  1,453

  28,810

  1 Includes intentionally homeless households (up to quarter 1 1991); some authorities may have further changed the basis of their returns at that time this change was made.

  (1), (2), & (3) indicates number of quarters covered where partial returns only.

  n/a indicates no figures available.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless people there have been in each county in each of the last 10 years. [41268]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information will be placed in the Library shortly.

  North Sea Oil Platforms
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration his Department has given to the environmental implications of North sea oil platform decommissioning; and if he will make a statement. [40326]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department's environmental responsibilities are taken into account in the proposals by the Department of Trade and Industry for guidelines on decommissioning issued for comment in May. My Department continues to be involved in evaluating the response to the consultation.

  The Government announced on 18 October that an independent group is to be set up to review the scientific aspects of disposal of offshore installations as a bench mark for assessment of future proposals.

  Cleveland County Council
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional funds will be made available for bereavement counselling for employees affected by the abolition of Cleveland county council. [40329]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None.

  Household Waste (Recycling)
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage further recycling of household waste. [40331]
  989
  Mr. Clappison
  The Government's overall policy aim for achieving more sustainable waste management is to increase the proportion of waste managed by the options towards the top of the waste hierarchy, including recycling. Specific measures to encourage further recycling of household waste are set out in the draft "Waste Strategy for England and Wales", which was published for consultation earlier this year. A copy has been placed in the Library. In particular, our initiative on producer responsibility for packaging waste will play a key role in developing the local infrastructure, and encouraging higher rates of recycling together with other factors such as the rising cost of waste disposal and the rising value of secondary raw materials.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress with the single regeneration budget. [40332]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Progress with the single regeneration budget has been excellent. Apart from continuing to meet commitments on the programmes which came into the SRB, there have been two rounds of bidding for support for new schemes through the SRB challenge fund. Under the first round, some 200 regeneration schemes were approved which, over their lifetime of up to seven years from April 1995, stand to receive over £1 billion in challenge fund support. This in turn will attract an estimated £1.8 billion in private investment. It is intended that decisions on the second round, for schemes starting from April 1996, will be made by Christmas.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when local authorities will be informed about whether their single regeneration bids have succeeded in getting Government funding. [40355]

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when local authorities will be informed about whether their single regeneration bids have succeeded in getting Government funding. [40350]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is intended that local authorities and other bidders for support from the second round of the single regeneration budget challenge fund will be informed whether their bids have succeeded by Christmas.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Latham report on the construction industry. [40334]

  Mr. Clappison
  Any proposal for such legislation in the coming Session will be announced, as is customary, in the Queen's Speech.

  Housing Benefit
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion pf new lettings by housing associations in the last two years have been made to people in receipt of housing benefit. [40336]
  990
  Mr. Clappison
  The latest available information relates to lettings in England to households who are eligible for either full or partial housing benefit.

  The figures for 1993–94 and 1994–95 are set out in the table:

  Percentage of housing association new lettings eligible for housing benefit

  Per cent.

  1993–94

  82

  1994–95

  82

  Source:

  CORE new lettings data base.

  "Our Future Homes"
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from housing organisations regarding the White Paper, "Our Future Homes". [40339]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have placed in the House Library lists of organisations with housing concerns who have responded to the White Paper and to five linked explanatory and consultation papers. Responses are still being received.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next expects to meet representatives of parish councils to discuss his rural White Paper. [40340]

  Mr. Clappison
  We expect to meet a wide range of people to discuss the rural White Paper.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that housing development in rural communities is appropriate in terms of appearance as well as in quality.[40344]

  Mr. Clappison
  The White Paper on rural England published last month by my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food endorsed the principle, previously outlined in the quality in town and country initiative, that new development in the countryside should contribute to a sense of local identity and regional diversity.

  We have already made it clear that local authorities and planning inspectors can reject obviously poor designs which are out of scale or out of character with their surroundings. In addition we intend to issue good practice guidance on the processes which lead to design; and we are working with the Countryside Commission to promote the preparation of village design statements and countryside design summaries throughout England.

  Negative Equity
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of households in negative equity. [40341]

  Mr. Clappison
  Estimates of negative equity are sensitive to the underlying assumptions such as changes in house prices. Using the Department's house price index, adjusted for the mix of different dwelling types, to
  991
  measure changes in house prices, it is estimated that in the second quarter of 1995 some 850,000 households in England and Wales were living in homes where the market value was less than the outstanding loan debt. This estimate provides only a very broad indication of the numbers in this position. The suitability of the assumptions used in compiling the estimates are currently under review.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress made in implementing recommendations in his Department's task force report on empty homes owned by Government Departments. [40342]

  Mr. Clappison
  Implementation of the task force recommendations is a matter for those Departments holding empty properties. The Government are committed to ensuring that their empty homes are brought back into use or disposed of quickly. In the Housing White Paper

  Appendix 1: Vacant and specialist properties

  Vacant at 1 November 1995

  Vacant since 1 November 1994

  Vacant since 1 November 1993

  Vacant since 1 November 1990

  Location

  Number of properties

  Floor area (m2)

  Number of properties

  Floor area (m2)

  Number of properties

  Floor area (m2)

  Number of properties

  Floor area (m2)

  London

  26

  149,572

  14

  63,948

  7

  30,111

  2

  1,427

  London Borough of Southwark

  4

  2,483

  4

  2,483

  2

  1,317

  1

  511

  England

  179

  288,117

  101

  137,564

  60

  70,356

  13

  7,311

  Green Issues
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the work of his Department in relating to promoting a green environment. [40343]

  Mr. Clappison
  The work of my Department in promoting a green environment, along with that of all other Government Departments, is set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance—UK Annual Report 1995" (Cm 2822) which was published in March of this year. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Water Shortages
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the contingency plans prepared by water companies to safeguard supplies to their customers next summer in the event of below average winter rainfall; [41377]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the contingency plans prepared by water companies to safeguard supplies to their customers next summer in the event of below average winter rainfall. [41378]

  Mr. Clappison
  It is the general duty of water undertakers to make arrangements to provide water supplies to premises in their area and it is the duty of the National Rivers Authority to take all action that is necessary and expedient for the purpose of conserving, redistributing or otherwise augmenting water resources and to secure their proper use. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the National Rivers Authority
  992
  "Our Future Homes" we announced a strengthened policy that Departments will generally dispose of surplus empty properties within six months of their becoming empty.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many currently empty Government(a) residential, (b) office and (c) other buildings there are in (i) London, (ii) Southwark, (iii) each county and (iv) in England; how many have been empty for more than (1) one year, (2) two years and (3) five years; and what is the amount of floor space in each category. [41269]

  Mr. Clappison
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally.

  It is estimated that at 1 April 1994 there were 15,000 vacant dwellings in England owned by Government Departments. Some data for individual local authorities are included in the 1994 housing investment programme all items print, which is in the House Library; although there are doubts about the quality of some of these data.

  The table gives particulars of vacant office and specialised properties on the Government civil estate.

  to report to him following consultation with the companies on the adequacy of water companies' plans and the measures that they are taking to safeguard supplies for next summer; a copy of that report will be placed in the Library when available.

  Pollution Control
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will place in the Library a list of the members of the working parties which advise his Department on guidance for local authorities on pollution control standards; [41444]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the membership of the working parties which advise his Department on guidance for local authorities on pollution control standards, stating the total number of members who are representatives of, or hold senior positions within, (a) commercial organisations, (b) pressure groups concerned with the environment and (c) local government. [41443]

  Mr. Clappison
  The guidance on air pollution control standards issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to local authorities is drawn up only after extensive and detailed consultation. The consultation is in two stages. Each proposed guidance note is discussed with an ad hoc working party comprising industry and local authority representatives. The working party meetings are chaired by environmental health officers seconded to my Department to advise on these controls and are used by them as a sounding board. The draft guidance is then sent
  993
  for comment to a wider range of bodies, including the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection, the local authority associations, Friends of the Earth, the Trade Union Congress, and the Confederation of British Industry.

  I will be placing in the House Library a list of members of the working parties convened for the 82 published guidance notes. Approximately 400 participants represented commercial organisations, including manufacturers of monitoring and abatement equipment, and some 75 were local authority representatives. I am also placing a list of those sent the guidance notes at the second stage of consultation.

  Beaufort's Dyke
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to examine the video evidence submitted to him concerning explosives at Beaufort's dyke and the British Gas pipeline laying with a view to considering the reimposition of a prohibition notice on the operation until it is fully satisfied that it is not a danger to the workers in the boats involved or a threat to public safety. [41590]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I understand that the work concerned was successfully completed on the evening of Thursday 2 November. I have written separately to the hon. Member about matters which he raised in a letter to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Shop Closures
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has commissioned to ascertain the reasons why retailers in small towns cease trading. [41671]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None specifically. However, research that we have previously commissioned on the effects of major out-of-town retail development, the impact of the Merry Hill regional out-of-town shopping centre, and on vital and viable town centres, and research we propose on the impact of superstores on market towns and district centres, all seek to address this issue among others.

  European Youth Parliament for the Environment
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps were taken by his Department to encourage young people from the United Kingdom to take part in the European Youth Parliament for the Environment which met in Strasbourg on 9 and 10 October; [41483]

  (2) on what basis representatives from the United Kingdom were selected to take part in the European Youth Parliament for the Environment which met in Strasbourg on 9 and 10 October; and what support was provided by his Department to them. [41484]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The Department of the Environment has no record of an approach for assistance from an organisation or event known as the European Youth Parliament for the Environment. It follows that the Department was neither involved in the selection of participants nor in supporting them in Strasbourg on the 9 and 10 October.
  994

  Property Holdings
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the Security Facilities Executive and the Buying Agency when Property Holdings is wound up next year. [42243]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Security Facilities Executive is an agency that provides security-related support services to central Government and other public sector and approved customers through four main businesses: the Government car service, the inter-despatch service, the custody service and the special services group. The Buying Agency acts as a purchasing agent for Government Departments and other public bodies using its combined purchasing power to secure discounts from suppliers for the benefit of the taxpayer.

  These agencies will transfer to the Office of Public Service and will report to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1 January 1996, joining other agencies such as the Civil Service College, which also provide services to Government. Prior to this, a study will be commissioned to investigate the scope for more private sector involvement in the custody service, which employs around 700 guards to protect over 100 Government buildings in the London area. The study will take account of new factors since this business was last examined, in particular changes in the Government's security requirements. Any proposals will be designed to ensure that Government Departments and other customers in the wider public sector obtain maximum value for money and economy from this service. SAFE's other businesses will not be covered by this study.

  I announced to the House on 31 January that Property Advisers to the Civil Estate was to be launched as an executive agency in April 1996 to undertake central co-ordination and advisory functions, following the Government decision, based on an efficiency scrutiny, that Departments should become responsible for owning and managing their own accommodation. It will co-ordinate Departments' activities in the property market; promote interdepartmental rationalisation of Government accommodation; provide Departments with advice and support on property management issues; and help Departments not having in-house property expertise to act as intelligent customers in the procurement of professional property advice. It has now been decided that when PACE is launched next April, it will be an executive agency of the Office of Public Service, reporting to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Packaging Waste
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis he has rejected the seventh option for shared producer responsibility submitted to him by the industry group, V-WRAG. [40346]

  Mr. Clappison
  The previous Minister for the Environment and Countryside wrote to the chairman of V-WRAG on 23 June and 5 July explaining that, in their original form, the share producer responsibility proposals fell well short of meeting the criteria for an effective legal obligation to support the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. These criteria were published by the Government on 2 February,Official Report, columns

  995
  763–64. Copies of the correspondence are in the Library. The principal gap in the SPR proposals in their original form was the lack of any quantified obligation, by which an individual company's recycling and recovery effort could be measured. This is essential if we are to measure progress towards meeting the EC directive targets and to provide enforceable legislation to deter "free riders".

  In August the Government produced a supplement to their consultation paper on "Producer Responsibility for Packaging Waste" which made clear that a shared responsibility option could be adopted providing it contained a quantified obligation, and a mechanism for disaggregating this across the different members of the packaging chain. The paper was intended to promote debate on the best means of achieving this and meeting the published criteria. Discussions with industry on this matter have continued to date.

  Biological Diversity
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the United Kingdom Government's main objectives at the second meeting of the conference of the parties to the convention of biological diversity. [40347]

  Mr. Clappison:
  The second meeting of the conference of the parties to the convention on biological diversity takes place in Jakarta from 6 to 17 November 1995. The UK's main objective for the meeting is to ensure that sensible decisions are taken to implement the convention, which are based on sound scientific and financial considerations. These considerations will be particularly important with regard to:

  encouraging Parties to take forward action to implement the Convention through national strategies;

  the decision about the need to for a biosafety protocol. The UK believes such an instrument is needed with regard to the transfer of living modified organisms between countries;

  the issue of voting provisions on financial issues, where the UK will emphasise the need for decisions to be taken by consensus; and

  the establishment of a "clearing house mechanism". The UK will be pressing for the mechanism to be cost-effective, decentralised data network providing information exchange services.

  Local Government Corruption
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has to intervene where there is widespread evidence of corruption within a local authority. [40348]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Ministers have no powers to intervene. Allegations of corruption involving local authorities are matters for the local authority auditor and, where appropriate, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Hampshire
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the latest SERPLAN—south-east, regional plan—projections for Hampshire and the draft county structure plan. [40351]
  996
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department of the Environment has published revised household projections up to 2011, but it will be some time yet before the Secretary of State can announce a revised housing provision for the south-east. No projections have been produced by SERPLAN. Therefore, the relevant guidance, including the housing provision, to which the draft county structure plan must have regard, is the regional planning guidance for the south-east (RPG9), published in March 1994.

  The draft Hampshire county structure plan, containing policies and proposals for the period 1996–2011, was published by Hampshire county council on 2 October. Representations about the draft plan should be made to the county council and not to the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  House Building
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the house building industry. [40353]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government remain firmly committed to the continued growth of sustainable home ownership. House prices are now the lowest that they have been in relation to incomes since 1983 and low interest rates mean that the average annual monthly cost of a mortgage has reduced by £140 since October 1990. None the less, I am aware that, despite the current affordability of home ownership, the market for new homes remains depressed. The Government are providing an economic climate in which confidence may return to the housing market by maintaining low inflation and sound public finances and promoting steady economic growth.

  Maryport (Derelict Land)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what moneys are available from his Department for the restoration of land which is the subject of industrial dereliction in Maryport. [40354]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department makes funds available for the restoration of derelict land through English Partnerships and other programmes within the single regeneration budget. To date, English Partnerships and the regimes it subsumed have provided funding of some £7.4 million to assist the regeneration of Maryport. In addition, European funding amounting to some £652,000 has been approved in principle for two projects in Maryport under the west Cumbria and Furness objective 2 programme.

  Contaminated Land
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had regarding the revenue support grant to local authorities with respect to contaminated land, given their new duties under the Environment Act, 1995. [40355]

  Mr. Gummer
  The local authority associations referred to the new requirements in respect of contaminated land under the Environment Act 1995 in their report "The Spending Needs of Local Services 1996–97 to 1998–99" which was considered by the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance when it met under my chairmanship on 17 July.
  997
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average rent of a council dwelling in England in 1979; and what is the most recent figure calculated in real terms. [40358]

  Mr. Clappison
  The average weekly local authority rent in England in April 1979 was £6.41. The corresponding figure in April 1995 was £38.34 and this equates to £14.90 in 1979–80 prices after adjusting for inflation using the GDP deflator.

  Small Businesses
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made on the effect of the uniform business rate on small businesses. [40359]

  Mr. Curry
  In February this year my Department published a report, "The Impact of Rates on Businesses", which analysed the impact of non-domestic rates on different sizes of businesses, including small businesses. A copy of this report is in the Library of the House.

  Water Companies
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all changes which have taken place in the arrangements for consultation between water undertakers and planning authorities since 1989. [42200]

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

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if water undertakers are statutory consultees with regard to local planning applications. [42198]

  Mr. Clappison
  Water undertakers are not statutory consultees under article 10 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995—consultations before the grant of planning permission.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if water and sewerage undertakers are required to submit all sewage or drainage plans and relevant information or updates to the local planning authority. [42199]

  Mr. Clappison
  Under section 199 of the Water Industry Act 1991, sewerage undertakers are required to keep records of the location and other relevant particulars of every sewer or disposal main vested in the company, or in relation to which a declaration of vesting has been made but has not yet taken effect, or agreement to make such a declaration entered into. Section 200 of the 1991 Act places a duty on sewerage companies to provide local authorities with copies of those records and any modifications to them.

  DSS Hostels
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a licensing system to regulate DSS hostels. [42234]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have no plans to introduce a licensing system for such hostels in particular or for houses in multiple occupation in general. Our proposals are set out in the consultation paper "Improving Standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation" which was 998
  published on 13 July. Copies are in the Library. An announcement on how the Government intend to take this matter forward will be made shortly.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of standard spending assessment in 1995–96 and the actual or estimated spending on education by each local education authority in 1995–96. [42257]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have placed the information in the Library of the House.

  Beverley (Charter Trustees)
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the charter trustees for Beverley to be established on 1 April 1996. [42212]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 2 November 1995,Official Report, column 401. The names of the eligible councillors will not be known until the charter trustees are appointed.

  Housing Corporation
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Government have to sell the Housing Corporation's £1.2 billion loan portfolio; and if he will ensure that the proceeds will remain in the housing sector. [42253]

  Mr. Curry
  The Government are considering the possibility of sale of the Housing Corporation's portfolio of loans to housing associations, but no decision has been taken on the matter. In the event of sale, the proceeds would be applied to redemption of the corresponding borrowing from the national loans fund.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered the National Federation of Housing Associations' proposal to allow housing associations to buy existing homes, and if he will make a statement. [42254]

  Mr. Clappison
  Housing associations are already allowed to purchase existing homes with public resources provided through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme, if this is the best and most cost-effective way of meeting the priority housing needs in an area.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will change his policy of increasing the level of housing association rents; and if he will make a statement. [42252]

  Mr. Curry
  The housing White Paper, "Our Future Homes", noted the benefits of better targeting and higher outputs of social housing that have resulted from our policy of shifting the balance of subsidy away from rents and towards the individual in recent years. But the White Paper also acknowledged that a balance needs to be struck, and that we were reaching the limits of what could be achieved through higher rents.
  999
  In line with this policy, I announced on 26 September that the 1996–97 housing association grant rate would be maintained at this year's level of 58 per cent., to give tenants the benefit, in lower rents, of continuing reductions in development costs and greater cost efficiency by housing associations. The Housing Corporation estimates that rents on completed properties funded in 1996–97 will be £6 per week lower than rents being charged on new properties completed in this financial year, after allowing for inflation.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42314]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply of the Attorney-General of 30 October, at column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41210]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), yesterday, columns 697.

SCOTLAND

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which capital projects in the national health service in Scotland were funded outwith the private finance initiative in each of the most recent five years; and what was the cost of each project. [38807]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41746]
  1000
  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: To date, there have been 17 private finance initiative contracts either completed or for which contracts have been let. Sixteen of these are health projects, with an estimated total capital value of £43.4 million; the other is the Skye bridge, the capital value of which is £15.6 million, excluding the cost of approach roads towards which a public sector contribution of £8 million was made.

  The revenue cost to the public sector client of a PFI project is dependent on the achievement of contract specifications, which may include the level of usage of the facility concerned. Estimates of the future revenue payments for each health project are not held centrally.

  Lafferty Construction Ltd.
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each contract awarded by his Department to Lafferty Construction Ltd. and any company known to be linked with it in each of the 10 years prior to its demise; what was the value of each contract; what investigations his Department has carried out to ensure that public funds were not misappropriated, misused or defrauded during such contracts; and if he will make a statement. [39291]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many circulars his Department has so far issued as a consequence of local government reform in Scotland [39402]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: A total of 56.

  Beta-Interferon
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to restrict the use of beta-interferon to controlled trials; and if he will make a statement. [41509]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Currently there are no marketing authorisations—product licences—for beta-interferon in the United Kingdom but approval has been given for clinical trials to test the efficacy of beta-interferon in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Details of the clinical trials and the licensing of beta-interferon are restricted by law in accordance with section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968.

  In addition to the use of beta-interferon in controlled clinical trials, doctors who identify the need to treat a patient using this unlicensed medicine are able to do so on a "named-patient" basis in accordance with section 9(1) of the Medicines Act 1968 without the patient taking part in a clinical trial and without the doctor notifying the

  1001
  licensing authority. However, a doctor prescribing an unlicensed product does so entirely on his own responsibility. To stop such a use of beta-interferon would be a restriction on clinical freedom and prevent a doctor from offering his patient what in his clinical judgment is the most appropriate treatment for that patient.

  Consultants
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultants there were in(a) urology, (b) ear, nose and throat, (c) paediatrics, (d) ophthalmology and (e) anaesthetics for the years (i) 1990 and (ii) 1994–95 in each hospital in Scotland. [41697]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is shown at Scotland level in the table. Data are not collected centrally on consultants' sessional commitments to hospitals; the finest organisational breakdown available centrally being by health board for 1990 and by NHS trust and directly managed units for 1994.

  Medical Consultants in Selected Specialities in Scotland

  Whole time equivalents as at 30 September

  1990

  1994

  Urology

  33.3

  35.3

  ENT surgery

  50.3

  52.3

  Surgical and medical paediatrics

  91.6

  88.4

  Qualified NHS Speech Therapists, Physiotherapists and Chiropodists; by Health Board Area Headcount: at 30 September

  Speech Therapist

  Physiotherapist

  Chiropodist

  1990

  1994

  1990

  1994

  1990

  1994

  Argyll and Clyde

  40

  50

  105

  118

  46

  52

  Ayrshire and Arran

  31

  35

  119

  138

  64

  70

  Borders

  14

  18

  35

  44

  12

  14

  Dumfries and Galloway

  19

  24

  30

  38

  18

  19

  Fife

  32

  50

  94

  121

  51

  55

  Forth Valley

  24

  28

  67

  84

  30

  27

  Grampian

  58

  71

  145

  170

  51

  56

  Greater Glasgow

  78

  120

  359

  374

  101

  105

  Highland

  21

  29

  62

  69

  20

  22

  Lanarkshire

  38

  69

  135

  144

  57

  67

  Lothian

  68

  99

  263

  309

  83

  89

  Orkney

  2

  5

  5

  8

  1

  1

  Shetland

  1

  2

  6

  8

  4

  4

  Tayside

  40

  55

  119

  135

  42

  46

  Western Isles

  5

  6

  13

  14

  4

  4

  Qualified NHS speech therapists, physiotherapists and chiropodists; by health board area whole-time equivalent: at 30 September

  Speech therapist

  Physiotherapist

  Chiropodist

  1990

  1994

  1990

  1994

  1990

  1994

  Argyll and Clyde

  32.0

  39.6

  77.6

  89.8

  41.6

  45.1

  Ayrshire and Arran

  27.2

  32.2

  93.2

  104.3

  57.8

  60.1

  Borders

  11.7

  13.9

  27.4

  33.7

  11.0

  13.6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  17.1

  21.8

  23.6

  30.7

  16.3

  17.5

  Fife

  27.8

  44.7

  790

  100.5

  45.9

  48.2

  Forth Valley

  18.9

  22.6

  57.4

  69.2

  28.0

  26.3

  Grampian

  46.2

  59.2

  115.7

  123.5

  41.9

  45.5

  Greater Glasgow

  60.8

  99.8

  307.5

  316.5

  87.1

  95.7

  Highland

  18

  24.7

  50.7

  58.7

  18.0

  19.0

  Lanarkshire

  32.9

  58.6

  110.4

  117.1

  52.7

  60.2

  Lothian

  56.3

  79.6

  216.1

  253.1

  77.2

  80.7

  Orkney

  2.0

  2.7

  5.0

  5.7

  1.0

  1.0

  Shetland

  1.0

  2.0

  6.0

  8.0

  4.0

  4.0

  Tayside

  31.3

  45.0

  91.0

  105.8

  39.2

  43.4

  Western Isles

  4.1

  5.7

  10.6

  10.6

  3.4

  4.0

  Source:

  National Manpower Statistics from Payroll (NAMS) Information and Statistics Division.
  1002

  Medical Consultants in Selected Specialities in Scotland

  Whole time equivalents as at 30 September

  1990

  1994

  Ophthalmology

  65.6

  63.0

  Anaesthetics

  292.0

  332.1

  The figures include medical school staff who hold honorary NHS appointments.

  Manufacturing Exports
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate for the level of Scottish manufacturing exports; and if he will make a statement. [41665]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Specialists
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each health board area in Scotland the number of fully trained specialists in the NHS in(a) speech and language therapy, (b) physiotherapy and (c) chiropody for the years (i) 1990 and (ii) 1994–95. [41698]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  1003

  Class Sizes
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage and how many(a) primary school pupils and (b) high school pupils were in classes of over 30 in January in each local education authority and in total; and what was the actual and percentage change in numbers compared with January 1994 in each local education authority in total. [41666]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The latest information available is set out in the table. Information from the September 1995 census is currently being processed.

  Education authority primary schools Pupils in classes of over 30 at September 19931,2

  Education authority

  Number

  Percentage

  Scotland

  74,894

  17.1

  Borders

  544

  6.3

  Central

  3,972

  17.1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,052

  15.9

  Fife

  5,435

  17.5

  Grampian

  6,556

  14.6

  Highland

  1,996

  10.4

  Lothian

  11,885

  20.7

  Strathclyde

  34,642

  17.2

  Tayside

  7,558

  23.1

  Orkney

  64

  3.5

  Shetland

  —

  0.0

  Western Isles

  190

  7.2

  Strathclyde divisions:

  Argyll and Bute

  287

  5.3

  Ayr

  6,478

  19.2

  Dunbarton

  5,138

  17.5

  Glasgow

  8,068

  14.3

  Lanark

  6,717

  14.8

  Renfrew

  7,954

  25.2

  1 All classes running in School Census Week.

  2 Excludes pupils with learning difficulties, who are taught in separate classes.

  Education authority secondary schools Pupils in subject classes of average size over 30 at September 19931 2

  Education authority

  Number

  Percentage

  Scotland

  88,151

  2.5

  Borders

  342

  0.5

  Central

  535

  0.3

  Dumfries and Galloway

  615

  0.6

  Fife

  2,218

  0.9

  Grampian

  4,189

  1.2

  Highland

  3,616

  2.0

  Lothian

  8,996

  2.1

  Strathclyde

  61,517

  3.8

  Tayside

  6,123

  2.4

  Orkney

  —

  0.0

  Shetland

  —

  0.0

  Western Isles

  —

  0.0

  Strathclyde Divisions:

  Argyll and Bute

  155

  0.3

  Ayr

  2,715

  1.0

  Dunbarton

  13,822

  5.3

  Glasgow

  14,918

  4.0

  Lanark

  8,862

  2.2

  Renfrew

  21,045

  7.9

  1 All subject classes running in school census week; pupils are counted once for each subject taken.

  2 These figures exclude two schools for which information is not available.

  1004

  Roads
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report representations which have been made or are about to be made to the European Commission about the future funding of trunk roads in Scotland. [41681]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My right hon. Friend has made no such representations to date.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those trunk roads and motorway routes in Scotland which have not been submitted by Her Majesty's Government to the EU Commission as priority funding routes during 1995 to 1999. [41682]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The maps of the proposed trans-European transport networks, which are the routes of strategic importance for traffic moving within and through the European Union states, include several road and rail routes in Scotland. Inclusion of the routes on these maps makes them eligible for support from the EU's TENs funds, at a rate of 10 per cent. of capital costs or 50 per cent. of feasibility studies.

  The timing of any applications for funding which may be made in respect of trunk roads or motorways in Scotland would depend on the place of those schemes within the trunk road programme, because the funding of the schemes would continue to come predominantly from that programme. While the European Council has agreed on the total funds to be available for TENs between 1995 and 1999, the allocation between years and individual schemes will be determined annually. There are no schemes in Scotland with planned start dates which would have made it appropriate to submit an application up until now. We will keep this matter under review.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the EC Commission has announced that the A1 route from Edinburgh to Newcastle was omitted from a list of routes awaiting Euro-funds between 1995 and 1999; and if he will make a statement. [41683]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such announcement.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest forecast outturn for regional selective assistance offers and expenditure in Scotland in 1995–96 and its relationship to planned expenditure. [41782]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The latest estimate of total value of regional selective assistance offers accepted by businesses in Scotland during the first seven months of 1995–96 is £36.3 million. The original voted expenditure for the year was £82.450 million including estimated receipts of £2 million—but—subject to parliamentary approval of a supplementary estimate, a further £3.425 million will be made available to meet anticipated additional demand in-year. Grant is

  1005
  paid in instalments against progress on projects, typically over a period of three to five years, so much of the grant offered in 1995–96 will not fall to be paid until later years.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each designated(a) special area

  Name

  Region

  District

  Area (ha)

  Qualifying species

  Abernethy Forest

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  5,796

  Scottish crossbill

  Capercaillie

  Ailsa Craig

  Strathclyde

  Kyle and Carrick

  105

  Gannet

  Bridgend Flats, Islay

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  331

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Cameron Reservoir

  Fife

  North East Fife

  64

  Pink-footed goose

  Coll

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  2,177

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Copinsay

  Orkney

  152

  Great black-backed gull

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Eilean na Muice Duibhe, Islay

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  574

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Fair Isle

  Shetland

  592

  Fair Isle Wren

  Arctic Tern

  Fulmar

  Shag

  Arctic skua

  Great skua

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Puffin

  Fala Flow

  Lothian

  Midlothian

  323

  Pink-footed goose

  Fetlar

  Shetland

  2,639

  Red-necked phalarope

  Arctic tern

  Fulmar

  Whimbrel

  Arctic Skua

  Great Skua

  Black guillemot

  Few Lochain

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  384

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Flannan Isles

  Western Isles

  81

  Leach's petrel

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Puffin

  Forth Islands

  Lothian/Fife

  East Lothian

  92

  Sandwich tern

  City of Edinburgh

  Roseate tern

  North East Fife

  Common tern

  Gannet

  Cormorant

  Shag

  Lesser Black-backed gull

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Puffin

  Fowlsheug

  Grampian

  Kincardine and Deeside

  8

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Glac na Criche

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  265

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Gladhouse Reservoir

  Lothian

  Midlothian

  187

  Pink-footed goose

  Glen Tanar

  Grampian

  Kincardine and Deeside

  4,185

  Scottish crossbill

  Hen harrier

  Osprey

  Capercallie

  Gruinart Flats

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  3,170

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Whooper swan

  Light-bellied brent goose

  Ringed plover

  Handa

  Highland

  Sutherland

  363

  Arctic Skua

  Great Skua

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Hemaness and Saxa Vord

  Shetland

  1,039

  Fulmar

  Gannet

  1006
  of conservation, (b) special protection area in Scotland the (i) name of the site, (ii) local authority, (iii) size and (iv) species in question. [41852]

  Mr. Kynoch
  No special areas of conservation under the EC habitats directive have yet been designated. The information requested for special protection areas designated under the EC birds directive is shown in the table:
  1007

  Name

  Region

  District

  Area (ha)

  Qualifying species

  Great skua

  Guillemot

  Puffin

  Hoselaw Loch

  Borders

  Roxburgh

  46

  Pink-footed goose

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Laggan Peninsula and Bay

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  1,270

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Lochs Druidibeg, a'Machair and

  Western Isles

  North Scottish greylag goose

  Stilligarry

  1,677

  Loch Eye

  Highland

  Ross and Cromarty

  195

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Whooper swan

  Loch Ken-River Dee Marshes

  Drumfries and Galloway

  Stewartry

  773

  Greenland white-fronted goose

  Loch Maree

  Highland

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,100

  Black-throated diver

  Loch of Kinnordy

  Tayside

  Angus

  86

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Pink-footed goose

  Loch of Lintrathen

  Tayside

  Angus

  189

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Loch of Skene

  Grampian

  Gordon

  125

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Loch Spynie

  Grampian

  Moray

  93

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Loch Vaa

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  45

  Slavonian grebe

  Goldeneye

  Marwick Head

  Orkney

  9

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Mingulay and Berneray

  Western Isles

  819

  Fulmar

  Shag

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Monach Isles

  Western Isles

  577

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Common tern

  Little tern

  Black guillemot

  Montrose Basin

  Tayside

  Angus

  987

  >20,000 waterfowl

  Pink-footed goose

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Redshank

  Priest Island

  Highland

  Ross and Cromarty

  138

  Storm petrel

  Rum

  Highland

  Lochaber

  10,684

  Manx shearwater

  St. Kilda

  Western Isles

  853

  Leach's petrel

  Storm petrel

  Fulmar

  Manx shearwater

  Gannet

  Kittiwake

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Puffin

  Shiant Isles

  Western Isles

  202

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Fulmar

  Shag

  Guillemot

  Razorbill

  Puffin

  South Tayside Goose Roosts

  Tayside

  Perth and Kinross

  409

  Icelandic greylag goose

  Pink-footed goose

  Sule Stack and Sule Skerry

  Orkney

  19

  Storm petrel

  Leach's petrel

  Gannet

  Shag

  Puffin

  Treshnish Isles

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  208

  Storm petrel

  Greenland barnacle goose

  Upper Solway Flats and Marshes

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  29,950

  Whooper swan

  Nithsdale

  Svalbard barnacle goose

  Stewartry

  Golden Plover

  Pink-footed goose

  Pintail

  Scaup

  Oystercatcher

  Knot

  Bar-tailed godwit

  Curlew

  Redshank

  1008 1009

  GP Fundholders
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of general practitioners in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole are currently fundholders; and if he will make a statement. [41977]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: The information is provided on the basis of health board areas as set out in the table.

  Argyll and Clyde

  Health Boards in Strathclyde1

  Scotland

  Percentage of GPs who are currently fundholders

  13.5

  16.9

  20.4

  1Ayrshire and Arran, Argyll and Clyde, Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid; [42046]

  (2) how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42047]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  NHS Trusts
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the annual budget was spent by NHS trusts in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole on management, administrative and clerical staff in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [42000]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: The accounts of NHS trusts for 1994–95 provide information on the cost of management and administration staff and board members. Based on the information contained in these accounts, the proportion of total annual income spent on management and administrative staff and board members by NHS trusts in (a) Strathclyde was 7.23 per cent. and (b) NHS trusts in Scotland as a whole was 7.12 per cent.

  Hospices
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy concerning the funding of hospices; and if he will make a statement. [41975]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: The voluntary adult hospices in Scotland obtain public funding through contracts with health boards, designed to ensure that provision is
  1010
  sufficient to meet the needs of the population in each board's area. The arrangements are being kept under review.

  Training
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the results of the youth training skillseekers leavers survey for the period April 1994 to December 1994, for each local enterprise company area and for Scotland as a whole, broken down to show the number and proportion of leavers who were(a) in full-time work with the same employer, (b) in full-time work with a different employer, (c) in part-time work, (d) on a full-time course at a college or training centre, (e) on another YT scheme, (f) doing something else, (g) who were unemployed and (h) who had obtained a vocational qualification; and what was (i) the number of questionnaires issued, (ii) the usable percentage response rate and (iii) the percentage of respondents who were early leavers and the reasons stated for leaving training early; and if he will make a statement; [41995]

  (2) if he will set out, according to the results from the youth training/skillseekers leavers survey, the number and level of Scottish vocational qualifications or credits towards SVQs or other qualifications gained by people leaving training in the period April 1994 to December 1994, for Scotland as a whole, for all leavers and by ethnic group, disability and gender showing male, female and all; and if he will make a statement; [41921]

  (3) if he will set out according to the results from the training for work leavers survey, the number and level of SVQs or credits towards SVQs or other qualifications gained by people leaving training for work in the period April 1994 to December 1994, for Scotland as a whole for all leavers and by ethnic group, disability and gender showing male, female and all; and if he will make a statement. [41923]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: In Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are responsible for training for work and youth training leavers follow-up surveys within their respective areas. I have asked the chairmen of the bodies to write to the hon. Member with the figures for each local enterprise company where requested and totals for their networks.

  Guided Learning Hours
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 269, what definition he intends to introduce to mirror the concept of guided learning hours appropriate to England and Wales. [41948]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: It is proposed to define a full-time further education student in Scotland as a person undertaking a course of study which is funded in whole or in part by the Secretary of State at a college of further education if it involves:

  i. more than 16 hours per week of classroom or workshop-based programmed learning under the direct guidance of teaching staff; or

  1011

  ii. 16 hours or less per week of classroom or workshop-based programmed learning under the direct guidance of teaching staff together with additional hours using structured learning packages supported by the teaching staff so that the combined total of hours exceeds 21 per week.

  Students who do not satisfy this criteria will be regarded as part-time.

  Nurses (Regrading)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the regrading procedure in the nursing profession. [41974]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: I understand that on 31 October 1995 the central adjudicating panel had 71 nurse clinical grading appeals still outstanding.

  Bus Fleets
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the average age of bus fleets operated by private bus companies in(a)0 Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde regional area and (c) Scotland as a whole. [41976]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: The average age of public transport vehicles in Scotland is given in the Scottish Office publication "Scottish Transport Statistics" (1992–93) as 8.4 years (1992 figure). Information on a local/regional basis is not readily available.

  NHS Budget
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the NHS budget was spent on management, administrative and clerical staff in(a) 1989 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [41999]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: Information on management, administrative and clerical staff expenditure is contained in the NHS accounts for 1989–90 and 1994–95, the latest year for which figures are available. These costs, expressed as a proportion of the total for the NHS, for (a) 1989–90 were 5.34 per cent. and for (b) 1994–95 were 6.86 per cent.

  Health Board Budgets
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those health boards which have been required to provide additional funds to trusts in their areas due to financial difficulties in those trusts for the year 1994–95 and for the current year. [42137]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the underspend for each health board(a) in absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of their total budget for each of the past three years. [42145]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The underspend for each health board(a) in absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of their total allocated budget for each of the
  1012
  past three financial years, is shown in the table. The figures are based on health board accounts and those for 1994–95 are provisional.

  Health board

  Under/over spend £000

  Percentage of total budget

  1994–95

  Argyll and Clyde

  85

  0.03

  Ayr and Arran

  828

  0.42

  Borders

  816

  1.18

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,453

  1.59

  Fife

  1,197

  0.64

  Forth Valley

  1,313

  0.89

  Grampian

  1,373

  0.48

  Greater Glasgow

  9,880

  1.65

  Highland

  971

  0.78

  Lanarkshire

  1,272

  0.47

  Lothian

  3,057

  0.70

  Orkney

  (2)

  (0.01)

  Shetland

  106

  0.64

  Tayside

  845

  0.34

  Western Isles

  201

  0.71

  Scotland total

  23,395

  0.79

  1993–94

  Argyll and Clyde

  525

  0.22

  Ayr and Arran

  632

  0.34

  Borders

  595

  0.97

  Dumfries and Galloway

  874

  1.01

  Fife

  959

  0.53

  Forth Valley

  247

  0.17

  Grampian

  (4)

  (0.00)

  Greater Glasgow

  3,082

  0.50

  Highland

  848

  0.73

  Lanarkshire

  31

  0.01

  Lothian

  72

  0.02

  Orkney

  58

  0.44

  Shetland

  (11)

  (0.07)

  Tayside

  323

  0.13

  Western Isles

  (26)

  (0.10)

  Scotland total

  8,205

  0.28

  1992–93

  Argyll and Clyde

  (28)

  (0.01)

  Ayr and Arran

  751

  0.42

  Borders

  289

  0.50

  Dumfries and Galloway

  724

  0.88

  Fife

  1,663

  0.99

  Forth Valley

  68

  0.05

  Grampian

  39

  0.01

  Greater Glasgow

  3,292

  0.54

  Highland

  790

  0.66

  Lanarkshire

  810

  0.32

  Lothian

  833

  0.20

  Orkney

  232

  1.83

  Shetland

  152

  8.01

  Tayside

  91

  0.04

  Western Isles

  385

  1.63

  Scotland total

  10,091

  0.39

  Miscarriages of Justice
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 15 June,Official Report, columns 669–70, if he will list the names and convictions of each of the eight defendants whose cases were referred back to the Court of Appeal by the Secretary of State. [42206]
  1013
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Name

  Year of referral

  Conviction

  Alan James Pocock

  1986

  Possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply

  Possession of a Class B controlled drug

  Attempt to defeat the ends of justice Bail offence

  Ernest Barrie

  1988

  Theft, assault and armed robbery

  Graham Archer Marland

  1989

  Incest

  William Kilpatrick/Christopher McEwen

  1991

  Mobbing and rioting

  Stewart William Murray Dickson

  1992

  Murder

  George Beattie

  1993

  Murder

  Francis Joseph Dougan

  1993

  Assault

  Health Boards (Audited Accounts)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 197, when he expects to announce a final decision on the reallocation of health overspend; and if he will inform the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden at that time. [42155]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The answer of 31 October dealt with health board underspends in 1994–95. The amount of such underspends to be reallocated to health boards is dependent upon parliamentary approval, which is normally given in late December. A final decision on the reallocation of health board underspend will be made then. I will inform the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden at that time.

  Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [42341]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Severe Disability Allowance
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims there were for severe disability allowance on the grounds that the applicant suffered from persistent virus disease in each of the past three years; and how many of these claims were upheld. [42342]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have asked the Secretary of State for Social Security to write to the hon. Member and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.
  1014

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42324]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Companies (Innovation)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to improve delivery of support available to companies in Scotland to assist innovation. [42358]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Innovation is crucial to competitiveness. Support to companies for innovation should be delivered, wherever possible, at the local level both to ease access and to allow integration with support available in other aspects of business strategy. In Scotland, the regional enterprise grant for innovation, which is administered by the Scottish Office, will therefore close to applications on 31 December 1995. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will then assume responsibility for providing similar support to small companies and will do so throughout Scotland through their local enterprise companies.

  In addition to the advantages of local delivery, more extensive support will be available. Whereas the regional enterprise grant for innovation has been available only in assisted areas and certain urban areas, support from the enterprise networks will be available across Scotland.

  The Scottish Office will continue to administer the small firms merit award for research and technology and support for products under research schemes in Scotland.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social security what estimates his Department has made of the cost of extending to families of students in local further full-time education at the age of 19 the right to child benefit. [37380]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  None.

  Medical Examinations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of(a) invalidity benefit and (b) disability premium at the beginning of each of the last four financial years; how many people (i) in receipt of invalidity benefit and (ii) in receipt of disability premium were referred to a regional medical officer for a medical examination in each of the last four financial years; and how many were found to be (1) incapable of work, (2) fit for work within limits and (3) fit for work, for each Benefits Agency district office covering the postal districts of Doncaster and Mexborough. [39000]

  Mr. Burt
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.
  1015
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the cost of each medical examination carried out by his Department's medical officers on customers claiming sickness benefit for the first time, and the cost of each subsequent medical examination of customers in receipt of sickness benefit in his Benefits Agency's boundaries covering Doncaster and Mexborough for the year ended 31 March; how many(a) first-time and (b) other claimants' claims for sickness benefits were rejected on the basis of the examination medical officer's report; and if he will list the equivalent figures for the year ended 31 March 1994. [39473]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested on the cost of each medical examination in Doncaster and Mexborough is not available. Information regarding the number of first time and other claimants' claims for sickness benefit in Doncaster and Mexborough which were rejected on the basis of the medical officer's report could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider holding centrally records of the number of applications for family credit, by benefit agency district area; and if he will make a statement. [39025]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Social Security Spending
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was social security spending as a percentage of gross domestic product in 1994; what was the figure in other European Union and OECD countries; and what was the EU and OECD average. [38826]

  Mr. Burt
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Housing Market
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with and what representations he has received from the Council of Mortgage Lenders as to how the proposed social security restrictions could affect the housing market. [38817]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39862]

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend has a regular monthly meeting with the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, who also attends a limited number of meetings to discuss particular concerns. He meets chief executives of other agencies within the Department as necessary when particular issues arise. The chief executive of the Child Support Agency has regular meetings with my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchell), as does the chief executive of the Contributions Agency with my hon.1016
  Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, North (Mr. Heald). Other chief executives meet Ministers relatively infrequently. Much of the contact between Ministers and chief executives is in writing.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the cost of the ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40739]

  Mr. Burt
  The information in relation to use of official vehicles is in the table.

  Year

  Expenditure £

  1990–91

  1226,118

  1991–92

  1286,391

  1992–93

  1274,758

  1993–94

  1290,241

  1994–95

  325,815

  During the period 1990–91 to 1994–95 no allowances were paid to Ministers in respect of use of their own vehicles.

  1 Includes expenditure incurred by officials acting in direct support of Ministers.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount paid out in unemployment benefit, by region in May 1979 and in the most recent month for which figures are available, at 1995 prices. [40835]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  The table provides estimates for the most recent month for which figures are available. The information for May 1979 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Number of recipients (000s)

  Average amount of UB(£)

  Amount of UB paid (£Millions)

  England

  458.7

  48.63

  22.3

  South East

  158.9

  47.99

  7.6

  East Anglia

  19.3

  49.15

  0.9

  South West

  40.7

  48.43

  2.0

  West Midlands

  51.9

  48.88

  2.5

  East Midlands

  39.2

  49.32

  1.9

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  51.6

  49.68

  2.6

  North West

  58.0

  48.09

  2.8

  North

  39.1

  49.60

  1.9

  Wales

  23.3

  48.89

  1.1

  Scotland

  58.9

  48.45

  2.9

  Great Britain

  540.8

  48.62

  26.3

  Source:

  5 per cent. sample of unemployed claimants taken on the second Thursday of May 1994.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when procedures will be agreed between his Department's finance division and Her Majesty's Treasury to enable the special payments section of the Child Support Agency to pay compensation to Wendy
  1017
  Hardaker and Janet Daniel, on whose behalf applications for compensation were made in July 1994 and November 1994. [41144]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 7 November,Official Report, column 830, to the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe).

  The chief executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, will write to the hon. Member regarding the cases of Wendy Hardaker and Janet Daniel.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Secuirty what is his Department's definition of "absent parents not paying maintenance" as referred to in paragraph nine of the annexe of the memorandum CS7 submitted by the Child Support Agency to the Social Security Select Committee prior to the Committee hearing of 18 October. [41803]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  I am replying to your question about the definition of "absent parents not paying maintenance".This part of the Memorandum relates to an estimate of the proportion of cases taken on by the Agency since April 1994, in which the absent parent was not making regular payments of maintenance to the parent with care.
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 October,Official Report, column 711, relating to benefit savings, if he will define which actions will start the four-week period or the eight-week period in cases where the parent with care ceases to claim income support. [41344]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency benefit savings.The action is defined as the issue of a form requiring completion, to either the parent with care or absent parent, or direct contact with either party by telephone or interview.I hope this is helpful.
  Ms Lynne
  to ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many parents with care are regularly receiving maintenance through the Child Support Agency maintenance collection service. [41801]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency assessments.As at 15 September 1995, there are 135,974 parents with care who have received at least one maintenance payment in the last 13 weeks via the Agency collection service.1018

  Income Support
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people were in receipt of(a) income support or its predecessor benefit and (b) housing benefit for each year since 1979 by (i) regions and (ii) parliamentary constituency using the current boundaries; [41252]

  (2) what amounts, at current prices, have been paid in (a) income support or its predecessor benefit and (b) housing benefit in each year since 1979 by (i) region and (ii) constituency. [41503]

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals against the disallowance of income support under the habitual residence test were heard by the Sutton social security appeal tribunal in the most recent period of a month or more for which information can be obtained; how many succeeded; how many failed; and how many were adjourned or were withdrawn. [42362]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Members shortly.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claimants are currently receiving disability premium, with a breakdown of their means of qualification for each of his Department's benefits offices covering the Doncaster and Mexborough area in respect of(a) receipt of invalidity benefit, (b) submission of medical certificates only, (c) receipt of severe disablement allowance or (d) receipt of disability living allowance; and what were the figures for 12 months ago. [39484]

  Mr. Evans
  This is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathieson, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will reply to hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many income support claimants are currently receiving disability premium, with a breakdown of their means of qualification for each of his Department's benefit offices covering the Doncaster and Mexborough area in respect of (a) receipt of invalidity benefit, (b) submission of medical certificates only, (c) receipt of severe disablement allowance or (d) receipt of disability living allowance; and what were the comparable figures for 12 months ago.The full range of information requested is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.Statistics are maintained for each Benefit Agency District on the number of income Support customers in receipt of a disability premium. The figure for the Doncaster district at the end of August 1994 was 3,204 and the end of August 1995 was 3,423. This district comprises of Doncaster West and Doncaster East offices. The figure for the Rother and Dearne district at the end of August 1994 was 4,704 and the end of August 1995 was 5,109. This district comprises of Rotherham South, Goldthorpe, Mexborough, Rotherham North and Wath-on-Dearne offices.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Fraud
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases there have been by region of(a) fraud and (b) overpayment of benefit for each benefit since 1979; and what have been the total amounts involved in each. [41254]
  1019
  Mr. Heald
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  State Pensions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the current level of the state pension would be today if the break with earnings had not been made. [41677]

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will recalculate tables El and E3 of the latest national insurance fund long-term financial estimates on the basis that(a) the number of future entrants to the state earnings-related pension scheme are (i) half the assumed level, (ii) a quarter the assumed level, and (iii) there are no new entrants, (b) the number of people assumed to be contracted into the state earnings-related pension scheme next year is at half its assumed level and that future entrants to the scheme are (1) half the assumed level, (2) a quarter the assumed level, and (3) there are no new entrants and (c) the number of people assumed to be contracted into the state earnings-related pension scheme next year is at a quarter of its assumed level and that future entrants to the scheme are (x) half of the assumed level, (y) a quarter of the assumed level and (z) there are no new entrants; [42211]

  (2) if he will list the assumptions used in tables El, E2 and E4 of the latest national insurance fund long-term financial estimates for (a) the number of people assumed to be contracted-in to the state earnings-related pension scheme; (b) the number of people assumed to be contracted-out of the state earnings-related pension scheme into personal pension plans and (c) the number of people assumed to be contracted-out of the state earnings-related pension scheme who are in occupational schemes. [42194]

  Mr. Heald
  I will write to the hon. Members shortly.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social

  Paid in year

  Contracted-out rebate

  2 per cent, incentive

  1 per cent, addition

  Total £ millions

  1988–89

  410

  —

  —

  410

  1989–90

  2,280

  924

  —

  3,204

  1990–91

  1,819

  637

  —

  2,456

  1991–92

  1,951

  671

  —

  2,622

  1992–93

  2,045

  694

  —

  2,739

  1993–94

  2,134

  718

  —

  2,852

  1994–95

  1,757

  17

  225

  1,999

  Note:

  This table shows the expenditure, at 1995–96 prices, on contracted-out rebates and incentive and additional payments for appropriate personal pensions in each of the years for which published figures are available. Figures for 1994–95 are estimates.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department (costs adjusted to 1995–96 prices).

  Figures relate to Great Britain.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to increase the Christmas bonus to pensioners. [41676]

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the Christmas bonus to pensioners. [42227]
  1020
  Security if he will make it his policy that the system of age-related rebates for the state earnings-related pension scheme will be actuarily neutral. [42197]

  Mr. Heald
  As required under the Pensions Schemes Act 1993, as amended by the Pensions Act 1995, I shall lay before Parliament in due course a report by the Government Actuary on the age-related rebates for people contracted out of the state earnings-related pension scheme through contracted-out money purchase schemes and appropriate personal pension schemes. The report will show the rebate levels which, in the Government Actuary's opinion, are required to reflect the cost of providing benefits of an actuarial value equivalent to that of the SERPS benefits forgone. This will be accompanied by a report of my own as to what I consider the rebates should be, and draft orders implementing those rebates. In order to come into effect in April 1997, the orders must be laid and made by the end of March 1996. In accordance with past practice, the Government Actuary issued on 16 August 1995 a consultative memorandum setting out the considerations on which his report to Parliament will be based.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the value of the retirement pension would be if it had been uprated in line with earnings or prices, whichever was higher, since 1980. [42306]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 6 November 1995,Official Report, columns 648–49.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list at current prices the annual sums paid to providers of personal pension plans under the Social Security Act 1986 in respect of(a) incentives, (b) rebates and (c) other payments for contracting out of the state earnings-related pension scheme, in each of the financial years since the Act has been in force. [42196]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Mr. Heald
  The Christmas bonus has remained at £10 since it was introduced in 1972. We have no plans to increase it.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to exclude
  1021
  war pensions when assessing either council tax allowance or rent allowances. [41607]

  Mr. Heald
  We have no plans to change the present arrangements.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claims lodged with the War Pensions Agency have lapsed in each of the past five years on the ground that the applicant has died while awaiting a decision; [41579]

  (2) if he will state the average time lapse between claims being lodged with the War Pensions Agency and the decisions being issued. [41578]

  Mr. Heald
  These are matters for Mr. John Sheppard, the acting chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Sheppard to Mr. Brian Wilson, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about claims to War Disablement Pension.Information on the number of claims lapsed due to the applicant dying whilst awaiting a decision is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, I should point out that wherever possible, we continue with a claim after a person has died and try to make a decision on the available evidence. Any payments which become due are made to the next of kin.The average times taken to deal with claims are shown in the attached appendix, along with details of the Secretary of State's targets and our achievement against these.These standards have been achieved despite the phasing in, since April, of a new computer system and major restructuring of the organisation. This month sees the final stages of the introduction of these changes and the average time for clearance of claims should then see a gradual improvement during the remaining part of the year. I hope you find this information useful.

  Average time taken to deal with War Pension claims (April to September 1995)

  Working days

  First claims to War Pension

  151.7

  Second and subsequent claims

  126.27

  Claims to War Widows Pension

  37.72

  Secretary of State's Targets

  Achievement (April-September 1995)

  Per cent.

  First claims to War Pension

  60 per cent, in 150 working days

  61.45

  95 per cent, in 310 working days

  94.6

  Second and subsequent claims

  60 per cent, in 135 working days

  66.19

  95 per cent, in 195 working days

  91.00

  Claims to War Widows Pension

  80 per cent, in 70 working days

  90.66

  95 per cent, in 145 working days

  98.68

  1022

  Visually Impaired People
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the number of visually impaired people who were refused attendance allowances in 1993, 1994 and 1995 to the latest available date; [42090]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of visually impaired people who were refused the middle rate care component of the disability living allowance in 1993, 1994 and 1995 to the latest available date. [42091]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information requested is not available. A claim for disability living allowance or attendance allowance is a claim for the benefit and not for a particular component or rate. Statistics about the disabling condition of claimants refused benefit are not routinely collected.

  Adjudication Officer Guidance
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to publish the guidance issued to adjudication officers following the House of Lords ruling in favour of an appeal by Mr. Eric Mallinson in April 1994. [42104]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The provision of guidance to adjudication officers and the publication of such guidance are matters for the chief adjudication officer. His office, Central Adjudication Services, issued letter HEO(AO)5/94 on 12 May 1994 giving guidance to adjudication officers on the effect of the House of Lords judgment in Mallinson. Letter HEO(AO)13/94 issued on 27 October 1994 gave some clarification of the earlier letter. I have made arrangements for copies of these letters to be provided to the hon. Member.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if sponsorship declarations are legally enforceable in respect of proposals to curb benefit entitlements to asylum seekers and sponsored immigrants; and if he will make a statement. [42140]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the Social Security Advisory Committee to report on the proposed regulations referred to the committee on 11 October concerning the benefit entitlements to asylum seekers and other persons from abroad; if he will place a copy of the report in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [42147]

  Mr. Evans
  We expect to receive the Committee's report and recommendations during December. The report and our response to it will be incorporated in a Command Paper which will be published when the regulations are laid.

  War Veterans
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence regarding paying British war veterans who fought in the Pacific during the second world war, along the lines of the burnt-out
  1023
  pension paid to Australians; and when he plans to make such payments. [42225]

  Mr. Heald
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what in 1985 prices was the value of(a) the single payment budget and (b) the community care grants budget in 1995–96. [42250]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The value of single payments in 1985 was £308 million, while planned expenditure on community care grants in 1995–96, which in cash terms will be £97 million, expressed in 1985 prices represents £62 million.

  The social fund offers much better value for money for the taxpayer than the old single payments scheme. Its discretionary nature ensures that payments are targeted on those most in need, while the recycling of loan repayments has enabled the fund to grow with each successive year; over £1.5 billion worth of loans have been made since the start of the fund for a net outlay of only £329 million.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what increase in housing benefit has occurred in Torbay since 1990; and what were the figures for(a) Exeter, (b) Plymouth and (c) Honiton. [42221]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Benefit Tapers
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families face a marginal deductions rate of 70 per cent. or higher on each £1 earned as a result of benefit tapers. [42183]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims there were for(a) the mobility component and (b) the care component of disability living allowance on the grounds that the applicant suffered from persistent virus disease—myalgic encephalopathy—in each of the past three years; and how many of these claims were upheld. [42339]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many blind or partially sighted people have won appeals on the basis of the Halliday/Fairey decision since 14 October 1994; and what is his estimate of the cost of paying the middle rate care component to those blind and partially sighted claimants who have won the entitlement on the basis of the Halliday/Fairey decision since 14 October 1994. [40893]
  1024
  Mr. Andrew
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Clelland, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of blind/partially sighted people who have won appeals based on the Halliday/Fairey decision and the estimated cost of paying middle rate care component to those blind/partially sighted customers who have won entitlement on this basis since 14 October 1994.To date there have been nine blind/partially sighted Disability Living Allowance customers who have been successful on appeal where the terms of this judgement have contributed to the award of benefit. These are subject to an appeal by the Secretary of State to the Social Security Commissioner.Information as to the estimated additional cost of paying Disability Living Allowance middle rate (MR) care component for blind/partially sighted customers is not available.I can however give some information which may be helpful. Detailed records have been kept from March 1995 to date on the number of cases in which the Halliday/Fairey decision has influenced the award of the MR care component. From March 27 October 1995, the Halliday/Fairey decision has influenced 364 awards. Of these, 269 have been awarded the MR care component as a result of the effects of the Halliday/Fairey decision. These cases have entitlement to the lower rate care component without the effect of the Halliday/Fairey decision and are, therefore, currently receiving this rate. This is because any entitlement due to the Halliday/Fairey decision is subject to suspension by the Secretary of State pending the outcome of the appeal to the House of Lords. The remaining 95 customers have been awarded the MR care component and, as this is entirely due to the Halliday/Fairey decision, they are not currently receiving payment pending the outcome of the appeal.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42325]

  Mr. Burt
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Homelessness
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to instruct his Department branch office to produce leaflets advising the homeless and those not eligible for income support and crisis loans of where to find soup kitchens and which provide the names of local charities where they may get assistance. [37259]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The provision of leaflets on benefit related matters is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what plans there are to instruct branch offices to produce leaflets advising the homeless and those not eligible for income support and crisis loans of where to find soup kitchens and which provide the names of local charities where they may get assistance.1025
  The Benefits Agency has recently conducted a review of its service to homeless customers. A recommendation in the subsequent report was that 'a leaflet be produced for Advice Centres and Homeless customers clearly setting out the benefits available and the customer's responsibilities'.

  We are currently co-ordinating action on the recommendations in the report. A leaflet is being developed for production by Benefits Agency Districts. This will include details of local services for homeless customers, including that of the type to which you refer.

  We have set up three national conferences for Benefits Agency staff on Service Delivery to Homeless Customers, which will take place between November 20 and November 28 1995 and at which there will be input from the voluntary sector. The conferences will stress the importance of the leaflet initiative, amongst others, in providing a better service to homeless customers. As a follow up to the conferences, we plan to prepare 'a Good Practice Guide' which will be issued to all Districts.

  I hope that you find this reply helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra administrative work is and has been necessary to deal with the change from invalidity benefit and sickness benefit to incapacity benefit; and what is the total cost of this extra administrative work. [41961]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of Social Security benefits is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Heppell, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what extra administrative work is and has been necessary to deal with the change from invalidity benefit and sickness benefit to incapacity benefit and what is the total cost of this extra administrative work.
  The additional administrative work in the period April—March 1994/95 included:

  1. Recruitment—of 700 Doctors and Medical Advisers for the Independent Tribunal Service;

  2. Training—of 40,000 District Office (DO) staff, 1,400 Doctors and 600 Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) administrative staff;

  3. Enhancements to DO computer systems and procedures;

  4. Development and implementation of a new computer system for BAMS;

  5. Development of procedures, forms and information leaflets related to the introduction of the new medical test;

  6. Development of procedures and enhancement of computer systems for the deduction of income tax from IB.

  The cost of this work amounted to £42 million.
  The additional administrative work in the period April-March 1995/96 includes:

  1. The application of the new medical test;

  2. The issue of the new Medical Questionnaire by DO staff;

  3. Dealing with direct taxation of benefit. This is completely new to the BA and involves notifying the Inland Revenue of taxable benefit paid, tax deducted and providing the appropriate forms as necessary.

  The cost of this additional work is expected to be £53 million for the financial year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  1026

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prosecution Court Files
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the recommended retention period for prosecution papers by the police. [40789]

  Mr. Maclean
  No advice has been issued centrally to police forces on the retention period for prosecution papers.

  Parole
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of prisoners in England and Wales sentenced to terms of imprisonment of five or more years who in each year since 1989 were released with(a) under 50 per cent., (b) 50 per cent., (c) 50 per cent. to 60 per cent., (d) 60 per cent. to 69 per cent., (e) 70 per cent. to 79 per cent., (f) 80 per cent. to 89 per cent., (g) 90 per cent. to 99 per cent., (h) 100 per cent. of their term served and the percentages of the group serving five or more years who were released in each of those years within those per cent. stepped categories. [42141]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking if he will list the number of prisoners in England and Wales sentenced to terms of imprisonment of five or more years who in each year since 1989 were released with (a) under 50 per cent, (b) 50 per cent, (c) 50 per cent to 60 per cent, (d) 60 per cent to 69 per cent, (e) 70 per cent to 79 per cent, (f) 80 per cent to 89 per cent, (g) 90 per cent to 99 per cent, (h) 100 per cent of their term served and the percentages of the group serving five or more years who were released in each of those years within those per cent stepped categories.The information could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The available information relates to time served between the date of sentence and the release date and excludes time served on remand. It is published in "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (tables 3.14, 4.13 and 5.12 of the 1993 edition, Cm 2893) a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Prisoners sentenced to five or more years since October 1992 are released under Part II of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Release occurs after serving two thirds of sentence (or earlier if granted discretionary conditional release) subject to a minimum of half the sentence. For prisoners sentenced before October 1992, eligibility for consideration for early release occurred after serving one third of sentence, subject to a minimum of six months served following the date of sentence.

  Firearms
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of firearm certificates at present issued in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and for what number of weapons, enumerating the type of category of weapon licensed. [42142]
  1027
  Mr. Maclean
  There were 140,200 firearm certificates in force on 31 December 1994 in England and Wales, covering an estimated 396,800 firearms. There were also 670,000 shotgun certificates in force on the same date, covering an estimated 1.33 million shotguns.

  Figures for Scotland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and figures for Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in British prisons were sentenced in other countries and later transferred to the United Kingdom; from what countries; and if he will indicate whether they are subject to differing releases rules or prison regimes. [42143]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from David Scott to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of British prisoners sentenced in other countries and returned to prisons in the United Kingdom.Details of such transfers are given in the attached table.Prisoners transferred to the United Kingdom are subject to the same statutory and other provisions relating to release and prison regimes as prisoners sentenced within the receiving jurisdictions.

  Prisoners transferred into the United Kingdom

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  19941

  Belgium

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Cyprus

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Czech Rep

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Denmark

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  Finland

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  France

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Germany

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Holland

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Spain

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  Sweden

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Thailand

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  United States

  —

  —

  2

  5

  6

  Total

  0

  6

  9

  11

  16

  1 Figures for 1994 exclude transfers to prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign prisoners have been handed over to the prison authorities of other countries for continuation of their sentence; and if he will indicate to which countries and by what authority in each of the last five years. [42144]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  1028
  Letters from David Scott to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of foreign national prisoners transferred to other countries to continue their prison sentences, over the last five years.Details of such transfers are given in the attached table.These transfers have taken place under the provisions of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984.

  Outward transfers between the years 1990–94

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  19941

  Belgium

  —

  1

  5

  5

  —

  Canada

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Cyprus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Gibraltar

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Greece

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Holland

  2

  4

  8

  1

  4

  Italy

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Spain

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Sweden

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  United States

  9

  10

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  13

  17

  18

  9

  5

  1 Figures for 1994 exclude transfers to prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Animal Rights
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received by the Charity Commissioners concerning the RSPCA's role in respect of advocacy of animal rights. [42222]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The Charity Commissioners received 14 complaints between February and September 1995 regarding advertising conducted by the RSPCA. One of these complaints was subsequently withdrawn.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what means he is informed of upheavals in any country of such significance as to require him to notify the Secretary of State for Social Security in order to enable nationals of that country seeking asylum in the United Kingdom to apply for benefit entitlement; what criteria he applies to determine such a significant upheaval; and if he will make a statement. [42224]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Countries which generate asylum claims are monitored by the asylum division on the basis of reports from a variety of sources, including diplomatic posts, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and non-governmental organisations. The basis for making a declaration will be that a country has undergone such a fundamental change of circumstances that its nationals are not normally being required to return to it for the time being.

  Leeds Prison
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for additional funding for Leeds prison to redress the serious financial difficulties facing the prison in 1997–98. [42251]
  1029
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from David Scott to Mr. John Battle, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Leeds prison.Financial provision for the public sector will be announced in the Autumn Statement due at the end of this month, and budgets for individual prisons will be finalised during the early part of 1996 taking into account their strategic plans.The Prison Service is committed to improved efficiency and unit cost reductions. A target of 8.6% was set out in the corporate plan published earlier this year and all prisons are expected to contribute to this.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41208]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis) on 7 November, Official Report, columns 697–702.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41544]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 6 November, Official Report, column 576.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41561]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: I hope on present plans that by the end of 1995 the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 will be amended to relax the rules on greyhound racing. The cost savings likely to accrue to the greyhound industry have been estimated at £260,000 per annum. It is not possible to estimate the cost of making this assessment.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his 1030
  Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42066]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: Ministers, former Ministers and officials have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42065]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: No staff in my Department are wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. Four officials have been involved on an occasional basis within the Department. It is not the practice to name staff.

  Employers (Illegal Immigrants)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to produce his consultation paper on proposals to fine employers who give jobs to illegal immigrants; what scale of fines he envisages; and if small and medium-sized enterprises will be exempt from his proposals. [42009]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 7 November 1995]: We expect to issue a consultation paper outlining our proposals shortly.

  Murders
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted in each of the past 10 years for murder; and how many people have been prosecuted for murder since the IRA ceasefire of 31 August 1994. [42138]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is given in the table.

  Number of persons prosecuted for murder 1984–1994 England and Wales

  Prosecutions

  1984

  434

  1985

  483

  1986

  515

  1987

  496

  1988

  550

  1989

  506

  1990

  484

  1991

  584

  1992

  609

  1993

  598

  1994

  January-August

  344

  September-December

  182

  Total

  526

  Passports
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if British passports are required for United Kingdom citizens to travel to Germany. [42223]
  1031
  Mr. Kirkhope
  Passports are required by British citizens to travel to Germany.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) specialist advisers and (b) press or public relations officers are employed by his Department; and what is the total annual salary bill for (a) and (b) above. [42317]

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

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet responded to the recommendations in the report of the Animal Procedures Committee on regulatory toxicity. [42365]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has now responded to the recommendations made by the Animal Procedures Committee and has received the committee's reply. Copies of the exchanges have been placed in the Library.

  Suspects' Rights
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total expenditure of his Department on promoting the rights of suspects under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for each year since that Act came into force. [42099]

  Mr. Maclean
  The approximate expenditure incurred in distributing to police forces new and revised versions of the codes of practice required under sections 60 and 66 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and notices to detained persons required under paragraph 3.2 of code C was as follows:

  Prison

  1995

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Acklington

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Albany

  1

  2

  4

  5

  5

  6

  4

  3

  3

  Aldington

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ashwell

  1

  0

  32

  15

  16

  10

  6

  9

  10

  Askham Grange

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Aylesbury

  0

  1

  5

  2

  8

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Bedford

  6

  14

  6

  11

  12

  18

  8

  11

  14

  Belmarsh

  10

  11

  16

  4

  6

  10

  5

  4

  3

  Birmingham

  9

  12

  8

  17

  10

  7

  9

  16

  13

  Blakenhurst

  6

  15

  13

  27

  14

  12

  19

  41

  14

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Blundeston

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Brinsford

  9

  5

  23

  14

  15

  21

  14

  17

  9

  Bristol

  9

  4

  6

  9

  8

  5

  2

  6

  12

  Brixton

  14

  13

  8

  1

  8

  0

  8

  8

  4

  Brockhill

  1

  4

  1

  2

  2

  2

  0

  2

  2

  Buckley Hall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Bullingdon/Oxford

  4

  9

  5

  2

  9

  8

  6

  8

  2

  Bullwood Hall

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  Camp Hill

  8

  7

  8

  10

  10

  4

  10

  7

  5

  Canterbury

  9

  12

  17

  4

  4

  4

  4

  7

  1

  Cardiff

  21

  21

  13

  24

  30

  15

  23

  30

  17

  Castington

  0

  2

  3

  5

  4

  5

  2

  4

  6

  Channings Wood

  0

  1

  0

  1

  4

  6

  5

  1

  5

  Chelmsford

  3

  10

  8

  4

  0

  14

  9

  7

  7

  Coldingley

  0

  0

  2

  0

  4

  1

  2

  1

  1

  Cookham Wood

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Dartmoor

  11

  15

  23

  13

  19

  5

  9

  7

  4

  1032

  1985: £33,700

  1986: £2,000

  1988: £14,600

  1991: £138,300

  1995: £109,000

  Electoral Register
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to bringing forward proposals for a rolling electoral register since his working group produced its report on the matter; and if he will make a statement. [42101]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The working group concluded that more work was needed before a decision could be taken on a rolling register; we have no plans to bring forward proposals.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of drug finds in each of the prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 12 months. [41865]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of drug finds in each of the prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 12 months.Information is readily available centrally for the period from January 1995 and is provided in the attached table, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.1033

  Prison

  1995

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Deerbolt

  7

  5

  4

  5

  15

  5

  9

  10

  4

  Doncaster

  6

  8

  41

  33

  18

  14

  18

  24

  23

  Dorchester

  8

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  4

  1

  Dover

  7

  8

  1

  2

  3

  5

  2

  2

  2

  Downview

  3

  1

  3

  2

  5

  5

  1

  1

  0

  Drake Hall

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  7

  3

  1

  Durham

  8

  15

  12

  8

  8

  5

  10

  16

  9

  East Sutton Park

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Elmley

  8

  8

  13

  6

  18

  13

  7

  11

  8

  Erlestoke

  4

  3

  8

  5

  5

  4

  3

  14

  17

  Everthorpe

  0

  0

  5

  2

  2

  1

  2

  0

  5

  Exeter

  4

  14

  8

  6

  15

  3

  7

  7

  4

  Featherstone

  5

  2

  4

  4

  2

  2

  3

  1

  5

  Feltham

  54

  45

  34

  28

  44

  33

  54

  36

  39

  Ford

  1

  4

  12

  1

  4

  0

  1

  3

  2

  Frankland

  8

  6

  0

  4

  1

  5

  2

  2

  6

  Full Sutton

  1

  5

  1

  5

  3

  1

  3

  2

  6

  Garth

  7

  4

  11

  3

  7

  2

  7

  5

  4

  Gartree

  7

  4

  10

  10

  4

  0

  3

  1

  3

  Glen Parva

  23

  21

  30

  20

  16

  26

  12

  6

  21

  Gloucester

  3

  8

  8

  0

  6

  0

  1

  7

  2

  Grendon/Spring Hill

  5

  2

  3

  0

  4

  5

  1

  1

  2

  Guys Marsh

  10

  14

  9

  11

  20

  10

  18

  13

  10

  Haslar

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Haverigg

  29

  28

  30

  32

  33

  23

  26

  20

  26

  Hewell Grange

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Highdown

  3

  8

  1

  7

  10

  9

  19

  5

  6

  Highpoint

  2

  1

  5

  1

  0

  4

  7

  4

  7

  Hindley

  8

  12

  10

  7

  3

  8

  7

  11

  8

  Hollesley Bay

  7

  5

  7

  4

  0

  5

  4

  7

  5

  Holloway

  1

  8

  5

  5

  5

  10

  4

  1

  3

  Holme House

  10

  5

  14

  11

  13

  3

  11

  7

  5

  Hull

  13

  11

  12

  5

  9

  14

  3

  11

  9

  Huntercombe

  0

  5

  0

  2

  4

  1

  0

  1

  2

  Kingston

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Kirkham

  9

  5

  14

  8

  4

  2

  6

  3

  7

  Kirklevington

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancaster

  1

  1

  2

  0

  2

  0

  5

  7

  2

  Lancaster Farms

  13

  17

  12

  0

  20

  4

  7

  4

  7

  Latchmore House

  2

  1

  0

  14

  1

  8

  0

  0

  0

  Leeds

  0

  0

  0

  15

  36

  16

  17

  16

  26

  Leicester

  23

  19

  15

  21

  8

  18

  14

  14

  13

  Lewes

  7

  8

  12

  7

  10

  12

  10

  16

  15

  Leyhill

  1

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  10

  9

  14

  7

  8

  11

  5

  8

  4

  Lindholme

  5

  8

  10

  6

  13

  11

  9

  17

  10

  Littlehey

  4

  2

  7

  6

  1

  2

  3

  1

  2

  Liverpool

  20

  17

  27

  28

  30

  16

  21

  23

  26

  Long Lartin

  2

  5

  2

  2

  6

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Low Newton

  3

  4

  0

  2

  2

  2

  3

  2

  4

  Maidstone

  1

  1

  0

  1

  7

  4

  3

  0

  0

  Manchester

  2

  5

  5

  4

  6

  7

  19

  15

  7

  Moorland

  0

  6

  15

  12

  19

  8

  9

  17

  7

  Morton Hall

  0

  0

  3

  0

  2

  0

  2

  1

  0

  The Mount

  3

  2

  2

  0

  8

  5

  6

  3

  2

  New Hall

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  North Sea Camp

  0

  0

  3

  4

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Northallerton

  7

  10

  8

  8

  15

  6

  14

  0

  14

  Norwich

  1

  7

  6

  7

  0

  3

  5

  9

  10

  Nottingham

  0

  1

  5

  1

  4

  4

  0

  1

  1

  Onley

  5

  2

  4

  4

  11

  8

  5

  9

  8

  Parkhurst

  0

  1

  2

  0

  4

  2

  0

  4

  18

  Pentonville

  9

  10

  5

  3

  12

  8

  4

  4

  8

  Portland

  7

  8

  9

  9

  9

  2

  6

  8

  12

  Preston

  8

  4

  10

  8

  11

  7

  17

  8

  17

  Pucklechurch

  0

  2

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ranby

  3

  0

  3

  0

  6

  6

  2

  2

  2

  Reading

  0

  0

  0

  5

  3

  2

  2

  3

  5

  Risley

  8

  16

  12

  8

  15

  6

  4

  12

  13

  Rochester

  7

  6

  2

  2

  6

  6

  4

  9

  6

  Send

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shepton Mallett

  0

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1

  5

  1

  1

  1034

  1035

  Prison

  1995

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Shrewsbury

  1

  4

  1

  4

  5

  6

  3

  6

  2

  Stafford

  20

  11

  10

  15

  9

  10

  10

  15

  15

  Standford Hill

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  3

  Stocken

  3

  11

  4

  2

  13

  0

  6

  0

  0

  Stoke Heath

  5

  0

  0

  10

  15

  15

  11

  13

  20

  Styal

  2

  3

  1

  1

  5

  2

  5

  4

  3

  Sudbury/Foston Hall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Swaleside

  4

  12

  4

  2

  7

  8

  7

  3

  6

  Swansea

  5

  2

  1

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Swinfen Hall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1

  0

  2

  Thorn Cross

  10

  8

  10

  13

  16

  16

  8

  4

  3

  Usk

  0

  2

  1

  1

  0

  6

  4

  1

  3

  The Verne

  6

  3

  3

  4

  9

  6

  9

  9

  5

  Wakefield

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wandsworth

  25

  21

  15

  24

  32

  19

  24

  20

  17

  Wayland

  3

  3

  7

  0

  0

  0

  5

  2

  6

  Wealstun

  2

  0

  2

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Wellingborough

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Werrington

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wetherby

  0

  1

  3

  0

  1

  2

  4

  0

  3

  Whatton

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Whitemoor

  3

  7

  5

  3

  4

  2

  1

  0

  1

  Winchester

  1

  0

  6

  1

  1

  5

  4

  2

  3

  Wolds

  4

  10

  9

  7

  5

  11

  11

  11

  13

  Woodhill

  9

  14

  9

  11

  18

  14

  16

  14

  6

  Wormwood Scrubs

  20

  14

  21

  23

  17

  14

  17

  23

  4

  Wymott

  1

  0

  2

  6

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of prison inmates in each prison in England and Wales who have been put on report for being in possession of illegal drugs, in each month during the last 12 months. [41857]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prison inmates in each prison in England and Wales who have been put on report for being in possession of illegal drugs.The readily available information was published in 'Statistics of offences against prison discipline and punishments, England and Wales, 1994 (Cm 2934)', a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the national lottery on the betting industry. [41244]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We are monitoring off-course betting turnover in order to assess the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy, and plan to report our findings to Parliament in the spring of 1996.

  Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when residents in Frankley will be notified as to the parliamentary constituency in which 1036
  they are to be included; and what is his timetable for laying the necessary order before the House. [40175]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I will write to the hon.

  Parkhurst Gaol
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the previous governor of Parkhurst gaol, John Marriott, requested the installation of electronic perimeter fences, high-intensity lighting, extra cameras and guard dogs; and what was the Prison Service's response on each occasion. [39605]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 8 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of occasions Mr. John Marriott, former Governor of Parkhurst Prison, has requested the installation of electronic perimeter fences, high intensity lighting, extra cameras and guard dogs; and the Prison Service's response on each occasion.Mr. Marriott made a number of requests for these security measures to be installed.Geophones Appendix F of the Learmont Inquiry report sets out a schedule which includes Mr. Marriott's documented requests for geophones to be installed at Parkhurst prison and the response to these.High Intensity Lighting and Cameras Perimeter CCTV and lighting was installed at Parkhurst in 1991 as the first phase of work to upgrade the perimeter security at Parkhurst. The Governor and Area Manager subsequently put forward bids to upgrade the CCTV and lighting as part of the annual process of compiling a capital building programme. These bids were considered in 1993/94 and 1994/95 but not included in the

  1037
  programme because there were other security schemes in other areas of the Prison Service already programmed which were considered to be of a higher priority. Following a special review of perimeter security at Parkhurst in April 1994 the Governor, in conjunction with the Area Manager, took forward the planning for the now funded improvements to perimeter security identified in that review, including geophones. Following the escape in January 1995 adjustments and additions were made to the perimeter security cameras and lighting and this was followed by the replacement of the camera system which was completed by the end of June 1995.Dogs and Dog Handlers The Governor made a bid in 1990 for additional dogs.The Governor, through the Area Manager, made a bid in April 1992 and in September, identified the need for two dogs and handlers to work at Parkhurst until 31 March 1993. In October 1992, the Governor asked that these be retained after this date.The Governor and Area Manager made a bid in 1993/94 for additional dogs and dog handlers, but there was insufficient funding for this increase. They renewed the bid for 1994/95.No money was directly allocated as the result of the above bids. It was acknowledged that any increase in the number of dogs and handlers would have to be made from within the existing budget. The governor sought six additional dog handlers and dogs in November 1994. He offered to fund two himself by diverting funds from elsewhere and bid for additional funding for the remaining four. It was agreed to take this forward as a prioritised bid for that year.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether structured settlements will be offered under the current criminal injuries compensation scheme. [42220]

  Mr. Maclean
  Structured settlements can be a highly advantageous way of paying compensation to victims in higher value cases. It affords them the option of receiving their award, not as a lump sum, but in the form of a stream of periodic payments under an annuity. These payments will be tax free and can be index linked, thereby providing guaranteed payments for life or other specified period.
  1038
  Under provisions in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill, this facility will be available to claimants under the new, enhanced tariff scheme to be established under the Bill's powers. The Bill also provides for the facility to be extended to claimants under the present—1990—scheme although, as previously announced on 10 July 1995, Official Report, column 389, and on 17 October 1995, Official Report, House of Lords, column 723, that will first require a complementary amendment to the 1990 scheme to allow payment of compensation by the purchase of annuities.

  Once the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill receives Royal Assent. I will accordingly amend the 1990 scheme by making some small alterations to paragraph 12, and by the insertion of new paragraphs 12A and 29(g). The revised paragraph 12 and the new paragraph will read as follows:
  "12. Subject to the other provisions of this Scheme, compensation will be assessed on the basis of common law damages and will normally take the form of a lump sum payment, although the Board may make alternative arrangements in accordance with paragraph 9 above or with paragraph 12A below. More than one payment may be made where an applicant's eligibility for compensation has been established but a final award cannot be calculated in the first instance—for example where only a provisional medical assessment can be given. In a case in which an interim award has been made, the Board may decide to make a reduced award, increase any reduction already made or refuse to make any further payment at any stage before receiving notification of acceptance of a final award. Once an award has been paid to an applicant paragraph 12A does not apply".
  "12A. Where prior agreement is reached between the Board and the applicant, an award may consist in whole or in part of an annuity or annuities, purchased for the benefit of the applicant or to be held on trust for his benefit. Once that agreement is reached, the Board will take the instructions of the applicant as to which annuity or annuities should be purchased. Any expenses incurred will be met from the award".
  "29(g). Paragraph 12A of this Scheme will apply additionally to applications otherwise falling to be considered under the 1969 or 1979 Schemes".

  These changes will be made when the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill receive Royal Assent.

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

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 Viscount Cranborne, the Lord Ampthill, the Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, and the Lord Richard) 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.

Royal Assent
The following Acts received the Royal Assent:

Atomic Energy Authority Act,

Civil Evidence Act,

Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act,

Criminal Procedure (Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Act,

Law Reform (Succession) Act,

Private International Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act,

Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act,

Statute Law (Repeals) Act,

Gas Act,

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act,

Northern Ireland (Remission of Sentences) Act,

1732

Charities (Amendment) Act,

Town and Country Planning (Costs of Inquiries etc.) Act,

Disability Discrimination Act,

Medical (Professional Performance) Act,

Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act,

Criminal Injuries Compensation Act,

Loch Leven and Lochaber Water Power Order Confirmation Act,

Accommodation Level Crossings Act,

Queen Mary and Westfield College Act,

London Local Authorities 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 Highness the Amir of Kuwait in May and His Excellency the President of Finland in October. We also remember with great pleasure our state visit to South Africa in March. We are enjoying our visit to New Zealand, where we shall be present at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
"The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive Heads of State and Government, or their representatives, from fifty-six countries, to commemorate Victory in Europe Day in May. We were also pleased to see many veterans, and representatives from countries whose forces served under the Crown during the Second World War, in London in August to attend the ceremonies to commemorate the fiftieth anniversaries of the end of the Second World War.
"We were pleased to attend the ceremony marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in London in June.
"My Government continued to make provision for the defence of the United Kingdom and our allies and for the promotion of international peace and stability. They were among the leading participants in United Nations peace-keeping operations. They contributed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to the development of effective and reliable European defence arrangements which complement those of NATO. They welcomed the success of the Partnership for Peace between the countries of NATO and other countries of Europe; the commitment by NATO and Russia to build a co-operative relationship; and the decision to extend indefinitely the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"My Government continued to be at the forefront of attempts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. In response to a worsening of the conflict there, they substantially increased the British contribution to United Nations operations and provided humanitarian aid on a significant scale to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population. In Africa, my

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Government helped the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity in their work to prevent and resolve conflicts.
"My Government have continued to act vigorously against terrorism, drugs and organised crime, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
"In the European Union, my Government welcomed the accession of Sweden, Finland and Austria. They worked to promote a closer relationship between the European Union and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, with a view to the enlargement of the Union. They continued to help the former communist states of Europe and Asia to establish democratic market economies: bilaterally, using the Know How Fund, and together with our European Union partners.
"My Government contributed to the European Union's efforts to combat unemployment and promote growth. They secured agreement to liberalise telecommunications by 1998. They worked to promote effective action against fraud and to achieve higher standards of farm animal welfare throughout the European Union. They participated in meetings of the Study Group which is preparing for the 1996 Inter-Governmental Conference. They welcomed the Commission's first annual report on subsidiarity.
"Reducing poverty in the poorest countries remained a priority. To this end, my Government continued a substantial overseas aid programme and took a leading role in securing more generous terms for bilateral debt relief for the poorest, most indebted countries.
"At the Summit of the seven leading industrialised nations in Halifax in June, my Government contributed to far-reaching proposals on the reform of the international financial institutions and the United Nations. They worked at home and with our European Union partners to implement the outcome of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations.
"In the interests of the people of Hong Kong, my Government worked to achieve a smooth transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997. My Government in Bermuda consulted the people of Bermuda about the future constitutional arrangements for the Territory and its relationship with the United Kingdom. My Government gave assistance to the Cayman Islands to alleviate the problems caused by the arrival of a large number of migrants from Cuba in 1994.
"In Northern Ireland my Government have continued to promote peace and political stability and to encourage progress towards a political settlement. They held substantive talks with the Northern Ireland parties and other exploratory talks. They published a document describing a framework for a political accommodation in respect of Northern Ireland. Legislation has been passed to enable certain prisoners to be released on licence at the half-way point of their sentence. My Government have sought to improve social and economic conditions through inward investment and other means.
"Members of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the provision you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
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"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"My Government have pursued firm financial policies which have allowed recovery to broaden and strengthen, while maintaining low inflation. Measures have been taken to ensure that the public sector borrowing requirement is brought back towards balance over the medium term.
"My Government showed their commitment to improving the nation's competitiveness through the White Paper Competitiveness: Forging Ahead. Legislation has been passed to promote increased competition in the supply of gas to customers, and to reform the agricultural tenancy laws in England and Wales, so that more agricultural land is made available for rent. The first proposals were made for use of the new deregulation order-making powers.
"An Act has been passed to create a jobseeker's allowance, reforming benefits for unemployed people and giving them better help into work.
"The Sunday licensing hours have been revised.
"My Government continued to pursue a programme of privatisation with the successful sale of the coal mining activities of British Coal. They published a White Paper on the future prospects for nuclear power in the United Kingdom and began work to transfer parts of the industry to the private sector.
"An Act has been passed which takes forward my Government's commitment to sustainable development and the protection of the environment.
"The criminal justice system has been improved through legislation to establish a Criminal Cases Review Commission for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and to provide statutory authority for a compensation scheme for victims of violent crime. Legislation has also been enacted to reform the Scottish criminal justice system and the law relating to children and their families in Scotland.
"Legislation has been passed to combat discrimination against disabled people; to improve child support; to equalise the state pension age between men and women; and to improve security, equality and choice in non-state pensions.
"Health services have been strengthened. An Act has been passed to make further improvements to the management of the National Health Service. There has also been legislation to provide for people with a severe mental disorder discharged from hospital to be cared for under supervision, and to increase the powers of the General Medical Council to deal with doctors whose professional performance is seriously deficient.
"Further successful use has been made of new procedures for enacting uncontroversial measures of law reform.
"Other important measures have been enacted.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you".
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has been now read We do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this
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Parliament to the 15th day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday, the 15th day of this instant November.
Parliament was prorogued at eight minutes past ten o'clock.

  Foreign Affairs Council, 30 June
  Foreign Affairs Council, 30 June
  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report
  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report
  Overseas Aid to China: Policy
  Overseas Aid to China: Policy
  Former Yugoslavia: Humanitarian Aid
  Former Yugoslavia: Humanitarian Aid
  Civil Nuclear Plant: Protection
  Civil Nuclear Plant: Protection
  Migrant Workers: Prevention of Abuse
  Migrant Workers: Prevention of Abuse
  Tourism: Balances 1979–1994
  Tourism: Balances 1979–1994
  Commonhold
  Commonhold
  Courts in London: Resource Allocation
  Courts in London: Resource Allocation
  Defence Collaboration
  Defence Collaboration
  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Forensic Science Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Forensic Science Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Government Departments: Staff Numbers
  Government Departments: Staff Numbers
  Immigration Control: Departmental Collaboration
  Immigration Control: Departmental Collaboration
  Government Departments: Payment of Invoices
  Government Departments: Payment of Invoices
  Mr. Kani Yilmaz
  Mr. Kani Yilmaz
  UK Human Rights: Question on UN Report
  UK Human Rights: Question on UN Report
  Human Rights Treaties: Duty of Compliance
  Human Rights Treaties: Duty of Compliance
  Former Yugoslavia: Peace Implementation Force
  Former Yugoslavia: Peace Implementation Force
  State Pensions in the EU
  State Pensions in the EU
  Income Support: Duration of Claims
  Income Support: Duration of Claims
  Teacher Numbers
  Teacher Numbers
  Schools Access Initiative
  Schools Access Initiative