Written Answers of 23 April 1987

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Tropical Timber Resources
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the growth and conservation of tropical timber resources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The Government's commitment to the wise use and replenishment of the world's tropical forests has been made clear on many occasions, most recently by myself during questions on 3 November 1986, at column 686. They already support forest management projects in rain forest zones through the aid programme and are ready to consider further proposals. The Government have also given their support to the Food and Agriculture Organisation's tropical forestry action plan, which is providing a valuable framework for the co-ordination of programmes and policies of donor and aid recipient countries.

  The Government ratified the international tropical timber agreement in 1984 and are a member of the related Tropical Timber Organisation, which was established in 1986. One of the principal functions of this organisation is to seek to encourage the development of the trade in tropical hardwoods on the basis of sustainable and renewable resources.

  Population Projects (Aid)
  Mr. Charles Morrison
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions for 1987 are being made to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and the World Health Organisation's special programme on human reproduction.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have made the following pledges for 1987, subject to parliamentary approval:

  (a) International Planned Parenthood Federation: £6·6 million (this figure includes £0·6 million to help the federation develop its capacity to combat AIDS);

  (b) United Nations Fund for Population Activities: £5·0 million;

  (c) World Health Organisation's special programme on human reproduction: £2·2 million.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Max Madden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with chief constables the issuing of guidance to crime prevention officers about visiting all pensioner households to give advice on security and related matters.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Under existing informal arrangements, the Home Office already has regular contacts with 650
  the Association of Chief Police Officers about all aspects of crime prevention, and we believe that the need to ensure that there is adequate provision of sensible advice to the elderly about personal and household security issues is already well understood by chief officers. Courses provided for crime prevention officers at the Home Office crime prevention centre include training on the provision of advice to the elderly and how to give it. Such advice can, of course, be provided in various ways and I am aware that a number of police forces have mounted special campaigns, often working with voluntary agencies, to reach the elderly in an effective and sensitive way.

  Mr. Madden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider making grants available to all pensioner households to provide basic household protection; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are a number of local schemes run, for example, by local authorities or crime prevention panels, for supplying domestic security equipment free or at very low cost to those most in need, primarily pensioner households. Central Government funds provided through the Department of Environment's urban and housing programmes, and the Manpower Services Commission's community programme, are also being used in schemes to make homes more secure.

  Before instituting any national scheme to provide grants for domestic security, the Government would need to be satisfied that the scheme was the most effective way of improving the security of those in need. In the light of the recommendations on this issue made by the Home Office Standing Conference on Crime Prevention, and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the ministerial group on crime prevention has been considering what further measures the Government might take, though it is too early to say what the outcome of this consideration will be.

WALES

  Health Promotion Authority
  Mr. Raffan
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the remit of the Welsh Health Promotion Authority.

  Mr. Nicholas Edwards
  The remit of the new authority, whose establishment has been widely and warmly welcomed, is contained in the policy memorandum which we have issued today; a copy has been placed in the Library. This follows consultation on a draft of the document with those with an interest in health promotion.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Timber
  Mr. Litherland
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of annual British timber requirements is met by tropical sources.

  Mr. Howard
  In 1985, the last year for which full statistics are available, 6·8 per cent. of the annual British timber requirement was met by timber originating from tropical sources.

  Textiles
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the embargo recently imposed by the European Community on imports of cotton bed sheets from Pakistan.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Following evidence of market disruption submitted by a number of member states, on 5 March 1987 the European Community imposed a provisional quota of 1,786 tonnes for three months on imports of goods covered by MFA category 20, woven bedlinen, from Pakistan to member states other than France and Italy (where quotas were already in force). The United Kingdom share of this quota is 391 tonnes. The provisional quota was imposed under the terms of article 8 of the EC-Pakistan bilateral textiles agreement, under the multi-fibre arrangement. A first consultation took place between the European Community and Pakistan on 2–3 April with the aim of agreeing a definitive quota level. No conclusion was reached and further consultations will take place shortly.

  EC (Manufacturing)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the surplus or deficit in manufacturing trade with the European Economic Community in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for each of the previous 20 annual periods in respect of the nations now compromising the European Economic Community.

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

  United Kingdom balance of trade in manufactures1 with other European Community2 countries

  Balance of Payments basis

  £million

  1966

  3392

  1967

  3266

  1968

  3306

  1969

  3545

  1970

  643

  1971

  426

  1972

  55

  1973

  -368

  1974

  -507

  1975

  -588

  1976

  -476

  1977

  -488

  1978

  -1,727

  1979

  -2,580

  1980

  -1,168

  1981

  -2,613

  1982

  -4,335

  1983

  -7,174

  1984

  -8,082

  1985

  -8,683

  1986

  -10,058

  1 Standard International Trade Classification, Section 5 to 8.

  2 Present membership throughout.

  3 Overseas Trade Statistics Basis — imports valued inclusive of insurance and freight — the corresponding figure for 1970 is £560 million.

  Sources: Department of Trade and Industry Overseas Trade Statistics

EMPLOYMENT

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Paymaster General if he will estimate the man-years effort required by Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to give approval to the safety case for (a) stage 1, (b) stage 2 and (c) stage 3 decommissioning of the first magnox power station; whether such estimates include work preparatory to receipt of the safety case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  At this stage only a preliminary and provisional estimate of two to three man-years can be made as the process is reactive and iterative; and the effort required is determined to some extent by factors outside the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's control, such as the acceptability of the early pre-decommissioning safety reports prepared by operators.

  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Paymaster General if he will estimate the man-years effort employed by Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in (a) generic decommissioning work and (b) magnox decommissioning work, in each recent year; what resources are allocated to such work in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Man-year effort employed by the inspectorate in the last financial year has been less than half a man-year each on generic and magnox decommissioning work.

  In the current financial year between one and two man-year's effort is available for assessment of decommissioning nuclear installations.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list and describe the research and development work done since July 1985 on the decommissioning of nuclear power stations, in national and European Community projects; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what further research and development work has been done on the decommissioning of magnox power stations since July 1985; what has been the cost of such work; what additional work is planned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The main R and D work in the United Kingdom in the decommissioning field relates to the project to decommission the Windscale advanced gas-cooled reactor to stage 3. This work is also relevant to magnox decommissioning. Items covered include:

  (a) work to specify a remotely operated handling machine now under manufacture;

  (b) work to specify a manipulator, now under manufacture, which will be used with the remote handling machine;

  (c) establishment of cutting, ventilation and filtration techniques;

  (d) establishment of remote viewing techniques by TV;

  (e) specification of a package for the storage, transport and eventual disposal of the radioactive waste.

  There is also work on decommissioning the Dounreay fast reactor (which was shut down in 1977) towards stage 2. Recent R and D includes work on treatment of the liquid metal coolant.
  653
  The current European Community decommissioning R and D programme includes projects in the following areas:

  (a) long-term integrity of buildings and systems;

  (b) decontamination for decommissioning purposes;

  (c) dismantling techniques;

  (d) treatment of specific waste materials: steel, concrete and graphite;

  (e) large containers for radioactive waste produced in dismantling nuclear installations;

  (f) estimation of quantities of radioactive wastes arising from decommissioning nuclear installations in the Community;

  (g) influence of installation design features on decommissioning.

  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the earliest date at which research and development work on the decommissioning of magnox power stations is expected to be sufficiently far advanced for a safety case for stage 3 decommissioning of any magnox station to be submitted to Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the earliest date at which research and development work on the decommissioning of magnox power stations is expected to be sufficiently far advanced for a safety case for stage 2 decommissioning of any magnox station to be submitted to Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is the earliest date at which research and development work on the decommissioning of magnox power stations is expected to be sufficiently far advanced for a safety case for stage 1 decommissioning of any magnox station to be submitted to Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what decommissioning studies have had regard to aspects of the safety and practicability of the decommissioning of a magnox power station taking place on a site shared with operational nuclear reactor or a further nuclear power station under construction; and if he will make a statement;

  Mr. Goodlad
  I am advised that pre-decommissioning safety reports will be submitted to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate on a time scale appropriate to its requirements. The safety implications of decommissioning a nuclear power station on a site shared with an operational reactor, or one under construction, is one of the factors which will be taken into consideration.

  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and magnox licensees on the required scope and content of a safety case for decommissioning operations; whether the scope and content of a safety case for stage 1, stage 2 or stage 3 has been agreed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I am advised that discussions between the CEGB and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate are currently in progress to establish the general scope, content, format and timing of pre-decommissioning safety reports for magnox stations which will be submitted to the NII about two years before the final shutdown of a station or before the appropriate stage of decommissioning. Agreement has yet to be reached on the final content and timing of such submissions which will, however, follow the general guidelines set down in the IAEA safety series document on the decommissioning of land-based nuclear reactor plants.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  AIDS (Palace of Westminster Staff)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any plans to arrange for staff of the Palace of Westminster to be screened for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus.

  Mr. Biffen
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1987, c. 424]: No.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any current or former staff of the Palace of Westminster have been found to have developed AIDS or antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus.

  Mr. Biffen
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1987, c. 424]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Health on Wednesday 22 April.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he has taken to ensure staff of the Palace of Westminster are warned about those homosexual arid other activities which are deemed to involve a high risk of AIDS infection.

  Mr. Biffen
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1987, c. 424]: In April 1986 the Management and Personnel Office, after consulting the chief medical officer, DHSS, circulated all departments with guidance to managers and model notes for staff. Copies of those notes arid also of the Department of Employment—Health and Safety Executive book "AIDS and Employment" have been made available to management and staff of the House.

  I understand that copies of both those pieces of guidance are available in the House of Commons Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Focus for National Play
  Mr. Clelland
  asked the Prime Minister which Government Departments have been involved in consultations on the future of a focus for national play.

  The Prime Minister
  The Department of Health and Social Security, Education and Science, Scottish Office, Welsh Office, and Northern Ireland Office were consulted in 1986 during the Department of the Environment's review of its support for the voluntary organisation, Play Board. All have been kept in close touch with subsequent developments.

  Soviet Union (Bibles)
  Mr. Greenway
  asked the Prime Minister if, following her official visit to Zagorsk to light a candle, she will raise with the Soviet Government the availability of bibles in the Soviet Union and the current prohibition on importing bibles; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I have made clear to the Soviet authorities my concern for full freedom of worship in the Soviet Union, and I shall continue to press for this in the future.

  Pay Review Bodies
  Mr. Leigh
  asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the latest reports of the pay review bodies.

  The Prime Minister
  The 1987 reports of the Review Bodies on the pay of Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, Doctors and Dentists, and the Armed Forces, and of the Top Salaries Review Body, have been published today. Copies are now available in the Vote office. The Government are grateful to members of the review bodies for these reports and the time and care which they have put into their preparation.

  The following table shows the increases in pay rates recommended by the review bodies and their cost:

  Review body

  Average increase Per cent.

  Range of increase Per cent.

  Cost1 £ million

  Nurses, midwives and health visitors

  9·50

  5·00–12·70

  447

  Professions allied to medicine

  9·10

  6·00–12·60

  39

  Doctors and dentists

  7·70

  7·00–8·25

  230

  Armed forces

  5·96

  4·00–7·00

  200

  Top salaries

  4·80

  4·60–5·20

  4

  1 Including employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions where appropriate.

  The Government have decided that the increases recommended by the review bodies, with the exception of those recommended by the Top Salaries Review Body, should be implemented in full with effect from 1 April 1987. The TSRB recommendations will be implemented as to 4·25 per cent. from 1 April 1987, with the balance from 1 October 1987, reflecting the offers made to civil servants in grades just below those covered by the recommendations.

  The cost of the awards this year for the AFPRB and TSRB groups will be met from within existing public expenditure programme totals. In the case of the health services, however, the Government recognise that the full costs could not be accommodated within existing provisions without adversely affecting services to patients. The Government have therefore decided to provide an extra £328 million for health authority cash limits from the reserve for this year. Of the remaining cost, £248 million is already fully covered within the allocations made for this year, leaving a balance of £30 million to be covered from cost improvements, including the beneficial effects of the pay award in retaining nursing staff and reducing the use of agency nurses. The Government have similarly decided to provide an additional £68 million to the family practitioner services from the reserve for this year.

  The pay rates and scales resulting from the decisions will be promulgated as soon as possible for all the groups concerned. Pensions will be based on the salaries actually in payment in accordance with the principle set out in my written answer of 13 April 1984, at column 383.

  I am today announcing separately the Government's decision to proceed with the scheme for discretionary pay at Civil Service grades 2 and 3, on which there has recently been extensive consultation, as part of the Government's policy that there should be a strengthening of the link between pay and performanc at all levels within the Civil Service. It is expected that discretionary pay increases will be in effect as from 1 October 1987, at the rates recommended by the TSRB.

  Civil Service (Performance-related Pay)
  Mr. Leigh
  asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made with the introduction of performance-related pay in the Civil Service.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are in favour of strengthening the link between pay and performance at all levels in the Civil Service.

  At the most senior levels a scheme for the introduction of discretionary increments for staff in grades 2 and 3 is being introduced this year in accordance with the recommendations of the Top Salaries Review Body. This scheme will provide additional pay for the best performers in recognition of sustained high performance. The first increments will be in payment with effect from 1 October and will be withdrawable on a mark-time basis where performance falls off over a prolonged period. I am placing details of the scheme in the Library of the House.

  For staff from grade 3 down to grade 7 a scheme for the annual award of performance bonuses has been in operation on an experimental basis since April 1985. This experiment will end in March 1988, when it will be replaced with a new performance-related scheme for grades 4 to 7 which will take account of experience with the performance bonus experiment. The details of the new scheme will be announced in due course after consultation with staff interests, but as an interim measure we have proposed to the unions concerned that a new performance point should be introduced at grade 5 with effect from 1 September 1987 in respect of people who have been on the maximum of their scale for at least one year. The receipt of this new increment would be linked to performance markings in the annual reports of the individuals concerned.

  For staff who have not yet reached the normal maximum salaries for these grades we intend to bring forward proposals which will enable them to earn accelerated incremental progression in return for outstanding performance coupled with the with olding of increments in the case of performance which does not fully meet the requirements of the grade.

  We have also entered into a provisional agreement with the Institution of Professional Civil Servants under which we expect a start to be made in April 1988 on using discretionary range points of pay, again linked to performance markings in annual appraisal reports. This arrangement covers staff in most of the grades for which the IPCS has sole national representation.

  Taken together these new arrangements mean that from April 1988 over 80,000 civil servants will be in grades covered by performance-related pay. This represents a major step forward in the management of the Civil Service. We hope that it will be possible to bring other staff not covered by these new arrangements within the scope of similar schemes in due course.

  Sir Maurice Oldfield
  Sir Peter Blaker
  asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the recent allegations concerning Sir Maurice Oldfield in relation to the security of the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  Sir Maurice Oldfield became Security Co-ordinator in Northern Ireland in October 1979. Subsequently reports were received which caused his
  657
  positive vetting clearance to be reviewed. In March 1980, in the course of that review, he made an admission that he had from time to time engaged in homosexual activities. His positive vetting clearance was withdrawn. By this time he was already a sick man; he finally ceased to serve as Security Co-ordinator in Northern Ireland when a successor took over in June 1980; he died in March 1981.

  There was a lengthy and thorough investigation by the Security Service, which included many interviews with Sir Maurice Oldfield himself, to examine whether there was any reason to suppose that he himself or the interests of the country might have been compromised. The conclusion was that, though his conduct had been a potential risk to security, there was no evidence or reason whatsoever to suggest that security had ever been compromised; indeed, he had contributed notably to a number of security and intelligence successes which would not have been achieved had there been a breach of security. That conclusion stands.

  The facts of the case were made known to the Security Commission, when it undertook the review of security procedures and practices, including vetting, in the public service which I commissioned in March 1981. In that report the commission dealt with criteria for positive vetting clearances and with the security implications of male homosexuality. I made it clear in my statement on the Security Commission's report, which was presented to Parliament in May 1982 as Cmnd. 8540, that the Government accepted the Security Commission's report and were acting upon its recommendations.

  Engagements
  Mr. Peter Bruinvels
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 April.

  Mr. Pike
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 23 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 the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  £000

  per cent.

  £000

  per cent.

  £000

  per cent.

  £000

  per cent.

  £000

  per cent.

  Fife

  Environmental improvement

  1,615

  6·7

  924

  3·3

  500

  1·7

  524

  1·4

  1,035

  2·5

  Industrial investment

  101

  1·8

  261

  2·9

  849

  10·0

  223

  2·8

  186

  3·3

  All programmes

  2,970

  3·4

  4,812

  4·6

  2,880

  3·0

  1,597

  1·7

  4,094

  3·8

  Dunfermline District

  Environmental improvement

  767

  3·2

  466

  1·7

  189

  0·6

  264

  0·7

  586

  1·4

  Industrial investment

  75

  1·3

  107

  1·2

  342

  4·0

  48

  0·6

  172

  3·1

  All programmes

  1,397

  1·6

  3,068

  3·0

  1,306

  1·3

  690

  0·7

  2,132

  2·0

  Kirkcaldy District

  Environmental improvement

  699

  2·9

  387

  1·4

  306

  1·0

  202

  0·6

  373

  0·9

  Industrial investment

  26

  0·4

  122

  1·4

  283

  3·3

  185

  2·3

  —

  —

  All programmes

  1,199

  1·4

  1,266

  1·3

  1,114

  1·1

  484

  0·5

  1,636

  1·5

SCOTLAND

  Rechem Plant, Bonnybridge
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to what chemical substances, in what annual volumes, and by what methods of treatment, were processed by the Rechem plant in Bonnybridge, as to where those chemicals are now being treated, and by what processes; and what complaints have so far been received from residents of the areas in which the reprocessing plants dealing with these chemicals are situated.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, the hon. Member may care to note the following possible sources of information:

  (a) regarding substances processed at Bonnybridge—Rechem International and Falkirk district council.

  (b) where chemicals now being treated — the second report of the Hazardous Waste Inspectorate (a copy of which is in the Library) and local authorities identified in that report.

  (c) any complaints about current treatment — the relevant local authorities, and the Department of the Environment Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution.

  Forth River Purification Board
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures he has available for staffing levels, actual and establishment, of the Forth river purification board.

  Mr. Ancram
  The establishment level at 31 December 1986 was 73 full-time and 10 part-time staff. One full-time post was vacant at that date.

  Scottish Development Agency (Expenditure)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by the Scottish Development Agency in (a) Fife, (b) Dunfermline district and (c) Kirkcaldy district in each year since 1975, and as a proportion of total expenditure on (i) environmental improvement, (ii) industrial investment and (iii) all Scottish Development Agency expenditure.

  Mr. Lang
  [pursuant to his reply, 20 March 1987, c. 657]: The information, which is readily available only from the financial year 1981–82, is as follows:
  659
  Note: The base for the percentage calculations is total agency expenditure on the relevant programme in the year in question excluding expenditure which cannot be allocated geographically.

  Police
  Mr. Canavan
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will state for each police force in Scotland the location of manned police stations or substations (a) closed down and (b) opened since 1979.

  Force

  Police Stations closed down since 1979

  Police Stations opened since 1979

  Central Scotland Police

  "A" Division Alva, Buchlyvie Cambusbarron, Causewayhead Clackmannan, Cowie Dollar, Doune, Fallin, Fintry, Killearn, Kippen, Menstrie, Plean, Raploch, Sauchie, St Ninians, Whins of Milton.

  "A" Division Bannockburn (Replacement) "B" Division

  Maddiston (Replacement) Bo'ness (Replacement)

  "B" Division Airth, Bog Road, Brightons, Longcroft, Redding, Bonnybridge, Camelon, Larbert, Whitecross, Bainsford, Avonbridge, Carronshore, Laurieston, Polmont, Slamannan, Shieldhill.

  Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

  Nil

  Nil

  Fife Constabulary

  Thornton

  Dalgety Bay

  Grampian Police

  Cammachmore College Street, Aberdeen

  Portlethen Windmill Brae

  Lothian and Borders Police

  Ayton, Chirnside, Cockburnspath, Cockenzie, East Linton, Greenlaw, Heriot, Yetholm

  Broxburn (Replacement) Dalkeith (Replacement) Fauldhouse (Replacement) Whitburn (Replacement) Wester Hailes

  Northern Constabulary

  Firth Nigg (oil related)

  St. Margaret's Hope Caol Kyleakin (Temporarily closed) Symbister

  Strathclyde Police

  Turnbull Street, Glasgow, Glenmavis, Stepps, Tarbolton.

  London Road (Replacement) Erskine Troon (Replacement) Shettlston (Replacement) Cumbernauld (Replacement) Stonehouse (Replacement)

  Tayside Police

  Nil

  Baluniefield Lochee (Replacement) Maryfield (Replacement) Ryehill

  Mr. Canavan
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state, for each police force in Scotland, the number and location of manned police stations or substations in (a) 1979 and (b) 1986 or the latest available year, with a breakdown of the figures for each police force in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  [pursuant to his reply, 8 April 1987, c. 287]: The information is as follows:

  CENTRAL SCOTLAND POLICE
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–56
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–22
  1979
  Police HQ Stirling
  A Division

  Aberfoyle

  Alloa

  Alva

  Mr. Lang
  [pursuant to his reply 8 April 1987, c. 289]: The information is as follows:

  Balfron

  Bannockburn

  Blanfield

  Bridge of Allan

  Buchlyvie

  Callender

  Cambusbarron

  Causewayhead

  Clackmannan

  Cowie

  Crienlarich

  Dollar

  Doune

  Drymen

  Dunblane

  Fallin

  Fintry

  Killearn

  Killin

  Kippen

  661

  Lochearnhead

  Menstrie

  Plean

  Raploch

  Sauchie

  St. Ninians

  Tillicoultry

  Tullibody

  Whins of Milton

  B Division

  Airth

  Avonbridge

  Bainsford

  Bog Road

  Bo'ness

  Bonnybridge

  Brightons

  Camelon

  Carronshore

  Denny

  Falkirk

  Grangemouth

  Grangemouth Docks

  Larbert

  Laurieston

  Longcroft

  Maddiston

  Polmont

  Redding

  Shieldhill

  Slamannan

  Stenhousemuir

  Whitecross

  1986

  Police HQ Stirling

  A Division

  Aberfoyle

  Alloa

  Balfron

  Bannockburn

  Blanefield

  Bridge of Allan

  Callander

  Crianlarich

  Drymen

  Dunblane

  Killin

  Lochearnhead

  Tillicoultry

  Tullibody

  B Division

  Bo'ness

  Denny

  Falkirk

  Grangemouth

  Grangemouth Docks

  Maddiston

  Stenhousemuir

  DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY CONSTABULARY
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–26
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–26

  1979

  Police HQ Dumfries

  Annan

  Canonbie

  Castle Douglas

  Crocketford

  Dalbeattie

  Dalry

  Gatehouse

  Glenluce

  Gretna

  Kirkconnel

  Kirkcudbright

  662

  Langholm

  Locharbriggs

  Lochmaben

  Lockerbie

  Moffat

  Newton Stewart

  Portpatrick

  Port William

  Sandhead

  Sanquhar

  Stranraer

  Thornhill

  Whithorn

  Wigtown

  1986

  Police HQ Dumfries

  Annan

  Canonbie

  Castle Douglas

  Crocketford

  Dalbeattie

  Dairy

  Gatehouse

  Glenluce

  Gretna

  Kirkconnel

  Kirkcudbright

  Langholm

  Locharbriggs

  Lochmaben

  Lockerbie

  Moffat

  Newton Stewart

  Portpatrick

  Port William

  Sandhead

  Sanquhar

  Stranraer

  Thornhill

  Whithorn

  Wigtown

  FIFE CONSTABULARY
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–54
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–54

  1979

  Police HQ Dysart

  Central Division

  Burntisland

  Cardenden

  Coaltown-of-Wemyss

  East Wemyss

  Glenrothes

  Kennoway

  Kinghorn

  Kinglassie

  Kirkcaldy:

  Cairns Street

  Cairnwell Place

  St. Brycedale Road

  Leslie

  Leven

  Markinch

  Methil

  Thornton

  Windygates

  Eastern Division

  Anstruther

  Auchtermuchty

  Ceres

  Colinsburgh

  Crail

  Elie

  Falkland

  Freuchie

  Guardbridge

  663

  Kingsbarns

  Ladybank

  Largoward

  Letham

  Leuchars

  Lundin Links

  Newburgh

  Newport-on-Tay

  St. Andrews

  St. Monans

  Springfield

  Strathmiglo

  Tayport

  Western Division

  Aberdour

  Ballingry

  Blairhall

  Charlestown

  Cowdenbeath

  Crossgates

  Culross

  Dunfermline

  Kelty

  Kincardine-on-Forth

  Lochgelly

  Newmills

  North Queensferry

  Oakley

  1986

  Police HQ Dysart

  Central Division

  Burntisland

  Cardenden

  Coaltown-of-Wemyss

  East Wemyss

  Glenrothes

  Kennoway

  Kinghorn

  Kinglassie

  Kirkcaldy:

  Cairns Street

  Cairnwell Place

  St. Brycedale Road

  Leslie

  Leven

  Markinch

  Methil

  Windygates

  Eastern Division

  Anstruther

  Auchtermuchty

  Ceres

  Colinsburgh

  Crail

  Elie

  Falkland

  Freuchie

  Guardbridge

  Kingsbarns

  Ladybank

  Largoward

  Letham

  Leuchars

  Lundin Links

  Newburgh

  Newport-on-Tay

  St. Andrews

  St. Monans

  Springfield

  Strathmiglo

  Tayport

  Western Division

  Aberdour

  Ballingry

  Blairhall

  664

  Charlestown

  Cowdenbeath

  Crossgates

  Culross

  Dalgety Bay

  Dunfermline

  Kelty

  Kincardine-on-Forth

  Lochgelly

  Newmills

  North Queensferry

  Oakley

  GRAMPIAN POLICE
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–74
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–74

  1979

  Police HQ, Aberdeen

  A Division

  Aberchirder

  Aberlour

  Banff

  Buckie

  Cullen

  Cuminestown

  Dufftown

  Elgin

  Fochabers

  Forres

  Fyvie

  Hopeman

  Keith

  Lhanbryde

  Lossiemouth

  Macduff

  Portsoy

  Rothes

  Tomintoul

  Turriff

  B Division

  Aberdeen:

  Airport

  Bridge of Don

  Byron Square

  Cairncry

  Dyce

  Mastrick

  Mile End

  Old Aberdeen

  Skene

  Tillydrone

  Bucksburn

  C Division

  Aberdeen:

  Alford Place

  College Street

  Culter

  Cults

  Fonthill

  Harbour

  Hazlehead

  Kincorth

  Nigg

  Queens Cross

  Torry

  D Division

  Aboyne

  Alford

  Ballater

  Banchory

  Boddam

  Braemar

  Cammachmore

  Cruden Bay

  Echt

  Ellon

  665

  Fraserburgh

  Huntley

  Insch

  Inverbervie

  Inverurie

  Kemnay

  Kintore

  Laurencekirk

  Lumsden

  Maud

  Mintlaw

  New Deer

  New Pitsligo

  Oldmeldrum

  Peterhead

  Rosehearty

  Stonehaven

  Strathdon

  Strichen

  Tarland

  Tarves

  1986

  Police HQ Aberdeen

  A Division

  Aberchirder

  Aberlour

  Banff

  Buckie

  Cullen

  Cuminestown

  Dufftown

  Elgin

  Fochabers

  Forres

  Fyvie

  Hopeman

  Keith

  Lhanbryde

  Lossiemouth

  Macduff

  Portsoy

  Rothes

  Tomintoul

  Turriff

  B Division

  Aberdeen:

  Airport

  Bridge of Don

  Byron Square

  Cairncry

  Dyce

  Mastrick

  Mile End

  Old Aberdeen

  Skene

  Tillydrone

  Bucksburn

  C Division

  Aberdeen:

  Alford Place

  Culter

  Cults

  Fonthill

  Harbour

  Hazlehead

  Kincorth

  Nigg

  Queens Cross

  Torry

  Windmill Brae

  D Division

  Aboyne

  Alford

  Ballater

  Banchory

  Boddam

  666

  Braemar

  Cruden Bay

  Echt

  Ellon

  Fraserburgh

  Huntly

  Insch

  Inverbervie

  Inverurie

  Kemnay

  Kintore

  Laurencekirk

  Lumsden

  Maud

  Mintlaw

  New Deer

  New Pitsligo

  Oldmeldrum

  Peterhead

  Portlethen

  Rosehearty

  Stonehaven

  Strathdon

  Strichen

  Tarland

  Tarves

  LOTHIAN AND BORDERS POLICE
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–68
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–61

  1979

  Police HQ, Edinburgh

  A Division

  Edinburgh:

  Causewayside

  Central

  Craigmillar

  Mayfield

  B Division

  Edinburgh:

  Drylaw

  Garfield

  Square

  C Division

  Edinburgh:

  Corstorphine

  Oxgangs

  Turnhouse

  West End

  D Division

  Edinburgh:

  Albert Dock

  Leith

  Portobello

  E Division

  Bonnyrigg

  Cockenzie

  Dalkeith

  Danderhall

  Dunbar

  East Linton

  Gorebridge

  Haddington

  Loanhead

  Musselburgh

  Newbattle

  North Berwick

  Penicuik

  Prestonpans

  Rosewell

  Tranent

  F Division

  Armadale

  Balerno

  Bathgate

  Blackburn

  667

  Broxburn

  Fauldhouse

  Linlithgow

  Livingston

  Mid Calder

  South Queensferry

  West Calder

  Whitburn

  G Division

  Ayton

  Broughton

  Chirnside

  Cockburnspath

  Coldingham

  Coldstream

  Duns

  Earlston

  Eyemouth

  Galashiels

  Greenlaw

  Hawick

  Heriot

  Innerleithen

  Jedburgh

  Kelso

  Lauder

  Melrose

  Newcastleton

  Peebles

  St. Boswells

  Selkirk

  Stow

  West Linton

  Whitecraig

  Yetholm

  1986

  Police HQ, Edinburgh

  A Division

  Edinburgh:

  Causewayside

  Central

  Craigmillar

  Mayfield

  B Division

  Edinburgh:

  Drylaw

  Gayfield Square

  C Division

  Edinburgh

  Airport

  Corstorphine

  Oxgangs

  West End

  Wester Halies

  D Division

  Edinburgh:

  Albert Dock

  Leith

  Portobello

  E Division

  Bonnyrigg

  Dalkeith

  Danderhall

  Dunbar

  Gorebridge

  Haddington

  Loanhead

  Musselburgh

  Newbattle

  North Berwick

  Penicuik

  Prestonpans

  Rosewell

  668

  Tranent

  F Division

  Armadale

  Balerno

  Bathgate

  Blackburn

  Broxburn

  Fauldhouse

  Linlithgow

  Livingston

  Mid Calder

  South Queensferry

  West Calder

  Whitburn

  G Division

  Broughton

  Coldingham

  Coldstream

  Duns

  Earlston

  Eyemouth

  Galashiels

  Hawick

  Innerleithen

  Jedburgh

  Kelso

  Lauder

  Melrose

  Newcastleton

  Peebles

  St. Boswells

  Selkirk

  Stow

  West Linton

  Whitecraig

  NORTHERN CONSTABULARY
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–93
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–95

  1979

  Police HQ Inverness

  Northern Division

  Baltasound

  Bettyhill

  Brae

  Castletown

  Cullivoe

  Dunbeath

  Dunrossness

  Firth

  Halkirk

  Kirkwall

  Lerwick

  Longhope

  Lybester

  Melvich

  Mey

  Reay

  Scalloway

  Stromness

  Thurso

  Tongue

  Watten

  Wick

  Central Division

  Alness

  Aultbea

  Back

  Balallan

  Barra

  Barvas

  Benbecula

  Bonar

  Bridge

  Brora

  Carloway

  Conan Bridge

  669

  Cromarty

  Dingwall

  Dornoch

  Evanton

  Fearn

  Fortrose

  Gairloch

  Garrabost

  Golspie

  Helmsdale

  Invergordon

  Lairg

  Lochboisdale

  Lochcarron

  Lochinver

  Lochmaddy

  Muir of Ord

  Nigg

  North Kessock

  Port of Ness

  Rhiconich

  Stornoway

  Strathpeffer

  Tain

  Tarbert

  Ullapool

  Southern Division

  Ardersier

  Ardvasar

  Arisaig

  Aviemore

  Banavie

  Beauly

  Boat of Garten

  Broadford

  Cannich

  Carrbridge

  Daviot

  Drumnadrochit

  Dunvegan

  Fort Augustus

  Fort William

  Foyers

  Glencoe

  Grantown

  Inverness

  Kingussie

  Kinlochmore

  Kinmylies

  Kirkhill

  Kyle

  Mallaig

  Nairn

  Nethybridge

  Newtownmore

  Portree

  Smithton

  Speanbridge

  Strontian

  Uig

  1986

  Police HQ, Inverness

  Northern Division

  Baltasound

  Bettyhill

  Brae

  Castletown

  Cullivoe

  Dunbeath

  Dunrossness

  Halkirk

  Kirkwall

  Lerwick

  Longhope

  Lybster

  Melvich

  Mey

  670

  Reay

  Scalloway

  St. Margaret's Hope

  Stromness

  Symbister

  Thurso

  Tongue

  Watten

  Wick

  Central Division

  Alness

  Aultbea

  Back

  Balallan

  Barra

  Barvas

  Benbecula

  Bonar

  Bridge

  Brora

  Carloway

  Conon Bridge

  Cromarty

  Dingwall

  Dornoch

  Evanton

  Fearn

  Fortrose

  Gairloch

  Garrabost

  Golspie

  Helmsdale

  Invergordon

  Lairg

  Lochboisdale

  Lochcarron

  Lochinver

  Lochmaddy

  Muir of Ord

  North Kessock

  Port of Ness

  Rhiconich

  Stornoway

  Strathpeffer

  Tain

  Tarbert

  Ullapool

  Southern Division

  Ardersier

  Ardvasar

  Arisaig

  Aviemore

  Banavie

  Beauly

  Boat of Garten

  Broadford

  Cannich

  Caol

  Carribridge

  Daviot

  Drumnadrochit

  Dunvegan

  Fort Augustus

  Fort William

  Foyers

  Glencoe

  Grantown

  Inverness

  Kingussie

  Kinlochmore

  Kinmylies

  Kirkhill

  Kyle

  Kyleakin

  Mallaig

  Nairn

  Nethybridge

  Newtownmore

  Portree

  671

  Smithton

  Speanbridge

  Strontian

  Uig

  STRATHCLYDE POLICE
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–175
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–173

  1979

  Police HQ, Pitt Street, Glasgow

  A Division

  Cranstonhill

  Stewart Street, Glasgow

  B Division

  Clydebank

  Drumchapel

  Garscadden

  Partick

  C Division

  Lambhill

  Mary hill

  Milngavie and Bearsden

  Saracen

  Temple

  D Division

  Baird Street, Glasgow

  Bishopbriggs

  Blackhill

  Easterhouse

  Gartcosh

  Kirkintilloch

  Lennoxtown

  Muirhead

  Springburn

  Stepps

  E Division

  Baillieston

  Barlanark

  London Road, Glasgow

  Shettleston

  Turnbull Street, Glasgow

  F Division

  Cambuslang

  Castlemilk

  Craigie Street, Glasgow

  Gorbals

  Pollokshaws

  Rutherglen

  G Division

  Cardonald

  Clarkston

  Eaglesham

  Giffnock

  Govan

  Newton Mearns

  Plantation

  Pollok

  Thornliebank

  K Division

  Barrhead

  Bishopton

  Elderslie

  Forth

  Glasgow Airport

  Hillington

  Houston

  Howwood

  Johnstone

  Kilbarchan

  Linwood

  Lochwinnoch

  Neilston

  672

  Paisley

  Ralston

  Renfrew

  Uplawmoor

  L Division

  Alexandria

  Appin

  Ardrishaig

  Arrochar

  Bowmore

  Bunessan

  Campbeltown

  Cardross

  Carradale

  Connel

  Craignure

  Dalmally

  Dumbarton

  Dunoon

  Garelochhead

  Gartocharn

  Helensburgh

  Innellan

  Inveraray

  Kames

  Kilcreggan

  Kilmun

  Lochgilphead

  Lochgoilhead

  Luss

  Oban

  Port Ellen

  Rothesay

  Salen

  Sandbank

  Strachur

  Tarbert

  Taynuilt

  Tiree

  Tobermory

  N Division

  Airdrie

  Caldercruix

  Chapelhall

  Coatbridge

  Cumbernauld

  Glenboig

  Glen Mavis

  Kilsyth

  Plains

  Salsburgh

  P Division

  Bellshill

  Craigneuk

  Harthill

  Motherwell

  Netherton

  Newarthill

  Newmains

  Shotts

  Viewpark

  Wishaw

  Q Division

  Abington

  Biggar

  Blackwood

  Blantyre

  Carluke

  Carnwath

  Carstairs

  Crawford

  Crossford

  Douglas

  East Kilbride

  Forth

  Hamilton

  673

  High Blantyre

  Lanark

  Larkhall

  Law

  Leadhills

  Lesmahagow

  Rigside

  Shawsburn

  Stonehouse

  Strathaven

  Uddingston

  R Division

  Auchinleck

  Ayr

  Ballantrae

  Cumnock

  Dailly

  Dalmellington

  Drongan

  Mauchline

  Maybole

  Muirkirk

  New Cumnock

  Prestwick

  Prestwick Airport

  Tarbolton

  Troon

  U Division

  Beith

  Brodick

  Dalry

  Darvel

  Gaiston

  Irvine

  Kilbirnie

  Kilmarnock

  Kilwinning

  Lamlash

  Largs

  Millport

  Newmilns

  Saltcoats

  Skelmorlie

  Stewarton

  West Kilbride

  X Division

  Gourock

  Greenock

  Inverkip

  Kilmacolm

  Port Glasgow

  1986

  Police HQ, Pitt Street, Glasgow

  A Division

  Cranstonhill

  Stewart Street, Glasgow

  B Division

  Clydebank

  Drumchapel

  Garscadden

  Partick

  C Division

  Lambhill

  Mary hill

  Milngavie and Bearsden

  Saracen

  Temple

  D Division

  Baird Street, Glasgow

  Bishopbriggs

  Blackhill

  Easterhouse

  674

  Gartcosh

  Kirkintilloch

  Lennoxtown

  Muirhead

  Springburn

  E Division

  Baillieston

  Barlanark

  London Road, Glasgow

  Shettleston

  F Division

  Cambuslang

  Castlemilk

  Craigie Street, Glasgow

  Gorbals

  Pollokshaws

  Rutherglen

  G Division

  Cardonald

  Clarkston

  Eaglesham

  Giffnock

  Govan

  Newton

  Mearns

  Plantation

  Pollok

  Thornliebank

  K Division

  Barrhead

  Bishopton

  Elderslie

  Erskine

  Forth

  Glasgow Airport

  Hillington

  Houston

  Howwood

  Johnstone

  Kilbarchan

  Linwood

  Lochwinnoch

  Neilston

  Paisley

  Ralston

  Renfrew

  Uplawmoor

  L Division

  Alexandria

  Appin

  Ardrishaig

  Arrochar

  Bowmore

  Bunessan

  Campbeltown

  Cardross

  Carradale

  Connel

  Craignure

  Dalmally

  Dumbarton

  Dunoon

  Garelochhead

  Gartocharn

  Helensburgh

  Innellan

  Inveraray

  Karnes

  Kilcreggan

  Kilmun

  Lochgilphead

  Lochgoilhead

  Luss

  Oban

  Port Ellen

  Rothesay

  675

  Salen

  Sandbank

  Strachur

  Tarbert

  Taynuilt

  Tiree

  Tobermory

  N Division

  Airdrie

  Caldercruix

  Chapelhall

  Coatbridge

  Cumbernauld

  Glenboig

  Kilsyth

  Plains

  Salsburgh

  P Division

  Bellshill

  Craigneuk

  Harthill

  Motherwell

  Netherton

  Newarthill

  Newmains

  Shotts

  Viewpark

  Wishaw

  Q Division

  Abington

  Biggar

  Blackwood

  Blantyre

  Carluke

  Carnwath

  Carstairs

  Crawford

  Crossford

  Douglas

  East Kilbride

  Forth

  Hamilton

  High

  Blantyre

  Lanark

  Larkhall

  Law

  Leadhills

  Lesmahagow

  Rigside

  Shawsburn

  Stonehouse

  Strathaven

  Uddingston

  R Division

  Auchinleck

  Ayr

  Ballantrae

  Cumnock

  Dailly

  Dalmellington

  Drongan

  Girvan

  Mauchline

  May bole

  Muirkirk

  New Cumnock

  Prestwick

  Prestwick Airport

  Troon

  U Division

  Beith

  Brodick

  Dalry

  Darvel

  Galston

  676

  Irvine

  Kilbirnie

  Kilmarnock

  Kilwinning

  Lamlash

  Largs

  Millport

  Newmilns

  Saltcoats

  Skelmorlie

  Stewarton

  West Kilbride

  X Division

  Gourock

  Greenock

  Inverkip

  Kilmacolm Port Glasgow

  TAYSIDE POLICE
  Manned Police Stations in 1979–47
  Manned Police Stations in 1986–49

  1979

  Police HQ, Dundee

  Eastern Division

  Arbroath

  Brechin

  Carnoustie

  Edzell

  Forfar

  Friockheim

  Glamis

  Kirriemuir

  Letham

  Montrose

  Newtyle

  Central Division

  Dundee:

  Ardler

  Birkhill

  Broughty Ferry

  Dalfield

  Fintry

  Harbour

  Hill Street

  Kirkton

  Lochee

  Longforgan

  Maryfield

  Menzieshill

  Happyhillock

  Monifieth

  Overgate

  Whitfield

  Western Division

  Aberfeldy

  Abernethy

  Alyth

  Auchterarder

  Bankfoot

  Blairgowrie

  Bridge of Earn

  Comrie

  Coupar Angus

  Crieff

  Dunkeld

  Errol

  Kinlock Rannoch

  Kinross

  Methven

  Perth

  Pitlochry

  Scone

  Stanley

  1986

  Police HQ, Dundee

  677

  Eastern Division

  Arbroath

  Brechin

  Carnoustie

  Edzell

  Forfar

  Frockhiem

  Glamis

  Kirriemuir

  Letham

  Montrose

  Newtyle

  Central Division

  Dundee:

  Ardler

  Baluniefield

  Broughty Ferry

  Dalfield

  Fintry

  Harbour

  Hill Street

  Kirkton

  Lochee

  Longforgan

  Maryfield

  Menzieshill

  Happyhillock

  Monifieth

  Overgate

  Ryehill

  Whitfield

  Western Division

  Aberfeldy

  Abernethy

  Alyth

  Auchterarder

  Bankfoot

  Blairgowrie

  Bridge of Earn

  Comrie

  Coupar Angus

  Crieff

  Dunkeld

  Errol

  Kinloch

  Rannoch

  Kinross

  Methven

  Perth

  Pitlochry

  Scone

  Stanley

NATIONAL FINANCE

  EC (Contributions)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the net contribution made by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community in each calendar year since 1973; and if he will express the contribution over the entire period as an amount per day in pounds sterling.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 22 April, at columns 577–78. The latest available figures for the United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community budget for the period 1 January 1973 to 31 December 1986 is £7,772 million. This represents an average net payment of £1·52 million a day since accession.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to make any changes to the income tax regulations for building societies.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Three minor changes will be made to the regulations which govern the building societies "composite rate" tax scheme. These changes will enable building societies to pay interest gross to depositors in the following limited circumstances:

  On certificate of deposit of £50,000 or more with a duration of between one and five years.

  On time deposits of £50,000 or more in a foreign currency.

  On deposits by a subsidiary of a building society with its parent society.

  The first two changes mean that the tax treatment of certificates of deposits and time deposits issued by a building society will mirror that which already applies to similar deposits with banks. The other change will ensure that interest paid by a building society to its subsidiary is treated in the same way as interest paid by a company to its subsidiary.

  A statutory instrument will be laid before the House as soon as possible, and the changes will apply to interest paid on or after 1 June 1987.

  Finance Bill
  Mr. Kenneth
  Carlisle asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make notes on those clauses of the Finance Bill to be taken in Committee of the Whole House available to right hon. and hon. Members.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Yes. The appropriate notes on clauses were placed in the Vote Office earlier today.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Historic Buildings Council
  Mr. John David Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Historic Buildings Council for Northern Ireland to publish annual reports covering the years since 31 March 1981; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  It is expected that a report covering the period since 31 March 1981 will be published during the course of this year.

  DHSS (Accommodation)
  Mr. Mallon
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost to the taxpayer to maintain someone in Department of Health and Social Services accommodation in the Newry/Armagh area.

  Mr. Needham
  Information is not available in the form requested. The average gross costs in the year ended 31 March 1986 of maintaining someone in the various types of accommodation provided by the Southern Health and Social Services Board in Armagh/Dungannon and Newry/ Mourne units of management are set out in the table. These exclude income, capital and central administration costs.
  679

  £—per resident week

  £

  Childrens' Homes

  264

  Old Peoples' Homes

  134

  Hostels for Mentally Handicapped Persons

  199

  Home for Physically Handicapped Persons

  231

  Mr. Mallon
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are living in Department of Health and Social Services accommodation in Newry urban area/Armagh urban area.

  Mr. Needham
  Information is not available in the precise form requested. The following figures show the number of people living in accommodation provided by health and social services boards, acting as agents of the Department of Health and Social Services at 31 December 1985. This includes homes and hostels for children in care, the elderly and mentally or physically handicapped people. The areas referred to are the health and social services units of management.

  Number

  Armagh and Dungannon

  209

  Newry and Mourne

  145

  Housing
  Mr. Mallon
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many houses are to be built in the Newry urban housing area in 1987–88.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in the first instance, but I understand from the chairman that in the 1987–88 financial year the Housing Executive expects to start 16 dwellings and to complete three dwellings in the Newry urban area.

  Mr. Mallon
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are on the housing waiting list in Newry urban area.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by the chairman that at 28 February 1987 there were 371 applicants on the housing waiting list for the Newry urban area.

  Mr. T. H. Kernohan (Successor)
  Mr. Forth
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made to appoint a successor to Mr. T. H. Kernohan in the offices of Northern Ireland Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints.

  Mr. Tom King
  Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment of Dr. M. N. Hayes, who is retiring from his post as permanent secretary of the Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services, to succeed Mr. T. H. Kernohan in both posts with effect from 9 July this year.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Food Additives
  Dr. Twinn
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the adequacy of testing procedures for food additives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Yes. The independent expert committees that advices the Government on the health aspects of food additives has produced guidelines on the types of tests and information it requires and on the way in which particular tests should be conducted. The committees advises us that these tests provide the best means currently available to provide the data concerning the likely health effects of food additives.

  Hearing Aids (Batteries)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the hearing centre at Dudley road hospital in Birmingham is supplying batteries imported from Switzerland for use in hearing aids.

  Mr. Major
  Contracts for the supply of hearing aid batteries are held by a number of manufacturers. An international company based in Switzerland was awarded one of the contracts, to supply a quantity of mercury "button cell" batteries, as a result of competitive tendering carried out according to the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade code on Government procurement. The majority of mercury "button cell" batteries are supplied to the National Health Service by manufacturers in the United Kingdom and the National Health Service will continue to encourage competitive United Kingdom sources of supply.

  Familial Hypercholesterolaemia
  Mr. Ashby
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to publicise to the medical profession the need to screen and identify those at risk from coronary heart disease due to an inherited condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia.

  Mrs. Currie
  Familial hypercholesterolaemia is the commonest inherited hyperlipidaemia (surplus of fatty substances in the blood). People suffering from this condition show an increased risk of heart attack and sometimes strokes, at an early age. They often also show certain distinctive clinical signs and a family history of the condition. It is for the clinicians responsible for the care of such patients to initiate whatever tests they consider appropriate but there is no professional or scientific consensus on the need for general population screening at this time.

  In view of recent publications in the medical press and of the excellent work being carried out by the voluntary organisations in this field it is not considered necessary to undertake further publicity.

  Familial Hyperlipidaemia
  Mr. Ashby
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make available to the public a fact sheet on familial hyperlipidaemia giving information on how and where blood-tests can be taken for people with a family history of heart or blood-fat problems.
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  Mrs. Currie
  I understand such fact sheets are available from the Family Heart Association. There is continuing research in this field, the results of which are made available to doctors. Estimates of blood lipid concentrations are available from National Health Service pathology laboratories when indicated on clinical grounds.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Madden
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent pensioners, in receipt of a supplementary pension, can apply for financial assistance to pay for locks and other protection to their homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lyell
  There is no specific provision in the supplementary benefit scheme for single payments for locks or other security devices. Help is available exceptionally under the regulation 30 "fall-back" provision. This allows a single payment to be made if it is the only means of avoiding serious risk to health or safety. Whether the "fall-back" provision would apply in an individual case is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities to decide.

  Patient Care
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for 1985 for each region and for England as a whole the number of deaths and discharges among, and the number of beds occupied on 31 December by, patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the National Health Service; and if he will break down these figures into the categories of (a) medical (b) surgical, (c) pre-convalescent and post-operative, (d) convalescent, (e) geriatric, (f) diseases of the chest, (g) maternity, (h) mental illness, (i)mental handicap, (j) rehabilitation, (k) terminal care and (l) others.

  Mr. Jackson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service in-patients received treatment in private hospitals in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Currie
  [pursuant to her reply, 14 January 1987 c. 207–210]: I regret that the average daily bed occupation figures given for specialties in South-West Thames and Oxford regional health authorities were incorrect. Amended figures are as follows together with revised totals for England.

  Patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the National Health Service in 1985

  Specialty

  Average daily bed occupation

  England

  Medical

  55·5

  Surgical

  180·7

  Pre-convalescent and post-operative

  5·3

  Convalescent

  235·0

  Geriatric

  736·0

  Diseases of the chest

  47·7

  Maternity

  9·6

  Mental Illness

  173·5

  Mental handicap

  626·3

  Rehabilitation

  71·3

  Terminal care

  333·5

  682

  Specialty

  Average daily bed occupation

  Others

  466·7

  Totals

  2,941·1

  South West Thames Regional Health Authority

  Medical

  11·9

  Surgical

  9·7

  Pre-convalescent and post-operative

  5·3

  Convalescent

  1·4

  Geriatric

  104·6

  Diseases of the chest

  42·6

  Maternity

  —

  Mental Illness

  2·3

  Mental handicap

  41·0

  Rehabilitation

  0·5

  Terminal care

  40·6

  Others

  146·5

  Totals

  406·4

  Oxford Regional Health Authority

  Medical

  —

  Surgical

  —

  Pre-convalescent and post-operative

  —

  Convalescent

  —

  Geriatric

  —

  Diseases of the chest

  —

  Maternity

  —

  Mental Illness

  26·9

  Mental handicap

  1·0

  Rehabilitation

  —

  Terminal care

  —

  Others

  9·8

  Totals

  37·7

TRANSPORT

  Safety at Sea
  Mr. Stott
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to improve safety at sea.

  Mr. Moore
  My Department has a wide range of measures in hand to promote safety at sea. As I have announced today in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. McQuarrie), my Department has today placed a contract with Bristow Helicopters Ltd. for the provision of a new Her Majesty's Coastguard search and rescue helicopter at Stornaway which will enhance search and rescue coverage on the north-west coast of Scotland; Her Majesty's Coastguard is extending its VHF direction finding network and is being provided with other equipment to improve communications with vessels in distress; consultations are proceeding on new safety requirements for fishing vessels following the Safety at Sea Act; new standards for lifesaving appliances for certain types of vessel will shortly be proposed; safety inspections of United Kingdom and foreign vessels in United Kingdom ports are continuing at a high level; and my officials are pursuing a range of initiatives within the International Maritime Organisation, all designed to promote greater safety at sea.

  In addition, as I informed the House on 9 March, my Department has embarked on a programme of checks on roll-on/roll-of ships, and these checks will be repeated at six-monthly intervals, The formal investigation into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise opens on Monday.
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  When it reports, I shall give most urgent and serious consideration to its recommendations. If, as the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that measures ought to be taken before the inquiry process has been completed, I shall not hesitate to do so.

  Roll-on/Roll-off Ferries
  Mr. Peter Rees
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans for further measures to improve the safety of roll-on/roll-off ferries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moore
  As I informed the House on 9 March, my Department has embarked on a programme of checks on roll-on/roll-off ships, and these checks will be repeated at six-monthly intervals.

  The formal investigation into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise opens on Monday. When it reports, I shall give most urgent and serious consideration to its recommendations. If, as the Investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that measures ought to be taken before the inquiry process has been completed, I shall not hesitate to do so.

  Buyouts
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, when a local management buyout is being contemplated for a National Bus Council subsidiary, it will be possible for a mortgage charge to be accepted in support of the payment.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Those who provide finance for buyouts will form their own judgments on what security they need for their loans, and neither the National Bus Company nor the Government have any objection to a subsidiary's assets being mortgaged for that purpose. Moreover, where bids for National Bus Company subsidiaries, whether from managers or third parties, do not reflect the possible alternative use value of property, the NBC is prepared to consider selling the subsidiary subject to a mortgage charge under which further proceeds become due only if the property is resold or developed.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Chris Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in the light of the Zeebrugge disaster, he has any plans to review the regulations governing the carriage of hazardous or toxic wastes on passenger ferries.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The conditions under which dangerous goods may be carried at sea are contained in the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1981 as amended and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. These conditions are subject to continual review both nationally and internationally and any lessons to be learnt from the Zeebrugge disaster will certainly be taken into account.

  Mhari L
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to order the disentanglement of the wreck of the Mhari L from the undersea cable.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No.

  Northern Region
  Mr. Frank Cook
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many enforcement officers are engaged by the Northern traffic commissioners to monitor the running of public transport provision within its areas; and how many such enforcement officers are allocated to Cleveland county traffic area.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Newcastle office of the northeastern traffic area has nine traffic examiners to serve the various enforcement needs of the Department and to assist the traffic commissioner in carrying out his functions; four of these examiners are permanently based in Darlington and their responsibilities include the county of Cleveland. In addition the traffic commissioner can use the traffic area office administrative staff to support him in his statutory duties.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of reports on public transport operation within the Northern traffic region submitted by enforcement officers since effective deregulation; and how many such reports relate to public bus services within the Cleveland county traffic area.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Transport Act 1985 does not require formal reporting on public transport services. Where complaints are received by a traffic commissioner it is for him to decide whether any further investigation or action is called for. Any resulting reports to him by his staff are confidential.

  Helicopter Rescue (Scotland)
  Mr. McQuarrie
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 18 February, Official Report, columns 627–28, what further progress has been made in setting a date for the establishment of a search and rescue helicopter in north-west Scotland.

  Mr. Moore
  My Department has today placed a contract with Bristow Helicopters Ltd. for the provision of a search and rescue helicopter to be based at Stornoway. The helicopter will be a Sikorsky S61N Mk II aircraft, the civil equivalent of the military Westland Sea King. It is expected to be on station at Stornoway in early May.

  Sea Passengers (Compensation)
  Mr. Bright
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has reached a decision, following the consultation announced by his hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for aviation, on 25 March, on increasing the limit on compensation for death or injury of sea passengers carried by United Kingdom carriers.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Yes. Following consultations I have decided to increase the limit from its present figure of £38,173 to around £80,000.

  The statutory instrument necessary will use a figure of 1,525,000 gold francs, because limits under the Athens convention are at present expressed in gold francs. The conversion rate from gold francs to sterling is adjusted from time to time; using the current sterling-SDR rate, the sterling equivalent of 1,525,000 gold francs is £80,009.

  I intend to press for an increase in the limits in the Athens convention, and to keep the United Kingdom limit under review.

  The new limit will come into effect on 1 June.

ENVIRONMENT

  Agricultural Land
  Mr. Haynes
  asked the Secretary of State of the Environment if he will make a statement on the loss of agricultural land to housing development.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The transfer of agricultural land to urban uses, including housing, is dealt with in the publication "Rural Enterprise and Development" issued on 10 March. The rate of transfer of farmland has fallen from over 15,000 hectares a year before 1975 to less than 5,000 hectares a year in England and Wales in the period 1980 to 1985. That recent rate is not expected to change significantly as a result of the adjustments to planning policy proposed in the draft circular "Development involving Agricultural Land".

  Recording of changes in the use of land by Ordnance Survey, introduced in 1985, shows that under half of the land used for new housing in England is transferred from farmland. About 45 per cent. of the land developed for housing is on derelict, redeveloped or unused land in urban areas.

  Right to Repairs Scheme
  Mr. Raynsford
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of tenants who have (a) applied for and (b) received payment for repairs carried out under the right to repairs scheme; and what is the total cost of payments under the scheme.

  Mr. Tracey
  Provisional estimates are that about 800 applications under the right to repair scheme were submitted to English local authorities in 1986, of which 80 were accepted. In about 310 cases the landlord elected to carry out the repair within 28 days, 270 were rejected as outside the scheme and another 110 for other reasons. During the year, about 45 claims for payment were received by the authorities and 40 of these were agreed for a total of around £4,000.

  Grant-related Expenditure
  Mr. Straw
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the local authority associations on developing grant-related expenditure assessments for local authorities personal social services expenditure; what steps he has taken to ensure that personal social services grant-related expenditures reflect need; and what proposals he has to develop personal social services grant-related expenditures in the future.

  Dr. Boyson
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1987]: The Secretary of State discussed the 1987 development programme for grant-related expenditure assessments with local authority representatives in the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance on 2 April. Proposals for development work on personal social service GREAs were put forward by the Association of County Councils and jointly by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Association of London Authorities. However, as the Secretary of State indicated at that meeting, he does not propose to set up a group to review personal social service GREAs this year. In conjunction
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  with the local authority associations research is proceeding on the GREA for children's services but we do not expect results from this to be available in time for the 1988–89 RSG settlement.

  Housing Trusts
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department takes to ensure that the allocation of properties by housing trusts complies with the aims and policies of equal opportunity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1987]: To qualify for public funds, housing trusts must register with the Housing Corporation, which issues guidance to ensure that allocations, which are made primarily on the basis of need, do not discriminate against particular groups.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Catering Craft Courses
  Mr. McQuarrie
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will make a statement on the standard of the catering craft courses in those universities and colleges which undertake such courses;

  (2) if he has any plans to improve craft training in hotel and catering courses in those universities and colleges which organise craft training courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Walden
  Hotel and catering courses at craft level are part of the non-advanced further education provision and are not offered in universities. The standard of courses provided in colleges in England and Wales as described in the report of the survey carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate, "NAFE in practice", published on 8 April 1987 which includes a section on hotel and catering courses. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

  The report says that NAFE has responded well to the needs of the hotel and catering and baking industry by providing a wide range of appropriate vocational courses all of which offer nationally recognised qualifications. Over 84 per cent. of the classes seen in the 34 colleges included in the survey were satisfactory, including 24 per cent. which were good. Students achieved particularly good standards in practical work.

  The Department has no specific proposals for improvements in craft training in hotel and catering although, as with other craft courses, we are concerned that standards should not only be maintained but raised where possible.

  Last year the NAB recommended and my right hon. Friend accepted an increase of 359 places on advanced hotel and catering courses. This represented an increase of 16 per cent., the greatest planned increase in any academic area for 1987–88.

  School Closures and Amalgamations
  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a list showing, for each recent year, and for each set of proposals for the closure or amalgamation of schools that he has refused (a) the name of the local education authority, (b) the age

  687
  range of children concerned, (c) the date that the authority first considered the closure of any school identified for closure in the set of proposals, (d) the dates of public consultation on the proposals, (e) the date of receipt of the proposals by his Department, (f) the approximate number of children in the schools identified

  LEA

  Proposal

  Date statutory proposal published

  Date rejected

  Wakefield

  Closure of Tithe Barn First School and change in the age range of ten other schools

  20 October 1983

  14 January 1985

  Liverpool

  Closure of Blue Coat Secondary School

  22 October 1984

  12 March 1985

  Lancashire

  Amalgation of Castle Secondary School and Greaves Secondary School

  25 April 1984

  20 February 1985

  Staffordshire

  Closure of Weston Road High School

  28 September 1984

  4 April 1985

  Merton

  Amalgamation of Eastfields High School, Willows High School and Rowan High School

  5 July 1984

  15 April 1985

  ILEA

  Amalgamation of St. Edmunds Secondary School and St. Thomas More Secondary School

  23 November 1984

  12 August 1985

  Nottinghamshire

  Closure of Merrivale Nursery School

  12 September 1984

  3 April 1985

  Barnsley

  Amalgamation of St. Matthews Infant School and Kier Street Junior School

  2 November 1984

  13 May 1985

  Wolverhampton

  Reorganisation of Secondary Schools: Closure of four schools including one grammar school and change age range of 10 schools to 11–16 from 11ߝ18 as well as establish two Tertiary Colleges

  9 January 1985

  25 November 1985

  ILEA

  Amalgamation of Cardinal Manning Secondary School and Sion Manning Secondary School

  23 November 1984

  12 August 1985

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  Closure of St. Mary's RC Primary School

  13 January 1986

  23 June 1986

  Coventry

  Closure of Stivichall Junior School

  21 June 1985

  16 April 1986

  Kirklees

  Amalgamation of Heckmondwike Grammar, Heckmondwike Secondary and Liversedge Secondary Schools

  6 June 1985

  9 May 1986

  Gloucestershire

  Reorganisation of secondary schools in Gloucester City: closure of eleven schools including five grammar and establishment of six secondary schools

  30 November 1984

  24 March 1986

  Avon

  Closure of Beechen Cliff Secondary School for Boys

  10 September 1984

  9 May 1986

  Bolton

  Closure of Fourgates County Primary

  23 August 1985

  12 June 1986

  Trafford

  Amalgamation of St. Mary's, Cardinal Vaughan and St. Paul's RC Secondary Schools

  6 December 1985

  17 September 1986

  Dorset

  Amalgamation of Sherborne Lord Digby's and Sherborne Foster's Grammar Schools to form Sherborne Aldhelm's Secondary Modern

  16 November 1984

  25 March 1986

  Gloucestershire

  Reorganisation of secondary schools in Stroud: Closure of five schools including two grammar schools and establishment of four comprehensive schools

  15 November 1984

  24 March 1986

  Devon

  Reorganisation of comprehensive schools: closure of 12 and establishment of four secondary schools

  19 March 1984

  25 February 1986

  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a list showing for each set of proposals for the closure or amalgamation of schools that he is currently considering (a) the name of the local education authority, (b) the age range of children concerned, (c) the date that the authority first considered the closure of any school identified for closure in the set of proposals, (d) the date of public consultation on the proposals, (e) the date of receipt of the proposals by his Department and (f) the approximate number of children in the schools identified for closure; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what number of sets of proposals for the closure or amalgamation of schools approved by him since the publication of "Better Schools," Cmnd. 9496, have not met the guidance given on minimum
  688
  for closure, (g) the date of refusal and (h) whether or not a replacement set of proposals has been approved subsequently; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information is not available on(c), (d), (f) and (h). The following table gives the available information on closure or amalgamation proposals which were rejected by my right hon. Friend or his predecessor in 1985 and 1986.

  size of schools contained in paragraphs 273 and 275; what number of such approvals there have been for primary schools; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what number of sets of proposals for the closure or amalgamation of schools approved by him since the publication of the 1981 circular "Falling Rolls and Surplus Places" have not met the guidance given on minimum size of schools, as repeated in paragraph 273 of "Better Schools" Cmnd. 9469; what number of such approvals there have been for primary schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  This information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information has been received by his Department in recent years regarding schemes for school closures or amalgamation as to (a) the length of time since the local education authority first considered any part of the scheme and (b) the effects and

  689
  consequences during that time on any school provisionally identified for closure, in particular changes in capital spending and pupil numbers; what studies have been made on any adverse effects which might occur during a lengthy period of uncertainty about the future of a school; what steps he has taken to mitigate any such effects and consequences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  The information at(a) and (b) is not available. It is for local education authorities to consider the timing and consequences of any statutory proposals for closing or amalgamating schools; no studies have been made of these matters. My right hon. Friend has given an undertaking that once proposals have been made he will use his best endeavours to reach a decision within six months of their publication unless there are exceptional circumstances.

  Educational Support Grant
  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to extend the educational support grant for teaching mathematics in schools beyond March 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend expects to invite the views of the local authority associations on proposals for a programme of education support grants for the 1988–89 financial year shortly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Butter
  Mr. Torney
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the quantity and the value in sterling of United Kingdom-produced butter going into intervention in the last 12 months for which figures arc available.

  Mr. Gummer
  In the 12 months up to December 1986 the United Kingdom bought in 90,646 tonnes at a cost of nearly £174 million.

  Alternative Land Use
  Mr. James Lamond
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning his published plans for alternative land uses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Beith
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about his farming and rural enterprise proposals.

  Mr. Jopling
  I have received a number of representations from interested organisations and private individuals. In general these new initiatives have been welcomed.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on decommissioning grants for fishing vessels.

  Mr. Gummer
  Following consultation with the industry I hope to make an announcement shortly on whether we should continue to operate a decommissioning grants scheme for fishing vessels.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Dixon
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve the shore side infrastructure of the fishing industry.

  Mr. Gummer
  Responsibility for harbour infrastructure rests with individual harbour authorities. However grants towards harbour improvements, of benefit to the fishing industry, are available under the provisions of section 2 of the Fisheries Act 1955.

  Community assistance is also available for marketing and processing in the fisheries sector and for improved port facilities under Regulations EC/355/77 and EC/ 4028/86 respectively.

  Food Aid
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the operation in the United Kingdom of the European Community food aid scheme for the needy.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received a number of letters from hon. Members, Members of the European Parliament and others about particular aspects of the scheme, which has now ended. Replies are being sent in the usual way.

  Mr. Cunliffe
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to which local authorities have been involved in the distribution of European Economic Community free food.

  Mr. Gummer
  I know from correspondence received in my Department that a number of local authorities have been involved in various ways in these distributions. However comprehensive information has not been compiled.

  Mr. Rogers
  asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if there are any plans for the extension or repetition of the European Economic Community food aid scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  The scheme came to an end in the United Kingdom at the end of March. Any repetition of the scheme would be a matter for the Commission: I know of no proposal at present.

  Mr. Corbett
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the amount of surplus European Economic Community butter, cheese and beef distributed to people entitled to receive it in Birmingham.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11 March to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field).

  Mr. Allen McKay
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest information as to how many individuals have received free food under the European Economic Community food aid scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  I do not have this information.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his most recent information as to the amounts of cereal products distributed under the European Economic Community food aid scheme in the United Kingdom and other European Economic Community countries.
  691
  Mr. Gummer
  No cereal products were distributed in the United Kingdom under this scheme. The United Kingdom had no intervention stocks of milling wheat. Provisional information from the European Commission indicates deliveries in other member states totalling 11,680 tonnes of flour and 2,400 tonnes of semolina.

  Mr. Cartwright
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the operation in the United Kingdom of the European Community food aid scheme for the needy.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have nothing to add to earlier statements on the operation of this scheme, which came to an end in the United Kingdom at the end of March.

  Dairy Products
  Mr. Adley
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he plans to increase United Kingdom consumption of dairy products.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government's aim is to encourage the improvement of marketing in the dairy sector through support for Food from Britain. We are encouraging renewed efforts by the MMB and we shall continue to ensure that consumers have sufficient information and choice to make their own decisions about a healthy and balanced diet in which dairy products should take a proper place.

  North Norway Cod Fishery
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he makes of the implications for United Kingdom fishing interests of the current licensing arrangements for the north Norway cod fishery.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am satisfied that the licensing arrangements covering the North Norway cod fishery safeguard the interests of the British fishing industry.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future operation of hill livestock compensatory allowances in the United Kingdom in the light of discussions in the Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Gummer
  The normal autumn review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands later this year will as necessary take account of the various decisions of the Council including the new options regarding the operation of the hill livestock compensatory allowances. As our recent policy document "Farming UK" makes clear, the Government will continue to provide appropriate support to meet the special needs of the hills and uplands.

  Green Pound
  Mr. McQuarrie
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy on the future valuation of the green pound; and when this matter is to be discussed by the Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Jopling
  In the course of the forthcoming price-fixing, the Government will be seeking an outcome on the green pound which is equitable to United Kingdom farmers, traders and consumers.
  692
  Mr. Baldry
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Council of Ministers on the current value of the green pound.

  Mr. Jopling
  I told the 30–31 March meeting of the Council of Ministers that the Government would finalise their position on the devaluation of the green pound at a later stage in the negotiations.

  Mr. Marland
  asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effects of a devaluation in the green pound on United Kingdom farmers.

  Mr. Jopling
  A devaluation of the green pound would reduce United Kingdom MCAs and raise agricultural support prices and United Kingdom farm income. It would also tend to increase feed costs and consumer prices for food and add to Community budget costs and United Kingdom public expenditure.

  Mr. Hunter
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the value of the green pound.

  Mr. Jopling
  I have received a substantial number of such representations.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the average percentage difference between the value of the pound sterling and the green rate for the pound sterling for each six months period since January 1979.

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1987]: The information is not available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Monetary compensatory amounts reflect the difference between sterling's market rate and green rates. The following table shows the monetary compensatory amount percentages for beef and cereals during the first week in each six months period since 1979 as well as the latest figures available:

  Date (week commeneing )

  Monetary compensatory amount (percentage)

  Beef

  Cereals

  1 January 1979

  -27·0

  -27·0

  2 July 1979

  -6·0

  -17·6

  7 January 1980

  -3·5

  -9·0

  7 July 1980

  +1·7

  -1·0

  5 January 1981

  +12·1

  +12·1

  6 July 1981

  +12·3

  +12·3

  4 January 1982

  +8·0

  +8·0

  5 July 1982

  +9·6

  +9·6

  3 January 1983

  +1·4

  +1·4

  4 July 1983

  +5·2

  +5·2

  2 January 1984

  +7·6

  +7·6

  2 July 1984

  +1·0

  +3·9

  6 January 1985

  -1·9

  -1·9

  1 July 1985

  +3·6

  +3·6

  6 January 1986

  -3·5

  -3·5

  7 July 1986

  -7·7

  -8·9

  5 January 1987

  -18·4

  -26·3

  27 April 1987

  -16·4

  -24·1

  Pigs
  Mr. Stephen Ross
  asked the Minister o Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make statement on the prospects for the pig sector.
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  Mr. Gummer
  The increase in export refunds and introduction of aids to private storage have strengthened the United Kingdom pig market in recent weeks. The future prospects for our pig industry will depend upon its ability to balance supply and demand for pigmeat, to expand its share of the domestic market for bacon and other pigmeat products and to increase exports.

  Rhizomania
  Mr. Freud
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's most recent consultations on measures to contain rhizomania in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My officials held a very useful meeting on 6 April with representatives of trade and producer organisations about my proposal for statutory controls on the disposal to land of waste from the processing of imported potatoes and other vegetables. The possible reduction of the soil tolerance allowed on imported potatoes was also discussed. Further meetings are being arranged with representatives of some of the individual sectors concerned. I look forward to a positive outcome of these discussions.

  Poultry (Salmonella)
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of poultry sold in the United Kingdom are infested with salmonella; what processes are currently used to eliminate this bacteria; and what new techniques are currently being investigated by his Department with a view to use in the future.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is not uncommon for salmonella organisms to be present in poultry. Statutory hygiene controls apply at every stage of production and manufacture to reduce salmonella infection in live birds and poultrymeat and in animal protein intended for livestock feed. My Department is continuously seeking ways of further reducing the incidence of infection.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Hardy
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number and length of hedgerows which have been removed and of new hedgerows which have been planted with public support since 1982.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I regret that information is not available in the form requested. Grants for hedge removal were abolished in 1976 except where this was ancillary to drainage work. Grants of this kind remained available until 1983. United Kingdom expenditure on them since 1982 has been £10·13 million.

  Separate statistics on expenditure on grants for hedge planting and laying (with associated gates) are only available from 1985. Since then United Kingdom expenditure has been £2·0 million on total investment of £3·9 million.

  Agricultural Support
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current net cost of agricultural support in cash terms and as a percentage of gross domestic product.
  694
  Mr. Jopling
  I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 16 March.

  Food Additives
  Mrs. Roe
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria govern the listing of food additives on the labels of food.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  All food additives that perform a technological function in the final food must be shown on the labels of pre-packaged foods in the list of ingredients. The information must show the function that the additive performs in the food by specified category followed by the specific name of the additive or its approved serial number (or both). At present flavourings only have to be shown under their category name. Non pre-packed foods need declare in a label or notice only the main categories of additives present.

  Bees
  Mr. O'Brien
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received over the importing of bees into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In the past year, my Department has received 17 letters about importing bees into this country. Seven of these sought a temporary relaxation of our bee import controls following the bad weather in 1986; the remainder sought assurance that there would be no relaxation.

  The purpose of these controls is to safeguard bee health in this country and particularly to keep our varroasis. The regulations are shortly to be extended to control the import of bee pests. I have no plans to relax the controls.

  Beef
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new proposals he has to assist the beef producing sector of agriculture.

  Mr. Gummer
  The reforms in the Community beef regime that were agreed under the United Kingdom presidency began to apply from 6 April. Under these, the Commission has scope to propose measures to deal with particular developments in the market. I will be ready to press the Commission to ensure that the United Kingdom market is supported if any undue weakness emerges. Meanwhile, producers continue to benefit from the beef variable premium scheme, worth about £120 million in 1986–87, and suckler cow premium scheme, worth about £28 million. Upland beef producers also benefit from hill livestock compensatory allowances worth around £50 million this year.

  Mr. Bruce
  asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the prospects for the beef industry.

  Mr. Jopling
  The reforms of the beef regime agreed in December came into effect on 6 April. Reliance on intervention is generally being reduced but the Commission has the scope to institute extra support measures if the market is unduly weak. Meanwhile, the beef variable premium scheme has been secured until 31 December 1988. There is scope to increase the suckler cow
  695
  premium by 35 per cent. to over £33 per head. Upland beef producers will also benefit from hill livestock compensatory allowances. In addition, the Community has recognised that beef producers will be affected by measures taken in the milk sector. The Commission has estimated that expenditure on aids for private storage and export refunds in the beef sector will as a result rise by 435 mecu over the next two years.

  Cereals
  Mr. Yeo
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received regarding cereal surpluses.

  Mr. Gummer
  I continue to receive representations from a large number of sources about the need to take action to control the over-production of cereals.

  Fishing Fleet
  Mr. Allen Adams
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what forecasts the Government have made regarding the future of the United Kingdom's fishing fleet.

  Mr. Gummer
  The future of the fleet will depend upon decisions taken by individual fishermen. They will take account of the available fishing opportunities and the recently agreed 10-year Fisheries Structures Regulation 4028/86 which will provide a basis for new investment in the industry.

  In addition, I hope shortly to be able to make an announcement on a new capital grant scheme.

  Processed Foods (Fat Content)
  Mrs. McCurley
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to introduce regulations relating to the fat content of processed foods.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We have already circulated for public comment detailed proposals on the fat content labelling of foods. We are considering those comments and are involved in discussion with the European Commission at official level about the proposals.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage organic farming in Britain.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  As described in "Farming UK" which was published by Agriculture Ministers on 10 March my Department is consulting the industry on the setting of production standards. In addition, the agricultural advisory services are equipping themselves to respond to demand for specialised advice from those producing organic food. Organic growers also benefit from the Department's overall research programme, which includes topics such as nitrogen fixation and biological control, as well as specific projects on organic farming.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps improve the real level of farm incomes.
  696
  Mr. Jopling
  The Government's policy of promoting a better balance in the CAP between supply and demand for surplus commodities and controlling CAP expenditure, while offering increased opportunities for enterprise in rural areas, offers the best prospect for the longer term viability of the agriculture industry.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements have been agreed for the leasing of milk quotas for 1987–88.

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

  Sir Peter Mills
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he will give to the Milk Marketing Board over the allocation of milk for manufacturing purposes following the introduction of the quota system.

  Mr. Gummer
  The arrangements for making milk available to buyers are a matter for the joint committee of the Milk Marketing Board and the Dairy Trade Federation to negotiate in accordance with the milk marketing scheme and relevant provisions of Community law.

  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is transferring milk quota bought under the outgoers' scheme from England to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1987]: As I announced to the House on 31 March we are making an adjustment to the distribution of United Kingdom quota which involves the transfer of 30,000 tonnes from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with effect from 1 April 1987. It is hoped that this quota can be bought up under a national outgoers scheme, which we plan to open shortly, but in order to ensure that the required quota is available a provisional quota reduction of about 0·3 per cent. is being made.

  Sheep Farmers
  Mr. Kennedy
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current prospects for sheep farmers.

  Mr. Gummer
  The sheep sector remains strong. Our breeding flock continues to expand steadily and our exports increased by 27 per cent. in 1986. My aim will be to ensure that the sector remains competitive and that sheep production can continue to play its important role, particularly in the economy of the hills and uplands.

  Timber
  Mr. Eastham
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will say what effect he estimates his Department's published plans for encouraging woodlands will have on future timber import requirements.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is estimated that by the end of the next decade some 20–25 per cent. of our timber needs will be met from existing woodlands. The planting
  697
  programmes now envisaged will further reduce our dependence on imports in the course of time, but it is not possible to put a precise figure on this as much will depend on long term levels of demand.

  Tributyltin
  Mr. Frank Cook
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning his decision to refer the use of tributyltin to the Pesticide Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement as to the committee's progress.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have received a range of representations on this subject. The Advisory Committee considered the use of tribulyltin in the aquatic environment on 16 April and recommended that when antifouling paints are brought within the scope of the Food and Environment Protection Act on 1 July this year, products containing TBT should not be granted approval for use on small vessels or fish farming apparatus.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of dairy farming within the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  The outlook for dairy farming was poor before the package of measures adopted by the council last December, because of the threat posed to the support system by steeply rising surpluses. I believe that the industry now has much better prospects. The Community will soon need to consider the measures to follow the current quota system from 1989, and in discussion of them I will continue to seek better control of surplus production, through measures that respond to the needs of United Kingdom producers, traders and consumers.

  Farm Produce (World Prices)
  Mr. Tom Cox
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the effect on agricultural employment of world prices for United Kingdom farmers' produce.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Employment in agriculture is influenced by many factors such as agricultural prices, the level of costs, investment, changes in technology and general economic conditions in the country. I have no reliable estimate of the effect of the kind of hypothetical circumstance envisaged.

  Farm Businesses
  Dr. Roger Thomas
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers went out of business in 1986; how many new farming businesses were started; and what was the net effect on the total number of farms.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  These figures are not available. Data are not collected in a form which would allow the presentation of information on the basis requested.

  Nutritional Labelling
  Mr. Gregory
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to issue guidelines on nutritional labelling.
  698
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No, but I hope to make a further announcement shortly.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Gregory
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy towards the development of biotechnology designed to utilise agricultural and dairy products to the maximum.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department supports a wide ranging programme of research which exploits the potential of biotechnology across the agricultural, fisheries and food sectors. The aim of this programme is to improve product quality, develop novel products, improve production systems and combat animal and plant disease. Biotechnological work sponsored by my Department has an annual cost of around £7 million. Within this programme we are constantly alert to the possibility of developing cost-effective methods for greater utlilisation of agricultural products.

  EC (Food Sales)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of food, by commodity, and wine exported from the European Economic Community to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, respectively, in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in the comparable annual period 10 and 15 years previously.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested for 1976 and 1986 is set out in the table. Comparable information is not readily available for years prior to 1976.

  European Community1 exports to the Soviet Union and the eastern bloc

  thousand tonnes

  To Soviet Union

  To Eastern bloc2

  1976

  1986

  1976

  1986

  Wheat

  ..

  4,990

  755

  623

  Barley

  439

  1,510

  330

  811

  Wheatflour

  ..

  ..

  ..

  8

  Rice

  ..

  ..

  15

  7

  Malt

  98

  0

  48

  ..

  WMP

  4

  10

  0

  5

  SMP

  20

  0

  5

  1

  Cond. milk

  0

  ..

  0

  ..

  Butter (including butteroil)

  0

  105

  1

  18

  Beef and veal3

  24

  141

  23

  70

  Pigmeat3

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1

  Poultry3

  18

  23

  ..

  ..

  Raw sugar (converted to white equivalent)

  52

  7

  0

  ..

  Refined sugar

  185

  ..

  15

  ..

  Olive oil

  0

  12

  0

  ..

  Wine

  ..

  4

  18

  130

  11976—EC9, 1986—ECI2;

  2German Democratic Republic, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania;

  3 Beef, veal, pigmeat and poultrymeat are deadweight.

  .. denotes trade under 500 tonnes.

  Source: EUROSTAT.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price at which butter, beef and sugar, respectively, were made available to

  699
  traders, after the payment of export refund, to the Soviet Union, expressed in pounds sterling per pound, at the most recent date for which figures are available.

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

  Quarantine Kennels
  Miss Fookes
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the enforcement of the rule that no quarantine kennels should be left unattended at any time.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The statutory rabies controls do not require that approved quarantine premises should be constantly attended. However conditions of authorization 700
  require the premises to be secure at all times and that certain welfare standards are met under the regular supervision of a registered veterinary surgeon.

  Fish Catches (Reporting System)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to improve the speed and accuracy of the fish catch reporting system.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government are proceeding with the further introduction of microcomputers into the port offices of the sea fisheries inspectorates which together with the re-organisation of the Inspectorates should lead to further improvements in the speed and accuracy of the fish catch reporting system.