Written Answers of 11 December 1987

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases in the first half of 1987 involving persons injured by plastic bullets in Northern Ireland have been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland; and what action was taken in each case.

  The Attorney-General
  From 1 January 1987 to 30 June 1987, the Director of Public Prosecutions (Northern Ireland) considered 10 cases involving persons injured by plastic bullets in Northern Ireland. No prosecutions were directed in eight of those 10 cases and in the remaining two cases a final direction awaits the outcome of other proceedings.

  Mr. Wallace and Captain Holroyd
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Attorney-General what investigations have been carried out since February 1987 into the allegations of Captain (retired) Fred Holroyd and Mr. Colin Wallace; and whether he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The prosecuting authorities have not requested any such investigations.

  BBC (Injunction)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will apply to the High Court for an amendment of the injunction against the BBC granted on 4 December so that a fair and accurate report of proceedings in Parliament or a court sitting in public shall not be constituted a breach of the injunction.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal said on 9 December at column 458.

ENERGY

  British Coal
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how much he expects to authorise to be spent on new track, above and below ground, by British Coal, under the Coal Industry Act 1987, in the years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92;

  (2) how much he expects to authorise to be spent on coal-face cutting equipment by British Coal, under the Coal Industry Act 1987, in the years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government do not make specific allocations within their overall investment approval to the British Coal Corporation. Responsibility for specific investment decisions is a matter for the corporation.

WALES

  Tobacco Industry
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent employment has declined in the tobacco manufacturing industry in Wales since 1977.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Statistics of Trade Act 1947 prohibits disclosure of statistical information that could be related to an individual concern, or statistics from which such information can be deduced.

ENVIRONMENT

  Sewage Works (Discharge Consents)
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Norwich, South of 1 December, which sewage works in the Anglian water authority failed their discharge consent conditions in 1986; and on how many occasions.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The report submitted earlier in the year by Anglian water authority showed that around 300 of the authority's sewage treatment works were deemed to have failed to meet their discharge contents because more than 5 per cent. of samples taken exceeded the consent conditions. In well over half of these cases, however, the consent conditions were in the process of being reviewed as part of a general review of consents started in 1985 for works whose discharges were considered to have no appreciable effect on the receiving waters. Full details of discharges from all non-compliant works are in the public register maintained by the water authority, but I will write to the hon. Member listing the works in question.

  The water authority is working towards bringing all its sewage treatment works into compliance by 1990.

  Regional Water Authorities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the expenses and emoluments paid to the chairs and members of regional water authorities for the years 1985–86 and 1986–87, distinguishing between executive and non-executive board members, and including any performance bonuses for such years paid to such members after the conclusion of the financial year.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Information about board members' expenses and emoluments for 1985–86 and 1986–87 is included in the water authorities' 1986–87 annual reports and accounts. These were presented to Parliament on 15 July 1987.

  In addition, performance bonuses were awarded for the first time for 1986–87; only chairmen and executive members of authorities which met or exceeded agreed performance aims were eligible for payment. The bonuses were calculated as a percentage of members' renumeration using the following rates:

  Water Authority

  Per cent.

  Anglian

  6·5

  Northumbrian

  15·0

  North West

  7·5

  Severn-Trent

  7·5

  Southern

  12·5

  275

  Water Authority

  Per cent.

  South West

  5·0

  Thames

  1

  Wessex

  7·5

  Yorkshire

  11·5

  1 Did not qualify

  Water Research Centre
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to offer the Water Research Centre for sale as a separate concern.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No. The Water Research Centre is a private company limited by guarantee. Its management and members are considering whether restructuring is required to secure a continuing service to the water industry when the utilities in England and Wales are privatised.

  Storm Damage
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) of 2 December,Official Report, column 626, how soon after 31 January 1988 he will be able to meet the claims for special assistance from local authorities for financial help to meet damage from the storm on 15 October.

  Mr. Howard
  The Department will deal with claims as quickly as possible. We would expect grant normally to be paid within a few weeks of receipt of the claim, subject to the resolution with the authority of any queries on it. In appropriate cases, payment could be prior to the deadline for receipt of claims which has now been extended to 1 March 1988.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Quentin Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update the table giving information on sales of dwellings by each local authority in England, referred to in the answer given to the hon. Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) on 24 July,Official Report, column 730.

  Mrs. Roe
  I have today placed in the Library the latest version of table 2 giving information reported by each local authority in England on the progress on council house sales up to the end of June 1987.

  "Paying for Local Government"
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reproduce figures F1 to F5 of Cmnd. 9714 "Paying For Local Government", by region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: The sample size used in these exemplifications would be insufficient to give reliable results for all regions.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply of 26 November,Official Report, column 316, he will provide estimates of poll tax losers and gainers by household types on a gross, before rebate, basis.
  276
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: At the request of the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham), we are giving priority to rolling forward the community charge computer model to take account of 1986–87 family expenditure survey data. The new information requested by the hon. Member will require a considerable amount of effort to produce. We will provide it after the task of updating the model has been completed.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply of 19 November,Official Report, columns 671–672. he will set out the assumptions used on poll tax rebates to arrive at the net figure.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: The assumptions were those in paragraph 3.46 of the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd 9714).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Cigarette Imports
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what changes there have been in levels of imports of cheap cigarettes since the last Budget.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is not possible to identify separately cheap cigarettes in the overseas trade statistics. Total United Kingdom imports for the seven months April to October 1987 amounted to 5,099·6 million cigarettes of a value of £32·5 million. For the previous seven months, September 1986 to March 1987, total United Kingdom imports were recorded as 9,926·7 million cigarettes of a value of £59·6 million.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Firearms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for each year since 1968 the number of prosecutions following the illegal use of firearms registered under the 1968 Act.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The readily available information, which relates to prosecutions for offences under the Firearms Act 1968, is given in the table. This information relates only to the principal offence and excludes persons also found guilty of a more serious offence. Comparable data for the years prior to 1979 is not available.

  Defendants proceeded against for offences under the Firearms Act 1968—England and Wales

  Number

  1979

  7,140

  1980

  7,130

  1981

  6,980

  1982

  5,430

  1983

  4,850

  1984

  4,160

  1985

  3,870

  1986

  3,160

  Housing Defects
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if potential purchasers of his Department's houses are notified before they buy of the
  277
  potential implications for compensation for latent damage under the Housing Defects Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  In respect of any Home Office housing designated under the Housing Defects Act, which was consolidated in the Housing Act 1985, arrangements are made to notify prospective purchasers that grant aid under the provisions of the Act will not be available, since the defects are known and accounted for in the valuation. The Act specified that after 26 April 1984 purchasers would no longer be eligible for financial assistance.

  Remand and Bail Statistics
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average number of days spent on remand by those remanded in custody for terrorist-type offences and (b) the number of bail applications refused, respectively, in 1986 and the first half of 1987, with regard to cases now completed in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  The only information which is readily available relates to prisoners convicted of terrorist-type offences who are now in prison custody in category A and does not cover prisoners who have been released or downgraded.

  In 1986, the average number of days spent on remand was 329 and the number of bail applications refused was 21. No cases have been completed of such prisoners who were first received in custody between 1 January and 30 June 1987.

  Prisoners (Statistics)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give separately how many prisoners in British gaols give as their place of domicile (i) the Republic of Ireland and (ii) Northern Ireland; and, separately, how many of these prisoners were serving sentences for terrorist-type offences as at 30 June.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information which is readily available centrally relates to prisoners' place of birth and to those terrorist-type prisoners who are held in category A. On 30 June 1987, about 700 inmates of prison department establishments in England and Wales were recorded as born in the Republic of Ireland and about 400 in Northern Ireland. Of those, 13 born in the Republic of Ireland and 32 born in Northern Ireland had been convicted of terrorist-type offences and were held in category A.

  Common Format Passport
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a specimen copy of the common format passport.

  Mr. Renton
  Prototypes of the new British passport in the European Community common format were placed in the Library in July 1984, together with a background note giving more information about it. I am arranging for these to be supplemented by the latest, but not yet final, version of the new passport which incorporates all the Community languages and contains additional safeguards against forgery, together with an updated version of the background note.

  Mr. Ian Cutler
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the organisations and hon. Members who have made representations to him concerning Mr. Ian Cutler and complaints against the police; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Aside from the hon. Member, we have received letters about this case from the right hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benn), my right hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, South and Maldon (Mr. Wakeham), my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Mr. Morrison), and the hon. Members for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell), for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes), for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey) and for Leyton (Mr. Cohen). No representations on Mr. Cutler's behalf have been received from any organisation.

  Mr. Cutler's complaints are being investigated by an officer of the Metropolitan police complaints investigation bureau under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.

  Police (Firearms)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of policemen and women have received official firearms training;

  (2) how many police officers are currently undergoing firearms training.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, at 31 December 1986, there were 8,395 authorised firearms officers, some 7 per cent. of the total police strength in England and Wales.

PRIME MINISTER

  Mr. Wallace and Captain Holroyd
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on what dates she has received letters from Mr. Colin Wallace or from his solicitor, Thomas Eggar and Son;

  (2) on what dates she has received letters from Captain [retired] Fred Holroyd.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not my usual practice to give information on correspondence from third parties.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her estimate for asset sales less purchases of land and buildings for all Departments for each year from 1987–88 until 1991.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not possible to identify fully the sale of assets, other than those from privatisation proceeds and sales of land and buildings, within the public expenditure totals.

  Net proceeds from privatisation are given in the Autumn Statement 1987.

  Figures for sales of land and buildings by Department up to 1989–90 were given in a reply to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) by my right hon. Friend the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 27 January, at columns

  279
  229–30. On the same basis, purchases of land and buildings are estimated at £530 million in 1988–89 and 1989–90. Revised estimates, including figures for 1990–91, will not be available until the 1988 public expenditure White Paper is published.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Age-related Testing
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what procedures will be used to ensure that age-related testing takes account of missed schooling due to hospitalisation or other factors relating to a child's physical disability.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Education Reform Bill provides that the national curriculum requirements, including assessment arrangements, may be modified in respect of a pupil with a statement of special educational needs under the 1981 Act, or in other cases specified in the orders prescribing those requirements for foundation subjects. In addition, where, as can happen now, following a period of missed schooling, a pupil is being taught among a younger age group, the Bill will enable the pupil to be assessed against the attainment targets for that age group. The task group on assessment and testing, and the individual subject working groups, will be advising my right hon. Friend on what account might be taken of the needs of pupils in these circumstances, bearing in mind that the assessment arrangements are intended to identify what stage a pupil has reached and what further help may be needed.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training Schemes (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all the managing agents offering places in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne city area under(a) the youth training scheme, (b) the job training scheme and (c) the community programme, together with the number of places offered by each agent in each scheme.

  Mr. Cope
  The managing agents offering places in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne city area are listed below:

  Managing agent

  Contracted places

  (a) YTS

  Alliance & Leicester Building Society

  2

  Argyll Stores

  16

  Association of British Travel Agents

  8

  Association of Merchants in Training

  5

  B & Q

  6

  Bainbridge

  20

  Benfield Motors

  32

  Binns

  10

  Boots

  8

  British Association of Professional Hairdressing Employers

  7

  British Engines

  17

  British Insurance Brokers Association

  6

  British Office Systems and Stationery Federation

  1

  British Printing Industry Federation

  1

  British Rail

  14

  Builders Merchants Federation

  5

  Burton Group PLC

  12

  Central Electricity Generating Board

  1

  Chubb

  1

  280

  Managing agent

  Contracted places

  Clothing and Allied Products Industry Training Board

  22

  Community Industry

  18

  Construction Industry Training Board

  136

  Data Northern Ltd.

  313

  DER

  3

  Dixon's

  2

  Eagle Star Insurance

  2

  Electronic Rentals

  1

  Essanelle

  14

  Federation of London Clearing Banks

  17

  Fenwicks

  88

  Footballers Association Further Education and Vocational Training Society Ltd.

  9

  John Gerard

  16

  Gosforth Employment Rehabilitation Centre

  60

  Granada Television Rentals

  7

  Greggs of Gosforth

  18

  Habitat

  2

  Halifax Building Society

  2

  Hotel and Catering Training Board

  131

  IBM

  4

  JHP Training

  152

  K Shoes

  1

  Key Training

  275

  Kwikfit

  4

  Littlewoods

  5

  Lunn Poly

  4

  Lupins

  62

  Magnet & Southern

  2

  Marks & Spencer

  7

  Metcon

  1

  Midland Bank

  1

  Miltech

  6

  Mothercare

  3

  National Association for Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders

  148

  North East Electricity Board—Electricity Council

  6

  North East Furniture Manufacturers

  2

  NEI Plc

  78

  Newcastle College of Arts and Technology

  324

  Newcastle ITeC

  97

  Newcastle Local Education Authority

  699

  Newey and Eyre

  7

  North East Link

  110

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  18

  Northern Rock Building Society

  34

  Northumbria Ambulance Service

  29

  Northumbria Water Authority

  6

  Partco

  1

  Plastics Processing Industry Training Board

  6

  Post Office Counters

  40

  Post Office Letters

  58

  Rumbelows

  2

  Scottish and Newcastle Breweries

  13

  Shoe Repair Industry Training Association

  3

  Stylo Barratt

  3

  Sumlock

  59

  Swallow Hotels

  5

  Texas

  4

  Thomson Holidays

  2

  TR Dixon

  4

  Trustee Savings Bank

  7

  Tyne and Wear Chamber of Commerce

  325

  Tyneside Training Service

  291

  Vickers

  183

  Work and Learn (North East) Ltd.

  233

  Yorkshire Bank

  1

  Total

  4,358

  281

  Managing agent

  Contracted annual throughput

  (b) the Job Training Scheme:

  Data Northern Ltd.1

  1,000

  Lloyds British Training Services Ltd.

  1,250

  Tyneside Skillcentre

  300

  Tyne and Wear Chamber of Commerce

  600

  Key Training Ltd.

  500

  Total

  3,650

  Managing agent

  Authorised places

  (c) the Community Programme:

  Age Concern

  19

  Boys Brigade

  8

  Christian Relay

  34

  Community Rural Aid

  45

  Community Service Volunteers

  24

  Community Task Force

  241

  Community Transport

  140

  Conservation Practice

  20

  Energy Support

  14

  Keep Britain Tidy Group

  14

  Keeping Newcastle Warm

  105

  National Association For the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders

  233

  New Job Horizons

  319

  Newcastle City Council Agency

  1,178

  Northumbria Tourist Board

  98

  PHAB

  8

  Police

  107

  St. Anthony of Padua

  340

  Total

  2,947

  1 Some of these places are provided outside the Newcastle upon Tyne city area.

  Engineering Industry Training Board
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy towards engineering training in the light of information paper No. 82 issued by the EITB concerning options for its future direction, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I am concerned that the skill base of the engineering industry should enable the exploitation of new technologies and new markets.

  I support the engineering industry training board's efforts to devise arrangements which will both be effective and command the general support of the engineering industry.

  Closed Shop
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received since June of the current year regarding the closed shop.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Some 60 representations received by my Department since June have made some reference to the closed shop. These include parliamentary questions and correspondence with Members of Parliament, outside bodies and the general public.

  Factory Inspectors
  Miss Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will express the number of visits made by factory inspectors in the north-east in 1986–87 as a proportion of the total number of factories in the area.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is not possible without disproportionate cost to separate the number of visits made to factories from those made to other premises where the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is enforced by HSE's factory inspectorate.

  Miss Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many factory inspectors were in post in each of the five years in the north-east region; and how many of the anticipated increase in the number of factory inspectors will be located in the north-east region.

  Mr. Nichollas
  The number of factory inspectors in the Health and Safety Executive's north-east area over the past five years is as follows:

  1 April

  Numbers

  1983

  32

  1984

  31

  1985

  31

  1986

  30

  1987 (April)

  31

  1987 (November)

  27

  The Health and Safety Commission and Executive plan to increase the number of inspectors in the factory inspectorate by about 35 above present levels during 1988–89. Decisions on when the additional inspectors will be located have not yet been taken.

  Restart Scheme
  Miss Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of restart interviews which have taken place in Cleveland since the commencement of the restart scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Since the national introduction of the restart programme in July 1986, 46,427 restart interviews have taken place in Cleveland up to the end of September.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish tables showing the number of notified vacancies per registered unemployed person in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) England, (d) the United Kingdom and(e) each of the English regions for June 1979, June 1980, June 1981, June 1982, June 1983, June 1984, June 1985, June 1986, June 1987 and November 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  Following is the available information. The table shows the number of unfilled vacancies at jobcentres, and the number of unemployed claimants, in each of the requested areas, for June of each year since 1980. Vacancy figures for June 1979 are not available on a comparable basis, while figures for November 1987, will not be available until 17 December 1987. All the figures are seasonally adjusted, and the unemployment figures allow for changes in coverage.

  It is not valid to compare ratios of notified vacancies to unemployment, since roughly only about a third of

  283
  vacancies in the economy are reported to jobcentres, and this proportion will tend to vary over time and between regions.

  Unemployed claimants, seasonally adjusted

  June 1980

  June 1981

  June 1982

  June 1983

  June 1984

  June 1985

  June 1986

  June 1987

  South East

  260,700

  491,000

  593,100

  669,600

  707,300

  746,400

  780,100

  682,100

  East Anglia

  31,400

  55,800

  64,400

  72,100

  73,200

  78,200

  82,300

  73,000

  South West

  85,300

  137,900

  156,100

  173,900

  182,800

  195,500

  203,600

  179,300

  West Midlands

  135,000

  264,900

  302,200

  332,000

  327,900

  333,700

  337,300

  302,400

  East Midlands

  78,500

  139,700

  155,200

  176,200

  184,100

  193,600

  197,400

  182,900

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  123,800

  213,300

  240,800

  266,100

  273,300

  287,100

  305,100

  282,100

  North West

  203,500

  324,300

  373,800

  409,700

  418,700

  430,400

  438,600

  399,500

  North

  117,200

  170,400

  189,800

  209,100

  218,700

  224,700

  226,400

  210,400

  Wales

  84,200

  132,400

  146,800

  158,700

  162,700

  172,200

  175,000

  154,100

  Scotland

  177,700

  256,400

  283,800

  308,200

  317,600

  332,700

  340,900

  333,800

  England

  1,035,400

  1,797,000

  2,075,700

  2,309,000

  2,386,000

  2,489,800

  2,570,800

  2,311,700

  United Kingdom

  1,359,100

  2,275,400

  2,605,800

  2,884,200

  2,978,600

  3,109,300

  3,212,500

  2,925,200

  Unfilled vacancies, seasonally adjusted

  June 1980

  June 1981

  June 1982

  June 1983

  June 1984

  June 1985

  June 1986

  June 1987

  South East

  62,100

  29,800

  41,700

  50,980

  60,170

  64,380

  67,810

  87,470

  East Anglia

  4,800

  2,900

  4,100

  4,320

  5,550

  5,950

  5,990

  7,900

  South West

  10,500

  5,100

  10,500

  12,830

  13,350

  15,450

  18,660

  20,380

  West Midlands

  7,200

  4,400

  8,100

  9,420

  10,830

  12,250

  14,950

  20,880

  East Midlands

  7,600

  5,100

  7,200

  7,800

  7,850

  9,280

  9,990

  12,580

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  7,700

  4,600

  7,300

  8,200

  8,120

  8,790

  11,250

  15,640

  North West

  10,200

  6,600

  9,700

  13,420

  14,920

  15,710

  18,880

  24,640

  North

  5,600

  3,400

  5,000

  5,960

  6,700

  7,900

  9,230

  12,130

  Wales

  5,800

  4,500

  5,800

  6,650

  7,600

  7,840

  9,270

  11,750

  Scotland

  15,600

  9,900

  12,800

  16,380

  14,310

  14,300

  16,870

  18,210

  England

  115,800

  61,900

  93,500

  112,280

  127,270

  139,790

  156,870

  201,720

  United Kingdom

  138,300

  76,900

  112,900

  136,510

  150,760

  163,620

  184,970

  233,660

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest level of the retail prices index.

  Mr. Fowler
  The November monthly figure for the retail prices index shows that there has been a welcome fall in the annual rate of inflation to 4·1 per cent. It has, however, been discovered that from February 1986 to October 1987 a computer programme error affected the monthly index. As a result, the annual inflation rate will have been understated by one tenth of 1 per cent. in most months during that period.

  Each month 130,000 prices, covering many categories of expenditure, are collected and analysed in a complex set of calculations. Following a decision in March 1983 the index has since February 1986 been calculated by computerised methods. Monitoring of the system has revealed that during the programming work in 1985 a mistake was made in the detailed calculations for certain items.

  From February 1986 until January 1987 there was a regular understatement of about 0·06 per cent. in the price change in each month relative to the base month, which was January 1986. From February 1987, as the faulty programme was applied to a wider range of items, the understatement relative to January 1987 was about 0·09 per cent.

  The programming fault has now been rectified, and the annual inflation rate of 4·1 per cent. for November is correct. The figure for the November level of the index is also correct at 103·4. It has not, however, been possible in
  284
  the time available to calculate the figures for the many detailed components. These will be published in the course of next week.

  The RPI will have been understated, albeit by a numerically small margin, for up to 21 months. I wish, however, to make it plain now that special extra payments will be made to national insurance retirement and supplementary pensioners and severely disabled people, and that the Exchequer will not benefit from the effects on social security expenditure. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services will make an announcement on this as soon as possible.

  We believe that the computerised calculation system is now wholly correct. In view of the RPI's importance, however, I am asking the head of the Government statistical service to carry out a review of it.

TRANSPORT

  National Bus Company
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those subsidiaries of the National Bus Company which have been sold off at less than their 1986 book values; by how much the price paid for those companies fell short of the book values; and whether he will give the reasons for the difference.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Information on sale prices of National Bus Company subsidiaries is confidential while sales are in progress. A report will be made to the House in due course on the aggregate proceeds of sale.

  Railways (Scottish Region)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if when he next meets the chairman of British Rail he will raise with him the closure of the signal and telecommunication design drawing office, Scottish region; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the employment implications for the area affected by the closure of British Rail's signals and telecommunications design drawing office, Scottish region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I understand that the British Railways Board has been reviewing its signal and telecommunications engineering activities. This review and any employment implications are management matters for the board.

  Motor Cyclists (Accidents)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents to motor cyclists have been caused by motor car drivers for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Government's road accident statistics do not apportion blame. Statistics of injury accidents involving a car and a motor cycle—which represent 55 per cent. of all accidents involving a motor cycle — do, however, distinguish the main types of manoeuvre being undertaken. Information on cases in which the car turned right into the path of the motor cycle is as follows:

  Year

  Number of car-motor cycle injury accidents

  Number of such accidents in which car turned right into the path of the motor cycle

  Percentage

  1984

  35,447

  14,422

  41

  1985

  31,893

  12,937

  41

  1986

  30,106

  12,407

  41

  Speeding
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to prevent motor cycles and motor cars being equipped to break the speeding restrictions.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are no plans to do so.

  The performance capability of modern cars and motor cycles sold here tends to reflect consumer preferences and driving conditions generally throughout Europe. It cannot be tailored to speed limits in the United Kingdom.

  Preston (Traffic)
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is now able to release the consultant's report into the traffic to the south of Preston in Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. It is not our practice to publish reports of traffic studies because they are necessarily broad-brush, and publication would inevitably lead to blight. I will comment further when replying to my hon. Friend's recent letter about the proposed Blackburn southern bypass.

  Public Transport (Government Assistance)
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of all Government assistance to(a) British Rail's Network South-East and (b) London Regional Transport in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  In 1986–87, NSE received £195 million in PSO grant, and LRT £295 million, a subsidy of 2·43p and 4·48p per passenger mile respectively. This compares with last year's subsidy of £489 million to the provincial sector (including ScotRail) and the PTEs—a subsidy of 15·9p per passenger mile.

  Libel (London Regional Transport)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue a direction to the chairman of London Regional Transport that no London Regional Transport moneys be spent pursuing any action against the London Evening Standard for libel.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No. I have no powers to give L.RT such a specific direction.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Company Taxation
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total tax revenue raised in the last financial year from companies under the small companies rate(a) on profits below £100,000 and (b) on profits between £100,000 and £500,000; and, in the latter case, what was the average rate.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The corporation tax revenue raised under the small companies' rate in 1985–86 (the latest year for which adequate detailed data are available) is estimated at£¾ billion on taxable profits below £100,000 and £¼ billion on taxable profits between £100,000 and £500,000. The average rate for the latter group is 35 per cent.

  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of(a) increasing the inheritance tax business property relief to 100 per cent. arid (b) extending the relief to holdings in excess of 10 per cent.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  (a) The cost of increasing the inheritance tax business relief to 100 per cent. is estimated at £20 million in the full year.

  (b) The cost of extending the present 50 per cent. relief to unquoted company shareholdings in excess of 10 per cent. is estimated at £1 million in the full year.

  VAT Refunds
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discretion retailers in the United Kingdom have in offering value added tax refund facilities for foreign visitors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  In common with all other member states of the European Community, the United Kingdom provides a retail export scheme which allows retailers to offer value added tax refunds to foreign visitors. Individual retailers may choose whether or not to operate the scheme.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for the last financial year the value
  287
  added tax refunded to (a) each county council, (b) each district council, (c) the British Broadcasting Corporation, (d) Independent Television News Ltd., (e) each cooperative wholesale society, and (f) each co-operative retail society under section 20 of the Value Added Tax Act 1983.

  Mr. Lilley
  Information relating to specific taxpayers is confidential. However some £1·2 billion was repaid under section 20 of the Value Added Tax Act 1983 to local government bodies, including 475 county and district councils. Neither wholesale nor retail co-operative societies are eligible for repayments under section 20.

  Order Papers (Printing)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measurements he has made of the efficiency of the printing service, since the introduction of computer typesetting for producing House of Commons Order Papers by Her Majesty's Stationery Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Since production of the Order Papers began at the new parliamentary press in October, copies of these papers have been delivered to the Vote Office in the early part of each morning. A printed version was not available on only one occasion before the House sat and then arrangements were made to provide the House with copies in an alternative form.

  Her Majesty's Stationery Office together with House officials is continually monitoring the effectiveness of the computer typesetting of the Order Papers.

  Tobacco Taxation
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of revenue from tobacco taxation is derived(a) from areas where unemployment exceeds 13 per cent. and (b) from areas where unemployment is less than 8 per cent.

  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that information is not available in the form requested.

  BP Shares
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to extend the final date of the Bank of England buy-back offer for BP shares.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 7 December 1987 at column 71.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who will be responsible for financing the second and third instalments of BP shares bought back by the Bank of England.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 9 November at column 65.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each three years from 1988–89 his proposed asset sales.
  288
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  No decisions have yet been taken about the timing of individual privatisations over the next three years. Decisions on timing of other asset sales are not held centrally.

  Corrugated Board Manufacturers
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to other European Economic Community Governments about problems facing corrugated board manufacturers in the United Kingdom concerning alleged under payment of customs duties; and what information he has as to whether similar manufacturers in Germany, Holland, France and Italy are being treated in the same way.

  Mr. Lilley
  The circumstances involving alleged underpayments of anti-dumping duty on kraftliner paper imported from the United States of America by corrugated board manufacturers have been discussed at Community meetings in Brussels. I understand that investigations have been carried out in the other member states mentioned and a number of irregularities reported.

  Economic and Finance Council
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meeting of the European Community's Economic and Finance Council.

  Mr. Lawson
  The ECOFIN Council met in Brussels on 7 December. I represented the United Kingdom. The Council discussed the Commission's annual economic report for 1987–88. The report was agreed as amended by the Commission in the light of discussion with member states.

  The chairman of the Economic Policy Committee gave an interim report on the committee's economic evaluation of the Commission's proposals for the abolition of fiscal frontiers. It was agreed that the committee should produce a full report, which is expected in March 1988.

  The Council discussed the draft 18th VAT directive, but no agreement was reached. The Council agreed to continue work on a draft directive dealing with the prospctus to be published when transferable securities are offered to the public.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a note explaining the circumstances in which distributions by companies other than in the form of cash or shares are subject to income tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: The Taxes Act provides that, in addition to dividends and certain issues of shares and securities, any other distribution out of the assets of the company in respect of shares in the company falls within schedule F of the income tax code. The company has to account for advance corporation tax on the value of the distribution, and the sum of that value plus the advance corporation tax is income of the shareholder.

  The recipient is entitled to a tax credit equal to the advance corporation tax, and this covers his basic rate income tax liability. A distribution is treated as provided

  289
  out of the assets of a company if the cost falls on the company. If the cost falls on a direct 90 per cent. subsidiary of the company, a distribution is treated as made by the subsidiary. The legislation provides that "in respect of shares" covers anything done in pursuance of a right granted or offer made in respect of a share.

  The Taxes Act also contains a supplementary rule that can apply where a company transfers assets to, or takes over, liabilities of a member or members. If the market value of the benefit received by the member exceeds the consideration that he pays, the company is treated as making a distribution equal to the difference. There are also special rules covering the provision of benefits or facilities to members of a close company.

  Company Taxation
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions the Inland Revenue have subjected distributions by companies other than in the form of cash or shares, as taxable under section 233 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: This information is not available centrally.

  Share Options
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of share option schemes approved in each of the tax years since the inception of the legislation.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: The figures are as follows:

  Number of schemes approved

  FA 1980 SAYE schemes

  FA 1984 schemes

  In year

  Cumulative total

  In year

  Cumulative total

  1980–81

  22

  22

  1981–82

  115

  137

  1982–83

  78

  215

  1983–84

  73

  288

  1984–85

  115

  403

  202

  202

  1985–86

  111

  514

  1,251

  1,453

  1986–87

  104

  618

  751

  2,204

  1987–881

  70

  688

  495

  2,699

  1 To date.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the aggregate number and price of options granted in each of the tax years since the inception of the scheme.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: Estimates for each year are as follows:

  FA 1980 SAYE schemes

  FA 1984 schemes

  Number of optants

  Cost of taking up options

  Number of optants

  Cost of taking up options

  Thousands

  £ million

  Thousands

  £ million

  1980–81

  11

  18

  —

  —

  1981–82

  89

  151

  —

  —

  1982–83

  95

  175

  —

  —

  1983–84

  105

  185

  —

  —

  290

  FA 1980 SAYE schemes

  FA 1984 schemes

  Number of optants

  Cost of taking up options

  Number of optants

  Cost of taking up options

  Thousands

  £ million

  Thousands

  £ million

  1984–85

  225

  560

  50

  800

  1985–86

  200

  460

  50

  750

  1986–87

  270

  500

  45

  900

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, for each tax year since the inception of the share option scheme, for each of the schemes granted(a) the number of shares which were the subject of options and (b) the aggregate price payable for these options for (i) all companies, (ii) companies which are quoted and (iii) companies which are unquoted.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: Estimates for each year are as follows:

  FA 1980 SAYE schemes

  FA 1984 schemes

  Number of shares over which options were granted

  Cost of taking up options

  Number of shares over which options were granted

  Cost of taking up options

  Million

  £ million

  Million

  £ million

  1980–81

  1—

  18

  —

  —

  1981–82

  1—

  151

  —

  —

  1982–83

  100

  175

  —

  —

  1983–84

  100

  185

  —

  —

  1984–85

  250

  560

  420

  800

  1985–86

  160

  460

  380

  750

  1986–87

  230

  500

  460

  900

  1 Figures not readily available.

  An analysis by company type is not available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, for the current tax year(a) the number and value of options that have been exercised and (b) the current market value of unexercised options in quoted companies.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: Figures for 1987–88 are not yet available. Estimates for the previous year relating to share option schemes approved under the legislation shown are as follows:

  Finance Act

  Number of optants exercising options in 1986–87 ('000)

  Number of shares: options exercised in 1986–87 (million)

  Value of shares obtained through the exercise of options in 1986–87 (£ million)

  1980

  55

  60

  165

  1984

  na

  45

  280

  1 Amount paid for acquisition of shares.

  2 1986–87 value of options exercised.

  The value of unexercised options over shares in quoted companies is not readily available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding the Government's guidelines on voluntary nutrition labelling.
  291
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Government's guidelines for a voluntary system of nutrition labelling were issued on 24 July 1987. They were introduced as a result of interest in nutrition labelling, both on the part of consumers and the food industry. They aim to encourage a standard approach to nutrition labelling which is clearly important for consumer information and choice. I hope that the relevant trade organisations will commend the guidelines to their members so that maximum uptake by the industry is achieved.

  Edinburgh (Ministerial Visit)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Edinburgh to meet representatives of the farming industry in Scotland.

  Mr. MacGregor
  On my recent visit to Edinburgh I had useful discussions with people involved in the farming industry in Scotland on a wide range of matters affecting the industry.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is taking measures to encourage research into alternative refrigerants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We are responsible only for those refrigerants that come into direct contact with food. I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to chlorofluorocarbons and the only member of that class used in direct contact with food is dichlorodifluoromethane (R12). It is used only for a very small amount of frozen foods and its use is decreasing since acceptable alternative direct contact refrigerant systems are available. Therefore, I see no need to embark on a programme of research to identify new agents.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting on 10 December in Brussels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor: The Council of Agriculture Ministers met in Brussels on 10 December. Among the matters discussed was a proposal for certain areas of the Netherlands, France and Greece to be recognised as officially free from classical swine fever. I agreed to this only after careful study of the evidence on the disease status of the areas concerned, and after seeking and receiving firm and specific assurances from each of the three countries that they are applying rigorous controls to ensure that this status will be maintained, and that they would take effective and immediate action in the event of any outbreak.

  The Council formally adopted the regulation on distribution of free food from intervention stocks. I am now considering its implications in close consultation with the main charitable organisations. The Council agreed on the allocation between member states of the GATT quota for frozen beef, and on quotas for high quality beef and buffalo meat, for 1988. These quotas can therefore be opened promptly, to the benefit of the trade. A new system of classification for rice was also agreed.

  Bees Officers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of bees officers employed by his Department each year from 1981.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: The information is as follows:

  Bees officers employed in England 1981–87

  Number

  1981

  66

  1982

  68

  1983

  65

  1984

  64

  1985

  68

  1986

  64

  1987

  61

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Income Support
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of claimants aged 60 years or over who will become eligible for income support as a result of the increase in the capital limit to £3,000.

  Mr. Scott
  The capital limit for income support is to be increased from £3,000 to £6,000. It is estimated that 10,000 people aged over 60 will receive income support as a result of this increase.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of claimants of income support who will be entitled to (i) the pensioner premium, (ii) the higher pensioner premium and (iii) the severe disability premium.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  (i) Pensioner premium

  1,120,000

  (ii) Higher pensioner premium

  595,000

  (iii) Severe disability premium

  7,000

  Community Care
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services under which part of his terms of reference Sir Roy Griffiths will incorporate consideration of funding provision for emergency alarm systems in dispersed housing in his review of community care.

  Mr. Portillo
  Sir Roy's terms of reference include reviewing the way in which public funds are used to support community care policy. Any use of public funds which relates to community care could therefore be considered within his terms of reference.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that those pensioners who last received their pensions by payable order on a date prior to 7 December can receive their £10 Christmas bonus before 18 December.
  293
  Mr. Scott
  The Christmas bonus will be sent to all pensioners paid in arrears by payable order before Christmas, and the great majority of pensioners will have received it by 18 December.

  Additional Pensions
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to encourage individuals to build up additional pensions.

  Mr. Portillo
  From 1 July 1988 it will be possible to contract-out of the state earnings-related pension scheme through a personal pension from a scheme approved by the Occupational Pensions Board. Personal pensions will attract minimum contributions paid by the Department. These will be made up of a partial rebate of national insurance contributions and, until April 1993, a special incentive payment. In most cases the payments by the Department will include tax relief of the employee's share of the minimum contribution. People taking out a personal pension before 6 April 1989 will be able to backdate membership to 6 April 1987 and claim an extra year's minimum contributions, including the incentive.

  Grade title

  Salary scales (effective from 1 April 1987)

  00

  01

  02

  03

  04

  05

  06

  07

  08

  09

  10

  Junior Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer A

  13,676

  23,951

  34,333

  44,685

  55,237

  65,469

  5,544

  5,653

  Junior Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer B

  24,209

  34,572

  44,899

  55,469

  65,692

  5,757

  5,867

  Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer

  6,686

  6,936

  7,481

  7,627

  7,838

  8,068

  8,342

  8,644

  8,898

  9,146

  9,435

  Senior Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer

  8,763

  9,024

  9,316

  9,617

  9,895

  10,086

  10,325

  10,611

  10,895

  11,181

  11,577

  Chief Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer

  10,912

  11,131

  11,427

  11,702

  11,978

  12,268

  12,663

  Senior Chief Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer

  12,268

  12,788

  13,165

  13,573

  13,944

  14,417

  14,963

  Principal Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer

  14,963

  16,321

  17,201

  1 Age 16.

  2 Age 17.

  3 Age 18.

  4 Age 19.

  5 Age 20.

  6 Age 21 and over.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of medical laboratory scientific officers entering the public health laboratory service leave after(a) one year, (b) two years, (c) five years and, (d) 10 years.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not recorded on a routine basis. The public health laboratory service estimates that 15 per cent. of medical laboratory scientific officers have left the service in the last year.

  Agency Nurses
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give, by region and for each year since 1983, the numbers of agency nurses employed for National Health Service work, including the latest available figures.

  Mr. Newton
  The information is as follows:

  Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average level of qualifications of medical laboratory scientific officers working in the public health laboratory service.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not recorded. Registration in the basic medical laboratory scientific officer grade is on the basis of a Higher National Certificate or equivalent qualification plus prescribed in-service training. Further qualifications and experience may well be required for appointment to more senior medical laboratory scientific officer posts.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the pay scale of medical laboratory scientific officers working in the public health laboratory service.

  Mr. Newton
  The current pay scales for medical laboratory scientific officers working in the public health laboratory service are as follows:

  National Health Service nursing and midwifery agency staff in post by Regional Health Authority at 30 September

  Whole time equivalents1

  Region

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Northern

  3—

  —

  —

  40

  Yorkshire

  3—

  3—

  40

  90

  Trent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Anglian

  40

  110

  160

  180

  North West Thames

  620

  850

  1,080

  1,360

  North East Thames

  600

  980

  850

  1,400

  South East Thames

  480

  770

  820

  860

  South West Thames

  380

  480

  520

  620

  Wessex

  40

  60

  100

  120

  Oxford

  3—

  10

  40

  90

  South Western

  3—

  10

  40

  40

  West Midlands

  10

  100

  100

  170

  Mersey

  20

  60

  40

  80

  North Western

  —

  —

  —

  20

  BG/SHA's

  240

  310

  320

  380

  England2

  2,440

  3,750

  4,120

  5,450

  1 Figures are independently rounded to nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalent.

  2 Includes agency staff in Regional and Special Health Authorities.

  295

  3 Insignificant when rounded.

  — Nil.

  Note: Due to rounding the total may not be equal to the sum of the constituent parts.

  Source: DHSS Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.

  Births
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the stillbirth, neonatal and postneonatal mortality rates for singleton babies with birthweights under 1,000 grammes, 1,000 to 2,499 grammes, 2,500 grammes and over, and those with unstated birthweights, who were born in England and Wales in 1985 and in 1986(a) by caesarean section, (b) by instrumental delivery, including forceps, ventouse and breech extraction and (c) by spontaneous delivery, including abnormal presentation of the head and breech spontaneous delivery.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that the information requested is not available. The registration of births (live and still) does not identify the mode of delivery.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the numbers of babies born, the numbers admitted to special care baby units and their average length of stay for (i) singleton and (ii) multiple deliveries in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years.

  Mrs. Currie
  The available information is given in the table. Figures for singleton and multiple deliveries are not available separately. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  In-patient cases treated and average length of stay in special care baby units, and live births, England 1977–1986

  Year

  Cases treated in special care baby units

  Average length of stay (days) in special care baby units

  All Live Births

  1977

  102,785

  8·0

  536,953

  1978

  97,803

  8·2

  562,589

  1979

  93,742

  8·4

  601,316

  1980

  89,277

  8·6

  618,371

  1981

  84,061

  8·9

  598,163

  1982

  76,279

  9·5

  589,711

  1983

  71,184

  10·0

  593,255

  1984

  68,777

  10·5

  600,573

  1985

  68,634

  10·8

  619,301

  1986

  66,725

  11·0

  623,609

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give the stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates for babies born in 1986 in England and Wales to women who delivered at home and(a) had booked to deliver at home, (b) had booked to deliver in hospital or (c) had made no arrangements for their delivery;

  (2) if he will give the stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates for babies born in 1986 in England and Wales to women who were originally booked to deliver at home and who (a) delivered at home as planned, (b) delivered in hospital following a change of booking during pregnancy, (c) delivered in hospital following a decision taken during labour or (d) delivered elsewhere.
  296
  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not available. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Neasden Hospital
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to collect centrally information relating to the date when nurses and medicine staff were transferred against their wishes from their homes at Neasden hospital; how many units of residence remain empty; what are the numbers that have been occupied by homeless families on a short-term tenancy by arrangement with the London borough of Brent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may like to consult the chairman of Brent health authority.

  AIDS
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about funding for the London Lighthouse project and hospices and community care facilities for AIDS patients.

  Mr. Newton
  For the financial year 1987–88, the Government have approved payments of £500,000 for capital and £100,000 revenue costs for London Lighthouse, £150,000 for capital and £50,000 revenue costs to the Mildmay Mission hospital and £88,000 for capital costs to the Newcastle community support centre. The Department is currently considering applications for further funding from London Lighthouse and the Mildmay Mission hospital. The Government attach great importance to the role that the voluntary sector has to play in collaborating with the statutory authorities in providing support including respite care for people with AIDS.

  Regional Health Authorities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimated outturn of expenditure by regional health authorities in England on hospital and community health services for 1986–87.

  Mr. Newton
  Following are the provisional figures for 1986–87:

  Total expenditure on hospital and community health services1

  Region

  £ million

  Northern

  717·3

  Yorkshire

  818·1

  Trent

  992·0

  East Anglian

  422·0

  North West Thames

  844·3

  North East Thames

  1,052·0

  South East Thames

  933·6

  South West Thames

  704·2

  Wessex

  620·2

  Oxford

  467·3

  South Western

  718·4

  West Midlands

  1,165·0

  Mersey

  591·3

  North Western

  988·0

  Total

  11,033·7

  297

  1 Includes revenue and capital expenditure on hospital, community health, ambulance, blood transfusion and other services.

  Source: Annual financial accounts of regional and district health authorities (as yet unaudited).

  Voluntary Carers
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to make further funds available for voluntary carers groups; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  In 1987–88 we are providing funds from our section 64 grant scheme totalling £171,000 for national voluntary organisations directly concerned with carers. Decisions on funding levels for 1988–89 have not yet been taken.

  Health Authorities (Consultations)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has as to any cases where procedures governing consultations between district health authorities and community health councils have not been adhered to;

  (2) what are the procedures governing consultations between district health authorities and community health councils.

  Components of net weekly spending power for pensioners receiving housing benefit, and where eligible on income grounds, housing benefit supplement

  Table 1: November 1985, Rent £15·00, Rates £7·00

  Gross income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebates

  Net income after housing costs

  Supplementary pension (SP)

  Housing benefit supplement (HBS)

  Disposable income with SP or HBS

  Single Pensioner

  38·30

  0·00

  15·00

  15·00

  7·00

  7·00

  38·30

  3·02

  0·00

  41·32

  43·30

  0·00

  15·00

  11·63

  7·00

  5·25

  38·18

  0·00

  3·14

  41·32

  48·30

  0·00

  15·00

  9·13

  7·00

  4·25

  39·68

  0·00

  1·64

  41·32

  53·30

  0·47

  15·00

  7·62

  7·00

  3·58

  42·03

  0·00

  0·00

  42·03

  58·30

  1·97

  15·00

  6·17

  7·00

  2·93

  43·43

  0·00

  0·00

  43·43

  68·30

  4·97

  15·00

  3·27

  7·00

  1·63

  46·23

  0·00

  0·00

  46·23

  78·30

  7·97

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil1

  48·33

  0·00

  0·00

  48·33

  88·30

  10·97

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  55·33

  0·00

  0·00

  55·33

  138·30

  25·97

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  90·33

  0·00

  0·00

  90·33

  Pensioner Couple

  61·30

  0·00

  15·00

  15·00

  7·00

  7·00

  61·30

  2·52

  0·00

  63·82

  66·30

  0·00

  15·00

  11·38

  7·00

  5·15

  60·83

  0·00

  2·99

  63·82

  71·30

  0·00

  15·00

  8·93

  7·00

  4·17

  62·40

  0·00

  1·42

  63·82

  76·30

  0·00

  15·00

  7·48

  7·00

  3·52

  65·30

  0·00

  0·00

  65·30

  81·30

  0·00

  15·00

  6·03

  7·00

  2·87

  68·20

  0·00

  0·00

  68·20

  91·30

  2·84

  15·00

  3·13

  7·00

  1·57

  71·16

  0·00

  0·00

  71·16

  101·30

  5·84

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil1

  73·46

  0·00

  0·00

  73·46

  111·30

  8·84

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  80·46

  0·00

  0·00

  80·46

  161·30

  23·84

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  115·46

  0·00

  0·00

  115·46

  Table 2: November 1985, Rent £30·00, Rates £10·00

  Gross income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebates

  Net income after housing costs

  Supplementary pension (SP)

  Housing benefit supplement (HBS)

  Disposable income with SP or HBS

  Single Pensioner

  38·30

  0·00

  30·00

  30·00

  10·00

  10·00

  38·30

  3·02

  0·00

  41·32

  43·30

  0·00

  30·00

  20·63

  10·00

  7·05

  30·98

  0·00

  10·34

  41·32

  48·30

  0·00

  30·00

  18·13

  10·00

  6·05

  32·48

  0·00

  8·84

  41·32

  53·30

  0·47

  30·00

  16·62

  10·00

  5·38

  34·83

  0·00

  6·49

  41·32

  58·30

  1·97

  30·00

  15·17

  10·00

  4·73

  36·23

  0·00

  5·09

  41·32

  68·30

  4·97

  30·00

  12·27

  10·00

  3·43

  39·03

  0·00

  2·29

  41·32

  78·30

  7·97

  30·00

  9·37

  10·00

  2·13

  41·83

  0·00

  0·00

  41·83

  298
  Mrs. Currie
  We encourage consultation between district health authorities and community health councils on a variety of topics. Formal consultation is required when a closure or change of use of a hospital building is proposed. We are not aware of cases where procedures governing consultations between district health authorities and community health councils have not been followed. If the hon. Member is aware of any such instances. I will be happy to look into them.

  Pensioners (Spending Power)
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will publish in the Official Report the information relating to net weekly spending power of pensioners at a range of levels of gross income provided to the hon. Member for Kensington by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 20 November.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is shown in the tables. These show the net weekly spending power of a single pensioner and a pensioner couple paying(a) rent of £15 and rates of £7 per week and (b) rent of £30 and rates of £10 per week, under the current scheme at November 1985 benefit levels and November 1986 benefit levels, and under the reformed scheme to be implemented in April 1988 at the 1985 illustrative rates of benefit.
  299

  Gross income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebates

  Net income after housing costs

  Supplementary pension (SP)

  Housing benefit supplement (HBS)

  Disposable income with SP or HBS

  88·30

  10·97

  30·00

  6·47

  10·00

  0·83

  44·63

  0·00

  0·00

  44·63

  138·30

  25·97

  30·00

  nil

  10·00

  nil

  72·33

  0·00

  0·00

  72·33

  Pensioner Couple

  61·30

  0·00

  30·00

  30·00

  10·00

  10·00

  61·30

  2·52

  0·00

  63·82

  66·30

  0·00

  30·00

  20·38

  10·00

  6·95

  53·63

  0·00

  10·19

  63·82

  71·30

  0·00

  30·00

  17·93

  10·00

  5·97

  55·20

  0·00

  8·62

  63·82

  76·30

  0·00

  30·00

  16·48

  10·00

  5·32

  58·10

  0·00

  5·72

  63·82

  81·30

  0·00

  30·00

  15·03

  10·00

  4·67

  61·00

  0·00

  2·82

  63·82

  91·30

  2·84

  30·00

  12·13

  10·00

  3·37

  63·96

  0·00

  0·00

  63·96

  101·30

  5·84

  30·00

  9·23

  10·00

  2·07

  66·76

  0·00

  0·00

  66·76

  111·30

  8·84

  30·00

  6·33

  10·00

  0·77

  69·56

  0·00

  0·00

  69·56

  161·30

  23·84

  30·00

  nil

  10·00

  nil

  97·46

  0·00

  0·00

  97·46

  Table 3: November 1986, Rent £15·00, Rates £7·00

  Gross income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebates

  Net income after housing costs

  Supplementary pension (SP)

  Housing benefit supplement (HBS)

  Disposable income with SP or HBS

  Single pensioner

  38·70

  0·00

  15·00

  15·00

  7·00

  7·00

  38·70

  3·41

  0·00

  42·11

  43·70

  0·00

  15·00

  11·63

  7·00

  5·25

  38·58

  0·00

  3·53

  42·11

  48·70

  0·00

  15·00

  9·13

  7·00

  4·25

  40·08

  0·00

  2·03

  42·11

  53·70

  0·00

  15·00

  7·62

  7·00

  3·58

  42·90

  0·00

  0·00

  42·90

  58·70

  1·13

  15·00

  6·17

  7·00

  2·93

  44·67

  0·00

  0·00

  44·67

  68·70

  4·03

  15·00

  3·27

  7·00

  1·63

  47·57

  0·00

  0·00

  47·57

  78·70

  6·93

  15·00

  1

  7·00

  1nil

  49·77

  0·00

  0·00

  49·77

  88·70

  9·83

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  56·87

  0·00

  0·00

  56·87

  138·70

  24·33

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  92·37

  0·00

  0·00

  92 37

  Pensioner couple

  61·95

  0·00

  15·00

  15·00

  7·00

  7·00

  61·95

  3·01

  0·00

  64·96

  66·95

  0·00

  15·00

  11·38

  7·00

  5·15

  61·48

  0·00

  3·48

  64·96

  71·95

  0·00

  15·00

  8·93

  7·00

  4·17

  63·05

  0·00

  1·91

  64·96

  76·95

  0·00

  15·00

  7·48

  7·00

  3·52

  65·95

  0·00

  0·00

  65·95

  81·95

  0·00

  15·00

  6·03

  7·00

  2·87

  68·85

  0·00

  0·00

  68·85

  91·95

  1·54

  15·00

  3·13

  7·00

  1 57

  73·11

  0·00

  0·00

  73·11

  101·95

  4·44

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  75·51

  0·00

  0·00

  75·51

  111·95

  7·34

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  82·61

  0·00

  0·00

  82·61

  161·95

  21·84

  15·00

  nil

  7·00

  nil

  118·11

  0·00

  0·00

  118·11

  Table 4: November 1986, Rent £30·00, Rates £10·00

  Gross income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Rates

  Rate rebates

  Net income after housing costs

  Supplementary pension (SP)

  Housing benefit supplement (HBS)

  Disposable income with SP or HBS

  Single pensioner

  38·70

  0·00

  30·00

  30·00

  10·00

  10·00

  38·70

  3·41

  0·00

  42·11

  43·70

  0·00

  30·00

  20·63

  10·00

  7·05

  31·38

  0·00

  10·73

  42·11

  48·70

  0·00

  30·00

  18·13

  10·00

  6·05

  32·88

  0·00

  9·23

  42·11

  53·70

  0·00

  30·00

  16·62

  10·00

  5·38

  35·70

  0·00

  6·41

  42·11

  58·70

  1·13

  30·00

  15·17

  10·00

  4·73

  37·47

  0·00

  4·64

  42·11

  68·70

  4·03

  30·00

  12·27

  10·00

  3·43

  40·37

  0·00

  1·74

  42 11

  78·70

  6·93

  30·00

  9·37

  10·00

  2·13

  43·27

  0·00

  0·00

  43·27

  88·70

  9·83

  30·00

  6·47

  10·00

  0·83

  46·17

  0·00

  0·00

  46·17

  138·70

  24·33

  30·00

  nil

  10·00

  nil

  74·37

  0·00

  0·00

  74·37

  Pensioner couple

  61·95

  0·00

  30·00

  30·00

  10·00

  10·00

  61·95

  3·01

  0·00

  64·96

  66·95

  0·00

  30·00

  20·38

  10·00

  6·95

  54·28

  0·00

  10·68

  64·96

  71·95

  0·00

  30·00

  17·93

  10·00

  5·97

  55·85

  0·00

  9·11

  64·96

  76·95

  0·00

  30·00

  16·48

  10·00

  5·32

  58·75

  0·00

  6·21

  64·96

  81·95

  0·00

  30·00

  15·03

  10·00

  4·67

  61·65

  0·00

  3·31

  64·96

  91·95

  1·54

  30·00

  12·13

  10·00

  3·37

  65·91

  0·00

  0·00

  65·91

  101·95

  4·44

  30·00

  9·23

  10·00

  2·07

  68·81

  0·00

  0·00

  68·81

  111·95

  7·34

  30·00

  6·33

  10·00

  0·77

  71·71

  0·00

  0·00

  71·71

  161·95

  21·84

  30·00

  nil

  10·00

  nil

  10·011

  0·00

  0·00

  100·11

  Notes for tables 1 to 4:

  1. The November 1985 retirement pensions, housing benefit needs allowances and supplementary pension scale rates have been used for tables 1 and 2, and the July 1986 levels for tables 3 and 4.

  2. The 1985–86 age allowances and tax rates have been used for tables 1 and 2, and the 1986–87 allowances and rates for tables 3 and 4.

  3. Supplementary pension and housing benefit supplement have been calculated on the basis that the single pensioner is aged at least 65 but under 80, and in the case of the pensioner couple, at least one is aged 65 and both are under 80. The long-term supplementary benefit scale
  300

  301
  rates for November 1985 are £37·50 for a single pensioner, and £60·00 for a pensioner couple: the July 1986 rates are £37·90 and £60·75 respectively. For the purposes of calculating to total supplementary pension entitlement in these tables it is assumed that the assessment includes £1·40 for water rates (the figure used in the technical annex to the White Paper ("Reform of Social Security") and also in all cases the average additional requirement for pensioners: this, net of the available scale margin, is £2·42 for November 1985 and £2·81 for July 1986.

  4. Income is assumed to unearned and without disregard throughout and capital is assumed to be below £3,000.

  5. The minimum rent or rate rebate is 50p per week (noted as "nil'" in the tables where this rule has been applied).

  Illustrate figures showing components of net spending power for pensioners receiving housing under the revised scheme to be implemented in 1988, at November 1985 benefit levels (Rent taper 60 per cent., rates taper 20 per cent.)

  Table 5: November 1985, Rent £15·00, Rates £7·00

  Gross Income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent Rebate

  Rates

  Rate Rebate

  Disposal Income

  Single Pensioner

  40·60

  0·00

  15·00

  15·00

  7·00

  5·60

  39·20

  43·30

  0·00

  15·00

  13·38

  7·00

  5·06

  39·74

  48·30

  0·00

  15·00

  10·38

  7·00

  4·06

  40·74

  53·30

  0·47

  15·00

  7·66

  7·00

  3·15

  41·65

  58·30

  1·97

  15·00

  5·56

  7·00

  2·45

  42·35

  68·30

  4·97

  15·00

  1·36

  7·00

  1·05

  43·75

  78·30

  7·97

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  000

  48·33

  88·30

  10·97

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  0·00

  55·33

  138·30

  25·97

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  0·00

  90·33

  Pensioner Couple

  63·25

  0·00

  15·00

  15·00

  7·00

  5·60

  61·85

  66·30

  0·00

  15·00

  13·17

  7·00

  4·99

  62·46

  71·30

  0·00

  15·00

  10·17

  7·00

  3·99

  63·46

  76·30

  0·00

  15·00

  7·17

  7·00

  2·99

  64·46

  81·30

  0·00

  15·00

  4·17

  0·00

  1·99

  65·46

  91·30

  2·84

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  0·56

  67·02

  101·30

  5·84

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  0·00

  73·46

  111·30

  8·84

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  0·00

  80·46

  161·30

  23·84

  15·00

  0·00

  7·00

  0·00

  115·46

  Table 6: November 1985, Rent £30·00, Rates £10·00

  Gross Income

  Tax

  Rent

  Rent Rebate

  Rates

  Rate Rebate

  Disposable Income

  Single Pensioner

  40·60

  0·00

  30·00

  30·00

  10·00

  8·00

  38·60

  43·30

  0·00

  30·00

  28·38

  10·00

  7·46

  39·14

  48·30

  0·00

  30·00

  25·38

  10·00

  6·46

  40·14

  53·30

  0·47

  30·00

  22·66

  10·00

  5·55

  41·05

  58·30

  1·97

  30·00

  20·56

  10·00

  4·85

  41·75

  68·30

  4·97

  30·00

  16·36

  10·00

  3·45

  43·15

  78·30

  7·97

  30·00

  12·16

  10·00

  2·05

  44·55

  88·30

  10·97

  30·00

  7·96

  10·00

  0·65

  45·95

  138·30

  25·97

  30·00

  0·00

  10·00

  0·00

  72·33

  Pensioner Couple

  63·25

  0·00

  30·00

  30·00

  10·00

  8·00

  61·25

  66·30

  0·00

  30·00

  28·17

  10·00

  7·39

  61·86

  71·30

  0·00

  30·00

  25·17

  10·00

  6·39

  62·86

  76·30

  0·00

  30·00

  22·17

  10·00

  5·39

  63·86

  81·30

  0·00

  30·00

  19·17

  10·00

  4·39

  64·86

  91·30

  2·84

  30·00

  14·87

  10·00

  2·96

  66·29

  101·30

  5·84

  30·00

  10·67

  10·00

  1·56

  67·69

  111·30

  8·84

  30·00

  6·47

  10·00

  nil*

  68·93

  161·30

  23·84

  30·00

  0·00

  1000

  0·00

  97·46

  Notes to Tables 5 and 6:

  1. Retirement pensions are at November 1985 basic rates. However, the first line in each part of the tables shows the gross income of a pensioner whose retirement pension has been topped up to the income support level.

  2. Housing benefit levels and tapers and income support rates are at November 1985 levels as set out in the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9691). The pensioners are assumed in all cases to be aged under 80: under the reformed schemes, pensioners over 80 would have a higher disposable income (in most of the shown cases, £1·80 higher for a single person and £1·76 for a couple on the basis of the illustrative assumptions).

  3. Tax allowances and rates are those in force for 1985–86.

  4. Income is assumed to be unearned and without disregard throughout and capital is assumed to be below £3,000.

  5. The 20 per cent. minimum contribution to domestic rates has been applied, but the effect of compensation for this element is not shown.

  6. The minimum rent rebate or rate rebate payable is 50p per week (noted as "nil*" in the tables where this rule has been applied).

  7. Under income support, unlike supplementary benefit, separate help with water rates will not be available; this should be borne in mind when comparing the disposable incomes under the old and the new schemes. The tables also take no account of transitional protection for those receiving supplementary benefit at the changeover.
  302

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has any plans to make changes in the Treasury contribution to the national insurance fund;

  (2) what is the proposed Treasury contribution in cash and as a proportion of total income to the national insurance fund for 1987–88 and for each financial year until 1991.

  Mr. Scott
  The Treasury supplement which in the current year is 7 per cent. of gross contributions, yields about £2—1 billion and represents nearly 8 per cent. of the national insurance fund's income. It will be 5 per cent. of gross contributions in 1988–89. Estimates of what this will yield in 1988–89 will be given in the Government Actuary's report on the national insurance contributions rerating orders, which will be published when the orders are laid before Parliament in the new year. Decisions on the size of the supplement after 1988–89 have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the investment income of the national insurance fund for each year since 1979; and what is his estimate for each year to 1990.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is as follows:

  Investment income of the National Insurance Fund

  £ million

  1979–80

  541·6

  1980–81

  607·5

  1981–82

  587·6

  1982–83

  496·3

  1983–84

  489·7

  1984–85

  520·5

  1985–86

  541·0

  1986–87

  610·3

  1987–88

  625·0

  Figures for years up to 1986–87 have been derived from the annual accounts of the national insurance fund, the figure for 1987–88 is an estimate based on current trends. Estimates of investment income in 1988–89 will be given in the Government Actuary's report on the national insurance contributions rerating orders which will be published when the orders are laid before Parliament in the new year. Estimates of the fund's investment income are not available for years after 1988–89.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those items of expenditure for the national insurance fund which existed in 1979 and which have ceased to exist or been reduced since that date.

  Mr. Portillo
  The following items of expenditure from the National Insurance Fund have ceased to exist:

  Earnings-related supplement to short-term benefits.

  Child dependency addition to short-term benefits.

  Injury benefit.

  Death grant.

  Maternity grant.

  Supplementary Benefits
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of supplementary benefits claimants(a) on the long-term rate and (b) on the long-term rate and receiving £6·50 a week or more in additional requirement payments.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 26 November 1987]: The information is as follows:
  304

  (a) 2,530,000 claimants

  (b) 214,000 claimants

  Source: Annual Statistical Inquiry, February 1986.

  Cancer (Children)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the outcome of consultations with professional bodies on the report by the United Kingdom children's cancer study group.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: The report of the United Kingdom children's cancer study group is receiving careful consideration in consultation with a number of interested groups. The Department's Standing Medical Advisory Committee is expected to give its views at its next meeting in late January.

  Dental Reference Officers
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of dental reference officers for the United Kingdom for the last five years.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: The number of dental officers in the dental reference service in England, at 31 December was:

  General Service

  Specialist Orthodontic Officers

  (whole time equivalent)

  in post

  1982

  21·2

  2·0

  1983

  19·4

  3·0

  1984

  21·7

  3·0

  1985

  19·7

  3·0

  1986

  22·2

  2·5

  On the basis of available statistics, the whole-time equivalent number of general service officers in 1987 is projected to be in the region of 25 and there were 2·5 specialist orthodontic officers in post over the full year.

  Staff numbers in the reference services in other parts of the United Kingdom are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland.

  Radiotherapy
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet completed his review of the guidelines recommending centralisation of radiotherapy services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: The Department's internal review of its guidance to health authorities on the organisation of radiotherapy services is nearing completion. An announcement will be made as soon as conclusions have been reached.

DEFENCE

  Tornado Aircraft (Operations Costs)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the additional cost, over and above normal operating costs of Tornado squadrons in the United Kingdom and West Germany, of deploying and operating nine Royal Air Force Tornado aircraft at Goose Bay, Canada, from February to November 1987, including the costs of transporting crews to and from Canada.
  305
  Mr. Freeman
  The additional cost of deploying Tornado aircraft to Goose Bay from February to November 1987, over and above normal operating costs, is estimated at £7,457,000.

  Exercises
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the low-flying avoidance area over the Isle of Man was temporarily suspended to permit low-level overflight by Royal Air Force Hercules transport aircraft participating in exercise Purple Warrior.

  Mr. Freeman
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list Royal Air Force participation in Red Flag exercises in the United States of America since 1977, giving the number and type of Royal Air Force aircraft involved and dates of the exercises on each occasion.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Royal Air Force participation in Red Flag exercises

  Date

  Aircraft involved

  19771

  18 August to 12 September

  9 Buccaneer

  August to September

  4 Vulcan

  19781

  21 October to 18 November

  9 Buccaneer

  9 Jaguar

  19801

  26 January to 9 February

  9 Jaguar

  9 February to 23 February

  9 Jaguar

  19811

  10 January to 22 January

  8 Jaguar

  18 January to 30 January

  9 Tornado

  2 Jaguar

  30 January to 13 February

  9 Jaguar

  15 October to 29 November

  9 Buccaneer

  19831

  9 January to 21 January

  9 Jaguar

  2 Hercules

  19 January to 18 February

  2 Buccaneer

  24 January to 4 February

  9 Jaguar

  8 Buccaneer

  6 February to 18 February

  9 Jaguar

  1984

  7 January to 21 January

  9 Jaguar

  2 Buccaneer

  21 January to 4 February

  9 Jaguar

  3 February to 17 February

  9 Jaguar

  1985

  5 January to 16 February

  8 Jaguar

  2 Hercules

  17 January to 3 February

  9 Jaguar

  1986

  21 October to 7 November

  9 Tornado

  2 Hercules

  8 November to 22 November

  9 Tornado

  1987

  20 October to 7 November

  9 Tornado

  8 Phantom

  7 November to 21 November

  2 Hercules

  7 November to 25 November

  9 Tornado

  8 Phantom

  306

  1 Precise central records not available for the period before 1984 although details given are thought to be broadly accurate.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list Royal Air Force participation in Green Flag exercises in the United States of America since 19777, giving the number and type of Royal Air Force aircraft involved and dates of the exercise on each occasion.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  RAF Participation in Green Flag Exercises

  Date

  Aircraft Involved

  1985

  4 March—15 March

  9 Tornado

  18 March—29 March

  8 Tornado

  1986

  1 March—15 March

  9 Tornado

  15 March—28 March

  9 Tornado

  29 March—12 April

  9 Tornado

  1987

  2 March—13 March

  9 Tornado

  11 March—28 March

  9 Tornado

  28 March—15 April

  9 Tornado

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list Royal Air Force participation in Blue Flag exercises in the United States of America since 1977, giving the number and type of Royal Air Force aircraft involved and dates of the exercise on each occasion.

  Mr. Freeman
  There has been no RAF participation in Blue Flag exercises in the United States of America.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will support any proposal that representatives of the Soviet Union be invited to monitor any future British nuclear tests at the Nevada test site.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  If such a proposal were to be made on a Government-to-Government basis we would give it full consideration taking account of the requirements of national security. I would also remind the hon. Gentleman of my reply to his earlier question which I answered on 1 December at column 568.

  Range Safety
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the final report of the range safety review working group.

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

  Mould Radio System
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in installing the Mould radio system.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Progress on the Mould system is satisfactory.

  Jaguar Aircraft
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which aircraft is expected to replace the Jaguar in the ground attack role.
  307
  Mr. Sainsbury
  Current planning is that the European fighter aircraft (EFA) will replace Jaguar in the ground attack role.

  Low-flying Aircraft
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force police, expressed as full-time equivalent staff, are currently assigned to investigation of complaints about low-flying aircraft; and what changes have taken place in these staffing levels since 1977.

  Mr. Freeman
  Fourteen RAF police plus one RAF provost branch officer are currently assigned to the investigation of complaints about low-flying aircraft. Detailed information is not available for the period prior to 1982, since when there has effectively been no change in these staffing levels.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 9 November,Official Report, columns 36–37, whether a low-level flight by several aircraft in formation is counted as one sortie in the figures given for overall numbers of low-level flights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Each aircraft in a formation would book into the United Kingdom low-flying system separately.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 9 November,Official Report, column 38, if, in the light of recent accidents in the United States involving low-level flying by United States Air Force B-52s and KC-135s, he will institute a policy of maintaining records of low-level flights over Britain by these types of aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. We see no need to maintain the sorts of records the hon. Member mentions for these aircraft. KC 135 aircraft do not fly at low level in the United Kingdom. There are no B-52 aircraft based in the United Kingdom, and, although they visit fairly regularly, any low flying would be infrequent.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many confirmed breaches of low-flying regulations in each year since 1974 were caused by aircraft diverging from planned route, height or speed due to weather conditions;

  (2) how many confirmed breaches of low-flying regulations in each year since 1974 were caused by technical failure or malfunction other than to navigation systems;

  (3) how many confirmed breaches of low-flying regulations in each year since 1974 were caused by aircraft diverging from planned route, height or speed for tactical or training reasons;

  (4) how many complaints about low-flying in each year since 1974 have upon investigation, been found to have involved breaches of low-flying regulations;

  (5) how many confirmed breaches of low-flying regulations in each year since 1974 were caused by navigation system failure or malfunction.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested cannot be provided without disproportionate effort.
  308
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-level sorties were flown over the United Kingdom in the period 1 January to 31 October.

  Mr. Freeman
  Between 1 January and 31 October 1987 125,335 such sorties were flown over the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were received about low flying over the United Kingdom in the period 1 January to 31 October.

  Mr. Freeman
  Between 1 January and 31 October 1987 the Ministry of Defence received 4,794 complaints about military low flying.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the minimum height specified in the United Kingdom military low-flying handbook for overflight of the residential area of Balivanich, Benbecula.

  Mr. Freeman
  There is none because the residential area of Balivanich lies within the controlled airspace of Benbecula airport.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-level flights were carried out over the Western Isles in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Western Isles are part of a low-flying administrative area which also includes all of Scotland north of a line between the Forth and Clyde. Information on low-level flights for the Western Isles above is therefore not available.

  Chief of Defence Equipment Collaboration
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the post of chief of defence equipment collaboration is being allowed to lapse at the end of the current year; and what policy changes will follow from the abandonment of the post.

  Mr. Younger
  As announced to the House on 19 December 1984, at columns 205–6, Sir David Perry was appointed chief of defence equipment collaboration so that he could give himself full time to promoting international collaboration in weapons procurement. Thanks to Sir David, international collaboration has now become an essential and critical part of our procurement strategy, and we have decided that its further pursuit can best be managed as part of our regular procurement work in the Ministry of Defence. It will therefore become part of the responsibilities of the Procurement Executive headed by the chief of defence procurment. No policy changes are involved in this adjustment; the United Kingdom remains fully committed to collaboration with allied nations in weapons procurement.

  Sir David Perry will retire on 31 December 1987, and I should like to pay tribute to his long career of public service, and to the distinction with which he discharged the duties of his final appointment.

  TR Reconnaissance Aircraft
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have been held with the Lockheed company concerning the possible purchase of the TR-1 reconnaissance aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Departmental Library Services
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current reorganisation of library services in his Department.

  Mr. Freeman
  As part of its move towards greater efficiency and more economic use of staff and book stock, the Ministry of Defence's central London libraries will be merged on one site which is presently being prepared at 3–5 Great Scotland Yard. The complex move is scheduled to take place in the autumn of 1988. At the same time the library is currently planning a modernisation of its system to allow for the introduction of more computerisation in this area.

  Stand-off Weapon
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been made on research and development of a British nuclear warhead to fit the NATO modular stand-off weapon.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Harrier Aircraft (Training Detachment)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the purposes of, and lessons learned from, the three-day training detachment of five Royal Air Force Harrier aircraft at RAF Stornoway in May.

  Mr. Freeman
  Because of the temporary non-availability of normal mainland stations, these aircraft were detached to RAF Stornoway to enable them to carry out routine training. This was accomplished satisfactorily.

  St. Kilda (Radar Installation)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the additional NIDIR tracking radar being installed on St. Kilda is expected to become operational.

  Mr. Freeman
  The additional NIDIR tracking radar will be relocated from South Uist to St. Kilda in 1988 and is expected to become operational by autumn 1988.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the two new Plessey Watchman radars being installed on St. Kilda are expected to become operational.

  Mr. Freeman
  The two Plessey Watchman radars are expected to become operational on St. Kilda during the autumn of 1988.

  Military Aircraft (Stornoway)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose military aircraft deployed to Royal Air Force Stornoway conduct run and break manoeuvres over built-up areas immediately prior to landing.

  Mr. Freeman
  Military aircraft landing at RAF Stornoway do not normally overfly the main built-up area in the vicinity and follow standard RAF flying procedures in the interests of safety and fuel economy.

  Dispersal
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department's dispersal programme to Glasgow has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Younger
  The dispersal programme, announced in 1979, committed us to transfer 1,400 jobs to Glasgow. Some 1,330 jobs have already been established there, of which 1,000 have been filled by local recruitment. It has now been proposed that the final tranche of 70 jobs should come fom the Directorate of Contracts (Stores and Logistics) in London and Leeds and move to Glasgow by the autumn of 1988. A significant degree of compensation for the loss of the contracts work in Leeds will be provided by the transfer of 35 jobs from London to the nearby Harrogate area.

  Army (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the manpower strength of the British Army in Northern Ireland giving details of the number of operatives for(a) the Ulster Defence Regiment, (b) Regular British Army and (c) British Territorial Army on 30 June.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Number

  Ulster Defence Regiment

  6,504

  Regular Army

  9,365

  Territorial Army

  3,784

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

  Ulster Defence Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are currently estimated to be Catholics; what proportion this represents of the regiment's manpower; and what proportion of the recruitment to the regiment in 1985 was from the Catholic community.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  About 3 per cent. of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have declared their religion as Roman Catholic. Just over 4 per cent. of those accepted for service during 1985 declared their religion as Roman Catholic.

  Army Medical Boards
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what persons must sit on an Army medical board; and whether the subject of an Army medical board must be present at the hearing.

  Mr. Freeman
  The composition of an Army medical board is dependent upon the type of board convened of which there are four: a Ministry of Defence (Army) medical board, a full medical board, a two-member board or a joint service medical board. The regulations require such medical boards to examine the subject.
  311
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights of appeal Army service men and women have in respect of Army medical board recommendations.

  Mr. Freeman
  A member of the Army who wishes to appeal against the recommendation of an Army medical board may submit a redress of complaint, through the chain of command, under section 181 of the Army Act 1955.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights Army service men and women have to inspect information disclosed about them to an Army medical board or an Army medical appeals board.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information disclosed to a medical board is classified as medical-in-confidence and consequently neither service men nor women have a right of inspection.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time an Army medical board takes to report its findings.

  Mr. Freeman
  This depends upon the type of board and the nature of the case. Findings are usually reported within two to four weeks,

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time an Army medical inquiry board takes to report its findings.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not possible to give the average time taken to report the findings of a board of inquiry as it is dependent upon the case and the number of witnesses involved.

  Army Personnel (Downgrading)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical criteria may be used to recommend the downgrading of Army service men and women.

  Mr. Freeman
  Medical assessments of service men and women are made in accordance with the regulations contained in the appropriate service publications.

  Army Officers (Restraint)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance is issued by his Department on the circumstances which would necessitate the forcible restraint of an Army officer when travelling to hospital.

  Mr. Freeman
  Guidelines are contained in the publication "Regulations for the Army Medical Service." These take account of the possible reaction of the patient to travel and the type of transport td be used.

  Army Medical Reports
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the status of non-adverse medical reports as used by the Army; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  All medical reports, like any other medical document, are medical-in-confidence.

  Services (Medical Records)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances an individual service man or woman's legal representatives are entitled to see an individual service man or woman's medical records.
  312
  Mr. Freeman
  For reasons of medical confidentiality the practice is only to release medical documents on a doctor-to-doctor basis. However, when a legal representative, acting with his or her client's consent, establishes a clear legal need to see that client's medical documents, for example in connection with litigation, consideration would be given to disclosing the documents to that representative's medical adviser.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the circumstances in which civilian doctors are allowed to inspect an individual Army service man or woman's medical records held by the Army.

  Mr. Freeman
  A service man or woman's service medical documents will normally be made available to a civilian doctor only for the purposes of treatment and with the written authority of the individual concerned.

  Services (Medical Treatment)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Army service men and women being medically treated have the right of a second opinion by a doctor, military or civilian, of their own choice.

  Mr. Freeman
  Yes. This is, however, at the patient's own expense unless referral has been made by the doctor treating the patient.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what dates, since 1975, letters have been received by his Department from Mr. Colin Wallace or from his solicitor, Thomas Eggar and Son;

  (2) on what dates, since 1975, letters have been received by his Department from Captain [retired] Fred Holroyd.

  Mr. Freeman
  We do not comment on general inquiries about correspondence between third parties and the MOD.

  Rosyth Dockyard (Whole Body Scanning)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Rosyth dockyard workers have undergone whole body scanning(a) in each year since 1981 and (b) since April 1987.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Whole body scanning is voluntary and has been made available for all who wished to have it. Since 1981 and up to 6 April 1987, the number of Rosyth dockyard workers who have undergone whole body scanning each year is:

  Number

  1982

  0

  1983

  3

  1984

  21

  1985

  25

  1986

  26

  19871

  6

  Total

  81

  1 Up to 6 April 1987.

  Since 6 April 1987 all matters concerning the health and safety at work of employees have been the primary responsibility of the commercial managers.

  Zimbabwe and Mozambique
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list the numbers of British service personnel seconded to Zimbabwe and Mozambique, respectively, for training purposes in each of the past five years to date; and what number are expected to serve in each of these two countries in 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The total number of British service personnel seconded to Zimbabwe for training purposes in each of the past five years is as follows:

  Number

  1983

  102

  1984

  58

  1985

  59

  1986

  62

  1987

  48

  The number expected to serve in Zimbabwe in 1988 is 45.

  No British service personnel have been seconded to Mozambique for training purposes over the past five years, and no such secondments are planned for the future. However, at the request of the Government of Mozambique, and with the agreement of the Zimbabwean Government, the British military advisory and training team in Zimbabwe is providing a limited programme of training to members of the Mozambican army.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current annual costs of the British military training missions in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, respectively; from what sources they are met; and what are the projections of costs and funding for these missions in 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  There is no British military training mission in Mozambique. The total cost of the British military advisory and training team in Zimbabwe was about £3·3 million in 1987–88, and is expected to be about £3·6 million in 1988–89. The bulk of these costs are met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's United Kingdom military training assistance scheme, although an element of support costs is provided by the Government of Zimbabwe.

  Type 42 Destroyer
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the type 42 destroyer in service with the Royal Navy; and whether he will make a statement on the type of vessel and time scale of such a replacement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The type 42 will still be in service into the next century. No decisions have yet been taken on a replacement.

  Ammunition and Explosives (Accidents)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deaths and injuries of military personnel due to ammunition and explosives accidents occurred in each year since 1975; and how many deaths and injuries of civilians due to British military ammunition and explosives accidents occurred in each year since 1975.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer, 4 December 1987]: This information is not held centrally.

SCOTLAND

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has given to the Data Protection Registrar's representations about the poll tax register.

  Mr. Lang
  The comments made by the Data Protection Registrar on the draft Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) Regulations, are, like all other comments made on the draft Regulations, currently under consideration. I will be responding to the points made by the registrar shortly.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he will take to make sure that information from the Community Charge Registrar will not be disclosed for public inspection, or supplied, other than for purposes directly connected to the specific operation of the new charge.

  Mr. Lang
  The provisions for inspection of the community charges register are set out in section 20 of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987. The information to be made available for public inspection consists essentially of the names and addresses of those registered as liable for the community charges, which is a matter of legitimate public interest.

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish guidance on the financial, staffing and resource implications of the Scottish Home and Health Department's circular "Emergency Planning in the National Health Service: Health Service Civil Defence Planning."

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No. Specific funds have been made available since 1982 to health boards to assist with the costs of civil defence planning. Boards will be able to use these funds to take forward the planning tasks outlined in the circular.

  Mr. Galbraith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the Scottish Home and Health Department's circular "Emergency Planning in the National Health Service: Health Service Civil Defence Planning" issued on 6 July.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to draw up a staged programme of implementation of the civil defence duties of health boards as set out in the Scottish Home and Health Department's circular SHHD/DGM (1987) 41.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Yes; and it will be issued in due course.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health boards have followed the recommendations of his Department in appointing an emergency planning officer.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  All health boards have appointed an emergency planning officer.
  315
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why an assessment of the likely effects of the nuclear winter was not included among the civil defence plan-making duties of the health boards.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are a number of areas within the broad parameters of the planning guidance issued to the Health Service which may require further study and guidance. Consideration is being given to identifying these and to the best way to take them forward.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why assessment and guidance on the likely effect of deep psychological trauma on the public and medical personnel were not included in the civil defence plan-making duties of the health boards.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This is one of several areas requiring further study.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with representatives of the medical professions on the moral and ethical problems associated with the policy of triage after nuclear attack; and when he will issue guidelines on the implementation of triage after nuclear attack.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No such discussions have been held. Since the circumstances of any accident, whether as

  Health board

  1982–83 £

  1983–84 £

  1984–85 £

  1985–86 £

  1986–87 £

  Argyll and Clyde

  15,500

  16,300

  11,000

  7,000

  13,220

  Ayrshire and Arran

  13,200

  13,900

  11,000

  11,000

  12,940

  Borders

  16,200

  9,400

  6,500

  10,800

  8,950

  Dumfries and Galloway

  10,700

  6,000

  9,500

  7,500

  10,746

  Fife

  17,500

  14,600

  18,500

  21,500

  20,950

  Forth Valley

  15,800

  10,300

  6,500

  9,500

  11,522

  Grampian

  16,100

  16,900

  33,000

  16,000

  15,785

  Greater Glasgow

  32,800

  34,400

  14,000

  21,500

  15,000

  Highland

  11,500

  7,900

  12,500

  9,000

  9,500

  Lanarkshire

  19,300

  20,300

  18,100

  20,500

  19,642

  Lothian

  37,600

  30,050

  14,000

  13,000

  5,253

  Orkney

  1,900

  1,800

  2,000

  3,000

  7,822

  Shetland

  1,900

  2,000

  2,000

  3,000

  5,000

  Tayside

  13,600

  17,800

  18,000

  19,000

  14,400

  Western Isles

  5,100

  2,200

  2,500

  3,000

  7,380

  C.S.A.

  —

  39,400

  30,500

  40,000

  37,000

  Total

  228,700

  243,250

  209,600

  215,300

  215,110

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Child Welfare
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will increase the monitoring of teachers in special care schools so as to ensure that children at such schools are not sexually interfered with;

  (2) what facilities are at present available to him for monitoring potential dangers to handicapped children from teachers disposed to abuse them in any way.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Responsibility for ensuring that children at school are not subject to abuse rests with the managers of schools, principals and teachers. My Department, however, maintains a system for recording misconduct cases among teachers, enabling it to initiate appropriate action; new appointments are also checked against this record.
  316
  a result of a nuclear attack or a civil emergency, vary unpredictably, it is not feasible to issue guidance on the medical criteria used to decide priorities for treatment.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates that detailed guidance relating to armed forces casualties, and to host nation arrangements, as referred to in paragraph 4.4 of the Scottish Home and Health Department's circular SHHD/ DGM (1987) 41 "Emergency Planning in the National Health Service: Civil Defence Planning" will become available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The review of joint civil and military medical planning requirements is complex, and a firm date cannot yet be given for its completion. Guidance to the Health Service will be issued as soon as possible after the completion of the review.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much civil defence grant was paid to each health board in each of the last five years; and what proportion these sums constituted of the total emergency planning budget of each health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Funds allocated to health boards and the Common Services Agency specifically for civil defence planning purposes in each of the last five years are set out in the table. Information on the total emergency planning budgets of health boards is not held centrally.

  The Department is empowered to withdraw recognition from a teacher on grounds of misconduct and to direct that the teacher's employment be terminated. There is also a requirement for schools to be open to inspection by inspectors and other officers of my Department.

  There are no plans to increase monitoring of teachers in post. However, an interdepartmental working party is currently drawing up proposals for a system that would enable employers to check the criminal background of persons being appointed to posts involving substantial contact with children.

  Waste Paper
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent his Department uses recycled paper or provides paper for recycling.
  317
  Mr. Stanley
  The information is not available in the form requested. However in the year 1986–87 some 25,000 bags of waste paper were sent for recycling.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the districts in each health and social services board in Northern Ireland; how many district dental officers are employed by each of these boards; if the duties of district dental officers are similar in each board area; whether any of the boards plan to increase the number of such officers; how the numbers have changed in the last three years; and what were or are the reasons for any such changes or proposed changes.

  Mr. Needham
  There are no districts and no district dental officers in the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland.

  Senior Dental Surgery Assistants 1984–87 at 30 September by Health and Social Services Board

  1985

  1986

  1987

  H&SS Board

  1984

  Number

  Change since 1985

  Number

  Change since 1985

  Number

  Change since 1986

  Eastern

  14

  14

  —

  15

  1

  16

  1

  Northern

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Southern

  3

  3

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  Western

  2

  3

  1

  3

  —

  3

  —

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many senior dental surgery assistants there are employed by each health and social services board in Northern Ireland; whether their duties are similar in each board area; what increases there have been in the number of such officers in the last three years; whether any of them has any plans to increase the numbers of such officers; and what are the principal reasons for such changes or proposed changes.

  Mr. Needham
  There is one chief administrative dental officer employed by each health and social services board and their duties are similar. There are no plans to increase the number and there have been no increases in the last three years.

  Western Health and Social Services Board Staffing 1984-1987 at 30 September

  Employment Category

  1984

  1985

  Change since 1985

  1986

  Change since 1985

  1987

  Change since 1986

  Administrative and Clerical

  767

  808

  +41

  810

  +2

  836

  +26

  Works and Maintenance

  170

  158

  -12

  164

  +6

  167

  +3

  Ancillary and General

  4,299

  4,203

  -96

  3,966

  -237

  4,010

  +44

  Nursing and Midwifery

  3,010

  3,043

  +33

  3,000

  -43

  3,041

  +41

  Social Services

  414

  416

  +2

  418

  +2

  440

  +22

  Professional and Technical

  446

  449

  +3

  426

  -23

  392

  -34

  Medical and Dental

  277

  278

  +1

  284

  +6

  291

  +7

  Ambulance

  101

  113

  +12

  115

  +2

  113

  -2

  Total

  9,484

  9,468

  -16

  9,183

  -285

  9,290

  +107

  Mental Hospitals
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to how many patients in mental hospitals in Northern Ireland who have a visual impairment also suffer from an additional handicap; and if he will make a statement.
  318
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many senior dental surgery assistants there are employment by each health and social services board in Northern Ireland; whether their duties are similar in each board area; what increases there have been in the number of such officers in the last years; whether any of them has any plans to increase the numbers of such officers; and what are the principal reasons for such changes or proposed changes.

  Mr. Needham
  The table sets out the number of senior dental surgery assistants employed by each health and social services board in each of the last three years. The duties of these officers are similar in each board area except for a few officers who are employed in the dental school in the Eastern board area. There are no plans to increase the numbers of these officers.

  Increases over the past three years were the result of filling existing vacant posts.

  Western Health Board
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what increase of staff there has been in the number of officials employed by the Western health and social services board over the last three years and the present year, or financial year, to date; what grades have been increased in number and by how many in each grade; what has been the annual cost of such increases in staff; and what were the precise reasons for each increase.

  Mr. Needham
  The detailed information required could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The information which is readily available is given in the table.

  Mr. Needham
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Scheduled Offences
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the figures for the first half of 1987 of the number of persons proceeded against for
  319
  scheduled offences in Northern Ireland; how many persons pleaded guilty to the principal offence; and how many persons in such contested cases were found not guilty of the principal offence.

  Mr. Stanley
  During the first six months of 1987, a total of 390 persons were tried for indictable scheduled offences by a judge sitting without a jury, 352 pleaded guilty and 38 pleaded not guilty. 18 of the latter were found not guilty.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were charged with scheduled offences in Northern Ireland in the first six months of 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 21 October at columns 756–60.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Cadogan Park
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what pre-contract arrangements have been made for the proposed Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Cadogan park; and what information he has as to whether structural steel is being fabricated for this purpose.

  Mr. Stanley
  The construction and repair of buildings for the Royal Ulster Constabulary is the responsibility of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. The authority has informed me that no pre-contract arrangements have been made for the proposed Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Cadogan park. It would not be in the public interest to disclose details of materials to be used.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Ballynafeigh
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when it is hoped to complete the building of the Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Ballynafeigh.

  Mr. Stanley
  The construction and repair of buildings for the Royal Ulster Constabulary is the responsibility of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. The authority has informed me that it hopes to begin work on the new police station at Ballynafeigh during 1988. It is not possible to give a forecast for completion.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve are currently estimated to be Catholics; what proportion this represents of the manpower of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, separately; and what proportion of recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in the latest calendar year was from the Catholic community.

  Mr. Stanley
  The religious denomination of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its reserve are not recorded at present. Nevertheless, I understand that about 10 per cent. of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and full-time reserve are Roman Catholic and that around 10 per cent. of those recruited to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and around 12 per cent. to the full-time reserve in 1986 320
  were Roman Catholic. The Royal Ulster Constabulary will continue its efforts to attract suitably qualified recruits from all parts of the community.

  Ulster Defence Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and its Reserve, currently hold private firearms certificates.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lay Assessors
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 18 November, what consideration he has given to the possibility of having lay assessors; and whether he plans to give any further consideration to such proposals.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 27 November 1987]: The Government agreed with the conclusion reached by Sir George Baker in his review of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 that the appointment of lay assessors to sit with the judge in Diplock courts would not be an improvement on the present mode of trial. There are no plans to give the subject further consideration.

  Flood Damage (Assistance)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give a breakdown of the funds allocated by his Department to the victims of the recent floods in the Province between(a) the Housing Executive, (b) the Department of Health and Social Security, (c) voluntary organisations and (d) local residents.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 10 December 1987]: All funds expended by statutory bodies and given to voluntary bodies from Government are intended to help local residents. Final figures are not yet available, but the Housing Executive estimates that it will spend approximately £250,000 in repair work to its properties; the DHSS has paid £273,000 to approximately 600 claimants under the social security system; £13,000 has been set aside to reimburse voluntary organisations for costs already incurred and a further £5,500 will be made available to them; £56,753 of EC money has been distributed by the voluntary sector directly to households; funds have been provided by the Department of Economic Development for 45 Action for Community Employment posts to be taken up by voluntary bodies and the local councils; and other costs are still to be incurred in providing help.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Anglo-American Relations
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the United States Government the implications for Anglo-American relations of attempts made by American corporations and individuals to undermine the financial standing of United Kingdom companies or their European partners.
  321
  Mr. Eggar
  We regularly discuss international economic, financial and trade matters with the Americans. I would be happy to consider any detailed matters which my hon. Friend wishes to raise.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Julian Amery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call upon the Ethiopian Government, and the resistance movements against which they are fighting, to negotiate a ceasefire so that aid provided by Her Majesty's Government should reach the victims of the famine as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Twelve issued a statement on 13 November condemning attacks by rebel groups on food aid convoys and urging that no obstacle be put in the way of the transportation of food aid. With our European partners we have repeatedly urged progress towards a peaceful solution of the internal conflicts in Ethiopia. A ceasefire based on humanitarian considerations would relieve much suffering and assist relief efforts.

  Statements

  PNQs

  1Debates

  1Adjournment Debates

  Statutory Instruments

  Session: 1981–822

  16

  1

  19

  4

  7

  Session: 1982–832

  6

  1

  8

  10

  11

  Session: 1983–84

  26

  14

  17

  25

  4

  Session: 1984–85

  5

  3

  16

  19

  16

  Session: 1985–86

  14

  11

  17

  14

  3

  Session: 1986–87

  2

  0

  5

  11

  2

  1 Departmental records do not distinguish between debates on Government, Opposition or other motions, nor Adjournment debates whether half hour or others.

  2 Detailed records for the ODA were not kept prior to 1983 and have been compiled from available data.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Bills his Department initiated in each of the last six parliamentary Sessions; if he will name them; and how many became Acts of Parliament.

  Mr. Eggar
  The following Bills were initiated and became Acts of Parliament:

  Session 1986–87

  Territorial Sea Act

  Diplomatic and Consular Premises (Control) Act

  Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act

  Session 1985–86

  British Council and Commonwealth Institute (Superannuation) Act

  European Communities (Spanish and Portuguese) Accession Act

  European Communities (Amendment) Act

  Commonwealth Development Corporation Act

  Crown Agents (Amendment) Act

  Australia Act

  Session 1984–85

  Hong Kong Act

  Brunei and Maldives Act

  Session 1981–82

  Canada Act

  Taking of Hostages Act

  Members of the European Parliament
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments are made to European Members of Parliament for(a) salary, (b) office, research and secretarial allowances, (c) daily

  Parliamentary Business
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) ministerial statements, (b) private notice questions, (c) debates on Government motions, (d) debates on Opposition motions, (e) debates on Adjournment (half-hour), (f) debates on Adjournment (other than half hour), (g) debates on statutory instruments and (h) other debates which took place in each of the last six parliamentary Sessions, required the attendance in the House of Ministers or officials in his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  Information is not readily available in the precise form requested, which could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However the following details have been drawn from departmental statistics front both the diplomatic and aid wings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:

  allowance for attending meetings on parliamentary business and (d) allowance per mile for travel on parliamentary business, expressed in (i) £ sterling and (ii) European currency units.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The salary of United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament is £18,500. The figures supplied by the European Parliament for allowances paid to MEPs are as follows:Travel allowance:

  0·56 ecu (40p) per kilometre for the first 400 kilometres.

  0·28 ecu (20p) per kilometre thereafter.

  Daily subsistence away from home on parliamentary business: 148 ecu (£106).
  Office allowance (including travel within home country on parliamentary business): 2,129 ecu (£1,530) per month.
  Research and Secretarial allowance: 3,446 ecu (£2,480) per month, paid directly to employee against a contract.

  Tibet
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of the current situation in Tibet for United Kingdom interests.

  Mr. Eggar
  We continue to monitor the situation in Tibet. We do not believe that at present it has direct implications for United Kingdom interests.

  EEC (Majority Voting)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for Her Majesty's
  323
  Government's relations with the EEC of the trend in the number of important decisions reached by majority voting.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The use of majority voting, as provided for in the European Community treaty and in the amendments to it contained in the Single European Act, will lead to swifter decision making. We support this development because it will speed up progress towards the completion of the single large market, a long-standing objective of the United Kingdom.

  Falkland Islands (Conservation)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 7 December,Official Report, column 7, if he will give details of the various conservation requirements at the times fisheries licences were awarded for the Falkland Islands conservation zone.

  Mr. Eggar
  The conservation requirements of the fishery, which are determined by the Falkland Islands 324
  Government's scientific advisers, the renewable resources assessment group at Imperial college, are the regulation of fishing effort and the preservation of fish stocks to ensure the continued viability of the fishery.

  Mozambique (Air Malawi Incident)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has protested to the Government of Mozambique about the recent shooting down of an Air Malawi civil airliner by the Mozambique armed forces and about the consequent deaths of British passengers aboard the aeroplane; and what action he intends to take about this matter.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have expressed concern about this tragic incident on a number of occasions, most recently during my visit to southern Africa. The Mozambican authorities have expressed their profound regret both to Her Majesty's Government and to the bereaved families. We have formally reserved the right to claim compensation.