Written Answers of 9 July 1987

ENERGY

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants are employed by his Department in (a) London and the south-east, (b) the south-west. (c) the midlands and (d) the north of England: and what is the budgeted expenditure of his Department for the current year in each of these regions.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Civil servants are employed in my Department as follows:

  Region

  Number of staff employed

  Budgeted running costs for the current year

  £000

  London and the South-East

  836

  17,650

  The South-West

  6

  100

  The Midlands

  42

  670

  The North of England

  27

  330

EMPLOYMENT

  Health and Safety Executive
  Sir John Farr
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what additional amount of money has been allocated to the Health and Safety Executive in order to enable it to carry out additional duties imposed by the Food and Environment Protection Act.

  Mr. Cope
  For 1987–88 Parliament has voted grant-in-aid for the Health and Safety Executive of £1 million more than was shown as planned provision in the public expenditure White Paper, Cm. 56 and this provision was intended to include the costs of the additional duties imposed by the FEPA. Planned provision for future years is currently under consideration.

  Sir John Farr
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the extra 12 agricultural inspectors required for the Health and Safety Executive to carry out responsibilities under the Food and Environment Protection Act to be appointed.

  Mr. Cope
  The Health and Safety Executive intends to meet its responsibilities for enforcing the Food and Environment Protection Act from within existing staff resources through a re-arrangement of priorities. It is hoped that further recruitment to the agricultural inspectorate will take place later in the year.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Evennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the latest unemployment figures for Erith and Crayford; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. John Lee
  The following information is in the Library. On 14 May 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the Erith and Crayford parliamentary constituency was 3,650.

  Parental Leave
  Ms. Quin
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimates he has of the cost to employers of implementing the European Economic Community proposed directive on parental leave.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There are no precise estimates available, but clearly the directive would be bound to add significantly to employers' costs.

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will consider widening the definition of parental leave to include family leave when implementing the European Community draft directive on parental leave; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he expects the United Kingdom to comply with the provision of the European Community draft directive on parental leave; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government are opposed in principle to this directive, but as it is still at the draft stage no question of implementation or compliance arises.

  Maternity Leave
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will extend the rights to maternity leave to women working for firms with fewer than 10 employees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no specific statutory right to maternity leave. However, an employee can earn an entitlement to statutory maternity payments for a period of up to 18 weeks for her maternity absence and. separately, a right to return to her former job.

  There is no exemption for small firms in the statutory maternity pay provisions. Firms with fewer than six employees are exempt from the obligations to reinstate, but only if it is not reasonably practicable for them to take the employee back. There are no plans to remove this exemption.

  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State tot Employment whether his Department has assessed the effects of the implementation of the White Paper. "Building Businesses—Not Barriers," on the rights to maternity leave of women employed at establishments with 10 or fewer employees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no specific statutory right to maternity leave. However, an employee can earn an entitlement to statutory maternity payments for a period of up to 18 weeks, of her maternity absence arid, separately, a right to return to her former job.

  The proposals in the White Paper would affect the right of women working in firms with fewer than 10 employees to return to work, but not their entitlement to statutory maternity pay.

  It is difficult to estimate how many expectant mothers would subsequently fail to qualify for the right to return to work if these proposals were implemented. However, it

  199
  is likely to be few as only a small proportion of those who leave work to have a baby seek to return to their former job.

  The proposals in the White Paper are still under consideration.

  Wages (Arrears)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases the wages inspectorate took to court in 1985, 1986 and to date in 1987 in respect of arrears of wages; what was the age and sex of the low-paid employees in each case; and how many cases are in hand.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No civil proceedings were taken by the inspectorate for the recovery of arrears of wages in 1985. In 1986 two cases were taken, the first in respect of two female workers and the second for one female worker. So far in 1987, one case involving a female worker has been taken and three other cases are in hand.

  Records are not kept of the ages of workers for whom proceedings action is taken.

  Employment Rights
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether his Department has any plans to seek to change the number of hours which must be worked by employees in order to qualify for current statutory employment rights; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether his Department has any plans to require applicants to industrial tribunals to pay a fee; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) whether his Department has any plans to seek to change the qualifying period of employment for the legal right of a statement of the reasons for dismissal; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) whether his Department has any plans to change the regulations regarding rights of employees to time off for trades union duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Proposals or suggestions on these matters were set out in the White Paper "Building Businesses … Not Barriers" (Cmnd. 9794). They are still under consideration.

  "Building Businesses … Not Barriers"
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has assessed the effect of the implementation of the proposals of the White Paper, "Building Businesses—Not Barriers," on those employees at present working less than 20 hours per week; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The proposals are still under consideration. The position of existing employees will be taken into account when detailed proposals are drawn up.

  Home Trade

  Per cent. change (rounded)

  Foreign-going

  Per cent. change (rounded)

  1974

  57p

  + 10

  104p

  + 10

  1975 April

  64p

  1+12

  128p

  +23

  1975 December

  90p

  +40

  180p

  +40

  1977

  104p

  2+15

  208p

  2+15

  1980

  128p

  +23

  256p

  +23

  Job Splitting
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has considered what effect the implementation of the proposals of the White Paper, "Building Businesses—Not Barriers", will have on the practice of job splitting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government continue to be committed to removing those unnecessary regulations which serve only to hinder and stifle the enterprise that creates jobs. We believe that firms that are able to concentrate their energies on running their businesses efficiently and competitively, with fewer administrative burdens, will be much better placed to provide more employment opportunities, whether full or part time.

  Specific proposals of the White Paper are still under consideration.

  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline the measures introduced by his Department to encourage job splitting; and what further measures he is considering implementing to encourage this practice.

  Mr. Lee
  The job-splitting scheme was introduced in January 1983 to help employers create more part-time job opportunities for people who would otherwise be unemployed. The scheme was improved and relaunched with the effect from 1 April this year. The main changes were:

  —to increase the grant available to employers from £840 to £1,000, payable in three instalments of £500, £200, and £300;

  —part-time employee places to be open to anyone claiming benefits at an unemployment benefit office;

  —to change the name of the scheme to jobshare, a title which more accurately reflects the principle behind the provision and the name most commonly used by the public when describing the job splitting scheme.

  As with all our programmes, jobshare will be kept under review during the coming year.

TRANSPORT

  Light Dues
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the rates of light dues in each financial year since 1974, the percentage increase in each year and the reasons for the increases in the present financial year.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The following are the light dues charges per voyage for each 10 tons net registered tonnage in the years concerned, respectively for home trade and foreign-going vessels:
  201

  Home Trade

  Per cent. change (rounded)

  Foreign-going

  Per cent. change (rounded)

  1981

  160p

  +25

  320p

  +25

  1983

  144p

  -10

  288p

  -10

  1986

  152p

  +5

  304p

  +5

  1987

  173p

  +14

  346p

  +14

  1 The maximum annual number of voyages on which light dues were payable by home trade ships was also raised from 10 to 12.

  2 The maximum annual number of voyages on which light dues were payable were also raised from 12 to 14 voyages for home trade ships, and from six to seven voyages for foreign-going ships.

  The increase in 1987 was needed to bring revenue into line with current operating costs and particularly to meet a new requirement to make provision for the costs of operating the United Kingdom transmitters of the Racal-Decca navigator system. This followed a long period in which light dues had been held well below the rate of inflation by drawing on the cash reserves in the general lighthouse fund.

  North-West Region (Road Accidents)
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport to what factors his department attributes the north-west region's high child road accident victim rate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We do not know why the overall numbers of child casualties per 100,000 population has been higher in the north-west in recent years than in other regions outside London.

  We shall continue in consultation with local authorities to develop initiatives which will help to protect vulnerable road users including children, throughout the country.

  Davenham Bypass
  Mr. Goodlad
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to commence on the Davenham bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The A533 Davenham bypass is a non-trunk road proposal for which Cheshire county council is responsible. The Department's involvement would be limited to considering confirmation of any statutory orders and any bid by the council for transport supplementary grant support.

  Road Accident Statistics
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue separate statistics for traffic or road accidents in which horses are affected; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. Horses involved in personal injury accidents will continue to be recorded with animals other than dogs. Such accidents account for only ½ per cent. of all personal injury accidents.

  A41 (Banbury)
  Mr. Baldry
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to begin on the Warwick road, Ruscote avenue, Orchard way roundabout on the A41 at Banbury.
  202
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We hope to complete the outstanding statutory procedures for the A41 Ruscote avenue/Orchard way improvement this autumn. This should enable work to start by about the end of the year.

  Trunk Road Schemes
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in the light of amended criteria for cost/ benefit analysis, his Department has looked again at trunk road schemes which had failed to achieve a net present value.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There were 14 COBA negative schemes in the trunk road programme. So far only one scheme has been reassessed following the new value of leisure time and casualty costs. This scheme (Louth) has been reassessed as positive. The others will all be reassessed in due course at the point where decisions concerning their development have to be made.

  Schemes for which decisions have already been announced will not he reassessed.

  Roads
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the total road length in each of the English regions is (a) trunk road, (b) dual carriageway and (c) urban motorway standard.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information is as follows:

  Percentages of Road Length for each English Region: 1 April 1986

  All-purpose trunk roads

  Motorways

  Dual carriageways (excluding motorways)

  Eastern

  3·3

  0·8

  1·8

  East Midlands

  4·4

  0·7

  1·3

  Greater London

  2·3

  0·5

  1·7

  Northern

  2·8

  0·4

  2·4

  North Western

  2·6

  1·8

  1·8

  South Eastern

  2·6

  1·4

  2·0

  South Western

  2·3

  0·7

  1·2

  West Midlands

  3·4

  1·1

  1·8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2·8

  1·1

  1·6

  England

  2·9

  1·0

  1·7

  Urban motorways are not identified separately, but principal road motorways, which tend to be in urban areas, constitute only 0·04 of 1 per cent. of total road length.

  Bradford
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the grants made for the installation of railway sidings under section 8 of the Transport Act 1974 in the Bradford area since 1979; how many of these are still in use; and if he will make a statement.
  203
  Mr. David Mitchell
  No applications have been received, hence no grants awarded towards the cost of work on this type of facility in the Bradford area since 1979.

  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a grant aid available for the construction of a standard railway link between the Bradford interchange and Bradford Forster Square station site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I understand that the West Yorkshire passenger transport authority is currently examining the feasibility of such a link, but I have received no application from the authority for grant for the project.

  Airedale Route
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Bradford. South of 30 June, Official Report, column 53, on what estimate of rail costs he based his judgment that road-borne materials would be cheaper than rail for the construction of the Airedale route.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Officials had discussions with British Rail about the delivery of fly ash to the site of the Kildwick to Beechcliffe section of the Airedale route. Even with an existing railhead available at source, the overall cost markedly exceeded that of supply by road.

  Officials also had discussions with British Rail about the delivery of bulk materials to the site of the Victoria Park to Crossflatts section of the route. There was high additional cost. Qualifications attached to the use of the railway would have had further—and incalculable—cost implications.

  It was decided that the circumstances did not justify incorporating conditions in either contract about the use of railway for delivey materials.

  East Coast Mainline
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail on whether the east coast route to Glasgow from King's Cross should go via Edinburgh-Linlithgow-Polmont-Falkirk or Edinburgh-Fauldhouse-South.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  None.

  M25 (Iver)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement about the M25 service area at Iver.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport, following the implementation of low cost/high return engineering schemes which do not qualify for transport supplementary grant on local authority roads, what proportion of each accident cost saved is of more than local significance in terms of expenditure; and what proportion is of only local significance.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We do not have this information. Such schemes are the responsibility of the appropriate local highway authority.
  204
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish an annual report to Parliament giving details of all road accident remedial works implemented primarily for road safety reasons on roads for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department publishes regular reports about the motorway and trunk road programme. The most recent is the White Paper, "Policy for Roads in England 1987" (Cmnd. 125). Safety is a major objective of the whole road programme ranging from bypasses of busy urban areas to minor local improvements. I shall be happy to consider what further detailed information on road safety might usefully he included in future reports.

  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if a national definition of a hazardous location is available to agent authorities in planning accident investigation and prevention work.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Any location where vehicles and people conflict is potentially hazardous. The Department's accident investigation and prevention manual, its series of advice notes and leaflets and its programme of seminars in every region all seek to assist every local authority to be as alert and skilled as possible in planning accident investigation and prevention work.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Home Robertson
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce an amendment to the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations 1982 to make it possible for people whose difficulty in walking is not regarded as being permanent to qualify for exemption from restrictions relating to the use of motor vehicles.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This is one of many possible changes to the scheme that have been aired during our recent consultation. We hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the public inquiry into the route for the Newbury bypass to start.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We hope to start the inquiry in the first half of next year. Consideration of the representations and objections is taking longer than expected.

  Vehicle Test Certificates
  Mr. Butterfill
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that the issue of Ministry of Transport test certificates is not being abused by unscrupulous secondhand car dealers.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The vehicle inspectorate of the Department of Transport closely monitors the issue of MOT certificates and withdraws garages' authorisation where there is malpractice. Following a recent joint exercise with trading standards department they have identified a number of cases where disciplinary action is being considered against the garages concerned. Buyers of secondhand vehicles must themselves be careful. If they
  205
  have any doubts about the condition of a vehicle they should have it examined by an independent expert before agreeing to buy it.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Lord Rothschild
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Attorney-General when he expects to make a decision on the possible prosecution of Lord Rothschild in relation to the Wright case.

  The Attorney-General
  Allegations made against Lord Rothschild and also against Mr. Chapman Pincher have been investigated by the police. The Director of Public Prosecutions has now decided that the investigation has not disclosed evidence justifying the bringing of proceedings against either Lord Rothschild or Mr. Chapman Pincher. The director has consulted me and I have agreed with his decision.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy to arrange for the substantive answers to questions from hon. Members relating to policy and statistics on the Crown Prosecution Service to be published in the Official Report and not by way of letter to the hon. Member concerned.

  The Attorney-General
  That is and will continue to be my normal practice.

PRIME MINISTER

  Dufftown
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Dufftown.

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

  Strathclyde
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Prime Minister when she next intends to visit Strathclyde region.

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

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Prime Minister whether she will now publish the names and numbers of Cabinet commitees and sub-committees.

  The Prime Minister
  There continue to be four standing committees of the Cabinet: a defence and overseas policy committee and an economic strategy committee under my chairmanship; a home and social affairs committee under the chairmanship of my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council; and a legislation committee under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal. Attendance at these committees will vary according to the subject under discussion. Sub-committees of the standing committees will be continued or established as appropriate. Membership and terms of reference of the standing committees and their sub-committees will remain confidential.
  206
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Prime Minister whether she will make it her policy to publish the names and numbers of special ad hoc committees and sub-committees of the Cabinet as they are established.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Venice Conference
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Prime Minister if she will give the total cost of her recent visit to the Venice conference and the number of hours she spent there.

  The Prime Minister
  The estimated cost of my visit to the world economic summit conference in Venice with the official party from my office is £5,500. I spent 17½ hours in Venice.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Prime Minister what proposals she made at Venice for concerted action to bring down unemployment; and what action was agreed upon to monitor and combat unemployment.

  The Prime Minister
  The Venice summit conference confirmed the need for sound finance to support non-inflationary growth. Those are the policies which in the United Kingdom have helped create the conditions for six years of growth averaging nearly 3 per cent. a year. more than a million new jobs since 1983 and, for the past 11 months, falling unemployment. I was also encouraged that the Venice summit agreed on the need for surplus and deficit countries to take action to correct their imbalances.

  Members' Correspondence
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  asked the Prime Minister whether she will repeat her instruction that, to preserve the confidentiality of hon. Members' correspondence with Ministers, acknowledgement cards will not be sent out naked, but enclosed in an envelope.

  The Prime Minister
  I am aware of the hon. Member's concern. I am looking into the matter and will reply as soon as possible.

  Engagements
  Mr. John Mark Taylor
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

  Mr. Stern
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

  Mr. Pike
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 9 July.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today, including one with a delegation from the Arab League.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Sir Dudley Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contacts

  207
  he has had with the Secretary-General of the United Nations over the Cyprus issue; what progress is being made to bring about a lasting solution to that island's problems; what part Her Majesty's Government are prepared to play in bringing about a just settlement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend last discussed Cyprus with the United Nations' Secretary-General in September last year. We also have frequent contacts with the United Nations at official level to discuss Cyprus. The Secretary-General's latest proposals have not yet been accepted by both sides, but he is persisting with his efforts to bring the two sides together. We believe that the Secretary-General is best placed to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, and we shall continue to give active support to his mission of good offices.

  Diplomatic Relations
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the countries which do not have diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  We do not have diplomatic relations with the following countries:

  Albania

  Argentina

  Cambodia

  Libya

  Syria.

  We do not have diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Bhutan but maintain friendly contacts and conduct official business with its embassy in New Delhi.

  We have only consular relations with the following countries:

  Andorra

  San Marino

  Monaco

  Liechtenstein.

  Blood Supplies (Overseas Citizens)
  Mr. McCrindle
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been made to make supplies of non-contaminated blood supplies for British citizens travelling abroad; and if these arrangements are being co-ordinated by British embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  In January this year we asked our posts overseas to consider, in the light of local circumstances, establishing a list of voluntary blood donors for use of local British residents and visitors in an emergency. A number of posts now have such a list and others may be drawn up if the situation requires it. This facility is entirely at the risk of those who use it.

  Mr. McCrindle
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to publicise the availability of non-contaminated blood supplies for British citizens travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The travel inquiry unit in the consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can provide telephone callers with information, provided by posts abroad, about local arrangements for screening blood for HIV. Posts will also on request provide British 208
  visitors with names of local doctors, dentists and hospitals, and information about the availability of non-contaminated blood.

  Members' Correspondence
  Mr. Sedgemore
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why a letter was not sent by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch until 2 July concerning the application of Mrs. Chacadben Patel for entry clearance to attend a wedding in Hackney on 27 June.

  Mr. Eggar
  The hon. Member will recall that he first wrote to me about Mrs. Patel's application for entry clearance on 5 May 1987, received in my office on 12 May. It was necessary to consult the post concerned and a substantive reply to that letter was sent in my absence, by my office on 10 June, in view of the wedding date. The hon. Member wrote again on 18 June. I replied on 2 July reiterating the position set out in the earlier reply of 10 June.

  EC Directives
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of European Economic Community directives which have been applied in the United Kingdom in each year from 1979 to 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Dogs
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were, during the most recent period for which figures are available, in the United Kingdom, of dog owners who allowed their dogs to foul the pavement or other prohibited areas.

  Mr. John Patten
  Prosecutions for dog fouling offences cannot be separately distinguished in the information collected centrally. The readily available data, which may be affected by variations in the completeness of reporting, relate to all offences covering dogs under local Acts and byelaws and show 69 persons proceeded against in England and Wales for such offences in 1985, and 176 in Scotland. Comparable information is not available for Northern Ireland.

  Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act 1987
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which airlines or shipping companies have been fined under the Immigration Carriers (Liability) Act; and what are the sums of money and numbers of passengers involved.

  Mr. Renton
  Since 5 March a substantial number of airlines and shipping companies have incurred liability under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act. A comprehensive list is not readily available, their cases are still being processed. The total number of passengers
  209
  involved, at 26 June 1987, was about 1,500; this number will be reduced if carriers are able to show that the charge should not be imposed in particular cases. In each case the sum is £1000 per passenger.

  Women Prisoners
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male warders now supervise women in prisons (a) nationally and (b) in Holloway; and what safeguards against sexual harrassment exist in view of the vulnerability of the women prisoners.

  Mr. John Patten
  The table shows the number of male prison officers, up to the rank of principal officer, currently serving in Holloway and other female establishments. These officers are deployed within establishments in such a way that their presence does not compromise privacy and propriety.

  Male Prison Officer grades serving in female establishments

  Holloway

  Other female establishments

  Discipline:

  Principle Officers

  —

  —

  Senior Officers

  7

  —

  Officers

  —

  —

  Specialists1:

  Principal Officers

  2

  5

  Senior Officers

  2

  4

  Officers

  9

  10

  1 Includes: Works. Catering and Physical Education Officer.

  Prisoners (Discipline)
  Mr. Soley
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and proportion of prisoners appearing on disciplinary charges before boards of visitors in each year since the Tarrant judgment who applied for and were granted legal representation.

  Mr. John Patten
  This information cannot be provided in the form requested. Since the Tarrant judgment in November 1983 legal representation is known to have been granted to over 300 prisoners appearing on disciplinary charges before boards of visitors.

  Year

  Monochrome

  Colour

  Total

  Convictions

  March 1983

  90,174

  183,758

  273,932

  341

  March 1984

  83,818

  192,553

  276,371

  574

  March 1985

  79,357

  199,055

  278,412

  645

  March 1986

  75,724

  194,941

  270,665

  736

  March 1987

  74,061

  196,539

  270,600

  818

  Mr. McCusker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many successful prosecutions against television licence evaders in Northern Ireland during the past five years have been taken as a result of information obtained from (a) detector vans and (b) search warrants;

  (2) how many search warrants have been sought during the past 12 months in Northern Ireland to detect television licence evasion.

  Mr. Renton
  Detector van equipment has not been used in Northern Ireland. One conviction for licence evasion

  Postal Voting
  Sir Dudley Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the experience of the recent general election and the many complaints of hon. Members, he will review the whole operation of postal voting, with a view to introducing legislative. improvements.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I said in reply to the Adjournment debate on 3 July at columns 809–16, that we were reviewing the absent voting provisions in consultation with electoral registration officers and the political parties, with a view to amending the Representation of the People Regulations.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of 5p concessionary television licences issued in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of those licences are held by pensioners.

  Mr. Renton
  At the end of May 1987, 690,629 people benefited from concessionary licences, which are known as accommodation for residential care licences. Separate records are not kept showing how many are retirement pensioners or physically disabled or mentally disordered people, but the great majority are believed to be retirement pensioners.

  Mr. McCusker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many black and white and colour television licences have been issued each year in Northern Ireland during the past five years; and how many successful prosecutions there have been in each year against licence fee evaders.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information relates to the number of general form television licences in force at the end of March in each of the years mentioned, and to the number of convictions in each year to that date:

  has been obtained in the last five years as a result of a search warrant; this was one of four sought in the last 12 months.

  South African Embassy (Policing)
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis regarding the conduct of the policing of the round-the-clock picket of the South African embassy.
  211
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The policing of the demonstration outside the South African embassy is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Chapman
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of officers in the Metropolitan police.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The strength of the Metropolitan police on 30 June was 27,105.

  Police (Entry and Search)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester as to the reasons why the police have refrained from arresting Mr. Virji Mendis in the church buildings which he is currently occupying; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he intends to issue any guidance to chief constables concerning their practice towards the arrest of suspects or persons who have committed offences and who remain upon church property in an attempt to avoid arrest; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he has any plans to introduce legislation to recreate a right of sanctuary from arrest in Church buildings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Police may enter and search any premises for the purposes of making an arrest, including those used for religious purposes, in accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The decision whether or not to use this power in the circumstances of a particular case is an operational matter for the judgment of the appropriate chief officer of police who will take account of all the factors which he considers to be relevant. We have no plans to call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester or to introduce legislation to create a right of sanctuary or to issue guidance to chief officers.

  South African Embassy
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what authority individuals have been prevented from peaceful demonstrations immediately outside the South African embassy; and why this was done.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that the Commissioner directed that the demonstration be moved from outside the South African embassy to Duncannon street following an incident on 6 May when the embassy building was attacked and damaged. This direction was made under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of police services outside the South African embassy in each of the past three years; and what has been the cost since 6 May.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that the additional cost to the Metropolitan Police of policing demonstrations outside South Africa House between 6 May and 5 July was about £10,000. Information for the past three years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  212
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning policing arrangements outside the South African embassy.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Officials have discussions as necessary with the Metropolitan Police about the arrangements for the policing and protection of diplomatic missions, including the South African embassy.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made outside the South African embassy since 6 May; and what charges have been brought.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that since 6 May a total of 172 arrests have been made. Those arrested have been charged with a variety of public order and other offences, including criminal damage, assault on police occasioning actual bodily harm, breach of bail conditions and obstruction.

  Embassies and High Commissions
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers on average are involved in policing duties outside embassies and high commissions in London.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are a small number of officers permanently deployed on duties concerned with the security of diplomatic missions. Others are deployed as necessary. Their number will depend on various factors, including the size and nature of any demonstrations.

  Crime Prevention Schemes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the progress made with crime prevention schemes in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are satisfied that good progress is being made in building up a wide range of crime prevention schemes and initiatives throughout England and Wales. The variety of bodies and organisations now actively engaged in crime prevention schemes both nationally and locally has never been broader. From members of the public who have now joined together in over 35,000 neighbourhood watch schemes through to an increasing number of authorities, organisations, companies and groups across all sectors there has come a welcome recognition that much crime is preventable and that the responsibility for preventing it does not only rest with the police. Local crime prevention initiatives which have taken a variety of forms have already proved their worth and we look forward to a further expansion in their numbers and their influence.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the crime prevention schemes set up in Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are 588 places on 27 community programme crime prevention initiative projects in various parts of Wales. There are 18 local Crime Prevention Panels, 1,666 neighbourhood watch schemes spread over the four police areas. In addition, one of the local crime prevention projects which make up the
  213
  "Five Towns" initiative is based on the Penlan Estate in Swansea: I understand that the project will shortly extend its activity to other areas of Swansea. I am aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has also introduced a number of other initiatives.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn
  Jones asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the level of funding from his Department for each crime prevention scheme; and whether such schemes are directly funded from his Department or are funded through agencies.

  Mr. John Patten
  Local crime prevention schemes may receive funding or support in kind from a variety of sources, but, as a general rule, they do not receive Home Office funding either directly or indirectly. However, from the beginning of January 1986 the Home Office has met in full the salaries and related expenses of the coordinators of the five local crime prevention projects in Croydon, Bolton, north Tyneside, Swansea and Wellingborough which together made up our five towns crime prevention initiative. The Home Office has also provided some financial support for local publicity for these projects. We estimate that when the five towns initiative ends in October this year, Home Office funding for these projects will have amounted to about £170.000.

  TV Licence Fee
  Mr. Budgen
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Deartment what conclusions he has reached on the proposal, contained in the report of the committee chaired by professor Peacock on the financing of the BBC, that the television licence fee should be replaced by a system of subscription; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  In announcing my response to Professor Peacock's report, I said that I would be engaging independent consultants to examine the technical and economic feasibility of this proposal. Communications Studies and Planning International Limited, who are now merged with Booz Allen and Hamilton International (UK) Limited, were appointed to undertake this study, which they completed in May. 1 have today published their report and a copy has been placed in the Library. The findings of the report are those of the consultants, and do not necessarily reflect the direction of present Government policy. We would welcome comments on the analysis and conclusions contained in the study, and we have invited comments to be sent to the Home Office by 30 September 1987. Any decisions will be taken in the light of these comments.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of unemployed under 21 years of age in the Province at the latest date.

  Mr. Viggers
  The number is 22,106 as at 14 May 1987.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of long-term unemployed in the Province at the latest date.
  214
  Mr. Viggers
  At 14 May 1987, 65,313 claimants had been continuously unemployed for more than one year in Northern Ireland, representing 51·8 per cent. of unemployed claimants in the Province on that date.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the Province.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Government continue to pursue a series of measures designed to reduce unemployment. These include the substantial measures to secure new jobs in Northern Ireland through the Industrial Development Board, the Local Enterprise Development Unit and through a unique framework of financial assistance distributed to that end. They also include an extensive programme of employment and training measures which include Action for Community Employment, Enterprise Ulster, the new workers scheme, jobclubs, restart, the new job training programme, the enterprise allowance scheme and the youth training programme.

  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures in the Province.

  Mr. Viggers
  At 14 May 1987 there were 126,105 unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland. representing 18·4 per cent. of the working population.

  The Government recognise the seriousness of the unemployment problem in the Province and continues to give a high priority to employment, training and enterprise programmes. Besides having a direct impact on the unemployment situation these programmes should also help to improve the conditions for economic growth in the Province.

WALES

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of persons employed in the electrical and electronic industry in Wales at the most recent date; how this compares with the figure in September 1984 and in September 1981, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the significance of any changes.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The latest estimate of people employed in electrical and electronic industries in Wales was 34,400 in mid-1986. This compares with 33,800 in mid-1984 and 32,900 in mid-1981.

  Public Bodies (Membership)
  Mr. Murphy
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of all chairmen and members of public bodies in Wales for whose appointment he is responsible.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Roads
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn
  Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many miles of trunk roads there are in each of the counties of Wales; what proportions of those roads are dual carriageway; and of those what proportion is of urban motorway standard.
  215
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is as follows:

  County

  Trunk road mileage (including motorway)

  Percentage of trunk roads and motorways that is dual carriageway

  Percentage of dual carriageway that is motorway

  Clwyd

  125·7

  n/a

  n/a

  Dyfed

  238·0

  7·6

  17·0

  Gwent

  108·0

  58·3

  39·2

  Gwynedd

  208·8

  4·9

  0·0

  Mid Glamorgan

  55·6

  65·9

  45·6

  Powys

  263·8

  1·5

  0·0

  South Glamorgan

  17·2

  100·0

  74·7

  West Glamorgan

  39·5

  68·5

  61·3

  n/a Not yet available.

  The above figures are as at I April 1987 and are provisional.

  Urban motorways are not identified separately.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the total road length in Wales is (a) trunk road, (b) dual carriageway and (c) urban motorway standard.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Provisional figures as at 1 April 1987 show that of the total road length in Wales(a)5·2 per cent. was trunk road (including motorway), (b)0·9 per cent. was dual carriageway (excluding Clwyd for whom no figures are available), and (c)0·4 per cent. was motorway.

  No data are available for lengths of roads of urban motorway standard.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has for the improvement of the A5 road from the Welsh border to Holyhead; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has for the improvement of road links between north and south Wales between (a)Bangor and Carmarthen and (b)Wrexham and Cardiff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  "Roads in Wales 1985" contains details of planned improvements to these routes. In drawing up the road programme for the 1990s consideration is being given to further schemes to be added to the programme.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn
  Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for further improvements to the A55 Chester to Bangor road; what is the projected expenditure on each of the stages of improvement; and when he expects them to be completed.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Three schemes (the Conwy crossing; Penmaenbach-Dwygyfylchi; Penmaenmawr bypass) are at present under construction at a total estimated cost of £230 million. The following schemes are in preparation:

  Estimated Gross cost at November 1986 prices

  £ million

  1. Northop Bypass

  11·328

  2. Llanfairfechan Bypass

  18·936

  3. Traveller's Inn Improvement

  3·789

  4. Pen-y-Clip tunnels

  28·174

  5. Rhuallt Hill Improvement

  8·312

  6. Aber Improvement

  7·850

  The upgrading of the A55 is expected to be complete around the turn of the decade.
  216
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of his Department on roads in Wales at outturn and current prices in each year since 1977–78; and what is the projected expenditure for 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Details of expenditure since 1977–78 are as follows:

  £000's

  Year

  Outturn Expenditure on Trunk Roads and Motorways

  Expenditure on Trunk Roads and Motorways at 1986–87 Prices1

  1977–78

  52,964

  113,969

  1978–79

  61,351

  119,284

  1979–80

  73,747

  122,695

  1980–81

  92,251

  129,391

  1981–82

  107,815

  137,702

  1982–83

  118,707

  141,362

  1983–84

  148,310

  169,075

  1984–85

  104,913

  114,684

  1985–86

  101,630

  104,687

  1986–87

  114,461

  114,461

  1The figures at 1986–87 prices have been calculated by the application of the GDP Deflator at market prices.

  Provision for trunk roads and motorways for 1987–88 is £124 million. It is currently estimated that in each of the years 1988–89 and 1989–90 expenditure will be in the region of £140 million. No firm decisions have however yet been taken on the apportionment of the Welsh block expenditure to individual services for the years beyond 1987–88. Planned provision for 1990–91 will be announced in the 1988 Public Expenditure White Paper.

  Integrated Operations Programme
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to support the recent submission of Gwynedd, Dyfed and Powys county councils to the European Community under the integrated operations programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I understand that the local authorities concerned have yet to complete their work on the preparation of an integrated operations programme for this area but that a submission is expected shortly. Once the programme is submitted I, and my officials who are already in consultation with the local authorities on the initiative, will of course give it full and early consideration.

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales which road improvement schemes in Wales, in each year since 1979. qualified for the transport supplementary grant.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Until 1982–83 transport supplementary grant was paid on local authority programmes of capital and current expenditure and from 1982–83 to 1984–85 on programmes of capital expenditure. Information on all individual schemes is not available.

  Since 1985–86 the only new expenditure accepted for TSG relates to schemes estimated to cost £5 million or more. The following have been accepted for grant:

  Year of Acceptance and Scheme

  County

  1985–86

  A534 Holt Farndon By-Pass

  Clwyd

  A484 Loughor Bridge and Approaches

  Dyfed/West Glamorgan1

  A4119 Mid Rhondda Access Road

  Mid Glamorgan

  1986–87

  Bridge over Wrexham-Bidston Railway

  Clwyd

  A467 Abertillery-Brynmawr Improvement

  Gwent

  Cardiff Central Link

  South Glamorgan

  Neath Urban Inner By-Pass

  West Glamorgan

  A4067 Glais-Pontardawe Improvement

  West Glamorgan

  1987–88

  Cardiff Butetown Link

  South Glamorgan

  1Joint project.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn
  Jones asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to lower the qualifying threshold for transport supplementary grants in order to make some trunk roads eligible; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Transport supplementary grant is payable only on local authority road schemes. The trunk road programme is wholly funded by the Government.

  ADAS
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales at present; and what was the corresponding figure in 1979.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of ADAS staff in post in Wales on 1 April 1987 was 356 and the number in post on the corresponding date in 1979 was 493. These figures include staff at the experimental husbandry farms and ADAS headquarters staff outstationed in Wales.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total budget of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales in each financial year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  It is not possible to extract this information in the form requested.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has any plans for changes in the operations of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales; and if he will make a statement on the future of the service.
  218
  Mr. Peter Walker
  The future organisation of ADAS in Wales is being discussed by my Department and MAFF in the light of the reorganisation which MAFF is currently implementing.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales which schemes for road improvements in each of the counties of Wales have received assistance from the European regional development fund since its inception.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  To date total ERDF assistance to road improvement schemes in each county in Wales is as follows:

  £

  Clwyd

  30,568,451·90

  Dyfed

  17,570,954·10

  Gwent

  25,756,626·00

  Gwynedd

  7,278,806·40

  Mid Glamorgan

  25,226,911·36

  Powys

  1,328,674·50

  South Glamorgan

  31,321,242·70

  West Glamorgan1

  14,853,374·00

  Total Wales

  153,905,040·96

  1includes a joint scheme with Dyfed CC.

  I will to the hon. Gentleman in due course with details of the schemes involved and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be able to announce the result of his Department's consultation on the need for new Welsh language legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 26 February at column 349.

  County Hospital, Panteg
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the Gwent health authority to discuss the future of the County hospital, Panteg.

  Mr. Ian Grist
  The future of County hospital is a matter for Gwent health authority in the first instance. Any proposals to vary substantially the service provided at County hospital would be subject to extensive consultation. Should local agreement not be reached, the proposals would be submitted to my right hon. Friend for a decision. It would therefore be inappropriate for my right hon. Friend or me to enter into discussions with the authority which might prejudice any future role in this matter.

  Sheep Monitoring
  Mr. Raffan
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest results of sheep monitoring in north Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Monitoring shows that some sheep within the present restricted area continue to have readings above the action level. In addition a number of sheep with readings above this level have been found in an area of about 10 sq. miles to the west of Llanuwchllyn immediately outside the restricted area. In the light of
  219
  these results I have today made an Order to re-introduce restrictions on the movement and slaughter of sheep from this area. Some 17 producers and around 10,000 sheep are affected and will qualify for compensation arrangements under the existing schemes. Monitoring of sheep inside and adjoining the restricted area boundaries will continue and any action needed to protect public health and maintain market confidence will be taken if necessary.

  The monitoring results are being published and a copy will he placed in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Stray Dogs
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle, sheep or other animals were killed or seriously injured by stray dogs worrying them in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the estimated cost of the damage.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Records of the numbers of farm animals killed or injured by dogs in Great Britain have not been collected centrally since 1978 because collection was considered to be an undue burden on the local constabularies, who were responsible for gathering the data. The statistics for 1978 based on police returns to local authorities, were as follows:

  Species

  Killed

  Injured

  Sheep

  3,951

  2,805

  Poultry

  1,760

  245

  Cattle

  11

  78

  Pigs

  12

  8

  Goats

  2

  7

  Domestic rabbits

  1

  —

  Horses/ponies

  1

  1

  TOTAL

  5,738

  3,144

  These figures exclude West Yorkshire, where returns were discontinued earlier.

  There is no estimate available of the cost of the damage resulting from these attacks.

  Intervention Stores
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent on maintaining European Economic Community food intervention stores in London by borough in each of the past four years.

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

  Farm Bankruptcies
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of farm bankruptcies in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Scotland,(c)Wales, (d)England, (e)Northern Ireland, (f)Dyfed and (g)Pembrokeshire, in each of the years 1980 to 1986, inclusive.

  Mr. Maude
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information that is available for the agriculture and horticulture industry is given in the table. I regret that no industrial analysis is available for sequestrations in Scotland (equivalent to bankruptcies) or for company
  220
  liquidations in Northern Ireland. No area analysis of company liquidations is available. For bankruptcies in England and Wales, although an area analysis of the total is available, there is no analysis of the area figures by industry.

  Insolvencies in Agriculture and Horticulture 1980–1986

  Number

  Bankruptcies1

  Company liquidations2

  England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  1980

  50

  2

  34

  3

  1981

  70

  11

  56

  8

  1982

  78

  2

  55

  8

  1983

  98

  9

  74

  5

  1984

  155

  8

  77

  7

  1985

  3136

  7

  102

  4

  1986

  n/a

  9

  128

  6

  1Bankruptcies are of unincorporated businesses classified to agriculture and horticulture, deeds of arrangement are included.

  2Compulsory and creditors' voluntary liquidations.

  3Discontinuity in serious because of changes to monetary limits on petitions.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Schools (Open Enrolment)
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the Government's plans to provide for more open enrolment to schools.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I intend to bring forward legislation to change the present arrangements for admissions to schools so that local education authorities and governing bodies, depending on who is responsible for admissions policy at any particular school, would be required to admit pupils up to the limit of that school's available capacity.

  I am today publishing a consultation document which develops the proposal I first announced in a public speech on 1 May. I shall be inviting comments by 16 September 1987. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  House of Commons
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what tendering procedures works under the House of Commons maintenance allocation in the Supply Estimates which are carried out by private contractors or sub-contractors are subject to; and if he will publish the guidelines covering the awarding of maintenance work either in house or to outside contractors.

  Mr. Chope
  The parliamentary works office is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Palace of Westminster, including the parliamentary outbuildings. As part of the Property Services Agency it conforms to the rules of Government contracting designed to ensure the proper use of public money and to obtain good value for the funds expended. For maintenance schemes a variety of tendering methods are available, according to the type of service required.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants are employed by his Department in (a) London and the south-east, (b) the south-west. (c) the midlands and (d) the north of England; and what is the budgeted expenditure of his Department for the current year in each of these regions.

  Region

  Department of the Environment (Central)

  Property Services Agency

  Staff Employed

  Running costs provision

  Staff employed

  Running costs provision

  £ Million

  £Million

  London and the South East

  5,225

  119.7

  12,205

  213.6

  The South West

  595

  13.5

  2,463

  43.4

  The Midlands

  210

  4.8

  1,490

  26.7

  The North of England

  426

  9.7

  2,854

  50.0

  Total

  6,486

  147.7

  19,012

  333.7

  Note: The running costs provision for each region is calculated pro rata to staff numbers.

  Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is intended to bring into effect the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I hope that it will be possible to do so during the autumn as soon as the necessary supporting orders and regulations have been made.

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Ms. Gordon
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to the London Docklands Development Corporation concerning public access to riverside land when giving consent to planning applications; and if he will instruct the London Docklands Development Corporation, when it considers planning applications, to provide for continuing public access to the river bank as part of development schemes.

  Mr. Trippier
  No guidance from my right hon. Friend is necessary. Development control in the docklands is guided by the provisions of the Greater London development plan, in which development control authorities are urged to give special attention to, inter alia, the creation of better public access with new and improved riverside walks, open spaces and viewpoints. The London Docklands Development Corporation, in its planning briefs on individual sites, aims to provide for greater public access to the river hank.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what costs have been incurred on the site of South Killingholme since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;

  (2) what costs have been incurred on the site of Elstow since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;

  (3) what costs have been incurred on the site of Bradwell since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;
  222
  Mr. Ridley
  On 1 June 1987 my Department employed 6,486 staff in the Department of the Environment (central) and 19,012 in the Property Services Agency. My Department's estimates for 1987–88 include provision for £147·7 million running costs expenditure by the Department of the Environment (central) and £333·7 million by the Property Services Agency. The regional breakdown of the totals is:

  (4) what costs have been incurred on the site of Fullback since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste.

  Mr. Moynihan
  £5 million is the estimated total of the costs that will be incurred at all four sites from the announcement on 1 May until the final reinstatement of the sites.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the contracts between NIREX and various contractors for the exploration of sites considered for nuclear dumping include penalty clauses if the contract is cancelled by either side.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No.

  Empty Dwellings (Copeland)
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of empty dwellings, as at 1 April 1986, in the Copeland constituency, owned by (a) the local authority, (b) the private sector, (c) housing associations, (d) the Ministry of Defence, (e) the Home Office and (f) others in the public sector.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information available to my Department is for vacant housing within the borough of Copeland at 1 April 1986, provided in the council's 1986 housing investment programme return, which is in the Library. Any vacant housing owned by Government Departments is included in the category "other public sector".

  Community Charge
  Mr. Favell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of those living in metropolitan borough councils who will be liable to pay only the minimum 20 per cent. of the proposed community charge.

  Mr. Howard
  There are approximately 8·5 million adults living in the metropolitan areas. Of these, it is estimated that about 1·3 million, or 15 per cent. could receive the benefit of 80 per cent. rebates of their community charge.

  Housing Act 1985
  Mr. Bidwell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the working of the Housing Act 1985 as it relates to allegations of racial harassment and attacks.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My reply of 3 July to the Hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) referred to the circumstances in which councils may seek orders for possession under grounds laid down in the Housing Acts 1980 and 1985. The Department is monitoring the operation of the provisions, but there has been little experience to date of their use in the courts in cases of racial harassment.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent by his Department on (a) ministerial hospitality and (b) other official hospitality in 1985–86 and 1986–87.

  Mr. Ridley
  Expenditure on hospitality in my Department was:

  1985–86

  1986–87

  £

  £

  Ministerial

  14,740

  13,650

  DOE(C) Official

  16,560

  17,470

  PSA Official

  10,520

  19,920

  Total

  41,820

  51,040

  Transport Museum (Low Moor)
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the grant aid available for the development of a transport museum at Low Moor in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The site of the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Museum at Low Moor, Bradford, was reclaimed with the help of derelict land grant.

  Additional funds may be available through the urban programme, but the Department is able to consider grant assistance only on those projects which local authorities are minded to support.

  Assistance may be available from the European regional development fund, provided the scheme meets Commission requirements and domestic practices relating to trusts and scheme eligibility. The scheme must also have the support of the regional and English tourist boards.

  Contributions to museums and museum projects are also made through the Manpower Services Commission and organisations such as English Heritage and the English tourist board. Grants may also be available from the Musuem and Galleries Commission and the Yorkshire and Humberside Museums Council.

  House Building (Slaley, Northumberland)
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call in for public inquiry the planning application to build 65 permanent houses in the green belt at Slaley in Northumberland.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The planning application made to Tynedale district council has been advertised by it as a224
  departure from the development plan because it involves residential development in the green belt. If the local planning authority is minded to approve the application. it may refer it to the Secretary of State under the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans) (England) Direction 1981. The Secretary of State will then consider the merits of the proposal before reaching any decision.

  Housing (Green Belt)
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies his Department is undertaking into the prospects for new housing in the green belt in each of the standard regions of England, respectively.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None. Green belt policy remains as set out in circular 14/84 and there must continue to be a general presumption against inappropriate development within green belts.

  Parrots
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the Uruguayan proposal for a complete suspension of the international commerce in wild caught parrots for the pet trade, to be raised at the sixth meeting of the parties to the convention on international trade in endangered species in Ottawa in July; and who will be representing the United Kingdom at the meeting.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Department has not been notified by the secretariat of the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora of any such Uruguayan proposal. The United Kingdom delegation will decide whether to support any proposal of this sort after considering the details of the proposal and in the light of the debate. The United Kingdom's general view is that, provided the species in question can sustain the trade, commercial trade in wild taken animals should not be banned.

  The United Kingdom delegation to the conference will comprise the head of the Department's wildlife division, the head of the endangered species branch and representatives from the Department's scientific advisers—the Nature Conservancy Council and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—the British high commission in Ottawa and the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong Governments.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has considered further the recommendation of the Widdicombe committee for an interim doubling of the limit on expenditure under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for metropolitan district and London borough councils.

  Mr. Howard
  We are continuing our consideration of the Widdicombe committee's recommendations on discretionary spending by local authorities. I have, however, already reached the conclusion that this recommendation of the Widdicombe committee did not pay sufficient regard to the wide range of the other discretionary powers available to those local authorities. In many cases, not least in the area of economic development activity, expenditure attributed to section
  225
  137 should properly come under another power; and, in particular, section 48 of the Local Government Act 1985 gives a wide new power to metropolitan district and London borough councils, outside the section 137 limit, for grants to voluntary organisations. I do not therefore consider that there should be a change to section 137 of the kind recommended by the Widdicombe committee.

  Rate Support Grant
  Mr. Hayes
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the second rate support grant supplementary report 1986–87 will be published.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have laid this report before the House today.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education announced to the House on 2 March his proposals for teachers' pay under the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1987. He promised that the Exchequer would make a significant contribution through RSG towards the extra cost that would result in 1986–87 and the current financial year.

  On 5 May the House approved of the first Supplementary Report 1987–88, which increased the expenditure provision by £460 million and block grant by £183 million to cover the extra cost of school teachers' pay in the current financial year. The purpose of this second supplementary report for 1986–87 is to honour the undertaking to make a contribution towards the cost in 1986–87. It will increase the expenditure provision for local authorities by a £111 million and block grant by £5 million. As usual, the report will make a number of changes to grant related expenditure assessments, and take account of the latest information available from authorities on total expenditure.

  Copies of the report and tables showing exemplifications of likely revised grant entitlements are being sent to all local authorities and the local authority associations. Copies are being placed in the Library and in the Vote Office.

  Local Authority Employees
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered what action he should take following the High Court judgment in the case of Oliver v Northampton Borough Council that any information which a local authority held about its employees' personal affairs was open to public scrutiny at the time of audit.

  Mr. Chope
  I have today placed in the Library a paper which is being sent to the local authority associations, the Audit Commission, and other interested parties inviting comments on a proposal that at the next convenient opportunity amending legislation should be introduced so that all information which an authority holds about its employees would be excluded from public inspection, except information about gross pay, allowances, bonuses and overtime payments which would continue to be open to inspection at the time of audit.

  LDDC (Canary Wharf)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to submit for further review the price agreed by the London Docklands Development Corporation and the developers of Canary wharf; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  [pursuant to his reply, 8 July 1987]: When the LDDC sells land it is required to obtain a certificate from an independent valuer that the land is not below current market value and, if that is unobtainable, it needs specific consent from the Department to the disposal of its land at a lower price. The Department is keeping the terms of the whole agreement, including the land price, under continuing review as negotiations proceed with the aid of independent financial and legal advice.

  Derelict Land Grant
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the environment if he will list the amount of derelict land grant made available to individual local authorities for each year since 1979, and where appropriate, split these into class A and class B grants.

  Local Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  AVON

  Bath

  —

  3,572

  1,786

  —

  5,358

  —

  3,572

  Bristol

  —

  —

  —

  25,892

  13,176

  19,101

  20,689

  Kingswood

  4,822

  3,733

  1,618

  1,618

  2,251

  1,618

  1,618

  Wansdyke

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,496

  —

  —

  Woodspring

  —

  —

  —

  20,348

  1,814

  —

  BERKSHIRE

  Reading

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9,577

  19,154

  9,577

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  2,708

  959

  959

  759

  955

  959

  959

  BEDFORDSHIRE

  North Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,755

  6,245

  Luton

  2,438

  2,438

  7,142

  2,438

  2,438

  2,438

  2,438

  South Bedfordshire

  34,552

  4,936

  4,936

  4,936

  4,936

  4,936

  4,936

  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

  Milton Keynes

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,836

  4,972

  9,636

  CAMBRIDGESHIRE

  Peterborough

  1,376

  1,840

  2,127

  5,292

  2,127

  2,127

  2,127

  CHESHIRE

  Congleton

  24,854 (75)

  162,704(100)

  68,799(100)

  109,817

  6,690

  —

  236,632

  35,453

  413(75)

  Chester

  —

  27,082

  565,196

  18,600

  35,339

  6,217

  —

  Crewe and Nantwich

  217,594

  85,725

  413 (75) 11,044(100)

  56,621

  266,107

  1,322

  32,415

  Ellesmere Port

  52,664

  34,465

  25,175

  1,887,594

  2,698,821

  1,023,635

  354,961

  Halton

  20,567 (85)

  13,287

  239,435 (100)

  570,774

  592,921

  823,907

  1,033,011

  842,537

  775,075

  Macclesfield

  834,673

  169,204

  793,283

  536,979

  616,055

  1,112,272

  350,133

  Vale Royal

  952(85)

  3,017 (75)

  —

  5,112(75)

  371,931 (100)

  —

  14,882

  30,402

  40,764(100)

  136,511 (100)

  750 (75)

  Warrington

  64 (75) 91,784(100)

  1,397 160,321

  599,465

  474,350

  1,815,468(100) 1,320(75)

  442,150

  2,627,749

  Cheshire county council

  47,492

  47,087

  664,115

  433,547

  862,622

  1,946,593

  2,034,154

  CLEVELAND

  Hartlepool

  11,387(85)

  2,172

  1,610,146(100)

  245,195

  268,580

  340,036

  340,172

  —

  69,443

  Langbaurgh

  6,349 (85)

  101,389

  19,203

  7,738(100)

  1,655

  3,970

  58,006

  395,649

  1,138,858

  484,056

  Middlesbrough

  150,000

  110,848

  53,732

  —

  262,901

  —

  679,122

  Stockton-on-Tees

  35,700

  —

  42,759

  19,049

  199,728

  139,618

  11,201

  Cleveland county council

  —

  1,028(85)

  215,995(100)

  154,971 (100)

  115,620

  12,543

  852,390

  566,889

  5,818 (85)

  CORNWALL

  Carrick

  —

  —

  —

  —

  762,754

  441,418

  792,794

  Kerrier

  1,970

  —

  731 (85)

  369(100)

  8,974

  2,478

  2,145

  182,984

  North Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  57,088

  2,321

  Restormel

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6,711

  —

  —

  Cornwall county council

  46,562

  3,435

  10,371

  8,365

  100,997(100) 991 (85)

  55,217 6,641

  33,005

  CUMBRIA

  Barrow-in-Furness

  —

  10,898(85)

  2,839

  13,529

  3,709

  355,440

  244,573

  65,088(100)

  47,097

  Allerdale

  116,502

  26,622 (85)

  39,275

  —

  104,669(100)

  613,953

  361,662

  35,212(100)

  28,224

  95,460 (85)

  2,380

  Carlisle

  —

  —

  —

  20,425

  44,634

  40,092

  10,829

  Copeland

  27,178

  94,075

  47,062

  1,873,411

  1,275,791

  482,096

  72,943

  Eden

  —

  —

  3,656

  —

  46,261

  49,853

  68,242

  South Lakeland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,216

  Cumbria county council

  2,377 (85)

  87,909

  7,764 (85)

  431,882

  288,846

  3,433,939(100)

  4,658,228

  342,459(100)

  149,329(100)

  29,730 (85)

  6,392

  228
  Mr. Ridley
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987, c. 55] Amounts of derelict land grant paid to individual authorities for each year since 1979 are given in the following table. Figures are not yet available for 1986–87, nor is it possible to split the figures between category A and category B projects. In any event, this categorisation has not been applied to schemes approved since 1985.
  229

  Local Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  DERBYSHIRE

  Amber Valley

  —

  —

  —

  349,232

  351,733

  545,795

  557,746

  Chesterfield

  527

  527

  527

  527

  527

  527

  527

  Derby

  —

  45,341

  5,322

  11,710

  1,893

  —

  —

  North East Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,448

  —

  —

  South Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,950

  780

  —

  West Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  191,732

  —

  111,324

  Derbyshire county council

  221 (50)

  982,564(100)

  1,302,435

  1,240,787

  978,681

  12,997(75)

  9,109

  23,939

  1,632(75)

  1,215,693(100)

  1,143,078

  258,426

  1,576(50)

  DEVON

  East Devon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7,091

  Exeter

  —

  —

  28,000

  —

  2,413

  5,648

  8,100

  North Devon

  —

  49,818

  24,389

  5,832

  25,967

  —

  —

  Plymouth

  21,696

  16,780

  —

  10,252

  16,865

  9,889

  14,781

  South Hams

  —

  —

  —

  —

  119,155

  —

  —

  Teignbridge

  —

  15,183

  366,553

  —

  231,166

  37,902

  —

  Torbay

  7,265

  14,926(50)

  7,397

  17,636

  66,570(100)

  97,691

  10,744

  66,842 (100)

  6,195

  7,397

  7,397 (50)

  7,397

  7,397

  West Devon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11,300

  —

  —

  Devon county council

  —

  —

  5,050

  —

  —

  —

  —

  DORSET

  North Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,111

  151

  —

  Poole

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,226

  —

  —

  West Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,846

  —

  Weymouth and Portland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7,406

  Dorset county council

  3,509

  2,649

  68,764

  2,649

  2,649

  2,649

  4,279

  EAST SUSSEX

  Hastings

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,936

  —

  11,899

  East Sussex county council

  720

  720

  720

  720

  720

  720

  720

  DURHAM

  Chester-le-Street

  7,704

  38,589

  78,497

  30,691

  622

  3,359

  6,121

  Darlington

  252

  196,666

  19,709

  262,152

  585,939

  419,480

  363,492

  Derwentside

  2,025 (85)

  15,085

  623,433 (100)

  1,184,445

  501,578(100)

  2,578,129

  43,073

  128,813(100)

  488,785

  182(85)

  2,283

  Durham

  301

  —

  —

  717,780(100)

  15,849

  3,657

  —

  44,548 (85)

  24,291

  Easington

  1,267,888

  291,014

  250,291

  25,864

  483,305

  82,814

  160,606

  Sedgefield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  51,452

  —

  13,044

  Teesdale

  —

  26,158(85)

  16,810(100)

  36,920

  10,306

  82

  —

  1,232

  Wear Valley

  26,189(85)

  —

  —

  19,794(100)

  63,024

  51,852

  125,887

  44,313 (100)

  21,132

  56,360

  2,910(85)

  Durham County Council

  81,451 (85)

  31,255

  39,306

  121

  1,579,101 (100)

  1,204,621

  939,789

  791,539(100)

  831,560

  1,409,089

  245 (85)

  13,249

  -618

  24,812(50)

  (repayment 861)

  ESSEX

  Thurrock

  —

  —

  4,197

  —

  —

  —

  —

  HEREFORD AND WORCS

  Hereford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20,880

  —

  —

  Leominster

  —

  313

  —

  626

  —

  626

  313

  Wychavon

  4,320

  960

  480

  480

  480

  480

  480

  Wyre Forest

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11,608

  —

  —

  HUMBERSIDE

  Beverley

  —

  —

  —

  45,052

  —

  2,264

  —

  Booth Ferry

  136,187

  2,285

  10,996

  —

  —

  12,584

  1,466

  Cleethorpes

  6,939

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Glanford

  —

  —

  8,166

  —

  460,963

  622,078

  591,531

  Grimsby

  —

  —

  25,965

  —

  —

  —

  91,491

  Holderness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,452

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  —

  333,246 (75)

  1,078,594

  314,092(100)

  429,278

  32,425

  —

  —

  516,766(100)

  —

  16,115(75)

  —

  —

  —

  230 231

  Local Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  (North Wolds) East Yorkshire

  2,717(75)

  —

  —

  3,352

  —

  1,215

  —

  2,217(100)

  Scunthorpe

  25,240

  55,459

  58,554

  9,337

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside county council

  18,398

  —

  18,235

  —

  75,025

  450

  139,436

  WARWICKSHIRE

  North Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  49,586

  337,304

  16,755

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  3,444

  4,172

  13,800

  48,178

  778,193(100)

  327,903

  328,122

  —

  —

  —

  7,723

  8,779 (50)

  8,779

  8,779

  Rugby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13,705

  —

  —

  Warwickshire County Council

  14,949

  28,985

  31,293

  8,277

  302,721 (100)

  190,384

  642,536

  23,333

  23,333

  28,989

  KENT

  Canterbury

  4,029

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Maidstone

  24,207

  17,252

  8,109

  8,109

  8,109

  8,109

  8,109

  Swale

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,115

  —

  969

  Kent County Council

  6,756

  —

  2,126

  1,270

  3,922

  —

  11,942

  LINCOLNSHIRE

  Boston

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11,019

  11,063

  22,126

  East Lindsey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6,783

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire County Council

  —

  —

  1,875(75)

  1,342

  —

  —

  —

  2,273 (100)

  LEICESTERSHIRE

  Leicester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,590

  10,944

  Leicestershire County Council

  21,049

  39,824

  23,443

  —

  9,572(100)

  8,605

  3,973

  37,497 (50)

  7,851

  14,387

  WILTSHIRE

  Thamesdown

  731

  731

  731

  731

  731

  731

  23,953

  Wiltshire County Council

  —

  47,880

  —

  3,420

  3,420

  3,420

  3,420

  WEST YORKSHIRE

  Bradford

  654

  654

  654

  654

  26,111 (100)

  7,603

  975,183

  654 (50)

  654

  654

  Calderdale

  320 (75)

  913(50)

  913

  422,456(100)

  4,952

  222,730

  115,201

  913(50)

  2,871 (75)

  —

  656 (75)

  25,225

  1,466

  21

  20,201 (100)

  53,210(100)

  733

  913(50)

  913

  913

  913

  Kirklees

  5,579 (75)

  2,084

  1,413

  216,048

  361,710

  268,195

  436,775

  117,738(100)

  30,984

  379,894

  Leeds

  904

  904 (50)

  904

  64,005

  115,711

  91,918

  114,817

  169,294(100)

  152,946

  904

  904

  904

  904

  Wakefield

  54,833 (100)

  495 (50)

  495

  46,899(100)

  104,793

  28,665

  185,976

  495 (50)

  227 (75)

  27,938(100)

  495 (50)

  495

  495

  495

  833 (75)

  142,015(100)

  West Yorkshire county council

  27,468 (75)

  69,605

  17,802

  839,575(100)

  595,433

  842,275

  693,881

  372,768(100)

  452,476

  169,102

  3,456 (75)

  19,635

  1,981

  2,757

  LANCASHIRE

  Blackburn

  92,282

  242,085

  311,427(100)

  412,170

  118,782

  789,469

  9,750 (75)

  Blackpool

  —

  —

  —

  —

  564,341

  —

  3,991

  Burnley

  28,998 (75)

  43,921 (75)

  118,593(100)

  173,273

  75,053

  142,523

  173,296(100)

  224,496

  193,866(100)

  2,981 (75)

  Chorley

  46,870

  39,862

  262,117

  140,863

  360,848

  123,531

  100,484

  Hyndburn

  25,284

  14,363

  14,505

  33,824

  224,052

  39,603

  172,440

  Lancaster

  —

  —

  3,650

  468,134

  1,509,301

  1,219,707

  822,683

  Pendle

  305 (75)

  118,407 (100)

  179,947

  165,138

  127,171

  43,022

  98,237

  75,632 (100)

  Preston

  29,071

  4,371

  —

  19,531

  2,421,900

  2,595,274

  1,124,400

  Ribble Valley

  —

  120,429

  256,986

  199,740

  23,204

  3,000

  158,196

  Rossendale

  93,163(100)

  522 (50)

  522

  214,422(100)

  289,958(100)

  674,061

  534,896

  522 (50)

  118,980(100)

  131,177

  9,443 (75)

  522 (50)

  522

  522

  522 (50)

  South Ribble

  21,636

  —

  378,169

  262,633

  316,815

  121,031

  156,256

  West Lancashire

  —

  —

  3,561

  —

  833,332

  187,700

  100,505

  Lancashire county council

  156,430(100)

  2,081 (50)

  2,081

  569,204(100)

  738,249(100)

  536,289

  486,503

  2,081 (50)

  662,898(100)

  430,921

  2,789 (75)

  2,081 (50)

  93 (75)

  2,081

  1,976(75)

  2,081 (50)

  2,081

  WEST SUSSEX

  Arun

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,488

  —

  1,870

  Chichester

  487

  487

  487

  487

  487

  487

  487

  Mid Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  79

  Worthing

  744

  1,488

  744

  744

  744

  744

  744

  West Sussex County Council

  2,972

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  GREATER MANCHESTER

  Bolton

  46,960

  74,589

  149,646

  139,343 (100)

  162,497

  228,771

  291,408

  3,563 (75)

  232 233

  Local Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Bury

  120,321

  64,406 (75)

  2,545

  —

  179,109

  116,416

  705,350

  4,000 (100)

  118,060

  Manchester

  515,875

  88,313 (75)

  441,090

  273,439

  2,090,783

  762,459

  931,046

  354,129(100)

  Oldham

  4,425 (75)

  2,749

  5,402

  215,012(100)

  547,849

  792,926

  314,882

  56,134(100)

  268,246

  234,988

  1,102(75)

  11,591

  Rochdale

  118,926

  110,817

  323,418

  169,733

  17,682

  250,680

  369,577

  Salford

  12,452(75)

  26,589

  10,333

  450,708

  2,707,956

  1,886,726

  877,166

  11,289(100)

  87,756

  345,366

  Stockport

  7,984

  3,350 (75)

  171,892

  56,797

  257,080

  149,734

  158,542

  118,991 (100)

  Tameside

  126,003

  4,002 (75)

  17,709

  466,926(100)

  538,175

  233,105

  512,840

  391,966(100)

  531,119

  2,377 (75)

  Trafford

  15,498

  4,567

  52,147

  13,188

  4,482

  227,450

  1,031,333

  Wigan

  325,461

  —

  14,788(75)

  437,679 (100)

  599,551

  1,024,056

  481,083

  1,276,455(100)

  48,530 (75)

  Greater Manchester County Council

  31,868(75)

  15,861

  27,285

  2,474,679(100)

  1,992,143

  2,135,935

  1,682,112

  669,664(100)

  1,029,972

  1,053,322

  11,449(75)

  9,232

  40

  9

  NORFOLK

  Great Yarmouth

  —

  4,822

  6,660

  8,453

  8,533

  7,695

  15,390

  South Norfolk

  361

  2,279

  361

  361

  361

  361

  2,049

  West Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,651

  —

  —

  Norfolk county council

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,867

  5,466

  MERSEYSIDE

  Knowsley

  14,311

  191,013

  767,389

  889,993

  Liverpool

  531,250

  191,077

  615,992

  30,094

  650,229

  137,726

  —

  St. Helen's

  333 (85)

  5,719(85)

  374,678(100)

  866,642

  373,942

  1,391,389

  109,110(100)

  101,325

  377,585(100)

  3,599 (85)

  Sefton

  57,277

  19,623

  140,553

  68,998

  149,194

  501,991

  349,142

  Wirral

  —

  1,375

  —

  —

  34,260

  117,277

  436,411

  Merseyside county council

  660,685

  406,651

  690,220

  705,654

  2,021,795

  3,318,020

  2,164,399

  GLOUCESTERSHIRE

  Cheltenham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,441

  —

  —

  Forest of Dean

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,255

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,382

  —

  HAMPSHIRE

  Eastleigh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,081

  8,080

  4,040

  New Forest

  —

  —

  —

  1,005

  2,375

  —

  —

  Portsmouth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,227

  —

  Hampshire county council

  304

  304

  8,085

  544

  1,969

  1,969

  1,959

  SURREY

  Elmbridge

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,007

  —

  —

  Guildford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  920

  —

  1,424

  Reigate and Banstead

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  71

  Waverley

  2,939

  —

  —

  1,303

  —

  —

  6,099

  Surrey county council

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,948

  SUFFOLK

  Ipswich

  260

  260

  260

  260

  260

  260

  260

  Mid Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,495

  St. Edmundsbury

  1,266

  1,266

  1,266

  1,266

  1,266

  1,266

  1,266

  Suffolk Coastal

  —

  4,896

  2,448

  —

  —

  7,342

  —

  Suffolk county council

  2,719

  716

  431

  433

  433

  433

  433

  NORTHUMBERLAND

  Alnwick

  —

  —

  —

  4,188

  4,143

  —

  —

  Blyth Valley

  —

  31,950

  —

  2,113

  —

  —

  —

  Castle Morpeth

  —

  —

  —

  32,808

  —

  —

  —

  Wansbeck

  1,509

  —

  —

  —

  12,582

  —

  2,596

  Northumberland county council

  314,267(85)

  147,870

  46,706

  940,579(100)

  914,800

  545,360

  1,166,870(100)

  1,008,586

  489,190

  188,708(85)

  60,263

  64,032

  321,907

  NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

  Corby

  —

  —

  1,260,937

  1,508,424

  4,312,397

  2,209,342

  2,125,948

  Kettering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7,158

  7,377

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,170

  —

  —

  Wellingborough

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,992

  514

  GREATER LONDON

  Barking

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,120

  —

  Barnet

  2,567

  2,694

  —

  11,121

  2,836

  4,458

  6,839

  Bexley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,094

  —

  —

  Bromley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,681

  —

  Camden

  —

  —

  19,703

  5,578

  7,619

  18,922

  17,400

  Croydon

  —

  —

  —

  3,633

  —

  —

  —

  Ealing

  —

  —

  —

  4,163

  10,028

  4,370

  46,903

  Enfield

  —

  13,524

  4,508

  —

  7,478

  10,694

  13,340

  Greenwich

  —

  5,989

  21,910

  29,769

  261,261 (100)

  17,602(50)

  (96,095) (100)

  37,196(50)

  (17,602) (50)

  234 235

  Local Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Haringey

  1,115

  1,115

  1,115

  1,115

  7,531

  1,115

  6,427

  Harrow

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,024

  Hillingdon

  19,870

  19,675

  —

  45,894

  —

  25,220

  71,921

  Hounslow

  13,454

  8,340

  13,375

  11,767

  37,934

  15,211

  15,211

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14,318

  —

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6,384

  6,384

  6,384

  Lewisham

  2,472

  5,941

  2,431

  7,108

  376,280(100)

  8,996

  9,536

  7,720 (50)

  25,375

  Merton

  —

  —

  —

  9,365

  687,376

  120,573

  164,566

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  1,233

  1,233(50)

  1,233

  1,233

  1,233

  4,746

  1,233

  Southwark

  51,419

  783,890 (100)

  —

  560,456(100)

  129,927

  35,688

  61,057

  —

  57,419 (50)

  8,313

  46,961 (50)

  119,590

  —

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  4,720

  2,205,873(100)

  1,059,507(100)

  26,118

  —

  —

  79,386

  —

  41,244(50)

  60,549 (50)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,690

  2,845

  2,845

  Greater London County Council

  8,563

  8,563

  8,563

  8,563

  296,333

  320,306

  1,143,830

  TYNE AND WEAR

  Gateshead

  16,201 (85)

  4,760

  299,383

  155,656(100)

  275,096

  425,206

  1,042,393

  86,110(100)

  148,907

  —

  3,044 (85)

  —

  —

  —

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  81,955

  14,161 (85)

  39,038 (85)

  239,272

  221,998

  202,829

  734,821

  —

  9,953(100)

  217,881 (100)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Tyneside

  89,122

  1,584(85)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  99,763(100)

  45,933

  282,186

  441,612

  399,219

  322,106

  South Tyneside

  20,712(85)

  2,078

  21,647

  370,889

  715,412

  355,915

  245,871

  194,558(100)

  48,663

  118,613

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sunderland

  82,163(85)

  19,183

  —

  582,883 (100)

  675,943

  1,279,255

  587,406

  254,402 (100)

  273,272

  502,972

  405 (85)

  —

  —

  —

  Tyne and Wear County Council

  27,672 (85)

  141,582

  37,652

  1,049,424(100)

  1,251,570

  3,137,747

  230,718

  214,310(100)

  2,001,158

  660,528

  52,850 (85)

  95

  —

  —

  WEST MIDLANDS

  Birmingham

  13,650(50)

  32,149

  11,418

  106,735(100)

  410,869(100)

  87,388(100)

  23,360

  499,397(100)

  50,850

  102,106

  80,578 (50)

  23,360 (50)

  23,993 (50)

  Coventry

  —

  3,674

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dudley

  60,933 (50)

  18,122

  14,656

  483,098(100)

  838,797

  1,031,274

  2,252,229

  250,423(100)

  92,146

  187,020

  3,529 (50)

  16,639

  17,387

  44,098

  Sandwell

  23,333 (50)

  72,890

  32,283

  129,314(100)

  381,486

  596,247

  1,050,670

  24,258 (100)

  82,239

  318,890

  32,283 (50)

  32,283

  32,283

  32,283

  Walsall

  22,944 (50)

  42,126

  18,366

  237,604 (100)

  372,540

  912,570

  1,718,835

  23,005(100)

  57,094

  131,857

  3,640 (50)

  20,325

  52,021

  26,265

  Wolverhampton

  19,231

  58,838 (50)

  33,183

  221,605(100)

  81,877(100)

  293,353

  328,504

  99,615(100)

  26,702

  12,493(50)

  12,493 (50)

  12,493

  12,493

  West Midlands county council

  15,853(50)

  43,906

  13,678

  1,185,493(100)

  2,352,640

  2,394,745

  1,500,009

  710,393(100)

  764,370

  988,786

  4,777 (50)

  16,080

  28,954

  22,362

  SHROPSHIRE

  Oswestry

  190,495

  31,982

  4,874 (73)

  19,618

  —

  —

  6,500

  29,358 (100)

  The Wrekin

  4,184

  11,646

  10,658

  9,715

  27,293

  21,317

  24,814(100)

  19,361 (50)

  Shropshire county council

  308,024

  48,758

  132,995

  52,457

  35,418(100)

  41,339

  393,011 (100)

  43,815(75)

  4,914

  19,799(75)

  10,548(50)

  4,012 (AONB)

  133,270(50)

  OXFORDSHIRE

  Oxford

  —

  9,777

  10,239

  10,239

  10,963

  10,963

  10,963

  South Oxfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,168

  —

  Oxfordshire county council

  29,533

  —

  66,286

  49,096

  —

  —

  —

  NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

  Ashfield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  146,284

  —

  —

  Bassetlaw

  34,100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,768

  Gedling

  11,273

  15,008

  —

  43,163

  393,615

  116,590

  43,527

  Mansfield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  191,919

  —

  87,631

  Newark

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30,860

  82,440

  124,710

  Nottingham

  134,671

  442,719

  203,366

  247,798

  115,452

  37,409

  58,227

  Nottinghamshire county council

  493 (50)

  493 (50)

  493 (50)

  493 (50)

  1,733,381

  1,728,536(100)

  5,002 (75)

  746,619(100)

  1,313,183(100)

  423,813

  3,419(75)

  733,443(100)

  468,974(100)

  493 (50)

  493 (50)

  493 (50)

  NORTH YORKSHIRE

  Craven

  20,692

  —

  2,453

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Harogate

  4,583

  —

  868

  180

  3,196

  —

  —

  Richmondshire

  —

  —

  —

  14,835

  —

  3,594

  471

  Ryedale

  1,636

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scarborough

  —

  —

  —

  80,122

  68,780

  —

  371,437(100)

  6,508 (50)

  Selby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,272

  —

  —

  York

  180

  —

  —

  119,484

  48,202

  250

  —

  North Yorkshire county council

  —

  11,644

  1,197

  —

  —

  —

  550

  236 237

  Local Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  Grant paid

  SOUTH YORKSHIRE

  Barnsley

  42,017

  18,639

  54,882

  1,521

  81,191

  306,575

  202,948

  Doncaster

  52,016(100)

  1,010(50)

  1,010(50)

  1,010

  104,218(100)

  44,708

  12,087

  5,785 (75)

  117,206(100)

  118,100(100)

  1,010(50)

  1,010

  1,010

  1,010(50)

  Rotherham

  1,768 (75)

  768,720(100)

  143,212

  22,427

  96,987

  17,873

  78,461

  72,549 (100)

  Sheffield

  47,955

  20,457 (75)

  38,619

  21,674

  4,017(100)

  5,030

  141,122

  42,549(100)

  586 (75)

  South Yorkshire county council

  549 (50)

  549 (50)

  549 (50)

  771,357(100)

  532,123(100)

  389,949

  377,642

  6,369 (75)

  134,480(75)

  2,744 (75)

  9,935 (75)

  12,682(75)

  549 (50)

  549 (50)

  706,835(100)

  1,025,229(100)

  480,099(100)

  549 (50)

  SOMERSET

  Sedgemoor

  16,930

  3,071

  3,071

  3,071

  3,271

  3,071

  3,071

  West Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,580

  —

  Yeovil

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,192

  1,196

  1,196

  Somerset county council

  2,050

  1,564

  1,993

  1,993

  1,993

  1,993

  1,993

  STAFFORDSHIRE

  Cannock Chase

  5,257 (50)

  4,586 (50)

  12,532(50)

  65,191 (100)

  386,982(100)

  1,696,026

  799,966(100)

  6,957(100)

  102,456(100)

  75,525(100)

  4,749 (50)

  2,500 (50)

  4,284

  9,190(50)

  East Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,750

  —

  —

  Lichfield

  —

  —

  100,292

  —

  199,361

  156,879

  186,591

  Newcastle under Lyme

  1,341 (75)

  5,343 (50)

  851 (50)

  245,277(100)

  161,287(100)

  82,103

  273,784(100)

  815(50)

  715(75)

  13,819(75)

  851 (50)

  851

  851 (50)

  304,649(100)

  110,493(100)

  39,272 (100)

  South Staffordshire

  —

  1,052(50)

  274,772 (100)

  355,318(100)

  591,734

  170,281 (100)

  158,568(100)

  742,771

  3,120(50)

  526 (50)

  526

  526 (50)

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  —

  6,106

  21,388

  —

  47,563

  317,126

  —

  Stoke-on-Trent

  18,128(75)

  33,020

  17,174(75)

  1,738,823

  2,727,262

  4,122,980

  1,882,420

  751,581 (100)

  535,272(100)

  537,219(100)

  1,440(75)

  1,327(75)

  15

  Tamworth

  2,532

  4,802

  1,226

  11,458

  40,427

  6,955

  15,205

  Staffordshire county council

  5,711 (50)

  52,837 (50)

  20,063 (50)

  255,898(100)

  134,259(100)

  879,316

  236,542

  922 (50)

  255 (75)

  157(75)

  70,651 (50)

  2,385 (75)

  31,125

  482,863 (50)

  281,583(100)

  186,505(100)

  13,905(50)

  70,356

  Note: Figures in brackets represent the percentage where there is more than one grant rate paid.

SCOTLAND

  National Health Service (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Galbraith
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the total average waiting time for National Health Service in-patient treatment in each surgical specialty in each hospital in Scotland for 1986.

  General surgery

  Orthopaedic surgery

  Ent. surgery

  Opthalmology

  Urology

  Neurosurgery

  Cardio-thoracic surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Oral surgery and medicine

  Paediatric surgery

  Gynaecology

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Crosshouse

  59

  83

  193

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  112

  —

  86

  Ayr County

  53

  145

  287

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (216)

  Heathfield

  —

  —

  —

  64

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Seafield Sick Children's

  154

  39

  194

  —

  41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ballochmyle

  24

  123

  293

  —

  59

  —

  —

  —

  42

  —

  54

  Borders

  Peel

  35

  73

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Clyde

  Dunoon and District General

  53

  (266)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  Victoria Rothesay

  90

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  102

  West Highland

  18

  (98)

  164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  —

  —

  Vale of Leven District General

  55

  53

  73

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  66

  Victoria Infirmary, Helensburgh

  54

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  23

  Inverclyde Royal

  133

  227

  103

  167

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  53

  Hawkhead

  —

  (1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  29

  Royal Alexandra Infirmary

  113

  83

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Royal Alexandra Annexe

  —

  123

  156

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Royal Victoria Eye Infirmary

  —

  —

  —

  66

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thorn

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  85

  238
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information for 1986 is not yet available. The table gives the mean waiting time (in days) for patients admitted from the waiting list and discharged from surgical specialties during 1985. The figures do not include emergency admissions; those in brackets are based on less than five cases.
  239

  General surgery

  Orthopaedic surgery

  Ent. surgery

  Opthalmology

  Urology

  Neurosurgery

  Cardiothoracic surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Oral surgery and medicine

  Paediatric surgery

  Gynaecology

  Fife

  Victoria Kirkcaldy

  184

  130

  192

  67

  124

  —

  —

  —

  38

  115

  33

  Adamson

  276

  53

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  42

  St. Andrews

  155

  494

  —

  —

  137

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  42

  Randolph Wemyss Memorial

  129

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dunfermline and West Fife

  88

  118

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  41

  Maternity Hospital, Dunfermline

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25

  Greater Glasgow

  Canniesburn

  —

  —

  —

  140

  —

  —

  —

  201

  —

  —

  —

  Glasgow R I

  64

  75

  82

  —

  63

  —

  51

  10

  63

  —

  31

  Stobhill

  63

  75

  56

  60

  27

  —

  —

  —

  54

  —

  38

  Mearnskirk General

  9

  5

  149

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  130

  —

  —

  Philipshill

  —

  158

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Royal Samaritan Hospital for women

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  22

  Victoria Infirmary

  58

  —

  161

  —

  94

  —

  —

  —

  222

  —

  41

  David Elder Infirmary

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  43

  Elder Cottage

  —

  (24)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Southern General

  82

  103

  —

  135

  103

  28

  —

  —

  148

  —

  32

  Gartnavel District General

  42

  82

  100

  70

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  R H S C, Drumchapel

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  —

  R H S C, Yorkhill

  —

  60

  187

  43

  —

  —

  59

  —

  —

  117

  —

  Western Infirmary

  39

  —

  —

  —

  89

  —

  80

  —

  —

  —

  29

  Highland

  Dunbar Hospital, Thurso

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  71

  Bignold

  86

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lawson Memorial

  13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  R N I, Inverness

  32

  19

  65

  91

  —

  —

  —

  235

  —

  —

  —

  Raigmore

  45

  161

  90

  113

  —

  —

  —

  359

  74

  —

  35

  Belford

  17

  —

  221

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mackinnon Memorial

  15

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ross Memorial

  44

  103

  144

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lanarkshire

  Monklands District General

  22

  22

  26

  —

  21

  —

  —

  26

  14

  —

  20

  Cleland

  14

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Law

  62

  134

  120

  —

  85

  —

  —

  —

  —

  126

  27

  Hairmyres

  54

  77

  —

  —

  36

  —

  22

  —

  29

  —

  49

  Stonehouse

  61

  69

  68

  59

  85

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36

  Grampian

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  64

  148

  196

  —

  74

  42

  27

  —

  86

  —

  99

  Woodend

  74

  112

  —

  209

  —

  —

  —

  157

  —

  —

  85

  Royal Aberdeen Children's

  —

  57

  62

  161

  —

  —

  —

  166

  40

  65

  —

  Aberdeen Maternity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  Huntly Jubilee

  36

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  65

  Chalmers

  45

  125

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  87

  Dr. Grey's

  20

  —

  —

  201

  —

  —

  —

  —

  197

  —

  —

  Turner

  109

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leanchoil

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  210

  Orkney

  Balfour

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian

  Beechmount

  4

  (7)

  —

  4

  3

  4

  —

  —

  (1)

  —

  7

  Eastern General

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19

  East Fortune

  (5)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leith

  42

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  42

  —

  Roodlands General

  68

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  48

  Western General

  69

  162

  —

  —

  70

  36

  —

  —

  —

  40

  54

  Astley Ainslie

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (12)

  —

  Bruntsfield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  60

  45

  Chalmers

  88

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  City Edinburgh

  (19)

  —

  96

  —

  —

  —

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Deaconess

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Longmore

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  P M R Orthopaedic

  —

  128

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  R H S C, Edinburgh

  —

  —

  133

  —

  —

  —

  —

  110

  —

  129

  —

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

  51

  13

  —

  101

  57

  (24)

  17

  (26)

  74

  —

  49

  Bangour General

  37

  47

  90

  —

  —

  —

  —

  149

  —

  —

  26

  Tayside

  Ninewells

  96

  —

  152

  97

  194

  —

  —

  —

  21

  118

  52

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  —

  190

  —

  —

  101

  48

  —

  74

  53

  —

  —

  Bridge of Earn

  23

  98

  67

  —

  —

  —

  —

  96

  —

  —

  —

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  36

  —

  —

  (12)

  —

  —

  —

  66

  67

  —

  36

  Blairgowrie and Rattray Cottage

  45

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meigle Cottage

  17

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arbroath Infirmary

  36

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  86

  Forfar Infirmary

  78

  156

  (30)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36

  Strachthro

  24

  228

  —

  —

  —

  (13)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  32

  240 241

  General surgery

  Orthopaedic surgery

  Ent. surgery

  Opthalmology

  Urology

  Neurosurgery

  Cardio-thoracic surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Oral surgery and medicine

  Paediatric surgery

  Gynaecology

  Forth Valley

  Falkirk Royal Infirmary

  107

  121

  32

  49

  61

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  48

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  55

  115

  58

  58

  37

  —

  —

  —

  —

  62

  29

  Clackmannan County

  64

  260

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  17

  Western Isles

  Lewis

  28

  —

  186

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  95

  26

  52

  Daliburgh

  15

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Cresswell Maternity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  126

  Dumfries and Galloway R I

  93

  82

  114

  93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  172

  89

  117

  Garrick

  78

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  Gilbert Bain

  59

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland Summary

  66

  123

  118

  47

  67

  37

  33

  139

  78

  96

  47

  Prison Population
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average age of the prison population for each Scottish penal establishment for each year since 1982.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average prison population for each Scottish prison for each year since 1982.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The 1986 figures are set out in the table. Figures for the earlier years have been published in Appendix 1 of the annual reports "Prisons in Scotland", of which copies are available in the Library.

  Average daily number of prisoners or inmates

  Establishment

  1986

  Prisons

  Aberdeen

  180

  Barlinnie (inc. Special unit)

  1,270

  Cornton Vale

  166

  Dumfries

  144

  Dungavel

  135

  Edinburgh

  776

  Friarton1

  41

  Greenock

  147

  Inverness

  109

  Low Moss

  345

  Penninghame

  69

  Perth

  578

  Peterhead

  182

  Shotts

  60

  Young Offenders Institutions

  Castle Huntly

  103

  Cornton Vale

  22

  Glenochil

  365

  Noranside

  74

  Gross Expenditure (£'000)

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Penal establishment

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Aberdeen

  178

  1,432

  397

  1,419

  227

  1,497

  164

  1,586

  155

  1,704

  Barlinnie

  200

  6,085

  447

  6,750

  645

  7,195

  908

  7,758

  1,327

  8,121

  Castle Huntly

  60

  916

  145

  927

  38

  1,003

  42

  1,106

  43

  1,170

  Cornton Vale

  9

  2,370

  20

  2,493

  330

  2,643

  146

  2,833

  269

  2,839

  242

  Establishment

  1986

  Polmont

  378

  Detention Centres

  Friarton1

  15

  Glenochil

  146

  Remand Institution

  Longriggend

  280

  1 Friarton changed use from detention centre to prison during 1986; the figures shown are average figures for each use calculated over the year.

  Female Prisoners
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of women committed to Scottish prison systems for each year since 1982.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following is the information:

  Female receptions to penal establishments 1982–86: Scotland

  Type of reception

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Remand

  807

  886

  907

  897

  993

  Under sentence

  773

  907

  791

  1,204

  1,200

  Civil prisoner

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  1,581

  1,793

  1,698

  2,102

  2,194

  Prisons
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of capital expenditure and revenue expenditure for each Scottish prison for each year since 1982.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:
  243

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Penal establishment

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Dumfries

  184

  1,301

  78

  1,435

  345

  1,578

  81

  1,683

  44

  1,751

  Dungavel

  51

  1,099

  73

  1,189

  68

  1,280

  58

  1,233

  20

  1,284

  Edinburgh

  1,143

  4,273

  771

  4,666

  550

  5,302

  496

  6,882

  402

  7,119

  Friarton

  43

  659

  16

  643

  40

  769

  130

  846

  91

  890

  Glenochil

  75

  4,874

  194

  4,904

  417

  5,231

  259

  6,101

  140

  6,562

  Greenock

  885

  197

  587

  195

  1,202

  244

  1,835

  768

  379

  2,280

  Inverness

  41

  1,032

  170

  1,094

  168

  1,142

  60

  1,254

  23

  1,387

  Longriggend

  50

  1,652

  163

  1,848

  366

  1,927

  145

  2,284

  142

  2,333

  Low Moss

  122

  2,118

  46

  2,575

  84

  2,432

  102

  2,363

  83

  2,317

  Noranside

  62

  840

  53

  950

  185

  988

  201

  1,094

  124

  1,072

  Penninghame

  84

  574

  89

  593

  92

  599

  24

  692

  31

  689

  Perth

  422

  3,638

  642

  3,945

  1,538

  4,256

  500

  4,832

  220

  5,287

  Peterhead

  340

  3,337

  521

  3,683

  308

  4,215

  269

  4,566

  138

  5,061

  Polmont

  659

  3,005

  551

  3,240

  1,228

  3,627

  708

  3,852

  176

  4,097

  Shotts

  83

  1,045

  24

  1,275

  55

  1,441

  34

  1,557

  1,430

  1,800

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of mentally-handicapped or mentally-ill persons at present in Scottish prisons.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In 1986 medical attention was required for 3,434 inmates suffering from various forms of neurosis or mental disorder. Only 63 inmates, however, were diagnosed as suffering from psychosis and five inmates found to be mentally handicapped.

  Traffic Flows
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies his Department has made of the effects of slow moving local traffic flows daily crossing dual carriageway roads which carry fast moving inter-city traffic; what effects this situation is estimated to have on accident rates; and what is his policy with regard to avoiding such situations in new dual carriageway construction.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Studies have been undertaken over many years by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory and the Department of Transport on the aspects of design which influence the capacity and safety of junctions. The benefit of this research is contained in a technical memorandum (SH/82) used by roads authorities.

  All trunk road manoeuvres create some hazard. Excessive speed of traffic on the trunk road and inexperienced drivers, who have difficulty in negotiating junctions, are the main causes of accidents. Accident rates on new stretches of road tend to drop once drivers have become used to the junctions.

  In the design of new dual carriageways the policy adopted is to minimise the frequency of junctions and, where possible, to concentrate traffic crossing, joining and leaving the dual carriageway at the minimum number of locations.

  Pupils and pupil-teacher ratios in education authority schools

  Island authorities/Scotland

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  11986–87

  Primary schools

  Number of pupils

  Orkney

  2,000

  1,923

  1,886

  1,910

  1,910

  1,866

  1,825

  1,826

  Stracathro Hospital
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for the latest year for which figures are available the number of reported accidents and fatalities on the road at Stracathro hospital: and what safety measures have so far been taken.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Between January and December 1986 1 fatal and 1 serious accident occurred on the relevant stretch of the A94. Between January and May of this year there has been 1 fatal accident.

  Safety measures already taken include additional advance direction signs at half mile distance on both carriageways, together with the blue "H" hospital sign; on the hatching within the junction two arrows have been painted on the carriageway indicating the path to follow; and further warning signs have been provided indicating "dual carriageway ahead" on the exit from the hospital.

  Prisoners (Educational Qualifications)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list educational qualifications gained by prisoners who began their studies in prison, in each Scottish prison for each year since 1982, including SCE awards, GCE awards and Open University awards, and so on.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Education Statistics
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing (a) the total number of pupils on school rolls and (b) the pupil-teacher ratio for primary and secondary schools in each islands council area in Scotland for each academic year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information for local authority schools is set out in the tables:
  245

  Island authorities: Scotland

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  11986–87

  Shetland

  2,711

  2,705

  2,681

  2,564

  2,478

  2,388

  2,386

  2,387

  Western Isles

  3,681

  3,529

  3,435

  3,346

  3,198

  3,119

  3,155

  3,000

  Scotland

  545,161

  518,492

  492,645

  467,971

  448,009

  437,538

  435,454

  433,459

  Pupil/ Teacher ratios

  Orkney

  17·3

  17·2

  16·9

  17·2

  16·7

  16·0

  15·9

  15·8

  Shetland

  16·8

  15·7

  15·0

  14·3

  14·4

  14·0

  14·4

  13·7

  Western Isles

  17·1

  16·5

  16·7

  16·4

  16·2

  16·7

  17·3

  16·8

  Scotland

  20·3

  20·3

  20·3

  20·4

  20·3

  20·4

  20·4

  20·4

  Secondary schools

  Number of pupils

  Orkney

  1,496

  1,541

  1,521

  1,496

  1,464

  1,443

  1,414

  1,376

  Shetland

  1,618

  1,631

  1,702

  1,715

  1,797

  1,760

  1,740

  1,709

  Western Isles

  2,549

  2,727

  2,777

  2,752

  2,793

  2,732

  2,639

  2,583

  Scotland

  410,242

  407,844

  404,575

  399,075

  390,368

  376,071

  360,645

  344,369

  Pupil/Teacher ratios

  Orkney

  13·0

  13·2

  12·9

  12·5

  12·0

  12·0

  11·7

  11·7

  Shetland

  13·2

  12·5

  12·5

  11·5

  11·5

  11·0

  10·5

  10·0

  Western Isles

  12·1

  12·4

  12·2

  11·6

  11·3

  11·0

  10·7

  10·4

  Scotland

  14·4

  14·4

  14·4

  14·3

  14·0

  13·7

  13·5

  13·2

  1Provisional.

  Health Care
  Dr. Moonie
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the revised document setting out priorities for health care in Scotland will be published.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The report of the working group set up to review health authorities' priorities for the eighties and nineties (the SHARPEN report) was received by the Scottish Health Service Planning Council at its meeting on 10 June. I understand that the council considered it desirable to seek comments from interested bodies on the report's recommendations before itself forming conclusions. I expect to receive the council's proposals shortly.

  Leukaemia
  Mr. Bill Walker
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the final conclusions of the study by the Information Services Division of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service into the incidence of leukaemia in Scotland will be published.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The full results of the study have been published in the May edition of the health bulletin issued by the Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Home and Health Department (Vol. 45 No 3). I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library. The results have been referred to the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment for guidance on the need for further investigation.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Land
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much defence land has been sold, or returned to former owners since 1979; how much land has been
  246
  acquired; how defence land holdings compare today with holdings 10 and 20 years ago; and what proposals there are for extra acquisition of land for the Department.

  Mr. Freeman
  Records are not held in a form which would allow sales and acquisitions to be readily identified in the form requested without disproportionate cost. However, on 1 April 1979 defence estate holdings stood at 621,118 acres. By 1 April 1987 this had fallen to 591,376 acres. Comparative figures for 1 April 1967 were 654,274 acres and for 1 April 1977 625,583 acres. The Department's main acquisition proposals concern the purchase of land for training purposes. There are also a number of other proposals designed to meet specific requirements.

  Warrant Officer Ross
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis Warrant Officer Ross, serving in the British Army, was involved in the training of private persons in shooting at a privately-organised training exercise held at an Army shooting range in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Freeman
  Former Warrant Officer Ross retired from the Royal Marines in 1984. It appears that while on 28 days terminal leave, and acting in a private capacity, he helped arrange for a security firm to hire the Bisley range, which is managed by the National Rifle Association. The last 28 days of service may be taken up in civilian employment under MOD regulations.

  Nuclear Defence Policy
  Mr. Canavan
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will conduct a review of the Government's nuclear defence policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  No. Her Majesty's Government remain committed to the policies of successive Governments in maintaining an independent nuclear deterrent and
  247
  supporting NATO strategy. The Government believe that possession by the United Kingdom of an independent nuclear deterrent will remain fundamental to the maintenance of this country's security for the foreseeable future.

  Browning Ammunition
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for defence what is his policy with respect to the supply of 0·5" Browning ammunition from (a) United Kingdom suppliers and (b) foreign suppliers.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Our policy is to secure the best long-term value for money on a national basis in procuring the equipment that the armed forces need. We buy British whenever it is sensible, economic and consistent with our international obligations to do so and acquire from overseas only when the advantages of cost, performance and timescale outweigh the longer term benefits of procuring the British alternative. We have recently invited bids from five companies, two of them British for the supply of this ammunition in the quantities required.

  Nuclear Submarines (Waste)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what exploratory work is now in progress, and where, to find sites for the dumping of waste from nuclear submarines.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No exploratory work is in progress to identify sites for the disposal of reactor compartments for decommissioned nuclear submarines.

  Mr. Richard Branson (Rescue Costs)
  Mr. Ron Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost to public funds of the armed forces' rescue of balloonist Richard Branson and his pilot; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of the recent support and rescue operation for Mr. R. Branson and his balloon pilot; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The armed forces stand ready to provide assistance when required if there is immediate danger to life. The Virgin Flyer rescue was such an example. The estimated cost is £34,000, which covers the rescue of Mr. Richard Branson and his pilot and the recovery of the Virgin Flyer from the sea.

  Items allocated since 1 January 1987

  Item

  Conditions or wishes expressed

  Recipient institution

  Portrait of a Man by Roger van der Weyden

  Conditional

  Trustees of Home House Society on behalf of the Courtauld Institute

  Mother and Child by Sir Jacob Epstein

  Conditional

  Birmingham City Art Gallery and Museum

  Archive from the Dukes of Portland and Newcastle

  Unconditional—Wish expressed that the Archive be allocated to the five institutions holding the respective parts at the time of the offer

  Nottingham University Library; Nottinghamshire Record Office; Bodleian Library; British Library. Hampshire Record Office

  Trident
  Mr. William Powell
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about progress with development of the Clyde submarine base required in support of Trident.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment, which acts on behalf of the Secretary of State in matters of design and construction, is today letting a major contract for construction of a shiplift, berthing and other support facilities at Faslane. This is a very significant step in the development of facilities to support Trident, and it marks the beginning of the main construction phase at Faslane, where site preparation and advance works have been under way for some 18 months.

  By the late autumn we expect to have let three more large construction contracts for Trident facilities at the armament depot at Coulport, the PSA will have invited tenders for the floating explosives handling jetty. When that contract, too, is awarded the great bulk of the development of the Clyde submarine base will be under way.

  The contract announced today is worth some £120 million, but with further work for sub-contractors still to be settled the value of the overall package will rise to around £150 million. Construction of the shiplift brings with it some 600 jobs to the west of Scotland as well as important orders for suppliers of equipment and materials in other parts of Britain.

THE ARTS

  Objects in Lieu of Tax
  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will specify the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half-year ended 30 June of individual works of art and museum objects preeminent for national, scientific, historic or artistic interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed by testators or executors in the matter of allocation; whether he will list the works of art or museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective date of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax; and whether the customary press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries covering the information given in his reply.

  Mr. Luce
  The information is as follows:
  249

  Item

  Conditions or wishes expressed

  Recipient institution

  Girl on a Sofa by Philip Wilson Steer

  Conditional

  Ipswich Museum and Art Gallery

  Apotheosis of Delacrox by Paul Cezanne

  Conditional

  British Museum

  Portrait of Jean Genet by Alberto Giacometti

  Conditional

  Tate Gallery

  Madonna and Child by Giovanni Bellini

  Conditional

  Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

  Sidereal clock by Matthew Boulton

  Unconditional—Wish expressed that it be allocated to Birmingham City Art Gallery and Museum

  Birmingham City Art Gallery and Museum

  Items awaiting allocation

  Item

  Conditions or wishes expressed

  Date of acceptance

  Deux Pierreuses by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

  Unconditional

  7 April 1987

  Portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence

  Conditional on its remaining in situ at Sledmere House

  9 April 1986

  Portrait by Sir William Beechey

  Conditional on its remaining in situ at Norton Conyers

  25 July 1986

  Three Flemish still-life paintings

  Unconditional—Wish expressed that they are allocated to the National Gallery

  21 August 1986

  Clark Archive

  Unconditional—Wish expressed that it is allocated to the Tate Gallery

  7 May 1987

  A press notice covering this information is issued today.

  Works of Art (Exports)
  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the items for which the issuing of export licences was withheld on the recommendation of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art during the half-year ended 30 June, specifying in each case the valuation and whether an item was eventually exported or retained, with particulars in the latter event of the acquiring institution; whether he will list any items for which licences have been withheld but the final disposal of which is not yet decided, specifying in each case (a) the valuation and

  Description of Item

  Valuation

  Outcome

  £

  A painting, "La Rue Mosnier aux Paveurs", by Edouard Manet

  7,805,000

  Decision deferred for six months until 2 September 1987. Licence granted following a review of the situation after six weeks.

  A painting, "Alexander III, King of Scotland rescued from the fury of the stag, by the intrepidity of Colin Fitzgerald", by Benjamin West

  575,627

  Decision deferred for three months until 2 June 1987. Purchased by the National Galleries of Scotland.

  A painting, "Virginia Woolf", by Vanessa Bell

  30,000

  Decision deferred for 2 months until 2 May 1987. Purchased by the National Portrait Gallery.

  A painting "Sunflowers" by Vincent van Gogh

  25,087,500

  Decision deferred for six months until 23 November 1987. Licence granted following a review of the situation after six weeks.

  A group of four marble statues known as "The Judgement of Paris":

  1,350,000

  Decision deferred for six months until 4 December 1987. Licence granted following a review of the situation after one month.

  (a)Venus removing her sandal

  all by Joseph Nollekens

  (b)Minerva

  (c)Juno

  (d)A 16th century Italian marble statue of Paris

  250
  (b) the relevant time limit; and whether a press notice will be issued from the Office of Arts and Libraries covering the comprehensive information given in his reply, in accordance with established practice.

  Mr. Luce
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry accepted my recommendation following consideration by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art to defer making for a specified period a decision on an export licence application in respect of the items listed. Details of the items listed were given in press notices issued at the time the Secretary of State decided to accept the recommendation; however a further press notice will be issued.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Interest Rates
  Dr. Bray
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the current level of real short-term interest rates in the United Kingdom by comparison with those in the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan.

  Mr. Lawson
  Real short-term interest rates in the United Kingdom are currently about ½ per cent. higher than the average of the seven major industrial countries.

  Dr. Godman
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the present level of interest rates.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald).

  Privatisation
  Mr. Stott
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of receipts from privatisation for the year 1987–88.

  Mr. Major
  £5 billion.

  Dr. Twinn
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies, with how many employees, have been transferred from the public sector to the private sector since 1979.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs).

  Mr. Hardy
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the sums which will be received as a result of the sale of public assets during the present and in each of the next five financial years.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  As shown in the 1987 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 56-I), the estimate of receipts from the privatisation programme in each of the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 is £5 billion. No estimate has been made of proceeds in later financial years.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Wilkinson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the growth of economic output in the United Kingdom since 1983 compares with that of other major industrialised countries.

  Mr. Major
  Since 1983 output in the United Kingdom has grown faster than in any other major European economy.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the growth of economic output in the United Kingdom since 1983 compares with that of other major industrialised countries in the same period.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the growth of economic output in the United Kingdom since 1983 compares with that of other major industrialised countries in the same period.
  252
  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip—Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson).

  Mr. John Hunt
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the growth of the output in the economy.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the growth of output in the economy.

  Mr. Major
  Measured at 1980 prices, the average estimate of gross domestic product at factor cost is provisionally estimated to have risen by 3½ per cent. in the year to the first quarter of 1987.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Bruce
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current projected deficit in manufactured goods compared with the estimates at the time of the last Budget.

  Mr. Major
  The performance so far in 1987 has been better than implied at Budget time; in the four months to April the trade deficit in manufactures fell by £1·1 billion compared to the last four months of 1986. A new forecast will be published in the usual way at the time of the autumn statement.

  Mr. Gregory
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the most recent statistics for the growth of manufacturing industry productivity in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Summerson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the growth of manufacturing productivity in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. friends to the answer my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North. (Mr. Thompson)

  Non-North Sea Companies
  Mr. Colvin
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest figure for the net real rate of return for non-North sea companies in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lilley
  8 per cent.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of general Government expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Couchman
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of general Government expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Major
  General government expenditure represented just under 43 per cent. of gross domestic product in 1986–87.

  Mr. Rowe
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of central Government expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product.
  253
  Mr. Major
  The normal measure for assessing trends in public spending is general government expenditure as a percentage of GDP. The latest estimate for that in 1986–87 is 43 per cent. The figure for central Government expenditure is 32 per cent.

  Self-employment
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much self-employment has grown in the United Kingdom since 1979.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for New Forest (Mr. McNair-Wilson).

  Oil Prices
  Mr. Salmond
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's current assessment of the impact of lower oil prices on the United Kingdom's economy.

  Mr. Major
  Individuals and companies are benefiting from lower fuel costs and the manufacturing sector is already responding to the competitiveness gains which have occurred.

  EC (Finance Ministers)
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will next meet the Finance Ministers of the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Brooke
  The next meeting of European Community Economic and Finance Ministers is scheduled for 13 July.

  Personal Taxation
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer. what representations he has received regarding the reform of personal taxation.

  Mr. Lamont
  Following the publication of the Green Paper "The Reform of Personal Taxation" responses were received from around 70 organisations and about 400 individuals. Although a majority of those who expressed a preference favoured the introduction of a system of independent taxation of husband and wife with transferable allowances, the total number responding was low. In these circumstances we did not yet feel there was sufficient support to go ahead with so far-reaching a reform. We are exploring the possibility of finding a halfway house to the Green Paper approach. Ministers continue to receive correspondence on the issues discussed in the Green Paper.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to introduce value added tax on children's clothes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for changes in the scope of value added tax.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones).
  254
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to introduce value added tax on books; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  Mr. Madden
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about extensions of value added tax paid in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend received a number of representations in the run-up to the election urging him not to extend value added tax to various items currently zero-rated.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of the Civil Service dispute on value added tax refunds affecting small businesses.

  Mrs. Gorman
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to mitigate the effects on traders of the current value added tax dispute; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) on 2 July at column 167.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new company value added tax registrations there were in 1986.

  Mr. Baldry
  askd the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new company value added tax registrations there were in 1986.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon).

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement regarding the operation of recent changes in the regulations governing the collection of value added tax by the Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Brooke
  Regulations about the implementation of the default surcharge and the repayment supplement were effective from 1 October 1986. Their operation, together with other value added tax measures arising from the Keith Committee recommendations enacted in the 1985 Finance Act, will be reviewed before the 1988 budget. More recently, the Finance Act 1987 provided authority for schemes of cash and annual accounting. A copy of the draft regulations for the Cash Accounting scheme was placed in the Library on 24 April. Draft regulations for Annual Accounting will be provided, on the same way, closer to the mid-1988 date of introduction.

  Unemployment Costs
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will provide an estimate of the cost of unemployment in Scotland.

  Mr. Major
  I regret that regional figures for benefit expenditure on the unemployed are not available.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. Yeo
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the public sector borrowing requirement for 1987–88.
  255
  Mr. Major
  The figure is £3·9 billion, or 1 per cent. of GDP—as published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" for 1987–88.

  Budget Proposals
  Mr. Allen McKay
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further representations he has received on his Budget.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The proposals in my right hon. Friend's Budget have been widely welcomed.

  Inflation
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the level of inflation.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current level of inflation.

  Mr. Lilley
  The increase in retail prices for the 12 months ending May 1987 was 4·1 per cent.

  Overseas Assets
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the present level of net United Kingdom assets overseas.

  Mr. Hannam
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the present level of net United Kingdom assets overseas.

  Mr. Major
  Net United Kingdom overseas assets are estimated to have increased from about £80 billion at the end of 1985 to about £110 billion at the end of 1986. This is equivalent to 28 per cent. of GDP, the highest recorded level since the war.

  Credit Cards
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received seeking regulations of the credit card industry.

  Mr. Lilley
  Very few. Credit card agreements are subject to the Consumer Credit Act which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Director General of Fair Trading has asked the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to investigate credit card services.

  Shareholders
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest figure on the number of shareholders in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Ashby
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest figure of the number of shareholders in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Butler
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest figure on the number of shareholders in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The joint Treasury and Stock Exchange survey carried out in January and February this year estimated that there were 8½ million shareholders, 19½ per cent. of the adult population, roughly three times the equivalent figure for 1979.

  European Monetary System
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next proposes to have discussions with the European Community Council of Ministers about the United Kingdom joining the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend discusses aspects of the European monetary system with his European colleagues from time to time.

  Greenhouses (Capital Allowances)
  Mr. Hind
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change capital allowances for owners of greenhouses in the nursery industry.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

  Industrial Production
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the level of industrial production.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Esher (Mr. Taylor).

  Unit Labour Costs
  Sir Anthony Meyer
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the growth of unit labour costs.

  Mr. Major
  In the fourth quarter of 1986, wages and salaries per unit of output in the whole economy were 5·2 per cent. above the corresponding period of 1985. In the manufacturing sector, in the three months to April 1987, wages and salaries per unit of output were 0·9 per cent. above the corresponding period a year earlier.

  Personal Incomes
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the present level of real take-home pay of a married man on average earnings with two children compared with 1978–79.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Real take-home pay is estimated to have risen by 21·6 per cent. between 1978–79 and 1987–88 for a married man on average male earnings with two children.

  Third World Debt
  Mr. Skinner
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England regarding Third world debt; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly meets the Governor of the Bank of England and international economic issues, including developing country debt, are amongst the topics they discuss.

  EC (Financial Contributions)
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net financial contribution made by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community in each year from 1979 to 1986.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 22 April 1987 at columns 577–78.

  Museums (Grant Aid)
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the grant aid, showing the amount in each case,

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  £

  £

  £

  1. Area Museum and Art Gallery Service for Yorkshire and Humberside

  388,088

  424,800

  424,400

  2. Science Museum

  National Railway Museum

  1,157,480

  1,267,500

  1,066,780

  National Museum of Photograph, Film and Television

  909,450

  995,900

  1,167,940

  3. Museums and Galleries Commission

  Capital Grants

  10,000

  57,000

  23,000

  Conservation Grants

  22,400

  NIL

  22,200

  Post abolition transitional grant

  N/A

  N/A

  129,550

  4. Business Sponsorship Incentive Scheme Awards

  25,000

  9,000

  3,734

  (1984)

  (1985)

  (1986)

  5. Urban Programme

  5,300

  15,000

  124,500

  6. Derelict Land Grant

  NIL

  NIL

  103,500

  7. Local authority expenditure from rate support grant

  252,973

  199,953

  N/A

  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
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1987, c. 83]: This would depend on the levels of allowances available to husbands and wives, the rules of distinguishing a wife's income from that of her husband, and any transitional provisions following the change.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Maternity Grant
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women claimed maternity grant in the last month of availability (a) nationally and (b) in Preston; and how many women have had social fund payments for maternity in the first month of availability (i) nationally and (ii) in Preston.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information on the numbers of maternity grant claims made in Great Britain in the calendar month immediately preceding 6 April 1987 is not readily available and could he obtained only at disproportionate cost. Between 4 March 1987 and 31 March 1987, the Department's child benefit centre at Washington received, from local offices, 9036 maternity grant claims. The numbers of maternity grant claims received at the Department's local offices at Preston, North and Preston, South between 6 March 1987 and 5 April 1987 were 113 and 227 respectively.
  258
  given to museums and museum projects in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1985, 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date.

  Mr. Luce
  I have been asked to reply.

  Central Government supported expenditure on museums and museum projects in Yorkshire and Humberside are included in the table.

  Contributions to museums and museum projects are also made from central Government funds through museums and galleries commission local museum purchase grants, the Manpower Services Commission and organisations such as English Heritage and tourist boards.

  Between 6 April 1987 and 5 May 1987, Social Fund payments for maternity expenses in Great Britain numbered 11,248 including 65 at Preston, North and 38 at Preston, South local offices.

  Drugs (Prices)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the prices negotiated for National Health Service drugs include an allowance for the risk of drug damage for which the company would have to pay compensation.

  Mr. Newton
  Costs of pharmaceutical companies accepted for the purposes of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, and thus reflected in National Health Service medicine prices, would include a due share of the cost of a company's product liability insurance premiums.

  Drugs (Clinical Trials)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rules are laid down by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in respect of the inclusion of old people in clinical trials for drugs which will he used extensively by old people.

  Mr. Newton
  The current guidelines are given in annex IVB of "Guidance Notes on Applications for Product Licences (MAL 2)", a copy of which is in the Library. These guidelines are issued by the licensing authority after taking into consideration the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  Eli Lilly
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many drugs are supplied to the National Health Service by the firm Eli Lilly; and if he will list them
  259
  Mr. Newton
  This company produces a wide range of branded medicinal products, details of which may be found under the names of Dista Products Limited and Eli Lilly & Company Limited, in the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry data sheet compendium 1986–87. A copy of the compendium is held as a reference volume in the Scientific and Defence Section of the Library. Doctors may prescribe any of the products mentioned for National Health Service patients, apart from any which appear in schedule 3A of the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment Regulations, 1985.

  Drugs (Adverse Reactions)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what way, and to what extent, his Department checks the warnings given by drug manufacturers about the risk of adverse reactions.

  Mr. Newton
  Any medicinal product which is promoted to doctors must be accompanied by a data sheet, which must be consistent with the product licence and must include an accurate account of the uses of the drug and its contra-indications and warnings. Data sheets submitted with licence applications are scrutinised to ensure that they reflect the data supporting the application.

  The Committee on Safety of Medicines promote and monitor the reporting of adverse drug reactions. The adverse reactions group of CSM's sub-committee on safety (ARGOS), operates a prospective monitoring scheme to look every month at recently reported adverse reactions to selected new drugs. In addition, a team of doctors in the Department with appropriate experience carries out a fortnightly surveillance of all recently-received individual patient reports. The international published literature on adverse drug reactions is scrutinised by the Department and by ARGOS. The aim in each case is to identify new or increased hazards. As fresh information about adverse reactions becomes apparent officers of the Department may discuss revisions to the data sheet with the licence holder, or the CSM may advise the licensing authority on courses of action including measures to secure compulsory variation of a data sheet.

  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what severity of reaction is understood by his Department to be indicated where a pharmaceutical company warns of a mild adverse reaction; and whether such a reaction is understood to include photosensitivity;

  Mr. Newton
  In the medical sense, mild carries the same connotations as in lay usage. It specifically excludes all reactions which are fatal, life-threatening, disabling, incapacitating or which result in or prolong hospitalisation. Photosensitivity can be mild, moderate or severe.

  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what approximate period of time is understood by his Department to be referred to where a pharmaceutical company warns of a transient adverse reaction in connection with a drug.

  Mr. Newton
  In the medical sense, transient carries the same connotations as in lay usage. However, the significance of a transient reaction can be considered only in relationship to the drug and reaction in question.

  Opren
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people are estimated to be still suffering from photosensitivity as a result of taking Opren; and how many people are estimated to be suffering from a liver condition as a result of taking the drug;

  (2) what information he has as to how many people aged over 65 years took part in the clinical trials for Opren, and as to the average length of time that such people took part in the trial;

  (3) how many people are estimated to have taken the drug Opren; and how many of these were aged over 65 years;

  (4) if he or his officials have had any discussions with Eli Lilly about the possibility of the company establishing a structured compensation scheme for the alleged victims of the drug Opren;

  (5) how many people are estimated to have died as a result of taking Opren.

  Mr. Newton
  These questions concern matters contained in current legal actions before the High Court against both the licensing authority and the Committee on Safety of Medicines. I am advised that they are therefore sub-judice.

  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in each calendar year since Opren received a product licence, how many adverse reaction cards relating to it have been received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines; and how many in each year indicated a death.

  Mr. Newton
  The figures are not readily available in the form requested. I refer the right hon. Member to the debate in the House on 27 January 1983, at columns 1098–1122 and to the Committee on Safety of Medicines' update in the British Medical Journal of 3 May 1986 volume 292 pages 1190–1191.

  Drugs (Damage)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will examine the possibility of making it a condition of a pharmaceutical company receiving a contract to supply drugs to the National Health Service that, in the event of that company paying any compensation for drug damage, British citizens would receive equal treatment.

  Mr. Newton
  Compensation questions fall to be determined between the parties or failing that by the courts in the light of the circumstances of the case. We have no plans to associate compensation arrangements with the supply of medicines to the NHS.

  Benefits
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children, on the latest available figures, are now living in households dependent on social security benefits in (a) the Leeds Central constituency and (b) the Leeds metropolitan district council area.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is not possible to provide statistically valid estimates of the number of children living in families receiving supplementary benefit in Leeds Central constituency.
  261
  The Department's quarterly administrative statistics for February 1987 indicate that in the Leeds Metropolitan District, some 32,000 dependant children lived in families where the head was receiving supplementary benefit.

  Geriatric Wards (Women)
  Ms. Gordon
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to regional or district health authorities concerning the practice of placing patients of both sexes in overnight geriatric wards in mental hospitals; and what safeguards exist against physical harassment of vulnerable women patients.

  Mrs. Currie
  The principles which should govern the provision of mixed sex wards were conveyed to area health authority chairmen, at a meeting in 1980 chaired by the then Secretary of State, to the effect that patients' dignity and privacy must be respected, any arrangements whereby men and women share bedrooms is unsatisfactory, and sanitary facilities should give complete privacy. The desirability of a male and female nurse always being present in a mixed day area, and of nurses of both sexes being on call during the night was emphasised.

  Mixed wards managed on this basis can be of positive therapeutic value to elderly people who are mentally ill. They can provide a setting for social contact, and may encourage improved social behaviour, personal hygiene and appearance.

  Carers (Holidays)
  Mr. D. E. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider plans to extend the opportunities of carers of elderly, handicapped or ill relatives to take holidays; and jibe will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We recognise the value to family carers of relief from the burden of continual care and the part respite care services can play in this. However, responsibility for these services rests with local social services and health authorities. These authorities are best placed to assess local needs and to decide within the resources available what provision to make.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. D. E. Thom
  as asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to increase the value of invalid care allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We are pledged to maintain the value of invalid care allowance in line with the movement in prices and, since coming to office in 1979, we have more than done so. My right hon. Friend will be making the usual annual statement in the autumn about benefit upratings.

  Nursing Services (Privatisation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is his intention to privatise the provision of nursing services in National Health Service hospitals.

  Mr. Newton
  No.

  NHS (Private Contractors)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has about difficulties
  262
  experienced by hospital administrators or health authorities in enforcing the terms of contracts in respect of hospital cleaning services which have been granted to private contractors.

  Mr. Newton
  It is the responsibility of health authorities to monitor the performance of a contractor to ensure that the service delivered meets the standards specified in the contract. Day-to-day management information of the sort requested is not collected centrally.

  Departmental Leaflets
  Ms. Mahon
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many complaints have been received from citizen's advice bureaux and other organisations over the last three years about difficulties and delays in obtaining departmental leaflets for distribution to the public;

  (2) if he will give more resources to his departmental leaflets unit in order to reduce the problems presently experienced by citizens advice bureaux and their clients in obtaining such leaflets.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department does not record the number of such complaints. Demand of departmental leaflets has recently increased sharply and regrettably there has been some delay in processing orders. I am considering a number of options to improve the situation.

  Genetic Screening
  Mr. McCrindle
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the funding of the investigation of genetic screening for common inherited diseases at Cardiff, Manchester and London.

  Mrs. Currie
  A special medical development at these locations has been funded by the Department for three years to enable a full evalution of the service implications of the application of DNA technology to genetic services. The current period of support ends in December 1987.

  Mr. McCrindle
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if additional funding is to be made available to regional health authorities for the investigation of genetic screening for common inherited diseases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  It is for health authorities locally to determine the allocation of resources for genetic services within the overall resources available to them. We have no current plans to allocate resources to regional health authorities specifically for genetic services.

  Primary Health Care
  Mr. Colvin
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will be publishing a White Paper on primary health care following completion of discussions on his Green Paper (Cmnd. 9771), on the same subject.

  Mr. Newton
  We shall announce our conclusions on the primary health care review as soon as possible.

  Organ Donors
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received the report from Sir Raymond Hoffenberg and his committee about proposals to introduce a required request procedure in hospitals where organ donors arise.
  263
  Mrs. Currie
  The working group, chaired by Sir Raymond Hoffenberg, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, is examing various ways of increasing the availability of donor organs for transplantation. The group has not yet submitted its report to the conference of royal medical colleges and their faculties. We understand that the report will be sent to the Department when it has been considered by the conference.

  Hours of Work
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his Department's policy towards issuing guidelines to each health authority in England and Wales governing the hours to be worked by junior doctors in general hospitals;

  (2) what guidelines his Department issued to area health authorities on the hours of work of working parties; and if he will make a statement on their future;

  (3) whether his Department has reviewed rota arrangements for junior doctors, in view of the agreement reached between his Department and the British Medical Association in 1982; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The issue of guidance to health authorities in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Departmental guidance to authorities in England on the hours of work of junior hospital doctors and dentists is contained in circulars PM(82)37, AL(MD)3/83 and PM(85)1, copies of which I have placed in the Library. This bans regular rotas requiring a practitioner to be on duty, on average, for more than one night and one weekend in two. It also asks authorities to aim for a target maximum commitment of one in three or better, where practicable, and to set up local professional working parties to recommend means of achieving this.

  Following reviews undertaken in consultation with working parties betwen 1982 and 1985, it is estimated that the number of rotas more onerous than one in three fell or was planned to fall from 5,000 to 3,500, representing 18.4 per cent. of junior posts. In addition, the average weekly contracted hours of juniors have fallen in every year since 1979, from over 90 to 85.7, and surveys commissioned by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration show that the average weekly

  Number of notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 by grounds and gestation period. Residents and non-residents. Annual and first quarter, 1982–1986

  England and Wales

  Grounds

  Gestation period in completed weeks

  under 20

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24 and over

  1982

  All

  159,276

  1,262

  623

  854

  477

  462

  1 (with any other)

  662

  5

  1

  3

  1

  2

  5 (alone)

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1983

  All

  158,186

  1,322

  651

  936

  451

  505

  1 (with any other)

  523

  6

  2

  2

  1

  11

  5 (alone)

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1984

  All

  165,563

  1,550

  695

  938

  619

  532

  1 (with any other)

  586

  2

  1

  3

  —

  4

  5 (alone)

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  264
  hours actually worked have also fallen, from 58·3 in 1981 to 57 in 1985. We expect authorities to keep the need for the remaining rotas more onerous than one in three under review, and it is open to them to convene working parties for that purpose.

  The Department is currently collecting further informtion on practitioners' hours of work which it has undertaken to discuss with the profession's representatives.

  Diseases Classification (Data)
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to encourage regional health authorities to use the most recent version of the international classification of diseases code to improve the quality of HAA and HIPE data with a view to resolving current problems of inferior quality of data for record linkage purposes.

  Mrs. Currie
  All the regional health authorities used the most recent version of the international classification of diseases to code their hospital activity analysis data. We have not received any reports that the hospital activity analysis data are of inferior quality.

  Abortions
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many abortions have been performed under the Abortion Act 1967 in each of the last five years for which figures are available on pregnancies of (a) under 20 weeks, (b) 20 weeks,(c) 21 weeks, (d) 22 weeks, (e) 23 weeks and (f) 24 weeks or more; and how many of the abortions in each case were performed under (i) ground 1 and (ii) ground 5 of the Act;

  (2) how many abortions have been performed under the Abortion Act 1967 in the first quarter of 1987 and the first quarter of each of the five preceding years on pregnancies of (a)under 20 weeks, (h)20 weeks, (c)21 weeks, (d)22 weeks, (e)23 weeks and (f)24 weeks or more; and how many of the abortions in each case were performed under (i) ground I and (ii) ground 5 of the Act.

  Mr. Newton
  The available information is given in the tables. Data for the first quarter of 1987 have not yet been processed fully.
  265

  Grounds

  Gestation period in completed weeks

  under 20

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24 and over

  1985

  All

  167,413

  1,475

  835

  904

  724

  494

  1 (with any other)

  520

  1

  2

  3

  3

  5

  5 (alone)

  3

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1986

  All

  168,168

  1,389

  753

  876

  880

  204

  1 (with any other)

  479

  3

  1

  2

  2

  1

  5 (alone)

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  First Quarter (March)

  1982

  All

  42,208

  331

  141

  221

  147

  120

  1 (with any other)

  169

  1

  —

  2

  —

  1

  5 (alone)

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1983

  All

  42,332

  346

  160

  229

  114

  137

  1 (with any other)

  162

  3

  —

  1

  —

  4

  5 (alone)

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1984

  All

  43,244

  372

  169

  208

  140

  143

  1 (with any other)

  158

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5 (alone)

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1985

  All

  43,006

  391

  222

  228

  183

  145

  1 (with any other)

  188

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  5 (alone)

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1986

  All

  42,671

  332

  181

  204

  195

  77

  1 (with any other)

  103

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  5 (alone)

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  Notifications with unknown gestation period are excluded.

  Ground 1: the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  Ground 5: in emergency, to save the life of the pregnant woman.

  Tabulation categories as in OPCS published data (series AB)

  Nurses (Pay)
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of a nurse's take-home pay is related to accommodation costs; and whether he has given any consideration to assisting nurses with their housing costs in areas such as Berkshire where rents are generally higher than in other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Newton
  A nurse's take home pay depends on his or her individual circumstances, as does the proportion of that pay which is devoted to accommodation costs. Nurses' average earnings have risen by 30 per cent. since 1979, after allowing for movements in prices, including housing costs. The NHS Management Board is encouraging a number of experiments to develop schemes which could be used by health authorities in areas where housing costs are thought to be a contributory factor in staffing shortages.

  Kidney Patients
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the planned annual rate of increase in treatment for new renal patients, regional health authority by regional health authority, for 1987–88.

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

  Histopathology (Staff)
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received representations from the British Society for Clinical Cytology asking for further consultant histopathology posts to be created; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  We are not aware of representations from the British Society for Clinical Cytology in this respect.

  Cancer Screening
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has estimated the number of new medical laboratory scientific officers who will be needed to deal with the extra work load created by the planned three-year recall cervical cytology programme.

  Mrs. Currie
  It is for the individual health authorities to estimate the type and number of staff they need in the light of their local arrangements for laboratory examination of cervical smears.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pathology laboratories in England and Wales undertake the processing of cervical cancer smears within the National Health Service; how many of these laboratories are equipped with a computer to assist them

  267
  in the processing of smears; and how many of the laboratories have a computer linked directly with the FPC computer which issued the initial call.

  Mrs. Currie
  A total of 214 pathology laboratories in the National Health Service in England and Wales processed cervical smears in 1986. Information on the number of laboratories equipped with a computer and how many have computers linked with the family practitioner committee computer is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which district health authorities are using private laboratories to process cervical cancer smears; and which companies are being used.

  Mrs. Currie
  It is for health authorities to decide how to obtain satisfactory processing of cervical smear tests. Some health authorities have sent cervical smears to private laboratories, particularly where backlogs arose following the sharp increase in the number of smears taken in the last two years. Comprehensive information on which district health authorities use private laboratories, and which companies are used, is not collected centrally.

  Social Security Records (Police Access)
  Mr. Wells
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out his policy on the disclosure of information from social security records to the police; and whether any measures have been taken in respect of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is the long-standing policy of successive Governments that information may be disclosed on request to the police in a case which involves a serious crime or a missing person under age 18. The information is given orally and in confidence and in respect of specific named individuals only. The Department will also provide information, including a written statement, to the police where they are investigating alleged offences in which the Department has an interest, for example benefit fraud.

  This policy will continue under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 when it comes fully into force in November 1987. In accordance with section 3(3)(d)of the Act, the police have been registered with the Data Protection Registrar as a body to whom we may wish to disclose personal data.

  Mr. P. J. Johnson
  Mr. Terry Fields
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when his Department intends to reply to correspondence from Mr. P. J. Johnson of 40 Gloucester road, Liverpool 6, a constituent of the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen, which was dispatched on 16 January; when his Department intends to reply to correspondence from Mr. P. J. Johnson which was dispatched by recorded delivery, on 18 May; and if he will return documents included in correspondence to Mr. P. J. Johnson; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987, c. 45]: A reply was sent to Mr. Johnson on 7 July enclosing the documents he requested.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Credit Registry
  Mr. McCrindle
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to create a national credit registry.

  Mr. Maude
  No. I consider that the existing credit reference agencies perform a valuable service and I welcome current moves to expand information on debtors into more comprehensive credit registers involving a wide range of lending institutions.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Greenway
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to prohibit the importation into the United Kingdom of CS gas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The possession, purchase, acquisition, manufacture, sale or transfer of CS gas canisters in Great Britain is already strictly controlled under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and requires the special written authority of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department or the Secretary of State for Scotland as appropriate. Import licences are required before such goods may be imported and are granted only to those similarly authorised.

  House of Fraser plc
  Mr. Butterfill
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what instructions on reporting within a specific time limit he has given to the inspectors appointed to inquire into the acquisition of House of Fraser plc by the Fayeed Brothers.

  Mr. Maude
  Inspectors were appointed on 9 April 1987 under section 432(2) of the Companies Act 1985 to investigate and report on the affairs of House of Fraser Holdings plc. It is not the practice to instruct Companies Act inspectors to report by a specific date.

  News International Ltd.
  Mr. Fisher
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what occasions he has visited News International Ltd. at Wapping during the past three months.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have never visited News International Ltd. at Wapping.

  Mr. Rupert Murdoch
  Mr. Fisher
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what occasions he has met Mr. Rupert Murdoch on official business during the past three months.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  So far as I can recall, I have never met Mr. Rupert Murdoch on any occasion, official or private.

  "Today" (Takeover)
  Mr. Fisher
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at what time, and on what day, News

  269
  International Ltd. and Lonrho Ltd. deposited with his Department the financial and other information necessary for him to consider his responsibilities under section 58 of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Letters from News International Ltd. and Lonrho plc. were received by my officials at approximately 4.45 pm on 30 June and on behalf of News International Ltd. at approximately 11 am on 1 July. Further information was provided at a meeting between my officials and representatives of Lonrho plc. News (UK) Ltd. and its auditors at 11.30 am on 1 July, and shortly thereafter they supplied some additional information. What was important to the Secretary of State in reaching his decision was the nature to the information provided, not its timing.

  Mr. Fisher
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at what time, and on what day, he met representatives of (a) Lonrho Ltd. and (b) News International Ltd. to discuss the financial background to the takeover of the Today newspaper.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Neither the Secretary of State nor I personally met representatives of either Lonrho plc. or News International Ltd. at any time on any day to discuss the financial background to the takeover of the Today newspaper.

  Mr. Fisher
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will deposit in the Library a memorandum of the financial and other material upon which he formed his judgment not to refer the takeover of the Today newspaper to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
  270
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I will deposit in the Library such material as can be made available subject to the normal limits of commercial confidentiality and the requirements of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Origin Marking
  Mr. Cryer
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, pursuant to his reply of 30 June, Official Report, column 58, to the hon. Member for Bradford, South, he will take steps to enable consumers to know when the criminal offence of misleading consumers about the origin of goods has taken place.

  Mr. Maude
  I have no plans to do so. However, as my predecessor indicated on 13 May during the passage of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, we believe that it will be possible to introduce a successor regime to the 1972 Trade Descriptions Act. This Act, which requires origin marking of imported goods where they are supplied in the United Kingdom bearing a United Kingdom name or mark, has to be repealed for reasons of Community law. We are now considering the terms of a draft order to provide For a successor regime.

  The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 already prohibits the application to goods of false or misleading indications in respect of a number of characteristics of goods including their place of manufacture or production. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for local authority trading standards departments.

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