Written Answers of 6 November 1987

WALES

  National Museum
  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when officers of the national museum of Wales asked Dr. Roderick Bowen, QC to undertake the inquiry into allegations of professional misconduct in the department of art; when these instructions were confirmed to him in writing; when members of staff of the national museum were requested to submit their statements of complaint; and what disciplinary action was taken subsequently with respect to the writer of the unauthorised letter to the president of the national museum, dated 16 September 1982, alleging professional misconduct;

  (2) what were the allegations of professional misconduct in the department of art of the national museum of Wales as a result of which a senior member of its council conducted an inquiry in 1982; and when the keeper of the department of art was provided with them in writing;

  (3) when the letter of intent relating to the loan of exhibits to Japan by the national museum of Wales was first received by the then acting director; when this letter was first received by the president; when the draft contract was first received by the officers; and when the treasurer undertook to check out the financial arrangements proposed in that draft contract;

  (4) when the officers of the national museum of Wales gave their approval for preliminary negotiations to be undertaken by the keeper of art for the loan of exhibits to Japan; when the officers reported their action to the council of the national museum and obtained that body's approval; when the report by the keeper of art on the 1986 fund-raising exhibition in the far east and the attached draft agreements was submitted to the council for its consideration; and who undertook the technical examinations of the venues in Japan on whose judgment the council based its decision to approve the loan.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Under the terms of the museum's royal charter, these are matters for which the council has direct management responsibility. I suggest the hon. Gentleman writes to the director.

  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the staffing recommendations of his Department's staff inspectors for the department of art of the national museum of Wales in July 1983; and at what dates each of the new posts recommended were first filled.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh Office staff inspectors recommended certain grading adjustments and other changes, the net effect of which would have been an increase in the complement of the department of art by one conservator grade E, one half (full-time equivalent) conservator grade G/F. The technician III post also 882
  recommended already existed. After taking account of the overall staffing situation the museum decided against implementing these recommendations.

  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales which consultants were employed to review the functions and management structure of the department of art of the national museum of Wales in 1986; what previous experience those consultants had of museums; and how much of their fees was met from the grant-in-aid.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Touche Ross and Co was appointed by the national museum of Wales which considered it qualified to conduct this inquiry. The fees were paid from grant-in-aid.

  Mr. Faulds
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on why the national museum of Wales purchased advertising space in the June 1986 issues of The Burlington Magazine, Apollo and the Museums Bulletin to apologise for any defamation that may have accrued to its former keeper of art; how much these advertisements cost; and, in terminating his services by mutual agreement, whether any funds were expended beyond a normal severance payment.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My information is that the advertisements were of an explanatory nature and were placed as part of the severance agreement with the former keeper of art. The question of their cost should be put to the museum authorities. The severance payment comprised various moneys to which the former keeper of art had a contractual entitlement, a payment for the completion of research already begun and a £3,155 exgratia payment to facilitate the mutual termination of his employment.

  Food (Radioactivity)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if there are any regular checks made for radioactivity in human foodstuffs (a) in north Wales and (b) in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There is regular monitoring of the terrestrial and aquatic environment designed to assess the impact of the discharges from the two nuclear power stations in north Wales.

  In addition, since the Chernobyl accident, a general monitoring programme covering agricultural produce has been undertaken throughout Wales. Produce tested includes milk and milk products, cereals, fruit, vegetables and meat.

  Ambulances (Emergency Response Times)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average waiting time for an ambulance responding to an emergency call in (a) rural areas and (b) urban areas; what arrangements exist for monitoring response times; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. The following table, however, gives details of the response time in minutes for 50 per cent. and 95 per cent. of calls respectively for each district health authority in 1986.
  883

  50 per cent, of calls were responded to within (minutes)

  95 per cent, of calls were responded to within (minutes)

  Clwyd

  6

  17

  East Dyfed

  8

  24

  Pembrokeshire

  9

  26

  Gwent

  6

  15

  Gwynedd

  7

  20

  Mid Glamorgan

  10

  22

  Powys

  11

  27

  South Glamorgan

  7

  14

  West Glamorgan

  7

  19

  School Meals
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average price of a school meal charged by each of the education authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information on the prices of fixed price meals, as supplied by local authorities in September 1987, is as follows:

  Welsh counties

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Clwyd

  65p

  70p

  Dyfed

  70p

  70p

  Gwent

  60p

  60p

  Gwynedd

  60p

  65p

  Mid Glamorgan

  62p

  83p

  Powys

  65p

  75p

  South Glamorgan

  60p

  65p

  West Glamorgan

  65p

  1

  1 Fixed price meals are not applicable— a cafeteria service is offered.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many children are receiving free school meals in each of the education authorities in Wales, expressed as a percentage of the total number of children taking school meals.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information obtained from a census on a specified day in September 1986 is as follows:

  Per cent.

  Clwyd

  34·8

  Dyfed

  28·8

  Gwent

  45·1

  Mid Glamorgan

  45·4

  Powys

  23·7

  South Glamorgan

  53·9

  West Glamorgan

  43·4

  Departmental Staff
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of posts in his Department held by women, listed by grade, in each of the years since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Barking (Ms. Richardson) on 23 July 1987, at column 393.

  Labour Statistics
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing unemployed by (a) age group and (b) sex in Wales for the latest available date.
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  Mr. Peter Walker
  Figures are published quarterly in the labour market data supplement of the Employment Gazette, those for July 1987 appearing in table 2.6 in the September issue.

  Primary Schools
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total number of pupils on school rolls and the pupil to teacher ratio in primary schools in Wales for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:

  Total number of pupils on roll in primary schools

  Pupil-teacher ratio within schools

  1978–791

  303,396

  22·0

  1979–80

  295,227

  21·9

  1980–81

  283,435

  21·7

  1981–82

  273,202

  21·9

  1982–83

  262,569

  21·8

  1983–84

  258,642

  21·6

  1984–85

  257,295

  21·9

  1985–86

  256.798

  22·1

  1986–87

  257,999

  22·1

  1 At January each year.

  Welsh Language
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the inclusion of Welsh as a foundation subject in the proposed core curriculum.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We have received a total of 173 representations which refer to the position of Welsh within the national curriculum, of which 126 favour the inclusion of Welsh as a foundation subject throughout Wales.

  Hospital Services
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of each district health authority which has contractual arrangements with a private non-National Health Service hospital to provide acute medical services, showing (a) the hospital with which a contract is made, (b) the number of patients treated by that hospital during 1986–87, (c) the total amount spent by the district health authority on treatment under the contract during 1986–87 and (d) the amount of (c) expressed as a percentage of the district health authority's overall budget for 1986–87.

  Mr. Grist
  I am not aware from the statistical returns submitted to the Department to date of any district health authority in Wales which has contractual arrangements with a private non-National Health Service hospital to provide acute medical services.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of contracts agreed by each district health authority for the following services (a) ambulances, (b) gardening, (c) laboratories, (d) portering, (e) hospital shops, (f) window cleaning, (g) pharmacy and (h) telephones; and if he will give the estimated annual savings in each case.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of all new contracts awarded since 31

  885
  December 1986 by each district health authority by hospital for (a) portering, (b) catering, (c) laundry, (d) cleaning and (e) other ancillary work; and if he will give the estimated annual savings for each contract awarded.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested in respect of new contracts awarded by district health authorities in Wales for catering, laundry and cleaning services is given in the following table. Details of contracts relating to portering and other ancillary work are not held centrally.

  New contracts awarded since 31 December 1986

  District health authority and details of contract

  Estimated savings (£) per annum

  Gwynedd

  Domestic Contract: Llandudno hospital; in-house; three years from 5 July 1987

  58,000

  Domestic Contract; Arfon Offices; in-house; three years from 5 July 1987

  100

  Pembrokeshire

  Laundry Contract: district service; interim contract pending further tendering exercise

  —

  Powys

  Catering Contract: Phase IV Brecon War Memorial and St. Davids hospitals; in-house; three years from 1 September 1987

  8,565

  Catering Contract: Phase III Mid-Wales and Bronllys hospitals; in-house; three years from 1 December 1987

  82,548

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the latest figures as a percentage of services put out to tender by each district health authority for (a) catering, (b) domestic services, and (c) laundry; and if he will give the estimated annual savings.

  Mr. Grist
  The information in respect of contracts awarded to date is as follows:

  District Health Authorities and Service

  Percentage by value of service for which contracts awarded

  Estimated annual savings £

  Gwent

  Domestic

  0·3

  5,080

  Gwynedd

  Domestic

  13

  58,097

  Mid Glamorgan

  Laundry

  100

  200,000

  Pembrokeshire

  Catering

  100

  60,468

  Domestic

  100

  196,623

  Laundry

  100

  82,950

  Powys

  Catering1

  100

  118,113

  Domestic1

  100

  89,067

  West Glamorgan

  Catering

  9

  60,000

  Domestic

  11

  118,010

  Date

  Place

  National grid reference

  Height above mean sea level in metres

  1968

  23 March

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  1 July

  Golden Grove Farm Institute

  22/597198

  90

  1971

  18 June

  Cwymstwyth Pwllperian

  22/773749

  301

  1973

  886

  District Health Authorities and Service

  Percentage by value of service for which contracts awarded

  Estimated annual savings £

  Laundry

  100

  199,000

  WHCSA

  Domestic

  100

  18,000

  1 Includes contract let for new hospital for which savings are not identifiable.

  No contracts have yet been awarded by Clwyd, East Dyfed and South Glamorgan district health authorities. The information given above does not include services currently out to tender for which contracts have not yet been awarded.

  Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth (Road Link)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any proposals concerning the construction of an east-west road link from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  There is already a trunk road link between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth on which the following improvements are planned:

  A458 Welshpool to English Border

  A483 Welshpool Relief Roads

  A470 Llanidloes Bypass

  A470 Diversion East of Llangurig to Wern Villa

  A44—A470 Improvement of Junction South of Llangurig

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many consultant hospital beds there were in Wales in each of the years 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Grist
  The following table gives the average number of daily available beds in National Health Service hospitals in Wales. These figures exclude maternity, medical and dental beds allocated to general practitioners.

  Financial year ended 31 March

  Average number of available beds

  1985

  21,120

  1986

  20,854

  1987

  20,430

  Rainfall
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the information available to him on the occasions in the last 20 years in which over 3 in. of rainfall fell in Dyfed inside 24 hours.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have been asked to reply.

  There were 22 occasions during the past 20 years when a day's rainfall of 75 mm (3 in.) or more was recorded at stations recognised by the Meteorological Office in Dyfed, as listed:
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  Date

  Place

  National grid reference

  Height above mean sea level in metres

  5 August

  10 locations

  1974

  4 January

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  29 January

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  21 December

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  1977

  30 October

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  Abergorlech

  22/584337

  76

  1979

  10 May

  Cwmrheiddl

  22/709792

  53

  26 December

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  Abergorlech

  22/584337

  76

  1981

  1 March

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  1982

  8 January

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  16 August

  Cwmystwyth Pwllperian

  22/773749

  301

  8 October

  Cwmystwyth Pwllperian

  22/773749

  301

  1985

  6 October

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  21 December

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  Maesglas

  22/773556

  344

  30 December

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  1986

  31 January

  Maesglas

  22/773556

  344

  25 August

  9 Locations

  9 November

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

  29 December

  Cwmystwyth Pwllperian

  22/773749

  301

  1987

  26 March

  Troed-y-Foel

  22/798238

  264

ENERGY

  Woolley and Redbrook Collieries
  Mr. Illsley
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what has been the total amount of investment spent at British Coal's Woolley colliery since (a) 1974, (b) 1980 and (c) 1985;

  (2) what is the total amount of investment spent by British Coal on the coal preparation and washing facility at its Woolley complex;

  (3) in the event of the closure of British Coal's Woolley and Redbrook collieries, to what extent capital repayments and interest charges from those collieries will fail be to carried by other collieries;

  (4) what was the total amount of investments spent at British Coal's Redbrook colliery since (a) 1974, (b) 1980 and (c)

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Energy Efficiency Year
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many inquiries Government bodies received as a result of their public awareness campaigns during Energy Efficiency Year; what savings accrued to Government bodies as a result of changes in their own practice promoted because of Energy Efficiency Year; and what was the cost to Government bodies of having an Energy Efficiency Year.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My Department and others received numerous inquiries, but no precise record was kept of the number; however, my Department received 888
  more than 120,000 requests for Monergy information packs and distributed some 2 million copies of Monergy News magazine.

  The heating costs of the Government's civil estate reduced by £8 million (from £34 million to £26 million) in July 1986-June 1987 by comparison with the preceding 12 months. Part of this reduction was the result of increased energy efficiency but it is not possible to say how much.

  Expenditure by my Department on energy efficiency advertising and promotional and marketing activity during Energy Efficiency Year was about £12 million.

  Mersey Barrage
  Mr. Fearn
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress is being made in the study connected with the Mersey barrage.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Mersey barrage company is progressing its examination of the technical and economic viability of the scheme, its employment potential and its effect on the environment.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Northern Development Company
  Mr. Cran
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the detailed objectives of the Northern Development Company; and what progress in quantifiable terms has been made in reaching these.

  Mr. Atkins
  This is the first full year of operation of the Northern Development Company, a partnership of regional self-help between industry and commerce, the local authorities and the regional TUC. Its objectives are to promote and market the region, and assist its economic development by encouraging enterprise. It subsumes the
  889
  inward investment promotion activities of the former North of England Development Council. It is too early to quantify results, but progress to date has been encouraging.

  Scaffolding Material
  Mr. Warren
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consult the British Steel Corporation as to whether problems exist in the production of scaffolding materials as a result of EEC quota restrictions.

  Mr. Atkins
  Steel for the production of scaffolding is not covered by EC quota restrictions. The BSC has reported that demand for scaffolding has been unusually high in recent weeks, partly as a result of repairs to storm damage, but it has been able to meet all orders to it. If my hon. Friend is aware of particular difficulties, I would be very willing to ask the BSC to look into them.

  Upholstered Furniture
  Mr. French
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement concerning the responses he has received to Department's draft code of practice regarding the ignition resistance of upholstered furniture; and when he expects his final proposals to be operative.

  Imports and domestic production for home market of hard and soft woods

  Volume:

  Imports: 000 metric tonnes

  Production: 000 cubic metres

  Value: £ million

  1985

  1986

  6 months to June 1987

  Volume

  Value

  Volume

  Value

  Volume

  Value

  Imports:

  Hardwood

  585·5

  203·2

  610·5

  211·9

  340·0

  121·3

  Softwood

  3,702·3

  675·3

  4,232·9

  778·1

  2,203·7

  422·2

  Percentage of domestic consumption:

  Hardwood

  1N/A

  92·4

  1N/A

  89·2

  1N/A

  93·0

  Softwood

  1N/A

  83·5

  1N/A

  82·9

  1N/A

  82·9

  Domestic production for home market:

  Hardwood

  133

  16·8

  222

  25·6

  N/A

  9·1

  Softwood

  1,798

  1339

  1,271

  160·7

  N/A

  87·1

  Percentage of domestic consumption:

  Hardwood

  1N/A

  7·6

  1N/A

  10·8

  1N/A

  7·0

  Softwood

  1N/A

  16·6

  1N/A

  17·1

  1N/A

  17·1

  Source:

  Imports: Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Production: Q2 Business Monitor

  Notes:

  1. Hardwoods defined as Standard International Trade Classification Revision 2 (SITC R2) sub-groups 247.2, 247.9 (part) and 248.3 and Item 246.01 (part).

  Softwoods defined as SITC R2 sub-groups 247.1, 247.9 (part) and 248.2 and Item 246.01 (part).

  2. 1986 and 1987 figures provisional.

  3. Figures for domestic production of hardwoods and softwoods approximated.

  1 Because of the different quantity units in which production and import figures are compiled proportional figures are not available.

  Nationalised Industries (Monopolies and Mergers Commission)
  Mr. Page
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in implementing the rolling programme of references of nationalised industries to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
  890
  Mr. Maude
  The Department's code of practice proposals on the ignition resistance of upholstered furniture produced a substantial amount of corrrespondence. The majority of the replies agree with the principle of the code of practice approach though there are many suggestions for differences of detail and of timing. My officials are currently discussing the responses with officials of the Home Office. I expect to be in a position to make a further statement during the next month and to circulate draft regulations for consultation early in the new year.

  Hardwood and Softwood Timber Imports
  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the volume and value of imports of hardwood and softwood timber, respectively, in 1985, 1986 and 1987 to date, what was the equivalent figures for domestic production intended for use in the home market; and what each figure represents as a proportion of domestic consumption.

  Mr. Atkins
  The available information is in the following table:

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  During the past 12 months reports have been published on the Post Office's procurement activities, the maintenance activities of the British Waterways Board, the Central Electricity Generating Board's transmission of electricity and British Rail's Network Southeast
  891
  On 7 September I announced a further programme of references of nationalised industries. The first reference in the programme, that of the Welsh water authority, was made on that date. I have today sent to the MMC the reference relating to the costs and efficiency of and the service provided by the Post Office's counter services at Crown offices. In due course I propose to make further references concerning the London Underground and British Coal.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Opportunities Officers
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is (a) the proportion of working time allocated to his departmental equal opportunities officer for equal opportunities duties, (b) the other duties carried out by the departmental equal opportunities officer, (c) the proportion, and the amount, of the departmental budget which is allocated to equal opportunities work, (d) the number of occasions when the departmental equal opportunities officer meets equal opportunities officers from other Government Departments each year, (e) the guidelines issued to his departmental training officers and equal opportunities officers to promote the use of section 47 of the Sex Discrimination Act, and (f) the action taken to facilitate jobshare, part-time working and parental leave.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The departmental equal opportunity officer spends about 25 per cent. of her time on work relating to equal opportunities. The equal opportunity officer is also the departmental disabled persons officer, and has other personnel management responsibilities including the management of the Department's pay budget. No specific part of the departmental budget is allocated to equal opportunities.

  The equal opportunity officer meets her counterparts in other Departments at the annual meeting arranged by the office of the Minister for the Civil Service, and on other occasions throughout the year. No specific guidelines have been issued to the officer, or to the departmental training officer, on the operation of section 47 of the Sex Discrimination Act. All requests for part-time work or job-sharing are considered sympathetically. Special leave may be granted to enable staff to cope with domestic problems.

  Education Costs
  Mr. Boswell
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will estimate for primary and secondary maintained schools in England, respectively, the current average annual cost of education, including free school transport, per pupil; and also whether he will tabulate these figures for convenient size bands of schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  The latest available estimate of the current cost per school pupil may be made from local authority returns of 1987–88 budgeted expenditure to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy as follows:892

  Estimated Expenditure1 per pupil 1987–88

  Nursery and primary schools2 £

  Secondary schools £

  Net recurrent institutional expenditure3

  916

  1,403

  Home to School Transport

  7

  33

  Total

  923

  1,436

  1 At November 1986 prices.

  2 Separate figures for primary schools are not available.

  3 Includes the cost of salaries and wages, premises running costs and certain supplies and services. It does not include the cost of school meals, central services or the financing costs of capital expenditure.

  Information on which to base the costs of different sizes of schools is not available.

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) pursuant to the answer of 29 October, how he has arrived at the figure of 720,000 surplus secondary school places; and if he will take steps to obtain the figures for each local authority;

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 29 October, how he has arrived at the figure of 710,000 surplus primary school places; and if he will take steps to obtain the figures for each local authority.

  Mr. Dunn
  The figures were calculated by comparing the school population at January 1987 with the estimated physical capacity of maintained schools in England. It is the responsibility of individual LEAs to assess whether there is spare capacity in the schools in their area, and if necessary to make proposals for school reorganisation aimed at removing surplus places. My right hon. Friend therefore has no plans to seek information on the number of surplus places within each authority.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Devlin
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has made a decision on the siting of the Teesside city technology college; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A final decision has not been taken on the location of the proposed Teesside city technology college. A number of possible sites are being investigated on behalf of prospective sponsors.

  Mr. Devlin
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with raising the finance from private sources needed to put up the Teesside city technology college; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Discussions with several prospective sponsors of a Teesside CTC have taken place and my right hon. Friend has had a number of firm indications of support. He is confident that the necessary private sector finance will be available.

  Schools (Cornwall)
  Mr. Mudd
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, for Cornwall, information available to him by date and estimated cost of remedy, on

  893
  schools that (a) date from the 19th century, (b) still have outside toilets and (c) will not, in their present condition, meet the 1981 School Premises Regulations by 1991.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Department does not collect this information.

PRIME MINISTER

  Visits
  Mr. Wigley
  asked the Prime Minister when she next proposes to pay an official visit to Wales.

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

  Civil Service (Parliamentary Questions)
  Mr. Nelson
  asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of the recent changes announced by her regarding the management of the Civil Service, she will list those matters relating to the Civil Service about which parliamentary questions will now he answered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and by the Minister of State, Privy Council Office, respectively.

  The Prime Minister
  The new allocation of functions previously undertaken by the Management and Personnel Office is set out in note 3 to the press notice issued from No. 10 Downing street on 7 August, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Treasury Ministers will answer questions on the matters listed in the column headed "Treasury", and the Minister of State, Privy Council Office will answer on the matters listed in the column headed "Cabinet Office". Treasury Ministers will in addition continue to answer questions on Civil Service matters transferred to the Treasury in 1981, including manpower, pay, allowances and superannuation.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Cohen
  asked the Prime Minister (1) on what date British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. was given approval to export weapons grade plutonium subject to non-proliferation safeguards; how Her Majesty's Government propose to ensure that such safeguards are adhered to; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what contracts for the export by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. of weapons grade plutonium, involving which countries, are currently awaiting Her Majesty's Government's approval; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 27 October 1987 at column 217.

  Information on individual contracts entered into under the guidelines laid down is, in the normal way, commercially confidential.

  Written Answers
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Prime Minister what information she has as to the number and percentage of written parliamentary questions which are answered on the day on which right hon. and hon. Members request such answers; and what is the same information for answers from each responsible Cabinet Minister.

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. F. D. Hamilton
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  asked the Prime Minister whether she has made any further representations directly to President Chissano of Mozambique about the incarceration of Mr. Findlay Dion Hamilton, a British subject, in a Mozambique gaol since 1982; and with what result.

  The Prime Minister
  I made representations about Mr. Hamilton to the then president of Mozambique in 1983. We have subsequently raised his case with the Mozambique authorities on several occasions. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised the case with President Chissano during his visit to London in May.

  The president undertook to try to help, but indicated that it was a matter for decision by the Council of Ministers.

  There have been no further developments.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Abortion
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of convictions in England and Wales for procuring an illegal abortion in each year since 1957.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is given in the table. Details of proceedings for procuring an illegal abortion are published annually in tables S1.1(A) and S2.1(A) of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables, Vols, 1 and 2", under offence classification 14.

  Persons found guilty of procuring an illegal abortion 1

  England and Wales

  Number of persons 2

  Year

  Found guilty

  1957

  40

  1958

  40

  1959

  42

  1960

  42

  1961

  55

  1962

  82

  1963

  54

  1964

  63

  1965

  60

  1966

  56

  1967

  65

  1968

  60

  1969

  52

  1970

  41

  1971

  36

  1972

  26

  1973

  8

  1974

  11

  1975

  1

  1976

  4

  1977

  2

  1978

  2

  1979

  —

  1980

  4

  1981

  —

  1982

  —

  1983

  3

  1984

  2

  1985

  —

  1986

  2

  1Includes offences under section 59 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861.

  2As shown by the records held centrally, which are approximate.

  Remand Centres
  Mr. Chris Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the establishment of a privately managed remand centre.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are considering the fourth Report of the Home Affairs Committee on contract provision of prisons, in the light of my noble Friend's recent visit to the United States, in the course of which he looked at several private management custodial facilities. Our conclusions will be announced as soon as possible.

  Strip Searches
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were strip searched at immigration points in 1987, 1986 and 1985; whether individuals have any right of appeal when a strip search is proposed; and whether any code of practice exists in relation to these strip searches.

  Mr. Renton
  Paragraph 4(3) of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 provides that an immigration officer may search the baggage and person of passengers seeking entry to ascertain whether they are carrying relevant documents, but no woman or girl may be searched except by a woman. It would be very unusual for a strip search to be necessary for this purpose, and there is no record of any search of this kind having taken place at immigration control points in the years in question.

  Iranian and Libyan Nationals
  Mr. Atkinson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to protect leading members of the Iranian community living in the United Kingdom and known to be opposed to the Khomeini regime, and of the Libyan community known to be opposed to the Gaddafi regime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  Members of the Iranian and Libyan communities living in the United Kingdom who are believed, or consider themselves, to be at risk are seen by the police and given advice about their personal security.

  Police Station (Falmouth)
  Mr. Mudd
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the provision of Falmouth with a police station; and what is the earliest date by which one can be provided.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A bid for approval to plan a new police station at Falmouth was submitted to the Home Office in 1985 by the Devon and Cornwall police authority, but the application was not approved.

  Last July, the authority raised again with the Department the question of a new police station, but it was told that we did not expect to be able to invite new bids for major police building schemes until May 1988. If the authority puts forward a bid then, it will be considered with the bids received from other authorities. If its bid is successful, the authority will be authorised to draw up detailed plans, but I cannot say at this stage when building work would commence.

  Police Establishments
  Mr. Mudd
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's approved police establishment for Devon and Cornwall; what is the estimate of the police authority of the necessary establishment; and what proposals exist to increase police establishment in Devon and Cornwall.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The authorised police establishment of the Devon and Cornwall constabulary is 2.794. The Devon and Cornwall police authority applied in June 1986 for increases totalling 137 police posts to be implemented over three financial years; 37 of these have so far been approved. We are giving further consideration to the 33 police posts remaining from the police authority's application for additional posts in the present financial year.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Madden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the appropriate regulations to enable pensioners living in multi-storey accommodation, who are visited by wardens, to receive concessionary television licences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  No. Pensioners living in multi-storey accommodation may already qualify for the concessionary accommodation for residential care television licence, provided that accommodation satisfies all the relevant criteria set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Broadcast Charges and Exemption) Regulations 1984.

  Polling Booths
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend section 18 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, as amended by the Representation of the People Act 1985, so as to make it mandatory for district councils and London borough councils to designate only places which are accessible to disabled electors as polling booths; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. Since 1 October 1985 councils of districts or London boroughs in England and Wales have been required, so far as is reasonable and practicable, to designate as polling places only such places as are accessible to the disabled. Moreover, a permanently disabled voter may apply in advance to vote by post or by a proxy. In these circumstances, an alternative course being available, we have no plans for further legislation on this subject.

  Extradition
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for the extradition of persons from the Republic of Ireland to England and Wales have been made in the years 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 to date; of these, how many in each year were for persons alleged to be concerned in terrorist crime; and in each category and year how many of the requests were (a) granted and (b) refused.

  Mr. Hurd
  The return of fugitives to and from the Republic of Ireland takes place by means of individual warrants of arrest. The table provides fugitives for the
  897
  number of persons who were the subject of such warrants from England and Wales for the years 1982 to 1986. Only one request was in respect of terrorist offences; this related to Evelyn Glenholmes, and was unsuccessful. One other request was refused on technical grounds during this period. In some cases, warrants could not he executed since the fugitive was at the time serving a prison sentence in the Republic or could not be traced.

  Request made by England and Wales for return of persons from the Republic of Ireland under the Backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965

  Requests made

  Requests granted

  Requests refused

  Requests not acted on for other reasons

  1982

  41

  17

  1

  23

  1983

  31

  11

  —

  20

  1984

  29

  15

  —

  14

  1985

  23

  5

  —

  18

  1986

  12

  1

  1

  10

  Probation Officers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers were employed by local authorities in Wales in each of the years 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. John Patten
  The number of probation officers employed by probation committees in Wales at the end of June in each of the three years was as follows:

  Year

  Number of probation officers

  1985

  307

  1986

  313

  1987

  312

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Marconi
  Mr. Canavan
  asked the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement about the progress of the investigation by his Department's police into the Marconi company about possible fraudulent dealings with his Department.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 28 October.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Advertising
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper titles.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 3 November 1987]The figures are as follows:

  Year

  Total £000

  1982–83

  —

  1983–84

  1,258

  898

  Year

  Total £000

  1984–85

  —

  1985–86

  6,756

  1986–87

  —

  This expenditure relates to the costs of advertising sales of Government shareholdings, which are financed from the proceeds of such share sales. The information about expenditure with individual newspapers is commercially confidential and cannot therefore be given in the form requested.

  European Investment Bank
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice of Her Majesty's Government with regard to charging fees to the owners or operators of projects which secure loans from the European investment bank which are guaranteed by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 4 November 1987]: The Government's general practice with regard to European investment bank loans to United Kingdom borrowers is to provide guarantees only in respect of certain categories of public sector projects, in particular investment by public corporations, and not to charge fees.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many loans have been provided by the European investment bank for United Kingdom projects since the formation of the bank; and how many of these loans have been guaranteed by the British Government or by bodies regarded by the bank as of equivalent status, respectively.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 4 November 1987]The European investment hank has made some 438 loan contracts for projects in the United Kingdom from its own resources. The bank is bound by its statute to obtain adequate guarantees for all its loans. The British Government have guaranteed some 204 of the loan contracts for United Kingdom projects.

  Eurotunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what portion of the European investment bank's £1,000 million loan to Eurotunnel has been paid over to Eurotunnel; and what is the rate of interest and repayment arrangements in respect of the loan.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 4 November 1987]None of the European investment bank's £1,000 million loan to Eurotunnel has yet been paid over. As explained in the last paragraph of the bank's press notice contained in my answer of 15 May 1987, at column 390, the conclusion of contractual arrangements for the loan is subject, inter alia, to successful completion of the forthcoming equity issue.

  The European investment bank loans will primarily be at fixed interest rates and for a range of maturities up to 25 years. The terms will reflect the prevailing market conditions.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the joint stock banks which have agreed to guarantee the loan of £1,000 million given by the

  899
  European investment bank to Eurotunnel, and the amounts of the loan which each bank has agreed to guarantee, respectively.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 4 November 1987]: The European investment bank is expected to seek guarantees from among the syndicate of banks formed to co-ordinate the financing of Eurotunnel. No choice has yet been made.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the joint stock banks regarding their agreement to guarantee the £1,000 million loan from the European investment bank to Eurotunnel; and what fees are being paid to the banks concerned for the guarantees they have given to Eurotunnel.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 4 November 1987]My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has had no discussions with the joint stock banks regarding guarantees for the European investment bank loan to Eurotunnel. Any fees involved would be a matter for negotiation between the syndicate banks concerned and Eurotunnel.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the date of the meeting of the board of the European investment bank at which formal approval was given to the loan of £1,000 million to Eurotunnel, and if he or one of his Ministers took part in the board's proceedings.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 4 November 1987]: As I informed the House on 15 May 1987, at column 390, the board of directors of the European investment bank agreed on 12 May 1987 to lend Eurotunnel the equivalent of £ 1 billion or 10 billion French francs. This was on the basis that conclusion of the necessary contractual arrangements would be subject to the conditions set out at the end of the press notice by the bank, which was incorporated in my earlier answer. Ministers are not members of the bank's board of directors and did not take part in the board's proceedings.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Council
  Mr. Robertson
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost to public funds of the meeting of the European Council held in London in December 1986.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]The total cost to public funds of the London European Council, held on 5– 6 December 1986, was £ 234,050.

  Visas
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British visitors to Thailand and Thai visitors to Britain, respectively, are required to obtain visas.

  Mr. Eggar
  British passport holders may visit Thailand for up to 15 days without a visa provided they are tourists and have on arrival a confirmed onward ticket showing a departure date not exceeding that period. For longer visits, visas must be obtained in advance.

  All Thai visitors to the United Kingdom must obtain a visa before travelling.

  British Merchant Seamen (Persian Gulf)
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit British merchant seamen in the Gulf at the request of the seafarers' unions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit the Gulf. However, I am hoping to visit the area in the near future, and contact with British merchant seamen operating in the Gulf is very much in my mind.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail (Punctuality)
  Mr. Pawsey
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of punctuality in the London-Midland region of British Rail.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I do not monitor train punctuality on the basis of BR regions.

  Horne Report
  Mr. Welsh
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking regarding the Horne report on public service facilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Government's response to the Horne report, published in July 1986, accepted the great majority of its recommendations. The Department is pressing ahead with implementation. Proposals for new primary legislation are being prepared, and we shall continue to seek an early opportunity to bring it before Parliament. I announced on 29 July the establishment of the street works advisory committee.

  The Department is leading negotiations on diversions of utility apparatus in consequence of highway improvement schemes. Joint working parties of local authority and utility representatives are carrying forward detailed technical work on specifications for reinstatements, training and certification of workmen and the computerised street works notice and register systems.

  Roadworks
  Mr. Robert Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of hours lost and the resulting costs to British industry caused by traffic delays through roadworks on dual carriageways and motorways.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Records are not kept of total delays caused by roadworks on dual carriageways and motorways. Delay costs are only assessed on major lane rental schemes. During 1985– 86 12 contracts were let on this basis. Total site occupation time was 727 days resulting in delay costs to the travelling public of about £ 11· 5 million. Had the contracts been on a conventional basis, it is estimated that site occupation would have been 1,227 days and delay costs £ 19·5 million.

  Lane rental has now been extended to most major maintenance schemes where there are likely to be significant delays.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Devlin
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to license further operators to fly to London's City airport; and if he will make a statement.
  901
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is for individual air transport operators to apply to the Civil Aviation Authority for the necessary air transport licences if they consider that there is a demand for further services from London City airport.

  Mr. Devlin
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if approval has been given for a flight route from (a) Teesside airport and (b) Newcastle airport to London City airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No air transport operator has applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for an air transport licence to provide a service between either Teesside or Newcastle and London City airport.

  Pilotage (Falmouth)
  Mr. Mudd
  asked the Secretary of state for Transport what progress is being made towards the resolution of the problems of future pilotage at Falmouth; and by what date he hopes to come to a decision.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Within the present Falmouth pilotage district, three authorities qualify under the Pilotage Act 1987 as competent harbour authorities for pilotage purposes. Following the failure of the authorities to reach agreement locally on future arrangements for pilotage in the port, my right hon. Friend is considering whether to use the powers available to him under the Act to ensure that satisfactory arrangements are made. His decision will be made as soon as possible.

  Air Traffic Movements
  Mr. Fry
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he intends to take to limit the increase in the number of air traffic movements in the south-east of England and to further the use of airports in other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans in mind. The Government remain committed to the policy set out in the 1985 airports policy White Paper (Cmnd. 9542) of encouraging the maximum use of regional airports to meet regional demand.

  Night Flying
  Mr. Jessell
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has completed his review of night flight restrictions at Heathrow and Gatwick; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fry
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make a statement on night flying quotas in the south-east; what opportunity he will provide for consultation; and when he hopes to announce new night flying quotas to replace those which end in spring 1988.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Government's policies for reducing the noise nuisance from aircraft using Heathrow and Gatwick have effectively controlled disturbance at night and have brought about an improvement in the night noise climate. We have, amongst other measures, carefully restricted both the numbers and types of aircraft allowed to fly at night.

  I have recently reviewed these restrictions in the light of the conclusions of research studis and the comments of people and representative bodies consulted last year. My
  902
  objective is to continue to improve the night noise climate around the airports while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on the airline industry.

  At Heathrow, I propose that the number of night flights should be held to roughly its present level. This represents a reduction on the present permitted number of flights as announced in 1981. The demand is increasing, but I am not convinced that it can be satisfied without adding to the levels of night disturbance near the airport, especially in the early morning. My proposals will ensure that as airlines replace their older aircraft with modern, quieter types, the level of disturbance at night will gradually improve. In addition, I propose to ban take-offs by noisier aircraft during the small hours of the morning (0030–0500).

  At Gatwick one option would be to freeze the night quota at its present level. But the different mix of aircraft at Gatwick and the high proportion of charter operations there gives us an opportunity, which does not exist at Heathrow, to make a more positive improvement to the night noise climate. By encouraging airlines to replace their older, noisier aircraft with modern, quieter ones we would achieve a quicker reduction in disturbance by both night and day. And the airlines and their passengers would benefit from the flexibility which comes from being able to plan more movements at night.

  Thus, my preferred option at Gatwick would be, over the next five years:

  to phase out half the night flights now being made by older aircraft, and

  to increase gradually the number of flights by modern, quieter aircraft.

  Even so, at the end of the five-year period there would on average be no more than four more flights a night than there are now.

  I am today publishing the conclusions of the review and my proposals for future night restrictions. Consultation papers for Heathrow and Gatwick will be sent to hon. Members whose constituencies are affected, and to environmental groups, local authorities near the airports, and representative bodies of the aviation industry. I have also placed copies in the Library. I have asked for comments by 23 December. I shall take carefully into account all comments in reaching final decisions. I expect to be able to announce those in early February, to take effect from 1 April 1988.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what driving test standards are necessary in order to obtain a heavy goods vehicle and a public service vehicle driving licence in the United Kingdom; and what equivalent information he has about each of the member states of the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To obtain an HGV or PSV licence in the United Kingdom, candidates have to pass a driving test during which they must (i) demostrate a full understanding of the principles involved in driving heavy load or passenger-carrying vehicles and of the application of those principles; (ii) demonstrate their ability to handle such vehicles competently and with utmost safety in a wide variety of situations; and (iii) show courtesy and consideration for other road users.

  HGV and PSV tests incorporate manoeuvres which are conducted at the test centre; a practical drive of about 20

  903
  miles; and oral questions on the Highway Code and technical matters. The distance travelled in other EEC countries ranges from five to 20 miles. The length of a driving test is the best readily available indicator for comparing standards.

  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the minimum age for obtaining a heavy goods vehicle and a public service vehicle driving licence in the United Kingdom; and what equivalent information he has about each of the member states of the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Twenty-one but below this under particular circumstances. The minimum age limits for driving vehicles carrying goods and passengers within the European Community are laid down in EC regulation 3820/85. A copy of this is available in the House Library.

  Heavy Vehicles
  Mr. David Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many detections of overloaded heavy goods vehicles entering the United Kingdom from Europe there have been in each of the last five years; and what monitoring procedures and checks are in operation to prevent this practice.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Goods vehicles entering the United Kingdom are liable to be weighed at the port of entry or at inland weighbridge sites by the Department's traffic examiners or by local authority trading standards department staff.

  The numbers of foreign registered goods vehicles weighed and found to be overloaded are as follows:

  Number

  1984–85

  3,199

  1985–86

  2,794

  1986–87

  2,755

  Earlier information is not readily available.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to seek power to assist British Rail in the event of its revenue from Channel tunnel services being less than the sums it has guaranteed to Eurotunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Supervisor of the Vote
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), as representing the House of Commons Commission, if, in the light of present pressures resulting from the volume of parliamentary questions tabled and problems with new technology, there are any plans to increase staffing levels in the office of the editorial Supervisor of the Vote; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Beith
  The staff of the editorial Supervisor of the Vote was increased by two posts earlier this year, in part as a response to the steady increase in questions and early-day motions during recent years, and in part in expectation of additional work arising from the changeover to 904
  computerised printing. In the event, difficulties with the new technology have been greater than expected and there has also been some sickness among the staff concerned. These are temporary problems, which are being alleviated by the ad hoc employment of staff from other parts of the House service who are working overtime.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. Goodlad
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses were discharged from mental illness hospitals in Scotland in each of the last five years; and how many of them were taken into local authority residential care in the same year.

  Mrs. Currie
  I am sorry I cannot give my hon. Friend all the information he seeks. Central information is not collected on the movement of people after discharge. The available figures are given in the table.

  Discharges of people with main diagnosis schizophrenic psychoses. NHS mental illness hospitals and units in England.

  Year

  Number of discharges

  1982

  24,594

  1983

  25,336

  1984

  25,934

  1985

  26,225

  1986

  26,077

  AIDS
  Mr. Cousins
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what budget the Newcastle district health authority has for AZT in 1987–88; and if he will make additional allocations available for AIDS and haemophiliac treatment to Newcastle as he has recently done to some district health authorities in London.

  Mr. Newton
  The allocations to which the hon. Member refers have been made to regional, not district, health authorities. It is for Newcastle health authority to decide what budget allocations to make for particular drug treatments, in the light of competing demands for available resources. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the authority directly for the information required. We have already made additional allocations totalling £104,000 for the haemophilia reference centre at Newcastle so that it can provide specialist counselling on HIV infection for haemophiliacs and their families. We have also made an additional allocation of £95,000 to the Northern regional health authority this year for a pilot AIDS community support centre in Newcastle and for an AIDS training workshop for nurses.

  Alarm Systems
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the draft regulations under the Social Security Act which provide that the cost of alarm systems for elderly, sick or disabled persons living in non-purpose built accommodation will no longer be eligible for housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.
  905
  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 21 October 1987 at column 800.

  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of people living in accommodation not specifically intended for and occupied by elderly, sick, or disabled persons who receive assistance through housing benefit towards the cost of an alarm system.

  Mr. Portillo
  I regret that we do not have a reliable basis on which such an estimate could be made.

  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a proportion of the community care budget of the social fund will be allocated specifically to the provision of grants to meet the cost of emergency alarms for elderly and disabled people living in accommodation not specifically intended for occupation by elderly, sick or disabled persons.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. The cost of alarms is not met under existing supplementary benefit single payment regulations and we do not intend to make specific provision for this under the social fund. Housing benefit (or, for owner-occupiers, income support) may be available in certain circumstances to help with the running costs. Local authorities have powers to supply and meet the costs of alarms for elderly, sick or disabled people.

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Alton
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those foetal conditions, syndromes and diseases, involving the lack of a vital function or lack of vital organs incompatible with sustaining life, which have come to his Department's attention giving both numbers of recorded cases over recent years for which figures are available and expressed in each case as a percentage of live births for that year.

  Mr. Newton
  "Mortality Statistics, Perinatal and Infant: Social and Biological Factors for England and Wales 1984," published by OPCS, series DH3, gives the numbers of stillbirths by cause of death. "Abortion Statistics for England and Wales 1986," published by OPCS, series AB No. 13, gives the number of legal abortions by principal medical conditions mentioned. "OPCS Monitor" reference M B3 gives results from the voluntary OPCS monitoring programme of malformed births. These volumes are in the Library. More detailed information is not available.

  Temporary Staff
  Mr. Onslow
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what control he seeks to exercise over the scale of charges made by medical employment agencies for temporary or locum staff engaged by hospital authorities in England and Wales; and what recent representations he has received from the National Association of Health Authorities on this matter.

  Mr. Newton
  The National Association of Health Authorities has communicated, and we have carefully noted, a resolution passed at its annual general meeting on 17 to 19 June 1987 calling for the Government to press ahead with efforts to reform the career structure of hospital doctors and to take steps to reduce the cost to 906
  health authorities of employing locum doctors through agencies. I announced measures to reform the hospital medical staffing structure on 27 October at column 258. There are no controls on medical locum charges by agencies, but a number of health authorities are taking or considering steps to reduce their costs in this respect, and we shall carefully monitor their progress.

  Telephones (Emergency Repairs)
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the estimated cost would be to district health authorities of British Telecom's proposal to charge them for emergency repairs; and if his Department will compensate them for this loss.

  Mr. Newton
  The estimated cost to health authorities in 1987–88 will be £3·75 million. This will be paid from health authorities' general allocations.

  Deaths and Discharges (Private Treatment)
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for 1984 for each region and for England as a whole the number of deaths and discharges a month compared to the number of beds occupied.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information about discharges and deaths is not collected centrally on a monthly basis. The annual figures are given in the table.

  1984

  Regional health authority

  Discharges and deaths

  Average number of beds occupied daily

  Northern

  420,080

  19,145

  Yorkshire

  499,895

  21,424

  Trent

  557,930

  23,512

  East Anglian

  238,332

  9,959

  North West Thames

  415,559

  20,219

  North East Thames

  534,760

  23,277

  South East Thames

  487,772

  20,430

  South West Thames

  338,587

  19,405

  Wessex

  345,528

  14,249

  Oxford

  284,583

  10,066

  South Western

  399,018

  18,136

  West Midlands

  644,202

  27,119

  Mersey

  322,138

  15,923

  North Western

  597,756

  23,994

  Special hospital areas

  91,405

  2,466

  England

  6,177,545

  269,324

  Private Patient Care
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the numbers of patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the National Health Service for the years ending 31 December 1985 and 31 December 1986, and if he will break those figures down in the categories of (a) medical, (b) surgical, (c) pre-convalescent and post operative, (d) convalescent, (e) geriatric, (f) disease of the chest, (g) maternity, (h) mental illness, (i) mental handicap, (j) rehabilitation, (k) terminal care and (l) others.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information requested is given in the table.
  907

  Number of patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the National Health Service in 1985 and 19861

  England

  In-patient cases

  Out-patient attendances

  1985

  11986

  1985

  11986

  Medical

  1,568

  1,850

  7,190

  7,250

  Surgical

  10,350

  8,805

  31,774

  30,714

  Pre-convalescent and post operative

  195

  166

  2,011

  1,959

  Convalescent

  6,279

  5,815

  Geriatric

  999

  949

  2,853

  2,921

  Diseases of the chest

  1,129

  1,018

  2,768

  3,565

  Maternity

  614

  617

  2,475

  2,068

  Mental illness

  651

  657

  489

  1,044

  Mental handicap

  452

  635

  23

  55

  Rehabilitation

  372

  352

  8,003

  7,865

  Terminal care

  4,645

  4,979

  953

  1,961

  Others

  594

  607

  5,354

  5,760

  Totals

  27,848

  26,450

  63,893

  65,162

  1 Provisional.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of contract agreed by each district health authority for the following services (a) ambulances, (b) gardening, (c) laboratories, (d) portering, (e) shops in hospitals, (f) window cleaning, (g) pharmacy and (h)telephones; and if he will give estimated annual savings in each case.

  Mr. Newton
  It is for health authorities to decide whether to seek competitive tenders for services other than catering, laundry and domestic cleaning. Information on any such local management action is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give details of all new contracts awarded since 31 December 1986 by each district health authority, by hospital, for (a) portering, (b) catering, (c) laundry, (d) cleaning and (e) other ancillary work; and if he will give the estimated annual savings for each contract awarded;

  (2) if he will give the latest figures as a percentage of services put out to tender by each district health authority for (a) catering, (b) domestic services, and (c) laundry; and if he will give the estimated annual savings.

  Mr. Newton
  I will let the hon. Member have the information requested on catering, laundry and domestic services as soon as possible. Information on any contracts let for portering and other ancillary services is not collected centrally.

  Multi-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those hospitals which reported outbreaks of multi-resistant staphylococcus aureus during 1986; which of these hospitals have reported further outbreaks so far during 1987; and which other hospitals have reported outbreaks of multi-resistant staphylococcus aureus during 1987.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information is not available concerning outbreaks of multi-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

  There is, however, a voluntary national survey of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) conducted by the division of hospital infection and
  908
  communicable disease surveillance centre of the Public Health Laboratory service board. MRSA is an important example of the multi-resistant infections.

  The survey is based on reported cases originating at the hospital concerned. Thus, a hospital will be included even if only one isolated case was involved, but will not normally be included if a patient with M RSA has been transferred to it.

  A list of hospitals reporting on this basis in 1986 and so far during 1987 will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

  Medicines Act 1968
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the independent study carried out by Dr. John Evans and Mr. Peter Cunliffe into the operations of the Medicines Act 1968 to report; and when the results will be made publicly known to the interested parties.

  Mr. Newton
  We expect to receive the report by very early in the new year. The question of how and when to make the results known will be decided as soon as we have had an opportunity to give proper consideration to the report and its recommendations.

  Sex Discrimination
  Mr. Gould
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take in accordance with EEC law, to end sex discrimination in the United Kingdom in respect of the retirement age.

  Mr. Scott
  The Sex Discrimination Act 1986, coming into force this month, prohibits discrimination between male and female employees in respect of compulsory dismissal from work on grounds of age. There is no statutory retirement age as such in the United Kingdom. State pension age is excluded from the requirements of EC directive 79/7 on equal treatment in social security and under EC directive 86/378 pension ages in occupational pension schemes may differ between men and women so long as differences remain in the state pension scheme.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are now occupied by people aged (a) 65 years and over and (b) 75 years and over.

  Mr. Newton
  I am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information in the form he seeks. The available information is given in the table.

  Beds occupied by elderly people, NHS hospitals. England, 1986

  Sector

  65 years and over

  75 years and over

  Non-psychiatric1

  93,000

  64,000

  Mental handicap2 (excluding community units).

  5,315

  2,042

  Mental illness2

  34,341

  21,513

  1 Estimated daily average.

  2 Number of beds occupied on 31 December.

  Maternity Services
  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about his plans for maternity services.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: Our objectives in the maternity services are healthy babies born whenever possible at full term to healthy mothers. We aim to minimise the risks to babies by encouraging delivery in hospital preferably with access to the full range of facilities which are likely to be found only on district general hospital sites. We aim to support the services outside hospital both ante and post-natal by increasing the number of qualified staff and by other measures.

  As a result there has been a fall in the perinatal mortality rate in England from 14·6 per thousand births in 1979 to 9·8 in 1985. During the same period the maternal mortality rate per thousand live and stillbirths declined from 0·11 to 0·7.

  The detailed procedures and policies are as set out in the three maternity services advisory committee's report, published 1982–85, copies of which are in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Rates
  Mr. Riddick
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will calculate the financial effects on commercial and industrial concerns in (a) the Colne Valley constituency, (b) the Kirklees metropolitan district council and (c) the Yorkshire and Humberside region resulting from the introduction of the unified business rate; and what is his estimate of the likely effect in employment in these areas resulting from the introduction of the unified business rate.

  Mr. Howard
  On the basis of 1987–88 rate levels, introduction of the national non-domestic rate poundage would have reduced the excessive non-domestic rate bills by £10 million (22 per cent.) in Kirklees, and by £130 million (18 per cent.) in Yorkshire and Humberside as a whole; information by constituency is not available. These reductions are bound to improve employment prospects substantially in both the short and long term.
  910
  Manufacturers in the region can expect additional benefits from revaluation in 1990.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Redmond
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the proposed organisation for the purposes of civil defence planning to apply to the water industry, following privatisation.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The provisions of the Civil Defence Act 1948 will apply to the privatised water utilities and the Government will continue to pay grant-aid for civil defence functions. Arrangements for civil defence planning will be based upon present arrangements which are designed to secure co-ordinated effort across each civil defence region.

  Derelict Land
  Mr. Cran
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of derelict land in Humberside for the years 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87; and whether this is based on up-to-date information in each case.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not available for the years requested. The last survey of derelict land in England, carried out in 1982, showed that there were then 886 hectares of derelict land in Humberside, of which 632 hectares were thought to justify reclamation. A further survey of derelict land in England will take place in 1988.

  Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on whether the implementation of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 has resulted in any significant change in consumer preference regarding the method of delivery of those services affected by the Act.

  Mr. Chope
  I have no such information.

  Dogs
  Mr. Atkinson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the methods currently adopted by local authorities to control dogs, in particular by the use of their own licensing system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There is a range of powers available to local authorities to control dogs and dog nuisance by means of byelaws or orders. For example, dogs can be banned from certain areas or required to be kept on a lead on certain roads. Authorities may also provide a dog warden service; I understand that some 200 do so. It is for each authority to decide the extent to which it uses these powers.

  Although authorities are responsible for issuing licences and keeping registers of licence holders, they do not have separate licensing systems.

  Building Industry
  Mr. Warren
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the problems being experienced by the building industry because of slow payment by insurance companies against repairs to property.
  911
  Mr. Trippier
  This is a matter for the building industry to pursue with the insurance industry. I am not aware of particular problems recently about slow payment. I understand that the Building Employers Confederation is today meeting the Association of British Insurers to review the consequences of the recent severe storm.

  West Sussex County Council
  Mr. Higgins
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that, following the special assistance for storm damage he announced after the recent hurricane, the total of Government grants, subvaluations and other forms of financial help to West Sussex county council should be increased not diminished.

  Mr. Chope
  The Government have announced a scheme of generous financial assistance for local authorities affected by the storm on 16 October. We are prepared to interpret reasonably and flexibly the claims made under it.

  Whales
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 2 November, if he will specify the amounts in each case of whale teeth, bone, tusk, blood, powder, sperm, sperm oil and spermaceti wax imported into the United Kingdom during the last eight years; and if he will place a ban on the importation of all such products.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information is not readily available but I will write to the hon. Member.

  PVC Window Frames
  Mr. Gould
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to permit local authorities which manufacture PVC window frames for installation in properties owned by the authorities concerned to sell them to other authorities or to householders who are not their tenants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Whilst it is not for me to interpret the law, it appears that local authorities are already empowered, in certain circumstances, to sell window frames they have manufactured to other local authorities and certain public bodies. My right hon. Friend has no plans to provide wider powers.

  Mersey Barrage
  Mr. Fearn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the possible impact of the Mersey barrage scheme on the beaches of Southport, Crosby, Formby and the Wirral peninsular.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Mersey barrage company is currently carrying out a range of initial feasibility studies. These include hydraulic studies to assess the effect of a barrage on tidal range and currents in the Mersey estuary and will take account of the possible impact on beaches.

  North West Sports Council
  Mr. Fearn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to increase aid to the North West Sports Council in order that it may consider grant aid to establish running tracks in the north-west; and if he will make a statement.
  912
  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government have increased the Sports Council's grant-in-aid for 1988–89 by nearly £2 million to £38·832 million. The council disburses this grant according to its own policies and priorities. In 1986–87 the council allocated £1·051 million to its north-west region for the development of its local facilities. An allocation for 1988–89 has yet to be made. It will be for the regional council to consider applications for grant-aid for individual facilities.

  Polling Booths
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure that local authorities provide access to polling booths for disabled people at local and parliamentary elections; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that all local authorities send out to developers seeking planning permission the access for disabled people design guidance notes for developers issued by the Access Committee for England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Section 29A of the Town and Country
  Planning Act 1971 places a duty on local planning authorities when granting planning permission for offices, shops, railway premises, factories and buildings or premises to which the public are admitted to draw the attention of developers to the British Standard Institution code of practice for access for the disabled to buildings (BS5810;1979). Much of the information in the access committee's guidance notes is already contained in BS5810.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply of 26 October, Official Report, columns 37–38, on regional losers and gainers under the poll tax, he will make the disaggregated information available so that further disaggregation by household type can be carried out.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: I cannot release the detailed family expenditure survey information without breaking the undertakings on confidentiality given to those that took part in the surveys.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how a local authority will be aware of the extent to which its assessed need to spend is grant-aided under his proposals for the new grant system to be introduced with the poll tax.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 3 November 1987]: Revenue support grant will be paid into the collection fund for an area, as will payments from the national non-domestic rate pool and the community charges. It will not be necessary to attribute the receipts from each source to each authority, as authorities will receive the income they require from the collection fund generally. The extent to

  913
  which the cost of local authority services is being met by revenue support grant will, however, be clear to those paying the community charge.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer of 21 October, Official Report, column 822, he will list the exaggerations and distortions in the National Council for Civil Liberties report on the poll tax.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 5 November 1987]: The NCCL report is misleading in several respects. For example, it implies that the contents of the community charges register will not be covered by the Data Protection Act. That is simply incorrect. The report also claims that registration for the community charge will involve an invasion of people's privacy. In fact, the community charges registration officer will have no need to inquire into people's personal circumstances. He will merely seek to establish the names and addresses of people who are solely or mainly resident in his area.

  Housing and Planning Act
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is intended to implement sections 6 and 8 of the Housing and Planning Act 1986.

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

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given by his Department to local authorities about the minimum acreage of playing fields for primary, middle and upper schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  I have been asked to reply.

  The sale of surplus playing fields is a matter for individual local education authorities. The Department's circular 2/81 "Falling Rolls and Surplus Places" showed how rationalisation of school provision in the light of falling rolls could involve the sale of surplus schools and land, and how the capital receipts could be used to finance improvements to school buildings and playing fields.

  The Department's design note No. 36 presented a case study of an area of north-east Wiltshire aimed at rationalising playing field provision, examining possible savings and opportunities for alternative use.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Radioactivity
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sheep and lambs, and in what areas of England and Wales, are still under restriction for sale as a result of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In England there are no restrictions on the sale of sheep. However, I estimate that some 126,000 sheep in and from part of Cumbria are still subject to post-Chernobyl movement and slaughter controls. The position in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Sheep (Radioactivity)
  Dr. David Clark
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report details of Becquerel readings for caesium in (a) grass and (b) sheep in west Yorkshire in 1986 and 1987, respectively.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 5 November 1987]: The results of the Minister's post-Chernobyl monitoring of caesium levels in plant and animal tissues for 1986 have been published and placed in the Library of the House. The same will be done for those for 1987 as they become available. They have shown no need to continue any special monitoring in west Yorkshire.

  I am, however, aware of recent press reports concerning sampling of radioactivity levels in certain areas of west Yorkshire by private individuals and concerning rainfall in this area during the period of passage of the plume. I have therefore arranged for further intensive monitoring in this area as a double check and I expect to receive the results very shortly. These results will also be made publicly available.

DEFENCE

  Browning Ammunition
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current supplies of 0·5 in Browning ammunition.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A number of companies have been asked to tender for supply of 0·5 in Browning ammunition. The deadline for submission of tenders has been extended to 21 January 1988. Decisions on quantities and timing of orders have yet to be taken.

  United States (Star Wars Programme)
  Ms. Ruddock
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Britain's involvement in the United States star wars programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Since the signature in December 1985 of the United Kingdom/United States memorandum of understanding governing British participation in the SDI research programme some 60 United States-funded contracts and sub-contracts to the total value of $45 million have been placed with United Kingdom companies, academic institutions and Government research establishments.

  United States (Nuclear Bases)
  Mr. Flannery
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if United States nuclear and other bases in Britain may be used without the consent of the British Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Under long-standing arrangements, the use by United States forces of bases in the United Kingdom in an emergency would be a matter for joint decision by Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.

  Job Creation (North-West England)
  Mr. Thurnham
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the latest estimates of jobs provided in the north-west during 1987 as a result of defence contracts.
  915
  Mr. Sainsbury
  As a result of refining our statistical records I am now able to give a full reply.

  It is estimated that in 1985–86, the latest year for which figures are available, some 23,000 people were directly employed on MOD equipment contracts in the north-west.

  Helicopter Orders (Westland plc)
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he hopes to place helicopter orders with Westland.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The helicopter orders announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 9 April 1987, at columns 470–1, will be placed as soon as service requirements have been finally defined and contractual negotiations completed.

  Regiments (Officers' Visits)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 27 October, how frequently visits are made to regiments by senior visiting officers; what is the primary duty of such officers; what prior publicity is given to these visits; and how frequently complaints of bullying are made to them.

  Mr. Freeman
  Senior officers make regular visits to units within their command. The frequency of these visits depends upon the location of the command and their units, and the operational-training requirements at the time. The purpose of these visits is twofold: first, to allow the senior officer to assure himself that the unit is properly trained and organised; and, secondly, to allow the unit, corporately or individually, to air grievances and point out particular problems. Proper notification of such visits is given to all ranks through the publication of unit orders. No records are kept of the frequency of complaints of bullying. Such complaints— on this as on other matters— are dealt with promptly, either at the time of the visit or as soon as possible afterwards.

  Courts Martial
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 27 October, who nominates the president of a court that judges a court martial; whether the commanding officer who nominates suitably qualified officers to sit on he court is free to appoint officers who belong to the same regiment as the accused; and if this happens.

  Mr. Freeman
  The president of a court martial is nominated by the officer who convenes the court — usually of the rank of brigadier or above. Although it is not legally precluded, it is usually thought undesirable for an officer from the accused's own unit to sit on the court martial which tries him; and this would never arise in a serious or contentious case.

  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 27 October, whether legal advise is available for those being court martialled and for those bringing the allegations that led to the court martial.

  Mr. Freeman
  Legal advice is available both to the accused and to the Army authorities involved in the court martial. Except in minor cases an accused service man is entitled to seek legal advice both before and during interview with the police, in accordance with the Police 916
  and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. He may also seek legal advice after being remanded for trial, and may apply for legal representation at trial either by a service legal officer or a civilian legal practitioner. Legal advice is also available on request to a service man making an allegation, if such advice is required for a claim for financial compensation.

  Army Personnel (Bullying)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 27 October, whether information about bullying, which has either been suffered personally or has been witnessed, is treated by Army authorities as information that has not been learned in the course of official duties; and whether young recruits, who voluntarily leave the Army within six months, are free to talk publicly about this aspect of their Army experience.

  Mr. Freeman
  Those who believe they have been bullied are encouraged to make the facts known so that the incidents may be properly investigated. Ideally this should be done through the chain of command, but where circumstances appear to preclude this, it may be done by different means. Where ever sufficient detail is given, by whatever channel, a complaint will be fully investigated by the military authorities.

  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 27 October, if he will place in the Library when he received the proposals for future means of combating bullying which have been requested by December from all Army commanders by the Adjutant General.

  Mr. Freeman
  The responses of Army commanders to the Adjutant General's request will need to be the subject of internal consideration and decision. I do not believe it would be appropriate to place such information, the results of an internal exercise, in the Library in the form suggested. However, when the proposals have been fully considered I shall write to the right hon. Member about the outcome.

  Army Personnel (Absence Without Leave)
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the annual numbers of Army personnel going absent without leave who, on being found, give the following types of reasons for their absence (a) bullying, (b) other problems relating to their Army life, (c) family problems and (d) other reasons.

  Mr. Freeman
  Records of the numbers of Army personnel going absent without leave, and who are subsequently found, do not identify individually the reasons given for absence. However, inquiries in the past have shown that the majority of such absences arise as a result of short-term domestic or personal problems affecting the individual. Overall, the numbers of Army personnel returning from absence without leave, in each of the last four years have been as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1984

  2,644

  1985

  2,208

  1986

  2,006

  1987

  11,641

  1 To 29 October.

  917
  The figures show returns from absence of any duration. The totals are therefore significantly greater than those shown for the Army in the answer given on 2 April 1987 at column 566, which referred only to absences of 21 days or more.

  Low-flying Aircraft
  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names, dates and locations of all low-flying exercises conducted in each year since 1979, advance notice of which was given to hon. Members in affected constituencies.

  Mr. Freeman
  According to our records, since 1979, advance notice of the following exercises have been given to hon. Members, parts of whose constituencies were likely to see a temporary increase in low-flying activity. Central records are no longer held for exercises before 1986 and it is therefore not possible to determine the location of all such exercises, without disproportionate effort.

  Exercise name

  Exercise dates

  1979

  Tapper Blow 10

  15–18 January

  Boulmer Mineval

  24–25 January

  Chelsea Fortune

  24–25 February

  Alconbury Readiness Exercise

  21–23 February

  Weekend Flying

  7 April

  Cloudy Chorus 79

  24–25 April

  Priory 1/79

  5–6 June

  Tristar

  28–29 June

  Hammer Blow

  11–12, 14–15, 18–22, 25–26, 28–29 June

  Double Top

  20–22 June

  Flv Request

  5–8 June

  High Wood

  2–13 June

  OSEX 1

  31 July–3 August

  Hammer Blow 14

  21–22 August

  Alconbury Readiness Exercise

  8–16 August

  Paradrop

  23 September

  Cold Fire

  17–21 September

  Trial Ecology

  17–28 September

  Maple Flag

  17–28 September

  Coningsby Station Exercise

  18–20 September

  Priory 2/79

  15–17 October

  Bentwaters Readiness Exercise

  22 October–2 November

  Greek Pilgrim

  27–30 November

  Hammer Blow 17

  21 November

  Blue Four

  27–28 November

  Red Flag

  12 November–21 December

  Hammer Blow 18

  19–21 December

  Trial Dame

  17–21 December

  1980

  Red Flag

  7–25 January

  Boulmer Mineval

  12–13 February

  Blue Four

  14–15 February

  Blue Four

  29 February–4 March

  FACEX 30

  17–19 March

  Cavalcade 80/2

  26 March

  Maple Flag

  10–28 March and 8–16 April

  Green Lanyard

  9–11 April

  Elder Forest

  15–16 April

  OSEX 2

  31 March–3 April

  Trial Mace

  9–23 April

  Greek Cottontail

  15–17 April

  Tigerhead

  28 April–4 May

  Ardent Ground

  20–22 May

  Greek Cottontail

  6 May

  Double Top 80

  12–21 May

  Mallet Blow

  10–13 June

  FACEX 3

  7–8 June

  Wattisham Taceval

  24–25 June

  Cavalcade 80/3

  10–13 June

  918

  Exercise name

  Exercise dates

  Cavalcade 80/4

  18 June

  Priory 1–80

  15–16 July

  Double Top 80

  21–29 July

  Green Lanyard

  30–31 August

  Highland Reel

  4–9 August

  Greek Liberty

  12–14 August

  Weekend Flying

  20 September

  Cold Fire 80

  22–26 September

  Highland Air

  4–5 October

  Pegasus Trail

  27 November

  FACEX 70

  5–7 November

  1981

  Mallet Blow

  8–16 January

  Creek Valor

  19, 22–23 January

  Red Flag

  January—February

  Leuchars Taceval

  3–4 March

  Creek Beethoven

  23–26 March

  Lakenheath Taceval

  30 March–2 April

  Parker 500

  22–23 April

  Maple Flag 7

  30 March–10 April

  Priory 1/81

  13–16 April

  FACEX

  25–26 April

  OSEX

  25 April

  TA Training Weekend

  9–10 May

  Double Top 81

  13–22 May

  OSEX 3

  5–8 May

  48 TFW Flying

  17–20 May

  Cavalcade

  2 June

  Mallet Blow 81/2

  15–19 June

  STC Bombing

  15–19 June

  Competition

  Cloudy Chorus

  25 June

  Pegasus Trail II

  16 June

  UREX Lakenheath

  22–26 June

  Lakenheath Taceval

  7–11 June

  Alconbury Readiness

  13–16 July

  Exercise

  Priory 2/81

  20–22 July

  Coltishall Taceval

  6–9 July

  Spring Tide

  Double Top 81

  6–16 July

  OSEX 4

  4–6 August

  48TFW Flying

  16–19 August

  Alconbury Taceval

  8–12 September

  Coldfire

  21–25 September

  Ocean Venture

  1 September

  Priory 3/81

  26–29 October

  Pig Party

  24 November

  Lakenheath 24 Hour

  2–5 November

  Flying

  1982

  Green Lanyard

  19–24 February

  Mallet Blow 82/1

  22–26 March

  Mallet Blow 82/2

  28 June–2 July

  Navy Lanyard

  16–17 July

  TA Training Weekend

  26–27 June

  Priory 82/1

  12–15 July

  Mallet Blow 82/3

  4–8 October

  1983

  Mallet Blow 83/1

  10–14 January

  USAFE 24 Hour Flying

  17–20 January

  Bird Walk

  5–7 February

  USAFE 24 Hour Flying

  7–10 February

  Mallet Blow 83/2

  11–14 April

  Priory 83/1

  26–28 April

  Pegasus Trail

  22–24 April

  Lakenheath Local Exercise

  14–17 March

  Lakenheath Local Exercise

  25–28 April

  Pegasus Trail 1/83

  7–11 May

  OSEX 7

  9–14 May

  Lakeheath Local Exercise

  23–27 May

  Mallet Blow 83/3

  4–8 July

  Crimson Prince

  14–18 July

  Priory 83/2

  17–21 July

  919

  Exercise name

  Exercise dates

  Salty Nation

  15–18 August

  JMC 832

  19–21 July

  NATO Taceval

  6–9 September

  Winged Victory

  7–15 October

  Neatishead Taceval

  4–5 October

  Gryphon's Gold

  30 October–9 November

  Staxton Wold Taceval

  6–7 December

  Boulmer Taceval

  6–7 December

  1984

  Mallet Blow 84/1

  23–27 January

  Jungle Dog

  6–10 January

  Elder Forest 84

  5–7 March

  Mallet Blow 84/2

  9–13 April

  Second Spring

  28–29 April

  Taceval

  30 April–2 May

  Falcon Strike

  12–16 May

  Lossiemouth Taceval

  19–20 May

  Dragon Fly

  16–17 June

  Norse Warrior

  23–24 June

  Central Enterprise 84

  8 June

  OSEX9

  9–12 July

  Mallet Blow 84/3

  2–6 July

  Tam 84

  2–3 July

  Vite Chute

  13–15 July

  Northern Venture

  2–5 July

  Pedal Bin

  2–5 July

  Exercise Name

  Exercise Dates

  Exercise Location

  1986

  Mallet Blow 86/1

  27–31 January

  Northern England/Borders

  Ice Maiden

  14–20 February

  Many areas with centre on Norfolk

  Key Lift 86/1

  1–9 March

  North Yorkshire

  Gryphon's Goblet

  7 March

  Lincolnshire

  Polar Dawn II

  8–9 March

  Norfolk

  Mallet Blow 86/2

  7–11 April

  Northern England/Borders

  Elder Forest 86

  21–24 April

  East Anglia/Lincolnshire/North East England/Scotland

  Green Lanyard

  18–25 April

  Many areas with centre on Salisbury Plain

  Hammer 86/1

  22 April

  East Anglia

  Central Enterprise 86

  6 June

  East Anglia/Lincolnshire/North East England/Borders

  Long Hop 2

  30 May—3 June

  Many areas with centres on Salisbury Plain and Norfolk

  Blue Lanyard

  11–13 July

  Many areas with centre on Salisbury Plain

  OSEX 12

  21–25 July

  Exmoor

  Tactical Fighter Meet

  4–8 August

  Northern England/Borders

  Mallet Blow 86/3

  4–8 August

  Northern England/Borders

  Priory 86/1

  7–9 October

  East Anglia/Lincolnshire/North East England/Borders

  Mallet Blow 86/4

  20–24 October

  Northern England/Borders

  Gold Wing

  24–30 October

  Many areas with centre on Salisbury Plain

  OSEX 13

  27–31 October

  Yorkshire Dates

  Hammer 86/2

  6 October

  Northern England/Borders

  Key Lift 2/86

  4–12 October

  North Yorkshire

  Gryphon's Gunner

  6 October

  Lincolnshire

  1987

  Quicksand

  15–22 March

  Many areas with centre on Northumberland

  Polar Dawn III

  7–8 March

  Norfolk

  Gryphon's Gunner

  6 March

  Lincolnshire

  Key Lift 87

  7–15 March

  North Yorkshire

  Mallet Blow 87/1

  6–10 April

  Northern England/Borders

  Priory 87/1

  13–15 April

  Cumbria/Lincolnshire/North East England/Eastern Scotland

  Ardent Ground

  20 April–10 May

  Salisbury Plain

  Grand Design

  25 April–17 may

  Salisbury Plain

  Hammer 87/1

  19 May

  East Anglia/Northern England/ Southern Scotland

  Central Enterprise 87

  1 June

  East Anglia/Lincolnshire/North East England/Scotland

  920

  Exercise name

  Exercise dales

  JMC 842

  18 June-2 July

  Mallet Blow 84/4

  8–12 October

  OSEX 10

  15–19 October

  Priory 84

  23–25 October

  Scotadex

  23–25 October

  1985

  Ice Axe

  18–24 January

  Mallet Blow 85/1

  28 January–1 February

  Swift Drop

  1–3 March

  Priory 85/1

  29 April–2 May

  Hardy Crab

  16–22 May

  Feldom Moor

  8–9 June

  Northern Warrior

  8–9 June

  Central Enterprise 85

  14 June

  Wild Bellerophon

  15–20 June

  OSEX 11

  15–18 July

  Rampant Horde

  18–25 July

  Pedal Bin IV

  15–18 July

  Mallet Blow 85/2

  29 July–2 August

  Brave Defender

  2–13 September

  Canberra Trial

  30 September

  Gryphon's Gold

  21 September–5 October

  Mallet Blow 85/3

  24–29 October

  Priory 85/2

  21–23 October

  Purple Victory

  30 October–18 November

  Black Boy

  18–22 November

  921

  Exercise Name

  Exercise Dates

  Exercise Location

  OSEX 14

  20–24 July

  South West Scotland

  Roaring Lion

  24–31 July

  Many areas with centre on Salisbury Plain

  Mallet Blow 87/2

  3–7 August

  Northern England/Borders

  Fast Buzzard

  18–25 September

  Many areas with centre on Salisbury Plain

  Hammer 87/2

  6 October

  Northern England/Southern Scotland

  Priory 87/2

  13–15 October

  East Anglia/Lincolnshire/North East England/Eastern Scotland

  Mallet Blow 87/3

  2–6 November

  Northern England/Borders

  Purple Warrior

  4–21 November

  South West Scotland

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used in determining whether advance notice of a low-flying exercise should be given to honourable Members in affected constituencies; and whether there has been any change in these criteria since 1978.

  Mr. Freeman
  The notification of exercise activity is determined on a case-by-case basis, the main considerations being whether the exercise is expected to generate an unusual increase in local activity levels, and whether there is likely to be significant activity over weekends, public holidays, or late at night. These same criteria have been used since 1979.

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the minimum authorised heights for low-flying in the highlands restricted area for (a) Royal Air Force Tornadoes flying at night, (b) Royal Air Force Tornadoes flying in daylight, (c) United States Air Force F-111s flying at night and (d) United States Air Force F- Ills flying in daylight.

  Mr. Freeman
  Unless the northern Scottish tactical training area is being used for ultra-low flying (when aircraft may be authorised to fly down to levels of 100 ft above ground level) the highlands restricted area, which is used for terrain following radar training, is subject to the same height rules as the rest of the United Kingdom low-flying system, under which aircraft may be authorised to fly down to a level of 250 ft above ground level, both in daylight hours and at night.

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 22 April, Official Report, column 586, if he will list the countries other than the United States of America and Canada in which exercises involving ultra-low flying by British military aircraft are held.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no other countries in which such exercises are held.

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 22 April, Official Report, column 585, in what year the policy of concentrating ultra-low flying in specially designated, sparsely populated areas in the United Kingdom was introduced.

  Mr. Freeman
  The policy of concentrating ultra-low flying in specially designated, sparsely populated areas in the United Kingdom was introduced in 1979, as part of the revised United Kingdom low flying system.

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 22 April, Official Report, column 586,if
  922
  he will list the names and dates of exercises since 1974 involving ultra-low flying by British military aircraft; and if he will indicate for each exercise whether work-up training was conducted in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information could not be provided without disproportionate effort.

  Mr. Amos
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if in the light of the recent crash between two Harrier jets in Northumberland he will establish an inquiry into the safety procedures followed during Royal Air Force low-flying training exercises.

  Mr. Freeman
  An inquiry into the accident on 2 November has already been set up. When the results of this are known, they will be taken into account in our continuous monitoring of United Kingdom low-flying safety procedures.

  Air Exercises
  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the establishment of an annual flag-type tactical fighter meet exercise in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Freeman
  By "flag-type tactical fighter meet" exercises, it is assumed that the hon. Member is referring to the annual series of exercises in which the Royal Air Force participates, held in the United States and Canada under the titles Red Flag, Green Flag and Maple Flag. There are no plans for similar exercises in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Tartan Flag air exercises have been held in Britain since 1979;

  (2) how many Border Flag air exercises have been held in Britain since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The names Tartan and Border Flag are names for work-up training prior toparticipation in major flag exercises in the United States of Amercia and Canada. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort.

  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to establishing simulated ground threat emitter sites in the tactical training areas in north-west Scotland and central Wales.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no plans to set up ground threat emitter sites in the tactical training areas in northwest Scotland and central Wales.
  923
  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence why Royal Air Force Jaguar and Harrier work-up training for Maple Flag and Red Flag exercises is not conducted from Goose Bay, Canada.

  Mr. Freeman
  Current training facilities available to the RAF at Goose Bay were developed primarily for use by Tornado aircraft. They are not large enough to accommodate additional Jaguar and Harrier squadrons. Nor is Jaguar and Harrier participation in Maple Flag exercises sufficiently regular to justify stationing aircraft at Goose Bay.

  RAF Pilots
  Dr. Thomas
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of fully-trained pilots in Royal Air Force fast jet strike/attack/reconnaissance squadrons in each year since 1975.

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

  Bullying and Brutality
  Mr. Ashley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of men currently absent without leave from each of the regiments where there has been a court martial for bullying or a complaint that was substantiated.

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

  Defence Exercises
  Mr. Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans have been made for further out-of-area exercises in the United Kingdom in 1988;

  (2) when planning for Exercise Purple Warrior was commenced;

  (3) what is the total number of aircraft participating in Exercise Purple Warrior;

  (4) at what stage in the planning of Exercise Purple Warrior it was decided to involve Canberra, Chinook and Puma aircraft in the exercise;

  (5) what is the estimated total cost of Exercise Purple Warrior, including the cost of exercise operations conducted by units not currently assigned to an out-of-area role.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Detailed planning for Exercise Purple Warrior began in January 1986. The total number of aircraft, both fixed and rotary-winged, currently scheduled to take part in the exercise, including those operating from the Royal Navy vessels participating, is 116. The inclusion of RAF Canberra, Chinook and Puma aircraft was decided at an early stage of the exercise planning. The estimated costs of Exercise Purple Warrior (additional to those which would have been incurred had the exercise not been taking place) are £7·5 million; the costs of exercise activity by individual participating units have not been separately identified. There are no current plans for further out-of-area exercises to be held in the United Kingdom in 1988, although the services will continue to train in the United Kingdom and elsewhere to carry out the full range of their military commitments.

  Mr. Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned total number of low-level sorties to be
  924
  flown by (a) fixed-wing jet aircraft, (b) fixed-wing transport aircraft and (c) helicopters during Exercise Purple Warrior.

  Mr. Freeman
  The planned maximum numbers of low-level sorties to be flown daily overland during Exercise Purple Warrior are as follows:

  Number

  Fixed-wing jet aircraft

  about 88

  Fixed wing transport aircraft

  about 2

  Helicopters

  about 200

  Mr. Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether fuel allocations for units undertaking training for a NATO role will be increased in the current year to compensate for fuel expended during Exercise Purple Warrior.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No. Exercises such as Purple Warrior are already taken into account when fuel requirements for all units are assessed each year, and allocations are made accordingly.

SCOTLAND

  Hospital Services
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of each health board which has contractual arrangements with a private non-National Health Service hospital to provide acute medical services, showing (a) the hospital with which a contract is made, (b) the number of patients treated by that hospital with which a contract is made, (b) the number of patients treated by that hospital during 1986–87, (c) the total amount spent by each health board on treatment under the contract during 1986–87 and (d) the amount which (c) represents as a percentage of the overall health board budget for 1986–87.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are no contractual arrangements in Scotland with private non-National Health Service hospitals to provide acute medical services. There are contractual arrangements with some hospitals to provide beds classified within the acute speciality group but these are generally for convalescent and terminal care only.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of contract agreed by each health board, for the following services: (a) ambulances, (b) gardening, (c) laboratories, (d) portering, (e) hospital shops, (f) window cleaning, (g) pharmacy and (h) telephones; and if he will give the estimated annual savings in each case.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of all new contracts awarded since 31 December 1986 by each health board for (a) portering, (b) catering, (c) laundry, (d) cleaning and (e) other ancillary work; and if he will give the estimated annual savings for each contract awarded.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No new contracts have been awarded since 31 December 1986 for catering, laundry or cleaning services. Information on portering and other ancillary work is not held centrally.
  925
  Mr. Dobson
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest figures as a percentage of services put out to tender by each health board for (a) catering, (b) domestic services, and (c) laundry; and if he will give the estimated annual savings.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Details are given below of the percentage value of domestic and catering services put out to tender and resultant estimated annual savings for those health boards which have let contracts.

  Percentage (by value)

  Estimated annual saving ·000s

  Health board

  Catering

  Domestic

  Catering

  Domestic

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2·6

  7·3

  9

  62

  Borders

  —

  26·0

  —

  55

  Fife

  0·7

  1·1

  8

  11

  Forth Valley

  —

  1·2

  —

  9

  Lanarkshire

  —

  10·8

  —

  30

  Tayside

  24·1

  20·1

  136

  233

  No contracts have been awarded for laundry services.

  Sheep and Lambs (Sale Restrictions)
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sheep and lambs and in what areas of Scotland are still under restriction for sale as a result of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are no restrictions on the sale of sheep. However, about 90,000 sheep on and from farms in parts of Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde and Central regions are still subject to movement and slaughter restrictions as a result of the Chernobyl incident.

  Extradition
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests for the extradition of persons from the Republic of Ireland to Scotland have been made in each of the last five years and the current year to date; of these, how many in each year were for persons alleged to be concerned in terrorist crime; and in each year and category how many of the requests were (a) granted and (b) refused.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not available centrally and cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost. So far as can be ascertained, during the last five years, one request was made in respect of a person alleged to he concerned in terrorist crime. No requests have been refused during this period.

  Hospital Patients
  Mr. Wray
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many patients were hospitalised for more than seven days in Scotland for each year since 1975;

  (2) how many of the patients hospitalised for more than seven days in Scotland, for each year since 1975 did so under National Health Service provisions.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 October 1987]: Detailed information including length of stay is held currently only for NHS hospitals. Corresponding information is not held for private hospitals and nursing homes. Available information relates not to patients but to discharges of patients after seperate episodes of care.
  926
  The same patient may therefore be counted more than once. The information given relates to the number of discharges of patients after a stay of more than seven days from all NHS hospitals in Scotland in each calendar year. It does not include patients who have spent more than seven days in hospital but who were not discharged within the calendar year. Thus, many long stay patients in geriatric hospitals and mental illness and mental handicap hospitals are excluded.

  Number

  1975

  311,430

  1976

  318,021

  1977

  311,105

  1978

  297,543

  1979

  293,205

  1980

  283,035

  1981

  290,356

  1982

  267,699

  1983

  283,511

  1984

  283,518

  19851

  283,654

  1 Provisional.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give the percentage in hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Scotland in each year from 1977 to 1986 over the previous year;

  (2) if he will give the percentage in the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Lothian region in each year from 1977 to 1986 over the previous year;

  (3) if he will give the percentage change in the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Edinburgh in each year from 1977 to 1986 over the previous year;

  (4) if he will give the percentage change in the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Edinburgh, South in each year from 1977 to 1987 over the previous year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 October 1987]: The information is as follows:

  Deaths mentioning hypothermia: Scotland, Lothian Region and Edinburgh City as a percentage change from the previous year 1978 to 1986

  Scotland Per cent.

  Lothian Per cent.

  Edinburgh Per cent.

  1978

  +30

  +8

  0

  1979

  +26

  +57

  +57

  1980

  -23

  -34

  -42

  1981

  +28

  +34

  +63

  1982

  -23

  -3

  -16

  1983

  -9

  +3

  +12

  1984

  -2

  +3

  -10

  1985

  +32

  +20

  +54

  1986

  -10

  -25

  -35

  Information is not readily available for Edinburgh, South parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Lothian as a proportion of such deaths in Scotland in each year from 1977 to 1986;

  (2) if he will give the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Edinburgh, South as a proportion of such deaths in Scotland in each year from 1977 to 1987;
  927
  (3) if he will give the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Edinburgh as a proportion of such deaths in Scotland in each year from 1977 to 1987.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 October 1987]: The information is as follows:

  Deaths mentioning hypothermia: Lothian region and Edinburgh City as a percentage of Scotland 1977 to 1987

  Lothian Per cent.

  Edinburgh Per cent.

  1977

  16

  13

  1978

  14

  10

  1979

  17

  13

  1980

  15

  10

  1981

  15

  12

  1982

  19

  13

  1983

  22

  16

  1984

  23

  15

  1985

  21

  17

  1986

  17

  12

  Information is not readily available for Edinburgh, South Parliamentary constituency

EMPLOYMENT

  Agriculture Inspectorate
  Mr. Ashton
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the number of health and safety inspectors in the agriculture inspectorate has been cut from 200 to 150 in eight years; and how many of them now carry out scheduled inspections.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In order to contain public sector manpower and spending there have been staff reductions in the Health and Safety Executive, as in the Civil Service as a whole. In HSE this has been accompanied by improvements in efficiency with the use of sound financial management, strategic planning and careful targeting.

  On 1 April 1979 there were 189 inspectors in Her Majesty's Agricultural Inspectorate. On 1 October 1987 the total was 154, of whom 142 were in the field.

  A recruitment competition for factory and agricultural inspectors has just started.

  Agriculture (Pesticides)
  Mr. Ashton
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what further resources he has made to the Health and Safety Executive in agriculture to enforce new legislation involving pesticides and their uses.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive is meeting its responsibilities for enforcing the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 from within existing staff resources through a rearrangement of priorities. Recruitment to the Agricultural Inspectorate is under way.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Bright
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the character of allegations made by dismissed former employees to industrial tribunals; and whether he is prepared to consider measures to inhibit the presentation of false allegations.
  928
  Mr. Nicholls
  I have received representations on this subject from the chairman and chief executive of Britannia Airways.

  Industrial tribunals possess wide powers to govern the conduct of the hearings and the submission of evidence. They may require witnesses to give evidence on oath and normally do so. Such evidence is subject to the Perjury Act 1911 and I do not consider that additional powers are needed.

  Mr. Bright
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases of unfair dismissal have been brought by former employees before industrial tribunals in each of the years since 1983; and how many of them have been withdrawn during the proceedings.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The number of cases heard was as follows:

  Number

  January to December 1984

  7,578

  January to Marchl985

  2,112

  April 1985 to March 1986

  9,270

  April 1986 to March 1987

  9,287

  Approximately 70 per cent. of all applications registered with the tribunals do not proceed to a hearing. Some are withdrawn and many are settled by ACAS. Precise details on the number of cases withdrawn during proceedings is not available.

  Coal Industry (Injuries)
  Mr. Cummings
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number and nature of serious injuries in the following coal mines for the last three years; Dawdon Colliery, Murton Colliery, Vane Tempest Colliery and Easington Colliery.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The actual number of major accidents reported to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries which occurred at the mines referred to in the question are as follows:

  11984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Dowdon

  1

  6

  9

  Murton

  2

  7

  13

  Vane Tempest/Seaham

  —

  7

  14

  Easington

  —

  8

  11

  1 This covers a 15-month period (January 1984 to March 1985) during which time there was a major industrial dispute. It is not comparable with previous calendar year data.

  The apparent increase in 1986–87 in the number of major injuries in the industry is mainly accounted for by a change in the reportable injuries under the new Reporting of Injuries Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR) which was introduced on 1 April 1986 and widened the coverage of the major injury category. Major injury accident figures from 1986–87 are therefore not comparable with those for earlier years. It is not possible to determine the nature of each reported accident without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Community Programme
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and how many women he estimates will lose a place on the community programme following the increase from six months to one year as the unemployment qualifying criterion.
  929
  Mr. Nicholls
  None.

  Claimants (Postage)
  Mr. Wallace
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the estimated savings to his Department from the withdrawal of free pre-addressed postage facilities, formerly given to claimants living six miles or more from their nearest employment office.

  Mr. Lee
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: The estimated annual savings, for a full year, from postal claimants paying their own postage to submit declarations of unemployment, is calculated at £600,000.

  YTS
  Mr. Loyden
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he has received a report on the youth training scheme survey carried out by Ken Roberts, head of sociology at Liverpool university; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish the findings of the youth training scheme survey carried out by Ken Roberts of Liverpool university on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: We received in 1986 a copy of Mr. Roberts' report entitled "The Changing Structure of Youth Labour Markets". The report was published by our Department in July 1987 in the research paper series.

  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken to commission a survey on how youth training schemes have operated on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: There are a number of surveys and research studies which are carried out by or on behalf of the Manpower Services Commission concerning YTS.

  Most of these are national in coverage and provide a range of information designed to improve the operation of YTS in all areas including Merseyside.

  There are no YTS studies or surveys currently being conducted which are limited in scope to Merseyside alone.

  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consult the Manpower Services Commission with a view to increasing the numbers of single sex provision and reserved places on those YTS schemes for young women which currently have a disproportionately low level of women participants.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 5 November 1987]: The Manpower Services Commission encourages YTS managing agents to run either single-sex or reserved place schemes where the law permits. At the end of August 1987, five single-sex and 41 reserved place schemes for young women were running, offering a total of 351 places of which 197 were filled. Other schemes continue to be introduced.

  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consult the Manpower Services Commission with a view to increasing the number of workmen on civil engineering, mechanical engineering and motor vehicle repair and maintenance YTS schemes.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 5 November 1987]: The Manpower Services Commission is actively seeking to
  930
  promote more training opportunities for young women in civil engineering, mechanical engineering and motor vehicle repair and maintenance. In December 1986, there were some 650 young women training in these occupational areas in YTS.

  Dockers
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport (i) if he will list by port the estimated number of dockers employed who are not in the dock labour scheme for each year since 1970 (ii) if he will list by port the number of dockers employed in the dock labour scheme for each year since 1970.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: It is not possible to give the information in the detail requested. Reports on manpower in the United Kingdom ports industry prepared by the British Ports Association and the National Association of Port Employers gave a total of 3,240 non-registered dock workers in the ports industry in March 1983, and 3,893 in March 1986. Earlier information is not available.

  Advertising
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper titles.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 3 November 1987]: Total expenditure, including production costs by my Department on all newspaper advertising in each of the past five years is set out in the table.

  Figures for national newspaper advertising are not separately available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information regarding expenditure with individual newspapers is commercially confidential and cannot be given in the form requested.

  Department of Employment

  £

  1982–83

  356,730

  1983–84

  497,437

  1984–85

  7,567

  1985–86

  55,255

  1986–87

  3,000,000

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Oil and Gas
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about prospecting for onshore oil and gas in the Province.

  Mr. Viggers
  Hydrocarbons within the area of onshore Northern Ireland are vested in the Department of Economic Development which grants licences for onshore oil and gas exploration under the Petroleum Production Act (Northern Ireland) 1964. Currently exploration work is being undertaken under licence in County Antrim near Lame and around the north and south of Lough Neagh under the supervision of two operators, Fynegold Petroleum Ltd. and North West Exploration plc At present over 1,800 sq km of Northern Ireland is licensed for oil and gas exploration.
  931
  In response to an invitation which I issued earlier this year, several applications have been received for fresh licences. I hope to be in a position shortly to make an announcement about new licences once the technical and financial evaluations are completed.

  Pathfinder
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the Pathfinder process.

  Mr. Viggers
  In the last year I have been seeking to stimulate a wide-ranging debate on economic development in Northern Ireland through a project which I have entitled the Pathfinder process. Following detailed consideration by six task forces within Government, on 7 July 1987 I published a discussion document, -Building a Stronger Economy" (copies of which are in the Library), setting out an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in the regional economy together with an initial set of recommendations to build on the strengths and remedy the weaknesses. I have subsequently received over 40 responses from representative bodies and individuals, and a series of seminars have been organised throughout the Province to gather additional views. Some initiatives have already been implemented as a result of this process and it is intended to implement further measures as part of this practical approach to strengthening the regional economy.

  Primary School Schemes
  Mr. John David Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is (a) the date of final planning permission, (b) the proposed date for invitation of tenders, (c) the proposed date for commencement of work on site, and (d) the proposed date for completion of work, for the two primary school schemes at, respectively (a) Ballyharry, Newtownards, and (b) Victoria. Ballyhalbert.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is as follows:

  Ballyharry Primary School

  (a) 11 July 1986.

  (b) Tenders were invited on 1 June 1987

  (c) Work on site commenced on 29 September 1987

  (e) July 1989

  Victoria Primary School

  (a) Final planning permission was sought by the South Eastern Education and Library Board on 29 September 1987 but has not yet been granted.

  (b) (d) These dates can not be determined until final planning permission is granted by the Department of Environment. However, on 30 September 1987 the Department of Education gave the board approval to invite tenders for the scheme once the final planning permission has been granted.

  ACE Scheme
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many posts were funded through the ACE scheme in the years 1981–82, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86. 1986–87, and 1987–88, respectively; and which organisations are presently in receipt of ACE funding.

  Mr. Viggers
  The number of posts provided since 1981–82 is as follows:932

  Year

  Average number of posts

  1981–82

  430

  1982–83

  1,270

  1983–84

  2,529

  1984–85

  3,080

  1985–86

  3,890

  1986–87

  6,150

  1987–88

  16,200

  1 Projected.

  At 25 September there were 377 ACE projects. A list of all the organisations sponsoring these projects is available in the Library.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations in which geographical locations, have been informed of the withdrawal of ACE funding or of a decision not to renew ACE funding in the years 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88.

  Mr. Viggers
  In the years 1985–86, 1986–87, and 1987–88 (as at 25 September 1987) funding was withdrawn or not renewed in respect of a total of 401 ACE projects. The following table gives information on a geographical basis.

  Travel-to-work area

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Antrim

  1

  9

  2

  Armagh

  —

  1

  6

  Ballymena

  —

  9

  3

  Ballymoney

  1

  5

  4

  Ballynahiach

  —

  3

  3

  Banbridge

  —

  3

  4

  Bangor

  —

  3

  4

  Belfast

  9

  49

  48

  Carrickfergus

  1

  4

  2

  Coleraine

  —

  2

  3

  Cookstown

  —

  1

  1

  Craigavon

  —

  8

  9

  Downpatrick

  —

  6

  10

  Dungannon

  1

  2

  3

  Fermanagh

  5

  20

  12

  Larne

  —

  2

  1

  Limavady

  2

  3

  3

  Lisburn

  —

  8

  4

  Londonderry

  5

  19

  13

  Magherafelt

  —

  4

  3

  Newcastle

  —

  —

  3

  Newry

  —

  7

  11

  Newtownabbey

  —

  8

  5

  Newtownards

  —

  3

  2

  Omagh

  4

  11

  6

  Strabane

  6

  9

  2

  Totals

  35

  199

  167

  A full list of the projects and the sponsors concerned has been placed in the Library. It should be noted that in the majority of these cases ACE funding was not renewed because the projects concerned did not meet the priority criteria for retention in the ACE programme which are:

  (i) location in a geographical area where ACE provision is under-target

  (ii) projects having the capacity to improve the economy in some way, for example, creation of permanent jobs or self employment

  (iii) projects which provide services for disadvantaged groups

  (iv) projects which provide opportunities mainly for the "unskilled" and "low achievers" within the long term unemployed grouping.

  Harland and Wolff
  Mr. Frank Field
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail how much of the £68 million subsidy announced in May 1987 for Harland and Wolff will cover redundancy payments; and what part of this sum will go on the current investment programme.

  Mr. Viggers
  Harland and Wolff's external financing limit of £68 million was announced on 25 November 1986. During 1986–87 the company incurred £7 million on redundancies and £2·8 million on capital investment. These are unaudited figures. The company's report and accounts will be laid in the House of Commons Library as soon as they become available.

  Strangford-Portaferry Ferry
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days the Strangford-Portaferry ferry operated up until 31 March; how many days it has operated since 1 April; what are the running costs of this ferry; and what are the long term plans for the StrangfordPortaferry ferry service.

  Mr. Needham
  The combined passenger and vehicle ferry service operated on 349 days out of a possible 364 days during the period 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987 and on 209 days out of a possible 209 days during the period 1 April 1987 to 24 October 1987.

  The net running costs (running costs less receipts from tolls) in the financial year 1986–87 were £185,000.

  Currently there arc no plans for major operational changes in the long term. The Department's aim is to provide an efficient and reliable service.

  Roads
  Mr. McCrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many roads were adopted by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland during 1986–87 in the following district council areas (i) Down district (all), (ii) Newry and Mourne (all County Down) and (iii) Banbridge (in the electoral wards of Bannside, Katesbridge, Dromore South, Dromore North, Quilly, Garran and Croob): and what is the policy about the adoption of roads.

  Mr. Needham
  The figures for the areas referred to are:

  Number

  Down

  22

  Newry and Mourne

  8

  Banbridge

  2

  The Department's policy on the adoption of roads stems from the Private Streets (NI) Order 1980. Where the development of land for which planning permission is needed requires the construction of streets, the Department determines the width, position and arrangement of the streets. When such streets are completed in accordance with the determined layout and to the prescribed standards they are adopted by the Department after a 12-month maintenance period.

  Evacuated Dwellings (Purchase Scheme)
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many SPED applications were made in
  934
  1986–87 in the areas covered by the following district offices; Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district (1) and Newry district (2) and, of applications made, how many people were rehoused (i) within the district area and (ii) outside the district area in 1986–87.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland. Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that. during 1986–87, the following numbers of applications under the scheme for the purchase of evacuated dwellings were received in these district office areas:

  Number

  Downpatrick

  8

  Kilkeel

  3

  Banbridge

  1

  Newry District (1)

  0

  Newry District (2)

  0

  Applicants usually decide to purchase other dwellings in the private sector rather than request rehousing by the Housing Executive. Records are not kept of their new addresses.

  Housing
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the Housing Executive policy on the fencing of old people's dwellings in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry District 2.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the chairman of the Housing Executive who has advised me that fencing is provided where it is required on welfare grounds or where a danger exists or as part of an environmental improvement scheme for a particular area.

  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what programme the Housing Executive intends to implement to deal with rural unfitness in Northern Ireland; and, of the current stock, how many houses in the areas covered by the following offices are unfit in rural areas; Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.

  Mr. Needham
  The chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that the executive has a range of programmes aimed at reducing unfitness generally. These include public sector replacement building where need is justified and support to the private sector through the renovation grants scheme.

  In 1986 the executive relaxed the demolition guidelines to enable more rural unfit dwellings to qualify for grant aid and also introduced wind and weather-proofing grants for those unfit rural properties which still do not qualify for normal renovation grants on account of their structural condition.

  Arising from the Roslea study which was published earlier this year, a copy of which is available in the Library, the executive has set up a rural action team in West Fermanagh. This provides technical and financial advice to private owners seeking to repair and improve their houses as well as the usual grants service.

  The Housing Executive has no unfit dwellings in the specific areas.

  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Housing Executive houses have been

  935
  sold in 1986–87 in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman that the number of houses sold in these areas in 1986–87 was:

  Number

  Downpatrick

  117

  Kilkeel

  47

  Banbridge

  51

  Newry 1

  102

  Newry 2

  131

  Improvements
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been allocated to private sector grant improvements in the areas covered by the following offices during 1987–88: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2; how this compares with the past five years; how many applications have been made to the Lisburn and Newry grant offices of the Housing Executive in 1986–87; of applications made, how many have been approved for grant-aid at the Lisburn and Newry grant offices of the Housing Executive; as a result of refusals, how many appeals have been made to the Commissioner of Complaints: and if he is satisfied that the applicants are aware of their rights.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by the chairman of the executive that separate allocations are not made to individual districts for improvement grants. However, the executive estimates that the total amount of money allocated during 1987–88 to the areas covered by the Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2 offices is at present, £5·1 million. Grants expenditure is demand-led and the money allocated may vary, dependent on the level of demand. Expenditure during the past five years is estimated as follows:

  £ million

  1982–83

  3·23

  1983–84

  4·418

  1984–85

  5·692

  1985–86

  5·869

  1986–87

  5·559

  The total number of preliminary grant applications made to the Lisburn grants office and to the Newry grants office of the Housing Executive during 1986–87 and the total number of approvals made during the year are as follows:

  Preliminary applications Received

  Approvals made during 1986–87

  Lisburn

  1,445

  907

  Newry

  1,528

  1,029

  It is not possible to provide the number of approvals specifically related to the preliminary applications received. The time taken for inspection, and the receipt of all the necessary documents for approvals to be issued may be carried into the following year.
  936
  During 1986–87 there were no appeals to the Commissioner for Complaints concerning grant applications in the Lisburn or Newry grants offices. People whose applications are turned down are notified of the reasons for the executive's decision and that they have a right of appeal. On the basis of the use made of its complaints procedure and advice from members of its staff the Housing Executive is satisfied that applicants are aware of their rights.

  Pupils (Statistics)
  Mr. John David Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils there are at each primary school in the constituency of Newry and Armagh; and how many pupils there are at each secondary and grammar school in the constituency of Newry and Armagh, on the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The latest available information is as follows

  Enrolment at January 1987

  Primary schools

  Annaghmore

  90

  College Lands

  37

  Tullyroan

  37

  Loughgall

  50

  St. Jarlath's Blackwaterstown

  199

  Si. Oliver Plunked, Loughgall

  71

  Tullymore

  71

  Kinnego

  29

  The Cope

  91

  Drumsallen

  38

  Salter's Grange

  16

  St. Colmcille's

  34

  Tullysarran

  60

  Hardy Memorial

  446

  Derryhale

  84

  Mullavilly

  58

  Cabra

  45

  St. Patrick's, Armagh

  460

  St. James", Tandragee

  75

  Mount St. Catherine's, Armagh

  463

  St. Malachy's Boys', Armagh

  189

  Killylea

  75

  Ahorey

  38

  Tandragee

  358

  Armstrong

  444

  Christian Bros', Armagh

  476

  Hamiltonsbawn, Armagh

  93

  Lislea

  18

  St. Joseph's, Poyntzpass

  88

  Middletown

  47

  Clonalig

  168

  Drelincourt

  39

  St. Louis' Convent, Middletown

  39

  St. Joseph's, Armagh

  116

  St. Michael's, Clady

  39

  St. Mary's, Granemore

  55

  St. Mary's Boys', Keady

  256

  Glassdrummond

  59

  St. Clare's Convent, Keady

  293

  Tynan

  26

  Clare

  65

  St. James', Markethill

  52

  Callone

  107

  Aghavilly

  81

  Tullyherron

  47

  Lissummon

  51

  St. Mary's (Barr)

  62

  St. Mochua's, Derrynoose

  79

  937

  Enrolment at January 1987

  St. Malachy's, Whitecross

  86

  Clay

  54

  Lisnadill

  50

  Poyntz Pass

  76

  Markethill

  171

  Foley

  83

  St. Joseph's, Bessbrook

  369

  St. Brigid's, Drumilly

  86

  St. Michael's, Newtownhamilton

  90

  St. Lawrence's. Belleeks

  51

  St. Peter's, Cloughreagh

  293

  St. Patrick's, Newry

  357

  St. Malachy's, Camlough

  288

  St. Malachy's, Carnagat

  327

  Drumhillery

  93

  Keady

  66

  Cladymore

  64

  Mountnorris

  107

  St. Clare's Convent, Newry

  702

  St. Joseph's Convent, Newry

  455

  St. Colman's Abbey, Newry

  816

  Carrickrovaddy

  37

  Cloughoge

  325

  St. Patrick's, Cullyhanna

  267

  St. Joseph's, Killeavy

  165

  Lisdrumcor

  26

  Darkley

  75

  Killeen

  104

  Kingsmills

  31

  Mullaghglass

  62

  Anamar

  71

  St. Mary's, Mullaghbawn

  229

  Dromintee

  128

  Jonesboro'

  136

  St. Patrick's, Crossmaglen

  357

  Bessbrook

  119

  Newtownhamilton

  90

  Cortamlet, Newry

  47

  Newry Model

  67

  St. Oliver Plunkett, Forkhill

  71

  St. Brigid's, Crossmaglen

  51

  Ballynaclosha

  74

  Windsor Hill

  244

  Secondary and grammar

  Newtownhamilton

  108

  St. Catherine's College, Armagh

  846

  St. Brigid's Boys', Armagh

  307

  St. Paul's, Bessbrook

  1,272

  Tandragee Junior High

  282

  Markethill Junior High

  420

  Armagh Secondary

  665

  St. Joseph's, Crossmaglen

  569

  St. Joseph's, Newry

  552

  St. Mary's Girls', Newry

  615

  St. Patrick's, Keady

  817

  Newry High

  639

  St. Patrick's College, Armagh

  374

  Christian Brothers', Armagh

  356

  St. Colman's College, Newry

  753

  Our Lady's Grammar, Newry

  735

  Sacred Heart Grammar, Newry

  738

  Abbey Grammar, Newry

  702

  Armagh Royal

  622

  Mr. John David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils there are at each primary school in the constituency of Strangford, and how many pupils there are at each secondary and grammar school in the constituency of Strangford, on the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The latest available information is as follows:938

  Enrolment at January 1987

  Primary schools

  Portaferry

  45

  Kirkistown

  59

  Portavogie

  137

  Ballyeasboro

  51

  Victoria, Ballyhalbert

  67

  St. Mary's Girls, Portaferry

  354

  St. Patrick's, Ballygalget

  93

  Kircubbin

  49

  St. Mary's Kircubbin

  223

  Ballywalter

  140

  Greyabbey

  66

  Carrowdore

  168

  Millisle

  198

  Ballyvester

  77

  Donaghadee

  350

  Cottown

  38

  St,. Anne's, Donaghadee

  53

  St. Finian's, Newtownards

  218

  Londonderry

  245

  Victoria, Newtownards

  766

  Newtownards Model

  448

  Castle Gardens

  630

  West Winds

  289

  St. Mary's, Comber

  30

  Comber

  513

  Andrews Memorial

  519

  Ballykeigle

  49

  Killinchy

  227

  St. Mary's, Ballygowan

  68

  Leadhill

  195

  Braniel

  324

  Belvoir Park

  321

  Cairnshill

  345

  O'Neill Memorial

  53

  Moneyrea

  139

  Newtownbreda

  280

  Carrickmannon

  69

  Loughries

  62

  Alexander Dickson

  178

  Secondary and Grammar schools

  Movilla High

  734

  Donaghadee High

  365

  Comber High

  659

  Glastry High

  487

  Scrabo High

  516

  Newtonbreda High

  792

  St. Columba High, Portaferry

  406

  Lagan College

  455

  Regent House

  1,528

  Community Relations
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why a central community relations unit has been set up; what is the expected cost to public funds; and which quangos have been (a) abolished and (b) set up, in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State established this unit because he wants to ensure that at the very centre of the decision-making process in Northern Ireland, crucial community relations issues, in their widest sense, are given the fullest possible consideration.

  The unit is staffed by civil servants and has available the services of an independent academic adviser on a part-time basis. The cost, inclusive of salaries, services and accommodation, is estimated at £26,000 for this financial year and £50,000 in 1988–89.
  939
  In the last five years the Government has not established or abolished any bodies dealing with community relations work.

  Bilingual Boundary Signs
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which district councils have erected, or intend to erect, bilingual boundary signs.

  Mr. Needham
  Fermanagh district council has erected some bilingual boundary signs at various border crossings from the Irish Republic.

  Newry and Mourne district council has applied for consent to erect a bilingual boundary sign on the main Newry to Dublin road, again at the border.

  Belfast Action Team
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made by the Belfast action team.

  Mr. Needham
  Two Belfast action teams have now been in position since 1 April 1987. The teams cover the Lower Shankill-Lower Falls and New Lodge-Duncairn areas of the inner city and are representative of Government Departments and other statutory agencies.

  The teams have been examining at local level the multiple social and economic problems in both areas and, in close co-operation with the respective local communities and voluntary agencies, have been working up plans to tackle the problems involved.

  I am satisfied with the progress that has been achieved so far by both teams and will be considering in the near future an extension of the action team concept to include other areas of the city.

  New Building
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give figures on the budgetary allocation to new build projects in the ares covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.

  Mr. Needham
  This is primarily a matter for the Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that in the 1987–88 financial year the Housing Executive's budgetary allocation to new house building projects in these areas is as follows:

  £

  Downpatrick Office

  634,000

  Kilkeel Office

  8,000

  Banbridge Office

  736,000

  Newry No. 1 Office

  307,000

  Newry No. 2 Office

  462,000

  Local Enterprise Development Unit
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about cooperation between the local enterprise development unit and other agencies in the Province with institutions in Portugal.

  Mr. Viggers
  The local enterprise development unit has been invited to provide consultancy advice, on a strict 940
  commercial basis, to IAPME— Portugal's Institute for Professional and Employment Training— in relation to the establishment of Portugal's first enterprise centre on the model of Northern Ireland's local enterprise centres. I also understand that a declaration of co-operation has been signed between the Newry and Mourne enterprise agency and UNINORTE— a federation of co-operative organisations in Portugal — and that the Northern Ireland small business institute is discussing the provision of enterprise training to Portuguese managers.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Beggs
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the national curriculum for education will be introduced in Northern Ireland and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government are committed to raising educational standards throughout the United Kingdom. I am considering how arrangements similar to those proposed for England and Wales could best be applied in Northern Ireland. I shall be consulting with education interests before decisions are taken.

  Storm Damage
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure that land flooded due to the flood banks of the river Roe breaking can be cleared of the floodwaters within 24 hours.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: It is not feasible to plan to clear water from land flooded as a result of breaching of the River Roe floodbanks within 24 hours.

  Homelessness
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when his Department's legislation on homelessness will be published in draft form; how long will be allowed for consultation and who will be involved or invited to participate in that consultation process; and what extra funds will he allocated to carry out the functions required under the proposed legislation.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 2 November 1987]: The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland intends to publish a draft Housing (NI) Order containing provisions on homelessness in early 1988; the normal six-week period will he allowed for consultation. The draft order will be widely circulated to statutory and voluntary agencies in Northern Ireland. Funds for the implementation of the functions required under the proposed legislation will be allocated in the usual way via the annual public expenditure survey.

  Stranmillis College
  Mr. John David Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why he has instructed Stranmillis teacher training colleges to sell their sports pavilion and playing fields at Shaws bridge, Belfast; what alternative sports facilities will be available to Stranmillis college; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 3 November 1987]: Because of reduced enrolments in teacher training over the

  941
  last 10 years, there has been a significant reduction is usage by Stranmillis college of this sports complex. The Department of Education, therefore, could no longer justify the cost of maintaining this provision. However, funds have been made available to improve the outdoor sports facilities on the main college campus and, in addition, neighbouring facilities, such as those at Queens' university can be hired.

  Northern Ireland government department

  National newspaper

  Subject

  Number of advertisements

  Cost £

  1982–83

  Department of Agriculture

  The Daily Telegraph

  Tenders for fertilisers

  1

  574·00

  Department of Agriculture

  The Scotsman

  Tenders for fertilisers

  1

  61·95

  Total

  635·95

  1983–84

  Industrial Development Board

  Financial Times

  Promotion of inward investment

  9

  46,500·00

  Department of Agriculture

  The Daily Telegraph

  Tenders for fertilisers

  1

  450·00

  Department of Agriculture

  The Scotsman

  Tenders for fertilisers

  1

  92·00

  Total

  47,042·00

  1984–85

  Industrial Development Board

  Financial Times

  Promotion of inward investment

  25

  107,500·00

  Department of Economic Development

  Financial Times

  Lignite and petroleum exploration

  2

  1,898·00

  Department of Economic Development

  The Times

  Lignite and petroleum exploration

  1

  780·00

  Department of Economic Development

  The Guardian

  Lignite and petroleum exploration

  1

  735·00

  Department of Economic Development

  The Daily Telegraph

  Lignite and petroleum exploration

  1

  960·00

  Total

  111,873·00

  1985–86

  Industrial Development Board

  Financial Times

  Promotion of inward investment

  21

  56,000·00

  Industrial Development Board

  The Times

  Promotion of inward investment

  1

  9,000·00

  Total

  9,000·00

  1986·87

  Industrial Development Board

  Financial Times

  Promotion of inward investment

  1

  9,000·00

  Industrial Development Board

  The Times

  Promotion of inward investment

  2

  6,300·00

  Department of Agriculture

  The Daily Telegraph

  Tenders for fertilisers

  1

  563·00

  Total

  15,863·00

  Grand total for five years from 1982–83–1986–87

  240,413·00

  Salmon
  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the numbers of fish, and the percentage of the total stock of salmon bound for the Foyle system taken by commercial nets inside the sea areas under the control of the United Kingdom; and what is his estimate of the numbers and percentage taken outside United Kingdom waters.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 5 November 1987]: It is not possible to make a realistic estimate of the number of Foyle salmon which are taken inside or outside United Kingdom waters.

  Mr. William Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for as many years as

  Advertising
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in national newspapers in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by newspaper titles.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 3 November 1987]: The information requested in respect of advertising placed by Northern Ireland Government Departments in national newspapers is as follows.

  possible the (a) rod catch and (b) the commercial nets catch of salmon in the Foyle fisheries area and in the river Roe since the Foyle Fisheries Commission was created.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 5 November 1987]: The information requested for the years 1985 and 1986 is as follows. The information for previous years is given in the annual reports of the Foyle Fisheries Commission, which are laid before Parliament.

  1985

  1986

  Reported rod catch

  1,814

  1,172

  Total commercial catch

  40,521

  46,354

  River Roe commercial catch

  1,145

  1,354

  Maghaberry Prison
  Mr. Clay
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the use of the new prison at Maghaberry, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Stanley
  There are two prisons on the same site at Maghaberry, one for men and one for women. The 944
  women's prison has been fully operational since March 1986 and holds all the female prisoners in Northern Ireland. The male prison holds only a few prisoners at present, but it is planned gradually to increase its population in the near future. It will be used to house a range of short and long-term prisoners.