Written Answers of 2 February 1988

TRANSPORT

  Roadworks (Basildon)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what road work plans and improvements are due to be carried out on the A127 and A13 within the Basildon constituency over the next two years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A new local road bridge is under construction over the A127 near the Fortune of War roundabout. It will facilitate the removal of this roundabout and junction. Draft orders authorising the closure of the existing side roads should be published this spring. Other improvements including the scope for widening the A127 to dual three-lane are still under consideration.

  The A13 through Basildon is not a national road. Its improvement is the responsibility of Essex county council.

  Motor Insurance
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any information on plans to standardise motor insurance cover within the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Community's effort has been directed to the harmonisation of compulsory requirements that protect the interests of accident victims. We introduced regulations last December complying with directive 84/5/EEC to secure compulsory insurance liability for damage to property. We are not aware of other EC plans to standardise cover. Our view is that it is for individual drivers to decide what cover they require outside compulsory insurance and for insurers to decide what they are prepared to insure.

  M3-M27 Link
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is yet in a position to announce a date when he expects contracts to be let for the completion of the M3/M27 link.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We hope to let a contract for the southern section of the M3 extension later this year. Timing of the contract for the northern section depends on the outcome of the current public inquiry.

  Railways (Modernisation)
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of railway modernisation since the passage of the Transport Act 1962.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Since the British Railways Board was set up in 1963 it has invested over £11·5 billion in today's prices, in renewal and replacement of the railway. It has now embarked on its biggest renewal programme since the modernisation programme in the 1950s and 1960s.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the most recent evidence of the effect on accident levels on roads where speed retarders, including road humps, have been installed.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Trials conducted by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory show that speed control humps can significantly reduce injury accidents. New regulations introduced in December 1986 gave increased discretion to local highway authorities as to installation of humps. The Department does not maintain central records of their installation and use.

  I am arranging for relevant leaflets issued by the Department to be placed in the Library of the House.

  M25 (Service Area)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet decided to proceed with the proposal for a motorway service area on M25 at Iver, Buckinghamshire.

  Mr. Channon
  I have decided to proceed with our proposal for a service area at Iver. On the information before me I have concluded that a service area here will be well placed to serve needs on a heavily trafficked sector of M25, and that the site proposed is appropriate for that purpose. Preparations and consultations are now being put in hand with a view to application in the late spring for planning clearance and authority to acquire the land.

  Motor Cyclists
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of research into the effect on motor cycling of the Transport Act 1981 and on the effectiveness of a one-day training course for learner motor cyclists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Tomorrow we will be publishing two reports: TRRL research report RR1O6 — "The Effect on Motorcycling of the 1981 Transport Act" and TRRL contractors report CR56—"An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a One-Day Training Programme for Learner Motorcyclists". Copies will be placed in the Library.

  We shall also be announcing the Government's plans for improving motor cycling safety, in the light of these reports and of the consultation exercise in 1986. The proposals should make a significant reduction in the appalling accident rate of motor cylists, particularly amongst the young and inexperienced riders. Our proposals are:

  (a) Replace the present part 1 off-road test of machine handling skills with a compulsory one-day training course, which includes road survival skills, for all new riders of motor cycles and mopeds. Successful completion of the course will be a prerequisite to the issue of provisional motor cycle and moped licences.

  (b) At present the on-road (part 2) L test is conducted by a driving examiner following the candidate on foot. In future the driving examiner will accompany the candidate on another vehicle which will permit a more thorough testing in traffic conditions, making it comparable to the test for learner car drivers.

  (c) Learner riders will be prohibited from carrying pillion passengers.

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  (d) A licence category for motor cycles in excess of 400cc will be introduced. Progress to the larger machines will be dependent on a rider having two year's riding experience on a full licence.

  (e) New holders of full driving licences will no longer have automatic entitlement to ride a moped or provisional entitlement to ride a learner motor cycle.

  We shall consult further on the value of reducing the validity of the provisional motorcycle licence from two years to one. If the L test were not taken within that year, a new licence could not be applied for till a year later.

  A copy of the full proposals will be placed in the Library of the House.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Zinoviev Letter
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what information is available to the Lord Chancellor's Department on the current location of the original intercept of the Zinoviev letter of 15 September 1924; what representations he has received regarding its absence from Public Record Office files; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has no information about the location of any document containing the text of the Zinoviev letter as it originally came into the possession of the British Government. A copy of the text is available for public inspection in the Public Record Office. I am not aware of any representations either to myself or to the Lord Chancellor about the absence of the original letter from the Public Record Office.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Greenham Common (Police Numbers)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Thames Valley as to why police officers on duty outside Greenham Common during the dispersal of a cruise missile convoy on the night of 14–15 January did not all display their numbers, and as to why Officer No. 372 at the Swan roundabout had his number covered in a black substance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of Thames Valley police that it is force policy that uniformed officers of constable and sergeant rank should display identification numbers at all times. Supervising officers are careful to ensure that the requirement is complied with.

  Any specific complaint about the alleged failure of an officer to display an identification number should be pursued with the chief constable. I understand that police constable 372 was not on duty on the night of 14–15 January.

  Prison Governors Association
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards recognising the Prison Governors Association.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will accord official recognition to the Prison Governors Association.
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  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are considering the new association's request for recognition in the light of, among other things, the views of other interested parties. Comments from one body are still awaited, but they are expected very shortly, and we shall take a decision as soon as possible.

  Government Data Network
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the police will obtain access to data available via the Government data network.

  Mr. Hurd
  The proposed Government data network, if implemented, would afford Government Departments and other authorised agencies a secure and cost-effective facility for transmitting data to other locations within the same organisation or, where authorised, to other users of the network. There will be safeguards to prevent unauthorised access by one user to the data of other users.

  I am considering whether the network would be suitable for use by the police national computer (PNC) which my Department operates on behalf of police forces. Should it be suitable, the police service would have access only to police data and PNC users would be subject to the same safeguards against unauthorised access as apply to all other users.

  Leicestershire (Police Strength)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the chief constable of Leicestershire concerning a request for additional officers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last received an application by the Leicestershire police authority for an increase in the authorised police establishment of the Leicestershire constabulary; what was the request; and what was his response thereto.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Following a review of the force by the chief constable, the Leicestershire police authority wrote on 15 January seeking approval for an increase in the force establishment of 45 posts in 1988–89, 33 posts in 1989–90 and 13 posts in 1990–91.

  The police authority has been informed that its application will be considered, in the light of advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, along with applications which have been received from other authorities for increases in establishment in 1988–89.

  Community Radio
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will outline the procedures that will have to be followed by anyone seeking to apply for a licence to run a community radio station.

  Mr. Renton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 26 January at column 132.

  Immigration (Heathrow)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration officers were on duty and interviewing entrants to the United Kingdom at
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  terminal 4 Heathrow airport between 9 am and 10 am on Monday 11 January; and what was the estimated average waiting time for entrants prior to interview.

  Mr. Renton
  Fourteen immigration officers were on duty on the inward immigration control at Heathrow terminal 4 between 0900 and 1000 on 11 January. Some passengers had to wait up to 45 minutes for examination, which is exceptional for the time of year. A major contributory factor was the particularly heavy concentration of flights that morning, a number of which had been delayed by adverse weather conditions.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) burglaries, and (b) street attacks there were in 1985 and 1986; what is the estimated figure for 1987; and if he will make a statement about current proposals to deal with these crimes.

  Mr. John Patten
  Numbers of offences of burglary and robbery recorded by the police in 1985, 1986, and the first three quarters of 1987 were published in a "Home Office Statistical Bulletin" issue number 38/87 in December 1987, copies of which are in the Library. Figures for the whole of 1987 are not yet available.

  We shall continue to encourage and support a coordinated approach to crime prevention at national and local level disseminating advice on how to reduce opportunities for these and other crimes to occur. We shall also continue to make provision for a strong and efficient police service.

DEFENCE

  Rainfall Levels
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when rainfall figures were available between 2 and 7 May 1986.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A limited amount of raw raingauge data reaches the Meteorological Office within a few hours of the rain falling, but this represents only some 3 per cent. of the total network coverage providing records. The first maps of estimated surface rainfall for the period in question, based on radar data, were available during May 1986. Maps of daily rainfall, based on partly quality controlled data from some 4,000 sites equipped with raingauges, began to be supplied by the Meteorological Office in late July 1986.

ENVIRONMENT

  Job Creation (Docklands)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of jobs created in the London Docklands development corporation area since 1981 has gone to those resident in the docklands boroughs before 1981.

  Mr. Trippier
  No up-to-date information is available. A survey commissioned by LDDC in 1985 showed that about 30 per cent. of jobs in firms attracted to the corporation's area up to that date were taken by persons who were residents of the three docklands boroughs. A new survey was conducted in 1987 and its results will be published soon.

  Smoke Detectors
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will exempt expenditure by local authorities on the installation of smoke detectors in council property from grant penalty under the rate support grant provisions.

  Mr. Chope
  No.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has made for altering the building regulations in relation to the conservation of energy in domestic, commercial and industrial buildings; when he published his proposals; and when he intends to bring his proposed changes to the House.

  Mr. Trippier
  A consultation letter on stage 2 of the review of the building regulations was issued on 15 December 1986. This included a number of general proposals relating to the form of the legal requirements in part L (conservation of fuel and power) and to guidance which might be given on ways of meeting those requirements. More detailed proposals are now being developed in the light of comments received, and I intend to issue a further consultation document on part L later this year. I hope that the necessary amendments to this part of the regulations can be laid before Parliament by the end of the year.

  Gipsies
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England are equipped for gipsies, under the terms of the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Roe
  All grant-aided local authority gipsy sites in England are provided with basic facilities as recommended in annex A to Department of the Environment circular 11/79 and conform with the standards laid down in the Department's gipsy sites design guide.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England have already complied with the sections of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 relating to gipsies and have subsequently been granted the status of designated areas under the Act, or are in the process of seeking such designation.

  Mrs. Roe
  A total of 22 London boroughs, 10 former county boroughs, five entire counties and 58 individual districts have been designated under the 1968 Act. These figures take account of one designation order which has been made but will not come into force until February. Eight applications for designation are at present before my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which county councils in England have yet to establish permanent caravan sites for gipsies under the terms of the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  Mrs. Roe
  All county councils in England except the Isle of Wight have established at least one permanent caravan site for gipsies.

  Water (Nitrate Levels)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 742, he will specify the areas in which derogations have been given in relation to nitrate levels in public water supplies.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The areas are specified in the table:

  NITRATE DEROGATIONS

  Water authority area and area of supply

  ANGLIAN

  Cambridge Water Co.

  Parts of Huntingdon and South Cambridgeshire

  Districts

  Anglian Water Authority

  Dersingham and Snettisham

  Docking

  Heacham and Hunstanton

  Moulton and Kennet

  Wisbech

  Habough—part of Lincolnshire

  Aswarby—Saltersford—part of Lincolnshire

  Scunthorpe

  Binbrook—part of Lincolnshire

  Bully Hill—Barnoldby—part of Lincolnshire

  Bully Hill—Otby—part of Lincolnshire

  Clay Hill—Drove Lane, Sleaford

  Sleaford

  Potterhanworth—part of Lincolnshire Saltersford

  Waneham Bridge—Saltersford

  Bucklesham—part of Ipswich

  Ely and Littleport

  Habrough—Covenham, part of Cleethorpes

  Bowthorpe, part of Norwich

  Heigham—Thorpe part of Norwich

  Otby

  Otby—Waddingham

  SEVERN-TRENT

  Severn-Trent Water Authority

  Parts of Leamington, Kenilworth, Warwick and

  Stratford DC

  Parts of Rutland DC

  Parts of South Derbyshire DC

  Parts of Newark and Ashfield DC

  Part of Stourbridge, Dudley MBC (Coalbournbrook source)

  Part of Wychavon DC area

  Part of Stourbridge, Dudley MBC (Millmeadow source)

  Parts of Wychavon DC

  Malvern Hills and Wyre Forest DC

  Parts of Wrekin DC (Lilleshall source)

  Parts of Worksop, Bassetlaw DC

  Parts of Worksop and Mansfield Woodhouse

  Part of South Shropshire DC

  Part of Wrekin DC (Puleston Bridge source)

  Parts of Bridgnorth and Wrekin DC (Shifnal source)

  Bromley Lane area of Dudley MBC

  Parts of Newark DC (Farnsfield source)

  Parts of Nottingham City Council area primarily

  Hucknall

  SOUTH STAFFS WATERWORKS COMPANY

  Parts of Lichfield DC Sutton Coldfield area, North

  Warwickshire CC and Walsale Metropolitan area

  Parts of Kingswinford, Pensnett and Brierley Hill

  Dudley Metropolitan area

  Parts of Lichfield and Whittington, Lichfield DC

  South West

  St. Marys Island

  THAMES

  Lee Valley Water Co.

  Part of Luton

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  YORKSHIRE

  Area north east of Ripon North Yorkshire

  PSA (Cost Limit)
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has plans to increase the Property Services Agency's civil running cost limit during the current financial year.

  Mr. Chope
  Subject to the approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the PSA's civil running cost limit on Class XX Vote 19 will be increased by £4·976 million from £141·772 million to £146·748 million, due to an underprovision for work undertaken by the agency's directly employed industrial labour force. This is offset by a reduction in non-running cost expenditure within the cash limit, which remains unchanged.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the undertakings given at columns 1109–1110 in the Official Report of the Standing Committee on the Local Government Bill 1985 by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Ealing, Acton (Sir G. Young), on rent levels, management, maintenance and access by Londoners in respect of the Greater London council's seaside and country homes, still apply.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 28 January 1988]: The proposed terms for disposal will enable the new landlord to set reasonable levels of rent and of management and maintenance expenditure. The only long-term undertaking given concerned access by Londoners. New lettings will continue to be made exclusively to elderly Londoners by means of reserved nomination rights exercised through the London area mobility scheme.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases of fraud, corruption or theft have been reported in the Property Services Agency in respect of consultant staff who have been, or are, working in district works offices; what action his Department has taken; and whether any cases of fraud, corruption or theft involving consultant staff have been reported to the police.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 29 January 1988]: None. One case of procedural irregularity resulted in the resignation of a consultant's employee, but there was no obvious evidence of fraud, theft or corruption involved.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to release the report by Deloitte Haskins and Sells on the operation of the Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 29 January 1988]: My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to do so.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has received on the statement
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  of 19 January by the European Economic Community Environment Commissioner to the European Parliament on the transnuclear waste transport cover-up and bribery incident in the European Economic Community, particularly in terms of its implications for the implementation of EURATOM safety and safeguard arrangements within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am placing a copy of the 19 January statement by Commissioner Stanley Clinton Davis in the Library of the House. On 19 January Commissioner Mosar also told the European Parliament that he had no evidence as yet of diversion of fissile material from Mol for unlawful use. The International Atomic Energy Agency has stated it was satisfied that there had been no unauthorised diversion of nuclear material in significant quantities. The deputy director general of the IAEA has also said he was confident that Euratom's standards were the highest possible.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his reply of 15 January,Official Report, column 421, he will set out the reasons why the publication of the yearly plutonium figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The information is not available in this form for previous years and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Central Electricity Generating Board
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest financial targets for the Central Electricity Generating Board.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The latest financial target agreed for the Central Electricity Generating Board is to earn a return on average net assets on a current cost accounting basis of 3·75 per cent. in 1988–89 and 4·75 per cent. in 1989–90.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's cash limits and running cost limit for 1987–88.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The cash limit for class VI, vote 2, has been reduced by £1 million to £250·272 to offset expenditure in connection with the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales. Provision for this new expenditure was voted in a Winter Supplement Estimate for class VI, vote 7.

  In addition, the cash limit for class VI, vote 3, has been reduced by £0·05 million to £22·823 million. This change arises from the transfer of £0·05 million to the Department of Employment (class VII, vote 4) as a special contribution towards increased costs in 1987–88 associated with the recruitment and staffing of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. My Department's running cost limit has also been reduced by a similar amount to £26·301 million.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Educational Maintenance Awards
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost, at 1986–87 prices, of introducing educational maintenance awards for 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education in schools and colleges at(a) the same rates as supplementary benefit for young people and (b) the same rates as training allowances paid to 16 and 17-year-olds on YTS.

  Mr. Dunn
  After deducting child benefit and existing maintenance payments from LEAs, the annual cost of paying maintenance allowances to all 16 and 17-year-olds currently in full-time education in schools and colleges is estimated to be as follows:

  £ million

  (a) If the allowances are paid at the same rate as supplementary benefit

  300

  (b) If the allowances are paid at the same rate as YTS allowances

  650

  Notes:

  1. The figure at (a) is based on the 1986–87 supplementary benefit level of £18·40 for 16 and 17-year-olds living at home with their parents, less child benefit at the 1986–87 rate of £7·10 per week. If child benefit is not deducted the figure would increase by about £200 million to £500 million.

  2. The figure for (b) is based on the 1986–87 YTS allowances of £27·30 per week for 16-year-olds and £35 per week for 17-year-olds, less child benefit at the 1986–87 rate of £7·10 per week. If child benefit is not deducted the figure would increase by about £200 million to £850 million.

  3. Both figures assume no change in the estimated 1985–86 level of local authority spending on maintenance payments For 16 and 17-year-olds, which has been converted to 1986–87 prices for the present purpose.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary schools in Northumberland have expressed an interest to his Department in the suggestion that they will be able to opt out of local government control.

  Mr. Dunn
  All individual schools which have approached the Department have done so on the basis that their interest will be treated in confidence.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nursery school places are currently available in Northumberland.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information on the total number of places available in nursery schools is not collected centrally. The number of pupils attending maintained nursery schools in Northumberland in January 1987 was 44 full-time and 90 part-time. In addition, 89 full-time and 1,593 part-time pupils attended nursery classes in primary schools in the authority.

  Further Education Colleges (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to further education colleges of the Inner London education
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  authority which provide a specialist service for Greater London, the trade, profession or course with which they are associated, and the number of day and evening pupils attending each one.

  Mr. Jackson
  In common with colleges of further education in other parts of the country, many colleges maintained by the ILEA provide courses meeting the needs of students and employers from an area rather wider than that of the local education authority. Detailed information on all such courses could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Education Statistics
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the numbers of (i) primary and nursery pupils, (ii) secondary school pupils, (iii) special school pupils, (iv) persons in attendance at day colleges, and (v) persons in attendance at evening classes, which are the responsibility of the Inner London education authority, for each local authority in the Inner London education authority area.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information for areas within authorities is not collected centrally. ILEA publishes statistics by division within the authority.

WALES

  Valleys Development Initiative
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his proposed valleys development initiative, and the sums required for that initiative, will be additional to the levels of expenditure announced in Cm. 288—I and II.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The planned levels of expenditure indicated in "The Government's Expenditure Plans for 1988–89 to 1990–91" (Cm. 288 — I and II) include provision for my proposals to introduce a programme to revitalise the south Wales valleys. The planned level of expenditure in years beyond 1988–89 is subject to review in the context of future public expenditure rounds.

  Gipsies
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which county councils have yet to establish permanent caravan sites for gipsies under the terms of the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  Mr. Grist
  Only West Glamorgan county council has not yet established a permanent caravan site for gipsies, and it is in the process of providing one at Llansamlet, Swansea.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales have already complied with the sections of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 relating to gipsies and have been granted the status of designated areas under the Act, or are in the process of seeking designation.

  Mr. Grist
  No area in Wales has been designated. Applications for designation have been made in respect of Aberconwy, Arfon, Dinefwr, Llanelli, Montgomery, Preseli and Ynys Môn districts.
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  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales are equipped for gipsies under the terms of the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  All counties in Wales except West Glamorgan have at least one official site. All local authority gipsy sites in Wales are provided with basic facilities as recommended in annex A to Welsh Office circular 11/79 and conform with the standards laid down in the Welsh Office gipsy sites design guide.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Bophuthatswana Tuberculosis Association
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost to the small projects scheme of contributions made to the Bophuthatswana Tuberculosis Association; and for what purpose the funds have been used.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  An allocation of £7,000 has been approved for the association, which is a non-governmental organisation, for the provision of transport and audiovisual equipment. This will enable the association's health educationist to give talks and demonstrations within Bophuthatswana on tuberculosis and other health-related subjects. £6,119 has been spent so far.

THE ARTS

  Office of Arts and Libraries
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has any changes to announce in the running cost limit of the Office of Arts and Libraries and in the cash limits of the Votes for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Luce
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limits for the following votes will be increased by the amounts indicated:

  Vote

  Current cash limit £

  Increase £

  Revised cash limit £

  Class XII Vote 10

  17,858,000

  100,000

  17,958,000

  Class XIII Vote 10

  176,126,000

  8,169,000

  184,295,000

  Class XIII Vote 12

  1,267,000

  60,000

  1,327,000

  Of these increases, £7,429,000 will be charged to the Reserve, and £900,000 will be offset by a cash limit reduction on class XVII, vote 5. There will therefore be no increase in the planned total of public expenditure.

  The additions sought are:
  £100,000 on class XII, vote 10, to meet the costs of repairing storm damage to the roof of the British museum (natural history);
  £900,000 on class XII, vote 10, to facilitate the purchase of the Sherman theatre, Cardiff, by the Welsh Arts Council;
  £7,329,000 on class XIII, vote 10, for payment to Inland Revenue in respect of tax forgone on three major works of art accepted by the nation in lieu of tax;
  £60,000 on class XIII, vote 12, to meet the additional costs of the Office of Arts and Libraries in respect of the British Library St. Pancras team. This increase is offset by a corresponding saving on the arts marketing scheme (vote 10). The Office of Arts and Libraries running costs limit will increase by £25,000, from £1,268,000 to £1,293,000.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what plans he has to introduce training on equal opportunities for women into the top management course.

  Mr. Luce
  The top management programme includes a number of sessions on social change and on management issues. In these sessions questions of equal opportunity are often discussed. It is planned to continue to include these sessions in future programmes.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if there are any proposals to change the 1987–88 cash limit for the office of the Minister for the Civil Service.

  Mr. Luce
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service (class XX, vote 1) will be increased by £1,060,000 from £33,603,000 to £34,663,000. The increase is required to disburse to Civil Service welfare organisations some of the savings to the Exchequer arising from the underpayment of public service pensions as a result of the miscalculation of retail prices index increases; and to clear outstanding debit balances in respect of advance payments made to the Property Services Agency (PSA) since 1983–84. The decision to make additional payments to suitable charities was announced to the House of Commons by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General on 18 December 1987. Since the payments will be funded from the Reserve, they will not increase the planned total of public expenditure. The PSA payments were made in previous years and there is no call on the Reserve.

PRIME MINISTER

  Thamesmead
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to make an official visit to Thamesmead.

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

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will meet Dr. Najib, President of Afghanistan, to discuss his Government's policies for the promotion of peace and reconciliation in that country; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Menwith Hill
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next intends to pay an official visit to Menwith Hill.

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

  European Community (Budgetary Control)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a further statement on the position she will take at the European Council meeting on additional resources for the EEC in the light of the recent proposals for budgetary control submitted to the Council by the EEC Commission.
  538
  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the statement I made on Tuesday 8 December, at columns 167–8, on the outcome of the Copenhagen European Council.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 February.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 February.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 February.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 February.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 February.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 February.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including one with Chancellor Kohl. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Building Societies Act 1986
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has completed the review of schedule 8 to the Building Societies Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The review of schedule 8 to the Building Societies Act 1986, which I announced on 2 October last, had two purposes. The first was to examine whether schedule 8 could be recast so that it proscribed particular activities within certain broadly specified powers instead of banning everything except narrowly specified powers. We believe that this can be done and I shall be bringing the necessary order before the House in due course.

  The review also considered societies' request, through the Building Societies Association, for a substantial extension of their powers. The Government recognise that the gradual step-by-step extension of powers previously envisaged would not be appropriate. Societies need to know the broad scope of their powers for some years ahead in order to make sensible long-term commercial plans. Different societies will want to exercise different powers, and each individual society will probably want 10 diversify into only a small number of new areas. The Government therefore propose a wide-ranging extension of powers, while ensuring through supervision of business plans by the Building Societies Commission within overall limits on non-traditional assets that individual societies exploit their new powers at a prudent pace.

  The mainstream business of societies is, and must remain, that of raising funds from the public for lending on house purchase. But we believe that it is right that societies should be allowed to undertake activities which either complement their mainstream business or which will enable them to compete more effectively by providing the wider range of financial services which customers expect of financial institutions. Societies will, as at present,

  539
  continue to provide services primarily to the personal sector rather than to companies. But I have decided that societies should also be allowed to:

  (a) take an equity stake in both life and general insurance companies;

  (b) undertake fund management including management of unit trusts generally (rather than just for the provision of pensions, as at present);

  (c) take an equity stake in stockbrokers;

  (d) offer a wider range of banking and housing-related services than hitherto.

  There will be some limitations on these new powers. It would not be appropriate for societies to become involved as stockbrokers in market-making nor would it be desirable for societies to become fully exposed to the risks inherent in general insurance business. The draft orders which I will bring before the House in due course will set out the proposed restrictions to these powers.

  Many of these new activities are supervised under either the Insurance Companies Act 1982 or the Financial Services Act 1986. These arrangements will continue and appropriate arrangements to co-ordinate supervision will also be put in place.

  I also propose two other changes under the Act.

  First, societies have represented that the limit on unsecured lending to individuals, currently £5,000, is too low. This limit covers personal loans for such items as furnishings as well as car loans and credit card limits. The limit will be increased to £10,000. This will give societies greater scope to compete for retail customers. The Building Societies Commission will ensure that societies continue to have adequate credit assessment and exposure monitoring systems.

  The second change concerns asset limits. As societies develop into new activities already permitted under the Act, plus those opened up following this review, they will wish gradually to increase the proportion of their assets which are not residential mortgages. I propose therefore to bring forward an order shortly which will provide for a progressive increase in the limits on non-traditional assets. This will enable societies to plan for expansion into non-traditional activities at a measured pace. The order will provide for an increase in the class 2 and 3 limits to 17½ per cent. and 74½per cent. respectively in January 1990, to 20 per cent. and 10 per cent. respectively in January 1991 and a further increase to the maximum extent possible within the primary legislation–25 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively—in January 1993.

  The orders necessary to implement these changes will take time to prepare, in consultation with the Building Societies Association. I hope to be able to lay the draft orders before the House before Easter. I recognise that some societies are anxious that they should be able to adopt their new powers in their spring AGMs. We will proceed with all the speed that we can and provide societies with as much information as possible as drafting proceeds. But early adoption may not be possible. It will be important to ensure that the complex secondary legislation is carefully and correctly drafted.

  The proposals are a substantial step forward in building society development. They will give societies the freedom to develop and compete across a wide range of financial services business.

  Running Costs Limit
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plan to change the 1987–88 running costs limit for the Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Brooke
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the departmental running costs limit for the Government Actuary's Department will be increased by £26,000 from £2,021,000 to £2,047,000 to provide for new work on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry. There is no change in the cash limit, and no claim on the Reserve. This increase will be offset by a reduction in the running costs of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there will be any changes to the 1987–88 running costs limit for Her Majesty's Treasury.

  Mr. Brooke
  Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the 1987–88 running costs limit for Her Majesty's Treasury will be decreased by £200,000, from £66,364,000 to £66,164,000. This decrease applies to expenditure by the central computer and telecommunications agency under class XIX, vote 13. It is mainly due to staff shortages, partly offset by higher pay costs; and to savings in equipment maintenance, stemming largely from delays in the formal acceptance of the agency's office automation system.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is proposing any further change to the Central Office of Information's cash limit for 1987–88.

  Mr. Brooke
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class XIX, vote 1, will be increased by £9,468,000 from £141,032,000 to £150,500,000. The increase will be offset by reimbursements by the clients of the Central Office of Information and will not therefore add to the planning total of public expenditure. There will be a decrease of £1,164,000 in the Central Office of Information running costs, from £20,164,000 to £19,000,000, following a reduction in staff numbers.

  Women (Equal Opportunities)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade 6 level and above working outside headquarters have received equal training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Brooke
  All my Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities— for all groups, not just for women. None of the 12 staff at grade 6 and above working outside London has received training solely dedicated to equal opportunities for women.

  Customs Officers (Heathrow)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs officers were on duty in the goods to be declared channel at terminal 4 Heathrow airport on
  541
  Monday 11 January between 9 am and 10 am; and what was the estimated waiting time for passengers prior to interview.

  Mr. Lilley
  Five customs officers were on duty in the red channel.

  It is not possible to estimate the waiting time but Customs' records show that passenger traffic at that time was well in excess of the normal average throughput.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong Civil Service
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the request from the unions concerned for the establishment of an independent committee of inquiry into pay in the Hong Kong Civil Service.

  Mr. Eggar
  A request has been made by the staff side of the Senior Civil Service Council that an independent committee of inquiry be set up to consider a pay level survey carried out in 1986. The Governor has declined the request as no specific proposals arising from the survey have been made by the Hong Kong Government. Any such proposals would be the subject of consultation in the Council.

  Ms. Rocio Reyes
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Chilean Government concerning the arrest and detention of Rocio Reyes, a former United Kingdom resident, and reports from Amnesty International of threats to Ms. Reyes.

  Mr. Eggar
  Senorita Reyes was released without charge on 12 September 1987 after nine days in detention. Her Majesty's embassy in Santiago has remained in touch with her. Neither the embassy nor, I understand, Amnesty International is aware of threats made against Senorita Reyes since her release.

  Chilean Exiles
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any reassessment of the ability of Chilean exiles in the United Kingdom to return home safely in the light of the detention of Luis Tricot and Rocio Reyes and the subsequent alleged torture of Señor Tricot.

  Mr. Eggar
  I am aware of the practical difficulties which Chilean exiles may face on return from the United Kingdom to their own country. Her Majesty's ambassador remains in touch with returnees, and I understand that this is welcomed. But, as far as I am aware, returnees are not being singled out for harassment. The embassy has made representations on behalf of the Irish Government about Senor Tricot's case.

  Aboriginal Australians
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Australia on(a) the
  542
  alleged violations of the human rights of aboriginal Australians and (b) the denial of land rights for aboriginal Australians; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  No.

  Cash Limits
  Sir Antony Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he proposes to make any changes to the Foreign and Commonwealth cash limits for 1987–88.

  Mr. Eggar
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class II, vote 4 (British Council), will be increased by £1,066,000 from £55,658,000 to £56,724,000 to take account of unavoidable increased costs overseas. The increase will be charged to the Reserve.

  The cash limit for class II, vote 1 (Overseas Representation), will be decreased by £5 million from £427,247,000 to £422,247,000 due to reductions in assumed costs overseas. This will include a reduction in the running costs limit of £1,500,000 from £396,783,000 to £395,283,000. The cash limit for class II, vote 3 (BBC: External Broadcasting and Monitoring), will be reduced by £4,347,000 from £116,500,000 to £112,153,000 to take account of the over-issue of the grant-in-aid in the previous financial year.

  Irish Republic (Young Persons)
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to obtain from the Irish Republic an estimate of the number of young people between the ages of 18 and 30 years who are citizens of the Republic and who have come to live in Great Britain in the last five years; and if he will ask the Government of the Irish Republic to make a contribution towards their welfare and accommodation if they are unemployed or homeless.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. Given the freedom of movement between the two countries, neither the Irish nor the United Kingdom Government are in a position to give accurate estimates. Social assistance benefits are available to all persons in need who are lawfully present in Great Britain, without discrimination on grounds of nationality. The Republic of Ireland makes its social assistance benefits available to United Kingdom nationals on the same terms. A system of cross-accounting would not be practical or appropriate in this context.

EMPLOYMENT

  Restart
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the success rate of the restart programme is measured.

  Mr. Lee
  The main aim of the restart programme is to contact all long-term unemployed people and to offer them positive help back to work. The success of the programme is measured principally by reference to the number of long-term unemployed people contacted, the number interviewed, and the percentage of those interviewed who are offered positive help.
  543
  So far in 1987–88 up to the end of November, some 1·8 million people have been contacted. About 1·5 million have been interviewed and 88 per cent. of those were offered positive help.

  Construction Industry (Skill Shortages)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet the chairman of the construction industry training board to discuss skills shortages in the industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Ministers have regular meetings with all chairmen of industry training boards to discuss various issues. I last met the construction board chairman in December to discuss the board's action plan on skill shortages, and I expect to meet him again in the spring.

  Job Clubs
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to expand the number of job clubs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The planning assumption in the White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1988–89 –1990–91" is that the programme will expand to 1,500 job clubs by the end of 1988–89.

  British Travel Centre
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have now visited the British Travel Centre since it was officially opened.

  Mr. Lee
  There have been more than 1·1 million visitors to the British Travel Centre since it was officially opened by the Prime Minister on 13 June 1986.

  Northern Region
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs have been created over the past 12 months in the northern region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  Over the 12 months to September 1987, the net increase in employment in the northern region is estimated to have been 12,000. This figure covers both employees in employment and the self-employed.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the percentage increase in jobs created in the northern region since 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  There are no figures for job gains and job losses. Between September 1979 and September 1987, the latest date for which figures are available, the civilian employed labour force in the northern region showed a net decrease of 9 per cent. The figure is unadjusted for the effects of seasonal variations.

  The civilian employed labour force is the sum of employees in employment and the self employed.

  Restart (Benefit Claimants)
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been refused unemployment benefit as a result of their refusal to take up an offer made to them following a restart interview.

  Mr. Lee
  Any refusal of benefit subsequent to a restart interview follows not from the interview itself but from the 544
  decision of an independent adjudication officer operating under long-standing legal rules adopted by successive Governments.

  Conference Centres
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made by British conference centres in marketing facilities in Britain to international associations and the corporate sector.

  Mr. Lee
  Good progress is being made in this area through the auspices of the British Conference and Exhibition Centres Export Council, which is supported by the British tourist authority. Britain now has a 10 per cent. share of the market for international conferences and association meetings, and in 1986, conferences earned a record £109 million from overseas visitors.

  Job Release Scheme
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the implementation of the winding-up of the job release scheme.

  Mr. Lee
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis),Official Report, 4 November at column 726. In addition my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the closure on 3 November and notices were placed in various national newspapers on 6 November giving details of the closure and the procedures for submitting applications.

  YTS Trainees
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of YTS trainees going into work, or further education and training.

  Mr. Cope
  The latest results from the Manpower Services Commission's regular follow-up survey show that, of those young people who left YTS schemes between April 1986 and July 1987 74 per cent. were in work, further education or training at the time of the surveys.

  MSC Training Schemes
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are on Manpower Services Commission training schemes as of January; and how many have been on such schemes since their inception.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is not available in the form requested. At 31 December 1987, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 417,500 young people in training on YTS and 24,400 people on the new job training scheme. Figures for the numbers in training on any given date are not available for other adult training schemes. Since 1979, the earliest date for which figures are readily available about 3,413,000 starts have been recorded on MSC training schemes.

  Short-Break Holidays
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much revenue was earned by short-break holidays in England in 1987.
  545
  Mr. Lee
  No estimate is available for the amount earnt by all short break holidays in England in 1987. However, spending on one to three night holidays taken by British residents in England in the first 10 months of 1987 is estimated to be £800 million.

  Visitors
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of Britain's visitors came from Europe in 1987; what information he has as to how this figure compares with other European countries; and what is being done to ensure a good spread of markets.

  Mr. Lee
  Figures are not yet available for the number of visitors to Britain from Europe for the whole of 1987. During the first 10 months of 1987, however, 59 per cent. of visitors to the UK were European residents. Comparative data for other European countries are not yet available.

  The British tourist authority recognises the importance of encouraging visitors from a wide spectrum of markets. Through its overseas offices, and joint marketing initiatives with the trade. It seeks to promote tourism to Britain from all destinations.

  Sir Brandon Rhys-Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average spending per day by United States visitors to Britain in 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  An estimate of the average spending per day by United States visitors to Britain is not yet available for the whole of 1987. However, during the first two quarters of 1987. January to June, the average amount spent per day by United States visitors to the UK was £56.

  Sir Marcus Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the number of people under 25 years who visited Britain in 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  Information on the number of people under 25 years who visited Britain is only produced on an annual basis and is not yet available for 1987. However, in 1986 the number of visits to the United Kingdom by people under 25 was 3·7 million.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently employed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  In September 1987, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 24,446,000 people in the employed labour force in Great Britain. This represents an increase of 1,449,000 since March 1983. The figures are adjusted for the effects of seasonal variations. The employed labour force is the sum of employees in employment, the self-employed and Her Majesty's forces.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the ratio of persons in employment to persons unemployed in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Lee
  The table shows the total employed labour force, and the number of unemployed claimants (excluding school leavers) in the United Kingdom for June of each year since 1983, and also the ratio of employed labour 546
  force to unemployed claimants. All figures are seasonally adjusted.

  Employed Labour Force Thousands

  Unemployed Claimants Thousands

  Ratio

  June 1983

  23,594·9

  2,884·2

  8·2:1

  June 1984

  24,049·4

  2,978·6

  8·1:1

  June 1985

  24,437·9

  3,109·3

  7·9:1

  June 1986

  24,537·3

  3,212·5

  7·6:1

  June 1987

  24,907·5

  2,925·2

  8·5:1

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider maintaining a record of the employment destination of all those who leave Manpower Services Commission schemes or who leave the unemployment register.

  Mr. Cope
  The Manpower Services Commission follows up people leaving the programmes it administers, in order to measure how effective they are in helping people. The information collected includes the destination of leavers. The way in which this information is collected varies from programme to programme and can be on a sample basis.

  More than 400,000 people currently leave the unemployment register in any month. Although records of individual destinations are not maintained, information on the characteristics of the vacancies filled through jobcentres are available. Additionally there have been recent ad hoc surveys which will provide information on amongst other matters the destination of specific groups of unemployed people.

  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment.

  Mr. Lee
  On 10 December 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 2,695,810.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in Lambeth have been unemployed for more than a year.

  Mr. Lee
  On 8 October 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the London borough of Lambeth who had been unemployed for more than one year was 10,523.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the fall in unemployment in Waveney over the past 12 months; and what has been the comparable position in the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Mr. Lee
  On 10 December 1987, the number of unemployed claimants in the Waveney local authority area was 5,011, a fall of 1,205 since December 1986. The comparable figure for the United Kingdom as a whole was 2,695,810, a fall of 533,357.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of people unemployed in the Chelmsford local authority area in December 1987 and December 1986.

  Mr. Lee
  On 10 December 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the Chelmsford local authority area was 2,946. The corresponding figure for December 1986 was 3,788.
  547
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had on employment trends with his counterparts in the EEC member states.

  Mr. Cope
  Since the adoption by the Community of the action programme on employment growth in December 1986, after an initiative by the United Kingdom with Italy and Ireland, we have sought to keep the subject of employment growth high on the agenda of business for the EC Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers. The Council has considered a report on the action programme, and has pursued as a priority the issue of long-term unemployment. We frequently seek to promote discussion of issues relating to employment growth with the European Commission and other member states.

  Employees in Employement

  Males

  Females

  Full time

  Part time

  All

  Full lime

  Part time

  All

  Total employees

  Wales

  June 1979

  n/a

  n/a

  618

  250

  165

  415

  1,033

  September 19841

  474

  29

  504

  220

  163

  383

  886

  September 19872

  n/a

  n/a

  486

  210

  179

  389

  875

  Great Britain

  June 1979

  n/a

  n/a

  13,183

  5,585

  3,870

  9,455

  22,638

  September 19841

  10,928

  771

  11,699

  5,289

  3,858

  9,147

  20,846

  September 198722

  10,935

  881

  11,816

  5,467

  4,209

  9,676

  21,492

  United Kingdom

  June 1979

  n/a

  n/a

  13,487

  5,816

  3,870

  9,686

  23,173

  September 19841

  11,173

  797

  11,970

  5,437

  3,939

  9,376

  21,346

  September 19872

  n/a

  n/a

  12,073

  5,696

  4,209

  9,905

  21,978

  1 Census of employment.

  2 Latest available.

  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which regions are showing the greatest falls in unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The unemployment rate fell in all regions over the last 12 months. With the largest falls being in the west midlands, Wales, north-west and the north. In the last 18 months since June 1986 the falls have also been largest in these regions.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the measures taken to reduce unemployment in the 18 to 25-year-age group.

  Mr. Lee
  Those in the 18-to-25-year-age group are already benefiting from the growth in the economy which has produced more than 1·4 million new jobs since March 1983. In addition, they can take advantage of the wide range of employment and training measures we have developed to help unemployed people back into employment. Unemployment among those aged 18 to 25 fell by 175,166 in the year to October 1987. Unemployment amongst the under 25s is now at the lowest level for over five years.

  We are now moving towards meeting our guarantee to everyone in this age group who has been unemployed for between six and 12 months of the place on the job training scheme or on the enterprise allowance scheme or in a jobclub.
  548
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and how many women were in full-time employment in June 1979 and in December 1987 in(a) Wales and (b) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lee
  Estimates of the numbers of full-time and part-time male employees in employment for the dates and areas specified are available only from the September 1984 census of employment. Regional estimates of the numbers of self-employed people do not separately identify full-time and part-time employment. The available comparable information is given in the table.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage increase in the number of unemployed people in the United Kingdom since May 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  Between 10 May 1979 and 10 December 1987, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom, excluding school leavers and adjusted for discontinuities and seasonality, increased by 126.9 per cent.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what further steps he intends to take to improve the employment prospects of disabled people.

  Mr. Lee
  I have no proposals to put forward at this time. I shall be reviewing the position in the light of the Report by the National Audit Office on employment assistance to disabled adults and the report by the National Advisory Council on Employment of Disabled People which reviewed the principles underlying employment provisions.

  In the meantime my Department and the Manpower Services Commission will continue to promote vigorously employment opportunities for people with disabilities, both through existing special schemes as well as the full range of employment and training programmes.
  549
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recognition he will give to the needs of disabled people in the forthcoming White Paper on adult training.

  Mr. Fowler
  The forthcoming White Paper on unemployment and training will set out the Government's decisions about the new training programme for unemployed adults. The Government recognise that disabled people have particular needs and these will be fully recognised in the new programme.

  YTS
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the working of YTS.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the progress of the YTS.

  Mr. Cope
  On 31 December 1987 there were some 417,000 young people receiving high-quality training on YTS schemes. Of those young people leaving the schemes between April 1986 and July 1987, around 74 per cent. went into employment, further education or training. In addition, around 1,900 organisations have achieved full approved training organisation status demonstrating their commitment to provide high-quality programmes.

  The YTS is now firmly established as a standard method of recruitment and training for many employers, and the Government hope that more and more companies will recognise the substantial benefits YTS can offer.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are on YTS schemes; and how many of them are entitled to travel expenses.

  Mr. Cope
  At the end of December 1987 there were some 417,500 young people in training on YTS, of whom nine out of 10 are non-employed. All non-employed YTS trainees are entitled to be reimbursed the amount by which their essential weekly training-related travel costs exceed £3. If required to live away from home for the purpose of YTS training, such trainees are also entitled to assistance with the costs of travel between home and training location.

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are currently undertaking training on the YTS; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are currently on the YTS; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  At the end of December 1987 there were some 417,500 young people in training on YTS.

  This represents an impressive achievement in convincing young people of the value of training. It also represents significant progress towards our objective that all young people under 18 years of age should have the opportunity either to continue in full-time education or of entering a period of work experience combined with work-related training and education.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what his estimate is of the number of YTS 550
  places in Wales in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 that will arise from the proposed Manpower Services Commission corporate plan for Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Manpower Services Commission's corporate plan for Wales, which gives estimated expenditure up to 1989–90, shows £68·7 million for YTS in 1988–89 and £;68·9 million for 1989–90. The current estimate is that 29,354 places will be available for 1988–89. The number of places for 1989–90 will be estimated around the end of this year.

  Strikes
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost through strikes in September 1987; and what was the comparable figure in September 1978.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in September 1987 is provisionally estimated as 48,000. This compares with 878,000 working days lost in September 1978.

  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost by strikes in 1987; how this compares with 1978; and if he w ill make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in 1987 is not yet available. In the 12-month period to November 1987, 3,494,000 working days were provisionally estimated to have been lost. This compares with 9,405,000 working days lost in 1978.

  Skill Shortages
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet representatives of British chambers of commerce to discuss skill shortages.

  Mr. Cope
  I often meet representatives of British chambers of commerce and discuss issues including the demand for and supply of skills, and will continue to do so.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on skill shortages in(a) the south and (b) the north.

  Mr. Cope
  I have received a number of letters and approaches from individuals and organisations, from many areas of the country, who are interested in various aspects of skills supply and demand. It is not possible to provide a breakdown on the geographical basis requested.

  Job Training Scheme (Child Care)
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to make a decision on the expansion of job training scheme child care payments under the pilot scheme to all job training scheme managing agents.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to increase the take-up of the job training scheme child care payment system.

  Mr. Cope
  Decisions will be taken when the present pilot scheme comes to an end later this month.
  551
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will expand the payment for child care facilities for single parents on job training schemes to two-parent families where both are in employment.

  Mr. Cope
  No. Child care payments are being made by the MSC only to unemployed single parents who join the new job training scheme in 10 areas where this arrangement is being piloted. Parents are normally responsible for making their own child care arrangements.

  Non-statutory Training Boards
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the contribution to training made by the non-statutory training boards.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I believe that research currently being completed will show that the majority of non-statutory training organisations are effective in their role of improving their industry's training arrangements. The Manpower Services Commission is continuing to work to strengthen those organisations which are less effective.

  Training Funds
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what level of entirely new resources will be devoted to the new programme for training unemployed people.

  Mr. Cope
  Government funds for the new programme will total some £1·4 billion—the current provision for the programme it will replace. In addition, it is expected that employers will contribute towards the training costs of trainees engaged in practical training on their premises. It is estimated that these contributions will total about £150 million.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost of the enterprise allowance scheme in the current year; and how many individuals are participating in it.

  Mr. Cope
  The estimated cost of the enterprise allowance scheme is £208·1 million for the financial year 1987–88. This includes £8·8 million in running costs. Currently there are 96,000 participants on the scheme.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the payment of the enterprise allowance scheme.

  Mr. Cope
  The computerised payment system for the enterprise allowance scheme currently pays the allowance to 96,000 participants. Since the beginning of the scheme the system has satisfactorily paid the allowance to over 315,000 unemployed people who have started up their own business.

  YTS (Bridging Allowance)
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve the bridging allowance payable to young people waiting to enter YTS schemes.

  Mr. Cope
  None. The proposed bridging allowance will be set initially at £15 per week, more than twice the current level of child benefit. The allowance is designed to provide 552
  short·term help for those young people who may have to wait a few weeks for a YTS place after leaving a job or a previous YTS place.

  Mines (Women)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many responses to "Restrictions on Employment of Young People and the Removal of Sex Discrimination in Legislation" are in favour of denouncing international labour convention 45 on underground work (women) and European Social Charter article 8(4)(b).

  Mr. Nicholls
  No responses have been received to date concerning international labour convention 45: underground work (women) and European Social Charter article 8(4)(b). The closing date for comments on the consultative document is 29 February 1988.

  Training
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans his Department has to increase the level of training and retraining in the working population.

  Mr. Cope
  The Employment Bill provides that the Manpower Services Commission will be renamed the Training Commission. Its main task will be to encourage the provision of skills that companies need for growth and individuals needs for jobs.

  To this end it will continue to develop the youth training scheme, as a high-quality training scheme for all young people under 18, including those in work, in order to produce a better qualified and more adaptable work force.

  Its provision for adults will give a high priority to training for the unemployed. Especially the long-term unemployed, to enable them to compete successfully for the growing number of jobs. Following my right hon. Friend's announcement of 18 November, we are now considering the commission's proposals for implementing a new programme to train up to 600,000 adults a year at a cost of some £1·4 billion and we aim to publish details in a White Paper shortly.

  We also look to the Training Commission to encourage and support others, especially employers, to respond to the lead given by this Department by increasing their investment in training and retraining throughout working life, to meet the demands of rapid change and competition.

  CBI (Training)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet the chairman of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss training issues.

  Mr. Cope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State often meets the president and director-general of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss issues including training and receives advice on training from the Manpower Services Commission on which the CBI is represented.

  Claimant Statistics
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the numbers claiming benefit on the basis of no work being available, who are not seeking employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  According to the results of the labour force survey, in spring 1986 there were 860,000 people in the count of unemployed claimants who were not seeking work. Details were published in an article in the January 1988 edition of Employment Gazette.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to improve employment opportunities in the inner cities.

  Mr. Cope
  The Department of Employment and Manpower Services Commission provide a wide range of national programmes which aim to equip individuals with the skills and motivation to compete for available jobs and to stimulate enterprise and the growth of small businesses. The Government have guaranteed that(a) all unemployed 16 and 17·year·olds receive an offer of a place on YTS (b) all 18 to 25-year-olds unemployed between six and 12 months receive an offer of a place on the job training scheme, enterprise allowance scheme or in a jobclub; and (c) all those unemployed over six months receive a restart interview every six months. These guarantees provide direct help to unemployed inner city residents and serve to target resources on those areas of greatest need.

  The level of commitment is reflected in the estimated expenditure by the Department and the Manpower Services Commission of over £1·1 billion in the 57 urban partnership authorities.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the contribution his Department is making to the Government's inner cities initiatives.

  Mr. Cope
  The Department of Employment and Manpower Services Commission provide a wide range of national programmes which aim to equip individuals with the skills and motivation to compete for available jobs and to stimulate enterprise and the growth of small businesses. The Government have guaranteed that(a) all unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds receive an offer of a place on the youth training scheme; (b) all 18 to 25-year-olds unemployed between six and 12 months receive an offer of a place on the job training scheme, enterprise allowance scheme or in a jobclub; and (c) all those unemployed over six months receive a restart interview every six months. These guarantees provide direct help to unemployed inner city residents and serve to target resources on those areas of greatest need.

  The level of commitment is reflected in the estimated expenditure by the Department and the Manpower Services Commission of over £1·1 billion in the 57 urban partnership authorities.

  Young People (Training)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people entered employment in 1987 with no access to training.
  554
  Mr. Cope
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  A postal Survey of young people aged 16 and 17 was conducted in February 1986 as part of the youth cohort study. Of these young people who were in full-time employment outside of YTS, 34 per cent. said that they were not receiving training or instructions.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce a guarantee of training for all young people entering employment for the first time.

  Mr. Cope
  Only employers can guarantee training for their own young employees but, through YTS the Government provide high-quality training for 16 and 17-year-old school leavers. The government intend in 1988 to guarantee a place on YTS for all young people under 18 who leave or lose a job or previous YTS place, right up to their 18th birthday. Very many employers see the benefits of YTS as a method of recruitment and training this is why YTS has become the main route into employment for the under-18 age group.

  Job Vacancies
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of job vacancies registered at jobcentres in the south London area.

  Mr. Lee
  On 4 December 1987, the number of unfilled vacancies registered at jobcentres in the south London* area was 8,379.

  Note:—*Beckenham and Penge, Bermondsey, Bexley Heath, Borough, Brixton, Bromley, Catford, Camberwell, Clapham Junction, Croydon, Deptford and Greenwich, Eltham, Erith, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lewisham, Mitcham, Orpington, Sidcup, Stockwell, Streatham, Sutton, Tooting-Balham, West Norwood, Wimbledon, and Woolwich.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies are currently registered in jobcentres in East Anglia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The number of unfilled vacancies registered at jobcentres in the East Anglia region on the 4 December 1987 was 8,156.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of job vacancies in the east midlands.

  Mr. Lee
  The number of unfilled vacancies registered at jobcentres in the east midlands region on the 4 December 1987 was 11,787.

  Working Practices (Productivity)
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to changes in working practices which are leading to increases in productivity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  An increasing number of firms and plants are reaching agreements to reduce demarcation and allow more flexible working by craft and other employees. Others have achieved more efficient manning levels. These developments have clearly contributed to the substantial improvement in productivity in the 1980s.

  Conference and Exhibition Centres
  Mr. Beaumont-Dark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been invested in conference and exhibition centres in Britain over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Lee
  Figures are not available for Britain over the past 10 years. However, the English tourist board's survey of investment in projects costing over £0·5 million shows that for the year 1987 a total of £202·9 million was invested in England in conference centres and theatres.

  Job Seekers (Relocation)
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans his Department has to assist job seekers wishing to locate in different regions of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lee
  My Department operates a number of provisions to assist job seekers wishing to locate in different regions of the United Kingdom, including the travel-to-interview scheme, and the NATVACS computerised vacancy bank. These are being kept under review. From 1 January 1988 assistance under the travelto-interview scheme has been extended to cover unemployed job seekers with interviews to attend in Northern Ireland.

  Adult Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has received the Manpower Services Commission report on proposals for a new adult training programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  My right hon. Friend has received the Manpower Services Commission proposals and has asked the Commission to begin the necessary preparatory work for introducing the new programme from September. The detailed decisions on the new programme will be included in the White Paper to be published later this month.

  Tourism
  Sir Peter Blaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is being done to encourage tourism in Blackpool and the Fylde.

  Mr. Lee
  I understand that the Blackpool borough council currently spends some £800,000 a year on advertising, and £1·25 million on the illuminations. Amongst the many new tourism developments in the area are the 1,000·place car and coach park, the refurbishment of the Winter Gardens conference and exhibition centre, the opening of the Sandcastle centre and continuous capital investment at the pleasure beach. In addition, I understand that many existing hotels have improved and upgraded their facilities and several major new hotel developments are planned.

  Since 1985, the English tourist board have made some £388,000 of section 4 assistance available to tourism projects in Blackpool and the Fylde.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much tourists spent in the East Midlands Tourist Board area in 1986; and how many jobs tourism supports within the region.
  556
  Mr. Lee
  The amount spent by tourists in the East Midlands tourist board area in 1986 is estimated to be around £400 million. Estimates of employment in all tourism·related industries are not available on a regional basis for 1986. However, the number of employees in employment in hotels and catering in the east midlands was 58,900 in June 1986. This figure does not include the self-employed for whom a comparable estimate is not available.

  American Tourists
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to meet the chairman of the British Tourist Board to discuss American tourists visiting the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I have no plans to meet the chairman of the British tourist authority to discuss this topic in particular, but I maintain a very close interest in all the United Kingdom's tourism markets, and meet the chairman of the British tourist authority frequently.

  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average length of stay of United States visitors to Britain in 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  An estimate of the average length of stay of United States visitors to Britain is not yet available for the whole of 1987. However, during the first half of the year (January to June), the average length of stay of United States visitors to the United Kingdom was nine days.

  Coaches (London)
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to assist the London Tourist Board and the British Hotels, Restaurants, and Caterers Association in their implementation of a code of conduct for the handling of coaches in the capital.

  Mr. Lee
  I welcome the initiative of the London tourist board and the British Hotels, Restaurants and Caterers Association in preparing the code of conduct. I shall join my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport in taking every opportunity to encourage the coach industry to adopt the practices recommended in the code.

  Labour Trends
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the trend in unemployment.

  Mr. Lee
  On 10 December 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom, adjusted for seasonality and excluding school leavers was 2,614,000 a fall of 505,400 over the last 12 months.

  British Tourist Authority
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the chairman of the British Tourist Authority; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Lee
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the chairman of the British tourist authority on 15 July. In my capacity as Minister of tourism I frequently
  557
  meet the chairman of the British tourist authority to discuss the problems and opportunities facing the industry.

  MSC (Training Initiatives)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss local training initiatives.

  Mr. Cope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission frequently to discuss a wide range of training issues, including local training initiatives.

  Small Firms Service
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the small firms service.

  Mr. Cope
  The small firms service through its information and counselling arms works to promote viable and profitable small businesses. In 1986–87, in England, it handled 283,537 inquiries and gave 38,210 counselling sessions. With the development of local enterprise agencies, it is increasingly developing its counselling activities with established businesses.

  Copies of the annual report on the service for 1986–87 were placed in the Library in July.

  Engineering Industry (Skill Shortages)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet the chairman of the engineering industry training board to discuss skill shortages in the industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Ministers in the Department have regular meetings with all chairmen of industrial training boards to discuss various issues. I expect to meet the chairman of the engineering board in the spring.

  MSC (Training Measures)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss training measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission frequently to discuss a wide range of training issues.

  Training (Child Care Provision)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what provisions there will be for child care payments under the new training scheme announced on 18 November 1987.

  Mr. Cope
  The proposals put forward by the Manpower Services Commission are being considered, and detailed arrangements for the new programme will be announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the White Paper to be published later this month.

  YTS (Allowances)
  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the YTS scheme allowances for travelling to training centres.

  Mr. Cope
  These allowances will be considered in the light of the Manpower Services Commission's review of YTS funding which is now nearing completion.

  Job Vacancies
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest trends in the number of vacancies reported to jobcentres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The number of new vacancies notified to jobcentres in the United Kingdom increased by 6·2 per cent. over the past 12 months to reach 236,100 in the month ending 4 December 1987.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of job vacancies in the north-west.

  Mr. Lee
  The number of unfilled vacancies registered at jobcentres in the north-west region on the 4 December 1987 was 22,010.

  Hotels (Job Opportunities)
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new jobs have been created through hotel expansion in the Manchester area over the past two years.

  Mr. Lee
  The past two years have seen considerable growth in hotel provision in the Manchester area. It is estimated that nearly 1,800 full-time and part-time jobs have been created in hotel developments during that period in the cities of Manchester and Salford.

  New Hotels (Investment)
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the amount of investment that took place in new hotels in the United Kingdom in 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  Comparable information is not available for the United Kingdom as a whole. However, English tourist board estimates show that over £318 million was invested in projects with a value of £0·5 million or more in new hotels, extensions and refurbishments in 1987.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of school leavers went directly into full-time employment(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Lee
  30 per cent. of those young people aged 16 on 1 September 1984, who had left school between September 1984 and February 1986, went directly into full-time employment, according to results of the England and Wales youth cohort survey. This information is not available for earlier years.

  Small Firms
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what improvements in the survival rate of small firms has occurred since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The best available data on the number of small businesses that exist at any one time are provided by VAT registrations and deregistrations. They show no change in the lifespan of registered firms since 1979, although since that time there has been a rising number of registrations and an average net increase of 500 businesses a week.

  Hotel and Catering Industry (Wages)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases of underpayment in the hotel and catering industry the wages inspectors investigated in 1987; how many were the result of complaints by staff; and how many were the result of routine spot checks.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Work on processing the Wages Inspectorate's statistics for 1987 is not yet complete. I shall arrange for the information requested to be published in the Official Report in due course.

  Government Contracts (Tendering)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what responses he has had to the booklet "Tendering for Government Contracts".

  Mr. Cope
  The response to this booklet has been most encouraging. Since the second edition became available in September 1987, almost 4,000 copies per month have been sent out to small firms centres and similar outlets for distribution to the public. Key extracts from the booklet are also held on the Prestel database.

  Overseas Visitors
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of overseas visitor nights were spent out of London in 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  An estimate of the percentage of overseas visitor nights spent out of London is not available for the whole of 1987. However, in the first half of the year (January to June) approximately 57 per cent. of all nights spent in the United Kingdom by overseas visitors were spent outside London.

  Enterprise Agencies
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inquiries were received by enterprise agencies and as a consequence how many new businesses were created in 1987.

  Mr. Cope
  Local enterprise agencies are independent bodies accountable to their own boards and sponsors. This Department does not have comprehensive information on the inquiries they handle or the businesses they have helped to create.

  Business in the Community's most recent survey of agencies, undertaken in spring 1986, showed that the 132 agencies responding to a question on inquiries had
  560
  handled some 129,000 enquiries. 118 agencies replying to a question on business start-ups claimed to have helped create more than 10,000 new businesses.

  Leicester (Unemployment)
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the decline in unemployment in Leicester in 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  On 10 December 1987, the number of unemployed claimants in the Leicester local authority area was 15,378—a fall of 3,519 since December 1986.

  Tourism (Hearing-Impaired People)
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is being done in the tourism industry to provide special aids for the hearing-impaired.

  Mr. Lee
  The Holiday Care Service in conjunction with the English tourist board has produced a booklet "Providing for Disabled Visitors", which gives guidance to the tourism industry on helping people with impaired hearing. I understand that an increasing number of hotels and places of entertainment are installing induction loop systems.

  North-West Region
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the change in the level of employment in the north-west region since January 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  Between December 1986 (figures are not available for January 1987) and September 1987 the latest date for which figures are available, the civilian employed labour force in the north-west region fell by 3,000. The figure is unadjusted for the effects of seasonal variations.

  The civilian employed labour force is the sum of employees in employment and the self-employed.

  Basildon
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest figures for the number of people currently unemployed in the constituency of Basildon, and for the corresponding period in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Lee
  The table shows the number of unemployed claimants in the parliamentary constituency of Basildon in December of each year since 1984. The comparison is affected by the change in the compilation of the unemployment statistics in March 1986.

  Number

  December 1984

  6,913

  December 1985

  6,400

  December 1986

  6,165

  December 1987

  4,549

  Self-Employment
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently self-employed; and if he will make a statement.
  561
  Mr. Lee
  In December 1987, the latest date for which figures are available, there were an estimated 2,720,000 self-employed people in Great Britain.

  East Midlands
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the decline in unemployment in the east midlands and the rise in the number of unfilled vacancies in Nottingham.

  Mr. Lee
  On 10 December 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the east midlands region, adjusted for seasonality and excluding school leavers was 162,800 a fall of 30,800 over the last 12 months. The number of unfilled vacancies registered at jobcentres in Nottingham on 4 December 1987, was 1,305 an increase of 86 since December 1986.

  The jobcentres that cover Nottingham are Nottingham, Arnold, Bulwell, Ilkeston, and Netherfield.

  Tourists (Surrey)
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many visitors stayed overnight in Surrey in 1986; how much they spent, and how many jobs they provided.

  Mr. Lee
  Information on the total number of visitors to Surrey is not available for 1986. However, overseas residents made about 450,000 overnight visits to Surrey in 1986 and spent about £95 million. The latest data on employment in tourism-related industries in Surrey relate to September 1984 when there were an estimated 21,600 employees in employment. This figure excludes self-employed persons for whom a comparable estimate is not available.

  Community Programmes
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance he has given to managers of community programmes about the arrangements they should make to prepare for the replacement of the programme in mid-August; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the Manpower Services Commission to proceed immediately with preparatory work on the new adult training programme. Therefore the Manpower Services Commission has issued guidance to its area managers about the arrangements they should make to prepare for the replacement of the community programme from September 1988. This guidance proposes that the contracts of community programme agents and independent sponors which are due for renewal from 1 February,should be extended up to the start of the new programme. To help ensure a smooth transition the Manpower Services Commission's area managers will be talking in detail to all agents and sponsors about these arrangements and the positive role they can continue to play in moving forward into the new programme.

  Tourism (Unified Business Rate)
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has regarding the effect of the proposed unified business rate on the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Lee
  I have no reason to expect that the introduction of the proposed unified business rate will have any significant effect on the tourism industry as a whole in England.

  Industrial Injury
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of working hours lost as a result of industrial injury in 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available. For information on working days lost, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him in the Official Report, 24 July 1987 at column 669.

  Historic Churches
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is being done to assist historic churches to attract tourist visitors.

  Mr. Lee
  The English tourist board offered assistance totalling some £185,000 from the section 4 scheme to tourism developments relating to historic churches in the 1986–87 financial year. At regional level a number of specific initiatives are planned including the 1988 Festival of Yorkshire Abbeys.

  New Training Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to publish his White Paper on the new training programme.

  Mr. Fowler
  I plan to publish a White Paper on unemployment and training shortly. It will set out the Government's decisions on the new training programme for the adult unemployed.

  Deaf Unemployed People
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of those registered unemployed were deaf in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lee
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Disabled Person's Unit
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement as to the future of the Manpower Services Commission's disabled person's unit.

  Mr. Lee
  Neither the Manpower Services Commission nor the employment service has a disabled person's unit. However, the employment service of this Department has responsibility for the disablement resettlement service. This provides help to people with disabilities in the employment field, through jobcentre services, disablement resettlement officers and the disablement advisory service.

  The Manpower Services Commission has responsibility for the employment rehabilitation service, which provides assessment and rehabilitation through employment rehabilitation centres and ASSET (assistance towards employment) centres.

  Disablement Advisory Service
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the use of the disablement advisory service; and if he has any plans to encourage an expansion in its use.

  Mr. Lee
  The disablement advisory service was introduced in 1983. Up to October 1987, well over 37,000 employers had been visited by staff of the service to promote and advise on the implementation of good policies and practices in the employment of people with disabilities and advice had been given in over 24,000 cases involving retention, career development and promotion of individual disabled employees, provision of aids to employment, and so on. The service has an important role in marketing the code of good practice on the employment of disabled people. The service has recently been supplemented by a major organisations' development unit to liaise at senior levels with very large employing organisations. Marketing of these services to employers will continue as in the past. There are no further plans for expansion.

  Deaf People (Training)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training services his Department provides for people who have been deafened.

  Mr. Lee
  Training programmes are delivered through the Manpower Services Commission. The commission provides a number of dedicated services for people with disabilities including, though not exclusively for, the deaf. These include the employment rehabilitation service, residential training, and other specialist training schemes.

  In addition, all mainstream training programmes supported by the Commission are open to, and designed to encourage opportunities for, deaf people who are otherwise eligible, both those born deaf and those in whom the condition is acquired. Special arrangements have been introduced in both the youth training scheme and the new job training scheme to provide support for deaf trainees through trained communicators.

  The Commission has also sponsored training courses for communicators and for British sign language trainers.

  Deaf People (Employment)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the number of(a) profoundly deaf and (b) hard of hearing people in (i) full-time employment and (ii) part·time employment in England and Wales for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lee
  I regret this information is not available.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to monitor the progress of deaf and hearing-impaired people in employment.

  Mr. Lee
  I have no plans at present to monitor any groups of people with disabilities who are in employment.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has any plans to collect more comprehensive statistics on the employment of deaf and hearing-impaired people.

  Mr. Lee
  I expect to receive shortly final proposals for research into the numbers and characteristics of people 564
  with disabilities in the labour force. The precise breakdown of disabilities to be used in this research is yet to be established, but I will keep in mind the need for information about people who are deaf and hearing impaired as will also be done for people with all types of disability. My Department has no plans at present to collect regular statistics of this kind.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to update the Manpower Services Commission's booklet "Code of Good Practice on Employment of Disabled People" to include more details on deafness and hearing impairment.

  Mr. Lee
  The code of good practice on the employment of disabled people will be reviewed in the light of the results of current research into employers' attitudes towards the quota scheme and the impact of the code. I will bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) deaf and (b) hearingimpaired people are employed in his Department; and what percentage this represents of all employees in his Department.

  M. Lee
  This answer can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many deaf people currently registered unemployed have been unemployed for more than(a) three months, (b) six months, (c) one year and (d) three years.

  Mr. Lee
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the numbers of deaf people who are unemployed by region.

  Mr. Lee
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Deafness Awareness Training
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to provide deafness awareness training for all jobcentre staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  We intend that jobcentres will participate in the sympathetic hearing scheme, and intend that all jobcentre staff will receive appropriate training this year.

  We have recently made induction hearing loops available to all jobcentres, and are monitoring their usage and effectiveness. Help is also available from specialist social workers belonging to local authority social services departments and from relevant voluntary organisations when professional interpreting assistance is required for communicating with some profoundly deaf clients.

  Disablement Resettlement Officers
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what element of the initial training of disablement resettlement officers is specifically devoted to(a) deaf awareness and (b) communication skills.

  Mr. Lee
  One module of the initial training course for disablement resettlement officers is specifically about the
  565
  problems of hearing impairments including communication aspects. This is followed by project work, which includes establishing links with local agencies helping the deaf, and acquiring knowledge of resources available at local, regional and national level.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria are used to judge whether disabled people should be advised by disablement resettlement officers or other jobcentre staff.

  Mr. Lee
  There are no hard and fast rules, but disablement resettlement officers (DROs) provide particular help to those people with disabilities who require specialist occupational counselling and advice, and those who have special needs arising from their disabilities.

  In particular, they help (a) recently disabled people, (b) those who have an acute need for occupational advice in relation to their disability, (c) those who need counselling to engender either confidence or realism in relation to their employment prospects, and (d) those whose disability impedes the process of job search and for whom the normal jobcentre services are therefore not appropriate.

  However, anyone with a disability can see a DRO on request.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many deaf people were placed in work by the disablement resettlement officer service for each of the last five years; and of these how many went into sheltered workshops.

  Mr. Lee
  The disablement resettlement officer service aims to help all people with disabilities, regardless of the type of disability. I therefore regret that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disablement resettlement officers are currently employed by region.

  Mr. Lee
  The numbers of disablement resettlement officers currently employed, by region are as follows:

  Numbers

  Northern

  27

  Yorkshire & Humberside

  43

  East Midlands & Eastern

  37

  London and the South East:

  Eastern Division

  38

  Southern Division

  39

  Western Division

  36

  South West

  33

  Wales

  28

  West Midlands

  42

  North West

  47

  Scotland

  45

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average length of service for a disablement resettlement officer for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lee
  I regret the information is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disablement resettlement officers currently employed are qualified in communication skills with deaf people.
  566
  Mr. Lee
  I regret the information is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to increase the level of training about deafness given to disablement resettlement officers.

  Mr. Lee
  I have no plans at present to increase the level of training about deafness given to disablement resettlement officers.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average size of population served by a disablement resettlement officer.

  Mr. Lee
  Disablement resettlement services are organised in relation to various considerations —geographical location, the size of the labour market, proximity of hospitals, public transport availability, size of caseload and so on. An "average size of population" served by a disablement resettlement officer would therefore have little real meaning, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to improve the career prospects for disablement resettlement officers.

  Mr. Lee
  Disablement resettlement officers are members of the executive officer grade of the administration group of the home Civil Service. As such they are eligible for the normal avenues of promotion and career developmental opportunities appropriate to that grade.

  Bargain Breaks
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is being done to promote bargain breaks and leisure learning breaks overseas.

  Mr. Lee
  The British tourist authority undertakes a number of marketing initiatives to promote these forms of tourism. It has conducted joint advertising campaigns with trade partners throughout northern Europe and Scandanavia to encourage a greater interest in them and to create an awareness of the wide range available throughout Great Britain.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cereal Farmers
  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing the cost of support for European Community cereal farmers through the common agricultural policy; how many predominantly cereal farmers there are in the United Kingdom; and what was the average income of such farmers for the latest available year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In 1986 expenditure on cereals under the guarantee section of the EAGGF was 3,391 million ecus (£2,197 million).

  At the June 1986 agricultural census there were 19,600 specialist cereals holdings in the United Kingdom.

  Figures for the total income of cereals farmers are not available. For the year 1986–87 (March to February) the average net farm income for specialist cereal farms in the United Kingdom was £9,200.
  567
  Notes:

  (a) Specialist cereal farms are defined as those where more than two thirds of their gross margins are generated from cereals.

  (b) Net farm income represents the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on tenant-type assets such as farm machinery invested in the farm business. It is calculated before the deduction of interest charges.

  Animal Slaughter (Pre-stunning)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the research into the pre-stunning of animals at time of slaughter will be complete.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department is funding research projects in this area at the Agricultural and Food Research Council's institute of food research (Bristol). It is not possible to say when this work will be completed.

  Milk Production
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has as to the likely final milk production figure for the United Kingdom in 1987–88.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is too early to forecast precisely the volume of milk production in the United Kingdom for the 1987–88 year. However, our latest estimate is that wholesale deliveries will be very close to the level of the United Kingdom wholesale quota which is fixed at 14,057·3 million litres.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is taken by the European Community to ensure that national figures for milk production are accurate, and that European Community instructions concerning milk quotas are observed.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The European Commission takes very seriously its obligation to ensure that it has accurate information about production in each member state and cross-checks material supplied by them with nationally published statistics. Each member state has been visited by the European Community's Court of Auditors or by inspectors from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund and some countries have been visited by both agencies. Failure on the part of a member state to meet its Community obligations can result in proceedings in the European Court of Justice and the Commission has recently won its case against Italy for failure to implement the quota regime.

  Creameries
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list information available to him on the creameries closed in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My hon. Friend will be aware that the management of creameries is a matter for the companies concerned and i do not therefore have comprehensive records. He will also be aware that these companies will take their decisions about deployment of capital on the basis of a range of factors including supplies, efficiency and market developments. It follows from this that some closures will have been part of programmes 568
  which include expansion at other plants or in other areas of a company's activities. The creamery closures listed need to be considered in this light.

  Date

  Owned by

  Location

  January 1985

  Dairy Crest

  Uttoxeter, Staffs

  March 1986

  Dairy Crest

  Johnstown, Dyfed

  May 1986

  Dairy Crest

  Bason Bridge, Somerset

  January 1987

  Dairy Crest

  Ellesmere, Shropshire

  January 1987

  Dairy Crest

  Kirby Malzeard, North Yorkshire

  January 1987

  Dairy Crest

  Coverham, North Yorkshire

  January 1987

  Unigate

  Wincanton, Somerset

  August 1987

  Dairy Crest

  Haslington, Cheshire

  October 1987

  Dairy Crest

  Wymeswold, Leicestershire

  New Zealand Lamb
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total tonnage of imports of New Zealand lamb in each year since 1970, and the percentage of the total United Kingdom lamb market that these imports represent in each year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  New Zealand mutton and lamb imports

  Imports as percentage of Offtake1

  1970

  295·6

  54·3

  1971

  310·3

  54·6

  1972

  293·8

  55·8

  1973

  239·2

  50·6

  1974

  203·5

  46·2

  1975

  234·3

  49·3

  1976

  213·5

  49·2

  1977

  213·3

  53·2

  1978

  213·6

  53·0

  1979

  200·5

  49·7

  1980

  188·7

  43·6

  1981

  155·7

  40·0

  1982

  217·6

  51·8

  1983

  164·5

  39·3

  1984

  144·1

  35·9

  1985

  151·9

  37·8

  1986

  119·4

  32·2

  1987 (Provisional)

  119·8

  34·1

  Source: Customs and Excise (Import figures).

  1 Offtake is home-fed production plus imports minus exports, adjusted for stock change.

  New Zealand Butter
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total tonnage of imports of New Zealand butter in each year since 1970, and the percentage of the total United Kingdom butter market that these imports represent in each year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Quantity (tonnes)

  Percentage of United Kingdom butter market

  1970

  157,419

  33

  1971

  146,749

  33

  1972

  117,732

  29

  1973

  131,953

  31

  1974

  119,440

  24

  1975

  123,955

  24

  569

  Year

  Quantity (tonnes)

  Percentage of United Kingdom butter market

  1976

  122,626

  27

  1977

  129,016

  31

  1978

  129,779

  32

  1979

  119,878

  31

  1980

  104,832

  30

  1981

  99,422

  30

  1982

  99,152

  33

  1983

  93,760

  31

  1984

  89,110

  31

  1985

  77,893

  27

  1986

  76,238

  27

  Source: United Kingdom figures from Department of Trade and Industry Overseas Trade Statistics

  Radioactivity (Sheep)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why no sheep which had died from natural causes were monitored for radioactivity in the restricted area of Cumbria after March 1987.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department's monitoring effort is directed primarily at the protection of the food chain and thus at the monitoring of live sheep leaving the Cumbria restricted area under the "mark and release" scheme. The hon. Member has been informed of arrangements for dealing with sheep which have died of natural causes in my replies of 1 December and 10 December 1987 at columns 541–2 and 259 respectively.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed his Ministry's contingency plans to deal with the effects of a nuclear accident overseas; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department's contingency plans for dealing with emergency contamination of food or agriculture involving the powers provided in part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 are in process of revision following the development of the national response plan announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 June 1987 at columns 65–67 and in the light of our experience of operating the plans during the post-Chernobyl period. I will place a copy of the revised plans in the Library of the House when the revision is complete and I will let the hon. Member know when I have done so.

  Radioactivity Monitoring
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the monitoring programmes for radioactivity his Ministry has undertaken or commissioned since May 1986, the type of substances tested, if animals were tested and whether they were alive or dead, and where any results have been published.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department maintains routine monitoring programmes in both the aquatic and terrestrial environments and additional emergency monitoring has been ongoing in both these areas since the Chernobyl accident. A comprehensive range of food, agricultural and aquatic materials is monitored in these 570
  programmes. Animal testing is based on dead samples with the exception of the programme of live monitoring of sheep in the restricted areas. Data have been published in (i) radionuclide levels in food, animals and agricultural products, (ii) aquatic environment monitoring report numbers 15 and 18. These reports together with additional tabulated aquatic data and live monitoring results for sheep have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Farm Waste Unit
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he is making to the operation of the farm waste unit, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I attach great importance to the work and advice on pollution control undertaken by my Department which I am determined should be carried out as efficiently as possible. The farm waste unit has made a very valuable contribution in this area but there is now far more need for advice at local level. Responsibility for this aspect of its work is being transferred to the regional farm mechanisation advisers, and local ADAS advisers in the field who are better placed to maintain close contact with the customer. The unit's research and development functions will of course continue to be carried out centrally under two specialist posts established for this purpose.

  Bacon and Pork Imports
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated advantages for bacon and pork imports from EEC countries in the United Kingdom market arising from present green currency rates; whether he will make representations to have an urgent change in the green pound rates; and if he will make a statement on the present state of the United Kingdom's pig industry.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: The monetary compensatory amounts payable on imports from Denmark and Holland are currently £53·85 per tonne for pig carcases and £68·93 per tonne for bacon sides. Our commitment is to see MCAs abolished in this sector. There are widely differing views within the EC on this issue and it will not be easy to achieve. But we shall be battling for MCA changes in the agricultural price review. I welcome the decision to reintroduce aids for the private storage of pigmeat which should help to strengthen the market; that decision was taken by the management committee as a result of pressure from the United Kingdom and other member states.

  Food (Radioactivity Levels)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the permissible radioactivity levels in food agreed at the recent European Economic Community Council of Ministers meeting.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: Council Regulation (Euratom) No. 3954/87 of 22 December 1987 lays down the procedure for determining the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and feedingstuffs which may be placed on the market following a future nuclear emergency. The levels specified are as follows:
  571

  Maximum permitted levels for foodstuffs and feedingstuffs (Bq/kg or Bq/l)

  Baby foods1

  Dairy produce2 3

  Other foodstuffs except minor foodstuffs4

  Liquid foodstuffs5

  Feedingstuffs6

  Isotopes of strontium, notably Sr-90

  —

  125

  750

  —

  —

  Isotopes of iodine notably I-131

  —

  500

  2,000

  —

  —

  Alpha-emitting isotopes of plutonium and transplutonium elements, notably Pu-239, Am-241

  —

  20

  80

  —

  —

  All other nuclides of half-life greater than 10 days, notably Cs-134, Cs-1377

  —

  1,000

  1,250

  —

  —

  1 Baby foods are defined as those foodstuffs intended for the feeding of infants during the first four to six months of life, which meet, in themselves, the nutritional requirements of this category of person and are put up for retail sale in packages which are clearly identified and labelled 'food preparation for infants'. Values to be established.

  2 Dairy produce is defined as milk falling within headings Nos. 04.01 and 04.02 of the Common Customs Tariff, and the corresponding headings of the combined nomenclature as from 1 January 1988.

  3 The level applicable to concentrated or dried products shall be calculated on the basis of the reconstituted product as ready for consumption.

  4 Minor foodstuffs and the corresponding levels to be applied to them will be as defined in accordance with Article 7.

  5 Liquid foodstuffs as defined by Chapters 20 and 22 of the Common Customs Tariff and by the corresponding Chapter of the combined nomenclature as from 1 January 1988. Values are calculated taking into account consumption of tap-water and the same values should be applied to drinking water supplies at the discretion of competent authorities in member states. Values for liquid foodstuffs to be established.

  6 Values to be established.

  7 Carbon 14 and tritium are not included in this group.

  This regulation entered into force on 3 January 1988 alongside Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3955/87 which continues the controls on imports of agricultural products from third countries introduced following the Chernobyl accident.

  Pig Producers
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current problems of pig producers and on the action he is taking to improve the situation affecting monetary compensatory amounts.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor).

  Milk Production
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dairy farmers in each county in England and Wales produce milk up to the quota; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [pursuant to his answer, 25 January 1988, c. 52]: In the 1986–87 quota year, the number of dairy farmers in each county of England and Wales who delivered more milk than their wholesale quota are set out in the following table. The position given is before any interchange between wholesale and direct sale quota and is not therefore final. These data are held by the Milk Marketing Board on the basis of names and boundaries that applied in 1933; they do not therefore reflect existing county boundaries.

  County

  Number of producers over quota in 1986–87

  As a percentage of total producers in county

  Cumberland

  716

  49

  Durham

  185

  48

  Northumberland

  104

  54

  Westmorland

  367

  55

  Yorkshire, East Riding

  141

  51

  Yorkshire, North Riding

  670

  55

  572

  County

  Number of producers over quota in 1986–87

  As a percentage of total producers in county

  Cheshire

  1,084

  60

  Lancashire

  1,070

  53

  Yorkshire, West Riding

  1,016

  57

  Derbyshire

  717

  61

  Staffordshire

  980

  60

  Lincolnshire

  172

  69

  Cambridgeshire and Ely

  17

  63

  Huntingdon and Peterborough

  13

  62

  Suffolk

  122

  65

  Norfolk

  177

  62

  Bedfordshire

  30

  58

  Leicestershire and Rutland

  363

  63

  Northamptonshire

  127

  66

  Nottinghamshire

  131

  65

  Warwickshire

  268

  65

  Gloucestershire

  533

  59

  Herefordshire

  236

  59

  Monmouth

  241

  61

  Worcestershire

  210

  60

  Shropshire

  819

  60

  Anglesey

  79

  33

  Caernarvon

  83

  35

  Denbigh

  355

  56

  Flint

  279

  61

  Merioneth

  21

  25

  Montgomery

  254

  58

  Brecon

  35

  43

  Cardigan

  411

  49

  Carmarthen

  806

  46

  Glamorgan

  158

  48

  Pembroke

  527

  48

  Radnor

  9

  50

  Berkshire

  101

  55

  Buckinghamshire

  144

  58

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  259

  51

  Oxfordshire

  131

  62

  Dorset

  570

  56

  Somerset

  1,297

  58

  Wiltshire

  592

  64

  Devon

  1,559

  49

  Cornwall

  918

  49

  Essex

  71

  54

  Hertfordshire

  55

  52

  Kent

  130

  53

  Greater London

  8

  42

  573

  County

  Number of producers over quota in 1986–87

  As a percentage of total producers in county

  Surrey

  96

  58

  East Sussex

  184

  55

  West Sussex

  138

  57

  In England and Wales, supplementary levy liability arises on the net excess of deliveries over quota for the Milk Marketing Board as a whole. This system contributes to meeting the needs of the industry by providing the flexibility for some producers to exceed their quotas, and for this over-production to be offset by the extent to which other producers fall short of their quotas. In 1986–87, when the net excess of production over quota in England and Wales was less than 1 per cent., about 54 per cent. of producers were over quota and about 45 per cent. under quota.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Radiation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of farms, the number of sheep and the area of land, in acres, under restriction in Northern Ireland as a result of radioactivity from the Chernobyl accident; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  The information requested is as follows: 123 farms, 27,355 sheep and 21,612 acres.

  Pig Products
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what system of inspection is in operation to examine imports of pig products from Belgium, France, Denmark, Netherlands and Germany for(a) swine fever, and (b) antibiotic residues; and what controls are applied to imports of pig products from (i) Great Britain and (ii) the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: Imports into Northern Ireland of pig products from Belgium, France, Denmark, Netherlands and West Germany are subject to licensing controls operated by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland in accordance with the rules of intra-Community trade which preclude pigmeat from areas affected with swine fever (or meat in contact with such meat) and meat containing antibiotics residues.

  These controls provide for examination by the Department of the veterinary health certification required to accompany consignments and of the product itself at points of entry to Northern Ireland. All documentation is inspected to ensure that EC directive requirements are fully satisfied. Similar controls apply in the case of imports from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

  Imports into Northern Ireland from outside the United Kingdom of pig products, as foods intended for sale for human consumption, are also liable to examination by authorised officers of district councils under the Imported Food (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1984. Such foods must be marked with a health mark which has been recognised by the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland and must be accompanied by a health certificate in a format set out in the regulations.

  FEOGA Grants
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he was first informed that there had been no successful applications for FEOGA grants for new fishing boats in the recent allocations by the EEC; what was the closing date for appeal against this decision; when Northern Irish applicants were advised of the closing dates for appeal; what information was available to him on the degree of completeness of some Northern Irish applications before he knew that they had been rejected; if he has all necessary documentation to ensure that applications were complete; and if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in assisting applicants for FEOGA grants for new fishing boats.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland became aware that no Northern Ireland projects for new fishing boats submitted under the first round of EC regulation 4028/86 were to be approved by the Commission when the draft decisions were tabled for the opinion of the Standing Committee on Fisheries Structures at its meeting on 11 December 1987. There is no appeals procedure against these Commission decisions but in the Standing Committee the United Kingdom delegation made representations regarding the low level of aid to Northern Ireland.

  In the early autumn the Department became aware from informal contacts that the Commission intended strictly to apply powers which exist in the regulation to reject as incomplete those applications not accompanied by plans and specifications for new boats. The Commission decisions resulting from the application of this rule agree with the Department's records, except for three cases where plans were submitted but the Commission has rejected the application as incomplete because of the absence of plans.

  In common with the other Fisheries Departments, the Department of Agriculture make application forms and explanatory leaflets available to prospective applicants. When any additional or supplementary information is obtained from the Commission, this is made available to fishermen's representative organisations. The Department is responsible for the initial receipt of applications and onward submission to the Commission along with certification that the project forms part of the United Kingdom's multi-annual guidance programme, the extent and form of member state aid, the VAT status of the applicant and details of any existing boat belonging to the applicant. However, responsibility for the completion of applications rests with the applicant or his agent.

SCOTLAND

  Lothian Region
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people under the age of 25 years are currently unemployed in Lothian region.

  Mr. Lang
  On 8 October 1987 (the latest date for which information is available) there were 15,926 unemployed claimants under 25 years of age in Lothian region.

  This information is available in the Library.

  Manufacturing Employment
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the levels of manufacturing employment in Scotland at June 1979, June 1983, June 1987 and January 1988.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the levels of manufacturing employment in Scotland at June 1979, June 1983, June 1987 and January 1988.

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the levels of manufacturing employment in Scotland at June 1979, June 1983, June 1987 and January 1988.

  Mr. Lang
  The table sets out the estimates for June 1979, June 1983, June 1987 and September 1987, the latest date for which this information is available. Some of the decline in the figures for manufacturing will be the result of reclassification of jobs such as industrial cleaning, catering, road haulage and other services previously done by manufacturers' own employees and now done by subcontractors outside manufacturing.

  Employees in Employment in Manufacturing Industry in Scotland (Thousands, seasonally adjusted).

  Estimated Numbers

  June 1979

  605

  June 1983

  445

  June 1987

  399

  September 1987

  393

  Blood
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the proportion and number of adults in Scotland that would be suitable for blood donation;

  (2) what proportion and number of suitable adults give blood in Scotland;

  (3) what proportion and number of suitable adults are needed to give blood to make Scotland self-sufficient in blood-derived products;

  (4) whether he will consider reducing the period between permitted donations of blood to four months from six, to ease the shortage of blood and blood-derived products, and to make Scotland self-sufficient; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Scotland has been self-sufficient in blood and all normally-required blood products since the end of 1983. Approximately 300,000 blood donations are collected each year, representing about one donation per 11 persons in the age group (18 to 65-year-olds) eligible to give blood.

  Individuals whose health is such that it is not safe for them to give blood are excluded from so doing. Similarly, there are restrictions on giving blood to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases—for example, malaria, hepatitis or AIDS. The total number of people who as a result are not suitable for blood donation, however, is not known.

  The Scottish national blood transfusion service already accepts blood donations at 12-weekly intervals although donors are sent invitations to attend to give blood at 16-weekly or six monthly intervals, depending on local collection arrangements. Apheresis donations (in which
  576
  donors give a particular part of their blood and that part which is not required is returned) can be made at intervals of only a few weeks.

  D and C Operations
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the rate of deaths per 10,000 women having D and C operations in Scotland in each of the last 25 years for which figures are available of(a) anaesthetic deaths arising directly or indirectly out of such operations, (b) deaths due to embolism directly or indirectly linked to such operations, and (c) other deaths directly due to such operations; and if he will break down this rate by whether or not the D and C operation also involved an abortion.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I regret that the information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he had concerning the total number of D and C operations performed in Scotland in each of the last 25 years for which figures are available.

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

  Administration of Justice
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on 18 January,Official Report, column 515, what information he has as to any of those cases which were marked for no proceedings by reason of resources not being available to deal with them within the judicial system in any fiscaldom in Scotland between 1984 and 30 November 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information relating to cases which were marked "no proceedings" is not available.

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the amount of regional selective assistance to be paid out in Scotland for each year from 1988–89 to 1990–91.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 28 January 1988]: The 1988 public expenditure White Paper contains net provision for my right hon. and learned Friend's industry, energy, trade and employment programme in 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, of £266 million, £260 million and £260 million, respectively. Within these totals present expectation is that regional selective assistance (RSA) and related schemes, including the new investment grant for small businesses, will account for some £60 million, £60 million and £80 million in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91, respectively. The increase in provision between the years reflects expected additional demand for RSA which is envisaged as a result of the ending of the RDG scheme. In addition, support to firms in Scotland will be provided through the new innovation grants scheme and enhanced business development services.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures are taken by his Department to enforce payment of national insurance contributions by employers so that employees are not denied entitlement to unemployment benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  Employees' class 1 national insurance contributions are usually collected by the Inland Revenue's PAYE arrangements, the bulk of which are paid into the national insurance fund. The Inland Revenue can recover contributions that are not paid over by employers, but this Department takes responsibility for enforcement. Enforcement is usually achieved by suing for the debt in the civil courts, but criminal proceedings can be instituted.

  There are some, 2,000 national insurance inspectors, who examine employers' records to ensure compliance with the National Insurance Contributions Regulations. In the year ending April 1987 the inspectors completed some 100,000 surveys, in which employers' records were examined. Inland Revenue PAYE auditors also visit firms and examine their records. These routine visits can lead to the discovery of irregularities.

  Employees' contributions which have been collected are recorded after the end of the tax year on the person's national insurance account, which is held by the Department's records branch. If insufficient contributions are recorded there for that year, the person is informed, and irregularities can then come to light. Failure on the part of employers to pay over contributions can also be discovered when a benefit claim fails.

  All cases where contributions have not been recorded on the person's account are investigated urgently. Contributions will usually be treated as if they had been paid, so that entitlement to benefit is not affected. Action is then brought against the employer to recover the arrears.

  Midwives
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many newly qualified midwives entered into practice in(a) Hartlepool area district health authority, (b) Sunderland district health authority and (c) Durham district health authority in the years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87.

  Mr. Newton
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally. The latest staff in post figures are shown in the table.
  578

  National Health Service midwives in post1 at 30 September 1986

  Whole-time equivalents2

  Hartlepool district health authority

  53

  Sunderland district health authority

  144

  Durham district health authority

  71

  Source: DHSS — Annual census of National Health Service non-medical manpower.

  1 Includes agency midwives. Excludes student midwives.

  2 Figures independently rounded to nearest whole-time equivalent.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment for, and the actual number of, midwives employed in the King's and St. Thomas's health districts.

  Mr. Newton
  Information for individual hospitals is not held centrally. "King's and St. Thomas's health districts" have been interpreted as Camberwell and West Lambeth district health authorities.

  Funded establishment figures are not collected centrally.

  Staff in post figures are shown in the table.

  National Health Service midwifery staff in post1 at 30 September 1986

  Selected district health authorities

  Whole-time equivalents2

  Camberwell district health authority

  180

  West Lambeth district health authority

  150

  Source: DHSS — Annual census of National Health Service non-medical manpower.

  1 Includes agency staff.

  2 Figures are rounded to nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalents.

  Disqualification (Appeals)
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to the reply given on 26 November 1987,Official Report, columns 263–64, he will indicate the number of cases of disqualification that were taken to an appeal tribunal, showing how many resulted in the disqualification being overruled, distinguishing as far as possible between the different heads of section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975; and if he will also provide information for each year since 1976 showing the number of such appeals and the outcome of the appeal.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is not readily available prior to April 1984, the date of the establishment of the independent office of the president of social security appeal tribunals, and could be extracted only at disproportionate cost. The available information is shown in the table.
  579

  Social Security Appeals Tribunals:

  Appeals on section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 on disqualifications for unemployment benefit:

  Great Britain: 1984 to 1987

  1984 (April to December)

  1985

  Number of

  Number of

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  Category of disqualification1

  Appeals heard and decided

  Decisions in the claimant's favour

  Appeals heard and decided

  Decisions in the claimant's favour

  Section 20(1)a

  4,283

  1,209

  6,378

  2,160

  Section 20(1)b

  40

  13

  49

  22

  Section 20(1)c

  10

  1

  33

  9

  Section 20(1)d

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Section 20(1)e

  56

  15

  86

  16

  TOTAL

  4,390

  1,239

  6,546

  2,207

  1986

  1987 (January to March)

  Number of

  Number of

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  Category of disqualification1

  Appeals heard and decided

  Decisions in the claimant's favour

  Appeals heard and decided

  Decisions in the claimant's favour

  Section 20(1)a

  6,282

  2,509

  1,473

  685

  Section 20(1)b

  43

  13

  15

  8

  Section 20(1)c

  33

  8

  6

  4

  Section 20(1)d

  3

  2

  —

  —

  Section 20(1)e

  67

  16

  17

  7

  TOTAL

  6,428

  2,548

  1,511

  704

  1 The categories of disqualification are:

  20(1)a—misconduct or leaving voluntarily.

  20(1)b—refusal of employment.

  20(1)c—neglect to be made available for an opportunity of suitable employment.

  20(1)d—refusal to carry out an official recommendation.

  20(1)e—refusal or premature termination of training.

  Great Ormond Street Hospital
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the costs of Great Ormond street children's hospital is met(a) by his Department, (b) from charities including the Wishing Well Appeal and (c) from other specified sources.

  Mrs. Currie
  Approximately £40·1 million of Exchequer capital and revenue was spent by the Hospitals for Sick Children special health authority (which is also responsible for Queen Elizabeth hospital, Hackney) at Great Ormond street last year; to which was added some £2·3 million expended on behalf of a number of charitable organisations by its special trustees.

  The £30 million which the Wishing Well Appeal hopes to raise over the next seven years will go towards rebuilding and equipment at Great Ormond street. The Government intend to make a contribution of approximately £27 million to this redevelopment, over and above capital committed to maintenance of existing buildings, fees and equipment. The exact size of this contribution will not be known until detailed costing of the scheme is complete.

  We warmly welcome the tradition of partnership between voluntary and statutory sources of support for which this internationally prestigious hospital is already famous.

  Community Care
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance is issued to health authorities 580
  regarding consultants employed by health authorities acting as partners or beneficiaries in private homes allocated to patients under the Government's community care policy.

  Mr. Newton
  None. This is a matter for health authorities to determine locally in the light of individual circumstances.

  Dialysis Patients
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects (EPO) to be made available to dialysis patients suffering from acute anaemia.

  Mr. Newton
  The licensing authority has recently received an application to market a medicinal product containing rDNA erythropoietin (EPO), a product developed by a biotechnological process. Similar applications have also been received by other member states of the European Community. Under the procedure introduced by directive 87/22/EEC for the purpose of increasing the harmonisation of licensing decisions in the Community for "high technology" medicinal products, one member state has requested an opinion on EPO from the Community's Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products. This opinion must be taken into account before a national licensing decision can be made. I am unable to comment on the likely outcome of this application or to predict when EPO will become generally available in the United Kingdom. It is currently being used on a limited scale to treat patients who are participating in clinical
  581
  trials of the substance and can be used by registered medical practitioners for individuals on a "named patient basis"

  Hospital Patient Statistics
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the number of in-patient beds currently available in each outer London health district; and if he will identify what proportion of beds in each district is available for patients requiring intensive care;

  Average daily number of available beds in the National Health Service, Outer London, 1986

  District Health Authority

  Acute

  Maternity

  Geriatric

  Units for Younger disabled

  Mental handicap

  Mental illness

  Total

  Barnet

  740·0

  110·3

  509·3

  30·0

  30·0

  904·4

  2,324·0

  Harrow

  544·7

  100·0

  155·6

  —

  —

  86·0

  886·3

  Hillingdon

  920·5

  77·0

  262·6

  15·0

  —

  54·0

  1,329·1

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  803·1

  109·6

  286·4

  —

  —

  157·2

  1,356·3

  Ealing

  381·9

  55·0

  158·2

  —

  —

  914·1

  1,509·2

  Brent

  433·7

  57·9

  302·3

  16·0

  92·0

  981·0

  1,882·9

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  1,188·8

  101·1

  505·1

  33·8

  133·6

  802·4

  2,764·8

  Enfield

  519·8

  88·6

  229·8

  16·8

  76·9

  123·3

  1,055·2

  Haringey

  715·3

  69·0

  211·5

  —

  7·0

  69·1

  1,071·9

  Redbridge

  422·9

  103·0

  276·0

  7·3

  20·0

  723·6

  1,552·8

  Waltham Forest

  713·1

  88·5

  383·3

  15·0

  218·0

  988·7

  2,406·6

  Bexley

  322·2

  83·0

  129·8

  18·1

  —

  833·2

  1,386·3

  Greenwich

  811·2

  90·4

  316·9

  —

  64·0

  51·1

  1,333·6

  Bromley

  643·1

  77·3

  270·1

  —

  73·0

  823·5

  1,887·0

  Croydon

  562·5

  63·6

  292·2

  —

  1,061·8

  416·4

  2,396·5

  Kingston and Esher

  447·1

  59·4

  174·6

  —

  —

  696·5

  1,377·6

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  357·2

  35·3

  262·5

  —

  167·0

  37·5

  859·5

  Merton and Sutton

  744·9

  55·0

  282·1

  15·0

  946·7

  191·3

  2,235·0

  In-patient cases treated in the National Health Service, Outer London, 1986

  District Health Authority

  Acute

  Maternity

  Geriatric

  Units for younger disabled

  Mental handicap

  Mental illness

  Total

  Barnet

  26,743

  4,831

  2,624

  51

  355

  1,111

  35,715

  Harrow

  21,352

  4,474

  1,234

  —

  —

  807

  27,867

  Hillingdon

  33,915

  3,899

  1,328

  39

  —

  256

  39,477

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  30,003

  5,132

  2,150

  —

  —

  792

  38,077

  Ealing

  13,257

  2,511

  791

  —

  —

  3,085

  19,644

  Brent

  16,224

  2,863

  1,889

  81

  113

  1,176

  22,346

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  38,069

  5,577

  1,532

  97

  322

  1,462

  47,059

  Enfield

  17,590

  4,116

  1,104

  63

  181

  527

  23,581

  Haringey

  17,494

  3,928

  1,765

  —

  3

  501

  23,691

  Redbridge

  13,438

  4,093

  1,038

  28

  1

  1,311

  19,909

  Waltham Forest

  28,724

  4,810

  3,741

  51

  200

  1,337

  38,863

  Bexley

  12,791

  4,015

  1,642

  253

  —

  1,593

  20,294

  Greenwich

  29,017

  4,490

  2,020

  —

  248

  583

  36,358

  Bromley

  21,278

  3,770

  2,367

  —

  213

  1,327

  28,955

  Croydon

  22,457

  5,056

  1,661

  —

  303

  1,932

  31,409

  Kingston and Esher

  19,203

  3,026

  1,325

  —

  —

  1,261

  24,815

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  14,002

  1,775

  1,793

  —

  75

  341

  17,986

  Merton and Sutton

  27,927

  4,145

  1,490

  34

  516

  835

  34,947

  In-patient average length of stay in 1986 for:

  District Health Authority

  Acute

  Maternity

  Geriatric

  Units for younger disabled

  Barnet

  8·5

  4·5

  65·4

  194·0

  Harrow

  7·4

  4·8

  43·2

  —

  Hillingdon

  8·3

  4·3

  51·8

  135·6

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  7·8

  4·8

  47·1

  —

  Ealing

  8·7

  5·0

  69·1

  —

  582
  (2) if he will list the total number of (a) in-patients and (b) out-patients treated in each of the outer London health districts in the last year for which figures are available;

  (3) if he will list the average length of stay for in-patients in each of the outer London health districts.

  Mrs. Currie
  The tables show the available information. No information is available centrally on the number of beds used for intensive care treatment, or on the average lengths of stay of mental handicap and mental illness inpatients.
  583

  District Health Authority

  Acute

  Maternity

  Geriatric

  Units for younger disabled

  Brent

  15·8

  4·6

  49·6

  60·7

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  9·1

  5·4

  115·7

  116·2

  Enfield

  8·6

  6·2

  68·5

  95·6

  Haringey

  12·2

  5·3

  40·7

  —

  Redbridge

  9·6

  4·4

  94·5

  84·7

  Waltham Forest

  7·2

  4·3

  31·6

  68·0

  Bexley

  7·3

  5·7

  25·3

  15·9

  Greenwich

  8·1

  4·7

  56·1

  —

  Bromley

  8·3

  4·0

  45·0

  —

  Croydon

  7·4

  3·9

  56·9

  —

  Kingston and Esher

  7·2

  4·9

  45·7

  —

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  7·3

  4·9

  330·8

  —

  Merton and Sutton

  7·7

  3·7

  63·6

  73·6

  New out-patients treated in the National Health Service, Outer London, 1986

  District Health Authority

  Acute

  Maternity

  Geriatric

  Units for younger disabled

  Mental handicap

  Mental illness

  Total

  Barnet

  45,754

  4,895

  237

  —

  —

  1,269

  52,155

  Harrow

  28,817

  3,450

  85

  —

  3

  445

  32,800

  Hillingdon

  49,361

  3,750

  13

  —

  9

  913

  54,046

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  57,704

  6,509

  382

  —

  —

  1,944

  66,589

  Ealing

  23,080

  2,208

  266

  —

  —

  994

  26,548

  Brent

  37,127

  2,640

  12

  —

  15

  1,015

  40,809

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  61,411

  5,666

  48

  —

  —

  1,132

  68,257

  Enfield

  26,952

  3,250

  153

  —

  21

  460

  30,836

  Haringey

  37,990

  3,323

  235

  —

  17

  490

  42,055

  Redbridge

  26,889

  5,403

  254

  —

  92

  1,147

  33,785

  Waltham Forest

  43,047

  4,262

  314

  —

  8

  827

  48,458

  Bexley

  21,439

  3,668

  414

  —

  12

  662

  26,195

  Greenwich

  45,455

  4,196

  124

  —

  6

  985

  50,766

  Bromley

  35,875

  4,334

  237

  —

  —

  1,320

  41,766

  Croydon

  43,148

  4,051

  193

  —

  51

  1,619

  49,062

  Kingston and Esher

  33,863

  3,175

  217

  —

  —

  799

  38,054

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  21,275

  2,441

  428

  —

  16

  1,159

  25,319

  Merton and Sutton

  55,412

  4,058

  152

  —

  —

  1,366

  60,988

  Total attendances by out-patients, National Health Service, Outer London, 1986

  District Health Authority

  Acute

  Maternity

  Geriatric

  Units for younger disabled

  Mental handicap

  Mental illness

  Total

  Barnet

  182,996

  27,314

  863

  —

  —

  10,594

  221,767

  Harrow

  125,290

  25,252

  697

  —

  37

  4,606

  155,882

  Hillingdon

  200,822

  18,371

  41

  —

  106

  7,546

  226,886

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  220,383

  29,210

  2,001

  —

  —

  18,320

  269,914

  Ealing

  81,102

  13,273

  913

  —

  —

  9,390

  104,678

  Brent

  146,482

  15,603

  1,393

  —

  128

  7,434

  171,040

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  264,984

  32,524

  310

  —

  —

  7,701

  305,519

  Enfield

  106,932

  15,939

  881

  —

  476

  3,349

  127,577

  Haringey

  162,178

  18,129

  1,502

  —

  180

  4,735

  186,724

  Redbridge

  111,855

  26,036

  1,573

  —

  750

  8,354

  148,568

  Waltham Forest

  159,028

  23,186

  1,722

  —

  173

  3,608

  187,717

  Bexley

  84,031

  23,962

  1,673

  —

  85

  12,606

  122,357

  Greenwich

  195,964

  24,294

  1,007

  —

  67

  9,434

  230,766

  Bromley

  152,912

  23,562

  756

  —

  —

  10,964

  188,194

  Croydon

  158,526

  14,894

  1,243

  —

  346

  13,832

  188,841

  Kingston and Esher

  129,643

  15,093

  986

  —

  —

  6,567

  152,289

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  85,835

  12,957

  3,443

  —

  222

  12,672

  115,129

  Merton and Sutton

  224,601

  22,358

  1,132

  —

  —

  11,251

  259,342

  Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will extend the powers of general managers to bring hospital doctors under direct management.
  584
  Mr. Newton
  It is already the responsibility of health authorities to manage hospital doctors' contracts.

  Sheffield Health Authority
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a breakdown for each of the years from 1979 until the latest year for which figures are available, by specialty, of the waiting lists for operations

  Number of patients on in-patient waiting list in Sheffield District Health Authority—surgical specialties–31st December—NHS hospitals.

  Hospital/specialty

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Northern General Hospital

  General surgery

  472

  710

  594

  789

  685

  706

  762

  733

  ENT

  —

  —

  70

  191

  202

  207

  254

  265

  Trau and orth

  709

  829

  1,562

  1,828

  1,668

  1,388

  1,303

  1,176

  Urology

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  Plastic surgery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,363

  Thoracic surgery

  188

  213

  144

  223

  194

  162

  212

  174

  Oral surgery

  73

  88

  119

  206

  156

  106

  117

  188

  Gynaecology

  225

  248

  180

  267

  187

  205

  147

  202

  The Royal Hallamshire Hospital

  General surgery

  1,508

  1,244

  1,272

  1,854

  1,783

  2,196

  1,636

  1,122

  ENT

  174

  167

  264

  516

  489

  316

  336

  281

  Trau and orth

  1,788

  1,701

  1,051

  1,533

  1,553

  1,609

  1,423

  1,072

  Ophthalmology

  639

  551

  653

  909

  651

  534

  582

  633

  Urology

  653

  712

  753

  874

  773

  596

  604

  607

  Plastic surgery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  34

  45

  Thoracic surgery

  55

  28

  17

  23

  21

  15

  54

  65

  Oral surgery

  207

  209

  124

  246

  182

  144

  131

  123

  Neurosurgery

  168

  133

  115

  175

  145

  134

  157

  166

  Fulwood Hospital

  Plastic surgery

  1,883

  2,091

  2,401

  1,812

  1,589

  1,479

  1,333

  0

  Oral surgery

  63

  38

  66

  79

  86

  56

  61

  0

  Childrens Hospital

  ENT

  187

  158

  203

  297

  183

  74

  93

  65

  Trau and orth

  344

  168

  148

  151

  194

  173

  168

  154

  Urology

  17

  4

  3

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Plastic surgery

  87

  26

  136

  182

  150

  162

  204

  369

  Thoracic surgery

  20

  22

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Oral surgery

  43

  12

  22

  57

  20

  13

  19

  18

  Paediatric surgery

  46

  24

  14

  18

  46

  48

  46

  49

  The Jessop Hospital for women

  Gynaecology

  686

  853

  697

  1,215

  923

  997

  925

  911

  Weston Park Hospital

  Radiotherapy

  27

  23

  29

  4

  13

  52

  41

  22

  Lodge Moor Hospital

  General surgery

  87

  106

  87

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Urology

  —

  —

  —

  127

  126

  161

  160

  175

  Paediatric surgery

  10

  18

  12

  10

  25

  14

  3

  15

  King Edward VII Hospital

  Trau and orth

  201

  131

  121

  221

  359

  339

  319

  486

  Nether Edge Hospital

  Gynaecology

  76

  65

  73

  253

  124

  91

  92

  97

  Royal Infirmary

  ENT

  43

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nurses' Pay
  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the figures for the pay of nurses, at each level, both at the basic rate and at the higher level of average overtime worked, at 1 June 1979 and at the latest available date, showing percentage increases.
  586
  in each hospital for the area covered by Sheffield health authority; and what details he has of the waiting lists for examinations, tabulated in a similar manner.

  Mr. Newton
  The available information is given in the table. No information is available centrally on the reasons for patients being on the waiting list.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that information is not available in the form requested. Rates of pay for nurses at 1 June 1979 and at the current level payable from 1 April 1987 are shown in the table.
  587

  Grade

  Basic pay

  Estimated average earnings

  Minimum of pay scale £ per annum

  Maximum of pay scale £ per annum

  Minimum of pay scale £ per annum

  Maximum of pay scale £ per annum

  Student Nurse:

  1 June 1979

  2,452

  2,667

  —1

  —1

  1 April 1987

  4,540

  5,170

  5,060

  5,760

  Percentage increase

  85·2

  93·9

  Nursing Auxiliary:

  1 June 1979

  2,507

  2,915

  —1

  —1

  1 April 1987

  4,565

  5,855

  5,700

  7,310

  Percentage increase

  82·0

  100·9

  Enrolled Nurse:

  1 June 1979

  2,850

  3,411

  —1

  —1

  1 April 1987

  6,250

  7,750

  7,390

  9,160

  Percentage increase

  119·3

  127·2

  Staff Nurse:

  1 June 1979

  3,150

  3,813

  —1

  —1

  1 April 1987

  7,300

  8,600

  8,510

  10,030

  Percentage increase

  131·7

  125·5

  Sister II:

  1 June 1979

  3,888

  4,949

  —1

  —1

  1 April 1987

  9,000

  12,000

  10,230

  13,600

  Percentage increase

  131·5

  142·5

  1 Average earnings data is not available for 1979.

  Hospitals (Building and Maintenance Costs)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals built in the last 10 years have cost more than 15 per cent. above the original estimate of construction cost; and what is the total amount of these overruns.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information held centrally on National Health Service building schemes in England, which relates to schemes started since 1980, indicates that five out of 36 schemes, each valued at over £5 million and with a total value of £315 million, started and completed since 1980, overran the contractual sum by more than 15 per cent. Subject to resolution of outstanding final accounts, the total amount of these overruns is estimated to be £12·4 million.

  Number of notifications of acute and meningococcal meningitis, Northern regional health authority and Northumberland district health authority, 1985–87

  Area

  1985

  1986

  19871

  A

  M

  A

  M

  A

  M

  Northern regional health authority

  56

  20

  127

  59

  153

  73

  Northumberland district health authority

  3

  2

  15

  3

  9

  5

  A Acute meningitis (all forms).

  M Meningococcal meningitis.

  1 Provisional.

  Social Security Reform
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many households in the Blyth valley area he estimates will lose payments they at present receive for heating bills with the implementation of the Social Security Act.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of meningitis have been reported in the Northern regional health authority and Northumberland district health authority areas in each year from 1985.

  Mrs. Currie
  Meningitis may be caused by a number of different organisms. The hon. Member may be particularly interested in meningococcal meningitis: the table shows notifications of cases for this and for all forms of acute meningitis.

  Mr. Chris Scott
  I regret that no information is available concerning the number of households in the Blyth Valley area who are in receipt of supplementary benefit heating additions.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of severely
  589
  disabled people currently receiving attendance allowance who will not receive severe disability premium as a result of its restriction to people living alone without carers who receive invalid care allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  It is estimated that of the 174,000 supplementary benefit claimants who receive attendance allowance, or whose partner or dependant does, 7,000 will receive the severe disability premium in income support. Similar information is not available for those not in receipt of income support who claim housing benefit.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade 6 level and above working outside headquarters have received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mrs. Currie
  Twenty management training courses cover equal opportunities for women issues; six include specific sessions on equal opportunities. Five social security regions have held management awareness seminars on equal opportunities. All managers at grade 6 and above are informed of Departmental policy and commitment to equal opportunities for women. The majority have attended management training courses or seminars.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, where a housing association provides residential care for elderly people, those residents who loan all but £3,000 of their capital to the housing association are allowed to receive full social security benefits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Only supplementary benefit operates a capital cut-off under the present system. Regulations provide for any sum deposited with a housing association, as defined in section 189(1) of the Housing Act 1957 or section 208(1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1966, as a condition of occupying the home, to be disregarded. It is for the independent adjudication authorities to decide if this provision applies in the light of the facts of each case. From April, the same rule will apply to income support, housing benefit and family credit.

  Community Alarm Schemes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if housing benefit is paid in respect of tenants or owner-occupiers' contributions to community alarm schemes in their own home under the present housing benefit regulations; and if it will be paid under the housing benefit regulations which come into effect on 1 April.

  Mr. Scott
  Under the present housing benefit regulations help with service charges can be provided through housing benefit for people in rented accommodation. There is no specific reference to alarm systems in the current housing benefit regulations, but the costs of this service can be met if the tenant has no option but to pay and the local authority considers that the service is "reasonably necessary for the proper enjoyment of the dwelling".
  590
  From April, the new regulations clarify existing policy by making it clear that housing benefit is available to help with the costs of alarm systems where they are provided in accommodation which is occupied by and specifically designed or adapted or otherwise particularly suitable for elderly, sick or disabled people.

  For owner-occupiers help with service charges is available through supplementary benefit — income support from April—on the same basis as the help given to tenants through housing benefit.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the 10 areas in England which have seen(a) the greatest population growth and (b) the greatest population reduction, since 1965.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information requested is as follows:

  Thousands

  Local Authority Area (ranked by change)

  Resident Population

  Population change

  Mid-1965

  Mid-1986

  1965–86

  i) Greatest Growth

  Milton Keynes

  55

  162

  107

  Solihull

  140

  202

  62

  Huntingdonshire

  81

  142

  61

  Wokingham

  83

  141

  58

  Woodspring

  120

  178

  58

  Basingstoke and Deane

  81

  138

  57

  Peterborough

  98

  148

  50

  Basildon

  108

  157

  49

  The Wrekin

  83

  190

  47

  Chelmsford

  105

  150

  43

  ii) Greatest Reduction

  Liverpool

  695

  483

  -212

  Manchester

  617

  451

  -166

  Birmingham

  1,145

  1,004

  -141

  Westminster, City of

  267

  176

  -91

  Lambeth

  332

  245

  -87

  Southwark

  302

  216

  -86

  Kensington and Chelsea

  216

  137

  -79

  Islington

  244

  168

  -76

  Wandsworth

  327

  257

  -70

  Hackney

  252

  187

  -65

  Opticians
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those opticians in the north-east area of Manchester who are not routinely handing out general optical service prescriptions, identified in the summary of the National Health Service investigator's report.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Family Practitioner Committee is initiating service committee proceedings against three practitioners where the auditors' report provided some evidence of their failure to hand over prescriptions. It would be prejudicial to the practitioners concerned to publish their names.

  General Practitioners
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the number of general practitioners per 1000 population for(a) England and Wales, (b) the west midlands, (c) north Staffordshire and (d) Stoke on Trent.

  (2) what is the average number and Wales, (b) west midlands, (c) north Staffordshire and (d) Stoke on Trent.
  591
  Mrs. Currie
  The information requested is not held centrally in respect of north Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent. Figures are available as at 1 October 1986, as follows:

  Number of general practitioners per 1,000 population

  Average number of patients per general practitioner

  England and Wales

  0·52

  2,033

  West Midlands Region

  0·51

  2,040

  Staffordshire Family

  Practitioner

  Committee (including North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent)

  0·48

  2,105

  D and C Operations
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the rate of deaths per 10,000 women having D and C operations in England and Wales in each of the last 25 years for which figures are available of(a) anaesthetic deaths arising directly or indirectly out of such operations, (b) deaths due to embolism directly or indirectly linked to such operations and (c) other deaths directly due to such operations; and if he will break down this rate by whether or not the D and C operation also involved an abortion.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has concerning the total number of D and C operations performed in England and Wales in each of the last 25 years for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Currie
  I shall let my hon. Friend have such information as is available without incurring disproportionate costs as soon as possible.

  AIDS
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the special trust fund for HIV positive carriers to be run by the Haemophilia Society has yet been established; and when he expects the first applications for financial assistance to be invited.

  Mr. Newton
  Following close collaboration officials and officers of the Haemophilia Society, measures necessary to establish the special trust fund are nearing completion. The Haemophilia Society is already giving financial help on an interim basis to urgent cases to need. Applications for financial help from other haemophiliacs infected with HIV and their dependants are being accepted so that payments can be made as quickly as possible.

  Health Statistics
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list by London health authority the total available patient beds for each year since 1979;

  (2) if he will list by district health authority (a) the establishment figure of medical laboratory scientific officers for each year since 1979, (b) the number in post for each year since 1979, and (c) the number who have left the National Health Service in the last year;
  592
  (3) if he will list by district health authority the number of people on waiting lists for urgent and non-urgent operations for December of each year since 1982.

  Mr. Newton
  I shall let the hon. Member have such information as is available centrally without incurring disproportionate costs as soon as possible.

  Benefits (Adjustment)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to review the system of flat rate compensation payment available to benefit claimants or as a result of the miscalculation of the retail prices index; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to review the system of ex gratia payments we are making as a result of the error in the calculation of the RPI. We are making these payments, although we have no legal requirement to do so, to more than 12 million beneficiaries. The exercise is designed to combine as far as possible fairness with speed of payment.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to review the position of benefit claimants in receipt of more than one benefit for which a flat rate compensation payment is available after the miscalculation of the retail prices index who have received only one payment because they have a combined order book.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so. Having two benefits combined on one order book does not automatically mean that the claimant has suffered twice from the error in the retail prices index. The ex-gratia special payments fully compensate the great majority of people who have combined order books for two benefits, including the least well-off pensioners with supplementary pensions. Less than 10 per cent. of people with combined books will be undercompensated for the retail prices index error because of the method of payment.

  Child Care and Family Services
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will be issuing a consultation paper on his proposals concerning standards for day care and residential holidays for children aged between five and 16 years referred to in the White Paper "The Law on Child Care and Family Services".

  Mr. Newton
  The Department, jointly with the Department of Education and Science and the Department of the Environment, has today issued a consultation paper "Day Care and Residential Holidays for Children over Five". It is being sent to local authorities including non-metropolitan district councils in England; voluntary bodies active in the child care, disabled, mental handicap, educational, sporting and recreational fields; and organisations representing medical, nursing and social work interests.

  The Government have decided that a full registration system which would apply to all activities provided for children aged between five and 16 would be inappropriate and impractical. It is primarily the responsibility of parents to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the arrangements to which they entrust their children. Whilst we recognise that children need to be protected from harm, we believe that out-of-school or holiday play schemes need

  593
  a lower level of control than residential holidays where children are away from their parents for some time. The Government are seeking views on two options: the introduction of a limited registration scheme (for which legislation would be necessary). This would be operated by local authorities and apply to residential holidays for groups of children for up to 27 days; or the establishment of voluntary codes of practice to be drawn up by private or voluntary organisations. These would cover day care and residential activities.

  Similar consultation exercises are being carried out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Geriatric Patients
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the numbers of geriatric patients in the central Nottingham health authority area for each year from 1979–1987 inclusive.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 15 January 1988]: The information requested is given in the table.

  Number of geriatric patients treated in National Health Service hospitals in the Central Nottingham Health Authority 1for each year from 1979 to 1986 (latest available).

  Year

  In-patient discharges and deaths

  Out-patient attendances

  Regular day patients

  1979

  2,381

  1,686

  4,903

  1980

  2,448

  2,056

  5,823

  1981

  2,458

  1,878

  5,723

  1982

  2,687

  2,042

  5,240

  1983

  2,750

  2,034

  5,439

  Restrictions of accident and emergency service

  Period of restriction

  Time

  Day

  Date

  Time involved

  Reason

  Brook Hospital1

  Saturday

  14 February

  24 hours

  All staffed ITU beds occupied

  Sunday

  15 February

  Saturday pm

  28 March

  36 hours (approx.)

  All staffed ITU beds occupied

  Monday am

  30 March

  Friday

  12 June

  24 hours

  All staffed ITU beds occupied

  Saturday

  13 June

  6 pm

  Friday

  19 June

  63 hours

  Breakdown of ITU ventilators

  9 am

  Monday

  22 June

  1 pm

  Wednesday

  8 July

  44 hours

  All staffed beds occupied

  9 am

  Friday

  10 July

  Tuesday

  21 July

  24 hours

  All staffed beds occupied

  Wednesday

  22 July

  Wednesday

  29 July

  24 hours

  All staffed beds occupied

  Thursday

  30 July

  9.30 am

  Wednesday

  19 August

  47½ hours

  All staffed beds occupied

  9 am

  Friday

  21 August

  9 am to

  Wednesday

  9 september

  7½hours

  All staffed beds occupied

  4.30 pm

  594

  Year

  In-patient discharges and deaths

  Out-patient attendances

  Regular day-patients

  1984

  2,555

  2,420

  5,680

  1985

  2,784

  3,127

  6,005

  1986

  2,701

  3,680

  7,065

  1 Prior to NHS re-structuring in 1982 was Mansfield and Newark HD.

  Accident and Emergency Services (Greenwich)
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions and for what reasons either the Greenwich district hospital or the Brook hospital have been closed to accident and emergency admissions over the past 12 months.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 27 January 1988]: The table lists periods of restriction to the accident and emergency departments of the Brook and Greenwich district hospitals over the past year and indicates the reasons for them.

  Unplanned closures have declined markedly from their summer peak, which reflects Greenwich health authority's commitment to avoid them in future and to provide a continuous accident and emergency service from these two hospitals.

  When the Brook hospital accident and emergency department has been closed, patients have been taken to the nearby department at Greenwich district general hospital. When there has been a restricted service at the Greenwich DGH department, the reverse has happened. There have been no simultaneous restrictions of service at the two departments.

  Greenwich health authority is also covered by the new London emergency bed monitoring service.
  595

  Period of restriction

  Time

  Day

  Date

  Time involved

  Reason

  1 pm

  Thursday

  10 September

  68 hours

  Shortage of nursing staff

  7 pm

  Monday

  14 Septemper

  Greenwich District General Hospital1

  Tuesday

  24 February

  24 hours

  Shortage of nursing/medical staff

  Wednesday

  25 February

  Saturday

  11 July

  24 hours

  To enable new piped medical gas system to be installed in operating theatres

  Saturday

  15 August

  24 hours

  9 pm to

  Tuesday

  14 July

  7 hours

  Shortage of medical staff (holiday period)

  4.30 pm

  6 pm to

  Monday

  20 July

  4 hours

  Shortage of medical staff (holiday period)

  4 pm

  Thursday

  30 July

  171/2 hours

  Shortage of medical staff (holiday period)

  9.30 pm

  Friday

  31 July

  1 Intensive treatment beds—There are 8 ITU beds at the Brook Hospital, 2 of which are at present closed because of shortage of nursing staff. Also available are six coronary care beds which, while not 'intensive' beds offer a high level of clinical care.

  2 Intensive treatement beds—Thereare 10 ITU beds at Greenwich District General Hospital, two of which are at present closed because of shortage of nursing staff.

  Private Patients
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give, for each regional health authority, district health authority, and special health authority, and

  Number of attendances by private patients at NHS hospitals in 1983 and 1986.

  Out-patients

  Day cases

  Regular day patients

  District Health Authority

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  Hartlepool

  218

  232

  109

  155

  —

  —

  North Tees

  265

  377

  55

  33

  —

  —

  South Tees

  846

  2,238

  277

  307

  —

  —

  East Cumbria

  452

  657

  239

  152

  —

  —

  South Cumbria

  348

  661

  108

  163

  —

  —

  West Cumbria

  106

  98

  21

  1

  —

  —

  Darlington

  67

  273

  76

  122

  —

  —

  Durham

  405

  1,177

  17

  163

  —

  —

  North West Durham

  238

  216

  61

  88

  —

  —

  South West Durham

  190

  434

  36

  44

  —

  —

  Northumberland

  385

  646

  54

  43

  —

  —

  Gateshead

  185

  93

  188

  55

  —

  —

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,412

  2,956

  309

  235

  —

  —

  North Tyneside

  —

  —

  20

  21

  —

  —

  South Tyneside

  23

  126

  106

  110

  —

  —

  Sunderland

  441

  166

  274

  241

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  5,581

  10,350

  1,950

  1,933

  0

  0

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority

  Hull

  447

  1,086

  461

  120

  —

  —

  East Yorkshire

  17

  46

  172

  163

  —

  —

  Grimsby

  234

  442

  306

  21

  —

  —

  Scunthorpe

  1,479

  1,417

  114

  106

  —

  —

  Northallerton

  120

  338

  69

  34

  —

  —

  York

  1

  258

  106

  79

  —

  —

  Scarborough

  42

  87

  7

  7

  —

  —

  Harrogate

  —

  108

  21

  38

  —

  —

  Bradford

  3,037

  2,075

  453

  148

  —

  —

  Airedale

  883

  752

  257

  273

  —

  —

  Calderdale

  988

  421

  442

  80

  —

  —

  596
  for England as a whole, the number of attendances in 1983 and 1986 by (a) private out-patients, (b) private day cases and (c) private regular day patients.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 18 January 1988]: The information requested is given in the table.
  597

  Out-patients

  Day cases

  Regular day patients

  District Health

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  Authority

  Huddersfield

  45

  436

  54

  2

  —

  —

  Dewsbury

  22

  34

  159

  82

  —

  —

  Leeds Western

  2,540

  3,549

  26

  201

  —

  —

  Leeds Eastern

  105

  426

  19

  27

  —

  —

  Wakefield

  872

  543

  241

  65

  —

  —

  Pontefract

  —

  69

  249

  94

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  10,832

  12,087

  3,156

  1,540

  0

  0

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  North Derbyshire

  66

  518

  336

  188

  —

  —

  Southern Derbyshire

  758

  1,539

  301

  334

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  1,810

  681

  1,066

  —

  —

  North Lincolnshire

  3,434

  5,210

  105

  198

  —

  —

  South Lincolnshire

  950

  1,514

  242

  282

  —

  —

  Bassetlaw

  —

  157

  —

  195

  —

  —

  Central Nottinghamshire

  68

  127

  207

  43

  ——

  ——

  Nottingham

  326

  162

  667

  130

  —

  —

  Barnsley

  28

  332

  204

  120

  —

  —

  Doncaster

  296

  1,730

  17

  31

  —

  —

  Rotherham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sheffield

  2,136

  2,626

  104

  125

  —

  1

  Regional Health Authority Total

  8,062

  15,725

  2,864

  2,712

  0

  1

  East Anglian Regional Health Authority

  Cambridge

  1,568

  3,968

  10

  14

  —

  —

  Peterborough

  607

  841

  138

  59

  —

  —

  West Suffolk

  342

  380

  87

  101

  —

  —

  East Suffolk

  774

  2,804

  5

  120

  —

  —

  Norwich

  1,360

  1,451

  294

  160

  —

  —

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  353

  796

  96

  117

  ——

  ——

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  80

  1,765

  248

  410

  —

  —

  Huntingdon

  95

  240

  8

  67

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  5,179

  12,245

  886

  1,048

  0

  0

  North West Thames Regional Health Authority

  North Bedfordshire

  654

  1,844

  75

  24

  —

  —

  South Bedfordshire

  SOI

  287

  152

  115

  ——

  —

  North Hertfordshire

  705

  572

  77

  49

  —

  —

  East Hertfordshire

  1,902

  1,678

  174

  202

  —

  —

  North West Hertfordshire

  17

  62

  309

  203

  —

  —

  South West Hertfordshire

  356

  169

  98

  88

  —

  —

  Barnet

  5,891

  4,877

  144

  70

  —

  —

  Harrow

  705

  563

  24

  10

  16

  —

  Hillingdon

  606

  1,162

  207

  157

  —

  —

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  1,397

  2,474

  280

  239

  —

  —

  Ealing

  84

  62

  28

  35

  —

  —

  Brent

  513

  361

  2

  4

  —

  —

  Paddington and North Kensington

  2,231

  2,905

  129

  89

  —

  —

  Riverside

  10,762

  8,387

  515

  636

  —

  39

  Regional Health Authority Total

  26,324

  25,403

  2,214

  1,921

  16

  39

  North East Thames Regional Health Authority

  598 599

  Out-patients

  Day cases

  Regular day patients

  District Health Authority

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  Basildon and Thurrock

  762

  648

  355

  317

  —

  1

  Mid Essex

  1,696

  3,362

  637

  653

  —

  —

  North East Essex

  3,619

  7,012

  89

  122

  —

  —

  West Essex

  5,185

  4,588

  197

  200

  —

  —

  Southend

  1,758

  1,155

  317

  199

  —

  —

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  3,344

  5,103

  273

  255

  —

  —

  Hampstead

  5,209

  4,734

  160

  161

  —

  —

  Bloomsbury

  4,320

  5,938

  288

  317

  —

  —

  Islington

  181

  305

  36

  107

  —

  —

  City and Hackney

  14

  105

  16

  1

  —

  —

  Newham

  18

  330

  4

  24

  —

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  6,363

  5,945

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Enfield

  317

  391

  163

  131

  —

  —

  Haringey

  627

  435

  107

  120

  —

  —

  Redbridge

  3,924

  3,362

  78

  37

  —

  —

  Waltham Forest

  542

  349

  40

  10

  35

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  37,879

  43,762

  2,760

  2,654

  35

  1

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  Brighton

  428

  511

  4

  43

  —

  —

  Eastbourne

  934

  1,003

  130

  138

  —

  —

  Hastings

  271

  1,494

  47

  63

  28

  —

  South East Kent

  352

  681

  108

  74

  —

  —

  Canterbury and Thanet

  1,864

  2,195

  105

  216

  —

  —

  Dartford and Gravesham

  1,332

  849

  128

  77

  —

  —

  Maidstone

  1,273

  2,060

  154

  36

  2

  —

  Medway

  822

  681

  242

  41

  —

  —

  Tunbridge Wells

  2,165

  3,494

  786

  456

  —

  43

  Bexley

  3,452

  2,729

  267

  187

  —

  —

  Greenwich

  2,436

  1,166

  167

  110

  —

  —

  Bromley

  538

  773

  371

  107

  —

  —

  West Lambeth

  269

  348

  198

  213

  —

  —

  Camberwell

  —

  —

  240

  313

  —

  —

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  —

  2,423

  60

  217

  —

  10

  Regional Health Authority Total

  16,109

  20,407

  3,007

  2,291

  30

  53

  South West Thames Regional Health Authority

  North West Surrey

  3,731

  368

  419

  327

  —

  —

  West Surrey/North East Hants

  780

  819

  205

  290

  —

  —

  South West Surrey

  2,452

  3,944

  75

  185

  —

  —

  Mid Surrey

  1,688

  145

  526

  101

  —

  —

  East Surrey

  110

  329

  51

  16

  —

  —

  Chichester

  918

  808

  316

  130

  —

  —

  Mid Downs

  2,402

  821

  253

  180

  —

  —

  Worthing

  24

  123

  62

  63

  —

  —

  Croydon

  12

  152

  98

  110

  —

  —

  Kingston and Esher

  520

  521

  66

  138

  —

  —

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  462

  540

  9

  29

  —

  —

  Wandsworth

  1,075

  950

  109

  159

  —

  —

  Merton and Sutton

  706

  731

  404

  129

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  14,880

  10,251

  2,593

  1,857

  0

  0

  Wessex Regional Health Authority

  East Dorset

  175

  233

  42

  27

  —

  —

  West Dorset

  354

  304

  11

  13

  —

  —

  600 601

  Out-patients

  Day cases

  Regular day patients

  District Health Authority

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  1,226

  1,509

  580

  240

  —

  —

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  43

  2,231

  261

  697

  —

  —

  Winchester

  —

  —

  115

  108

  —

  —

  Basingstoke and North Hampshire

  —

  —

  202

  92

  —

  —

  Salisbury

  143

  729

  40

  24

  —

  —

  Swindon

  3,068

  1,286

  186

  77

  —

  —

  Bath

  84

  564

  98

  —

  —

  —

  Isle of Wight

  30

  75

  25

  1

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  5,123

  6,931

  1,560

  1,279

  0

  0

  Oxford Regional Health Authority

  East Berkshire

  340

  604

  7

  89

  163

  418

  West Berkshire

  —

  2,032

  112

  697

  —

  —

  Aylesbury Vale

  961

  2,475

  190

  168

  —

  —

  Wycombe

  1,364

  1,173

  6

  8

  —

  —

  Milton Keynes

  129

  249

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Kettering

  1,803

  3,789

  369

  448

  —

  —

  Northampton

  1,040

  1,379

  140

  145

  —

  —

  Oxfordshire

  —

  3,428

  47

  19

  —

  48

  Regional Health Authority Total

  5,637

  15,129

  871

  1,577

  163

  466

  South Western Regional Health Authority

  Bristol and Weston

  305

  2,427

  83

  83

  —

  —

  Frenchay

  129

  346

  27

  12

  —

  —

  Southmead

  ——

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  384

  669

  99

  46

  37

  —

  Exeter

  1

  452

  76

  42

  —

  1

  North Devon

  454

  770

  63

  75

  —

  —

  Plymouth

  —

  —

  39

  —

  —

  —

  Torbay

  1,345

  70

  262

  77

  —

  —

  Cheltenham

  286

  170

  131

  201

  —

  —

  Gloucester

  385

  429

  284

  115

  —

  —

  Somerset

  270

  501

  210

  193

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  3,559

  5,860

  1,274

  844

  37

  1

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority

  Bromsgrove and Redditch

  814

  393

  17

  18

  ——

  ——

  Herefordshire

  ——

  ——

  28

  7

  —

  —

  Kidderminster and District

  —

  137

  190

  67

  —

  —

  Worcester and District

  91

  81

  620

  34

  —

  —

  Shropshire

  433

  843

  128

  109

  —

  16

  Mid-Staffordshire

  192

  758

  194

  158

  —

  —

  North Staffordshire

  739

  3,159

  457

  352

  —

  —

  South East Staffordshire

  2,411

  1,915

  280

  220

  Rugby

  799

  1,024

  102

  135

  —

  —

  North Warwickshire

  173

  458

  78

  94

  —

  —

  South Warwickshire

  28

  26

  101

  128

  —

  —

  Central Birmingham

  94

  1,470

  270

  82

  —

  —

  East Birmingham

  —

  263

  30

  17

  —

  —

  North Birmingham

  —

  —

  279

  16

  —

  —

  South Birmingham

  161

  188

  25

  81

  —

  —

  West Birmingham

  461

  258

  131

  37

  —

  —

  Coventry

  33

  53

  203

  288

  36

  37

  Dudley

  3

  33

  344

  317

  —

  —

  Sandwell

  462

  1,406

  153

  101

  —

  —

  602 603

  Out-patients

  Day cases

  Regular day patients

  District Health Authority

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  Solihull

  3

  384

  2

  3

  —

  —

  Walsall

  474

  1,199

  273

  229

  —

  —

  Wolverhampton

  424

  1,013

  44

  38

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  7,795

  15,061

  3,949

  2,531

  36

  53

  Mersey Regional Health Authority

  Chester

  203

  237

  5

  19

  —

  —

  Crewe

  1,273

  3,554

  496

  808

  —

  —

  Halton

  9

  244

  —

  41

  —

  —

  Macclesfield

  345

  365

  95

  274

  28

  —

  Warrington

  90

  528

  401

  392

  —

  —

  Liverpool

  351

  943

  186

  223

  —

  —

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  3,307

  1,967

  257

  222

  —

  —

  Southport and Formby

  —

  460

  65

  198

  —

  —

  South Sefton

  2

  542

  14

  105

  —

  —

  Wirral

  1,182

  1,414

  102

  55

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  6,762

  10,254

  1,621

  2,337

  28

  —

  North Western Regional Health Authority

  Lancaster

  106

  377

  216

  21

  —

  —

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  279

  495

  145

  56

  —

  —

  Preston

  1,166

  1,078

  324

  544

  —

  —

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  18

  213

  3

  55

  —

  —

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  322

  175

  248

  230

  West Lancashire

  1,463

  2,020

  70

  111

  —

  —

  Chorley and South Ribble

  —

  101

  6

  9

  —

  Bolton

  —

  275

  238

  —

  —

  —

  Bury

  489

  1,116

  403

  421

  —

  —

  North Manchester

  402

  507

  21

  21

  —

  —

  Central Manchester

  41

  164

  173

  514

  —

  —

  South Manchester

  9,715

  14,544

  296

  214

  —

  —

  Oldham

  780

  876

  75

  89

  —

  —

  Rochdale

  339

  380

  4

  14

  —

  —

  Salford

  335

  2,028

  37

  57

  —

  —

  Stockport

  266

  572

  42

  46

  —

  —

  Tameside and Glossop

  401

  172

  46

  80

  —

  —

  Trafford

  177

  153

  61

  58

  —

  —

  Wigan

  236

  1,631

  279

  291

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  16,535

  26,877

  2,687

  2,831

  —

  —

  Special Health Authorities

  Hospital for Sick Children

  1,697

  2,024

  183

  201

  —

  —

  National Hospital for Nervous Diseases

  1,962

  1,710

  82

  3

  —

  —

  Moorfields Eye Hospital

  —

  1,493

  37

  19

  —

  —

  Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals

  120

  103

  7

  5

  —

  —

  604 605

  Out-patients

  Day cases

  Regular dav patients

  District Health Authority

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  1983

  1986

  National Heart and Chest Hospitals

  3,390

  3,335

  5

  107

  —

  —

  The Royal Marsden Hospitals

  10,044

  10,537

  220

  112

  74

  9

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlottes

  3,016

  3,557

  386

  423

  —

  —

  Eastman Dental Hospital

  282

  398

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Regional Health Authority Total

  20,511

  23,157

  920

  870

  74

  9

  England Total

  190,768

  253,499

  32,312

  28,225

  419

  623

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Commercial Vehicles
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total output of lorries and commercial vehicles, the percentage exported and the

  Trends in the commercial vehicle output: United Kingdom

  Production of lorries

  Exports as percentage of total

  Importers share of United Kingdom market

  Production of commercial vehicles

  Exports as percentage of total

  Importers share of United Kingdom market

  (Units: thousands)

  (Units: thousands)

  percentage

  1958

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  312·9

  38·7

  n/a

  1960

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  458·0

  36·7

  n/a

  1965

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  455·2

  38·3

  n/a

  1970

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  457·5

  41·6

  4·0

  1975

  n/a

  n/a

  3·8

  380·7

  49·0

  11·2

  1979

  111

  50·6

  13·1

  408·4

  39·8

  23·2

  1980

  99

  52·9

  14·9

  389·2

  40·2

  24·1

  1981

  55

  62·6

  17·0

  229·6

  49·6

  31·4

  1982

  60

  48·6

  20·7

  268·8

  34·4

  29·5

  1983

  48

  39·0

  24·2

  244·5

  25·7

  34·1

  1984

  45

  29·6

  26·7

  224·8

  22·2

  36·2

  1985

  48

  31·9

  28·5

  266·0

  24·7

  36·7

  1986

  35

  26·4

  31·8

  228·7

  21·8

  39·6

  1987

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1246·5

  231·9

  38·1

  n/a = Not Available.

  1 Provisional.

  2 Estimated.

  Trends in West German commercial vehicle output

  West Germany

  Production of commercial vehicles

  Exports as percentage of total

  Importers share of West German market

  (Units: thousands)

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1958

  188·4

  54·8

  n.a.

  1960

  238·4

  49·3

  n.a.

  1965

  242·7

  44·6

  n.a.

  1970

  314·4

  56·5

  n.a.

  1975

  278·4

  610

  n.a.

  1979

  317·2

  57·9

  15·4

  1980

  357·6

  560

  n.a.

  1981

  319·2

  63·9

  n.a.

  1982

  301·2

  68·9

  19·8

  1983

  276·8

  61·5

  n.a.

  606
  proportion of the domestic market taken by imports in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) West Germany and (c) Japan in 1958,1960, 1965,1970,1975 and in each year from 1979 to 1987.

  Mr. Atkins
  The available information is shown in the tables.

  Production of commercial vehicles

  Exports as percentage of total

  Importers share of West German market

  (Units: thousands)

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1984

  255·3

  63·6

  22·8

  1985

  279·2

  66·0

  24·2

  1986

  286·1

  69·3

  n.a.

  Note: n.a. = not available.

  Data only readily available for all commercial vehicles (including lorries).

  Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.
  607

  Trends in Japanese commercial vehicle output Japan

  Production of commercial vehicles

  Exports as percentage of total

  Importers share of Japanese market

  (Units: thousands)

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1958

  138

  5·5

  n.a.

  1960

  316

  4·0

  n.a.

  1965

  1,179

  7·9

  n.a.

  1970

  2,110

  14·5

  n.a.

  1975

  2,373

  35·8

  n.a.

  1979

  3,460

  42·2

  0·0

  1980

  4,004

  50·4

  0·0

  1981

  4,206

  50·0

  0·0

  1982

  3,850

  47·3

  0·0

  1983

  3,960

  47·1

  0·0

  1984

  4,392

  48·5

  0·0

  1985

  4,624

  49·8

  0·0

  1986

  4,450

  45·7

  0·0

  Note: n.a. = not available.

  Data only readily available for all commercial vehicles (including lorries).

  Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.

  Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give imports as a percentage of home demand in 1987 or over the maximum available period of 1987 projected on a yearly basis for(a) all manufactures, (b) chemicals, (c) motor vehicles, (d) textiles, (e) clothing and footwear, food and so on, (f) metals, (g) metal manufactures N. C. S., (h) mechanical engineers, (i) electrical engineering and (j) office/data processing instruments.

  Mr. Atkins
  Information on import penetration is contained in Business Monitor MQ12 "Import penetration and export sales ratios for manufacturing industry", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Research and Development
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the regional distribution of civil research and development expenditure by Government and industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information is not available and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

  Accident Statistics
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the number of people who have died of asphyxiation from accidentally swallowing a pen top, how many of these were children, and how many of these accidents occurred in school.

  Mr. Butcher
  Information is available for England and Wales from three sources: (i) a study of all children's deaths registered as inhalation of a foreign body between 1964 and 1984, (ii) the home accident deaths database for 1982–1985, and (iii) a newspaper cutting service (though the latter is not regarded as exhaustive).

  A total of 10 cases is known to my Department. All the victims were children. Two of the accidents occurred in schools, the other eight at home.
  608
  The following table gives details of the extent of information available.

  Deaths in England and Wales from asphyxiation following swallowing of a pen top

  Year

  Children under 15 years

  Adults aged 15 + years

  At home

  At school

  Elsewhere

  At home

  Elsewhere

  1964

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1965

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1966

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1967

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1968

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1969

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1970

  3

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1971

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1972

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1973

  1

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1974

  1

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1975

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1976

  1

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1977

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1978

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1979

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1980

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1981

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1—

  1982

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1983

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  1984

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1—

  1985

  0

  1—

  1—

  0

  1—

  1986

  Data not yet available

  1987

  Data not yet available, 1 known case of a child at schoool

  1 — = No data.

  Note:

  Where the table indicates that no data are available this means that while the Department is not aware of any cases, an exhaustive study of death registrations has not been made.

  British Steel Corporation
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is in a position to announce a revised external financing limit for the British Steel Corporation.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  As hon. Members will know, BSC's performance in the first half of this year has been impressive. I am glad to say that the corporation's latest forecasts for the rest of the current financial year indicate that a reduction in the EFL from £66 million to minus £300 million is practicable, and this change has now been made.

  EC (Research Council)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress was made at the meeting of the Research Council of European Community Ministers on 21 December 1987, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Community's Council of Ministers (Research) met on 21 December in Brussels: I represented Her Majesty's Government.

  The Council adopted a revision to the 1985–89 programme on radiation protection. This revision will provide a sum of 10 million ecu (£7 million) for additional work related to the Community's response to the Chernobyl accident.

  The Council also adopted common positions on the ESPRIT II programme in information technology and on a revision to the BRITE programme in industrial technology.
  609
  ESPRIT II is the largest single programme in the Community's 1987–90 framework programme for research and development. ESPRIT II will, over five years, provide 1600 million ecu (£1120 million) of Community funding for projects in microelectronics and peripheral technologies, information processing systems and application technologies. The same amount of funding will he provided by the industrial partners and other contractors in the ESPRIT projects. The United Kingdom Government expect the ESPRIT II programme to make a major contribution to the research needs of the information technology industry.

  The revision to the BRITE programme will provide a further 60 million ecu (£42 million) to support projects in industrial technologies such as wear and resistance, joining technologies, polymers and composite materials and flexible materials. As with ESPRIT, the Community funding is matched by similar contributions from contracting partners.

  The United Kingdom has participated fully in this rapid progress towards the implementation of specific programmes within the framework programme. This underlines our commitment to the principle of collaborative research within the Community on programmes which are well defined and meet clear Community needs.

  The Research Council also held a first debate on the Commission's proposals for the future programme of the joint research centre. The debate revealed a large measure of agreement that the JRC is in need of very considerable reform. I am hopeful that progress will be made towards this objective over the next few months.

  Airbus
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to make public the financial structure and financial situation of Airbus Industrie; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: Airbus Industrie is Groupement d'interet economique (grouping of mutual economic interest) established under French law. The Members of the partnership are Aerospatiale of France, with 37·9 per cent. participation, Deutsche Airbus of Germany, also with 37·9 per cent., British Aerospace of the United Kingdom, with 20 per cent. and CASA of Spain with 4·2 per cent. As a groupement d'interet economique, Airbus Industrie is not required to publish accounts. The results of the Airbus business of the partner companies are, of course, included in the annual accounts which these companies publish under their national laws.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role which he has given to his special adviser Sir Jeffrey Stirling in relation to the Airbus project.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: The Governments of the four Airbus partner countries have recently appointed a small group of wise men to consider the organisation of the Airbus programme. This step reinforces the continuous efforts of the partner companies, including British Aerospace, to improve the efficiency of the organisation. I have asked Sir Jeffrey Sterling to act as the United Kingdom member of this group.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received 610
  concerning the provision of further subsidies for Airbus projects following the decline in the value of the dollar; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988] The United Kingdom Government have provided launch aid to British Aerospace for the Airbus A320 programme, and have agreed to provide it for the Airbus A330/A340 programmes. Launch aid is not a subsidy and is repayable with a real rate of return to the Government. Senior representatives of British Aerospace have discussed with my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the effects on their Airbus business of the decline in the value of the dollar. They have not submitted an application for further launch aid.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy that .Airbus Industrie should become a public limited company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: No. The partners in Airbus Industrie are British Aerospace and its partner companies in France, Germany and Spain. It is their responsibility to take any decisions about the future organisation of the Airbus programme. Airbus partner Governments have an interest in organisational questions as they have provided financial support to the programme. This is why they have asked the group of wise men to consider the matter and to advise them.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions his Department or its representatives have had with the partner companies of Airbus Industrie or their sponsoring Governments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: My Department has regular meetings at ministerial and official level with other Airbus partner Governments, and also with British Aerospace arid Airbus Industrie. A wide range of topics of mutual interest is discussed at these meetings.

  Household Glass (Accident Statistics)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many children have been injured in accidents involving household glass and glazing in each of the last 10 years;

  (2) how many accidents involving household glass resulted in personal injury for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Butcher
  [holding answer 1 February 1988] The following estimates of the numbers of accidents involving household glass that were treated at hospitals in England and Wales from 1980 to 1987 have been made from sample data collected by my Department's home accident surveillance system. No other data are available.

  Year

  Estimated numbers of accidents children under 15 years

  Total

  1980

  52,000

  133,000

  1981

  36,000

  102,000

  1982

  42,000

  113,000

  1983

  44,000

  124,000

  1984

  45,000

  126,000

  611

  Year

  Estimated numbers of accidents children under 15 years

  Total

  1985

  39,000

  122,000

  1986

  34,000

  110,000

  11987

  33,000

  110,000

  1 provisional estimates.

  These figures include the following articles: windows, doors containing glass, unfitted panes, glass cabinets, mirrors, bottles, jars, dishes, drinking glasses, binoculars, greenhouses and unspecified glass, even though the glass part of the article may not have been involved in the accident. Only some of the accidents will have involved broken glass.

  Year

  Invest in Britain bureau

  Grants to English RDOs ('£)

  NEDC/NDC1

  Norwida/ Inward2

  YHDA

  DCBD

  WMIDA

  Promotional effort for United Kingdom

  NE Region

  NW Region

  YH Region

  Devon and Cornwall

  WM Region

  1978–79

  290,000

  275,000

  150,000

  33,000

  16,000

  —

  1979–80

  236,000

  365,000

  149,000

  68,000

  45,000

  —

  1980–81

  196,000

  274,000

  115,000

  62,000

  50,000

  —

  1981–82

  72,000

  230,000

  129,000

  65,000

  55,000

  —

  1982–83

  277,000

  250,000

  140,000

  70,000

  60,000

  —

  1983–84

  598,000

  850,000

  178,000

  163,000

  110,000

  50,000

  1984–85

  829,000

  975,000

  130,000

  518,000

  152,000

  100,000

  1985–86

  1,734,000

  760,000

  187,000

  400,000

  210,000

  130,000

  1986–87

  1,063,000

  868,000

  263,000

  499,000

  301,000

  250,000

  1987–883

  1,231,000

  1,088,000

  380,000

  600,000

  320,000

  320,000

  1 NDC took over from the NEDC with effect from 1 April 1987. The grant figure for the NDC in 1987–88 includes £180,000 for a core programme of activities aimed at regional regeneration.

  2 Inward took over from Norwida with effect from 1 October 1985.

  3 Budget.

  Funding for the promotional agencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for their respective Secretaries of State.

  In addition, my Department has spent the following amounts in the past three years on the promotion of the regional development grant and regional selective assistance schemes in England, and on the printing of booklets on the same schemes for use throughout Great Britain:

  Regional Development
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much money has been spent in each of the last 10 years by his Department or agencies responsible to his Department on attracting industry from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) overseas into (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) the English regions, by region.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau promotes the United Kingdom as a whole as a location for overseas investment, and the Department also provides grants to five English regional development organisations similarly to promote their respective regions. The total amount of money my Department has spent in each of the last 10 years on promotional programmes, and on the regional development organisations, is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1985–86

  77,000

  1986–87

  104,000

  1987–88 to date

  71,000

  Detailed records are unavailable for earlier years.

  "TASK FORCE TREES" PROGRAMME
  "TASK FORCE TREES" PROGRAMME
  BIRMINGHAM PUB BOMBINGS
  BIRMINGHAM PUB BOMBINGS
  HUMAN INFERTILITY
  HUMAN INFERTILITY