Written Answers of 7 July 1987

TRANSPORT

  BR (Investment)
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what level of investment has been made by British Rail in the London Midland region in each of the past eight years.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Investment in infrastructure (cash prices) in the London Midland region in each of the past eight years is as follows:

  £ million

  1979

  33·9

  1980

  40·9

  1981

  36·2

  1982

  18·5

  1983

  23·5

  1984–851

  57·5

  1985–86

  47·6

  1986–87

  42·7

  1 15-month accounting period.

  These figures do not include investment in locomotives and rolling stock, as it is impossible to apportion BR's rolling stock accurately between regions.

  BR (Passenger Satisfaction)
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to monitor the level of passenger satisfaction with British Rail.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  British Rail has been asked to report in its annual report and accounts on its performance against agreed quality standards. I shall, in addition, be receiving reports on this from it quarterly. I also see the annual reports of the statutory rail consumer committees and my officials and I keep in touch with them.

  M25 Traffic Flows

  Section

  16-hour average daily flow

  16-hour average weekday flow

  24-hour average daily flow

  24-hour average weekday flow

  1–2

  —

  68,000

  —

  73,000

  2–3

  —

  59,000

  —

  64,000

  3–4

  51,000

  54,000

  56,000

  58,000

  4–5

  57,000

  59,000

  62,000

  64,0000

  5–6

  72,000

  75,000

  77,000

  80,000

  6–7

  78,000

  81,000

  85,000

  87,000

  7–8

  84,000

  86,000

  91,000

  93,000

  8–9

  74,000

  76,000

  80,000

  82,000

  9–10

  80,000

  84,000

  87,000

  90,000

  10–11

  100,000

  106,000

  108,000

  113,000

  11–12

  111,000

  119,000

  120,000

  127,000

  12–13

  —

  106,000

  —

  112,000

  13–14

  123,000

  133,000

  133,000

  142,000

  14–15

  116,000

  124,000

  125,000

  133,000

  15–16

  112,000

  122,000

  121,000

  130,000

  16–17

  100,000

  110,000

  107,000

  117,000

  17–18

  102,000

  113,000

  109,000

  120,000

  18–19

  106,000

  117,000

  114,000

  125,000

  66
  Finally, I expect shortly to receive regular reports from British Rail on the results of its surveys of passenger satisfaction with Network Southeast services.

  Transport (Manchester)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what reply he is sending to the recent approach made to him by the chairman of the Greater Manchester passenger transport authority concerning both the rail link to Manchester airport and the light rapid transport project; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My Department is working closely with the PTA, and PTE and, in the case of the airport rail link, BR and the airport company on the necessary evaluations of these projects. I fully recognise the importance which the PTA attaches to them and its wish for early decisions, but those involved also understand that the Government must be satisfied that the projects represent good value for money before public resources can be committed to them.

  Tax Licensing
  Mr. Beith
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to revise circular 3/85 on tax licensing in the light of the judgment in Regina v Reading Borough Council ex parte Egan.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  When a transcript of this judgment is available I shall consider whether the advice contained in circular 3/85 should be revised.

  M25
  Dr. Glyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the latest five-day and seven-day average traffic flows on a 16 and 24-hour per day basis on each section of the M25, indicating the month when the counts were taken.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information requested is given in the following table. The figures shown are for May 1987 apart from the sections between junctions 1–2, 2–3 and 12–13 where automatic counting loops will be installed later this year. The flows given for those sections are taken from a one-day count conducted on Tuesday 3 June 1986.
  67

  Section

  16-hour average daily flow

  16-hour average weekday flow

  24-hour average daily flow

  24-hour average weekday flow

  19–20

  89,000

  98,000

  96,000

  104,000

  20–21

  87,000

  100,000

  97,000

  103,000

  21–22

  63,000

  80,000

  78,000

  86,000

  22–23

  80,000

  91,000

  89,000

  95,000

  23–24

  85,000

  94,000

  91,000

  101,000

  24–25

  79,000

  90,000

  85,000

  96,000

  25–26

  79,000

  87,000

  85,000

  93,000

  26–27

  76,000

  83,000

  80,000

  89,000

  27–28

  83,000

  91,000

  90,000

  98,000

  28–29

  71,000

  76,000

  75,000

  83,000

  29–30/31

  62,000

  66,000

  67,000

  71,000

  M4
  Dr. Glyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the latest five-day and seven-day average traffic flows on a 16 and 24-hour basis on each section of the M4 between west London and Reading.

  24-hr 7-day

  16-hr 7-day

  24-hr 5-day

  16-hr 5-day

  1983

  Jl-22

  89,000

  1

  92,000

  89,000

  1981

  J2–32

  101,000

  1

  106,000

  100,000

  1985

  J3–42

  85,000

  1

  89,000

  84,000

  1986

  J4–4A

  44,000

  1

  44,000

  42,000

  1986

  J4A-4B

  88,000

  1

  93,000

  88,000

  J4B-5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1986

  J5–6

  99,000

  1

  1

  1

  1986

  J6–7

  99,000

  1

  1

  1

  1986

  J7–8/9

  96,000

  1

  1

  1

  May 1987

  J7/8/9

  98,000

  90,000

  106,000

  99,000

  1986

  J8/9–10

  73,000

  1

  1

  1

  1986

  J10–11

  71,000

  1

  1

  1

  May 1987

  J10–11

  75,000

  70,000

  80,000

  76,000

  1986

  JU-12

  70,000

  1

  1

  1

  Note: The above figures are annual averages except those shown for May 1987 which are continuous counts.

  1 Not available.

  2 Scaled to 1986.

  Motorcycle Helmets
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the availability of motorcycle helmet visors complying with the new regulations on abrasion resistance; and if, to avoid insurance complications for motorcyclists unable to comply with the new regulations, he will waive temporarily the new requirements.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987, c. 17]: I am informed that the major supplier of motorcycle helmet visors is presently dealing with a backlog of orders and that some motorcyclists therefore could be finding it difficult to obtain the visors they need which comply with the regulations. Any motorcyclist in that position who wishes to continue to wear a visor not meeting the new requirements would be well advised to check the position with his insurance company.

DEFENCE

  Radiation
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any activity, discharge or emission, including storage of radioactive materials, from the Aldermaston
  68
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information available is as follows:

  and Burghfield atomic weapons plants subjects any member of the general public in any one year to a radiation dose of more than 0·1mSv.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. The recent report (NRPB—202) by the National Radiological Protection Board assesses the doses likely to have been experienced by members of the public arising from the airborne and liquid discharge from AWRE, Aldermaston and ROF (Burghfield) over the years since these establishments began their operations: the maximum doses assessed by NRPB are very low, considerably less than 0·1mSv per annum. These estimates are consistent with the extensive programmes of environmental monitoring conducted in the area by MOD and also independently by the environmental authorising departments. Radiation emitted from radioactive materials handled and stored at these sites does not add to the very low doses. Thorough internal scrutiny and independent investigations such as the Pochin inquiry, have failed to identify any other potential pathways for radiation exposure where doses to members of the public would exceed those given by NRPB in its recent report.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Churchill
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what actual numbers of service men and women were

  69
  registered on the electoral roll at the time of the recent general election under the special provision made for members of the armed forces; and what percentage this amounted to in the case of each service.

  Mr. Freeman
  At 31 March 1987, the last date for which figures are available, some 203,763 voting registrations for service personnel were held on index. Based on current strengths of service personnel this amounts to an overall registration level of 64 per cent. for all three services. The figures by service are as follows:

  Percentage

  RN—RM

  50,809

  76

  Army

  103,389

  65

  RAF

  49,565

  53

  All figures exclude service spouses also registered under the Service voters provisions.

  Lea Aviation Ltd.
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if it is with his approval that two serving Royal Air Force officers are directly connected with a private company, Lea Aviation Ltd., which uses Royal Air Force assets for commercial gain;

  (2) who authorised the use by Lea Aviation Ltd. at an air show on the North Weald airfield, Epping, of front-line Royal Air Force aircraft including Tornados, Harriers and Hawks;

  (3) on what basis is the amount paid by Lea Aviation Ltd. to his Department for the use of Royal Air Force assets computed;

  (4) whether the contract for the use of Royal Air Force aircraft at the recent private air show operated by Lea Aviation Ltd. at the North Weald airfield, Epping, was put out for tender;

  (5) who provided the security arrangements for the protection of the Tornado, Harrier and Hawk aircraft which took part in a recent airshow organised by Lea Aviation Ltd. at North Weald airfield, Epping; and who paid for the arrangements.

  Mr. Freeman
  I shall answer shortly.

  Serving Military Personnel (Commercial Organisations)
  Mr. Denzil
  Davies asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the guidelines for circumstances whereby serving' military personnel are allowed to be directly connected with commercial organisations whose business includes the use, for private profit, of military equipment.

  Mr. Freeman
  I shall answer shortly.

WALES

  Education Statistics
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of school leavers in Wales with five or more higher grade O-level CSE passes in each local education authority stayed on in full-time education after the minimum school-leaving age in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  In 1984–85, it is estimated that 62 per cent. of school leavers in Wales who possessed five or more 70
  higher grade GCE O-level or CSE examination passes continued full-time further or higher education. Comparable figures for each local authority are not available.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the state of the dairy industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Although measures have been introduced to curb the continuing over-supply problem in the milk sector, latest figures confirm that incomes on all dairy farms in Wales went up by 52 per cent. in 1985–86, and the dairy sector remains the most profitable of the livestock commodities in Wales.

  Mid-Wales Development Board
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to give extra financial aid to the Mid-Wales Development Board in 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The resources made available to Mid-Wales Development for 1987–88 will make possible an 8 per cent. increase in the board's gross expenditure compared with last year. Funding in subsequent years will be considered during the course of this year's review of public expenditure.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food (Radioactivity)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what British food exports have been returned to Britain over the past 12 months as a result of unacceptable levels of radioactivity, listing the quantities and the value of each product; and if he will make it his policy to reduce the maximum acceptable level within the United Kingdom to 600 Bq/kg.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987]: This information is not available. There is no statutory requirement for exporters to furnish details of any returned consignments.

  The British Government have made it clear that they regard the level of 600 Bq/kg adopted for Community imports from third countries as unduly restrictive and are supporting moves to establish more scientifically based levels in future EC emergency regulations.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Women
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he takes to ensure that overseas aid funds are utilised in ways which benefit women and in projects which are for the improvement of womens' lives and under their control.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We recognise the importance of taking the role of women fully into account in aid projects. Some of our projects include special components for women. We are prepared to contribute to projects specifically devoted to helping women.

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to take in the light of the conclusion in the second report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on bilateral aid that the aid and trade provision has introduced a conflict of priorites.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I am studying the second report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on bilateral aid. The Government will give their detailed observations on the report, including the section on the aid and trade provision, after the summer recess.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, for each

  Country

  Project

  Company

  Export Value

  ATP Element

  £ million

  £ million

  April 1982—March 1983

  Brazil

  Jacui Power Station

  Klocner/NEI

  90·800

  24·138

  Burma

  Gas Turbines

  JBE

  11·044

  2·213

  Burma

  Bridge Project

  Balfour Beatty

  0-·360

  0·090

  Egypt

  W. Sabaeya Phosphate Mine

  Seltrust Engineering

  20·000

  7·315

  India

  Rihand Super thermal Power Plant

  NEI

  231·200

  17·034

  Indonesia

  Mrica Hydro Project

  Balfour Beatty

  44·646

  12·075

  Kenya

  Railway Coaches

  BRE Metro

  23·700

  5·030

  Mexico

  Maritime Training

  College of Nautical Studies

  0·030

  0·006

  Mexico

  Scientific Instrument Training

  Darwin Instruments

  0·029

  0·029

  Paraguay

  Power Transmission Scheme

  Balfour Beatty

  5·290

  1·350

  Peru

  Mini Hydros

  Balfour Beatty

  25·625

  4·852

  Zimbabwe

  Hwange Power Station

  PED

  3·600

  1·000

  April 1983—March 1984

  Botswana

  Moruple Power Station, Turbines

  NEI/Parsons

  17·126

  4·418

  Burma

  Outboard Propulsion Units

  Sykes Marine

  5·000

  1·202

  Colombia

  Coffee Rust Control Programme

  Wiles and Associates

  0·201

  0·201

  Colombia

  Mine Safety Training

  BMC

  0·018

  0·018

  Honduras

  Aguan Valley Study

  Halcrows

  0·500

  0·100

  India

  Amlori Coal Mine

  BMC

  80·030

  15·030

  Indonesia

  Jambu Aye Hydro-Electric Dam Study

  Rendel Williamson Hydro

  0·200

  0·200

  Indonesia

  Ombelin Coal Mine

  Dowty Meco

  19·200

  4·445

  Jordan

  HV Transmission Line

  Balfour Beatty

  13·568

  3·611

  Malawi

  Telecommunications

  GEC/BT

  1·000

  0·260

  Malaysia

  Viewdata

  GEC

  2·367

  0·851

  Philippines

  Dendro Power Station Adviser

  Balfour Beatty

  0·080

  0·040

  Zimbabwe

  Abattoir Feasibility Study

  Ove Arup

  1·760

  1·760

  April 1984—March 1985

  Botswana

  Moruple Power Station, Coal and Ash Plant

  Butterfly Engineering

  4·736

  1·343

  Brazil

  Coal Mining Training

  BMC Ltd.

  0·019

  0·019

  Cameroon

  4 Towns Water Project Design Study

  Sir A. Gibb and W. S. Atkins

  0·910

  0·910

  Colombia

  Bridge Project Extension

  Balfour Beatty

  0·540

  0·152

  ECOWAS1

  Telecommunications Feasibility Study

  British Teleconsult

  0·065

  0·065

  Egypt

  Electricity Management Advice

  British Electricity Int.

  0·166

  0·166

  Egypt

  Draglines

  Ransome and Rapier

  0·463

  0·463

  India

  Balco Power Station

  GEC

  130·000

  33·066

  Indonesia

  AIS Submarine Cable

  STC

  104·000

  3·093

  Indonesia

  Isolated Diesels

  HSPE

  38·400

  12·515

  72
  of the last five years (a) the amounts spent on the aid and trade provision, (b) the sums received by each recipient company and (c) the nature of the contracts so funded.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The amount spent under the aid and trade provision in the last five financial years was follows:

  £ million

  1982–83

  46·8

  1983–84

  28·4

  1984–85

  59·5

  1985–86

  36·5

  1986–87

  181·3

  1provisional

  Aid agreements signed with developing countries over the last five financial years are as follows:
  73

  Country

  Project

  Company

  Export Value

  ATP Element

  £ million

  £ million

  Indonesia

  Education Equipment Study

  British Council

  0·036

  0·036

  Indonesia

  Jabotabek Railway Study

  L. H. Manderstan

  1·000

  1·000

  Malaysia

  Sunghai Ahning Dam

  Balfour Beatty

  9·000

  2·344

  Malaysia

  Ulu Jelai Hydro Feasibility Study

  WLPU/Ewbank

  1·850

  1·850

  Paraguay

  Ascuncion Sewerage Consultancy

  Halcrow/Balfour

  1·020

  1·020

  Sri Lanka

  Columbo Airport

  UKAG

  20·940

  5·264

  Thailand

  Mini Hydros Pilot Plant

  Balfour Beatty

  2·500

  2·500

  Thailand

  Post-Harvest Groundnut Study: Phase I

  Rural Investment Overseas

  0·081

  0·081

  Thailand

  Railbus Evaluation Study

  Transmark

  0·082

  0·082

  April 1985—March 1986

  Belize

  Electricity Feasibility Study

  Merz and McLellan

  0·081

  0·081

  Bolivia

  Mineral Concentrator

  GEC

  0·027

  0·027

  Caribbean

  BAE 748 Aircraft

  British Aerospace

  10·336

  3·838

  Colombia

  Coffee Bean Sorters

  Gunsons Sortex

  0·068

  0·068

  ECOWAS1

  Telecommunications Implementation Study

  British Teleconsult

  0·250

  0·250

  Egypt

  Maghara Coal Mine

  Babcock

  50·035

  12·578

  Egypt

  Welding Equipment and Training

  British Federal Ltd

  0·049

  0·049

  India

  Ganga River Consultancy

  Thames Water Authority

  0·200

  0·200

  Indonesia

  S Bengkulu Oil Palm Study

  Massey Fergusson

  0·400

  0·400

  Indonesia

  Bukit Asam Rail Bridges

  Balfour Beatty

  0·750

  0·152

  Indonesia

  Offshore Supply Vessels

  Marine Design Consultants

  2·156

  0·571

  Indonesia

  Ombelin Coal Mining Training

  Dowty Meco

  0·655

  0·655

  Kenya

  Sugar Milling Equip

  Fletcher and Stewart

  0·891

  0·235

  Kenya

  Upland Bacon Factory Study

  Mitchell Cotts

  0·100

  0·100

  Malaysia

  Cross Braced Bogies

  BREL

  7·083

  1·850

  Mauritius

  Plaisance Airport

  Plessey

  18·960

  6·311

  Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Airport study

  Plessey

  0·100

  0·100

  Thailand

  Post-Harvest Groundnut Study: Phase II

  Rural Investment Overseas

  0·499

  0·499

  Zimbabwe

  Kariba South Power Consultancy

  Merz and McLellan

  0·300

  0·300

  April 1986—March 1987

  Burma

  Rangoon Electrical Distribution

  BCPE

  20·000

  6·400

  Cameroon

  Ministry of Equipment/ Agriculture Technical Assistance

  British Standards Institute

  0·075

  0·075

  Cameroon

  Bamenda Ring Road Survey

  SWK

  0·173

  0·173

  Cameroon

  Limbe Port Feasibility Study

  NYK

  0·250

  0·250

  China

  Coal Sector Training

  Dosco

  0·150

  0·150

  Egypt

  NW Electrification Study

  Numerous

  0·825

  0·825

  Egypt

  Brake Block Foundry

  Davy McKee

  2·749

  0·884

  Egypt

  NW Electrification Project

  Numerous

  4·345

  1·308

  Egypt

  El Omoun Drain

  Sulzer

  3·195

  0·804

  Indonesia

  Jabotabek Feasibility Study

  Manderstan/F. Wheeler

  0·007

  0·007

  Kenya

  Kipevu

  JBE

  7·618

  1·959

  Malawi

  Telecommunication Study

  GEC/BT

  0·052

  0·052

  Malaysia

  Rural Water Supply

  Biwater

  194·000

  59·460

  Malta

  Luqa Airport Study

  BAI

  0·131

  0·131

  Sri Lanka

  Samanala Wewa Hydro

  Balfour Beatty

  57·200

  16·570

  Turkey

  Ankara Natural Gas Study

  British Gas

  0·350

  0·350

  China

  Shengli Power Plant

  JBE

  14·913

  4·873

  1 Economic Commission for West African states.

  74

  Aid Programme
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when, in the light of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Countries' report, published on 19 June showing Britain's aid to have fallen from 0·34 per cent. of gross national product to 0·32 per cent, he anticipates achieving the United Nations target of 0·7 per cent.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We shall continue to maintain our substantial aid programme. The planned cash increases in aid set out in the 1987 public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 56-I) are intended to maintain the real value of the aid programme. Like previous Administrations, we have not set a timetable for achieving the United Nations target for aid of 0·7 per cent. of GNP.

  Third World
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the new flow of resources between Britain and the third world in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Net official and private flows from Britain to developing countries in each of the last five years were:

  £ million

  Percent of GNP

  1982

  3,580

  1·30

  1983

  4,012

  1·33

  1984

  3,621

  1·13

  1985

  1,871

  0·53

  11986

  5,015

  1·34

  1 Provisional

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Women
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.

  Mr. Butcher
  My Department is aware of the need for women to play their full part in the wealth creation process. It has adopted a number of measures to encourage women to pursue non-traditional careers in industry, for example in engineering, information technology and management generally. Some of these measures are described in more detail in the Home Office review of the United Nations' "Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women", a copy of which is in the Library. They include support for initiatives in education, such as the Government's engineering and technology programme; and encouraging companies to tailor their recruitment and career structures to the needs of women. Industry is responding positively.

  I am also keen to increase the number of women taking up public appointments for which my Department is responsible. We encourage women's organisations to
  76
  submit details of possible appointees, and we welcome their views on the Department's work. The training offered to all staff in the Department covers the importance of bearing in mind the needs of particular groups, including women, and officials are kept fully informed of equal opportunities requirements in personnel matters.

  British Telecom
  Mr. Allen
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions the Director of OFTEL has had with British Telecom about the effect of the proposed charges for directory inquiries on the blind and disabled.

  Mr. Butcher
  This is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications. He is responsible for ensuring that British Telecom complies with the condition of its licence which obliges it to provide directory information free of charge, or with appropriate compensation for any charges paid, to those persons who are so blind or otherwise disabled as to be unable to use a telephone directory.

  Defence Equipment
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will outline the guidelines followed by the Government when deciding on export licences for defence equipment.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In considering applications for licences all relevant factors are taken into account including the type of equipment, its proposed destination and the use to which it might be put.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a table in the Official Report listing the number of export licences for defence equipment issued for each country since May 1979.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to make public information of this kind.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of United Kingdom trade in defence equipment in 1986 including the value of such trade and the role of his Department.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  For details of United Kingdom trade in defence equipment I refer the hon. Gentleman to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1987–2, Defence Statistics" (Cm. 101/II) (tables 2·7 and 2·8), copies of which are in the Library.

  The role of my Department in the trade in defence equipment is that of licensing authority.

  UN Conference on Trade and Development
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will he attending the United Nations conference on trade and development in Geneva in July.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I shall attend as leader of the United Kingdom delegation.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals Her Majesty's Government will be making through the European Community or on

  77
  their own, to the United Nations conference on trade and development in order to assist developing countries in the areas of aid, trade and debt.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom will reaffirm its policy of offering effective support through the United Kingdom aid programme for the poorest developing countries, especially those undertaking IMF-IBRD agreed structural adjustment. We shall confirm our support for the internationally agreed debt strategy, stressing the Chancellor's new initiative for the poorest, most heavily indebted sub-Saharan African countries. This involves the provision of additional resources to relieve official debt in those countries adopting sound policies. We shall also emphasise the importance of active participation by developing countries in the Uruguay round and underline the constructive part which the United Kingdom and the European Community are playing in these negotiations.

  Manchester Airport (Rail Link)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what reply he is sending to the recent approach made to him by the chairman of the Greater Manchester passenger transport authority concerning both the rail link to Manchester airport and light rapid transport project; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Task Force Grants (Leeds)
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his reply of 29 June, how much task force money has been allocated to each of the following projects in the Chapeltown area of Leeds, (a) Positive Action for Training in Housing, (b) Jamaica Society, Leeds, (c) Community Enterprise Trust and (d) the development fund in partnership with the Yorkshire bank.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Task force money has been allocated as follows:

  (a) Positive Action for Training in Housing—£93,000;

  (b) Jamaica Society, Leeds—£132,000;

  (c) Chapeltown Harehills Enterprise Ltd. (CHEL—also known as Community Enterprise Trust)—£249,000;

  (d) Task Force Development Fund—£100,000.

  The task force uses its own moneys to supplement and encourage the investment of other Government and private sector funds. Each of these projects has attracted significant funds from other Government, public and private sources as follows:

  (a) Positive Action for Training in Housing—£75,000 from the Manpower Services Commission and £50,000 from the private sector;

  (b) Jamaica Society—£130,000 from the Manpower Services Commission, £25,000 from Leeds city council and £50,000 from the Yorkshire Post;

  (c) CHEL—£50,000 from Imperial Chemical Industries plc towards personnel costs;

  (d) Task Force Development Fund—the Yorkshire bank has placed no limit on the sum it is prepared to set aside for loans. Provided that projects meet the scheme's criteria, it will be offered loan facilities.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much shipbuilding intervention fund
  78
  support has been paid out in each year since 1977, and in total, to each of the member countries of the European Community.

  Mr. Atkins
  There is no support for merchant shipbuilding paid for out of European Community funds. Each member state administers a regime of aid that is agreed with the European Commission within the framework of successive Council directives on shipbuilding aids. For the United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Government have made the following payments to merchant shipbuilding yards from the shipbuilding intervention fund:

  Financial Year

  £ million

  1976–77

  1·4

  1977–78

  19·3

  1978–79

  10·8

  1979–80

  36·3

  1980–81

  45·8

  1981–82

  54·5

  1982–83

  54·9

  1983–84

  43·4

  1984–85

  28·1

  1985–86

  30·8

  1986–87

  22·4

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a table showing the balance in shipbuilding expenditure since 1979 between merchant and warship yards.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since British Shipbuilders is funded centrally, I can only provide an estimate that over 70 per cent. of total Government support of more than £1,750 million since 1979 has been used for merchant shipbuilding. The warship yards now in the private sector very nearly covered their costs. The balance has been used to support the corporation's engineering, shiprepair and offshore concerns.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will provide a table for the number employed in (a) the merchant and (b) the warship shipbuilding industry in each of the European Economic Community countries, including the United Kingdom, and Japan, Korea and Taiwan in 1979 and in the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Atkins
  The available information for merchant shipbuilding is as follows. Comparative information on warshipbuilding is not available. In 1979, 29,000 were employed in United Kingdom warship yards. In 1986 the figure was 17,700.

  '000s

  1979

  1986

  Belgium

  6·3

  (1985) 3·9

  Denmark

  9·9

  (1985) 10·2

  France

  23·0

  (1985) 15·1

  Germany

  27·4

  (1985) 22·3

  Greece

  (1980) 2·7

  (1985) 2·0

  Ireland

  0·8

  Nil

  Italy

  19·0

  11·6

  Netherlands

  11·3

  6·4

  Portugal

  (1982) 3·8

  (1985) 3·3

  Spain

  (1980) 40·6

  (1985) 18·0

  United Kingdom

  31·2

  13·7

  Japan

  (1980) 113·0

  (1985) 93·0

  South Korea

  (1982) 64·5

  (1984) 176·6

  Taiwan

  Not available

  79
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will provide an updated list of the subventions on offer, in credit, loan and direct subsidy facilities for the shipbuilding industry in each of the European Economic Community countries, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information given to the hon. Member on 9 December 1986 about aid regimes in other countries remains the most up-to-date information available. No EC member state has yet received Commission approval for a new aid regime under the sixth directive on aid to shipbuilding.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of world orders has been won by the British shipbuilding yards in 1986 and the latest convenient date in 1987.

  Mr. Atkins
  During 1986 United Kingdom shipbuilding yards won 2·1 per cent. of world orders. Data for 1987 are not yet available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all public sector shipbuilding orders that are to be awarded in 1987 and 1988; and if he will list all those orders where tenders are currently invited.

  British Shipbuilders yard

  Current orders

  Completion date

  Govan

  2 container ships

  First half 1989

  Austin and Pickersgill

  1 multi-purpose cargo vessel

  Second half 1987

  12 ferries

  Summer 1987 to mid 1989

  Sunderland

  1 crane ship

  Second half 1987

  I diving support vessel

  January 1986

  13 ferries

  Summer 1987 to mid 1989

  Appledore-Ferguson (Port Glasgow)

  1 passenger ro ro ferry

  February 1988

  1 research vessel

  Second half 1987

  Appledore-Fergusson (Appledore)

  1 dredger

  Summer 1987

  1 dredger

  Second half 1987

  1 dredger

  First half 1988

  Clark Kincaid

  1 engine

  Summer 1987

  1 engine

  First half 1988

  1 engine

  Second half 1988

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Personal Allowance
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue from income tax if the personal allowance for single people were to be raised to £3,320 and for married couples to £5,200; and what would be the net effect after allowing for recoupment by indirect taxation based on current spending patterns.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The full year direct revenue cost of increasing the present personal tax allowances to £5,200 for a married man and £3,320 for a single person is approximately £7 billion at 1987–88 income levels. The net cost, after allowing for increased payments of indirect taxes is likely to be somewhat less, but this cannot he estimated readily since a range of macro-economic factors would be involved.

  Women
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has
  80
  Mr. Atkins
  The following merchant shipbuilding orders are planned:

  Car-passenger ferry for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. Following their attractive tender, terms and conditions are to be discussed with the Appledore-Ferguson yard at Port Glasgow.

  Cargo-passenger ship for the Overseas Development Administration, to be supplied to the Government at St. Helena. Tenders have been invited.

  Passenger ferry for Shetland islands council. Tenders have been invited.

  Two passenger ferries for Orkney islands council. Tenders have not yet been invited.

  The placing of warship and naval auxiliary orders is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  British Shipbuilders
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all current orders and completion dates for each British Shipbuilders yard.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following is the information:

  been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.

  Mr. Major
  In formulating and implementing economic policy, the Treasury has regard to the needs of all British subjects, both women and men. The Green Paper "Personal Taxation" dealt specifically with the tax treatment of married women and has been the subject of consultation with a wide range of representative bodies. Changes to the principal Civil Service pension scheme were made on 1 July 1987, to give, wherever possible, equality of treatment for men and women. Training is given to all members of staff to enable them to carry out their duties efficiently and effectively. The Treasury has nominated an equal opportunities officer, and personnel policies and procedures have been reviewed and are being monitored to ensure that they do not discriminate against women.

  Overseas Assets
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each year since 1979 the total of United Kingdom-owned assets overseas, broken down by country and into figures for the public and private sectors.

  Mr. Major
  Estimates of United Kingdom owned assets overseas are published in the annual Pink Book, "United Kingdom Balance of Payments", copies of which are in the Library. The 1986 edition showed summary information in table 1·2 each year between 1966 and 1985, distinguishing public sector and private sector assets; further details are shown in section 9. Figures for end-1986 will be published in August and are expected to show total overseas assets net of liabilities of around £110 billion.

  An analysis of total overseas assets by country is not available. However, details of the book value of direct investment assets analysed by country were published in an article in the 22 May 1987 issue of "British Business". These figures are collected only every three years, the latest relating to end-1984. Also, information on United Kingdom banks' overseas claims, by country, is published quarterly in table 14 of the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Wives and Husbands (Taxation)
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to introduce independent taxation for wives and husbands.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) about the taxation of married couples on Friday 3 July, at column 177.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that married couples are treated no less favourably for capital gains tax purposes than couples cohabiting.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. We shall continue to keep under review the capital gains tax position of married couples in the context of our more general consideration of the overall tax regime for them, including the tax arrangements for their investment income.

  Tax Law (Repeal)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer of repealing section 37 of the Income Tax and Corporation Taxes Act 1970.

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

  £ billion

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  31986–87

  41987–88

  Income Tax

  21·1

  24·9

  28·8

  30·7

  31·6

  33·2

  36·1

  38·5

  40·0

  Value Added Tax

  8·2

  11·0

  11·9

  13·8

  15·2

  18·5

  19·3

  21·5

  23·3

  Customs and Excise Duties1

  9·5

  10·5

  12·9

  13·5

  15·5

  16·2

  17·2

  18·7

  19·4

  Personal Taxation
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer of taxing income above the standard rate at 35 per cent. for the first £10,000, at 45 per cent. for the next £10,000, and at 50 per cent. for the remainder.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The full year cost at 1987–88 income levels is estimated to be about EH billion. This estimate makes no allowance for possible changes in the behaviour of taxpayers.

  VAT (New Houses)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the housebuilding organisations and estate agents on the implications of the case initiated by the European Economic Community Commission before the European Court on 15 September on the levying of value added tax on new houses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  We have kept closely in touch with bodies representing the construction industry over this case. We have fought the case strenuously at all stages and will continue to do so.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Hunter
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the immediate revenue cost of abolishing the 60 per cent. tax hand, thus making the maximum rate of tax 50 per cent.;

  (2) what would be the immediate revenue cost of abolishing the 60 per cent. and 50 per cent. tax hands, thus making the maximum rate 40 per cent.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [pursuant to his replies, 6 July 1987, c. 18]: The full year direct revenue costs at 1987–88 levels of income of reducing the maximum income tax rate to (a) 40 per cent. by abolishing the 45 per cent., 50 per cent., 55 per cent., and 60 per cent. rates and (b) 50 per cent. by abolishing the 55 per cent. and 60 per cent. rates are estimated to be about £1,400 million and £450 million, respectively. These estimates make no allowance for possible changes in taxpayers' behaviour.

  Exchequer Income
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the estimated total yield of (a) income tax, (b) value added tax, (c) all other taxes, (d) all Customs and Excise duties and (e) all miscellaneous income to the Exchequer, other than borrowing, (f) public sector borrowing and (g) rates in each year from 1979–80 to 1987–88, estimated.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987, c. 19]: Following is the information.
  83

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  31986–87

  41987–88

  Other Central Government Taxes and Royalties

  15·1

  16·5

  21·1

  21·9

  22·4

  25·3

  28·2

  25·4

  28·2

  Other Central Government Receipts2

  15·5

  19·3

  20·9

  27·0

  28·4

  30·4

  34·0

  36·7

  38·6

  Total Central Government Receipts

  69·4

  82·2

  95·6

  107·0

  113·0

  123·7

  134·9

  140·8

  149·5

  Local Authority Rates

  6·9

  8·7

  11·0

  12·2

  12·3

  12·9

  13·8

  15·5

  16·9

  Public Sector Borrowing

  10·0

  12·7

  8·6

  8·9

  9·8

  10·2

  5·8

  3·3

  3·9

  1 Excise Duties; Customs Duties; Agricultural Levies.

  2 Including National Insurance Contributions and accrual adjustments.

  3 Estimated Outturn.

  4 Forecast from 1987 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he proposes to set up specialised training courses for solicitors employed by the Crown Prosecution Service in juvenile cases;

  (2) whether he proposes to continue the policy of having specialist lawyers to deal with juvenile prosecutions in England and Wales;

  (3) how many Crown Prosecution Service areas have specialist lawyers or departments to deal with juvenile prosecutions; and how many people are so employed in each area in England and Wales.

  The Attorney-General
  I shall reply to the hon. Member when all the information requested has been obtained.

ENERGY

  British Coal Enterprise Ltd (Easington)
  Mr. Cummings
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many loans have been made by British Coal Enterprise Ltd. to firms in the Easington district since its inception; what has been the amount of money loaned; and how many jobs have been created.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I regret that figures are not available at sub-regional level. However, I am pleased to be able to report that up to 27 June British Coal Enterprise Ltd. had committed E5·4 million in support of 198 individual projects in its north-east region, and has assisted in the creation of 2,574 jobs opportunities.

EMPLOYMENT

  YTS
  Mr. Boyes
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will conduct a full investigation into the quality of off-the-job education being provided by YTS.

  Mr. Cope
  No. The youth training board, which includes representatives of the TUC, CBI, local authorities and the education service, is directly involved in ensuring quality on YTS. The new training standards advisory service is undertaking comprehensive quality audits of YTS managing agents and provides expert advice and guidance on quality matters, including the off-the-job training and education provided on YTS. Furthermore, all providers of YTS programmes have had to apply to 84
  become approved training organisations and their arrangements for off-the-job training and education are scrutinised as part of the approval process.

  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has had on the quality of off-the-job education provided by YTS.

  Mr. Cope
  We have had four representations over the past 18 months on this subject. One of those concerned the standard of off-the-job training and education provided by YTS, and the remaining three concerned the length of the off-the-job training period.

  Ms. Quin
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure high standards of off-the-job education for YTS trainees.

  Mr. Cope
  Potential managing agents for YTS schemes are required to set out in detail their proposals for training including the length and content of the off-the-job training and education that young people will receive. The formal contract between the MSC and each managing agent refers to the agreements reached on these proposals. Thereafter, MSC staff monitor the quality of training provided. To strengthen these arrangements a new training standards advisory service became operational in April 1987. Furthermore, the MSC requires all providers of training to apply to become approved training organisations. Only organisations which gain such status will be able to take part in YTS.

  Mr. Mike Fowler
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment how long it has taken his Department to prepare its case for the appeal of Mr. Mike Fowler of 8 Meadow close, Houghton Green against the decision to reclaim benefit paid to him when he was a councillor; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  This is a complex case. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Women
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of women seeking work but not included in the unemployed register.

  Mr. Lee
  According to preliminary results from the labour force survey, in Great Britain in spring 1986 there were an estimated 593,000 women without a job and seeking work but not included in the count of unemployed benefit claimants. This compares with 479,000 included in the count but either not seeking work or in employment
  85
  during the week of the survey. Details were published in the April 1987 edition of Employment Gazette, on page 208.

  Average Earnings
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for average earnings for (a) all women, (b) women in manual occupations and (c) women in non-manual occupations, expressed as (i) mean average, (ii) median and (iii) mode; and what are the comparative figures for men.

  Mr. Lee
  The latest date for which information is available is April 1986. Table 1 in part A of the report on the new earnings survey 1986 gives information on the gross weekly mean and median earnings of full-time adult employees in Great Britain. Information on the distribution of weekly earnings from which the modal 86
  ranges can be determined is published in table 29 of part B of the new earnings survey 1986. Copies of both these reports are available in the Library.

  VAT
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the implications for safety at work of the case initiated by the European Economic Community Commission before the European Court on 15 September on the levying of value added tax on protective clothing and footwear; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  None. Neither I nor my predecessor has had discussions with the Health and Safety Executive on the forthcoming case before the European Court The implications for safety, along with other considerations, will be assessed when the verdict, and its basis, are known.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  High Commissioner (Vanuatu)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what are the number plates used by official vehicles of the High Commissioner in Vanuatu;

  (2) whether he will institute an inquiry into the use of the High Commissioner's official car by a Government official for the delivery of Conservative party fund-raising literature in Vanuatu; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) why the official car of the High Commissioner in Vanuatu was used to deliver Conservative party material to Mr. N. Anderson of OSAS, P.O. Box 567, Port Vila, Vanuatu; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what is the practice with regard to the use of official diplomatic cars for delivering non-official material; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what is the practice with regard to Her Majesty's embassies acting as receiving points for mail addressed to United Kingdom citizens working abroad and forwarding such items to their correct addresses.

  Mr. Eggar
  The 75 technical co-operation officers and OSAS officers and their families regularly use the High Commission's postal box number 567 for both official and private mail which is then delivered to staff living locally in Vila. The registration numbers of High Commission vehicles are CD UK 1 and UK 5. All private mail received by the High Commission addressed to Mr. Anderson would have been handled in this manner. It would of course be quite improper for the High Commission to open or inspect the contents of private mail.

  EC (Directives and Regulations)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number of directives and regulations, respectively, produced by the European Economic Community in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in each of the previous 10 years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

  Women
  Miss Widdicombe
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government submitted their initial report to the United Nations due under article 18 of the 1979 convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

  Mr. Eggar
  The report has been completed and was submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General on 25 June 1987. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Sub-category

  30 June 1987

  Maximum in last 12 months

  Minimum in last 12 months

  Lost or stolen

  354,902

  354,902

  290,056

  Obtained by deception1

  377

  604

  377

  Found or apparently abandoned

  27,270

  29,553

  22,719

  88
  In the preparation of the report women's organisations were consulted, particularly through a seminar on the UN Convention and the reporting process held in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in February. This enabled the officials responsible for writing the report to take their view into account. The report acknowledges their activities and concerns. We shall be sending copies of the report to all those invited to the seminar and upon request, to other organisations which express an interest.

  The fullness of the report underlines the seriousness with which we view our obligations under the convention. We shall continue to develop our policies in the light of these obligations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional advice he is going to give to the electoral registration officers as to the sale of names and addresses of people contained in the electoral register in machine-readable form, when the sale of the names and addresses takes place without the consent or knowledge of the data subject.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. We have already advised registration officers that people who buy this data will have to register the details with the Data Protection Registrar and we have told them of the existence of the mailing preference service to help electors who do not wish to be on mailing lists.

  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the subject access fee and issue the orders under section 29 of the Data Protection Act.

  Mr. Renton
  We hope to announce the subject access fee within the next few weeks. Drafting of the orders inder section 29 is well advanced, but consultation with the interested parties concerned is not yet complete. We plan to lay the orders immediately after the summer recess.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number, and the maximum number and minimum number of entries for each of the sub-categories of the stolen and suspect vehicle index of the police national computer over the last year.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of entries in each of the sub-categories of the stolen and suspect vehicle index of the police national computer as of 30 June, together with the maximum and minimum number of entries for the previous 12 months, is as follows:
  89

  Sub-category

  30 June 1987

  Maximum in last 12 months

  Minimum in last 12 months

  Removed into police custody

  15,888

  15,888

  11,985

  Removed by police from one street to another

  246

  579

  151

  Repossessed by finance company1

  0

  112

  0

  Suspected of being involved in a particular incident, for example crime2

  1,510

  3,590

  1,510

  Owned or used by police

  5,375

  6,127

  5,375

  Of interest to the police, for example owned by known criminals or by missing persons

  19,843

  30,703

  19,843

  Seen or checked by the police in noteworthy circumstances, for example at night in an area where a series of crimes is under investigation

  7,386

  11,623

  7,314

  Details not to be passed over open radio, for example police vehicles used in observation duties

  4,653

  4,662

  4,280

  1 Since November 1986 new records of vehicles in the sub-categories "Obtained by Deception" and "Repossessed by Finance Company" have been included in the "Lost or Stolen" sub-category.

  2 Since November 1986 new records of vehicles "suspected of being involved in a particular incident (for example crime)" have been included in the "Of interest to police" sub-category.

  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number, the maximum number and minimum number of entries for each of the sub-categories of' the wanted and missing persons index of the police national computer over the last year.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of entries in each of the sub-categories of the wanted and missing persons index of the police national computer on 30 June 1987, together with the maximum and minimum number of entries for the previous 12 months, was as follows:

  Sub Category

  30 June 1987

  Maximum in last 12 months

  Minimum in last 12 months

  Wanted persons

  31,166

  31,936

  30,864

  Failed to appear in court

  21,598

  21,598

  20,253

  Suspected of offence

  4,398

  4,398

  4,139

  Impending prosecution

  47

  65

  34

  Deserter from Armed Forces

  2,099

  4,302

  2,081

  Location desired: for example for services of summons

  36,989

  37,693

  36,960

  Missing

  2,266

  2,266

  1,992

  Found

  20

  20

  10

  Absconded from Local Authority care

  594

  679

  503

  Absconded from hospital

  59

  59

  36

  Absconded from youth custody

  105

  110

  68

  Absconded from prison

  493

  507

  446

  Absconded from remand

  13

  21

  9

  Absconded from school

  42

  64

  40

  Absconded from detention

  3

  11

  3

  Recalled to youth custody

  0

  1

  0

  Recalled to prison

  253

  265

  242

  Recalled to detention

  0

  0

  0

  Notify if in custody

  0

  0

  0

  Crime (Use of Knives)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to increase the penalties upon those found guilty of carrying knives for offensive purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  The courts are already sending more people to prison when convicted of carrying offensive weapons. The existing maximum penalty on conviction on indictment is 90
  two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Where the weapons are used to cause injury, high maximum penalties are available.

  The Government are concerned about the increased use o f offensive weapons and are considering as a matter of urgency possible legislative changes to help curb their sale and use.

  Passports
  Mr. Boswell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full United Kingdom passports were issued at each of Her Majesty's passport offices respectively, in each month of the last three years; and what was the average monthly interval between application and issue in each office.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is given in the tables:

  London Passport Office

  Month

  Issues

  1 Average turn-round time (days)

  1984–85

  June 1984

  44,083

  14

  July

  51,812

  14

  August

  39,414

  6

  September

  28,018

  3

  October

  25,897

  2

  November

  24,794

  2

  December

  15,324

  2

  January 1985

  26,284

  10

  February

  30,884

  16

  March

  40,403

  12

  April

  47,214

  11

  May

  47,574

  9

  421,701

  1985–86

  June 1985

  43,957

  12

  July

  50,898

  12

  August

  33,788

  10

  September

  27,388

  8

  October

  27,932

  8

  November

  25,022

  6

  December

  17,890

  6

  January 1986

  29,354

  10

  February

  34,919

  14

  March

  42,087

  20

  April

  50,185

  23

  May

  47,652

  26

  431,072

  91

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turn-round lime (days)

  1986–87

  June 1986

  43,796

  28

  July

  54,183

  36

  August

  36,650

  23

  September

  28,524

  19

  October

  29,133

  23

  November

  22,663

  11

  December

  18,707

  15

  January 1987

  23,682

  24

  February

  35,565

  21

  March

  40,488

  35

  April

  33,065

  45

  May

  24,383

  56

  390,839

  Liverpool passport office

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turn round time (days)

  1984–85

  June 1984

  62,131

  12

  July

  53,175

  12

  August

  46,351

  6

  September

  23,627

  2

  October

  20,240

  2

  November

  17,037

  2

  December

  10,625

  2

  January 1985

  27,922

  10

  February

  36,323

  11

  March

  44,507

  11

  April

  54,097

  12

  May

  68,179

  6

  464,214

  1985–86

  June 1985

  46,653

  7

  July

  51,103

  5

  August

  40,427

  3

  September

  25,924

  1

  October

  21,596

  1

  November

  15,682

  1

  December

  14,394

  1

  January 1986

  30,776

  4

  February

  39,328

  11

  March

  46,466

  22

  April

  77,709

  20

  May

  84,337

  17

  494,395

  1986–87

  June 1986

  64,706

  14

  July

  70,075

  11

  August

  45,762

  8

  September

  34,253

  4

  October

  26,324

  2

  November

  21,232

  2

  December

  15,694

  2

  January 1987

  30,319

  4

  February

  48,946

  7

  March

  75,898

  10

  April

  62,425

  14

  May

  51,586

  20

  547,220

  Peterborough Passport Office

  Month

  Issues

  1Average Turnround Time (Days)

  1984–85

  June 1984

  46,388

  9

  92

  Month

  Issues

  1Average Turnround Time (Days)

  July

  46,565

  9

  August

  33,944

  3

  September

  20,705

  1

  October

  20,165

  1

  November

  17,351

  1

  December

  9,783

  2

  January 1985

  26,708

  8

  February

  30,180

  10

  March

  45,284

  10

  April

  38,322

  12

  May

  49,792

  11

  385,187

  1985–86

  June 1985

  44,052

  13

  July

  51,500

  12

  August

  31,167

  3

  September

  21,599

  3

  October

  21,866

  3

  November

  18,369

  3

  December

  12,872

  2

  January 1986

  31,309

  5

  February

  46,115

  7

  March

  48,975

  9

  April

  61,355

  14

  May

  64,389

  14

  453,568

  1986–87

  June 1986

  49,994

  11

  July

  51,943

  11

  August

  38,667

  7

  September

  26,922

  4

  October

  27,518

  3

  November

  20,346

  3

  December

  15,264

  3

  January 1987

  29,806

  5

  February

  49,917

  9

  March

  60,983

  12

  April

  56,051

  14

  May

  48,473

  18

  475,884

  Newport Passport Office

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turnround time (days)

  1984–85

  June 1984

  47,345

  7

  July

  45,474

  7

  August

  28,661

  5

  September

  20,935

  2

  October

  17,898

  1

  November

  16,189

  1

  December

  9,785

  1

  January 1985

  25,453

  8

  February

  31,715

  10

  March

  39,399

  10

  April

  33,543

  10

  May

  42,167

  12

  358,564

  1985–86

  June 1985

  35,910

  13

  July

  44,296

  14

  August

  37,791

  8

  September

  25,007

  3

  October

  22,340

  1

  November

  17,798

  1

  93

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turnround time (days)

  December

  11,084

  1

  January 1986

  29,985

  3

  February

  37,875

  9

  March

  32,337

  17

  April

  54,960

  23

  May

  46,911

  25

  396,294

  1986–87

  June 1986

  47,097

  31

  July

  51,343

  27

  August

  40,626

  6

  September

  26,525

  3

  October

  24,044

  3

  November

  21,091

  3

  December

  15,004

  3

  January 1987

  27,999

  4

  February

  39,614

  9

  March

  51,542

  14

  April

  31,345

  26

  May

  30,188

  40

  406,418

  Glasgow Passport Office

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turnround time (days)

  1984–85

  June 1984

  18,068

  14

  July

  16,601

  13

  August

  15,537

  6

  September

  7,902

  3

  October

  5,826

  3

  November

  4,617

  3

  December

  3,120

  3

  January 1985

  7,865

  2

  February

  12,673

  2

  March

  12,051

  3

  April

  13,626

  6

  May

  16,424

  9

  134,310

  1985–86

  June 1985

  19,149

  12

  July

  18,244

  7

  August

  11,747

  3

  September

  7,846

  2

  October

  6,288

  3

  November

  5,399

  3

  December

  3,964

  3

  January 1986

  8,236

  4

  February

  13,025

  8

  March

  11,951

  16

  April

  19,918

  21

  May 20

  837

  28

  146,604

  1986–87

  June 1986

  19,589

  33

  July

  24,750

  24

  August

  13,985

  9

  September

  9,573

  7

  October

  7,678

  5

  November

  5,462

  4

  December

  4,948

  4

  January 1987

  7,251

  5

  February

  13,838

  10

  March

  21,179

  10

  April

  16,334

  18

  94

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turnround time (days)

  May

  11,109

  31

  155,696

  Belfast Passport Office

  Month

  Issues

  1Average turnround time (days)

  1984–85

  June 1984

  4,953

  2

  July

  3,604

  2

  August

  2,554

  1

  September

  1,458

  2

  October

  1,208

  1

  November

  801

  1

  December

  639

  1

  January 1985

  2,044

  3

  February

  3,028

  3

  March

  3,681

  3

  April

  4,556

  3

  May

  4,972

  3

  33,498

  1985–86

  June 1985

  5,083

  2

  July

  3,718

  2

  August

  2,678

  2

  September

  1,564

  2

  October

  1,352

  1

  November

  1,033

  1

  December

  860

  1

  January 1986

  2,360

  2

  February

  4,732

  3

  March

  4,690

  4

  April

  6,258

  5

  May

  6,297

  5

  40,625

  1986–87

  June 1986

  6,848

  4

  July

  5,048

  3

  August

  3,263

  3

  September

  2,374

  2

  October

  1,550

  2

  November

  1,121

  2

  December

  933

  2

  January 1987

  2,534

  2

  February

  4,954

  3

  March

  5,604

  3

  April

  6,362

  4

  May

  6,874

  6

  47,465

  1 The average turnround time is expressed in working days and relates to non-urgent applications which were properly completed.

  Crimes Against Women
  Ms. Primarolo
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to provide more units staffed by women officers dealing with rape, family violence and crimes against women.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Guidance was issued to chief officers of police on the response to victims of violence against women in Home Office circular 69/1986. The implementation of this guidance is an operational matter for each chief officer in the light of local circumstances.

  Kerb Crawling
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have been (a) arrested and (b) convicted for kerb-crawling in Liverpool under the Sexual Offences Act 1985 to date;

  (2) how many persons have been (a) arrested and (b) convicted for kerb-crawling under the Sexual Offences Act 1985 in England and Wales to date.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information available to me, which may be incomplete indicates that up to the end of 1985 21 males had been found guilty of offences under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985. None of these convictions was in Liverpool. Corresponding details for 1986 are not yet available. There is no power of arrest under the Sexual Offences Act 1985.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the provisons of the Sexual Offences Act 1985 relating to kerb crawling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I believe that chief officers of police do their best to enforce this Act, having regard to other calls on their resources. I understand that it is often difficult for the police to obtain evidence that all the elements of the offence as enacted by Parliament were present in a particular case.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to whom access is permitted to the lists drawn up by his Department for the purpose of identifying persons resident overseas with the right to vote in United Kingdom general elections.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Representation of the People Regulations 1986 require each electoral registration officer to prepare a list of overseas electors in respect of each constituency in the area for which he acts and to publish it by making a copy available for inspection at his office. He is also required to supply four free copies of the list to each prospective parliamentary candidate or his agent, on request; one free copy to the Secretary of State and the British Library; and any remaining copies to any person on payment of a prescribed fee.

  Police Surgeons
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report, for the latest available date, the number of police surgeons employed in each police area in England and Wales, separately distinguishing male and female surgeons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Police surgeons are appointed by police authorities and no central record is maintained. I am, however, arranging for this information to be collected and I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Off-licences
  Mr. Colvin
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to review the laws relating to granting off-licences, with a view to requiring applicants to prove that existing facilities are inadequate.
  96
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no present plans to do so. It is already open to the licensing justices, when considering an application for a new off-licence, to take into account the number of licensed outlets in the area.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Mr. McLoughlin
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any new appointments are to be made to the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Hurd
  Mr. Jeff Crawford, formerly senior community relations officer for the London borough of Haringey, and Mr. Karamjit Singh, an assistant county clerk with the Leicestershire county council, have accepted my invitations to serve as members of the authority. Mr. Crawford took up his post on 1 July and Mr. Singh will join the authority in mid-August. I hope to make a further appointment shortly.

  These three appointments are being made to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of Mr. John Lyttle in January and Air Commodore Stephen King in May and by the creation of an additional post in response to the authority's workload.

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission
  Mr. Arnold
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the timetable of work of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987]: The Parliamentary Boundary Commission has a duty to keep the distribution of seats under continuous review. It is required by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 to carry out reviews of all the constituencies in its part of the United Kingdom every 10 to 15 years. In the interval between general reviews, it may review particular areas in interim reviews.

  The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England is at present completing its second 1986 interim review, covering 55 constituencies. The commission's report on 53 of those constituencies was laid before the House on 6 May 1986; a further report on the two remaining constituencies is expected later in the year. The commission is also required by the European Assembly Elections Act 1978 to submit a supplementary report to the Home Secretary on European Parliament constituencies which would take account of the minor alterations to constituency boundaries made during the interim reviews carried out since 1983. The commission submitted its third periodical report, after its last general review on 1 February 1983. Its fourth periodical report after the next general review should he submitted between 1 February 1993 and 31 January 1998. 1 understand that the review is unlikely to begin before 1990.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Education (Costs)
  Mr. John David Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the comparative cost of educating (a) a YTP student, (b) a BTEC student and (c) a GCE O-level student in Northern Ireland's further education colleges; and if these courses have been the

  97
  subject of discussion between the Northern Ireland Office and the Government of the Republic of Ireland at a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Ministerial Conference.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1987, c. 188]: The information about comparative costs is not available. The joint statements issued after each meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference do not record these courses as having been discussed.

SCOTLAND

  Community Charge
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Keeper of the Records of Scotland will allow access to, or a copy taken of, the community charge registers to assist the police or officials from the Inland Revenue or Department of Health and Social Security in their statutory duties.

  Mr. Lang
  The Keeper of the Records of Scotland is prohibited by section 20(11) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 from making any community charge register sent to him available for inspection or from allowing copies to be taken, except as may be prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of State. My right hon. and learned Friend is considering what regulations to make under this provision and they will be laid before Parliament in due course.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the studies compiled on likely collection rates for the community charge; and if he will place them in the Library.

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

  Labour Statistics
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the latest unemployment figures for Greenock and Port Glasgow in the Official Report by district council ward boundary.

  Mr. Lang
  On 14 May 1987 (the latest date for which information is available) the number of unemployed claimants in each electoral ward of the Greenock and Port Glasgow parliamentary constituency was as shown in the table:

  Ward Name

  Unemployed Claimants

  Port Glasgow East

  759

  Port Glasgow South

  671

  Clune Brae

  642

  Port Glasgow West

  357

  Gibshill

  838

  Blairmore

  420

  Bellville

  493

  Greenock East Central

  663

  Broomhill

  330

  Gateside

  322

  Bow

  572

  Larkfield

  567

  Upper Larkfield

  643

  Greenock South

  493

  Greenock West Central

  356

  Greenock West End

  205

  Constituency Total

  8,331

  98
  The information is available in the Library.

  Health Care International
  Mr. Galbraith
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Health Care International concerning the provision of consultant staff for the proposed private hospital at Clydebank; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  One discussion has been held by officials of the Scottish Home and Health Department with representatives of Health Care International. The discussion covered in general terms the company's proposals to build a 260-bed private hospital in Clydebank, and the statutory requirement that these be the subject of an application to the Secretary of State for authorisation. That application was received last week. It envisages that 80 full-time consultant staff will be required for the hospital. Steps will now be taken, as the legislation requires. to bring the application to the notice of those whose interests appear likely to be substantially affected by the proposals. They will have six weeks to make any observations to the Secretary of State.

  Cancer Screening
  Sir Russell Johnston
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates that it will be possible for appropriate computer facilities to be made available to health boards in Scotland for cervical cytology screening.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Locally developed computer systems providing facilities to assist cervical cytology screening are already available to four health hoards and will shortly be available to a fifth. My right hon. and learned Friend has recently authorised the formation in the Scottish Health Service of a new Directorate of Health Service Information Systems, which has already begun to take responsibility for information technology developments in the service and which has as a major priority the provision of call-and-recall systems in support of preventive services, including cervical cytology. The Directorate—located within the Common Services Agency—aims to develop the software required by a full call-and-recall system for cervical cytology early in 1988 and outline plans exist for these facilities to be made available to all boards during 1988.

  Lambs (Chernobyl Radiation)
  Sir Hector Monro
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring has been done on Scottish lambs this year of the effect of radioactive deposition from Chernobyl.

  Mr. Rifkind
  A comprehensive programme of monitoring is being undertaken. The results have generally been encouraging. Throughout the greater part of the country, including the areas in Ross and Cromarty and the Uists which were subject to restriction last year, no readings in excess of 1,000 Bq/kg have been found. The average of readings throughout Scotland is 315 Bq/kg. In a number of areas, chiefly hill areas in the south-west, some higher readings have been recorded and monitoring continues in order to ensure that when lambs from these areas come to be marketed there is no risk to the food chain. In a very small number of lower ground areas, again
  99
  in the south-west, there are also elevated readings in lambs which are now ready for marketing and in order to ensure that only animals below 1,000 Bq/kg reach the consumer I am today making an order under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to restrict the movement and slaughter of sheep from those areas. The persistence of radioactivity would appear to be related to the availability of caesium to growing herbage in different soil types. My Department will arrange as practicable for stock to be monitored individually before they are moved and for those animals found to be above 1,000 Bq/kg a mark and release scheme will again operate so as to compensate farmers for any financial loss due to marking. A payment of £1·30 will also be made for each animal moved from a restricted area after monitoring or marking.

  I am arranging for a copy of the completed monitoring results to date to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Fisheries Protection
  Sir Hector Monro
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the report of the efficiency scrutiny of the fisheries protection and enforcement effort of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The report was submitted early in May. Copies are being placed in the Library of both Houses today. I have agreed that copies should be circulated to the appropriate bodies with a view to starting the necessary consultations on the recommendations contained in the report.

  The report recognises that fishery protection and enforcement are a necessary and important service and that the men who provide the service undertake a difficult and sometimes dangerous job. The report suggests that to give value for money the service must not just respond to new demands in flexible and imaginative ways but also continually question how the existing service can be improved.

  The main recommendations for obtaining better value for money are:

  the creation of an effective deployment strategy linked more closely to objectives on service levels;

  the implementation of that strategy through an upgraded and more powerful operations room in the Department;

  subject to a review, a reduction in the use of offshore air patrols;

  radical changes to the crewing and patrol patterns of the fishery protection cruisers;

  privatisation of the boat service currently undertaken by the marine detachment;

  a reduction in the size of the fleet surveillance and support unit;

  and
  the introduction of a new employment structure for the marine service to be controlled by the marine superintendent.

  Implementation of the recommendations could lead to a reduction in annual costs of at least £1 million in total. The recommendations will be carefully considered in the light of the consultations about to be undertaken.

PRIME MINISTER

  City of Glasgow (Visit)
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Prime Minister when she next intends to visit the City of Glasgow.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Fishing Vessels
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to review the safety regulations and provisions governing the working conditions of the crews of United Kingdom registered fishing vessels; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The safety standards for small ships are being reviewed, taking into account the recommendations about sail training ships contained in the report of the formal investigation into the loss of the MARQUES. Working conditions of crews on United Kingdom registered sailing ships (other than pleasure craft) are governed by the Merchant Shipping Occupational Safety Regulations.

  Buckie (Visit)
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Buckie.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Armaments (Afghanistan)
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the efficacy of end-user certificates for arms shipments to the Afghan resistance movement.

  The Prime Minister
  It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to comment on matters of this kind.

  Leysmill (Visit)
  Mr. Welsh
  asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Leysmill.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Teachers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the number of qualified physics, mathematics and science teachers in schools.

  The Prime Minister
  Not yet. But the initiatives taken by the Government to improve supply in these vital areas are beginning to show results. These include a £1,250 tax-free bursary for trainee teachers in the shortage subjects, new flexible training courses, better publicity, the setting up of the Teaching as a Career unit (TASC) to improve recruitment, more in-service training, and working with industry to improve recruitment of mature entrants. There is a reasonable chance of teacher training targets in shortage subjects being met this year for the first time for some years.

  AIDS
  Mr. Kirkwood
  asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisifed with the existing level of co-operation between those Government Departments dealing with the various consequences of the spread of the AIDS infection.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes.

  Political Organisations (Information)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Prime Minister what is the practice of Government Departments with regard to supplying to party political organisations lists of Government officials, or their agents or employees, resident overseas; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Such information is readily available from puhlished official works of reference (for example, the Diplomatic Service List) and from commercial publications (for example Her Majesty's Consuls' List). The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also produces an Overseas Reference List of staff at posts abroad which is available on request to reputable bodies, including party political organisations. On this basis, copies are currently sent to Conservative central office and to the office of the Leader of the Opposition, among others.

  St. Helena (Student Awards)
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Wrexham dated 2 July, if she will make it her policy to regard residence in St. Helena as possessing equal status to residence in the British Isles for the purposes of student awards.

  The Prime Minister
  No. Such a policy could not be restricted to St. Helena. There are no plans to change eligibility for student awards.

  VAT
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Prime Minister if she has yet decided which Minister or Ministers will be presenting the United Kingdom's case before the European Court of Justice on 15 September on the case initiated by the European Economic Community Commission that Her Majesty's Government should cease to zero rate new house building, gas, electricity, news services and protective clothing and footwear; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  These are legal proceedings, and in accordance with normal practice the United Kingdom will be represented at the European Court of Justice by counsel instructed by the Treasury Solicitor.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 7 July.

  Mr. Stern
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 7 July.

  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 7 July.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 7 July.
  102
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 7 July.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Polytechnics
  Mr. Lewis Stevens
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what benefits he expects from his proposals to reform the administration of polytechnics.

  Mr. Jackson
  The proposed reforms will enhance the ability of the polytechnics and colleges to pursue educational effectiveness and efficiency, develop entrepreneurial attitudes, and respond to national needs. The reforms recognise the national role and importance of the institutions and will facilitate improved and more accountable management.

  School Transport
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the operation of the provision in section 53 of the Education Act 1986 that local education authorities should have regard to the age of pupil and the nature of the routes which a pupil could be reasonably expected to take in deciding if school transport should be provided at the cost of the authority.

  Mr. Dunn
  Section 53 of the Education Act 1986 clarifies section 55 of the Education Act 1944. It sets out more explicitly some of the relevant factors to be taken into account by LEAs when considering what arrangements are "necessary" for the provision of transport under Section 55(1) of the Education Act 1944.

  Edinburgh University
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current financial position of the university of Edinburgh.

  Mr. Jackson
  The UGC's more rational basis for allocating grants has resulted in Edinburgh university's receiving below average increases in basic grant. It needs to plan carefully for the transition to the new funding levels.

  School Activities
  Mr. Blair
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will publish a list of those school activities for which (a) charges are currently levied and (b) he intends to introduce charges.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information on authorities' charging practices is not collected by central Government. The local authority associations have said that the majority of authorities at present make some charge for day and residential school trips. Charges are also made, less commonly, for a range of other items. My right hon. Friend intends to consult on proposals to clarify the law so that authorities know which items they can and cannot choose to charge for.
  103
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the possibility of imposing charges for certain school activities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what fee-charging powers he intends to bestow upon schools within the public sector of education.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) and the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) earlier today.

  Mr. Flannery
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the local education authorities which charge their pupils in primary or secondary schools for swimming lessons in school time.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) earlier today.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the cost to public funds per pupil at city technology colleges and the amount by which this will exceed or be less than the equivalent costs in local authority schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has made clear that the basis of recurrent grant to CTCs will be equivalent costs in local authorities, including costs borne centrally by LEAs such as school meals, transport and ancillary services as well as running costs directly attributable to schools. If, in addition, account is taken of central administration, and costs associated with capital expenditure, each CTC place might on average cost of the order of £1,800-£2,000 at current prices, once the programme is fully established.

  Sixth Form Education
  Mr. McLoughlin
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the future of sixth form education in schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  Circular 3/87, issued on 6 May, asked local education authorities to review their non-advanced 16–19 provision, including sixth-form provision, and to take appropriate action in the interests of educational effectiveness and value for money.

  Schools (Reorganisation)
  Mr. Ashdown
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the Government's proposals to allow schools to opt out of local authority administration.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has been encouraged by the extent of support for his proposals expressed to him during recent weeks. Since his return to the Department he has received 54 letters on the subject, of which 25 have come from hon. members.
  104
  Mr. Colvin
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to issue guidelines on the financial management of those schools choosing to opt out of local education authority control.

  Mr. Dunn
  Once the necessary legislation has been enacted, my right hon. Friend would expect to issue regulations and guidance concerning the conditions under which grant is paid to schools opting out of local authority control.

  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on devolution of budgeting to schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Education (No. 2) Act 1986 requires LEAs to delegate control over a part of their budget to individual schools. My right hon. Friend intends to bring forward legislation which will give all secondary schools, and larger primary schools, control over almost all of their recurrent expenditure.

  Mr. Nellist
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has as to the views of parents or governors of any Coventry schools on opting out of local education authority control.

  Mr. Dunn
  No such representations have been received from Coventry parents or governors.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had with local authority associations about his proposals for schools opting our of local authority control.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Government will shortly be issuing a consultation document to interested organisations, including the local authority associations, concerning our proposals for grant maintained schools.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what total resources he is making available for secondary schools in 1987–88; and how that figure compares with those for the previous two years.

  Mr. Dunn
  Within the current year's plans, as published in the Public Expenditure White Paper, Cm. 56, provision for secondary schools in England is £4·8 billion. The comparable planned figure for 1986–87 was £4·1 billion and for 1985–86, £3·9 billion.

  Ms. Armstrong
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make additional resources available to ensure that secondary schools in county Durham operate effectively.

  Mr. Dunn
  Most of central Government's contribution to local government expenditure is channelled through rate support grant, which is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Environment. My right hon. Friend will be providing education support grants to Durham on some £700,000 of expenditure in 1987–88 to encourage quality in education. The authority's allocation for capital expenditure for 1987–88 was announced in December 1986: my right hon. Friend is unable to make an addition to it.

  School Repairs
  Mr. Madden
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the cost of dealing with repairs and renovations to schools in Bradford.

  Mr. Dunn
  It is for the Bradford education authority rather than my right hon. Friend to calculate the cost of such work.

  Universities (Funding)
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to meet with the principals of Scotland's universities in the near future to discuss funding.

  Mr. Jackson
  No.

  Mr. Strang
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the chairman of the Universities Grants Committee to discuss the funding of universities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Ministers meet Sir Peter Swinnerton-Dyer in the course of normal Government business. The funding of universities is a frequent topic of discussion.

  Schools (Parent Bodies)
  Mr. Hind
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have yet to form parent bodies under the Education Act 1986.
  106
  Mr. Dunn
  The Education (No. 2) Act 1986 lays down new provisions concerning the composition of school governing bodies, including increased representation of parents. These provisions will come into effect for new schools from 1 September 1987. For existing schools, the implementation is being phased so that county and maintained special schools are required to have governing bodies constitued in accordance with the new provisions by 1 September 1988 and voluntary schools by 1 September 1989. Although Local Education Authorities are free to adopt the new provisions in advance of the mandatory implementation dates, there is no centrally held information as to how many have done so.

  Queen's Speech
  Mr. Favell
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about his Department's proposals contained in the Queen's Speech.

  Mr. Thurnham
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about proposals in the Queen's Speech for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received correspondence from a number of organisations and individuals, and expects that others will wish to comment when they have had an opportunity to consider the Government's proposals.

  Young People
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will introduce measures to improve the standards of off-the-job educational opportunities for all young people currently in employment.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Government have already introduced a series of measures to improve provision which will benefit employed young people taking part-time courses along with others. These include the introduction of work-related NAFE development schemes, the establishment of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications, and the establishment of the Open college.

  Teachers (Pay and Conditions)
  Mr. Hunter
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the teachers' unions with regard to establishing permanent machinery for negotiating teachers' pay and conditions of service.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers on 2 July. He confirmed the Government's intention of publishing a Green Paper setting out key issues and questions about the most appropriate way of constructing effective permanent machinery for determining pay and conditions. He stated that it was the Government's intention to enter into detailed discussions later in the year with all those with an interest on the basis of the Green Paper.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. Amess
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current teacher-pupil ratio in Basildon; and what is the teacher-pupil ratio for children assessed as having special learning disabilities.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information for areas within local education authorities is not available centrally. Pupil-teacher ratios specific to the education of children with statements in maintained primary and secondary schools are not collected. In January 1986 the pupil-teacher ratios in maintained, primary, secondary and special schools in Essex were as follows:

  January 1986

  Pupil-teacher ratios

  Primary schools1

  23·9

  Secondary schools1

  17·0

  Special schools2

  7·4

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Maintained and non-maintained special schools—includes hospital special schools.

  The pupil-teacher ratio in special schools covers all children in those schools who are in need of special education whether by reason of emotional or physical disability.

  Mr. Chapman
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what is the current pupil-teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools; and how these figures compare with those for eight years ago.
  108
  Mr. Dunn
  The pupil-teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in January 1986, the latest date for which figures are available, and in January 1979 were as follows:

  January each year

  1979

  1986

  1Primary schools

  23·1

  22·1

  1Secondary schools

  16·7

  15·9

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  Teachers (Dispute)
  Mr. Evennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what negotiations are taking place concerning the establishment of a body to replace the Burnham committee.

  Mr. Day
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the latest position in the teachers' dispute.

  Mr. Robert Hicks
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends making any fresh proposals to try to resolve the teachers' pay and conditions of service dispute; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sims
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to meet the leaders of the teachers' trades unions to discuss more permanent machinery to replace the existing interim arrangements on teachers' pay and conditions.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has announced his intention to publish a Green Paper setting out key issues and questions about the most appropriate way of constructing effective permanent machinery for determining pay and conditions. This will provide a basis for discussions with all those with an interest later in the year.

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Yeo
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding his policy on small rural schools as outlined in Circular 3/87.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has received some representations from hon. Members and members of the public, from Rural Voice, and from the Dorset Association for Rural Education.

  National Core Curriculum
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations are planned on the Government's proposals to introduce a national core curriculum.

  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for introducing a national core curriculum; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he intends to consult interested parties about his proposals for curriculum reform.
  109
  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend will shortly be issuing a consultation document setting out his proposals for a national curriculum, and seeking the views of those concerned within and outside the education service.

  School Governors
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the powers of school governors.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has received a range of representations from local education authorities, parents and other interested parties about the Education (No. 2) Act 1986. Many of these commented upon the provisions of the Act concerning the allocation of functions to school governing bodies.

  Inner London
  Mr. Cox
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to meet the leader of the Inner London education authority to discuss future developments for education in inner London.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend would naturally be prepared to consider any request for such a meeting. None has so far been received.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Atkinson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received concerning reform of the student grant system.

  Mr. Jackson
  The student support review group has received written evidence from 106 organisations, nine of which have also given oral evidence. In addition, since the beginning of the year, the Department has received six petitions, signed by a total of 1,250 people, and several hundred letters.

  Universities (Funding)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the financing of Scottish universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  The impact of the UGC's more rational basis for allocating recurrent grant has varied between universities depending on their previous funding levels and on their research records. Three of the eight Scottish universities are receiving increases in basic grant above the Great Britain average.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to improve the quality of education in the inner cities.

  Mr. Dunn
  It is our intention that educational measures should play a full part in the Government's initiatives in the inner cities. Our proposals for establishing city technology colleges will contribute to an improvement in education in these areas, as will our plans to give greater autonomy to schools and to reform the structure of education in inner London. We shall be considering whether there are other measures which we can usefully take.

  Scientific Research
  Dr. Bray
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to provide leading scientists in key fields with the research opportunities that will attract them to continue their work in this country instead of seeking research opportunities overseas.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government are following a policy of selectivity and concentration in research funding. which will mean that our outstanding researchers will increasingly be able to work in this country with the highest quality facilities. We have also agreed a very substantial pay increase for academics, with new arrangements for discretion to pay the best more. This will strengthen our whole research effort through the ability to attract and retain good quality staff across a range of disciplines.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will visit Bradford to examine local school buildings.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at the present time.

  Aberdeen University
  Mr. Doran
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current financial position of Aberdeen university.

  Mr. Jackson
  Aberdeen university is receiving below average increases in basic grant as a result of the UGC's more rational method for allocating grants introduced in 1986–87. The university is in discussion with the UGC about the careful planning needed for the transition to the new funding levels.

  Parents (Pressure Group)
  Mr. Marlow
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the national pressure group representing parents.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend last met representatives of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations on 2 March 1987 to discuss school teachers' pay and conditions of employment and future pay determination arrangements.

  Unemployed People (Educational Opportunity)
  Mr. Lofthouse
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the range of educational opportunity to the unemployed.

  Mr. Dunn
  The development of educational opportunities for unemployed adults is being encouraged by my Department through the REPLAN programme.

  Tertiary Education (Funding)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he will be taking to ensure that local education authorities receive adequate funding for reorganisation of tertiary education.

  Mr. Dunn
  Provided a reorganisation scheme has been approved in accordance with the provisions of section 12 of the Education Act 1980, my right hon. Friend will
  111
  normally seek to ensure that the local education authority's prescribed capital expenditure allocations are set at a level reflecting the estimated cost of implementation.

  UGC (Financial Allocation)
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now review the Government's financial allocation to the University Grants Committee.

  Mr. Jackson
  The University Grants Committee has been notified of the total available for distribution as recurrent grant in 1987–88 and of provisional sums for the two subsequent years. The level of provision will be reviewed in the normal way as part of the Government's public expenditure survey.

  School Buildings (Rotherham)
  Mr. Hardy
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional provision will be made following the visit of officials of his Department to Rotherham borough council to look at the condition of school buildings to assist the council to maintain its school buildings in the current financial year.

  Mr. Dunn
  The visit by my officials to Rotherham was undertaken within the context of normal territorial contacts. The opportunity was taken to discuss the basis on which capital allocations are made to local education authorities and to see some of Rotherham's school building problems at first hand. Capital allocations for 1987–88 have already been made and cannot be increased now. We shall be considering the authority's proposals for 1988–89 in the autumn.

  O-level Examinations
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of pupils in each relevant age group attained five or more O-levels at GCE in 1986, 1985, 1980 and 1975.

  Mr. Dunn
  The proportions of pupils leaving school in England with five or more higher grades at O-level/CSE were:

  School leavers, England

  Percentage of leavers with five or more higher1 graded results at GCE O-level or CSE

  Academic year

  per cent.

  1974–75

  22·6

  1979–80

  24·0

  1984–85

  26·9

  1985–86

  26·7

  1 O-level grades A to C, CSE grade 1.

  Source: School Leavers Survey. Data subject to sampling error.

  Parkfields School, Mackworth, Derby
  Mr. Greg Knight
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any representations from Derbyshire county council recently proposing that Parkfields school at Mackworth, Derby should now be kept open as an 11 to 16 year school in place of the council's original plans to close the school completely.

  Mr. Dunn
  No.

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria his Department uses to define a surplus school place.

  Mr. Dunn
  The number of surplus places in a school is calculated by comparing current or projected pupil numbers with the school's physical capacity, which is determined by reference to the School Premises Regulations 1981.

  Collective Worship
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he intends to respond to the recommendations concerning collective worship in schools in the report of the Education, Science and Arts Committee on achievement in primary schools, SIC 401, Session 1985–86.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Letters are being sent today from my Department to a range of interested bodies asking for their views on the recommendations on collective worship put forward by the Education, Science and Arts Committee. These recommendations suggested that as the law is being widely and variously interpreted, it should be amended to allow schools greater flexibility in when daily collective worship takes place and how it should be organised. The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that collective worship continues. Comments have been requested by 11 September. If there is general agreement that the law should be amended, I shall include the necessary provisions in the Education Bill which will be introduced this autumn.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Nurses
  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the number of intensive care nurses available to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  We have not received any formal representations about the number of intensive care nurses available to the National Health Service, although we have received a number of letters referring to nurse staffing difficulties in intensive care units in particular localities. Nationally the total number of nursing staff employed in intensive care units in England continues to increase and at September 1985 there were 5,970 whole-time equivalents; an increase of 66·6 per cent. since 1981. The number entering training in the year ended 31 March 1987 was 563; an increase of 13·5 per cent. over the previous 12 months.

  Low-income Families (Expenditure Data)
  Mr. Frank Field
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the analysis of the family expenditure data for 1985 on low-income families.

  Mr. Scott
  On a normal timetable, publication of the 1985 low-income tables would be expected toward the latter part of this year; but the precise date will depend on the outcome of the technical review.

  Whipps Cross Hospital
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurses have left Whipps Cross hospital to take up posts at Roding hospital; and what has been the effect on the number of operations at Whipps Cross hospital.

  Mr. Newton
  Information about the staffing position of individual hospitals is not held centrally, and the hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Waltham Forest health authority.

  Mental Health Service
  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress there has been in ethnic monitoring with regard to mental health service delivery for the black and minority community.

  Mrs. Currie
  We expect health and social service authorities to take account of the needs of all sections of the community they serve when they plan and provide local mental health services. It is for authorities themselves to identify local needs, including the needs of ethnic minorities, and to consider how services are meeting those needs.

  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report information on the proportion of black and minority people treated by state mental health provision in the London borough of Southwark from June 1980 on a quarterly basis to present; and if he will indicate the number of these which are sectioned psychiatric patients and the number which are voluntary patients.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that the information requested is not centrally collected for National Health Service mental health facilities.

  Benefits
  Mr. Dewar
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the total number of applicants for (a) supplementary benefit and (b) unemployment benefit in Scotland in each year since 1979; and if he will show for each category what percentage of these applications were (i) accepted and (ii) rejected.

  Mr. Portillo
  I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. The figures in the table are for the total number of claims made in Scotland and cover some people who have made more than one claim during a year. No figures are available showing the percentage of unemployment benefit claims which are successful.

  Unemployment benefit Claims

  Supplementary benefit

  April to March

  Claims

  Per cent, successful

  1979

  562,004

  1979–80

  621,548

  77

  1980

  582,908

  1980–81

  608,020

  75

  1981

  565,799

  1981–82

  622,205

  75

  1982

  601,351

  1982–83

  641,893

  78

  1983

  592,494

  1983–84

  663,219

  79

  1984

  608,382

  1984–85

  656,024

  81

  1985

  611,732

  1985–86

  652,019

  74

  1986

  614,123

  1986–87

  652,434

  71

  114
  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many more people are expected to become entitled to each of the income-related benefits and to exemption from Health Service charges on low income grounds as a result of the proposed compensation for the 20 per cent. rates contribution.

  Mr. Scott
  The numbers entitled to income-related benefits from April 1988 will be dependent on the rates of benefit that will operate from then. These are still to he decided.

  Tay Sachs Disease
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the future of testing for Tay Sachs disease; and if he will give an assurance that adequate funds will be made available for the continuation of such tests.

  Mrs. Currie
  Four letters have been received this year about the future of screening for Tay Sachs disease at the regional genetics centre at Guy's hospital in London. The funding of' tests for genetic disorders, such as Tay Sachs disease, is a matter for district health authorities to determine.

  Social Fund (Manual)
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the organisations which commented on the "Social Fund Manual: Draft Guidance arid Directions for Department of Health and Social Security Social Fund Officers."

  Mr. Scott
  A total of 98 organisations commented on the "Social Fund Manual: Draft Guidance and Directions for DHSS Social Fund Officers". The organisations which commented were as follows:

  Age Concern for England

  Age Concern for Scotland

  Alcohol Concern

  Anchor Housing Trust

  Association of Charity Officers

  Association of County Councils

  Association of Directors of Social Services

  Association of Directors of Social Work

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Alone in London Service

  Barnardo's

  Belfast Law Centre

  Brighton Rights Advice Centre

  British Association of Social Workers

  British Refugee Council

  Cadet Advisory Service Ltd.

  Campaign for the Homeless and Rootless and 13 of its members/affiliates

  Care and Repair Ltd.

  Central London Social Security Advisors Forum

  Centrepoint Soho

  Chester Aid to the Homeless

  Child Poverty Action Group plus the Northern Ireland representatives

  Consortium

  Contact (Youth Counselling Service)

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  Crisis at Christmas

  Derwentside Women's Aid

  Disability Alliance

  Disablement Income Group

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Family Fund

  Family Welfare Association

  Hampstead Wells and Camden Trust

  Islington People's Rights

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  Joint Assessment & Resettlement Team—London Area

  Mobility Scheme

  Living Options

  London Borough of Hackney

  London Women's Aid

  Lothian Regional Council

  Maternity Alliance

  MENCAP, the Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults

  MIND, National Association for Mental Health

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and two local offices

  National Association of Probation Officers and four individual Probation Service Offices

  National Consumer Council

  National Council for One Parent Families

  National Federation of Women's Institutes

  North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board

  Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  Northern Ireland Council on Disability

  Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

  Pensioners' Voice, North Wales Area

  Peterloo Housing Association

  Policy Studies Institute

  Portsmouth Council of Community Service

  St. Mungo Housing

  Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  Scottish Association for Mental Health

  Scottish Council for Single Homeless

  Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Scottish Society for the Mentally Handicapped

  Scottish Women's Aid

  Shaftesbury Society

  Social Policy Research Unit

  Social Security Advisory Committee

  Southampton Resettlement Project

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  Special Needs Housing Advisory Service

  Step One—Peterborough Centre for the Unemployed and Unwaged

  Strathclyde Regional Council

  Suffolk County Council, Social Services Department

  Trades Union Congress

  University College Hospital—Terminal Care Support Team

  Voluntary Organisations Personal and Social Services Group

  Welfare Advice and Information Forum

  West End Coordinated Voluntary Services for Homeless Single People

  West Midlands Welfare Rights Agency

  Western Health and Social Services Board

  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the main recommendations that were made by organisations commenting on the "Social Fund Manual: Draft Guidance and Directions for Department of Health and Social Security Social Fund Officers".

  Mr. Scott
  Our purpose in issuing the draft manual for consultation was to obtain the views of key organisations on the operational aspects of the social fund and to test the clarity and comprehensiveness of the text. We have received a wide range of comments and we are giving them careful consideration before preparing the final version of the manual.

  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the comments received from interested organisations on the "Social Fund Manual: Draft Guidance and Directions for Department of Health and Social Security Social Fund Officers".

  Mr. Scott
  No. It is a matter for the organisations which commented on the draft manual to publish their comments and some have already done so.

  Maternity Allowance
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women have been excluded from eligibility for maternity allowance under the new arrangements as compared with the former; and what are the savings to the Exchequer.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is estimated that some 94,000 women who would have been entitled to maternity allowance under the former scheme will not qualify for either statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance under the new arrangements. These will almost entirely be women who were not working when their pregnancies began and for whom an income-replacement benefit was never intended. About 20,000 women with recent work records will qualify for SMP or the allowance for the first time.

  It is estimated that the new arrangements will result in a net reduction in the publicsector borrowing requirement of £13 million in 1987–88 and £23 million in 1988–89.

  Centres for Independent Living
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all the centres for independent living in England; what assistance is provided by his Department for the establishment of such centres: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  There are many local initiatives under way that are attempting to develop the concept of independent living within the community for disabled people. The King's Fund centre has compiled a register of independent living units for people with a physical or sensory handicap, which has over 300 entries. In addition, we are aware that centres for independent living have been set up in Derbyshire, Exeter, Hampshire, Southampton, Nottingham, Greenwich and Waltham Forest.

  Development for this type of facility is a matter for local authorities and health authorities. The Department is, however, providing funds to the Prince of Wales' advisory group for a study of living options for disabled people.

  Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he next intends to meet representatives of the local authority associations to discuss implementation of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  A meeting arranged between my predecessor and representatives of the local authority associations on 2 June had to be cancelled because of the dissolution of Parliament. I have now received a letter from the associations seeking a meeting with me and this will be arranged in the near future.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to take to involve voluntary organisations of and for people with disabilities in planning the implementation of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  My predecessor as Minister for Social Security and Disabled had a useful meeting with the
  117
  steering group established by those organisations on 1 April and I shall be writing to the steering group as soon as possible suggesting a framework for involving voluntary organisations where appropriate in future work on the implementation of the Act.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to lay an order to bring sections 5 and 6 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 into force; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I am unable to add to my replies to the hon. Members for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley), for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) and for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 30 June, at column 75.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what account he is taking of the United Nations world programme of action in the development of his policies towards people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The United Kingdom Government support the overall objectives of the United Nations world programme of action concerning disabled persons and take them into account when developing policies for disabled people.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to amend section 29(6) of the National Assistance Act 1948 in order to empower local authorities to make grants directly to people with disabilities in order that they may employ personal assistants to supplement the assistance they receive from their home helps; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  There are no plans to introduce legislation on the lines proposed by the right hon. Member.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the total grants made by his Department in each of the last five years (a) to voluntary organisations for people with disabilities and (b) to voluntary organisations of people with disabilities; what is his policy towards the development of organisations of people with disabilities and enabling them to play an active role in the formulation of disability-related policies and programmes as recommended by the United Nations world programme of action; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Grants made under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 in each of the last five years(a) to voluntary organisations for people with disabilities are as follows. Disability is understood to cover all aspects of physical, mental and sensory disability or impairment, but figures exclude grants to bodies (for example, those dealing with children and certain medical conditions) which may, incidentally, do some work with disabled people, unless the grant is given specifically for that purpose. The voluntary organisations have been categorised as precisely as possible, but many of these in group (a) have mixed management (both disabled and able-bodied members).
  118

  £

  (a)

  (b)

  1982–83

  2,841,108

  143,050

  1983–84

  3,069,551

  182,100

  1984–85

  3,681,111

  223,000

  1985–86

  3,652,354

  240,100

  1986–87

  3,930,211

  248,000

  The Government have always adopted a positive policy towards the development of organisations of people with disabilities and have whenever appropriate involved such organisations in the policy making process. The British Council of Disabled People and the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation were consulted on the Government's reply to the United National questionnaire on the first round of the monitoring of the implementation of the world programme of action concerning disabled persons during the United Nations decade of disabled persons 1983–1992.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek information on the legislation recently passed in Finland authorising payments directly to people with disabilities for the purpose of employing their own personal assistants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We understand that in Finland legislation providing for the reimbursement by local authorities of expenses incurred by disabled people in the employment of personal help has recently been enacted, and that it will come into general effect on 1 January 1988.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the recommendations of the European meeting in Yugoslavia to mark the mid-point of the Decade of Disabled Persons; what action he intends to take to implement them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The recommendations to which the right hon. Member refers arise out of the meeting of the European regional experts held in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia in March to consider progress on the implementation of the world programme of action concerning disabled persons at the mid-point of the United Nations decade of disabled persons. This was one of several regional meetings held under the auspices of the United Nations.

  A further United Nations global meeting of experts is planned to be held in Stockholm in August, where the reports of the various regional meetings will be considered to enable the Secretary-General to make a report to the 42nd United Nations General Assembly in the autumn of 1987.

  At present the Government have not been asked to respond to the report of the Ljubljana meeting, although we have been provided with a copy of it. We shall of course consider the Secretary-General's report when it is available.

  I have arranged for copies of the report of the European regional meeting to be placed in the Library.

  Greenock and Port Glasgow
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of people in receipt of supplementary benefit in the Greenock and Port Glasgow constituency at the latest available date.
  119
  Mr. Portillo
  The Greenock and Port Glasgow constituency is covered by the two local offices in Greenock and Port Glasgow, but their boundaries are not conterminous. The table shows the number of people receiving supplementary benefit from those offices on 5 May, the latest date for which information is available:

  Number

  Greenock

  112,065

  Port Glasgow

  15,348

  Total

  17,413

  1 Source 100 per cent, count of cases in action.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of people in receipt of unemployment benefit in the Greenock and Port Glasgow constituency at the latest available date.

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

  Number of persons receiving unemployment benefit

  At 12 February 1987

  Number

  Greenock Unemployment Benefit Office

  1,698

  Port Glasgow Unemployment Benefit Office

  886

  Long-term supplementary benefit rate

  November 1977

  April 1987

  Value of April 1987 rates where November 1977 = 100

  £

  £

  Single householder

  17·90

  38·65

  1107·8

  Single non-householder

  14·35

  30·95

  1107·7

  Couple

  28·35

  61·85

  1108·9

  Lower rate heating addition

  30·80

  2·20

  2147·7

  Long-term supplementary benefit rate

  November 1977

  April 1987

  Rate

  4Percentage of average earnings

  Rate

  4' 5Percentage of average earnings

  £

  Gross

  Net

  £

  Gross

  Net

  Single householder

  17·90

  23·6

  34·6

  38·65

  20·6

  29·1

  Single non-householder

  14·35

  19·0

  27·7

  30·95

  16·5

  23·3

  Couple

  28·35

  37·5

  51·5

  61·85

  33·0

  44·3

  Lower rate heating addition

  0·80

  1·1

  1·5

  2·20

  1·2

  1·6

  1 Based on the increase in the full retail prices index exclusive of housing costs.

  2 Based on the increase in the fuel element of the retail prices index.

  3 Prior to 1980, heating additions were given at the discretion of the Supplementary Benefits Commission which laid down the criteria for payment at standard rates. In November 1977 the rate equivalent to the present lower rate addition was 80p.

  4 Earnings of male manual workers.

  5 Provisional.

  AIDS
  Sir David Price
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for the number of AIDS patients known to his Department; and how many of these have died.

  Mr. Newton
  The Department announced on 6 July that a total of 870 cases of AIDS, including 490 deaths, had been reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre by the end of June.

  Sir David Price
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional resources have now been received

  Heating Allowance
  Mr. Hume
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement outlining the original data on which the figures for fuel contained in Regulation 18(3) of the Supplementary Benefits (Requirements) Regulations were based, the reasons for choosing such a base and the criteria upon which these have been uprated.

  Mr. Portillo
  Deductions from eligible housing costs in respect of inclusive charges for fuel are based on those formerly determined by the Supplementary Benefits Commission, between 1970 and 1979. These in turn were derived from data obtained from the family expenditure survey on the average expenditure on fuel by all pensioner householders in a particular quarter.

  Since 1980 these figures have, where appropriate, been increased in line with movements in the fuel component of the retail price index.

  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the value in real terms of the supplementary pension rates, including the lower rate of heating addition, for a single or married pensioner after the April 1987 uprating, compared with their value after the 1977 uprating; and what is the difference between the percentage of average earnings at the time represented by the 1977 and 1987 rates.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is as follows:

  by the district health authorities concerned to finance the cost of the drug AZT prescribed for the treatment of AIDS patients.

  Mr. Newton
  The Government have allocated an additional £1·6 million towards the costs of Retrovir (AZT) to the three Thames regional health authorities, which are caring for 75 per cent. of reported AIDS cases. £1 million was allocated to North West Thames RHA, £400,000 to North East Thames RHA and £200,000 to South East Thames RHA. It is for the regions to decide the allocation of the additional funding to their districts.
  121
  Sir David Price
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of people in the United Kingdom who are HIV positive; and what percentage are likely to develop the full AIDS condition.

  Mr. Newton
  Our current estimate is that about 30,000–40,000 people in the United Kingdom are infected with HIV and that about 30 per cent. of these will develop AIDS within five years. We do not yet have the experience on which to estimate the proportion who will develop AIDS over a longer time period.

  Brain Scanning
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the guidelines for the use of brain scanning for victims of road accidents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Decisions on the use of brain scanners for any medical purpose is for the clinical judgment of the doctors concerned. Departmental guidance is not issued.

  Walton Hospital, Liverpool
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the provision of beds at the neurosurgical unit at Liverpool Walton hospital.

  Mrs. Currie
  The provision of beds at the neurosciences unit at Walton hospital is the responsibility of the Mersey regional health authority. However, I understand that an extra £216,000 has been invested to introduce a six-bed intensive care unit, which opened in November 1986, and later this year an extra £200,000 will be used to fund an additional six beds, in association with the appointment of a new consultant. The hon. Member may wish to write to the regional chairman for further details.

  Cancer Screening
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an urgent independent inquiry into errors made by the Liverpool area health authority between March 1983 and December 1985 concerning cervical cancer screening in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 2 July, at columns 146–47.

  Pensions
  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has in relation to each of the countries of the European Community and each of the other countries with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement on social security, as to the minimum qualifying condition for (a) a full pension and (b) a minimum pension for (i) people resident in that country and (ii) people resident in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Scott
  In respect of EC nationals covered by the Community's social security regulations, rights to retirement pension acquired in one country are maintained on moving to another member state. Under the agreements the United Kingdom has with most of the countries listed there are provisions either for maintaining pension rights for someone who moves residence or for counting insurance in the United Kingdom towards the 122
  qualifying conditions for pension in the other country, and vice versa. The exact position depends on the individual's circumstances, on the terms of the agreement and on the characteristics of the other country's system. For EC countries, the main qualifying conditions for pension are given in the Department's publication, "Tables of Social Benefit Systems—the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1986)", a copy of which is in the Library. Such information as is readily available for the other countries is contained in the publication by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, "Social Security Programs throughout the World—1985". A copy of this, too, is in the Library.

  Countries with which United Kingdom has a social security agreement (excluding EC member states) including provisions relating to pensions:

  Australia

  Austria

  Bermuda

  Canada

  Cyprus

  Finland

  Iceland

  Isle of Man

  Israel

  Jamaica

  Jersey and Guernsey

  Malta

  Mauritius

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Turkey

  United States of America

  Yugoslavia

  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secreary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the basic full retirement pension for (a) a single person and (b) a couple in each of the countries of the European Community and in each of the other countries with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement on social security.

  Mr. Scott
  Most countries of the European Community, and most of those with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal social security agreement covering pensions, do not recognise the concept of a basic retirement pension. The pension is usually related to an individual's own record of contributions and earnings between certain limits, much like the United Kingdom's state earnings-related pension, and may thus vary widely even for those with an unbroken contribution history. Full or maximum pension would depend on continuous earnings and contributions at the highest possible level within the particular scheme. Some but not all, countries have a minimum pension within the earnings-related scheme for those with contributions over a specified number of years, designed to protect people on low earnings. This may be most closely compared with the United Kingdom basic pension. However, international comparisons of one element of social security support cannot reliably be made. Account has to be taken also of the existence of other forms of assistance—such as occupational pensions and help with housing costs whose availability varies widely between countries.

  A fuller explanation of the difficulties involved in making this type of comparison is contained in my letter of 23 June 1987 to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn). The text of the letter is as follows:

  123
  "I am sorry we were unable to reply before the dissolution to the Question you set down in April about the level of United Kingdom pensions as compared with pensions and earnings in other EC countries. This letter explains why a cut-and-dried answer is not possible, and gives the best information we have.
  Ministers of all parties have previously declined to answer questions of this kind, on the grounds that the great difference between pension and other social protection systems in different countries rendered valid comparisons impossible. In view of the very misleading publicity in the press and elsewhere about pensions in Britain and Europe, we decided on this occasion to depart from the usual practice and we asked officials to research a more precise answer. The work has taken some time to complete, and bears out the reasons for previous refusals to draw comparisons.
  The major difficulty in making any reliable comparisons is that the United Kingdom is unusual in providing a basic pension unrelated to an individual's previous earnings. Only Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands have fiat-rate pensions of broadly the same type. In other EC countries, pensions are related to the individual's own contributions and earnings between set limits—like our own earnings-related pension—and there is accordingly a wide variation in the amount of benefit received. People on low earnings or with a poor work record receive correspondingly low pensions. Someone on average or above-average earnings will get a higher amount. Pensions are not normally related to national average earnings, and it is quite misleading to compare—as the press sometimes does—the pension available to a German or a Frenchman who has been on national average earnings with the British basic pension. In neither case does the figure actually represent the benefit received by most pensioners.
  The other difficulty with your specific question is that the basic pension is not itself the only form of state pension provision in this country. About 6·5 million pensioners have graduated pension, which can add about £5 to the basic level. About 1·7 million now have earnings-related additional pension, which can add over £20 to the pensions of a man retiring this year who has been on average earnings. The average earnings-related pension awarded is much lower, because most new pensioners have not consistently earned at the national average level. These variations in United Kingdom provision give some indication of the problems when comparing with countries whose schemes are wholly earnings-related.
  Further points to take into account are, firstly, that the United Kingdom is unique in paying a pension in her own right to a married woman, even if she has made no contributions herself. Dependency additions payable in other EC countries are generally speaking much less generous. Secondly, no deductions are made from United Kingdom pensions, whereas some countries, such as France, require pensioners to pay health contributions. Thirdly, occupational pensions are an integral part of the United Kingdom system and are received by some 70 per cent. of recently-retired couples. They are much less significant in most other EC countries, particularly at lower levels of earnings. Fourthly, our pension system is backed by a comprehensive national system of means-tested help for those on lower incomes, for both special needs and regular housing costs. Whilst some EC countries have extra help of this kind, the systems tend to be local and more limited than ours. It is difficult to obtain good information about such schemes, and indeed about average pensions in payment in other EC countries. This is largely because in many EC countries the pension and benefit systems are not centrally administered and good statistics are not held.
  In view of these complications, you will appreciate why we have found difficulty in providing a straightforward answer to your question. Some EC countries do however have, within their earnings-related pension scheme, a minimum pension payable to those who have satisfied certain contribution conditions. Such a provision is by no means—universal Germany, for example, has no minimum—but where it exists it seems the best proxy for our basic pension. The contribution conditions vary markedly—50 years of full contribution in the Netherlands (which has a flat-rate but no earnings-related system) against as few as 15 in Italy and about 44 for a man in the United Kingdom. Subject to this
  124
  caveat, however, it appears that on this basis our basic pension is about fifth in value in Europe. (Cash values have of course been adjusted to take account of differences in purchasing power.) But I must stress that in terms of overall benefit support for pensioners the comparison is inadequate. Taking account of all sources of support for pensioners, the European Statistical Bureau shows the United Kingdom to spend a higher share of GDP on the elderly than any EC country except Denmark and perhaps France.
  You also asked for information on contribution levels. I am afraid that once again there is no clear-cut answer. The United Kingdom has a single contribution covering all benefits. Most EC countries have separate contributions for groups of benefits, since the insurance system is not unified. Denmark, on the other hand, meets most of the cost of social security from general taxation, and benefits are not contribution-related. It is however possible to make a rough estimate of the share of our total NI contribution of 19·45 per cent. (employee and employer combined) required to fund selected benefits. On this basis, it is clear that our contribution rates for pension, widows' and invalidity benefits are among the lowest in Europe.
  I think you will see from the foregoing that a neat tabulation of comparative benefit and contribution levels is simply not possible. What is clear is that the total package of care going to pensioners in Britain is among the best in Europe, and that the picture on the basic pension alone is much better than some commentators have claimed."

  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has in relation to each of the countries of the European Community and each of the other countries with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement on social security as to whether the retirement pension is paid on the basis of working, of working and paying contributions, or of residence;

  (2) what information he has in relation to each of the countries of the European Community and each of the other countries with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement on social security as to the minimum age at which state retirement pension can be received by (a) men and (b) women.

  Mr. Scott
  For countries within the European Community I refer the hon. Member to section IV of the Department's publication, "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1986)", a copy of which is in the Library. For the other countries (listed as follows) with which the United Kingdom has an agreement on social security I refer the hon. Member to the publication by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, "Social Security Programs Throughout the World—1985". A copy of this, too, is in the Library.

  Countries with which United Kingdom has a social security agreement (excluding European Community member states) including provisions relating to pensions:

  Australia

  Austria

  Bermuda

  Canada

  Cyprus

  Finland

  Iceland

  Isle of Man

  Israel

  Jamaica

  Jersey and Guernsey

  Malta

  Mauritius

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  125

  Turkey

  United States of America

  Yugoslavia

  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the value in real terms of the basic retirement pension for a single person and a married couple, as a proportion of (a) average gross male manual earnings, (b) average net male manual earnings, (c) average male earnings, whole economy and (d) average earnings of men and women, whole economy, compared with their value after the November 1977 uprating.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is shown in the tables. Table 1 expresses the basic pension rate as a proportion of average gross earnings, and table 2 shows the rate as a proportion of average net earnings for each of the three earnings indices specified in the question.

  Table 1: Basic pension as a proportion of average gross earnings

  Per cent.

  November 1977

  April 19872

  Single Person

  Male manual earnings

  23·1

  21·1

  All male earnings

  21·0

  17·7

  Whole economy earnings1

  23·6

  19·9

  Married Couple

  Male manual earnings

  37·0

  33·7

  All male earnings

  33·6

  28·4

  Whole economy earnings1

  37·7

  31·8

  1 Average earnings of all employees, all occupations.

  2 Based on provisional April earnings figures.

  Table 2: Basic pension as a proportion of average net3 earnings

  Per cent.

  November 1977

  April 19872

  Single Person

  Male manual earnings

  33·8

  29·8

  All male earnings

  31·0

  28·4

  Whole economy earnings1

  34·3

  28·3

  Married Couple4

  Male manual earnings

  50·8

  45·3

  All male earnings

  46·8

  38·9

  1 Average earnings of all employees, all occupations.

  2 Based on provisional April earnings figures.

  3 Earnings net of national insurance contributions at the contracted in rate and of tax.

  4 It is not possible accurately to express the married couple's pension as a proportion of the net combined earnings of male and female employees because of the differences in tax treatment of men and women.

  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to make allowance in the Government's proposals for planned public expenditure in 1988–89 and subsequent years for the cost of increasing pensions by more than the rate of increase in the retail prices index; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Detailed public expenditure decisions for 1988–89 and later years have yet to be taken. Any consideration of an increase in public expenditure for the purpose suggested would need to take account of a number of factors, including the high level of real increase in pensioners' average net total income in recent years.

  Board and Lodging Payments
  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications have been made to him for exemption from the time limits for supplementary benefit payments for board and lodging on grounds of exceptional hardship; and with what results in each month since the time limits were imposed.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is as follows:

  Month

  Applications decided

  Exempted

  1985

  November

  none

  —

  December

  1

  —

  1986

  January

  10

  4

  February

  19

  3

  March

  27

  7

  April

  24

  3

  May

  14

  4

  June

  21

  5

  July

  13

  2

  August

  19

  5

  September

  14

  3

  October

  18

  8

  November

  14

  3

  December

  19

  7

  1987

  January

  16

  4

  February

  11

  2

  March

  11

  4

  April

  14

  3

  Mav

  5

  1

  June

  12

  3

  282

  71

  Earnings
  Mrs. Beckett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the increase in average earnings is calculated for the purpose of revaluing earnings factors; and whether there have been any changes in the method of calculation or the earnings index used.

  Mr. Scott
  The increase in average earnings for the purpose of the annual Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order is based on the change in whole-economy average earn not seasonally adjusted, measured between December and December of each year. Minor technical changes were made in 1984 in the index used, as a result of revision of earnings indices by the Department of Employment. In 1983 the method of applying the revaluation percentage to earlier years was adjusted to prevent the risk of cumulative rounding errors as the series of revaluations lengthens.

  Mentally Handicapped Children
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to ensure that his predecessor's pledge to remove all mentally handicapped children from long-stay hospitals by the end of 1987 is achieved.

  Mrs. Currie
  The specific target announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Fowler), the then Secretary of State, and set for health authorities in health circular HC(87) 7 March 1987 is that
  127
  "by the end of 1988 alternative provision should have been made so that no mentally handicapped child receiving long-term care should need to live in a large mental handicap hospital".

  From the detailed information about such children provided by regional health authority chairmen last year, it is clear that alternative provision is already being made or planned for all but a small minority of mentally handicapped children still in hospital who may have particular health care needs. We are following up progress.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many children were placed in long-stay mental handicap hospitals for short-stay or respite care in the last 12 months; for how long they stayed there on average, for every health district; and what alternative community provision, including specialist fostering, is available for such children in each health district and each social services authority;

  (2) how many children, by yearly age breakdown, are living in mental handicap hospitals in each health district; and how many of these children now have been jointly assessed by the appropriate local education authority, health authority and social services department.

  Mrs. Currie
  I shall let my hon. Friend have as much information as is available as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has any plans for encouraging voluntary organisations to develop community-based services for children who currently live in mental handicap hospitals; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will introduce measures to make it financially attractive for local authorities to develop appropriate community services for children currently living in mental handicap hospitals, including those with multi-handicaps and behaviour problems; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is his estimate of the number of mentally or multi-handicapped children who will always require residential health provision.

  Opencast Coal Mining Appeals by County

  Date

  Result

  Derbyshire

  6 November 1978

  Newbold, Chesterfield

  Dismissed

  8 February 1979

  Snowden Lane, Troway

  Allowed

  28 February 1986

  Barnabas, Clay Cross

  Allowed

  28 January 1987

  Kirk, nr. Marehay

  Dismissed

  25 March 1987

  Clay Cross

  Allowed

  25 March 1987

  Clay Cross

  Dismissed

  Durham

  28 July 1976

  Colepike Farm, Ianchester

  Allowed

  16 February 1977

  Royal Oak Farm, Darlington

  Allowed

  17 February 1977

  Cowley and West Kindon Farms, Bishop Auckland

  Allowed

  28 April 1977

  Roddymore, nr. Crook

  Allowed

  9 August 1979

  Newbiggin Moor Farm, nr. Heighington

  Allowed

  24 March 1980

  Hill Top Farm, East Stanley

  Allowed

  19 August 1980

  Billy Hill, nr. Stanley

  Allowed

  10 October 1980

  Martinfield, Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

  Allowed

  19 November 1980

  Sunniside, Tow Law

  Allowed

  6 February 1981

  Park House Farm, Oakenshaw

  Allowed

  1 February 1982

  Job's Hill, Crook

  Dismissed

  21 February 1985

  Hilton Moor, Evenwood Gate

  Dismissed

  28 May 1985

  Hill House Farm, Witton-le-Wear

  Dismissed

  7 February 1986

  Hilton Moor, Evenwood Gate

  Allowed

  12 August 1986

  Whiteside Farm, Derwentside

  Dismissed

  8 May 1987

  Rosehills, Stanley

  Dismissed

  128
  Mrs. Currie
  Voluntary organisations have already since 1982 been encouraged through our Department's pound for pound scheme to make alternative provision in the community for mentally handicapped children from hospitals. Health authorities are able to transfer both short-term and continuing funding to help local authorities and voluntary organisations for this purpose. The Department has made £10·5 million available from central funds to district health authorities for 37 homelike projects in the community for children who requirecontinuous residential health care, and health authorities are also planning such care for most of the children still in hospital, including those with multi-handicaps and behaviour problems. It is not possible to estimate the total number of mentally or multi-handicapped children who will always require such care.

  Supplementary Benefit
  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the payment of higher rates of supplementary benefit to residents of small private homes for three or fewer residents.

  Mr. Scott
  Homes with fewer than four residents fall outside the registration system for residential care homes, but regulations provide that the same levels of benefit can notwithstanding be paid in such homes. The intention of the present regulations has been that this should occur only in homes providing a comparable service to those which are registered. Because some doubt has arisen as to whether they in fact achieve that effect, I have today laid draft regulations which seek to remove that doubt.

ENVIRONMENT

  Opencast Coal Mining
  Mr. Cummings
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by county for each year, since and including 1976, the opencast coal mining applications that have been considered by him on appeal, and the result of those appeals in each case.

  Mr. Trippier
  The available information is as follows:
  129

  Date

  Result

  Gloucestershire

  31 October 1984

  Former Lightmoor Colliery, nr. Cinderford

  Dismissed

  5 August 1986

  Oakenhill Wood, Parkend

  Dismissed

  19 February 1987

  Oakenhill Wood. Parkend

  Allowed

  Greater Manchester

  29 December 1978

  Foggbrook Quarry, Stockport

  Dismissed

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  10 June 1980

  Hunthouse Farm, Mamble

  Dismissed

  23 March 1982

  Hunthouse Farm, Mamble

  Dismissed

  Leicestershire

  6 June 1986

  Pot Kiln Farm

  Allowed

  Northumberland

  24 June 1985

  Stiddle Hill, Ridsdale

  Allowed

  3 March 1986

  Land East of Spina Road, Backworth

  Allowed

  9 April 1986

  Pit Field, Cramlington

  Dismissed

  26 June 1986

  Plenmeller, nr. Haltwhistle

  Allowed

  South Yorkshire

  25 May 1978

  Harthill

  Allowed

  7 May 1980

  Hermit Hill, Wortley

  Allowed

  25 March 1982

  Barugh, Barnsley

  Allowed

  9 November 1986

  Waverley East, Rotherham

  Allowed

  Staffordshire

  11 December 1986

  Bilston, Wolverhampton

  Allowed

  23 February 1987

  Streets Lane, Cheslyn Hay

  Allowed

  31 March 1987

  High Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme

  Allowed

  Tyne and Wear

  25 January 1980

  Butterlaw Farm, Newcastle

  Dismissed

  16 April 1980

  Penshaw Junction, Cox Green

  Allowed

  22 March 1982

  Wagonway, Backworth

  Dismissed

  30 July 1982

  Butterlaw Farm, Newcastle

  Allowed

  13 August 1986

  Land East of Butterlaw Farm

  Allowed

  24 October 1986

  Barlow Lane, Gateshead

  Dismissed

  West Midlands

  23 March 1987

  Ryders Hayes, Walsall

  Dismissed

  West Yorkshire

  24 June 1982

  Sanderson Lane, Rothwell

  Dismissed

  Notes:

  (1) Information is available only in respect of these cases recovered for the Secretary of State's jurisdiction.

  (2) Prior to March 1 1984 the NCB obtained authorisation for opencast operations from the Secretary of State for Energy and the appeals procedures under the 1971 Town and Country Planning Act did not apply. Prior to March 1 1984 the statistics relate only to private sector operators.

  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Michael Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average non-domestic rate poundage in England and Wales for 1987–88; and if he will list those local authorities with (a) the highest and (b) the lowest rate poundages in England and Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  The average non-domestic rate poundage in England and Wales in 1987–88 is 224·8p. The authority with the highest non-domestic poundage in England and Wales is Manchester at 354·5p and the authority with the lowest is Kensington and Chelsea at 117·4p.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the annual estimated receipts from non-domestic rates in England and Wales for 1987–88.

  Mr. Howard
  The annual receipts from non-domestic rates in England and Wales in 1987–88 are estimated to be £8·6 billion.

  Drinking Water
  Sir Dudley Smith
  Asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current policy of his Department towards the European Community drinking water directive setting maxi num levels for various substances in drinking water; how the United Kingdom compares in compliance with its European Community partners in this respect; how many derogations are currently in operation in the United Kingdom and where; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government welcome the European Community drinking water directive as a very useful measure for maintaining and improving drinking water quality. Although the directive has been fully implemented in the United Kingdom, it is not yet possible to make comparison with other member states as most are in the process of implementation or are still preparing legislation. Implementation has highlighted some features of the directive which required review and we are pressing
  131
  the Commission on this. The following table provides information about derogations in England either given by my Department or sought from the European Commission.

  Total number of derogations given under article 9(1) (a) or sought under article 20

  Water authority area1

  Number

  Anglian

  77

  Northumbrian

  8

  North West

  23

  Severn-Trent

  51

  Southern

  4

  South West

  38

  Thames

  12

  Wessex

  —

  Yorkshire

  59

  272

  1 Includes statutory water companies.

  Many of these derogations will no longer be needed in 1990 in view of improvements now under way or planned. A temporary derogation has also been requested until December 1989 for certain parts of the United Kingdom in respect of the lead parameter and until 1995 for private supplies for the microbiological and lead parameters.

  Responsibility for this subject in other parts of the United Kingdom rests with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Queen's Speech
  Mr. Thurnham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about proposals in the Queen's Speech for which he has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have received many such representations from a wide range of sources, all of which have been carefully considered.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the identification of title to land may be a complicating factor in urban development corporations aggregating areas of derelict land for redevelopment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Identification of title to land has not been a major obstacle to the assembly of land by urban development corporations.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money he plans to allocate to urban development corporations for inner city rehabilitation during each of the next five years; and what role he anticipates the private sector will play in their operations.

  Mr. Trippier
  Planned spending by urban development corporations until the financial year 1989–90 was set out in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1987–88 to 1989–90" (Cm. 56-II, table 3.10.10).

  The private sector will have a crucial role to play in bringing its skills and resources to bear in the regeneration of these areas.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the seven urban
  132
  development corporations so far established; and if he will give a general description of their geographical area within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information is as follows.

  The members of the six urban development corporations in England are:

  Black Country DC

  Mr. Bill Francis (Chairman), Mrs. Jean Denton (Deputy Chairman), Councillor Joe Adams, Councillor Eric Alison, Mr. Charles Darby, Mr. Roy Kettle, Mr. Graham McKenzie, Councillor Ray Partridge, Mr. Paul Sabapathy, Mr. Michael Worley.

  London Docklands DC

  Mr. Christopher Benson (Chairman), Mr. John Mills (Deputy Chairman), Mr. Alan Benjamin, Mrs. Jennifer d'Abo, Sir Andrew Derbyshire, Sir John Garlick, Councillor Jonathon Matthews, Mr. Lewis Moss, Mr. Dennis Stevenson, Mr. Reg Ward.

  Merseyside DC

  Mr. Donald Foster (Chairman), Mr. John Smith (Deputy Chairman), Professor Graham Ashworth, Professor Noel Boaden, Mr. John Leighton Boyce, Mr. Philip Carter, Councillor Thomas Glover, Councillor John Hale, Mr. Clive Lewis, Dr. John Ritchie.

  Teesside DC

  Mr. Ron Norman (Chairman), Mr. Jack Dormand ( Deputy Chairman), Councillor Michael Carr, Mr. Alan Cherry, Mr. Nigel Clark, Mrs Diana Eccles, Councillor Bryan Hanson, Mr. Roger Kingdon, Mr. Andrew Russell, Mr. John Sutcliffe, Councillor Laurie Wild.

  Trafford Park DC

  Mr. Peter Hadfield (Chairman), Mr. Anthony Russell (Deputy Chairman ). Councillor Barry Brotherton, Mr. Peter Collins, Mr. Hugh Richards, Mr. Hamish Stewart, Councillor Colin Warbrick.

  Tyne and Wear DC'

  Mr. Paul Nicholson (Chairman), Mr. John Ward (Deputy Chairman), Mr. Graeme Anderson, Mr. John Barnsley, Councillor John Donnelly, Mr. John Hall, Dr. Ralph Iley, Mr. Joe Mills, Councillor Bert Moore. Councillor Septimus Robinson.

  Cardiff Bay DC is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  The orders establishing the UDCs give a general description of their geographical areas.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the powers of the urban development corporations under part XVI of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 to discharge their functions in areas of planning where their views conflict with those of local authorities.

  Mr. Trippier
  Since 1981 the London Docklands Development Corporation and the Merseyside Development Corporation have discharged their functions successfully under the 1980 Act.

  Ms. Armstrong
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the members appointed to urban development corporations; and if he will state the annual remuneration paid to each member.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, North (Sir T. Skeet) in which I listed the members of UDCs.

  Members of urban development corporations are generally part-time. The chairmen and deputy chairmen

  133
  are remunerated at a level reflecting their time commitment, which may vary. Members receive a flat rate. except Mr. Ward (LDDC) and Dr. Ritchie (MDC) who receive salaries as chief executives of their respective corporations.

  The chairman and deputy chairman of London Docklands Development Corporation are currently paid £27,096 a year and £16,616 a year, respectively, on the basis of a time commitment of two days a week. Members receive £4.515 a year.

  The chairmen of the other five corporations in England each currently receive £18,146 on the basis of two days a week, except for the chairman of the Tyne and Wear DC who received £13,610 on the basis of one and a-half days a week. The deputy chairmen of the five corporations each currently receive £6,158 a year on the basis of one day a week, except the deputy chairman of the Black Country DC who currently receives £12,316 a year on the basis of two days a week.

  Ms. Armstrong
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria for selection he has used in making appointments to urban development corporations.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend has selected board members on the basis of their ability to do the job. He has included members who have a special knowledge of the locality and appropriate business or professional experience.

  Colne Valley (Listed Buildings)
  Mr. Riddick
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many domestic properties in the Colne Valley constituency are currently categorised as listed buildings;

  (2) how many domestic properties were categorised as listed buildings in the Colne Valley consttuency in 1980;

  (3) how many industrial properties were categorised as listed buildings in the Colne Valley constituency in 1980;

  (4) how many industrial properties in the Colne Valley constituency arc currently categorised as listed buildings.

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

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking within his proposals for the future development of both public and private sector housing to ensure adequate provision for the housing needs of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We intend to bring forward proposals for reform of the home improvement grant system, including grants for home adaptations for people with disabilities. We shall consider the needs of disabled people in developing our other proposals for improving the range and quality of housing choice.

  Effluent Standards
  Mr. Greg Knight
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve effluent standards in British rivers.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government have already published proposals to introduce statutory river quality 134
  objectives to which effluent standards must conform, and generally to strenghten and update water pollution control legislation. The establishment in April of a water inspection arm within Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and the decision to establish a National Rivers Authority will further strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of such standards.

  River Water Quality
  Mr. Greg Knight
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the standard of sewage works discharges and with the effectiveness and methods of sampling water quality in rivers.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend is not satisfied with the standard of sewage works discharges. Some 1,000 sewage works in England and Wales fail to meet their statutory consent conditions and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution will be asking the water authorities to consider how they will remedy their present breaches of those conditions.

  My right hon. Friend is aware that problems with the assessment of river water quality became apparent from the 1985 river quality survey. He has arranged for the methodology of the survey to be reviewed, bearing in mind the recommendations of the Environment Committee in its report "Pollution of Rivers and Estuaries" (House of Commons 183). The Department will be discussing with the water industry the improvements that might be made.

  Footballers (European Court Action)
  Mr. Pendry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what support he is giving football authorities in the action at the European Court over attempts to prevent further movement of English and Welsh footballers to European clubs.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I understand there is no European Court action concerning this matter. I am aware, however, that the football authorities of member states met a representative of the European Commission on 29 and 30 June to discuss the free movement of professional football players within the European Community.

  The outcome of this meeting is essentially for European football authorities.

  Brixham Harbour (Development)
  Mr. Steen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he proposes to use in deciding whether to call in the planning application for a proposed marina and housing development in Brixham harbour, currently before Torbay district council; and, in particular, what emphasis he proposes to attach to the balance of local opinion.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I shall be using the criteria set out in the Department's circular 2/81. The Government's general approach is not to interfere with the jurisdiction of the local planning authority unless it is necessary to do so. Each case must be considered on its individual merits.

  We will therefore continue to be very selective about calling in cases for our decision, and applications will in general be called in only if planning issues of more than local importance are involved. such cases may include, for example, those which in our opinion could have wide

  135
  effects beyond their immediate locality, which give rise to substantial regional or national controversy which may conflict with national policy on important matters, and those where the interests of national security or of foreign Governments may be involved.

  Council Tenants (Accommodation)
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the level of satisfaction amongst council tenants with their accommodation.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We intend to provide council tenants with the right to opt for another landlord, which some will choose to exercise and some will not. That will give the best indication of tenant satisfaction.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the deficiency in the quantity of housing available for renting in London by reference to the number of households needing rented accommodation; what research is being carried out in his Department on the deficiency; and when he will report on the results of such research.

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

  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to publish a Green Paper or a White Paper on the Government's proposals for rented housing; and what plans he has to consult local authorities over those proposals.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are considering this matter.

  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence is available to his Department

  Per cent, households

  Satisfactory dwellings

  Unsatisfactory dwellings

  Fit

  Unfit

  All amenities but medium disrepair

  Lacking amenities plus low or medium disrepair

  Serious disrepair

  Lower medium disrepair

  Serious disrepair

  Owner occupiers

  75

  15

  1

  3

  3

  3

  Private tenants

  45

  20

  3

  9

  10

  13

  Local authority tenants

  84

  11

  3

  —

  1

  1

  Housing Association tenants

  80

  9

  1

  —

  3

  7

  Not known

  75

  14

  —

  8

  4

  —

  All tenures

  76

  13

  2

  3

  3

  3

  An idea of occupants' commitment to their housing was obtained by asking those occupants who saw that there was something wrong with their home what they intended to do about it. The replies are summarised in the following table.

  Per cent, of households

  Action intended

  Owner occupiers

  Private tenants

  LA and HA tenants

  No action intended

  32

  49

  34

  Will do something sometime

  34

  12

  11

  Intend to get it done soon

  23

  6

  5

  136
  on the relative performance of local authorities and private landlords as regards (a) the level of vacant property, (b) the condition of the property, (c) rent arrears, (d) fairness in lettings and allocation procedures and (e) harassment; and if he has any plans for undertaking any research on these matters.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Information on the condition of dwellings rented from local authorities and from private landlords and housing associations was published in the "English House Condition Survey 1981: Part I Report on the physical condition survey". Results of the 1986 survey are not yet available.

  There is no comparative evidence on the other aspects of performance.

  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government plan to introduce right to rent, giving any person the right, enforceable in law, to have a house to rent.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No

  Property Statistics
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has carried out on the level of commitment on the part of (a) council tenants, (b) owner-occupiers and (c) private tenants to their property and as to how such a commitment is reflected in the physical condition of their property.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Information on the physical condition of housing, occupants' views about their housing and their intended action come from the "English house condition survey". This is a quinquennial survey conducted by the Department of the Environment.

  The 1981 survey showed the following breakdown of physical condition by tenure.

  Action intended

  Owner occupiers

  Private tenants

  LA and HA tenants

  Already arranged to get it done

  11

  4

  9

  Have/will approach landlord

  —

  29

  41

  All households

  100

  100

  100

  Assured Tenancies
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the environment what is his assessment of the current average rent for assured tenancies in (a) central London, (b) inner London and (c) outer London.
  137
  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is not available in the form requested. The mean rent for assured tenancies in Greater London at 1 April 1986 was £2,501 per annum.

  Private Rented Housing
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what evidence is available in his Department on the relationship between rent restriction and unfitness and disrepair in privately rented housing;

  (2) what evidence is available to his Department on the effect of relaxing rent restrictions on privately rented housing on the supply of such housing.

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

  Council Housing
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will remove housing controls on local authorities to allow them to bring their council housing up to acceptable standards.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. There are a number of methods of financing renovation, including bringing in private sector resources.

  The Government must continue to control the overall local authority borrowing requirement in order to protect the national economy.

  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department is carrying out on the effect on council tenants transferring their existing tenancy to a private landlord on the quality of management and maintenance of rented property in London, particularly as regards the level of vacancy and the physical condition of the property.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I shall answer this question shortly.

  Tenants (Legislation)
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government have any plans to legislate for (a) the right for a council tenant to have her home renovated to modern standards, (b) the right for a private tenant to have his home renovated to modern standards, (c) the right for a private or housing association tenant to transfer to a local authority or (d) the right for a council tenant who has chosen to transfer to a private landlord to transfer back to the local authority.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Every landlord, public or private, has a duty under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 138
  1985 to keep dwellings in repair and this duty is enforceable in the courts. All dwellings must be kept up to a minimum standard under public health legislation. In addition, secure tenants under the Housing Act 1985 have a right to repair and, if they obtain their landlord's consent, can carry out improvements and be reimbursed their costs. We have no plans to legislate to alter these rights and duties. We do not intend to legislate as in (c) and (d).

  Housing Action Trusts
  Mr. Boateng
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if tenants will be consulted or balloted before any transfer to the proposed housing action trusts.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The detailed arrangements for setting up and running housing action trusts, including arrangements for consultation, are still under consideration.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library the Government's study of the expected numbers of community charge payers as a proportion of those obliged to pay.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall answer this question shortly.

  Pension Schemes
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to provide further protection to beneficiaries of local authority pension schemes against trustees who invest the funds of pension schemes into investments involving undue risk; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will issue advice to local authorities about the investment of their pension funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1987, c. 194]: The way in which pension funds are invested is of considerable concern to local ratepayers who are required to make good any deficiencies caused by bad investment. My right hon. Friend is concerned about the way in which some local authorities invested fund moneys in the News on Sunday which is now in receivership and is considering whether additional safeguards are necessary.

  The interests of employees or pensioners are not directly affected since their benefits are secured by statute.

  SOUTH AFRICA: BILATERAL AID PROGRAMME
  SOUTH AFRICA: BILATERAL AID PROGRAMME
  DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: UN REPORT
  DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: UN REPORT
  NORTHERN IRELAND STATE FORESTRY: RATIONALISATION
  NORTHERN IRELAND STATE FORESTRY: RATIONALISATION
  SCHOOL-LEAVERS: ASSESSMENT
  SCHOOL-LEAVERS: ASSESSMENT
  POUNC REPORT: CRITICISMS
  POUNC REPORT: CRITICISMS
  PAROLE SYSTEM
  PAROLE SYSTEM
  POLLING STATIONS: ACCESS FOR DISABLED
  POLLING STATIONS: ACCESS FOR DISABLED
  RADIOACTIVITY IN SCOTTISH LAMBS: MONITORING
  RADIOACTIVITY IN SCOTTISH LAMBS: MONITORING
  FISHERIES PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT SERVICE: SCRUTINY REPORT
  FISHERIES PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT SERVICE: SCRUTINY REPORT