Written Answers of 29 April 1988

ENVIRONMENT

  East London (Housing)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what type of housing is envisaged for the five areas of new housing in east London announced on 20 April; how many will be for sale and how many for rent; under whose auspices the development will take place; what total amount of expenditure is envisaged; who will be responsible for funding; and what is the anticipated time scale from commissioning of consultants' reports and the commencement of the first construction.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A mix of housing in the five areas is envisaged. It is too early to comment on the nature of that mix, which will depend on planning and other considerations. Similarly it is premature to comment on the other matters raised by the hon. Member as these will be amongst the topics covered by the appointed consultant.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations took place between his Department and the London boroughs involved before he made his announcement on the consultancy studies of the prospects for new housing on five sites in east London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No special consultations took place between the Department and the London boroughs involved. The Department keeps in general contact with all London boroughs.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the leader of Newham council was notified of his announcement of consultancy studies of the prospect for new housing in five areas in east London; and when the original announcement was made.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I wrote to the leader of Newham council on 21 April, the day following my announcement.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Esher (Mr. Taylor) of 20 April,Official Report, column 825, he will involve the London boroughs concerned with the work to be undertaken by the consultants commissioned to carry out studies on the five sites for housing development in east London; and if he will make a statement.

  London boroughs

  Housing capital expenditure (outturn)

  £ million

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  City of London

  1·5

  0·8

  0·6

  1·3

  2·4

  1·2

  5·5

  Barking and Dagenham

  4·9

  3·5

  4·1

  4·7

  2·7

  5·5

  7·5

  Barnet

  12·1

  7·7

  8·1

  12·3

  11·8

  12·1

  14·3

  Bexley

  5·7

  6·8

  7·3

  8·2

  9·5

  7·5

  4·3

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  Mr. Waldegrave
  It is intended to involve the London boroughs concerned as appropriate.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Esher (Mr. Taylor) of 20 April,Official Report, column 825, what is the consultancy fee allowed for in the study of the five sites for housing identified in east London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The commission will be let by competitive tender so no fee has yet been determined.

  General Development Order
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his proposal to amend and consolidate the General Development Order 1977.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I gave details of our proposals to amend and consolidate the GDO in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Mr. Kirkhope) on 4 February 1988,Official Report, columns 711–12. We are now considering comments received in response to the consultation paper we issued that day. We expect to make the new order later this year.

  Households
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he or his officials have yet held a meeting with members of the South East Regional Planning Conference to consider the new projections of household numbers to 2001; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friend expects to meet members of the conference for this purpose soon.

  Sunday Sports
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many major spectator sporting events were held on Sundays in 1987; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information is not held centrally.

  Housing Investment Programme
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report, for each London borough, for each year since 1980–81, (a) total HIP expenditure (outturn); (b) HIP expenditure funded by capital receipts.

  Mrs. Roe
  [pursuant to her reply 26 April 1988 c. 137–8]: The information requested is shown in the table.
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  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Brent

  27·9

  25·1

  28·7

  32·9

  42·9

  25·4

  26·5

  Bromley

  8·7

  7·8

  10·2

  14·0

  22·0

  11·6

  12·4

  Camden

  53·9

  29·2

  30·8

  41·0

  35·9

  41·0

  74·8

  Croydon

  7·7

  8·7

  11·7

  15·9

  15·6

  15·7

  17·7

  Ealing

  19·1

  16·2

  18·7

  23·1

  24·8

  18·2

  20·4

  Enfield

  9·9

  9·2

  10·9

  11·3

  12·9

  12·3

  15·4

  Greenwich

  21·6

  17·7

  17·3

  20·4

  21·7

  15·1

  32·6

  Hackney

  25·2

  25·7

  39·2

  31·5

  46·4

  33·2

  54·5

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  23·5

  20·3

  27·0

  36·4

  25·7

  19·1

  21·8

  Haringey

  37·3

  25·5

  38·6

  49·8

  37·1

  29·8

  35·9

  Harrow

  5·7

  3·8

  7·0

  9·3

  8·5

  6·6

  9·4

  Havering

  4·6

  4·0

  4·6

  6·9

  7·7

  12·5

  8·7

  Hillingdon

  11·8

  11·6

  14·2

  16·3

  18·0

  15·6

  16·8

  Hounslow

  11·6

  8·5

  11·3

  16·8

  16·9

  11·1

  11·2

  Islington

  46·3

  38·9

  58·7

  40·2

  49·2

  31·9

  64·3

  Kensington and Chelsea

  23·8

  25·1

  24·8

  23·1

  30·5

  21·4

  22·5

  Kingston upon Thames

  1·8

  3·0

  4·0

  6·7

  7·1

  5·9

  5·8

  Lambeth

  52·6

  35·6

  32·2

  46·8

  45·2

  44·1

  56·2

  Lewisham

  32·2

  21·8

  27·9

  33·8

  30·2

  21·3

  34·2

  Merton

  7·3

  6·5

  7·6

  7·1

  6·1

  7·7

  10·0

  Newham

  27·4

  16·1

  17·7

  33·2

  41·0

  28·8

  33·1

  Redbridge

  5·6

  6·0

  4·6

  10·0

  13·7

  14·4

  7·1

  Richmond upon Thames

  5·8

  4·7

  5·0

  4·9

  6·2

  4·3

  54·1

  Southwark

  42·2

  30·2

  46·5

  49·8

  37·0

  43·0

  47·4

  Sutton

  4·5

  3·9

  5·2

  6·8

  10·4

  5·0

  4·2

  Tower Hamlets

  14·8

  9·1

  6·7

  9·9

  11·3

  12·0

  27·6

  Waltham Forest

  13·3

  10·3

  12·3

  13·3

  16·1

  12·7

  14·5

  Wandsworth

  24·9

  21·9

  28·5

  36·0

  39·8

  46·1

  51·0

  Westminster

  17·5

  20·1

  22·0

  22·7

  26·1

  20·1

  19·1

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Racial Harassment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, by local education authority in England and Wales, the latest figures on racial harassment in school; and if he will make a statement on what guidelines his Department has issued to education authorities on racial harassment.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Statistical information on incidents of racial harassment in schools is not collected centrally.

  Advice on dealing with racial harassment was issued in October 1983 in the form of a paper published by HM inspectorate, on "Race Relations in Schools". The paper was based on detailed discussions with a number of urban and county LEAs. Copies were sent to all chief education officers and all teacher-training institutions. The paper identified a range of actions which schools might take to encourage good race relations. HMI continue, in the course of their regular visits and formal inspections, to offer advice and guidance on good practice.

  Computer Courses (Women)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will express the number of women(a) applying for and (b) starting computer courses at universities and polytechnics over the past five years as a percentage of all domestic applicants and starters; if he will take steps to promote (i) more such courses and (ii) a higher proportion of women students in such courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Figures for applicants are available only for the universities. They are:
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  Women as Proportion of All Applicants for Courses in Computing1

  Percentages

  1982

  22·9

  1983

  20·3

  1984

  18·2

  1985

  16·0

  1986

  15·4

  1987

  15·1

  1 There was a change in the basis of subject coding for universities in 1985.

  Figures for the numbers of students starting computing courses and the proportion who were women are:

  Universities in the United Kingdom1

  Polytechnics in England

  UCCA acceptances

  Percentage of females

  New enrolments2

  Percentage of females

  1982

  1,901

  21·7

  2,170

  22·9

  1983

  1,935

  19·7

  2,955

  19·9

  1984

  2,070

  16·5

  3,205

  17·4

  1985

  2,214

  16·4

  3,841

  17·9

  1986

  2,276

  16·1

  4,595

  17·1

  1 There was a change in the basis of subject coding for universities in 1985.

  2 Full-time equivalent.

  The information shows that there has been a substantial increase in overall enrolments on computing courses in recent years, reflecting demand from students and the priority which institutions and the funding bodies have given them.

  The numbers of women taking these courses are increasing, though more slowly than the numbers of men. Policy on student admissions is for the institutions themselves, within the law as it relates to sex discrimination. The Government's policy for the national curriculum is in part intended to counter premature specialisation in schools and to increase the number of girls who have the grounding in mathematics and kindred

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  subjects which will enable them to study for the qualifications which admit to courses of higher education such as computing.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the per capita spending on education in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) West Germany, (iii) the United States of America and (iv) Japan.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The readily available information on current public expenditure on education per capita is given in the table:

  Country

  Year of data

  Expenditure per capita at 1983 prices £1

  United Kingdom2

  1983

  269

  Gennany, Federal Republic of

  1983

  253

  USA3

  1982

  458

  Japan4

  1982

  216

  1 At purchasing power parity; expenditure adjusted to calendar year, where necessary, using consumer prices indices.

  2 Excludes expenditure on nursing and paramedical courses at DHSS establishments.

  3 Includes capital expenditure.

  4Excludes public subsidies to private education.

  Language Teaching
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received the report of the committee established to advise on what children should know about language; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I am publishing today the report of the committee chaired by Sir John Kingman. I asked the committee to advise what, in general terms, children need to know about the English language, and in consequence what they should have been taught and be expected to understand on this score at ages 7, 11 and 16. I am grateful to the committee for its hard work. It has produced an interesting report which will contribute to discussion about the teaching of the English language and about the importance of the grammatical structure of the language and of the correct use of the spoken word.

  English is one of the core subjects in the national curriculum as proposed in the Education Reform Bill now before Parliament. I am now appointing a working group on English to make recommendations for attainment targets and programmes of study for English as a whole. The working group's terms of reference are set out in the table. I am specifically asking the English working group to take account of the relevant recommendations of the Kingman committee in its work on attainment targets and programmes of study.

  The working group will be chaired by Professor Brian Cox, Pro-Vice Chancellor and John Edward Taylor Professor of English Literature at Manchester University. Its membership will be:

  Mrs. Diane Billups, Head of Broughton Junior School, South Humberside.

  Ms. Linda Cookson, Senior Tutor, Cental School of Speech and Drama.

  Mr. Roald Dahl, Writer.

  Mr. Roger Samways, Adviser for English and drama, Dorest LEA.

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  Professor David Skilton, Head of Department of English, UWIST; designated Head of the School of English Studies. Journalism and Philosophy at the new University of Wales College of Cardiff.

  Mr. Brian Slough, Deputy Head, Kettering Boys' School, Northamptonshire.

  Professor Michael Stubbs, Professor of Education with special reference to the teaching of English in Education, Department of English and Media Studies, University of London Institute of Education.

  Dr. Charles Suckling, Chairman, Bradbury, Suckling & Partners Ltd, Scientific Consultants, member of Kingman Committee.

  I expect the group to begin work in early May.

  I shall be considering the Kingman committee's other detailed recommendations in due course in the light of public comment on its report and of the English working group's recommendations.

  NATIONAL CURRICULUM: WORKING GROUP ON ENGLISH TERMS OF REFERENCE
  Preamble
  1. The Education Reform Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes the establishment of a National Curriculum of core and other foundation subjects for pupils of compulsory school age in England and Wales. For most of these subjects, including English which is a core subject, the Government wishes to establish clear objectives—attainment targets—for the knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities should he expected to have acquired at or near the key ages of 7, 11, 14 and 16; and, to promote them, programmes of study describing the content, skills and processes which need to be covered during each key stage of compulsory education. Taken together, the attainment targets and programmes of study will provide the basis for assessing pupils' performance—in relation both to expected attainment, and to the next steps needed for the pupils' development.
  2. Both the objectives (attainment targets) and means of achieving them (programmes of study) should leave scope for teachers to use their professional talents and skills to develop their own schemes of work, within a set framework which is known to all. It is the task of the working group to advise on that framework for English, which is a core subject. The framework should ensure, at the minimum, that all school leavers are competent in the use of English— written and spoken—whether or not it is their first language.
  3. The Kingman Committee, established to advise the Secretary of State on what children should know about language, has made recommendations for attainment targets for knowledge about language at the ages of 7, 11 and 16. The working group should build on these to recommend attainment targets covering the grammatical structure of the English language. But English comprises both language and literature, including poetry and drama. The working group's recommendations on learning about language and its use should draw upon the English literary heritage; should promote the reading of great literature and the knowledge and appreciation of literature; and should indicate the types of literature which all pupils should cover in the course of their studies.
  The Task
  4. The Government has made it clear that it expects most curricular time at primary level to be taken up by the core subjects of English, maths and science. But it is important that in the primary phases attainment targets and programmes of study in the core subjects are looked at together as well as individually. The working groups on mathematics and science are well-advanced towards their final reports. The English working group is therefore asked to give immediate attention to recommendations on attainment targets for ages 7 and 11 and the associated programmes of study and to submit a report on these to the Secretary of State by 30 September 1988.
  5. By the same date, the working group is asked to submit a progress letter to the Secretary of State on its provisional thinking about the knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities should be

  279
  expected to have attained and be able to demonstrate around the end of the academic year in which they reach the ages of 14 and 16.
  6. By 30 April 1989 the working group is to submit a final report to the Secretary of State, setting out and justifying its final recommendations on attainment targets for the key ages of 14 and 16 and the associated programmes of study.
  Approach
  7. The working group should consult informally with relevant interests and have regard to the work of the other subject working groups, in particular that on Welsh. Additionally it should take account of:

  (a) the broad framework proposed by the Task Group on Assessment and Testing for assessment and testing;

  (b) the need for attainment targets which reflect the fact that in the primary stage, particularly for 7 year olds, English will support learning in all other subjects, and will be developed by how those are taught;

  (c) the contribution which, more generally, English can make to learning about other subjects and the contributions which these subjects can make to learning about English, including the promotion of development of good written and spoken English in all subjects;

  (d) the recommendations of the Kingman Committee on attainment targets for children's explicit and implicit knowledge about language at ages 7, 11 and 16;

  (e) best practice and the results of relevant research and curriculum developments;

  and the issues covered in the supplementary guidance to the Group's Chairman.

  Technology
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to set up a working group to recommend attainment targets and programmes of study for technology within the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are from today establishing a working group on design and technology. The group will advise on attainment targets and programmes of study for technology within the national curriculum for secondary school pupils. The science working group which we appointed last summer is making recommendations about technology for primary school pupils.

  The design and technology working group will also advise on attainment targets and programmes of study for information technology, and on a framework for design across foundation subjects, for all pupils of compulsory school age. The working group's formal terms of reference which include guidance on the approach to technology within the national curriculum are set out below. We are grateful to Lady Parkes, a governor of the BBC and a member of the Secondary Examinations Council, for agreeing to take the chair of a working group on design and technology. The other members of the group are:

  Ms. Krysia Brochocka—Educational design consultant

  Mrs. Elsa Davies Educational Liaison Officer, British Institute of Management

  Mr. Malcolm Deere—Education Adviser (Curriculum), TVEI Unit, Manpower Services Commission

  Mr. Denis Filer—Director of Engineering, ICI plc

  Mr. Terry Gibbons — Head of Design Faculty, Gwendraeth Valley School, Dyfed

  Mr. John Hammond—Lecturer in Computing Science, City University

  Dr. Philip Hunter — Chief Education Officer, Staffordshire

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  Mr. Ben Kelsey — Adviser for Business Education, Hampshire Local Education Authority and Director of the National Business and Information Studies Project

  Mr. Paddy O'Hagan — Head of Faculty, Design and Technology, Northolt High School, Ealing.

  The group will start work as soon as possible. We are asking it to give interim advice by 31 October and final advice by 30 April 1989.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP

  Terms of reference
  Background
  1. The Education Reform Bill currently before Parliament provides for the establishment of a national curriculum of core and other foundation subjects for pupils of compulsory school age in England and Wales. For most subjects, including technology, the Government wishes to establish clear objectives — attainment targets — for the knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities should be expected to have acquired by the end of the academic year in which they reach the ages of 7, 11, 14 and 16; and to promote them, programmes of study describing the content, skills and processes which need to be covered during each key stage of compulsory education. Taken together, the attainment targets and programmes of study will provide the basis for assessing a pupil's performance, in relation both to expected attainment and to the next steps needed for the pupil's development.
  2. Both the objectives (attainment targets) and means of achieving them (programmes of study) should leave scope for teachers to use their professional talents and skills to develop their own schemes of work, within a set framework which is known to all. It is the task of the Working Group on Design and Technology to advise on that framework for design and technology.
  The Task
  3. The science working group is already looking at attainment targets and programmes of study for primary technology. The design and technology group should focus on the final two key stages, as defined in the Education Reform Bill—that is, the secondary phase—building on the work of the science group for the primary phase.
  4. The working group is asked to submit an interim report to the Secretaries of State by 31 October 1988 outlining:

  (i) the contribution which design and technology should make to the overall school curriculum and how that will inform the group's thinking about attainment targets and programmes of study;

  (ii) its provisional thinking about the knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities should be expected to have attained and be able to demonstrate at key ages;

  (iii) its thinking about the programmes of study which would be consistent with the attainment targets provisionally identified.

  5. By 30 April 1989 the working group is to submit a final report to the Secretaries of State setting out and justifying its final recommendations on attainment targets and the programmes of study for design and technology. In addition, the working group should recommend attainment targets and programmes of study for design and for information technology in the first two key stages, for primary pupils, to supplement the recommendations of the science working group.
  Approach
  6. In approaching its task the working group is to view technology as that area of the curriculum in which pupils design and make useful objects or systems, thus developing their ability to solve practical problems. The working group should assume that pupils will draw on knowledge and skills from a range of subject areas, but always involving science or mathematics. They should be taught the principles and practice of good design, the application of theoretical knowledge, and within that context the practical craft skills needed for realising their designs in wood, metal, plastics, textiles and other materials. They should also learn about the variety of modern materials and technologies in use in the

  281
  industrial and commercial world. Pupils should prepare for the world of work by learning how to work in teams as well as by themselves; by understanding the importance of functional efficiency, quality, appearance and marketability; and about the importance of working within financial and technical constraints. Modern business practice increasingly involves the use of IT. Technological education should equip pupils with basic IT skills and develop an awareness of the potential use of IT and computer technology whether in the business office, or manufacturing or commerce.
  7. Technology as described above is an activity which goes "across the curriculum", drawing on and linking in with a wide range of subjects. The group should start from the basis that technology is an area of study in its own right, with its own distinctive objectives and content. This does not necessarily mean that technology must be a separately timetabled subject: schools will be free to teach technology how they choose, provided that the activity is coordinated as a clear programme and directed towards the distinctive objectives of technology. By the end of the third key stage of their compulsory education pupils should have acquired a firm basis of skills, knowledge and understanding in technology. This will provide a broad foundation on which pupils can build in undertaking technological work as defined in paragraph 6 in more specialised contexts, including other subject areas during the fourth key stage, whether for GCSE or otherwise.
  8. Design will be an essential part of technology as defined above, but will also draw on and contribute to other areas of the curriculum. The Working Group is asked to consider design in all its aspects throughout the period of compulsory education, identifying and recommending attainment targets for those of particular importance in technology and recommending a framework within which other aspects will need to be developed in other subjects. The group should work on the basis that the distinctive objectives of design and technology are that a pupil at the end of his or her compulsory education, should:

  (i) be able to design and make artefacts and systems, applying scientific or mathematical and other knowledge and skills;

  (ii) be familiar with designing processes and have had experience of applying them to real life tasks within typical constraints (time, money etc) with due regard to cost, marketability, social, environmental and other relevant factors;

  (iii) appreciate the importance of design and technology in society, historically and present day, particularly as it affects the economy.

  9. The use of computer and information technology and other advance technologies in control, simulation and data

  Body

  Subject

  Due date

  Date of publication

  Interim Advisory Committee on School teachers' pay and conditions

  Pay and conditions of school teachers in England and Wales 1988–89

  31 March 1988

  19 April 1988

  Committee of Inquiry into the Teaching of the English language

  Teaching of English

  Spring 1988

  29 April 1988

  Committee of Inquiry into A levels

  A level examinations

  April 1988

  Early Summer 1988

  Committee of Inquiry into Discipline in Schools

  Behaviour and discipline in schools

  End 1988

  Early 1989

  Task Group on Assessment and Testing

  Assessment and Testing arrangements for national curriculum

  January 1988 and Spring 1988

  First report: 12 January 1988 supplementary advice: shortly

  National curriculum subject working groups on

  Programmes of study and attainment targets

  Science

  Summer 1988

  Summer 1988

  Mathematics

  Summer 1988

  Summer 1988

  English

  Autumn 1988 (primary)

  Autumn 1988

  storage and retrieval is becoming increasingly important in our society. This fact should he reflected in the use of computer and information technology across the school curriculum. Each subject group as it is set up is being asked to consider the scope for using computer and information technology in its subject and to frame appropriate attainment targets. However the design and technology group is asked to provide within the national curriculum a focus for the developments of computer and IT awareness, and skills such as keyboard skills and basic programming, by recommending appropriate attainment targets at the four key stages together with a supporting programme of study related to IT and basic computer skills and to awareness of the uses of advanced technology.
  10. In carrying out its work the group should consult informally and selectively with relevant interests including industry and have regard to the work of other subject groups, particularly the work of the science group on primary technology. Additionally the group should take account of

  (i) the broad framework proposed by TGAT for assessment and testing;

  (ii) the contributions which design and technology can make to learning about other subjects, and other subjects can make to learning about design and technology;

  (iii) best practice and the results of any relevant research and development, and in particular developments under TVEI.

  and the issues covered in the supplementary guidance to the Group's Chairman.

  Departmental Reports
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the names of all statutory bodies, committees of inquiries and task groups and other similar bodies which are due to report to him in 1988, with details in each case of the subject matter of the reports; when the reports are expected to be submitted to him; and when they are likely to be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  [holding answer 28 April 1988]: The information required is listed in the table. The list excludes Her Majesty's inspectorate and standing advisory bodies such as the University Grants Committee and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils.
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  Body

  Subject

  Due date

  Date of publication

  Student support review

  System of supporting students in higher education

  Summer 1988

  Government proposes to publish its conclusions, in the light of the report, in Summer 1988

  Working Party on funding of university extra-mural departments

  Transitional arrangements for transfer of funding of liberal adult education in university extra-mural departments to Universities Funding Council

  Summer 1988

  Not yet decided

  Records of Achievement National Steering Committee Report

  National guidelines for introduction of Records of Achievement

  Autumn 1988

  Autumn 1988

  Visiting Committee of the Royal College of Art

  Financial and academic provision of the RCA

  August 1988

  Not published

  Visiting Committee of Cranfield Institute of Technology

  Financial and academic provision at Cranfield supported by DES funding

  August 1988

  Not published

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mr Roc Sanford
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an independent inquiry into the circumstances under which charges were brought, and criminal proceedings conducted against Mr Roc Sanford by the Metropolitan police on the grounds of the possession of drugs.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. An inquiry supervised by the Police Complaints Authority has already been carried out by the Metropolitan police. Its findings are still being considered.

  Child Care
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has in relation to the number of teachers, social workers, medical staff and associated staff who have been vetted by police before they are employed in jobs where they work with children; and whether his Department keeps information as to the number of people refused employment and the reasons therefor.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The latest figures available are for the period 17 July 1986 to 31 August 1987. During this period, there were 161,276 requests for police checks under the arrangements introduced for the protection of children. Information about the professions for which these checks were carried out is not held centrally.

  Information is not held centrally about the number of people refused employment as a result of information provided through these arrangements, as it is for employing authorities to determine what action to take in the light of this information and the other circumstances of the case.

  Minicab Drivers (Assaults)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report on the number of assaults on minicab drivers in east London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Comprehensive information about such assaults is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I am 284
  informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that his records show that in the period 1 January 1988 to 25 April 1988 there were 18 cases of theft or robbery involving cab drivers in the Leyton area in which there was also some degree of assault. These cases may include incidents in which licensed taxi drivers as well as minicab drivers were involved. We fully support the efforts which the police are making to prevent such crimes taking place and to bring to justice those who perpetrate them.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of keeping a prisoner on remand in(a) prison and (b) police cells.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During the financial year 1986–87, the latest year for which information is available, the average weekly cost of keeping a prisoner in custody in a local prison or remand centre was £231. During the same period, the average weekly cost of keeping a prisoner on remand in a police cell was £651.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost which has fallen on police authorities in England and Wales as a result of prisoners being remanded to police cells in the first quarter of 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Information on the costs which have fallen to police authorites in England and Wales as a result of prisoners being remanded to police cells in the first quarter of 1988 is not available, but the amount reimbursed by the prison department in the first quarter of 1988 to police authorities in respect of claims received for prisoners being remanded to police cells is £18,316,638.

  Firemen
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many otherwise unemployed persons are employed as part-time firemen by fire authorities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. John Patten
  This information is not held centrally.

  Immigration
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the practice of immigration officers handing files relating to individual applicants to those applicants.

  Mr. Renton
  It is not the practice of immigration officers to hand files to applicants. The individual case which I assume the hon. Member has in mind was an isolated error for which apologies have already been made.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the latest statistics available on the number and percentage of cases in which he did not uphold the decision to refuse entry clearance after representation by right hon. and hon. Members.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Appeals against refusal of entry clearance are properly a matter for the immigration appellate authorities.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the prison population per 100,000 inhabitants on 1 February 1987 and for each year

  Prison population per 100,000 inhabitants in member states of the Council of Europe on 1 February, 1983–87

  Member state

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Ranking on 1 February 1987

  Percentage increase February 1983 to February 1987

  Austria

  114

  114

  112

  109

  103

  1

  -10

  Belgium

  2

  72

  67

  64

  69

  8=

  2

  Cyprus

  30

  39

  33

  32

  38

  16

  28

  Denmark

  63

  70

  68

  69

  69

  8=

  10

  France

  68

  74

  80

  81

  89

  5

  31

  West Germany

  103

  104

  100

  92

  84

  7

  -18

  Greece

  35

  40

  37

  37

  40

  15

  15

  Ireland

  37

  48

  47

  52

  54

  13

  46

  Iceland

  35

  32

  34

  36

  37

  17=

  5

  Italy

  65

  76

  78

  77

  57

  11=

  -11

  Luxembourg

  72

  78

  69

  92

  99

  3

  37

  Malta

  29

  30

  28

  27

  28

  19

  -5

  Netherlands

  28

  31

  34

  35

  37

  17=

  29

  Norway

  52

  48

  51

  51

  50

  14

  -3

  Portugal

  53

  69

  87

  96

  85

  6

  60

  Spain

  60

  38

  51

  61

  67

  10

  11

  Sweden

  65

  57

  58

  56

  57

  11=

  -12

  Switzerland

  58

  62

  68

  2

  2

  3

  2

  Turkey

  2

  171

  147

  130

  100

  2

  2

  United Kingdom

  191

  188

  90

  94

  96

  4

  16

  England and Wales

  87

  86

  88

  92

  94

  3

  8

  Scotland

  101

  90

  97

  109

  109

  3

  9

  Northern Ireland

  1162

  1156

  135

  125

  121

  3

  1-25

  Source: Council of Europe, Prison Information Bulletin, number 9 and earlier issues.

  1 Based on additional figures provided by the Northern Ireland Office.

  2 Not available.

  3Not shown.

  British Citizens Overseas (Franchise)
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement the Government's proposals to extend the franchise for British citizens overseas; and what plans he has for consultation about this matter.
  286
  since 1983 in the United Kingdom; what information he has as to the comparable figures for each member state of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  Information published by the Council of Europe is shown in the table. The Council of Europe publishes information on the prison population in member states twice a year in its "Prison Information Bulletin'', copies of which are held in the Library.

  The figures for different countries are unlikely to be strictly comparable because the definitions of prisons and prisoners vary from one country to another, reflecting different legal and administrative systems. Such differences may have a substantial effect on the comparisons. However, the most recent information indicates that on 1 February 1987 the prison population per 100,000 inhabitants in the United Kingdom, at 96, was the fourth highest among 19 member states; for seven of the 19 states, including France and Germany, the rate was over 80 per 100,000 inhabitants. Between February 1983 and February 1987, the prison population per 100,000 inhabitants increased in 13 of the member states. In England and Wales the increase was 8 per cent. This increase was substantially lower than in several other countries: Portugal (60 per cent.), Ireland (46 per cent.), Luxembourg (37 per cent.), France (31 per cent.), Netherlands (29 per cent.) and Cyprus (28 per cent.).

  Mr. Hurd
  During this Parliament I intend to bring forward legislation to extend the eligibility of British citizens living overseas to register as electors in this country. I have placed in the Library copies of a consultation paper which the Home Departments are issuing today to representatives of the local authorities,
  287
  electoral registration officers, and main political parties. This discusses possible ways of giving effect to our manifesto commitment to British citizens overseas.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Personal Computers (Exports)
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received concerning the effect of current restrictions on the temporary export of personal computers by British business men; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I am aware of the problems which controls on the temporary export of personal computers have been causing British business men. In agreement with Her Majesty's Customs, steps have been taken to ease the burden. An export licence will no longer be required for the temporary export to most free world destinations of many small personal computers for the visitor's own use.

  Radioactive Packages (Export Licences)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any export licences were granted in the years(a) 1970 to May 1979, and (b) May 1979 to the present to Amersham International plc, or its predecessor, the Radiochemical Centre, for shipments of radioactive packages from the United Kingdom to the Centre Etudes Nuclêairs at Mol in Belgium.

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

WALES

  Nurses and Midwives
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what courses are available in Wales for nurses and midwives to undertake further training to improve the scope and standard of their skills.

  Mr. Grist
  The following courses are available in Wales to enable nurses and midwives to undertake further training to improve the scope and standard of their skills:

  Courses approved by Welsh National Board
  (a) Courses approved by the Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (WNB) and qualifications recorded on the register of nurses, midwives and health visitors. This training covers First and Second level registration.

  Registered General Nurse

  Registered Mental Nurse

  Registered Mental Handicap Nurse

  Sick Children's Nurse

  Enrolled Nurse (General)

  Midwifery

  Health Visitor

  (b) Courses approved by the Welsh National Board as continuing education.

  District Nurse

  District Enrolled Nurse

  Fieldwork Teacher

  Practical Work Teacher

  Advanced Diploma in Midwifery

  Certificate of Further Education

  Practice Nurse

  Supervisor of Supervised Practice

  288

  Assessor of Supervised Practice

  General Intensive Care Nursing for EN(G)

  Operating Department Nursing for RGN/RSCN

  Operating Department Nursing for EN(G)

  Accident and Emergency Nursing for RGN

  Orthopaedic Nursing for RGN

  Orthopaedic Nursing for EN(G)

  Oncological Nursing for RGN

  Cardiac Nursing for RGN

  Burns and Plastic Surgery Nursing RGN

  Nursing Elderly People for RGN/ENG(G) RMN/ EN(M)/RNMH/EN(MH)

  Special and Intensive Nursing Care of the Newborn for RGN/RSCN/RM

  Family Planning Nursing for RGN/RMN/RNMH/ RSCN/RM/RHV

  Principles of Intensive Care for RGN/RSCN

  Continuing Care of the Dying Patient and the Family

  Care and Management of Persons with Aids

  (WNB Revised) Developments in Mental Handicap Care

  Nursing Elderly People

  Introduction of Promotion of Continence and Managment of Incontinence

  Introduction to the Understanding and Application of Research

  Teaching and assessing in Clinical Practice

  WNB/CCETSW Working together with Mentally Handicapped People: The Team Approach

  Community psychiatric nursing

  Refresher courses for nurse teachers and midwives

  Courses which are not directly approved by, or under the control of the Welsh National Board
  (a) Courses run by University College of Wales, Cardiff. Batchelor in Education (full nursing option for any nurse wishing to become a nurse teacher)
  Postgraduate Certificate/Certificate in Education (enabling nurses to register as teachers of nurses)
  (b) Courses run by University College of Wales, Swansea, Institute of Health Care Studies.

  Diploma in Nurse Training

  Diploma in Health Visiting

  Research Appreciation Course

  Research Training Programme

  Advanced Diploma in Midwifery

  Diploma in Health Visiting Care

  Refresher Courses for Nurses and Health Visitors

  working in the Community

  Introduction to Counselling

  Advanced Counselling

  Care of the Patient with Cancer

  Bereavement in Pregnancy and the Early Neonatal Period

  Practical Work Teacher and Field Work Courses

  Promotion of Continence and Better Management of Incontinence in the Community

  Welsh Nurse Management Development Course

  Standards of Care and Quality Assurance

  Supervisor of Supervised Practice

  AIDS: The Nursing perspective

  (c) Courses run by the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff

  BN (Bachelor in Nursing)

  BN (Masters in Nursing)

  Health Visiting and District Nursing Course

  Fieldwork Teacher and Fieldwork Courses

  (d) Courses run by the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education, Wrexham

  Bachelor in Education (contains full nursing option for any nurse wishing to become a nurse teacher) Diploma in Nursing Studies

  Health Visiting and District Nurse Training Course

  Practical Working Teachers Training for Health

  Visitors and District Nurses

  Courses for the Enrolled Nurse who wishes to become a District Nurse

  Primary Nurse Course

  (e) Courses jointly run by South Glamorgan School of Nursing and South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education

  Bachelor in Nursing (4 year part-time course; leads to Diploma in Nursing Studies after 2 years)

  (f) Course run by the Manpower Consultancy Service of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority

  Welsh Management Development Scheme for Nurses and Professions Allied to Medicine

  (g) Schemes run by the National Health Service Training Authority

  General Management Training Schemes. 1, 2 and 3 which together form the National Accelerated Development Programme for management training in the NHS. The scheme is open to nurses and midwives

  (h) Courses run by the Open University

  A systematic approach to Nursing care

  Mental Handicap: patterns for living

  Coronary Heart Disease

  Drug use and Misuse

  Caring for Older People

  Caring for Children and the Young

  Mental Health problems in Old Age [from May 1988]

  In addition to these courses, district health authorities in Wales run their own post-basic education courses geared

  Clwyd

  E. Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwy-nedd

  M. Glam

  Pembs

  Powys

  S. Glam

  W. Glam

  WHC-SA

  Wales

  Medical and Dental (Hospital based)

  246

  167

  288

  134

  336

  59

  15

  630

  274

  —

  2,149

  Medical and Dental (Community based)

  41

  30

  57

  31

  56

  11

  17

  44

  34

  —

  321

  Nursing and Midwifery (Hospital based)

  3,296

  1,926

  3,939

  1,796

  4,671

  565

  992

  4,171

  3,059

  —

  24,415

  Nursing and Midwifery (Community based)

  375

  244

  415

  235

  489

  111

  112

  425

  366

  —

  2,772

  Professional and Technical

  535

  333

  684

  367

  686

  115

  117

  1,341

  590

  3

  4,771

  Works and Maintenance

  221

  159

  300

  161

  404

  39

  91

  400

  271

  166

  2,212

  Administrative and Clerical

  779

  517

  947

  560

  1,067

  166

  171

  1,424

  798

  495

  6,924

  Ambulance

  187

  141

  256

  185

  283

  46

  114

  193

  157

  —

  1,562

  Ancillary

  1,221

  795

  1,562

  812

  1,978

  204

  372

  1,859

  1,395

  12

  10,210

  Total all staff

  6,901

  4,312

  8,448

  4,281

  9,970

  1,316

  2,001

  10,487

  6,944

  676

  55,336

  A breakdown between hospital and community staff for 1987 is not yet available. Overall figures as at 30 September 1987 are given in the table.

  Clwyd

  E. Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  M. Glam

  Pembs

  Powys

  S.Glam

  W. Glam

  WHCSA

  Wales

  Medical and Dental1

  287

  197

  345

  165

  392

  70

  32

  674

  308

  —

  2,470

  Nursing and Midwifery

  3,673

  2,194

  4,337

  2,088

  5,413

  679

  1,125

  4,752

  3,503

  —

  27,764

  Professional and Techincal

  553

  345

  725

  370

  723

  131

  118

  1,407

  621

  —

  4,993

  Works and Maintenance

  217

  154

  311

  151

  401

  31

  90

  388

  249

  176

  2,168

  Administrative and Clerical

  800

  518

  965

  541

  1,097

  174

  193

  1,490

  824

  485

  7,087

  Ambulance

  191

  150

  245

  186

  279

  46

  119

  207

  166

  —

  1,589

  Ancillary

  1,186

  729

  1,492

  770

  1,860

  216

  359

  1,818

  1,368

  12

  9,810

  Total all staff

  6,907

  4,287

  8,420

  4,271

  10,165

  1,347

  2,036

  10,736

  7,039

  673

  55,881

  1 Figures for 1987 are not yet available; 1986 figures included.

  Water Rates
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the average payment and the percentage increases in the Welsh water rate in each year since 1974.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is given in the table:
  290
  to meeting their own individual needs. These include staff nurse development programmes for newly qualified staff nurses.

  Hospitals (Staffing)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the recommended staffing levels by patient category in Welsh hospitals; and what are the current staffing levels.

  Mr. Grist
  There are no recommended staffing levels by patient category in hospitals. The determination of appropriate staffing levels is an operational matter for individual health authorities.

  Staff numbers by individual hospitals are not held centrally. With the exception of medical and dental staff and nursing and midwifery staff, information which is held centrally does not distinguish between community and hospital based staff.

  The table provides a breakdown by authority, and between hospital and community based staff where appropriate, at 30 September 1986:

  Welsh Water Authority: average household bill

  £

  Percentage1

  1975–76

  37·44

  —

  1976–77

  43·91

  17·3

  1977–78

  47·66

  8·5

  1978–79

  44·11

  (7·4)

  1979–80

  49·08

  11·3

  1980–81

  60·38

  23·0

  1981–82

  66·76

  10·6

  291

  £

  Percentage1

  1982–83

  281·34

  21·8

  1983–84

  86·35

  6·2

  1984–85

  92·77

  7·4

  1985–86

  103·91

  12·0

  1986–87

  114·01

  9·7

  1987–88

  122·61

  7·5

  1988–89

  134·57

  9·7

  1 Percentage increase over previous year.

  2 The rateable value was increased from £120 to £124 in 1982–83.

  Notes: Comparable figures are not available for 1974–75 for the average household.

  In 1978–79 the average bill decreased by 7·4 per cent. over the previous year.

  Gross capital expenditure in 1986–87

  £ million

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Local authorities

  53·004

  41·956

  87·344

  27·665

  80·329

  15·357

  62·458

  61·611

  Direct central Government:

  (i) health1

  6·109

  7·405

  6·976

  2·579

  6·753

  1·269

  10·726

  12·167

  (ii) roads

  27·584

  19·414

  8·508

  25·162

  9·199

  3·222

  3·813

  2·253

  (iii) agricultural grants2

  1·971

  4·245

  0·400

  2·361

  0·362

  4·757

  0·066

  0·254

  1 Health authority capital expenditure, excluding residual WHCSA expenditure.

  2 Net of EC receipts and excluding the Agriculture Improvement Scheme.

  For details of regional development grant and regional selective assistance expenditure, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 24 February, Official Report columns 215–16.

  Urban Aid
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each county and for each district in Wales the number and the cost of schemes approved by his Department under the urban aid programme since 1974.

  Mr. Grist
  Information prior to 1979–80 is not available in the form required. Since that time the total allocations made to individual local authorities and the number of new schemes approved are as follows:

  Local authorities

  Allocation £ million

  Number of new schemes

  Clwyd County Council

  10·2

  57

  Alyn and Deeside District Council

  3·6

  39

  Colwyn Borough Council

  0·2

  6

  Delyn Borough Council

  7·8

  47

  Glyndwr District Council

  0·2

  4

  Rhuddlan Borough Council

  0·2

  5

  Wrexham Maelor Borough Council

  7·7

  70

  Dyfed County Council

  3·4

  29

  Carmarthen District Council

  0·2

  4

  Ceredigion District Council

  0·1

  2

  Dinefwr Borough Council

  1·4

  17

  Llanelli Borough Council

  5·2

  50

  Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council

  2·4

  22

  South Pembrokeshire District Council

  2·3

  26

  Gwent County Council

  5·7

  50

  Blaenau Gwent Borough Council

  7·7

  109

  Islwyn Borough Council

  3·4

  70

  Monmouth District Council

  0·2

  2

  Newport Borough Council

  8·3

  98

  Torfaen Borough Council

  2·7

  48

  Gwynedd County Council

  4·9

  30

  Central and Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table indicating the capital expenditure by central and local government departments in each of the counties of Wales for 1986–87.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  A breakdown of the totality of central Government expenditure in Wales is not readily available in the form requested. However, for the major programmes within my responsibility, the information is estimated to be as follows:

  Local authorities

  Allocation £ million

  Number of new schemes

  Aberconwy Borough Council

  0·1

  3

  Arfon Borough Council

  2·5

  34

  Dwyfor District Council

  0

  0

  Meirionnydd District Council

  0·9

  2

  Ynys Môn Borough Council

  1·0

  10

  Mid Glamorgan County Council

  9·3

  82

  Cynnon Valley Borough Council

  4·2

  68

  Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council

  5·3

  67

  Ogwr Borough Council

  2·9

  34

  Rhondda Borough Council

  8·0

  101

  Rhymney Valley District Council

  4·6

  36

  Taff-Ely Borough Council

  1·5

  21

  Powys County Council

  0·6

  9

  Brecknock Borough Council

  0·4

  3

  Montgomeryshire District Council

  0·1

  4

  Radnor District Council

  0·1

  1

  South Glamorgan County Council

  9·9

  129

  Cardiff County Council

  8·3

  87

  Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council

  2·2

  32

  West Glamorgan County Council

  4·8

  59

  Port Talbot Borough Council

  3·7

  61

  Lliw Valley Borough Council

  0·8

  9

  Neath Borough Council

  3·4

  40

  Swansea County Council

  6·7

  83

  Welsh Crafts Industry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make an announcement concerning the future financing, structure and marketing of the Welsh crafts industry.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I announced a comprehensive packagoe of support for the Welsh craft industry on 27 April. The arrangements have been welcomed by all the key bodies involved, including the Welsh Development Agency, Mid-Wales Development and the Wales Craft Council.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those primary schools in Powys which(a) have classes where Welsh is the sole or main medium of instruction of first or second language pupils, (b) have classes of first or second language pupils where some of the teaching is through the medium of Welsh, and (c) teach no Welsh or where Welsh is taught as a second language but not used as a teaching medium.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:

  POWYS SCHOOLS WITH SOME CLASSES WHERE WELSH IS THE SOLE OR MAIN MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
  School Names

  Banw County Primary School

  Carno County Primary School

  Llanfair Caereinion County Primary School

  Machynlleth County Primary Junior

  Trefeglwys County Primary School

  Ardwyn Nursery and Infants School

  Machynlleth County Primary School

  Ysgol Maesydre

  Hafren County Primary School

  Llanfyllin County Primary School

  Ysgol Glantwymyn

  Ysgol Pennant

  Llanwrtyd Wells County Primary

  Cwmtwrch County Primary School

  Ysgol Gymraeg Ynyscedwyn County Primary

  Ysgol Y Bannau

  C. in W. Llanerfyl School

  Trefonnen C. in W. School

  POWYS SCHOOLS WITH TEACHING THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF WELSH AS A FIRST OR SECOND LANGUAGE
  School Name

  Llanbrynmair County Primary School

  Llanwddyn County Primary School

  Meifod County Primary School

  Pontrobert County Primary School

  Cynlais County Primary School

  Gurnos Infant School

  Penycae County Primary School

  Bronllys County Primary School

  Llanfihangel C. in W. (A)

  Velindre C. in W. School

  POWYS SCHOOLS WITH NO TEACHING THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF WELSH
  School Name

  Aberhafesp C. P. School

  Abermule Dolforwyn School

  Arddleen C. P. School

  Berriew C. P. School

  Caersws C. P. School

  Carreghofa C. P. School

  Dolfor C. P. School

  Leighton C. P. School

  Llandinam C. P. School

  Llangurig C. P. School

  Pantycrai C. P. School

  Penygloddfa C. P. School

  Trefnanney C. P. School

  Tregynon C. P. School

  Ladywell Green N. & I. School

  Guilsfield C. P. School

  Llanidloes C. P. School

  Buttington/Trewern C. P.

  Brynhafren C. P. School

  Churchstoke C. P. School

  Maesyrhandir C. P. School

  Oldford Nurs. & Inf. School

  Treowen C. P. School

  Franksbridge C. P. School

  Llanbister C. P. School

  Llandrindod Wells C. P. School

  Llanfihangel Rhydithon C. P

  294

  Bwlch-Y-Sarnau C. P. School

  Rhosgoch C. P. School

  Presteigne C. P. School

  Radnor Valley C. P. School

  Crossgates C. P. School

  Mount Street C. P. School

  Libanus C. P. School

  Builth Wells C. P. School

  Cray C. P. School

  Defynnog C. P. School

  Trecastle C. P. School

  Ysgol Thomas Stephens

  Gurnos C. P. Junior

  Penrhos C. P School

  Glanrhyd C. P. School

  Abercraf C. P. School

  Caehopkin C. P. School

  Colbren C. P. School

  Crickhowell C. P. School

  Llanigon C. P. School

  Cradoc C. P. School

  Hay-on-Wye C. P. School

  Llangynior C. P. School

  Talgarth C. P. School

  Irfon Valley C. P. School

  POWYS SCHOOLS WITH NO TEACHING THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF WELSH
  School name

  Llanfaes C.P. School

  Llanfechain C.I.W. School

  Manafon School

  Montgomery C.I.W. School

  Gungrog C.I.W. Infants School

  Bettws C.I.W. School

  Forden C.I.W. School

  Llandysilio C.I.W. School

  Castle Caereinion C.I.W.

  Beguildy C.I.W. School

  Gladestry C.I.W. School

  Howey V.C.P. School

  Newbridge-on-Wye V.P.

  Nantmel C.E. School

  Clyro C.I.W. School

  Ffynnon Gynydd School

  Knighton C.I.W. School

  Rhayader C.I.W. School

  Llanelwedd C.I.W. School

  Llanfrynach C.I.W. School

  Cwmdu C.I.W. School

  Talybont-on-Usk C.I.W.

  Llangattock C.I.W. School

  Llangorse V.P. School

  Kerry C.I.W. School

  Llansantffraid C.I.W. Aided

  Sarn C.E. Aided School

  Whitton Dame Anna Child's End

  Glasbury C.I.W. (A) School

  Llanbedr C.I.W. (Aided)

  Archdeacon Griffiths Primary School

  Priory C.I.W. Primary School

  St. Joseph's Roman Catholic V.A. School

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those primary schools in Clwyd which(a) have classes where Welsh is the sole or main medium of instruction of first or second language pupils, (b) have classes of first or second language pupils where some of the teaching is through the medium of Welsh and (c) teach no Welsh, or where there are classes where Welsh is taught as a second language but not used as a teaching medium.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  [holding answer 22 April 1988]: The information is as follows:

  CLWYD SCHOOLS WITH SOME CLASSES WHERE WELSH IS THE SOLE OR MAIN MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
  School name

  Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant

  Ysgol Glanrafon

  295

  Ysgol Terrig

  Ysgol Dewi Sant

  Ysgol Gwenffrwd

  Ysgol Glan Morfa

  Ysgol Bod Alaw

  Ysgol Dinmael

  Yr Ysgol Pentrefoelas

  Ysgol Gynradd Tynyfelin

  Ysgol Gynradd Cerrigydrudion

  Ysgol Gynradd Henllan

  Nantglyn County Primary School

  Rhydgaled County Primary School

  Ysgol Tan-y-Fron

  Ysgol Llannefydd

  Ysgol Bro Aled

  Twm O'R Nant School

  Llanarmon District County School

  Bro Cernyw School

  Ysgol Min-y-Ddol

  Clocaenog School

  Ysgol Gynradd Pentrecelyn

  Ysgol Caer Drewyn

  Ysgol Bryn Tabor

  Ysgol Y Llys

  Ysgol Bodhyfryd

  Ysgol Penbarras

  Ysgol Heol Caer

  Ysgol Hooson

  Ysgol Gynradd Llanrhaeadr

  Llangwm County Primary School

  Ysgol Gynradd Tremeirchion

  Ysgol Reoledig Pantpastynog

  Llanelian Aided Primary

  CLWYD SCHOOLS WITH TEACHING THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF WELSH AS A FIRST OR SECOND LANGUAGE
  School name

  Buckley C.P. School

  Ysgol Llanfynydd

  Rhoshelyg C.P. School

  Brynford C.P. School

  Ysgol Bodfari

  West Lea County Infants

  Bodnant Junior School

  Wepre Lane C.P. School

  Ysgol Esgob Morgan

  Llanfair Talhaiarn Shool

  Llwydgoed School

  Old Colwyn Junior School

  Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr

  Cefn Meiriadoc C.P. School

  Ysgol Frongoch

  Ysgol Bryn Clwyd

  Ysgol Y Pare Infants School

  Ysgol Cynddelw

  Pontfadog C.P. School

  Llanrhaeadr Y.M. C.P. School

  Ysgol Bro Cynllaith

  Ysgol Gynradd Cyffylliog

  Ysgol Y Rhewl

  Betws Gwerfil Goch School

  Yr Ysgol Gynradd Carrog

  Yr Ysgol Gynradd Sirol

  Gwyddelwern C.P. School

  Llandrillo C.P. School

  Ysgol Gynradd Maes Hyfryd

  Rhes-Y-Cae Primary School

  Llantysilio Primary School

  Betws Yn Rhos Primary School

  Ysgol Reoledig Llanfair

  Borthyn VC Primary School

  Ysgol A Brynglwys

  Ysgol Eglwys Derwen

  CLWYD SCHOOLS WITH NO TEACHING THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF WELSH
  School name

  Ysgol Glan Aber county primary

  Merllyn county primary school

  Coed Talon county primary school

  Custom House Lane county primary school

  Dee Road infants school

  296

  Golftyn county primary infants school

  Ysgol Hiraddug Dyserth school

  Ewloe Green county primary school

  Bryn Garth county primary school

  Gwynedd county primary school

  Ysgol Maes Edwin school

  Greenfield county primary school

  Ysgol y Fron

  Perth-y-Terfyn infants school

  Ysgol Estyn Hope county primary school

  Ysgol Gynradd Licswm

  Mynydd Isa junior county primary school

  Northop Hall county primary school

  Bodnant infants school

  Rhuallt county primary school

  Ysgol y Castell county primary

  Christ Church county primary school

  Ysgol Llywelyn

  Wood Memorial county primary school

  Sealand county primary school

  Shotton county infants school

  Sychdyn county primary school

  Ysgol Trelogan

  Bryn Pennant county primary school

  Carmel county primary school

  Bryn Deva county primary school

  Sandycroft county primary school

  Gwernymynydd county primary school

  Ysgol y Faenol

  Ysgol Penmorfa

  Emmanuel county primary school

  Queensferry county primary school

  Bryn Coch county primary school

  Mountain Lane county primary school

  Ysgol y Foel

  Ysgol Melyd

  Bryn Gwalia county primary school

  Ysgol y Ddol

  Ysgol Bryn Hedydd

  Hawarden county infants school

  Ysgol Derwen

  Penyffordd county primary school

  The Rofft county primary school

  Golftyn junior school

  Saltney Ferry county primary school

  Wat's Dyke infant school

  Ysgol y Waun

  Taliesin junior school

  Abermorddu C.P. school

  Southdown C.P. school

  Drury C.P. school

  Broughton infants school

  Cornist Park infants school

  Ysgol Derwenfa

  Penarlag C.P. school

  Ysgol Owen Jones primary

  Broughton junior school

  Conwy Road infants C.P.

  Douglas Road infants school

  Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos junior

  Ysgol Babanod Mochdre

  Ysgol T. Gwynn Jones

  Penmaenrhos infants school

  Towyn junior C.P. school

  Abergele infant C.P. school

  Ysgol Cystennin

  Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos infants school

  Ysgol Y Foryd

  Gwaenynog infants C.P. school

  Froncysyllte C.P. school

  Garth C.P. school

  Chirk infants school

  Ceiriog junior C.P. school

  Madoc C.P. school

  Ysgol Gynradd Cefn Mawr

  Cefn Mawr infants C.P. school

  Johnstown junior C.P. school

  Penycae junior C.P. school

  Penycae infants school

  Ysgol Y Ponciau Primary

  297

  Ysgol Maes Y Llan primary

  Gellifor C.P. school

  Graianrhyd C.P. school

  Llanarmon Yn Ial C.P. school

  Acton Park junior C.P. school

  Alexandra C.P. junior school

  Alexandra infants C.P. school

  Brynteg County school

  Bwlchgwyn C.P. school

  Tanyfron C.P. school

  Gwersyllt junior C.P. school

  Gwynfryn C.P. school

  Park junior school

  Park C.P. infants school

  New Broughton junior school

  New Broughton infants school

  Pentre Broughton junior school

  Pentre Broughton infants C.P. school

  Penygelli junior school

  Penygelli infants school

  Rhosddu primary school

  Rhostyllen County Primary Infant School

  Victoria County Primary Junior School

  Victoria Infants County Primary School

  Hafod Y Wern Infants County Primary School

  Hafod Y Wern Junior School

  Gwenfro Infants County Primary School

  Gwenfro Junior County Primary School

  Rhostyllen Junior County Primary School

  Rhosymedre Junior County Primary School

  Acton Park County Primary Infant School

  Borras Park County Primary Infant School

  Deiniol County Primary School

  Borras Park Junior County Primary School

  Rhosymedre Infants County Primary

  Bryn Golau Infants School

  Barker's Lane County Primary School

  Wat's Dyke County Primary School

  Ysgol Y Drindod School

  St. Elfod Junior School

  Johnstown Infants School

  Ysgol John Davies

  Abbots Lane County Primary School

  Ysgol Sant Dunawd

  Ysgol Bryn Collen Llangollen

  Holt County Primary School

  Heulfre County Primary School

  Ysgol Gronant

  Ysgol Y Gaer

  Pendorlan Junior County Primary School

  Ysgol Tan Y Marian

  Rhos St. Ruthin English Med County Primary School

  Rhos County Primary School

  Ysgol Pen Y Bryn

  Nannerch Primary School

  Talwrn Green School

  Nercwys Primary School

  St. Asaph Infants School

  Higher Wych Primary School

  St. Peter's Primary School

  Ysgol-y-Wern

  Pentre Primary School

  St. George Primary School

  Llysfaen Primary School

  Eyton Primary School

  Isycoed Primary School

  Llanbedr Primary School

  Llangedwyn Primary School

  Trefnant Primary School

  St. Giles Junior School

  St. Giles Infants Schools

  Ysgol Llanddulas

  Bronington Primary School

  Ysgol Yr Esgob

  Madras Primary School

  St. Mary's R.C. Primary School

  St. Winefredes R.C. School

  St. David's R.C. Shop

  St. Anthonys R.C. Primary School

  Ven Edward Morgan R.C. Primary

  298

  St. Winefride's R.C. School

  Ysgol Mair, J.M. INF. R.C.

  Trelawnyd Primary School

  Rector Drew Primary School

  Whitford Primary School

  Hanmer Primary School

  St. Ethelwold's Primary School

  Pentrobin Primary School

  St. Joseph's R.C. Primary School

  St. Mary's R.C. Primary School

  Minera Primary School

  Gresford (All Saints) P. School

  St. Mary's Primary (Ruabon) School

  St. Mary's Primary (Brymbo) School

  St. Anne's R.C. Primary School

  St. Mary's C. in W. Aided School

EMPLOYMENT

  Nitrosamines (Safety Guidelines)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals and guidelines his Department is giving to industry to implement new machine design, material substitution, improved ventilation and hygiene to eradicate the possible cancer causing hazards of synthetic metal cutting and grinding fluids contaminated with nitrosamines.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive has recently published guidance note EH49 entitled "Nitrosamines in synthetic metal cutting and grinding fluids". A copy will be placed in the Library. This guidance note is available to the general public through HMSO and gives information and guidance on the occurrence and hazards of nitrosamines in synthetic metal cutting fluids and the precautions needed to elimate or control those hazards.

  National Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the future of the national dock labour scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations calling for the scheme to be abolished. The Government have made clear that they understand the views expressed, but have explained that there are no present plans for change.

  Foreign Travel
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total costs incurred by his Department on foreign travel during the financial year 1987–88, identified by(a) ministerial travel and (b) travel abroad by civil servants.

  Mr. Lee
  [holding answer 22 April 1988]: During the financial year 1987–88 approximately £50,000 was spent on travel abroad by Ministers and immediate staff and approximately £600,000 was spent on travel abroad by DE group officials.

SCOTLAND

  Rating Revaluation
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the details of the system to be used to limit commercial rate increases after the 1990 revaluation.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State last week announced plans to cushion Scottish businesses from the full effects of increases in their rates bills brought about by the 1990 revaluation. Our intention is to place a ceiling on the amount of the increase which any non-domestic ratepayer will face in any one year following the revaluation. We also recognise that, in the case of small businesses, rates tend to form a higher share of costs. We intend, therefore, to take power to provide more generous arrangements for small businesses. The levels of the ceilings and the definition of small businesses will be decided once the effects of the revaluation can be more clearly judged.

  Deprived Areas
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the criteria used in allocating grants to areas of deprivation; and if he will list those areas to which grants have been allocated.

  Mr. Lang
  Urban areas with levels of deprivation in the worst 10 per cent. in Scotland qualify for assistance under the urban programme. In the current year new grants have been allocated to a range of projects in all mainland regions except Borders and Highland regions. The eligible areas are listed on page 18 of "New Life for Urban Scotland" published on 29 March 1988.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pesticides
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning his recent consultative document on pesticide residues.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have to date received one substantive written response.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his long-term policy with regard to farm incomes.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government's policy is to promote a viable and competitive agricultural industry. The reforms of the CAP agreed at the recent European Council should lead to a better balance of supply and demand which should lead to farmers having greater stability in the long run and a better atmosphere within which to make sound business decisions about the future.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Education Costs
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost per pupil of education 300
  in Northern Ireland at (a) primary and (b) secondary levels; what were the equivalent figures five and 10 years ago in cash and real terms; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The recurrent cost figures are as follows:

  1976–77 £

  1981–82 £

  1986–87 £

  Cash prices

  Primary

  257·28

  560·60

  794·18

  Secondary

  404·30

  853·05

  1,312·08

  Real terms

  Primary

  630·84

  716·27

  794·18

  Secondary

  991·32

  1,089·93

  1,312·08

  Unit expenditure in 1986–87 (the latest year for which figures are available) has more than trebled in cash terms from 1976–77 levels. In real terms the increases are over 25 per cent. and should be against a backcloth of falling enrolments, down more than 8 percent. (or 31,000 pupils) in these 10 years. This is clear evidence of the Government's continuing commitment to education in the Province.

  Adult Training Programme
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of, and if he will list, the respondents to the Department of Economic Development's advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph of 3 March on the new adult training programme in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  A total of 367 persons and organisations responded to the Department's advertisement published in local newspapers throughout Northern Ireland during March 1988. These responses are being treated in confidence by the Department and it would not therefore be appropriate to list the respondents.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the applicability of the new arrangements for the adult training programme for Northern Ireland; and when the new arrangements will be announced.

  Mr. Viggers
  The new arrangements for adult training in Great Britain recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment do not extend to Northern Ireland. Consideration is now being given to the production of corresponding proposals for Northern Ireland which take account of the local circumstances. These proposals will be announced in due course.

  Economic Development
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the funds expended in 1986–87 and 1987–88 on economic development through the Industrial Development Board and the local enterprise development unit.

  Mr. Viggers
  Of the funds allocated to economic development in Northern Ireland in 1986–87 £107 million was expended by the Industrial Development Board and £25·5 million by the Local Enterprise Development Unit.
  301
  During the 1987–88 financial year expenditure by the Industrial Development Board and the Local Enterprise Development Unit was £99·5 million and £22 million respectively.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on community economic development; and if he will list the initiatives or projects supported or funded by the Department of Economic Development in 1986–87 and 1987–88 to stimulate this form of economic development.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Government are committed to encouraging local communities to play as full a part as possible in economic development and job creation throughout Northern Ireland. To this end the action for community employment scheme provides employment opportunities for persons who have been unemployed for more than one year in a wide range of projects of benefit to the community. In the year 1986–87 6,150 were employed under the ACE scheme at a cost of £28·54 million. In 1987–88 6,200 were employed at a cost of £28·84 million. As part of the ACE programme a pilot enterprise scheme was launched in May 1987 to help ACE workers move into self-employment. During 1987–88 a total of 84 applications were received under the scheme and of these 51 were approved. The local enterprise programme has supported the establishment of 35 locally based business-led enterprise groups capable of accommodating and supporting 1,000 small businesses and 3,000 jobs by the end of this year. Assistance totalling £3·5 million has been offered under the programme during the past two years.

  Substitute Teachers
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, in view of the fact that one to two-day courses for teachers are ineligible for substitute cover, and the implications for health and safety standards, he will review the operation of substitute teacher regulations in primary schools in Northern Ireland with particular regard to allowing primary school principals to obtain a substitute teacher in the first and second day of absence.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A review of the substitution provision is being carried out by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

  The teachers regulations provide that:

  in the case of primary schools with three or fewer teachers full substitute cover is provided;

  in the case of schools with an average daily enrolment of 222 pupils or fewer substitute cover is provided after the first day of a teacher's absence or from the first day if a teacher's absence is a planned absence of mor than one day's duration; and

  in all other schools substitute cover is provided after the second day on which a teacher is absent or from the first day of absence if the teacher's absence is a planned absence of more than two days' duration.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations from trade unions and individual teachers he received concerning the implementation of the substitute teacher regulations in primary schools.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Northern Ireland Teachers Council has raised the matter of substitution cover at the Negotiating committee on Teachers Salaries and 302
  Conditions of Service. Representations have also been made by the National Association of Head Teachers and by individual teachers of two primary schools.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial savings have been made by the Department of Education by the implementation of substitute teacher regulations in primary schools in Northern Ireland since September 1987.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, in the period 1 September 1987 to 31 March 1988 compared with the corresponding period last year the number of days on which substitutions were employed in all schools, decreased by 25,000. This represents an estimated financial saving of £1·5 million, but this may not be wholly attributable to the introduction of the new substitutes provisions.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much per day it costs the Department of Education to employ a substitute teacher in a primary school in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the current average daily salary and associated employer's superannuation and national insurance contributions is £59.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many substitute teachers were employed in primary schools in each of the education and library boards in Northern Ireland in each academic year from 1980–81 to 1987–88;

  (2) what percentage of the primary education budget was allocated to the employment of substitute teachers in the primary sector in Northern Ireland in each academic year from 1980–81 to 1987–88.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the salary cost in the financial year 1987–88 (the only year for which figures are available) as a percentage of the total provisional expenditure on primary schools is 4·3 per cent.

  Belfast Action Teams
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the remit of the Belfast action teams; if he will list the budgets for each of the existing and proposed teams; and what funding has been made available to community groups under this initiative.

  Mr. Needham
  The remit of the Belfast action teams is to secure an improvement in the quality of life and opportunities for people living in areas of multiple social and economic deprivation through an area-based strategy involving the local community. The principal elements of this strategy are the creation of employment, the enhancement of employment opportunities, the better coordination where appropriate of public services and an improvement in the physical environment of the area. The existing four teams each have a budget of £500,000 per annum as will any further teams. During the financial year 1987–88 community groups received £626,000 under this initiative.

  Rates
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Housing Executive tenants in receipt of supplementary benefit, having their rent deducted at source, will now be paying their 20 per cent. portion of rates through the post office.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I am informed by the chairman that the executive estimate that some 77,000 of its tenants previously in receipt of supplementary benefit will have to pay at least 20 per cent. of the rates on their homes.

  Of these 77,000, some 64,000 had previously their rent and rates charges met in full. The remainder had to meet charges because of non-dependants in the household.

  Housing Executive (Arbitration)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will for each of the contracts concerned indicate the date of the final certificates.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I have been advised by the chief executive that the dates of the final certificates for each of the contracts concerned were:

  (a) 30 May 1986

  (b) 19 March 1987

  (c) 20 January 1987

  (d) 12 May 1987

  Housing Executive Contracts
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to institute the practice of a technical audit for Housing Executive contracts, as recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has already developed a system for the audit of its building contracts in line with the recommendations of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will for each of the contracts concerned give the actual sums paid at arbitration for (a) the clerks of works, (b) legal fees, (c) technical costs and (d) staff costs.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that no specific sums were paid at arbitration for the clerks of works; technical costs or staff costs. The following costs were paid by the Housing Executive in respect of contractors legal fees for each of the contracts concerned:

  (a)£2,990.

  (b)Nil.

  (c)Nil.

  (d)£2,500.

  304
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer of 23 March to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will indicate for each of the contracts concerned the date of (a) acceptance of tender, (b) the contract sum, (c) the contract period and (d) the date of possession of site.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the information is as follows:

  Acceptance of tender

  Contract sum £

  Contract period

  Date of possession of site

  (a) 18 May 1979

  147,636·96

  18 months

  31 May 1979

  (b) 23 March 1984

  120,108·00

  20 weeks

  31 March 1984

  (c) 27 July 1981

  202,056·00

  4 weeks

  17 August 1981

  (d) 20 October 1981

  125,531·85

  11 months

  9 November 1981

  Housing Executive (Arbitrations)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will indicate (a) the contractual date for completion and (b) the contractual date for final measurements for each of the contracts concerned.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the contractual dates for completion and final measurement respectively for each of the four contracts were:—

  (a) 18 November 1980 and 18 May 1981;

  (b) 13 August 1984: no specific date for final measurement was required in this form of demolition contract;

  (c) 17 December 1981 and 17 June 1982;

  (d) 9 October 1982 and 9 April 1983.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will indicate for each of the contracts concerned the amount of the bills of adjustments.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the amounts of the bills of adjustment for each of the contracts concerned were:—

  (a) £261,359·00

  (b) £163,780·84

  (c) £209,585·35

  (d) £164,384·00

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contractors began arbitration between themselves and the Housing Executive in the financial year 1986–87; what were the total sums claimed; how many of these arbitration proceedings were settled and at what cost to the executive during that year; and how many have been settled to date.
  305
  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that eight contractors began arbitration in the year 1986–87; the total sum claimed was approximately £1·52 million; three of these arbitration proceedings were settled in 1986–87 at a total cost to the Housing Executive of approximately £34,420; and a total of five have been settled to date.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will for each of the contracts concerned indicate the amount certified at the dates of completion certificates.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the following amounts were certified at practical completion for each of the contracts concerned:

  (a) £188,473·43

  (b) £146,780·84: no provision was made in this type of demolition contract for a certificate of practical completion. This amount was determined when the contractor deemed the contract to have been completed.

  (c) £162,000.

  (d) £146,300.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will for each of the contracts concerned indicate the amount granted at arbitration and whether these amounts are included in the sums paid in respect of the bills of adjustments.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the following amounts were agreed in settlement between the parties for each of the contracts concerned and were included in the sums paid in respect of the bills of adjustment:

  (a) £9,500.

  (b) £17,000.

  (c) £12,420.

  (d) £5,000.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will indicate for each of the contracts concerned the date of the certificate of practical completion.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the dates of the certificate of practical completion for each of the contracts concerned were:

  (a) 22 January 1982;

  (b) No specific date;

  (c) 26 April 1982;

  (d) 20 September 1983.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East, on 23 March,Official
  306
  Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will for each of the contracts concerned define the major points of claim.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the major points of claim for each of the contracts concerned were as follows:

  (a) Alleged failure to give possession of site; delay and disruption; failure to measure and value; breach of contract.

  (b) Alleged failure to give full vacant possession.

  (c) Alleged delay in nomination; water damage, delay and disruption; repayment of liquidated damages.

  (d) Alleged failure to give possession; delay and disruption; late nomination; failure to provide information; delays in payments; negligence; breach of contract.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East, on 23 March,Official Report, column 169, about the Housing Executive, regarding the four arbitrations referred to, he will for each of the contracts concerned indicate the actual date of final measurement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the actual dates of final measurement for each of the four contracts concerned were:

  (a) June 1983;

  (b) March 1987;

  (c) August 1983;

  (d) October 1984.

  Rowland Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report those recommendations of the Rowland inquiry which have not been put into effect.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: None.

  Midwives
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year since 1981 the number of whole-time equivalent qualified midwives working in Northern Ireland(a) in hospital maternity units, (b) in special care baby units, (c) in education and (d) as community midwives.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: The information requested is as follows:

  Whole-time equivalent (WTE) of qualified midwives

  Year

  Hospital1

  Education

  Community2

  1981

  841·17

  20·75

  116·20

  1982

  850·71

  22·42

  127·95

  1983

  858·52

  23·00

  132·21

  1984

  915·23

  23·50

  141·51

  1985

  907·80

  23·75

  143·24

  1986

  861·07

  24·50

  152·82

  1987

  877·20

  25·33

  169·10

  1 It is not possible to distinguish between midwives working in hospital maternity units and those working in special care baby

  307
  units.

  2 The WTE figure for community midwives includes 20 per cent. of the total WTE service provided by district/nurse midwives.

  Baby Care Nurses
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year since 1981 the number of whole-time equivalent nurses working in Northern Ireland in(a) hospital maternity units and (b) special care baby units.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: It has not been possible to distinguish between nurses working in hospital maternity units and special care baby units. The combined totals are as follows:

  Nurses

  1981

  ..

  1982

  113,80

  1983

  108,47

  1984

  95,58

  1985

  115,15

  1986

  89,30

  1987

  100,52

  .. = Not available.

DEFENCE

  Exports (Value)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of British defence exports in 1987.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The total figures for the value of defence exports for 1987 are not yet available. We hope to publish them in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988.

  21st Special Operations Squadron
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has to the date on which 21st Special Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force was activated; on what date it will become operational; what its role will be as declared to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; what British military facilities, other than RAF Woodbridge, are to be used by, or in support of, this unit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The personnel and equipment of the unit which will be known as the United States Air Force 21st Special Operations Squadron are currently operational at RAF Woodbridge but the official designation of the new unit has yet to be formalised; the process is expected to be completed in June. The unit's role is to train and support United States Special Operations forces when deployed to the United Kingdom for operations in support of NATO by providing resupply and airlift. The helicopters of the squadron will also assume responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance as required. The squadron will be able to make use of the range of training and support facilities made available to United States forces stationed in the United Kingdom.

  RAF Fighter Controllers (Training)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many simulators have been installed at United Kingdom air defence ground environment radar stations 308
  to provide interception control training for RAF fighter controllers; when each one was installed; and what plans exist to install further such simulators.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Four simulators have been installed at United Kingdom air defence ground environment operational units to provide interception control training for RAF fighter controllers. They were installed between 1974 and 1980.

  The improved UKADGE is being equipped with a modern centralised interception control simulation facility, to which all RAF interceptor controllers will have access, in order to maintain operational standards.

  Air Defence
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to hold the first exercise to practise the movement of United Kingdom air defence ground environment mobile radar convoys.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The first such exercise took place in 1985.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sites have been identified for the deployment of decoy radars as part of the United Kingdom air defence ground environment.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It is not our practice to give such details of operational plans.

  Trial Radar Installation (Bradwell)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the function of the trial radar installation near Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The facility near Bradwell-on-Sea was installed to investigate high-frequency, surface-wave radar technology.

  Bistatic Radar
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for the deployment of bistatic radar in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  There are no firm plans for the deployment of bistatic radar in the United Kingdom.

  Air Defence Ground Environmental System
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what slippage has occurred in the date of full operational capability for the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environmental system since 1977;

  (2) what elements of the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environmental system are already in operation.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment system is being introduced into service progressively over a number of years, in accordance with a plan which takes account of the need to maintain a continuous operational capability as the transition from the old to the new is accomplished. Not surprisingly for a system involving as many complex elements as this, there has been some slippage; costs have, however, remained within the terms of the fixed or firm
  309
  price contracts under which the system has been developed. The bulk of the equipment has already been built and installed with some elements of the system already in service use. The remaining elements will be introduced into service during the next few years.

  ALARM System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the expected final cost of the anti-radiation missile system — ALARM; and when is the expected date of entry into service;

  (2) what was the initial estimated cost of the anti-radiation missile system—ALARM; and what was the expected date of entry into service.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  At 1987–88 prices including VAT, the total cost of the ALARM missile system as estimated in 1983, at the time of the decision to procure it, was some £350 million; the current estimate is some £610 million, the great majority of which is represented by the fixed price contract recently announced. In 1983, the missile was expected to enter service in the late 1980s; on current plans it will do so in the early 1990s.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what lessons he has drawn for the process of decision-taking on procurement of missile systems from the process of choosing the anti-radiation missile system—ALARM;

  (2) what anti-radiation missile system was originally sought by the Royal Air Force.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A study has recently been completed on the arrangements for managing major projects, such as ALARM, in the Procurement Executive. A copy of the report "Learning From Experience" was placed in the Library on 30 March. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 March, at column 466, to my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis).

  As the House was told at the time, the decision taken in 1983 to buy ALARM in preference to HARM was not an easy one. Both options had advantages and disadvantages, and a wide range of complex factors had to be weighed. Both systems were operationally acceptable to the Royal Air Force. The process of evaluation and decision-taking was carried out with scrupulous care befitting the importance of the decision. The operational arguments were reviewed afresh last autumn and the clear conclusion was that ALARM was more suitable for the Royal Air Force's needs.

  Chemical Defence Establishment (Soviet Scientists)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed visit of Soviet scientists to the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I will make an announcement in due course.

  Submarines (Faulty Welding)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking with VSEL in respect of the incorrectly welded unit in a Trafalgar class submarine in August 1987.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  SSN hull units contain a slightly thicker section at the keel to provide an internal corrosion 310
  element. The incorrectly welded unit has been measured and found to contain a sufficient element for corrosion and it is therefore intended to leave the unit where it is presently positioned. The performance and life of the submarine will not be affected.

  For the future, we shall be requiring VSEL to ensure that its quality control arrangements prevent such incidents happening again.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking on the VSEL report on Trident parts, lost off the Mull of Galloway and Walney Island on 5 to 6 February.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Following the receipt of the report by VSEL in which the company identifies plans to put in hand a number of improvements to procedures, the Department is making arrangements to audit the implementation of these improvements.

  Courtney Hill, Newry
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the six soldiers found hiding in an old school in the Courtney Hill area of Newry on 12 April were doing; why they were in plain clothes; why they were armed with pump action shotguns; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I can confirm that four soldiers were in the building on 12 April. However, they were carrying out properly authorised duties, they were all in uniform and they were equipped with service issue weapons. It is not the practice to comment on the detail of operations.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what powers RAF Greenham Common was acquired and has been developed by his Department.

  Mr. Freeman
  RAF Greenham Common was first developed as a wartime airbase in 1941 on parts of Greenham and Crookham commons under the provisions of the Defence Regulations conferred by the Emergency Powers Act 1939. The then Secretary of State for Air acquired the freehold of Crookham common in 1955 and Greenham common in 1960.

  The wartime Defence Regulations remained in force until 31 December 1958. Subsequent building work at RAF Greenham Common was then subject to the provisions of the Law of Property Act 1925, which lay down that consents are required from the Secretary of State for the Environment, over and above normal planning consultation, before building on land subject to rights of common. The rights of common at Greenham and Crookham commons are specific to a limited number of property owners and include rights to graze livestock and take gravel.

  Although the normal planning procedures applying to Crown Land have been scrupulously observed, no consents under the Law of Property Act 1925 from the Secretary of State for the Environment have been sought by the Ministry of Defence since the lapse of the wartime Defence Regulations. Consequently, doubts about the legal position have been raised.

  Additional facilities at RAF Greenham Common will be needed in connection with the inspection arrangements under the agreed verification regime once the INF treaty

  311
  is ratified. Steps therefore need to be taken to remove a legal obstacle to further construction which could impede this and other work.

  It has therefore been decided that the appropriate course would be to negotiate fair compensation for the legal extinction of the commoners' rights which we propose to pursue under the provisions of the Defence Act 1854.

  This matter is legally quite distinct from the question of the legality of the byelaws at RAF Greenham Common which has arisen as a result of the recent decision by the Reading Crown court, and has been raised in the House on 26 April 1988 at columns 190–91.

  Ships (Lost Components)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answers of 15 February,Official Report, colunns 448–50, what surveillance his Department exercises over Trident contractors, with particular reference to methods of transport used for delivering components and integral parts and the use of foreign-registered ships; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 29 February 1988: Trident contractors are subject to the same supervision as any other MOD suppliers, and the level of supervision is dependent on the security level of the equipment involved. The MOD instructions on security in industry included in these contracts permitted the use of foreign vessels for the transportation of this type of fabrication.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Gulf War
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate fresh moves through the United Nations designed to bring the Iran-Iraq war to an end; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have played a leading role as a permanent member of the Security Council to bring about a negotiated settlement to the Iran-Iraq conflict. We shall continue to do our utmost to support the United Nations Secretary General in his work to reach a settlement via United Nations Security Council resolution 598 and in such follow-up measures as may be necessary to achieve compliance with this mandatory resolution.

  Polygraph Testing
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the wider introduction of polygraph testing as recommended by the Security Commission in 1984.

  Mr. Mellor
  Following completion of the first phase of the polygraph pilot scheme, an independent scientific study of the evidence about the validity of polygraphic techniques was commissioned. When the results of this study have been assessed, a decision will be taken on whether to proceed with the second phase of the pilot scheme. There are no plans for wider introduction of the polygraph.

  Israel (Sanctions)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give consideration to the application of selective economic sanctions against Israel.

  Mr. Mellor
  Economic sanctions would not help bring about a solution of the problems of the region.

  Falklands Fishing Zone
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the economic progress in the Falklands fishing zone.

  Mr. Eggar
  The estimated revenue to the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) from fishing licences and trans-shipping fees for the 1987–88 financial year is £18·65 million. In addition, Stanley Fisheries Limited has received joint venture premiums of £6·2 million. This income has provided a substantial boost to FIG revenues.

  Intergovernmental Organisations
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list in the Official Report the intergovernmental organisations, excluding the European Communities, of which the United Kingdom is a member, the amount of the United Kingdom's annual contribution to each organisation, the percentage of each organisation's budget which this represents and which Government Department accounts for each contribution.

  Mr. Eggar
  The policy of this Government is identical to that of its predecessors: to meet our obligations to international organisations in full and on time. Assessed United Kingdom contributions are usually determined by reference to a pre-set scale of assessment which varies from one organisation to another. Voluntary contributions are determined by the Minister concerned.

  For the international financial institutions, such as the World Bank group, the regional development banks and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, we seek equitable burden-sharing in the capital stock of each institution and in the soft fund replenishments.

  Budgetary matters are discussed with other countries as appropriate.

  Plutonium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on a report issued by the United States Department of Defence in autumn 1987 on the problems of safeguarding and physical security of plutonium in international commerce; and if this report has any implication for safeguarding and security arrangements for planned air freighting of plutonium from BNFL, Sellafield, to Japan.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are obtaining a copy of the report, and I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Immigration
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the delays in the application for
  313
  entry clearance of Mrs. T. A. (Islamabad immigration office ref. 1mm 90912) about whom the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State wrote to the hon. Member for Stretford on 7 March; if he will expedite consideration of this application; and if he will give details of the expected time at which it will be resolved.

  Mr. Eggar
  The background to this application was explained in my letter of 7 March 1988. Further information since received by the embassy in Islamabad necessitated the case being referred to the Home Office on 12 April 1988 for decision. My hon. Friend will write further on this.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present nine meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for May.

  At the EC/ASEAN meeting on 2–3 May, Ministers will discuss relations between the Community and ASEAN, and other international issues.

  The Internal Market Council meets on 3 May to discuss measures relevant to the completion of the single market.

  The Agriculture Council will meet on 16–17 May to continue its discussions on the 1988 price-fixing proposals and to consider various proposals forming part of the programme for the completion of the single market.

  The Education Council meets on 24 May to discuss the European dimension in education, a proposal to increase awareness of Community in schools; the transition of young people from education to adult and working life; education and the environment; teaching of foreign languages; medium-term priorities for education cooperation; and prospects for COMETT (a scheme to promote high technology cooperation between industry and universities) and ERASMUS (a scheme to encourage students to spend time at European universities).

  The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 24–25 May. Discussions are expected to include the extension of the food aid framework regulation; preparation for the EC-Israel Co-operation Council; relations between the Community and the United States; progress made in negotiations with Hungary on a trade and co-operation agreement; implemention of the European Council conclusions on financing the Community; and dates for the 1989 European Parliamentary elections.

  The Industry Council on 27 May is likely to hold preliminary discussions on the future of ECSC steel production quotas.

  The Culture Council meets on 27 May to discuss priorities for further cultural co-operation at Community level and its implemention.

  The Health Council will meet on 31 May to discuss progress on two draft directives under the cancer programme concerning labelling of tobacco products and tar yield; proposals for the collection of epidemiological data and the exchange of information on other measures concerning AIDS; a Commission report on toxicology; health aspects of medical technology and data processing; biotechnology; and the authorisation of proprietary medicinal products.
  314
  The Development Council will meet on 31 May. Ministers are expected to discuss a draft resolution on the economic situation and adjustment process in sub-Saharan Africa; the European volunteer service; a report on financial and technical cooperation with developing Asian and Latin American countries from 1976 to 1986 and UNGA's mid-term review of the critical situation in sub-Saharan Africa. The Council will also review the first year of the operation of COMPEX, the system for compensating less developed countries not signatory to the ACP-EEC convention for loss of export earnings; and progress on food strategies.

  Foreign Diplomats
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the number of unpaid parking fines incurred by each diplomatic mission in London during 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 reduced by late payment.

  The total for 1987 (14,437) indicates a 35 per cent. reduction over the total 1986 figure (22,331) and is only 13 per cent. of the 1984 figure (108,845)—the last to be published before the introduction of our policy on parking by members of diplomatic missions in May 1985.

  We welcome the further reduction in unpaid parking fines that has been achieved during 1987 and appreciate the co-operation of diplomatic missions since the introduction of the parking policy. We shall, however, continue to monitor carefully the level of unpaid fines, and bring pressure to bear on diplomatic missions to reduce this further.

  1987 Total

  First six months

  Second six months

  Egypt

  799

  426

  373

  Soviet Union

  622

  271

  351

  China

  551

  245

  306

  France

  513

  481

  32

  Spain

  435

  271

  164

  Iraq

  424

  229

  195

  Qatar

  413

  178

  235

  Pakistan

  394

  251

  143

  Saudi Arabia

  382

  198

  184

  United Arab Emirates

  358

  233

  125

  Malaysia

  329

  201

  128

  Poland

  329

  150

  179

  Italy

  302

  187

  115

  Oman

  295

  253

  42

  Morocco

  263

  164

  99

  Greece

  258

  120

  138

  Turkey

  254

  103

  151

  Nigeria

  251

  88

  163

  Thailand

  246

  157

  89

  Sudan

  236

  116

  120

  Zimbabwe

  223

  150

  73

  Israel

  216

  116

  100

  India

  207

  104

  103

  Ghana

  205

  106

  99

  Sierra Leone

  189

  99

  90

  Kuwait

  186

  55

  131

  German Dem Rep

  185

  90

  95

  Iran

  183

  165

  18

  Algeria

  172

  91

  81

  Barbados

  172

  121

  51

  Portugal

  170

  111

  59

  315

  1987 Total

  First six months

  Second six months

  Tunisia

  166

  114

  52

  Jordan

  165

  106

  59

  Cameroon

  159

  56

  103

  Peru

  155

  83

  72

  Japan

  153

  74

  79

  Zaire

  150

  79

  71

  Brazil

  149

  84

  65

  Korea

  149

  98

  51

  Cote d'Ivoire

  138

  44

  94

  Kenya

  138

  41

  97

  Canada

  130

  94

  36

  German Fed Rep

  130

  74

  56

  Brunei

  127

  79

  48

  Venezuela

  116

  52

  64

  Yugoslavia

  104

  51

  53

  Cyprus

  96

  55

  41

  Burma

  88

  59

  29

  Ethiopia

  82

  48

  34

  Finland

  82

  52

  30

  Bulgaria

  80

  40

  40

  Gabon

  78

  47

  31

  United States

  77

  60

  17

  Chile

  76

  49

  27

  Ireland

  74

  44

  30

  Bangladesh

  71

  34

  37

  Liberia

  70

  42

  28

  Jamaica

  68

  32

  36

  Indonesia

  65

  43

  22

  Norway

  60

  27

  33

  Zambia

  60

  29

  31

  Romania

  59

  35

  24

  Sweden

  58

  30

  28

  Belgium

  57

  36

  21

  Uruguay

  55

  37

  18

  Hungary

  53

  38

  15

  PDR Yemen

  53

  31

  22

  Iceland

  51

  28

  23

  Tanzania

  48

  26

  22

  Philippines

  45

  29

  16

  Yemen Arab Republic

  44

  20

  24

  Senegal

  43

  13

  30

  Guyana

  42

  17

  25

  Lebanon

  41

  30

  11

  Somalia

  41

  21

  20

  Uganda

  41

  19

  22

  Fiji

  40

  23

  17

  Czechoslovakia

  38

  22

  16

  Mexico

  35

  30

  5

  Paraguay

  33

  13

  20

  Trinidad

  31

  13

  18

  Botswana

  29

  13

  16

  Gambia

  27

  0

  27

  Cuba

  26

  8

  18

  Mauritius

  25

  11

  14

  Ecuador

  24

  8

  16

  Colombia

  23

  12

  11

  Panama

  22

  10

  12

  Costa Rica

  20

  13

  7

  Lesotho

  19

  4

  15

  South Africa

  19

  16

  3

  Togo

  18

  10

  8

  Honduras

  16

  5

  11

  Antigua and Barbuda

  13

  5

  8

  Austria

  12

  12

  0

  Nepal

  10

  6

  4

  Nicaragua

  10

  5

  5

  Seychelles

  10

  2

  8

  Afghanistan

  8

  6

  2

  Eastern Caribbean

  8

  5

  3

  Sri Lanka

  8

  6

  2

  Bahamas

  7

  6

  1

  Bahrain

  6

  3

  3

  Malawi

  6

  3

  3

  Netherlands

  6

  3

  3

  Bolivia

  5

  3

  2

  Denmark

  5

  0

  5

  316

  1987 Total

  First six months

  Second six months

  Swaziland

  5

  3

  2

  Vietnam

  4

  2

  2

  Papua New Guinea

  3

  0

  3

  Dominica

  2

  1

  1

  Luxembourg

  2

  2

  0

  Singapore

  2

  2

  0

  Mongolia

  1

  0

  1

  Angola

  0

  0

  0

  Australia

  0

  0

  0

  El Salvador

  0

  0

  0

  Grenada

  0

  0

  0

  Guatemala

  0

  0

  0

  Holy See

  0

  0

  0

  Malta

  0

  0

  0

  New Zealand

  0

  0

  0

  Switzerland

  0

  0

  0

  Tonga

  0

  0

  0

  Intenational Organisations

  Commonwealth Secretary

  75

  40

  35

  WEU

  15

  6

  9

  IMO

  13

  5

  8

  Cocoa

  7

  1

  6

  United Nations

  0

  0

  0

  EEC

  0

  0

  0

  Coffee

  0

  0

  0

  Inmarsat

  0

  0

  0

  Sugar

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  14,437

  8,068

  6,369

  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many serious offences were allegedly committed in 1987 by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity; and how many foreign diplomats were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in that year as a result of alleged offences.

  Mr. Eggar
  Forty-three alleged serious offences by persons entitled to immunity were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1987. "Serious offences" are defined in accordance with the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee "The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges" (1985) as offences falling into a category which could in certain circumstances attract a penalty of six months or more; I am advised that very few of the alleged offences would have been likely to attract a custodial sentence. The majority involve drinking and driving and shoplifting. Eighteen diplomats were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in 1987 following alleged offences.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Tax Allowances
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of married couples who will stand to gain in 1990–91 from transferring the married couple's allowance to the wife.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  About 600,000 married couples are expected to benefit from transferring the married couple's allowance to the wife in 1990–91.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the value of income tax personal allowances has increased in real terms since 1979; how this amount has been distributed to each band of income taxpayers, both in total and in amount per taxpayer.
  317
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: With the increases announced in the 1988 Budget, the single and married man's personal allowances will have increased by 26·5 per cent. and 27·6 per cent; respectively, in real terms since 1978–79. The table shows the cost of

  Cost of real increases in personal allowances 1978–79 to 1988–89 at 1988–89 income levels and tax rates

  Total income

  Total cost

  Gain per taxpayer

  Single

  Married couple

  All

  Single

  Married couple

  All

  £

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £

  £

  £

  Under 5,000

  390

  50

  440

  120

  130

  120

  5,000 to 10,000

  650

  580

  1,240

  140

  220

  170

  10,000 to 15,000

  260

  910

  1,170

  150

  270

  230

  15,000 to 20,000

  70

  720

  780

  140

  300

  270

  20,000 to 30,000

  50

  660

  710

  190

  330

  310

  30.000 to 50,000

  20

  270

  290

  250

  380

  370

  Over 50,000

  10

  80

  80

  260

  390

  370

  All

  1,450

  3,260

  4,710

  140

  280

  220

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the reductions in income tax liabilities, at 1988–89 income levels, of the proposed 1988–89 allowances, thresholds and rates, and comparable figures for the 1978–79 regime indexed to 1988–89 showing(a) the number of tax units, (b) the total amount of reductions and (c) the average reduction per tax unit for the top 1 per cent., 5 per cent., 10 per cent. and 20 per cent. of taxpayers and the bottom 1 per cent., 5 per cent., 10 per cent. and 50 per cent. of taxpayers.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The information is given in the table. I regret that information for the bottom 1 per cent. and the bottom 5 per cent. of taxpayers is not available. Child tax allowances, which were being phased out in 1978–79, have been excluded from the comparison. The estimates are based on a projection of the 1985–86 survey of personal incomes and are therefore provisional.

  Reductions in Income Tax Liabilities in 1988–89 compared with the 1978–79 Indexed Tax Reigime

  Point of income distribution 1 in 1988–89 Percentage

  Number of units2 paying tax in 1988–89 '000s

  Total reduction in tax compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime £ million

  Average3 reduction in tax compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime £ per year

  Top 1

  210

  4,740

  22,680

  Top 5

  1,050

  7,520

  7,200

  Income Tax and Income Tax + NIC as Percentages of Gross Earnings

  Multiples of average earnings

  2/3

  1

  2

  5

  10

  Single

  1956–57 Tax

  10·4

  16·6

  24·8

  40·5

  55·2

  Tax + NIC

  14·0

  18·9

  26·0

  41·0

  55·4

  1978–79 Tax

  21·0

  25·0

  29·5

  50·5

  66·6

  Tax + NIC

  27·5

  31·5

  33·7

  52·2

  67·5

  1988–891 Tax

  17·3

  19·9

  24·5

  33·8

  36·9

  Tax + NIC

  26·3

  28·9

  30·1

  36·1

  38·0

  Married

  318
  these increases, including those for age allowances and the average reductions in income tax liability for single people and married couples at different levels of income. A11 estimates are provisional.

  Point of income distribution 1 in 1988–89 Percentage

  Number of units2 paying tax in 1988–89 '000s

  Total reduction in tax compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime £ million

  Average3 reduction in tax compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime £ per year

  Top 10

  2,090

  9,410

  4,500

  Top20

  4,180

  11,950

  2,860

  Bottom 10

  2,090

  380

  120

  Bottom 20

  4,180

  810

  150

  Bottom 50

  10,450

  3,310

  290

  All taxpayers

  20,900

  20,000

  910

  1 Based on numbers of tax units expected to pay tax in 1988–89.

  2 Married couples count as one unit.

  2 Based on numbers of tax units liable to pay tax under the indexed 1978–79 regime.

  Net Earnings
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to 1988–89 the information on real net earnings provided in his reply of 10 April 1986 to the hon Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field),Official Report. columns 193–4.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information on real net earnings and average rates of tax and national insurance contributions is in the tables.
  319

  Multiples of average earnings

  2/3

  1

  2

  5

  10

  1956–57 Tax

  5·1

  11·2

  22·0

  38·9

  54·2

  Tax + NIC

  8·6

  13·5

  23·1

  39·4

  54·4

  1978–79 Tax

  15·4

  21·3

  27·2

  48·8

  65·7

  Tax + NIC

  21·9

  27·8

  31·4

  50·5

  66·5

  1988–891 Tax

  12·9

  17·0

  22·2

  32·9

  36·4

  Tax + NIC

  21·9

  26·0

  27·8

  35·1

  37·6

  Changes in Real Net Earnings after Income Tax and NIC (1956–57= 100)

  Multiples of average earnings

  2/3

  1

  2

  5

  10

  Single

  1978–79

  124·9

  125·3

  132·8

  120·1

  108·3

  1988–891

  160·2

  164·1

  176·6

  202·7

  260·2

  Married

  1978–79

  126·8

  123·9

  132·4

  121·1

  109·0

  1988–891

  159·9

  160·3

  175·8

  200·2

  256·4

  1 Provisional.

  Child Benefit
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the gain to the Exchequer of taxing child benefit for taxpayers at the 40 per cent. tax rate in 1988–89.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The direct revenue yield in 1988–89 from taxing child benefit at 40 per cent. for those married couples and single parents facing a marginal tax rate of 40 per cent. for that year is estimated to be about £140 million.

  Walthamstow
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many top rate income tax payers there are in the Walthamstow constituency.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that the information is not available.

  Business Expansion Scheme
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many BES schemes during each year of the scheme have sought to raise under £500,000, between £500,000 and £1 million, and between £1 million and £2 million.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information is as follows:

  Number of companies

  Amount of investment per company

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–861

  1986–871

  Less than £500,000

  671

  745

  604

  620

  £500,000 to £1 million

  32

  33

  30

  27

  £1 million to £2 million

  8

  17

  18

  9

  Over £2 million

  4

  12

  18

  14

  Total

  715

  807

  670

  670

  1 Provisional. Final figures are expected to be slightly higher.

  Mortgage Tax Relief
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on setting a maximum acceptable annual loss to the Exchequer from mortgage tax relief.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Government remain committed to mortgage interest relief in helping people acquire their own homes. But relief remains confined to loans up to the loan relief limit, which is fixed each year and is currently £30,000.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people applying for(a) one set of mortgage tax relief on a property, (b) two sets of mortgage tax relief on one property and (c) three or more sets of mortgage tax relief on a property in 1987–88 and the cost to the Exchequer of the tax relief on the mortgages in excess of one per property.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 12 April 1988]: In 1987–88 there are estimated to be a total of about 8·4 million tax units benefiting from mortgage interest relief. Although firm information is not available, it is tentatively estimated that about half a million of these tax units (excluding married couples) are involved in multiple borrower mortgages. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of this estimate between the number of tax units involved in mortgages with two unmarried sharers and those with more than two unmarried sharers.

  The direct revenue cost in 1987–88 of the additional mortgage interest relief which is available to sharers is estimated to be of the order of £25 million.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost or saving to the Exchequer of(a) the changes to the mortgage tax relief given in the Budget and (b) limiting mortgage tax relief to £15,000 per person whether married or single.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 12 April 1988]: The estimated yields arising in 1988–89 and 1989–90 from the changes to mortgage interest tax relief which were proposed in the Budget are:
  321

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Mortgage interest relief ceiling applied to residence

  negligible

  + 25

  Abolition of tax relief on new home improvement loans

  + 80

  + 200

  Abolition of tax relief on new loans for homes for dependent relatives and divorced or separated spouses

  negligible

  negligible

  It is estimated that the direct revenue yield in 1988–89 of the restriction of mortgage interest relief to a loan of up to £15,000 per individual would be about £320 million. This estimate is based on the mortgage interest rate of 10·25 per cent. prevailing at the beginning of 1988–89 and on the assumption that the new ceiling would apply to both existing and new loans. No account has been taken of any consequential changes to the distribution of mortgages.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most up-to-date estimate available on the inflationary effects of mortgage tax relief on house prices.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  House prices are affected by a large number of factors including disposable income, the cost and availability of mortgage finance and changes in the number of households. I am not aware of any recent study which concentrates on the effect of mortgage interest relief.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most up-to-date estimate of the annual loss of revenue to the Exchequer as a result of mortgage tax relief.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The direct revenue cost of mortgage tax relief in 1988–89 is estimated to be £4·25 billion. This estimate takes account of the recently announced reductions in the mortgage interest rate.

  MIRAS
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the inclusion of housing co-operatives funded jointly by the housing corporation and a building society in the mortgage interest relief at source scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Loans to approved housing associations, including co-operatives, are already within the scope of the mortgage interest relief at source (MIRAS) scheme.

  Disabled People's Homes (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the withdrawal of tax relief on interest on loans to adapt houses occupied by disabled people.
  322
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  A number of representations have been received on the subject of abolition of tax relief on interest on home improvement loans including several about its possible effect on homes occupied by disabled people.

  VAT
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any further information to add to that contained in his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, South,Official Report, 24 March, columns 195–6, relating to the proposals of the Commission of the European Economic Community for extension of value added tax to specific goods or services hitherto exempt, together with the expected consequential yields to Her Majesty's Treasury.

  Mr. Lilley
  The hon. Member's previous question related specifically to zero rated, not exempt, items. The Commission has successfully challenged before the European Court the legal basis of the exemption of certain medical care goods. Of these, the only item with appreciable revenue implications is the supply of spectacles, where taxation at the standard rate of 15 per cent. would yield around £25 million per year.

  Tax and National Insurance
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing tax and national insurance contributions less child benefit, where appropriate, for 1988–89, and comparable figures for 1987–88 and 1978–79, with the multiples of average earnings as half, two thirds, one, five and 10 times for (a) a married couple, with part-time working spouse, (b) a married couple plus two children, with part-time working spouse and (c) a single person.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: Information on tax and national insurance contributions both at current prices and as a proportion of the appropriate multiple of average earnings is in the table.

  The multiples of average earnings for single people and husbands are based on average earnings for men in all occupations paid at adult rates who work a full week and whose pay is unaffected by absence. For part-time working spouses, the level of earnings is the appropriate multiple of the average part-time wage for women recorded in the new earnings survey. The levels of earnings for 1988–89 are projections in accordance with the assumptions given to the Government Actuary for reviewing national insurance contributions in paragraph 3·02 of the Autumn Statement 1987; the estimates for 1988–89 are therefore provisional.
  323

  Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions1

  Multiple of average earnings3

  ½

  ⅔

  1

  5

  10

  £ per week

  As a per cent.4 of earnings

  £ per week

  As a per cent.4 of earnings

  £ per week

  As a per cent.4 of earnings

  £ per week

  As a percent.4 of earnings

  £ per week

  As a per cent4 of earnings

  Single person

  1978–79

  10·90

  23·6

  17·10

  27·5

  29·30

  31·5

  242·50

  52·2

  626·80

  67·5

  1987–88

  28·30

  24·8

  42·00

  27·7

  69·20

  30·5

  520·00

  45·8

  1,201·90

  52·9

  1988–89

  29·10

  23·8

  42·90

  26·3

  70·70

  28·9

  441·10

  36·1

  930·50

  38·0

  Married couple with part-time working spouse and no children

  1978–79

  7·40

  12·5

  14·70

  18·5

  29·40

  24·6

  286·30

  48·0

  728·20

  61·1

  1987–88

  21·20

  14·8

  36·80

  19·3

  68·60

  23·9

  614·60

  42·8

  1,413·90

  49·3

  1988–89

  21·90

  14·2

  37·90

  18·4

  70·00

  22·7

  535·30

  34·7

  1,135·90

  36·9

  Married couple plus two children with part-time working spouse2

  1978–79

  110

  1·9

  8·30

  10·4

  22·90

  19·2

  278·30

  46·7

  719·90

  60·4

  1987–88

  6·70

  4·7

  22·30

  11·7

  54·10

  18·8

  599·10

  41·8

  1,399·40

  48·8

  1988–89

  7·40

  4·8

  23·40

  11·4

  55·50

  18·0

  520·80

  33·8

  1,121·40

  36·4

  1 Assuming contracted in to the state earnings scheme.

  2 Less child benefit.

  3 Average earnings (£ per week) taken to be 1978–79 1987–88 1988–89

  Husbands and single people 92·9 227·3 244·7

  Part-time working spouses 26·3 59·5 63·4

  4 Tax and national insurance as a proportion of earnings.

  Budget
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify the distribution of gains in the Budget from each item where tax changes were made at other than normal indexation, according to income bands as follows: less than £5,000 per year; £5,000 to £7,500; £7,500 to £10,000; £10,000 to £12,500; £12,500 to £15,000; £15,000 to £20,000; £20,000 to £30,000; £30,000 to

  Reduction in income tax liability in 1988–89 compared with indexation of the 1987–88 income tax regime

  Range of total income

  Tax units1 as a percentage of total liable to tax

  Increase in personal allowances

  Increase in basic rate limit

  Reduction in basic rate

  Abolition of higher rates above 40 per cent.

  Budget proposals for allowances, rates and thresholds

  per cent.

  Amount £ million

  Amount £ million

  Amount £ million

  Amount £ million

  Amount £ million

  As a percentage of total per cent.

  Less than £5,000

  12·2

  70

  —

  50

  —

  120

  2·0

  £5,000 to £7,500

  17·7

  110

  —

  210

  —

  320

  5·3

  £7,500 to £10,000

  15·9

  110

  —

  300

  —

  410

  6·8

  £10,000 to £12,500

  13·8

  120

  —

  350

  —

  470

  7·8

  £12,500 to £15,000

  10·9

  100

  —

  350

  —

  450

  7·4

  £15,000 to £20,000

  13·8

  140

  —

  590

  —

  730

  12·0

  £20,000 to £30,000

  10·9

  130

  40

  710

  10

  890

  14·7

  £30,000 to £50,000

  3·7

  60

  60

  330

  310

  760

  12·7

  Above £50,000

  1·1

  20

  20

  110

  1,750

  1,900

  31·3

  TOTAL

  100·0

  860

  120

  3,000

  2,070

  6,050

  100·0

  1 Counting married couples as one and combining their incomes. Under the Budget proposal it is estimated that 20·9 million tax units will pay tax in 1988–89.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update, to take account of the 1988 Budget, the information on tax changes contained in his reply of 21 October 1986, to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher),Official Report, columns 807–8.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, West,Official Report, 25 January, columns 79–82, regarding income gains and losses from successive Budgets, in the light of his latest budget.
  324
  £50,000; and above £50,000; and if he will indicate the percentage of total tax changes accruing to each group and the percentage of the total numbers of taxpayers that each group comprises.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 12 April 1988]: The table shows the estimated change in income tax liability for individuals at 1988–89 levels of income resulting from the main Budget proposals compared with indexation of the 1987–88 income tax regime.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 12 April 1988]: The information is in the tables. For each financial year shown, the tables compare the yield from the tax regime in that year with the 1978–79 tax regime. All the estimates are based on a provisional 1988–89 income base projected from the 1985–86 survey of personal incomes and all tax regimes have been indexed to 1988–89 levels according to the statutory formula. The comparisons therefore allow

  325
  for budgetary changes in income tax since 1978–79 but not for changes in definition or any other factors which might affect the income base.

  Reductions( + )/increase( — ) in income tax compared with 1978–79 indexed regime

  £ million

  Range of total income in 1988–89 £

  Number units paying tax in 1988–89 (miilion)

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Under 5,000

  2·6

  180

  70

  -280

  -240

  -30

  90

  190

  220

  280

  400

  5,000 to 10,000

  7·0

  1,050

  600

  -310

  -210

  310

  650

  960

  1,230

  1,760

  2,490

  10,000 to 15,000

  5·2

  1,380

  1,000

  200

  290

  740

  1,120

  1,420

  1,780

  2,510

  3,430

  15,000 to 20,000

  2·9

  1,130

  850

  320

  380

  690

  970

  1,170

  1,470

  2,080

  2,810

  20,000 to 30,000

  2·3

  1,510

  1,230

  500

  590

  1,020

  1,360

  1,550

  1,910

  2,620

  3,510

  30,000 to 50,000

  0·8

  1,350

  1,170

  620

  680

  990

  1,280

  1,380

  1,530

  1,820

  2,580

  50,000 to 70,000

  0·1

  680

  620

  440

  460

  560

  700

  720

  740

  780

  1,250

  Over 70,000

  0·1

  1,750

  1,700

  1,540

  1,560

  1,640

  2,060

  2,070

  2,080

  2,100

  3,530

  Total

  20·9

  9,010

  7,220

  3,020

  3,510

  5,910

  8,220

  9,470

  10,960

  13,940

  20,000

  Average gain/loss( — ) per tax unit (£ per annum)

  Range of total income in 1988–89

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  £

  under 5,0001

  50

  20

  -80

  -70

  -10

  30

  60

  60

  80

  120

  5,000 to 10,0001

  150

  80

  -40

  -30

  40

  90

  130

  170

  240

  350

  10,000 to 15,000

  270

  190

  40

  60

  140

  220

  270

  340

  480

  660

  15,000 to 20,000

  390

  300

  110

  130

  240

  340

  410

  510

  720

  980

  20,000 to 30,000

  660

  540

  220

  260

  450

  600

  680

  840

  1,150

  1,540

  30,000 to 50,000

  1,740

  1,500

  800

  870

  1,270

  1,650

  1,770

  1,970

  2,340

  3,310

  50,000 to 70,000

  4,990

  4,560

  3,240

  3,380

  4,120

  5,150

  5,290

  5,440

  5,740

  9,160

  over 70,000

  18,620

  18,090

  16,380

  16,600

  17,450

  21,910

  22,020

  22,130

  22,340

  37,550

  Total

  410

  330

  140

  160

  270

  370

  430

  500

  630

  910

  Note:

  All information is in terms of tax units—that is married couples are counted as one and their incomes combined.

  1 Average gains are calculated by reference to the estimated number would be liable to pay tax under the indexed 1978–79 regime; this number is some 1,100.000 greater than the numbers paying tax in 1987–88, some 900,000 in the income range below £5,000 and 200,000 in the range £5,000 to £10,000.

  Income Tax and Personal Allowances
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the gain to taxpayers at less than half, half to three-quarters, three-quarters to one, one to one and a half, one and a half to two, two to three, three to five and five to 10 and more than 10 times average earnings from the 2p cut in income tax and the rise in personal allowances; if he will specify these bands in pound sterling per year at current earnings; how many taxpayers are in each of these bands; and what percentage of the total number of taxpayers each group comprises.

  Reductions in income tax liability resulting from changes in allowances, the basic rate limit, and the basic rate in the 1988 Budget compared with indexation

  Gross income in 1988–89

  Number of single people and married couples gaining

  As a multiple of average earnings

  £ per year

  '000s

  Per cent. of total

  £ million2

  Less than 0·5

  less than 6,362

  14,700

  22

  270

  0·5–1

  6,362–12,724

  8,240

  39

  1,090

  1–1·5

  12,724–19,087

  4,530

  21

  1,020

  1·5–2

  19,087–25,449

  2,060

  10

  690

  2–3

  25,449·38,173

  1,150

  5

  590

  3–5

  38,173–63,622

  360

  2·5

  220

  326
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 12 April 1988]: The table shows the total reductions in income tax liability for single people and married couples from the changes in personal allowances, the basic rate limit and the basic rate of income tax proposed in the 1988 Budget. The change in liability is in comparison with the 1987–88 tax regime indexed to 1988–89 levels. Incomes above the level corresponsing to five times average earnings have been combined into a single range to provide a more reliable estimate. Average earnings are those for full-time men in all occupations whose pay is unaffected by absence.
  327

  Gross income in 1988–89

  Number of single people and married couples gaining

  As a multiple of average earnings

  £ per year

  '000s

  Per cent. of total

  £ million2

  over 5

  over 63,622

  120

  0·5

  80

  Total

  21,150

  100

  3,980

  1 Includes 240,000 taken out of tax by increases in allowances.

  2 Total cost of reductions in full year.

  Allowances and Reliefs
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the savings in a full year at 1988–89 rates of restricting all allowances and reliefs to the standard rate of tax; and if he will provide a breakdown by category of allowance and relief.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 12 April 1988]: The direct revenue cost at 1988–89 levels of income of allowing personal tax allowances at rates in excess of the basic rate of income tax is estimated to be about £700 million. Information on the similar cost of other income tax reliefs is available only in respect of mortgage interest, retirement annuity premiums, employee's superannuation contributions, the business expansion scheme, and donations to charities; in total it is about £630 million. Within this total is a cost of about £280 million for mortgage interest relief and about £100 million for retirement annuity premiums. It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for the other individual reliefs. Nor is it possible to estimate precisely the combined yield from restricting these reliefs and personal allowances to the basic rate, but it is thought to be about £1,500 million. These estimates make no allowance for any possible behavioural effects if allowances and reliefs were to be restricted to the basic rate.

  Married Couple's Allowance
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give the cost to the Exchequer in 1990–91 of allowing married couples the right to choose whether the husband or wife should have the married couple's allowance in their name; and if he will give the anticipated cost of the scheme as it is presently proposed;

  (2) if he will estimate the number of married couples who would pay less tax under a system which permitted them to elect which partner receives the new married couple's allowance.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answers 12 April 1988]: In 1990–91 it is estimated that some 20,000 married couples where the wife is liable at the higher rate and the husband at the basic rate would benefit if they were allowed to elect which partner should receive the new married couple's allowance. Such a provision would cost approximately £5 million more than the independent taxation proposals in the Budget. For income tax, the revenue cost of these proposals in 1990–91 (based on the existing distribution of income and capital between husbands and wives) is estimated to be about £500 million.

  Taxpayers (Statistics)
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has of the number of higher rate taxpayers in 1986–87 and 1987–88 living in each Scotland, England and Wales.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: For countries the latest estimates of the number of higher rate taxpayers (married couples and single people) are for 1985–86 and are as follows:

  Thousands

  Scotland

  76

  England

  849

  wales

  28

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has of the number of higher rate taxpayers in 1986–87 and 1987–88 living in each parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 19 April 1988]: I regret that the information is not available.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the tax liability in(a) 1987–88 and (b) 1988–89 of a married couple where the husband is earning £23,000 a year, has the use of a 2300cc company car in which he does 2,400 miles on business annually, and makes £5,520 by sale of approved share options and where the wife earns £17,000 a year and has the use of a 1600cc company car in which she travels more than 2,500 miles annually, assuming that mortgage interest of £3,000 annually is paid by the husband and that the couple elect to be taxed separately on earned income.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 21 April 1988]: The income tax and capital gains liabilities of the married couple in 1987–88 and 1988–89 would be:

  1987–88 £

  £988·89 £

  Income tax

  9,587·25

  9,331·75

  Capital gains tax

  0

  208·00

  Total

  9,487·25

  9,539·75

  The income tax liabilities shown are based on the assumptions that the married couple have no other forms of income or reliefs, that both company cars are under four years old and have an original market value of under £19,250 and that the wife drives between 2,500 and 18,000 miles on business travel in the year. The capital gains tax liabilities assume the husband makes a gain of £5,520 on the disposal of shares acquired under an approved share option scheme, that the couple make no other gains or losses in the year and that there is no indexation relief.
  329
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give figures following the tax changes announced in the Budget for the income tax and social security contributions as a percentage of gross income for a married couple with no dependent children on(a) £11,000, (b) £50,000 and (c) £75,000 a year making the same assumptions as used in the Inland Revenue publication "International Comparisons of Direct Tax on Employment Income" published in December 1987;

  (2) if he will give figures following the tax changes announced in the Budget for the income tax, tax and social security contributions less child benefit, as a percentage of gross income for a married couple with two dependent children on (a) £11,000, (b) £50,000, and (c) £75,000 a year making the same assumptions as used in the Inland Revenue publication "International Comparisons of Direct Tax on Employment Income" published in December 1987;

  (3) if he will give figures following the tax changes announced in the Budget for the income tax and social security contributions as a percentage of gross income for a single person on (a) £11,000, (b) £50,000, and (c) £75,000 a year making the same assumptions as used in the Inland Revenue publication "International Comparisons of Direct Tax on Employment Income" published in December 1987.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answers 21 April 1988]: The information is in the table.

  Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions as a percentage of gross income, 1988–89

  Annual earnings £

  Single person per cent.

  Married couple with no children per cent.

  Married couple with two children1 per cent.

  11,000

  28·1

  24·7

  17·8

  50,000

  35·0

  33·8

  32·3

  75,000

  36·6

  35·9

  34·8

  1 deducting child benefit.

  The calculations assume that all income is earned income, that the wife has no earnings, and that there are no reliefs or allowances other than the appropriate personal allowance. National insurance contributions are at the standard class 1 rate for employees contracted-in to the state additional (earnings-related) pension scheme. Child benefit is deducted from income tax and national insurance contributions in the calculations for married couples with children takes into account cash benefits for children.

  Political Parties
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the political parties are currently treated by the Inland Revenue as qualifying political parties for the purposes of section 24 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 21 April 1988]: The political parties which currently qualify are:

  Conservative

  Labour

  Labour and Co-operative

  Social and Liberal Democratic

  Social Democratic

  Scottish Nationalist

  Plaid Cymru

  Ulster Unionist

  330

  Democratic Unionist

  Social Democratic and Labour

  Budget (Gainers)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to establish a procedure for gainers from the recent Budget to refund part of their extra income to a public service of their own choosing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: No. Individuals are free to donate their own money to voluntary groups in areas where they would like to see extra spending; and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made tax relief available for payroll giving to charities in his 1986 Budget.

  Pensions
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the lack of prior notice to the pensions industry about the measures contained in clause 53 of the Finance Bill, he will issue a press notice stating whether he is considering any further change to pensions legislation before the 1 July implementation date for personal pensions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: All but one of the measures contained in clause 53 were announced on Budget day. But the proposal—which has been widely welcomed—to allow members of occupational schemes to contract-out of the state earnings-related pension scheme through a personal pension could not then be announced as it was still under discussion between my Department and the Department of Health and Social Security. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will shortly be making consequential changes to social security regulations.

TRANSPORT

  M1 Leagrave, Luton
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider the provision of a higher fence on the section of the M1 that passes through Leagrave, Luton, to counteract noise and pollution.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I will consider the matter and then write to my hon. Friend.

  InterCity
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the cost per mile of travel to InterCity rail users in 1987; and what was the cost in 1979.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The figures for average fare per mile paid by InterCity passengers in the two years are as follows:

  Cash

  1987 prices

  1979

  4·4p

  7·9p

  1987

  7·9p

  17·9p

  1 provisional.

  In real terms, fares were no higher in 1987 than 1979.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide comprehensive and updated information on the proposed test flights by jet propelled aircraft from London City airport; what is the significance for future use by aircraft not yet able to use the airport by virtue of planning restrictions of definition of, or adjustments to, the public safety zones referred to in Departmental letter XQ/26/08 of 19 April; what is the approximate extent of the public safety zones described by grid co-ordinates attached to the letter; and what assessment(a) the Civil Aviation Authority and (b) his Department have made of the routes now used to and from the airport to Paris since resumption of flying in 1988.

  Mr. Channon
  Questions about test flights from London City airport (LCY) should be addressed to its owners John Mowlem plc.

  The public safety zones (PSZs) at LCY extend outwards in a funnel shape for 600 m. from the end of the runways. At the eastern end, the PSZ co-ordinates take account of both the present runway and its possible extension. If planning permission were granted for an extension, the runway could physically accommodate a wider variety of aircraft than now.

  The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for aviation safety regulation including (with the Ministry of Defence) air traffic management. The authority remains of the view that each of the routes identified by its panel of inquiry for use between London City airport and Paris is suitable for that purpose.

  Radioactive Materials (Security)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will initiate an investigation into the present arrangements covering the transport on commercial aeroplanes of radioactive materials, in terms of special security measures against terrorist attack or hijack of the aircraft;

  (2) what discussions he has had with the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the air transport of radioactive materials under the United Nations recommendations for the transport of dangerous goods, section 7, in terms of special protective measures against terrorist attack or hijack;

  (3) if he has had any recent discussions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the adequacy of physical protection measures against aircraft hijack in the transport of dangerous goods under United Nations recommendations class 1, explosives, 2, gases, 3, flammable liquids, 4, flammable solids, 5, oxidising substances, 6, poisonous substances, 8, corrosives, and 9, miscellaneous dangerous goods.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The International Civil Aviation Organisation already lays down international standards and recommended practices for the safeguarding of international civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference: these embrace measures to counter hijacks and terrorist attacks on Civil aviation. The United Kingdom's civil aviation security programme reflects these international standards, tailored as necessary to meet specific threats applying to the United Kingdom. We shall 332
  continue to keep these and other security matters under review within the relevant international bodies, as appropriate.

  Radioactive Materials (Transport)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the Intertran and Radtran II computer codes developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency to model the radiological impact of the transport of nuclear materials.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Intertran was developed from the American computer code Radtran-II by consultants working for the International Atomic Energy Agency. The safety and reliability directorate of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has undertaken work on the code on behalf of UKAEA and the Department of Transport.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many events were recorded in the periods(a) 1964 to 1983 and (b) 1984 to 1987, in the transport of radioactive materials that either exceeded or had the potential to exceed the radiological impact associated with normal transport conditions.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  (a) Forty-two events recorded during this period involved radiation levels greater than those associated with normal transport conditions. But only 10 of them caused significant doses to the workers concerned, mostly from badly packaged industrial radiography equipment.

  (b) The information for this period is not yet available.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the International Air Transport Authority over the current security measures to protect aircraft carrying radioactive materials from hijack.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  There have been no discussions with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International development of civil aviation security standards is carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The European civil aviation conference considers questions of aviation security in Europe and makes recommendations to its members. It is open to IATA to make representations to those international bodies.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the International Atomic Energy Agency over security measures for the air, sea or land transport of radioactive materials and physical protection measures against terrorist attack or hijack.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The International Atomic Energy Agency already lays down recommendations on the standards for the physical protection of radioactive materials during transportation, and these standards are observed by the industry.

ENERGY

  British Gas
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many shareholders in British Gas did not pay
  333
  the final instalment for their shares by the deadline on 26 April; and how much money was outstanding for these shares.

  Mr. Parkinson
  At close of business on 26 April payments from more than 97 per cent. of investors had already been processed, leaving some 80,000 to go. This represented 99 per cent. of the £1,590 million instalment value. Since 26 April payments have been arriving at the rate of roughly 10,000 a day. Payments are still being accepted but any investor who has not paid at this stage is running an increasing risk of losing his shares.

  Nuclear Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if Nirex has agreed to take responsibility for the disposal of radioactive wastes arising from the reprocessing of Swedish spent nuclear fuel currently stored at Sellafield.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Nirex is currently developing proposals for a deep repository for low and intermediate-level wastes. Acceptance of particular wastes will depend on contracts to be negotiated when a disposal facility is available. It is expected that Nirex will accept wastes arising from all United Kingdom sources, including Sellafield.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total volume of(a) low-level nuclear wastes, (b) intermediate-level nuclear wastes, (c) high-level nuclear wastes, (d) depleted uranium and (e) plutonium expected to arise from all contracts signed (i) before 1976 and (ii) since 1976 with Swedish companies for the storage and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield.

  Mr. Parkinson
  All BNFL's reprocessing contracts with Swedish companies for reprocessing at Sellafield were signed before 1976. The products that will be obtained from this reprocessing are estimated at:

  (a) Low-level waste, 900 cubic metres.

  (b) Intermediate-level waste, 140 cubic metres.

  (c) High-level waste, 8 cubic metres.

  (d) Uranium, 136 tonnes.

  (e) Plutonium, 1 tonne.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the contracts signed before 1976 with Swedish companies for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel cover the management and disposal costs arising for low and intermediate-level nuclear wastes.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Contracts signed before 1976 with Swedish companies, in common with all contracts signed before 1976, for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel do not include options for the return of waste. All these contracts therefore cover the management and disposal costs in respect of the wastes arising from them.

  Nuclear Research
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list all current international civil nuclear research projects in which the United Kingdom has involvement either in direct co-operation with other states or through involvement via multinational bodies; what financial commitment has been made in each year since the United Kingdom co-operation began; and if he will make a statement on present prospects for each collaborative project.
  334
  Mr. Parkinson
  United Kingdom bodies participate in the collaborative programmes of the International Atomic Energy Authority, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency, and Euratom. They also take part in a number of multinational and bilateral research projects. Details of this participation cannot be assembled without disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what volumes of(a) low and (b) intermediate-level radioactive wastes are expected to arise from contracts currently signed for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant (THORP) at Sellafield; and what plans exist for the nuclear waste arising from these contracts.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The likely arisings from BNFL's existing THORP reprocessing contracts are:

  (a) Low-level waste, 40,000 cubic metres.

  (b) Intermediate-level waste, 6,000 cubic metres.

  For wastes arising from pre-1976 contracts the low-level waste will be disposed of to Drigg and the intermediate-level waste will be sent to a United Kingdom repository. All post-1976 contracts include an option for the return of wastes, and we intend that this option should be exercised.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the contracts signed with(a) the Italian nuclear authorities and (b) the Japanese nuclear authorities for the management of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield from the Latina and Tokai Mura magnox reactors, respectively, is designated to cover (i) the disposal of low and intermediate level wastes and (ii) high-level waste arising.

  Mr. Parkinson
  60 per cent. of contracts for the management of spent nuclear fuel from Latina and 55 per cent. of the contracts for the management of spent nuclear fuel from Tokai Mura cover disposal in respect of the wastes arising. The remaining contracts were all signed after 1976 and include options for the return of wastes arising. The Government intend that these options should be exercised.

  Coal Mining Subsidence Compensation
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects the consultation document on the proposed legislation on coal mining subsidence compensation to be issued.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Department of Energy has today issued a consultation document to interested parties. This sets out proposals for coalmining subsidence legislation following the publication on 29 October 1987 of the White Paper in reply to the Waddilove report on "The Repair and Compensation System for Coal Mining Subsidence" (Cm. 235).

  Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  RAWP Levels
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage the RAWP levels of the Thames regional health authorities require to be uplifted to compensate for the treatment of acute patients in private hospitals.
  335
  Mr. Newton
  I am not entirely clear what my hon. Friend has in mind; but the possibility of taking private provision into account in the RAWP formula was rejected on practical grounds in the interim report on the review of the RAWP formula published in December 1986.

  NHS Budget
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the percentage of the National Health Service budget raised by(a) general taxation, (b) national insurance contributions and (c) charges in each of the last 30 years.

  Mr. Newton
  The information requested is as follows:

  NHS Sources of Finance—Percentage of Total by Year

  Financial year

  Consolidated Fund

  NHS contributions

  Charges

  Miscellaneous

  1957–58

  85·0

  9·5

  5·3

  0·3

  1958–59

  80·3

  14·4

  5·0

  03

  1959–60

  80·4

  14·5

  4·9

  0·3

  1960–61

  81·9

  13·3

  4·5

  0·2

  1961–62

  77·7

  16·5

  5·6

  0·2

  1962–63

  77·1

  17·2

  5·5

  0·2

  1963–64

  77·9

  16·4

  5·4

  0·3

  1964–65

  79·6

  15·0

  5·1

  0·4

  1965–66

  83·8

  13·3

  2·6

  0·2

  1966–67

  84·8

  12·4

  2·4

  0·3

  1967–68

  86·5

  10·9

  2·3

  0·3

  1968–69

  84·8

  11·8

  3·1

  0·3

  1969–70

  85·9

  10·3

  3·5

  0·3

  1970–71

  85·8

  10·8

  3·2

  0·3

  1971–72

  85·7

  10·3

  3·6

  0·5

  1972–73

  87·0

  9·0

  3·6

  0·4

  1973–74

  88·1

  7·9

  3·5

  0·5

  1974–75

  91·3

  5·7

  2·6

  0·4

  1975–76

  89·2

  8·5

  2·0

  0·3

  1976–77

  88·0

  9·7

  2·1

  0·2

  1977–78

  88·0

  9·6

  2·1

  0·3

  1978–79

  88·0

  9·6

  2·1

  0·3

  1979–80

  88·0

  9·5

  2·2

  0·3

  1980–81

  89·1

  8·2

  2·4

  0·3

  1981–82

  87·8

  9·4

  2·5

  0·3

  1982–83

  85·7

  11·3

  2·7

  0·3

  1983–84

  85·8

  11·0

  2·8

  0·4

  1984–85

  85·6

  11·1

  2·8

  0·5

  1985–86

  85·6

  11·0

  2·7

  0·7

  1986–871

  84·6

  11·6

  2·9

  0·9

  1987–881

  83·1

  13·2

  2·8

  0·9

  1 Estimated.

  Operating Theatres
  Mr. Chris Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on studies carried out on the usage of operating theatres in National Health Service hospitals by Peat Marwick McLintock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I understand that Peat Marwick McLintock has undertaken such studies on behalf of some health authorities. The studies were funded from the health authorities' resources since they dealt with problems identified locally. Any reports produced are confidential to the commissioning authority and are not released to the Department without their agreement. This is part of the professional relationship which exists between client and consultant.

  Energy Saving
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Treasury guidelines for contracts with energy management companies offering energy-saving 336
  investment to health service establishments on a shared energy-saving basis and financed by the private sector, have still not been issued to regional and district health authorities.

  Mrs. Currie
  The joint Treasury-Department of Energy guidelines on the use of contract energy management were issued to regional health authority treasurers on an informal basis in November 1987. The Department hopes to issue formal guidance on this subject as soon as possible.

  Consultants
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the total number of consultants in paediatric dentistry, by regional health authority for 1983 and 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  The latest available information is set out in the table. Staffing of hospital departments is a matter for health authorities in the light of their plans for the development of services.

  Table: Consultants in paediatric dentistry in England: numbers as at 30 September

  Region

  1983

  1986

  Northern

  —

  —

  Yorkshire

  1

  1

  Trent

  —

  —

  East Anglian

  —

  —

  North West Thames

  1

  1

  North East Thames

  —

  1

  South East Thames

  —

  3

  South West Thames

  1

  1

  Wessex

  —

  —

  Oxford

  —

  —

  South Western

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  Mersey

  —

  3

  North Western

  —

  2

  SHAs for the London PG teaching hospitals

  4

  5

  England total

  7

  17

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for each year from 1979 to 1987(a) the number of places in (i) private, (ii) voluntary and (iii) local authority residential homes for elderly people; (b) the number of places for elderly people in independent, voluntary and private, homes supported by supplementary benefit payments, (c) the total supplementary benefit expenditure in £million on supporting people in independent residential care for the elderly and (d) the average expenditure per person supported in independent residential care for the elderly.

  Mrs. Currie
  The available information on the number of places in residential care homes for elderly people is as follows:

  England as al 31 March

  Local Authority Homes

  Voluntary Homes

  Private Homes

  1985

  102,534

  26,402

  73,606

  1986

  101,466

  25,566

  86,925

  Separate data on residential homes for elderly people only are not available prior to 1985. Further information

  337
  on residential accommodation for elderly and younger disabled people for the years 1979–1986 is contained in the Department's publications "Residential Accommodation for the Elderly and for Younger Physically Handicapped People Local Authority Supported Residents — RA/ 86/1" and "Residential Accommodation for Elderly and Younger Physically Handicapped People — RA/86/2", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Separate information on supplementary benefit for people in independent residential care homes for elderly people has been available only since 1985. There were 35,200 claimants in such homes at May 1985, 48,900 at May 1986 and 61,600 at May 1987.

  Separate information on total expenditure and average payments to people in these homes is not available. Figures relating to all supplementary benefit claimants in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes were published in "Public Support for Residential Care" (the report of a joint central and local government working party), a copy of which is in the Library. Comparable figures for May 1987 are 117,000 claimants, receiving average payments of £ 104·6 (at February 1986 prices) with a total expenditure of £671 million.

  Family Credit
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if full-time participants on the new adult training scheme who have one or more children will be eligible for family credit.

  Mr. Scott
  Participation in the new adult training programme will not satisfy the family credit qualifying condition of remunerative work. Family credit could be payable, however, if the trainee's partner worked for 24 hours a week or more.

  Abortions
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will list(a) the interval between each previous abortion performed for resident women in 1986 who have had (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four or (v) five previous abortions, (h) the interval between each previous abortion performed for non-resident women in 1986 who have had (1) one, (2) two, (3) three, (4) four or (5) five previous abortions and (c) the ages of the women on the occasion of each abortion performed.

  Mr. Newton
  The abortion notification form asks for the number of previous abortions under the Abortion Act 1967 and the date of the last abortion, where applicable. There is no feasible method of linking notification forms in respect of women who have had more than one previous abortion. Thus, the only interval available is that between the current and previous abortion, and I regret that this can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Joan Chapman (Mobility Allowance)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the date by which a decision will be reached by the Department's mobility allowance unit at Norcross, Blackpool, in the case of Mrs. Joan Chapman of 16 Windsor Court, Lichfield, Staffordshire.

  Mr. Scott
  A decision was made, and Mrs. Chapman was notified of it, on 20 April.

  Opren
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has given to the medical profession regarding the reasons for the withdrawal of Opren's product licence; and if advice was given on the side effects that were thought to be associated with the drug and the periods of time for which they might last.

  Mr. Newton
  All doctors and pharmacists were sent a letter from the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines following the suspension of the product licence for Opren on 4 August 1982, giving the reasons for this action and advice. The letter drew attention to the numbers and types of reaction associated with Opren which had been reported, but not their duration. A copy of the letter is in the Library.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek advice from his medical advisers as to whether there are any circumstances in which they would recommend that Opren be prescribed for individual patients now that its product licence has been withdrawn.

  Mr. Newton
  Individual doctors in consultation with their patients are best placed to decide what should be prescribed in individual cases.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis the sum of £5 million has been set aside for funding the Independent Living Fund in 1988–89; and what proportion of this sum he expects to be expended on(a) administration and (b) publicity.

  Mr. Scott
  The sum actually allocated to the Independent Living Fund will depend on the number of applicants meeting the eligibility criteria. The £5 million which has been set aside for the fund initially represents our estimate of the maximum likely expenditure by the fund. Administration costs will depend on the volume of applications received. The level of expenditure on publicity once the fund is operational will be a matter for the trustees.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether payments from the Independent Living Fund to individuals will be made on(a) a weekly or (b) a monthly basis.

  Mr. Scott
  The method and frequency of payments from the Independent Living Fund will be a matter for the trustees to determine.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what account he expects the trustees of the Independent Living Fund to take of regional variations in costs and prices when assessing the levels of payments from the fund.

  Mr. Scott
  In determining the level of payments from the Independent Living Fund I would expect the trustees to have regard to the actual cost to individual applicants of employing personal care or domestic assistance.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is yet in a position to give details of the campaign to publicise the Independent Living Fund; and what is his assessment of the current level of awareness of its existence amongst potential claimants.
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  Mr. Scott
  We are proposing to mount a publicity campaign to coincide with the formal launch of the fund, and advertising consultants have been briefed to develop this. A press release was issued on 31 March giving an address for potential applicants and others interested in the fund to write to. To date some 100 inquiries from individuals, voluntary organisations and those professionally involved with disabled people have been received at this address.

  In addition the role of the fund has been brought to the attention of the Department's regional organisation. I also understand that information about the fund is being circulated to all citizens' advice bureaux. The level of inquiries received at this early stage indicates that many potential applicants are already aware of the fund's existence and purpose.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what categories of people will be appointed as trustees of the Independent Living Fund; who will administer the fund on a day-to-day basis; and what qualifications they will have to assess individual claims for disablement benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  Those appointed as trustees of the Independent Living Fund will be chosen to represent a whole range of appropriate qualities and interests. In particular, they will include individuals with special knowledge and experience of disability, and people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is envisaged that the day-to-day administration of the fund will be delegated to the trust's administrative staff, acting according to the trustees' instructions. Borderline cases are likely to be referred to the trustees for guidance where necessary. I would expect the trustees and their staff to take appropriate professional advice on all cases. In addition, the Disablement Income Group and the Department will be available to advise the fund if required.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer of 12 April,Official Report, columns 5–6, what right of appeal or review there will be in respect of decisions on applications for payments from the Independent Living Fund in the period before the trust is formally established; when he expects the trustees to be in a position to determine how to deal with cases which have been turned down; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  No payments can formally be made from the Independent Living Fund before its legal establishment. All applications addressed to the fund now will be examined by officials, with professional advice, and the case for interim payments considered. All applications will, however, be fully re-examined by the trustees when appointed, whether or not interim payments have been made.

  Drug Licences
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what restrictions there are on the prescribing on a named person basis of a drug which has had its product licence withdrawn; if his Department or the Committee on Safety of Medicines is advised each time it occurs; and what warnings the prescribing doctor is obliged to give to the patient.
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  Mr. Newton
  The Department places no restrictions on the prescribing of drugs by doctors on a named patient basis. Medical practitioners are responsible for treating and advising their patients. Neither the Department nor the Committee on Safety of Medicines is normally advised when a drug is prescribed on a named patient basis.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that whenever a drug licence is withdrawn, members of the medical profession are given the facts which led to its withdrawal so that they will be aware of the risks involved if they decide to prescribe it on a named person basis and the long-term side effects which may affect their patients.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to him on 2 November 1987 at column 560.

  Project 2000
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the Government's response to "Project 2000: A New Preparation for Practice" published by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The proposals have been the subject of extensive consultation, and we have been considering them in the light of it. We hope to respond to the UKCC shortly.

  Nurses (Immunisation)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy in regard to charging nurses for immunisation against hepatitis B and other diseases to which they may become exposed in the course of their work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Immunisation against hepatitis B and other infectious diseases, which is offered for occupational health reasons to those in high risk groups, is provided free of charge.

  Mental Handicap Nurses
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what training facilities are available in the London area for mental handicap nurses (RNMH).

  Mr. Newton
  The schools of nursing which have approval to run ENB course 1200 RNMH, Registered Nurse for the Mentally Handicapped, in the London area are:

  Waltham Forest.

  Newham.

  Enfield and Harringay.

  There is a wide range of post-basic courses available to mental handicap nurses, as well as other in-service training. The hon. Member may wish to contact the regional chairmen concerned for further information.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines his Department has given to district general managers and health regions to enable them to fulfil Government assurances about the long-term future for mental handicap nurses in the community care setting.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 16 March, at column 615.

  "From Black to White"
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if all the treatment shown in the recent postgraduate dental video entitled "From Black to White" will be available through the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  All treatment necessary for dental fitness is available under the NHS general dental services. The scale of fees for general dental practitioners, which is reviewed annually in consultation with representatives of the dental profession, already includes payment for the treatment of the early signs of tooth decay using the techniques shown in the video. We will shortly be discussing with the profession whether any clarification of the description of this treatment in the scale is needed in the light of developments in clinical practice.

  Dental Estimate Forms
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what arrangements he made to distribute the new dental estimate forms; and if he is satisfied that sufficient supplies of the new forms were available on the appropriate date;

  (2) what arrangements he made to inform general dental practitioners of the changes consequent on the introduction of new dental estimate forms; if any special arrangements were made to inform dental receptionists about the use of these forms; if he issued any separate instructions on advising people on low incomes in their use, in particular in relation to form AG; and whether he has made any plans to issue advice to patients on the completing of these forms.

  Mrs. Currie
  Guidance concerning the revised procedures for remission of dental charges on grounds of low income which came into effect on 11 April, and supplies of the new estimate forms were sent well in advance of that date to each family practitioner committee for distribution to general dental practitioners. I have no reason to believe that practitioners did not receive them by 11 April. Practitioners are responsible for training their staff in new procedures. Advice on completion of form AG1 is contained in the form itself. The form also indicates where further information can be obtained.

  Ross Lab (Product Licence)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the application about which the hon. Member for Macclesfield has written to him made by Ross Lab of Macclesfield for the issuing of a product licence in connection with blood transfusion equipment was first received by his Department; what stage that application has reached; when he expects the licence to be issued; what have been the reasons for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement outlining what steps he is taking to establish the sources of information given to competitors of Ross Lab about the progress of the application.
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  Mr. Newton
  I regret that information concerning the state of progress of applications for product licences made under the Medicines Act is regarded as confidential. Details will be given in the reply to the letter from my hon. Friend.

  Lithotripters
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will list by health district those health authorities which have a lithotripter, giving the cost of purchase and estimated annual running costs, together with how many people are treated on average each year, the date the machine was installed and the population of health districts where this equipment is sited.

  Mrs. Currie
  There are two types of lithotripter in, current use in National Health Service hospitals. The first type, percutaneous lithotripters, are designed for invasive internal application in a normal operating theatre. These are relatively inexpensive devices which are in widespread use.

  The second type, known as the extra corporeal shock wave lithotripter, is a complex and expensive machine which avoids the need for interventional surgery. Ministers have said that this type of lithotripsy should be a regional service. I am aware of five of these lithotripters in use so far within the National Health Service in England. These are located as follows:

  The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield

  St. Peter's Hospital, London

  St. Thomas's Hospital, London

  Southmead Hospital, Bristol

  Withington Hospital, Manchester

  There are also facilities in Scotland, which are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and in the private sector.

  The detailed information requested is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the health authorities concerned to obtain it.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total sum spent nationally on research into Alzheimer's disease during 1986–87 and 1987–88 and projected for 1988–89.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I have been asked to reply.

  The main agency through which the Government support medical research in the United Kingdom is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives a grant-in-aid from this Department.

  I understand that in 1986–87, the last financial year for which figures are available, the Medical Research Council spent in the region of £3 million in its own establishments and through grants to universities on research related to Alzheimer's disease. Expenditure in 1987–88 and 1988–89 is likely to be at about the same level. Some expenditure is also incurred by universities from general funds.

  Expenditure on research into Alzheimer's disease, funded directly and indirectly by the Health Departments for 1986–87, is about £70,000.