Written Answers of 9 April 1987

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  PICKUP Initiative
  Mr. Baldry
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money it is estimated that the PICKUP initiative has generated for each polytechnic, technical college and college of further education.

  Mr. Walden
  An enquiry by the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education during the course of a recent exercise designed to finance an increase in PICKUP work revealed that 38 of our polytechnics and major colleges are now turning over more than £100,000 a year from PICKUP training and the five leaders have turnovers in excess of £500,000. The total income for the 38 establishments from PICKUP activity was over £10 million.

  Inner London (Further Education)
  Mr. Dubs
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of pupils aged 16 years and over have remained in full-time education in inner London; and how this compares with the national average.

  Mr. Dunn
  The percentages of 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education at maintained schools and further education establishments in the academic year 1985–86, in inner London and in England were as follows:

  Academic year 1985–86

  I.L.E.A.

  England

  16-year-olds in full-time education (Percentage of age group)1

  46

  46

  17-year-olds in full-time education (Percentage of age group)1

  27

  30

  1 The number of 16 and 17-year-olds expressed as a percentage of the total number of 15-year-olds in maintained secondary schools one and two years earliert respectively.

  School Activities (Charges)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on charges for music lessons, field trips, cookery lessons and other similar school activities.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The law on charges for school activities is contained in the 1944 Education Act. Charges for educational "extras" were included in the recent review of local authority fees and charges. The Government has not yet complete consideration of the results of the review, but hopes to have done so fairly soon.

  Geological Surveys (Report)
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet received a copy of Sir Clifford Butler's report on geological surveying in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Walden
  My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report. It was commissioned jointly by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils and the Natural Environment Research Council. It will be for the chairmen of those bodies, if they wish, to submit the report to my right hon. Friend with whatever advice they may wish to offer.

  Dr. and Mrs. W. G. McLean
  Mr. Frank Field
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he has not answered the letter written to him by constituents of the hon. Member for Birkenhead, Dr. and Mrs. W. G. McLean, 2 Poplar road, Oxton, Birkenhead on 14 December 1986.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A reply has been issued today.

  Universities (Research)
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from university authorities about their ability to raise private funds and receive benefactions for research in view of the money available for maintenance of laboratory facilities.

  Mr. Walden
  None.

  Science Budget
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has allocated the additional £15 million for the science budget in 1987–38, which he announced on 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Following receipt of advice from the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, I am today informing the bodies concerned of the following additions to their allocations for 1987–88.

  £ million

  Agricultural and Food Research Council

  1·5

  Economic and Social Research Council

  0·8

  Medical Research Council

  3·8

  Natural Environment Research Council

  0·8

  Science and Engineering Research Council

  7·5

  British Museum (Natural History)

  0·3

  The Royal Society

  0·3

  In addition I am allocating a further £1·25 million in 1987–88, from within my programme, to the Natural Environment Research Council to reinforce the important and valuable work of the British Antarctic Survey. Supplementary Estimates for all the above expenditure will be presented in due course.

  Teachers (Pay and Conditions)
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the first order under the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act will be laid before Parliament; and when he will issue guidance on the use of the £500 incentive allowance.
  335
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The first order to be made under the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1987 was laid before Parliament today. It provides for a pay increase for school teachers from 1 January 1987 and for conditions of employment to have effect as terms of teachers' contracts.

  I have today written to the relevant local education authority associations, teacher unions and bodies representing the interests of governors of voluntary schools sending them a copy of the order, a draft circular about the order, and a paper setting out the Government's current thinking about the use of incentive allowances and in particular the £500 allowance.

  Copies of this letter and the attachments are available in the Vote Office.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Guinness plc
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the investigation into Guinness plc to be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Pattie
  The inspectors are proceeding with their investigation with commendable speed. I cannot say when it will be concluded.

  Torvinstyle Properties Ltd.
  Mr. Michie
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has yet completed his consideration of the report concerning Torvinstyle Properties Ltd., trading as Five Star Developments; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Pattie
  The information obtained concerning Tovinstyle Properties Ltd. is still being considered and I cannot say what action it is proposed to take.

  OECD Countries (Exports)
  Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has for each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries as to the value of total exports per capita in United States dollars, including oil, in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The information is in the following table:

  OECD Exports per Capita 1986

  Country

  United States $

  Canada

  3,415

  USA

  908

  Japan

  1,746

  Australia

  1,431

  New Zealand

  11,699

  Austria

  2,969

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  6,715

  Denmark

  4,149

  Finland

  3,325

  France

  2,162

  F R Germany

  3,973

  Greece

  1458

  Iceland

  13,346

  Ireland

  01,915

  Italy

  1,706

  Netherlands

  5,563

  336

  Country

  United States $

  Norway

  4,397

  Portugal

  1591

  Spain

  703

  Sweden

  13,634

  Switzerland

  5,704

  Turkey

  159

  United Kingdom

  1,867

  Notes:

  1 1985 Exports 1985. Population figures used throughout.

  Source:OECD.

  Industrial Assistance
  Mr. Burt
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies in Bury have obtained regional selective assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act since November 1984; and how much financial assistance in total was offered to them.

  Mr. Giles Shaw
  In the period from 1 November 1984 to 31 March 1987, 13 companies in Bury were offered regional assistance under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. The total value of these offers was £1,478,000.

  Mr. Burt
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies in Bury have obtained assistance under the business improvement scheme; and how much financial assistance in total was offered to them.

  Mr. Giles Shaw
  Since the business improvement services scheme started in November 1984, offers of assistance have been made to 116 companies in the Bury travel-to-work-Area, to a total value of £956,921.

  Privatisation (Multiple Share Applications)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement as to what proportion of the shares of BT were examined for possible illegality as referred to in the answer of 13 February 1985, Official Report, column 176, to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams).

  Mr. Channon
  All the shareholdings under the United Kingdom offer for sale were so examined. The overseas share issue arrangements were explained in the earlier answer.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement as to the arrangements that were made for the examination of BT share applications for possible illegalities.

  Mr. Channon
  Arrangements were made to deter and detect multiple applications. They led to some 6,600 applications being rejected.

  Dr. McDonald
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the number of multiple share applications discovered in the following privatisations: Amersham International, British Gas, Cable and Wireless and Associated British Ports, and the number of prosecutions arising from multiple share applications, together with the penalties involved; and if he will supply the same information in respect of the Trustee Savings Bank flotation.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall reply to the hon. Lady as soon as possible.
  337
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will establish inquiries into the sale of shares in (a) British Aerospace (second tranche), (b) British Airways, (c) British Gas, (d) Britoil (second tranche), (e) Cable and Wireless (third tranche) and (f) the Trustee Savings Bank, with a view to establishing the precise extent of multiple share applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Electronic Communications Infrastructure
  Mr. Nicholls
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how, in the light of recommendation 15 of the Peacock report, the Government expect the electronic communications infrastructure in the United Kingdom to develop; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Pattie
  My right hon. Friend has set up a new steering group to advise on such prospective infrastructure developments. This steering group, which is chaired by Mr. Alstair Macdonald, a deputy secretary in my Department, has as its members Mr. John Alvey, formerly a director of BT plc, Professor Bryan Carsberg, Director General of Telecommunications, Mr. Ivor Cohen, managing director of Mullard Ltd. Mr. John Fairclough, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Professor Stanley Metcalfe of Manchester university.

  We have also awarded a major study contract to a firm of consultants to identify ways in which the United Kingdom electronics communications infrastructure may be expected to develop over the next two decades, and the likely effects on suppliers, users and society as a whole. This study is expected to take some eight months to complete.

  My Department has also prepared a discussion document as a basis for wider consultation on these issues. This document is being sent to the major players in the communications industry for comment. This will help to ensure that both the study and the work of the steering group start on a sound footing. Copies of the discussion document have been placed in the Library of the House and will be made available more generally by my Department on request.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informed the House last November that we would be considering recommendation 15 of the Peacock report in more detail. Both the consultants study and the establishment of the steering group are essential steps in this process.

  Following the study, and in the light of its outcome, the responses to the discussion document and concurrent reviews by the steering group, the Government expect to make public the conclusions they have reached.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the rate of growth in London's gross domestic product during 1985; and what was the last year for which figures are available when a greater rate of growth was recorded.

  Mr. Giles Shaw
  Regional gross domestic product data are available only in current price terms; constant price data are not available. Therefore, the figures quoted make no allowance for inflation.
  338
  Greater London's GDP in 1985 was nearly 12 per cent. higher than in 1984. The last year when a greater rate of growth was recorded was in 1980. For further information see the article "Regional accounts, 1985" Economic Trends November 1986, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Post Office
  Sir Philip Holland
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the profit targets for 1987–88 for the letters, parcels and counters business of the Post Office.

  Mr. Pattie
  The overall profit target for the postal business of the Post Office for 1987–88 is 3·25 per cent. return on turnover, before net interest and tax, on the current cost accounting basis. Profit targets for the three subordinate businesses in 1987–88, calculated on the same basis as the overall target, are 2·8 per cent. for letters, 6·7 per cent. for parcels and 1·2 per cent. for counters.

  National Metrological Co-ordinating Unit (Report)
  Mr. Malins
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the annual report of the National Metrological Co-ordinating Unit, as required by section 60(1) of the Weights and Measures Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Giles Shaw
  The report covering the period 1 April 1985 to 31 March 1986 has been published today. I have arranged for copies of the report, which includes the audited statement of accounts, to be placed in the Library.

ENERGY

  Combined Heat and Power Stations
  Mr. Orme
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy with regard to the provision of urban sites suitable for combined heat and power stations.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Provision of sites for CHP stations is a commercial matter for the promoters of CHP schemes.

  Energy Labelling
  Mr. Orme
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any proposals to introduce energy labelling for electrical appliances.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Many manufacturers and retailers already provide energy consumption data for electrical appliances, either in their sales brochures or in the form of "energy labels" on the appliance itself.

  Magnox Reactors
  Mr. Orme
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if it is his intention to publish in full the long-term safety reviews of magnox reactors as soon as they are completed.

  Mr. Goodlad
  All long-term safety reviews of magnox reactors will be assessed by the NII, whose conclusions will be published in due course.

  Mr. Orme
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list, by station, the current status of the long-term safety reviews of magnox reactors currently being carried

  339
  out by the Central Electricity Generating Board and the nuclear installations inspectorate, indicating the date when such reviews commenced, and the estimated dates for completion.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer the Hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) on 3 December 1986, at column 675–76 and on 16 December 1986, at column 477.

  Power Stations (Repairs)
  Mr. Barron
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many major repairs to nuclear power stations have been undertaken since 1983; and at what cost.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I shall ask the chairman of the CEGB to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Barron
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many major repairs to coal-fired power stations have been undertaken since 1983; and at what cost.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I shall ask the chairman of the CEGB and BNFL to write to the hon. Member.

  Concessionary Coal
  Mr. Woodcock
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the average consumption of house coal and smokeless fuel per household in the United Kingdom; and if he will publish details of the supply of concessionary fuel to mineworkers in each National Coal Board area.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [pursuant to his reply, 20 March 1987, c. 649]: Disposals of house coal in the United Kingdom in 1986 were some 8·5 million tonnes, and of smokeless fuels were some 3·2 million tonnes. Of some 21 million households in the United Kingdom, an estimated 4 million use solid fuel in some form, of which about 2·8 million use solid fuel as the main form of heating.

TRANSPORT

  Underground (Escalators)
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for such a report from the chairman of London Regional Transport as to how many escalators at Underground stations are not in working order, how long in each case they have been out of order, and when they are expected to be returned to working order; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I have no plans to call for a report. Responsibility for the efficient day-to-day operation of the Underground lies with London Underground Ltd. which has a substantial repair and maintenance programme underway.

  Road Schemes (Private Involvement)
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road schemes sponsored or supported by his Department have private financial involvement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  On 1 April a Bill to authorise the construction of a new bridge between Dartford and Thurrock was introduced. Subject to parliamentary approval, the bridge will be financed privately, constructed and operated by Dartford River Crossing Ltd. and will cost about £86 million at July 1986 prices.
  340
  There are currently 10 road schemes, with a total cost about £2·5 million, for which the Department are negotiating payment of the cost of the works with private developers.

  The Department has no comparable information for local highway authority schemes supported through transport supplementary grant. This grant is paid towards accepted expenditure by the authorities themselves, net of any private sector contributions.

  Eastern Distribution Road, Stafford
  Mr. Cash
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the proposed eastern distribution road in Stafford; and why the construction of the road has not yet been commenced.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I have received several representations supporting an early start to this local authority scheme. It is for Staffordshire county council, as highway authority, to decide what priority it should be given.

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Hannam
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were in possession of an orange badge at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  800,000 in March 1986 according to information supplied by local authorities.

  A406 (Popes Lane-Western Avenue)
  Mr. Fry
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the A406 Popes Lane-Western Avenue scheme, for which he received the inspector's report in summer, 1985.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Acton (Sir G. Young) on Tuesday 7 April 1987, at column. 125.

  A15–B1206 Link
  Mr. Hancock
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will made a decision on Humberside county council's application to build a new road junction on the A15 road at Bonby Lodge to link with the B1206.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Humberside county council's preliminary report about a new junction at Bonby Lodge was received in February. We have asked for further information in order to make a judgment. We will consider the matter when this information is provided.

  Traffic Commissioners (Bus Deregulation)
  Mr. Hancock
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the work and the effectiveness of the traffic commissioners following bus deregulation in 1986.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The transitional arrangements for registration of bus services under the Transport Act 1985 placed a heavy burden of work on the traffic commissioners and their staff. They are to be congratulated on the way in which they have discharged these duties.

  Financial Management Initiative
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the effect on his Department of the financial management initiative.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My Department's approach to financial management is set out in the annual departmental plan. A copy of the 1986–87 plan is in the Library of the House. The 1987–88 plan will be available shortly.

  Particularly good progress has been made in executive units, which employ some 90 per cent. of the Department's staff. More of them are now individually accountable units with challenging targets for controlling unit costs and improving quality of service. As examples of progress, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre last year achieved its target of turning round 90 per cent. of transactions within 8 days, while reducing the real unit cost of each transaction by 2 per cent.; unit costs in the vehicle inspectorate increased by only half the rate of inflation. Motorway maintenance work has been speeded up by increased use of lane rental contracts, reducing costly delays to motorists and the road haulage industry.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Adley
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce a coach route sign and a coach bus sign in his Department's "Signs Manual".

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Bus and coach signing is being reviewed.

  A range of signs will be authorised on an experimental basis and their effectiveness compared before prescribing such signs for general use. Local authorities can meanwhile apply to the Department for special authorisation of particular signs.

  Ashbourne Bypass
  Mr. McLoughlin
  asked the Secretary for State for Transport what progress is being made with plans for the Ashbourne bypass; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Preliminary investigations by consulting engineers are now well in hand. Traffic surveys are to be carried out this month and in May. These will establish the traffic patterns in and around Ashbourne, and help us plan and test possible routes for a new trunk road. We hope to be able to consult the public on alternatives next year.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received about the plans for the Ashbourne bypass in the last six months; and if he will indicate from whom they have come.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In the last six months written representations have not been received.

  Trains (Overcrowding)
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics he has available on passenger train overcrowding.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I receive copies of British Rail's annual survey of the loadings of London commuter trains.

  Roads (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all major road schemes in the Greater London area that have departmental approval to proceed; and what is the cost of each scheme.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I am currently reviewing the national trunk road construction programme and hope to announce conclusions shortly. The current programme of major London schemes is set out in "National Roads England 1985". A copy is in the Library. I have also announced a proposal to safeguard the line of a new western environmental improvement route for London.

  Traffic Management Guidance
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to issue traffic management guidance to the London borough councils under schedule 5 to the Local Government Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Following consultation with the London local authority associations and the police on the draft sent to them last November, and taking account of other comments we have received from some of the wide range of interested organisations who also received copies, we have today issued traffic management guidance to the London borough councils.

  Copies of the circular to London boroughs to which it is annexed are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Well-designed traffic management can contribute positively to economic, social and environmental conditions in London and play an important role in helping communities cope with traffic problems. In particular, we wish to encourage vehicles to make the fullest possible use of London's strategic network of roads in preference to seeking alternative routes through suitable streets and residential areas. Well-managed traffic benefits private and public transport users alike and also helps create better and safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

  The traffic guidance we have now issued will be particularly useful to the London borough councils.

  (a) as a context for preparing annual transport policies and programmes, and

  (b) in formulating proposals affecting the designated road network for which my consent is needed.

  We look forward to continuing to develop with the borough councils new initiatives to tackle London's road and traffic problems.

  Helicopter Search and Rescue Service
  Mr. Maclennan
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he anticipates a search and rescue service helicopter will be located in north-west Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Tenders for provision of a search and rescue helicopter for north-West Scotland have been received and are being evaluated. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Coaches (Speed Limiters)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has begun the consultation process on

  343
  draft regulations to require speed limiters to be fitted to all coaches which are capable of exceeding the motorway speed limit.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A technical standard for speed limiters has now been agreed. Draft regulations based on the standard are being circulated to interested parties today, which set a timetable for all coaches to be fitted with speed limiters calibrated to a maximum speed of 70 mph. The draft regulations would require new coaches to be fitted with a speed limiter from 1 April 1988, those first used on or after 1 April 1984 from 1 April 1989, and older coaches from 1 April 1990. Coaches first used before 1 April 1987 would not be affected by the proposals. Any limiter fitted before the regulations come into effect would not need to comply with all the details of the British Standard, but would have to meet the tamper-proofing and calibration requirements.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will be introducing regulations before the end of this month to make it mandatory to fit seat belts to the front seats of all new large coaches and minibuses.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We expect to make regulations requiring the fitting of seat belts to all exposed seats on new coaches and to the front seats of new minibuses within the next four to six weeks.

  Carriers' Liability (Limits)
  Mr. Gregory
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport which states have not ratified the Montreal protocols to the Warsaw convention to raise carriers' liability limits to 100 SDRs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The following states have ratified Montreal protocol No. 3 to the Warsaw convention, which will raise carriers' liability to 100,000 SRDs: the United Kingdom, Brazil, Portugal, The Netherlands, Colombia and Italy. It is open for other states to ratify if they wish.

  Mr. Gregory
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport which states have entered into special contracts with their passengers to provide for higher limits of liability under the Warsaw convention.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Full details of other states' arrangements for passenger compensation are not available. I understand that most developed countries require their airlines, or at least their national carrier, to take out "special contracts" with their passengers at a level of about 100,000 SDRs. The latest information I have is:

  Country

  Switzerland

  200,000 Swiss francs

  Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Japan

  100,000 SDRs

  Belgium

  90,000 SDRs

  France, Portugal

  80,000 SDRs

  Israel

  80 to 100,000 US dollars

  West Germany

  58,000 US dollars

  Canada

  300,000 Canadian dollars

PRIME MINISTER

  Mr. William Casey
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list those occasions on which she met Mr. William Casey, while he was head of the Central Intelligence Agency.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on Monday 6 April at column 21.

  Open Tech
  Mr. Hume
  asked the Prime Minister if she will indicate what financial and planning resources have been put into Open Tech provision (a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in Great Britain over the last five years.

  The Prime Minister
  The Open Tech programme, which ran from October 1982 to March 1987, was funded by the Manpower Services Commission, which does not operate in Northern Ireland. The Commission provided nearly £51 million over that period, to help fund the production of 30,000 hours of open learning materials and develop a range of supporting services. Up to 39 commission staff were involved at any one time. No information is available about additional resources provided by contracting bodies. The Department of Education for Northern Ireland funded a separate programme between March 1985 and March 1987, providing some £200,000 for supporting services for existing open learning materials, most of which have been produced by Open Tech.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library the advice given to trades unions about options for reallocating responsibilities between the Department of Employment and the Department of Health and Social Security.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1983 the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been accompanied on his official visits to Brussels by a Welsh Office Minister.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend has not been accompanied on official visits to Brussels by a Welsh Office Minister since 1983.

  Scottish and Border Television Companies
  Mr. Sedgemore
  asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Hackey, South and Shoreditch on 6 April, what is the estimated cost of her forthcoming meeting with news and current affairs executives from a number of broadcasting and newspaper interests in Scotland.

  The Prime Minister
  The estimated cost of this function is about £1,000. This will be in line with the cost of other similar functions held at 10 Downing Street.

  British Telecom
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Prime Minister what is the current level of fees payable to British Telecom for the interception of telephone communications; on what basis the fee is calculated; with which other companies Her Majesty's Government have contracts in respect of such services; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the operation of the interception arrangements.

  Cruise Missiles
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Prime Minister whether, in the light of the decision of the Belgian Government to delay the deployment of 32 cruise missiles, scheduled for delivery by the end of 1987 if negotiations on intermediate nuclear forces are still in progress by the end of the year, she has anything to add to her reply on 19 March, Official Report, column 554, regarding the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation policy towards the continued deployment of long range intermediate nuclear forces in the absence of an agreement with the Soviet Union; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Following Mr. Gorbachev's statement on 28 February the Belgian Government reaffirmed the position on missile deployments which it has held since 1985. After the meeting of NATO's Special Consultative Group (on INF) on 27 March, which includes all the European basing countries, the chairman issued a statement which included the following:"The SCG also reaffirmed the Alliance's readiness to modify, halt, reverse or dispense altogether with its deployment of LRINF missiles as part of a balanced, equitable and effectively verifiable arms control agreement. On the other hand, the Group confirmed NATO's determination to continue the deployment of LRINF missliles as scheduled, in the absence of an INF arms control treaty with the Soviet Union obviating the need for such deployments".

  Japanese Prime Minister (Letter)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  asked the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter she received from Prime Minister Nakasone of Japan regarding trade relations with that country.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It is not normal diplomatic practice to publish exchanges of this kind.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Prime Minister what is her practice on allowing people other than Ministers, civil servants or serving officers to attend formal meetings of Cabinet Committees.

  The Prime Minister
  As a general rule no one who is not either a Minister or a servant of the Crown may be invited to attend a meeting of a Cabinet Committee. Exceptions to this rule are allowed only in most unusual circumstances.

  Engagements
  Mr. Peter Bruinvels
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 April.
  346
  Mr. Tony
  Lloyd asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 April.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 April.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later this afternoon, including one with King Hussein of Jordan.

DEFENCE

  Diego Garcia
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 January, Official Report, column 412, what information he has about United States satellite monitoring facilities on Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  The ground-based electro-optical deep space surveillance system on Diego Garcia is a space tracking station for the passive monitoring by light sensitive telescopes of objects in space, particularly satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

  Civilian Doctors (London Weighting)
  Mr. Cartwright
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will pay a London weighting allowance to civilian medical practitioners employed by the Ministry of Defence in the London area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. The rate of pay of civilian medical practitioners employed by the Ministry of Defence is fixed by reference to notional figures used by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body when fixing the remuneration of NHS general medical practitioners. General medical practitioners in the NHS do not get extra remuneration for working in London and it would be wrong, having based the pay on that of an analogue which does not receive London weighting, to add London weighting to the Civil Service rate for civilian medical practitioners.

  Financial Management Initiative
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the effect on his Department of the financial management initiative.

  Mr. Stanley
  The Ministry of Defence's response to the financial management initiative, which incorporated developments already in train, primarily involved the introduction of a top management information system and managerial budgets with associated delegated powers (executive responsibility budgets and staff responsibility budgets). The Public Accounts Committee took evidence on this programme from the permanent under secretary on 17 December 1986. Changes stemming from MINIS include the reorganisation of the Ministry of Defence which came into effect on 2 January 1985 (Cmnd. 9315). The basic purpose of executive responsibility budgets, which now cover a very wide range of support activities in the United Kingdom, is to enable managers to carry out their tasks more efficiently and economically. The current programme involves some 340 units, with operating costs
  347
  of about £3·5 billion a year. Although the final stages of the implementation process have yet to be completed there are already indications that this new budgetary system is helping to promote greater cost consciousness and providing a basis for more effective planning and decision making. Examples of benefits in terms of better value for money include a significant improvement in engine repair times at a naval helicopter repair depot; a more economical system for the testing of blood specimens at an Army hospital; and increased productivity at RAF supply depots.

  The Department's financial training programme has been substantially expanded in the light of the financial management initiative. Training is being provided for service personnel as well as civilian staff.

  Service Personnel (Scotland)
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the number of service personnel located in Scotland by virtue of port basing but who are resident elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Freeman
  5,419 Royal Navy personnel are currently serving on ships base ported in Scotland. It would not be possible without disproportionate effort to determine how many are resident elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report a breakdown of the total annual wage bill paid to service personnel based in Scotland for each of the past four years.

  Mr. Freeman
  Annual wage bills are not maintained by geographical area. The following is an estimate for the financial years 1983–84 to 1986–87 inclusive:

  £ million

  1983–84

  151·4

  1984–85

  169·0

  1985–86

  181·9

  1986–87

  192·3

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the total amount of wages paid to Ministry of Defence service personnel included in the Scottish regional total but who are resident elsewhere in the United Kingdom for each of the past four years.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Civil Servants (Scotland)
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the total annual wages bill paid to Scottish based Ministry of Defence civil servants for each of the past four years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This information is not readily available and to provide it would involve disproportionate cost and time.

  Royal Navy Armaments Depot, Coulport
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is able to estimate the number of job losses at Royal
  348
  Navy Armaments Depot, Coulport due to Trident missiles being serviced on board the vessels by members of their crews.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of jobs likely to be lost at Royal Navy Armaments Depot, Coulport and at the Faslane base due to the longer duration of patrols to be undertaken by Trident submarines.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The planned pattern of Trident submarine patrols will have no bearing on the employment levels at Faslane and Coulport.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications for the pattern of employment, in terms of specific skills, of the proposed refits of the United Kingdom Trident squadron; and what are the implications for the current labour force mix engaged in the Polaris refits.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Trident refits will be undertaken at Rosyth.

  Employment levels in the royal dockyards are matters for the commercial managers.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose the United States navy vessel Vega calls at Royal Navy Armaments Depot, Coulport.

  Mr. Stanley
  The Vega calls at RNAD, Coulport to deliver material for use in connection with the support of the United Kingdom Polaris programme.

  US Forces (Scotland)
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the breakdown of the annual payments received from the Government of the United States of America for the upkeep of their facilities located in Scotland for each of the past four years.

  Mr. Freeman
  Payments received from the Government of the United States of America for the upkeep of facilities made available to US forces in Scotland, that is maintenance and minor works services, for each of the last four years were:

  £

  1983–84

  1,140,126

  1984–85

  1,174,000

  1985–86

  1,221,059

  1986–87

  785,638

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the current number of Ministry of Defence service and civil personnel in Ministry of Defence facilities located in Scotland.

  Mr Archie Hamilton
  The number of United Kingdom service personnel deployed in Scotland on 1 January 1987 was 20,846 and the number of full-time equivalent civilian staff was 18,130.

  Service numbers include RN/RM personnel serving on ships whose home port is in Scotland and which were in home waters on 1 January.

  Civilian numbers exclude casual staff.

  Clyde Submarine Base
  Dr Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate of the cost of the expansion of (a) the Trident facilities and (b) the conventional facilities at the Clyde submarine base; and what percentage of the total Trident budget is represented by (a) above.

  Mr Freeman
  The total cost of works developments at the Clyde submarine base is estimated at some £550 million; of this, some £350 million can be attributed directly to the Trident programme and this figure amounts to 4 per cent. of the total costs of that programme. However, to the figure of £350 million must be added Trident works costs in other locations, contingency and certain other costs in order to arrive at a total which represents the figure of 7 per cent included in the breakdown of Trident costs made available to the House by my right hon. Friend on 27 January this year.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence why there has been an increase since May 1984 from 1,500 peak-time jobs to 2,500 jobs at the Clyde submarine base.

  Mr Archie Hamilton
  Since May 1984 the design of the facilities at the Clyde submarine base has been refined and the work required to build them more accuately defined. The construction programme for Trident in Scotland as a whole will, at its peak, create over 2,500 jobs; most of these will be at the Clyde submarine base.

  Air Defence
  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the efficiency and readines of the Royal Air Force air defence.

  Mr. Stanley
  The RAF's high standards of readiness and effectiveness are demonstrated in regular air defence exercises. We are in the midst of a very substantial programme to improve our air defences, which I outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Litherland) on 24 February, at column 217. Once completed, our air defence system will be greatly enhanced.

  Tornado F3
  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Tornado F3 fighter.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The excellent range and loiter capability of the Tornado air defence variant make it ideally suited for the role of air defence of the United Kingdom. Although the Tornado ADV's Foxhunter radar does not yet meet all the requirements of the Royal Air Force, action is in hand to rectify this. Radars to an interim standard have already been delivered.

  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about Royal Air Force air defence capability.

  Mr Stanley
  The only representation received recently is a letter from my hon. Friend.

  "A Nuclear Free Europe? Why it Wouldn't Work"
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the publication, "A Nuclear Free Europe? Why it Wouldn't Work", were printed; how many were distributed; and what was the total cost.

  Mr. Stanley
  "A Nuclear Free Europe? Why it Wouldn't Work" was published in 1982. From such records as are now available, it is estimated that 30,000 copies were printed, of which approximately 13,000 have been distributed so far. The total cost of production is estimated as £2,459.

  Fighter Pilots
  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Royal Air Force's current shortfall in operationally trained fighter pilots.

  Mr. Freeman
  The RAF has sufficient operationally trained air defence and fast jet pilots to fill all front-line cockpits and operationally related ground appointments.

  Observation Posts (Gwynedd)
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 1987, if he will publish in the Official Report the locations of the 40 observation points on Gwynedd at which rainfall measurements are taken.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A list of the meteorological observing stations in Gwynedd, showing the location name and national grid reference of each, is as follows:

  Grid reference

  Llanymawddwy, Troed-y-Foel

  2910 3195

  Aberangell, Esgairangell

  2829 3105

  Aberdovey

  2605 2960

  Llanegryn, Peniarth

  2612 3054

  Buarthre Newydd

  2745 3259

  Dolgellau

  2728 3187

  Talsarnau

  2610 3361

  Ffestiniog, Minafon

  2716 3433

  Trawsfyndd Power Station

  2695 3390

  Llydaw Intake

  2636 3547

  Nantmor

  2603 3463

  Porthmadog Power Station

  2569 3391

  Cwmystradllyn, Lower

  2557 3442

  Pant Glas, Bwlchderwin

  2459 3472

  Botwnnog School

  2263 3313

  Bardsey: Lighthouse

  2112 3206

  Edern Primary School

  2277 3393

  Glynllifon Park

  2455 3554

  Anglesey: Llansadwrn, Gladlys Lodge

  2553 3758

  Anglesey: Cefni Reservoir

  2444 3772

  Anglesey: Valley Met Office

  2309 3757

  Anglesey: Holyhead, Ty Mawr

  2217 3818

  Anglesey: Llyn Alaw

  2376 3853

  Angelsey: Amlwch, Penrhyd

  2427 3914

  Anglesey: Llwydiarth Esgob

  2436 3843

  Anglesey: Plan Cadnant

  2557 3731

  Pen-y-Ffridd Research Station

  2563 3705

  Aber, College Farm

  2656 3732

  Conway Mussel Tanks

  2785 3773

  Yspytty-Ifan Treatment Works

  2811 3456

  Vdelas Hall

  2851 3516

  Betws-y-Coed Field Centre

  2803 3571

  Belmont

  2815 3569

  Llanrwst, Gwydyr Uchaf

  2796 3608

  Cowlyd

  2738 3635

  Coedty Reservoir

  2756 3668

  Tal-y-Cafn, Penrhyd

  2791 3718

  351

  Grid reference

  Bodnant

  2800 3725

  Llanuwchllyn

  2878 3298

  Tryweryn Dam No 2

  2881 3399

  Bala Sluices

  2935 3356

  Diver Training (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if trainee divers from the Royal Engineering Diving Establishment at HMS Vernon are still training on the mudflats in Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are a variety of diving courses which are held at the Royal Engineers Diving Establishment at Portsmouth. These comprise a basic five and a half-week course, a seven and a half-week advanced course and a three-week diving supervisors course. In addition, there are two day diving aptitude tests held for Army personnel who wish to be considered for training to become a qualified Army diver. In order to carry out diving, it is sometimes considered necessary for trainees to cross mudflats at low tide in order to reach the training area. In addition, for all diving training, an element of endurance training in dry suits is necessary. Military diving is an arduous and potentially dangerous activity often carried out in unpleasant conditions. Divers need to be fit, adaptable and determined.

  Divers are frequently required to wear dry suits for long periods and to carry out physically demanding tasks while wearing dry suits, both in and out of water. Endurance training in dry suits is a necessary and relevant part of both diver aptitude testing and subsequent diver training. There is no "mud-run" for personnel undergoing diver aptitude testing, but for those undergoing the formal diving training programme endurance training in dry suits is a necessary and relevant part of both diver aptitude testing and subsequent diver training. There is no "mud-run" for personnel undergoing diver aptitude testing, but for those undergoing the formal diving training programme endurance training in dry suits may include training on mud. All endurance training is strictly supervised by fully qualified instructors.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what technical investigations have taken place in the Gillingham area into the disposal of radioactive waste from the royal dockyards; and what have been the results of the technical investigations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to dispose of radioactive waste from the royal dockyards in the Gillingham area. A small quantity of radioactive material is stored at MOD Gillingham and this will be removed to a permanent disposal site whenever one is available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what technical investigations have taken place at Rosyth into the possible storage of radioactive waste within the dockyard or naval base; and what have been the results of the technical investigations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has carried out a comprehensive hazard analysis of the current facilities and procedures for 352
  handling radioactive waste, so as to permit the Rosyth dockyard and naval base to support the RN's fleet of nuclear submarines.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has set aside funds for the building of a new facility for storage of radioactive waste at Rosyth dockyard.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A new facility is planned and funds will be available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what new policy decisions have been made (a) within the last two years and (b) within the last six months about the disposal, transportation and storage of radioactive waste created as a result of nuclear submarine refits at Rosyth dockyard.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It had been intended that one of the near-surface radioactive waste burial sites being investigated by NIREX would accept low-level and short-lived intermediate level waste from Rosyth. However, the Government, in responding to the Environment Committee's report on radioactive waste, published on 12 March 1986, decided that the chosen NIREX near-surface burial site should accept only low-level waste. Short-lived intermediate waste will now have to be stored until other arrangements can be made.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about future plans for the storage of radioactive waste at Rosyth dockyard and naval base at Drigg.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Low-level radioactive waste from Rosyth dockyard and naval base will continue to be sent for disposal at the shallow land burial site at Drigg until the new NIREX near-surface burial site is in operation, what that will be used.

  Gruinard Island
  Mr. Kennedy
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the results of the decontamination of Gruinard Island.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have now received the conclusions of the independent advisory group which has been reviewing the evidence on the efficacy of the decontamination treatment. The IAG has reported that it is convinced that the decontamination has worked well and considers on the basis of the evidence that the island could now be returned to civil ownership. The IAG has recommended, and I have accepted, that before the island is so returned, it should be demonstrated both to the group and to the general public that the whole island can be used in the same way as agricultural land on the mainland. This demonstration will be achieved by a local farmer shepherding part of his flock on the island during the coming summer.

  Defence Contracts
  Mr. O'Neill
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies or subsidiaries of companies based in Scotland, which are currently engaged in defence contracts or subcontracts.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [pursuant to his reply, 20 February 1987, c. 874]: I regret that the information required could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Land Registry
  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General whether he will waive current charges relating to caution registrations using form 63/13, where protracted delays have occurred in the processing of registrations at district land registries.

  The Attorney-General
  Delays in the processing of appliations do not give rise to any need for the registering of cautions since the priority of such an application is determined by the date upon which it is received by the registry and not by the date upon which the certificate is issued.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what fees have been collected for the most convenient period in connection with registration of cautions using form 63/14 resulting from delays in registration of residential property.

  The Attorney-General
  About 850 caution applications are currently received each week. The fee for each application using form 63/14 is £20. There is no reason for believing that any of these cautions are lodged by applicants for registration concerned about delays in processing their applications since the priority of such applications is determined by the date upon which they are received by the Registry and not by the date upon which the certificate is issued.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what were current levels of staff in each of the district land registries at the most recent convenient date; and whether he has any plans to deploy more staff to reduce current delays in registration of residential property.

  The Attorney-General
  The permanent staff in posts at the end of February 1987 at each of the district land registries was as shown in the table below:

  Office

  Number

  Croydon

  478

  Harrow

  514

  Office

  First registrations

  Transfer of part/dispositionary first lease

  Dealing

  All categories

  Croydon

  60

  85

  52

  65

  Harrow

  60

  126

  67

  90

  Tunbridge Wells

  160

  180

  58

  72

  Lytham

  118

  83

  54

  78

  Nottingham

  150

  106

  25

  90

  Gloucester

  110

  135

  60

  92

  Stevenage

  160

  115

  51

  78

  Durham

  89

  66

  42

  70

  Plymouth

  149

  142

  69

  106

  Swansea

  107

  77

  40

  81

  Birkenhead

  65

  70

  40

  54

  Weymouth

  109

  75

  49

  73

  Peterborough

  101

  87

  25

  72

  A number of steps have been taken to taken up in dealing with applications These include computerisation, overtime recruitment, opening new offices and improvements in practice and procedure.
  354

  Office

  Number

  Tunbridge Wells

  624

  Lytham

  531

  Nottingham

  670

  Gloucester

  680

  Stevenage

  612

  Durham

  459

  Plymouth

  513

  Swansea

  383

  Birkenhead

  381

  Weymouth

  444

  Peterborough

  430

  In addition to the 13 district land registries, offices have recently been established at Telford and Coventry which together account for a further 111 staff. 555 casual staff are currently employed at district land registries. This is further supplemented by overtime. This level of staffing takes up the full authorised resources. As from 2 April 1987 a further 376 staff have been authorised at district registries and are being recruited and trained. The extent to which these will help to reduce current delays will largely depend on the levels of applications.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General whether he will publish the surplus or deficit position on current transactions relating to each land registry district office in the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  The Land Registry's revenue in the registration of title department exceeded expenditure by £64·5 million in the five financial years 1981–86. Profit and loss accounts are not separately maintained for individual district registries.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what is the current length of time taken by each of the district land registries to register residential properties after application; and whether any steps are being taken to expedite current levels of performance.

  The Attorney-General
  The table shows at each district land registry the average completion times in working days at the end of February 1987 for each category of substantive application.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what steps the Land Registry is taking in the light of the long current waiting periods for registration of residential property to protect applicants against the creation of further equitable interests.
  355
  The Attorney-General
  The priority of an application to register a purchase or mortgage is determined according to the date upon which the application is received by the Registry. Accordingly, the lodging of such an application will give the purchaser or mortgagee priority over any third party interests subsequently created.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what advice the Land Registry is issuing to applicants for registration who are likely to have to face delays for longer than 20 weeks.

  The Attorney-General
  When a new title application is lodged for registration, an acknowledgement card is sent indicating the likely number of weeks that the Land Registry will take to process the application. It contains a note explaining that if a delay in completing the registration will cause specific problems (for example, because of a pending resale of the property) and the Registry is informed every effort will be made to process the application as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what was the last occasion when the work load of the Land Registry was assessed in relation to current levels of staff employed; and whether he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The Land Registry's work load and staffing was assessed in April 1986 when the preparatory work was undertaken for the 1986 public expenditure survey.

  Mr. Weetch
  asked the Attorney-General what representations he has received from conveyancers, solicitors or their representative organisations on the delays relating to registration of residential property by the Land Registry.

  The Attorney-General
  During the last 12 months the Lord Chancellor has received some 12 letters of enquiry from solicitors and one from a conveyancing company regarding delays at the Land Registry. Some of these inquiries were general; some related to specific transactions. No formal representations have been received from representative organisations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  India (Visa Applications)
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of personnel employed by the British high commission in India dealing with visa applications in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  The establishment of entry clearance officers (and above) dealing with applications at each of our posts in India on 1 January of each year was as follows:

  New Delhi

  Bombay

  Calcutta

  Madras

  1979

  5

  4

  1

  1

  1980

  5

  4

  1

  11

  1981

  5

  6

  1

  0

  1982

  5

  5

  1

  0

  1983

  6

  6

  1

  0

  1984

  6

  6

  1

  0

  1985

  6

  6

  1

  0

  1986

  6

  6

  1

  0

  1987

  11

  10

  2

  12

  356
  1 Immigration work transferred to Bombay March 1980 but resumed in Madras in October 1986 with the introduction of the visa regime.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average waiting time for applications from citizens of India for entry visas to the United Kingdom at the latest date.

  Mr. Eggar
  Figures published for the last quarter of 1986 show that the waiting time for settlement entry clearance applicants was between two and 11 months in New Delhi and between four and 12 months in Bombay. There are no settlement queues in Madras and Calcutta.

  All applications for short-term entry clearance are considered within 24 hours. Of the estimated 13 per cent. needing further examination, the waiting time for those now applying in April is 10 days in New Delhi, one day in Bombay and three in Madras.

  Diplomatic Service
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women currently hold the position of ambassador, high commissioner or chargé d'affaires within Her Majesty's diplomatic service.

  Mr. Eggar
  One woman currently holds the position of ambassador. No women currently hold that of high commissioner or chargé d'affaires.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of Bangladesh concerning the number of Bangladeshi families in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Commonwealth Secretariat
  Mr. Hanley
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the move of the Commonwealth Secretariat to No. 2 Carlton gardens while Marlborough house is refurbished.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 6 April a memorandum of understanding was signed at Malborough house by the Secretary of State for the Environment on behalf of the British Government and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, covering arrangements relating to the move which will take place at Easter. Necessary refurbishment of the centre block of Marlborough house is expected to take about three and a half years to complete, following which the secretariat will reoccupy the premises.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Deakins
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racial incidents have been reported in the London borough of Waltham Forest in each of the past four years; and how many have resulted in a conviction.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to replies I gave to his question on 26 February 1987 at column 344

  357
  and to a question from the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Banks) on 4 December 1986 at columns 711–14. Information about convictions could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Nursing Advisory Council
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the Nursing Advisory Council set up to advise the head prison nursing services in developing the professional competence of prison hospital officers and nurses.

  Mr. Mellor
  The members of the advisory committee are Mr. Peter Barker, head of prison nursing services (chairman): Mr. J. K. Berry, hospital chief officer, HM prison Wormwood Scrubs; Mrs. J. Elliott, senior sister, HM prison Cookham Wood; Mr. D. Gooderham, English national board; Mr. D. N. Harrison, hospital chief officer, HM prison Wandsworth; Mr. J. Kay, Prison Officers' Association; Mr. A. Lee, chief nursing officer, Park Lane special hospital; Mr. P. Mellor, Royal College of Nursing; Mr. J. Tait, principal nursing officer, Department of Health and Social Security; and Mr. A. Taylor, Prison Officers' Association.

  Police (Complaints)
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances and why he set aside in Home Office guidance the requirement that consent to complaints being made against police officers must be given in writing.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The requirement for a member of the public to give consent in writing to a third party to make a complaint on his behalf is to be found in section 84(4) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. It neither can be nor has been set aside in Home Office guidance.

  Deportation Orders
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many deportation orders were made in England and Wales in each year since 1979 to the latest date;

  (2) how many deportation orders were made in (a) Liverpool and (b) Merseyside in each year since 1979;

  (3) how many deportation orders were made in Northern Ireland in each year since 1979 to the latest date.

  Mr. Waddington
  Deportation orders for the whole of the United Kingdom are dealt with by the Home Office. The total numbers of deportation orders made in the United Kingdom are published annually in "Control of Immigration : Statistics, United Kingdom". Table 12 of the issue for 1985 (Cmnd. 9863) covers the years 1975–85. The total for 1986 was published in table 14 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 3/87. Information by area of the United Kingdom is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Immigration
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for permanent leave to remain were granted in (a) Liverpool and (b) Merseyside in each calendar year since 1979 to the latest date;
  358
  (2) how many applications were made for permanent leave to remain in (a) Liverpool and (b) Merseyside in each calendar year since 1979 to the latest date.

  Mr. Waddington
  The total numbers of persons granted settlement in the United Kingdom are published annually in "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom". Table 15 of the issue for 1985 (Cmnd. 9863) gives totals for the years 1975 to 1985. The total for 1986 was published in table 2 of Home Office statistical bulletin 3/87. Corresponding information on the total numbers of applications made and for particular areas of the United Kingdom is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration cases were dealt with by the Liverpool immigration office in each year since 1979 to the latest date.

  Mr. Waddington
  The available information is as follows:

  Passengers arriving at pools (including Liverpool airporl)

  Seamen seeking leave to discharge from ships

  Applications for leave to remain and cases involving illegal entry and deportation and interviews related to applications for entry clearances

  1979

  154,927

  3,772

  90

  1980

  69,620

  3,449

  311

  1981

  30,030

  2,543

  607

  1982

  18,631

  2,364

  1,722

  1983

  24,496

  2,632

  2,434

  1984

  22,394

  2,043

  2,786

  1985

  25,923

  1,759

  3,199

  1986

  10,781

  1,951

  6,025

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made for entry visas in India in each year since 1979; and how many were granted in each year to the latest date.

  Mr. Waddington
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Applications in India for entry clearance to the United Kingdom1

  Number of persons

  Applications received2

  Applications granted

  1979

  24,510

  20,180

  1980

  18,110

  17,010

  1981

  14,640

  13,910

  1982

  11,320

  9,810

  1983

  11,100

  8,650

  1984

  9,870

  8,000

  1985

  8,020

  6,440

  1986

  29,500

  26,230

  1 For settlement or temporary purposes

  2 Including applications which were subsequently withdrawn

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants were employed in his Department dealing with visa applications from (a) Commonwealth and (b) non-Commonwealth countries in each year since 1979 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Waddington
  Many staff in the Immigration and Nationality Department carry out interviews and deal
  359
  with inquiries relating to applications for visas and other forms of entry clearance as part of their general duties, but their numbers cannot readily be assessed. Since Autumn 1986, four members of staff of the Immigration and Nationality Department have been engaged on the issue of re-entry visas. In addition staff of the passport department have been engaged on the issue of re-entry visas as follows:

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  17

  21

  22

  Figures for earlier years are not available; and it is not possible to differentiate between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth work.

  Metropolitan Police (Special Safety Procedures)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the Metropolitan police special safety procedures regarding the no-go or difficult-to-police areas in London.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am told by the Commissioner that no such document exists.

  Bramshill Police Training College
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the original estimates for each aspect of the installation of the control and command centre at Bramshill police training college; what were the eventual costs of each contract; and which companies completed the works at the college;

  (2) which companies were awarded contracts in connection with the installation of the control and command centre at Bramshill police training college;

  (3) what was the initial estimate for the control and command simulation centre at Bramshill police training college.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the simulated operations complex which is being constructed at the police staff college, Bramshill to extend the training facilities there. A contract for the construction of the building was initially awarded to W. E. Chivers and Sons Ltd., with the main sub-contracts being awarded to Drake and Scull Ltd. and to Electrical Installations Ltd. The original estimate, at November 1983 prices and subject to variation of price in respect of labour and materials, was £1,771,000 which included £262,500 for mechanical services, £173,775 for electrical services and £200,000 for fees. Subsequently W. E. Chivers and Sons Ltd. was placed in the hands of receivers; the contract with the company was terminated and Drake and Scull Ltd. withdrew. A new contract to complete the construction was awarded to Lovell Construction (Southern) Ltd., and a new sub-contract for mechanical services awarded to Planned Maintenance Engineering Ltd. Payments to W. E. Chivers and Sons Ltd. totalled £271,699 subject to claims for damages. It is not possible to give the final cost of the other contracts because work will not be completed before the end of 1987.

  Prison Hospitals
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of hospital rooms in prison hospitals will be provided with integral sanitation, and when he expects this work to be completed.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information is not collected centrally in the form requested. I will write to the hon. Member when the available information has been assembled.

  Prison Establishments (Nursing Cover)
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to provide 24-hour on-call nursing cover in all prison establishments.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. It is the policy of the Director of Prison Medical Services to provide 24-hour medical cover in all establishments and 24-hour nursing cover in those establishments where that is judged to be necessary.

  Prison Hospital Staff (Training)
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the review of the training needs of prison hospital staff in relation to the taking of X-rays, referred to in the Government's reply to recommendation 8 in the third report of the Social Services Committee, Session 1985–86, to be completed.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is hoped to complete the review by late summer.

  Mentally Disordered Prisoners
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the joint Home Office/Department of Health and Social Security working group examining the problems of mentally disordered people in prison.

  Mr. Mellor
  The working group of Home Office and DHSS officials considering the problems presented by mentally disordered offenders in the prison system will report back to Ministers in May.

  Prisoners (Medical Attention)
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct all prison officers that in all circumstances any prisoner asking to see a doctor should be able to do so.

  Mr. Mellor
  Prison rules require that every request by a prisoner to see the medical officer shall be recorded by the officer to whom it is made and promptly passed on to the medical officer. There is no reason to think that prison staff need to be reminded of the requirement.

  Drug Abuses
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects discussions to be completed between the prison department and the probation service aimed at creating a framework for treatment and rehabilitation programmes for drug abusers whilst in custody and after release into the community; whether voluntary agencies are also being consulted about such a framework; and if he will make a statement.
  361
  Mr. Mellor
  We expect the discussions between the prison department and the probation service to be concluded shortly.

  These discussions are aimed at improving the cohesion at establishment level of existing effort to help drug misusers in prison, with particular reference to the interface between the prison medical service and the probation service, and of developing that effort across the prison system. Consultation with voluntary agencies about the framework would be inappropriate; however establishments will he encouraged to consider the contribution which suitable drug counselling facilities in the community may be able to make.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Peter Bruinvels
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide such estimates as are available as to the number of potential electors who have failed to register for the current register; how this compares with each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The most recent estimates are those made by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in a published survey of electoral registration. The survey indicated that in 1981, 6·5 per cent. of eligible people in Great Britain were not included in the electoral register for their qualifying address. This compared with a figure of 3·5 to 4 per cent. found in a comparable survey in 1961. The Home Office has taken a range of initiatives in the light of the 1981 survey aimed at increasing the accuracy of the electoral register. We shall be continuing to work for improvements.

  Mr. David Sands
  Mr. Deakins
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Hampshire about the police visit to the home of Mr. David Sands prior to his death; and if he will state the branch and specialisation of the officers involved.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of Hampshire that police officers went to Mr. Sands's home on the evening of 28 March 1987 after his wife had reported him missing. The officers involved were local uniformed police officers.

  Electors (Absent Votes)
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce an amendment to the Representation of the People Regulations to allow electors who have moved house to make application for an absent vote, which will continue without further application until such time as the applicant is no longer qualified for registration at his old address; and if he will remove the new requirement that such applications need to be attested.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Any change which allowed people who moved house to retain an absent vote for the duration of the current electoral register would require an amendment to the Representation of the People Act 1985, for which we have no present plans. We are not at present persuaded that the regulations should exempt people who have moved house, but no other applicants, from the necessity to have their applications attested.

  Guildford Pub Bombings
  Mr. Heffer
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why no mention was made in his Department's memorandum on the Guildford bombing case of the medical inquiry into the condition of Carole Richardson conducted at the request of the senior medical officer at HM remand centre, Risley, in April 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I shall reply as soon as possible.

  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times Paul Hill, serving a sentence for the Guildford pub bombings, was moved before being placed in Wormword Scrubs.

  Mr. Mellor
  Since returning to prison following his trial in 1975, 36 times.

  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received requesting an inquiry into the case of the four people convicted of the Guildford pub bombings.

  Mr. Mellor
  Since my right hon. Friend's statement of 20 January at columns 735–38 we have received 125 letters about this case. Fifty-eight are in the form of a circular letter. The letters variously express concern about the convictions, and 58 ask us to review the case further. One requests an inquiry.

  Scientists (Deaths)
  Mr. Deakins
  asked the Secretary of State for the I-tome Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon about the police investigation into the deaths of two scientists in Bristol in 1986; and if he will state the branch and specialisation of the police officers involved.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset that the police investigation into the deaths of Mr. Dajibhai and Mr. Sharif have been completed. The coroner recorded an open verdict in the case of Mr. Dajibhai and a verdict of suicide in the case of Mr. Sharif. The police investigation was conducted by divisional CID officers under the supervision of a senior CID officer at Headquarters.

  Member's Correspondence
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow, dated 20 February, about a prisoner in Her Majesty's prison, Long Lartin.

  Mr. Mellor
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 7 April.

  Senior Police Officers (Resignation)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to review the regulations that govern the resignation and subsequent taking up of other employment of a senior police officer from the Metropolitan and City of London police forces.

  Mr. Hogg
  The provisions relating to the resignation of police officers are contained in the Police Regulations 1979 and the Police Pensions Regulations 1987. We have no present plans to amend them.

  Ferry Passengers (Identification)
  Mr. Dubs
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the French authorities about his proposal that ferry companies should carry out identity checks on intending passengers to the United Kingdom before they are allowed to embark at French ports; and whether the French authorities are agreeable to his proposals.

  Mr. Waddington
  Officials have confirmed with the French authorities that there are no obstacles to the proposals in French law.

  Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Bill
  Mr. Dubs
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Bill on the number of immigration officers to be stationed at British ports.

  Mr. Waddington
  We have no plans to change the number of immigration officers available at British ports as a result of the Bill.

  Mr. Dubs
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the European Commission on the implications of the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Bill for Her Majesty's Government's obligations under the EEC treaties.

  Mr. Waddington
  None.

  Mr. Dubs
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has had any requests to compensate ferry, passenger ship and airline carriers for the extra duties liable to arise as a result of the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Bill.

  Mr. Waddington
  No.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Republic of Ireland (Meetings)
  Mr. Archer
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ireland; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Tom King
  I met the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lenihan on Monday. We had an informal discussion on a wide range of matters, including the future work of the conference. I look forward to working with Mr. Lenihan as co-chairman of the conference in the months ahead, in the interests of both our countries. In addition, yesterday under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union I had a valuable discussion with a distinguished delegation of Members of the Dail.

  Housing Executive
  Mr. Mallon
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had within the last six months with the chairman of the board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  Mr. Needham
  None, but I met the chairman in November 1986, when reviewing the Housing Executive's performance in meeting its strategic aims.

  Fair Employment Agency
  Ms. Clare Short
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had recently with officials of the Fair Employment Agency.

  Mr. Viggers
  I have had no such discussions recently.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has now received the full text of the Sampson report on the conduct of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and related matters.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a further statement on the Sampson inquiry into matters concerning the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

  Mr. Tom King
  I understand that Mr. Sampson submitted further material to the Chief Constable of the RUC recently. A copy was also given to the Director of Public Prosecutions. When the whole report has been received by the Chief Constable and the DPP(NI) and the Chief Constable has had an opportunity to place his comments before the DPP, the DPP will decide, after consultation with the Attorney-General, what directions to give as to criminal proceedings.

  As I have already informed the House, I will make a statement to Parliament at the earliest appropriate time on any aspects of the report that fall within my responsibility.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Hume
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will make a statement detailing what figures or estimates are available to him on the likely inflow to Northern Ireland in coming years of higher education students from the Republic of Ireland, following the European ruling with regard to payment of fees for European Community nations;

  (2) if he will make a statement outlining what assessment the Government have made of the repercussions on demand for student places in Northern Ireland of the new European Community arrangement; and whether such trends in demand will influence Government planning in relation to courses, college development or grants;

  (3) if he will make a statement indicating whether the Government have plans to seek, with authorities in the Republic of Ireland, the establishment of mechanisms to regularise, control or facilitate entry to higher education courses in Northern Ireland by students from the Republic of Ireland in the light of European Community arrangements.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is too early to gauge the long-term effect on participation in higher education in Northern Ireland, or indeed in the United Kingdom generally, of the Government's decision to reimburse the fees of EC students. For the foreseeable future the planned provision for higher education in Northern Ireland will be able to respond to demand from home, EC and overseas students, and we have no plans at present to establish new entry mechanisms for students from the Republic of Ireland.

  Open Tech
  Mr. Hume
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating current and projected provision for Open Tech in Northern Ireland, outlining how such provision is or will be channelled.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In the current financial year, £200,000 is being made available. It is expected that at least similar provision will be made in subsequent years, subject to review. This is channelled through the Northern Ireland Open Tech centre.

  Interpreters for the Deaf
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what support his Department has given in each of the last three years to organisations training interpreters for the deaf in Northern Ireland; and if he will specify how much in each year has been given for administration and for training.

  Mr. Needham
  In the last three years the Department of Health and Social Services has provided the following grant-aid(a) to enable deaf organisations to provide courses for deaf tutors or (b) to enable officers of deaf organisations to undertake courses in England leading to certificates in sign communication skills:

  £

  1984–85

  Nil

  1985–86

  887

  1986–87

  2,740

  In addition, a seeding grant of £35,000 was made in March 1987 to enable the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People to commence a training programme in communication skills in Northern Ireland.

  RUC-Strathclyde Police (Liaison)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on operational liaison between the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Strathclyde police concerning antiterrorist activities.

  Mr. Scott
  I know that the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Strathclyde police maintain a close operational liaison on matters of mutual interest, including terrorism. These matters are, of course, confidential to the two forces.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Debt Rescheduling
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 March, Official Report, column 531, if he will list in the Official Report the amounts involved in each debt rescheduling agreement; whether the agreement was defaulted: and whether the agreement was made by the Export Credits Guarantee Department or the Overseas Development Agency.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information requested is set out in the following table.366

  Debt Rescheduling Agreements Made Between United Kingdom and Other Countries Since 1979

  (£ millions)

  Country and Date Agreement Signed

  ECGD Amount Involved

  ODA Amount Involved

  Bolivia

  21 January 1987

  0·05

  Brazil

  13 December 1984

  147·95

  31 December 1984

  0·96

  Central African Republic

  18 April 1986

  0·50

  Chile

  29 April 1986

  0·34

  Costa Rica

  12 March 1984

  0·71

  25 September 1984

  0·93

  30 January 1986

  0·60

  Cote D'Ivoire

  10 January 1985

  5·40

  17 October 1986

  3·99

  Cuba

  22 July 1983

  9·84

  3 October 1985

  6·93

  12 November 1986

  5·45

  Ecuador

  18 June 1984

  15·57

  29 January 1986

  23·64

  Jamaica

  27 December 1984

  5·86

  13 May 1985

  1·63

  27 December 1985

  3·03

  6 February 1986

  1·03

  Liberia

  26 October 1982

  1·26

  26 January 1984

  2·83

  8 October 1984

  1·75

  Madagascar

  4 April 1982

  1·66

  21 May 1983

  1·65

  7 January 1985

  4·46

  18 December 1985

  4·07

  Malawi

  7 July 1983

  1·48

  29 August 1984

  1·97

  Mauritania

  9 July 1986

  2·64

  Mexico

  31 January 1985

  22·19

  Morocco

  17 October 1984

  11·17

  20 August 1986

  0·87

  Mozambique

  13 August 1986

  22·93

  Niger

  11 October 1984

  2·26

  7 March 1985

  1·22

  28 September 1986

  1·15

  Peru

  27 April 1979

  0·10

  367

  Country and Date Agreement Signed

  ECGD Amount Involved

  ODA Amount Involved

  12 December 1979

  6·85

  12 March 1984

  9·37

  Philippines

  4 February 1986

  36·15

  Poland

  2 July 1981

  93·01

  30 November 1985

  542·47

  7 August 1986

  86·64

  Romania

  26 November 1982

  26·68

  8 December 1983

  11·02

  Senegal

  1 September 1982

  0·76

  11 January 1984

  0·51

  12 November 1985

  0·99

  12 November 1985

  0·46

  Sierra Leone

  30 June 1980

  0·25

  17 October 1985

  1·10

  Somalia

  14 August 1986

  13·34

  Sudan

  25 August 1980

  23·90

  25 August 1983

  11·41

  25 January 1984

  120·43

  Togo

  18 June 1980

  6·72

  27 April 1982

  7·13

  9 February 1984

  9·08

  5 February 1985

  1·28

  Turkey

  20 December 1979

  12·45

  5 December 1986

  99·65

  Uganda

  17 June 1983

  10·81

  10 November 1983

  3·29

  Yugoslavia

  6 December 1984

  36·59

  7 February 1986

  73·51

  Zaire

  26 September 1979

  1·30

  28 July 1983

  7·11

  28 July 1983

  2·44

  14 November 1984

  42·17

  7 July 1986

  5·81

  Zambia

  30 December 1983

  17·86

  15 February 1985

  18·98

  31 July 1985

  1·74

  20 August 1986

  50·24

  31 October 1986

  2·53

  Debt Service Payments and Aid
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the level of debt service payments to the United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Government and commercial banks, from all developing countries in 1985, both in cash terms and as a proportion of the total of such payments to the world.
  368
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 January, Official Report, column 472, to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner), if he will state the level of total aid flows to the 29 poorest countries in Africa, and the level of debt service payments from those countries in 1984.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  OECD estimate that in 1984 total aid flows to the 29 poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa were $6·5 billion. Debt service payments (including interest on short term debt but excluding IMF repurchases) were $3·4 billion.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Willie W. Hamilton
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in central Government spending in each year since 1979, expressed in cash and in real terms; and what are the comparable figures for local government, giving in both cases the percentage annual increases.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The figures requested are given below:

  £ billion

  1Central government

  1Local authorities

  2Cash

  Real

  Per cent. change year on year in real terms

  2Cash

  Real

  Per cent. change year on year in real terms

  1979–80

  52·2

  84·5

  —

  21·5

  34·8

  —

  1980–81

  63·4

  86·5

  2·3

  25·0

  34·1

  -2·1

  1981–82

  73·0

  90·6

  4·8

  26·6

  33·0

  -3·2

  1982–83

  81·4

  94·2

  4·0

  29·1

  33·7

  2·2

  1983–84

  85·1

  94·3

  0·1

  33·2

  36·8

  9·0

  1984–85

  92·1

  97·8

  3·7

  34·9

  37·1

  1·0

  1985–86

  98·5

  98·5

  0·7

  35·2

  35·2

  -5·1

  1986–87

  105·0

  101·8

  3·4

  38·1

  37·0

  4·9

  1 The figures exclude finance for nationalised industries and other public corporations.

  2 Cash figures adjusted for general inflation as measured by the GDP deflator at market prices—base year 1985–86.

  Source: The figures are consistent with the 1987 public expenditure White Paper as updated by the 1987 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Superannuation Funds Office
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Superannuation Funds Office has returned to employers pension schemes submitted to it for approval before Budget day.

  Mr. Lamont
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy towards the eventual privatisation of all nationalised industries and public corporations.

  Mr. Lamont
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

WALES

  National Curriculum
  Sir Anthony Meyer
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans for a national curriculum in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Edwards
  Yes. Children in Wales are entitled to a school curriculum that is guaranteed to include the basic requirements of a sound education.

  The legislation to enable a national curriculum to be prescribed which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science announced to the Select Committee for Education and Science of this House on Tuesday 7 April will also apply to Wales.

  The core requirements of education in England and Wales are the same. Children in both countries deserve the same guarantee of a well-balanced foundation curriculum and I see every reason to expect that we should set the same attainment levels in Wales for basic subjects such as maths, English and science. That means that there needs to be the fullest involvement of all those concerned in Wales in the debates that will formulate the foundation curriculum. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science announced that we would be appointing a number of very strong working groups to advise on suitable attainment targets and the writing of the programmes to make sure these targets are achieved. Wales will be represented on these working groups and my officials will be co-operating closely with those of the Department of Education and Science in developing these proposals.

  There are also very real educational differences between England and Wales that need to be provided for. Welsh children must continue to have the opportunity to benefit from the distinctive elements in the Welsh curriculum. We shall want to ensure that the national curriculum has the

  Calendar years (£ million net)

  Source of aid

  1973

  1974

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Total

  European Regional Development Fund-Quota

  —

  —

  0·5

  1·9

  1·1

  0·3

  3·4

  6·5

  2·8

  5·9

  9·7

  4·1

  18·3

  19·1

  173·6

  European Regional Development Fund-Non Quota

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -2·7

  —

  1·8

  —

  0·3

  14·8

  European Coal and Steel Community

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1·0

  16·1

  5·1

  27·9

  13·4

  5·1

  28·9

  5·0

  —

  —

  2102·5

  European Investment Bank

  —

  —

  17·5

  —

  —

  —

  7·6

  4·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20·0

  33·5

  52·6

  European Social Fund

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0·04

  —

  0·1

  0·3

  0·1

  0·7

  4—

  1·24

  European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5—

  Total

  18·0

  1·9

  2·1

  16·4

  16·1

  38·44

  16·2

  13·8

  38·9

  11·0

  39·0

  22·9

  234·74

  1 Figures are net of decommitments which have been effected in the event of approved projects not proceeding as originally envisaged.

  2 Figures for 1985 and 1986 are not available.

  3 Figures available only to end of June 1986.

  4 Figures exclude grant aid on schemes operated on a national and regional basis eg by the Manpower Services Commission.

  5 Grants from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee cannot be split between counties. The Wales total to date is £343·3 million.

  Singleton Hospital (Casualty Unit)
  Mr. Williams
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) why the proposal for an accident and emergency consultant for the Singleton casualty unit was referred to the Welsh Medical Manpower Committee; and in what circumstances he can make such a decision without referral to that committee;
  370
  flexibility to take full account of Welsh history and culture. We shall also need to ensure that proper provision is made for children who study through the medium of the Welsh language.

  There is a wide measure of consensus that a national curriculum is now needed. The Government's firm belief is that it is possible and necessary to achieve the broadest agreement on the content of that curriculum on the basis of the best advice available. I look for a wide debate in Wales on our own particular needs and the closest involvement with the discussions throughout England and Wales which will contribute to the national curriculum.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average farm income in Wales for the latest available period; what are the comparable figures in member states of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Edwards
  Data relating to farm incomes in the EEC and Wales are published in the Communities publication "Farm Accounts Results 1982–83 — 1983–84", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. However, care must be taken to appreciate the limitations of this material as is made clear by the notes to the text.

  Clwyd
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the amount received in Clwyd in the form of the various loans and grants by the European Economic Community for each of the years of United Kingdom membership.

  Mr. Nicholas Edwards
  Comprehensive information is not available at the county level. Details of identifiable EC grants and loans are as follows :

  (2) when he expects the proposal for an accident and emergency consultant for the casualty unit at Singleton hospital to be put before the Welsh Medical Manpower Committee; by what criteria that committee makes its recommendations; when he expects to be able to announce a final decision; and if he will make a statement.
  371
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  Approval for the establishment of a new consultant post by a district health authority in Wales is a matter ultimately for my right hon. Friend. By agreement with the medical and dental professions, my Department's consideration of applications for the establishment of such posts follows on advice from the Welsh Medical and Dental Manpower Committee, which is composed of leading members of the professions in Wales.

  In considering any particular proposal, the Committee generally has regard to all the circumstances of that case: this will normally include service need, the professional content of the proposed post and its location within the operational and professional structure of the health authority.

  My Department has requested further information from the West Glamorgan district health authority about its proposal to resolve the operational difficulties of providing 24-hour cover at the accident and emergency

  Unemployment by duration: South Pembrokeshire TTWA

  Duration of unemployment

  January 1984

  January 1985

  January 1986

  January 1987

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Up to 1 year

  2,148

  16·0

  2,249

  16·2

  2,383

  17·2

  2,502

  18·0

  Over 1 and up to 3 years

  570

  4·2

  687

  4·9

  758

  5·5

  552

  4·0

  Over 3 and up to 4 years

  87

  0·6

  116

  0·8

  160

  1·2

  111

  0·8

  Over 4 and up to 5 years

  17

  0·1

  60

  0·4

  93

  0·7

  98

  0·7

  Over 5 years

  30

  0·2

  40

  0·3

  72

  0·5

  107

  0·8

  All Durations

  2,852

  21·2

  3,152

  22·7

  3,466

  25·0

  3,370

  24·3

  Source: NOMIS

  Comparisons between January 1987 and earlier years should be made with caution due to a change in the method of compilation of the unemployment statistics in March 1986.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will investigate delays in paying the hill livestock compensatory allowance to farmers in Gwynedd during the past quarter of the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Edwards
  There were no delays—76·5 per cent. of HLCA claims received in Gwynedd were passed for payment before 31 March and this compares with 67·4 per cent. in 1985. It is not meaningful to make a comparison with 1986 because in that year, a system of advance payments operated.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Raffan
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of infant and junior school pupils were taught Welsh in the latest year for which statistics are available.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  In 1985, 59 per cent. of infant and 72 per cent. of junior pupils were taught Welsh, either as a first or second language.

  Mr. Raffan
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of each age group of secondary school pupils were taught Welsh in the latest year for which statistics are available.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The percentage of secondary school pupils in September 1985 who were taught Welsh was:372
  Unit at Singleton hospital through the establishment of a new consultant post. When that information is to hand, the question of manpower approval will be remitted to the Welsh Medical and Dental Manpower Committee for consideration at its next scheduled meeting. The committee is next due to meet on 7 July.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are unemployed in south Pembrokeshire; how many have been unemployed for (a) five years, (b) four years, (c) three years and (d) one year; what percentage unemployment this represents; and how many were unemployed in each of the years since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Edwards
  Numbers of unemployed and unemployment rates for the travel-to-work area of South Pembrokeshire between January 1984 and January 1987 are given in the following table. Comparable information is not available before this date.

  Per cent.

  A s a first language

  As a second language

  Total

  Form I

  11

  68

  79

  Form II

  11

  62

  73

  Form III

  11

  50

  61

  Form IV

  10

  18

  28

  Form V

  10

  17

  27

  Form VI

  4

  3

  7

  Mr. Raffan
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the change in the number of bilingual primary and secondary schools in the last five years.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Between 1981–82 and 1985–86 the number of bilingual primary schools increased from 62 to 67 and the number of bilingual secondary schools increased from 13 to 16. The figures are as follows:

  Primary

  Secondary

  1981–82

  62

  13

  1982–83

  64

  13

  1983–84

  64

  14

  1984–85

  64

  16

  1985–86

  67

  16

  Mr. Raffan
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the number of examination entries through the medium of Welsh since 1979.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is set out in the following table:
  373

  Level

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Advanced:

  Entries

  364

  319

  374

  440

  481

  540

  519

  623

  Subject

  15

  19

  18

  19

  15

  20

  16

  17

  Ordinary:

  Entries

  2,255

  2,861

  3,601

  3,785

  3,857

  4,412

  4,500

  5,333

  Subject

  28

  31

  33

  32

  31

  35

  34

  39

  CSE:

  Entries

  1,689

  2,047

  2,372

  2,605

  2,745

  2,705

  2,299

  2,023

  Subjects

  31

  33

  34

  38

  41

  39

  37

  35

  TVEI
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's policy concerning Manpower Services Commission funding of Welsh-medium technical and vocational education initiative schemes.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The technical and vocational education initiative is administered by the Manpower Services Commission in consultation with Education Departments. Local education authorities bid for funding to support such developments.

  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance his Department has offered to the Manpower Services Commission concerning the funding of Welsh-medium technical and vocational education initiative schemes.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My Department has made clear to the Manpower Services Commission my interest in Welsh language matters.

  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales why the 1986 application by the Welsh Joint Education Committee to the Manpower Services Commission for a four-year £1 million Welsh-medium technical and vocational education activities project was rejected.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Within the funds available and in the light of the announcement to extend TVEI to all schools and colleges, the MSC considered that other projects submitted were more relevant to the overall aim of the TVEI.

  AIDS
  Mr. Barry Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide extra funding to enable the Welsh region of the national blood transfusion service to acquire the facilities to process and store extra plasma for factor VIII; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mark Robinson
  Additional funds have already been made available to South Glamorgan Health Authority to enable the Welsh region of the national blood transfusion service to acquire additional facilities to harvest and store plasma for factor VIII production at the blood products laboratory, Elstree.

  YTS
  Mr. Skinner
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take the appropriate steps to investigate the financial operation of the YTS scheme administered by the Development Board for Rural Wales; why the scheme is
  374
  to be transferred to the Mid Wales Training Unit; and if he will arrange for an independent audit into the scheme covering the period 1983 to 1987.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

EMPLOYMENT

  Women
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Paymaster General (1) what courses are available for attracting women science arid technology graduates who wish to re-enter (a) the labour market and (b) the teaching profession;

  (2) what courses or classes are available under the umbrella of his Department for women who wish to reenter (a) the labour market and (b) the teaching profession.

  Mr. Trippier
  All Manpower Services Commission training schemes are open to women. In addition, the MSC runs a number of schemes under its wider opportunities training programme designed specifically to help women returning to the labour market. None of these courses cater specifically for science and technology graduates. The MSC also provides business for women to take an Open University course "Women into Technology", which is designed to help women enter or reenter industry as technicians. Training courses designed to help women re-enter the teaching profession are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

  Manpower Services Commission
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Paymaster General what steps the Manpower Services Commission takes to ensure that all companies in receipt of funds from it have complied with company law in respect of accounting and financial records.

  Mr. Trippier
  All limited liability companies with which the Manpower Services Commission has contracts are required to comply with company law in the same way as all other limited liability companies.

  The companies are subject to external audit, and external auditors have a responsibility to advise companies on compliance with company law. The audited accounts, together with information required on the annual return, must be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

  If, during the course of approval and monitoring work, staff of the Manpower Services Commission become aware of any failure to comply with company law, the facts will be pointed out to the company. The company will be advised to take the necessary steps to put matters right.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Paymaster General whether he will bring up to date the labour force figures given in his reply dated 28 April 1986, Official Report, columns 335–37; and if he will add a table for the same years covering manufacturing.

  Mr. Lee
  The available information from the regular quarterly employees in employment series is presented in tables 1 and 2.

  The available information from the "Labour Force Survey" is presented in table 3 below.

  Table 1

  Employees in Employment in Great Britain

  Thousand

  June

  Males Full-time

  Males Part- lime

  Males All

  Females Full-time

  Females Part-time

  1971

  12,840

  584

  13,424

  5,468

  2,757

  1972

  12,719

  600

  13,319

  5,454

  2,877

  1973

  12,813

  665

  13,478

  5,442

  3,163

  1974

  12,675

  689

  13,363

  5,512

  3,421

  1975

  12,542

  697

  13,240

  5,422

  3,551

  1976

  12,398

  699

  13,097

  5,366

  3,585

  1977

  12,395

  681

  13,076

  5,433

  3,617

  1978

  12,396

  705

  13,100

  5,486

  3,688

  1979

  —

  —

  13,183

  5,585

  3,870

  1980

  —

  —

  13,018

  5,500

  3,941

  1981

  —

  —

  12,278

  5,290

  3,817

  1982

  —

  —

  11,930

  5,202

  3,783

  1983

  —

  —

  11,670

  5,125

  3,776

  1984

  —

  —

  11,619

  5,234

  3,889

  1985

  10,869

  822

  11,691

  5,301

  4,012

  1986

  10,789

  852

  11,641

  5,315

  4,136

  Table 3

  Labour force survey data on employees1 in Great Britain

  Thousands

  Males

  Females

  Aged 16 to 19

  Aged 20 +

  Aged 16 to 19

  Aged 20 +

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  1979

  Full-time2

  1,002

  381

  11,902

  4,825

  838

  275

  4,496

  1,326

  Part-time2

  41

  6

  235

  58

  75

  6

  3,631

  611

  All employees3

  1,044

  383

  12,137

  4,883

  913

  280

  8,127

  1,937

  1981

  Full-time2

  840

  280

  10,798

  4,002

  727

  185

  4,381

  1,194

  Part-time2

  122

  6

  287

  74

  181

  6

  3,594

  480

  All employees3

  975

  289

  11,237

  4,135

  917

  195

  8,058

  1,695

  19834

  Full-time2

  701

  227

  10,489

  3,654

  584

  142

  4,335

  1,007

  Part-time2

  110

  6

  245

  45

  198

  6

  3,390

  361

  All employees3

  815

  231

  10,755

  3,706

  788

  151

  7,878

  1,386

  19844

  Full-time2

  677

  236

  10,413

  3,587

  580

  148

  4,377

  1,043

  Part-time2

  154

  12

  272

  46

  231

  11

  3,715

  376

  All employees3

  831

  249

  10,693

  3,635

  812

  160

  8,096

  1,420

  19854

  Full-time2

  654

  237

  10,479

  3,614

  576

  159

  4,440

  1,031

  Part-time2

  159

  11

  278

  47

  252

  6

  3,787

  393

  All employees3

  813

  248

  10,760

  3,661

  828

  167

  8,229

  1,424

  376
  Note: In this table a part-time employee is defined as one who normally works for 30 hours or less. The full-time, part-time split for males is available only at dates for which a census of employment was conducted and post-September 1984.

  Table 2

  Employees in Employment in Manufacturing Industries—Great Britain

  Thousand

  June

  Males Full-time

  Males Part- time

  Males All

  Females Full-time

  Females Part- time

  1971

  5,469

  73

  5,542

  1,870

  478

  1972

  5,289

  69

  5,358

  1,802

  461

  1973

  5,283

  78

  5,361

  1,795

  518

  1974

  5,271

  86

  5,357

  1,770

  596

  1975

  5,087

  81

  5,168

  1,650

  534

  1976

  4,962

  79

  5,041

  1,582

  496

  1977

  4,980

  78

  5,058

  1,615

  499

  1978

  4,955

  85

  5,040

  1,608

  491

  1979

  —

  —

  5,001

  1,617

  490

  1980

  —

  —

  4,805

  1,532

  464

  1981

  —

  —

  4,344

  1,345

  409

  1982

  —

  —

  4,103

  1,276

  373

  1983

  —

  —

  3,862

  1,220

  336

  1984

  —

  —

  3,751

  1,225

  326

  1985

  3,663

  54

  3,717

  1,230

  322

  1986

  3,578

  52

  3,630

  1,220

  312

  Note: The full-time, part-time split for males is available only at dates for which a census of employment was conducted and post-September 1984.
  377

  Males

  Females

  Aged 16 to 19

  Aged 20 +

  Aged 16 to 19

  Aged 20 +

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  All industries

  Manufacturing industries

  19865

  Full-time2

  645

  243

  10,389

  3,630

  549

  155

  4,521

  1,027

  Part-time2

  168

  12

  282

  42

  265

  12

  3,873

  379

  All employees3

  814

  255

  10,678

  3,672

  816

  167

  8,398

  1,406

  1 The labour force survey estimates relate to the spring of each year. Figures for 1979 and 1981, but not later years, include those on Government employment and training schemes if reported as in employment as an employee.

  2 In this table an employee is shown as full or part-time according to whether he/she considers his/her job to be a full or part-time job.

  3 Includes those who did not state whether their job was full or part-time.

  4 The estimates for these years differ slightly from those in the previous reply, because of improved estimating procedures for persons aged 16 to 19 and the exclusion of persons on Government employment and training schemes.

  5 Preliminary results.

  6 Less than ten thousand.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General (1) when he expects to announce revised local unemployment rates based on the employment figures contained in the 1984 census of employment;

  (2) if he will publish the revised national and regional unemployment rates for each month since June 1983, based on his updated employment figures contained in the 1984 census of employment.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
  asked the Paymaster General what was the percentage change in unemployment in Derbyshire, between January 1986 and January 1987, for those people without a job for more than three years.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is in the Library. Comparison of unemployment between 9 January 1986 and 8 January 1987 is slightly affected by the change in the compilation of the unemployment statistics in March 1986. The published numbers of claimants unemployed for over three years in Derbyshire on the two dates are 7,731 and 8,738 respectively.

  Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
  asked the Paymaster General what are the latest figures available for the number of people in work in Derbyshire; and how this compares with 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  The latest available information for country areas and covering both employees and the self-employed comes from the 1981 census of population and is contained in the "County Report for Derbyshire", part 1 ref: CEN 81 CR10, a copy of which is in the Library. No similar data are available for 1979.

  Education and labour market status of 16 to 24-year-olds1 in Great Britain

  January 1985

  16-year-olds

  17-year-olds

  18-year-olds

  19 to 20-year-olds

  21 to 24-year-olds

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Total population

  872

  100

  897

  100

  910

  100

  1,881

  100

  3,578

  100

  Full-time education

  393

  45

  278

  31

  156

  17

  260

  14

  158

  4

  School3

  269

  31

  167

  19

  22

  2

  3

  ..

  ..

  ..

  Further education4

  123

  14

  102

  11

  53

  6

  29

  2

  17

  ..

  378
  Mr. Kennedy
  asked the Paymaster General if he will state the number of persons in full-time employment as at (a) June 1986 and (b) the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  In June 1986 there were 16,105,000 full-time employees in employment in Great Britain. In September 1986 (the latest date for which estimates are available) the figure was 16,234,000. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

  Mr. Blair
  asked the Paymaster General if he will publish the total effect on the numbers on the unemployment register of those working in special employment and training measures, for each month from February 1986.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 April 1987, c. 36]: For the latest estimate of the percentage effect of the employment measures on the unemployment count I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) on 27 March 1987, at column 293. The estimates provide no more than a very rough guide to the effect of such measures on the count and we do not, therefore, publish monthly count figures claiming to incorporate the effect.

  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Paymaster General if he will list, for each year of the age range 16 to 25, the number and proportion of those in school, work, further education, higher education, community programmes, or other specified scheme.

  Mr. Lee
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 April 1987, c. 152]: The latest available estimates are set out in the following table. Figures are not available for 25-year-olds and those for 19 to 24 year olds are not available for each year of age separately.
  379

  16-year-olds

  17-year-olds

  18-year-olds

  19 to 20-year-olds

  21 lo 24-year-olds

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Higher education4

  1

  ..

  8

  1

  82

  9

  228

  12

  141

  4

  YTS5

  234

  27

  39

  4

  4

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  Claimant unemployed

  108

  12

  150

  17

  180

  20

  8

  —

  8

  —

  Other6

  137

  16

  430

  48

  570

  63

  9

  —

  9

  —

  of which

  Community Programme7

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  10

  —

  10

  —

  35

  1

  Young Workers Scheme7

  ..

  ..

  63

  7

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme7

  11

  —

  11

  —

  11

  —

  11

  —

  11

  —

  Community Industry7

  12

  —

  12

  —

  3

  ..

  1

  ..

  ..

  ..

  January 19862

  16-year-olds

  / 17-year-olds

  18-year-olds

  Number (000s)

  Per cent

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Total population

  860

  100

  870

  100

  895

  100

  Full-time education

  390

  45

  273

  31

  156

  17

  School3

  266

  31

  162

  19

  22

  2

  Further education4

  123

  14

  104

  12

  53

  6

  Higher education4

  1

  ..

  8

  1

  80

  9

  YTS5

  228

  27

  36

  4

  2

  ..

  Claimant unemployed

  101

  12

  140

  16

  164

  18

  Other6

  142

  17

  420

  48

  573

  64

  of which

  Community Programme7

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  10

  —

  Young Workers Scheme7

  ..

  ..

  57

  7

  ..

  ..

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme7

  11

  —

  11

  —

  11

  —

  Community Industry7

  12

  —

  12

  —

  3

  ..

  Source: DE, MSC, DES estimates

  1 Ages as at 31 August of preceding year (see also footnote7). Estimates are not available for 25-year-olds, or for single years of age above 18.

  2 Provisional estimates are not yet available for age groups above 18.

  3 Pupils attending maintained, independent and special schools are included.

  4 Full-time and sandwich, excluding private further education. Excludes those aged 16–18 on YTS within colleges.

  5 Includes those (aged 16–18), in further education establishments attending YTS courses.

  6Mainly those in employment outside YTS. Includes those neither employed nor seeking work, (for example because of domestic responsibilities), and those seeking work but not claiming benefit. Excludes those holding a contract of employment under YTS.

  7Age breakdown based on profile of entrants. The schemes shown in the table are the only ones current at the dates specified which cover persons in the relevant age groups.

  .. Under 500 or ½ per cent.

  8 Estimate not available for age group shown: estimate for 19 to 24-year-olds is 831,000 (15 per cent. of the population).

  9 Estimate not available for age group shown: estimate for 19 to 24-year-olds is 4,210,000 (77 per cent. of the population).

  10 Estimate not available for age group shown: estimates for 18 to 20-year-olds are 44,000 at January 1985 and 69,000 at January 1986.

  11 Estimate not available for age group shown: estimates for 18 to 24-year-olds are 9,000 at January 1985 and 13,000 at January 1986.

  12 Estimate not available for age group shown: estimates for 16 to 17-year-olds are 3,000 at both January 1985 and January 1986.

  Note on rounding:

  Numbers are shown to the nearest 1,000 but cannot in all cases be regarded as accurate to that degree. The estimates involve a range of data sources and adjustments and rounding to the nearest 5,000 may therefore, be more appropriate, particularly for the residual other category (see footnote 6).

  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Paymaster General if he will give the number of people over 18 years who receive training allowances through the Manpower Services Commission to support them in their training; and how this figure compares with each of the last eight years.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 April 1987, c. 156]: The figures give the information requested. These are of course not the numbers of people being trained with Government support, but only the numbers who receive an income by way of allowance when being trained.
  380

  Number

  1985–86

  84,000

  1984–85

  92,000

  1983–84

  102,000

  1982–83

  73,000

  1981–82

  71,000

  1980–81

  83,000

  1979–80

  91,000

  1978–79

  70,000

  Final figures for 1986–87 are not yet available. Figures for years before 1978–79 were not recorded on a comparable basis.

  Workfare
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General if he will publish the terms of reference of the study being carried out by the University of Buckingham into workfare.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  This independent study is being carried out by the employment research centre of the University of Buckingham, which describes it as a feasibility study of a community workfare system in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General if he will place in the Library all working papers available from the study into workfare now being completed by the University of Buckingham.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The study of workfare is being carried out by the employment research centre of the University of Buckingham, which is responsible for publishing its conclusions.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General what information has been accumulated by his Department on the workings of the various United States of America unemployment benefit systems and of workfare; and from what sources.

  Ministerial Visits

  Dates

  Minister/accompanying official(s)

  Purpose of visit

  1 October to 7 October 1983

  Mr. Morrison, with two officials

  To see and discuss United States schemes for the unemployed

  15 November to 20 November 1985

  Lord Young, with one official

  To visit major trade promotion events and United States programmes on inner cities problems

  30 March to 7 April 1986

  Paymaster General, with one official

  To see and discuss inner cities problems and urban regeneration project

  13 July to 15 July 1986

  Mr. Lang, with two officials

  To see employment programmes in Massachusetts

  5 March to 11 March 1987

  Lord Young, with three officials

  To discuss United Kingdom inward investment, enterprise and deregulation

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General, pursuant to his answer of 2 April, Official Report, column 559, if he will list the changes in the conditions for claiming unemployment benefits that have been or are the subject of review; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  All the conditions governing the receipt of unemployment benefit are kept under review as a matter of normal course.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme
  Mr. Meadowcroft
  asked the Paymaster General whether he will amend the regulations for awarding grants under the enterprise allowance scheme so as to place those under the age of 50 years on the same footing as those over 50 years of age; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The specific purpose of the enterprise allowance scheme is to provide an incentive for unemployed people in receipt of unemployment and supplementary benefit who would otherwise be deterred from going ahead with their business plans because they would lose their entitlement to benefit. People under 50 and those 50 and over are on essentially the same footing. However, in the case of redundant mineworkers, those 50 or over receive under the redundant mineworkers
  382
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We continually gather information from a wide variety of sources on all aspects of employment policy in other countries, including the United States. Sources include published articles and academic research and visits by Ministers and officials.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards workfare schemes.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We have no plans to introduce a workfare scheme. Our policy is to help the long-term unemployed to get back into work through restart and the programmes to which it is a gateway.

  USA (Visits)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Paymaster General if he will list all visits to the United States of America by Ministers or civil servants in his Department since June 1983; and if he will explain the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Visits by Ministers in their departmental capacity to the United States from June 1983 to date were as follows. We do not hold records centrally of visits by officials only.

  payments scheme a benefit known as "unemployment benefit equivalent", which is accepted as a qualifying benefit for the enterprise allowance scheme. Redundant mineworkers under 50 do not secure "unemployment benefit equivalent" but will qualify for the enterprise allowance scheme so long as they are in receipt of unemployment or supplementary benefit. I have no plans to amend the rules of the enterprise allowance scheme as the hon. Member suggests.

  Mr. Meadowcroft
  asked the Paymaster General if he will make it his policy to allow those who arc unemployed and have savings above £3,000 as a result of redundancy payments to qualify for the enterprise allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The enterprise allowance scheme is specifically designed to provide an incentive for unemployed people in receipt of unemployment or supplementary benefit who would otherwise be deterred from going ahead with their business plans because they would lose their entitlement to benefit. People in receipt of unemployment benefit, whatever their savings, will be eligible for the scheme. However, people with over £3,000 in savings from whatever source who have exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit are not normally eligible for supplementary benefit and are therefore ineligible to join the enterprise allowance scheme.

  Training Measures (Bury)
  Mr. Burt
  asked the Paymaster General what was the total number of people benefiting from special employment and training measures at the latest available date in the constituency of Bury, North; and what is the average cost per person under each.

  Mr. Lee
  It is not possible to give a precise total figure for the number of people on employment, enterprise and

  Programme

  at

  Numbers Helped

  Area

  First Year Direct Exchequer.1 Cost per person no longer unemployed 1987–88 (forecast)

  Community Programme

  27 February

  420

  Bury Metropolitan Borough Area

  2,050

  Voluntary Projects Programme

  31 March

  77

  Bury North Constituency

  2

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme

  7 April

  795

  Greater Manchester (North) Area

  1,800

  New Workers Scheme

  31 March

  1,035

  Greater Manchester (North) Area

  1,300

  Job Release Scheme

  31 March

  82

  Bury Area

  1,900

  1 These figures are for the schemes nationally and are published in the public expenditure White Paper.

  2 VPP participants are not normally removed from the unemployment register.

  In addition, in the area including Bury, Prestwich and Radcliffe up to 31 March 1987, 1,035 people started YTS training and in Bury, 562 people started adult training courses. The gross cost per filled place for YTS in 1986–87 is estimated to be £2,600. Similar information for adult training is not available.

  Tourism
  Mr. Sumberg
  asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the performance of tourism in 1986 and prospects for the coming year.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government have today published a leaflet entitled "A bumper year for tourism", which provides information on tourism performance in 1986. This shows that there was strong growth in domestic tourism spending with overseas tourism earnings equalling the record £5·5 billion spent in 1985. On the basis of recovery in the numbers of overseas visitors in the last quarter of 1986 and the high level of forward bookings, prospects for 1987 look good.

  Research and Development
  Sir David Price
  asked the Paymaster General what is his Department's planned expenditure on research and development for 1987–88; and what are the main areas of research selected by his Department under the Rothschild principles of the customer-contractor relationship.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [pursuant to his reply,7 April 1987, c.154]: My Department's planned expenditure on research and development for 1987–88 is shown in table A and that of the Manpower Services Commission in table B.

  All research and development work conducted by my Department and the Manpower Services Commission is designed to assist with the achievement of the publicly stated objectives of the Department of Employment group.
  384
  training measures in the constituency of Bury, North, because of the various bases on which local information is collated. Figures for the constituency of Bury, North are available only at disproportionate cost. The following table gives what information is available for the number of people on employment measures, and the first year net exchequer cost per person no longer unemployed.

  Table A

  DE's Planned Expenditure on Research and Development in 1987–88

  £000s

  External research

  Labour Market Studies

  360

  Groups in the Labour Market

  165

  Employment Measures

  103

  Careers Service/Youth Employment

  198

  Industrial Relations/Pay and Incomes

  89

  Small Firms and Tourism

  234

  Enterprise and Deregulation

  101

  1,250

  Internal costs

  Cost of managing external work and conducting some internal work

  553

  Development

  Work to enhance the effectiveness of ED Group Programmes

  550

  2,353

  Table B

  MSC's Planned Expenditure on Research and Development in 1987–88

  £000s

  Enterprise and Job Creation

  2,555

  Labour Market Efficiency

  1,154

  Employment Measures

  547

  Youth Training Scheme

  9,547

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative

  439

  Adult and Occupational Training

  8,723

  Labour Market Research

  264

  TOTAL

  23,229

ENVIRONMENT

  London Docklands Development Corporation (Site Sales)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a list of sites sold by the London Docklands Development Corporation since 1981,

  385
  itemising how much each was sold for, and the amount of London Docklands Development Corporation funds spent on site work, reclamation and infrastructure.

  Mr. Mikardo
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will provide a list of sites sold by the London Docklands Development Corporation since 1981, itemising the price at which the sale was made, and the amount of London Docklands Development Corporation funds spent on site works, reclamation and infrastructure.

  Mr. John Patten
  Appropriate information is being collated by the LDDC. I will write to the hon. Members when it is available.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Mikardo
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms have moved out of the Docklands urban development area or have closed down since July 1981; and how many people were employed in those firms.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 6 April 1987, at column 26.

  Sports Facilities
  Mr. Fallon
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the principal grants made towards sports facilities in each of the counties of Cleveland. Durham, Northumbria and Tyne and Wear since 1979.

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

  Accommodation Agencies
  Mr. Frank Cook
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many accommodation agencies have continued to trade after successful prosecution; and how many directors of accommodation agencies have continued to trade after a successful prosecution.

  Mr. Tracey
  We have no evidence that accommodation agencies or their directors have continued to trade after having been successfully prosecuted.

  Local Authorities (Overtime Payments)
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to restrict the amount of overtime payments which may be earned by local authority employees to no more than 50 per cent. of their basic remuneration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The Government have no plans to introduce such legislation.

  Rate Support Grant
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the central Government rate support grant per head of population for 1986–87 and 1987–88 for (a) Northamptonshire, (b) Derbyshire, (c) Leicestershire, (d) Bedfordshire, and (e) Cambridgeshire.

  Mr. Chope
  The figures requested are as follows:386

  1986–87 RSG £p/h

  1987–88 RSG £p/h

  Northamptonshire

  145·2

  133·8

  Derbyshire

  123·3

  133·4

  Leicestershire

  150·7

  143·5

  Bedfordshire

  90·4

  58·2

  Cambridgeshire

  105·1

  91·1

  Rate support comprises block grant and domestic rate relief grant. Counties do not receive domestic rate relief grant.

  The figures for 1986–87 are authorities' entitlements based on budgeted expenditure information at first supplementary report.

  The figures for 1987–88 are authorities' initial entitlements to grant based on expenditure figures returned on form BG78, modified if necessary to include an estimate of the cost of the teachers' pay settlement.

  River Pollution
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy towards control of river pollution in the light of the recent research results published by Greenpeace, a copy of which has been sent to him, showing that 35£5 per cent. of all the flounders examined in the inner region of the Thames were diseased or abnormal in their appearance.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am aware of this report which was released at the time of the recent Water Research Centre conference on the North sea. However, I do not see the results of this study as having any direct implications for my Department's general policy on the control of river pollution, which is to restore and maintain the wholesomeness of our rivers. To this end, we rely on part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 which provides a comprehensive system of controls covering all significant waters. In addition, the Government have put forward a number of detailed proposals to strengthen these controls in the context of our privatisation proposals, and these are actively being considered.

  The setting up last week of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution with a specific water pollution inspector capability, will considerably strengthen the Department's role in the enforcement of controls which in turn should lead to further improvements in water quality.

  Bathing Waters
  Mr. Couchman
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the interim results of the survey of the quality of bathing waters he announced on 3 December 1985; and in the light of these results, he is satisfied with the quality of the United Kingdom's bathing waters.

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

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those of the 1,500 sites investigated for the storage of low or intermediate level nuclear waste that were in the constituency of Leyton or in adjoining constituencies; and if he will make a statement.
  387
  Mr. Crowther
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any site in south Yorkshire has been included in a list of possibly suitable sites for the disposal of low level or intermediate level radioactive waste.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Members to the answers I gave on 6 April at column 29, to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) and the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Miss Maynard).

  Financial Management Initiative
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the effect on his Department of the financial management initiative.

  Mr. Ridley
  The approach embodied in the FMI is changing working assumptions throughout my Department. Results are reported annually to the House in the public expenditure White Paper (currently, Cmnd. 56) as well as in such reports as the White Papers on the FMI and the annual reports by major sponsored bodies.

  The range of systems reflecting this approach include:

  The MINIS top management system which reviews the progress against objectives and the future targets of all parts of the Department.

  Line management systems (LMS) in all parts of the Department, giving positive reporting on delegated responsibilities.

  An organisation for financial management (OFM) system of delegations identifying responsibilities in the policy line for financial management of each public expenditure sub-programme and vote sub-head. This system is being extended to running costs. Six hundred officials have been trained in financial management.

  Devolved budgeting and monitoring throughout the Department for an increasing range of running costs. This system has recently been simplified, and the scope for virement between budget centres improved.

  In common with the rest of the Civil Service, annual staff reports now review progress against the personal objectives and work plans agreed at the start of the reporting period.

  Similar systems are in operation in the Property Services Agency, adapted to suit the agency's roles of managing the civil and defence estates and providing the Government's accommodation services. The major changes over the last eight years have been the introduction on the civil estate of the property repayment services scheme which has transferred to the client the responsibility for funding most accommodation services and the introduction in the defence estate of local works maintenance budgets.

  For the longer term, we shall shortly be getting the results of a study of improvements to the agency's accounting systems which I hope will lead to a more commercial approach to its operations and an ability to compare PSA services directly with those provided by the private sector.

  Effective corporate planning processes link the Department to all its major sponsored bodies. These focus on ministerial objectives, progress towards them and cost-effectiveness.
  388
  Outside the Department, the independent Audit Commission for local authorities is spreading the many lessons that can be learnt from the best of local authority financial management.

  Since 1979, manpower has fallen by 35 per cent. in the Property Services Agency, including the Crown Suppliers. Other departmental staff have been reduced by 42 per cent., 2,500 of the savings being due to improved efficiency. Productivity is still rising.

  Defective Housing
  Mr. O'Brien
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the beacon rents for defective houses in the Yorkshire and east midlands registration areas;

  (2) how many houses which are identified within the Housing Defects Act 1984 have been registered for fair rents.

  Mr. Tracey
  Information on registered rents does not show whether the properties concerned have been designed under the Housing Defects Act 1984 (now Housing Act 1985), and there is not beacon rent specifically for defective houses. Beacon rents are assessed only for four standard property types. The July 1986 beacon rents for modernised 1930s three bedroom semi-detached houses, which may be of a broadly similar size to some of the common types of defective houses, range from £20·75 to £26·73 per week in Yorkshire, and from £20·75 to £23·75 in the east midlands.

  Mr. O'Brien
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the recommendation by the Building Research Establishment that defective houses should be examined at least every five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Building Research Establishment has recommended that designated unrepaired PRC properties first be inspected and tested as necessary, and then, in the light of that assessment, re-inspected periodically (not necessarily at five-year intervals). We have received no recent representations on this advice.

  Falkland Islands (Equipment Sale)
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was realised at the sale in Liverpool on 7 April of equipment from the Falkland Islands; to what use the proceeds of that sale will be put; what proportion of the equipment has been re-exported as a result of the sale; and on what basis the port of Liverpool was selected as the agents for this auction.

  Mr. Chope
  The sale in Liverpool on 7 April was privately organised and the Department was not involved. At the end of the Mount Pleasant airport contract Laing Mowlem ARC Joint Venture, the main contractor, sold its surplus plant and equipment to a company which arranged and paid for its transportation to the United Kingdom. The purchaser arranged the sale at Liverpool (through a firm of auctioneers) and the proceeds belong to him.

  Derbyshire (Expenditure)
  Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) by how much gross county council

  389
  expenditure has risen in Derbyshire, in real terms, between (a) 1980–81 and (b) 1981–82 and the latest date for which figures are available; and how these figures compare with the average gross county council expenditure rises over the same period of time;

  (2) by how much current county council expenditure has risen in Derbyshire, in real terms, between (a) 1980–81 and (b) 1981–82 and the latest date for which figures are available; and how these figures compare with the average current county council expenditure rises over the same period of time.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall answer these questions shortly.

  Local Authority Services (Tendering)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on which activities he proposes to exclude from his forthcoming legislation requiring tendering for local authority services.

  Dr. Boyson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) on 2 February at column 491. Application of the legislation in Scotland will, of course, be the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Playboard
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what initiatives his Department has taken since the inception of Playboard to promote and develop its responsibilities;

  (2) what alternatives he considered for the future of Playboard prior to September 1986; and why he rejected them;

  (3) if he will make a statement about the representations he received from organisations interested in the future of Playboard.

  Mr. Tracey
  Playboard itself was set up to pursue initiatives for children's play through funding from this Department. since 1983 the Department's contribution has amounted to £2·4 million. In addition, the Department has maintained support for children's play through the urban programme (over £6 million each year). since 1983, the Department of Health and Social Security has spent £6·5 million on initiatives for the Under-fives while maintaining its financial support, with the Department of Education and Science, for other voluntary organisations concerned with children's play.

  Apart from the preferred option of merging Playboard's role and functions with the Sports Council's, a number of other options were considered, including maintaining support for Playboard, ceasing support altogether, and transferring the resources to the urban programme. The representations I have received from interested organisations about the "merger" primarily have been concerned with two issues: the case for the independence of play from sport, and with the scale of future funding.

  I understand those concerns, but do not believe that the merger proposal preclude a separate identity for children's play. Nor does it affect in any way the support for play through the urban programme or from other Departments. Following Playboard's decision to go into liquidation, I am pursuing urgently with the Sports
  390
  Council how best early arrangements can be put into place for achieving greater benefits for children's play in a more cost-effective way.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families were in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in each borough in London in March 1987; and what are the equivalent figures for 1986 and 1985 respectively.

  Mr. Tracey
  The statistical publication "Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England—Results for the fourth quarter 1986", which is to be published on 10 April, will include in table 7 the numbers, reported to this Department by the boroughs, of the households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the end of December: copy will be placed in the Library.

  Figures for December 1984 and December 1985 appear in corresponding publications for the second half of 1984 and the fourth quarter of 1985, respectively: these are available in the Library. Since publication of those reports, the following late returns have been received:

  Brent—677 December 1984

  Lambeth—98 December 1984 and 173 December 1985

  Merton—7 December 1985

  In addition, the number at December 1985 for Haringey has been revised to 195.

  Homeless Families
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why guidelines arc issued to housing authorities on the acceptance of homeless families who were from overseas;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning Bangladeshi families in bed and breakfast accommodation in London;

  (3) what advice his Department has issued to the London borough of Tower Hamlets concerning the application of the intentionally homeless rule under the Homeless Persons Act.

  Mr. Tracey
  Guidance to all local authorities on the exercise of their functions under part III of the Housing Act 1985 is contained in the Department's code of guidance (a copy of which is in the Library). Paragraphs 2.13–2.20 of that code are concerned with intentional homelessness, and paragraph A.2.2 is relevant to the treatment of people from overseas. Section 71(1) of the 1985 Act requires local authorities to have regard to the guidance in the code. Recent representations about the housing of Bangladeshi families in bed and breakfast accommodation have been from the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Westminster.

  Smaller Building Contracts
  Mr. Heddle
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a interim report on the progress made by the working party which he has established to review the carrying out by the building industry of smaller building contracts, including the effects of competition from the black economy.
  391
  Mr. John Patten
  The working party have met twice. At its next meetings it will be considering the scope for industry-wide warranty/guarantee schemes and the marketing of firms trading legitimately.

  Stockbridge Village Trust
  Mr. Thornton
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the financial position of the Stockbridge village trust; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Stockbridge Village Trust was set up in 1983, with the full agreement of residents, to take over and refurbish what had been one of the most rundown local authority estates in the country. Using a mixture of public and private finance, the trust embarked on a unique redevelopment programme involving the repair and remodelling of the bulk of the existing tenanted housing and selling vacant plots of land for new housing, both for sale and for rent.

  By September 1985 the trust had made substantial progress with this physical programme and, equally importantly, the trust had gained its tenants' confidence as a responsible and efficient landlord. In contrast to pre-trust days when over 10 per cent. of the estate had been vacant, the estate was now fully occupied with a waiting list of some 300 applicants.

  Experience suggested that some of the initial assumptions and financial projections needed revision. We therefore appointed the consultants Ernst and Whinney to carry out a comprehensive appraisal of the trust's position and long-term prospects. It reported that the trust was managing the estate efficiently and carrying out its capital programme effectively, but it recommended some restructuring in the interests of long-term financial stability.

  My Department discussed a package of measures, with the trust and its backers—Abbey National building society, Barclays Bank and Knowsley M BC, and I can now announce that full agreement has been reached by all the parties. These measures will enable the trust to complete its redevelopment of the estate. To complement them, there will be a continuing programme of new building for private sale, including sale on shared ownership terms. The Stockbridge Village housing association's programme of new build for fair rent is now largely complete. The metropolitan district of Knowsley will, with urban programme support, demolish the three Denes tower blocks in the centre of the estate and build a major leisure facility in their place.

  I am pleased that all parties have reaffirmed their commitment to this trail-blazing initiative. The trust has already achieved a great deal, in refurbishing large areas of the estate, in building a new shopping centre, and in creating confidence in an area where around 200 residents have now bought their homes under the right to buy, and over 120 new homes have been built for owner-occupation. I look forward to the trust completing its programme successfully.

  Eldon Hill (Quarrying)
  Mr. Norris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of his recent decision to refuse to allow an extension of quarrying at Eldon Hill in the Peak District, he will make a statement on his policy on working and winning of minerals in national parks.
  392
  Mr. Waldegrave
  All applications for development whether inside or outside national parks must be considered on their own merits. However, it is also the Secretary of State's policy as expressed in DOE Circular 4/76 that, because of the serious impact mineral working may have on the natural beauty of the parks, applications for the extraction of minerals in national parks must be subject to the most rigorous examination. In his view extraction should be demonstrated to be in the public interest, and consideration of such applications should therefore normally include an assessment of:

  (i) the need for the development, including the extraction of the mineral, in terms of national considerations and the impact of permitting or refusing it upon the local economy;

  (ii) the availability and cost of alternative sources of supply;

  (iii) any detrimental effect on the environment and the landscape and the extent to which that could and should be moderated;

  (iv) whether in the light of this assessment the proposed development would be justified in the public interest.

  Local authorities should have regard to this policy in the preparation of, and alterations to, their development plans.

  Zoological Society
  Mr. Wheeler
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will announce details of further financial support to the Zoological Society of London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am pleased to say that the Government and the Zoological Society of London have agreed on both the level of funding for 1987–88 and the mounting of a radical study of the options for the future management and funding of London zoo and Whipsnade park. My right hon. Friend therefore intends to grant to ZSL £2 million in 1987–88 as revenue support plus a sum of up to £150,000 to match money raised by ZSL from private sources in 1986–87.

  In addition ZSL has agreed that before the end of 1987–88 it will see whether there is a basis for submitting firm proposals for attracting new capital. In order to assist it, ZSL will, jointly with DOE, commission a firm of consultants to investigate the options. The study, which will be part paid for by the Government, will have the following terms of reference:

  (i) To advise on the kinds of zoos which ZSL might appropriately develop for future visitors.

  (ii) To identify the scope for introducing private capital into the zoo operation, in association with measures to increase revenue from visitors.

  (iii) To draw up a prospectus which can be used by ZSL as a basis for attracting potential investors.

  We shall consider the need for any further Government support for ZSL in the light of the outcome of the study and ZSL's own proposals.

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  Sir John Wells
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the Government's views on the reviews of the financial guidelines for management agreements under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.
  393
  Mr. Waldegrave
  A study of the operation of the financial guidelines was carried out by consultants in 1985. We have carefully studied their report and concluded that the basis of the present system is sound and that the guidelines do not require major amendment. However, we do propose to accept a number of the consultants' recommendations for improvements to the guidelines to assist conservation authorities in securing value for money. A consultation paper is being issued today explaining our proposals in detail and seeking the views of interested parties. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  European Year of the Environment
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his Department is contributing to the European Year of the Environment.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1987, c. 518]: Application forms will be available shortly for the funds available to grant aid projects within the EYE programme, and my Department will pay grant as early as possible on schemes recommended by the UK EYE committee. Pending parliamentary approval of the main Supply Estimate urgent expenditure estimated at £150,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farmers (Income)
  Sir Peter Hordern
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average income of a cereal farmer in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The estimated average net farm income of specialist cereal farms in England and Scotland during each of the last five years for which data are available is as follows:

  Year

  Average net farm income of specialist cereal farms (£000 per farm)

  1981–82

  9·7

  1982–83

  16·1

  1983–84

  16·5

  1984–85

  19·8

  1985–86

  2·3

  Source: The Farm Business Survey in England and Scotland

  Note: Figures given are the latest obtained from the Survey for the year in question.

  Hill Sheep Farming
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Commission of the European Communities since 1 January concerning the state of hill sheep farming in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jopling
  The sheep sector generally is prospering under the regime we negotiated in 1980. Production has expanded: market prices are rising seasonally and producers are receiving the benefit of the variable premium. Sheep producers in the hills have benefited in recent months from the HLCA payments and from the 394
  special 75 per cent. advance payments of sheep annual premium. The European Commission has proposed that the annul premium should be limited to the first 1,000 sheep in any flock in the less-favoured areas, a proposal which we resisted successfully last year and which we have continued to resist this year.

  Dairy Farms
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Commission of the European Communities since 1 January concerning the state of smaller dairy farms in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jopling
  In my approach to discussion of milk issues in the Community since 1 January I have aimed to take account of the interests of all sectors of the United Kingdom dairy industry.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals for a review of milk quota leasing arrangements for tenant farmers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jopling
  The European Commission has expressed serious doubts about the legality of our quota leasing arrangements. I am trying hard to change its mind on this and I am in direct communication with the Commission on the problem.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what literage of milk quota was transferred in the financial year 1986–87 by (a) sale and (b) leasing in England and Wales.

  Mr. Jopling
  For the milk quota year 1986–87 the provisional total volume of quota sold or leased with land was 430 million litres. 199 million litres was temporarily reallocated through the short term leasing scheme operated by the MMB.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to put the leasing system for milk quotas back into operation.

  Mr. Jopling
  The European Commission has expressed serious doubts about the legality of our quita leasing arrangements. I am trying hard to change its mind on this and am in direct communication with the Commission on the problem.

  Poultry Industry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement as to the present state and future prospects of the poultry rearing industry.

  Mr. Jopling
  Demand for poultrymeat has been expanding rapidly and prices have remained strong. Egg consumption has shown a long-term decline; egg prices were weak last year due to over-supply but have shown some strengthening recently. The future prospects of our poultry producers will depend essentially on their ability to match production to the needs of the market-place.

  Wine Production
  Mr. Steen
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make it his policy to resist any attempts to impose rectified concentrated grape must in the production of English wine until such time as enrichment is necessary and permitted;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that only English-produced sugar and not rectified concentrated grape must from Italy is permitted to be added to the fermentation process of English wine until such time as enrichment is necessary or permitted;

  (3) if he will consider making grants available for the establishment of English vineyards for (a) the purchase of vines, (b) their support, (c) trellissing, (d) wiring and (e) windbreaks;

  (4) what grants are currently available for the establishment of English vineyards and ancillary purposes in the light of his alternative land use policy;

  (5) what is his policy regarding the manifestation of phylloxera in English vineyards;

  (6) if he will abandon his policy of attempted eradication of phylloxera in English vineyards.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Quick Frozen Food
  Mr. Craigen
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the cost implications of the European Community's proposal on quick frozen food.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We consider that this directive will impose unjustifiable costs on businesses, and retailers in particular, if adopted in its present form. For this reason the United Kingdom has repeatedly asked the EC Commission for a cost-benefit analysis of their proposals but none has been forthcoming to date. We will continue to seek modification to the proposals to make them more acceptable to the United Kingdom.

  Agricultural Houses
  Mr. Richard Page
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed consultations on charging for non-statutory advice to local planning authorities for appraisals relating to agricultural dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jopling
  Following consultations with interested parties my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided to proceed with our proposals to charge for this service with effect from 1 May 1987. A charge of £28 per hour plus VAT will apply to advice by MAFF and WOAD on applications for the building of agricultural dwelling houses and for the lifting of agricultural occupancy conditions on existing houses. However, it is envisaged that in future such advice will only be sought in the more complex cases. The majority of cases will be capable of determination by the local planning authorities with whom responsibility rests.

  No charges are to be introduced for statutory advice on planning applications for agricultural development and the new charges are not expected to affect planning decisions or planning policy.

SCOTLAND

  Rates
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to compensate the churches in Scotland for the loss, with the introduction of the community charge, of the exemption from rates of domestic premises occupied by ministers of religion or priests under section 4 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc.) (Scotland) Act 1962; and if he will make a statement;

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have no such plans. As an essential element of our proposals to replace domestic rates, all adults aged 18 or over will be required to pay a personal community charge and this will, of course, apply to ministers of religion and their families.

  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the value of the exemption from rates for domestic premises occupied by ministers of religion or priests under section 4 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc.) (Scotland) Act 1962 to churches in Scotland together with the number of properties benefitting from this for the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will give any breakdown on the basis of the value of the exemption or number of premises exempted for the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church and other denominations, respectively.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Information on the value of rates exemptions under section 4 of the 1962 Act is not held centrally.

  Interpreters for the Deaf
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give for each of the last five years the total grant paid by central Government under section 9 and section 10, respectively, of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 or under any other heading to the Scottish Association of Interpreters for the Deaf;

  (2) how many qualified interpreters for the deaf there are in Scotland; and how many of these hold the certificate in communication with the deaf as a result of attendance at the courses run at Moray House college of Education.

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

  Prisoners (Visits)
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the rights of prisoners serving long-term sentences in Scottish prisons in terms of visits from family and friends.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The Prisons (Scotland) Standing Orders specify a minimum visit entitlement of two 30-miniute visits every calendar month for sentenced prisoners. Up to three visitors may be present at any one visit. Long-term prisoners may also be transferred to a more convenient prison temporarily in order to receive accumulated visits.

  Details of these entitlements are set out in Standing Order M. The minimum entitlement to visits was increased to the current level in 1984. Copies of Standing Order M are available to inmates in all penal establishments.

  The frequency and length of visits may exceed the minimum entitlement where facilities and demand for visits at a particular establishment permit.
  397
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the rules governing the issue of passes to families and friends of prisoners to allow visits to be made; and if. in particular, he will explain who is entitled to such a pass, what expenses are covered and how often one individual applicant can obtain such a pass.

  Mr. Malcolm Rifkind
  The family and friends of a convicted prisoner require visiting orders in order to be admitted to a penal establishment to make a visit. Each visiting order may admit up to three people.

  Financial assistance for fares and, where necessary, the cost of overnight accommodation and meals, for visits to prisoners may be provided under the prisons assisted visits scheme. The scheme is administered in Scotland by local social security offices on behalf of the Scottish Home and Health Department. Spouses and other close relatives may be granted assistance for up to 13 visits each year, provided they are receiving supplementary benefit (or, otherwise are in receipt of low income and not in full-time work), and wish to visit a convicted prisoner who is serving a sentence of more than three months or an unconvicted prisoner who has been in custody four weeks or longer. (The same prisons assisted visits scheme operates in England and Wales.)

  Licensing Boards
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether guidance is given by his Department to chairmen and members of licensing boards in Scotland to assist them in the performance of their duties.

  Mr. Lang
  While the Scottish Home and Health Department has offered guidance to licensing boards on the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, under that Act it is for each board to determine how its provisions should be applied within its area.

  School Books
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by each local education authority in Scotland on the purchase of text books in each year since 1978–79 in terms of (a) current prices and (b) 1978–79 prices.

  Mr. John MacKay
  I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which authorities or bodies made representations to him prior to the award of his authorisation to Babcock-Thorn to dispose of radioactive waste at Rosyth dockyard.

  Mr. Ancram
  The following local authorities and public bodies responded to consultation:

  Fife Regional Council

  Fife Health Board

  Dunfermline District Council

  Forth River Purification Board

  Lothian Regional Council

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which bodies were invited to make representations about the award of the nuclear site licence to Babcock-Thorn.
  398
  Mr. Lang
  Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate sought the views of the Ministry of Defence, the Industry Department for Scotland, the Scottish Development Department and Babcock-Thorn.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what occasions since 1974 nuclear site licences have been awarded without any consultative process.

  Mr. Lang
  I am advised by Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate that during the period in question no licence has been awarded in respect of a new nuclear installation without consultation.

  Housing Waiting Lists
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were on the housing waiting list of each islands and district council in Scotland in May 1979, May 1983 and the most recent month for which figures are available.

  Mr. Ancram
  Reliable information on a consistent basis is not available centrally.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will tighten the requirements for competitive tendering for local authority road works in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  My right hon. and learned Friend has now considered the results of a survey of roads authorities in Scotland, and has decided to reduce from £50,000 to £25,000, with effect from 1 April 1988, the threshold above which all general roads works in Scotland must be put out to tender. Subject to the outcome of a further survey of the performance of Scottish roads authorities over the period 1986–87, regulations to make this change will be laid in due course. We are satisfied that this further measure of competition will help to secure better value for money expended by local authorities on roads work.

  Suicides
  Mr. McTaggert
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the number of suicides in Scotland under the age of 25 years for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. John MacKay
  The information is as follows:

  Deaths from suicide of persons aged under 25, Scotland, 1981–85)

  Number

  1981

  65

  1982

  59

  1983

  52

  1984

  55

  1985

  68

  Population Statistics
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express by sex the percentage of the Scottish population in each socio-economic group.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest information available comes from the 1981 census of population and is as follows:
  399

  Percentage of economically active persons in each socio-economic group, by sex, Scotland, 1981

  Socio-economic group

  Percentages

  Male

  Female

  1 Employers and managers in central and local government, industry, commerce, etc.—large establishments

  5·7

  2·4

  2 Employers and managers in industry, commerce, etc.—small establishments

  5·6

  2·6

  3 Professional workers—self-employed

  0·8

  0·1

  4 Professional workers—employees

  4·2

  0·9

  5.1 Ancillary workers and artists

  6·1

  14·4

  5.2 Foremen and supervisors—non-manual

  0·7

  1·0

  6 Junior non-manual workers

  8·5

  35·7

  7 Personal service workers

  1·4

  13·4

  8 Foremen and supervisors—manual

  3·8

  0·7

  9 Skilled manual workers

  29·2

  4·2

  10 Semi-skilled manual workers

  14·0

  10·0

  11 Unskilled manual workers

  7·3

  8·1

  12 Own account workers (other than professional)

  3·1

  1·0

  13 Farmers—employers and managers

  1·0

  0·1

  14 Farmers—own account

  0·8

  0·1

  15 Agricultural workers

  2·0

  0·4

  16 Members of armed forces

  1·4

  0·1

  17 Inadequately described occupations

  4·3

  4·7

  Source: 1981 census of population (10 per cent. sample).

  Note: The sum of the percentages may not be 100 due to rounding.

  Education (Statistics)
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the sex and socioeconomic background of the school-leaving population with one or more highers; and how this compares with 10 years ago.

  Mr. John MacKay
  The available information is set out in the table.

  School leavers with one or more highers; by sex and by social class

  Percentages

  1975–76

  1983–84

  (a) Sex

  Boys

  50

  46

  Girls

  50

  54

  Total

  100

  100

  (b) Social Class (of father)

  I (Professional)

  14

  13

  Appendix D

  Time spent in custody by persons released from life sentences1

  Years detained in custody

  Year of release

  6 to7

  7 to8

  8 to 9

  9 to 10

  10 to 11

  11 to 12

  12 to 13

  13 to 14

  Over 14

  Total

  1968

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1969

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1970

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1971

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1972

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1973

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  6

  1974

  —

  —

  2

  5

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  10

  1975

  —

  1

  4

  6

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  15

  1976

  —

  1

  6

  5

  5

  1

  —

  —

  —

  18

  1977

  —

  —

  2

  4

  5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  15

  1978

  —

  —

  5

  4

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  13

  1979

  1

  1

  2

  5

  6

  2

  2

  1

  1

  21

  1980

  —

  —

  3

  4

  6

  4

  5

  3

  —

  25

  1981

  —

  1

  7

  20

  4

  4

  4

  1

  —

  41

  1982

  1

  —

  —

  9

  10

  1

  3

  2

  3

  29

  400

  1975–76

  1983–84

  II (Intermediate)

  29

  33

  IIIN (Skilled non-manual)

  12

  10

  IIIM (Skilled manual)

  28

  25

  IV (Partly skilled)

  9

  9

  V (Unskilled)

  1

  2

  Other and not known

  6

  9

  Total1

  100

  100

  1 Percentages may not sum to 100 due to rounding.

  Sources:

  (a) Qualified school leaver returns.

  (b) Scottish young people's survey.

  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express by sex the percentage of the post-16 years of age school population in each socioeconomic group; and what were the equivalent figures for 10 years ago.

  Mr. John MacKay
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on education in each of the past 10 years in cash and constant price terms.

  Mr. John MacKay
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Prisoners (Life Sentences)
  Mr. Mates
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons sentenced to life imprisonment or detention during Her Majesty's pleasure are currently serving such sentences in Scotland; and how many were serving such sentences (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years ago.

  Mr. Lang
  At 31 December 1986, 414 persons were serving sentences of life imprisonment or detention during Her Majesty's pleasure. The corresponding figure for 31 December 1977 was 341. No comparable figures are available for earlier dates.

  Mr. Mates
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average length of sentence served by prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The time spent in custody by persons released on licence from life sentences is given in appendix D of the report of the Parole Board for Scotland 1985, of which a copy follows:
  401

  Years detained in custody

  Year of release

  6 to 7

  7 to 8

  8 to 9

  9 to 10

  10 to 11

  11 to 12

  12 lo 13

  13 to 14

  Over 14

  Total

  1983

  2

  3

  4

  14

  11

  2

  —

  —

  2

  38

  1984

  1

  —

  1

  5

  6

  1

  —

  —

  1

  15

  1985

  1

  1

  5

  4

  6

  4

  1

  —

  1

  23

  TOTAL

  7

  9

  45

  92

  70

  25

  17

  8

  11

  284

  1 Includes HMP cases.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has from the general household survey of the percentage of the population in Scotland reporting chronic and acute sickness by social class or socio-economic group.

  Mrs. Currie
  I have been asked to reply.

  By age and socio-economic group—All persons

  Scotland 1985

  Socio-economic group1

  Age

  0–15

  16–44

  45–64

  65 and over

  Total

  (a) Percentage who reported long-standing illness

  Professional

  8

  12

  (3)

  (4)

  13

  Employers and Managers

  11

  15

  31

  38

  21

  Intermediate and junior non-manual

  9

  15

  42

  43

  24

  Skilled manual and own account non-professional

  16

  21

  49

  58

  29

  Semi-skilled manual and personal service

  9

  20

  44

  57

  31

  Unskilled manual

  (2)

  25

  32

  (26)

  36

  All persons

  12

  18

  41

  55

  27

  (b) Percentage who reported limiting long-standing illness

  Professional

  4

  3

  (1)

  (3)

  5

  Employers and Managers

  2

  4

  18

  31

  11

  Intermediate and junior non-manual

  5

  5

  28

  32

  14

  Skilled manual and own account non-professional

  7

  9

  33

  45

  18

  Semi-skilled manual and personal service

  1

  12

  34

  41

  21

  Unskilled manual

  (2)

  18

  23

  (24)

  31

  All persons

  5

  8

  28

  43

  16

  (c) Percentage who reported restricted activity

  Professional

  17

  17

  (3)

  (nil)

  16

  Employers and Managers

  20

  15

  8

  14

  14

  Intermediate and junior non-manual

  9

  10

  11

  13

  11

  Skilled manual and own account non-professional

  13

  8

  12

  14

  11

  Semi-skilled manual and personal service

  9

  6

  17

  17

  11

  Unskilled manual

  (nil)

  18

  8

  (6)

  12

  All persons

  12

  10

  12

  14

  12

  Base = 100 per cent.

  Professional

  53

  69

  22

  5

  149

  Employer and Managers

  81

  138

  89

  42

  350

  Intermediate and junior non-manual

  79

  235

  105

  68

  487

  Skilled manual and own account non-professional

  209

  312

  179

  73

  773

  Semi-skilled manual and personal service

  78

  190

  116

  86

  470

  Unskilled manual

  27

  55

  40

  31

  153

  All persons

  547

  1,070

  568

  320

  2,505

  1 Married women whose husbands were in the household are classified according to their husband's occupation; children under 16 are classified according to their father's occupation. Members of the Armed Forces, persons in inadequately described occupations and all persons who have never worked are not shown as separate categories but are included in the figures for all persons.

  ( ) Indicates the actual numbers not percentages where the base is too small for the calculation of percentages.

  Deportation Orders
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deportation orders were made in Scotland in each year since 1979 to the latest date.

  Mr. Waddington
  I have been asked to reply.
  402
  The table shows the percentages reporting long-standing illness, limiting long-standing illness and restricted activity by age and socio-economic group, for Scotland. The data are taken from the 1985 general household survey.

  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given today to his questions to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Kidney Transplants
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many kidney transplants have taken place over the past five years; how many failed; how many lasted six months, six months to two years, two years to five years, five years to 10 years and longer than 10 years; and if he will give similar figures for heart and lung transplants and for liver transplants.

  Mrs. Currie
  According to the latest information provided by the United Kingdom Transplant Service (UKTS), the number of cadaveric kidney transplants performed in the United Kingdom within the National Health Service during the five years up to 31 December 1986, was 6,4491. The UKTS has been notified of the failure of 1,669 of these grafts.

  The remaining information for which my hon. Friend asked is not available in exactly the form requested. A detailed analysis has been possible only on 6,191 patients. Of these, a total of 4,528 grafts were known to have survived for at least six months, and 2,631 to have survived for at least two years. These figures cannot be used to calculate accurate survival rates because they exclude grafts performed less than six months and less than two years respectively before the end of the period. Reliable data are not available to calculate graft survival over a five or 10-year period.

  During the same five-year period 518 heart transplants, 99 heart/lung transplants, three lung transplants and 307 liver transplants were carried out. Information on graft survival for these transplants is not available centrally.

  1 Following recent discussions with the UKTS about the source of data quoted in earlier answers and late notifications of transplants performed in recent years, some adjustments have been made to the annual total numbers. The years affected and the revised figures for the numbers of cadaveric transplants performed are:

  Number

  1982

  1,033

  1985

  1,336

  1986

  11,493

  1 Notified to date, additional notifications may necessitate further revision.

  These have been included in the five-year total given.

  St. Paul's Eye Hospital, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the longest time a patient has been kept on the waiting list for treatment at St. Paul's eye hospital, Liverpool.

  Mr. Newton
  I am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks. It is not available from the sample information held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Liverpool district health authority for the information requested.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply dated 25 March, Official Report, columns 196–97, concerning class 2 and
  404
  class 4 contributions, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (i) the numbers with earnings-profits above the upper level and (ii) his estimate of the distribution by range of income in each case for 1987–88 or for the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Major
  Information on the actual number of class 4 contributors who earn more than the upper profits limit is not available but the estimates shown in the table, which have been derived from the Inland Revenue's income survey for the latest available year, give a good indication of the numbers involved. They will contain some overstatement, which is unlikely to be substantial, as they include those self-employed people not liable to pay class 4 contributions because of being over retirement age or of being concurrently employed earners and paying the maximum National Insurance in class 1 and class 2 contributions.

  People with income from self-employment greater than the upper profits limit for class 4 National Insurance contributions (thousands) (United Kingdom) 1984–85

  Ranges of self-employment income:

  Number

  Upper profits limit (£13,000) to £14,999

  57

  £15,000 to£ 19,999

  98

  £20,000 to £24,999

  61

  £25,000 or above

  83

  Total number with incomes above the upper profits limit

  299

  1. The Inland Revenue's income survey is a statistical sample survey of taxpayer's records.

  2. Income is defined net of losses, stock relief and capital allowances.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply dated 25 March, Official Report, column 197–98, concerning the cost of a reduction of one percentage point in national insurance contributions, whether he will publish in the Official Report, a table accounting for (i) the difference between the employers' and employees' contributions in terms of higher earnings or reduced rates and (ii) the figure for the employees' contribution at reduced rates; and if he will add figures for the self-employed.

  Mr. Major
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  Estimated cost of one percentage point reduction in employers' contribution rates in 1987–88

  1,770

  Estimated cost of one percentage point reduction in employees' contribution rates in 1987–88

  1,590

  Difference

  180

  Accounted for by:

  Cut in employers' contributions in respect of earnings above the Upper Earnings Limit

  105

  Cut in employers' contributions in respect of married women who pay the reduced rate: (rate for employees assumed to be static)

  60

  Cut in employers' contributions in respect of employed earners who do not pay primary contributions

  15

  A reduction of one percentage point in the reduced rate paid by married women and widows in 1987–88 would cost about £60 million for the full year in reduced employee contributions.
  405
  Class 2 contributions for the self-employed are not levied on a percentage basis but a reduction of one percentage point in the class 4 (self-employed) contribution rate in 1987–88 would cost about £60 million for the full year.

  Clinical Waste
  Mr. Sims
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance his Department issues to health authorities with regard to procedures to be adopted for the disposal of clinical waste; and whether there have been any amendments to these to guard against the spread of AIDS.

  Mr. Newton
  Health Notice HN(82)22, a copy of which is in the Library, commended to health authorities a Health and Safety Commission code of guidance "The Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste". The procedures in this code, if followed correctly, are sufficient to guard against the spread of AIDS, although the need for further guidance is kept under consideration.

  NHS (Staff Shortages)
  Mr. Steel
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the most recent total expenditures by each health authority in England and Wales on agency nursing to fill staff shortages.

  Mr. Newton
  The figures for English authorities were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 17 December 1986, at columns 574–78. These provisional figures are now confirmed. Expenditure by Welsh authorities is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Irradiated Food
  Mr. Aitken
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is yet in a position to report on the outcome of his consideration of the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods report on irradiated food.

  Mrs. Currie
  No. The Advisory Committee has only recently given Health and Agriculture Ministers its further advice in the light of comments made on its original report. Ministers are now considering the report.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of people in bed-and-breakfast accommodation paid for by his Department in (a) Ilford, North, (b) Ilford, South, (c) Barking and (d) Dagenham; and what is the cost in each case over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Major
  I regret that the information requested is not collected by individual local offices and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Allowances
  Mr. Hannam
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were in receipt of (a) mobility allowance, (b) war pensioners' mobility supplement, (c) attendance allowance at the lower rate, (d) attendance allowance at the higher rate, (e) invalid care allowance and (f) severe disablement allowance at the latest date for which figures are available.
  406
  Mr. Major
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Benefit

  Latest date for which figures are available

  Number of recipients

  Mobility allowance

  April 1987

  474,000

  War pensioners mobility supplement

  December 1986

  113,000

  Attendance allowance

  Lower rate

  March 1986

  1348,000

  Higher rate

  March 1986

  1237,000

  Invalid care allowance

  March 1987

  56,000

  Severe disablement allowance

  April 1986

  2261,000

  1 Estimate.

  2 Provisional estimate.

  Brighton General Hospital
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what new facilities have been added to the Brighton general hospital in each of the last eight years; and what has been the cost in both capital and revenue terms;

  (2) what is the estimated site value of Brighton general hospital; and what has been the annual total revenue and capital expenditure on the hospital for each of the last 10 years;

  (3) how many students are trained in both graduate and post graduate studies in the Brighton general hospital;

  (4) how many (a) nursing staff, (b) medical staff, (c) auxilliary care staff, (d) catering staff, (e) cleaners and support staff and (f) technical support staff have been employed in the Brighton general hospital for each of the last three years;

  (5) what plans exist for repair and maintenance work and for development of the Brighton general hospital.

  Mrs. Currie
  I am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks. Information at this level of detail is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Brighton health authority for the information requested.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Brighton general hospital was first opened; how many beds are currently open in the hospital; and what is the breakdown of bed usage by medical care provided.

  Mrs. Currie
  I am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member full and current information in the form requested. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Brighton health authority for the information he seeks.

  Financial Management Initiative
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the effect on his Department of the financial management initiative.

  Mr. Fowler
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

  Benefits (Appeals)
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what is (a) the average and (b) the longest time for (i) an appeal against an adjudication officer's decision

  407
  to be heard by a social security appeal tribunal and (ii) the results of such an appeal to be made known to the appellant, in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lyell
  The most recent figures available are for the quarter ended 30 September 1986 when the average time taken for an appeal to be heard in Scotland was 14·6 weeks. Of the appeals heard in the same quarter, the longest time taken for one to be heard was 151·1 weeks. The delay was a result of requests by the claimant for further time to obtain evidence in support of the appeal. Information on the longest time taken for an appeal to be heard where the actual hearing occurred in a quarter prior to quarter ended 30 September 1986 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Statistics on the length of time taken to advise an appellant of the results of an appeal to a social security appeal tribunal are not available and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Council for Advancement of Communication for Deaf People
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the support given by his Department to the Council for Advancement of Communication for Deaf People in each of the last three years and specify what part of each sum has been given specifically for training and administrative expenses.

  Mr. Major
  In each of the last three years we have granted the council a total of £40,000 as a contribution towards central administration expenses.

  Prison Visits (Travel Passes)
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of travel passes given to applicants living in Scotland to allow visits to relatives in prison in Scotland and England, respectively, for the latest convenient period for which figures are available and the total cost to his Department of such passes in the same period.

  Mr. Lyell
  During the period 1 March 1987 to 31 March 1987 the Department issued 349 travel warrants to applicants living in Scotland; 301 were for visits to Scottish prisons and 48 to English prisons. The total value of the warrants was £6,720·15.

  Maternity Payments
  Mrs. Renée Short
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Wolverhampton, North-East constituency claimed maternity grant in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Major
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  The Wolverhampton, North-East constituency is covered by the Department's local offices at Wolverhampton, North and Wolverhampton, South although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims for maternity grant received at these two offices during the 1986 calendar year were as follows:
  408

  Number

  Wolverhampton, North

  2,066

  Wolverhampton, South

  2,072

  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Major
  The numbers of claims for maternity grant received during the 1986 calendar year at the Department's local offices at Kirkwall and Lerwick, which cover the constituency, were 216 and 356 respectively.

  Unemployed People (Dependants)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the numbers dependent on unemployed persons in receipt of unemployment benefit or supplementary benefit; and if he will identify how many are (a) spouses, (b) children under 16 years and (c) children over 16 years.

  Mr. Lyell
  The latest available information is given in the table:

  Number of Dependants (000s)

  Adult

  Under 19 years

  Claimant in receipt of Unemployment benefit only

  175·7

  n.a.

  Unemployment benefit and Supplementary benefit

  2135

  3209

  Supplementary benefit only

  2581

  3916

  1 As at November 1986. Figure includes persons having care of claimant's child as well as spouse.

  2 Estimate as at February 1986. Figures are for partners.

  3 Estimate as at February 1986. No age breakdown of the numbers of children available.

  West Midlands RHA (Food Contracts)
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which firms hold contracts to supply food to the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mrs. Currie
  West Midlands regional health authority does not have any formal contracts for food items, but has arranged many purchasing agreements covering a comprehensive range of foodstuffs and related items. Individual hospital locations call off their own specific needs as required from companies with whom such arrangements have been made.

  NHS (Charges)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the revenue from National Health Service charges in each year until 1990; and adopting Government assumptions about inflation, what prescription charges will be in each year until 1990.

  Mr. Newton
  The information requested is:

  £million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Estimated NHS charge revenue (England)

  487

  520

  550

  409
  It would be inappropriate to engage in speculative calculations about the level of prescription charges in future years, since there is no automatic presumption that they will be increased in line with general inflation, and no decisions about their future levels have been taken.

  Overseas Health Services
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list visits, showing at what ministerial or official level, which have taken place to (a) France, (b) New Zealand, (c) the United States of America and (d) Australia since 1983 to examine aspects of their health services;

  (2) what consideration has been given to, and what studies have taken place into, aspects of health service management or practice in (i) France, (ii) New Zealand, (iii) the United States of America and (iv) Australia since June 1983.

  Mrs. Currie
  I shall let the hon. Member have the information that is available as soon as possible.

  Benefits
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate, for each region, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom as a whole of (a) the numbers claiming supplementary benefit, (b) the numbers dependent on claims for suppplementary benefit, (c) the numbers claiming housing benefit, and (d) the numbers dependent on claims for housing benefit.

  Mr. Lyell
  I shall let the hon Member have a reply as soon as possible.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will uprate the proposed new basic benefit levels and premium levels contained in the technical appendix of his "Social Security Reform" White Paper (a) to April 1987 levels and prices and (b) taking into account the Treasury assumptions for price rises in 1987–88, at April 1988 levels and prices; and if he will estimate the difference between premium payments for each of the categories of beneficiary.

  Mr. Major
  The rates given in the technical annex to the White Paper were illustrative only, and a simple scaling of the figures in line with an assumed movement in prices would he misleading, the actual rates to be used in April 1988 will be decided nearer the time in the light of all the information then available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons previously registering as unemployed and claiming unemployment or supplementary benefit have, in the last 12 months been transferred to sickness benefit claims.

  Mr. Lyell
  I shall let the hon Member have a reply as soon as possible.

  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to change the rules governing the payment of suppplementary benefit to women who have received compensation for having been raped.

  Mr. Major
  Payments made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to victims of rape are treated for 410
  supplementary benefit purposes in the same way as any other payment of compensation for personal or criminal injury. They can be disregarded for up to two years, or even longer where it is considered reasonable to do so, if the money is put into a trust fund. They are then subject to the normal capital rules: benefit is not payable if a person has more than £3,000 capital.

  We have no immediate plans to change this, but we are proposing changes in the income support scheme, which replaces supplementary benefit from April 1988, which would be beneficial to anyone receiving compensation for criminal injury. The two-year disregard of money put into a trust fund will be allowed automatically. In addition, the capital limit will be doubled from £3,000 to £6,000, but an income will be assumed for each band of £250 between £3,000 and £6,000. There must, however, be a limit to the value of capital that can be disregarded in an income-related benefit scheme, and we consider that these proposals strike a reasonable balance between the aims. of a scheme that provides compensation from public funds and an income replacement scheme.

  Dr. McDonald
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide estimates of the numbers of (a) family income supplement recipients and (b) standard housing benefit recipients by earnings distribution using the following ranges of gross weekly earnings: (i) below £80, (ii) £80 to £90, (iii) £90 to £100, (iv) £100 to £110, (v) £110 to £120 and (vi) above £120; and if he will indicate the average amount of benefit paid to those falling within each of these ranges.

  Mr. Major
  [pursuant to his reply, 3 April 1987. c. 656]: The following table gives the information for family income supplement recipients, except that it is not possible to give a breakdown of weekly earnings above £90.

  Analysis of FIS families by gross earnings1 of head—April 1986— Great Britain

  Gross earnings of head

  Number of families in receipt of FIS

  Average payment of FIS

  Below £80

  115,000

  18·20

  £80 to £89·99

  34,000

  8·70

  £90 and above

  51,000

  6·10

  All

  200,000

  13·50

  1 Earnings include profits from self-employment and relate to the date of FIS claim.

  I regret that it is not possible to provide reliable figures for housing benefit recipients in work.

  Health Expenditure (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) 2 April, Official Report, column 1221, he will tabulate in the Official Report, for each of the London region health authorities and health districts, respectively, the expenditure of each in real terms in 1979 and in 1986 showing the percentage increase or decrease stating or using the same statistical criteria.

  Mr. Newton
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

  Pensions and Benefits
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will express (a) the basic pension and

  411
  (b) the single person's supplementary benefit level if unemployed as a percentage of average earnings in (i) 1957, (ii) 1979 and (iii) 1987.

  Mr. Major
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value at 1987 prices and as

  Great Britain

  £ million at 1987–88 prices

  1979–80

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Amount

  Percentage share of Fund income

  Amount

  Percentage share of Fund income

  Amount

  Percentage share of Fund income

  Employers Contributions

  10,750

  46·5

  11,550

  44·5

  11,800

  45

  Treasury Supplement

  4,050

  17·5

  2,500

  9·5

  2,030

  7·5

  Contribution rates and the size of the Treasury supplement are determined annually in the light of circumstances at the time. The Government do not make forward estimates of the individual elements of income to the national insurance fund.

  Children's Allowances
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to maintain the real value of all children's allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  We have no plans to alter the existing flexible arrangements for the uprating of children's allowances. The main children's allowances were increased in line with the percentage increase in the appropriate index from 6 April, demonstrating the Government's commitment to continuing support for families with children.

  AIDS
  Mr. Barry Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will authorise compensation for haemophiliacs who have contracted AIDS from infected factor VIII; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) and the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 15 January, at column 302.

  Leigham Clinic
  Mr. William Shelton
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services who were the representatives of the proprietors of the Leigham Clinic in Leigham Court road, Streatham who met officials of his Department on 2 August 1985, in connection with alleged late abortions.

  Mr. Newton
  I suggest that my hon. Friend approach the proprietors direct.

  Mr. William Shelton
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the dates when his officials
  412
  a percentage of the total of (a) Government contributions and (b) employers' contributions to the national insurance fund in 1979 and 1986; and what is his estimate of these contributions for each year until 1990, using Treasury assumptions.

  Mr. Major
  Employers' contributions and the Treasury supplement to the national insurance fund in 1979–80, 1986–87 and 1987–88 (at 1987–88 prices), are as follows :

  have inspected the Leigham Clinic in Leigham Court road, Streatham, during the last five years in connection with the Abortion Act.

  Mr. Newton
  During the last five years officials have inspected the Leigham Clinic in connection with the Abortion Act on the following dates:

  11 November 1982

  17 May 1983

  6 October 1983

  15 February 1984

  1 November 1984

  6 August 1985

  14 October 1985

  1 May 1986

  18 November 1986

  12 February 1987

  Nurses and Midwives (Pay)
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has received in support of the full recommended pay award to nurses and midwives to be proposed by the review body; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The Department has received some 90 letters on this point.

  Maternity Units
  Mr. Meacher
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the number of general practitioner maternity units which have closed since 1979.

  Mrs. Currie
  The numbers of National Health Service hospital general practitioner maternity units in 1979 and 1985 were 256 and 214 respectively.

  Attendance Allowance Board
  Mr. Frank Field
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to begin publishing the guidance and instructions of the Attendance Allowance Board.

  Mr. Major
  The Attendance Allowance Board intends to publish in the summer a full revision of the handbook for its delegated medical practitioners.

  Hip Operations
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the percentage of patients in the North West Thames region who in 1980 waited for more than a year for a hip operation; and what was the comparable percentage of patients waiting for this period of time in 1985.

  Mr. Newton
  I am sorry I cannot give my hon. Friend the information he seeks. It is not available from the sample information held centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to write to the chairman of the North West Thames regional health authority for the information requested.

  Nurses
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of qualified state enrolled nurses and of qualified state registered nurses employed by the National Health Service, for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Newton
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 February 1987, c. 236]: The table shows all enrolled nurses and registered nurses and midwives working in National Health Service hospitals and in primary health care in England, from September 1974 to September 1985 inclusive (the latest date for which such detail is available).

  Registered Nurses and Midwives, and Enrolled Nurses employed by the National Health Service in Hospitals and in primary health care1 England 1974–1985

  Whole-time equivalents2

  Staff in post at 30 September

  Registered Nurses and Midwives

  Enrolled Nurses

  1974

  113,100

  42,900

  1975

  119,500

  47,300

  1976

  123,600

  50,600

  1977

  126,800

  53,800

  1978

  129,500

  56,500

  1979

  132,200

  57,600

  1980

  135,600

  60,300

  1981

  143,200

  65,700

  1982

  147,600

  68,400

  1983

  149,600

  69,900

  1984

  152,500

  71,100

  1985

  157,700

  72,300

  Source: DHSS Annual Census of NHS non-medical manpower.

  1 Excludes staff in administrative and centrally based services. Not adjusted for reduction in nurses' working hours in 1980 from 40 to 37·5 hours per week or for increases in bank holiday entitlements in 1977 and 1978.

  2 All figures are independently rounded to the nearest 100 whole-time equivalents.

  Kidney Dialysis
  Mr. Alton
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are currently undergoing kidney dialysis treatment on Merseyside; how many patients are on the waiting list; and what is the longest period of time which has elapsed since any of the outstanding cases were referred for dialysis treatment.

  Mrs. Currie
  [pursuant to her reply, 25 March 1987, c. 210]: Information in the form requested is not available centrally. The latest data available to the Department are supplied by the European Dialysis and Transplant Association. These show that at the end of December 1985
  414
  there were 229 patients on haemodialysis in the Mersey region. Currently, all demand for dialysis treatment in the region is being met and the regional health authority expects to keep pace with that demand in the future.

  Abortions
  Mr. Thurnham
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the numbers of legal abortions performed in England and Wales on women resident in each health and social services board area in Northern Ireland in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

  Mr. Newton
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 April 1987, c. 108]: The table shows the information which is available without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Number of notifications of legal abortions carried out in England and Wales, to residents of Northern Ireland by County and/or County Borough1 1984–86

  County/County Borough1 of usual residence

  1984

  1985

  21986

  Antrim

  330

  369

  423

  Armagh

  101

  113

  89

  Down

  246

  296

  323

  Fermanagh

  43

  63

  45

  Londonderry and Londonderry County Borough

  150

  155

  166

  Tyrone

  147

  125

  135

  Belfast County Borough

  500

  505

  536

  Ulster or Northern Ireland not otherwise specified

  13

  11

  8

  Total

  1,530

  1,637

  1,725

  1 Pre-1974 boundaries.

  2Includes notifications received by end of February 1987— provisional.

  Board-and-Lodging Changes
  Mr. Norris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will be changing the arrangements for paying benefit to people in lodgings following the issue of the consultative document "Help with Board and Lodging Charges for People on Low Incomes"; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  The consultative document proposed that from April 1988 unemployed people in lodgings should be eligible for housing benefit to meet their accommodation costs and income support for their other needs. This change would replace existing provision whereby supplementary benefit meets both housing and living costs.

  Over 170 responses were received. There was widespread acceptance of the principle that any differences between benefits payable to boarders not in work and other claimants should be based on actual differences in their circumstances. Most who commented recognised that change on the lines proposed was logical but a number of practical concerns were raised. The local authority associations, in particular, argued strongly that the change should not be made in April 1988 when local authorities will be fully occupied in starting to administer the new housing benefit scheme.

  The Government accept the force of this argument, and have decided to implement the change from April 1989, one year later than originally proposed. In the run-up to

  415
  the new system, detailed arrangements for the transition will be worked out with local authorities, especially those in areas with high concentrations of boarder claimants. Discussions will also continue with local authority and other interests on the position of boarders in supported lodging schemes, on whose behalf it has been argued that similar considerations arise to those affecting hostels. As indicated in the consultative document, the Government intend to defer a final decision on arrangements for hostels in order to set them in the context of the current work on related aspects of community care. The position of people in supported lodgings will also be considered in this context.

  There is clear research evidence that the lifestyle and circumstances of boarders are close to those of the far larger number living in other multiply occupied dwellings. Paying higher rates of income support to some or all boarders, as some have suggested, would simply perpetuate the distortions our proposals are designed to rectify. The Government have therefore decided that, from April 1989, the generality of people not in work in ordinary board and lodgings should qualify for income
  416
  support and housing benefit in the same way as everyone else. For ease of administration and certainty for claimants, deductions from housing benefit in respect of meals provided will be fixed at standard rates. This is the course preferred by local authorities. On the basis of current information about food costs, the deduction for breakfasts only would be of the order of £1, and for full board £11·50.

  During the interim period from April 1988, boarders will continue to receive benefit on broadly the same lines as now with some adjustments to align these provisions with the new structure of income support. Time limits will continue to apply to benefit for younger boarders until the new system is introduced.

  The Government remain committed to provision for boarders which will enable real needs to be met while keeping expenditure under control and curbing abuse. The system to be introduced from April 1989 will not only achieve those ends, but remove a source of distortion in the housing market and secure equity between boarders in and out of work, and income support claimants in all types of tenure.

  LITERACY AMONG THE UNEMPLOYED
  LITERACY AMONG THE UNEMPLOYED
  TRIDENT II
  TRIDENT II
  CRUISE MISSILES
  CRUISE MISSILES
  HEALTH EDUCATION COUNCIL DIRECTOR'S REPORT
  HEALTH EDUCATION COUNCIL DIRECTOR'S REPORT
  MARLBOROUGH HOUSE: REFURBISHMENT ARRANGEMENTS
  MARLBOROUGH HOUSE: REFURBISHMENT ARRANGEMENTS
  IRISH SAILORS AND SOLDIERS LAND TRUST BILL
  IRISH SAILORS AND SOLDIERS LAND TRUST BILL
  NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL CO-ORDINATING UNIT ANNUAL REPORT
  NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL CO-ORDINATING UNIT ANNUAL REPORT
  MINERAL EXTRACTION IN NATIONAL PARKS
  MINERAL EXTRACTION IN NATIONAL PARKS
  WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981: MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT GUIDELINES
  WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981: MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT GUIDELINES
  ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: GOVERNMENT FUNDING
  ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: GOVERNMENT FUNDING