Written Answers of 10 July 1987

TRANSPORT

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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. Channon
  The staff employed in the areas concerned, and their estimated budgeted salary and associated costs are

  Staff in post at 1 June 1987

  Costs £ million

  London and South East (including East Anglia)

  4,961

  106

  South-West

  1,018

  22

  Midlands

  1,171

  22

  North

  1,841

  39

  Total, England

  8,991

  192

  The Department also employs 5,343 staff, at a cost of £114 million, in Scotland and Wales.

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Evennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are currently any plans to extend the Docklands light railway to Thamesmead.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  At present LRT have no plans to extend the Docklands light railway to Thamesmead. The possibility of further extensions to the railway, including one to Thamesmead, is being considered in the context of a study of the future development of public transport in the Docklands, jointly commissioned by London Regional Transport and the London Docklands Development Corporation. We shall look closely at any proposals which emerge from this work.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Evennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the inspector's report of the public inquiry into the east London river crossing.

  Mr. Channon
  Early in 1988.

  Motorway Service Areas (Crime)
  Mr. Raison
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has of the incidence and types of crime committed at motorway service areas.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No statistics are available of criminal offences committed at motorway service areas. The Department has not received any recent complaints 272
  about such offences. It would be for local police forces to respond to inquiries about offences at individual service areas. Police posts exist at most of them.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Watts
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any information about the incidence of injuries to pedestrians caused by cyclists riding on footpaths.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. The Stats 19 road accident report form does not identify incidences of cyclists riding on footpaths.

  M1–A1 Link
  Mr. O'Brien
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is in a position to report on the study undertaken to consider the road link from the M1 to A1 in the South Leeds area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We hope to make an announcement during the autumn. This should end the present uncertainty.

  Coach Safety
  Mr. Butterfill
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take to improve coach safety; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  New regulations, laid before Parliament today, will require all new single-decked coaches registered in Britain from 1 April 1990 to be built to a new European safety standard governing the strength of coach roofs to reduce the possibility of the roof collapsing in a roll-over accident.

  From the same date, double-decked coaches will be required to be fitted with a means of escape in both halves of the upper deck. From 1 October 1988 seat belts will be required to be fitted on most front passenger seats and centre rear seats in coaches and to the front passenger seats of minibuses, ambulances and motor caravans. Seat belt anchorages will be required on the seats of heavy goods vehicles.

  Drink-driving
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) disqualified excess alcohol offenders and (b) high risk offenders did not apply for a new driving licence within six months of the end of their disqualification period.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information is not readily available.

  Manchester Airport (Rail Link)
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when, pursuant to the answer of 29 June, Official Report, column 33, he expects a decision to be reached on the provision of a rail link to Manchester airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I shall make a decision on the application for Government grant towards this project as soon as the necessary evaluations have been completed.

SCOTLAND

  Sheep
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average size of sheep flocks in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The average size of the Scottish breeding ewe flock, as recorded at the June 1986 agricultural census, was 232 ewes. The average number of breeding ewes on full time specialist sheep farms in the less favoured areas was 969.

  Lead Plumbing
  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 6 July, Official Report, column 36, why his Department does not hold information concerning properties with lead plumbing in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I assume the hon. Member is concerned with the health hazard arising from elevated levels of lead in drinking water. The presence of lead plumbing does not necessarily imply that the level of lead in the drinking water exceeds the current standard of 0·1mg/l laid down in the EC directive on the quality of water for human consumption. It is not clear that the considerable cost of surveys which would be required to collect fully comprehensive information of lead plumbing in Scotland would be justified. Water authorities are making good progress in reducing the plumbosolvency of water supplies by treatment processes or by pipe replacement as appropriate.

  Loch Ness
  Sir Russell Johnston
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to who owns Loch Ness; and how the various rights in the loch are apportioned.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At common law the solum of an inland loch in Scotland is owned by the riparian proprietors. There is nothing in the titles of the two estates which contain the major part of the shores of Loch Ness, Lovat estate and Foyers estate, to indicate any departure from the common law with respect to Loch Ness. The cost of a search. to identify and examine the titles of all parties who might have an interest in the loch would be disproportionate to the results achieved. Such a search could not be guaranteed to be exhaustive because the land register of Scotland, which is map-based, has not yet been extended to the Highlands, and the Register of Sasines relies on verbal descriptions of land which are frequently not sufficiently detailed to permit accurate location of the land.

  Salmon fishings can be owned separately from the land and held on a separate title. Other fishings cannot be separately owned, but can be let.

  Loch Ness, of course, forms part of a navigable waterway and the rights of all parties having an interest in the loch are subject to rights of navigation.

  Ballachulish Bridge
  Sir Russell Johnston
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the capital cost of the
  274
  Ballachulish bridge requires to be expended on regular maintenance; how frequently maintenance is required; and how this compares with the bridges, at Kessock and Kylesku.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Over the last three years the equivalent of 5 per cent. of the capital cost of the bridge has been spent on maintenance work (involving surface treatment of the structure) but this is the first major outlay on the bridge since it was completed in 1975. As regards other bridges, Kessock bridge has had no significant expenditure on maintenance since opening in 1982; the Scottish Development Department does not hold information on the Kylesku bridge, which falls within the responsibility of Highland regional council.

  Job Losses
  Mr. Graham
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many closures have been reported in Renfrew, West and Inverclyde constituency in each year since 1979; and how many jobs have been involved.

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

  Scottish Development Agency
  Mr. Graham
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by the Scottish Development Agency in each year since 1979 in Renfrew, West and Inverclyde constituency; and what proportion of all spending by the agency this figure represents.

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

  Lambs (Radiation)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Dumfries on Tuesday 7 July, if he will list the areas and farms where his Department has identified elevated readings of radiation among lambs; and how many lambs are in the affected areas.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The order was made on 7 July designated three areas in Dumfries and Galloway region. These areas comprise seven farms in the parishes of Ruthwell, Kirkgunzeon and New Abbey. In all, about 6,000 sheep are affected. Testing continues in a few other hill areas to determine whether restrictions need to be introduced. Action will be taken as necessary to protect the consumer and the monitoring results will be published in full.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Graham
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many are registered out of work at each benefit office in Renfrew West and Inverclyde constituency; and how many were registered out of work in June 1983.

  Mr. Lang
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. However, on 14 May 1987 (the latest date for which information is available) and 9 June 1983 the number of unemployed claimants in the Renfrew West and Inverclyde parliamentary constituency totalled 3,632 and 3,472 respectively. The figures are not comparable due to the changes which have taken place in the compilation of the statistics.
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  This information is available in the Library.

  Rates
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to pursue action to reduce the rates of any Scottish local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I am today laying before Parliament reports under section 5 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 setting out my proposals for reductions in the rates of Lothian regional council and Edinburgh district council of 3·9p and 2·8p respectively. Clackmannan district council has offered to reduce its rate by 1·8p and I have today written to the council accepting its proposal.

  Oil Taxation
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of petroleum tax revenue is anticipated for the current financial year assuming that the present price of $19.20 for Brent crude is maintained; and how this figure compares with the previous financial year.

  Mr. Lilley
  North Sea tax revenues depend on other factors such as the exchange rate and oil production as well as on the dollar oil price. The sensitivity of oil revenue forecasts to various changes in the underlying assumptions is described in Chapter 6 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1987–88." Total North Sea revenues in 1986–87 amounted to some £4.8 billion, and were forecast to be £3.9 billion in 1987–8 in the FSBR.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, as part of Her Majesty's Government policy to encourage the redevelopment of the inner cities, he proposes to extend to urban development corporations 100 per cent. allowances for corporation and income tax purposes for capital expenditure on industrial and commercial buildings; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Privatisation (Shareholders)
  Mrs. Elizabeth Peacock
  To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proprtion of shareholders now owning shares in companies privatised since 1979 are(a) current or (b) former employees of that company.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [pursuant to his reply, 8 July 1987, c. 159]: In total, 430,000 employees have taken up shares when their companies have been privatised. Most have kept their shares.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Women
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Attorney-General what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activity; what is being done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor implementation; what consultation is carried out with
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  women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.

  The Attorney-General
  The policies of the Lord Chancellor's Department are designed to meet the needs of men and women equally. The Department contributed to the "Review of the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women" published by the Home Office on 29 April, a copy of which was placed in the Library, and especially to the section on Matrimonial and Family law. The only change since the review was drafted is that the Family Law Reform Bill mentioned in that section received the Royal Assent on 15 May. The Lord Chancellor and his officials consult regularly organisations with an interest in the work of the Department and are happy to hear from any organisation representing women. Equal opportunities, including those for women are discussed on management and other staff training courses including the panel interview arid selection interviewing courses.

  My own Department, the Law Officers' Department, has no policy making functions.

  Persons in Custody
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Attorney-General what proposals he has to instruct the legal aid authorities to ensure that persons detained in custody and transferred from their local remand prison are entitled to be visited by their solicitors and advisers so that their cases can be prepared for trial.

  The Attorney-General
  I am not aware of any problems concerning legal aid for solicitors to visit clients transferred away from their local remand prison. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind he should write to the Lord Chancellor.

  Hon. Member for Torbay
  Mr. Hind
  asked the Attorney-General when he expects to make a decision on the possible prosecution of the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Allason) in relation to his alleged possession of certain security documents.

  The Attorney-General
  This matter has been invetigated by the police. The Director of Public prosecutions has now decide that the investigation has not disclosed evidence justifying the bringing of proceedings. The Director has consulted me and I have agreed with his decision.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  School Buildings and Education Standards
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment his Department has made of possible links between lack of maintenance and inadequate school buildings and education standards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  Many factors influence the standards attained in schools and there is no means of identifying the contribution made by any one alone. It is for LEAs to ensure that schools provide an appropriate physical environment for teaching and learning.

  EC Nationals (Further and Higher Education)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many United Kingdom further education places with free tuition are currently filled by European Community nationals.

  Mr. Jackson
  Under arrangements announced in Parliament on 1 July 1986, students from European Community (EC) countries attending courses designated for mandatory awards purposes in the United Kingdom are eligible to have their course fees reimbursed by the Government, if they satisfy conditions for eligibility corresponding to those which apply for United Kingdom students. Interim figures for the academic year 1986–87, the first year to which these arrangements apply, indicate that about 3,100 EC students at United Kingdom institutions have had their fees reimbursed.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) which European Community countries offer free tuition in higher education for members of other European Community countries;

  (2) which European Community countries levy charges for fees for higher education students coming from other European Community countries.

  Mr. Jackson
  Drawing on the available information, my understanding of the situation in each member state is as follows:

  Belgium

  Fees are charged at the "home rate".

  Denmark

  No fees are charged.

  France

  All students pay a small subsidised fee plus some local fees relating to institution or subject of study. In addition, a social services contribution may be required.

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Students may have to pay a social services contribution.

  Greece

  No fees are charged.

  Irish Republic

  Fees are charged at the "home rate".

  Italy

  Fees are charged at the "home rate".

  Luxembourg

  Only one higher education institution levies a charge, for registration.

  Netherlands

  No charge is made for tuition but students may be liable for registration and examination fees.

  Portugal

  No charge is made for tuition or examination but a registration fee may be levied.

  Spain

  All students must pay a registration fee and may also be liable for tuition fees.

  United Kingdom

  Fees are reimbursed subject to satisfaction of eligibility conditions.

  Consultative Committee on the Curriculum
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to increase the number of women members, from seven out of the total membership of 29, on his principal advisory body on the school curriculum, the consultative committee on the curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Three to five-year-olds
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of (a) three-year olds, (b) four-year olds and (c) rising five-year olds included in official calculations of the number of three to five-year-olds in education who attend primary school classes, in contrast to attending nursery schools specifically designed and staffed for the particular needs of three-to-five-year olds.

  Mr. Dunn
  The number of three-year-olds. four-year-olds and rising five-year-olds who attended maintained nursery schools, and nursery classes and infant classes in primary schools in England in January 1986 was as follows:

  Nursery Schools

  Primary Schools

  Pupils age1

  Nursery Classes

  Infant Classes

  Three

  33,376

  155,960

  2,350

  Four2

  8,777

  48,780

  233,517

  Rising five3

  48

  1,153

  192,376

  1 Full and part-time pupils. Ages at 31 August 1985.

  2 Excludes rising fives. (See note 3).

  3 Pupils aged four at 31 August 1985 who became five by 31 December 1985 and were, therefore of compulsory school age on the day of the census count in January 1986.

  State Schools (Pupil Statistics)
  Mr. Grocott
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of children under the age of 16 years are educated in state schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  The proportion of children under the age of 16 who were educated in maintained schools in England in January 1986 was 94 per cent.

  Polytechnics
  Ms. Armstrong
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for changing the menbership of governing bodies of polytechnics.

  Mr. Jackson
  We plan to re-establish polytechnics and other maintained colleges predominantly concerned with higher education as corporate bodies. The Boards of Governors will assume wide powers to determine the affairs of the institution. The membership of the boards will reflect the institutions' new status and the governors' new role. There will be a strong voice for employers and other lay representatives. We have sought views on the detailed composition of the Boards and are considering responses.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from Wales are at present studying as undergraduates at universities in England; and what proportion of all students from Wales studying as undergraduates in universities they represent.

  Mr. Jackson
  In 1985, there were 6,200 full-time students from Wales studying as undergraduates at universities in England. This represents 57 per cent. of all University undergraduates from Wales in Great Britain.

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many students from Wales are

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  studying as undergraduates in each of the constituent colleges of the University of Wales; and what proportion of the undergraduate students at each college they represent; (2) how many students from Scotland are studying as undergraduates in each of the Scottish universities; and what proportion of all undergraduates, at each university, they represent.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is as follows:

  Full-time undergraduates from Scotland at universities in Scotland, 1985

  Total

  As per cent. of all undergraduates at each university

  Aberdeen

  3,700

  76

  Dundee

  1,600

  56

  Edinburgh

  5,100

  59

  Glasgow

  7,900

  86

  Heriot-Watt

  1,900

  66

  St. Andrews

  1,100

  34

  Stirling

  1,300

  60

  Strathclyde

  5,300

  86

  Total Scotland

  28,000

  70

  Total full time academic staff

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Aston

  568

  606

  640

  644

  617

  534

  468

  396

  357

  Bath

  373

  417

  453

  453

  453

  457

  462

  472

  465

  Birmingham

  1,404

  1,400

  1,498

  1,505

  1,455

  1,398

  1,396

  1,430

  1,479

  Bradford

  523

  543

  547

  590

  574

  548

  513

  481

  492

  Bristol

  1,035

  1,073

  1,104

  1,127

  1,145

  1,117

  1,101

  1,109

  1,160

  Brunel

  327

  332

  345

  366

  356

  316

  344

  359

  374

  Cambridge

  1,164

  1,177

  1,196

  1,200

  1,213

  1,680

  1,656

  1,671

  1,751

  City

  351

  352

  360

  355

  341

  301

  340

  335

  362

  Durham

  502

  513

  563

  580

  587

  577

  588

  581

  586

  East Anglia

  351

  364

  389

  461

  506

  521

  531

  506

  520

  Essex

  305

  330

  336

  340

  340

  336

  333

  346

  380

  Exeter

  489

  563

  595

  603

  593

  554

  524

  513

  534

  Hull

  520

  541

  575

  582

  587

  541

  525

  513

  511

  Keele

  325

  337

  343

  348

  334

  313

  300

  299

  302

  Kent

  442

  467

  480

  475

  461

  466

  476

  436

  459

  Lancaster

  499

  525

  552

  557

  547

  526

  534

  571

  590

  Leeds

  1,311

  1,334

  1,391

  1,395

  1,367

  1,321

  1,331

  1,434

  1,465

  Leicester

  549

  576

  611

  622

  616

  612

  608

  647

  683

  Liverpool

  1,048

  1,071

  1,120

  1,148

  1,160

  1,106

  1,069

  1,061

  1,096

  London Business School

  65

  67

  72

  66

  62

  60

  60

  71

  70

  London

  7,259

  7,444

  7,764

  7,891

  7,899

  7,691

  7,816

  7,971

  8,224

  Loughborough

  568

  571

  581

  590

  620

  635

  654

  691

  719

  Manchester Business School

  40

  40

  51

  49

  50

  46

  42

  42

  48

  Manchester University

  1,555

  1,598

  1,666

  1,655

  1,646

  1,557

  1,591

  1,670

  1,705

  Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

  521

  539

  581

  622

  649

  617

  648

  643

  656

  Newcastle

  1,062

  1,092

  1,127

  1,140

  1,114

  1,086

  1,136

  1,172

  1,192

  Nottingham

  840

  884

  923

  948

  944

  935

  951

  998

  1,085

  Oxford

  1,865

  1,937

  1,926

  1,994

  1,989

  2,012

  2,050

  1,976

  2,000

  Reading

  737

  742

  747

  753

  743

  744

  738

  716

  739

  Salford

  510

  510

  521

  508

  502

  420

  373

  365

  431

  Sheffield

  918

  995

  1,039

  1,088

  1,098

  1,059

  1,025

  1,007

  1,056

  Southampton

  916

  925

  974

  1,020

  1,041

  977

  996

  1,057

  1,074

  Surrey

  417

  449

  476

  498

  489

  477

  508

  535

  560

  Sussex

  665

  672

  661

  660

  634

  602

  608

  603

  634

  Warwick

  476

  584

  613

  637

  640

  652

  623

  651

  735

  York

  395

  402

  419

  407

  397

  418

  431

  442

  463

  Total England

  30,895

  31,972

  33,239

  33,877

  33,769

  33,212

  33,349

  33,770

  34,957

  280

  Full-time undergraduates from Wales at university colleges in Wales, 1985

  Total

  As per cent. of all undergraduates at each university

  Aberystwyth

  700

  29

  Bangor

  500

  22

  Cardiff

  1,400

  31

  St. David's Lampeter

  100

  18

  Swansea

  700

  20

  University of Wales College of Medicine

  300

  46

  University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology

  500

  22

  Total Wales

  4,500

  28

  Academic Posts
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will state the total number of full-time staffed academic posts at each university in England; and if he will give the corresponding figures for each year since 1977–78;

  (2) if he will state the total number of full-time staffed academic posts at each of the colleges of the University of Wales; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1977–78.

  Mr. Jackson
  The following table gives the numbers of full-time academic staff.
  281

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Aberystwyth University College

  411

  425

  438

  451

  444

  409

  388

  369

  374

  Bangor University College

  422

  409

  414

  414

  415

  385

  338

  352

  359

  Cardiff University College

  683

  699

  685

  707

  701

  683

  691

  666

  651

  St. David's, Lampeter

  63

  69

  69

  71

  71

  70

  70

  69

  69

  Swansea University College

  494

  499

  518

  508

  509

  488

  486

  489

  480

  University of Wales College of Medicine

  205

  221

  230

  329

  324

  328

  358

  330

  344

  University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology

  317

  323

  342

  255

  274

  289

  289

  348

  365

  Total Wales

  2,595

  2,645

  2,697

  2,735

  2,738

  2,652

  2,620

  2,623

  2,642

  Total England and Wales

  33,490

  34,617

  35,936

  36,612

  36,507

  35,864

  35,969

  36,393

  37,599

  Legislation (Green Papers)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out his timetable for consultation on his proposed Education Bill and education Green Papers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Consultation has already taken place on the proposed Universities Funding Council and the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, which were announced in the White Paper "Higher Education: Meeting the Challenge" (Cm 114). Consultation papers have been issued this week on the arrangements for collective worship and on the Governmant's proposals for more open enrolement. Copies are available in the Library. Further consultation papers will be issued over the coming weeks on financial delegation to schools, grant-maintained schools, the national curriculum, the Government's proposals to allow inner London boroughs to take onthe responsibilities of local education authorities, and in due course probably certain other issues. Like those already issued, these further papers will seek comments by the early autumn. The Government also intend to publish a Green Paper on the structure of new permanent machinery for determining schoolteachers' pay and conditions, and to enter into detailed discussions with interested parties later in the year.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Hannam
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his response to the recommendation that a national committee on special educational needs be established, made in the third report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Education, Science and Arts on "Special Educational Needs: Implementation of the Education Act 1981," HC201; 1986–87

  Mr. Dunn
  We are giving careful consideration to all the recommendations of the Select Committee report on special education needs. I do not wish to anticipate the response which my right hon. Friend will be making to the Committee later in the year.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to set up working groups to recommend attainment targets and programmes of study for mathematics and science, within the framework of the Government's proposals for a national curriculum.
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  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I am grateful to Professor Roger Blin-Stoyle FRS for agreeing to take the chair of the mathematics working group; and to Professor Jeff Thompson for agreeing to take the chair of the science working group. Each group will have a small membership composed largely of professionals: head teachers, teachers, teacher trainers, academics, experts in assessment and Local Education Authority advisers. The groups will also have members from LEA administration and from the world of business.

  The groups will advise, in their respective fields, on the knowledge, skills, understanding and aptitudes which pupils should be expected to have acquired at specific ages, taking account of differences in ability. The groups will also advise on the essential content which should be covered to enable pupils to reach agreed attainment targets.

  The groups will start work immediately. I am asking them to give me interim advice within four months and their final advice within 12 months. My Department will be announcing details of the groups' formal terms of reference and membership later today, and copies of these will be placed in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Lebanon (UNIFIL)
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the renewal by the United Nations of the UNIFIL mandate in the Lebanon as well as the implementation of United Nations resolution 425.

  Mr. Mellor
  We fully support UNIFIL and deplore its continued inability to carry out its full mandate. We should be prepared to consider sympathetically a proposal to renew its mandate, which expires on 31 July.

  Departmental Manpower
  Sir John Farr
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number of persons in his Department for each year since 1984 (a) at home and (b) abroad.

  Mr. Eggar
  The provision for staff employed (at home and abroad) by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including the Overseas Development Administration) for each year since 1984 is as follows:
  283

  Home

  Abroad

  Total

  1984

  7409

  2802

  10,211

  1985

  7109

  2810

  9,919

  1986

  7014

  2716

  9,730

  1987

  7070

  2823

  9,893

  The provision for staff employed overseas in a locally engaged capacity is:

  Number

  1984

  6927

  1985

  6855

  1986

  6837

  1987

  7074

  Departmental Computers
  Sir John Farr
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign sand Commonwealth Affairs (1) to which firms his Department has awarded contracts for computer hardware for each year since 1984; and what was the value Rank of each contract;

  (2) what his Department has spent on (a) computer hardware and (b) computer software for each year since 1984; and what is the projected expenditure for 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, details of individual contracts cannot be given. However, total annual expenditure for financial years 1984–1985 to 1986–1987, and companies to whom contracts for hardware have been awarded, are shown in the attached tables, plus projected expenditure for 1987–1988.

  Separate figures for hardware and software are not available.

  Separate figures are given for purchase and maintenance of hardware and software.

  The figures include expenditure by both the Diplomatic and Aid Wings of the FCO.

  1984–85

  Purchase of hardware and software: £2,530,624

  Maintenance of hardware and software: £703,781

  Companies awarded contracts for hardware:

  Acorn Computers

  ACT

  British Telecom

  Burroughs

  Calcomp

  CASU

  Comart

  Equinox

  IBM

  ICL

  ITL

  Kode Limited

  LEASCO

  Logica

  Micro APL Limited

  Midlectron

  NCR

  Nexel

  Pentad

  Plessey

  Stag Terminals

  Tandy

  Texas Instruments

  TransAm Microsystems

  Videcom

  Wang

  1985–86

  Purchase: £2,726,331

  Maintenance: £863,440

  284
  Companies:

  01 Computers Limited

  Action Data Limited

  Apricot Computers

  AT Computerworld

  British Telecom

  Calcomp

  CASU Limited

  Equinox

  Hewlett Packard

  HMSO

  ICL

  Information Technology Limited

  ITL

  Jarogate

  Kode Limited

  LEASCO

  Logica

  Micro APL Limited

  Microware

  NCR

  Newbury Data

  Nexel

  Rank Xerox

  Spiro

  Systems Designers Public Limited Company

  Telford Management

  Vistec

  Wordnet International

  1986–87

  Purchase: £3,770,435

  Maintenance: £1,565,198

  Companies:

  01 Computers Limited

  ACT/Apricot Limited

  Black Box Limited

  British Telecom

  Burroughs

  CASU

  Central Business Machines

  Computerworld

  Data General Ltd.

  Digital Microcomputer Systems

  Equinox

  HMSO

  Hewlett Packard

  ICL

  Information Technology Limited

  Jarogate

  J. G. Sytems Limited

  Kinesis Computing

  Kode Limited

  LEASCO

  Logica

  Lynwood Scientific

  Micro APL Limited

  NCR

  Newbury Data

  Nexel

  Personal Computers Limited

  Plessey

  Prime Computer (UK) Limited

  Quest Computer

  Rental Research Limited

  Systime Computers Limited

  Sperry Limited

  Spiro

  Tandy Corporation

  Texas Instruments

  Videcom

  Vistec Business Systems

  Wang

  Projected Expenditure for 1987–88:

  Purchase of Hardware and Software: £8,330,948

  Maintenance of Hardware and Software: £2,553.316

  Peter Wright (Memoirs)
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, pursuant to his answer of 3 July, Official Report, column 189, his discussions with the United States on the publication of Peter Wright's memoirs are confidential.

  Mr. Mellor
  My anwer of 3 July related to discussions with other Governments generally. It is an essential principle of Government-to-Government exchanges that their confidentiality should be preserved.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Women
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has made any provisions for the participation of local women in the preparation, implementation or evaluation of aid projects; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Yes. ODA staff work on the basis of guidance designed to ensure that the scope for local women to participate in aid-funded projects is fully considered. I will send a copy of this guidance to the hon. Member.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to ensure equal participation of women in all aspects of his Department's aid programme; if he will list the ways in which they are employed; how many women are involved in the programme; what percentage they are of the programme's work force; if he will assess whether the appraisal, monitoring and evaluations of his Department's programme have fully taken women into account; and if he will list the relevant reports and their dates in the Official Report.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  It is our policy to aim at equal opportunities for women's participation in the aid programme. We recognise the importance of taking women fully into account in all aid projects as both agents and beneficiaries of development. We wish to increase the involvement of women's groups in shaping and implementing change in developing countries and to see more women trained under the aid programme.

  Figures are not available on the number of local women involved in projects and programmes financed by the aid programme. As a member of the DAC expert group on women and development we are considering how best to devise standard statistics for measuring women's participation. Of the ODA's own staff, 640 (42 per cent.) are women. Women also participate in the aid programme as technical co-operation officers, supplementees, associate professional officers, volunteers serving overseas and consultants. Gender differentiated statistics are available for the first four categories. At the end of 1986, 85 (4·81 per cent.) of technical co-operation officers and supplementees were women. Currently 20 (31 per cent.) of associate professional officers and 508 (48 per cent.) of VSOs are women. Women are also engaged in ODA-funded research. All major projects are assessed for their impact on women. We are currently seeking to improve our appraisal techniques to give fuller consideration to gender and we require evaluation studies to take account of the impact on women. In consultation with other
  286
  members of the development assistance committee of the OECD we are continuing with further work to improve evaluation in this regard. A list of appraisal, monitoring and evaluation reports could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ENERGY

  Energy Prices
  Mr. Adley
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his Department's current projections on energy prices.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Given the uncertainties associated with energy price projections, the Government's approach is to continue taking measures to stimulate competition and encourage efficiency. These measures, along with international market forces, have contributed to the fall in energy prices in real terms over recent years and offer the best chance of securing competitive and stable prices in the future.

  Magnox Nuclear Reactors
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has carried out studies into the efficiency of the filtration system for gaseous discharges from magnox nuclear reactors; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy which magnox nuclear reactors have experienced pin loading problems and on which occasions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter and falls within the responsibilities of the CEGB and BNFL. I have asked the respective chairmen to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy on which occasions since 1979 radioactive carbon dioxide has been discharged through leakage at Trawsfynydd magnox nuclear power station; what volumes were involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have asked the chairman of the CEGB to write to the hon. Member.

  Power Stations (Cooling Ponds)
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what methods are used to measure the activity in cooling ponds of (a) magnox nuclear power stations generally and (b) Trawsfynydd station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have asked the chairman of the CEGB to write to the hon. Member.

  Spent Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a table of the annual amount of spent nuclear fuel dispatches, by date and amount, for each year since 1979, including the first half of 1987 for the Trawsfynydd magnox nuclear station: and which local

  287
  emergency planning authorities in Wales are given prior notice of spent fuel consignments transported through their area of responsibility from both the Trawsfynydd and Wylfa nuclear plants.

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

  Plutonium
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when he expects to be able to begin the publication of full information on civil plutonium production in the United Kingdom: and if he will make a statement;

  (2) with whom his Department has held discussions on the publication of records relating to future plutonium production from United Kingdom civil nuclear reactors; and on what occasions such discussions have taken place.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Discussion are continuing, and I will make an announcement in due course.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy who is responsible to his Department for (a) information on the production of plutonium for defence purposes, (b) the safe operation of Calder Hall and Chapel Cross magnox nuclear reactors, (c) the safety of operation of the Sellafield nuclear complex and (d) the decommissioning of the Windscale piles at the Sellafield complex.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The supply of all materials for defence purposes is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. The safe operation of nuclear installations in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the operator: BNFL. in the case of Calder Hall, Chapelcross and Sellafield. The responsibility for enforcing the licence conditions attached to those sites rests with the independent Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive.

  The decommissioning of the Windscale piles will he undertaken by the UKAEA.

EMPLOYMENT

  Community Programme
  Ms Primarolo
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment why, and by how much, the budget for the community programme has been reduced; to what programmes the funds thus saved have been diverted; and what are his proposals for the future of the community programme.

  Mr. Lee
  We are providing £1,045 million for the community programme in 1987–88, broadly the same level of resources as last year. This will enable us to provide opportunities for 300,000 people over the year, the same as in 1986–87. As was announced in the House on 30 June we plan to improve the community programme in a number of ways. We intend that it should be full-time and that participants receive a premium over their benefit entitlement. This will make the programme much more attractive to unemployed people with family commitments. We also propose to enhance significantly the training and job search content of the programme.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment 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. Chope
  The number of established civil servants employed on 1 June 1987 in the Department of Employment group in the regions requested are:—

  Number

  (a) London and the South East

  14,621

  (b) South West

  4,189

  (c) Midlands

  9,329

  (d) North of England

  12,653

  Additionally there are nationally 300 civil servants working for the MSC's professional and executive recruitment service who cannot be allocated to regions. Because departmental boundaries are not always conterminous with standard regions, these figures are only approximate.

  It is not possible to allocate Departmental expenditure by region by total national expenditure for 1987–88 is expected to be £4,141 million.

  Job Training Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the complete list of those bodies and organisations which have been contracted as managing agents for the job training scheme in each Manpower Services Commission area to be available; and if he will publish it in the Official Report.

  Mr. Cope
  The Manpower Services Commission is producing a directory of managing agents contracted to deliver the new job training scheme within the next few days.

  I will send a copy of the directory to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, and a copy of it will be placed in the Library.

  Wages Inspectorate
  Mr. Janner
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to decrease the strength of the wages inspectorate.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No.

  European Social Fund
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total allocation from the European social fund to the United Kingdom in the current financial year; and how much the 20 per cent. reduction is in cash terms, on voluntary organisations.

  Mr. Cope
  The United Kingdom has been allocated £435 million from the European social fund in respect of operations beginning in 1987.

  The total amount of the linear reduction of 20 per cent. on voluntary sector applications for projects for over 25-year-olds, is some £1·1 million.

  The linear reduction on similar applications from other organisations is 50 per cent.
  289
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the linear reductions in the European social fund and the implications for voluntary sector schemes.

  Mr. Cope
  The European Commission has, this year, had to impose a sizeable linear reduction on applications to that part of the European social fund that is allocated to adult projects. The overall reduction that the Commission has imposed on the adult budget for adult projects is just under 50 per cent. The Government decided this year to impose a reduction of 20 per cent. on applications from the voluntary sector. Other organisations are bearing a reduction of 50 per cent.

  The Commission also imposed a linear reduction of 0·5 per cent. on the budget for applications in respect of young people under 25, and this is being borne by all organisations.

  House Building, Slaley, Northumberland
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the English Tourist Board about its proposal to grant-aid to the amount of £500,000 a development scheme at Slaley in Northumberland involving the building of 65 houses in the green belt; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The English tourist board is currently discussing with my Department and the Treasury a proposal to offer grant assistance to aid the construction of a hotel with conference, golf and leisure facilities at Slaley hall. The developers are also in the process of seeking planning permission from the local authority to build residential houses on part of the estate.

PRIME MINISTER

  Nicaragua and Afghanistan
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 6 July, Official Report column 3, on what evidence she based her statement concerning the level of understanding of the public about the difference between the repective situations in Nicaragua and Afghanistan as they affect Her Majesty's Government's policy towards those countries; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  My statement was based on views expressed to me in many individual contacts.

WALES

  Salmon and Sea Trout (Poaching)
  Mrs. Golding
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what success he has had in eliminating the organised poaching of salmon and sea trout; what further measures he intends to take; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given to her today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  National Museum of Wales
  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Secretary for Wales what instructions have been given by his Department to the
  290
  national museum of Wales about the circumstances in which permission should be sought from his Department to raise funds voted for museum purposes.

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

  Schools (Surplus Places)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated number of surplus places in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each Welsh county at the latest available date; and what is the estimated cost of these places in each Welsh county.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Up-to-date figures for the number of surplus places in individual counties are not available: the Department will be writing shortly to the counties to seek current information. The latest available estimate for Wales as a whole—based on pupil numbers at January 1986 and school places at January 1984—is that there are 87,000 surplus places in primary schools and 32,000 in secondary schools. The estimated cost is £10·4 million for primary places and £6·4 million for secondary.

  Civil Servants.
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants are employed in his Department; and what is its budgeted expenditure for the current year.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  At 1 July 1987 there were 2,239·5 staff in post; details of the budgeted expenditure for my Department are set out in the Supply Estimates 1987–88 booklet class XVII vote 9.

  Sheep
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total amount paid under the sheep variable premium to farmers in Wales in each year since the inception of the scheme.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Payments to producers in Wales under the sheep variable premium schemes are as follows:

  Marketing Year

  £ million

  1980–81

  7·5

  1981–82

  12·6

  1982–83

  25·0

  1983–84

  30·3

  1984–85

  21·4

  1985–86

  21·0

  1986–87

  22·8

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many agricultural holdings in each county in Wales engage in sheep rearing; and what proportion of the total number of holdings in each country each number represents.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of holdings in each county in June 1986 with breeding ewes, and the proportions of the total number of holdings in each county that these represent are shown in the following table:

  Holdings with breeding sheep June 1986

  Percentage of all holdings June 1986

  Clwyd

  2,192

  56·7

  Dyfed

  4,582

  40·2

  291

  Holdings with breeding sheep June 1986

  Percentage of ail holdings June 1986

  Gwent

  1,094

  50·5

  Gwynedd

  3,215

  66·3

  Mid Glamorgan

  507

  54·0

  Powys

  4,395

  82·5

  South Glamorgan

  181

  36·1

  West Glamorgan

  342

  39·0

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh agricultural holdings have a sheep enterprise on the farm; and what proportion of the total number of holdings this represents.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There were 16,900 holdings with sheep in Wales in June 1986, of which 16,500 had breeding sheep. These numbers represented 56 per cent. and 55 per cent. of all holdings in Wales respectively.

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are directly employed in sheep farming in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  It is not possible to quantify the number of persons employed solely in sheep farming in Wales. However, in June 1986, 39,800 people were employed on holdings which contained breeding sheep.

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average size of sheep flocks in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The size of the average sheep flock in Wales in June 1986 was 274 breeding ewes.

  Agricultural Output
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the gross output of Welsh agriculture in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of the total was contributed by the sheep sector.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Based on provisional figures, the gross output of Welsh agriculture in 1986 was £786·3 million: of which sheep and wool accounted for 18·8 per cent.

  Agricultural Areas
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many agricultural holdings in areas designated as (a) marginal and (b) hill areas engaged in sheep rearing; and what proportion of the total number of holdings in such areas in Wales these numbers represent.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of holdings in June 1986 with breeding ewes in areas classified as "severely disadvantaged" (which is closely synonymous with the hill and upland areas) was 10,390 or 74·4 per cent. of all holdings in those areas. The number of holdings in June 1986 with breeding ewes in areas classified as disadvantaged (which is closely synonymous with marginal land) was 3,111 or 54·6 per cent. of all holdings in disadvantaged areas.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions planning permission has been granted for residential housing developments on appeal to his Department, in each district authority area in Wales, in each year since 1979; and, in each case, how many housing units were involved.
  292
  Mr. Grist
  This information is not available centrally.

  Lead Plumbing
  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the numbers of dwellings with lead plumbing by county and district in Wales.

  Mr. Ian Grist
  Informaton is not available on a district basis, but the Welsh house condition survey for 1981 estimated the numbers of dwellings with lead plumbing for each county in Wales as follows:

  Number

  Clwyd

  33,200

  Dyfed

  20,700

  Gwent

  42,600

  Gwynedd

  21,700

  Mid Glamorgan

  64,600

  Powys

  4,900

  South Glamorgan

  62,100

  West Glamorgan

  44,100

  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 July, Official Report, column 3, if he will provide further details of the Welsh water authority's programme to improve the quality of water in Wales with regard to lead content.

  Mr. Grist
  The details of the Welsh water authority's programme to reduce the lead content in drinking water is a matter for that authority. I have asked the chairman to write to you the hon. Member.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Industry
  Mr. Pendry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect the privatisation of the water industry will have on areas of natural beauty, on recreation on and by water, on bird-watching, on rambling and on other recreational activities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Last year the Government published proposals to strengthen, at the time of privatisation, the statutory framework for protecting and enhancing the water environment. These include the retention of statutory duties towards nature conservation, access, recreation and amenity, the introduction of statutory river quality objectives, a policy for protection zones and the preparation of a statutory code of practice. Proposals for the establishment of a national rivers authority which will have an important role in this field, will be published in the near future.

  South Africa (Sporting Links)
  Mr. Pendry
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will press for the new select committee of the International Cricket Conference to introduce a test ban for players with sporting links with South Africa, in line with the principles of the Gleneagles agreement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The possible introduction of a test ban for players with sporting links with South Africa is a matter for the Test and County Cricket Board and the International Cricket Conference. Both bodies are aware that the Government arc fully committed to the Gleneagles agreement and take all practical steps to discourage sporting links with South Africa.

  Olympic Games
  Mr. Canavan
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with sporting authorities regarding the Olympic Games.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There have been no recent formal discussions but the Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office liaise regularly with the British Olympic Association about the winter and summer Olympic Games.

  Rural Development Areas (Grants)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) the Government support programmes or finance available to rural development areas and (b) the basic services that his Department treats as necessary for assessing grants to rural development areas.

  Mr. Moynihan
  (a) Government support and finance specifically available in rural development areas is channelled through the Development Commission which provides the following main programmes of support:

  1. 100 per cent. financed advance factory building programme;

  2. 50 per cent. financed factory building programme in partnership with local authorities;

  3. 25 per cent. grants to the private sector for redundant building conversions;

  4. technical, managerial and business advice to small firms and the provision of loans;

  5. grants to help the establishment of local enterprise agencies;

  6. grant aid for rural tourism projects;

  7. grant aid towards special projects where there are clear employment benefits;

  8. grants towards community development projects.

  In addition grants offered by other bodies may be available in rural development areas.

  (b)Requests for grants are considered on their merits through the rural development programmes which are drawn up for each rural development area.

  Water Industry (Privatisation)
  Mr. Lord
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the water boards and their ancillary companies which will be privatised.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government propose to transfer the water supply and sewerage responsibilities of the 10 existing water authorities in England and Wales to new public limited companies, which will be then be offered for sale.

  Water Table, Birmingham
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the effects on industry and housing of the rise in the water table in the Birmingham area.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is aware that there has been a significant rise in Birmingham's water table over the last few years as the extraction rate has declined. The effects of this appear, however, to be very localised and remedial action is being taken by those affected as necessary.

  Council House Sales
  Mr Gerald Bowden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the reasons for delay in the purchase by Mrs. G. C. Mells of her council home at 6 Steen Way, East Dulwich Grove. S.E.22; and when he now expects Southwark council to complete the transaction.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I understand that the purchase is held up pending a survey of the building. I am concerned over the delays suffered by tenants of Southwark borough council in exercising their right to buy and await the council's proposals for improving its performance.

  Canary Wharf
  Ms. Gordon
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total amount of public funds (a)committed and (b)spent to date on or in connection with the proposed Canary wharf development, broken down by category of expenditure.

  Mr. Trippier
  I shall answer this question shortly.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. O'Brien
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing associations are operating in the area of (a) the Normanton constituency and (b) the Wakefield district council; and if he will list the names of the housing associations concerned.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Anchor housing association and Castle Gate housing society operate in the Normanton consituency; the following 21 associations operate in the area of Wakefield district council:Ackworth Almshouse, Anchor Housing Association, Bradford and Northern Housing Association, Castle Gate Housing Society, Charlesworth Charity, Church Housing Association, Consolidated Charities, Ebor Housing Association, Freeston and Sagars' Almshouse, Habinteg Housing Association, Harrisons Almshouse, Headrow Housing Group, Jephson Housing Association, Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association, Major Barker's Homes, North British Housing Association, Northern Counties Housing Association, Royal British Legion, Stonham Housing Association, West Yorkshire Housing Association, Yorkshire Metropolitan Housing Association.

  Mr. O'Brien
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings are operated by housing associations in the Normanton constituency; and if he will break down the number into categories and type of dwellings.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I shall answer this question shortly.

  Parrots
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to support the Uruguayan proposal for a complete suspension of international commerce in wild-caught parrots for the pet trade at the forthcoming convention on international trade in endangered species in Ottawa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 9 July 1987.

  House Building, Slaley, Northumberland
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Development Commission about the Development Commission's offer to grant-aid to the amount of £300,000 a development scheme at Slaley in Northumberland involving the building of 65 houses in the green belt; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Development Commission has received an application for grant aid for a development at Slaley in Northumberland. It has consulted the Department which is considering the proposal.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what impact the proposed community charge will have on those parish councils which have large industrial plants in their areas;

  (2) what is the number of parish councils likely to be affected by loss of revenue as a result of the introduction of the community charge; and how many people live in these parishes in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Howard
  Under the new local government finance system, parish councils will finance their expenditure by a precept on the community charge, levied as an equal amount per parish resident. Like other local authorities parish councils will cease to levy a variable non-domestic rate; instead, non-domestic rates will be levied at a uniform poundage, and pooled and redistributed as an equal amount per adult. This, together with central grant, will go towards reducing the cost to residents of the services provided by all tiers of local government, including parish councils.

  Parish councils will neither gain nor lose from these arrangements. They will remain free to raise their income by precept on the rating authority. However, I remain ready to discuss particular problems with representatives of the National Association of Local Councils if they wish.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply of 29 June, Official Report, column 44, he will provide the averages for counties and standard regions of the figures contained in columns 1 to 7 of the tables placed in the Library relating to the community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1987]: I have today placed in the Library weighted average figures for counties and standard regions exemplifying community charges and non-domestic rates had the Government's proposals for the reform of local finance been fully in place in 1987–88.

  I must repeat the warning given in my reply of 29 June that these figures are not a prediction of community charges. They are merely illustrative figures and should be treated as such.

  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will assess the likely cost to Leeds city council of collecting a community charge as opposed to domestic rates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall answer this question shortly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmon and Sea Trout
  Mrs. Golding
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what success he has had in eliminating the organised poaching of salmon and sea trout. what further measures he intends to take; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Regulating fishing, and combating poaching, for salmon and migratory trout is the responsibility of the water authorities in England and Wales, working within the framework of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. In 1986, the authorities mounted a total of 781 prosecutions for offences concerning salmon and migratory trout. The water authorities' powers were strengthened this year by the coming into force of the Salmon Act 1986.

  In order to combat trade in illegally caught fish it has been made an offence under the 1986 Act for a person to handle salmon or sea trout where he believes, or it would be reasonable for him to suspect, that the fish were caught illegally. Provision was made for the establishment of licensing schemes to regulate dealing in salmon and migratory trout and a licensing scheme is being developed and will be submitted for Parliamentary approval of the necessary order when consultations have been completed with affected interests. The 1986 Act also increased the penalties for illegal fishing.

  When these new measures have been in force long enough to permit an assessment of their impact, it is the intention of Fisheries Ministers to invite the Salmon Advisory Committee to examine their effectiveness.

  Sheep
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the gross output of the agriculture industry in each of the English regions in the last year for which figures are available was contributed by the sheep sector.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Based on provisional estimates of regional gross output in 1984, the latest year for which data are available, the proportion of gross agricultural output contributed by sheep and lambs was as follows:

  Statistical region

  Percentage

  Northern

  9·5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3·3

  East Midlands

  2·2

  East Anglia

  0·5

  South East

  1·7

  South West

  3·2

  West Midlands

  4·0

  North West

  2·3

  These data exclude sheep premium and 1-ILCA payments and returns from wool.

  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average size of sheep flocks in each of the English regions and in England as a whole.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  At June 1986, the average breeding flock sizes were as follows:
  297

  Average size of breeding flock

  Statistical region

  Northern

  269

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  167

  East Midlands

  155

  East Anglia

  112

  South East

  171

  South West

  155

  West Midlands

  153

  North West

  132

  England

  174

  Source: Agriculture Census June 1986.

  Note: Minor holdings excluded.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Entry Visas
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have applied for visas to enter the United Kingdom from Sri Lanka in each of the last three years; how many were (a)refugees and asylum seekers, (b)for settlement and (c)as visitors; and how many applications in each category have been (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) are still being considered.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested which is available centrally is given in the following table.

  Number of persons

  Applications

  Newly received1

  Granted2

  Refused initially

  Total

  1985 June 3 to December

  6.480

  5,560

  570

  1986

  8,490

  7,820

  660

  1987 January to March

  1,500

  1,050

  130

  Of which, visitors

  1985 June3 to December

  ..

  4,190

  260

  1986

  ..

  5,770

  370

  1987 January to March

  ..

  710

  90

  .. Not available.

  1 Including applications subsequently withdrawn.

  2 Including applications granted on appeal.

  3 Including 30 May, when the visa requirement for Sri Lankans was introduced, and 31 May.

  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan citizens have applied for visas to enter the United Kingdom from third world countries in each of the last three years; how many were (a) refugees and asylum seekers, (b) for settlement and (c) as visitors; and how many applications in each category have been (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) are still being considered.

  Mr. Renton
  I regret that the information requested is not available.
  298
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have applied for (a) single and (h) multiple entry visas to visit the United Kingdom from (i) Ghana, (ii) Nigeria, (iii) Bangladesh, (iv) India and (v) Pakistan since visas were introduced for those countries; and how many applications (1) have been refused and (2) are still being considered.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested which is available centrally is given in the following table.

  Applications for visit visas to the United Kingdom

  Applications

  Newly received1

  Refused initially

  Awaiting a decision at end of period

  Bangladesh

  1986 4th quarter2

  2,320

  600

  100

  1987 1st quarter

  1,600

  370

  160

  April

  960

  180

  210

  India

  1986 4th quarter2

  17,940

  480

  660

  1987 1st quarter

  15,840

  750

  1,500

  April

  13,460

  380

  1,600

  Pakistan

  1986 4th quarter2

  10,750

  730

  310

  1987 1st quarter

  10,200

  990

  560

  April

  5,570

  560

  740

  Ghana

  1986 4th quarter3

  3,300

  430

  ..

  1987 1st quarter

  2,620

  740

  ..

  April

  780

  180

  ..

  Nigeria4

  1987 February/March

  7,900

  250

  ..

  April

  6,300

  350

  ..

  ..Not available.

  1 Including applications subsequently withdrawn.

  2 Including applications for entry clearance in the period 1 to 14 October.

  3 Including applications for entry clearance in the period 1 to 22 October.

  4 Data are provisional.

  Refuge and Asylum Requests
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have applied for refugee and asylum status in the last 12 months at (a) British ports and (b) British posts overseas; from which countries these people came; and how many such applications were (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) given exceptional leave to remain.

  Mr. Renton
  The following table shows, for applications made in 1986 at United Kingdom ports or at diplomatic posts overseas, the nationality of the applicant and the outcome of the case where a decision has now been made.
  299

  Applications for refugee status or asylum made at United Kingdom ports or at diplomatic posts overseas in 1986

  Number of persons1—provisional2

  Nationality

  Applied at United Kingdom Port

  Applied outside United Kingdom

  Total

  Granted refugee status

  Refused refugee status

  Refused refugee status but granted exceptional leave to enter

  Application withdrawn

  Not yet decided

  Total

  Granted refugee status

  Refused refugee status

  Refused refugee status but granted exceptional leave to enter

  Application withdrawn

  Not yet decided

  Afghanistan

  37

  —

  1

  11

  —

  25

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Angola

  3

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bangladesh

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bolivia

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Chile

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Colombia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Ethiopia

  17

  2

  —

  12

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ghana

  26

  8

  9

  9

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  India

  40

  —

  3

  —

  1

  36

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Iran

  209

  9

  2

  56

  5

  137

  23

  13

  —

  2

  —

  8

  Iraq

  25

  1

  3

  21

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Lebanon

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Libya

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Malawi

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pakistan

  75

  —

  6

  —

  4

  65

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Seychelles

  3

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  19

  1

  1

  15

  —

  2

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Africa

  5

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sri Lanka

  325

  —

  4

  182

  1

  138

  9

  —

  —

  2

  —

  7

  Tanzania

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Turkey

  10

  —

  2

  —

  —

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Uganda

  15

  2

  —

  5

  —

  8

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Zaire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zimbabwe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nationality uncertain

  7

  2

  1

  3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  All nationalities

  824

  27

  36

  322

  14

  425

  53

  21

  —

  7

  2

  23

  1 Including dependants.

  2 Incorporating some later information than that available when the statistical bulletin (Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom, 1986; Issue 13/87) was published on 19 May giving information on all applications wherever made and on all decisions in 1986.

  Settlement Applications
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding applications for settlement there are at the present time; from which countries; and how many relate to (a) husbands, (b) wives (c) dependent children and (d) dependent parents.

  Mr. Renton
  The information which is available centrally relates only to the Indian subcontinent and is given in the following table.

  Applications for settlement1 awaiting a decision at 31 March 1987

  Number of persons

  Category

  Bangladesh

  India

  Pakistan

  Wives1

  2,600

  700

  1,800

  Children1

  6,400

  350

  2,100

  Other dependent relatives

  440

  240

  210

  Others for immediate settlement

  100

  20

  20

  Husbands

  160

  430

  810

  Male fiances

  30

  850

  1,800

  Female financees

  20

  470

  970

  Total

  9,800

  3,100

  7,700

  1 Including applications for a certificate of entitlement to, or a confirmation of, the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

  Entry Applications
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people in the United Kingdom here before 1973 have applied for their spouses and children to join them; and how many applications have been (a) granted, (b) refused and (c) are still being considered;

  (2) what are the countries of origin of all those people settled in the United Kingdom before 1973 who have applied to be joined by their spouses and children;

  (3) how many persons settled in the United Kingdom before 1973 have outstanding applications for (a) their spouses and (b) their children to join them here; and what is his estimate of the number who cannot provide accommodation and means of support for them.

  (4) how many persons settled in the United Kingdom before 1973 are entitled to be joined here by their spouses and children.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information relates to entry clearance applications granted and refused in the Indian subcontinent to wives and children of Commonwealth citizens (including British citizens) who were settled in the United Kingdom on 1 January 1973, ie persons covered by section 1(5) of the Immigration Act 1971, and is given in the following table. Such wives and children do not need to satisfy the maintenance and accommodation requirements of the immigration rules.
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  Applications in the Indian subcontinent for entry clearance to the United Kingdom by wives and children covered by section 1(5) of the Immigration Act 19712

  Number of persons

  Wives

  Children

  Granted3

  Refused initially

  Granted3

  Refused initially

  Bangladesh:

  1985 September3 to December

  50

  20

  1,760

  1,030

  1986

  270

  90

  2,630

  1,750

  1987 January to March

  110

  20

  630

  140

  India:

  1985 September4 to December

  20

  1—

  70

  30

  1986

  320

  l—

  80

  20

  1987 January to March

  150

  —

  20

  —

  Pakistan:

  1985 September4 to December

  120

  10

  870

  230

  1986

  1,060

  80

  1,320

  330

  1987 January to March

  400

  20

  150

  70

  1 Five or fewer.

  2 Excluding wives whose application was decided under the 1983 rules (HC 169).

  3 Including applications granted under appeal.

  4 Including the period 26 August, when the new immigration rules were introduced, to 31 August.

  Split Families
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many families are split because wives domiciled in Britain are awaiting permission for their husbands to join them; and what are average waiting times;

  (2) how many families are split because wives are awaiting entry permits to join their husbands in Britain; and if he will give details of waiting times.

  Mr. Renton
  Information is available only for persons in the Indian subcontinent applying for entry to the United Kingdom. At 31 March 1987, 5,110 wives in the subcontinent were awaiting a decision on their application for an entry clearance to, or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in, the United Kingdom. The corresponding number of husbands in the subcontinent awaiting a decision on their application for an entry clearance and information on waiting times to first interview are given in tables 9 and 10 respectively of the Home Office Statistical Bulleting "Control of Immigration: Statistics—First Quarter 1987" (Issue 14/87).

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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-east of England; and what is the budgeted expenditure of his Department for the current year in each of these regions.

  Mr. Hurd
  At 1 June 1987 the following numbers of staff were employed in the prison department regions of the Home Office:

  Region

  Number

  South-East

  9,982·5

  South-West

  4,677

  Midlands

  5,613

  North

  7,888

  302
  The other Home Office staff in post on that date in England and Wales are not organised in comparable regions, but were located broadly as follows:

  Region

  Number

  London/South-East

  6,513

  South-West

  812

  Midlands

  718

  North

  1,230

  Financial provision for the four prison department regions in the current financial year is set out in the Supply Estimates for 1987–88 (class XI, vote 2). Other Home Office expenditure is not broken down by regions.

  Amusement Arcades
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from chief constables of police forces about the operation of amusement arcades; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Police forces have made some comments on this subject from time to time in recent years but have recognised that they have not been in a position to provide hard evidence of a problem requiring a change in the law. However, we have asked the Association of Chief Police Officers to provide information about their experience of amusement arcades as part of our review of the adequacy of the law.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence is available to him on the basis of the recent general election of the extent of non-inclusion of eligible voters on the electoral register: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  While we do know from correspondence and inquiries that some electors were unable to vote at the last general election because they were incorrectly omitted from the register we cannot provide an estimate of the number involved. We recently commissioned a survey into the effectiveness of electoral registration procedures, the report of which was published
  303
  on 2 April, and we are now examining its findings and recommendations. In the meantime, we have reminded electoral registration officers of the need to review their procedures for compiling the register.

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

  Mr. Hurd
  I have no doubt that the proposals in the Queen's Speech for which I am responsible are broadly welcomed by most people. The proposal to introduce legislation to give greater flexibility in licensing hours has been criticised in some letters received in my Department and supported in others.

  Excess Alcohol (Convictions)
  Mr. Sheerman
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many excess alcohol convictions were recorded during the last three years; what percentage were high risk offences; what percentage were over 150 mg per cent.; what percentage were over 200 mg per cent.; and what percentage were second offences.

  Mr. John Patten
  The available information relates to findings of guilt for offences of driving and so on with alcohol above the prescribed limit and is published annually in "Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables" (Table 15 of the issue for 1985). Information on level of alcohol is not always readily available to those collecting details of court proceedings for the Home Office and this will affect the accuracy of the figures; as from 1 January 1987, information on alcohol level is no longer being collected. Information on repeated convictions for drink driving offences is not available.

  Prisons
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons he estimates will be detained in Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales on (a) 31 July and (b) 31 August.

  Mr. John Patten
  Changes in the prison population vary considerably from month to month and it is not our practice to publish short-term projections which may quickly become out of date. On 3 July the population in custody including those held in police cells was 50,969.

  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has to deal with overcrowding in the prison system in the immediate future;

  (2) if he proposes to use his powers of executive release to reduce prison overcrowding; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if, as measures to reduce prison overcrowding, he has any proposals to use (a) disused army camps and (b) former police stations;

  (4) if he has any proposals to recruit further prison offices on (a) a permanent and (b) a temporary basis to deal with overcrowding.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are keeping the position under close and continuous review.

  Remands in Custody
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners were on remand in custody awaiting trial on 30 June;

  (2) how many of those remanded in custody awaiting trial on 30 June were held in (a) prisons, (b) police stations and (e) other places in (i) London and (ii) elsewhere in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  Complete figures for 30 June are not yet available but the number of untried prisoners in prison custody in England and Wales on 31 May was 9,283 of which 1,946 were held in London.

  The number of prisoners (most of whom are likely to have been untried) held in police and court cells in England and Wales on 30 June was 326 in the Metropolitan police district and 117 in other areas. Figures available do not distinguish between prisoners held in police stations and those held in other locations.

  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many females were remanded in custody in police stations on 30 June in (a) London and (b) elsewhere in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  On 30 June the number of females (most of whom are likely to have been untried) in police or court cells was 75 in London and seven elsewhere in England and Wales.

  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to ensure that prisoners in custody are brought to their court of trial or remand on the due date.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have in hand a number of measures to reduce the delays caused by the present heavy demands on prison escorts.

  We are taking steps to reduce the number of occasions on which defendants have to be produced in different courts to face different charges by setting up close links with the Crown Prosecution Service. We are also taking forward the recommendation of the court escort scrutiny on the more efficient deployment of manpower. Furthermore, a clause in the Criminal Justice Bill provides for defendants to be remanded in custody for periods of up to 28 days, subject to an experiment in some areas. This too will reduce the escorting commitment.

  Mr. Alton
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unconvicted adult prisoners are currently held on remand; if he will give comparative figures for the years 1980 to 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information is given in the table:

  Untried prisoners aged 21 or over held in Prison Department establishments in England and Wales at 31 May

  Number1

  1980

  2,990

  1981

  3,450

  1982

  3,680

  1983

  4,060

  1984

  4,750

  1985

  5,680

  1986

  5,960

  1 Rounded estimates. Excludes those held in police cells.

  Naturalisation
  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 6 July, Official Report, column 49, if he will estimate the total cost of allowing Polish war veterans to apply for British citizenship without paying the naturalisation fee.

  Mr. Renton
  It is not possible to estimate the total cost since there is no way of knowing how many Polish war veterans might in future apply for naturalisation.

  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men over the age of 65 years have applied for naturalisation in each of the past five years; and of those how many were from (a) eastern European countries, (b) Pakistan, (c) India and (d) Bangladesh.

  Mr. Renton
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Fatchett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received representations from groups other than Polish war veterans wishing to have the naturalisation fee waived when applying for British citizenship; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  From time to time we have received such representations on behalf of a wide range of other groups including some other groups from Eastern Europe, refugees, retirement pensioners, those on low incomes and people who are in receipt of various social security benefits.

  Air Attack Warning
  Mr. Gow
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any changes are proposed in the arrangements for warning of air attacks on the United Kingdom and for monitoring the effects; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  The Government attach a high priority to the maintenance of an effective air attack warning system which can quickly be brought into operation if needed. We pay tribute to the work of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation and particularly its field force, the Royal Observer Corps, which is largely composed of volunteers who are trained to carry out warning and monitoring tasks in the event of hostilities. The UKWMO has been in existence for over 30 years and the Government have concluded that it would be timely to undertake a comprehensive review of warning and monitoring arrangements in the light of current planning assumptions and technological developments. Accordingly, a review is to be carried out with the following terms of reference:"Review existing arrangements for warning of an air attack on the United Kingdom and monitoring its effects including the functions and facilities of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation, and its field force the Royal Observer Corps, and police responsibilities for the warning system. Taking account of current planning assumptions, including the possibility of conventional, chemical and nuclear attack, and in the light of emergency planning arrangements generally, make recommendations on:

  (a) the aims and the operational requirements of a system for warning of air attack and for identifying, warning of and reporting on the effects;

  (b) the functions, structure and organisation of agencies needed to operate the system, including accountability and management, and the roles of any supporting agencies; and

  (c) requirements for equipment and facilities; and make assessments of;

  306

  (d) cost and effectiveness; and

  (e) the application to any wider role in emergency planning arrangements."

  Arrangements will be made to consult with members of the UKWMO, including the ROC, as well as the other agencies involved, and full account will be taken in the review of the long standing links between the corps and the RAF. The conclusions of the review are not expected to be known until 1988 but in due course we shall consider the extent to which they can be made available.

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

  Mr. John Patten
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1987, c. 48]: Areas of particular concern to women within the sphere of Home Office activities are dealt with at paragraphs 121 to 127, 152 to 165 of the review by the ministerial group on women's issues which I chair of the Government's response to the Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women (FLS), copies of which are in the Library. I would also identify the following issues:

  (i) We seek to ensure that the criminal law in England and Wales is adequate to protect all members of society, women and men, and in addition to the measures referred to in the FLS Review we have included in the Criminal Justice Bill provisions providing anonymity for rape victims from the moment when an allegation of rape is made.

  (ii) The leaflet referred to in paragraph 154 of the FLS Review has now been issued. Half a million copies have been printed and distributed so far.

  (iii) We are aware of the problems women's organisations and groups experience in attracting financial support. The Voluntary Services Unit at the Home Office organised a seminar in January this year, which brought together funders from charitable trusts and Government, and representatives of women's organisations and groups. The Ministerial Group on Women's Issues have agreed that recommendations from the seminar should be pursued by an implementation group.

  (iv) Grant under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 is paid to a number of local authorities which make additional provision to meet the special needs, mainly in education and social services, of women of Asian origin. Responsibility for identifying need for this purpose lies with the local authority.

  (v) The special needs of female inmates of custodial establishments are recognised, as is made clear in paragraph 157 of the FLS Review. The Home Office division with general policy responsibility for women and girls in prison maintains close contact with female establishments to identify any policy issues which arise and the following areas are currently receiving attention:

  (a) Age-Mixing: the mixing of female offenders under 21 with adult female offenders;

  (b) Mothers and babies: the circumstances in which offenders should be eligible to have their babies with them in prison; and details of the regime that should apply in mother and baby units;

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  (c) New psychiatric unit at Holloway: the feasibility of such a unit and what form it might take.

  Home Office Ministers and officials maintain contacts with voluntary organisations and groups and we are always prepared to receive their views on policy issues.

  Home Office staff receive management training which stresses the importance of equal opportunities.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Dogs
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people received hospital treatment as a result of attacks by dogs; how many people died as a result of such attacks; and how many people received hospital treatment for dog-borne diseases, particularly toxocara canis, as a result of contact with dogs or dog excrement for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Currie
  The available information is given in the table.

  Deaths registered in England and Wales during 1986

  Number

  Dog bite

  4

  In-patient cases treated in NHS hospitals in England during 1985

  Estimated Number

  Dog-borne disease1

  140

  Dog bite

  1,200

  1The sample numbers held centrally are too small for reliable estimates to be made individually for rabies, toxocariasis, pasteurellosis and echinococcosis.

  Female Gynaecologists
  Mrs. Wise
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of National Health Service consultants in gynaecology are women; what was the percentage 10 years previously; and what steps are being taken to improve this percentage.

  Mrs. Currie
  At 30 September 1986, 11·3 per cent. of consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology in England and Wales were women, compared with 11·7 per cent. 10 years earlier. The percentage can be expected to increase in future years as a result of the increasing proportion of women in the hospital training grades. Thus the proportion of women in the senior registrar grade (the most senior training grade) in obstetrics and gynaecology has increased from 12 per cent. to 24 per cent. in the same period. In addition, the Department has commissioned research in the factors which influence the career progress of women doctors, and will consider in the light of its findings whether any further action is needed to encourage women doctors to enter the specialty.

  Cancer Screening
  Ms. Primarolo
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when funds will he made available to Bristol and Weston district health authority and the Bristol family
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  practitioners committee to extend the computerised call and recall cervical cancer screening programme to women aged 20 years and over.

  Mrs. Currie
  I understand that Bristol and Weston, together with Frenchay and Southmead health authorities, already have facilities for extending the computerised call and recall cervical cancer screening programme to women aged 20 years and over.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many civil servants are employed by his Department in (a) London and the south-cast, (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. Moore
  The following table gives the information requested and also includes Wales and Scotland. All figures are rounded.

  Region

  Staff in Post

  Salary Budgets Issued

  £ million

  London and south-east

  30,000

  313

  South West and Wales

  9,300

  83

  Midlands

  12,800

  111

  Northern England

  38,000

  336

  Scotland

  8,900

  75

  Supplementary Benefit
  Mr. Frank Field
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the latest information on the number of persons living in households drawing supplementary benefit.

  Mr. Portillo
  In February 1987, the latest date for which information is available, the total number of persons dependent on supplementary benefit was 8,350,000.

  Source: DHSS quarterly statistical inquiry.

  Mr. Graham
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many are in receipt of supplementary benefit at each Department of Health and Social Security office in the Renfrew, West and Inverclyde constituency area; and how many were in receipt of benefit in June 1983.

  Mr. Scott
  In 1983, the constituency of Renfew, West and Inverclyde was covered by the Department's offices at Paisley, Paisley, West, Port Glasgow and Greenock. However, in March 1984, Paisley, West became part of Johnstone local office. The local office and constituency boundaries are not conterminous.

  The number of people receiving supplementary benefit from these offices on 5 May 1987, the latest date for which information is available, and on an equivalent date in 1983 is as follows:

  1987

  1983

  Paisley ILO

  16,581

  13,935

  Paisley West AO

  —

  7,094

  Johnstone ILO

  7,941

  —

  Greenock ILO

  12,065

  9,822

  Port Glasgow ILO

  5,348

  4,291

  Totals

  41,935

  35,142

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  Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action

  ILO = Integrated Local Office

  AO= Area Office

  Hospitals (Liverpool)
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many beds will be provided at the Liverpool royal infirmary following the relocation of services from St. Paul's eye hospital and The Seamen's Dispensary;

  (2) how many hospital beds there are at present in St. Paul's eye hospital and The Seamen's Dispensary, Liverpool;

  (3) how many beds there are at present in Liverpool maternity hospital, Mill road maternity hospital and the Liverpool women's hospital;

  (4) what are the estimated savings to the Liverpool area health authority from the location of all obstetric and gynaecology services to the former Liverpool royal infirmary; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what will be the estimated cost of the re-location of the St. Paul's eye hospital and The Seamen's Dispensary to the Liverpool royal infirmary;

  (6) what will be the estimated cost to the Liverpool area health authority of the re-location of all obstetrics and gynaecology services to the former Liverpool royal infirmary;

  (7) how many beds will be provided at the Liverpool royal infirmary site following the location of all obstetric and gynaecology services.

  Mrs. Currie
  I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.

  Ambulance Service (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply concerning the London ambulance service 1 July, Official Report, column 120, if he will list the number of emergency ambulance shifts of eight hours which were lost due to constraints of finance for crew costs in each of the ambulance stations in the north-east division of the London ambulance service in each of the months of April, May and June.

  Mrs. Currie
  No emergency ambulance shifts were lost due to constraints of finance. When staff shortages occur senior managers assess the provision of services and take the action they consider appropriate to ensure the work load is covered.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he had with chairmen of the four thames regional health authorities and district health authorities, respectively, concerning funding of the London ambulance service from his Department; and if he will state the amount of the grant for the financial year 1987–88.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have had no such consultations. The South West Thames regional health authority which is responsible for managing the London ambulance service, issued a short-term programme earlier this year which gave details of the financial provision for the LAS. The programme was circulated to the other Thames regions and districts concerned for comment. The budget for the 310
  LAS for 1987–88 is £41,351,661.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he has made with the London ambulance service to provide it with sufficient funds for the year 1987–88 to enable it to respond to the annual pattern of emergency service demands for its services within the established standards of response times.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have made no arrangements direct with the London ambulance service. The South West Thames regional health authority is responsible for managing and funding the London ambulance service and will no doubt take into account the expected levels of emergency calls and the minimum response times that the Department recommends in setting the budget.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in the Official Report the figures for the non-emergency patient journeys run under the auspices of the London ambulance service for each of the first two quarters of 1987 in the format of his reply of 5 March, Official Report, column 679, showing percentage change with the respective quarters in 1984.

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

  Medical Appeal Tribunal (Glasgow)
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue immediate instructions to the medical appeal tribunal in Glasgow to the effect that doctors assessing the walking ability of claimants must stop the practice of taking the claimant outside to West Regent street where, in full view of the general public, they are asked to demonstrate their walking ability; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of medical appeals tribunals is the responsibility of the president of social security and medical appeal tribunals, his honour judge Byrt, QC, and the hon. Member may care to write to him about the conduct of medical appeal tribunal hearings in Glasgow.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. McCrindle
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will enumerate those health authorities where waiting lists for in-patient treatment exceeded 18 per thousand in 1985 and 1986; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will enumerate those health authorities where present waiting lists for in-patient treatment exceed 18 per thousand; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Severe Weather Payments
  Mr. Graham ask
  ed the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants received severe weather payments at each benefit office in Renfrew, West and Inverclyde constituency in the winter of 1986–87; and how much was paid out at each office.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. The parliamentary constituency of
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  Renfrew, West and Inverclyde is dealt with by four local offices which also cover parts of other constituencies. The information which is available for these local offices is as follows:

  Local Office

  Number of £5 payments1

  Total amount paid

  £

  Greenock

  7,891

  39,455

  Johnstone

  5,621

  28,105

  Paisley

  10,369

  51,845

  Port Glasgow

  10,163

  50,815

  1 Separate figures on the number of individuals receiving payments are not available, but the great majority of successful claimants in Renfrew, West and Inverclyde will have received a total of £15 in respect of the three weeks for which this help was made available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants received exceptionally severe weather payments at each benefit office in each constituency of Scotland in the winter of 1986–87; and how much was paid out at each office.

  Mr. Scott
  I shall let the hon. Member have a reply very shortly.

  Renal 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
  [pursuant to her reply, 9 July 1987]: I regret that details of each region's plans for the treatment of new patients with end stage renal failure are not collected centrally. However, I am pleased to announce that provisional figures from the European Dialysis and Transplant Association for the acceptance of new patients for treatment in the United Kingdom show an increase from 43 patients per million population in 1985 to approximately 47 per million in 1986.

DEFENCE

  RAF, Ynys Môn
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for changes in the number of civilian employees at the Royal Air Force establishment in Ynys Môn; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have no immediate plans for any significant changes in the number of civilians employed at RAF Valley.

  Army (Bullying)
  Mr. John Mark Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be in a position to provide the hon. Member for Solihull with a copy of his constituent's statement in an alleged Army bullying case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I sent my hon. Friend a copy of the statement to which he refers on 30 June.

  Central Ordnance Depot, Donnington
  Mr. Grocott
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to visit Central Ordnance Depot, Donnington to receive representations on the proposed privatisation of depot services.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend has, at present, no plans to visit the Central Ordnance Depot at Donnington. A study has been conducted into the feasibility of contracting out a range of administrative functions at the Central Ordnance Depot and associated garrison and the report is currently being evaluated. We hope to make an announcement on the results of the study shortly and the work force and their representatives will have an opportunity to make representations, as part of the Ministry of Defence's normal consultative arrangements. I shall write to the hon. Member at the time of that announcement.

  Export Sales
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now give the total value of defence exports sales contracts held by United Kingdom companies in 1986.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The latest figure for United Kingdom defence export sales in 1986 is £5·8 billion.

  Defence Exports Services Organisation
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the role of the Defence Exports Services Organisation and its funding arrangements.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The DESO exists to assist British defence industries to promote and sell their goods abroad in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's policy. In so doing it plays a significant part in increasing the country's trade and employment. Details of the funding arrangements for the Defence Export Services Organisation are contained in table 4 "Exports of defence equipment Votes 1 and 2" of the MOD Supply Estimates for 1987–88.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the Defence Exports Services Organisation operations for each of the years 1979 to 1986 including (a) the total number of staff of the Defence Exports Services Organisation and their gradings, (b) the countries visited by Defence Exports Services Organisation staff and the dates of the visits, (c) the equipment exports agreed and (d) the value of exports to each country expressed in constant 1986–87 prices.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is not the practice to give details of countries visited by Defence Export Services Organisation staff or of individual exports to particular countries. Statistics of United Kingdom defence sales by broad geographic regions are set out in volume 2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates". Detailed figures of DESO staff are not available from 1979 and could only be provided at disproportionate time and effort. The total numbers at 1 April 1983 and 1 April 1987 were 353 and 251 respectively.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Batiste
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants are employed by his Department

  313
  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. Sainsbury
  On 1 April 1987, the latest date for which information is available, the number of civil servants, counting part-timers as half and excluding casual staff, was(a) 63,206 in London and the south-east, (b) 41,169 in the south-west, (c) 15,738·5 in the midlands (comprising the west midlands, east midlands and East Anglia economic planning regions) and (d) 12,256·5 in the north of England (comprising the Yorks and Humberside, north-west and north economic planning regions). Although expenditure is not budgeted by region, details of estimated procurement expenditure by economic planning region for 1985–86, the latest year for which figures are available to the nearest £0·1 billion are as follows:

  £ billion 1985–86

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0·2

  East Midlands

  0·3

  West Midlands

  0·3

  East Anglia

  0·2

  South-West

  0·9

  South-East

  3·8

  North-West

  1·0

  Scotland

  0·4

  Wales

  0·2

  Northern Ireland

  0·1

  Ship Design
  Mr. Adley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if research on ship design by his Department is available to commercial shipbuilders and operators in so far as it is outwith the confines of security; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  If appropriate and if security considerations permit, the results of research on ship design are published in the technical press and through learned societies. My Department also makes results available to United Kingdom industry through its membership of several research groups and through the Defence Scientific Advisory Council. Advice is also given in response to specific inquiries and test facilities are made available. The end product of much research is embodied in a series of naval engineering standards, many of which are available for sale to industry.

  Body Armour
  Mr. Cartwright
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he still estimates that body armour will be introduced into general service with the British Army during 1989.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Yes.

  Mr. Cartwright
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place contracts with manufacturers for the production of suits of body armour needed for troop trials.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Contracts for the manufacture of combat body armour for troop trials are expected to be placed later this year.

  Mr. Cartwright
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence wheter he estimates that extensive trials of body armour will take place during the current year; and when he expects these to commence.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Extensive troop trials of combat body armour are expected to start at the turn of the year.

  Infantry Sales Team
  Mr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formation of the infantry sales team including (a) the reasons for and date of its formation, (b) cost to the taxpayer, (c) its relationship to the Defence Export Services Organisation and (d) the countries visited since its inception.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer to the question answered by my predecessor on 15 May last in which he stated that a small infantry sales team was established in 1986. In addition to its normal duties it holds itself ready, under the direction of the Defence Export Services Organisation, to assist United Kingdom manufacturers in the sale and promotion of British infantry equipment overseas. Apart from the pay and allowances of the team members, all other costs are borne by the commercial companies involved. Since 1986 the team has visited the following countries:

  Indonesia

  Luxembourg

  United States of America

  France

  Canada

  Saudi Arabia

  Turkey

  Jordan

  Malaysia

  Portugal

  Pakistan