Written Answers of 21 October 1987

PRIME MINISTER

  Excise Duties
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government will agree to a substantial reduction in excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco to enable all customs barriers on trade with the European Economic Community to be removed by 1992.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have fundamental difficulties with the European Community Commission's proposals for the removal of fiscal barriers to trade in the Community—not least those relating to the rates of excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Prime Minister why she agreed to the removal of all customs barriers on trade between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Economic Community by 1992; and what steps will be taken to protect British manufacturers of alcoholic beverages and tobacco from imports bearing a lower rate of excise duty.

  The Prime Minister
  Further to the provisions of the original treaty of Rome to which the United Kingdom acceded in 1972, the Single European Act, which was before Parliament when it passed the European Communities (Amendment) Act (which received Royal Assent on 6 November 1986), sets the framework for completion of the single market, which it defines as"an area without internal frontiers,"
  by 1992. The Government are committed to attainment of that goal. How this may be achieved is a matter for discussion within the Community and many member states, including the United Kingdom, can be expected to have strong views on the issue. United Kingdom interests have, however, been safeguarded both by the general declaration on articles 13 to 19 of the SEA allowing member states to maintain national measures for the control of immigration from third countries, as well as to combat drug smuggling, terrorism and crime; and by the requirement that fiscal legislation can only be adopted with the unanimous agreement of the member states.

  The Commission's proposals are for harmonised rates of excise duty and would not allow alcoholic beverages and tobacco to be imported into the United Kingdom at rates of excise duty lower than those applied here.

  Ministers (Private Office Staff)
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list the number of staff in the private office of each Minister in Her Majesty's Government.

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally.

  Space Programme
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her oral reply on 23 July, Official Report, column 482, what is now her estimate of the level of resources being made available from the private sector to the British national space centre and British space programme.

  The Prime Minister
  Following my remarks on 23 July, major aerospace companies agreed to continue work at company expense on certain key national space programmes until the European Space Agency ministerial council meeting in November. Information on the overall amount of funding being made available to these programmes by the private sector is not held by the Government.

  World Decade for Cultural Development
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Prime Minister what are Her Majesty's Government's plans for Britain's participation in the early years of the United Nations world decade for cultural development from 1988 to 1997.

  The Prime Minister
  We have no current plans to participate. Initial studies have been financed by UNESCO, of which the United Kingdom is not a member.

  Windscale Fire 1957 (Papers)
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Prime Minister if she will arrange for all papers concerning the 1957 Windscale fire to be made available under the 30-year rule.

  The Prime Minister
  The release of papers relating to the Windscale fire will be dealt with by the Departments concerned in the normal way. Release will be in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Acts and will he as full as possible.

  Intergovernmental Organisations
  Mr Foulkes
  asked the Prime Minister if she will list all the intergovernmental organisations of which the United Kingdom is a member, giving for each one which Department has primary responsibility, which other Departments are involved, and in what ways and whether Her Majesty's Government have a permanent diplomatic mission at the relevant organisation's headquarters.

  The Prime Minister
  I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Prime Minister on how many occasions in 1987 members of her staff have been guests of British Nuclear Fuels plc; and if she will list them by title and date.

  The Prime Minister
  My chief press secretary took part in three BNF plc weekend information seminars in Cumbria in April, July and September, 1987 and in a dinner for the media in February. A member of the policy unit has visited a BNF plc plant and another attended a reception given by BNF plc in 1987.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Pensions
  Mr. Bulter
  asked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects the TSRB to produce its report on the restrospective revision of Member's pension provision.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) on Friday 24 July 1987, at column 502.

  Accommodation
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list all the rooms in the Palace of Westminster and its outbuildings, their approximate size and the numbers of people who occupy each of them.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No, the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  If the hon. Gentleman has a particular point in mind and would like to write to me, I shall see what I can do.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Open University
  Mr. Amess
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the present level of funding for the Open University.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement later in the year about the Open University's grants for 1988. In reaching his decision he will take into account the advice of the Open University visiting committee.

  University Statistics
  Mr. Amess
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many European Economic Community nationals are attending university in Britain; and how many British citizens are attending university in other European Economic Community countries.

  Mr. Jackson
  There were 5,400 students from European Community countries attending universities in the United Kingdom in 1985–86, and 7,500 attending all higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Available data for United Kingdom students studying in other European Economic Community countries cover all higher education, except for France and Netherlands, and are as follows:

  Students from the United Kingdom studying in European Community countries

  Host country

  Year

  Students from the United Kingdom (thousands)

  Belgium

  1984

  0·3

  Denmark

  1983

  0·2

  France1

  1983

  2·3

  738

  Host country

  Year

  Students from the United Kingdom (thousands)

  Germany

  1983

  1·9

  Greece

  1981

  0·1

  Ireland

  1982

  1·2

  Italy

  1983

  0·2

  Luxembourg

  —

  —

  Netherlands1

  1984

  0·2

  Portugal

  1982

  —

  Spain

  1980

  0·1

  1 Universities only.

  Source: UNESCO Statistical Yearbook, 1986.

  United Nations International Literacy Year
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for United Kingdom participation in the United Nations International Literacy Year in 1990.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Government are taking vigorous steps to counter illiteracy in this country through improving standards in schools, through Manpower Services Commission programmes and through the efforts of the adult literacy and basic skills unit. How the proposed International Literacy Year should be marked in 1990 will be considered later in the light of the success of these efforts.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the bodies representative of parents from whom he received representations prior to the publication of his recent consultative papers; and if he will place copies of such representations in the Library.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend and his ministerial colleagues frequently meet parents and their representatives in the normal course of work. The reforms set out in our consultation documents take account of views expressed by parents and others over a number a years.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the formal responses he has received to his various consultative papers on educational change.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No. It is for those originating responses to decide whether or not to make them publicly available. We are, however, arranging for copies of responses, other than those from individuals, to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the numbers produced of each of his duplicated consultative documents on educational reform, the numbers he distributed initially without request, and those subsequently distributed with or without charge, respectively.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The numbers of documents produced, to date are as follows:
  739

  Total number produced

  Number distributed initially

  Number distributed subsequently

  The National Curriculum 5–16

  60,000

  1,200

  56,800

  Charges for school activities

  9,000

  1,100

  7,000

  Collective worship

  500

  390

  34

  Financial delegation to schools

  10,500

  514

  9,683

  Grant Maintained schools

  12,000

  514

  10,874

  Admission of pupils to Maintained schools

  10,500

  514

  9,626

  Changes in structure and national planning for higher education (polytechnics and colleges sector)

  2,000

  450

  1,380

  Changes in structure and national planning for higher education (contracts between the funding bodies and higher education institutes)

  3,000

  1,300

  1,450

  Changes in structure and national planning for higher education (Universities Funding Council)

  2,000

  466

  1,489

  Maintained further education: Financing, governance and law

  7,000

  1,687

  5,063

  Academic tenure and related matters

  32

  32

  Nil

  Organisation of education in inner London

  4,000

  1,975

  1,947

  Accounting and auditing in higher education

  1,000

  588

  1Nil

  1 Document issued 20 October 1987.

  All these documents are available free of charge from the Department.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, as a contribution to the consultations he is holding concerning the opting out procedures for maintained schools, he will estimate, or initiate studies to establish, the value to schools in (a) ILEA and (b) other local education authorities, of the professional, administrative and other goods or services not currently covered by current capitation allowances.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. Current capitation allowances commonly account for only a small proportion of school budgets and there would be little point in collecting information in the form proposed. As from September 1987 local education authorities have to provide governing bodies with an annual statement of all expenditure incurred at their schools, and we propose to extend the requirement to include information about the cost of central educational services.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he had with the bodies currently responsible for determining the syllabuses of the main school examinations, prior to deciding the terms of paragraph 33 of his consultative paper on the national curriculum proposing transfer of these responsibilities to himself.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government's consultation document on the national curriculum proposes that approval of the syllabuses prepared by the school examination bodies, which is currently undertaken on a non-statutory basis by the Secondary Examinations Council, should be put onto a statutory footing. The examination bodies have been invited to respond to this proposal and we shall take their comments into account, along with others we have received.

  Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list (a) the members of the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are taken up by women.
  740
  Mrs. Rumbold
  The membership of the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education is as follows:

  Professor William Taylor (Chairman)

  Vice Chancellor, University of Hull

  Professor Anthony Becher

  Professor of Education, University of Sussex

  Mr. Andrew Collier

  Chief Education Officer, Lancashire County Council

  Dr. Marion Giles-Jones

  Lecturer in Modern Languages, Department of Education, University of Wales

  Dr. Mary Hallaway

  Principal, Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds

  Mr. Gordon McIntyre

  Northern Ireland Regional Director, Open University

  Mr. Renford Bambrough

  Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge

  Mr. Angus Clark

  Board Director of Personnel, J. Sainsbury plc

  Mr. Michael Dixon

  Education Correspondent, Financial Times

  Mr. Peter Griffin

  Adviser, South Glamorgan, Local Education Authority

  Mr. Alistair Lawton

  Deputy Leader, Kent County Council

  Dr. Bernice Martin

  Reader in Sociology, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London

  Dr. Derek Mortimer

  Principal, Suffolk College of Higher and Further Education

  Mr. Michael Pipes

  Headmaster, City of Portsmouth Boys' School

  Dr. David Shadbolt

  Principal, Worcester College of Higher Education

  Dr. David Winkley

  Head, Grove Junior School, Handsworth

  Councillor Patrick Mullany

  Chairman, Doncaster Education Committee

  Mr. Peter Scott

  Principal Inspector, Schools, Lincolnshire
  741
  Mr. Peter Ward

  Personnel Director (UK), Hewlett Packard

  Mr. William Wright

  Chief Education Officer, Wakefield

  Appointments to the council are made by the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, and for Wales on a personal basis. The criteria for selection of members were set out in Department of Education and Science circular 3/84, Welsh Office circular 21/84:
  "The membership of the Council will be drawn mainly from practising school teachers, teacher trainers and elected members of local education authorities, with the aim of giving the Secretaries of State the benefit of the advice of experienced professionals with a broad knowledge of the best practice in teacher education. It will also be desirable to facilitate links through the membership with the other main bodies concerned with the location, scale and quality of teacher education."

  The council at present consists of five staff of teacher training institutions; four other higher education members; three teachers; six members or officers of local education authorities and three other members. One teacher member is also a councillor. Two LEA members and one teacher trainer member were originally appointed while serving teachers. There are no Trades Union Congress-nominated places on the council.

  Lecturers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on average pay levels of higher and further education lecturers, and higher education lecturers, respectively, in each or all of the following: (a) England and Wales, (b) Great Britain, (c) universities in the United Kingdom, (d) polytechnics in England and Wales and (e) all non-university higher education in Great Britain; and what equivalent information he has, converted to £ sterling, in relation to (i) France, (ii) Spain, (iii) Italy, (iv) West Germany and (v) the United States of America.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [pursuant to her reply 24 July 1987, c. 496]: The available information is as follows:

  Average pay levels £ at April 19871

  England and Wales

  Great Britain

  United Kingdom

  Further and higher education lecturers

  15,380

  15,388

  —

  Maintained2 sector further education lecturers

  14,736

  14,693

  —

  University Lecturers

  17,611

  17,644

  17,658

  Polytechnic lecturers

  16,063

  —

  —

  Notes

  1 The latest available data on actual average pay is 31 December 1984 for university lecturers and 31 March 1985 for maintained sector further and higher education lecturers. These figures have been increased by the pay settlements since these dates. This means that the maintained sector further education lecturers pay levels are as at 1 April 1986 — no further settlement has been agreed since that date. The higher education lecturers pay levels are as at March 1987.

  2 This includes lecturers in both non-advanced and advanced further education. Separate data are not available. At present the Department has no equivalent information on salary levels in other European countries, or in the USA, and is awaiting the results of a report which the EEC is funding at Leiden university in the Netherlands. The purpose of this study was to produce a comparative analysis of teachers' pay and conditions of service—at all levels, including higher education—in EEC member countries. I shall write to the hon. Member when the results of that study are available.

Defence

  Plutonium and Uranium
  Mr. Morley
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been undertaken in his Department concerning the peaceful uses to which plutonium and enriched unranium from nuclear warheads can be put in the event of successful multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No substantive studies have been undertaken. Current disarmament proposals do not involve United Kingdom-owned nuclear weapons.

  Consultancy Costs
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated expenditure of his Department in the current year on management and computer consultancy.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is estimated that the Ministry of Defence will spend approximately £15·2 million on management and computer consultancies during the current financial year.

  AIDS
  Sir Russell Johnston
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces who have trained in East Africa have now contracted AIDS.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not my Department's policy to disclose information on individual medical cases.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the serious risk of AIDS infection, he will reconsider the use of training facilities in East Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  AIDS is a worldwide problem. I see no need to reconsider the use of training facilities in East Africa, which are of great value. I am satisfied that the arrangements for briefing service units proceeding abroad, which cover AIDS as well as other health hazards, are adequate.

  Master James Gibbs
  Miss Nicholson
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now in a position to make a further statement about the accident to Master James Gibbs on Okehampton range on 22 April.

  Mr. Freeman
  Following the Army's inquiry into the incident which occurred on Okehampton range on 22 April, I am now able to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 1 May, at columns 299–300.

  James Gibbs was injured by an explosion when he and five other boys aged 18 or under, supervised by a local resident, were walking on the Okehampton ranges.

  On the basis of statements received and the evidence examined by an explosive ordnance expert it seems most likely that a blind round (that is ammunition which failed to function correctly after ignition) detonated when James Gibbs struck it with another piece of metal. I regret that at some time an individual conducting a practice must have contravened the regulations which require all blinds

  743
  to be recorded and destroyed. It cannot be established precisely how long ago the round which caused James Gibbs injuries was fired.

  The Okehampton range byelaws prohibit the taking of any projectile or other metal found within the danger area. Prominent notices advise visitors not to touch any metal objects. James Gibbs and his party had to pass one of these notices to gain access to the range. It seems that the adult in charge of the party was aware that the children were collecting metal from the range but made no attempt to stop them. James Gibbs himself was aged nearly 13 at the time of the accident and although he could not be expected to identify objects on the range he should have exercised caution and understood the dangers of his actions. This unfortunate incident, therefore, serves to underline the importance of observing range byelaws, warning flags and notices which are intended for public protection.

  In order to do all we can to prevent this from happening again, the range on which the accident occurred was temporarily closed and fully searched for blinds; it has now been reopened. In addition, warning notices on the perimeter of Dartmoor ranges will be reviewed to ensure that there are enough of them. The wording of all notices will be changed so that a more forceful message is conveyed.

  Falklands Campaign
  Sir Marcus Fox
  asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government intend to respond to the Defence Committee's fourth report from the last Session on implementing the lessons of the Falklands campaign, HC 345–1, Session 1986/87.

  Mr. Younger
  The Government's response is being published today as Cm. 228.

EMPLOYMENT

  School Leavers
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the number of registered unemployed school leavers as of August and those on special schemes; and what were the relevant figures for 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is in the Library. The table shows, for Great Britain, the numbers of unemployed claimants and non claimants aged under 18 years who have not entered employment since completing full-time education, together with all those aged under 18 on the youth opportunities programme and the youth training scheme. The figures are for August of each year from 1983.

  August

  Unemployed claimants

  Non claimants

  YOP1

  YTS1

  1983

  108,990

  206,058

  100,000

  107,400

  1984

  87,411

  156,036

  —

  277,500

  1985

  98,132

  123,336

  —

  247,000

  1986

  90,660

  109,037

  —

  2275,100

  1987

  54,570

  112,146

  —

  2398,700

  1 Figures rounded to nearest hundred. YTS is a training scheme, and not a special measure.

  2 These are the latest available figures and are subject to revision.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total employed labour force in each quarter since January 1970; what has been the total working population in each quarter over the same period; what has the former been as a percentage of the latter throughout this period; and what has been the size of the change in both the employed labour force and the total working population each quarter since 1970.

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

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Birth Certificates
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  asked the Attorney-General how the implementation of the Family Law Reform Act will affect the practice of recording the marital status of parents on the birth certificate.

  The Attorney-General
  The births register does not record the marital status of a child's parents. Implementation of the Family Law Reform Act 1087 will not alter this position.

  "Spycatcher"
  Mr. Parry
  asked the Attorney-General what is his latest estimate of the cost to public funds of the court actions designed to prevent publication of Mr. Peter Wright's book, "Spycatcher", and the various related actions, civil and criminal.

  The Solicitor-General
  The total amount of costs expended to date, including costs in proceedings against certain newspapers and others for criminal contempt of court, is about £314,500.

  Mr. Winnick
  asked the Attorney-General if he will state the total cost to date involved by Her Majesty's Government in legal action in the United Kingdom and abroad in trying to stop the publication of the book "Spycatcher".

  The Solicitor-General
  The total amount of costs expended to date is about £314,000.

  Marcus Garvey
  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Attorney-General why some of the papers relating to Marcus Garvey have been withheld from inspection in the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Records may be retained by Departments under section 3(4) of the Public Records Act 1958, or may be closed under sections 5(1) and 5(2) of the Act, for longer than the statutory 30-year period. It is riot possible to say which provision applies in this instance because it has not been possible to identify the papers from the information given.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Ms. Gordon
  asked the Attorney-General when the report of the review of the Crown Prosecution Service will be made, and by what means it will be published.

  The Solicitor-General
  The annual report of the Director of Public Prosecutions on the Crown Prosecution
  745
  Service for the year 1986–87 was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office on 13 August 1987. Copies of the report were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on the same date.

WALES

  Anglesey Sea Zoo
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance was given by the Wales Tourist Board to the Anglesey sea zoo; who put up the rest of the money; why the assistance was in the form of a grant; and whether he will make provision for the repayment of grants in the case of successful projects on an equitable basis.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Wales Tourist Board has given grant assistance of £22,350. In offering assistance the board must satisfy itself that a project is fully funded, but information on the detail of the package is treated as commercial in confidence. The board provides, in all cases, the minimum assistance it judges necessary if a project is to proceed, and in the form of grant or loan as appropriate to the individual project. Provision now exists for the Wales Tourist Board to offer grants that would be repayable if project returns exceed expectations.

  Table A

  Full time staff movements from secondary schools to primary schools (years ending March)

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  Clwyd

  5

  25

  8

  10

  24

  14

  Dyfed

  12

  10

  14

  4

  8

  13

  Gwent

  5

  4

  9

  19

  2

  14

  Gwynedd

  6

  3

  2

  —

  3

  3

  Mid Glamorgan

  16

  15

  28

  15

  19

  22

  Powys

  1

  2

  1

  4

  2

  —

  South Glamorgan

  4

  5

  3

  1

  2

  3

  West Glamorgan

  10

  11

  7

  6

  13

  7

  Table B

  Staff from maintained schools and colleges of further and higher education taking premature retirement (years ending March)

  1980–81 and 11981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Clwyd

  197

  103

  107

  98

  114

  Dyfed

  180

  125

  101

  111

  148

  Gwent

  233

  109

  109

  163

  161

  Gwynedd

  86

  105

  57

  62

  59

  Mid Glamorgan

  158

  84

  85

  179

  84

  Powys

  42

  25

  21

  20

  24

  South Glamorgan

  164

  109

  89

  104

  75

  West Glamorgan

  253

  130

  65

  125

  97

  1 Seperate figures are not available.

  Table C

  Part-time Qualified Teachers in service at Maintained Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools (as at January each year)

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Clwyd

  205

  249

  220

  251

  251

  266

  321

  331

  Dyfed

  36

  31

  38

  48

  43

  58

  82

  92

  Gwent

  52

  42

  33

  30

  48

  53

  63

  69

  Gwynedd

  44

  44

  47

  54

  46

  57

  75

  80

  Mid Glamorgan

  70

  65

  63

  73

  81

  95

  82

  111

  Powys

  48

  44

  34

  35

  37

  43

  41

  67

  South Glamorgan

  129

  150

  157

  196

  184

  169

  214

  199

  West Glamorgan

  32

  41

  68

  105

  99

  95

  110

  184

  Capitation Allowances
  Mr. Barry Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the increase in capitation allowances by each local education authority in Wales, both primary and secondary, in each of the years 1980–81 to the current year.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Teachers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local education authority, in each of the years 1979–80 to the current year (a) the numbers of (i) primary and (ii) secondary school teachers on temporary contract, (b) the numbers of secondary teachers redeployed to primary schools, (c) the numbers of permanent staff taking early retirement and (d) the numbers of part-time teachers.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Figures on the numbers of teachers on temporary contract and secondary school teachers redeployed are not available. Data on full-time staff moving from secondary to primary schools are, however, given in table A. Table B shows the numbers of staff from maintained schools and colleges of higher and further education taking premature retirement. The numbers of part-time qualified teachers in maintained schools are shown in table C.

  Wrexham-Chester Line
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales why the maps of railways in Wales in "Welsh Transport Statistics" No. 3 1987, No. 2 1986 and No. 1 1985 omit the line from Wrexham to Chester; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I regret that one of the hon. Gentleman's local railway lines was omitted from the map in "Welsh Transport Statistics".

  This will be corrected in the next issue.

  Mixed Ability Classes
  Mr. Barry Jones
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many mixed ability classes of more than 30 pupils exist (a) in primary schools in Wales, and (b) in secondary schools in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Information in the form requested is not available. However, the number of registered ordinary classes, excluding nursery, special or remedial

  Contributions at current prices (£ million)

  1986 prices (£ million)

  1986 prices index

  Year

  General Fund

  Special Appeals

  Total

  General Fund

  Total

  General Fund

  Total

  1975

  2·000

  1·545

  3·545

  5·8

  10·2

  93

  142

  1976

  2·300

  —

  2·300

  5·8

  5·8

  93

  80

  1977

  3·300

  0·020

  3·320

  7·3

  7·3

  117

  102

  1978

  4·500

  2·032

  6·532

  8·9

  12·9

  144

  180

  1979

  15·800

  1·582

  7·382

  10·0

  12·8

  162

  177

  1980

  4·300

  0·691

  4·991

  6·2

  7·2

  100

  100

  1981

  5·900

  1·456

  7·356

  7·6

  9·5

  123

  132

  1982

  5·900

  0·083

  5·983

  7·1

  7·2

  114

  100

  1983

  6·000

  0·069

  6·069

  6·9

  6·9

  111

  96

  1984

  6·000

  0·025

  6·025

  6·6

  6·6

  106

  92

  1985

  6·300

  2·100

  8·400

  6·5

  8·7

  105

  121

  1986

  6·500

  21·808

  8·308

  6·5

  8·3

  105

  116

  1987

  37·000

  35·000

  312·000

  46·7

  411·5

  4108

  4160

  1 Special increase to mark International Year of the Child.

  2 Revised from previously published figure.

  3 Pledged.

  4 Estimates.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish as a table in the Official Report contributions made annually since 1979 to the United Nations Children's Fund by each member country, in constant 1986 prices, showing the contribution per capita of each country as an index showing the United Kingdom as 100.

  (a) Index of contributions per capita to general fund at constant prices

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Australia

  58

  91

  84

  116

  126

  67

  70

  65

  Austria

  40

  65

  68

  78

  73

  76

  88

  84

  Belgium

  36

  61

  51

  47

  67

  73

  87

  85

  Canada

  146

  236

  195

  220

  231

  283

  225

  243

  Denmark

  453

  751

  630

  710

  737

  812

  800

  878

  Finland

  127

  247

  276

  320

  545

  941

  881

  1,367

  France

  17

  30

  20

  22

  56

  61

  53

  53

  Germany

  36

  65

  49

  54

  55

  70

  63

  70

  Ireland

  78

  90

  79

  60

  70

  102

  82

  89

  Italy

  5

  31

  60

  228

  209

  198

  246

  222

  748
  classes, in excess of 30 pupils totalled 1,552 in primary schools and 1,564 in years 1 to 5 in secondary schools, at September 1986.

  Lambs and Sheep (Sale Restrictions)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many lambs and sheep are under restriction for sale in Wales as a result of nuclear accidents in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Statistics
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish as a table in the Official Report contributions made by the United Kingdom to the United Nations Children's Fund for each year since 1975 in £ sterling, in constant 1986 prices, and as an index showing 1980 as 100.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The information, for member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's development assistance committee, is shown in the following tables. Details of all contributions since 1977 can be found in the United Nations Children's Fund document "Contributions from Governments and other Sources to General Resources and for specific purposes in 1986", which has been deposited in the Library of the House.
  749

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Japan

  23

  41

  38

  58

  71

  88

  98

  75

  Netherlands

  201

  344

  343

  375

  373

  371

  368

  461

  New Zealand

  95

  134

  95

  92

  85

  95

  78

  90

  Norway

  1,348

  2,024

  1,607

  2,010

  2,450

  2,500

  2,621

  3,099

  Sweden

  1,284

  2,038

  1,564

  1,624

  1,721

  1,877

  2,025

  2,190

  Switzerland

  281

  470

  374

  409

  437

  496

  635

  662

  United Kingdom

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  United States

  74

  125

  98

  111

  111

  137

  133

  126

  DAC Total

  85

  137

  116

  145

  155

  174

  179

  182

  (b) Index of total contributions1 per capita at constant prices

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Australia

  64

  129

  76

  276

  156

  122

  73

  78

  Austria

  33

  119

  54

  115

  165

  75

  87

  81

  Belgium

  39

  53

  41

  59

  66

  73

  66

  82

  Canada

  136

  325

  162

  249

  237

  361

  228

  368

  Denmark

  430

  683

  529

  799

  728

  852

  627

  877

  Finland

  117

  218

  220

  366

  539

  1,124

  801

  1,414

  France

  13

  36

  16

  21

  55

  64

  40

  51

  Germany

  45

  126

  43

  55

  54

  70

  47

  71

  Ireland

  89

  88

  72

  59

  69

  101

  62

  97

  Italy

  6

  27

  47

  254

  206

  210

  202

  219

  Japan

  20

  78

  48

  64

  70

  88

  99

  76

  Netherlands

  326

  392

  326

  408

  377

  441

  285

  458

  New Zealand

  96

  161

  84

  91

  84

  96

  117

  178

  Norway

  1,352

  1,809

  1,465

  2,142

  2,472

  2,712

  1,994

  3,029

  Sweden

  1,063

  1,826

  1,257

  1,729

  1,716

  1,935

  1,574

  2,232

  Switzerland

  592

  488

  320

  429

  432

  509

  489

  650

  United Kingdom

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  United States

  79

  135

  92

  144

  109

  140

  118

  130

  DAC Total

  90

  154

  105

  168

  156

  186

  153

  189

  1 These include contributions to both the general fund and special appeals.

  Mr. Terence Donegan
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take regarding the pension and other rights of Mr. Terence Donegan, the former Attorney-General of the Turks and Caicos Islands, following his deportation from the islands.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Mr. Terence Donegan was employed by the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands on non-pensionable terms. He has no pension or other outstanding financial entitlements due from Her Majesty's Government as a result of this service.

  RMS St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is now in a position to accept a tender for the replacement of the RMS St. Helena; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Three bids have been shortlisted and are under consideration. An announcement about the award of the contract will be made as soon as possible.

ENERGY

  Electricity Supply Industry
  Mr. Lofthouse
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what specific safety regulations he intends to include in the proposed legislation to privatise the electricity supply industry.
  750
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The electricity supply industry has an excellent safety record and one of our objectives is to ensure that this record is maintained when the industry is transferred to the private sector. The existing electricity supply regulations which cover public safety are currently being reviewed and updated and will form a sound basis for achieving that objective.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has for the future management and continued flexibility of the national grid, subsequent to his planned privatisation of electricity generation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government intend to preserve the existing benefits of the national grid and its flexibility of operation, while ensuring that competing generators have fair and equal access to the transmission system, on terms that are not subject to monopoly abuse.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he expects his plans for privatisation of electricity generation to include private ownership of individual, or groups of nuclear power stations; and what plans he has for the future ownership and operation of British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government intend to bring forward proposals for the privatisation of all the electricity supply industry in due course. There are no plans at present to sell shares in British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy what study he has made and what sources of information he will publish, concerning the relative performance of the

  751
  Central Electricity Generating Board since 1957 and that which he expects from its division into competitive components following privatisation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No decision has yet been taken about the future structure of the electricity industry. The CEGB has published annual reports and accounts, giving details of its performance, since it was established in 1957.

  British Coal Property
  Mr. Meale
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations between British Coal and the Consortium of Housing Associations led by CIPFA services, over the sale of British Coal houses in Nottinghamshire; and what information he has as to whether British Coal is prepared to accept an offer made by the Consortium which does not meet the market value put on the properties by British Coal.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I understand that these negotiations are still in progress. I am asking the chairman of British Coal to write to the hon. Member.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he has any information subsequent to the statement by the then Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, on 2 April 1964, concerning the specific use to which the electricity board Magnox plutonium consigned to the United States has been put since this date; and whether there are any plans for future export of electricity board plutonium to the United States of America;

  (2) whether all consignments of plutonium arising from British civil electricity board Magnox reactors and exported to the United States of America have been covered by bilateral peaceful end use restriction nuclear safeguards or International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards;

  (3) whether all exports of plutonium arising from British Nuclear Fuels Limited, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Central Electricity Generating Board or South of Scotland Electricity Board reactors exported to the United States since May 1979 have been covered by peaceful end use safeguards.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1987, c. 516–17]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) on 19 May 1986, at column 31, and by my right hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Walker) on 2 July 1984, at column 36.

  There are no current plans to export electricity board plutonium to the USA.

  Mr. Mullin
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish all evidence or papers submitted by his Department to the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1987, c. 520]: The Department has submitted no written evidence or papers to RWMAC in the last five years.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will publish a weekly input/output table from 1 January of spent Magnox fuel arising from civil Magnox reactors, together with the arisings of resulting depleted
  752
  uranium and plutonium stocks for the throughput at the Windscale B205 reprocessing plant at British Nuclear Fuels plc, Sellafield;

  (2) why he will not publish input/output details of spent Magnox reactor fuel and depleted uranium/plutonium stocks at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1987. c. 520]: I refer the hon Member to the answer given on 24 July 1987 to the hon Member for Meirionnydd Na nt Conwy (Mr. Thomas) at columns 515–16. It would not be in the national interest to give this information on a more frequent basis.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Meale
  asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many manshifts were worked by persons on British Coal Corporation colliery books in 1986–87.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [Pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1987, c. 518]: The total number of deep-mined revenue manshifts worked during 1986–87 was 26,407,000.

TRANSPORT

  Orbital Rail Services
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, consequent to the traffic flows current on the M25 motorway, he will investigate the possibility of developing new orbital rail services in or adjacent to the Greater London area on existing or new lengths of track.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  It is for British Rail and London Regional Transport to assess potential demand for rail services, and to bring forward proposals.

  London Air Traffic Control Centre
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the security of the London air traffic control centre at West Drayton;

  (2) how many trained (a) engineers and (b) other professional staff have left the London air traffic control centre in each of the past five years;

  (3) if he will make a statement on the Civil Aviation Authority's plans for the development of the new air traffic control facility at West Drayton;

  (4) what reports he has received from the Civil Aviation Authority concerning (a) loss of radar pictures, (b) radio interference and (c) telephone failure at the London air traffic control centre; if he has received any proposals from the Civil Aviation Authority for new equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Responsibility for the operation and management of the London air traffic control centre rests with the National Air Traffic Services, which is controlled jointly by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence. Security and staffing are not matters for which my right hon Friend is responsible.

  The authority has been implementing a modernisation and re-equipment programme at the centre for some years and this will continue. Proposals for further re-equipment, new systems and for a new centre for which Government approval is required, will be submitted to my right hon Friend by the authority as and when the plans for them are sufficiently advanced.

  Roads (Contractors)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the requirements he makes of contractors for road reconstruction or improvements in respect of minimum flows of traffic that can be accommodated at peak periods.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Our policy is to ensure that the maximum volume of traffic consistent with safety and operational constraints can pass through the site of reconstruction or improvement works. The traffic management arrangements necessary to secure this are agreed in consultation with the police and local highway authorities. Any special requirements, such as minimum number of lanes to be kept open during specified periods of the year, are written into contract documents. We keep arrangements under review.

  Hovercraft
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the use of his discretion in respect of the powers of exemption contained in paragraph 32 of the Hovercraft Order 1972.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Representations have been received for exemption using the powers in paragraph 32 of the Hovercraft Order 1972 by and on behalf of Commander Peter Corson, designer of the AIRMARAN, a prototype hovercraft.

  Railways (Safety)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the Inspector General of Railways to make studies of (a) all safety and operational aspects of the first two months of operation of the Docklands light railway and (b) the introduction of one-person operation on the Piccadilly line of the London underground; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The arrangements for one person operation on the Piccadilly line were examined and met the criteria jointly agreed between London Underground Limited and the Railway Inspectorate. The Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways receives reports of notifiable accidents on any railway, including the Docklands light railway, and investigates them as necessary, but the responsibility for the safe running and operation of all railways rests entirely with their managements. However, their safety of operation is kept under review and the Chief Inspecting Officer's latest annual report, for 1986, on the safety record of the railways in Great Britain is being published tomorrow. There is therefore no need for the special studies requested by the hon. Member.

  Bus Services (Deregulation)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he expects to follow concerning deregulation of bus services in the area served by London Regional Transport; and if he will state the evidence on which he bases his decision.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  As I told the annual conference of the Bus and Coach Council on 13 October, I expect to see 754
  bus users in London in the early 1990s enjoying the same benefits of deregulation as those outside. I have not finished considering the timetable.

  British Rail
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the routes and services of the British Railways Board whose future has been the subject of recent consultation; if he will state for each the estimated savings calculated to accrue from closure of the route or withdrawal of the service, together with the basis of the calculations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The objectives which the Government set the British Railways Board last October require it to review those cases where attractive bus services could meet the needs of travellers as conveniently and often at markedly less cost than the present rail services before investing in new rolling stock for them. We have yet to discuss with the board how it is following up that requirement.

  Dr. Marek
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will direct the British Railways Board to adopt customer service standards that will include halving the present charge for left luggage lockers and a maximum wait of 10 minutes for the purchase of tickets or the deposit or withdrawal of left luggage.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  One of the quality of service targets which my right hon. Friend agreed for the British Railways Board last June was that passengers should have to queue at ticket offices for no longer than three minutes off peak and five minutes during peak periods. Arrangements for left-luggage facilities are entirely a matter for the board.

  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the chairman of British Rail the deteriorating state of the local trains used on the service from West Drayton to Paddington and the need for their replacement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I understand that British Rail will shortly submit a case for replacing the rolling stock on this service. I shall consider its case as quickly as practicable when I receive it.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates are available to him concerning the cost of the proposed east London river crossing for each of the following specifications: (a) four-lane suspension bridge, (b) six-lane suspension bridge, (c) dual tunnels of two lanes each and (d) dual tunnels of three lanes each; and if he will make a statement concerning the respective merits of bridge and tunnels at this site.

  Mr. Channon
  The estimates as presented to the public inquiry, updated to June 1987 prices, are:Cable stayed bridge, dual two-lane with wide hard margins (which could be marked out as three lanes)—£69·75 million including preparation and supervision.
  Dual two-lane tunnel—£85·4 million including preparation and supervision. No estimates have been made of the cost of a full dual three-lane bridge or dual three-lane tunnel.

  Until we have received the inspector's report, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the

  755
  Environment and I have considered the recommendations, it would not be proper for me to comment on the respective merits of a bridge or tunnel at this site.

  Night Flying (Heathrow)
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy with regard to the continuation of existing restrictions on night flying at London, Heathrow airport.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Night flights at Heathrow airport will continue to be restricted. We expect to publish a consultation document containing our proposals for future night restrictions policy for Heathrow early next month.

  Gatwick Airport (Unscheduled Diversions)
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to avoid unscheduled diversions from Gatwick airport to Stansted or Luton.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. Decisions to divert on operational grounds are a matter for aircraft commanders and airline operators.

  Victoria Coach Station
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning the future location and management of the main London coach station, currently at Victoria.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  In September 1985 London Regional Transport, at the then Secretary of State's request, commissioned consultants to examine current and future terminal requirements for express coach services in London. The consultant's report, which is available in the Library, recommended that a major new terminal should be developed at Paddington. I announced on 17 November last year that I was not persuaded by the consultants' report that a single hub terminal was necessarily the right solution, and that the arguments should be properly aired in public before a decision was taken. LRT is now working on its proposals for a new coach terminal at Paddington, and I expect these proposals to be considered at a wide-ranging public inquiry next year.

  I regard it as important that the public inquiry should be able to consider all the various strategies for coach stations in London, including the possibility that the evidence presented to the inquiry will suggest there is a continuing long-term role for Victoria coach station. I have therefore concluded that the existing coach station should remain in the public sector for the time being. In order that it can continue to operate if necessary unaffected by the eventual dissolution of the National Bus Company, I have decided that this can be best achieved by transferring its ownership to London Regional Transport. LRT and NBC are now discussing the most appropriate means of achieving this objective.

  Motorways (Roadworks)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a weekly map or diagram showing the locations and extent of scheduled roadworks and diversions on all motorways.
  756
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are seldom planned diversions. The present arrangements for informing road users of roadworks include fortnightly announcements in the national press and continuous Teletext and Oracle information with diagrams. We are also conducting an experimental teletext service at four motorway service areas on the M1 using specially designed dedicated pages.

  A595 (Egremont Bypass)
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for work on the A595 Egremont bypass to commence in the next financial year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We shall build the new road as soon as possible.

  Statutory orders for the line of the new road and alterations to side roads were published on 12 October. A compulsory purchase order will be advertised early next year. Progress will depend on the strength of objection to these orders and the necessity for a public inquiry

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Disabled People
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations have been received from the Northern Ireland Council on Disability and other organisations and individuals on improving the situation of disabled people in employment; what has been the response of his Department; and whether he will meet representatives of the Northern Ireland Council on Disability.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Department of Economic Development regularly meets the Northern Ireland Council on Disability and other organisations to discuss improvements in the situation of disabled people in employment. Recently the council responded to the Consultative Paper "Equality of Opportunity in Employment in Northern Ireland" and arrangements are being made to meet with the council to discuss its response. As my right hon. Friend told the House on 15 July 1987, at cols. 490–91, the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to disability will continue to be addressed in Northern Ireland in the same way as in the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the number of disabled peple employed by the largest private sector employer in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  The largest private sector employer in Northern Ireland employs 38 registered disabled people.

  London Refurbishing Company Ltd.
  Mr. McGrady
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement regarding the breakdown of negotiations between the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland and the London Refurbishing Company Ltd.; and what action he intends to take to retrieve this loss of employment opportunity in the Greater Belfast area.

  Mr. Viggers
  It is not the policy nor the usual practice of the Industrial Development Board to comment on
  757
  negotiations carried out in confidence with companies, whatever the outcome of those negotiations. However, in this case it is already a matter of public record that the Industrial Development Board has declined to provide selective assistance to the London Refurbishing Co. Ltd. to purchase the ex-DeLorean factory in Dunmurry and to establish a project involving the manufacture of furniture. It is also a matter of public record that several concerns, including the undischarged bankruptcy of the project's promoter and his convictions for a number of serious criminal offences, led the board to conclude that the project should not be offered selective assistance. The ex-DeLorean factory is now being offered for sale on the open market. The Industrial Development Board will continue its intensive efforts to promote new employment opportunities in the Greater Belfast area and indeed in all areas of Northern Ireland.

  Clerical Officers
  Mr. Maginnis
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many clerical officers (clerks) were, at 31 March, employed for duty on the wards at (a) Craigavon area hospital, (b) Daisy Hill hospital and (c) South Tyrone hospital;

  (2) how many clerical officers (clerks) were, at 31 March, employed for duty in the accident and emergency department at (a) Craigavon area hospital, (b) Daisy Hill hospital and (c) South Tyrone hospital.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is as follows:

  Clerks employed in accident and emergency departments and wards at 31 March 1987

  Hospital

  Accident and emergency department

  Wards

  Craigavon Area

  8

  14

  Daisy Hill

  1

  13

  South Tyrone

  nil

  nil

  Cross-frontier Incursions
  Mr. Maginnis
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many protests have been lodged by Her Majesty's Government with the Government of the Irish Republic since 15 November 1985 concerning cross-frontier incursions by the army of the Irish Republic or the Gardai; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  I understand how easy it is for members of the security forces operating near the border to make

  Statistics on Security

  Part I—Statistics of Terrorist Activity

  Yearly Figures: 1971–1987

  1971

  1972

  1973

  1974

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  Shooting Incidents4

  1,756

  10,628

  5,018

  3,206

  1,803

  1,908

  1,081

  755

  728

  Explosions

  1,022

  1,382

  978

  685

  399

  766

  366

  455

  422

  Bombs Neutralised

  493

  471

  542

  428

  236

  426

  169

  178

  142

  Weight of explosives in lbs1

  Explosions

  10,972

  47,462

  47,472

  46,435

  13,753

  17,596

  2,839

  5,343

  11,181

  Neutralised

  3,001

  19,978

  32,450

  27,094

  11,159

  16,252

  2,188

  5,860·5

  4,530

  758
  mistakes and accidentally stray outside their respective jurisdictions, as has happened in the case of the security forces of both countries. Since 15 November 1985 the Government have brought to the attention of the Government of the Republic of Ireland 16 occasions in which members of the Irish security forces have allegedly crossed the border into Northern Ireland. Of these, the Irish authorities have admitted two, 13 have been denied and one is under investigation.

  Security Statistics
  Mr. McNamara
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the security statistics for the first half of 1987 are now available, together with details of persons charged with terrorist-type offences and convictions for scheduled offences for the year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  I regret that the statistics given to the hon. Member in my answer on 24 July at columns 631–36 were incomplete.

  The statistics requested by the hon. Member are available, together with those since 1971, and are as follows:

  STATISTICS ON SECURITY

  Part I—Statistics of Terrorist Activity

  Yearly totals for 1971–86

  Six-monthly totals for: January-June 1987

  Statistics for terrorist activity comprise the following:

  (i) Number of shooting incidents

  (ii) Number of explosions

  (iii) Number of bombs and devices neutralised

  (iv) Weight of explosives in bombs and devices neutralised

  (v) Number of armed robberies and amount stolen

  (vi) Number of malicious fires

  (vii) Number of deaths and injuries of RUC-RUC'R', Army and civilians

  Part II—Statistics of Security Forces' Activity

  Yearly totals for 1971–86

  Six-monthly totals for: January-June 1987

  Statistics for security forces' activity comprise the following:

  (i) Number of houses searched

  (ii) Number of weapons, pounds of explosives and rounds of ammunition found

  (iii) Number of people charged with terrorist type offences (murder, attempted murder, explosives offences, firearms offences, armed robbery and other offences relating to the security situation, eg: arson, membership of illegal organisation etc)

  Part III — Statistics of Persons Convicted of Scheduled Offences

  Six-monthly total for January-June 1987
  759

  1971

  1972

  1973

  1974

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  Armed Robberies

  437

  1,931

  1,215

  1,231

  1,201

  813

  591

  442

  434

  Amount stolen

  303,787

  790,687

  612,015

  572,951

  572,105

  545,497

  446,988

  232,650

  568,359

  Malicious Fires2 3

  —

  —

  587

  636

  248

  453

  432

  269

  315

  Deaths: Civilian

  115

  321

  171

  166

  216

  245

  69

  50

  51

  Army/UDR

  48

  129

  66

  35

  20

  29

  29

  21

  48

  RUC/RUC 'R'

  11

  17

  13

  15

  11

  23

  14

  10

  14

  Injuries: Civilian

  1,838

  3,813

  1,812

  1,680

  2,044

  2,162

  1,027

  548

  557

  Army/UDR

  390

  578

  548

  483

  167

  264

  188

  135

  153

  RUC/RUC'R'

  315

  485

  291

  235

  263

  303

  183

  302

  165

  1 Estimated weight only.

  2 Consolidated figures not available for earlier years.

  3 No figure for April-June 1981.

  4 Figures in ( ) refer to shots heard only and not included in the total.

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  January— June 1987

  Shooting Incidents4

  642

  815

  382

  290

  230

  196

  285

  276

  (327)

  (165)

  (134)

  (104)

  (41)

  (107)

  (31)

  Explosions

  280

  398

  219

  266

  193

  148

  172

  131

  Bombs Neutralised

  120

  131

  113

  101

  55

  67

  82

  72

  Weight of explosives in lbs1

  9,059

  9,261

  11,199

  6,923

  8,545

  11,711

  11,309

  3,777

  Explosions Neutralised

  6,405

  9,168

  7,300

  7,503

  6,114

  7,715

  9,463

  3,493

  Armed Robberies

  412

  587

  580

  622

  627

  459

  724

  436

  Amount stolen

  496,825

  854,929

  1,392,202

  830,258

  701,903

  655,690

  1,207,152

  870,693

  Malicious Fires2 3

  275

  536

  499

  528

  840

  740

  906

  359

  Deaths:

  Civilian

  50

  57

  57

  44

  36

  25

  37

  37

  Army/UDR

  16

  23

  28

  15

  19

  6

  12

  8

  RUC/RUC'R'

  9

  21

  12

  18

  9

  23

  12

  11

  Injuries:

  Civilian

  530

  878

  328

  280

  513

  468

  773

  324

  Army/UDR

  77

  140

  98

  88

  86

  33

  55

  58

  RUC/RUC'R'

  194

  332

  99

  142

  267

  415

  622

  109

  1 Estimated weight only.

  2 Consolidated figures not available for earlier years.

  3 No figure for April—June 1981.

  4 Figures in ( ) refer to shots heard only and not included in the total.

  Statistics on security

  Part II—Statistics of security forces' activity

  Yearly figures: 1971 to 1979

  1971

  1972

  1973

  1974

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  Houses searched1

  17,262

  36,617

  74,556

  71,914

  30,092

  34,939

  20,724

  15,462

  6,452

  Finds

  Firearms

  717

  1,264

  1,595

  1,260

  825

  837

  590

  400

  301

  Ammunition (rounds)

  157,944

  183,410

  187,399

  147,202

  73,604

  70,306

  52,091

  43,512

  46,280

  Explosives

  2,748

  41,488

  38,418

  26,120

  11,565

  21,714

  3,809

  2,108

  1,996

  Persons charged with terrorist type offences2

  Murder

  13

  71

  77

  138

  120

  131

  60

  45

  Attempted murder

  16

  85

  76

  88

  121

  135

  79

  39

  Firearms offences

  242

  631

  545

  460

  353

  301

  225

  177

  Explosives offences

  86

  236

  161

  100

  215

  146

  79

  40

  Theft Act

  111

  186

  239

  314

  188

  203

  151

  159

  Other

  63

  205

  276

  97

  279

  392

  249

  210

  Total

  531

  1,414

  1,374

  1,197

  1,276

  1,308

  843

  670

  1 Includes occupied and unoccupied houses searched.

  2 These figures are not available in consolidated form for earlier years. 1972 figures cover 31 July to 31 December only.

  Yearly figures 1980 to 1987

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  21987

  Houses searched1

  4,106

  4,104

  4,045

  1,497

  1,282

  812

  1,273

  724

  Finds

  Firearms

  203

  409

  317

  200

  197

  238

  215

  158

  Ammunition (rounds)

  28,078

  47,127

  41,452

  32,451

  17,211

  13,748

  29,061

  6,045

  760 761

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  21987

  Explosives

  1,810

  7,536

  5,066

  3,762

  8,534

  7,373

  5,386

  6,087

  Persons charged with terrorist type offences

  Murder

  63

  48

  50

  75

  41

  24

  12

  6

  Attempted murder

  59

  72

  96

  60

  68

  52

  28

  6

  Firearms offences

  112

  155

  173

  150

  155

  105

  128

  73

  Explosives offences

  39

  39

  41

  48

  21

  37

  31

  11

  Theft Act

  128

  158

  130

  119

  94

  65

  70

  47

  Other

  149

  446

  196

  161

  149

  239

  386

  95

  Total

  550

  918

  686

  613

  528

  522

  655

  238

  1 Includes occupied and unoccupied houses searched.

  2 January to June.

  STATISTICS ON SECURITY (PART III)

  January-June 1987

  Notes on the tables

  1. The offence classifications are based on those used by the Crown and Peace Office in its annual return.

  2. The tables relate to persons convicted at the Belfast Crown court. This covers all scheduled offences tried on indictment.

  Convictions for scheduled offences—January-June 1987

  Offence

  Number convicted

  Non-Custodial sentence

  Young Offenders Centre Training Schools

  Less than 5 years

  5 years and less than 7 years

  7 years and less than 10 years

  10 years and less than 15 years

  15 years and less than 20 years

  20 years and over

  Life

  Murder

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Attempted murder

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  0

  0

  Conspiracy to murder

  12

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  5

  2

  0

  0

  Manslaughter

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm

  3

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Causing grievous bodily harm

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Assault occasioning grievous bodily harm

  8

  2

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Causing explosion

  5

  1

  0

  0

  1

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possessing explosives with intent

  9

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  3

  3

  0

  Other explosives offences

  3

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possessing a firearm with intent

  53

  20

  7

  9

  9

  3

  2

  2

  1

  0

  Possessing a firearm

  10

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Carrying a firearm with intent

  11

  10

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other major firearms offences

  4

  2

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Robbery

  82

  26

  7

  23

  20

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Membership of illegal organisations

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unlawful collection of information

  3

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Contributing to resources of a proscribed organisation

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hijacking

  36

  29

  5

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Arson

  52

  40

  3

  5

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Petrol bomb offences

  43

  36

  3

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Criminal damage

  4

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Intimidation

  10

  2

  3

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Withholding information

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possessing prohibited articles

  7

  4

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Common law riot

  15

  13

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  391

  214

  34

  53

  41

  14

  17

  8

  4

  6

  Note: Where a person has been convicted of more than one offence only the most serious or that which received the longest sentence is recorded in the statistics.

  Insurance Claims (Legal Costs)
  Mr. Beggs
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to require those pursuing, or proposing to pursue, insurance claims by legal action in Northern Ireland to contribute towards their legal costs in cases where out-of-court settlements are reached in their favour; and if he will make a statement.
  762
  3. Some jury trials are included in cases where the Attorney General certified out of the scheduled mode of trial, ie non-terrorist serious offences.

  4. Where a person had been convicted of more than one offence only the most serious or that which received the longest sentence is recorded in the statistics.

  Mr. Stanley
  There are no plans to interfere with the principle that where actions are settled out of court the terms of the settlement, including the question of costs, are a matter for agreement between the plaintiff and defendant to the action.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Maginnis
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) for how many of the 178 terrorist killings in

  763
  Fermanagh and South Tyrone between 9 February 1971 and 6 October 1986 anyone had been made amenable for murder by 27 October 1986; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if anyone has been made amenable since 27 October 1986 for each of the terrorist murders in Fermanagh and South Tyrone unsolved at that time; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  I shall reply shortly.

  Mr. Magginis
  asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish e app Republican Army of Ivan Crawford in Fermanagh on 9 January;

  (2) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of George Shaw in South Tyrone on 26 January;

  (3) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of James Oldman in Fermanagh on 3 April;

  (4) if anyone has been made amenable for the murder claimed to have been committed by the Irish Republican Army of Thomas Hewitt in Fermanagh on 19 July.

  Mr. Stanley
  There have been no charges brought nor convictions secured in the United Kingdom in relation to any of these murders, but one person has been charged in the Republic of Ireland in relation to the murder of Lance Corporal Thomas Hewitt on 19 July 1987.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Frank Cook
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of the Falkland Islands in the last three months.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Falkland Islands Government have made no representations over the past three months, although, of course, they have been in contact with us on a range of issues.

  Mr. Haynes
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take on the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the Falklands.

  Mr. Eggar
  Last year's resolution, like previous resolutions since 1982, failed to take account of the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination. In the event of a similar resolution being tabled this year, our position is unchanged. Sovereignty is not negotiable.

  Spain
  Mr. Key
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with Spain.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Following Spain's entry to the European Community in January 1986 and her decision later that year to remain in NATO, relations between the United Kingdom are closer than they have been for very many years. King Juan Carlos visited the United Kingdom last year and Her Majesty the Queen has accepted an invitation to go to Spain next year.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Quentin Davis
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

  Mr. Mellor
  Our relations with Saudi Arabia are excellent. There have been a number of high-level visits this year. King Fahd paid a most welcome state visit to London in March and His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester paid a successful visit to Saudi Arabia this month. I hope to visit the kingdom later this year.

  Middle East
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit the middle east.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon. and learned Friend plans to visit Egypt from 29 October to 1 November and Jordan from 1 to 3 November.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet his Israeli counterpart to discuss the implications for a possible settlement of the middle east conflict of the human rights position of the Palestinians on the west bank and the Gaza strip.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Arab-Israel dispute and the situation in the occupied territories were among the subjects my right hon. and learned Friend discussed with Mr. Peres in New York on 22 September. My right hon. and learned Friend does not know when he will next see him. But we shall continue to discuss these questions with the Israelis.

  Government Communications Centre
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason it is proposed that staff working in the new Government communications centre in London should forfeit union membership; what financial and other inducements will be offered; if those who decline such inducements will incur disciplinary measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  As my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) told the House on 15 January 1987, at columns 262–63, it is not our intention to extend the measures introduced at the Government communications headquarters beyond those agencies whose primary functions are concerned with security and intelligence.

  Chile
  Dr. Reid
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to monitor the situation in relation to exiles returning to Chile from the United Kingdom; and what has been the result.

  Mr. Eggar
  Her Majesty's embassy has approached the Chilean authorities, on humanitarian grounds, to make clear our concerns. Her Majesty's ambassador and his staff in Santiago have been instructed to maintain contact with former exiles and other Chileans who have returned
  765
  to Chile from the United Kingdom and to monitor their treatment. These arrangements have been welcomed by returning Chileans and by human rights organisations.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European Economic Community counterparts about the current human rights situation in Chile.

  Mr. Eggar
  Human rights in Chile are the subject of regular and frequent review within the framework of European political co-operation. The Twelve last issued a statement on the subject on 9 October, the text of which has been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Belize
  Mr. James Marsarshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Belize about the United Kingdom garrison there.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have regular discussions about the garrison with the Government of Belize. The situation is unchanged. The garrison will remain for an appropriate period.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Beith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with his Soviet counterpart; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right and learned Friend met Mr Shevardnadze in New York on 22 September. They discussed arms control, regional issues including the situation in the Gulf, and bilateral matters.

  Contadora Peace Process
  Mr. Jessel
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for the Contadora peace process of Soviet policy towards Nicaragua.

  Mr. Eggar
  The continuing supply of Soviet arms to Nicaragua is unhelpful to the peace process and is incompatible with the Contadora objective of reducing arms levels in the region—an objective which has been accepted by both the Soviet Union and Nicaragua.

  KMS Ltd.
  Mr. Allan
  Roberts asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about KMS Ltd. and its former contracts for the protection of British diplomats overseas.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received a number of representations in the recent past including some from hon. Members, and Members of another place.

  India
  Sir George Young
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to pay an official visit to India.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit India at present. Since his last visit to India in 1986, there have been regular opportunities for 766
  discussions with Indian Ministers, most recently at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Vancouver.

  Argentina
  Mr. Heifer
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communication he has had with the Government of Argentina regarding diplomatic relations beween the two countries.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts have been made with the Argentine Government and what progress has been made towards an understanding on avoiding incidents in South Atlantic fishing waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Following my right hon. and learned Friend's statement to the House on 29 October 1986, we received some informal ideas from the Argentines, via the United States Government, which relate exclusively to the co-ordination of fisheries management in the interests of conservation and the avoidance of incidents. We have replied using the same channel. The exchange continues.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Latham
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the Foreign Minister of Spain regarding issues relating to Gibraltar.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets the Spanish Foreign Minister at regular intervals, in the context of the Brussels agreement of 27 November 1984. The next meeting will take place on 30 November and 1 December.

  Mr. Steen
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to Gibraltar.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so at present.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Tony Banks
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay an official visit to Nicaragua.

  Mr. Boyes
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay an official visit to Nicaragua.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit Nicaragua.

  Kenya
  Mr. Couchman
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to visit Kenya.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no current plans to visit Kenya.

  Hungary
  Mr. Forman
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to pay an official visit to Hungary.

  Mr. Mellor
  I visited Hungary in September and my right hon. and learned Friend did so in March. We hope that Mr. Varkonyi, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, will pay a return visit next year; and that visits by Ministers and senior officials from both countries will continue at regular intervals.

  Arms Control
  Mr. Page
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest programme in arms control negotiations.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Prospects for a United States-Soviet agreement on intermediate nuclear force missiles are encouraging. A number of key issues, including verification, remain to be resolved

  We are participating in talks in Vienna to agree the framework for negotiations on conventional stability covering the Atlantic to the Urals.

  Negotiations on chemical weapons have made progress. But considerable complexities remain.

  Honduras and Nicaragua
  Mr. Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department issues to United Kingdom nationals wishing to travel to (a) Honduras and (b) Nicaragua.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice Her Majesty's Government are currently giving to United Kingdom nationals intending to visit (a) Honduras and (b) Nicaragua.

  Mr. Eggar
  United Kingdom nationals intending to visit Nicaragua and Honduras are advised to avoid border areas and to register their presence with Her Majesty's embassy on arrival. They should also follow the advice of Her Majesty's embassy and of the local authorities about avoiding areas of particular danger.

  Kuwaiti Tankers (Reflagging)
  Mr. Robertson
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his consideration of the possibility of the British reflagging of Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian gulf.

  Mr. Mellor
  In present circumstances any developments in the Gulf are likely to have political implications and we have been carefully monitoring the registration of merchant shipping.

  Under current British regulations the entering of a vessel on the United Kingdom register is a matter of meeting certain well-known criteria and does not require a decision by the Government. We have informed the Kuwaitis of the limitations to the operating area of the Armilla patrol and to the assistance which British flag vessels may expect from it.

  INF Talks
  Mr. Soames
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the intermediate nuclear force weapons talks.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress towards concluding n intermediate nuclear force agreement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The eighth round of the United States-Soviet negotiations on intermediate nuclear missiles began on 23 April and is still in session. The negotiators have said they will continue their talks until they reach agreement. There are still some crucial issues to be resolved, including the question of verification and the phasing of reductions.

  Arms Reductions
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about talks on mutual and balanced force reductions.

  Mr. Mellor
  We continue to take a full and active part in the negotiations on mutual and balanced force reductions in Vienna. Progress has been disappointing owing to the unwillingness of the Warsaw pact to provide adequate data on force levels or to respond to Western proposals on verification. We shall continue to press the Warsaw pact to respond positively to the Western proposal of December 1985 in which we made a constructive attempt to break the long-standing deadlock by offering to accept reductions in United States and Soviet troops before agreement on force levels.

  Latin America
  Mrs. Clwyd
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits have been made by Ministers in his Department to Latin America in the past three months.

  Mr. Eggar
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development visited Mexico and Belize between 19 and 26 September.

  Single European Act
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation of the single European Act in European Economic Community decision making.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Single European Act entered into force on 1 July. By extending the use of qualified majority voting it will make it easier to secure the adoption of measures needed to complete the single market in goods and services, a longstanding United Kingdom objective. Its main effect so far has been to enable a common position to be reached by the Council on standards for vehicle emissions, a measure supported by the United Kingdom, which was previously blocked by the unanimity requirement.

  Persian Gulf
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current initiatives to prevent a further escalation of violence in the gulf.

  Mr. Mellor
  We played a leading role in the adoption of SCR 598 by the Security Council on 20 July. We have made it plain to Iran and Iraq that they have an obligation to accept this resolution, in particular, a ceasefire, and that recalcitrance will lay them open to enforcement measures. We support the efforts of the Secretary General to obtain implementation of SCR 598, and favour parallel work on an arms embargo, in case this should prove necessary.

  Caribbean Dependent Territories
  Mr. Dunnachie
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his review of the position of the Caribbean dependent territories.

  Mr. Eggar
  The review has just been completed and is currently being considered. We hope to make an announcement shortly.

  South Africa
  Mr. David Martin
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he intends to take on South Africa.

  Mr. Alton
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government propose to take any new intitiatives with regard to South Africa in the coming months.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In keeping with our goal of the total abolition of apartheid, we shall continue to promote dialogue between the parties leading to negotiations for fundamental change.

  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the South African Government about the situation in South Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have repeatedly made known to the South African Government our concern about aspects of the situation in South Africa. We have done so on several occasions recently, both in London and in Cape Town.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Ron Brown
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about relations with Afghanistan.

  Mr. Sumberg
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for East-West relations of the continuing Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Soviet occupation of Afghanistan has caused tens of thousands of deaths and driven 5 million refugees to leave their country. We regard Soviet willingness to make the necessary decisions to end the occupation as an important test of their commitment to "new thinking" and better international relations.

  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the British chargé
  770
  d'affaires in Kabul was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 12 July; what was said by the Afghanistan Government; what action was taken; and on how many occasions since the chargé d'affaires has been summoned.

  Mr. Eggar
  Diplomatic exchanges are normally confidential. However,Pravda and the Kabul New Times on 14 July published accounts of a note of 12 July from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul to the British chargé d'affaires, which he had declined to accept.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Gale
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he intends to take with the United Kingdom's European Community partners against international terrorism.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are firmly committed to fight against international terrorism and are fully aware of the need for international co-operation to prevent and combat it. We shall, in co-operation with our partners, pursue any new initiatives which help strengthen and improve this co-operation while at the same time continuing to urge partners to fulfil commitments and undertakings already made. We shall continue to play an active part in relevant international organisations to secure and maintain a common, firm approach.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Barron
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the foreign policy implications of United Kingdom arms sales abroad.

  Mr. Mellor
  From time to time we receive representations on matters relating to British arms exports from right hon. and hon. Members and from the public; none, however, about the foreign policy implications of such sales.

  Iraq-Iran War
  Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilson
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the effects of the conflict between Iraq and Iran.

  Mr. Mellor
  We remain deeply concerned about the continuation of this appalling conflict, the associated danger to shipping in the Gulf and the destabilising effect it is having on the whole region. We are active within the United Nations and bilaterally to try to reduce the level of tension, and to obtain implementation of SCR 598 leading to a peaceful settlement.

  Falklands Fishery Protection Service
  Dr. Godman
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had regarding the Falkland Islands Fishery Protection Service.

  Mr. Eggar
  This Department has regular discussions with the Falkland Islands Government over the fishery protection service. The service is working well; there have been no major incidents.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Yeo
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest programme in implementing the transitional arrangements in Hong Kong.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Implementation of the Sino-British joint declaration on Hong Kong is proceeding well. Both sides are working closely together to implement its provisions fully and faithfully. The next meeting of the Sino-British joint liaison group will take place in Peking from 10 to 13 November.

  Turks and Caicos Islands
  Mr. Allen
  McKay asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards the return of elected government in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

  Mr. Eggar
  Useful talks were held in London from 1 to 3 September with political leaders and other representatives of the Turks and Caicos Islands. These reached broad agreement on modalities for a return to elected government which is now expected to be achieved in February-March 1988.

  Refuseniks
  Mr. John Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of applications for exit visas of those refuseniks whose names he raised with the Soviet Union Foreign Minister in April.

  Mr. Mellor
  Forty four of the 97 refuseniks whose cases my right hon. and learned Friend raised with Mr. Shevardnadze have now received exit visas.

  South Korea
  Mr. Colvin
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with the Republic of South Korea.

  Mr. Eggar
  Our relations with the Republic of Korea are good. In particular, we welcome the progress being made there towards a more representative system of government. We should also like to achieve further development in bilateral commercial relations and are pressing for greater liberalisation of trade and further protection for intellectual property.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Kilfedder
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will invite representatives of the Polisario Front to meet him in the autumn to discuss the future of the Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. We do not take sides in the Western Sahara dispute and fully support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to bring about a peaceful solution.

  Mr. Douglas Forsyth
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the refusal of the Egyptian courts to recognise Mr.
  772
  Douglas Forsyth's claim to possession of his villa in Cairo, sequestrated by the Egyptian Government following the Suez crisis in 1956, and the failure of Her Majesty's Government's efforts to protect his interests, Her Majesty's Government will now consider making an ex gratia payment to compensate him for his loss of possession and enjoyment of the villa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. The question of an ex gratia payment has been considered in the past and was discussed when I met my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Sir G. Johnson Smith) and Mr. Forsyth on 26 November 1986. The position remains that Her Majesty's Government do not accept that they have in any way failed to protect Mr. Forsyth's interests nor that there is a case for the payment of compensation.

  Her Majesty's ambassador at Cairo and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been very active on Mr. Forsyth's behalf in the past and will continue to afford him every assistance in the future. It is understood that the occupancy of the villa is still the subject of legal action before the Egyptian courts.

  Aid Statistics
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total value in constant prices of all contributions made by Her Majesty's Government to all United Nations agencies since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Klaus Barbie
  Mr. Allason
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of the recent conviction in the French courts of Klaus Barbie, he will reconsider his policy relating to the relevant files now retained by his Department and release them to the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No.

  Rudolf Hess
  Mr. Winnick
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which Rudolf Hess met his death; what inquiries were undertaken to establish what occurred during the time Hess was left on his own; and why it was decided that Hess's body should be disposed of differently from those of other Nazi war criminals who were never released from imprisonment or who were executed after the war.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The four powers responsible for Spandau prison carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Rudolf Hess's death, including a full autopsy and inquiries by the special investigation branch of the Royal Military Police. As statements issued by the allied authorities in Berlin on 24 August and 17 September made clear, these investigations established beyond doubt that Rudolf Hess committed suicide by hanging himself with an electrical extension cord, and that the cause of death was asphyxiation.
  773
  There was no unified procedure after the war for the disposal of the remains of Nazi war criminals who were executed or died in custody. The decision that Hess's body should, as an act of humanity, be handed over to his family after his death was taken by the four powers some time after the war.

  UNESCO
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will use the occasion of the election of a new director- general of UNESCO in November to rejoin that organisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Our concern with the state of UNESCO has never been based on personalities. We made it clear when we withdrew from the organisation that we would require evidence of fundamental and far-reaching reforms before reconsidering our position. The appointment of a new director-general is no more than one element in the task of tackling the formidable problems that face the organisation. We shall continue to keep an open mind and monitor developments carefully.

  Parking fines
  Mr. Wheeler
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish up-to-date figures indicating the number of unpaid parking fines incurred by each diplomatic mission in the first six months of 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is given in the table. The table also includes those international organisations which have incurred unpaid fines. The figures may be reduces by late payment.

  The total for the first six months of 1987 indicates a 20 per cent. reduction over the same period of 1986. I have written personally to the heads of the 10 missions with the most unpaid fines during the period in question. They are France, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Quatar, United Arab Emirates, Soviet Union, Spain and Pakistan. These missions account for 38 per cent. of the total.

  We welcome the further significant reduction in unpaid parking fines that has been achieved this year. We are looking for further reductions and hope for early results from the action I have taken with the top 10 offending missions

  Parking fixed penalty notices cancelled on the grounds of diplomatic immunity (metropolitan police district)

  Diplomatic Mission

  January to June 1987

  January to June 1986

  France

  576

  536

  Saudi Arabia

  542

  522

  Oman

  436

  160

  Egypt

  426

  415

  Iraq

  401

  400

  Qatar

  379

  80

  UAE

  326

  186

  Soviet Union

  271

  356

  Spain

  271

  262

  Pakistan

  251

  221

  China

  245

  426

  Malaysia

  201

  420

  Cote d'Ivoire

  190

  93

  Italy

  187

  241

  Morocco

  186

  236

  Cameroon

  184

  313

  774

  Diplomatic Mission

  January to June 1987

  January to June 1986

  Tunisia

  177

  105

  Thailand

  169

  172

  Iran

  165

  199

  Sudan

  165

  418

  Zimbabwe

  156

  68

  Ghana

  155

  174

  Jordan

  155

  254

  Poland

  150

  249

  Israel

  134

  99

  Greece

  132

  135

  Barbados

  121

  102

  Portugal

  119

  148

  India

  104

  139

  Nigeria

  103

  627

  Turkey

  103

  609

  Kenya

  99

  0

  Sierra Leone

  99

  58

  Algeria

  95

  178

  Brazil

  94

  68

  Canada

  94

  79

  German Democratic Republic

  90

  160

  Korea

  88

  114

  Japan

  85

  169

  Peru

  83

  116

  Brunei

  79

  76

  Tanzania

  79

  42

  Zaire

  79

  22

  Federal Republic of Germany

  74

  74

  Zambia

  73

  94

  United States of America

  62

  42

  Kuwait

  61

  104

  Burma

  59

  52

  Cyprus

  55

  48

  Indonesia

  55

  124

  Finland

  52

  106

  Venezuela

  52

  154

  Yugoslavia

  51

  41

  Chile

  50

  60

  Ethiopia

  48

  53

  Gabon

  47

  57

  Senegal

  47

  20

  Uruguay

  47

  55

  Ireland

  46

  131

  Bangladesh

  43

  75

  Liberia

  42

  14

  Jamaica

  41

  36

  Bulgaria

  40

  229

  Hungary

  38

  66

  Belgium

  36

  28

  Uganda

  36

  144

  Romania

  35

  70

  Yemen AR

  32

  20

  PDR Yemen

  31

  52

  Lebanon

  30

  17

  Mexico

  30

  100

  Sweden

  30

  40

  Philippines

  29

  77

  Iceland

  28

  27

  Norway

  28

  34

  Paraguay

  28

  42

  Fiji

  23

  10

  Czechoslovakia

  22

  34

  Somalia

  21

  42

  Costa Rica

  20

  34

  Guyana

  17

  17

  Cuba

  16

  31

  South Africa

  16

  8

  Ecuador

  15

  28

  Austria

  13

  15

  Botswana

  13

  8

  Colombia

  13

  11

  Panama

  13

  10

  Trinidad and Tobago

  13

  27

  Mauritius

  11

  36

  Togo

  10

  38

  Afghanistan

  6

  3

  775

  Diplomatic Mission

  January to June 1987

  January to June 1986

  Bahamas

  6

  3

  Eastern Caribbean

  6

  11

  Nepal

  6

  18

  Sri Lanka

  6

  79

  Antigua and Barbuda

  5

  0

  Honduras

  5

  15

  Nicaragua

  5

  12

  Angola

  4

  —

  Lesotho

  4

  33

  Singapore

  4

  6

  Switzerland

  4

  1

  Bahrain

  3

  8

  Bolivia

  3

  2

  Malawi

  3

  5

  Netherlands

  3

  5

  Swaziland

  3

  11

  Luxembourg

  2

  0

  Seychelles

  2

  7

  Vietnam

  2

  2

  Dominica

  1

  1

  Australia

  0

  0

  Denmark

  0

  0

  El Salvador

  0

  19

  Gambia

  0

  76

  Grenada

  0

  0

  Guatemala

  0

  —

  Malta

  0

  33

  Mongolia

  0

  2

  New Zealand

  0

  0

  Papua New Guinea

  0

  4

  Tonga

  0

  0

  Syria

  —

  124

  International Organisations

  Commonwealth Secretariat

  65

  69

  WEU

  6

  4

  IMO

  5

  5

  Cocoa

  1

  1

  Coffee

  0

  1

  EEC

  0

  3

  UN

  0

  1

  TOTAL

  10,096

  12,646

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Transport Group
  Mr. Worthington
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to how many staff were employed by each of the constituent bus companies of the Scottish Transport Group on 30 June.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Transport Group has provided the following information as of 12 July, being the nearest available date:

  Company

  Staff employed (12 July 1987)

  Central Scottish Omnibuses

  1,346

  Clydeside Scottish Omnibuses

  1,334

  Eastern Scottish Omnibuses

  1,372

  Fife Scottish Omnibuses

  792

  Highland Scottish Omnibuses

  352

  Kelvin Scottish Omnibuses

  1,182

  Lowland Scottish Omnibuses

  256

  Midland Scottish Omnibuses

  775

  Northern Scottish Omnibuses

  687

  Strathtay Scottish Omnibuses

  480

  Western Scottish Omnibuses

  920

  Scottish Citylink Coaches

  223

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of deaths in Scotland from hypothermia for each month since January 1981 broken down by age group.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Local Authority Services (Private Contractors)
  Mr. John Marshall
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to how many Scottish local authorities have invited tenders for (a) street cleansing, (b) refuse collection and (c) the provision of school meals; and what information he has as to how the outside tenders compared with those of in-house direct labour organisations.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Lambs and Sheep (Sale Restrictions)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many lambs and sheep are under restriction for sale in Scotland as a result of nuclear accidents in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None.

  Nuclear Accidents (Monitoring)
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals or representations he has received regarding a programme of systematic whole-body monitoring of people in the areas affected by the Chernobyl fallout to replace the voluntary programme presently undertaken by the Scottish universities research and reactor centre at East Kilbride; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for a copy of the report prepared for his Department, entitled "Preparation of a Specification of User Requirements for the System of Community Charge in Scotland," to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Rifkind
  A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Deportees
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been deported under section 86 of the Mental Health Act since 1983; and to which countries.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Two patients have been removed under this section, one to Bangladesh and the other to the United States of America. Both removals took place earlier this year.

  Citizenship
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who have applied for naturalisation or registration as British citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981 have had their applications refused as being of unsound mind; and if he will provide a breakdown of those figures by (a) ethnicity and (b) sex.

  Mr. Renton
  Between July 1986 and September 1987 three applications for naturalisation as British citizens had been recorded as refused on the ground that the applicant was of unsound mind. Earlier figures for naturalisation and figures for registrations are not readily available and records are not kept relating refused applications to ethnicity or sex.

  Prison Staff
  Mr. Cox
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prison officer staffing grades which were unfilled at Wandsworth prison on 7 July.

  Mr. John Patten
  On 7 July the number of officers in post was 80 below the staffing level authorised for a 39-hour week. Under present systems, most officers would work more hours on overtime.

  Mr. Cox
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra staff are to be allocated to London prisons following the introduction of Fresh Start.

  Mr. John Patten
  Fresh Start was agreed with the unions on the basis that efficiency could be improved through better management structures and working methods. Work is still in hand on implementation. Some 1,800 officers are being recruited to the prison service this year, of whom about 750 are specifically to implement Fresh Start. The number allocated to each establishment will be based on the requirement to obtain an average of 10 per cent. efficiency gains this year across the prison service.

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in the last three months the Governor of Wandsworth prison has declared a limited alert; for what reasons this was done; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the three months up to 13 October a limited alert was declared on the following occasions:

  Saturday 18 July

  Saturday 25 July

  Sunday 26 July

  Saturday 1 August

  Each was due to the absence of staff during the summer leave period.

  Offensive Weapons
  Mr. Janner
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will hold consultations with chief constables to consider with them appropriate measures to restrict the increase in the carrying of knives by young people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  During our recent study of how the law relating to the possession of knives might be reinforced we 778
  held consultations with chief officers of police. I now intend to bring forward in the Criminal Justice Bill, proposals which would make it an offence for a person to have a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place without good reason or lawful authority. I also intend to bring forward proposals which will enable the sale of specified weapons for which there is no legitimate use to be banned.

  Mr. Janner
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many cases in each of the last 10 years involving grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, malicious wounding or assault, respectively, the victim was threatened or attacked with a knife;

  (2) whether he will order a statistical analysis of crimes committed in the United Kingdom with use of knives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information on the use of weapons other than firearms is not collected centrally, except for offences of homicide. Statistics of homicides are published each year in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (table 4.3 in the volume for 1985 (Cm. 10)). Statistics of offences of violence against the person and robberies involving weapons recorded by the Metropolitan police are published each year by the commissioner in his annual report (tables A2 and B3 in appendix 4iii of the issue for 1986, (Cm. 158)).

  Television Licences
  Mr. Maginnis
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many search warrants were granted in Northern Ireland in each year since 1957, up to 11 February, permitting the National Television Licence Records Office inquiry officers to gain access to private premises for the purpose of examining television receiving equipment;

  (2) how many prosecutions for failure to hold a valid television licence were successfully brought in Northern Ireland using evidence provided by detector vans, in each year since 1957;

  (3) what information he has as to how many television detector vans are presently stationed in Northern Ireland and as to the approximate value of (a) these vehicles and (b) the electronic equipment contained in them; what has been the cost of replacement and maintenance of these vehicles since 1 January 1980; how many permanent staff are employed to operate these vehicles; and what has been the cost of staffing them since 1 January 1980.

  Mr. Renton
  Prior to December 1986, when the reorganisation of the Television Licensing Organisation in Northern Ireland was completed, search warrants were not sought in Northern Ireland in connection with suspected television licence evasion. Between then and 11 February, three search warrants were sought and granted. Detector van equipment has not been used in Northern Ireland and no detector vans are presently stationed there. Two vans previously used for transporting inquiry officers were removed in June 1987.

  Motorists (Blood Tests)
  Mr. Lawrence
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to give motorists a statutory opportunity to give a blood sample as an alternative to an evidential breath test by intoximeter; and if he will make a statement.
  779
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Under section 8(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1972 (as amended) any person whose result on an evidential breath testing device is no more than 50 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath has the right to request a blood or urine test. Since April 1984 a similar option has been available on a non-statutory basis to persons with a breath test reading over 50 microgrammes and we will be reviewing this non-statutory option in the autumn of next year.

  Grendon Prison
  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners have been allocated to Her Majesty's prison Grendon since 1 July 1987; and how many of these prisoners are expected to benefit from the psychiatric regime of the prison;

  (2) what affect he estimates the presence of a high proportion of rule 43 prisoners in the Grendon population will have on the maintenance of the present regime for those with psychiatric needs;

  (3) if he will take steps to ensure that the Prison Department reverts to a policy of allocating prisoners to Her Majesty's prison Grendon only on psychiatric need; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Since July this year one wing at Grendon prison has been dedicated to the accommodation of rule 43 prisoners transferred from other establishments in the south-east region. This was one of a number of measures which we have taken recently to make the best use of available accommodation in the light of the current high levels of overcrowding in other prisons. This did not entail any reduction in the number of prisoners already at Grendon taking part in the therapeutic regime.

  Since 1 July this year 128 prisoners have been allocated to Grendon prison. Of these, 70 rule 43 prisoners will not benefit directly from the therapeutic regime of the prison. The remaining 58 will. Rule 43 prisoners, currently comprising 22 per cent. of the Grendon population, are held separately from other prisoners and do not detract from the psychiatric regime which remains as the establishment's primary purpose. It is not the intention to end the accommodation of rule 43 prisoners at Grendon while other prisons suitable for them are as crowded as they are now.

  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list (a) the members of the Equal Opportunities Commission, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.

  Mr. John Patten
  The following are members of the commission:

  Baroness Platt of Writtle—Chairman

  Mrs. June O'Dell—Deputy Chairman

  Mr. Kenneth Boardman

  Mrs. Rosemary Brown

  Mr. James Dunlop

  Mr. Dennis Guereca

  Miss Margaret Monk

  Professor Gillian Powell

  Mrs. Margaret Prosser

  Mr. Andrew Simpkin

  Baroness Turner of Camden

  780

  Mrs. Pat Turner

  Mrs. Esme Walker

  Dame Anne Warburton

  Members are appointed on the basis of the qualifications and experience they can bring to the work of the commission to enable it to carry out its duties under parts VI and VII of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. The present members have a wide experience in employment, education and the law. Three members were nominated by the Trades Union Congress, of whom all are women.

  Winson Green Prison
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Horne Department how many persons have served prison sentences of less than one week at Winson Green prison, Birmingham, since November 1986.

  Mr. John Patten
  According to the records held centrally, about 70 persons were intitially received into Birmingham prison in the period 1 December 1986 to 31 August 1987 to serve sentences of less than one week.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated accuracy of the coverage of the electoral register as a percentage of those eligible to register.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The most recent estimate of the accuracy of the electoral register nationwide was produced by the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys in its survey "Electoral Registration in 1981", which found that, in 1981, 6·5 per cent. of eligible people in Great Britain were not included in the electoral register for their qualifying address. The OPCS's survey of six inner city areas in 1983 to 1984, published last August, found that, in 1984, between 4 and 17 per cent. of eligible people were not included. The Home Office has taken a range of initiatives aimed at increasing the accuracy of the electoral register and we shall be continuing to work for improvements.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were brought in the latest year for which figures are available in respect of failure to register as an elector.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information held centrally, which may be incomplete, indicates that there was one prosecution in 1985. No figures of prosecutions are yet available for 1986.

  Prisoners (Citizenship)
  Mr. Bermingham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken to ensure that those in prisons, psychiatric and general hospitals arid other institutions are made aware of their right to register under the Immigration Act 1981, and of the need to do so before December.

  Mr. Renton
  A circular instruction has been sent to governors of all prison service establishments with supplies of the free information leaflet "Your Right to British Citizenship", and posters to display to draw the attention of all inmates to the leaflet. An article about the ending this year of certain rights to register as a British citizen has appeared in the October issue of the NHS "Management Bulletin".

  Disabled People (Elections)
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to take action on matters raised in the report of the Spastics Society, "Disabled People and the 1987 General Election", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the Spastics Society's report, which we have studied with interest. The Representation of the People Act 1985 introduced a statutory requirement on local authorities, so far as is reasonable and practicable, to designate as polling places only those premises which are accessible to disabled electors. The Act also enabled physically incapacitated electors to vote by proxy, as an alternative to voting by post for an indefinite period. We are reviewing the law, procedures and forms relating to absent voting and we shall consider most carefully any proposals we receive for changes in electoral law as it affects disabled people.

  USA (Visas)
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why no reciprocal arrangements exist with the United States of America on the necessity for United Kingdom citizens to obtain a visa before entering that country; and what is his policy towards the establishment of such arrangements.

  Mr. Renton
  Because such arrangements are made only when both Governments conclude that the removal of visa controls is compatible with their immigration control policies.

  George Blake
  Mr. Allason
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on his inquiries into CND's role in the escape of George Blake from Wormwood Scrubs.

  Mr. Hurd
  I understand that the Commissioner has instigated an investigation into recent allegations concerning the escape of George Blake. This investigation is now proceeding.

  Prison Ships
  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to refrain from making further use of prison ships since the lease on the Earl William has expired; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has any plans to extend the leasing arrangement on the Earl William prison ship; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The contract for the lease of the Earl William was for an initial period of three months, with the option of renewal for three further periods of three months. The first option of renewal was exercised and expires on 1 December. There are now no detainees on the ship. Its possible further use as an immigration detention centre is under review.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what degree of supervision his Department exercises over the Securicor guards employed on the Earl William; and if he will make a statement;
  782
  (2) what are the qualifications and training of the Securicor guards employed on board the Earl William; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  Care of persons detained on the Earl William rested under contract with Securicor. The company is very experienced in this field, having held the immigration detention contract since 1970. Orderlies were supervised by experienced shift leaders and chief immigration officers make frequent visits to the ship. Detailed operating instructions were issued by Securicor to its staff following close discussion with the immigration service and reflected the need for a high standard of care in every respect. Each recruit underwent five days' induction training on the job and a half day course from the immigration service.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether lay visitors have access to the Earl William prison ship on the same basis as that which they enjoy in Her Majesty's prisons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  There are no formal arrangements for visits by lay visitors, but access to immigration detention centres, including the Earl William, is freely afforded, not only to relatives, friends and representatives of detainees but also to representatives of a wide variety of welfare, religious, cultural and political interests, including Members of both Houses. In the case of the Earl William, the vicar of Harwich, the Salvation Army and the Olive Tree Fellowship had unrestricted access.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons has access to the Earl William prison ship; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  In accordance with the Government reply to the sixth report from the Home Affairs Committee Session 1984–85 HC 277 (Cmnd. 9632) immigration detention centres, including the Earl William, are open to inspection by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether instructions in case of fire are available on board the Earl William in the main languages spoken by the detainees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  Fire drills were held regularly on the Earl William, under the direction and advice of the Essex fire and rescue service. Internationally approved pictorial fire evacuation signs were prominently posted and a fire evacuation notice in nine languages was posted in each cabin.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are interpretation facilities available aboard the Earl William; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  There were no resident interpreters on the Earl William, but interpreters were provided when necessary.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost of holding detainees on the Earl William prison ship; and what is the average cost per detainee.

  Mr. Renton
  The total direct costs of operating the Earl William as an immigration detention centre for the period 15 May to the end of September were of the order of
  783
  £650,000. The direct average cost per detainee during that period was about £65 a night. It is not yet clear how far these costs will be borne by the carriers.

  Mr. Wheeler
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements were made for those detained on board MV Earl William after the ship was reberthed following the storm on 15–16 October.

  Mr. Hurd
  The Earl William broke loose from her moorings during the early hours of 16 October and drifted some 200–300 yds away from the berth before running aground on a sandbank. The vessel was slightly holed but nobody on board was injured. Advice from the senior harbour master was that no attempt should be made to evacuate the ship until she had been reberthed. At the time there were 78 detainees on board, of whom 72 had sought asylum in the United Kingdom. A contact telephone number at Heathrow was provided for relatives and friends wishing to make inquiries about detainees. The vessel was berthed at Parkeston quay at high tide at 20.00 hours on 16 October.

  In all the circumstances, I concluded on compassionate grounds that it would no longer be right to continue to detain those concerned on board the Earl William. As there was no other detention accommodation immediately available, 70 of the 78 detainees were granted temporary admission on 16 October until their cases are determined. I am grateful to the British Refugee Council and organisations representing those detained for their co-operation in finding suitable accommodation. Of the other detainees, one has been granted leave to enter, six have been removed from the United Kingdom and one other is detained in Harmondsworth awaiting removal. The future use of the Earl William as a detention centre is under review.

  Firearms
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of acquiring and renewing a firearms certificate on the mainland of Great Britain; and how that compares with the figure for Northern Ireland.

  January 1979

  January 1980

  January 1981

  January 1982

  January 1983

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Grade 1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Grade 2

  8

  —

  8

  —

  8

  —

  8

  —

  7

  —

  Grade 3

  25

  2

  24

  2

  26

  2

  27

  2

  24

  2

  Grade 4

  16

  —

  16

  —

  12

  —

  14

  —

  12

  1

  Grade 5

  145½

  8

  146½

  10

  144½

  13

  143

  14

  138

  15

  Grade 6

  153

  16

  158

  16

  166

  13

  165

  14

  166

  15

  Grade 7

  387

  37

  404

  37

  401

  33

  581½

  63½

  578½

  69½

  Senior Executive Office

  821

  67

  850½

  71

  870½

  75

  863

  69½

  899½

  63½

  Higher Executive Officer

  1,658½

  180

  1,657

  187

  1,692

  184½

  1,713

  208½

  1,810

  255

  Executive Officer

  6,920

  1,046½

  7,042½

  1,108½

  7,231½

  1,149

  7,011½

  1,089

  7,294½

  1,143½

  Clerical Officer (and equivalents)

  12,866

  2,680½

  12,984

  2,751½

  13,817½

  2,908½

  13,669

  2,842

  13,848½

  2,950

  Clerical Assistant (and equivalents)

  376½

  1,899½

  358½

  1,888

  405½

  2,291

  393½

  2,148½

  454½

  2,184½

  Obsolete Grades

  55

  368½

  25

  364

  18

  17½

  2

  3

  2

  —

  January 1984

  January 1985

  January 1986

  January 1987

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Grade 1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Grade 2

  6

  —

  7

  —

  7

  —

  7

  —

  Grade 3

  25

  2

  25

  2

  24

  2

  29

  2

  784
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In Great Britain both the grant and renewal of a firearms certificate costs £33. In Northern Ireland the grant of a firearms certificate costs £33 and £21 on renewal.

  Mr. Wheeler
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is in a position to introduce proposals for new firearms legislation.

  Mr. Hurd
  The broad package of proposals which I announced at Torquay and other related proposals designed to strengthen existing controls on firearms are being carefully and throughly examined, in consultation with interested parties. I have arranged for a copy of that statement to be placed in the Library. The tragedy a t Hungerford and other recent disturbing incidents involving those in the lawful possession of a firearm or shotgun certificate add to the case for a substantial shift in the balance of firearms law to meet the needs of public safety. This cannot be done unreasonably at the expense of the legitimate shooting interest. A proper balance must he struck between the two. I hope to announce comprehensive proposals designed to meet this end next month with a view to introducing separate new firearms legislation early this Session.

  Departmental Staff
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) Women and (b) men employed within each grade in his Department in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Hurd
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 July 1987, c. 338]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. The following table gives the number of nonindustrial staff in post (full-time equivalents) by sex from January 1979 to January 1987 by grade level equivalents based on a comparison of salary scales. Comparable figures for industrial staff are not available. The figures have been derived from personnel records and may differ from other published manpower totals.
  785

  January 1984

  January 1985

  January 1986

  January 1987

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Grade 4

  11

  2

  10

  2

  12

  2

  12

  2

  Grade 5

  128½

  11

  125½

  12

  127

  12

  126½

  15

  Grade 6

  183

  12

  196

  14

  199

  15

  193

  16½

  Grade 7

  452½

  50

  459½

  58

  476

  59½

  477½

  56

  Senior Executive Officer

  840½

  63½

  834

  79½

  814

  88

  843

  99

  Higher Executive Officer

  1,936½

  276½

  1,984½

  291

  2,038½

  321½

  2,014

  342½

  Executive Officer

  7,457½

  1,200½

  7,551½

  1,294½

  7,698

  1,395½

  7,681

  1,478

  Clerical Officer (and equivalents)

  14,275½

  2,979

  14,725

  3,250

  14,753½

  3,304

  15,143

  3,317

  Clerical Assistant (and equivalents)

  416½

  2,141

  473

  2,231½

  502

  2,099½

  528

  2,136

  Obsolete Grades

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

THE ARTS

  Leicestershire Museums
  Mr. Vaz
  asked the Minister for the Arts what steps have been taken to ensure that the reduced level of grant to East Midlands Museums Services will continue to allow Leicestershire museums to cater for their public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  The allocation of grants to the English area museum councils is a matter for the Museums and Galleries Commission. I understand that the commission's grant to the East Midlands area museum service was increased by 11·7 per cent. in 1986–87 and by a further 4·5 per cent. in 1987–88.

  Arts Council
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will (a) list the members of the Arts Council executive, (b) state the criteria for selection of members, (c) list the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) indicate the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places, and (e) indicate how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.

  Mr. Luce
  The information requested is as follows.

  (a) the members of the Arts Council are:

  Sir William Rees Mogg (Chairman)

  James Cooke

  Michael Clarke

  John Cornwell

  Ronald Grierson

  Robin Guthrie

  Pamela, The Lady Harlech

  Denys Hodson, CBE

  Gavin Jantjes

  Philip Jones, CBE

  James Logan

  Clare Mulholland

  Colin Nears

  Sir Alan Peacock, DSC, FBA

  Mathew Prichard

  Sir Brian Rix, CBE

  Sir Roy Strong

  Elizabeth Thomas

  Dr Robert Woof

  Sir Brian Young

  (b) and (c)Members are appointed by the Minister, who takes into account the need for a balance of experience and regional representation, including knowledge of specialist art forms, a wide interest in the arts, and commitment to the council's aims and objectives.
  786
  (d) and (e)Representation is not by group or sectional interest. There are no Trades Union Congress-nominated places.

  "Spycatcher"
  Mr. Cartwright
  asked the Minister for the Arts what advice he has given to public library authorities, in discharge of his duty under section 1 of the Public Library and Museums Act 1964, on the lending of copies of Mr. Peter Wright's book "Spycatcher".

  Mr. Luce
  I have suggested that public library authorities should await the outcome of Derbyshire county council's application to the High Court for a variation of the court injunction preventing certain newspapers from printing extracts from the book so as to allow its library service to stock the book. The council's application was refused in the High Court last week.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Holland
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the corporation tax paid as (a) a percentage of the normal rate of corporation tax and (b) in absolute terms at current prices by the aggregate of (i) the top hundred manufacturing and commercial companies, (ii) other such companies and (iii) all companies for each available year since 1979.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Amounts of corporation tax paid by all companies and public corporations are published in table 3.13 of "Financial Statistics". The further detail requested could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Excise Duties
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the rates of duty proposed by the European Economic Commission for alcoholic beverages and tobacco compare with the rates of duty charged in the United Kingdom; and what is his estimate of the effect on consumption of reducing the United Kingdom rates to the rates proposed by the Commission.

  Mr. Brooke
  The European Commission's proposals for "approximation" of rates of excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, would require reductions in existing United Kingdom duty rates as shown below as follows:
  787

  Product

  Commission proposal

  Existing United Kingdom duty rate

  Approximate percentage rate charges

  Spirits

  12.71 ECU (£8·91) per litre of alcohol

  £15·77 per litre of alcohol

  -44

  Beer

  1·32 ECU (£0·92) per hectolitre/ degree Plato of finished product at 15°c (8·89 for average beer)

  £25·80 per hectolitre plus 86p for every degree of original gravity over 1030° (31.82 for average beer)

  -72

  Table wine

  17 ECU (£11·92) per hectolitre

  £98·00 per hectolitre

  -88

  Fortified wine

  15–18 per cent, volume

  85 ECU (£59·42) per hectolitre

  £169·00 per hectolitre

  -65

  18–22 per cent, volume

  85 ECU (£59·42) per hectolitre

  £194·90 per hectolitre

  -70

  Cigarettes

  19·5 ECU (£13·70) per 1000 plus 52–54 per cent, of retail selling price

  £30·61 per 1000 plus 21 per cent, of retail selling price

  -10

  Pipe tobacco

  Excise duty +VAT to comprise 54–56 per cent, of retail selling price

  £24·95 per kilogram

  -17

  Cigars

  Excise duty+VAT to comprise 34–36 per cent, of retail selling price

  £47·05 per kilogram

  -52

  Hand-rolling tobacco

  Excise duty +VAT to comprise 54–56 per cent, of retail selling price

  £49·64 per kilogram

  -55

  Note: 1ECU = £0·701159.

  Because of the very large changes in duty levels involved, estimates of the effect on consumption are subject to wide margins of error. Applying the assumptions normally used to calculate the effect of small changes in duty rates suggests that consumption of spirits and wines could rise by as much as a third; beer by about 10 per cent; cigarettes and pipe tobacco by about 5 per cent; and cigars and hand-rolling tobacco by about a quarter.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on consumption of the standstill on the excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco in recent Budgets; what is the current value in cash terms of the 1978 rates of duty; and what is his estimate of the increase in revenue which would accrue from such rates in a full year.

  Mr. Brooke
  It is not possible to distinguish between changes in consumption which may have resulted from the standstill on excise duties in recent Budgets and changes which occurred as a result of other factors. However, an indication of the effect on consumption of the duty standstill can be provided by estimating what would happen to consumption in 1987 if the duties were restored to their real value at the time of the last duty change. (For example, beer duty was last increased in 1985.

  Table 2

  1987 duty rates

  11978 duty rates in 1987 terms

  2Estimated change in revenue if 1978 duty rates applied, full year, 1987–88

  £

  £

  £ million

  Alcoholic beverages:

  +120

  Beer

  25·80

  322·05 per hectolitre

  788
  Revalorisation since then would require an increase in the duty of 9·6 per cent. If beer duty were increased by 9·6 per cent. in 1987, it is estimated that consumption would fall by about 1 per cent., all other things being equal). The estimates are shown in table 1.

  The current value of the 1978 rates of duty and the estimated changes in revenue which would accrue if these duty rates were applied in 1987 are shown in table 2.

  Table 1

  Budget in which duty last increased

  Increase required in 1987 to revalorise since the last increase

  Estimated change in consumption in 1987 if duty increased in 1987 by revalorisation since last increase

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Alcoholic beverages:

  Beer

  1985

  9·6

  -1

  Cider

  1985

  9·6

  Less than -1

  Spirits

  1985

  9·6

  -5

  Wines

  1985

  9·6

  -3

  Tobacco:

  Cigarettes

  1986

  3·7

  -1

  Hand rolling

  1986

  3·7

  -1

  Cigars

  1984

  14·6

  -4

  Other

  1982

  27·3

  -7

  789

  1987 duty rates

  11978 duty rates in 1987 terms

  2Estimated change in revenue if 1978 duty rates applied, full year, 1987–88

  £

  £

  £ million

  Cider

  15·80

  11·01 per hectolitre

  Spirits

  15·77

  421·61 per litre

  Wines of fresh grape:

  not exceeding 15 per cent.

  98·00

  147·98 per hectolitre

  15 per cent., not exceeding 18 per cent.

  169·00

  170·73 per hectolitre

  18 per cent., not exceeding 22 per cent.

  194·90

  201·02 per hectolitre

  sparkling, not exceeding 15 per cent.

  168·00

  180·55 per hectolitre

  Tobacco:

  -1130

  Cigarettes

  30·61

  518·63 per 1000

  Hand rolling

  49·64

  41·98 per kilo

  Cigars

  47·05

  43·35 per kilo

  Other tobacco

  24·95

  33·31 per kilo

  1 Increased in line with the increase in the RPI from April 1987 to August 1987.

  2 Given the large changes in duty rates that would be required in some cases, these revenue estimates are subject to larger than normal margins of error.

  3 At 1030 degrees of original gravity. Each additional degree of original gravity is charged at one-thirtieth of this rate.

  4 Litre of alcohol.

  5 Specific duty only. Ad valorem duty is also charged.

  Personal Allowances
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table comparing information available to him on the allowances and reliefs given to single persons and one and two-earner married couples in Germany with those given in the United Kingdom, together with the width of the income hand at each rate of income tax chargeable.

  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will recalculate the figures given in the answer to the hon. Member for Kensington on 23 March 1987, Official Report, column 35, about personal allowances on the basis of the existing income tax rate of 27 per cent., and assuming weekly basic incomes of (a) £10, (b) £11 and (c) £12.

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

  Number of tax units1 liable to tax and income lax liability under the 1987–88 tax regime and the proposed regime

  1987–88 tax regime

  Proposed tax regime

  Tax units1

  Tax liability

  Tax units1

  Tax liability

  '000s

  £ million

  '000s

  £ million

  By range of income £ per year

  Under 5,000

  3,200

  900

  3,800

  1,000

  5,000–10,000

  7,400

  7,400

  7,700

  8,600

  10,000–15.000

  5,200

  9,400

  5,200

  11,100

  15,000–20,000

  2,700

  7,300

  2,700

  8,500

  20,000–30,000

  1,600

  7,400

  1,600

  8,500

  30,000–50,000

  600

  5,400

  600

  6,300

  Over 50,000

  200

  5,100

  200

  5,700

  All

  20,900

  43,000

  21,700

  49,900

  By type of taxpayer

  Single people

  9,500

  13,300

  9,500

  13,900

  Married couple

  without wife's earnings

  5,100

  11,500

  5,600

  14,200

  with wife's earnings

  6,300

  18,100

  6,700

  21,800

  All

  20,900

  43,000

  21,700

  49,900

  Totals may not he the sum of constituent parts due to rounding.

  1 Single people and married couples.

  Small Businesses (Taxation)
  Mr. Thurnham
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from small businesses about his taxation policies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend receives a number of representations on this subject from time to time.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer of reducing (a) the top income tax rate payable to 50 per cent. and (b) the basic rate of tax by 1 penny in the pound; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The direct revenue costs, in a full year, at 1987–88 levels of income, of reducing the top rate

  Personal Taxation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report tables showing by range of income for single persons and for one-earner and two-earner married couples, the number of tax units and the amount of tax payable in a full year at present rates of income tax compared with the amount which would be payable where (a) men and women are taxed separately with the abolition of the married man's allowance and the wife's earnings allowance, (b) all allowances and reliefs are restricted to the standard rate, (c) a reduced rate band at 21p equal in real terms to half the reduced-rate applicable in 1978–79 and (d) an increase in the standard rate to 29p.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Estimates are given in the table. I regret that further detail could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

  of income tax to 50 per cent. and of reducing the basic rate of income tax by 1 penny in the pound would he about £450 million and £1·3 billion respectively. These estimates do not allow for any possible behavioural effects.

  British Petroleum
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the limits he is setting in the proportion of the different categories of British Petroleum shares of £6·5 billion and £1·5 billion, respectively, that can be made available to (a) citizens in the United Kingdom, (b) domestic financial institutions and (c) foreign citizens or financial institutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Details of the combined BP share offer are set out in the prospectus, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The offer has been fully underwritten.

  The combined offer comprises:

  793

  (a) a fixed price offer, at an offer price of 330p per share payable in instalments, consisting of an initial allocation of 1,094 million ordinary shares for the general public and existing shareholders (except Her Majesty Treasury) in the United Kingdom and certain overseas countries and separate offers to existing shareholders in the United States, Canada and Japan; and

  (b) an international offer to United Kingdom institutional and overseas investors, at a price not less than the offer price (330p) also payable in inistalments, consisting of an intial allocation of 1,100 million ordinary shares.

  National Economic Development Council
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list (a) the members of the National Economic Development Council, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.

  Mr. Lawson
  Apart from myself, the current members of the National Economic Development Council are:

  The Secretary of State for Employment

  The Secretary of State for the Environment

  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  The Secretary of State for Education and Science

  The Secretary of State for Energy

  Mr. J. M. M. Banham

  Director General of the Confederationof British Industry

  Mr. R. Bickerstaffe

  General Secretary of the National Union of Public Employees

  >Mr. J. S. Cassels, CB

  Director General of the National Economic Development Office

  Mr. J. Edmonds

  General Secretary of the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union

  Sir Robert Haslam

  Chairman of British Coal

  Mr. C. Jenkins

  General Secretary of the Association of Scientific Technical and Managerial Staffs

  Mr. W. Jordan

  President of the Amalgamated Engineering Union

  The Rt. Hon. Robin Leigh-Pemberton

  Governor of the Bank of England

  Dr. J. S. McFarlane CBE

  Director General of the Engineering Employers' Federation

  The Lord Marshall of Goring, CBE, FRS

  Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board

  Mr. D. A. G. Monk

  Chairman and Chief Executive, The Dee Corporation plc

  Sir Bryan Nicholson

  Chairman of the Manpower Services Commission

  Sir David Nickson, KPE, DL

  President of the Confederation of British Industry and Chairman of Scottish and Newcastle Breweries plc

  Mr. T. J. O'Connor

  Chairman and Managing Director, ELTA Plastics Ltd.

  Sir Thomas Risk

  Governor of the Bank of Scotland

  Mr. R. Todd

  General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union

  Mrs. R. E. Waterhouse, CBE

  Chairman of the Consumers Association

  Mr. N. Willis

  General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress

  There are no specific qualifications for NEDC membership. I appoint members because they are likely to make valuable contributions to the council's discussions of industrial and economic matters, taking into account the views of the CBI and TUC.
  794
  Six of the present NEDC members were nominated by the TUC. None of these are women.

  Taxation Statistics
  Mr. John Marshall
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to how the top rate of tax in the United Kingdom compares with that in the other European Community countries, Japan and the United States of America.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information requested is given in the table, which is supplemented by notes.

  EC countries

  Top rate of income tax

  Per cent.

  Belgium

  72

  Denmark

  40

  France

  58

  Germany

  56

  Greece

  63

  Ireland

  58

  Italy

  62

  Luxembourg

  56

  Netherlands

  72

  Portugal

  60

  Spain

  66

  United Kingdom

  60

  Others

  Japan

  60

  United States of America

  38·5

  Notes:

  1. The rates shown are the latest enacted. For Belgium, France, Greece and Italy they relate to the income tax year 1986; for Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Japan and the United States of America to the income tax year 1987; and for the United Kingdom and Ireland to the income tax year 1987–88.

  2. In Japan the top rate for employment income is 57 per cent. only.

  3. The rates given in the table are central Government income tax rates. Local income taxes are levied on income of all types in Belgium, Denmark, Japan and the United States of America. Inclusion of local income taxes would increase the top rate significantly in Denmark, to 68 per cent., and in Japan, to 76 per cent, (employment income 72 per cent.), taking the maximum local income taxes rate in Denmark, and the usual rates in Japan.

  4. In Portugal top rates vary with the type of income, and the taxpayer's marital status. The rate given is for a married man who has earned income only.

  Management and Computer Consultancy
  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated expenditure in the current year on management and computer consultancy by (a) the Inland Revenue, (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and (c) the Department of National Savings.

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

  Mr. Tim Smith
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated expenditure of all Government Departments in the current year on management and computer consultancy.

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

  Revenue Costs
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list for each tax and excise duty the estimated cost

  795
  of collection as a proportion of the total revenue collected; and if he will make a statement showing how this information is used as a management tool by the Inland Revenue, and Her Majesty's Government's Customs and Excise;

  (2) if the cost of collection of any tax or duty forms part of the management reporting systems of the Inland Revenue and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The cost yield ratios for 1985–86 were as follows:

  per cent.

  Inland Revenue

  Income tax

  —employment income

  1·60

  —other income

  5·19

  Corporation tax

  0·58

  Capital gains tax

  1·70

  Capital transfer tax and estate duty

  2·32

  Stamp duties

  0·59

  Petroleum revenue tax/supplementary petroleum duty

  0·018

  Customs and Excise

  VAT

  1·04

  Car tax

  0·22

  Hydrocarbon oil

  0·13

  Alcoholic drink

  0·69

  Tobacco products

  0·08

  Betting and gaming

  0·87

  Matches/mechanical lighters

  1·12

  Customs duties and associated work1

  11·61

  1 Customs duties are not normally classified as taxes or excise duties but they are included here for completeness. The cost of their collection includes a substantial amount for non-revenue-raising work such as the prevention of drug smuggling and the enforcement of other prohibitions and restrictions.

  Movements in the cost yield ratios of individual taxes and duties are monitored closely and are published in the annual public expenditure White Paper and in the report of the Board of Inland Revenue and the report of the Board of Customs and Excise. Cost yield ratios are only one of a number of factors that are taken into account by management both in advising Ministers about tax policy and in assessing administrative efficiency.

  Britannia Coins
  Mr. Alan Williams
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any steps have been taken to ensure that no South African gold is used in the new Britannia coins.

  Mr. Lawson
  The Royal Mint will not use South African Rand refinery bar for the production of Britannia coins.

  Child Benefit
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish figures showing for families with one to four children the income break-even levels, in pounds sterling per week and as percentages of average male manual earnings, at which child benefit entitlement is the same as income tax liability;

  (2) if he will estimate how many and what proportion of families with children receive more in child benefit than they pay out in income tax.

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

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Birds (Scare Guns)
  Mr. Yeo
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the use of crop guns to scare birds.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  During 1987 my Department has received several approaches from campaigners connected with the Birdscarers Anti Nuisance Group and has been sent 36 letters from members of the public about bird scaring, which supported tighter control, or a ban, on the use of audible bird scarers.

  The National Farmers Union has written about its code of practice on the use of such devices. A United Kingdom manufacturer has written drawing attention to the scope for controlling his firm's audible devices and disputing the need for a ban to prevent nuisance.

  Horses
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure the segregation of mares, geldings and stallions whilst they ale in transit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 requires mares with foals at foot arid stallions to be penned separately whilst in transit. The responsibilty for enforcement rests with local authorities.

  Sea Defences
  Mr. David Porter
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify the new arrangements for local authorities funding of non emergency sea defence work; if he will make a statement about sea defences; and if he will make it his policy to treat sea defence as a national responsibility, rather than a coastal authority matter.

  Mr. Gummer
  I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Food Additives
  Mr. Lawrence
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he proposes to introduce stricter controls on the use of colour additives in food; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Following the publication of the Food Advisory Committee report on colouring matter in foods on 30 March, I circulated for comment proposals to implement three of the report's recommendations, namely those banning the use of colours in baby foods, removing yellow 2G from the permitted list, and preventing the use of methyl violet for marking citrus fruits. I expect to be laying those regulations before Parliament shortly.

  I shall also be issuing a further statement as soon as representations on the remaining recommendations in the report have been fully considered.

  National Food Survey Committee
  Ms. Richardson asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list (a) the members

  797
  of the National Food Survey Committee, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The answers to the questions are given below.

  (a) and (c) The present membership of the committee and their relevant qualifications are as follows:
  C. W. Capstick, CMG, BSc MS (Chairman), Director of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  J. A. Beaumont, BSc, PhD, Chief Executive of the Institute of Grocery Distribution
  A. D. Chesher, BSocSc, Professor of Econometrics, University of Bristol
  R. N. Crossett, BSc B Agric, DPhil Chief Scientist (Fisheries and Food), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  G. I. Forbes, FRACMA, FACOM, MFCM, LRCS&P, DTM&H, DPH, DMSA, DIH Senior Medical Officer, Scottish Home and Health Department
  C. Ritson, BA, MAgriSc Professor of Agricultural Marketing, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
  J. M. Slater, BSc, MS PhD Head of Economics and Statistics (Food) Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  R. G. Whitehead, BSc PhD MA FIBiol Director of Dunn Nutrition Unit, Medical Research Council
  P. Wilson, BA MA Chief Social Survey Officer, Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.
  M. J. Wiseman, MB, MRCP Head of Nutrition Unit, Department of Health and Social Security

  Secretaries:
  D. H. Buss, PhD, FIFST Principal Scientific Officer, Food Science Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  G. Croft, BSc,. MSc, FSS Statistician, Economics and Statistics (Food) Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  (b) The Committee includes officials responsible for administering the survey and other members are selected to reflect particular expertise necessary to ensure that the survey is run efficiently. For instance, advice on survey methods is sought from statisticians, on nutritional aspects from within the food science profession and on econometric analysis from University economists.

  (d) none

  (e) none

  Sheep (Sale Restrictions)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many lambs and sheep are under restriction for sale in England as a result of nuclear accidents in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  None.

  Sugar
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to the reply of 24 July,Official Report, column 615, he will state the receipts from the sugar elimination levy from each relevant member of the European Community since its introduction.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested is as follows (million ECU):

  1986

  l1987

  Belgium

  5·3

  6·7

  Denmark

  2·9

  3·6

  Germany

  21·1

  26·7

  Greece

  0·6

  0·9

  798

  1986

  11987

  Spain

  0·0

  0·0

  France

  24·6

  30·7

  Ireland

  0·7

  0·7

  Italy

  3·8

  5·7

  Luxembourg

  0·0

  0·0

  Netherlands

  6·0

  7·6

  Portugal

  0·0

  0·0

  United Kingdom

  3·5

  4·3

  Total EC

  68·3

  86·9

  1 Forecast.

  Source: Preliminary draft general budget 1988.

  Note: Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding.

  Council of Agriculture Ministers
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in Luxembourg on 19–20 October 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Council considered further the Commission's proposals for the important and necessary changes in the support arrangements — the so-called "stabilisers"—to bring costs under much better control. After a discussion on general principles at the September Council, this Council meeting began the task of considering the proposals for individual commodities in specific terms. I made clear that, for the stabilisers to be effective, it was essential to take decisions on details and not just on framework mechanisms in advance of the December meeting of the European Council, and I emphasised to my agricultural colleagues the urgency of their reaching agreement on this.

  The Council had a first debate on related Commission proposals for income aids to mitigate the effect of stricter price policy for farmers with relatively low incomes. Most member states, including ourselves, had substantial reservations on the present proposals.

  Finally, the Council achieved a reconciliation with the European Parliament on the details of a regulation which will change the system whereby the Commission reimburses member states for EAGGF expenditure, from monthly advances to payments in arrears. This change will strengthen control over Community expenditure and help to contain 1987 expenditure within the budget provision.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages since 1960 has had on accidents and on the demand for health care; and what further increase is expected in the next 10 years at the present rate of consumption.

  Mrs. Currie
  Although alcohol is known to be a factor in accidents of all kinds, central information is available only in respect of alcohol-related road traffic accidents. The tables set out information on alcohol-related accident injuries and deaths since 1976 and 1978 respectively, the earliest years from which information in this form has been collected.
  799

  Drivers and riders in injury road accidents: breath tests and breath test failures: Great Britain: 1976–1986

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  (a) Total involved

  396,733

  411,565

  414,579

  397,595

  391,870

  390,736

  401,460

  377,289

  396,735

  389,473

  397,671

  (b) Total tested

  36,143

  37,178

  39,461

  40,983

  41,632

  41,027

  43,341

  42,265

  43,461

  44,702

  61,218

  (c) Total failed

  12,131

  11,852

  12,965

  14,085

  13,421

  12,303

  13,494

  12,432

  12,557

  12,557

  11,946

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  b as percentage of a

  9·1

  9·0

  9·5

  10·3

  10·6

  10·5

  10·8

  11·2

  11·0

  11·5

  15·4

  c as percentage of b

  33·6

  31·9

  32·9

  34·4

  32·2

  30·0

  31·1

  29·4

  28·9

  28·1

  19·5

  c as percentage of a

  3·1

  2·9

  3·1

  3·5

  3·4

  3·1

  3·4

  3·3

  3·2

  3·2

  3·0

  Drivers and riders killed in Great Britain: percentage over the legal blood alcohol limit: 1978–1986

  Two-wheel motor vehicle riders

  Cars and other motor vehicles

  Year

  16–19

  20–24

  25–29

  30–39

  40–49

  50

  All ages

  16–19

  20–24

  25–29

  30–39

  40–49

  50

  All ages

  1978

  22

  44

  32

  31

  25

  7

  29

  41

  52

  44

  36

  20

  16

  33

  1979

  26

  39

  39

  45

  18

  20

  31

  37

  43

  46

  46

  29

  15

  32

  1980

  23

  38

  39

  35

  29

  24

  29

  35

  45

  40

  38

  35

  17

  32

  1981

  17

  39

  41

  42

  20

  29

  28

  21

  44

  47

  41

  39

  9

  31

  1982

  17

  43

  47

  31

  14

  19

  29

  32

  48

  54

  52

  30

  15

  36

  1983

  17

  26

  42

  26

  8

  —

  23

  30

  42

  46

  45

  25

  8

  31

  1984

  25

  30

  30

  29

  31

  16

  27

  20

  41

  36

  30

  22

  12

  26

  1985

  15

  27

  33

  36

  7

  14

  22

  25

  36

  42

  39

  23

  10

  28

  19861

  16

  27

  36

  32

  19

  4

  22

  23

  40

  34

  35

  29

  10

  27

  1 Provisional.

  Trends in the numbers of drink-drive accidents have been affected more by changes in legislation and police enforcement efforts than by changes in per capita alcohol consumption.

  The demand for health care arising from alcohol-related accidents cannot be separately identified.

  Recent research has estimated that alcohol misuse in England and Wales cost the National Health Service £112 million in 1985 in respect of in-patient treatment and GP services alone.

  Government efforts are directed towards reducing accidents and other forms of alcohol-related harm. The new ministerial group on alcohol misuse will provide a single focus for developing and co-ordinating future Government strategy against alcohol misuse.

  Cancer Screening
  Mr. Chapman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in the introduction of a cervical cytology call and recall system in Barnet.

  Mrs. Currie
  The cervical cytology call and recall scheme operated by Barnet family practitioner committee was brought into operation in January 1986. The scheme, which is computerised, initially covered women between the ages of 35 and 65 who were registered with a GP: it was extended in July 1987 to cover women over the age of 20.

  Social Security Appeals System
  Mr. Pike
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he proposes to take any new steps to speed up the social security appeals system.

  Mr. Portillo
  In the last quarter of 1986 the average time taken to process a social security appeal from lodgement to hearing was estimated to be 15·4 weeks. Responsibility for the administrative handling of social security appeals rests partly with DHSS and partly with 800
  the President of Social Security Appeal Tribunals and Medical Appeal Tribunals. I know that the President, his Honour Judge Byrt, shares my concern at the length of time being taken for appeals to be heard.

  In 1986 a central management survey team examined the procedures for handling appeals in DHSS offices. A final report is expected later this year and its recommendations will be closely studied. Next year the Government are introducing the social fund which will have its own system of reviews and will not be subject to appeal. This should considerably reduce the volume of appeals and should lead to a reduction in average clearance times. In the longer term, the departmental operational strategy, and in particular the computerisation of the assessment of entitlement to income support, should lead to improved standards of initial decision making and hence a reduced work load for tribunals.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the number of Scottish pensioners who have lost (a) up to £1 per week, (b) between £1 and £4 per week and (c) over £4 per week as a result of changes introduced in April;

  (2) if he will estimate the average loss to pensioners in Scotland of housing benefit changes introduced in April;

  (3) if he will estimate the number of pensioners in Scotland who have lost housing benefit completely as a result of the changes introduced in April;

  (4) what is the number of pensioners and percentage of pensioners who have lost (a) some housing benefit and (b) all housing benefit, breaking the figures down between local authority tenants and private tenants, in Scotland. as a result of the April changes.

  Mr. Portillo
  I regret that breakdowns of estimates of the effects of the changes to the housing benefit scheme in April 1987 are not available separately for Scottish households.
  801
  Mr. Foulkes
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his most recent estimate of the numbers of retirement pensioners who will be worse off by (a) up to £1 per week, (b) between £1 and £2 per week, (c) between £2 and £3 per week, (d) between £3 and £4 per week, (e) between £4 and £5 per week, and (f) £5 per week or over when housing benefit supplement is withdrawn in April 1988.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information is not available on which to base an estimate. However, claims for people receiving housing benefit supplement immediately before the introduction of the reformed social security schemes will automatically be assessed for entitlement to income support as well as for reformed housing benefit.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his most recent estimate of the number of pensioners who have capital in excess of £6,000 and who receive housing benefit.

  Mr. Portillo
  We do not collect specific information about amounts of capital held by households who receive housing benefit. The 1984 and 1985 family expenditure surveys included questions on income from capital and it is possible to use this information to make broad estimates, although these may not be very reliable. On this basis, it is estimated that currently somewhat over one third of a million pensioners in receipt of standard housing benefit have capital over £6,000.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the transitional protection to be afforded to recipients of supplementary benefit in April 1988 will also be afforded to recipients of housing benefit supplement.

  Mr. Portillo
  No, transitional protection will not be afforded to recipients of housing benefit supplement—they will be treated in the same way as other claimants of standard housing benefit. However, all housing benefit supplement recipients will automatically be assessed for Income Support to ensure that those who are entitled to income support receive it without the need for a separate claim.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he proposes to alter the basis of housing benefit from household income to individual income on the introduction of the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The provisions in housing benefit to assess the resources of couples jointly will continue. Non-dependant deductions, currently made in respect of a contribution by the non-dependant towards domestic rates, will not be needed when the community charge has replaced domestic rates.

  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received on the need for housing benefit to cover emergency alarm systems for elderly, infirm and disabled people living in dispersed housing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have received representations from the local authority associations and from organisations representing the elderly on the eligibility for housing benefit of the costs of charges for emergency alarm systems. The reformed housing benefit scheme carries forward our existing policy that housing benefit covers 802
  only those costs which are directly related to accommodation requirements. In response to comments on the reformed scheme, the final draft regulations recently issued to the local authority associations for consultation make it clear that charges for emergency alarm systems will be eligible for housing benefit where they are provided in any accommodation which is particularly suitable for elderly, sick or disabled people.

  Interdepartmental Group for Under-fives
  Mr. Rathbone
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when last the interdepartmental group for under-fives met; and if he will make a statement about what was discussed;

  (2) what future plans he has for the interdepartmental group for under fives.

  Mrs. Currie
  The interdepartmental consultative group on provision for under-fives met, under the Chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Minister for Health, with the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the National Association of Health Authorities, and representatives of the voluntary sector on 12 October. The matters discussed were the White Paper on the Law on Child Care and Family Services, co-ordination of services for under fives, training, the involvement of the Manpower Services Commission with services for under fives and the Under Fives Initiative. It was agreed that the group would meet with the same bodies before Easter. We intend that there shall in future be annual meetings of the group.

  Tardive Dyskinesia
  Mr. Vaz
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken, in the light of research asserting a link between the phenothiazines, a class of major tranquillisers, and tardive dyskinesia in some recipients, to monitor the incidence of this complaint; and what steps are being taken to limit the use of these drugs by the psychiatric profession, and their promotion by drug companies.

  Mrs. Currie
  Research, which has clearly shown the value of phenothiazines in the treatment of certain serious psychiatric illnesses, has also shown that a proportion of patients taking them may suffer symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. The Committee on Safety of Medicines monitors all suspected adverse drug reactions through reports from doctors. Its publication "Current Problems Number 4" in April 1979 specifically covered tardive dyskinesia, and advised doctors treating psychiatric patients to give careful consideration to the risk-benefit ratio.

  A number of studies have been published from which psychiatrists and other doctors can assess the degree of risk in different circumstances. The Licensing authority, with advice from the Committee, ensures that data sheets (sent by the manufacturer to all doctors) give appropriate information about adverse reactions and that advertisements are consistent with data sheets.

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Mr. Vaz
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research has been conducted or commissioned into the efficacy of electro-convulsive therapy for psychiatric

  803
  conditions; what information he has as to the incidence of its use and its receptance as a valid method of treatment by the medical profession; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  There has been a considerable volume of research recently both regarding the efficacy of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) for different patient groups and regarding the method of treatment. This research has confirmed that ECT is a very effective treatment for certain clinical conditions, and has made it clearer which conditions are best treated with ECT; it also confirmed that when properly administered its side effects are very slight.

  The number of courses of treatment has tended to fall gradually in recent years. ECT is widely accepted as an effective treatment within the medical profession; the falling number of people being treated with ECT is likely to reflect the greater knowledge now available about the types of conditions most suitably treated with ECT and the availability of other treatments.

  Royal Northern Hospital (Islington)
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representation he has received concerning the future of the Royal Northern hospital, Islington district health authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  None.

  Supplementary Benefit
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current number of supplementary benefit claimants in (a) Finsbury Park and (b) Highgate offices of his Department; and what were the relevant figures for the three previous years.

  Mr. Portillo
  The number of people in receipt of supplementary benefit from the Finsbury Park and Highgate Local Offices, on 28 July 1987 (the latest date for which information is available) and for the years 1984 to 1986, are:

  Finsbury Park

  Highgate

  28 July 1987

  21,303

  18,844

  13 August 1986

  20,180

  19,037

  31 July 1985

  18,023

  18,331

  31 July 1984

  17,507

  17,072

  Source 100 per cent. count of cases in action.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment has been made of the financial losses sustained by lone parents who are currently affected by the requirement in the supplementary benefit regulations that they must register as available for work once their children reach the age of 16 years.

  Mr. Portillo
  A lone parent who has been in receipt of the long term rate of supplementary benefit and who becomes required to be available for employment when she no longer has a dependant child under 16 will move to the short term rate with a weekly loss of £8·25 if a householder, £6·60 if a non-householder or £1·15 if, unusually, a boarder. Under the proposed income support scheme there will be no distinctions between long and short term rates, or between householders and non-householders. The family and the lone parent premiums 804
  will continue to be payable so long as a child or young person is a member of the family whether or not the lone parent is required to be available for work.

  Administration and Medical Secretaries
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what restrictions are placed on the part or full-time employment of qualified administration or medical secretaries on grounds of age.

  Mr. Newton
  None, beyond retirement age policies which are determined locally by employing health authorities and the law governing the employment of young people.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many married women who applied for the invalid care allowance following his announcement in June 1986 are still waiting for the benefit; what percentage that figure represents of the total number of applicants: how many of those applied before the original closing date of 31 December 1986; and when he estimates that all the applicants will have received the benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  At 9 October some 130,600 invalid care allowance claims had been received from married women of which about 18,700 (14.3 per cent.) were awaiting decision. These claims, including around 8,000 received up to 31 December 1986, will be cleared as quickly as possible. The question inadvertently implies a final date for claims; although claims received after 31 August 1987 do not attract extra-statutory arrears in excess of 12 months, the statutory entitlement to current benefit and up to 12 months arrears in appropriate circumstances, will continue indefinitely.

  Telephone Exchange for the Deaf
  Mr. Heddle
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to have further discussions with representatives of British Telecom and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf on the future of funding and extension of the telephone exchange for the deaf (TED); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand that there has been a meeting between British Telecom and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf about the future of the RNID telephone exchange for the deaf. Discussions are now proceeding urgently between British Telecom and the Government Departments concerned.

  Benefits
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the staff on his Department are engaged in publicising the existence of welfare benefits to potential beneficiaries; what percentage of his staff this represents; what is the cost of this service; and what proportion of the expenditure of his Department this represents.

  Mr. Portillo
  Advising potential beneficiaries of the existence of welfare benefits forms a part of the work of all staff in the local office network. Information on the proportion of staff time spent in this way is not collected
  805
  centrally. It is not therefore possible to provide the cost of this service. The Department's planned expenditure on promotional literature and advertising of Social Security benefits in the 1987–88 financial year is £11 million.

  AIDS
  Sir David Price
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for the number of (a) cases of and (b) deaths from AIDS.

  Mr. Newton
  The Department announced on 5 October that a United Kingdom total of 1,067 cases of AIDS, including 605 deaths, had been reported to the communicable diseases surveillance centre and the communicable diseases (Scotland) unit by the end of September.

  Maternity Payments
  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will be sending a leaflet about the new maternity payments to family income supplement claimants who have notified the Department that a child has been born; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given today to her other question about maternity payments in which I have outlined the measures which we have taken to inform family income supplement recipients about social fund maternity payments.

  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he intends to inform people who claim family income supplement that they are now entitled to claim the new maternity payment.

  Mr. Portillo
  The new arrangements for making maternity payments under the social fund were introduced on 6 April 1987. A leaflet setting out the various social security benefits available to expectant and new mothers and a related poster are available for display in all DHSS local offices, main Post Offices and ante-natal clinics. The leaflet is also available through family practitioners. Copies of an integrated leaflet and application form used for claiming the social fund maternity payment are available in DHSS local offices and ante-natal clinics. Additionally both the family income supplement leaflet and the related letter which is sent to notify claimants of the amount of benefit awarded draw attention to the fact that help from the social fund may be available. Similar arrangements will be made in the leaflets relating to the new family credit scheme commencing in April 1988 and in the information sent to successful claimants.

  Funeral Payments
  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services where the leaflets and application forms for the new funeral payments will be displayed.

  Mr. Portillo
  The new arrangements for payment for funeral expenses under the social fund were introduced on 6 April 1987. Copies of an integrated leaflet and application form are available in DHSS local offices and offices of Registrars of Births, Marriages and Deaths. A leaflet which draws attention to social fund funeral payments and other social security benefits which are 806
  available, in appropriate circumstances, to bereaved people, is displayed in DHSS local offices and main Post Offices.

  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he intends to inform housing benefit and family income supplement claimants that they can now claim the new funeral payments.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given today to her other question about funeral payments. Additionally, the family income supplement leaflet and the letter which is sent to notify the amount of benefit awarded draw attention to the fact that help from the social fund may be available. Leaflets for the reformed housing benefit and the new family credit schemes will carry a similar message from next April.

  Funeral and Maternity Payments
  Ms. Harman
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has made any provision for extra staff in his Department's local supplementary benefit offices to administer the new funeral and maternity payments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  A total of 224 staff have been allocated to local social security offices this year for the administration of funeral and maternity payments.

  Hospitals (Birmingham)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make extra resources available to hospitals in Birmingham to update kitchens as a result of the loss of Crown immunity.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have no plans to do so. Central guidance has, for a number of years, indicated that health authorities are expected to establish working practices as if they were not immune from legal penalty. Last July the chairman of West Midlands regional health authority announced that an additional £3 million was being spent on hospital kitchens in Birmingham following discussions with the city's environmental health officers on hygiene issues.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals in Birmingham have lost training status in the past one, two, and three years; and in each case for what reasons.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Department does not collect routinely detailed information about training recognition. The hon. Member may, therefore, wish to approach the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many beds and wards are currently closed in Birmingham hospitals; and how this compares with the situation one, five and 10 years ago;

  (2) how many health authorities in Birmingham have discontinued a home laundry service;

  (3) in which Birmingham hospitals the asbestos removal programme has been abandoned; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what is his best estimate of the numbers of patients of Birmingham hospitals with treatable conditions who have become incurable in the past 12 months.
  807
  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to write to the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority who may be able to help him.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the new policy initiatives from his Department in the past two years insofar as they affect hospitals in Birmingham; and if he will give details of the extra resources made available to carry out each initiative.

  Mrs. Currie
  In general, the Department does not allocate funds for specific purposes. It is for each health authority to determine how the funds available to it should be spent bearing in mind the Government's policy aims and objectives.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on current policy regarding transfers of patients from Rampton hospital to St. Margaret's hospital, Great Barr, Birmingham.

  Mrs. Currie
  There is no specific policy with regard to the transfer of Rampton hospital patients to St. Margaret's hospital, Great Barr, Birmingham.

  Once it is considered that a patient no longer needs treatment in conditions of special security, the possibility of transfer from special hospital to another hospital or, if appropriate, discharge into the community is explored by the patient's responsible medical officer. Transfer to a National Health Service hospital must first be agreed between the patient's responsible medical officer and the appropriate NHS consultant. Where the transfer of a special hospital patient proves to be difficult there are arrangements for this Department to take up the case with the appropriate regional health authority. Permanent transfer is often preceded by a period of trial leave. In the case of a restricted patient the prior approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department is required before any move outside the special hospital can take place.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy not to restrict the use of hospitals in Birmingham to residents of Birmingham.

  Mrs. Currie
  District general hospitals are expected to provide services for their local population as are teaching hospitals in addition to their wider responsibilities. General practitioners may however refer a patient to the consultant whom they consider will be of the greatest benefit to their patient.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the future of regional specialities of hospitals in Birmingham.

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

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the current funding of hospitals in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have received a number of letters from hon. Members and members of the public about the funding of health services in Birmingham. Since 1979 the number of inpatients treated in Birmingham has increased by 12 per cent. and the number of patients waiting for treatment has fallen by 22 per cent. By any measure this 808
  is a success story made possible by increased resources and the dedication of the staff. Having discussed the current situation in Birmingham with the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority, I am confident that the best possible service will continue to be provided to patients within the available resources.

  As the hon. Member is aware however, financial allocations to districts are a matter for the regional health authority.

  Orthopaedic Surgery (Birmingham)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for shortening waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery in Birmingham.

  Mrs. Currie
  The five Birmingham health districts are between them receiving £828,000 from the waiting list fund which will enable their hospitals to carry out 1,500–2,000 extra orthopaedic operations and take over 400 additional out-patient cases from the waiting list in 1987–88. The precise number of procedures performed will depend on case-mix. The projects being supported include the provision of an additional operating theatre at the Royal Orthopaedic hospital (Woodlands) which will have a continuing impact on the number of patients treated. In addition the Bromsgrove and Redditch District Health Authority is receiving £120,000 to treat 150 orthopaedic in-patients from the South Birmingham waiting lists, the people living within the East Birmingham District will benefit from a project to carry out over 130 extra orthopaedic operations for £75,000 in the Solihull DHA.

  Birmingham Health Authorities
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out figures for revenue spending for the Birmingham health authorities in 1982–83 at 1985–86 values together with the figure for 1985–86; and what account these figures take of demographic changes in addition to inflation.

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

  Mortality Statistics
  Mr. Nellist
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men aged 65 years and over, and women aged 60 years and over, have died in each month since July 1985.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information is shown in the table. The latest available data are for December 1986.

  Deaths occurring to men aged 65 and women 60, England and Wales: July 1985 to December 1986

  Month of occurrence

  Males 65+

  Women 60+

  1985

  July

  15,383

  19,213

  August

  15,422

  18,970

  September

  15,334

  18,686

  October

  16,169

  20,110

  November

  18,389

  22,630

  December

  19,232

  24,050

  1986

  January

  22,041

  28,334

  809

  Month of occurrence

  Males 65+

  Women 60+

  February

  21,219

  26,822

  March

  21,371

  27,726

  April

  17,293

  21,449

  May

  16,410

  19,212

  June

  15,750

  19,373

  July

  15,242

  18,829

  August

  15,761

  19,147

  September

  15,901

  19,666

  October

  16,248

  19,782

  November

  16,516

  20,321

  December

  18,608

  22,815

  Pension Books
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on the abolition of retirement pension books in favour of bank cash cards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have no plans for either the abolition of order books or the introduction of bank cash cards as a method of paying social security benefits.

  London Boroughs (Fostering Schemes)
  Mr. Janner
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those London boroughs which have adult fostering schemes for people with learning difficulties.

  Mrs. Currie
  Comprehensive information is not available centrally. However, it is known that a number of London boroughs operate or are planning to operate "adult fostering" schemes for mentally handicapped people.

  Family Credit
  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information the new family credit form requires claimants to give about their current savings and capital.

  Mr. Portillo
  For family income supplement, claimants are required only to declare the amount of any interest they receive from savings and capital; but for family credit it is necessary to know the value of the savings and capital. In preparation for the conversion of existing family income supplement recipients to family credit from next April the form asks them to declare whether they have any savings worth more than £2,000 and if any of their children have savings worth more than £2,000, and if so to give details. It also asks whether they own any property or land.

  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why, in the light of the current savings and capital limit of £3,000 for supplementary benefit, he has decided to ask family income supplement claimants to declare savings below the present capital limit when completing the family credit claim form.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information about savings and capital is being sought on the same basis as on supplementary benefit claim forms. Claimants are asked to provide details where savings are above £2,000. This is appropriate since some assets have to be valued at more than the nominal amount (for example shares or National Savings Certificates).

  Income Support
  Ms. Abbott
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will amend the draft income support regulations so as to exempt lone parents from the requirement to register as available for full-time work while they are in receipt of a dependant allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The present policy of exempting a lone parent only while there is a dependant child under 16 has applied since 1948 and it recognises that a parent in this position is no longer prevented from seeking work by the need to care for a young child and that it is generally in the person's own interests to seek work when in this situation. The requirement does not, of course, apply if the person is in one of the other exempted groups which are listed in Schedule 1 of the draft Income Support (General) Regulations—for example because she is over 50, has not worked for 10 years, has not been required to be available for work during that period and has no prospect of future employment.

  Kidney Stones (Treatment)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there are no shock wave machines for the treatment of patients with kidney stones in the west midlands region.

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

  Kidney Patients (Birmingham)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many kidney patients with a treatable condition have been rejected by National Health Service hospitals in Birmingham in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not available centrally. The Government are fully committed to the expansion of services for patients with end stage renal failure. In 1986 the West Midlands regional health authority reached the required national target for accepting new patients on to its renal programme and is investing additional resources of some £640,000 this year in support of its programme.

  Child Raising (Costs)
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what deduction can be drawn from the family expenditure survey as to the proportion of the average costs of raising one child, taking medium income in 1985 for a couple with one child as the reference point, which is covered by child benefit at the current rate.

  Mr. Portillo
  Relevant information could not be extracted from the Family Expenditure Survey without disproportionate expense. But in any event, child benefit helps towards the extra costs faced by families with children, and is not intended to meet those costs in full nor to bear a specific relationship to the costs individual families may incur.

  Family Taxation
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures showing for

  811
  1975, 1980 and 1985 the numbers of lower paid single people with and without children, and of lower paid families with and without children, whose marginal tax rates including benefit withdrawal were (a) over 100 per cent. (b) 90–100 per cent., (c) 80–90 per cent., (d) 70–80 per cent., (e) 60–70 per cent., (f) 50–60 per cent., and (g) 40–50 per cent; and if he will compare these figures with the numbers likely to be similarly affected after implementation of the Social Security Act 1986 in April 1988.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information for 1975 and 1980 is not readily available and results for April 1988 will depend on rates of benefit, income tax and national insurance which have yet to be announced. The available information for November 1985, which cannot readily be disaggregated into single people and married couples, is as follows:

  Working families with children

  Marginal tax rate (per cent.)

  Numbers (000)

  Over 50 below 60

  140

  Over 60 below 70

  100

  Over 70 below 80

  —

  Over 80 below 90

  110

  Over 90 below 100

  60

  100 and over

  70

  Total over 50 per cent.

  480

  Working families without children

  Marginal tax rate (per cent.)

  Numbers (000)

  Over 50 below 60

  90

  Over 60 below 70

  60

  Over 70 below 80

  —

  Over 80 below 90

  50

  Over 90 below 100

  —

  100 and over

  —

  Total 50 per cent, and over

  200

  Notes:

  Sources:

  (a) Working families with children: 1983, 1984, 1985 Family Expenditure Surveys.

  (b) Working families without children: 1985 Family Expenditure Survey.

  2. November 1985 benefit rates have been assumed throughout.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether two separate systems of rebates will be required during the phasing in of community charge; one system for domestic rates and one for community charge.

  Mr. Portillo
  Phasing in of community charge will only occur in England. During the transitional period in England, rebates will be available both for domestic rates and for the community charge. The operational details of the rebate scheme are still being considered in consultation with local authorities.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there will be facilities for community charge rebates to be paid daily to those liable for collective community charge and eligible for community charge rebates.
  812
  Mr. Portillo
  The operational details of the community charge rebate scheme are still being considered in consultation with local authorities.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Shoe Industry
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what financial support has been give to the British shoe industry through the British Overseas 'Trade Board since 1974–75, both in absolute and real terms, including the budget for the current financial year.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The BOTB does not allocate funds or generally keep records of financial assistance to industry sectors. However, some information on overseas trade fairs sponsored by BFMF (British Footwear Manufactures Federation) and SATRA Footwear Technology Centre is available as follows:

  Year

  Support

  At 1987–8 prices

  £

  £

  1983–84

  46,688

  55,643

  1984–85

  25,929

  29,599

  1985–86

  79,629

  85,723

  1986–87

  33,490

  34,997

  This year support for trade fairs is estimated at £17,798.

  EC (Steel Industry)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, since March 1987, when and where talks have taken place between Government and Commission officials on the issue of European Economic Community steel industry production capacity and job cuts; and what views were put forward by each side at these meetings.

  Mr. Atkins
  Three Councils of Ministers — on 19 March, 1 June and 21 September—have considered the future of the European steel regime. In preparation for these there have been a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings involving United Kingdom Ministers and officials and the Commission and frequent contacts between the United Kingdom permanent representation in Brussels and the Commission. Following unanimous agreement at the most recent Council of Ministers on the need for restrictions to ensure the future viability of the Community steel industry the Commission has appointed "Three Wise Men" to advise on how adequate commitments to reduction of production capacity can be obtained.

  Post Office
  Mr. Fayell
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to privatise the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  No. It is the Government's view that there are significant benefits to be gained in transferring activities from the public to the private sector. Nevertheless, we have made it clear that because of its special character we have no intention of privatising the Royal Mail; but we do not rule out other parts of the Post Office as possible candidates where privatisation is practicable and makes commercial sense, though we have not yet come to any conclusions.

  Film Distribution Scheme
  Mr. Favell
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he proposes to take on the report of the Director General of Fair Trading on the experimental film distribution scheme in Greater Manchester and Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  I am considering what action might be appropriate in the light of the Director General of Fair Trading's assessment of the results of the Manchester and Glasgow film releasing experiment, and intend to consult the industry as soon as is practicable about such action.

  Mr. Ben Banerjee
  Mr. Dalyell
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his Department's examination of the case of Mr. Ben Banerjee in relation to the export of arms to Iran.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I am not aware there has been any breach of United Kingdom Government export control regulations by Mr. Banerjee and therefore no examination is taking place.

  Mail (Russia)
  Mr. John Marshall
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many representations have been made to the Russian authorities during the past four years about their violations of international postal conventions.

  Mr. Butcher
  As I said in reply to a question from my hon. Friend on 20 July, at columns 85–86, the Post Office and my officials take every opportunity to express concern to Soviet postal authorities in international postal forums about the non-delivery of mail addressed to Soviet citizens. Since the UPU Congress in July 1984, United Kingdom delegates at international postal meetings have made such representations at least once a year. Moreover, the United Kingdom delegation to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe review in Vienna raised this issue

  Members of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission as at 16 October 1987 and relevant qualifications

  Name

  Position

  Relevant Qualifications

  Sir Godfray Le Quesne, QC

  Chairman

  Lawyer

  Mr. H. H. Hunt

  Deputy Chairman

  Management Consultant

  Mr. D. G. Richards

  Deputy Chairman

  Chartered Accountant

  Mr. R. G. Smethurst

  Deputy Chairman

  Economist

  Sir James Ackers

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. C. C. Baillieu

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. F. E. Bonner, CBE

  Member

  Nationalised industry (management)

  Mr. L. Britz

  Member

  Trade unionist

  Mr. M. B. Bunting

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. K. S. Carmichael, CBE

  Member

  Chartered Accountant

  Sir Robert Clayton, CBE

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. P. H. Dean

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. A. Ferry, MBE

  Member

  Trade unionist

  Mr. P. S. G. Flint

  Member

  Lawyer in industry

  Mr. D. G. Goyder

  Member

  Solicitor

  Miss A. M. Head

  Member

  Unit trusts (management)

  Mr. J. D. Keir, QC

  Member

  Lawyer in industry

  Mr. L. Kelly

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. M. S. Lipworth

  Member

  Barrister and Insurance services

  Prof. S. C. Littlechild

  Member

  Economist

  Miss P. K. R. Mann

  Member

  Senior manager (advertising)

  Mr. S. McDowell, CBE

  Member

  Economist

  Mr. L. A. Mills

  Member

  Trade unionist

  Mr. B. C. Owens

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  814
  three times between November last year and May 1987, and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs referred to it in his speech in the same forum last December.

  Individual cases concerning particular items are dealt with by the Post Office by means of standard international inquiry forms, followed, if necessary. by a letter raising a specific point.

  Mr. John Marshall
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many complaints the Post Office has received in the past year about the non-delivery of mail in Russia; and in how many cases the Post Office has paid compensation to the complainants.

  Mr. Butcher
  This is a matter for the Post Office. However, I understand that in the year from October 1986 to September 1987 the Post Office received 1,026 inquiries about mail to the Soviet Union and paid compensation in 207 cases.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Ms. Richardson asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will list (a) the members of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.
  Mr. Maude
  Members of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission are drawn from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the commission. In selecting candidates for appointment the particular expertise and experience currently required by the commission are important considerations. Places are reserved neither for any particular specialism nor for the nominees of particular organisations. At present four members have a background in trade union affairs; all are men.
  815

  Name

  Position

  Relevant Qualifications

  Mr. N. L. Salmon

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Mr. D. P. Thomson

  Member

  Banker

  Mr. C. A. Unwin, MBE

  Member

  Trade unionist

  Mr. S. Wainwright, CBE

  Member

  Banker and Nationalised Industry (management)

  Mr. R. Young

  Member

  Industrialist (management)

  Note:

  1. Under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for maintaining a panel from which additional members may be appointed to take part in any investigation into a newspaper merger.

  2. Similarly, under section 13(10) of the Telecommunications Act 1984 the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is required to appoint not less than three additional members to the commission to assist in any investigation under the Act.

  Consumer Protection
  Mr. Fraser
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements he has made for consulting the National Consumer Council, the Retail Consortium and others about regulations and the code of practice to be drawn up under part III of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

  Mr. Maude
  Informal consultations with major interested parties, including the National Consumer Council and the Retail Consortium, are taking place at present. Wider public consultation will commence as soon as informal consultations are complete.

  Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Small Businesses
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will (a) list the members of the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Small Businesses, (b) state the criteria for selection of members, (c) list the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) indicate the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) indicate how many Trades Union Congress-nominated members are women.

  Mr. Butcher
  Members of this committee are appointed by the Director General of Telecommunications, to whom questions on its composition should be addressed. A list of the current members is as follows:

  Mr. H. Kleeman, CBE (Chairman)

  Mr. P. Agnew

  Mr. I. Bell

  Mr. R. Blaxland

  Mr. R. Frenzel

  Mr. P. Fryman

  Mr. R. Furey

  Mrs. J. Harris

  Mr. F. Hawman

  Mr. E. Roberts

  Mr. M. Taylor

  Mr. G. Thorpe

  Mr. J. White

  Rover Group
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to sell all or part of the Rover Group to the private sector.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The long-term aim of both the Rover Group board and the Government is to return the company to full private ownership, but we have no specific plans at present.

  South Africa
  Mr. John Morris
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment has been made by Her Majesty's Government of the effect on jobs of imposing full sanctions against South Africa.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No current assessment has been made, but when an exercise was undertaken last year our best estimate was that about 90,000 full-time job equivalents may be involved in the export of goods and services to South Africa. United Kingdom jobs are also involved in trade with neighbouring southern African countries which transit South Africa and in those United Kingdom industries which depend on imports from South Africa.

  Post Office Counters Ltd.
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the future of Post Office Counters Limited.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We set long-term strategic objectives for the Post Office in July last year. The Government's policy is that Post Office Counters Ltd. should operate commercially, providing profitable cost-effective services of a quality which satisfies the reasonable requirements of its agency clients and its customers.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will bring forward legislation to limit the sale of fireworks to the general public to one week prior to 5 November; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  No. The present voluntary arrangements under which the sale of fireworks is restricted to a three-week period around 5 November is working well. I do not consider that a shorter period would be generally welcomed.

  Ship Radio Licences
  Mr. Steen
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will set out in tabular form in the Official Report all the different types of ship radio licences, the cost of each and whether he intends to reduce the numbers and rationalise the fees;

  (2) how many officials have been employed in each of the last three years in administering the different types of ship radio licences; what has been the cost of this in each of the last three years; and if he will review the procedures and rationalise the administration.

  Mr. Butcher
  The different ship radio licences and the appropriate fees collected are:
  817

  Licence

  Fee

  £

  Ship Radio

  50·00 pa

  Ship Radio (VHF)

  17·50 pa

  Ship Radio (emergency only)

  20·00 every 5 years

  Ship Radio (transportable)

  25·00 pa

  Ship Radio (receive only)

  No charge (valid until revoked)

  The number of officials employed directly on the issue of ship radio licences and their costs for each of the last three years, were:

  Number of Staff

  Year

  Licensing

  Others

  Costs

  £K

  1984–5

  11

  3·65

  197

  1985–6

  10

  3·65

  226

  1986–7

  7

  3·45

  186

  My Department has a commitment to review licence types, procedures and fees on a regular basis. This has resulted in a reduction, in the last few years, in the number of different licences issued and the simplification of the administrative procedures necessary to issue such licences. The procedures involved in issuing ship radio licences were revised at the end of 1986 and have resulted in a considerable reduction in the time taken to issue a licence (five to six weeks down to one to two weeks), and a doubling of the number of licences dealt with per officer over the three-year period. Despite this significant improvement my Department is currently exploring the possibilities of further reducing licensing administration, by merging licences, or exempting particular uses of radio.

  Handsworth Task Force
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many jobs have been created by the Handsworth task force since it was set up; and how much of the allocated budget has been (a) spent and (b) committed.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Since the Government's Handsworth Task Force was set up in 1986 it has committed some £2·4 million from its own top-up funds to projects and, of this, £1·2 million has so far been spent. However their task force supported projects are also expected to lever over £4 million from private sector and other public sector sources bringing the total expenditure upon them to around £6·5 million. The task force also assists in the targeting of main Government programmes into Handsworth and since the task force was set up total Government expenditure in the area has been around £25 million.

  It is not, however, possible to measure total net jobs created in the task force area with any accuracy. Any estimate would not only have to take into account new jobs specifically associated with task force projects, but also jobs in firms helped by task force development funds, jobs created in agencies funded by the inner cities initiative and jobs gained by residents as a result of training courses facilitated by the initiative. We have not, therefore attempted such an overall estimate.

ENVIRONMENT

  Steel-framed Houses
  Mr. Bright
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance the Building Research Establishment is able to offer on the inspection and assessment of steel-framed and steel-clad houses.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Building Research Establishment's fifth report on steel framed and steel clad houses which deals with inspection and assessment techniques, is published today. It provides detailed guidance on methods of inspection and assessment needed for a structural survey, identifies locations where steel may be vulnerable to corrosion, and gives advice on the likely durability of protective coatings. It also contains a comprehensive list of steel framed, steel clad and cast iron house types, with their known locations.

  The report is based on the BRE's detailed examination of a large number of dwellings built in 24 different systems in a wide variety of locations. It confirms that the vast majority of steel houses have demonstrated levels of performance not very different from many traditionally built dwellings of the same age, and can be expected to give good performance into the foreseeable future, with a life on a par with rehabilitated dwellings of conventional construction.

  I hope that this report, read in conjunction with those on individual house types which the BRE is now producing, will be of particular value to building societies and their surveyors when considering lending on properties of this type. I believe that local authorities and other owners will find the report equally helpful when approaching the repair and maintenance of these houses.

  Also published today is a summary of the report as a BRE Information paper, and a Companion Information paper on repair and improvement techniques. Copies of the report and the Information papers are being sent to local authorities in England which own steel and cast iron houses, and to the professional institutions whose members have a practical interest in the subject. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are taking similar action.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will calculate at 1987–88 prices the relationship of gross net community charge to net household income in each band of equivalent net income set out in the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" at figure F5 (a) on the basis used in the Green Paper, (b) on the basis of incorporating in income support and housing benefit an additional payment of 20 per cent. of domestic rates and (c) on the basis of present social security arrangements;

  (2) if he will calculate at 1987–88 prices the numbers of households gaining and losing from the replacement of domestic rates by the community charge as set out in figure 17 of the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (a) on the basis used in the Green Paper, (b) on the basis of incorporating in income support and housing benefit an additional payment of 20 per cent. of average domestic rates and (c) on the basis of present social security arrangements.
  819
  Mr. Howard
  The figures set out in the Green Paper were derived from a tax benefit model calibrated to 1984–85 prices. The model is currently being updated to 1986–87 prices, the latest date for which appropriate income information is available. When that work is complete we shall publish updated tables corresponding to those in the Green Paper.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if foreigners will be identified on the community charge register so as to avoid their prosecution for not being on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The community charges register and the electoral register will be separate documents. The two will not have the same coverage. The community charges register will contain the names of those adults who are solely or mainly resident in an area. Whether they are United Kingdom citizens will be immaterial. There is no question of someone who is not entitled to vote being prosecuted for not being on the electoral register.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the initial cost of the setting up the community charge collection system will be met by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Howard
  The cost of setting up the community charge registration and collection system will be taken into account in rate support grant settlements.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if joint and several liability for the poll tax will extend to married couples who are separated, but living in the same dwelling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  A husband and wife who are members of the same household will be jointly liable for each other's community charge. Exceptionally, a husband and wife may have so organised their living arrangements that, though they live under the same roof, they are not members of the same household. In such circumstances it will be open to either member of the couple to make a case to the local authority that they should not be treated as jointly and severally liable for the purposes of recovery of the community charge.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the initial canvass for the poll tax register will require names, ages and relationship details of occupants of residential accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Community charge registration officers will decide what information they require when sending out the initial canvass. In order to compile the register they will need to know the name and address of each adult liable for the personal community charge, but not the reltionship of one adult with another.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his latest estimate of the total number of people who will pay the full community charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 15 July at column 527.
  820
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of couples where one partner will pay both community charges.

  Mr. Howard
  It is quite impossible for me to speculate on the private financial arrangements which will be macle by individual couples.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his latest estimate of the numbers of people who will be required to pay 20 per cent. of the community charge;

  (2) if he will list for each local authority the number of dwellings where the rates paid are equal to the community charge per person, using the figures from the exemplifications placed in the Library since 11 June;

  (3) if he will produce figure J7 of Cmnd. 9714 "Paying for Local Government", showing households gaining and losing with full replacement of domestic rates by the community charge by (a) region, (b) local authority, and (c) parliamentary constituency;

  (4) if he will construct a table in the same form as figure J7 on page 125 of "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714) showing the numbers of adults living in each of the households gaining and losing with full replacement of domestic rates by the community charge.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall answer these questions shortly.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give examples of the extreme cases in which individuals failing to register for the community charge may be liable to prosecution under the Theft. Acts, referred to in paragraph 22 of the "Paying for Local Government" deposited paper, NS. 2643.

  Mr. Howard
  We have proposed a number of civil penalties under the new system. These will be applied if a person fails, without reasonable excuse, to register for the community charge or to respond to a canvass. Where a person, by deception, dishonestly avoids paying all or part of the community charge by consistently supplying false information there will also be the possibility of recourse to the existing criminal law. In this respect the community charge will be no different from any other legally enforceable liability.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in cases where the ownership or tenancy of a dwelling is in the wife's name, this will prevent her husband being designated the responsible person for community charge registration purposes; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether, in cases where the ownership or tenancy of a dwelling is in the husband's name, this will prevent his wife being designated the responsible person for community charge registration purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  (3) if the practice of married and unmarried couples alternating as head of household on electoral registration forms will be allowed on the community charge register;

  (4) how the responsible person will be designated at each address for community charge registration purposes.

  Mr. Howard
  The responsible person at each address will be designated by the community charge registration office (CCRO) and will receive a notice of designation. This notice will be incorporated into the canvass form sent out by the CCRO.
  821
  The person designated will generally be the owner or tenant living at the address, but may be another person who has a connection with the property or who wishes to act as responsible person. The registration officer's objective will be to obtain timely and accurate information from each address. There will be nothing to prevent a husband and wife from alternating in responding to canvasses if they wish to do so.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the existing benefits of rate relief for disabled persons will be maintained under the community charge proposals.

  Mr. Howard
  Under the domestic rating system rateable values are increased to take account of extensions and alterations to property. Rate relief is granted to disabled people to ensure that they do not have to pay higher bills as a result of modifications needed to their homes as a result of their disability.

  This problem will not arise with the community charge, because improvements to people's homes will not affect the level of the charge.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements will be made for diplomatic staff resident in Britain to pay the community charge.

  Mr. Howard
  Foreign diplomats are not liable to pay United Kingdom taxes, including rates, and they will not be liable to pay the community charge. They do, however, make a contribution at present towards the cost of local authority services. We intend to establish arrangements for a similar contribution to be made when the community charge is introduced.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out for each local authority the estimated percentage change in community charge for a one percentage increase in spending, using the figures from the exemplifications deposited in the Library since 11 June; and if he will make a statement explaining why there are differences in the gearing effect.

  Mr. Howard
  The intention is that there should be a pound for pound relationship between increases in expenditure per adult and the increase in the community charge as a result of the proposals we published on 23 September for the simplification of grant payments. It is also the case that for each local authority there should be a 1 per cent. increase in its gross charge for each 1 per cent. increase in its expenditure. The relationship, in percentage terms, between the aggregate change in expenditure and the change in the community charge for each local authority area will vary from area to area reflecting the relative importance of central grant and non-domestic rates in financing aggregate expenditure in that area. A £1 per adult increase in expenditure should still lead to a £1 increase in the community charge, however. I have placed figures in the Library demonstrating these relationships.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list in the Official Report those authorities budgeting to make contributions from their housing revenue account to the general rate fund in 1987–88, and express those contributions as a percentage of total expenditure and in terms of their effect on the published 1987–88 community charge calculations;
  822
  (2) what discussions his officials have had with the Audit Commission about any increase in external audit effort as a result of the introduction of the community charge;

  (3) what discussion he has had with, or what representations he 'has received from the Audit Commission about the likely effect of his reform of local government finance on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of local authorities;

  (4) whether he will provide England-only versions of figures F1 to F5 and J4 to J8 of Cmnd. 9714, "Paying For Local Government" to take account of (a) 1987–88 community charge figures, (b) the most recent tax-benefit model and (c) most recent other data;

  (5) whether he will provide versions of figures F1 to F5 and J4 to J8 of Cmnd. 9714, "Paying For Local Government", showing separately figures for London, metropolitan areas, and shire areas, to take account of (a) 1987–88 community charge figures, (b) the most recent tax-benefit model and (c) most recent other data;

  (6) whether he will provide versions of figures J4, J5, J7 and J8 of Cmnd. 9714, "Paying For Local Government", showing separately figures for pensioner couples, to take account of (a) 1987–88 community charge figures, (b) the most recent tax-benefit model and (c) most recent other data;

  (7) whether he will provide versions of figures J4 to J8 of Cmnd. 9714, "Paying For Local Government", showing figures for households with net incomes of under £200 per week, to take account of (a) 1987–88 community charge figures, (b) the most recent tax-benefit model and (c) most recent other data;

  (8) whether he will update annexes F and J of Cmnd. 9714, "Paying For Local Government", particularly to take account of (a) 1987–88 community charge figures, (b) the most recent tax-benefit model and (c) most recent other data such as the Family Expenditure Survey;

  (9) whether he proposes to make earlier rate support grant settlements in order to allow local authorities to take earlier decisions on levels of community charge;

  (10) whether he proposes to amend section 79 of the Local Government Act 1972 so that, following his proposed introduction of a national non-domestic rate, ownership or tenancy of property or place of work cease to be qualifications for election and holding office as a member of a local authority;

  (11) if squash clubs and other sports facilities will be exempt from the proposals contained in Cmnd. 9714 "Paying for Local Government", and in the subsequent consultation documents issued by his Department.

  Mr. Ridley
  I shall answer these questions shortly.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussion he has had with the Salvation Army about the impact of community charge on its activities.

  Mr. Ridley
  My officials have had two meetings with representatives of the Salvation Army to discuss the community charge.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what opinion polls or market research he has commissioned into attitudes to his proposed reform of local government finance; and whether he will publish the findings.

  Mr. Ridley
  None.
  823
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the local authority associations about the requirements of a community charge rebate scheme.

  Mr. Ridley
  An initial discussion of the community charge rebate scheme took place at the Housing Benefit Standing Committee on 3 September. We shall be deciding, with the local authority associations, the most appropriate forum for detailed discussions of the rebate scheme.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to protect the privacy of occupants of women's refuges following the compilation of community charge registers.

  Mr. Ridley
  My officials have arranged to meet representatives of the Women's Aid Federation early next month to discuss the concerns that have been expressed about this issue.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the proposed community charge liability of members of religious orders who have taken vows of poverty.

  Mr. Ridley
  We are considering the impact of the community charge on people in such religious communities.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions his officials have had with the local government training board on training programmes for canvassers for the community charge register in law, in interview techniques, in interpersonal skills for dealing with hostility and resentment, and in self-defence.

  Mr. Ridley
  None.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, for the purposes of his proposed exemption from full payment of community charge, he will define (a) full-time student and (b) term time address.

  Mr. Ridley
  The meaning of the term "full-time students" will be defined in regulations. They will he treated as having their sole or main residence in the places where they are resident for the purpose of undertaking their courses.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions officials from his Department have had with suppliers of computer software about the computing requirements in local government of his proposals for a community charge;

  (2) what discussions officials from his Department have had with computer manufacturers about the increased computing capacity local authorities will require to cope with his proposals for a community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  My officials have frequent contact with computer manufacturers and software suppliers about the computer systems requirements of the community charge.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what extra capital resouces he plans to make available to local government in 1988–89 and 1989–90 to enable the purchase of computers and buildings necessary to implement community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  It is for local authorities to decide what, if any, capital investment they need to enable them to 824
  introduce the community charge efficiently. Estimates of the capital expenditure needed for this purpose will he considered, together with other requirements, in setting the overall provisions for spending in 1988–89 and subsquent years for the other services capital block.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give his estimates of the costs local authorities need to incur on current account in 1988–89 to set up the necessary systems for community charge registration and collection;

  (2) what provision in local authorities' 1988–89 current expenditure he has made to take account of setting up the necessary systems for community charge registration and collection.

  Mr. Ridley
  It is doubtful whether local authorities will need to incur significant current expenditure in preparing for the community charge as early as 1988–89. To the extent that additional costs do arise, we believe that these can be accommodated within the proposed RSG settlement.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the National Council for Civil Liberties about his proposals for a community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have received no representations from the National Council for Civil Liberties about the community charge. However, I have seen the NCCL's recent report which contains a number of exaggerations and distortions.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish any advice he has received from the Data Protection Registrar on record-keeping aspects of the community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  The registrar has confirmed that our proposals do not create any formal conflict with the Data Protection Act. He has, however, pointed to the importance of ensuring that the principles established by the Act are observed in the operation of the community charge system and has expressed concern about the sale of the register.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research work he has commissioned into the feasibility of local authorities privatising the arrangements for collecting the community charge on the basis of the proposals set out in "Paying for Local Government"; and if he will publish this.

  Mr. Ridley
  No such research has been commissioned.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans for the following types of hereditament to remain within rating if domestic rates are abolished: (a) time-share properties, (b) moorings, (c) houseboats, (d) caravans, and (e) lock-up garages.

  Mr. Ridley
  We intend to remove all domestic property from rating, once the community charge has been fully introduced. We propose that time-share properties, houseboat moorings, houseboats and residential caravans should come within the definition of domestic property. Lock-up garages used for residential purposes or in conjunction with residential property will also be treated as domestic property and will not, therefore, be liable to rates.
  825
  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to prescribe the form in which the community charge register will be kept.

  Mr. Ridley
  No.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed joint and several liability for community charge will be restricted to couples of different sex living together as husband and wife.

  Mr. Ridley
  Yes.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recovery procedures he envisages will be necessary in order to secure payment of community charge from persons jointly and severally liable; and whether a demand notice will be required to be issued to one partner in respect of the other's community charge liability.

  Mr. Ridley
  The recovery procedures will be the same as for individual liability. We envisage that a local authority will be able to take enforcement action against an individual in respect of their partner's failure to pay only when the individual has been sent a demand notice and reminder in respect of the partner's community charge.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he plans to offer owners of property a discount for collecting community charge; and in what other areas of taxation there is similar recognition of costs of collection.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that landlords of properties designated for the collective community charge should retain 5 per cent. of the collective charge contributions payable to them, as an allowance to cover their administrative costs and notional bad debts. Sections 55 and 56 of the General Rate Act 1967 permit similar recognition of costs of collection in respect of rates.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes that new town development corporations will be able to act as agents for district authorities in the collection of community charge with rents.

  Mr. Ridley
  Some local authorities currently use new town development corporations as agents to collect rates. I do not propose anything to prevent similar arrangements for the community charge, provided that the statutory requirements we envisage are met—in particular, that tenants should receive separate rent and community charge bills.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it will be possible to collect community charge from council tenants with rent (a) for couples to whom joint and several liability applies or (b) all members of a household.

  Mr. Ridley
  Local authorities will be able to collect amounts of community charge at the same time as rent, but not to issue inclusive bills.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he proposes to adopt to define those classes of property to which collective community charge will apply.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that the community charges registration officer may designate a property for the 826
  collective community charge (i) if in his opinion the property is used wholly or mainly as the sole or main residence of individuals, most or all of whom reside in the property for short periods, and are not solely or mainly resident elsewhere; and (ii) if in his opinion it is likely to be difficult to register the individuals for the personal community charge and to collect the personal charge from each of them.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how he proposes to ensure individual authorities are assisted in the cost of implementation of community charge in order to aviod the cost to ratepayers of such increases in spending being increased by the effect of negative marginal rates of grant.

  Mr. Ridley
  I shall take into account the estimated cost of implementating the community charge when I consider the level of relevant expenditure for the purposes of the remaining rate support grant settlements under existing arrangements. After 1990, under the new grant system, grant entitlements will not vary with expenditure and there will be no negative marginal rates of grant.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions of the Data Protection Act he proposes will apply (a) to the ability of community charge registration officers to seek information to ensure accuracy of the community charge register and (b) to the community charge register.

  Mr. Ridley
  We do not propose to disapply any of the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will prohibit local authorities from carrying out canvasses for the community charge register at the same time as canvasses to compile the electoral register.

  Mr. Ridley
  The timing of community charge canvasses will be a matter for individual community charge registration officers.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether local authorities will be empowered to offer for sale copies of the community charge register.

  Mr. Ridley
  I propose to take a regulation-making power which would enable me to authorise the sale of the register. I shall consider carefully whether and how the power is to be used.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes that the community charge registration officer will be empowered to demand information (a) from other persons within his employing authority, (b) from other local authorities, and (c) from other bodies; and if he will list the information and bodies concerned.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that the community charge registration officer should be empowered to require the supply of information needed for the carrying out of his functions from his own local authority, from other local authorities and their community charge registration officers.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the following records will be required to be made available to community charge registration officers (a) housing benefit records, (b)

  827
  educational records held by local education authorities' institutions and by local education authorities' (c) educational records held by universities, (d) educational records held by independent schools, (e) planning and building control records, (f) local authority rent rolls, (g) housing association rent rolls, (h) new town rent rolls, (i) housing waiting lists, (j) register of births, deaths and marriages, (k) environmental health records, (l) social services records, (m) local authorities' payroll record, (n) other employers' payroll records, (o) library records, (p) concessionary fare records, (q) insurance claims made upon authorities, and (r) public utilities records;

  (2) if he will list any categories of information he proposes to exclude from the communtity charge register.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that, for the purposes of compiling their registers, community charges registration officers should have access to all information held by local authorities, with the exception of material of great personal sensitivity, which will be prescribed by the Secterary of State. They will not have access to national sources of data.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to extend the Data Protection Act safeguards on computerised information to non-computerised information held for the purposes of community charge registration and collection.

  Mr. Ridley
  No.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether other departments of a local authority will have access to records held by the community charge registration officer for the purposes of registration for community charge, and to records held by the appropriate officer for the purposes of collection of community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that the electoral registration officer should be given a right of access to the community charges register. We do not propose to give local authorities a right of access to the register or to collection records, other than for the purposes of billing, payment and enforcement of the community charge.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether individuals will have the right to inspect all information held about them for community charge purposes.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that individuals should have the right to inspect all information held about them on the community charge register. Individuals also have rights to inspect data held about them under the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to change the dates by which (a) precepts, and (b) rates, and possibly community charge, have to be made in order to allow local authorities to accommodate the receipt of community charge in 12 monthly instalments.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that everyone should have the right to pay the community charge by a minimum of 10 instalments, as they do at present with rates. It will not therefore be necessary to bring forward the dates by which precepts and community charges have to be set.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the average daily rate
  828
  per capita of any collective community charge to he paid by occupants of vagrants' hostels in inner London based on his 1987–88 figures; and whether this will be required to be paid net or gross of rebates.

  Mr. Ridley
  On the basis of the exemplifications placed in the Library on 29 June, column 44 the average daily collective community charge payment in inner London would be £1·52. This figure is illustrative only, for the reasons I set out on 29 June. Nor does it take account of rebates. The arrangements for paying rebates will be announced in due course.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether occupants of hostels for vagrants, such as those run by the Salvation Army, will be exempt from community charge by virtue of their being in institutions providing care.

  Mr. Ridley
  We have not yet finalised our definition of "hostel" for these purposes. But we envisage that exemptions would be limited to hostels providing a planned programme of care.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether community charge rebates will be available in respect of standard community charge paid on second homes.

  Mr. Ridley
  No.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how sole or main residence will be defined for the purposes of establishing liability for personal community charge.

  Mr. Ridley
  We do not propose to define sole or main residence. Paragraphs 5 and 6 of the booklet entitled "Paying for Local Government. The Community Charge", which was placed in the Library on 15 December 1986, described how sole or main residence will be determined.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers of enforcement and recovery of community charge he expects to be able to be deployed against non-householders.

  Mr. Ridley
  Local authorities will be able to apply to magistrates' courts for warrants authorising distress and attachment of earnings. In each case, they will be able to choose either, or both, methods of recovery.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the right to pay community charge by instalments will be limited by virtue of his prescribing a minimum instalment.

  Mr. Ridley
  We propose to prescribe the minimum community charge instalment which local authorities will be obliged to accept. They will, however, be free to accept smaller instalments if they wish.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether arrears of community charge will be deducted at source from income support paid by the Department of Health and Social Security.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have no present plans to do so.

  Dr. Cunningham
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to allow the community charge bills in respect of couples whom authorities think are jointly and severally liable to be sent to an address in one envelope.
  829
  Mr. Ridley
  We propose that each individual should receive a separate bill for his or her community charge. If the bill is sent by post, it should be addressed to the person liable to pay it.

  Glass (Recycling)
  Mr. Haselhurst
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the district councils in England, Scotland and Wales that do not have glass recycling programmes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Records of glass recycling schemes are not maintained centrally. Schemes may be run by a variety of bodies—district or borough councils, waste disposal authorities, town councils or voluntary groups. However, the Glass Manufacturers' Federation has provided the following list of district or borough councils showing those authorities which do not themselves operate bottle bank schemes. Some of the councils listed hope to start schemes in the next few months. The viability of a recycling scheme depends to a large extent on the ease of transport to the processing plant which is why it has been difficult to establish schemes in some of the more remote areas.

  I have been pleased to see an encouraging increase in both the number of bottle banks in use and the amount of glass collected. The glass industry and local authorities are committed to doubling the number of bottle banks in the country in the five years from 1986 to give an average of one for every 10,000 people. This is an important element in the United Kingdom's programme for implementing the EEC directive on containers of liquids for human consumption.

  ENGLAND—County and District

  Avon
  Wansdyke

  Cambridgeshire
  South Cambridgeshire

  Cheshire

  Vale Royal (Northwich Town Council operates scheme)

  Halton

  Cleveland
  Langbaugh

  Derbyshire

  Bolsover

  North East Derbyshire

  South Derbyshire

  Durham

  Derwentside

  Easington

  Sedgefield

  Wear Valley

  Teesdale

  Hampshire
  Gosport

  Hereford and Worcester
  South Herefordshire

  Leicestershire

  Blaby

  Melton Mowbray

  London

  Bexley

  Bromley

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Wandsworth

  Merseyside
  Knowsley

  Norfolk
  Broadland

  Northamptonshire
  Corby

  Nottinghamshire
  Ashfield
  830
  Oxfordshire
  South Oxfordshire (Henley Town Council operates scheme)

  Surrey
  Epsom and Ewell

  Tyne and Wear

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  South Tyneside Gateshead

  Sunderland

  Wiltshire
  North Wiltshire (Wootton Bassett own Council operates scheme)

  SCOTLAND—County and District

  Highlands

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  Inverness

  Lochaber

  Nairn

  Ross and Cromarty

  Skye and Lochalsh

  Sutherland

  Orkney
  Islands Council

  Shetland
  Islands Council

  Strathclyde
  Argyll and Bute

  WALES—County and District

  Clwyd

  Alyn and Deeside

  Delyn Glyndwr

  Rhuddlan

  Wrexham Maelor

  Dyfed

  Dinefwr

  Llanelli

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  South Pembrokeshire

  Mid Glamorgan
  Cynon Valley

  South Glamorgan
  Vale of Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Lliw Valley

  Neath

  Port Talbot

  Gwynedd

  Aberconwy

  Arforn Dwyfor

  Meirionnydd

  Ynys Mon/Isle of Angelesey

  Powys
  Montgomery

  >British Coal (Houses)
  Mr. Meale
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations between British Coal and the Consortium of Housing Associations led by CIPFA Services over the sale of British Coal houses in Nottinghamshire; and whether his Department is prepared to make resources available to make up any difference between British Coal's asking price and the consortium's offer.

  Mrs. Roe
  We understand that these negotiations are still in progress, and hope that it will prove possible for the parties to reach agreement. My right hon. Friend, however, does not consider that it would be appropriate for public resources to be used to enable a purchase to proceed on terms more favourable to British Coal than the consortium felt able to offer.
  831
  Mr. Meale
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to confer upon the tenants of British Coal houses the right to buy their homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Housing Act 1985 confers the right to buy on secure tenants of local authorities, certain housing associations, new town corporations and some other public bodies with similar functions, but there are no plans to extend it to tenants of nationalised industries. Tenants of British Coal housing have, however, had the opportunity to buy their homes at discounted prices since 1976.

  Mayall Road, SE24 (Envelope Scheme)
  Mr. Fraser
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to approve phase 2 of the envelope scheme for Mayall road, London S.E.24.

  Mrs. Roe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment approved phase II of the Mayall road enveloping scheme on 18 September 1987.

  Land Use (Departmental Bulletin)
  Mr. Heddle
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a synopsis of his Department's statistical bulletin (87/7) regarding land use change in England, with specific reference to the amount of housing development which took place on land which was previously developed or was vacant land in urban areas.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Department's statistical bulletin (87)7 gives summary results from the analysis of land use changes as recorded by Ordnance Survey in 1986. These are the second set of results from an experimental project started in 1985. In all, some 23,000 hectares of land in England were recorded in 1986 as having a change of use. About 46 per cent. of land developed for residential use had been previously developed, including land already used for housing purposes, or was vacant land in built-up areas.

  This proportion varies across the regions from 31 per cent. in the east midlands to 59 per cent. in the north-west.

  CoSIRA (Membership)
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list (a) the members of the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information is as follows:(a) The present members of the board of directors of the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas (CoSIRA) are:
  D. Davenport (chairman), Lord Vinson (chairman, Development Commission), A. M. J. Galsworthy, G. P. Gray, J. L. Thompson, M. B. Ferris, Mrs. P. Batty Shaw, Professor M. D. I. Chisholm, A. Leavett, R. Thompson, Lord Gisborough, M. Schreiber, A. D. Scott (chief executive, CoSIRA), J. V. Williams (chief executive, Development Commission).
  (b) As CoSIRA is a company limited by guarantee, directors are appointed by the board with the approval
  832
  of the Development Commission, CoSIRA's parent body. There are no set criteria, and directors are usually chosen for their knowledge of small businesses, finance, commerce, trade unions, public or voluntary service, or a more general involvement in rural affairs.
  (c) The present directors of CoSIRA have a wide range of knowledge about the rural economy but were not selected individually because of any particular interest or expertise.
  (d)and (e) No directors are nominated by outside bodies.

  Commission for New Towns (Membership)
  Ms. Richardson
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list (a) the members of the Commission for New Towns, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many Trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.

  Mrs. Roe
  The members of the Commission for the New Towns are:

  Sir Neil Shields MC (chairman)

  Mr. A. Jones FSVA (deputy chairman)

  Mr. E. G. Barratt MA, FCA

  Lord Bellwin LL.B, JP

  Mr. R. B. Caws CBE, FRICS

  Mr. R. G. Luff FRICS

  Mr. W. J. Mackenzie OBE

  Mr. M. H. Mallinson FRICS

  Sir Gordon Roberts CBE, JP, DL

  Mr. P M. Vine CBE, MA, LL.M, M. Phil DL

  Members are selected for the contributions they can make to the work of the commission which relates primarily to property management and the disposal of assets. Neither the Trades Union Congress nor any other organisation has any places in its gift.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is preventing the publication of the revised listed buildings arising out of the resurvey of listed buildings in the south Northamptonshire district.

  Mr. Moyniham
  The resurvey of listed buildings in south Northamptonshire forms part of a national exercise. Four of the nine lists for the district have now been published, and the remainder will be issued by early next year.

  Engineers Direct Labour Department (Northampton)
  Mr. Michael Morris
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of three year losses, he will now call for a formal report on the Northampton borough council engineers direct labour department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Northampton borough council has not sent the Department a copy of its 1986–87 direct labour organisation report yet. Previous reports show that the DLO made a loss on highways work in only one of the three preceding years. Therefore, there is at present no case for requiring the council to prepare a special report.

  No-Fines Dwellings (Walsall)
  Mr. Winnick
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what report was received from his

  833
  officials who saw the deputation on 22 July from the residents of the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings in the Walsall area; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if an official from his Department has visited the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings in the Blakenall area of Walsall; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is the estimated total cost of carrying out work to the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings in the Blakenall area of Walsall that would bring them up to satisfactory conditions;

  (4) when his Department was first notified of the conditions of the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings in the Blakenall area of Walsall; and whether those conditions exist in such properties in other boroughs;

  (5) if discussions have taken place between his officials and the Walsall metropolitan borough council over the state of the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings in the Blakenall area of Walsall; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) if he will publish in the Official Report the lists of defects in the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings in the Blakenall area of Walsall notified to him by the deputation of tenants of those dwellings.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  On 22 July my officials met a deputation of residents of Wimpey No-Fines houses on the Blakenall estate, Walsall, led by the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick). I received from my officials a detailed note of the meeting, a summary of the points raised, and a copy of the report, prepared by the Blakenall Estate Residents' Association, which described the problems affecting their houses. The deputation complained that these houses were damp, cold, draughty and poorly maintained. I have arranged for a copy of their report to be placed in the Library.

  An official from my Department visited the Wimpey No-Fines houses on the Blakenall and Bentley estates in Walsall on 9 September, in company with the hon. Member for Walsall, North, and members and officers of Walsall metropolitan borough council. The visit provided a useful opportunity to assess conditions on the two estates, and to hear the council's proposals for repair and improvement of the houses. The council estimated the basic cost of repairing each Wimpey No-Fines house (excluding new windows) to be £3,500. If heating and insulation were to be improved at the same time, a further £1,500 would be required. On this basis, the total estimated cost of repair and improvement for the 74 council-owned Wimpey No-Fines houses on the Blakenall estate is £370,000.

  Officials from my Department subsequently met the council's officers on 16 September to discuss the council's housing investment programme for 1988–89. All aspects of housing need in the borough, including the improvement of Wimpey No-Fines dwellings, were discussed. This will be taken into account when the Department comes to make the housing investment programme allocations for 1988–89, but it will remain a matter for Walsall MBC to decide its own priorities within the resources available to it.

  Mr. Winnick
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to designating the Wimpey No-Fines dwellings as defective; and what representations have been received over this matter.
  834
  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Secretary of State has received no specific requests for designation of Wimpey No-Fines houses as defective under the housing defects legislation; nor has he any plans to make such a designation.

  Housing Deputations
  Mr. Winnick
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many deputations led by hon. Members from residents complaining over the state of their properties have been received by Ministers in the last four years; and what are the criteria by which it is decided whether a Minister will meet such a deputation.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There are no meaningful figures available on the number of such deputations received by Ministers over the last four years. Any request for a meeting is considered on its merits.

  Common Land
  Mr. Favell
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce legislation to remedy the problems arising from the misregistration of property as common land.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I shall answer this question shortly.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families, per London borough, are currently in bed-and-breakfast accommodation; and what were the relevant figures for 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Local authorities report the numbers of households living, at the end of each quarter, in bed-and-breakfast accommodation provided by the authorities during inquiries under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 or awaiting permanent accommodation. The figures reported by the London boroughs are as follows:

  Number of households at end of June

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  City of London

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Barnet

  0

  2

  3

  3

  2

  Bexley

  3

  9

  22

  11

  2

  Brent

  442

  583

  722

  689

  1,000

  Bromley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Camden

  260

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1n.a.

  Croydon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Ealing

  116

  127

  134

  117

  938

  Enfield

  5

  21

  8

  75

  195

  Greenwich

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hackney

  n.a.

  197

  n.a.

  450

  831

  Hammersmith

  60

  77

  n.a.

  143

  509

  Haringey

  53

  69

  118

  307

  609

  Harrow

  33

  37

  51

  42

  56

  Havering

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  n.a.

  54

  66

  169

  148

  Hounslow

  61

  61

  48

  55

  99

  Islington

  1

  0

  47

  80

  175

  Kensington & Chelsea

  8

  15

  14

  37

  40

  Kingston upon Thames

  19

  68

  81

  85

  80

  Lambeth

  144

  88

  172

  n.a.

  438

  Lewisham

  n.a.

  39

  32

  n.a.

  1n.a.

  835

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Merton

  10

  0

  2

  4

  23

  Newham

  6

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  420

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1n.a.

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  1

  5

  20

  37

  Southwark

  0

  13

  42

  133

  104

  Sutton

  39

  19

  44

  30

  85

  Tower Hamlets

  n.a.

  209

  n.a.

  n.a.

  664

  Waltham Forest

  0

  n.a.

  0

  0

  0

  Wandsworth

  23

  79

  103

  185

  258

  Westminster

  101

  77

  115

  331

  312

  Notes: n.a. = not available.

  1 = latest information available:

  Camden March 1987 1,258

  Lewisham March 1987 132

  Redbridge September 1986 0

  Housing Programme (Islington)
  Mr. Corbyn
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the level of housing capital programme for Islington at 1987 prices for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Following are estimates in 1986–87 prices of the gross expenditure in cash prices reported in the borough's housing investment programme returns.

  Islington LB

  Gross housing capital expenditure 1986–87 prices

  £ million

  1979–80

  90·6

  1980–81

  65·5

  1981–82

  50·0

  1982–83

  70·6

  1983–84

  46·3

  1984–85

  54·4

  1985–86

  33·1

  1986–87

  64·3

  In addition, Housing Corporation expenditure on housing association schemes of provision for fair rent within the borough is estimated, at 1986–87 prices, to have been £11·9 million in 1984–85, £10·9 million in 1985–86 and £15 million in 1986–87.

  Teddington Weir (Minimum Flow)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning his decision on the application by the Thames water authority to reduce the statutory minimum flow of water over Teddington weir, stating the old and new limits; and what effects he expects this will have on the quality of water in the upper tidal Thames.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's decision letter of 31 July and the inspector's report, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the principal responses he has received to his consultative paper on the proposed
  836
  national rivers authority.

  Mr. Moynihan
  In the policy and consultation paper on the national rivers authority, we asked respondents to indicate whether they agreed that a copy of their response could be placed in the Library of the House. Responses are still being received. Where agreement has been given, we shall be publishing responses in this way in due course.

  Beaches (EC Standards)
  Mr. Speller
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available resources to bring beaches along the north Devon coastline up to European Community standards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The responsibility for ensuring that the bathing waters in north Devon meet the standards set in directive 76/160/EEC rests with the South-West water authority. It is for the authority in the first instance to submit details of its spending needs to the Government in its annual corporate plan. Decisions on plans will be made in the light of each authority's overall spending needs. My right hon. Friend expects to be able to make allocations of external finance to each authority for 1988–89 later this year. Allocations are not made for specific projects or policies.

  Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to bring into force the remaining provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We aim to make in December the commencement order for part I (right of first refusal), part VI (information to be supplied to tenants) and some other minor provisions. We hope to bring the remainder of the Act into force as early as possible next year.

  Mr. Wheeler
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Landlord and Tenant Act will be brought into operation.

  Mrs. Roe
  We aim to make in December the commencement order for part I (right of first refusal), part VI (information to be supplied to tenants) and some other minor provisions. We hope to bring the remainder of the Act into force as early as possible next year.

  Right to Buy (Camden)
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has now taken to ensure that the London borough of Camden complies with its statutory obligations in connection with right-to-buy applications from its tenants.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Secretary of State has been considering whether to use his power to intervene and take over sales in view of the council's failure to comply with the statutory deadlines for the handling of applications. I understand that the council has now decided to create new posts to deal with this work, that instructions have been given for the staff to be recruited as soon as possible, and that recruitment is in hand. When all the posts are filled, the council expects to be able to issue 120 to 140 offer notices each month. The Department will continue to monitor progress closely.

  Newham (Strategic Plans)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which estimates he and the London Docklands Development Corporation have made following the adoption of the strategic plans he announced in March of the likely maximum and minimum increase in the population of southern Newham in the course of the next decade.

  Mr. Trippier
  None, but in the strategy agreed for the royals it was estimated that about 6,850 new homes would be built in south Newham on LDDC land. At an average occupancy rate of 2·5 persons per unit, these homes might accommodate about 17,000 people.

  New River Water Company (Assets)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any applications concerning the transfer of ownership of the reservoirs, land, equipment, water channels, and the other assets of the former New River Water Company to the (a) Lea valley regional park, and (b) any other public authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No.

  Royal Docks (Development)
  Mr. Spearing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what communication he has received from the London Docklands Development Corporation concerning plans for the development of the north-eastern sector of the Royal docks; if he will indicate the extent to which these plans are a departure from the statutory development plan and the main features of the application; and if he will make it his policy to call in this application for public inquiry, stating the criteria on which he expects to make his decision.

  Mr. Trippier
  The London Docklands Development Corporation has referred to my Department an outline planning application submitted by Rosehaugh Stanhope Developments plc for a business park, residential, marine development, shopping centre and associated leisure facilities on the Royal Albert dock and Harland and Wolff site, London E16, and land south of Winsor terrace and east of East Ham Manor way, E6. In the opinion of the corporation's planning committee"the proposal is in conflict with or prejudicial to the implementation of a number of fundamental provisions of the initial development for Greater London, the Greater London development plans and the Beckton district plan."
  The proposed development also includes gross shopping floor space in excess of 250,000 sq ft.

  In considering whether or not to call in the application for public inquiry, my right hon. Friend will take into account all relevant matters. Applications are, in general, called in only if planning issues of more than local importance are involved. The full criteria were spelt out by my right hon. Friend on 5 May 1987.

  Rental Purchase Tenure
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the increase in rental purchase tenure in the north-west of England; and what are his plans for dealing with this matter.
  838
  Mrs. Roe
  I have received representations from Shelter and from the Association of Metropolitan Authorities about the increase in rental purchase tenure in the north-west of England and am considering whether any action is needed.

  Local Authorities (Companies Information)
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have been requested to supply information relating to companies controlled by the relevant authority.

  Mr. Howard
  A total of 405; that is, all county, metropolitan district and district councils in England, all London boroughs, the City of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.

  Textiles
  Mr. Janner
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to support the submission to the European Commission from local authorities in the Manchester area for a separate national programme of community interest relating to textile areas in order to consolidate the work begun by the textile non quota programme.

  Mr. Trippier
  In submitting national programmes of community interest to the European Commission, the Government are mindful of the needs and available resources of all local authorities within a particular region. My officials will be happy to consider and discuss the proposals made by the six Greater Manchester metropolitan district councils which currently benefit from the special textile measure, in the light of other proposals for ERDF programmes in the north-west.

  Home Improvements
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will expedite the implementation of the provisions of section 15 of and schedule 3 to the Housing and Planning Act 1986 with a view to assisting home owners to obtain improvement grants where title to the whole of the roof of a property is not proved.

  Mrs. Roe
  I anticipate that the statutory instruments required to implement the provisions of section 15 of, and schedule 3 to, the Housing and Planning Act 1986, which provide for a new discretionary home improvement grant to be made available to both landlords and long leaseholders or tenants for works to the common parts of blocks of flats, will be laid before Parliament before the Christmas recess.

  Gipsies (Planning Applications)
  Mr. Shersby
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend paragraphs 40 and 41 of his circular 28/77 so as to exclude those local authorities which have a designation order under the Caravan Sites Act and which have provided the required number of pitches from the requirement to adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach to planning applications from gipsies.

  Mrs. Roe
  No. In planning cases where the need for gipsy sites is a material consideration my right hon. Friend and his inspectors will have regard to the existence of any
  839
  designation order and to all other relevant matters when deciding what weight to attach to the paragraphs of the circular to which my hon. Friend refers.

  Mapesbury Conservation Area
  Mr. Livingstone
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he has taken 18 months to confirm the direction under article 4 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977 to protect the character of the Mapesbury conservation area which was submitted by the London borough of Brent.

  Mrs. Roe
  The specific powers under which the article 4 direction was made by Brent council in February 1986 meant that, unless approved by my right hon. Friend within six months, it would lapse. The direction was an extensive one covering over 700 properties and raised a number of problems which prevented its approval. The Department wrote to the council in September 1986 explaining the position, and the council responded with a number of further queries and an outline of a new direction for comment. I regret that the case has not been dealt with more expeditiously since then. However, officials have recently met council officers and are writing to the council setting out clearly, the steps it should take in submitting a revised article 4 direction dealing with the points raised.

  Defective Housing
  Mr. Wareing
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider ways and means of assisting Liverpool city council to meet the needs of tenants of Truscon RD27 type houses where the local ombudsman has called for action to eradicate structural faults and carry out essential repairs.

  Mrs. Roe
  It is for Liverpool city council to consider how it should respond to the local ombudsman's findings concerning council-owned Truscon RD27 houses, including how any expenditure needs might be met from within the council's resources. The council discussed its overall resource position with my Department's officers on 12 October and this will be taken into account in our decisions on HIP allocations for 1988–89.

  Urban Regeneration Grants
  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of projects for which urban regeneration grants have been made; and what percentage of the projects was formed by the grants.

  Mr. Trippier
  One offer of urban regeneration grant has been made towards a scheme costing £17·5 million in all to reclaim and develop the former Round Oak steelworks site in Dudley. The grant offered is £3·25 million representing 18·5 per cent. of the total cost.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been spent on urban regeneration grants to the latest convenient date; and how many projects were involved in the expenditure.

  Mr. Trippier
  There has been no expenditure.

  Mr. Rooker
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many current applications are being considered for urban regeneration grants; and if he can give the information by region.
  840
  Mr. Trippier
  Over 30 possible schemes seeking urban regeneration grant have been or arc being discussed with the Department. Twelve schemes have reached the stage where they are being appraised. The regional breakdown of these is as follows:

  Number

  North-West

  6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4

  West Midlands

  2

  Four of these schemes involve a number of sub-projects (21 in one case) each of which will be appraised and decided separately.

  Estates Action
  Mr. Livingstone
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by when he estimates that the estates action programme will have spent all the £75 million allocated to it in the current financial year; whether sufficient bids have been received from local authorities to make this possible; and if he will itemise the bids received and their current status with the estates action programme.

  Mrs. Roe
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Housing Associations (Tenants)
  Mr. Wheeler
  asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statememt on the progress of the home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations; how many tenants have availed themselves of the scheme to date; what restrictions there are on the numbers of persons who may do so; how many persons are waiting; and over what period of time.

  Mrs. Roe
  The home ownership scheme for tenants of charitable housing associations was introduced in September 1984 to help tenants who would have had the right to buy but for the charitable status of their landlords. It has proved very popular and approximately 4,600 properties have been purchased on the open market. However, demand outstrips the resources available for discounts under the scheme, the cost of which has to be accommodated within the Housing Corporation's cash limited approved development programme. As a result, a waiting list has been in force since 1 October 1986; at the end of September some 1,900 applications were being held. I am currently reviewing the funding position.

  Housing Associations (Tenants)
    CORRIGENDUM
    Official Report, 15 May 1987, Written Answers, c. 440: At line 27, before "Employment" insert the following:

  Surrogacy Agencies
  Mr. Peter Bruinvels
  asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent information he has collected on the operation of surrogacy arrangement agencies in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Newton
  The operation of commercial surrogacy agencies is prohibited under the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985. We have received no information indicating there have been any possible breaches of the Act since the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 15 January at column 300.

  PUBLIC FUNDING IN COMMUNITY CARE: GRIFFITHS REVIEW
  PUBLIC FUNDING IN COMMUNITY CARE: GRIFFITHS REVIEW
  FIREARMS LEGISLATION
  FIREARMS LEGISLATION